Irons in the Fire

Chronicles of Talis Book I

Fiction - Fantasy - Epic
346 Pages
Reviewed on 10/09/2015
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

One of the oldest of the Twelve Great Cities, Talis is second only to the capital in wealth and prestige. However, Talis is starting to creak under the strain caused by the tension between humans and faeries. The strain gets worse when a hobgoblin destroys Rook Gate, supposedly the most secure checkpoint in the city, with a bomb. What's more, a serial killer named Ripper is on the loose and eluding the authorities.

Irons in the Fire (Chronicles of Talis, Book I) by Antonio Urias starts with an engaging prologue. Urias has developed great world building with an array of ethereal creatures; nymphs, hobgoblins, air sprites, fauns, pixies, manticores and all kinds of faërie. There’s also cyclops, Minotaurs, unicorns, just to name a few. Politics dominates the multifaceted and character-driven story line, along with murders, magic and suspense. The faeries are striving for their rights; some through legislative measures and others through dangerous methods. Several humans try to capitalize on this matter for their own gain.

There are a number of protagonists. A mysterious Countess is hell-bent on fulfilling her purpose. Inspector Erkel and Sergeant Lund are assigned by their Commandant to investigate the Ripper case, but they'd rather be investigating the Rook Gate Bombing to avenge their friend, Sergeant Obry. Lord Edward Clesinger, his wife Lady Anne, and Baron Hessing are seemingly in danger of losing control of Talis. Then there’s Mr. Nix, whose influence in the city seems larger than it appears to be. Urias deftly narrates these lead characters to connect and move the story as one rather than overwhelming each other. I’m thoroughly invested in the political chess game and intriguing schemes. I absolutely look forward to Book 2.