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Frozen Flame #6
Vortex
A land on the brink of destruction!
On the run from the family, Athgar and Natalia take refuge in a far distant port, hoping to escape discovery. When outside interference causes the uneasy balance of power to crumble, the entire region is plunged into chaos.
Kargen, now responsible for the future of Therengia, must bargain with an unwanted emissary from the very people who tried to kidnap Oswyn!
Can the northern kingdoms overcome their animosity to keep the peace, or will they forever be drenched in bloody conflict?
And will Therengia thrive or disappear into the annals of history?
The stakes have never been higher as Athgar and Natalia risk all in Vortex, Paul J Bennett's sixth installment of The Frozen Flames series.
On the run from the family, Athgar and Natalia take refuge in a far distant port, hoping to escape discovery. When outside interference causes the uneasy balance of power to crumble, the entire region is plunged into chaos.
Kargen, now responsible for the future of Therengia, must bargain with an unwanted emissary from the very people who tried to kidnap Oswyn!
Can the northern kingdoms overcome their animosity to keep the peace, or will they forever be drenched in bloody conflict?
And will Therengia thrive or disappear into the annals of history?
The stakes have never been higher as Athgar and Natalia risk all in Vortex, Paul J Bennett's sixth installment of The Frozen Flames series.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 22, 2021
37 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Paul J. Bennett
48 books527 followersPaul J Bennett (b. 1961) emigrated from England to Canada in 1967. His father served in the British Royal Navy, and his mother worked for the BBC in London. As a young man, Paul followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983. He is married to Carol Bennett and has three daughters who are all creative in their own right.
Paul’s interest in writing started in his teen years when he discovered the roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons (D & D). What attracted him to this new hobby was the creativity it required; the need to create realms, worlds and adventures that pulled the gamers into his stories.
In his 30’s, Paul started to dabble in designing his own roleplaying system, using the Peninsular War in Portugal as his backdrop. His regular gaming group were willing victims, er, participants in helping to playtest this new system. A few years later, he added additional settings to his game, including Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, World War II, and the all-important Fantasy Realm where his stories take place.
The beginnings of his first book ‘Servant to the Crown’ originated over five years ago when he began a new fantasy campaign. For the world that the Kingdom of Merceria is in, he ran his adventures like a TV show, with seasons that each had twelve episodes, and an overarching plot. When the campaign ended, he knew all the characters, what they had to accomplish, what needed to happen to move the plot along, and it was this that inspired to sit down to write his first novel.
Paul now has four series based in his fantasy world of Eiddenwerthe and is looking forward to sharing many more books with his readers over the coming years.
Paul’s interest in writing started in his teen years when he discovered the roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons (D & D). What attracted him to this new hobby was the creativity it required; the need to create realms, worlds and adventures that pulled the gamers into his stories.
In his 30’s, Paul started to dabble in designing his own roleplaying system, using the Peninsular War in Portugal as his backdrop. His regular gaming group were willing victims, er, participants in helping to playtest this new system. A few years later, he added additional settings to his game, including Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic, World War II, and the all-important Fantasy Realm where his stories take place.
The beginnings of his first book ‘Servant to the Crown’ originated over five years ago when he began a new fantasy campaign. For the world that the Kingdom of Merceria is in, he ran his adventures like a TV show, with seasons that each had twelve episodes, and an overarching plot. When the campaign ended, he knew all the characters, what they had to accomplish, what needed to happen to move the plot along, and it was this that inspired to sit down to write his first novel.
Paul now has four series based in his fantasy world of Eiddenwerthe and is looking forward to sharing many more books with his readers over the coming years.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 6, 2022
Regarding this novel:
I enjoyed it. I have read a few of the earlier novels in the series, but missed several in between and found this one easy to read as a stand-alone, as it's a story unto itself, tying into the larger tapestry of the earlier works.
Overall, it was well-written, and it kept me interested enough to read through until I finished it. It made me wonder what I'd missed in the previous books.
I quite enjoy Paul J. Bennett's writing; I love how descriptive he is and how he paints his scenes, so you feel as if you are journeying along with the characters. It's like you're viewing the action from within, rather than without. I also enjoy his somewhat irreverent humour.
He's become quite a prolific author with over 30 novels to this credit. His writing has come a long way from when he first started. I've noticed a definite progression from his former works to the latter ones. They are more polished, and the phrasing seems less contrived; the flow is much better than in his first novels.
The ONLY snags I see are the editing foibles that still plague him. He really could benefit from a professional editor. His wife, who was a former computer programmer, and who became his editor when he became a writer, has done a good job. She misses some, but far, far less than she used to. Growing pains, but understandable, as it's from a lack of professional experience.
As a professional editor, one who has worked on actual print publications and proofread and edited for business and academia, those are mistakes that drive me around the bend. After all, you're asking people to not only read your work, but to spend their hard-earned money to buy it. That is an investment. People don't want a fixer-upper, they don't want a draft; they want an error free end product for their money.
These are the errors I found in this novel:
- Overuse of commas straight out of the gate in the first chapter. These are annoying because they break up the sentence and cause the reader to lose focus because of the breaks in flow.
- So many incorrect uses of a semi-colon. The rule of semi-colon use is that BOTH sides of the phrasing MUST be stand-alone sentences in their own right. You CANNOT have fragments or incomplete thoughts on either side. If there are fragments, then you're better served to use a comma instead because a semi-colon wouldn't be appropriate.
E.g.:
"Eventually, they built others throughout the Kingdom; some reports say as many as two dozen at their height."
First, you don't capitalize proper nouns unless you're directly addressing them. So the 'Kingdom' should be lowercase. Both sides of this sentence are fragments. They cannot stand on their own if you put a period in place of the semi-colon, and that is always the test.
My note on this next one was "Good lord, it's horrendous!" See what I mean...
"It is; their flagship, in fact."
Oh, my goodness!! This is the most awkwardly backward mistake of a sentence I've ever seen.
First, "It is" IS NOT a complete sentence...remember the rule about semi-colons? And the comma used incorrectly as well.
I'd have recommended that he rewrite that little sentence, "In fact, it's their flagship."
I came across this word 'foment' three times in the novel. That's 3x too many for a novel like this. It basically means that someone is causing discord and upheaval. There are simpler words to use that would have been better in this offering.
Writers MUST keep in mind their audience; they should write to the level of their target audience. They must also consider the rest of the novel. I found that word to be too lofty for this novel. Most readers would have to look it up to figure out what it meant. Authors shouldn't make it difficult to read. He could have said 'discord', 'instigate', 'provoke' or several other synonyms for it that would have fit much better and been in keeping with the overall writing style.
I am aware Paul is an educated man, it's self-evident. However, he's not writing technical papers nor anything high-brow here; I urge him to write at the level where people don't have to look up words.
There was another awkward as hell sentence:
"You know the old saying, 'Those who oppose the same enemies must be friends."
Really?? Seriously? It struck me as ridiculous that people going to war would become 'friends'
That's a bit strong, I think. I suppose it's a take on the idiom "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."
Perhaps instead: "Shared enemies can be thwarted by becoming allies."
Words are transposed:
"It is not me you should talk to," replied the Thane of Bradon, "is it Kargen."
It SHOULD be "it is Kargen." since the message was for him, they're not asking a question of him.
Apparently, some lessons just don't stick. I don't know how many times I have pointed out to her that OBJECTS 'lay' down or are 'laying' down; PEOPLE 'lie down' or are 'lying down'!!!
Subject verb agreement....So frustrating! What did I see but this:
"All he really wanted to do right now was lay down and soak his feet in the cool water, but he knew there were still many miles left to travel."
Just NO!!! It should be 'lie down'
More awkward, non-plain language issues!
"I shouldn't like to need to replace them.'
What the hell? Why not just say, 'I'd hate to replace them.'
More subject/verb agreement issues:
"Lofwine looked up from where he lay."
SHOULD be '...where he was lying.'
"We have no desire to take your men into custody or have a place to hold them."
Perhaps:
'We have no desire to take your men into custody, nor do we have a place to hold them.'
"Her story beings in Tempered Steel, but the events of Temple Captain are what set up the situation in Reinwick."
Hahahah - I think this one should have been staring at them in the face! "beings" SHOULD be 'begins'
I enjoyed it. I have read a few of the earlier novels in the series, but missed several in between and found this one easy to read as a stand-alone, as it's a story unto itself, tying into the larger tapestry of the earlier works.
Overall, it was well-written, and it kept me interested enough to read through until I finished it. It made me wonder what I'd missed in the previous books.
I quite enjoy Paul J. Bennett's writing; I love how descriptive he is and how he paints his scenes, so you feel as if you are journeying along with the characters. It's like you're viewing the action from within, rather than without. I also enjoy his somewhat irreverent humour.
He's become quite a prolific author with over 30 novels to this credit. His writing has come a long way from when he first started. I've noticed a definite progression from his former works to the latter ones. They are more polished, and the phrasing seems less contrived; the flow is much better than in his first novels.
The ONLY snags I see are the editing foibles that still plague him. He really could benefit from a professional editor. His wife, who was a former computer programmer, and who became his editor when he became a writer, has done a good job. She misses some, but far, far less than she used to. Growing pains, but understandable, as it's from a lack of professional experience.
As a professional editor, one who has worked on actual print publications and proofread and edited for business and academia, those are mistakes that drive me around the bend. After all, you're asking people to not only read your work, but to spend their hard-earned money to buy it. That is an investment. People don't want a fixer-upper, they don't want a draft; they want an error free end product for their money.
These are the errors I found in this novel:
- Overuse of commas straight out of the gate in the first chapter. These are annoying because they break up the sentence and cause the reader to lose focus because of the breaks in flow.
- So many incorrect uses of a semi-colon. The rule of semi-colon use is that BOTH sides of the phrasing MUST be stand-alone sentences in their own right. You CANNOT have fragments or incomplete thoughts on either side. If there are fragments, then you're better served to use a comma instead because a semi-colon wouldn't be appropriate.
E.g.:
"Eventually, they built others throughout the Kingdom; some reports say as many as two dozen at their height."
First, you don't capitalize proper nouns unless you're directly addressing them. So the 'Kingdom' should be lowercase. Both sides of this sentence are fragments. They cannot stand on their own if you put a period in place of the semi-colon, and that is always the test.
My note on this next one was "Good lord, it's horrendous!" See what I mean...
"It is; their flagship, in fact."
Oh, my goodness!! This is the most awkwardly backward mistake of a sentence I've ever seen.
First, "It is" IS NOT a complete sentence...remember the rule about semi-colons? And the comma used incorrectly as well.
I'd have recommended that he rewrite that little sentence, "In fact, it's their flagship."
I came across this word 'foment' three times in the novel. That's 3x too many for a novel like this. It basically means that someone is causing discord and upheaval. There are simpler words to use that would have been better in this offering.
Writers MUST keep in mind their audience; they should write to the level of their target audience. They must also consider the rest of the novel. I found that word to be too lofty for this novel. Most readers would have to look it up to figure out what it meant. Authors shouldn't make it difficult to read. He could have said 'discord', 'instigate', 'provoke' or several other synonyms for it that would have fit much better and been in keeping with the overall writing style.
I am aware Paul is an educated man, it's self-evident. However, he's not writing technical papers nor anything high-brow here; I urge him to write at the level where people don't have to look up words.
There was another awkward as hell sentence:
"You know the old saying, 'Those who oppose the same enemies must be friends."
Really?? Seriously? It struck me as ridiculous that people going to war would become 'friends'
That's a bit strong, I think. I suppose it's a take on the idiom "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."
Perhaps instead: "Shared enemies can be thwarted by becoming allies."
Words are transposed:
"It is not me you should talk to," replied the Thane of Bradon, "is it Kargen."
It SHOULD be "it is Kargen." since the message was for him, they're not asking a question of him.
Apparently, some lessons just don't stick. I don't know how many times I have pointed out to her that OBJECTS 'lay' down or are 'laying' down; PEOPLE 'lie down' or are 'lying down'!!!
Subject verb agreement....So frustrating! What did I see but this:
"All he really wanted to do right now was lay down and soak his feet in the cool water, but he knew there were still many miles left to travel."
Just NO!!! It should be 'lie down'
More awkward, non-plain language issues!
"I shouldn't like to need to replace them.'
What the hell? Why not just say, 'I'd hate to replace them.'
More subject/verb agreement issues:
"Lofwine looked up from where he lay."
SHOULD be '...where he was lying.'
"We have no desire to take your men into custody or have a place to hold them."
Perhaps:
'We have no desire to take your men into custody, nor do we have a place to hold them.'
"Her story beings in Tempered Steel, but the events of Temple Captain are what set up the situation in Reinwick."
Hahahah - I think this one should have been staring at them in the face! "beings" SHOULD be 'begins'
September 12, 2022
Vortex (Frozen Flame #6)
By Paul J. Bennett
I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Travelling aboard the Golden Chalice, the group heads towards the port of Korvoran. The group is composed of Athgar, Natalia, Katrin, Galena, Stanislav and Belgast. The bunch of friends have a lot to uncover, especially the truth and where loyalties lie. Previous kingdoms are conquered and old friendships defeated while mystery continues to surround them.
Vortex by Paul J. Bennett is a fascinating story, book 6 in the frozen flame series, but also possible to read as a standalone. The cover is just beautiful; how can a reader resist picking it up? An enjoyable read with amazing world-building that opens up your imaginative side; I applaud the author’s creativity.
I recommend it to all lovers of fantasy.
By Paul J. Bennett
I received a complimentary copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Travelling aboard the Golden Chalice, the group heads towards the port of Korvoran. The group is composed of Athgar, Natalia, Katrin, Galena, Stanislav and Belgast. The bunch of friends have a lot to uncover, especially the truth and where loyalties lie. Previous kingdoms are conquered and old friendships defeated while mystery continues to surround them.
Vortex by Paul J. Bennett is a fascinating story, book 6 in the frozen flame series, but also possible to read as a standalone. The cover is just beautiful; how can a reader resist picking it up? An enjoyable read with amazing world-building that opens up your imaginative side; I applaud the author’s creativity.
I recommend it to all lovers of fantasy.
August 29, 2022
What can I say? Not a single book from the pen of Paul J Bennett disappoints.
If you are looking for:
Characters that are believable, likable (or the reverse), you can empathise with and who "grow" with each story
A storyline that grabs you from the beginning and makes you want more at the ending
Then look no further than Paul J Bennett.
I love how Natalia and Athgar have grown into the formidable Mages they now are. Yet, despite the power they both possess, they are still the kind and caring persons they have always been and are loved and trusted by their allies. "The Family" are very powerful and determined to rule their World. Will Natalia and Athgar succeed in thwarting them? For the sake of all, I hope so.
If you are looking for:
Characters that are believable, likable (or the reverse), you can empathise with and who "grow" with each story
A storyline that grabs you from the beginning and makes you want more at the ending
Then look no further than Paul J Bennett.
I love how Natalia and Athgar have grown into the formidable Mages they now are. Yet, despite the power they both possess, they are still the kind and caring persons they have always been and are loved and trusted by their allies. "The Family" are very powerful and determined to rule their World. Will Natalia and Athgar succeed in thwarting them? For the sake of all, I hope so.
August 30, 2022
What an engaging story! As Athgar and Natalia try to stop the family’s treacherous influence, they end up in the middle of an impending war. They split up their group and head towards the unknown, hoping against hope to achieve their goals. Even with help from some unusual sources, their plans appear to be falling short and they are far from home and certainly at risk. What will be the outcome? Meanwhile, while they’re away, Kargen and his bondmate Shaluhk must determine how to deal with the threats of Norvorak’s nobles. Full of intrigue, deceit, magic and battles, this tale keeps the reader in suspense at every turn. It is definitely worth the time – an incredibly enjoyable story!
September 7, 2022
Athgar led Natalia down from the ship with the rest of their party Katrin and Galena followed by Stanislav and Belgast. They needed a cheap place to stay because they didn't have many turns. The Italian had almost killed herself in fighting their pursuers and she was now very weak. They plan to approach the Duke and see if they couldn't get him to encourage other rulers and the petty kingdoms to kick the Stormwind's out of their advisory position. Mister Bennett has written another excellent book and I look forward to the next book in this series. I also look forward to the next book he writes regardless of the series it's from...
December 29, 2022
Impatiently waiting
This series is a wonder, and I am very impatiently waiting for the next installment!
The world Paul has created is fun and exciting, while still believable. The characters are well-balanced and relatable, and I wish I could befriend them! I also wish I could thrash some of them (just sayin').
Although the main characters are the obvious choice of favorites, the supporting characters are just as amazing. I am always happy to 'see' familiar faces. Well, familiar friendly faces.
Great series for older teens, young adults and older.
Can't wait for May!
This series is a wonder, and I am very impatiently waiting for the next installment!
The world Paul has created is fun and exciting, while still believable. The characters are well-balanced and relatable, and I wish I could befriend them! I also wish I could thrash some of them (just sayin').
Although the main characters are the obvious choice of favorites, the supporting characters are just as amazing. I am always happy to 'see' familiar faces. Well, familiar friendly faces.
Great series for older teens, young adults and older.
Can't wait for May!
September 12, 2022
Paul J. Bennett never disappoints! In this latest addition to the Frozen Flame series the Stormwinds and Sartellians are up-to-no-good again. As a master storyteller, Bennett weaves a disparate set of circumstances into a cohesive whole introducing characters from other series into the story of Athgar and Natalia. It appears that Bennett is laying the foundation for several of his series to come together. If you love a good story where you can escape into the fantastical realm look no further!
September 13, 2022
Vortex is an excellent continuation of the Frozen Flame series. The characters have now developed into realistic personalities with a story line to match. The main plot and sub plots keep the reader interested. I like the way the main story is developing with each book in the series as well as those in the other series. I am very intrigued as to how everything is to be drawn into the epic conclusion, almost Lord of the Ringsesque. If you’ve not started reading these books yet I would suggest you get started.
Read
August 29, 2022Determined to do everything they can to break the Stormwind family's stranglehold over the Petty Kingdoms, Athgar and Natalia travel to the distant port of Korvoran. Meanwhile, Athgar has left Kargen, an Orc of the Red Hand, to be responsible for the safety of Therengia; the Orcs travel to Novarsk and find the people starving and the barons living were well. Kargen battles in Novarsk, while Athgar and Natalia have battles in Korvoran. A gripping tale from beginning to end.
September 7, 2022
This is a wonderful addition to this thrilling series!
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
Such a thrilling read that I couldn't put it down.
Can't wait to read more of these.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
August 25, 2022
Struggle for Power!
Conflicts on several sides. Kargen is left in charge of Therengia. Athgar and Natalia are trying to stop The Family while gathering more support for Therenia, in this interesting story for the balance of power.
Conflicts on several sides. Kargen is left in charge of Therengia. Athgar and Natalia are trying to stop The Family while gathering more support for Therenia, in this interesting story for the balance of power.
August 27, 2022
As always Paul does not disappoint. This book was amazing. I love all of the characters. The dynamics of all the different groups from the humans to the Orcs is incredible.
I love everything about this book and series. I can’t wait for more.
I love everything about this book and series. I can’t wait for more.
September 7, 2022
Paul has done it again in this installment of The Frozen Flame series. It is chock full of action, intrigue and Orcs. If you enjoy novels that suck you into the story and don't let you go, then this series will not let you down!
September 11, 2022
Constant Struggle to do Anything But READ!
This is a great book! I loved the fast-pace conflict that is through out this series. It is as in many things of when you must have someone left in charge... which may or may not work out so well...
Thank you Paul J. Bennett for another Great Story!
This is a great book! I loved the fast-pace conflict that is through out this series. It is as in many things of when you must have someone left in charge... which may or may not work out so well...
Thank you Paul J. Bennett for another Great Story!
May 23, 2023
I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
An absolutely brilliant story!
I was reading into the small hours because I couldn't put it down. I so wanted to see what on the next page!
If you are to choose one book to read this year I would definitely recommend Vortex.
An absolutely brilliant story!
I was reading into the small hours because I couldn't put it down. I so wanted to see what on the next page!
If you are to choose one book to read this year I would definitely recommend Vortex.
June 19, 2023
Vortex
A very action filled addition to the series. Athgar and Natalia travel across the Petty Kingdoms trying to disrupt the families schemes, while Kargen and Shallouk try to deal with the issues arising at home. A very satisfying ending ensues.
A very action filled addition to the series. Athgar and Natalia travel across the Petty Kingdoms trying to disrupt the families schemes, while Kargen and Shallouk try to deal with the issues arising at home. A very satisfying ending ensues.
June 8, 2024
the battles are getting epic, the politics more real, and the magic reaching new levels if your at this book keep reading because the book was epic and you will enjoy all the adventures this series is known for, you will not be disappointed.
August 30, 2022
Loved this book can’t wait for the next one.
September 6, 2022
Do NOT read this PG fantasy paranormal quest in public over the two days needed as chortles will ensue. I had an ARC via Bookfunnel and this is my voluntary review.
September 7, 2022
Very good book.
January 25, 2025
Another awesome book!
They finally merged their magic and boy did it win the battle! I still love the characters! I hope they can get rid of all the evil mages.
They finally merged their magic and boy did it win the battle! I still love the characters! I hope they can get rid of all the evil mages.
April 22, 2025
As usual it is a really great read.i especially like the new spell taught by the orcs and the way it was used in conjunction with the water mage
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews