Storm and Flame by Mallory Wanless

Summary:

Elena’s magic has always been weak and her mother, also headmistress, never lets her forget it. On her 16th birthday, and important day for an enchantress, the headmistress decides her daughter must leave the school and the only home she has ever known. While on her own, she encounters Quinn and awakens something in him he didn’t realize he had. When Elena is attacked, her powers are awakened and so is an ancient prophecy that involves both her and Quinn. 

My Thoughts:

I was very intrigued by the description of the book as it had everything I generally like in a book: fantasy, magic, adventure, an ancient prophecy. Unfortunately, I feel like some of these qualities fell a little short for me. I felt the writing was a bit too simple in the details for such a wonderful premise and world. That being said, I sill enjoyed the world the author built and the touches of magic and adventure. 

One area that I think the author excelled in was the characters. The characters behaved in a realistic manner and reacted to situations the way I think a normal person would for the most part. Elena and Quinn are both candid with themselves about some of the stranger things that happen and I think that’s what make me really connect with them.

The ending was not what I was expecting. The connection revealed between the characters in the end caught me completely by surprise and I can’t say I’m upset about it. I admire when an author can catch you off guard or go in a direction that you might not have immediately considered as a reader.

The story held my interest until the end and I’m very excited to find out what happens in the next book. Overall, I think this book is a genuinely good read and is honestly a story that I haven’t been able to get out of my head.