A Tragedy of Sacrifice (Tears of Flame #0.2), by Kaylea Prime
30 Oct 2024The Book
Synopsis:
Freedom demands sacrifice, but only from those brave enough to inspire change.
Haunted by a life-shattering decision she will forever regret, Arínor craves a sense of belonging instead of being branded as wicked. Feared for her Celestial magic and her ability to shape-shift into a lightning bird, she draws unwanted attention both from supporters and opposers of the evil Vashi. When her own people accuse her of treachery and threaten her family’s lives, Arínor flees Arwé through a portal to Earth, sacrificing everything she knows to protect those she loves.
Then she meets Clemency.
Though restricted by society’s expectations of a married woman and mother in 1769 Boston, Clemency longs to influence change with her astute political insights on the rising tensions between the Patriots and Loyalists. When she meets Arínor, a woman seemingly freed from the constraints imprisoning Clemency, she is inspired to start an empowering women’s group and try publishing her political writing. Arínor, in turn, is inspired to use her Void magic for healing instead of deprivation.
But as their friendship grows, and Arínor’s feelings for Clemency deepen, tensions escalate in Massachusetts. Rallies turn to riots, jealousy and fear weave webs of distrust, and rumours of witchcraft follow in Arínor’s wake. Faced with once again losing everything she loves, Arínor must choose whether to right her wrongs and sacrifice for the greater good or embrace her wickedness and become the person everyone fears her to be.
A Tragedy of Sacrificeis a prequel novella set almost one hundred and fifty years beforeA Spark From Embers- volume one in the fantasy series,Tears of Flame.
My Review
A Tragedy of Sacrifice is a new historical fantasy novella that takes us back to the Tears of Flame series, written by Kaylea Prime; taking us to a story full of women's empowerment and courage. A witchy tale woven around two courageous women from two different origins and that will find each other in 1769 Massachusetts, and whose sparks will ignite the flames of a movement to fight for women's rights.
Despite we have an introductory part that takes us to Salem's trials, the main narrative weight is centered on that 1769 Massachusetts, a historical moment that shows us the discontent felt between the colonies and the metropolis. However, even if this is a story woven around those moments, it's the intimacy where Clemency and Arinor shine; both strong women with different origins (even from a different world), and that will inspire each other to push their limits, even if that means suffering.
Prime slowly insufflates into the story heavy themes such as regret, discovery, the quiet power of feminity and how they fight each single day, forgiveness and love; at the end, we are going to experience a really intense read, especially as we will empathize with the struggle of our characters.
Together with an insane attention to the historical detail, Prime delights us with a quasi lyrical prose, heavy on descriptions and rhythmical at moments, transmitting the beauty through words. You can totally read this novella as a standalone, but it is true that I recommend reading A Spark From Embers before, so you can fully enjoy Arwé moments.
A Tragedy of Sacrifice is, at its core, a feminist and heavily emotional historical dark fantasy, a novella that can introduce you to the Tears of Flame world and at the same time, make you feel a lot of things. A recommendation if portal fantasy with historical components is your jam.
The Author/s
Kaylea Prime
Kaylea Prime is the author of the fantasy series, Tears of Flame. She is also a librarian with a passion for planning epic programs that immerse kids and teens into their favourite literary worlds. When she’s not writing or working as a librarian, she can be found exploring the beautiful wilderness around her home in Clearwater, British Columbia, with her two kids, husband, and two golden retrievers.