Flamecaster (8 out of 10). Written by Cinda Williams Chima. HarperCollins. Available 04/05/16
Full disclosure, I hadn’t read anything by Cinda Williams Chima previously. After finishing ‘Flamecaster’ I guess I have to go back and read the ‘Seven Realms’ series – this novel was that good.
Some of my Bookie friends have had to get me up to speed on the aforementioned ‘Seven Realms’…and while there is enough exposition in ‘Flamecaster’ that you don’t need to read the first series, they highly recommend it because ‘Flamecaster’ has a lot of spoilers. One in particular that happens very early and that has brought a lot of attention to this title in particular.
The new series opens in Fellsmarch. The people are feeling the effects of war and the privations of a long siege. Treachery has brought tragedy to the Grey Wolf Line. ‘Flamecaster’ follows two new characters as it takes place twenty five years after the events of the original ‘Seven Realms’ and Chima does quick work of getting you emotionally invested in these characters.
We are Introduced to a young and powerful healer with a gift of magic named Ash. Son of the queen, he is forced into hiding after a series of murders. He is ready for revenge and is close to the man he searches for, the King of Arden. He is not sure if he can use his healing powers for vengeance.
While he is planning his move, Jenna Bandelow, a spy, is also planning to strike against the king. She carries a mysterious mage-mark on the back of her neck that will make her a target. She believes that it is only a tale until she becomes hunted by the King’s guard. Unwilling to become a pawn she decides to put an end to the King in her own way.
Ash and Jenna come together in a strange twist as dark magic begins to makes its own mark in the world. With both having more to hide then imagined, can they survive the threats leveled against them? Will their differences hinder them or will it bring them together in ways that will help them grow.
Chima has given us a fierce pair of young people who have grown up way to soon. Their magic’s make them targets, and they both hunt the same man. She takes us into a world of beauty and chaos and litters it with both magic and powers. She delivers on the protagonists as well as the victims in ways that keep you enthralled.
I don’t want to give away to much as the plot in ‘Flamecaster’ is steadily unpredictable. A glorious tale of revenge, redemption, and self-discovery, all in one epic storyline. The quality of the writing is just stellar. The characters are believable, the world itself is riveting. The intrigue and adventure will have readers turning page after page wondering what twist is coming next. An entertaining engaging fantasy novel, highly recommended.
Here is the link to an exclusive interview with Cinda Williams Chima. We had a great conversation about the novel, magic systems in books & many, many other things. Enjoy:
https://soundcloud.com/poppundits/cinda-williams-chima-interview
-Dagobot
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