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Sundered Worlds #1
The Shadowed Flame
Jackson Harper slays monsters on the sly.
He's a unicorn rider, a defender of the territory. But he has to keep that a secret, because technically he's supposed to be pure of heart to be approved for a unicorn bond, and his shady past rules that out. If the authorities catch him now, his monster-slaying dream job is all over.
But when a snake-dragon battle gets out of hand, he's forced to get help from a real rider: Moira Maldrigo. She used to be his best friend and unrequited crush. Now, she's duty-bound to turn him in to the unicorn regiment.
But the unicorns have a dark secret too. And when Jackson and Moira stumble on it, they're caught up in a battle that's much bigger, and deadlier, than they'd ever anticipated.
He's a unicorn rider, a defender of the territory. But he has to keep that a secret, because technically he's supposed to be pure of heart to be approved for a unicorn bond, and his shady past rules that out. If the authorities catch him now, his monster-slaying dream job is all over.
But when a snake-dragon battle gets out of hand, he's forced to get help from a real rider: Moira Maldrigo. She used to be his best friend and unrequited crush. Now, she's duty-bound to turn him in to the unicorn regiment.
But the unicorns have a dark secret too. And when Jackson and Moira stumble on it, they're caught up in a battle that's much bigger, and deadlier, than they'd ever anticipated.
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2021
2 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Hughes
10 books437 followersHi! I'm Naomi Hughes, writer of quirky young adult sci-fi and fantasy. I write #ownvoices mental health representation into everything I can, because I want my readers to see that people with mental illnesses are main characters, too. I live in the Midwest US, a region I love even though it tries to murder me with blizzards every winter. When not writing, my hobbies include reading, gaming, watching anime, and traveling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 5, 2022
Since it says “for fans of Percy Jackson” I had high hopes. I mean, I LOVE the books of Riordan
So, my hopes were so high, I couldn`t even see the end of it. At the start, I was like? Meh? This is not as good. BUT BOY WAS I WRONG??? I mean Jackson is an annoying cinnamon roll that must be protected at all cost and Moira is this badass “I am the only one who can call him stupid” girl. The unicorn talking and all took some time to get used to, but when you are past that. Just WOW. I might be rambling and not making sense, but hey; that`s how I roll. Samuel is this scary evil, who has taken all magik and basically threaten to destroy everything. My heart bleed for Luna and Mort… (the unicorns) I realized very quickly Jackson/Luna and Moria/Mort is very Ying and Yang. They need each other, they are their other`s half.
I look forward to the next book, and yes, I’ll be buying this one when I get the chance. Since I was so damn lucky to get it as an Earc from Netgalley.
So, my hopes were so high, I couldn`t even see the end of it. At the start, I was like? Meh? This is not as good. BUT BOY WAS I WRONG??? I mean Jackson is an annoying cinnamon roll that must be protected at all cost and Moira is this badass “I am the only one who can call him stupid” girl. The unicorn talking and all took some time to get used to, but when you are past that. Just WOW. I might be rambling and not making sense, but hey; that`s how I roll. Samuel is this scary evil, who has taken all magik and basically threaten to destroy everything. My heart bleed for Luna and Mort… (the unicorns) I realized very quickly Jackson/Luna and Moria/Mort is very Ying and Yang. They need each other, they are their other`s half.
I look forward to the next book, and yes, I’ll be buying this one when I get the chance. Since I was so damn lucky to get it as an Earc from Netgalley.
July 3, 2021
Reminiscent of Percy Jackson and Twice Upon a Time, this first installment of The Sundered Worlds Trilogy was an entertaining read!
Our narrator Jackson is a free-lance unicorn rider, who has avoided official registration due to his not-so-pure past that will separate him from his unicorn, Luna, if it comes to light. When a freelance mission forces a reunion between his ex-bestfriend and official unicorn rider, Moira; Jackson fears his unicorn riding days are approaching an end. However, when he and Moira stumble upon dark secrets involving unicorns, they discover deadlier problems.
I loved the characters in this! First off, Jackson's narration was great, and I may have related to his dig-yourself-a-hole-by-talking trait. Also, I really liked that we actually had a male unicorn rider, a role that has usually been female. And unicorn riders also being monster slayers was fun! Moira was a great secondary lead. She is an official unicorn rider with tons of weapon training. Also, Moira and Jackson's past friendship and current estrangement was revealed in a practically perfect manner.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read. After reading this and Mercurial, Naomi Hughes has definitely become a must read author for me, so I'll definitely be picking up book 2 (Empress of Ash) when it releases! (especially after the teaser at the end of The Shadowed Flame)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Naomi Hughes for an eARC of The Shadowed Flame. I really appreciate the opportunity to read this!
Our narrator Jackson is a free-lance unicorn rider, who has avoided official registration due to his not-so-pure past that will separate him from his unicorn, Luna, if it comes to light. When a freelance mission forces a reunion between his ex-bestfriend and official unicorn rider, Moira; Jackson fears his unicorn riding days are approaching an end. However, when he and Moira stumble upon dark secrets involving unicorns, they discover deadlier problems.
I loved the characters in this! First off, Jackson's narration was great, and I may have related to his dig-yourself-a-hole-by-talking trait. Also, I really liked that we actually had a male unicorn rider, a role that has usually been female. And unicorn riders also being monster slayers was fun! Moira was a great secondary lead. She is an official unicorn rider with tons of weapon training. Also, Moira and Jackson's past friendship and current estrangement was revealed in a practically perfect manner.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read. After reading this and Mercurial, Naomi Hughes has definitely become a must read author for me, so I'll definitely be picking up book 2 (Empress of Ash) when it releases! (especially after the teaser at the end of The Shadowed Flame)
Many thanks to NetGalley and Naomi Hughes for an eARC of The Shadowed Flame. I really appreciate the opportunity to read this!
May 30, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an e-arc of this book in exchange for me leaving an honest review!
Let me start by saying: Unicorns!
And if that isn't enough to lure you in yet....
- [ ] a truly fun to follow story line
- [ ] a world I loved exploring
- [ ] amazing characters
- [ ] banter/witty comebacks/amazing dialogues
- [ ] adventure
- [ ] kickass action scenes
- [ ] magical creatures
- [ ] a little touch of romance
- [ ] engaging and addictive writing style
The Main Character, Jackson, is to die for! You can't help but fall in love with him. He's sassy, cute and 'Not putting much thought in before acting' brave, which is my kind of brave because it makes for the most explosive, engaging and often funny action scenes haha. Paired up with Moira, who is feisty, smart and kickass, these two are the perfect tag team to go about and destroy magical monsters while they're trying to stay alive when they stumble upon a secret that's about to put them in grave danger.
The romance development was subtle and very well executed. Just the right amount of developing feelings in between the general story line development. This world, this story... This was so incredibly much fun to lose myself in! The unicorns and the mystery and secrets surrounding them was also a fantastic addition to the story and I can't wait to read more about it all.
Truly,
this book is a must read if you like original addictive ya fantasy books like the Percy Jackson series for example. It has it all, as I said; amazing characters, banter/witty comebacks/amazing dialogues, adventure, kickass action scenes, magical creatures and a little touch of romance. The author considers this book to be a 'young YA' book and I completely agree on that take. It's definitely 'more' than middle grade, although it IS accessible to middle grade readers as well, depending on their level of reading. But the characters behaviorisms was way less juvenile than I was expecting and some story elements are written down in a way that is definitely more YA, but without it becoming a bit too intense, dark, etc. This way, the book is accessible to a wider group of readers I think!
To me, it's been a 'hook, line & sinker' read: Once started, I was engaged and I was always looking forward to pick it up again and continue reading when I wasn't able to read. I plan and cannot wait to add this one to my shelves in print edition as well, soon. I highly recommend this one! You're in for a very fun and engaging read!
Let me start by saying: Unicorns!
And if that isn't enough to lure you in yet....
- [ ] a truly fun to follow story line
- [ ] a world I loved exploring
- [ ] amazing characters
- [ ] banter/witty comebacks/amazing dialogues
- [ ] adventure
- [ ] kickass action scenes
- [ ] magical creatures
- [ ] a little touch of romance
- [ ] engaging and addictive writing style
The Main Character, Jackson, is to die for! You can't help but fall in love with him. He's sassy, cute and 'Not putting much thought in before acting' brave, which is my kind of brave because it makes for the most explosive, engaging and often funny action scenes haha. Paired up with Moira, who is feisty, smart and kickass, these two are the perfect tag team to go about and destroy magical monsters while they're trying to stay alive when they stumble upon a secret that's about to put them in grave danger.
”It’s how I deal with conflict,” I said, my voice muffled. “Try throwing one of those skillets from your bag at me, my material gets even funnier when my life is in danger.”
The romance development was subtle and very well executed. Just the right amount of developing feelings in between the general story line development. This world, this story... This was so incredibly much fun to lose myself in! The unicorns and the mystery and secrets surrounding them was also a fantastic addition to the story and I can't wait to read more about it all.
Truly,
this book is a must read if you like original addictive ya fantasy books like the Percy Jackson series for example. It has it all, as I said; amazing characters, banter/witty comebacks/amazing dialogues, adventure, kickass action scenes, magical creatures and a little touch of romance. The author considers this book to be a 'young YA' book and I completely agree on that take. It's definitely 'more' than middle grade, although it IS accessible to middle grade readers as well, depending on their level of reading. But the characters behaviorisms was way less juvenile than I was expecting and some story elements are written down in a way that is definitely more YA, but without it becoming a bit too intense, dark, etc. This way, the book is accessible to a wider group of readers I think!
To me, it's been a 'hook, line & sinker' read: Once started, I was engaged and I was always looking forward to pick it up again and continue reading when I wasn't able to read. I plan and cannot wait to add this one to my shelves in print edition as well, soon. I highly recommend this one! You're in for a very fun and engaging read!
June 26, 2021
Hi there! I'm Naomi Hughes, author of The Shadowed Flame. This book and I have been through a lot together--it was a nine-year journey from first draft to getting published, so it means SO MUCH to me to see it finally finding its readers. 🥰 In this review space, I wanted to talk a bit about what sort of book this is and also give content advisories, so let's get down to that.
I consider this book to be "young YA," meaning that it's a fun, adventurous read for teens AND tends to be an accessible read for advanced middle-grade readers too. It's a light-hearted fantasy adventure romp that also gets epic, so there is some violence, but there's no graphic gore, horror, or sex. There is a romantic subplot that involves brief kissing.
Content advisory (I'll include everything I can remember but I'm human, so I might forget something or have a different idea of what needs a warning):
-abusive father
-monster fights/battle violence
-Description of bodies post-hanging (not too graphic, and not a person of color)
-parent with PTSD flashbacks
-parents sacrificing themselves to save a child's life
-stabbing injuries
Thank you so much for reading this book! I hope you love it as much as I do. 🥰
I consider this book to be "young YA," meaning that it's a fun, adventurous read for teens AND tends to be an accessible read for advanced middle-grade readers too. It's a light-hearted fantasy adventure romp that also gets epic, so there is some violence, but there's no graphic gore, horror, or sex. There is a romantic subplot that involves brief kissing.
Content advisory (I'll include everything I can remember but I'm human, so I might forget something or have a different idea of what needs a warning):
-abusive father
-monster fights/battle violence
-Description of bodies post-hanging (not too graphic, and not a person of color)
-parent with PTSD flashbacks
-parents sacrificing themselves to save a child's life
-stabbing injuries
Thank you so much for reading this book! I hope you love it as much as I do. 🥰
August 8, 2023
I've never read Percy Jackson so I don't have a comparison, but this book was so entertaining. I loved all the magical creatures, unicorns were amazing and the characters weren't annoying.
Thank you NetGalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.
July 20, 2021
This review was originally posted on my site: https://inkdrinkerhana.wordpress.com/...
I want to thank Netgalley, Naomi Hughes, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
If people asks me to describe this book, I would say that this is so addicting to read. Even in the very beginning of the book, it's already amusing to read and I did not had a hard time getting into the story. Every time I finished a chapter I would always say "one more chapter" because I need to know what will happen next. I can't never get enough for this book! It is also intriguing with all the layers of mysteries surrounding the plot and the things that build those mysteries makes me so eager to know the answers. It's also fascinating when it comes to the part where the characters encounter and fight different types of mythical creatures. It was so good!
I like how this book doesn't over-flood me when it comes to world-building details. It gives me snippets here and there, so I can truly absorbed and understand the concepts and how things worked in this book. And that plot twist? OMG. I loved it! I did not saw it coming. I love how it destroys all my theories that I built from the start of the book but in a very amazing way. It was really great!
One thing that I think this book is lacking of is the more in-depth world-building. Yes, it gives details to certain things, but I feel like i'm needing more. Like who is in charge of this characters' world? Is there a government here? Or what are the cultures of these places that's been mentioned. I feel like it needs more expanding. There are also times when i'm not seeing what the actual plot of this book is. I feel like the events that happened are just consequences of the things that already happened.
As for the characters, I love them! I have read Mercurial by Naomi Hughes also before and I totally fell in love with that book's characters. The thing is, Naomi Hughes is so good at writing witty and amusing characters. And I can really see that signature of her in this book. Jackson's character is so amusing to read especially when he jokes or being humorous because he actually made me laugh whenever i'm reading that side of him. His personality also reflects on his choices and actions, that it really shows how good the author wrote his character. I also love the relationship between Jackson and his mother. They really love and protect each other. Luna is also precious in her own way. She is such a cinnamon roll. As for Moira, I love her character also because her serious personality balances with Jackson's witty-ness. They are actually adorable together.
Overall, I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed my time reading this one. This is one of the books that will not give you a hard time getting absorbed into the story and it's quiet addicting to read. So, I really recommend this to everyone!
I want to thank Netgalley, Naomi Hughes, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
If people asks me to describe this book, I would say that this is so addicting to read. Even in the very beginning of the book, it's already amusing to read and I did not had a hard time getting into the story. Every time I finished a chapter I would always say "one more chapter" because I need to know what will happen next. I can't never get enough for this book! It is also intriguing with all the layers of mysteries surrounding the plot and the things that build those mysteries makes me so eager to know the answers. It's also fascinating when it comes to the part where the characters encounter and fight different types of mythical creatures. It was so good!
I like how this book doesn't over-flood me when it comes to world-building details. It gives me snippets here and there, so I can truly absorbed and understand the concepts and how things worked in this book. And that plot twist? OMG. I loved it! I did not saw it coming. I love how it destroys all my theories that I built from the start of the book but in a very amazing way. It was really great!
One thing that I think this book is lacking of is the more in-depth world-building. Yes, it gives details to certain things, but I feel like i'm needing more. Like who is in charge of this characters' world? Is there a government here? Or what are the cultures of these places that's been mentioned. I feel like it needs more expanding. There are also times when i'm not seeing what the actual plot of this book is. I feel like the events that happened are just consequences of the things that already happened.
As for the characters, I love them! I have read Mercurial by Naomi Hughes also before and I totally fell in love with that book's characters. The thing is, Naomi Hughes is so good at writing witty and amusing characters. And I can really see that signature of her in this book. Jackson's character is so amusing to read especially when he jokes or being humorous because he actually made me laugh whenever i'm reading that side of him. His personality also reflects on his choices and actions, that it really shows how good the author wrote his character. I also love the relationship between Jackson and his mother. They really love and protect each other. Luna is also precious in her own way. She is such a cinnamon roll. As for Moira, I love her character also because her serious personality balances with Jackson's witty-ness. They are actually adorable together.
Overall, I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. I really enjoyed my time reading this one. This is one of the books that will not give you a hard time getting absorbed into the story and it's quiet addicting to read. So, I really recommend this to everyone!
July 6, 2021
"You spend your free time defending the territory from deadly monsters, but you're scared of heights?"
I shrugged. "Monsters can only kill you. Heights can kill you and make you throw up. It's all very messy, really, and I'd rather avoid it when possible."
The first in a new series by Naomi Hughes, The Sundered Flame follows Jackson Harper, a freelance unicorn rider who (along with his bonded unicorn Luna), travel the "sundered" world, helping out those around them by killing the monsters that roam the land. After coming across Todd - a brilliantly named (by Jackson) snake-dragon - and running in to a spot of trouble, Jackson is reunited with his childhood friend Moira and learns that she is also a dragon rider, working with the official unicorn corps, and shortly becomes embroiled in a conspiracy surrounding the magic of the world, and the unicorns that everyone looks up to.
As a whole, I quite enjoyed this book. The book genuinely made me laugh out loud at times, and Jackson had a fantastic narrative style as the MC - and his brilliant sarcastic wit was a real breath of fresh air.
It was also great to see the "unicorn trope" turned on its head too, with them being seen less as "beings of purity who will only tolerate pure women" and more as warriors and generals, fighting a ~conspiracy~ and an unseen big bad, and also helping with the more immediate threat of magic-starved (and potentially insane!) monsters terrorizing the nation.
One thing I wasn't really a fan of though was the romantic sub-plot. It didn't really seem to add anything of substance to the story, and progressed a bit too quickly for my liking. I would have much preferred it had Moira and Jackson remained as the reunited best friends - at least for the first book, and maybe just had the potential there for something more, if we have to go in that direction.
Overall, this was a super fun book and a really easy read, perfect for Middle Grade and young YA readers alike.
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
I shrugged. "Monsters can only kill you. Heights can kill you and make you throw up. It's all very messy, really, and I'd rather avoid it when possible."
The first in a new series by Naomi Hughes, The Sundered Flame follows Jackson Harper, a freelance unicorn rider who (along with his bonded unicorn Luna), travel the "sundered" world, helping out those around them by killing the monsters that roam the land. After coming across Todd - a brilliantly named (by Jackson) snake-dragon - and running in to a spot of trouble, Jackson is reunited with his childhood friend Moira and learns that she is also a dragon rider, working with the official unicorn corps, and shortly becomes embroiled in a conspiracy surrounding the magic of the world, and the unicorns that everyone looks up to.
As a whole, I quite enjoyed this book. The book genuinely made me laugh out loud at times, and Jackson had a fantastic narrative style as the MC - and his brilliant sarcastic wit was a real breath of fresh air.
It was also great to see the "unicorn trope" turned on its head too, with them being seen less as "beings of purity who will only tolerate pure women" and more as warriors and generals, fighting a ~conspiracy~ and an unseen big bad, and also helping with the more immediate threat of magic-starved (and potentially insane!) monsters terrorizing the nation.
One thing I wasn't really a fan of though was the romantic sub-plot. It didn't really seem to add anything of substance to the story, and progressed a bit too quickly for my liking. I would have much preferred it had Moira and Jackson remained as the reunited best friends - at least for the first book, and maybe just had the potential there for something more, if we have to go in that direction.
Overall, this was a super fun book and a really easy read, perfect for Middle Grade and young YA readers alike.
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
August 5, 2021
5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for giving me a copy of this book! This is my honest review, all views are my own.
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I’m stunned. The Shadowed Flame was pitched to me by my friend Rhys as “a cross between percy jackson and how to train your dragon but with unicorns” and I can attest: the humor and casual but action-packed writing style were both very reminiscent of the aforementioned media! In short: I adored it, and the last 20% had me screaming like a little kid. I loved seeing how the author dropped hints and foreshadowing into the story without making it too obvious, and laid the groundwork for the Drained world without making me, the reader, feel overwhelmed. The magic—or, in this case, magik—system was pretty simple and made sense… although the part about the rift and the prophecy lost me a little bit, to be honest. That small bit aside, the characters were memorable and distinct, and I loved the chemistry between Jackson and Moira! Betrayal and longing for a past friendship while slowly rebuilding trust and simultaneously throwing themselves into danger to protect each other made for A+ bonding and didn’t feel too insta-lovey. I know this book isn’t even released yet, but I devoured it in a few hours and I demand the sequel(s) IMMEDIATELY! An easy 5 stars for me.
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Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for giving me a copy of this book! This is my honest review, all views are my own.
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I’m stunned. The Shadowed Flame was pitched to me by my friend Rhys as “a cross between percy jackson and how to train your dragon but with unicorns” and I can attest: the humor and casual but action-packed writing style were both very reminiscent of the aforementioned media! In short: I adored it, and the last 20% had me screaming like a little kid. I loved seeing how the author dropped hints and foreshadowing into the story without making it too obvious, and laid the groundwork for the Drained world without making me, the reader, feel overwhelmed. The magic—or, in this case, magik—system was pretty simple and made sense… although the part about the rift and the prophecy lost me a little bit, to be honest. That small bit aside, the characters were memorable and distinct, and I loved the chemistry between Jackson and Moira! Betrayal and longing for a past friendship while slowly rebuilding trust and simultaneously throwing themselves into danger to protect each other made for A+ bonding and didn’t feel too insta-lovey. I know this book isn’t even released yet, but I devoured it in a few hours and I demand the sequel(s) IMMEDIATELY! An easy 5 stars for me.
July 13, 2021
Going into this one I had no idea what to expect only that it said if you liked PJO you would most likely enjoy this one, now I've never read PJO but for some reason that got me to get this here from netgalley and I have no regrets. This book completely blew me away and I had no expectations, it was just so good.
one of the main things i enjoyed about this book is it immediately pulls you into the action of the story and it wastes no time introducing the two main characters who will lead you on this beautiful mythical journey. from there the plot just takes off and before i knew it , i was fully immersed into the story and attached to Jackson and Moira, and their unicorn counterparts Luna and Mort.
yes, i said unicorns and Naomi puts a fresh and magical twist on unicorns. The way are bonded to their riders and the way the communicate with one another it was so unique, i love that their was a major hierarchy with them, how much more strong willed they were too. normally if you see them in a book they are just beautiful innocent creatures but these unicorns maybe beautiful but they are anything but innocent.
the magic system and world building in this book were phenomenal. I honestly think if you enjoyed PJO and are a major fan then please give this a try, everything about this book was very unique and breathtaking.
one of the main things i enjoyed about this book is it immediately pulls you into the action of the story and it wastes no time introducing the two main characters who will lead you on this beautiful mythical journey. from there the plot just takes off and before i knew it , i was fully immersed into the story and attached to Jackson and Moira, and their unicorn counterparts Luna and Mort.
yes, i said unicorns and Naomi puts a fresh and magical twist on unicorns. The way are bonded to their riders and the way the communicate with one another it was so unique, i love that their was a major hierarchy with them, how much more strong willed they were too. normally if you see them in a book they are just beautiful innocent creatures but these unicorns maybe beautiful but they are anything but innocent.
the magic system and world building in this book were phenomenal. I honestly think if you enjoyed PJO and are a major fan then please give this a try, everything about this book was very unique and breathtaking.
June 25, 2021
• Beautiful imagery ✅
• Mythical creatures and unique background stories for the unicorns ✅
• A unique magic system ✅
• Lovable characters ✅
• A sweet but angsty childhood friends-to-lovers romance ✅
I knew by the cover art alone that I would love this book!! It had everything that I love about a good fantasy story and it did not disappoint. My only complaint, is I knew who both the Traveler and Shadowed Flame were early on. All the hints made it very easy to guess and I wish there would’ve been more suspense there so the revelation was more shocking.
I loved this book very much and I can’t wait for the sequel!!
• Mythical creatures and unique background stories for the unicorns ✅
• A unique magic system ✅
• Lovable characters ✅
• A sweet but angsty childhood friends-to-lovers romance ✅
I knew by the cover art alone that I would love this book!! It had everything that I love about a good fantasy story and it did not disappoint. My only complaint, is I knew who both the Traveler and Shadowed Flame were early on. All the hints made it very easy to guess and I wish there would’ve been more suspense there so the revelation was more shocking.
I loved this book very much and I can’t wait for the sequel!!
August 18, 2021
4.5 ⭐️
Oh god, this was such an amazing read!! I requested this book because it was for Percy Jackson fans and I love Percy (duh) and guess what? It did not disappoint AT ALL!!
I loved Jackson from the very beginning!! His one-liners and constant jokes kept the atmosphere so light and funny I LOVED IT!!
Moira was such a badass!! I loved Jackson and Moira separately AND together! Their romance was super adorable! When she was first introduced, I didn’t knew what to expect with ex-best friend and all but I loved the direction it went in!
I also really loved the fact that there was no info-dumping. We were given small bits of information slowly.
The plot was amazing!! The pace was really good and the unicorn- rider concept was so unique! I enjoyed this book so much!
My only complaint (and the reason for dropping 0.5 star) is that I wanted to know more about the world. There were some parts where I was a bit confused and needed more information so I felt that the world building could’ve been better. BUT, there’s a second book (which I am so excited for!) coming and I’m sure that’ll clear up all my doubts!
Thank you so much Netgalley and Naomi Hughes for the e-arc!!
Oh god, this was such an amazing read!! I requested this book because it was for Percy Jackson fans and I love Percy (duh) and guess what? It did not disappoint AT ALL!!
I loved Jackson from the very beginning!! His one-liners and constant jokes kept the atmosphere so light and funny I LOVED IT!!
Moira was such a badass!! I loved Jackson and Moira separately AND together! Their romance was super adorable! When she was first introduced, I didn’t knew what to expect with ex-best friend and all but I loved the direction it went in!
I also really loved the fact that there was no info-dumping. We were given small bits of information slowly.
The plot was amazing!! The pace was really good and the unicorn- rider concept was so unique! I enjoyed this book so much!
My only complaint (and the reason for dropping 0.5 star) is that I wanted to know more about the world. There were some parts where I was a bit confused and needed more information so I felt that the world building could’ve been better. BUT, there’s a second book (which I am so excited for!) coming and I’m sure that’ll clear up all my doubts!
Thank you so much Netgalley and Naomi Hughes for the e-arc!!
September 12, 2021
4.25/5 stars
This new novel is marketed as a younger-YA version of Percy Jackson and I agree! I love the main character Jackson and his sass, and this interpretation of unicorns is fantastic!! Can’t wait for the sequel!!
Goodreads synopsis
Jackson Harper slays monsters on the sly.
He's a unicorn rider, a defender of the territory. But he has to keep that a secret, because technically he's supposed to be pure of heart to be approved for a unicorn bond, and his shady past rules that out. If the authorities catch him now, his monster-slaying dream job is all over.
But when a snake-dragon battle gets out of hand, he's forced to get help from a real rider: Moira Maldrigo. She used to be his best friend and unrequited crush. Now, she's duty-bound to turn him in to the unicorn regiment.
But the unicorns have a dark secret too. And when Jackson and Moira stumble on it, they're caught up in a battle that's much bigger, and deadlier, than they'd ever anticipated.
As I said before, probably my favorite part of this book is Jackson’s iconic wit!! Yes, his jokester attitude is a coping mechanism, but also he’s hilarious so whatever works for him!! 😂 But in all seriousness, I really liked the characters and appreciated the depth to their internal conflicts, and how those internal conflicts factor into the development of Jackson and Moira’s relationship from reunited childhood friends to lovers.
This book has a distinct Percy Jackson vibe in its witty main character, intense action, and mystical beings, but it also differentiated itself in the internal conflicts I mentioned earlier as well as how the fantasy elements were used to advance the plot. This book is a fast and pretty easy read, so the plot is fairly simple, but the conflicts between the humans/riders and unicorns and how it all relates to magic is so interesting, and I was consistently invested in finding out where all the secrets would lead.
So overall, this is a super fun read and I really really enjoyed it!! It’s fresh and unique, but I think you would love it if you enjoy middle grade/younger YA novels similar to the Percy Jackson series! I can’t wait to see how everything turns out in the sequel! And this book released on September 7th so get your copy today!
Big thank you to NetGalley and Naomi Hughes for the free e-arc in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own! The quote I used may be subject to minor change.
If you enjoyed this review, you can friend/follow me here on Goodreads or on Instagram and Pinterest @ashton_reads for more bookish content (@ashton.reads on Tiktok)!! If you want, you can give this review a like or a comment with your thoughts so I know you've read my review; your support means a lot to me! Happy reading!
This new novel is marketed as a younger-YA version of Percy Jackson and I agree! I love the main character Jackson and his sass, and this interpretation of unicorns is fantastic!! Can’t wait for the sequel!!
Goodreads synopsis
Jackson Harper slays monsters on the sly.
He's a unicorn rider, a defender of the territory. But he has to keep that a secret, because technically he's supposed to be pure of heart to be approved for a unicorn bond, and his shady past rules that out. If the authorities catch him now, his monster-slaying dream job is all over.
But when a snake-dragon battle gets out of hand, he's forced to get help from a real rider: Moira Maldrigo. She used to be his best friend and unrequited crush. Now, she's duty-bound to turn him in to the unicorn regiment.
But the unicorns have a dark secret too. And when Jackson and Moira stumble on it, they're caught up in a battle that's much bigger, and deadlier, than they'd ever anticipated.
As I said before, probably my favorite part of this book is Jackson’s iconic wit!! Yes, his jokester attitude is a coping mechanism, but also he’s hilarious so whatever works for him!! 😂 But in all seriousness, I really liked the characters and appreciated the depth to their internal conflicts, and how those internal conflicts factor into the development of Jackson and Moira’s relationship from reunited childhood friends to lovers.
”It’s how I deal with conflict,” I said, my voice muffled. “Try throwing one of those skillets from your bag at me, my material gets even funnier when my life is in danger.”
This book has a distinct Percy Jackson vibe in its witty main character, intense action, and mystical beings, but it also differentiated itself in the internal conflicts I mentioned earlier as well as how the fantasy elements were used to advance the plot. This book is a fast and pretty easy read, so the plot is fairly simple, but the conflicts between the humans/riders and unicorns and how it all relates to magic is so interesting, and I was consistently invested in finding out where all the secrets would lead.
So overall, this is a super fun read and I really really enjoyed it!! It’s fresh and unique, but I think you would love it if you enjoy middle grade/younger YA novels similar to the Percy Jackson series! I can’t wait to see how everything turns out in the sequel! And this book released on September 7th so get your copy today!
Big thank you to NetGalley and Naomi Hughes for the free e-arc in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own! The quote I used may be subject to minor change.
If you enjoyed this review, you can friend/follow me here on Goodreads or on Instagram and Pinterest @ashton_reads for more bookish content (@ashton.reads on Tiktok)!! If you want, you can give this review a like or a comment with your thoughts so I know you've read my review; your support means a lot to me! Happy reading!
August 17, 2021
There are many high fantasy books that boggle my mind. These books require me to go back to read it a few times for me to finally grasp, but that's only if boredom doesn't overcome me before getting impressed does. The Shadowed Flame holds the perfect balance, and it is this perfect balance that made me love it so much.
Before going into anything... let me turn your attention to the fact that there are unicorn riders in the picture. Unicorns! And riders! We always have the dragons, and finally now, we have the unicorns and their riders who slay monsters. I went a little crazy over that.
What stuck with me next is the world-building. There wasn't a loophole in sight, every law properly placed at every turn, answering all my questions as the story passes. There is magik, and the two worlds, and how they all link together with the unicorns. I was so interested to know more and more about this world that the author has created. If I went deeper into it, I'd think that it was a clever twist of reality, where magik was used in place of electricity (I assure you, magik can be used for so many other things, but I won't say more). This story also made me wonder what our world could be like if electricity suddenly disappeared from our lives, and us not knowing what caused it. I could imagine the desperation those in Jackson's world felt as machines stopped running, affecting the economy, growing poverty — and worse of all, not being able to process water to remove its poisons. It is a terrible situation that should not befall anyone.
The bond that Jackson had with his unicorn, Luna, was beautiful. The challenges they faced constantly never fazed them. Jackson was easy to connect with. His voice was so relatable from the get-go, and I found myself feeling for him from the very beginning. He was strong, funny and smart, but he wasn't without his weaknesses. The chemistry he had with Moira, too, was fantastic, and how they dealt with the secrets that the unicorns were hiding together was inspiring. This couple is so different in personalities, but so fun to read about; while Moira is serious, Jackson is witty.
And oh, boy, the secrets. I was so glad that the author made it such that they were revealed little by little without info-dumping. The thing was, while wholly original and impressive, it wasn't complicated to understand, but it could if it was all squeezed into one chapter. I was fully immersed in it, eager to know more. I'd definitely be looking out for subsequent books in this trilogy.
This review is written based on the ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley.
Before going into anything... let me turn your attention to the fact that there are unicorn riders in the picture. Unicorns! And riders! We always have the dragons, and finally now, we have the unicorns and their riders who slay monsters. I went a little crazy over that.
What stuck with me next is the world-building. There wasn't a loophole in sight, every law properly placed at every turn, answering all my questions as the story passes. There is magik, and the two worlds, and how they all link together with the unicorns. I was so interested to know more and more about this world that the author has created. If I went deeper into it, I'd think that it was a clever twist of reality, where magik was used in place of electricity (I assure you, magik can be used for so many other things, but I won't say more). This story also made me wonder what our world could be like if electricity suddenly disappeared from our lives, and us not knowing what caused it. I could imagine the desperation those in Jackson's world felt as machines stopped running, affecting the economy, growing poverty — and worse of all, not being able to process water to remove its poisons. It is a terrible situation that should not befall anyone.
The bond that Jackson had with his unicorn, Luna, was beautiful. The challenges they faced constantly never fazed them. Jackson was easy to connect with. His voice was so relatable from the get-go, and I found myself feeling for him from the very beginning. He was strong, funny and smart, but he wasn't without his weaknesses. The chemistry he had with Moira, too, was fantastic, and how they dealt with the secrets that the unicorns were hiding together was inspiring. This couple is so different in personalities, but so fun to read about; while Moira is serious, Jackson is witty.
And oh, boy, the secrets. I was so glad that the author made it such that they were revealed little by little without info-dumping. The thing was, while wholly original and impressive, it wasn't complicated to understand, but it could if it was all squeezed into one chapter. I was fully immersed in it, eager to know more. I'd definitely be looking out for subsequent books in this trilogy.
This review is written based on the ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley.
September 6, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The Shadowed Flame is a story about Jackson, a unicorn rider who has avoided his official registration. During a mission he is reunited with his ex-best friend and official unicorn rider Moira.
Reading the synopsis, it really had me intrigued. I love horses and unicorns being sort of like horses, I’m always down for a story involving them. The unicorns and their riders being monster slayers makes it just that much more interesting. I couldn’t wait to start reading. Once I did start reading, it was just addicting and I couldn’t stop.
The world-building is really given bit by bit and you don’t get overloaded with tons of information. You get eased into it and it makes you that much more curious as to what will happen. It gave me the time to absorb and understand the world the characters live in. At the same time, I missed a bit of dept to the world-building that was given. Much of the world still isn’t known to me, like who’s in charge. It has much room for growth and expansion.
I loved how the unicorns were their own characters and not just animals who bonded with riders. I also really liked how it wasn’t only females as riders, but males as well. The same with the riders. All the characters were really written well. I especially loved how witty and amusing Jackson was to read. His jokes made me laugh while reading them. Then Moira is the perfect character to balance out Jackson’s wit and humor with her serious personality.
The book is said to be young YA and that really shines through the pages. It is super easy, fun and teens and young adults can really enjoy this story. It had a bit of the same vibe as Percy Jackson has to me. At the same time the characters were really well developed and didn’t feel overly juvenile in a way that wouldn’t have been fitting of the story.
Overall, it was a super enjoyable, fun and easy read and I look forward to what the next book in the series will bring to the table! Especially with the teaser at the end!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The Shadowed Flame is a story about Jackson, a unicorn rider who has avoided his official registration. During a mission he is reunited with his ex-best friend and official unicorn rider Moira.
Reading the synopsis, it really had me intrigued. I love horses and unicorns being sort of like horses, I’m always down for a story involving them. The unicorns and their riders being monster slayers makes it just that much more interesting. I couldn’t wait to start reading. Once I did start reading, it was just addicting and I couldn’t stop.
The world-building is really given bit by bit and you don’t get overloaded with tons of information. You get eased into it and it makes you that much more curious as to what will happen. It gave me the time to absorb and understand the world the characters live in. At the same time, I missed a bit of dept to the world-building that was given. Much of the world still isn’t known to me, like who’s in charge. It has much room for growth and expansion.
I loved how the unicorns were their own characters and not just animals who bonded with riders. I also really liked how it wasn’t only females as riders, but males as well. The same with the riders. All the characters were really written well. I especially loved how witty and amusing Jackson was to read. His jokes made me laugh while reading them. Then Moira is the perfect character to balance out Jackson’s wit and humor with her serious personality.
The book is said to be young YA and that really shines through the pages. It is super easy, fun and teens and young adults can really enjoy this story. It had a bit of the same vibe as Percy Jackson has to me. At the same time the characters were really well developed and didn’t feel overly juvenile in a way that wouldn’t have been fitting of the story.
Overall, it was a super enjoyable, fun and easy read and I look forward to what the next book in the series will bring to the table! Especially with the teaser at the end!
August 23, 2021
The Shadowed Flame
By Naomi Hughes
Two words (Unicorn Rider) and I was hooked.
The book has a very lost world stream-puck feel and is hard to put down once you start to read it.
(Jackson Harper) is an unofficial Unicorn Rider, he hunts monsters with the help of his Unicorn (Luna) they both share the gift of a telepathic connection as all Unicorn Riders do..
When Jackson finds himself in a bit of a tickly spot battling a dragon, one of the bigger monsters he has come across a mysterious Archer shows up and saves him.
Her name is (Moira) and they know each other from the past.
Moira is a Unicorn Rider and use to be his best friend before her family moved away.
If she reports him to the unicorn riders as a lone rider he could get in huge trouble, can she trust her not to rat him out.
and what is the secrets she keeping from him, and what part dose he play in it all.
Twenty years ago, the worlds (Magik) something they used to power machines mysteriously vanished in a matter of seconds, and now Magik can only be found in unicorn.
The old can remember a time before the draining of the Magik when the beasts were not called monsters and were not killers but just a part of the wildlife living in harmony with them.
When trying to escape a nest of dragons his life is turn upside down and inside out, the only clue where the words echoed in his mind, (we’ve found the rift. The traveller has escaped, but he does not have the shadowed flame.) so loud his brain hurts and left him injured, the power in the Magik returns for a few minutes and helps then with their escape from the dragon nest, but Jackson is left in bad shape.
a story of trust, friendship and love that i couldn't stop reading, highly recommend for Fantasy lovers.
By Naomi Hughes
Two words (Unicorn Rider) and I was hooked.
The book has a very lost world stream-puck feel and is hard to put down once you start to read it.
(Jackson Harper) is an unofficial Unicorn Rider, he hunts monsters with the help of his Unicorn (Luna) they both share the gift of a telepathic connection as all Unicorn Riders do..
When Jackson finds himself in a bit of a tickly spot battling a dragon, one of the bigger monsters he has come across a mysterious Archer shows up and saves him.
Her name is (Moira) and they know each other from the past.
Moira is a Unicorn Rider and use to be his best friend before her family moved away.
If she reports him to the unicorn riders as a lone rider he could get in huge trouble, can she trust her not to rat him out.
and what is the secrets she keeping from him, and what part dose he play in it all.
Twenty years ago, the worlds (Magik) something they used to power machines mysteriously vanished in a matter of seconds, and now Magik can only be found in unicorn.
The old can remember a time before the draining of the Magik when the beasts were not called monsters and were not killers but just a part of the wildlife living in harmony with them.
When trying to escape a nest of dragons his life is turn upside down and inside out, the only clue where the words echoed in his mind, (we’ve found the rift. The traveller has escaped, but he does not have the shadowed flame.) so loud his brain hurts and left him injured, the power in the Magik returns for a few minutes and helps then with their escape from the dragon nest, but Jackson is left in bad shape.
a story of trust, friendship and love that i couldn't stop reading, highly recommend for Fantasy lovers.
July 2, 2021
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Shadowed Flame" is reminiscent of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians review in terms of similarities between Jackson and Percy, the idea of a world-saving quest, and plenty of action/fight scenes. This book opens with a fight between Jackson and a dragon; the action throughout is written and described well. The overall tone of the book is light and humorous, and sometimes the more serious moments read as a little cheesy. Jackson and Moira, both unicorn riders, are the two main characters. The progression and development of their relationship (similar to Percy's and Annabeth's) was shown well, but toward the end, some aspects happened too quickly to be entirely realistic.
I enjoyed the world-building and the premise of having unicorn riders. Usually, when unicorns are present in fantasy books, they are aloof and, in keeping with some mythology, exclusively bond with women. I appreciate that Hughes gave some discussion to why there are so few male riders. The pacing of backstory reveals was well done; each reveal was well placed and gave insight at the right moment. However, some of the explanations about the central conflict became slightly convoluted and were hard to follow/understand. Splitting the explanations into mini-episodes with small refreshers throughout the story as opposed to one big plot dump may have helped me better understand some of the intricacies of the conflict.
This book is told from Jackson's perspective, which I liked. Many books feature the perspective of at least two characters, and while this method can be effective, I liked that we knew only what Jackson was thinking. All the characters were well-developed and distinct; there were no extraneous characters.
One complaint I have is feeling like this book could easily have been a standalone. The direction for the sequel is clearly established at the end of the book, but I am not sure it is needed. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light, fun, coming-of-age hero story featuring secret-keeping and subterfuge.
"Shadowed Flame" is reminiscent of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians review in terms of similarities between Jackson and Percy, the idea of a world-saving quest, and plenty of action/fight scenes. This book opens with a fight between Jackson and a dragon; the action throughout is written and described well. The overall tone of the book is light and humorous, and sometimes the more serious moments read as a little cheesy. Jackson and Moira, both unicorn riders, are the two main characters. The progression and development of their relationship (similar to Percy's and Annabeth's) was shown well, but toward the end, some aspects happened too quickly to be entirely realistic.
I enjoyed the world-building and the premise of having unicorn riders. Usually, when unicorns are present in fantasy books, they are aloof and, in keeping with some mythology, exclusively bond with women. I appreciate that Hughes gave some discussion to why there are so few male riders. The pacing of backstory reveals was well done; each reveal was well placed and gave insight at the right moment. However, some of the explanations about the central conflict became slightly convoluted and were hard to follow/understand. Splitting the explanations into mini-episodes with small refreshers throughout the story as opposed to one big plot dump may have helped me better understand some of the intricacies of the conflict.
This book is told from Jackson's perspective, which I liked. Many books feature the perspective of at least two characters, and while this method can be effective, I liked that we knew only what Jackson was thinking. All the characters were well-developed and distinct; there were no extraneous characters.
One complaint I have is feeling like this book could easily have been a standalone. The direction for the sequel is clearly established at the end of the book, but I am not sure it is needed. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light, fun, coming-of-age hero story featuring secret-keeping and subterfuge.
July 20, 2021
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest review*
The Shadowed Flame by Naomi Hughes follows Jackson, a unicorn rider, defender of the territory. But he has to keep that a secret, because technically he’s supposed to be of pure heart, but his shady past says otherwise. However, when a dragon battle gets out of hand, he needs the help of a real rider: Moira Maldrigo, his ex-best friend and unrequited crush. But the unicorns, even bonded with riders, have dark secrets. And when Jackson and Moira stumble upon it, they’re caught in a battle bigger, and deadlier, than imagined.
Omg Naomi Hughes has not let me down yet. I love her writing style. For this book, it’s said to be a younger YA novel perfect for Percy Jackson fans, and it is EXACTLY that! The sarcasm and jokes that Jackson has, it’s like Percy. In dire situations? Jackson jokes like Percy. And I absolutely love it.
Romance: I was not really expecting a romance, but I was wrong. And I am SO glad about it. I love the romance between Jackson and Moira. It’s so cute and so pure, I love it.
Plot: at first I was a little hesitant about the plot, but that changed very quickly. I love it. It’s such an easy read that you don’t even realize you just read 100 pages. Hughes has a way with plot to keep you engaged, and it did nothing disappoint.
I can’t wait for the second book in this series! If you are looking for a fast paced, easy read with lots of banter, The Shadowed Flame is perfect for you!
The Shadowed Flame by Naomi Hughes follows Jackson, a unicorn rider, defender of the territory. But he has to keep that a secret, because technically he’s supposed to be of pure heart, but his shady past says otherwise. However, when a dragon battle gets out of hand, he needs the help of a real rider: Moira Maldrigo, his ex-best friend and unrequited crush. But the unicorns, even bonded with riders, have dark secrets. And when Jackson and Moira stumble upon it, they’re caught in a battle bigger, and deadlier, than imagined.
Omg Naomi Hughes has not let me down yet. I love her writing style. For this book, it’s said to be a younger YA novel perfect for Percy Jackson fans, and it is EXACTLY that! The sarcasm and jokes that Jackson has, it’s like Percy. In dire situations? Jackson jokes like Percy. And I absolutely love it.
Romance: I was not really expecting a romance, but I was wrong. And I am SO glad about it. I love the romance between Jackson and Moira. It’s so cute and so pure, I love it.
Plot: at first I was a little hesitant about the plot, but that changed very quickly. I love it. It’s such an easy read that you don’t even realize you just read 100 pages. Hughes has a way with plot to keep you engaged, and it did nothing disappoint.
I can’t wait for the second book in this series! If you are looking for a fast paced, easy read with lots of banter, The Shadowed Flame is perfect for you!
August 26, 2021
trigger warning
jackson may be an unicorn rider, but never joined the Regiment, instead preferring to do odd jobs alone with his steed, Luna. But of course, one day he meets another rider - and not only is she alone with her unicorn, Mort, but the two humans know each other from ages ago.
We have a postapocalyptic setting in which people now have to do without the magic that powered their technology. I could not discern if the postapocalyptic part is meant in relation to the Draining, as the disappearance of magic is called, or if we have a postapocalyptic world in which the Draining happened.
The plot is pretty straightforward. There is a clear goal that has to be achieved, and Jackson is a stubborn one. His plans always are some kind of version of "and then I wing it, somehow".
It threatened to become too much, but then the other person who joins him brings some much needed balance.
It felt all very predictable. I did not get on with the characters, who most of the time didn't feel very three dimensional. The tropes used are so old and well-used that they kind of annoyed me.
Did not really get on well with this one, but I like animal-companion-fantasy.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
jackson may be an unicorn rider, but never joined the Regiment, instead preferring to do odd jobs alone with his steed, Luna. But of course, one day he meets another rider - and not only is she alone with her unicorn, Mort, but the two humans know each other from ages ago.
We have a postapocalyptic setting in which people now have to do without the magic that powered their technology. I could not discern if the postapocalyptic part is meant in relation to the Draining, as the disappearance of magic is called, or if we have a postapocalyptic world in which the Draining happened.
The plot is pretty straightforward. There is a clear goal that has to be achieved, and Jackson is a stubborn one. His plans always are some kind of version of "and then I wing it, somehow".
It threatened to become too much, but then the other person who joins him brings some much needed balance.
It felt all very predictable. I did not get on with the characters, who most of the time didn't feel very three dimensional. The tropes used are so old and well-used that they kind of annoyed me.
Did not really get on well with this one, but I like animal-companion-fantasy.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
July 30, 2021
Freaking fantastic. Jackson's hide-your-fear-by-joking personality shines through the deep, first person POV, allowing me to quickly connect with him and grasp the workings of unicorn magick.
I'm not opposed to the idea of unicorns, but I did think of them as sparkly creatures that only respond to the pure of heart. Here? Expect something along those lines, but with more darkness and coolness thrown in. So much thought is put into explaining their lore, and ultimately discovering their true origins, lending tons of depth to a magical species we typically associate with rainbows and glitter. So if you think unicorns are too immature for you, throw that thought out the window!
As for Moira, she stands on her own with her own goals and truly is a kick-ass character. I enjoyed watching her reconnect with Jackson and see the layers to her character be revealed bit by bit.
The book contains some really neat twists, with the most important one catching me off guard because I wasn't expecting it (my jaw literally dropped.) Looking back, I should've guessed.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I'm excited for what's in the next installment.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing the e-arc.
I'm not opposed to the idea of unicorns, but I did think of them as sparkly creatures that only respond to the pure of heart. Here? Expect something along those lines, but with more darkness and coolness thrown in. So much thought is put into explaining their lore, and ultimately discovering their true origins, lending tons of depth to a magical species we typically associate with rainbows and glitter. So if you think unicorns are too immature for you, throw that thought out the window!
As for Moira, she stands on her own with her own goals and truly is a kick-ass character. I enjoyed watching her reconnect with Jackson and see the layers to her character be revealed bit by bit.
The book contains some really neat twists, with the most important one catching me off guard because I wasn't expecting it (my jaw literally dropped.) Looking back, I should've guessed.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I'm excited for what's in the next installment.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing the e-arc.
October 18, 2021
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to review!
I thought this was a great late middle-grade/early YA fantasy book. The main character Jackson definitely does have some Percy Jackson vibes like the blurb suggests, and I loved the other characters too, especially Moira.
The plot of this book was pretty unique and the setting was as well, and I always appreciate a high fantasy world that doesn't seem like other books I've already read. I did, however, think that the magik system and the history behind the plot was a bit confusing, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars. The whole backstory with magik and the rift and the unicorns was a lot to take in and I never felt like I fully digested that part.
However, for the most part the story was compelling and interesting and I definitely cared about what happened to the characters. I was a bit upset that it ended with a cliffhanger lol, but I shouldn't have been surprised I suppose. I'll just have to read the next book when it comes out!
I definitely recommend this book for fantasy readers -- it's perfect for upper middle school/high school age (but if you're older like me it's still a fun read!) and the characters are a lot of fun.
I thought this was a great late middle-grade/early YA fantasy book. The main character Jackson definitely does have some Percy Jackson vibes like the blurb suggests, and I loved the other characters too, especially Moira.
The plot of this book was pretty unique and the setting was as well, and I always appreciate a high fantasy world that doesn't seem like other books I've already read. I did, however, think that the magik system and the history behind the plot was a bit confusing, which is why I didn't give it 5 stars. The whole backstory with magik and the rift and the unicorns was a lot to take in and I never felt like I fully digested that part.
However, for the most part the story was compelling and interesting and I definitely cared about what happened to the characters. I was a bit upset that it ended with a cliffhanger lol, but I shouldn't have been surprised I suppose. I'll just have to read the next book when it comes out!
I definitely recommend this book for fantasy readers -- it's perfect for upper middle school/high school age (but if you're older like me it's still a fun read!) and the characters are a lot of fun.
August 24, 2021
A cross between dark fantasy and unicorns, this book is truly one of a kind. And best of all, though it's YA, it has none of those terrible, cliche characters.
Jackson Harper is an unregistered Rider, which is illegal. But secrets from his past, and maybe his unicorn Luna's, makes them both reluctant to be registered. But on a mission gone awry, Jackson suddenly finds himself with powers, when the only ones who should have them are unicorns, and a confrontation with an old friend, who turns out to be a Rider. With misfortune and a dark unicorn following their every move, on top of the secrets that everyone is hiding, especially the unicorns, Jackson will quickly have to find allies and figure out what's going on because his very existence depends on it.
This book, or really, the characters, reminded me a lot of Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase. Jackson uses jokes to cope with serious situations and his friend Moira is a no-nonsense fighter. With the two personalities combined, it brings to life two more realistic characters, completely unlike the stereotypes of typical YA fantasy.
* 3.6 stars
Jackson Harper is an unregistered Rider, which is illegal. But secrets from his past, and maybe his unicorn Luna's, makes them both reluctant to be registered. But on a mission gone awry, Jackson suddenly finds himself with powers, when the only ones who should have them are unicorns, and a confrontation with an old friend, who turns out to be a Rider. With misfortune and a dark unicorn following their every move, on top of the secrets that everyone is hiding, especially the unicorns, Jackson will quickly have to find allies and figure out what's going on because his very existence depends on it.
This book, or really, the characters, reminded me a lot of Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase. Jackson uses jokes to cope with serious situations and his friend Moira is a no-nonsense fighter. With the two personalities combined, it brings to life two more realistic characters, completely unlike the stereotypes of typical YA fantasy.
* 3.6 stars
September 17, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley & Independent Book Publishers Association for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Shadowed Flame follows wisecracking Jackson Harper and his unicorn partner as they team up with his old best friend Moira to stop the world from ending.
I feel bad I'm rating this low because it was pretty enjoyable at some parts, I just really couldn't understand some of the writing decisions.
First off, the childhood best friends to lover stuff was really unnecessary and frustrating, it felt shoehorned in. Their friendship was really good and I just didn't like that it evolved into a romance that I found, frankly, boring. It got *very* YA tropey with their love parts. Zzz.
I really did enjoy the unicorn lore and I actually felt like it wasn't really expanded on enough. A ton of it was just sequel bait which I hate, so that was great. (sarcastic). It's a very fast paced book so it can be hard to keep up with the universe's lore when they're dealing with one disaster after another.
I found the ending really unsatisfying. No spoilers, though. Sequel bait at its worst...
The Shadowed Flame follows wisecracking Jackson Harper and his unicorn partner as they team up with his old best friend Moira to stop the world from ending.
I feel bad I'm rating this low because it was pretty enjoyable at some parts, I just really couldn't understand some of the writing decisions.
First off, the childhood best friends to lover stuff was really unnecessary and frustrating, it felt shoehorned in. Their friendship was really good and I just didn't like that it evolved into a romance that I found, frankly, boring. It got *very* YA tropey with their love parts. Zzz.
I really did enjoy the unicorn lore and I actually felt like it wasn't really expanded on enough. A ton of it was just sequel bait which I hate, so that was great. (sarcastic). It's a very fast paced book so it can be hard to keep up with the universe's lore when they're dealing with one disaster after another.
I found the ending really unsatisfying. No spoilers, though. Sequel bait at its worst...
September 6, 2021
Disclaimer: I was given an advanced reader copy for an honest review
The Shadowed Flame was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time. The story was fun and lively with enough questions to have you look up and realize you've been reading for more than you had planned.
For this being the first book Jackson and Moira are some of the most developed and intricate characters. They have pasts that justify their morals and it feels as though a lot of care was taken in their writing.
Full of mysteries and legends that will keep you guessing until the very end.
If you love a book that feels real and action packed, this is the book for you. Jackson will have you laughing to tears one chapter than sobbing the next.
This is a powerful story and I see it becoming the next great. Step aside Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, This is the book every kid will be begging their parents to get. This is the book teachers will use to show children how fantastic reading is. This will be the book series of a generation.
The Shadowed Flame was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time. The story was fun and lively with enough questions to have you look up and realize you've been reading for more than you had planned.
For this being the first book Jackson and Moira are some of the most developed and intricate characters. They have pasts that justify their morals and it feels as though a lot of care was taken in their writing.
Full of mysteries and legends that will keep you guessing until the very end.
If you love a book that feels real and action packed, this is the book for you. Jackson will have you laughing to tears one chapter than sobbing the next.
This is a powerful story and I see it becoming the next great. Step aside Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, This is the book every kid will be begging their parents to get. This is the book teachers will use to show children how fantastic reading is. This will be the book series of a generation.
August 17, 2021
I loved this book. It’s a great fantasy adventure about a unicorn rider, Jackson, and his unicorn Luna. They travel the sundered lands protecting people from the monsters that roam the landscape. The world building is not detailed but intriguing. It’s a post apocalyptic world in a very different sense. The world used to be powered by Magik but 20 years before, the magik vanished leaving remnants of machinery and buildings littering the landscape.
I loved the character of Jackson, he deals with problems with wisecracks and one liners while still doing what he has to do. The unicorns are not the usual fairy tale creatures either. In this world, the unicorns hide a dark secret linked to how and why the magik was drained away.
My only complaint about the story was that the ending was very abrupt. I hate having to wait for a sequel!!!
Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for letting me read this.
I loved the character of Jackson, he deals with problems with wisecracks and one liners while still doing what he has to do. The unicorns are not the usual fairy tale creatures either. In this world, the unicorns hide a dark secret linked to how and why the magik was drained away.
My only complaint about the story was that the ending was very abrupt. I hate having to wait for a sequel!!!
Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for letting me read this.
August 30, 2021
We meet Jackson, a unicorn rider. Yes, you read that right. A u-ni-corn ri-der. 🦄
Then there are some childhood friends, prophecies, and family things.
I loved this book so much, I just flew through it. 🤩
Yes, it has a lot of the standard tropes, and yes, I did predict almost everything that was going to happen... But I still loved it! 😁
I thought the pacing was just right, with enough stakes to stay believable. 😎
A lot happened in this book, and I already do not know how she can top this in the next one. 🤯
Which I will definitely be reading by the way! 💙💙
I do have to say that the cover gave me more middle-grade vibes, so when I started reading and learned that the main character was 16 years old, and the things he talks about were quite heavy at times... It is not a middle-grade book. 😅
I would absolutely recommend this series to everyone who loved a good adventure story with youths as the main characters. 😍😍
Then there are some childhood friends, prophecies, and family things.
I loved this book so much, I just flew through it. 🤩
Yes, it has a lot of the standard tropes, and yes, I did predict almost everything that was going to happen... But I still loved it! 😁
I thought the pacing was just right, with enough stakes to stay believable. 😎
A lot happened in this book, and I already do not know how she can top this in the next one. 🤯
Which I will definitely be reading by the way! 💙💙
I do have to say that the cover gave me more middle-grade vibes, so when I started reading and learned that the main character was 16 years old, and the things he talks about were quite heavy at times... It is not a middle-grade book. 😅
I would absolutely recommend this series to everyone who loved a good adventure story with youths as the main characters. 😍😍
January 4, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an e-arc of this book in exchange for me leaving an honest review.
Actual rating: 3.5 ✨
The book is advertised as being reminiscent of Percy Jackson and I can see where this is coming from. It might be less mythological and more fantastical magic (or magik, if you follow the books speeling), but our main character Jackson (which felt a bit too coincidental, to be honest) is almost as witty as his namesake. I initally really liked th storyline following the unicorns, but at some point it simply started to feel off - and I cannot explain why. The characters overall were great, though some aspects in a elationship didn’t really speak to me. It may be because I’m past the age of the target reader group, so I won’t go into detail or judgement. The ending wasn’t what I expected and I’m not sure if I liked it or not. Still, The Shadowed Flame is a solid book that I enjoyed reading nonetheless.
Actual rating: 3.5 ✨
The book is advertised as being reminiscent of Percy Jackson and I can see where this is coming from. It might be less mythological and more fantastical magic (or magik, if you follow the books speeling), but our main character Jackson (which felt a bit too coincidental, to be honest) is almost as witty as his namesake. I initally really liked th storyline following the unicorns, but at some point it simply started to feel off - and I cannot explain why. The characters overall were great, though some aspects in a elationship didn’t really speak to me. It may be because I’m past the age of the target reader group, so I won’t go into detail or judgement. The ending wasn’t what I expected and I’m not sure if I liked it or not. Still, The Shadowed Flame is a solid book that I enjoyed reading nonetheless.
July 21, 2021
Thank you ever so much to IBPA and NetGalley for an eARC to Naomi Hughes' book "The Shadowed Flame." This is the first book in the series. My opinion is purely my own and unbiased.
Review: 5 stars.
I must admit, I have read Mercurial by Hughes prior to this (Again thank you to NetGalley for that eARC too) and I have fallen in love with the way she writes. This story follows our MC, Jackson. He is such a well thought out character and I am very excited to continue a journey with him in the books to come. His love interest and amazing partner in crime is Moira. I am absolutely in love with the way Hughes writes women. Moira is a unicorn rider and archer who is a total badass.
Overall, I adored this book and I will not rest until I can get my hands onto book 2. Thank you Naomi for writing such a spectacular book.
Review: 5 stars.
I must admit, I have read Mercurial by Hughes prior to this (Again thank you to NetGalley for that eARC too) and I have fallen in love with the way she writes. This story follows our MC, Jackson. He is such a well thought out character and I am very excited to continue a journey with him in the books to come. His love interest and amazing partner in crime is Moira. I am absolutely in love with the way Hughes writes women. Moira is a unicorn rider and archer who is a total badass.
Overall, I adored this book and I will not rest until I can get my hands onto book 2. Thank you Naomi for writing such a spectacular book.
August 21, 2021
I received this book as an ARC from NETGALLEY! Thank you!
Wow, this book is actually pretty good! I really enjoyed the humor and the writing style! The world is not fully described, but we find various elements during the course of the story.
The protagonist, one of my favourite, Jackson: funny, ironic but broken on the inside :( During the story we discover his past, the history that binds him to Moira and the difficulties related to his family, especially his mother.
I loved the chemistry between him and Moira, strong and devoted to her "job" ! Many moments between them made me laugh but also cry, the cutest 😭 I also loved the unicorns and the mysteries about them ;)
The last few chapters: O M G I'm still shocked
I need a sequel N O W
In conclusion, I really appreciate this book and I rate it 4 stars
Wow, this book is actually pretty good! I really enjoyed the humor and the writing style! The world is not fully described, but we find various elements during the course of the story.
The protagonist, one of my favourite, Jackson: funny, ironic but broken on the inside :( During the story we discover his past, the history that binds him to Moira and the difficulties related to his family, especially his mother.
I loved the chemistry between him and Moira, strong and devoted to her "job" ! Many moments between them made me laugh but also cry, the cutest 😭 I also loved the unicorns and the mysteries about them ;)
The last few chapters: O M G I'm still shocked
I need a sequel N O W
In conclusion, I really appreciate this book and I rate it 4 stars
August 24, 2021
THE SHADOWED FLAME is a well crafted and entertaining story. It features some of my favorite tropes: the chosen one, enemies to lovers, magic disappearing, and hidden truths. And it has unicorns as supporting characters, which is always fun!
The magical system left me a bit confused, especially when it pertained to unicorns and the portal. The confusion pulled me out of the story, and left me trying to parse out what would and wouldn’t work. I know it’s hard to explain all the rules of a magical system without info dumping.
Overall, this book is a solid YA fantasy read, and would appeal to readers who grew up reading Percy Jackson, but aged out of MG category and are now looking for books with more mature content.
I received a free e-ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The magical system left me a bit confused, especially when it pertained to unicorns and the portal. The confusion pulled me out of the story, and left me trying to parse out what would and wouldn’t work. I know it’s hard to explain all the rules of a magical system without info dumping.
Overall, this book is a solid YA fantasy read, and would appeal to readers who grew up reading Percy Jackson, but aged out of MG category and are now looking for books with more mature content.
I received a free e-ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2021
The Shadowed Flame is a fast paced and fun YA novel. Hughes has created a world drained of magic - all except the unicorns. The unicorns have their own society - and their own secrets - which provide a nice counterbalance to the riders. The central characters, Jackson and Moira, are really lovable. Jackson is afraid of his past and makes jokes to hide his fear. Moira has suffered some trauma int he past, but has used it to try to make herself stronger - together they make a fabulous team who show the importance of being around someone who brings out the best in you. The story is non-stop action and movement, making it am easy read as you can't wait to find out what happens next. Warning: this ends on a cliff hanger, so be prepared to order the next one in the series - you won't be able to help it!
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