There Will Be Dragons

Rating:
Summary: A new universe for John Ringo. . .
Review: . . .with the usual for John Ringo: expect the unexpected. The ultra-high tech civilization of the 42nd Century is forced back to the middle ages by a split and attempted coup de main of the council that rules Earth... and the aftermath and re-building that follows. Most of the story centers around the village of Raven's Faire, what USED to be a site for a Renaissance Faire, and with the Fall, is now one of the centers civilization is re-forming around.

This is the first of several volumes covering both the war at the high level, and at the level of the people stranded in the New Dark Ages. Science AND pseudo-sorcery via nanotechnology: unlikely heroes and a classic villain. Oh, yes, and a 2,000-year-old nymphomaniac elf. I couldn't put it down, and doubt you can either. . .

Rating:
Summary: An Excellent read
Review: Although I have read and enjoyed John Ringo's other books I feel this is in a class of its own. With the Posleen Books I couldn't help but feel that plot sometimes gave way to action. In TWBD the author manages to combine excellent action scenes with thoughtful consideration of the situation, all the while using Ringo's unique styles and methods of doing the worst possible things to your favourite characters.

Overall a book that doesn't make the mistake of some authors of underestimating the intelligence of the reader.

I for one a can't wait till the next in the series.

Rating:
Summary: Probably 4 1/2 stars...
Review: for a book that certainly goes in a different direction than John Ringo's previous books and series. To paraphrase, Arthur C. Clarke, when technology is far beyond what you're used to, it's magic. Ringo's society has that type of technology.
But then, the magic dies, and people are forced to rely on technologies from several thousand years before.
This is the first of a series, and it's only flaw is that, like all series, it has to establish who's who and what's what. Because of this, the first 1/8 of the book seems slow. After that first 1/8, though, the story takes off and you need to hang on.
There are some great characters (some of whom have names I found familiar) and there are some great in-jokes for fans of Ringo's books and SF in general.
There are dragons, by the way. Just not as main characters, and you can understand the title if remember that old maps had parts of them unmarked, except for the words, "Here Be Dragons." The characters are going into "Dragon" territory in this book.

Rating:
Summary: And how about that bikini-clad elf on the cover?
Review: For a thousand years, Earth has been almost paradise. A computer artificial intelligence, 'Mother,' keeps track of everything, prevents explosions, and supplies enough energy and nanite technology for everyone to live in plenty. A few recreators dream about the romance of medieval life, but for the most part, they enjoy the long lives that nanite technology allows. There is one problem in paradise. Despite the long lives, humanity is under-reproducing itself. According to some calculations, it will die out entirely if trends don't change. And a faction of the ruling council has come up with a scheme to change everything. That faction is essentially fascism. When the council splits, war breaks out and all of the energy produced by 'Mother' is suddenly drawn into the conflict.

Edmund, a smith and medieval recreator, gathers an increasing group of refugees into a town. Since Mother doesn't allow steam engines, let alone internal combustion, they need to recreate medieval technology. But not everyone is content to live in peace--bandits are becoming increasingly organized--and supported by the fascist council members. Former recreator and recently healed Herzer joins the town, gets to work in timber cutting, then joins Edmund's brain-child. A Roman legion. Legions, Edmond reasons, stayed a Republic as long as it did because of the legion. Peasant levies and heavy cavalry, in contrast, lead to feudal serf/noble societies--something that Edmund wants to avoid but that he can only prevent in his own section of the world.

THERE WILL BE DRAGONS starts a bit slowly, although the world-building is interesting and convincing. The background, AI wars, Mother, and energy currenty all make for a well-conceived future (I'm not sure that a world where reenactors stop around the beginning of the 20th century really makes sense for the 50th century, nor that 50th century citizens would be more aware of the evils of Pol Pot than we are of the evils of particular old kingdom Egyptian phaeros, but hey, we have to give authors a bit of leeway on the cultural things. Parts of Herzer's life also read like an adolescent male's fantasy--how about that bikini-clad elf-warrior on the cover, anyway.

I found myself getting angry at author John Ringo's strange belief that arming the people does much good (it certainly didn't keep Iraq or Afghanistan from totalitarian evils), but in the end, his story convinced me. The Roman legion training and the battle sequences which make up the final third of the book were a great payoff for the reading investment. Naturally, DRAGONS leaves a lot of loose ends hanging--plenty of material for sequels, but I'm looking forward to reading more.

Rating:
Summary: Offputting
Review: From the synopses of "There Will Be Dragons," I wasn't sure I'd like it and so decided to wait for the paperback. I then read very positive reviews of "Emerald Sea" (next in the series) and decided I couldn't wait for the paperback. When I received the book, I was first disgusted by the dust jacket (supposed to meet men's sexual fantasies?). I don't know who decided on this jacket, which was illustrated by Clyde Caldwell, not John Ringo. It needs to be eliminated. I'm surprised the dust jacket has generated little comment.

I did start reading and considered the plot so-so (jumped too much from one character and locale to another). I kept expecting to be drawn into the story, but that didn't happen. After Ringo introduced Bast, the wise, long-lived elf, I became irritated by the continued references to her incredible understanding of humans and, apparently, of sex. I definitely didn't like Bast's intimation to Daneh that it's okay to be a submissive and to reach orgasm when Daneh relives (in dreams) her rape. I had to stop reading. I'm not sure what Ringo intended--and am aware that what an author writes does not necessarily reflect his/her views. But, this was too much.

I also felt that the book supported rather right-wing views regarding the environment (mentioned by at least one other reviewer) and the right to bear arms (also mentioned by other reviewers). The gung-ho military aspect comes through in other Ringo novels, but more acceptably--and entertainingly--so (at least for me).

I'm not going to try "Emerald Sea" since I find it hard to imagine that the nature of the series changes that dramatically in the second book.

I've enjoyed John Ringo's Human-Posleen series (although I think the quality of the series has declined in the last couple books); I've especially liked the Prince Roger series co-authored by David Weber and am eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Rating:
Summary: Ringo-fication of the fantasy genre
Review: Having read the previous mil-sf works of John Ringo (alone and in collaboration), I expected a fast paced, enjoyable book with, perhaps, not as much character development as some other authors. I was very pleased to find that Mr. Ringo has expanded his abilities and plumbed his individual characters more deeply than I expected, while simultaneously building a fantastic fallen world of the future where anything is possible.

I found the crossover of the fantasy genre with the mil-sf genre to be particulary entertaining and clever. I enjoyed the embedded humor, and even got a few of the inside jokes. I can honestly say that my money was well spent, and I have no trouble recommending this book to my friends.

Rating:
Summary: exciting blending of futurescience fiction with fantasy
Review: Humanity lives in a veritable Garden of Eden with disease and death conquered. Mankind lives almost like Gods in a Utopian Olympus controlled by the computer "Mother", who monitors and calculates probable outcomes. Mother realizes that there is a 99.9999915% chance that the humans will go to war as the council, who oversees her, is squabbling and there is a 17.347% probability they will wipe out the species. However, Mother is not programmed to warn humanity or any other intelligent speices (machine or animal).

The war causes massive destruction with no corner of the globe immune. In isolated Raven's Mill, smith and self proclaimed historian Edmund Talbot sees refugees seeking asylum while warlords assault anyone. Elves visit him to help save mankind, but it may be too late. Enemies from Edmund's past and new foes realize that to conquer, they must eliminate Edmund first. He is the key for the 82.653% survival of the species; that is if he is not distracted by the fact that his daughter is out there as a perfect pawn to destroy him. Mother knows that without Edmund the survival odds are reversed.

THERE WILL BE DRAGONS is an exciting blending of future science fiction with some fantasy elements into a delightful action-packed tale. The story line never slows down from the moment Mother computes the odds in a mundane ho hum manner. The cast seems genuine whether they are "perfect" human, elf, other mythological creature, or man working the land. Still it is John Ringo's world that makes Paradise obtained and Paradise Lost seem credible that makes this fab tale so much fun. Fans will anxiously await sequels to ascertain whether humanity finds Paradise Regained.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: John Ringo joins the great ones...
Review: I am very impressed. While I have enjoyed all of Mr. Ringo's previous offerings, this is his best yet. In the areas of story concept, structure, character development and sheer reading enjoyment, this book is comparable to works by such greats as Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov and Author C. Clarke. My wife did comment on the obligatory partially clad female in the cover art and I must agree while well drawn it is superfluous (but then, I prefer it over rampaging robots and killer aliens). I don't like telling much about a story's plot line; just know that it is about utopia gone wrong, humankind's continued failure to advance socially as fast as our technology, and our continued failure to learn from past mistakes.

My sincere thanks to Mr. Ringo and his publishers for a very excellent read. Bravo

Rating:
Summary: A Promising Start
Review: I first found John Ringo through his co-authored works will David Weber. They both write "hard" military science fiction, and this one is no differerent. Except its not so much military science fiction as medievial military fiction. True, there exists high techonology, including AIs and genetic engineering, most of the action of this book takes place with swords and bows. A well crafted work of fiction and well worth the read but mostly not sci-fi, but then it didn't claim to be.

Rating:
Summary: a true Time Warp
Review: I gave an entire night of my life to this incredible book. I was swallowed by the future destruction of utopia. I was dashed to and fro by the tides of historical resurgence. The humorous and factual punches knocked me silly!

On top of all that, there is a realistic feel to the people in this that amazed me. I enjoyed every minute of this book. I am also praying daily for the publication of a sequel!!