Silver Fire

Our Review:

I dove into Silver Fire expecting a straightforward fantasy adventure, and I was genuinely surprised by how much darker and more layered it became. The story follows Otta and her brother Erl as they're forced to flee their home, with Otta navigating both the practical dangers of survival and the increasingly unstable behavior of someone she loves. What begins as a quest tied to following a mysterious trail transforms into something far more psychologically complex. The pacing keeps you moving forward—there's real momentum here that makes it hard to put down, and Pickard doesn't shy away from letting the emotional stakes feel genuinely high.

The worldbuilding has an intriguing foundation, with the concept of a god without a shrine and the broader mythology of The Kaerling series suggesting there's much more to discover. If you enjoy character-driven fantasy where relationships are tested and tested again, you'll find something compelling here. The bond between Otta and Erl is the emotional core, and watching her grapple with protecting someone while also protecting herself creates real tension throughout.

That said, I should mention that this book earns its dark fantasy label. There are scenes of violence and sexual content, including attempted assault, that are handled seriously rather than gratuitously—but they're definitely present and worth knowing about beforehand. The novella format also means the story wraps up while leaving plenty of threads for the series to explore, which works beautifully if you're invested in these characters enough to continue, though it does require that commitment.

This is best suited for readers who appreciate darker fantasy with genuine stakes and character complexity, and who don't mind jumping into a series. If you're looking for something immersive that respects your intelligence and emotional investment, Silver Fire delivers.