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The Kindling Trilogy #3
Wildfire
How far will she go to save the ones she loves?
Ashe and the wizards are on the run. Their hideout is gone, and their people lie dead.
But in the midst of the destruction, there is hope. The historians are out there, and the secrets they hold could end the war.
Now all that’s left is to find them.
But the truth she seeks may be worse than anything she's faced this far, and when lies begin to spiral around her, Ashe finds herself confronting a threat greater than she could have imagined.
Including a conspiracy that could end her life.
The Kindling Trilogy - Series Complete!
#1 – Kindling
#2 – Ignite
#3 – Wildfire
Previously published as Merlin's Children (The Children and the Blood #3)
Ashe and the wizards are on the run. Their hideout is gone, and their people lie dead.
But in the midst of the destruction, there is hope. The historians are out there, and the secrets they hold could end the war.
Now all that’s left is to find them.
But the truth she seeks may be worse than anything she's faced this far, and when lies begin to spiral around her, Ashe finds herself confronting a threat greater than she could have imagined.
Including a conspiracy that could end her life.
The Kindling Trilogy - Series Complete!
#1 – Kindling
#2 – Ignite
#3 – Wildfire
Previously published as Merlin's Children (The Children and the Blood #3)
469 pages, Paperback
First published November 25, 2013
13 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Skye Malone
27 books174 followersSkye Malone writes action-packed fantasy and paranormal romance. A fan of magical books since childhood, they adore stories that pit ordinary characters against extraordinary odds and reveal the strength within. Abandoned buildings are their passion, along with old castles and deep, dark parts of the forest where anything is possible. A graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in English literature, Skye lives in the Midwest with a retired racing greyhound and a three-legged mutt.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 24, 2014
Merlin's Children is the third and final installment in The Children and the Blood series, the first two books of which I loved! However, I found Merlin's Children had a slower pace than the previous two stories and because of this I found the plot dragged and it was hard to fully engage with in places.
Megan Joel Peterson initially chooses to concentrate on the reconciliation between Cole and his father. We see Cole change before our eyes, from the protective and caring 'big brother', who has been guardian to Lily, into a gullible and pliant pawn in Victor's power game. I did not like the person Cole becomes, but I think we are asked to understand the need he has for his father's acceptance, however false we think it may be.
Ashe now has the responsibility of saving the Merlin people and keeping Lily safe, but at times I was unconvinced by her developing character. Despite saving Cole by taking him through the portal and the fact he has protected Lily in her absence, she now refuses to believe in him, which is not helped by Victor's brainwashing of his son. They frequently enter into a war of words, neither one trusting the other and both too stubborn to compromise.
As we continue with the novel there is a sense of trepidation, as we truly doubt there will be a happy conclusion. The later stages of the book are gripping and full of action and the climax of the trilogy is one I could never have predicted, but still satisfying. I loved the fact that with the appearance of Thelma, it is as if the story comes full circle.
I may have only rated Merlin's Children 4/5 but I think other fans of The Children and the Blood series will love this book and like me will also be sad that Cole, Ashe and Lily's journey has come to an end. Let's hope Megan Joel Peterson publishes her new book soon!
Megan Joel Peterson initially chooses to concentrate on the reconciliation between Cole and his father. We see Cole change before our eyes, from the protective and caring 'big brother', who has been guardian to Lily, into a gullible and pliant pawn in Victor's power game. I did not like the person Cole becomes, but I think we are asked to understand the need he has for his father's acceptance, however false we think it may be.
Ashe now has the responsibility of saving the Merlin people and keeping Lily safe, but at times I was unconvinced by her developing character. Despite saving Cole by taking him through the portal and the fact he has protected Lily in her absence, she now refuses to believe in him, which is not helped by Victor's brainwashing of his son. They frequently enter into a war of words, neither one trusting the other and both too stubborn to compromise.
As we continue with the novel there is a sense of trepidation, as we truly doubt there will be a happy conclusion. The later stages of the book are gripping and full of action and the climax of the trilogy is one I could never have predicted, but still satisfying. I loved the fact that with the appearance of Thelma, it is as if the story comes full circle.
I may have only rated Merlin's Children 4/5 but I think other fans of The Children and the Blood series will love this book and like me will also be sad that Cole, Ashe and Lily's journey has come to an end. Let's hope Megan Joel Peterson publishes her new book soon!
November 4, 2020
I enjoyed this series it kept me guessing and that's hard to do!
February 19, 2014
First off, allow me to commend Megan for making it past what I would call the Snowpocalyspse level, in which case the weather was nastily for a week in early January. I'm sure that says a lot, and that was not sarcasm whatsoever.
Merlin's Children starts off pretty much exactly where Taliesin Ascendant left off, and we finally get answers from the prologue of Book 1.
Or maybe I just now realized the answer to the question and it was in my face the entire time. *shrugs* I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter since as long as the question is answered, then it's all good.
I still have to applaud the author for continuing to be practically flawless in grammar/spelling (I make it a point to mention these things :p).
But I do find it really weird that the characters seem to draw their eyebrows downward a lot. I'm not sure if it's possible or I'm just those peeps who can only raise my eyebrows, but each time it was mentioned, I was pretty tempted to run into the bathroom, stare at the mirror and see if it was possible.
My mother would have thought I was insane if she saw me so I didn't do it.
HEY! HERE'S A POSSIBLE HUGE SPOILER! I sort of wanted what happened to Jamison to be something else. Maybe because I was thinking of what I read about the Nikita finale in TV Guide, in which I sorrily missed. -_- I am glad that some of the characters from the very first book return though. ^_^
On a final note, Megan has upped her game a bit compared to the last 2 books (yes, I'm staring at the raw ratings for the series). It's more fast paced, has more action and if anything, I sort of have a short attention span. A semi one, since I can tolerate SOME boring books to the end. :D But then the review turns out bad. I think that was irrelevant.
For some reason, I keep reading Ermengarde's name as "Er Ma Gawd" so I ended up reading "so and so and Ermagawd..." every so often. That might actually be how the name is pronounced, but I'm honestly not sure so I'll just call her OMG. :D
Another thing irrelevant I suppose.
---------------------
Original Rating: 4.5
Review copy provided by the author for review
Formatting has been lost due to copy and paste.
This review and more can be found at Bookwyrming Thoughts
Merlin's Children starts off pretty much exactly where Taliesin Ascendant left off, and we finally get answers from the prologue of Book 1.
Or maybe I just now realized the answer to the question and it was in my face the entire time. *shrugs* I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter since as long as the question is answered, then it's all good.
I still have to applaud the author for continuing to be practically flawless in grammar/spelling (I make it a point to mention these things :p).
But I do find it really weird that the characters seem to draw their eyebrows downward a lot. I'm not sure if it's possible or I'm just those peeps who can only raise my eyebrows, but each time it was mentioned, I was pretty tempted to run into the bathroom, stare at the mirror and see if it was possible.
My mother would have thought I was insane if she saw me so I didn't do it.
HEY! HERE'S A POSSIBLE HUGE SPOILER! I sort of wanted what happened to Jamison to be something else. Maybe because I was thinking of what I read about the Nikita finale in TV Guide, in which I sorrily missed. -_- I am glad that some of the characters from the very first book return though. ^_^
On a final note, Megan has upped her game a bit compared to the last 2 books (yes, I'm staring at the raw ratings for the series). It's more fast paced, has more action and if anything, I sort of have a short attention span. A semi one, since I can tolerate SOME boring books to the end. :D But then the review turns out bad. I think that was irrelevant.
For some reason, I keep reading Ermengarde's name as "Er Ma Gawd" so I ended up reading "so and so and Ermagawd..." every so often. That might actually be how the name is pronounced, but I'm honestly not sure so I'll just call her OMG. :D
Another thing irrelevant I suppose.
---------------------
Original Rating: 4.5
Review copy provided by the author for review
Formatting has been lost due to copy and paste.
This review and more can be found at Bookwyrming Thoughts
August 3, 2016
Wow! What an ending to what has been such an exciting story! Ms. Peterson did an incredible job of tying up Ashe, Lily, and Cole's story with all Merlin's children.
Merlin's Children picks up the story where it ended in Taliesin Ascendant. Ashe is still trying to find a way to end the war and keep Lily safe. And she questions whether Cole is trustworthy. Cole is doing his level-best to keep Lily safe from the dangers he believes Ashe represents. And Harris begins to question his loyalties as the war between the Merlin, Taliesin, and the Blood comes to a head.
This final book in the trilogy was every bit as thrilling as the first two. I was so tense - flying through the pages to learn who would survive, who would betray whom, which characters would finally put their trust in the right people. It was nail-biting suspense. And the way in which Ms. Peterson chose to reveal the answers to all those questions was brilliant.
Whether she meant to or not, Ms. Peterson did a fine job illustrating the nature of war. In this war, as in any war, the two opposing sides had complete faith in their way being the only way to achieve peace and safety for their side. Each side was willing to sacrifice whatever was required for their side to win. And their constituents followed on blind faith. Each side also did an amazing job with propaganda against their enemies. So amazing, in fact, that it was very hard for some characters to believe otherwise despite seeing evidence to the contrary. And finally, the point that even once this war was ended, it wasn't over. Peace takes much work and dedication.
Merlin's Children was the perfect ending for this story. The strength of character Ashe and Cole exhibited was incredible. Seeing the lengths Jamison, and even Brogan, would go to in order to achieve their goals was frightening. It was relief-inducing to witness Cole, and surprisingly Harris, realize that there are two sides to every story and all the facts are needed to make an educated decision.
I enjoyed every minute I've spent with these characters. Ms. Peterson's writing is fantastic and she kept me on the edge through every book. And the culmination of the story of Merlin and the magic left me utterly satisfied!
**I received an ecopy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**
Merlin's Children picks up the story where it ended in Taliesin Ascendant. Ashe is still trying to find a way to end the war and keep Lily safe. And she questions whether Cole is trustworthy. Cole is doing his level-best to keep Lily safe from the dangers he believes Ashe represents. And Harris begins to question his loyalties as the war between the Merlin, Taliesin, and the Blood comes to a head.
This final book in the trilogy was every bit as thrilling as the first two. I was so tense - flying through the pages to learn who would survive, who would betray whom, which characters would finally put their trust in the right people. It was nail-biting suspense. And the way in which Ms. Peterson chose to reveal the answers to all those questions was brilliant.
Whether she meant to or not, Ms. Peterson did a fine job illustrating the nature of war. In this war, as in any war, the two opposing sides had complete faith in their way being the only way to achieve peace and safety for their side. Each side was willing to sacrifice whatever was required for their side to win. And their constituents followed on blind faith. Each side also did an amazing job with propaganda against their enemies. So amazing, in fact, that it was very hard for some characters to believe otherwise despite seeing evidence to the contrary. And finally, the point that even once this war was ended, it wasn't over. Peace takes much work and dedication.
Merlin's Children was the perfect ending for this story. The strength of character Ashe and Cole exhibited was incredible. Seeing the lengths Jamison, and even Brogan, would go to in order to achieve their goals was frightening. It was relief-inducing to witness Cole, and surprisingly Harris, realize that there are two sides to every story and all the facts are needed to make an educated decision.
I enjoyed every minute I've spent with these characters. Ms. Peterson's writing is fantastic and she kept me on the edge through every book. And the culmination of the story of Merlin and the magic left me utterly satisfied!
**I received an ecopy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**
September 29, 2014
It was a good read. Took me a little longer to read. I lost enthusiasm a couple times and took time to read another book, but came back. Really liked the story line but sometimes found myself not liking the characters as much.
January 22, 2016
Ok. I thought I'd keep going, trying to give the series the benefit of the doubt. I can't anymore. I don't even want to or feel inclined to finish this series now.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews