Dreams of Fire: A Descent: Legends of the Dark Novel

Descent: Legends of the Dark

by Davide Mana

A wandering outcast must reconcile their brutal past and their need for vengeance in this action-packed fantasy novel from  Legends of the Dark

Soldier. Dreamer. Exile.

Dragon hybrid Vaerix has already lived an age in Terrinoth and seen more than their fair share of horror and hatred. Cast out for their strange ability to dream, Vaerix wanders the world in search of connection.

When an expedition to the volcanic Molten Heath offers Vaerix the chance to confront those who wronged them, they cannot resist the temptation. But there is more at stake than treasure and truth. There are powers here beyond comprehension, and everyone has their own game to play. The future of Terrinoth will be written in blood and flame.

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2023

About the author

A paleontologist and environmental scientist by trade, Davide currently lives in the wine country of the Asti province, in southern Piedmont.

Reviews

[Darren K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't too enthused by the beginning of the story. The adventuring party is thrown together quickly with too little time getting to know them before others are added. I had to go back a few times to double check what race each of the characters were. BUT once I got around the 50 page mark, things smoother out and became more enjoyable, and by around the 100 page mark I was enthralled. Learning more about Vaerix, the dragons, and the hybrids is the main driving force of the story.

[Rachael Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams of Fire was an incredible journey of adventure and fellowship. A group of rag-tag individuals come together to travel through a land known only to one of it's members and what he remembers is often painful and tragic. However, the story flowed incredibly well and kept me engaged. At first I was worried I was encountering too many characters but each played their part towards the end goal and I was well satisfied with how it all played out. There is a great deal of action and thoughtful conversation. There are references to heartache, heart break, and people lost. I see this fitting in incredibly well with an audience who enjoys D&D and similar . If there are more books in the future, I know I would be interested in where the next quest may lead.

[Maris Krivtezs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is ok, but it is not something amazing. The events in the book are "linear". Everything goes at one pace - not too slow and not too fast.

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Introduction
I was given an e-ARC to review by Netgalley and Aconyte Books. Reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. I will always try to avoid spoilers in all reviews as well. #DreamsOfFire #Descent #DavideMana #AconyteBooks #DescentTieInNov #Netgalley #ARCReview

Review
Fantasy is one of my favourite genres, in fact it was the first genre I enjoyed before branching off into Horror. I love high or low, urban or ‘medieval’, you name the subgenre and I probably will enjoy it. This love of the genre also meant I started to play fantasy games, both table top and video so when tie ins to some of those games come around I get excited. Davide Mana’s previous Descent novel was brilliant containing all the elements of a good action fantasy I enjoy and I have to say Dreams of Fire might just be even better!

Vaerix the dragon hybrid has been exiled and lives for an age in Terrinoth seeing their fair share of horror and hatred. Their only crime to cause them to be cast out is their ability to dream and so Vaerix wonders the world looking for a connection. It is only when an expedition to the volcanic Molten Heath offers? Vaerix the chance to confront those who wronged them that they realise they cannot resist this temptation. Finally perhaps they will get the answers they seek but there is more waiting for them than treasure and truth. There are powers there beyond comprehension and everyone has their own game to play. The future of Terrinoth hangs in the balance and will be written in flames and blood.

Dreams of Fire captivated me from the first page and certainly did not disappoint. Once again we have all the elements of fantasy and Descent I enjoy. A group, a quest and of course conflict. While the world of Descent is already there Mana manages to take the basics and build a world that is full of life, character and is truly their own. The imagery and writing is vivid and beautiful and instantly transports you to Terrinoth. The characters are full of life and personality, well rounded and work well and sometimes against each other bringing a true sense of realism to the story. I adored the chemistry they all have together. On top of this I love Vaerix. They are complex and incredibly ‘human’ for a dragon hybrid. That is to say that Mana gives them a voice and personality that is hard not to feel a connection to Vaerix rather quickly.

Add to this the brilliant action and fast paced story and you have a winning novel. I really hope we get more from Mana in the future and how we see these characters again as well! If you love fantasy and enjoy a brilliantly vivid story then you cannot go wrong with this one!
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