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mellhay's review against another edition
2.0
Vidarian is summoned to meet with the priestess of air, Endera. Endera feels his family history and his ship make him perfect for her task at hand. When Vidarian refuses the job of taking a fire priestess on his wooden ship in the ocean through dangerous waters Endera invokes the commitment made by his grandfather 50 years ago binding Vidarian to the journey. Endera being of good graces will still pay him handsomely though. The fire priestess is being transported because she is being sought after by Vkortha, dangerous telepaths who live on their own island where no one knows except the fire priestess Ariadel. Vidarian will learn more of fire magic, water magic, and himself than he ever thought possible as a lone sailor. Will the fire goddess go beyond normal doings to help the priestess Araidel and Vidarian? Or is there more at stake here? Even the griffins are willing to help Vidarian believing he is the one to close the gate.
This is one full fantasy read with a journey and world all created new here. This world created is one full of the four elements, and the space between them. The space being chaos and/or connection of the elements. For each of the four elements there are priestesses. But the magic has been dieing out over the years. Even with the crossing of the elements in bloodlines it's created a disease that could kill the children and young adults if more than one flares to life inside them. Even the griffins are of different elements. And this world aspect I really enjoyed. Even the mythology in setting up the gate, and chaos. But what lies behind the gates might be able to help the world or flip it completely upside down from what they know it as.
The characters where interesting in the way they handle the occurrences they go through. Their where a few things about the characters I didn't understand though. One was Vidarian wanting to be bond the emeralds he is paid from Endera to his life. I think I missed something here as the emeralds will die out when he passes on. I would think he would want them to spend not to look at, but I'm not him. And the love between Vidarian and Ariadel seemed to happen awfully fast for me. Unless there was something with the bonding to the emeralds that connected them (which I'm thinking happened) it seemed they fell in 'love' to quickly for me. But as a couple I like them together.
This book seems to be the start of a bigger series. To me the first half of the book was set up of the characters and arranging the world for us. I felt from time to time there where things said by the characters or happenings that posed huge questions in my mind that instantly made me feel lost. The answers did come through shortly after, but when I read them at first I felt there was not set up for it to me and had me lost. The second half of the book read easier for me and the action picked up. We also got more of the back story answers here for the world and creatures and characters.
I think I read the synopsis of the book and was trying to relate some of that to what I was reading and had a hard time. As the information about Vidarian's grandfather marrying a fire priestess doesn't come out until the very end of the book. Along with other details of the world and the different magics not living peacefully blended together in bloodlines. I like this idea, but kind of wish it was presented earlier in the book.
I'm very curious to see where the next book in the series goes. I think this could be a good series, but a shaky start for me. But these are my thoughts and could have just been my timing in reading it wasn't right. Please if you like the sounds of the book, go give it a try you just might like it. I really wanted to loooove this book, as I only liked it. I would like to give book two a chance to see where this great world goes.
This is one full fantasy read with a journey and world all created new here. This world created is one full of the four elements, and the space between them. The space being chaos and/or connection of the elements. For each of the four elements there are priestesses. But the magic has been dieing out over the years. Even with the crossing of the elements in bloodlines it's created a disease that could kill the children and young adults if more than one flares to life inside them. Even the griffins are of different elements. And this world aspect I really enjoyed. Even the mythology in setting up the gate, and chaos. But what lies behind the gates might be able to help the world or flip it completely upside down from what they know it as.
The characters where interesting in the way they handle the occurrences they go through. Their where a few things about the characters I didn't understand though. One was Vidarian wanting to be bond the emeralds he is paid from Endera to his life. I think I missed something here as the emeralds will die out when he passes on. I would think he would want them to spend not to look at, but I'm not him. And the love between Vidarian and Ariadel seemed to happen awfully fast for me. Unless there was something with the bonding to the emeralds that connected them (which I'm thinking happened) it seemed they fell in 'love' to quickly for me. But as a couple I like them together.
This book seems to be the start of a bigger series. To me the first half of the book was set up of the characters and arranging the world for us. I felt from time to time there where things said by the characters or happenings that posed huge questions in my mind that instantly made me feel lost. The answers did come through shortly after, but when I read them at first I felt there was not set up for it to me and had me lost. The second half of the book read easier for me and the action picked up. We also got more of the back story answers here for the world and creatures and characters.
I think I read the synopsis of the book and was trying to relate some of that to what I was reading and had a hard time. As the information about Vidarian's grandfather marrying a fire priestess doesn't come out until the very end of the book. Along with other details of the world and the different magics not living peacefully blended together in bloodlines. I like this idea, but kind of wish it was presented earlier in the book.
I'm very curious to see where the next book in the series goes. I think this could be a good series, but a shaky start for me. But these are my thoughts and could have just been my timing in reading it wasn't right. Please if you like the sounds of the book, go give it a try you just might like it. I really wanted to loooove this book, as I only liked it. I would like to give book two a chance to see where this great world goes.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
2.0
My thoughts:
There is a lot going on in this book and it was different than other fantasy books in a way. Because a lot happened, sure at times I felt like things happened to quickly, but then that might just be because I am used to it taken 4 books just to start a journey.
To break things done. Vidarian is a ship captain who escorts Ariadel to her destination but things go wrong at once. So many will fight against them at the end, or by their side. The imperial forces, pirates, the Priestesses, gryphons and Goddesses. This is a world that is slowly loosing its magic and Vidarian and Ariadel stands in the middle of that. There is a prophecy and decisions to be made.
Sure at times I did not know how I felt about the book. Things did move forward fast so the fights were not long, but why should this be bad? New is good. Though it also felt a bit hard to get to know the characters, still at the end I liked the book and it had me curious about the next one.
The world was interesting. The elements are used in magic and 2000 years ago something big happened and that shaped the world today. Other things are that people can't seem to marry those who are of another element because then they will get a disease. Viridian is fire and water because of that and, oh I can't say.
The end, well there actually was an ending to their journey and the goal accomplished. I was surprised since this is a series but then because of the ending in question so much more will happen. It was an ending that gave birth to more.
And I shall not forget the romance, yes something is building between the main characters.
Conclusion:
The book got better and better and ended with a finale that sure shook things up. I am very intrigued to where she will take the story next. There are so many possibilities.
Rating:
Surprised me in the end
There is a lot going on in this book and it was different than other fantasy books in a way. Because a lot happened, sure at times I felt like things happened to quickly, but then that might just be because I am used to it taken 4 books just to start a journey.
To break things done. Vidarian is a ship captain who escorts Ariadel to her destination but things go wrong at once. So many will fight against them at the end, or by their side. The imperial forces, pirates, the Priestesses, gryphons and Goddesses. This is a world that is slowly loosing its magic and Vidarian and Ariadel stands in the middle of that. There is a prophecy and decisions to be made.
Sure at times I did not know how I felt about the book. Things did move forward fast so the fights were not long, but why should this be bad? New is good. Though it also felt a bit hard to get to know the characters, still at the end I liked the book and it had me curious about the next one.
The world was interesting. The elements are used in magic and 2000 years ago something big happened and that shaped the world today. Other things are that people can't seem to marry those who are of another element because then they will get a disease. Viridian is fire and water because of that and, oh I can't say.
The end, well there actually was an ending to their journey and the goal accomplished. I was surprised since this is a series but then because of the ending in question so much more will happen. It was an ending that gave birth to more.
And I shall not forget the romance, yes something is building between the main characters.
Conclusion:
The book got better and better and ended with a finale that sure shook things up. I am very intrigued to where she will take the story next. There are so many possibilities.
Rating:
Surprised me in the end
nemoremo1998's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kodermike's review against another edition
4.0
As readers of epic fantasy, we are spoiled. We've come to expect that anything labeled epic must be epic in all regards. It must require epic feats of strength to carry it; it must be epic in length and effort to read it; it must have an epic length cast. Reading Erin Hoffman's debut novel, "Sword of Fire and Sea," will be a shock to the system for most epic fantasy readers who haven't experienced fantasy from the recent batch of new to the scene fantasy authors. Hoffman employs an economy of words that is near terse - there are no wasted descriptions, no wasted scenes.
As the blurb from Pyr goes, three generations ago Captain Vidarian Rulorat's great-grandfather gave up an imperial commission to marry a
fire priestess. For love, he unwittingly obligated his descendants to an allegiance with the High Temple of Kara'zul, domain of the fire priestesses. Now Vidarian, the last surviving member of the Rulorat family, struggles to uphold his family's legacy. All of this, of course, is background, and this is about as much as is revealed in the novel itself. You can easily disregard the rest of the back flap's description of the book, because the book quickly changes course more than once as you weave through the story. Hoffman does a great job of keeping you turning those pages, though, so that it isn't until the novel is done and you glance at the back of the cover that you remember to ask yourself, whatever happened with that plot point?
For a time of the year when the northern hemisphere fantasy readers are looking for "beach books," preferably something shorter than the tomes the likes of Rothfuss and Sanderson are putting out (which are great, but ruin your tan by blocking out the sun as you struggle to hold a thousand page monstrosity up and turn the page), Hoffman's debut will be a fun delight.
My only complaint about the novel, and I'm phrasing this so it isn't a spoiler, is - really? "Correctamundo?" "See you later, alligator?" You've got a lot of explaining to do, Ms. Hoffman :)
As the blurb from Pyr goes, three generations ago Captain Vidarian Rulorat's great-grandfather gave up an imperial commission to marry a
fire priestess. For love, he unwittingly obligated his descendants to an allegiance with the High Temple of Kara'zul, domain of the fire priestesses. Now Vidarian, the last surviving member of the Rulorat family, struggles to uphold his family's legacy. All of this, of course, is background, and this is about as much as is revealed in the novel itself. You can easily disregard the rest of the back flap's description of the book, because the book quickly changes course more than once as you weave through the story. Hoffman does a great job of keeping you turning those pages, though, so that it isn't until the novel is done and you glance at the back of the cover that you remember to ask yourself, whatever happened with that plot point?
For a time of the year when the northern hemisphere fantasy readers are looking for "beach books," preferably something shorter than the tomes the likes of Rothfuss and Sanderson are putting out (which are great, but ruin your tan by blocking out the sun as you struggle to hold a thousand page monstrosity up and turn the page), Hoffman's debut will be a fun delight.
My only complaint about the novel, and I'm phrasing this so it isn't a spoiler, is - really? "Correctamundo?" "See you later, alligator?" You've got a lot of explaining to do, Ms. Hoffman :)
theladygonzalez's review against another edition
4.0
originally posted @ http://thatbookishgirl.blogspot.com/2011/07/review-sword-of-fire-and-sea-by-erin.html
Sword of Fire and Sea by Erin Hoffman was an incredibly exciting and compelling read. Hoffman covers a lot of ground in this debut and the direction changes quite a few times. Yet somehow she manages to keep the story flowing and the reader engaged. You don’t always know where the story is trying to go, but nonetheless, it is still enjoyable. Considering that Sword of Fire and Sea is a relatively short for a fantasy read, Hoffman manages to cram a lot of plot into the 200+ pages. I felt like the book set a challenge and solved and moved on to something new a number of times. Does that make sense to you? The plotline just kept progressing and progressing; therefore the goals of the characters changed throughout the story as well.
That being said, I never once felt like things dragged. Although the writing is long-winded and descriptive (Hoffman is definitely a fan of complex sentences), she doesn’t go off on unnecessary tangents. A lot of times in fantasies I get overwhelmed by the writing, but that wasn’t a problem here. Yes, the author uses the eloquent, lush and lavish writing style that fantasy readers are used to, but she always stays focused on the topic. You won’t find a two page description of a tree or a rock here.
The characters were all intriguing and unique in their own way. There is the main character, Vidarian, who fits well in the role of reluctant hero. Then we have the fire priestess Ariadel, who develops a rather defiant rebellious streak. Let’s not forget the gryphons – I instantly took a liking to them. You never really know what to expect from them and they certainly keep things interesting.
I will say that the relationship between Ariadel and Vidarian threw me a bit. Maybe I just gotten to used to paranormal romances, but I felt the story was really lacking build up. There are a few passages in which Vidarian expresses interest in the priestesses’ appearance, but nothing major. Then, suddenly they are a couple. I enjoyed the two of them together; I just wish their relationship had shown more progression. Although, the apparent jumpiness of their relationship could be attributed to lack of timeline. Honestly, Hoffman may have instituted a timeline, but I had a hard time keeping track. Like I said before, a lot happens within the book and I just completely lost track of time. I don’t know if the events of the book take place over days, week or months.
Another small issue I had with the book was that some of the dialogue felt out of place. I don’t want to dive too deeply into it, because I don’t want to spoil plot points, but at times the exchanges between characters felt rather odd. There are a few different cases when Hoffman uses modern expressions and slang and they just did not mesh well with tone and feeling of the book.
I am very curious to see where Hoffman takes the next book. I was incredibly shocked that she wrapped up the ending the way she did, there was quite a bit of resolution. There was a clear opening for the story line to progress, but the characters met the goal they set out to accomplish. How many times does that happen in the first book of a fantasy series? Honestly, I felt like I was getting away with something to get as much plot resolution as we did.
Long story short, I enjoyed Sword of Fire and Sea. It was full of rich, descriptive, yet focused writing - which is hard to come by. The characters and plotline were intriguing and I had a good time reading it. The plotline was fast paced and the characters accomplished a great deal throughout the story. Although it wasn’t perfect, I still say it was a tremendous effort from Hoffman.
Sword of Fire and Sea by Erin Hoffman was an incredibly exciting and compelling read. Hoffman covers a lot of ground in this debut and the direction changes quite a few times. Yet somehow she manages to keep the story flowing and the reader engaged. You don’t always know where the story is trying to go, but nonetheless, it is still enjoyable. Considering that Sword of Fire and Sea is a relatively short for a fantasy read, Hoffman manages to cram a lot of plot into the 200+ pages. I felt like the book set a challenge and solved and moved on to something new a number of times. Does that make sense to you? The plotline just kept progressing and progressing; therefore the goals of the characters changed throughout the story as well.
That being said, I never once felt like things dragged. Although the writing is long-winded and descriptive (Hoffman is definitely a fan of complex sentences), she doesn’t go off on unnecessary tangents. A lot of times in fantasies I get overwhelmed by the writing, but that wasn’t a problem here. Yes, the author uses the eloquent, lush and lavish writing style that fantasy readers are used to, but she always stays focused on the topic. You won’t find a two page description of a tree or a rock here.
The characters were all intriguing and unique in their own way. There is the main character, Vidarian, who fits well in the role of reluctant hero. Then we have the fire priestess Ariadel, who develops a rather defiant rebellious streak. Let’s not forget the gryphons – I instantly took a liking to them. You never really know what to expect from them and they certainly keep things interesting.
I will say that the relationship between Ariadel and Vidarian threw me a bit. Maybe I just gotten to used to paranormal romances, but I felt the story was really lacking build up. There are a few passages in which Vidarian expresses interest in the priestesses’ appearance, but nothing major. Then, suddenly they are a couple. I enjoyed the two of them together; I just wish their relationship had shown more progression. Although, the apparent jumpiness of their relationship could be attributed to lack of timeline. Honestly, Hoffman may have instituted a timeline, but I had a hard time keeping track. Like I said before, a lot happens within the book and I just completely lost track of time. I don’t know if the events of the book take place over days, week or months.
Another small issue I had with the book was that some of the dialogue felt out of place. I don’t want to dive too deeply into it, because I don’t want to spoil plot points, but at times the exchanges between characters felt rather odd. There are a few different cases when Hoffman uses modern expressions and slang and they just did not mesh well with tone and feeling of the book.
I am very curious to see where Hoffman takes the next book. I was incredibly shocked that she wrapped up the ending the way she did, there was quite a bit of resolution. There was a clear opening for the story line to progress, but the characters met the goal they set out to accomplish. How many times does that happen in the first book of a fantasy series? Honestly, I felt like I was getting away with something to get as much plot resolution as we did.
Long story short, I enjoyed Sword of Fire and Sea. It was full of rich, descriptive, yet focused writing - which is hard to come by. The characters and plotline were intriguing and I had a good time reading it. The plotline was fast paced and the characters accomplished a great deal throughout the story. Although it wasn’t perfect, I still say it was a tremendous effort from Hoffman.
theemeraldflame's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
cricci's review against another edition
2.0
Overall this novel was a huge disappointment. Besides my pet peeve of inconsistency -- if you halve a 12 man group twice you end up with 3 men, not 12, that's just how math works -- it was misleading. The back summary describes the main character as suffering from a rare genetic disease, but it's only mentioned at the end of the book and he does NOT suffer from it. His lover does. I'm all for a good twist, but that is just ridiculous. And if this "Blood Plague" is a disease, what is with the Rulorat's agreement with the fire priestesses? It was mentioned in the beginning and hinted at in the first third of the book as something that binds the Rulorats to a fire priestesses will. Why? What's the story there? I got some of the story from the summary, but no where in the book is Vidarian's grandfather's marriage to a fire priestess mentioned in combination with such an agreement.
Other things that just pop up are relationships. I was thoroughly enjoying Vidarian's and Ariadel's slow progress towards a romantic relationship until Hoffman went and ruined it by suddenly thrusting them together. Not only does she crush the beautiful sexual tension between them, but she makes them suddenly in love. How did that happen? When did that happen?
To top all of that off, the map did not quite correlate with the story line. Hoffman mentions an Eastern part of the empire just South of the mountains, but that's not on the map. What's also not on the map are some of the cities mentioned along the story line as well. I just believe that if there is a map it should be accurate and accent the novel. Otherwise, just leave it out. I ended up just ignoring the map in the end, since it wasn't useful.
I would have put up with these, fairly minor, issues if the plot had been interesting, but frankly, it was just LONG. The entire thing dragged. You would think with all the sudden changes, the plot would have moved quickly through exciting battles and be filled with adventure -- NOPE. Actually, it is because of this novel, I have fully cemented the idea that the devil is in the details. Details are what make a story real, interesting, and move. The little similes and metaphors relating to each of the elements were great. I just wish Hoffman incorporated them more with the rest of the plot to help attach me to the characters and help the plot move. Hoffman just cut things out she shouldn't have, which made her story drag.
Overall, it just felt as if Hoffman was writing almost stream of consciousness without any real thought of where her novel was going. Characters and relationships appear and disappear without warning, parts of the world are suddenly accessible (yet mysteriously missing from the map), and and political plots surface without warning. For a world and plot that was supposed to be coming since 1995, according to her author's note, it's really not well thought out.
Other things that just pop up are relationships. I was thoroughly enjoying Vidarian's and Ariadel's slow progress towards a romantic relationship until Hoffman went and ruined it by suddenly thrusting them together. Not only does she crush the beautiful sexual tension between them, but she makes them suddenly in love. How did that happen? When did that happen?
To top all of that off, the map did not quite correlate with the story line. Hoffman mentions an Eastern part of the empire just South of the mountains, but that's not on the map. What's also not on the map are some of the cities mentioned along the story line as well. I just believe that if there is a map it should be accurate and accent the novel. Otherwise, just leave it out. I ended up just ignoring the map in the end, since it wasn't useful.
I would have put up with these, fairly minor, issues if the plot had been interesting, but frankly, it was just LONG. The entire thing dragged. You would think with all the sudden changes, the plot would have moved quickly through exciting battles and be filled with adventure -- NOPE. Actually, it is because of this novel, I have fully cemented the idea that the devil is in the details. Details are what make a story real, interesting, and move. The little similes and metaphors relating to each of the elements were great. I just wish Hoffman incorporated them more with the rest of the plot to help attach me to the characters and help the plot move. Hoffman just cut things out she shouldn't have, which made her story drag.
Overall, it just felt as if Hoffman was writing almost stream of consciousness without any real thought of where her novel was going. Characters and relationships appear and disappear without warning, parts of the world are suddenly accessible (yet mysteriously missing from the map), and and political plots surface without warning. For a world and plot that was supposed to be coming since 1995, according to her author's note, it's really not well thought out.
adubrow's review
3.0
(Originally posted @ CSI:Librarian.)
2.5 Stars - Let me start off by saying that I really wanted to love this book and appreciate it for what it was. I also don’t need every book I read to break the mold or shrug off the conventions of its genre, but in the case of Sword of Fire and Sea, I felt like I was doing the reading equivalent of playing a mildly entertaining video game with neat visuals and a very so-so storyline. Sometimes I was dazzled by the ideas at work, but most of the time I was too confused or let down by the way the ideas were ultimately utilized.
In terms of the setting and the writing in of themselves, Sword of Fire and Sea was quite good. I think there were a lot of great details, a very neat magic system, and a very interesting new world for readers to visit. There was certainly plenty of potential and quite a number of unique concepts as well, but nothing got developed in a way that made me care about what was at stake or any of events unfolding in said fictional world. Even now that I’m done reading, I don’t know that I feel like this book did what it set off to accomplish and I certainly feel like its very awesome summary lead me to expect way more than I received.
In terms of the characters and plot, Sword of Fire and Sea was okay but erred too often on the side of bland caution. Being sort of middle-of-the-road is not always a horrible thing for a book to be, but it can be really disheartening. I went into this particular title thinking I’d be thrilled by the high seas adventure idea or the griffins, but I felt like neither element got enough time or focus compared to the aspects of the book that didn’t gel for me. Although I liked Vidarian and found him to be fairly endearing, I couldn’t stand Ariadel. I also couldn’t stand Vidarian’s milquetoast- and vanilla-flavored interest in her that eventually resulted in them being a couple in spite of any real motivation, chemistry, or tension. I still have no idea what to make of their relationship, but I do know that it sprang up out of nowhere and really added nothing to the story.
In conclusion, if you want to read a mild and inoffensive Fantasy adventure that is perfect for the beach, this isn’t a bad pick. Honestly, nothing was so badly done or handled that Sword of Fire and Sea ought to be avoided if you like your Fantasies to be cozy and comfortable. I’m also fairly certain that the book will go over very well with teens or even tweens who are just beginning to seek out Fantasy titles. Personally I think that Fantasy works out much better when given a bite or edge to it, and I would much rather concentrate on series or stand-alone titles that deliver on those sorts of things.
2.5 Stars - Let me start off by saying that I really wanted to love this book and appreciate it for what it was. I also don’t need every book I read to break the mold or shrug off the conventions of its genre, but in the case of Sword of Fire and Sea, I felt like I was doing the reading equivalent of playing a mildly entertaining video game with neat visuals and a very so-so storyline. Sometimes I was dazzled by the ideas at work, but most of the time I was too confused or let down by the way the ideas were ultimately utilized.
In terms of the setting and the writing in of themselves, Sword of Fire and Sea was quite good. I think there were a lot of great details, a very neat magic system, and a very interesting new world for readers to visit. There was certainly plenty of potential and quite a number of unique concepts as well, but nothing got developed in a way that made me care about what was at stake or any of events unfolding in said fictional world. Even now that I’m done reading, I don’t know that I feel like this book did what it set off to accomplish and I certainly feel like its very awesome summary lead me to expect way more than I received.
In terms of the characters and plot, Sword of Fire and Sea was okay but erred too often on the side of bland caution. Being sort of middle-of-the-road is not always a horrible thing for a book to be, but it can be really disheartening. I went into this particular title thinking I’d be thrilled by the high seas adventure idea or the griffins, but I felt like neither element got enough time or focus compared to the aspects of the book that didn’t gel for me. Although I liked Vidarian and found him to be fairly endearing, I couldn’t stand Ariadel. I also couldn’t stand Vidarian’s milquetoast- and vanilla-flavored interest in her that eventually resulted in them being a couple in spite of any real motivation, chemistry, or tension. I still have no idea what to make of their relationship, but I do know that it sprang up out of nowhere and really added nothing to the story.
In conclusion, if you want to read a mild and inoffensive Fantasy adventure that is perfect for the beach, this isn’t a bad pick. Honestly, nothing was so badly done or handled that Sword of Fire and Sea ought to be avoided if you like your Fantasies to be cozy and comfortable. I’m also fairly certain that the book will go over very well with teens or even tweens who are just beginning to seek out Fantasy titles. Personally I think that Fantasy works out much better when given a bite or edge to it, and I would much rather concentrate on series or stand-alone titles that deliver on those sorts of things.
johnnemann's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, because I have followed Erin Hoffman for a while and admire her. And the book wasn't terrible, certainly, but it was very standard fluff-fantasy fare. The plot also seemed to move too quickly from one new invention to another, with characters being introduced right before they were needed and lots of deus ex machina solutions to invented problems.
prationality's review
4.0
I am, have always been, a big fan of fantasy. By far my favorite genre, it's also the only genre I am willing to take on the risk of reading a new author with a concept that sounds a little shaky without giving it too much thought. It's how I found some of my current favorites (Brandon Sanderson, Rachel Aaron, Juliet Marillier) and how I'll likely find future favorites. Erin Hoffman included.
Don't let the cover mislead you, this isn't a sweet toothed fantasy with gilded pretty ladies and handsome men. Nor is this Asian inspired, despite the Asian fantasy cover art (which I adore, but feels a little out of place amongst the fantasy covers of Dan Dos Santos and Michael Whelan). Instead Hoffman draws on her gaming years to create a fully visualized world efficiently and without having the reader chug through chapters of backstory.
Despite its short length, under 300 pages, SWORD OF FIRE AND SEA uses its space wisely. It doesn't waste words or build in details that will have more significance later in the story. Hoffman focuses quite squarely on the here and now for Vidarian and Ariadel, giving us just enough to understand their situation(s) and motivations.
This is definitely more like the fantasy series of when I was younger and will likely appeal to anyone who enjoys RPGs (Role Playing Games) or MMO's games (Massive Multipleplayer Online). There is a definite 'quest' feel to each of their adventures as Hoffman tosses surprises at them and character relationships are built quickly and predicated on past association or some bonding element.
Surprisingly much of what is outlined in the blurb is not helpful until closer to the end of the book. Though much of it has ramifications (such as the rare genetic disease) the characters don't confront the issues until later on.
Though this is the start of a larger series, its self-contained enough that readers shouldn't feel stunted or unfulfilled. Truthfully speaking a reader could read this and be satisfied with the ending. For the moment I don't know what the second book is about, or who it features or what adventures they'll have, but the questions brought forth in this book were answered and fleshed out.which is enough for me any day of the week.
Don't let the cover mislead you, this isn't a sweet toothed fantasy with gilded pretty ladies and handsome men. Nor is this Asian inspired, despite the Asian fantasy cover art (which I adore, but feels a little out of place amongst the fantasy covers of Dan Dos Santos and Michael Whelan). Instead Hoffman draws on her gaming years to create a fully visualized world efficiently and without having the reader chug through chapters of backstory.
Despite its short length, under 300 pages, SWORD OF FIRE AND SEA uses its space wisely. It doesn't waste words or build in details that will have more significance later in the story. Hoffman focuses quite squarely on the here and now for Vidarian and Ariadel, giving us just enough to understand their situation(s) and motivations.
This is definitely more like the fantasy series of when I was younger and will likely appeal to anyone who enjoys RPGs (Role Playing Games) or MMO's games (Massive Multipleplayer Online). There is a definite 'quest' feel to each of their adventures as Hoffman tosses surprises at them and character relationships are built quickly and predicated on past association or some bonding element.
Surprisingly much of what is outlined in the blurb is not helpful until closer to the end of the book. Though much of it has ramifications (such as the rare genetic disease) the characters don't confront the issues until later on.
Though this is the start of a larger series, its self-contained enough that readers shouldn't feel stunted or unfulfilled. Truthfully speaking a reader could read this and be satisfied with the ending. For the moment I don't know what the second book is about, or who it features or what adventures they'll have, but the questions brought forth in this book were answered and fleshed out.which is enough for me any day of the week.