bluapapilio | 📕Book Check-in: "The Tale of the Five #1: The Door Into Fire"

Basic summary: Herewiss, Prince of the Brightwood, is the only man in centuries to possess the Power of the Flame, but he cannot use or control it, not even to help his dearest friend, Freelorn, the exiled Prince of Arlen. But Herewiss does have a talent for sorcery, and, aided by the enigmatic creature Sunspark, he is able to rout the armies besieging Freelorn.

Now Herewiss faces a devastating choice. With or without the Power, he knows his time is running out. Shall he join Freelorn in his fight to regain his kingdom? Or shall he seek out the ancient castle where doors lead to other worlds, worlds Sunspark has hinted at, perhaps even the door that would teach him to control the Power...

My thoughts: ...I forgot I have the omnibus edition, I wondered why it was taking me so long to finish. 😭 Then BAM it started playing book two and I was like 'wait what?' I listened to the ebook via the Audify TTS speech, I did have to rewind a fair bit here and there. The magic is intricate so there were long descriptions when Herewiss was working on his swords and spells.

There might be a term for this but the world is one where polyamory and perhaps bisexuality is the norm, at least for the humans. Some are sex friends, some a one-off, some you love and want to spend the rest of your life with and some you don't. Herewiss' 'Loved' is Freelorn, and by the end he also has Sunspark or 'Spark', a fire god. Freelorn has a sex friend in Segnbora.

Segnbora is the opposite of Herewiss, where he couldn't bring out his true power, she can't control hers. We didn't get to see Segnbora fully open up though she came close with Herewiss, I hope she finds a solution to her problem like Herewiss did.

I loved Herewiss and Freelorn's relationship and backstory, they certainly have their problems but they're there for each other through thick and thin in the end. I did remember feeling Herewiss/Sunspark was a bit instalove the first time I read it and I still agree sorta, but looking at the world and how they see relationships it makes a lot more sense. I guess I just wish it was fleshed out just a bit more on Sunspark's side, maybe get their POV. BTW, Sunspark switches between his 'horse', man and woman forms at will.

I'm really excited to see Freelorn get his sword and take back his kingdom, and for Herewiss to settle more in himself and Segnbora as well.

update comments from 2010

November 15, 2010 – page 22: I have a feeling that I'm going to -love- this book. :)

November 15, 2010 – page 70: Very much enjoying this book! I love the characters and the world so far.

November 16, 2010 – page 95: (Your friend greets you by me,) Sunspark said, (and says, "Get me the Dark out of here.")

November 17, 2010 – page 104: "I am the Keeper of the Archive," he said solemnly, as if he were summoning Powers to hear him. "There must be something in here that would help you. I'm going to start looking. And when I find it-"

November 18, 2010 – page 146: The innkeeper sees her, and says, 'Madam, if you please, where are you going with those?' and Segnbora smiles at him and says, 'Sir, if you want every skin of wine or tun of ale in your place to get the rot, ask on. Otherwise-' and out the door she goes, gets the horses from the stables and rides off. We met her a few streets away and got out of there in a hurry.

November 23, 2010 – page 174: How is this book so awesome?

December 3, 2010 – page 304: No words can adequately describe how incredible I found this book to be. I never want to forget it, and I can't wait to get and read the next one!

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My rating: 4.8/5