I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman must find new allies and heal a broken friendship as she faces her inner demons in author Ahlam Faris’s “Heir of Flame and Shadow”, the second book in the Rings and Chains series.
The Synopsis
The Chains are weakening—and what waits beneath was never meant to be freed.
After stealing the Royal family’s golden rings, Mina is pursued by the Royal guards. With no choice but to flee the kingdom, she finds herself stranded in the southern desert.
Mina has lost far more than her home—haunted by a death she caused, a shattered friendship, and her guardian spirit seeming to be weaker than ever. Now, she must confront her inner demon alone.
In Heir of Flame and Shadow, Mina discovers new allies, faces old enemies, and attempts to heal a broken friendship that could become something deeper. But sinister forces have been guiding her steps all along—are they allies or enemies in disguise?
The Review
The world-building and mythology were so incredible that I became wholly immersed in this world. The reader is truly thrust into this world, with the unforgiving and gritty tone that the beginning of this story brings, along with the cruel desert setting and the troubled way many treat the protagonist due to signs pointing to her association with Jinn, making this world feel both dangerous and heavy in lore and magic. The imagery that the author’s writing conjures is as powerful as the Jinn that are discovered early on in the narrative, and the expansion upon the mythology that speaks to both the main characters’ origins and the world that existed beyond the Veil was terrific to see come to life on the page.
What stood out to readers, though, was not just this mythos, but the heavy themes the author explores and the emotional connection readers will have with the protagonist and this cast of characters. Themes of identity, as the protagonist grapples with the duality of her power and her mysterious past, as well as themes of grief, loss, and regret, all play a beautiful symphony on the page, as readers become lost in the overwhelming nature of the protagonist’s struggles. The emotional rollercoaster readers go on with her, and the way it elevates the action and suspense of this story will keep readers invested as the story progresses.
The Verdict
Memorable, entertaining, and thrilling, author Ahlam Faris’s “Heir of Flame and Shadow” is a worthy addition to the Rings and Chains series and a must-read fantasy thriller. The twists and turns in the story, along with the shocking revelations about the protagonist’s origins and the villain she must soon face, will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager for the next installment in the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Ahlam Faris is an award-winning fantasy author known for crafting immersive worlds filled with magic, intrigue, and powerful characters. Her debut novel, Daughter of Light and Dark, received critical acclaim and won the 2024 Reviewers’ Choice Award from Book Nerdection.
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heir-of-flame-and-shadow-ahlam-faris/1148136375?ean=9782918764250
