Bursts of Fire (Addicted to Heaven)

Publishers Lunch 2019 Buzz Books selection. Recommended by Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Library Journal. Winner of the 2020 (Canadian SF&F) Aurora Award.

Bursts of Fire begins an epic political fantasy of revenge, addictions, and redemption in an empire where magic has become suspect and where love and loyalty-for one's lover, one's family, one's country-are tested. If Heaven desires the very earth be burned, what place can those below hope for, when the flames come for them?

To survive. To fight. To restore balance.

The Falkyn sisters bear a burden and a legacy. Their mother, the imperial magiel of the kingdom of Orumon, protects her people from the horrors of the afterlife by calling upon the Gods with a precious Prayer Stone. But war among the kingdoms has brought fire and destruction to their sheltered world. When a mad king's desire to destroy the Prayer Stones shatters their family, the three girls are scattered to the wilderness, relying on their wits and powers they don't yet master.

Assassin. Battle tactician. Magic wielder. Driven by different ambitions, Meg, Janat, and Rennika are destined to become all these and more. To reclaim their birth right, they must overcome doubtful loyalties within a rising rebellion; more, they must challenge a dogma-driven chancellor's influence on the prince raised to inherit his father's war: a prince struggling to unravel the mystery of his brother's addiction to Heaven.

Praise for Bursts of Fire

Publishers Lunch Buzz Books 2019 selection

"An emotional story of familial love, tension, and mistrust among three sisters and three brothers. Readers who relish adventure mingled with a message will be engrossed in the plights of the two sets of siblings."-Publishers Weekly

"Forest depicts strong female characters, with varying motivations and personalities adding plenty of action in daring raids, battles with war machines, and magical time walking, though equal attention is given to exploring relationships between the sisters and their allies. This exciting new series will have fantasy fans eagerly awaiting the next installment."-Library Journal

"The first book in the Addicted to Heaven series promises an exciting political fantasy with realistic representation of mental illness and addiction and is sure to entertain fans of epic adventures."-Booklist

"Themes of religious and democratic freedoms; magic-based time travel's addictive, almost hallucinogenic, qualities . . . readers can hope for more in future installments."-Kirkus Reviews