photo courtesy Amazon kindle
A cruise allowed me to catch up on a few of the many books on my reading list and I have to say I’m happy I had the opportunity to read fellow blogger, Trent McDonald’s The Fireborn. Although the genre is not my normal choice of reading I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed this fantastical tale that took the mediaeval legend of Arthur and the celtic warriors, found their modern day counterparts and continued the battle through America and the UK .
Elliot, the main character, is a revisionist historian. I love that concept of re-examining history from a different angle and putting new perspectives on it. His brother is an archaeologist who has found a cauldron that takes us back to the time of King Arthur. As a personality he is more scientific and treats Elliot with some disdain, particularly some of his early works of both fiction and history. With the disappearance of the cauldron from the dig, we have the arrival of naked blue, red-haired zombies that can only be killed in some very specific ways (mainly with the use of Excalibur). Along with the zombies we have the beserkers who are not naked or blue but just as lethal and the regulars who are drug crazed regular people who also pose a danger to the world at large. Intermingled with the main action packed plot are the relationships Elliot has with his brother, their dead father, his ex-wife and the search for the lady of the lake, modern day Arthur, Lancelot, and Merlin.
Would I recommend this book – I certainly would, particularly if you enjoy fantasy, zombies, historical fiction and a book full of action. My only criticism of the book was that at times Americanisms were used in an English setting, words used in dialogue that an English man would not use and a couple of sentences I had to reread several times to understand the meaning. An American reader would perhaps not have stumbled over these at all. Saying that, these were rare and minor in nature and did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Thanks Irene! I have to admit, the reason I had Elliot living in New York for the previous decade was because I knew I wouldn’t be able to catch all of the Americanisms. If he just got back from living in America himself, well, he might use the language. I’m sure some of the other characters used them too, but Elliot talks the most 😉
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Yes and I picked up on that ploy. As I said though Trent – these were minor and did not detract from the story which I did really enjoy.
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Reblogged this on Trent's World (the Blog) and commented:
A new review of The Fireborn. Thanks Irene!
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A wonderful review of Trent’s book, Irene.
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Thanks Robbie.
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Excellent review, Trent. It sounds like you’ve created a new fan of fantasy. 🙂
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Maybe. We’ll have to see what Irene reviews next 😉
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A serendipitous tale is next.
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I am becoming aware that you shouldn’t limit yourself to one particular genre. A good story is a good story and this was one good story.
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I so agree, Irene. I’ve broadened my interests in genres quite a bit by reading indie authors. A great review that every author is delighted to receive. 🙂
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Thanks.
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Sounds phantasmagorical!
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It was Noelle.
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A great review. Honest, down-to-earth, and encouraging. And, Irene, your profile sounds as though you’ve lived enough different lives to write scores of books yourself.
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Thanks Sandra. Yes I have several books on the go with the first to be published sometime this year.
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