Saint Antony's Fire

by Steve White

Book Overview

Saint Antony's Fire This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416555986
• ISBN13: 9781416555988
• Release Date: November 2008
• Publisher: Baen Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

starts slow but solid finish

Quite a good book from Steve White with several unexpected twists in the lately popular alternate history theme. Slow start then good finish. Stands on it's own, I doubt there will be a sequel.

an absolute delight

there have been several stories of invasions by aliens during famous historic struggles,with epoch-changing results. some include "heroic humans from the author's favorite historic period aiding non-human species against their tyrannical overlords and end up with alien technology in the hands of the good guys". in no nessecary order. however, in most of these stories, the narrative often evolves into an unending series of battles, with the exploration of the world, or the human aspect of it moved to the background. but not so here! what redeems this story from becoming all of the above is a careful balance between avoiding the trap of techno-babble overload, a valid history lesson about politics religion and philosophy in the 16th century, and above all, wit and warmth to the protagonists, that in itself is acheived by an economy of words that in itself is a lesson in avoiding over-emotionality at the expense of a plot. not only will i await a further volume set in this world, but will re-read this book as a lesson in literature.

An alternate universe story set in 1588 Spain

An alternate universe in which Ponce de Leon has discovered a dangerous mythical secret that could change the world is presented in Steve White's ST. ANTHONY'S FIRE, an alternate universe story set in 1588 Spain and telling of weapons so powerful they seem sorcery to the world they are changing. Fast-paced action, intrigue, and dangerous interactions both political and scientific in nature make for a fine alternate world/high-tech novel science fiction libraries will find compelling.

When Aliens Invade, The English Get Even

In an imaginative stand-alone alternative history story, White lets Ponce de Leon find a crashed space ship instead of the Fountain of Youth. From there, the Spanish form an alliance with the alien Grella and the Spanish Armada, far from being stopped by the English, instead destroy the English fleet and London with antimatter weapons, St Antony's Fire. Queen Elizabeth is convinced to flee to the colony in Virginia, where it is discovered that the colonists of Roanoke have vanished through a portal into another dimension. White has written a number of books with other writers, notably David Weber, and this book of his own lets him show off his imagination, writing talent and sense of humor, without having to wonder who wrote what parts. Hopefully this will be a lead-in to other solo books by White.

History turned sideways

This book was a lot of fun to read, and it kept my interesting all the way through. The premise is simple -- Ponce de Leon's search for the Fountain of Youth doesn't turn up the fountain, but does stumble upon the wreckage of an alien spaceship. From that premise, the result is a pretty wild ride -- aliens in the Spanish Armada that attempted to invade England. Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth as part of a group fighting those aliens on another world. While some of it isn't especially plausible, it is all fun to read.