A review by keysmashhh
Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault

adventurous informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Plot: 3.5/5
Character: 3.5/5
Relationships: 3/5
World-Building: 3.5/5
Genre: 4/5

very glad i read The Persian Boy first because I think i wouldn't have picked it up if i'd read fire from heaven. This is a PSA for anyone who felt 50/50 on this book and doesn't know if they should push on with the series - PLEASE DO!! i haven't read the final book yet but The Persian Boy is much better than fire from heaven. I think my main issue with this book was the pacing it was so unbelievably slow at times, really not helped by the fact the chapters were sometimes up to 70 pages long making it feel like i was making such slow progress through the book. i found the storyline of this book harder to follow compared to The Persian Boy, i felt like there were more flashbacks/tangents that i found harder to follow and at times I felt a general sense of disinterest for some of the action. segments were great though, i love the story of Alexander obtaining Oxhead, his growing relationship with Hephaestion (especially the small sections from Hephaestion's POV) and the time he spent studying with Aristotle. I'd say this book was a bit hit and miss for me, and perhaps its because I read The Persian Boy first and rated it 5 stars but i felt a little let down by this one. I'm still going to push on with the final book of the trilogy but take some time away so i can fully appreciate it. That being said Mary Renault's writing and interpretation of the ancient world is still second to none