Fortune's Ashes

Firebrand #7

by Helen Harper

A new power. A new threat. And some very new dangers.

Everything is falling apart. I've been cursed with the ability to catch glimpses of the future. It's a power which Lukas despises but it's one that I can't seem to get rid of. I'm also in trouble at work. Somebody else is claiming that they are the one true phoenix and that my entire existence is built on lies.

At least I have a cold case to investigate which will take my mind off my woes. Investigating the mysterious disappearance of an entrepreneurial gremlin is bound to keep me busy and focused - and surely nothing else is going to go wrong and nobody is going to get hurt.

Right?

Fortune's Ashes is the seventh and final book in the thrilling urban fantasy Firebrand series.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Vampires, Audiobook, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2023

Reviews

[Lucie V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

✅ Characters
✅ Paranormal creatures
✅ Pace
✅ Quick read
✅ Plot / Intrigue
✅ Satisfying ending to the series
✅(🆗) Romance
❗️❗️Trigger warnings: mentions of murders

Fortune’s Ashes picks up 3 weeks after the end of the previous book. Emma’s relationship with Lukas is on hold, because of the new powers she acquired. She knows Lukas despises seers, and she is afraid that he will hate her if he learns that she now has this ability. Emma’s life only gets more complicated as someone claims that they are the true phoenix and that she stole their power, and the squad gets targeted by a series of “accidents” and criminal acts.

I like that someone was trying to frame Emma in this final book, it added a different twist to the usual police investigation she's been doing for the past 6 books since she needed to find out whoever the culprit was before the police got enough fake evidence to arrest her. She also couldn't rely on all her usual help from the police, or the authority her status as detective grants her since she was suspended for the duration of the investigation.

I do think that Emma should have talked to Lukas instead of just deciding to leave him because she thought he would hate her. The poor man never even had a chance to prove her otherwise, and he was respectful of her wish to be left alone, even though he didn’t understand why she suddenly left. He just waited for her to be ready to talk to him, and I loved that mature reaction. That being said, Emma’s reaction annoyed me, and I wanted to slap her at first. I understand her reasoning, but she didn’t even let Lukas a chance, or the benefit of the doubt at least. She just assumed what his reaction would be and left.

Also, the pregnancy twist was not bad, but way too predictable. As soon as she mentioned feeling sick, I knew where this was going, so there was 0 surprise when she discovered that she was pregnant. What shocked me, is how she continued to put herself at risk despite the pregnancy. She didn’t ask for help with her investigation, she continued to run around, almost getting stabbed and shot, when she could have asked Lukas for help, and he would have helped even if she didn’t explain why she needed the extra help suddenly.

Still, despite Emma’s annoying decision, this book was entertaining, engaging, and enough of a quick read for me to be able to finish the book in a few sittings only. The ending of this series is satisfying, without being too cheesy. It was a fun ride, with lovable characters, good intrigues, a lot of action, and overall a good pace. It’s a fun paranormal series to read if you are looking for something light and entertaining.



1. Brimstone Bound ⭐⭐⭐.5
2. Infernal Enchantment ⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Midnight Smoke ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Scorched Heart ⭐⭐⭐.5
5. Dark Whispers ⭐⭐⭐
6. A Killer's Kiss ⭐⭐⭐⭐


Follow me on Instagram 🙂

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great series can't believe it's over 😭

This series is great to start if you want to read more books because they are all really good and this is the last book in the series so there's no waiting around for the next book to come out.

love this series 🥰

HAPPY READING 📙📚📓📒📘📗📓📖📙📕📚📗📔📘📒📗📓📚📙📕📔📘📒📗📚📙📕📓📒📘📗📖

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

*sigh*. Another fabulous series comes to an end *double sigh*

It is with melancholy in my heart that I write this review. The Firebrand series has been such a fun ride that I hated turning that last page. At least it ended in a wonderful and satisfying way, so I guess I couldn’t have asked for more (yes, I could but…. ;)

I seriously wondered if that would be the case, however, considering how this book began. Emma (our heroine) has left Lukas (for the stupidest reason known to man, IMHO) receives a HUGE shock that will change her life, AND has to grapple with her new Cassandra powers. Now, I’ll admit the leaving Lukas thing almost had me wishing I hadn’t even picked the book up. BUT… never fear, Ms. Harper didn’t take it far and within a reasonable amount of time, things are worked out and they were stronger than ever - YAY!!!

From then on, we are treated to what makes this such a great series to begin with. Awesome mysteries to solve, intriguing people and species to tangle with and all kinds of action and mayhem. And the ending is just lovely! It wraps everything up with a happy sigh…. So I guess even though I think there are still all kinds of ways this series could have continued, it did end with the perfect cherry on top of a truly scrumptious cake!

[Ewa (Fedra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Świetne zakończenie serii, choć trochę przykro :)

[Mike Finn · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Fortune's Ashes', the seventh 'Firebrand' book, brings this entertaining series to a very satisfactory close. I swallowed the first three of these books, which were all published in 2020, our Lockdown year, in one happy gulp. I loved the idea of the Super Squad policing the supernatural inhabitants of London and I enjoyed watching Emma Bellamy overcome her disappointment at being pushed sideways into the Squad when she was ready for promotion elsewhere and become absorbed in this world of Werewolf Clans, Goblins, Pixies, Satyrs and Vampires as she tried to solve a murder.

I was fascinated as she discovered her own, rather strange supernatural power as a Phoenix who rises from the dead twelve hours after being killed and built her relationship with the Super community, her colleagues in the Super Squad and her romance with the inevitably handsome and charismatic Vampire Lord.

I thought the fifth book, 'Dark Whispers' (2021) wobbled a bit. It was still fun but seemed less sure-footed than its predecessors and I wondered if the series had run its course. Then Helen Harper brought everything back on track with the sixth book, 'A Killer's Kiss' which had a decent mystery at its heart and seemed to set Emma up for her Happy Every After until she discovered that she'd been contaminated with a new power that made her life more difficult.

'Fortune's Ashes' picked up from where the last book left off. Emma's relationship with her Vampire Lord is on hold. She can't bring herself to accept his proposal now that she's become a Cassandra, a person who gets random and often very inconvenient glimpses of the future. She knows it's a power her lover disapproves of and can't see a way forward.

From that point on, Helen Harper piles on the problems, effectively tearing Emma's life apart, putting the people she cares about at risk, destroying her reputation and setting her up to be charged with murder. There's an entertaining plot here that kept me guessing at who was targeting Emma and why. From time to time, it seemed to me that she should have been more suspicious of the people around her, she is a police detective after all, but she had a lot going on and I was having fun, so I let it pass.

I really enjoyed the way Helen Harper resolved Emma's problems. It was clever and emotionally satisfying and formed the perfect point to bring the series to a close.

If you haven't read any of these yet, do yourself a favour and get hold of a copy of 'Brimstone Bound' and let yourself sink into Emma's world for seven entertaining books.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

** VERY SPOILERY REVIEW!!!*

Harper sure puts her character, Emma, through several problems on this FINAL book of Firebrand series. First, because of the Cassandra power she attained in the previous book, Emma's relationship with Lukas hits a snag (Emma worries that he will end up hating her). Then Emma also discovers that she's PREGNANT. With this two situations, Emma also has to deal with someone claiming to be another phoenix, and Emma has stolen his power.

Emma ends up dealing with a cold case though: a gremlin vanished thirteen years ago, about the same time where a murder of a vampire and a werewolf together had put the supernatural community on a spin. Of course, Emma manages to find out there are trails that link those cases together.

I really enjoyed this final book, though. Despite the problems that Emma were facing when she was investigating the cold case, it was clear, how the supernatural community are now behind her back. NOT just because she's the Lord Vampire's girlfriend. Nope, she has gained trust from everyone. When the Supe Squad building also went down the flame, EVERY supes participated to help. The supe's trusting Supe Squad has gone A LONG WAY since book #1.

AND that final chapter was great! I am glad that Emma has also accepted her Cassandra power as a chance to do something to stop a crime (or stop the result of the crime of being deathly). That's great thing.

Good series 👍 

[༶ Laura ༶ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joa war jetzt auch nicht wirklich ein geiles Finale aber trotzdem solide. Die Reihe hatte sie viel Potenzial, das meiner Meinung nach nicht ganz ausgeschöpft würde. Trotzdem waren alle Bücher schnell & voller Action.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘I’ll always wait for you, D’Artagnan.’

This was a good wrap-up for the series. I'm sad to see it end, but felt Harper did a good job of it. She didn't let up on the challenges Emma faces throughout, as well as a couple of surprises. Well, one "surprise" was revealed in the previous installment A Killer's Kiss, but discussed more throughout this one.

The final chapter was great, as were the scenes involving members of the supernatural community as Emma raced to solve a mystery. Emma, Lucas and all of the great side characters will be missed.

✮✮✮✮½

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://my-bo0ks.over-blog.com/2025/1...

Avec la fin du tome 6 d'Emma Bellamy, j'avais plus que hâte d'avoir la suite de cette série. A noter que la série s'achève avec ce septième volume. Une fin plus ou moins ouverte. C'est vrai que j'aurais aimé un épilogue pour clore la série en beauté avec par exemple un petit aperçu de quelques années plus tard. Il n'empêche que cette suite (et demie fin) m'a plu, et même beaucoup.

Suivre Emma, notre flic dans la brigade Para au fil des tomes a été un vrai plaisir. Emma est une héroine qui ne manque pas d'humour et surtout à laquelle on s'attache et s'identifie aisément. Chaque tome se concentre bien sur, sur une affaire en particulier mais un fil conducteur reste présent. Et surtout, la romance a pris petit à petit sa place pour nous offrir une relation stable et saine avec notre cher Lord Lukas. Je ne peux que vous recommander cette série si vous aimez l'Urban Fantasy, ou si vous débutez dans le genre, car avec Helen Harper, on a un univers très abordable quand on a pas forcément l'habitude.

Amis lecteurs, la suite contient forcément quelques éléments des 6 précédents tomes, donc à vos risques et périls.

La fin du sixième tome d'Emma Bellamy venait donc changer TOTALEMENT la donne. Entre les nouvelles visions d'Emma, la plaçant désormais comme une Cassandre (un être que Lukas fuit comme la peste), une demande en mariage qu'on a adoré voir se dérouler et une grossesse qui débute, autant dire que l'avenir d'Emma s'apprêtait à changer drastiquement. Alors ce tome, je ne l'ai pas laissé trainer. A peine arrivé, déjà débuté et terminé dans la foulée.

Comme je vous le disais, ce que j'aime avec cette série c'est sa romance. La relation Lukas/Emma a mis le temps à se mettre en place (et on adore) mais depuis quelques tomes, on est sur une relation forte, saine et surtout avec de bonnes bases. J'aime le fait que Lukas soit du genre à communiquer, à être sûr de ses sentiments et à être un véritable soutien pour Emma, sans jamais la contrôler ou minimiser ses capacités. Non, leur relation gagne en intensité, en importance et ici, ça se ressent. Les changements qui s'opèrent vont nécessiter des ajustements mais ils seront à leur image et j'ai adoré les voir ensemble.

Côté intrigue, rien ne va plus pour la brigade. Quand on s'en prend à ses membres, forcément, ça complique les choses. Le suspense est maintenu tout du long. Je ne m'attendais pas à cette tournure et surtout, à l'identité du coupable. Même avec le recul, je n'aurais jamais deviné. Ce que j'ai apprécié aussi, c'est l'importance qu'à cette brigade et notamment Emma pour tous les paranormaux. Si au départ ils étaient contre, finalement une confiance s'est tissée et si tout le monde n'est pas toujours d'accord, je trouve ça chouette de les voir prendre du recul et collaborer.

Un petit pincement au coeur quant aux dernières pages. Comme je vous le disais, c'est le dernier tome (qui date de 2023) et pas de suite à l'ordre du jour. En soit, on a une fin, mais un peu ouverte. Un peu comme si on pouvait rebondir sur une autre mission tout comme s'arrêter là. La romance a le droit a son petit moment et la brigade va maintenir le cap. Mais c'est vrai que j'ai pris l'habitude des épilogues (quelques années après) et que j'aurais aimé quelque chose comme ça ici, surtout avec la petite à naitre. Il n'empêche que ça reste une belle fin.

En conclusion, j'ai adoré cette série. Emma est une héroine qui m'a énormément plu, tout comme son couple avec Lukas. J'ai aimé les personnages secondaires auxquels je me suis aussi attachée et je n'avais pas envie de les quitter. Triste que leurs aventures s'achèvent ici.

[Asia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never before wanted a series to be "never ending" nor did I think any were good enough to be, I then read Firebrand.

After the dramatic (and rather unfair) ending of the last book, we join Emma as she desperatly searches for a "cure" for being a Cassandra. She has distanced herself from Lukas, afraid of him finding out, and watching his love for her turn to hate, for a Cassandra is the one supe Lukas can't stand. He believes no one should have the power to know the future, no matter how much (or little) control they have over it. Unfortunately for Emma, things go from bad to worse: a man named Alan Cobain has stepped forward claiming to be the "true" phoenix and that Emma stole his power, she gets framed for murder and everyone's life at Supe Squad is in danger. Someone doesn't like the fact that Emma began digging around a cold case; a goblin went missing in 2010 with almost no leads. Due to it happening at the same time as a Werewolf and Vampire joint murder, there was more pressing matters. But Emma will get to the bottom of this, figure out who is targeting her friends and hopefully not break Lukas's heart when she has to tell him the truth.

Is this it? Is this amazing series really over? It can't be, I refuse to believe this was the last installment I will read for Emma and Lukas and everyone else...
Unfortunately, it is true. This was the ending, and I was reeling from it for quite some time. Not because of how it had ended, but purely because it had.
However, for this to be the last adventure with this amazing cast of characters, Helen pulled out all the stops.

I was on tenterhooks reading this book, resisting the urge to devour it all in one sitting, I very easily could have (and gotten no sleep). I managed to make it last a whole three nights. There was a certain conversation between Lukas and Emma I was dying to read (you should know the one I'm referring to if you've read this book) "oh yeah I gained the power you absolutely despise which is to see into the future which is why I ran away when you proposed, and I'm carrying your baby" so I kept scanning ahead chapters going "when is Lukas making an appearance, can I stay up to read that far?" It kept getting delayed and I wanted to scream, but when we finally got it, I couldn't have been happier.

Along with wanting this conversation so desperately, and having Lukas back in the picture again, I loved how this book developed. I was as shocked and saddened to hear of the attacks on the other Supe Squad members as Emma was, and it made me smile seeing the Supernatural community come together to support Supe Squad. It's such a drastic difference to what Emma inherited in book one. I knew nothing was going to stop Emma, and Lukas would always be by her side.

‘Leave him be.’
‘Emma…’
I was going to have to be more specific. I cleared my throat. ‘I want him here.’

His gaze held mine. ‘I’ll always wait for you, D’Artagnan.’

Since there had to be an ending to this series, I couldn't have picked a better one. But it deeply saddens me that it has to end. I have never before gone back to re-read a series immediately upon finishing the last book, but that's exactly what I did here, that is how much I don't want it to be over. There could have easily been more books to come; Emma can't die, Lukas is highly unlikely to die as vampire lord they're about to have a baby! and there was no over-arching plot aside from delving deeper into the Supernatural community, every book was a plot and crime to solve in and of itself. But I'm going to have to face the fact that it is over, after I have finished binge re-reading them all, that is.

[Artemissia G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rien ne va plus pour Emma dans cette suite et fin de série ! Elle est la première suspecte sur un nouveau meurtre. Elle a acquiert également un nouveau pouvoir que Lukas déteste et en plus quelqu’un l’accuse de lui avoir volé ses pouvoirs de Phénix.

J’ai lu ce roman d’une traite ! Malgré des évènements dramatiques, Emma garde la force et le courage d’avancer et de se battre quoi qu’il arrive ! C’est une excellente héroïne que j’ai adoré suivre sur 7 livres.
Lukas est un héros parfait, un green flag qui, malgré tout, soutien Emma dans toutes les épreuves qu’elle va traverser.

Emma Bellamy avec ce 7e tome me conforte dans l’idée que cette série fait partie de mes préférées de l’autrice. J’ai kiffé ma lecture même si j’ai été triste de la voir s’achever (trop vite).
Même s’il y a une fin… cela reste une fin ouverte, mais je ne la déteste pas, car elle représente vraiment l’histoire dans sa globalité. Et Emma, reste Emma du début à la fin.

Si vous recherchez une bonne série en urban fantasy, qui tient la route avec des enquêtes sympas et solides… Foncez ! La plume de l’autrice est addictive et nous offre un univers et des personnages hauts en couleur avec lesquels on s’attache bien vite.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last book in the series and it didn’t disappoint. Max took way to long to speak to Lucas and tell him about her new powers but once she did it assuaged the fears she had and her reasons for leaving. This was a fast paced story as usual as someone is setting up Max and doing a pretty good job of it. It seems they are picking of the members of Supe squad one by one and leaving Max defenseless to help. All the while she’s investigating the 13 year old disappearance of a gremlin that she’s sure was murdered and is somehow tied to how troubles. In this final book it was great to see some threads tied up, resolutions for some favorite characters (Buffy), and the supernatural world banded together to support Supe squad. I do wish there was more of an epilogue of tgem a few years later, but oh well.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of an era! I remember reading all 5 first books in a week when I wanted to hide way from my thesis and the world. The story was just so interesting and well written I couldn’t stop! That first book still leaves speechless when I think of that masterpiece.
This one did not disappoint either. And I love how I new a bit before the main character who the guilty person was ihihi.
Oh well now on to a new book.
This is a great supernatural/detective book for fans of mistery with supernatural creatures and a lot of great people/characters!

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0

*Thoughts*

Fortune's Ashes, by author Helen Harper, is the Seventh and apparently final chapter in the Firebrand series. Detective Constable Emma Bellamy, who works for the Supe Squad keeping the peace between werewolves, vampires, and other paranormals, is not exactly a happy camper. Not when she was passed the powers of the Cassandra by the former Cassandra as she was dying and now she is having flashes of shocking, obscure, confusing, and frightening prophecies.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Maria Laguna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author did an amazing job with this series! I loved the spin-off books as well. I fell for all the characters, and they were well portrayed, this final book was such a treat. Plot twists and beautiful friendships. I'm sure there could have been one or two more books, but this ending was perfect. I'm excited to reread the series in the future. Intoxicated on happiness 😍💗🥰

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice finish to the series. It was really fast paced, with a lot going on. The new phoenix, Emma's relationship problems, the Cassandra power, an unrelated cold case... I liked how it all wrapped up.

[letter_passion · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5✨| Ehrlich gesagt bin ich jetzt ein bisschen traurig, dass die Reihe vorbei ist. Wie auch schon die Teile davor mochte ich auch den letzten Band seeehr gerne, jedoch muss ich sagen, dass vor allem der Streit in ihrer Beziehung etwas unnötig erschien. Auch das Ende hat mich nicht 100%ig befriedigt, aber nichtsdestotrotz eine meiner liebsten Reihen der Autorin!

[Samah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the series.
Fun and short and such a light read. All in all very good.

[Cindy (motsetgourmandises) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

[Anca Antoci · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, I think Fortune's Ashes was the best book in the series. I wonder if this is the last instalment in Emma Belamy's adventures, or just the latest. It provides a fitting and satisfying conclusion to the Firebrand series. It wraps up many of the ongoing storylines while leaving room for potential future adventures.
The plot is complex and engaging, with numerous twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. I honestly didn't know who the culprit was until Emma found out.
This is another good mystery, solving a cold case while trying not to get in trouble.
It has the usual mix of happiness, sadness, surprises, humor, great characters, and a great story I came to expect from Helen Harper. If you enjoy urban fantasy with strong female leads, intriguing supernatural creatures, and a healthy dose of action and romance, you'll love the Firebrand series.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot believe that this series is over!!! I really enjoyed the books. i liked the characters, the cases, the love story!! Every time I picked up the new installment it felt like coming home in a way.
This was such a great genre mix and I have to say I really loved the series I read from Helen Harper so far (I also read the "Lazy Girl's Guide to Magic/ Hex Files Series)

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this series a lot but am left feeling unsatisfied by this conclusion. Based on the description I thought we were going to understand where her powers came from. Instead there is manufactured drama which tests her relationship. Idk it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t my favorite for sure.

[Cinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 4/5⭐
𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝖴𝗋𝖻𝖺𝗇 𝖥𝖺𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗌𝗒 / 𝖬𝗒𝗌𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗒
𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘: 𝖲𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌
𝗔𝗚𝗘: 𝖠𝖽𝗎𝗅𝗍
𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬: 🟡
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
𝖢𝗈𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗉𝗍 𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖺: 4/𝟻 🤔
𝖯𝗅𝗈𝗍: 3/𝟻 📖
𝖶𝗈𝗋𝗅𝖽 𝖡𝗎𝗂𝗅𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀: 3/𝟻 🌎
𝖶𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀: 4/𝟻 📝
𝖯𝖺𝖼𝗂𝗇𝗀: 3/𝟻 ⏱
𝖫𝖾𝗇𝗀𝗍𝗁: 3/5 📏
𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌: 3/𝟻 👥
𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾: 2/𝟻 ❤️
𝖲𝗉𝗂𝖼𝖾: 1/𝟻 🔥
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 / 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘:
🧛 𝖵𝖺𝗆𝗉𝗂𝗋𝖾
🕵️ 𝖣𝖾𝗍𝖾𝖼𝗍𝗂𝗏𝖾
🏰 𝖯𝗈𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗅 𝖨𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗂𝗀𝗎𝖾
💞⌛ 𝖲𝗅𝗈𝗐-𝖡𝗎𝗋𝗇
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:
I was happily surprised by the last book. The story was intriguing and the new character developments quite interesting. It's a satisfying ending to an enjoyable series.
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬: Emma was framed for the murder of a human who pretended to be the phoenix and was suing her for defamation. The others from Supe Squad are in the hospital, after someone manipulated their car. Emma uses her new powers as a Cassandra and with the help of her friends finds the culprit. It was the nice bodyguard from the hotel, who killed two supes decades ago, and wanted to stop the Supe Squad from investigating this cold case. Emma and Lukas married and are expecting their child.
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: 👩 Emma Bellamy: detective, phoenix, Cassandra
👨 Lukas/ Lord Horvath: leader of the vampires
𝖲𝗂𝖽𝖾 𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌: Fred and Liza (colleagues at Supe Squad), Dr. Laura (pathologist), Lucinda Barnes (Emma's boss), Deverau Webb (gang leader, sick niece, wolf)
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗕𝗨𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: In a world where humans and supernaturals balance is threatened, and only the Supernatural Squad can keep the peace, Emma has to take the place of a Supe detective.
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝖶𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝖨 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗎𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌? ✔️
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖻𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗋? ✔️
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝖽? ✔️
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
𝗧𝗪 / 𝗖𝗪: grief, Graphic Death, Murder, Gore, Toxic relationship, Suicide
✦•····························••····························•✦•····························••····························•✦
Firebrand Series
𝟏. Brimstone Bound: 3.5⭐
𝟐. Infernal Enchantment: 4⭐
𝟑. Midnight Smoke: 3⭐
𝟒. Scorched Heart: 4⭐
𝟓. Dark Whispers: 3⭐
𝟔. A Killer's Kiss: 3⭐
𝟕. Fortune's Ashes: 4⭐

[Becket Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad to See This Magical Series End

I’ve loved all seven books in the Firebrand series by Helen Harper. Her heroine, DC Emma Bellamy, is a sheer delight, and her handsome vampire lover, Lord Lukas Horvath is properly edgy and yet utterly devoted to his Sup Squad police woman.

From the beginning, when Emma is the newest member of the sup squad, she is thrust into a world of intrigue and danger, dealing with the sudden death of her supervisor and inheriting Talulah, his suspiciously sentient automobile, and making herself the best investigator she can be, all while working against the rampant, anti-Sup-Squad prejudice from both London’s human and supernatural communities.

Emma’s tragic past impinges upon every aspect of her life. She needs to find out how she came to be found as a young child, the lone survivor of terrible violence that made her an orphan. Her present depends on her past. The mystery there, unexamined and dormant for years, must be reopened like the cold case it is.

The first several novels explore Emma’s past as it connects to the present, and with her first sudden death, Emma learns she is as supernatural as the citizens she serves and protects. How? She rises again twelve hours after her own murder. She is a phoenix, the only one on Earth. In the next novels,

Interesting cases land at Emma’s desk, and intriguing evil-doers find that going up against a law-enforcing Phoenix with a lord-of-vampires boyfriend is a woeful mistake. Every case she tackles gives readers more insight into the world of supernatural London, and each book gives us a few additional characters with which the author fleshes out Emma’s world.

Book seven in the series, Fortune’s Ashes, starts off with a bang: Emma’s very identity is challenged in two ways: first, there is a man who very publicly plans to sue her for identity theft(!), because he claims to be the world’s only phoenix. And then, second, there the even more distressing issue of Emma’s new supernatural “gift”: she is now living through flashes of shocking, obscure, confusing, and frightening prophecies. She has, it seems, inherited the Cassandra talent from a dead seer—and Cassandras are the one type of sup that Lukas cannot abide. She cannot bear to see his devotion shift to revulsion. She tells him their relationship is over.

Things in Emma’s life often go sideways, and soon there are accidents, fires, and malfeasance that she must unravel and put to rest in order, alongside her erstwhile boyfriend and a coterie of quirky coworkers and werewolves and vampires, to solve the case, which is all intertwined, and secure her own happily ever after.

These novels are truly fun to read, fast-paced, amusing, suspenseful, and full of likable (and a few exasperating) characters. I heartily recommend this series—books one through seven— to anyone looking for an enjoyable fantasy-in-the-real-world reading experience.

[raya_reads_love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spannende Fortsetzung um Emma und Lukas

Emma und Lukas sind wieder da und schon wieder gibt es einen neuen spannenden Fall zu lösen.
Dieses Buch ist so spannend und flüssig geschrieben, dass ich es in einem Schwung durchgelesen habe. Man bekommt Einblicke allein aus Emmas Sicht, was aber auch ausreichend ist. Es passiert sehr viel in diesem Seiten und es lohnt sich.
Emma und Lukas haben sich auch weiter entwickelt. Die Chemie zwischen den beiden ist in diesem Buch etwas zahmer, aber trotzdem ist viel Vertrauen untereinander vorhanden.

Fazit:
Spannende Fortsetzung der Reihe.

Klappentext:
Eine neue magische Kraft, eine mysteriöse Bedrohung - unzählige neue Herausforderungen ...
Gerade als die junge Ermittlerin Emma Bellamy denkt, dass sie ihre Vergangenheit und ihre Phönix-Kräfte verstanden hätte, wird ihr Leben erneut durcheinandergewirbelt. Sie hat die Fähigkeit erhalten, kurze Momente aus der Zukunft zu sehen. Nicht nur kann Emma diese magische Kraft nicht richtig kontrollieren, auch ihr Partner, der attraktive Vampirlord Lukas Horvath, ist alles andere als angetan von dieser neuen Entwicklung. Doch als hätte Emma nicht genug damit zu tun, ihre Beziehung zu retten und ihre Zukunftsvisionen zu verstehen, trifft sie auf eine weitere Jemand behauptet, der wahre Phönix zu sein, und wirft Emma Betrug vor. Eine Anschuldigung, die ihre bisherige Arbeit als Ermittlerin infrage stellt und sie vor bisher ungeahnte Herausforderungen stellt ...

Info:
Das ist das 7 Buch in der Reihe, welche sich um Emma und Lukas handeln. Alle Bücher der Reihe sollten der Reihenfolge nach gelesen werden, da nur so die Zusammenhänge verstanden werden.

[Vannessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, even if it was a bittersweet one being the last in this series. It was a great way to end Emma's story though. The plot was brilliant and I honestly had no idea who the culprit was until Emma did to be honest! So many twists and turns and revelations throughout!

After the shocking end to the previous book, A Killer's Kiss, Emma's not in a good situation. Everything in her life seems to be out of her control, so she does what she does best and dives into her work. Only digging into a cold case from several years ago has major repercussions, some with dire consequences for Emma and her team, but it also brings some good back into her life as well. I really felt for Emma as everything seemed to go from bad to worse until the penny finally dropped and she worked out who the perpetrator was!

I loved Emma as a character and I am so glad she sat down and had that chat with Lukas! I love their relationship and how they fit together so well! Buffy was another fun character, with lots of emotions running high with her, but she one definitely a good one to have around! Her conversation with Emma about the "over bearing mother figure" in Fred's life was hilarious!

This is a great series and highly recommended, but it's best to read Emma's story from the beginning as you get to see so much character development and acceptance throughout it all!

Thank you Helen for another fantastic read! I can't read to see what you come up with next! I received an ARC copy of this book from the author, but this review is my own, honest one.

[Alyssa Legendairy’s Dairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid finish to an entertaining series. While not life changing, this series is an easy recommendation from me for anyone looking for crime focused urban fantasy.

Pros: I love the main character and her love interest. Emma is grounded, no nonsense and dogged as a detective. She doesn’t come across as a special snowflake despite her unique situation, and I appreciate the voice given her by the narrator of listening to the audio. Her vampire beau is also a great character, although I wish we got inside his head a bit more often.

I also love the police as the setting for the series. It’s different from most of my other urban fantasy favorites and refreshing.

Although the lore was pretty stock standard, I loved the direction she took with the supes being confined to sections of london, change restrictions for the vamps and werewolves etc. it was a nice reversal when normally the humans are portrayed as being pretty much terrified of and on the weaker end of the spectrum, but here humans felt more like the bureaucratic oppressors which was interesting.

Cons: I mentioned it in my last review but I wish the world felt a bit more.. explored. I sensed the potential for so much more depth from the world Helen Harper created. We got bits at pieces as the overall attitude towards supes changed, but I think I would have liked if each book delved more into a certain supernatural race and their customs and situations.

Content Notes:
Nothing of note in this book.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new power. A new threat. And some very new dangers.
Everything is falling apart. I've been cursed with the ability to catch glimpses of the future. It's a power which Lukas despises but it's one that I can't seem to get rid of. I'm also in trouble at work. Somebody else is claiming that they are the one true phoenix and that my entire existence is built on lies.
At least I have a cold case to investigate which will take my mind off my woes. Investigating the mysterious disappearance of an entrepreneurial gremlin is bound to keep me busy and focused - and surely nothing else is going to go wrong and nobody is going to get hurt.
Right?
Fortune's Ashes is the seventh and final book in the thrilling urban fantasy Firebrand series.

Heather's Notes
First I want to say I think I should have read "License to Howl" first. I hate when an author combines series. When I looked at the reading order it didn't show because I look at the Firebrand series reading order that the Supernatural London reading order. Still it was a good book and I don't think it spoiled too much. I figured out the killer was Max almost immediately after she started putting the piece together (it is never the obvious one). I also don't understand why series also have to end with a pregnancy. There is life without babies. Still I thought it was a good ending, and I will miss these characters.

[Letanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hörbuchrezension

Bei diesem Hörbuch handelt es sich um den 7. und letzten Teil der Reihe. Das Hörbuch ist 7 Stunden und 33 Minuten lang und wird wie immer von Marylu Poolmann vorgelesen. Ihre Stimme passt auf jeden Fall richtig gut.

Ich fand den Anfang etwas verwirrend, denn anscheinend haben sich Emma und Lukas getrennt und daran konnte ich mich gar nicht mehr erinnern. Emma hat direkt an mehren Fronten zutun. Zudem wird sie des Betruges beschuldigt und hat einige Beziehungsprobleme. Die Fälle sind sehr knifflig und Emma beweist mal wieder, wie intelligent sie ist.

Mir hat der 7. Teil wieder unheimlich gut gefallen. Ich mag Emmas nüchterne und sachliche Art mittlerweile sehr gerne. Am Anfang hatte ich so meine Probleme mit ihr, aber mittlerweile mag ich sie sehr.

Mit dem Ende bin ich sehr zufrieden. Ein bisschen kitschig, aber dafür war die restliche Reihe nicht so kitschig. Insgesamt gibt es wieder die volle Punktzahl.

[Nightwitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unsurprisingly, Emma quickly discovers she’s pregnant at the start of the book; and furthermore, Harper has chosen to add a totally ridiculous “Emma is getting sued for a reason that makes no logical or legal sense” plot line. I get it, people think that “Suits” is a documentary and the world has become overly litigious, but it’s frankly just annoying. Emma also goes to ridiculous lengths to hide the fact that she has a new supernatural power, including lying at length during a police investigation, which I frankly feel is firing-worthy - she’s a police officer, she doesn’t get to play the I’m An Urban Fantasy Heroine So Authority Can Suck It card.

That said, Harper knows how to keep a narrative moving and while the book was rarely surprising, it was a fun and easy read with lots of appearances from our favorite side characters.