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The Cycle of Fire #1-3 omnibus
The Cycle of Fire
A collection of the three volumes of a classic fantasy trilogy finds three young people struggling to free the Stormwarden, the last of the elemental power-wielding Vaere sorcerers, so that he can battle the humanity-threatening demonkind. Original.
704 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 1999
121 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Janny Wurts
105 books1,917 followersJanny Wurts is the author of War of Light and Shadow series, and To Ride Hell's Chasm. Her eighteen published titles include a trilogy in audio, a short story collection, as well as the internationally best selling Empire trilogy, co authored with Raymond E. Feist, with works translated into fifteen languages worldwide. Her latest title in the Wars of Light and Shadow series, Destiny's Conflict, culminates more than thirty years of carefully evolved ideas. The cover images on the books, both in the US and abroad, are her own paintings, depicting her vision of characters and setting.
Through her combined talents as a writer/illustrator, Janny has immersed herself in a lifelong ambition: to create a seamless interface between words and pictures that will lead reader and viewer into the imagination. Her lavish use of language invites the mind into a crafted realm of experience, with characters and events woven into a complex tapestry, and drawn with an intensity to inspire active fuel for thought. Her research includes a range of direct experience, lending her fantasy a gritty realism, and her scenes involving magic crafted with intricate continuity. A self-taught painter, she draws directly from the imagination, creating scenes in a representational style that blurs the edges between dream and reality. She makes few preliminary sketches, but envisions her characters and the scenes that contain them, then executes the final directly from the initial pencil drawing.
The seed idea for the Wars of Light and Shadow series occurred, when, in the course of researching tactic and weapons, she viewed a documentary film on the Battle of Culloden Moor. This was the first time she had encountered that historical context of that brutal event, with the embroidery of romance stripped from it. The experience gave rise to an awakening, which became anger, that so often, our education, literature and entertainment slant history in a manner that equates winners and losers with moral right and wrong, and the prevalent attitude, that killing wars can be seen as justifiable solutions when only one side of the picture is presented.
Her series takes the stance that there are two sides to every question, and follows two characters who are half brothers. One a bard trained as a master of magecraft, and the other a born ruler with a charismatic passion for justice, have become cursed to lifelong enmity. As one sibling raises a devoted mass following, the other tries desperately to stave off defeat through solitary discipline and cleverness. The conflict sweeps across an imaginary world, dividing land and people through an intricate play of politics and the inborn prejudices of polarized factions already set at odds. Readers are led on a journey that embraces both viewpoints. The story explores the ironies of morality which often confound our own human condition - that what appears right and just, by one side, becomes reprehensible when seen from the opposite angle. What is apparently good for the many, too often causes devastating suffering to the nonconformist minority. Through the interactions between the characters themselves, the reader is left to their own discretion to interpret the moral impact of events.
Says Janny of her work, "I chose to frame this story against a backdrop of fantasy because I could handle even the most sensitive issues with the gloves off - explore the myriad angles of our troubled times with the least risk of offending anyone's personal sensibilities. The result, I can hope, is an expanding journey of the spirit that explores the grand depths, and rises to the challenge of mapping the ethereal potential of an evolving planetary consciousness... explore free thought and compassionate understanding."
Beyond writing, Janny's award winning paintings have been showcased in exhibitions of imaginative artwork, among them a commemorative exhibition for NASA's 25th Anniversary; the Art of the Cosmos at Hayden Planet
Through her combined talents as a writer/illustrator, Janny has immersed herself in a lifelong ambition: to create a seamless interface between words and pictures that will lead reader and viewer into the imagination. Her lavish use of language invites the mind into a crafted realm of experience, with characters and events woven into a complex tapestry, and drawn with an intensity to inspire active fuel for thought. Her research includes a range of direct experience, lending her fantasy a gritty realism, and her scenes involving magic crafted with intricate continuity. A self-taught painter, she draws directly from the imagination, creating scenes in a representational style that blurs the edges between dream and reality. She makes few preliminary sketches, but envisions her characters and the scenes that contain them, then executes the final directly from the initial pencil drawing.
The seed idea for the Wars of Light and Shadow series occurred, when, in the course of researching tactic and weapons, she viewed a documentary film on the Battle of Culloden Moor. This was the first time she had encountered that historical context of that brutal event, with the embroidery of romance stripped from it. The experience gave rise to an awakening, which became anger, that so often, our education, literature and entertainment slant history in a manner that equates winners and losers with moral right and wrong, and the prevalent attitude, that killing wars can be seen as justifiable solutions when only one side of the picture is presented.
Her series takes the stance that there are two sides to every question, and follows two characters who are half brothers. One a bard trained as a master of magecraft, and the other a born ruler with a charismatic passion for justice, have become cursed to lifelong enmity. As one sibling raises a devoted mass following, the other tries desperately to stave off defeat through solitary discipline and cleverness. The conflict sweeps across an imaginary world, dividing land and people through an intricate play of politics and the inborn prejudices of polarized factions already set at odds. Readers are led on a journey that embraces both viewpoints. The story explores the ironies of morality which often confound our own human condition - that what appears right and just, by one side, becomes reprehensible when seen from the opposite angle. What is apparently good for the many, too often causes devastating suffering to the nonconformist minority. Through the interactions between the characters themselves, the reader is left to their own discretion to interpret the moral impact of events.
Says Janny of her work, "I chose to frame this story against a backdrop of fantasy because I could handle even the most sensitive issues with the gloves off - explore the myriad angles of our troubled times with the least risk of offending anyone's personal sensibilities. The result, I can hope, is an expanding journey of the spirit that explores the grand depths, and rises to the challenge of mapping the ethereal potential of an evolving planetary consciousness... explore free thought and compassionate understanding."
Beyond writing, Janny's award winning paintings have been showcased in exhibitions of imaginative artwork, among them a commemorative exhibition for NASA's 25th Anniversary; the Art of the Cosmos at Hayden Planet
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 11, 2025
I read this book when it first came out and when I came across it again had to dive right in. It's just as good as I remember.
The Cycle of Fire, #1-3 is an intriguing and epic journey and is a fantastic read. I am addicted to this authors work.
Jannys’ work invites readers to unravel its intricacies layer by layer as you venture into a world that you will not want to put down and want to remain amongst the pages. She masterfully weaves together a tapestry of suspenseful storytelling. The narrative unfolds through edge-of-your-seat plots and enigmas that ensnare readers from the very first page.
This story seamlessly blends fantasy, high fantasy, supernatural and paranormal elements. This series is gripping and exciting. It is a tangled web that leaves you breathless and craving more. It is filled with loss and hope, magic and danger, suspense and tension, magic and action.
The Cycle of Fire, #1-3 is an intriguing and epic journey and is a fantastic read. I am addicted to this authors work.
Jannys’ work invites readers to unravel its intricacies layer by layer as you venture into a world that you will not want to put down and want to remain amongst the pages. She masterfully weaves together a tapestry of suspenseful storytelling. The narrative unfolds through edge-of-your-seat plots and enigmas that ensnare readers from the very first page.
This story seamlessly blends fantasy, high fantasy, supernatural and paranormal elements. This series is gripping and exciting. It is a tangled web that leaves you breathless and craving more. It is filled with loss and hope, magic and danger, suspense and tension, magic and action.
May 10, 2018
Cycle of Fire (Stormwarden; Keeper of the Keys; Shadowfane)
Author: Janny Wurts
Publisher: HarperPrism
Date: Cycle of Fire - 1999
Stormwarden - 1984
Keeper of the Keys - 1988
Shadowfane - 1988
Pgs: 694
Dewey: F WUR
Disposition: Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX
_________________________________________________
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
The Stormwarden framed. A crippled dreamer girl in a remote fishing village. The brother possessed of cynicism and spite. The scribe’s apprentice heir to a fiery, betrayed, and evil legacy. A pirate king ruling from a castle mount guarding a shipping strait. A crashed starship from which a computer shepherds humanity toward a reawakening. Demon aliens with psionic powers determined to slay the human spawn and clear the way for their return to the stars. Wizards. Magic. Demons. A storm is brewing and only fire can quench it. But will the fire come soon enough.
_________________________________________________
Genre:
Science fiction
Fantasy
Epic
Literature
Fiction
Why this book:
I’ve read Stormwarden previously and loved it. Wanted to see how the story ends.
_________________________________________________
Favorite Character:
The Kielmark is villain, scoundrel, pirate king, and hero. I like him.
Llondelei are interesting. I picture them as mindlflayers who have turned against the Chthulian overlords of Shadowfane.
Jaric Kerainson is a bereft character, swept along against his will. Similar to Emien, but Jaric isn’t a douche. Of course, then he acts the way the did with the maiden at the well...maybe he is a douche, good reasons for his suspecting that everyone pities him, but with no knowledge of the girl’s intentions or personality, very douche-like. He is very naive throughout, especially in The Keeper of the Keys. He is still young, but he has experienced a lot by that point in the overall story. Maybe he’s just stubborn and fearful. The fire is coming, either from within or from without. And in Jaric’s first foray outside of Anskiere’s geas or the protections of the Kielmark, the young jackass runs off in town without his sword and dagger. For the teachings of Corley and Telemark, he seems to not have grown between the ears as much as he should, playing the role of dumbest smart person a lot.
Corley is a favorite who grows on you. He’s wise. He’s hearty. He’s a pirate. He’s a badass. He’s a good and loyal friend. He’s stalwart. He’s all this and not a Mary Sue. He’s awesome.
Least Favorite Character:
Emien is a dumbass. So quick to believe those who destroyed his family’s boat and hold he and his sister prisoner over the Stormwarden who protected his village and family over the course of his life.
Emien is both an idiot and a fool. Taharges is evil...and a fool. Risk drowning and destroy the boat beneath them only to improve her hold on an already ensorcelled boy who is enamored with and dependent on her.
For most of this Emien saw opportunity and let it slip passed,repeatedly. He is villain-lite. Better he was left as a foil for Tatharges rather than the direction the story went.
Favorite Scene / Quote:
Really wanted the Stormwarden to smoke the two wizard bastards left to guard him on the Kielmark’s island. Love it when the wizard left to guard Anskiere awakens to the storm that had arisen behind him while the night crept to dawn.
Jaric’s awakening on the demon’s lap to his parenting and his destiny is well done.
The Battle of the Kielmark’s Keep is awesome.
Anskiere and Ivain’s battle with the demons made me picture Ghidrah. Well done.
Best scene in Keeper of the Keys may be when the Llondei show the recalcitrant Jaric what is going to happen when he ignores destiny and refuses the Cycle of Fire. The fool can either take the Cycle and face the demons or be forced into the Cycle and serve the demons.
Pacing:
There is a getting on with the show vibe in Shadowfane that was present in Stormwarden and not so much in Keeper of the Keys.
Word Choice / Usage:
I know I nitpick, but what is a torque? And if you were sleeping naked, why would you wear one?
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
As we spun toward the climax of Stormwarden, Tamlin of the Vaere tells Taen that Scholl and Tatharges are aware of her. Uhm, was that a deleted scene to be added back in the Director’s cut?
Not sure how much time passed between Stormwarden and The Keeper of the Keys being written, but they are literally still celebrating their victory over Kisburn’s invaders and haven’t repaired the damage. Yet, the Kielmark is presented as schizophrenic. At the close Stormwarden, the Kielmark was friend to Jaric and Taen, but here, a scant few hours or day later, he’s an explosive quality that could turn on them at any minute. Seems out of character.
Taen trying to save Emien, more properly at this point in the story Dreamweaver and Maelgrim, isn’t smart. He’s already shown himself to be gone and dangerous to her dream sense. It rings foolish making another attempt and another attempt when he is in league with demons and they plot against her using him as a weapon.
Taen not even reacting to the Stormwarden’s presence in the Kielmark’s hall in Book 3 rings false and out of character.
Hmm Moments:
The Frostwargs sound awesome. Not sure why I never dropped them into a DND campaign.
There was some question for a bit whether the old Firelord would return somehow or a new one be born.
I had read Stormwarden long enough ago that I had forgotten the secret of the Vaere. Nice.
Betrayal and onrushing counter-betrayal...good stuff.
The climactic battle at the gates of Elrinfaer didn’t go like I expected. The villain who escaped to fight another day is a cliche, but well done here. Unfortunately, he remains cliche ridden through the rest of the two following novels.
The foreword to Book 3 - Shadowfane makes it sound like there were originally only 2 books. As a duology this might have worked better. I’m harsh on the book, but I like it very much. The flow and the action would be better served if it were a couple hundred pages shorter. We could have done without more Dreamweaver vs Maelgrim with a demon chorus on the astral plane, kinda weak sauce.
In Shadowfane, Corley and the Kielmark’s relationship would instantly be shipped as ships can ship if a movie were made of this. I shipped Taen with both of them at one time. Now I believe they belong together. Their scene together before the Kielmark sets sail in Ladywolf gives that ship vibe and the foreshadowing of ‘the king is dead, long live the king.’
Anskiere is a fool going down among the men in the shadows of Shadowfane, as it were. Men who could at any moment fall under the sway of darkness and demonkind through Maelgrim’s control. He helped create the situation where fear of the new Firelord is made manifest and sweeps across the world.
WTF Moments:
Anskiere’s reaction to Jaric after sending the untrained novice child off on a life and soul threatening odyssey is not cool. Expect better from the wise old Gandalf of the story.
Meh / PFFT Moments:
If the wizards that Tatharges had brought from Mhora were capable of awakening the Frostwargs without Anskiere, why did they need him? Dude in the cavern after Anskiere takes his vengeance on his partner seemed to be doing a pretty good job of it.
Taen seeing what was inside her brother and Tatharges was interesting. But would she resent Anskiere for setting her on this path. She waffled on her brother despite repeated examples of his being gone into the demon’s hold.
Imrill Kand is this story’s Tatooine. It circles back there, a lot.
Taen’s battle with the Sathid crystalline entity for Dreamweaver status takes place too much in the mind of her brother, Emien. Not the best battlefield.
Instead of getting an Odyssey, Illiad, Aeneid feel, I got more a lost and wandering in circles feel of the course of Moonless and Callinde in The Keeper of the Keys.
NO! Not another ‘we shall conquer the Dreamweaver’ sequence in Shadowfane that consumed way too much and came across as filler in Keeper of the Keys.
As we rip toward the climax of Shadowfane and the whole Cycle of Fire, Taen disengages from Jaric’s hold repeatedly...BLAH!
Wisdom:
In her escape from the Kielmark, Tatharges revealed herself responsible for the destruction of Tierl Enneth that the Stormwarden was blamed for. Of course, having the king of pirates as your character witness, who can prove your innocence, wouldn’t do Anskiere any good.
Why isn’t there a screenplay?
Hey HBO, Game of Thrones can’t last forever.
Casting call / Dreamcasting:
Josh Brolin as Telemark.
Charlize Theron as Tatharges.
Tim Curry as the leader of the demons of Shadowfane.
If you took today’s Brad Pitt and gave him an older version of his Legends of the Fall look, he’d be great as Pirate Captain Corley, second in command of Mainstrait and the Kielmark’s forces.
Missed Opportunity:
This would’ve made a helluva RPG module or complete game unto itself.
Were Anskiere and Ivain missing balance? Is that why it went awry between them and for Ivain? Was there supposed to be a Dreamweaver between them to balance them? Is Tatharges that failed Dreamweaver? Unanswered questions.
_________________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
I love and continue to love Stormwarden(Book 1).
The Keeper of the Keys(Book 2) is more a move the pieces around story than a stand on its own part of the trilogy. Could have been shorter. Could’ve been part and parcel of the end of Stormwarden and the beginning of Shadowfane. Possibly better as a duology.
Keeper ends on a whimper.
Shadowfane gave a satisfying ending to the whole Cycle of Fire.
Author Assessment:
Despite shortcomings, I enjoyed this and would definitely read more by Janny Wurts.
Editorial Assessment:
Many of my quibbles could have been smoothed over by an editor being more active in the process.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
really good book
_________________________________________________
Author: Janny Wurts
Publisher: HarperPrism
Date: Cycle of Fire - 1999
Stormwarden - 1984
Keeper of the Keys - 1988
Shadowfane - 1988
Pgs: 694
Dewey: F WUR
Disposition: Irving Public Library - South Campus - Irving, TX
_________________________________________________
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
The Stormwarden framed. A crippled dreamer girl in a remote fishing village. The brother possessed of cynicism and spite. The scribe’s apprentice heir to a fiery, betrayed, and evil legacy. A pirate king ruling from a castle mount guarding a shipping strait. A crashed starship from which a computer shepherds humanity toward a reawakening. Demon aliens with psionic powers determined to slay the human spawn and clear the way for their return to the stars. Wizards. Magic. Demons. A storm is brewing and only fire can quench it. But will the fire come soon enough.
_________________________________________________
Genre:
Science fiction
Fantasy
Epic
Literature
Fiction
Why this book:
I’ve read Stormwarden previously and loved it. Wanted to see how the story ends.
_________________________________________________
Favorite Character:
The Kielmark is villain, scoundrel, pirate king, and hero. I like him.
Llondelei are interesting. I picture them as mindlflayers who have turned against the Chthulian overlords of Shadowfane.
Jaric Kerainson is a bereft character, swept along against his will. Similar to Emien, but Jaric isn’t a douche. Of course, then he acts the way the did with the maiden at the well...maybe he is a douche, good reasons for his suspecting that everyone pities him, but with no knowledge of the girl’s intentions or personality, very douche-like. He is very naive throughout, especially in The Keeper of the Keys. He is still young, but he has experienced a lot by that point in the overall story. Maybe he’s just stubborn and fearful. The fire is coming, either from within or from without. And in Jaric’s first foray outside of Anskiere’s geas or the protections of the Kielmark, the young jackass runs off in town without his sword and dagger. For the teachings of Corley and Telemark, he seems to not have grown between the ears as much as he should, playing the role of dumbest smart person a lot.
Corley is a favorite who grows on you. He’s wise. He’s hearty. He’s a pirate. He’s a badass. He’s a good and loyal friend. He’s stalwart. He’s all this and not a Mary Sue. He’s awesome.
Least Favorite Character:
Emien is a dumbass. So quick to believe those who destroyed his family’s boat and hold he and his sister prisoner over the Stormwarden who protected his village and family over the course of his life.
Emien is both an idiot and a fool. Taharges is evil...and a fool. Risk drowning and destroy the boat beneath them only to improve her hold on an already ensorcelled boy who is enamored with and dependent on her.
For most of this Emien saw opportunity and let it slip passed,repeatedly. He is villain-lite. Better he was left as a foil for Tatharges rather than the direction the story went.
Favorite Scene / Quote:
Really wanted the Stormwarden to smoke the two wizard bastards left to guard him on the Kielmark’s island. Love it when the wizard left to guard Anskiere awakens to the storm that had arisen behind him while the night crept to dawn.
Jaric’s awakening on the demon’s lap to his parenting and his destiny is well done.
The Battle of the Kielmark’s Keep is awesome.
Anskiere and Ivain’s battle with the demons made me picture Ghidrah. Well done.
Best scene in Keeper of the Keys may be when the Llondei show the recalcitrant Jaric what is going to happen when he ignores destiny and refuses the Cycle of Fire. The fool can either take the Cycle and face the demons or be forced into the Cycle and serve the demons.
Pacing:
There is a getting on with the show vibe in Shadowfane that was present in Stormwarden and not so much in Keeper of the Keys.
Word Choice / Usage:
I know I nitpick, but what is a torque? And if you were sleeping naked, why would you wear one?
Plot Holes/Out of Character:
As we spun toward the climax of Stormwarden, Tamlin of the Vaere tells Taen that Scholl and Tatharges are aware of her. Uhm, was that a deleted scene to be added back in the Director’s cut?
Not sure how much time passed between Stormwarden and The Keeper of the Keys being written, but they are literally still celebrating their victory over Kisburn’s invaders and haven’t repaired the damage. Yet, the Kielmark is presented as schizophrenic. At the close Stormwarden, the Kielmark was friend to Jaric and Taen, but here, a scant few hours or day later, he’s an explosive quality that could turn on them at any minute. Seems out of character.
Taen trying to save Emien, more properly at this point in the story Dreamweaver and Maelgrim, isn’t smart. He’s already shown himself to be gone and dangerous to her dream sense. It rings foolish making another attempt and another attempt when he is in league with demons and they plot against her using him as a weapon.
Taen not even reacting to the Stormwarden’s presence in the Kielmark’s hall in Book 3 rings false and out of character.
Hmm Moments:
The Frostwargs sound awesome. Not sure why I never dropped them into a DND campaign.
There was some question for a bit whether the old Firelord would return somehow or a new one be born.
I had read Stormwarden long enough ago that I had forgotten the secret of the Vaere. Nice.
Betrayal and onrushing counter-betrayal...good stuff.
The climactic battle at the gates of Elrinfaer didn’t go like I expected. The villain who escaped to fight another day is a cliche, but well done here. Unfortunately, he remains cliche ridden through the rest of the two following novels.
The foreword to Book 3 - Shadowfane makes it sound like there were originally only 2 books. As a duology this might have worked better. I’m harsh on the book, but I like it very much. The flow and the action would be better served if it were a couple hundred pages shorter. We could have done without more Dreamweaver vs Maelgrim with a demon chorus on the astral plane, kinda weak sauce.
In Shadowfane, Corley and the Kielmark’s relationship would instantly be shipped as ships can ship if a movie were made of this. I shipped Taen with both of them at one time. Now I believe they belong together. Their scene together before the Kielmark sets sail in Ladywolf gives that ship vibe and the foreshadowing of ‘the king is dead, long live the king.’
Anskiere is a fool going down among the men in the shadows of Shadowfane, as it were. Men who could at any moment fall under the sway of darkness and demonkind through Maelgrim’s control. He helped create the situation where fear of the new Firelord is made manifest and sweeps across the world.
WTF Moments:
Anskiere’s reaction to Jaric after sending the untrained novice child off on a life and soul threatening odyssey is not cool. Expect better from the wise old Gandalf of the story.
Meh / PFFT Moments:
If the wizards that Tatharges had brought from Mhora were capable of awakening the Frostwargs without Anskiere, why did they need him? Dude in the cavern after Anskiere takes his vengeance on his partner seemed to be doing a pretty good job of it.
Taen seeing what was inside her brother and Tatharges was interesting. But would she resent Anskiere for setting her on this path. She waffled on her brother despite repeated examples of his being gone into the demon’s hold.
Imrill Kand is this story’s Tatooine. It circles back there, a lot.
Taen’s battle with the Sathid crystalline entity for Dreamweaver status takes place too much in the mind of her brother, Emien. Not the best battlefield.
Instead of getting an Odyssey, Illiad, Aeneid feel, I got more a lost and wandering in circles feel of the course of Moonless and Callinde in The Keeper of the Keys.
NO! Not another ‘we shall conquer the Dreamweaver’ sequence in Shadowfane that consumed way too much and came across as filler in Keeper of the Keys.
As we rip toward the climax of Shadowfane and the whole Cycle of Fire, Taen disengages from Jaric’s hold repeatedly...BLAH!
Wisdom:
In her escape from the Kielmark, Tatharges revealed herself responsible for the destruction of Tierl Enneth that the Stormwarden was blamed for. Of course, having the king of pirates as your character witness, who can prove your innocence, wouldn’t do Anskiere any good.
Why isn’t there a screenplay?
Hey HBO, Game of Thrones can’t last forever.
Casting call / Dreamcasting:
Josh Brolin as Telemark.
Charlize Theron as Tatharges.
Tim Curry as the leader of the demons of Shadowfane.
If you took today’s Brad Pitt and gave him an older version of his Legends of the Fall look, he’d be great as Pirate Captain Corley, second in command of Mainstrait and the Kielmark’s forces.
Missed Opportunity:
This would’ve made a helluva RPG module or complete game unto itself.
Were Anskiere and Ivain missing balance? Is that why it went awry between them and for Ivain? Was there supposed to be a Dreamweaver between them to balance them? Is Tatharges that failed Dreamweaver? Unanswered questions.
_________________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
I love and continue to love Stormwarden(Book 1).
The Keeper of the Keys(Book 2) is more a move the pieces around story than a stand on its own part of the trilogy. Could have been shorter. Could’ve been part and parcel of the end of Stormwarden and the beginning of Shadowfane. Possibly better as a duology.
Keeper ends on a whimper.
Shadowfane gave a satisfying ending to the whole Cycle of Fire.
Author Assessment:
Despite shortcomings, I enjoyed this and would definitely read more by Janny Wurts.
Editorial Assessment:
Many of my quibbles could have been smoothed over by an editor being more active in the process.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
really good book
_________________________________________________
December 17, 2021
The Cycle of Fire is a long and often arduous journey. Three times have I started reading the trilogy and only now finished it. At times I feared to face the Cycle as much as the characters of the story do.
I really wanted to like this and give it the best try I could. Janny Wurts’s writing style is a challenging but rewarding one. Where every sentence has been given a dressing of weight and importance it demands a full attention at all times and, coupled with the near-constant strain the story’s characters are under, this makes for an often exhausting experience.
I love the prose, it’s one of the reasons I wanted to succeed in this, it is in what is being told and at what pace that mars a large portion of the trilogy.
A true trilogy, the story has multiple arcs that are, most of the time, decently obvious to follow. However, reading in the Acknowledgements that it was first set out to be two instead of three books, (without knowing what was extended upon) I have a feeling I might have enjoyed it more as such, if it wouldn’t have made the material even more dense.
The writing demands attention and dedication or you’ll soon be out of touch with what’s happening, something that nearly, again, broke me in the second book. A nuance on how something should be read, if it is truly happening, a vision or something going on in someone’s head can be easily missed when not paying attention. As a result, I wasn’t much liking the plot, but was increasingly invested with the characters and their journeys, as we get to experience their every thought, emotion and memory.
Keithland is a small world, with only a portion being inhabitable and then only by bickering nation states. It is also a man’s world. While there are a decent amount of strong and interesting female characters (only two being named), the world is mostly ruled by boisterous men that delegate the less hardy task to woman.
The character cast is small (and mostly, very young), and very much High Fantasy in that sense as we’re hyper-focused on these individuals and then even some of the more prominent among them only go by their title/occupation. Politics and religion are only lightly explored even though they are supposed to be of importance to the plot.
Similarly, the most fleshed-out faction of the Kielmark’s pirates appears to be the most influential governing body in the lands yet, in spite of constant reminders how ruthless they are, characters get upset and surprised in rare moments when they actively show their true colors.
Stormwarden
I really loved this book, it has a crisp and exiting story arc, introduces some wonderful characters and sets the stakes. ‘Sorcery and Destiny’ proclaims the back cover title, and it has ample of both. I am a big fan of magic in my fantasy and Wurts might be the most gifted writer of magical visualization and practices I know. Stormwarden features some incredible feats of elemental spellpower and great characters in the titular Stormwarden Anskier and Tathagres, a crafty, intelligent and powerful sorceress.
The ‘destiny’ part I am less a fan of, in practice most characters are driven by compulsions, prophesies and destinies outside of their control. It is this battle between self-command and enslavement to that of others which is the running theme in the series.
Keeper of the Keys
My least favorite of the three, this is where I stranded my first read through. The entire trilogy leans heavily on dreamscapes/visions/memories as well as sailing and this book spends a lot of time with both. Most things either happen in detached meta-physical space or on the Corine Sea. I love maritime storytelling in my fantasy, but this was at times too much. That coupled with little to no plot progression with Jaric being stuck in the ‘Denial’ stage of his journey and Tean mostly being relegated to ‘princess in distress duty’ it made for a very frustrating read. That said, it does feature some of the most interesting locations of the trilogy in the ruins of Tierl Enneth and the vibrant city of Landfast.
Shadowfane
The plot picks up again and keeps on ploughing through to the end, little time is wasted as storyline after storyline is revealed. Some of the choices and twists seem odd and solely conjured to drive the plot forward, but, as I began to accept this as a given, it became clear that the plot wasn’t of much importance to the story being told. The hows far inferior to the whys, the journey to the destination. At its core the few characters we follow so meticulously are vessels to which the purpose can be guided home.
The rules and practicalities of magic had been laid out thoroughly in the previous books and it is largely on this that the story thrives as Magic, once again, takes center stage. As capabilities steadily get one-upped after another, some dizzying display of powers and implications in both elemental and meta-physical plains wreck the characters and world, leaving little time for respite.
The end is exhausting, with many jarring twists of emotional, nerve-wrecking strings of moments. Without spoiling too much here, the play between self-control and devised destiny was crucial, and the moral ambiguity of human nature is laid bare. The conclusions the story draws aren’t entirely to my liking but well thought out in its implications, even if not put into specific words.
Three major gripes I have with the storytelling:
To summarize: I am glad I finished the series, even if I didn’t enjoy all of it, I am now proud of my signed copy. A solid extra star was added, for what it’s worth. I love Wurts’s prose, world building and magical creativity. While not something to read lightly, a writer that is able to leave me mentally and emotionally raw with words deserves a lot of respect. At the very least it prompted me to write my longest review to date.
I’ll wait a while before trying The Curse of the Mystwraith again, but I do feel that deserves another chance after this.
Spoiler notes:
Thanks for reading.
I really wanted to like this and give it the best try I could. Janny Wurts’s writing style is a challenging but rewarding one. Where every sentence has been given a dressing of weight and importance it demands a full attention at all times and, coupled with the near-constant strain the story’s characters are under, this makes for an often exhausting experience.
I love the prose, it’s one of the reasons I wanted to succeed in this, it is in what is being told and at what pace that mars a large portion of the trilogy.
A true trilogy, the story has multiple arcs that are, most of the time, decently obvious to follow. However, reading in the Acknowledgements that it was first set out to be two instead of three books, (without knowing what was extended upon) I have a feeling I might have enjoyed it more as such, if it wouldn’t have made the material even more dense.
The writing demands attention and dedication or you’ll soon be out of touch with what’s happening, something that nearly, again, broke me in the second book. A nuance on how something should be read, if it is truly happening, a vision or something going on in someone’s head can be easily missed when not paying attention. As a result, I wasn’t much liking the plot, but was increasingly invested with the characters and their journeys, as we get to experience their every thought, emotion and memory.
Keithland is a small world, with only a portion being inhabitable and then only by bickering nation states. It is also a man’s world. While there are a decent amount of strong and interesting female characters (only two being named), the world is mostly ruled by boisterous men that delegate the less hardy task to woman.
The character cast is small (and mostly, very young), and very much High Fantasy in that sense as we’re hyper-focused on these individuals and then even some of the more prominent among them only go by their title/occupation. Politics and religion are only lightly explored even though they are supposed to be of importance to the plot.
Similarly, the most fleshed-out faction of the Kielmark’s pirates appears to be the most influential governing body in the lands yet, in spite of constant reminders how ruthless they are, characters get upset and surprised in rare moments when they actively show their true colors.
Stormwarden
I really loved this book, it has a crisp and exiting story arc, introduces some wonderful characters and sets the stakes. ‘Sorcery and Destiny’ proclaims the back cover title, and it has ample of both. I am a big fan of magic in my fantasy and Wurts might be the most gifted writer of magical visualization and practices I know. Stormwarden features some incredible feats of elemental spellpower and great characters in the titular Stormwarden Anskier and Tathagres, a crafty, intelligent and powerful sorceress.
The ‘destiny’ part I am less a fan of, in practice most characters are driven by compulsions, prophesies and destinies outside of their control. It is this battle between self-command and enslavement to that of others which is the running theme in the series.
Keeper of the Keys
My least favorite of the three, this is where I stranded my first read through. The entire trilogy leans heavily on dreamscapes/visions/memories as well as sailing and this book spends a lot of time with both. Most things either happen in detached meta-physical space or on the Corine Sea. I love maritime storytelling in my fantasy, but this was at times too much. That coupled with little to no plot progression with Jaric being stuck in the ‘Denial’ stage of his journey and Tean mostly being relegated to ‘princess in distress duty’ it made for a very frustrating read. That said, it does feature some of the most interesting locations of the trilogy in the ruins of Tierl Enneth and the vibrant city of Landfast.
Shadowfane
The plot picks up again and keeps on ploughing through to the end, little time is wasted as storyline after storyline is revealed. Some of the choices and twists seem odd and solely conjured to drive the plot forward, but, as I began to accept this as a given, it became clear that the plot wasn’t of much importance to the story being told. The hows far inferior to the whys, the journey to the destination. At its core the few characters we follow so meticulously are vessels to which the purpose can be guided home.
The rules and practicalities of magic had been laid out thoroughly in the previous books and it is largely on this that the story thrives as Magic, once again, takes center stage. As capabilities steadily get one-upped after another, some dizzying display of powers and implications in both elemental and meta-physical plains wreck the characters and world, leaving little time for respite.
The end is exhausting, with many jarring twists of emotional, nerve-wrecking strings of moments. Without spoiling too much here, the play between self-control and devised destiny was crucial, and the moral ambiguity of human nature is laid bare. The conclusions the story draws aren’t entirely to my liking but well thought out in its implications, even if not put into specific words.
Three major gripes I have with the storytelling:
To summarize: I am glad I finished the series, even if I didn’t enjoy all of it, I am now proud of my signed copy. A solid extra star was added, for what it’s worth. I love Wurts’s prose, world building and magical creativity. While not something to read lightly, a writer that is able to leave me mentally and emotionally raw with words deserves a lot of respect. At the very least it prompted me to write my longest review to date.
I’ll wait a while before trying The Curse of the Mystwraith again, but I do feel that deserves another chance after this.
Spoiler notes:
Thanks for reading.
June 25, 2024
Janny is so very good at painting a scene and then delving into a characters deepest thoughts and fears. I really enjoyed this and will be eager to get to the next in the trilogy.
June 19, 2013
I read this trilogy in my early teens, my sci-fi/fantasy years. Well after spending the last 4/5 years reading Russian/Victorian lit I was pining for something different and lighter. So I guess I'm a lot older now, the writing seems bland and certainly less vivid, it seemed to me that she tries too hard to over describe scenes or maybe I'm too old to be bothered to visualize it. However I thoroughly enjoyed re-reading the entire trilogy which took me less than 2 weeks.
In any case I'm now of to read The Empire trilogy, co written by Janny Wurts & Raymond E Fiest.
No man shall claim wisdom to judge another; in the absence of order, law must prevail. Yet in the absence of the divine, no law and no man, and no expedient can equal perfection. Forgiveness maintains the balance.
In any case I'm now of to read The Empire trilogy, co written by Janny Wurts & Raymond E Fiest.
No man shall claim wisdom to judge another; in the absence of order, law must prevail. Yet in the absence of the divine, no law and no man, and no expedient can equal perfection. Forgiveness maintains the balance.
December 25, 2016
Lord. I wish this book had been as good on this re-read as when I first read it 20 years ago. Interesting elements but overwrought melodrama and characters who you just want to slap hard as they agonise for what seems like an eternity over the most basic things. I appreciate Wurts' world-building but her characters are far too insipid and self-pitying to deserve more than cursory attention. They (and she) spend a solid third of the entire series wallowing in their own emotional waste - sentimental and emo, they barely make it to being one-note. Had Wurts instead spent the time and novel(s) space on fleshing out her back-story, this series would have been much the better for it.
November 30, 2022
With each re-reading, I find deeper appreciation for the story, and discover new nuances and plot twists. My criticism is this: I find myself awed and amazed at the author's impressive nautical knowledge and the way she can describe what is happening in a way that makes sense to a landlubber like me. But that same ability of description becomes overwhelming too much of the time and I find myself skipping over parts in an effort to get past the minutiae of sailing a ship with all of its bits and parts, to the narrative that moves the plot forward.
In spite of that, I still continue on, and finish the story. I enjoy the characters, and the world. Although the ending feels rushed, it also assures that there is a path that continues, and there is a plan to carry their hard-won knowledge to the stars one day.
In spite of that, I still continue on, and finish the story. I enjoy the characters, and the world. Although the ending feels rushed, it also assures that there is a path that continues, and there is a plan to carry their hard-won knowledge to the stars one day.
August 12, 2019
The Cycle of Fire was one of my first exposures to the fantasy genre after the magic of Lord of the Rings back when I was in the seventh grade. It captured my imagination at the time, and I have been fond of its memory ever since. Last weekend, I decided to put my dusty 13-year-old taste to the test and reread it at age 25.
The Cycle of Fire did not disappoint! I plowed through the entire trilogy once again in a little more than a day and was impressed by fantasy tropes filled with renewed life . In the Cycle of Fire, good and evil are set in sharp distinction, but Wurts still troubles herself with the inner workings of all her major characters' minds, giving even villains internal lives.
Needless to say, immediately upon finishing the Cycle of Fire, I bought a copy of the Curse of the Mistwraith and embarked upon a new, more mature writerly journey.
The Cycle of Fire did not disappoint! I plowed through the entire trilogy once again in a little more than a day and was impressed by fantasy tropes filled with renewed life . In the Cycle of Fire, good and evil are set in sharp distinction, but Wurts still troubles herself with the inner workings of all her major characters' minds, giving even villains internal lives.
Needless to say, immediately upon finishing the Cycle of Fire, I bought a copy of the Curse of the Mistwraith and embarked upon a new, more mature writerly journey.
December 11, 2022
I’d just finished The Wars of Light and Shadow, so I thought I would reread Janny’s earlier works, starting with The Cycle of Fire trilogy. It’s probably 30 years since I last read this, and it stands the test of time. A little naive in places, and the dual nature of the Vaere is both a little clunky and a little superfluous.
Nonetheless, I really enjoyed it, and have no hesitation in recommending it to fantasy lovers everywhere.
Nonetheless, I really enjoyed it, and have no hesitation in recommending it to fantasy lovers everywhere.
May 18, 2020
Great universe. This is a classic beginning with a boy with a troubled youth finding himself destined as an apprentice to become one of the greats defender of his kingdom.
But all isn't as it seems and as the plot thickens, we get to see how far reaching Janny Wurts' imagination is.
But all isn't as it seems and as the plot thickens, we get to see how far reaching Janny Wurts' imagination is.
May 25, 2021
Did not finish. 3 books mostly detailing the emotions of a dreamweaver and her brother and her love interest. Pages and pages of no action. This is a great disappointment because this is a well loved author.
December 15, 2018
It was Aliens.
May 18, 2019
This book is so boring
April 2, 2014
In this book, I enjoyed the seamless explanation of the world the author created. The explanation formed a sub plot and I enjoyed the way its mystery unfolded 'inadvertently' via the characters' tribulations.
The magic in this book is reliant on a type of living crystal which exists symbiotically, imbuing its wielders with power while depending on them to propagate itself (this is not a spoiler). Goodies and baddies alike use the crystal and herein lies a part of the central conflict.
The main characters' actions are tied very well to their developing personalities with a good balance of magical mishaps being thrown in their path as well as a reasonable share of trauma generated by their own human shortcomings.
I thought hero was 'special and different' enough for an adolescent to identify with - I did at the time! - but based on my memory of the story from 20+ years ago, not so special an adult couldn't either.
Overall, I thought it was an excellent yarn.
The magic in this book is reliant on a type of living crystal which exists symbiotically, imbuing its wielders with power while depending on them to propagate itself (this is not a spoiler). Goodies and baddies alike use the crystal and herein lies a part of the central conflict.
The main characters' actions are tied very well to their developing personalities with a good balance of magical mishaps being thrown in their path as well as a reasonable share of trauma generated by their own human shortcomings.
I thought hero was 'special and different' enough for an adolescent to identify with - I did at the time! - but based on my memory of the story from 20+ years ago, not so special an adult couldn't either.
Overall, I thought it was an excellent yarn.
September 13, 2011
I'm on the third book in the series. This is a three volume set in one book. It blends basic fantasy with a surprising twist of science fiction. Set in an almost typical fantasy universe, the book gives much detail toward sailing and character emotions. Janny Wurts does a good job flushing out exactly what the character is feeling and how they react to situations.
May 5, 2008
this is one amazing book i could not put it down. you get so deep in to the characters you feel like you actuly know them i totaly think you should read this and im willing to loan it
June 13, 2008
Good, if somewhat depressing, fantasy series. Watch for the surprise reveal at the VERY (we're talking last 10 pages or so) end that it's actually a sci-fi series.
August 19, 2012
Epic!
July 7, 2021
Janny Wurtz was a new author to me but I now seek out her books. If you love fantasy, this is a series you cannot miss!
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