The Fire Blossom

The Fire Blossom Saga, Book 1

By: Sarah Lark, Kate Northrop - translator

Narrated by: Katherine Littrell

Length: 22 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

The bestselling author of the Sea of Freedom Trilogy returns with a sweeping family saga of two women in nineteenth-century New Zealand and their epic journey to survive in a world of their own making.

It’s 1837, and immigrating to a small New Zealand fishing village is an opportunity for Ida Lange’s family to build a better future. Yet for Ida, raised in a strict, religious, tight-knit German community, so much is still forbidden to a woman. Yearning for the poor day laborer she shared books with as a child, Ida is now trapped in a dire marriage to a man of her father’s choosing.

For Cat, who came of age in New Zealand under brutal conditions, life in the colonies hasn’t been easy. Through a strange turn of events, she is adopted by a native Maori tribe, and she begins to thrive. But when she challenges the traditions of her tribe, she’s banished, and left once again to rely on the only person she can trust with her future: herself.

When fate brings Ida and Cat together, they recognize in each other a kindred spirit. Out of common ground grows an enduring friendship that will not be broken by the hardships of the plains, threats from the past, or the trials of family and heartache. What they’ll discover is the depth of their own strength and resilience as they get nearer to the freedom they desire and demand. And their journey is just beginning.

©2013 Sarah Lark (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Translation © 2019 by Kate Northrop.

R rated by my opinion

I couldn’t get past the first chapter. Started out fine and then drifted to trash talk.

Another great Sarah Lark New Zealand novel

I have enjoyed Sarah Lark's other historic novels set in New Zealand. This one did not disappoint. Great storyline and narration.

Engaging story with love, betrayal and sheep!

I loved this fictionalized story about German settlers into New Zealand. I felt like I was along for the ride.of this adventure and the characters had depth and appeal. I enjoyed it and wish I could follow along with these characters into their next chapter.

Loved it!

Loved this book. Sweeping and long. I feel like most books end too soon. Would "read" it again!

Great story!

Loved it! Didn't want the book to end. So happy when she shot him...Who, you say, read the book.

Love Lark

I really enjoy Sarah Lark's novels, this is the first I've listened to.

Thanks narrator, Katherine Liitrell, was outstanding. She tackled numerous accents and various characters. It was wonderful, emotive, and greatly said the story.

The story itself is consistent with Lark's general formula. Meet two strong and flawed female characters and see what happens as they grow in the new country. Wonderful.

Warning: the are accounts of sexual violence, they are not graphic ( which I appreciate)

Historical novel

Book went on a little too long...But was Interesting from a historical perspective. I would read this author again.

Good Book

I enjoyed this book and the historical aspects of it. I found it very detailed in that regard and was surprised to see how accurate a lot of the history that was portrayed in this historical fiction was actually factual. The only thing I
found frustrating was Ida’s inability to see how ridiculous her marriage was. She continued to stand by her husband that was no good and kept believing she was the one in the wrong. Even her younger sister knew how we ridiculous her choices were. And she had her friend Cat and the childhood friend Karl who truly loved her going around in circles to make her happy and protect her. Cat on the other hand was the one that was truly abused in this book. She was born into a horrible situation And as often happens, her beauty worked against her and made her life more difficult. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. The narrator did a great job also!

Loved it

I can't wait to hear the next book in ! series, I am going to order all of them ASAP!

Mixed Feelings!

I found it interesting to learn a little about New Zealand - it’s native people, European settlers, and the beginnings of raising sheep in the country. I personally found the story too long. The development of the characters was good but the story dragged. Maybe that was because it was so depressing most of the time for the female characters. I will have to say that the reader was excellent.