Sparks Shall Rise: Book 1
Aria, the crown princess of Torrannon, has the world at her feet and a bright future. Then she develops anxiety and depression and finds herself trapped in a losing battle that seems to only have one tragic path of escape.
Landa, a phoenix, has an embarrassing accident, and her confidence diminishes. She then loses the one ability she wields as a phoenix—her fire.
With an invasion against Torrannon looming, Aria and Landa must save the kingdom from utter ruin. But first, they will have to rise above their inner struggles in order to survive an encounter with a far more sinister evil.
This is the first book in the Sparks Shall Rise epic fantasy series. A tale about learning how to believe in yourself and how to find the smallest spark of hope, even when you feel as if you are drowning in darkness. Contains content dealing with anxiety, health anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and suicidal ideation.
Sarah Peña, eBookFairs, 5 Star Review:
This action fantasy is destined to touch the hearts of many. The book is about facing your insecurities, in spite of your deepest fears, and rising above them all. This book reminds readers that despite their personal hardships, they too can triumphantly rise from the ashes like a phoenix.
Lindsay McCafferty broaches the topic of mental illness with consideration, sensitivity and respect. The novel encourages readers to not “suffer in silence” when it comes to their mental health and mental care. It is an inspirational reminder that mental illness does not render a person unable to live a healthy, vibrant and purposeful life.
Sahee Dan, eBookFairs, 5 Star Review:
I absolutely love how the author portrayed the characters and proved that having a mental illness does not exactly mean the end of the world. Landa and Aria both have their own demons to face, but do they possess the courage to face them? I would recommend the book to lovers of fantasy.
Eniwoghale Ekpoh, eBookFairs, 5 Star Review:
I had a great time reading this wonderful book that the author had so expertly put together.
I give this book five stars out of five because of the well-developed plot and the absence of typos or faults in grammar. I am inspired by the series to have the bravery and persistence to face and conquer my obstacles, even when they appear insurmountable. What counts most is that the plot was captivating and the suspense was subtly built. Nevertheless, I would recommend the book to readers who are objective and imaginative.
Keren Uwa, eBookFairs, 5 Star Review:
Reawakened Flames by Lindsay McCafferty is an emotionally gripping fantasy fiction with an undertone education of what mental health struggle feels like. A fantasy fiction with such a rich emotional theme is really what the whole world needs to keep seeing, as it holds interest while soothingly passing profound messages.
Abdulgafar Imran, eBookFairs, 5 Star Review:
The vast and crippling experiences of anxiety and depression make the book appealing and realistic, as the author makes it very clear that having a mental illness does not mean the end of the world. McCafferty opens with tremendous prowess for a writer who is writing his or her first work, which will assume the status of a series and drag millions of readers into a world that is an object of great depth and imagination.
Alma Boucher, Readers’ Favorite, 5 Star Review:
Reawakened Flames has a unique plot that amazed me, being action-packed throughout; I could not turn the pages fast enough to find out what would happen. Lindsay McCafferty handled the sensitive topic of mental illness with great care. Readers learn that panic attacks and depression are more common than we realize. There is no shame in admitting that you are suffering from it and seeking help. The characters were excellently developed, and the story follows Aria, the human, and Landa, the phoenix, in alternate chapters. Reawakened Flames was beautifully written, with each subplot nicely concluded. It was a unique and engrossing read.
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If an ePub version of the book is bought please be aware that when it is loaded onto devices (like the Kindle app on an iPhone), the formatting may not display as intended. This is an error on part of the app and/or device.
Author Note: This book has been updated a few times. Edition 2 (2022) is the most up to date, and the edition that I will be using.