Through Many Fires

I very much enjoyed reading Through Many Fires, a book about the end of America as we know it (following the nuclear destruction of major cities). The book has just about everything I enjoy in that kind of story: people trying to find comfort, difficult decisions, and even a budding rebellion of sorts. Right up my alley!

The story is enough for me to like the book, but I can't quite call the book amazing. The story ends rather abruptly, leaving me feeling a little unresolved. I'll have to wait for the second book, I suppose. I think the ending of this first book could've benefited from a more climactic conflict (it was a little lackluster).

The author is new at writing (this is his third book, I believe, and his first non-science fiction) and he could use a little practice. I'm having trouble putting my finger on it, but the writing seemed very simple to me. I think it has to do with the way people speak and act. It just feels slightly unnatural. There are also numerous grammatical and spelling errors, but they aren't really enough to make the book unenjoyable.

Despite the downsides, the upsides were really there! I found myself relating the main character, Caden, even though I've never been in the military and my own life situation is completely different. I had a little bit of trouble with the military jargon, but the glossary in the back solved that for me. And again, the story was superb! I couldn't put the book down! In fact, it only took me this long to finish because my father picked it up over Thanksgiving break and wouldn't let it go!

I received the book in a Goodreads giveaway, otherwise it is likely I would never have picked it up. But I'm glad I got it because I truly did enjoy it. With a few more books under his book and a good editor to help out, I think Kyle Pratt has was it takes to put forth a truly great piece of art.

I look forward to part two!