Sunday, September 4, 2016

Review: A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess


A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess
Book One of the Kingdom on Fire series
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 20, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

I am Henrietta Howel.
The first female sorcerer in hundreds of years.
The prophesied one.
Or am I?

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, unforgettably heroine, and a world filled with magic, romance, and betrayal. Hand to fans of Libba Bray, Sarah J. Maas, and Cassandra Clare.

What I Liked:

I actually didn't know much about this book before reading it. I'd seen many positive early reviews for the book, and usually hype turns me off. But I decided to give this book a shot anyway, because, well, fantasy. I love fantasy, and YA fantasy tends to be good. I'm pleased to say that I did enjoy this book, and I look forward to reading book two.

Henrietta Howel can set herself on fire. But females with any sort of magical power are executed, typically. When she is discovered one day, she is taken from the school she teaches at, and brought to study and learn her power. There are six young men also in training to be sorcerers. Henrietta is told that she is the chosen one, the girl-child of sorcerer stock. But Henrietta is not the chosen one. She discovers this, but cannot risk the sorcerers finding out. But the war with the Ancients (monsters) is even more dangerous than her secrets.

What an intriguing, engaging story. I had no trouble reading this book, and I practically flew through the 400+ pages. Once I started the book, I was hooked. There are no lag at any point, no spots of boredom. I couldn't read it fast enough, to be honest! The author got the pacing right, perfect for the story.

I really love that Henrietta isn't the "chosen one". I'm kind of sick of prophecies and chosen ones and such, and so it was kind of relief to be told upfront that she wouldn't be the chosen one. It takes a while, until the end of the story, for everyone else to learn of this. But we're still not aware of who the girl in the prophecy actually is. Fascinating!

The story is brilliantly played out. Henrietta goes to Master Agrippa's home, and begins to learn how to control and wield her powers with Agrippa, as well as six boys also in training. Time goes on, and Henrietta is utterly failing at lessons. Why? She finds out, in a rather surprising way, that she isn't what they want her to be. She's not the chosen one. And so she begins to try and hone her power, with the help of an unexpected ally, to try and pass as a sorcerer and get the commendation from the Queen. All the while Ancients are flooding the city and killing people everywhere they go. And Henrietta's friend Rook is suffering at the hands of darkness.

So there are seven important young men in the story. The six sorcerers, Blackwood, Magnus, Dee, Cellini, Wolff, and Lambe, are all very different, yet interesting in their own ways. Blackwood is a brooding, sullen young earl. Magnus is a shameless flirt. Dee is a playful student. Cellini is the foreigner, and Italian. Wolff and Lambe (hehe) are quiet and a little recluse, and tend to stick to themselves. And then there is Rook, Henrietta's friend from the school. She insisted that he come with her to Agrippa's mansion, as the pair do not separate. They've been friends since they were little, and are very close.

I guess it's time for me to talk about the romance... whatever shape the publisher is trying to sell (love triangle, square, heptagon), it's wrong. There is no love triangle in this book. Really, there isn't concrete romance at all. Of the six boys, only two, in my opinion, COULD be love interests. Rook, Magnus, and Blackwood COULD be love interests. Rook, I'm ruling out because of reasons. Magnus, I'm also ruling out, though he is the one that presents the strongest case. Blackwood is the one I hope to be an actual love interest. He has the Darcy archetype going on, and he definitely has the Darcy effect. I really, really like Blackwood. Not that I don't like the others. But as a love interest, I'm all for Blackwood. But then, there was nothing romantic between Blackwood and Henrietta. So me hoping that Blackwood will be a love interest could be wishful thinking. I have a feeling that there will be development with Blackwood though. The seeds were definitely planted in this book, in a subtle manner. *crosses fingers*

So far, no love interest has strongly presented himself. There are a lot of boys, and I personally think one of three of the seven boys COULD be a love interest, but none of them are presenting a strong case to me at the moment. I do have a favorite though.

And in the end, Henrietta doesn't really need a love interest to define her. At the moment, she's doing just fine on her own. I want to see a strong romantic relationship with one of those boys develop (just one, though), but that can happen later in the series. I like that it didn't happen in book one.

No cliffhanger ending in this book, but things definitely aren't resolved. And we know that this is book one of a series. The story ended a little... cliche, in my opinion. I know there are books to follow, but I expected a different ending. It was a good ending, and it fit the story just fine, I just expected something else. I'm excited to see where book two takes us!

What I Did Not Like:

I can't think of anything specific at the moment, though I'm sure there are little things that stuck out to me while I was reading the book. I don't dislike the romance, but I hope to see a stronger and more clear romance in the next books. And more about Henrietta's father, and the chosen one. And the bit about the ivy (read the book and you'll know what I mean). All in good time, I'm sure!

Would I Recommend It:

I do recommend this book - I see why it's so hyped and why so many people have loved it already. I would caution those who are wary of the love triangle (or square or whatever). There is none right now, but I suppose there could be (especially with the sheer number of boys who are in the story -- though, like I said, most of them are not love interests or even potential love interests). Maybe wait until book two publishes to see how the romance goes. Typically by the end of book two, you have a clear idea of exactly where the romance is going. Usually, but not always. 

Nevertheless, this IS a great fantasy story. 

Rating: 

4 stars. A well-written, enjoyable fantasy debut that is every bit as adventurous and magical as I expected. I am looking forward to reading the next book!


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!

38 comments:

  1. I'm so excited for ASBAB! Also, I do hope a nice central romance develops as the series continues... I need a main ship when I read a series normally :D Great review

    Emily @ Reader Rising

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you enjoy this book! I'm hoping Blackwood is going to be a love interest because I would ship him and Henrietta!

      Delete
  2. I really loved this one too! I really enjoyed the twist about being the chosen one or not and the whole world building and mythology!
    And I'm rooting for Lord Blackwood too but I'm glad that the romance is not taking central stage!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YAAASSS! You're a Blackwood fan too? GOOD. It's not all in my head! ;)

      Delete
    2. Nope, not just in yours! And I told Jessica on Twitter and all she said was "interesting"!!

      Delete
    3. GAAAHHHHH! Clearly we need to get inside HER head or invite a time machine or something. We must demand all the Blackwood swoons! :D

      Delete
  3. I have to add it to my TBR.Seems a good read.Great review :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. OOh nice! I picked this up at BEA because I thought it sounded interesting! Can't wait to read it! Though not sure how I'll feel about the potential love mess, but we'll see how things go! LOL! Glad to hear you enjoyed it so! Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's good foresight! The romance isn't quite a mess at the moment, just not very defined and clear. It's not a central part of the story.

      Thank you!

      Delete
  5. Yey, I'm glad you enjoyed this one! I can't wait to read it myself. I love YA fantasy and this certainly does look intriguing. Wonderful review as always!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is right up your alley, Erin! Thank you. <3333

      Delete
  6. I just posted my review of this today too! I definitely think Blackwood has serious potential to be the love interest in this book. Just by how much those two grew on each other throughout the whole book. He's my favorite too. I really enjoyed this book as well and I'm super excited for the next one to come out! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We were twinning! I really reaaaaaally hope Blackwood is endgame. Girl, cross your fingers! I hope we enjoy book two!

      Delete
  7. Great review! I can't wait to give this one a shot!

    Lauren @ Always Me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I hope you enjoy the book, Lauren. :D

      Delete
  8. I'm glad you liked this one. I just read that there are fairies in this one!
    Happy Reading,
    Miranda @ Miranda's Book Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And other creatures too! It's pretty neat. :D

      Delete
  9. Amazing review Alyssa. I have heard great things about this book as well, and it does looks and sounds absolutely fantastic and right up my alley. Plus I really do love when YA Fantasy books are face pace and I really don't mind if there is a potential love tringle in this book. Thank you for the awesome post my friend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You would enjoy this one, Katiria! Especially if the (possibly messy) romance won't bother you. You're welcome! Thank YOU. <3

      Delete
  10. Well now I want to read it. Like you, I've been getting bored with books that have a chosen one. And now I want to know who is the chosen one since it's not the main character! Officially intrigued here.
    I'm glad you pointed out about the love interests. Knowing there are so many guys, I probably would have ignored this one. Sounds like this could do without romance, but what you said of Blackwood, I'm all for him being the romantic interest.
    Great review!!
    Genesis | Latte Nights Reviews

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YAY! I'm glad you're interested!

      Honestly, this series could stand well without romance... this first book didn't have a lot specifically going on, but you can tell that certain people are interested in Henrietta, and Henrietta is attracted to this guy or that guy... the seeds are there. BLACKWOOD, girl. He (hopefully) is the one!

      Thank you! =)

      Delete
  11. So,so excited about this book!
    Can't wait to read :)
    Happy you liked A Shadow Bright and Burning :)
    Thanks for the awesome review! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you love it, Bube! Happy reading. ^_^

      Delete
  12. Hmm. I'm definitely going to be waiting on this series before reading it! Thanks for the thoughtful review as always!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Part of me wishes I had! But at the same time, the lack of concrete romance in this book wasn't too bad either, despite the potential for the romance to get really messy.

      Thank YOU, Lauren!

      Delete
  13. Yay, I just got the audiobook for this one last week and I'm so glad I did because I keep seeing great things about it!

    Nereyda│ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist

    ReplyDelete
  14. I requested an audiobook and i hope to get it so I can read it soon Alyssa. It sounds like a great fantasy story, it sounds that even if it wasn't perfect it's a good start to the series

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooo, that's cool! I hope you enjoy it, Liza. ^_^

      Delete
  15. Oh, you just write the best reviews ever! Seriously! I want to read all the books you review, lol.
    I'm DYING for this one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Girl you are so sweet! Thank you. <33333 I hope you love this one, Lis!

      Delete
  16. Lovely review Alyssa :D Ohh, so glad you enjoyed this one so much. <3 You are making me curious, haha :D Sounds like an exciting story. But aaaw. No romance? :( And not even sure who the love interest will be? Haha. Not for me, lol :D Not until book two is out. But I am curious :D Thank you for sharing. <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The romance wasn't as there as I expected - which is probably a good thing, because we really don't need a love triangle or square or anything. I'm rooting for Blackwood though! That's a good idea, wait to binge-read the books. :D

      Delete
  17. This one was a super great read! Finished it within a day!I could actually go with any of the three love interests; such a devoted loyalty to Rook and Magnus was such a romantic. Totally wanting to see how Blackwood's stern icy exterior melts as he and Henrietta get to know each other. Totally wondering where or what her father is; how the Fae fits into the picture if at all; and how they'll destroy the Ancients. Great review and not sure I can wait for the next book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oops I forgot to ask what your reasons were that Rook wouldn't be the one. :)

      Delete
    2. I am SO glad that you enjoyed this book! I'm still very sold on Blackwood, though there was nothing physically romantic happening between him and Henrietta. He has a Darcy vibe going on. :D Rook... and Magnus... both just don't seem like endgame. Magnus came on too strong and too fast. Rook - I can't see him over Blackwood. Maybe if Blackwood didn't exist. I don't want to get into spoilers but I'm fairly confident Rook can be ruled out! But who knows. ;D

      Thank you so much! I hope book two does not disappoint. <3

      Delete
  18. Seriously well done. Great monsters, great characters, great magic, a great read from start to finish. Gold star.

    Zia
    Amazed at SIS Archiving Medical Records

    ReplyDelete

I love comments! I will always try and reply to your comments, as well as leave some comment love on your blog! :)

Also, this an award and tag free blog. While I am flattered that you would think of me, I really do not have the time to follow up. Thank you!