As is to be expected for a trilogy, this middle volume can be summarized by “the plot thickens”. Darach and Ceithin’s story provides the bridge between the opening volleys of the battle I saw in book one, and what is sure to be a cataclysmic finale in book three. It also takes place in Kian’s old home realm, and I loved finding out more of the details of how those with Fire live, how their world is different from our version of Earth, what their issues are, and how Kian’s friend Darach is dealing with being all on his own. The short answer is “not well”, but the truth is a lot more complicated than that.

Darach may have found his fire, which is blue, but he has no clue what to do with it. He wasn’t able to go to our Earth with Kian because he was too young and without his magik, but now that he has matured, so to speak, he is determined to follow his friend. Not having received any training, he runs off half-cocked, following his instincts to find the one person he knows from Kian’s journal can help. A Cariad, outcast from society in the City, has taught Kian what to do, and as forbidden as any contact with the Cariad is, Darach will not be denied. Of course, his youthful impetuousness gets him into even more trouble, but he is just courageous enough to not care.

Ceithin is a Cariad, a section of the Fire world’s population that lives with Ancient magic, the way it used to be. They have exiled themselves from society in the City and follow their own rules, living in the Valley. Their magic is older and deeper, and for some reason that I am hoping will be explained in book three, they are despised and regarded as dangerous by the ruling council. Despite all that, Ceithin confronts the council, setting in motion a set of events that had me on the edge of my seat. Some questions are answered, but more secrets remain. Ceithin will have to figure out how to get what he wants, and after showing Darach some of the old secrets, it looks as though he won’t be doing it on his own.

If you like speculative fiction with old powers, secrets, and power struggles between worlds, if two men too proud to admit they belong together seem like interesting characters, and if you’re looking for a read that only increases the stakes of the battle against evil, then you will probably enjoy this second book of he trilogy. Just be ready for a cliffhanger, one that definitely has me looking forward to the third installment!


NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
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