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Souls of Fire #3
Flameout
New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Embers cranks up the tension in the next Souls of Fire novel, featuring Emberly Pearson, a phoenix who assumes human form to fight death at every turn....
Emberly and her red hot partner, Jackson, have hit an impasse in their battle against the crazed humans infected by a plague-like virus derived from vampire blood. Their quest to unearth the leader of the group leads them into an ambush—and leaves Emberly at odds with her former lover, Sam, who's pressuring her to join his Paranormal Investigations Team.
To make matters worse, three local witches have been kidnapped—and if their spells fall into the wrong hands, Emberly's powers could end up smothered. With time ticking until the virus consumes the world, Emberly and Jackson must race to save the witches, find a cure, and smoke out their nemesis—or go down in a blaze of glory...
Emberly and her red hot partner, Jackson, have hit an impasse in their battle against the crazed humans infected by a plague-like virus derived from vampire blood. Their quest to unearth the leader of the group leads them into an ambush—and leaves Emberly at odds with her former lover, Sam, who's pressuring her to join his Paranormal Investigations Team.
To make matters worse, three local witches have been kidnapped—and if their spells fall into the wrong hands, Emberly's powers could end up smothered. With time ticking until the virus consumes the world, Emberly and Jackson must race to save the witches, find a cure, and smoke out their nemesis—or go down in a blaze of glory...
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2016
133 people are currently reading
1596 people want to read
About the author
Keri Arthur
100 books6,002 followersKeri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson, Guardian series, has now written more than 25 books. She's received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and recently won RT's Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives in Melbourne with her daughter and two crazy dogs
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
September 5, 2025
I didn't love it. 2.5 It was so long, too long and had so much going on it never felt focused. I love these characters, and felt bad for them, they were dragged through everything and the kitchen sink. Stuff was hitting the fan, well many fans from all different angles on high speed all the time. I was at 75% in the book and it was still pilling it on with no resolve. When I got to 80% it took off like a crazed rat in a wheel, with all these elements jumping into the big finale. Oh it was tense, but I was just glad it was over. A major character dies and I didn't feel anything. I was not wooed into caring, like in the pervious books. I will continue for one more book in this series and hope for a change.
August 7, 2016
Emberly and Jackson are still desperately struggling to find some answer to the Red Vampire Plague. Unfortunately, the notes that may have the cure are nowhere to be found and many factions are gathering around to use them, threaten them or worse
And her big secret is out – far too many people know she’s a phoenix, and have magic to counter her fire.
I love the whole concept of the phoenixes in this series. I love their fire, how their immortality is presented, the awareness of their age and their require companionship. I like the tragedy of them which their cursed romantic existence brings – because it isn’t overwrought and ridiculous
I even like the relationship between Emberly and Jackson. I like how neither side expects it to last forever between them (though I rather think we are moving towards monogamy despite everyone saying it’s not in Jackson’s nature and Emberly has already had a her one true love) and that isn’t a great source of angst. I also like how they have their priorities in order – yes they like each other. Yes they want to have sex. A lot. No they’re not doing it now, they’re tired. No they’re not doing it now, they’re busy. No they’re not doing it now, they have other things to do
It seems ridiculous to praise this – but this is a genre where I have repeatedly seen characters put everything on hold, everything paused because they simply have to hump right now. Books where characters will pause mid-escape to have sex, where they will literally stop in front of their enemies and argue over their relationship.
The relationship is good. The world building is excellent. The general pacing of the story is excellent, in terms of actual writing if not focus. I generally find her an intriguing character
I do have some frustrations. Firstly, I spent a lot of the book wondering exactly what the hell was happening, what they were doing and why. It could be that it has just been a very long time since I read the last books or it could be because there’s just sooooo many players involved. And this doesn’t get better now we’ve introduced another vampire faction and the werewolves
Which means we now have:
1) The Werewolves
2) The wererats
3) PIT (the police kinda)
4) Syndicati Vampires
5) New Vampire blokey
6) Angry former members of a vampire faction
7) The hive mind plague-end-of-the-world-scary vampires
That’s a lot of focus. So many factions. So many people to juggle. So many distractions. We get lost and a lot of this doesn’t seem relevant.
Read More
And her big secret is out – far too many people know she’s a phoenix, and have magic to counter her fire.
I love the whole concept of the phoenixes in this series. I love their fire, how their immortality is presented, the awareness of their age and their require companionship. I like the tragedy of them which their cursed romantic existence brings – because it isn’t overwrought and ridiculous
I even like the relationship between Emberly and Jackson. I like how neither side expects it to last forever between them (though I rather think we are moving towards monogamy despite everyone saying it’s not in Jackson’s nature and Emberly has already had a her one true love) and that isn’t a great source of angst. I also like how they have their priorities in order – yes they like each other. Yes they want to have sex. A lot. No they’re not doing it now, they’re tired. No they’re not doing it now, they’re busy. No they’re not doing it now, they have other things to do
It seems ridiculous to praise this – but this is a genre where I have repeatedly seen characters put everything on hold, everything paused because they simply have to hump right now. Books where characters will pause mid-escape to have sex, where they will literally stop in front of their enemies and argue over their relationship.
The relationship is good. The world building is excellent. The general pacing of the story is excellent, in terms of actual writing if not focus. I generally find her an intriguing character
I do have some frustrations. Firstly, I spent a lot of the book wondering exactly what the hell was happening, what they were doing and why. It could be that it has just been a very long time since I read the last books or it could be because there’s just sooooo many players involved. And this doesn’t get better now we’ve introduced another vampire faction and the werewolves
Which means we now have:
1) The Werewolves
2) The wererats
3) PIT (the police kinda)
4) Syndicati Vampires
5) New Vampire blokey
6) Angry former members of a vampire faction
7) The hive mind plague-end-of-the-world-scary vampires
That’s a lot of focus. So many factions. So many people to juggle. So many distractions. We get lost and a lot of this doesn’t seem relevant.
Read More
November 6, 2025
Flameout is a dark, raw and consuming addition to the Soul of Fire series.
Emberly, Phoenix, is still working with Jackson to find the collective leader of the virus infected humans. They seem to have hit an impasse in their battle against the virus but have been making some headway into the leader’s true identity.
Someone with knowledge about Emberly’s powers is using that knowledge against her, trying to cap her abilities. Each time we turn around, Emberly is racking up more enemies as well as new alliances.
Sam, Emberly’s soulmate, keeps delivering devastating blows at Emberly but the worse blow comes when you least expect it, practically ripping Emberly’s as well as our hearts out.
The sexual encounters are flammable, and I mean that literally. Emberly requires flame to recharge her energy and the fates are cruel by choosing Sam as her soulmate.
Arthur has created a magnificent world with an urban fantasy that hits home with its brutal but realistic tendencies.
I am a big fan of Arthur’s writing but something in the pacing of this story kept me from absolutely loving it. Don’t get me wrong, great story that I will continue to follow but I wasn’t riveted to the pages as I have been with all her other works.
I received this ARC copy of Flameout from Berkley Publishing Group - Signet in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication July 5, 2016.
Emberly, Phoenix, is still working with Jackson to find the collective leader of the virus infected humans. They seem to have hit an impasse in their battle against the virus but have been making some headway into the leader’s true identity.
Someone with knowledge about Emberly’s powers is using that knowledge against her, trying to cap her abilities. Each time we turn around, Emberly is racking up more enemies as well as new alliances.
Sam, Emberly’s soulmate, keeps delivering devastating blows at Emberly but the worse blow comes when you least expect it, practically ripping Emberly’s as well as our hearts out.
The sexual encounters are flammable, and I mean that literally. Emberly requires flame to recharge her energy and the fates are cruel by choosing Sam as her soulmate.
Arthur has created a magnificent world with an urban fantasy that hits home with its brutal but realistic tendencies.
I am a big fan of Arthur’s writing but something in the pacing of this story kept me from absolutely loving it. Don’t get me wrong, great story that I will continue to follow but I wasn’t riveted to the pages as I have been with all her other works.
I received this ARC copy of Flameout from Berkley Publishing Group - Signet in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication July 5, 2016.
May 8, 2019
The author did something really brave in the last few pages, and I was all set to shout my pride at her risky decision, with full respect.
Then I noticed there's an excerpt of the next novel at the back of this book.
IT COMPLETELY UNDOES THE BRAVE NARRATIVE DECISION, AND PISSES ME OFF.
I did a big rant about this kind of stuff on social media the other week. Albeit, these books were published a handful of years ago - and thus well before my rant.
I'm still going to read Book 4 (the last in this series).
Then I noticed there's an excerpt of the next novel at the back of this book.
IT COMPLETELY UNDOES THE BRAVE NARRATIVE DECISION, AND PISSES ME OFF.
I did a big rant about this kind of stuff on social media the other week. Albeit, these books were published a handful of years ago - and thus well before my rant.
I'm still going to read Book 4 (the last in this series).
August 1, 2020
Third in the Souls of Fire urban fantasy series revolving around a phoenix couple and her lover in Melbourne, Australia.
My Take
Kidnappings, ambush, lies, betrayals, blackmail by the cops, murders, and a heart-rending ending will keep you racing through the pages, for Arthur has concocted a nasty collection of bad guys with a horrible fate lying in wait in the form of that plague. As if that’s not enough, she’s holding a prophecy of even worse to come over us, er, I mean, over Em and her friends.
And still, there is a sense of fun in the Souls of Fire series. Arthur keeps jolting us back and forth between the joy and the horror using first-person protagonist point-of-view from Em’s perspective.
The major antagonist has some major power (for ill) and being Sam’s brother makes it all more poignant. It’s funny, but all things considered, Em and Rory are probably the least complicated of the major characters, at least when you compare them to Jackson and his life and network as well as Sam and the issues he’s facing.
Arthur certainly weaves a lot in. I have to laugh at how Radcliffe’s ex-wife takes advantage…and it serves him right. Not at all funny are the various sindicati (and others) who are after Em and those virus research notes. And we thought human politics were bad.
Arthur has introduced an interesting twist with one den of vampires and then another even nastier one from the supposed Prof. Heaton.
The Story
Beset on all sides, Emberly and her fire-enhanced fae lover, Jackson, are on the run from PIT, the vampires, the Red Cloaks, witches, and more as they struggle to find the leader of the Red Cloaks, find the research notes, and keep those witches from giving up their notes on anti-phoenix spells!
It's been Em's powers that have kept the bad guys at bay. Without them…
The Characters
Emberly Pearson and Rory Pearson are a phoenix pair. Fated to be together as long as there is a chance. As long as there is heat and flame, there is life — or the possibility of life in rebirth for a phoenix.
Hellfire Investigations is…
…a private detective agency run by Jackson Miller, a dark fire fae who is also Em's lover. (Emberly has become a partner in Hellfire.) Some of Jackson’s past lovers and/or friends include Shona who works for a security company and Adán, a fire fae, and Dmitri, an earth fae, who have helped out before.
PIT is…
…the Paranormal Investigations Team, a specialist squad of humans and supernaturals who investigate paranormal crimes. And they aren’t required to follow the law. Chief Inspector Henrietta Richmond is the head.
Detective Sam Turner had been Emberly’s lover until he learned the truth. He has his own truth, for he is also infected. Rochelle, also infected, is Sam’s partner, lover, and a fae. Agents include Brad Harvey.
Babaylan "Lan" is a blind Filipino shaman who provided a warning as well as information on how to kill an Aswang. Mike is a street kid who became friends with Rory and is a highly successful black marketeer. The Journeyman is the hostel where Emberly, Jackson, and Rory are hiding out. Frank is a guard at Rosen’s apartment building.
The witches
Grace Harkwell is a powerful one. Her coven sisters include Angie, Meredith, Rennie, and Neriana. And some are missing
The shifters in Melbourne include…
…werewolves led by Scott Baker and wererats led by Marcus Radcliffe. Mary Johnson is Radcliffe’s pissed-off ex. Theodore Hunt is a bully-for-hire and a werewolf with a major grudge against Em.
Rosen Pharmaceuticals is…
…led by the overextended Denny Rosen, who had hired Jackson.
Sindicati is…
…a collective term for vampire mobster factions while a den is a group of vampires. The Australian Vampire Council is the ruling body. Anthony De Luca was the leader of the modern-view vampires. He's had sole control over Mark Baltimore and Professor Wilson. Amanda Wilson was Professor Wilson’s wife and a telepath for hire. Frank Parella leads another group. Professor Reginald Heaton knows entirely too much. I don’t know if Joseph Rinaldi is an alias or someone who works for Heaton.
The Red Cloaks are…
…vampires infected by the Crimson Death, the plague-like virus spawned from a failed government experiment. Luke, Sam’s brother, is their leader. Frederick is the witch in Luke’s employ.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a blend of oranges and greens. It’s Emberly, her body in profile on the left with her eyes looking back over her shoulder, her red curly hair waving in the breeze of its flames. She’s wearing a brown tank top and her forearm and torso are also roiling in orange flames. A green-cast wrought iron fence is immediately behind her, protecting her from the drop off to the night-lit city of Melbourne below her.
The title is true, for there is a Flameout, one that will leave you in tears.
My Take
Kidnappings, ambush, lies, betrayals, blackmail by the cops, murders, and a heart-rending ending will keep you racing through the pages, for Arthur has concocted a nasty collection of bad guys with a horrible fate lying in wait in the form of that plague. As if that’s not enough, she’s holding a prophecy of even worse to come over us, er, I mean, over Em and her friends.
And still, there is a sense of fun in the Souls of Fire series. Arthur keeps jolting us back and forth between the joy and the horror using first-person protagonist point-of-view from Em’s perspective.
The major antagonist has some major power (for ill) and being Sam’s brother makes it all more poignant. It’s funny, but all things considered, Em and Rory are probably the least complicated of the major characters, at least when you compare them to Jackson and his life and network as well as Sam and the issues he’s facing.
Arthur certainly weaves a lot in. I have to laugh at how Radcliffe’s ex-wife takes advantage…and it serves him right. Not at all funny are the various sindicati (and others) who are after Em and those virus research notes. And we thought human politics were bad.
Arthur has introduced an interesting twist with one den of vampires and then another even nastier one from the supposed Prof. Heaton.
The Story
Beset on all sides, Emberly and her fire-enhanced fae lover, Jackson, are on the run from PIT, the vampires, the Red Cloaks, witches, and more as they struggle to find the leader of the Red Cloaks, find the research notes, and keep those witches from giving up their notes on anti-phoenix spells!
It's been Em's powers that have kept the bad guys at bay. Without them…
The Characters
Emberly Pearson and Rory Pearson are a phoenix pair. Fated to be together as long as there is a chance. As long as there is heat and flame, there is life — or the possibility of life in rebirth for a phoenix.
Hellfire Investigations is…
…a private detective agency run by Jackson Miller, a dark fire fae who is also Em's lover. (Emberly has become a partner in Hellfire.) Some of Jackson’s past lovers and/or friends include Shona who works for a security company and Adán, a fire fae, and Dmitri, an earth fae, who have helped out before.
PIT is…
…the Paranormal Investigations Team, a specialist squad of humans and supernaturals who investigate paranormal crimes. And they aren’t required to follow the law. Chief Inspector Henrietta Richmond is the head.
Detective Sam Turner had been Emberly’s lover until he learned the truth. He has his own truth, for he is also infected. Rochelle, also infected, is Sam’s partner, lover, and a fae. Agents include Brad Harvey.
Babaylan "Lan" is a blind Filipino shaman who provided a warning as well as information on how to kill an Aswang. Mike is a street kid who became friends with Rory and is a highly successful black marketeer. The Journeyman is the hostel where Emberly, Jackson, and Rory are hiding out. Frank is a guard at Rosen’s apartment building.
The witches
Grace Harkwell is a powerful one. Her coven sisters include Angie, Meredith, Rennie, and Neriana. And some are missing
The shifters in Melbourne include…
…werewolves led by Scott Baker and wererats led by Marcus Radcliffe. Mary Johnson is Radcliffe’s pissed-off ex. Theodore Hunt is a bully-for-hire and a werewolf with a major grudge against Em.
Rosen Pharmaceuticals is…
…led by the overextended Denny Rosen, who had hired Jackson.
Sindicati is…
…a collective term for vampire mobster factions while a den is a group of vampires. The Australian Vampire Council is the ruling body. Anthony De Luca was the leader of the modern-view vampires. He's had sole control over Mark Baltimore and Professor Wilson. Amanda Wilson was Professor Wilson’s wife and a telepath for hire. Frank Parella leads another group. Professor Reginald Heaton knows entirely too much. I don’t know if Joseph Rinaldi is an alias or someone who works for Heaton.
The Red Cloaks are…
…vampires infected by the Crimson Death, the plague-like virus spawned from a failed government experiment. Luke, Sam’s brother, is their leader. Frederick is the witch in Luke’s employ.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a blend of oranges and greens. It’s Emberly, her body in profile on the left with her eyes looking back over her shoulder, her red curly hair waving in the breeze of its flames. She’s wearing a brown tank top and her forearm and torso are also roiling in orange flames. A green-cast wrought iron fence is immediately behind her, protecting her from the drop off to the night-lit city of Melbourne below her.
The title is true, for there is a Flameout, one that will leave you in tears.
September 19, 2020
Flameout is the third book in Keri Arthur’s Souls of Fire series, and it was another story that had me hooked throughout. As with the prior books in the series, however, I was addicted but I wasn’t lost to the story.
There was plenty packed into Flameout, ensuring I could not put it down, and I was desperate to see how each of the pieces would come together. I enjoyed the way certain elements developed, but the way things played out at the end felt too rushed for me. There was a chance for this one to hit a lot of emotional points, for things to really shock, but it felt like the best parts happened in the blink of an eye and were then over.
Flameout has ensured I’m eager to see what happens in book four, but I doubt I will ever label this series a favourite. It’s a series for quick and easy reading, not one I’m obsessed with.
There was plenty packed into Flameout, ensuring I could not put it down, and I was desperate to see how each of the pieces would come together. I enjoyed the way certain elements developed, but the way things played out at the end felt too rushed for me. There was a chance for this one to hit a lot of emotional points, for things to really shock, but it felt like the best parts happened in the blink of an eye and were then over.
Flameout has ensured I’m eager to see what happens in book four, but I doubt I will ever label this series a favourite. It’s a series for quick and easy reading, not one I’m obsessed with.
June 19, 2016
Emberly is back and she is not going to let anyone push her around. Book three in this dark, gritty series, Ms. Arthur does not hold back. It is one punch after another to bring Emberly to her knees. This story must be read after the first two. This is not a standalone story.
The book immediately dives into where the last one left off. Emberly is still working with Jackson to find the notes to cure the virus. Unfortunately for them, there are several different parties all trying to get Emberly to turn over any information they find. This story is fast pace yet slow at the same time. How is this possible? Emberly keeps adding on new enemies and not so friendly alliances whilst striking out in finding information she needs. It feels as if we are going nowhere fast. When the pieces are starting to fit together and Emberly is making headway, more conflict and obstacles arise. All of this is exhausting for both Emberly and Jackson and as the reader learns, fire needs to be fed.
The erotic aspects of this story are hot, literally. Fire is all consuming and necessary for Emberly to survive. The chemistry between Jackson and Emberly is sadly lacking. This is because their primary goal is to feed each other. The strained relationship between Emberly and Sam is more interesting. It is clear Emberly never wanted him to go just as it is clear, Sam regrets letting her go. Still, Sam can't get over his pride and constantly makes Emberly suffer. I still am not a fan of Sam, the self-righteous prig.
When it seems that all is solved and every thread is being tied off, one of the worst scenarios occurs. This caught me off guard even though it should not have. It is a Ms. Arthur story and I should expect having my heart hammered by a brutal blow. There are no happily ever afters for her characters. Her stories reflect the realities of life. It will be interesting to see what happens next because a woman out for blood is dangerous. A phoenix out for vengeance is lethal. Recommended for urban fantasy readers who enjoy dark, gritty fast paced stories with characters of questionable morals.
*provided by NetGalley
The book immediately dives into where the last one left off. Emberly is still working with Jackson to find the notes to cure the virus. Unfortunately for them, there are several different parties all trying to get Emberly to turn over any information they find. This story is fast pace yet slow at the same time. How is this possible? Emberly keeps adding on new enemies and not so friendly alliances whilst striking out in finding information she needs. It feels as if we are going nowhere fast. When the pieces are starting to fit together and Emberly is making headway, more conflict and obstacles arise. All of this is exhausting for both Emberly and Jackson and as the reader learns, fire needs to be fed.
The erotic aspects of this story are hot, literally. Fire is all consuming and necessary for Emberly to survive. The chemistry between Jackson and Emberly is sadly lacking. This is because their primary goal is to feed each other. The strained relationship between Emberly and Sam is more interesting. It is clear Emberly never wanted him to go just as it is clear, Sam regrets letting her go. Still, Sam can't get over his pride and constantly makes Emberly suffer. I still am not a fan of Sam, the self-righteous prig.
When it seems that all is solved and every thread is being tied off, one of the worst scenarios occurs. This caught me off guard even though it should not have. It is a Ms. Arthur story and I should expect having my heart hammered by a brutal blow. There are no happily ever afters for her characters. Her stories reflect the realities of life. It will be interesting to see what happens next because a woman out for blood is dangerous. A phoenix out for vengeance is lethal. Recommended for urban fantasy readers who enjoy dark, gritty fast paced stories with characters of questionable morals.
*provided by NetGalley
Read
June 3, 2017I'm calling this a DNF at 30%. There is nothing in the story that is grabbing my attention; and I'm already heartily tired of all the characters sex lives/need for sex hashed and rehashed. Everyone in Arthur's world(s) really likes sex or has to have sex with a lot of people to survive.
Okay, I get it. Every KA series is the same formula. Sex and more sex; whoever, whenever, wherever. Virtually every character is a slut. Is this just Arthur's particular mindset, or are all Australians this horny all the time?
I may pick this back up later if enough reviews show that I'm missing something special story-wise; but based on the somewhat less-than-stellar reviews of the first two books, I rather doubt that is going to happen.
Okay, I get it. Every KA series is the same formula. Sex and more sex; whoever, whenever, wherever. Virtually every character is a slut. Is this just Arthur's particular mindset, or are all Australians this horny all the time?
I may pick this back up later if enough reviews show that I'm missing something special story-wise; but based on the somewhat less-than-stellar reviews of the first two books, I rather doubt that is going to happen.
July 13, 2016
I really wanted to love this book more.
But I struggled to read on and had to force myself more than once to even pick it up again.
A lot of stuff is happening in the story, no doubt about that. Almost too much if you ask me (which is new to me).
I do like it complicated, but it felt anticlimatic sometimes.
Emberley might have been the problem for me in this book.
It seemed to me, that she didn't really feel anything most of the time. She would tell us how often she'd been through this and that and how she was or wasn't used to feeling so or so, but it left me rather cold. I can't remember if it was this way in the last books, but it got to me this time around.
I suspected the ending in the very beginning (though with a different result) but it wasn't a big deal for me at all, no heartbreak for me, no sympathy, no nothing.
Sam is getting on my nerves big time. Not that he has much scene play in this book.
And I'm not a fan of the forshadowing for the next book.
But maybe that's just me.
Oh and as an afterthought - her lovelive - or the lack of it, in this case - could have been left out completely. It was short, not very hot, or romantic if you ask me and didn't grab me at all. Sadly.
But I struggled to read on and had to force myself more than once to even pick it up again.
A lot of stuff is happening in the story, no doubt about that. Almost too much if you ask me (which is new to me).
I do like it complicated, but it felt anticlimatic sometimes.
Emberley might have been the problem for me in this book.
It seemed to me, that she didn't really feel anything most of the time. She would tell us how often she'd been through this and that and how she was or wasn't used to feeling so or so, but it left me rather cold. I can't remember if it was this way in the last books, but it got to me this time around.
I suspected the ending in the very beginning (though with a different result) but it wasn't a big deal for me at all, no heartbreak for me, no sympathy, no nothing.
Sam is getting on my nerves big time. Not that he has much scene play in this book.
And I'm not a fan of the forshadowing for the next book.
But maybe that's just me.
Oh and as an afterthought - her lovelive - or the lack of it, in this case - could have been left out completely. It was short, not very hot, or romantic if you ask me and didn't grab me at all. Sadly.
July 1, 2016
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I enjoyed the first two volumes of the series and it’s true that I was eager to discover this third book to learn more about our dear Phoenix! Indeed, Keri Arthur is an author that I like and few of her books have disappointed me so far. Yet it is true that I have struggled with this story …
We find, as usual, our dear Emberly, her brother Sam and Jackson and we are once again embarked on a new adventure in search of documents that everyone desire. Although I was carried away every time by the other books, I admit that I had a great difficulty in adhering to the story and even sometimes reluctant to continue. Yet all was not like that and I still had a good time regarding the novel. It was nice to find these characters to see how they lived and what they were willing to do. Our heroes will face a race against time, many parties trying to blackmail them to retrieve the information they could or would hold. The general idea is quite interesting to follow and certain events draw our attention but it’s true that nothing is really surprising or unexpected. I do not know, something was missing and I had it in the previous volumes. This time the story left me with a pretty empty feeling… It’s not that it’s not good for me but it was not up to the others. This will not prevent me from reading the others but I think that it was not a novel for me.
Finally a novel that will not necessarily leave a great memory, I’m not sure if it’s really necessary to read it to understand the full story, but it’s still interesting to find the characters.
My English review
I enjoyed the first two volumes of the series and it’s true that I was eager to discover this third book to learn more about our dear Phoenix! Indeed, Keri Arthur is an author that I like and few of her books have disappointed me so far. Yet it is true that I have struggled with this story …
We find, as usual, our dear Emberly, her brother Sam and Jackson and we are once again embarked on a new adventure in search of documents that everyone desire. Although I was carried away every time by the other books, I admit that I had a great difficulty in adhering to the story and even sometimes reluctant to continue. Yet all was not like that and I still had a good time regarding the novel. It was nice to find these characters to see how they lived and what they were willing to do. Our heroes will face a race against time, many parties trying to blackmail them to retrieve the information they could or would hold. The general idea is quite interesting to follow and certain events draw our attention but it’s true that nothing is really surprising or unexpected. I do not know, something was missing and I had it in the previous volumes. This time the story left me with a pretty empty feeling… It’s not that it’s not good for me but it was not up to the others. This will not prevent me from reading the others but I think that it was not a novel for me.
Finally a novel that will not necessarily leave a great memory, I’m not sure if it’s really necessary to read it to understand the full story, but it’s still interesting to find the characters.
August 2, 2016
This series keeps getting better and better. Maybe it's because the world building and characters have been given a chance to grow and we've gotten to know them? Anyway- another good book by Keri Arthur.
August 23, 2016
Finished the book but honestly couldn't care less about the characters or where the story is going. Too formulaic for my taste.
January 25, 2018
Flameout is the third book in the Souls of Fire series and it's just as fast-paced and high impact as the first two books. My love for Keri Arthur's work just keeps growing.
Flameout follows Emberly, a Phoenix living with her fated mate in Melbourne, as she falls further down the psychotic rabbit hole of Melbourne's changing status quo. PIT's manpower is spread thin between struggling to control the outbreak of a lab-born virus turning humans and supernaturals alike into pseudo-vampires and tracking the divisions and developments within the rat pack and vampire factions of Melbourne.
Emberly and her fire-fae partner, Jackson, are presented with a choice, work alongside PIT as consultants or back off their search for the cure. With a growing sense of foreboding and the attempts on her life stacking up, Emberly has no choice but to accept the badge but will she be able to hand it back when all is said and done? She's not so certain.
I'm of the opinion that Keri Arthur's novel style is progressively improving. This series, as well as her Lizzie Grace series, have focused on very realistic character behaviours (despite their supernatural nature). Emberly and Jackson are sensible and logical throughout, analysing their every move and do not get lost in the lust of the moment, unlike some other series I've read from other authors in this genre. They also openly admit their weaknesses and work within those parameters to survive which, for me, creates strong three-dimensional characters.
With every Keri Arthur novel, I find myself enjoying her habit of throwing the worst possible problems at her protagonists at exactly the wrong moment. Flameout was no different and it only served in strengthing Emberly and cementing our understanding of her character.
Every single scene in this book is placed strategically and focused on the goal of the novel. There is no deviation from the plotlines which drive the story forward. Throughout all three of the books so far, that quality has been key in building up the pace and developing the mystery behind the virus, taking the reader along for a thrilling ride.
This series constantly moves me in some way and this book was no different. Emberly's foreboding was palpable throughout but I did feel her anger was every so slightly restrained in the writing in the end, even as everything around her went up in flames.
The world building is exquisitely detailed as ever with Keri Arthur and I love how each book (no matter the series) pieces together parts of the puzzle. The only comment I have to make about this world, however, is that there are far too many interested parties. I struggled at points to keep up and, frankly, I stopped trying to line them up and just focused on Emberly's survival.
I have so many questions from this book that I hope will be answered in the next book, Ashes Reborn. For example, the ending suggests another plotline will be replacing Luke in Ashes Reborn but then what's going to happen to the hive mind and what plans does PIT have for Emberly?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to pick up the next.
Flameout follows Emberly, a Phoenix living with her fated mate in Melbourne, as she falls further down the psychotic rabbit hole of Melbourne's changing status quo. PIT's manpower is spread thin between struggling to control the outbreak of a lab-born virus turning humans and supernaturals alike into pseudo-vampires and tracking the divisions and developments within the rat pack and vampire factions of Melbourne.
Emberly and her fire-fae partner, Jackson, are presented with a choice, work alongside PIT as consultants or back off their search for the cure. With a growing sense of foreboding and the attempts on her life stacking up, Emberly has no choice but to accept the badge but will she be able to hand it back when all is said and done? She's not so certain.
I'm of the opinion that Keri Arthur's novel style is progressively improving. This series, as well as her Lizzie Grace series, have focused on very realistic character behaviours (despite their supernatural nature). Emberly and Jackson are sensible and logical throughout, analysing their every move and do not get lost in the lust of the moment, unlike some other series I've read from other authors in this genre. They also openly admit their weaknesses and work within those parameters to survive which, for me, creates strong three-dimensional characters.
With every Keri Arthur novel, I find myself enjoying her habit of throwing the worst possible problems at her protagonists at exactly the wrong moment. Flameout was no different and it only served in strengthing Emberly and cementing our understanding of her character.
Every single scene in this book is placed strategically and focused on the goal of the novel. There is no deviation from the plotlines which drive the story forward. Throughout all three of the books so far, that quality has been key in building up the pace and developing the mystery behind the virus, taking the reader along for a thrilling ride.
This series constantly moves me in some way and this book was no different. Emberly's foreboding was palpable throughout but I did feel her anger was every so slightly restrained in the writing in the end, even as everything around her went up in flames.
The world building is exquisitely detailed as ever with Keri Arthur and I love how each book (no matter the series) pieces together parts of the puzzle. The only comment I have to make about this world, however, is that there are far too many interested parties. I struggled at points to keep up and, frankly, I stopped trying to line them up and just focused on Emberly's survival.
I have so many questions from this book that I hope will be answered in the next book, Ashes Reborn. For example, the ending suggests another plotline will be replacing Luke in Ashes Reborn but then what's going to happen to the hive mind and what plans does PIT have for Emberly?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to pick up the next.
October 18, 2018
Emberly and her red hot partner, Jackson, have hit an impasse in their battle against the crazed humans infected by a plague-like virus derived from vampire blood. Their quest to unearth the leader of the group leads them into an ambush—and leaves Emberly at odds with her former lover, Sam, who’s pressuring her to join his Paranormal Investigations Team.
To make matters worse, three local witches have been kidnapped—and if their spells fall into the wrong hands, Emberly’s powers could end up smothered. With time ticking until the virus consumes the world, Emberly and Jackson must race to save the witches, find a cure, and smoke out their nemesis—or go down in a blaze of glory...
This book was mostly plot driven, nothing much happened romance wise until the very end. I am not sure how I feel about that. I do know I will not be real happy if Sam and Emberly end up together, especially since they have both been with someone else for 3 books. I also I am pretty sure the bad guy they don't know yet is the vampire that killed Emberly in a pass life (although I thought she killed him).
To make matters worse, three local witches have been kidnapped—and if their spells fall into the wrong hands, Emberly’s powers could end up smothered. With time ticking until the virus consumes the world, Emberly and Jackson must race to save the witches, find a cure, and smoke out their nemesis—or go down in a blaze of glory...
This book was mostly plot driven, nothing much happened romance wise until the very end. I am not sure how I feel about that. I do know I will not be real happy if Sam and Emberly end up together, especially since they have both been with someone else for 3 books. I also I am pretty sure the bad guy they don't know yet is the vampire that killed Emberly in a pass life (although I thought she killed him).
November 13, 2017
The third book in the souls of fire series, and oh. me. Gawd. the book was amazing. Intense from the first page to the very end where I cried sooooo much.
With every book I love Emberly more and more. The way she fiercely loves and is devoted to the men in her life (for different reasons of course) to the things she does to keep them safe.
This book though will rip you apart at the end. It is a roller coaster of emotions, I cannot wait to read the fourth book!
With every book I love Emberly more and more. The way she fiercely loves and is devoted to the men in her life (for different reasons of course) to the things she does to keep them safe.
This book though will rip you apart at the end. It is a roller coaster of emotions, I cannot wait to read the fourth book!
September 15, 2023
4.25/5
This review is from my notes written years ago.
Emberly is a Phoenix, able to shift between human-appearing and flame. In this volume of the series she is attempting to find the guy controlling the humans infected with a plague created with vampire blood. Most of those infected are completely controlled and zombie-like. Also, three witches have gone missing. She and her partner, Jackson, a fire-fae/elf, must find them. Also, someone is using magic to dampen her ability to shift.
This review is from my notes written years ago.
Emberly is a Phoenix, able to shift between human-appearing and flame. In this volume of the series she is attempting to find the guy controlling the humans infected with a plague created with vampire blood. Most of those infected are completely controlled and zombie-like. Also, three witches have gone missing. She and her partner, Jackson, a fire-fae/elf, must find them. Also, someone is using magic to dampen her ability to shift.
September 9, 2017
Amazing!
Spoiler Alert
Well that was an ending I didn't think would happen. Someone Em loves died and the world for a moment burned. It's not always a bad thing but a it's not always pleasant. I'm glad I waited to finish the book till the next was already out so I can now jump right into a world filled with action, mystery and some romance!!
Spoiler Alert
Well that was an ending I didn't think would happen. Someone Em loves died and the world for a moment burned. It's not always a bad thing but a it's not always pleasant. I'm glad I waited to finish the book till the next was already out so I can now jump right into a world filled with action, mystery and some romance!!
December 13, 2017
For the love of all things. Please use grammar check. Please use an editor. The number of missing words (some of which changed the entire meaning of the sentence), the wrong forms of words (-ing instead of -ed), doubled words, words in the wrong order...very very distracting. The story got 4 stars but the editing brought it down. It was a problem in the other two books but really worse this one.
December 26, 2019
Ah for some reason this book just started to drag despite the pacing being quick, full of action I felt that we weren't really making a whole lot of progress? However I did still enjoy this book and seeing all the pieces come together, I'm curious as to how the 4th book will end things for this series as well as for Emberly.
February 1, 2023
I didn’t love it. The passion in the last 2 books that o felt, I did not feel in this book. Everything felt dragged on with the investigation and less focused. I wasn’t as invested in reading this book as the last two because of this reason. The character’s development seem to have stopped in this book and not expressed. Hope the next book is better.
June 19, 2017
Very suspenseful....Ca't believe I have to wait all the way until Sept for the last book in the series.
What is happening to Jackson?
Will Sam relent?
Who blew Luke's brains out?
All good questions.
What is happening to Jackson?
Will Sam relent?
Who blew Luke's brains out?
All good questions.
January 27, 2018
Sam, Jackson and Emberly are all trying to track down the missing research notes and find Luke the head of the Red Cloaks while dodging murder attempts. There are some editing issues but overall a decent read. Lots of tension and conflict as several different forces pull at Em and Jackson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2018
So much potential in this world concept. Had really high hopes, and thought it wpuld be far greater than it was. Some great scenes, but had to really push myself to get through this series. Kept thinking, "It'll get better." It didn't. I was left feeling unfulfilled with every book.
February 28, 2023
I do not understand FL and over all storyline.
She has no real reason for her involvement into the storyline.
She is working for everyone (syndicate, PIT, Police, Opposing Vampire, Vampire Council) except Queen of Red Cloak.
Her reasoning for any decision is not practical and decisive.
She has no real reason for her involvement into the storyline.
She is working for everyone (syndicate, PIT, Police, Opposing Vampire, Vampire Council) except Queen of Red Cloak.
Her reasoning for any decision is not practical and decisive.
February 6, 2024
4.5 stars
Emberly and Jackson have hit an impasse in their investigation into the research notes on the plague like virus derived from vampire blood. However they are being blackmailed on all sides to keep searching for the notes of the former professors and the leader of the Red Cloaks keeps trying to capture Emberly to torture in front of his brother, so needless to say things keep heating up and she keeps riding the edge between death and life causing everyone to worry.
This was a much better and faster paced story than book 2 was with all the sassy sarcastic humor I've come to expect from these characters.
Emberly and Jackson have hit an impasse in their investigation into the research notes on the plague like virus derived from vampire blood. However they are being blackmailed on all sides to keep searching for the notes of the former professors and the leader of the Red Cloaks keeps trying to capture Emberly to torture in front of his brother, so needless to say things keep heating up and she keeps riding the edge between death and life causing everyone to worry.
This was a much better and faster paced story than book 2 was with all the sassy sarcastic humor I've come to expect from these characters.
September 14, 2017
Hooked
I love Keri Arthur's writing style. The characters are well developed and so is the world they inhabit. Will read all of this series that's available and lust for more!
I love Keri Arthur's writing style. The characters are well developed and so is the world they inhabit. Will read all of this series that's available and lust for more!
September 15, 2017
Great boo, and good series, now waiting for the next book to arrive.
September 24, 2017
Oh fire!!!!
October 20, 2017
+++++++
2:00pm
2:00pm
November 12, 2017
I really don't think enough people know about this series. It is not same ol' same ol'. They have plot romance action. And they are not just about the relationship between two characters.
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