The Burning City

The Burning City, the inaugural volume by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle, introduces readers to a captivating world of epic fantasy set within the magical realm of Niven's renowned "The Magic Goes Away" series. This standalone novel transports readers to an ancient city ruled by Yagen-Atep, the unpredictable god of fire. The city's inhabitants must navigate a perilous existence where indoor fires are impossible, except during the unpredictable Burning, a chaotic event where the city's residents, possessed by the god, set their own homes ablaze.

Whandall Placehold, a resilient young man from the city's most impoverished districts, aspires to escape the god's destructive wrath and forge a better life. His journey intertwines with Morth of Atlantis, a mysterious sorcerer with a dark connection to Whandall's past. The Burning City offers a unique blend of gritty realism and enchanting fantasy.