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The Sword of Kirakath #1
Through the Flames
Caleb was just a simple hunter's apprentice. He wanted nothing more than a simple life and was content to live out the days of his life beneath the green bowers of the sun-dappled forest. But when he returns home to find his village massacred and his family dead, the whispered words of his dying father hurl him onto a path of blood and vengeance.
In his epic quest for revenge, Caleb will discover that the mightiest of heroes, like the strongest of metals, can only be forged within the hottest fires and under the greatest pressures. His is a destiny which will forever change the face of Arcadia. It is a destiny that can only be reached in one way:
Through the Flames.
Approximately 53,000 words long
In his epic quest for revenge, Caleb will discover that the mightiest of heroes, like the strongest of metals, can only be forged within the hottest fires and under the greatest pressures. His is a destiny which will forever change the face of Arcadia. It is a destiny that can only be reached in one way:
Through the Flames.
Approximately 53,000 words long
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2011
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Ryne Billings
4 books6 followersRyne Billings was born on June 20, 1991 in the city of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, though he never lived there. He was raised in between Louisiana and Oklahoma, but Oklahoma is the only state he would call home. He is a graduate of Poteau High School and a sophomore at Carl Albert State College, majoring in English.
He has been writing since he was in sixth grade, though he only completed his first novel length work of original fiction when he was fourteen years old and a freshman in high school.
He has been writing since he was in sixth grade, though he only completed his first novel length work of original fiction when he was fourteen years old and a freshman in high school.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 26, 2011
When the only thing that matters is revenge!
Through the Flames is a book that deals with revenge, plain and simple. Caleb, the protagonist of this story, has his world turned upside down when everyone in his small village is brutally massacred, and that unfortunately includes his family. Just before his father succumbs to his injuries, he tells his son of a magical sword that he has hidden in their demolished house which in turn will lead him to someone that can point him in the direction of the Sword of Kirakath, an item he'll need if he wishes to succeed in avenging the loss of his village.
Aiding Caleb in his quest is Katie, a young girl he rescued from a group of slavers along the way. This girl can see full well that Caleb is rushing off to confront those responsible for the massacre without any real knowledge of what to do when he gets there. She can see that without help, Caleb is unlikely to return from his quest, and since she owes him a debt for saving her from the slavers, she agrees to accompany him.
Revenge stories typically don't hold my attention too well, as you can typically see how the story will play out well in advance. However, this story caught and held my attention from the start. It was very easy to see the protagonist's point of view: he's lost everything he loves. His grief is real. Revenge is the only thing that matters to him. He doesn't expect to live past his quest. He won't even think about what his future holds.
I would like to have seen more about why Kirkath was decimated. What was the motivation for the group that was responsible? I would have also liked to have known more about the force that ran through him (5 times). Don't want to give away any spoilers. :) I also can't help but feel that Caleb's mentor and his friend will play a role in the upcoming sequel. There are several references to them, so I'm hoping the author is laying the groundwork for bringing them back.
Also, I would also like to point out that I loved the epilogue. Nifty way to get the reader to go: "Didn't see that coming!" Can't wait to see what happens in book 2!
Through the Flames is a book that deals with revenge, plain and simple. Caleb, the protagonist of this story, has his world turned upside down when everyone in his small village is brutally massacred, and that unfortunately includes his family. Just before his father succumbs to his injuries, he tells his son of a magical sword that he has hidden in their demolished house which in turn will lead him to someone that can point him in the direction of the Sword of Kirakath, an item he'll need if he wishes to succeed in avenging the loss of his village.
Aiding Caleb in his quest is Katie, a young girl he rescued from a group of slavers along the way. This girl can see full well that Caleb is rushing off to confront those responsible for the massacre without any real knowledge of what to do when he gets there. She can see that without help, Caleb is unlikely to return from his quest, and since she owes him a debt for saving her from the slavers, she agrees to accompany him.
Revenge stories typically don't hold my attention too well, as you can typically see how the story will play out well in advance. However, this story caught and held my attention from the start. It was very easy to see the protagonist's point of view: he's lost everything he loves. His grief is real. Revenge is the only thing that matters to him. He doesn't expect to live past his quest. He won't even think about what his future holds.
I would like to have seen more about why Kirkath was decimated. What was the motivation for the group that was responsible? I would have also liked to have known more about the force that ran through him (5 times). Don't want to give away any spoilers. :) I also can't help but feel that Caleb's mentor and his friend will play a role in the upcoming sequel. There are several references to them, so I'm hoping the author is laying the groundwork for bringing them back.
Also, I would also like to point out that I loved the epilogue. Nifty way to get the reader to go: "Didn't see that coming!" Can't wait to see what happens in book 2!
July 5, 2011
Through the Flames is Ryne Billings' first novel and he shows a lot of potential. The story follows Caleb on his journey to avenge the slaughter of his village and everyone he knows. Finding his dying father among the burnt out remains of his village Caleb is given advice on how to get revenge. He is told of a magical sword hidden in the remains of his home that will bring him to the attention of someone who can tell him how to get the Sword of Kirakath. This sword should enable him to get his revenge on the people who destroyed his way of life. He meets several more hardships on his way, but he also meets Katie a thief from a nearby city. She becomes very important as she is much more street wise than Caleb, who had rarely left his small village.
The book forms a solid base for a trilogy to be built on as it wraps up pretty nicely at the end, but you are left with a few unanswered questions. The biggest being why was Caleb's village destroyed in the first place. There are also a few characters that have been mentioned in book one, but play almost no real role leaving you to expect to see a larger role in the future. The only criticism I have is that I felt that Caleb kind of coasted through many of his trials and didn't face the adversity (other than in the beginning) to help his character mature.
Overall this is still a very fun read, and with it being the first book written by Ryne Billings the sky is the limit for his potential. I highly recommend this for a fairly quick read with a lot of action.
The book forms a solid base for a trilogy to be built on as it wraps up pretty nicely at the end, but you are left with a few unanswered questions. The biggest being why was Caleb's village destroyed in the first place. There are also a few characters that have been mentioned in book one, but play almost no real role leaving you to expect to see a larger role in the future. The only criticism I have is that I felt that Caleb kind of coasted through many of his trials and didn't face the adversity (other than in the beginning) to help his character mature.
Overall this is still a very fun read, and with it being the first book written by Ryne Billings the sky is the limit for his potential. I highly recommend this for a fairly quick read with a lot of action.
September 25, 2011
Ryne Billings' debut novel, THROUGH THE FLAMES, is about a good as a first fantasy novel from a young writer can be. Though the book contains some earmarks of a younger, less experienced writer, his mastery of storytelling basics is quite good, and his understanding of the fantasy genre is solid as well.
The pace of THROUGH THE FLAMES starts slow, but the action picks up as the narrative continues on and builds to a satisfying denouement. While there remains some room for the writer to grow, Billings shows promise and potential and is a voice worth keeping an eye on.
The pace of THROUGH THE FLAMES starts slow, but the action picks up as the narrative continues on and builds to a satisfying denouement. While there remains some room for the writer to grow, Billings shows promise and potential and is a voice worth keeping an eye on.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews