City of Blood & Fire

Volume XXX / Issue 25 - March 8 / 2024
City of Blood & Fire

City of Blood & Fire

Author: 
Kevin Harkness
Series: 
A War of Banes & Demons; Bk. 5
Vancouver, BC: Shouting Room Books, 2023
261 pp., trade pbk., available on Amazon.ca
ISBN: 
9781778226298
Grades: 
Grades 7 and Up
Ages: 
Ages 12 and up
Review by: 
Ronald Hore
3
Excerpt: 

The demonbane crept forward, one hand playing out the length of his weapon, a rope weighted on one end by a pick-hammer and on the other by a spiked ball. He scowled at his prey, a wavering, dancing image, a creature more shadow than substance. It hissed, and long claws reached out. A short beak split open to show rows of nail-like teeth. The man scowled and swung the heavy ball, slowly at first, but picking up speed until the weight was a blur and the air sung as the weapon spun above his head. Suddenly he flung it at the shadow creature. There was a ripping sound, and the terrifying image disappeared.

The audience cheered. Some stood up from their benches and applauded the scene. The bane came to the front of the stage and spoke, one hand laid upon his chest.

City of Blood & Fire brings the five-volume “A War of Banes & Demons” series to a conclusion with preparations and a battle for the City taking up the bulk of the book. The four young main characters feature in the story, the two demonbanes, Garet and his love, Salick, and one-legged Marick, who is no longer a bane but a playwright, and Son-neen, his lead actress and manager. They are overshadowed somewhat by the vast cast of characters who have speaking parts in the preparation for the battle and the actual melee that follows.

The other main character in this volume is the King, Trax, and readers see his torment and directions regarding the defense of the city and the very difficult decisions that must be made by him. To save the city, it must be almost completely destroyed, and, in the aftermath, Trax must decide what to do with any prisoners and how to make an approach that will arrive at a permanent peace. His queen, Lysere must step in and take charge for a while after he slips into madness.

With City of Blood & Fire being the final book in the series, most loose ends are neatly tied up, and readers’ questions are answered.

Recommended
Reviewer: 

Ronald Hore, involved with writer’s groups for several years, dabbles in writing fantasy and science fiction in Winnipeg, Manitoba, under the pen name R. J. Hore.