Reeling from Hrioshango's betrayal, Shindara struggles to come to terms with the consequences of putting his trust in the hands of the mad darkling. He wanders the city of Heian-Kyo where his strange appearance and the memories of the battle of Namida serve as a constant reminder of his failings. Before he can harm himself, he is recruited by Lord Yoritomo. Hrioshango may have been vanquished but his final actions created an even bigger problem. Time is of the essence if they are to stop the Demon Tide, an event so frightening it would do more damage to the kingdom than all the years of the Genpei war. Once again the Obsidian Wraith must team up with his allies to save the fate of the empire in Nathan Wilson and S.E. Nin's Omen Of Fire.

Ancient Japanese lore is spectacularly brought to life in this epic fantasy collaboration by Nathan Wilson and S.E. Nin. From the start of the book with its curious introduction, and the list of characters with the extra effort put into getting the pronunciation of Japanese names just right, you know you are in for an entertainingly immersive reading experience. The characters are well built up with added emphasis attached to their motivations in such a manner that it felt completely natural to identify with them. The attention to detail is simply magnificent and the storyline is as multifaceted as it is riveting. Hachi's attempt at finding a middle ground with old man Buranchi is an intriguing subplot that highlights the personal inner conflicts each of the characters must come to terms with as the novel progresses. Omen Of Fire is a top-quality novel in a class of its own.

Omen of Fire is the third book in the Obsidian Blade series by Nathan Wilson and S.E. Nin. The quest of Shindara continues as he looks for salvation. After the disaster in Namida, Shindara limited himself to the temples of Heian-kyō. With the Obsidian Blade now a part of his being, Shindara was terrified of what he had become. However, there was no time for him to feel sorry about his predicament. The peaceful city of Heian-kyō was in danger. The Demon Tide was getting one step closer and destroying everything in its wake. Lord Yoritomo believed Shindara was the one who could protect the city and its temples. But things were far more complicated than what he knew at first. He had Hachi and Mikoto by his side, but Shindara would need new friends and allies to stop the impending disaster. For once Shindara was hopeful, but what if fate had other plans for the Obsidian Wraith?

As expected, the next installment in the Obsidian Blade series was phenomenal. Authors Nathan Wilson and S.E. Nin pay attention to descriptions and background building. These fine details made it very easy for me to imagine what was happening, see a clear picture in my head, and feel like I was right there with Shindara. While the mystery behind the attacks near and around Heian-kyō drove the story forward, this installment was truly about Shindara and his self-reflection. He had to learn to accept what he had become, embrace the Obsidian Blade instead of fighting it, and let go of the past. His character development was so fantastic that he grabbed my attention and didn’t give me a moment to fan girl over the Japanese culture and mythology in the story. The last few sentences of the novel were so cathartic, so comforting that I felt a wave of calm wash over me. As always, authors Nathan Wilson and S.E. Nin did a grand job!

Omen of Fire by Nathan Wilson and S. E. Nin is a dark fantasy horror novel and the third book in the Obsidian Blade series, preceded by book one, Obsidian Wrath, and book two, The Abhorrent. Omen of Fire opens with Shindara having ensconced himself in a temple for two years following the devastation of a war in Namida that stopped Hrioshango but came at a very steep price. While in seclusion, another danger has arisen as demons spill over from the yokai and it has been prophesied that there are more to come. Shindara is tasked with locating a mage named Goro who is able to predict the future. Compounding the urgency of the mission, a plague of pox has swept over Lower Wards. Shindara finds the mage but almost loses Mikoto to the sting of a demon in the process. Still, it is what transpires after locating Goro that takes Shindara, quite literally, into the belly of evil as the Yomi cries out for the blood of the Abhorrent.

Nathan Wilson and S.E. Nin weave an almost cinematic landscape into the scenes Shindara inhabits in Omen of Fire, describing the fantastical panorama with beautiful prose. “Waterfalls of ash were slithering into a bottomless pit, carrying with them the memories of thousands of departed souls.” The narrative of the entire third installment of the series is Wilson and Nin's strongest yet and that says a great deal about the evolution of both Shindara's arc and the pair's quality of writing. I love a good fight scene and there are many, both with demons and samurai, but it is the quest to discover what truly drives Shindara, whether or not he actually prefers being the Abhorrent to being the Shindara before the blade, and why whatever the answer to this is even asked in the first place. Ultimately, the final choice Shindara is forced to make takes the series back full circle and it is really, really beautiful and emotional. I can't think of a better ending except that I am not ready for it to end at all. Very highly recommended.

Nathan Wilson and S.E. Nin’s Obsidian Blade Series continue with its third book, Omen of Fire. As the story continues, Shindara has chosen to seclude himself in the temples of Helan-kyō, a self-isolation that is immediately cut short when his friends need his help to find a mage named Goro, who can help stop the Demon Tide from occurring. Without warning, this new threat is responsible for a hundred yōkai emerging from their hells and tearing through people’s homes. This is the second time that demons prey on unsuspecting villagers, and it won’t be the last. New challenges await Shindara, as he forges new alliances and makes even more formidable enemies. At the same time, Shindara is treading carefully to avoid repeating the Namida incident.

Omen of Fire continues the series’ anchor in ancient Japanese culture and myths and at the same time brims with flexibility in interpretation to give the tale a modern touch. Nathan Wilson and S.E. Nin generate plenty of excitement in their storyline. The plot moves quickly because the narrative is crisp and the characters are sharply defined to make the action scenes a thrilling read. Wilson and Nin have an instinctive feeling for local color, transporting you into the story’s ancient setting. While there is violence and action, it is not the whole point of the story. It is more about duty, honor, redemption, courage, and friendship. Shindara, in the end, will grow even wiser not simply because of the mission he has undertaken, but because of the lessons he learned from others. This series becomes even more intense with every new book that comes out and is a good reason to invest your reading time in it.