Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Fueling Fire: A Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance: Elven Mage Academy

Rate this book
Six elemental mages. One elven princess. A magical bond they can neither allow nor resist.

For twenty-one years I have hidden away in our castle, guarding a secret. A secret that could incite a war. A secret that could change the fate of our world. A secret that could destroy everything I hold dear.

Joining Elven Mage Academy is meant to be my chance to step out of my brother's shadow and prove to my father that I am queen material. All I have to do is stay under the radar and ace my classes until I graduate and become Queen. My future is already planned out. It is meant to be easy.

All is going to plan until my bonding ceremony where everything blows up in my face.

Now I have six men who arouse forbidden feelings in me and threats from a mysterious source. Somebody has figured out my secret and it puts everyone I care about in danger.

Can I identify the threat before it is too late? Or will I bring death and destruction to everything I cherish?

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2021

102 people are currently reading
33 people want to read

About the author

Maree Byrnes

5 books12 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
39 (44%)
4 stars
25 (28%)
3 stars
8 (9%)
2 stars
9 (10%)
1 star
7 (7%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Melo.
842 reviews22 followers
July 29, 2022
DNF

This book needs editing, the lack of uniform formatting reads as though this was still a draft. There are bits in the book where it's unclear which character is which. The timeline doesn't add up in places.

The whole "secret" thing is pretty pointless seeing as every five minutes the heroine is doing something in front of every one that she shouldn't.

My main gripe is how many times she almost died and it was treated like she broke a nail, really believable, not.
Profile Image for Tina.
355 reviews12 followers
May 26, 2022
At 35% I am completely confused. First it's been like a day. All of the interactions makes sense if at 35% she is on her second day, but apparently it's been weeks.. how do I know? Because the author said so before dinner time on day one. Then proceeded to tell the story as if they are on their second day, but again mentioning its been weeks. Even going as far as saying something like, "I can't believe it has only been a few weeks since I left home. It feels like it's been years." NO. It feels like it's been a day..

On day 2?? in the battle class the two people at the bottom have to fight and the loser has to leave the class and retake it next year... okay, not really buying, but okay... the MFC is with another student who is at the bottom with her. She is glad shes not at the top and paired with Brianna, but wants to be in the middle instead of the botton tier... The MFC makes a point to say that the girl is bad and she even has to fix her stance.

Next thing we know this happens.

"Looking up at the board to locate who is above me on the list, I groan in frustration. Of course, it is Brianna, and to think I thought today would be better than yesterday. I locate Brianna across the room, a look of glee on her face, and I know I need to bring my A game. After yesterday and all that stuff with Alec, I’m sure she's out for my blood, more today than ever. Alec sits at her side like a loyal puppy making me want to smack him. Instead I look back over at Julian, who gives me a look that I know means I can't afford to hold back and hide. I need to use my daggers and my shield if I want to get out of this fight with my life. Resigned to the fact, I nod, and a look of relief crosses his face. I poke my tongue out at him for being so dramatic, I don't want to die, I just want to fly under the radar, but Brianna is making that hard. Stepping up to the mats, Brianna smiles like a cat that just caught the canary, especially when she looks down at my hands and sees I’m weapon less. I return her smile in full, knowing she is about to underestimate me, and her brows dip in confusion. “I want a clean fight,” Mr. Rood says, giving Brianna a pointed look and she frowns but nods. “Okay fighters, ready?” This time he looks at me."

WTF??? This story has potential, but basically it just feels like the author wrote down a day dream without any additional thought to how to make it flow correctly.

There is such more that needs to fixed. I really have no clue who the MFC is. I mean I know her name and that's she's a princess, but her personality is all over the place.
As far as her 6 mages go? I really oy know that's really attracted to the alpha male asshole... It's like the others don't really exist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
682 reviews12 followers
August 28, 2025
Fueling fire

Book one of unfinished Elven Mage Academy series. Pnr, reverse harem, royalty, mystery heritage, elemental magic. This book needs serious editorial help; wrong words, misspelled words, misused punctuation, plot holes everywhere. If you can get through that it's a decent fantasy starter. The following was only figured out after reading the whole book and it was really frustrating to me, so if you want some background I'm including it here as spoilers.
Spoilers: the world construct in this series has Elves who form a matriarchal monarchy social structure divided into several kingdoms. Then each elf appears to be able to bond with one elemental mage who make up a lower subservient population. There are confusing rules that pop up, like the second born? Or youngest? Is the more powerful elf. Men become kings but only after marrying a queen of the bloodline? Royals must not mate with mages despite being bonded to prevent weakening royal bloodlines. This social structure began a thousand years ago after a war that divided mages and elves.
Our heroine, Lilliana is a twin princess to her adoring brother Julian. Their father has remained king despite his wife death in childbirth as he is beloved by the people. Arranged marriages from childhood have created treaties between otherwise warring kingdoms. The story begins as the twins reach 21 and are sent to the elf mage Academy to meet their mages and learn about powers. Lili surprises everyone by bonding six different mages, one of each element. From here the regular academy, lack of communication, mean girl, good friends, unable to acknowledge love for her bonded, tropes continue. The end brings a weird "red wedding" scene but all is not what it seems.
I did enjoy this book despite its issues but it's marred by the fact that it's 2025 and only the first two books are available?
Profile Image for Ines.
1,345 reviews48 followers
May 29, 2022
I really enjoyed this first book in the "Elven Mage Academy" series. It has an interesting view on the connections between elves and mages, and enough mistery to keep the storyline interesting. I liked the fmc: the author created a personality that fits with her age and background, and it's clear she has a big potential to grow into while this series evolves. The only reason I didn't give it a five star rating, was because the relationship development between the fmc and her six mages doesn't really fit with her falling in love with all of them. Still, the story got me captivated and I had a hard time putting it down, so I already bought the second book to be able to continue on reading this series.
1 review1 follower
April 1, 2021
Secrets, Suspense, Slow Burn and Steam
This was a fun read. I couldn't put the book down. I just had to see what was going to happen at every turn because this book has it all. Slow burn. Steam. Secrets. And Suspense. I laughed out loud at some of Lil's antics. My heart broke right alongside hers. And then...trying to decide which of Lil's bonded mages was my favorite...thats been difficult. They all have amazing qualities. But, if a choice is absolutely necessary, Jason is my guy.

I'm looking very forward to the next installment of the Elven Mage Academy. I cant wait to see what new adventures await Lil, her bonded mages and her friends.
Profile Image for Amanda.
736 reviews9 followers
April 6, 2021
This story keeps you engaged, every time you think you know what is going on and why everything has to be so secretive, you find out there is still more to learn. You can truly feel Lil’s emotions, you want to be angry with her choices, but you just can not. The chemistry with her six bonded added more suspense, it left you wanting to know more about their stories and if anything romantic will happen.

I highly recommend this book, it was a good start to the series. It left you wanting to see what happens next to Lil and her bonded as well as her friends/family.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nance.
1,131 reviews17 followers
April 20, 2021
Wow! This was a phenomenal start to this new series!
Lilliana is an elf and a princess, someday she will be queen. For years she was hidden away at the castle, guarding a secret. A secret that could incite a war. Lilliana and her brother, Julian are accepted at Elven Mage Academy and finally Lilliana thinks she will be able to have a normal life but of course things don’t work out the ways she wants.
This book has everything. There is royals, arranged marriages, war elves, and mages. This book was full of action, suspense and plenty of heat.
Fueling Fire was a great start to this new series and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
717 reviews7 followers
August 29, 2021
This is a new author to me and I quite enjoyed this book! Lilliana & her twin brother Julian are royal elves who are accepted into Elven Mage Academy where they will meet their mage element counterparts and learn how to wield their powers. This book is full of suspense, drama, fighting, secrets, intrigue, subterfuge, conflict, humour, romance, and mystery. And I can’t wait for more for this series.
Profile Image for Jaime Rendell.
92 reviews2 followers
November 16, 2021
Fueling Fire

I absolutely loved this book!! It had me laughing my arse off, yelling at some of Lil's choices and also bawling my eyes out. I was pulled straight into the story line and haven't put this book down since picking it up. This is a great read, you have a selfless heroine, a smoking hot group of men, some kick arse friends and a thrilling adventure. You can't ask for more, we'll except for the next book that is.
Profile Image for Joy Whiteside.
4,920 reviews114 followers
February 19, 2022
Wow what a read. I was hooked on it from the very first page and I had a hard time putting it down when I needed to do things. It moves along at a pace which is a perfect fir for the story, making for an easy and relaxing read. You will love these characters and no matter what happens you want to see these characters overcome everything that gets in their way. This book has to be read, there is no doubt about it.
Profile Image for Victoria (nocturnalintimacy).
2,256 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2024
Kindle Unlimited.

I struggled with the writing style here. The main character's voice was so young. Every other sentence ended in an exclamation point. The style felt a little like reading my own 14-year-old journal.

The world building didn't make sense to me. I would have like understanding the different kingdoms and species. Also, I had no idea who was who in her bonded group. Aside from Alec, they all blended together.
Profile Image for Jenn.
140 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2022
DNF

I was not overly impressed. The FMC was a whiny brat. The writing itself seemed to be done by a teenager with very little skill. I would have given it five stars because I got my hopes up that Lil was going to croak after the stabbing. It took away three because she survived and then ranted and whined like a five year old, which is where I had to quit reading.
Profile Image for JL.
319 reviews6 followers
March 30, 2021
First off, I have to say GORGEOUS cover. 🥰 I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!! It definitely had some twists that I did not expect. I can't wait to read more of these hunky men and Lil, and how their relationships progress.
83 reviews4 followers
September 5, 2021
Really great start!

This was a really great start to, what will most likely be a fantastic series. I really like the character dynamics, the story line, and the conflict. I found myselfbpleqsentky surprised at the twists and turns. I am really looking forward to book 2!
212 reviews
June 29, 2025
Fantastic!

This was a really good read. There was a lot of action going on with not much 🌶️ but it didn’t take from the actual story. That was something that really surprised me and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Highly recommend
Profile Image for JL.
319 reviews6 followers
March 30, 2021
Great new academy read

First off, I have to say GORGEOUS cover!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book!! It definitely had some twists that I did not expect. I can't wait to read more of these hunky men and Lil, and how their relationships progress.
223 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2021
What a book

Action, suspense,intrigue, prince & princess, hot men, royals, romance and alpha holes...what a book! I highly recommend this book. Looking forward to book 2.
Profile Image for Rachel Joi Maples.
3,089 reviews35 followers
September 14, 2021
holy goodness! what an epic series beginning!! ... adore Lil and her group of boy-toys ... so much depth in this new world and i cannot wait for more!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.