A Shadow Bright and Burning (Kingdom on Fire - Book One)

Controlling your feelings when you’re a teen isn’t easy, so you can imagine the difficulty Henrietta must have when fire erupts to accompany her emotions unless she works extremely hard to control it. Now factor in that she’s an orphan, serving as a teacher in a squalid school that lacks heat and is run by an evil and possibly lecherous headmaster. Oh, and it’s in an alternate England where seven incredibly powerful and vicious monsters, collectively known as the Ancients terrorize most of the countryside.
The only good thing in her life is Rook, another orphan who is an Unclean, a person whose body has been permanently altered by one of the Ancients. Henrietta can ignore the terrible scars on his chest and arm because their comfort and communication have gone well beyond that obstacle.
When one of the Queen’s sorcerers comes to the school to test all the children after rumors of someone with fire making ability living there, she admits to being that person and is offered a chance to go to London and be trained. She agrees, but only if Rook can come, too.
Once there, her progress is maddeningly slow until she discovers a sly fellow living outside the warded area. By the time the ultimate crisis comes near the end of the book, readers will have been buffeted by more disclosures, action and plot twists than you generally find in three books. This is the first in a trilogy and it’s a dandy, leaving the reader hungry for more, while very satisfied with the way this one ends. Teen lovers of magic, monsters and strong heroines will devour it. It’s a dandy book for any library to add and expect readers to pester the staff for the next one as soon as they hear it’s coming.

Jessica Cluess' debut novel begins the story of Henrietta Howel, who is believed to be the first, prophesied female sorcerer, a rare quality in the male-dominated world of magicians. As Henrietta begins her training to become a fully-fledged sorcerer, she starts to struggle and second-guess whether she even is the prophesied one.

A Shadow Bright and Burning felt both unique and familiar. The overall idea of a protagonist discovering their powers and traveling to a 'school' to learn more with other, more advanced pupils seem like an age-old tale (but I suppose it is popular for a reason). However, the ideas and magic system created feel fresh, and I truly enjoyed reading about every aspect.

As mentioned, I am a huge fan of this magic system. It felt very concrete (well, for the most part) and it had 'rules' that overall actually made sense. I liked that there was such a huge difference between what magicians and sorcerers are, and the explanations were fascinating. For instance, magicians create conduits of power with the elements, whereas sorcerers merely act as conductors and alter/etc. the elements. This also perfectly sets up the background for why magicians are inherently seen as being more evil, as they can sort of create their own catastrophes.

Henrietta Howel is our main character, and I'm not sure how I feel about her. She's very stuck on tradition and acting 'like a lady,' which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it got a little old sometimes. However, I did appreciate how bold and unafraid she was, at times, and how she was willing to stand up for herself and own the fact that yes, she is a woman, but no, she is not going to accept your sexist views.

I enjoyed many of the supporting characters, such as Rook, Lilly, Magnus, Hargrove, and Blackwood. Hargrove is an incredible character, and I'm pretty sure he is one of my favorites in this book. Lilly is a sweet lady's maid to Henrietta, though I must say she was pretty similar to other lady's maids from other books, so perhaps that just shows Cluess really got the part down. I enjoyed the rest of the characters as well (including those not named here), and I'm sure I would have enjoyed many of the others if I had seen them more. I understand that there's only so much time to have other characters in the fray, but I missed seeing some of the other boys at the 'school' where Henrietta studied. They were always there, but rarely discussed, so when they suddenly become much more prominent at the end of the book, I found myself feeling like they were just sort of thrown in there.

There were a few surprises along the way that felt somewhat predictable, but fortunately this didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the book. A Shadow Bright and Burning was so entertaining and well-written that I didn't care about a few of the cliches or stereotypes used. And while most people like to complain about love triangles, I'm not sure I minded this one, - and I'm not sure if I would even call it one - simply because it wasn't prominent. It definitely wasn't at the forefront, and there was never anything overtly annoying or in your face about it. Sure, flirtations and romantic interests were apparent, but it wasn't like most of the dreaded, constantly fretted about love triangles found in other books, so please don't let reviews that mention this take away any potential interest in reading this book.

Lastly, I'd just like to touch on Cluess' world building. This world was great to me, because it was set in a realistic world in what feels like the nineteenth century, complete with mentions of historical events and even America, but it was also fantastical and full of a magical background/lore that flowed perfectly throughout the setting.

This was honestly a really fun and enjoyable ride. I truly enjoyed learning the lore, the history of the magic, and the rules and how it is and can be used. Cluess has created a truly exciting world that I cannot wait to read more of, and thus I am giving A Shadow Bright and Burning four stars!

Actual rating: 1.5 stars

Heavens me, it's over, it's finally over. I don't think I could have read another page which is saying a lot because I read the entire book! There were so many times I wanted to DNF but I plucked up the courage to pushed through. Reluctantly. So reluctantly.

I'm sad that I didn't like this book. It sounds freakin' awesome! I mean, Victorian England and fantasy? What's not to like? Those are my two favorite things...ever. Seriously.

Henrietta Howel is swept away into the dark and glamorous life of a London girl after she exposes her magic to save a friend. She starts training with other sorcerers, all male, under the tutelage of Cornelius Agrippa. She's the chosen one--the one who will save England from the seven Ancients. Or is she? With every passing lesson, it's hard to believe that Howel has any real sorcerer power at all but when she comes across a magician who knows about her past, she's curious, and she'll do whatever she can to make everyone else believe she's the girl sorcerer of the prophecy.

Everything was dull and flat! Incredibly dull. Characters were flat. I couldn't connect to any of them (although I might have a soft spot for Blackwood because it kind of reminds me of Mr. Darcy) and the main character, Henrietta, was down-right frustrating! Look, I can appreciate her forgiveness of Magnus but good heavens, everything else. I mean, can we take a look at what she called her stave? It might sound endearing but it was too silly for me.

The world building was okay. The building of the sorcerers, witches, and magicians, and the Ancients attacking England was fine but they were really on their own... What's going on with the rest of the world and why the hell won't they help England? But it was the illustrious Victorian England that I wanted more of. It's more like an alternatate history with crazy monsters.

I'm sorry this isn't more a coherent review but there's nothing interesting for me to say about this book. It's one of those "special snowflake" books but with a bit of a twist...sort of.

I am admittedly not the most prolific reader of fantastic fiction, YA or otherwise, but I had it on very good authority that this book, which first-time novelist Jessica Cluess has described as "Jane Eyre Battles Cthulhu," would be something that would appeal to me. So I picked it up and was swept up into a sleekly written, deeply felt, uncommonly compelling fantasy-adventure narrative, the first of a planned "Kingdom on Fire" trilogy.

Cluess's heroine is Henrietta Howel, a teacher at a grim Victorian school with an explosive secret: Her body can burst into flames. Marked as a "chosen one" figure, she is plucked from her low social position and brought to a secret training facility for the sorcerers bound to defend London against the Seven Ancients, a cadre of hideous primordial monsters loosed on the city by the machinations of a team of magicians with shadowy connections (magicians and sorcerers are NOT one and the same in the universe of this story). As Howel struggles to master her sorcerous powers (which may not be exactly sorcerous to begin with), she also battles her conflicted feelings about her fellow students, including the would-be lothario Magnus and the officious, secretly tormented Lord Blackwood. And then there's Rook, the "Unclean" survivor of a previous Ancient attack who's been her boon friend since childhood, but whose connection to the evil that almost destroyed him is becoming too powerful for comfort.

Stir in some intrigue amongst the sorcerer's elite instructors' class, a slum-dwelling magician with a truly shocking trick up its sleeve, and plenty of dazzling, so-vivid-you-can-smell-the-blood monster battles, and you've got something that could, in a lesser writer's hands, have collapsed under its sheer narrative weight. It's to Cluess's credit that the story, stuffed with incident and character as it is, never gets away from her, and this is mainly due to her constant, laser-sharp insistence on making this a story about character above all. Howel's frustratedly mixed feelings about her fellow sorcerer charges; her bone-deep devotion to the now possibly dangerous Rook; her intelligence and quietly anti-authoritarian stance...all of these characteristics make her a compelling heroine worth rooting for. And the figures surrounding her, from Magnus to Lord Blackwood, from the steadfast lady's maid Lilly to the inscrutable visionary sorcerer-in-training Lambe, are drawn with sure, clean strokes, investing you in them and in Howel's relationships with them.

The prose itself is dense with detail but not drowning in it, crafting a whole sorcerous world that's still strongly rooted in the bitter class divisions that split Victorian-era England asunder. Her monsters are truly hideous (particularly the most hideous and insinuating of them all, the aptly named R'hlem the Skinless Man), and the battles gratifying strong stuff for young adult literature. Blood does spill, and not every character you love is necessarily safe in this danger-fraught world. One revelation had me gasping out loud; another moment, an unexpected reunion, brought a genuine lump to my throat.

Like I said, I'm not a big fantasy reader. But I always love a good story, and Jessica Cluess has written a great one. The last line got my heart racing a little bit...just like I'll be racing to the bookstore as soon as Part Two of this trilogy hits the shelves.

Review copy

Plot: During Queen Victoria's reign, England is under attack from Ancients, large monsters that just want to kill and hurt others. Sorcerers are the only hope in the battle against the Ancients and Henrietta just so happens to fit the bill of the prophesized girl that will save them all. Except Henrietta isn't so sure that she's the Chosen One.

The pacing in A Shadow Bright and Burning is all but perfect. There is just enough backstory given about the Ancients and the war at hand that I never felt like I was flying through the plot or drowning in the dreaded info dump.I loved that Henrietta's Chosen One status was a bit tongue in cheek, and the back and forth regarding Henrietta's contribution to the team.

From reading the synopsis alone, I thought that this was going to be a typical dark fantasy, but I actually had a lot of fun reading this one. It didn't take itself too seriously which made it easier to fly through this novel.

Characters: Henrietta's voice is what made A Shadow Bright and Burning worth reading. She is fully fleshed out with emotional outbursts and a desire to prove herself as a young woman in a world that wants her only in the kitchen. What made this novel so much fun is the cast of characters she finds herself shacked up with. Historically, sorcerers have only been male so Henrietta ends up living in a home of young male sorcerers. Her relationship with them as the only girl is both endearing and hilarious at times.

Since there are so many men, the only natural question would be the love interest. There is a hint of a love triangle (square? I'm not too sure), but it's very much so underplayed. I can see the romance becoming a bigger focus in future books.

Worldbuilding: Victorian England is always one of my favorite settings, especially with a smidge of magic thrown in. The Ancients felt very natural against this dark landscape and I loved that creatures from the fae world were also introduced. There are actual faeries, hobgoblins, and reference to Queen Mab. I can only hope that Cluess borrows more from the magical realm later in the series.

Short N Sweet: A Shadow Bright and Burning doesn't take itself too seriously, which makes this a debut you'll have no choice but to love!

Original posted at Sarcasm & Lemons: [...]

in depth

A Shadow Bright and Burning was one of my most hotly anticipated books of this year, and for good reason. It's a whimsical, atmospheric historical fantasy in the vein of fantasy classics, Harry Potter meets H.P. Lovecraft meets Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. While it doesn't quite eclipse its predecessors, Cluess' debut is a strong addition to the canon, full of spark and good feels.

The concept and world really resonated with me. The setting is alternate universe Victorian London, where sorcerers and magicians are commonplace and seven megaton mythical beasties--the Ancients, patently and lovingly inspired by Cthulu--assail the nation. I wish Cluess had played up the Victorian culture more. There are many nods to the lower status of women, class issues, etc., especially with Henrietta being the first female sorcerer in centuries. However, it's an exploration Zen Cho did better in Sorcerer to the Crown, a very similar book (think magical England, sorcerers, rare female magic-user) with a stronger plot and ethnically diverse cast. In fact, go read it. Now.

That's really my main issue with this book, wanting more. Deeper exploration into the themes of freedom and status. More diversity in the cast--as in, Henrietta was described as dark-skinned, but it was basically never mentioned again and felt thrown in? And then there's the matter of the other sorcerer boys, most of whom are so indistinctly drawn that I kept getting them mixed up. So when certain characters did certain "huge" things, I didn't care all that much because I didn't feel invested in them. I also thought the chemistry between Henrietta and Rook was rather flimsy, more like I was being told they cared deeply for each other rather than seeing their deep friendship alive on the page. I also wanted more Fenswick and faeries, because Cluess created such a lively character there but never took full advantage of him.

Before you think I'm just naysaying, I'll tell you why I liked it anyway. It's fun. The magic is hardcore elemental, which I love, with the twisted magicians' magic thrown in. The writing is very pretty at times, and hysterical at others. I found myself laughing quite often at the witty banter between Henrietta and Magnus, the loving gruffness of Hargrove, and a variety of tongue-in-cheek lines presented in perfect deadpan. There's an Alice in Wonderland snark about it that's very appealing, with a Lovecraftian darkness that gives an otherwise whimsical story some depth and bite.

And while characters like Lambe, Wolffe, and Dee were interchangeable and Eliza--basically the only other female--was totally thrown in, others were strong. Henrietta herself is fearsome and proud, resourceful and with enough edges to make her likable. Magnus is totally adorable, even though his character feels a little distorted towards the end. And I really came to care for Blackwood, the duty-worn earl who begins as Henrietta's biggest critic.

Overall, it's a solid book. Some pruning in places and additions in others would have made it stronger. I'd love to see more exploration of the Ancients and their magic in the sequel, stronger characterization of the side characters, more nuanced discussion of the themes (oppression of women, prejudice against magicians and faeries, classism) that are so important to the book but somewhat clumsily done. But I will read the sequel, because A Shadow Bright and Burning is a lovely throwback to traditional magic-centered fantasy. Reading it was like being home again.

in a sentence
A Shadow Bright and Burning is a darkly whimsical adventure that pulls together old-school historical fantasy and Lovecraftian horror into one thrilling tale.

Title: A Shadow Bright and Burning

Author: Jessica Cluess

Age Group: Teen/Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Kingdom on Fire, book one

Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

I borrowed this book from my local library and reviewed it.

I was kind of nervous about this book--it seems that people either love it or hate it, no in between. And I did love it--parts of it. Overall, this debut was really solid--I mean, Dickensian England? Demons and dark magic? A take-charge heroine? Adorable, brooding boys? It all seemed perfect--and parts of it were. I really enjoyed it, overall, but there were some parts that I founding lacking. First, the love triangle. I like love triangles, as long as they're done in a way that isn't instant love. Why is it in nearly every single teen novel, there has to be a love triangle?

But my favorite parts of the novel were the setting, a Victorian England straight out of Dickens novels--I was really impressed. It captured my imagination, and I really liked it. But the real star of the book was Henrietta, the mysteriously magical young woman that is the focus of the novel. She was spunky and couragerous, fierce and fiesty, and all at the same time insecure and longing for love. She was really complex and exciting, and I really related to her a lot. I also really liked the other characters, especially the boys that become Henrietta's friends. The worldbuilding was also wonderful--I really enjoyed it.

The pacing also really sold this book for me--I couldn't put it down. Watching TV, or anime wih my husband, last night, was an ordeal--I couldn't pull myself away from this book. Despite its shortcomings, like the love triangle, I really liked it--it was a fantastic debut, and I can't wait for the sequel! Next on deck: American Gods by Neil Gaiman!

***I received the ARC eBook from the publisher through Sunday Street Team in exchange for an honest review***

Ask me what my new favourite book is and straight away, I’d say A Shadow Bright and Burning. The beautifully crafted story unfolds like a rich tapestry, with every element well done and connected to form a wonderful picture. The plot was intricate, time period fitting, magic captivating, characters complex and friendships unforgettable.

The main character, Henrietta, is easy to love for having the strength to protect both friends and strangers, despite the many obstacles thrown in her path. I instantly connected with her and experienced first-hand the rollercoaster of emotions that was her life. She’s surrounded by an almost all male cast of people who want something or other from her and with impossible decisions being made throughout the novel by these characters, it was difficult to determine friend or foe until a big reveal.

The romance was just as murky/complicated with no obvious love interest(s) since I saw many of the boys vying for Henrietta as friends only. I’m sure clarification will occur in the sequel and I have my fingers crossed for the underdog (that might not even be a ship, but I’ll root for it anyway!) In the meantime I’ll continue appreciating the strong friendships between the sorcerers.

All the characters, particularly Henrietta, grow and develop throughout the novel. Combine this with a thrilling plot that contains terrifying enemies, and you can understand why I’m excited for more! As you can imagine I’ll be among the first buying both a finished copy (I need that beautiful cover in my hands) and its sequel (immediately after release no doubt). So it’s safe to say that I’d recommend this brilliant book!

Posted on Enchanted by YA: [...]

I was hooked from the moment I started reading "A Shadow Bright and Burning". It’s a perfect mix of magic, feminism, squad goals, swoon and monsters. There were so many things to love and they all came together in a perfect blend of an epic fantasy story about self-discovery.

There were moments when this book reminded me of Harry Potter a bit, and similar to the Potter books; sorcery, magic, evil forces and quirky characters are what make A Shadow Bright and Burning so fantastic. I love reading books in which the main character is discovering their true power and Henrietta’s story took the “chosen one” trope and gave it a fresh twist. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, there was another twist thrown at me. I also loved all the hints of things to come.

The cast of characters is fantastic and even the morally ambiguous ones had me totally intrigued and wanting to learn more. Henrietta is headstrong, quirky and smart and knows what needs to be done even if everyone is telling her she’s wrong. She starts off the book living a pretty lonely life but along the way manages to surround herself with an electic cast of characters. All of the amazing personalities give us some memorable moments and I loved watching the relationships develop throughout the book. One of my favorite characters in this book is the version of London Cluess creates. She gives us an entirely new and fascinating Victorian London filled with horrific monsters, a complex magical system and clever tweaks on history.

**Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy**

A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING was one of my most anticipated books of the fall. I've been looking forward to it since March. So you can imagine how happy I was that it lived up to my high expectations. Honestly, this book just killed me. There were moments that were like a kick to the stomach. There were moments where I was so happy for Henrietta. It was an up and down rollercoaster of emotions that I loved every second of.

First of all, A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING is original. It's clever, and the world building is slyly done, almost so well you can't tell it's happening. This is one of those books where you open it and fall into it, as if it's second nature. The monsters are creepy, oh so creepy, and even the good guys are questionable at times. It makes it all the more wonderful when you realize that, by the end, Henrietta has a circle of friends she can trust and who respect her.

Henrietta, by the way, is wonderful. She's young and impulsive, and frequently scared, but she's got a sharp tongue and a fierce loyalty, and she knows what she wants. She can stand up for herself, and she does, something I like in my heroines. And there's this thing she says to her teacher at the end (you'll know it when you get to it) that was so impactful to me that I even dog-eared the page so I wouldn't lose it!

Overall, A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING is an amazing read, and I cannot wait to see where Cluess takes this world next!

First, amazing fact about this author. This is her first book and it’s awesome. I can’t even imagine how good her following books are going to be. I was blown away by this book. The writing is amazing. The story line is different, interesting, and it just drags you in. The world that she creates, wow, even though it’s Victorian England it almost felt like a different place. Also, I loved how we have sorcerers (supposed good guys) and magicians (marked as bad guys). That is a take I’ve never seen before and it adds a dimension of tension and intrigue. I’m guessing this will be a theme throughout the series.

The characters are well developed. Each has their own personality, which I appreciate it. Sometimes writers have characters so similar that they all seem the same. Not here, even with all the guys, because there are a bunch of them. Henrietta is a force in herself. But the guys she’s with, they make the story. Also, the “bad guys” of the book, called Ancients, these monsters are a twist that I loved. There is so much going on with this book, but it flows really well. There is a little romance, but it’s small. I have a feeling we’re going to see a lot more in the next book. I also think we’re going to get some serious heart break in the next one too.

I recommend this book. I really enjoyed it. I was really impressed by Jessica Cluess. I will definitely read the next in the series. Read it, you won’t be disappointed.

I normally don't enjoy books set in Victorian England; the language is hard to understand and the same tropes are used over and over again. But this debut YA novel is amazing! Henrietta is a character that reminds me of women like Sarah from "A Little Princess" and Elizabeth Bennett, with a strong sense of self, fight for equality, standing up for herself and not allowing herself to be distracted by boys. Her ability to burst into flames sends her to the big city, where she's believed to the chosen one to defeat the seven Ancients that rule England. These monsters are nasty, scary and thrilling to see on the pages. I feel like this book escapes many of the common tropes that make YA looked down upon. Henrietta isn't a damsel in distress and she has a great arc as she deals with her powers. Highly recommend for fans of Garth Nix, Brandon Sanderson, Leigh Bardugo and mainly lovers of YA fantasy.

**Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy**

A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING was one of my most anticipated books of the fall. I've been looking forward to it since March. So you can imagine how happy I was that it lived up to my high expectations. Honestly, this book just killed me. There were moments that were like a kick to the stomach. There were moments where I was so happy for Henrietta. It was an up and down rollercoaster of emotions that I loved every second of.

First of all, A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING is original. It's clever, and the world building is slyly done, almost so well you can't tell it's happening. This is one of those books where you open it and fall into it, as if it's second nature. The monsters are creepy, oh so creepy, and even the good guys are questionable at times. It makes it all the more wonderful when you realize that, by the end, Henrietta has a circle of friends she can trust and who respect her.

Henrietta, by the way, is wonderful. She's young and impulsive, and frequently scared, but she's got a sharp tongue and a fierce loyalty, and she knows what she wants. She can stand up for herself, and she does, something I like in my heroines. And there's this thing she says to her teacher at the end (you'll know it when you get to it) that was so impactful to me that I even dog-eared the page so I wouldn't lose it!

Overall, A SHADOW BRIGHT AND BURNING is an amazing read, and I cannot wait to see where Cluess takes this world next!

First, amazing fact about this author. This is her first book and it’s awesome. I can’t even imagine how good her following books are going to be. I was blown away by this book. The writing is amazing. The story line is different, interesting, and it just drags you in. The world that she creates, wow, even though it’s Victorian England it almost felt like a different place. Also, I loved how we have sorcerers (supposed good guys) and magicians (marked as bad guys). That is a take I’ve never seen before and it adds a dimension of tension and intrigue. I’m guessing this will be a theme throughout the series.

The characters are well developed. Each has their own personality, which I appreciate it. Sometimes writers have characters so similar that they all seem the same. Not here, even with all the guys, because there are a bunch of them. Henrietta is a force in herself. But the guys she’s with, they make the story. Also, the “bad guys” of the book, called Ancients, these monsters are a twist that I loved. There is so much going on with this book, but it flows really well. There is a little romance, but it’s small. I have a feeling we’re going to see a lot more in the next book. I also think we’re going to get some serious heart break in the next one too.

I recommend this book. I really enjoyed it. I was really impressed by Jessica Cluess. I will definitely read the next in the series. Read it, you won’t be disappointed.

A Shadow Bright and Burning is a fantastic debut that has a little bit of everything! A little romance, a little betrayal, several monsters, and a lot of magic!

Henrietta Howel was working in a girl's school until she was discovered to be the prophesied female sorcerer needed to fight the Ancients, seven horrible monsters trying to destroy England. She was taken from the school to London to study under the sorcerer Agrippa along with his other sorcerer apprentices.

I really liked Henrietta. She deals with a lot in this book. She deals with the horrible man in charge of the school she was at. She deals with how people treat her dear friend Rook as he is an Unclean, touched by one of the Ancients. She deals with all the crap she gets about being a female sorcerer and being behind everyone else. I think she deals with it all fairly well. I think she deals with it realistically.

I really enjoyed the relationships that she formed with all the boys also being apprenticed by Agrippa. Some of them start on the wrong foot and grow on each other and some of them start off well and end in betrayal. Even though Blackwood is kind of a total jerk, I think he might be my favorite of the other sorcerers. Ahh, thinking about the friendships formed in this little group makes me happy.

Rook has been Henrietta's friend since they were like eight, I think. His body is covered in horrible scars from being touched by one of the Ancients and Henrietta is the only person who treats him like he's still human. When she goes to London to train to be a commended sorcerer, she takes Rook with her. She doesn't ever want to be separated from him.

I liked Rook. But I don't really know what to think about something. I can see why he would follow Henrietta wherever she goes. They're great friends and she doesn't treat him like a monster. But throughout this novel, he seems to gain a little confidence and at one point seemed to want to go do something else away from her, but she talked him out of it and he obliged like a little lost puppy. Which, I guess in a way he kind of is, but just the way that exchange went seemed like he doesn't have any independent thoughts or something? That's probably not exactly the term I wanted, but something along those lines.

In the way of the romance, there isn't a terrible lot going on. There are several potential love interests, but I don't see the romance in this book as being a love triangle at all. I'm really torn on who I want her to end up with. I'm excited to see where the romance will go in the future of this series.

There was a little bit of history on the Ancients and how they came to be, but I'd really like to see more history in the rest of this series. Like on how or why it came to be that sorcerers were at the top of the magical food chain over magicians or witches. Usually world history in books makes my brain go numb and my eyes glaze over, but I think I would really enjoy it in this series.

Overall, I think that this was a decent read. I really enjoyed it. I liked Henrietta and the boys and I'm excited to see where the next book will take them in the fight against the Ancients!

I normally don't enjoy books set in Victorian England; the language is hard to understand and the same tropes are used over and over again. But this debut YA novel is amazing! Henrietta is a character that reminds me of women like Sarah from "A Little Princess" and Elizabeth Bennett, with a strong sense of self, fight for equality, standing up for herself and not allowing herself to be distracted by boys. Her ability to burst into flames sends her to the big city, where she's believed to the chosen one to defeat the seven Ancients that rule England. These monsters are nasty, scary and thrilling to see on the pages. I feel like this book escapes many of the common tropes that make YA looked down upon. Henrietta isn't a damsel in distress and she has a great arc as she deals with her powers. Highly recommend for fans of Garth Nix, Brandon Sanderson, Leigh Bardugo and mainly lovers of YA fantasy.

I'm all about this trend of YA historical fantasies, but I've yet to find one that truly lives up to my expectations. I had such high hopes for this book based on the description--A lone sorceress in Victorian London? Yes, please!--and glowing early reviews, and while I liked the book enough to finish it, it just didn't blow me away. It's well written, but it moves slowly, and I had a hard time getting into it. Henrietta is a compelling character, but she was slow to catch on to things the reader picked up on, and there were a couple of times when she suddenly started acting out of character for no particular reason. Grasping one of the main aspects of this story world, the schism between sorcerers and magicians and why it's okay for sorcerers to use magic, but not magicians, and why one is superior to the other was also a bit hard for me. The monsters themselves were a little too fantastical for me to take seriously, but their minions were seriously creepy. And I suppose in a world where Henrietta is the first female sorcerer in a hundred years, it's natural that all the boys would be drawn to her, and I love a good romance, but with everything else going on in the story, I found myself wishing we didn't have a love quadrangle. Especially since I really didn't form an attachment to any of the boys, or any of the secondary characters, for that matter. There's really nothing wrong with this book, but there was nothing for me to really get excited about either.

I voluntarily received an ARC of A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited when I received my ARC of A Shadow Bright and Burning in the mail, because one, the book is absolutely beautiful and two, the summary sounding like a great fantasy story. I was also a little hesitant after reading several reviews complaining about it being too similar to Cassandra Clare's The Infernal Devices series. Yes there were some similarities, but A Shadow Bright and Burning is still an different, independent, and well told story.

Henrietta sometimes made me very frustrated, but I loved her strength and determination to fight for everyone no matter where they are in the social hierarchy. Even in the frustrating moments of this book, I seriously enjoyed every moment of it. I read the 400 page story in two days because I could not put it down and kept wanting to know what happened next. And now I can't wait to find out what happens in book 2.

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess
Book One of the Kingdom on Fire series
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 20, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

I am Henrietta Howel.
The first female sorcerer in hundreds of years.
The prophesied one.
Or am I?

Henrietta Howel can burst into flames.
Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she's shocked when instead of being executed, she's invited to train as one of Her Majesty's royal sorcerers.

Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the chosen one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.

But Henrietta Howel is not the chosen one.
As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, what does it mean to not be the one? And how much will she risk to save the city—and the one she loves?

Exhilarating and gripping, Jessica Cluess's spellbinding fantasy introduces a powerful, unforgettably heroine, and a world filled with magic, romance, and betrayal. Hand to fans of Libba Bray, Sarah J. Maas, and Cassandra Clare.

What I Liked:

I actually didn't know much about this book before reading it. I'd seen many positive early reviews for the book, and usually hype turns me off. But I decided to give this book a shot anyway, because, well, fantasy. I love fantasy, and YA fantasy tends to be good. I'm pleased to say that I did enjoy this book, and I look forward to reading book two.

Henrietta Howel can set herself on fire. But females with any sort of magical power are executed, typically. When she is discovered one day, she is taken from the school she teaches at, and brought to study and learn her power. There are six young men also in training to be sorcerers. Henrietta is told that she is the chosen one, the girl-child of sorcerer stock. But Henrietta is not the chosen one. She discovers this, but cannot risk the sorcerers finding out. But the war with the Ancients (monsters) is even more dangerous than her secrets.

What an intriguing, engaging story. I had no trouble reading this book, and I practically flew through the 400+ pages. Once I started the book, I was hooked. There are no lag at any point, no spots of boredom. I couldn't read it fast enough, to be honest! The author got the pacing right, perfect for the story.

I really love that Henrietta isn't the "chosen one". I'm kind of sick of prophecies and chosen ones and such, and so it was kind of relief to be told upfront that she wouldn't be the chosen one. It takes a while, until the end of the story, for everyone else to learn of this. But we're still not aware of who the girl in the prophecy actually is. Fascinating!

The story is brilliantly played out. Henrietta goes to Master Agrippa's home, and begins to learn how to control and wield her powers with Agrippa, as well as six boys also in training. Time goes on, and Henrietta is utterly failing at lessons. Why? She finds out, in a rather surprising way, that she isn't what they want her to be. She's not the chosen one. And so she begins to try and hone her power, with the help of an unexpected ally, to try and pass as a sorcerer and get the commendation from the Queen. All the while Ancients are flooding the city and killing people everywhere they go. And Henrietta's friend Rook is suffering at the hands of darkness.

So there are seven important young men in the story. The six sorcerers, Blackwood, Magnus, Dee, Cellini, Wolff, and Lambe, are all very different, yet interesting in their own ways. Blackwood is a brooding, sullen young earl. Magnus is a shameless flirt. Dee is a playful student. Cellini is the foreigner, and Italian. Wolff and Lambe (hehe) are quiet and a little recluse, and tend to stick to themselves. And then there is Rook, Henrietta's friend from the school. She insisted that he come with her to Agrippa's mansion, as the pair do not separate. They've been friends since they were little, and are very close.

I guess it's time for me to talk about the romance... whatever shape the publisher is trying to sell (love triangle, square, heptagon), it's wrong. There is no love triangle in this book. Really, there isn't concrete romance at all. Of the six boys, only two, in my opinion, COULD be love interests. Rook, Magnus, and Blackwood COULD be love interests. Rook, I'm ruling out because of reasons. Magnus, I'm also ruling out, though he is the one that presents the strongest case. Blackwood is the one I hope to be an actual love interest. He has the Darcy archetype going on, and he definitely has the Darcy effect. I really, really like Blackwood. Not that I don't like the others. But as a love interest, I'm all for Blackwood. But then, there was nothing romantic between Blackwood and Henrietta. So me hoping that Blackwood will be a love interest could be wishful thinking. I have a feeling that there will be development with Blackwood though. The seeds were definitely planted in this book, in a subtle manner. *crosses fingers*

So far, no love interest has strongly presented himself. There are a lot of boys, and I personally think one of three of the seven boys COULD be a love interest, but none of them are presenting a strong case to me at the moment. I do have a favorite though.

And in the end, Henrietta doesn't really need a love interest to define her. At the moment, she's doing just fine on her own. I want to see a strong romantic relationship with one of those boys develop (just one, though), but that can happen later in the series. I like that it didn't happen in book one.

No cliffhanger ending in this book, but things definitely aren't resolved. And we know that this is book one of a series. The story ended a little... cliche, in my opinion. I know there are books to follow, but I expected a different ending. It was a good ending, and it fit the story just fine, I just expected something else. I'm excited to see where book two takes us!

What I Did Not Like:

I can't think of anything specific at the moment, though I'm sure there are little things that stuck out to me while I was reading the book. I don't dislike the romance, but I hope to see a stronger and more clear romance in the next books. And more about Henrietta's father, and the chosen one. And the bit about the ivy (read the book and you'll know what I mean). All in good time, I'm sure!

Would I Recommend It:

I do recommend this book - I see why it's so hyped and why so many people have loved it already. I would caution those who are wary of the love triangle (or square or whatever). There is none right now, but I suppose there could be (especially with the sheer number of boys who are in the story -- though, like I said, most of them are not love interests or even potential love interests). Maybe wait until book two publishes to see how the romance goes. Typically by the end of book two, you have a clear idea of exactly where the romance is going. Usually, but not always.

Nevertheless, this IS a great fantasy story.

Rating:

4 stars. A well-written, enjoyable fantasy debut that is every bit as adventurous and magical as I expected. I am looking forward to reading the next book!

ALL THE STARS!!! THIS BOOK GETS ALL THE STARS, YOU GUYS!!! This book was so epic and amazing, I don’t even know how to put it into words. The world, the world-building, the characters, the writing – it’s all epic beyond words and DEFINITELY exceeded my expectations!

The writing is gorgeous in this book. It’s descriptive and it flows. The book itself reminds me of a mash-up between The Imposter Queen by Sarah Fine and Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. The plot was intriguing and only became more so the longer I read and the closer to the ending I got.

Overall, I loved this book so much, it physically pained me each time I had to put it down! I’m pretty sure this is my #1 favorite book of 2016 (so far)!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on book two and see what happens next! I HIGHLY recommend this one!!! You won’t regret it!!

NEW BOOK REVIEW
A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess
★★★★★
*** I recieved a complimentory copy of this book from Blogging for Books! ***
Action packed, dark, magical, and has a beloved cast of characters.
I loved this book SO MUCH.
Henrietta Howel has been chosen as the first female sorcerer in a world where female magic users are illegal. She must learn how to control the power she has been surpressing for years in time of her commendation for Queen Victoria. With secrets, desires, and a crazy amount of pressure to save the world, Henrietta must make the hardest decisions she has ever made. This is the first book in the Kingdom of Fire series!
This book needs to be talked about more! Cluess has created a cast of characters I instantly became attached with. Her world buildilng is outstanding, there were clever plot twists, and I couldn't get enough of this world she created. This world takes place in a time where class is imporant, a bad reputation can ruin you, and the main character must fight monsters in a corset. She touches on topics such as abusive leaders in schools, blackmail, obligation, lust, the different and tragic living conditions of others in the world, self doubt, and also self empowerment. She wrote this dark, but magical tale so beautifully, and I'm eager to read A POISON DARK AND DROWNING in September.
Thank you so much, Blogging for Books, for giving me the oppurtunity to read this book without having to worry finanically.
If you love to read young adult fantasy books I highly recommend you pick this one up!

This is another great addition to any fantasy shelf! It is very exciting and I can tell the author did her homework because the world and story were tight and flawless. This is also one of those rare books where I wouldn't change a thing. Everything about this book was just amazing and definitely in my top for the year. I just really adored this and I can't wait for the next one!!

I loved this book! I continually thought I knew what the main character, Howell, would do next ...and I was wrong every time. I love a book that can surprise me - and a great story - and this is both. I like Henrietta Howell from the very first page and her story had all the twists and turns you could hope for. I can't wait for the next installment in this series!

This was a very impressive debut. Great characters and world-building, interesting plot. The first half of the book felt like some wonderful mixture of Uprooted and Jonathan Strange and Mister Norell. I would definitely recommend it, and I'll be buying the other books in the series when they come out.

The only thing that bothered me about this story (and why I'm not giving it 5 stars) is the multiple love interests. 3 of them. It's too much, and it's out of character for Henrietta. She would literally almost kiss someone in one scene then almost kiss someone else in the next, with no guilt or inner conflict. She doesn't seem to think or feel anything about them at all, and I think the story would have been much stronger without this forced melodrama. Why can't she just be friends with the boys in her life, especially while she's focused on becoming a kick-ass sorcerer?

But really, I did love this book. I've been in a bit of a reading slump, with the past 3 books I picked up being ones I didn't finish. I'm an avid reader, but it was starting to feel like a chore. This book was a breath of fresh air. I loved the world Jessica Cluess created, and I couldn't put it down. Great read!

A Shadow Bright and Burning personifies why I love the fantasy genre so much. It is exactly what it promises its readers—a powerful female MC, swoony boys, and fantastical magic—all set in Victorian London. Sounds amazing, right? This book gave me so many Howl's Moving Castle feels with its steampunky and enchanted world. The writing has an old world charm with magic laced throughout the words. Can you tell the magic was my favorite part of this book? xD

There are multiple ship options in this book and it makes my heart a little wary. Especially since I like two of the possible options! Despite there being multiple ship choices, romance is definitely on the backburner in this story. The book mainly focuses on Henrietta—our heroine—learning more about herself and her powers. I did want a little bit more from the plot and think some things could be better defined but all in all, I truly enjoyed this book and hope you guys will check this one out!

Full Review:[...]

This books main character is Henrietta who is able to burst into flames or start fire. She is brought to the castle by one of the royal sorcerers. But in this world witches are burned at the stake. Which I don't know what the difference between witches and sorcerers are. Anyway there is alot of magic and etc. A good book. Keeps your attention beginning to end.

Audio Book Review
A Shadow Bright and Burning took me a chapter or two to get into. At first, I was a little bored. But before long, I was emerged into the story world Jessica Cluess created. I liked the main character, Henrietta. And I liked the supporting cast. What a great magical world Cluess created! ARC was provided.

Beautiful, complex storytelling and terrifying monsters are only the half of what Jessica Cluess has created. The story is woven with rich, dark imagery and shocking twists and turns. This book was impossible to put down. Riveting and heart stopping from start to finish.

One of my favorite YA fantasy releases of the year, and I read a lot! Bizarre as it may sound, this reads like a blend of Howl's Moving Castle and H.P. Lovecraft, and if you think those two great tastes won't taste great together, I challenge you to give this one a shot.

Very cool, engaging story with interesting characters and a complex premise. I'm really enjoying this series--lots of magic, secrets, monsters, and social unrest--it's a good one for those who might enjoy The Lunar Chronicals, Ember in the Ashes, Everlife series, etc. Can't wait for the next one!

This is a truly captivating juvenile fantasy ideal especially for girls twelve and up, but the guys should enjoy it too since there's lots of action in it. Author Jessica Cluess has a most promising series starting with this book. It's got all the sorcery, monsters, and the like to satisfy fantasy adventure fans.

I devoured this book in two days because I couldn't put it down. Cluess's Harry Potter meets Pride and Prejudice in Victorian London tale is engaging and full of familiar tropes turned on their heads. The world of the story is complex with multiple villains, but it's skillfully written and I never once felt confused. I highly recommend it and remain staunchly Team Blackwood while I wait for book 2.

Henrietta or Netti to her friends has the ability to use fire, but she keeps this hidden since women who were seen using magic were killed. Henrietta is only found out because she uses her ability to save her friend Rook from being killed, after that she is asked to train to become a sorcerer.

Henrietta is thrust into a new world, living under the same roof as a number of young men who are also training to be members of the Queens Royal Sorcerers, there were a number of possible romances here, but Netti never let that stop her from her goal. Netti faces roadblock after roadblock from both her classmates and other men who see her as something that is not part of the natural order of being a sorcerer. She didn't let any of this deter her. She was determined to keep going, even if she did have doubts in the back of her head.

Nettie finds out things about herself and her past while she undergoes training, which makes her question why the laws are the way they are when it comes to those that can use magic. Her choice will not only affect her but it can possibly affect her relationship with Rook and the other members of the Royal Sorcerers.

I do have a bunch of questions that I do hope will be answered in the next book. What are the Ancients? What exactly is the difference between Sorcerers and Magicians? What is happening to Rook and his "curse"?

I am looking forward to the next book, and I can't wait to see what happens with Nettie, Rook and the guys.

This was a fun fast read. The world building concepts were intriguing and massively stunted. It must be exciting to have your book published, but it felt like the author rushed over what could've made it notable. It was the same with the characters. Romantic tension or character development was glaringly absent because it felt like a 1st or 2nd draft. She writes well, so if you tamper your expectations, you'll enjoy it.

This is a truly captivating juvenile fantasy ideal especially for girls twelve and up, but the guys should enjoy it too since there's lots of action in it. Author Jessica Cluess has a most promising series starting with this book. It's got all the sorcery, monsters, and the like to satisfy fantasy adventure fans.

I devoured this book in two days because I couldn't put it down. Cluess's Harry Potter meets Pride and Prejudice in Victorian London tale is engaging and full of familiar tropes turned on their heads. The world of the story is complex with multiple villains, but it's skillfully written and I never once felt confused. I highly recommend it and remain staunchly Team Blackwood while I wait for book 2.

Henrietta or Netti to her friends has the ability to use fire, but she keeps this hidden since women who were seen using magic were killed. Henrietta is only found out because she uses her ability to save her friend Rook from being killed, after that she is asked to train to become a sorcerer.

Henrietta is thrust into a new world, living under the same roof as a number of young men who are also training to be members of the Queens Royal Sorcerers, there were a number of possible romances here, but Netti never let that stop her from her goal. Netti faces roadblock after roadblock from both her classmates and other men who see her as something that is not part of the natural order of being a sorcerer. She didn't let any of this deter her. She was determined to keep going, even if she did have doubts in the back of her head.

Nettie finds out things about herself and her past while she undergoes training, which makes her question why the laws are the way they are when it comes to those that can use magic. Her choice will not only affect her but it can possibly affect her relationship with Rook and the other members of the Royal Sorcerers.

I do have a bunch of questions that I do hope will be answered in the next book. What are the Ancients? What exactly is the difference between Sorcerers and Magicians? What is happening to Rook and his "curse"?

I am looking forward to the next book, and I can't wait to see what happens with Nettie, Rook and the guys.

A fun, entertaining adventure set in Victorian England with a teen sorcerer apprentice, Nettie, who scrambles to find her place among the all-male academy. Along the way, she's battling Ancients (monsters mistakenly unleashed on the world years ago), trying to protect her long-time friend, Rook, and discovering the secrets surrounding her family. A true page-turner for fantasy fans!

This was a fun fast read. The world building concepts were intriguing and massively stunted. It must be exciting to have your book published, but it felt like the author rushed over what could've made it notable. It was the same with the characters. Romantic tension or character development was glaringly absent because it felt like a 1st or 2nd draft. She writes well, so if you tamper your expectations, you'll enjoy it.

This book is the new YA dystopia/supernatural/thriller that I've been searching for! There's magic and orphans and backstabbing and ridiculously creepy monsters and minor instances of romance that don't make me want to throw the book across the room. What more could you possibly want in a novel?

A Lovecraftian Harry Potter, with some shades of a not-as-graphic version of Penny Dreadful (it is YA, after all). It's dark and beautiful, with characters who will haunted my thoughts long after I set the book down. I'll definitely pick up the next in series.

If you enjoyed graceling, the glass throne or the invisible library read this book. The heroine is surrounded by an excellent supporting casts, the villains are interesting and original, and it has actual plot twists rather than following the current formula of what passes for YA fantasy literature