Songlight was my first ARC ever and I struck gold with that one because I loved it! As soon as I saw Torchfire I knew I needed to read it asap..
And wow. This second book leaves me even more hardbroken and curious for the next part of the story. Moira just keeps destroying me! She's created such a broken world with beautiful people who fight for what they believe in. The twists kept coming and..I just need the next book now!

Torchfire by Moira Buffini was a masterpiece! This author is a genious! I rated this book 5 stars because it really deserves this quotation! So so good.

This book has cured my Hunger Games hangover!

The sequel to Songlight, a YA fantasy dystopian series with a cast of characters set in a world where ‘songlight’ (i.e. telepathic ability) is forbidden. Thank you so much to Faber & Faber for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The book is written from various perspectives, most of whom are in the first book. (**spoilers ahead for anyone who hasn’t read Songlight**) Lark has fled her hometown, Northaven. Nightingale is disguised as a chrysalid by Sister Swan. Rye is on the run, and Piper is promoted up the airforce ranks, but at what cost?

There is also a new perspective added to the book: Petra. Petra is living in an airship, sent from her homeland, Sealand, tasked to explore the land before them. Her people value Songlight and dehumanise anyone who doesn’t have it as a ‘sapien’.

Petra’s perspective adds a new layer to the series, and swings it slightly towards the sci-fi genre.

It took me a few dozen pages to get back into the worlds of Brightland and Ayland, and remember all of the characters and their predicaments. (Can we normalise short summaries of past books at the start?!)

Once I was back in it, I was fully there, living and breathing the story. I really loved having the multiple perspectives, even though some of them (Swan and Piper), weren’t likeable, and were morally grey to say the least.

The plot was fast-moving and action-packed, and the world is beautifully crafted. There is a lot of political commentary and parallels that can be drawn to our world and its inequities.

It goes without saying that I can’t wait for the conclusion of this trilogy!

Really enjoyed the first book in this series and this was a great sequel. I’m not a fan of more recent YA but this dystopian tale of power and resistance is an exception. Highly recommend this series.

I was delighted to receive an arc for this book. I really enjoyed the first book and the world building is top notch. I enjoyed finding out more of the different type of people in this world. An excellent fantasy story where you can immerse yourself in an alternate reality.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 3 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I couldn't put this book down – absolutely loved it.

Dystopian fantasy YA perfection! 5/5 stars. I thought I loved book 1 (I did) and book 2 was just a revelation. I could not put it down. I stayed up to finish it till 2am because it was THAT good. These characters will get under your skin and stay there for the foreseeable future. Their grey morality is both alluring and immensely frustrating and I found myself cursing their courageous minds and passionate hearts - and damnable decisions! Do not miss this incredible sequel where a revolution builds and Lark and Nightingale are tested time and again...The future of humanity and society hangs in the balance (and book 3 is to come!).

- Thank you to Faber for providing this ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Easiest 5 star review. I loved the first book, and incredibly I think her second trumps the first. The pace never lets up, the characters are captivating and believable and I enjoyed the touch of romance thrown in.

The second novel picks up where the first left off, with Elsa fleeing with her mother and the magnetic Kingfisher.. Rye has evaded capture and is also on the run. Piper is starting to question his beliefs. And the star of show, Nightingale remains captive in the capital but overall seems to be faring well. The author has thrown in additional complexity by adding the return of a another race (Mars??) - they are scouting the Earth with hopes to re-occupy. Petra is our eyes-and-ears and faces issues of her own in an arranged marriage. And amongst this all is songlight which unites and divides, and constantly evolves in terms of what it can achieve.

Its a successful combination of vying politics, dystopian flavour, social commentary and persecution. The adventure is relentless, filled with unpredictable twists and turns and creativity. I felt fully connected to the many individualistic characters and fascinated by the introduction of a new "race".

There is clearly a third book and Ill be front of the queue .

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!

I am eternally grateful to the author and the publisher for sending me this book. I loved the first volume, it was one of my favorite reads of 2024. I didn’t think it was possible to love the second more. But I did, It’s epic. The pacing is perfectly balanced, the plot hits all the beats. There is not a dull moment; every chapter and every sentence falls in precise order for a reason. The writing is beautiful and flawless, with congruous themes of oppression and discrimination, effortlessly flowing between descriptions, dialogue, and action, moving the story into the anticipated and desired direction. I devoured the book in one sitting and desperately need the third book. I’m breathing this story with my every cell, and I need the resolution.

The plot picks up right where the first book finished. Lark is running away from her village with her mother, Heron, and Kingfisher. She knows who she is, what she wants to fight for, and who she is willing to die for. Being chased by the Brethren militia, and making unlikely alliances, she’s still a young girl falling in love and fighting palpable attraction between her Kingfisher.
Nightingale is locked in the capital, in a scene of betrayal and treason. There is very little happening with her but her placing in the Kite’s palace puts her at the center of events and influences others’ life and death. We meet a Siren who’s trying to atone for her unfortunate situation. Rye’s choices bring a new power into play, and Piper’s redemption when he finally sees the truth. And there is also Petra, an eximian, a teenage naive ingenue who fell in love with an ordinary sapien. An illicit affair that her parents are trying to dismiss and hide as if she disgraced her family. The biggest character growth so far. I find Kite’s ending to be the most just and well-deserved, and I do hope he doesn’t recover. I’m looking forward to seeing Cassandra return to herself and reunite with Raven.

And the most facing portrayal of my favorite, horrifying Swan. Zara is volatile, most deliciously and dangerously. Such a detailed and realistic depiction of unpredictability, psychopathy, and mood swings fueled by survival. I hope she finds peace in the end, but at the same time, characters like that usually end up deceased in books. With a great sacrifice and redemption arc but no happy ending. If it does happen as predicted, I won’t be sad.

I’m glad the Aylish have a chance for peace, and I wish they could influence the future of the planet. Brightland population finally sees through the lies and demands peace. Eximians are the definition of the world the Brethren fear, a physical manifestation of what’s to come.

It’s a story you can’t forget easily; it stays with you and lets you see real life in different colors. It is a description of the world we live in today, full of discrimination and abuse of women, of castes controlling people and telling them they’re inferior. Where a minority, the last surviving members of a group, are exterminated because they’re undesirable. Those with power always oppress and control those without. But what makes them have the power is sometimes just a stroke of sheer luck. Where ordinary humans feared those who were different and subjugated them simply because they felt inferior and threatened by them. Where people with special powers are in charge, and they control and treat sapiens without a song as second-class citizens. It’s a true depiction of humanity at its worst and a true depiction of humanity as it is right now.

This book is truly divine and I’m invested in every aspect of the story, in all the characters. The third book can’t come too soon!

I loved Songlight so was thrilled to have the chance to read Torchfire thanks to NetGalley and Faber.

The writing, the pace, the ideas, the energy are all on a par with Songlight making this a gripping read - and leaving me wanting to read the third instalment as soon as I can.

However, and the fault may be mine (it is after all 9 months since I read Songlight, and I haven't had an agile teenage brain for a long while now!) but I found it much harder to keep track of the different threads, locations and characters in this book. I think it would benefit from some kind of a recap at the beginning - or perhaps a list of characters (with both their names!) and how they are linked. I like the way they all have bird names but at times I did get confused as to which was which, and when some characters only refer to others by their non-bird name, well I just struggled! A sort of cheat sheet for the terminology used by the different people groups, and a list of the places and what they are to each people group as well would help. The map is nice but doesn't really remind me who lives in Reem for example. And, whilst I know it is part of the story and of the characters themselves, but the way in which e.g. Swan is both good and bad, is another element that just added to the slight muddle I felt.

All that aside, I was swept along with the various different elements of the story and each one is exciting in its own right - I am looking forward to seeing how they all tie together in the end.

Grateful to NetGalley and Faber. for the e-ARC.

I really enjoyed this second book, which did not disappoint!
The characters are still well fleshed-out, and I really enjoyed the new ones (Petra!) and the idea of songlight powers continues to be brilliant (no pun intended... well, maybe a little). Somehow, this book reminded me of the "Matched" trilogy, which I adored, and I loved seeing more of the world unfold.
The only reason I didn't rate it 5 stars was purely the first person narration, and though I was glad to read the point off views of so many different characters, having them all in the first person was slightly confusing to me and I had to go back to the beginning of the chapters to check who was narrating (but it's because I am not used to read books with 1st person pov).

I definitely recommand, and will be there for the final book!

Summary:
The world is at the verge of another war.
Will our rebels be able to stop it?
And is everyone who they say they are ?
People believed dead are alive, allies turn into enemies and vice versa.
Who will get the  victory in the end ?

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 
➡️:
We left our rebels in a tight pinch, and that's where we meet up with them again.
Buffini has a way of storytelling that makes you wish songlight was available to you to use.
It makes you want to know what will happen next, because there's this constant tension.
Well done!

So Songlight was a 5/5 read in 2024 and I was wondering whether the second instalment would live up to the first story… and it did not disappoint.

The end of book one left us on a cliff hanger and all our hero’s are separated. “Elsa is on the run and is urgently seeking a safe haven. Nightingale is being held captive and forced to use her songlight against her own people. Piper has been promoted up the ranks of the Airmen, where nothing but bloodshed is demanded of him. Rye has stumbled across an incredible airship, the likes of which has never been seen before. All four are united by their desire for peace. Who will triumph? Those with songlight, or those without?”

Well, the truth is - we don’t know! In my opinion, the worst thing about this book is having to wait for the third one!

Buffini is an amazing writer who writes believable and flawed characters in a divided YA world that I honestly cannot get enough of. I’m going to be so sad when the series ends. For now, let’s simply say that this is my book of year and it will take some serious beating.

Thank you to netgalley and Faber and Faber for letting me read this pre release copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Oh wow this was totally brilliant. I loved the first one and was so pleased to be given the second to read. I devoured it in a day and now I can't wait for the third book.

I honestly stared at a wall after finishing this book, it was that good!
I really enjoyed Songlight but Torchfire just blew it out the water! Amazing character development, the world just drew me back in and kept me hooked from one chapter to the next

Torchfire by Moira Buffini is a gripping, atmospheric novel that masterfully blends historical drama with a sense of urgent, emotional storytelling. Buffini’s writing is rich and evocative, drawing readers into a vivid, complex world filled with layered characters and intricate relationships. The pacing builds steadily, balancing moments of action with deeper, introspective scenes that explore loyalty, ambition, and resilience.

The strength of Torchfire lies in its character development; each individual feels fully fleshed out, with motivations and flaws that make them compelling and relatable. Buffini’s background in drama shines through in the dialogue, which feels authentic and sharp throughout. While there were a few moments where the narrative slightly slowed, overall, the tension and atmosphere kept me engaged from beginning to end.

This is a beautifully written, memorable novel that will stay with readers long after the final page. I’m excited to see what Moira Buffini writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with early access to this powerful and moving story.

Incredible, a fantastic read for 2025! Definitely chasing the back catalogue of this author. Strong female leads, action, dystopian future, magic. Beautifully written, wonderful world building. Thank you so much to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

The ending. I can’t.

This was incredible. I don’t even know where to begin.

The pacing was spot on - there wasn’t a single dull moment in the entire book. It was action packed, plot driven, whilst also not feeling like anything was moving too quickly.

The queer representation is lovely to see. M/M, F/F, a trans character - and none of it felt shoehorned in, it was all so natural.

The characters relationships have all developed well - I don’t think I could say at this point which couples are endgame (although I’ve obviously got my hopes!).

There was a new main character introduced - their first few chapters I did struggle to understand what was happening. It felt like their POV was in the past or future, and I was struggling to connect it on the story. Once something happened that made it click it was in the same time period, it all made much more sense. Other than that initial little hiccup, this new character is integrated well with the current characters, and the new ‘world’ that they brought with them leaves so many possibilities for the next book that I’m already excited for it.

The world building continued to be brilliant. It’s so intricate at times, broken yet hopeful, and just stunningly portrayed.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

My gosh what a follow on!
Songlight was easily one of my best reads of last year so I was very excited to be sent an invite to read the sequel!

The story picks up right where it left off (I needed to give myself a bit of a reminder of who and what was happening again). Lark has now fled her hometown along with her mother and Heron Mikaine, Nightingale is still disguised as a chrysalid and her chapters are often the most tense. I find Sister Swan's character often the most interesting, reminding me slightly of Serena Joy in the handmaids tale. She has power and influence and is often brutal to do what she has to survive at times appearing to lack any empathy, however is also at the mercy of the men in control and being used by them.

The new characters in take the book in a new, slightly more sci-fi direction as we meet the Sealanders. In contrast to the world developed in the story so far, the Sealanders dehumanise those without songlight rather than with. So we get to see the issue from another perspective. Petra's character is a bit younger, less experienced and idealistic than the others. This annoyed me a little at first but I think is necessary to show her character development as she begins to learn more about the world and politics involved within her own community and the wider world.

I am looking forward to the conclusion! Thanks to the author and Faber & Faber for the ARC.

This is the second gorgeous instalment in Moira Buffini’s trilogy, which began with 'Songlight'.

The world set up in the first book features a form of telepathy called songlight, which can be used to find other telepaths, or ‘Torches’, and communicate in images and words. As in the first book, Ayland and Brightland are at war. One values songlight, and gives their Torches important places in society, while the other fears their ability to manipulate the minds of others, and routinely sends them to be lobotomised and used as mindless servants.

In 'Torchfire', the three strong and engaging women at the centre of the first book are joined by Petra, a girl with strong songlight from Sealand, a previously insular society with advanced technology. Petra is traveling with her parents on an airship, exploring the world after the Great Extinction. Her father is a cartographer, and her mother is a scientist, both keen to see Petra matched with Charlus, the son of the airship captain – something Petra is determined to avoid.

When the airship’s exploration reveals unexpected evidence of songlight on the continent below, the crew is drawn into the war, and the complex political intrigues set up in the first book. Their rescue of two fugitives during a mission to the ground brings all the story threads together.

Petra’s story is told alongside the continuing stories of Lark, Nightingale, and Swan, and of Petra’s brother Piper, Kingfisher, and other characters on both sides of the conflict. As their various stories converge, songlight becomes essential to their survival. The second half of the book dials up the political intrigue and physical peril, brings heart-breaking betrayals, and puts familiar characters in impossible and emotionally devastating situations.

I couldn’t stop turning the pages, and I can’t wait for the final book!

I thoroughly enjoyed Songlight and so I was extremely happy to have received an ARC for Torchfire via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oftentimes when I find a five star book I have such high expectations for the second book that it never lives up to my lofty hopes. This was not true of Torchfire. This book was equally amazing.

Moira continued to pull me into her story with her complex characters, questionable decision-making and frustrating political turns. As per Songlight, this book was a mastery of plot pacing and I barely had a chance to guess at any plot twists and turns as I was bodily dragged along for the ride.

The introduction of more POVs and characters in this book somehow failed to detract from the overall story (as I feared it was at risk of doing) and I was equally happy to read each new chapter. All these threads were gradually drawn closer together to weave a story that made sense, if still a little discordant for my liking and I have been left dangling for the outcome in the final installment. Hopefully these off beat threads will eventually come together in a satisfactory harmony though one never knows where Moira will take us next.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review*

I'd just finished the first book in the trilogy and loved it. On a whim, I thought I'd see if the second book was available as an ARC and have never hit the 'Request' button so hard!

The first book was a rare 5/5 for me and I was a little nervous that the second book might be disappointing after such a good start. I'm so pleased that it was just as good as the first and I can't wait to read the third one whenever it's released.

Strong, believable charcters fighting back against opression in all their different circumstances. Bravery, loyalty, friendship and even a bit of romance.

Absolutely amazing.

I loved Songlight - it set a great foundation for the characters, politics and world-building. Torchfire took the story to the next level.
I absolutely devoured this book, staying up until the small hours, telling myself only one more chapter (who was I kidding)!
The multiple POV'S works - so clearly done it isn't overwhelming or confusing; it adds to the story.
I cannot wait for book 3.

First of all a huge Thank You to the publishers and also Netgalley for the opportunity to read and Arc of this book.
5 stars definatly, i rated book 1 at 4.5stars but this was just that little bit better. I was worried this book might get 'middle book syndrome' or whatever people refer to it as lol, like it would just be a filler to get you to book 3, but its not its so much more.
The story is continuing(obviously) from book 1 and i feel there is a lot of plot and character development in this book, and i especially like the character developments.
Torchfire has muliple POV's, most we met in book 1 (Songlight, if you havent started this series) and in book 2 we are also joined by Petra, who i think im really starting to like already.
For anyone who may be interested there is also some LGBTQIA+ representation as well.
Overall a great 2nd book which i will be buying(to join book 1) when its released.

Torchfire by Moira Buffini is a brilliant and intense read. The writing is sharp, the characters are strong, and the story pulls you in from the start. It’s emotional, thought-provoking, and beautifully told. A powerful piece that stays with you long after the last page. Highly recommend!

A great follow up from book 2, really interesting. Love when a 2nd book in a Trilogy can stand on its own and not give middle book syndrome. Excited for book 3!

I had very high hopes for Torchfire, as it is the second book in the Torch trilogy and I really loved Songlight, well my expectations were exceeded! This book was amazing! I was constantly on the edge of my seat!

In this book, we got to see more of the world it is set in, exploring it in greater depth, as well as meeting new characters and experiencing their POVs, which I found really exciting. This book was both equally amazing and heartbreaking at times. Buffini is such an eloquent and talented writer that I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't put the book down.

The characters were also really well-developed, which was great because it made me feel more attached to them. It was also interesting to see part of the book written differently from a traditional format. Near the beginning, we get a diary entry from a new character we haven't met before, which I thought was a brilliant way of both introducing this new character and giving us, information without overloading us-while still showing the passage of time.
I cannot wait for the third book. I strongly encourage people to read The Torch trilogy. Songlight was great, and Torchfire was even better!

A great second installment! I love Lark, Nightingale, Rye and Wren, and the representation of different types of love throughout. The wider messaging around society, leadership and acceptance is poignant given the current world order.


As with anything by Moira Buffini, the second installment of her fantasy trilogy is beautifully written. I found this one harder to follow due to the addition of more narrators, especially at the beginning when all the chapters were shorter, but it got easier as the novel progressed.


Some storylines were perhaps a little repetitive for me, but there were plenty of moments where I was on the edge of my seat. I'm excited to find out how it all comes together.

Thank you NetGalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for the arc

Torchfire is the follow on from songlight I loved songlight I already preordered Torchfire on Waterstones was so excited when I got approved for the arc and it lived up expectations I loved it and wanted more hopefully they is a 3rd book in the series as it ends on a cliffhanger

What I loved they was more character development and plot development it was gripping on the get go and engaging and pacing was great and action packed and the different characters POVs and energy and the acceptance of a character coming out basically I loved everything

What can I say it getting better for each book everyone needs to read this series so far
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is the second book in Moira Buffini's dystopian trilogy. I loved the first instalment, Songlight, giving it a rare 5* rating. This second book is just as good. The same key protagonists appear as in the first book - Elsa Crane and her former love Rye Tern, and Nightingale (Kaira), Elsa's friend who she communicates with from a distance via Songlight. Joining the cast of important characters we also have Kingfisher (from Ayland - a territory at war with the people of Northhaven and Brightland and thus in theory a sworn enemy of Elsa and Rye but who has come with the aim of bringing peace), Heron Mikane (Elsa's husband in name) but who has a close connection to Elsa's mother Curlew (Curl). Piper Crane (Elsa's brother) has a stronger part too - and becomes a more likeable character as he recognises and struggles to overcome his own prejudices/propaganda fed to him since birth. We have the enigmatic Zara Swan - sometimes good, sometimes evil, and clearly vulnerable to the evil of Lord Kite. And from across the seas we also have Sealanders - most notably Petra - one of few sealanders to have a good heart and be able to see past the prejudices of elite Sealanders (those with songlight).
In book 1 we see those with songlight (Torches) discriminated against, considered inhuman - in this book we see how the Sealander Torches themselves can wrongly use their powers to subjugate those who lack songlight. Set against these two harsh and unpleasant regimes we have the Aylish - who it seems, welcome all and treat all equally.
This was a book which I raced through - lots of tension, teen romance and a plot line that really draws you in whilst at the same time using key characters to call out injustice and highlight where prejudice is evident. Left as before on a cliff edge - can't wait to read the next instalment and find out what happens next. Massive thanks to NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this ARC.

After reading song light, I was so excited for this and it did not disappoint. Such a brilliant and enjoyable read.

This series just gets better and better. No second book syndrome here!

Torchfire was incredible, full of nail biting tension, high stakes drama and impossible to put down. From start to finish I completely forgot I was even reading. The writing is so vivid and descriptive that its like watching a movie in your head. I could see the world and events happening so clearly I never wanted it to end.

The characters are so well fleshed out that you feel you know them all on a personal level so it makes the story that much more impactful. The world is brutal and unforgiving and you can't help but root for them.

The LGBTQ rep in this was done brilliantly in my opinion. The trans rep in particular was handled well. Sometimes it can be abit in your face but this was done in a very real way for people to be able to understand and relate too.

As far as YA Dystopian goes this is one of the best I've read in years!

4.5/5⭐️
Wow! Just wow! An amazing second instalment. While I enjoyed Songlight I wasn’t left feeling very invested, but Torchfire was incredible. So many trilogies are let down by their second book but it was in Torchfire that we really got to see the character development and understand the world in which they live.
I feel so invested in the future of these characters that I cannot wait for book 3! I just want more! I really feel that this was the book where the series really begins to thrive.

We have queer representation, mental health discussion and inner turmoil as just a few of the things explored in this book. This Multi-POV story where we get to explore the politics of Brightland - a country where those with Songlight are persecuted. We are reunited with some of the characters we met in Songlight including Lark and Nightingale while also meeting some new characters. I loved getting to see more of Rye and loved the addition of Petra and her POV to the story. I felt that her side of the story was the hook that was missing in book one. The variety of backgrounds and experiences means we get a fantastic overall understanding of what it’s like to live in a world where you are constantly targeted for being different and for not agreeing with the people in authority.

The only thing that holds this book back is that I felt the different feelings between characters were hard to distinguish from each other. So many different characters developed feelings for each other that the first person prose meant at times it was confusing. I often had to flip back to the start of the chapter to remind myself which character the chapter was about.

Firstly, I'd like to say thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this e-arc!

Songfire had my intrigued and Torchfire had me absolutely captivated. Everything about this book is genius. From the story-telling, to the world building and character development, everything had my utterly transfixed. I am obsessed with dystopian era stories and holy shit, this absolutely delivered!

This book is easy to follow, simultaneously being fast paced in plot but nothing felt rushed. Each scene felt perfect and so well thought out, I could imagine everything so vividly and felt like I was in the world with these characters. They are all going through their own stories, their own stages of denial and grief and battling their own ingrained beliefs as the truth unravels before them. Some of these characters take you on such a rollercoaster of emotions, displaying such a realistic representation of unpredictable, volatile behaviour fueled by her will to survive. One moment I'm rooting for her and the next I'm feeling betrayed. These characters are deep and complex, and their stories are not for the faint of heart.

If you're after a YA, high stakes, dystopian novel with complicated characters shaped by lifelong conditioning of hatred and their difficult journey of unlearning these prejudices, this story is for you!!!

Moira Buffini’s Torchfire, the much-anticipated second installment in her dystopian fantasy trilogy, delivers a gripping continuation of the saga that began with a world divided by a powerful force known as "songlight." Buffini masterfully expands her universe, deepening the stakes and introducing new layers of intrigue and conflict.

The novel plunges us back into a fractured world where telepathy—either a blessing or a curse—defines power, allegiance, and survival. Our central characters—Elsa, Nightingale, Piper, and Rye—are each thrown into perilous circumstances. Elsa’s desperate search for refuge, Nightingale’s forced betrayal, Piper’s brutal rise through the Airmen, and Rye’s discovery of a mysterious airship all form riveting narrative threads that intertwine in surprising and satisfying ways.

Buffini's world-building continues to shine, particularly with the introduction of the Sealander Torches—a formidable new threat. The tensions between Brightland, Ayland, and Sealand create a charged political landscape, and the moral questions around the use and suppression of songlight lend the story real weight.

Torchfire is a powerful exploration of power, resistance, and the price of peace. With its rich characters, imaginative lore, and high-stakes drama, this installment raises the bar and sets the stage for what promises to be an explosive finale. A must-read for fans of intelligent, emotionally resonant fantasy.

Okay, so if you don't like love triangles and cliffhanger endings then this isn't the book for you. But if you can cope with the knowledge that relationships are complicated especially in high adrenaline situations (putting it mildly) and are prepared to have to wait for book 3 for any resolution to any one of several plotlines then buckle up for this rollercoaster of a read.
The author mentioned that she was inspired by John Wyndham's dystopian novel The Chrysalids about teenagers who can communicate with their minds, growing up in a fundamentalist world and in Torchfire, the sequel to Songlight, there are some clever nods to her source material. Enter new character Petra (named after a character in The Chrysalids) who hails from Sealand - Wyndham's Zealand. In Petra's world mind speakers are at the top, those who can't communicate that way exploited and very much bottom tier. Meanwhile Lark and Kingfisher are on the run from a society which is vey much the reverse, while Rye is trying to escape to Ayland where everyone is equal. Lark's brother Piper is torn between his loyalty to his homeland and his betrayal of his friend and sister, while Nighingale tries to hide her power while a dangerous coup is carried out around her.
The action doesn't stop in this inventive, fast paced, dystopia. Roll on book three - and in the meantime a Chrysalids reread is in order. Highly recommended.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book early, I’m rating it 5 stars.. if I could rate it 6 I would.

This story remains incredible, I’m in awe. I’m such a huge fan of multi POV and this book does it very well, it gives us such a well rounded story as we follow characters on separate paths.

At many points my heart was on the line, the war is developing at a scary rate, people are more divided than ever. We get introduced to new players on the board who may turn the tables one way or another. There is a lot of loss, tragedy and sacrifice in this instalment of the story and it really builds the emotion and tension. There are some redemption arcs which I’m occasionally a fan of and in this case I liked it, a lot of people are just ignorant in this story and they are guilty of prejudice, but they aren’t evil so the potential for growth is so high and I’m here for it.

I am so excited for the next book, I will be impatiently waiting for it!

I am loving this series. I admit it took a little bit of getting back into the story and remembering the characters and what had happened. Once i was up to speed though, what a ride! There is a lot going on and although it is YA it reads well for adults with twisting plots and plenty of politics.
In this book there is the introduction of a new character and consequently, a new society- where songlight is cherished and those without it looked down on. A good contrast to Brightand, but just as wrong. There are a lot of viewpoints and it works well to highlight the difference between the cultures. We also get to see the motivations for the characters and others views of them. It did leave me feeling very conflicted over Swan, should I hate her, admire her or feel sorry for her? I kept changing my mind and still can’t decide. Hurry up book 3!

There's always a moment before starting a sequel, book or film, where you wonder if it'll have purpose beyond filling the space between the introduction of a world and its narrative conclusion. Often there's new characters or plots added in to fill that space which only serve to mark the passage of time and to fall to the wayside once the large action resumes.
This is not that kind of sequel.
Introducing a new society and characters in this book seemed like a risk and would take away pages from the characters I wanted to hear from. But I forgot what it's like to watch a detailed and purposefully written world to expand. I remember reading the Tortal series, Hunger Games, Inheritance Cycle, and Neal Schuesterman's worlds and becoming engrossed in the unsuspecting depth of their saga. Now, The Torch Trilogy.

There are some fantastic turns and trapdoors in this book, as with the first, and I cannot describe them without giving too much away. It's safe to say the book unties and creates more knots in the tangled web Songlight ended in. But it feels natural without being overly predictable, so its not until I've turned the last page and thought back through both book that I've fully realized just how complicated this world has become.

I may have been spared the wait between Songlight and Torchfire (having read them back to back), but I most definitely have opinions about now waiting for book 3.

Thank you Faber for sharing an ARC of Torchfire through Netgalley and Bookfest

I love this book and it does not suffer from second book syndrome. There is a new perspective added in the form of a girl living aboard a spaceship that has come to Earth to see if it is habitable again.
Each perspective is so different that it is easy to tell who is speaking and I enjoyed each one. I also love that you spend some time in the heads of villainsC understanding some of their motives. This has ended on a cliffhanger that has left me desperate for more from this world.

As a proud Hunger Games stan, I feel relatively confident, two books in, in proclaiming Moira Buffini as the author-in-waiting for Suzanne’s dystopia crown. Torchfire is the second in a planned trilogy focusing on Brightland, a far-future version of Earth where people with Songlight - telekensis - are persecuted, sometimes even killed, for their ability. Torchfire, like its predecessor, tells the story of this world through the eyes of six key figures, some of whom have songlight, and some who don’t. In this story, some of these characters are brought together, and some torn apart - and the whole experience was a goddamn thrill ride.

Torchfire picks up immediately where Songlight left off (good - I hate a time skip), continuing the story of those who are rebelling against the fascist leader of Brightland, the newly announced Lord Kite. Before we dive into the world we know and love, though, the reader is introduced to another direct POV character, who I won’t share anything about but who is immediately fascinating. We switch between her perspective and those we know throughout the story; her existence blows the whole world of the novel wide open, and changes everything for everyone - i find it so hard to talk about without spoiling anything but her entry into the story is completely fascinating and made Torchfire even more compelling than its predecessor.

Buffini does a fantastic job with this book. She deepens the lore of the first novel while never losing sight of the overarching plot, action, or character’s relationships. Torchfire, like Songlight, moves at a breakneck pace over 550 pages, never allowing the reader to get bored for even a second. We’ve got dystopia! We’ve got corrupt governments! We’ve got kissing! We’ve got fighter pilots! We’ve got aliens (kind of!). There are so many plates spinning here and it’s a remarkable feat of novel writing to keep them all in the air. It’s a YA book, yes, but it refuses to handhold its readers and incorporates big themes and thorny questions. There are explicit references to genocide in this book; looking at the news, it feels political in the best way. It is a novel, which, no pun intended, could light a fire in a person to try to build a better world - which is exactly what Young Adult fiction should be. I do think that it's Young Adult teetering on New Adult - sex, violence and swearing abound here - but as a 31 year old that's fine with me.

One small nitpick, which is not enough for me to knock off a star: this complex tapestry of character, geography and plot would do well to give the reader an introductory page or two; a kind of primer to get us up to speed. We don’t all have time to read the first book again! I caught up eventually but it would have been useful to have something like this webpage: https://www.faber.co.uk/journal/meet-the-characters-moira-buffinis-torch-trilogy/ in the beginning of the book.

Overall, though, I think these books are some of the best YA produced in years, and I am already foaming at the mouth for the third entry into the trilogy. Spellbinding, heart-rending and energizing all at once.

A massive thank you to the publisher Faber for reaching out and sending me this eARC and NetGalley.

It was an absolute privilege to read this book, Songlight was one of my favourite reads last year and this sequel did not disappoint at all. It only made me love this trilogy more as it continued its amazing development of both the flawed, but human, characters and story. It was fast paced, entertaining, intelligent, powerful, engaging as well as heart wrenching. Buffini continues her beautiful and unforgiving writing style giving us beauty and pain in equal measures.

This story picks up directly where Songlight left off and takes you through the developing story with multiple POVs, as before, but with an addition of a new one and character, Petra. We are introduced to a new society and taken to different places within this fractured world. While the book is fast paced and the idea of several POVs can be daunting you never feel lost as each POV seamlessly connects and continues your journey forward as a reader. This book is an exploration of power, resistance and the price of peace. It left me breathless. It left me thinking of the parallels in our own society. It left me furious as well as hopeful. It left me wanting more.

I simply cannot wait until the third instalment and the epic conclusion this trilogy will no doubt have.

I really enjoyed this sequel to Songlight! If you enjoyed Songlight you won’t be disappointed with the sequel, Torchfire, and if you haven’t read either you need to!

Torchfire follows on directly from the events at the end of Songlight which I was pleased about as a lot had happened and I was eager to know where our characters would go next. I like when the next book continues straight on from the last when there’s been a big action scene rather than making me wait.

Many things I enjoyed about Songlight I also enjoyed about Torchfire. I really enjoy the multiple povs from each of the characters, I felt there is so much going on with each of them I don’t get bored when we switch povs and I like seeing how they all eventually link up with each other later in the book.

There is a lot of action and I like how fast paced it is, it kept me on the edge of my seat as I was taking everything in. There’s a lot of development with the characters relationships that I found really interesting, as well as with some of the characters themselves.

I’m also waiting for two main characters to meet up again and was on edge the whole book - but i know now I’ll have to wait for the next book and I can’t wait!

Well… this woman can write no wrong!
This book completely grabbed me by the ankles and took me on a journey! Remains one of the most well written YA dystopians yet, and I hope this gets all the hype it deserves. I was completely enthralled into this world and suitably binge read this in 48 hours.
I particularly appreciated the casuality of the LGBTQ rep in this book, it was there, and yet was done in as if this was all completely normal which is what I think we need more of.
(Wren, you have my heart)
The world building as ever was immersive and broken, with beautifully fleshed out characters that keep you rooting for them. Cannot wait for book three.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A blaze that burns through bone, blood, and belief.

I finished Torchfire with tears dried into my hoodie and a full-body ache that only comes from loving characters too much and watching them be broken open, again and again. There’s no other way to say it: this book gutted me. And I loved every second of it.

Second books in trilogies often feel like bridgework - necessary scaffolding to get us to the Big Finale. Not here. Torchfire is the house on fire, the wind blowing the embers, the ground trembling beneath your feet. Moira Buffini doesn't "build" a middle novel. She detonates it.

From the first page, I was gone. Gone with Lark and her raw determination. Gone with Rye and his impossible hope. Gone with Nightingale, trapped in a golden cage with a monstrous, silk-gloved captor. Every perspective feels lived-in, deeply real, like your own breath syncs with theirs. There’s trauma here, yes. And betrayal. And grief that blooms like bruises. But also resilience, so human and searing you want to stand up and cheer.

This book doesn’t slow down to hold your hand, and thank God for that. Buffini trusts her readers. She gives you pain and poetry in equal measure. She gives you girls who fall in love and boys who flinch from their fathers’ legacy. She gives you queer awakenings and the weight of bodies deemed disposable. She gives you villains who smile like saints, and heroes who barely recognize themselves in the mirror. It’s heavy, yes. But it’s not bleak. Torchfire is about fighting anyway.

And then there’s Swan. Volatile. Gorgeous. Deranged. The kind of villain who makes your stomach knot with fascination and dread. Buffini writes her with such precision that you don’t know whether to pity her or pray someone stops her. Maybe both.

Is this a YA book? Technically. But it’s more honest than most adult fiction I’ve read this year. Buffini doesn’t just ask who we are. She asks who we become when the world tells us what we’re worth - and we decide not to listen.

By the end, I was breathless. Furious that I couldn’t turn the page into book three. Certain that I’ll be rereading this entire series the moment it’s complete. If Songlight lit the match, Torchfire is the inferno.

This book doesn’t let you walk away untouched. Nor should it.

I thoroughly enjoyed stepping back into this world. Eagerly awaiting book 3! 5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley, publishers and the author.

“I’m the number-one mind-twisting whore of Northaven”

I really enjoyed stepping back into the world of the Torch Trilogy. It doesn’t feel like a filler-book with Second Book Syndrome, it deserved every page of the book and has really effectively set up the story for its conclusions.
In this instalment, we get new POVs and the world grows so much more. Not only do we have characters travelling from their homes, we literally get a new view of the world (I can’t expand on more without spoilers, but it’s so fun!) so the story feels so much bigger.
I loved the new characters we were introduced to - some had different beliefs that were so drastically different to the rest of the characters that you couldn’t see them ever finding peace. But I did love revisiting characters from the first books as their beliefs became so much stronger.
There was some LGBTQ+ rep in this, including the introduction of a transgender character, who was handled really sympathetically.
This book definitely felt like a dystopian. Corrupt politicians and segregated societies, and characters who (struggle to) find hope in the darkness.
I cannot wait to read the final book in the series!

I was looking forward to reading this, the second book in The Torch Trilogy, and once it got going, I wasn't disappointed. This book tells its story of what is happening to different, interconnected people on the same timeline. I found it exciting and really wanted to know what was going to happen next to the characters.

This is a good fantasy story, set in a world engulfed in conflicts about the way people are treated, those who communicate with Songlight and those who don't. It's a fascinating look at the way diversity within communities can be seen differently.

It is a four star read for me because of the first person narrative, which, with so many characters, can become confusing. Other than that, it is a fascinating story and one I did enjoy. I do, however, need to know what happens next!!