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A review by illustrated_librarian
A Fire Endless by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The Isle of Cadence has been divided into east and west for two centuries, knowing nothing but strife and disharmony. Following the events of A River Enchanted Bane, king of the spirit realm, has pushed too far in his claim for dominion and tipped the isle into chaos. Now humans and spirits, east and west, must try to join hands and save the land they love together through fire, song, and sacrifice.
'And I would tell you to sing up a hundred storms, if only to hear such beauty and truth again. To feel it settle in my bones and warm my blood. To know it is mine and mine alone to claim.'
At once a mystery and a love story, this was full of folklore, mossy hillsides, and magic. This felt harsher in some ways than book one, due to the conflict both between the sides of the isle and the inward struggles for the characters escalating. There's also less cosy setting up of Cadence's mythology, though I was glad to unravel more of the lore that's alluded to in the first book and spend time in the spirit realm. Despite often approaching difficult subjects like grief, illness, and the pressures of duty, there's still an undeniable warmth radiating from this tale, like it's being read from a tome of folklore by a fireside.
The themes of community and family play crucial roles in this duology. Without giving spoilers, I loved how Jack and Adaira's relationship developed and deepened, even as they both grew as characters individually as well. Sidra remains my favourite and I was glad to see more of her tender relationship with Torin while she also discovers a strong, powerful side to herself. Ross develops a beautiful symmetry across east and west as the book goes on, gradually nudging the characters towards seeing their former enemies as people, as complex and difficult but essentially good as themselves.
The duology format felt perfect for this story. This book moved at a faster clip than the first but there wasn't a chapter wasted, the ending was satisfying and felt authentic to the characters and if some things were a little less explained, isn't that just like a folk tale?
'And I would tell you to sing up a hundred storms, if only to hear such beauty and truth again. To feel it settle in my bones and warm my blood. To know it is mine and mine alone to claim.'
At once a mystery and a love story, this was full of folklore, mossy hillsides, and magic. This felt harsher in some ways than book one, due to the conflict both between the sides of the isle and the inward struggles for the characters escalating. There's also less cosy setting up of Cadence's mythology, though I was glad to unravel more of the lore that's alluded to in the first book and spend time in the spirit realm. Despite often approaching difficult subjects like grief, illness, and the pressures of duty, there's still an undeniable warmth radiating from this tale, like it's being read from a tome of folklore by a fireside.
The themes of community and family play crucial roles in this duology. Without giving spoilers, I loved how Jack and Adaira's relationship developed and deepened, even as they both grew as characters individually as well. Sidra remains my favourite and I was glad to see more of her tender relationship with Torin while she also discovers a strong, powerful side to herself. Ross develops a beautiful symmetry across east and west as the book goes on, gradually nudging the characters towards seeing their former enemies as people, as complex and difficult but essentially good as themselves.
The duology format felt perfect for this story. This book moved at a faster clip than the first but there wasn't a chapter wasted, the ending was satisfying and felt authentic to the characters and if some things were a little less explained, isn't that just like a folk tale?