"Book #18 in the multiple New York Times best-selling Ring of Fire series, and the team behind national bestseller 1635: The Kremlin Games. After carving a free state for itself in war-torn 17th century Europe, citizens of the modern town of Grantville, West Virginia contend with aristocratic forces determined to keep their grip on power whatever it takes. When Grantville, West Virginia was transported back to the year 1631 -- in the middle of the Thirty Years' War, no less -- many things happened. Many opportunities arose. It's said that a rising tide lifts all boats. Perhaps not quite as high as the Barbie Consortium rose, however. A cabal of ten- to twelve-year-old girls? They aren't twelve anymore. And they gave up playing with dolls some years ago, when they sold them all and started an investment consortium. A consortium that did quite well. The Barbie Consortium hits Vienna. In several different ways. The princes and princesses, dukes and duchesses, the common men and women on the street have no idea what's about to happen.Neither do the girls, but they're determined it'll happen their way. About 1636: The Devil's Opera: "Another engaging alternate history from a master of the genre."--Booklist ". an old-style police-procedural mystery, set in 17th century Germany. the threads. spin together. to weave an addictively entertaining story. a strong addition to a fun series."-- Daily News of Galveston County About Eric Flint's Ring of Fire series: "This alternate history series is...a landmark..."--Booklist "[Eric] Flint's 1632 universe seems to be inspiring a whole new crop of gifted alternate historians."--Booklist "...reads like a technothriller set in the age of the Medicis..."--Publishers Weekly"-- "The United States of Europe, the new nation formed by an alliance between Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus and the West Virginians hurled back in time is beset by enemies. But as a young new emperor comes to the throne in Austria, an opening has developed for making peace with one branch of the mighty Habsburg dynasty. However, this is no job for diplomats. With the Austro-Hungarian empire teetering on the brink of economic collapse, the USE sends auto mechanics and financiers to the rescue. But the mechanics are West Virginia hillbillies and the financiers are mostly teenage American girls. Ready to greet them is an emperor uncertain of his goals, common folk desperate for work, noblemen with intentions both fair and foul and priest plotting on all sides. To put it mildly, a culture clash in the making"--