How do you fight fire without fire?
When a freak storm uncovers the entrance to a mysterious underground chamber, Ivy and Martin expect to find treasure. But what they discover is even more valuable: a barrow full of sleeping spriggans, magically preserved for centuries. With the vengeful piskey queen Betony determined to capture Ivy and her followers, the secret hideaway could be key to both their people’s survival.
But the piskeys and the spriggans are ancient enemies, and when Ivy tries to make peace her own followers threaten to turn against her. Plagued by treachery, betrayal, and desertion on every side, Ivy must find a way to unite the magical folk of Cornwall—or doom herself, Martin, and everyone she loves to death at Betony’s hand.
Yet without the legendary fire-wielding power that marks a true piskey queen, can Ivy convince her people to believe?
Intrigued? Read on:
In a final battle not only to save her people, but to fight for her love and discover if she’s fit to be a leader, Ivy finds a strength she never knew she had. But will it be enough to hold together a broken people and finally be able to safely love Martin?
Torch is the fiery finale in the Flight and Flame Trilogy, and it certainly lived up to the past books, Swift and Nomad. Each book was a wild whirlwind of raw emotion, subtle skill, and the overwhelming power of hope.
I should be sad to see the end of this trilogy, but with an ending as beautiful and hopeful as R.J. Anderson has provided, I can’t help but close the book and smile with contentment. My heart is full of joy to accompany Ivy and Martin to the end of their long journey and finally see their happily ever after.
What I love:
Throughout Torch, a very strong theme became apparent–that of becoming a leader. R.J. Anderson really infused everything that happened in this book with that theme. Every decision, every disaster, was curated to make Ivy and Martin the leaders they were meant to be.
Speaking of Martin and Ivy! After three books of trials and tribulation, they finally got to overcome their struggles and become an official couple. They really do compliment one another–Ivy is loyal and stubborn, Martin independent and flexible. Ivy is innocent and blunt, Martin subtle and experienced. Together, they are the perfect pair, despite their differences and disputes.
Another artistic touch was how R.J. Anderson brought her story around full circle. Long ago, the fae people stood united, but were driven apart because of the piskeys. Now, because of a piskey girl, they’ve been reunited. It’s a beautiful reflection of how the past repeats itself, but in different ways.
And lastly, the thing that truly made this story beautiful–the hope of Ivy’s realization that a greater Being watched over them. While R.J. Anderson was subtle with her Christianity and never made it blunt and obvious in her writing, it is clearly there and evident in her themes. The entire book, Ivy wonders whether there truly is a being watching over them, and if so, who He is. In the end, she comes to the conclusion that He is there and always has been, and He’s watching out for her.
What I don’t love:
It’s hard to think of something to dislike about Torch. It’s a satisfying ending to a twisty trilogy.
However, I would strongly recommend reading the other series first. I’ve only read the first book of the other series, and I could tell I was missing out on a lot of little details and mentions of the past.
Content warnings:
Minor violence, death, major kissing, romance.
Some people were wounded in battle, including a hand crushed by an axe. None of it is described in detail.
Multiple people die, whether of sickness or wounds. Again, nothing in detail, and the narrator herself didn’t even witness these deaths.
There are a few couples in Torch. One couple kisses once or twice, but the other kisses often, especially after their engagement.
As the kissing indicates, there is also romance. The same couple that kisses often also holds hands, snuggles, and hugs quite a bit after they get engaged.
Ratings:
Appropriate content: 4/5
Story construction: 4/5
Writing skill: 4/5
Ethics: 5/5
Conclusion:
Torch is a touching tale of hope and peace, both among broken kingdoms and in a person. A beautiful story of a piskey who overcomes everything thrown her way to save the people she loves. It begins with a bang and ends in a whisper.
A perfect conclusion to a trilogy of plot twists, romance, and pure stubborn grit, Torch is truly, deep down, a story of the perseverance of a young woman learning to spread her wings.
Until next time,
–Astor
Psst! Check out the first book in the trilogy, Swift, here and the second, Nomad, here. And don’t forget to subscribe to keep up with more book recommendations like this!
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