Flesh and Fire: Book One of the Vineart War

Warning: SpoilersGilman has created an original and interesting method for magic to be created and used. Magic is created (grown?)in grapes, which are then harvested by slaves. Next, the grapes are mashed together to form mustus. Finally, they are turned into magic wine called spellwine, or ordinary wine called vin ordinaire, depending on the magic content of the mustus. The spellwine is then sold to people in power (though Vinearts also retain a fair amount) who can use the wine by sipping it and using a three part invocation. Vinearts can do more powerful things with spellwine, particularly if the wine is from their orchards and/or if they have crafted it. Like wine in the real world, the wine that is produced by the Vinearts varies according to the conditions under which the grapes were grown. Therefore, one region makes healing wines, another deals with making magic wind for sailors, etc. Only Vinearts have the magic necessary to make spellwine, but they have extremely limited ability to do much of anything magical (besides create spellwine)without the aide of spellwine. The book begins with a little prehistory. Originally, rulers of men both created and used the spellwine and the spellwine could do any kind of magic, it was not limited by the growing conditions. The princes forced those they ruled to do nothing but grow and harvest the grapes for the wine, which meant that other work, such as growing food to eat, went undone and many starved. A god, Sinwasher, was born, and he told the princes on numerous occasions to stop abusing their power. When they ignored him, he changed the grapes so that princes could no longer cultivate the grapes themselves, and spellwine was no longer capable of producing all kinds of magic, instead, it was limited by the conditions under which the grapes were grown. The only people who could create spellwine were the Vinearts, and while they are allowed to sell spellwine to rulers, they are forbidden from influencing politics directly. Due to religious custom, most Vinearts are extremely solitary. They don't interact much with the world at large or even other Vinearts. The story begins with a young slave. The reader has a few chapters to have the horrors of slavery impressed upon her, and then it is revealed that the slave has the sensitivity to magic to make him into a Vineart, at which point he recalls his given name (Jerzy) and begins his training, which allows the reader to learn with Jerzy the subtleties of how magic works in the world Gilman has created. Learning magic with Jerzy is interesting and well done.I have a problem with the slavery angle, however. The Sinwasher took the power away from the rulers because they were oppressing their people and making them into slaves...but then the Vinearts have slaves basically doing the same thing. Is it supposed to be okay because it's a smaller part of the population or because the slaves are generally foreign? No one seems to see the inconsistency in that. Apparently, all Vinearts (all men, of course) started as slaves because like the grapes they have to be tempered by stressful conditions. It's a stretch, but I can go with it. The problem is that it's not revealed until a few chapters after the reader has the cruelties of the Master and Overseer drilled into her so I found myself very distracted and frustrated by the existence of slavery. The slaves are clearly not viewed as human beings and are referred to as "it."Another problem with the portrayal of slavery is that it's inconsistent. Near the beginning a child spills a vat of mustus (thus allowing Jerzy to reveal his sensitivity to the magic in the wine) and the child is immediately killed for the waste. But not long after there's an accident which kills a couple of slaves and Master Malech talks about how he can't afford to replace the slaves. It seems to me that if a Vineart can't afford to replace slaves, he can't afford to kill them off as punishment. I get that an example needs to be set, but permanently eliminating a worker while short staffed doesn't make any sense. A good portion of the book is taken up with Jerzy learning to be civilized (learning to read, bathe, do math, fight, etc) as well as learning how to be a Vineart. Naturally, there's also some great evil threatening the world. Master Malech seems to be one of the few people who has picked up on it and he begins tracking unusual occurrences. Many of the vineyards are attacked either with abnormally large creatures, or with diseases out of season. He radically increases the pace of Jerzy's training, which Jerzy can handle since he's a prodigy.The action really picks up in the last quarter or so of the book when Malech decides to send Jerzy to apprentice for a short time under a different Vineart. It's not technically against their religion, but it's certainly against tradition and attracts the attention of the religious authorities. The purpose of the apprenticeship is both the obvious, to learn about other wines and techniques, and the hidden, to listen for rumors of unusual occurrences.While apprenticing under Vineart Giordan, Jerzy meets Ao, a tradesmen about his own age. From Ao he learns how to listen without appearing to be eavesdropping. Unfortunately, this section also became frustrating because it's very obvious to the reader that what Jerzy should be picking up on is the sudden change in the maiar's (ruler) behavior. I understand he's supposed to have lived a sheltered life, but several people make comments about the change in behavior and how unusual he's acting so even if he is somewhat naive I would think that both he and Ao would figure out that's important. There's no excuse for the much more sophisticated Ao not picking up on that.A further concern, at least for me, is that the magic of the vineyards apparently kills the libido. This ensures that the Vineart isn't distracted by a wife and family and can focus only on wine production. I like to have some thread of romance in my fantasy. It doesn't have to be the focus, and, in fact, I prefer it not to be (if I want that I'd read paranormal romance or romance books) but I do want something and with no libido it doesn't look like it's going to happen with Jerzy, although there is a girl who eventually gets caught up with Jerzy and Ao. The pacing for the first 2/3 of the book is pretty slow and more than once I thought that it would make a great short story but I'm not convinced it will make a good series. However, the take on magic is pretty creative, and the pacing did pick up at the last part of the book so I may give the second book a try.

I'm embarrassed by how long I had this book, buried in a to-read stack, but the important thing is that I finally read it and I greatly enjoyed it once it got going. Gilman created a unique fantasy world based on wine magic. Yes, wine magic. Jerzy is a teenage boy, a slave toiling in a vineyard, but his master notices the magical inclination that Jerzy tries to hide. All Vinearts arise from slavery. Jerzy soon finds himself immersed in a totally different life as he is tutored in the ways of wine, as well as fighting and culture. He's pushed hard in his training as clues emerge about a threat against not only the Vinearts, but people across the disparate realms.I can see how the pace of this book might turn off some readers; it's all about worldbuilding. Me, I'm a worldbuilding geek. I love the details that Gilman went into to describe the ways of Vinearts, and the whole structure of the overall world. It is fascinating!

This is quite possibly the most unique book I've ever read. It's written in an oddly detailed way, taking care of every nuance of flavor along with tight plot lines. I willingly followed each person, learning to keep my distance lest I grow attached to someone who would die, but fell in love with each person anyway. Wonderful detail and enthralling story.

Liked it. Flesh and fire has a very original magic system, activated through wine. The book is not extremely exciting, but it's nice to read and I do want to know how the story will evolve. I would have preferred a bit more character building, and it would be nice if Jerzy (the main character) gets some confidence in the next book, but the end of the book seems promising for that, so I'm definitely going to buy it!

Magic shattered the Vin Lands. Now, centuries later, power and magic are ruthlessly governed, segregated and monitored - the Vinearts managed the vines and decant the magic of the grapes into spellwine, the Princes and mayors govern, and the priests of the Sin Washer's order enforce the rigid strictures that keep power, knowledge and magic safely restrained. But something or someone is attacking the Vinearts and their demesnes with subtle, vicious, deadly weapons. The attacks have no apparent pattern, and only one Vineart senses the danger. Unfortunately, Master Malech's best hope is a slim one. One young former slave, now his apprentice. But Jerzy isn't exactly what one would call confidence inspiring....I kept putting this down - and then picking it back up again. The story isn't action-packed, but it is strangely compelling. And three-quarters of the way through I was rewarded, as events finally start tumbling forward. Finally, the characters are in place and the adventure can begin - and the book ended! Now I have to go find the second installment. Sigh...

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 character Jerzy is a real likable character. I look forward to the rest of his journey.

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 in the series. The usual.

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 things up.Jerzy is a slave who ends up becoming an Apprentice to the Master Vineart Malech. Malech has noticed strange happenings in the different Vinearts properties, but can't get too involved because of the Vinearts vow to stay out of power struggles. In an attempt to get deeper insight into the problems surrounding him Malech apprentices Jerzy to another Vineart, something completely against tradition. Jerzy is supposed to discover how deeply the trouble has spread.There were some really good things about this book. I loved the unique magic system; using Wine as a magic source is interesting. Gilman has created a world with a deep history and a complex interaction between Vinearts and political figures. The main characters of Malech and Jerzy are fairly well done; although they are not completely engaging, they are interesting characters with depth. The other characters in the book are given minimal page space and are not developed all that well. Although given how some of the characters come together at the end of the book, I think that the next book could be very engaging and Jerzy's travel companions could end up being wonderful characters to read about. I also enjoyed Gilman's writing style; she does a good job describing things in a way that creates great imagery without getting overly wordy.My main problem with this book is the pacing and the plot. Much of the beginning of the book is spent with Jerzy learning Vineart crafts. This is interesting for a while, but gets drawn out too long. There are little hints of bad things going on around Jerzy but he is always removed from them. The point of view switches frequently between Jerzy and Malech; this never really got confusing but it was odd to have viewpoints switched mid-chapter. The story doesn't actually get interesting until the last third of the book where Jerzy goes to apprentice with a different Vineart.I think it is fairly common for the first book in a fantasy trilogy to be mostly about training the hero, getting the world and magic system set up, etc. The problem in this case is that I am guessing that most of Gilman's Retriever series fans are more interested in the pace of an urban fantasy where everything is quickly set up and things actually happen. That is not the case in this book, things are very deliberately approached to the point that I didn't have a real sense of urgency for the story until I was almost to the end of the book. The book also doesn't wrap anything up, because there is no plot to wrap up.My recommendation would be to wait until the second book is released and see how that one does You will probably want to read them one after the other anyway since this book just starts the story. Overall it is an interesting fantasy world, with decent characters, if the plot picks up in the second book this could be a very good series. Based on this book alone, it is just okay.

Once, all power in the Vin Lands was held by the prince-mages, who alone could craft spellwines, and selfishly used them to increase their own wealth and influence. But their abuse of power caused a demigod to break the Vine, shattering the power of the mages. Now, fourteen centuries later, it is the humble Vinearts who hold the secret of crafting spells from wines, the source of magic, and they are prohibited from holding power.But now rumors come of a new darkness rising in the vineyards. Strange, terrifying creatures, sudden plagues, and mysterious disappearances threaten the land. Only one Vineart senses the danger, and he has only one weapon to use against it: a young slave. His name is Jerzy, and his origins are unknown, even to him. Yet his uncanny sense of the Vinearts' craft offers a hint of greater magics within -- magics that his Master, the Vineart Malech, must cultivate and grow. But time is running out. If Malech cannot teach his new apprentice the secrets of the spellwines, and if Jerzy cannot master his own untapped powers, the Vin Lands shall surely be destroyed.This is an interesting coming of age story as a young slave Jerzy goes on a journey to try to figure out what is going wrong with his world. He feels -- and is -- unequipped for the challenge except for courage. He gathers some allies in this one who should be of help in the coming volumes. Gilman creates an interesting system of magic in an interesting fantasy world. We share Jerzy's bewilderment as we travel with him and try to learn the world and solve the problem.

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 elements. . . Like the grapes themselves, a Vineart must be stressed to produce the finest results, grown in poor soils and subjected to the elements in order to shine."-Flesh and Fire: Book One of the Vineart War by Laura Anne GilmanReview:In their early history, magic in the Vin Lands flowed through the prince-mages who alone had the power to craft spellwines. But inevitably corruption and greed led to an abuse of power by the prince-mages and it took the intervention of a demi-god to "break the Vine" and thus destroy the prince-mages' hold on power. The system that evolved 1,400 years later established a clear separation of power between those that craft the spells from wines and wield the power of magic (the "Vinearts") and the nobility and royalty that hold political power.The split is deeply established. The Vinearts are entrenched in their customs and traditions in the selection, training and development of apprentice Vinearts and in the creation of the spellwines which serve as repositories of magic. It is universally understood that while stress and deprivation produce the magic and the Vineart, too much stress can ruin the man and his skills.The Vine Lands are hit with mysterious disappearances, magical monsters, and sudden plagues which seem to be the work of a dangerous new force. Only Master Vineart Malech seems aware of this new threat and he has only one weapon to use against it: the young slave Jerzy. Jerzy shows unusual promise and an uncanny sense of the Vinearts' craft which Master Malech must develop and strengthen. Malech is forced to cram the training that would span years in months and trust in Jerzy's skill and judgment if they are to save the Vine Lands.Review:In Flesh and Fire, Laura Anne Gilman has created a rich, complex fantasy world and a satifying and enjoyable read. I was hooked from the start - with the mysterious attack on Vineart Sionio and the first descriptions of the young slave boy Jerzy.Jerzy's voice is painfully honest and I quickly found myself emotionally invested in his growth and his success. As Jerzy grows into his role as apprentice to Vineart Malech, the tension in the story heightens. Plot twists and action move Flesh and Fire forward at a good pace. The only disappointment that I have is that I've finished the book and must wait for the next installment to learn how Jerzy and his new friends will rise to the challenge. I loved Flesh and Fire and recommend it highly to those who enjoy fantasy novels. This one is a winner!Publisher: Pocket (October 13, 2009), 384 pages.Review copy provided by the publisher.

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 this book, but not as much as I thought I would. I will say it took me a long time to get through the book and I'm not sure if it was the world so unlike anything I have read or it just wasn't holding my interest. I can't really decide. I liked the book but I hated that I kept getting distracted while reading it.It being book 1 of a trilogy the story didn't wrap itself up in the end, instead I'm guessing book 2 will pick up right where it left off. I think I would have liked to had some resolution at the end. I might give book 2 a chance to see how the story plays itself out.(I received this book from pocket books for a blog tour)

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 game! Sadly, this book didn't maintain my interest and I REALLY had to force myself to finish it. It isn't because it is badly written, it's not at all. It's because it seemed dry, dull, and I felt absolutely ZERO connection to any of the key characters until the last quarter of the book. The first half of the book was so disconnected to the characters that when Jerzy and Master Malech start working together, I could care less that the Slave was being primed to become a vineart due to his natural skills. The characters had nearly zero personality, except for near the end. I have an idea that the next book in this series will have more focus on Jerzy, the student Vineart, Ao, the trader, and Mahault, the daughter of the lord maiar who wants to be a soldier, as a trio. I can not say I glowingly recommend this book, however, I also can't say I don't recommend it. I am very indifferent. The author's writing style is beautiful and descriptive and I believe that the Vineart War can definitely grow into a magical series. I certainly am willing to try the second book when it comes out with hopes it will have much more intrigue and less blandness then it's premiere.