Customer Reviews

Dark Moon (Firebringer Trilogy)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

At a time when fantasy books are becoming popular once more, many of them badly written at that, you would think a lyrical story about unicorns, true love and prophecy would be a best seller. Wrong. This book isn't even in print anymore, sadly, although it deserves to be. If you've never danced at moonrise upon a summer shore with your true love, or ran the plains with the free people, then you don't know what you're missing-yet. Though extremely hard to find, they are worth every effort in a world filled with Harry Potters and Dragonlance. Once you fight a wyvern, or dare imaging taking one simple sup of the dragon queen's waking dreams, then you too will know what we are talking about. And you'll never be able to go back again. Skywater, Vice-President of the Firebringer Fan Club.

Sigh.........Kirkus Reviews has it all wrong. The books are the most intrancing, beautiful tales of magic, adventure and romance that I have ever read. Find the books, its worth the effort and enjoy, because mere words cannot describe "The Lay of Jan".

It took me two years to find this book after I read the first one, "Birth of the Firebringer - Vol. 1 of the Firebringer Triology". This story is one that I will save to tell my nieces and nephews when they are older, because it is very entertaining and an easy read, like a bed-time story. The authour makes you almost cheer the lead character, Jan, on. Who wouldn't want to read a story that not only includes unicorns, but these unicorns talk. Children will find this continuation of a beautiful story, equally treasuring.

Ever notice how the second parts of trilogies are often the weakest? This is not always the case, but it often happens in both books and movies, and it definitely occurs here. "Dark Moon" is the second part of "The Firebringer" trilogy, which began with the fascinating "Birth of the Firebringer" and ending with the explosive "Son of Summer Stars". But smack dab in the middle is "Dark Moon", and though it is far from being a bad book, it is unfavourably compared to the volumes either side of it.

In the preceding novel we are introduced to the young Prince Alijan, whose name means `dark moon', and who is the subject of a prophecy that describes the one who will eventually win back the Hallow Hills for the unicorns. Taken over by the poisonous wyverns, the unicorns were driven into exile and long to return to their ancestral home - especially since they now contend with gryphons, pans and renegade unicorns. Identified as the prophesied `Firebringer', the chosen one of the goddess Alma, Alijan is slowly making changes within his herd - introducing them to new customs and cultures, creating peace between enemies and laying to rest some of the snobbery and superstition that plagues his people (much to the disgust of his conservative father Korr).

But all that is put on hold when Jan and the rest of the youths in the tribe travel to the shore to engage in mating rituals. It is there he is finally united with his beloved Tek, though it is for only a short while. A vicious gryphon attack cuts him off from the rest of his fellows, and he is swept off to sea. Presumed dead by his grieving friends, the unicorns travel home where Tek's union with Jan is met only with disgust by Korr. Considering them judged by Alma, Korr instigates a new regime for the coming winter that endangers the life of the entire tribe. Finding herself in foal, Tek escapes to her mother, the mystic Jah-Lila who lives as a renegade upon the plain.

Meanwhile, Jan finds himself washed up on a foreign shore with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Falling in with "two-leggers", Jan is conveyed to their great city where he is enraptured by their mastery of fire. Yet there are sinister goings-on within the city, which Jan becomes aware of when he is introduced to the hornless horses of the "two-leggers", who exist completely under human rule. Escape is necessary, which also holds the hope of regaining his lost memories...

The problem with "Dark Moon" is that it relies a bit too much on clichéd fantasy techniques: a mad king, a prodigal son, an amnesia plot device, and a corrupt human society - we've seen all this before. Pierce is on surer (and more interesting) ground when she deals with Tek's relationship with her mother, the mysterious backstory to Korr's past, and the different definition she makes of `hero' in relation to Jan, who is more an information-gatherer and society-changer than a warrior or war-hero. This is captured perfectly in the final chapters of the novel, when Jan is faced with the gryphon responsible for his separation from the herd and faces a crucial choice of life or death.

As usual Jah-Lila makes an intoxicating narrator, and despite its discrepancies "Dark Moon" is an essential part of the trilogy. Perhaps I've been too hard on it (as the editorial reviews certainly are), as it is an intriguing and well-written book on its own terms...but you have much more to look forward to in "Son of Summer Stars".

I loved this book as well as the other 2 in this trilogy! They are the best books that have ever tried to portray unicrons. They have their own land and culture and it magically all comes together as Jan starts on the path of finding his destiny as the Firebringer!

I loved this book almost as much as "The Birth of the Firebringer". This novel weaves fantasy and real-life situations in together to create a believable civilization of unicorns and a compelling hero. Our society could learn greatly from the lessons Jan learns under the guidance of his goddess. I would actually rate this book a 9 and a half. This is a worthy sequel. If you are searching, the third book in this trilogy is called "The Son of Summer Stars".

Meredith Ann Pierce continues this magical tale of unicorns with our young hero meeting humans for the first time in his life -- and finds more than he had ever dreamed was possible. Meredith Ann Pierce has a unique style in the english language that makes her work an absolute must for any white-fantasy lover

This second book in the Firebringer Trilogy logically expands the story, but it does not quite have the same kick as the first; perhaps the added length takes away from the impact. The humans ("two-foots") are handled in a superlative way so that they don't upset the animal-POV slant of the series. In general, this novel makes for a good example of how to write the middle chapter of a trilogy.

In this second installment, Jan, appointed prince of the unicorns in the previous book (_Birth of the Firebringer_), is captured by humans who believe he may be an incarnation of their god and taken to their city across the sea. Meanwhile, Jan's father Korr starts to turn the unicorn herd into a tyranny and directs his hatred at Jan's mate, Tek, now heavy with foal.

Pierce moves the story along the plot-lines introduced in the first volume, adds new horizons, answers some questions, brings up others. Admirable all around, especially Pierce's message of tolerance between traditional enemies, but the novelty has rubbed off a little. Thankfully, the last volume, _Son of the Summer Stars_ brings the trilogy to a smashing finish when the unicorns again confront the wyverns.

I absolutely loved this book! No one could try to match what Meredith Ann Pierce has done! I was infuriated by "Kirkus Reviews" review of this book. They obviously don't understand a good book when they see one. Jan is no "blend of Prometheus and King Arthur" as Kirkus Reviews says. Jan is a warrior, in a world of his own! This book gripped me from the beginning, when Jan was swept out to sea, till the end, when he reclaimed his place. Please read this book if you can find it. It is one book no one can miss.

First of all, as second in the series, I'd like to congratulate Miss Pierce on making a sequel that new readers can follow without too much trouble. Sure, there are some scenes that may fly by a new fan's head, but even those are quickly understandable.

I like how the plot was handled in this one, the continuous back and forth between Jan and Tek. That made the story much more interesting as a whole, and left a feeling of suspense at some points.

This time there is the introduction of some new characters and the return of some old, and for the most part each accomplished what they were meant to do and the focus remained where it has always been; Jan, and this time around, Tek. I love well rounded casts where each character is equally as important, but in this case the focus on just a handful is completely fine (although some may disappointed in the gradual drop of Jan's friend Dagg's role in the story, and with some others)

There were plenty of twists and turns to keep the story exciting(even though some were unfortunately predictable), and the hints of what's to come as well as some of the horrors and wonders that unfolded in this volume kept me hooked. The characters are great (although could be better), and the promise of an amazing finish to the trilogy has me eagerly awaiting the next book.

Great job, Miss Pierce. I'm all ready for the third!