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Fire & Clay #1
Fire & Clay
Banished from her clan for being a Muslim, a 400 year-old jinn named Zamar is hiding from her past. But an ancient evil is about to surface, unearthing her secrets and carrying painful reminders of the life she once lived. Ages ago, Zamar had lived in solitary exile along the banks of the Senegal River. Then a lone man entered her world, altering it forever. Spanning several centuries, book one of Fire & Clay, pulls you into the unseen world of mankind's distant cousins, the jinn. Like humans, these beings were given the gift of free will. And like us there are a few that choose the way of good, some that choose the way of evil, and many that live their lives torn between the two. But what happens when the lives of creatures cast from smokeless fire, and those shaped from the clay of the Earth become intertwined? The story told here takes readers on a journey of mystery, imagination, and magic to search for the answers. It plunges into the depths of jealousy, fear, and greed-as well as violence, sorrow, and loss. But it also scales the heights of love and faith, hope and deliverance. This story may be fictional, but it is true. Its truths are about what it means to be human, what it means to have the power to choose. Fire & Clay is no mere fairytale. What we can see, touch, and taste is only a narrow sliver of reality. There is a war being fought all around us, even within us. And sooner than we might think, our final battle is coming.
333 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2013
9 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
Kaaronica Evans-Ware
4 books11 followersKaaronica Evans graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Communication. Currently, she is a Ph.D. student at the University of California, Santa Barbara where she studies English.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 15, 2015
I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway...thank you, thank you!! And thank you to Kaaronica Evans-Ware, for your lovely message and signed copies! I am very grateful to have had the honour to read this novel because it was incredible! Wow, wow, wow!!! I loved it! The book is written in a clear, beautiful style, and tells an incredibly imaginative tale cleverly woven in with elements of historical events, that I found extremely difficult to put down. It is a wonderful blend of words and feelings, fantasy and fact, courage and fear, love and hate, Qur'an and...fire and clay. I am so sad that I have reached the end of the book, and I now have to wait for Book Two! It will be a difficult wait for me. Highly recommended!
May 16, 2015
I received Fire & Clay (Book One) by Kaaronica Evans-Ware as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
This engaging novel tells the love story of a human man, Alpha, and a jinn woman, Zamar, set against the backdrop of 18th century Senegal. Their families and livelihoods are threatened by both humans (slave traders) and non-humans (jinn and other beings), and the protagonists and those around them must learn to navigate this complex and dangerous world.
Early sentences like "Not every place that looks empty really is" (8) drew me in to this universe that connects continents and eras. I especially enjoyed the ties to the Americas and the idea that "[a]cross the ocean, few of the children of Adam know that we exist. The jinn in that land can get away with just about anything" (24).
I pictured Zamar a bit like Linguere Ramatou in Djibril Diop Mambéty's film Hyènes - a powerful female figure storming across the desert ready to take vengeance on those who've wronged her but unable to do so without uncomfortable consequences. I enjoyed her character and would have liked to see other complex jinn characters to go along with the broad swath of human characters. The figures of evil in this world (both jinn and human) are so profoundly evil that it leaves little room to question the central characters' choices, particularly towards the end of the novel.
Overall, Fire & Clay was very enjoyable to read, and I especially appreciated the author's attention to details associated with the various languages (Wolof, Futa, English, others) that her characters speak.
Three stars = "liked it," and I did. I like to avoid star-inflation and don't typically rate books that I read.
This engaging novel tells the love story of a human man, Alpha, and a jinn woman, Zamar, set against the backdrop of 18th century Senegal. Their families and livelihoods are threatened by both humans (slave traders) and non-humans (jinn and other beings), and the protagonists and those around them must learn to navigate this complex and dangerous world.
Early sentences like "Not every place that looks empty really is" (8) drew me in to this universe that connects continents and eras. I especially enjoyed the ties to the Americas and the idea that "[a]cross the ocean, few of the children of Adam know that we exist. The jinn in that land can get away with just about anything" (24).
I pictured Zamar a bit like Linguere Ramatou in Djibril Diop Mambéty's film Hyènes - a powerful female figure storming across the desert ready to take vengeance on those who've wronged her but unable to do so without uncomfortable consequences. I enjoyed her character and would have liked to see other complex jinn characters to go along with the broad swath of human characters. The figures of evil in this world (both jinn and human) are so profoundly evil that it leaves little room to question the central characters' choices, particularly towards the end of the novel.
Overall, Fire & Clay was very enjoyable to read, and I especially appreciated the author's attention to details associated with the various languages (Wolof, Futa, English, others) that her characters speak.
Three stars = "liked it," and I did. I like to avoid star-inflation and don't typically rate books that I read.
June 20, 2022
This is an extraordinary book. It is a fantasy adventure and a wonderful one. It's thrilling, heart-breaking, loving, and all the things. I'll leave that to other reviewers. I want to talk about the layers and layers woven into the story about a man, Alpha, and his second wife, a five hundred year old half-jinn, half-human Muslim, Zamar.
Set in Senegal in the 18th century, the trade in human beings looms on the edge of the story, making forays in, forcing the characters into action, and revealing the complexity of human responsibility at every level of society. We see jealousy and broken-heartedness that leads to disaster, desire for power that crushes, naive efforts to be good that cannot help but hurt, a prophet whose role it is to make mistakes and confront them.
The book, this piece of fantasy fiction, is, in point of fact, a commentary on the Qur'an. The Qur'an is in many ways a melancholy reflection on humanity's failure, again and again, to live up to the grave responsibility of being human and a call, again and again, to do better. Evans-Ware's novel mirrors this sorrow and call for something higher. Each chapter begins with an inspired account of the creation of human and jinn from the Quran and goes on to elucidate the meanings of these verses through the lives of the characters, the depth of the historical moment they find themselves in. Kaaronica Evans-Ware lays claim to the tradition of storytellers who would sit in a corner of a mosque, a tea-house, a community gathered, to tells stories from the Qur'an by elaborating on them with tales passed on by Christians and Jews, or anyone with something to say about the matter of what it means to be human. She demonstrates that the Qur'an is a living tradition through which all our own stories are told and ask us to rise to reflect.
I am sorry it took me so long to get to it. Fantasy is not my preferred genre. But this book, much like Ausma Zehanat Khan's brilliant Khorasan Archives, is part of a living Islamic tradition that is embodied in the lives of its people through their stories. Brava.
Set in Senegal in the 18th century, the trade in human beings looms on the edge of the story, making forays in, forcing the characters into action, and revealing the complexity of human responsibility at every level of society. We see jealousy and broken-heartedness that leads to disaster, desire for power that crushes, naive efforts to be good that cannot help but hurt, a prophet whose role it is to make mistakes and confront them.
The book, this piece of fantasy fiction, is, in point of fact, a commentary on the Qur'an. The Qur'an is in many ways a melancholy reflection on humanity's failure, again and again, to live up to the grave responsibility of being human and a call, again and again, to do better. Evans-Ware's novel mirrors this sorrow and call for something higher. Each chapter begins with an inspired account of the creation of human and jinn from the Quran and goes on to elucidate the meanings of these verses through the lives of the characters, the depth of the historical moment they find themselves in. Kaaronica Evans-Ware lays claim to the tradition of storytellers who would sit in a corner of a mosque, a tea-house, a community gathered, to tells stories from the Qur'an by elaborating on them with tales passed on by Christians and Jews, or anyone with something to say about the matter of what it means to be human. She demonstrates that the Qur'an is a living tradition through which all our own stories are told and ask us to rise to reflect.
I am sorry it took me so long to get to it. Fantasy is not my preferred genre. But this book, much like Ausma Zehanat Khan's brilliant Khorasan Archives, is part of a living Islamic tradition that is embodied in the lives of its people through their stories. Brava.
February 20, 2021
This book of Kaaronica Evans Ware, FIRE & CLAY is about the mysterious life of a jinn, Zamar. I loved reading the book very much. The title is quite interesting and you would only know by reading it full!
The main character is a Muslimah, Zamar. She is the guard and interrogator of a prison. Her life is good with the company and support of her husband, Jaag. They guard the terrifying guests of that prison and interrogate them with full grace. In this terror world one day a new guest came that holds the past of Zamar. It begins to reveal the mystery of the gifts that she was born with. The fascinating story will give you a shiver sometimes.
Zamar has a strong character that every person should have inside oneself. She stood firm in her belief and her decisions no matter what the situations was. That is the most fascinating thing about her in this story. Her control over her emotions, her dialogues and her appearance in every stage reveals a new boundary of her character.
The most interesting thing about the book is, it is full of mysteries. The descriptions of the jinns and the environments are beautifully penned by the author. I like the flow and it is a beautiful way of storytelling. Therefore, FIRE & CLAY is a fast moving story that will keep you going and keep on turning the pages.
The main character is a Muslimah, Zamar. She is the guard and interrogator of a prison. Her life is good with the company and support of her husband, Jaag. They guard the terrifying guests of that prison and interrogate them with full grace. In this terror world one day a new guest came that holds the past of Zamar. It begins to reveal the mystery of the gifts that she was born with. The fascinating story will give you a shiver sometimes.
Zamar has a strong character that every person should have inside oneself. She stood firm in her belief and her decisions no matter what the situations was. That is the most fascinating thing about her in this story. Her control over her emotions, her dialogues and her appearance in every stage reveals a new boundary of her character.
The most interesting thing about the book is, it is full of mysteries. The descriptions of the jinns and the environments are beautifully penned by the author. I like the flow and it is a beautiful way of storytelling. Therefore, FIRE & CLAY is a fast moving story that will keep you going and keep on turning the pages.
November 4, 2021
So beautiful but an abrupt unresolved ending. I would love to see the author revise this novel to tie it up properly, with the guidance of a good editor.
September 8, 2016
Through the Eyes of the Jinn
Banished from her clan for being a Muslim, a 400-year-old jinn named Zamar is hiding from her past. But an ancient evil is about to surface, unearthing her secrets and carrying painful reminders of the life she once lived.
In spanning the centuries of Zamar's life the reader is plunged into a tale of love, heartache, betrayal, and personal conflict. It's easy to connect with Zamar and the backdrop of the story creates the perfect setting. Kaaronica Evans-Ware’s style is easy to adapt to and provides a good flow for the story to unfold. The characters are well developed and made reading about them memorable. There is enough mystery and intrigue to make you want to continue on this literary journey. The words are vivid and made the action come alive on the pages.
I enjoyed “Fire and Clay” and recommend it to others. Reading it put me in the mindset of some of my favorite paranormal authors. I would read other books by this author.
Reviewed by: Lashonda
4.5 stars
Banished from her clan for being a Muslim, a 400-year-old jinn named Zamar is hiding from her past. But an ancient evil is about to surface, unearthing her secrets and carrying painful reminders of the life she once lived.
In spanning the centuries of Zamar's life the reader is plunged into a tale of love, heartache, betrayal, and personal conflict. It's easy to connect with Zamar and the backdrop of the story creates the perfect setting. Kaaronica Evans-Ware’s style is easy to adapt to and provides a good flow for the story to unfold. The characters are well developed and made reading about them memorable. There is enough mystery and intrigue to make you want to continue on this literary journey. The words are vivid and made the action come alive on the pages.
I enjoyed “Fire and Clay” and recommend it to others. Reading it put me in the mindset of some of my favorite paranormal authors. I would read other books by this author.
Reviewed by: Lashonda
4.5 stars
May 6, 2015
This book presents a very different take on the traditional djinn stories, which I very much liked. The narrative was well structured to cover biblical tales, the 18th century and modern times, something many authors seem to struggle with so all credit to Kaaronica Evans-Ware for her success with it!
Something to be aware of is that this is the first in a series of books, so he final pages are the to-be-expected cliffhanger. Well worth a read, but personally, I'm going to hold off on the sequels so that I can read the whole series in one go!
[goodreads First Read]
Something to be aware of is that this is the first in a series of books, so he final pages are the to-be-expected cliffhanger. Well worth a read, but personally, I'm going to hold off on the sequels so that I can read the whole series in one go!
[goodreads First Read]
June 25, 2014
I devoured this book from cover to cover in less than a week! I thoroughly enjoyed how well-crafted this book was. The language set the theme, and the characters came alive. I absolutely loved the way Evans-Ware crafted the opening of each chapter with Qur'anic verses translated into prose. I found myself crying with the characters when they lost their loved ones, gasping where something unexpected happened, and frightened whenever a threatening character was introduced. Absolutely made my top favorite books list! I can't wait for the second book to come out!
February 24, 2015
All the 5 Star reviews are spot on and I really don't think I can say it any better then they have. Fire and Clay is a great book that anyone would enjoy. So that someone else can enjoy this I will be paying it forward as I do with most my GoodReads win and give this to a friend to enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews