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Fire Within
The end of the Taroshian Empire is near. It starts with a thousand howling wolfmen, streaming across the Red Strait to exact vengeance. It starts with secrets, with a missing wife and son and a covered-up murder. It starts with treachery, sown deep into every layer of human society.
Conflict within and war abroad strain the Empire's resources. Were she to fall, it might not only mean the end of an era, it might be the end of mankind.
An epic fantasy set in a grim world on the brink of an environmental crisis. Mother Earth calls for justice.
Fire Within grabs hold of readers and doesn't let go until the last sentence. A fantastical debut from Morten Simonsen that will leave you begging for more -Victoria Chandler, Chandler Editing
Conflict within and war abroad strain the Empire's resources. Were she to fall, it might not only mean the end of an era, it might be the end of mankind.
An epic fantasy set in a grim world on the brink of an environmental crisis. Mother Earth calls for justice.
Fire Within grabs hold of readers and doesn't let go until the last sentence. A fantastical debut from Morten Simonsen that will leave you begging for more -Victoria Chandler, Chandler Editing
- GenresFantasy
561 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2020
34 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Morten W. Simonsen
3 books24 followersMorten W. Simonsen has been called many things. According to some, he is the golden boy of the in-laws, nightly terror of anyone with ears, and the sweet kiss of a summer breeze. He is the desert wanderer, captain of a sinking car, literate friend of an illiterately mad Viking, and the cold-blooded murderer of a Greek mountain goat. Formerly a sweeper of chimneys, king of parking tickets, and a chameleon telemarketer whose soul was sold alongside a cellphone to an old lady who didn’t really need it.
Not all of this is true, but he did author the fantasy novel Fire Within. And there is a lot more coming from this proud Norwegian.
Visit https://morten-w-simonsen.com for more information.
Not all of this is true, but he did author the fantasy novel Fire Within. And there is a lot more coming from this proud Norwegian.
Visit https://morten-w-simonsen.com for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 21, 2021
I have a real hit-and-miss relationship with the fantasy genre. I do find that a lot of the stories in the genre just don’t work for me, and yet fantasy books are the ones that I would love to be able to be more in sync with given that they take you fully away from the norm and place you in a world created within the author’s imaginative mind.
Fire Within is a medieval fantasy novel and the first in a planned series. It started strongly with an exciting prison break scene lead by our protagonist, Ivan, as he leads his fellow inmates and a wolfman from the Olso race. At this point, we don’t know much about Ivan except that he states he did not commit any crime and that unlike most of the inmates, Ivan is a nobleman sentenced to death by his father.
The world took some getting used to, as did the mass of characters. You are never sure which character is telling you the truth or who is good or evil. You will even question whether our protagonist is being truthful with us, is he really capable of the hideous crime he is accused of?
The world is grim and the plot very dark. The world-building however is superb I just wish I could follow it and understand it far better than I did. It contained everything most fantasy novels contain. Feuding families, war, fighting, secrets, corruption, a religious aspect, and otherworldly beings. The story has plenty of twists that will have you questioning everything you have been told up to that point.
If you enjoy a well-developed fantasy novel that is bloody and fast-paced, plus is a series then this is a book to pick up. Unfortunately, I think this is where my journey with these characters ends as I can appreciate the imagination, thought, and creativeness that went into the series I just wish I could have found myself enjoying it more than I did.
Fire Within is a medieval fantasy novel and the first in a planned series. It started strongly with an exciting prison break scene lead by our protagonist, Ivan, as he leads his fellow inmates and a wolfman from the Olso race. At this point, we don’t know much about Ivan except that he states he did not commit any crime and that unlike most of the inmates, Ivan is a nobleman sentenced to death by his father.
The world took some getting used to, as did the mass of characters. You are never sure which character is telling you the truth or who is good or evil. You will even question whether our protagonist is being truthful with us, is he really capable of the hideous crime he is accused of?
The world is grim and the plot very dark. The world-building however is superb I just wish I could follow it and understand it far better than I did. It contained everything most fantasy novels contain. Feuding families, war, fighting, secrets, corruption, a religious aspect, and otherworldly beings. The story has plenty of twists that will have you questioning everything you have been told up to that point.
If you enjoy a well-developed fantasy novel that is bloody and fast-paced, plus is a series then this is a book to pick up. Unfortunately, I think this is where my journey with these characters ends as I can appreciate the imagination, thought, and creativeness that went into the series I just wish I could have found myself enjoying it more than I did.
July 9, 2020
Just like life... it’s unpredictable.
The plot seemed refreshingly realistic, in that there weren’t many character tropes (besides the evil king). It was hard to find connection between action in the book, which I found intriguing since life never happens as neatly as we plan it out in our heads (or the heads of authors)! There was quite a bit of sexual violence towards our female protagonist, though to be fair everyone in this world is treated quite violently. Interested to see what happens next.
The plot seemed refreshingly realistic, in that there weren’t many character tropes (besides the evil king). It was hard to find connection between action in the book, which I found intriguing since life never happens as neatly as we plan it out in our heads (or the heads of authors)! There was quite a bit of sexual violence towards our female protagonist, though to be fair everyone in this world is treated quite violently. Interested to see what happens next.
March 27, 2022
As the war and chaos threaten the Empire, three seemingly disconnected people will determine its ultimate fate. One brother leads a rebellion against the established regime, and another sets to crush it beneath his family’s boot. And a long-lost heir to the overthrown monarchy learns the truth about her family and the power lurking inside her.
I feel like this book desperately wants to be Game of Thrones but lacks some of the intangibles to pull it off. I will say this, the world-building is very well done. A gritty chaotic land on the brink of utter ruin forms an engaging backdrop for this story to unfold.
It fell a little flat for me because, while there’s an epic quality about the world, the story that takes place inside it lacks that quality. It’s like a giant warehouse built to contain a modest living room set.
I had trouble connecting to a couple of the characters for a start. And again, I feel like my issue was one of scale. You’ve got this huge world going through this period of rapid change, and it’s viewed through the eyes of a couple of men whose concerns are very immediate. Ivan, the prodigal son, imprisoned for a terrible crime against his family that he (probably?) did not commit leads the rebellion. But that is pretty much the extent of his motivation. War is brewing, the Empire is crumbling, but he seems intent on bringing down his family mostly as an act of sheer revenge. Not because his father is an obvious authoritarian who is, at the very least, complicit in the city’s decay, but just because he kinda feels like tearing it down. He’s not really seeking justice as much as he wants to knock the whole stack of blocks over because he’s not winning this game.
And then there’s Thedric, the younger brother who’s suffering from a combination of short-man syndrome and daddy issues. He was even harder to connect with because I felt like, while he recognized the world around him more fully, his motivation seemed to be nothing beyond proving himself to his a-hole father.
I was able to connect with Ani’s story a lot better as there seemed to be a clear goal for her but, again, while she seems to understand the gravitas of her situation, she doesn’t do much about it and spends most of the novel having things happen to and around her. And that’s about it.
Overall, I felt that I should have enjoyed this book more than I did. The writing is very well done. The descriptions are vivid. The world is interesting. But I just had trouble connecting to the story. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly why, but it’s there. Three and a half stars bumped up to four because the overall quality is quite good, but something is missing. I think it’s the characters. Your mileage may vary.
I feel like this book desperately wants to be Game of Thrones but lacks some of the intangibles to pull it off. I will say this, the world-building is very well done. A gritty chaotic land on the brink of utter ruin forms an engaging backdrop for this story to unfold.
It fell a little flat for me because, while there’s an epic quality about the world, the story that takes place inside it lacks that quality. It’s like a giant warehouse built to contain a modest living room set.
I had trouble connecting to a couple of the characters for a start. And again, I feel like my issue was one of scale. You’ve got this huge world going through this period of rapid change, and it’s viewed through the eyes of a couple of men whose concerns are very immediate. Ivan, the prodigal son, imprisoned for a terrible crime against his family that he (probably?) did not commit leads the rebellion. But that is pretty much the extent of his motivation. War is brewing, the Empire is crumbling, but he seems intent on bringing down his family mostly as an act of sheer revenge. Not because his father is an obvious authoritarian who is, at the very least, complicit in the city’s decay, but just because he kinda feels like tearing it down. He’s not really seeking justice as much as he wants to knock the whole stack of blocks over because he’s not winning this game.
And then there’s Thedric, the younger brother who’s suffering from a combination of short-man syndrome and daddy issues. He was even harder to connect with because I felt like, while he recognized the world around him more fully, his motivation seemed to be nothing beyond proving himself to his a-hole father.
I was able to connect with Ani’s story a lot better as there seemed to be a clear goal for her but, again, while she seems to understand the gravitas of her situation, she doesn’t do much about it and spends most of the novel having things happen to and around her. And that’s about it.
Overall, I felt that I should have enjoyed this book more than I did. The writing is very well done. The descriptions are vivid. The world is interesting. But I just had trouble connecting to the story. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly why, but it’s there. Three and a half stars bumped up to four because the overall quality is quite good, but something is missing. I think it’s the characters. Your mileage may vary.
February 14, 2021
Fire Within by Morten W Simonsen is a fantasy novel that at the start, I felt, had a lot going for it. We kick off with a prison break then immerses readers in a world on the brink of war with a non-human race. The story centres around two brothers who, through circumstances, are placed at odds with each other by a father who requires nothing but exact compliance – and it's brother Ivan who's drawn the shortest straw, cast out of his family, outlawed and reviled, who now seeks to tear it all down from the bottom up with his outlaw gang. We have Thedric, who lives in the shadows of his elder brothers, who feels he can never quite measure up, to the detriment of his own selfhood as he tries and fails to impress his father, the Lord Styles.
Then we also have Ani, who is in possession of the kind of secret that will see her a valuable pawn in the hands of men who desire power. Out of all the characters, I feel she was the most poorly developed – either the author purposefully drew her out to be hopelessly naïve on purpose, or he doesn't know the first thing about writing a female character in the first place. I know I'm coming out a bit harsh here, but honestly, as a woman who's an avid fantasy reader, this has got to be one of the most frustratingly annoying characters I've encountered in years. Either way, she was the one reason why I wanted to hurl my iPhone across the room out of sheer annoyance. Then, the Thing (I think you can figure out what I mean without me saying it) that happens to her near the end was, in my opinion, so hopelessly unnecessary and as a plot device felt wedged in and something along the lines of 'let's do a terrible thing to a woman for the sake of being grim.' I get that her character is 'special' but the way she is developed as a character in this first book is the reason why I'm downgrading the review to three stars and will in all likelihood not bother reading the rest of the books.
This is clearly the first book of a series, and as such there's a lot of set-up with a bunch of threads left up in the air at its close. Simonsen's writing is adequate, but I do feel this work could have used a bit of spit and polish not only from structural edits, but a bit more of a thorough copy edit overall. I saw quirks that only a copy editor would notice, which jerked me out of the reading (and I do try to separate my reader brain from my editor brain, but in this case I was not as successful, evidently). If you're looking for action-packed, grimdark, then this story will most likely hit the right buttons, but its execution was in my not-so-humble opinion a bit rough around the edges and in need of deeper development.
Then we also have Ani, who is in possession of the kind of secret that will see her a valuable pawn in the hands of men who desire power. Out of all the characters, I feel she was the most poorly developed – either the author purposefully drew her out to be hopelessly naïve on purpose, or he doesn't know the first thing about writing a female character in the first place. I know I'm coming out a bit harsh here, but honestly, as a woman who's an avid fantasy reader, this has got to be one of the most frustratingly annoying characters I've encountered in years. Either way, she was the one reason why I wanted to hurl my iPhone across the room out of sheer annoyance. Then, the Thing (I think you can figure out what I mean without me saying it) that happens to her near the end was, in my opinion, so hopelessly unnecessary and as a plot device felt wedged in and something along the lines of 'let's do a terrible thing to a woman for the sake of being grim.' I get that her character is 'special' but the way she is developed as a character in this first book is the reason why I'm downgrading the review to three stars and will in all likelihood not bother reading the rest of the books.
This is clearly the first book of a series, and as such there's a lot of set-up with a bunch of threads left up in the air at its close. Simonsen's writing is adequate, but I do feel this work could have used a bit of spit and polish not only from structural edits, but a bit more of a thorough copy edit overall. I saw quirks that only a copy editor would notice, which jerked me out of the reading (and I do try to separate my reader brain from my editor brain, but in this case I was not as successful, evidently). If you're looking for action-packed, grimdark, then this story will most likely hit the right buttons, but its execution was in my not-so-humble opinion a bit rough around the edges and in need of deeper development.
March 31, 2022
This was a good grimdark story. It set up a decent story, and more than once I was surprised by the dark direction the story went. Fans of brutal fight scenes and conniving family members will enjoy this story, though it is the first in a series, so you'll have to be patient for a proper conclusion. The rest of my review will contain spoilers.
The Good.
The prison break at the beginning started off the action with a highlight being Ivan killing Poulter, though the man probably deserved it less than most escaping prisoners.
Ivan forced a merchant to give him a ride or die, exactly like a desperate, escaped prisoner would.
Thedric lost his duel to Gareth. It was a great bit of foreshadowing.
I like the world building element that the old religion considered stars the souls of the unborn.
The characters were fun. I especially liked Ani's and Ulf's stories.
The defensive archery race was awesome. i wish more words had been dedicated to it. It was a very cinematic scene.
Likewise, I wish the concept of random weapons fights had an appearance.
The end result of Ulf and his encounter with Acquir.
The talk between Ivan and Lord Styles.
Lord Styles picking Thedric as his champion and the end result of the duel. It was tragic and not something I expected.
The Bad.
The prose, albeit very descriptive, tended to go purple on more than one occasion. Especially with regards to color. Sometimes things can just be red.
Why did all character descriptions pretty much focus on hair (most being blond).
Joseph was overpowered. He was thirteen, yet constantly beat up armed, trained soldiers. Hulk Hogan was 200 lbs and 6 feet tall at 12, so I believe Joseph is big. He was still a kid. Kids cry. Joseph wouldn't be a physical threat to soldiers.
As a result, Ani got a lot of lucky breaks instead of being captured. She had the most plot armor (I hate that) of the POV characters.
Ani, Joseph, and Madeline all seemed pretty stoic in the face of murder and violence. Ani knew to prepare for it, so maybe she would be okay. Joseph did cry, but it was more telling than ever showing a deep scene. Madeline should have been least prepared. PTSD should have reared its ugly head with at least one of them.
Everyone stopped fighting because Ivan yelled for them to "stop"? Why? He was the bad guy. He should have eaten a dozen bolts. The fight was too Perry Mason in its conclusion.
The term "captainess" should never be uttered. It sounded condescending. Calling a female captain something other than captain was wrong.
The Technical.
There is violence, profanity, and rape in this book.
The violence is descriptive.
A lot of modern terms/slang was used. Since I considered the language was Etherian, not English, I was okay with it. If you think "people didn't talk like that back then" (You know, back when werewolf people were at war with humans.), you may find it jarring.
The Good.
The prison break at the beginning started off the action with a highlight being Ivan killing Poulter, though the man probably deserved it less than most escaping prisoners.
Ivan forced a merchant to give him a ride or die, exactly like a desperate, escaped prisoner would.
Thedric lost his duel to Gareth. It was a great bit of foreshadowing.
I like the world building element that the old religion considered stars the souls of the unborn.
The characters were fun. I especially liked Ani's and Ulf's stories.
The defensive archery race was awesome. i wish more words had been dedicated to it. It was a very cinematic scene.
Likewise, I wish the concept of random weapons fights had an appearance.
The end result of Ulf and his encounter with Acquir.
The talk between Ivan and Lord Styles.
Lord Styles picking Thedric as his champion and the end result of the duel. It was tragic and not something I expected.
The Bad.
The prose, albeit very descriptive, tended to go purple on more than one occasion. Especially with regards to color. Sometimes things can just be red.
Why did all character descriptions pretty much focus on hair (most being blond).
Joseph was overpowered. He was thirteen, yet constantly beat up armed, trained soldiers. Hulk Hogan was 200 lbs and 6 feet tall at 12, so I believe Joseph is big. He was still a kid. Kids cry. Joseph wouldn't be a physical threat to soldiers.
As a result, Ani got a lot of lucky breaks instead of being captured. She had the most plot armor (I hate that) of the POV characters.
Ani, Joseph, and Madeline all seemed pretty stoic in the face of murder and violence. Ani knew to prepare for it, so maybe she would be okay. Joseph did cry, but it was more telling than ever showing a deep scene. Madeline should have been least prepared. PTSD should have reared its ugly head with at least one of them.
Everyone stopped fighting because Ivan yelled for them to "stop"? Why? He was the bad guy. He should have eaten a dozen bolts. The fight was too Perry Mason in its conclusion.
The term "captainess" should never be uttered. It sounded condescending. Calling a female captain something other than captain was wrong.
The Technical.
There is violence, profanity, and rape in this book.
The violence is descriptive.
A lot of modern terms/slang was used. Since I considered the language was Etherian, not English, I was okay with it. If you think "people didn't talk like that back then" (You know, back when werewolf people were at war with humans.), you may find it jarring.
December 18, 2020
I really wanted to like this book. The first half was awesome, I loved the idea of the wolf-men olso race, the prison-break was exciting, and the tale of the two brothers was emotional. There was also suspense because we didn't know who really killed their sister if Ivan was really that bad, what will happen to Thedric and Ivan's other brother. I was looking forward to seeing the war with the Olso, to read how Ivan build up his gang and the long lost lovers' reunion. And I this was the problem and this is why I couldn't give this better than 3*. We saw nothing from the war, there was no reunion, and we always saw the scenes when someone refuses to help Ivan, but we never actually saw how he convinced others to follow him besides those who were with him from the prison. Those things I wanted to know more about, to see more weren't there.
And there is also Dany... I mean Ani... So Ani's POV. I expected that she will be the main plot, and she won't meet with the others in this book. Her companions were also interesting, so in the first half of the book, I was also content with her chapters. But raping her was absolutely unnecessary by a man who happened to be good looking. It wasn't redeeming, we couldn't possibly think that Ani might want him at least a bit (especially reading the aftermath of the scene). I don't know why it was written down that Ani was attracted to him before, and why that scene had to happen because where it leads could have been written in a less traumatic and less controversial way. At least I know why trigger warnings are important.
And there is also Dany... I mean Ani... So Ani's POV. I expected that she will be the main plot, and she won't meet with the others in this book. Her companions were also interesting, so in the first half of the book, I was also content with her chapters. But raping her was absolutely unnecessary by a man who happened to be good looking. It wasn't redeeming, we couldn't possibly think that Ani might want him at least a bit (especially reading the aftermath of the scene). I don't know why it was written down that Ani was attracted to him before, and why that scene had to happen because where it leads could have been written in a less traumatic and less controversial way. At least I know why trigger warnings are important.
May 7, 2020
A fantastic debut novel written by an aspiring new fantasy author!
The book starts off with the protagonist fighting his way out of imprisonment for a crime he (supposedly) did not commit. You are only given a few pages to get to know the main character before you are thrown into the first fight scene. From there on, it is a full-on emotional roller coaster to the very end where you keep debating who you can trust and which character to root for. You get to follow the story from the viewpoint of several individuals, something that gives you a wider perspective of the events that takes place. The characters, from the thieves to the royals, are given complex backgrounds and strong personalities that make them interesting and keep the reader turning pages in order to get to know them more.
The world is well developed and has what any proper fantasy novel needs; a flawed and corrupt political system, a brewing war and conflicting religious and social groups. Every place and every person has their charm and imperfection which makes it all the more real and enjoyable. Morten Simonsen depicts the characters' emotions and perceptions of their surroundings beautifully and captivates the readers with ease.
Fire Within reels you in from page one and keep you on your toes all the way through while you scramble to unravel the truth and place your loyalty. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next installment!
The book starts off with the protagonist fighting his way out of imprisonment for a crime he (supposedly) did not commit. You are only given a few pages to get to know the main character before you are thrown into the first fight scene. From there on, it is a full-on emotional roller coaster to the very end where you keep debating who you can trust and which character to root for. You get to follow the story from the viewpoint of several individuals, something that gives you a wider perspective of the events that takes place. The characters, from the thieves to the royals, are given complex backgrounds and strong personalities that make them interesting and keep the reader turning pages in order to get to know them more.
The world is well developed and has what any proper fantasy novel needs; a flawed and corrupt political system, a brewing war and conflicting religious and social groups. Every place and every person has their charm and imperfection which makes it all the more real and enjoyable. Morten Simonsen depicts the characters' emotions and perceptions of their surroundings beautifully and captivates the readers with ease.
Fire Within reels you in from page one and keep you on your toes all the way through while you scramble to unravel the truth and place your loyalty. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next installment!
March 19, 2022
Gripping novel perfect for GoT fans.
Engrossing from page one, Fire Within is set in a fantasy world and covers three main characters as they have their own stories within the Taroshian Empire. The pacing is very good, building the tension as the book goes on and keeping you guessing about who can be trusted.
The worldbuilding is fantastic and very slick. I am generally not a fan of too much descriptive narrative, but Morten W. Simonsen does it in an exceptional way to make you feel like you are there. The fight scenes are well written and very entertaining. The novel is dark and there is a lot of violence and brutality, including one incident of sexual violence. The dialogue is believable between the characters and the friendships feel realistic.
The three main POV characters (Ivan, Thedric, Ani) are unique and well developed and you find yourself rooting for them, particularly Ivan and Thedric, despite their very obvious faults. The relationship between Ivan and Thedric is good from the start and develops very well. There are quite a lot of sub characters which at times can be difficult to keep track of. Styles as a villain is convincing and I enjoyed the scenes with him.
I definitely recommend Fire Within for fans of GoT-type books or anyone looking for a dark, fast-paced fantasy novel with great worldbuilding and well-developed characters.
Engrossing from page one, Fire Within is set in a fantasy world and covers three main characters as they have their own stories within the Taroshian Empire. The pacing is very good, building the tension as the book goes on and keeping you guessing about who can be trusted.
The worldbuilding is fantastic and very slick. I am generally not a fan of too much descriptive narrative, but Morten W. Simonsen does it in an exceptional way to make you feel like you are there. The fight scenes are well written and very entertaining. The novel is dark and there is a lot of violence and brutality, including one incident of sexual violence. The dialogue is believable between the characters and the friendships feel realistic.
The three main POV characters (Ivan, Thedric, Ani) are unique and well developed and you find yourself rooting for them, particularly Ivan and Thedric, despite their very obvious faults. The relationship between Ivan and Thedric is good from the start and develops very well. There are quite a lot of sub characters which at times can be difficult to keep track of. Styles as a villain is convincing and I enjoyed the scenes with him.
I definitely recommend Fire Within for fans of GoT-type books or anyone looking for a dark, fast-paced fantasy novel with great worldbuilding and well-developed characters.
October 3, 2020
A fantasy world that is dirty, grim and fully fleshed. It is not a happy story. There is no joy to be had for any of our protagonist with the threat to each present from first page to last but for very different reasons. The journey is a hard one and artfully written. The descriptive narrative is some of the best I have read and so evocative. The characters are flawed and interesting and none of them is safe!!
Did I enjoy it is always the first question I ask myself and the answer is, mostly. The reason is that every great story read is personal and in the mind of the reader. In my mind I did not particularly engage with any of the main characters, the story did not grab me as I was hoping and the principal threat was peripheral at best. This last though is intentional and I presume more will unfold in book two and beyond. This is I suspect is only the start of our journey through Morten W Simonsen’s marvellous world.
Will I read more? Absolutely and really that is all you need to know. I feel the surface is just scratched here and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Did I enjoy it is always the first question I ask myself and the answer is, mostly. The reason is that every great story read is personal and in the mind of the reader. In my mind I did not particularly engage with any of the main characters, the story did not grab me as I was hoping and the principal threat was peripheral at best. This last though is intentional and I presume more will unfold in book two and beyond. This is I suspect is only the start of our journey through Morten W Simonsen’s marvellous world.
Will I read more? Absolutely and really that is all you need to know. I feel the surface is just scratched here and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.
April 26, 2020
Morten Simonson has written a great epic fantasy. With stellar world building and a complex cast of characters, this book keeps a reader intrigued from the moment it begins through its final moments. The book's protagonist is Ivan Styles who has been put in prison and sentenced to death for the murder of his sister and another man. The plot begins with his breaking out of prison to return to his home and seek vengeance against his father. The story is told from several different viewpoints, and Simonsen does a wonderful job of developing very deep, multifaceted characters who suffer through all sorts of internal conflicts as they face external foes. Simonsen has created a protagonist that you will rally behind, yet question at times if you should have. The story is filled with betrayal, corruption, political intrigue and family drama. I can't wait for his next book.
October 24, 2020
5 out of 5 stars Must read! "When looking at the cover I initially thought of GOT, an epic fantasy with grit. Truth be told, Fire Within stands tall in it's own right. It is indeed an epic fantasy with well thought out and built up characters. Constant twists and turns right up to the end that will keep you guessing. Ivan Styles the stories protagonist has a whirlwind emotional journey of betrayal and revenge against those who have wronged him. Of course with this being the first in this tale the reader is left with unfinished and unresolved issues which in turn leaves you asking WTH. However for the author is a job well done - hook, line and sinker if you will.
Great writing, well developed characters, a building world that can only grow in depth, and the promise of an excellent follow up.
I will definitely be reading the next installment.
Very well done.
K K Weakley
Great writing, well developed characters, a building world that can only grow in depth, and the promise of an excellent follow up.
I will definitely be reading the next installment.
Very well done.
K K Weakley
March 13, 2022
Take a walk on the wild-side, if you dare. Morten W. Simonsen’s Fire Within (bk 1) is a brutal clash of swords, secrets and dystopian medieval-times. Ivan is in prison awaiting execution for the murder of his sister, but could he really have committed this unspeakable crime? He escapes and embarks on a quest for truth driven by the hatred of his father and redemption. The author doesn’t shy away from the brutality of this world with well-choreographed graphic sword fights and intense feuding noblemen. There are many characters and POVs so I found it a little hard to keep track of them all, but very interesting and a fast-paced storyline. I enjoyed this fantasy, thrill ride with all the dark, bloody, evocative world-building, reminiscent of GOT. Looking forward to book 2 in the series.
September 3, 2022
I came across this book on Twitter and first read it with Kindle Unlimited. What can I say about it? I loved it. Here are some simple reasons why: Fresh, strong characters of both sexes that are easy to connect with. Unpredictable plot! There are some twists near the end that are wonderfully surprising, while still being subtly foreshadowed earlier in the book, making it seem like you should have known all along. Great world building. It's all in the details and the author seems to get that. While intended for an adult audience, there's a minimal amount of swearing. I hope this helps persuade you to purchase this book.
January 4, 2024
Thrilling and Suspenseful
"Fire Within" by Morten W. Simonsen is a captivating and well-written novel that immediately draws you in with a mysterious secret that sets the stage for a thrilling and suspenseful story. Simonsen masterfully develops the characters and weaves intricate plots that keep you engaged from start to finish. The constant twists and turns in the story keep you guessing until the very end, making for an exhilarating and satisfying read. Simonsen's ability to create a compelling narrative and keep the suspense high throughout the book makes "Fire Within" a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense novels.
"Fire Within" by Morten W. Simonsen is a captivating and well-written novel that immediately draws you in with a mysterious secret that sets the stage for a thrilling and suspenseful story. Simonsen masterfully develops the characters and weaves intricate plots that keep you engaged from start to finish. The constant twists and turns in the story keep you guessing until the very end, making for an exhilarating and satisfying read. Simonsen's ability to create a compelling narrative and keep the suspense high throughout the book makes "Fire Within" a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense novels.
September 2, 2022
This story had a great deal going on with it in the beginning - it was well written and intriguing, with a great premise. I was hooked at first. But then the constant gore of the battles, the poorly written female characters and their fates, and the constant twists and turns got me a bit lost. I'm not the biggest fan of the subgenre of grimdark, but I always give new authors a chance.
That being said, I WILL recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the subgenre and all it entails. While it wasn't for me, others have enjoyed it, as evidenced by the reviews.
That being said, I WILL recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the subgenre and all it entails. While it wasn't for me, others have enjoyed it, as evidenced by the reviews.
October 5, 2020
I liked this story. Gritty and grimdark with an explosive beginning. Ivan Styles is the disappointing middle son of the Lord of Etheria. A prison break, a crew of inmates, and revenge bring Ivan home.
This is the first book in the series, so there were some parts of the story left unresolved. Yet, there is enough interest in the story and characters to want to read on.
This is the first book in the series, so there were some parts of the story left unresolved. Yet, there is enough interest in the story and characters to want to read on.
October 4, 2022
Solid start for a series
Found the author on my fyp. Decided to give his book a shot.
The book was good, solid action and characters with some cool world building. There was a few times it was a slog, but worthy of a 4 star.
Found the author on my fyp. Decided to give his book a shot.
The book was good, solid action and characters with some cool world building. There was a few times it was a slog, but worthy of a 4 star.
September 8, 2021
Fantastic World Building. The atmosphere was easy to visualize, and the tension and conflict can easily be felt throughout. Tons of action. Lots of characters, but they're done very well with strong internal dialog. The only thing I didn't like was all the sexual violence toward women. If this is a trigger for you, I wouldn't recommend this book.
October 12, 2025
found the characters a bit hard to connect with at times and the ending left me unsatisfied but overall an intriguing plot with complex motivations
June 7, 2024
This book started off pretty strong and plateaued pretty hard. There were a few plot gaps, but overall a quality read.
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