- Paperback: 324 pages
- Publisher: Martha Wells (November 2006)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0615135714
- ISBN-13: 978-0615135717
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm
- Shipping Weight: 481 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #303,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
In this rich fantasy debut, the medieval-like country of Ile-Rien is threatened by internal turmoil and invasion by the forces of the Fayre. Ile-Rien, ruled in name by weak young King Roland but in fact by the Dowager Queen Ravenna, becomes the staging area for the sorcerer Urbain Grandier's vengeance against his native land, where he had been the victim of an inquisition mounted against magic. Thomas Boniface, captain of the Queen's Guard and Ravenna's former lover, aids the dowager in her fight to maintain stability and counter the pernicious influence of powerful nobles. The political balance is further upset when the court sorcerer dies, weakening the palace's defenses against Fayre and allowing Kade Carrion, the king's illegitimate half-sister, whose mother was the Fayre Queen of Air and Darkness, to return to court after many years of banishment. Skillfully blending the fantastical and the mundane, Wells delights with deft and sympathetic characterization while demonstrating a fine touch for adventure.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
The Element of Fire was first published in the US by Tor Books in 1993, and has been published in six languages. This edition has been revised by the author. The kingdom of Ile-Rien is in peril, menaced by magical threats and court intrigue. As the weak King Roland, misled by treacherous companions, rules the country, only his ruthless mother, the Dowager Queen Ravenna, truly guards the safety of the realm. But now Urbain Grandier, the dark master of scientific sorcery, has arrived to plot against the throne and Kade, bastard sister of the king, has appeared unexpectedly at court. The illegitimate daughter of the old king and the Queen of Air and Darkness herself, Kade's true goals are cloaked in mystery. Is she in league with the wizard Grandier? Or is she laying claim to the throne? It falls to Thomas Boniface, Captain of the Queen's Guard and Ravenna's former lover, to sort out who is friend, who is foe in a deadly game to keep the Dowager Queen and the kingdom she loves from harm.
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Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.7 out of 5 stars (16 customer reviews)
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding, Aug 7 2003
By not4prophet - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: ELEMENT OF FIRE (Mass Market Paperback)
After reading "The Element of Fire", I am ready to declare that Martha Wells is probably the best author of the entertaining 'Swords and Sorcery' type of fantasy alive today. Although this was her first novel, it was the third one of her books that I've read. All of them have been well-written with excellent imagination. So why are her books so much fun to read?Lots of action. Even though her novels are relatively short, they each contain several large-scale action scenes and plenty of individual sword fights. Wells has clearly studied medieval weaponry and warfare closely enough to know what she's talking about. Her fight scenes are very realistic and easy to visualize.
Surprises. "The Element of Fire" has lots of courtly intrigue and unpredictable plot developments. There's back stabbing, double agents, triple agents, plots, counterplots, and mysterious deaths of major characters right when you least expect it.
Tough characters. Looking for pathetic little reluctant heroes who have to whine for hundreds of pages before they can do anything? Look elsewhere. Wells provides truly hardcore, brave, and loyal characters who aren't afraid to fight and die for what they believe in. I particularly enjoy how Wells gives them humorous dialogue, such as when characters taunt each other before a fight.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fun and one of a kind book!, April 18 2005
By Anthony Marray "amarrayw" - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: ELEMENT OF FIRE (Mass Market Paperback)
I love the fantasy genre but I hate how most fantasy publishers think that fantasy readers like the same formula (a superhuman who fulfills a prophecy only after he becomes convinced of his destiny when he finds a magic sword from a mystical figure...I've seen it many times).However, Martha Wells was a breath of fresh air for me. She actually injects her story with intrigue and it reads like a 17th century political chess game. The action flows throughout the story and she realistically throws characters in situations that don't always work out perfectly. Yes, there is talk about fairy and magic, but it doesn't detract from the main story. It's apart of the story and not just something to wow you while reading. This book is hard to find so I would recommend going to the library to read a copy. I recommend all of her other books which are even more accomplished than this gem (especially check out "Death of the Necromancer" and "Wheel of the Infinite").
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing, Aug 30 2005
By MicahA - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Element of Fire (Hardcover)
Martha Wells continues to be the best fantasy writer out there. It's too bad this book is no longer in print - not just because it is such an amazing book, but because I won't let anyone borrow mine for fear they lose it and I could never find another one. The book describes Thomas, the perfect action hero. A great fighter, brave... Although this type of hero is found in almost every book, only Martha Wells can get the reader to truly like him and admire his abilities. Also Kade, one of the better female heroines in any book, helps set the stage for witty dialogue and well fought battles with the fay. This book also sets up "The Death of a Necromancer" which is also worth reading. If you can find a copy of this for an affordable price, buy it immediately.
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