I was really intrigued by the concept of a shared world series, and was especially excited since this particular series would explore one of my favourite facets of fantasy: what happens *after* the bad guy is defeated? If he's (usually a "he") destroyed communities, depleted resources, enslaved populations - how do you get back to some sense of normal from there? Do all his followers just... stop being evil? How does a hero fit back into the mundanity of everyday, non-heroic life?

And the first book was fantastic - Adrian Tchaikovsky's Redemption's Blade explored all of this and more, and did it really well by keeping an extremely tight focus on the ex-hero Celestaine and her one particular quest. I found the single viewpoint very refreshing, for fantasy, and enjoyed the smaller stakes and deep character analysis. Sadly, I don't think Salvation's Fire lived up to the potential of the first book.

Firstly, it introduces a lot of new viewpoints, while still including Celestaine - I would have liked it better if it had either kept to her story, or veered off to focus on an entirely different person with a different view on the post-bad guy world. Taking this back to a multi-viewpoint fantasy muddied the waters in terms of character- and world-building. I found the new viewpoints intruded into Celestaine's story. If she hadn't been in this book at all, I might have had a chance to fall in love with the new things, but the mix really didn't suit me.

Secondly, something in the writing just didn't click for me. I didn't feel like there was that keen sense of personality from any of the new characters - it felt very detached (maybe more like classic fantasy, with that sense of narration rather than immediate action) and there's less humour. I think this is wholly personal, and others may like it better! The adventure is still good, and I did enjoy it, but it definitely pales compared to the first book in the series.

This will be a short review as I DNF this novel at 35%. I couldn't get into the plot at all and I found my mind drifting off as I read it. The characters were bland and uninteresting. I didn't like the writing style as I found it took forever for anything to happen (the Kinslayer's Bride wasn't introduced until 20% into the novel). On a positive note though is I loved the cover.

Thank you to Netgalley and Solaries for this ARC.

Rebellion Publishing are an interesting bunch. They publish great new sci-fi and fantasy, and also have bought the rights to older classic comics such as 2000AD, Misty and Scream. This year they’ve brought out a number of novels that form new series’ – but in which books within this have different authors.

Salvation’s Fire falls into the second book category. I reviewed the first – Redemption’s Blade by Adrian Tchaikovsky – a little while ago and it’s fair to say I loved it. It is proper old school fantasy fellowship with a charismatic hero, Celestaine, set after the final battle with the original Big Bad.

I was delighted when Rebellion / Solaris sent me the ARC for Salvation’s Fire via Netgalley. Actually, I was excited. I couldn’t wait to see where the motley band of heroes had staggered too next.

Then I damaged my neck and learned the hard way just how many muscles you actually engage when reading. I had to park the Kindle. Stop carrying rucksacks full of books home from the library. Stop myself from anything but essential reading while my body cobbled itself back together again. The frustration! My to-list was breeding furiously and all I could do was look at it with sorrow and curse my sagging trapezius.

So it took me a while to read Salvation’s Fire. And I wasn’t disappointed. I got a little confused, granted, but the heart of the book remained. Damaged people looking to repair things, just a little. Bit like my wonky neck.

The confusion arose around the application of the system of magic. I suspect this was my confusion in following that thread through the novel rather than the novel itself. I have a feeling there were clues laid down in Redemption’s Blade that I didn’t pick up on or misremembered.

The fellowship finds a new quest and it’s no spoiler to say that they go looking for the missing gods. New members join – Tricky and Horse, Kula and Lysandra I did spend a lot of time in the second half of the book wondering which one was going to break my heart. Without spoiling the outcome there was a satisfying conclusion to this quest with doors opening for new ones to follow.

I did miss having Celest as a focal point for my emotions. This book is more generous in giving time to all of the characters, rather than a focus on her particular thoughts and whims. There are some wonderful descriptions and settings – I was reminded both tonally and in monsters of Stephen King. However, I didn’t connect quite so much with Salvation’s Fire as I did with Redemption’s Blade. My girl crush wanted a little more Celest time.

That said, this is a good book, very readable and I loved the introduction of Kula and Lysandra and their mysterious background as Tzarkomen with all the darkness that entailed. The very real perspective of Kula as a refugee child fighting to survive was poignant, as where the wisps of ghosts and memory that threaded throughout this book. Robson handled the intricacies and mythology of this world extremely well – it must be daunting for an author to work with and expand upon another’s vision.

If you are thinking of stepping into Rebellion’s world and following a ragtag band through a twisted test you can’t go wrong with this series. I would suggest you read them both together to keep the continuity flowing between books (unlike I did).

With huge thanks to Justina Robson, Rebellion Publishing and #Netgalley for the ARC of #Salvation’s Fire. And apologies for the long delay in my reviewing it.

¿Recordáis Redemption's Blade, de Adrian Tchaikovsky? Me pareció un novelón, como podéis comprobar en esta reseña. Os pongo en situación: novela de fantasía que sucede después de vencer al señor oscuro y se centra en las consecuencias de la batalla/historia. Por el resto era una novela bastante convencional y asequible, pero me lo pasé tan, tan bien, que en cuanto me llegó Salvation's Fire, la secuela de la que os hablaré ahora, me puse a leer inmediatamente. Y menuda decepción. Como habréis visto en la portada, Salvation's Fire es obra de Justina Robson, ya que al parecer las secuelas de la saga las van a escribir distintos autores. Justina Robson es una autora que conocía por varias obras de ciencia ficción y relatos bastante interesantes, por lo que tenía una buena referencia.


He tardado mucho en escribir esta reseña porque me decepcionó tanto que estuve unos días enfurruñado, y después ya me olvidé. Así que rescato las notas para contaros que esta novela no tiene ni pies ni cabeza, y que parece escrita a toda prisa. ¿De qué trata? Pues en esta novela, muy a diferencia de la primera, tenemos una trama mucho más plana, sencilla y sosa, con subtramas totalmente desconectadas y que no pintan nada en la propia historia y que da tumbos sin sentido.


Lo cierto es que me costó una barbaridad terminarla, y la abandoné durante unas semanas a la mitad. El estilo de Robson es farragoso, denso, pero no de un modo gótico, o que añada atmósfera a la novela, sino que reduce el ritmo y el libro pierde agilidad. Además está repleta de cabos sueltos y, como he dicho, de subtramas sin ton ni son, como por ejemplo la trama romántica que no solo no me he creído ni por un instante, sino que era ridícula. Si le sumamos a este horrible ritmo narrativo, y una trama insulsa, unos personajes arquetípicos sin personalidad ni vida, tenemos la receta perfecta para una novela fallida. ¿Sabéis lo que me enfadó del libro? Que los personajes del primer libro que tanto había llegado a sentir, aparecen aquí como peleles, simples peones que la autora mueve de aquí para allá. Siento no tener piedad, pero es uno de los peores libros que he leído este año.

Bride of the Kinslayer

Here is the second in the After the War series, not on this occasion written by Adrian Tchaikovsky, but instead by Justina Robson. This second outing features many of the same characters as volume 1, but with the addition of two new entrants, a feral but powerful little girl and her adoptive mother, an immensely powerful female, created as a bride for the now defunct Kinslayer. Or is he defunct? And what will his bride do when she realises her own powers. Is she evil? Can she be stopped? These are the questions answered at the conclusion of a long quest to find the gods, now divorced from mankind, sending messages such as 'Be kind to each other', a message which appears to be interpreted as 'Be unkind to anyone who disagrees with you.'

I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, atmosphere, and characters. I would recommend the book to friends and family for their reading pleasure.

Salvation’s Fire: After The War is the second book in the ‘After the War’ universe; the first, by Adrian Tchaikovsky, having come out earlier this year. This book follows on from the events of the first, but it can be read as a standalone – though you may lose some useful context by doing so.

This is the world after the end. After a dark threat has arisen, raised its armies and broken them against heroes. After the darkness has seeped in and poisoned the soil After the darkness has killed the Gods. After it has shaped a new world, one which necessitates co-operation and incentivises action. The great villain drew peoples together even as he broke them. In their shattering, they recombine into a stronger whole. And this book is part of that process. The war is over, that’s for sure. But remnants of the past are difficult to shift.

There’s a sense here of spaces in recovery. Things are quieter, perhaps, than previous. Though there are still the poor, the destitute, the wandering remnants of armies, these things are less visible than before, though still a factor. This is also a world coming to terms with a lack of religion; in a space where the gods have been active and real, and where their servants and avatars have been embedded in the day to day, life without them is a complex, difficult, damaging work in progress.

We wander forests – only some of which are on fire – and seas here. There’s the opportunity to catch up with several cultures, and delve into the harrowing depths of the broken citadel of the enemy. The description is tightly written, giving enough detail to set the reader’s imagination to filling in the blank spaces. It avoids baroque prose and gives out what it needs you to know, and invites you to fill in the remainder. This builds a living, breathing world from the struts of the narrative – though yours may look different to mine, they carry the same story. The world breathes, its denizens living, suffering, hopeful creatures, its locales a smorgasbord for the imagination.

What I’m saying is, if you came here from the first book in the series, the world will feel familiar, but with enough differences to make you sit up and take notice. If this is your first step into this space, then I’ll say this: the depth and complexity of the world on display is impressive.

This is more of an ensemble piece than the last book. Though there are some old favourites, there’s enough new people around to keep us guessing. Celestine, slayer of evils, whose search for redemption defines much of the series so far, is still here. She’s still tired, still questioning herself, and still unwilling to take any crap from any of the various gods, monsters and everyday idiots that cross her path. Celestine kicks arse, in between worrying about what she’s doing and why – which makes her feel rather human, in her competences and her doubts.

There’s a focus here on Kula, one of the newer members of the group; a girl who has very little, and now has to decide exactly what she wants. Watching the other members of the team – demi-gods, old monsters and struggling heroes all – try to interact with a young girl is a delight, exposing as it does some of their own troubles, and the darker secrets beneath the personalities they put out for public consumption. Kula is thoughtful, strange and frightened, and those attitudes seep off the page as you turn the pages – and as her understanding of her purpose and that of the team grows, sodoes yours.

At heart this is a character piece webbed into an ensemble adventure. Fortunately the characters are convincing, crafted with a precision which leaves them stepping off the page to pick up a snack and ask when youre getting to the next chapter. As an ensemble, they work well together, the conflicts and bickering keeping the wheels going, and a sense of deeper issues acting as a shadow over the lighter moments.

Another new arrival carries a wonderful dichotomy about them – in things they have done, actions performed, regrets created. Yet they live and laugh and love with an energy and passion which belies that quieter emotional flow beneath. I won’t go into details for fear of spoilers, but rest assured – these are people, and their struggles and triumphs, losses and hopes will compel you to find out what they do next, and what choices they make.

The plot – well, I won’t spoil it. But I’ll say this. It has moments which are truly epic, struggles which are also spectacle. It has moments of heart-rending sorrow, of people making appalling, difficult choices. It has some wonderfully dry wit in the dialogue, which made me chuckle, and some sting that made me bleed as I turned the page. It’s got individual stories, moments of personal growth and suffering which show us individuals shaping themselves, and it has explosions of magicn and power which (also) shape worlds.

This is a clever, vivid, cunningly crafted work of fantasy, one which moves from the personal to the epic and back with swift, assured prose. It’s a good story, and one which will make you think in between seeing what happens next. Give it a try.

So does this one work? Oh yes – this is an amazing premise. The Bride returning to the world long after the tyrant she was designed to partner, has been vanquished. What is her purpose now? And perhaps even more importantly – what will she decide to do, now her bridegroom is dead? The opening sequences surrounding the circumstances where we see the Bride return are really gripping, though I have a hunch if you haven’t read Redemption’s Blade, you might not appreciate the importance of the place and significance of what is happening. This is one sequel that should not be read as a stand-alone, in my opinion – apart from anything else it would be a crying shame to miss out on the joy that is Redemption’s Blade.

Part of the fun of reading a series is to chart the development of the main characters. If I have a niggle with this particular story, it is that Celestine, whose energy and concerns pinged off the pages in the first book, is a pale shadow in this adventure. While she is constantly around, I did find it frustrating not to have her opinions as vibrantly represented as in Tchaikovsky’s tale.

The other issue, which is more of an observation rather than a criticism, is that Robson’s style is denser than Tchaikovsky’s and I had to slow down and pay more attention to the text than when reading the first book. That said, I am a fan of Justina Robson’s writing – see my review of Down to the Bone – and am familiar with her style. I was fascinated to see how each author presented this interesting, complex world. I very much enjoyed the strong relationship between the newly resurrected Bride and the orphaned child, Kula – it isn’t often we see any form of parental relationships explored in science fiction and fantasy and I was delighted to watch how this partnership developed throughout the story.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would be happy to see Angry Robot approach another author to take this story on further. Or maybe have both Tchaikovsky and Robson follow up their efforts with another book each. However it’s done, I really, really hope this series continues – there is so much more I would like to know about these characters and this world. Recommended for fans of epic fantasy with a difference. While I obtained an arc of Salvation’s Fire: After the War from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

Shared worlds got me into reading fantasy. It started with the various Greek myths while eventually moving on to Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms tie-in fiction. (I didn’t know anyone that played Dungeons & Dragons; so, I was stuck reading only.) But it’s been years since I stepped back into any novels of shared worlds. Recently, I read and reviewed Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Redemption’s Blade without knowing that it was a shared world setting. As it became available, I read Salvation’s Fire by Justina Robson, which takes place in the same world shortly after the events of the first book. I admit to being hesitant to start this book because different author means different narrative. I really enjoyed Redemption’s Blade and the world it introduced. It’s a world big enough for multiple people to play in, and I commend the author for stepping into someone else’s sandbox. That’s a special kind of courage that I wouldn’t have. While I enjoyed Salvation’s Fire, it didn’t live up to the shadow its predecessor cast.

TL;DR

Salvation’s Fire by Justina Robson is an enjoyable if confusing return to the world of Guardians and Yorughan. Recommended to those who liked Redemption’s Blade but put some time and other works between the two readings.

Story

The previous book ended with the Guardian Wanderer questing after the world’s missing gods. This book takes up that quest with a too large cast of characters. Our favorites – Celestaine, Heno, Nedlam, Heno, Ralas, Deffo, Dr. Catt, and Fisher – return. Ms. Robson introduces readers to new characters Kula, Lysandra, Wanderer, Bukham, and, last but never least, Tricky. The characters coalesce into a group, then split the part, and then return together for an epic if rushed finale. Wanderer is in search of the gods, and Lysandra, the Kinslayer’s Bride, is accidentally loosed upon the world. But for what purpose?

Like Redemption’s Blade, Salvation’s Fire is a quest novel. Each of the characters is after something with poor Celestaine, Heno, Ralas, and Nedlam along for the ride. Seriously, this group just can’t catch a break, which probably suits them as they can’t sit still either. The core party meets at one of the best pieces of scenery from the previous novel: a forest that is perpetually on fire with the spirits of the forest tormented by the flames. Ms. Robson puts her own touch on this setting, and I found it quite effective. Along the way, we stop in at Ilkand and Nydarrow as we head north to our final destination.

The story confused me. I understood that the goal was to find the gods, but the how never got fleshed out. This volume seemed more like a way to show off the cool geographical locations and peoples rather than an action driven plot. It meandered, took its time getting to the reason why it was a story, and then rushed the ending. I didn’t understand where the story was going until over halfway through the novel, but then the final battle, climax, and denouement all occurred in the last five percent of the book (per my kindle app). The unevenness meant I really struggled to get into the story, and it failed to keep me glued to the chair until the last quarter of the book.

Characters

Between the new set and the inherited characters, I preferred the new. They were more interesting and fun. Tricky was my favorite after her eventual introduction, and I found myself looking forward to her chapters. Kula and Lysandra made great additions to this world, and I’m sad that the Tzarkomen are no more. That people and their ways have deep potential for fascinating stories. Their nation was truly strange and, if I had my way, explored more. Of the inherited characters, Heno and Ralas shine. Heno’s character starts as traitor/resistor (depending on your perspective), and his arc has been how he deals with what he did under the Kinslayer. This arc continues and is explored more here. Though page time isn’t dominated by Heno, we get a look at some of his demons and see him strive for the better.

In the last book, I loved Dr. Catt and Fisher the best, but here, it’s Ralas and Tricky that shine. Their interactions through music, magic, and subterfuge interested me the most. I still don’t know what to make of Tricky. How complicit was she in the Kinslayer’s crimes? And yet was she responsible for bringing Heno, Nedlam, and Celestaine together? Tricky is an entity all her own, and Ralas is our surrogate for traveling with her. What a trip it is. For me, these two make the book. The third installment should be four characters only, Dr. Catt and Fisher on one storyline with Tricky and Ralas on another.

Nedlam had some interesting character moments here. Again, her character didn’t get much page time, but solid work happens when she does. She is becoming more interesting with each installment. Bukham was bland. He didn’t do much for me. This is possibly because the others were so great. Celestaine, in this book, was overshadowed by the last. This characterization didn’t live up to the first book, and it’s possible that is being unfair to this installment. If so, I’m okay with being unfair. Celestaine just didn’t seem as compelling this go around, and I believe that’s because she was so fully fleshed out in the previous book.

Shared Worlds

I think the shared world concept works to varying success for Ms. Robson. Her additions, her creations are excellent. They shine, and there are some really weird moments in the novel that I loved. But the material she picked up, didn’t succeed as well for me. For the inherited characters that did work for me, it was because Ms. Robson was starting with less of foundation than the other characters. Celestaine was fleshed out in the previous novel, and her portrayal shows a wide difference between the two stories. My impression might have suffered due to the previous portrayal and differences in writing style.

But it might have also kept me in the book. The pacing was so slow. The journey was pretty and took us to a lot of places at too slow of a pace for me. Your mileage may vary. Until the last ten percent of the novel, I thought this novel was the first of a larger story. I was prepared for a cliffhanger and part two to finish the novel, but the end comes fast and hard. It was partially satisfying but the speed of the end makes me wonder what I missed earlier on.

Conclusion

Overall, I liked the book. I think I might have liked it more if I’d have spaced out the read between it and Redemption’s Blade. The two books are vastly different, but both provide a view into an interesting setting. This book builds upon the foundation that Adrian Tchaikovsky set. The characters and scenery are lovely, and it’s an interesting journey. Salvation’s Fire by Justina Robson is an uneven but enjoyable read.

6 out of 10!

Tenía bastante interés por leer la continuación de la estupenda Redemption's Blade, aunque el cambio de autor me provocaba recelo, más por desconocimiento de la obra de Justina Robson que por otras razones. Por desgracia, este recelo iba creciendo conforme leía el libro, las páginas iban pasando y tenía la sensación de no enterarme de nada.

En estos casos suelo achacar esta incomprensión a mi falta de dominio del inglés, pero pude comprobar con otros lectores que ese no era el problema, o al menos no era el principal escollo.

La prosa de Robson es innecesariamente morosa pero además la trama de libro "avanza" (es un decir) con zigzagueo cansino y sin rumbo.

Los personajes que conocimos en la primera novela siguen presentes, pero se han transformado por arte de birlibirloque en figuras de cartón piedra que se dejan llevar por el viento, según la dirección en la que sople. La inclusión de un nuevo personaje extraordinariamente poderoso pero bisoño en todos los demás aspectos no consigue despertar nuestro interés.

Y, ¿qué decir de la trama "romántica"? Además de poco creíble e impostada, no aporta nada al libro. Está ahí porque rellena un hueco como el que calza una mesa.

Es una pena que una serie prometedora tenga este bajón tan pronunciado de calidad. No sé si se seguirá la historia con otro autor, porque el mundo sigue siendo interesante, pero me temo que no será así.

Very disappointing after the brilliance of the previous book. Just didn't click the same way and this time far to much was inexplicable. The previously strong character didn't feel as strong and didn't really see too much in the way of development and as for the plot.... well after the book had finished I wasn't entirely sure what the plot was really, pretty confusing actually.

Gutted.....

I received a copy through Netgalley in exchange for a review.

When I initially requested it, I wasn't aware that it was a second book in there series, let alone another author taking over. So that alone makes it a bit strange.
Most second novels at least try to give a summary of what went on and where it left off and this does a really poor job of that. I can't even get through this. I DNF this. Which kills me. I never bail on anything. I had to bail on this and I've reviewed almost 70 books for publishers, this has never happened to me.
The prose and writing style dove me nuts, it's so overly heavy on description, with all these flowery words that seem completely unnecessary. It's just really beating you over the head with it, maybe it was an editing problem.
And it takes a while to really fill the reader in on past events.
The whole experience was like wading through mud. Which is really unfortunate. Somewhere in the description and ideas in here there could have been a great book, but the execution just doesn't seem to get there.

I would not recommend anyone to repeat my experience.

Interesting! Very interesting, I liked it quite a lot and plain on finding more books from this writer and giving them a read to!!

Full review to come nearer to publication, however I just want to say how blown away I am by this series. I read the first book by Adrian Tchaicovsky and felt it was something special in how it looked at a big subject – the aftermath of war and the inherent survivor’s guilt coupled with the knowledge that being mid war is a kind of madness whereby you look back and see things differently – was exceptional (if rather bleak.) Robson has carried this a stage further in looking at how war and it’s after effects scar generations and make atrocious actions that are put in place to prevent the past from being repeated, seem not only plausible but necessary. Particular emphasis on women as a commodity too. Plus I just love the scope and size of this world. Very impressive.