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The flamebound chronicles #1
The shadow and the flame
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review
Sera Cole, what did you put in this book that made me addicted to it?!?! From the personal dedication throughout the book until the Epilogue I was put in a ban. I often read during the evening and I physically had to stop myself from reading so that I don't f- up my sleeping schedule even more!
Let's start- the personal dedication already hooked me onto this book. It touched my heart, my heart blossomed and warmed when I read this dedication. I tapped next and boom- a map. A map of the world!! I love when Fantasy Books (or in general books) have maps! Makes the reading feel more intimate and interesting and attaching.
First sentence- me immediately hooked onto the story. I cannot express how much of an attachment I had to the story. The introduction of the characters? Starring and direct. The description was immaculate at the time. I could visually see where they stood and what was going on. I also enjoyed the setting of it being in a desert and a kingdom being afraid of what the princess has been carrying inside of her, without her knowing yet and the dangers that would lay ahead in her path.
Introduction of the MMC: Honestly, the gasp I let out... he has shoulder length hair! I love MMC with long hair!!!
I laughed and giggled when we were introduced to the friends of the FMC- I genuinely love them. All in all I love the dynamic between the three friends. They fit like puzzle pieces together.
In general, Sera managed to make me feel like I was with them, that I was part of the story. The world building is top notch. Sometimes I wished to see more, but then it would have been overwhelming- it definitely fit the way it was.
The character King Alaric, the father of Seraaya, is quite interesting. Many of his actions were those of a grieving man, husband, father and king who wants nothing more than to protect his children.
Something unhinged to say but Thalan the man you are- you can control and order me around at any times you like.
It was a slow burn to say- how the relationship between Thalan and Seraaya formed, over grief, over protecting each other and the kingdom. The scenes between felt real and soul crushing at times. The banters between them, the training had me giggling and kicking my feets while reading and usually I am a composed reader.
Overall I genuinely loved this book so much. Also I had throughout the book a cinematic view- it's like I was reading but it was a movie at the same time too.
Also Corin is my favourite character- I genuinely like this cutie- I bet tho something is coming up with him...
Here a few more things I wish to see more in the next books:
1. Draxenwell, the enemy doesn't seem to lack of those who possess fire- why do they have so many? Is Draxenwell more linked to the Fire World than we know?
2. The sisters of Seraaya, Velora and Leona, I wish to see more of them. Leona with her healing powers and Velora- the crown princess (one of my favourite characters), who handled at the end in a mysterious way but also like an Queen.
3. The True Depth that the kingdom carries, I feel like there is more hidden than it is being shown.
4. Who or what Darkness is truly. It's explained but I feel like there is more- depth that we definitely understand later on hopefully.
Stop‼️‼️
Spoiler Warning ahead: I am sharing my favourite quotes/passages and they contain spoilers- if not wanting to see, stop reading.
• The kingdom would remember this night.
They would remember her.
• “You mean I am being locked away.”
“Protected,” he corrected softly.
• Together, the three of them had terrorized half the palace: taming feral cats and racing across courtyards until the tutors despaired.
• Corin’s grin grew smug. “You have to admit, ‘Lieutenant Corin’ has a good ring to it.”
• “She feared that if word spread too early, even the knowledge of what you carried would endanger your life. And so, I swore it—king, husband, man. I swore it.”
• “I would sooner endure your hatred,” he whispered, “than bury a daughter.”
• Her father had entrusted her safety to him. Thalan would do his duty. But, could she trust him?
• “When we return,” he continued, quieter now, but no less intense, “you may ask His Majesty to assign another Shadow Guard.”
“But remember this.”
His gaze held hers, unyielding now.
“No one will be more concerned for your well-being than I am.”
• Leona looked between them—the Captain and her sister—the Shadow and the Flame.
• He lost everything he had known.
She lost what she was never given the opportunity to know.
• “Somewhere between your Flame and my shadows, I found the only place my heart has ever felt safe,” he said, his voice hoarse. “You are the home I never believed I deserved.”
• “You will not know what is missing… until you learn how much you have already lost.”
Sera Cole, what did you put in this book that made me addicted to it?!?! From the personal dedication throughout the book until the Epilogue I was put in a ban. I often read during the evening and I physically had to stop myself from reading so that I don't f- up my sleeping schedule even more!
Let's start- the personal dedication already hooked me onto this book. It touched my heart, my heart blossomed and warmed when I read this dedication. I tapped next and boom- a map. A map of the world!! I love when Fantasy Books (or in general books) have maps! Makes the reading feel more intimate and interesting and attaching.
First sentence- me immediately hooked onto the story. I cannot express how much of an attachment I had to the story. The introduction of the characters? Starring and direct. The description was immaculate at the time. I could visually see where they stood and what was going on. I also enjoyed the setting of it being in a desert and a kingdom being afraid of what the princess has been carrying inside of her, without her knowing yet and the dangers that would lay ahead in her path.
Introduction of the MMC: Honestly, the gasp I let out... he has shoulder length hair! I love MMC with long hair!!!
I laughed and giggled when we were introduced to the friends of the FMC- I genuinely love them. All in all I love the dynamic between the three friends. They fit like puzzle pieces together.
In general, Sera managed to make me feel like I was with them, that I was part of the story. The world building is top notch. Sometimes I wished to see more, but then it would have been overwhelming- it definitely fit the way it was.
The character King Alaric, the father of Seraaya, is quite interesting. Many of his actions were those of a grieving man, husband, father and king who wants nothing more than to protect his children.
Something unhinged to say but Thalan the man you are- you can control and order me around at any times you like.
It was a slow burn to say- how the relationship between Thalan and Seraaya formed, over grief, over protecting each other and the kingdom. The scenes between felt real and soul crushing at times. The banters between them, the training had me giggling and kicking my feets while reading and usually I am a composed reader.
Overall I genuinely loved this book so much. Also I had throughout the book a cinematic view- it's like I was reading but it was a movie at the same time too.
Also Corin is my favourite character- I genuinely like this cutie- I bet tho something is coming up with him...
Here a few more things I wish to see more in the next books:
1. Draxenwell, the enemy doesn't seem to lack of those who possess fire- why do they have so many? Is Draxenwell more linked to the Fire World than we know?
2. The sisters of Seraaya, Velora and Leona, I wish to see more of them. Leona with her healing powers and Velora- the crown princess (one of my favourite characters), who handled at the end in a mysterious way but also like an Queen.
3. The True Depth that the kingdom carries, I feel like there is more hidden than it is being shown.
4. Who or what Darkness is truly. It's explained but I feel like there is more- depth that we definitely understand later on hopefully.
Stop‼️‼️
Spoiler Warning ahead: I am sharing my favourite quotes/passages and they contain spoilers- if not wanting to see, stop reading.
• The kingdom would remember this night.
They would remember her.
• “You mean I am being locked away.”
“Protected,” he corrected softly.
• Together, the three of them had terrorized half the palace: taming feral cats and racing across courtyards until the tutors despaired.
• Corin’s grin grew smug. “You have to admit, ‘Lieutenant Corin’ has a good ring to it.”
• “She feared that if word spread too early, even the knowledge of what you carried would endanger your life. And so, I swore it—king, husband, man. I swore it.”
• “I would sooner endure your hatred,” he whispered, “than bury a daughter.”
• Her father had entrusted her safety to him. Thalan would do his duty. But, could she trust him?
• “When we return,” he continued, quieter now, but no less intense, “you may ask His Majesty to assign another Shadow Guard.”
“But remember this.”
His gaze held hers, unyielding now.
“No one will be more concerned for your well-being than I am.”
• Leona looked between them—the Captain and her sister—the Shadow and the Flame.
• He lost everything he had known.
She lost what she was never given the opportunity to know.
• “Somewhere between your Flame and my shadows, I found the only place my heart has ever felt safe,” he said, his voice hoarse. “You are the home I never believed I deserved.”
• “You will not know what is missing… until you learn how much you have already lost.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
The setting of The Shadow and The Flame is really unique! I haven't read that many fantasy books that have a desert setting (The Wrath and The Dawn duology and the Kane Chronicles I think are the only two I can think of right now) so this was absolutely a treat. I really liked the world building with the molten glass in the sand, the torches, the runes carved into a sandstone palace, and the variety of neat weapons.
The relationships between main character Seraaya and her friends and sisters were definitely a strong point in the book. I would've loved to see more of all four of them, but I think it's fine that we didn't see more since that wasn't really the focus of the book. I just think that they were all interesting characters that were given some pretty neat depth, which I really appreciated! I especially liked the character Velora, who is strong willed, measured, and kind. I hope she has a larger role in book 2!
Something I didn't love was the relationship between Seraaya and Thalan in general. I did really like that their relationship developed slowly and was based a lot on emotional connection and mutual understanding. There was a scene that was really beautifully executed that illustrated this well (). However, I think that the initial attraction happened a little too quickly. I was also very thrown by the age difference. Seraaya has just turned 18 and Thalan is 28. Since the book is focused on their emotional connection, maturity differences and power dynamics don't really make themselves too apparent, I just didn't really love the age difference. This may not be a problem for other readers however.
I also feel like the story as a whole was a little confusing at parts and not the most clear, specifically towards the beginning. However, the end of the book was fantastic. Everything culminated in a really satisfying way, the battle was nail biting, the scene in the throne room is had me glued to my seat (. I like that Seraaya had to confront complex feelings about her father and didn't reach a set conclusion, because emotions don't really have a set conclusion.
Overall, The Shadow and The Flame was a decent story. The setting was gorgeous and a lot of the world building details were unique and interesting. The descriptions of the setting and the people were really good; I could actually imagine what was going on. The relationships between Seraaya and her friends and family were really strong and the emotional scenes were really well done. However, at times the story was a little confusing to follow and for me personally, the relationship between Seraaya and Thalan wasn't very enjoyable. I think that this book will be enjoyable for people who like slow burn (this is very slow burn and the slow burn is well done), don't mind age gaps, and want a truly unique fantasy world to immerse themselves into.
The relationships between main character Seraaya and her friends and sisters were definitely a strong point in the book. I would've loved to see more of all four of them, but I think it's fine that we didn't see more since that wasn't really the focus of the book. I just think that they were all interesting characters that were given some pretty neat depth, which I really appreciated! I especially liked the character Velora, who is strong willed, measured, and kind. I hope she has a larger role in book 2!
Something I didn't love was the relationship between Seraaya and Thalan in general. I did really like that their relationship developed slowly and was based a lot on emotional connection and mutual understanding. There was a scene that was really beautifully executed that illustrated this well (). However, I think that the initial attraction happened a little too quickly. I was also very thrown by the age difference. Seraaya has just turned 18 and Thalan is 28. Since the book is focused on their emotional connection, maturity differences and power dynamics don't really make themselves too apparent, I just didn't really love the age difference. This may not be a problem for other readers however.
I also feel like the story as a whole was a little confusing at parts and not the most clear, specifically towards the beginning. However, the end of the book was fantastic. Everything culminated in a really satisfying way, the battle was nail biting, the scene in the throne room is had me glued to my seat (. I like that Seraaya had to confront complex feelings about her father and didn't reach a set conclusion, because emotions don't really have a set conclusion.
Overall, The Shadow and The Flame was a decent story. The setting was gorgeous and a lot of the world building details were unique and interesting. The descriptions of the setting and the people were really good; I could actually imagine what was going on. The relationships between Seraaya and her friends and family were really strong and the emotional scenes were really well done. However, at times the story was a little confusing to follow and for me personally, the relationship between Seraaya and Thalan wasn't very enjoyable. I think that this book will be enjoyable for people who like slow burn (this is very slow burn and the slow burn is well done), don't mind age gaps, and want a truly unique fantasy world to immerse themselves into.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advanced reader copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
3.75 stars.
This book had such deep lore and history that I felt immersed into their world as I read. The biggest thing that kept me from giving it 4 stars was that the writing style wasn’t what I was used to, so it prevented me from fully immersing into it. However, that’s just my own personal opinion and this book was still beautifully written.
The story takes place in desert lands, something I haven’t read in a while so I was very excited! The world building was so thorough and deep— we have traditions that date back thousands of years, wars that have been waging for just as long, and mysteries that are only finally beginning to give clues as to their purpose. This book gave me some Wheel of Time vibes because the flame reincarnating reminds me of the dragon reborn. We also have different parties either trying to kill the flame, steal the flame, or use the flame, just like how the dragon reborn was treated.
One aspect I quite enjoyed was the fact that magic doesn’t seem to be common in the kingdom that Seraaya, our FMC, is from. That is why her being the flame is stirring up unease in the kingdom. However, the enemy kingdom appears to have no shortage of fire-wielding mages. We do not know why that is yet and I’m really hoping that’s something that will be revealed in future books! While Seraaya was an interesting character for me, I found Thalan, the MMC, to be a little bit flat. He is supposed to be the broody, stoic, and in love with the FMC but holding it in because of duty type of character. But I thought he took being stoic a little too seriously. He became an absolute cinnamon roll though after they finally accepted their feelings for each other. The author meant it when they said SLOW BURN (I’m not mad about that, I love slow burn!)
As a side note, there’s one detail I really enjoyed in this book. Whenever there’s a battle, because some characters wield fire and they are in a desert, we see pieces of molten glass scattered everywhere. Just loved that attention to detail there!
Ultimately, I think this book was a good read and would have definitely been 4 stars if I could’ve wrapped my head around the different writing style. Again, not the fault of the author but just my own preference!
3.75 stars.
This book had such deep lore and history that I felt immersed into their world as I read. The biggest thing that kept me from giving it 4 stars was that the writing style wasn’t what I was used to, so it prevented me from fully immersing into it. However, that’s just my own personal opinion and this book was still beautifully written.
The story takes place in desert lands, something I haven’t read in a while so I was very excited! The world building was so thorough and deep— we have traditions that date back thousands of years, wars that have been waging for just as long, and mysteries that are only finally beginning to give clues as to their purpose. This book gave me some Wheel of Time vibes because the flame reincarnating reminds me of the dragon reborn. We also have different parties either trying to kill the flame, steal the flame, or use the flame, just like how the dragon reborn was treated.
One aspect I quite enjoyed was the fact that magic doesn’t seem to be common in the kingdom that Seraaya, our FMC, is from. That is why her being the flame is stirring up unease in the kingdom. However, the enemy kingdom appears to have no shortage of fire-wielding mages. We do not know why that is yet and I’m really hoping that’s something that will be revealed in future books! While Seraaya was an interesting character for me, I found Thalan, the MMC, to be a little bit flat. He is supposed to be the broody, stoic, and in love with the FMC but holding it in because of duty type of character. But I thought he took being stoic a little too seriously. He became an absolute cinnamon roll though after they finally accepted their feelings for each other. The author meant it when they said SLOW BURN (I’m not mad about that, I love slow burn!)
As a side note, there’s one detail I really enjoyed in this book. Whenever there’s a battle, because some characters wield fire and they are in a desert, we see pieces of molten glass scattered everywhere. Just loved that attention to detail there!
Ultimately, I think this book was a good read and would have definitely been 4 stars if I could’ve wrapped my head around the different writing style. Again, not the fault of the author but just my own preference!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
A desert YA romantasy with forbidden fire magic, a broody captain, political betrayals, ancient lore, and a slow burn that had me suffering and screaming internally? Yeah, The Shadow And The Flame by Sera Cole consumed me 🔥
For centuries, no one has survived the Flame.
Now Princess Seraaya - feared for the dangerous magic burning inside her is bound to Captain Thalan, the kingdom’s most feared warrior, to learn how to control it before it destroys everything around her.
The TENSION in this book?? The yearning. The restraint. The “I would burn the world for you but I absolutely cannot touch you” energy. EXQUISITE.
Thalan is giving broody, emotionally constipated protector who would absolutely kill for her while pretending he feels nothing, and for me, that works every single time. Meanwhile Seraaya was such an easy FMC to love, kind-hearted, brave, emotional, and trying so hard to carry the weight of a power everyone fears.
Their relationship develops through grief, training, trust, and protecting each other, which made every little moment feel so much intense. And when the emotional walls finally start cracking?? I was UNWELL.
Also this world felt SO cinematic. The desert setting, the molten glass scattered after fire battles, the rune-carved sandstone palace, the torchlit halls, the hidden lore simmering underneath everything, it genuinely felt like watching a fantasy movie unfold in my head.
And the side characters?? Corin and Neyra’s banter added such sweet light moments. Velora and Leona absolutely stole scenes whenever they appeared and I need more of the sisters in the next books because I KNOW there are deeper secrets there.
- princess x captain romance
- sweet/clean slow burn
- touch her and die energy
- fated bonds
- yearning and tension
- tragic backstories
- hidden powers
- ancient magic and mysteries
- betrayals and political intrigue
Also, why does the enemy kingdom have SO many fire wielders?? What exactly is the Darkness?? I have so many questions 👀
If you love romantasy with emotional slow burns, protective warriors, magical bonds, and fantasy worlds dripping with atmosphere, do yourself a favor and read this book immediately.
For centuries, no one has survived the Flame.
Now Princess Seraaya - feared for the dangerous magic burning inside her is bound to Captain Thalan, the kingdom’s most feared warrior, to learn how to control it before it destroys everything around her.
The TENSION in this book?? The yearning. The restraint. The “I would burn the world for you but I absolutely cannot touch you” energy. EXQUISITE.
Thalan is giving broody, emotionally constipated protector who would absolutely kill for her while pretending he feels nothing, and for me, that works every single time. Meanwhile Seraaya was such an easy FMC to love, kind-hearted, brave, emotional, and trying so hard to carry the weight of a power everyone fears.
Their relationship develops through grief, training, trust, and protecting each other, which made every little moment feel so much intense. And when the emotional walls finally start cracking?? I was UNWELL.
Also this world felt SO cinematic. The desert setting, the molten glass scattered after fire battles, the rune-carved sandstone palace, the torchlit halls, the hidden lore simmering underneath everything, it genuinely felt like watching a fantasy movie unfold in my head.
And the side characters?? Corin and Neyra’s banter added such sweet light moments. Velora and Leona absolutely stole scenes whenever they appeared and I need more of the sisters in the next books because I KNOW there are deeper secrets there.
- princess x captain romance
- sweet/clean slow burn
- touch her and die energy
- fated bonds
- yearning and tension
- tragic backstories
- hidden powers
- ancient magic and mysteries
- betrayals and political intrigue
Also, why does the enemy kingdom have SO many fire wielders?? What exactly is the Darkness?? I have so many questions 👀
If you love romantasy with emotional slow burns, protective warriors, magical bonds, and fantasy worlds dripping with atmosphere, do yourself a favor and read this book immediately.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I liked this book. The story felt original and interesting, and the fantasy world has a lot of potential. Even though I had some difficulties getting into the story at the beginning, I still wanted to continue reading to see where the plot and the characters would go.
One thing that made it difficult for me to fully connect emotionally with the story was the narration style. At times, the transitions between scenes felt too abrupt. Characters would be together in one moment, and suddenly it was already the next day. Because of that, I sometimes felt like important emotional moments were skipped. For example, I would have loved to see more of the characters saying goodbye, or more of Seraaya’s thoughts and feelings after certain interactions.
I did feel emotional during the scene where Seraaya sees her sister again, but I think that moment would have had an even bigger emotional impact if her relationship with her sisters had been explored more deeply earlier in the story.
The FMC, Seraaya, is curious, brave, and easy to root for, while the MMC is protective, mysterious, and charming. The book also includes many romantasy tropes that I love: forced proximity, mates, yearning, and plenty of tension between the characters.
Velora was another standout character for me. She is strong, intelligent, and a natural leader, and I would love to see more of her in the next books.
I also really enjoyed the “princess and captain” dynamic, especially with the ten-year age gap adding another layer to their relationship.
Leona was another character who surprised me throughout the story. She changed a lot over the course of the book, and her development left room for a sequel that I would definitely be interested in reading.
In the end, I think this is a promising first book in a fantasy series. While I struggled a little with the pacing and the narration style, I still enjoyed the story, the characters, and the overall concept, and I would be interested in continuing the series.
Overall, I liked this book. The story felt original and interesting, and the fantasy world has a lot of potential. Even though I had some difficulties getting into the story at the beginning, I still wanted to continue reading to see where the plot and the characters would go.
One thing that made it difficult for me to fully connect emotionally with the story was the narration style. At times, the transitions between scenes felt too abrupt. Characters would be together in one moment, and suddenly it was already the next day. Because of that, I sometimes felt like important emotional moments were skipped. For example, I would have loved to see more of the characters saying goodbye, or more of Seraaya’s thoughts and feelings after certain interactions.
I did feel emotional during the scene where Seraaya sees her sister again, but I think that moment would have had an even bigger emotional impact if her relationship with her sisters had been explored more deeply earlier in the story.
The FMC, Seraaya, is curious, brave, and easy to root for, while the MMC is protective, mysterious, and charming. The book also includes many romantasy tropes that I love: forced proximity, mates, yearning, and plenty of tension between the characters.
Velora was another standout character for me. She is strong, intelligent, and a natural leader, and I would love to see more of her in the next books.
I also really enjoyed the “princess and captain” dynamic, especially with the ten-year age gap adding another layer to their relationship.
Leona was another character who surprised me throughout the story. She changed a lot over the course of the book, and her development left room for a sequel that I would definitely be interested in reading.
In the end, I think this is a promising first book in a fantasy series. While I struggled a little with the pacing and the narration style, I still enjoyed the story, the characters, and the overall concept, and I would be interested in continuing the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I will be honest, I struggled with The Shadow and the Flame. Not enough to stop reading, but enough that there were points where getting through it was difficult. This is the first book by Sera Cole, and you can absolutely see the potential for something great here. It just is not quite there yet. Since I was an ARC reader, I do know there is still time for revisions before release, which I think will really benefit this story.
The strongest part of the book for me was the plot. A princess born with a power that most people fear while others desperately want to possess is such a solid premise, especially when paired with a guard tasked with helping her control it. The story also touches on how different people react to fear and power, which added depth to the overall narrative. There were enough twists throughout the book to keep things moving and keep me interested in what would happen next.
The characters, however, needed a bit more development. The FMC and MMC were close to feeling fully fleshed out, but not quite there yet. The side characters especially felt underdeveloped. You can see hints of who they could become and the roles they could play in the story, but right now they still feel unfinished.
The writing style was probably where I struggled the most. The author clearly has a unique voice, which is usually something I really enjoy, but the POV changes were often abrupt and sometimes happened without clear transitions, which made the story hard to follow in places. That said, I do wonder how much of that was due to formatting issues with the ARC copy itself. At times the text appeared as one giant paragraph on my ereader, so it is entirely possible some intended breaks or formatting were lost.
This was not a terrible book. I did enjoy a lot of it, and I think the foundation for a really strong fantasy story is there. With a little more polishing and development, this could turn into something truly amazing.
The strongest part of the book for me was the plot. A princess born with a power that most people fear while others desperately want to possess is such a solid premise, especially when paired with a guard tasked with helping her control it. The story also touches on how different people react to fear and power, which added depth to the overall narrative. There were enough twists throughout the book to keep things moving and keep me interested in what would happen next.
The characters, however, needed a bit more development. The FMC and MMC were close to feeling fully fleshed out, but not quite there yet. The side characters especially felt underdeveloped. You can see hints of who they could become and the roles they could play in the story, but right now they still feel unfinished.
The writing style was probably where I struggled the most. The author clearly has a unique voice, which is usually something I really enjoy, but the POV changes were often abrupt and sometimes happened without clear transitions, which made the story hard to follow in places. That said, I do wonder how much of that was due to formatting issues with the ARC copy itself. At times the text appeared as one giant paragraph on my ereader, so it is entirely possible some intended breaks or formatting were lost.
This was not a terrible book. I did enjoy a lot of it, and I think the foundation for a really strong fantasy story is there. With a little more polishing and development, this could turn into something truly amazing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Shadow and The Flame by Sera Cole was the story I didn't know I needed...
Unique, addictive, mysterious, thrilling are all words I would use to describe this book. I struggled putting this book down because when I thought I was coming to a part that I could easily take a break, something would happen to pull me right back in. Sera Cole created a world that is so captivating and her writing so engaging, the only word to describe it is unputdownable.
The first book in the Flamebound Chronicles series follows Seraaya, a princess with a forbidden magic, that awakens after her 18th birthday. She is thrust from a world that she knows and loves into an unfamiliar and disorienting predicament where control is essential to survival. Thalan, the Captain of the guard, has always centered his existence around control, and has been tasked with teaching Seraaya how to control her emotions and extend that control to the newfound magic inside her. Though the well loved princess is provided Thalan as a tool to assist her, they find there are many that would like to extinguish the power or take it for their own purposes.
This story is unlike anything I have read in Romantasy or Fantasy Romance. It is character and plot driven. There is so much growth between the two main characters. If you love a good slow burn, look no further. The characters growth together was such an incredible journey to witness.
This is a series; therefore, not all questions are answered at the end of book one, but the ending is satisfying nonetheless. I am so excited to see this world grow and to follow the characters on what is sure to be more harrowing circumstances.
If you want a compelling, slow burn romance that makes sense and a world full of secrets to uncover, then you must read this new series!
Unique, addictive, mysterious, thrilling are all words I would use to describe this book. I struggled putting this book down because when I thought I was coming to a part that I could easily take a break, something would happen to pull me right back in. Sera Cole created a world that is so captivating and her writing so engaging, the only word to describe it is unputdownable.
The first book in the Flamebound Chronicles series follows Seraaya, a princess with a forbidden magic, that awakens after her 18th birthday. She is thrust from a world that she knows and loves into an unfamiliar and disorienting predicament where control is essential to survival. Thalan, the Captain of the guard, has always centered his existence around control, and has been tasked with teaching Seraaya how to control her emotions and extend that control to the newfound magic inside her. Though the well loved princess is provided Thalan as a tool to assist her, they find there are many that would like to extinguish the power or take it for their own purposes.
This story is unlike anything I have read in Romantasy or Fantasy Romance. It is character and plot driven. There is so much growth between the two main characters. If you love a good slow burn, look no further. The characters growth together was such an incredible journey to witness.
This is a series; therefore, not all questions are answered at the end of book one, but the ending is satisfying nonetheless. I am so excited to see this world grow and to follow the characters on what is sure to be more harrowing circumstances.
If you want a compelling, slow burn romance that makes sense and a world full of secrets to uncover, then you must read this new series!
May 16, 2026
ARC READ IN EXCHANGE FOR REVIEW
—————
The Shadow and the Flame honestly feels like getting strapped into a roller coaster that never slows down. Every chapter is basically “but wait, there’s more,” and while that kept me turning pages at first, eventually the pacing became the book’s biggest weakness for me. Events happen so rapidly that very few moments are allowed to breathe, and emotional scenes often get interrupted before they can fully land.
The story has a lot of familiar fantasy romance tropes—fated mates, prophecies, found family, overpowered main characters—and if those are your thing, there’s definitely an audience for this. The chemistry between the main characters is there, and the slow burn is slow burning. I spent half the book internally screaming “just kiss already.”
That said, I struggled with the structure and pacing. POV shifts sometimes happened abruptly, even mid-chapter, which made the narrative feel chaotic and occasionally confusing in third person. The world-building also felt underdeveloped for me. The magic system mostly exists without much explanation, and despite the fantasy setting, the story felt oddly confined to a handful of locations.
I did enjoy the lyrical writing style at times, and the book hooked me early on. It’s definitely an easy, bingeable read if you like fast-moving fantasy romance with constant action and tension. I just personally wanted more depth—more immersion in the world, more meaningful character growth, and more emotional payoff.
Overall, this one had potential and moments I enjoyed, but the nonstop pacing kept me from fully connecting with the story and characters.
—————
The Shadow and the Flame honestly feels like getting strapped into a roller coaster that never slows down. Every chapter is basically “but wait, there’s more,” and while that kept me turning pages at first, eventually the pacing became the book’s biggest weakness for me. Events happen so rapidly that very few moments are allowed to breathe, and emotional scenes often get interrupted before they can fully land.
The story has a lot of familiar fantasy romance tropes—fated mates, prophecies, found family, overpowered main characters—and if those are your thing, there’s definitely an audience for this. The chemistry between the main characters is there, and the slow burn is slow burning. I spent half the book internally screaming “just kiss already.”
That said, I struggled with the structure and pacing. POV shifts sometimes happened abruptly, even mid-chapter, which made the narrative feel chaotic and occasionally confusing in third person. The world-building also felt underdeveloped for me. The magic system mostly exists without much explanation, and despite the fantasy setting, the story felt oddly confined to a handful of locations.
I did enjoy the lyrical writing style at times, and the book hooked me early on. It’s definitely an easy, bingeable read if you like fast-moving fantasy romance with constant action and tension. I just personally wanted more depth—more immersion in the world, more meaningful character growth, and more emotional payoff.
Overall, this one had potential and moments I enjoyed, but the nonstop pacing kept me from fully connecting with the story and characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4⭐️
(ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.)
I enjoyed this book. The main character discovers she possesses an ancient and dangerous power, and we follow her journey as she tries to navigate the court’s fear of her, her own insecurities, and the constant training required to control her magic… which becomes even more complicated when the captain of the guard responsible for training her happens to be very attractive and an distraction. On top of that, there’s also a mysterious enemy making everything even more difficult.
The story is heavily focused on the FMC’s growth and training, which made her progression throughout the book feel believable and rewarding. The romance is definitely slow burn and takes quite a while to develop. We only get meaningful progress closer to the end, but I felt that pacing worked well within the story.
The world-building isn’t especially deep, which was probably the weakest aspect for me because I would have liked to learn more about the world and the magic system. Still, I think this could work very well for readers who don’t enjoy overly dense fantasy worlds.
I particularly enjoyed the epilogue with the different POVs, which clearly opens the door for the next books in the series.
Overall, it’s an easy and well-paced read that never made me want to stop reading. And one of my favourite aspects was definitely the two friends/guards of the FMC, who ended up being the characters I enjoyed the most throughout the story.
(ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.)
I enjoyed this book. The main character discovers she possesses an ancient and dangerous power, and we follow her journey as she tries to navigate the court’s fear of her, her own insecurities, and the constant training required to control her magic… which becomes even more complicated when the captain of the guard responsible for training her happens to be very attractive and an distraction. On top of that, there’s also a mysterious enemy making everything even more difficult.
The story is heavily focused on the FMC’s growth and training, which made her progression throughout the book feel believable and rewarding. The romance is definitely slow burn and takes quite a while to develop. We only get meaningful progress closer to the end, but I felt that pacing worked well within the story.
The world-building isn’t especially deep, which was probably the weakest aspect for me because I would have liked to learn more about the world and the magic system. Still, I think this could work very well for readers who don’t enjoy overly dense fantasy worlds.
I particularly enjoyed the epilogue with the different POVs, which clearly opens the door for the next books in the series.
Overall, it’s an easy and well-paced read that never made me want to stop reading. And one of my favourite aspects was definitely the two friends/guards of the FMC, who ended up being the characters I enjoyed the most throughout the story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book 1 The Flamebound Chronicles
I knew as soon as I had read that poignant personal dedication, this author was going to deliver a book that would captivate my imagination and it did.
Yes there were a couple of niggles like the change of POV vagaries but nothing major that cannot be remedied quickly.
What I loved about the book was how the prologue hooked you, plain and simple.
You meet the cast gradually,and then the story commenced, unfolding, deepening as more layers were revealed.
The World building is sublime, the hub of characters believable with their quirks and faults with a minor cast adding subtly to the intrigue. Myth, legend and magic woven in like a tapestry.
Battles written with a discerning eye, nothing over the top and easy to visualise.
Slow boil romance for the Romantics amongst us.
Multiple family, friend, colleague dynamics at play, all well executed with various threads of intrigue attached to keep those pages turning.
This is going to be a series that will mature the further along it goes and I suspect more players will have larger parts, more romance too for others.
My favourite quote :
Strong. Steady.
His-within hers.
Hers-within his.
Theirs.
Genuinely cannot wait for Book 2, thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
Book 1 The Flamebound Chronicles
I knew as soon as I had read that poignant personal dedication, this author was going to deliver a book that would captivate my imagination and it did.
Yes there were a couple of niggles like the change of POV vagaries but nothing major that cannot be remedied quickly.
What I loved about the book was how the prologue hooked you, plain and simple.
You meet the cast gradually,and then the story commenced, unfolding, deepening as more layers were revealed.
The World building is sublime, the hub of characters believable with their quirks and faults with a minor cast adding subtly to the intrigue. Myth, legend and magic woven in like a tapestry.
Battles written with a discerning eye, nothing over the top and easy to visualise.
Slow boil romance for the Romantics amongst us.
Multiple family, friend, colleague dynamics at play, all well executed with various threads of intrigue attached to keep those pages turning.
This is going to be a series that will mature the further along it goes and I suspect more players will have larger parts, more romance too for others.
My favourite quote :
Strong. Steady.
His-within hers.
Hers-within his.
Theirs.
Genuinely cannot wait for Book 2, thoroughly enjoyed reading this.
May 26, 2026
4.25
🔥ARC Review 👸
"You are the home I never believed I deserved."
In Sera's debut YA/NA Romantasy, we meet Seraaya, one of the king's daughters. She is just now inheriting powers from her mother's line. Her mother passed away some years before. Is it a gift? A curse?
As she struggles to control her new powers (so she doesn't freak out and kill her friends and family!), the king assigns Thalan, from his guard, to train her.
Their new partnership may not be everything they would like it to be. 🧐
Tension? Yes. Slow burn? Yes. Court politics? Yes. It had it all and I was there for it!
Thalan is definitely my new favorite reluctant yet imperceptibly drawn-in mentor. He's swoon-worthy for sure!
The writing captured my attention and I found myself trying to sneak more reading time into the days just to read this. The relationships and the dynamics and banter were so enticing to read with major drama going on in the story that everyone was having to deal with.
I loved Seraaya's bffs! Corin and Neyra were some of my favorite characters. Being able to just break down with someone you've known your whole life and to still have a sounding board in your adult life is a blessing.
Book 2 in The Flamebound Chronicles can't come soon enough!
If you like less spicy Romantasy, real slow burns, or court life, you may like this book.
Triggers: Death, Violence
🔥ARC Review 👸
"You are the home I never believed I deserved."
In Sera's debut YA/NA Romantasy, we meet Seraaya, one of the king's daughters. She is just now inheriting powers from her mother's line. Her mother passed away some years before. Is it a gift? A curse?
As she struggles to control her new powers (so she doesn't freak out and kill her friends and family!), the king assigns Thalan, from his guard, to train her.
Their new partnership may not be everything they would like it to be. 🧐
Tension? Yes. Slow burn? Yes. Court politics? Yes. It had it all and I was there for it!
Thalan is definitely my new favorite reluctant yet imperceptibly drawn-in mentor. He's swoon-worthy for sure!
The writing captured my attention and I found myself trying to sneak more reading time into the days just to read this. The relationships and the dynamics and banter were so enticing to read with major drama going on in the story that everyone was having to deal with.
I loved Seraaya's bffs! Corin and Neyra were some of my favorite characters. Being able to just break down with someone you've known your whole life and to still have a sounding board in your adult life is a blessing.
Book 2 in The Flamebound Chronicles can't come soon enough!
If you like less spicy Romantasy, real slow burns, or court life, you may like this book.
Triggers: Death, Violence
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story pulled me in from the very beginning, and in the unusual setting of the desert
This book was a slow burn (excuse the pun).
When the princess is born a prophecy has come to pass, the bearer of the flame. Will she learn to conquer it, tame it and live with it or will it consume her?
Her father has managed to keep her magic secret from everyone including her till her she turns 18 when her magic finally comes to show itself.
When people realise first they are scared of her and the prophecy but then the darkness comes after her.
Captain thalan has the enviable job of protecting her and her family. There to teach her and train her and their relationship grows. Its not the usual fated mates connection but they slowly find their way.
I absolutely loved the twins who are Seraaya's best friends from childhood and oh how i loved her sisters too! I cant wait to see who is getting the lead in the next book but im hoping on Corin! That cheeky minx has got my heart already.
This book is fated mates, forced proximity and trauma all mixed into a brilliant Romantasy.
Thank you so much to the author for the Advanced copy and all opinions are my own
This book was a slow burn (excuse the pun).
When the princess is born a prophecy has come to pass, the bearer of the flame. Will she learn to conquer it, tame it and live with it or will it consume her?
Her father has managed to keep her magic secret from everyone including her till her she turns 18 when her magic finally comes to show itself.
When people realise first they are scared of her and the prophecy but then the darkness comes after her.
Captain thalan has the enviable job of protecting her and her family. There to teach her and train her and their relationship grows. Its not the usual fated mates connection but they slowly find their way.
I absolutely loved the twins who are Seraaya's best friends from childhood and oh how i loved her sisters too! I cant wait to see who is getting the lead in the next book but im hoping on Corin! That cheeky minx has got my heart already.
This book is fated mates, forced proximity and trauma all mixed into a brilliant Romantasy.
Thank you so much to the author for the Advanced copy and all opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me HOOKED from the tension alone 😭🔥 The slow burn was slow burning in the absolute best way, and the chemistry between these two?? Unreal. I’m such a sucker for opposites attract, and the whole flame/shadow dynamic between Seryaa and Thalan was EVERYTHING. She’s fiery (literally 😅), fierce, and stubborn while he’s dark, powerful, protective, and quietly obsessed with her in that “would destroy the world for you” kind of way 🖤✨
The fated bond/soulmate vibes were done SO well — you could feel the pull between them in every interaction. And even with all the tension and emotional moments, the side characters brought in fun banter that made the story feel balanced and addictive.
The world building was easy to sink into without feeling overwhelming, and by the end I was fully invested in where this story is going next. I already need book 2 immediately because I have QUESTIONS 👀 Highly recommend if you love romantasy with slow burn tension, protective shadow MMCs, fierce heroines, and soulmate/fated mate vibes!
The fated bond/soulmate vibes were done SO well — you could feel the pull between them in every interaction. And even with all the tension and emotional moments, the side characters brought in fun banter that made the story feel balanced and addictive.
The world building was easy to sink into without feeling overwhelming, and by the end I was fully invested in where this story is going next. I already need book 2 immediately because I have QUESTIONS 👀 Highly recommend if you love romantasy with slow burn tension, protective shadow MMCs, fierce heroines, and soulmate/fated mate vibes!
May 25, 2026
I will give this 3.5 stars. It was a good read, but felt like something I had read before. It’s not that it wasn’t original. It just felt too familiar and predictable.
Thalan and Seraaya have an age gap, forbidden romance, bodyguard story. Seraaya possesses the “flame” a consuming fire wielding power that is a threat to her nation. As a princess, her life has been at risk numerous times by those who want the flame either for themselves or to have it extinguished. Thalan steps up as the princess’s bodyguard. They train together and he protects her against threats.
Thalan fits the disciplined guard role to a T. He is constantly restraining himself and placing his role ahead of his own desires. As you can imagine, there is much banter and tension and yearning.
The writing is very lyrical and at times felt repetitive and rushed. Overall this was a fun read but was lacking some world building, finesse, and just didn’t hit quite right for me.
Tropes:
Bodyguard
Forbidden
Age gap
Grief process
Betrayal
Quote:
“Even through the smoke, his presence held the room together—a single point of control in a storm threatening to break apart.“
Thalan and Seraaya have an age gap, forbidden romance, bodyguard story. Seraaya possesses the “flame” a consuming fire wielding power that is a threat to her nation. As a princess, her life has been at risk numerous times by those who want the flame either for themselves or to have it extinguished. Thalan steps up as the princess’s bodyguard. They train together and he protects her against threats.
Thalan fits the disciplined guard role to a T. He is constantly restraining himself and placing his role ahead of his own desires. As you can imagine, there is much banter and tension and yearning.
The writing is very lyrical and at times felt repetitive and rushed. Overall this was a fun read but was lacking some world building, finesse, and just didn’t hit quite right for me.
Tropes:
Bodyguard
Forbidden
Age gap
Grief process
Betrayal
Quote:
“Even through the smoke, his presence held the room together—a single point of control in a storm threatening to break apart.“
Review of advance copy received from Author
I found Sera Cole through a shared love of Maria V. Snyder's Chronicles of Ixia. I went into this book not knowing what to expect as a debut story, but it didn't take long for me to be hooked. It took me a while to get through simply because the end of the school year keeps life busy, but I'd have loved to snuggle up tune out the world and read this one straight through. Mystery, magic, and some mayhem, and of course love and friendship, all woven together into an intriguing story. Fantasy is always a hard balance between describing enough to get to know the world, and not enough that you can't imagine it. She found that balance here. I expected the main cliff hanger at the end, but she threw in an unexpected one too. I'm very much looking forward to reading the next book.
Side note: I personally save 5 star ratings for my all time favorite books. If that were not the case, this would likely have been a 5 star rating from me. Loved it!
Side note: I personally save 5 star ratings for my all time favorite books. If that were not the case, this would likely have been a 5 star rating from me. Loved it!
May 26, 2026
This story was beautiful and tragic. I am dying to know what happens next. Talk about a book hangover...
Thalan is an incredible warrior and MMC. Seraaya is a strong willed FMC and definitely comes into her own. I loved her shadows (read: besties). I was screaming and ready to cry throughout this book. I am so curious still about a very specific character but I don't want to give any spoilers. I am trying to form coherent thoughts but I'm slightly heartbroken from this book and do with that information what you will.
I don't know if I'd want to be the one to end up with Seraaya's power after so long of its absence but I seriously love the Flame and the Keeper. And just 🫠
Love, family, friends, bonds, magic, war, betrayal, death. This book has a little of everything.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thalan is an incredible warrior and MMC. Seraaya is a strong willed FMC and definitely comes into her own. I loved her shadows (read: besties). I was screaming and ready to cry throughout this book. I am so curious still about a very specific character but I don't want to give any spoilers. I am trying to form coherent thoughts but I'm slightly heartbroken from this book and do with that information what you will.
I don't know if I'd want to be the one to end up with Seraaya's power after so long of its absence but I seriously love the Flame and the Keeper. And just 🫠
Love, family, friends, bonds, magic, war, betrayal, death. This book has a little of everything.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 16, 2026
I received an advanced copy of The Shadow and The Flame from Sera Cole in exchange for an honest review, and it may be one of the best books I’ve read this year!
First of all, I love when there is a visual of the world/land and she gave a map. We dive right in at the beginning with how things come to be and see each character develop. I felt as if I was right there in the middle of it all, could see and feel everything, and like I knew exactly how each character saw things and felt things. Her writing immersed me in the world, the characters, the action, and feelings.
It was hard to put down the book because I needed to get to answers. There are some unexpected reveals and some mysteries yet to be solved. I’m anxiously awaiting Book 2 of The Flamebound Chronicles now!
First of all, I love when there is a visual of the world/land and she gave a map. We dive right in at the beginning with how things come to be and see each character develop. I felt as if I was right there in the middle of it all, could see and feel everything, and like I knew exactly how each character saw things and felt things. Her writing immersed me in the world, the characters, the action, and feelings.
It was hard to put down the book because I needed to get to answers. There are some unexpected reveals and some mysteries yet to be solved. I’m anxiously awaiting Book 2 of The Flamebound Chronicles now!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Recieved an ARC for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book! First in a series. Set in a magical realm with fire and shadow elements. Seraaya and Thalan are strong main characters. Felt the connection moved a bit quickly but I enjoyed the characters. Would love to see more of the character development in book 2. More world building would be a bonus as well as it wasn’t really explored much at all in book 1. Definitely had a hard time putting the book down. 4 stars out of 5. Really solid effort for a first book in a series! Check it out!
May 16, 2026
I zoomed through this book! It was enjoyable, I love the characters and the slow burn 🔥
Corin telling her that her hair looks like a morning after battle fire took me out 😭😂 he did not need to roast until like that. LOL
My fav quote from the book: “Somewhere between your Flame and my shadows, I found the only place my heart has ever felt safe,” he said, his voice hoarse. “You are the home I never believed I deserved.”
Only thing I didn’t love was in the beginning, I couldn’t tell who’s perspective I was reading from for a hot minute lol but then I figured it out
Corin telling her that her hair looks like a morning after battle fire took me out 😭😂 he did not need to roast until like that. LOL
My fav quote from the book: “Somewhere between your Flame and my shadows, I found the only place my heart has ever felt safe,” he said, his voice hoarse. “You are the home I never believed I deserved.”
Only thing I didn’t love was in the beginning, I couldn’t tell who’s perspective I was reading from for a hot minute lol but then I figured it out
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was really excited to be an ARC reader for The Shadow and the Flame, and I genuinely went into it wanting to love it. Unfortunately, this book just was not for me. It had some interesting ideas and concepts, but the execution completely fell flat. The writing felt very AI-generated and lacked the depth and flow needed to keep me engaged. One of the biggest issues for me was the formatting and pacing. The constant use of “—” and the endless Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 sections within chapters made the reading experience feel clunky and frustrating rather than immersive. Instead of building tension or structure, it just broke up the story in a way that made it hard to stay invested. The biggest problem, though, was that there didn’t seem to be a real storyline holding everything together. It felt more like disconnected ideas than an actual plot with direction. I tried really hard to push through because I hate giving up on books, especially ARCs, but by 20% I was forcing myself to continue and eventually couldn’t bear reading any more. I’m sorry to say it, but this ended up feeling like a waste of time for me. While I can see potential in the ideas themselves, the overall execution just didn’t work.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
3.75 stars
I thought the magic dynamics were very interesting and I loved the dynamics between Seraaya and her sisters as well as between her and Thalan and her father. The family ties are strong in this book!
I did find some of the POV changes and writing style a little difficult to follow along with. There were also a lot of characters to keep track of. The beginning of this story and one part near the end were a bit confusing, but overall a very intriguing story and I definitely did enjoy it!
3.75 stars
I thought the magic dynamics were very interesting and I loved the dynamics between Seraaya and her sisters as well as between her and Thalan and her father. The family ties are strong in this book!
I did find some of the POV changes and writing style a little difficult to follow along with. There were also a lot of characters to keep track of. The beginning of this story and one part near the end were a bit confusing, but overall a very intriguing story and I definitely did enjoy it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am hooked! As a fan of Maria V Snyder and Trudi Canavan I find myself searching for similar authors but often failing to get as excited by the books I find. It tends to take me a while to get into a new book but this book had me gripped after the first few pages. I find myself immersed in the world of the characters and really care about their fates. I won't give any spoliers but I can't wait to see what Sera Cole brings next!
Review of advance copy
I am a new ARC reader and this is my first ARC review. I loved all the characters and the world-building was so intricate! The fight scenes were very cinematic- felt like I was watching a fantasy movie. This is a gripping first book and I really enjoyed the unique writing style.
May 22, 2026
The book is amazing. It beautifully blends emotion, romance, and magical elements, keeping the reader completely hooked. I was lucky to receive an advance reader copy, and it exceeded all my expectations with its captivating characters. I highly recommend reading it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down! Great writing and a great plot that makes you need to know what's going to happen next. Absolutely love this book! I will be re-reading this many times.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is such a cool book, I was super invested in the characters and the storyline. If you are a fan of Maria V Snyder you are going to love this. Slow burn, secrets and witty banter.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 Stars
I was intrigued with the story starting with the prologue. But I do have to admit that it took me a hot minute to really get into the story as I got used to the authors writing style. There are twists and turns, hidden identities, and hints of things to come that kept my interest. Then when the fighting started, I couldn't put the book down.
In this story we get magic, secrets, betrayals, fated lovers, forced proximity, and a slow burn romance.
This is the first book in the series and while the ending isn't a cliffhanger, it does leave you wanting to know what happens next. And with this being the first book, I do hope that the characters continue to grow and evolve. Not only Seraaya and Thalan, but many of the main side characters as well.
Over all, I did like the story and I am looking forward to the next book.
I received an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Quotes:
"Strength without wisdom has broken kingdoms."
"...truth rarely waits for the time we want."
"I have you. You are safe."
"I think this bond reminds me what it means to fight for someone worth more than duty."
"You do not have to stand alone."
"Somewhere between your Flame and my shadows, I found the only place my heart has ever felt safe...You are the home I never believed I deserved."
I was intrigued with the story starting with the prologue. But I do have to admit that it took me a hot minute to really get into the story as I got used to the authors writing style. There are twists and turns, hidden identities, and hints of things to come that kept my interest. Then when the fighting started, I couldn't put the book down.
In this story we get magic, secrets, betrayals, fated lovers, forced proximity, and a slow burn romance.
This is the first book in the series and while the ending isn't a cliffhanger, it does leave you wanting to know what happens next. And with this being the first book, I do hope that the characters continue to grow and evolve. Not only Seraaya and Thalan, but many of the main side characters as well.
Over all, I did like the story and I am looking forward to the next book.
I received an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Quotes:
"Strength without wisdom has broken kingdoms."
"...truth rarely waits for the time we want."
"I have you. You are safe."
"I think this bond reminds me what it means to fight for someone worth more than duty."
"You do not have to stand alone."
"Somewhere between your Flame and my shadows, I found the only place my heart has ever felt safe...You are the home I never believed I deserved."
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