I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I loved pretty much everything about it. I will say though if you don’t like questing / journeying books, this is not the book for you. And that the blurb is ever so mildly misleading, though not in a bad way. So with that out that way: review!
I liked Kamzin’s fire. She has a good mix of belief in her abilities, knowing her strengths, stubbornness, and self-doubt. In the village she’s stuck being someone she’s not and not quite at home, but once she’s on the quest it becomes a strength. And I loved that her familiar is a mangy fox lol! I feel that there should be more to that and I want to know all of it.
While I liked her relationship with Tem, to me that totally read as friends, so I was surprised when it turned out they were exes. I get that maybe that’s Kamzin’s feelings on it, but it felt unnecessary and unexplained. Their friendship was, however, excellent. Strong and willing to follow the other into madness. Again only mild niggle is Tem’s unresolved feelings and jealousy issues - as they’re not dealt with it felt a bit too much like ownership in places. Mild and infrequent though. His magic was awesome though, and I liked the early stuff between him and Kamzin’s about the shaman.
Let’s get on to River. I get that this is the first in the series, but there is SO MUCH left unsaid here. I need explanations! I loved him and the fire demon though. His character until the end (which I won’t go into for keeping it spoiler free) is pretty solid, and this is why I want more - I feel there is so much behind his decisions and actions throughout. The relationship between River and Kamzin doesn’t feel forced but does feel a little rushed.
It’s hard to read this and not compare it to A Shiver of Snow and Sky, which I also recently read. Both are quests and mountains and snow. In many ways ASOSAS is better written, it’s lyrical and mythical, which I loved. But there was something about the journey and the twists with this one too! Both excellent.