Spell Fire

Teen Wytche Saga #3

by Ariella Moon

Can two people forge a future when their secret pasts collide?

As Christmas nears, high school sophomore Ainslie Avalon-Bennett works hard to hide her Crazy Girl past. But as long as her best friend’s disappearance remains unsolved, she can’t shake the obsessive-compulsive disorder that once landed her in a mental ward. Then she meets Thor Grael, a teen dragon shaman who spikes her pulse and calms her OCD. But will Ainslie lose him once he discovers her past? Or will Thor’s deadly secret be their undoing?

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dragons, Paranormal

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 19, 2013

About the author

Ariella Moon draws upon her experiences as a shaman to create magical Young Adult fiction. Her series include The Two Realms Trilogy, a medieval Scotland and Fairy fantasy romance, Two Realms Novellas, origin stories of characters and magic in the Two Realms, and The Teen Wytche Saga, a series of sweet contemporary paranormal romances. Ariella’s “Covert Hearts” appears in Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Collection. She lives a nearly normal life doting on her extraordinary daughter, two shamelessly spoiled dogs, and a media-shy dragon.

Reviews

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!!
**Received the ebook as part of the blog tour for an honest review

Okay the cover definitely attracts me because it is looks magically and has a dragon….very beautifully done.

When I started this book, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it because Ainslie didn’t seem like she was going to be a character I was going to love. She was afraid of everything, and she was throwing a fit in the beginning. However, she came into her own and showed a kind heart & persevered in helping her family & new friends. I loved watching her personality grow and seeing all her strengths come alive.

I think Ainslie’s aunt and uncle are a hoot, and I think it would be cool to visit their store. Jett, his sister, and Thor are great characters too. I would love to live in the world that Ariella creates.

I think the author does a great job of showing how OCD affects a teenager, and it might help others to be more tolerant and learn about how OCD works and affects a person who has it.

This is definitely a series I’m going to read in its entirety. I am going to get book 1 & 2 soon, so I can read them, but I really can’t wait to read book 4 when it comes out :)

I highly recommend this book to all who love a good adventure with some morals and life lessons mixed in with their magic & dragons.

[Kriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spell Fire by Ariella Moon - nice clean Young-Adult family read #review Review
Young-Adult fiction should be written so a young adult can read and relate. So many authors cram their books under the Young-Adult label when their target audience is actually people my age. Yes, label because YA is not a genre, it is and always was meant to be a suggested age range. Which is why I speak out against so many of the so-called young adult books. Hence when I find a Young Adult read, I am all over it like scales on a dragon :)  Ariella Moon's Spell Fire had me smiling from cover to finish, for the simple fact it was a real YA read.
Taking a page from one of my favorite authors, Chuck Wendig (because nobody does "SNAP" like he does) in his article:  25 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUNG ADULT FICTION
 

Young Adult is an age range, TEENAGER (12-18), NOT a genre. YA reads cover all the genres!
It includes a teenage protagonist! The teenager suffers from teenage angst and problems teens suffer from!
Adults will like it (this is a hard one for me because of my hyper-criticism of young-adult reads written JUST for the soccer moms)
Shows them living it and doesn't preach a lesson.
Just like teens, stories for teens should take risks.

I am going to stop listing anymore, (but you should check that article out) because this book really does fit right up there in many of the things Chuck has the post, but I don't want to lose you.
 
Spell Fire, as is obvious from the cover and title, is an urban fantasy read. It fits in with fantasy and made my witchy goodness squeal with glee! I ran one of those new age stores in Texas, we had a lovely store much like Ainslie's aunt and uncle's and lost children hiding under tables. I think many of our towns have little stores like this where teens who are looking for answers find perhaps not the answers but more questions and also themselves, much like our protagonist does. I enjoyed how it the story embraced so much of what many label abnormalcy with these kids in such a normal way.
 
Of course we have a teenage protagonist, Ainslie Avalon-Bennett and she definitely has problems teens suffer from. This is one of the main reasons I was so excited. It is so hard to find a read with a real teen who is suffering something and have it written so honestly. I was one of those teens. I cut, I suffered in silence, my OCD was so bad and back in the 80's no one had a name for it. Mine was not like hers but it was still just as devastating. She also suffers from something which never happened when I grew up, divorce. But kids these days, mine included, have had to live through divorce. This brings me to my next point... why I label this as a family read: PARENTS SHOULD READ BOOKS LIKE THIS WITH THEIR KIDS!
 
I read the Twilight series with my girls, well I read them so I could discuss them and make sure they were apropriate.. Of course I forbid them to read past the third book till they were older. Let's skip my rant on that series, we really do not want me to go there. EXCEPT for one thing, reality for teens. It was realistic for Ainslie to suffer the way she did after losing her friend. Her parents behaving the way they do is realistic too, a slap in the face for the parents who are doing this, however. I want to gift this to at least three families I know who have done this or are doing this to their kids, the fighting and suffering and making a child's mental illness about them, not their children.
 
ARGH this is becoming preachy, and I am sorry! Spell Fire was just wonderful! I loved it just for the story, which covers #3! It reminds me where I came from! How I was and what I need to remember with my kids, plus it is just a fun story! Take all the great things included in this book which make it a great young-adult away from this review and what do I have to say about the book? IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! I want my own dragon! *grin* Ariella Moon can throw a shuriken in my direction any day. The minute I finished this book I wanted to find out the back story from the other two and bought them to read. This is when I discovered this is a series you can read them out of order,though I know I will get some back-story explain some of the idiosyncrasies of Ainslie's OCD, but it did not take away from it. As far as #4? She finally started living when she was forced to spend the holidays with her aunt and uncle.
 
This story took risks, which brings me to #5. The risk in showing such private wounds which haunt so many teens was risky. Mental illness has a stigma attached to it and having such a character was risky. I fell in love with her the first time she washed her hands, and the 100th. Because, like may young adult books, it was written from our Ainslie's point of view it was like peaking into someones diary, almost. I am all smushy inside I liked this book so much! Oh and of course young love, what story would be complete without it? Teenagers are raging balls of hormones! Half baked cupcakes of gooeyness!
 
I only have one thing that bothered me, and perhaps it was because I did not read the previous books. What is up with her spiked heels? Anyone out there got the answer? LOL I can admit it is one of the tiny reasons I bought the other books, but not even close to the main reason, I swear. I just really want to know what is up with her obsession about the heals.. wait obsession maybe it is just this simple. For those that have not read it, it was just kind of a head scratching moment for me because it kept being mentioned, but again it didn't take away from the story!
 
With the characters, the magic,  the fairy dust and the adult support staff! Spell Fire is a true magical read, from start to finish! It will sweep both you and your own teen up with each beat of the drum within its pages.
 
9 out of 10
____________________
 
Spell Fire Excerpt
 
 

I checked my watch. The meeting had started forty minutes ago. Nothing had been accomplished. No one had addressed the tote situation. My face warmed again. I shifted position. Instead of sitting against the wall with my legs straight in front of me, I sat cross?legged and hunched over my book. A tugging sensation rippled between my shoulder blades.
 
Thor glanced my way.
 
The more I thought about how much Aunt Terra and Uncle Esmun must need every cent the store and mystery school could generate, the more energy swelled behind me. Warmth radiated from my face. My whole body felt as if it was glowing. I tried to distract myself by flitting back to my book and my lengthy homework assignment list.
I couldn't concentrate.
 
Hazel had reached Aunt Terra and delivered what I hoped was the last pixie. She pivoted and spied me. The energy behind me compacted. It crackled with huge warrior/ninja/dragon chi — alert and ready to strike. The thought of straightening up and backing into it set the fine hairs on my forearms and nape on end.
 
Thor's eyes met mine. Our gazes locked, and I swear he did a Zen mind meld. Soothing waves of chi — energy — flowed through me. The brimstone stink evaporated, replaced by the calming scent of lavender and sage.
 
Hazel's gaze swiveled from me to Thor, then back to me. Looking buffeted by an unseen wind, she silently returned to her seat.
The corners of Thor's full lips curved upward. Two urges warred within me — the desire to leap across the room and kiss him, and the urge to arch my neck and breathe fire.
 
Thor's smile widened.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book looked fun and magical from the start just from the cover. I just knew that even though I had not read any others in the series that I wanted to review. The character of Ainslie is a character that seemed like one that wsa going to be hard to get into at first. She was a little whiney and sometimes that can bea bit much until I figured out that it was all in the author’s workings for the book. She finally became her own person and showed through her character’s strength that she could get through anything with her family and friends. I really liked watching her character transform from what I thought to what her true potential unlocked by the author was truly meant to be.
Her family is amazingly funny and I would love to have been in their store if even for two seconds. Jett and Thor were amusing as well and I started to really fall into the book. I loved the imagery that I was able to grasp from the author’s writing of the world that they all lived in. OCD is also a very touchy subject and the author went about it wonderfully. She explains it in a way that would make someone that was biased towards someone with OCD truly have a grasp of what they go through on a day to day basis. I have personally gone through a phase of OCD and it is nothing to ply around with. It can sometimes take over your life. To be young and have it would be even more difficult.
I really want to go back and get the first and second book now and read the series from the beginning. Ariella has made me fall in love with the characters in the middle of the story. I also can not wait for the fourth installment. So much reading to do, and so little time. Oh the whoas of loving magically written books that can take you from your world into another. This book had lessons to be learned along with some magical fun and it gets a FIVE star rating from me!
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book for my open and honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

[Carra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do admit...this third offering in the Teen Wytche Saga kind of had me on the fence for probably the first two-thirds of the book. I wasn't quite sure what to make of it, as it was a little bit of a departure from the first two books. I couldn't quite find my reading groove for the first part, though the introduction of all these new characters that we didn't see in the first two books was still quite interesting.

The author again touches on some serious topics with the main character, Ainslie, coping with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and the fact that her childhood friend disappeared. This is expertly woven into the storyline, and as Ainslie's character's growth occurs throughout the story we can see how her OCD does change based on the events that occur and the relationships she forms. Ariella Moon really can write about some serious, important themes and incorporate them so well into her books.

As for the other characters...Thor came across to me as older than he really was which I think was part of why I had issues settling down with the story until later in the book-but he still is very swoon-worthy and I was rooting for him and Ainslie. I LOVED Ainslie's aunt and uncle. And the story could never have been the same without Jett (even if I was rooting for Thor) :-)

I truly enjoyed the introduction of dragon magic, and the visuals that would come to mind as the author described the things connected with it that happened in the story.

Since it did take me a bit to get really settled into the book, I've given it 4 stars. It's a great addition to the series...and now with that ending I just HAVE to see where the saga goes next! Still great for teenagers and up since it is a good, clean read.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

Spell Fire is the third book in The Teen Wytche Saga. It almost seems like a whole different series for most of the book. All new characters except for a chapter or two later in the book. Different high school setting and then it goes to Arizona
for the rest of story. It also has more of a new age, fantasy angle to the book.

Spell Fire has a new main Character of Ainslie. Ainslie has had a break down when her best friend disappeared from her foster home. She still has trouble but better. She gets depressed, obsessive compulsive disorder. She is way smart. She is likable and different.

Ainslie gets sent to her Aunt and Uncle in Arizona for three weeks. They own a Mystery School and occult store. She finds herself in a world of fire fortunes, dragons, demons and she runs into a damaged spell book. She finds some help along the way too.

I could not wait to find what Ainslie would run into next. She also meets two boys through the store who have different talents.

The new age stuff, was a little out there for me to understand and believe in. But it made a good story

Though I liked the fire fortunes part. I liked the ending of the book. Also laughed at Ainslie's Christmas presents from her new friends. I also liked how Ainslie's smarts helped her Aunt and Uncle with marketing ideas. It is also a clean read.

I can't wait till I read the next book in the series. I will have read all four of the books this week.

I was given this ebook to read by it's author so that I could give Spell Fire a honest review of it.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often, I didn’t know whether I should laugh or cry as I read this book and followed Ainslie’s odd, mixed-up life. I have not read the prior two books but the author provided enough snippets of past events so I did not feel short-changed, but I am curious to read the previous books now so I can discover the details of the past events that so obviously have shaped Ainslie’s current attitude and problems. I also think the earlier books likely will help explain the dysfunction that is present in her family.

Ains, diagnosed with OCD and depression, is coping, and usually puts on a good front; she keeps the craziness inside, but her parents’ discord and bickering as they consider divorce is very difficult for Ains since she feels as if she is responsible for most of the unhappiness that is causing such tension in the family.

Then her parents dump her on her eccentric, free-spirited aunt and uncle right before Christmas when they decide to fix their problems by taking a vacation cruise. Fate has some surprises in store for Ainsley as she finds unexpected friendships and personal fulfilment in Palm Springs during her Christmas visit. I enjoyed the story. It left me hopeful that Ainsley will find a bigger purpose for her life. She still has additional obstacles to overcome if she is ever to find peace within herself, but now the path she is to travel seems a little clearer.

This book was given to me in exchange for my honest review.

Reviewed by Laurie-J

[Bookish Satty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from the author, free of cost, in exchange of an honest review from my side.

Firstly I would like to thank the author, publisher and the tour company for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this fabulous book.

I loved it!!! Absolutely loved it!!!

The concept is fantastic and the execution is also great. The characters are well developed and I adored our female main lead, she was awesome-sauce. At first I felt her to be a somewhat weak but as the story flowed she went on developing remarkably and I loved her.

I learnt about 'OCD' a lot from this book and it will let the other teenagers get a clear view point about this. Thor is also great and I adored him as well.

The unexpected twists really sucked me in and surprised me a lot. The fantasy characters are awesome as well and their presence interested me very much.

The writing style of the author is great and comfortable and I really got along with it which increased the entertainment value of the whole story.

Overall a great book and an awesome series which I;m going to follow and see how the character make their journey and face the upcoming hurdles. I would definitely recommend this book to all the fantasy and YA lovers and hope that you guys will love it as I did.

[Crystal (Books Are Sanity!!!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spell Fire is book three in the Teen Wytche series and it took me by complete surprise! It wasn't as directly related to the first two books as I thought it would be, but the connections were there, just not as close as I thought they would be! Spell Fire is about Ainslee who developed OCD and anxiety ever since her best friend disappeared in middle school. Her parents are on the brink of divorce and she feels like she cannot control anything in her life. When her parents decide to take a sudden second honeymoon, Ainslee finds herself thrust into the lives of her Aunt and Uncle whom she hasn't seen since she was three. The time spent with them turns out to mean more than she ever thought it would! What started out as being dumped for Christmas break turns into an unbelievable time for Ainslee! Take a journey with Ainslee as she battles herself: her emotions, her OCD, her lack of control! I was amazed at the accuracy with which Moon writes about a person with OCD. This is a fun and magical YA book that I recommend to any fantasy and paranormal readers! I received a copy of this book for free as part of a blog tour. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.

Spell Fire starts out interesting and there is something constantly happening to keep your interest.

I felt sorry for Ainslie at the beginning of Spell Fire. The poor girl has been through a lot psychologically since her best friend disappeared a few years ago. And now her parents are contemplating divorce and have abandoned her at Christmas time. Talk about selfish!

In the long run, Ainslee being dumped on her shaman aunt and uncle turns out to be a good thing. She learns a lot about herself, meets a couple cute guys, makes some interesting new friends, and has an opportunity to help her aunt and uncle.

This is a really good young adult story. Not only does Ainslie have a lot going on in her life but she finds herself in a new world that contains dragons, shamans, demons, fortune-telling and more!

[Dalene · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I would like to thank the author Ariella Moon for giving me this book for an honest review. I enjoyed reading this story. The world building is good, the story-line is very good. The characters are well developed and written. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Mindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story with fun characters and exciting plot.

[Charlene Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Order out of chaos

Once again flawed characters win the day. Courage doesn't always make itself visible. Sometimes it's so deep it takes a dragon to unleash it.

[Jane Love]

OMG! I could not put this book down excellent read