Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

A vast sprawling tale covering the Vietnam War and early 21st century Afghanistan history using a crusading journalist and his Vietnam experience ,then his son’s story in Russia and Afghanistan. As this is the last episode in a trilogy it is difficult at times to read as a stand-alone tale but is definitely worthwhile. The storyline also involves an Afghani journalist who left for the Netherlands 30 years ago after the death of her father in the Russian invasion. The two stories combine beautifully as the connections are revealed. The attack and death of the younger journalists lover and the connection to high flying Russian politicians and the need to expose the truth along with the discovery of abuse of children in Kabul as corresponding stories along with the senior journalists story are blended skilfully. It sounds complicated and it is but we’ll worth the effort and probably one should read the first two books to get the whole story.

A Sea of Flames by Walter Lucius is the third and final book in the Heartland trilogy, unfortunately I had not read the previous two books but although I wished I had because it was so good, it can be read as a standalone.
In short, it tells the story of journalists Farah Hafez, Paul Chapelle and Raylan Chapelle, all tangled by threads of love and war. It’s told in two timelines and is driven by Raylan’s story which begins in 1968 when he witnessed the burning of the old monk (sea of flames) in Saigon’s Lam Som Square and the monk’s last words ‘to keep alive the hope of freedom and peace’, inspired yet haunted him and set him on his tortuous journey.
It’s a hard hitting story with a great plot based in the turbulent history of a country, the sort of fiction that plunges readers deep inside it’s world. A journalist path the authorities didn’t want them following. In the words of Raylan, ‘if freedom of speech is at stake, I’m prepared to start a war to protect that right. I’m a journalist, not a pacifist.’
I highly recommend this book.

This was an ok book for me but I did struggle with it somewhat I think the problem was that when I requested it I didn’t realise it was book 3 of the trilogy and although it can be read as a stand-alone I think it would have been better to have read the previous books. The writing was excellent and it was the kind of book I really enjoy so I was disappointed that I couldn’t get into the story but perhaps this was just me.
So a book with a great storyline, some interesting characters told in different timelines and settings I’m sure others will enjoy it more than I did.
My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.