Citadel of Fire

Book Two of The Ronin Saga

By: Matthew Wolf

Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds

Length: 24 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Seventeen-year old Gray is descended from a legendary hero known as a Ronin and haunted by his forgotten past. He returns home to a wizards' keep, unaware he is now labeled a murderous traitor for killing his best friend.

Now he must cross a dangerous desert full of thieves, mythical beasts, and other magical unknowns, all to return to a home that may be his demise. At the same time, a poisonous evil seeks to convert the world to their dark mantra, "strength is life, weakness death".

Gray may have hero's blood in his veins, but how can one kill a belief?

©2014 Matthew Wolf (P)2020 Matthew Wolf

good book.

ill be honest. this book is good. but i can't stand a story where the main character is under Powered. seems like the whole book he is put matched. even buy people with no power! makes me want to scream.

excellent story

a bit fast paced it seemed and personally a bit more detail on how the Flow or The Spark work to manifest ones desired effect would be nice but still a good book. Not sure how many books are Planned for this series but again, just maybe slow the pace down a bit, if that means we end up with a few more books so be it.

on a character note. I'm not very fond of Ayva. she's annoying and just seems to always want her way. really confused on how She's the Sun when the description "pale sun" really makes me think of the Moon. Until just now I swore Omni was Moon it just seemed to fit better.

I love how Gray is regaining his memory piece by piece and he's seems to be getting more acceptable of who they are compared to the others. I'm still trying to determine if there is a spark. for lack of better word, between him and Karil. it didn't seem like they really became that close but then later it seems maybe they had grown closer than was mentioned.

All in All keep up the hard work both Author and Narrator

Very good book!

Excellent excellent excellent!! I really like this series, first book was pretty good, second book was pretty amazing!!! Can't say enough about the character Lucky!! Timing is everything!

better than the first, same bad curses though

definitely better than the first book. unfortunately the same old curses. Dice the Dicing Dice

A worthy second book

Matthew Wolf continues to create a forward moving story fraught with adventure, peril and calamity. He has cleverly provided a means of providing interesting story arc for all the primary actors by splitting them up into two major and multiple mini-story arcs. There are also new primary characters introduced who have their own, seemingly disconnected, agendas but who often find themselves entwined to combine to fight off a common threat. Finally, there is an interesting powerful character whose motives are as beguiling as a Loki prodigy.

While this all combines to make for an entertaining and fascinating addition, the story still has the irritating tendency to have almost every battle encounter between Gray and an adversary go through an often predictable number of steps before completion, diminishing the impact of the encounters.

Tim Gerard Reynolds continues to perform with flawless skill at mimicking unique and believable voice imitations for each character, irrespective of gender and age, along with providing them each with a distinct personality. Truly masterful.

Even so, the book is very much worth a credit for anyone interested in read a high epic tale.

Fun, fast magical romp

There are some books you read and you can’t put down, this one I couldn’t stop listening to.  I was up until the wee hours saying “Just one more chapter” in Gray, Ayva and Darius’ adventure.  I’ll admit, I enjoyed book one, The Knife’s Edge, but I devoured book two.  It’s 25 hours and I think I spent the last 25ish hours listening, however let’s get into the nitty gritty. So the goods and the bads run down:

Goods:
⁃Characters: So much more complexity to the characters. I had a few favorites, but if you enjoyed book one, but felt there were things a little flat, Gray, Ayva, Darius and company are much richer and their arcs felt truly rewarding watching them grow.
⁃Plot: Great pacing.  At times, rich and slow, slowly fleshing out the magic system, characters, world.  But then quick and plenty of action too.
⁃Humor: The story had some serious “laugh out loud” moments, and a plethora of times I gave a sharp exhale through my nose, especially when It came to Faye and her interaction with the others.  E.g. (SPOILER) When a certain character meets them in the inn of Maris’ Luck and her quips directed at Darius. It was one of my favorite scenes in a book ever.
⁃Twists: Some good ones.  Nothing crazy, but mostly every scene with Faye had me “expecting the unexpected” and still being thrown for a loop.
⁃Love the new Ronin, and love Faye.

Bads:
- Not many honestly.  Only one scene when (SPOILER) a character who I won’t say who dies, and I was a little bummed. I felt like, and wish I could have seen their demise.  Though for why that person had to die, I totally understood and it felt a good (if sad) balance to a triumphant final scene
⁃I also wish chapter one and chapter two were swapped.  Starting out with Zane was a little confusing, and I was wondering “Where’s my main character?” But it was a small thing and didn’t interrupt from the flow much.

Comments on other critiques:
- I like inventive curse words and made up places, like Darius’ “Dice” as a curse, its a fun flavor added to the world building for me and makes sense with his gambling nature
- One commenter said Gray is less powerful in book two, and as much as I want Gray showing the full prowess of Kail his predecessor, summoning bridges and bringing down dragons, I read there is 7 more books in the series.  You can’t have him OP. There has to be growth.  And I also disagree, he does some pretty amazing things (JIAN?? Darkwalker battle anyone?). Plus now he’s learning to summon wind on command, and not just out of dire need like book one.  So I don’t agree.

Overall: Great improvement on book one, amazing story. Don’t think twice. If you love high fantasy, dragons, elements, authors like Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss, you won’t regret it.

Eagerly Awaiting

I binged on it. Was a little upset that it ended without an ending.
Taking too long for each book to come out.

Mr. Wolf hits another Homer with the second book!

The second installment in the Ronin saga continues to be a reviting and well written addition to the series. Loved it, and will definitely purchase book 3. Of course, narration from Reynolds is fantastic as always. Don't miss this one if at all possible!

Next book please

What a story, finished it so quickly I couldn't stop listening!
I only gave the performance a 4 because at times the audio would get quieter and the voices of the characters seemed to sound similar over time.
But honestly, this book was awesome and I can't wait for the next one in the series to come out.

Another Epic Adventure in the Ronin Saga!!

Let me just start out by saying Matthew Wolf is one of the greatest fantasy writer's of our time and good friend (I might be a bit biased here haha). I couldn't be happier for him and I'm so glad that not only myself but other fans of his can take pleasure not just reading from the Ronin Saga, but also listening to it from an amazing artist. Mr Tim Gerard Reynolds is truly a master of his craft and does a fantastic job of making us believe in this ever expanding awe inspiring and epic story Matt has crafted in that beautiful mind of his for all of us to share in.

If you are even remotely a fan of fiction do yourself a favor and go give yourself a listen to The Knifes Edge the first book in the Ronin Saga series a fantastic and personally my favorite book of the three so far. Book two Citadel of Fire is an outstanding read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish in the world of Farhaven. I haven't yet finished the audiobook in my car yet, but I am about 6 hours from finishing and I absolutely love it; even after reading the book multiple times! You get introduced to more of deadly Devari and some fantastically great new characters in this book, Even more Magic is revealed that I personally think is some of the most creative use that's not just elemental magic. Dark Forces are also slowly encroaching upon our heroes and kindling the flames of war. To expand further into the world of The Ronin Saga past Deaths Gate and into the world of Farhaven is an even more dangerous & exhilarating adventure for Gray, Darius, and Ayva. Will the Ronin save the world as was prophesied millennia ago or will they eventually break the world once more, whatever happens I'm glad I can be a part of it.
Will you?

P.S.
I wont spoil nothing but there is a great and powerful magical artifact that is used in this book and I have found a stone here in our world that closely resembles it in real life. Look up a rock called Labradorite it shines because there are refracted mirror's in the rock and reminds me of the aurora borealis but the artifact in question is alot more sinister. I only wish rocks in our world could give us magic powers oh what a site to behold that would be haha.

Congratulations Matt I wish you the best of Luck and hurry up with Book Four already haha jk!

Rekdala Forhas,

Nick Champion