After fleeing the Helosian Empire, Astrea and her friends follow the trail of clues north in search of the mystery-cloaked void mages known as the Paragon. Crossing the border into Novaria, the group finds the capital city on high alert after a string of murders.
Just like in Kalama, the victims bear the mark of void magic—a clear display of brazenness as the shadows’ influence continues to grow across the continent.
Determined to stop the killers and uncover the secrets of the Paragon, the group teams up with Novaria’s ruler, the Grand Duchess Ysabel. But with conspiracies and deceit at every turn, Astrea begins to question everything she thought she knew—not just about the world, but about herself and her magic.
Only one thing is clear: Astrea is being hunted. And this time, no one can save her.t a soldier. Not a prince. Not even a son. A weapon…
Varojin Auris didn’t ask to be a prince. As the illegitimate child of the Helosian emperor, he was never meant for the world he grew up in, and he knows it. When his father enlists Varojin in the military two years before the service age, it’s clear he’s no longer welcome in the court. So, forced to follow the emperor’s orders, Varojin severs ties with his old life and sets off for Fort Ironwing.
Amid the ranks of junior soldiers, Varojin finds himself as unwelcome as he was at the palace—only this time, there are no rules protecting him from superiors who use far more force with him than on his peers. So when Varojin is offered the opportunity to leave basic training behind and join a highly specialized, secretive unit, he accepts.
But the relief of being flanked by those who support him is tainted by a new the responsibility to take lives when duty calls. When a crisis reveals the full extent of Varojin’s powers, he fears he has finally become his father’s son. In the midst of destruction, the weary prince finds himself faced with a fight for the rubble of his past, or rebuild his life anew.
- Author: H. E. Bauman
- Release Date: June 26, 2023
- Genre: Fantasy
- My Rating: 5/5
Get Forged by Flames
I recently finished reading a book that I absolutely fell in love with. It’s called Under Darkened Skies and it’s written by an incredibly talented author H. E. Bauman. The plot, the characters, and the friendships that were forged throughout the story had me hooked from the very beginning.
One of the things that I loved most about this book was the way the friendships were portrayed. Each character had their own unique personality and quirks, yet they all came together to form a strong and unbreakable bond. It was heartwarming to see how they supported and stood by each other, even in the toughest of situations.
But what really stood out to me were the ‘uh ah’ moments. These were the moments where things from the past were connected to the present, giving the story a deeper and more meaningful perspective. And that’s where the prequel, Forged by Flames, comes in. I highly recommend reading it after finishing Under Darkened Skies. It may seem like an unusual order, but trust me, it will all make sense and you’ll be hit with even more ‘uh ah’ moments.
The writing style was another aspect that I absolutely adored. It was smooth, captivating, and kept me engaged throughout the entire book. The attention to detail was also commendable. Every scene was described in such vivid detail that it felt like I was right there, experiencing it all with the characters.
I could go on and on about how much I loved this book and the author’s writing, but I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t read it yet. Just know that it’s a must-read for all book lovers out there.
Now, let’s talk about the dynamic of the team in the story. It was one of my favorite aspects. The way they worked together, the banter, the inside jokes, it all felt so real. The relationship building was like a delicious ‘chef’s kiss’. It was gradual, with each character slowly opening up and revealing their true selves to each other. And that’s what made their bond so special.
*Spoiler alert* One of my favorite scenes in the book was the bonfire hike with Rasa, Dorin, Jin, and Adi. It was such a heartwarming moment as they reminisced about their fallen friends, Lando and Neri. I couldn’t help but imagine the scene in my head, with everyone gathered around the campfire, Lando and Neri’s presence still felt among them.
Darkened Skies Series:
- (Prequal) Forged by Fire
- Under Darkened Skies
- Into Whispering Shadows
- Amid Twisted Chaos
- Beyond Veiled Destinies
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