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Fire Forged: From Embers to Eternity
They blamed a woman for a war.
They erased a god for his scars.
This story gives them both their fire back.
Before Troy burned, the gods had already chosen cruelty.
Cast from Olympus for his imperfection, Hephaestus learns early that survival is an act of creation. In the depths of his forge, he shapes meaning from fire, silence from rage, and truth from rejection—never knowing his fate will one day entwine with the most misremembered woman in myth.
Helen of Sparta has spent her life watched, bartered, and rewritten. When war consumes the world in her name, her voice is buried beneath legend—until her words are preserved in secret, waiting for someone brave enough to listen.
Fire Forged is a mythological reimagining told through memory, craft, and consequence. It is not a tale of heroes and villains, but of how gods fracture lives, how beauty becomes a weapon, and how creation itself can be an act of rebellion.
This is a story for readers who seek myth with teeth—
where fire remembers, silence speaks, and truth refuses to remain buried.
Some flames are meant to destroy.
Others are meant to endure.
They erased a god for his scars.
This story gives them both their fire back.
Before Troy burned, the gods had already chosen cruelty.
Cast from Olympus for his imperfection, Hephaestus learns early that survival is an act of creation. In the depths of his forge, he shapes meaning from fire, silence from rage, and truth from rejection—never knowing his fate will one day entwine with the most misremembered woman in myth.
Helen of Sparta has spent her life watched, bartered, and rewritten. When war consumes the world in her name, her voice is buried beneath legend—until her words are preserved in secret, waiting for someone brave enough to listen.
Fire Forged is a mythological reimagining told through memory, craft, and consequence. It is not a tale of heroes and villains, but of how gods fracture lives, how beauty becomes a weapon, and how creation itself can be an act of rebellion.
This is a story for readers who seek myth with teeth—
where fire remembers, silence speaks, and truth refuses to remain buried.
Some flames are meant to destroy.
Others are meant to endure.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2026
About the author
Shavonne Bulmer
18 books27 followersShavonne Bulmer is an author whose remarkable journey inspires her storytelling. At a pivotal moment in her life, she courageously walked out of an abusive relationship when she was 34 weeks pregnant, demonstrating immense strength and resilience. Her experiences have fueled her passion for writing, which she employs to craft books with profound underlying messages for society.
Shavonne, through her writing, aims to be a catalyst for positive change. She firmly believes that literature has the power to transform, offering hope, encouragement, and raising awareness on crucial issues. Her books are not just stories; they are instruments of change, sparking conversations, fostering empathy, and promoting understanding.
Shavonne Bulmer's commitment to her craft and her mission to influence society is evident in every word she writes. With each book, she strives to uplift, inspire, and shed light on the complexities of human existence. Her narratives are an invitation for readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of a brighter future.
Shavonne has a great passion for promoting independent authors. It has started a small business called Unbox Africa that supports small businesses and local independent authors in South Africa internationally.
If you would like to follow her on social media:
Instagram: @ShavonneBulmerAuthor
TikTok: @ShavonneBulmerAuthor
Threads: @ShavonneBulmerAuthor
Facebook Page: @ShavonneBulmerAuthor
Shavonne, through her writing, aims to be a catalyst for positive change. She firmly believes that literature has the power to transform, offering hope, encouragement, and raising awareness on crucial issues. Her books are not just stories; they are instruments of change, sparking conversations, fostering empathy, and promoting understanding.
Shavonne Bulmer's commitment to her craft and her mission to influence society is evident in every word she writes. With each book, she strives to uplift, inspire, and shed light on the complexities of human existence. Her narratives are an invitation for readers to embark on a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of a brighter future.
Shavonne has a great passion for promoting independent authors. It has started a small business called Unbox Africa that supports small businesses and local independent authors in South Africa internationally.
If you would like to follow her on social media:
Instagram: @ShavonneBulmerAuthor
TikTok: @ShavonneBulmerAuthor
Threads: @ShavonneBulmerAuthor
Facebook Page: @ShavonneBulmerAuthor
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 9, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.25 stars)
Fire Forged and Shadow Veil were my first ever tandem read, and I couldn't have picked a better introduction to the format.
If you're not familiar with the mythology, here's a quick refresher. The Trojan War began after Eris, the goddess of discord, threw a golden apple inscribed "To the fairest" into a wedding feast. Hera, Athena and Aphrodite each claimed it, and the Trojan prince Paris was chosen to decide who deserved it. Aphrodite promised him the most beautiful woman in the world - Helen of Sparta. The problem was that Helen was already married to Menelaus, King of Sparta. Paris took Helen to Troy, and Menelaus rallied the Greek kings to bring her home, beginning the ten-year Trojan War.
Most retellings focus on the war. Shavonne Bulmer chooses to focus on Helen.
Fire Forged gives Helen the chance to tell her own story through a series of scrolls while also exploring the role of Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire, metalworking and the forge. He crafted some of mythology's most famous weapons and treasures, including Achilles' armour and many of the divine weapons used by the gods. I wasn't expecting him to become one of my favourite characters, but I loved learning more about him and his craft.
Shadow Veil follows Helen after the fall of Troy - a part of her story that isn't often explored. We also spend time with Hades and Persephone. Persephone is one of my favourite figures in Greek mythology, and I loved seeing her portrayed here. According to the myth, she ate pomegranate seeds in the Underworld, binding her to spend part of each year with Hades and part with her mother, Demeter. Her return marks the arrival of spring, while her departure explains the changing of the seasons.
What I enjoyed most was how well these books complement each other. They can absolutely be read separately, but reading them in tandem creates a richer experience as each book adds new layers to the other.
Shavonne has a very distinctive writing style. It took me a little while to settle into it, but once I understood the symbolism woven throughout the story, everything clicked.
This isn't a book to rush through. It's one that rewards you for slowing down and paying attention, and I already know I'll discover even more on a reread.
I also completely nerded out while reading these books. I found myself revisiting Greek mythology as I went along, and it made the experience even more immersive.
If you enjoy Greek mythology, thoughtful retellings, or books by Madeline Miller, I'd definitely recommend giving this tandem read a try.
Fire Forged and Shadow Veil were my first ever tandem read, and I couldn't have picked a better introduction to the format.
If you're not familiar with the mythology, here's a quick refresher. The Trojan War began after Eris, the goddess of discord, threw a golden apple inscribed "To the fairest" into a wedding feast. Hera, Athena and Aphrodite each claimed it, and the Trojan prince Paris was chosen to decide who deserved it. Aphrodite promised him the most beautiful woman in the world - Helen of Sparta. The problem was that Helen was already married to Menelaus, King of Sparta. Paris took Helen to Troy, and Menelaus rallied the Greek kings to bring her home, beginning the ten-year Trojan War.
Most retellings focus on the war. Shavonne Bulmer chooses to focus on Helen.
Fire Forged gives Helen the chance to tell her own story through a series of scrolls while also exploring the role of Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire, metalworking and the forge. He crafted some of mythology's most famous weapons and treasures, including Achilles' armour and many of the divine weapons used by the gods. I wasn't expecting him to become one of my favourite characters, but I loved learning more about him and his craft.
Shadow Veil follows Helen after the fall of Troy - a part of her story that isn't often explored. We also spend time with Hades and Persephone. Persephone is one of my favourite figures in Greek mythology, and I loved seeing her portrayed here. According to the myth, she ate pomegranate seeds in the Underworld, binding her to spend part of each year with Hades and part with her mother, Demeter. Her return marks the arrival of spring, while her departure explains the changing of the seasons.
What I enjoyed most was how well these books complement each other. They can absolutely be read separately, but reading them in tandem creates a richer experience as each book adds new layers to the other.
Shavonne has a very distinctive writing style. It took me a little while to settle into it, but once I understood the symbolism woven throughout the story, everything clicked.
This isn't a book to rush through. It's one that rewards you for slowing down and paying attention, and I already know I'll discover even more on a reread.
I also completely nerded out while reading these books. I found myself revisiting Greek mythology as I went along, and it made the experience even more immersive.
If you enjoy Greek mythology, thoughtful retellings, or books by Madeline Miller, I'd definitely recommend giving this tandem read a try.
July 9, 2026
*THIS IS A TANDEM REVIEW:
I was privileged enough to read Fire Forged and Shadow Veil as tandem reads, and I'm so glad I did.
As someone who doesn't usually gravitate towards Greek mythology, these books completely surprised me. They are exceptionally well written with such beautiful, poetic prose that feels both lyrical and incredibly easy to read. The writing is one of the standout features. It's so thoughtful and creative, especially the way that Shavonne uses repetition and structure to slowly expose you to each character's trauma (THROUGH EXPOSURE THERAPY? How smart is that?!).
Fire Forged follows Hephaestus, and was probably my favourite of the two books. Before this, I honestly knew very little about him, but now I genuinely want to read more stories centred around him. He's portrayed as such an incredibly resilient and honourable god. I really loved how he was unapologetically himself even when it didn't suit others. If anything, my only complaint is that I wanted more. I wish his story had been longer because I wasn't ready to leave his character behind.
With Shadow Veil, following Helen of Troy was a completely different experience. If I'm honest, I really didn't like Helen at the beginning. She came across as incredibly vain, conceited, and so consumed by her beauty and what others thought of her that I struggled to read her story initially. But that's exactly why her character arc worked so well for me. By the end, I understood her in a way I never expected to. Watching her rebuild herself, redefine her identity, and ultimately become someone entirely different made me appreciate her journey so much more.
I also absolutely loved seeing Persephone and Hades story woven into Helen's book. II loved how Shavonne portrayed their relationship as less of a victim x capturer romance but, more as a chosen mates kind of vibe.
Both books are beautifully written, emotionally impactful, and incredibly immersive. They balance gorgeous prose with deeply human characters, making even gods and legendary figures feel relatable. They made me feel exactly what they wanted me to feel, and that's something I always appreciate in a story.
If you've been hesitant to pick up Greek mythology because it feels intimidating or simply isn't usually your thing, take this as your sign. These books completely changed my mind, and I would absolutely recommend reading them, especially as tandem reads.
Rating:
Fire Forged = 4.5/5
Shadow Veil = 4.25/5
I was privileged enough to read Fire Forged and Shadow Veil as tandem reads, and I'm so glad I did.
As someone who doesn't usually gravitate towards Greek mythology, these books completely surprised me. They are exceptionally well written with such beautiful, poetic prose that feels both lyrical and incredibly easy to read. The writing is one of the standout features. It's so thoughtful and creative, especially the way that Shavonne uses repetition and structure to slowly expose you to each character's trauma (THROUGH EXPOSURE THERAPY? How smart is that?!).
Fire Forged follows Hephaestus, and was probably my favourite of the two books. Before this, I honestly knew very little about him, but now I genuinely want to read more stories centred around him. He's portrayed as such an incredibly resilient and honourable god. I really loved how he was unapologetically himself even when it didn't suit others. If anything, my only complaint is that I wanted more. I wish his story had been longer because I wasn't ready to leave his character behind.
With Shadow Veil, following Helen of Troy was a completely different experience. If I'm honest, I really didn't like Helen at the beginning. She came across as incredibly vain, conceited, and so consumed by her beauty and what others thought of her that I struggled to read her story initially. But that's exactly why her character arc worked so well for me. By the end, I understood her in a way I never expected to. Watching her rebuild herself, redefine her identity, and ultimately become someone entirely different made me appreciate her journey so much more.
I also absolutely loved seeing Persephone and Hades story woven into Helen's book. II loved how Shavonne portrayed their relationship as less of a victim x capturer romance but, more as a chosen mates kind of vibe.
Both books are beautifully written, emotionally impactful, and incredibly immersive. They balance gorgeous prose with deeply human characters, making even gods and legendary figures feel relatable. They made me feel exactly what they wanted me to feel, and that's something I always appreciate in a story.
If you've been hesitant to pick up Greek mythology because it feels intimidating or simply isn't usually your thing, take this as your sign. These books completely changed my mind, and I would absolutely recommend reading them, especially as tandem reads.
Rating:
Fire Forged = 4.5/5
Shadow Veil = 4.25/5
July 12, 2026
This was my first tandem read and to say the least it was beautiful.
For someone like me who does not read fantasy, I actually enjoyed this. The beauty behind Helen's story.
It was tragic, but so so beautiful!
For someone like me who does not read fantasy, I actually enjoyed this. The beauty behind Helen's story.
It was tragic, but so so beautiful!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Earth is action. Olympus is awareness. The Underworld is the realization that you cannot escape what is already happening." This makes up the 3 realms at play in this fabulous mythological read. Where the gods are arrogant, fickle, all important. Yet, when divine pride collides with mortal defiance, the gloves are off. Mortals are mere playthings, amusement for the gods, so, "Mortal hearts were tinder. The gods supplied the spark." This is the myth surrounding the fall of Troy, of Helen and the truth is vastly different. Through the eyes of this talented author, we see another version. And boy did I not expect the inferno that ensued...
A war raged for a woman, a woman who was a pawn, until she made a decision to end it all, leaving those behind her hollow, "there are victories which leave nothing standing inside you once they are won." So much truth in these words. Helen's story is not a pretty one, Zeus, her father, and all around her, saw her only as a commodity. No say, no voice, only obedience was expected, so she was sold off to the highest bidder, to Menelaus, as a wife, as a "thing". After the inevitable war, after the inevitable slaughter, after the inevitable tragedy, the massive losses, this is what Theron, a soldier, discovered. He found a type of journal penned by Helen, detailing her truth. It spoke of her friendship with Hephaestus, both misfits, both cast aside. With both Hephaestus and Helen's stories taking shape, I'm not sure whose gutted me more... It follows these 2 characters, how they were shaped, how they were tools, used, abused, at the whims of the gods.
This read perfectly highlights the cruelty of the gods. Captured superbly by Ms Bulmer, I was riveted, compelled by an invisible force to read more. Yes, I and many know the story of Helen, of Paris, of Achilles, of the tragic events of that particular day, but blow me down, the author took me on a journey so intense, so emotional and by golly so utterly devastating! And then she spun it round. She gave a voice to each character, she opened them up like filleting a fish, exposing their flaws, the rotten innards, laying them bare, credibly. So credible I had to keep reminding myself I wasn't experiencing the trauma nor the devastation, except I was. Ms Bulmer's finesse and flair with words, sank into me, tumultuously. There is much symbolism wound between the lines, poignant, real, devastatingly tragic. But at the same time, hope, growth and awareness. Excellent excellent read!
July 24, 2026
This was my very first tandem read, and what an experience it turned out to be.
As someone who doesn’t usually read Greek mythology.I won’t lie,I was a little lost at the beginning. There were characters, myths, and references I wasn’t familiar with, so I found myself pausing to do a bit of research. But instead of taking away from the story, it actually made the experience even better. The more I learned about the mythology behind it, the more everything started to click and I became completely invested.
Rather than simply retelling the Trojan War, these books give Helen the voice she’s often denied. Instead of being remembered only as the woman history blamed for a war, we get to see her humanity, her struggles, and the weight of choices that were so often made for her. Shadow Veil continues that journey, exploring what comes after Troy falls and what it means to finally reclaim your own story.
Hephaestus loved his story too. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy reading about him as much as I did, but his presence added so much depth to the story.
This story was beautifully written. It’s the kind of book that stirs your curiosity and leaves you wanting to learn more. I found myself looking into the mythology behind different characters and moments, which made the reading experience even more rewarding. The themes are fate, identity, power, grief, resilience, betrayal, and the stories history chooses to remember are woven together beautifully.
These books also sparked something I wasn’t expecting curiosity. They made me want to dive deeper into Greek mythology. I’ve always heard people talk about Hades and Persephone, but after finishing these books, I genuinely want to explore more of these myths and the stories behind them.
Overall, this was a beautiful reading experience and an unforgettable introduction to Shivam Bhuma’s writing. If this is my first book by this author, it certainly won’t be my last. I can’t wait to read more of their work.
Thank you again for this incredible ARC I loved every moment of it.
As someone who doesn’t usually read Greek mythology.I won’t lie,I was a little lost at the beginning. There were characters, myths, and references I wasn’t familiar with, so I found myself pausing to do a bit of research. But instead of taking away from the story, it actually made the experience even better. The more I learned about the mythology behind it, the more everything started to click and I became completely invested.
Rather than simply retelling the Trojan War, these books give Helen the voice she’s often denied. Instead of being remembered only as the woman history blamed for a war, we get to see her humanity, her struggles, and the weight of choices that were so often made for her. Shadow Veil continues that journey, exploring what comes after Troy falls and what it means to finally reclaim your own story.
Hephaestus loved his story too. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy reading about him as much as I did, but his presence added so much depth to the story.
This story was beautifully written. It’s the kind of book that stirs your curiosity and leaves you wanting to learn more. I found myself looking into the mythology behind different characters and moments, which made the reading experience even more rewarding. The themes are fate, identity, power, grief, resilience, betrayal, and the stories history chooses to remember are woven together beautifully.
These books also sparked something I wasn’t expecting curiosity. They made me want to dive deeper into Greek mythology. I’ve always heard people talk about Hades and Persephone, but after finishing these books, I genuinely want to explore more of these myths and the stories behind them.
Overall, this was a beautiful reading experience and an unforgettable introduction to Shivam Bhuma’s writing. If this is my first book by this author, it certainly won’t be my last. I can’t wait to read more of their work.
Thank you again for this incredible ARC I loved every moment of it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
“They are not remembering you,” he said quietly. “They are deciding you.”
There is something devastating about being remembered for a story you never had the chance to tell. Fire Forged takes a familiar figure from mythology and asks us to look beyond the legend. Beyond the woman history has named, blamed, and reshaped, and instead look at Helen herself.
Through Helen’s journey into becoming, we begin to explore not only who she is believed to be, but how she views herself and those around her. This story captures the anger and frustration of watching a woman’s identity become something decided by gods, mortals, and history rather than something she gets to choose. The injustice surrounding Helen and Hephaestus is a powerful emotional thread throughout the story. Their experiences highlight the weight of being defined by others, and the pain of existing within narratives where your own voice is often the one left unheard. As a reception piece, this is not a direct retelling of the ancient Greek and Roman texts, but rather a reimagining that takes familiar myths and asks new questions of them. As a result, there are many mythological elements woven throughout, and readers should be prepared for an expansive world with many characters and stories intersecting each other.
What stayed with me most was the exploration of identity. Who are we when we are no longer the version of ourselves created by others?
This was a fascinating beginning to a journey that left me eager to discover Helen’s story beyond the myth, and an amazing first part of a tandem read!
There is something devastating about being remembered for a story you never had the chance to tell. Fire Forged takes a familiar figure from mythology and asks us to look beyond the legend. Beyond the woman history has named, blamed, and reshaped, and instead look at Helen herself.
Through Helen’s journey into becoming, we begin to explore not only who she is believed to be, but how she views herself and those around her. This story captures the anger and frustration of watching a woman’s identity become something decided by gods, mortals, and history rather than something she gets to choose. The injustice surrounding Helen and Hephaestus is a powerful emotional thread throughout the story. Their experiences highlight the weight of being defined by others, and the pain of existing within narratives where your own voice is often the one left unheard. As a reception piece, this is not a direct retelling of the ancient Greek and Roman texts, but rather a reimagining that takes familiar myths and asks new questions of them. As a result, there are many mythological elements woven throughout, and readers should be prepared for an expansive world with many characters and stories intersecting each other.
What stayed with me most was the exploration of identity. Who are we when we are no longer the version of ourselves created by others?
This was a fascinating beginning to a journey that left me eager to discover Helen’s story beyond the myth, and an amazing first part of a tandem read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow...honestly wow, this would be my first ever tandem(I skipped out on throne of glass sorry not sorry) so I would say that this was absolute reading cinema, I was so entranced and sucked into the story I felt like I was there with the characters instead of reading. The writing was done so...I'm not sure how to put it...but so lyrical. It flowed like water, time moved different for me. Helen of Troy, Helen of suffering, Helen who the Gods bet against it was all written so beautifully. And not just that the tandem was actually so easy to follow I was scared it would be confusing but the switch between fire forged and shadow veil was seamless. Now to go in and out of my kindle books was a bit of a disaster but I think if ever you needed to buy the physical copies this Tandem series is a must have! 5 stars for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow. So many beautiful sentences in here that made me pause, take a moment and reflect. I thoroughly enjoyed Fire Forged and the journey it took us on as readers! There was action, intrigue, plot and many 'deep' moments. Reading Helen's scrolls was my favourite part in this book and knowing how they came to be passed on to Theron. I also loved following Hephaestus's story, it was so intimate and different. Only downside for me was there were so many names at one point, I couldn't keep up 😂 but those characters were still explained in context and they still made sense in the moment, I'm just not adept in reading Greek mythology so it was overwhelming 🤭 overall, the story pulled me in, I was intrigued and gripped and wanted to know how it would end! Definitely recommend ❤️🔥
May 22, 2026
HEPHAESTUS THROUGH HELEN OF TROY EYES VS HELEN'S TRUE VOICE IN THE UNDERWORLD. THE FALL OF TROY, RETOLD. THIS TANDEM READ IS A RAINBOW LEVEL OF GODDESS PROPORTIONS.
FROM THE SCROLLS OF HELEN IF TROY HERSELF RISES HER VOICE AND HER TRUTH OF WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT TROY AND WITH PARIS.
HELEN’S SCROLLS TELL A VERY DIFFERENT STORY THAN ANYTHING WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT! THE GODS AND THEIR MEDDLING AND GAMES CREATED HELEN IN THE FIRST PLACE AND SHE WAS NEVER MORE THAN A PAWN TO THEM…. BUT MIRRORS CAN BE REVERSED!
THIS IS THE TRUE STORY OF HOW THE GODS DESTROYED TROY AND THEN BLAMED HELEN. BECAUSE THEY ARE THE GODS, MORTALS MERELY FOLLOW ALONG.
MY FIRST EVER TANDEM READ!
FROM THE SCROLLS OF HELEN IF TROY HERSELF RISES HER VOICE AND HER TRUTH OF WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AT TROY AND WITH PARIS.
HELEN’S SCROLLS TELL A VERY DIFFERENT STORY THAN ANYTHING WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT! THE GODS AND THEIR MEDDLING AND GAMES CREATED HELEN IN THE FIRST PLACE AND SHE WAS NEVER MORE THAN A PAWN TO THEM…. BUT MIRRORS CAN BE REVERSED!
THIS IS THE TRUE STORY OF HOW THE GODS DESTROYED TROY AND THEN BLAMED HELEN. BECAUSE THEY ARE THE GODS, MORTALS MERELY FOLLOW ALONG.
MY FIRST EVER TANDEM READ!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I liked this read.
Reading this book in tandem with Shadow Veil has been an experience and I am grateful that there is a guide in front but also placed throughout the book for those who choose to read it as a tandem read. This one felt like, as it should and was designed, to be a standalone as well.
As a Greek Mythology fan, I really enjoyed the story of Hephaestus. It kept me reading, and the story has many layers and deeper meanings. It certainly is not the normal retelling, but it was enjoyable.
It was a good read and I liked how the Greek Gods were portrayed in the story.
Reading this book in tandem with Shadow Veil has been an experience and I am grateful that there is a guide in front but also placed throughout the book for those who choose to read it as a tandem read. This one felt like, as it should and was designed, to be a standalone as well.
As a Greek Mythology fan, I really enjoyed the story of Hephaestus. It kept me reading, and the story has many layers and deeper meanings. It certainly is not the normal retelling, but it was enjoyable.
It was a good read and I liked how the Greek Gods were portrayed in the story.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews