The elementals have decided they’re gods, and humans are nothing but fuel for their fire.A starving trapper.Merciless drought withers Kira’s ranch, leaving her family hungry—and desperate enough to cross the border into the forbidden forest to trap wild game.But the forest is infested with tree-scorpions and giant cats that wield elemental invisibility, and they’re hungry, too. When Kira mistakes … and they’re hungry, too. When Kira mistakes one elemental creature for another, she ends up with the last thing she wants in her trap: an enemy soldier.
An invisible spy.
Ryon can’t afford to be a prisoner of war. If the Malaano Empire extracts his secrets, the rumors of war will be confirmed—and the tribes stand little chance against the Empire unless they can put aside generations of bad blood for the sake of a Tribal Alliance.
When Ryon’s escape leaves Kira injured and her livelihood in flames, Ryon must choose between aiding her… or returning to his chieftess with vital information. But can he survive the trek when an elemental pursues him for his rejected heritage?
A sacrificial princess.
Imperial Princess Vylia is given a powerful ancient stone as her wavesinger trials approach. But is the stone’s whispering voice from the water goddess, or a masquerading elemental the creator god imprisoned millennia ago?
When Vylia’s diplomatic mission to the tribal lands erupts in fiery revenge, she, Kira, and Ryon must work together to survive—or become pawns in the battle of the gods.
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“Jamie Foley’s ability to worldbuild opens an easy door for you to step into her creative world. With descriptions so vivid and beautifully written, combined with a fast-paced and exciting plot, you won’t want to miss this new offering from Foley.”
Emberhawk’s danger grips, the humor lands, and the romance smolders. Jamie Foley examines the beauties and hardships of pluralistic societies, and themes of faith, duty, and cultural expectations are skillfully woven into the narrative. Whether you’re looking for an entertaining YA fantasy romp or something a little deeper, Emberhawk delivers.
This book. FLAILS!! (And I’m literally doing that while grinning so wide my face hurts. And then breaking out into a fit of giggles. Hehe!)
So yes, MUCH love for this story that has a wonderful heroine who can stand on her own two feet, a hero who is snarky enough to make you smirk but then make you melt at said snark, and a storyworld that is incredible.
Let me sum it up like this…
THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS I LIKE ABOUT THIS STORY!!!
*happy sigh*
Emberhawk gave me a little bit Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes (Ryon is like a cousin of Zuko guys! Like he must be because FLAILS!) and that was epic. Though, even with a sprinkling of those Avatar vibes, this story is solid and amazing on its own.
I thought the world building was complex, but it was described/explained so simply that it really didn’t feel complex at all (but dude, it has to be with those elementalists doing what they doing, ya know?). That was VERY cool and it gave me time just to soak in the world rather than worrying if I’m keeping everything straight.
The characters were awesome and I REALLYYYYYYY need book two. (I literally can’t say anything else about this because I would be headlong into spoiler territory and wouldn’t be able to get back to no spoiler territory.)
Summary?
Go read this book if you like unique fantasy with a blending of Asian and Western (not Western as in America, but Western as in cowboys. Yep, totally awesome just reading that blend.) and need a slow burn romance that might just burn you.
(Okay, not really, but that sounded like a cool way to end this review. In reality, it was something else but I can’t say because, again, spoilers.)
Definitely recommend!
*(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
Emberhawk by Jamie Foley took me by surprise. I’ve read only a handful of fantasy novels and I loved this one far more than I expected to. At first, I read slowly to keep things straight as the story introduced the characters, their powers, and their world. The maps and glossary helped me acclimate to the setting.
Initially, Emberhawk captured my attention with its interesting characters. As the story progressed, the blend of mystery, danger, and romantic possibilities pulled me deeper into the story. I loved the unfolding of Kira and Ryon’s relationship. With the budding attraction, the snarky remarks, the forged camaraderie, the sacrificial acts, and the obstacles, the romance proved to be a marvelous element of the story.
Emberhawk by Jamie Foley is the first installment in The Katrosi Revolution series and I’m eager to read the next one. This YA fantasy has some underlying Christian themes and soft echoes of stories from the Bible. However, it is not overtly Christian and could be read as a clean, general market fantasy. The characters do pray to gods, including the creator.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
The cover of this book was one of the first things that made me want to read this book. The description was pretty interesting. I really liked that the author included maps and a glossary of the ancient terms for this story. I really liked Kira and Ryon and how they bantered throughout the story. I’m curious about their future together. I’m also curious as to the fate of the princess. I found the idea of people controlling elements pretty cool. I’m pretty interested in seeing where this series goes. I’m looking forward to reading the next book to find out!
I was given a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author, but was not required to write a review. The thoughts and comments are my own.
I can’t say how much I enjoyed this book except that I didn’t put it down until 3 in the morning.
A great adventure into the unknown. Sort of like Frozen 2.
With awesome characters and a fearsome plot I was immediately drawn into this story.
With faith, culture and various other things that are going on in this beautiful and magical world you won’t want to say goodbye to these amazing characters.
The way this author writes ya’ll is just amazing! I love how she describes the most beautiful sceneries and can make you imagine yourself in the book living among the characters. A fascinating experience for sure!
I loved Kira. She’s one of the most amazing person that I’ve ever met. She’s witty and can hold her own against other people especially Ryon.
Ryon is ok. Not exactly my favorite just because of his snarkiness at times. Also, he’s hiding a big secret and if word gets out there could be big trouble.
I really recommend this book because I believe that you’ll enjoy the book as much as I did.
Emberhawk is a feel good read that will make you be wanting more from this author. Book 2 please????
My thanks to JustReads Tours for a complimentary copy of this beautiful book. I was NOT required to write a posititive review. All opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed Emberhawk, and am thrilled I had a chance to read it early!
Emberhawk is a fabulous YA fantasy story! The story has conflict and character growth, adventure and attraction, empathy and Elementals. The magic in this story takes the form of elemental abilities, which is something I haven’t read before and I found I really like. At least, I like how Jamie Foley has used it. I think the world the author has created is pretty unique and yet I had no problem understanding, through her excellent writing, how things work there. Felix, an Elemental being, is another important-to-the-story character and I think he’s actually my favorite, but I do love both of the main characters Kiralau and Ryon almost as much. I look forward to finding out what happens to these characters in the next book! There are a few made-up curses/exclamations, but it’s otherwise a “clean” story. I think most young adult and adult readers of fantasy would enjoy reading Emberhawk.
Five stars from me!
3.5 Stars
EMBERHAWK is a fantasy set in a colorful and dangerous world where not everyone is as they seem and where one girl gets unknowingly caught in the middle of an oncoming war. Recommended to YA fantasy fans.
These characters were each unique. There were two main storylines: Kira and Ryon, and then Vylia, with three points-of-view. Kira is fairly impetuous. She doesn’t always think before she acts and it gets her into trouble. She also doesn’t necessarily trust anyone and makes her own conclusions and then acts on that information even if she’s wrong. I did want her to start to get a little more wisdom as the story goes on and to be a bit more trusting of Ryon earlier since everything is new to her, but not to Ryon, but she doesn’t. Ryon was my favorite character from this story. He’s a bit of a flirt and is overflowing with charm. He’s also skilled, smart and brave, but has a soft heart. I did think that he acts younger than he should have in some places and not as skilled or mature for his background and position. I just wanted a bit more from him. Vylia was a bit more one-dimensional. I know she has a bigger role to play and I’m curious to see what happens in the next book.
The storybook world was really interesting. I liked the different creatures, various peoples and lands that form this world. I did feel like some of the verbiage wasn’t quite right for the story, particularly some of the slang, and there were some places that didn’t transition well where more editing was needed. I thought the belief system was intriguing with the elementals and the creator. I’m curious to see how that all plays out as I know they’re not done. I also felt this wasn’t religious enough to be a strong Christian read—at least not more so than many mainstream fantasy novels, so I think any fantasy reader could enjoy this story, Christian and non-Christian alike.
In the end, was it what I wished for? Overall, this was an enjoyable fantasy. The world and characters kept me turning the pages and I’m looking forward to continuing the series.
Content: Some violence and innuendo, but would consider this clean.
Source: I received a complimentary copy through JustRead Publicity Tours, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.
I was first drawn in by the cover of this book then the synopsis grabbed my attention so when I was offered a chance to read this book I jumped at it! I wasn’t sure what I was getting into as this my first book by the author but I didn’t expect what I dived into! A complex world building with a variety of cultural and religious diversity. At first I had a time trying to figure out the different beliefs and who was enemy to who. Kira’s family lives on the borderlands between the Empire and the Tribes. Rumors of war are spreading among the Empire and setting the Elite on edge. Ryon is from the tribal lands and ends up injured, captured and a runaway with an expected injured tag along who doesn’t trust him and questions his every move. However, something starts to stir between them. Vylia is the Princess of the Emperor sent on her first diplomatic mission and earns het place as a wavesinger. But things are not what they seem and secret plots are amiss. Now all three must navigate the dangers of politics, religious beliefs, diverse cultures and lands filled with magic and creatures that would give you nightmares if you ever saw one! There’s plenty of banter between the two main characters and enemy to lovers romance is brewing but can they navigate their way to safety and is there really a safe place in this world running amuck with secrets?