Customer Reviews

Fire Logic

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mix a little magic with a pinch of politics, add a healthy dose of invasion and guerilla warfare, flavor it with a dash of romantic involvement and you get FIRE LOGIC. The four elements, fire, water, air and earth infuse magic in certain people giving them supernatural powers in the land of Shaftal, but Shaftal has been invaded and is being occupied by a brutal oppressor. FIRE LOGIC is the first book in a series that deals with the lands wounds and the subsequent attempts to heal them.

The characters are strong and fairly well developed but to be honest not particularly diverse. Almost all the primary female characters are extremely masculine (...). Of course most of the male characters are effeminate and gay, except one who is masculine, and gay. In fact one must wonder just how there are any little Shaftaler's running around at all, the concept of heterosexual romance seems to be totally unheard of in this world. Well if you're interested in that type of romance then I suppose you will find FIRE LOGIC entertaining. For those of us who find it rather uninteresting it is merely dull.

The plot itself is decent. It's not the type that grabs you and won't let you put the book down from beginning to end, but it's good enough to keep you interested and maybe even look forward to the next volume.

Average, professionally done work. Good enough to be RECOMMENDED but don't think you'll be reading the next great American novel.

Many fantasy books have good ideas but are poorly written. Others are well-written but bring nothing new to the table. THIS book has characters that are fresh and interesting, scenes that are emotionally strong without being overwrought, and the story kept me reading straight through.

What I liked best: Compelling characters that seemed real and unique to me, antagonists who had real reasons (in their own minds) for doing bad things, and several sweet twists in the plot that kept me reading.

Aspects I wish were better: Not enough description in some spots so that I didn't feel I was fully SEEING the world of the book. Also, violence that got a bit repetitive. I mean, torture loses its impact if a character gets hurt and healed repeatedly . . .

All in all, though this was a great book, and I will be reading all Ms. Marks previous books and her future ones as well. Well worth buying in hardcover, as this is one you will loan out to friends. :-) Mine is already loaned out.

The G'deon who ruled Shaftal died, without an heir. Thus Shaftal had been thrown into turmoil and the Sainnites began invading. The Shaftali created a guerrilla army to withstand the Sainnites, but slowly they began to lose.

Emil was a Paladin and of fire blood. Zanja was the Speaker for people, also of fire blood. Norina was a Truthken and an air elemental. Karis was a giant, worked as a metalsmith, and an earth witch. These four souls would be called upon by Fate to determine the course of their people.

**** The story followed Zanja as she and the others dealt with war, torture, honor, politics, betrayal, lots of courage, and a bit of friendship. There were parts that left me breathless. Often reality intruded upon my reading and I found myself eager to return to this magical world as quickly as possible. Author Laurie J. Marks proves her talent for creating realistic characters and awesome plots! Recommended! ****

The land of Shaftal was ruled by an earth witch, but with his death and no apparent heir, it was an easy target for the invading Sainnites. Those remaining Shaftali paladins have grouped together as a guerrilla army to do what they can against the mighty Sainnites. Zanja is the last survivor of a peaceful tribe eradicated by the Sainnites, and her fire witch powers give her glimpses into the future. Emil is a paladin and also a fire witch, but his powers make him more of an excellent judge of character, although working in tandem with Zanja brings luck. Karis is an earth witch whose powers are stifled by her drug addiction, but she can't help but be drawn inexplicably to Zanja. The two women find events moving beyond their understanding and between them, they might just be able to save Shaftal, if they can save themselves first. Peppered with political intrigue, powerful magic, and personal struggles, "Fire Logic" wants to be a potent story, but it just doesn't make it. The first eighty or so pages flit through fifteen years of story, and this disconnected feeling never disappears. The love stories (between Zanja and Karis, between Emil and a young man who's a Sainnite) are told to us, more than shown, so we never fall in love with the characters as they fall in love with each other. The complex characters and the fascinating magic-laden world kept me reading and interested, and for that the book is recommendable, but overall it lacks.

Laurie J. Marks is an undiscovered treasure of a writer. Her plots are some of the most original I've ever read -- see also Dancing Jack -- and her characters feel, if alien, like real, whole people. She has mastered the trick of letting her readers figure out the rules of her world while never resorting to "As you know, Bob..." creakiness. I did not give this book 5 stars only because I found the ending very confusing. But I look forward to re-reading it and anxiously await the rumored Earth Logic, the second book set in this world.

The Shaftali nation has been left leaderless and is under attack by invading Sainnites. Bands of guerillas fight back, but without the magical power of their leader, the Shaftali seem helpless. And even magic seems insufficient. Certainly Zanja's fire magic is inadequate to prevent the complete destruction of her people. Rescued by a giantess, Zanja joins the guerilla movement, but even here she finds enemies and secrets.

Author Laurie J. Marks creates an intriguing world with a magic system based on cryptic glyphs and upon the elements of air, earth, fire, and water. Law has always been used to constrain and control these magics, yet the magics remain the center of the civilization--a contradiction that threatens to destroy what is left of the nation. Marks may also please or upset readers through her frank discussions of the gay and lesbian relationships between many of her characters--relationships that are perfectly understood and accepted within her fantasy world.

FIRE LOGIC is enjoyable reading, yet Marks falls short of delivering the full emotional intensity deserved by her subject matter. The physical and social suffering that Zanja survived shoud have been powerful and compelling--instead, it was matter of fact. The love between Zanja and Karis was described, but not really felt. This was almost a truly wonderful novel.

I struggled with the first hundred or so pages of this book, adrift in the world Marks was creating and unsure how to orient myself to the characters. Yes, I could see who the 'main' characters were going to be--but I just couldn't work out where Marks was going with them.

I kept reading.

By the time I set the book down, Marks's world and vision had utterly seduced me. Looking back--what had seemed to be a "confused" start was neither a problem nor a weakness. *Fire Logic* is about a land at war--and war *is* confusing and chaotic (particularly a war fought without the benefits of modern communication technology). Until the moment enemies can manuver into a position in which they can engage each other, it *should* be hard to see the form that will come together. Marks recognizes this and incorporates it into a plot strength for her book.

I don't want to be too clever here--the book is a fun read, the characters are engaging, the choices that they face are moving. It's the kind of book that can be read very fast, just for the enjoyment of it, without elaborate philosophical analysis.

However, the deeper levels are there, which for me as a reader is highly rewarding.

*Fire Logic* reads like a great battle is fought and won--much marshalling of troops and gathering of courage, followed by a great push and achievement.

I've been trying to figure out why I liked this book so much, and concluded that it's because it's ultimately a pretty inspiring story of many different kinds of courage. I was carried along by the wonderfully drawn characters--particularly Zanja, the insightful fire blood, and Karis, the half-giant smith and healer who's living in hiding--who are troubled but honorable, injured but strong. I hope this description doesn't make the novel sound preachy or corny, because it's absolutely not; it takes the darkness of the characters' experiences very seriously, although without entirely losing hope. It's very well written, with an exciting plot throughout, and it left me looking forward to the next book in the series. I haven't been a reader of fantasy to date, aside from a little Tolkien, but this book has piqued my interest and gotten me started reading more fantasy/speculative fiction. Read it!

Generations of people in Shaftal lived together in a balance of the elements Earth, Air, Water and Fire. Then the ruling earth witch dies without choosing a successor. Now Shaftal's ruling house lies scattered and destroyed by the invading Sainnite, as former refugees arm themselves and take over. A once peaceful land becomes a war zone complete with gristly acts of war and ghastly consequences.

The people of fire also attempt to defend against the invading Sainnites, but a surprise attack decimates their town. Despite their retaliatory guerilla warfare, the remaining people of fire die picking off invaders, leaving only one survivor. Cast into a dungeon and left to die, Zanja lies paralyzed until a raven and a healer arrive. Unfortunately, although Karis is a gifted healer she is also addicting "smoke". Now Zanja and Karis must combine efforts with Emil, a Shaftali Paladine, to overcome evil forces intent upon destruction.

Author Laurie J. Marks pens an enthralling fantasy novel FIRE LOGIC. More than just an epic, FIRE LOGIC presents extraordinary characterizations that portray a world of magic, violence, wonder and awe. Marks keeps the story crisp and intense, building mood and weaving from it an eerie tale of magic used and misused, culminating in vigorous battles both military and magical. Highly recommended.

The G'deon who ruled Shaftal died, without an heir. Thus Shaftal had been thrown into turmoil and the Sainnites began invading. The Shaftali created a guerrilla army to withstand the Sainnites, but slowly they began to lose.

Emil was a Paladin and of fire blood. Zanja was the Speaker for people, also of fire blood. Norina was a Truthken and an air elemental. Karis was a giant, worked as a metalsmith, and an earth witch. These four souls would be called upon by Fate to determine the course of their people.

**** The story followed Zanja as she and the others dealt with war, torture, honor, politics, betrayal, lots of courage, and a bit of friendship. There were parts that left me breathless. Often reality intruded upon my reading and I found myself eager to return to this magical world as quickly as possible. Author Laurie J. Marks proves her talent for creating realistic characters and awesome plots! Recommended! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch.