The Forgotten Flame

by Brilynn O'Neal

The Forgotten Earth Series is a series of interconnected standalones.


A forgotten magic

A lost civilizationAn impossible choice

Solana is the daughter of two of the most powerful people in the world, and older sister to brothers with powers akin to the Gods. Solana, however, has none of their power. She can only conjure a small blue flame that can barely light a candle, and suffers from an excruciatingly painful ability to read people's thoughts. Because of her inability to control her magic, she’s been hidden away from the outside world for the last twenty-three years.

When a mysterious threat from overseas has her family leaving her behind, Solana becomes determined to discover the key to her magic. But everything is not as it appears, and when her family's mission goes terribly wrong, Solana is forced to forge her own path forward to protect those she loves.

She embarks on a journey across the sea, accompanied by a mysterious sailor charged with keeping her safe. Her goal is to use her mind-reading powers to gain more information about the force threatening to topple the peace her parents fought so hard to create.

The journey is wrought with unforeseen obstacles, a lost civilization, ancient curses, an unexpected love, and magic beyond what Solana could have imagined. Can she unlock her power and find the threat in time to save those she cares about most? Or will a new order on Earth begin?

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy

440 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2025

About the author

Brilynn O’Neal lives in California with her husband, three children, two dogs, two cats, ten chickens, and lots of honeybees. When she’s not writing spicy, emotional stories, she’s outside soaking up nature and saving bees.

Follow her on Instagram, Tiktok, Threads, and Pinterest @forestsandfantasy

Reviews

[Amanda Hopwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew that was a ride!
Book two in the Forgotten earth series

In this one we see Solana, Willow and Liams daughter from book one , discover what her magic really is . Mix in a unique love triangle; a curse, and you have one amazing adventure of self discovery and love

[eclecticbychoicereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilynn's Forgotten Earth, the first book in her dystopian series of interconnected standalones, introduces us to a world nearly destroyed after being abused by humans for countless generations (sounds familiar?). A world where society has descended into chaos, depravity, and cruelty. A world where books are forbidden, knowledge is banned, and yet there are still those who crave it. And those will be the ones to restore it.

The Forgotten Flame follows the next generation, mainly Solana, the oldest daughter and the wielder of the mythical blue flames. Solana sets out on a mission that turns out to be a lot more dangerous and deadlier than anyone could have imagined. A mission that will uncover secrets, betrayals, hidden truths, and hidden worlds. A mission where she will find friends, fight foes, and discover the meaning of true love and devotion.

I was so sure I knew how the story would end. But I was wrong, so, so wrong. Brilynn found a way to break and unbreak my heart, to simultaneously crush my hopes and revive them. She found a way to my soul, a way to my mind, and a way to my most inner thoughts.

You could read The Forgotten Flame and be amazed. But trust me, allow yourself to meet and fall in love with Solana's parents first. Immerse yourself in the story of a dying world and the people who will cure it with hope and love. You'll thank me later.

Thank you, Brilynn, for having me as your ARC reader once again. It's always a pleasure and a privilege.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of "The Forgotten Flame" starts out slow. It takes time to introduce the main female character, Solana, and the mystical world she lives in with her blessed family. Anyone would be lucky to be in her situation. 2 loving parents with 2 overprotective brothers looking over her. Even her house has a personality that is playful with her out of love. Life is a cruel mistress sometimes though, and the world begins changing, causing Solana's family to have to face it head on. Her life then becomes a whirlwind of adventure. Experiences she could have only dreamed of.

Overall, the story was a great adventure. It had ups and downs, moments that I didn't know what to expect. It had some sadness, some sweetness, some humor, some frustration. Solana with Kai made sense too. It was slowly set up in a way that felt organic and gave the characters time to make decisions. Where I struggled was the extra characters, there were so many to keep track of, it had me lost a few times. I felt as well that the motivation for the enemy was shallow yet weirdly personal to Solana in a way that didn't make sense for the majority of the book. Eventually it was pieced together but I was befuddled enough, by then I really just rolled my eyes and didn't believe it. Not that I didn't like reading, mainly these moments pulled me out immersion of the fantastical world.

Very character driven. Solana was very well done and her journey was lovely to follow.

[Theresse (Tess) Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

—Beta Review—

Stars: 4.5/5
Spice: 1.5/5

Brilynn’s sequel to The Forgotten Earth delivers on every level; it was an emotional, action-packed journey that hit just as hard, if not harder, than the first. Solana was a phenomenal protagonist; watching her step into her power and grow in confidence was both empowering and deeply satisfying. The dynamic between Solana, Kai, and Mouse was also a standout; Mouse’s levity perfectly balanced Kai’s grumpy intensity, and their camaraderie added heart and humor to the story. The plot was fast-paced, beautifully written, and hooked me from the very first page. Even in its unfinished form, as this was a beta read, this book left a lasting impression. Simply put: emotional damage, in the best way possible.

Tropes Include:
Forced Proximity
Ancient Prophecy
Grumpy x Sunshine
Touch Her & ☠️

[GheridenTheBookBard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forgotten Flame by Brilynn O’Neal was everything I hoped it would be and more. From the first chapter, it pulls you right back into the world of fire, magic, and legacy, and refuses to let go. It struck the perfect balance of emotion, action, and growth.

Sol Valerius, the daughter of Willow and Liam from book one, steps into her own story here, and I loved every minute of it. Growing up under the weight of her parents’ legend, Sol’s fight to define herself feels both powerful and deeply personal. She’s fierce, determined, and flawed in the best ways, which makes her easy to like. Watching her wrestle with who she is and what her magic means kept me completely invested.

The pacing is quick and engaging from start to finish. It keeps the tension high, but still allows moments of reflection and emotional depth. Each chapter builds momentum, and before you know it, you’re completely lost in the world again.

Speaking of the world, the world building here continues to shine. Brilynn O’Neal layers her magic system and lore with care, giving the story a rich sense of history and consequence. Sol’s connection to fire and her instinctive grasp of power make her perspective thrilling to follow, and every scene feels purposeful and alive.

The Forgotten Flame delivers exactly what you’ve been waiting for. It honors the legacy of Willow and Liam while giving the next generation their chance to burn bright. The ending lands beautifully, leaving the reader fulfilled but eager for what comes next. Brilynn O’Neal has crafted another heartfelt, fiery fantasy that proves why this series is such a standout.

[Samantha Kert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spice rating: 🌶️ 🌶️

This book was very interesting and the magic system isn’t something you see in books everyday! This book is a sequel to The Forgotten Earth and can be read as a standalone! I liked how I was kind of able to piece together what happened in the first book based on context in this story. I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, the slow burn romance, and the very complex magic system!

However, There were some parts in the story that fell flat. The pace felt like it was flip flopping between slow and fast but then it sped up just after halfway. At times I felt like the writing was slightly cringy and needed to be more adult novel like. It definitely took awhile to connect with the characters. What really bugged me was how the last few chapters and ending were so rushed I felt like I got whiplashed. It would’ve been great if at least the last two chapters weren’t rushed!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing an eARC! All opinions are my own!

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tropes: Prophecy, Forced Proximity

Spice: 3/5

Unfortunately, I have nothing good to say about this book. I will do my best to keep this constructive as I do not want to harm my relationship with this publisher. I am also going to commend the author now for writing a book; that is not an easy feat and should be admired. When reading this book, I sincerely hoped this was the first draft. I am remiss to find out that it is already out in the world.

The summary of this book is somewhat misleading and I highly recommend reading the first book. This should NOT be read as a standalone. Our FMC has the gift of telekinesis, control over bees, blue flames, and great artistic skill. She is the oldest sister to two younger brothers, both of whom have fire capabilities as well. We are aware that their parents are great leaders, their mother in particular has vast healing and earth powers. While the family has been trying to revitalize the world around them, an unknown force has been wreaking havoc. They agree that they need to meet this force head on, but need to split up to accomplish this task. The FMC is sent by boat to an island with the hope to find answers. Thankfully, she must travel by boat with our MMC, a broody, tattooed, olive skinned man that smells of jasmine and the sea. They make it to the island, but instead of finding answers, they find immediate danger and more questions than they could have imagined.

This book is being marketed as an adult romantasy novel. It lacks a lot of creativity, exposition, proper grammar, and general pacing for it to read as an adult novel. I would recommend removing the two sex scenes and marketing this as a YA novel (at least make them fade to black moments). I am also happy to read fade to black scenes within adult novels. The two intimate scenes that were depicted were unimaginative, poorly paced, and left me feeling dumbfounded.

In regards to the pacing, it was horrific. Time passed so freaking quickly that I could not keep up with any timeline or what events were important. In one chapter along, we start with a two year time gap, jump ahead one week, and then cover another full year in a paragraph. The events that had happened within those time frames could have filled two hundred pages at least. Instead, they were mere sentences with zero emotional response. For example, in those two years, her entire family goes missing. She does not dwell on their disappearance or grieve or imagine what may have happened. She just goes back to the training ring like she has been doing every single day.

The FMC herself acts as if she is fifteen instead of twenty five. She is either throwing around snarky comments, yelling at someone, or wailing on her knees. The emotional rollercoaster was annoying and resulted in her coming off as a brat. She is meant to be a leader or at least someone special, but I just wanted to shake this character and tell her to shut up. All other side characters were one dimensional, whether they were her family or the enemy or her love interest. I guess I could see an argument being made that the MMC had some trauma and grew as a person, but he was also displaying a wide array of emotions upon meeting him. There was conflict between the FMC and MMC, but I did not feel tense or anxious as the reader.

Referring back to the pacing and lack of emotional response, I wanted there to be a lot more internal dialogue from the FMC. Her thoughts were simple sentences or loooooonngg run on sentences, but both lacked substance. Her brother was literally stabbed in the chest (he survives) and she may have had one paragraph to be in shock. Other than that, we jump forward in time with zero reflection. She is assaulted in the cabin of a boat and there are no lingering nightmares or fear of men. She may flinch one single time when a man steps towards her, but there is no trauma. Her friend has been tortured, has cuts along her face, is chain up in an enemy's tent, and has missing fingers. But while our FMC rescues said friend and visits in the morning, there is no mention of missing appendages or asking about her welfare. No, they just have a quick hug and talk about the upcoming party. The friend also mentions the love interest but that friend has never met the man! How is this possible?

Numerous plot points are dropped throughout the story. Characters are introduced and then never heard from again. They do not even serve a real purpose, more just to allow for some sarcastic remarks from one character. I was looking forward to some undead creatures; they were mentioned and we may have seen some of them, but they were never brought up or seen again. The bad guys were surrounded by wild animals during an important battle, whatever happened to them? Did the die? Did the animals just walk away? Where was that resolution?

In terms of grammatical errors, this book is written primarily in the past tense but numerous chapters were in present tense. There was a lack of adverbs and a lot of sentences ended in prepositions. Apostrophes were incorrectly used many times as well, sometimes appearing when a word was in the plural form but not appearing in terms of ownership. I also came across numerous double periods.

Another major thing to note is that seven side characters have names starting with the letter A. That was not confusing at all. There is also the 'Fair Folk' versus the 'Fire Folk.' Repetitive words and phrasings make up a majority of this writing. The characters are consistently gasping, the only insult is 'bitch' and the scent of Kai is always the exact same sentence.

I am also highly confused about the world of this book. I imagined this to be a fantastical world as the map suggests and I admit that I incorrectly assumed that the women wore dresses or pants. Our FMC wears a tee shirt and shorts to bed. There is mention of a side character repairing tech, but there is zero elaboration on that technology. If everyone fights with swords and arrows, where the hell did the bullets come from? When undressing, our FMC sometimes references to the band around her chest. But later in the book, she openly refers to her bra. What are the fashion and technology rules in this story?

I am also very confused as to the numerous references to Celtic mythology. For the first third of the book, there is zero explanation of magic or its history or any type of culture. I will happily read an urban fantasy novel as long as I know the world and the rules. So if Celtic mythology is the basis of this story, please expand upon that within the first few chapters. If this is something that is established within the first book, that further solidifies that this is a sequel, not a standalone.

In full honesty, this reads as a prompt for AI that combines "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros, "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas, "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien, and "A Court of Silver Flames" by Sarah J. Maas. I am not accusing the author of using AI, only that this level of writing is consistent with AI.

[Ashley M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to the world of The Forgotten Earth with The Forgotten Flame was an emotional and exciting journey!

This story takes place years after book one, and the main character, Solana, is the daughter of the main characters from book one, Willow and Liam. I loved this shift in time/characters, and that we still get to see characters from book one even though the perspective and time has changed.

Sol goes on her own journey in this story, both internally and externally. What she finds when she travels across the ocean, she finds more than she ever thought she would. The worldbuilding in this one expands into a new world, and I loved all the new places, characters, and the story of the lost civilization.

The magic system is interesting, and I loved reading Sol's journey in understanding her magic and coming into her power. I really enjoyed how this story went, and the ENDING was crazy! I need more, immediately.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this second installment of The Forgotten Earth series!

This is an interconnected standalone, with the FMC Solana being the daughter of the Willow and Liam, our MCs from The Forgetting Earth. I loved the little touches and cameos of previous characters, and even old locations, bringing a little more depth to the story. They've continued their mission of healing the Earth, but there are more deterrents they must fight against. And despite Sol's limited magic, she is the one needed to go out and help her friend who doesn't come back when expected. The journey for Solana to discover her power and control it was amazing!

The tension between Solana and Kai, chef's kiss! And that twist on a love triangle, with Solana's lingering feelings for Mason (after his death), while it holds her back a little, doesn't keep them apart. I loved the expanded world building we get as Solana ventures out with Kai, meeting new friends and other magical folk. But that ending! Truly so sad, after everything Solana went through to get her magic flowing and to be with Kai. At least we get a possible glimpse of who our next FMC will be, and the possibility of maybe seeing Solana again!

Some favorite quotes:
When you're the firstborn in an extraordinary family, expectations run high. Unfortunately for me, I didn't even come close to those expectations.
There was something in the look--like he already knew me--that made me want to open the man like a book and read every word.
"It's always been you." "In this lifetime or the next, you're mine."
"You'll always be my light, Red. My way home. Keep that little blue flame burning. Let it light your way too."
I had to stop myself from sobbing. "Hello, Red." (girl, me too!)
Perhaps we needed each other more than we both realized.
"And what if I do? Why should you care?" "Because you are so much more than you give yourself credit for."
"Fvck it," he said a second before his lips crashed into mine. My mouth parted early, letting him devour me.
He'd snuck his way into every inch of my being, and I hadn't even noticed.
I wanted to go back to before he came into my life. Before he decided I was worth more than his own life. The same as Mason had.
"Power is the influence you have over people. And, as you can see, my influence has grown."
"Child, there's no reason to pretend to be ordinary, when you're already extraordinary."
"We're all just a little broken. A little lost. Just looking for someone to reach out a hand. TO make us feel like we belong somewhere."
"Grief isn't linear. There is no finish line. It comes back over and over again, when you least expect it. And it holds on, squeezing so tightly it feels as though you can't breathe. You cannot control it. There is only surrender."
"I'm thinking I can't breathe when you're around. That you take up every thought in my brain, and it's excruciating. I can't stop thinking about touching you, or how your lips felt against mine. That I hate and love that feisty mouth of yours. That I don't know what to do with all of this want and this need. That I'm so afraid I'll lose you, and that I'm powerless to protect you. I'm thinking that I'm scared, Sol. I'm so very scared."
I relished giving up control to this man. He could have me, body and soul.
"WHERE. IS. HE!?"
"I thought you'd never come." "I'll always come for you."
"I love you. My heart is yours. It always has been. And nothing can keep us apart. Not even death. I will always come for you. I will never leave you."
It's funny, though, how life can change so quickly. How easily you forget that life is fleeting. That life cannot exist without death. That creation and destruction are lovers.
"I won't forget you. I love you, Sol. More than you could ever know. And I will love her just as much. I will love her with my whole heart. I will not forget you. I will not forget what you sacrificed."

If you love an interconnected standalone series with grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, one bed, unique magic system, epic adventure, ancient mythology, ancient prophecy, a twist on a love triangle, and touch her and d!e, then you need to read The Forgotten Flame!

I received an advanced review copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinion and is being left voluntarily.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Regenerative Lives for providing me with this ebook.

4.5⭐️

"We named it Chaos Castle," Ephyra explained, "because lots of crazy things happen inside the castle. There are even dragons!"

I. Am. Crying. Why did the author have to do this to me. What was that ending. I can’t. This isn’t okay.

Before I say anything else, let me say the one issue I had while reading. The only thing that kind of bothered me is that anytime the author was writing someone saying that they’re okay, she would write it was “I’m OK.” It’s not a big deal or anything, it just irked me a bit. But nothing big enough to take away from the story

I was basically going into this book blind, so here’s my thoughts.

Okay so the plot was insane. The book I think was a bit slow paced at the beginning but still very easy to read. The battle at the end had me rushing to finish.

Solana and Kai was just *chefs kiss* (and if you know me, I’m big on my MMC’s named Kai). When cormac was introduced it seemed like he was going to go for Solana and I was like “BACK OFF, SHE IS KAI’S.” (Literally the exact words I wrote in my notes). And Mason and Solana, they have the best friendship 💔. And the gift Mason gave her 🥹🥹

I also predicted a plot twist about Kai right, surprisingly.

Okay that’s basically it, so here some quotes I loved:

"I would steal you away to the stars if
I could."

"We're all just a little broken. A little lost. Just looking for someone to reach out a hand. To make us feel like we belong somewhere."

"I'm thinking I can't breathe when you're around. That you take up every thought in my brain, and it's excruciating. I can't stop thinking about touching you, or how your lips felt against mine. That I hate and love that feisty mouth of yours. That I don't know what to do with all of this want and this need. That I'm so afraid I'll lose you, and that I'm powerless to protect you. I'm thinking that l'm scared, Sol. I'm so very scared.”

"I thought you'd never come," he replied.
"I'll always come for you," I repeated his words to me.

"I love you. My heart is yours. It always has been. And nothing can keep us apart. Not even death. I will always come for you. I will never leave you.

"I see you painting. A whole house full of paint. Your fingers permanently stained with color. And your smile. You're always smiling.”

[Eliza]

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC. Unfortunately, this book is not for me.

The description says this book can be read as a standalone. If I wanted to finish the book, I would also want to read book one first. I stopped about a third of the way into the book. I don’t understand the general magic system as much as I would like at this point. It’s fine that the FMC’s powers are a mystery. It seems like the powers her family members have make them some of the strongest fantasy characters I’ve ever read. Their powers sound like they are gods. If I was a regular human living next door, I’d be terrified of their raw strength. I have a lot of questions about what they can do, how many people have powers, are theirs more special but not as special as hers, etc. The references to her mom’s past also aren’t descriptive enough for me to really understand what happened. I don’t think I need to know to understand this book, but I would want the extra world-building and information I assume is in book one. It also might have helped knowing the parents better as the beginning has a lot of characters passing through. It was a bit overwhelming.

The pacing at the beginning of this book is also very strange. There’s a problem across the sea and her family goes to try and figure out what is going on. They are gone for two years and come back with no answers. Another year passes before our FMC sets off to finish the job. A whole book of tracking down, interrogations, etc. could have happened in those two years the family was gone and yet no information is provided beyond one tragic day. More tension certainly could have been built up in the time the family returned before the FMC leaves, too.

At that point, the pacing changed to a more day-by-day level, however the writing still doesn’t provide the level of details or character development I would enjoy. There’s a little over 200 pages left and so much is going to have to happen in that amount of space. This is one of those books that sounds like it has a really cool epic plot but isn’t giving the story an adequate amount of pages. I am sure there are readers that love these more condensed, quick but still epic reads; however, it just feels too much like reading a summary to me. I want a standalone to be a little less complex so there’s space for some details.

[Kascha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plunges readers back into a dystopian, high-stakes world teeming with magic, danger, and heart-wrenching emotion.

Decades have passed since the events of book 1, and rather than simply revisiting the past, this story boldly steps into the future - showing how Willow and Liam's hard-won peace has evolved and fractured. While the Earth has begun to regrow, zombie-like creatures still stalk the land, and new power-hungry factions threaten what stability remains. It doesn’t shy away from showing how it’s not just monsters that threaten peace - but people themselves.

At the heart of the novel is Solana, daughter of Willow and Liam, whose journey into her own identity and power is both beautiful and painfully relatable. Unlike her brothers, Solana’s gifts seem more like a curse - unpredictable, overwhelming, and isolating. Her clumsiness, self-doubt, and need to hide her differences create a protagonist who’s deeply human, even in a world of magic. Readers will find themselves rooting for her not just in epic battles, but in the quiet moments of fear and self-acceptance.

Other characters bring depth, warmth, and levity. Kai is brooding, artistic, and fiercely loyal. His emotional arc and gradual unraveling of his guarded nature is both touching and romantic, with a few scenes between him and Solana that turn up the heat. Mouse provides the comic relief and quirky charm that balances the darker themes, while Ardil, the magical monkey-like creature, adds whimsy and wisdom in equal measure. It’s these characters that help to build unforgettable worldbuilding. No matter where Solana ventures – the magical house, a ship at sea, or a Faerie forest – the details, magics, beauty, and life are easily pictured.

The stakes are not just impending war or magical threats, but deeply personal. Loss, betrayal, grief - they hit adding a visceral weight to the adventure. One moment you’re soaring through a magical battle, the next you’re reeling from a heartbreak you didn’t see coming.

The Forgotten Flame is everything a romantasy sequel should be: expansive yet intimate, thrilling yet grounded in emotion, and layered with magic, meaning, and memorable characters. It honors the legacy of Book 1 while forging a fresh, compelling path for the next generation.

[Cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the premise of this book was interesting, it felt like a battle to get through it because of the slow pace. Coupled with a MC that read like a much younger character, I unfortunately had to force myself to finish reading.

Solana, the heroine of the story, starts the book off as a 22nd year old. By the time the book gets going she's 25. She has parents that seemingly love her, but they do not do her any favors by keeping her in the dark. In fact, they mostly infantilize her, although she's the oldest of three children. This was an odd choice - she just as easily could have been the youngest child. Maybe the author was trying to heighten Solana's frustration with not being able to control her powers? Either way, it seemed like a silly plot point given how immature Sol acts. It's also incredibly counter productive that Solana has to travel realms to be taught how to use her powers, yet is repeatedly told that her mother would be the best one to help her.

The romance feels very superficial. The first love interest is a longtime friend and best friend to her brother. Supposedly there's been years and years of them never really talking about anything or making progress, except the night before he leaves. The author skips over the mourning process here, which pretty much encapsulates how Sol is terrible at actually dealing with problems. The second love interest, Kai, is even more surface level. While the MMC might know about the FMC, due to spending years with Solana's parents and brothers, she knows next to nothing about him. This relationship does grow a bit during the book, but I would have preferred more build up. The (potential) third love interest, Cormac, is a mystery. Aloof and fairly stoic...I have no idea what he sees in Solana. I think he's suppose to find her sass endearing, but she comes across as a spoiled, naive brat.

Every character sounds the same, regardless of age, gender, status (royalty), or race. Despite humans and Fae being separated for 500 years, their language seems to have evolved right along with ours.

Overall this story just lacked maturity in terms of writing, characters, and plot.
The epilogue was my favorite part of the book.

Thank you Regenerative Lives for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Sudeshna Banerjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilynn O'Neal's The Forgotten Flame is the second in The Forgotten Earth Series, blending fantasy, adventure, and slow-blooming romance in a spellbinding mix that easily stands strong as an interconnected standalone. This book expands the lore of a world shaped by ancient magic, forgotten civilizations, and destiny-driven choices through the eyes of a heroine who has been underestimated her whole life.

Solana grows up surrounded by extraordinary power; her parents are influential leaders, and her brothers possess godlike abilities. She herself holds only a fragile blue flame and a painful, uncontrollable gift: hearing the thoughts of others. Hidden away for twenty-three years, sheltered from both the outside world and her own potential, Solana's quiet confinement ends when a mysterious threat emerges overseas. When her family departs without her, she seizes the moment to seek answers about her magic and herself.

Her journey thrusts her into danger, new lands, and long buried truths. Accompanied by a mysterious sailor tasked with protecting her, Solana steps into a world that's so much more treacherous and enchanted than she ever imagined. Their voyage uncovers fragments of a lost civilization and hints of an ancient curse, drawing Solana toward a destiny she never thought she could claim.

What starts as a quest of discovery gradually develops into a race against time. The author masterfully weaves tension, heart, and wonder as Solana battles her fears, questions her purpose, and slowly unlocks the breadth of her dormant power. The emotional payoff, including a tender, unexpected romance, amplifies the stakes of her ultimate choice: save her world or watch a new and treacherous order rise.

The Forgotten Flame is a compelling fantasy that deals with courage, identity, and a fire that lives within even the quietest souls.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,75 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilynn O’Neal for this ARC!

Forgotten Earth is the first book in her dystopian series of interconnected standalones, introduces us to a world nearly destroyed after being abused by humans for countless generations. A world where society has descended into chaos, depravity, and cruelty. A world where books are forbidden, knowledge is banned, and yet there are still those who crave it. And those will be the ones to restore it.

The Forgotten Flame follows the next generation, mainly Solana, the oldest daughter and the wielder of the mythical blue flames. Solana sets out on a mission that turns out to be a lot more dangerous and deadlier than anyone could have imagined. A mission that will uncover secrets, betrayals, hidden truths, and hidden worlds. A mission where she will find friends, fight foes, and discover the meaning of true love and devotion.

The book wasn’t without its challenges. The pacing felt inconsistent—at times it was gripping and well-timed, but at other points it slowed down and left me feeling disconnected. It was a bit of an emotional roller coaster in that sense. There were also moments where the writing felt more adolescent, which made the book lean more YA than adult fantasy for me, despite some MILD spice sprinkled in.

I did like the characters. But, the writing and plot was just A MAYBE for me, because I got bored after I’ve read 40% of the book and I really don’t know how I feel about it, and it doesn’t mean it’s bad either, it's just my opinion.

Overall, it has a lot of potential and some great ideas, but the uneven pacing and YA tone held it back a bit for me. Still, fans of character-driven fantasy with romance and magic will likely enjoy the ride.

[Nicole (book_drake on IG) · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥✨ 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓡𝓔𝓥𝓘𝓔𝓦 ✨🔥
📖 The Forgotten Flame by @forestsandfantasy
🌊 Book Two in The Forgotten Earth Series 🌊

A spark. A curse. A choice that will melt your heart and burn your soul.
💙🔥🕯️💔

Solana may be the daughter of legends and the sister of literal god-tier brothers, but she’s been treated like the family disappointment her whole life. Why? Because her magic barely lights a candle… oh, and reading minds makes her want to die. 😵‍💫🧠💥

But when her family heads off to stop a global threat (without her, rude), Solana sets out to find her power and her voice—armed with nothing but a stubborn heart, a too-handsome sailor bodyguard 🧜‍♂️🚢, and a flickering flame that’s about to become something so much more.

💥 What you’ll get:
🌊 Unique Magic System
🧿 Forgotten civilizations
🧠 Psychic chaos
⚡️ Forbidden magic
💘 A twisty “love triangle” romance (YES, Brilynn went THERE and I am living for it)
😱 And THAT ENDING. I’m still sobbing. Still. Sobbing.

Let’s just say this book gave sacrifice a whole new meaning, and Solana? She didn’t just rise—she blazed 🕯️💙 Her final choice wrecked me, but somehow… there’s still hope. (Brilynn, you sneaky sorceress 😭👶🌅)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me—again!
This series is everything I crave in romantasy: rich world-building, slow-burn spice, magic, and female characters who grow into the queens they were born to be 👑🖤

🫶 Add this to your TBR and prepare to FEEL EVERYTHING.
#TheForgottenFlame #BrilynnONeal #ARCReview #FantasyRomance #TheForgottenEarth #ThatEndingTho #SlowBurnMagic #RomantasyVibes #BookDragonApproved 🐉📚💘

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥 A Very Mildly Flammable Romance: Igniting an Adventure
If you're looking for a solid romantasy read with a charmingly underpowered heroine and enough magic to make you forget you have laundry to do, The Forgotten Flame is for you. Just don't try to light anything with your mind after reading. Trust me on this one.
➡️ 🗺️ Plot
Solana gets abandoned by her family (a relatable fear) and decides to hit the road. She finds a mysterious sailor (forced proximity, obviously) and their "find my family" quest quickly derails into a "stumble upon a lost civilization" adventure. Also, there's a sentient house that's basically a magical, judging grandmother. Good times.
➡️ 💕 The Romance
This is a slow-burn romance, which is perfect for a book about fire magic. The tension builds like a damp campfire, taking its sweet time to catch. It's a welcome change from the typical "love at first sight, solve the world's problems by Tuesday" fantasy couples.
➡️ ✍️ Final Thoughts
Overall, The Forgotten Flame is a fun and refreshing take on the genre. It's a quick, enjoyable read that proves even the smallest spark can make for a great story.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book. My to-do list is now officially on fire (metaphorically, of course), and it was absolutely worth it. And a special shout-out to Brilynn O'Neal for writing a story so good, I actually considered abandoning all my responsibilities to re-read it immediately.

[Liana Van Doren · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars)

The Forgotten Flame swept me away right from the beginning. Brilynn O’Neal has created such a rich, vivid fantasy world—I could easily picture every place we visited, and it felt so immersive. The cast of characters is wonderful as well; each brought something unique to the story, and I genuinely enjoyed reading about them all.

The book balances tension, humor, and absolutely incredible displays of power so well. I especially loved following the FMC’s evolution—watching her come into her powers and grow into herself was one of my favorite aspects of the story. That journey was written in such a compelling way.

That said, there were a few moments where developments felt a little too sudden or slightly confusing. Some transitions didn’t feel as natural as I expected, which pulled me out of the story briefly. It wasn’t enough to ruin the experience, but it did make certain parts feel a bit less believable.

And then…the ending. OH. MY. GOD. I was not prepared. I ugly cried, and I’m still not over it. It was emotional, heartbreaking, and powerful all at once.

Overall, The Forgotten Flame is an emotional, heavy, and beautiful ride. If you’re looking for a fantasy world that feels alive, characters you’ll root for, and a story that makes you feel everything, I highly recommend picking this one up.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Solid Fantasy With Heart, Heat, and a Few Hiccups

I received an ARC of The Forgotten Flame from NetGalley, and I’m so glad I did! This is the second book in a series, but it absolutely works as a standalone—I read it without having picked up the first, and I never felt lost.

Let’s start with the high points: the overall story was intriguing, the world-building was strong, and I really enjoyed the magic system woven throughout. The characters were relatable, and there were definitely moments where I felt deeply invested in their emotional journeys.

That said, the book wasn’t without its challenges. The pacing felt inconsistent—at times it was gripping and well-timed, but at other points it slowed down and left me feeling disconnected. It was a bit of an emotional roller coaster in that sense. There were also moments where the writing felt more adolescent, which made the book lean more YA than adult fantasy for me, despite some mild spice sprinkled in.

While it didn’t quite deliver the mature tone I was hoping for, everything did come together in the end, and the core of the story kept me curious enough to keep turning the pages.

Overall, I’m giving this one 3 stars. It has a lot of potential and some great ideas, but the uneven pacing and YA tone held it back a bit for me. Still, fans of character-driven fantasy with romance and magic will likely enjoy the ride.

[Fiber & Quill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put down The Forgotten Flame! This book had me feeling alllllll the feels throughout the entire thing. I loved how inviting and real the writing style is. It makes understanding the world and magic more approachable.

Solana has the best personality and is so relatable. She's fiesty and has a big heart. Her magic is super intriguing and honestly I felt like we just scratched the surface with what we know about it. The series is connected standalones but I feel like she's going to still be talked about in other books 🤞

All the men in this book had their own (unique) personalities; it was so entertaining. You think you have Kai figured out pretty quickly but he just keeps surprising you. Mouse is hilarious. I hope we see more of him in future books. Cormac is such a mystery and then towards the end he seems to be a little more comfortable being himself around others. And Solana's brothers! The sibling relationships were gold.

The bad guys were so infuriating...as any good villan should be. The last thing Solana said to Rob is beyond satisfying!! 💪

I BALLED at the end. Omg. I thought i cried a lot after the first major loss (trying to keep this spoiler-free!) but UGH the last chapter and epilogue destroyed me.

There was also some cool representation woven in very naturally, including disability and LGBTQ+, and it didn't feel forced at all.

[Smutty Professor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t totally sure what to expect with A Forgotten Flame, but the story sucked me in pretty quick. Solana was such a solid main character. She's kind of awkward and a little insecure, but she was easy to root for. I loved how her power wasn’t flashy at first, just this tiny blue flame that somehow meant everything later on. Watching her figure herself out was probably my favorite part.

Kai is the kind of guy I would side-eye at first but end up fully obsessed with by the end. He's broody, protective, and definitely hiding something, but the man has depth. The slow burn between him and Solana was torturous. You could feel that pull between them even when nothing was happening.

The world itself was wild with magic, sea voyages, lost civilizations, and a freaking sentient house that has opinions (honestly, I’d read a novella just about that). There were a few parts that dragged, and I had to reread a couple of scenes to figure out what was going on, but I didn’t even care because the vibes were so good.

The ending was awful in the best possible way. I finished it staring at the wall and questioning everything. It was heartbreaking and beautiful all at once. I need the next book immediately, because I refuse to believe that’s how things end.

[Tabitha Riddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so honoured to Beta read this beautiful book back in April and then reread the arc in September/October. Brilynn has packed this story full of action, adventure, an immersive world, high stakes, plot twists, a stunning slow burn romance, and a good dose of emotional trauma. I. FULL. ON. UGLY. CRIED!!! 😭😭

Solana, is the daughter of a powerful couple from book One, The Forgotten Earth. Throughout this book, we follow Solana grow as a character, and watch her step into the power that flows through her, a power she has never fully understood, and due to that, has always been held back.
Now, she is to set sail on an adventure, and with no other than the brooding, mysterious sailor, Kai. This is their journey, and love story.

It’s no news that I’m totally obsessed with this series, I go on about it constantly. And I’m not sorry about that! I absolutely adore the characters and their stories. This series is a must read.
And although Brilynn rips at your heart along the way, these interconnected standalone’s are so beautifully wholesome.

T r o p e s ;
Grumpy + Sunshine
Sentient House
Forced Proximity
One Bed
Unique Magic System
Epic Adventure
Ancient Mythology
Prophecies
Spice

[Morgan Jacques · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes:
✨ Love Triangle
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Grumpy X Sunshine
✨ Ancient Prophecy

Oh my goodness did I devour this book!

Though this book is considered a standalone, everything will make soooo much more sense if you read the first book, The Forgotten Earth, first.

This book actually follows Solana, who is the daughter of the couple in the first book. She has powers that not many people (including her parents) have seen or dealt with. She feels like the black sheep of the family. She’s finally given the opportunity to help out and she takes it.

I 1000% felt for Solana the whole book. She deals with tragedy after tragedy and I honestly just wanted to hug her. She found her voice, she found her purpose and reason to keep going. She learns a lot about herself, from what she likes and doesn’t like all the way to learning a lot about her powers. And I felt like a proud mom seeing all the growth from her.

The storyline was amazing. There was so much action and adventure. There is heartbreak and love. Just so much of everything and it just flowed so beautifully. But get your tissues ready for the ending because it’s a tear jerker (but it could be because I’m pregnant😂). This is definitely a book I would read more than once.

[WhippedStitchReads (J.A.Y) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.5⭐️
Spice🔥

ARC Review

Let’s start off with saying I absolutely loved that we got to see cameos the characters of Book 1. Liam and Willow are everything to me (they are my babies) and to see they are okay and well brought tears to my eyes.

Aside from the cameos, I liked the story, but there were times I felt I wasn’t sure what was going on. I was literally on my toes throughout the book because there was just so much scheming and plans the MC didn’t know of as well as us, the readers. Too many secrets, not enough answers. Like who the hell are we suppose to trust?! I also had a hard time connecting to the characters. I struggled trying to get the rhythm of the plot, but everything was just annoying. Like I mentioned, to many secrets and scheming, not enough answers. Like how did Kai know how to shield his thoughts? Were there hints in the book that he knew about the future? (I will probably have to read It again if that’s the case, but i kind don’t want to). Oh, i also did feel a bit gaslighted because one of the tropes was love triangle…….I don’t particularly thought it was????? Maybe that’s just me, I’m not sure, the author did say there was a twist in that category

Adding on, I also felt the final battle was a tiny bit anti-climatic, I personally didn’t get the impact it should have, but it was pretty crazy how Solana just exploded and killed everyone but it didn’t get further from there. I wish we explored so much more in Solano’s power, like soooo much more. I wanted to know how her magic deals with death as Willow’s magic is life.

The ending though, Oh my gosh, the ending got me fawked off! Like what do you mean Solona ends up dying?! A life for a life, yea sure, but wtffff. MY POOR WILLOW LOOSES HER BABY. I was extremely upset about that. Mainly because Willow and Liam will be heartbroken 🤣🤣

I am looking forward for Book 3 because we did get confirmation whose story will be next. i only hope we get to see Solano again. (Also, can confirm from the author that Liam and Willow will be okay throughout the entire series, and that really makes me feel better lol)

I would like to thank the author for allowing me to read the ARC! This review is my true and honest thoughts.

[Alycia Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending! My heart!

The Forgotten Flame follows Solana, the eldest daughter in a family of powerful magic wielders in a world that has been ravaged and is slowly being pieced back together by her parents. This is book two of the Forgotten Earth series but works as a standalone. By the time I was able to read this I had forgotten about reading book one first and took the chance that reading book two first would be okay. Thankfully, Brilynn does a great job at helping the reader understand the world and gave enough insight into what had happened in the previous book that I didn’t find myself lost or missing the first book (though I definitely plan on checking it out!)

Sol has to grapple with the fact that she appears to be not as powerful as her parents or her brothers, and as a result has lived quite a sheltered life. She is fierce and determined and naive and careless, but I found myself rooting for her and loved experiencing her journey. This story kept me entertained and wanting to know what was going to happen next. Our MMC Kai is grumpy, protective and falls hard. I loved the relationship between Sol and Kai.

I wish we had gotten a little more in the end, I felt it was slightly rushed, but overall, the story was enjoyable and entertaining. However, the epilogue ruined me. Loved it, hated it, wanted more! So many emotions!

Thank you Brilynn O’Neal for the gifted ARC.

[Dinah's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️

FIRST OF ALL—EXCUSE ME?! That ending?? I am not okay.

The Forgotten Flame is a phenomenal sequel that pulled me in from page one. The world-building is lush and immersive, and the writing style? Effortless. Sol’s powers aren’t just cool—they evolve in such unique and unexpected ways. The blue flame developments? Absolutely wild and so cleverly woven into the plot.

Without spoiling too much… this book hits different. Sol is a force—powerful, layered, and emotionally compelling.

Kai and Sol’s dynamic completely stole the spotlight. Their chemistry, loyalty, and tension gave the story its heart, even with the mild 1–2 pepper spice. And that little thread with Cormac? I was bracing for a shift that had me side-eyeing every scene.

The ending left me gutted—in the best, most dramatic way. I need the next book like yesterday.

Overall, a strong, emotionally charged continuation that blends magic, intrigue, and character depth. Bring on the next chapter!

[Robyn Penney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forgotten Flame is about a beautifully created world by Brilynn O’Neal. The closeness of Sol’s family is what most people dream of. Their family is important because they each have magic and live among humans. They use it for good, restoring the earth.
But not everyone agrees with what they do and would like to see them eliminated.
Sol doesn’t understand why but she is basically hidden away in the protection of her family’s home while they go on missions. So when the day comes that she gets to go on a mission she is excited but she’s going alone. Join her as she embarks on a crazy adventure and discovers there’s so much more to this world than she ever imagined. It’s dangerous. Mythical creatures are real! Magical abilities are discovered, new friendships are formed, new love after a devastating loss is formed. As always, there’s a prophecy. The ending is rough but also beautiful.
This is book 2 but can be read as a standalone and is available now!

[aishareadsnrambles · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOOK: THE FORGOTTEN FLAME
AUTHOR: BRILYNN O'NEAL
PUB DATE: OCTOBER 2025
🪄🔮
REVIEW- 2.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🔮🪄
This book had a nice beginning that made me turn the pages. The world-building also had a good premise, but it was just missing some things. I would have loved to see more of that world and the people there. The characters were okay too, kinda predictable, but okay.
🪄🔮
However, the book became boring once I reached the middle. The characters felt juvenile although they were in their 20s and things happened so fast and rushed. I liked the fair folks village though and the scenes there. But, I was disappointed in the ending. It was ambiguous. I didn't like how she moved on so fast too.
🔮🪄
I didn't really like this book, but the storyline was okay

[Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It’s a second-generation story where we meet all three of Willow and Liam’s children (book 1), with the story on Solana, who can hear everyone’s thoughts and she has an unknown blue flame that sets her apart from her brothers.

This story explores power, greed, fear, and the ultimate sacrifice needed to have a future. The Earth is finally beginning to heal thanks to Willow and Liam’s powers, but Solana is kept hidden and in the dark about what’s really happening. Her parents and brothers shut her out, never asking for her input. They do this out of love and concern for her. However, watching her go from sheltered to fully embracing her power, and using it to confront evil and the way her family is seen, was just amazing. She created her own path and with that comes a sacrifice.

Kai, the main MMC, is fiercely protective of Solana while keeping his distance for most of the book. When we finally learn why, it completely broke my heart. Honestly, the ending shattered me. I shed real tears, and the epilogue only made it worse. I need the next book in this series NOW.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

I first want to thank Brilynn for the ARC copy of this book! It was such an incredible follow up from book one!

I will say, I didnt know what to expect in a sequel when the first book ended so wonderfully. I now know that book 2 was everything that I could have hoped for. I really like how the main theme throughout the book was finding yourself in times where you are lost, overwhelmed and to overcome what is expected of you especially when dealing with grief. I also really loved the siblings bickering. I love it when family's are also so close, even those that are the families you make.

The only part that I was confused about was the last chapter and the epilogue. It took me on such a whirlwind of emotions in such a short time that I don't think I fully proceed it 😅😅. Other than that, if you read the first book, than you should 100% pick up this one.