Wow, this one is very intense. I knew I was going to get into it easily from the beginning. I don't know if enjoyed is the right word for such a devastating story, I don't know what I would do in such a situation. My only issue with it is that goes forwards and backwards instead of being told in chronological order, which made it difficult for me to regain focus on the story at points. Other than that, outstanding!

The Book of Fire is an intense read, taking you from grief and despair to understanding. Irini and her family are devastated by a fire that destroys everything they love and care for. It was started deliberately by a man who wanted something so badly he set fire to the forest but didn’t realise how devastating it would be. The author writes so movingly and from the heart about the destruction caused by greed, survivor guilt and the way people cope with tragedy and grief. How people look for hope and longing for things to return to how they were, but knowing they never will. The story is told partly using flashbacks which sometimes felt a bit clumsy to me, but didnt detract from the story. It was thought provoking and made me wonder what I would have done in Irinis situation. How do you cope with the loss of your way of life. Excellent read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book..

I’m not sure this book was for me. It did jump around too much. I loved the Beekeeper of Aleppo but this didn’t quite match it. Still a powerful storyline. Thanks to Christy and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Life was idyllic in Irini Diamandis’s beautiful Greek village, surrounded as it was by ancient forest. That was until the fire. This terrible tragedy had such an impact on everyone she knew, and eventually, Irini felt the need to put it all down in writing. The journal was about her journey both before and after the fire. It was discovered that the fire was started deliberately by one person, but the repercussions were felt by everyone.

Irini would prefer to start the journal with “Long long ago “, however, it wasn’t long long ago, it was very recent - a raging uncontrollable fire that consumed her village, the fire spreading from the lush forests right down to the sea, swallowing up whatever and whoever stood in its way. The fire had life changing consequences for Irini’s family and friends leaving them hurt and lost and broken, and there were those who didn’t even make it. It also altered the landscape of her beautiful Greek island, and would do for many years to come, - the utter desolation, the many homes in ruins, wildflowers, the fir, olive and pine trees all gone, the wildlife destroyed, the smells of lavender and rosemary and thyme no longer filled the air.

Her daughter Chara was left badly scarred, something she will have to live with for life, and husband Tasso, who was a talented artist, his hands are now burnt and scarred, no longer able to paint his beloved forest - in addition, he’s been left deeply traumatised, frozen in time by the fact that he was unable to save someone - the guilt just too much to bear.

Irini too is consumed with guilt. It’s a guilt she shouldn’t really feel because it involved the man who actually started the fire - the one who has caused all the heartache and death and suffering - and yet she does feel guilt, as one human being to another.

The Book of Fire is a moving testament to the human spirit - to the powers of redemption and renewal after such a tragic event, with its ensuing pain, misery and hardship that makes one wonder at the fortitude and perseverance required to both live and survive such devastating consequences. There are scenes in the book that are silent, full instead of meaningful thoughts and observations, but they convey so much without words, and I don’t mind admitting that they left me tearful. Christy Lefteri is a magician when it comes to the written word, and although the story is about a devastating event, beauty pours forth from her prose, and this, and the storyline will stay with me for some time to come. Poignant, but extremely powerful and beautiful!

I would have liked this book better if it had been told chronologically, instead of going forwards and backwards in time, as is the fashion these days. The descriptions of the fire, destruction and terror experienced by the characters are visceral and horrific. The revenge the villagers take is shocking but can be understood. They were all eventually able to move on but at a cost. A powerful story.

I found this book very repetitive at times. It did however highlight the case for the affects of global warming.

This book made me feel every emotion. I love Christy Lefteri’s writing. The Beekeeper of Aleppo is an amazing book but The Book of Fire is an outstanding read. From the very first page I knew I would love it.
I could feel the fire on my back. I could feel myself getting tired trying to stay afloat. I became absorbed by this story.
I read The Book of Fire in one sitting and I can’t recommend it enough.
A huge 5 stars!