Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 Amazing! August 12, 2008
I was extremely wary of this book when I first heard that it was set 20 years after the first book as I had liked Thirrin and Oskan, but I have to say that this book is amazing!
The descriptions are wonderful and the battle scenes are lovely and gorey.
I cannot wait to read the next book!
By Nicole, aged 15.
 Good, but could have been better June 19, 2008
I felt this book was a good read. It was exciting and had likeable characters.
There are some things that I feel could have been a lot better though:
1. The character arc with the vampires slowly remembering their humanity after spending time with humans was a really good idea, but I didn't feel drawn into it. I felt that it happened too quickly. Perhaps spending more time on it or starting it earlier in the story would have helped.
2. Some of the weapons technology seemed badly researched. For example, making out that longbows are superior weapons to muskets due to greater range and rate of fire was true, but he ignored the advantages of the musket, namely its penetration power and the fact that it is much easier to learn to use than the longbow. This could have been an interesting explanation of the numbers of the Polypontans, their weapons are easier to use, hence they can more easily train large numbers of troops to use them.
3. Some of the language was too contemporary. Since it is a pseudo-medieval setting, the use of modern phrases had the effect of taking me out of the story and making the setting less believable.
4. The battles could have done with a bit more detail on actual maneouvers and tactics during the battles themselves. It just struck me as mobs of soldiers charging each other much of the time, though that might just be me.
5. Some of the cultures, particularly the Venezzians and the Desert People, where too much like transplants of historical cultures, specifically Venice and Arabia. Having familiar elements is ok, but I think these cultures didn't have enough originality in them to make them seem genuinely part of the world.
6. The plot seemed too much like a rehash of the first book. Though considering that the baddy is a general, I can't really think of anything else that could be done.
Anyway, that's what I think. It's a fun book. More aimed at kids than adults I'd say. It's the sort of book that you'd buy if you were looking for something fun to read, rather than social commentary or any of that kind of stuff.
Fantastic... February 8, 2008
This is an excellent book and a sequel that does not degrade in quality from the first book, beautifully written it captures the imagination perfectly and creates an entirely original world. Historical truths mixed with pure fantasy are woven together into atruly remarkable tale of honour, battle and adventure. My advice to anyone is to buy this book (after reading the prequel) as you will never look back...
Gripping read October 2, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Although i agree with the last statement that the plot is fairly similar to the prevous book, this installment builds upon the strong foundations laid by the first book by introducing more light humour, new warm as well as thoroughly despisable characters and more information about Hill's world.
True to form, Hill's battle scenes are spectacular, gripping events and Scipio Bellorum's cool arrogance is certain to get the even the most Rome-loving readers fired up. Much like the last book, there is a strong theme of solidarity, friendship and hopeless resistance; indeed what i enjoy most about the book are the darkest moments when all seems lost, even hope, but where the characters are prepared to die in glory and not to give up and face the inevitable.
 A Less-than-Satisfying Recap June 23, 2007
2 out of 8 found this review helpful
Having found the first book in the series (Cry of the Icemark) enjoyable enough, I was disappointed to discover that the sequel was little more than a rehash of the same plot. Almost everything, down to the 'hot-headed teenager searches for allies', the last-minute reinforcements, and the tactics were similar. The sheer predictability of the plot, coupled with poor pacing, made 'Blade of Fire' a less-than-satisfying read.
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