It has been years since I have finished a book in one day. That is, until today. I opened this up this morning and just now finished. It took me longer since I took breaks in between, but I was determined to finish it. And I did.
Wow. Just..... my word, this was a wild ride and I loved every minute of it.
I can't say much about it, but if you're reading this, I implore you to preorder a copy of this right now. You will not be disappointed, I promise you that.
Mages. Family. Betrayal. Rich and unique setting. Luscious writing. What more do I need to say?
Ben reached out to me and asked if I would like an early copy of The Lost Mage and for that, I thank him very much. I appreciate him dearly and to get to explore this world was such a treat, and one that I will happily support for a long time to come.

I fortunately also got the book ARC as I don’t do well with audiobooks.

Ewan Goddard has a nice soothing narrator’s voice, and he really brings this fast paced story alive with all the voices for the different characters.

I personally found it helpful to read the book first, but I’ve always been more of a visual reader.

Max is a lowly palace servant constantly bullied by the haughty young prince, but all of that is about to change. When Max accidentally murders this prince with magic, his life is turned upside down. Everything he thought he knew is put into question and he is forced to pretend to be the heir he murdered, which also means marrying Prince Camron, who appears to be someone on his side for once. Can he navigate his new roles and keep those he loves safe?

While this book has a lot of interesting ideas, the execution fell flat for me and the plot took many twists that weren't to my taste. I definitely expected more from the romantic side of things as well.

A breathtaking and gripping emotional rollercoaster, with a brilliant performance by Ewan Goddard. Definitely Alderson’s best novel yet!

Heir to Thorn and Flame marks the start of the Court of Broken Bonds series, and tells the story of Maximus Oaken when a brutal encounter in the woods opens him up to a world of magic, royalty, secrets, distress, deceit, and betrayal. An adventure that not even the Dryads could have prepared him for…

After killing crowned prince Julian Gathrax, Maximus is forced to assume his identity and play the King’s game. King Gathrax is a cruel and callous man, and cares not for the death of his only son, especially now that he has discovered a mage in his midst. After being forced into an arranged marriage to the devilishly handsome Prince Camron, he must decide between a life of royalty in the South, or to go with his best friend Beatrice and her dragon-riding brother, Simion, to the North, to discover the truth of his life.

Alderson’s writing is phenomenal. Shocking and sexy, with an added addictive flair which had me reading for hours on end. The masterfully written tension and emotion drew visceral reactions. I was so immersed in the mysterious and mystical world of Aldian, that at times I forgot I was reading. Aldian felt alive with its lengthy lore ingrained brilliantly across the map. From the Gathrax Estate, to Galloway Forest, and stories of the treacherous North, each locale felt distinct with Alderson’s vibrant worldbuilding skills shining brilliantly. The pacing is also superb, each chapter satisfying my curiosity and growing need to read more, leaving the novel without a single lull in its plot.

Maximus is a likeable and somewhat relatable character, who is prone to acts of emotion. His journey from servant, to mage, and beyond, is an emotional rollercoaster and makes for a very enjoyable read. The love interests both feel different and sexy in their own way, which makes it all the more entertaining to see Max caught between the two, and will ultimately have readers pondering one question.

Team Camron, or Team Simion?

With extraordinary world building, and a savage fast-paced plot, Heir to Thorn and Flame is easily one of the best books of 2023!

I can’t wait to see what Alderson has next in store for Max’s journey.

I received an audio ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

I don’t know how to feel about this book. On one hand I did enjoy listening to it and the plot was interesting. And I did enjoy the plot point of not knowing who to trust. On the other hand, it feels like this was supposed to be two separate books and we are missing part of the first book. This hurts it a lot because there are quite a few big deaths, but I didn’t feel one way or another about them as there was no real connection to them due to just jumping into the story halfway through the first book essentially. There’s also the fact that this is marketed as a romance, and I have one question, where’s the romance? The most that happens in the entire book is 1) admiring of others body’s and 2) quickly interrupted kisses. I’m not saying a romance has to be sexual to be considered a romance book, but out of the elements of what makes a romance a romance, there was none of it. Just these two things that happened very infrequently.

Ben Alderson hasn’t let me down yet! I absolutely loved the idea of this story and the way the story was told. I love the characters and was not expecting the twist at the end. After finishing the book you really see the foreshadowing and how much thought was put into the writing. I am excited to learn more about the magic system as I am still left with a lot of questions, it hurts me that I have to wait for the next books! Overall this was amazing, I am so excited to read more of the concept, that cliffhanger is killer!!

2.5

First, thank you for chance to listen to this arc.

There should be a warning of attempted sexual violence, abuse and torture.

It’s a bit rough to read but I understand that is the point of the start of the story. It is needed to set the stage.

I wished I could have enjoyed it more. It has a good subject but I felt like it threw so many different parts of fantasy in there it was a bit lost.

Heir to Thorn and Flame was a great listen on audio. I really enjoyed the narrator's style and voices. Each character had their own distinct voice and that made the audiobook very easy to follow along with. The narrator also sounded clear and expressive even when the audio was sped up. I loved following the main character Max through this sprawling story. He was witty and relatable. I always enjoy seeing a character who comes from a humble background trying to navigate the court lifestyle and people. The slow burn romance was done very well and the author kept tension throughout the entire book. I enjoyed that the characters being gay was not a plot point to the story and was something that was just a fact. The world-building left a bit to be desired as I felt as though there kept being new things added constantly with no buildup. This left me feeling like the world was not as well planned out as it should have been, however by the end of the book I was very invested in the story and felt as though the world was done growing and the characters were being let loose in the sandbox of the world. I cannot wait to see where the rest of this series goes!

Maximus, a servant, is forced to take on a princes identity after killing him and displaying his powers as a mage, a power long thought to have died out in the South.

It took me a while to get into the story due to the writing style and the content of the first few chapters, but once I did I thoroughly enjoyed it. The plot had enough twists and betrayal to make me want to know what would happen next, and the side characters were also interesting. Two things that let me down big time. One, the writing, which is uneven and feels at times immature, even for a YA book. I especially detest the banter between the MC Maximus and other characters, such as Camron. Quite painful to read, not funny in the slightest. The second complaint is the characters. I don't have the connection with any of them. In fact, I found Maximus so irritating I wanted to slap him every time he opened his mouth to speak in the book's first half. In the end I didn't care what happened to him, and will not want to find out in the next installments of the series.

2 stars

I started reading this one a few weeks ago and the story just didn't grabbed me but then I was lucky enough to get the Advance copy for the audiobook and that was the reason I could finish this.
The narration was great and very engaging which was one of the reasons I could get immerse in the story.
Saying that, I wish for a different pacing with this book because it the author let the story breath, it would have been a better book now knowing this is (at least a duology with book 2 being announced) it's even more frustrating that a lot of the things and plot felt so rushed, especially the romance or love triangle in this felt unfinished.
I did enjoy some of the fantasy elements, and the setting was great, but the execution was so so, which in the end took a lot of the enjoyment for me.
Still, I'm intrigued about book 2 (especially after that epilogue), so I'll possibly be picking it up when it comes out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to listen this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Rep: gay gc, gay li, POC scs
Rating: 3.75

I’ve read a lot of Ben’s other books and loved all of them. So I had pretty high hope for this one and was really looking forward to it. I did enjoy it, but it’s not really what I was expecting. I haven’t read the original book, so I can’t say how it compares to this revamped version.

The world was pretty cool. I love fantasy and magic and dragons. Though we don’t see much dragons till the end. Max discovers his magic pretty early on though. It was interesting learning about the types of magic, the whole world and the history as well as discovering Max’s background and seeing him learn his magic.

The start was intriguing, but so rough for the main character, Max. I find for me, when things are going badly for the main character for too long, and with no end in sight, it pisses me off. Not at the book/author, but at the villains. I just want the mc to get out of the bad situation. So I found it a bit discouraging and harder to get through. But I understand the character needs to grow and overcome things to go on to be a hero. I’m sure Ben intended us to be angry at the beginning. For me though, I just wanted Max to get out already. Once his situation improved it gave me hope and I enjoyed it more and was less angry.

This book had so many twists and turns. For one, I didn’t know who the love interest was. At first I thought it was one guy, then it definitely wasn’t him. Next I figured it had to be this other guy, and it was for a while. But then another guy is introduced later on. It was like %65 through and I was still confused about who it really was lol I guess it’s because it was more of a love triangle. I just wasn’t expecting that cuz the 2nd guy came in so late and wasn’t really seen as a love interest for a while.

I went in expecting a more happy royalty with magic and dragons. I definitely didn’t expect all the hurt and betrayals. More about the twists and turns, I feel like I couldn’t trust any character. Every time you think you can trust someone, they do something or its later revealed they’re actually not what you think they are. It kind of threw me off because it happened with so many characters. Even after finishing, I’m still suspicious of most of them or just don’t know where they stand. I was also expecting more dragons. But I’m sure we’ll see more in the sequels.

One thing stays consistent, Max’s love for his parents and doing whatever it takes to see them safe. It was nice to see such dedication. He had to do a lot of terrible things. I was very surprised he was able to go through with a few of the really bad things. That’s such dedication. He goes through so much for his parents.

Camren was really acting like Max’s knight in shinning armor. He seemed really care for Max and did what he could to get him out of his bad situation and protect him and his parents. He’s one of the few people to show him kindness in weeks or even months. The way he swoops in to seemingly save him is a bit suspicious. Made me wonder what his ulterior motives are. I cant talk more about him without saying major spoilers, so I’ll leave it here. As for Simion, I wish he would’ve been introduced sooner and for us to see him and Max growing closer. His power was pretty cool though. At times he seemed to not really respect Max’s wishes & privacy though, especially with his power.

I think the love triangle and both romances were a bit rushed. You think the love interest is one guy for a decent part of the book, then towards the last part it suddenly switches over to another love interest?? It was a bit confusing and too rushed.

I love that being queer was normalized in this world. No one cares that Max is gay. Nor do they care about having gay kings. I love seeing this in books.

The narrator did a great job. And the cover is gorgeous.

Overall, a good read. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book

I really tried. Maybe it was the underwhelming narration, narrator's voice was almost monotone. There seemed little action until half way through a 15 hour book. Too much background detail made it difficult to stick it through, seemed just like filler. Interesting plot and characters. Action scenes were promising, attempted to include various fantasy elements.

**2.5
I went into this book not knowing what to expect and I won't say the book necessarily disappoints me, but I was expecting a bit more action from the blurb. The plot was pretty interesting but for the most part, I found myself losing interest because there was a lot narrating the story and. a little less action for a fantasy book that contains war and magic. One thing I enjoyed was the romance and the friendship.

I'm not generally a big fantasy reader. Especially high fantasy, however the Heir to Thorn and Flame's world and magic system really worked for me. I enjoyed the amount of chaos Max goes through over the course of this book and I look forward to seeing if Camron redeems himself and how Max moves forward with his new role in the world and learning more about his magic.

I tried, I really really tried, but a little over a third into this audiobook, I found myself recoiling from the play button. Life is too short to read things that don’t bring me joy.

This book was too much, without saying anything. I picked it up as something to balance out the more serious and literary reads I’ve been into lately. I am not comparing this book to those, I am comparing to other fantasy books with a romance element, and it just doesn’t stand up. It wallows in the tropes and violence without having anything to say.

The narrator was so over the top that I just sat there trying to listen and feeling gross. I tried, but HARD PASS. Go read something own voices or worlds that are interesting, or at least a writer that is saying something instead of regurgitating worn out ideas for a pay day.

This was so much more than I thought it would be! Really enjoyed this one by Ben Alderson.
An underdog turned heir. Full of magic, manipulation, dragons and a touch of queer romance. Liked it a lot!
This was my first Ben Alderson and this has made me want to pick up all his backlist.
Narration was spot on enhancing the experience for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for a eArc of the audiobook for review.

Heir of Thorn and Flame - 5/5 Review
(A.K.A - Gay Love Triangle Between Two Worthy Daddies. I Got Daddy Issuses.)
Reminds me of:
Wizards guide to defensive baking. - book opening with murder.
Throne of Glass - the way magic was banished.
Shadow and Bone - abilities remind me of Sun Summoner - terminology reminds me of The Darkling Abilities.
Fourth Wing - mind reading/romance between Simion and Maximus remind me of Xaden and Violet
Final Fantasy - the melding of different mythical creatures and magic systems. The way the story makes you get comfortable with characters then rips them away from you in cruel ways.

Guess rating by reading first chapter: 3.5??
Actual rating after reading whole book: 5/5

I might have missed it but I this book needs trigger warnings for the first half of the book. Besides that, this was a wild ride. I loved it. This is the type of short form fiction I haven’t read since I finished the Percy Jackson series. This book made me realize I missed books that get straight to the point and bring you in to a new world head-on.
Pacing was perfect. Stakes were always high. The reason the main character does stuff against his will is never for his own personal gain. It is always to help save his parents. I understood Maxes motivations and I was never really annoyed with him as the main character. Maximus is strategic and he waits for the right moment to strike. I hate when characters in books leave themselves in toxic situations, allow themselves to be silenced, and treated poorly all to gain status or to one up characters out of spite i.e. Jude from the cruel prince. So it was refreshing to have a main character care about someone other than themselves and have reasons to remain captive even though they did not want to be.
Every chapter had a purpose. Scenes would go from mild to intense rather quickly. Bad guys that annoyed me were dealt with but it never felt like there was a shortage of bad guys. You didn’t know who you could and couldn’t trust in this world. The world building gradually presented itself. But I did want a map!!!! I need a map. Where is the map!??!?!!!!!!??? The author kept a lot of secrets and promises but I knew he would fulfill his promises as we read on instead of waiting for the next book to find out the information. (Which I really appreciated since everything I’ve been reading lately has relied on the sequels to reveal information). I loved the intensity that Camron brought and the care he showed for Maximus after Maximus goes through an ordeal. (I would like to add more but then it would contain spoilers).

Certain areas had minor info dumps but that’s normal for fantasy or sci-if novels. There weren’t hundreds of pages of training montages. It gets frustrating when a novel is a whole training montage to finally meet the big bad guy.

I wish this book had a little bit more humor and banter between the characters especially the love interests.

Story background:
Long ago, mages existed in the southern continents but have long since died out. They would aquire their wands from a magical tree called the heart oak. The northern continents destroyed the heart oak to cut all magic from the southern continents. Since then, all mages have died out.

Main plot summary:

On the night of the dance of dryads, instead of celebrating with all the other servants, Max, the main character, decides to hang out in the library and read as many books as he can. Max is put in a life threatening situation and his dormant powers awaken when he stumbles across a lost wand in the woods.
Now branded with the mage-mark and in danger of being labeled a murderer, Max must go on the run with his family. As he tries to convince his family to escape, his powers reveal themselves and he is taken captive by the king. The King plans on taking revenge on the Northern Continents by using Maximus as a weapons against them. Maximus will have to summit to the cruel king or risk losing his parents in the process. But the king isn’t the only one who is after Maximus’ powers. Enemies and friends will come for Maximus as his powers grow stronger. But, has Maximus been told the whole truth? Is this war really the north versus the south? Or are there other enemies lingering in the shadows ready to strike? The more that is revealed to Maximus, the more secrets and lies are uncovered.

Character List: May contain spoilers
Maximus oaken - MC loves books, works as a servant. Reads smut. Light brown hair. Nose has freckles. Power amplifier: wand. Green eyes. Can control storms through amplifier. “Traitor Mage”
Julian Gathrax- prince, wants Maximus. Is violent towards max. Red curls. Psychopath. Narcissist. Killed animals as a kid. Max had to clean the entrails. Reckless.
Dame - servant, older, coworker/friend to max. Reads heavy smut.
Beatrice - maxs best friend. Power amplifier: wooden staff. Blacksmith. Tall brown hair. Six foot. Can read max. Sleeper agent trying to find the lost mage. Poison Ivy- I see you
King Jonathan Gathrax - king. Gaudy. Balding. Auburn hair. As evil and cruel as his son. Contained crazy versus chaos crazy like Julian.
Remi Gathrax - queen. Gaudy. Gets new furniture every year and discards the rest as an offering in the dance of the dryads.
Gathrax Twins- younger daughters and nine years younger than Julian. Nickname: “the devils.” Demanding. They look innocent but are evil. Red curls. Blue eyes.
Maxs mother - takes care of the twins. Chestnut curls. Green eyes.round face. Usually wears braids.
Maxs father - gardener for the gathrax palace. Sun-kissed skin. Stormy blue-grey eyes.
Damien Gathrax - the last mage. Nickname: the Red.
Gill - “cook” Put in charge to watch over max and give him a princess diaries make over.
Simion - helps transform max in to a certain character. Beatrice’s brother. Dragon rider. Telepath. Healer. Brown skin.
Silas Graham - trusted advisor to the king. Tall and weathered. One eye grey from cataracts, the other purple. “More serpent than man.” Has a lisp.
Queen Amilia Calzmir - Queen of the West. Sharp woman. Older. Blonde. Doesn’t like Remi.
Camron Calzmir - sun kissed sand skin. Tight muscles. Smell of salt and and open air. Single dimple on left cheek. Sexy love interest. Cares for Max. Daddy throw me against a wall.
Raiyan Dalton - trash… that’s all.
Elder Leía - aunt to simion and Beatrice. Telepath as well. Gold eyes. Skin warm with color.
Mage Leska - Battle mage. Mace Amplifier. Azure eyes. Partner of the battle mage Maximus fought. She holds vendetta
Celia Hawthorn - Exiled. Caused the exile of Beatrice. Never came back. Unknown if living or dead. Mother to Beatrice and Simion.

Significant chapter comments:
Chapter 3 - murder.
Chapter 7 - gore. Violence against servants.
Chapter 8 - gore. Decomposing.
Chapter 9 - trigger warning. Chapter continues heavy subject matter containing: possible child molestation.

Someone took the most generic, overwritten, under-developed YA nonsense, slapped some fucks in it, and called it "adult."

Spend your time elsewhere.

What a wild ride!! I haven’t read a pure fantasy book in such a long time and this kept me hooked despite being 15 hours in audiobook length.

Speaking of the audiobook, the narration by Ewan Goddard is spectacular! Each character has a unique voice and it is super easy to remember each of them (which sometimes can be difficult in longer fantasy story driven books).

As this is a “revamp” of an existing book I hope that means Ben will be writing/releasing book 2 soon because I NEED to know what happens next!

Overall, the storyline in this book doesn’t have a single dull moment. Divided into three parts, this would easily be split into 3 books by other authors with sections dragged out for no reason but to have more pages. Instead this book flows almost like a film, with multiple crescendos and peaks, that rapidly move to the next sequence. It really worked and made the story incredibly easy to visualize.

Despite basically having no spice (which is unusual for me in my books), I loved it!

*I received an arc of this audiobook, all options are my own*

I’m conflicted about this book as I liked the concept, the world and, of course, the dragons. On the other side of things, I found Max to be an incredibly annoying character and I’m not sure whether this is because of the narrator or if, had I read the book in print, I would have found him less grating. In the beginning he seemed shy and quiet but once he had to play a part, he never stopped. For the majority of the story he was snapping at everything, arguing all the time, whining and there didn’t seem to be any redeeming qualities. If I’d heard him say ‘My parents’ one more time I might have wept. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of love triangles or narratives where everyone is betraying everyone else constantly and there was also a whole load of toxic masculinity and endless power struggles in this book. Maybe if it wasn’t for the narrator, I would have felt differently, but I’m not so sure. Something that was really refreshing though was that m/m marriage was completely normalised, even amongst the royalty, without a hint of an ‘oh no, what about heirs’ conversation to be seen.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.