Customer Reviews

Crimson Fire: Book Two in the Dreamer's Cycle Series

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This book goes way beyond a typical fantasy - the characters that we were introduced to in Night Birds' Reign are put in situations that are both suspenseful and heartbreaking. The plot is not black and white and neither are the people. Ms. Taylor masterfully brings us into her created kingdoms with passion and understanding. Although the setting is fanciful, the behavior of the characters is believable and true. From the first gripping chapter to the last, I literally couldn't put it down. Well done.

Just finished this second book of the series on my Kindle. Excellent story and characters. Ms. Taylor was not afraid of getting rid of some the important characters found in the first book, making her story of Arthur so very interesting. I've purchased the third book, and can't wait to get started.

Crimson Fire builds on the strong promise of Night Birds' Reign and continues to deliver a crackling good story. As a previous poster wrote, the villain is a superb addition to the colorful cast of characters. In fact, "color" characterizes a lot of this series -- a beautifully realized fantasy world that glows with color and life. The plot takes twists and turns and heads off in surprising directions, and the reader is along for a thrilling ride.

Holly's done it again. Where Night Bird's Reign introduced us to the world of Kymru and told a classic tale of a quest, Crimson Fire builds upon this foundation and delivers a story that's even more of a page-turner.

With the fate of the country of Kymru in the balance, Crimson Fire is a fantasy cloak-and-dagger story of deception, intrigue, and struggle with spy elements woven throughout. Filled with narrow escapes and heart-pounding suspense, it brilliantly retains the elements of an excellent fantasy novel while breathing new life into the way the story can unfold. In this second novel of the series, the characters become even more fleshed out as we delve deeply into their motivations, desires, and secret burdens. A great read.

Buy it.

This book grabs you from the first and never lets go. The prologue makes you realize you aren't in for the usual fantasy. I can truly say that the villain is a someine I haven't seen in fiction before - definitely not a stock character. I enjoyed the first book, but the excitement and emotion in this one brings it to a new level. I can't wait for the next one!

Crimson Fire, the sequel to Night Bird's Reign, is even better than the first book. The rich detail and epic story make this a book that is difficult to put down. Havgan, Gwydion and Rhiannon, three of the main characters, are fascinating personalities with depth and complexity, yet are likable and easy to relate to.

Crimson Fire takes you on an extended adventure started in Night Bird's Reign. As in the first book, the ending leaves you wanting more and I can hardly wait to see what happens in book 3, Cry of Sorrow!

Havgan of Corania has an intense loathing of the Kymru witches. He has obsessed all his life with the fervor of eradicating every one of these abominations although he somewhat hides his deepest hatred so that it will not interfere with his climb to power. When he becomes the Corania Warleader, his opportunity to achieve his life objective has arrived; he begins his genocidal quest.

Gwydion the Dreamer sees a vision that frightens him to the core; his beloved Corania in ruins and those he loves dead. He turns to his friend Rhiannon the witch for her interpretation. She also fears the dream and decides they must confront Havgan to thwart the pandemic destruction of their homeland. However, before they can stop the madness and prevent the nightmare from happening they know they must learn why the Warleader demands every Kymru witch must die and worse who is this adversary who seems like an untrained one of them.

This is a terrific epic fantasy with an enjoyable final twist that readers will sort of see coming, but will be surprised anyway. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action as the ethnic cleansing seems heading into Armageddon unless Rhiannon and Gwydion can stop the obsessed Warleader from his final solution. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Hilly Taylor's fine tale once the genocidal countdown to a country-wide High Noon begins.

Harriet Klausner