Rating: 
Summary: It's like two good books that don't fit together
Review: The first half of the book is a truly different take on the fantasy novel. Kritzer creates a believable world with compelling characters. The second half of the book is a more run of the mill fantasy novel, but still quite well executed. The problem is that the two halves don't read like a unified story.The second half of the novel brings a jarring change in tone (perhaps intentional given the change in setting), and reveals an interesting new side to the protagonist (which is terribly unbelievable given the age at which she entered the conservatory). That said, I'll probably buy the sequel anyway.
Rating: 
Summary: enthralling fantasy saga
Review: The only thing sixteen-year-old Eliana is looking forward to is graduating the Verdiano Rural Conservatory and performing at the Imperial Court. She doesn't question the religion of the Lord and the Lady, or the magery that most people love or use or the Fedeli who eradicate all traces of heresy. The war and famine in the world doesn't touch the budding musicians who are insulated from anything that unpleasant. Eliana's views change when the Fedeli come and kill one of her closest friends and kidnap her roommate. She leaves the conservatory, rejects the Circle of mages and the official religion, and turns to the Old Ways. She discovers that the famine is caused by the Mage's use of sorcery and ends up in a refugee camp where she becomes the rallying point of a people that desperately need a leader that will fix their world. FIRES OF THE FRUITFUL is an enthralling fantasy saga very reminiscent of the Joan of Arc story. Readers get so caught up in the heroine's world that they actually feel they are a camp follower. Naomi Kritzer is an expert at characterizations and plotting, so much so that the audience will want to finish it in one sitting and put it on the keeper shelf. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: fragmented
Review: This book has a great lead and a few interesting ideas, but the plot is fragmented, wandering without focus. Whenever the book seems to settle down on something (music school, competing religions, evil magic, finding family, oppressive government), that plot line is put on the back burner and another takes over. The same happens with secondary characters; as soon as you like them -- poof! -- they disappear.
The "religious discourse" and weak Christianity links are overplayed by other reviewers -- this book does not go on a soap box preaching the author's religious message. The main tenents of the two religions are never even defined.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book
Review: This book was very interesting in that it takes you to a differnt time and place. Eliana is a very dominant woman figure, and she is very intellegent. Mira, one of her closest friends is probably the most mysterious person in the book apart from Giovanni. The only things that confused me were the religions, and Eliana's sexual prefrence considering that she seems attracted to both women and Giovanni. (Giovanni in the end...) All in all, I enjoyed this book and would reccomend it to people who enjoy fantasy with a bit of magic.
Rating:
Summary: Great Beginning
Review: This was a wonderful book! I wasn't sure, at first, if I would like it because of the religiousness of the war, but I stuck with it. Kritzer's alternate version of Christianity was very interesting, especially for one not very religious. Anyway, Eliana was a good heroine, her musician side helped to counteract the normal-female-heroineness of her. The story went pretty fast, but I didn't get lost as she went from a violinist in a rural conservatory to warleader. Overall, it was worth the read and now I must go finish reading the second book...
Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic First Novel!
Review: What a story! Naomi Kritzer has definitely made her mark on the fantasy storytelling market! I was easily drawn into the Conservatory, I could hear the Old Way music echoing through the halls. I experienced the whole range of emotions right along with the characters - excitement, elation, confusion, fear, and disbelief. I was WITH Eliana and Giula on the road to Donatura, I was right there in the dust and the grime of Ravenna. My skin crawled right along with Eliana's when she "visited" the keep. Heck, once I even cried. Talk about well-written! Though the book's religion is an ill-disguised allegory of Christianity, it is not a primary plot element and is not really terribly intrusive. The dynamic storytelling and intriguing characters more than make up for it. FIRES OF THE FAITHFUL is a fantastic book, and completely captivating!
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