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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Wow! This was unexpectedly good! It was in my bookshelf for so long and I should have read it sooner! It's not the deepest book or the most original story, but it's enthralling, hard to put down and made me forget I was reading. Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
I definetely recommand it to anyone who wants to read a nice and easy fantasy read, coming of age story where the main characters learns to control her powers and navigate a mysterious organisation
I definetely recommand it to anyone who wants to read a nice and easy fantasy read, coming of age story where the main characters learns to control her powers and navigate a mysterious organisation
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just couldn't get through this book. I tried but it didn't keep my attention.
Fate of Flames is book one of the Effigies series by Sarah Raughley and as soon as I read the summary on this book I was intrigued. This book has a mix of action, some supernatural, and of course a problem to solve.
The world that Raughley has developed is interesting. It isn’t very different from our world today but the things that are noticeable are that they have to have needles. They are supposed to protect the people in the surrounding area from the Phantoms, living nightmares that attack and destroy. You will notice I say supposed to...because something is going wrong and they keep having issues and allowing the Phantoms to get into the major cities and creating issues. It is clear Raughley put some thought into the Phantoms but I wanted a bit more of how they came to be. They definitely set the stage for the reason why Effigies are needed and how they help.
The story begins by introducing us to Maia. In this world, the Effigies are stars and have a huge fan base. Maia happens to belong to (and appears to be one of the biggest fans of) the Effigy fan club and she knows just about everything about the 4 people who make up this group. I only mention this because this was the first thing I really learned about Maia and it happens to have an impact on how she looks at the other Effigies at first. Not only because of what she knows but also what the Effigies meant to her and her sister. The story of the Effigies is that when one Effigy dies, another is called. In this case, unbeknownst to everyone around her, Natalya (the Fire Effigy) has died and Maia just happens to be the one who becomes her successor. Maia is definitely on borrowed time because she knows the Sect will come for her and she is trying not to freak out about it.
Maia has had a tough year which is part of the reason why she hasn’t told anyone that she is the next effigy. Her parents and twin sister died in a \fire and she was the only one to escape. After that, she went to live with her uncle and things have just started to settle for them but now things are definitely going to change. Sure enough the second the Sect finds her, Maia is yanked into a world that she could never have expected.
As she begins to learn more about her power, she also learns more about the past Effigies. As Natalya’s successor, Maia not only gets the power of fire, but she also gets the memories of the prior Fire Effigies and she begins seeing some things in her head that make her believe that the determination that Natalya committed suicide is wrong.
Another piece of the puzzle is Saul. We meet him early on in the story and while he comes off initially as someone Maia connects with, he quickly turns things when he attempts to kill her. I’m not going to say why, but Saul’s story ties to Maia and he definitely makes things difficult for her.
As Maia works with the other Effigies to stop Saul, they are also trying to solve the mystery around Natalya’s death and what Maia is learning is mostly unexpected. I admit, I wanted to know more about this piece. Yes, before the book ends, we learn something key but it doesn’t really go anywhere and then boom…the book is done. I assume we will learn more about this in the next book but there wasn’t even a conversation which made me a little annoyed.
The other key characters are also interesting. Belle, Lake, and Chae Rin are the other Effigies and they all have their own issues. As they all come together to stop Saul, they also learn more about each other and find out they can rely on one another, despite their differences.
Rhys is part of the Sect and ultimately the boy who helps protect and fight with the Effigies. We quickly see that there is an attraction between Maia and Rhys but they also disagree on some things which makes it tough for them to wholly connect. Rhys for sure has some secrets and I want to more about them. We find out he grew up in the Sect but that is about it. Of course, I love a bit of romance with my stories and this one dips it’s toe in but doesn’t move any further than longing glances with these two.
Overall I thought this was a good book one in a series. While the story felt like it dragged at times, there were also parts that flew by. There were a few open storylines at the end of the book (Seriously…how come she never got to speak to Uncle Nathan again??) and it read a bit young at times, I thought the story flowed well and I am interested in seeing where Raughley goes with the next book. This one has a good mix of action, mystery, and danger and if you are looking for something along those lines, check this one out.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
The world that Raughley has developed is interesting. It isn’t very different from our world today but the things that are noticeable are that they have to have needles. They are supposed to protect the people in the surrounding area from the Phantoms, living nightmares that attack and destroy. You will notice I say supposed to...because something is going wrong and they keep having issues and allowing the Phantoms to get into the major cities and creating issues. It is clear Raughley put some thought into the Phantoms but I wanted a bit more of how they came to be. They definitely set the stage for the reason why Effigies are needed and how they help.
The story begins by introducing us to Maia. In this world, the Effigies are stars and have a huge fan base. Maia happens to belong to (and appears to be one of the biggest fans of) the Effigy fan club and she knows just about everything about the 4 people who make up this group. I only mention this because this was the first thing I really learned about Maia and it happens to have an impact on how she looks at the other Effigies at first. Not only because of what she knows but also what the Effigies meant to her and her sister. The story of the Effigies is that when one Effigy dies, another is called. In this case, unbeknownst to everyone around her, Natalya (the Fire Effigy) has died and Maia just happens to be the one who becomes her successor. Maia is definitely on borrowed time because she knows the Sect will come for her and she is trying not to freak out about it.
Maia has had a tough year which is part of the reason why she hasn’t told anyone that she is the next effigy. Her parents and twin sister died in a \fire and she was the only one to escape. After that, she went to live with her uncle and things have just started to settle for them but now things are definitely going to change. Sure enough the second the Sect finds her, Maia is yanked into a world that she could never have expected.
As she begins to learn more about her power, she also learns more about the past Effigies. As Natalya’s successor, Maia not only gets the power of fire, but she also gets the memories of the prior Fire Effigies and she begins seeing some things in her head that make her believe that the determination that Natalya committed suicide is wrong.
Another piece of the puzzle is Saul. We meet him early on in the story and while he comes off initially as someone Maia connects with, he quickly turns things when he attempts to kill her. I’m not going to say why, but Saul’s story ties to Maia and he definitely makes things difficult for her.
As Maia works with the other Effigies to stop Saul, they are also trying to solve the mystery around Natalya’s death and what Maia is learning is mostly unexpected. I admit, I wanted to know more about this piece. Yes, before the book ends, we learn something key but it doesn’t really go anywhere and then boom…the book is done. I assume we will learn more about this in the next book but there wasn’t even a conversation which made me a little annoyed.
The other key characters are also interesting. Belle, Lake, and Chae Rin are the other Effigies and they all have their own issues. As they all come together to stop Saul, they also learn more about each other and find out they can rely on one another, despite their differences.
Rhys is part of the Sect and ultimately the boy who helps protect and fight with the Effigies. We quickly see that there is an attraction between Maia and Rhys but they also disagree on some things which makes it tough for them to wholly connect. Rhys for sure has some secrets and I want to more about them. We find out he grew up in the Sect but that is about it. Of course, I love a bit of romance with my stories and this one dips it’s toe in but doesn’t move any further than longing glances with these two.
Overall I thought this was a good book one in a series. While the story felt like it dragged at times, there were also parts that flew by. There were a few open storylines at the end of the book (Seriously…how come she never got to speak to Uncle Nathan again??) and it read a bit young at times, I thought the story flowed well and I am interested in seeing where Raughley goes with the next book. This one has a good mix of action, mystery, and danger and if you are looking for something along those lines, check this one out.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
I was hesitant about this book. But I gave it a chance and I wasn’t disappointed. The way the author describes her world and her characters is beautiful. The Effigies are some complex yet simple gorgeous characters and the enemies were just the same. Belle, Lake, Chae, and Maia were characters I fell in love all for different reasons. A story of Phantoms, 4 elemental powerful girls, and some if not many unknown rivals.
But there is room for improvement for these characters and the writer herself. Can’t wait to start the 2nd book.
But there is room for improvement for these characters and the writer herself. Can’t wait to start the 2nd book.
Pacific Rim meets Sailor Moon but without the sheer cheesy joy of the first and without the emotional strength or girlish fun of the second. I'd be interested in reading the sequel, but the pacing, battles, and emotion need a hefty boost.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Loved it, the author said it was a mix of PACIFIC RIM meets the AVENGERS with a SAILOR MOON cast. I mean I had to read it right ? haha
It was awesome, really great. Girls with elemental power who must take down beasts called phantom and defend earth against evil.
If you are in need of a new series with kick-ass character you are at the right place !!! =)
It was awesome, really great. Girls with elemental power who must take down beasts called phantom and defend earth against evil.
If you are in need of a new series with kick-ass character you are at the right place !!! =)
Fate of Flames is a kick-ass, girl powered, diverse superhero novel. I know, what on Earth is not there to like?! In a world almost identical to our own, incredible monsters known as phantoms stalk the Earth killing indiscriminately and causing mass chaos. They can take any form from small to large, serpent to wolf. But all are terrifying and all are capable of inflicting massive damage. The world has managed to develop anti-phantom technologies that can keep entire cities safe.
But there are also four Effigies, girls chosen by what force we do not know, and imbued with the power necessary to fight and destroy phantoms. There are only ever four Effigies at any time; when one dies, her replacement is called up. An Effigy could be any girl, and you’ll never know until it happens that you will become one.
Find the rest of my review at The Midnight Garden.
But there are also four Effigies, girls chosen by what force we do not know, and imbued with the power necessary to fight and destroy phantoms. There are only ever four Effigies at any time; when one dies, her replacement is called up. An Effigy could be any girl, and you’ll never know until it happens that you will become one.
Find the rest of my review at The Midnight Garden.