It is unclear whether Fire Dance is meant to be a sequel or a stand-alone novel, but new readers will be happy to learn that it’s possible to read this on its own, even if the learning curve is a bit steep. While the plot is somewhat confusing, the writing is gorgeous. Fans of fantasy intrigue will like this one.
Myer’s Fire Dance reads like a memoir with lots of narrative info. Numerous abrupt character shifts make for some confusion and it takes a while to discover the real purpose of the story ... The pace does pick up once the the book progresses and everything is tied up neatly at the end.
Fire Dance suffers from too many structural and pacing issues to live up to my (admittedly high) expectations. Like a dancer unable to find their rhythm after a misstep, Fire Dance is a sometimes beautiful, sometimes flawed novel ... Halfway through the novel, I still had trouble understanding its shape, or how the various plots were linked. There are some genuinely thrilling moments, and things come together in the second half, but the plot remains confusing throughout, and even a strong second half can’t overcome the structural issues and dragging first half ... Myer’s writing is so silky smooth, so beautiful that, despite the structural issues, sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses. Beautiful imagery abounds ... Fire Dance is full of lyrical, thoughtful writing packed with so much resonant emotion that it begs to be experienced. On the other hand, its slow, sometimes confusing, and structurally flawed plot add a significant cost to that experience.
Second volumes are tricky, and Book 1 was nearly self-contained; it was hard to tell where this series would or could go next. Myer quashes all concerns with this follow-up: Her world opens like a flower, revealing fresh landscapes both beautiful and dreadful. With a few villainous exceptions, her characters are convincingly nuanced blends of good and bad ... The cliffhanger ending ensures that there is more magic, adventures, and angst to come. Worth waiting for.
Forbidden enchantments and hidden machinations fill this well-plotted dark fantasy ... Subtle cultural elements are reminiscent of the medieval Arab world. Fans of epic fantasy and court intrigue will enjoy following the characters as they discover pieces of the truth.
