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Soulfire
Soulfire is an LGBTQ-inclusive upper middle grade fantasy novel by Chaz Harris.
Twelve-year-old George Grimes is afraid of growing up. If becoming a teenager means he has to stop believing in Grandad’s tall tales about Mythika – a magical place where artists have special powers – then he wants to stay twelve forever.
On the eve of George's thirteenth birthday, a man with a forked beard and a crooked nose clambers out of the Grandfather clock in the upstairs hallway. The man claims to be from Mythika, where the evil Lord Helwrath, once a boy who lost his imagination, has been murdering Creators – artists who use their imaginations to keep Helwrath’s power in check.
When George enters Mythika, he joins forces with a talented group of young artists to stop Helwrath before it’s too late. However, a long-kept family secret leads some to believe that George can create the only power strong enough to fight Helwrath…Soulfire.
Twelve-year-old George Grimes is afraid of growing up. If becoming a teenager means he has to stop believing in Grandad’s tall tales about Mythika – a magical place where artists have special powers – then he wants to stay twelve forever.
On the eve of George's thirteenth birthday, a man with a forked beard and a crooked nose clambers out of the Grandfather clock in the upstairs hallway. The man claims to be from Mythika, where the evil Lord Helwrath, once a boy who lost his imagination, has been murdering Creators – artists who use their imaginations to keep Helwrath’s power in check.
When George enters Mythika, he joins forces with a talented group of young artists to stop Helwrath before it’s too late. However, a long-kept family secret leads some to believe that George can create the only power strong enough to fight Helwrath…Soulfire.
- GenresFantasyLGBTMiddle Grade
264 pages, Paperback
First published October 31, 2019
2 people are currently reading
876 people want to read
About the author
Chaz Harris
3 books16 followersChaz got his start on the set of the Alan Rickman film The Search for John Gissing in 2000 before working for Oscar-nominated producer Alison Owen (Elizabeth/Saving Mr Banks). A role in the development team at Miramax Films followed, before moving to New Zealand in 2006. Chaz has since written, directed and produced the award-winning web series 101 Dates, End of Term starring Thomasin McKenzie (Leave No Trace/Jojo Rabbit), as well as short films The Shoe Box and Broken Glass.
In 2016, Chaz co-founded Promised Land Tales with Adam Reynolds to create the internationally acclaimed LGBTQ inclusive children's book Promised Land. This was followed by Maiden Voyage and a third title Raven Wild due out in June 2020. Chaz is also Producer on the collaboratively made anthology feature film Encounters, and author of forthcoming middle grade fantasy novel Soulfire - soulfirechronicles.com
In 2016, Chaz co-founded Promised Land Tales with Adam Reynolds to create the internationally acclaimed LGBTQ inclusive children's book Promised Land. This was followed by Maiden Voyage and a third title Raven Wild due out in June 2020. Chaz is also Producer on the collaboratively made anthology feature film Encounters, and author of forthcoming middle grade fantasy novel Soulfire - soulfirechronicles.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 18, 2019
*I had an advance reader's copy - if you want a copy, you should definitely support the Kickstarter! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
Just thinking about this book brings a smile to my face! Soulfire is full of truly excellent messages for LGBTQ+ and creative people alike - a perfect mix of magic, creativity and the power of belief. I loved the early scenes with the interactions between George and his Grandad. Their connection was so pure and lovely! OH AND: George! My wonderful son! He was so relatable and anxious and clever and brave. Can't wait to spend more time with him, and all of the other excellent characters, in the next book. There were many moments that felt very Harry-Potter-esque, but it was unique enough for it to stand on its own, and shine. I just really loved this book, it was so comforting and absorbing. Whenever I feel down about the world or about my own creative abilities, this series will provide the perfect warmth and escape. When's the next one coming out??? :P
Just thinking about this book brings a smile to my face! Soulfire is full of truly excellent messages for LGBTQ+ and creative people alike - a perfect mix of magic, creativity and the power of belief. I loved the early scenes with the interactions between George and his Grandad. Their connection was so pure and lovely! OH AND: George! My wonderful son! He was so relatable and anxious and clever and brave. Can't wait to spend more time with him, and all of the other excellent characters, in the next book. There were many moments that felt very Harry-Potter-esque, but it was unique enough for it to stand on its own, and shine. I just really loved this book, it was so comforting and absorbing. Whenever I feel down about the world or about my own creative abilities, this series will provide the perfect warmth and escape. When's the next one coming out??? :P
November 13, 2019
This is a fabulous upper primary portal fantasy novel. The beginning reminded me of Narnia and there were touches of Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. George is a 12 year old boy who loves to write stories and has a crush on another boy. He find himself in the fantasy world of Mythika where nasty vicious creatures called voids appear when the imagination of a child in the real world dies. Mythika needs the power of Creators like George, and Believers who will follow them, to overthrow Lord Helwrath and his army of voids. The book encourages readers to be inclusive, creative and courageous.
December 26, 2022
Chaz Harris does a masterful job of writing “inclusively” while keeping the reader focused on a young adult fantasy adventure story in a world where acceptance of preferential differences is a norm. It amply addresses the reality that questioning and unknowns are a part of “growing up”, while building a well paced mythological tale. I am anxious to read the next installment.
January 5, 2023
Loved this book, I read it right after it came out, a great story about discovering yourself told in an accepting story and inclusive of not just gay youth, but lgbtq+ youth also. This is the kind of book I wish I had at 12/13. Definitely recommend if you're a fan of lgbtq no spice with adventure and magic!
January 6, 2020
A great coming of age story for those of us who don't follow the tropes Erena hates so much.
September 4, 2020
A fantastic adventure story, so much depth to the characters and plot. Can't wait for the next instalment.
December 13, 2019
If you're a creative type who has ever experienced self doubt: read this book. If you've ever felt like you don't fit in: Read this book. If you want an inclusive adventure of the sort that I wish I'd had when I was younger: Read. This. Book. Basically, I think everyone should read this book, if you couldn't tell. I loved it!
It's an inclusive fantasy story: queer characters, non-binary characters, mixed-race characters. This story just about has it all! It's a classic fantasy tale, well written, clever, inclusive, and inspiring. This book honestly feels like it was written for a younger me, and I really wish that I'd had a book like this growing up! Do yourself a favourite, and read this book. I can't recommend this enough! Even pushing 30, I still appreciated the messages within, and the Spark of Inspiration dances before me again!
It's an inclusive fantasy story: queer characters, non-binary characters, mixed-race characters. This story just about has it all! It's a classic fantasy tale, well written, clever, inclusive, and inspiring. This book honestly feels like it was written for a younger me, and I really wish that I'd had a book like this growing up! Do yourself a favourite, and read this book. I can't recommend this enough! Even pushing 30, I still appreciated the messages within, and the Spark of Inspiration dances before me again!
September 1, 2019
I was given an advanced copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.
When I first learned about an MG fantasy with LGBT+ themes, I was over the moon. And the diversity in the book doesn't disappoint. We have queer characters, a non-binary character, characters of multiple different ethnic groups, all set in the backdrop of a fairly well-known story archetype. This makes the fairly well known trope (chosen one set to defeat big bad guy) into something new. It's like using the same recipe, but with different ingredients.
The story has the charm of mid-grade, but also a lot of the cheesiness as well. It's fairly on-the-nose about it's emphasis on art and its creation. I did appreciate the parallels between different forms of art in our world and the magic abilities of Mythika. There are a lot of monologues from mentor characters about things like bravery in the face of fear and believing in yourself. It's hard to me to say just how younger readers will respond, but I'd like to think they're effective.
The thing that prevented it from being a complete five star for me was the moments where it felt like the author was trying a bit too hard for quotable lines. It seems like there's a mini monologue every chapter meant to be highlighted or shared on Instagram. Readers who enjoy a large dose of sentimentality (and those who are building up a quote collection on their Kindle) will probably enjoy them all. But for me, I could have done with a bit less.
In general, this is a classic story type you've read before. But it's a story type that's been denied to members of the LGBT+ community for decades. It has charm, adorable characters, and great messages for younger readers. I would definitely recommend it.
When I first learned about an MG fantasy with LGBT+ themes, I was over the moon. And the diversity in the book doesn't disappoint. We have queer characters, a non-binary character, characters of multiple different ethnic groups, all set in the backdrop of a fairly well-known story archetype. This makes the fairly well known trope (chosen one set to defeat big bad guy) into something new. It's like using the same recipe, but with different ingredients.
The story has the charm of mid-grade, but also a lot of the cheesiness as well. It's fairly on-the-nose about it's emphasis on art and its creation. I did appreciate the parallels between different forms of art in our world and the magic abilities of Mythika. There are a lot of monologues from mentor characters about things like bravery in the face of fear and believing in yourself. It's hard to me to say just how younger readers will respond, but I'd like to think they're effective.
The thing that prevented it from being a complete five star for me was the moments where it felt like the author was trying a bit too hard for quotable lines. It seems like there's a mini monologue every chapter meant to be highlighted or shared on Instagram. Readers who enjoy a large dose of sentimentality (and those who are building up a quote collection on their Kindle) will probably enjoy them all. But for me, I could have done with a bit less.
In general, this is a classic story type you've read before. But it's a story type that's been denied to members of the LGBT+ community for decades. It has charm, adorable characters, and great messages for younger readers. I would definitely recommend it.
November 9, 2019
With a modern LGBTQ twist on a classic coming-of-age fantasy, Soulfire is a great read I'm proud to have on my bookshelf. Can't wait for the next book!
November 5, 2019
I won this book in a giveaway. I was attracted to it because I had just finished a similar series and was looking to continue. I'm not much of a fantasy reader but this one was very good. This is the first in a series. I will look for when the next one comes out.
August 16, 2019
Soulfire is a perfect mix of action, fantasy, and amazing storytelling. I cannot wait for the next book to be released!
October 31, 2019
Well written, highly entertaining story... I'm already waiting for the next in the series!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews