Brightfire covers important events during and after the reign of King Raedwald of Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, East Anglia, UK, and is set mainly in and around his homestead nearby, with some scenes set in Northumbria and elsewhere. The story is set in the period 608-633 AD, when Christianity is struggling to take hold on the eastern side of Britain.
In this sequel to Storm Frost, Niartha remains a key character and so does her son Ricberht, now a goldsmith: though Brightfire can stand alone.
Eorpwald, Raedwalds son, is hostile to Christians, jealous of other, successful young men (including Ricberht) and is a cruel bully in spite of all his fathers efforts to master him during his lifetime. When Raedwald dies no-one can control Eorpwald. Even his own people are in danger.
We see fighting and feasting, rescue and rape, cruelty and kindness, laughter and grief in a story that rises to a strong climax.