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The Endless War #1
Journey of Fire and Night
A warrior who cannot die. A water seeker who wants only to save her people. An endless war that obscures a threat greater than either have faced before.
Jasn, a warrior known as the Wrecker of Rens, seeks vengeance for the loss of his beloved to the deadly draasin during the Endless War, wanting nothing more than to sacrifice himself in the process. When an old friend offers a dangerous chance for him to finally succeed, the key to understanding what he finds requires him to abandon all that he believes.
Ciara, a water seeker of Rens living on the edge of the arid waste, longs for the strength to help her people. When the great storms don't come to save her people, she will risk everything for her village on a deadly plan that could finally bring them to safety.
As the Endless War continues, both have a part to play in stopping it, but Jasn must discover forgiveness and Ciara must find her inner strength if they are to succeed. If they cannot, a threat greater than either nation will be unleashed.
Jasn, a warrior known as the Wrecker of Rens, seeks vengeance for the loss of his beloved to the deadly draasin during the Endless War, wanting nothing more than to sacrifice himself in the process. When an old friend offers a dangerous chance for him to finally succeed, the key to understanding what he finds requires him to abandon all that he believes.
Ciara, a water seeker of Rens living on the edge of the arid waste, longs for the strength to help her people. When the great storms don't come to save her people, she will risk everything for her village on a deadly plan that could finally bring them to safety.
As the Endless War continues, both have a part to play in stopping it, but Jasn must discover forgiveness and Ciara must find her inner strength if they are to succeed. If they cannot, a threat greater than either nation will be unleashed.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 4, 2022
Well fleshed out characters are the heart of this book. It’s got a very strong concept and a decent plot that doesn’t really get executed properly. For a long time the story wanders around aimlessly, like the writer’s trying to stretch out the story. The story does pick up at the end though. There’s definitely enough potential shown for the series as a whole. But as a standalone book, it’s not as good as it could have been.
January 28, 2021
I really enjoyed this book.
It had good action from the start, and the characters seemed well developed and not flat and predictable.
It had good action from the start, and the characters seemed well developed and not flat and predictable.
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Blurb:
A warrior who cannot die. A water seeker who wants only to save her people. An endless war that obscures a threat greater than either have faced before.
Jasn, a warrior known as the Wrecker of Rens, seeks vengeance for the loss of his beloved to the deadly draasin during the Endless War, wanting nothing more than to sacrifice himself in the process. When an old friend offers a dangerous chance for him to finally succeed, the key to understanding what he finds requires him to abandon all that he believes.
Ciara, a water seeker of Rens living on the edge of the arid waste, longs for the strength to help her people. When the great storms don't come to save her people, she will risk everything for her village on a deadly plan that could finally bring them to safety.
As the Endless War continues, both have a part to play in stopping it, but Jasn must discover forgiveness and Ciara must find her inner strength if they are to succeed. If they cannot, a threat greater than either nation will be unleashed.
Blurb:
A warrior who cannot die. A water seeker who wants only to save her people. An endless war that obscures a threat greater than either have faced before.
Jasn, a warrior known as the Wrecker of Rens, seeks vengeance for the loss of his beloved to the deadly draasin during the Endless War, wanting nothing more than to sacrifice himself in the process. When an old friend offers a dangerous chance for him to finally succeed, the key to understanding what he finds requires him to abandon all that he believes.
Ciara, a water seeker of Rens living on the edge of the arid waste, longs for the strength to help her people. When the great storms don't come to save her people, she will risk everything for her village on a deadly plan that could finally bring them to safety.
As the Endless War continues, both have a part to play in stopping it, but Jasn must discover forgiveness and Ciara must find her inner strength if they are to succeed. If they cannot, a threat greater than either nation will be unleashed.
May 3, 2021
I've generally enjoyed Holmberg's books, but for whatever reason, this one didn't quite grab me the same way. There were definitely some interesting events toward the end that have me interested to see where things go, but otherwise the plot felt a bit directionless.
November 4, 2017
Journey of Fire and Night is successful in one very key way; it creates vast amounts of intrigue for the rest of the series. This is a book that creates a lot of questions in the mind of the reader that will propel the reader onwards to find out the answers. Even when the book gets slow, that desire to find out what comes next keeps the pages turning.
However, as much as this is a great way for creating tension, drawing the reader's attention and starting a series, there are dangers of using this technique. The main one in my mind is that you start to play with the art of teasing. Release too much information too quickly and you risk losing the tension and intrigue created by a good tease. Release the information too slowly and you start to frustrate your reader and create a sense of slowness to your novel. The middle ground is a hard place to find, and I think this story started straying into the frustrating end of that equation.
There are two main characters in this book who are both well fleshed out and interesting characters. I have enjoyed both of their stories, but the way those stories were told was very frustrating. The author would stay with one character up until a cliffhanger moment, usually a point at which a piece of desired information is either about to be shared, and then the story cut away to the next character. Whilst this is a good technique to keep the reader engaged in your novel, it is frustrating to have 2-3 chapters of build up only to then realise you will have to wait for 2-3 more chapters to get your answers. Worse is when you wait that time and finally get to the point of the big reveal only to have it put off a little longer.
Basically what I am saying is that this story was built almost entirely on the back of a giant tease. Your interest is constantly being built with the promise of something, only to have that thing taken away at the last second. Do this a few times and it builds tension. Do this too often and it becomes annoying. It also leads to what in my mind is one of the worst things that can happen to a story, holding information back in an unnatural way.
We all know stories where a problem caused by a misunderstanding could be solved if one person would just utter that one sentence to explain things. Yet for some reason, that sentence is never said because of artificial reasons. This always drags me out of a story and this was borderline the case here with this novel.
I'm going to stop there because it feels like I am really attacking this novel, but that isn't my intention. The truth is that it is a really interesting opening novel that has left me highly intrigued about what is coming next. My one caveat is that there is a tease at the core of it that is on the border of turning bad. That hasn't happened yet though, so it's 4-stars for this novel and I have high hopes that the next one is 5-star material.
However, as much as this is a great way for creating tension, drawing the reader's attention and starting a series, there are dangers of using this technique. The main one in my mind is that you start to play with the art of teasing. Release too much information too quickly and you risk losing the tension and intrigue created by a good tease. Release the information too slowly and you start to frustrate your reader and create a sense of slowness to your novel. The middle ground is a hard place to find, and I think this story started straying into the frustrating end of that equation.
There are two main characters in this book who are both well fleshed out and interesting characters. I have enjoyed both of their stories, but the way those stories were told was very frustrating. The author would stay with one character up until a cliffhanger moment, usually a point at which a piece of desired information is either about to be shared, and then the story cut away to the next character. Whilst this is a good technique to keep the reader engaged in your novel, it is frustrating to have 2-3 chapters of build up only to then realise you will have to wait for 2-3 more chapters to get your answers. Worse is when you wait that time and finally get to the point of the big reveal only to have it put off a little longer.
Basically what I am saying is that this story was built almost entirely on the back of a giant tease. Your interest is constantly being built with the promise of something, only to have that thing taken away at the last second. Do this a few times and it builds tension. Do this too often and it becomes annoying. It also leads to what in my mind is one of the worst things that can happen to a story, holding information back in an unnatural way.
We all know stories where a problem caused by a misunderstanding could be solved if one person would just utter that one sentence to explain things. Yet for some reason, that sentence is never said because of artificial reasons. This always drags me out of a story and this was borderline the case here with this novel.
I'm going to stop there because it feels like I am really attacking this novel, but that isn't my intention. The truth is that it is a really interesting opening novel that has left me highly intrigued about what is coming next. My one caveat is that there is a tease at the core of it that is on the border of turning bad. That hasn't happened yet though, so it's 4-stars for this novel and I have high hopes that the next one is 5-star material.
November 3, 2016
Good Fantasy
Journey of Fire And Night By DK Holmberg is a good fantasy novel.
Jason fights for his people the Ter, but his personal losses in this war have him doing so recklessly now: taunting death to take him.
Ciara, the daughter of the leader of a small nomadic tribe of Rens (the unwilling enemy of the Ter) desires nothing more than to help her tribe survive in the unforgiving desert wasteland that her people have been driven to live in by the Ter.
Both main characters are drawn by associates, circumstances, life and death situations, otherworldly creatures with magic, and unacknowledged desires to discover that the real war, is the one that hasn't even begun. Magic, hidden back stories, draaskin (I picture as similar to dragons, who are more than the reptilian killing machines they are thought to be), and bloody scenes are plentiful in this story.
Now, the beginning is slow, a little confusing and may not encourage readers to keep with it: well, don't stop. I kept going, and was so drawn in that I became frustrated when I realised I was on the last page. You, the reader, become invested in the main characters lifes, and start rooting for their success, and amazed at the story unfolding.
Journey of Fire And Night By DK Holmberg is a good fantasy novel.
Jason fights for his people the Ter, but his personal losses in this war have him doing so recklessly now: taunting death to take him.
Ciara, the daughter of the leader of a small nomadic tribe of Rens (the unwilling enemy of the Ter) desires nothing more than to help her tribe survive in the unforgiving desert wasteland that her people have been driven to live in by the Ter.
Both main characters are drawn by associates, circumstances, life and death situations, otherworldly creatures with magic, and unacknowledged desires to discover that the real war, is the one that hasn't even begun. Magic, hidden back stories, draaskin (I picture as similar to dragons, who are more than the reptilian killing machines they are thought to be), and bloody scenes are plentiful in this story.
Now, the beginning is slow, a little confusing and may not encourage readers to keep with it: well, don't stop. I kept going, and was so drawn in that I became frustrated when I realised I was on the last page. You, the reader, become invested in the main characters lifes, and start rooting for their success, and amazed at the story unfolding.
March 15, 2017
This was a very entertaining first novel. The author did a fantastic job developing characters such as Jasn and Ciara. Good storyline. very good build to the next novels in the series. Plot was interesting. Shape shifting, elementals...capturing and learning those powers. The struggle between the Shadow man and "the Light" was built slowly but confidently. Bottomline: this was a different kind of read, really forces your mind to take in this new reality. Pick up the series and read it.
January 11, 2017
Another good one from DK Holmberg!
This is such a good beginning to a series! I love this author. His books have everything I look for from an author! Adventure, mystery, fantasy, great world building, and no trash..
This is such a good beginning to a series! I love this author. His books have everything I look for from an author! Adventure, mystery, fantasy, great world building, and no trash..
February 9, 2019
Rough draft
This book could be something. But it's not finished. It reads like a very rough draft.
It's very disjointed.
There is no world or character building. You are not introduced to the world that exists in these pages and you are left just as confused as the characters in the book. Draasin are clearly dragons (not sure why they're named something else) but for a good long while you have no confirmation because they're not described until later on. I never did find out what an elouf was or a chemel (pretty sure it's a camel). I didn't understand the need to change the names of things if they weren't to be described adequately so the reader KNEW what they were rather than guessing.
The shaping ability is not elaborated well at all. Very hard to envision this, though from what I could tell, it really was more of a feeling than anything.
So there are connections that the author knows about the characters, and I'm guessing a lot more connections that take place behind the scenes. This really doesn't work. Your characters can't just know things or derive information from nothing. It leaves your readers wondering what they missed. And they missed nothing, you just don't explain anything... your readers share Jasns frustration.
The dialogue is awful. Very stilted and doesn't flow naturally at all.
It's too bad because the overall concept is pretty good, it's just missing all of the finer points that make an excellent read.
I suspect that as Holmberg improves, there could be some very impressive reads.
This book could be something. But it's not finished. It reads like a very rough draft.
It's very disjointed.
There is no world or character building. You are not introduced to the world that exists in these pages and you are left just as confused as the characters in the book. Draasin are clearly dragons (not sure why they're named something else) but for a good long while you have no confirmation because they're not described until later on. I never did find out what an elouf was or a chemel (pretty sure it's a camel). I didn't understand the need to change the names of things if they weren't to be described adequately so the reader KNEW what they were rather than guessing.
The shaping ability is not elaborated well at all. Very hard to envision this, though from what I could tell, it really was more of a feeling than anything.
So there are connections that the author knows about the characters, and I'm guessing a lot more connections that take place behind the scenes. This really doesn't work. Your characters can't just know things or derive information from nothing. It leaves your readers wondering what they missed. And they missed nothing, you just don't explain anything... your readers share Jasns frustration.
The dialogue is awful. Very stilted and doesn't flow naturally at all.
It's too bad because the overall concept is pretty good, it's just missing all of the finer points that make an excellent read.
I suspect that as Holmberg improves, there could be some very impressive reads.
January 6, 2021
Although some decent elements to work with, the writing and poor characters really brought it down and the book seemed more like half a book than a book 1 in a series.
The writing did no favours towards its characters - it tends to show something only to have its characters reflect upon the very same thing, just saying the exact same we were just shown. For every point it tries to make, it makes sure to hammer it home one more time in the same paragraph, sometimes sentence even. It gets frustrating as it seems as if the author doesn't trust its readers to understand what is being shown.
The characters don't have much development, and the one that does doesn't get it until 70-ish % into the book and it's rather sudden instead of a gradual change, which made it unbelievable.
The mysteries of the world and plot are withheld from us rather forcefully at times, where you become aware of how artificially the intrigue is being kept up by e.g. ending a scene suddenly, cutting you off from any potential answers you were teased to get.
It was just not very enjoyable, really. Poor characters where one of them I straight up hated all the way through and didn't think was a good POV to have, and the other seemed to have a storyline that went nowhere and ended in more questions than answers. It truly felt like a part of a book, not a book by itself.
The writing did no favours towards its characters - it tends to show something only to have its characters reflect upon the very same thing, just saying the exact same we were just shown. For every point it tries to make, it makes sure to hammer it home one more time in the same paragraph, sometimes sentence even. It gets frustrating as it seems as if the author doesn't trust its readers to understand what is being shown.
The characters don't have much development, and the one that does doesn't get it until 70-ish % into the book and it's rather sudden instead of a gradual change, which made it unbelievable.
The mysteries of the world and plot are withheld from us rather forcefully at times, where you become aware of how artificially the intrigue is being kept up by e.g. ending a scene suddenly, cutting you off from any potential answers you were teased to get.
It was just not very enjoyable, really. Poor characters where one of them I straight up hated all the way through and didn't think was a good POV to have, and the other seemed to have a storyline that went nowhere and ended in more questions than answers. It truly felt like a part of a book, not a book by itself.
April 18, 2021
The book was solid - I think I had too high of expectations. When I read that it was element-based magic, I was thinking of epic fantasy in the vain of Airbender or Sword of Kaigen. Sadly, there wasn't a lot of the actual using of the powers (shaping), only the sensing part of it. This first book was creating intrigue for the rest of the series but I found the book to be too drawn out with not much happening. Jasn was stuck being frustrated trying to learn a new way to use his shaping/sensing powers, which wasn't very interesting. Same with Ciara, who spent the whole book searching for a new settling location for her water-deprived village.
That said, will read more D.K. Holmberg, just not more in this series
That said, will read more D.K. Holmberg, just not more in this series
June 29, 2019
Original. I was somewhat lost when I first began reading this book as I had no background to draw for the story. Nevertheless, I pressed on because it was just so interesting.
The story follows two separate individuals and their very different viewpoints. Each of them come from opposing sides in a war that had been going on for many years. By the end it became apparent that each viewpoint was rather tainted by misunderstanding. I won't go into details because my review would become far too long-winded! I will say I found it impossible to choose a side to root for, and I look forward to reading how everything turns out.
The story follows two separate individuals and their very different viewpoints. Each of them come from opposing sides in a war that had been going on for many years. By the end it became apparent that each viewpoint was rather tainted by misunderstanding. I won't go into details because my review would become far too long-winded! I will say I found it impossible to choose a side to root for, and I look forward to reading how everything turns out.
March 11, 2019
Book 1
Book 1 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The main character talks about revenge so much it losses its overall aspect or the plot. Also, with the vague explanations on why he is at the training grounds drags on throughout the story. The other main characters are a separate view point and was confusing at first. Overall the plot is well done and the characters are okay. I look forward to book 2
Book 1 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The main character talks about revenge so much it losses its overall aspect or the plot. Also, with the vague explanations on why he is at the training grounds drags on throughout the story. The other main characters are a separate view point and was confusing at first. Overall the plot is well done and the characters are okay. I look forward to book 2
February 7, 2020
Do yourself a favor and start this series with Book 2. This felt like a prequel short story that was dragged out into a novel. I love where this series is going and am excited to see what happens next, but three-quarters into the book I was still waiting for something to happen and wondering which characters I should be rooting for, if any. The end picked up a little bit, but I'm sure the recap in the next book will cover everything you need to know from this one.
February 24, 2020
It's a different kind of tale of war between races on a harsh dry planet. Towards the end of the story, you get the inkling they should not be fighting each other nor the dragons (drasins) that are unwilling participants but a more dangerous foe. But like Jasn the hero sent for training, I find the lack of information and answers more than a bit frustrating. Good story but perhaps lacking in clarity. Still I will go onto reading the next one.
August 25, 2020
Part of a series... but still enjoyable.
Jasn is of a race who can shape the elements and studied the draasin (a type of dragon).
On the other hand, Ciara's tribe has been pushed out of their land and were struggling to exist in near desert conditions. Some of them were able to sense water but the land is very dry and the people have to survive attacks from the draasin.
Are the draasin or the tribes the real danger?
Jasn is of a race who can shape the elements and studied the draasin (a type of dragon).
On the other hand, Ciara's tribe has been pushed out of their land and were struggling to exist in near desert conditions. Some of them were able to sense water but the land is very dry and the people have to survive attacks from the draasin.
Are the draasin or the tribes the real danger?
May 24, 2019
Enjoyable read with nice imagery. The various gradations of magical powers made for interesting distinction between nations/classes/peoples. Descriptions of water sensing vs shaping and other elemental forces are nicely done. Jasn's teacher goes a bit too far into enigmatic master territory for my tastes and he reciprocates by being pretty hard-headed about catching on to certain aspects of training. The fact that there are 2 POV story lines that never merge was distracting and a bit disappointing (although I enjoyed the secondary story line). Presumably these will come together early in the 2nd installment and maybe bring more background story about the war and characters. Still a solid offering.
January 12, 2017
This book started out a little slow,but once it got going it held my attention. The characters are ones that you can like or dislike, it takes all kind to make a great story, which I believe this is. I don't think anyone will be disappointed reading this book! Great reading everyone!
January 22, 2019
A good beginning!
I've not much experience with DK, but noticed he always published KU, & is prolific! I like this one, loved the lizard! Lol, gotta read it to see why, another great character species I've fallen for, oh those wonderful creatures of fantasy!!!
I've not much experience with DK, but noticed he always published KU, & is prolific! I like this one, loved the lizard! Lol, gotta read it to see why, another great character species I've fallen for, oh those wonderful creatures of fantasy!!!
February 28, 2019
It is very fascinating how words, twists, and plots are put together so perfectly. I enjoyed every minute of it although was a bit confused in the beginning. Looking forward to reading the rest in the series.
June 6, 2019
Excellent
I did not find any grammatical errors. The story is intriguing and kept me wanting to read more. Bought the second book to continue the series. I'm very pleased that I took a chance on a new book and series. Even is the book was free.
I did not find any grammatical errors. The story is intriguing and kept me wanting to read more. Bought the second book to continue the series. I'm very pleased that I took a chance on a new book and series. Even is the book was free.
September 30, 2019
I can force myself to read most books, but not this one - it sounded so good but damn it, it was so boring. I felt as if I was wasting my time. Had to stop at 28% and only regret that I picked it up in the first place.
January 23, 2021
Interesting book
It left me with more questions than answers as it did the two main characters (at least I think were the main ones). I personally prefer books with a definite ending more then cliffhangers.
It left me with more questions than answers as it did the two main characters (at least I think were the main ones). I personally prefer books with a definite ending more then cliffhangers.
June 24, 2017
Weak characters.
July 16, 2018
Loved It
Great book. Loved the way the magic worked. Will be picking up the 2nd book Darknesses Rising right away. Thanks
Great book. Loved the way the magic worked. Will be picking up the 2nd book Darknesses Rising right away. Thanks
October 22, 2018
2 stars. 25% in and nothing has captured my interest. DNF
December 26, 2018
Interesting Fantasy. Good reading reading. 2 individuals from 2 different cultures fighting their own personal battles besides the war between the 2 sides.
March 6, 2019
Just enough information
To make me buy the next book. Character development is a bit slow, but worth the time Buy this book!
To make me buy the next book. Character development is a bit slow, but worth the time Buy this book!
June 10, 2021
Good, but not great....I will continue
October 19, 2022
Engaging story line
Good writer good series. I've read several series by this author and have enjoyed them all. Four more words required
Good writer good series. I've read several series by this author and have enjoyed them all. Four more words required
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews