I didn't know this was book 2 in a Young Adult series, but the author does a fair job of working previous events into the story, so it's not a problem. There are lots of myth and legends of old Ireland wound into the tale, so devotees of the Auld Sod should enjoy hearing familiar names and places.
The basic story is that our young heroine's father was killed by evil men, and she has vowed revenge. But will her revenge do HER more harm than it will to those murderers?
The basic story is that our young heroine's father was killed by evil men, and she has vowed revenge. But will her revenge do HER more harm than it will to those murderers?
Fire Arrow was definately better than it's predessor (Hero's Song) at least as far as plot and writing style go. Where "Hero's Song" was somewhat choppy and the product of a less experienced writer... "Fire Arrow" shows Edith Pattou's growth as a writer.
The characters are well fleshed out... and interesting... breaking out of their "cookie cutter" selves from "Hero's Song".
The story was compelling... it diffenately kept both me (and my husband) reading. If you are an avid fantasy reader... I definately recommend picking these books up. However... if you are a staunch backer of the "creators" of the genre... you might want to pass. Though they are original in their idea... they are nothing spectacular. And yet, at least "Fire Arrow" is a good story for kids (particularly girls, as the main character is Breo-Saight, the girl from "Hero's Song"), showing them the consequences of vengence and the value of life.
Again... a good and entertaining read... but in a genre that is full of hero and adventure stories... there isn't much to make these two stand out...
Though I wonder... is this intended to be a trilogy?? If so... where is the third book???
"Hero's Song" was published in 1991 and "Fire Arrow" in 1998... I think we are due the third installment!
The characters are well fleshed out... and interesting... breaking out of their "cookie cutter" selves from "Hero's Song".
The story was compelling... it diffenately kept both me (and my husband) reading. If you are an avid fantasy reader... I definately recommend picking these books up. However... if you are a staunch backer of the "creators" of the genre... you might want to pass. Though they are original in their idea... they are nothing spectacular. And yet, at least "Fire Arrow" is a good story for kids (particularly girls, as the main character is Breo-Saight, the girl from "Hero's Song"), showing them the consequences of vengence and the value of life.
Again... a good and entertaining read... but in a genre that is full of hero and adventure stories... there isn't much to make these two stand out...
Though I wonder... is this intended to be a trilogy?? If so... where is the third book???
"Hero's Song" was published in 1991 and "Fire Arrow" in 1998... I think we are due the third installment!
