This is the second Dirk and Steele novel I've read after the newest book, In the Dark of Dreams (yes I did things out of order). Liu doesn't write easy stories, and by that I mean her books more often then not will have both the hero and heroine face tremendous odds. Odds that most people would find unimaginable; The Fire King is no different. Karr faces the fact that he wakes up thousands of years after he thought he had died, in a world that is in stark contrast to what he knew, but still manages to be prejudiced and brutal towards his people.

Soria meanwhile lost an arm, but more than that she lost her faith. Emotionally hurt and physically impaired, she just wanted to be left alone. Well Dirk and Steele is a bitch of a company to work for and they don't let assets just fly in the wind. Soria's stubborn refusal to come to terms with losing her arm is part of what drives the book. She is determined to prove that no matter what she can be self-reliant. She puts on her 'tough as nails' face, snaps at anyone who even hints at pity and ignores the startled looks others give her.

Part of what draws Karr and Soria together is her ability to talk his language, but their scars as well. Individually their pasts and memories overwhelm them, but together they sort of work. Karr doesn't treat Soria like a cripple or someone to pity, he's a warrior and he understands that when you can no longer be what you are, its hard to come back. Soria in turn understands that Karr is lost and adrift, so much has changed and nothing is what he remembers.

Like In the Dark of Dreams Liu keeps the book in the 'here and now'. Since I'm reading things backwards (apparently) some of the storylines were spoiled for me so I knew what would eventually happen. Like with Eddie, but it didn't ruin my enjoyment. I was so focused on what was going on with Soria and Karr everything else was just gravy. ( )

An abomination in the eyes of other shifters the male is Chimera, born of two shifter species and hunted for it. They have a mental instability that causes them to snap without warning and after such a spell, the man realizes he's killed his friends woman. So he committed suicide only to wake 1000 years in the future and kidnapped by modern day shifters. The heroine can speak and understand any language so she's sent in to determine if he's a threat or not. She's been through a horrible trauma that cost her her arm but although she's tortured with self conscious and lingering pain in the stump she's strong and intelligent and a survivor. She saves the male though it's very clear he doesn't trust her and together they go in search of his people. The book was very nice, as all of Marjorie books are. The characters started out as enemies, then partners. Then the became friends before finally turning into lovers. The evolution of their love was believable. With them gradually beginning to respect one another and not tossing out words like love or romance prematurely. It was nice to see that as I find sometimes characters fall in love far too quickly and therefore cheapen the romance somehow. Marvelous addition to a stellar series. ( )

Karr was killed 3,000 years ago but wakes up to find his world changed. Soria is still adjusting to the loss of her arm a year ago, but has the unique ability to 'hear' and understand all languages. She's sent to talk to Karr and find out if he's dangerous or not. Turns out Karr is a chimera - lion and dragon. ( )

Amazon preorder,Amazon received

I love that in a book with three thousand year old shape shifters and psychic translators, the only moment that broke my suspension of disbelief was "Oh, sure, he cuffed her at wrist and upper arm? On the same arm?! The amazing redundant serial killer!". The old dragon is really getting on my nerves, though things turn out better in this book than expected. Also didn't expect Roland to turn up as an ex boyfriend. I wonder if he will ever get a HEA? ( )