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Daughter of the Flames (Ruan #1)

by Zoë Marriott (Goodreads Author)

3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 · rating details · 1,255 ratings · 197 reviews

What if your deadliest enemy were the only one who could save you?

Inside an ancient temple in the mountains, fifteen-year-old Zira trains in the martial arts to become a warrior priestess who can defend the faith of the Ruan people. Bearing a scar on her face from the fire that killed her parents, the orphaned Zira is taught to distrust the occupying Sedornes. Terror strik...more

Paperback, First, 362 pages

Published March 3rd 2008 by Walker Books

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Jan 14, 2012 Valerie rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Its been a while but I remember why I wanted to read this book. Firstly for the main girl; she sounded like a strong heroine that can really hold her ground. Secondly because of my brother. Now he doesn’t read books like this but I remember how he used to always say call himself 'Lord of the Flame' (I think he got it from some movie). So the name Daughter of the Flame caught my eye.

I was really hoping to love this book but I was kind of disappointed. Part of it had to do with the main girl. At f...more

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Oct 24, 2010 Emi rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: high-fantasy

Daughter of the Flames was quite a treat. It really had a little bit of everything: action, adventure, drama, political mystery, goddesses and the divine, romance—if you can name it, it was probably there. Marriott manages to balance all of these elements and create a fantasy that is not too overwhelming for the reader to understand. But what I really enjoyed about most about this book (aside from the awesome sparring scenes) was the complexity of its characters and their interactions. Though th...more

4 likes · like · see review

May 03, 2010 Ashley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, own

This book is perilously close to a full 5 stars. Because I can't decide, I am for now, instead going to give it a glowing review and demand that you just go out and read the book.

The weakest part of this book and one reason it isn't getting an automatic 5 stars is the prologue. I feel that Ms. Marriott tried to tell us too much about her world all at once, by alternately giving the reader way more information about the happenings of this world than we can currently handle and casually tossing o...more This book is perilously close to a full 5 stars. Because I can't decide, I am for now, instead going to give it a glowing review and demand that you just go out and read the book.

The weakest part of this book and one reason it isn't getting an automatic 5 stars is the prologue. I feel that Ms. Marriott tried to tell us too much about her world all at once, by alternately giving the reader way more information about the happenings of this world than we can currently handle and casually tossing out words, phrases and ideas that should have an explaination but don't. Oh, that's right. We all worship a glowing blue fire goddess called The Mother...

Anyway, I understand the desire to introduce your readers quickly and fully into the world you have created, but I do think this time, it could have been better.

That being said, I LOVED this book. Zira/Zihira is scarred. Not an interesting mark in her hairline, or a clever little rose spot on her cheek. No. She has a huge, horribly noticable burn scar that almost completely covers one whole side of her face. It almost cost her the eye. Magically (thank you fire goddess...) she can see. (No worries- it isn't really a spoiler, it's all talked about in the prologue). Oh ya, and she totally kicks trash. She is like, fer real hard core. When I was younger I wanted to be a ninja. (Who am I kidding... I STILL want to be a ninja) If I couldn't be a ninja, I totally wanted to be an indian warrior princess. This girl has got it going on! She gets to be it all! A hidden princess (not quite indian, but there are 2 differing ethnicities acting together here) and she can fight you and win. Bam, smack down! I love that Marriott is able to write a truly strong heroine here who doesn't apologize for what she has to do, or what she has become. Once she realizes who she really is (the true ruler of her people) she faces up to the challenge and makes the really tough decisions no one else seems able to make. And she sticks with them.

Then, there is Sorin. Who doesn't like this guy? He seems pretty down to earth definitely a guy I'd like to meet. And, I love that Marriott doesn't take the easy way out with his character. After the midnight mess (no details, sorry... I don't want an actual spoilers here... Just read the book!) it would have been so easy for Sorin to experience no long term effects, but given the nature of the incident, it would have been unlikely, and would have cheapened the event. So, she didn't. She let the story take it's natural and logical course, made Sorin's character grow and expand around that and I think the story is stronger and more meaningful because of that.

Oh, and her Uncle, the King. Lets no forget about him, shall we. He is creepy. And yet, I pity him. And not in the way you pity villians because they are just such pathetic maggots that there is no emotional response left available to you. No, I pity him because his character deserves the soft hearted genuine pity one gives to someone who has utterly lost their way, truly desires to find it again, but knows- as do you- that there is no redemption left for them. A truly great villian, because there are moments of humanity and heart that shine out through the depravity and darkness.

Most of the supporting side characters are just as fun as those taking the spotlight. Although many of them aren't fully developed and don't get a lot of 'screen time' I left the book feeling like I knew them and that in the event that I needed them, they would have my back. (Sigh... It's gonna really suck when I'm in an awful position, in imminent danger expecting Deo or even Rashna to come riding to my rescue, only to realize... Oh ya, they aren't real here.)

The only other complaint I had with this book- (Stop reading if you don't want a mild spoiler that may or may not ruin a moment for you...)
Although they initially married for convinience and the sake of the kingdom, it is obvious to readers (and those who haven't gotten that far yet, because, come on... What else would happen here) that the pair, Zahira and Sorin fall in love, real love, happily ever after love, with each other. But, neither one actually ever says the word to the other. The closest Sorin comes is once to call her, My love. I for one, would have liked the verbal affirmation. Especially at the end. They both probably know how the other feels, but who doesn't like to hear that every once in a while.

Suffice it to say that this book was wonderful. I loved the characters. Zahira is a strong character. She is of the best kind, because she begins being strong in body and stable of mind and when the story ends, she is still physically strong (although perhaps more aware of her own mortality) but she is now incredibly strong mentally and emotionally and she relies more heavily on who she is. (less)

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Feb 14, 2009 Diana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Daughter of the Flames opened beautifully. Readers enter into a vibrant new world where the unfortunate people have been suppressed by a brutal tyrant. The dynamics of this novel were wonderful. Marriott’s style is lightly reminiscent of the classic fairytale of old. The characters each had distinct personalities, especially the heroine, Zira.

The passion that Zira feels for what she believes in shines through Daughter of the Flames. But the truly captivating aspect of her personality is how she...more

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Aug 17, 2008 Izlinda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

I found this book, the English version, in a bookstore here in Malaysia and I was instantly attracted by the cover. It's a beautiful, striking piece of art.

Zira grows up training, hoping to become a novice and a fighting warrior. She lives in Ruan, which was invaded ten years ago by the Sendrone. One day before her 16th birthday, her home, a holy temple, is attacked by the Sendrone king insinuated in Ruan. Upon escaping their attack, Zira discovers something about herself, thanks to the God's fi...more

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Oct 30, 2011 She Known As Jess BlogSpot rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owns, favorites

You know that novel that stays with you no matter how many years have passed since reading it? When you remember the images in your mind’s eye even though it has been a huge amount of days, weeks, months since you had last laid your eyes on the text, you know the kind of story that no matter where you are or what you’re doing will have the dialogue, the plot of the character’s you came to love floating in the front of your mind. When they beckon you closer with the movement of their hand; alluri...more

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Feb 03, 2013 Rosie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-but-no-silly-stuff

I bought Daughter of the Flames by accident when I was after the The Swan Kingdom by the same author- pesky one-click amazon. I've been um-ing and ah-ing about whether to give it four stars, because I really liked the premise, but when I finished the book I had too many unanswered questions.

It opened well, and Zoe Marriott gets a full five stars for the world she created, but the plot seemed quite contrived in places (my eyebrow went up a few times!) and I would have liked to know a bit more ab...more

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Jan 11, 2013 Charlie Head rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: library

I'm normally a fan of Zoe Marriott, but I have to say I preferred "The Swan Kingdom" over this.

I found it lacked a bit of substance in some areas. The plot had a few interesting twists but in the midst of all that we lost sight of a few plot elements that just got lost and only showed up again at the very very end.

I feel Zahira and Sorin's relationship was a little flat, and we could have learned more about Zahira herself. Abheron was a little disappointing as villains go, but not all bad. You c...more

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Nov 08, 2012 CiaraSummers rated it 4 of 5 stars

The cover of this book is a beautiful piece of art, and, if you read through the entire book, actually fits the story perfectly.

Except for the fact that Zahira (the female lead) was supposed to be scarred on the left side of her face, leaving an ugly white mark all the way down the middle of her forehead, and leaving her left eye slightly distorted. The girl on the cover, however, is practically flawless. In simpler terms, she doesn’t look the part at all.

Another thing that was glaringly obviou...more The cover of this book is a beautiful piece of art, and, if you read through the entire book, actually fits the story perfectly.

Except for the fact that Zahira (the female lead) was supposed to be scarred on the left side of her face, leaving an ugly white mark all the way down the middle of her forehead, and leaving her left eye slightly distorted. The girl on the cover, however, is practically flawless. In simpler terms, she doesn’t look the part at all.

Another thing that was glaringly obvious was what was written in the blurb- the last few lines state: ‘Now the time has come to fight back- and nothing will stand in the way of her people’s freedom. Not even the man she loves.’ This implies that the man she supposedly loves is an enemy of hers, and in time to come, she’ll have to choose between him and her people. This is not the case, however, in the book. Sure, he’s an enemy at first. But she learns to trust him, and eventually he doesn’t exactly pose a threat to her people’s freedom. So the last line of the blurb had me utterly baffled.

On to the story itself.

I loved that Zahira was strong from the start, that she wasn’t some crying, weeping, sniveling female lead unable to take charge of her own life. She’s an excellent role models for young girls everywhere, and continues displaying that strength of hers even in the most difficult of situations. So… girl power :D

The setting was fantastic, and the descriptions showed how carefully thought-out every single detail had been. It was a realistic fantasy world, with gorgeous scenery and real-to-life characters. Not to mention, the fighting scenes were great. The writing flowed well, and even though it was simple and not as lyrical as I would have liked, it rather suited the story. Some terms had me rather confused (and still do), but they were used consistently throughout the story so even though I didn’t exactly understand them, the story still made perfect sense.

I also found myself rather liking the character of Abheron, her ‘evil’ uncle, who turned out not so evil after all. It was a welcome change from the usual ‘I’m-dark-and-evil-and-cruel’ bad guy in stories. This was a man with a conscience, forced by his will and upbringing to become the person he ended up being. And I found that very, very believable. Some things he did in the story (e.g. burning the plant) had me awed at the subtle significance of it all, and the slow and steady emergence of his more humane side. His character was brought out better than Sorin’s was, however I did think that the story could have been lengthened slightly more towards the end, because there wasn’t enough time to fully flesh out his character properly and hence, lessening the intended impact on the readers.

The romance between Zahira and Sorin was an unusual one. For one, he was eight years older than her. Their marriage was also one of convenience, and not of love and passion. But it suited the context of the story well. I felt that she fell in love with him too early, and that would actually be believable had it not been for the lack of romance development between the two of them. There should have been more time given for their romance to develop and fully blossom- but there had not. It was understandable, though, given that this entire story was done in only one book.

All in all, it was a satisfying read, and towards the end, the story does indeed get compelling, ending with a marvelous twist. On to FrostFire (:
(less)

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Jan 11, 2012 Monica! rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: what-is-this-feeling, you-go-girl, but-wait-theres-more, the-sparkles-mean-its-magic, yippie-kay-ai-motherf-cker, i-love-you-for-your-cover

In Daughter of the Flames, we’re treated to a plucky orphan-turned-(view spoiler), martial arts, traitors, poisoning, intrigue, and the most elaborate wedding gown ever. There’s also enough fluffy romance to keep any girl happy, as long as they’re not squicked out by a sixteen-year-old marrying a man in his mid- to late-twenties. The man in question, Sorin, has “golden blue” eyes the color of peacock feathers, “long silver-blond hair” that occasionally falls around and fram...more

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Apr 26, 2011 drey rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, fantasy

Daughter of the Flames started off roaring, literally... The scene is set at the Temple grounds, where refugees are streaming in looking for shelter from an attack by the Sedorne against the Ruan.

This is where we meet Zahira, and the start of her journey from orphaned princess to novice to warrior.

Character: I was a bit disappointed in Zahira. Yes, she's a warrior--and well-trained at that. Yes, she is humble, and smart, and all things you would want in a heroine. But I didn't connect with her....more

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Dec 28, 2010 Kayt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Fifteen-year-old Zira is training to be a namoa, a warrior priest[ess] for the religion of her people, the Rua, who live in a land occupied by the Sedorne, who invaded a decade earlier. Zira is an orphan with little care for history or politics; her care is for the Rua and their way of life. And then comes the cliche: everything gets turned upside-down, secrets are revealed, and Zira is right at the center of it.

Despite that, though, it's a good book. The book's description had me thinking a sli...more

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Dec 16, 2009 Angie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

I've had my eye on Zoë Marriott's second novel, DAUGHTER OF THE FLAMES, since I read Chelle's review lo these many months ago. So I was happy to see it pop up on my Cybils reading list. I've read several books lately that have had an Asian/Middle Eastern flavor to them and was surprised and very much pleased to find DAUGHTER OF THE FLAMES did as well. This was my first novel by Ms. Marriott and I was both looking forward to giving a new author a shot and in the mood for some more traditional fan...more I've had my eye on Zoë Marriott's second novel, DAUGHTER OF THE FLAMES, since I read Chelle's review lo these many months ago. So I was happy to see it pop up on my Cybils reading list. I've read several books lately that have had an Asian/Middle Eastern flavor to them and was surprised and very much pleased to find DAUGHTER OF THE FLAMES did as well. This was my first novel by Ms. Marriott and I was both looking forward to giving a new author a shot and in the mood for some more traditional fantasy. It's also worth it to point out the rather lovely cover this novel sports. The flames and curlicues are swirlingly lovely, enough so that the fact that Zira doesn't look quite as I pictured her isn't any kind of stumbling block at all.

Zira is a trained warrior. A novice with a face full of scars and a forgotten past, she perches right on the cusp of her sixteenth birthday. At the same time she anxiously awaits her superior's decision on whether she will join the ranks of the namoa or be sent to tend the temple livestock for the rest of her days. Born a Rua, Zira belongs to a conquered people. The Sedorne rulers overran the peaceful country of Ruan and the current king, Abheron, rules with an iron fist, encouraging his lords to crush the Rua under their feet. But behind the deceptively peaceful temple walls, rebellion is in the wind. When a surprising series of events lead Zira to save a young Sedorne lord's life, she is set on the path that will lead her to places she never expected, where, frankly, she would rather die than set foot. But it is Zira's fate to be more than she is, to combine the hopes and fears of two races in one body, and to be savior to a nation.

I was drawn in very quickly. There are all kinds of familiar fantasy elements at play here that Marriott handled quite well, wrapping them up in a nice bit of world building, full of heady descriptions of cuisine, vegetation, and light and shadow that had me salivating and oohing and ahhing at will. Zira's past is appropriately murky and, when it comes to light, it is in no way surprising. And yet Ms. Marriott weaves in some interesting implications that keep you reading. The same is true of the villain. He is dastardly and despicable and, after one particularly grisly scene, I was convinced he was truly evil. But he wasn't surprising or very complex, really, until about 250 pages in when his character development takes a truly masterful turn. Literally between the space of one page and the next I was fully invested, desperate to see how these heretofore unknown layers worked their way into the plot to wreak havoc. Unfortunately, this was a bit too late as there were only about 80 pages left in the book. If only he'd become more interesting 100 pages earlier. Because this book has a truly excellent climax, full of fighting and mayhem and excitement. The romance followed the same lines. I loved how unconventional it was, how it was all arranged as a matter of strategy and convenience and whether or not they might actually be capable of falling in love with each other was considered of only minimal importance. This slow pace was delicious and I bought their hesitance and awkwardness and loved every minute. But things began to fall apart at a certain point and I felt like this central relationship never quite got back its former fervor by the time the story wound to a close. Despite these inconsistencies, there is some real talent here and I will definitely be picking up Ms. Marriott's next book.(less)

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Jul 16, 2009 Sara Grochowski rated it 5 of 5 stars

From inside jacket flap: "What if your deadliest enemy was the only one who could save you.

In an ancient temple in the mountains, fifteen-year-old Zira trains in the martial arts to become a warrior priestess, defending the faith of the Ruan people. Then terror strikes at everything Zira loves, and the only home she knows is destroyed byt the occupying forces of tyrannical King Abheron. To survive, she must unravel the secrets of her identity, decide her people's fate - and accept her growing fe...more

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Oct 26, 2012 Olivia rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

[Contains a slight spoiler.]

I remember reading this book while I was in high school after a friend told me about it. A few years later after finding it on the shelf in the library today, I checked it out for a second time and began re-reading. 2 hours and a little under 250 pages read, I remember why I loved this book so much.

For starters, I'm a sucker for a female lead. Biased as I may be, it's only icing on the cake that she's a kick ass martial arts expert and has a bit of a temper. She remi...more

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Jun 26, 2011 Sareh rated it 4 of 5 stars

I actually read this book a while ago, but I never got the chance to finish it. But I did finish it this time.

What I enjoyed: I enjoyed (once again) that it was set in a place much like Asia. I loved the prologue, it was so interesting and the fact that the Zoe Marriott had it set in a temple like place was interesting. And then I loved how she has to team up with her enemy to defeat her uncle. I thought all the character's actions and emotions were realistic and her descriptions were wonderful...more

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Jan 31, 2013 Pam Bustin rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: feminist-reads, what-i-read-in-2013

You know that feeling when you finish a good story and you are... CONTENT?
The bad guy gets it. The heroine wins. All is well in the kingdom. MOSTLY...

That’s how I felt at the end of Daughter of the Flames.

I cheered on the feisty heroine, Zira/Zahira, throughout the book and was on the edge of my seat for the final battle.

Zoë Marriott is another new discovery for me. She hails from the UK. I’ve been getting to know her on a forum I hang out on. She is funny and wise and generous and she tells a...more

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May 01, 2012 Barbara Gordon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Like The Swan Kingdom, Daughter of the Flames centres on a young woman who must discover who and what she is during a time of turmoil and danger, but the setting here isn't green Celtic fields and forests, it's a harsh desert torn by ethnic hatreds. Zahira is a scarred, orphaned warrior, where Alexandra was a gentle healer, but both discover that even those who love them best have kept the truth from them, and they must make their own decisions, however great the risk for them and for others.
Whi...more

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Jan 24, 2011 Heatheraine rated it 3 of 5 stars

This fantasy novel was pretty good. I picked it up because of the nice cover and the martial arts of the fantasy world intrigued me. It was full of action beginning to end and was different in that aspect.

Zira/Zahira is an interesting character full of all the normal attributes of a 16 year old girl, flaws and all. But as the book progresses I love how she seems to just be possessed by her inner princess and turns out to be quite noble, strong and a great leader. For that, I liked this book. I...more

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Jul 28, 2010 Jenne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, reviewed, teens

The Sedornes invasion that destroyed the Ruan kingdom left Zira without memories, identity or family and a jagged scar marring her face. Raised in the mountain temple by warrior priestess, Zira hates the Sedornes, but when she saves the life of a Sedorne noble her whole life is turned upside down. The tyrannical Sedornes king, whose assassins were thwarted, sends an army that destroys the temple. If she is to save the people she loves Zira must uncover her true identity and put her trust in a ma...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Anne Hamilton rated it 4 of 5 stars

A satisfying menarche fantasy.

*spoilers follow*

Zira has been disfigured as a child in the fire that killed her parents. She remembers nothing of her childhood as she grows up in a sheltered monastery. There she is protected from the Sedorne conquerors who have despoiled the land of Ruan. Trained as a warrior priestess, her one desire is to be a fighting namoa but she is unsure where her guardian Surya will choose to appoint her when her sixteenth birthday comes.

Just before that, Surya takes her...more A satisfying menarche fantasy.

*spoilers follow*

Zira has been disfigured as a child in the fire that killed her parents. She remembers nothing of her childhood as she grows up in a sheltered monastery. There she is protected from the Sedorne conquerors who have despoiled the land of Ruan. Trained as a warrior priestess, her one desire is to be a fighting namoa but she is unsure where her guardian Surya will choose to appoint her when her sixteenth birthday comes.

Just before that, Surya takes her to a distant town: Mesgao. There, while Surya is in secret discussion with some men Zira suspects of having connections with the resistance to the Sedorne overlords, she is allowed to wander the market. When an attack is made on a passing carriage, her fighting instincts kick in and she saves a man's life: a man who is none other than the cousin of the tyrannical king Abheron. She won't take payment for her rescue but Sorin extracts from her a promise that, should she ever need help, she will come to him and he will give it.

She has no intention of ever asking him to redeem his promise but circumstances overtake her. Rumours of a fighting namoa who saved the life of Sorin of Mesgao reach the king. Abheron had been behind the plot to kill Sorin but now he turns his attention to the monastery. Troops are sent to destroy it. Surya is killed, but many enter the secret inner citadel dedicated to the goddess of fire and escape the carnage.

When the destruction is over, Zira emerges from the central fire sanctuary where she lay in a coma. She remembers who she is: half Sedorne, half Ruan, she is the last remaining princess of the kingdom of Ruan. Abheron is her uncle. And he murdered her parents...

With nowhere else to go, she leads the survivors on a terrible trek to Mesgao. There Sorin, despite being one of the enemy, proves his integrity and the worth of his word. But he is aware Abheron will move against him, simply for sheltering the survivors. If only the people of Ruan could join with the disaffected Sedorne and, together, form a strong united resistance capable of defeating Abheron.

Sorin realises there is only one way. Zira is appalled at his proposal. For that's exactly what it is: a proposal of marriage.

I liked this book a lot. I usually like well done menarche fantasies which do the 'do not touch me' conflict well. However, I didn't like the way Zira was made the strong character of the piece through the incapacitation of Sorin. His disability, even though it occurred quite early, seemed like the deus ex machina of the plot to ensure that the final duel (which was all too obviously coming) would be between Zira and Abheron. It killed some of the suspense because it took Sorin out of contention of much of the action.(less)

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Jun 22, 2011 Sammm rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was about a 16 year old girl named Zahira. She is the youngest daughter of the rei and reia (king and queen) of the Ruan people. When she is just six, the Sedorne, the people of a neighboring country, invade the palace and kill Zahira's family. She is saved by her nanny who dies in the process of bringing her to live in the religious community. Zahira forgets her royal heritage and is raised as Zira. When tensions rise between the Ruan and the Sedorne, Zahira's true identity is reveale...more

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Nov 20, 2008 Rebecca Scroggins rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Teens and Young Adults

Recommended to Rebecca by: Bistro Bookclub

Enter Zahira, a warrior priestess in training at a shrine to their 'God.' She lost her memory when she was 5 and then, at age 15, her shrine is burned down by a relative that she didn't know existed. Now, as she regains her memories she has to lead her people to either their rise, or their downfall. Packed with action, romance, and secrets, 'Daughter of the Flames' is a guarrenteed good read.

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Apr 13, 2011 Jenna St Hilaire rated it 3 of 5 stars

After discovering Ms. Marriott’s blog, and finding that she wrote high fantasy for girls, I had to look up some of her work. As it turns out, Marriott writes well, and the tale satisfies.
First-person perspective and high fantasy make for an unusual mix, but it worked. The voice holds to its other-time, other-place feel, avoiding the rookie mistakes of slipping into modern thought processes.

Zahira is a tough-girl protagonist, but her fighting spirit doesn’t suppress her femininity. I appreciated...more After discovering Ms. Marriott’s blog, and finding that she wrote high fantasy for girls, I had to look up some of her work. As it turns out, Marriott writes well, and the tale satisfies.
First-person perspective and high fantasy make for an unusual mix, but it worked. The voice holds to its other-time, other-place feel, avoiding the rookie mistakes of slipping into modern thought processes.

Zahira is a tough-girl protagonist, but her fighting spirit doesn’t suppress her femininity. I appreciated that, and wound up enjoying her as a character. It’s pretty clear right away where her relationship with the Sedorne lord will go, but Marriott put it through a couple of twists in the process. Zahira’s friendship with Deo and Mira was also interesting and well done, and I particularly liked the way the Rashna thread wove.

Having a character named Deo was a little challenging--it kept making me think of deodorant and old Bon Marche commercials--but an effort to pronounce it as Latin (e.g., Gloria in excelsis Deo) helped. My guess would be that Ms. Marriott chose it for the Latin meaning ("God"), which worked well considering Deo's career as a namoa (a sort of non-celibate monastic position).

The religion, composed of a goddess (referred to simply as God) and a consecrated religious temple staff that had both martial and healing aspects, provided a quiet and strongly visual setting. Zahira connects with her God closely and at one point, directly, and though she never has much of a crisis of faith, her relationship with the goddess forms a consistent thread throughout the book.

The king had a unique story, both interesting and revolting. I expected the move Zahira made against him, but the way it finally ended came totally as a surprise.

It's impossible not to like the young Sedorne lord, as well as the way he and Zahira care for each other. Both of them have physical imperfections, and both of them manage admirably to look beyond that.

The ending gave redemption, which always makes me happy, and made me feel as if the book was worth my time.(less)

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Jul 15, 2009 Mackenzie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Zira a orphan girl living in a anciant temple in the mountains, has learned how to defend herself ever sense she was little. But one day she dose something tarriabley wrong, she helps a man who was being robbed by bandits, she saves the young man only to discover that he is the lord of the land. When the king finds out her Temple is destroyed, but right before it the old healer, who she was left with after "the great fire" is told that she was the youngest daughter of the Rei, whose family was...more

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Jun 13, 2009 Debbie rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book drew me in quickly and never let me go. I loved the mixture of vulnerability and warrior strength Zira possessed and Sorin, the Sedorne lord she must come to trust, seemed like everything you would want in the dashing hero. The story moves along quickly and keeps you wondering just what is the Sedorne king up to. I do wish the book had been longer though. I think Sorin’s character could have been fleshed out more and I would have liked to see Zira really mature into her role of a leade...more

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Jul 18, 2012 Fred Dickson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: easy-afternoon-fantasy

I liked this one so much better than the Swan Kingdom, I'm really glad I gave the author another try. One thing I disliked (on my copy at least) is the girl on the cover is not scarred as the character is supposed to be. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but I am so sick of beautiful insipid models staring at me blankly from the cover of every singe YA book. It must be stopped. Although this is described as having a romantic element to it, I really didn't feel it. They married out of convenience...more

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Mar 01, 2013 caitybug13 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I gave this book 4 stars!

It held my interest to the very end and sent me searching for another book by Zoe Marriott. Her style was strong and her characters believable. In a way, I wish that the book was a little longer just so that I could read more. The main character had a unique perspective, what with her being one person stuck between two worlds). With war being an every day part of her life, she hadles it quite well.

I found that the author brought each character to life in my head. The ide...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Jean rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this one and literally could not put it down. I stayed up way past my bedtime, but I had to know what was going to happen, and I ended up finishing it in one sitting (which is rare for me).

Daughter of the Flames starts off as a fairly typical YA fantasy, but it was anything but typical. I really didn't know how it was going to turn out (which explains my lack of sleep). The standout in this book was the villain. He was just so evil and creepy and slightly crazy, but r...more

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Jan 29, 2012 Rosy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was reviewed for The Review Diaries: http://reviewdiaries.blogspot.com

I absolutely loved Zoe Marriott’s latest book ‘Shadows on the Moon’ so I was desperate to get my hands on everything else she’s written to fill in the time between now and ‘Frostfire’ coming out later this year.
However ‘Daughter of the Flames’ didn’t quite hit the mark with me in the same way as Marriott’s other two books.

It was a fantastic premise, with a brilliant heroine at its heart, I just felt as though some pa...more This book was reviewed for The Review Diaries: http://reviewdiaries.blogspot.com

I absolutely loved Zoe Marriott’s latest book ‘Shadows on the Moon’ so I was desperate to get my hands on everything else she’s written to fill in the time between now and ‘Frostfire’ coming out later this year.
However ‘Daughter of the Flames’ didn’t quite hit the mark with me in the same way as Marriott’s other two books.

It was a fantastic premise, with a brilliant heroine at its heart, I just felt as though some parts were a little underdeveloped. I would have quite happily read twice its length just to see more of the development between Zira and Sorin. I loved their hesitancy and awkwardness and the fact that this relationship developed out of a need to save their people, not out of anything else, but we skipped over so much between them that I felt like I never fully bought their relationship.

I wanted to see more of that development, because after a point what romance and tension there was between them fizzles out, and becomes almost unimportant to the story, yet it’s still supposed to be a key element.
Another aspect of the romance that I didn’t buy was that once again we are given a paragraph in which the heroine suddenly realises she’s in love with the hero, and I want, for once, to be able to see that relationship build instead of being told about it.

As I said, Zira was a fantastic heroine, strong, independent, and driven by a need to protect her people. But again, we had the internal conflict of who was she really, and I wanted more of that, more development, more resolution.
Sorin again, I felt was a little under developed, but what I saw I absolutely loved. He wasn’t your stereotypical male hero, but I didn’t feel like we really got to see that, or see his developing feelings for Zira.

I loved the world building, Marriott really is a master of fantasy, and really creates a world you can practically smell and taste. I thought the religious elements were well developed and that overall the plot was exceptionally well done.

I love villains who have something more about them – some backstory or twist that makes it all that much more exciting and intriguing, and we definitely had that here.

In fact everything came together to make a really, really good book, as I said at the start it just felt like some aspects were rushed or under developed. I loved Marriott’s other books ‘The Swan Kingdom’ and ‘Shadows on the Moon’, and I think that her writing has developed hugely in the time between ‘Daughter of the Flames’ and ‘Shadows on the Moon’ and I cannot wait to see how ‘Frostfire’ turns out.

So all in all, a very good book, but not Marriott’s strongest, but still a very good fantasy read.(less)

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About Zoë Marriott

I've known that I wanted to be a writer since I finished reading my first book; 'The Magic Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton. I think I was about eight, but I've never changed my mind in all the years since then.

I got my first publishing contract when I was twenty-two, but had to wait until I was twenty-four to see that book published (it was The Swan Kingdom).

I live in a little house in a town by the...more

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