Azure Blaze

by Elizabeth C. Natalia

Azure Blaze is destined to bring revival fire to Juniper City... but at what cost? When the identity of "Azure Blaze" is thrust upon Crystina Santos, she must overcome her survivor's guilt and follow the divine call to become the Spirit-led heroine of Juniper City. However, there is more than one spiritual force at work to influence the hearts and minds of the people and Crystina must claim the blood of Christ over her life-and the lives of those she loves-to face the unimaginable. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Sanderson, her best friend since childhood, is acting unusually secretive, and Crystina can't help but notice that time is changing them both, for better or for worse.

Genres: Young Adult

268 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2023

Reviews

[Jennifer Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars because as a mother, I wish there were dozens of books like this where the main character is listening to the Lord and committed to obeying Him no matter the cost. So many great discussions with my preteen about spiritual warfare and choosing to live a life different from the world. I loved seeing a teenage character doing hard things for God. I loved how I started recognizing spiritual warfare in my own life and my daughter’s life. I also thought the author did a great job of showing both the consequences of sin as well as grace and forgiveness in Christ.

The story is exciting and the plot isn’t one big happily ever after. Even the resolution is nuanced. Azure Blaze struggles with guilt, forgiveness, past trauma, grief, and fear; she’s a character who shows what it means to be chosen but not perfect. Look forward to more in this series!

[Tiffany Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Azure Blaze is a Christian superhero YA novel, the first in the Spiritflame series, packed with a friends to lovers trope, adorable family dynamics, epic supernatural battles, and a heroine that I can root for from start to finish!

I got to be a beta reader for this book and it was truly a blast to read! Hands down of my favorite reads of last year and certainly is an all time favorite for me.

I loved pretty much the whole cast and really enjoyed that the heroine and her best friend both experienced their own spiritual journeys as well as the adventure!

“Go. Now. It wasn’t audible but she knew it was Him. “Jesus? What is this, some sort of spiritual navigation?” He didn’t respond. So, she did what any girl would do when the Holy Spirit captured her thoughts.
She rode to that half-dead place in the middle of the night on a whisper that God might meet her there.”

This is the sort of book that not only entertains you but also edifies you. My faith felt super boosted while and after reading this book and it made me think what does following God’s navigational system for my life look like for me?

I will be recommending this to everyone I know who loves Christian fiction and especially young people.

Patiently waiting for book 2! 😍

[Latisha Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Kingsbury meets Supernatural in this faith-filled YA adventure with loads of action.

I love how strong and bold the faith is in this book and how as you read, you're constantly reminded that true peace and power comes from God alone.

Looking forward to reading more about Azure Blaze!

[Amber Lambda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been so excited to read this ever since hearing it was about a superhero led by the Holy Spirit—and it was a fun read, as expected!

I loved seeing Crystina face her own fears and doubts as she rescued others with the power of the Holy Spirit, and how faithful she was to Jesus’s plans, even when asking “why”. I also appreciated the emphasis that the enemy and the supernatural are real, and that believing characters who didn’t have “superpowers” stood against them too. The story does end on a bit of a cliffhanger and I’m already looking forward to seeing what happens next.

I’d recommend “Azure Blaze” to young adult Christian readers who enjoy a story filled with scripture, sweet characters, budding romance, and superhero action.

[Kelsey Gietl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Azure Blaze is a Christian superhero novel (yes, you read that right) that would make for a fantastic YA/early 20s focused tv show. The premise is unique: Through the voice of the Holy Spirit, Crystina Santos hears cries for help, switches into her "Azure Blaze" persona, and goes where the Spirit wills her. However, the evil spirits aren't about to let her win without a fight. She finds herself in the middle of a spiritual battle that will try to claim everything she loves.

Elizabeth Natalia creates a realistic conflict between spiritual forces that isn't cheesy and makes one consider the battles being waged around us at all times. Her characters are clearly Christian, but she doesn't seem to focus on a specific denomination, although a few details seem to point to one or two.

I really enjoyed the complexity of Crystina's character and how her decision to serve as Azure Blaze isn't as easy as many superhero stories make it seem. While she wants to help people, she is torn by all the usual things that the world throws at us, including her past constantly whispering, "You're not good enough." She finds support from a diverse cast of characters including her best friend-to-more, Jeremiah. Despite some major roadblocks, their romance was so sweet and beautiful and landed themselves on my favorite literary couples list. I look forward to Book 2!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this story and seeing how the author dealt both with the challenges Crystina faced when trying to follow God’s will, as well as the personal struggles she must face. These difficulties we haven’t with both honesty and grace.

I also thought a super hero with power given director by the Holy Spirit was a fascinating concept, and I can’t wait to see where this series goes next.

[Danielle Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is so fresh and out of the box. It is superheroes meet faith meet romance. I adored how faith filled this book was an how it takes a deep look at the good and evil and spiritual warfare in such a fantastic way. I can't wait for book two.

[Laken · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Azure Blaze is destined to bring revival fire to Juniper City... but at what cost?"

Azure Blaze is the debut novel of Elizabeth C. Natalia and the first in the Spirit Flame saga. Crystina Santos hears the voice of The Holy Spirit and goes to where He tells her to go, becoming a super hero to the citizens of Juniper City. I wondered how superheroes and Christian faith could go well together. I'm delighted to say very well! The faiths of Crystina, Abuela, and Jeremiah are amazing and very realistic. It's great to see Christians who are strong in the faith who also wrestle with doubts if they're doing the right thing or if this is God versus their hearts leading them.

I liked the romantic plot between Crystina and Jeremiah as well as the troubles the two were going through. This is friends to lovers done right.

The trauma Crystina underwent before the beginning of the novel impacts her throughout it.

And the preview for the next book really left me wondering what was coming next!

All in all, I recommend this to anyone who wants a good superhero story with a faith element or anyone who wonders how Christian faith and superheroes can coexist!