Blog Archives
Halls of Fire
In Halls of Fire, by Christian Cura, readers are transported into a meticulously crafted fantasy realm through the eyes of Tama, a winter mage journeying to the untouched lands of Cordacia, the homeland of her companion. Cordacia, a serene landscape, yet untouched by the malevolent grasp of Malsumi, the evil goddess, soon becomes the epicenter of chaos as creatures fall under her sinister influence. Amidst this turmoil, Tama, an outsider in Cordacia, finds herself deeply entwined in the unfolding pandemonium. Alongside her companion, Liseli, they delve into the mystery behind the unsettling occurrences. As the narrative unfolds, we meet Salvatore, Liseli’s close acquaintance, poised on the brink of becoming a Summer mage through the Gauntlet’s rigorous trials. However, fate deals a cruel hand, leaving him paralyzed and desperate, leading him to an ominous pact with Malsumi. His transformation into a conduit for her malevolence signifies a chilling escalation in her bid for dominion.
Cura’s novel opens with evocative folklore, setting the stage with the origin myth of this enchanting world. This foundation is pivotal, offering readers a compass to navigate the rich lore and intricate dynamics of this universe. Halls of Fire will resonate with enthusiasts of alternate realities, where the clash of mythical beings, the dance of magic, and the perennial struggle between light and dark are elegantly portrayed. The narrative’s rhythm ensnares the reader, with unexpected developments ensuring a perpetually suspenseful experience. Tama’s valor, alongside the diverse strengths of her allies, forms a compelling ensemble driving the saga.
Cura skillfully intertwines themes of vengeance, courage, and mystery, crafting an engaging journey through the dichotomy of good and evil. A successor to Temple of Ice, this novel stands firmly on its own, welcoming newcomers without prerequisite. Halls of Fire is a notable contribution to the fantasy genre, presenting a tapestry of imagination that is sure to enthrall its audience.
Temple Of Ice
Temple of Ice by Christian Cura is a thrilling fantasy novel set in a frozen land with ruthless monsters roaming about. It centers around Tama and her two friends, Kachina and Masou, as they complete their training as winter mages. To do that though, they must face numerous trials, including an evil goddess sending out minions to break her out of her prison.
Temple of Ice is set in the intriguing world of Perimar and on the continent Khione. The setting seems dire, but is the beautiful descriptions really bring the backdrop to life, Khione is a frozen continent with marvelous landscapes covered in snow and ice but little else. The setting is somewhat of a canvas that author Christian Cura fills with all sorts of creative beings and characters to create a truly vibrant world. So much so, that the mere descriptions of snowy fields, or ice molded homes, or beautiful star laden skies against majestic mountains were a delight to read. Khione was also littered with a variety of fantasy beasts roaming the world, all of them wildly different to each other, my favourite the avak – was giant four-winged bird. These didn’t stay on page long as new creatures were introduced, ensuring readers never get bored of them. The culture of those living here was just as well-crafted as the physical world with new traditions, customs, and an ice-based magic system that felt unique and fit in well in this world.
The protagonist, Tama, starts out mischievous and grows into a stronger, more mentally resilient, individual. This fantasy character archetype was executed well but I wanted to see something more to make it really stand out. The side characters in the main cast helped with this though, as their pasts and motivations were strong and just as interesting.
Fight scenes were common throughout and the best aspect of them was their coherency. The magic was used solidly without any deus ex machinas but the main positive for me was how well they flowed together. It was never a jumble of fists and ice spears but each action had a reaction that kept it engaging throughout. Overall, the setting was great, the actions and characters were well-written but perhaps due to the small page count, the pacing felt rushed which left me wanting more of the characters and their relationships.
Temple of Ice is an action-filled sword and sorcery novel. With a well crafted magic system, an interesting setting and fascinating characters, fantasy fans will find plenty to love in Christian Cura’s suspenseful novel.
Pages: 236
Dreams Of Thunder
![Dreams of Thunder by [Christian Cura]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ub-HV09hL.jpg)
Christian Cura’s Dreams of Thunder, the follow-up to Dreams of Fire, follows a familiar cast of characters – Daniela, Kara, Selene, and the rest of the Council – as they undergo life-altering revelations and fight off a vengeful demon army that threatens to endanger humanity.
Dreams of Thunder has two major plot lines – Daniela learning that she is a mystic being, alongside Saba Qureshi’s devious plot to avenge the wrongs done to her family by the Council.
The storyline involving Saba’s plan for revenge, and the Council’s response to the threat against humanity, is where the bulk of the action lies. The classic good versus evil struggle comes to life. Saba, a mystic who is hell-bent on creating a world devoid of mortals, wants to begin her conquest by using an army of demons and Canadian ex-convicts to wreak havoc in the greater New York City area. The Enforcers of the Council, many of whom hold official posts in government, see this threat and take it upon themselves to protect the mortals with whom they coexist. There are many battle scenes involving various Enforcers and demons, leading up to a final battle filled with carnage, revelations, and a final resolution for peace.
The only part that fell short for me was the character development surrounding Daniela Rivera. The story is so focused on the fight between Saba’s army and the enforcers that Daniela’s involvement in the plot feels more like an afterthought. Given the significance of her finding out that she comes from a line of particularly powerful mystics, I as a reader would have wanted her to play a more integral role.
There are depictions of violence and sexual acts so be warned, but it’s not over the top so I still recommend the book. Overall, Dreams of Thunder is a well-written young adult novel that anyone interested in magical and fantasy themes is sure to enjoy.
Pages: 155 | ASIN: B08JQRVS9H
LITERARY TITAN 