Readers who enjoy clean speculative fantasy, we have a fresh off-the-presses book for you! Becoming Fire and Lightning is the first book in author Terrance Niedziela Jr.’s Tales of Aras series! This new release will definitely grab you with it’s eye-catching cover, but it will go deeper than that. Becoming Fire and Lightning will give you an engaging story while blending in themes that bring readers the word of God. Don’t worry, Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning is not going to preach at you. We promise. LOL!
Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning does an excellent job of grabbing the attention of readers with a colorful cover. The cover 100% evokes the novel itself as a whole, beautifully, contextually speaking. You get the fire, and you get the lightning right there in your face. The cover has a volcano in the background, appearing to have lightning coming out of it downward like electric lava.
The background has dark clouds violently brewing like a storm is waiting to be unleashed on the world below. What draws the eye the most is the warrior wreathed in electric blue and full knightly garb. Appearing to sprout out of this warrior’s back is a pair of huge wings. Looking over the warrior’s shoulder is a white tiger with blazing blue eyes and teeth bared.
To the right is a young woman dressed in robes with her hands aglow with yellowish lightning power crackling all around her. Surging behind her is a dragon appearing to come up out of the ground with lightning crackling out of it’s mouth. Quite a lot is going on and keeps the eye engaged while piquing the mind to discover more about the book.
The first thing that readers will encounter when they open Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning will be a full color image of a prophecy that will be a defining element of the story. Readers will appreciate that author Niedziela continues his “fire and lightning” theme with this prophecy in the decorating of the scroll. Turn a couple more pages, and readers who enjoy maps will find that one has been included with this book that lays out the fantastical world of Aras.
In Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning author Niedziela focuses the story on two siblings – Michael Jenkins, and his younger sister, Cassandra. Michael is returning home after spending time overseas. He’s suffered some injuries after an act of heroism and now he just wants to come home, relax, recover and spend some time with his family. What he’s not expecting on his return home is to be swept away into a fantasy world through a portal that pops up unexpectedly.
Things happen rather quickly, especially at the beginning of Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning. We meet Michael, and then, when he is swept away through the portal, the story pivots to his sister. She’s in the middle of a martial arts class, and she’s not living up to the pressure she’s placed on herself. Living in the shadow of an older sibling is never easy, and she’s pushing herself to be just as exceptional as Michael.
It’s in this particular chapter that we get to know Cassandra a little bit, and it’s also where author Niedziela drops a hint about Cassandra’s near future. Yes, don’t let the blurb trick you. LOL! This story is about more than just Michael being swept away into an adventure. His sister will be joining him, but their paths will diverge so that they can learn and have their faith tested.
Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning is an interesting fantasy novel that whisks this brother and sister pair to a fantasy world. What makes this book really interesting is that this fantasy world is filled with humanoid creatures. Like humans, they are battling an evil that is looking to take over their world. What can be corrupted and changed is, and what cannot is destroyed.
Author Niedziela weaves into Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning a focus on faith. There is a god-being by the name of Eίmai. This particular character represents the God that most of us are familiar with. Eίmai utilizes his voice and influence frequently throughout this book. He is utilized heavily initially, which we found unusual, but curiosity drove us forward nonetheless.
The reason why we say this is because of the fact that in Aras Eίmai is God. However, Eίmai takes a very active and vocal role in “guiding” Michael and Cassandra in the things that they should do and even say. Frequently throughout the story he is having conversations with them, verbally reprimanding them when they go against him, and more. We weren’t too sure how we felt about it, honestly. LOL!
It is stated at some points that we have free will in Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning. So, we couldn’t help but question if that was truly the case early on in the book. Because that is something known that God has said. This remains to be true, though in Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning, because gradually author Niedziela does back off with the direct frequent interventions and allows the characters more free will.
Now, don’t get it confused! Michael and Cassandra absolutely still do pray, speak with Eίmai and seek his guidance, but the story shifts more to them being allowed to make more decisions on their own. When this begins to take place it allows the story to flow better and breathe. For us, the story becomes more familiar in this manner with what we know and have been taught. Simply because at times it felt like Eίmai was “forcing” his will on them.
The fantasy world of Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning is truly riveting. You have so many different elements and dynamics. There are so many different creatures that author Niedziela has created and placed into his story. These creatures are long-lived and boy do they have long memories, too! They remember things that happened thousands of years ago and hold grudges to match! But it’s also beautiful how many have embraced forgiveness according to their faith and beliefs.
As a Christian-themed novel, Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning leans in favor of the “good guys” with many situations, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t go through some things either. Author Niedziela really builds and brings the drama in moments where it’s truly needed to engage readers and pull them to the edge of their seats. Throughout this novel is a constant reminder of being ever vigilant, because you never truly know where the enemy is lying in wait.
The faith of the characters is tested frequently. We appreciate that they are not written to be “infallible.” Instead, they are shown having moments of weakness. It does readers a lot of good to “witness,” so to speak, Michael and Cassandra having to be “reigned in” when their own thinking gets in the way. It gives readers something to relate to, which we really like.
Now, fellow readers, if you hate cliffhangers…we apologize in advance. LOL! We say this because Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning…has one, and we walked off it so to speak. LOL! Unless you’re paying attention to the page count, you are going to trip over the end of this book without even knowing it. However! Regardless of how this book ends…it is definitely worth checking out.
Readers who enjoy fantasy novels and are looking for something fresh and new will want to give Tales of Aras: Becoming Fire and Lightning a chance. Readers who specifically look for Christian-themed fantasy will most definitely want to pick this book up. This novel is clean, engaging, inspiring, and well-written. We look forward to continuing this series in the future.
Pros:
- Engaging storyline
- Inspirational without being overly preachy
- Unique fantasy world
- Well-written
- Clean read for readers most ages
Cons:
- Heavy-handed on the character manipulation in the beginning before easing off.
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