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The price of freedom must be paid...but not in coin.
With the immediate threat of war on Kalima averted, Alere, Kett, and Corin must track down Alere’s sister, Mina. But Alere struggles to understand her new-found powers, only certain that Mina is in danger. When slavers decimate Mina’s ship, the situation turns lethal. Jarran, the new Jun First of Mamlakah, has been captured along with Mina, and Rohne Connor.
Now Alere and her companions must recover the Jun First and Mina from Hallon Nasim, the most brutal Slavemaster of Melcor, – before Jarran loses his new throne to rebellion. And Rohne has his own, unknown agenda.
In the attempt to free her sister and friends, Alere will risk more than just her own life and theirs. She’ll gamble with the sovereignty of her Jundom, and the lives of the people of Mamlakah, itself.
If she fails, it means death or slavery for everyone she loves and destruction for Xintou House.
But succeeding could be even worse.
With the immediate threat of war on Kalima averted, Alere, Kett, and Corin must track down Alere’s sister, Mina. But Alere struggles to understand her new-found powers, only certain that Mina is in danger. When slavers decimate Mina’s ship, the situation turns lethal. Jarran, the new Jun First of Mamlakah, has been captured along with Mina, and Rohne Connor.
Now Alere and her companions must recover the Jun First and Mina from Hallon Nasim, the most brutal Slavemaster of Melcor, – before Jarran loses his new throne to rebellion. And Rohne has his own, unknown agenda.
In the attempt to free her sister and friends, Alere will risk more than just her own life and theirs. She’ll gamble with the sovereignty of her Jundom, and the lives of the people of Mamlakah, itself.
If she fails, it means death or slavery for everyone she loves and destruction for Xintou House.
But succeeding could be even worse.
466 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2019
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Aiki Flinthart
43 books69 followersAiki lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband, (Ernest), teenage son (Leonidis - not their real names, obviously), aging dog and directionally-challenged fish.
In between being a wife, running a business full-time and helping Leonidis with homework, she squeezes in a few hobbies, including:
Martial arts, painting, writing, reading, bellydancing and playing three or four musical instruments. Occasionally she even sleeps. Very occasionally.
In between being a wife, running a business full-time and helping Leonidis with homework, she squeezes in a few hobbies, including:
Martial arts, painting, writing, reading, bellydancing and playing three or four musical instruments. Occasionally she even sleeps. Very occasionally.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 20, 2019
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is my honest review.
Fire is the second book of the Kalima Chronicles by Aiki Flinthart. If you haven’t read Iron, book 1 of the series, then go, run, skip or cartwheel and read it now. If you already have then Fire is waiting.
Addictive, Fire keeps you guessing from the moment you rejoin Alere on the deck of the Kuailongi, until you finish the last page and wonder where and when can you get your hands on the next book in the series.
The world of Kalima is incredibly detailed and real, you can’t help but wonder in which galaxy you just might find it.
At times, the politics can be a little difficult to follow, but just when you might be about to get confused, Flinthart clears things up without you even realising you are being led to work it out.
Aiki Flinthart has an amazing ability to keep the action going while giving you just enough breathers to still appreciate the true beauty of her description and her characters. You can’t help but fall in love with her characters, both the ones you should and also the ones you would be almost willing to run through with your own sword. They are so wonderfully flawed and human.
I do, however, highly recommend before opening this book, that if you have plans, cancel them. Once you start Fire, it is near impossible to stop.
I cannot wait to read the conclusion in book 3, Steel.
Fire is the second book of the Kalima Chronicles by Aiki Flinthart. If you haven’t read Iron, book 1 of the series, then go, run, skip or cartwheel and read it now. If you already have then Fire is waiting.
Addictive, Fire keeps you guessing from the moment you rejoin Alere on the deck of the Kuailongi, until you finish the last page and wonder where and when can you get your hands on the next book in the series.
The world of Kalima is incredibly detailed and real, you can’t help but wonder in which galaxy you just might find it.
At times, the politics can be a little difficult to follow, but just when you might be about to get confused, Flinthart clears things up without you even realising you are being led to work it out.
Aiki Flinthart has an amazing ability to keep the action going while giving you just enough breathers to still appreciate the true beauty of her description and her characters. You can’t help but fall in love with her characters, both the ones you should and also the ones you would be almost willing to run through with your own sword. They are so wonderfully flawed and human.
I do, however, highly recommend before opening this book, that if you have plans, cancel them. Once you start Fire, it is near impossible to stop.
I cannot wait to read the conclusion in book 3, Steel.
February 17, 2019
From page one I was immediately transported back to the world of Kalima, caught up in Alere’s struggles to save those she loved and to do what was right. Once again, she was caught between following her heart or the dictates that had been drummed into her at Xintou House. When slavers are added to the volatile mix surrounding the death of the Jun First, all her plans come undone and she is thrust into a battle not just for her life but the kingdom itself. With vivid imagery and a breathtaking world that is richly detailed, Fire is a feast for the senses.
Alere is once again an engrossing character, torn between confidence and weakness as her friends and loved ones are endangered by betrayal and treachery. She is flawed, magnificent, a true warrior. The fights scenes are just as mind blowing as in the first book and the stakes are raised beyond all expectation. Alere faces the loss of everything she holds dear, and it was hard to see how she would be able to triumph. Death and destruction trail in her wake as she does her best to save everyone but herself. The supporting characters are just as intriguing, coming alive on the page and adding to the richness of the story.
It was great to see the relationships developed in the first book grow and deepen, many taking unexpected turns and others leading to inevitable clashes and revelations. In a no holds bared fight to the death, everything Alere is and what she stands for comes to the fore. While the ending was extremely satisfying there is no time for Alere to relax. With the fate of her world resting on her shoulders, she will need both iron and fire to see her through the coming storm. In all, this was a fantastic instalment in the Kalima Chronicles that leaves me eagerly waiting for the next book.
Alere is once again an engrossing character, torn between confidence and weakness as her friends and loved ones are endangered by betrayal and treachery. She is flawed, magnificent, a true warrior. The fights scenes are just as mind blowing as in the first book and the stakes are raised beyond all expectation. Alere faces the loss of everything she holds dear, and it was hard to see how she would be able to triumph. Death and destruction trail in her wake as she does her best to save everyone but herself. The supporting characters are just as intriguing, coming alive on the page and adding to the richness of the story.
It was great to see the relationships developed in the first book grow and deepen, many taking unexpected turns and others leading to inevitable clashes and revelations. In a no holds bared fight to the death, everything Alere is and what she stands for comes to the fore. While the ending was extremely satisfying there is no time for Alere to relax. With the fate of her world resting on her shoulders, she will need both iron and fire to see her through the coming storm. In all, this was a fantastic instalment in the Kalima Chronicles that leaves me eagerly waiting for the next book.
March 5, 2019
This, the second book in the Kalima series, completely delivers on the promise of more to come at the end of IRON. When Alere’s twin (and Rohne) is kidnapped by slavers, the chase is on to rescue them. But so much awaits the team (Alere, Kett, Corin and Gavon) when they arrive in the slaver’s domain, even a gladiator type event (which I read with bated breath, fingers crossed).
I love this world where language is mixed, where technology has surrendered to older ways (but hasn’t been forgotten) and where the most interesting Houses of both trades and talents play a huge role. The fighting styles are amazing too! Add to that strange creatures in both water and air, and on land, and every step is an adventure in discovery.
FIRE is definitely about fire; the fire of the chase, the fire of emotions and the fire of standing up against terrible authority. Well worth reading, but do read IRON first, not because you won’t ‘get’ what happens here – because this is an excellent series and you simply must read all of it!
I love this world where language is mixed, where technology has surrendered to older ways (but hasn’t been forgotten) and where the most interesting Houses of both trades and talents play a huge role. The fighting styles are amazing too! Add to that strange creatures in both water and air, and on land, and every step is an adventure in discovery.
FIRE is definitely about fire; the fire of the chase, the fire of emotions and the fire of standing up against terrible authority. Well worth reading, but do read IRON first, not because you won’t ‘get’ what happens here – because this is an excellent series and you simply must read all of it!
August 3, 2019
When I finally got my grubby little hands on book 2, I was startled to find that it was even better than book 1. I'd been impatient to read what happens to my favourite characters, but as the drama unfolds, not all the characters are what they seemed. Aiki has adeptly written their assumptions and mistaken attitudes about each other into the story, and we learn along with them that sometimes the good guys aren't so good - It's an engaging technique that blends well with the fallible, indomitable, and truly engaging characters, and intersperses well with the frequent stabby-kicky fight-fests. It ends, as did book 1, on a cliffhanger. I'm not a patient person, so I felt a little stabby-kicky myself, until book 3 arrived. Absolutely awesome book - highly recommended.
March 4, 2019
An explosive sequel to IRON! I enjoyed this even more than book one. The stakes are higher, the action sequences are mind-blowing and THAT ENDING!
Seriously this is the best blend of sci-fi and fantasy that I've read and the world building sucks you right in from page one.
Definitely worth the read
Seriously this is the best blend of sci-fi and fantasy that I've read and the world building sucks you right in from page one.
Definitely worth the read
March 9, 2019
Aiki Flinhart's IRON saw the new Jun of Mamlakah, and the protagonist Alere's sister Mina running off with Alere and her longtime mentor Kett and charming rogue Corin following. The chase is further complicated when Jarran and Mina are taken by the slavemaster Nasim and taken to the empire of Melcor. Alere's plan to free her sister will see her gambling with the freedom of her friends, losing the first Jun to nefarious plans of his own and discovering a prophecy that could see Xintou house invaded or lighting the fire that ignites a slave rebellion and changes an empire.
The fantasy world building that began in IRON continues in Fire as more is revealed about the slave world of Melcor with new characters such as Liu a master of spies and an old love of Corin's. The author provides an immersive experience with her unfamiliar terms by with well thought out context for example " anticipation poured jiu on the fire of Alere’s impatience..." so I seldom needed to consult the very thorough glossary of terms, names and places at the books end.
Well developed characters, rich environments, character growth, drama, fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, chases, escapes... It has all this but once again the detailed and excellently choreographed fight sequences are worth the price of the book alone. From the author's detail, I imagine dinners go much like the one described in the book "...Dalor’s company meant the conversation mostly dwelt on the effectiveness of this fighting technique over that, the chuans’s attributes, or amusing travel anecdotes" as detail evoked on her description of the kusarigama reveals a depth of research from someone passionate about martial arts.
Anyone looking for a good high fantasy series the only reason I could see why you wouldn't want to begin reading this one immediately is the cruel wait for book three Steel.
The fantasy world building that began in IRON continues in Fire as more is revealed about the slave world of Melcor with new characters such as Liu a master of spies and an old love of Corin's. The author provides an immersive experience with her unfamiliar terms by with well thought out context for example " anticipation poured jiu on the fire of Alere’s impatience..." so I seldom needed to consult the very thorough glossary of terms, names and places at the books end.
Well developed characters, rich environments, character growth, drama, fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, chases, escapes... It has all this but once again the detailed and excellently choreographed fight sequences are worth the price of the book alone. From the author's detail, I imagine dinners go much like the one described in the book "...Dalor’s company meant the conversation mostly dwelt on the effectiveness of this fighting technique over that, the chuans’s attributes, or amusing travel anecdotes" as detail evoked on her description of the kusarigama reveals a depth of research from someone passionate about martial arts.
Anyone looking for a good high fantasy series the only reason I could see why you wouldn't want to begin reading this one immediately is the cruel wait for book three Steel.
August 28, 2019
FIRE is the second book in the Kalima Chronicles, and I was delighted to find I enjoyed it as much as the first.
The story continues straight on after IRON leaves off and within pages I'm recapped with events and thrown back into the action-packed story. There were times when my heart was pounding as I raced on to find out what would happen next. The plot twists gave me goose-bumps and at times brought me to tears. Some I saw coming: others I didn’t.
Alere’s powers metamorphose as she continues to sacrifice herself for the greater good. The words "important over what she wanted" are a regular mantra for her. She’s strong and inspiring and towards the end of FIRE I was reminded of Daenerys in Game of Thrones.
The telepathy adds an exciting dimension to conversations and battle scenes. As a reader of mostly contemporary women’s fiction, I enjoyed this element immensely. With a scientific background - and therefore a tough critic perhaps - I was pleased to find myself cleverly drawn into believing a world in which telepathy really exists.
There are many endearing characters in this book and I enjoyed seeing the relationships between them unfold.
The language and dialogue is beautiful: the names and places melodic. The theme of fire ties in consistently with the title. "A firestorm of excitement rose, swelling into a frenzied chant that coalesced into a wall of sound."
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is my honest review. FIRE is a book I’m happy to rave about, and I can thoroughly recommend it. I cannot wait to read STEEL.
The story continues straight on after IRON leaves off and within pages I'm recapped with events and thrown back into the action-packed story. There were times when my heart was pounding as I raced on to find out what would happen next. The plot twists gave me goose-bumps and at times brought me to tears. Some I saw coming: others I didn’t.
Alere’s powers metamorphose as she continues to sacrifice herself for the greater good. The words "important over what she wanted" are a regular mantra for her. She’s strong and inspiring and towards the end of FIRE I was reminded of Daenerys in Game of Thrones.
The telepathy adds an exciting dimension to conversations and battle scenes. As a reader of mostly contemporary women’s fiction, I enjoyed this element immensely. With a scientific background - and therefore a tough critic perhaps - I was pleased to find myself cleverly drawn into believing a world in which telepathy really exists.
There are many endearing characters in this book and I enjoyed seeing the relationships between them unfold.
The language and dialogue is beautiful: the names and places melodic. The theme of fire ties in consistently with the title. "A firestorm of excitement rose, swelling into a frenzied chant that coalesced into a wall of sound."
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is my honest review. FIRE is a book I’m happy to rave about, and I can thoroughly recommend it. I cannot wait to read STEEL.
March 6, 2019
ONE DELIGHTFUL ADVENTURE!!!
Man, I have to say this is one interesting tale. You have a fast paced, action packed, page turning bombshell that grabs your attention and holds steady till the last word. The characters are realistic, well developed and believable with just enough flaws to relate. Their personalities are unique with qualities and traits that balance out perfectly. The scenes are so graphic and descriptive it paints a fantastic backdrop that really makes the storyline pop. Twists and turns, ups and downs, along with unexpected circumstances make for one incredible experience. Throw in all the suspense and danger along with uncertainty and fear you have yourself one wild ride. Aiki did a remarkable job bringing this read to life beautifully. Thanks Aiki for sharing this bad boy with us.
Man, I have to say this is one interesting tale. You have a fast paced, action packed, page turning bombshell that grabs your attention and holds steady till the last word. The characters are realistic, well developed and believable with just enough flaws to relate. Their personalities are unique with qualities and traits that balance out perfectly. The scenes are so graphic and descriptive it paints a fantastic backdrop that really makes the storyline pop. Twists and turns, ups and downs, along with unexpected circumstances make for one incredible experience. Throw in all the suspense and danger along with uncertainty and fear you have yourself one wild ride. Aiki did a remarkable job bringing this read to life beautifully. Thanks Aiki for sharing this bad boy with us.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews