Sometimes the journeys we make in life aren’t by choice. They’re forced upon us. And that’s exactly what happens to Ember and Flint when they find themselves all alone with nowhere to go. Family gone. Home destroyed. On the brink of losing even more. But finding a new place to call home is even harder than they imagined it would be because they just might be missing some key information about their own clan. They’ll have to accept unexpected allies and face challenges they never could have expected. But when it comes down to it, will even that be enough to save their clan from extinction? Or are they lost before they even get started? There’s only one way to find out in A Barren Clan: The Inferno Chronicles Book 1 by Jasmine Chantelle.

Ember is a strong, determined, but extremely jaded young woman who’s determined to save her clan, and more importantly, her brother. And that brother is just as strong, but open-hearted and endearing. Together, they create a partnership that you will enjoy reading about. And when you add some of the other characters, both allies and enemies, you’ll find an adventure story that’s filled with friendship and betrayal, love and destruction. Throughout A Barren Clan, by Jasmine Chantelle, you’ll find yourself wondering if they’re ever going to make it out alive. The story moves along well, creating groups and characters that practically come to life as you read. It’s an excellent story and a great start to a series about a whole new clan.

Jasmine Chantelle delivers young adult fantasy fiction filled with betrayal and suspicion in A Barren Clan. Ember and Flint are the last of the Scorched Clan. Their entire tribe has been exterminated. Their magic is weak, and unless they merge with another clan, it will disappear. After a brutal attack by the Tidal Clan, Ember and Flint are left with severe injuries, until Russel, a guard of the Gust Tribe, finds them and takes them back to his tribe. The siblings journey across the land of Strian in search of a clan to take them in, only to be rejected by each one. After years of betrayal and loss, Ember has to learn to trust again, or it could mean the end of the Scorched Clan forever.

Author Jasmine Chantelle tells a story about loss and survival with such grace that it was hard to stop reading. Creating a new world with a complete set of rules is no easy task, but the author did a superb job. Characters are likable and relatable. Character growth is evident and drives the plot forward at a steady pace. A Barren Clan is the first book in The Inferno Chronicles and sets the foundation for the rest of the series perfectly. Consideration and trust are the two prominent themes running through these pages. This story is not only recommended for young adults but also for any fan of fantasy fiction who enjoys discovering new magical systems. It ticks all the boxes of action, adventure, and found family. I eagerly await the next book.