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Product Description
Review
"I'm always thrilled by seeing a new author press the boundaries of the conventions of fantasy. Chris Evans does just that -- taking the broad sword and sorcery archetypes and placing them squarely in a new and exciting environment." -- R. A. Salvatore
"A gutsy fantasy set in a world of imperial greed and magical plotting, with an eye for the ordinary soldier's plight that would have done Kipling proud." -- Karen Traviss, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Legacy of the Force -- Revelation and City of Pearl
"A gutsy fantasy set in a world of imperial greed and magical plotting, with an eye for the ordinary soldier's plight that would have done Kipling proud." -- Karen Traviss, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Legacy of the Force -- Revelation and City of Pearl
Book Description
As the human-dominated Calahrian Empire struggles to maintain its hold on power in the face of armed rebellion from within, the Iron Elves’ perilous quest to defeat the power-hungry elf witch, the Shadow Monarch, takes on greater urgency. The Iron Elves, shunned by their own people for bearing the mark of the Shadow Monarch, and desperately wanting to forever erase this shame, became legendary for their prowess on the battlefield as the Calahrian Imperial Army’s elite shock troops. But when their commanding officer, Konowa Swift Dragon, murdered the Viceroy of Elf kyna, he was exiled, and these brave elves were banished to a remote desert outpost, doomed and leaderless, their honor in tatters. Recalled to duty to reform his regiment from the dregs of the Imperial Army, Konowa thwarted the plans of the Shadow Monarch at the Battle of Luuguth Jor—ensuring that the fabled Red Star, a source of great natural energy, did not fall into Her hands.
Now Konowa must cross storm-tossed seas to seek out the lost elves and the prophesied return of another Star somewhere in a desert wasteland roiling with mysterious power, infernos of swirling magic, and legends brought back to life in new and terrible ways. And the fate of every living creature will come to depend on a small band of ragged and desperate soldiers, whose very loyalty to the Empire they have sworn to serve is no longer certain. When death is but a temporary condition, a terrifying question arises: who is the true ally—and fearsome enemy—in a growing conflict that threatens all?
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Most helpful customer reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Hit from Chris Evans!,
By
This review is from: The Light of Burning Shadows: Book Two of the Iron Elves (Hardcover)
I absolutely devoured A Darkness Forged in Fire when it first hit the shelves. Curiously I picked up the mass-market (paper-back) edition to see if it is any different from the hardcover. It is. Not only does it have a map, it gave the first chapter of The Light of Burning Shadows. I was very excited and anxiously awaited this next edition of the Iron Elves Series.One year is a typical wait between books. I was not disappointed. I again picked up the hardcover and went to town. This is the kind of book that drives me crazy. I read it in two days and could have done it faster if I hadn't taken a break to cut the lawn, bbq some hamburgers, and sleep. So why does it drive me crazy? Evans is the kind of writer who knows how to get a story moving, and once he picks up steam it's full tilt to the end. The deeper I got into the book the more dread I felt as I saw the remaining number of pages getting smaller and smaller. Now I have to wait until next summer for the next one. Yimt and Alwyn are back and get even more page time than in A Darkness Forged in Fire. These characters are terrific. Yimt is at his philosophizing best as he describes the "full crumb of history" and Alwyn, well, let me just say there are some twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Jir is a fierce and lethal as ever. This time around we spend more time with Tyul Mountain Spring, one of the "lost elves" which basically means he's starting to go insane. This elf is definitely no Legolas. I loved the island scenes at the start and the desert, too. It's not often you see a fantasy in sand dunes, but Evans makes it work. This book has more plot twists than the first one and I liked that. There was more going on and stuff you're sure about early on you suddenly find yourself questioning later in the book as stuff is revealed. The Iron Elves series is getting better and better and I just hope the third book comes in on time and doesn't get delayed.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great follow up to the first one!,
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This review is from: The Light of Burning Shadows: Book Two of the Iron Elves (Hardcover)
As with various fantasy epic series I've read, there are different story arcs in this plot. You have the main plot; to stop the Shadow Monarch. Then you have Konowa's quest, which is to free him and his Iron Elves from this dreaded Blood Oath and to also recruit back his original Iron Elves army. Then you also have the interesting plot of Renwar, a soldier in the Iron Elves who has trouble with visions, and hears voices. He realizes he is different from the rest of them and wants desperately to end his Oath and free himself from his agony. True, this may seem like a lot to read, but it's not confusing or muddled. Everything is clear and easy to understand so you won't get lost while reading because eventually it all ties together in the end.I loved this book. Although I sort of had to go back and jog my memory a bit I loved the action and the doses of comedy mixed into this story. There is plenty of action so you will not be bored with this book. I find it interesting this nice mix of cannons and muskets with magic and swords. It add a uniqueness to this type of fantasy story and in some ways it reminds me a lot of the Sharpe series (which I enjoyed reading as well). There were parts in the story where the dreaded realization hits you and you're blindsided with a giant revelation or a surprise. I've been blindsided at least two or three times reading this book. Plus the ending was a total cliffhanger and I couldn't believe it ended that way and I had to reread the last few pages to make sure I got it right (but I still couldn't believe it ended like that) I find myself very attached to some of these characters (I usually do with several characters while reading fantasy). You actually follow Renwar more in this story as he's central to what's been happening, and you see how he develops as a character. I like Yimt. He provided the comic relief but you knew he loved his squad and cared for each of them in his own way. It was too bad you don't really read much of Konowa (not like the first one) as I like him a lot (he reminds me a lot of Richard Sharpe of the Sharpe series) but he's changed and not necessarily for the better. Overall a really good book. The plot moves quick and to the point. Unlike some series where when you reach the "middle point" of the series everything stands still then the series start to drag. Not with this one. You're taken to the next stage with more surprises in store. I can't wait for the third one.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The series stays strong,
By
This review is from: The Light of Burning Shadows: Book Two of the Iron Elves (Paperback)
The second book in the Iron Elves series starts immediately where A Darkness Forged in Fire finishes. The Iron Elves are clearing the Shadow Monarch's sarka har and rakkes from the 7 islands in the Onmedan Sea before heading to the desert to pick up the original Iron Elves. Or so Major Konowa believes. It turns out there are other reasons to head for the desert, and other magics at play. For a second star is returning, and several powerful people would like control of it.This book deals primarily with the fall out of the first book's actions. Those actions are only moderately explained, so you might want to reread the last few chapter of A Darkness before starting Light. The Iron Elves are not happy with the curse they're under or the power that comes with it. Private Alwyn Renwar has to deal with an artificial leg and the knowledge that death won't stop his pain. And when magical white fire seemingly sets one of their compatriots free of the curse, death suddenly doesn't seem such a high price to pay in order to achieve that freedom. A lot of authors forget that a large part of the story, especially when it comes to battle, is the downtime between confrontations and how the soldiers deal with the stresses that come from a military lifestyle. Chris Evans brings all of this in nicely, allowing the characters to develop from caricature soldiers into real people. The pacing is quick though at times it feels little is happening in the story as there's a lot more political intrigue than outright fighting. But it's a quick read and the ending has several surprises that will have you wishing the next book were already out.
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