cover image Cursed by Fire

Cursed by Fire

Jacquelyn Frank. Ballantine, $7.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 978-0-345-53493-4

Frank (the Nightwalkers books) launches the Immortal Brothers series with this serviceable but eventually wearying paranormal, set on a vaguely described parallel Earth. Warrior Dethan never suspected what consequences might befall him and his brothers when they discovered the fountain that gave them eternal life. They will live forever, and suffer forever. Dethan is chained in a cavern, condemned to have his body continually consumed by fire. When his mighty skills are needed by Weysa, the goddess of conflict, she limits his agonies: he will still burn up, but only once a day for a few hours at a time, until he completes his assignment. Once freed, he encounters the seductive Selinda, who is betrothed to an abuser and whose city is under siege. Of course he must come to her rescue—over and over. The worldbuilding holds interest, but the familiar and repetitive plot relinquishes it. (Mar.)