Customer Reviews

The Flower of Clear Burning

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Set in the 14th century, The Flower Of Clear Burning by Joel Van Valin is the impressively written story of Theresa Winered, a married witch, who is accompanied by a midwife and a bar wench, all of whom must seek a legendary flower with the power to cure any sickness before a deadly plague consumes their home. The Flower Of Clear Burning is confidently recommended as being an adventurous and highly entertaining novel of courage and determination.

Hillkirk is a quiet, relatively safe town that lies in the eastern part of the realm. Theresa Winered is a married woman stifling from the confines of her position. Hanoli, a barmaid, tries to keep her dignity in her squalid existence. Valla is the local midwife respected for her knowledge of herbal medicine. Although these three women are of different statures in life, their practice of Wicca makes them natural allies in the dark days that are soon to be upon them.

An unstoppable plague is sweeping is on the from the southlands. At the same time a ravaging horde of Barbarians from the east is sweeping closer to them every day, destroy anything in its path. Theresa travels into the forest of Havernon and becomes one of the leaders in the war effort. Hanoli and the man she loves travels to the island of Isalt in hopes of finding THE FLOWER OF THE CRUEL BURNING, the only known cure for the plague. Valla stays in Hillkirk hoping to give comfort to her patients. These three remarkable females, already courageously helping people, play a heroic role in a war they thought there was no hope of winning.

Lovers of fantasy that like heroic battles and plenty of action inside a believable plot will want to read THE FLOWER OF CLEAR BURNING. The characters make this novel stand out from other works of similar style and caliber. The women accept burdens men normally assume with a determination to complete them or die trying. Joel Val Valin is a gifted storyteller who will appeal to fans of Patricia Briggs and Candace Sans.

Harriet Klausner

Bought the book because of the name of the author - how could I resist. Judy read it and said it was pretty good. I have not read it yet as I am in the middle of a long alternate history series now. Will read later. Dana van Valin in Colorado

Nice character development accompanied by a surprisingly interesting plot. This "dark horse" is a must read if you fancy being entertained by relative unknowns. Mr. Van Valin, please tell us when and where we can find the next book?