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shelbys_cerebral_escapes 's review for:
Helfyre
by Mariel Pomeroy
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm surprised at all the low ratings for this book. I thought it was great! I read an updated version, so I imagine some of the typos and errors were corrected. This was only the second book Mariel published, as well. I try to keep that in mind. Even authors who are SUPER famous for Fantasy weren't the caliber they are now with their first few books. So I personally think Mariel is off to a strong start.
But, back to Helfyre...
The version I read was The Book(ish) Darkly Box special edition March 2025. It includes a map, an index of the Gods and their "children", short glossary of terms, and an intro that sets the stage for the "world" that Mariel builds within the book. From prior reviews, these have been added since first publications and were very helpful in the first few chapters when I was trying to get my head around who was who. As other reviews stated, there are many characters from different ... cultures (basically the creatures created from each God) and that can be confusing. But, honestly, which fantasy world that has a variety of creatures and destinations that are not EARTH isn't initially confusing? I had to re-read and make notes for myself when reading the complex worlds of SJM and JLA, and, again, this is Mariel's first go at the world building, so I think the complexity is par for the course. If you are a fantasy deep diver, I think you'll love it.
This is a DARK fantasy romance with one of the tropes being dubious consent. It is an enemies to lovers story with an FMC, Aheia, who is escaping an abusive family and finding refuge in their enemy's land, at the cost of her soul. Her story is reflective of women who have escaped domestic violence and Mariel beautifully captures the thoughts and emotions of a survivor. It was so easy to feel empathy for Aheia; I definitely was sniffling and tearful more than once while reading.
<i>For the first time, she wasn't running, wasn't listening for footsteps, wasn't looking over her shoulder, and it was overwhelming. The absence of urgency left her enveloped by exhaustion, her body feeling boneless as she let her head rest against the door.</i>
<i>She'd been exploring her own beliefs for a long time now, having lost her faith along with her mother, and while she didn't know how to feel about the Old Gods and all the lore connected with them, holding onto the idea there was a bigger picture, some preplanned destiny, gave her solace. Though, she didn't believe the words fell on big ears in the sky, but rather that just maybe, the universe would hear her instead. So, when she spoke her prayers it was to the universe, to the only thing that had even proven its existence to her.</i>
And the romance... it is a push and pull, back and forth, with such delicious tension and moments of heart break, as they break down each others walls and also break each other. I got a little bit of whiplash, and I loved it.
"In my home, when you say my name, I know about it. That means... when you're stretching yourself around those pretty little fingers pretending they're mine, I'll know about it." :-O
Spice: 4 chili peppers
But, back to Helfyre...
The version I read was The Book(ish) Darkly Box special edition March 2025. It includes a map, an index of the Gods and their "children", short glossary of terms, and an intro that sets the stage for the "world" that Mariel builds within the book. From prior reviews, these have been added since first publications and were very helpful in the first few chapters when I was trying to get my head around who was who. As other reviews stated, there are many characters from different ... cultures (basically the creatures created from each God) and that can be confusing. But, honestly, which fantasy world that has a variety of creatures and destinations that are not EARTH isn't initially confusing? I had to re-read and make notes for myself when reading the complex worlds of SJM and JLA, and, again, this is Mariel's first go at the world building, so I think the complexity is par for the course. If you are a fantasy deep diver, I think you'll love it.
This is a DARK fantasy romance with one of the tropes being dubious consent. It is an enemies to lovers story with an FMC, Aheia, who is escaping an abusive family and finding refuge in their enemy's land, at the cost of her soul. Her story is reflective of women who have escaped domestic violence and Mariel beautifully captures the thoughts and emotions of a survivor. It was so easy to feel empathy for Aheia; I definitely was sniffling and tearful more than once while reading.
<i>For the first time, she wasn't running, wasn't listening for footsteps, wasn't looking over her shoulder, and it was overwhelming. The absence of urgency left her enveloped by exhaustion, her body feeling boneless as she let her head rest against the door.</i>
<i>She'd been exploring her own beliefs for a long time now, having lost her faith along with her mother, and while she didn't know how to feel about the Old Gods and all the lore connected with them, holding onto the idea there was a bigger picture, some preplanned destiny, gave her solace. Though, she didn't believe the words fell on big ears in the sky, but rather that just maybe, the universe would hear her instead. So, when she spoke her prayers it was to the universe, to the only thing that had even proven its existence to her.</i>
And the romance... it is a push and pull, back and forth, with such delicious tension and moments of heart break, as they break down each others walls and also break each other. I got a little bit of whiplash, and I loved it.
"In my home, when you say my name, I know about it. That means... when you're stretching yourself around those pretty little fingers pretending they're mine, I'll know about it." :-O
Spice: 4 chili peppers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Murder