A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING
Kingdom on Fire #1
Jessica Cluess
Young Adult/Fantasy
Releases September 20th from Random House BFYR
From Goodreads:
Henrietta Howel can burst into flames.
Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she's shocked when instead of being executed, she's invited to train as one of Her Majesty's royal sorcerers.
Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the chosen one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.
But Henrietta Howel is not the chosen one.
As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, what does it mean to not be the one? And how much will she risk to save the city—and the one she loves?
Exhilarating and gripping, Jessica Cluess's spellbinding fantasy introduces a powerful, unforgettable heroine, and a world filled with magic, romance, and betrayal.
Ever since my Buffy fandom days I've been a huge fan of any type of story about a heroine of myth and prophecy, destined to be a badass among badasses, so when I saw the words "chosen one" in the synopsis I started nodding right along, fully prepared to relive the Buffy glory days. Fast forward to a few short sentences later, and I find Ms. Henrietta is in fact NOT the chosen one, and I think that might make me love her even more.
As much as I love a "chosen" heroine, a young women who's full of strength, intelligence, and loyalty all on her own without the aid of prophecy to make her great is even more appealing to me, and I can't wait to discover what Henrietta is made of!
Sounds good :)
ReplyDeleteIt's the cover that got me, Jenny. Simply stunning the rose and the fire! Looks such a good book too. Great pick! :)
ReplyDeleteyes it's interesting! lol now you made me curious
ReplyDeleteI was super intrigued before the cover reveal and the book was already on my "must check out reviews" but that cover??? MUST HAVE! I hope we can get our hands on it at BEA!!
ReplyDeleteOOoh pretty cover!! Totally new to me! Sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteHere's my WoW
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
This sounds absolutely brilliant! I love the twist in the blurb there - from chosen one to 'not so much' and playing a game of deception through it all :D That cover is just beyond stunning too ♥ Fantastic pick my friend!! xx
ReplyDeleteThis does sound good! Thanks for putting this one on my radar. I like the setting of Victorian London as well. Great pick!
ReplyDeleteDoes Jessica have two books coming out? Am I losing my mind?
ReplyDeleteBut anywho, I was definitely drawn in by the cover.
Does Jessica have two books coming out? Am I losing my mind?
ReplyDeleteBut anywho, I was definitely drawn in by the cover.
Yes Jenny! I couldn't agree more, this will be a must for me as well!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds awesome, Jenny! I love that she's not the chosen one too. It reminds me of The Impostor Queen. And that cover is very pretty!
ReplyDeleteFab pick, Jenny! :)
Jenny, I almost put this one up instead of Hodge's - so many great sounding books. I agree with the Buffy heroine type (loved that show) and I can't wait to see how Cluess spins a tale of magic & sorcery in Victorian London :)
ReplyDeleteJenny, this cover is SO GORGEOUS!!!! I take a moment to stare at it for a bit every time I see it. :)
ReplyDeleteI've heard mixed things about "the chosen one " thing and the fact that a lot of people think it's playing off of the whole Harry Potter thing, but I don't have anything agains it. :) It does look really good though AND THAT COVERRRRR! I'M IN LURRVEEEE! :)
ReplyDeleteI think the fantasy in Victorian London trope has been done so often but it's one I'm not tired of whatsoever. I haven't heard of this one at all before so I'm excited to add it to my TBR--thanks for putting this one on my radar, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fantastic! And I hadn't even heard of it yet!
ReplyDeleteOh this one sounds good. Love that cover too. Yea, you added another one to my want list!
ReplyDeleteYou always put on my radar interesting books, Jenny! I hope this book would be as good as it sounds.
ReplyDeleteThat cover is stunning!
ReplyDeleteThis book is new to me! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week! Dani @ Paulette’s Papers
I love a good chosen one story as well (Buffy <3), but like you I'm intrigued with the fact that the mc of this book is not the chosen one! Really can't wait to read it. :D
ReplyDeleteThis one does look great! I love Chosen One stories as well. Also, YEY I LOVE BUFFY!!! :D I met James Marsters at comic con last year and I was surprised at just how SWEET he was and he took lots of time with his fans. :D
ReplyDeleteLove the cover Jenny and this does sound promising
ReplyDeleteStunning cover! I hope the inside matches the beautiful cover. :)
ReplyDelete