Fallen Flame

Fallen Flame Series, Book 1

By: J.M. Miller

Narrated by: Amelia Hugh

Nineteen years ago, on the island kingdom of Garlin, a girl was born. With charred skin as rough as rock, Vala was instantly feared. For how could one be scorched by magic when it had perished ages before?

Recognizing an asset, the royal family welcomed her on their Guard. Her detail: the prince.
To watch. To protect. She has grown with him, lives her life for him.

When the high kingdom’s princess comes to assess the prince, assassins of rival courtiers come to claim his life. One nearly succeeds in his mission. But with shadowy movements and charred skin like her own, Vala knows he is not like the rest.

As threats to the prince continue and questions about Vala’s life begin to rise, she faces a fear worse than fire or water, worse even than losing him.

She fears finding out who she truly is.

©2017 J.M. Miller (P)2021 J.M. Miller

Hooks You Into The Series

Fallen Flame introduces us to such an amazing new fantasy world that is full of great characters. This book puts us on the island of Garlin in the middle of a big political push with the other human kingdom of Islain. We meet many characters of these kingdoms and wonder who is to be trusted and who isn't.. who is friend and who is foe? Many secrets to unravel and truth to discover. It also sets a mystery about our main character Vala, who is she really, and why is she so different from the humans that surround her here? This theme continues to build throughout this book. I loved the character development as the book goes on and adds just the right amount of action to it. The added affect when also listening to the audio book narrator Amelia Hugh, as she really brings the story to life.. *chef's kiss*!

Love this even more in audio!

I absolutely loved this story before and love it now even more as characters are brought to life! Great narration for a fantastic story!

Fallen Flame

Imagine being different from everyone around you. You don’t just feel different, you are different. Life is hard for Valla being the only one with the burnt skin. Not scarred, but charred. She is fire, and she don’t know why. Then enter a mysterious stranger. He seems like an enemy at first, but the more Valla gets to know him, the more he seems to be an ally. When her life gets flipped upside down, can he help her escape the mess?
I really like Valla’s story. I can tell that it will be fun, and complicated and messy, but well worth my time. I give Fallen Flame 4 stars and I look forward to finding out what happens next!

Fallen Flame

Re-read via audio and I have to say the narration was excellent. It brought Vala’s story to life. I can’t wait to listen to the rest of this trilogy.

I have always loved JM Miller's books so I was beyond excited when I heard she was delving into the fantasy genre with not just one book but a whole series. So I was not surprised that I loved this books but I was surprised by how much I loved it. I won't recap the plot because enough other reviews do that but I will say I found this to be a unique and intriguing storyline from the beginning. It never read slow for me and it pulled me in for the first chapter so I kept turning the pages needing to know more. And Vala was a wonderful character. She's obviously different but uses that difference to show strength, not just physically but in how she sees herself and her infinite potential as the story progresses. There is this wonderful message that your differences may actually be your greatest asset and it may lead you down paths you never could have imagined before, even opening up new worlds.

The hint of romance in this book was just enough for me. Because of the unique storyline I don't think the author could give us much more without it seeming forced. Besides Vala needs to focus on self discovery before exploring any one else ;) I'm sure we will see more exploring in the next book and I can't wait to read all about it.

There are lots of questions that I am left with at the end of this one but I'm happy it's not a cliffhanger. And since it's only book one, I'm ok with that. I'm sure my answer will comen time. So excited for the next installment.
4.5 Stars

Great fantasy story with a unique concept

I listened to the audiobook and I really enjoyed this audiobook. It's narrated by Amelia Hugh, who has become one of my favorite narrators. I was hooked on this story from start to finish.

This book is a young adult fantasy with a little bit of magic and a touch of romance. Nineteen year old Vala was born with charred skin that looks like ash. Nobody can touch her skin because they burn themselves if they do. The charred skin builds up and once a week she has to soak in water to slough it off, which she calls "cleansing". Cleansing her skin in water is excruciating, and it leaves her feeling raw until it grows back. Nobody else on the island is like her, and she has no idea where she came from. She was adopted as a baby by a kind woman, who has since passed away.

Vala is the main guard to the crowned prince. She is skilled in combat and scary looking enough that she's the perfect person to protect him. She and the price grew up together, and she has devoted most of her life to him. But her position as a commoner guard, and her mysterious condition, make it so they can never be more than friends.

Vala's skills as the prince's guard are tested when assassins arrive to prevent him from being able to marry the high Princess. As she is rescuing the prince from one, she realizes the man is not like the rest. His skin is charred like hers. As Vala seeks this man out again, she ends up with more questions than answers about what she is and where she came from. She also realizes too late that it isn't just the prince in danger, and now she must fight to save herself as well.

There were moment where this book had me on the edge of my seat! I found it very entertaining and I'm excited that the other two books in the series were also narrated by this narrator, I will be listening to the second book very soon. Great job to the author and the narrator!