When I picked up the book I discovered that the book wasn’t for me. I’ve tried reading it but I didn’t vibe with it at the time. It wasn’t the reading style, I just couldn’t get into it for some reason. I would like to apologise for how late I’m sending in this review. I thought I had DNF’ed here but discovered that I hadn’t. I’m really sorry for the inconvenience and for my tardiness. I hope you’ve received good reviews for the book and that the book itself is a succes. Again, I apologise for how late I’m handing in this review.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This book unfortunately has a very slow start. I had to try three separate times in order to read this book, if you’re not willing to power through a slow start this title is not for you.

That being said, the world this book is set in is fascinating, as well as the magic system. There is a sequel that I may pick up, but it probably won’t be anytime soon.

Also not sure if this is YA or adult, which could potentially change my feelings on this title.

If the cover doesn’t grab you, this story will. I loved how the author takes their time crafting each girl’s journey and personality. It was masterfully done. The political drama was spot on!

This book was a decent epic fantasy story that ultimately suffered from unclear writing and some faltering characterization. The general premise is super interesting but the characters ended up being somewhat frustrating as I continued to read. I usually love stories about sisterhood but the character skewed a bit immature for my tastes and that led to a lot of sisterly squabbling that wore me out. Still, the characters did develop as the story went on, which was why I did end up enjoying the book despite its flaws.

The book also touched on the themes of mental health, something that not a lot of epic fantasy does, as far as I'm aware, so I actually really enjoyed that aspect of the story. There's also a lot of complexity to the worldbuilding which should always be applauded, especially for a YA fantasy, but it wasn't necessarily fleshed out in a very digestible manner, but perhaps that could be remedied in later books now that we've settled in.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this title. I will review this title at a different date.

'Bursts of Fire' is the first book in an exciting new young adult fantasy series that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy. There were several aspects that I really liked about the book and a few that didn't quite hit the mark. I'm going to break it down for simplicity:

Positives:

Characters - The characters were complex and well rounded, especially our three sisters - Meg, Janat and Rennika. They each had their own strengths and weaknesses and unique personalities to make them feel realistic. I enjoyed getting to know each of the girls throughout the book. I also liked watching each of them change and grow - both as a person and with their relationships with each other and other people. I hope the next book continues to show them as realistic and changing individuals and we get to see them grow even more.

Setting - Since this was the first book in a new fantasy series, the world building took quite awhile to set up and establish. It was very detailed and descriptive and the author brought it all to life before our eyes with tons of vivid imagery. I loved learning about the land, the history, the people, the kingdom, and all of the other things the author added in.

Negatives:

Plot - The plot had a few things that I didn't really like. First of all, this wasn't an especially original story line. It felt like a familiar template that the author plugged in her own characters and small details. I'm not saying it was bad, it just didn't really pull me in. I found my mind wandering and couldn't seem to stay focused on everything happening. This could also be due to the pace - I found it to be really slow. It felt like a ton of backstory (which I liked) and world building (again, I liked) but it took so long to get through everything, which I feel could have been done in a lot less time.

Writing Style - This is a major aspect for me in each book I read and can easily make or break a story for me. I almost always prefer the first person point of view for several reasons. The author chose to write this novel in the third person POV, which is my least favorite. I never feel as connected to the character(s) with this style of writing, and that was the case with this book.

Between not feeling very connected to the characters to the writing style and the pacing of the story, this book fell short for me. I thought it was going to be awesome after reading the description - I'm all about anything with magic - but I just couldn't really get into it. There were definitely great aspects of the book that I enjoyed and the issues I had were purely on my end and personal. It's my own opinion and obviously not everyone will feel or think the same. I do recommend this to fans of YA, fantasy, and epic fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this Review copy of Bursts of Fire by Susan Forest.
Although Bursts of Fire was well-written high fantasy with what should have been intriguing magical elements I found it to be a slog to get through. There wasn’t anything glaringly wrong with a the plot or the characters but it lacked any of the tension, humor, romance and action a reader requires to get hooked into the fantasy world of warring kingdoms. So you are left with just warring countries which I do not find fascinating.
Unfortunately, it was not for me.

Unfortunately had to DNF because I lost interest. It was off to a good start, but the writing style didn't appeal to me and I found it difficult to get immersed into the story.

I’m completely at an impasse with this book. On one hand, Bursts of Fire has everything I am looking for in a new fantasy series: great cast of characters, intriguing and original plot, refreshingly unique magic system and EPIC world building. On the other hand: I just couldn’t connect. How do you accurately review a book that has everything you love and need but just could not, for the life of you, get into it?

Answer: Stay as neutral as possible.

Honestly, there is not a single thing I could say to explain why I didn’t love this book. Susan Forest has written what I’m sure is the beginning of an incredibly epic fantasy journey and she has done it
beautifully! This world is so vivid that I felt I could just jump right in and join in the fun. Even the political and religious aspects, while important to the story, didn’t overshadow or take away from other parts of the book which I find a lot of authors tend to struggle with. There was an excellent balance and, as
someone who tries to shy away from those overly political and religious worlds, I appreciate it!

If anything, my connection to Meg, Janat and Rennika (especially Meg) could play a big part in how impartial I am to this story. The sisters just didn’t draw me in as the heroines I was expecting to love and that disconnect most certainly affected my enjoyment. At the same time although these siblings could
definitely use some development as large players in this game, which would make creating a connection to them easier, you have to keep in mind that Bursts of Fire is just the first book in a LONG journey so if the author overdeveloped them now….there would be no room to grow as the story moves forward. If this was a standalone or even a trilogy I would say that these girls would be a deal breaker for me but I
know the author must have big plans for them in the future so an early disconnect is a small price to pay
for what I’m sure will be a very big pay-off.

I know this review has been about as helpful as a spoon in a snowstorm but I really wanted the point to hit home that even though I didn’t enjoy this book, I also didn’t not enjoy it. I truly believe that Bursts of Fire was case of right book at the wrong time and it has so much potential that I’m not quite ready to give up on it just yet. I will be revisiting Susan Forest’s Addicted to Heaven series but I think I’m going to
hold off until it is complete, or at least close to. My gut tells me that this is something I will love and I want to make sure I’m prepared when the time comes for me to hop on that ride.

Also…that cover is gorgeous so if the rest of this series looks like that, I’ll be happy to have them on my shelf until I’m ready for them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Laksa Media Group for providing me with a copy of this book to read and
give my own, honest opinion

A lot of potential, but sadly this wasn't a winner for me . I couldn't connect with the characters and that was my main issue. It wasn't for me but it might be for other readers of the genre!

DNF @25 %

The premise of this book is very interesting, and I was actually enjoying the beginning. This is a world where magiels assist the kings and the people of the Kingdoms to cross over to Heaven after they die. Hundreds of years of peace between the Kingdoms were followed by an unpredictable attack. And now all magiels are either dead or hiding in fear for their lives.

I was enjoying this book until I just read about penis... I mean... isn't this supposed to be a YA book?! Was it absolutely necessary to include this random scene that added nothing to the story?!

I tried reading a bit more but quickly realized that that one scene put me off the entire book, and also I have no intention to read this series. It wasn't all too bad, and the idea is very cool. I also loved the parts where we followed the three magiel sisters, but it didn't grab my attention enough for me to continue.

The start of a brand new fantasy series, Bursts of Fire took me completely by surprise - in a good way.

Oddly, I've seen other reviews mention the slow pacing as a negative - maybe it's because I've been a reader of some truly old school fantasy, but in my mind a slower pace suits the genre better, particularly when you're setting up such a grand and intricately detailed world as this book does. From the magic systems to the politics of so many kings, kingdoms and religious systems, it's clear that an immense amount of planning has gone into this book. The foundation is there for a long-lasting, truly epic series.

But back to this particular book. It all kicks off when Meg, Janat and Rennika's mother realises that noone can see the future of their kingdom past a year's time. We come in to the story when that year is almost up - putting the reader very much in the shoes of the three young heroines as we grappel together to come to an understanding of what is going on, and who can be trusted in this new and completely unknown situation. The girls start off young and unprepared for the task at hand - I've seen other reviewers complain about their initial immaturity, but again; this is a journey! And watching them develop, standing together and learning who to rely on and how to navigate themselves through the world was all the more satisfying for such a rocky start.

Altogether this was one of the most promising starts to a series, particularly a YA series, that I've had the pleasure of reading in a long time. I'll absolutely be here, waiting for the next one!

While I was extremely excited about this novel, I DNFed @ 35%. I do not feel like I would be able to give an adequate review.

I wish I could say that I liked this more than I actually did. I loved the set up of the story in the blurb. I think I am waiting for someone to make the next best thing when it comes to YA Fantasy. This wasn't it. I loved the idea of the world. Something I see many stories lack is the development of a new and magical world where magic is outside of wands, spells, or elementals or at the very least more than just that.

I liked how the author introduced magic as separate types instead of magic vs non-magic. However, the issue with YA is that the characters in the story are just...not all that appealing. I've read better developed characters, I've read better writing fantasy stories...it's just hard to appreciate something when the writing is frankensteined together. I just didn't like this in the end.

Not a fan of the romance, the sibling dynamics, or how they interact with other characters. I almost wish this were more of a Charmed type book, because that would have been more interesting with this kind of story.

Title provided via NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a bit of a tough read for me. The writing was amazing. The world building was definitely my favorite. There was a very well developed system of magic along with the affects of what happens when you use it. It has a lot to do with time. The religion is well-developed and is a major point of the plot of this book. While the world building was great I just couldn't fully get into this book. I feel it disempowers women with the reasoning of its based on medieval society so of course women can't do much. Now, there are some stronger women in the beginning, but then they're dead or they don't really get much attention. Meg complains of wanting to be involved in the war, but as a woman she had to watch her sisters and then men consistently talk over the girls. Maybe this is meant to be because our main characters are still younger women with little experience, but it just really bothered me.
If you like darker, adult fantasy with war and rebellion you could definitely enjoy this book. I especially liked the magic system, but personally this book just wasn't for me.

It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.

It took me a bit to get into this one, the beginning is a bit rocky and confusing. The main characters where a bit cookie cutter and too similar to me, I couldnt really enjoy this book because of that. The world building was absolutely gorgeous which redeemed it a bit.

So, first off, look at this cover. It is so freaking gorgeous; I can’t even put I into words.

So, Bursts of Fire promises to be a good old fashioned fantasy novel full of plots and intrigue, but its so much more. The tale of three sisters who have been banished from their home for being the daughter of the local magiel (a magic user who can send their consciousness through time is about the best way to describe them) who is now being hunted by the King. They are initially accompanied by their Nanna, but this soon changes when she sacrifices herself to ensure their freedom.

Forest writes each girl with such passion and precision that each has their own independent personality from the very get go. The eldest, Meghra takes on the role of the caretaker for the tiny family and is willing to do anything to survive; the majority of the novel features Meg at the centre of attention and she is the main sibling whose consciousness moves through time. Janat is the middle child and seems a little blasé about the whole ordeal for the most part; she always looks to her older sister for advice but is willing to take risks in order to remain unfound by the kings men. Which brings me to Rennika, the youngest child. Although she is the smallest and recognised the least for her abilities (her mother made her look like a full worldling), this tiny tween is a magical powerhouse when she needs to be.

Most of the story focusses around the three siblings avoiding notice by the guards and King’s people in order to survive, so there is a lot of stealth operations that go on rather than the sword fights and magical battles one would usually expect from a fantasy novel. For the most part however, this doesn’t affect the pacing or how enthralling the story is. Yes, there are slow points whereby I got a tad bored, and others where I was a little confused as to how I got there but it was generally well paced and fairly even in its intensity.

Here is where I want to discuss Forest’s masterful world building talent. Whether in a busy town square or hidden away in a random persons home, the reader is drawn into the story, able to feel the closeness of the buildings, smell the scents of a busy kitchen. Having gone into Bursts of Fire, oblivious to Forest’s previous works, this expert worldbuilding took me by surprise and really drew me in.

Overall it felt like a well-paced novel with a few twists and turns thrown in for good measure. While not the punchiest and attention-holding novel of the year, it was still worth the read.

Actual Rating - 3.75 rounded to 4

Unique and imaginative, Bursts of Fire by Susan Forest is an entertaining and riveting fantasy story.

This book is an interesting and fun read, but I did struggle with it in the beginning. That being said, once the story picks up, I found myself really intrigued by story and the characters. Meg, Janat, and Rennika are complex and fantastic heroines and I enjoyed seeing them grow and mature in their own ways. The world building is magnificent and so mesmeric. I love the different kingdoms, the magical aspects, the political parts, and everything else in between. The plot is slow at times but still entertaining and engaging enough to keep me reading until the end. While there are certain aspects of this book that definitely could have been explained better or improved, I think Forest created a wonderful and exciting fantasy story that will have readers racing to the end to find out if the sisters can restore peace and balance to their world.

The characters are far from perfect, but they’re quite fascinating, likeable and realistic. Even though I never fully connected with the sisters, I enjoyed getting to know them and seeing each of them work through their own issues and problems. They definitely have some sibling rivalry and jealousy, but I love the bond the sisters share and how they come together to be there for each other.

Susan Forest has created a captivating fantasy adventure that burns into something quite amazing. This book is a story about power, loss, heartbreak, religious beliefs, loyalty, forgiveness, love and so much more. Even though not everything worked out for me, I enjoyed the majority of this novel and I think Forest's imaginative storytelling is worth the read. I also love the emotional depth and how Forest tackles sensitive real life problems and issues. Bursts of Fire definitely has enough intrigue, action, and thrill that will appeal to plenty of readers and I'm excited to see what happens next.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author and publisher via Netgalley for participating in a Blog Tour hosted by TLC Book Tours and in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.