Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Easthampton, MA : Small Beer Press, 2017.
Description
The martial Sainnites have occupied Shaftal for fifteen years but every year the cost of resistance rises. Emil, a scholar officer, Zanja, the last survivor of her people, and Karis, a metalsmith, half-blood giant, and an addict ... together, perhaps they can change history. Praise for the Elemental Logic series: "A deftly painted story of both cultures and magics in conflict."--Robin Hobb "A work filled with an intelligence that zings off the page."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) Laurie J. Marks's first two Elemental Logic novels both won the Gaylactic Spectrum Award. The final novel,Air Logic, is forthcoming.
Media reviews
Essentially, Fire Logic is a war novel in a fantasy setting. But in Marks' gentle care, it becomes much more. As the characters search their souls for their motives, and make mistakes, and seek to justify their actions we are drawn into something deeper than just a question of how does the land
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find peace. It becomes a rather quiet look at how does each person find peace. Show Less
Awards
Gaylactic Spectrum Award (Winner — Novel — 2003)
Language
Original publication date
2002-05
ISBN
9781618730886
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User reviews
LibraryThing member sbarret
Excellent storytelling in a unique and well-described world. Politics and cultural differences are deftly handled in a world where two cultures must eventually learn to live with each other if they are to survive.
The lesbian romance subplot is interesting, though it is definitely a subplot and not
The lesbian romance subplot is interesting, though it is definitely a subplot and not
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the main thrust of the story. Still, a satisfying romance. Show Less
LibraryThing member Theodosia
I wouldn't have thought it would end up that way -- because the first 50 or so pages didn't engage me enough, but the world is fascinating and the characters slowly began to catch fire (hey) until they were blazing away. Now I want to jump ahead in my long queue of unread books (90 on my shelves,
Marks is a local author, so I've seen her around at conventions and was generally impressed with her before this, but I tried to get my hands on books by her and Elizabeth Bear in order to have something read by them before Readercon -- didn't quite make that goal, but at least I felt more informed on the basis of a half-novel-read.
It turns out that Marks is a workshop partner and buddy of Rosemary Kirstein, so I probably shouldn't be surprised that in the long run her book came out very high in my estimation.
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not to mention all the books out there that I DON"T own) and read the sequels.Marks is a local author, so I've seen her around at conventions and was generally impressed with her before this, but I tried to get my hands on books by her and Elizabeth Bear in order to have something read by them before Readercon -- didn't quite make that goal, but at least I felt more informed on the basis of a half-novel-read.
It turns out that Marks is a workshop partner and buddy of Rosemary Kirstein, so I probably shouldn't be surprised that in the long run her book came out very high in my estimation.
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LibraryThing member rabid-reader
This book is an interesting departure from the usual fantasy tropes. There are a few elements of "grimdark" -- no lords and ladies in castles or high elves -- with the emphasis on how day-to-day battles wear on the populace. Guns and explosives are commonly used, though there is magic, mainly of an
The writing style does take a fair bit to sink into; there's a bit more magical realism and imagery, some leaps of logic and faith. There's a lot of depth and complexity, fate, duty, and moral ambiguities. It won't be to everyone's tastes. Yet it did grab me enough that I'll be looking for the next one.
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elemental variety (hence the title). The most obvious difference is that the protagonist is a woman of color in a world where women live on an equal basis with men, where F/F and M/M relationships are completely normal and accepted. Also, many of the main characters are older, scarred by previous battles and experiences. There's no teenage chosen one riding to the rescue.The writing style does take a fair bit to sink into; there's a bit more magical realism and imagery, some leaps of logic and faith. There's a lot of depth and complexity, fate, duty, and moral ambiguities. It won't be to everyone's tastes. Yet it did grab me enough that I'll be looking for the next one.
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LibraryThing member Gryphon-kl
I'll note right off the bat that, while this is the start of a four-book series, it tells a complete story on its own, standing alone while leading into the next part of the characters' lives.
This book, the start of the story of several people in a country that has been overrun by invaders, manages
All of the characters have their flaws, and the closest anyone seems to be to being always right in their thinking is the long-dead writer of a manuscript with a better-seeming philosophy than that of either the conquerors or the leader of the resistance (although it might turn out to be a bit naive when dealing with either of those forces). By the end of the book, one can understand, if not necessarily sympathize with, the motivations of most of the major characters and forces involved.
I'm not sure where the story of the series will go, but I'm in for at least one more book.
This book, the start of the story of several people in a country that has been overrun by invaders, manages
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to avoid many of the standard fantasy cliches. For example, while one side of the conquerors vs resistance clearly comes off as worse than the other, the better side doesn't exactly come off as the "good guys" either. Even the setting is atypical, being neither pseudo-medieval nor contemporary, but rather during the time period when firearms are starting to become more common but haven't displaced other weaponry in warfare yet.All of the characters have their flaws, and the closest anyone seems to be to being always right in their thinking is the long-dead writer of a manuscript with a better-seeming philosophy than that of either the conquerors or the leader of the resistance (although it might turn out to be a bit naive when dealing with either of those forces). By the end of the book, one can understand, if not necessarily sympathize with, the motivations of most of the major characters and forces involved.
I'm not sure where the story of the series will go, but I'm in for at least one more book.
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LibraryThing member ranaverde
It's hard to summarize this book and do it full justice, because it is deceptively simple. What happens when two very different women meet, fall in love, and somehow have to transform a country at war? But there's also magic, and nobody is as simple a person as they initially seem, and it's a world
On the surface it seems like it'll be a standard fantasy adventure story, but it's not. I liked this one so well I went on to buy the next two books in the series, and am eagerly awaiting the fourth and final one (coming out in June).
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where the lived lives of the characters and their struggles with what it means to be a good person in the world actually matter and resonate beyond the book. It also deals with addiction, and love, and duty, and what happens when they all get complicated together.On the surface it seems like it'll be a standard fantasy adventure story, but it's not. I liked this one so well I went on to buy the next two books in the series, and am eagerly awaiting the fourth and final one (coming out in June).
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LibraryThing member jms1203
An extremely well written fantasy with lesbians as the main characters - I've died and gone to heaven!
LibraryThing member JenneB
I really loved this book, but any description I can think of makes it sound really boring. It reminded me of a less fucked-up KJ Parker, sort of. Also please ignore the totally lame cover.
Just, if you like fantasy, and having people of various genders and races and sexualities where being of that
Just, if you like fantasy, and having people of various genders and races and sexualities where being of that
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gender/race/sexuality isn't the point of the story but just part of life, you should read this book! Show Less
LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
An excellent beginning to a really promising series. Several damaged women--the last survivor of a slaughtered tribe, a gifted blacksmith with a drug addiction, and their few friends--band together to fight against the invaders that have destroyed their lands. It's got wonderfully imaginative
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storytelling, complete with a really great new style of magic set in a believable yet fantastic world. However, what really drew me in were the characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member -Cee-
I liked this fantasy so much, I immediately bought the second book in the series. I don't always do this. Love the strong characters, the storyline, and the magic... a nice balance of literary elements. Looking forward to a more complete unfolding of the other "Logics" of earth, water, and air.
LibraryThing member renbedell
A high fantasy story about warring kingdoms focused on a woman looking for vengeance and love. The world consists of elemental magic, where individuals may have special abilities in tuned with fire, earth, water, and air. The story mainly focuses on one character's perspective, who is a very
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interesting character. It is great to see how she sees the world and how she grows within it. There are definitely themes of feminism and romance, which are done incredibly well and feel very natural that it makes the story even better. The book finished with the main character's plot line wrapped up, but allows for the story to continue as other characters start to become more prominent figures. Show Less
LibraryThing member bgknighton
The Sainnites have no friends. Other countries are meant only to be conquered and they are very good at it. Shaftal is without its center of power, its G'deon, its leader and so cannot resist their attacks. Karis must be protected by her friends Emil and Zanja.
LibraryThing member pwaites
Hooray for queer feminist fantasy! I need more of it in my life.
Shaftal is a conquered nation. The ruling earth witch died without leaving an heir, and most other leadership has been killed by the invading Sainnites. The Shaftali are fighting back in a guerrilla war that’s lasted fifteen years,
Zanja is an ambassador and warrior, with nothing left but revenge. However, her fate soon becomes tied to that of Shaftal and two of its citizens. Emil is scholarly Shaftali general, fighting with reluctance. Karis is a blacksmith and earthwitch, who while possessing great powers is bound by her addiction to a deadly drug.
The world of Fire Logic is without sexism or homophobia. All three of the main characters I discussed above are queer, and the main romance is between two women. And there’s never drama or angst about being with someone of the same gender. It’s presented as natural and normal and not even worthy of comment. Women are present in an equal number and hold all the same positions as men, from soldiers to judges to councilors, on both the Shaftal and Sainnite sides. There’s never any hints of gender discrimination, anywhere.
I knew going in that Fire Logic had an elemental magic system, but it wasn’t anything like what I was expecting. Each element seems to be more like a set of personality traits with some associated powers. Zanja and Emil both have fire-logic, which seems to means they’re impulsive and fall in love easily (or was this just a stereotype of fire-logic people?) and have some minor prescience. Karis has powers that are more like what I associate with earth element magic, but I don’t know if this is because she’s earth elemental or because she’s specifically an earth-witch. Actually, I don’t know if there’s any difference between the two. Could there be a fire-witch? Fire Logic is very vague about how the elemental magic works, but it didn’t bother me much.
Fire Logic is a book set among the dirt filled camps of the rebel army and the ordinary farms of the countryside. There may very well be some cross over with military fantasy, although it seems more focused on the characters than the battles and tactics. Guns and explosives are commonly used, making the technology a bit different than what I normally see in second world fantasy.
I liked all of the central protagonists, although I’m not sure I could say why. Maybe it’s because all of them felt messy and flawed and human. Karis especially stood out to me for those reasons, and I’m glad that the next book looks to be focusing on her. And make no mistake, I will be reading the next book in the series. Maybe not right away, since the library doesn’t have a copy, but I will be getting to it eventually, I swear.
There are a couple of things that I do want to note. The first is that Fire Logic does magically cure disabilities. I was hoping we’d see how a character can be plot important and paralyzed, but nope. And while it’s not relevant to the book itself, I can’t figure out what’s going on with the cover. None of the characters in the book are blond warrior women. Zanja, who is a warrior woman and the protagonist, has brown skin. It looks a lot like this cover was whitewashed. I know authors don’t have any control over these things, but it’s a real pity.
Anyway, as I’ve already established, I liked Fire Logic a lot and will be reading the sequel. This is definitely recommended to anyone looking for fantasy set in a gender egalitarian world or focusing on queer characters.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
Shaftal is a conquered nation. The ruling earth witch died without leaving an heir, and most other leadership has been killed by the invading Sainnites. The Shaftali are fighting back in a guerrilla war that’s lasted fifteen years,
Show More
but as they fight Shaftal is razed to the ground around them.Zanja is an ambassador and warrior, with nothing left but revenge. However, her fate soon becomes tied to that of Shaftal and two of its citizens. Emil is scholarly Shaftali general, fighting with reluctance. Karis is a blacksmith and earthwitch, who while possessing great powers is bound by her addiction to a deadly drug.
The world of Fire Logic is without sexism or homophobia. All three of the main characters I discussed above are queer, and the main romance is between two women. And there’s never drama or angst about being with someone of the same gender. It’s presented as natural and normal and not even worthy of comment. Women are present in an equal number and hold all the same positions as men, from soldiers to judges to councilors, on both the Shaftal and Sainnite sides. There’s never any hints of gender discrimination, anywhere.
I knew going in that Fire Logic had an elemental magic system, but it wasn’t anything like what I was expecting. Each element seems to be more like a set of personality traits with some associated powers. Zanja and Emil both have fire-logic, which seems to means they’re impulsive and fall in love easily (or was this just a stereotype of fire-logic people?) and have some minor prescience. Karis has powers that are more like what I associate with earth element magic, but I don’t know if this is because she’s earth elemental or because she’s specifically an earth-witch. Actually, I don’t know if there’s any difference between the two. Could there be a fire-witch? Fire Logic is very vague about how the elemental magic works, but it didn’t bother me much.
Fire Logic is a book set among the dirt filled camps of the rebel army and the ordinary farms of the countryside. There may very well be some cross over with military fantasy, although it seems more focused on the characters than the battles and tactics. Guns and explosives are commonly used, making the technology a bit different than what I normally see in second world fantasy.
I liked all of the central protagonists, although I’m not sure I could say why. Maybe it’s because all of them felt messy and flawed and human. Karis especially stood out to me for those reasons, and I’m glad that the next book looks to be focusing on her. And make no mistake, I will be reading the next book in the series. Maybe not right away, since the library doesn’t have a copy, but I will be getting to it eventually, I swear.
There are a couple of things that I do want to note. The first is that Fire Logic does magically cure disabilities. I was hoping we’d see how a character can be plot important and paralyzed, but nope. And while it’s not relevant to the book itself, I can’t figure out what’s going on with the cover. None of the characters in the book are blond warrior women. Zanja, who is a warrior woman and the protagonist, has brown skin. It looks a lot like this cover was whitewashed. I know authors don’t have any control over these things, but it’s a real pity.
Anyway, as I’ve already established, I liked Fire Logic a lot and will be reading the sequel. This is definitely recommended to anyone looking for fantasy set in a gender egalitarian world or focusing on queer characters.
Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
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LibraryThing member BrandiLynne
I don’t know what happened to my first review, but I will repost it. Fantasy novels can really be hit or miss, so I was really excited to see how this series will be. I really enjoying the thorough and unique world building. The author also does a great job developing multiple characters. I’m
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definitely interested in seeing where this series goes! Show Less
LibraryThing member xiaomarlo
It took a while for me to get into this one, especially because there is a lot of warfare which isn't really my thing, but by the time Zanja has stuck around with the South Hill company for a while, it grew on me. The relationships are my favourite part. The way elemental powers work is also
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interesting because it is very different from other approaches to the elements that I've seen. I'm going to read the next book, Earth Logic, for sure. Show Less
LibraryThing member Ignolopi
I don't know what it was but I could not get into this book. I was bored almost from the very beginning. There is a lot happening in the beginning, then it skips years, the main character still doesn't do anything, and I'm left wondering what the point is. The beginning few chapters made me feel
The main character seems to be an unwilling protagonist. Meaning she doesn't want to do anything. That's not strictly true, she does things... but she doesn't seem to have any plan or zest for life. I don't understand the magic, I don't understand the characters, and I gave up halfway through.
A lot of reviewers seem thrilled that Zanja (the protagonist) is lesbian (sometimes) and there are several bi- characters. That is an interesting part of the worldbuilding but I don't see that it matters when it comes to the story or characters, it's not new, and I don't think that should influence the rating of a book.
I think the main reason I couldn't finish was that I was confused. Maybe I missed some important information, I don't know....
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like I was missing a book that came first... usually I like being thrust into a new world where exciting things are happening, but actually this book could have used a little more info-dumping. The main character seems to be an unwilling protagonist. Meaning she doesn't want to do anything. That's not strictly true, she does things... but she doesn't seem to have any plan or zest for life. I don't understand the magic, I don't understand the characters, and I gave up halfway through.
A lot of reviewers seem thrilled that Zanja (the protagonist) is lesbian (sometimes) and there are several bi- characters. That is an interesting part of the worldbuilding but I don't see that it matters when it comes to the story or characters, it's not new, and I don't think that should influence the rating of a book.
I think the main reason I couldn't finish was that I was confused. Maybe I missed some important information, I don't know....
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LibraryThing member livingtech
This was fascinating and beautiful. Hard to put down at times, and often as action packed as they come. At other times it was downright philosophical, although the philosophy never overstayed its welcome.
The magic was interesting, if never explained to my liking.
I will definitely read more in the
The magic was interesting, if never explained to my liking.
I will definitely read more in the
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series! Show Less
LibraryThing member whitewavedarling
Fantasy sometimes has a peculiar way of delving into utterly fantastic worlds and landscapes while still speaking truths about the world we're living in. I think Ursula K. Le Guin comes most to mind when having that discussion -- at least for me -- and I've always loved her books for it. Now, I'll
Fire Logic begins the Elemental Logic series with a powerful and war-torn novel that focuses on a tight set of characters who feel as real as they are fantastic. War, addiction, faith vs. hope, magic, heartbreak... it's all here, alongside fantastic story-telling. The blurb for the fourth book in the series (which is now sitting on my desk) calls the series 'exciting, thoughtful, queer, diverse, politically aware, complex, [and] timely'--and all of that applies to even this first book in the series, which I suspect I'll be recommending to readers for years to come. It is smart, powerful, and full of meaning, while being carried along on lush, gorgeous writing and characters who come to life nearly from page 1.
For fantasy readers, I can't recommend this enough. Personally, I can't wait to dive into book 2.
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love Laurie J. Marks' books for the same reason. High praise? Absolutely. But also true.Fire Logic begins the Elemental Logic series with a powerful and war-torn novel that focuses on a tight set of characters who feel as real as they are fantastic. War, addiction, faith vs. hope, magic, heartbreak... it's all here, alongside fantastic story-telling. The blurb for the fourth book in the series (which is now sitting on my desk) calls the series 'exciting, thoughtful, queer, diverse, politically aware, complex, [and] timely'--and all of that applies to even this first book in the series, which I suspect I'll be recommending to readers for years to come. It is smart, powerful, and full of meaning, while being carried along on lush, gorgeous writing and characters who come to life nearly from page 1.
For fantasy readers, I can't recommend this enough. Personally, I can't wait to dive into book 2.
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LibraryThing member Watry
This book (well, these books) were deeply frustrating to me. After a year of picking it up and putting it down over and over again, I'm giving up. This is entirely a me issue, so I won't be giving the book a star rating.
I think I could have liked it except for two things:
1) I've read enough
2) The storytelling felt sort of distant. Thematically appropriate, I guess.
I think I could have liked it except for two things:
1) I've read enough
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stories about fantasy wars to last two lifetimes. The worldbuilding and magic system might have saved it, if I could have gotten far enough to where any of that was explained.2) The storytelling felt sort of distant. Thematically appropriate, I guess.
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LibraryThing member Isana
What a great book! It didn't take too long for me to get into it. All the characters were wonderful and the story was very interesting. I'm not saying it was the most amazing book but it was satisfying and entertaining in a way that makes it worthy of five stars. I mean, brown women-loving women
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being boss. What more do I want out of a book? Show Less
LibraryThing member elenaj
This is a wonderful fantasy novel. It's well-written, with strong characterization and plotting. I loved it because of the many queer characters, the fascinating political themes, and the interesting use of magic.
I think Fire Logic would be a particularly enjoyable read for anyone who's interested
Update after re-read, 7-28-19:
So, all of that is still true, but evidently I forgot just how many terrible things happen to Zanja in this book. Like, every possible bad thing. Some good things do happen too, but wow, does she go through three kinds of hell over and over again first. So, be warned. Also, drug use is a major plot point, something like but not exactly like an opiate.
And finally, I should perhaps be worried about myself, because I liked Norina a lot more on this re-read than I ever liked her before. (I guess that's not a bad thing, since I'm doing a re-read now in anticipation of reading the fourth book, Air Logic, which is in all likelihood focused on Norina.)
I think Fire Logic would be a particularly enjoyable read for anyone who's interested
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in considering how contemporary hot topics (the justification of war and violence, especially) can be rethought given a fantasy context.Update after re-read, 7-28-19:
So, all of that is still true, but evidently I forgot just how many terrible things happen to Zanja in this book. Like, every possible bad thing. Some good things do happen too, but wow, does she go through three kinds of hell over and over again first. So, be warned. Also, drug use is a major plot point, something like but not exactly like an opiate.
And finally, I should perhaps be worried about myself, because I liked Norina a lot more on this re-read than I ever liked her before. (I guess that's not a bad thing, since I'm doing a re-read now in anticipation of reading the fourth book, Air Logic, which is in all likelihood focused on Norina.)
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LibraryThing member macha
first book in a tetralogy. this corner of a world is depicted fifteen years after a country was occupied by invaders who had no home to return to, and they prevailed. the defending army has turned to guerilla tactics, which are failing too. meanwhile the occupiers have become more oppressive over
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time, so the whole culture has become unstable. the worldmaking is notably sturdy; the characters feel very real, the plot dynamic, the magic well-crafted. the book hinges on elementals, and elemental magic, as a healing force, collecting and sharing power to rearrange a whole culture. it feels already like a classic work in progress that i am delighted to find. Show Less