In a land of fire and ice, love is considered a weakness.
Princess Valkyrja has always been deemed "pretty and useless" by her family, who rule the kingdom of Fjordlandi. Though she has the same magical Blessing over ice and snow as her brother, sister, and father, she can never seem to use it for the brute-force ruling they require, choosing instead to make art that makes her people smile. But when a horrific attack shakes their whole world, she has to step up...and find a strength she didn't know she had.
Nikanor has lived his life under the greenhouse domes, a commoner with no opportunities to do things he most desires—to study the Words or the law, to be something other than a farmer. When he and his best friend follow his father to the capital, he hopes only for a nice holiday. Instead, the attack throws him into the path of a princess, and his world is never the same.
But the Blessed aren't the only ones with magic in Fjordlandi. There are others already Awakened in the volcano, those called the Cursed, with lava in their veins and rebellion in their hearts. And once the fires of revolution ignite, they won't stop until all of Fjordlandi is Aflame.
Princess Valkyrja has always been deemed "pretty and useless" by her family, who rule the kingdom of Fjordlandi. Though she has the same magical Blessing over ice and snow as her brother, sister, and father, she can never seem to use it for the brute-force ruling they require, choosing instead to make art that makes her people smile. But when a horrific attack shakes their whole world, she has to step up...and find a strength she didn't know she had.
Nikanor has lived his life under the greenhouse domes, a commoner with no opportunities to do things he most desires—to study the Words or the law, to be something other than a farmer. When he and his best friend follow his father to the capital, he hopes only for a nice holiday. Instead, the attack throws him into the path of a princess, and his world is never the same.
But the Blessed aren't the only ones with magic in Fjordlandi. There are others already Awakened in the volcano, those called the Cursed, with lava in their veins and rebellion in their hearts. And once the fires of revolution ignite, they won't stop until all of Fjordlandi is Aflame.
MY THOUGHTS.....
I'm a long-time reader of her historical fiction, but Roseanna M. White's venture into fantasy has introduced me to a new genre. I don't normally read fantasy, but I've been converted!
I loved meeting the characters who possess unique powers in the mythical kingdom of Fjordlandi, but two were especially endearing. Sweet and gentle Princess Kyrja chose to use her power for good. When Fjordlandi was attacked, it was the commoner Nikanor who proved that class has no bearing on being honorable!
I admit that the twists, turns, and fantastical action were at first confusing, but the emotions weren't. Princess Valkyrja's low self-esteem and her longing for her father's approval were normal reactions of a rejected daughter. And then, there's the romance! The strong feelings between Kyrja and Nikanor once again proved White's ability to write romance that is clean but oh, so breathtaking! Aflame has the tagline romantasy and this is exactly what it is!
This is the second book in a series, but I wasn't distracted because I hadn't read the first. Aflame has introduced me to a world of fantasy while remaining true to White's inspirational fiction. I look forward to reading the next books in this Awakened series!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of WhiteCrown Publishing and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I admit that the twists, turns, and fantastical action were at first confusing, but the emotions weren't. Princess Valkyrja's low self-esteem and her longing for her father's approval were normal reactions of a rejected daughter. And then, there's the romance! The strong feelings between Kyrja and Nikanor once again proved White's ability to write romance that is clean but oh, so breathtaking! Aflame has the tagline romantasy and this is exactly what it is!
This is the second book in a series, but I wasn't distracted because I hadn't read the first. Aflame has introduced me to a world of fantasy while remaining true to White's inspirational fiction. I look forward to reading the next books in this Awakened series!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of WhiteCrown Publishing and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Being educated at St. John’s College (the Great Books School) taught Roseanna to ask questions, to value conversation, and to never accept the simple answer without exploring it for herself. She and her family make their home in the mountains of West Virginia where she and her husband both grew up. Roseanna is a member of ACFW, a frequent speaker at writers events and small groups of readers, and an unabashed email addict.
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