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Firewing
Cat is living as quiet a life as the only human/demon hybrid in existence can; practicing as an alchemist, spending time with her adoptive family and her girlfriend, and keeping her head down. But she is the only human/demon hybrid in existence, and when cultists attack her and those close to her, she realizes that keeping her head down can never be her solution.
Instead, she must cross the face of Yirath, see the deep-running conflicts for herself and face her destiny in the demon city of Arok-Kor.
Instead, she must cross the face of Yirath, see the deep-running conflicts for herself and face her destiny in the demon city of Arok-Kor.
- GenresFantasy
242 pages, Paperback
Published May 22, 2020
3 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 30, 2020
I got to read a chapter of this excellent book during a pre-release livestream. The sample did the trick: I needed to know the whole story! This is a sophisticated, soulful fantasy adventure for grown-ups. Nothing in it would be inaccessible or inappropriate for a teen reader, but this is not YA Fantasy. Protagonist Cathren has already come of age and completed her education in the backstory. Now she is challenging the gods and seeking herself.
Cathren, or Cat to her friends, lives on Yirath, a world with two sapient species: humans, imported long ago from somewhere else and the only mammals in existence; and indigenous saurian demons. Cat is unique, the only human-demon hybrid, conceived through magic to be the vessel for the exiled god Arok. But Neir, the goddess of birth and death, intervened, making Cat female and giving her a soul. Rescued from the cultists and raised by humans, then trained as a mage and alchemist, she hides her demon side as much as possible but can’t overcome her wanderlust and longing to spread her wings and fly. When her mentor is killed and the woman she loves chooses a man as spouse, Cat takes the opportunity to leave Losana and return to her birthplace of Arok-Kor, maybe for revenge, maybe to learn what is wanted of her. Along this sometimes perilous journey, she collaborates—and fights—with humans, demons, and deities as she seeks to prevent a catastrophe.
Cat’s world feels real, with fully developed cultures and peoples surrounding and adding to the story. Theological questions that at first seem like cultural details become ever more important to the plot as Cat circles closer to the secret of her identity. There is also much warmth and humor in her interactions with other characters. Her eventual choice is both shocking and satisfying, with an ending I didn’t guess until it was happening.
I received an advance review copy of this book from the author as part of the aforementioned livestream event.
Cathren, or Cat to her friends, lives on Yirath, a world with two sapient species: humans, imported long ago from somewhere else and the only mammals in existence; and indigenous saurian demons. Cat is unique, the only human-demon hybrid, conceived through magic to be the vessel for the exiled god Arok. But Neir, the goddess of birth and death, intervened, making Cat female and giving her a soul. Rescued from the cultists and raised by humans, then trained as a mage and alchemist, she hides her demon side as much as possible but can’t overcome her wanderlust and longing to spread her wings and fly. When her mentor is killed and the woman she loves chooses a man as spouse, Cat takes the opportunity to leave Losana and return to her birthplace of Arok-Kor, maybe for revenge, maybe to learn what is wanted of her. Along this sometimes perilous journey, she collaborates—and fights—with humans, demons, and deities as she seeks to prevent a catastrophe.
Cat’s world feels real, with fully developed cultures and peoples surrounding and adding to the story. Theological questions that at first seem like cultural details become ever more important to the plot as Cat circles closer to the secret of her identity. There is also much warmth and humor in her interactions with other characters. Her eventual choice is both shocking and satisfying, with an ending I didn’t guess until it was happening.
I received an advance review copy of this book from the author as part of the aforementioned livestream event.
May 23, 2020
Firewing is a brilliant epic fantasy. Cat's story draws you in from the start, and you won't want to put this book down. Just trying to get along in a world that doesn't want her, Cat's forced to leave her simple life when violence is brought to her door. Not the way she wanted to get out, but it sets her on the quest of a lifetime. Full of adventure, this is a great read for any epic fantasy lover.
August 23, 2020
3 stars
A convoluted story of a half human/demon child that is born to fulfill a "prophecy" . For me, it was slow and boring.
A convoluted story of a half human/demon child that is born to fulfill a "prophecy" . For me, it was slow and boring.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews