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azrah786's review
challenging
dark
4.0
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
**I received a proof copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, gore, injury, war, blood, body horror, death, child death, murder, torture, kidnapping, confinement, genocide, self harm, slavery, suicidal ideation, alcohol, drug use/addiction
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Flames of Mira is an impressive fantasy debut introducing a world of fire and ice that will blow you away.
The story primarily follows a powerful elemental known as Ig with an obscure past who serves Magnate Sorrelo Adriann and his 3 children – a noble family who’s control of the city of Augustin is slipping. Ig’s powers are unbeknownst to most, as is the fact that he is flesh bound to follow the commands of the Magnate, if the Word is given Ig must obey or face an excruciating death.
Harmon throws us straight into the action with a coup setting Ig off on a journey that is just as brutal as his past and a narrative that explores the themes of power, control and redemption. I don’t want to give much more of the overarching plot away but believe me when I say this book really doesn’t pull its punches and is borderline grimdark.
Dual POV, alongside Ig we also have the perspective of the youngest of the Adriann children, Efadora. It took me some time to warm to Ig but the more of his story that unfolded the more intrigued I became with him. On the other hand I liked Efadora from the moment we meet her, though I will say the way her character was written made her seem older than her stated age most of the time. Both protagonists are on a path of self-discovery throughout the course of the story and it was the relationships amongst the siblings and with Ig that played such an interesting role here.
However, I have got to say that for much of the book the plot was the overshadowed aspect of the story – that is until the 2nd half when the political storyline really picked up. For much of the beginning what kept me reading was how captivated I was by the worldbuilding.
The setting itself is a subterranean world where accommodation levels coincide with the social hierarchy – the wealthiest living in the warmer areas closer to the planets centre, prison cells are located near the ice ridden and barren surface. Even the architecture had little details that related to the structure and volcanic nature of the planet.
Then there is the magic/power system which involves actual science and is all about bonding to the elements and controlling energy, it was all really cool. It is obvious so much thought went into it all and I was absolutely fascinated. If you’re a fan of vividly crafted worlds and satisfyingly complex magic systems then you’ve got to check this book out for that alone!
All in all a solid first instalment and I’m excited to see what Harmon puts out next.
Final Rating – 4/5 Stars
**I received a proof copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
CW: violence, gore, injury, war, blood, body horror, death, child death, murder, torture, kidnapping, confinement, genocide, self harm, slavery, suicidal ideation, alcohol, drug use/addiction
--
Flames of Mira is an impressive fantasy debut introducing a world of fire and ice that will blow you away.
The story primarily follows a powerful elemental known as Ig with an obscure past who serves Magnate Sorrelo Adriann and his 3 children – a noble family who’s control of the city of Augustin is slipping. Ig’s powers are unbeknownst to most, as is the fact that he is flesh bound to follow the commands of the Magnate, if the Word is given Ig must obey or face an excruciating death.
Harmon throws us straight into the action with a coup setting Ig off on a journey that is just as brutal as his past and a narrative that explores the themes of power, control and redemption. I don’t want to give much more of the overarching plot away but believe me when I say this book really doesn’t pull its punches and is borderline grimdark.
Dual POV, alongside Ig we also have the perspective of the youngest of the Adriann children, Efadora. It took me some time to warm to Ig but the more of his story that unfolded the more intrigued I became with him. On the other hand I liked Efadora from the moment we meet her, though I will say the way her character was written made her seem older than her stated age most of the time. Both protagonists are on a path of self-discovery throughout the course of the story and it was the relationships amongst the siblings and with Ig that played such an interesting role here.
However, I have got to say that for much of the book the plot was the overshadowed aspect of the story – that is until the 2nd half when the political storyline really picked up. For much of the beginning what kept me reading was how captivated I was by the worldbuilding.
The setting itself is a subterranean world where accommodation levels coincide with the social hierarchy – the wealthiest living in the warmer areas closer to the planets centre, prison cells are located near the ice ridden and barren surface. Even the architecture had little details that related to the structure and volcanic nature of the planet.
Then there is the magic/power system which involves actual science and is all about bonding to the elements and controlling energy, it was all really cool. It is obvious so much thought went into it all and I was absolutely fascinated. If you’re a fan of vividly crafted worlds and satisfyingly complex magic systems then you’ve got to check this book out for that alone!
All in all a solid first instalment and I’m excited to see what Harmon puts out next.
Final Rating – 4/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
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