The Wielders of Power

Flame of Deception #1

by Matt Trevizo

Long ago, when myth and legends were known to be true, the power of the flame resided in all people throughout the land. Now the power is all but forgotten until it awakens once more on a night filled with blood.

Eight years after witnessing the slaughter of his family and the blue flame that emerged from his hand, Ron picked up the pieces of his shattered life and built a new one in Greyland. Over the years, Ron trained in the Arena with his closest friend Grant while waiting for the perfect time to tell Nora how he feels about her. However, the past is not so easily left behind when a stranger arrives to deliver a message. 'If you seek answers, return to where it all began.'

With only the message to guide him, Ron ventures into the world with Nora and Grant to uncover the truth about his past and put an end to the nightmares that plague his mind. What Ron discovers not only forces him to confront his past but sets in motion a series of events that will challenge him, Nora, and Grant at every turn. They will suffer the consequences of every choice they make and learn that the shadows from Ron's past have returned to bring the world and its people to their knees.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction

511 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2023

About the author

Introducing Matt Trevizo - a captivating author and a brave firefighter serving in the United States Air Force. His life has been an incredible adventure, with deployments taking him to various countries and cultures, fueling his passion for storytelling along the way. What began as a simple hobby to fight off boredom has now blossomed into a dynamic writing career, brimming with potential.

One of Matt's defining traits as an author is his love for crafting stories where characters grow and behave like real living people, infusing a sense of authenticity to each character. This commitment to creating genuine and relatable individuals adds depth and richness to his enthralling tales.

Thought-provoking books and narrative-rich video games are his sources of inspiration, and he stays fit through regular exercise, ready for whatever life throws his way. Matt Trevizo's journey is a captivating blend of inspiration and creativity, and the world eagerly awaits the next chapter in this extraordinary storyteller's life.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

A boy's village is pillaged.

Eight years later, he learns that the people responsible are still around, and traipses through a fantasy world to find them and make them pay. He can make flames with his hands.

Fairly typical.

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This starts out slowly and builds up as it goes on. A very captivating story with good character building as the story progresses. At the beginning of the book you start our with a couple of young men who have been in school learning the art of fighting. They ate best friends that over a period of 6 yrs have gotten as close as brothers and into their share of mischief. Narrator does a Great job with this story and the characters in this book.

[Erin Keyser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wheel of Time meets Lord of the Rings. Very enjoyable read. Good character development. Fun adventures. Looking forward to the next one.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy in a Goodreads Giveaway. I quite enjoyed reading this.

[_booknerd.4ever_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a good read. It started out slow though it did pick up. I had a hard time reading it but at the same time I couldn’t put it down. The chapters were long and sometimes it was information overload for me. It did have twist and turns I didn’t see coming. The ending was a shocker! I plan to read book 2 if there is one.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book.

[✨ ੈ✩‧April ♡ ʚ♡⃛ɞ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Matt Trevizo’s Flame of Deception presents an ambitious narrative filled with suspense and intrigue, set against a backdrop of betrayal and ambition. While the book has its strengths in concept and atmosphere, it ultimately struggles with pacing and character development, making it a mixed bag for readers.

The plot centers around a complex web of deception, where characters are often not what they seem, and trust is a rare commodity. Trevizo crafts a compelling premise, weaving together themes of loyalty, ambition, and the consequences of deceit. The tension builds nicely throughout the narrative, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover the twists and turns.

Trevizo's writing is vivid, particularly in his descriptions of the settings and the emotional states of the characters. The atmospheric detail draws readers in, creating a palpable sense of urgency and danger. The story is filled with moments that highlight the characters' struggles, allowing for some deeper emotional connections. However, while the plot has potential, it occasionally becomes bogged down by its pacing. Certain sections feel drawn out, leading to moments where the story loses momentum. This can be frustrating, especially when the reader is eager to see how the various threads come together.

Character development is another area where the book falls short. While some characters are intriguing and have the potential for depth, others come across as one-dimensional or lack sufficient backstory. This lack of development makes it challenging for readers to fully invest in their journeys. Additionally, some of the motivations behind character actions could have been explored more thoroughly, adding layers to their complexities.

The climax, while exciting, may feel somewhat predictable for seasoned readers of the genre. The resolution wraps up the main plot points but leaves some threads feeling unresolved or lacking the impact that was built up throughout the story.

Overall, Flame of Deception is a promising read with an engaging premise and vivid writing. Matt Trevizo demonstrates talent in creating an atmospheric world filled with intrigue, but the pacing and character development hinder the overall impact. For readers who enjoy suspenseful tales of deception and are willing to overlook some flaws, this book may still provide an entertaining escape.

[Mike Siedschlag · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a print copy of Flame of Deception by Matt Trevizo in a Goodreads Giveaway.

A "sword and sorcery" type story (one of my favorite genres). The opening entry of a series (I don't see any info as to how many books to expect), The Wielders of Power. And an excellent start it is.

Set in a preindustrial, medieval land our heroes are drawn into a situation in which the "fate of the world hangs in the balance" (my quote, not from the book). The four protagonists: Ron, the leader of the troupe, Grant, his best friend, Nora, Ron's romantic interest (If he can screw up the courage to tell her) and Shaw an older more experienced advisor.

The story is this bands quest to stop an evil practitioner of a long thought extinct power (the Flame). For an epic fantasy I find Flame of Deception to be more intricately crafted than most. The reader is treated to a tale filled with twists, turns, secrets and surprises. This supports my policy of not sharing spoilers; the reader deserves the pleasure of discovering these plot devices for themselves.

A morality tale; Flame of Deception leaves the reader to try and identify the good versus the evil. As in real life these concepts are not so clearly defined as one might think. Deciding where each character falls on the moral continuum is left to the reader. As a reader I appreciate this being left to me. I don't like to be led by the nose through a story.

A couple minor points: first, I don't see a resolution of a particular conflict which is usually a part of a series, each book usually answers some minor part of the overarching plot. Thankfully, there is no cliffhanger to contend with (thank you Mr. Trevizo). Second, and infinitely less important, The name of our main hero "Ron", really, Ron?! He is following in the footsteps of mythic historic figures named Taroth and Thalom. Truly awesome names for epic figures. And now our new epic hero is Ron?!! Oh well, who am I to question the author, it is after all, his story to tell. And I am glad I get to read it, so I'll shut up now.

I truly enjoyed Flame of Deception: The Wielders of Power Book One. If you enjoy "sword and sorcery" tales, I think you will enjoy this first installment of an epic fantasy series.

Enjoy!
Mike

[eiei · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and creativity of the world-building. The character development is another strong point; I felt connected to the main character and invested in their journey.

On the downside, there were moments where the pacing lagged, particularly in the middle, which sometimes made me lose interest. Additionally, a few secondary characters felt a bit underdeveloped and could have used more backstory to really flesh them out.

Overall, this is an engaging start to a promising series with a compelling narrative and rich world. If you enjoy fantasy filled with twists and moral dilemmas, this one's worth checking out!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts with tragedy, which sets the motivation for Ron and for the rest of the story. Alongside Grant and Nora, Ron must face the reason behind the loss of his family eight years earlier. This is an extremely long and descriptive story, featuring romance, betrayal, and self-discovery.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.

[Lynn Bloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do to save a friend or someone you love?

This epic fantasy adventure follows Ron and his group of friends as they navigate the unknown. Love the world building and all the unexpected twists throughout the book. The closer to the end I got the more addicted I became. I really enjoyed this book. This was a Goodreads giveaway! Thank you to the author for this lovely adventure.

[Luke Shockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me from the beginning. If you love story filled lore then this is for you. From the start the detail he took into making the characters and the world seem so real and physical makes you want to keep reading. His style of storytelling kept me wondering what was next as well. I would highly recommend this book to anyone regardless of their preference of genre.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the plot of the book. Interesting magic mechanism. I found the dialog to be a bit forced. I will continue with the series and hope the characters fill out a little and the dialog normalizes.

[Rain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but it was a tad slow in the beginning. However, it picked up and I was hooked. The characters were developed well and grew throughout the story. I loved Taroth and Thalom’s backstory. There was some romance, lots of action, gore, and subtle humor sprinkled throughout.

[Kenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway. It was good it was just kinda slow paced. But I still read the whole thing in 3 days and can’t wait for the second book to come out.

[Melissa Costin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway and quite enjoyed the story. There were however a few too many errors for me to overlook.

[Jessica Hecker]

I really liked the world building of this book. However, the writing style was not my cup of tea and I just couldn’t get into it.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book, loved the story line.

[Yolanda M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the characters in the book and the story the author wrote.

[Courtney Pityer]

I won this in a giveaway

[Mary Homan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far, I am enjoying it. The story is interesting and I am excited to get deeper into the story.

[Word Queen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received a copy in a Goodreads Giveaway. Have not read yet. Review to come soon. Thank you for my copy

[Carol & Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad book to read.