What do you think?
Rate this book
Kalima Chronicles #3
Steel
Even steel can be broken.
Mamlakah is once again on the brink of war, this time over who sits on the throne. Alere, Jarran, and Mina race toward Madina to claim Jarran’s inheritance as Jun First. With a Weishi House kill-contract on her head, Alere unlocks new yanstone powers – which lead her further down a destructive path Mina cannot condone.
But Nasra Connor and Jun Fourth Hassan Wen-Gates reach Madina first, and they pave the city’s streets with blood to secure the throne. Xintou House’s students and Bonded Xintou are murdered. Mistress Li, the two Jun Seconds, and Jarran’s daughters are imprisoned and slated for execution.
Even if Alere can reach Madina in time to prevent the executions, her fighting skills are no use against Nasra and Rohne – the two most powerful Xintou in existence. Her only chance is if she and a reluctant Mina can master the yanstones. But Mina is unwilling to use the yanstones’ brutal powers against her old friends.
So Alere will gamble her mind, her life, and the sanity of everyone she loves on one, dubious, chance of victory. If she can’t prevail, Kalima will be subjugated beneath the steel will of the strongest xintou in history.
All hope of freedom… lost.
"The Kalima Chronicles will delight lovers of epic fantasy" - Juliette Marillier, author of Blackthorn and Grim series.
Mamlakah is once again on the brink of war, this time over who sits on the throne. Alere, Jarran, and Mina race toward Madina to claim Jarran’s inheritance as Jun First. With a Weishi House kill-contract on her head, Alere unlocks new yanstone powers – which lead her further down a destructive path Mina cannot condone.
But Nasra Connor and Jun Fourth Hassan Wen-Gates reach Madina first, and they pave the city’s streets with blood to secure the throne. Xintou House’s students and Bonded Xintou are murdered. Mistress Li, the two Jun Seconds, and Jarran’s daughters are imprisoned and slated for execution.
Even if Alere can reach Madina in time to prevent the executions, her fighting skills are no use against Nasra and Rohne – the two most powerful Xintou in existence. Her only chance is if she and a reluctant Mina can master the yanstones. But Mina is unwilling to use the yanstones’ brutal powers against her old friends.
So Alere will gamble her mind, her life, and the sanity of everyone she loves on one, dubious, chance of victory. If she can’t prevail, Kalima will be subjugated beneath the steel will of the strongest xintou in history.
All hope of freedom… lost.
"The Kalima Chronicles will delight lovers of epic fantasy" - Juliette Marillier, author of Blackthorn and Grim series.
550 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2019
1 person is currently reading
9 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 29, 2019
I was pulled straight into the action with this book, once again losing myself in the wonderful world of Kalima. It was just as richly imagined and vividly written as the first two books in the series. I plunged into Alere’s next adventure with bated breath as the stakes were raised so high I didn’t see how she could survive let alone stop Rohne and Nasra from turning her home into a place of nightmare. As Alere’s fears for her sanity grew, and the yanstones exerted their pull on her, I knew that pain and sacrifice lay ahead for her and her companions, making this a book I did not want to put down.
Once again, Alere is shown as a courageous and yet flawed heroine, and I loved how she knew this about herself and was able to admit to her mistakes and work to stop making them. The support she received from those closest to her, the complications of her relationship with her twin sister, and the interactions with those around her made Alere feel like a real person. One I would not want to mess with.
As always, the fight scenes feel gritty and realistic, not shying away from the impact they would have on the characters. Death and injury take a toll on Alere’s supporters, and the weight of her losses is shown in her actions. This stops the story from becoming just about the action, the internal and external conflicts Alere and the others face giving a depth that is lacking in many other fantasy series. With an ending that left me gasping, this is one series that will stay with me. I would really love to read more stories set on the world of Kalima, and hope some of the secondary characters will get a chance to shine in future adventures.
Once again, Alere is shown as a courageous and yet flawed heroine, and I loved how she knew this about herself and was able to admit to her mistakes and work to stop making them. The support she received from those closest to her, the complications of her relationship with her twin sister, and the interactions with those around her made Alere feel like a real person. One I would not want to mess with.
As always, the fight scenes feel gritty and realistic, not shying away from the impact they would have on the characters. Death and injury take a toll on Alere’s supporters, and the weight of her losses is shown in her actions. This stops the story from becoming just about the action, the internal and external conflicts Alere and the others face giving a depth that is lacking in many other fantasy series. With an ending that left me gasping, this is one series that will stay with me. I would really love to read more stories set on the world of Kalima, and hope some of the secondary characters will get a chance to shine in future adventures.
December 30, 2020
This whole series is so amazing and wonderful, I loved every second of reading it. I fell in love with the characters and their struggles to reconcile what is important and what they want. This is the type of series that I know I will continue to reread for many years to come and I’ll pick up on new details each time because each page brings a new perspective and a new twist on what you thought would happen. Every time I tried to predict where the story was going I was pleasantly surprised and I absolutely loved it.
July 2, 2019
Aiki Flinhart's IRON introduced Alere, longtime mentor Kett and charming rogue Corin and her sister Mina. In FIRE we saw Alere growing into her powers and having to liberate a city from slavery to rescue her friends and sister.
In STEEL it is her civilization she must save by preventing the crowing of a tyrant who wields the powers which Alere has only begun to understand and the terrible a cost they carry. Will she choose to make the ultimate sacrifice, not to save a world but to save those she loves.
In this final chapter, we see the story behind the players in fantasy world-building that began in IRON, the secrets of the houses and origins of the prophecy and why a male bearing these powers could bring about an end to all.
It's this story where we get to understand the motivations and hints of plans so carefully seeded in the previous two stories ripen into delicious fruit.
It's as gripping as the last two books and if you were concerned that after such a lead up the climax would leave you unresolved then worry not this is a worthy conclusion to this tale.
In STEEL it is her civilization she must save by preventing the crowing of a tyrant who wields the powers which Alere has only begun to understand and the terrible a cost they carry. Will she choose to make the ultimate sacrifice, not to save a world but to save those she loves.
In this final chapter, we see the story behind the players in fantasy world-building that began in IRON, the secrets of the houses and origins of the prophecy and why a male bearing these powers could bring about an end to all.
It's this story where we get to understand the motivations and hints of plans so carefully seeded in the previous two stories ripen into delicious fruit.
It's as gripping as the last two books and if you were concerned that after such a lead up the climax would leave you unresolved then worry not this is a worthy conclusion to this tale.
July 30, 2019
I have grown so attached to Alere, Kett and Corin that I’m actually devastated that this fantastic and must-read series has come to an end. As ever, the author delivers both an emotionally fraught journey and horrific events, and Alere and her sister Mina are in the thick of it.
This is a brilliant series and every book has moved the story along at a pace, but this one really cements the desperate need for someone to stand up against a rising tyrant, as well as the tyranny of the past. Add into the mix magic and incredible abilities, which comes at a price, and you will be entranced.
I have reviewed all three books and each time I mention the use of ‘other’ languages to colour the story, and must again. Seriously, if someone calls you a ‘zift’ or a ‘hmar’, I bet you know what the meaning is! This adds a layer to the whole that I as reader truly appreciated. Well done to the author, and may the world Kalima shine forth in future tales!
This is a brilliant series and every book has moved the story along at a pace, but this one really cements the desperate need for someone to stand up against a rising tyrant, as well as the tyranny of the past. Add into the mix magic and incredible abilities, which comes at a price, and you will be entranced.
I have reviewed all three books and each time I mention the use of ‘other’ languages to colour the story, and must again. Seriously, if someone calls you a ‘zift’ or a ‘hmar’, I bet you know what the meaning is! This adds a layer to the whole that I as reader truly appreciated. Well done to the author, and may the world Kalima shine forth in future tales!
August 3, 2019
Do you know that feeling when you're watching a thriller on the television, and you find yourself on the edge of your seat, yelling, "LOOK BEHIND YOU!!", or "DON'T OPEN THAT DOOR!!" at the TV screen? I literally did this while reading book 3 of the Kalima Chronicles. The tension just keeps building and building, but somehow, Aiki keeps track of every little (and big) plot twist, and weaves them all into a climax that is utterly riveting, and an ending that is both poignant and satisfying.
I knew I was going to love Steel, but Aiki surprised me. I didn't think book 3 could possibly be even better than books 1 and 2. I was wrong - it is. Seriously, only start reading this book if you have a few hours' to spare, because you are NOT going to want to put it down. Not recommended for reading on a train, or you will totally miss your station. Other than that, go for it. Buy this book. Better still, buy this whole series. You will not regret it.
I knew I was going to love Steel, but Aiki surprised me. I didn't think book 3 could possibly be even better than books 1 and 2. I was wrong - it is. Seriously, only start reading this book if you have a few hours' to spare, because you are NOT going to want to put it down. Not recommended for reading on a train, or you will totally miss your station. Other than that, go for it. Buy this book. Better still, buy this whole series. You will not regret it.
August 29, 2019
This is the last book in Kalima Chronicles, a series I have thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. STEEL takes the characters we’ve come to love on a journey to a heart-stopping, cataclysmic finale. Throughout the trilogy I’ve enjoyed the way that telepathy/telekinesis is described, how it relates to neurochemistry and psychology, and how it is used in battle. I loved the philosophical quests, and the interplay between the characters. This is one of the most exciting finales I’ve ever read, and I was sad when it all came to an end: the mark of a truly great series. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is my honest review. STEEL is a book I am happy to thoroughly recommend.
July 1, 2019
STEEL is the third book in the Kalima Chronicles. It is hands down one of the best conclusions I have read for a series. It ties everything up with such beautiful use of language and seamless effort. I admit, there were a few tears at different places, not to mention the gasps and nods that made me feel like a bobble head.
This whole series is amazing. The world building is so complete and incredible, the description and pace is beautiful and the pages simply turn themselves.
I highly recommend this series. Go, run get ... you’re welcome ;)
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is my honest review.
This whole series is amazing. The world building is so complete and incredible, the description and pace is beautiful and the pages simply turn themselves.
I highly recommend this series. Go, run get ... you’re welcome ;)
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is my honest review.
July 1, 2019
An epic conclusion to an epic series! Steel is everything I wanted it to be. It's packed with more action, more creatures, more tension and more twists. It's going to be hard to find something that fills the void now that it's over.
Definitely looking forward to more titles by Aiki Flinthart in the future.
Definitely looking forward to more titles by Aiki Flinthart in the future.
July 24, 2019
Alere is back and things are getting even more complicated as she yet again struggles to keep those she cares about safe. The story is well written and the world just gets richer as we learn more about it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews