Review: Can't wait for the next one.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 1, 2014
Knight of Flame is book one in the Knights Elementalis series and I can't wait for book two. Eder has melded the chilvalric code of medieval knights with the more ancient metaphysical concept of four universal elements of creation: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The first book focuses on the element of fire and through it, explores the need for self-control and the balancing power of love.Though the two threads the form the premise for this book go back into antiquity, Eder  melds them together to form something new, fresh and provocative. The story is fast paced and tightly written with characters who, despite their fantastic powers, the reader can empathize with. Cassidy Sinclair, the female lead and a pure human, is particularly well-drawn, with strengths, frailties, and baggage that are common to the human condition without being cliché.  In fact, Eder draws his female characters with the same moral fortitude and strength as his male characters, a refreshing change from much of the most popular fantasy novels. Neither does he ignore the basic human needs of his characters, even the superhumans among them, both male and female.In fact, the only character who is not fully articulated, and perhaps this is deliberate and will be remedied in later installments, is Stillman, the Knight's leader, who at times seems a bit contradictory in his actions, often without a satisfying explanation. This small caveat in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book, though. It was more of a "hmmm," than a "what?!"In the fantasy genre, it doesn't get much better than the Knights Elementalis. Pick up a copy of Knight of Flame if you get a chance. You won't be sorry.