Fire Arrow

The Songs of Eirren #2

by Edith Pattou

Breo-Saight, the young archer from Hero's Song, has abandoned her lifelong mission to avenge her father's murder. But just as she stops pursuing the murderers, they turn up again, leading Brie to her birthright--a fire arrow.

The magical arrow leads Brie to a strange country, where she finds the family and happiness she's never known. But she also finds evil at work--the doings of a sinister, one-eyed sorcerer named Balor. Though Brie has given up on vengeance, she knows she must follow her mission through to its bitter end if she is to save the people she's grown to love.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, Magic, Young Adult Fantasy, Middle Grade

348 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 1998

About the author

Edith Pattou is the author of several fantasy novels, including East, an ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults. She is a graduate of the Francis W. Parker School, Scripps College (B.A., English), Claremont Graduate School (M.A., English) and UCLA (M.L.I.S.). She is married to Charles Emery, a professor of psychology at The Ohio State University. They have one child, a daughter.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/edith-pa...

Reviews

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though many would disagree, I thought that this book was way better than Hero's Song, though I like east perhaps the best.
In this story we go into the life of Breo-Saight, the secretive archer who is thirsty for revenge. Her blood lust is real, she trully wants to get her father's murderers and cause them the same pain that they caused her and her father. I thought her character was much more deep than Collun's was in the first book. She abandons her guise as a boy while still being quite tough. I liked that because you get these macho girl books were the girl always cuts her hair and talks in a faky voice. Isn't being a girl just enough? Though there are danger issue's I agree, with being a girl. Pattou enabled us to look into the real face of Brie. She has feminine fealings and emotions. She cries, she bleeds, she wants. She's not completely invensible as we see when she meets near death in the mountains.
This book explores revenge and it's consequences. It had moral issues. Was it right to kill someone who killed? What did it serve you in the end? Were you a better person for it? Is it worth keeping a vow to someone even though you may destroy yourself in the process?
I loved how Brie actually became a woman. She genuinly does come out of the gung ho mantality, at least for a little while. She doesn't want to be more or less than she really is. She comes to terms that she can't allways be the warrior maiden and that there are things that she actually wants to settle down for. She wants real things.
One thing that bugged me though was the fact that durring the coarse of the book there wasn't a lot of interaction between Collun and Brie, especially when things started to turn up between the two of them. I wanted to experience more of them together and how they act around eachother. I mean we've been waiting for it and then we can't get enough. It makes me jittery just thinking about it.
This book makes you aplaud Pattou with the highest honnor. Descover her and enjoy her. You won't regret it. I heard that she's working on the third book and I'm waiting to see what happens with a thumping heart.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantasy novel I edited back before the dawn of time.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of revenge, family, found family, magic, etc. Brie is seeking revenge on her father's killers, and on the way she finds a magical fire arrow.

It's a good adventure story, though my favorite part is when Brie spends months in the fishing village of Ardara. It's an idyllic place, and she spends much time at sea, and there are kind people and harvest festivals and an eccentric but powerful sorcerer.

Hanna is also a great character, and Monodnock provides frequent comic relief. I also like the friendship of Brie and Aelwyn--it's nice to see Brie having fun and giggling with a girlfriend, instead of her more usual dangerous quests and journeys.

[Emma Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was okay but not nearly as good as the first, which is surprising because I really do love Brie, the narrator. I don't know what felt flat in this book but something went wrong. Still, it was enjoyable and I did love the slow romance between the two leads.

[Eslin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just finished this book last night. I bought it at book fair. I had no idea it was a second book. Wished I had read Hero's Song: The First Book of Eirren first. I was a little confused in the beginning chapters figuring out what all the fantasy words represented. I thought the author could have been a little more clear about the story in Hero's Song so the transition would have been smoother. I liked the plot, but found Brie a little boring. The author didn't know much about archery so I couldn't appreciate her skill as an archer. The middle part of the book was interesting. The battle scene at the end was very disappointing for me. It didn't last very long and the evil being was killed too soon. There wasn't much of a love story either...how disappointing. The ending sounded like there will be another book. I don't believe I will buy.

[Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um. I felt like this book was sort of lost and meandering around and they just so happened to do the things they needed to do. I loved East so I thought this one would be similar. There came a point around page 130 that I felt sure Pattou had forgotten to write several pages. So it was okay and there were parts I liked but I won't read it again.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

This probably would have been better if I knew that it was book two, I thought it was a stand alone. Otherwise really good.

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hero's Song wasn't all that memorable for me, but I'm relieved that I liked it enough to read its sequel, because Fire Arrow is much better! Collun's friend Breo-Saight("Brie") gets her own quest, and consequently much more depth of character here. She is still brave and independent, but also humble and open-minded. She makes mistakes, has regrets, and isn't always sure what she wants out of life. Brie ends up being very human and very likable.

The worldbuilding is also much stronger than in the first book. The world feels larger and more defined, with a lot more cultural detail. The morgs play a part, but the villains Brie most often encounters are the equally creepy gabhas, or goat-men. There is also a large cast of new allies for Brie. Aelwyn is my favorite, all the more because she is so different from Brie. Aelwyn is simply fabulous and by the end I wished she had been in even more scenes. I'm glad she wasn't turned into a romantic rival like I was afraid she would; even though she is clearly crushing a bit on Collun she doesn't interfere with Brie and Collun's presumed unspoken romance and so stays friends with Brie. Speaking of which, something else I greatly appreciated was that the author never put down other female characters for not being tomboyish like Brie. Hyslin was much more traditionally feminine but she and Brie still became friends despite having different interests. It's very refreshing to NOT see the self-righteous "not like other girls" mentality in a teen book.
And even though Brie lives and dresses differently from most women in this book, nobody goes on cartoonishly sexist tirades about her. The one exception is the sly innkeeper, who we find out has a vested interest in trying to make people suspicious of her. But aside from Aelwyn encouraging her to dress up sometimes, all of Brie's friends and allies simply accept her as she is. It lends a very calm, non-judgmental tone to offset the eerieness and danger inherent to Brie's quest.

Fire Arrow is a good book to try out if you like the classic story and themes of Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, or the tone and style of Edith Pattou's other duology, East. I'm very glad I gave it a chance, and will certainly keep an eye out for any new books from Edith Pattou!

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book I received for free from the Betterworld Books Bookmobile.

I really liked the concept of the book, which's what drew me to it. While I haven't read the first book, I was still able to enjoy the second book.

Brie is a very interesting character. Raised at a young age to essentially be the fantasy equivalent of a Tom Boy, who has just one motivation: revenge.

The main villain is unclear at beginning, and when the villain is revealed it was quite the twist.

What I really like about the story is that we see the ramifications of the revenge on Brie. She feels guilt about her blood lust and eventually moves past it, while still being a bad ass character.

The world feels very developed and believable, which works because there's a lot in here in terms of fantasy elements (goat men armies, magic, evil and crazy wizards) but none feels out of place.

I definitely recommend Fire Arrow, but maybe start with Book 1.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and getting to know Brie better, but I the pacing felt off. There was too much time wandering the country side and not enough time spent on expanding the plot. The last quarter of the book picked up finally, but the ending felt unfinished (almost like a cliffhanger, but not) . All in all, it was enjoyable, but felt a little aimless at times. Basically, I wanted more. Not enough time was spent on the good or interesting plot points/inter-character develpment, and too much time was spent on filler. A solid 3.5 stars.

[Kenzie Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, interesting, sequel to the original. Some points were confusing but seeing it through Brie's eyes and some of the twists that come along made up for it all. After finishing it, there was certainly hope for another book! (though at present there is none) But I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a nice medieval read with a strong heroine lead character.

[Jessica Devereaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great kindle book, but all the TYPOS!!! SO DISTRACTING!
Anyone else think that the proofreaders should have to pay us to read books with so many errors?
Would definitely recommend. This story is a little less cryptic and gives some of the meanings of unfamiliar words used, plus gives good background to explain/remind what went on before. All is resolved, nothing left hanging.

[Rebekah Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had some problems getting into it, mostly enjoyed it though. Would have liked to see breo and collun's relationship would have gone after the battle.

[Yong-Yu · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, the book was a little hard to follow, because of all the words they use (e.g. draiocht, wyll). However, it was very good! I ship Brie and Collun!

[Bettina Schempf · Rating 4 out of 5]

The language and descriptions are vivid, plot is varied and leaves surprises, characters are developed and distinct, fast paced historical novel that kept me reading

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good creative storyline, feels like lore which is really cool. Full of adventure.

[Ryan Thalman]

A good follow up to Hero's Song, though the story goes very tangentially.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great sequel to Hero’s Song. I was very glad I read Hero’s Song first because although it is generally inferior to Fire Arrow, revisiting old friends from the first book and building on Collun’s and Brie’s characters was very satisfying. I really felt their camaraderie and was so proud of Silien’s newly developed loyalty when they met him again. Hero’s Song was enjoyable, but Fire Arrow has a maturity about it. I felt the story was more intricate and the characters had more depth.

I thought at times that Brie’s character would seem more realistic if she had more physical limitations, but Pattou does address Brie’s need to be the best at everything she does, so maybe that could account for her being so good at everything (ie archery, swordplay, fighting enormous and much stronger goat men, ridiculous physical stamina, ability to put all her weight on and jump off a leg that has a compound fracture, fishing, draoicht skills even though she’s never learned much about it and doesn’t even believe she has magic… ). I guess the aim was to focus on her obsessive need for revenge and difficulty finding closure instead of acknowledge any physical flaws. Nonetheless I thought her abilities were a bit overinflated.

I agree with a lot of other readers that not enough time was spent on Collun and Brie’s relationship to satisfy how much we were invested in them over the course of two books. But that seems to just be how Edith Pattou writes her romances- she leaves out the details but confirms the existence of a happy ending. It was disappointing but I can’t say that the most important parts weren’t there.

I felt that Seila being Fionna was fairly predictable. It makes sense that Brie would need some important Dungalan or draoicht wielding blood in order to inherit the fire arrow, but I thought it was unnecessary for her to inherit the kingdom, especially when that plot point was only briefly mentioned as an afterthought at the end of the book. The surprise heritage just seemed a little redundant after what happened in Hero’s Song.

What I was most surprised by was the manner of Balor’s death. A shell in the eye was just beneath everyone involved. Even if the moon shell had some magical properties, as I think is implied by Sago gifting it to Brie, the whole thing was just silly. I had a really difficult time even conjuring in my mind how a shell could be sling shotted from a strip of cloth with enough force to penetrate the entire eyeball and then make it through the fissure in the back of the eye socket and then penetrate the brain in order to kill Balor. I thought it would have been more effective, if going through the eyeball was absolutely necessary, for Brie to find the draoicht-less fire arrow and use it to stab Balor through the eye, creating a poetic contrast of the powerful sorcerer being killed by something so mortal as a now ordinary arrow. At least the arrow would be more believable.


But I loved the book, five stars.

[Alora Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too many times I get excited about a book because its back cover promises thrilling adventure and a strong female lead. And then the action feels forced, the female protagonist is just kind of a jerk(until of course she reconciles with her strong, gentle, prone-to-righteous-fits-of-rage unrealistic love interest, at which point she becomes passive). When I was first introduced to Breo-Saight in Hero’s song, a few things stuck out to me:
1. She was angry, but she did not ever yell or fight her friends. She kept a warrior’s composition and shouldered it. This is beautiful.
2. The author, bless her heart, allowed Brie to stay mysterious. The mystery surrounded her. Instead of introducing her at the beginning as a mystery and leaving it till the end, we see Brie’s restraint and conflict every time she speaks.
3. Some philosopher said something along the lines of “ a woman does not want to be loved because she is smart or because she is beautiful. She wants to be loved because she is herself” In a world of elaborate cakes, Brie is bread and butter. Simple and wholesome and unapologetically real.
Fire Arrow is the book to read if you feel a little bored of the traditional heroine.
So, reasons to read:
- excellent character flaws and development- realistic and beautiful
-the romance in this book is added tastefully. The guy we all ship Brie with is gone for 1/2 - 2/3 the book. And when he’s there, they manage to operate without swooning or making out all the time. It’s refreshing to have this simplicity.
-excellent plot and imagery. It can get a little slow at times, but I felt like I was reading some ancient Gaelic scroll, so I was content.
I would say the scenes are less iconic than in Hero’s song in my mind, but strangely more interesting. When I think about these series I often think of it as one book, with cool stuff at the beginning and interesting stuff at the end. Make sense? no, not really.
Anyways, I would not recommend for people who have short attention spans or do not like to read.
I love this book and read it when I feel especially confined to my modern, American life.

[Aelvana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brie is settling in with Collun in his father's old dun by the sea. But amid the peaceful labor planting the land, she's still bothered by her promise to herself to avenge her father's murder. Then she gets an unexpected nudge that leads her to a fire arrow that is her birthright, and a country that holds as many questions as answers. Power stirs in the arrow, and somehow in Brie when she holds it, power that may have a different sort of destiny set out for her . . .

I like this less than the first book, but it's still an interesting read. Brie left some unfinished business with her vow for revenge, and she never got a lot of backstory in Hero's Song. Here, the story is mostly about her journey, with Collun on the sidelines.

Like the first book, the story retains a strong base in realism. Although it's a different kingdom, it shows a lot of the life of ordinary people, from sheepherders to farmers to fishers, and even the magic that sparks in some of those people has a rather ordinary feel to it. Even when its effects can range from calling up lightning to dispelling evil, it feels grounded. A part of the way things are.

I also liked Brie's lack of self-awareness in regards to the romance. It's about the only way she could have left Collun, and later become such good friends with Lom, without me getting irritated. Because she's not trying to play with their emotions. She's just honestly never thought about love, or that other people might be in love with her, which is refreshing even though the her physical reactions betray that some kind of romance is going to come anyway.

I didn't like the lack of a clear focus. It isn't just that Brie wavers on her goal---she's nowhere near as motivated as Collun in looking for his sister. This is more of a meandering journey that happens to end in a much bigger climax than killing a single Wyrme. It was interesting to see how both Collun and Brie changed their minds about revenge. Collun finds a greater darkness than he suspected in his own heart, and although he prevails, he's left wiser about how one might fall to it. And Brie finds Collun was more right than she wanted him to be, but she finds a way to go on, to come back from the place where she thought her life was ended.

All in all this is an interesting cap to the duology. There's the seeds of more stories, but nothing that ever came of them. I rate this book Recommended.

See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....

[Eskana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I remembered right. I read this book 7-8 years ago, and all I could remember was that is was good. I just recently finished the first book in the series, Hero's Song, and was disappointed, so I didn't know what to expect when I picked this up for a re-read.

And am I glad I did! "Fire Arrow" is everything "Hero's Song" was not, to put it briefly, interesting and original. The book follows Breo-Saight, aka Brie, one of the main characters from the last book. After witnessing her father's murder at a young age (as she tells in the first book,) Brie now sets out for revenge, against the wishes of Collun. She sets out alone, but over the course of her journey she discovers not only new friends, but she also rediscovers old friends and family, as well as learning of her own heritage, linking to the mysterious and magical golden "fire arrow" that was left for her by her mother, whom she never met. This arrow points her to the secluded northern kingdom of Dungal, and so the adventure begins.

Everything is so much better here than in the previous novel. It is better written, and Brie feels so much more real and authentic. Her desire for revenge is palpable, but so is her confusion about her own identity, abilities, and feelings towards others. The country of Dungal is refreshing and original, and with a good measure of folklore mixed, this novel is very satisfying. Although there is a bit of a wild card about three quarters through, it all fits and it actually provides the link that connects this book with the last, and I imagine the rest of the series.

I would definitely recommend this book- it's a good, solid fantasy, even on it's own. Heck, I read it before I read the first one, and although I missed a few things, honestly, I enjoyed all the characters much better in this one than the first. They are much more mature, and just better written and more realistic-feeling, if you know what I mean.
If you crave a good fantasy with a dose of Irish-y mythology and that stands out from others, take a look. It's not too long, but it is quite packed with adventure.

[Lauren Dostal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a reread of a childhood favorite (the first book that made me want to write books), and I’m happy to say it held up and even exceeded my expectations! Fire Arrow is the second book in a duology, but the first book I originally picked up of the series; and after rereading both this and Hero’s Song, I agree with my younger self that this one is my favorite (and that I desperately wish there were a third book!!). Fire Arrow follows the girl Brie as she departs her friend and fellow adventurer Collun in search of her father’s killers. Brie quests alone, though she meets many friendly (and a few not so friendly) people on her journey. It’s a relatively quiet book (though there are a few battles), and I loved that about it. It felt cozy and honest, a true buildungsroman centered around a tough-on-the-outside, damaged-on-the-inside girl. I love a good ensemble cast, but a lot of recent YA literature has become formulaic in its frenetic high-action energy. Fire Arrow felt like a breath of fresh air in its solitary questing and realistic exploration of the main character’s emotional turmoil and maturation. There was a lot of just living in this book. Learning to fish, learning a new language and customs, learning how to become someone new, and yes there were some major, exciting, magic-filled battles, too (it is fantasy, after all). Overall this was just a lovely, sweet, familiar journey and I loved every minute of it.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I got this book off the dollar rack and didn't realize that it was the second in a series. However, the thing that got me most about this book was the writing style, so I don't know if it would have made a difference. I really felt like the book "told me" instead of "showed me" if that makes any sense. The book was made up of very very short scenes. Also, the magic in this world makes zero sense. One last complaint: main female character has both male counterparts falls for her? No thank you.

Now, on the other hand I did like the characters and the actual plot. That's what kept me going to finish the story. If not for that I would have abandoned this book. I don't really recommend this book, but it's fine as a fast fantasy read.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breo-Saight the young archer readers met in Hero’s Song along with Collun as we jump back into the fantasy world of Edith Pattou. Breo-Saight in search of her father’s murderers but in turn finds a magical arrow bequeathed to her at birth. This arrow causes strange visions and an even stranger sensation that she must hurry to Dungal. Breo-Saight leaves death in her quake as traitors and assassins follow her trail and bring trouble wherever she goes. Readers will who loved the action and adventure in Hero’s Song will be riveted to Breo-Saight’s actions and thoughts of revenge as they eventually drive Collun away and drive her further into danger

[Deanna Drai Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha. Part two of Pattou's story. First the Hero's Song...story of the first charactor. Now Fire Arrow. Story of the second character, female this time. FUN again. What does bum me out though is that Pattou has decided not to write the third book, the story of the 3rd character....which I long for. She explains that the third character, Taliesin (to be Merlin) is too much a free spirit, too evasion to nail down...I would have to agree, but still hate that she did not figure that out before she began and left us rather hanging.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good summary at the beginning, so I think you could start this book without the prior one. There are a few things that I think would be confusing, though.

Brie has to come to terms with the revenge she desires for her father's death as well as her growing feelings for Collum. Bricriu is back as a bad guy, but there's someone new who is planning evil and there are more strange creatures to fight.

There are more witches/mages in this book than in the first, I think. Magic plays a much stronger role.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, I couldn't put it down! Although I haven't read the first book, Fire Arrow was great. Much of what happened in the first book was summarized. A young lady of Eirren, called Brie, is determined to take revenge on her father's killers. Brie meets morg, goat-men, Scathians, an evil sorcerer, a weather worker, a wyll, and many others. And when when Dungal and Eirren are in danger, Brie feels it is up to her to help.

[Hack · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was a continuation of _Hero's Song_ and, true to sequel form, fell far flat of the first book. the first book was an enjoyable romp, this book was a simple statement of fact. the powers of the fire arrow were never fully explored, and the surprise heritage worked well in the first book in the series, but in the second it is just unbelievable. the first one was better.

[Greymalkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sequel to Hero's Song. A very interesting character study that I think was pulled off pretty well. I liked the way that the relationships were examined and explored. The main character could love several people but not necessarily end up with any of them or have one be the "love of her life" so obviously.

[King Haddock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book definitely got off to a slow start. It was also a lot more segmented than the first one, making it less cohesive. However, overall, I must say that the culture and characterization of the book made it better than the first installment in the series. Still would not go around recommending this book to everyone, though.