Nicholas C. Prata, Dream of Fire

Dream of Fire

Nicholas C. Prata

Arx, 2001, 247 pp.

ISBN: 1889758280

On Pangaea, following the accidental death of his father at his hands, Kerebos Ikar joins a horde of killers. Over time, he works his way up the ladder until Kerebos becomes leader of the infamous Black Legion. Kerebos directs his brood by example, killing and plundering with no one safe from his warriors and no opposing army willing to fight this murderous unbeatable force. Perhaps Kerebos' only weakness is his recurring nightmare of dying in fire, but that only provides him with further impetus to destroy anyone in his path.

In Kwan Aharon, the Order of the White Flame recognizes Kerebos as the last great prophet. They send out a priest Antiphon al-Caliph to convert the killing machine onto the side of good. However, Antiphon has doubts regardless of the prophecy as he expects to not only fail but to die at the hands of the one he must convert.

Though much of the support cast seems stereotyped, DREAM OF FIRE is a powerful epic fantasy that sweeps the reader along with its exciting story line and two fabulous lead characters. Redeeming Kerebos seems almost like converting Hitler, yet the audience will see that he possesses some positive traits, but like the priest doubt he is an ANGEL IN IRON. The doubting Antiphon is sort of like Moses feeling he is too inadequate to do the task which in this case is converting a murdering maniac into the prophet. Strangely, the battle scenes that are vividly described and action-packed pale next to the hook that keeps the audience wanting to finish this work in one sitting. Will Kerebos redeem himself as the prophet or kill Antiphon?

Harriet Klausner