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The Darcentaria Duology #2
The Secret of Fire
Only one can save them.
The Rebellion has fallen.
The door to the Outside has been opened.
And the one who opened it--Jurien Arminius--is now the most powerful man in Darcentaria.
But everything they have known is about to change forever.
Separated by Arminius but fighting to get back to each other, El and Torsten encounter unlikely allies that reveal stunning truths about each other, the Outside, and the very beginnings of Darcentaria itself.
A romantic historical fantasy transformation of the epic Ben-Hur , The Darcentaria Duology is a fast-paced, sweeping saga of adventure, betrayal, true love, forgiveness, hope, and sacrifice, about lost innocence and the darkness that dwells in all of us.
The duology has some violence but can be considered clean, with no graphic sexual content or profanity. The second and final book, The Secret of Fire , ends with a happily-ever-after.
Praise from reviewers for The Darcentaria Duology:
“Wonderfully creative…” — Leticia G.
“I couldn’t put it down…” — Anna J.
“…probably the best Christian fantasy book I’ve ever read…” — Kimberly V.
“There are moments… that I think will stay with me for the rest of my life.” — Alysha
“Fast-moving, compelling, and thoroughly engaging…” — Catherine W.
"I honestly don't know how these books are the author's debut novels—in my opinion, they're the quality of a magnus opus...I've had my first taste of J. J. Fischer, and I'm a big fan. I can't wait for her next books!" — Melissa T
The Rebellion has fallen.
The door to the Outside has been opened.
And the one who opened it--Jurien Arminius--is now the most powerful man in Darcentaria.
But everything they have known is about to change forever.
Separated by Arminius but fighting to get back to each other, El and Torsten encounter unlikely allies that reveal stunning truths about each other, the Outside, and the very beginnings of Darcentaria itself.
A romantic historical fantasy transformation of the epic Ben-Hur , The Darcentaria Duology is a fast-paced, sweeping saga of adventure, betrayal, true love, forgiveness, hope, and sacrifice, about lost innocence and the darkness that dwells in all of us.
The duology has some violence but can be considered clean, with no graphic sexual content or profanity. The second and final book, The Secret of Fire , ends with a happily-ever-after.
Praise from reviewers for The Darcentaria Duology:
“Wonderfully creative…” — Leticia G.
“I couldn’t put it down…” — Anna J.
“…probably the best Christian fantasy book I’ve ever read…” — Kimberly V.
“There are moments… that I think will stay with me for the rest of my life.” — Alysha
“Fast-moving, compelling, and thoroughly engaging…” — Catherine W.
"I honestly don't know how these books are the author's debut novels—in my opinion, they're the quality of a magnus opus...I've had my first taste of J. J. Fischer, and I'm a big fan. I can't wait for her next books!" — Melissa T
- GenresChristian FictionFantasy
482 pages, Paperback
Published June 2, 2023
About the author
J.J. Fischer
13 books314 followersJasmine’s writing dream began with the anthology of zoo animals she painstakingly wrote and illustrated at age five, to rather limited acclaim. Thankfully, her writing (but not her drawing) has improved since then. She is a clinically-trained psychologist but no, she cannot read your mind. When she isn’t killing defenseless house plants, Jasmine enjoys devouring books, dabbling in floristry, playing the piano, eating peanut butter out of the jar, and wishing it rained more often. Jasmine is married to David, and together they make their home a couple of hours’ north of Sydney, Australia, where they live to satisfy the every whim of their ginger overlord cat, Simba.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 28, 2025
4.5⭐ / Kindle Unlimited
I was swept away by this story in all the right ways. (Unless we are considering the responsibilities I set aside why devouring it.🤭) The characters and their struggles were so real, so deep, and so relatable. There were no easy answers; no platitudes; no pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps. The road was hard. And when other authors might have called it a day and written an epilogue to glaze over the details of how everything worked out, Fischer dove deep and saw it all through to the conclusion. The emotional and spiritual impact of this story is still bringing tears to my eyes. While I found a few things to be predictable, it did not lessen their impact on my heart. I borrowed these on KU, but I just purchased them because I will definitely be rereading them, probably soon.
I have read all of Fischer's books now. The Nightingale Trilogy was my first and was, by far, my favorite of hers. However, The Darcentaria Duology I think has surpassed TNT. It is a powerful story, that only has a few hints of being a debut, hence 4.5 instead of 5 solid stars. (If you have read TNT, then you might see similarities between the FMC of this book, El, and the FMC of TNT, Sephone.)
If you are in need of a story that highlights the grace, mercy, sovereignty, and omnipotence of God, then this is your story. If you struggle with trusting God through the storms of life, battle fear, wish for vengeance, crave acceptance and relevance, rely on yourself, have a loose hold on your faith, regret decisions made when your hold on your faith was weak, then this is your story. Dive in to El, Torsten, and Emery's lives in this beautiful tale and walk away changed by the God-man-carpenter who changed theirs.
I was swept away by this story in all the right ways. (Unless we are considering the responsibilities I set aside why devouring it.🤭) The characters and their struggles were so real, so deep, and so relatable. There were no easy answers; no platitudes; no pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps. The road was hard. And when other authors might have called it a day and written an epilogue to glaze over the details of how everything worked out, Fischer dove deep and saw it all through to the conclusion. The emotional and spiritual impact of this story is still bringing tears to my eyes. While I found a few things to be predictable, it did not lessen their impact on my heart. I borrowed these on KU, but I just purchased them because I will definitely be rereading them, probably soon.
I have read all of Fischer's books now. The Nightingale Trilogy was my first and was, by far, my favorite of hers. However, The Darcentaria Duology I think has surpassed TNT. It is a powerful story, that only has a few hints of being a debut, hence 4.5 instead of 5 solid stars. (If you have read TNT, then you might see similarities between the FMC of this book, El, and the FMC of TNT, Sephone.)
If you are in need of a story that highlights the grace, mercy, sovereignty, and omnipotence of God, then this is your story. If you struggle with trusting God through the storms of life, battle fear, wish for vengeance, crave acceptance and relevance, rely on yourself, have a loose hold on your faith, regret decisions made when your hold on your faith was weak, then this is your story. Dive in to El, Torsten, and Emery's lives in this beautiful tale and walk away changed by the God-man-carpenter who changed theirs.
June 29, 2022
This picks up after the first book, The Sword in His Hand, and continues the story we've been eager for - Elise and Torsten's story. Once again, these characters had to go through so much on their journeys, separate and together. Full of terrific adventure, The Secret of Fire is truly packed with many facets to the story. My favorite aspect of this novel? How many deep truths were to be mined from the pages. This is the novel where the faith gets real for all characters, and it was everything I could hope for in their stories. I tabbed many spots, and there were several conversations held between the characters that had myself thinking. It was truly poignant and beautifully done.While reading, and also upon completion, you can tell how much effort the author put into this work - both the first novel and this second one. They are no small novels, but each holds an impact, and are written with master care.
The significance of peace was important to the novel. There was one instance when one of the characters was reflecting back upon his homeland of Germany and the war going on there (this book is set during WWII, but also in a previously undiscovered land where the Bermuda triangle is located), where it almost seemed like it was a bad thing that he had wanted to join the resistance against Hitler...I felt the impression that his mother's choice for peace and not fighting against Hitler's rule was the better thing, and honestly, I'm not sure where I stand on that. I think there is a difference between peace and pacifism. As I'm not sure that was the actual message being shared in that scene, I won't comment on it further, I was just a little uncertain as to that point of view.
The Secret of Fire covers a lot of ground, and so much transpires between its pages. I was curious how it would wrap up several of the story threads, but it all came together so well at the end.
If you are a fan of fantasy, yet with a historical touch to it, I definitely recommend this Duology. Very unique and captivating.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.
The significance of peace was important to the novel. There was one instance when one of the characters was reflecting back upon his homeland of Germany and the war going on there (this book is set during WWII, but also in a previously undiscovered land where the Bermuda triangle is located), where it almost seemed like it was a bad thing that he had wanted to join the resistance against Hitler...I felt the impression that his mother's choice for peace and not fighting against Hitler's rule was the better thing, and honestly, I'm not sure where I stand on that. I think there is a difference between peace and pacifism. As I'm not sure that was the actual message being shared in that scene, I won't comment on it further, I was just a little uncertain as to that point of view.
The Secret of Fire covers a lot of ground, and so much transpires between its pages. I was curious how it would wrap up several of the story threads, but it all came together so well at the end.
If you are a fan of fantasy, yet with a historical touch to it, I definitely recommend this Duology. Very unique and captivating.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.
June 25, 2024
#BookReviewFriday
#2023readingchallenge
#3witharedcover
Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
# 3 With a Red Cover
Book: The Secret of Fire (Darcentaria Duology #2)
Author: J. J. Fischer
Loved it. Five stars. It’s been awhile since I read a completely new author’s very first series. Even rarer, I loved it so much!
I can tell the author put her heart in to this, so it was no surprise to me when I learned in her author's note that this was the story of her heart and that she'd started it when she was only 14 years old!
Watching Torsten and El grow in to their faith was beautiful. I loved the rich cast of characters and the atmospheric writing. Book two took more time to develop the story, and had less action but it was still a great read that displayed a wonderful faith journey.
The cast of characters was layered and their journeys were satisfying. Everyone grew. There were shades of gray instead of black and white, like in real life. Bad guys had their motivations based on real life trauma, good guys struggled to obey Christ.
The faith story was beautiful and I found myself being reminded of the faith story of one of my favorite characters of all time, Marcus Valerian from Francine River’s Mark of the Lion trilogy. Imagine my surprise when the author said that this particular faith story was in fact the bases for her own character’s faith story! It was not a direct copy, just similar thematically! Francine is my favorite author! And J. J. nailed the feeling I get when I read Francine! To me, this makes her an instant classic!!
I loved, loved this duology. I highly recommend this author and both books!!
I bought this book off of Amazon for only $2.99! The first book was only .99 and they both were completely worth it!!
https://m.facebook.com/groups/scriptl...
#2023readingchallenge
#3witharedcover
Book Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
# 3 With a Red Cover
Book: The Secret of Fire (Darcentaria Duology #2)
Author: J. J. Fischer
Loved it. Five stars. It’s been awhile since I read a completely new author’s very first series. Even rarer, I loved it so much!
I can tell the author put her heart in to this, so it was no surprise to me when I learned in her author's note that this was the story of her heart and that she'd started it when she was only 14 years old!
Watching Torsten and El grow in to their faith was beautiful. I loved the rich cast of characters and the atmospheric writing. Book two took more time to develop the story, and had less action but it was still a great read that displayed a wonderful faith journey.
The cast of characters was layered and their journeys were satisfying. Everyone grew. There were shades of gray instead of black and white, like in real life. Bad guys had their motivations based on real life trauma, good guys struggled to obey Christ.
The faith story was beautiful and I found myself being reminded of the faith story of one of my favorite characters of all time, Marcus Valerian from Francine River’s Mark of the Lion trilogy. Imagine my surprise when the author said that this particular faith story was in fact the bases for her own character’s faith story! It was not a direct copy, just similar thematically! Francine is my favorite author! And J. J. nailed the feeling I get when I read Francine! To me, this makes her an instant classic!!
I loved, loved this duology. I highly recommend this author and both books!!
I bought this book off of Amazon for only $2.99! The first book was only .99 and they both were completely worth it!!
https://m.facebook.com/groups/scriptl...
November 22, 2021
A great read, absolutely worth the wait. The characters were well-written, the story line was believable and the description of the surroundings and places were depicted with perfect clarity. I truly enjoyed the suspense, and the action that followed. It really was a whirlwind of adventure. A story of great faith, forgiveness and compassion.
I must admit it had been a while since I had read the first book "Sword in His Hand" and I was a bit lost on who the characters were and where they had fit in the previous story, but after a while it all came together, it just took me a bit of time.
However, I digress, this truly is a great love story, one of course being with El and Torsten and how they struggled to find each other again having to deal with so many impossible obstacles, and their love preserving through it all. The other love story was how God "The Almighty" was woven into the lives of the characters, some of whom you would have never believed capable of accepting of His great love and mercy.
This is a clean read and perfect for any age group. I truly enjoyed the story and was very please with how the story ended. No spoilers...
I must admit it had been a while since I had read the first book "Sword in His Hand" and I was a bit lost on who the characters were and where they had fit in the previous story, but after a while it all came together, it just took me a bit of time.
However, I digress, this truly is a great love story, one of course being with El and Torsten and how they struggled to find each other again having to deal with so many impossible obstacles, and their love preserving through it all. The other love story was how God "The Almighty" was woven into the lives of the characters, some of whom you would have never believed capable of accepting of His great love and mercy.
This is a clean read and perfect for any age group. I truly enjoyed the story and was very please with how the story ended. No spoilers...
June 9, 2022
Ahhh, El and Torsten. The questions and doubts; the loyalty and sacrifice. El is a strong character that I enjoyed getting to see mature – especially from the first book. Torsten Eisleher has always been a scarred character but in this sequel/finale of the story, you learn even more why and see how he reacts when he comes face to face with who he is. I adored Kit and Creda. Poor Emery as he struggles with who he has become and what he believes. The themes of faith and forgiveness were throughout, and I appreciated the scene where a certain hymn is alluded to – no spoilers! The tension rises and falls, leaving you eager to read what’s next but never so much that you just get frustrated with nothing ever going Right. The ending was wonderful and satisfying as well as surprising. I really appreciated how Fischer managed to leave me happy and still thinking about how she added a few things that I had not expected. ~Happy Sigh~.
September 9, 2021
Strong finish to a good story. The struggles depicted are real and believable. I love how El, an "outsider" parallels the struggles and issues that are happening in where she has landed to what is happening in the "outside" world. The struggles. issues, and discrimination are the same, how the people where given the chance a a better existance and a new start centuries ago, but have still ended up along a similar path that El has grown up with. It had my attention from the start and I kept reading to find out how it ended.
September 27, 2021
After my first tentative step into the world of fantasy after reading 'The Sword In His Hand' and the darkness portrayed in it, I was excited and a bit nervous to finish the duology. After starting the book in the early hours of the afternoon and finishing late that night (with breaks in between), the feeling of joy seeing the transformation in the characters left me with feelings of euphoria. The transforming and redeeming love of God is exuded, and Fischer's clever crafting with words and humour leaves a taste of satisfaction for the reader and a joyful spirit by the end. Highly recommend!!
October 31, 2021
Oh so good. This was a completely satisfying end to a duology. I got stuck in the middle because I couldn't think of a way it could end happy, and I'm the kind of person that needs a happy ending. I shouldn't have been concerned. Lovely writing all the way through, incredible plot, happy conclusion. I laughed and then I cried and then I laughed again. I'm so glad I found the Darcentarian Duology.
August 28, 2021
Skillfully written, and the author did such a good job of character development, transformation, and redemption! Loved the ending of this duology, especially since the first book had ended at such a dark time.
September 26, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed the finale! I couldn’t put it down and read the last page in the early dawn, impatient to see how it ended. Not disappointed. A great read , thanks JJ Fischer! I’ll be looking for your other titles
August 4, 2021
A fantastic finish to a great duology!
September 28, 2021
Absolutely captivating I waited to finish Book 1 so I didn't have to wait too long to start this book! Wonderful conclusion to Sword in his Hand
September 28, 2021
Powerful ending. There are moments toward the end of this book that I think will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Thank you 🙏
Thank you 🙏
October 27, 2021
Great read, draws you in to the fantasy but the under lying truths of faith, hope, love and grace brings it back to reality. Well done.
November 27, 2022
Don't tell Book 1, but this one is my favorite. ;-)
June 22, 2022
If you’re in the market for well-written, clean, and intriguing Christian fantasy with deep themes, realistic romance, and plenty of action and adventure, may I suggest the Darcentaria Duology by J. J. Fischer. Through a unique blend of 20th-century history and medieval fantasy, Fischer reimagines the classic story of Ben-Hur into a two-book saga of vengeance, love, forgiveness, and freedom.
I could not put these books down. I read The Sword in His Hand in two or three days and finished The Secret of Fire not long after. I could go on about the writing, the plot, the cast, the worldbuilding, and the themes, but I feel like I talk about those elements in all my book reviews, so I’m going to focus on what sets these good books apart from other good books I’ve read:
First, the context. While the story takes place in the medieval fantasy kingdoms of Darcentaria, these kingdoms are couched in the “real world” during World War II. I’m not always a fan of the real-world-meets-fantasy-world trope, but in these books it worked, and it worked really well. While we never see World War II directly, we see it indirectly in several of the characters, their backstories, and their struggles, along with a few other glimpses in Darcentaria itself.
The upheaval and carnage of WWII provide such a powerful backdrop for—and mirror of—the power struggles, racial division, and divided loyalties of the fantasy kingdoms, not to mention the fascinating exploration of technology and its effects on civilization. Rather than just giving a greater context for the fantasy world, this parallel setting contributes to the story itself in profound ways. What struck me was seeing how humanity is the same whether in a medieval kingdom or in a modern nation.
Second, the faith. The two main characters have their own faith journeys, each very different but just as powerful and realistic as the other. Most importantly, each journey is relatable. No matter where you are in your own faith, you can find connecting points with either character (or perhaps both) as they navigate life and its moral and spiritual challenges, no matter what world they’re from.
What I loved most was how Fischer wove the gospel message into her fantasy. I’m leery of stories that combine true faith with make-believe worlds, but the way Fischer’s characters lived, shared, and responded to the Christian faith in the fantasy world was purely beautiful. I always enjoy defamiliarization (making the familiar strange in order to garner a fresh appreciation for it), and the ways Fischer showed Jesus, the gospel message, and other Bible truths to the foreign culture and characters of Darcentaria gave me a new perspective of some things I’ve known my whole life.
Third, the romance. I mention this because I’m not a romance reader—I enjoy books that have some romance in them, but I don’t go for romance plots. In this duology, I would say the plot is equal parts romance and adventure, and I found myself equally intrigued by both. What I appreciated most was the realism of the romance, in its pros and its cons—each character has plenty of obstacles to overcome to fully understand and love the other, while every step of their deepening relationship shows another aspect of the beauty and power of true, sacrificial love.
It’s worth noting here that while these books are clean, they don’t shy away from the gritty side of reality, romantic or otherwise. There are past relationships, affairs, secrets, desire, and violence. The main character is nearly raped twice, and several characters suffer a significant amount of abuse. The author keeps the “on-screen” details sparse, if included at all, but for the general presence of mature themes I recommend these books to older teens and above.
A few final comments: the cast contains an equal balance of male and female characters, in lead and support roles, with a refreshing variety of personalities, ethnicities, backstories, and motives. The plot is more twisty-turny and interconnected than a plate of spaghetti, and the narrative itself is a showcase of creative writing. And the worldbuilding details are spot-on. As a medieval fantasy writer myself who’s done lots of research, I was thrilled to recognize quite a few of the details that brought the setting to life and enriched the story.
I honestly don’t know how these books are the author’s debut novels—in my opinion, they’re the quality of a magnum opus. Whether you’re a Christian or not, I highly recommend the Darcentaria Duology as books worth reading. I’ve had my first taste of J. J. Fischer, and I’m a big fan. I can’t wait for her next books!
I could not put these books down. I read The Sword in His Hand in two or three days and finished The Secret of Fire not long after. I could go on about the writing, the plot, the cast, the worldbuilding, and the themes, but I feel like I talk about those elements in all my book reviews, so I’m going to focus on what sets these good books apart from other good books I’ve read:
First, the context. While the story takes place in the medieval fantasy kingdoms of Darcentaria, these kingdoms are couched in the “real world” during World War II. I’m not always a fan of the real-world-meets-fantasy-world trope, but in these books it worked, and it worked really well. While we never see World War II directly, we see it indirectly in several of the characters, their backstories, and their struggles, along with a few other glimpses in Darcentaria itself.
The upheaval and carnage of WWII provide such a powerful backdrop for—and mirror of—the power struggles, racial division, and divided loyalties of the fantasy kingdoms, not to mention the fascinating exploration of technology and its effects on civilization. Rather than just giving a greater context for the fantasy world, this parallel setting contributes to the story itself in profound ways. What struck me was seeing how humanity is the same whether in a medieval kingdom or in a modern nation.
Second, the faith. The two main characters have their own faith journeys, each very different but just as powerful and realistic as the other. Most importantly, each journey is relatable. No matter where you are in your own faith, you can find connecting points with either character (or perhaps both) as they navigate life and its moral and spiritual challenges, no matter what world they’re from.
What I loved most was how Fischer wove the gospel message into her fantasy. I’m leery of stories that combine true faith with make-believe worlds, but the way Fischer’s characters lived, shared, and responded to the Christian faith in the fantasy world was purely beautiful. I always enjoy defamiliarization (making the familiar strange in order to garner a fresh appreciation for it), and the ways Fischer showed Jesus, the gospel message, and other Bible truths to the foreign culture and characters of Darcentaria gave me a new perspective of some things I’ve known my whole life.
Third, the romance. I mention this because I’m not a romance reader—I enjoy books that have some romance in them, but I don’t go for romance plots. In this duology, I would say the plot is equal parts romance and adventure, and I found myself equally intrigued by both. What I appreciated most was the realism of the romance, in its pros and its cons—each character has plenty of obstacles to overcome to fully understand and love the other, while every step of their deepening relationship shows another aspect of the beauty and power of true, sacrificial love.
It’s worth noting here that while these books are clean, they don’t shy away from the gritty side of reality, romantic or otherwise. There are past relationships, affairs, secrets, desire, and violence. The main character is nearly raped twice, and several characters suffer a significant amount of abuse. The author keeps the “on-screen” details sparse, if included at all, but for the general presence of mature themes I recommend these books to older teens and above.
A few final comments: the cast contains an equal balance of male and female characters, in lead and support roles, with a refreshing variety of personalities, ethnicities, backstories, and motives. The plot is more twisty-turny and interconnected than a plate of spaghetti, and the narrative itself is a showcase of creative writing. And the worldbuilding details are spot-on. As a medieval fantasy writer myself who’s done lots of research, I was thrilled to recognize quite a few of the details that brought the setting to life and enriched the story.
I honestly don’t know how these books are the author’s debut novels—in my opinion, they’re the quality of a magnum opus. Whether you’re a Christian or not, I highly recommend the Darcentaria Duology as books worth reading. I’ve had my first taste of J. J. Fischer, and I’m a big fan. I can’t wait for her next books!
November 9, 2022
Good, but not as exciting as the first. It was too slow for me, especially compared to book one. As a Christian, I certainly don't mind nice faith elements in a story, and I obviously expect it in Christian fiction, but it was still too much for me in this book. Torsten's conversion took over most of the story, and while I definitely think his character needed it, it could have been described in less detail, so the story could have moved forward faster (I ended up skimming through it). I did like the rest of it though -how it ended for the MCs, Arminius, Calomel, etc. Emery was especially interesting, and his changes were fitting for the end. The revelation about their origins was good, as was the plan for the future. The writing was still good overall, and it had a great ending.
I received this book free from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I received this book free from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
November 5, 2021
The Secret of Fire is the second book in J. J. Fischer’s Darcentaria Duology. It has been several months since I read the first book in this duology and I struggled with the storyline for some time - things just weren’t making sense to me. It would have been helpful if there had been a list of characters and a “previously in The Sword in his Hand.”
I did enjoy the premise of this book - what happens when a ship is lost in the Bermuda Triangle? When reading the first book I thought the story was more modern day and the characters from America. However, The Secret of Fire makes reference to Hitler which makes me think the time frame is World War II. We find out the main characters are from Hitler’s country. The world in the story also receives a visit by officials from what appears to be Germany. So, the world-building could have been better and the plane going down in the Bermuda Triangle doesn’t really work.
In spite of these confusing details, there is much to like about the story. It becomes a missionary story where those from the Outside decide to stay in this alternate world and share Christ with the people. The romance factor is good - there is enough conflict and challenges to keep the story interesting.
The Secret of Fire would be appropriate for a k-12 Christian school library. I would keep it for high schoolers due to the difficult situations the characters face.
I received a complimentary copy of The Secret of Fire. This is my honest review. I am an Ambassador Intl book reviewer and partner!
I did enjoy the premise of this book - what happens when a ship is lost in the Bermuda Triangle? When reading the first book I thought the story was more modern day and the characters from America. However, The Secret of Fire makes reference to Hitler which makes me think the time frame is World War II. We find out the main characters are from Hitler’s country. The world in the story also receives a visit by officials from what appears to be Germany. So, the world-building could have been better and the plane going down in the Bermuda Triangle doesn’t really work.
In spite of these confusing details, there is much to like about the story. It becomes a missionary story where those from the Outside decide to stay in this alternate world and share Christ with the people. The romance factor is good - there is enough conflict and challenges to keep the story interesting.
The Secret of Fire would be appropriate for a k-12 Christian school library. I would keep it for high schoolers due to the difficult situations the characters face.
I received a complimentary copy of The Secret of Fire. This is my honest review. I am an Ambassador Intl book reviewer and partner!
October 11, 2022
A truly epic conclusion, that blew past my expectations.
I liked how right from the beginning we started to get answers about El's past in the otherworld, things that had kind of driven me crazy not being completely sure about in the previous book. But right away we start getting answers, and I liked that El stands by her convictions throughout.
Excellently done character arcs, with strong gradual development over the course of the story, I loved the well handled faith conversations were between Torsten and Kit. I also found myself surprised at how much I came to like Emery over the course of his story.
Overall, a fantastic conclusion to the duology, that in my opinion is even better than the first in the series. In depth exploration of faith, strong characters that are willing to make costly sacrifices, love tested and more. Perfect for fans of speculative fiction!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I liked how right from the beginning we started to get answers about El's past in the otherworld, things that had kind of driven me crazy not being completely sure about in the previous book. But right away we start getting answers, and I liked that El stands by her convictions throughout.
Excellently done character arcs, with strong gradual development over the course of the story, I loved the well handled faith conversations were between Torsten and Kit. I also found myself surprised at how much I came to like Emery over the course of his story.
Overall, a fantastic conclusion to the duology, that in my opinion is even better than the first in the series. In depth exploration of faith, strong characters that are willing to make costly sacrifices, love tested and more. Perfect for fans of speculative fiction!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 13, 2024
An Outsider named Kit tells the protagonist, Torsten, “History is a magician, and his greatest illusion is progress.” Observing the destruction wrought by technology in JJ Fischer’s world, I get his point.
Her theme of human faithlessness carries forward in this second book where humans make promises but do not keep them. Torsten’s failed commitments haunt him until the resulting nightmares almost destroy him. The unyielding warrior has lived by his sword and his might all his life, but he finds they cannot save him. Feeding off anger, outrage and pride, he has reaped murder, hatred and brokenness.
In this story, Torsten and the characters surrounding him are each called to look in the mirror at their lives, to acknowledge the truth of their failures and inner darkness, and to embrace or reject the healing offered by the Carpenter.
Many loose ends are wrapped up neatly at the conclusion as the author clearly wants a happy ending to her gruesome, disturbing tale. I finished it because I longed to see a better life for her suffering characters. I gave it a 4 star review because I appreciate the spiritual invitation that is the heart of her message.
Her theme of human faithlessness carries forward in this second book where humans make promises but do not keep them. Torsten’s failed commitments haunt him until the resulting nightmares almost destroy him. The unyielding warrior has lived by his sword and his might all his life, but he finds they cannot save him. Feeding off anger, outrage and pride, he has reaped murder, hatred and brokenness.
In this story, Torsten and the characters surrounding him are each called to look in the mirror at their lives, to acknowledge the truth of their failures and inner darkness, and to embrace or reject the healing offered by the Carpenter.
Many loose ends are wrapped up neatly at the conclusion as the author clearly wants a happy ending to her gruesome, disturbing tale. I finished it because I longed to see a better life for her suffering characters. I gave it a 4 star review because I appreciate the spiritual invitation that is the heart of her message.
November 6, 2023
Wow. A satisfying sequel and conclusion to the duology!
This is such a beautiful story of redemption and hope, with wholesome, yet complicated romances and bids for power, and plot twists aplenty — overall just a really satisfying read.
J.J. Fischer is a master of character development, with a diverse cast of characters, both of which makes her stories relatable and incredibly compelling.
I'm so glad I first found her book Calor (also highly recommend!) which finally lead me to this series!
This is such a beautiful story of redemption and hope, with wholesome, yet complicated romances and bids for power, and plot twists aplenty — overall just a really satisfying read.
J.J. Fischer is a master of character development, with a diverse cast of characters, both of which makes her stories relatable and incredibly compelling.
I'm so glad I first found her book Calor (also highly recommend!) which finally lead me to this series!
November 1, 2023
Wow! Clearly a top favorite!
The book was one of my favorite books so far! It was not hurried in the ending, but tied the package together!
Highly recommend this book!
It was a good Christian read!
The book was one of my favorite books so far! It was not hurried in the ending, but tied the package together!
Highly recommend this book!
It was a good Christian read!
June 25, 2025
Wonderful
This was a very satisfying conclusion to an incredibly well-written story. I don't like to give spoilers to stories, but suffice to say it you enjoy edifying tales of great faith, love, loss, action, and forgiveness then you will enjoy this duology.
This was a very satisfying conclusion to an incredibly well-written story. I don't like to give spoilers to stories, but suffice to say it you enjoy edifying tales of great faith, love, loss, action, and forgiveness then you will enjoy this duology.
December 16, 2023
Such depth in the characters and their spiritual journeys. I absolutely loved this duology!
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