From acclaimed bestselling author Laura Anne Gilman comes a unique and enthralling new story of fantasy and adventure, wine and magic, danger an...
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Apr 01, 2010
Jeffrey
rated it: 
Laura Gilman's latest fantasy novel in a huge departure from her urban fantasy novels. She pulls it off with panache because she brings to the table a completely unique system of magic involving vinters and wine. The spellwines themselves involve a lot of the same usual magic of weather, healing etc, but I thoroughly enjoyed this new magical system. Although the world is unique and system of magic are unique, the fantasy itself, in which a young apprentice, a quick learner, named Jerzy and hi
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Dec 30, 2010
Karissa
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This is the first book in the "Vineart War Trilogy" by Laura Anne Gilman. I received this book as an Advanced Reading Copy through the Amazon Vine program. I have never read anything from Gilman before, although I have wanted to read her Retrievers series. I have mixed feelings about this book. Gilman created a couple great characters, a very unique and interesting magic system, and a complex world. Unfortunately the plot lags and the book doesn't resolve any story as much as just set
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Dec 23, 2010
Libby
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This book is a terrific example of a solidly competent writer spinning an unusual and imaginative idea into a gripping narrative. I sat down to dip into chapter one and was caught like a bug in a pitcher plant. The central concept is a novel twist in the old earth magic paradigm. The magic arises from the vines, the grapes and the skills of the vintners, called Vinearts. A wine may be used for magical healing, weather control, making fire and other practical and helpful uses. Different varietals
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Feb 19, 2010
Ziaria
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The story tells of a master teaching his apprentice the fine art of Vineart, magic that comes with the use of wine. Then subtle disturbing instances begin to happen across the land far enough apart that most don't even realize what is happening. A battle brewing between good and something so sinister that no one really knows what they are in store for. Such a unique world of magic and wines. I'm not a wine drinker but I will never look at a bottle of wine the same again.
I enjoyed thi More...
I enjoyed thi More...
Oct 25, 2009
Jaime
rated it:
The premise and idea was interesting. Spellbound wine in a world in which there seems to be three major groups: Vinearts (who control the wine, the spells, and answer to no one), the Princes (who think the Vinearts and the Washers should answer to them but understand the command) and The Washers (who seem to be priestly beings ensuring moral behaviors and that the Sin Washer's commands are upheld). Very creative, a fantasy about magical wine. I love it! As a person who loves wine.... I was g
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Sep 13, 2009
K.
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**I read an ARC of this book**
Gilman says in her afterword (or foreword, I can't remember) that she wrote this book after an off-hand comment by her agent about writing her a food-based fantasy.
So she did. About wine. About wine that is magic.
And so this first book in the series (and it's oh so obvious that it's a first book in a series, basically it just sets up characters, the world, and the magic system and the first taste of the big bad) goes in depth abou More...
Gilman says in her afterword (or foreword, I can't remember) that she wrote this book after an off-hand comment by her agent about writing her a food-based fantasy.
So she did. About wine. About wine that is magic.
And so this first book in the series (and it's oh so obvious that it's a first book in a series, basically it just sets up characters, the world, and the magic system and the first taste of the big bad) goes in depth abou More...
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Jan 26, 2010
Jerzy is a slave, working in the vineyard of his master, Malech. He senses the magic inherent in the grapes, and awaits death after the master smites a ten year old boy for an error, but instead, he is brought to the house to be trained as a possible Vineart--master of wine magic.
Vinearts are plucked from slaves, as the vinearts believe that the stresses of the slave life bring out the talent, as stresses bring out the best in the harvest. Jerzy learns, as the world begins to show si More...
Vinearts are plucked from slaves, as the vinearts believe that the stresses of the slave life bring out the talent, as stresses bring out the best in the harvest. Jerzy learns, as the world begins to show si More...
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Oct 25, 2009
Gaby
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Flesh and Fire (The Vineart War, #1)
"Vinearts did not appear full-blown from the earth, after all. It was an ironic gift from Sin Washer: generations of trial and error had proven that only the deprivations of slavery, the removal of all family ties and comforts, pushed a man to the point where magic would surface. Even now, he could not coddle the boy, or risk ruining him. The skills were inherent and easily proven by the first test, but the refining of them required a combination of More...
"Vinearts did not appear full-blown from the earth, after all. It was an ironic gift from Sin Washer: generations of trial and error had proven that only the deprivations of slavery, the removal of all family ties and comforts, pushed a man to the point where magic would surface. Even now, he could not coddle the boy, or risk ruining him. The skills were inherent and easily proven by the first test, but the refining of them required a combination of More...
Oct 26, 2009
Carol
rated it:
In the Vin Lands, only Vinearts make wine. They grow the grapes, press them and create both vin ordinaire and spellwines, wines that heal, change weather, make fire, and so on. However, something evil is happening in the lands; out of season illnesses are destroying vines, giant sea monsters are killing sailors, and at least one Vineart has disappeared. Who or what is causing this? One Vineart, Malech, and his student/slave, Jerzy, are determined to find out.
The world Gilman has crea More...
The world Gilman has crea More...
Jul 21, 2009
Schnaucl
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 03, 2009
Michael
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Laura Anne Gilman's fantasy novel "Flesh and Fire" may not reinvent the fantasy wheel, but at least it has an interesting magical system in place.
The magical system of this world is built around grape and wines, with various vineyards producing grapes and wines that have various magical powers and uses. It's a fascinating concept and when the story delves into the system that Gilman is setting up and how people are chosen and trained in the ways of the magical system, the More...
The magical system of this world is built around grape and wines, with various vineyards producing grapes and wines that have various magical powers and uses. It's a fascinating concept and when the story delves into the system that Gilman is setting up and how people are chosen and trained in the ways of the magical system, the More...
Feb 06, 2012
Todd
rated it:
I’ve always been a fan of science fiction and fantasy, and there are certain themes that are typically prevalent in the storyline of a good fantasy . I thought I had seen all of them, but that was before I read Flesh and Fire, the first novel in the Vineart War series by Laura Anne Gilman. This particular novel centers around wine. Not just any wine, but magical wine!
Once, in the Vin Lands there were men of great influence known as prince-mages. They were given almost unlimited pow More...
Once, in the Vin Lands there were men of great influence known as prince-mages. They were given almost unlimited pow More...
Feb 11, 2011
Phaedra
rated it:
Overall I enjoyed the book, enough to give the next one in the series a shot and hope that it is more interesting throughout. The sections with Jerzy and when they deal with spellwine were interesting and held my attention, but all the other threads in the story were a bit lack-luster. For the most part, when the narrative leaves Jerzy to follow other characters I found myself getting bored until something drastic would happen. Just as that part would become interesting the story would go bac
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Feb 12, 2011
Meg
rated it:
I wasn't sure what to expect from such a clear departure from Gilman's usual genre, but Gilman handles the switch from Whedon-esque urban fantasy to a more traditional old-timey kingdom setting with remarkable aplomb. In this series, magic is not electric current, as it is with her others, but instead takes the form of wine, made from grapes that mages carefully cultivate over the course of decades. It's a gripping image, and she puts it to good use in the story of an apprentice to a quiet, is
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Mar 04, 2010
Jennifer
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The first in a forthcoming fantasy series titled "The Vineart War." I am sometimes slow to warm up to fantasy, but I found this book intriguing. Set in a land reminsecent of sunny Quatrocento Italy, magical power lies in the making of wine--some of which is embued with powerful spells. Master vinters are highly sought after by politicians and princes for the their abilities to create these extraordinary wines. Alas, the balance of powers in the land--and in the wine--is going terri
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Dec 03, 2009
Loren
rated it:
What a strange book. I had a hard time getting into it at first, since it basically starts over three times. I preferred the second character to the one who ended up being the hero of the book. My feeling overall is that Gilman isn't good at making characters interesting or likeable, but she is brilliant at world-building. I was thoroughly fascinated by the magical system she's created. The way she conveys her knowledge of wine and viticulture was completely absorbing.
So I have More...
So I have More...
Apr 05, 2010
Nadine
rated it: 
The plot superficially centers around magic spells (which are linked with wine), and it's set in an imaginary world, so it is superficially a "fantasy" novel. But I found the fantasy aspect to not be central to the plot at all - this could just as easily take place in the "real" world. The main plot is a young boy's coming of age, discovering a vast plot of political intrigue, and finding companions for his quest to discover the truth.
This book was very very s More...
This book was very very s More...
Jul 22, 2011
Cv
rated it: 
There were more cliches in the first 50 pages than I could stand. Victim, slave, magic, potions, mystery, UFL (ubiquitous fantasy land). The whole time I was just begging her to get to the damned story already because the world building was so unnecessary. She could've just started the book with the following statement, "We enter a world I ripped off from the last 30 fantasy writers with multibook series and although my magic system is different, it's so little different that you might as
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Feb 01, 2012
Megan
rated it:
(Re-posted from http://theturnedbrain.blogspot.com.au)
I firmly believe that nothing, nothing is more important in a book than the protagonist. A well written hero can carry the weakest of plots, elevate the plainest of supporting cast and make an otherwise average book into something special. Laura Anne Gilman’s ‘Flesh and Fire’ proves all to well that the reverse is definitely not true.
The concept of Flesh and Fire is really cool, and handled originally. A few select men, c More...
I firmly believe that nothing, nothing is more important in a book than the protagonist. A well written hero can carry the weakest of plots, elevate the plainest of supporting cast and make an otherwise average book into something special. Laura Anne Gilman’s ‘Flesh and Fire’ proves all to well that the reverse is definitely not true.
The concept of Flesh and Fire is really cool, and handled originally. A few select men, c More...
Jun 11, 2011
Emil
rated it:
Okay, I must confess, I only gave it this high a review because of the off-the-wall concept.
It's your standard 1st. volume epic fantasy tale, involving a protagonist, his magical training, darkness gathering, and a whole lot of grapes.
What?
Yeah, magic in this world is based on winemaking. (with various rules laboriously explained) the story this creates isn't anything new (thus far anyway) but the magic system is interesting and fun, like the fact that a particular More...
It's your standard 1st. volume epic fantasy tale, involving a protagonist, his magical training, darkness gathering, and a whole lot of grapes.
What?
Yeah, magic in this world is based on winemaking. (with various rules laboriously explained) the story this creates isn't anything new (thus far anyway) but the magic system is interesting and fun, like the fact that a particular More...
Nov 03, 2011
Anna
rated it:
I enjoyed this one. The idea of wine and magic, really pulled at me to want to read this book. Flesh and Fire is original and rich in detail. It stands out because there is nothing out there like it, at least that I know of. The weaving of wine making and magic in a fantasy setting makes for one powerful read. A wondrous story that sucks you right in. The first bit was a bit slow for me. But the background information given is vital to the story. The world building in this book is amazing. Main
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Feb 26, 2010
Sammy
rated it:
I was a bit skeptical at first - who has ever heard of a fantasy book set around wine? (I am willing to acknowledge the magical properties of alcohol as quickly as anyone, but still....).
My skepticism quickly went away. Gilman weaves a fascinating world, one where the earthly problems of agriculture mixes with the dangers, mysticism, and thrill of magic. Mixing in different elements - a slave society, mixed with a noble class, adds complexity and social tensions to the story as More...
My skepticism quickly went away. Gilman weaves a fascinating world, one where the earthly problems of agriculture mixes with the dangers, mysticism, and thrill of magic. Mixing in different elements - a slave society, mixed with a noble class, adds complexity and social tensions to the story as More...
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Feb 26, 2011
Ally
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I read 90 pages of the book and decided not to finish reading it for the monthly book club read. I found the pacing of the story to be very slow and I personally never felt pulled into the plot. The only character I was interested in was Jerzy and I quickly became bored with how slowly he was progressing with his training. The writing was too descriptive and repetitive regarding daily tasks which I found to be distracting. I have heard that the story has more action in the second half of the b
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Jan 04, 2010
Annmarie
rated it:
Pretty good fantasy set in a non-technological world where viticulture & viniculture produces magic. A special few can sense & work with the vines & wine to bring out & adapt their magic. Good story, good world building, fairly fast moving straightforward story, good characterization. Centers around a teenage boy who is a slave on a vineyard who develops the magical ability and is then taken in by the vintner to be schooled in the magic. Looks like he will need to save the world, in later books
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Apr 15, 2011
Donna
rated it:
First let me preface this with a warning to my friends. There is NO romance in this book, this is the first of 3 however so there may be some later. This was a book of magic unlike any traditional book I have read. It is about Vinehearts (the magicians). The magic comes from the grapes, and in turn from the wine and the dirt itself. Because of pride, jealousy and power struggles their gods sent a son to become their sin-washer, in their arrogance the Vinehearts killed the sin-washer and so it ca
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Jan 15, 2010
Julie
rated it:
Jerzy is a slave. He has never known anything but slavery in the Master Vineart's fields, toiling away at the grape vines that create the magical wine that is so coveted by the powerful and all of the Vinearts.
Jerzy's life is uneventful until one fateful day when he happens to get a face full of the grape mash and feels something magical in the wine. Knowing death is certain now that he, a lowly slave, has tasted the magical brew, the Master summons Jerzy to the main house. But inste More...
Jerzy's life is uneventful until one fateful day when he happens to get a face full of the grape mash and feels something magical in the wine. Knowing death is certain now that he, a lowly slave, has tasted the magical brew, the Master summons Jerzy to the main house. But inste More...
Feb 24, 2010
Snail in Danger (Sid)
rated it:
I think the characters were interesting. The basic idea of the magic system was cool. The main distracting thing was that the countries were sort of like real countries but not exactly ... and I kept trying to match the closest real world counterparts.
Also, various antagonists are revealed or hinted at, but we don't really get a sense of why they are antagonists. (Beyond the obvious: wanting power.)
As far as I know, this is Gilman's first attempt at worldbuilding from More...
Also, various antagonists are revealed or hinted at, but we don't really get a sense of why they are antagonists. (Beyond the obvious: wanting power.)
As far as I know, this is Gilman's first attempt at worldbuilding from More...
Feb 23, 2010
Barbara
rated it:
A slow starter with slavery at the heart of the story. I don't condone slavery of any sort so I found it hard to get into. However, it is a great book and well worth the read.
Magic is misused by greedy kings and war after war is fought until the people beg the Gods to help. The God Zatim smites them all and decrees that magic users must come from slavery and hardship so they appreciate the gift they have been given. All magic is practiced through wine - take a sip of spellwine an More...
Magic is misused by greedy kings and war after war is fought until the people beg the Gods to help. The God Zatim smites them all and decrees that magic users must come from slavery and hardship so they appreciate the gift they have been given. All magic is practiced through wine - take a sip of spellwine an More...
Oct 16, 2011
Ithlilian
rated it:
Flesh and Fire has an interesting idea behind it, a magic system based on wine. It has character development, and contains one of my favorite things, a character learning a new skill. The problem is, there isn't much more than that. I'm not the biggest fan of slow moving plots, or what turn out to be almost non existent plots. Character development is great, and I've read a few books that are almost completely dialogue based, but those usually come later in a series after a significant amount of
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Dec 07, 2011
Lillian
rated it:
One of the best secondary world fantasies I have read in a while. The magic system in particular is very different from the usual fare--all based on wine. I think the strongest parts of this book are the characters and the worldbuilding. I recommend this to anyone who likes secondary world fantasies, of the type with catastrophic, change-the-world disaster looming, but a story tied fairly closely to the main character, not sprawling all over the place.
