Into the Fire

Into the Fire (1998) Dennis McKiernan
Book Two of the Hel’s Crucible Duology

The conlusion to the story started in Into the Forge, Phais, Loric, Tipperton, and Beau leave Mineholt North to continue Tip’s quest to take the coin to Agron. War continues to rage as Gryphon seeks to dominate Mithgar and all its inhabitants.

This book is the conclusion to a long story–that of the War of the Ban. Years pass as war is waged throughout Mithgar, although the tale focuses only upon Tipperton and Beau and their experiences. I like the fact that the tale is a long one and a slow one. Often books that tell tales of war are told as having taken place in impossibly short times–especially as how the heroes are travelling on horseback. The pacing of the story varies between long periods of waiting and travel, and the frenzy of battle. Something that seems far more reasonable.

Obviously you won’t want to start with this book, as it is the second of two. I would recommend either the writing order of the stories, or the timeline order as a starting point, although The Dragonstone and Tales of Mithgar are not a bad introduction to Mithgar.

If you like Mithgar, you will not want to miss this series. It gives the history of the Ban, as well as several events that are mentioned throughout the series.
Rating: 7/10

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