Title: A Day of Fire
Author: Various
Publisher: Self
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Acquired Via: Historical Fiction Blog Tours
Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain’s wrath . . . and these are their stories:
A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii’s flourishing streets.
An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.
An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.
A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue.
A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls.
A priestess and a whore seek resurrection and redemption as the town is buried.
Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each others’ path during Pompeii’s fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?
My Review
Usually when reviewing a short story collection, I try to review each of the stories individually. However, with A Day of Fire, I don't really feel that it's necessary. Each of the stories are of the same quality, and I feel like the theme running between them was also the same. This is by no means a YA collection (though older teens may enjoy it), but each of the characters faced coming of age and learning who they were and what they were about, even the older characters. The most important thing that I saw the characters learning was honor in the face of the terrifying event that the anthology is based around.
Though the stories in A Day of Fire are about different characters and written by different authors, some of the same characters are interwoven throughout each of them. That being said, the stories can be read individually, but the greatest enjoyment comes from reading all six. One of my favorite characters in A Day of Fire was Prima, but I do like strong females in books. And bitches - she was a feisty little bitch. I didn't even like her much at first, but as I got to know her in the following stories, I liked her a lot more.
There was one story that did make me gasp a little. I was off my guard and just enjoying the writing in the book - which is superb, by the way - when all of a sudden, the history jumped up and smacked me in the face! Duh, Kayla! You know this stuff! I spent two semesters studying the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, but I was paying no attention to the history that I knew because I was enjoying the story-telling so much. Now, if you've ever specialized in anything, you know how hard it can be to read about your beloved subject. To forget yourself and not pick it apart, just enjoying it, is a rare, rare gem. A Day of Fire was so easy for be to relax and read.
If you're looking for six fantastic, well-written story by six talented authors, I cannot recommend A Day of Fire enough. A few of the authors of these stories are new to me, but you had better believe that I will be reading their other works. This anthology couldn't have been written by a more talented group of people.
Buy Links
Amazon US | Amazon UK
About the Author
STEPHANIE DRAY is a multi-published, award-winning author of historical women’s fiction and fantasy set in the ancient world. Her critically acclaimed historical Nile series about Cleopatra’s daughter has been translated into more than six different languages, was nominated for a RITA Award and won the Golden Leaf. Her focus on Ptolemaic Egypt and Augustan Age Rome has given her a unique perspective on the consequences of Egypt’s ancient clash with Rome, both in terms of the still-extant tensions between East and West as well as the worldwide decline of female-oriented religion. Before she wrote novels, Stephanie was a lawyer, a game designer, and a teacher. Learn more at www.StephanieDray.com
BEN KANE worked as a veterinarian for sixteen years, but his love of ancient history and historical fiction drew him to write fast-paced novels about Roman soldiers, generals and gladiators. Irish by nationality but UK-based, he is the author of seven books, the last five of which have been Sunday Times top ten bestsellers. Ben’s books have been translated into ten languages. In 2013, Ben walked the length of Hadrian’s Wall with two other authors, for charity; he did so in full Roman military kit, including hobnailed boots. He repeated the madness in 2014, over 130 miles in Italy. Over $50,000 has been raised with these two efforts. Learn more at http://www.benkane.net
E. KNIGHT is an award-winning, indie national best-selling author historical fiction. Under the name, Eliza Knight she writes historical romance and time-travel. Her debut historical fiction novel, My Lady Viper, has received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Historical Novel Society 2015 Annual Indie Award. She regularly presents on writing panels and was named Romance Writer’s of America’s 2013 PRO Mentor of the Year. Eliza lives in Maryland atop a small mountain with a knight, three princesses and a very naughty puppy. For more information, visit Eliza at www.elizaknight.com.
SOPHIE PERINOT is the author of the acclaimed debut, The Sister Queens, which weaves the story of medieval sisters Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence who became queens of France and England respectively. Perinot has both a BA in History and a law degree. A long-time member of the Historical Novel Society, she has attended all of the group’s North American Conferences, serving as a panelist at the most recent. When she is not visiting corners of the past, Sophie lives in Great Falls, VA. Learn more at www.SophiePerinot.com
KATE QUINN is the national bestselling author of the Empress of Rome novels, which have been variously translated into thirteen different languages. She first got hooked on Roman history while watching “I, Claudius” at the age of seven, and wrote her first book during her freshman year in college, retreating from a Boston winter into ancient Rome. She and her husband now live in Maryland with an imperious black dog named Caesar. Learn more at http://www.katequinnauthor.com
VICKY ALVEAR SHECTER is the award-winning author of the young adult novel, Cleopatra’s Moon (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, 2011), based on the life of Cleopatra’s only daughter. She is also the author of two biographies for kids on Alexander the Great and Cleopatra. The LA Times called Cleopatra’s Moon–set in Rome and Egypt–“magical” and “impressive.” Publisher’s Weekly said it was “fascinating” and “highly memorable.” Her young adult novel of Pompeii, Curses and Smoke (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic), released in June 2014. She has two other upcoming books for younger readers, Anubis Speaks! and Hades Speaks! Vicky is a docent at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.vickyalvearshecter.com/mainBlog Tour Schedule
Review at The Maiden’s Court
Wednesday, October 29
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Thursday, October 30
Review at leeanna.me
Monday, November 3
Review at Bibliophilia, Please
Wednesday, November 5
Review at Peeking Between the Pages
Monday, November 10
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Wednesday, November 12
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book
Thursday, November 13
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Tuesday, November 18
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Connection
Wednesday, November 19
Review at Book Babe
Tuesday, November 25
Review at Reading the Past
Wednesday, November 26
Guest Post at Historical Tapestry
Friday, November 28
Review at The True Book Addict
Monday, December 1
Guest Post at From the TBR Pile
Thursday, December 4
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
Friday, December 5
Review at Let Them Read Books
Tour-Wide Giveaway
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You are going to put words in my box?! *squeezes you* Now I shall stalk YOUR blog!