Rating: 
Summary: Good set up...
Review: ...Not so great with the follow through. Christie Golden begins with a startling and instantly catching slice of fantasy. She then moves to a fantastic look at a complex world much like most people's notion of an Arab-Islamic society, but what starts with so much promise soon degrades into a very long pity-fest for Golden's poor, abused heroine, and her father who can't seem to get anything right. The fantasy wavers under the weight of the sorry life. Any action there would be in the book takes forever to begin, and then when it does come it seems choppy and disjointed. Conflict resolution seems tacked on to the end of the book, as does the master enemy, this Emperor.
I will admit to some curiosity about Golden's next book, and her start on this one is enough to make me read the Stone addition to what is obviously a series. To be honest, though, it is Golden's wonderful character development of the spoiled, complex, and spiteful villainess that gives me hope that these books will improve.
Rating:
Summary: Too simple
Review: 2 1/2 stars. The prologue and next few pages are fairly promising, but then the charcter development, particularly of Kevla (the main character), stagnates.
[...] I was bored by Kevla. If her struggles against her society's unjust caste system had been more discernible, I would have liked the book better. The worst I read about (before giving up) was that she was forced to thoroughly clean the room of her master's son. Her mother, master/father (she doesn't know he's her father), Sahlik--the head servant, and Jashemi (Kevla's half-brother, unbeknownst to her) all conspire to keep anything dreadful from happening to her. Lots of intimations of something terrible without anything awful directly affecting Kevla. I skimmed through about 2/3 of the book and it looked like more of the same. It appeared that the dragon would continue this protection and so-called guidance. I say so-called because Kevla never really seems to develop as a character.
I also found the writing simple and unengaging. To me the book seemed targeted to a YA audience, probably early teens.
I definitely have no desire to read more of the series. The reader finds out on the last page that there will be at least one more book. One too many in my opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: fabulous fantasy
Review: Arukan is a country made up of clans, some nomadic and others wedded to the land. It is a harsh world made up of castes with the baseborn children belonging nowhere and reduced to begging or prostitution to obtain food and shelter. Kevla Bai-Sha finds men for her mother to have sex with until a lord of the highest caste brings him into her home as a handmaiden to his wife Yeshi. She becomes one of Yeshi's favorites until she learns that Kevla is the daughter of Yeshi's husband.Yeshi banishes her to the kitchens and the only person who makes her life bearable is the Lord's heir Jashemi who knows that she is the other half of his soul. They love in spite of the taboo that prevents it and when they finally give in to their passion Kevla discovers her role as a fire element in saving the world and that Jasheni is her beloved in this life and others. Kevla with the help of the Truekeepers call for a convocation of the clan and begs them to unite against a common enemy or watch the destruction of their world. Christie Golden has written a fabulous fantasy about a world that can only be saved by the five elemental dancers of which Kevla is fire. If she succeeds in her quest, her world and two others will be saved, but if she fails, the Shadow will overtake the land and destroy all life within. This is the opening installment in what reads like a grand saga and if ON FIRE'S WINGS is any example, the other books in this series will be just as fantastic. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Wow! What a ride!
Review: Christie Golden is more---way more---than a franchise writer. That shows in her franchise work, of course, but in this independant piece from the new Luna line she proves she's got the goods to write outside someone else's box. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series!
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Book
Review: I am not much of a book person but on my holidays i wanted something to read that may take me a week or so to finish. I got this book and i couldn't put it down. I have only read 5 other books fully and this makes it 6 and i can't wait for the rest of the series to come out. Good work by the author. I would suggest reading this book as it is a GREAT read with a good compelling story to it.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking Characterization and Story...
Review: I definitely disagree with a few of the reviews on this book. Especially considering some of them didn't even bother to read the entire book. It seems kind of silly to me to post a review--especially one containing nasty spoilers--when you haven't even read the whole book.
I was hooked into this story from the first few pages. I found myself really caring about the characters--even the ones I didn't particularly like--and just HAD to know what happened to them. Kevla is a character who has gone through--and endured--much. She is in no way "pampered" throughout the book, but I won't go into details because, unlike other people, I don't like to SPOIL other people's reading experiences. Whether or not I cared for a book.
In this case, I loved the book in question. On Fire's Wings is a thought-provoking, detailed story taking a look at one society's rigid caste system and how one woman's special powers--which come at a very high price--bring change to that society. This book is intended for a mature audience--definitely not marketed for the 13 and under crowd. =) The book is gripping, well-written, and pulls no punches. Yes, On Fire's Wings takes a look at something that is a taboo in most societies--but by no means is the breaking of that taboo condoned or without harsh repercussions.
If you want a fantastic, entertaining read and are willing to read the entire book before making snap judgments, please pick it up today. I loved On Fire's Wings, and believe it will now top my list of favorite fantasy books. I can't wait for the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Surprised and impressed...
Review: I picked the book up on a whim since it was 'book of the month' for an online community I had found. I wasn't particularly interested in it at first.
However, I was quickly engrossed in the story and became attached to the characters by mid-novel.
I have to say, the world-building was excellent for this story. The novel almost seems like two stories put together. The first is a coming-of-age story in a Middle-Eastern desert type of culture and then you have the fantasy epic tale with magical gifts, dragons, and the evil Shadow.
For those of you who are sensitive to Christian religious standards, one of the sub-plots will disturb you. However, if you remain open-minded and view it for what it is, story and character building, then this shouldn't be a problem.
I throughly enjoyed this novel, even tho I didn't expect to at first. I am eagerly awaiting the next four novels in the series to meet the other Dancers and their worlds.
Rating:
Summary: Speechless in Arukan
Review: I picked up "On Fire's Wings" the other day and liked it from the moment I saw the beautiful paperback cover. This was one fantasy book that I refused to put down until I was completely finished. I was spellbound. It had me crying, sitting on the edge of my seat, and cheering. The one thing that I really disliked about it was the fact that it was part of a series, and the next book isn't coming out until Summer 2005. But I will patiently wait because I know this is gonna be one series that will forever be one of my major favs.
I just can't describe this book. Nothing I say will give it enough credit. It was the best book I've read since The Lost Years of Merlin series came out. It's a book that everyone would enjoy, and my mom plans to read it soon. The characters are wonderfully crafted and grow as the story progresses. The land, Arukan, is rich and full in it's description. Honestly, I just can't describe it all well enough. Read it for yourself, it'll leave you speechless too.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully crafted fantasy
Review: Kevla Bai-Sha was born with no status in Arukan's society. Without a father whose name she could take, she was doomed to remain a "Bai-Sha", selling her mother's wares as a "halaan". But when Khashim Tahmu-kha-Rakyn, of the Clan of Four Waters, takes her as a servant for his great house, Kevla's lot in life begins to improve. That is, at least, until Tahmu's wife realizes that Kevla is in fact his daughter.
Jashemi-kha-Tahmu, Kevla's stepbrother, recognizes her instantly as his father's daughter. He vows that although he can't recognize her as his sister publicly, he'll get to know her privately. Thus begins a forbidden relationship between the two, one that blossoms from affection to a deeply-seeded and unbreakable bond over the years.
But there's more to Kevla and Jashemi than meets the eye. They both have powerful, frightening dreams - dreams that would get them both burned for being possessed by demons if anyone in Arukan ever found out about them. With only each other to turn to, Jashemi and Kevla must uncover the secret to their disturbing dreams, before it's too late.
Ms. Golden has written a breathtaking tale of good vs. evil, treachery and betrayal, and the overwhelming power of love in the first installment in THE FINAL DANCE series. She writes magically - with an extreme talent for description and characterization, and dialogue that sounds true in every instance. Her voice is genuine and unique, never faltering, matching the tone of the novel perfectly at every turn.
Kevla's growth, her coming-of-age and acceptance of who she truly is are vital to the story, and beautifully handled by Ms. Golden. If you're looking for a captivating, intriguing fantasy novel, look no further than ON FIRE'S WINGS. The second novel in the series is scheduled for release in 2005.
Rating:
Summary: On Fire's Wings a HOT must read!
Review: On Fire's Wings, a fantasy by Christie Golden, is a tale that has everything a devotee of the genre could desire: a magical setting and culture that is unusual enough to catch your eye, yet so believably written you feel as if you know it after only the first three pages; a gutsy heroine that snares your heart the very first moment you meet her and holds it true as she grows into her destiny; not one but two heroes full of human flaws and the ability to rise above themselves in the moment; deadly enemies both open and hidden; and best of all, a mythos and a writing style that takes you away to this world and it's ways, making it impossible to put down. The story centers around the growth of a girl to woman, Kevla, who comes from the lowest of social lows in a culture that has a decided middle eastern flavor and exists in a desert rife with nomads, wealthy lords, oppulance and poverty, warring clans, intrigue within and without households, mythic deity and superstition, and the touch of magic. Kevla has no name and no caste, and yet she rises into a spectacular destiny that ultimately forces her to embrace her true self. She comes of age facing challenge after challenge, and you are with her for every single step in the sand thanks to the marvelous writing ability of this author.
Christie Golden balances description with action, dialogue with introspection, and creates realistic characters that leap from the page. The pacing is strong, and her story telling fluid. In addition to all of this, the writer fears not to take risks, and pushes boundaries in a way that will leave you breathless. The author has found that perfect blend of the elements of fiction that create reader nirvana, and she has mixed them up and dished them out for us between the pages of this book. My only warning: Kevla, her land, and its tale will leave you longing for more. Thankfully, Ms. Golden will oblige as there is a sequel in the works. Go ahead, indulge your taste for fantasy, adventure, and the magic of an excellent and engaging read!
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