Darracia is a planet in turmoil. An ever-widening social gap between its inhabitants is causing severe unrest, and that is quickly fracturing a once peaceful world. Already struggling with his identity, nineteen-year-old Prince V'sair dreams of someday wielding the elusive Fireblade - the key to a warrior's heart. However, deep in his heart, he secretly doubts his worthiness to harness such immense power.

The impetuous young prince will soon be tested beyond the point of endurance. For the coming battle for supremacy will pit brother against brother - and in order to overcome his uncle Staf Nuen's lust for power, Prince V'sair will discover his true destiny. Will the energy of the Elements guide the young prince to that destiny or will Staf Nuen finally conquer Darracia?

I actually began reading this book back in April, but due to my schedule, I had to set the book aside temporarily. I am so delighted that I was eventually able to read this book when I did. I was completely drawn into the plot right from the start. Mr. Cash certainly knows how to create believable, well-developed and true-to-life characters - even if they are aliens from another planet! - and an engrossing and intriguing plot.

I give this book a definite A+! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and look forward to reading the next book in the series - Collision: The Battle For Darracia - sometime very soon. ( )

I loved the idea of this world that faces the same problems we face when it comes to placing people into classes. We know that not everyone feels this way, but it does still happen. When the King of Darracia marries a woman of another race a split occurs. His own brother leads it. With Prince V’sair having traits from both sides he is not seen as the warrior he wants to be, but is looked down on. He wants to find the fireblade that can only be used by someone with a true warrior’s heart. He knows he can’t just leave the kingdom to do this. Yet, when his uncle tries to overthrow the throne, this may be the only thing that will keep his kingdom together. I have to say that I purchased the first book, as I was gifted copies of the next two in the series. The thing that makes this author’s books different for me is that as science fiction goes, they were not too long. I love long books. For me I was able to get into this world quickly and progress through the book at a pace that made it possible for me to finish it to start the next. ( )

The planet Darracia has a growing social unrest as the divide between the upper and lower classes are growing. We watch Prince V’sair branch out from his education and grow as an individual and as a leader. Battles with political motives, between family members, and internal struggles of the main characters made this a well-rounded tale that held my interest from beginning to end.

I read this series out of order and read the second book first. Although the second did well as a standalone, going back helped me understand who and what each character was and learn more about their personalities. Everything seemed to fall into place.

Michael Cash captured a strange world and explained it perfectly to this new reader of science fiction. I recommend this book and the series for those who enjoy fantasy, sci-fi, or if you would just like to read something different. This is a good story by a very good storyteller.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )