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The Flame
Despite the stigma against magiks other than the four elemental types, Jeremy Ashe works hard toward a degree in runic studies, navigating his way through family disproval and school clique politics while trying to figure out what he wants to do with the rest of his life. What he never figured on is The Flame, Samuin College’s fire mage prodigy, Marcus Smith. Sparks strike and threaten to raze Jeremy’s plans to the ground. When strange fires begin to burn all over campus, clues point to Marcus. Suddenly life isn’t just complicated, it’s dangerous.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2013
1 person is currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Skylar Jaye
9 books29 followersSkylar Jaye has been writing romance since 2009. She published her first short story with Dreamspinner Press in 2012 and has continued to grow as an author since. Nowadays, she enjoys focusing on fantastical world-building, D/s relationships, and complicated gay couples.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 8, 2013
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
Skylar Jaye is a new author for me, and probably will be for most of you as well. From what I can see, this author only has a couple of short stories in anthologies and The Flame is their first solo publication. In a way, that shows in this book, but I also saw a lot that I liked and overall, I enjoyed reading the book.
Jeremy Ashe is a sophomore at Samuin College, the mage college where almost all magi train. He's a private guy with just a couple of solid friends. He also has a secret… one that involves his family and all the trouble they have brought upon him, simply for being related to them. It's a drag, and so something he has kept secret from everyone. Jeremy is at the college studying runes, though he has an innate wind elemental ability, something that he clashes on in fundamental theory with his family and the general mindset of the magical community. He sees it as another way to work his magic, through the runes he casts rather than using his wind ability directly. And it does show in his versatility. It helps, of course, that he's a pretty serious student, but his arcane course of study is one of the least popular, and in a world where power is measured above all else (including even family lineage), he's seen as an unwanted castoff of a larger system of more important magi.
"The Flame", or better known as Marcus Smith, is a fire elemental and a prodigy at the school. A senior and a TA, he's the most popular guy in school and it isn't really unwarranted. His looks and personality help, of course. But, owing to the nickname, his talent shines above all. He's one of the most powerful fire mages alive in the world, giving him unparalleled choices about his direction in life, though everyone knows that he's going straight to the top. It's enough for the magical community to overlook his non-magical parentage, a rare and sudden ability, especially for one so powerful.
Jeremy and Marcus become acquainted through Jeremy's roommate Aiden and from there begin a slow courtship. Jeremy prefers to stay out of the limelight -- making his feelings for Marcus incredibly ill-fated -- and his history with his family has taught him that he's the unwanted shadow not good enough for someone who burns as bright a talent as Marcus. Their relationship seems doomed to fail, simply because Jeremy believes it so, when the two become caught up in an arsonist mystery around the college.
To be completely frank, this story is a good one, but it could have easily been twice as long with the amount of plot involved here and all the various tangents that were brought in. In the shorter novella format this book is in now, there's simply too much extraneous information that really took away some of my enjoyment in the story. There were several details about the magic that were a bit confusing and stated outright without much explanation as if I'd understand them naturally. And there's a couple of plot threads that fizzle out and don't seem to go anywhere. While reading, I wanted this story to either pare down the detail and give a more streamlined plot to give the story focus and more drive, or either take all that detail and fill in the gaps, making a much longer novel. In that case, I would have enjoyed having that extra detail to flesh out the world, but there wouldn't be a rush to get it all in and the details could settle as the story progressed in a slower pace. A lot of this is really just novice writing issues that will flesh out the more Skylar Jaye writes and publishes, and I don't really hold it against them. Assuming that they are still a novice writer anyway, and that Skylar Jaye isn't a new pseudonym for another author, which you never really know, I suppose. Still, this seems like an author who has good stories to tell, such as this one, but which get a bit bungled up in the execution. I'm looking forward to future stories where Skylar Jaye has a bit more practice in getting the story down. Because more than execution problems that I had with this book, the core story was still interesting and engaging for me. And I had fun reading it. That makes this a solid So So read for me.
Skylar Jaye is a new author for me, and probably will be for most of you as well. From what I can see, this author only has a couple of short stories in anthologies and The Flame is their first solo publication. In a way, that shows in this book, but I also saw a lot that I liked and overall, I enjoyed reading the book.
Jeremy Ashe is a sophomore at Samuin College, the mage college where almost all magi train. He's a private guy with just a couple of solid friends. He also has a secret… one that involves his family and all the trouble they have brought upon him, simply for being related to them. It's a drag, and so something he has kept secret from everyone. Jeremy is at the college studying runes, though he has an innate wind elemental ability, something that he clashes on in fundamental theory with his family and the general mindset of the magical community. He sees it as another way to work his magic, through the runes he casts rather than using his wind ability directly. And it does show in his versatility. It helps, of course, that he's a pretty serious student, but his arcane course of study is one of the least popular, and in a world where power is measured above all else (including even family lineage), he's seen as an unwanted castoff of a larger system of more important magi.
"The Flame", or better known as Marcus Smith, is a fire elemental and a prodigy at the school. A senior and a TA, he's the most popular guy in school and it isn't really unwarranted. His looks and personality help, of course. But, owing to the nickname, his talent shines above all. He's one of the most powerful fire mages alive in the world, giving him unparalleled choices about his direction in life, though everyone knows that he's going straight to the top. It's enough for the magical community to overlook his non-magical parentage, a rare and sudden ability, especially for one so powerful.
Jeremy and Marcus become acquainted through Jeremy's roommate Aiden and from there begin a slow courtship. Jeremy prefers to stay out of the limelight -- making his feelings for Marcus incredibly ill-fated -- and his history with his family has taught him that he's the unwanted shadow not good enough for someone who burns as bright a talent as Marcus. Their relationship seems doomed to fail, simply because Jeremy believes it so, when the two become caught up in an arsonist mystery around the college.
To be completely frank, this story is a good one, but it could have easily been twice as long with the amount of plot involved here and all the various tangents that were brought in. In the shorter novella format this book is in now, there's simply too much extraneous information that really took away some of my enjoyment in the story. There were several details about the magic that were a bit confusing and stated outright without much explanation as if I'd understand them naturally. And there's a couple of plot threads that fizzle out and don't seem to go anywhere. While reading, I wanted this story to either pare down the detail and give a more streamlined plot to give the story focus and more drive, or either take all that detail and fill in the gaps, making a much longer novel. In that case, I would have enjoyed having that extra detail to flesh out the world, but there wouldn't be a rush to get it all in and the details could settle as the story progressed in a slower pace. A lot of this is really just novice writing issues that will flesh out the more Skylar Jaye writes and publishes, and I don't really hold it against them. Assuming that they are still a novice writer anyway, and that Skylar Jaye isn't a new pseudonym for another author, which you never really know, I suppose. Still, this seems like an author who has good stories to tell, such as this one, but which get a bit bungled up in the execution. I'm looking forward to future stories where Skylar Jaye has a bit more practice in getting the story down. Because more than execution problems that I had with this book, the core story was still interesting and engaging for me. And I had fun reading it. That makes this a solid So So read for me.
July 14, 2013
Jeremy is a second year in magic university where he is studying runes, much to the dismay of his family. You never quite get to know until later why this is such an issues, except for the fact that he could be a wind mage if he wanted. Marcus, born of human parents is a fire mage and at the top of his class, known as the Flame, a mini-celeb at school. Jeremy comes across him and the man invites Jeremy out. Despite telling himself he shouldn’t, they start dating. Jeremy knows Marcus will be graduating soon, but he decided to go for it anyway, and he’s one of the few people who isn’t using Marcus to get something from him.
A series of fires start around the school, nearly killing Jeremy’s roommate and when Marcus is arrested for them, Jeremy is forced to go to his grandfather, one of the strongest fire mages, to get help. I liked Jeremy. He knows this likely will end, if not because Marcus finds a more powerful boyfriend or girlfriend, or when Marcus graduates, but he’s determined to enjoy it while he can. He’s someone who appreciates people for what they are not what they can give him. Coming from a powerful family he’s not dazzled by power. You don’t get to know much about Marcus because the story is told from Jeremy’s POV, but he’s a nice guy who wants to prove himself and feels inferior because his heritage is not magical. It’s kind of fun to see a world where magic is not a secret and they watch Harry Potter and makes references to Marcus being a muggle, so it was cute.
A series of fires start around the school, nearly killing Jeremy’s roommate and when Marcus is arrested for them, Jeremy is forced to go to his grandfather, one of the strongest fire mages, to get help. I liked Jeremy. He knows this likely will end, if not because Marcus finds a more powerful boyfriend or girlfriend, or when Marcus graduates, but he’s determined to enjoy it while he can. He’s someone who appreciates people for what they are not what they can give him. Coming from a powerful family he’s not dazzled by power. You don’t get to know much about Marcus because the story is told from Jeremy’s POV, but he’s a nice guy who wants to prove himself and feels inferior because his heritage is not magical. It’s kind of fun to see a world where magic is not a secret and they watch Harry Potter and makes references to Marcus being a muggle, so it was cute.
July 6, 2013
2.5 Stars There are weird jumps in this story that made it difficult for me to follow at times. It feels like there was too much left out and I really didn't feel a connection between the MC's.
July 2, 2013
3.5 Stars
Jeremy Ashe just wants to study his runes. Runic magik isn’t exactly the most respected. Elemental magik is where it’s at. Jeremy’s roommate, Aidan, is majoring in fire magik at Samuin College. He asks Jeremy to turn a paper in for him with his TA, Marcus Smith. Marcus is a magikal prodigy and gorgeous. Okay, that he’s gorgeous has nothing to do with his magik and being around a powerful fire mage isn’t really what Jeremy wants for himself given his somewhat contentious relationship with his family that is comprised mainly of some of the most powerful fire magi in the country. Marcus, however, has decided he wants Jeremy and finally convinces him to go out on a date. Jeremy has a lot of reservations about dating Marcus, he’s popular and well known, he’s even earned the nickname The Flame. Jeremy wanted to be his own person, not known for his famous family nor his famous boyfriend. He finds himself the victim of pranks and even the target of a crazy wind user. Spending time with Marcus makes everything worth it and Jeremy suddenly begins to fear the biggest threat from his relationship is going to be a broken heart at the end of the school year when Marcus is graduated and Jeremy has to return for two more years of schooling.
While Jeremy and Marcus have slowly been falling in love with each other there have been a series of arsons on the campus of Samuin College. Thankfully there has only been property damage. Jeremy and Marcus must navigate their personal relationship drama as their friends narrowly escape burning dormitories. One such personal drama is a direct result of Jeremy’s misunderstanding and low self-esteem. He has a really hard time believing The Flame would be at all interested in a nobody. The kicker is the whole time he’s hiding his own family history from Marcus. After another particularly vicious fire that almost kills Jeremy’s roommate, Aidan, Marcus is arrested on suspicion of being the arsonist. Jeremy wastes no time in going to all the people from whom he expects the least help to not only save his boyfriend but protect the campus and the students from the real arsonist.
There is a great sense of fate controlling our lives despite our wishes in this story. It’s almost Grecian. Jeremy does his best to run from powerful fire magi only to run into the arms of one. In addition to that Jeremy learned a lot about his family history. We were given a look at what Jeremy’s life could have been under different situations. Despite great family pressure Jeremy was allowed to study as he chose. Not everyone from his clan was so lucky.
There was some interesting social commentary in this book. Jeremy was running from his family name and prestige. He was desperate to make his own way. Marcus was from a non-magikal family trying to make a name for himself in the magikal world. Each had what the other wanted yet didn’t want for themselves. There was also prejudice against non-elemental magik users, as though those who perform a necessary function for society could be deemed less worthy than those that performed a more glamorous function. All in all it made for interesting and original world building.
Faye's review can also be found at Live Your Life, Buy The Book
Jeremy Ashe just wants to study his runes. Runic magik isn’t exactly the most respected. Elemental magik is where it’s at. Jeremy’s roommate, Aidan, is majoring in fire magik at Samuin College. He asks Jeremy to turn a paper in for him with his TA, Marcus Smith. Marcus is a magikal prodigy and gorgeous. Okay, that he’s gorgeous has nothing to do with his magik and being around a powerful fire mage isn’t really what Jeremy wants for himself given his somewhat contentious relationship with his family that is comprised mainly of some of the most powerful fire magi in the country. Marcus, however, has decided he wants Jeremy and finally convinces him to go out on a date. Jeremy has a lot of reservations about dating Marcus, he’s popular and well known, he’s even earned the nickname The Flame. Jeremy wanted to be his own person, not known for his famous family nor his famous boyfriend. He finds himself the victim of pranks and even the target of a crazy wind user. Spending time with Marcus makes everything worth it and Jeremy suddenly begins to fear the biggest threat from his relationship is going to be a broken heart at the end of the school year when Marcus is graduated and Jeremy has to return for two more years of schooling.
While Jeremy and Marcus have slowly been falling in love with each other there have been a series of arsons on the campus of Samuin College. Thankfully there has only been property damage. Jeremy and Marcus must navigate their personal relationship drama as their friends narrowly escape burning dormitories. One such personal drama is a direct result of Jeremy’s misunderstanding and low self-esteem. He has a really hard time believing The Flame would be at all interested in a nobody. The kicker is the whole time he’s hiding his own family history from Marcus. After another particularly vicious fire that almost kills Jeremy’s roommate, Aidan, Marcus is arrested on suspicion of being the arsonist. Jeremy wastes no time in going to all the people from whom he expects the least help to not only save his boyfriend but protect the campus and the students from the real arsonist.
There is a great sense of fate controlling our lives despite our wishes in this story. It’s almost Grecian. Jeremy does his best to run from powerful fire magi only to run into the arms of one. In addition to that Jeremy learned a lot about his family history. We were given a look at what Jeremy’s life could have been under different situations. Despite great family pressure Jeremy was allowed to study as he chose. Not everyone from his clan was so lucky.
There was some interesting social commentary in this book. Jeremy was running from his family name and prestige. He was desperate to make his own way. Marcus was from a non-magikal family trying to make a name for himself in the magikal world. Each had what the other wanted yet didn’t want for themselves. There was also prejudice against non-elemental magik users, as though those who perform a necessary function for society could be deemed less worthy than those that performed a more glamorous function. All in all it made for interesting and original world building.
Faye's review can also be found at Live Your Life, Buy The Book
July 3, 2013
3 1/2 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
Jeremy has gone against family approval by turning his back on elemental magic for the more mundane runic studies, navigating his way through college while hiding his family connections and trying to decide what he wants is all that matters, but his plans are shaken when he meets Marcus. Marcus is the colleges’ fire mage prodigy and everyone seems to want him because of his power, but Jeremy isn’t impressed and sparks strike between them. When mysterious fires are set around campus all the clues lead to Marcus, but Jeremy refuses to believe his love would endanger anyone and sets out to find out the truth.
This is quite a good college setting with magik, disapproving families, proving yourself and discovering love. Jeremy has always been labelled the failure because his core is wind and not fire, to make matters worse he turned his back on his wind core and is studying runes instead, one of the most looked down on magical abilities. Marcus is a fire core prodigal, his parents didn’t have any magic but he is expected to outshine all others of his generation. Jeremy and Marcus don’t expect anything from the other except to be themselves, they develop a great relationship but they both have their own insecurities.
Both the main characters have their own personal demons, Marcus is feeling the pressure of so many expectations and Jeremy the sting of constant disappointment. The story is from Jeremy’s perspective so we get to know him quite well, how he feels about his family and his views on magic. We do get to know a bit about Marcus and he is a genuinely nice guy, his potential hasn’t gone to his head and he just wants someone to want him and not his potential. The danger and trouble that both Jeremy and Marcus find themselves in is interesting and makes from a nice twist, but their relationship is what really pulls this story together.
I want to be able to rave about this story because it’s about magic and hot men but there was just something missing, a spark for me to grab hold of which would woo me into adoring this book. The thing was that Jeremy just didn’t quite have it, I think it would have been much more interesting from Marcus’ perspective. The storyline was interesting with its typical ‘famous family looking down on the relative who is different until he does something that astounds’ and the jealous college mates who turn it dangerous, but the relationship was what kept me reading.
I recommend this if you like magic, college romances, dangerous situations, raving mad jealously and a happy ending.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
Jeremy has gone against family approval by turning his back on elemental magic for the more mundane runic studies, navigating his way through college while hiding his family connections and trying to decide what he wants is all that matters, but his plans are shaken when he meets Marcus. Marcus is the colleges’ fire mage prodigy and everyone seems to want him because of his power, but Jeremy isn’t impressed and sparks strike between them. When mysterious fires are set around campus all the clues lead to Marcus, but Jeremy refuses to believe his love would endanger anyone and sets out to find out the truth.
This is quite a good college setting with magik, disapproving families, proving yourself and discovering love. Jeremy has always been labelled the failure because his core is wind and not fire, to make matters worse he turned his back on his wind core and is studying runes instead, one of the most looked down on magical abilities. Marcus is a fire core prodigal, his parents didn’t have any magic but he is expected to outshine all others of his generation. Jeremy and Marcus don’t expect anything from the other except to be themselves, they develop a great relationship but they both have their own insecurities.
Both the main characters have their own personal demons, Marcus is feeling the pressure of so many expectations and Jeremy the sting of constant disappointment. The story is from Jeremy’s perspective so we get to know him quite well, how he feels about his family and his views on magic. We do get to know a bit about Marcus and he is a genuinely nice guy, his potential hasn’t gone to his head and he just wants someone to want him and not his potential. The danger and trouble that both Jeremy and Marcus find themselves in is interesting and makes from a nice twist, but their relationship is what really pulls this story together.
I want to be able to rave about this story because it’s about magic and hot men but there was just something missing, a spark for me to grab hold of which would woo me into adoring this book. The thing was that Jeremy just didn’t quite have it, I think it would have been much more interesting from Marcus’ perspective. The storyline was interesting with its typical ‘famous family looking down on the relative who is different until he does something that astounds’ and the jealous college mates who turn it dangerous, but the relationship was what kept me reading.
I recommend this if you like magic, college romances, dangerous situations, raving mad jealously and a happy ending.
August 17, 2013
I would call this a cozy fantasy romance, and I mean that in the best of ways. It's a great book to curl up with near a fire (quite apropos, actually) while sipping chocolate. It takes place in a college for the magic arts and the campus setting was familiar and nicely framed the story. Jeremy is an introspective and tenacious student determined to make his magical way on his own. He's chosen to study rune magic, a field considered lowly in a mage hierarchy that prizes flashier elemental magic. The world building is solid and feels natural, as does the magic system. I love how the rune magic has subtle abilities for users to grasp and exploit.
I enjoyed watching Jeremy's gentle romance with Marcus unfold. That Marcus is a powerful fire mage is more told than shown, but that's my one quibble with the book. The mystery and danger of an arsonist on the loose, endangering the campus and dragging Jeremy and Marcus into peril, gave me plenty of tense moments. Oh, and the sex is hot!
If asked what I loved most, I would say the secondary characters. They're well-developed, distinctive and fun. I would love to see more stories where some of these characters and their histories are fleshed out, in particular that of David and the spirit in the gazebo. Fun stuff. This book has everything a reader looking for a love story wrapped in a cozy world of magic. I recommend this book to readers who love magical fantasy, college settings, young love, grandparents in positive roles, strong families, fire as danger, and mysteries.
I enjoyed watching Jeremy's gentle romance with Marcus unfold. That Marcus is a powerful fire mage is more told than shown, but that's my one quibble with the book. The mystery and danger of an arsonist on the loose, endangering the campus and dragging Jeremy and Marcus into peril, gave me plenty of tense moments. Oh, and the sex is hot!
If asked what I loved most, I would say the secondary characters. They're well-developed, distinctive and fun. I would love to see more stories where some of these characters and their histories are fleshed out, in particular that of David and the spirit in the gazebo. Fun stuff. This book has everything a reader looking for a love story wrapped in a cozy world of magic. I recommend this book to readers who love magical fantasy, college settings, young love, grandparents in positive roles, strong families, fire as danger, and mysteries.
July 24, 2013
I won a copy of Flame by Skylar Jaye, a new to me fantasy novelist. The world created in Flame is one where magik is part of the fabric of everyday life. The setting is a college campus, where education and first loves both take place. I enjoyed the author’s nod to Harry Potter and how it is perceived to be fantasy even in this magik-laden world. I also really liked the fact the protagonists did not fall into bed right away, but developed a relationship first. Although the villain was easy to spot, his motivation was not evident and provided a real twist to the story. Flame was a quick, fun read and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy.
June 16, 2015
The plot was a little iffy and there were some corny aspects to this book (with regards to characters and dialogue and plot points), but the relationship was cute and I liked that it started pretty soon in the book so I actually got to see a lot of it.
February 3, 2019
A fun read with college age characters. The school they attend is one for magic and it specializes in different types ex. elemental, shifter, runic, etc. Love/Like at first sight stories are okay and not a always a hit or miss to me so I had no issue with how fast Marcus and Jeremy moved from their first meeting to there next. I liked the chemistry between them and how slow they moved in their relationship. I liked that Jeremy kept things to himself and the climax (fighting point) at the end was a nice surprise as was learning about Jeremy and his family.
July 11, 2016
Meh. It was fine but there wasn't really anything overly interesting about it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews