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The Fire I Called
Following the murder of her best friend, Chalia Lainslaid escapes her perilous life in the city by moving to Belbury-on-the-Brook. Nestled in the British countryside, the stodgy village is about as exciting as a punch to the nose. Just as Chalia can’t take it anymore, her life takes an interesting—and dangerous—turn when she falls for the fascinating and beautiful Elanil.
Elanil is one of Belbury’s secrets. She, like many others, is an elf, and her kind have been refugees in the village for the last seventy years. But she isn’t the only secret Belbury keeps; there is one other, one which will burn them all to ash unless Chalia can let go of her past and embrace who she is meant to be.
Brimming with adventure and forbidden love, The Fire I Called captures the struggle of acceptance in an antiquated world.
Elanil is one of Belbury’s secrets. She, like many others, is an elf, and her kind have been refugees in the village for the last seventy years. But she isn’t the only secret Belbury keeps; there is one other, one which will burn them all to ash unless Chalia can let go of her past and embrace who she is meant to be.
Brimming with adventure and forbidden love, The Fire I Called captures the struggle of acceptance in an antiquated world.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2022
54 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Michael Dane
11 books70 followersM. Dane was raised in outback Australia, where he grew up on a farm with cattle, pigs, and his siblings—who were just as wild. In his isolation, he fell in love with novels as they offered unlimited adventures at the turn of a page. After finishing school, he traded fields for far-off lands, joining the army and embarking on a journey that took him around the world.
His foray into writing wasn’t a sudden leap, but a gradual shift that began with scribbles that evolved into his debut novel, The Traitor in the Trees. While he jokingly says his writing career started with struggling to spell his own name at fifteen, the truth is, the seeds of storytelling were planted long before then, in the dusty paddocks of his childhood.
Seventeen years in the army taught him more than just discipline; it opened his eyes to the wonderful cultures and experiences that shape our world. Now, having switched the uniform for a writer’s desk, his focus is on writing stories that capture the essence of his travels and the diverse beauty of the places he's seen. He hopes to bring a piece of the world to his readers, encouraging a curiosity and appreciation for the diverse cultures that enrich our planet.
His foray into writing wasn’t a sudden leap, but a gradual shift that began with scribbles that evolved into his debut novel, The Traitor in the Trees. While he jokingly says his writing career started with struggling to spell his own name at fifteen, the truth is, the seeds of storytelling were planted long before then, in the dusty paddocks of his childhood.
Seventeen years in the army taught him more than just discipline; it opened his eyes to the wonderful cultures and experiences that shape our world. Now, having switched the uniform for a writer’s desk, his focus is on writing stories that capture the essence of his travels and the diverse beauty of the places he's seen. He hopes to bring a piece of the world to his readers, encouraging a curiosity and appreciation for the diverse cultures that enrich our planet.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 10, 2022
Stumbled across this on Kindle Unlimited, and gave it a go.
This is an interesting Urban Fantasy, with basically two parts. I do think the blurb gives a bit too much away of the plot, because it takes a long time for our MC to fully grasp what is happening, despite us as an audience knowing from reading the blurb.
You can be a tiny bit more evasive, without letting the whole plot out. But then I've been stung with evasive plots going in non-expected directions - so at least this says what it does on the label, so to speak! I'm certainly not mad at it, just wanted a tiny bit more surprise and mystery I guess. But it's solidly written, and I do believe would be entertaining for Urban Fantasy lovers who find the blurb appealing!
At first we are set in a modern English town, and the harsh reality of living in low socio-economic areas and the abuse of power happening there. Our MC Chalia, is 16 if I'm not mistaken - and is quite the rogue, skipping school, getting into trouble, often with her best friend Kingsley in tow. She's angry at the world, mainly because her Dad left, and at living in poverty with little prospects, while her Mother works her butt off for very little to show for it. She's constantly targeted by police, who run amok and do what they want with no real oversight. When awful circumstances collide to cause her friends murder, her mother knows its time for her daughter to leave before the same happens to her. So she is sent to live with her Great GrandFather, George, in a seemingly ancient village, but still in England.
There's secrets, and strange people in the walled up, fenced off town in the middle of nowhere. No technology, just ancient living, and hard chores. Chalia comes to respect her tough but loving Grandad, and eventually finds out more about the town, it's strange occupants, and how/why her Mother and Father (who were original from this town) had been ousted. Along the way she meets a fun friend in Bekka aka Duke, a dwarf woman of robust stature, constantly eating and being rowdy and rough and tumble. She was definitely the comic relief and I snorted along many times with her character and antics. The other more alluring to Chalia is Elanil, who she thinks is so beautiful, but they have an antagonistic relationship from the start, because of their spark. The girls are constantly getting into little bits of trouble, stealing fruits and veggies from neighbours plots, and the odd pie from windows. lol.
I won't reveal much more, the rest is basically the town fighting against a certain evil, and Chalia herself stepping up into adulthood, and out of her sullen teenaged angst. Chasing her own dreams and finding something to fight for that isn't just fighting for the sake of fighting. It's an excellent young adult novel, with the right amount of teen angst, which was understandable and relatable, no matter your age. There is a slight romance/attraction, but nothing too serious, just a few kisses. Nothing sexual goes on. However there are some violent and gorey scenes, so perhaps not for everyone in the YA age bracket, maybe more for the older ones? 14+? But I'm certainly no expert on what is and isn't appropriate for teens, I'm just trying to help in terms of suitability for readers.
I do think it's a story worthy of reading, and I really would like to read more from this world and the characters in it. I feel it could easily be expanded on. So if you are an urban fantasy fan, I do believe you will enjoy it, and should give it a go on Kindle Unlimited.
This is an interesting Urban Fantasy, with basically two parts. I do think the blurb gives a bit too much away of the plot, because it takes a long time for our MC to fully grasp what is happening, despite us as an audience knowing from reading the blurb.
You can be a tiny bit more evasive, without letting the whole plot out. But then I've been stung with evasive plots going in non-expected directions - so at least this says what it does on the label, so to speak! I'm certainly not mad at it, just wanted a tiny bit more surprise and mystery I guess. But it's solidly written, and I do believe would be entertaining for Urban Fantasy lovers who find the blurb appealing!
At first we are set in a modern English town, and the harsh reality of living in low socio-economic areas and the abuse of power happening there. Our MC Chalia, is 16 if I'm not mistaken - and is quite the rogue, skipping school, getting into trouble, often with her best friend Kingsley in tow. She's angry at the world, mainly because her Dad left, and at living in poverty with little prospects, while her Mother works her butt off for very little to show for it. She's constantly targeted by police, who run amok and do what they want with no real oversight. When awful circumstances collide to cause her friends murder, her mother knows its time for her daughter to leave before the same happens to her. So she is sent to live with her Great GrandFather, George, in a seemingly ancient village, but still in England.
There's secrets, and strange people in the walled up, fenced off town in the middle of nowhere. No technology, just ancient living, and hard chores. Chalia comes to respect her tough but loving Grandad, and eventually finds out more about the town, it's strange occupants, and how/why her Mother and Father (who were original from this town) had been ousted. Along the way she meets a fun friend in Bekka aka Duke, a dwarf woman of robust stature, constantly eating and being rowdy and rough and tumble. She was definitely the comic relief and I snorted along many times with her character and antics. The other more alluring to Chalia is Elanil, who she thinks is so beautiful, but they have an antagonistic relationship from the start, because of their spark. The girls are constantly getting into little bits of trouble, stealing fruits and veggies from neighbours plots, and the odd pie from windows. lol.
I won't reveal much more, the rest is basically the town fighting against a certain evil, and Chalia herself stepping up into adulthood, and out of her sullen teenaged angst. Chasing her own dreams and finding something to fight for that isn't just fighting for the sake of fighting. It's an excellent young adult novel, with the right amount of teen angst, which was understandable and relatable, no matter your age. There is a slight romance/attraction, but nothing too serious, just a few kisses. Nothing sexual goes on. However there are some violent and gorey scenes, so perhaps not for everyone in the YA age bracket, maybe more for the older ones? 14+? But I'm certainly no expert on what is and isn't appropriate for teens, I'm just trying to help in terms of suitability for readers.
I do think it's a story worthy of reading, and I really would like to read more from this world and the characters in it. I feel it could easily be expanded on. So if you are an urban fantasy fan, I do believe you will enjoy it, and should give it a go on Kindle Unlimited.
July 29, 2022
Quick and fun
Yes this book has Drama and romance but my favorite part is the shenanigans the two side characters get into 😁
Yes this book has Drama and romance but my favorite part is the shenanigans the two side characters get into 😁
July 30, 2022
Great Read!
This was a fabulous book. I enjoyed it so much the characters were brilliantly written and had amazing chemistry! I loved how it was written in different points of views and the story was so interesting! Definitely recommend
This was a fabulous book. I enjoyed it so much the characters were brilliantly written and had amazing chemistry! I loved how it was written in different points of views and the story was so interesting! Definitely recommend
March 31, 2023
This one is just okay, folks, though it doesn't really have much going for it. It's the story about a street hardened kid who finds love and happiness away from the city and in a quant British village that's filled with magic, elves and dwarfs. It's not really a novel concept and they really don't do much with it. The elves and dwarves are pretty stereotypical as well as all the village folk. Nothing really bucks against the standard.
There are a few things, however, that really bother me about the book, though. The first is how quickly the main character is able to get over the death of her best mate. She was pretty traumatized at the beginning, but kind of gets over it within a couple of weeks of fresh air and country living. The trauma of it and the grief just seems to disappear into a fading memory by the end of the book, which only spans maybe a month? Probably less. I mean, I get that you kind of have to forget your grief when your town is overrun by bug people and you have to be the hero, but that wouldn't completely erase it, you know?
The bad guys, the bug people, are also presented as kind of cartoonishly evil, even though it's kind of set up that they could've been more nuanced. Their leader mentions that he came to negotiate with the villagers because he wants him and his people to live in this world because they're running away from something and I kind of got the distinct feeling that the villagers shot first and asked questions later (but we don't know for sure because the main character and her friends were outside the area when the invasion first happens). This is a prime opportunity to have a fully fleshed out bad guy that's more than just mustache-twirlingly evil, and it could call into question the choices of the Villagers, but no. Good guys good. Bad guys bad. There is no nuance to be had here.
Lastly, this is more of a personal thing, but everybody, and I mean *everbody* shows their affection by constantly teasing each other. I think this is supposed to come off as jaunty and light hearted, and maybe a bit rustic, but honestly after a while it comes off as mean spirited. Like, I enjoy a good ribbing every once in a while, but if that's *all* the banter I had with somebody, I'd start to wonder if we were really friends. Also, there's the 'husband constantly complains about wife' trope here and whenever I come across that I think, "dude, just leave her. She's probably not happy to be married to you either." I kind of hate it.
So, all in all it's a fairly average book, with a few issues. Two stars.
There are a few things, however, that really bother me about the book, though. The first is how quickly the main character is able to get over the death of her best mate. She was pretty traumatized at the beginning, but kind of gets over it within a couple of weeks of fresh air and country living. The trauma of it and the grief just seems to disappear into a fading memory by the end of the book, which only spans maybe a month? Probably less. I mean, I get that you kind of have to forget your grief when your town is overrun by bug people and you have to be the hero, but that wouldn't completely erase it, you know?
The bad guys, the bug people, are also presented as kind of cartoonishly evil, even though it's kind of set up that they could've been more nuanced. Their leader mentions that he came to negotiate with the villagers because he wants him and his people to live in this world because they're running away from something and I kind of got the distinct feeling that the villagers shot first and asked questions later (but we don't know for sure because the main character and her friends were outside the area when the invasion first happens). This is a prime opportunity to have a fully fleshed out bad guy that's more than just mustache-twirlingly evil, and it could call into question the choices of the Villagers, but no. Good guys good. Bad guys bad. There is no nuance to be had here.
Lastly, this is more of a personal thing, but everybody, and I mean *everbody* shows their affection by constantly teasing each other. I think this is supposed to come off as jaunty and light hearted, and maybe a bit rustic, but honestly after a while it comes off as mean spirited. Like, I enjoy a good ribbing every once in a while, but if that's *all* the banter I had with somebody, I'd start to wonder if we were really friends. Also, there's the 'husband constantly complains about wife' trope here and whenever I come across that I think, "dude, just leave her. She's probably not happy to be married to you either." I kind of hate it.
So, all in all it's a fairly average book, with a few issues. Two stars.
August 3, 2022
I hadn’t read any reviews, or knew what the story was about prior, so it was great going in fresh.
I liked the story of riff raff Chalia becoming a better version of herself whilst going through adversity. Like any teenager, we don’t necessarily always listen to parents when they know what’s good for us, and I found that relatable when Chalia was told she’d be moving to a country town. Sometimes change after a loss is what can give anyone new perspective. The magic of this town saved her in more ways than one.
I got a “tomorrow when the war began” by john marsden vibe from this book but with the added bonus of elves and dwarves. The flow of the book was a good pace to create the world Chalia lives in. I could see this being a series as she develops into her own power and there are many adventures to be had with Elanil and Duke. I liked that Chalia is on a journey of self discovery and uncovering things about herself that she didn’t think was possible (especially her relationship with Elanil).
This book is adventurous, fun, thrilling in parts, explorative and magical. Would recommend to anyone that likes a fantasy book in a modern day setting.
I liked the story of riff raff Chalia becoming a better version of herself whilst going through adversity. Like any teenager, we don’t necessarily always listen to parents when they know what’s good for us, and I found that relatable when Chalia was told she’d be moving to a country town. Sometimes change after a loss is what can give anyone new perspective. The magic of this town saved her in more ways than one.
I got a “tomorrow when the war began” by john marsden vibe from this book but with the added bonus of elves and dwarves. The flow of the book was a good pace to create the world Chalia lives in. I could see this being a series as she develops into her own power and there are many adventures to be had with Elanil and Duke. I liked that Chalia is on a journey of self discovery and uncovering things about herself that she didn’t think was possible (especially her relationship with Elanil).
This book is adventurous, fun, thrilling in parts, explorative and magical. Would recommend to anyone that likes a fantasy book in a modern day setting.
March 19, 2023
The Fire I Called
The book itself wasn’t bad and I found that I genuinely enjoyed reading it. But some major problems lied in the pacing. So much time passed and development of our MC and love interests relationships seems off. Due to the pacing the author skimmed so much it seemed as though their relationship was escalating rather quickly. Not only that but I found the title and description of the book to be misleading. The “fire she called” wasn’t a really significant part of the story and was only relevant in the last and final chapters of the story. I don’t believe this book will be part of a series so considering these factors it might’ve been better to just leave the powers out of the story in general.
On the other hand if you enjoy a sweet story with romance yet still balancing action then this would be the one for you.
The book itself wasn’t bad and I found that I genuinely enjoyed reading it. But some major problems lied in the pacing. So much time passed and development of our MC and love interests relationships seems off. Due to the pacing the author skimmed so much it seemed as though their relationship was escalating rather quickly. Not only that but I found the title and description of the book to be misleading. The “fire she called” wasn’t a really significant part of the story and was only relevant in the last and final chapters of the story. I don’t believe this book will be part of a series so considering these factors it might’ve been better to just leave the powers out of the story in general.
On the other hand if you enjoy a sweet story with romance yet still balancing action then this would be the one for you.
September 5, 2023
It took a few chapters to go from enjoying this book to not being able to get enough of it. I love that it had love(not just romantic love), action, drama, and learning that even after death of someone you hold dear you can find a brighter tomorrow.
I would love to read more of this world and find out what happens next. I look forward to reading another book by this author.
I would love to read more of this world and find out what happens next. I look forward to reading another book by this author.
November 23, 2022
This is an amazing story with lots of action and excitement combined with a love story that will thrill you and make you cheer for a happy ending
April 13, 2023
Brilliant urban fantasy with the love interest twist. The ‘folk’ being diverse reflect todays society- the intrigue builds nicely, the suspense is adrenaline filled. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews