A review by roadtripreader
Those Who Hold the Fire by Victoria Goddard

adventurous emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I wanted to dip my toes in the water of this series because it fits my theme to a tee. What I got was a splash of everything ... like sticking your head underwater in the Great Barrier Reef - and this burst of colorful creatures comes up and caresses your boring land-accustomed eyes.

Adventure in the future! I can smell it on these few short pages. Adventure, Culture and growth make me want to grab the series and go on a journey with these characters.

Plot/Storyline/Themes:
Vangavaye-ve is a beautiful.world. There are gorgeous lagoons, canals, pools, the sea, an archipelago of islanda, sea mythology, storytellers, deep community ties and soo much gorgeous blue-green lushness.

Two Sentences, A Scene or less - Characters:
Kip is 13 in this story and on a journey to learn with his Great relatives who are Tana. He is ambitious but his ambition is nestled between seeking fame, prestige accolades and helping the communities on the groups of islands and larger city. He is very driven and feels like he let Buro Tuvo down by not being able to get a Flame Pearl. Kip is hard on himseld.

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene:

Obsidian for Efela-ko Rite of Passage/Challenge/Trial:

Kip's first night on Mama Ituri. Don't worry kid - I can barely empty my mind either.🤣

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “The tanà was not the chief or the paramount chief, the saying went, but when the tanà spoke, the chiefs listened.” (The power of the Tana)
🖤 “The Nga Named the Stars, and were the great navigators.
The Mdangs Held the Fire, and held the community together.”
(Beautiful worldbuilding)
🖤 “Buru Tovo had told him he had to go back to the city so he didn’t forget all the modern ways, but Kip had grown up with them, and he wanted the old ways.” (I feel like Kip is a key character in the qctual series)

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
■ Tana, Tana-tai
■Lays of the Wide Seas
■Flame Pearls
■ Vou'a and Ani Sea God (in-world) mythology
■Walking The Ring: Sailing The Islands
■Mama Ituri and Mama Ituri's Son

StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025