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A Single Spark
After her father is murdered by witch hunters, nineteen-year-old Mackenna loses control of her fire magic, burning down part of her village and killing two soldiers. Exiled and wanted for murder, she flees her village, pursued by witch hunters. She is rescued by a Wanderer named Foulan and his pet wolf, Myst.
The Wanderers are refugees without a permanent home, roaming between the small countries of the Realms of Etylania. The rising tensions between Etylania and Srahinza—the lands they once called home—mean that they are unwelcome and unwanted by many. Seeing a kindred spirit in Mackenna, they invite her to travel with them.
Despite his clan welcoming her, Foulan doesn’t trust the girl he rescued. His suspicions are confirmed when bounty hunters come for her. After escaping together, he finds himself roped into assisting her as she seeks out the elusive Fae, who may have a cure for her fiery curse. However, Mackenna and Foulan are stalked by the nonbinary, shapeshifting bounty hunter Kazumi. Looking to prove their worth, Kazumi believes that capturing Mackenna will finally help them make a name for themselves.
While Mackenna and Foulan are reluctant traveling companions at first, over time they begin to open up to each other and fall in love. What they hoped would be a short journey takes them across a colorful continent to the arctic sea, searching for an entrance to the hidden world of Faerie. Meanwhile, each trial Kazumi faces in their attempt to capture Mackenna just makes them more determined and obsessed.
This young adult/new adult fantasy novel is perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Dawn Cook, Kristen Cashore, and Holly Black.
LGBTQ+ characters, immigration and refugees, religious and racial conflict, mental health
The Wanderers are refugees without a permanent home, roaming between the small countries of the Realms of Etylania. The rising tensions between Etylania and Srahinza—the lands they once called home—mean that they are unwelcome and unwanted by many. Seeing a kindred spirit in Mackenna, they invite her to travel with them.
Despite his clan welcoming her, Foulan doesn’t trust the girl he rescued. His suspicions are confirmed when bounty hunters come for her. After escaping together, he finds himself roped into assisting her as she seeks out the elusive Fae, who may have a cure for her fiery curse. However, Mackenna and Foulan are stalked by the nonbinary, shapeshifting bounty hunter Kazumi. Looking to prove their worth, Kazumi believes that capturing Mackenna will finally help them make a name for themselves.
While Mackenna and Foulan are reluctant traveling companions at first, over time they begin to open up to each other and fall in love. What they hoped would be a short journey takes them across a colorful continent to the arctic sea, searching for an entrance to the hidden world of Faerie. Meanwhile, each trial Kazumi faces in their attempt to capture Mackenna just makes them more determined and obsessed.
This young adult/new adult fantasy novel is perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Dawn Cook, Kristen Cashore, and Holly Black.
LGBTQ+ characters, immigration and refugees, religious and racial conflict, mental health
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2023
23 people want to read
About the author
Mandy Burkhead
7 books17 followersMandy is a freelance copy-editor/proofreader and an author. She writes speculative fiction (fantasy, horror, historical, and steampunk).
She and her husband live in Chattanooga, TN with their dog and cats. When not working or writing, Mandy enjoys reading, playing video games, cosplaying, attending conventions, and generally nerding out.
You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @Burkshelf.
She and her husband live in Chattanooga, TN with their dog and cats. When not working or writing, Mandy enjoys reading, playing video games, cosplaying, attending conventions, and generally nerding out.
You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @Burkshelf.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Want to read
January 19, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
The story here takes a nice turn in chapter one as a group of witch hunters find that a blind old healer and his daughter are not just helpless victims. A bit of YA fantasy
I’m not wowed by the prose, but the story moves right along, introducing characters and action, and there’s a competence in the exposition that is slowly revealing the world of the story to me.
I’ve seen very little of our protagonists so far, but I like them. They’re good people, but the world makes it hard to be good.
Based on the opening and what happens in ch1 - SOMETHING HAPPENS! - I think this might be a great read especially for younger readers and YA fantasy fans.
A Single Spark has been cut from SPFBO9, so you can see what Phillip Chase thought of the novel, but that won’t stop me. I’m in! This also only has 1 review, which is crazy to me. YA fans, jump in!
The story here takes a nice turn in chapter one as a group of witch hunters find that a blind old healer and his daughter are not just helpless victims. A bit of YA fantasy
I’m not wowed by the prose, but the story moves right along, introducing characters and action, and there’s a competence in the exposition that is slowly revealing the world of the story to me.
I’ve seen very little of our protagonists so far, but I like them. They’re good people, but the world makes it hard to be good.
Based on the opening and what happens in ch1 - SOMETHING HAPPENS! - I think this might be a great read especially for younger readers and YA fantasy fans.
A Single Spark has been cut from SPFBO9, so you can see what Phillip Chase thought of the novel, but that won’t stop me. I’m in! This also only has 1 review, which is crazy to me. YA fans, jump in!
December 27, 2023
“A Single Spark” introduces Mackenna, a nineteen-year-old young woman whose father is murdered in front of her, releasing her magic. The resultant uncontrolled fire ends up killing two soldiers, so she leaves her unsupportive village and goes on the run.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It is more in the action realm of fantasy and I appreciated the pacing as a result. The author did a great job in world building without spending exorbitant pages describing surroundings or every minute detail of a pub. I especially appreciated the descriptions around Foulan’s people and on the Fae Island. I felt like I could see the environments and the characters moving through the scenes. The story itself was told through different POVs including Foulan, Mackenna, and Kazumi. Find the full blog post at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It is more in the action realm of fantasy and I appreciated the pacing as a result. The author did a great job in world building without spending exorbitant pages describing surroundings or every minute detail of a pub. I especially appreciated the descriptions around Foulan’s people and on the Fae Island. I felt like I could see the environments and the characters moving through the scenes. The story itself was told through different POVs including Foulan, Mackenna, and Kazumi. Find the full blog post at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
May 25, 2024
To start with I almost DNF’d this. The writing is grating and severely amateurish. It feels very much like the outline of an idea/story and not a finished work. The MC’s are extremely unlikeable. I would have cheered the FMC’s death. Every dangerous/intense situation begins and resolves in a matter of pages. I complained so much about the quality of the story telling my husband volunteered to read the book out loud to me so I could do something else and not feel like my time was completely wasted. He made it 8 pages before he abandoned that offer.
Beyond the extremely unpolished writing, there are several problematic interactions/scenarios.
1.) the MMC kisses the FMC without permission or any indication it’s going to happen.
2.) the chapter we meet Kuzumi we have that they are non-binary shoved down our throats in very performative “I’m an ally and wrote a LGBTQ a character!” Way.
3.) the MC’s have sex after the FMC has been drugged by someone else who wanted her to participate in an orgy (which came out of nowhere), had knowledge she was drugged and proceeded to have sex with her anyway.
The story itself is fine, nothing unique though, and feels pulled from several booktok favs.
Beyond the extremely unpolished writing, there are several problematic interactions/scenarios.
1.) the MMC kisses the FMC without permission or any indication it’s going to happen.
2.) the chapter we meet Kuzumi we have that they are non-binary shoved down our throats in very performative “I’m an ally and wrote a LGBTQ a character!” Way.
3.) the MC’s have sex after the FMC has been drugged by someone else who wanted her to participate in an orgy (which came out of nowhere), had knowledge she was drugged and proceeded to have sex with her anyway.
The story itself is fine, nothing unique though, and feels pulled from several booktok favs.
July 25, 2023
A Single Spark by Mandy Burkhead is a YA Fantasy novel that follows the intertwined narratives of Mackenna, a Fae woman, and Chambers, a human slave, in the enchanting Fae Court. Mackenna discovers the Fae’s weak spot and questions the queen’s judgment.
Meanwhile, Chambers, resentful of their enslavement, desires revenge and attempts to set an escape plan in motion. They encounter Laenan Sidhe, a Fae offering assistance in exchange for a taste of Chamber’s life essence. The story explores themes of identity, betrayal, and the yearning for freedom while immersing readers in a vividly depicted world.
Mandy Burkhead masterfully weaves together the narratives of Mackenna and Chambers within the intricate and enchanting world of the Fae Court. The pacing of the story is well-crafted, gradually building tension and intrigue while maintaining a sense of mystery. The vivid descriptions bring the fantastical elements of the Fae Court to life, immersing readers in its opulence and darkness. The interpersonal dynamics between the characters are believable and emotionally charged, adding depth and complexity to their relationships.
The themes of the Fae’s dwindling population and the queen’s quest for a solution provide a compelling backdrop for the story. The exploration of the Fae-human relationship and the consequences of past conflicts add layers of depth and relevance to the narrative. The author successfully blends fantasy and social commentary, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of power, prejudice, and the pursuit of survival.
Overall, the story is a captivating and thought-provoking journey into a richly imagined world. It engages readers with its well-developed characters, intricate plot, and thematic depth, leaving them eager to discover the resolution of the conflicts and the ultimate fate of the Fae.
Meanwhile, Chambers, resentful of their enslavement, desires revenge and attempts to set an escape plan in motion. They encounter Laenan Sidhe, a Fae offering assistance in exchange for a taste of Chamber’s life essence. The story explores themes of identity, betrayal, and the yearning for freedom while immersing readers in a vividly depicted world.
Mandy Burkhead masterfully weaves together the narratives of Mackenna and Chambers within the intricate and enchanting world of the Fae Court. The pacing of the story is well-crafted, gradually building tension and intrigue while maintaining a sense of mystery. The vivid descriptions bring the fantastical elements of the Fae Court to life, immersing readers in its opulence and darkness. The interpersonal dynamics between the characters are believable and emotionally charged, adding depth and complexity to their relationships.
The themes of the Fae’s dwindling population and the queen’s quest for a solution provide a compelling backdrop for the story. The exploration of the Fae-human relationship and the consequences of past conflicts add layers of depth and relevance to the narrative. The author successfully blends fantasy and social commentary, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of power, prejudice, and the pursuit of survival.
Overall, the story is a captivating and thought-provoking journey into a richly imagined world. It engages readers with its well-developed characters, intricate plot, and thematic depth, leaving them eager to discover the resolution of the conflicts and the ultimate fate of the Fae.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews