What do you think?
Rate this book
Legacy of Flames #1
Alight
It's not easy being one of the last living dragon shifters in London.
Two years ago, when the faeries attacked the mortal realm, all supernaturals were dragged into the open. Unfortunately for dragon shifters like Ember and her sister, dragons are still hunted by humans and supernaturals alike. Keeping a low profile is difficult with monsters roaming the streets, but Ember and her band of rogue shifters have managed to survive.
Until their oldest enemy, the supernatural-hunting Orion League, emerges from the shadows and captures Ember's sister.
To get her back, Ember is prepared to walk into the depths of London's magical underworld, even if it means kidnapping a lethal ex-hunter who'd like nothing better than to add her name to his kill list. His inside knowledge of the League is the key to saving her sister, but with their allies turning on them, Ember must choose who to trust or meet the same end as the other dragon shifters.
Two years ago, when the faeries attacked the mortal realm, all supernaturals were dragged into the open. Unfortunately for dragon shifters like Ember and her sister, dragons are still hunted by humans and supernaturals alike. Keeping a low profile is difficult with monsters roaming the streets, but Ember and her band of rogue shifters have managed to survive.
Until their oldest enemy, the supernatural-hunting Orion League, emerges from the shadows and captures Ember's sister.
To get her back, Ember is prepared to walk into the depths of London's magical underworld, even if it means kidnapping a lethal ex-hunter who'd like nothing better than to add her name to his kill list. His inside knowledge of the League is the key to saving her sister, but with their allies turning on them, Ember must choose who to trust or meet the same end as the other dragon shifters.
Unknown Binding
First published April 1, 2017
449 people are currently reading
632 people want to read
About the author
Emma L. Adams
87 books948 followersI'm Emma, a fantasy author, book collector, gamer, and wanderer. I write urban and epic fantasy novels, including the international bestselling Changeling Chronicles, the Relics of Power trilogy, and the Death's Disciple quartet.
*Note: I use Goodreads only to keep a record of what I'm reading. Please don't send me unsolicited review requests.*
*Note: I use Goodreads only to keep a record of what I'm reading. Please don't send me unsolicited review requests.*
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 26, 2017
I'm quite disappointed with this book. I love shifter stories, and dragons especially. Also the cover looked pretty good. However, the low amount of reviews leads me to believe this might be a newish author? Not sure but if that's the case it certainly explains a few things.
Thing is, I think if I were to try to write a book it might up something like this. (And I would be quite happy if it was something like this!)
But then there is just so much missing. It's hard to put your finger on it since we do appear to have a real story here. Things are happening, there is action, and mystery. Unfortunately, we aren't really made to care about any of it. The world-building most definitely is not okay. I could tell the picture in my mind's eye lacked definition. Apparently we're in London but nothing is really described. Sometimes I'd find myself wondering how many people were in the street, or how certain buildings looked. Not cool.
Then, the characters. Unfortunately they're very flat. The book also seems to have just the 4, really. And we are not made to care about them. Becks could drop dead for all I cared and I'd have been like meh.
Then towards the end, from one second to the next we suddenly , and really the reasoning was weak. It was so obvious the author just wanted to create a rift to draw things out.
So yeah, in my opinion this book lacks a lot. Body. Depth. Well-rounded characters. We need so much more of all of these things.
I will likely give book 2 a try because I want so much to like this, but I'm about 20% in and so far the outlook is grim. Kind of bummed out.
Thing is, I think if I were to try to write a book it might up something like this. (And I would be quite happy if it was something like this!)
But then there is just so much missing. It's hard to put your finger on it since we do appear to have a real story here. Things are happening, there is action, and mystery. Unfortunately, we aren't really made to care about any of it. The world-building most definitely is not okay. I could tell the picture in my mind's eye lacked definition. Apparently we're in London but nothing is really described. Sometimes I'd find myself wondering how many people were in the street, or how certain buildings looked. Not cool.
Then, the characters. Unfortunately they're very flat. The book also seems to have just the 4, really. And we are not made to care about them. Becks could drop dead for all I cared and I'd have been like meh.
Then towards the end, from one second to the next we suddenly , and really the reasoning was weak. It was so obvious the author just wanted to create a rift to draw things out.
So yeah, in my opinion this book lacks a lot. Body. Depth. Well-rounded characters. We need so much more of all of these things.
I will likely give book 2 a try because I want so much to like this, but I'm about 20% in and so far the outlook is grim. Kind of bummed out.
February 9, 2021
Where to start, mhm.
So, first of all. The genre sounded really cool and promising! I'm a sucker for supernatural beings, especially when it's .
Well, listen. I was kind of disappointed at the lackluster appearance of 'em. Like, I know it sounds weird, because there has been mention of them: dragon shifter, cat shifter, half-gargoyle half-witch -- like, those are really cool premises but there has been no lore, nothing interesting about their story, about their species. The world-building was kind of just downright missing. There have been mentions of Mage Lords, and the Seelie and Unseelies, but there is just no explanation - not in telling us or showing us.
I wasn't quite confused throughout the book, I was just...not interested as much. Same goes for the characters and the plot - it was just flat. I really dislike saying that about books, but I couldn't care about the characters at all. The only one I cared about was the MC, and that's because I'm reading from her perspective. Beck and Will? While I'm sympathetic towards them, I didn't know why they'd risk themselves like that, what is in for them (and even if there was nothing in it for them, that wasn't even mentioned too). There was just...no explanation, no good characterisation. Will a little bit more than Beck, but even that was not as good.
The plot was simple and clear, but I didn't quite connect to it either, tbh. I was kind of bored in some parts, but the writing style was fluent and easy enough that I didn't really get stuck, either. I just felt that nothing really happened, despite action stuff happening, like it was one thing after the other wihout some plan happening. I think I was just not that engaged tbh.
Like, for example. The entire smuggling into the League Prison -- it should've been really tense and suspenseful, but I was just reading it, giving no second thought to it really, because it felt so distant and so chaotic and without any real weight to it.
And the oncoming romance? I can't believe it. Like, I know there's bound to be something between Ember and Astor, but it was less chemistry and more like two sides clashing and that's it. I wouldn't know how this relationship wants to be built properly.
I don't know. It was okay, I don't particularly dislike it, nor particularly like it. I wouldn't recommend it nor try to keep others from reading it. I was just...not interested. (That being said, I hate not finishing a series unless it's absolutely terrible for me, so I will be reading the next book).
So, first of all. The genre sounded really cool and promising! I'm a sucker for supernatural beings, especially when it's .
Well, listen. I was kind of disappointed at the lackluster appearance of 'em. Like, I know it sounds weird, because there has been mention of them: dragon shifter, cat shifter, half-gargoyle half-witch -- like, those are really cool premises but there has been no lore, nothing interesting about their story, about their species. The world-building was kind of just downright missing. There have been mentions of Mage Lords, and the Seelie and Unseelies, but there is just no explanation - not in telling us or showing us.
I wasn't quite confused throughout the book, I was just...not interested as much. Same goes for the characters and the plot - it was just flat. I really dislike saying that about books, but I couldn't care about the characters at all. The only one I cared about was the MC, and that's because I'm reading from her perspective. Beck and Will? While I'm sympathetic towards them, I didn't know why they'd risk themselves like that, what is in for them (and even if there was nothing in it for them, that wasn't even mentioned too). There was just...no explanation, no good characterisation. Will a little bit more than Beck, but even that was not as good.
The plot was simple and clear, but I didn't quite connect to it either, tbh. I was kind of bored in some parts, but the writing style was fluent and easy enough that I didn't really get stuck, either. I just felt that nothing really happened, despite action stuff happening, like it was one thing after the other wihout some plan happening. I think I was just not that engaged tbh.
Like, for example. The entire smuggling into the League Prison -- it should've been really tense and suspenseful, but I was just reading it, giving no second thought to it really, because it felt so distant and so chaotic and without any real weight to it.
And the oncoming romance? I can't believe it. Like, I know there's bound to be something between Ember and Astor, but it was less chemistry and more like two sides clashing and that's it. I wouldn't know how this relationship wants to be built properly.
I don't know. It was okay, I don't particularly dislike it, nor particularly like it. I wouldn't recommend it nor try to keep others from reading it. I was just...not interested. (That being said, I hate not finishing a series unless it's absolutely terrible for me, so I will be reading the next book).
April 25, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.
I was so excited when I heard of this new series by Emma L Adams. I really enjoy Emma's books and this series sounded really good. It takes place in the same world as her Changeling series, but it takes place in a different place and sooner after the invasion than the Changeling series. It also has a very different focus, namely more on the shifters. I am a big fan of shifter books, so I really liked how the author put the focus on shifters in this book. And it even has some original type of shifters!
Alight was a well paced book with lots of action and focus on shifters. There were some great action scenes. Shifters have been hunted by The League's hunters even before the invasion by the faeries. But even now they still hunt shifters and other supernaturals. They are quite devoted to their mission. The book started with a chapter that shows where Ember and her sister Cori are when the invasion takes place and it instantly got me into the story. Then we switch to two years later and the story continues. Most of the story deals with The League and how Ember and her friends try to avoid them and stay alive, but when her sister gets captured she decides to do whatever it takes to get her back.
Ember was a great main character to read about, she was fiercely protective of her sister and friends. I liked reading about her dragon side and form. She doesn't remember the first few years of her life and she doesn't know if there are any other dragon shifters except for her sister, so there's a bit of mystery there as well. She only has this notebook, with parts she can't read. Then there are her best friends who are both shifters as well. It was fun to read more about the shifters in this world and get to know more about them. Becks and Will were interesting side characters. But I was even more curious about Astor, we learn bits and pieces from him and I enjoyed reading about him. There is a hint of a possible romance, but it's a subplot line mostly. I did like that hint or romance though and I am curious how that will progress.
I already knew a bit about this world thanks to having read most of the Changeling series, so it felt a bit familiar already. but this book shows a very different view and part of this world, so it felt new and fresh as well. And we learn a lot more about the hunters, the League and shifters, which were all things that weren't addressed as much in the Changeling series or not like this. It was great to return to a familiar world and follow new characters and a different focus. It also felt a tad darker than the Changeling series, especially at the end when we get a glimpse of what exactly the League does with shifters they capture.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book and getting to return to a world I already knew, but with a different focus. Alight takes place in the same world as the Changeling series, but in a different time and it focuses more on the hunters and shifters. I liked reading about the different type of shifters and the focus on shifters was great! It is action packed and well paced and it kept my attention during the whole book. Ember was a great main character to read about and I liked the fact she was a dragon shifter. There's a hint of a possible romance, but it stays pretty much to the sidelines. The world already felt a bit familiar as it was the same world as the Changeling series, but it felt very different as well. I am looking forward to read book 2!
I was so excited when I heard of this new series by Emma L Adams. I really enjoy Emma's books and this series sounded really good. It takes place in the same world as her Changeling series, but it takes place in a different place and sooner after the invasion than the Changeling series. It also has a very different focus, namely more on the shifters. I am a big fan of shifter books, so I really liked how the author put the focus on shifters in this book. And it even has some original type of shifters!
Alight was a well paced book with lots of action and focus on shifters. There were some great action scenes. Shifters have been hunted by The League's hunters even before the invasion by the faeries. But even now they still hunt shifters and other supernaturals. They are quite devoted to their mission. The book started with a chapter that shows where Ember and her sister Cori are when the invasion takes place and it instantly got me into the story. Then we switch to two years later and the story continues. Most of the story deals with The League and how Ember and her friends try to avoid them and stay alive, but when her sister gets captured she decides to do whatever it takes to get her back.
Ember was a great main character to read about, she was fiercely protective of her sister and friends. I liked reading about her dragon side and form. She doesn't remember the first few years of her life and she doesn't know if there are any other dragon shifters except for her sister, so there's a bit of mystery there as well. She only has this notebook, with parts she can't read. Then there are her best friends who are both shifters as well. It was fun to read more about the shifters in this world and get to know more about them. Becks and Will were interesting side characters. But I was even more curious about Astor, we learn bits and pieces from him and I enjoyed reading about him. There is a hint of a possible romance, but it's a subplot line mostly. I did like that hint or romance though and I am curious how that will progress.
I already knew a bit about this world thanks to having read most of the Changeling series, so it felt a bit familiar already. but this book shows a very different view and part of this world, so it felt new and fresh as well. And we learn a lot more about the hunters, the League and shifters, which were all things that weren't addressed as much in the Changeling series or not like this. It was great to return to a familiar world and follow new characters and a different focus. It also felt a tad darker than the Changeling series, especially at the end when we get a glimpse of what exactly the League does with shifters they capture.
To summarize: I really enjoyed this book and getting to return to a world I already knew, but with a different focus. Alight takes place in the same world as the Changeling series, but in a different time and it focuses more on the hunters and shifters. I liked reading about the different type of shifters and the focus on shifters was great! It is action packed and well paced and it kept my attention during the whole book. Ember was a great main character to read about and I liked the fact she was a dragon shifter. There's a hint of a possible romance, but it stays pretty much to the sidelines. The world already felt a bit familiar as it was the same world as the Changeling series, but it felt very different as well. I am looking forward to read book 2!
May 6, 2017
Same Review Also Posted In My Blog: Dreamy Addicitons
Okay, I absolutely enjoyed reading this book! I really didn't expected to enjoy it as much as I did. It was actually set in the same world of Changeling Series which I haven't read but I still found myself enjoying this. I love books with dragons, fae and werewolves etc., and this book has them all. It was thrilling and action packed from the start till the end. I liked all the characters, the world building and the intriguing plot. This is my second book by Emma L. Adams and I'm very impressed. I really look forward to read more books from her.
Ember and her sister Cori are the rare dragon shifters who's been wanted by humans and Supernaturals alike. Two years ago when the fae attacked on the mortal realm, the Orion League has been hunting all the supernaturals. While hiding from the League, Ember hunts the monsters from the fae realm in exchange for payment so that she could help her shifter friends who sheltered them. When a job goes wrong, Ember's sister gets captured by the League. In order to get back her sister, Ember needs the help of someone from the League. When her paths crosses with one of the hunter, she captures him and later finds out that he's an ex-hunter called Astor who seems to hate her kind. To save her sister, Ember needs to rely on the infuriating hunter who has all the knowledge that can help them break into the Orion stronghold. With help of her two shifter friends and Astor, Ember infiltrates the Orion stronghold but getting out from there isn't an easy task it's impossible.
The characters in this book are in their 20's. I loved Ember! She's a strong protagonist and also a kickass female dragon with deadly claws. She kinda reminded me of Ember from the talon series by Julie Kagawa and to be honest, this Ember seemed more badass than her. I totally fell in love with Astor. He is hot, fun, sarcastic, smug and a bit cocky who likes pissing off fairies. There isn't much romance in this book but there is something going on between Ember and Astor. I enjoyed every time they clashed and not to forget that hot kiss. I can't wait to see how their relationship develops further. I also liked the interesting supporting characters Becks and Will. Becks is a cat shifter and also a sassy character. She's saved by Ember after the faerie attack and they've been friends since then. Will is a half witch and a half gargoyle shifter who later joined them. He's both fun and witty character. He possess some great skills and quite good in diverting enemies.
I really liked the plot! It was fast paced, entertaining and action packed through out. There isn't any dull moment in this book and there are some twists in the story which made it more enjoyable to read. I also liked the wonderful writing style of the author and I enjoyed reading the entire story from Embers Perspective. The world building is good but it did took some for me to get a clear picture of it because I wasn't familiar with Changeling's world. I'll look forward to explore more of this world.
Overall, it was a great read! I think it's a great start for a new series. The book finally concluded without any shocking cliffhanger but there are so many questions left unanswered and I can't wait to find them out in the next book which I'm going to pick up soon.
Okay, I absolutely enjoyed reading this book! I really didn't expected to enjoy it as much as I did. It was actually set in the same world of Changeling Series which I haven't read but I still found myself enjoying this. I love books with dragons, fae and werewolves etc., and this book has them all. It was thrilling and action packed from the start till the end. I liked all the characters, the world building and the intriguing plot. This is my second book by Emma L. Adams and I'm very impressed. I really look forward to read more books from her.
Ember and her sister Cori are the rare dragon shifters who's been wanted by humans and Supernaturals alike. Two years ago when the fae attacked on the mortal realm, the Orion League has been hunting all the supernaturals. While hiding from the League, Ember hunts the monsters from the fae realm in exchange for payment so that she could help her shifter friends who sheltered them. When a job goes wrong, Ember's sister gets captured by the League. In order to get back her sister, Ember needs the help of someone from the League. When her paths crosses with one of the hunter, she captures him and later finds out that he's an ex-hunter called Astor who seems to hate her kind. To save her sister, Ember needs to rely on the infuriating hunter who has all the knowledge that can help them break into the Orion stronghold. With help of her two shifter friends and Astor, Ember infiltrates the Orion stronghold but getting out from there isn't an easy task it's impossible.
The characters in this book are in their 20's. I loved Ember! She's a strong protagonist and also a kickass female dragon with deadly claws. She kinda reminded me of Ember from the talon series by Julie Kagawa and to be honest, this Ember seemed more badass than her. I totally fell in love with Astor. He is hot, fun, sarcastic, smug and a bit cocky who likes pissing off fairies. There isn't much romance in this book but there is something going on between Ember and Astor. I enjoyed every time they clashed and not to forget that hot kiss. I can't wait to see how their relationship develops further. I also liked the interesting supporting characters Becks and Will. Becks is a cat shifter and also a sassy character. She's saved by Ember after the faerie attack and they've been friends since then. Will is a half witch and a half gargoyle shifter who later joined them. He's both fun and witty character. He possess some great skills and quite good in diverting enemies.
I really liked the plot! It was fast paced, entertaining and action packed through out. There isn't any dull moment in this book and there are some twists in the story which made it more enjoyable to read. I also liked the wonderful writing style of the author and I enjoyed reading the entire story from Embers Perspective. The world building is good but it did took some for me to get a clear picture of it because I wasn't familiar with Changeling's world. I'll look forward to explore more of this world.
Overall, it was a great read! I think it's a great start for a new series. The book finally concluded without any shocking cliffhanger but there are so many questions left unanswered and I can't wait to find them out in the next book which I'm going to pick up soon.
July 25, 2017
I don't even know where to begin...
1. The plot- The entire storyline is a rescue mission. However there is no planning. No character building just endless action. So the plot is basically "Run, save sister, run"
2. Characters- As I said before, there is virtually no character development in the entirety of this novel. Pretty much every character we are introduced to has one quality and that's it. There is absolutely no backstory, characterization, or really any personality shown in any of the characters.
3. World- I think my biggest problem with the world the author was trying to build in this novel is that they did too much into small of a book. The author tried to create a very complex world without developing it at all...
I am super disappointed overall. I love dragons. But this... this was a travesty.
1. The plot- The entire storyline is a rescue mission. However there is no planning. No character building just endless action. So the plot is basically "Run, save sister, run"
2. Characters- As I said before, there is virtually no character development in the entirety of this novel. Pretty much every character we are introduced to has one quality and that's it. There is absolutely no backstory, characterization, or really any personality shown in any of the characters.
3. World- I think my biggest problem with the world the author was trying to build in this novel is that they did too much into small of a book. The author tried to create a very complex world without developing it at all...
I am super disappointed overall. I love dragons. But this... this was a travesty.
September 26, 2018
56 points/100 (3 stars/5).
Two years ago, the faeries came to Earth. Shifters like Ember and her sister were hunted because they are thought to be as dangerous to the human race as the fae. The leader of the pack at hunting shifters, the Orion League, has showed up and kidnapped Ember's sister. Ember is desperate to get her back, and is teaming up with an ex-hunter.
Alight dumps us in the middle of some action and doesn't stop.
Legacy of Flames is a prequel trilogy to the The Changeling Chronicles, which I have read previously and enjoyed. I didn't even learn this series was out until long after it was completed. I was a bit worried going into this, because I didn't know anything about it and I don't really remember the ending to The Changeling Chronicles. Luckily, Alight sets up Legacy of Flames to be its own story. It also helps that this takes place maybe 18 years prior to the events in The Changeling Chronicles. I could tell it was the same world, though.
The main character, Ember, is about as I expected. She is an angry, impatient creature who runs from disaster to disaster. Her biggest flaw is that she is very forgiving to everyone for what they do to her and those she loves. She doesn't completely forgive them, but she starts to feel sorry for them and such. This is very much not my favourite character type.
This translates over into her love interest. A love interest that at one point tried to kill her. A love interest where they captured and tied him up and are having him help them in order to get her sister back in order for him to get free again. Only this isn't done particularly well. These two people hate each other which turns into dislike and distrust. There is nothing there, despite the hormones flying. The only thing going on in this romance is adrenaline.
The enemy, the Orion League is either completely new or I've completely forgotten about them. It is the typical group who are human and fanatics about humans only. They want to kill all nonhumans they can. The use brainwashing tactics, they gather children who have been hurt, and they create a cult.
The plot itself just feels rushed. There was never a moment of peace, though the characters did manage to sleep a few times (and it wasn't only them passing out!) The biggest problem I had was it felt like I wasn't being told the whole story. There were leaps where I was getting whiplash from the change in direction. Despite the entire book being about a rescue mission, there is no planning at all. Just running from disaster to disaster before all of a sudden we're about to storm the castle and where did that come from?
In the end, I was left kind of meh about this. Things moved so fast with very little buildup that I just found myself not really getting invested in any of it.
To read more reviews in this series and others, check out keikii eats books!
Two years ago, the faeries came to Earth. Shifters like Ember and her sister were hunted because they are thought to be as dangerous to the human race as the fae. The leader of the pack at hunting shifters, the Orion League, has showed up and kidnapped Ember's sister. Ember is desperate to get her back, and is teaming up with an ex-hunter.
Alight dumps us in the middle of some action and doesn't stop.
Legacy of Flames is a prequel trilogy to the The Changeling Chronicles, which I have read previously and enjoyed. I didn't even learn this series was out until long after it was completed. I was a bit worried going into this, because I didn't know anything about it and I don't really remember the ending to The Changeling Chronicles. Luckily, Alight sets up Legacy of Flames to be its own story. It also helps that this takes place maybe 18 years prior to the events in The Changeling Chronicles. I could tell it was the same world, though.
The main character, Ember, is about as I expected. She is an angry, impatient creature who runs from disaster to disaster. Her biggest flaw is that she is very forgiving to everyone for what they do to her and those she loves. She doesn't completely forgive them, but she starts to feel sorry for them and such. This is very much not my favourite character type.
This translates over into her love interest. A love interest that at one point tried to kill her. A love interest where they captured and tied him up and are having him help them in order to get her sister back in order for him to get free again. Only this isn't done particularly well. These two people hate each other which turns into dislike and distrust. There is nothing there, despite the hormones flying. The only thing going on in this romance is adrenaline.
The enemy, the Orion League is either completely new or I've completely forgotten about them. It is the typical group who are human and fanatics about humans only. They want to kill all nonhumans they can. The use brainwashing tactics, they gather children who have been hurt, and they create a cult.
The plot itself just feels rushed. There was never a moment of peace, though the characters did manage to sleep a few times (and it wasn't only them passing out!) The biggest problem I had was it felt like I wasn't being told the whole story. There were leaps where I was getting whiplash from the change in direction. Despite the entire book being about a rescue mission, there is no planning at all. Just running from disaster to disaster before all of a sudden we're about to storm the castle and where did that come from?
In the end, I was left kind of meh about this. Things moved so fast with very little buildup that I just found myself not really getting invested in any of it.
To read more reviews in this series and others, check out keikii eats books!
April 21, 2017
Just a kid
I didn't want to put this book down. Its full of hope to fight the horrible aftermath of our world crumbling when the Fae decide to attack the human world. Ember is just a kid dragon shifter but she seems to be the key to this war. I would have liked more information about the fae and why they decided to attack. There is a lot that is still a mystery but the characters are great and Ember is so brave.
I didn't want to put this book down. Its full of hope to fight the horrible aftermath of our world crumbling when the Fae decide to attack the human world. Ember is just a kid dragon shifter but she seems to be the key to this war. I would have liked more information about the fae and why they decided to attack. There is a lot that is still a mystery but the characters are great and Ember is so brave.
April 14, 2017
Falls down on most fronts
I have certain expectations for this author's work after having read several of her books; I was wildly disappointed in this one. The first several chapters are full of exposition. There's a lot of telling and almost not showing. There's almost no dialogue until about 25% into the book.
Sadly, dialogue didn't improve it. It was stiff and rote, feeling awkward and as if it's purpose is to provide fluff filler. Frankly, the entire book was awkward. I ended up skimming about a third of it because the story just didn't move forward. And there is a ton of useless repetition on various topics. I get annoyed when someone tells me the same thing in several chapters. I don't need a repeat.
The character's were also unimaginative. Secondary characters have no color or depth. Lead characters feel cookie cutter. Member is pretty unlikable. She supposedly survived on her own with her sister for years while being hunted. Explain to me then how she is useless in a fight, lacks common sense, and isn't capable of not acting like a tween throwing a tantrum? Survival teaches practicality and this chick has not of that. Maybe I should admire her moral dilemma about killing people; instead I think she's weak because she can't do what she needs to in order to ensure her own survival or that of her sister. If she's so hellbent on saving people who are trying to kill her, she should just turn herself into them. Listening to her dither and whine about having to hurt someone trying to kill her was ridiculous.
In addition, the romance is weak. It was obvious and very limited. Their dialogue consisted of throwing canned insults and threatening each other. On Ember's part, her actions were all bark and no bite--supremely uninteresting. And of course there is the attraction she can't explain which makes her an idiot because apparently all women turn into vapid twits when an attractive male shows up. She also passes out in nearly every battle so the man can rescue her like a proper damsel. Seriously.
If you are like me and imagine more for your heroines, think women can be plenty strong and don't need a stronger man to ride to their rescue, and also want a romance plot where the main character isn't a twit, don't read this book.
I have certain expectations for this author's work after having read several of her books; I was wildly disappointed in this one. The first several chapters are full of exposition. There's a lot of telling and almost not showing. There's almost no dialogue until about 25% into the book.
Sadly, dialogue didn't improve it. It was stiff and rote, feeling awkward and as if it's purpose is to provide fluff filler. Frankly, the entire book was awkward. I ended up skimming about a third of it because the story just didn't move forward. And there is a ton of useless repetition on various topics. I get annoyed when someone tells me the same thing in several chapters. I don't need a repeat.
The character's were also unimaginative. Secondary characters have no color or depth. Lead characters feel cookie cutter. Member is pretty unlikable. She supposedly survived on her own with her sister for years while being hunted. Explain to me then how she is useless in a fight, lacks common sense, and isn't capable of not acting like a tween throwing a tantrum? Survival teaches practicality and this chick has not of that. Maybe I should admire her moral dilemma about killing people; instead I think she's weak because she can't do what she needs to in order to ensure her own survival or that of her sister. If she's so hellbent on saving people who are trying to kill her, she should just turn herself into them. Listening to her dither and whine about having to hurt someone trying to kill her was ridiculous.
In addition, the romance is weak. It was obvious and very limited. Their dialogue consisted of throwing canned insults and threatening each other. On Ember's part, her actions were all bark and no bite--supremely uninteresting. And of course there is the attraction she can't explain which makes her an idiot because apparently all women turn into vapid twits when an attractive male shows up. She also passes out in nearly every battle so the man can rescue her like a proper damsel. Seriously.
If you are like me and imagine more for your heroines, think women can be plenty strong and don't need a stronger man to ride to their rescue, and also want a romance plot where the main character isn't a twit, don't read this book.
August 28, 2017
The book is pretty standard urban fantasy fare. There are supernaturals such as shifters, witches and mages. There is an evil organization, the Orion League, that hunts supernaturals (especially shifters) because they believe that humans should rule the world. At first they did so in secret, but then 2 years ago there was an invasion by dark fey that was thwarted. In the dystopian present the dark fey have gone, but some of the creatures couldn't make the trip back to the fey realm and still threaten the London populace.
Our main character, Ember, and her sister, Cori, have no memory of their lives before Ember's 12th birthday. They are dragon shifters, but hide their abilities and therefore have little control. The only link to the past is a notebook that is partially written in old fey. During one of their hunting mission, they are attacked by the order and Cori is taken. They manage to capture a hunter called Astor, but it becomes apparent that he is actually an ex-hunter. Despite her misgivings Ember decides to team up with him to get her sister back.
The book is almost 400 pages. It is a fun read, but I wouldn't expect too much complexity in the storyline. Even though Ember is apparently a very strong shifter, she has little control over her powers. Therefore, she and her buddies are always fighting against overwhelming odds and are completely in over their heads. You have to like this kind of thing to enjoy the book.
Malkin is a nice though cliched villain. Unfortunately most of the cast of characters lack a little depth. The only characters were the author tries to give you a back story and add depth to him are Ember and Astor. Very little is known about Will and absolutely nothing about Becks.
As I read most books in the evening before going to bed, where my powers of retention are sometimes subpar and I don't have the attention span necessary to follow complex storylines, the book is just right for me. Admittedly there are better books out there, but also worse. It give 3 1/2 stars.
Our main character, Ember, and her sister, Cori, have no memory of their lives before Ember's 12th birthday. They are dragon shifters, but hide their abilities and therefore have little control. The only link to the past is a notebook that is partially written in old fey. During one of their hunting mission, they are attacked by the order and Cori is taken. They manage to capture a hunter called Astor, but it becomes apparent that he is actually an ex-hunter. Despite her misgivings Ember decides to team up with him to get her sister back.
The book is almost 400 pages. It is a fun read, but I wouldn't expect too much complexity in the storyline. Even though Ember is apparently a very strong shifter, she has little control over her powers. Therefore, she and her buddies are always fighting against overwhelming odds and are completely in over their heads. You have to like this kind of thing to enjoy the book.
Malkin is a nice though cliched villain. Unfortunately most of the cast of characters lack a little depth. The only characters were the author tries to give you a back story and add depth to him are Ember and Astor. Very little is known about Will and absolutely nothing about Becks.
As I read most books in the evening before going to bed, where my powers of retention are sometimes subpar and I don't have the attention span necessary to follow complex storylines, the book is just right for me. Admittedly there are better books out there, but also worse. It give 3 1/2 stars.
September 3, 2021
Confusing..
I checked the reading order and this is the first book; unless you sign up online for a prequel, I don't do those deals. The issue is that it feels like this is a third or fourth book.
There's much vaunting of names of groups the Mage's, the Enforcers, the Faerie's, shifters, humans, and it's all but impossible to know what is actually going on.
It's implied that humans are living cheek by jowl with shifter's and witches unknowingly and yet these enforcers have torn down half the city and they notice nothing.. how? The enforcers are both unauthorised and yet somehow also authorised sufficiently that they can trash the capital and nothing happens.
Anyway.. Ember and Cori are dragon shifters living in hiding in London. Ember recalls arriving age 12 with her sister just 5, orphaned they had been sent away to hide with wiped memories and a notebook written in code.
They have been traced and chased, Cori captured by the Enforcers. Ember will try everything to get her sister who has never shifted back.. this includes taking a hostage.. a hostage who claims to have left the Enforcers and gone rogue. It's very confusing.. especially when they are constantly shot at in close quarters and never get hit.. are being chased into more traps than a cheese shop.. the elites appear to be superhuman despite being utterly against the idea of unnatural powers..
Do they save Cori? Well there's a lot more books so guess for yourself!!
I'd like clarity in the next..
I checked the reading order and this is the first book; unless you sign up online for a prequel, I don't do those deals. The issue is that it feels like this is a third or fourth book.
There's much vaunting of names of groups the Mage's, the Enforcers, the Faerie's, shifters, humans, and it's all but impossible to know what is actually going on.
It's implied that humans are living cheek by jowl with shifter's and witches unknowingly and yet these enforcers have torn down half the city and they notice nothing.. how? The enforcers are both unauthorised and yet somehow also authorised sufficiently that they can trash the capital and nothing happens.
Anyway.. Ember and Cori are dragon shifters living in hiding in London. Ember recalls arriving age 12 with her sister just 5, orphaned they had been sent away to hide with wiped memories and a notebook written in code.
They have been traced and chased, Cori captured by the Enforcers. Ember will try everything to get her sister who has never shifted back.. this includes taking a hostage.. a hostage who claims to have left the Enforcers and gone rogue. It's very confusing.. especially when they are constantly shot at in close quarters and never get hit.. are being chased into more traps than a cheese shop.. the elites appear to be superhuman despite being utterly against the idea of unnatural powers..
Do they save Cori? Well there's a lot more books so guess for yourself!!
I'd like clarity in the next..
April 4, 2018
I'm giving this four stars now that i thought about it more. The world great to get into again. For those who don't know that the world building is in The Changeling Chronicles A.K.A TCC. However the time is different. This trilogy is force on 2 years later the invasion. That one is force 10 years later. So you don't need to read TCC series before this book but to get a world building knowledge go and read it as well.
Now I love dragon shifters, so this book was really good one that. I did find Ember stupid and whiny at times, she also pissed me off at a lot of times too with Astor. Yes HE WAS A HUNTER! get over it, he left the cult, but no she forces on it so much and it was getting annoying.
Astor's character i found was well written and all that. Will and Becks were as well. Cori... since she wasn't in the book that much with talking parts, I'm not sure if I will like her.
I also listened to the audiobook while reading the book as well. Don't get the audiobook if you are ready to be bored and yelling at the narrator for making Ember sound like she's an idiot or that sentences are missing to small paragraphs as well. Astor's voice sounds like he was a nasal cold and that he was not over it at all.
After that it wasn't as good as the TCC narrator for that series.
Now I love dragon shifters, so this book was really good one that. I did find Ember stupid and whiny at times, she also pissed me off at a lot of times too with Astor. Yes HE WAS A HUNTER! get over it, he left the cult, but no she forces on it so much and it was getting annoying.
Astor's character i found was well written and all that. Will and Becks were as well. Cori... since she wasn't in the book that much with talking parts, I'm not sure if I will like her.
I also listened to the audiobook while reading the book as well. Don't get the audiobook if you are ready to be bored and yelling at the narrator for making Ember sound like she's an idiot or that sentences are missing to small paragraphs as well. Astor's voice sounds like he was a nasal cold and that he was not over it at all.
After that it wasn't as good as the TCC narrator for that series.
August 24, 2017
I couldn't finish it. I stopped around 30% more or less. The dialog is predictable and wooden. The story is predictable and cliche; it came off as a poorly done version of Ella Summers Dragon Born series.
It reads like the author has a set milestones for various checkboxs in a formulaic plot line and was writing to meet those milestones, not tell a complete story.
Introduce main character -- check.
Introduce conflict and oppression of main character -- check.
Loved one stolen from main character -- check.
Introduce obvious romantic interest -- check.
Show friction between romantic interest and main character -- check.
etc etc.
It reads like the author has a set milestones for various checkboxs in a formulaic plot line and was writing to meet those milestones, not tell a complete story.
Introduce main character -- check.
Introduce conflict and oppression of main character -- check.
Loved one stolen from main character -- check.
Introduce obvious romantic interest -- check.
Show friction between romantic interest and main character -- check.
etc etc.
March 18, 2019
I really enjoyed the Changeling series but I struggled with this one a bit at times. Not really sure why as it is certainly action packed and due to reading the Changeling series I had a good idea of the world building. I guess maybe it just felt a little aimless and unplanned (kind of like Ember's life and quest to rescue her sister) and I wasn't very invested in any of the only four characters that get any really page time. I will likely read the others in the trilogy because I got all 3 in a box set but I am in no rush.
May 5, 2019
Supernaturals are on the list to be hunted down and killed, after a rift was torn between the far world and Earth. Ember and Cori, Dragon shifter sister's and their two friends have been hiding since the invasion, because the Elite guard has been hunting down all Supernaturals. They are the only dragons, and the guard manages to get Cori. They want to harness the power of Dragon fire as a weapon. Ember and her friends team up with an ex-wife guard and plan to break into the stronghold of the guards to save Cori. This is the first in series.
July 17, 2019
Reading Order of this world
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Ember
Will
Becks
Astor
----------------------------------
What happens?
Ember is on the run from the legion. They are after the extinction of all supernatural creatures. When Ember's sister is taken she is determined to get her back even capturing a hunter who she remembers from the invasion.
Ember tries to break into the prison where her sister is being held but ends up finding more confusion and more answers to questions she didn't know she wanted to ask.
Final thoughts
Really good starter book. I wish I'd read this before starting the changling series this is a good basis to read those books.
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Ember
Will
Becks
Astor
----------------------------------
What happens?
Ember is on the run from the legion. They are after the extinction of all supernatural creatures. When Ember's sister is taken she is determined to get her back even capturing a hunter who she remembers from the invasion.
Ember tries to break into the prison where her sister is being held but ends up finding more confusion and more answers to questions she didn't know she wanted to ask.
Final thoughts
Really good starter book. I wish I'd read this before starting the changling series this is a good basis to read those books.
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
January 16, 2018
A shifter Dragon out to save her sister.
I gave this book five stars because of the plot and the unique characters. A Dragon shifter, her sister and their shifter friends try to live in a world where everyone is out to kill them. Some want to capture them to experiment on them so when the little sister is captured she and her friends go after her to free her and the other prisoners. Very good book and am looking forward to the next one in the series.
I gave this book five stars because of the plot and the unique characters. A Dragon shifter, her sister and their shifter friends try to live in a world where everyone is out to kill them. Some want to capture them to experiment on them so when the little sister is captured she and her friends go after her to free her and the other prisoners. Very good book and am looking forward to the next one in the series.
January 17, 2018
Page Turner from start to finish!!
First book I've ever read by this author and all I can say is WOW! Fantastic storyline-dragons, shifters, hunters all caught up in a power struggle war against each other. And the character are well crafted, easy to relate to, flawed as we all are. Plus a villain you'll definitely be glad to hate. If you like paranormal reads I highly recommend you give the one a shot!
First book I've ever read by this author and all I can say is WOW! Fantastic storyline-dragons, shifters, hunters all caught up in a power struggle war against each other. And the character are well crafted, easy to relate to, flawed as we all are. Plus a villain you'll definitely be glad to hate. If you like paranormal reads I highly recommend you give the one a shot!
April 23, 2023
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title. (Audible Membership)
Two young kids , whose earliest memory was arriving in London from a train, with a written address and person to contact.
What had occurred before that day had been wiped from their minds.
Now, the Fae had exposed the presence of supernaturals to the world, and it appeared that the Hunters were on their trail.
Two young kids , whose earliest memory was arriving in London from a train, with a written address and person to contact.
What had occurred before that day had been wiped from their minds.
Now, the Fae had exposed the presence of supernaturals to the world, and it appeared that the Hunters were on their trail.
September 11, 2017
It took me a looong time to finish reading this. And I was so close a handful of times but couldn't stomach much of the book. The premise was promising because hey, who doesn't like a dragon story? But the story got away from the original intent fast, thus making Alight a bit confusing and dry. It was a decent read.
February 11, 2018
Alight
Pretty neat book. I thought having so many shifter types in one book would muddle the storyline, in fact it made it a little more interesting. I did have some problems like Becks where were her folks? Maybe go into a little more fetal about Will. And Astro...I just felt like not enough back story was given. The overall storyline was OK
Pretty neat book. I thought having so many shifter types in one book would muddle the storyline, in fact it made it a little more interesting. I did have some problems like Becks where were her folks? Maybe go into a little more fetal about Will. And Astro...I just felt like not enough back story was given. The overall storyline was OK
September 18, 2019
I finished this book... barely. I just couldn’t get into it. The characters were flat and there was no character development. There was a lot of action. The entire book consisted of the characters running for their lives. It’s kind of like covering up bad construction with bright colored paint. I finished the book and still don’t care what happens to the characters.
April 9, 2022
2.5 The legacy of flames trilogy was okay. I love dragon anything so having a dragon shifter and showing that inner dialogue of when she is a dragon is cool. The world was decently developed and the romance banter was fun but overall other than the fact that she’s a dragon it doesn’t stand out of the large fantasy romance genre as a whole
November 30, 2017
Good story
Good story but a few more significant details in the story would have made the story easier to follow. Trying to figure out who and what Astor was got old fast. It was also hard to believe the League had all this information on Ember but no one else knew her history.
Good story but a few more significant details in the story would have made the story easier to follow. Trying to figure out who and what Astor was got old fast. It was also hard to believe the League had all this information on Ember but no one else knew her history.
July 30, 2017
Could have been a great tale
What's not to like about fae, magic, fantasy and dragons? Why authors presume to believe that foul language (in this story) or vulgar explicit sexual encounters might make their stories better, is beyond me.
What's not to like about fae, magic, fantasy and dragons? Why authors presume to believe that foul language (in this story) or vulgar explicit sexual encounters might make their stories better, is beyond me.
January 21, 2018
Who is Astor...
Quick read and surprising amount of action. Some things didn't make sense, like certain technology, considering the magical realm, faerie, and shifters. This was an entertaining story.
Quick read and surprising amount of action. Some things didn't make sense, like certain technology, considering the magical realm, faerie, and shifters. This was an entertaining story.
February 13, 2018
I have no idea what happened in this book. It's like it wanted to be fantastic, but there was too much going on in a tiny space and stuff just came outta nowhere and it just... ended. I'll obviously be reading the next one, because I have a problem, but I'm not necessarily excited about it.
March 18, 2018
These are great fantasy books. The only thing I can say as I have said with her other books. She doesn't need to say bad word using God or Jesus in them. With a fantasy those don't belong. I hope at one time I read a book by her that she doesn't say those words.
June 29, 2017
Great read!
I loved this series, abutting with magic and dragons is skates more interesting than boring, real life scenarios, and this series certainly doesn't disappoint!
I loved this series, abutting with magic and dragons is skates more interesting than boring, real life scenarios, and this series certainly doesn't disappoint!
July 5, 2017
Very good book full of adventure and magic. I really enjoyed it. It could be classified as a standalone but it is part of a trilogy with more of the story carrying over into the next book.
November 16, 2017
This was a good read. It was full of characters and intrigue. Keep you drank in page after page. So yes it's a five star
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews