What I’m Reading: The Fires of Vengeance

I’m starting my fourth book of the year, and the first published by a traditional publisher. This is somewhat out of character for me. Waiting this long in the month/year to read a traditionally published book I mean. This wasn’t pre-planned really but it does feel odd. But I’m plugging ahead with a book I’ve been anxious to read since…well since I finished reading the first book in the series back in the summer of 2019.

So what am I reading? Well…it’s The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter!

Cover of The Fires of Vengeance
Cover Design: Lauren Panepinto
Cover Illustration: Karla Ortiz

Click Here For Goodreads Synopsis:

Desperate to delay an impending attack by the indigenous people of Xidda, Tau and his queen craft a dangerous plan. If Tau succeeds, the queen will have the time she needs to assemble her forces and launch an all-out assault on her own capital city, where her sister is being propped up as the ‘true’ Queen of the Omehi. If the city can be taken, if Tsiora can reclaim her throne and reunite her people, then the Omehi might have a chance to survive the coming onslaught.

The Fires of Vengeance
The Burning #2
Evan Winter
Orbit Books
Published: November 10, 2020
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 528

So why am I excited about The Fires of Vengeance? Well…did you read The Rage of Dragons? Because if you did, and if you felt like I did afterward then it only makes sense that you’d want to read book 2 in The Burning. If you were curious about what I thought of The Rage of Dragons you can read my review here.

There was great West African inspired world building, a cool magic system, an engrossing, brutal and gritty action packed narrative, a well written prologue (like…well written prologues are HUGE), pacing on steroids, and REVENGE! Winter also handled the impact of trauma and PTSD really well. It was one of my favorite books of the year in 2019. Just really great action fantasy.

Now, after saying all that I should admit I’ve been sitting on this book for months after Orbit sent it my way. Yeah I know, I know…how can I say I can’t wait to read this book when I’ve had it for like three months? There were other books I had to read first OK!?!?!? Like get off my back (yeah I know you’re not getting on my back…I’m beating myself up over it, you all know what it’s like). In all seriousness, like many of you there were other books in line, but NOW IT IS TIME TO READ THIS ONE!!!!!!

And read it I shall. Once I stop bloviating on here.

Have you read The Fires of Vengeance yet? If so what did you think? Have you read The Rage of Dragons? If so did you enjoy it as much as I did? Let me know in the comments.

-Jason