He was left to rot in prison for the murder of his family, she was forced to fight for her freedom, their destinies intertwined in ways they never could have imagined.
But how do you survive in a world where gods and monsters control your fate?
Luna Laurier is the Amazon and Barnes & Noble’s Bestselling author of Of Shadow and Moonlight. She lives in the south with her husband and son on their little farm. She has a Bachelor’s in Business, and when she’s not writing you can find her reading, filming cheesy book humor and bookish cosplay Tiktoks, and buying more books when she already has more than she can read. She is currently working on her debut series, and cannot wait to see where it leads.
~ 3.75 stars I could read 400+ more pages about this world. Can’t wait for the third book in the series! I liked this a lot, but the main series just has a special place in my heart.
This story absolutely ripped out my heart & burned it to ashes. And yet I still know there is so much more heartbreak to come.
Luna’s storytelling only seems to improve. Many of us come from knowing what happens in the main series, Of Shadow & Moonlight- but please know you are not aware of how heartbreaking it all truly is.
This was a beautifully intertwined rollercoaster of emotions. Each moment hold so much meaning. I hold these characters so dearly.
This story is action packed, full of trauma, love, joy , mutual pining, found family and absolute devastation. We weave with them through the years, seeing the past of the main characters, bringing us closer & closer to the end most of us know.
I didn’t want to put this book down & cannot wait for the next part.
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨ 📖: He Who Ignites The Flame (Shadow and Moonlight book 2.5)
We are brought back into a world where monsters, immortals, and gods fight a hidden war. This story delves into Barrett and Thalia’s origin stories and explore how their fates are interwoven throughout the centuries.
He Who Ignites The Flame is the first book in Barrett and Thalia’s duology and Book 2.5 in the Shadow and Moonlight series.
Tropes: 👀 Multi POV 🙅♂️ Reluctant anti-hero 🧑🧑🧒🧒 Found family ⏳ Immortals, fae, gods & goddesses 💫 Magic & magical bonds ⚠️ Love triangle 👹 Mythical creatures 💔 Traumatic pasts 🌶️ open door
While we know their circumstances based on current books, I love how Luna pieces together key events in the time before Of Shadow and Moonlight (Book 1) through multi POVs and timelines. This story is full of so much secret mutual pining, angst, and heartbreak. The way I ran to scream into Luna’s DMs 😩. I recommend reading this after To Ashes and Dust (Book 2) for full emotional impact.
Powerful themes of redemption, self-acceptance, and sacrifice echo throughout the narrative. This book made me fall even more in love with all the characters. While the themes are heavy, there’s also plenty of amazing banter and heartwarming moments.
He Who Ignites The Flame is an emotionally charged and gripping installment in the Shadow and Moonlight series and I cannot wait for the next books!
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC! This is my honest and voluntary review.
He Who Ignites the Flame is a prequel novel to adult paranormal romance series, Shadow and Moonlight. It should be read as book 4 in the series because it does contain spoilers but it ultimately goes back in time to chronicle the journeys of Thalia and Barrett, two key characters and the epic relationship.
While the story moves back and first throughout time the general focus is around Barrett's prison sentence for the death of his family and Thalia's fight for freedom as a child at the hands of traffickers. These two find their lives entwined in ways they never imagined but with fate not on their side is there a chance for a future?
Okay I love this series and I found the lore and backstory interesting in this book...but the romance didn't resonate with me the way the first two books did.
Thalia shows a lot of strength here and I admired that. She is fierce, powerful, and has become a force to be reckoned with. Her journey made me love her more...until the ending where she was such a quick trigger.
Barrett got to show two sides to himself that drew me in from the cocky devilish attitude to the male who loves fiercely. He struggles to accept anything good for himself and it does bite him in the butt.
The side characters were a lot of fun from seeing a lot of original characters. I loved meeting Lucia in a more familiar way as well as Barrett's sister. I think the side characters continued to help flesh out this world for me.
There is spice in this book. I am giving it 5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers not because there is a lot of spice but because of a multi partner scene. There is spice in the early parts (literally the first page) that switches between quickies to characters in an established relationship but the next spicy moment isn't until the 80% mark. It felt that the relationship and romance wasn't the focus here for me. I thought the spice was fun but the connection between the characters wasn't fully there yet.
In terms of the story, I felt we got some pretty great lore, backstories of characters, and growth in our characters. At the same time I was expecting to see more romance and connection - Barrett and Thalia have these moments of glimpse but nothing about their relationship seems to shake them and so when they finally progress somewhere I felt it was more told than shown. I also was a little confused about the one big overarching battle and why it was happening. The trafficking plot was powerful and drew me in alongside Barrett's justice. I was also moved by Lucia but I felt that way because of the set up of the series around that. The ending is cruel as a cliffhanger but I get why they did it.
Overall, I felt this added some elements to the world but the romance wasn't where I wanted it. I adore this series and am excited to get back to Damien and Cassie.
Barrett has wrongfully spent decades in a prison cell after the death of his entire family, but now he’s been granted release and the chance to clear his name. Thalia was taken as a child and forced to fight for decades for her freedom as well. Before they were forced into their fates, the two had briefly met, following a night of great tragedy. Now, the two find themselves together again as members of The Order, though they don’t remember one another.
I’m so glad that we’re getting Barrett x Thalia! While reading the books in the Shadow and Moonlight series, I always wanted to know more about their pasts. I also appreciate that, while it helps to have read the Shadow and Moonlight series, these books can be read as a standalone.
He Who Ignites the Flame had me going through a roller coaster of emotions, in the very best way. Of course we are aware of the events that took place in the past from the main story, but my god, did experiencing their backstories have me sobbing - more than once. Seriously, I hope you have tissues on hand. Part 2 was utterly heart breaking, and then throw in the ending of part 3 and oh my god. So many tears were shed.
Though we already knew the characters, I feel like I just feel deeper in love with everyone through this book. Oh but the side characters during this book - especially from the first 60 years - equally have my heart. So much love for Kish, Rhyas, and Calliope.
There was so much incredible lore and background throughout the book that really adds to the overall Shadow and Moonlight series. All around a wonderful addition to the series!
Thank you so much to Luna Laurier for the opportunity to ARC read He Who Ignites the Flame. All thoughts are my own. 🧡
Since you are here, I presume you have read the previous books. I will not spare you from the possible spoilers. Be warned.
We already know where Barrett and Thalia's story ends and how much hurt that causes, yet this book explains so much of their journey towards each other in a perfect emotional way, with an ending that will shatter you into a million pieces.
It is such an amazing opportunity to see the growth of an author and get to see how her writing gets stronger with each book.
The world-building is perfectly set up and explained with intricate details throughout the struggles of Barrett, Thalia, Lucia, Micah… This is a perfect world expansion of the main story. I also loved how we got to see a bigger picture of the main characters of Of Shadow and Moonlight, but not in a single moment did it hurt the main characters of this story. This is a road you can easily slide off, but the author balanced it perfectly. The only thing that was a bit confusing was the fast time jumps at the beginning, but, very quickly, you get to see why they are important, and they add up so much to the story.
The characters were multilayered, you could see their internal struggle, their need to love and be loved, and there is a thin line between when the emotions take over and the reason is left behind. Everyone's persona was well defined, and it mostly shows through the banter between the characters, which brought even more pain for the end that we knew was coming but still hit pretty hard.
Thank you Luna for giving me an eARC for this book. This review is my honest opinion.
Oh. My. God. Luna! Welcome back to this absolutely delish world, this time we are going back in the past. Back into the world of monsters, immortals, and yes gods fight a hidden war on our world. This time following the story of Barrett and Thalia. Back to the beginning of their origin, their fate that has echoed over centuries.
He Who Ignites the Flame is the start of a novella duology that encompasses Barrett and Thalia, but also adds some much more context and understanding to the story we already know and love. We see so many of our beloved characters but through the eyes of these two lovely people. And while we know the circumstances already based on the current books, Luna has added so much more that adds deeper context to current key events. This story is heartbreaking, Luna so beautifully pulls on all your emotions as you feel the mutual pining, the angst, loss and heartbreak. You will absolutely fall even more in love with these characters as you watch the start of their growth. The pain these characters have endured seems to have been never ending and adds so much more appreciation to their journey from the current timeline. This is a heavy story yes, but there are lighter happy moments that help sway the heartbreak and tragedy.
I will say, you need to read these books in publishing order, they will have the most impact and it is definitely structured this way on purpose. This is another gripping installment and I'm only slightly miffed Luna keeps purposely hurting us especially after the last book, To Ashes and Dust. HOWEVER I am on the edge of my seat to see the next book in my grabby hands.
I can't recommend Luna enough, Thank you so much for the ARC, all reviews are my own.
He Who Ignites the Flame is a vivid and emotionally charged fantasy from Luna Laurier that blends slow-burn romance, political intrigue, and elemental magic into a gripping narrative. I really didn’t think I would love the origin story of Barrett and Thalia, yet I did. From the very first chapter, Laurier’s prose is lush and evocative, pulling you into a richly imagined world teetering on the edge of war and rebellion.
Barrett’s journey—from reluctant royalty of sorts to a figure of heartbreak and purpose—is both compelling and deeply human. Thalia goes through trials only to find love, question that love, think she could have it all, and lose everything. Laurier excels at character development, especially in the layered dynamics between the main leads. Their relationship builds with just the right amount of tension and tenderness, and the payoff is worth the wait and leaves us wanting the next book.
Overall, He Who Ignites the Flame is a beautifully written fantasy with heart, heat, and high stakes. A strong start to what promises to be an unforgettable series.
So Luna Laurier is one of my favorite authors and I have been following her as a writer since the first book in her series came out. Every one of them grabs your attention and pulls you into the beautiful and wonderful world she has created. In this book especially she does it as she expands on the backstories of multiple beloved characters while also helping to grow and build the world in which they live. Just have your tissues ready people because she always delivers beautifully emotional scenes. I am in it til the end with this writer on the journey with her characters no matter how many times she emotionally wrecks me.
Luna did it again, made me loose sleep and break my heart yet again! I absolutely LOVE learning more about Berrett and Thalia and Lucia. Once I started it, I finished it within like 3 days haha.
Luna's writing and storytelling just continues to amaze me. There is so much emotion, joy, pain, and action, I'm left with my heart burned to ashes. Thanks, Hothead haha.
I literally don't know what to say without giving everything away but I loved this book so much. I highly recommend this series and anything Luna writes!
I need more!!!!! You get a bit of Barrett and Thalia's back story and it broke my heart. Truths are uncovered and wrongs are righted as much as they can. Thalia goes back to the pits a place she swore she would never return to, but she does to save anyone she could from the fate she had suffered. You all need to read this amazing series it will stick with you long after you are done reading it.
I keep getting more and more excited about this series the more I read from it. I love the lore, the magic, and the characters even if I dislike some of their choices. I'm so happy to get a glimpse into the past of these characters more, and have some answers to the tension we saw in other books. Can't wait to read more!
Amazing origin story of Barrett & Thalia! I love the story building and the dimension of the characters! Luna has just the most astonishing way of writing that literally tears your heart and souls out then pieces you back together (sort of 😂) I can’t wait to start a reread of the entire series! You won’t be disappointed by her!
4🎇 2 🌶 I'm a sucker for side-character stories and back-stories, so this fit that bill to a T! Loved getting back into this world and getting some insight into 2 characters I loved from the other books. I'm still very much intrigued by the magic and storyline, and can't wait for the next installment. This has likely prompted a re-read of books 1 + 2.
Oh wow. Loved the backstory this book gave. Luna kept the suspense so I knew it was coming but I didn't expect to feel so much emotion. Barrett and Thalia are quickly becoming my favorite characters. Definitely going to reread the entire series now with the new knowledge from this prequel.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an arc.
This book is so good because it gives readers an inside look at Barrett and Thalias back story and adds so much more emotion and feeling to events that occur in the main series. This book is beautifully written and I would recommend the of shadow and moonlight series to all fantasy lovers.
The writing of this story just draws you in and makes you feel all the emotions. I didn’t want to put it down and definitely didn’t want it to end either.
I loved this book. It was such an amazing read to end this year ! I’ve been a fan of the author for a few years. She never disappoints, her writing itself is amazing. She has a reader for life. If she writes it I will read it!
Ooo my heart hurts so good Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2024 I’ve been reading this series since the beginning and I have to say it just keeps getting better and better. I literally couldn’t put this book down and had to finish it in one sitting because it was so good.
Luna did it again what an incredible story. Back story of Barrett & Thalia. Seeing how each of these twos lives intertwined over the years. How the fates twist and change the world around them. Incredible love story, friendship’s that are so much more. I cannot wait for part two!
As always, Luna delivers something extraordinary! She is a masterful storyteller, and this book is beautifully written with a poignant, heart-wrenching depth. 🤧
I absolutely adore everything about this series and Luna is so good at bringing these characters to life. If i could live in this world, I think i just might. Seeing the backstory between Barrett and Thalia was amazing and seeing more about Lucia and Damien was also amazing. And being able to meet and love Micah? The best experience. I can't wait for the next one!
Ahhh the emotions! I’ve really enjoyed this series and every book continues to bring in more characters and backstory to the series. This one continues to do that and I really enjoyed all of the side characters and getting to see some of the characters more fleshed out that we previously seen, but didn’t have as much about them. Barrett is actually one of my Favorite characters in the series and it was fun getting to see how he and Talia get together, however I felt like the connection wasn’t fully there, but I still enjoyed it. But I really enjoyed getting to know more about the history that we didn’t previously have. It was definitely a roller coaster of emotions and this was a great addition to the series. 4.25⭐️
This book. All the heartbreak. All the backstory with Barrett and Thalia… it’s has so much going on. I love the back and forth in time bits so we get to know what’s happening on the past as well as their present. It’s sassy and the banter!! Omg. I loved it even though it broke my heart!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Getting a BarrettxThalia spinoff is everything I have ever wanted since reading Of Shadow and Moonlight. The first book in their duology did not disappoint. It absolutely blew me away. He Who Ignites the Flame gives massive insights into the backgrounds of both Barrett and Thalia and starts off hundreds of years before the first book in the OSaM series. Of course we get to see the quick witted nature of Barrett and the bada$$ side of Thalia that we are used to but underneath that, the reader gets to learn where they came from and the reasons for why they are the way that they are. At times, this book really hurt my feelings, and I was a sobbing mess. This book sure packs a punch (to the heart). I also loved how seamless this book integrates with the main series. There’s definitely a ton of Easter eggs to be found. As I’ve quickly learned throughout this series, everything happens for a reason, even if I don’t understand why in the moment. This book was definitely no exception to that. The twists and turns, along with the powerful and intense emotions throughout ‘He Who Ignites the Flame’ kept me on pins and needles and completely captivated.
I know there’s so much more to come in the second half of this duology and I honestly can’t wait to see what’s to come with these two. Definitely a top read of 2024!! This is undoubtedly my favourite book of the Lunaverse so far.
PS I wrote this pretending that Ch 47 from TAAD doesn’t exist ;)
If you want a book that has you in a constant chokehold and battle with your emotions this is it! This series is it!! Everything in this series holds meaning, every little detail will come back to bite you in the ass no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
The writing is impeccable and constantly leaves you wanting more. You will fall in love with all the characters, feel their pain, their sorrow, their joy.
This series deserves so much more love than it gets.
Ugh my whole heart, Luna really knows how to gut-wretch you and He Who Ignites The Flame, Book 2.5 in the Of Shadow and Moonlight series is no exception.
In this novella, we go back in time to see the dark pasts where Barrett and Thalia come from and how their relationship develops. We get to see Barrett’s sassy side we love, Thalia’s strength and plenty of heartbreak to go around.
I seriously cannot wait to for Book 3 in their series and when we get the second part to their novella in the future.