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Soulfire Blue
Not yet published
Expected 7 Sep 26Imber isn’t a name. It’s a title the church branded onto her—a runner, a mage forced to build roads between worlds but forbidden to walk them freely. A tool, never a person.
Until everything unravels. An artifact imbues Imber with stolen magic. A seal shatters that was set ages ago, and an undead goddess slips her bonds, vowing to tear the continents from the sky. And a stranger appears— Corvus, a crow-caped mage who walks the hidden roads untamed, and who offers Imber a name.
Now the church calls for Imber’s aid; her stolen magic makes her their only shield against the risen god. But they do not trust her. They would see her bound. They would see Corvus burned. Prophecy swears their magic will open the ancient seals that contain untold evil.
One god has risen. More wait in the dark.
To the church, she is a danger. To Corvus, she is the answer to a question he cannot phrase. To herself, she is a question with no answer: can she be free in a world that would rather see her destroyed?
The gods stir. The skies tremble. And the only way forward may be through fire.
For readers who crave gods, prophecy, and a slow-burn romance with teeth.
Until everything unravels. An artifact imbues Imber with stolen magic. A seal shatters that was set ages ago, and an undead goddess slips her bonds, vowing to tear the continents from the sky. And a stranger appears— Corvus, a crow-caped mage who walks the hidden roads untamed, and who offers Imber a name.
Now the church calls for Imber’s aid; her stolen magic makes her their only shield against the risen god. But they do not trust her. They would see her bound. They would see Corvus burned. Prophecy swears their magic will open the ancient seals that contain untold evil.
One god has risen. More wait in the dark.
To the church, she is a danger. To Corvus, she is the answer to a question he cannot phrase. To herself, she is a question with no answer: can she be free in a world that would rather see her destroyed?
The gods stir. The skies tremble. And the only way forward may be through fire.
For readers who crave gods, prophecy, and a slow-burn romance with teeth.
- GenresFantasy
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 7, 2026
15 people want to read
About the author
Jesse Sprague
34 books48 followersHi. My name is Jesse and I’m a compulsive writer
I can’t help it. I write prolifically. I write because I must! And luckily for you, my dear reader, the stories never stop.
What do I write?
I write fantasy because the world we live in can feel like a trap.
I write sci-fi because I like to toy with worlds, universes, and cultures. I like to play god. I write horror as a kind of decadence. I mean, who doesn’t like writing that bleeds?
Regardless of what type of speculative fiction I write, you can expect that it will be dark. Whether my inspiration comes from a shiver crawling up my spine while darting across a dark parking lot, a fascination with Gothic heroines and their delightful kidnappability, or a desire to build a world to suit a spiffy MMO character, that dark undercurrent of fear makes me feel alive.
So, if you enjoy science fiction and fantasy with an eye to horror, join my readers group.
I’d love to have you along for special sneak-peeks, cover reveals, free stories, and more! Just to show how special you are to me, I’ll start you off with an exclusive short story!
I can’t help it. I write prolifically. I write because I must! And luckily for you, my dear reader, the stories never stop.
What do I write?
I write fantasy because the world we live in can feel like a trap.
I write sci-fi because I like to toy with worlds, universes, and cultures. I like to play god. I write horror as a kind of decadence. I mean, who doesn’t like writing that bleeds?
Regardless of what type of speculative fiction I write, you can expect that it will be dark. Whether my inspiration comes from a shiver crawling up my spine while darting across a dark parking lot, a fascination with Gothic heroines and their delightful kidnappability, or a desire to build a world to suit a spiffy MMO character, that dark undercurrent of fear makes me feel alive.
So, if you enjoy science fiction and fantasy with an eye to horror, join my readers group.
I’d love to have you along for special sneak-peeks, cover reveals, free stories, and more! Just to show how special you are to me, I’ll start you off with an exclusive short story!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5 stars)
Soul Fire Blue by Jesse Sprague completely pulled me into its dark, mythic atmosphere from the first chapter. This is Book 1 in the Wandering Worlds Saga, and it sets up a richly layered fantasy world that feels both ancient and hauntingly intimate.
The plot follows a FMC who is far more powerful (and far more central to the fate of her world) than she initially realizes. There’s a strong thread of destiny woven through the story, but what I loved most is that it never feels like “chosen one” cliché for the sake of it. The stakes are personal. The magic is dangerous. And every decision feels like it could cost something real.
The storyline unfolds in a way that blends mystery, ancient lore, and slow-burn revelations. The opening is immersive and slightly cryptic (in a good way), and once the main conflict sharpens into focus, the pacing really takes off. The middle builds tension steadily, and by the final third I was flying through pages. There are a few moments where the lore gets dense, but if you love high fantasy, it feels intentional rather than overwhelming.
The FMC is strong without being untouchable. She’s layered, emotionally grounded, and driven by something deeper than just survival. I appreciated that her strength isn’t just physical or magical—it’s resilience. She questions, she struggles, she feels. That vulnerability makes her victories hit harder. I’m already invested in where her arc is going.
Tropes/themes you’ll find:
Destiny / prophecy threads
Hidden or awakening power
Slow-burn tension
Dark, atmospheric fantasy
Found-purpose undertones
Ancient magic & layered world-building
The tone leans moody and immersive, with beautiful, almost lyrical moments. A couple of lines that really stuck with me:
> “Fire does not ask permission to burn.”
> “Some souls are forged in silence before they are set alight.”
Those lines capture the core energy of this book—quiet power building into something unstoppable.
Overall, Soul Fire Blue is a strong, atmospheric start to a saga that promises bigger stakes and deeper magic ahead. If you love fantasy that blends introspective character work with ancient power and destiny-driven plots, this is one to pick up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m definitely continuing this series. 🔥💙
Soul Fire Blue by Jesse Sprague completely pulled me into its dark, mythic atmosphere from the first chapter. This is Book 1 in the Wandering Worlds Saga, and it sets up a richly layered fantasy world that feels both ancient and hauntingly intimate.
The plot follows a FMC who is far more powerful (and far more central to the fate of her world) than she initially realizes. There’s a strong thread of destiny woven through the story, but what I loved most is that it never feels like “chosen one” cliché for the sake of it. The stakes are personal. The magic is dangerous. And every decision feels like it could cost something real.
The storyline unfolds in a way that blends mystery, ancient lore, and slow-burn revelations. The opening is immersive and slightly cryptic (in a good way), and once the main conflict sharpens into focus, the pacing really takes off. The middle builds tension steadily, and by the final third I was flying through pages. There are a few moments where the lore gets dense, but if you love high fantasy, it feels intentional rather than overwhelming.
The FMC is strong without being untouchable. She’s layered, emotionally grounded, and driven by something deeper than just survival. I appreciated that her strength isn’t just physical or magical—it’s resilience. She questions, she struggles, she feels. That vulnerability makes her victories hit harder. I’m already invested in where her arc is going.
Tropes/themes you’ll find:
Destiny / prophecy threads
Hidden or awakening power
Slow-burn tension
Dark, atmospheric fantasy
Found-purpose undertones
Ancient magic & layered world-building
The tone leans moody and immersive, with beautiful, almost lyrical moments. A couple of lines that really stuck with me:
> “Fire does not ask permission to burn.”
> “Some souls are forged in silence before they are set alight.”
Those lines capture the core energy of this book—quiet power building into something unstoppable.
Overall, Soul Fire Blue is a strong, atmospheric start to a saga that promises bigger stakes and deeper magic ahead. If you love fantasy that blends introspective character work with ancient power and destiny-driven plots, this is one to pick up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m definitely continuing this series. 🔥💙
Review of advance copy received from Author
Great read, powers, fantasy, God's. She has no actual name and gets stolen powers. She has the ability to help save her world and those around her.
Review of advance copy received from Author
great read catches you from the start .
Review of advance copy received from Author
Soulfire Blue is one of those books that grabs you and won't let go. The worldbuilding is immense; I have seen screenshots of the dictionary the author created for the language of Blue's Ancients. Each race has its own culture, its own religion, its own political zeitgeist, its own ethnic background (and related racism), and its own way of living that is so unique from the others.
Imber, as a character, is smart, sympathetic, and just a blast to follow. When Imber's world is shifted 360 degrees, and everything's a mess around her, I just want to wrap her in a blanket fresh from the dryer. Imber's relationship with Corvus is a playbook pulled from the great classic romances.
Corvus himself is tall, dark, and handsome; strange to Imber and everyone else, and an unfiltered user of stinging commentary on the world he finds himself in. Imber's draw to him as the only person who unexpectedly treasures her as a person makes sense within the confines of their world.
If you're looking for a fun adventure story with intelligent characters and peak worldbuilding, you've come to the right book. Soulfire Blue is all that and more.
Imber, as a character, is smart, sympathetic, and just a blast to follow. When Imber's world is shifted 360 degrees, and everything's a mess around her, I just want to wrap her in a blanket fresh from the dryer. Imber's relationship with Corvus is a playbook pulled from the great classic romances.
Corvus himself is tall, dark, and handsome; strange to Imber and everyone else, and an unfiltered user of stinging commentary on the world he finds himself in. Imber's draw to him as the only person who unexpectedly treasures her as a person makes sense within the confines of their world.
If you're looking for a fun adventure story with intelligent characters and peak worldbuilding, you've come to the right book. Soulfire Blue is all that and more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This epic fantasy blends magic with an intimate, character-driven story about autonomy, curiosity, and the quiet rebellion of living a rewarding life.
Set in a magical world governed by strict class and religious systems, the story follows Imber, a young woman crushed by the restrictions placed on her—until she accidentally steals an ancient power and shatters the balance holding the world together. An old god rises, and chaos follows. But the most riveting transformation is Imber’s, as she begins to reclaim her agency in a society that has never truly allowed her to choose.
The novel’s standout theme is its treatment of curiosity as magic—a dangerous, radical force in a society built on obedience. Enter Corvus, a grumpy, enigmatic mage whose presence slowly reshapes how Imber sees everything. Their romance is low/no-spice but resonant, woven naturally into the larger story.
Thoughtful, romantic, and mythic in scope, this book is perfect for readers who love epic fantasy with romance sprinkled in... and who believe wonder can be just as powerful as magic.
Set in a magical world governed by strict class and religious systems, the story follows Imber, a young woman crushed by the restrictions placed on her—until she accidentally steals an ancient power and shatters the balance holding the world together. An old god rises, and chaos follows. But the most riveting transformation is Imber’s, as she begins to reclaim her agency in a society that has never truly allowed her to choose.
The novel’s standout theme is its treatment of curiosity as magic—a dangerous, radical force in a society built on obedience. Enter Corvus, a grumpy, enigmatic mage whose presence slowly reshapes how Imber sees everything. Their romance is low/no-spice but resonant, woven naturally into the larger story.
Thoughtful, romantic, and mythic in scope, this book is perfect for readers who love epic fantasy with romance sprinkled in... and who believe wonder can be just as powerful as magic.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Soulfire Blue is a compelling start to Jesse Sprague’s new Wandering Worlds series. Mixing elements of epic fantasy and dark romance, Sprague introduces us to Imber, a "runner" branded by the church to build roads between worlds but never walk them for herself. When she is imbued with stolen magic, she becomes the only shield against a rising undead goddess.
Why it’s a 4-Star Standout:
Unique World-Building: The concept of "runners" and the architectural magic of building literal paths between realms is inventive and fresh.
Atmospheric Darkness: True to Sprague’s signature style, the book is steeped in a "dark undercurrent of fear" that makes the stakes feel incredibly high.
Compelling Leads: The introduction of Corvus, the crow-caped mage, adds a layer of mystery and slow-burn tension that keeps you turning the pages.
A Minor "Blight":
Complex Lore: The sheer amount of world-building and history—from ancient seals to the intricate church politics—can feel a bit dense in the early chapters, occasionally slowing down the initial pacing.
Why it’s a 4-Star Standout:
Unique World-Building: The concept of "runners" and the architectural magic of building literal paths between realms is inventive and fresh.
Atmospheric Darkness: True to Sprague’s signature style, the book is steeped in a "dark undercurrent of fear" that makes the stakes feel incredibly high.
Compelling Leads: The introduction of Corvus, the crow-caped mage, adds a layer of mystery and slow-burn tension that keeps you turning the pages.
A Minor "Blight":
Complex Lore: The sheer amount of world-building and history—from ancient seals to the intricate church politics—can feel a bit dense in the early chapters, occasionally slowing down the initial pacing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ms. Sprague has created a fascinating world that spins out details the same way we learn about our own culture - on a need to know basis. The beginning is mysterious and you learn as you go what it all means.
Ember is a strong female lead but not a man in female clothes. She moves through her world making the best of what she knows, learns and is given. She is not a cardboard character but one of those you can imagine being a real person who you feel a personal connection to. This is partly because her conversations with other characters and her reactions to situations are believable.
As in her other novels, the mood is dark but grounded in a real world with many possibilities and a quiet belief that good exists in the world and sometimes wins.
I can't wait to read the next installment to see where the magic leads Ember.
Ember is a strong female lead but not a man in female clothes. She moves through her world making the best of what she knows, learns and is given. She is not a cardboard character but one of those you can imagine being a real person who you feel a personal connection to. This is partly because her conversations with other characters and her reactions to situations are believable.
As in her other novels, the mood is dark but grounded in a real world with many possibilities and a quiet belief that good exists in the world and sometimes wins.
I can't wait to read the next installment to see where the magic leads Ember.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow. This is a wonderful fantasy romance with unique world building and endearing characters.
Imber is a runner, meaning she can travel through portals into a different dimension called the Wondering Worlds. While she is chained to the church and considered a dangerous weapon, thus monitored closely, in the Wandering World she is free and her thoughts shape the region.
Then, Corvus comes. Mysterious, broody, with many secrets… the type of MC I love!
Together they need to save the flying continents from the Ancients, terrible creatures of unlimited power.
But when Corvus secrets come unveiled, it will crush Imber’s perception of him.
Slow burn, really slow! And almost no spice in this book, which is awesome because there are so many adventures and dangers one can focus on the beautiful plot for sure!
This beautiful book will be on Kickstarter in March with such amazing hand-drawn art by the artist.
Come for the jaw dropping cover, stay for the plot!
Imber is a runner, meaning she can travel through portals into a different dimension called the Wondering Worlds. While she is chained to the church and considered a dangerous weapon, thus monitored closely, in the Wandering World she is free and her thoughts shape the region.
Then, Corvus comes. Mysterious, broody, with many secrets… the type of MC I love!
Together they need to save the flying continents from the Ancients, terrible creatures of unlimited power.
But when Corvus secrets come unveiled, it will crush Imber’s perception of him.
Slow burn, really slow! And almost no spice in this book, which is awesome because there are so many adventures and dangers one can focus on the beautiful plot for sure!
This beautiful book will be on Kickstarter in March with such amazing hand-drawn art by the artist.
Come for the jaw dropping cover, stay for the plot!
February 15, 2026
It is really difficult to review this book.
The first third was all over the place, cryptic and confusing, with a plot difficult to grasp and main characters with very few emotions and free will. They felt a little like empty shells.
Then the story kicks in a bit and we understand the main goal but the action is slow and I was struggling to get invested in the budding romance.
The last 25% was good. I felt at last attached to some characters but not all and I found myself rooting for the cute couple at the very end.
If it was not an ARC, I would probably have stopped reading around 50% but I wanted to give it a chance.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this ARC.
The first third was all over the place, cryptic and confusing, with a plot difficult to grasp and main characters with very few emotions and free will. They felt a little like empty shells.
Then the story kicks in a bit and we understand the main goal but the action is slow and I was struggling to get invested in the budding romance.
The last 25% was good. I felt at last attached to some characters but not all and I found myself rooting for the cute couple at the very end.
If it was not an ARC, I would probably have stopped reading around 50% but I wanted to give it a chance.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wow! What an incredible journey. The magic system in this book is so cool, and the main character is intelligent and inquisitive, but also burdened with a power that she shouldn’t have, and it could either get her killed or save the world from collapse.
There is a romance threaded throughout this story, but that is not the main plot which I greatly appreciate in a good fantasy. There’s action, adventure, myth and lore… you can tell so much care has been put into this world.
There is a romance threaded throughout this story, but that is not the main plot which I greatly appreciate in a good fantasy. There’s action, adventure, myth and lore… you can tell so much care has been put into this world.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Arc Read 100% Finished 3.4* 2pov
I have to commend this book for a fantastical world idea. I did have a lot of trouble making it through this book though. There was lots of information usually pushed all at once and long drawn out parts. The plot line was pretty predictable but still enjoyable. I feel like this book should have been a lot shorter or cut into more than just one book. I wish some things instead of just told.
I have to commend this book for a fantastical world idea. I did have a lot of trouble making it through this book though. There was lots of information usually pushed all at once and long drawn out parts. The plot line was pretty predictable but still enjoyable. I feel like this book should have been a lot shorter or cut into more than just one book. I wish some things instead of just told.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.
A very good, entertaining read. Fast paced, so much so, that I still didn’t know what was happening by 10% of the book - but so it goes with fantasy sometimes.
I did notice that the phrase “wandering worlds” was used repetitively within few sentences of each other, but only at the beginning of the book.
Overall a very enjoyable read, zero spice.
A very good, entertaining read. Fast paced, so much so, that I still didn’t know what was happening by 10% of the book - but so it goes with fantasy sometimes.
I did notice that the phrase “wandering worlds” was used repetitively within few sentences of each other, but only at the beginning of the book.
Overall a very enjoyable read, zero spice.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🌶️🌶️
Tropes/TW:
Dark fantasy romance
Resilient FMC x broody MMC
Slow burn tension
Found family
Chosen one
Ancient secrets & forbidden magic
Thank you Jesse Sprague and netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Tropes/TW:
Dark fantasy romance
Resilient FMC x broody MMC
Slow burn tension
Found family
Chosen one
Ancient secrets & forbidden magic
Thank you Jesse Sprague and netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this title. Spoiler free review below!
This was just sadly not the story for me. I had no clue what was going on the entire time I was reading. I would summarize the plot for you if I could but I had absolutely no clue what the plot was. I felt lost and confused, and each chapter brought new, unanswered questions. The world itself is a cool concept - four different floating continents holding four different races - but absolutely nothing was explained up front. I pieced together what I could from the very minimal information given to me throughout the book. The magic system is also a very unique, interesting idea; the FMC can world walk and has a job as a runner between worlds, completing tasks and delivering messages. There are gods, but some of the races worship them and some hate them? It is not really explained why. A lack of explanation of the different kinds of magic (because there are many) left me confused. The hierarchy of power in the worlds (Watchers vs. silent watchers vs. watchers blades) was again unexplained and I found myself unable to enjoy this story because of it. The ideas and concepts were very cool, the execution was just flawed. I wasn't super attached to any of the characters, or invested in the romance. The characters themselves fell flat for me, not really having any defining characteristics. Overall, this was just not the type of book for me and I found myself skimming just so I could get to the end :( I hate to say that because again, this could have been a really interesting fantasy if constructed correctly.
This was just sadly not the story for me. I had no clue what was going on the entire time I was reading. I would summarize the plot for you if I could but I had absolutely no clue what the plot was. I felt lost and confused, and each chapter brought new, unanswered questions. The world itself is a cool concept - four different floating continents holding four different races - but absolutely nothing was explained up front. I pieced together what I could from the very minimal information given to me throughout the book. The magic system is also a very unique, interesting idea; the FMC can world walk and has a job as a runner between worlds, completing tasks and delivering messages. There are gods, but some of the races worship them and some hate them? It is not really explained why. A lack of explanation of the different kinds of magic (because there are many) left me confused. The hierarchy of power in the worlds (Watchers vs. silent watchers vs. watchers blades) was again unexplained and I found myself unable to enjoy this story because of it. The ideas and concepts were very cool, the execution was just flawed. I wasn't super attached to any of the characters, or invested in the romance. The characters themselves fell flat for me, not really having any defining characteristics. Overall, this was just not the type of book for me and I found myself skimming just so I could get to the end :( I hate to say that because again, this could have been a really interesting fantasy if constructed correctly.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed it. The characters were well written. However, the pacing was slow. It kind of reminds me of science fiction a bit and the setting was atmospheric for me. I do recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews