cover image Wildfire

Wildfire

Sarah Micklem, . . Scribner, $26 (520pp) ISBN 978-0-7432-6524-9

The harsh realities of ancient war and a woman's struggle to break free of male dominance blend brilliantly in this dream-drenched sequel to Micklem's 2004 debut, Firethorn . Exquisite prose (“I had no edges between inside and out”) enhances this glowing tapestry narrated by Firethorn, a healer, precognitive dreamer and slave struck by lightning while on a voyage to join her master. Believing she has been branded by the god Ardor Wildfire, she suffers a painful recovery that leaves her with a lopsided face, strange garbled speech and the ability to see shades. Sire Galan still desires her, but her rebellious acts strain their relationship. Then Galan's adversary, King Arkhyios Corvus, takes Firethorn captive, and her further travails lead her to truly understand the gift of “inward fire.” Micklem has penned a rich and memorable tribute to endurance and self-enlightenment. (July)