A love letter to readers everywhere!
If you are wanting your new comfort read or a new obsession, look no further than the YA debut portal fantasy Flameheart (pre-order June 17th!) by the husband-and-wife author pair Dalton and Emily Bequette. I had the privilege of being on their Street Team and receiving an Advanced Reader Copy to review (All the following thoughts are my own and voluntary). I am so excited to share about this debut novel with you!
Book Blurb:
“Seventeen-year-old Lia Corvine supports her fracturing family, no matter the cost. It’s irrelevant that her father’s absence eats away at her false smiles and reassurances, that insecurities plague her mind. Lia’s only reprieve is writing stories with her grandfather, where she can escape as a ranger to a floating kingdom with roguish Prince Kayce.
blurb provided by the authors
But everything crumbles when her grandfather suddenly passes away. As grief unleashes her barely-bound anxiety, it also unlocks Lia’s slumbering magic–and drags Kayce into reality.
However, when barriers fray and dreams come true, so do nightmares. Monsters lurk in the streets. Envious societies hunger for power. And Lia finds herself in the center of a nefarious plot. With ancient orders governing the magic her family never told her about, it seems her grandfather’s death was no accident. Only Lia can retrace his steps for answers. But even with Kayce by her side, can Lia embrace who she’s only allowed herself to be in fantasy?”
Reading This Book Feels Like Coming Home
Flameheart is a tribute to book lovers everywhere and pays homage to the great stories and authors that have shaped us, such as Narnia and Lord of the Rings. In Flameheart, you’ll find:
- Portal Fantasy – Lia crosses from our familiar world into one straight out of her favorite story. I loved this concept, and Norenth was a neat place to get to know!
- Slow Burn Romance – Childhood friends (complete with witty banter) discover there may be something more there, but they’re unsure how to navigate it.
- Characters – Kayce and Lia both were admirable protagonists. They were likable, funny, flawed, and relatable. Lia’s journey from self-sacrificing people-pleaser to standing up for herself (without turning into a rude, selfish individual) was well-written and sweet to experience. Kayce, for his part, was strong, thoughtful, and the kind of friend anyone would want.
- Fantastical Creatures (and Monsters) – Flameheart‘s cosmic worlds are full of a mixture of familiar creatures and new ones, making each place rich with adventure.
- Murder Mystery – A running current through the story is what truly happened to Lia’s grandfather and who can she truly trust. Fans of mysteries will enjoy this component of the book!
- Light versus Dark – One of my personal preferences in fantasy and YA books, there is a clear thread of light versus dark and good versus evil in Flameheart.
This Book is Going Places…
Flameheart is going to go places. It introduces not only a whole cosmos of story worlds to explore but also a colorful cast of interesting and beloved characters to get to know over the course of the series.
I can absolutely see this YA portal fantasy becoming a favorite for many, just like Narnia or Harry Potter. Families, in particular, can enjoy it as it is interesting and complex enough for an older audience and content-appropriate for a slightly younger one.
I can be a critical reader, but there really wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book.
- It was clean and appropriate for young adults.
- It was engaging and well-paced.
- It was original while honoring the stories that came before it.
I wish Flameheart existed when I was a young adult, and I definitely recommend it!
If You Like Flameheart…
Then you may like my debut novel Shift! While Flameheart and Shift are definitely dissimilar in regard to plot and overall vibes, they do have several things in common:
- Both are young adult fantasy
- Both are clean reads (no-spice, no/minimal language)
- Both have protagonists searching for something.
- Both face loss.
- Both have lovable, rogue-ish love interests.
If you like these things and are looking for another escapist, original read, check out Shift here! Follow along on social media for all the publishing updates. Coming Spring 2026!
Final Thoughts
Rounded down from 4.5 stars. A sweet, cozy, exciting read, it was a tribute to the bookworm and to the beloved stories we find ourselves in and wishing to be part of. I look forward to seeing where the story goes in the subsequent novels!
Content Rating: Mild
for mental health (grief/anxiety), non-graphic action, romantic tension
Copyright Dalton & Emily Bequette and Quill & Flame Publishers. Images provided to me as a member of the Flameheart street team.