3.0 Stars
Compared to book one, I found this sequel more interesting but ultimately I still struggled with this grimdark series. The ending of the first book left the series with a lot more potential.

The premise is great but the actual storyline I found to be quite dull. I just found the characters and plotting to be rather underwhelming.

I wouldn't primarily recommend this series to readers who can’t get enough of the fantasy genre and don't mine a familiar, tropey story. I just wish it provided something fresher.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.2024-sff review-copy15 s Nick Borrelli394 426

There are always a couple of things that you always know you are going to get with a Matthew Ward book. The first is a thoroughly detailed world with a rich history and often a cool magic system that is associated with it. The second is characters who are so vividly drawn that they act and react in ways that make them utterly unpredictable and complex in the best way possible. His books are also slow burns that often unfold in a gradual yet intriguing way so that by the time the real action hits, the reader has a full depth of knowledge as to the ultimate stakes and ramifications. I would go so far as to say that Ward writes epic fantasy in the same manner that Tad Williams and Robin Hobb write high fantasy. This isn't instant-gratification, rather it requires a certain amount of investment. But that's also what makes it that much more rewarding in the end. This especially holds true in his latest series The Soulfire Saga, of which this book THE FIRE WITHIN THEM is the second installment.

This entertaining sequel really expands the story considerably and even gives us the additional viewpoint character of Tanith. I think this added to my enjoyment this time around because I felt I was getting another view of the events that took place in the previous book, The Darkness Before Them. It's always good to change things up in my opinion and not following the same old characters through an entire series is certainly a crafty decision by Ward that really pays off. The good news for those who loved the characters from the first book is that many do return in this one and seeing how things have changed after the events that culminated book one was interesting to say the least. As I said earlier, Matthew Ward does have a special gift when it comes to the development of his characters.

I want to avoid spoilers as much as possible as this is the second book in a series so I will mainly focus on the things that I really connected with in the story and my feelings and emotional reaction while reading it. I will say that THE FIRE WITHIN THEM is a brilliant setup book for the ultimate conclusion, but that's not to say that it is a placeholder book by any means. Quite a lot happens, the bad guys do bad things, those who we are rooting for strategize and make plans to try to turn the tide in their direction, and along the way we are treated to some cool magic and a few intense action scenes that will leave you breathless and craving that final book once all is said and done.

If you appreciate thoughtful epic fantasy that is teeming with political strategy, warring factions, tyrannical leaders who desire absolute power, and worldbuilding that is deep and intricately constructed, then you will find much to love with this series. Ward has definitely created a great deal of suspense and intensity in THE FIRE WITHIN THEM which bodes really well for a potential crazy thriller of a finish. I personally cannot wait to see how this all ends and look forward to devouring the next book as soon as I get my hands on it. Do yourself a favor and read this series, and while you are waiting for the final book to be published, pick up Matthew Ward's previous series, the Legacy Trilogy. It's another brilliant epic fantasy series by him that will totally knock your socks off.
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