Fire Within by Morten W. Simonsen – Book Review

Fire Within by Morten W. Simonsen – Book Review

Fire Within by Morten W. Simonsen

Fire Within
A Prelude of Light Book One

Author – Morten W. Simonsen
Pages – 436
Released – 12th March 2020
ISBN-13 – 978-8269177602
Format – ebook, paperback
Rating – 4 Stars
I received a free copy of this book.
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Synopsis

The end of the Taroshian Empire is near. It starts with a thousand howling wolfmen, streaming across the Red Strait to exact vengeance. It starts with secrets, with a missing wife and son and a covered-up murder. It starts with treachery, sown deep into every layer of human society.

Conflict within and war abroad strain the Empire’s resources. Were she to fall, it might not only mean the end of an era, it might be the end of mankind.

An epic fantasy set in a grim world on the brink of an environmental crisis. Mother Earth calls for justice.

Review by Stacey

I have a real hit-and-miss relationship with the fantasy genre. I do find that a lot of the stories in the genre just don’t work for me, and yet fantasy books are the ones that I would love to be able to be more in sync with given that they take you fully away from the norm and place you in a world created within the author’s imaginative mind.

Fire Within is a medieval fantasy novel and the first in a planned series. It started strongly with an exciting prison break scene lead by our protagonist, Ivan, as he leads his fellow inmates and a wolfman from the Olso race. At this point, we don’t know much about Ivan except that he states he did not commit any crime and that unlike most of the inmates, Ivan is a nobleman sentenced to death by his father.

The world took some getting used to, as did the mass of characters. You are never sure which character is telling you the truth or who is good or evil. You will even question whether our protagonist is being truthful with us, is he really capable of the hideous crime he is accused of?

The world is grim and the plot very dark. The world-building however is superb I just wish I could follow it and understand it far better than I did. It contained everything most fantasy novels contain. Feuding families, war, fighting, secrets, corruption, a religious aspect, and otherworldly beings. The story has plenty of twists that will have you questioning everything you have been told up to that point.

If you enjoy a well-developed fantasy novel that is bloody and fast-paced, plus is a series, then you should pick this book up. Unfortunately, I think this is where my journey with these characters ends as I can appreciate the imagination, thought, and creativeness that went into the series I just wish I could have found myself enjoying it more than I did.

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Author Info

Morten W Simonsen Fire Within

Morten W. Simonsen has been called many things. According to some, he is the golden boy of the in-laws, nightly terror of anyone with ears, and the sweet kiss of a summer breeze. He is the desert wanderer, captain of a sinking car, literate friend of an illiterately mad Viking, and the cold-blooded murderer of a Greek mountain goat. Formerly a sweeper of chimneys, king of parking tickets, and a chameleon telemarketer whose soul was sold alongside a cellphone to an old lady who didn’t really need it.

Not all of this is true, but he did author the fantasy novel Fire Within. And there is a lot more coming from this proud Norwegian.

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What did you think of ‘Fire Within’? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!


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10 Responses

  1. Tasha says:

    Wonderful review. I like the fantasy genre but like the world to be easily immersive as I want to enjoy the story rather than try to envision a huge new world. This sounds a little beyond what my imagination could handle.

  2. Nadene says:

    It would seem that even though you did not enjoy as much as you hoped you would. it was still a good read.

  3. vidya says:

    i don’t read too many fantasy novels too (unless they are middle grade for some reason).. but i do love watching movies and shows

  4. Bianca says:

    This really sounds like my kind of fantasy novel!

  5. Kate @ Bitch Bookshelf says:

    Excellent review. I generally enjoy fantasy but have been reading so much of it lately. My brain is a little worn out.

  6. Thank you Tasha, I am glad to hear that you liked our review.

  7. Thanks Nadene, Probably. Mainly because fantasy is hit and miss with me.

  8. Thanks Vidya. I totally get where you are coming from.

  9. Thanks Bianca. Good to hear that it is your kind of fantasy book.

  10. Thanks Kate, I get that. I can be overpowering and you need a break from all the worldbuilding.