Spark

The Firebrand Chronicles #1

by J.M. Hackman

Brenna James wants three things for her sixteenth birthday: to find her history notes before the test, to have her mother return from her business trip, and to stop creating fire with her bare hands.

Yeah, that’s so not happening. Unfortunately.

When Brenna learns her mother is missing in an alternate reality called Linneah, she travels through a portal to find her. Against her will. Who knew portals even existed? But Brenna’s arrival in Linneah begins the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy, including a royal murder and the theft of Linneah’s most powerful relic: the Sacred Veil.

Hold up. Can everything just slow down for a sec?

Unwilling yet left with no other choice, Brenna and her new friend Baldwin (Um, hello, Hottie!) pursue the thief into the dangerous woods of Silvastamen and beyond. Exactly what Brenna wanted to do for her sixteenth birthday. Exactly. When they spy an army marching toward Linneah, Brenna is horrified. Can she find the veil, save her mother, and warn Linneah in time?

And more importantly, why on earth doesn’t this alternity have Belgian waffles?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy

330 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2017

About the author

J.M. Hackman, the award-winning author of the Firebrand Chronicles and the Stardust Hearts series, loves thunderstorms, fuzzy socks, and thick chocolate milkshakes. She writes high-stakes fantasy and soft science fiction stories threaded with hope and romance. While her characters are fearless, J.M. is afraid of spiders, wasps, and the crowds at after-Christmas sales.
Her stories have been published in the anthologies Crowns, Encircled, Tales of Ever After, Mythical Doorways, and Realmscapes. Go to her website at www.jmhackman.com to learn more about her and to take the quiz, “What Book Trope Are You?”

You can also find her at www.facebook.com/jmhackman and www.instagram.com/jm_hackman_author.

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

About this book:

“Brenna James wants three things for her sixteenth birthday: to find her history notes before the test, to have her mother return from her business trip, and to stop creating fire with her bare hands.
Yeah, that’s so not happening. Unfortunately.
When Brenna learns her mother is missing in an alternate reality called Linneah, she travels through a portal to find her. Against her will. Who knew portals even existed? But Brenna’s arrival in Linneah begins the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy, including a royal murder and the theft of Linneah’s most powerful relic: the Sacred Veil.
Hold up. Can everything just slow down for a sec?
Unwilling yet left with no other choice, Brenna and her new friend Baldwin (Um, hello, Hottie!) pursue the thief into the dangerous woods of Silvastamen and beyond. Exactly what Brenna wanted to do for her sixteenth birthday. Exactly. When they spy an army marching toward Linneah, Brenna is horrified. Can she find the veil, save her mother, and warn Linneah in time?
And more importantly, why on earth doesn’t this alternity have Belgian waffles?”


Series: Book #1 in the “Firebrand Chronicles”.


Spiritual Content- The God figure in this fantasy novel is titled as the Most High King & ‘H’s are capital when referring to Him; Talks about [God] & who to serve; There are angel-like beings called the Lighted Ones; Brenna says she had never been big on church, but see supernatural things in Linneah; A couple Prayers; Many mentions of the Most High King (named Elyon in this novel), His Son (who walked earth), & Prophecies; Mentions of believing in [God] & His Son; Mentions of prayers, praying, praising. & blessings over food (to the Most High King); Mentions of a church-like place & worshiping the Most High King; Mentions of sacred relics & objects; Mentions of a devil-like character (the Great Serpent) & his followers; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; A few mentions of the Lighted Ones (angels); A mention of a miracle;
*Note: three ‘saints and sinners!’ and a ‘welcome to hell’ are said; Alien-like creators; Mentions of aliens; Mentions of evil & evil spells; Mentions of creatures called Dragon Demons; A couple mentions of curses; A couple mentions of ghosts.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘bastard’, a ‘blah, blah, blah’, a ‘darn it’, a ‘duh’, a ‘freaking’, a ‘geez’, an ‘oh my word’, two ‘dumb’s, three forms of ‘screw up’, four ‘idiot’s, four forms of ‘suck’, five ‘sheesh’s, five forms of ‘shut up’, and twelve ‘stupid’s; Sarcasm & Eye Rolling; Fighting, Stabbing, Being Stabbed/Hit, Pain, Injuries, Blood/Bleeding, & Smells (semi-detailed); Healing injuries & Blood (up to semi-detailed); Being poisoned & Pain (up to semi-detailed); Creepy bugs/spiders and creatures, Pain, & Blood/Bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Hurting others & Starting Fires (some are killed and Brenna has a hard time with what she’s done even though it was self-defense, up to semi-detailed); Earthquakes & Waves (barely-above-not-detailed); A monster & seeing it eating people (barely-above-not-detailed); Nightmares of dying (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a murder, how it happened, & blood (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of places & creepy creatures that cause pain, bleeding, and deaths (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of deaths; Mentions of possible deaths from fighting; Mentions of killing, violence, fighting, fights, screams, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of dead bodies (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of wars; Mentions of fires & smoke (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of earthquakes & waves (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of poison & being poisoned; Mentions of crimes & criminals; Mentions of thieves & stealing; Mentions of knives; Mentions of a tavern; Mentions of drugs & addictions to a certain drug; Mentions of blackmail; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of tattoos; Mentions of an injured dog (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of hunting; A few mentions of someone possibly being suicidal/cause themselves harm (he isn’t/doesn’t); A few mentions of a mission to kill someone; A few mentions of torture; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of starving to death; A couple mentions of a cigarette; A couple mentions of divorce; A mention of a beheading;
*Note: A couple mentions of a brand name; A mention of Star Wars; A mention of a fictional character.


Sexual Content- a forehead kiss, a cheek kiss, a not-detailed kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, and a border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kiss; Some Hand Holding, Touches, & Warmth; Some Noticing; four forms of ‘hot’; Mentions of flirting & a flirt (including a girl pressing her body against a guy); Mentions of a cute boy; A few mentions of a man leering at girls & giving once-overs; A few mentions of dating & boyfriends; A few mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of kisses; A couple mentions of funny stuff happening between young teens; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of protecting a girl from a guy; A mention of a guy looking at Brenna’s mouth; A mention of a girl being an unwanted female at birth; A YA amount of love, falling in love, & the emotions (some/a bit);
*Note: A couple mentions of being knocked down to their butt/bottom; A mention of whipping someone’s butt; A mention of someone being a pain in the butt; A mention of underwear.

-Brenna James, age 16
1st person P.O.V. of Brenna
288 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars (and a half)
{Add ½ to a full star for high school age and older who enjoy fantasy books.}
It’s no secret that fantasy isn’t my favorite genre, personally.
Yet, for some reason, there are ones that interest me and when I try them out, I find that they are ‘eh’ or not too bad (i.e. decent/good).
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this fantasy story, especially with the beginning feeling like a contemporary story (until Brenna had fire coming from her fingers, that is). While Brenna did have a few rollercoaster emotions back-to-back at times, I did like her and her sass. She also has ADHD, which I like seeing that being represented in Christian Fiction.
Sure, there were some typical fantasy clichés of the girl in the new world, creepy creatures and strange food, and the guy with a chip on his shoulder about the new visitor. But there was were parts I wasn’t expecting and had me curious on what the author would do next. The Spiritual Content was also very obvious to represent God and the devil, so I liked that.
Because of some fighting, harming, and creepy creature parts, my rating is lower, but those who activity read fantasy books might not be bothered.
For Parents: People do spells with their powers and magic is involved, but the magic is seemed to be more of a gift/blessing.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.

[Kat Heckenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is technically YA, but I would recommend this even as a middle grade book. It's clean (nothing that's not appropriate for middle graders), has lots of action right from the first chapter, and has a rich fantasy story world with some cool magical creatures and an interesting magic system. The main character has a good balance of snark and sweetness, and is insecure enough that kids can relate to her but confident enough to take on the adventure. If you enjoy books that take you into another world with classic good vs evil struggles and fun magic, you'll enjoy Spark.

[John Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Splendid and Inspiring YA Tale

“Spark” provides young adult readers just the kind of quest they should seek: one that takes them to another fascinating world filled with adventures and challenges, an exotic land of great beauty, inspiration and instruction. (Maybe I shouldn’t limit this to young adults; we can all use that!) Brenna, the protagonist, is a relatable teenager who discovers it is her obligation to shoulder the weight of an ancient prophecy and carry it through to its fulfillment. The reluctant heroine goes from worrying about notes for a high school history test to dictating the fate of the parallel world of Lineah.

Along the way, Brenna encounters an engaging cast of characters including those who conduct themselves in a robotic fashion yet who are compassionate individuals that experience much of the same everyday concerns as the reader. The work skips easily between light-hearted banter and intense discussions about the fate of the world—typical of the sweep of daily concerns young people of every generation seem to face. Brenna must maintain her faith in times of troubles and live up to her special purpose.

In “Spark,” you will find classic themes of good vs. evil, new love and budding romance, fear and courage. At Brenna’s disposal are a myriad of creatures, each of which brings special gifts and guidance to help her succeed. The Christian reader will easily be able to relate these to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Others will challenge her, forcing her to overcome their prejudices if she is going to succeed. The author allows the reader to come to his or her own conclusions about each character’s motives as Brenna takes on the role of educator—a source of strength and inspiration in the new land who seems to channel a higher power others in the realm have only read about. Along the way, she demonstrates the power of forgiveness and atonement.

Brenna’s journey into a darker territory is fraught with traps and great dangers, but with her own gifts and the gifts of those around her, which she helps them realize and grow, she herself grows in her understanding of her own strength and the God-given obligations she must live up to. She must resist the temptations others fall prey to that lead them to addiction, violence, imprisonment and worse. She must live her faith and overcome her doubts and fears if she is going to succeed.

[Drew Boudreaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Spark as part of a book review club, and I can honestly say I really enjoyed this story. I surprised myself with this one, for I typically stay far away from both first-person narration and sarcastic teenage girls. I especially enjoyed the way Hackman displayed Christian themes in her text (many times have I read a book under the Christian Fiction genre and have been disappointed to find nothing more than something like a passing mention of the Bible). The plot was action-packed and exciting, but perhaps a tad too linear and fast-paced for my preference. I also would’ve like to have seen more character development/personal learning experience for Brenna. She (I?) felt like much the same character beginning to end. The world building was phenomenal, and I consider it a major highlight of the book. I also thought Hackman was an absolute master of vocabulary and word choice, someone I now look up to as a creative writer. Read Spark...it’s well worth your time.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing wonderful book. Recommend this book. Enjoyed reading this book before bed. Five star book.

[M.H. Elrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. I wanted to eat it up in one sitting and feel like I’ve enjoyed a sweet treat. Instead, I found myself struggling to connect with Brenna, the main character and narrator. Yet, I liked the setting and plot of Spark, so I kept reading until the end, despite the disconnect between us. So, I couldn’t love this book, but I did like this book because of the action sequences and world building.

Characters:
Brenna-the narrator of the book; her fiery spirit and reckless decisions cause problems for the majority of the book. Her humor, on the other hand, was fun. I like sarcasm.

Baldwin-the male love interest of the book; a “hottie” whose mysterious background is never fully explored. I like him the best-mainly because he’s practical and cute.

Arvandus-the griffin who is Brenna’s mentor throughout the book. He’s probably a close tie for favorite character for me because again, he’s logical instead of foolish.

Talus-the bad boy with a past that can’t be explored without spoilers; he’s definitely a more interesting character, though I don’t really empathize with his reasoning

Anna, Tilly, Murray-supporting characters who have unique characteristics that do make them stand out a little more, but whose qualities I’d rather not divulge

Brenna’s family-it was nice to see a family intact, but they weren’t that involved in the story except at the beginning and end

As I mentioned above, part of the reason I liked this book and didn’t love it is because of Brenna. I felt like Brenna didn’t learn anything from her stubbornness and wasn’t humbled by her experiences. I also didn’t feel like Brenna didn’t emotionally digest all of the action in the novel. She did have some reflection regarding certain scenes, but it wasn’t enough for me. Then, she stepped all over Baldwin so many times, even when she said she wanted to be part of a team with him. She could be making these mistakes because she is a teenager or because it is her personality, but it was hard for me to read because I couldn’t relate to it.

Plot:
Brenna finds out from the beginning that she is a Firebrand, someone blessed with fire powers, as well as a type of Chosen One. So she is sent on a quest with her band of friends to retrieve the Sacred Veil and thereby save Linneah, the people she is related to. Along the way, she encounters many dangers which were honestly the reason I was able to finish the book. Let’s just say that earthquakes, volcanoes, black serpents, creepy trees, evil spiders, ice cages, and wicked assassins keep the pages turning. I liked how Ms. Hackman made sure that Brenna and her little gang got into as much trouble as possible, totally abiding by the rule of making everything interesting. I definitely didn’t guess all the action that was in the contents of these pages, so she did have me guessing throughout the book.
Setting:
This part of the book is what I enjoyed most. Ms. Hackman created a world where every person is given an ability, and for the Linneans, that ability is marked by a colorful strand of hair. These abilities are as diverse as flowers in a field and so neat to read. I also liked how her God characters are incorporated into her novel, as well as how the ceremonies were described in detail. Additionally, I enjoyed the fantasy elements: powerful swords, unique mirrors, a foreboding prophecy, and sacred objects. I liked how she described the use of Brenna’s powers and the culture of the griffins. Furthermore, I found the evil powers and their effects to be fascinating as well. Her detailed world definitely was awesome and I liked her idea of alternities.

Conclusion:
I liked this book for its setting and plot, but didn’t enjoy Brenna’s character. I may be interested in reading the second book in the series and would recommend this book for teenagers, rather than adults.

[Laurie Lucking · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! Brenna had so much humor and heart, I enjoyed discovering Linneah through her eyes and found her easy to relate to as she tried to figure out who to trust and questioned her ability to fulfill an ancient prophecy. And her relationship with Baldwin made me grin :) Hackman's worldbuilding was stellar - the various abilities that manifested in the characters and the unusual threats they faced made the story anything but predictable. Plus, did you hear about the griffins? Just so awesome. And in the midst of the imaginative worldbuilding and Brenna's teenage sarcasm lies a beautiful message about second chances and the importance of every individual's unique gifts. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!

[Marion Rossiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The fantasy setting meant it could deal with issues that would be impossible to fit into the real world. I also love that they get to ride griffons!
I usually shy away from stories told in first-person, but the mental asides brought out a sense of humour I appreciated. I did find the main character annoyingly unwilling to listen to others, but then I reminded myself that she's only sixteen.
I searched for book 2 as soon as I'd finished and would recommend it to anyone who likes griffon-riding, sword-wielding heroes exploring their faith in the battle between good and evil.

[Justin Coogle · Rating 3 out of 5]

For anyone reading this review it is key that you read the whole thing to get the full context of my final conclusion and why I scored it the way I did.

"Spark", by J.M. Hackman, is a YA fantasy novel that follows the story Brenna (aka Raven) and her struggle of accepting her role in a prophecy to save the land of Linneah. Brenna is a 16 year old girl from Earth who discovers she has powers (she is a "Firebrand", a wielder of flames and healing) on top of being part of a magical lineage from an alternate world - Linneah. She travels to Linneah with her family to begin training to hone her skills now that she is of age and is caught up in a prophecy that will decide the fate of Linneah. All of this is further complicated by her wanting to find her mother, who has been missing in Linneah for quite some time.

Let me start off by saying, VERY CLEARLY, this is not my type of book which already puts the book at a disadvantage. Why is it not my type of book? For starters I am not a fan of first person perspective or present tense prose...well, this book has both. In addition this book relies very heavily on YA tropes and cliches with little deviation. But I'll dive more into the aspects I enjoyed and the ones I didn't.

Major Positives:
- The world of Linneah is interesting and finely crafted. I applaud Hackman for making a fantasy world that breathed life. This actually worked to frustrate me a bit because the world-building was actually rather light. Most aspects of Linneah are either info-dumped on the reader or are casually mentioned than passed over. I really liked the world! I liked the magic system, the races, and the set up! But it was only explored at a surface level. Wish she had done more.
- The magic system was pretty interesting, if not simple. Sometimes character abilities were a bit too convenient, like they were made too obviously for plot devices, but they were interesting nonetheless. I particularly like the Sensitive and Visionary abilities.
- The cast of side characters, although not very unique compared to most YA fantasy, were still engaging and fun to follow. Arvandus the Gryphon, Baldwin, Rosamunde, Murray were all enjoyable to see fleshed out in their various scenes. It was a shame Rosamunde didn't get more "screen time".
- The use of Christian themes, although sometimes heavy-handed, was still very appreciated and encouraging. I liked the lore of Elyon (a mirror to the biblical God), aka the Most High King. I loved the theme of purpose and how doubt plagues that. Purpose is a hard thing for anyone to understand, especially in light of Christ and the blessings, gifts, talents, and weaknesses he blesses us with. This I also think is a key theme that rings well with teenagers and is something every teenager should reflect on, which is especially important to hear from a Christian perspective. Christ died so that we may have hope and he takes joy in our success and has great plans for us that we struggle to see, similarly, Elyon in the novel pushes our heroes and has plans for everyone involved that they struggle to visualize.

Major Negatives:
- The abundant, relentless tropes and cliches. I hate to bash a novel on this, but this one was a real struggle in this regard. How often have people read about the hot-headed, passionate, unsure-of-herself, witty spitfire teenage girl who suddenly has awesome powers and is "the chosen one". The hot male sidekick who is the graceful nice guy. The bad boy. I felt like I crafted the plot in my head within the first 20 pages and I was disappointed to see I had largely predicted the whole thing.
- Uninteresting prose and voice. I again hate to tag this as a negative because it is obvious Hackman poured her heart into writing this novel...but the actual mechanics of reading the novel was a struggle. Brenna's internal voice, which makes up most of the prose, is grating and frankly annoying. Her thoughts are a disjointed teenage mess and scenes or beats rarely flow together. It just felt like a bunch of scenes slapped together with tape. There was little cohesion or flow.
- Brenna is a frustrating and uninteresting lead. Which is disappointing because most of the side characters were awesome. But Brenna was so annoying that she drowned them out. She didn't really grow, mature, or learn much. She was basically the stereotypical privileged teenager from start to end, and her moments of "growth" felt super artificial and ham-fisted. It never felt like scenes properly affected her as a person. She never felt like a real character.
- There is A LOT of info-dumping style exposition. Basically Arvandus became a vehicle for just info-dumping. Magic system? Arvandus explains it. Political issues? Arvandus explains it. How our character should be feeling, thus doing all the thinking for our reader? Arvandus does that too. It became grating.

End Summary:
- "Spark" is a YA Fantasy with solid Christian roots and themes but struggles to leave a last impression on its reader. Its fun cast of side characters and fanciful world are held hostage by a tad too many cliches and a frustrating lead. I recommend "Spark" for those that already enjoy the YA Fantasy genre, especially if they are fans of the passionate young female lead. However I'm not sure if people outside the genre may like the read. It is definitely a novel I'd suggest for teenagers who especially desire strong Christian foundations.

[Kelly Bridgewater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a debut novel by J. M .Hackman, Spark, is definitely a book that fits in the YA fantasy genre. With a character like Brenna James, she is definitely something worth aspiring to for young women. Brenna James is literally forced into this new world through a portal on her sixteenth birthday. She adapts pretty quickly and accepts the world and all its rules without hesitation. The plot moved pretty quickly and reminded me a lot of a number of other titles, such as Unblemished by Sara Ella, The Circle Series by Ted Dekker, The Song of Seare series by C. E. Laureano, The Storm Siren Trilogy by Mary Weber, and the Stone Braide Chronicles by Bonnie S. Calhoun. All of these series take place in an alternate universe with a number of people following a savior and another group following an evil ruler. While the story did capture my attention, it was predictable and unoriginal. The spiritual element is woven in through allegory, not obviously stated for the audience. Overall, I believe youth will enjoy this novel, and hopefully, will find a novel with more depth than most YA novels today.

I received a complimentary copy of Spark from Love to Read Love To Write Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I saw this cover, I knew I had to read Brenna's story and now....I have a new favorite author :) If it wasn't for sleep, I would've finished reading overnight because once I started, I couldn't put it down! I gobbled the pages up as if I found a new favorite candy and I had to see what the ending would be. It was BETTER than I could've imagined and can't stop thinking about the characters and what will happen next for them!

Brenna is in high school (being in high school was never this cool for me and Brenna is easy to love from the start) talking to her best friend, Tiny, when fire comes out of her finger and causes the whole school to evacuate briefly. I liked Tiny right away because she texts Brenna's dad that they're okay and she doesn't freak out to the football/cheerleading display catching fire. That's a refreshing friend right there!

LOVED Grandma Helen and wishing all grandmas were like her!! She was so great in the story and wishing she could've been in the plot more :) Liked Rosamunde right away but was suspicious about her, what happens with her in the sequel??

The scene where Emperor Rexson gives her a gift and she doesn't open it right away? Great scene, I would've opened that present quickly!

Demon spiders? NOT scary but still YUCK! Brenna can heal herself AND others, would LOVE that power! She also has a photographic memory (think that's the right word), which is rare and super cool!

"Arvandus!" I tried again to reach him. "You can come back now. I'm alone and would love to argue with you again." BEST line in the book and it's already a great book!!

LOVE the dialogue between Brenna and Baldwin.....seriously! There's so much to love about this book!

Reina almost rejects Brenna, very sassy griffin and so humorous :)

Yes there are talking griffins in this and Arvandus is my most favorite fantasy creature since Falcor in Neverending Story....him alone is worth the price of this book, LOVED him :)

The battle at the end felt like Narnia's battle, good guys versus evil guys (thought it was so cowardly how they sneak up like that), just an amazing scene that's so brilliantly written. Then the end reveals TWO surprises that were just WOWNESS! Was so happy that every detail was accounted for and Brenna is such a great character, more daring than I ever would've been in an unknown land.

Loved this book and highly recommend for those who love Christian fantasy, or just for those who want to leave their comfort zone and try out an epic story filled with adventure, danger, friendship (Anna was SOOOOOO funny in the way she spoke, hope she gets Erhardt), an incredible kingdom and a family willing to sacrifice anything to help you reach your destiny. It's really challenging for me to find books that get my heart in this way, Spark nailed it and I can't wait for more from Hackman :) :)

[Kasey Giard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spark is a peppy, fun read perfect for fans of Sara Ella’s Unblemished. I enjoyed the cast of characters and found each one really different from others. Anna might have been my favorite, simply because she was so silly. The romance between Baldwin and Brenna is sweet and perfect for readers just beginning to read romance.

The Christian themes in the story are pretty straightforward without being preachy. Brenna faces choices surrounding a prophecy which seems to indicate that she’ll play a major role in the land of Linneah, a role she is more than a little hesitant to accept. As she struggles with how to embrace her destiny, she finds great allies and keeps readers entertained with her spunky observations and longing for ordinary breakfast food. I enjoyed Spark and found it to be a pretty quick read.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Jebraun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome portal fantasy you will want to savour with great characters, a fantastic quest, and an imaginative world. Where to start with this review? Do I comment on the feisty and fun heroine, Brenna, who has a mind of her own, makes lots of mistakes, picks herself up, and tries again? Because I loved her! She has just enough snark to keep it real with a great sense of humour and some wicked sword skills. Or do I start with the well-imagined and very descriptive fantasy world of Linneah? Because I would love to visit there one day. Perhaps the adventure-laced plot with the glimmer of romance, or the great cast of secondary characters who add to every page, or even that beautiful cover that drew me in from the very beginning? I guess it doesn't really matter as all these elements add up to make a very enjoyable reading experience. Now I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one...

[Joanne Rolston · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was much to like about this story.

Brenna is an American teenager born in Vermont. She doesn’t know her mother is from an “alternity” called Linneah in the Jasper Territory - her parents and grandmother didn’t tell her. All Linneans must cross the portal on their 16th birthday. It’s her sixteenth birthday.

We are plunged straight into the action. The world of Linneah is peopled with a rich variety of people and creature. The first ones we see are Lagramants - giant praying mantises guarding the entrance to a portal.
All Linneans have talents of different kinds; Visionaries, Sensitives, Warriors, Firebrands and Weatherbrands to name some.

Brenna is a Firebrand. Untrained.

She has a big prophecy to fulfil, the first prophecy of Linneah.

Brenna has trouble believing she is the fulfiller of the prophecy. She doubts herself and only wants to find her mother, who has been gone for months. After being told her mother had gone on a business trip, Brenna learned she’d disappeared in the Northern Province of Linneah.

I liked the writing style, which I think was targeted at a young adult reader. Because of that, Brenna did come across at times as a bit casual, almost flippant. I had to remind myself Brenna was speaking as a sixteen year old. Some of her thoughts and responses were laugh out loud funny, even when she was in peril. It almost turned danger into comedy.

The characters were well done, I liked Arvandus her griffin the most. Also romance is in the air with Baldwin, King Donalt’s handsome nephew.

There’s good versus evil. Elyon is the God of Linneah.

I loved a conversation Brenna had with Arvandus;
“Was the Jasper Territory created by Elyon?”
“Yes. You are fortunate to have lived in the same place with his Son.”
“It’s not the same place. Israel and Pennsylvania are never confused with each other.”
He sighed with a touch of envy. “But his Son walked on your earth. Here, we only read the stories of his life.”
“It’s not a big deal on earth anymore. Some people don’t believe in God or His Son.”
“Here, everyone believes, even if not everyone follows. Reality does not change to match one’s belief.”

This is the only part where of the plot where I felt the characters lacked credibility but that may have been because they were too trusting.

All in all it’s a great story. It’s all neatly tied up at the end but in a way that allows for a sequel.

The story reminds me a little of Narnia.

I would recommend it to young adults and those who like a good fantasy.

[Tori Rainn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and adventurous read! Clean and appropriate for teens or any audience who enjoys YA fantasy. I was first caught up in Brenna’s story when we entered the awe-inspiring Linneah world. The author did such a fantastic job at world building. Her descriptions where spot on and I’m not afraid to admit the use of vocabulary in this book had me whipping out the dictionary quite often. But that’s what added so much visuals to this fantasy setting. I honestly wanted to visit Linneah. Maybe sleep in a castle room or two for a week. Then take a griffin out for a spin for the whole day. Tehe. :)
 
Insane fire powers. Portal travel. Creepy bugs. Charming characters. Griffin flying. Loyal teachers and friends. Yup. You can expect that and more. Plenty of action throughout. Vivid settings. Great cast. Great message. Highly recommended.

[C. McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story flow is consistent and engaging and there are jabs of humour as well as great writing to keep the engagement. Sixteen-year-old Brenna James is challenged to change her life when she accidentally sets fire to the school. There is adventure and a family secret which unravels to test and invite Brenna to a new way of thinking. It is one of the best books I have read. The creativity and wonderful imagination of the author showed through. The flow, humour and action kept me turning the pages. It really is very well done. I was so fortunate to have won a copy of the book in a contest.

Caroline McIntosh author of The Vampire’s Creed and The Vampires and the Village

[S.K. Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brennan just wants to celebrate her birthday, but instead she is pulled into a fantastical world she never knew existed. The story was interesting as she got to grips with her powers and learned about her family legacy. I would recommend it.

[Jeffrey Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spark is the beginning of an entertaining and exciting YA fantasy series. I found the first person narrative enjoyable, and I love the characters, especially Arvandus the Griffin. The plot is also well written, with plenty of twists and turns.

For the record, at age 60, I'm not the typical audience for this book, but if you enjoy well written fantasy, you need to check this book out.

[Marie (IfCatsCouldRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great fantasy book for middle grades and up. I enjoyed the quick action from the first page with Brenna thrown into a new world (the world-building is awesome) and finding out she has a power. Brenna's mother is missing and with smarts and determination she finds her own strength and capabilities. There are a few places where Brenna doesn't listen to advice which really fits with 16 year olds I have known. She learns some cause and effect in this new world and brings some of her Earth knowledge to help in this new world. I'm looking forward to reading the sequels to see how Brenna grows.

[Shannan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book! I absolutely loved it! This is a great book for adults and young adults. Brenna is awesome and I loved seeing her come in to her own, even though she still messed up a lot! The book had me hooked from the beginning, lots of action. I kept wondering what was going to happen next. I have found a new favorite author in J.M. Hackman, and I cannot wait to read book 2! I highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers everywhere.

[V. Romas Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spark was a creative book with a lot of fantasy elements thrown in. I felt the beginning was a bit rushed and wished I had gotten to know who Breanna was a smidge more in the "real" world before she went to a different alternity. There were some parts I felt were a bit spotty, but overall I enjoyed the story. I loved Arvandus and want my own griffin now!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun action-packed read by J.M. Hackman! I can assure you that I was on the edge of my seat throughout this read! You can't help but to connect with the stubborn heroine Brenna and think "I would have done the same thing!" Brenna was so real (and let's not forget lovable)! 

The book's message was so masterfully woven into the tale. Everyone has a God-given gift. I know that sometimes (like in Brenna's case) it takes time for it to show! And if you already know what that is, are you using your gift to bring glory to the One that gave it to you? Or is it being used to bring aid to the Devil that will bring destruction upon those that turn away from the One that is giving them an invitation to a NEW LIFE!

This would be a great read for pre-teens and younger teens. There are some slightly mature scenes that do involve blood....which is why I would recommend for 12 and up. 

Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[K.A. Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I thought it was a weird dream. Is it a big deal?" -Brenna James from Spark

Sixteen-year-old Brenna James is a direct, down-to-earth, waffle-loving teen with ADHD. She's concerned about the upcoming history test until a flame shoots from her fingertip and catches the school's trophy case on fire.

More surprises await Brenna at home. She learns her family's connected to an alternate reality, where her mother's gone missing. Brenna must travel there with her father and grandmother while fighting off giant insect-like creatures guarding the portal. And that's only the beginning.

With the fulfillment of an ancient prophecy underway, Brenna James bears a burden few may understand. However, the spunky teen embraces life with humility and humor.

Spark showcases resilience, courage, loyalty, and a caring family dynamic with a splash of humor.

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Christian YA fantasy. Nice work on the world building/setting. Good characters in interesting situations. There’s great suspense as the story builds. I found the ending a little flat, though. The final battle didn’t reach the same or higher tension as some of the earlier scenes. I kept waiting for a big reveal or twist or betrayal, thinking the relatively quick resolution was just the calm before the big moment, but it never materialized.

I would still recommend this to fantasy fans and especially Christian teens. Other readers may have a better experience with the ending, and the rest of the story was solid for me.

I received a review copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, fast-paced, engaging read. I love how, through the course of the story, the book's main character finds out who she really is and meets the challenges of recognizing and embracing her destiny. Spark is an exciting story, and as it unfolds, draws the reader in and inspires them to soar.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Sondra Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, can you say AMAZING! I wish high was like this for me. The MC was just loveable from the start and I stayed up all night and am now beat tired but I had to finish this book. How could anyone not try to do that? This book hooks you and keeps you from start to finish. If I could have read in the shower I would have. I have a new author I love now.

[Susan]

If you are looking for a Christian, juvenile fiction, fantasy novel with a strong female protagonist, choose this book!

[Rachel Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read!

Spark is a fun story that is filled with action, suspense, and well Spark. Can't wait for book two Flare!

[Missy Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally captivating

Love this story. I honestly could not.hey enough and couldn't put the book down. I can't wait to read the deck f book in the series.

[Lelia Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how the first paragraph of the blurb for the book reads: Brenna James wants three things for her sixteenth birthday: to find her history notes before the test, to have her mother return from her business trip, and to stop creating fire with her bare hands. This sentence is beautiful in a number of ways. You now know exactly what you're going to get in the novel from tone to topic.

There are a number of things to love about this book, from world-building to adventure to spiritual lessons. Riding griffins, check, and add to that bonding, telepathy and chiding conversations. Some fun humor, check. A villain with a surprise, check. A "hottie" good guy, check.

Some more things to like about the book: The writing is clean and clear. The setting is interesting. Much of the scenery was beautifully described. The girl has a good heart and in the end will do the right thing. There are interesting twists and turns in the tale. Some of the side characters were a lot of fun. The magic (NOT done by chanting spells) is genetically inborn and enjoyable. The pace of story-telling is satisfying.

Three things irritated me about the main character. One: Why wouldn't she tell the people who needed to know the information she ran across? Okay. Some of the people scared her. I get backing off around scary people. But when the scary people were elsewhere why didn't she mention what the authorities needed to know? Not giving needed information led her to a number of unwise decisions that the hottie and griffins saved her from. Then I remember in the dim recesses of time that as a teenager I did my fair share of withholding of information. Ahem.

Two: the way she kept insulting the hottie. I don't know a single man who can retain affection toward a woman who is constantly insulting him, and yet the hottie kept hanging around.

Three: the level of snark far exceeded my level of tolerance. Now, a lot of readers love that kind of spunky sarcasm in a first person, present tense fantasy, and if you're one of them, this is your book.

Though not exactly part of the story, one of my favorite things about the book was the introductory quote by C. S. Lewis: There are no ordinary people. Certainly nobody in this book was ordinary. I liked the level of talk about the God analog named Elyon in the land of Linneah and how devoted the residents of that land were to him. They wanted to obey Him and use their talents (such as firebrand) for Him.

I recommend this book for all lovers of YA fantasy mixed with sweet romance.

This book will easily become the favorite of a lot of teenage readers as well as some adults. I recommend this book for all lovers of YA fantasy mixed with sweet romance.