Customer Reviews

The Fire King

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A 3000-year-old, hunky shifter and a special woman wounded physically and emotionally make for an engrossing read. "The Fire King" is Marjorie M. Liu's latest in her 'Dirk & Steele' series and I loved it. Each of her books, at least those in this series, dig down behind the differences in her characters whether they're shifter or human and draw on the feelings and emotions that are present in each of them.

Soria is a human with something extra--the ability to understand and speak any language, as long as she is in the presence of a native speaker of that language. One year ago she suffered a horrible betrayal and lost her right arm. Since then she has barricaded herself in her apartment...until a strange pair bring her a new mission from Dirk & Steele. Imagine her surprise when her new mission turns out to be a 3000-year-old fairy tale...a chimera. The product of two different shifters, something that is supposed to be impossible. Now she and the chimera are on the run and Soria isn't sure who is friend and who is enemy.

Karr was the warlord of the shifters from a time when Egyptians and Hittites ruled. He sacrificed himself to save his people, so what is he doing alive now? And who is this woman who appears to be the only one who can understand and speak with him? Is she enemy? A spy? Again and again she appears to help him during their escape and flight...but the more Karr learns, the more unsure he becomes of who is or should be an enemy.

Liu does a wonderful job of making her paranormal characters human. She brings out their hopes, fears, happiness, and disappointments and I, for one, can't get enough of it. Each of these books can be read as a stand-alone, but each also furthers an overarching storyline that continues to evolve with each novel.

"The Fire King" has action, romance, hot sex, mystery, and magic. The story rolls out as smoothly as my favorite chocolate and the characters become people I want to know more about and want to see happy. My only real beef is that she doesn't write fast enough!

It's been about a year since I have read a Dirk & Steel novel, and it certainly showed as I read this book. I just couldn't get into the characters. Soria had a huge chip on her shoulder since she lost her arm ... but she's still totally badass? You really have to have read the prequel to this book to really get where Soria is coming from ... if a prequel was written, that is. As a standalone its extremely confusing. If a forward had been written in the front of the book to explain things, or maybe a Dirk & Steel glossary saying who some characters were, etc. Those who have been following the series would get into it quick enough. However I felt the magnetism between the two main characters really rushed and insubstantial.

I thought The Wild Road, book 8, was 10 times better with plot and story progression. Personally I think Ms. Liu might have rushed this Dirk & Steel novel, or was more distracted with it. She may have had too many projects on her plate at one time, writing The Iron Hunt and her comic. Since Iron Hunt has gotten much more book publicity (that I have seen online) I think that project is her "baby" right now.

Writing nine novels is a feat in itself. I look forward to reading more in this series, but I was disappointed after reading this one. After I read the last chapter I was like "that's it?" Darn.

Liu's books are getting redundant. Really. As another reviewer has already said, it's a basic copy-and-paste job on the plots. If you want to know what the basic plot is, go read his/her review. It's pretty darn accurate. It seems that she's not putting as much effort into the quality of her works, and is just trying to crank them out for the editor. Her first five or six books are in among my favorites ever, but I find myself not enjoying her later books. The plot is driven more by the poor emotionally-wounded main characters than by any active events. Instead of a book being fun to get into, I find myself struggling to understand what Liu is trying to convey. In the Fire King, I found many holes that I couldn't get around enough to enjoy it, especially regarding plot. I feel that Liu is writing one thing, hoping her readers understand it, and her audience is getting something completely different out of it- quite unlike her old books, which were excellent in the pure simplicity of the story, leaving room for a lot of character development. Now, maybe I'm biased, since Dean is by far my favorite of her characters, but you still don't find anyone like Dela or Artur in her newer books. I'm especially disappointed that Liu doesn't bring back old favorite characters. The only reoccuring character seems to be Serena, for whom I didn't care much to begin with. All the old loveable people have disappeared. Sad day. So, I recommend borrowing The Fire King from the library or waiting til it's on the bargain rack before rushing out and buying it. My mistake. Liu's writing is still good, but doesn't come close to living up to its old reputation.

M.Liu books are starting to be very repetitive with the same general main plot.

Photocopy plot: main character with emotional baggage and prior betrayal by someone important, can transform into mythologic being, chased and repeatedly attacked by a panoply of forces, some with competing interests. In charges D&S, attractive character of opposite sex, with similar emotional wounds and background baggage. Meet and find a bond that was meant to be, heals psych issues, occasional characters from prior stories appear as their powers are needed, can beat combined forces. Middle filler of gratuitously violent attacks and injury to innocent bystanders.

This one had less plot development than the rest and, disappointingly, felt like less effort made for the character development which I really enjoyed about her writing style, more depending on the suspension of disbelief to accept what is poured over the reader. The part about the little knife and Soria's arm would have been powerful in a setting of paranormal, but a random uncle who happens to be a serial killer? huh? And, as a physician, it pushed the limits of my belief, sorry, ain't gonna happen, especially not between joints.

The end was flat and overly simplified, imo. I was very disappointed with this book, especially compared to some of the earlier books. Also, please try a new story line, it is starting to feel like another sequel just for the $$$.

If you read this book, get it from the library, so you are not disappointed you dropped $8US like I did. If you are looking at reading a D&S novel, this should not be your first or even second or third, there are a lot of references to the overall series storyline in this book that you won't understand. Tiger Eye and Shadow Touch are earlier books that were great reads.

Approximately 4 or 5 years ago, I stopped trolling through the romance section at bookstores because I was sick and tired of paying money for unsatisfactory reads. Then, about a year ago, I stumbled upon Marjorie Liu by accident...and never turned back. I've enjoyed her Dirk & Steele series immensely, and even began looking at other romance novels because of her!

Having said that... The Fire King was a bit of a disappointment. Soria has lost an arm, and has decided to leave Dirk & Steele behind...but is reeled in at the last moment to translate an ancient language. Spoken by an ancient, beautiful, and imprisoned man who is awakened after thousands of years. They run through a Mongolian landscape in order to discover the mysteries surrounding his re-awakening and find the remnants of his people, the Chimera, while dodging shadowy agents and militant bad guys. Meanwhile, Soria learns to deal with her missing arm, struggling to love and be loved.

While the premise is wonderful in theory...the execution of it was less polished and lively as usual. Soria's struggle is brave, but not inspiring. She, herself, was uninteresting and pales in comparison to all the heroines who came before her in the series. The hero is not very memorable. It almost seemed as if he merely served the function of introducing the Chimeras into the series. The side characters (I can't even recall their names) should have been exciting - they reminded me of Manga characters. The deadly assassin and his dead-eyed female companion were reminiscent of the dangerous fighters and schoolgirl in Kill Bill 2. But it just wasn't pulled off as well as Koushun Takami or even Quentin Tarantino. They were also a bit two-dimensional - they were merely "original" because characters such as these have not been featured in romance novels much, if at all.

This book merely seemed like a filler - the bridge between the last book and the next. HOWEVER, it is still a good book and worth the purchase. I didn't once feel like throwing it against the wall, or holding up my shorter table leg with it. It was still a pretty solid read, though it can be a bit confusing to those who choose this book as the first one to read re: the Dirk & Steele series. Ms. Liu is taking a more serious turn in her tale, which I find terrifying. Either it'll turn out really, really well...or she'll change the face of her beloved Dirk & Steele into something unrecognizable. In other words, it's like marrying a man who changes over time - either he's still the man you love but certain characteristics emerge that make your marriage deeper and more fulfilling...or he turns into someone you don't recognize anymore, and you don't know what happened to all the qualities you fell in love with!

Ultimately, I will give this book 3 stars for a solid tale. If you've never read a Marjorie Liu book, I suggest buying her other Dirk & Steele books first before coming back to this one. You'll have a better time if you're more invested in the characters and general progression of the Dirk & Steele universe.

Once dead, Karr awakes to another world. Chained and caged, physically and mentally, he speaks a language no one else remembers. Communication is impossible. Dirk and Steele must investigate and determine whether this enraged beast poses a danger. Soria has a gift with languages that enables her to speak any language. Perhaps she can bridge the gap between the two worlds, a world of time and a world of species. At once lion and also dragon, Karr's memory of the past torments him. Anger enrages him as he awakens from the cave, a dark cave in which his murdered body was sealed in a time forgotten or unknown to current beings. Soria's past haunts her and the scars of violence mark her body. As she encounters the strange beast, danger threatens her at every corner, but is Karr the only danger? She feels strangely protected by his powerful body but can she trust him? Battling those determined to kill him, Soria must thread a careful path, protecting Karr and also protecting herself as she seeks to unlock the secrets of this strange new creature. As she reaches down into the depths of his despair, Soria opens a door within Karr's heart. Alone and lost in this new world, will Soria teach him a new language, the language of love?

Marjorie Liu's paranormal romance THE FIRE KING develops a new and different dimension to the Dirk and Steele series. Building upon the legendary themes at the end of THE WILD ROAD, Marjorie Liu takes legend one step further as she brings an ancient creature into the modern world and pairs him with a feisty, intelligent woman with the power of language to bridge the gaps. In a world overflowing with people, new cities, and technology galore, Karr's plaintive spirit strikes an emotional chord. Perhaps the sole remnant left of an entire race now forgotten, Karr is alone in a way modern humanity never experiences. Likewise, Soria's missing arm and violent past separate her from others. Language forms the core of this romance. Beautiful passages describe the power of words and communication. Words gain a sensuality and sex conveys the power of communication to reach to the depths and transform the hero and heroine from within. Majorie Liu brings romance to two wounded and isolated individuals, empowering them to look into and beyond their past.

Marjorie Liu's THE FIRE KING is quite different than the previous Dirk and Steele novel, THE WILD ROAD. Do not pick up this book expecting to find a carbon copy of the her previous works. THE FIRE KING is an entirely different book and shows the author's ability to expand the dimensions of the series, not only with a new tale of shapeshifters, but also to reach out to new and exciting developments for paranormal readers who crave something new and mind-expanding. Soria's past role within the agency is not quite fleshed out in this book, although her relationship with Roland definitely leaves a reader wanting more knowledge of the history of this character and her past. Personally, the lack of those details did not phase me because their inclusion within this novel would have distracted from the intensity of the portrait of Karr and relationship to Soria, but I would love to read more novels about the earlier history of these characters and the Dirk and Steele Agency itself. The narrative structure of the romance is somewhat edgier than previous romances I have read by the author, a quality I most appreciate because it brings a newness and sense of exploration to my reading of a series. Every detail of the presentation of Karr's solitude creates a wonderful pathos that I have not experienced since reading the Old English poems "The Wanderer" and "The Seafarer". Kudos to Marjorie Liu for these absolutely beautiful, stunning images and for bringing this dynamic of solitude into a new, modern world so at odds with those sentiments. Kudos to Marjorie Liu for bringing a sense of magical, legendary history into a modern, cutting edge romance!

COURTESY OF BOOK ILLUMINATIONS

I liked that Soria had one arm. Really thought this would add something to the story since she wasnt a perfect cookie cutter heroine. I thought I would like Karr, this 3000 year old shifter born of dragon and lion. Instead of a great romance i was given a watered down mix of the Dirk and Steele agency that I have loved previously. Luckily I got this from the dollar store for a buck but still. I was really disappointed that Liu didnt bring back old characters especially since Soria use to work for the agency and dated the boss Roland.

The plot is pretty basic- Soria is bought in to translate for Karr who speaks an ancient dialect that no one can figure out. Soria has a psychic gift in a sense. She can speak any language spoken to her after hearing only a few phrases. Her fluency depends on the speaker themselves. Different angle and worked for the story. Evil factions are out to get Karr who is a mix of two shifter races and the two spend the rest of the story on the run not knowing who to trust.

The end is rushed and patched up in a quick neat bow that left me more dissatisfied

I've enjoyed everything Liu has written so far. I think she goes above and beyond what a "normal" romance/paperback writer does. I especially like that the reader visits strange and new places in each book. This book takes us to east of China in the desert land. A body was recovered from a dig site only to discover the body was 3000 years old and alive. The strange shape-changing man spoke in a fogotten language, so of course, Dirke and Steele is contacted and they send in someone with the special ability who can speak any language.

I thought the story was good, but not her best work. Problems were solve too neatly for me. I still recommend Liu as a writer and look forward to reading more by her.

[...]
Plot: 4

Setting: 5

Writing: 5

Originality: 5

Characters: 5

Passion: 4

Overall: 28/30 = 93%

Cover/Title Bonus: 5

Dorchester Pub sent this wonderful book to me to review a few weeks ago.

Summary (author's website):

Long ago, shape-shifters were plentiful, soaring through the sky as crows, racing across African veldts as cheetahs, raging furious as dragons atop the Himalayas. Like gods, they reigned supreme. But even gods have laws, and those laws, when broken, destroy.



Zoufalství. Epätoivo. Asa. Three words in three very different languages, and yet Soria understands. Like all members of Dirk & Steele, she has a gift, and hers is communication. When she is chosen to learn the dead language of a shape-shifter resurrected after thousands of years of icy sleep, she discovers a warrior consumed with fury.



Strong as a lion, quick as a serpent--Karr is his name, and in his day he was king. But he is a son of strife, a creature of tragedy. As fire consumed all he loved, so death was to be his atonement. Now, against his will, he has awoken. Zoufalství. Epätoivo. Asa. In English, the word is despair. But Soria knows the words for love.



Read an excerpt on her website as well!

Plot:

Soria, a young woman with a missing arm is forced to return to a day job she's not fond of doing but she'd rather live so she cooperates. She has a talent for being able to speak any language. No matter what. How cool is that!?

Karr is a mystical shape shifting creature that is awoken from a tomb he was buried alive in many, many years ago. He is captured and imprisoned until someone able to speak his language is found.

Soria is able to speak to Karr and she finds a way to form a bond with the enormous, dangerous creature he houses inside. Together they escape and are on the runs for their lives.

Setting:

Briefly the setting is in the US but it quickly switches to Russia, in Mongolia I remember. There's a ton of desert walking and flying. A sandstorm scene was pretty intense.

Writing:

Marjorie knows her stuff! Since the main character was a linguist and I did read that Marjorie too studied languages there was a ton of references to those foreign languages. The entire book flowed very well. There was a large portion of this book dedicated to action scenes. The detail shown to the shifters was awesome. And writing the main character as having only one arm? Amazingly done. Finding out the back story to why Soria lost her arm doesn't happen until a little past half way through the book, which worked well but had me constantly wondering what the hell happened to her arm! It was a major distraction and I wish the reader would have found out about that a bit sooner.

Originality:

This wasn't my first shape shifter book by a long shot but it was a very awesome one. It was my first book that had a disabled main character but that didn't stop her from being amazingly strong and actually even more so because she had an extra obstacle to overcome.

The shape shifters in this book were different than others I've read though. Karr is a half breed so he's able to mix and match the shapes that his parents were: dragon and lion, making a pretty intense and beautiful creature.

Characters:

Soria is amazing. I had my doubts in the beginning when I first learned that she was missing an arm. But she doesn't let it stop her from kicking ass. She's mentally strong and that is exactly what she needs to get through this difficult time in her life. Her story behind the lose of her arm is horrific. Her ability to speak to Karr was awesome!

Karr is just wow. The fact that no one but Soria can understand his language forces him to ally with her. It was the best decision he makes. They make an awesome team together. Karr is strong, intelligent, and an intense warrior.

Passion:

The attraction between Soria and Karr builds over the course of the book. It is not the reason for the book but rather a subplot and it happens very naturally. I was almost yelling at the author/book because it wasn't a major topic or rather the characters chose to ignore it just a wee bit too much for my liking. And there's only one cool scene with them together sexually. It fit for their situation but it could have been so much better. Too sad.

Overall:

I enjoyed this book immensely. Mostly because I saw the attraction between the two main characters and wanted to see them together. Plus, their adventure was very cool. Karr was such a sweet and protective alpha male and Soria was strong but not bitchy or overbearing. They were a perfect couple.

Also, this was my first Dirk & Steele novel. I didn't feel lost or anything so I'm not sure how the series works. I'm guessing they just cover one Dirk & Steele agent at a time.

Cover/Title:

The cover is AWESOME! The only thing I don't like is the guy. He's not strong jawed enough to be Karr. His face is just too round and fleshy. The lion, sand, and the side mountain houses fit perfectly with the subject of the book.

The title? I don't get it. The FIre King? I don't remember reading that Karr was a king in his original life. However, after reading the summary on Marjorie's website he apparently was a king. Interesting.

I received Marjorie M. Liu's The Fire King, her ninth Dirk & Steele novel, as an Advanced Reader's copy. In general, I am not a romance reader, with the exception of paranormal romance, and even so, there are only two authors I like and whose series I follow. That number has now grown to three.

The Fire King pairs Karr, a three thousand year old shape-shifter with a twist and Soria, a maimed human with an innate gift for languages. What they have in common is a painful past. Karr also has a threatened future but to even achieve it, he must first discover the secrets of his past. Since Soria answered a friend's request to try to communicate with Karr, her future becomes linked to his.

At each step of the journey into Karr's past, the two are forced to throw off very different doubts and suspicions to learn to trust each other if they are to survive the several different groups - shape-shifters aligned with humans, a couple of mercenaries whose alliances are hard to decipher - who are after Karr.

I truly enjoyed this book for several reasons. First of all, Marjorie Liu's characters are distinctive (with one exception - a supporting character who I so enjoyed, I chose to overlook her derivative nature). Their motivations, actions and responses are credible and described with a clarity that indicates that their author invested much effort in knowing the characters she writes - no cardboard cutouts here.

Also refreshing and unusual for the genre, is that her characters are not so ethereally physically beautiful that they come across as plastic. This extends from her main characters right through to her villains and supporting characters. I was able to see her characters vividly in my mind and this was very much due to the lucidity with which they were drawn.

The background history, along with the nature and origin of the conflict was also credible and well handled. The action was exciting and held my interest. The romantic interaction was developed naturally with the storyline, and there were no gratuitous physical encounters.

On the negative side, I only had an issue with a small action by the heroine that didn't seem to be logically possible given her limitations.

Overall though, this was a wonderful example of the genre and should be a favorite of readers already acquainted with the series, as well as first time readers.

Of course I now plan to read all of Ms. Liu's preceding novels, and am very glad that there are so many waiting to be read.