What do you think?
Rate this book
Where The Fire Burns
492 pages, Paperback
Published September 5, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 10, 2026
'....death was an abstract concept before, a grand notion that only happened in stories. Now I knew what it smelled like.' (Ch 41)
Epic Fantasy Adventure | Forbidden Magic | Hidden Identity | Secrets & Lies | Prophecy | Found Family | LGBTQIA+
I thought Ren’s character was developed well. Her life had been built on lies, but her life was not one filled with much joy to begin with. An outsider. A pariah in her own village. It was heart-wrenching when everything shattered for her again and again. When betrayal came from the most unexpected. My heart bled for her. So.Much.Trauma.
'A shiver of fear wound up my spine. But the truth would surely dismantle all that I believed about this world.' (Ch 20)
The fantasy world-build was spectacular. Magic, horrific creatures, fantastical beasts, unforgiving landscapes, near-death events, mounting danger, and fierce battles... all in a quest for answers.
'A part of me wanted to know everything, but a larger, more cowardly part of me was terrified.' (Ch 19)
Also, ever want to scream at a character when they're about to do something, probably stupid... yeah, there were a couple of those moments.
'What mattered was that I was dismissed my entire life, and it was about damn time to fight back.' (Ch 25)
Ren's journey was one of self-blame and guilt, loss and discovery, peril and mystery, and a delicate spark of purpose and belonging. But there was also grief and... heartbreaking pain.
The story ended on a dreadful, suspended note. To be continued. Pardon me while I go rip my hair out, waiting for the next book.
eARC courtesy of Wicked Ink Publishing
Epic Fantasy Adventure | Forbidden Magic | Hidden Identity | Secrets & Lies | Prophecy | Found Family | LGBTQIA+
I thought Ren’s character was developed well. Her life had been built on lies, but her life was not one filled with much joy to begin with. An outsider. A pariah in her own village. It was heart-wrenching when everything shattered for her again and again. When betrayal came from the most unexpected. My heart bled for her. So.Much.Trauma.
'A shiver of fear wound up my spine. But the truth would surely dismantle all that I believed about this world.' (Ch 20)
The fantasy world-build was spectacular. Magic, horrific creatures, fantastical beasts, unforgiving landscapes, near-death events, mounting danger, and fierce battles... all in a quest for answers.
'A part of me wanted to know everything, but a larger, more cowardly part of me was terrified.' (Ch 19)
Also, ever want to scream at a character when they're about to do something, probably stupid... yeah, there were a couple of those moments.
'What mattered was that I was dismissed my entire life, and it was about damn time to fight back.' (Ch 25)
Ren's journey was one of self-blame and guilt, loss and discovery, peril and mystery, and a delicate spark of purpose and belonging. But there was also grief and... heartbreaking pain.
The story ended on a dreadful, suspended note. To be continued. Pardon me while I go rip my hair out, waiting for the next book.
eARC courtesy of Wicked Ink Publishing
September 8, 2026
What a great debut and the first book in a new fantasy trilogy!
What to expect:
🔥 Secret identity
🔥 Elemental magic
🔥 Found family
🔥 Queer FMC
🔥 Magical beings
🔥 Blood oaths
🔥 Betrayals
The first 40% of the book had a lot of world building and setup, which is to be expected in a new series. Once all the characters were introduced and the plot picked up, I was invested! I loved the multiple betrayals, the prophecies, the unique magic and magical beings (the magical carousel that came to life was my favourite), and all of the side characters. It was also a lot darker and gorier than I expected it to be.
Ren was a very imperfect FMC who made some very questionable decisions. I kept wanting to reach into the book to stop her 😅. She was also brave, curious, and selfless, but got the short end of the stick too often. And what happens to her in the end?? Ahhh I need to see how it all (hopefully) works out for her in the next books.
Overall, a very well written and unique fantasy with a very small romantic subplot. I typically read and prefer stories with romance, but I enjoyed this one without it. I loved (and loved to hate) all of the side characters.
Thank you Kara for the ARC! I can’t wait for book two (especially after that cliffhanger 😱😱).
What to expect:
🔥 Secret identity
🔥 Elemental magic
🔥 Found family
🔥 Queer FMC
🔥 Magical beings
🔥 Blood oaths
🔥 Betrayals
The first 40% of the book had a lot of world building and setup, which is to be expected in a new series. Once all the characters were introduced and the plot picked up, I was invested! I loved the multiple betrayals, the prophecies, the unique magic and magical beings (the magical carousel that came to life was my favourite), and all of the side characters. It was also a lot darker and gorier than I expected it to be.
Ren was a very imperfect FMC who made some very questionable decisions. I kept wanting to reach into the book to stop her 😅. She was also brave, curious, and selfless, but got the short end of the stick too often. And what happens to her in the end?? Ahhh I need to see how it all (hopefully) works out for her in the next books.
Overall, a very well written and unique fantasy with a very small romantic subplot. I typically read and prefer stories with romance, but I enjoyed this one without it. I loved (and loved to hate) all of the side characters.
Thank you Kara for the ARC! I can’t wait for book two (especially after that cliffhanger 😱😱).
September 14, 2026
An absolute MUST READ!!! So so well written, amazing world building, and character that you can't help but love (and hate). Where The Fire Burns is an incredibly creative refreshing take on some of my favourite trophes and I couldn't put it down!
September 14, 2026
A PROPHECY! SECRET IDENTITY! FOUND FAMILY!
That’s all my favourite tropes right there!
This book was SO GOOD. The plot, the tension, the slow unravelling of everything Ren thought she knew? I was locked in pretty quickly. I had theories, I had goosebumps, I had moments where I had to put it down to breathe through the plot twists. And the ending?? I need book two NOW.
What I loved most, above everything else, is that Ren is such a realistic protagonist. Put me in her situation, and I'm not sure I'd have made many different decisions. She's more flight than fight, but when she does decide to fight, she does it with everything she has. Were there moments I wanted to shake her and beg her to make the smarter choice? Absolutely. I KNEW it was going to come back to bite her. But that's kind of the point, and it made her feel so real.
And the PARALLELS. Everything Ren believed about the Alyrians vs who they actually are. Everything she loved about Deep Run vs the same things she slowly starts to love in Alyria, the family and friends she never had back home. It's so well done, and it made every choice she had to make actually HURT.
The ending?? Intriguing. After everything she's been through, first at the hands of her own village and then at the hands of the new family she thought she'd found, I'm impressed she held out as long as she did. Ren is one strong person.
The worldbuilding took me a minute to fully settle into, but once I understood it, I was hooked, and I'm so excited to see how it develops in the next book. There are still questions I NEED answered!!
And the fact that this is a debut? Kara Toews, fabulous job. Eagerly waiting for book two!!
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
That’s all my favourite tropes right there!
This book was SO GOOD. The plot, the tension, the slow unravelling of everything Ren thought she knew? I was locked in pretty quickly. I had theories, I had goosebumps, I had moments where I had to put it down to breathe through the plot twists. And the ending?? I need book two NOW.
What I loved most, above everything else, is that Ren is such a realistic protagonist. Put me in her situation, and I'm not sure I'd have made many different decisions. She's more flight than fight, but when she does decide to fight, she does it with everything she has. Were there moments I wanted to shake her and beg her to make the smarter choice? Absolutely. I KNEW it was going to come back to bite her. But that's kind of the point, and it made her feel so real.
And the PARALLELS. Everything Ren believed about the Alyrians vs who they actually are. Everything she loved about Deep Run vs the same things she slowly starts to love in Alyria, the family and friends she never had back home. It's so well done, and it made every choice she had to make actually HURT.
The ending?? Intriguing. After everything she's been through, first at the hands of her own village and then at the hands of the new family she thought she'd found, I'm impressed she held out as long as she did. Ren is one strong person.
The worldbuilding took me a minute to fully settle into, but once I understood it, I was hooked, and I'm so excited to see how it develops in the next book. There are still questions I NEED answered!!
And the fact that this is a debut? Kara Toews, fabulous job. Eagerly waiting for book two!!
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2026
What an incredibly talented writer. The storytelling is incredible.
September 13, 2026
Where the Fire Burns is gorgeous and engrossing. I was drawn in by the vivid world and amazed by the imaginativeness with which Deep Run and Alyria are described. The world-building is vivid, detailed, and well thought-through—I felt totally immersed in and believed in Kairos as a setting. The fantasy world has a mix of lovely and delightful magic, like a cat-like animal that feeds on nightmares to give you a restful sleep and beautiful landscapes not quite like our own earth, to many darker aspects like a carousel whose animals will take you anywhere you want for a payment of blood, along with many more. These parts were equally delicious and disturbing.
The protagonist, Ren, who is prompted by a mysterious message to leave the only place she’s ever known—the village of Deep Run, where magic is forbidden and where Ren has never quite fit in—is perfectly set up to go on the journey of the novel, into the magical land of Alyria where Ren hopes she will find answers to the questions about her mother and herself that she’s been searching for her entire life. Her arc explores power, agency, and most importantly, belonging, the meaning of home and family, and the experience of being an outsider, something Ren grapples with from the first to the very last page; it’s this that drives the story and makes it so easy to connect with as a reader.
The narrative voice is polished and beautiful, with many poignant or interesting lines that really resonated with me. Overall, just such an enjoyable and compelling read. I would recommend to any readers who love a strong, character-driven narrative within a creative fantasy world. The story is jam-packed with both emotional and physical action, but by the end, it’s clear it’s only the beginning. I can’t wait to see what’s under the water-line of this stunning iceberg of a story—I can tell there’s so much that hasn’t been revealed yet, and the restraint and pacing of that withholding is impeccable. Very excited for Book 2!
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) from the publisher – thanks, Wicked Ink!
The protagonist, Ren, who is prompted by a mysterious message to leave the only place she’s ever known—the village of Deep Run, where magic is forbidden and where Ren has never quite fit in—is perfectly set up to go on the journey of the novel, into the magical land of Alyria where Ren hopes she will find answers to the questions about her mother and herself that she’s been searching for her entire life. Her arc explores power, agency, and most importantly, belonging, the meaning of home and family, and the experience of being an outsider, something Ren grapples with from the first to the very last page; it’s this that drives the story and makes it so easy to connect with as a reader.
The narrative voice is polished and beautiful, with many poignant or interesting lines that really resonated with me. Overall, just such an enjoyable and compelling read. I would recommend to any readers who love a strong, character-driven narrative within a creative fantasy world. The story is jam-packed with both emotional and physical action, but by the end, it’s clear it’s only the beginning. I can’t wait to see what’s under the water-line of this stunning iceberg of a story—I can tell there’s so much that hasn’t been revealed yet, and the restraint and pacing of that withholding is impeccable. Very excited for Book 2!
I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) from the publisher – thanks, Wicked Ink!
September 8, 2026
My first time reading Kara Toews, and apparently this is her debut book! I’d say it’s a pretty good start to a series, but I was honestly confused A LOT while reading, which is what kept this at a 3/5 for me.
Ren is such a brave character, and honestly, her life and fate are just heartbreaking. She sacrificed so much, yet barely anyone appreciated or even tried to understand her. The things said to her were especially cruel when all she wanted was to be heard.
That said, that ending definitely has me curious. I’m really interested to see where the story goes from here and what’s coming next for Ren and this world. Definitely keeping an eye on the next book!
Thank you Wicked Ink Publishing and Kara Toews for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Ren is such a brave character, and honestly, her life and fate are just heartbreaking. She sacrificed so much, yet barely anyone appreciated or even tried to understand her. The things said to her were especially cruel when all she wanted was to be heard.
That said, that ending definitely has me curious. I’m really interested to see where the story goes from here and what’s coming next for Ren and this world. Definitely keeping an eye on the next book!
Thank you Wicked Ink Publishing and Kara Toews for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An amazing debut novel and a highly talented author! I really enjoyed this story and I can't wait to see where the rest of the books in this series go. Fans of fantasy are going to devour this book. The world building is vivid and the characters are relatable, flaws and all.
Thank you Wicked Ink and Kara Toews for giving me the opportunity to read and review this story. I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Wicked Ink and Kara Toews for giving me the opportunity to read and review this story. I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review.
September 10, 2026
A captivating fantasy world with new imaginative magic. Where things go wrong at every turn for Ren, she is resilient and resourceful. Keeping me hooked on what’s she’ll do next and how she’ll grow from it.
I had a great time reading the discoveries and unveiling of secrets in this new world as Ren does. Even when she has to make difficult choices I didn’t agree with.
I’m excited to read the next two novels to come in this series!
I had a great time reading the discoveries and unveiling of secrets in this new world as Ren does. Even when she has to make difficult choices I didn’t agree with.
I’m excited to read the next two novels to come in this series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Overall, a decent fantasy read. I like the world this is set in, and some of this world’s magic and intricacies (loved the carousel and the roulette wheel!) I’m interested to see where book two leads us.
Did Not Finish
September 17, 2026This book is terrible. It's more than predictable. You can see a more of a direct influence from highly popular fantasy books than is generally considered acceptable. The MC is boring and it's annoying to be in her head.
Hard, hard DNF
Hard, hard DNF
September 11, 2026
A Dangerous Kind of Heat
There is something undeniably tempting about a story that promises heat, danger and characters who are far too drawn to each other for their own good. 'Where the Fire Burns' certainly knows how to create that kind of atmosphere. Kara Toews throws the reader into a story where attraction comes with consequences, emotions run high and the chemistry is impossible to ignore.
The strongest part of the book is undoubtedly the tension between the characters. There is plenty of heat, and the attraction feels like an important driving force rather than something simply added for effect. The darker undertones also give the story an edge that works particularly well when the characters are pushed into more complicated situations.
That said, the book did not completely live up to its potential. While the chemistry works, some of the emotional development feels less convincing than it could have been. Certain moments seem to move a little too quickly, making it harder for the reader to fully connect with the characters or feel the weight of some of their decisions. The story has plenty of intensity, but the emotional depth does not always keep pace with it.
The pacing is another mixed bag. There are enough engaging moments to keep the pages turning, but some sections feel less tightly constructed than others. The result is a story that is entertaining and steamy, but occasionally leaves the feeling that something more could have been done with the characters and their circumstances.
Still, 'Where the Fire Burns' has its moments. The chemistry, tension and darker atmosphere make it an enjoyable read, particularly for readers who like their romance with plenty of heat and a touch of danger. It just needed a little more consistency and emotional depth to turn a promising story into a truly memorable one.
Thank you to Wicked Ink for providing an ARC. This is an honest, voluntary review.
Prophecy | Forbidden Wall | Hidden Magic | Violet Fire | Found Family | Betrayal | Secrets | Enemies | Identity | Fate | Fantasy Adventure
There is something undeniably tempting about a story that promises heat, danger and characters who are far too drawn to each other for their own good. 'Where the Fire Burns' certainly knows how to create that kind of atmosphere. Kara Toews throws the reader into a story where attraction comes with consequences, emotions run high and the chemistry is impossible to ignore.
The strongest part of the book is undoubtedly the tension between the characters. There is plenty of heat, and the attraction feels like an important driving force rather than something simply added for effect. The darker undertones also give the story an edge that works particularly well when the characters are pushed into more complicated situations.
That said, the book did not completely live up to its potential. While the chemistry works, some of the emotional development feels less convincing than it could have been. Certain moments seem to move a little too quickly, making it harder for the reader to fully connect with the characters or feel the weight of some of their decisions. The story has plenty of intensity, but the emotional depth does not always keep pace with it.
The pacing is another mixed bag. There are enough engaging moments to keep the pages turning, but some sections feel less tightly constructed than others. The result is a story that is entertaining and steamy, but occasionally leaves the feeling that something more could have been done with the characters and their circumstances.
Still, 'Where the Fire Burns' has its moments. The chemistry, tension and darker atmosphere make it an enjoyable read, particularly for readers who like their romance with plenty of heat and a touch of danger. It just needed a little more consistency and emotional depth to turn a promising story into a truly memorable one.
Thank you to Wicked Ink for providing an ARC. This is an honest, voluntary review.
Prophecy | Forbidden Wall | Hidden Magic | Violet Fire | Found Family | Betrayal | Secrets | Enemies | Identity | Fate | Fantasy Adventure
September 9, 2026
This is closer to a 3.75 for me. I really liked the overall story but had a hard time staying engaged during certain parts or with certain characters
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews