Water Fire Steam


Fiction - Historical - Personage
362 Pages
Reviewed on 03/09/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Water Fire Steam by Mitzi Zilka is a historical novel based on real events. It’s 1884 and Rolla Allen Jones has graduated from an engineering school on the East coast. He’s been asked to build Spokane Fall’s first water system and for the next 5 years, he could do no wrong. However, in 1889 a massive fire burned the city to the ground, and Jones was the scapegoat. It was said that his system didn’t have enough pressure. His friends betrayed him, the community turned its back on him, and his wife and son abandoned him. Asked to resign, Jones needed to do something dramatic to get back on track. Can he survive this, or will the rest of his life be nothing but failure?

Water Fire Steam by Mitzi Zilka is a fascinating story based on actual events in Spokane Falls, Washington, in 1889 and was taken from the author’s family history. It is a fast-moving story with an unusual plot and plenty of action, made all the more real because it is loosely based on a true event. The characters are amazing people that you truly get to know and become invested in throughout, especially the main character, Rolla. It is clear the author has done a great deal of research to ensure the history and background are correct, and that makes the story seem even more authentic. This isn’t just a story though. It’s also a lesson in bouncing back, in forgiveness and learning to move on from unfair accusations and disaster. This is a captivating account, easy to read, and perfect for all fans of historical novels.