It’s been two years since Enna’s best friend, Isi aka Ani stopped the potential war between Bayern and Kilandree. Enna has returned home to take over the house since her mother’s death with her brother. But Enna is no longer content in the Forest as she used to be. But she isn’t needed in the palace either as Isi becomes consumed with her duties as queen.
But when her brother, Leifer becomes consumed with the fire language he finds in a book of vellum, Enna fears Leifer will be destroyed. But finding a way to erase the knowledge Leifer already knows has to come second to a new war brewing between Bayern and the southern kingdom of Tira.
The knowledge of fire language suddenly seems to be the one weapon in their arsenal that may turn the tide of war, and Enna is certain that she can control it far better than her brother. All she knows is that she has to do something for her kingdom.
Just as with the previous novel, Hale’s descriptive imagery and world building is top notch. In fact, the library copies I read have reading extras like book club questions and an interview with Hale so readers can see the importance Hale places in creating a set magic belief system that has its rules, and limitations. That is as comprehensive and tightly plotted as the character arc.
Speaking of arcs, Enna’s arc is wonderful. Enna almost seems the opposite of pre-growth Ani. She’s confident, mischevious, and always up for adventure. But it’s been two years and she’s been feeling aimless. Homesick really, but she’s unsure for what. She just doesn’t have a purpose.
And learning the fire-language despite its dangers gives Enna a purpose and means to fight. Secretly, of course, as a “fire witch” that infiltrates Tirian camps and disappears into the smoke.
But readers have seen the dangers of fire language. Much like actual fire, it consumes the person that uses it. Turning them angry, and fiery, their only release coming from burning and destroying those in their path. Although, Enna tries to use it sparingly, the itch and the burning become stronger, necessitating more controlled burns.
You can read it almost as an addiction as Isi warns Enna that the fire is using her and her mind is making justifications (it’s the only way to win the war, that Enna is helping, that she’s being useful) so she wouldn’t have to stop. She even comes to fear what her life would be like if she got rid of it, that it would be the dull aimlessness and how she won’t be able to bear it even as the fire threatens to kill her if she retains it any longer.
But Enna is not the only one having trouble controlling her gift of language as Isi’s wind language is driving her to distraction too, showing that the nature languages need the balance of other languages so not to overwhelm the speaker.
The fight Enna wages within herself and her guilt as she lets the fires get out of control (literally) is compelling as its compounded by Enna dealing with another temptation in Part 4, highlighting the struggle of being consumed by forces greater than her own and Enna’s own need to feel special, useful, and powereful.
Enna also has a side romance plot that feels undercooked with everything going on. Readers may remember Finn from The Goose Girl, and he and Enna have grown close in their return to the Forest. But when Enna carelessly comments that she’s looking for a man to fall in love with, not a boy, Finn predictably signs up to join the army for battle. He ends up on the sidelines, nursing his hurt feelings (which Enna is oblivious too) and becoming the best combatant. Predictably, Enna’s brush with what she thought she wanted is nothing compared to Finn whose matured in front of her eyes while retaining his sweet nature and empathy. I like the dynamic presented but I wish Hale gave Finn more page time so he could have been on that journey with Enna.
Rather Isi gets to be Enna’s confidante, best friend and puller from the brink, and just I love their friendship. Even when they fight, it’s clear that their bond is a lasting one of loyalty and love. Plus fire and wind makes them a dangerous team. So cool.
Another element that was also underwritten was Leifer’s death. It is Enna’s catalyst to learn fire language and serves as a warning to herself of what not to do, but I wish Hale spent more time fleshing him out. He’s only there for Part 1 which is around 50 pages, and we only know him after the fire changed his personality. His death is tragic but if there had been more time spent on Leifer, his personality and his sibling relationship, I would have felt more invested in his death and felt Enna’s grief.
But these are minor flaws compared to the expansion of Bayern’s world including two new kingdoms, mystical ceremonies and dangerous gifts. I can’t wait for Razo’s story next.
4 stars.
Rachel Reads & Reviews 
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