"Martyr's Fire", by Sigmund Brouwer (book review)

"Martyr's Fire" is book 3 in the Merlin's Immortals series.  The first two novels are "The Orphan King" and "Fortress of Mist".  However, I did not read the first two novels.  I requested the book for review because I've read another of Brouwer's trilogies and enjoyed his writing.  I wondered, "Can this book be read as a stand-alone novel?  Or would the reader have needed to read the first two in the series prior to reading this one?"

IMPRESSIONS:

Well, I was able to discover the answer for you:  No, you can't read this book without having read the first two in the trilogy.  Characters were already developed (apparently) in the previous novels, and the story line was already at a point of no return.

As much as I've enjoyed some of Brouwer's other books, I can't say as much about this one.  I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since I didn't read the first two. In fact, I'd probably like the trilogy if I had read all the books, but this one never captured my attention.  There was virtually NO action until about the 10th chapter, and even that action wasn't much to speak of.  Instead, it was more conversational action and "backroom swindling deals" rather than swords and fighting, etc.  When I see a novel based loosely in the 1300's about kingdoms and knights, I guess I kind of expect to read about some good ol' fashioned heroics.  I didn't see any of that, even into the 20th chapter.

So, the big question: Did I finish reading the book?  No.  I got bored with it -- really, really bored, and I just couldn't bring myself to going past the half-way point.  Sorry, Sigmund.

RATING:  Because I didn't enjoy this book, and because it never captured my attention, I can't give this one a high rating.  However, due to not having read the first 2 books of the trilogy, I must give Brouwer the benefit of the doubt and not rate it too low.  So, I'm giving it a middle of the road rating: 2 1/2 stars.

You can read the first chapter by clicking here. 

About the Author: Sigmund Brouwer is the author of eighteen novels with nearly three million copies in print. His recent novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC's Good Morning America. Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan, and they and their two daughters divide their time between homes in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee.

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free of charge from Tyndale House Publishers (Blogging for Books) in exchange for my unbiased review of it.  All opinions are mine and were not coerced upon me to provide a favorable review.

Sigmund Brouwer is the author of eighteen novels with nearly three million copies in print. His recent novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC's Good Morning America. Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan, and they and their two daughters divide their time between homes in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400071562#sthash.LUUQF1ug.dpuf

Sigmund Brouwer is the author of eighteen novels with nearly three million copies in print. His recent novel The Last Disciple was featured in Time magazine and on ABC's Good Morning America. Sigmund is married to Christian recording artist Cindy Morgan, and they and their two daughters divide their time between homes in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada and Nashville, Tennessee. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?isbn=9781400071562#sthash.LUUQF1ug.dpuf