Lion of Fire: Riley Jordan and the Fire Prophecies Book 1

by Brittany Ranew

Riley Jordan, a college senior, goes from “least likely to succeed” to the world’s most dangerous wizard. After uncovering a plot to destroy humankind, Riley is plagued by dark visions of destruction involving an unsuspecting human girl he just met named Emma Clark, who he can’t get out of his head. Struggling to control his powers, Riley and his three best friends must portal-hop between magical realms to fight the darkness and discover the truth. Now, with graduation and Armageddon looming, Riley must face his own fears and learn how to protect those he loves before it’s too late.

Lion of Fire will take you on your own journey of self-discovery and make you face the reality of one simple truth - we can let others define us, or we can be the hero in our own story. Riley Jordan will make you believe there is a hero in all of us.

Genres: Fantasy

386 pages, Hardcover

Published August 26, 2024

About the author

Brittany Ranew resides in St Petersburg, Florida with her husband, Stephen, and their two golden retrievers, Piper and Parker. She runs a successful real estate business and celebrates the St Pete small business community on her podcast and social channels. As a self-proclaimed foodie and wine lover, she and Stephen love to embrace the local hot spots in St Pete and travel with friends and family. You can often find Brittany park-hopping at Walt Disney World, or cheering on the Tampa Bay Rays with Stephen.

Reviews

[✩₊*Shelby ⋆ ☾⋆ LiteraryFaery ⁺₊✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lion of Fire is an upper YA fantasy set in a fascinating magical realm, featuring a college senior who becomes a dangerous wizard with burgeoning powers. With its nostalgic prose style and third person narration, this book is PERFECT for readers who grew up on Percy Jackson and Harry Potter and yearn for a return to this particular brand of portal fantasy, but with a slightly more grown-up vibe!

Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed above are entirely my own.

[Megan Connarton · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lion of Fire" is an enchanting coming-of-age tale that brilliantly weaves adventure, friendship, and self-discovery into a rich narrative tapestry. Brittany Ramey's debut novel follows a diverse group of friends
-Logan Reese, Riley Jordan, Caleb Fields, Madeline Gray, and the uniquely human Emma Clark-as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and the extraordinary world that lies beyond the mundane.
Ramey's writing captures the essence of youthful curiosity and the complexities of growing up, reminiscent of beloved classics like "Percy Jackson" and "Narnia." The characters are relatable and well-developed, each bringing their own strengths and vulnerabilities to the group dynamic. The friendships forged amidst magical landscapes and thrilling escapades resonate with the reader, evoking a sense of nostalgia for the trials and triumphs of youth. The world-building in "Lion of Fire" is particularly striking, as Ranew crafts a vivid and imaginative realm that invites readers to explore alongside the protagonists. The blend of myth and reality creates a captivating backdrop for the friends' journey, filled with both danger and discovery.
Ultimately, "Lion of Fire" is a heartwarming exploration of bravery, loyalty, and the transformative power of friendship. Ranew’s storytelling prowess shines through, making this book a delightful read for young adults and anyone young at heart. It's a reminder that the most extraordinary adventures often begin with the bonds we share and the courage we find within ourselves. Highly recommended for fans of magical realism and coming-of-age stories!

[Nikki Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lion of Fire: Riley Jordan and the Fire Prophecies Book One by Brittany Ranew

Lion of Fire is an upper YA fantasy set in a fascinating magical realm, featuring a college senior, Riley Jordan, who becomes a dangerous wizard with rapidly flourishing powers.

With its nostalgic prose style and third person narration, this book is for readers who grew up on Percy Jackson or Harry Potter who yearn for a return to this particular brand of portal fantasy with a more mature vibe.

You will fall in love with the characters as the character development in this book is superb and the group that has come together to help Riley all bring something unique to the table. The world building is very well done and you’ll love the magical realism and mythical creatures contained within. You absolutely feel as if you are exploring this magical world along with the characters in the book.

A true coming of age story with masterful storytelling, I can’t wait to see where this series takes us!

[Teahlyn Seeger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read!! It gave me a wonderful sense of nostalgia and reminded me of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter but of adult ages. Towards the end, I even got some Scooby and the gang vibes!

I enjoyed seeing Riley come into his own skin as the story progressed. Of all the characters, I think Logan was my favorite! He was so funny and was relatable with his humor.

I know some people shy away from pop culture references in their books, but this one did not!! I found the references added to the story and really helped me understand the characters.

I love a good mystery and I love unique magic systems! Brittany Ranew blended magic, mystery, and the modern world into this story seamlessly. I know I’ll be thinking about this book for awhile since I have so many questions! What happens next? What does the prophecy really mean? Does Caleb get an animal friend?

If you’re a fan of strong friendship saving the world with magic, definitely pick this book up!!

[Happy Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Lion of Fire’ is the first book of its series and is filled with magical realism, dragons, and mythical creatures. The coming-of-age story begins with Riley Jordan, a college senior and the most dangerous wizard, converging a plot to destroy the world. Riley is plagued, and with the help of his best friends, he has to find the truth and the right path. The journey is adventurous and fun. From the beginning, you are hooked on the story and constantly wonder how things are going to pan out. The characters are well-designed and crafted. They meshed well together.

The cover design was also very appealing. It represented the rich content inside. Scenes have a steady pace to them and contain thrilling elements that add to the enjoyment of the story.

I recommend this book to those interested in fantasy and thought-provoking stories.

[Kylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

INCREDIBLY well written!! Each character has so much story and life built into them! Brittnay put a lot of thought into the scenes, backstories and so much more and it 100% shows!! This read was like a breath of fresh air! Even with the prophecies and dark scenarios, this book stays very light-hearted, comical and fun!

[Amber Ranew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Riley Jordan as he is in college and discovering what his magical gift is and how to use it. Little does he know his gift goes much deeper and there is a prophecy involving him. With the help of his friends and family he seeks to fight the darkness with bravery and courage. Can’t wait for book two!

[Jennifer Gilman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I typically read non-fiction but every now and then I want the adventure of a good Fiction book. It was riveting from the beginning! I was caught up in the magical realm of Riley Jordan's world, and really enjoyed the interactions and close bonds with his friends. The whole time I was reading this, I was in Italy on vacation and couldn't wait to read this at the end of every night because I wanted to know what happened next :-) The characters were well developed and I could see this as a movie playing out in my mind. Now that I'm done with this book, I can't wait for the second book to come out. I want to see what Riley and his friends are doing next and I'm curious about a couple of the characters which I won't give away in this review. Highly recommend!

[Melanie Hafer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Miss Brittany Ranew’s book! It was full of adventure, strong friendships, intrigue, fantasy, and cool sci-fi elements. The sweet blooming relationship between Riley and Emma was adorable and didn’t have any unnecessary spice, only sweet moments that made me smile, giggle, and root for! I love how each character balanced the story and each other. My only negative comment is the amount of language. I would still recommend this book though!

[Katherine McAtee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! It was a fast read, the characters were well developed and the plot had a suprise ending I wasn’t expecting. It kept you excited to turn the pages and I really look forward to reading the second book! The author was so sweet when she signed it in person as well! Great book, and I can’t wait to continue to the series as they get published! Highly recommend!

[Melissa Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Riley's story and learning of his gift of fire! The author does a great job of introducing a bunch of relatable and great characters and makes this story very easy to read. I love the magical realms and all the different types of magic that are introduced! I'm so glad I picked up this book at Tampa Bay Comic Con. I highly recommend you read this book. I look forward to book 2!

[Rory Carlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great fantasy book. The first in a series this book reminds me of fablehaven and keepers of the lost cities. The characters are so compelling and I hope we see more character growth from everyone. The world building is unique and is a mix of urban and magical fantasy. Overall, i had a great time reading this

[Dominique Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun read. It was filled with magic, prophecies and adventure. An adventure that I felt like I haven't taken in a long while. I found the writing easy to fall into and the aspect of Magic and Wizards was so interesting and unique in its own way. The characters were enjoyable, and I grew to love them as I read through the pages. I can't wait to see how this adventure continues!

[Elizabeth Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lion of Fire is a fast paced, coming of age adventure set in a magical world adjacent to our own. The characters are engaging and relatable, and the ending contains a huge surprise! There are themes that readers of any age can enjoy, relate to, and and learn from. Can't wait for book 2!

[J.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-done fantasy that's a great escape from reality. it does.a great job of transporting you into magical realms. It is well set up for a sequel, which I plan on reading..