Customer Reviews

The Flame (The Sons of Destiny, Book 7)

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While I have enjoyed all of the "Sons" books, I think "The Flame" may be my favorite, largely because of the development of the hero (Koranen) over the course of the previous 6 books, as well as the development of the heroine, Danau.

While all of the love-interests are well-developed, some of them have been ones I almost had to make myself like/root for (Alys, Amara), and others were almost silly (Serina). However, each lady complemented her chosen mate well. And the guys - well - all of them are well-developed (pun intended). Even when it wasn't "their" book, each brother's own story moved along.

The over-all arc has moved along much better than I thought it would. One enemy was dealt with, with another coming along.

While I look forward w/ bated breath to "The Mage", I do so w/ sadness, that one of my favorite romance series (which also has a healthy dose of rather explicit sex - yum) is coming to its end.

The seventh brother Koranen is perhaps the loneliest of the siblings as his skill pyromancy means no passionate touching; he literally burns women. He knows what the prophecy says for him and bolstering his hopes that his bride is an aquamancer as predicted is the recent success of his six brothers in finding their mates. Kor believes she is finally coming to him when four aquamancers from the underwater city of Menomon come to Nightfall to examine the desalinator.

Danau is Kor's polar opposite as her touch leads to frostbite. Although a pariah in terms of personal relationship, she is in charge of the Menomon delegation. Her icy persona hides her lonely heart, but also angers Kor who wants nothing to do with the frozen beauty. However, destiny could not care less what either thinks even as evil has creeped onto the island.

Events are reaching a climax as Johnson delivers the penultimate chapter in her magical Sons of Destiny series. Watching these characters and this new monarchy develop has been pure fun, with practical kingdom-building considerations mixing cleverly with high-risk danger. Johnson's impressive talent is on full display.

Though somewhat a set up for the grand finale tale in this terrific romantic fantasy saga, this seventh Sons of Destiny tale is kept fresh and exciting by the uniqueness of the lead couple as he is fire and she is ice. Separately they are loners as no one can touch them without being burned; together they make a perfect match. However, in spite of being destiny's darlings they must overcome their learned response that touching including passion literally burns. Jean Johnson provides a character driven enjoyable book seven.

Harriet Klausner

Pyromancer Koranen is maybe even lonelier than his brother Rydan, because his mere touch burns the other person. How should he ever find his destined bride? The only chance would be an Aquamancer, so he sees his chance when four of them visit the island of Nightfall.

Danau is in a similar position like Koranen just that her touch leads to frostbites. She hides her lonely heart behind a frosty persona and Koranen is the right person to melt the ice wall around her heart, if he finally sees that she is destiny.

THE FLAME is the wonderful story of two people who have been dealt a hard life by the gods. Koranen's loneliness through the book was heartbreaking and it was great to see that he finally found his happiness. Both Koranen and Danau are multi-layered characters who will grip your interest from the first page onward. I could hardly put down the book.

Ms. Johnson did a great job with showing her readers more and more of the world outside of Nightfall. The whole world building in the Sons of Destiny series is absolutely fascinating. The various races and nations make the books so special.

I highly recommend that you read this series in the correct order, because all the books are strongly connected with each other, but the series is soooo much fun!

I am looking forward to reading THE MAGE, but I am also sad that this will be the last book of the series.

Courtesy of Loveromances and More!

Koranen of Nightfall is the seventh-born son and it is time for his involvement with the Curse of Eight prophecy. His older brothers have each found a woman and now, supposedly, it is his turn. More than over his ability to turn anything he touches into flames, Koranen also mourns the fact that he will more than likely never find a mate. Who wants a man whose touch burns and blisters? Not any of the women Koranen has previously come into contact with, that's for sure. His despondency comes to an end however when Aquamancers arrive at his home. Koranen's Destined Bride has got to be amongst the guests. He just has to find her - and he does in the womanly form of Danau, the highest ranked member of the Aquamancy Guild. Her magic? Water. Don't hold your breath - things are definitely about to get steamy!

Following Ms. Johnson's Sons of Destiny series, I was overjoyed to read Koranen's book. I found myself upset at his curse, which is the flame, because I didn't think he would ever be able to find the one woman that could endure his fiery touch. But he did. Oh boy did he ever! Danau has been turned off of love ever since a failed relationship. Living only for her job and being made fun of because of it, I loved how Koranen turned her world upside down. More than once they made me laugh at the banter and quick wit each portrayed while talking to each other.

The Flame was worth waiting for. I have to caution new readers - not a bad thing - but new readers will definitely have to read this enigmatic and addicting series in order. I found myself going back more than once to clarify details in previous books. Fiery passions ignite the pages of The Flame and I loved every single spark!

Talia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I love the fact that each couple in Jean Johnson's delightful "Sons of Destiny" series has their own unique dynamic. This is hardly one of those series that exists solely so the reader can experience virtually the same romance over and over again with mildly different characters. Koranen is fully aware that one of these women is his destined bride and eager to seal the deal, but afraid of hurting another woman by making a mistake and picking the wrong one. Danau has resigned herself to a life alone and thrown herself into her work, closing herself off and leaving Koranen with the impression that she's hardly the one for him.

Because it's immediately obvious to the reader that Danau is the right woman, the length of time it took for her and Koranen to figure things out seemed mildly overkill to me. Only mildly, however--by and large it was well-done.

As always, I absolutely adore the world-building in Jean's novels. The fixing of the artifact was pretty interesting, although perhaps mildly less compelling at times than some of the other topics that have been broached in this series. This is the perfect series for the kind of person who reads a fantasy novel or watches a movie and finds themselves picking apart the bits that don't feel realistic, or for the reader who loves imagining what if. The family is trying to build a kingdom from the ground up. They have access to the ruins of a previous city, a lot of magic, a bunch of knowledge imported from our modern-day universe, and a limited set of physical resources. It's fantastic to see how they use these things to solve various physical, practical, and political problems.

I know I mentioned a couple more complaints above than I did for the previous two books, but I want to stress how mild they are. If anything, they're ways in which the book mostly suffers in comparison to its own series' high standards, and they aren't a big deal.

Poor Koranen! Fated, or cursed, as a Pyromancer, his mere touch can burn. An ancient prophecy has haunted the eight Sons of Destiny and the kingdom of Nightfall is now taking shape as a result with each brother finding happiness at his appointed time. Koranen is fated to meet a woman who can control THE FLAME and he suspects it is an Aquamancer. Four Aquamancers have arrived at Nightfall. Which one is his destined mate?

Jean Johnson weaves together a magical and surprisingly complex fantasy romance. THE FLAME is the seventh book in the series and I would highly recommend reading the Sons of Destiny series in order. Each book builds upon the last and all the characters reappear in the various tales. Some of the nuances of the story may be lost by reading this series out of order.

Koranen's story is a heartbreaking one. His destined mate is a perfect match for him as they complement each other perfectly. Seeing Koranen's loneliness throughout the series makes this particular happily-ever-after especially enjoyable.

Jean Johnson does a beautiful job at showing the creation of a new civilization. She incorporates all the basic foundations, from the governing bodies, to the religion, to the culture of a new society. The sheer depth of the world building is impressive as Jean Johnson makes the society of Nightfall believable. The various myths and legends she weaves into the plot only enhance the overall story arc as THE FLAME is easily recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

The Book arrived in the stated time frame in very good. i was very please and wouldn't hesitate to order from here again

If you want a different read, try the Sons of Destiny Series.

I was fascinated with the concept of 4 sets of twin brothers in this fantasy series and certainly enjoyed it.

I think you will enjoy this change of pace.

The series was a lite series for me since I usually read more intense series but I still like it.

The seller sent the product quickly and it matched their item's description. The product was in good condition when I recieved it. I would say that this seller followed through on the purchase to the T.