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Crown of Vengeance (Fires of Eden #1)

by Stephen Zimmer (Goodreads Author)

4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 · rating details · 35 ratings · 22 reviews

On a night that begins no different from any other, strange mists engulf Janus Roland, Erika Laesig, Mershad Shahab, and several others going about their lives in a quiet midwestern town. When the mist dissipates, they all find themselves looking up into the bright skies of a new, incredible world.

Without explanation of why it has happened, or any notion of where they are,...more

Paperback, 612 pages

Published November 1st 2009 by Seventh Star Press, LLC (first published 2009)

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Nov 29, 2012 Ryan Thomason rated it 5 of 5 stars

I almost never have time to read books anymore, but once I started reading Crown of Vengeance, I found myself squeaking time in whenever possible. After having my reading interrupted a million times, I finally convinced my wife and kids to leave me alone long enough so I could finish the book and boy do I have something to tell you.

If you grew up reading fantasy like myself, I’m sure you often found yourself day dreaming about whatever you just read, putting yourself in the world and fighting th...more I almost never have time to read books anymore, but once I started reading Crown of Vengeance, I found myself squeaking time in whenever possible. After having my reading interrupted a million times, I finally convinced my wife and kids to leave me alone long enough so I could finish the book and boy do I have something to tell you.

If you grew up reading fantasy like myself, I’m sure you often found yourself day dreaming about whatever you just read, putting yourself in the world and fighting the bad guys (or good guys). Stephen Zimmer grew up doing the same thing, so it’s so surprise that he couldn’t resist writing a story about some chosen people who were going about their normal lives in Lexington, Kentucky when a fog comes out of nowhere and transports them to the world of Ave. Unprepared, and with no survival skills the people start off split up, but find themselves banded together and tossed into a boiling over conflict headed by a man known as the Unifier.

Even though I couldn’t find myself being able to finish the book as quickly as I had wanted, it wasn’t the writing that kept that from happening. I solely blame my hectic life for forcing me to only be able to nibble at this delicious story a few chapters at a time until I was able to finally just take the whole thing in a big final sitting. The characters are each so well done and given distinct personalities that I think gives the readers at least one person that us the reader can relate to. Zimmer is no slouch when it comes to details. Because I read before going to sleep, I often found myself having vivid dreams about the world of Ave. Not really the characters in general, but just the landscapes, which Zimmer painted in my head as if a picture with his words. I dug the different races and species that lived within the world of Ave, which had such a feeling of our world, but with a slight twist to make it just foreign enough.

I’ve always been a fan of epic fantasy, and starting of this new series with Crown of Vengeance didn’t let me down at all, I can’t wait to dive into (and hopefully finish much quicker) the second book in the series, Dream of Legends. You should definitely give this Pluto Award winning book a shot.(less)

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Feb 22, 2012 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Crown of Vengeance is a bold, elaborate undertaking. Epic fantasy it sure is with many characters and a grand story to go with. Stephen is clearly a details man. His characters are many but the details on them are all there. This first book is the foundation for the series setting up the story and characters it is in a sense detail upon detail, people, thoughts, views, history on a wide scale.

A group of people less than satisfied with their lot in life wishing to be elsewhere find themselves in...more

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Aug 23, 2011 Heavensent1 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Crown of Vengeance is book one in a new fantasy series called, "Fires In Eden".

When Lee, Ryan, Janus, Mershand, Ericka, Logan, Derek and a few others wish that something would happen in their lives that was extraordinary, they find themselves on a journey that promises just that.

The story sets out in modern times and each, for reasons of their own, is bored with life. When a unnatural and eery fog rolls in, each person soon realizes they aren't where they began and confusion and fear set in.

Eac...more Crown of Vengeance is book one in a new fantasy series called, "Fires In Eden".

When Lee, Ryan, Janus, Mershand, Ericka, Logan, Derek and a few others wish that something would happen in their lives that was extraordinary, they find themselves on a journey that promises just that.

The story sets out in modern times and each, for reasons of their own, is bored with life. When a unnatural and eery fog rolls in, each person soon realizes they aren't where they began and confusion and fear set in.

Each of them are now in another land, the land of Ave and in another time and they must use their individual abilities to survive. A few of them end up in the hands of the Onan, a tribe of the Five Realms and others arrive in the Saxan Kingdom. There is a war brewing as the powerful Unifer wishes to bring everyone under his one rule and destroy all those who oppose him.

The Unifer is determined to allow evil reign and with his charismatic appeal, it is hard to resist his charm as he uses all his resources to set a course of action that will bring many to their knees. The group of outsiders is a bane to his existence as they always seem to end up where they weren't needed and each, in their own way, work to divert the events that are occurring.

The war that is inevitable will be fought on land, in the air, water and even in other realms, as the Unifer works his silver-tongue and his magic to bring everyone to his heel. Will the group be able to set everything in order or will they be tempted to walk the path of the Unifer?

I had a hard time getting into this book. I didn't enjoy the long introduction to each of the characters, it took up almost half of the book. I thought there was a lot of useless information shared and felt that their introduction could have been simpler, for the information that was shared didn't help with the overall of the book's appeal.

However, whence the group travels through the fog, this is where things begin to pick up. The world building land of Ave was very well written. The people of Ave were believable and enjoyable to read and from there the stories flow picks up and you know longer feel the trudging pace of the modern day set up.

I loved the fantasy aspect of the novel, all the different types of creatures was fantastic, each explained with depth and clarity. I also enjoyed watching how each of the main characters interacted with the people of Ave, especially in the beginning when everything was new and proper etiquette had yet to be noted. Their confusion and fear is common place and each reacted as one should in their given situations. The elitist aspect of the book is something everyone can relate to, even in today's times and you cannot help but hating those who are in power.

The Unifer was a great antagonist. He was delivered in an intelligent and expressive way. The battle scenes were breath taking, allowing the reader to feel as if they were alongside the people, fighting their battle with them. And the overall outcome of the books plot left you begging for more. I am glad I continued to give this book my time, as I am now looking forward to reading Book Two in the Fires in Eden series.(less)

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Feb 04, 2011 William Bentrim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Crown of Vengeance by Stephen Zimmer

This book is an epic tale of morality and courage. An unlikely assortment of contemporary characters finds themselves in an alternate world immersed in monumental, sword wielding conflict.

The Unifier plans to unify the known world for the benefit of its inhabitants. That is his story and he is sticking with it. He is handsome, muscular, charismatic and dedicated, unbeknownst to his minions, to evil.

The motley cast from our world is thrust into a situation th...more

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Aug 31, 2010 John rated it 5 of 5 stars

Stephen Zimmer has a wondrous imagination, and lets it run free with Crown of Vengeance. In a genera that has recently grown a bit formulaic and clichéd, Zimmer has managed to craft a new and excited addition to medieval fantasy literature. While there are hints of the author's influences (C.S. Lewis, Tolkien), nothing ever feels imitated or even borrowed. Zimmer's writing style, while not overly simplistic, is well paced and easy to follow, making it difficult story to put down. The tale is tol...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Jolie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. Because it was billed as "Christian fantasy", I was a little leary of reading it. But, man, I am glad I did!!

The story starts out with a mysterious fog covering a university campus, a lake and a national park. 11 people: Logan, Janus, Erika, Derek, Kent, Mershad, Antione, Erin, Lee, Ryan and Lynn get caught in it. When they finally make their way out of the fog, they are in a different world.

Here the adventure begins. A goup consisting of Logan, Janus, Erika, Derek, Kent, Mers...more

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Sep 12, 2011 Daniel Cann rated it 4 of 5 stars

‘Crown of Vengeance’ is the first in the ‘Fires In Eden’ series and begins on an ordinary night in an ordinary midwestern town in America. Here we meet Janus, Erika, Mershad, Lee, Ryan and many others. These are all ordinary people from different walks of life, students and workers who all share the same disillusionment with their current circumstances and their lives in general. One evening they are all out in various parts of town when they become engulfed in a strange mist. When the mist diss...more ‘Crown of Vengeance’ is the first in the ‘Fires In Eden’ series and begins on an ordinary night in an ordinary midwestern town in America. Here we meet Janus, Erika, Mershad, Lee, Ryan and many others. These are all ordinary people from different walks of life, students and workers who all share the same disillusionment with their current circumstances and their lives in general. One evening they are all out in various parts of town when they become engulfed in a strange mist. When the mist dissipates they all find themselves looking up into the bright skies of a new, incredible world.

This new world is Ave. Some of the new arrivals find themselves in the lands of the Saxan Kingdom, others in the lands of Onan, one of the tribes of the Five Realms confederation. War is fast approaching as the armies of the powerful and ambitious Unifier strive to wipe out all opposition and thus bringing everyone under one rule. An invasion force is massing and it is not long before a war begins that will be fought on land, sea, in the air and even in places non-physical in nature.

Zimmer has brought us an epic, sweeping fantasy that takes the reader from the modern contemporary world and into a diverse and intriguing new one. I thoroughly enjoyed reading on as the group attempt to adapt to their strange new environment, overcoming fear and uncertainty and coming to terms with their unusual and unique predicament. It really is a case of the old maxim of being careful of what you wish for!

Zimmer displays not only a strong grasp of creating well-developed believable characters but also a superb imagination as his group of people encounter many exotic creatures from Eden. They also meet the mysterious Wanderer who I am sure will pop up again later in the series. All the characters have demons to face and to conquer like Janus who is on a spiritual as much as a physical journey as he is still coping with the loss of his father.

‘Crown of Vengeance’ covers the usual themes of friendship, cooperation, survival, good versus evil but it also deals very well with deeper issues of sovereignty and self- determination. This can be read as your standard fantasy novel but there are much bigger things going on under the surface. I was engrossed as I read about the different people in the new world and their struggle to hold onto their individual identities and cultures in the face of a tyrannical force attempting to subjugate them.

The underdog versus a ruling elite is something that we can all relate to no matter what world you are from and there are plenty of parallels with our own history and culture to keep the reader on their toes. This reads like a modern day C.S. Lewis and Zimmer manages to pull it all off with great aplomb. I cannot wait to read the next in the series. (less)

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May 07, 2011 Rob rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: random-comments-review

...There is a risk involved in walking down the well-trodden paths of epic fantasy. On the one hand it provides an author with a number of elements that obviously appeals to many readers. On the other hand, there is the risk of writing a cliché story. Challenging the staples of epic fantasy has given us two of the most exciting bit series in epic fantasy. The Malazan Book of the Fallen, in which Steven Erikson challenges just about every epic fantasy cliché, and A Song of Ice and Fire, in which...more

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Feb 24, 2010 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars

For Janus Roland, Erika Laesig, Mershad Shahab, Logan, Ryan, Derek, Lee Chan and several others, there lives will never be the same. Everyone was attending to their every day lives and going about their business when a mysterious mist rolls in. When the mist clears, everyone finds that they had been transported to a strange new land. There they will meet dangerous enemies as well as make some new friends.

Crown of Vengeance is book one in the Fires in Eden. A new series by author Stephen Zimmer....more

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Jan 19, 2012 Evangeline Han rated it 3 of 5 stars

The first thing I noticed when I started reading Crown of Vengeance is the rich descriptions and wide range of vocabulary employed. I was blown away by it. It's been a month since I read a rich literary work and I was astounded to find such a piece of work in a fantasy novel. Note to self: Never underestimate fantasy novels. The descriptions and imagery used were so good, I could imagine the scenes easily.

I did not particularly like the mundane beginning. At some points, I even thought that ther...more

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Mar 22, 2012 Alis Bookshelf rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-books-from-authors-publisher

Stephen Zimmer sure knows how to weave a tale. Crown of Vengeance is a amazing story about a group of people who don't enjoy their lives and who really wish for more. I mean don't we all at some point? All of the sudden this mist appears and they walk into it. As soon as they do they are wisked away to another world, but is this world the one they have been waiting for, or is it worse then what they were already living? (Alright you know for a fact I'm not going to give any spoilers, so read thi...more

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Jan 18, 2010 Gef rated it 3 of 5 stars

Since there are not half-star ratings, I'll go with three stars. I'm still not a fan of epic fantasies, but I keep trying. This story is sweeping and builds to a fair climax, and a prelude to what is coming in future installments. But, for a guy like me, it was hard to get hooked. Zimmer's talent and ambition need to be commended, however, as he writes not one series of books, but two at the same time. The man keeps busy.

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Aug 12, 2010 Andrew Horne rated it 5 of 5 stars

An utterly engrossing read. The author does a great job of creating back stories that help you understand the motivations of all the major characters. Can't wait for the sequel to get here!

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Aug 15, 2012 Liana marked it as to-read

This book has a fantastic cover and a great title that makes people itch to read it. The summary sounds really cool! I would like to read this. I've always loved Epic Fantasy. (:

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Jan 10, 2010 edifanob rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-books, 2009-reads

Great book. So different compared to the fantasy books I read in the past months.

This is definitely a book for people who like character driven stories with gorgeous and detailed descriptions of a fantasy world and their inhabitants mixed with beings who follow devious plans who will face more resistance than expected.....
Read my full review of Crown of Vengeance.

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Dec 16, 2012 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars

What kid with an imagination hasn't thought about finding adventure in another world? Here, you are a student, a computer programer, or you work in a chinese restaurant. When you step through the fog into a new world, who you were may not be enough to keep you alive. You will face things you never dreamed of. There will be creatures big and small that will see you as their next meal. This is not a peaceful land either, and in war a side will have to be chosen. So you must ask yourself. How will...more

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Nov 03, 2010 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: epic-fantasy, own-a-copy, war, arc-or-review-copy

Crown of Vengeance is a solid, imaginative and adventurous epic fantasy - well worth reading.

To read my full review, and an interview with the author go here:
http://bookwormblues.blogspot.com/201...

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Feb 22, 2011 Robin Blankenship rated it 5 of 5 stars

Stephen Zimmer is a master of words. He creates intricate people and places that are both wondrous and exciting. Beautiful imagery and amazing characters are found in this book. His detail is amazing he writes and you read and can picture the places in the story. He is making epic fantasy as a genre rock. I will say that is one and his others are hefty reads. This one was slower for me to get into then the other series but it was worth it to read through to the end. Wonderful fantasy book. Would...more

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Sep 21, 2010 Madeleine rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wonderful epic fantasy! When you read this book you can really tell that the author is building a strong foundation for the rest of the series. Multiple points of view, but never confusing. Incredibly detailed descriptions of weaponry and creatures. The author creates an awesome fantasy world, and also shows great insight into human emotion. A really good read! I can't wait for the next book in this series, due to be released this winter.

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May 10, 2011 David rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: all lovers of fantasy

Great book, amazing to read and what an experience. Truely enjoyed it, jumped straight into the second one. Well done Stephen, I was truly chuffed. Find the full review here

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May 09, 2011 Jackie Gamber rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: booktasted

A book rich with detail and complexity. From modern characters to fantastical, Stephen's deep respect for culture and point of view comes across in every word. A definite talent for world-building!

Full BookTasting to come soon!

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Shelves: ebook

Apr 03, 2013 Kirk rated it 4 of 5 stars

Apr 03, 2013 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars

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About Stephen Zimmer

Born in Denver Colorado in 1974, Stephen Zimmer is an author and filmmaker currently residing in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Exodus Gate, the first book in the Rising Dawn Saga, was Stephen's debut novel, published through Seventh Star Press.

Stephen's independent films as a writer/director include the indie feature Shadows Light (Modern Fantasy/Supernatural Thriller) and the horror short film The Sir...more

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Books by Stephen Zimmer

The Storm Guardians (The Rising Dawn Saga, #2)

The Seventh Throne (The Rising Dawn Saga, #3)

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Quotes from Crown of Vengeance

“A solitary figure stood gazing outward, at the edge of the crenellations ringing the circumference of the great tower soaring up from the top of the massive, mountain-citadel. Shrouded with a regal, proud air, The Unifier, the Lord of far more than Avanor, regarded the heart of His worldly dominion with an invigorating feeling of growing mastery. Yes there was a deep concern weighing upon His mind, of a nature that rarely manifested to His pervasive senses.” — 1 person liked it

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Crown of Vengeance (Fires of Eden #1)

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