This book kept me up into the wee hours before I had to admit defeat and turn out the light. The characters were engaging, and the world is vividly drawn. This is old-style fantasy in the sense that the author has created a world that I'd like to visit, and people that I'd like to know.

It's also old-style fantasy in the fact that Reimann's world is completely suffused with magic--every doorpost seems to have its own charm or fetish or burnt offering to the gods. But the gods and their influence on human affairs are not overdrawn. Their motives and the extent of their actual influence remain mysterious--in a good way.

An enjoyable read. I'm still thinking about the characters a couple of weeks after I put the book down--always a good sign.

The Arleon Forest witch Gaultry Bas captures Tullier of the Bissanty Empire before he can assassinate Prince Benet of Tielmark. Gaultry returns to Tielmark accompanied by Tullier while praying to the Twin Goddesses that her country will finally thrive in peace and domestic tranquillity. However, she also believes that for this to happen, Prince Benet must become crowned king.

The Common Brood witch coven disagrees as they conclude that the time is right to begin the final phase of a deadly and ancient plot. Though she prefers otherwise, Gaultry knows she must fight for freedom for her people as the Bissanty Empire once again threatens the sovereignty of Tielmark. To succeed she must ally with an apparent enemy, The Common Brood.

PRINCE OF FIRE AND ASHES, the final chapter in Katya Reimann's epic fantasy Tielmaran Chronicles, is a tremendous tale. The novel closes the subplots left behind from the previous two tales (WIND FROM A FOREIGN SKY and A TREMOR IN THE BITTER EARTH) yet manages to keep the prime story line of this book interesting and moving, enabling this novel to be a stand alone tale too. That well executed exciting combo is what fans will marvel about as much as the maturing of Ms. Reimann into a monster force within the genre.

Harriet Klausner

Have you read, and loved, Lois McMaster Bujold's Curse of Chalion, anything by Steven Brust, or some early Robin Hobb? Then read this book. Or, if you've read Reimann's first two Tielmaran novels, you won't need any convincing. This is easily the best of the three -- the only problem was how long it took to write it! Return readers will get some things they expect -- fast action, powerful magic, and a beautiful sense for wild, rugged terrain -- and some things they may not -- new, ah, developments between Gaultry and Martin, and some great new characters (the Climens family, Agrat and Elizabeth, were my favorites). And of course, this book ties up the other two to end the series (for the moment anyway). Good that Reimann resisted the temptation to milk these great settings and characters dry for a hundred books, but I still hope she'll come back to them. There's plenty of magic and adventure left in this vivid world.Maybe some more stories about Agrat and her children? We can only hope... anyway, great book!

In the ever diminishing area of "just good fantasy" it is nice to find a book to feel comfortable with. I usually read 2 -3 books a week and struggle through a lot of "drugstore paperbacks" just to feed a fix. This book was great ! The lady is out there writing a great story not just selling print. Cannot wait for the rest of the story.

This is a great book! I loved the charectures, and how difined they were. Its a great story line, with a lot of suspense. The very end was confusing, and you had to read it a few times, but then it made sense. I love fantasy books, David Eddings, JK Rowling, Kate Forsyth, and Phillip pullman espesially. Read this book!

Many years ago, one of my favorite fantasy series was Stephen R. Donaldson's "Lord Foul's Bane" and sequels.

Around the same time, I was in college playing D&D with a group that eventually included the author of this book, Katya Reimann.

So I'm not at all surprised to have come across her books years later and find a vivid fantasy world and writing that really draws in the reader. I tore through the first book and regretted not ordering the others at the same time. (OK, I thought there was -some- risk I might not actually like it.)

As I read the book, it reminded me of the Donaldson books in the sense of a hero(ine) who evolves a power, and is faced with various moral dilemmas along the way. But the similarity pretty much ends there. The point is, if you liked Donaldson, I think you'll like this even more. If you didn't (and I know his writing has drawn some criticism), I hope you'll still give this a shot.

Engaging read - Enjoyable story with an unusual view of 'magic'. What the story lacked in character development in made up with a suspenseful, easy to read storyline that kept your interest until the end. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a pleasant way to pass a weekend. The second book in the series did seem superior to the first and having read the series backwards, I feel you could get away with skipping the first book in the series altogether.

I greatly enjoyed reading the adventures of Gaultry and her companions.... once i had finished the two books in the series i just wanted to read more- there are so many questions i have about the characters. Katya really brought life to her book, to her story but i urge her to write the third book- i'm waiting with others to find out how Gaulrty lives the rest of her life

Katya Reimann delivers a rousing adventure that is fresh and innovative without bogging down in trying to establish more details than the last epic fantasy series to hit the shelves.

Her world is sharp and well-defined without the clutter that others fall victim too. Her characters are interesting and complex. Engaging enough to make you anticipate the next adventure that awaits them.

With twenty or so series that seem like they will never end (not necessarily a bad thing), it is still nice to have a feeling of completeness when finishing a book. Something Reimann delivers in this and her previous book. While leaving the door open for further books, she still gives the reader the feeling that you have reached a destination and that something has actually been accomplished. As opposed to closing a 700 page novel knowing that you have only reached the next stage in an ongoing (and neverending?) journey.

Long treks can be exciting and fulfilling. But day trips or overnighters can be just as fun. Take the weekend off and enjoy what Reimann has to offer. You won't be disappointed.