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Refiner's Fire
A thriller steeped in European culture like The Salzburg Connection, Refiner's Fire serves up serious suspense to avid fiction readers. This book's "secret underground society" is not Nazi war criminals, however-it's the persecuted Christian church. Yuri and Alexander Deyneko, separated as teens in postwar times, are reunited thirty-five years later in 1980s Bucharest. Now on separate sides of Nicolae Ceausescu's Iron Curtain, the secret life of one brother, a top army official and clandestine Christian, and the ambition of the other- now the American Ambassador to Romania-puts them on a collision course with each other. Fates hang on an issue of conscience. Great writing propels readers through the plot toward a gripping climax.
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2000
3 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Sylvia Bambola
23 books63 followersSylvia Bambola was born in Romania but lived her early years in Germany, a Germany still reeling from the devastation of World War II. At age seven she relocated with her adopted military family and saw the Statue of Liberty and America for the first time. But the memory of those years in Germany lingered and was the inspiration behind her novel, Refiner’s Fire, which won a Silver Angel Award, and was a Christy Finalist.
Life as an “army brat” gave her the opportunity to live in several states, including Hawaii. Then came nursing school in New York after which she married and began a family. Raising two children and being the wife of a business executive made for a busy life. So did working in marketing for a telecommunications company, then a medical software company.
Her first novel, A Vessel of Honor, written under the pen name of Margaret Miller, garnered a Small Press Editor’s Choice Award and was seriously considered for production as a television movie.
Bambola is the author of six published novels, lives in sunny Florida and has two grown children. She’s been a guest speaker at Women’s Aglow and various church functions, is a Bible study teacher at her church, and is learning to play the guitar.
Life as an “army brat” gave her the opportunity to live in several states, including Hawaii. Then came nursing school in New York after which she married and began a family. Raising two children and being the wife of a business executive made for a busy life. So did working in marketing for a telecommunications company, then a medical software company.
Her first novel, A Vessel of Honor, written under the pen name of Margaret Miller, garnered a Small Press Editor’s Choice Award and was seriously considered for production as a television movie.
Bambola is the author of six published novels, lives in sunny Florida and has two grown children. She’s been a guest speaker at Women’s Aglow and various church functions, is a Bible study teacher at her church, and is learning to play the guitar.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 13, 2023
Reading this book, I was reminded once again of how little is required of me as a Christian in the United States—and how little I have invested in what I say is important to me. These characters were willing to endure the most horrendous things—and love the people doing those things—because of who they described as their “beautiful Jesus.” So many of the characters’ actions were convicting, not only the characters who were sacrificing everything for the cause of Christ, but also the characters who were searching and empty or thought they were entitled to have what they wanted.
The author brought the refugee camps alive in the opening scenes of the book, and the closeups of life as an American ambassador in a Communist country were very well done. Alexander’s slow growth throughout the book, from caring only about himself to bucking State in order to save lives, was a highlight of the book for me. It didn’t go all the way, but it went far enough to be realistic and leave the story with a note of hope. I also enjoyed Yuri, Anna, and Loretta—the romance here was all between married couples, and that was beautiful (if a bit intimate at times). I was not as fond of the cover Yuri and Loretta had to concoct; the accusations and suspicions and innuendo of an affair is simply not my cup of tea, even when there is no affair involved. But then, I’ve never been afraid for my life under Communist rule, so I can’t say what I might have done. I definitely don’t know if I could have done what Anna did, bringing the gospel to the most disreputable parts of town at the risk of her own life. At the same time, she and Yuri had real fears and struggles.
This book’s claim of being a suspenseful thriller fell a little flat for me. Many of the scenes and plot threads that could have been thrilling and suspenseful were merely summarized or happened too tidily for any real sense of action. I felt that was also true of the separated-twins storyline. A lot of things seemed to wrap up too quickly for the weight they should have carried. The strength of this book was in its characters and its portrayal of faith under persecution.
As suspense fiction, this book was mediocre. As a study in characters and settings, it was good. But as a reminder of what other Christians have suffered and continue to suffer, it was excellent.
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The author brought the refugee camps alive in the opening scenes of the book, and the closeups of life as an American ambassador in a Communist country were very well done. Alexander’s slow growth throughout the book, from caring only about himself to bucking State in order to save lives, was a highlight of the book for me. It didn’t go all the way, but it went far enough to be realistic and leave the story with a note of hope. I also enjoyed Yuri, Anna, and Loretta—the romance here was all between married couples, and that was beautiful (if a bit intimate at times). I was not as fond of the cover Yuri and Loretta had to concoct; the accusations and suspicions and innuendo of an affair is simply not my cup of tea, even when there is no affair involved. But then, I’ve never been afraid for my life under Communist rule, so I can’t say what I might have done. I definitely don’t know if I could have done what Anna did, bringing the gospel to the most disreputable parts of town at the risk of her own life. At the same time, she and Yuri had real fears and struggles.
This book’s claim of being a suspenseful thriller fell a little flat for me. Many of the scenes and plot threads that could have been thrilling and suspenseful were merely summarized or happened too tidily for any real sense of action. I felt that was also true of the separated-twins storyline. A lot of things seemed to wrap up too quickly for the weight they should have carried. The strength of this book was in its characters and its portrayal of faith under persecution.
As suspense fiction, this book was mediocre. As a study in characters and settings, it was good. But as a reminder of what other Christians have suffered and continue to suffer, it was excellent.
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October 16, 2023
3.75 ⭐️
Slow read for me, but good storyline.
Slow read for me, but good storyline.
December 6, 2025
This story was a hard one mainly because it is based on true events. I found parts of it very hard to read. Man's inhumanity is so incredibly challenging to read about! But... hope abounds, and threads of it are woven throughout the story, within characters who chose to follow God's leading, and take the high road towards their abusive situations. It is filled with plot twists and surprising story lines that kept things both moving and intriguing right to the very end!
November 7, 2019
Set amidst the brutal reign of Nicolae Ceausescu in 1980s Bucharest, this is the extraordinary story of secrets, suspense, persecution, and faith. When the threat of imprisonment and torture lurks around every corner--especially for members of the Underground church--no one can be trusted. Two brothers on opposite sides of the Iron curtain must learn together how to discover their destinies. One is the ambitious new U.S. ambassador to Romania and the other is a Romanian army officer (and clandestine Christian) sent to spy on him. This story of depth and substance helps make us aware of what Christians have suffered and continue to suffer in various parts of the world.
July 26, 2017
I liked this novel about underground Christians persecuted in Romania under Ceausecu's regime (1965-1989). It served as a great reminder of all the Christians in the past and present who have suffered for their faith. This did a better job of portraying why Christians are persecuted and why they represent a threat to totalitarian regimes than I had expected.
The ending seemed to wrap up a little too tidily. But all in all, it was well done.
The ending seemed to wrap up a little too tidily. But all in all, it was well done.
February 29, 2020
I think I will reread it often. What some Christians have to go through in other countries is horrifying. This book compels me to pray, to get on my knees like the dying tortured pastor did for the American ambassador because God told him to pray for him. I’m not a risk taker but this book is filled with risk takers and I want to be like them, in love with the Lord and helping and loving people to know Him too.
July 9, 2018
A fiction story based on the history of Romania. The story is about the new American ambassador, Alexander, and his wife who have been sent to Romania. Romania is a country Communist country ridding itself of all Christians with ungodly torture. Alexander is trying to stop the torture and is caught in the middle.
August 29, 2024
Definitely a tear-jerker. I would’ve liked a stinger ending to the main characters’ stories, but definitely insight into history and a reminder of how good we have it in the USA currently. Also a reminder to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted, and to vote for those who will maintain our religious freedoms rather than subtly limit them.
May 21, 2018
Goed boek! Veel geleerd over Roemeense christenvervolging. Ook geleerd dat voor ambassadeurs Togo het schrikland is waar ze heengestuurd worden als ze niet goed hun best doen :)
October 27, 2025
Although fiction, the events in this story could and probably do happen. Great read!
October 9, 2009
Let me start off by saying that I enjoyed reading this book. From the first chapter the reader is able to connect with the two brothers. When I actually sat down to read it I wanted to know what would happen next. Unfortunately though, I found that when I walked away from it I wasn't anticipating when I could sit down next and continue. With that said, I have to point out the fact that not a lot happens up until the end of the story.
Of course most of the anticipation is the hovering question of whether or not the brothers will be reunited, and if they will accept each other. Yet, at the end of the novel it wraps everything up too easily. The brothers realize who each is and it's not perfect, but any sort of hard feelings are wrapped up in a few pages.
While there are a lot of "action sequences" there is little to be desired. All the characters who need to get out of Romania are able to escape without detection. Flawless escapes. No problems. No danger. Their escapes are described to the reader, but after they get into the hands of the "good guys" it's all smooth sailing from there. The reader is left only a sentence notifying them the charcaters reach America safely.
This is great news, but for a book that is marketed as a fiction/suspence novel there was very little suspence. Surprisingly, I do recommend this book though this review seems somewhat hypocritical. However, if a reader finds themselves with nothing else to do this story is helpful in passing the time.
Of course most of the anticipation is the hovering question of whether or not the brothers will be reunited, and if they will accept each other. Yet, at the end of the novel it wraps everything up too easily. The brothers realize who each is and it's not perfect, but any sort of hard feelings are wrapped up in a few pages.
While there are a lot of "action sequences" there is little to be desired. All the characters who need to get out of Romania are able to escape without detection. Flawless escapes. No problems. No danger. Their escapes are described to the reader, but after they get into the hands of the "good guys" it's all smooth sailing from there. The reader is left only a sentence notifying them the charcaters reach America safely.
This is great news, but for a book that is marketed as a fiction/suspence novel there was very little suspence. Surprisingly, I do recommend this book though this review seems somewhat hypocritical. However, if a reader finds themselves with nothing else to do this story is helpful in passing the time.
May 30, 2016
This is one of my first favorite books. I read it in high school and it was the first book I stayed up all night to read (under a blanket with a flashlight-- I shared a room with my sister)
I reread it recently and while it seemed very different in some ways (I'm a writer myself now, so being critical is hard not to do ;) ) but the heart behind his book was still as strong as ever. I still consider it a favorite, mostly because of how it hit me as a teenager. I still have images of this book in my head. Beautiful and fascinating story! A story that always stayed with me.
I reread it recently and while it seemed very different in some ways (I'm a writer myself now, so being critical is hard not to do ;) ) but the heart behind his book was still as strong as ever. I still consider it a favorite, mostly because of how it hit me as a teenager. I still have images of this book in my head. Beautiful and fascinating story! A story that always stayed with me.
March 3, 2013
This book is an excellent fictionalized version of what goes on for many Christians (and other people of faith) in some countries. Refiner's Fire brings to light some of the history of what happened in Romania during the years of Ceausescu's regime.
Even though much of the Communist world is history, many of those attitudes still exists in places. It is important to realize the dangers that exist for those who are devoted followers of their faith in some places.
Even though much of the Communist world is history, many of those attitudes still exists in places. It is important to realize the dangers that exist for those who are devoted followers of their faith in some places.
August 23, 2012
BEST fictional I've read in a very long time. With good balance and much conviction, you could easily believe this is a dramatized non-fiction account. HIGHLY recommend. You will not be the same after reading this.
July 22, 2009
I liked the concept of the story, but it could have been better. I wanted some more action and suspense.
September 17, 2011
I read this in 2000 and I can't remember anything about it. I'll have to read it again to give it a more fair rating.
May 25, 2011
Awesome!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews