A Matter of Security

A Ring of Fire Novel (NESS Series, Book 1)

De: Bjorn Hasseler

Narrado por: P.J. Ochlan

It's a matter of security.

When the Ring of Fire drags Grantville, West Virginia, back to seventeenth-century Germany, down-time veteran Edgar Neustatter finds himself among the survivors of a unit devastated by the up-time Americans and their Swedish allies. After wintering in Grantville, they return home to find that while they have changed, their village has not. Having glimpsed the promise of a republic ruled by its people rather than lords and tyrants, Neustatter leads his men and their families back to Grantville to establish a new agency: Neustatter's European Security Services. The city from the future counts cowboys and detectives among its heroes-and still needs them.

Join Neustatter, Astrid Schäubin, and NESS as they face desperate refugees, towns on the edge of revolution, and those who want to preserve the old order at all costs, while juggling basic training, modern education, and the day-to-day challenges of living in a boom town. Does NESS have the flexibility, training, and firepower to survive in the new timeline?

©2021 Bjorn Hasseler (P)2023 Tantor

What I’ve been wishing for

I have listened to many of the 1632 books, and I enjoyed them. They are mainly written from the point of view of the “up timer’s” (The 20th century people.) This is written from “down timer’s” (The 17th century German people.) point of view.

I have always wondered how the native German people would react. I spent a wonderful morning and afternoon listening to this. If you still wonder what I thought of this, I just bought the second novel in the series. I will probably finish it before I go to sleep tonight.

Interesting Narration, Excellent RoF Story

The narrator's 3rd person style took a lot of getting used to, but his excellent voices during dialog more than made up for it. The story itself is fascinating, and should keep any Ring of Fire fan entertained.

excellent

Another amazing look at the 1632 universe by Björn H. great characters and plot an enjoyable listen. what's next for N.E.S.S?

Better than other 1632 books

I really enjoyed the start of a new series. Without spoilers I can say this is about a private security group who has a sharp officer and company. The basic training story was the best part. The alternative 1632 narrator did a fantastic job. Can’t wait to hear the second book.

Not what I hoped

This story plods along. The worst thing is the narrator, whose monotone delivery deprives the story of whatever interest it might eventually evolve.

I love the 1632/Ring of Fire series. I am used to the different voices and narrative styles of the many contributors. But this could not hold my attention. Rather, it actively repelled me, and I could not finish it. The narrator’s droning delivery came across as someone assigned to read a badly written report and wanted to come across like Joe Friday from Dragnet, and failed.

The writing had very little to recommend it as far as I got, though it may get better if it adds either some tension, or intrigue or character development.

Perhaps I’ll give it a try in print, because I do want more Ring of Fire stories, but until I find this book used and inexpensive, I’ll make do with fan fiction.