Customer Reviews

Dream of Fire

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

 

 

Nicholas C. Prata's Dream of Fire makes for an intellectually challenging but very rewarding work of dark fantasy. I had a little trouble developing a real connection with the novel early on because of numerous references to completely alien terms and expressions; fortunately, Prata provides a glossary at the end of the book that defines such important and much-used terms as stalenzka, chiampugula, and landesknecta. He also provides several appendices summarizing military tactics and the histories of the cultures featured in the story. It is an extraordinary effort on the part of the author to define this world of his imagination in extremely realistic terms. At times, I felt as if I must have missed history class the day we covered these cultures, as Prata certainly writes about them as if they were as real as the ancient historical peoples of earth.

The centerpiece of the story is Kerebos Ikar, leader of the Black Legion and unquestionably the most feared man on the world of Pangaea. Untold men, women, and children have been brutalized and slain by this man over the years, but Kerebos is not the simple monster of a man he appears to be. Each night finds him screaming in the throes of awful nightmares, and each day finds him pursuing the destruction of the entire world - starting with himself, for Kerebos is haunted by the fact that he murdered his own father.

Kerebos' opposite in virtually every way is Antiphon al-Caliph, a timid priest of the Order of the White Flame who is sent to bring the fierce warrior, seemingly hell's own minion, back to the holy city of Kwan Aharon. Sacred prophecy points to Kerebos as the man who will bring salvation and deliver the faithful over to the kingdom while the world sinks into apocalyptic oblivion. The relationship that develops between Antiphon and Kerebos is complex and fascinating. Kerebos thinks his sin is too great to be forgiven by God or man, and the philosophical depths to which he plunges in self-contemplation are both moving and very instructive to the reader.

While the depth and meaning of this novel take precedence over all else, there is plenty of heart-stopping, bloody action to go around as Kerebos the torturer and human monster transforms into God's fiery final prophet. Prata possesses impressive understanding of ancient military tactics, and this makes the engagements and armed clashes he describes verily ring with the clash of swords; not only can you envision the carnage of the battlefield, you can almost smell the blood and entrails that mark the landscape.

Dream of Fire thus succeeds admirably on two levels. The vividly-described action sequences will appeal to those who yearn for excitement and wonderfully realistic battle scenes, while the deeper lessons of Kerebos' unique story will leave most readers pondering the philosophical and allegorical meaning of it all long after turning the last page. Few novels offer such a unique and powerful study of the nature of evil and the capacity for good in even the worst of men.

All too often, one picks up a book that tends to crowd the mind. Mr. Prata's Dream of Fire is NOT one of these books. Intense, intelligent, graphic, and cunning are just a few words I have used when talking about Dream. I too found it extremely difficult to put down. Though not an easy read for some, it excites the mind. I found the imagery dark and mysterious.
Major kudos to Mr. Prata's use of Military strategy! It is obvious he spent many years enlightening himself on battlefield tactics. If your looking for a read to make you laugh, read Kant. If you want something to just kick back and admire, please read Dream of Fire. You will not be disappointed.

This book starts out fast and never slows down. Mr. Prata has a keen command of writing battle scenes that make you feel like your in the middle of the fight. The characters, one and all, are extremely well developed and go well down the path and make this a tremendously good story. The action is great, the characters are better and I can't wait for the sequel

Prata has done it again! Just when you thought you had reached the pinnacle of Mr. Prata's talents, he comes along and sweeps you off your feet like it's the very first time. Since I was on the lam as a rebellious youth and destined to be a great prophet, I can certainly identify with Kerebos' character. Perhaps that is why I found this novel to be such a fantastic read. The dichotomy of Kerebos' character set the table for the entire novel. Kudos to you Mr. Prata!

On Pangaea, following the accidental death of his father at his hands, Kerebos Ikar joins a horde of killers. Over time, he works his way up the ladder until Kerebos becomes leader of the infamous Black Legion. Kerebos directs his brood by example, killing and plundering with no one safe from his warriors and no opposing army willing to fight this murderous unbeatable force. Perhaps Kerebos' only weakness is his recurring nightmare of dying in fire, but that only provides him with further impetus to destroy anyone in his path.

In Kwan Aharon, the Order of the White Flame recognizes Kerebos as the last great prophet. They send out a priest Antiphon al-Caliph to convert the killing machine onto the side of good. However, Antiphon has doubts regardless of the prophecy as he expects to not only fail but to die at the hands of the one he must convert.

Though much of the support cast seems stereotyped, DREAM OF FIRE is a powerful epic fantasy that sweeps the reader along with its exciting story line and two fabulous lead characters. Redeeming Kerebos seems almost like converting Hitler, yet the audience will see that he possesses some positive traits, but like the priest doubt he is an ANGEL IN IRON. The doubting Antiphon is sort of like Moses feeling he is too inadequate to do the task which in this case is converting a murdering maniac into the prophet. Strangely, the battle scenes that are vividly described and action-packed pale next to the hook that keeps the audience wanting to finish this work in one sitting. Will Kerebos redeem himself as the prophet or kill Antiphon?

Harriet Klausner

The characters are extremely three dimensional, the action intense, the story both original and imaginative... and there is even a bit of tragic romance. You'll hate to reach the end, but more adventures of Kerebos are on the way, and I hear they are even more incredible than the first!

I didn't want to put any stars, but they wouldn't let me submit without them!!

Kerebos Ikar has some problems. When he was a kid he accidentally killed his father and joined up with a band of cutthroats to escape prosecution. Bad news is that these guys are the worst sorts imaginable: combine Hitler's SS with Sing Sing's death row and you're starting to get the idea. Let's just say Kerebos' experience with the BLACK LEGION has not been a positive one. He has only grown worse through contact with these guys and has managed to work his way to the top. And still he's haunted by his father's death...has never been able to forgive himself. Plus, there's the dreams~every night he has the same one: being burned alive. Kerebos decides that the only way to permanently hide his sins it so kill everyone. Everyone on the planet that is... But the Order Of The Flame doesn't see things that way. Unbeknownst to Kerebos, the Order has him pegged as a prophet! In fact, he is the last prophet, and the herald to the end of the world. When they set out to convert him, a lot of chilling stuff occurs. What's a self absorbed, murdering demagogue supposed to do with himself under these circumstances? What about his devoted Legion? Tune in and find out. You won't be disappointed.

Tell you what, if you like my Zorachus novels, check this thing out---Dream of Fire is one highly-charged, intense ride, with great larger-than life characters(the protagonist, Kerebos, is one of the most intimidating hero/villains to come along in a long time) and vicious action. But even though it's second to none in the red-hot carnage department,the book also has a lot to say about salvation and the nature of evil, and the ideas are very well expressed. In short, pick the damn thing up. Also get Mr. Prata's Angels in Iron, if you haven't already.

I was sick of it. Most recent written fantasy is extremely cheesy and ripped off from older and better works such as "The Lord of the Rings". One day, I discovered Angels in Iron, another book by Prata which then led me to "Dream of Fire". That day was a great day, well not really, but I had finally found a dark fantasy which seemed to promise action, intellectual thinking and not to mention it was completely original.

In one word, it was epic. Page by page, hour by hour, I ate through the book. The author successfully sucks us in to this sweeping dark tale set in the world of Pangea. Kerebos, the Ikar (supreme commander) of the black legion, brings death and destruction unto the world. Antiphon al-Caliph, a priest of the Order of the White Flame, is sent on a mission. This is where the story unfolds and I must say that I am relieved that there is a prequel Kerebos.

Recommended

I didn't dislike it and I didn't like it. There's a lot the author tries to cram in a limited amount of pages--that's part of the problem. Another problem that I had with book is that it that the interaction between characters was a touch contrived. While the exisentence of God, faith, etc. are all interesting issues, I'm not sure why there is a need to repeat the same philosphical arguments over and over, just with different characters. Further, Kerebos is presented as the ultimate evil, a killer of children, men and women alike, and yet he takes the time out to engage in a philosophical debate about God, faith, etc.?

I had higher expectations for the book.