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Trail of Fire
In a world burned down to ash, monsters are easy to recognize. Innocence is not.
Rook has spent his life hunting demons, guided by iron-clad lessons meant to keep him alive. Track the scent of sulfur. Strike without hesitation. Kill what threatens the world.
But when a contract leads him to two demon children hiding among the ruins of a slaughter, those lessons fracture. The children are terrified. Innocent. And protecting them means betraying everything Rook was taught to believe.
As word spreads, Rook finds himself pursued not by demons, but by hunters. At their head is Nyx, his sister, a warrior forged by the same teachings and now determined to finish the hunt he abandoned.
With ancient powers stirring and the line between monster and human collapsing, Rook must decide what the lessons were truly meant to protect, the world as it is, or the future it could become.
Trail of Fire is a dark, character driven fantasy about found family, moral defiance, and the cost of compassion in a world that survives by cruelty.
Rook has spent his life hunting demons, guided by iron-clad lessons meant to keep him alive. Track the scent of sulfur. Strike without hesitation. Kill what threatens the world.
But when a contract leads him to two demon children hiding among the ruins of a slaughter, those lessons fracture. The children are terrified. Innocent. And protecting them means betraying everything Rook was taught to believe.
As word spreads, Rook finds himself pursued not by demons, but by hunters. At their head is Nyx, his sister, a warrior forged by the same teachings and now determined to finish the hunt he abandoned.
With ancient powers stirring and the line between monster and human collapsing, Rook must decide what the lessons were truly meant to protect, the world as it is, or the future it could become.
Trail of Fire is a dark, character driven fantasy about found family, moral defiance, and the cost of compassion in a world that survives by cruelty.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 14, 2025
Trail of Fire is the kind of dark fantasy that stays with you long after you turn the final page. From the opening chapters, Anthony Mooney pulls you into an ash-choked world where nothing is as simple as monster versus hero and that’s where the story truly shines.
Rook is a compelling protagonist: hardened, disciplined, and shaped by a lifetime of rigid beliefs. Watching those beliefs crack when he encounters two terrified demon children is both heartbreaking and powerful. The moral tension is constant and deeply human, forcing the reader to question what innocence really means in a world built on fear and survival.
The setting feels bleak yet vivid ruined cities, hostile colonies, and the looming threat of Harbinger fire all add weight and urgency to the journey. But at its core, this is a story about compassion: how dangerous it can be, how necessary it is, and how it can turn someone into a traitor to everything they were taught to believe.
The themes of found family, identity, and betrayal of doctrine are handled with care and emotional depth. The final message that sometimes saving the world means unlearning it lands hard and lingers.
Trail of Fire is a gripping, thoughtful dark fantasy that balances action with soul. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy morally complex stories with heart beneath the ashes.
Rook is a compelling protagonist: hardened, disciplined, and shaped by a lifetime of rigid beliefs. Watching those beliefs crack when he encounters two terrified demon children is both heartbreaking and powerful. The moral tension is constant and deeply human, forcing the reader to question what innocence really means in a world built on fear and survival.
The setting feels bleak yet vivid ruined cities, hostile colonies, and the looming threat of Harbinger fire all add weight and urgency to the journey. But at its core, this is a story about compassion: how dangerous it can be, how necessary it is, and how it can turn someone into a traitor to everything they were taught to believe.
The themes of found family, identity, and betrayal of doctrine are handled with care and emotional depth. The final message that sometimes saving the world means unlearning it lands hard and lingers.
Trail of Fire is a gripping, thoughtful dark fantasy that balances action with soul. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy morally complex stories with heart beneath the ashes.
December 15, 2025
Trail of Fire by Anthony Mooney is a gripping and well paced novel that delivers tension, atmosphere, and steady narrative momentum from start to finish. Mooney builds a vivid setting and draws the reader in quickly with a story driven by danger, consequence, and determination. The plot unfolds with clarity while still leaving room for suspense, keeping the stakes high and the pages turning. Characters are portrayed with purpose, and their decisions feel grounded in the harsh realities of the world they inhabit.
What stands out most is the balance between action and storytelling. The novel does not rely solely on intensity but also allows space for reflection and emotional weight, which adds depth to the overall experience.
What stands out most is the balance between action and storytelling. The novel does not rely solely on intensity but also allows space for reflection and emotional weight, which adds depth to the overall experience.
December 16, 2025
Trail of Fire delivers a brutal, emotionally rich story that refuses to take the easy path. Rook is a fascinating protagonist hardened, scarred, and utterly believable. Watching his worldview crack as he protects two demon children is powerful and heartbreaking. The worldbuilding is vivid and oppressive, soaked in ash and fear, and every choice feels dangerous. This is a story about compassion as rebellion, and it left me thinking long after I finished.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews