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The Season of Fire
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 16, 2026
This book is more than historical fiction. It is an examination of desperation and changing times. It is an edge of your seat thriller. It is a bitter-sweet romance. It is a philosophical musing on modernity. It is man against nature against man against self against the world. This book is for all of us who feel lost, all of us who feel as though we do not fit in today and deep down we know we would not fit in anywhen. Yes, its characters, from the modern professor whose forced retirement bookends the tale to our protagonist Penbroke Collins, and all they do keep my eyes glued to the pages. But it is what lies between the words that keeps my soul glued to the pages. This is a book about the very real danger of fire, the very real fear about losing your family, and the very real bravery it takes to survive such natural disasters. But it is also a book about the very real danger of being who you are in a society that does everything in its power to make you something else. That, in my mind, elevates it to literature status.
March 5, 2026
A Gripping Blend of History and Storytelling!
I received an advance copy of this book after sharing how much I enjoyed his previous short story.
The Season of Fire is a masterful mix of history and immersive storytelling. Set during the devastating 1910 wildfire, Carl D. Smith captures the chaos, courage, and human struggle with incredible authenticity. The protagonist, Penbroke, feels deeply relatable as he navigates impossible choices amidst both natural and human-made horrors.
What makes this book truly stand out is how vivid the world feels—not just through the main characters, but even through the brief appearances of side characters, leaving you eager to know their full stories.
For fans of historical fiction, or anyone who loves stories of resilience and human drama, this is a must-read. Easily Smith’s best work since The Darkness out of Carthage.
I received an advance copy of this book after sharing how much I enjoyed his previous short story.
The Season of Fire is a masterful mix of history and immersive storytelling. Set during the devastating 1910 wildfire, Carl D. Smith captures the chaos, courage, and human struggle with incredible authenticity. The protagonist, Penbroke, feels deeply relatable as he navigates impossible choices amidst both natural and human-made horrors.
What makes this book truly stand out is how vivid the world feels—not just through the main characters, but even through the brief appearances of side characters, leaving you eager to know their full stories.
For fans of historical fiction, or anyone who loves stories of resilience and human drama, this is a must-read. Easily Smith’s best work since The Darkness out of Carthage.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews