A Review for Born in Flames (Born in Flames #1)by Candace Knoebel

Posted by Guest Reviewer Melanie
Release Date: September 6th, 2012
Finished Date: April 3rd, 2013

Publishers: Self - Published
Source: For Review 

Format: Kindle
Pages: 259

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US

Red mirrored scales race up my arms as the haze of pain blurs my vision. My bones crack, breaking to realign. I scream. It is then that the realization of my unavoidable fate sinks in; I am of a dying race. I am dragon. 

Aurora Megalos, orphaned and teetering on the edge of adulthood, thought finding her past would curb the sting of being an outcast. Having no memories of the time before she awoke on her foster mother’s doorstep, she yearns for the emptiness inside her to be filled. With her fellow orphaned best friend, Fenn, by her side, she has nothing to lose and everything to gain. But something powerful stirred within her that she couldn’t explain. Something wanted out. 

In the dark of night, a crazed Seer, dubbed Mr.Creepy, erases everything she’s ever known with an impending prophecy. She now faces two paths. Return to her true home to protect a dying race against a growing evil, or stay hidden in the safety of our realm with a shot at a true love. With a vengeful Arch Enemy stopping at nothing to see her dead, she’s running out of time; a decision must be made. What would you choose?

The Review: Born in Flames was a promising start to a new series. In the beginning we find 10yr old Aurora being wrenched away from her home and mentor -Astral - whilst being chased by the ‘Fates’ who have decided that she must die – Why? You might ask?..... well you have to read it to find out! Fast forward 8yrs later and we find an 18yr old Aurora and her foster brother Fenn – having recently graduated from High School , living together whist working a crappy job so they can save up to go in search of both sets of their birth parents. They both have no recollections of a time before they turned up at the same foster home within days of each other, so don’t have much to go on but they have each other. However, this is all about to change when they encounter a strange man at the bus stop which sets of a chain of events where Aurora & Fenn do indeed find out some answers about themselves and in turn unlock a prophecy that seems to have Aurora in its starring role….. will Aurora follow her fate? Can she be what the prophecy predicts or will she settle for her life in Hawaii with Fenn, always feeling like something is missing to make her whole? So, this was a great book and I enjoyed it a lot. In the beginning it had a sad, lonely feel to it – our MC’s Aurora & Fenn only have each other, brought up in the same foster home they forged a strong bond to one another. Aurora never felt like she fit in to her home/school life, being classed as weird and sometimes strange things did happen around her and fire which means she clings to Fenn as her only trusted friend in life. They are well written characters, you can really feel the bond between the two straight off which always helps to get right ‘into’ the character. There is a pull between them that develops throughout the book that is sweet and lovely. Fenn is super protective of Aurora which endears him to the reader even more and I love the connection between them. At the start of the book there is only a slight paranormal feel to it which develops and becomes stronger throughout the book until it turns into a full on fantasy by the end and I have to say … I loved that! The journey the storyline took us on was brilliant and I ‘really’ liked it. We know from the start that there is something more to Aurora but she has no recollection, I like it when we go through the discoveries of a persons background along with them, it gives a better insight & depth to that character. I loved how it was done too, a few mysterious people, hints & clues dotted about, a quest of sorts and a whole new world was waiting, we are also introduced to the baddies in a very cool way. Everyone knows how much I love prophecies and that is what usually draws me to a book – this one did not disappoint - I like what I’m reading, I like where it seems to be going, its making me think ahead to future books and looking for clues in what I’ve just read – just great! We also get a smidge of romance to top it off too, what more can you want? I just really loved the whole set up to be honest, it was intriguing & exciting with a good dose of action and so filled with potential. I will definitely be looking out for the sequel.