Fablehouse: Heart of Fire

Fablehouse #2

by E.L. Norry

Unlock the legends. Unleash the magic. Save your home. A gripping story about children finding their power within, with the guidance of the Black Knight from King Arthur's Round Table. Fablehouse is a children's home like no other. Heather and her friends who live here have magic at their fingertips. The children have a powerful friend in Pal, an Arthurian knight who teaches them to harness the powers they find within themselves. But not everyone the children meet is on their side. The children at Fablehouse are the 'Brown Babies', children born to Black American GIs and white British women during the Second World War. Fablehouse is threatened by a care-home inspector who is searching for a reason to close down this safe haven for mixed-race children. The kids and their devoted carer Miss Isolde vow to save their home, but Pal is distracted. He cannot rest until he's completed the quest given to him by King Arthur centuries ago. Can magic help the residents of Fablehouse fulfil their destiny, or will it leave them more excluded from society than ever? Heather can conjure flames from her fingertips but is scared that she will never learn to control its force. She knows that fire can destroy – can she also learn how to make it protect her, her friends and their beloved home?

Genres: Fantasy

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2024

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heart of Fire take a lot of the thinking points and life lessons from the first book to a new depth as Heather and the rest of the residents of Fablehouse attempt to move on from their time in the underworld. Miss Isolde is adamant that the children do not use their powers... which only leads to plenty of moments where their powers are used as the worst possible times.

The dynamic between Heather and her new friends changes as well and I appreciate that Norry showed the complications of friendships between children as they grow up and develop a stronger sense of who they are as a person and what they want from life.

I felt like the final battle was resolved way too quickly and easily given who the "bad" person was, but other than that, this was an enjoyable read and a satisfying follow up to continue the story. While the ending ties up most of the lose ends to have this function as the end to the series, it could definitely also continue.

Olivia Forrest is back and does a good job with the audiobook narration with a MUCH better voice for Pal.

[Victoria Vivente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fablehouse: Heart of Fire is a resonant and powerful sequel that deepens the magic and heart of this essential series. Back at their safe haven, a children’s home for mixed-race “Brown Babies” born after World War II, Heather and her friends face a new threat: a care-home inspector determined to shut Fablehouse down. As Heather struggles to control her newfound ability to conjure fire, and their Arthurian knight guardian Pal is pulled away on an ancient quest, the children must learn that their greatest power lies in their unity and courage.

E.L. Norry seamlessly blends thrilling fantasy with vital historical context, creating a story that is both an exciting magical adventure and a poignant exploration of belonging, prejudice, and resilience. Heather’s journey to master her fire, a metaphor for her own fears and strength, is particularly compelling. The themes of found family and defending your home against those who would see it gone resonate deeply.

A triumphant and heartfelt follow-up that champions inner strength, friendship, and the right to a safe place in the world.

[Jo Gibbons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely story about Heather and her friends that live together at Fablehouse, a foster home. Though unlike any other foster home, Heather and her friends have magic, that came to them after adventures in the first book.

This sequel didn't disappoint, a heartening adventure, with some serious parts, to remind us how coloured foster children were treated after the war finished.

[Nova]

Where book 1 was full of whimsy and magic, this book didn’t have the same vibe, Heather in this book was back to how she was at the very beginning of book 1, angry and standoffish to everyone. All the characters lost all the growth from book one and they all came across as bratty.

Even using their powers to cause intentional chaos.

[Lusanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leuk en spannend boek vol magie. Aanrader voor kinderen vanaf 10 jaar.

[Lily Golding · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot but it didn’t blow me away like the first one did. It was nice though to return to Fablehouse and the adventures of the Roamers.

I felt this one was less adventurous than the last. The first book had them going into the Fae feld to rescue their home, whereas this one they stayed at home and fought their adversaries in their own backyard. While it was still a dramatic ending, I maybe missed that adventure a bit.

I liked seeing the friction between the children in this book. While I enjoy the found family aspect a lot, children aren’t always very nice to one another and it was good to see this reflected in the book, especially with Heather’s growing power being quite scary for not just those around her, but Heather herself.

I really think this is just such a great series for those looking for diversity in the 9-12 age group. This one especially built on the struggles between Fablehouse and the town they live in and the racism that the villagers would have held at that time, in a way that gets the point across without being too uncomfortable for younger readers.

Looking forward to seeing what happens to the Roamers next time!

I received this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Cross posted to thewhisperingofthepages.co.uk