Bursts of Fire (Addicted to Heaven #1)Author: Susan Forest
Release Date: August 6, 2019
Publisher: Laksa Media Groups Inc.
Hardcover; 394 pages
Description:
Bursts of Fire begins an epic political fantasy of revenge, addictions, and redemption. In an empire where magic has become suspect, love and loyalty–for one’s lover, one’s family, one’s country–are tested. If Heaven desires the very earth be burned, what place can those below hope for, when the flames come for them?
To survive. To fight. To restore balance.
The Falkyn sisters bear a burden and a legacy. Their mother, the imperial magiel of the kingdom of Orumon, protects her people from the horrors of the afterlife by calling upon the Gods with a precious Prayer Stone. But war among the kingdoms has brought fire and destruction to their sheltered world. When a mad king’s desire to destroy the Prayer Stones shatters their family, the three girls are scattered to the wilderness, relying on their wits and powers they don’t yet master.
Assassin. Battle tactician. Magic wielder. Driven by different ambitions, Meg, Janat, and Rennika are destined to become all these and more. To reclaim their birth right, they must overcome doubtful loyalties within a rising rebellion; more, they must challenge a dogma-driven chancellor’s influence on the prince raised to inherit his father’s war: a prince struggling to unravel the mystery of his brother’s addiction to Heaven.
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Bursts of Fire is the first book in an exciting new young adult
fantasy series that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy. There were
several aspects that I really liked about the book and a few that didn't
quite hit the mark. I'm going to break it down for simplicity:
Positives:
Characters - The characters were complex and well rounded, especially our three sisters - Meg, Janat and Rennika. They each had their own strengths and weaknesses and unique personalities to make them feel realistic. I enjoyed getting to know each of the girls throughout the book. I also liked watching each of them change and grow - both as a person and with their relationships with each other and other people. I hope the next book continues to show them as realistic and changing individuals and we get to see them grow even more.
Setting - Since this was the first book in a new fantasy series, the world building took quite awhile to set up and establish. It was very detailed and descriptive and the author brought it all to life before our eyes with tons of vivid imagery. I loved learning about the land, the history, the people, the kingdom, and all of the other things the author added in.
Negatives:
Plot - The plot had a few things that I didn't really like. First of all, this wasn't an especially original story line. It felt like a familiar template that the author plugged in her own characters and small details. I'm not saying it was bad, it just didn't really pull me in. I found my mind wandering and couldn't seem to stay focused on everything happening. This could also be due to the pace - I found it to be really slow. It felt like a ton of backstory (which I liked) and world building (again, I liked) but it took so long to get through everything, which I feel could have been done in a lot less time.
Writing Style - This is a major aspect for me in each book I read and can easily make or break a story for me. I almost always prefer the first person point of view for several reasons. The author chose to write this novel in the third person POV, which is my least favorite. I never feel as connected to the character(s) with this style of writing, and that was the case with this book.
Between not feeling very connected to the characters to the writing style and the pacing of the story, this book fell short for me. I thought it was going to be awesome after reading the description - I'm all about anything with magic - but I just couldn't really get into it. There were definitely great aspects of the book that I enjoyed and the issues I had were purely on my end and personal. It's my own opinion and obviously not everyone will feel or think the same. I do recommend this to fans of YA, fantasy, and epic fantasy.
Positives:
Characters - The characters were complex and well rounded, especially our three sisters - Meg, Janat and Rennika. They each had their own strengths and weaknesses and unique personalities to make them feel realistic. I enjoyed getting to know each of the girls throughout the book. I also liked watching each of them change and grow - both as a person and with their relationships with each other and other people. I hope the next book continues to show them as realistic and changing individuals and we get to see them grow even more.
Setting - Since this was the first book in a new fantasy series, the world building took quite awhile to set up and establish. It was very detailed and descriptive and the author brought it all to life before our eyes with tons of vivid imagery. I loved learning about the land, the history, the people, the kingdom, and all of the other things the author added in.
Negatives:
Plot - The plot had a few things that I didn't really like. First of all, this wasn't an especially original story line. It felt like a familiar template that the author plugged in her own characters and small details. I'm not saying it was bad, it just didn't really pull me in. I found my mind wandering and couldn't seem to stay focused on everything happening. This could also be due to the pace - I found it to be really slow. It felt like a ton of backstory (which I liked) and world building (again, I liked) but it took so long to get through everything, which I feel could have been done in a lot less time.
Writing Style - This is a major aspect for me in each book I read and can easily make or break a story for me. I almost always prefer the first person point of view for several reasons. The author chose to write this novel in the third person POV, which is my least favorite. I never feel as connected to the character(s) with this style of writing, and that was the case with this book.
Between not feeling very connected to the characters to the writing style and the pacing of the story, this book fell short for me. I thought it was going to be awesome after reading the description - I'm all about anything with magic - but I just couldn't really get into it. There were definitely great aspects of the book that I enjoyed and the issues I had were purely on my end and personal. It's my own opinion and obviously not everyone will feel or think the same. I do recommend this to fans of YA, fantasy, and epic fantasy.
Susan Forest is an award-winning author and editor of science
fiction, fantasy, and horror. She has published over 25 short stories in
Canadian and international publications. Bursts of Fire, the first in
her seven-book series Addicted to Heaven, is not only a tale of
rollicking adventure, but also an opportunity-one she appreciates-for an
examination of the complex world of addictions. Susan loves to travel
and has been known to dictate novels from the back of her husband’s
motorcycle.Connect with Susan:
Website (Author) | Website (Series)
(1) Signed copy of Bursts of Fire - Open to US/CAN only! This giveaway is free to enter for everyone.
To enter the giveaway, please leave a meaningful comment on this post and a way for me to get in touch with you if you are the winner.
Tour Schedule:
Instagram:
Sunday, August 18th: @tlcbooktours – giveaway
Monday, August 19th: @novelgrounds
Monday, August 19th: @_ebl_inc_
Tuesday, August 20th: @bookishwinterwitch
Tuesday, August 20th: @hollieohs_bookreviews
Wednesday, August 21st: @thepagesinbetween
Thursday, August 22nd: @thewickedreader
Friday, August 23rd: @beritaudiokilledthebookmark
Saturday, August 24th: @lovelyreadergirl
Sunday, August 25th: @bookclubwithbite
Review tour:
Monday, August 19th: Ms. Nose in a Book
Wednesday, August 21st: What is That Book About – excerpt
Thursday, August 22nd: Reading Reality
Friday, August 23rd: Treestand Book Reviews
Monday, August 26th: @amanda.the.bookish and Amanda Bradburn
Tuesday, August 27th: Lori’s Reading Corner – author guest post
Tuesday, August 27th: A Dream Within a Dream
Wednesday, August 28th: @thebibliolife
Thursday, August 29th: @megabunnyreads
Monday, September 2nd: The Lit Bitch – excerpt
Tuesday, September 3rd: @onsamsbookshelf
Wednesday, September 4th: Cheryl’s Book Nook and @beastreader
Thursday, September 5th: Book by Book
Monday, September 9th: @bookishly_tiff
Tuesday, September 10th: Sincerely Karen Jo
Wednesday, September 11th @iam.caryn
I enjoy YA fantasy very much and haven't read anything by this author before. I too enjoy books written in first person POV as it creates an almost instant connection. dhammelef(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteBummer! I'm so bummed this wasn't a home run for you but I'm glad that you gave it a try anyways. Thank you for being on this tours. Sara @ TLC Book Tours
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read and review--and I'm glad you liked the parts you did!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read and review--and I'm glad you liked the parts you did!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to read and review--and I'm glad you liked the parts you did! (trying to leave my name!)
ReplyDeleteSusan Forest