A Darkness Forged in Fire

"Mountains shouldn't scream, but this one did." Those words start the first volume in The Iron Elves series by Chris Evans, a first time author. A Darkness Forged in Fire is one of the best new fantasies that I've read in a long time. Evans has a visceral writing style that makes the world come alive, interesting takes on standard fantasy races such as elves and dwarves, and one of the most terrifying landscapes I can remember. A Darkness Forged in Fire tells the story of Konowa Swift Dragon and his quest to find redemption from being born marked by the Shadow Monarch, an evil elf-witch who is determined to take over the world with her forests of black trees and frozen ground. The Shadow Monarch is searching for the Eastern Star, a relic of unimaginable power, to aid her in her quest to subjugate the entire world to her whim. The empire also wants the Star for its own purposes, as do the elfkyna, the conquered native people who believe the Star will enable them to eject the empire from their lands and reclaim their freedom. Caught between all these competing agendas is Konowa, the commander of the Iron Elves, who killed the former Viceroy when he discovered that the Viceroy was a puppet of the Shadow Monarch, for which he was exiled and his unit shipped to a foreign country. Called back into service to lead the Prince's quest for the Star, he must reform the Iron Elves from the dregs of the Empire's army and lead them against the Shadow Monarch. This plot could be described as what might happen if the British Empire decided to colonize Middle Earth. A mix of politics, military tactics, and fantasy, Evans balances all three types of storytelling to create a captivating story. He manages to create a whole cast of memorable, finely-drawn characters, and balances gripping action, terrifying encounters with evil, and moments of humor and beauty into a well-rounded story. A Darkness Forged in Fire is a tightly plotted novel full of twists, turns, betrayals, and other unexpected events. In particular, the ending was not what I was anticipating, but seems a perfect conclusion to the plot lines that led up to it. The relationship between Konowa and Visyna, an elfkyna witch, is especially well done. Visyna regards Konowa as a tool of the Empire that is crushing her people and bringing evil to her land. She can sense the danger that Konowa represents, and that tempers their relationship. Though they are obviously attracted to each other, that doesn't cause them to cast all their other responsibilities to the wind and fall head over heels in love with each other, but instead they have to fumble their way forward with competing and conflicting agendas. It is a much more realistic depiction of emerging love than is frequently found in fantasy novels. I had just one quibble with the story, and that is the inclusion of the storyline detailing the activities of the current Viceroy. Though as well written as the rest of the story, it didn't advance the main pl

Dislike reading names you can't pronounce? Love novels that give you clear mental images? Like classic fantasy and military history? Well if any of these qualifiers describe your taste, then you'll thoroughly enjoy "A Darkness Forged In Fire" by Chris Evans. As a teen enthralled with Tolkien, Donaldson and others, I didn't mind the intricate detail and stumbling over names. I love both authors and many others. I was ravenous for more. As an adult, for some reason, I get frustrated with complicated names and twisted imagery. Perhaps its because there is so much I want to read, and that I read 4-6 books at a time. The first in a planned trilogy, "A Darkness Forged In Fire" met all my adult criteria. It was easy to read (and in fact, I couldn't put it down), the names easily rolled off my mental tongue, it presented a clean blend of fantasy (multiple races, witchcraft, creatures and landscapes) with solid, descriptive military narrative. It presented me with enough sub-plots to keep me interested and wondering throughout the entire book, without being confused. It also left me hanging in places so that I am looking forward to Book Two. I've read a few reviews subsequent to finishing the novel, and I find the criticism of side plots and unrelated events unfair. I can only surmise that the reviewers weren't aware, or forgot, that this is part one of a trilogy... The Elf Konowa, struck up images of Sean Bean in the Sharpe Series - irreverent and indifferent while instilling loyalty amongst his troops. Likewise, the dwarf, Yimt, with his shatterbow reminded me of Sharpe's trusted rifleman and his scattergun... Descriptive narrative took care of the rest. Shako's, flintlocks, canteens and kilts gave the novel a military flavor with some attitude. Konowa's father, the wizard, Rallie, the "reporter" and her various creatures, Visyna the elf (and a witch) as well as the cast of characters, demons, possessed familiars and creatures all bring the element of fantasy full circle. Combining the historical with the fantastical, using humor and suspense, Chris has written a solid first novel. Is it Tolkien or Donaldson? No. Few attain or hope to attain that status. What "A Darkness Forged in Fire" is, however, is a fun, engaging novel worth every penny from a new author full of promise. Buy it. It's worth waiting for the rest of the trilogy!

Chris Evans is a storyteller and I thoroughly enjoyed his first tale of the Iron Elves, A Darkness Forged In Fire. I appreciated the familiarity of several of the normal tropes you find in fantasy, yet love how Chris has set many of them on their ears and added his own tweaks, along with creating an interesting world filled with many new and unusual creatures and people. One such is Jir ... now who wouldn't want their own bengar as a companion; though I'd rather avoid the dog-spiders. I also love that the story is set against the time period of the Napoleonic Wars and some of the strongest and best parts are the interaction within the regiment and their surrounding military world as they're reformed and then fulfill their quest. Konowa is an officer who'd do whatever he can for his men and at the end of the story must make a tough decision, one that can mean more sacrifice on the part of him and his men. Konowa is just one of many terrific characters, though. Yimt is a scene stealer, seconded only by Rallie and her "babies," particularly one drunk pelican. I am fascinated by the Shadow Monarch and look forward to continuing to learning more about Her as She is revealed even further in future novels. Overall, I've found much good reading and a world and characters that draw me in and made me think about them and this story and what their future holds long after I finished reading the novel. I most definitely am ready to follow the Iron Elves on further adventures; the sequel can't come soon enough.

I've been a little bored with recent fantasy lately, so I was really excited to pick up a copy of A DARKNESS FORGED IN FIRE and see that it wasn't more of the same old same old. I bought it and read it right away--and I wasn't disappointed. I love how the characters come alive so colorfully--and the way the down-to-earth action of the individuals is set against the backdrop of a larger, magical, yet still-believable world. I liked that it uses different tropes than the ordinary epic fantasy--more Napoleonic in feel than medieval, the iron elves are an entirely different kind of elf from the Legolas variety, etc. But I also liked that the story and world had sufficient familiarity to make me feel immediately at home, while still being refreshingly different. Three cheers for this new author, and I can't wait to read the next book in the Iron Elves series!

Where to start. I started a day ago and just finished. I could not put the book down much to the dismay of my employer. What a fantastic read. I like diving into a new world. I have read many fantasies and I like that in this one, the characters are carrying muskets and the person standing next to them is drawing designs in the air summoning magic. At one point we are with Yimt and Alwyn who are pulling watch duty at night. They spot something moving just at the limits of their sight. They are deciding if they should shoot or not. The exchange between the Human and the Dwarf is quite comical. Yimt the dwarf kind of reminds me of the dwarf, Gimli, in The Lord of The Rings movie. I particularly like the build-up. Events are happening, the world is changing and Konowa is forced to be a part of it. Let me be clear though, there is more than one hero in this book. From a squirrel with a special acorn (or is it really a squirrel), to Konowa to the Alwyn-Yimt team not altogether unlike Dean and Jerry! The evil in this world comes on many fronts as well as within...not the conventional good vs evil, blue vs grey etc. I also love the deep, proud history and the blood oath of the Iron Elves. Konowa's pet Jir. Awesome killing machine. The scene where he makes a signal to the animal to hunt I thought was very cool. This close bond between animal and elf appears strong and I love how they work together. This is not the only animal-person bond. There is another part where a bird of a different feather works with someone of interest. I am happy to have found this book and am really looking forward to the next one.