Waking Fire is a debut unlike any I’ve recently read. With zombie like creatures, an expansive plot, and a series starter, this debut will have you reading past your bedtime. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Naira Khoum has only known life in Lagusa, a quiet village at the desert’s end. But to the rest of the world, Lagusa is a myth, its location shrouded in secrecy. While war rages to the north led by power-hungry Sothpike and his army of undead monsters called Dambi, Naira’s people live in peace.
Until the impossible happens—Lagusa is attacked by a Mistress sent to do Sothpike’s bidding with a hoard of Dambi under her control. The Mistress is looking for something, and she’s willing to let her Dambi destroy Lagusa to get it.
Desperate to protect her home, Naira convinces her twin brother Nez and handsome refugee Kal to join the newly formed resistance with her. Together, they’ll have to figure out what the Mistress wants—before there’s nothing left of Lagusa to save.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I adore the world building and fantasy feeling in Waking Fire. From the beginning, there’s lore and information which makes the world feel expansive. You get this idea that you’ve been transplanted into a world of magic and dragons. And the world just keeps growing. Waking Fire is a series starter which will make you pre-order the sequel right now. The last ten to twenty percent increases the pacing. You feel like the dominoes have finally started to fall and the world will never be the same.
Naira was a main character I immediately loved. Driven by what is right and with a strong family, she’s thrust into action from the very first moment. She’s asked not only about her own family, their secrets, and this world, but also what we will do to protect our community. Our family. There’s a strong sense of action which only picks up steam as Waking Fire progresses.
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I’ll just come out and say it, I’m a huge fan of this necromancy zombie like creatures in a fantasy setting. It gave it an instant unique feeling. And the world which only begins to expand as the book continues, gives the latter half a feeling of scope and future. Find Waking Fire on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org, & The Book Depository.