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A review by loganslovelylibrary
Fire Logic by Laurie J. Marks
3.0
I rarely write reviews, but this book deserves one. As a fantasy novel it begins with an exploration of two different cultures/societies and how they fall into conflict. Zanja, a member of a tribe not affiliated with either the Shaftal/Sainnite conflict, gets wrapped up in the trauma that comes with war. The first 2/3 of this book focuses on her journey in a Shaftalese company. The repetitive chapters on army strategy and internal company conflict almost made me abandon this book, but pushing through was most definitely worth it.
I give this only three stars because of how long the beginning of the book dragged on for, and for the lack of explorations of emotions, especially when dealing with bodily trauma. But I must say, I have never read characters like these before. Once the main adventuring group (as most fantasy novels have) began to take shape I was so hooked. It features multiple LGBTQ relationships which are seen as commonplace in this world. The main savior-type character was incredibly unique, well written, and deals with addiction and recovery in a way that I have never seen a fantasy author write before. Nothing comes easy to these characters, but their perseverance through endless struggles brought life into this novel.
I almost abandoned this book halfway through, but by the last third I was hooked and already trying to figure out where I could find the next one. Any book that can make me change my mind that quickly, and can set up engaging future plot lines, deserves a review.
There’s something to be said about a book that so wonderfully explores the relationships between the individuals in a group. Seeing this rag-tag group become somewhat of a family and regain lost hope was really wonderful; so I will leave you with this quote:
“The six of them had camped fearlessly upon the open plain, where grass and stone stretched to the horizon, flat as water and rippling in the wind. They drew knobby, weathered rocks up to the fire for chairs, and Emil brew tea, using J’han’s supply, as he’d long run out of his own.... [Zanja] thought, these people will be my companions as long as we are alive. And she felt the years spread before her, like a wonderful new country.”
I give this only three stars because of how long the beginning of the book dragged on for, and for the lack of explorations of emotions, especially when dealing with bodily trauma. But I must say, I have never read characters like these before. Once the main adventuring group (as most fantasy novels have) began to take shape I was so hooked. It features multiple LGBTQ relationships which are seen as commonplace in this world. The main savior-type character was incredibly unique, well written, and deals with addiction and recovery in a way that I have never seen a fantasy author write before. Nothing comes easy to these characters, but their perseverance through endless struggles brought life into this novel.
I almost abandoned this book halfway through, but by the last third I was hooked and already trying to figure out where I could find the next one. Any book that can make me change my mind that quickly, and can set up engaging future plot lines, deserves a review.
There’s something to be said about a book that so wonderfully explores the relationships between the individuals in a group. Seeing this rag-tag group become somewhat of a family and regain lost hope was really wonderful; so I will leave you with this quote:
“The six of them had camped fearlessly upon the open plain, where grass and stone stretched to the horizon, flat as water and rippling in the wind. They drew knobby, weathered rocks up to the fire for chairs, and Emil brew tea, using J’han’s supply, as he’d long run out of his own.... [Zanja] thought, these people will be my companions as long as we are alive. And she felt the years spread before her, like a wonderful new country.”