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:
“Reawakened Flames” unites two unlikely heroines, as they battle external evils while combating their internal demons. 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. “Reawakened Flames” is exquisitely written. It speaks wonders to its readers. 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. Nor is mental illness something that persons should feel ashamed of or strive to conceal. Aria and Landa’s friendship serves as a powerful reminder that only with positive support can we thrive, regardless of our various interpersonal challenges. Wonderful novel!
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:
Reawakened Flames by Lindsay McCafferty is a fantastic work of imaginative fiction that is accurately described. I could not have been more thrilled when I first picked up the book, read it, and finally completed it. Lindsay writes with imagination and insight. Her incredible bravery in storytelling is something I greatly admire, even despite her battle with illness. She turned what would normally be seen as a return to personal identification into a beautiful, cutting blade, and I gave her flowers. I love how she authentically portrayed each character in isolation and then brought them together to support each other’s incredible strength via genuine friendship in a low-key setting, amply illustrating that having a mental illness does not always mean that the best possible life is coming to an end. Jayce, Landa, and Aria generously gave and showed courage when it was needed. 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.
Omneya Shakeep, eBookFairs, 4 Star Review:
I appreciate the complex characters Lindsay McCafferty has created in her novel “Sparks Shall Rise: Reawakened Flames,” and the deep, emotional, and psychological themes she expresses go beyond the fiction to make it more relatable to real life, despite the fact that the genre of this book is fantasy. The author’s way of articulating the intricacies of mental disorders and the struggles those suffering from them face is reflected in how she portrays Aria and Landa. Her deep knowledge and experience with these issues are shown by combining the pages of her book with the depiction of the toughness of the feelings of anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems, as well as self-deprecation, and by showing the readers how they could support the people around them who are going through similar experiences.
In spite of the fact that the book does touch on the darker themes, it has even more love, understanding, encouragement, and support from the characters’ loved ones, which I find quite touching. Through Aria and Landa’s courage and persistence, readers are left with a sense of belief and positivity after seeing them battle their inner demons.
The straightforward language, well-woven plot, and engaging quick pace make for an easy-to-follow and entertaining story. The way the author manages to present a detailed plot with more than one main character in a relatively short story is admirable. Moreover, I should note that the editing is beyond perfect, as I found no typos or mistakes in the text while reading it.
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.
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.