Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I continue to enjoy this series in the second installment. The author has a real way with worldbuilding and the magic system is super interesting so any other faults I’d normally find with some of the writing or pacing fade to the background honestly.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit for the ARC for an unbiased and Honest review
So I got lucky and received the first book from netgalley also and I wasn't too impressed I think I gave it around 3 stars but the magic system and world was interesting enough where I was willing to give book 2 a chance. Well needless to say I was not disappointed this book picks up where the first book left off and it hits the ground running and is way better than the first,pretty awesome actually where this book is headed. I will be purchasing it when it comes out and now I can't wait for book 3

Good followup. Unfortunately I just find these characters pretty bland and unremarkable. I like the plot of this one but it did suffer from pacing issues. The magic was cool, though, and I really liked the ending.

This was a great sequel to The Darkness Before Them! I really love Matthew Ward's writing style, he has great voice and some fantastic world building that only expands further in this book.

I really like the creativity in the way he's telling this story and which characters he uses to lead us through it. I always like when authors add new POV in the second book of a series and Tanith's perspective was a great new addition. I can see how this book is used as set up for the grand finale but I don't think it suffers sequel-itis at all. It carries the same tones and exciting reveals as the first book while branching out and giving us more wherever it can.

I'm so excited to see how this series concludes!

A strong follow-up book in Ward's Soulfire trilogy, that does leave a few things unresolved, but hopefully the third and final book resolves all the final loose ends. Good worldbuilding and character work.

2nd book in the series that I have been waiting to review! Thanks again Matthew & Netgalley......for the opportunity to review this book.


The Fire Within Them" by Matthew Ward is a riveting fantasy novel that takes readers on an epic adventure filled with magic, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. Ward's world-building is exceptional, immersing readers in a richly detailed setting that feels both familiar and fantastical. The characters are complex and well-developed, each with their own motivations and secrets that add depth to the story. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. "The Fire Within Them" is a captivating read that will leave fans eagerly awaiting the next installment in this exciting series.

An enjoyable epic fantasy sequel! Strong character growth and engaging worldbuilding! Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

There are always a couple of things that you always know you are going to get with a Matthew Ward book. The first is a thoroughly detailed world with a rich history and often a cool magic system that is associated with it. The second is characters who are so vividly drawn that they act and react in ways that make them utterly unpredictable and complex in the best way possible. His books are also slow burns that often unfold in a gradual yet intriguing way so that by the time the real action hits, the reader has a full depth of knowledge as to the ultimate stakes and ramifications. I would go so far as to say that Ward writes epic fantasy in the same manner that Tad Williams and Robin Hobb write high fantasy. This isn't instant-gratification, rather it requires a certain amount of investment. But that's also what makes it that much more rewarding in the end. This especially holds true in his latest series The Soulfire Saga, of which this book THE FIRE WITHIN THEM is the second installment.

This entertaining sequel really expands the story considerably and even gives us the additional viewpoint character of Tanith. I think this added to my enjoyment this time around because I felt like I was getting another view of the events that took place in the previous book, The Darkness Before Them. It's always good to change things up in my opinion and not following the same old characters through an entire series is certainly a crafty decision by Ward that really pays off. The good news for those who loved the characters from the first book is that many do return in this one and seeing how things have changed after the events that culminated book one was interesting to say the least. As I said earlier, Matthew Ward does have a special gift when it comes to the development of his characters.

I want to avoid spoilers as much as possible as this is the second book in a series so I will mainly focus on the things that I really connected with in the story and my feelings and emotional reaction while reading it. I will say that THE FIRE WITHIN THEM is a brilliant setup book for the ultimate conclusion, but that's not to say that it is a placeholder book by any means. Quite a lot happens, the bad guys do bad things, those who we are rooting for strategize and make plans to try to turn the tide in their direction, and along the way we are treated to some cool magic and a few intense action scenes that will leave you breathless and craving that final book once all is said and done.

If you appreciate thoughtful epic fantasy that is teeming with political strategy, warring factions, tyrannical leaders who desire absolute power, and worldbuilding that is deep and intricately constructed, then you will find much to love with this series. Ward has definitely created a great deal of suspense and intensity in THE FIRE WITHIN THEM which bodes really well for a potential crazy thriller of a finish. I personally cannot wait to see how this all ends and look forward to devouring the next book as soon as I get my hands on it. Do yourself a favor and read this series, and while you are waiting for the final book to be published, pick up Matthew Ward's previous series, the Legacy Trilogy. It's another brilliant epic fantasy series by him that will totally knock your socks off.

The second book of the Soulfire Saga, "The Fire Within Them", fits well as a 2nd book in a trilogy. We return to Katija (Kat) Arvish adjusting to her changed life, from the events of the debut book "The Darkness Before Them", and it's a mixed bag for her, in her current state.

Let's review her position, what's going well for her and what's not going well for her:

Pros:
1) Kat is no longer living on the streets
2) Kat has friends now, a very unfamiliar concept to her for most of her life. Rima, Tatterlain, and Yali. Even Damant, to an extent.
3) She is in a position where she can pursue her own goals, without Bashar Vallant and the rebellion demanding too much out of her.
4) Her half-sister Tanith is not trying to kill her...yet

Cons:
1) Kat is hardly any closer to discovering secrets regarding the dubious circumstances regarding her father- his notes, his romantic relation with the Countess (Tanith's mother)
2) She is still dealing with chronic worsening pain from the curse she suffered at the end of the first book. She will do anything for a cure, but she does not want to burden her friends
3) Kat is not over her ex-girlfriend Azra/Yennika Bascari- even with the deception and manipulating Azra/Yennika pulled on her, she can't help but think of her...in both good and bad ways.
4) She has no idea about Tanith's whereabouts, to go along with the unknown about Yennika's location

No kidding, Kat has a lot on her mind. In her quest to make sense of these changing times, trying to get healthy and stay safe, she is dragged back into a conflict- but this time, not involving the rebels. This time, it is involving the Obsidium (not "Obsidian") Cult, and their connections to her father in the past and Tanith in the present.

Speaking of Tanith, she is given her point of view. She survived the events at the end of the first book, but she's at the lowest of lows. Alone, injured, and the daemon within her isn't relenting. When the Obsidium Cult comes around, she finds opportunities that she has never had before.

Damant returns as a point of view, rounding the POV cast off at three. Now employed by Valiant with the rebellion, he cannot forget or forgive his inaction throughout much of his life. But he feels that with his current position, that he is not doing enough. With another conflict opening up alongside Kat's one with the Obsidium Cult, Damant jumps at the opportunity to truly create positive change.

The characters, main, recurring, and side, are all terrific and expanded upon from the last book. The setting, magic, and world building is the strongest part of these books, and they continue to be Ward's strength throughout his writing. The pacing improves on the first book too- I regarded it as a weakness beforehand, but there is improvement there. The plot progression has a firm ending sequence too. There's once again, a pretty large scale reveal in this book. Though not quite the "Azra is Yennika" bombshell of the first book, it caught me completely off guard. The general prose and also the heavy reliance on world-specific terms still remain slight weaknesses. It wasn't a deal breaker though, as the Glossary really helped out with some of these terms (thank you very much for that!).

Overall, this was a good second book, setting the events up for the final book of the trilogy. Matthew Ward is one of the most purely creative authors in the genre. I give this a 4/5 rating.

(Received ARC from Orbit though Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)

This was a great second book in the Soulfire Saga series, it has a great overall feel and worked with the previous book. It had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed from the writing style. Matthew Ward has a great writing style and I wanted more in this world.

I love disappearing into an epic fantasy, this did not disappoint! I love when a voice also can stay consistent throughout a series into the second book, so it means a lot when an author Luke Matthew ward can keep the flow of story telling as a story progresses. Will continue to devour his books for years to come, and really appreciated the chance to join this journey and experience this series again (I reread the first book again before jumping into the arc for this lol)

The sprawling Kingdom of Khalad stands alone. Severed from the rest of the world by an ancient, arcane war, its folk toil behind a wall of living mist, beholden to an undead king and his barons.

But hope lies with two Kat, an accomplished thief, and Vallant, a rebel and folk hero. Together they will light a fire that will burn away the corruption and tyranny of King Diar's rule.

But only if they succeed . . .


A very good continuation of a good series. The stakes are upped significantly in book two and the action is amped up to ten. If you enjoyed book one, then you will get addicted to this new installment as I have. I cannot wait to get the physical copy now due to the amazing cover art:)

Absolutely fantastic sequel. I loved it so very much. I am very much looking forward to book three. This was a great reading experience and I highly recommend the whole series and author.