Review: Fireborn: Embers of Atlantis by Tracy Hickman

Fireborn: Embers of AtlantisDetails: Fireborn: Embers of Atlantis by Tracy Hickman

  • Pub. Date: October 2011
  • Publisher: Fantasy Flight Games
  • Format: Other Format , 304pp
 

Fireborn: Embers of Atlantis Synopsis:

 
Powerful scions walk the streets of modern London, oblivious to their true nature. Unknowingly, they carry within them the spirits of reincarnated dragons from an age of high fantasy. As magic begins to emerge once more in the 21st century, long-dormant memories begin to flood the minds of these scions, reminding them of their mystical heritage. Welcome to the world of Fireborn!
Ethan Gallows knows things about his world. He knows there is magic, and he knows he wants nothing to do with it. Yet, when he is sent on the seemingly menial job of filming a museum curator’s antique art collection in London, Ethan discovers that he has much more to learn. After witnessing a violent display of sorcery, ancient memories come rushing back to Ethan – memories seen through the eyes of a dragon! With minions of the Taint now seeking him for their own twisted purposes, Ethan must put his trust in Sojourner – a woman claiming to be a draconic scion. Could he really be a dragon of old, or is this some sort of fanatic conspiracy?
Embers of Atlantis is the first novel based on the acclaimed Fireborn roleplaying game setting. Written by New York Times bestselling author Tracy Hickman (Dragonlance), Embers of Atlantis introduces readers to a modern world faced with the sudden emergence of magic.
 
David’s Thoughts:
 
Fireborn: Embers of Atlantis by Tracy Hickman is a novel written in the Fireborn RPG (Role Playing Game) world.  Magic disappeared from the world with the fall of Atlantis, but has returned in modern times.  The dead have risen in Europe and are re-fighting WWII, monsters from fairy tales attack airplanes, American Indians have claimed the plains with shamans using magic to fight the army, and a handful of people have memories of a life as a dragon.  Ethan Gallows is one such person.  Initially unaware of these memories, events lead him to realize he has the magically essence of a dragon last seen on earth as Atlantis was destroyed.  But this revelation only comes about as Ethan is plunged into a war between good and evil.  Each side believes they are in the right, with the side of good using clean, pure magic, and the side of evil using tainted magic.
 
I’ve been a fan of Hickman’s books for 15 years of more, and was eager to read this one.  I had never heard of the Fireborn RPG before, but have read hundreds of other books written in role playing settings.  No knowledge of the game setting is required to read this book, it works well as a standalone novel.  I thought this book was an interesting read.  I liked the setting and the characters.  I’ve always found Hickman’s books to be easy to read with a smooth, flowing storyline with characters that the reader comes to love (or hate).  I read through this book quickly, wanting to know what happens next.  The biggest disappoint I had was that the book ended.  At about 300 pages, it’s not a short book, but I wanted it to keep going.  Now I’m stuck waiting impatiently for the next book.
 
David’s Rating:
*An Ecopy of this book was provided by Netgalley.com for review.  This in no way affected the rating or opinions on the book.