Audio/Book Review: Flames Over Frosthelm by Dave Dobson

Thanks so much to the author for offering a free audible code! I have now read three of his books and just love Dobson’s sense of humor. I’m not disappointed at all here. After The Tainted Cup left me wanting more mystery in fantasy settings, this was a great time to jump into the Inquisitors Guild.

Let’s take a quick look at the book and I’ll share my thoughts

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Bookish Quick Facts

• Title: Flames Over Frosthelm
• Series: Inquisitors’ Guild, #1
• Author: Dave Dobson
• Narrator: Simon de Deney
• Published: Self, 2019
• Length: 400pgs / 13h21m
• Rate & Recommend: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A solid blend of mystery, fantasy, and good overall performance

Here’s the Synopsis

Sometimes, your case takes a left turn. Or three or four. Marten Mingenstern and Boog Eggstrom are provisional inspectors, fresh out of Inquisitor’s Guild training and eager to prove themselves. Assigned the mundane task of tracking down stolen jewels, they instead uncover a mysterious cult set on destroying the city. After a thief explodes, they earn the enmity of a vicious noble, the Chief Inquisitor gets bought off and goes rogue, they are seized by barbarians, and they are sentenced to death at least a couple of times. In a final, frantic race with prophecy, they face ruthless fanatics, a city turned against them, and terrible forces long buried.

From Am*zon

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My Thoughts

First off, although it’s part of a series, Flames Over Frosthelm advertises as a full standalone. I like knowing this before going in and committing to starting a multiple book series, although for sure I’ll be continuing to read more.

Frosthelm is set in a magical world of oracles, trapped entities, small magics, and large magics that tend to cause explosions when used without proper knowledge. Why do people keep exploding? Well, Dobson tends to take a deep dive into *something* in each of his books, and this dive was the shearing forces of chaos and calm. It’s a hard magic system with plenty of entertainment as we learn how it works

The characters are gems as well. Martin and Boog are a pair of Inquisitors who have complimentary strengths and weaknesses. Boog can’t remember sign language but he can fight. Martin isn’t a fighter but he’s smart and caring and would do anything for his friends. As we meet more characters and see what they’re willing to do for each other, it’s hard not to root for them.

Between the explosions, characters, and constant action, the book is also funny. Dobson is infamous for his puns in the Indie community and I hope he never stops. The chapter titles always have me cracking up, such as, “Frown for the Count” or “The Pursuit of Undomesticated Geese.”. The stakes are high, the city is going up in flames, lives are in peril, but darn it we are going to laugh along the way.

The mystery itself was pretty interesting too, standard but interesting. I love political double crosses and power grabs in my fantasy reading, but you’ll never guess why. Or…will you? Who knows.

I definitely recommend this one whether it’s on print or audio, and have nothing bad to say about Simon de Deney, the narrator. He has a lot of voices to do and he keeps them all distinct so there’s never any doubt who’s talking. I like how he brings emotion through too. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Other Dave Dobson content:

Daros

Kenai

Author Interview (did you know that he created Snood)?

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Thanks so much for checking out my book & audiobook review of Flames Over Frosthelm by Dave Dobson, narrated by Simon de Deney. I received a free audible code in exchange for an honest review and as always, all opinions are my own 🖤