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Hidden Legends: Academy of Magical Creatures #1
The Fire Prophecy
MP3 CD Format USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHORS Megan Linski and Alicia Rades create a fantasy paranormal world where magic wages war and romance is deadly. Winner of Best Fantasy Book of the Year by Once Upon a Book. Fire and Water don't mix. Sophia I'm Sophia Henley, your typical college freshman. I never expected a lion to be stalking me, nor for fire to come shooting out of my hands to protect my sister. Next thing I know, a drop-dead gorgeous guy shows up on my doorstep to sweep me away to a magical school, where I'll learn to control my element and bond with a powerful creature called a Familiar. I don't believe I'm the savior of an ancient tribe, or the missing piece of a prophecy that's more myth than reality. Worst of all, I'm forced to enter the Elemental Cup, where I'll either earn my place in this society... or die trying. Liam The night I met Sophia, I didn't think we'd form an undeniable connection. But I'm from the Water tribe, and she's fire. I'm forced to push her away even as I'm falling for her. I lost everything, yet Sophia makes me whole again. Our world is fixed on keeping us apart, but we're in this tournament together. We have to keep each other alive at any cost-- or I'll give my life for hers. It's pretty clear. If I continue to play with fire, I'm going to get burned.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published November 4, 2018
2184 people are currently reading
3220 people want to read
About the author
Megan Linski
98 books566 followersMegan Linski lives in Michigan. She is the author of more than fifty fantasy and paranormal novels which feature themes of friendship, community, and healthy romantic relationships. She has over fifteen years of experience writing books alongside working as a journalist and editor. She graduated from the University of Iowa, where she studied Creative Writing.
Her passions include ice skating and horseback riding. In her free time she enjoys dancing in the snow and drinking fancy coffee while at her natural habitat, the mall.
Megan advocates for the rights of the disabled, and is an activist for mental health awareness.
Megan co-writes the Hidden Legends Universe with Alicia Rades. She also writes under the pen name of Natalie Erin for the Creatures of the Lands series, co-authored by Krisen Lison.
Awards Megan has won include;
Best Fantasy Book of the Year 2019 by Once Upon a Book
Best Co-Authored Book of the Year 2022 by Once Upon a Book
Author of the Year 2022 by Once Upon a Book
Keynote Speaker at Once Upon a Book 2023
Best Book Friends (Ava and Kallie) 2023 by Once Upon a Book
Featured in the FOX Teen Choice Awards Gift Baskets
Two-time Reader's Favorite Five Star Read (Bronze Medal Finalist)
Winner of Amazon's Kindle Scout Competition
Her passions include ice skating and horseback riding. In her free time she enjoys dancing in the snow and drinking fancy coffee while at her natural habitat, the mall.
Megan advocates for the rights of the disabled, and is an activist for mental health awareness.
Megan co-writes the Hidden Legends Universe with Alicia Rades. She also writes under the pen name of Natalie Erin for the Creatures of the Lands series, co-authored by Krisen Lison.
Awards Megan has won include;
Best Fantasy Book of the Year 2019 by Once Upon a Book
Best Co-Authored Book of the Year 2022 by Once Upon a Book
Author of the Year 2022 by Once Upon a Book
Keynote Speaker at Once Upon a Book 2023
Best Book Friends (Ava and Kallie) 2023 by Once Upon a Book
Featured in the FOX Teen Choice Awards Gift Baskets
Two-time Reader's Favorite Five Star Read (Bronze Medal Finalist)
Winner of Amazon's Kindle Scout Competition
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
June 25, 2025
Sorry, this missed the mark for me.
I didn’t like Liam at all. Yes, I know he was hurting. Yes, I know he was angry. And yes, that was understandable. But he was too grumpy, too impatient, and his negative energy dragged me down. The black cloud above his head invaded mine as well.
And Sophia was a mystery to me. She was at times very childish (VERY childish for an 18yo!), yet she made statements like this: “The top of her head (…) pressed firmly onto d**k”. That’s contradictive to her naïvety! And she was snappy one moment, and kind the next. Shy, then all of a sudden defiant and almost aggressive. She didn’t feel real.
And the story was kinda like that too. Yes, I know it’s fantasy so it can’t be real. But what I mean: there were very childish elements, like elephants with rainbow manes and Sophia’s behavior. And then there were the age 16+ bits, because this definitely was a 16+ book. Who is your target audience? I’m sorry to say it wasn’t me…
At one point I did feel a spark of excitement, but then there were so many magical things thrown at me, some things that weren’t even relevant to the story, that my excitement died down quickly. Especially in the beginning, while building the world, there was too much deviating from the storyline, making it confusing and frankly, less interesting.
Oh, there was promise. I liked the idea. And some of the fantasy elements were quite original. And there WERE some intriguing things happening. But not enough to save this book for me. So: I didn’t like Liam, nor Sophia, nor the story. Too much negativism. I’m out. Sorry. Can’t win ’em all.
I didn’t like Liam at all. Yes, I know he was hurting. Yes, I know he was angry. And yes, that was understandable. But he was too grumpy, too impatient, and his negative energy dragged me down. The black cloud above his head invaded mine as well.
And Sophia was a mystery to me. She was at times very childish (VERY childish for an 18yo!), yet she made statements like this: “The top of her head (…) pressed firmly onto d**k”. That’s contradictive to her naïvety! And she was snappy one moment, and kind the next. Shy, then all of a sudden defiant and almost aggressive. She didn’t feel real.
And the story was kinda like that too. Yes, I know it’s fantasy so it can’t be real. But what I mean: there were very childish elements, like elephants with rainbow manes and Sophia’s behavior. And then there were the age 16+ bits, because this definitely was a 16+ book. Who is your target audience? I’m sorry to say it wasn’t me…
At one point I did feel a spark of excitement, but then there were so many magical things thrown at me, some things that weren’t even relevant to the story, that my excitement died down quickly. Especially in the beginning, while building the world, there was too much deviating from the storyline, making it confusing and frankly, less interesting.
Oh, there was promise. I liked the idea. And some of the fantasy elements were quite original. And there WERE some intriguing things happening. But not enough to save this book for me. So: I didn’t like Liam, nor Sophia, nor the story. Too much negativism. I’m out. Sorry. Can’t win ’em all.
January 14, 2019
Not awful
Not awful but not amazing. There were so many opportunities to take this book to the next level. I felt like this was a child’s book with a smattering of adult themes. Pretty disappointing. When opening a character up to a world she’s never known about you’d think the authors would give more background with descriptions to really cue the reader in to this new world. I found that lacking. I felt that the reader didn’t get the true feel of a whole new exciting world. And I’m not going to lie I was really hoping her familiar was going to be something massive and bad ass... hopefully this series grows....
Not awful but not amazing. There were so many opportunities to take this book to the next level. I felt like this was a child’s book with a smattering of adult themes. Pretty disappointing. When opening a character up to a world she’s never known about you’d think the authors would give more background with descriptions to really cue the reader in to this new world. I found that lacking. I felt that the reader didn’t get the true feel of a whole new exciting world. And I’m not going to lie I was really hoping her familiar was going to be something massive and bad ass... hopefully this series grows....
Read
April 30, 2023WHAT
did-not-finish
August 7, 2024
DNF ~ 20%
This was a free audiobook on Apple Books, and I saw the Indigenous and disability representation and figured why not. I went in with low expectations, but I still find myself unsurprisingly disappointed. Because I don’t feel like writing out an essay today, I’m just going to bullet-point through the things I liked, didn’t like, and what was in between…
The Negatives
- Sophia was a very average immature teenage girlMary Sue Chosen One main character. She had almost no personality and I found myself wanting to skip to Liam’s point-of-view chapters at times just to not have to hear about her inner monologue.
- Liam was a very typical angsty boy love interest, but given his situation I found it a little bit excusable. He was the more enjoyable of the two main characters.
- The magic system was unoriginal. Earth, air, water, and fire is a story I’ve read too many times before.
- The writing was very immature for a book aimed at new adults, I feel like this could’ve worked better as a young adult novel.
The In-Between
- This was one of those books where you can tell the writers are 100% millennials. Take that as you will.
- While the side characters weren’t the most fleshed out, they weren’t completely forgettable either.
The Positives
- Both of the audiobook narrators did a great job. In all honesty, their reading was the only truly enjoyable thing about this.
- The Indigenous and disability representation, which had been my main reason for reading this book, was actually very heavily present in this as far as I read in the story. Almost all of the characters are Indigenous and the love interest has a chronic disability that is present and spoken about within his point-of-view chapters.
TL;DR: Not completely awful but I didn’t find any worth in continuing on with this.
This was a free audiobook on Apple Books, and I saw the Indigenous and disability representation and figured why not. I went in with low expectations, but I still find myself unsurprisingly disappointed. Because I don’t feel like writing out an essay today, I’m just going to bullet-point through the things I liked, didn’t like, and what was in between…
The Negatives
- Sophia was a very average immature teenage girl
- Liam was a very typical angsty boy love interest, but given his situation I found it a little bit excusable. He was the more enjoyable of the two main characters.
- The magic system was unoriginal. Earth, air, water, and fire is a story I’ve read too many times before.
- The writing was very immature for a book aimed at new adults, I feel like this could’ve worked better as a young adult novel.
The In-Between
- This was one of those books where you can tell the writers are 100% millennials. Take that as you will.
- While the side characters weren’t the most fleshed out, they weren’t completely forgettable either.
The Positives
- Both of the audiobook narrators did a great job. In all honesty, their reading was the only truly enjoyable thing about this.
- The Indigenous and disability representation, which had been my main reason for reading this book, was actually very heavily present in this as far as I read in the story. Almost all of the characters are Indigenous and the love interest has a chronic disability that is present and spoken about within his point-of-view chapters.
TL;DR: Not completely awful but I didn’t find any worth in continuing on with this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2020
No thanks. 90% of the writing felt like is was for a 12 year old, and then BAM! - adult/sexual references. What the...
December 23, 2018
This book really fell flat for me.
It seemed overly familiar: a secret magical school with 4 different houses, a dangerous tournament - you know the one. There were other stereotypical characters like the quirky girl and gay best friends, the pretty mean girl and her minions,... And the forbidden love has been done so many times it's getting kinda boring.
The language was quite juvenile yet there was a lot of pointless vulgarity that made it seem like the authors were trying too hard.
The relationships did not feel genuine. The immediate hatred between the 2 main characters just felt forced.
The book mostly felt like a vulgar retelling of other typical fantasy books.
It seemed overly familiar: a secret magical school with 4 different houses, a dangerous tournament - you know the one. There were other stereotypical characters like the quirky girl and gay best friends, the pretty mean girl and her minions,... And the forbidden love has been done so many times it's getting kinda boring.
The language was quite juvenile yet there was a lot of pointless vulgarity that made it seem like the authors were trying too hard.
The relationships did not feel genuine. The immediate hatred between the 2 main characters just felt forced.
The book mostly felt like a vulgar retelling of other typical fantasy books.
Currently reading
March 30, 2023I am currently on chapter 4 of the audiobook and I am loving it I do feel bad for sofia but I like how the author goes into more detail about the fire powers, water and ice and the name for the people who have the powers.
January 14, 2025
Yazdığınız kitabı geri dönüp bir tur okuyup ben ne yazdım diye değerlendirmek lazım ya
February 20, 2022
A fun magical academy story. I love a hey-I-didn't-know-I-was-magic story, and this had that. Sophia was a fire elemental (who didn't know she was) being raised by a water elemental family. When she accidentally uses her power, it comes to light that she's not only magical, she's adopted and a "chosen one" from a prophecy. And the boy who comes to take her to school? Her star-crossed lover, Liam.
Sophia struggles at first because nobody tell her anything and expects her to figure it out on her own. Her "house" has a diva mean girl (of course) who wants to make Sophia's life miserable, and an awful house head who is nothing but nasty 100% of the time. I found the complete lack of guidance a bit hard to swallow, and I would have liked to see her coming into her power more.
The world is cool with the idea of familiars being part of the elemental souls (almost like Golden Compass), and there is a plethora of magical creatures, which is very fun. The elementals, however, have a rule of no intermixing, which I thought was never properly explained. The reasons seemed pretty lame to me. And the punishment for intermixing could be loss of an elemental's familiar or death. Because they want to keep the bloodlines pure? It never seemed like enough for such a severe punishment.
Elementals with familiars have to compete in the Elemental Cup, and they could die. They're only allowed three practices with a mentor, and the teams have to have one of each elemental, and they face four, elemental challenges. It's an interesting concept, but doesn't really go with a society intent on keeping everyone separate. So, there were some big contradictions/gaps in the worldbuilding.
However, the story is pretty interesting. Sophia and Liam are cute, and their rag-tag group of misfits with Jonah and Imogen are very cheer-worthy. Esis, Sophia's familiar, is beyond adorable. It was an easy read.
It ends pretty well, even with a tacked-on cliffhanger at the end. I'll probably continue the series.
Sophia struggles at first because nobody tell her anything and expects her to figure it out on her own. Her "house" has a diva mean girl (of course) who wants to make Sophia's life miserable, and an awful house head who is nothing but nasty 100% of the time. I found the complete lack of guidance a bit hard to swallow, and I would have liked to see her coming into her power more.
The world is cool with the idea of familiars being part of the elemental souls (almost like Golden Compass), and there is a plethora of magical creatures, which is very fun. The elementals, however, have a rule of no intermixing, which I thought was never properly explained. The reasons seemed pretty lame to me. And the punishment for intermixing could be loss of an elemental's familiar or death. Because they want to keep the bloodlines pure? It never seemed like enough for such a severe punishment.
Elementals with familiars have to compete in the Elemental Cup, and they could die. They're only allowed three practices with a mentor, and the teams have to have one of each elemental, and they face four, elemental challenges. It's an interesting concept, but doesn't really go with a society intent on keeping everyone separate. So, there were some big contradictions/gaps in the worldbuilding.
However, the story is pretty interesting. Sophia and Liam are cute, and their rag-tag group of misfits with Jonah and Imogen are very cheer-worthy. Esis, Sophia's familiar, is beyond adorable. It was an easy read.
It ends pretty well, even with a tacked-on cliffhanger at the end. I'll probably continue the series.
September 25, 2023
Sophia realizes she had been adopted and not only had her parents lied to her about being her biological parents but also that they are magical folks and not humans. When a mountain lion like familiar threatens to attack her older sister all is revealed and she is taken to Orenda Academy. She soon figures out that the whole society is divided into different elementals and she is apparently the lost prophecied child. Will she be able to fulfill the prophecy or is she even the chosen one, remains to be answered. Her familiar Esis is honestly the cutest and naughtiest character, love, love, love him!
September 9, 2019
Some reviews are hard to write. This is one of those reviews. I really enjoyed The Fire Prophecy by Megan Linski, Alicia Rades. It’s the first time I’ve read either author, and I loved the style and tone they gave the characters. Told from alternating POV, The Fire Prophecy follows one girl’s journey to Orenda Academy and her introduction to the world of magical creatures.
What I Liked
I really liked Liam and Sophia. Liam is from the Water tribe and son of the chief. Due to an unfortunate incident that left Liam with a medical disability (kinda, but not really….more on that in a bit), he is no longer in line to lead the tribe. His purpose in life has shifted, and he’s lost because of it. This makes him angry and at times depressed. His mood swings left me with whiplash! But they are understandable and relatable.
Sophia’s story is a bit more complex. She is the lost daughter of the Fire Tribe, raised as a human by water elementals. She has no idea this world of magic exists until Liam comes knocking on her door, but she takes it all in stride, which is admirable. Sophia is angry at the lies her parents told her and the information they withheld. This leaves her vulnerable in her new world. She doesn’t know how to control her fire power or anything about the customs and rules. She adapts quickly though, and I loved exploring this new world with her.
I love the world building! The Hawkei (the tribes of water, earth, air, and fire) are interesting to say the least. How they’ve adapted overtime, their magical creatures, and the Elemental cup are quite interesting and woven throughout the story as Sophia is introduced to it all.
What Left Me Wanting:
Here’s where I struggle. The plot of the story is a little all over the place. It’s clear the authors are following Sophia as she enters into this new world. Introducing the academy, elders, and tribes as Sophia encounters them. This is positive because it doesn’t feel so much like info-dump.
However, it felt like an upper YA version of Harry Potter crossed with Fantastic Beasts and a touch of The Hunger Games. But y’all not in a good way. Sophia’s clueless behavior towards the customs and social circles at Orenda Academy reminded me a lot of Harry’s first encounter with Draco. Her encounter with her house elder was reminiscent of Professor Snape. The Elemental Cup is a free for all with four tasks to complete to get to the end with the magic of the maze in The Goblet of Fire and the violence of The Hunger Games. It was like I’d read it all before, could predict what was coming. While it was ok, it was disjointed and didn’t flow well with the story as a whole.
One other thing that bugged me (and usually I can overlook with Indie authors) is the editing. Words were missing, duplicated, and used improperly (a noun for a verb, etc) frequently. Now I’m not an English major AND I’m a Southern girl who destorys the English language on a regular basis, but it was really distracting and pulled away from my enjoyment of the book. A lot of the mistakes should’ve been caught and corrected if it went through an official edit on the first pass.
My Final Thoughts
Overall, I enjoyed The Fire Prophecy enough to continue the series. I like Sophia and Liam, I even like their teammates Jonah and Imogen. I love the world-building and can’t wait to immerse myself more in that world. I want to know more about the prophecy surrounding Sophia and NEED to know what will happen next after that massive cliffhanger. If you enjoy urban paranormal fantasy with a touch of romance, I say give this one a try. You may like it 😉
What I Liked
I really liked Liam and Sophia. Liam is from the Water tribe and son of the chief. Due to an unfortunate incident that left Liam with a medical disability (kinda, but not really….more on that in a bit), he is no longer in line to lead the tribe. His purpose in life has shifted, and he’s lost because of it. This makes him angry and at times depressed. His mood swings left me with whiplash! But they are understandable and relatable.
Sophia’s story is a bit more complex. She is the lost daughter of the Fire Tribe, raised as a human by water elementals. She has no idea this world of magic exists until Liam comes knocking on her door, but she takes it all in stride, which is admirable. Sophia is angry at the lies her parents told her and the information they withheld. This leaves her vulnerable in her new world. She doesn’t know how to control her fire power or anything about the customs and rules. She adapts quickly though, and I loved exploring this new world with her.
I love the world building! The Hawkei (the tribes of water, earth, air, and fire) are interesting to say the least. How they’ve adapted overtime, their magical creatures, and the Elemental cup are quite interesting and woven throughout the story as Sophia is introduced to it all.
What Left Me Wanting:
Here’s where I struggle. The plot of the story is a little all over the place. It’s clear the authors are following Sophia as she enters into this new world. Introducing the academy, elders, and tribes as Sophia encounters them. This is positive because it doesn’t feel so much like info-dump.
However, it felt like an upper YA version of Harry Potter crossed with Fantastic Beasts and a touch of The Hunger Games. But y’all not in a good way. Sophia’s clueless behavior towards the customs and social circles at Orenda Academy reminded me a lot of Harry’s first encounter with Draco. Her encounter with her house elder was reminiscent of Professor Snape. The Elemental Cup is a free for all with four tasks to complete to get to the end with the magic of the maze in The Goblet of Fire and the violence of The Hunger Games. It was like I’d read it all before, could predict what was coming. While it was ok, it was disjointed and didn’t flow well with the story as a whole.
One other thing that bugged me (and usually I can overlook with Indie authors) is the editing. Words were missing, duplicated, and used improperly (a noun for a verb, etc) frequently. Now I’m not an English major AND I’m a Southern girl who destorys the English language on a regular basis, but it was really distracting and pulled away from my enjoyment of the book. A lot of the mistakes should’ve been caught and corrected if it went through an official edit on the first pass.
My Final Thoughts
Overall, I enjoyed The Fire Prophecy enough to continue the series. I like Sophia and Liam, I even like their teammates Jonah and Imogen. I love the world-building and can’t wait to immerse myself more in that world. I want to know more about the prophecy surrounding Sophia and NEED to know what will happen next after that massive cliffhanger. If you enjoy urban paranormal fantasy with a touch of romance, I say give this one a try. You may like it 😉
November 2, 2021
I've been wanting to read this book for a long time. When the authors took this series wide again I figured this was my chance to read it now that I could buy the rest of the series as well. Then I decided to listen to the audiobook version instead as I've been having more time to listen lately and with how long this book was I figured I might get faster through it by listening. This was one of those cases where I picked up a book that perfectly fit my reading mood and it was awesome. I really enjoyed this book and it was quite the long read as well, which was nice, so I could read this book for a long time.
This book is told from dual point of views, we get Sophia and Liam's point of view. Sophia thinks she's a normal human until one day when she's out on a walk with a sister a big cat creature attacks them and she uses fire to scare it away. Liam is send to take Sophia to Orenda Academy where she will learn about her powers. The book has a bit of a Harry Potter feel at first with how Sophia finds out she has powers and is taken away to a magical academy. Sophia is totally lost at first and it's great seeing her discover this new world, find her familiar and make friends. She's slowly finding her place there and growing into her powers.
This kept my attention and I really enjoyed it. I don't read a lot of YA or academy books, but that was exactly what I was in the mood for and it's just great when you find a book that fits your reading mood like that. I liked the magical feel of this book and the world building. There are some parts about the history of these elementai we find out that was quite interesting and the way they have their own culture. I liked reading about the elemental powers and how this world is so full of animals as everyone has a familiar. Sophia's familiar is pretty awesome and cute. I liked seeing how the familiars are part of everything as well.
There is quite a lot going on with this book, there's Sophia discovering her powers and this new world, then there's the fire prophecy and her figuring out what it is, there's some romance too as Liam and Sophia grow closer and then later on in the book there's this whole thing with the elemental cup. I found all of the story pieces interesting, although I did feel some plot lines kinda took the lead in some places and then faded to the background in other parts. I couldn't wrap my head around how the tribe thought the elemental cup was a good idea, but it did make for some interesting scenes as Sophia and her teammates have to work together to try and make it through it alive.
I liked Sophia as a main character. She is new to this world, but tries her best to figure things out, but she's also not afraid to speak her mind or let it know when some of the customs don't make sense to her. I liked that about her. As she's not born into this life she has a outsider perspective on things, which was interesting. It also was so fun to see through her eyes and discover this new world she got thrown into and then seeing how she finds her way and grows into her powers. I really liked her friendship with Imogen and Jonah. I also liked her bond and connection with Liam.
I liked being able to not only get Sophia's point of view, but also Liam's. Liam has grown up in this world all his life and is more familiar with everything. It was nice to be able to see two so completely different point of views. He suffers from a chronic illness that no one can diagnose and it leaves him struggling. I thought it was well done how the authors made this part of the book. He also struggles mentally after something he went through. You really feel how much he's hurting, but also the light Sophia brings to his life. I totally got how tough it was for him, but I did wish at times he was a bit nicer to the others. He could be a bit rude at times and snap at others. It was great to have him find friends who support him and are there for him. He's kinda grumpy, but it's clear he does care a lot.
I liked Liam's connection with Sophia. I liked seeing how their romance develops and they slowly grow closer. Their romance has it's own struggles as in this world people with different elements can't be together, as Liam is water and Sophia is fire it's forbidden for them to be together. Liam feels this more strongly than Sophia as he grew up here and I did feel at times that because of this he can't fully commit to her yet as he still struggles with those beliefs. At the same time it's becomes clear how much he cares about Sophia. I am looking forward to see how their romance develops in future books. There are some great scenes with them together and I am really curious how they will make this work. I liked the romance and it was great to see things from both their point of views.
I enjoyed spending time in this magical world and figuring out more about the world and how it works. The world building is great and I liked reading about the magical powers and discovering new things that where possible with their magic. The familiars really add something to the world and I liked reading about all the unique creatures and seeing animals everywhere.
I liked the narrators for this book. I think this is the first time I listened to a dual narrated audiobook and while it took some time getting used to it, I enjoyed it. It's kinda weird how everyone's voice sounds different depending on whose point of view you're in as Liam's chapters are narrated by the male narrator and Sophia's chapters by the female narrator. I think it helped that the chapters were quite long, so you don't switch back and forth too often. I liked their voices, although I thought the male narrator did most of the guy voices better, while the female narrator did the girl voices better. They both were good in doing different voices for different characters and I liked that. It was pleasant to listen to this one and I plan on listening to the rest of the series as well.
To summarize: I had a fun time listening to this book. I've been wanting to read this book for a while and I am glad I picked it up now. This book fit exactly the type of read I was in the book for. It was a enjoyable read and I enjoyed spending time with Sophia and Liam and getting to know this magical world. I liked both Liam and Sophia. Sophia is very new to this world and I enjoyed seeing her discover it. I also like how she wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Liam could be grumpy and a bit rude at times, but when you get his point of view it does make sense and he's struggling with a lot. I liked the connection between Liam and Sophia and seeing them grow closer, there are some great scenes between them. Their romance is forbidden and that's a constant struggle for them, I am curious to see what will happen in book 2. There are some great side characters too like Jonah and Imogen and the familiars. The world building was awesome, I liked reading about all the elemental magic and the familiars. The world is full of magic and filled with magical creatures, it was great! This book has a lot going on and multiple plot lines weaving in and out. I kept wanting to read more and see what happens next. The narrators did a great job with this one and I enjoyed the dual narration once I got used to it. Both narrators were pleasant to listen do and did different voices well. I really enjoyed this book and the tidbit of info that gets revealed at the end has me eager to start book 2 soon!
This book is told from dual point of views, we get Sophia and Liam's point of view. Sophia thinks she's a normal human until one day when she's out on a walk with a sister a big cat creature attacks them and she uses fire to scare it away. Liam is send to take Sophia to Orenda Academy where she will learn about her powers. The book has a bit of a Harry Potter feel at first with how Sophia finds out she has powers and is taken away to a magical academy. Sophia is totally lost at first and it's great seeing her discover this new world, find her familiar and make friends. She's slowly finding her place there and growing into her powers.
This kept my attention and I really enjoyed it. I don't read a lot of YA or academy books, but that was exactly what I was in the mood for and it's just great when you find a book that fits your reading mood like that. I liked the magical feel of this book and the world building. There are some parts about the history of these elementai we find out that was quite interesting and the way they have their own culture. I liked reading about the elemental powers and how this world is so full of animals as everyone has a familiar. Sophia's familiar is pretty awesome and cute. I liked seeing how the familiars are part of everything as well.
There is quite a lot going on with this book, there's Sophia discovering her powers and this new world, then there's the fire prophecy and her figuring out what it is, there's some romance too as Liam and Sophia grow closer and then later on in the book there's this whole thing with the elemental cup. I found all of the story pieces interesting, although I did feel some plot lines kinda took the lead in some places and then faded to the background in other parts. I couldn't wrap my head around how the tribe thought the elemental cup was a good idea, but it did make for some interesting scenes as Sophia and her teammates have to work together to try and make it through it alive.
I liked Sophia as a main character. She is new to this world, but tries her best to figure things out, but she's also not afraid to speak her mind or let it know when some of the customs don't make sense to her. I liked that about her. As she's not born into this life she has a outsider perspective on things, which was interesting. It also was so fun to see through her eyes and discover this new world she got thrown into and then seeing how she finds her way and grows into her powers. I really liked her friendship with Imogen and Jonah. I also liked her bond and connection with Liam.
I liked being able to not only get Sophia's point of view, but also Liam's. Liam has grown up in this world all his life and is more familiar with everything. It was nice to be able to see two so completely different point of views. He suffers from a chronic illness that no one can diagnose and it leaves him struggling. I thought it was well done how the authors made this part of the book. He also struggles mentally after something he went through. You really feel how much he's hurting, but also the light Sophia brings to his life. I totally got how tough it was for him, but I did wish at times he was a bit nicer to the others. He could be a bit rude at times and snap at others. It was great to have him find friends who support him and are there for him. He's kinda grumpy, but it's clear he does care a lot.
I liked Liam's connection with Sophia. I liked seeing how their romance develops and they slowly grow closer. Their romance has it's own struggles as in this world people with different elements can't be together, as Liam is water and Sophia is fire it's forbidden for them to be together. Liam feels this more strongly than Sophia as he grew up here and I did feel at times that because of this he can't fully commit to her yet as he still struggles with those beliefs. At the same time it's becomes clear how much he cares about Sophia. I am looking forward to see how their romance develops in future books. There are some great scenes with them together and I am really curious how they will make this work. I liked the romance and it was great to see things from both their point of views.
I enjoyed spending time in this magical world and figuring out more about the world and how it works. The world building is great and I liked reading about the magical powers and discovering new things that where possible with their magic. The familiars really add something to the world and I liked reading about all the unique creatures and seeing animals everywhere.
I liked the narrators for this book. I think this is the first time I listened to a dual narrated audiobook and while it took some time getting used to it, I enjoyed it. It's kinda weird how everyone's voice sounds different depending on whose point of view you're in as Liam's chapters are narrated by the male narrator and Sophia's chapters by the female narrator. I think it helped that the chapters were quite long, so you don't switch back and forth too often. I liked their voices, although I thought the male narrator did most of the guy voices better, while the female narrator did the girl voices better. They both were good in doing different voices for different characters and I liked that. It was pleasant to listen to this one and I plan on listening to the rest of the series as well.
To summarize: I had a fun time listening to this book. I've been wanting to read this book for a while and I am glad I picked it up now. This book fit exactly the type of read I was in the book for. It was a enjoyable read and I enjoyed spending time with Sophia and Liam and getting to know this magical world. I liked both Liam and Sophia. Sophia is very new to this world and I enjoyed seeing her discover it. I also like how she wasn't afraid to speak her mind. Liam could be grumpy and a bit rude at times, but when you get his point of view it does make sense and he's struggling with a lot. I liked the connection between Liam and Sophia and seeing them grow closer, there are some great scenes between them. Their romance is forbidden and that's a constant struggle for them, I am curious to see what will happen in book 2. There are some great side characters too like Jonah and Imogen and the familiars. The world building was awesome, I liked reading about all the elemental magic and the familiars. The world is full of magic and filled with magical creatures, it was great! This book has a lot going on and multiple plot lines weaving in and out. I kept wanting to read more and see what happens next. The narrators did a great job with this one and I enjoyed the dual narration once I got used to it. Both narrators were pleasant to listen do and did different voices well. I really enjoyed this book and the tidbit of info that gets revealed at the end has me eager to start book 2 soon!
September 25, 2019
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions.
The Fire Prophecy is a fun premise that follows the typical YA tropes of girl finds out she is something special and has to prove it to the world and even to herself. The story takes place at a college for the Elementals, where each type of Elemental belongs to a tribe, and dating between tribes is forbidden.
I enjoyed the character types and the different types of Elementals with their various powers. I loved the Familiars and the relationship with the human and beastie. The general plot was a cut-throat competition where you prove your skills or die trying. Literally die. This is not your typical college!
What I didn't love was the delivery. The story was very "tell" and not so much "show", so I don't know I fully believe the depth of emotion between our two main characters. We get a lot of the inner monologue from both characters to tell themselves how they feel, but not fully convincing. The story seemed choppy and at times, maybe not as linearly told as I wanted. Also, I really could have used more world-building. I want to fully understand this world and the different Elementals but I have a lot of gaps in my understanding of it.
The characters, I'm still trying to wrap my head around. Liam is dark and brooding from his failing health and the loss of his Familiar, and Sophia is just naive. Being that Sophia is the prophecized one to change everything, she has a lot of enemies and has to keep secrets. But is she strategic enough to do it right, or will she be taken out? I guess the rest of the series will tell. I did like how the book ended with a bang, not a cliffhanger, but a great setup for the conflict to continue this series.
I will say the audio narration was fabulous! Both POV narrators were great - in voice and tone. They really brought their characters to life and having a separate narrator for each character really helped separate who was leading that chapter.
Overall a good first book in a series, interesting enough to make me want to know what happens next. 3.5 stars.
The Fire Prophecy is a fun premise that follows the typical YA tropes of girl finds out she is something special and has to prove it to the world and even to herself. The story takes place at a college for the Elementals, where each type of Elemental belongs to a tribe, and dating between tribes is forbidden.
I enjoyed the character types and the different types of Elementals with their various powers. I loved the Familiars and the relationship with the human and beastie. The general plot was a cut-throat competition where you prove your skills or die trying. Literally die. This is not your typical college!
What I didn't love was the delivery. The story was very "tell" and not so much "show", so I don't know I fully believe the depth of emotion between our two main characters. We get a lot of the inner monologue from both characters to tell themselves how they feel, but not fully convincing. The story seemed choppy and at times, maybe not as linearly told as I wanted. Also, I really could have used more world-building. I want to fully understand this world and the different Elementals but I have a lot of gaps in my understanding of it.
The characters, I'm still trying to wrap my head around. Liam is dark and brooding from his failing health and the loss of his Familiar, and Sophia is just naive. Being that Sophia is the prophecized one to change everything, she has a lot of enemies and has to keep secrets. But is she strategic enough to do it right, or will she be taken out? I guess the rest of the series will tell. I did like how the book ended with a bang, not a cliffhanger, but a great setup for the conflict to continue this series.
I will say the audio narration was fabulous! Both POV narrators were great - in voice and tone. They really brought their characters to life and having a separate narrator for each character really helped separate who was leading that chapter.
Overall a good first book in a series, interesting enough to make me want to know what happens next. 3.5 stars.
July 26, 2020
Wow, what an incredible ride this story was!!
The characters were phenomenal! I absolutely loved reading about and meeting Sophia and Liam. I felt as if I could connect with these characters. I am all for team Liam. My connection with him was the strongest I think, because of his past and how he was treated.
The story-line was incredible. I literally couldn't put this book down. It was so full of magic, deception, mystery, suspense and action all rolled into one amazing story. I couldn't help but keep turning pages and each chapter had the main characters POV too that made just HAVE to read more. Both Linski and Rades are very talented authors but this story is proof that they are an unstoppable force to be recon with. I highly recommend this read.
THE AUDIOBOOK:
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance: ⭐⭐⭐
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I read this story before I listened to it and I loved it so much that I decided to give the audiobook a try. I loved the story-line but I did feel as if it was a bit slow and Sophia seemed to be more whiny when I listened to the story. The narrators for each character had me picturing the characters and I could match the voice with the mental picture of the characters that I had better than when I read the book itself. The narrators were the perfect match for Sophia and Liam.
The characters were phenomenal! I absolutely loved reading about and meeting Sophia and Liam. I felt as if I could connect with these characters. I am all for team Liam. My connection with him was the strongest I think, because of his past and how he was treated.
The story-line was incredible. I literally couldn't put this book down. It was so full of magic, deception, mystery, suspense and action all rolled into one amazing story. I couldn't help but keep turning pages and each chapter had the main characters POV too that made just HAVE to read more. Both Linski and Rades are very talented authors but this story is proof that they are an unstoppable force to be recon with. I highly recommend this read.
THE AUDIOBOOK:
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance: ⭐⭐⭐
Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I read this story before I listened to it and I loved it so much that I decided to give the audiobook a try. I loved the story-line but I did feel as if it was a bit slow and Sophia seemed to be more whiny when I listened to the story. The narrators for each character had me picturing the characters and I could match the voice with the mental picture of the characters that I had better than when I read the book itself. The narrators were the perfect match for Sophia and Liam.
November 24, 2021
I really do enjoyed this book.
Sophia Henley was enjoying a hike with her sister who has just returned from college. When she realized they were being tailed by a huge lion. In her terror, she suddenly shot fire from her hands. Thus began the unraveling of her world. She found out that an entire world existed full of magical beings. She attempts to adjust to the unfriendly world she finds herself in and finds herself challenged in so many ways.
Liam arrives to take her to Arreda Academy and she's immediately stuck by house little she knows she's how little things are being explained. Yet she feels drawn to the grouchy Liam.
She makes friends with a quirky girl, Imogene who is a wonderful with earth and plants. Her nemesis emerges in Haley who's the best and strongest for wielder.
When Sophia is placed into a hunger-games style event, she finds strength and powers she didn't know she had. She emerges as a chosen one that might save their magical people. I'll definitely read the next book in the series. I liked the quirky characters, the societal structure, and the magical familiars.
Sophia Henley was enjoying a hike with her sister who has just returned from college. When she realized they were being tailed by a huge lion. In her terror, she suddenly shot fire from her hands. Thus began the unraveling of her world. She found out that an entire world existed full of magical beings. She attempts to adjust to the unfriendly world she finds herself in and finds herself challenged in so many ways.
Liam arrives to take her to Arreda Academy and she's immediately stuck by house little she knows she's how little things are being explained. Yet she feels drawn to the grouchy Liam.
She makes friends with a quirky girl, Imogene who is a wonderful with earth and plants. Her nemesis emerges in Haley who's the best and strongest for wielder.
When Sophia is placed into a hunger-games style event, she finds strength and powers she didn't know she had. She emerges as a chosen one that might save their magical people. I'll definitely read the next book in the series. I liked the quirky characters, the societal structure, and the magical familiars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2024
Harry Potter + The Hunger Games + Avatar The last airbender = This book
Super magical and exciting <3 It started off as a very Harry Potter knockoff book - but modern, genderbent and with elemental powers. Then it turned into The Hunger Games. This was a very … interesting fantasy book. It was easy to follow (I listened to the audiobook), and it kept me hooked throughout the whole thing.
The characters might be the best part. I loved Imiden (idk if I spelt her name right lol), and Essis ofc. I have a hate-love relationship with Liam - whenever I read about him from Sophia’s perspective I liked him, but from his perspective… there were some red flags.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Might consider reading the rest of the series :D
Super magical and exciting <3 It started off as a very Harry Potter knockoff book - but modern, genderbent and with elemental powers. Then it turned into The Hunger Games. This was a very … interesting fantasy book. It was easy to follow (I listened to the audiobook), and it kept me hooked throughout the whole thing.
The characters might be the best part. I loved Imiden (idk if I spelt her name right lol), and Essis ofc. I have a hate-love relationship with Liam - whenever I read about him from Sophia’s perspective I liked him, but from his perspective… there were some red flags.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Might consider reading the rest of the series :D
August 30, 2023
This was so good!!! I couldn't put it down - can't wait to read book 2!!
July 17, 2020
STANDING OVATION!!!
THE LOVE FOR THIS BOOK IS UNREAL!!! IT IS EVERYTHING I DIDN'T KNOW I WANTED!!! ALL MY PRAISE, LOVE AND ADMIRATION!! THIS WAS LITERALLY SOME OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS IN ONE!!! IT HAD EVERYTHING!!!COMPLETLEY LOST FOR WORDS!!! AND IT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!!!
-the world building: I was fully emerged in this world it was like I was at the Academy!! Unremarkable!!! Most magical place ever!!!
The mystery, secrets, quotes emotions, feels, tears, happiness and epic!!!! Breathtaking
Characters: where do I even start…
Sophia: I LOVE THIS GIRL OMG SHE IS AMAZING!!! In the beginning she is shy and insecure because she entered a whole new world. she is a Elementai with fire magic, she is the prophesied child who will bring glory to the greatest house. Her house is Koigni: fire house with madame Doya as head. This house values strength and power. Later in the story she rescues a fox/fluffy ball animal on the cover, out of the river. They bonded and he becomes her familiar ESIS IS THE CUTEST CUTIEPIE EVER!!! Later when Imogen and Sophia went to Imogens tree house they find out Esis has healing abilities!!! (After he cured a baby dragon in a class) he makes for the cutiest and funniest scenes especially with liam!! Little matchmaker!!!
Her development is unbelievable, she is extremely strong, brave, resilient, lovable, confident and my inspiration with a beautiful passionateheart!!!!
Liam: one word: PERFECT, This man omg he is perfection!!! He has lost his familiar Nashoma (wolf) who was his literal soul!!! He is broken and angry all the time and his heart is cold because how can one move on without a soul!! He suffers the agony and is the only one who survived without their familiar. He has a mysterious sickness. His life is meaningless until her… sophia made him believe in love again and that life was worth living
Is there anything more beautiful….
He is from the Toaqua tripe, and really traditional and religious. his element is water and he used to be a really strong one, he was even child of the chief, his younger twin brother Ezra took the title. They don't have a great relationship, however he bonds with Sophia by telling her about Liam's past life: he was full of adrenaline adventurous, caring and helped everyone a shell of how he is now.... Ezra is the golden boy while liam is the lone wolf… he doesn't make friends easily however during the story he opens his heart ans does everything for this friends!!!! Love love love him!!!
Imogen: I love her too, she is soo funny, quirky, chatty and witty. She wears the craziest outfits and is weird in the best way!! Her familiar is Sassy (fox) she has a big heart and I adore her!! Her house is Nivita earth. She struggled with her element, but with enough encouragement can make the earth do her bidding!! She has a huge personality and speaks her mind!!!
brother died in the Elemental cup. And after seeing that on TV she bonded with her familiar in the forest. Cade the stable boy has a huge crush on her and she is obviously crushing too. He even gives her a flower every time she goes unicorn riding!!
Jonah: He is the funniest dramaqueen guy. He is big as a giant as is his heart is. I want him as gay friend, makes for the funniest scenes, but also listens and keeps secrets. Cares for his friends!! His house is the Air Yaluma. He and Liam have been friends since chilhood until Liam became depressed. His familiar is Squaks the Hippogriff. She is hilarious too and soo clumsy!! They had ne LMAO all the time especially when he thought Liam had a crush not on sophia BUT ON HIM!! LOL!!
Haley: your ultimate mean girl and I mean MEAN!! She bullies Imogen in the first scene about her familiar and weirdness, but she really has it for Sophia, she tries to make her life miserable!!! She uses her familiar rather like a thing to do her bidding!!! she too is a Koigni. And Doya's fav pet. She does everything to win the cup she cheats, spies and EVEN BURNS HER TEAMMEBER ALIVE!!! AND ABANDONED THE OTHERS TO DIE!!!!! Because they didn't want to kill Sophia and her team!!!! HOW COULD SHE!!! MONSTER
Sophia fights back and sets her on her place!!
Sophia and her sister Amelia went hiking until they see a huge lionbeast!! (Naomie Doya's familiar) It attackes Sophia and she sends a firebeam!! Amelia confesses she is adopted, an elementai, koigni and has magic!!! Talk about a bomb!!
Liam was summoned by the heads of the houses. He has to bring Sophia to Orenda Academy for she is the prophesied child and was 'stolen' from the Koigni. He is in enough trouble already for his behaviour and this will give him the change to clear his name + they don't give him a choice!!
So he goes to her house and he tells her to go to Academy!! Sophia had confronted her parents, they hadn't told Amelia and they did it to protect Sophia… their parents are Toaqua and if she doesn't go the Elders will kill their familiars and without them an elementai can't survive!!!
They journey on a ENORMOUS CRUISE SHIP IN SPACE!!! Can I have a lift please!!! Fantastically described!!! the Orenda Academy is literally a dreamplace!!!! All the magical creatures from your wildest dreams are there!! Its a magical, disney fairytale like place!!! But has it's secrets too!!! Ohh the mystery aspect is soo amazing!! People from other houses are forbidden to love the other for that will bring war. Koigni wants to overpower the other houses and they must keep their society secret. They are really traditional
The classes are awesome!! Magical care, Toaqua waterclass, magic histories even basket weaving!!!
Hunouble mentions: sophia's professor Doya 'teaches' rather dumb in hole and figure it out, class fire.
The classes seem like soo much fun!! Even the cafeteria scenes are great!!! They go to the village Kinpago together The 3 of them become fast friends except for Liam of course.
However he helps Sophia against his better judgement for she doesn't like the school at all, people are mean and she fails all her classes. Liam helps her with her fire and these scenes are adorable!!! He calls her Pawee which means little child but something else too...
They even saved a professor from a pit. He proposes to research Liam for his illness.
Beautiful moment: Liam teaches Sophia the importance of their society. He tells her the history: there were the original tripes who lived in peace until the colonies. They escaped their wrath and begged the ancestors to help them. Tbe sky broke open and all kind of magical creatures broke the sky!! They helped the tribes and gifted them the elemental magic: water, fire, air, earth
The creatures immersed themself with the tripes and became one. Their was a 5th element: the soul element, they could heal people but the Koigni wanted to overrule the tripes and wanted war!! The other houses didn't interfere she which led to the annihilation of the 5th!!! They decided to work together to keep their familiars and each other and their society save.
Liam called the ancestors: Beautiful display like a water painting with all colours and lights!! As many magical familiars as the eye could she. They changed into people, THEIR GUIDES!!! I WAS SOOO EMOTIONAL!!! NASHOMA WAS NEXT TO LIAM!!!!
it made sophia see and understand the beauty of their world!!!
Romantic scene!!! Eses gave him a flower to give to her!! Liam used his element to make it accidentally rain and conjured the water to arrange into diamonds and crystals around Sophia!!! It was beautiful!!!
One event Baine Head of Toaqua announced the Elemental Cup which is an tournament to earn your place in society!!! The Elders challenges the students with their elements to let the strongest prevail!! Baine is to be their mentor for they work great together as team (with professor in the pit) Imogen, Jonah are trilled, Sophia however finds the tournament cruel and Liam can't even fight without his Nashoma!!! + he doesn't want friends…
Still they have to train. Bain surprised them with an abush of the water element!! They failed hard. (Liam tried to save Sophia which made them valuable)
The second was worse for Johan was distracted by his crush.
The final training: They went to the ocean : romantic scene liam and Soph on the motor. They had to let Baine's familiar a massive sea serpent surrender. Huge fight. Eventually Liam drowned Baine so the serpent surrendered!! Baine makes Liam Team Captain!!
Their friendship grows and I LOVE THEM SOOO MUCH THEY ARE MY FRIENDS!!!
the chemistry between Liam and Sophia is undeniable!!! Still they try to ignore it for its forbidden Sophia even asks Liam to the ball!!!!
The Elemental cup tournament has began: HUNGER GAMES VIBES BUT TEN TIMES BETTER!!!
they broadcast the whole thing!!! PEOPLE DIE IN THIS TOURNAMENT!!! the Elders literally try to kill their students!!! With surprise attackes and their own familiars attacking!!! BRUTAL!!!People place bets one the teams: they are the white team with 3 bets (from family) when Haley's team the red have 10000!!! Yep they are the Reject Team!! They don't even want to win, they just need to SURVIVE!!!! THE TOURNAMENT WAS SOOOO EXTREMELY FIERCE!!!!
first: Water, Liam's element but they have to work together. Its a merciless trial!! 1 team already died!!! Liam uses all his power to get the team through!!! They almost freeze to death!!! They need to rely on their survival skills too!!!
2nd: earth, a huge boulder came their way and they took selter in a cave. Imogen tried to move a massive boulder but this was the same way her brother died!!!! He couldn't save his team!!! eventually she gathers enough confidence and breaks the rock with her vines!!!
3rd: air is next, a hude tornado twister comes their way!!! Johan uses his element to save his friends but it's to strong, they got sucked into it!!! Jonah manages to get them out!!! Without as much as a tear in his clothes!!!
Liam was slowly weakening they whole tournament he ignored it until he had to face the facts HE IS DYING!!!!! HIS BODY IS SHUTTING DOWN!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT
The last trial Fire!!! Sophia isnt ready AT ALL!!!
They got separated by a thunderstorm!! Sophia drags him away but he is soo weak he can't even talk!!!! Eses is missing and she is can't do anything!!! He doesn't want sophia to see hjm die and begs her to save the rest!! I CRIED THE WHOLE TIME!!
Sophia is DEVASTATED!! the ancestors came at last and they pointed the way to Eses!!! She saved him from the fire he convinced her to go back to liam (she can't let any one know about eses healing powers for they will take him away and liam won't forgive her for lying)
Liam is discibing with dying is like… MY HEART COULDN'T HANDLE IT!!! at his last moment he sees Nashoma!!!! The wolf tells him to GET UP AND MOVE!!! YOU HAVE TO GET UP LIAM!!!! he crawled to a cave to die without the camera's… THE MOST AGONISING SCENE!!!!
He wakes up with Sophia and Ses by his side!!!!! He thinks the cave was magical and saved him (but eses healed him)
AT LAST SOPHIA AND LIAM KISS!! IT'S SOOO FULL OF PASSION MY HEART SOARED!!!!
'if her existing is the waves, kissing her is the ocean' !!!! SOOO MAGICAL, ROMANTIC AND LIKE A DREAM
After this they find a magical totem: it's the item sophia needs that was the prophesied!!! She is sooo power she can be the destruction of all the elementai!!!!
They at last find the others and have a funny and cute scene!!! Fire trial goes on and Sophia instead of weakens the flames she EXPANDS THEM INTO THE SKY!!!! SHE IS EXTREMELY POWERFULL EVERYONE IS IN AWE!!! the magic of fire is not anger but PASSION AND LOVE!!!!
they at long last all grab the flag and are send back tot he arena with carriage and unicorns and fall on their faces!!. The arena is completly silent…. They think they are the last
Until the the head announced them THE WINNARS!!!! OMG THE WON THE CUP!!! HAIL TEAM REJECT!!! I AM DANCING MY HAPPY DANCE!!!
Baine like a happy proud dad hands them the cup!! From all the adrenaline Liam collapes!!!
They day of the ball has arrived. Shopia is wearing her magical blue dress she had bought with Imogen and Amelia!! She js gorgeous!!! Imogen is wearing a beautiful forst ballgown with flowers representing all house colours!! Liam is in the hospital so he can't attend… jonah and sqeaks is their ride. The ballroom is beautiful but I WANT LIAM!!
sophia encounters Doya and she tells her the prophecy isn't comllete, the other houses have the missing pieces and she needs to discover them for she can be the extinction of all elementai!!!!
he of course sets on the bar waiting for sophia!!!! He wears a red tie Koigni's colour!!! Imogen, jonah and Sophia dance together and have a great time. At last he joins them and it's the best night ever!!!
Sophia and Liam wals and go to the garden away from prying eyes THEY SHARE ROMANTIC KISSES!!! AND THE PASSION JUST EXPLODES!!!
but they are breaking all the rules and are on dangerous territory!!!
He calls her pawee again and Jonah and Igomen tell her it means Cherished one: he calls her his soulmate!!!! Oh my heart!!! He called her that the first time they met!!!! And meant evey intention!!!!!
The party is full and Johan gets drunk and acts crazy, even Squaks joins!! They are sooo clumsy and funny!!!
They confront Haley and Sophia warned her to BACK OFF OR ELSE SHE WILL BURN HER!!!
they dance the night away and toast on team Reject!!!
Liam goes back to the hospital for he sneaked out and his dad tells him there is a way to bring Nashoma back: the Water Elders want you to KILL SOPHIA HENLEY!!!
BY THE ANCESTORS THIS CAN'T BE REAL!!!!
THE LOVE FOR THIS BOOK IS UNREAL!!! IT IS EVERYTHING I DIDN'T KNOW I WANTED!!! ALL MY PRAISE, LOVE AND ADMIRATION!! THIS WAS LITERALLY SOME OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS IN ONE!!! IT HAD EVERYTHING!!!COMPLETLEY LOST FOR WORDS!!! AND IT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!!!
-the world building: I was fully emerged in this world it was like I was at the Academy!! Unremarkable!!! Most magical place ever!!!
The mystery, secrets, quotes emotions, feels, tears, happiness and epic!!!! Breathtaking
Characters: where do I even start…
Sophia: I LOVE THIS GIRL OMG SHE IS AMAZING!!! In the beginning she is shy and insecure because she entered a whole new world. she is a Elementai with fire magic, she is the prophesied child who will bring glory to the greatest house. Her house is Koigni: fire house with madame Doya as head. This house values strength and power. Later in the story she rescues a fox/fluffy ball animal on the cover, out of the river. They bonded and he becomes her familiar ESIS IS THE CUTEST CUTIEPIE EVER!!! Later when Imogen and Sophia went to Imogens tree house they find out Esis has healing abilities!!! (After he cured a baby dragon in a class) he makes for the cutiest and funniest scenes especially with liam!! Little matchmaker!!!
Her development is unbelievable, she is extremely strong, brave, resilient, lovable, confident and my inspiration with a beautiful passionateheart!!!!
Liam: one word: PERFECT, This man omg he is perfection!!! He has lost his familiar Nashoma (wolf) who was his literal soul!!! He is broken and angry all the time and his heart is cold because how can one move on without a soul!! He suffers the agony and is the only one who survived without their familiar. He has a mysterious sickness. His life is meaningless until her… sophia made him believe in love again and that life was worth living
Is there anything more beautiful….
He is from the Toaqua tripe, and really traditional and religious. his element is water and he used to be a really strong one, he was even child of the chief, his younger twin brother Ezra took the title. They don't have a great relationship, however he bonds with Sophia by telling her about Liam's past life: he was full of adrenaline adventurous, caring and helped everyone a shell of how he is now.... Ezra is the golden boy while liam is the lone wolf… he doesn't make friends easily however during the story he opens his heart ans does everything for this friends!!!! Love love love him!!!
Imogen: I love her too, she is soo funny, quirky, chatty and witty. She wears the craziest outfits and is weird in the best way!! Her familiar is Sassy (fox) she has a big heart and I adore her!! Her house is Nivita earth. She struggled with her element, but with enough encouragement can make the earth do her bidding!! She has a huge personality and speaks her mind!!!
brother died in the Elemental cup. And after seeing that on TV she bonded with her familiar in the forest. Cade the stable boy has a huge crush on her and she is obviously crushing too. He even gives her a flower every time she goes unicorn riding!!
Jonah: He is the funniest dramaqueen guy. He is big as a giant as is his heart is. I want him as gay friend, makes for the funniest scenes, but also listens and keeps secrets. Cares for his friends!! His house is the Air Yaluma. He and Liam have been friends since chilhood until Liam became depressed. His familiar is Squaks the Hippogriff. She is hilarious too and soo clumsy!! They had ne LMAO all the time especially when he thought Liam had a crush not on sophia BUT ON HIM!! LOL!!
Haley: your ultimate mean girl and I mean MEAN!! She bullies Imogen in the first scene about her familiar and weirdness, but she really has it for Sophia, she tries to make her life miserable!!! She uses her familiar rather like a thing to do her bidding!!! she too is a Koigni. And Doya's fav pet. She does everything to win the cup she cheats, spies and EVEN BURNS HER TEAMMEBER ALIVE!!! AND ABANDONED THE OTHERS TO DIE!!!!! Because they didn't want to kill Sophia and her team!!!! HOW COULD SHE!!! MONSTER
Sophia fights back and sets her on her place!!
Sophia and her sister Amelia went hiking until they see a huge lionbeast!! (Naomie Doya's familiar) It attackes Sophia and she sends a firebeam!! Amelia confesses she is adopted, an elementai, koigni and has magic!!! Talk about a bomb!!
Liam was summoned by the heads of the houses. He has to bring Sophia to Orenda Academy for she is the prophesied child and was 'stolen' from the Koigni. He is in enough trouble already for his behaviour and this will give him the change to clear his name + they don't give him a choice!!
So he goes to her house and he tells her to go to Academy!! Sophia had confronted her parents, they hadn't told Amelia and they did it to protect Sophia… their parents are Toaqua and if she doesn't go the Elders will kill their familiars and without them an elementai can't survive!!!
They journey on a ENORMOUS CRUISE SHIP IN SPACE!!! Can I have a lift please!!! Fantastically described!!! the Orenda Academy is literally a dreamplace!!!! All the magical creatures from your wildest dreams are there!! Its a magical, disney fairytale like place!!! But has it's secrets too!!! Ohh the mystery aspect is soo amazing!! People from other houses are forbidden to love the other for that will bring war. Koigni wants to overpower the other houses and they must keep their society secret. They are really traditional
The classes are awesome!! Magical care, Toaqua waterclass, magic histories even basket weaving!!!
Hunouble mentions: sophia's professor Doya 'teaches' rather dumb in hole and figure it out, class fire.
The classes seem like soo much fun!! Even the cafeteria scenes are great!!! They go to the village Kinpago together The 3 of them become fast friends except for Liam of course.
However he helps Sophia against his better judgement for she doesn't like the school at all, people are mean and she fails all her classes. Liam helps her with her fire and these scenes are adorable!!! He calls her Pawee which means little child but something else too...
They even saved a professor from a pit. He proposes to research Liam for his illness.
Beautiful moment: Liam teaches Sophia the importance of their society. He tells her the history: there were the original tripes who lived in peace until the colonies. They escaped their wrath and begged the ancestors to help them. Tbe sky broke open and all kind of magical creatures broke the sky!! They helped the tribes and gifted them the elemental magic: water, fire, air, earth
The creatures immersed themself with the tripes and became one. Their was a 5th element: the soul element, they could heal people but the Koigni wanted to overrule the tripes and wanted war!! The other houses didn't interfere she which led to the annihilation of the 5th!!! They decided to work together to keep their familiars and each other and their society save.
Liam called the ancestors: Beautiful display like a water painting with all colours and lights!! As many magical familiars as the eye could she. They changed into people, THEIR GUIDES!!! I WAS SOOO EMOTIONAL!!! NASHOMA WAS NEXT TO LIAM!!!!
it made sophia see and understand the beauty of their world!!!
Romantic scene!!! Eses gave him a flower to give to her!! Liam used his element to make it accidentally rain and conjured the water to arrange into diamonds and crystals around Sophia!!! It was beautiful!!!
One event Baine Head of Toaqua announced the Elemental Cup which is an tournament to earn your place in society!!! The Elders challenges the students with their elements to let the strongest prevail!! Baine is to be their mentor for they work great together as team (with professor in the pit) Imogen, Jonah are trilled, Sophia however finds the tournament cruel and Liam can't even fight without his Nashoma!!! + he doesn't want friends…
Still they have to train. Bain surprised them with an abush of the water element!! They failed hard. (Liam tried to save Sophia which made them valuable)
The second was worse for Johan was distracted by his crush.
The final training: They went to the ocean : romantic scene liam and Soph on the motor. They had to let Baine's familiar a massive sea serpent surrender. Huge fight. Eventually Liam drowned Baine so the serpent surrendered!! Baine makes Liam Team Captain!!
Their friendship grows and I LOVE THEM SOOO MUCH THEY ARE MY FRIENDS!!!
the chemistry between Liam and Sophia is undeniable!!! Still they try to ignore it for its forbidden Sophia even asks Liam to the ball!!!!
The Elemental cup tournament has began: HUNGER GAMES VIBES BUT TEN TIMES BETTER!!!
they broadcast the whole thing!!! PEOPLE DIE IN THIS TOURNAMENT!!! the Elders literally try to kill their students!!! With surprise attackes and their own familiars attacking!!! BRUTAL!!!People place bets one the teams: they are the white team with 3 bets (from family) when Haley's team the red have 10000!!! Yep they are the Reject Team!! They don't even want to win, they just need to SURVIVE!!!! THE TOURNAMENT WAS SOOOO EXTREMELY FIERCE!!!!
first: Water, Liam's element but they have to work together. Its a merciless trial!! 1 team already died!!! Liam uses all his power to get the team through!!! They almost freeze to death!!! They need to rely on their survival skills too!!!
2nd: earth, a huge boulder came their way and they took selter in a cave. Imogen tried to move a massive boulder but this was the same way her brother died!!!! He couldn't save his team!!! eventually she gathers enough confidence and breaks the rock with her vines!!!
3rd: air is next, a hude tornado twister comes their way!!! Johan uses his element to save his friends but it's to strong, they got sucked into it!!! Jonah manages to get them out!!! Without as much as a tear in his clothes!!!
Liam was slowly weakening they whole tournament he ignored it until he had to face the facts HE IS DYING!!!!! HIS BODY IS SHUTTING DOWN!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT
The last trial Fire!!! Sophia isnt ready AT ALL!!!
They got separated by a thunderstorm!! Sophia drags him away but he is soo weak he can't even talk!!!! Eses is missing and she is can't do anything!!! He doesn't want sophia to see hjm die and begs her to save the rest!! I CRIED THE WHOLE TIME!!
Sophia is DEVASTATED!! the ancestors came at last and they pointed the way to Eses!!! She saved him from the fire he convinced her to go back to liam (she can't let any one know about eses healing powers for they will take him away and liam won't forgive her for lying)
Liam is discibing with dying is like… MY HEART COULDN'T HANDLE IT!!! at his last moment he sees Nashoma!!!! The wolf tells him to GET UP AND MOVE!!! YOU HAVE TO GET UP LIAM!!!! he crawled to a cave to die without the camera's… THE MOST AGONISING SCENE!!!!
He wakes up with Sophia and Ses by his side!!!!! He thinks the cave was magical and saved him (but eses healed him)
AT LAST SOPHIA AND LIAM KISS!! IT'S SOOO FULL OF PASSION MY HEART SOARED!!!!
'if her existing is the waves, kissing her is the ocean' !!!! SOOO MAGICAL, ROMANTIC AND LIKE A DREAM
After this they find a magical totem: it's the item sophia needs that was the prophesied!!! She is sooo power she can be the destruction of all the elementai!!!!
They at last find the others and have a funny and cute scene!!! Fire trial goes on and Sophia instead of weakens the flames she EXPANDS THEM INTO THE SKY!!!! SHE IS EXTREMELY POWERFULL EVERYONE IS IN AWE!!! the magic of fire is not anger but PASSION AND LOVE!!!!
they at long last all grab the flag and are send back tot he arena with carriage and unicorns and fall on their faces!!. The arena is completly silent…. They think they are the last
Until the the head announced them THE WINNARS!!!! OMG THE WON THE CUP!!! HAIL TEAM REJECT!!! I AM DANCING MY HAPPY DANCE!!!
Baine like a happy proud dad hands them the cup!! From all the adrenaline Liam collapes!!!
They day of the ball has arrived. Shopia is wearing her magical blue dress she had bought with Imogen and Amelia!! She js gorgeous!!! Imogen is wearing a beautiful forst ballgown with flowers representing all house colours!! Liam is in the hospital so he can't attend… jonah and sqeaks is their ride. The ballroom is beautiful but I WANT LIAM!!
sophia encounters Doya and she tells her the prophecy isn't comllete, the other houses have the missing pieces and she needs to discover them for she can be the extinction of all elementai!!!!
he of course sets on the bar waiting for sophia!!!! He wears a red tie Koigni's colour!!! Imogen, jonah and Sophia dance together and have a great time. At last he joins them and it's the best night ever!!!
Sophia and Liam wals and go to the garden away from prying eyes THEY SHARE ROMANTIC KISSES!!! AND THE PASSION JUST EXPLODES!!!
but they are breaking all the rules and are on dangerous territory!!!
He calls her pawee again and Jonah and Igomen tell her it means Cherished one: he calls her his soulmate!!!! Oh my heart!!! He called her that the first time they met!!!! And meant evey intention!!!!!
The party is full and Johan gets drunk and acts crazy, even Squaks joins!! They are sooo clumsy and funny!!!
They confront Haley and Sophia warned her to BACK OFF OR ELSE SHE WILL BURN HER!!!
they dance the night away and toast on team Reject!!!
Liam goes back to the hospital for he sneaked out and his dad tells him there is a way to bring Nashoma back: the Water Elders want you to KILL SOPHIA HENLEY!!!
BY THE ANCESTORS THIS CAN'T BE REAL!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2024
Before I get into why this book made me physically ill, I want to commend some characters, relationships and plot points I enjoyed.
Imogen was a standout in the book. The authors wrote her to be the main character’s best friend, and she was just that. I enjoyed her vulnerability in the cave, and genuinely just wish it was written a lot better, to show the real impact of her brother’s death. Her relationship with Cade was very cute and felt like a breath of fresh air after watching the abomination that is Liam and Sophia’s relationship. I am interested to see where they end up and might continue reading the series just for them. I liked Bane, but felt they could’ve done even more with him. He didn’t seem smart or special, he just seemed lucky. He didn’t teach them anything and was quite useless. If he did teach them something they never showed it in the book.
I also enjoyed how they handled the impact of Sophia’s upbringing, but wish they were more consistent. For every other character, death is such a natural part of the Elementai life, but Sophia was raised human, she isn’t used to deadly tournaments and teenagers dying left and right. She hasn’t grown up in an environment where young death is normal. I’m happy they had some sort of continuity with this, but I wish there was even more distress. She saw someone get burned alive, but her reaction was boring. She just got a little angry and chased Haley. I think she should’ve raised hell. I wish it was more painful for her, like physically painful. I think all the characters should’ve been affected more.
The elemental trials were for the most part engaging and felt challenging. The fire trial was a lot for my brain to handle, as I was trying to keep up with all the chaos happening, and was curious about how they were going to get through it. The prophecy being split up between tribes is something I found intriguing. I want to know what the true prophecy is, because we all know Koigni is not the house they are referring to.
Okay, so that’s the good stuff, time for the bad stuff.
Let’s start with the element that ruins most ya fantasy novels. The characters. The Fire Prophecy is not the first book to have unbearable main characters but wow I think Liam needs to get beaten up.
Liam Mitoh is probably the most insufferable protagonist I have ever had the displeasure of knowing. He constantly plays into the stereotype of a ‘bad boy’ in such an obvious and shameless way, that it makes me nauseous. Liam is, bottom line, an asshole. His character has gone through a lot, mourning the death of his familiar, living now disabled and an outcast. The first chapter of the book is a short chapter from his point of view, where he tells us he wants to die. We can sympathise with his situation, and understand to an extent, why he acts the way he acts. That doesn’t mean he gets to be a wuss 100% of the time.
Liam is honestly so annoying, and it gets on my nerves to the point where I was ready for him to die in that fire. His obsession with Sophia is a huge continuity error and makes him a very unreliable narrator, but not as a device used by the authors. His use of the word Pawee, which we find out means soulmate, leads us AND Sophia to believe that Liam knew Sophia was his soulmate from the very beginning. This is an actual load of bull and does not make any sense. Multiple times throughout the book, Liam says that Sophia is annoying, that she latches onto him in class and it pisses him off. He tries to avoid her as soon as he’s rid of her. He picks so many fights with her and judges her for being new to being an Elementai. Sure, he checks her out every so often but that’s IT. Why would he be calling her his soulmate and then think that she’s so annoying and slow? A point of view cannot be a conscious lie to the audience. Liam cannot just gaslight his thoughts, unless he knows that he is gaslighting his thoughts.
Both Sophia and Liam move too quickly into their immediate attraction to one another. Not just physical attraction but romantic attraction. The romantic attraction is just so off-putting because their relationship doesn’t develop, it feels unnatural and uncomfortable. From the get-go, they are into each other, for no reason. Sure I believe in just being attracted to someone, but for a reader to support a relationship, and connect with the couple, the authors need to show us the couple’s chemistry.
Liam and Sophia DON’T have chemistry, and that leads to my first fatal flaw in this novel. The main thing we are supposed to be rooting for, the love between these two characters, is not strong enough to keep the reader engaged. The authors have failed to create a relationship worthy of support. They’re not interesting, or cute, or entertaining. They’re just both obsessed with each other and it’s unnatural. A good relationship is a relationship the reader can root for, because they love the characters, and they love them even more when they are together.
What makes them BOTH so annoying, is the way they describe each other. They put each other on this huge pedestal and it’s just really weird. Why do they like each other so much, why are they in love? It just hasn’t been developed properly, we don’t get real intimacy between them. Their relationship is so simple that it seems like this book was written for children, which can’t be true because of all the sexual innuendos.
The other HUGE problem with this book is it’s predictability. It was too easy for the reader, too simple. It was aggravating for it to take so long for a character to figure out what they needed to do. A good example of this is their last session with Bane, where they have to defeat his huge and powerful familiar. The solution was quite obvious, so seeing them struggle for so long was infuriating. Liam being smug all the time was just annoying because I thought he was dumb af. The flow of the story itself is very hard for the reader to wrap their head around. It felt like some parts dragged on and important parts were too short.
The plot twists and secrets in the book were all very predictable. Anything we couldn’t guess was because it was out of nowhere. By the time we got to Sophia finding her strong ass powers, I was already so exhausted from the predictability of the story that it honestly didn’t amaze me, or make me root for her. It was also not a shock that they won the cup seeing as they bumped into Haley who would’ve been coming first.
I will continue to read this series I think, just to see where Imogen ends up, and find out the real prophecy. Maybe the next books will be a lot better, and I won’t want to burn it in my hands.
Imogen was a standout in the book. The authors wrote her to be the main character’s best friend, and she was just that. I enjoyed her vulnerability in the cave, and genuinely just wish it was written a lot better, to show the real impact of her brother’s death. Her relationship with Cade was very cute and felt like a breath of fresh air after watching the abomination that is Liam and Sophia’s relationship. I am interested to see where they end up and might continue reading the series just for them. I liked Bane, but felt they could’ve done even more with him. He didn’t seem smart or special, he just seemed lucky. He didn’t teach them anything and was quite useless. If he did teach them something they never showed it in the book.
I also enjoyed how they handled the impact of Sophia’s upbringing, but wish they were more consistent. For every other character, death is such a natural part of the Elementai life, but Sophia was raised human, she isn’t used to deadly tournaments and teenagers dying left and right. She hasn’t grown up in an environment where young death is normal. I’m happy they had some sort of continuity with this, but I wish there was even more distress. She saw someone get burned alive, but her reaction was boring. She just got a little angry and chased Haley. I think she should’ve raised hell. I wish it was more painful for her, like physically painful. I think all the characters should’ve been affected more.
The elemental trials were for the most part engaging and felt challenging. The fire trial was a lot for my brain to handle, as I was trying to keep up with all the chaos happening, and was curious about how they were going to get through it. The prophecy being split up between tribes is something I found intriguing. I want to know what the true prophecy is, because we all know Koigni is not the house they are referring to.
Okay, so that’s the good stuff, time for the bad stuff.
Let’s start with the element that ruins most ya fantasy novels. The characters. The Fire Prophecy is not the first book to have unbearable main characters but wow I think Liam needs to get beaten up.
Liam Mitoh is probably the most insufferable protagonist I have ever had the displeasure of knowing. He constantly plays into the stereotype of a ‘bad boy’ in such an obvious and shameless way, that it makes me nauseous. Liam is, bottom line, an asshole. His character has gone through a lot, mourning the death of his familiar, living now disabled and an outcast. The first chapter of the book is a short chapter from his point of view, where he tells us he wants to die. We can sympathise with his situation, and understand to an extent, why he acts the way he acts. That doesn’t mean he gets to be a wuss 100% of the time.
Liam is honestly so annoying, and it gets on my nerves to the point where I was ready for him to die in that fire. His obsession with Sophia is a huge continuity error and makes him a very unreliable narrator, but not as a device used by the authors. His use of the word Pawee, which we find out means soulmate, leads us AND Sophia to believe that Liam knew Sophia was his soulmate from the very beginning. This is an actual load of bull and does not make any sense. Multiple times throughout the book, Liam says that Sophia is annoying, that she latches onto him in class and it pisses him off. He tries to avoid her as soon as he’s rid of her. He picks so many fights with her and judges her for being new to being an Elementai. Sure, he checks her out every so often but that’s IT. Why would he be calling her his soulmate and then think that she’s so annoying and slow? A point of view cannot be a conscious lie to the audience. Liam cannot just gaslight his thoughts, unless he knows that he is gaslighting his thoughts.
Both Sophia and Liam move too quickly into their immediate attraction to one another. Not just physical attraction but romantic attraction. The romantic attraction is just so off-putting because their relationship doesn’t develop, it feels unnatural and uncomfortable. From the get-go, they are into each other, for no reason. Sure I believe in just being attracted to someone, but for a reader to support a relationship, and connect with the couple, the authors need to show us the couple’s chemistry.
Liam and Sophia DON’T have chemistry, and that leads to my first fatal flaw in this novel. The main thing we are supposed to be rooting for, the love between these two characters, is not strong enough to keep the reader engaged. The authors have failed to create a relationship worthy of support. They’re not interesting, or cute, or entertaining. They’re just both obsessed with each other and it’s unnatural. A good relationship is a relationship the reader can root for, because they love the characters, and they love them even more when they are together.
What makes them BOTH so annoying, is the way they describe each other. They put each other on this huge pedestal and it’s just really weird. Why do they like each other so much, why are they in love? It just hasn’t been developed properly, we don’t get real intimacy between them. Their relationship is so simple that it seems like this book was written for children, which can’t be true because of all the sexual innuendos.
The other HUGE problem with this book is it’s predictability. It was too easy for the reader, too simple. It was aggravating for it to take so long for a character to figure out what they needed to do. A good example of this is their last session with Bane, where they have to defeat his huge and powerful familiar. The solution was quite obvious, so seeing them struggle for so long was infuriating. Liam being smug all the time was just annoying because I thought he was dumb af. The flow of the story itself is very hard for the reader to wrap their head around. It felt like some parts dragged on and important parts were too short.
The plot twists and secrets in the book were all very predictable. Anything we couldn’t guess was because it was out of nowhere. By the time we got to Sophia finding her strong ass powers, I was already so exhausted from the predictability of the story that it honestly didn’t amaze me, or make me root for her. It was also not a shock that they won the cup seeing as they bumped into Haley who would’ve been coming first.
I will continue to read this series I think, just to see where Imogen ends up, and find out the real prophecy. Maybe the next books will be a lot better, and I won’t want to burn it in my hands.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2023
I received a free copy of this book in order to review it for #DisabilityBookWeek
In this first book in a fantasy series, we follow Liam and Sophia. Liam is struggling with a rare and undiagnosed condition which causes him to experience chronic pain and weakness. I also read Liam as experiencing PTSD, but that is my own interpretation and doesn't come from the authors own description of the representation.
The target audience is YA (or, new adult). I felt that the content would be appropriate for YA readers. The writing felt a little middle grade in style, to me, but the content is certainly not appropriate for MG readers (particularly the romantic content and explicit language).
Plot and theme wise, this book felt like a cross between Keeper of the Lost Cities, Vampire Academy and The Hunger Games. There is a competition trope, but it is only towards the end of the book, so don't go in expecting it to be the main plot line. The main story is focused on Sophia's adjustment to the magical world she finds herself in and the relationship between her and Liam.
CW: SV - discussed, not depicted
In this first book in a fantasy series, we follow Liam and Sophia. Liam is struggling with a rare and undiagnosed condition which causes him to experience chronic pain and weakness. I also read Liam as experiencing PTSD, but that is my own interpretation and doesn't come from the authors own description of the representation.
The target audience is YA (or, new adult). I felt that the content would be appropriate for YA readers. The writing felt a little middle grade in style, to me, but the content is certainly not appropriate for MG readers (particularly the romantic content and explicit language).
Plot and theme wise, this book felt like a cross between Keeper of the Lost Cities, Vampire Academy and The Hunger Games. There is a competition trope, but it is only towards the end of the book, so don't go in expecting it to be the main plot line. The main story is focused on Sophia's adjustment to the magical world she finds herself in and the relationship between her and Liam.
CW: SV - discussed, not depicted
May 18, 2025
i want to give this five stars, but I cant, it is too bad I'm sorry.
i loved this book. it is everything i could want. imagine all your favorite books and tropes put into one book, well you get this masterpiece.
there is too much to say about this book, but also like nothing. it is the chosen one who is going to save the world, but really she is supposed to destory it.
she bonded with a magic dr ferret and makes up so much drama in her head
why is she in love with the emo water boy when a sexy curvy hot piece of a woman is RIGHT THERE???
also she has to be Mormon. you can't say she is from Utah and that she is a virgin who is veery willing to do "other things" before marrige, without me thinking this is a Mormon story??
I finished this and imeadiatly started in the next so I miiiight mix them a little bit.
I LOVEEE THIS BOOK
THE COVER IS AWFUL THOUGH WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT ABOUT
#AvatarTheLastAirbender#TheChosenOne#HarryPotter#Racism#Segregation#WTF??#HungerGames????#YoungPeopleMurders
I changed my mind 5 stars
i loved this book. it is everything i could want. imagine all your favorite books and tropes put into one book, well you get this masterpiece.
there is too much to say about this book, but also like nothing. it is the chosen one who is going to save the world, but really she is supposed to destory it.
she bonded with a magic dr ferret and makes up so much drama in her head
why is she in love with the emo water boy when a sexy curvy hot piece of a woman is RIGHT THERE???
also she has to be Mormon. you can't say she is from Utah and that she is a virgin who is veery willing to do "other things" before marrige, without me thinking this is a Mormon story??
I finished this and imeadiatly started in the next so I miiiight mix them a little bit.
I LOVEEE THIS BOOK
THE COVER IS AWFUL THOUGH WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT ABOUT
#AvatarTheLastAirbender#TheChosenOne#HarryPotter#Racism#Segregation#WTF??#HungerGames????#YoungPeopleMurders
I changed my mind 5 stars
November 3, 2025
it was an interesting take on the raised human child who is the magic user of a prophecy storyline.
MFC jumped right into accepting magic without missing a beat, but then pushed back on every single aspect of their society which is kinda weird.
no twists, its very predictable, the characters have no depth, the dialog of the MMC comes across as that of a 12 year old, not a college student. the constant focus on the hidden disability comes off forced by the author almost to the extent that the disability is the MMC's personality.
the lack of communication/miscommunication trope is really over done.
Hopefully this is an early series from this author and their writing progresses/matures.
MFC jumped right into accepting magic without missing a beat, but then pushed back on every single aspect of their society which is kinda weird.
no twists, its very predictable, the characters have no depth, the dialog of the MMC comes across as that of a 12 year old, not a college student. the constant focus on the hidden disability comes off forced by the author almost to the extent that the disability is the MMC's personality.
the lack of communication/miscommunication trope is really over done.
Hopefully this is an early series from this author and their writing progresses/matures.
November 4, 2021
3.75
There was a ton going on in this book. A magical school full of magical creatures and students so many backgrounds and powers. Youre then thrown into a tournament where they might die! There was alot going on! I did however find this book to read a little too YA, even though its a NA book. And i wasnt really connecting to the characters that much. Overall it was fine, but not dying to see what happens next.
There was a ton going on in this book. A magical school full of magical creatures and students so many backgrounds and powers. Youre then thrown into a tournament where they might die! There was alot going on! I did however find this book to read a little too YA, even though its a NA book. And i wasnt really connecting to the characters that much. Overall it was fine, but not dying to see what happens next.
June 2, 2025
Surprisingly decent book. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I had did. It’s book one of six. I would love to find the audio versions for the rest of the series. Basically it’s a mixture of Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Vampire Diaries, The Golden Compass, with an indigenous tribe out West
September 21, 2023
Mmmm little bit of a let down
2 stars
I didn’t like the fmc and mmc very much.
Upper ya book.
2 stars
I didn’t like the fmc and mmc very much.
Upper ya book.
June 7, 2025
A Native American Hogwarts meets hunger games.
September 15, 2025
Ok, a YA fantasy world magical elementals
September 28, 2019
**For more reviews visit me at https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
There was a very strong Harry Potter vibe to the story (but maybe all magical school books will now be compared to that high standard). There was a prophecy that talked about the chosen one, an odd quirky girl (that I loved) who looks for magical creatures and has zero concern about what other's think of her, four houses at the school that are in competition with each other, an angry headmaster who seems to hate the chosen one, a magical tournament, and some awesome magical creatures (including a hippogriff and dragons). Keep in mind that I don't mind the correlations (I am not pointing this out in a derogatory way), I am always down for anything having to do with a magical school- especially one that has to deal with magical creatures, I just saw the connections so I think this would be a good choice for any grown up HP fans since this is college age students/characters, with some much darker things going on in this story.
Told through alternating narration, we get to meet Liam and Sophia. Liam is a ball of anger and depression, his life completely ripped apart by actions before the story started and he has no idea how to cope. He has now become a social pariah, and he just wants to get through his last year. Sophia has had her whole world altered as well, but in an entirely different way. She just discovered so many lies from her family, she has no idea who she is or what she is suppose to be capable of doing, and now she is attending a magical college where she is so out of her league. Keep in mind that while there is a lot going on with magic, action, danger and an underlying mystery, there is also a forbidden romance blooming!
My favorite part about the audiobook is that it is dual narrated! I love that there are two separate narrators for each of the main characters and really they both did an amazing job portraying their characters. I have already added the second book to my audible wishlist so that I can continue listening to the series, I enjoyed this experience so much.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and I can't wait to get the next book and see what terrible, stress-filled situation my doomed lovers get into next.
There was a very strong Harry Potter vibe to the story (but maybe all magical school books will now be compared to that high standard). There was a prophecy that talked about the chosen one, an odd quirky girl (that I loved) who looks for magical creatures and has zero concern about what other's think of her, four houses at the school that are in competition with each other, an angry headmaster who seems to hate the chosen one, a magical tournament, and some awesome magical creatures (including a hippogriff and dragons). Keep in mind that I don't mind the correlations (I am not pointing this out in a derogatory way), I am always down for anything having to do with a magical school- especially one that has to deal with magical creatures, I just saw the connections so I think this would be a good choice for any grown up HP fans since this is college age students/characters, with some much darker things going on in this story.
While Sophia was gabbing, Esis did something weird. He waddled in front of me, puffed up his chest and fluffed his tail, expanding his ears and screaming.
“What the hell is he doing?” I asked, thinking he was gonna self-destruct. “Oh, it’s nothing,” Sophia said, petting him. “It’s just something kurbles do. I think it’s a mating call, though I don’t know why he’d be doing it now.”
I swear to the ancestors Esis was wiggling his eyebrows at me at a very suggestive way. I was gonna kill this little shit. Next thing I knew, he was gonna start tossing roses and singing a serenade.
Told through alternating narration, we get to meet Liam and Sophia. Liam is a ball of anger and depression, his life completely ripped apart by actions before the story started and he has no idea how to cope. He has now become a social pariah, and he just wants to get through his last year. Sophia has had her whole world altered as well, but in an entirely different way. She just discovered so many lies from her family, she has no idea who she is or what she is suppose to be capable of doing, and now she is attending a magical college where she is so out of her league. Keep in mind that while there is a lot going on with magic, action, danger and an underlying mystery, there is also a forbidden romance blooming!
My favorite part about the audiobook is that it is dual narrated! I love that there are two separate narrators for each of the main characters and really they both did an amazing job portraying their characters. I have already added the second book to my audible wishlist so that I can continue listening to the series, I enjoyed this experience so much.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and I can't wait to get the next book and see what terrible, stress-filled situation my doomed lovers get into next.
January 3, 2019
Sophia Henley’s family has been keeping secrets from her, her whole life. The secrets are coming out now and Sophia doesn’t know who to believe or what is real.
One evening Sophia and her sister is attacked and Sophia uses her magic for the first time but has no idea what is going on or what happened but she is going to find out the truth and what her family has hidden from her all these years.
Then one evening a really hot dude shows up on her doorstep and literally whisks her away to a magical school. At this magical school they will teach her all about magic and how to use her own magic.
Sophia starts to really like this dude, Liam but she soon learns that they can’t be together. Sophia is Fire and Liam is Water. Fire and Water don’t mix but that is also true for all of the houses. But Sophia did not grow up knowing or living all these rules like Liam and thinks that breaking a few rules can’t hurt anyone or can it?
The Elemental Cup is coming up and Sophia learns that she must enter as she is not been given a choice in the matter. She must make it through the Elemental Cup challenge to find out where she belongs in this magical world. The trials she must face could cost her, her life.
This has been one amazing journey through this magical world of magical creatures at the Orenda Academy. I have loved getting to know all the characters and their familiars. The Fire Prophecy is a great introduction into the Academy of Magical Creatures series.
It captured my interest from the first page and kept me in its grasp all the way through until the end. It kind of reminded me of The Hunger Games you know when they were competing in the Elemental Cup with all the trials they had to face. The ending really blew me away I never saw that one coming not even once. It really floored me.
The Fire Prophecy is a little longer than most books and it did take me a while to read but in all fairness I did start it the day before Thanksgiving and read it through the holiday day week and weekend. But I must say that The Fire Prophecy is a great book to read through the holidays or during a busy time as you do have more time to read it and to savor every little morsel between each and every one of its magical pages. I can’t wait to check out the next book in the series and to see what that ending may entail in the next book.
If you like fantasy worlds involving magic and magical creatures then you are going to love The Fire Prophecy, an introduction into the magical world of Academy of Magical Creatures.
One evening Sophia and her sister is attacked and Sophia uses her magic for the first time but has no idea what is going on or what happened but she is going to find out the truth and what her family has hidden from her all these years.
Then one evening a really hot dude shows up on her doorstep and literally whisks her away to a magical school. At this magical school they will teach her all about magic and how to use her own magic.
Sophia starts to really like this dude, Liam but she soon learns that they can’t be together. Sophia is Fire and Liam is Water. Fire and Water don’t mix but that is also true for all of the houses. But Sophia did not grow up knowing or living all these rules like Liam and thinks that breaking a few rules can’t hurt anyone or can it?
The Elemental Cup is coming up and Sophia learns that she must enter as she is not been given a choice in the matter. She must make it through the Elemental Cup challenge to find out where she belongs in this magical world. The trials she must face could cost her, her life.
This has been one amazing journey through this magical world of magical creatures at the Orenda Academy. I have loved getting to know all the characters and their familiars. The Fire Prophecy is a great introduction into the Academy of Magical Creatures series.
It captured my interest from the first page and kept me in its grasp all the way through until the end. It kind of reminded me of The Hunger Games you know when they were competing in the Elemental Cup with all the trials they had to face. The ending really blew me away I never saw that one coming not even once. It really floored me.
The Fire Prophecy is a little longer than most books and it did take me a while to read but in all fairness I did start it the day before Thanksgiving and read it through the holiday day week and weekend. But I must say that The Fire Prophecy is a great book to read through the holidays or during a busy time as you do have more time to read it and to savor every little morsel between each and every one of its magical pages. I can’t wait to check out the next book in the series and to see what that ending may entail in the next book.
If you like fantasy worlds involving magic and magical creatures then you are going to love The Fire Prophecy, an introduction into the magical world of Academy of Magical Creatures.
February 2, 2024
If you’re the author of this book, I’m so sorry, don’t read this review <3
This book sounds like it was written like bad AI.
I listened to the audiobook on Spotify and had to give up half way through. Its predictable, the characters are flat, the protagonist is annoying, and the characters act more like middle schoolers then college age… its honestly so bad. The writing is repetitive, and cringy. Like Kristen Stuart playing Bella cringy…
I would say this is more on par with a 12 year old age range if it weren’t for the sex references and cursing.
This book sounds like it was written like bad AI.
I listened to the audiobook on Spotify and had to give up half way through. Its predictable, the characters are flat, the protagonist is annoying, and the characters act more like middle schoolers then college age… its honestly so bad. The writing is repetitive, and cringy. Like Kristen Stuart playing Bella cringy…
I would say this is more on par with a 12 year old age range if it weren’t for the sex references and cursing.
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