What do you think?
Rate this book
Before Red Fire: A Sorcerer Falls
It’s dangerous to make bargains with sorcerers. But what if it's the only way to save the ones you love? It’s foolish to betray the kingdom you serve. But what if it's the only way to end a reign of tyranny? It’s a waste of time to trust a stranger. But what if it’s the only way to end the one you hate? In the kingdom of Vitenne, a prophecy burns in the hearts of the ancient caverns and flies across the clouds with a promise. Humankind ignorantly awaits extinction, and there is nothing they can do to stop the nation from ending in fire. Unless a deal is struck between a dragon and a sorcerer. Prysta Kubine believes she is that dragon, and she takes it upon herself to keep the world at balance and save her brother from certain death at the hands of sorcery itself. And if all the dragons fall and die, she will teach the world to fly.
580 pages, Paperback
Published November 2, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 13, 2024
Fun and action packed
This world is absolutely massive! There is so much in this world that I loved. The characters had some charm to them and the fights were awesome! And those twists at the end were crazy. Looking forward to see more in this series!
This world is absolutely massive! There is so much in this world that I loved. The characters had some charm to them and the fights were awesome! And those twists at the end were crazy. Looking forward to see more in this series!
May 22, 2026
I'd give this book a solid 4.5!
I really enjoyed the world and the adventure throughout this story. In my experience, I haven't consumed too much fantasy narratives that have a well-balanced mystery in the plot as well and I think the author did a good job at leading the audience in a certain direction and revealing a much more twisted reality. I also appreciate how much thought the author put into the world of this story, it's not too often I see fantasy stories that take place within the eras of when mythical beasts are still widely involved in the world and the characters have many legend-worthy challenges to overcome before they've all passed into legend.
Prysta, Shiroi and Theryon were probably my top three characters in the narrative, they felt the most fledged out and compelling. I was surprised when Prysta and Judith didn't end up having more of a joint command over the "band of unlikely allies" as I felt Prysta had more leadership qualities about her than Judith, even though Judith is pretty independent and outspoken throughout the story.
I also really liked the horrific fate that befalls Judith. Without saying much beyond that to avoid full-on spoilers, I wasn't expecting that twist. I want to follow up with the author tho, in terms of how that transpired and how what happened next with her went the way it did, because it seemed like it was a bigger problem than what was summarized...
The one thing I'll say that dropped my rating, just slightly for this book was how certain character dynamics didn't feel fully established and were given deeper roots toward the end of the book without much context that was then abruptly granted as that info got brought up. And because that added context did ultimately make it to the manuscript I was able to catch up for most of what I felt I didn't fully understand and it didn't completely throw me off of what was happening I'd still give it a solid 4.5 and I am invested to see what happens in the next installment!
I really enjoyed the world and the adventure throughout this story. In my experience, I haven't consumed too much fantasy narratives that have a well-balanced mystery in the plot as well and I think the author did a good job at leading the audience in a certain direction and revealing a much more twisted reality. I also appreciate how much thought the author put into the world of this story, it's not too often I see fantasy stories that take place within the eras of when mythical beasts are still widely involved in the world and the characters have many legend-worthy challenges to overcome before they've all passed into legend.
Prysta, Shiroi and Theryon were probably my top three characters in the narrative, they felt the most fledged out and compelling. I was surprised when Prysta and Judith didn't end up having more of a joint command over the "band of unlikely allies" as I felt Prysta had more leadership qualities about her than Judith, even though Judith is pretty independent and outspoken throughout the story.
I also really liked the horrific fate that befalls Judith. Without saying much beyond that to avoid full-on spoilers, I wasn't expecting that twist. I want to follow up with the author tho, in terms of how that transpired and how what happened next with her went the way it did, because it seemed like it was a bigger problem than what was summarized...
The one thing I'll say that dropped my rating, just slightly for this book was how certain character dynamics didn't feel fully established and were given deeper roots toward the end of the book without much context that was then abruptly granted as that info got brought up. And because that added context did ultimately make it to the manuscript I was able to catch up for most of what I felt I didn't fully understand and it didn't completely throw me off of what was happening I'd still give it a solid 4.5 and I am invested to see what happens in the next installment!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2024
A feat of world building.
Incredibly immersive to the likes of Herbert and Tolkien.
If you like High Fantasy and diving head first into a new world then this is for you.
Before Red Fire in incredibly immersive and a page turner that would send any epic fantasy fan yearning for more.
(Pros)
The character dynamics are so much fun and the lore so interesting, it was nice to feel a well paced adventure.
I loved the concept of dragon shifters and their place in the world and so many aspects of this worlds history is so interesting.
(Cons)
Why not five stars?
I had three small gripes with this book, all of course are just personal preference. (Even if you agree with my gripes, give this book a chance)
1) The Narrator.
I struggle with loose narration. I like to be in someone's head and not floating around. Each character saw their world as something different but the lines between them blurred.
2) A Clear Goal
This book is thicc and there were segments where I was confused about what the character's aim were.
No doubt this was my brain focusing on the base premise of the book but we move.
3) The Watson
Since this book was told from the perspective of a 300 year old dragon and military generals, it lacked the 'Watson'. Our introductory character. Someone to explain things to for the aide of the reader. That would have helped me in the more complex beats of the book
((In all fairness, when you open the book you are instantly immersed into the world which is a stylistic choice. An expository character may have hurt the flow and immersion.))
Cudos to you Rachel on forging this incredible world. Can't wait for the next!
Incredibly immersive to the likes of Herbert and Tolkien.
If you like High Fantasy and diving head first into a new world then this is for you.
Before Red Fire in incredibly immersive and a page turner that would send any epic fantasy fan yearning for more.
(Pros)
The character dynamics are so much fun and the lore so interesting, it was nice to feel a well paced adventure.
I loved the concept of dragon shifters and their place in the world and so many aspects of this worlds history is so interesting.
(Cons)
Why not five stars?
I had three small gripes with this book, all of course are just personal preference. (Even if you agree with my gripes, give this book a chance)
1) The Narrator.
I struggle with loose narration. I like to be in someone's head and not floating around. Each character saw their world as something different but the lines between them blurred.
2) A Clear Goal
This book is thicc and there were segments where I was confused about what the character's aim were.
No doubt this was my brain focusing on the base premise of the book but we move.
3) The Watson
Since this book was told from the perspective of a 300 year old dragon and military generals, it lacked the 'Watson'. Our introductory character. Someone to explain things to for the aide of the reader. That would have helped me in the more complex beats of the book
((In all fairness, when you open the book you are instantly immersed into the world which is a stylistic choice. An expository character may have hurt the flow and immersion.))
Cudos to you Rachel on forging this incredible world. Can't wait for the next!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews