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Before The Ember Sparks: Book One: The Shattered Crown Saga
When power rules from marble halls and blood runs in the gutters, one spark can set a city aflame.
In the sprawling city of Rawkin—where nobles govern by decree and magicians are vanishing without a trace—the people have learned to keep their heads down and their hearts silent. But silence cannot last forever.
In the shadows of the warehouses and the flickering glow of gaslamps, resistance grows. Padraig, a streetwise fighter from Rubbish Square, fights to protect the woman he loves. Corwin Shadecroft, scholar and magician, seeks truth in a world that has outlawed it. Together, they find the sparks of a better way in the most unlikely places.
Before the Ember Sparks is a sweeping gaslamp fantasy of revolution and reckoning—where politics, magic, and betrayal collide in a world balanced between progress and oppression. Perfect for readers of The Lies of Locke Lamora, Foundryside, and The Night Circus, this debut novel begins an epic saga about the cost of freedom and the courage it takes to start a fire.
The spark begins here.
In the sprawling city of Rawkin—where nobles govern by decree and magicians are vanishing without a trace—the people have learned to keep their heads down and their hearts silent. But silence cannot last forever.
In the shadows of the warehouses and the flickering glow of gaslamps, resistance grows. Padraig, a streetwise fighter from Rubbish Square, fights to protect the woman he loves. Corwin Shadecroft, scholar and magician, seeks truth in a world that has outlawed it. Together, they find the sparks of a better way in the most unlikely places.
Before the Ember Sparks is a sweeping gaslamp fantasy of revolution and reckoning—where politics, magic, and betrayal collide in a world balanced between progress and oppression. Perfect for readers of The Lies of Locke Lamora, Foundryside, and The Night Circus, this debut novel begins an epic saga about the cost of freedom and the courage it takes to start a fire.
The spark begins here.
466 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2025
11 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 2, 2025
When power rules from marble halls and blood runs in the gutters… you know you’re in for something epic.
This book hooked me from page one. The world of Rawkin feels alive — smoky streets, flickering gaslamps, and whispers of rebellion everywhere. The writing is vivid without being heavy, and the tension just builds until it finally explodes.
Padraig is the kind of rough-around-the-edges fighter you can’t help rooting for, and Corwin? A scholar-magician just trying to do the right thing in a city that’s outlawed truth itself. Their stories collide in ways that are heartbreaking, hopeful, and impossible to look away from.
It’s dark, clever, and beautifully written — the kind of fantasy that doesn’t just entertain you, it lingers. If you loved The Lies of Locke Lamora, Foundryside, or The Night Circus, this needs to be on your TBR immediately.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Easily one of my favorite debuts of the year.
This book hooked me from page one. The world of Rawkin feels alive — smoky streets, flickering gaslamps, and whispers of rebellion everywhere. The writing is vivid without being heavy, and the tension just builds until it finally explodes.
Padraig is the kind of rough-around-the-edges fighter you can’t help rooting for, and Corwin? A scholar-magician just trying to do the right thing in a city that’s outlawed truth itself. Their stories collide in ways that are heartbreaking, hopeful, and impossible to look away from.
It’s dark, clever, and beautifully written — the kind of fantasy that doesn’t just entertain you, it lingers. If you loved The Lies of Locke Lamora, Foundryside, or The Night Circus, this needs to be on your TBR immediately.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Easily one of my favorite debuts of the year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2026
“A novel that breathes with intent.”
This is one of those books where you can feel the author’s control on every page. The writing is deliberate, careful, and deeply expressive without ever becoming indulgent. The story unfolds at a measured pace that allows tension to build naturally, and when moments of conflict arrive, they feel earned rather than manufactured. What impressed me most was how the author uses silence and implication as storytelling tools — conversations trail off, thoughts are left unfinished, and the reader is trusted to connect the dots. It’s rare to see a debut novel written with this level of confidence and restraint.
This is one of those books where you can feel the author’s control on every page. The writing is deliberate, careful, and deeply expressive without ever becoming indulgent. The story unfolds at a measured pace that allows tension to build naturally, and when moments of conflict arrive, they feel earned rather than manufactured. What impressed me most was how the author uses silence and implication as storytelling tools — conversations trail off, thoughts are left unfinished, and the reader is trusted to connect the dots. It’s rare to see a debut novel written with this level of confidence and restraint.
December 1, 2025
I loved the pace and heart of this book . It is uniquely written and unlike anything I’ve read before . The characters grab your heart and attention almost immediately. The author does a wonderful job of building a world that you can picture in your mind with dynamic characters . I started out thinking I was solving a mystery to quickly learn we were starting a revolution. I cannot wait for the second !
January 7, 2026
A phenomenal fantasy novel written with depth and heart that pulls the reader deeply into both the despair and hope of the characters. The imagery used thoughout brings Rawkin to life, creating the setting like another character in the book with its contrasts between wealth and poverty, tunnels and alleyways, order and secrets. I am not usually a fan of fantasy, but this was a book I couldn’t put down and eagerly await book two.
December 3, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.
October 25, 2025
A fresh take on rebellion stories
I’ve read a lot of fantasy about uprisings, but this one feels different—smarter, more grounded, and full of moral gray areas. Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year.
I’ve read a lot of fantasy about uprisings, but this one feels different—smarter, more grounded, and full of moral gray areas. Easily one of the best books I’ve read this year.
December 27, 2025
A tense, atmospheric opener that earns its revolution. Before the Ember Sparks drops you into a city rotting from the top down, where outlawed magic and quiet defiance feel equally dangerous. Padraig’s grit and Corwin’s forbidden intellect make for a sharp, human counterpoint to Rawkin’s cold machinery of power, and the gaslamp setting hums with menace rather than ornament. This isn’t a loud fantasy about overthrowing tyrants, it’s about how resistance actually starts: messy, personal, and costly. The final promise of fire feels deserved, not decorative.
November 6, 2025
“Before The Ember Sparks” is a rich, atmospheric fantasy full of rebellion, heart, and magic. The world-building is stunning gritty streets, corrupt nobles, and a whisper of revolution brewing beneath it all. Padraig and Corwin are both compelling in their own ways, and the tension between justice and survival feels real. A must-read for fans of Locke Lamora and Foundryside I’m already eager for book two!
December 1, 2025
"Before the Ember Sparks" is a phenomenal gaslamp fantasy showcasing the sparks of revolution in a society where the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. Beautifully written, with a frenetic pacing reflecting the desire for change amongst the primary characters. Can't wait to see where the story leads!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews