When it comes to mystery thrillers with historical touches, it’s impossible not to think of writers like James Rollins and the acclaimed Dan Brown, who have been successful in this editorial line for quite some time. And it is precisely because of this comparison that the “life” of The Invisible Fire becomes somewhat complicated. There’s no denying that Javier’s writing is very good, engaging, and the author knows very well what he talks about in his books, as it is clear the level of research that was necessary to finalize The Invisible Fire. However, the plot seems a bit convoluted for a historical police thriller that supposedly involves mystery, historical information, and action. It has all of that, but what really bothered me was its distribution, which leaned more towards the descriptive side.
Javier was a master at choosing and dissecting details about one of the mysteries that content creators like books, movies, and the like, love to use: The Holy Grail. However, due to the fact that it is a subject that has been extensively covered for years across various platforms, and even with all the research conducted by the author on the subject, certain “revelations and conclusions” chosen and presented in the plot simply did not convince me. It is obvious that Sierra’s story aimed for an extensive “explanation” and search for the sacred object. So much so that the narrative about documents, books, and meetings is indeed quite descriptive, and this, at a certain point in the book, becomes tiring. For me, Javier’s big mistake was the few action scenes the book presents, as this, combined with a climate of mystery that could also be greater, would make a significant difference in the end. I also cannot fail to mention the classic “couple” in the plot, which at no point brought me any empathy, even after getting to know and see the progression of their story. Not to mention a certain scene, which was the coldest and most “technical” I have ever read in my entire life as a reader.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. Another thing that left me quite irritated with 
this book was the immense lack of skill, at least in this regard, in inserting a character with “supernatural” touches into the plot, who turns out to be more “natural” than “supernatural” in the proper sense; especially with his final resolution that is so simple and unequivocal that it “hurts the eyes”. By the way, without committing the crime of a spoiler, I must say that few books have left me irritated with their resolutions, but The Invisible Fire was one of them, unfortunately.
Nothing makes me sadder, my dear readers, when a book I was very eager to read brings me a negative surprise, but unfortunately, that happens. I want to remind you that, obviously, my negative opinion about The Invisible Fire by Javier Sierra is exactly that: my opinion. Which, in no way, prevents you, my dear reader, from discovering for yourself whether my opinion is the same as yours. Take the risk, for what would red be if everyone only liked blue.
Javier Sierra is the only contemporary Spanish author who has managed to place his novels in the top ten of the best-selling books in the USA. His works have been translated into more than forty languages. In addition to The Secret Supper, he is the author of The Blue Lady (published in 20 countries) and The Lost Angel, which has been received with enormous enthusiasm by readers. The Secret Supper was a finalist for the Torrevieja City Romance Prize, and since its publication, it has become an unprecedented editorial phenomenon, now read in 43 countries.
JEFFA KOONTZ
Literary Critic
www.sagaliteraria.com.br