Reviewed: February 20th 2026
Released: June 11th, 2019
Genre: Epic Fantasy
An Investigation Gone Awry Sometimes, your case takes a left turn. Or three or four. Marten Mingenstern and Boog Eggstrom are provisional inspectors, fresh out of Inquisitor’s Guild training and eager to prove themselves. Assigned the mundane task of tracking down stolen jewels, they instead uncover a mysterious cult set on destroying the city. After a thief explodes, they earn the enmity of a vicious noble, the Chief Inquisitor gets bought off and goes rogue, they are seized by barbarians, and they are sentenced to death at least a couple of times. In a final, frantic race with prophecy, they face ruthless fanatics, a city turned against them, and terrible forces long buried.
Helen’s Thoughts: 4/5
Welcome to a complex world of political intrigue, magic and misdirection. This book has a intelligent magic system to confuse the best of us.
When I first started reading this, I didn’t relise Marten and Boog were so young, and I must admit, starting training at thirteen to become an inquisitor at eigtheen seems a bit extreme, especially when the graduation rate is so low. That being said, Marten is a fully fleshed character. One who is not a martial expert or swordsman, but one who uses his brain to figure out cases, though that does leave him vulnerable and prone to injuries. That does not mean he is a push over. Marten is made of sterner stuff, and will prove to his superiors that he can hold his own.
Partnered with Boog who is more of the physical type, and as such, undervalued, they are a force to be reckoned with, when they can get their lines of communication sorted. They are an effective team until their own people betray them and sentence them to death. Sometimes being too good at your job is a handicap.
Miscommunication aside, this tale of betrayal and strife shows that sometimes adversity begets heroism. I liked Marten and Boog, even if the tale was was challenging to understand at times.
Purchase Flames over Frosthaven
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If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series and now Harmony, a dystopian science fantasy.
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