Duel of Fire

Steel and Fire Series, Book 1

By: Jordan Rivet

Narrated by: Caitlin Kelly

Dara Ruminor is a serious young duelist in the mountaintop kingdom of Vertigon, a land of dramatic cliffs and misty peaks where mysterious Fire magic runs through the stones like blood. The secluded kingdom has been peaceful for 100 years. Swords are used for sport, and successful athletes live like kings as long as the crowds love them.

Eighteen-year-old Dara needs to find a wealthy patron in order to duel professionally and avoid a lifetime working in her parents' Fire Lantern shop. Her efforts are disrupted when her coach asks her to train with Prince Siv, an infuriating - if handsome - young man who refuses to take the sport as seriously as she does. But the prince's life may be in danger, and soon Dara will discover that Vertigon isn't as peaceful as she thought.

As threats emerge from the shadows, Dara will have to raise her sword to protect Siv - if he doesn't irritate her so much that she decides to run him through herself.

©2016 Jordan Rivet (P)2016 Tantor

That Ending

The novel was mediocre at best, the story full of cliches. The main character is a head strong young woman who wants to make her own way in the world. She's naive yet has strong principles. She falls in love with the prince who is a jerk with a heart of gold. It all feels cookie cutter.

Until the moment the book goes full Game of Thrones in the last 20%. People are betrayed, lots of people die. Someone get their hand cut off. It was like reading a different, much better book with high stakes.

I might pick up the second book just bc the ending was so strong.

Exciting Book with an Excellent Narrator

Caitlin Kelly is on my list of go-to narrators. She brings to life any book she reads, and this book make it especially easy on her. It is action packed and full of intrigue. If you like interesting fantasy settings with lots of rapier fighting, then this is the book for you!

Even better

I loved this book so much. I thought I would and I did even more than I thought.

Unique story.

Well developed characters, interesting world. Able to see through parts of the plot, but the plot moved quickly and the people were interesting.

Could not "put it down"

Loved it! Finished it within a day rather than a couple days like I normally do with audio books.

Great story and characters

Wonderful series with many unexpected twists and turns. Well developed characters that grow from teens to adults through the year that the five books cover. Excellent performance as well. Well worth the read!

Very solid YA Fantasy

As the title says. Duel of Fire was a fun and action packed ride. My biggest complaint is that there isn't enough world building. The plot moves very fast and sometimes that lead to a lot of similar scenes. otherwise this was a very fun book.

The narrator did a pretty good job as well. I only noticed her make a couple mistakes.

Legit great story!!!

This is legit a great story! it's small right now but there's an actual world here. The mystery was intriguing enough but overshadowed by Dara's story which is fine. loved that she had the mentality of an athlete. I wish she had The chance to get the king's favor too, though. That way she would have felt more grief in the end. And when did they find people training in the caverns? when was that foreshadowed? Also, the prince was acting like a naive boy with Dara than the loverboy the book said he was. I loved the princesses too I can't wait for more of them in the next book. This was a great opening to a great series. Great story. Will read more.

Excellent piece of supernatural epic fantasy for all ages.

Duel of Fire is an excellent piece of supernatural epic fantasy, suitable for all ages. The narrator does a lot to bring out the color and feel of the people who are involved with the daily life and the family members of the two main characters. Set in a land ruled by a king in a time reminiscent of the middle ages but with a small amount of magic mixed in Dora, a daughter of a fire magè (that is not what they are called in the book but it is the best way to describe it) wants to be a swords woman instead of working in the family business

Not what I thought it would be.

So, this story is slow to the excitement, but I am so happy with the character build and the story. The narrator is also lovely with the different accents.