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Fire for Joy
Halfa Schoona knows how to survive. Raised in the Dock Ward of Grayspire with no name and no past, he's been many a bruiser, an errand boy, a weapon. But when he walks through fire to save a child and comes out unburned, everything changes. The rare magic that saved a life may now cost him his own. Even Gronk, the closest thing he has to family, begins to look at him differently. Seeking shelter in the Temple of Thessira, Halfa finds something he never peace. The temple is a sanctuary devoted to joy and defiance, and in its rituals, its laughter, and a woman named Marin, Halfa discovers the beginnings of a life he wants to protect.
But the streets are watching. The Blackjaw Syndicate, led by Halfa's former friend Gronk and the ruthless Valka Thorne, want the temple under their control, and Halfa back in line. When the fire returns, it does not come gently. As tensions boil over, Halfa must decide who he is willing to become. If joy is worth fighting for, it may also be worth burning for. But some choices leave scars, and not every light can be carried forward.
But the streets are watching. The Blackjaw Syndicate, led by Halfa's former friend Gronk and the ruthless Valka Thorne, want the temple under their control, and Halfa back in line. When the fire returns, it does not come gently. As tensions boil over, Halfa must decide who he is willing to become. If joy is worth fighting for, it may also be worth burning for. But some choices leave scars, and not every light can be carried forward.
- GenresFantasy
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2025
10 people are currently reading
1110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 28, 2025
This e-arc was given by Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was a character driven book, for sure. Halfa's story begins when he is a boy and follows him through manhood. He is a Goliath who intimidates others until one day he decides he wants to fight for what is right and not just be forced to be the brute strength. I loved his self-journey and the relationships he built. I loved how others loved and encouraged him in his journey.
The story moved very slowly for me and felt repetitive and at times even preachy.
That being said the book ended at the perfect place. I hope Halfa goes on to learn his heritage and finds belonging and greater understanding for himself.
This was a character driven book, for sure. Halfa's story begins when he is a boy and follows him through manhood. He is a Goliath who intimidates others until one day he decides he wants to fight for what is right and not just be forced to be the brute strength. I loved his self-journey and the relationships he built. I loved how others loved and encouraged him in his journey.
The story moved very slowly for me and felt repetitive and at times even preachy.
That being said the book ended at the perfect place. I hope Halfa goes on to learn his heritage and finds belonging and greater understanding for himself.
July 6, 2025
I picked up this book on Netgalley as an ARC reader.
Overall a very good read. a bit slow in part two but this did leave room for character development. Worth the read!
Overall a very good read. a bit slow in part two but this did leave room for character development. Worth the read!
August 28, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Hal Rowan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release date: September 1, 2025
Fire for Joy is one of the most unique fantasy novels I’ve read in a while—fast-paced, heartfelt, and brimming with themes of healing and belonging.
Halfa Schoona is a character I connected with instantly. He’s scarred, but determined to find a way forward, and his fire magic becomes both a source of fear and hope. The relationships he builds—with friends, mentors, and unlikely allies—are the true heart of the story.
What struck me most was the concept of Joy as a central theme. In a genre often filled with quests for power, love, or revenge, Rowan instead roots this story in the pursuit of joy: quiet, steady, resilient joy. It was refreshing and deeply moving.
The prose is quick and snappy, yet packed with emotion—easy to read without ever feeling shallow. There are moments of humor, tenderness, and wisdom, and several lines that stopped me in my tracks.
Fire for Joy feels more intimate than most high fantasy, focusing on character growth and emotional resonance rather than sprawling worldbuilding. It’s healing, powerful, and quietly unforgettable.
Release date: September 1, 2025
Fire for Joy is one of the most unique fantasy novels I’ve read in a while—fast-paced, heartfelt, and brimming with themes of healing and belonging.
Halfa Schoona is a character I connected with instantly. He’s scarred, but determined to find a way forward, and his fire magic becomes both a source of fear and hope. The relationships he builds—with friends, mentors, and unlikely allies—are the true heart of the story.
What struck me most was the concept of Joy as a central theme. In a genre often filled with quests for power, love, or revenge, Rowan instead roots this story in the pursuit of joy: quiet, steady, resilient joy. It was refreshing and deeply moving.
The prose is quick and snappy, yet packed with emotion—easy to read without ever feeling shallow. There are moments of humor, tenderness, and wisdom, and several lines that stopped me in my tracks.
Fire for Joy feels more intimate than most high fantasy, focusing on character growth and emotional resonance rather than sprawling worldbuilding. It’s healing, powerful, and quietly unforgettable.
April 19, 2025
Well I'll start us off with my own 5 star review (biased I know).
This is the story I always wanted to write. About a warrior who doesn’t crave power and the fire that burns when joy is something you have to fight for.
I wrote Fire for Joy for readers who love grit and grief and heart, for people who’ve carried too much in silence and wondered if that meant they were broken. Halfa Schoona isn’t a chosen one. He’s not perfect. He’s just trying — to protect, to heal, to matter.
If you're here, I hope this book makes you feel something. Even if it’s just the heat.
The book will be coming out sometime in 2025, the earlier the better. We are currently editing the manuscript, and once that is done we should be a lot closer to launching.
I have also already made significant progress on book 2, which I am hoping people will be excited for!
Any Beta/ARC readers out there who want to give Fire for Joy a try, please reach out at info@halrowan.com
Until then, Halfa is waiting in the dark. You'll meet him soon.
This is the story I always wanted to write. About a warrior who doesn’t crave power and the fire that burns when joy is something you have to fight for.
I wrote Fire for Joy for readers who love grit and grief and heart, for people who’ve carried too much in silence and wondered if that meant they were broken. Halfa Schoona isn’t a chosen one. He’s not perfect. He’s just trying — to protect, to heal, to matter.
If you're here, I hope this book makes you feel something. Even if it’s just the heat.
The book will be coming out sometime in 2025, the earlier the better. We are currently editing the manuscript, and once that is done we should be a lot closer to launching.
I have also already made significant progress on book 2, which I am hoping people will be excited for!
Any Beta/ARC readers out there who want to give Fire for Joy a try, please reach out at info@halrowan.com
Until then, Halfa is waiting in the dark. You'll meet him soon.
August 20, 2025
Thank you to The Berry Agency for an e-ARC of this novel. Overall rating: 3.5 stars.
Fire For Joy by Hal Rowan is a compelling fantasy novel with strong characters and thematic depth, but it is a world that can sometimes feel a little under-developed and lacking in detail.
The book's emotional core remains its biggest strength. The use of language via short, impactful sentences effectively reflects Halfa's internal state and the immediate, brutal world he inhabits, even if this gets a little repetitive after a while. This style lends itself well to the prose's thematic focus on small, powerful moments of connection that cut through the city's grim reality, and infuses the novel with a sense of poetic melancholy, deftly matching the vibes of the world.
That being said, while the core narrative is strong, the world of Grayspire feels underdeveloped. Details like the city being built on the body of a "long-dead god" and the religious or cultural background of the world are mentioned but not fully explored, leaving the reader with a fragmented sense of the world's history and its unique identity. This seems like a particularly notable gap as a large part of the book is set within a temple, however it’s unclear how a temple to a deity of joy weaves into other aspects of religion and culture. This vagueness extends to the magic system; the source of Halfa's fire and the nature of Valka's power are never clearly defined, making their abilities feel less like a cohesive system and more like narrative conveniences.
The writing style, characterized by short, snappy sentences and a constant use of internal questions from the protagonist, is a distinctive choice. While effective at the beginning to establish a thematic sense of restlessness and a character-driven tone, this technique becomes repetitive and, at times, hackneyed. The narrative voice loses some of its initial impact as the story progresses. Furthermore, the inclusion of numerous familiar fantasy races (halflings, half-elves, half-orcs, dwarves, tieflings for example) feels like it's borrowing heavily from existing properties, which detracts from the originality of the world - it would be great to see and explore how these races fit within the particular world that the novel builds, rather than relying on the readers understanding of these racial dynamics from other sources - particularly to see what kind of prejudices, social hierarchies, and cultural dynamics this level of diversity brings to the city.
The relationship between Halfa and Marin, in particular, is a highlight. The writing skillfully builds a deep, meaningful connection without relying on conventional romantic tropes, instead focusing on shared vulnerability and mutual support. This nuanced portrayal of their bond is a refreshing take on character relationships in fantasy. The emotional and narrative impact of the novel's climax is successfully amplified through its focus on this and other key relationships.
Fire For Joy is an engaging read with a powerful central conflict and memorable characters. However, its ambitious themes and strong character work are hindered by a world that needed more detail and a prose style that becomes overly familiar over time. It's a promising debut, and I am interested to see how the series develops!
Fire For Joy by Hal Rowan is a compelling fantasy novel with strong characters and thematic depth, but it is a world that can sometimes feel a little under-developed and lacking in detail.
The book's emotional core remains its biggest strength. The use of language via short, impactful sentences effectively reflects Halfa's internal state and the immediate, brutal world he inhabits, even if this gets a little repetitive after a while. This style lends itself well to the prose's thematic focus on small, powerful moments of connection that cut through the city's grim reality, and infuses the novel with a sense of poetic melancholy, deftly matching the vibes of the world.
That being said, while the core narrative is strong, the world of Grayspire feels underdeveloped. Details like the city being built on the body of a "long-dead god" and the religious or cultural background of the world are mentioned but not fully explored, leaving the reader with a fragmented sense of the world's history and its unique identity. This seems like a particularly notable gap as a large part of the book is set within a temple, however it’s unclear how a temple to a deity of joy weaves into other aspects of religion and culture. This vagueness extends to the magic system; the source of Halfa's fire and the nature of Valka's power are never clearly defined, making their abilities feel less like a cohesive system and more like narrative conveniences.
The writing style, characterized by short, snappy sentences and a constant use of internal questions from the protagonist, is a distinctive choice. While effective at the beginning to establish a thematic sense of restlessness and a character-driven tone, this technique becomes repetitive and, at times, hackneyed. The narrative voice loses some of its initial impact as the story progresses. Furthermore, the inclusion of numerous familiar fantasy races (halflings, half-elves, half-orcs, dwarves, tieflings for example) feels like it's borrowing heavily from existing properties, which detracts from the originality of the world - it would be great to see and explore how these races fit within the particular world that the novel builds, rather than relying on the readers understanding of these racial dynamics from other sources - particularly to see what kind of prejudices, social hierarchies, and cultural dynamics this level of diversity brings to the city.
The relationship between Halfa and Marin, in particular, is a highlight. The writing skillfully builds a deep, meaningful connection without relying on conventional romantic tropes, instead focusing on shared vulnerability and mutual support. This nuanced portrayal of their bond is a refreshing take on character relationships in fantasy. The emotional and narrative impact of the novel's climax is successfully amplified through its focus on this and other key relationships.
Fire For Joy is an engaging read with a powerful central conflict and memorable characters. However, its ambitious themes and strong character work are hindered by a world that needed more detail and a prose style that becomes overly familiar over time. It's a promising debut, and I am interested to see how the series develops!
August 19, 2025
ARC gifted on behalf of the Berry Agency.
I was not familiar with the different ethnicities before starting this (but my younger sibling was and gave me a little crash course.) and I thoroughly enjoyed them, how they interact, how they aren’t bound to particular roles because of their heritage. It’s not essential to know any of this before reading FfJ. I also loved the beautiful use of metaphors, it really weaves the world building around you.
I found the characters to be so rich and deeply delightful, the differing of approaches and personalities (in particular, Serelion, Marin and Brannig) and the balances they bring to the main character are beautiful. They are essential for his growth, and future confidence and faith in himself.
The early divide in character between Gronk and Halfa was wonderful, how despite how similar they are, they are deeply different. This comes back strongly in Part 3.
The storytelling can feel a little separated, stilted and repetitive at times, not entirely cohesive or linear. There’s a little bit of back tracking, or jumping forward but I find I enjoy it for the most part, though I’m definitely left a little confused in others.
I will admit, mid way through reading and reviewing this I took a break. I’m usually a binge read in one sitting person, but this book didn’t demand that from me. I definitely found part two quite slow, and it nearly made me DNF it but I am glad I persevered.
I think with what’s happening in the world right now, we need Thessira, we need joy for no reason other than to feel it and I really deeply appreciated that narrative.
Everything ties up relatively nicely in the end, but it also gears heavily towards there being a sequel/series. Not a negative thing, just an observation.
I really enjoyed this book, the world building, the importance of finding your people, and finding what you’re willing to fight for, but also what can bring you enough peace to finally rest.
I am giving Fire for Joy a 3 out of 5 stars.
I am finishing off my review with a quote that resonated with me deeply.
“(He) said joy was a protest”
I was not familiar with the different ethnicities before starting this (but my younger sibling was and gave me a little crash course.) and I thoroughly enjoyed them, how they interact, how they aren’t bound to particular roles because of their heritage. It’s not essential to know any of this before reading FfJ. I also loved the beautiful use of metaphors, it really weaves the world building around you.
I found the characters to be so rich and deeply delightful, the differing of approaches and personalities (in particular, Serelion, Marin and Brannig) and the balances they bring to the main character are beautiful. They are essential for his growth, and future confidence and faith in himself.
The early divide in character between Gronk and Halfa was wonderful, how despite how similar they are, they are deeply different. This comes back strongly in Part 3.
The storytelling can feel a little separated, stilted and repetitive at times, not entirely cohesive or linear. There’s a little bit of back tracking, or jumping forward but I find I enjoy it for the most part, though I’m definitely left a little confused in others.
I will admit, mid way through reading and reviewing this I took a break. I’m usually a binge read in one sitting person, but this book didn’t demand that from me. I definitely found part two quite slow, and it nearly made me DNF it but I am glad I persevered.
I think with what’s happening in the world right now, we need Thessira, we need joy for no reason other than to feel it and I really deeply appreciated that narrative.
Everything ties up relatively nicely in the end, but it also gears heavily towards there being a sequel/series. Not a negative thing, just an observation.
I really enjoyed this book, the world building, the importance of finding your people, and finding what you’re willing to fight for, but also what can bring you enough peace to finally rest.
I am giving Fire for Joy a 3 out of 5 stars.
I am finishing off my review with a quote that resonated with me deeply.
“(He) said joy was a protest”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
There were many things to like about this book and there were some things that missed the mark for me.
I actually think this book would have been stronger if it focused more heavily on the gang uprising and political corruption. Although slightly slow paced for me, that story held interest and I liked the street orphans rising and weaving their life paths together.
There is a hint of darkness and sadness in the book that you could expect from people who have fought to survive a city that doesn’t care and for those who see the dirty underbelly and how it affects those they care for. I liked this, even if sometimes it didn’t gel with the Joy elements.
The story is told in little snippets, like you’re flitting in and out of the story quickly. Overall I didn’t mind this storytelling, although it made tracking a sense of time difficult. Sometimes we were told how much time had passed but often I didn’t know if it was a day, or weeks, or more. Time was rarely an important element to the story so I didn’t mind.
Unfortunately a few aspects kept me from rating higher:
- I didn’t feel the fantasy races were needed for the level of impact they had on the tale. Everyone easily could have been human with Halfa just being bigger and having been fire born. I felt this wasn’t explored to any meaningful level and often forgot people were other races unless they referred to themselves or others by their race.
- some editing was needed to fix a few writing issues. Halfa didn’t answer immediately/right away a lot. Also the formula of “Not X. Not Y. Just/But Z” occurred so often it lost impact and became distracting. I once counted it three times on one page. Also continuity errors occurred - a character is described as tall and 2 sentences later described as small?
- the use of joy and fire never seemed to fit fully with me. However, I can be obtuse with poetic things, so this is likely personal. I saw where it was trying to go but I didn’t feel it quite got there. Also joy was described as nearly everything and I felt it didn’t have meaning by the end.
Thanks NetGalley for providing an ARC.
I actually think this book would have been stronger if it focused more heavily on the gang uprising and political corruption. Although slightly slow paced for me, that story held interest and I liked the street orphans rising and weaving their life paths together.
There is a hint of darkness and sadness in the book that you could expect from people who have fought to survive a city that doesn’t care and for those who see the dirty underbelly and how it affects those they care for. I liked this, even if sometimes it didn’t gel with the Joy elements.
The story is told in little snippets, like you’re flitting in and out of the story quickly. Overall I didn’t mind this storytelling, although it made tracking a sense of time difficult. Sometimes we were told how much time had passed but often I didn’t know if it was a day, or weeks, or more. Time was rarely an important element to the story so I didn’t mind.
Unfortunately a few aspects kept me from rating higher:
- I didn’t feel the fantasy races were needed for the level of impact they had on the tale. Everyone easily could have been human with Halfa just being bigger and having been fire born. I felt this wasn’t explored to any meaningful level and often forgot people were other races unless they referred to themselves or others by their race.
- some editing was needed to fix a few writing issues. Halfa didn’t answer immediately/right away a lot. Also the formula of “Not X. Not Y. Just/But Z” occurred so often it lost impact and became distracting. I once counted it three times on one page. Also continuity errors occurred - a character is described as tall and 2 sentences later described as small?
- the use of joy and fire never seemed to fit fully with me. However, I can be obtuse with poetic things, so this is likely personal. I saw where it was trying to go but I didn’t feel it quite got there. Also joy was described as nearly everything and I felt it didn’t have meaning by the end.
Thanks NetGalley for providing an ARC.
September 9, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Fire for Joy from The Berry Agency and the author Hal Rowan, and I’m so glad I did. This is a beautifully crafted fantasy that introduces us to Halfa, a Goliath full of fire he cannot yet control, a fire that he only begins to be able to curl as he comes to understand Joy.
Halfa’s journey is equal parts brutal and heart stirring. What begins as a story of endurance soon becomes a quest for belonging and purpose, and Rowan paints it with a balance of grit and tenderness. Through Halfa’s trials, we see not just a fight to survive, but the discovery of who he truly is, where he belongs, and the family he builds for himself along the way.
The world building is vivid without being overwhelming; you can feel the raw landscapes, smell the damp stone, feel the heaviness of the weight of battle, and enjoy the quiet moments of connection that keep Halfa moving forward. Rowan has a knack for weaving together themes of strength, loyalty, and identity in a way that makes the story feel both epic and deeply personal.
While the pace stumbles here and there, Halfa’s growth and the powerful cast of secondary characters more than make up for it. I was fully invested in his fight, his fire, and his future as I turned each page.
If you love character driven fantasy with grit, heart, and a hero who stays with you long after the last page, Fire for Joy deserves a place on your TBR.
Halfa’s journey is equal parts brutal and heart stirring. What begins as a story of endurance soon becomes a quest for belonging and purpose, and Rowan paints it with a balance of grit and tenderness. Through Halfa’s trials, we see not just a fight to survive, but the discovery of who he truly is, where he belongs, and the family he builds for himself along the way.
The world building is vivid without being overwhelming; you can feel the raw landscapes, smell the damp stone, feel the heaviness of the weight of battle, and enjoy the quiet moments of connection that keep Halfa moving forward. Rowan has a knack for weaving together themes of strength, loyalty, and identity in a way that makes the story feel both epic and deeply personal.
While the pace stumbles here and there, Halfa’s growth and the powerful cast of secondary characters more than make up for it. I was fully invested in his fight, his fire, and his future as I turned each page.
If you love character driven fantasy with grit, heart, and a hero who stays with you long after the last page, Fire for Joy deserves a place on your TBR.
August 21, 2025
Seeing Halfas journey through this novel and the hardships he overcame was heart-warming. The acceptance he felt by the temple and the joy he found in his gifts made this story enjoyable for me. I did find parts repetitive, as if I had already read this scene before, and the second half of the novel felt a lot slower than the fast pace of the first half.
I loved the found family aspect, but it seemed again like these interactions were repeated when a new character was introduced, and the chemistry with Marin (who was a character I really enjoyed) felt non-existent.
Through the novel I had a lot of questions about Halfa and his heritage or where the Goliaths came from, or if he and Gronk had any connection (not blood wise but maybe where families were from) I know this part will be more explained in the second novel but it left a lot of questions unanswered. I think more hints towards a greater world out there would of felt more fulfilling.
I’m unsure if this would be a series I would continue, but I do congratulate Hal Rowan on an enjoyable debut.
Thank you to The Berry Agency for gifting me an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the found family aspect, but it seemed again like these interactions were repeated when a new character was introduced, and the chemistry with Marin (who was a character I really enjoyed) felt non-existent.
Through the novel I had a lot of questions about Halfa and his heritage or where the Goliaths came from, or if he and Gronk had any connection (not blood wise but maybe where families were from) I know this part will be more explained in the second novel but it left a lot of questions unanswered. I think more hints towards a greater world out there would of felt more fulfilling.
I’m unsure if this would be a series I would continue, but I do congratulate Hal Rowan on an enjoyable debut.
Thank you to The Berry Agency for gifting me an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2025
3.5⭐
Thank you so much to The Berry Agency for this arc copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fire For Joy is a character driven fantasy with a heartwarming found family aspect, and a very subtle romance plot.
In this book we follow Halfa who is a goliath brute that no longer wants to be treated as one. He desires a quiet life filled with joy, but the corrupt city he's in doesn't want to let him change.
I quite enjoyed Fire For Joy, I gave it 3.5 stars. It was a bit of a different read for me with it being incredibly character driven, but it didn't take me long to connect with the characters.
The writing is quite beautiful and poetic, I was highlighting a lot at the start. But throughout the book it becomes quite repetitive.
I found the pacing a bit odd, at times I felt things were moving too fast, then there were other times where it was moving incredibly slow. I ended up feeling a bit bored through the middle. I also felt that the ending was a bit anticlimactic, considering all the build up.
What really stands out with this book is the characters. I loved Halfas self discovery journey, it was full of emotion, happy and sad. The family he created along the way was beautiful to read about. While we only get a very subtle romance subplot, it still had me giddy.
The way these characters support and love each other is something special.
Fire For Joy releases September 1st. If you're looking for a character driven story with lots of emotion, definitely check it out!
Thank you so much to The Berry Agency for this arc copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fire For Joy is a character driven fantasy with a heartwarming found family aspect, and a very subtle romance plot.
In this book we follow Halfa who is a goliath brute that no longer wants to be treated as one. He desires a quiet life filled with joy, but the corrupt city he's in doesn't want to let him change.
I quite enjoyed Fire For Joy, I gave it 3.5 stars. It was a bit of a different read for me with it being incredibly character driven, but it didn't take me long to connect with the characters.
The writing is quite beautiful and poetic, I was highlighting a lot at the start. But throughout the book it becomes quite repetitive.
I found the pacing a bit odd, at times I felt things were moving too fast, then there were other times where it was moving incredibly slow. I ended up feeling a bit bored through the middle. I also felt that the ending was a bit anticlimactic, considering all the build up.
What really stands out with this book is the characters. I loved Halfas self discovery journey, it was full of emotion, happy and sad. The family he created along the way was beautiful to read about. While we only get a very subtle romance subplot, it still had me giddy.
The way these characters support and love each other is something special.
Fire For Joy releases September 1st. If you're looking for a character driven story with lots of emotion, definitely check it out!
September 10, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an arc copy of this book through The Berry Agency.
This is a lengthy story, with long chapters and is a bit of a slower paced story. The characters are well-described and the nature of personalities in this story is very well-defined.
This is a different sort of fantasy to anything I’ve ever really read before and while I did enjoy it to an extent, I was at points hoping it would become faster paced.
Some of the descriptions of passion, life, and joy are some of the most profound sentences I’ve ever read. The writing in this is quite beautiful.
This book is a time investment. Don’t expect the story to be quick in its development. It’s not a punchy book that follows a stereotypical fantasy narrative at all.
Enjoy its differences, beautiful descriptions and inadvertent lessons it imparts along your reading journey.
This is a lengthy story, with long chapters and is a bit of a slower paced story. The characters are well-described and the nature of personalities in this story is very well-defined.
This is a different sort of fantasy to anything I’ve ever really read before and while I did enjoy it to an extent, I was at points hoping it would become faster paced.
Some of the descriptions of passion, life, and joy are some of the most profound sentences I’ve ever read. The writing in this is quite beautiful.
This book is a time investment. Don’t expect the story to be quick in its development. It’s not a punchy book that follows a stereotypical fantasy narrative at all.
Enjoy its differences, beautiful descriptions and inadvertent lessons it imparts along your reading journey.
August 14, 2025
ARC provided by NetGalley.
Fantasy and character driven. Two companions that struggle together early on that share a path but pursue different goals entirely. One seeks peace and the other is seeking power. The pace is slow and may not be suitable for all readers however there is character development occurring here that centers on moral choices, corruption and the shifting of loyalties in a city that is in constant cycles of violence.
Would love to hear where Halfa and Gronk story continues from here….
Loyalty Tested + Cycles of Violence + Inner Conflict + Found Family
Fantasy and character driven. Two companions that struggle together early on that share a path but pursue different goals entirely. One seeks peace and the other is seeking power. The pace is slow and may not be suitable for all readers however there is character development occurring here that centers on moral choices, corruption and the shifting of loyalties in a city that is in constant cycles of violence.
Would love to hear where Halfa and Gronk story continues from here….
Loyalty Tested + Cycles of Violence + Inner Conflict + Found Family
September 9, 2025
Fire for Joy is a little gem of a book, one I requested mostly because of the cover, and now that I’ve finished it, I can confidently say it was absolutely the right choice. The story is largely character-driven and slow-paced, yet I found myself finishing it sooner than I expected. The writing has a gentle, soft quality, which might seem unusual in a fantasy with moments of violence, but it works beautifully and suits the story perfectly. I’m also thrilled to hear that a sequel is in the works, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
January 12, 2026
thanks to netgalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book!
this a slow paced character driven high fantasy, and i really did like it. the only thing that i wish would have been different was that we knew more about the world and how the magic worked. it was something i expected out of a high fantasy book that moves at a slower pace. i wish the differences between halfa, other non-human characters, and everyone else were explored in a more meaningful way. but i loved every character in this, and is impressive for what i believe to be a debut novel.
this a slow paced character driven high fantasy, and i really did like it. the only thing that i wish would have been different was that we knew more about the world and how the magic worked. it was something i expected out of a high fantasy book that moves at a slower pace. i wish the differences between halfa, other non-human characters, and everyone else were explored in a more meaningful way. but i loved every character in this, and is impressive for what i believe to be a debut novel.
August 15, 2025
Fell straight into Halfas life and was immersed. A little repetitious in the the middle, but still kept the pace. Finished strong and left anticipation for more. Overall very enjoyable. Nice work.
August 30, 2025
This book was one i could not put down, Fire for Joy is a compelling emotion filled story. The writing was full of short but impactful sentences that made me feel like I was in the mind of the main character and part of Grayspire.
We follow the story of Halfa, a self taught, self named Goliath living in Grayspire, in the dock wards. From childhood he keeps himself alive by any means necessary.
Living in the shadows of the dock wards Halfas journey follows him through his life, building relationships with those around him. This story is full of love, hate,rage, joy and regret.
Halfa finds himself in the company of another Goliath, Gronk in his time with Gronk Halfa walks through fire to save a child, coming our unharmed and sunburnt. This changes his relationship with Gronk.
Throughout his journey of self discovery Halfa shifts from the brute, the fighter to a character who seeks out the light and joy in life. Halfa finds himself at the temple or thessira, a temple full of joy, light, dancing and a little defiance.
Halfa builds relationships on a deeper level, on his journey he finds something to protect at the temple, the laughter, the joy and the people.
His sloe build relationship with Marin is wonderful to read. The relationship is built on mutual trust and friendship, that blossoms towards a l9ve Halfa would burn to protect.
With Grayspire at war with itself.
Halfas journey for joy is put to the test. Blackjaws and Ashrats, street gangs run by Gronk and Valka, put everything Halfa has worked for at risk.
The fight for joy remains the key theme throughout this book with Halfa fighting day and night to protect those he cares about and loves, as well as the temple itself.
I cannot wait to read the next book to continue to discover more about Halfa and his journey.
I would recommend this to all fantasy Genre lovers.
Thank you to the Berry agency for the opportunity to read this ARC novel.
We follow the story of Halfa, a self taught, self named Goliath living in Grayspire, in the dock wards. From childhood he keeps himself alive by any means necessary.
Living in the shadows of the dock wards Halfas journey follows him through his life, building relationships with those around him. This story is full of love, hate,rage, joy and regret.
Halfa finds himself in the company of another Goliath, Gronk in his time with Gronk Halfa walks through fire to save a child, coming our unharmed and sunburnt. This changes his relationship with Gronk.
Throughout his journey of self discovery Halfa shifts from the brute, the fighter to a character who seeks out the light and joy in life. Halfa finds himself at the temple or thessira, a temple full of joy, light, dancing and a little defiance.
Halfa builds relationships on a deeper level, on his journey he finds something to protect at the temple, the laughter, the joy and the people.
His sloe build relationship with Marin is wonderful to read. The relationship is built on mutual trust and friendship, that blossoms towards a l9ve Halfa would burn to protect.
With Grayspire at war with itself.
Halfas journey for joy is put to the test. Blackjaws and Ashrats, street gangs run by Gronk and Valka, put everything Halfa has worked for at risk.
The fight for joy remains the key theme throughout this book with Halfa fighting day and night to protect those he cares about and loves, as well as the temple itself.
I cannot wait to read the next book to continue to discover more about Halfa and his journey.
I would recommend this to all fantasy Genre lovers.
Thank you to the Berry agency for the opportunity to read this ARC novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2025
When you start this book you get dropped into this new world right away. You follow the MMC Halfa, an orphaned Goliath who has always felt out of place, as he experiences his days at the Dock Ward. You get a glimpse into his thoughts and feelings and how he spent each day before the start of this book. It should've felt confusing and foreign, instead I felt an immediate connection to our main character.
The writing style definitely relies on emotions, it’s short sentences, thought provoking lines and hidden feelings behind every word chosen by the author. I loved it, it might just be what made this book so special to me. Like seriously, I was highlighting lines in this book from page one.
This is a story about self discovery, love and rage. This story is quiet, and all these emotions sneak up on you until all you can do is feel.
Once Halfa stumbles upon the temple and meets all these new people, I was honestly hooked. His scenes with Marin, a half-elf in the temple, had me clutching my heart. Again, it was quiet but full of emotions, short sentences that had so much meaning. We meet Serelion, with their wise words, helping Halfa come to terms with who he is. A steady presence in Halfa’s time at the temple.The connections between the characters were definitely my favorite part in this book.
If you like character studies, stories with lots of character development, a writing style that is fast paced and filled with to-the-point sentences and emotions, then this book is for you.
I always describe stories like this as quiet. It’s a story told around a fire, in a hushed tone, where you can close your eyes and just feel everything the character went through and hope that he gets the ending he deserves.
Thank you to netgalley for the e-arc.
The writing style definitely relies on emotions, it’s short sentences, thought provoking lines and hidden feelings behind every word chosen by the author. I loved it, it might just be what made this book so special to me. Like seriously, I was highlighting lines in this book from page one.
This is a story about self discovery, love and rage. This story is quiet, and all these emotions sneak up on you until all you can do is feel.
Once Halfa stumbles upon the temple and meets all these new people, I was honestly hooked. His scenes with Marin, a half-elf in the temple, had me clutching my heart. Again, it was quiet but full of emotions, short sentences that had so much meaning. We meet Serelion, with their wise words, helping Halfa come to terms with who he is. A steady presence in Halfa’s time at the temple.The connections between the characters were definitely my favorite part in this book.
If you like character studies, stories with lots of character development, a writing style that is fast paced and filled with to-the-point sentences and emotions, then this book is for you.
I always describe stories like this as quiet. It’s a story told around a fire, in a hushed tone, where you can close your eyes and just feel everything the character went through and hope that he gets the ending he deserves.
Thank you to netgalley for the e-arc.
September 25, 2025
Got an advanced copy as an ARC reader (thanks, The Berry Agency!).
From the very first chapter, I was hooked! I was thrown into a fascinating new world and instantly able to connect with the main character. He’s kind-hearted and easy to root for and the story is very easy to follow, especially for beginner fantasy readers. The scenes are described so clearly that I could picture everything vividly.
Some parts dragged a bit though with repeated phrases and emotional descriptions that felt too lengthy. The “Not this, not that. Just… that” phrases got tiring after a while. A few cuts could've made the pace smoother.
Overall though, it was a fun, immersive read with a lovable protagonist and a world that’s easy to get lost in. Just be ready for some slower, heavily detailed moments. Props to Hal Rowan on this first book 👏🏼
From the very first chapter, I was hooked! I was thrown into a fascinating new world and instantly able to connect with the main character. He’s kind-hearted and easy to root for and the story is very easy to follow, especially for beginner fantasy readers. The scenes are described so clearly that I could picture everything vividly.
Some parts dragged a bit though with repeated phrases and emotional descriptions that felt too lengthy. The “Not this, not that. Just… that” phrases got tiring after a while. A few cuts could've made the pace smoother.
Overall though, it was a fun, immersive read with a lovable protagonist and a world that’s easy to get lost in. Just be ready for some slower, heavily detailed moments. Props to Hal Rowan on this first book 👏🏼
September 11, 2025
Fire for Joy is a beautifully written fantasy which is highly character driven. I loved Halfa’s arc as he grows and learns more about himself and the fire inside him. The focus is very much on Halfa as a character so there’s not as much world building as I’d expect in a fantasy book but we get a good idea of the political climate between the rival gangs and where the watch fit in.
While some parts of the story are a little repetitive, I loved the idea in finding joy in everything including in the beautiful friendships that come out of the fire. Mirin and Halfa’s relationship is not a typical romantic storyline but the slow build and the connection between the characters is beautifully done.
I’m really interested to see how these characters develop and I thought the next step of Halfa’s journey was well setup for future books.
Thank you to The Berry Agency and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
While some parts of the story are a little repetitive, I loved the idea in finding joy in everything including in the beautiful friendships that come out of the fire. Mirin and Halfa’s relationship is not a typical romantic storyline but the slow build and the connection between the characters is beautifully done.
I’m really interested to see how these characters develop and I thought the next step of Halfa’s journey was well setup for future books.
Thank you to The Berry Agency and the author for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
August 24, 2025
Final Verdict 4.0/5.0
I'll keep this one short and sweet. I didn't know what to expect, but if you love vivid writing, good world-building, unique characters, and character-driven plots, give this one a go; you won't be disappointed!
I'll keep this one short and sweet. I didn't know what to expect, but if you love vivid writing, good world-building, unique characters, and character-driven plots, give this one a go; you won't be disappointed!
September 24, 2025
Halfa’s journey from bruiser to believer is raw, slow, and full of heart, even if the pacing drags in places. Loved the temple vibes and found family themes, but some scenes felt repetitive. Overall an enjoyable read.
Thank you to The Berry Agency for the ARC copy.
Thank you to The Berry Agency for the ARC copy.
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