Gillian Bronte Adams

This is book 2 of The Fireborn Epic and the series should be read in order. This book does give some background info that is pertinent to the overarching theme of fighting against the evil empire to regain their nation of Soldonia but reading the first book will give you all the nuances to the main characters and the subplots.

Ceridwen continues to grow as a leader and a warrior and I quite enjoyed the themes of bravery, courage, and leadership portrayed through her character. Rafi embraces show more his calling and bonding and I loved how he rises up to conquer his fear at every challenge. Jakim is such an opposite to the other two characters embroiled in war and his path and bonding are quite refreshing. Though he’s a secondary character, I loved Finnian and his steadfast support of Ceridwen. I found Sahak’s chapter at the end of both books interesting; a glimpse into the mind of one of the villains always brings a new perspective.

There is plenty of action, battle scenes, betrayal, and surprises waiting for you in this epic fantasy. The world is well-crafted and fascinating and the characters are lovable. The book is long but those who enjoy this genre will definitely enjoy this book and series. The series is not finished yet though - there is book 3 coming, which should be centered around Jakim.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Enclave Publishing via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own. show less

Start with three young people, all bearing a painful burden. Ceridwen lost her beloved brother while trying to capture and tame a fire steed. It resulted in her being cast out by her father the king, and being branded on her forehead as unworthy. Rafi has been hiding and on the move for several years, thanks to the brutal things a relative did, including being responsible for his older brother's death. Jakim was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery. Now free, he's determined to show more make a pilgrimage to fulfill his vows as a Scroll, only to be captured and find himself a slave again.
However, all three are swept up in a war when another kingdom launches a brutal invasion, with no sign that it can be stopped. The story alternates between these three young people who find themselves with no choice but to fight back, however they can. Add in great, but bloody battle scenes, plenty of betrayal, plus four breeds of magical horses, and you have a consuming epic that will be followed by a sequel. It's more than satisfying. show less

*I was given an advance reader copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing*

An astoundingly fantastic end to the series!
The constant, persistent theme of hope amidst the darkest doubt and despair resonated with me. To see the growth of the characters and the way they all found their place was immensely satisfying.

This is certainly a unique brand of fantasy and I loved all of the elements that were included. The creatures were fun, the people were easy to relate to, and world was show more well-built.
I can't recommend this series enough. Go read! show less

Think Lord of the Rings with a female protagonist. This epic fantasy is filled to the brim with vivid characters, intense fight scenes, and incredible world-building. The allegory in the story adds to the depth and meaning of the books and definitely makes the reader look inward. Some writers write fantasy, others breathe it, and that's how this book felt. Gillian Bronte Adams is a talented writer and I look forward to the continuation of The Songkeeper Chronicles.