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Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite
The Brotherhood of Rain and Cinder by S.C. Megale follows sixteen-year-old Emily, who finds herself in the secluded village of Darson’s Ford, caught amidst rising tensions between the church, the empire, and a secretive Brotherhood accused of resurrecting forbidden fire. In this village, men have the peculiar ability to produce light spheres that only women can extinguish. What makes Emily happy is the presence of Adam, her best friend and emotional anchor. Strange things happen, including the mysterious death of Druid Parr. Then there is the alarm about the return of fire. It has been banished for more than 800 years, and its return spells doom. The church speaks about that. There are whispers of the return of the cult known as the Brotherhood. Emily’s journey becomes a race against time to uncover the truth behind these dark forces, with Adam, a former soldier and protector, and Cazimir, an enigmatic Darvic knight, by her side. Together, they must deal with treacherous loyalties and ancient legends, confronting the threat of fire’s return and the empire’s fragile stability.
S.C. Megale’s tale is a magical story that captured my heart. I loved the well-drawn and intriguing characters. I found Emily to be uncertain, feeling her way through the mysterious village while developing feelings for Adam, while he is calm, composed, and disciplined. The supporting cast, like Cazimir, is well-explored as events unfold. One of the strengths of The Brotherhood of Rain and Cinder was the author’s ability to use suspense to keep me invested in the story. When strange things started happening, I found myself asking questions and wondering who was behind them. The relationship between Emily and Adam is the emotional core of this story. There were moments when I wondered if Adam had anything to do with the return of fire. I enjoyed how the author develops the conflict between tradition and change. From the detailed and magical setting to the elaborately drawn characters, this book is the perfect escape for fans of fantasy and well-plotted narratives.
