Book cover of The Element of Fire

Book description

The Element of Fire was first published in the US by Tor Books in 1993, and has been published in six languages. It was a finalist for the 1993 Compton Crook/Stephen Tall Award and a runner-up for the 1994 Crawford Award. This new edition has b

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Why read it?

1 author picked The Element of Fire as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I stumbled on a used paperback copy of Martha Wells’ first book shortly after it came out in 1993. I was hooked on page one, which begins with a group of musketeers breaking into the home of a foreign sorcerer. From the moment of our main protagonist’s second line, “The point of it is to go and be killed where you’re told,” I knew I was going to adore this book.

The witty: Basically, everything from the banter to the convoluted court politics. The weird: brilliant use of magic that runs from wallpaper that tries to murder our heroes to…

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The High House by James Stoddard,

The Victorian mansion, Evenmere, is the mechanism that runs the universe.

The lamps must be lit, or the stars die. The clocks must be wound, or Time ceases. The Balance between Order and Chaos must be preserved, or Existence crumbles.

Appointed the Steward of Evenmere, Carter Anderson must learn the…

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