Maelstrom

Frozen Flame #5

by Paul J. Bennett

Even as the long-lost Kingdom of Therengia rises from the ashes, a hidden key to Natalia's past forces her to return to where it all began—the Volstrum.

Forced to the family's bidding, Natalia must face a test of wills, while Athgar struggles just to survive.

When those she thought forever lost reappear, she sees a way out, but only if she can decipher her grandmother's legacy.

Can she save Athgar, or will the family destroy them all?

Genres: Fantasy

296 pages, Paperback

Published December 20, 2021

About the author

Paul 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.

Reviews

[Roy Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again the author has managed to produce an imaginative tale. The whole series is going from strength to strength and I like the way the series is building. Whilst reading the other series, Frozen Flame and Temple Knight I am really intrigued to see whether there will be a final book which will encompass all the characters in a winner takes all edition. The tension is building and the story line with Natalie and Athgar looking to get even for the family’s attacks takes on an unexpected turn. Enemies and allies are not always what they seem, I cannot wait for the next book. Well worth reading

[Ramona Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natalia and Athgar fought Rada, Queen of Novarsk when she attacked Therengia and won. After the battle was one a group of fire mages and water mages attack trying to steal Oswyn and they were stopped. Natalia and Athgar decided to take the battle to the family to protect their daughter. Mr. Bennett has written another excellent book that keeps you reading even when you know you should go to bed so you can get up in the morning. It's a well-written and answers the questions you have in your mind as you're reading it. I highly recommend that you read this book preferably in order...

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? Paul J. Bennett has done it again! This series goes from strength to strength. Natalia is really coming into her own and, thanks to some unexpected allies, has learned some spells that only someone with her power could wield. Ethwyn is posing a real threat to Athgar as she is bent on revenge and is a tenacious as a Terrier down a rabbit hole. The ending caught me unawares, although it shouldn't have as this character is just too important to the story line to be removed so soon. I can't wait to read Vortex, the next book in this series.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps getting better! I have read all Bennett’s stuff to date and had a pretty good feel for how things were gonna go (not in a bad way)…… but…the Frozen Flame series has thrown that out! Now I have not spent any time trying to figure how things were gonna go because I have been wrapped up in what I am reading instead of trying to guess what’s ahead. I do feel like a tie in with the Heir to the Crown series is getting closer (hopefully) and I think that would (will?) be awesome! Kudos again..again Mr Bennett keep em coming. I did receive an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Carol castor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is again another brilliantly written story by Mr Bennett. Straightaway you are drawn into the history between Natalia and Athgar on one side and "The Family" on the other. Once again their child, Oswyn, is saved from an abduction by The Family. This time Natalia decides it's time to stop The Family once and for all and with help from Athgar, her husband, and their friends they start on their journey.

I received this book for free in exchange for a fair review.

[Jill Gauger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another try at kidnapping Oswyn has Natalia and Athgar seeing red. They now decide to take it to the family instead of waiting for another attempt. They stop and pick up Stanislav and Belgast.
There is betrayal, a mystery to solve and new found allies. Paul J. Bennett has done it again with a book so exciting that you can't put it down

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Start with a battle, take a treacherous journey, find betrayal and incarceration, then add in a bit of magic, mayhem and mystery and you have an extremely enticing tale. Bennett once again reveals an amazing story that will captivate readers and keep them wanting more. Athgar, Natalia and friends are kept spinning as the family moves to control all. Don’t miss this one!

[Xochitl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is getting better and better with every book and the story just got more intense and complex. Natalia is now learning more and more about herself and she needs to overcome some obstacles and fight again to ensure the safety of her family and loved ones while dealing with intrigue and betrayal to succeed. Another wonderful addition to the series! So good!

[Helen Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is Paul Bennerr's best writing to date. There's a bit more excitement, politics, and so many things that could go wrong. The ending leaves the reader wanting to find out what happens next, and at long last, we are getting a hint of interaction between this series and another. Well done, Mr. Bennett.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can always count on Paul J. Bennett to keep you wanting more. Maelstrom, the 5th book in the Frozen Flame series, is a mayhem and magic masterstroke with an abundance of water mages and masters of flame. Unconventional barrages of ice and flame results in significant carnage. But Maelstrom ends in a cliffhanger. Looking forward to Vortex - the next book in the series.

[Shirley Blackham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book

Yet another excellent book following the story of Athgar and Natalia both powerful mages. Yet more battles for them to fight against the might of “The Family” that Natalia escaped from. Plus there is more betrayal in this story that puts Athgar’s life in danger and Natalia back in the Volstrum.

[Evelyn Goughnour · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book!

This series just keeps getting better! They keep running from the family who they have found out are from the neighboring kingdom set to destroy all the petty kingdoms.

[Quilting Tangent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical War!
Natalia and Athgar get more then what they bargain for going after The Family. Wonderful and interesting Characters. The story is full of twist and turns to keep you guessing.

[Maretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply one of the best fantasy authors of today. If you haven’t started his fantasy books start with this series you won’t be disappointed

[Tony Sommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This is a great continuation of the series. Full of action, suspense and intrigue throughout the story. I highly recommend this story.

[Peggy Keleher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malstrom

I love all the different magics in this series, and the characters are wonderfully written. There is lots of action and many twists and turns.

[H.C TOWERS · Rating 5 out of 5]

what can you say, but it was amazingly good. The magic, the magic battles, and the overall tale came together nicely. I love it all and wanted more.

[Anthony Fratto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enough is enough when you mess with the child of two powerful mages, there are going to be consequences! This book is just another case of mess around and find out!

[Barbara Raue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Athgar and Natalie travel to the Volstrum and face many challenges as they struggle to survive. A gripping tale from beginning to end.