On Fire's Wings [Paperback]

The story centers around the growth of a girl to woman, Kevla, who comes from the lowest of social lows in a culture that has a decided middle eastern flavor and exists in a desert rife with nomads, wealthy lords, oppulance and poverty, warring clans, intrigue within and without households, mythic deity and superstition, and the touch of magic. Kevla has no name and no caste, and yet she rises into a spectacular destiny that ultimately forces her to embrace her true self. She comes of age facing challenge after challenge, and you are with her for every single step in the sand thanks to the marvelous writing ability of this author.

Christie Golden balances description with action, dialogue with introspection, and creates realistic characters that leap from the page. The pacing is strong, and her story telling fluid. In addition to all of this, the writer fears not to take risks, and pushes boundaries in a way that will leave you breathless. The author has found that perfect blend of the elements of fiction that create reader nirvana, and she has mixed them up and dished them out for us between the pages of this book.

My only warning: Kevla, her land, and its tale will leave you longing for more. Thankfully, Ms. Golden will oblige as there is a sequel in the works.

Go ahead, indulge your taste for fantasy, adventure, and the magic of an excellent and engaging read!

It's great to see a well-structured tale in a unique setting, one that strays away from the conventional medieval-fantasy. The author definitely takes a few risks, and some may find it hard to get beyond one sticky issue, but it doesn't deter from an engaging tale with well-developed characters.

Now I almost wish I waited to read this one until this line of stories is complete -- the next book seems a dreadfully long wait, with still so many questions unanswered.

Yeshi banishes her to the kitchens and the only person who makes her life bearable is the Lord's heir Jashemi who knows that she is the other half of his soul. They love in spite of the taboo that prevents it and when they finally give in to their passion Kevla discovers her role as a fire element in saving the world and that Jasheni is her beloved in this life and others. Kevla with the help of the Truekeepers call for a convocation of the clan and begs them to unite against a common enemy or watch the destruction of their world.

Christie Golden has written a fabulous fantasy about a world that can only be saved by the five elemental dancers of which Kevla is fire. If she succeeds in her quest, her world and two others will be saved, but if she fails, the Shadow will overtake the land and destroy all life within. This is the opening installment in what reads like a grand saga and if ON FIRE'S WINGS is any example, the other books in this series will be just as fantastic.

Harriet Klausner