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The Burning Times #1
Tinderspark
"There is no reward for goodness in this world, nothing but cold steel teeth and scourging fire for all of us - and it's coming for you now!"
Book One of 'The Burning Times', a historical fantasy set during the 17th century witch panics and the Thirty Years War. Kidnapped as a child, Quality Durrand learns to wield her father's flintlock and gunpowder in the service of the pagan Geists, but the spirits demand a great sacrifice from her.
This is the start of an epic journey of love, vengeance and sacrifice. For Quality's destiny is to become the tinderspark for a transforming fire, a fire that will consume the worlds of the living and the dead.
Book One of 'The Burning Times', a historical fantasy set during the 17th century witch panics and the Thirty Years War. Kidnapped as a child, Quality Durrand learns to wield her father's flintlock and gunpowder in the service of the pagan Geists, but the spirits demand a great sacrifice from her.
This is the start of an epic journey of love, vengeance and sacrifice. For Quality's destiny is to become the tinderspark for a transforming fire, a fire that will consume the worlds of the living and the dead.
ebook
First published February 5, 2014
About the author
Jonathan Rowe
5 books8 followersI teach Religious Studies and Psychology, but started out as an English teacher. I live in Lincolnshire, UK and have two daughters who inspired me to write. I've published Philosophy study guides for Pushme Press, but Tinderspark is my first novel. I have spent a lifetime playing fantasy roleplaying games and generally living in a world of my own. I like smooth jazz, real ale and old wisdom.
The Burning Times is my big historical fantasy project, tracing the rise, fall and rise again of Quality Durrand, the Gun-Smith's Daughter, against the backdrop of the Thirty Years War.
Forthcoming books in The Burning Times
Hexenfire (March 2014)
Gallowsflame (Summer 2014)
Shadowcandle (Winter 2014)
Geistbride(Spring 2015)
The Burning Times is my big historical fantasy project, tracing the rise, fall and rise again of Quality Durrand, the Gun-Smith's Daughter, against the backdrop of the Thirty Years War.
Forthcoming books in The Burning Times
Hexenfire (March 2014)
Gallowsflame (Summer 2014)
Shadowcandle (Winter 2014)
Geistbride(Spring 2015)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 20, 2014
A brilliant fantasy novel, set in a time full of panic or mistrust. You get a real sense of who the characters are and what they are going through and the villians are just plain evil, just as every good villain should be. Looking forward to reading the continuing story of Quality and her not so merry band.
February 24, 2014
A great fantasy novel filled with all sorts of nasty beasties, set in a time when everyone was paranoid that there really where these creatures abroad.
With a cast of interesting characters this coming of age tale didn't end where I was expecting which was a pleasant surprise and left me looking forward to the next book.
With a cast of interesting characters this coming of age tale didn't end where I was expecting which was a pleasant surprise and left me looking forward to the next book.
February 9, 2014
Fantastic read for anyone who is a fan of fantasy, historical fiction, romance or adventure! Perfect for both teenagers and adults - very excited for the sequel!
February 23, 2014
An excellent fantasy adventure. The pages are filled with years of experience in fantasy story telling & the grim horrors of historical fact. I'm utterly addicted.
July 2, 2023
Cold Steel and Burning Hexen
Finn was raised among witches. Son of the ‘Dead King’, he talks to the Geists and has their knife. Finn and his Hexen siblings must survive, but they can’t do it alone.
Neither can Quality Durrand, whose parents have been accused by the witch-hunters. Quality, the ‘Old Smith’s Daughter’, knows about guns and black powder.
Together they are strong, but fate often separates them.
It is the burning times, the Hexen Hounds are out to catch anybody who shows the slightest supernatural mark. It is also the time of the Thirty Years’ War. Croats and Scotchmen, as well as the Germans, fight to the death.
The countryside is a wasteland, looted and burned by soldiers.
Jonathan Rowe delivers a hefty mix of fantasy and well-researched history in Tinderspark. His writing is crisp and evocative. The action springs off the pages, forcing you to live through the desperation and absurdity of a time when humanity went mad. “There is no reward for goodness in this world, but cold steel teeth and scourging fire for all of us – and it’s coming for you now!”
Compelling and spine-tingling, this is a must-read.
Finn was raised among witches. Son of the ‘Dead King’, he talks to the Geists and has their knife. Finn and his Hexen siblings must survive, but they can’t do it alone.
Neither can Quality Durrand, whose parents have been accused by the witch-hunters. Quality, the ‘Old Smith’s Daughter’, knows about guns and black powder.
Together they are strong, but fate often separates them.
It is the burning times, the Hexen Hounds are out to catch anybody who shows the slightest supernatural mark. It is also the time of the Thirty Years’ War. Croats and Scotchmen, as well as the Germans, fight to the death.
The countryside is a wasteland, looted and burned by soldiers.
Jonathan Rowe delivers a hefty mix of fantasy and well-researched history in Tinderspark. His writing is crisp and evocative. The action springs off the pages, forcing you to live through the desperation and absurdity of a time when humanity went mad. “There is no reward for goodness in this world, but cold steel teeth and scourging fire for all of us – and it’s coming for you now!”
Compelling and spine-tingling, this is a must-read.
March 6, 2014
This is a beautifully written book, full of historical detail as well as fantasy, and one that is set in a time that I know well, having researched the era myself - the Thirty Years War, during which many innocents were tortured and executed for witchcraft. In Tinderspark, Quality, the gun-smith’s daughter, is taken from home by a pack of boys and becomes a part of their strange life serving the pagan Geists. When her parents are accused of witchcraft, she becomes involved in a plot to wreak revenge on the witch hunters.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mix of fantasy and history. There is an unearthly quality in the writing at times that sits well with the fantasy aspects; there are beautiful descriptions alongside bone-chilling accounts of torture and death, both aspects handled equally well. It is great to have a strong female protagonist, one that the reader can really warm to. Quality and the orphans are a compelling set of characters, and Quality is shaping up to become a great heroine for the series. My only criticism would be that some of the scenes ran on for a bit too long and included more detail and description than was necessary. However, on the whole this did not detract from an incredibly engaging, enthralling and enjoyable novel. I will be looking out for the next in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mix of fantasy and history. There is an unearthly quality in the writing at times that sits well with the fantasy aspects; there are beautiful descriptions alongside bone-chilling accounts of torture and death, both aspects handled equally well. It is great to have a strong female protagonist, one that the reader can really warm to. Quality and the orphans are a compelling set of characters, and Quality is shaping up to become a great heroine for the series. My only criticism would be that some of the scenes ran on for a bit too long and included more detail and description than was necessary. However, on the whole this did not detract from an incredibly engaging, enthralling and enjoyable novel. I will be looking out for the next in the series.
March 9, 2014
Imaginitive, well researched and very well written. This is a fantasy tale set in the dark days of 17th century Germany describing the adventures of a young heroine kidnapped by a group of youngsters with strange powers. The historical accuracy is impressive and the action scenes are powerful. This is the first step on what promises to be an exciting journey. We have already ordered the next instalment.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews