Comments on: GUEST REVIEW: Element of Fire by Martha Wells

By: maya

maya — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:10:14 +0000

I read the first few chapters, but then I reached a part that really put me off and dumped the whole thing. Why is it that authors just HAVE to make the homosexual relationship as harmful, manipulative and so on? Martha, you need to work on your homophobia.

By: Crushing Krisis › The Element of Fire

Crushing Krisis › The Element of Fire — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:46:49 +0000

[...] Dear Author highlights Martha Wells’ The Element of Fire, my favorite modern fantasy book not written by Steven Brust. [...]

By: peter m.

peter m. — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:20:47 +0000

Element is further cemented in my pantheon of favorite modern, adult fantasy with every read, and from the sound of it my original copy is as well-read as Laura’s.

As impressive as Martha’s compelling characterizations are, they are possibly surpassed by her clever world-building. How many authors create a beautifully rendered Elizabethan environment for their first novel – complete with an accompanying well-defined (yet largely unseen) faerie realm – only to fast forward the entire world to turn-of-the-century technology in a sequel (Necromancer) with nary a backwards glance? And, furthermore, then advance again to radios, pre-WWII tall ships, and zeppelins in her subsequent trilogy?

If you love fully-realized fantastical worlds and characters you will love this novel.

By: Beth

Beth — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:30:56 +0000

I love everything by this author. My library carries them, the eLibrary for New York City has the fall of Ile-Rien ebooks for check out, and they make great gifts (but there is no boxed set, you just have to order them).

By: Elizabeth Naylor

Elizabeth Naylor — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:16:36 +0000

For me, all of her books are keepers and usually end up being re-read several times a year. I am glad to see that her books are available as ebooks and will add those to my growing e-library, despite the DRM. I sent copies of her books to my fiance, now husband, and got him hooked as well.

Wheel of the Infinite is my favorite if I want a stand-alone, quick immersion into one of Wells’ worlds. The Ile-Rien books(Element of Fire, Death of a Necromancer, and the fall of Ile-Rien trilogy) are great if you have more time to devote. I am excited about the possibility of a new book as mentioned on her blog and can hardly wait until it’s out.

By: Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:49:09 +0000

I snagged this one in Mobi format. I’ll enjoy checking this out. Thanks for the intriguing review!

By: Laura Florand

Laura Florand — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:08:34 +0000

Yikes, I’m spotting typos as I read. Yet more proof that you should never proofread & hit send with a toddler tugging on you for attention.

Thanks for giving me the chance to review one of my favorite authors! It was hard to pick a favorite of hers, and I agree with all the other recommendations others have mentioned of her books. They are all so good.

By: Victoria Janssen

Victoria Janssen — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:01:02 +0000

DEFINITELY Laura’s right; I think many romance readers would love Martha Wells’ work. My favorites are THE ELEMENT OF FIRE and CITY OF BONES, but they all have their points–WHEEL OF THE INFINTE, for example, has an awesome protagonist who’s older than the usual fantasy heroine, and a pretty cool romance, too.

By: Jayne

Jayne — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:33:41 +0000

Not only an ebook but a FREE ebook. And in almost every format known to man. Click on the link in the review that states “The complete revised edition of this book is available online here.” You can’t get any better than that!

By: Devon

Devon — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:20:09 +0000

I’ve never heard of this author before. Thanks for the review, it sounds like something I would like.