Fantasy Review: Cold Fire by Kate Elliott

Cold Fire by Kate Elliott (Spiritwalker #2)

borrowed from the library

Synopsis from Goodreads
Only one thing is certain: when Hallows' Night comes, the Wild Hunt will ride - and it feeds on mortal blood.

Cat and her cousin Bee are caught in a maze of intrigue, treachery, and magic. Everyone seems to want something from them: the Cold Mages are trying to take them prisoner, and the warlord who wants to conquer all of Europa seems sure they have a special destiny to aid him whether they want to or not. Worse, hidden powers deep in the spirit world are rising, and they are the most dangerous of all. Cat must seek allies and figure out who she can trust in order to save the ones she loves. For if she doesn't, everything will be lost.

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9.5/10

* * *

While I really liked Cold Magic, this book I adored. I have a feeling that mostly it happened because of its exotic location, which made Cold Fire so much more colourful.


You see, after cold and dreadful European winter we are transported onto a hot and humid equivalent of Caribbean islands. The flavors, the spicy, explosive mentality of the people, the slang, the beliefs - everything is so different from what we're used to, it's marvelous!

The atmosphere is incredible. I felt like I was soaking in the sun and exploring this new and confusing world along with Cat.  Funnily enough, the weather helped the main characters to loosen up.

 Add to it a mysterious zombie island, Fire Mages (here no one knows about Cold Mages and seem to think them a myth), the dangerous mood of coming uprising and political intrigues of general Camjiata, Bee's unknown role in Camjiata's plans, Cat and Vai's push and pull relationships... and what you get is a hornet's nest. Buzzing, frustrating, nerve-wracking and at times shocking, but above all, brilliant.

Really enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

* * *

Читала я Холодный Огонь с ещё большим удовольствием, чем Холодную Магию, и виню я в этом внезапный переход от холодной и заснеженной Европы к жгучим, жарким островам Карибского моря.

Добавьте к этому атмосферу вуду, остров зомби, Огненных магов (здесь Холодных магов считают мифом), колоритный слэнг, суеверия и предреволюционные настроения толп. Примешайте интриги генерала Камджиаты (версия Наполеона), его странные планы по отношению к Би, неловкие отношения типа Дарси-Лиззи между Кат и Ваем... интриги Мастера Охоты и прочее, прочее, прочее... и вы получите настоящее осиное гнездо.

Читается на одном дыхании, много непредвиденных шокирующих моментов, интенсивно, драматично и безумно увлекательно. Очень советую эту серию!