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Flamegate: Restless Shadows
Phoenix Page has had a long day. Ever since the mysterious, dangerously powerful energy inside him was cut in two, he’s been trapped between two bodies, living in two worlds, never able to sleep. Not that sleep is high on Phoenix’s agenda. All he wants to do is play the trumpet, have wildly irresponsible fun, and pretend the universe isn’t ending.
But you can’t always get what you want.
Sometimes, what you get instead, is a motley group of revolutionists, a war against life-sucking monsters, and a time-travelling parrot named Mittens.
The clock is ticking. Worlds are colliding. And Phoenix knows all too well that no one brave enough to oppose Flamegate has ever survived.
But you can’t always get what you want.
Sometimes, what you get instead, is a motley group of revolutionists, a war against life-sucking monsters, and a time-travelling parrot named Mittens.
The clock is ticking. Worlds are colliding. And Phoenix knows all too well that no one brave enough to oppose Flamegate has ever survived.
- GenresFantasy
411 pages, Paperback
Published July 2, 2022
4 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 13, 2022
I was given an ARC of Flamegate prior to its release in exchange for an honest review. My rating: 4.5 stars
Flamegate: Restless Shadows has some VE Schwab’s Shades of Magic, with an overall vibe that could come from Studio Ghibli. Original, inventive, and quite dark but with enough humour to balance it out. One chapter in, and I had already fallen in love with Phoenix’ character voice and his interactions with other characters.
The writing:
Flamegate has an interesting writing style: third person POV, and leaning more towards the omniscient side of the narrative spectrum instead of the deep POV books that are dominating the book market nowadays. It took some getting used to, but it worked really well with the story since Phoenix could collapse and move his consciousness to another world at any given moment. That way, we as readers know what is going on when Phoenix is not awake, and aren’t brusquely yanked out of a scene and dumped into the next.
What really stood out to me were the similes, comparisons and metaphors. They added a lot to the story and were super original and in-character. The humour and comedic timing had me chuckling out loud at times. Have I mentioned the casual diversity yet?
The characters:
In my humble opinion, the characters and their dynamics were the absolute highlight of this book, and I’m not just talking about the main cast. Every character, no matter how great or small their role in the story, was unique and has their own voice and history we got to see glimpses of. I loved their emotional layers, the bits and pieces in their friendships that scrape and hurt and create conflict between them. Their reactions felt real, true to who they are, and the story kept revealing more and more layers to their personalities.
The downside of having a large cast of characters is that it was sometimes hard to keep track of them. Especially when the story spends quite some time on one side of the universe, I sometimes found myself forgetting about some of the minor characters.
But listen, can we talk about Phoenix? His character voice is *amazing* and I kept saying that to myself while reading. He feels so alive, real and well-rounded, and his personality consistent throughout the book. I loved how the story portrayed his psychology, the abuse he lived through, and how that has shaped him into the person he is now. The world (Kate has no mercy) throws so much at him, and still he has a good heart, even though he struggles to believe that himself. He so desperately wants to make things right, things that he believes are his fault but aren’t. Yeah, Kate did something very well because I feel strongly for him. Poor soul.
Also: shoutout to Bradley!
The plot:
Phoenix has a clear goal from the start: stop Flamegate. And the stakes are high: if they fail, the worlds will collide and the universe will swallow itself. We as the reader immediately get an idea of the direction this story is taking, even as the plot meanders for side quests here and there.
This probably comes down to personal preference, but in some places the story felt a little slow-paced for my tastes. It is tricky, of course, to balance the timelines of two separate worlds! There was a two-month time jump on Earth so Yonder could catch up, but personally, I would have liked to see more of what happened on Earth in the meantime.
However, I loved how themes of environmental issues were interwoven with the story, and how this connected to Phoenix and the role other people made him play.
The world:
The world of Flamegate is intriguing, with two universes connected by the void. Yonder is a great name for another world linked to Earth, where magic is mixed with technology, where goblins run amok worshipping eggs, and where society runs on void energy. It was great that the magic wasn’t just convenient, but could also really limit the characters, or have really bad timing (imagine switching worlds right when you’re taking a shower, for example).
What I loved a lot was how everything seemed so black and white from the start. You have the evil organisation Flamegate, you have the evil monsters named Shadows, and you have the good guys. But then gradually, that black-and-white worldview shifted into something entirely grey (I won’t go into detail because of spoilers) and that really makes you think.
All in all, Flamegate: Restless Shadows shines because of its characters and its highly original concept, and I am eager to find out where the next book will take Phoenix and his friends!
Flamegate: Restless Shadows has some VE Schwab’s Shades of Magic, with an overall vibe that could come from Studio Ghibli. Original, inventive, and quite dark but with enough humour to balance it out. One chapter in, and I had already fallen in love with Phoenix’ character voice and his interactions with other characters.
The writing:
Flamegate has an interesting writing style: third person POV, and leaning more towards the omniscient side of the narrative spectrum instead of the deep POV books that are dominating the book market nowadays. It took some getting used to, but it worked really well with the story since Phoenix could collapse and move his consciousness to another world at any given moment. That way, we as readers know what is going on when Phoenix is not awake, and aren’t brusquely yanked out of a scene and dumped into the next.
What really stood out to me were the similes, comparisons and metaphors. They added a lot to the story and were super original and in-character. The humour and comedic timing had me chuckling out loud at times. Have I mentioned the casual diversity yet?
The characters:
In my humble opinion, the characters and their dynamics were the absolute highlight of this book, and I’m not just talking about the main cast. Every character, no matter how great or small their role in the story, was unique and has their own voice and history we got to see glimpses of. I loved their emotional layers, the bits and pieces in their friendships that scrape and hurt and create conflict between them. Their reactions felt real, true to who they are, and the story kept revealing more and more layers to their personalities.
The downside of having a large cast of characters is that it was sometimes hard to keep track of them. Especially when the story spends quite some time on one side of the universe, I sometimes found myself forgetting about some of the minor characters.
But listen, can we talk about Phoenix? His character voice is *amazing* and I kept saying that to myself while reading. He feels so alive, real and well-rounded, and his personality consistent throughout the book. I loved how the story portrayed his psychology, the abuse he lived through, and how that has shaped him into the person he is now. The world (Kate has no mercy) throws so much at him, and still he has a good heart, even though he struggles to believe that himself. He so desperately wants to make things right, things that he believes are his fault but aren’t. Yeah, Kate did something very well because I feel strongly for him. Poor soul.
Also: shoutout to Bradley!
The plot:
Phoenix has a clear goal from the start: stop Flamegate. And the stakes are high: if they fail, the worlds will collide and the universe will swallow itself. We as the reader immediately get an idea of the direction this story is taking, even as the plot meanders for side quests here and there.
This probably comes down to personal preference, but in some places the story felt a little slow-paced for my tastes. It is tricky, of course, to balance the timelines of two separate worlds! There was a two-month time jump on Earth so Yonder could catch up, but personally, I would have liked to see more of what happened on Earth in the meantime.
However, I loved how themes of environmental issues were interwoven with the story, and how this connected to Phoenix and the role other people made him play.
The world:
The world of Flamegate is intriguing, with two universes connected by the void. Yonder is a great name for another world linked to Earth, where magic is mixed with technology, where goblins run amok worshipping eggs, and where society runs on void energy. It was great that the magic wasn’t just convenient, but could also really limit the characters, or have really bad timing (imagine switching worlds right when you’re taking a shower, for example).
What I loved a lot was how everything seemed so black and white from the start. You have the evil organisation Flamegate, you have the evil monsters named Shadows, and you have the good guys. But then gradually, that black-and-white worldview shifted into something entirely grey (I won’t go into detail because of spoilers) and that really makes you think.
All in all, Flamegate: Restless Shadows shines because of its characters and its highly original concept, and I am eager to find out where the next book will take Phoenix and his friends!
June 13, 2022
Having escaped a high-security prison, Phoenix is trapped between two bodies, living in two worlds, thanks to a mysterious energy his ominous opponent Flamegate want to exploit. Irreverent and desperately attempting to escape his past, Phoenix would rather pretend the world isn't ending than trust himself with his power. But as worlds collide and revolution dawns, Phoenix and his motley crew of friends are drawn into a battle mingling science with magic, perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this exciting urban fantasy from Kate Mac. Like Phoenix himself, the story is brimming with energy and enthusiastically dives into time-travel, portalling through worlds, and thrives on the sparkling personality of its main character. Phoenix is a lovely protagonist to follow, damaged by his past but with such a good heart. Flamegate: Restless Shadows explores complex themes and concepts, but always with a great sense of humour and a quirky, heartfelt voice. Leaning into all the aspects of urban fantasy I most enjoy, you'll find questing heroes, prison breaks, not to mention a mysterious an sinister organisation that threatens the freedom of worlds. At its heart, it is driven by the love of found family, and belief in the good of the underdog.
I am grateful to the author for providing an ARC of Flamegate: Restless Shadows. These opinions are my own.
I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this exciting urban fantasy from Kate Mac. Like Phoenix himself, the story is brimming with energy and enthusiastically dives into time-travel, portalling through worlds, and thrives on the sparkling personality of its main character. Phoenix is a lovely protagonist to follow, damaged by his past but with such a good heart. Flamegate: Restless Shadows explores complex themes and concepts, but always with a great sense of humour and a quirky, heartfelt voice. Leaning into all the aspects of urban fantasy I most enjoy, you'll find questing heroes, prison breaks, not to mention a mysterious an sinister organisation that threatens the freedom of worlds. At its heart, it is driven by the love of found family, and belief in the good of the underdog.
I am grateful to the author for providing an ARC of Flamegate: Restless Shadows. These opinions are my own.
October 15, 2023
One of my favourite things in the world are books that take you by storm. Books that you don't expect to fall in love with as hard, and fast, as you end up falling; books that you can't stop thinking about no matter how much you'd rather invest your mental energy in different matters. And, since this is a "Flamegate: Restless Shadows" review, you might have already guessed what I'm about to say—which is that Flamegate is one such book.
In what will hopefully manage to be a nutshell, Flamegate follows resident interdimensionally instable chaos gremlin Phoenix Page, whose insane amount of void energy and inability to remain in either Earth or his homeland, Yonder, have rendered him a key piece in saving both worlds from themselves. Since he was a child Phoenix has been harrassed, as well as used, by yonderians and Earth's evil organisation Flamegate alike to try to get access to unlimited void energy; and it has come at a cost. Phoenix is the only person who can keep these two dimensions from collapsing onto each other, but his chronic inability to trust people might make saving the worlds harder than expected.
This book will be any Terry Pratchett fan's dream in more than one way. On the one hand, there is a lot of at times subtle, at times unflinching social commentary, and on the other, the characters are as loveable as they are unforgettable. My boy Phoenix deserves to be starred as my favourite in this aspect, since the multilayered complexity of his past and his persona coexists with a recklessness and an unapologetic ADHD (the author has explicitly stated that she didn't intentionally write him this way, but trust a girl when she says that Phoenix Page has an ADHD the size of Yonder) that make him unforgettable. Although it's been a while since I finished this book, I haven't been able to stop thinking about Phoenix, which should tell you quite a bit about how fleshed-out and nuanced Kate managed to make him. The rest of the cast is equally endearing: Simon and Jess are close seconds in terms of favouritism, but almost everyone who has an explicit first name in this book—and even a few of the goblins—is guaranteed to make you feel something.
The worldbuilding was also through the roof. In this book we jump back and forth between two different dimensions: a futuristic (and periapocalyptic) Earth that has fallen into the clutches of an evil organisation called Flamegate, and a fantastic (and doomed) Yonder that's struggling to keep the destructive creatures known as Shadows from laying waste to the entire planet. Both settings were thoroughly built, and as I flipped the pages, I was travelling from one to the other by Phoenix's side. One of the main potential issues that multi-dimensional stories can develop is an imbalance between worldbuildings, which often means that at least one of the worlds will feel extremely underdeveloped, and almost like a draft, when compared to the other(s). And in this sense, although I must admit that I'm partial to Yonder, whimsical and magical as it was, Earth was also really well-written. I was afraid that the events that took place there would feel less-than or even boring—they were, after all, up against a world filled with goblins, Skull-Crushing Champions, talking horses, and wizards—, but it was never the case.
All in all, "Flamegate: Restless Shadows" is an unexpected favourite of the year, and I can't recommend it enough to literally everyone in search of their next bookish obsession!
In what will hopefully manage to be a nutshell, Flamegate follows resident interdimensionally instable chaos gremlin Phoenix Page, whose insane amount of void energy and inability to remain in either Earth or his homeland, Yonder, have rendered him a key piece in saving both worlds from themselves. Since he was a child Phoenix has been harrassed, as well as used, by yonderians and Earth's evil organisation Flamegate alike to try to get access to unlimited void energy; and it has come at a cost. Phoenix is the only person who can keep these two dimensions from collapsing onto each other, but his chronic inability to trust people might make saving the worlds harder than expected.
This book will be any Terry Pratchett fan's dream in more than one way. On the one hand, there is a lot of at times subtle, at times unflinching social commentary, and on the other, the characters are as loveable as they are unforgettable. My boy Phoenix deserves to be starred as my favourite in this aspect, since the multilayered complexity of his past and his persona coexists with a recklessness and an unapologetic ADHD (the author has explicitly stated that she didn't intentionally write him this way, but trust a girl when she says that Phoenix Page has an ADHD the size of Yonder) that make him unforgettable. Although it's been a while since I finished this book, I haven't been able to stop thinking about Phoenix, which should tell you quite a bit about how fleshed-out and nuanced Kate managed to make him. The rest of the cast is equally endearing: Simon and Jess are close seconds in terms of favouritism, but almost everyone who has an explicit first name in this book—and even a few of the goblins—is guaranteed to make you feel something.
The worldbuilding was also through the roof. In this book we jump back and forth between two different dimensions: a futuristic (and periapocalyptic) Earth that has fallen into the clutches of an evil organisation called Flamegate, and a fantastic (and doomed) Yonder that's struggling to keep the destructive creatures known as Shadows from laying waste to the entire planet. Both settings were thoroughly built, and as I flipped the pages, I was travelling from one to the other by Phoenix's side. One of the main potential issues that multi-dimensional stories can develop is an imbalance between worldbuildings, which often means that at least one of the worlds will feel extremely underdeveloped, and almost like a draft, when compared to the other(s). And in this sense, although I must admit that I'm partial to Yonder, whimsical and magical as it was, Earth was also really well-written. I was afraid that the events that took place there would feel less-than or even boring—they were, after all, up against a world filled with goblins, Skull-Crushing Champions, talking horses, and wizards—, but it was never the case.
All in all, "Flamegate: Restless Shadows" is an unexpected favourite of the year, and I can't recommend it enough to literally everyone in search of their next bookish obsession!
September 7, 2022
Flamegate: Restless Shadows is anime material and I live for it!
Two worlds are colliding and reality is about to end; Flamegate have pushed their greed too far and brought their world to the edge of destruction... and what will they do to stop this now? absolutely nothing.
When people turn the other way and pretend the end of the world isn't happening, Phoenix takes it upon himself to save the world -both worlds- and put an end to Flamegate.
I adore Phoenix. He doesn't want to be a hero; he just wants his life back, his friends to be safe and a good night's sleep. But he feels guilty for causing things he didn't mean to cause, and doing things he totally meant to do without knowing what the consequences would be, and he knows there's nobody else able to stop the enemy. So he hides his fears behind a sassy attitude and a carefree facade and keeps trying his best to save it all: the worlds, his friends, and even the people who have hated him all his life.
The narration flows very well, the dialogue is witty and smart, and each character is built in their own, unique way. The worldbuilding is so detailed, it feels like a Ghibli movie. I can totally see this story becoming an anime one day!
I'll be counting thr days to the release of book 2!
Two worlds are colliding and reality is about to end; Flamegate have pushed their greed too far and brought their world to the edge of destruction... and what will they do to stop this now? absolutely nothing.
When people turn the other way and pretend the end of the world isn't happening, Phoenix takes it upon himself to save the world -both worlds- and put an end to Flamegate.
I adore Phoenix. He doesn't want to be a hero; he just wants his life back, his friends to be safe and a good night's sleep. But he feels guilty for causing things he didn't mean to cause, and doing things he totally meant to do without knowing what the consequences would be, and he knows there's nobody else able to stop the enemy. So he hides his fears behind a sassy attitude and a carefree facade and keeps trying his best to save it all: the worlds, his friends, and even the people who have hated him all his life.
The narration flows very well, the dialogue is witty and smart, and each character is built in their own, unique way. The worldbuilding is so detailed, it feels like a Ghibli movie. I can totally see this story becoming an anime one day!
I'll be counting thr days to the release of book 2!
June 10, 2022
This book was an absolute adventure. The twists, the magic, the BANTER! I loved every second of this incredible book. Kate Mac is a brilliant writer with a mind for ridiculous escapades.
June 13, 2022
3.5/5
This is a chaotic little story about power, greed, and fighting for what you believe in against all odds.
The story mainly follows Phoenix, a whimsical character with endearing ADHD-vibes, a very dark past (my god), and childlike innocence. Living in two different worlds at once, he switches back and forth with little control; awake in one and out cold in the other. Which is about as convenient as it sounds when you're balancing on top of a ladder in Yonder as Earth comes knocking at your door.
Both worlds are connected through the void: the empty space between worlds and an inconceivable source of energy. But depleted in the hungry search for power, the void has reached its breaking point. Banded together with a bearded warlock and a telepathic horse on one side, and a scruffy rebellion in the making on the other, Phoenix takes on the massive corporation of Flamegate. Fail, and the void splits open and the universe will swallow itself.
Right out of the Gate (hehe), something that really stood out to me was the silent worldbuilding that formed the backdrop to bigger scenes. Where some authors feel the need to explain every single detail in their story and no mushroom can explode without telling us why, Mac makes her world breathe. Goblins sometimes stand in circles, softly chanting to speckled eggs. And trolls, especially elderly ones, can bicker over authentically decorated boulders as our Main Crew passes them by on the way to their next destination. I love how it's just that, the backdrop. It's a world living on, even if we're not watching.
I did kind of miss the feel of that ticking clock and the idea of running out of time, which I think mainly comes down to expectations. Flamegate just isn't that kind of story, nor is Phoenix that kind of character. The plot has a tendency to meander and lacks some urgency in comparison to other quest-like adventures. Which is fine! But it might be good to know going into it that it won't be your average fast-paced YA. Flamegate is a lot more eccentric and 100% leans into its own whimsical vibes.
Even for its nicher place in the genre though, it sometimes felt like we were hopping from sidequest to sidequest with little build-up. Maybe this is due to the fact it is only the first book out of the two, or because Phoenix is such a bubbly person that impending doom just isn't his style, but I would have loved seeing some more tension dispersed throughout the story! Again thoough, this might come down to personal preference :3
I won't go into too much detail about the other characters, but:
- A girl who responds to a sus, bleeding stranger by pulling a knife on him is EXACTLY the kind of character we need, YES and HALLELUJA to parents who did stranger-danger right and I will die on this hill ;
- Amazing backstories I am dying to read more about because I like my heart getting broken by the angst and still prevailing friendship ;
- ✅ Interracial romance ;
- ✅ Gay rep ;
- ✅ Clever reasoning ;
- ✅ AreYouTheGoodGuy?? ;
- ✅ Throwing bitches that deserve it out of two-story windows ;
- ✅ Great sass.
All in all, I'm really looking forward to the continuation of this story and to see more of Mac's work! It's a different ride than usual and maybe a little too whimsical for my usual tastes, but I'm into it. And I agree. Death definitely skips, y'all.
_____________________________________________
Thank you to the author for sending me an obligation-free ARC!
This is a chaotic little story about power, greed, and fighting for what you believe in against all odds.
And right up until the day Bloodwood broke you... I thought you were the most human person in that entire town.
The story mainly follows Phoenix, a whimsical character with endearing ADHD-vibes, a very dark past (my god), and childlike innocence. Living in two different worlds at once, he switches back and forth with little control; awake in one and out cold in the other. Which is about as convenient as it sounds when you're balancing on top of a ladder in Yonder as Earth comes knocking at your door.
Both worlds are connected through the void: the empty space between worlds and an inconceivable source of energy. But depleted in the hungry search for power, the void has reached its breaking point. Banded together with a bearded warlock and a telepathic horse on one side, and a scruffy rebellion in the making on the other, Phoenix takes on the massive corporation of Flamegate. Fail, and the void splits open and the universe will swallow itself.
"We need to leave."With one month to go before the Light festival that nearly killed him last year, the clock is ticking. Flamegate: Restless Shadows is the first in the duology, structured like MG/YA adventure.
"Jayden frowned. "What?"
"We,' Phoenix said, "as in us, the collective. Need to, meaning it's imperative to our survival. And leave, as in, relocate immediately to someplace less perilous."
Right out of the Gate (hehe), something that really stood out to me was the silent worldbuilding that formed the backdrop to bigger scenes. Where some authors feel the need to explain every single detail in their story and no mushroom can explode without telling us why, Mac makes her world breathe. Goblins sometimes stand in circles, softly chanting to speckled eggs. And trolls, especially elderly ones, can bicker over authentically decorated boulders as our Main Crew passes them by on the way to their next destination. I love how it's just that, the backdrop. It's a world living on, even if we're not watching.
I did kind of miss the feel of that ticking clock and the idea of running out of time, which I think mainly comes down to expectations. Flamegate just isn't that kind of story, nor is Phoenix that kind of character. The plot has a tendency to meander and lacks some urgency in comparison to other quest-like adventures. Which is fine! But it might be good to know going into it that it won't be your average fast-paced YA. Flamegate is a lot more eccentric and 100% leans into its own whimsical vibes.
Even for its nicher place in the genre though, it sometimes felt like we were hopping from sidequest to sidequest with little build-up. Maybe this is due to the fact it is only the first book out of the two, or because Phoenix is such a bubbly person that impending doom just isn't his style, but I would have loved seeing some more tension dispersed throughout the story! Again thoough, this might come down to personal preference :3
Phoenix backed away. "I'm not staying."Oh gods, the characters! I loved seeing Phoenix interact with the world in his own way, noticing someone's suspiciously fashionable ensemble before the bloodied gloves, and getting severely distracted in the middle of a sentence wondering if there's a horse there. The ADHD-vibes of that made me smile every time. Who knows if death "stalks" people? Maybe Death skips. <33333 ! And free food, can't say no to that, right? It stays very consistent throughout the story, and Mac proves time and time again that she knows her characters very well.
"We have sandwiches," Teddy said, and Phoenix stopped in his tracks.
I won't go into too much detail about the other characters, but:
- A girl who responds to a sus, bleeding stranger by pulling a knife on him is EXACTLY the kind of character we need, YES and HALLELUJA to parents who did stranger-danger right and I will die on this hill ;
- Amazing backstories I am dying to read more about because I like my heart getting broken by the angst and still prevailing friendship ;
- ✅ Interracial romance ;
- ✅ Gay rep ;
- ✅ Clever reasoning ;
- ✅ AreYouTheGoodGuy?? ;
- ✅ Throwing bitches that deserve it out of two-story windows ;
- ✅ Great sass.
"I can crush melons with my bare hands," Dave said.
"That's adorable."
All in all, I'm really looking forward to the continuation of this story and to see more of Mac's work! It's a different ride than usual and maybe a little too whimsical for my usual tastes, but I'm into it. And I agree. Death definitely skips, y'all.
_____________________________________________
Thank you to the author for sending me an obligation-free ARC!
June 20, 2022
Flamegate is the best combination of humour and heart, taking you on an adventure you will think about longingly long after you finish reading.
Captivating and uplifting, yet somehow also raw and important, I was tied to the characters from the beginning. Phoenix is charming and witty, but also deeply troubled from a life of exploitation. The cast of characters around him are equally endearing. Kate Mac's brilliant dialogue and vibrant prose build characters that you feel deeply for and I was laughing and crying with them. Flamegate is hard to put down because you desperately want to know what happens to everyone.
Along with excellent characters, the worldbuilding is fully immersive transporting you to the multiple worlds vividly created by Kate Mac. The story weaves and flows beautifully between worlds with plenty of suspense and 'aha' moments along the way.
Flamegate is one of those books that you feel lost when you finish. Your friends are gone, the adventure is over, and you feel like nothing else could satisfactorily fill the hole that can only ever be left by a remarkable book.
Captivating and uplifting, yet somehow also raw and important, I was tied to the characters from the beginning. Phoenix is charming and witty, but also deeply troubled from a life of exploitation. The cast of characters around him are equally endearing. Kate Mac's brilliant dialogue and vibrant prose build characters that you feel deeply for and I was laughing and crying with them. Flamegate is hard to put down because you desperately want to know what happens to everyone.
Along with excellent characters, the worldbuilding is fully immersive transporting you to the multiple worlds vividly created by Kate Mac. The story weaves and flows beautifully between worlds with plenty of suspense and 'aha' moments along the way.
Flamegate is one of those books that you feel lost when you finish. Your friends are gone, the adventure is over, and you feel like nothing else could satisfactorily fill the hole that can only ever be left by a remarkable book.
November 20, 2023
Cue: lots of laughter and tears. I just love a book where the characters make me laugh even as their world falls apart, and that was 100% the way here. MC Phoenix is a hilarious disaster with a heart of gold, whose antics kept my eyes riveted to the page. Intriguing concept, fascinating world(s), great execution.
July 19, 2024
Captivated from the start! Two worlds to discover and save with a loveable protagonist Phoenix, whose quirky and spontaneous nature takes you on adventures with twists and turns. The humour and banter caught me laughing out loud. I am now enjoying the sequel.
May 14, 2024
Kate Mac has an incredible imagination and writes exceptionally well. This book is so quirky and unique, unlike anything I’ve ever read. Kate takes you on a journey that’s so well thought out and beautifully described. It was a truly enjoyable experience that sucked me in from the first chapter.
If you love a captivating storyline, set in an intriguing fantasy world, with endearing characters and hilarious one liners, this book is for you. It’s the kind of story that’s hard to put down, and even once you do, you continue to think about it.
Do yourself a favour and read this book!!
If you love a captivating storyline, set in an intriguing fantasy world, with endearing characters and hilarious one liners, this book is for you. It’s the kind of story that’s hard to put down, and even once you do, you continue to think about it.
Do yourself a favour and read this book!!
October 11, 2022
Oh my gosh where do I begin?
I was inspired to check out this book because of all the wonderful reviews, then, when I read the free sample... I was sold.
The first thing I enjoyed was.. it was written WELL, the vivid and unusual metaphors mixed into description reminded me of my own writting. There was the perfect balance of description, and getting to the point (though sometimes I wished there was even more because of how good it was)
The second thing... it started off with a bang and the bang never ended. There was never a dull moment in the story, I felt as energized as Pheonix and confused and exhilarated as every Character and each explosion.
But when it slowed, it was a breath of fresh air to really see the characters in a new light.
I was going to comment how I wished there was more slow/ down moments, but every time I did one showed up? So... actually there really was a good balance!
Also the fun world building that occurred- it wasn't info dumped, or anything, it felt like it came naturally and left you wanting more.
THE CHARACTERS- how can I forget
Okay so pheonix seems like a mix between my own characters and I love him so much.
So Pheonix (and honestly, every character in the book) has such carefully written growth.
At first he seems like a devil may care spazz, but you really get a chance to look deep into his character and fall inlove with him.
Also a honorable mention is Faydelia, a character who goes from childhood friendships to hatred to allies to friends.
ALSO
The small details in pheonix's character was very enjoyable, from his fidgeting to his hero but not hero complex, and his heart too! I lived his heart.
I feel like I could go on and on gah-
I have to mention the concept of the story is wonderfully unique, and entertaining! You get a dystopian, fantasy, and cyberpunk story all in one!
The plot had me guessing like a detective and theorizing the whole way through (I guessed a few and I'm proud)
I felt like leaving some kind of critiscm-
But... each thing I thought to mention ended up getting resolved...
So uhhh PHEONIX HAS TOO MUCH TRUAMA thats it, oh and Pheonix desserves romance and more love!
Oh I have to add-
The found family was beautiful! Every time they comforted him, and protected Pheonix it made me so happy.
I literally have to stop before its too big of a review... i feel like I could say more though.
I was inspired to check out this book because of all the wonderful reviews, then, when I read the free sample... I was sold.
The first thing I enjoyed was.. it was written WELL, the vivid and unusual metaphors mixed into description reminded me of my own writting. There was the perfect balance of description, and getting to the point (though sometimes I wished there was even more because of how good it was)
The second thing... it started off with a bang and the bang never ended. There was never a dull moment in the story, I felt as energized as Pheonix and confused and exhilarated as every Character and each explosion.
But when it slowed, it was a breath of fresh air to really see the characters in a new light.
I was going to comment how I wished there was more slow/ down moments, but every time I did one showed up? So... actually there really was a good balance!
Also the fun world building that occurred- it wasn't info dumped, or anything, it felt like it came naturally and left you wanting more.
THE CHARACTERS- how can I forget
Okay so pheonix seems like a mix between my own characters and I love him so much.
So Pheonix (and honestly, every character in the book) has such carefully written growth.
At first he seems like a devil may care spazz, but you really get a chance to look deep into his character and fall inlove with him.
Also a honorable mention is Faydelia, a character who goes from childhood friendships to hatred to allies to friends.
ALSO
The small details in pheonix's character was very enjoyable, from his fidgeting to his hero but not hero complex, and his heart too! I lived his heart.
I feel like I could go on and on gah-
I have to mention the concept of the story is wonderfully unique, and entertaining! You get a dystopian, fantasy, and cyberpunk story all in one!
The plot had me guessing like a detective and theorizing the whole way through (I guessed a few and I'm proud)
I felt like leaving some kind of critiscm-
But... each thing I thought to mention ended up getting resolved...
So uhhh PHEONIX HAS TOO MUCH TRUAMA thats it, oh and Pheonix desserves romance and more love!
Oh I have to add-
The found family was beautiful! Every time they comforted him, and protected Pheonix it made me so happy.
I literally have to stop before its too big of a review... i feel like I could say more though.
January 4, 2025
Firstly, I really enjoyed the writing style.it has a charming YA flavour that (in a good way) reminds me of adventure novels I would find in my library at school. Its exciting and charming, with super rich descriptions that are really immersive and feel very natural to read, and plenty of humour.
One of the few critiques I would have is that the beginning of the novel gives you a lot of information to digest about its very ambitious world! However, it finds its footing in the second half, where I began to get into the chracters and feel the tension of the plot more fully.
I really think the characters are where this book shines, from Phoenix's strained relationships of his mysterious past and the touching relationships with his found family (I <3 Jesinta!) I can say I will be hoping to see some more of Phoenix and Bee and how Phoenix's position on earth develops in the sequel, as I feel they didnt gain the same development as the our group in Yonder.
Without spoiling too much, Kate Mac manages to pull of plot super well towards the end that felt sufficiently foreshadowed but very emotionaly investing and actually left me guessing right up to the reveals. As the novel fell into its pacing I remained gripped and emotiotionally invested!
Thank you Kate for giving me the chance to read, and for your courage in being an indie author ! I'll be looking foward to more in the future (:
One of the few critiques I would have is that the beginning of the novel gives you a lot of information to digest about its very ambitious world! However, it finds its footing in the second half, where I began to get into the chracters and feel the tension of the plot more fully.
I really think the characters are where this book shines, from Phoenix's strained relationships of his mysterious past and the touching relationships with his found family (I <3 Jesinta!) I can say I will be hoping to see some more of Phoenix and Bee and how Phoenix's position on earth develops in the sequel, as I feel they didnt gain the same development as the our group in Yonder.
Without spoiling too much, Kate Mac manages to pull of plot super well towards the end that felt sufficiently foreshadowed but very emotionaly investing and actually left me guessing right up to the reveals. As the novel fell into its pacing I remained gripped and emotiotionally invested!
Thank you Kate for giving me the chance to read, and for your courage in being an indie author ! I'll be looking foward to more in the future (:
November 24, 2023
Hands down one of the most unexpectedly brilliant books and so different to anything I've ever read, in the best way! The characters are all so well developed and even the "bad" ones are likeable in their own ways. The world building is easy to understand which is a testament to how well developed it is. MC Phoenix is just a bundle of trauma just trying to stay in the present and enjoy life for the little things (honestly big Millennial energy) and I love him endlessly!
I also confess to sending a snapshot of where I was up to to the author, simply captioned *incoherent screaming* 😅
I also confess to sending a snapshot of where I was up to to the author, simply captioned *incoherent screaming* 😅
March 12, 2025
This book was unlike anything I usually read—and I absolutely loved it! From the very first page, it’s bursting with energy, humor, and non-stop action. There wasn’t a dull moment, and I found myself completely hooked. I adored the humor and the characters—they’re witty, chaotic, and full of heart.
June 6, 2025
I loved Flamegate and Phoenix. The twists and turns and hilarious banter were top tier!
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