Fire Arrow

Songs of Eirren: 2

ISBN: 0-15-201635-X Order from: Amazon.com

A pretty good juvenile fantasy, a bit overly simplified in places, using standard Irish mythical motifs.

Reviewed by David on December 06, 1998

Genre: Fantasy (Juvenile, Hidden Heir, Revenge, Evil Invasion, Sword and Sorcery, Celtic)

Synopsis: Several years ago, the girl Brie watched strangers kill her father, commanded by a one-eyed sorcerer. Her thoughts of revenge drive her to leave her companion, Collun, who, despite killing a fearful monster in Hero's Song, advocates peace. When Brie finds a legacy from her dead mother, the magical fire arrow helps to lead her to her father's murders. But a private and painful revenge turns into a desperate struggle to stop a ruthless invasion, as Brie discovers the real reasons behind her father's death.

Full Review: Pattou uses some very conventional Celtic (mostly Irish, with a tinge of Welsh) motifs, as well as the typical juvenile heroes. The plot is streamlined, resolving with suspicious ease things like serious wounds, sexual attraction, and battles with no training or armor. The best juveniles have treated these issues with more depths. The bad guys are also barely sketched.

On the other hand, the style's very straightforwardness allows easy, pleasant reading of the entertaining plot, and presents an uncomplicated picture of likable, if a bit stereotypical characters.

Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5; World-building: 5; Originality: 4.5;

ISBN: 0-15-201635-X Order from: Amazon.com