Sparking the Inferno: Circle of Origin Book 1

by Brandon Carter

Thirty feet of rope bridge is all that keeps Nevin from escaping an abusive home life, but fear proves stronger than pain. When a lapse in memory and a bloody canteen coincide with the arrival of the Baron's constabulary, Nevin unwillingly goes on the run. Wherever he hides, fire and soldiers follow.

But why does it feel like it's him they're looking for?

The inferno chasing him casts a long shadow, and from that darkness emerges a covetous presence. Is he hallucinating, or is it his sins made manifest? With the flames driving him farther and farther from home, will he finally be able to muster the will to take control of an unraveling life, or will the strengthening shadows threaten the lives of foe and friend alike?

'Sparking the Inferno' is an enigmatic and moving tale of unfortunate circumstances and the responsibility of choice that plunges readers into an exciting journey across the troubled world of Stragus.

“Hits the ground running,and feels like an epic saga from the opening paragraphs. Carter's characters are vivid and complex, often morally ambiguous, and completely engaging. Description and action are handled with balance and eloquence, with crackling dialogue that fully fleshes out each character.”

—Darin Miller, Author of The Dwayne Morrow Mysteries

“Page turner through and through. This book swept me away on an adventure I could never forget. Magical systems and emotions that hit home, with characters developing before my eyes. Carter instantly became one of my favorite authors.”
—Haley Anna Marie, Author of the Elementas Series

Genres: Fantasy

713 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2023

Reviews

[Bronwyn Kotze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even start my review of this book.
Definitely with Aidux...a talking lynx. And an adorable one at that. From now on I want all epic fanatsy novels to have an animal sidekick.
There is such a colourful set of characters throughout and they're described so well that I felt like I knew them.
This novel has everything I want from epic fantasy....adventure, magic, enemies and allies. It's a story of loss, friendship and love told in an exciting voice that doesn't sound formulaic.
It reminded me of Raymond Feist's Magician that I fell in love with in 1989.
I eagerly look forward to many more stories from Brandon Carter.

[Rosalie Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

One hell of a read. I haven’t gotten caught up in fantasy for years, but Sparking the Inferno had me captive for two days, with sweating palms for the last hour of reading. Well done, Brandon. Bring on the next one!

[Jonathan Vasgar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic debut from Brandon Carter! The book drops you into the action right away and then slowly reveals the beautiful world and realistic characters that are the players in this quest. I love well written fantasy and this ranks among the best. Carter’s style is unique, mixing action and clever dialogue with wisdom and wit. This sets up all the pieces for what I assume will be an epic showdown between good and evil. Plenty of mysteries and magic abound in this. If you are looking for your next read, let this be it.

[Darin Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story opens with our hero, Nevin Walker, already imperiled and with no real recollection of how he got underneath the wheelbarrow he uses for shelter. Achy, sore, and bleeding from a head wound, his body shows other signs of trauma, but all he can hope to do is avoid the men who hunt for him and appear to be on the cusp of discovery.

Nevin is about to begin the adventure of a lifetime…

The debut novel by Brandon Carter hits the ground running and feels like an epic saga from the opening paragraphs. Carter’s narrative style is lyrical without condescension, painting a believably lush canvas upon which his story unfolds without lull or hesitation. It’s a world outside our own, in which a boy’s best friend is a talking lynx, and magic is a known and coveted commodity to souls both righteous and corrupt. When Nevin finds himself in possession of an unknown magical artifact that seemingly only he can touch, the story really kicks into gear, with a gloriously wicked antagonist, Vincht, in relentless pursuit.

Carter’s characters are vivid and complex, often morally ambiguous, and completely engaging. Description and action are handled with balance and eloquence, punctuated with crackling dialogue that fully fleshes out each character. Minor clashes and major skirmishes culminate in a climactic showdown that will have you flipping pages just as quickly as you can digest the content.

In the end, it’s a coming-of-age story for a boy and his cat, friends versus foes, good versus evil—two sides of the same coin fighting for dominance but best maintained in a fragile state of equilibrium, for without one, how can we possibly understand the other? As this is Book 1 in Carter’s Circle of Origin series, don’t expect everything to be tied up in a neat little package by book’s end. Seeds and scraps for Book 2 and beyond remain, and I will eagerly await another adventure in Carter’s engaging paracosm.

Remarkable debut. Absolutely captivating!

[DiegoYYC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one early in the year but took me forever to write the review. If you are hesitant about giving debut novels or indie authors a chance, this might be the right book to realize how wrong you are. Specially because from the first page, all the effort and skill that went into crafting this fascinating universe of high fantasy, magic and adventure, pour into the page in the way of excellent wordsmithing at the line level and masterful storytelling.

The plot runs at a good pace, which kept me rabidly turning the pages (of which are plenty! Like proper fantasy should have). The world building is exciting and the characters are easy to love (and hate). Nevin is well fleshed as the lead but I have to say that my love tends to always go to a side character that steals the show, and this case it’s not the exemption. Aidux, the talking lynx gets most of my love, and judging by other reviews (yes, I did peek at them), it is a fan favourite for many.

I also follow the author in social media and it just seems to me that his debut novel fits very well to his virtual persona, which adds that bit extra to the whole experience.

So kudos and many thanks to the author and will definitely look forward to the next book in the series.

[Alycia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sparking the Inferno" is a debut fantasy novel that took me on a thrilling adventure throughout Stragus, a vividly imagined world by Brandon Carter. The novel is expertly crafted, with intricate world-building that immersed me in a rich tapestry of adventure, magic, and turmoil. The characters are well-written and complex, with both strengths and flaws that make them compelling and relatable. The pacing is just right, with enough action and suspense that kept me engaged throughout. And bonus-there’s a talking lynx! If that doesn’t sell you on reading this amazing novel, I don’t know what will. Overall, "Sparking the Inferno" is an impressive debut. Fans of “Eragon” and “Throne of Glass”, will find plenty to love in this thrilling and immersive adventure that will leave you guys eagerly awaiting the next installment (like myself!). I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new epic journey. I was captivated from start to finish. Five stars!
P.S. Be sure to check out the candles sold in the Stragus Mercantile. They work in tandem with the book and create an immersive experience as you read. So fun!

[Jason Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic start to a series

I have been looking forward to reading this book for months and it did not disappoint.
Sparking the Inferno is a gripping start to an epic adventure, posing more questions than answers and leaving you wanting to know what happens next.
The map, the magic and the history are all well considered and importantly support the plot.
If you are looking for a fantasy series with more viewpoints than a spider's face, a sword that is only sometimes a sword, and mysterious characters shrouded in... mystery, then look no further.
Sparking the Inferno will have you on the edge of your seat.

[Charlene Mattson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Excellent Debut Fantasy

Aside from a few errors (only 1 of which detracted slightly from my experience), it is hard to believe that this is a debut. Full of the classic fantasy tropes of reluctant heroes and mysterious mentors, yet with its own twists in the forms of a well realized magical system and interesting world, this is an excellent book for anyone who is craving the traditional fantasy without the traditional sexism and annoyint stereotypes.

And a talking lynx which is just wonderful.

[Dave Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent fantasy with riveting characters and expansive world. Even after over 700 pages, I want to read more about Nevin, Aidux the talking lynx, and Theis.

[Stephen Blumberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Living and Breathing World

I’ll preface this review by saying, the cover art is quite phenomenal for this book.

This book takes place in a medieval/high fantasy setting in a world where magic is common place in some countries, and banned in others. I like this premise. And in the 25+ universes I’ve read thus far (since I started recreationally reading again) this one has a logic against the use of magic I found quite unique, it’s robbing of the autonomy of human skill. The MC brings up an interesting point about it putting skilled workers out of business. It’s telling of our current phase of human existence: Machines and AI putting humans out of jobs. But much like the invention of the car or sewing machines, such is the way of humanity. The journey is about the 16 year old, trauma-lurking-beneath-the-surface MC, Nevin and his journey to escape prosecution from a maniac egotistical villain. Then beyond that… well you’ll have to read the book and come to your own conclusion.

Things I liked:
•Aidux, the talking lynx. He had good kitty qualities and uniquely written descriptions of his cat shenanigans. (Imagine cat memes in high-fantasy prose.)
•The angering villain. He was believable.
•The hard-to-like MC who is also a huge wimp and can’t even hurt others to saved loved ones. My opinion of the MC just means the author did a good job at writing him.
•The tough-love “get over it, this is reality” mentor figure swordsman, Theis.
•How well written the book was. It was written with sophisticated English use and in a tone I’ve never read. At one point he talks about how the daylight dawns on a particular forest and then the unfamiliarity of night time vanishes and reveals the the lands. That’s just awesome. Good job for a debut title Carter!
•Carter’s ability to put into words those little mental processes, behaviors, and split-second thought processes we all perform that no one ever talks about. He’s got quite a knack for it. His way of getting around dialogue tags was to artistically these mannerisms, thought processes, and body languages. We could all learn a thing or two from him with this.
•The world-building. It’s a big worlds and it is clear time has been spent crafting this world. You can always tell when time has been taken to do so.

Things that weren’t my cup of tea (in the most objective sense.)
•Pacing. I found the pacing to be great up until the midway point of the book where we are introduced to “the island.” I don’t know what happened here, but I found things to slow down and the direction of the story became hazy after this. Things pick back up towards the end however.
•Extraneous details. Carter’s way with words is great but I found some of the descriptions of the physics of magic and characters explaining/thinking their logic to be at times extraneous. These popped up more towards mid to late book.

Like I said, these are cups of tea and in no way a criticism of Carter’s skill as a writer. Some people don’t mind these things and love in-depth science and intellectually detailed breakdowns in their fantasy. I’m more of “keep my cards to myself” type of writer/reader. And some people aren’t critical of pacing and that’s not a bad thing.

Unresolved curiosities

•The titular phrase “Sparking the Inferno.” I’m trying to still put together what exactly this refers to. I have ideas.

Final thoughts

So… All in all, I thought it was a rad book and a fresh new world. I liked it and I’m pumped to read book 2. I love indie books and this book was well worth the money spent on the kindle version. Keep up the good work Brandon!

[Lindsey Kinsella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what I can best describe as "grounded high fantasy." It feels down to earth and simple, with a smattering of magic. The story feels small scale with a handful of relatable main characters. That's not inherently good or bad, but it was nice to not focus on kings and queens, or huge battles.

The characters are by far the biggest strength of this book. Theis is a grumpy, but ultimately protective recluse, Aurnia a secretive and wise sorceress, and Aidux... well, he's a talking lynx. But he somehow fully captures everything a talking cat would be.

In fact, the main quartet of characters have such well defined personalities, I suspect you could remove their names from the dialogue tags and still have no issue knowing who is speaking. Not only that, but they have fantastic chemistry.

Nevin himself is broadly uninteresting, but that feels intentional. The sharasil, the object he is bonded two, contains a spirit which continually attempts to possess him. Nevin's internal battle with it is fascinating.

The pacing can be a tad slow in places. It's a long book, and maybe didn't have to be quite so. Brandon Carter's style is naturally detailed, which contributes to that, but there's also a lot of the latter half of the book which could have been cut.

And onto what is simultaneously my most and least favourite thing about the book. Vincht. He's the primary antagonist and is written exceptionally. A vain, traumatised young man with a vicious streak and fearsome fighting abilities. After receiving facial scarring, that vanity leads him to even darker behaviours. He's frightening, yet intriguing.

So why also my least favourite part? Well, he's only in the first half of the book! Mr Carter wrote the best damn villain I've read in years, and binned him in the middle act. It wasn't entirely clear to me if he's dead, so I'm clinging to hope he'll return in book 2. I'll even forgive a "Somehow, Vincht returned" approach 😅

Something which only formed a small part of the book which I appreciated nonetheless, was the monster concepts. Again, it's grounded, so they're used sparingly, but they are SCARY. Breathers are the twisted remains of people who scuttle on all fours to sniff out and kill magic users. Then, there are the cavern monsters which can melt rock with their screams. If this author ever writes a horror, I guarantee it would scare the poopoo out of you.

Overall, this is an excellent foundation for the series, and I can't wait to see book 2... which will hopefully be titled "Return of Vincht."

[Reader Views · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparking the Inferno: Circle of Origin Book 1” by Brandon Carter is about a teenage boy, Nevin Walker, who is forced from his home village of Elbin after it is burned by the Baron’s constabulary. All Nevin wanted of his future was to escape his abusive father, but the world seems to have other plans. He and his best friend, a talking lynx named Aidux, have become the target of the invading soldiers, though he has no idea why. Then, he discovers a mysterious magical weapon hidden in his mentor’s house and is running for his life alongside a mysterious man in black. Why does this weapon seem to respond especially to him? And why does the barony want it?

“Sparking the Inferno” is like “Eragon” meets the “His Dark Materials” trilogy. Nevin is a 16-year-old boy who loses everything he has ever known in the blink of an eye. A war between magic, politics, and religion has resulted in magic being outlawed by the barony. It is a story about how the fear of the unfamiliar and unknown can overshadow everything else. Magic can be dangerous, just like any physical weapon. There are those who wish to use it for ill, but there are more who wish to use it for good. The same goes for politics and religion – both in the book and in the world in general. Coupled with striking details and rich world-building, “Sparking the Inferno” is a captivating epic fantasy that is sure to find a wide range of fans.

I did find that “Sparking the Inferno” seemed to have a slow build-up. It was not until about halfway through the book that I felt like the pacing seemed to find consistency. I also thought Nevin came off as younger than sixteen. His narrations, interactions with Aidux, and his language and thought processes all seemed to reflect a boy more in the range of thirteen or fourteen. Nevin did have a rough upbringing and comes from a small, sheltered village, but to me, it seemed like the intentions for Nevin’s maturity just fell slightly sort of where they needed to be.

Overall, I enjoyed “Sparking the Inferno: Circle of Origin Book 1” quite a bit, though! This genre is exactly my cup of tea, and I am always excited to read new, thrilling series from up-and-coming authors. I cannot wait to see where the series goes and what fantastic new things we can expect from Brandon Carter.

[Leslie Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a smash hit right out of the gate! I won this book in a "bracket" contest through the author's fb page. It was sent asap. Great service. I was antsy to start reading but finished another that I was working on first. Well,....
by page 16 I was HOOKED on this story. It starts out with a teen, Nevin, who has memory loss but has enough wits about him to know he is being chased for some unknown reason. With no idea what is going on, he runs. I am not going to reveal the plot of this story as it is certainly outlined elsewhere. Suffice it to say that this is an "on the edge of your seat" and "fly by the seat of your pants" book. It keeps you on the run right along with Nevin.
The book is written in short chapters that I found helpful for my reading style. Since I read slowly, I was not forced to complete any long chapters in order to pause at convenient points in the story line.
The author is a master at simile and metaphor. His turns of phrases have a freshness that is needed in fantasy writing. I look forward to reading more about a "present absence", how grass can shun something, and the sound "bloorp". Make sure you have ready access to a dictionary before you start reading so you can look up terms like "effulgent" and "twain."
I am looking forward to the second book in this series, which the author is currently writing. If it is as good as, or better than, the first then not only are we all winners, but we have a series for the ages here.

[JaLyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "Sparking the Inferno." The characters were engaging and relatable (even though the genre is fantasy, and we do not live in a world of magic). None of the characters are perfect, and they all carry their own weaknesses and faults (like the rest of us). The world Brandon paints is enough like our own that I could easily relate and picture it in my mind's eye. The evolving relationships in the story were also a lot of fun as a group of strangers come together with different motives and intentions.

I am always amazed as I read a work of fiction in the the author's insight and wisdom into human nature. I guess that is what makes an author good at his/her chosen profession.

If you enoy reading fantasy (clean fantasy), I recommend you read "Sparking the Inferno." There is some violence, but it is not the blow by blow gore of "Game of Thrones." It does have a spattering of curse words, but I would even allow a teenager or young adult to read it.

Personally, I can't wait for the next part of this story. For now, I will have to leave Nevin and friends at Fen Quarry!

[Peter Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow! Finally finished Sparking the Inferno by Brandon Carter aka Circle of Origin, Author Without doubt 5⭐s. I started reading and was immediately engrossed such that I was almost skim reading to see what was would happen. I had to stop and force myself to read it slowly, such is the glorious detail and exquisite turn of phrase I was otherwise not fully appreciating. There were many nights I had to unwillingly put it down, eager to continue, but unable to keep my eyes open as it was so late. The characters were all fully formed and believable, with much going on below the surface, and all revealed in good time. It is clearly the start of an epic saga, I can't wait to read the next installment. This is genuinely one of the best, if not the best fantasy adventures I have read in years! One of my favourite fantasy books of all time is 'Magician' by Raymond E Feist, and this is right up there with it. Simply amazing work.

[Staci Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich and detailed, Carter's world and characters live with an energy that makes it hard to believe this is his debut novel! His characters have relatable motivations. Vincht was deliciously disgusting, and I wish he'd played a part a little longer. My only complaint is regarding Aidux, the talking lynx. I wanted him to have a stronger cat-like presence, but to me his thoughts and speech were so human that I would forget he was a cat. Overall, I enjoyed this story and loved the way Carter manipulated words to invoke images and emotions in my mind. For fans of epic fantasy, this is definitely an author you want to keep your eyes on.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coming of age fantasy adventure you won't want to miss. This is an instant classic!

The story follows Nevin as he escapes very bad men with his best friend, a talking Lynx by his side. Along the way he makes new friends and makes discoveries about himself and the thing he's carrying that the bad men want. There's also a mystery that I hadn't guessed the outcome of.

With characters so vastly different from each other, a unique magic system, and intense encounters around every corner, I didn't want to put this down!

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is so confusing -characters are not developed, tropes abound, pacing is uneven, hallucinations are not explained, premise is …what exactly? Nevin’s actions and immaturity made me think he was about 13 - which would make sense if this is a coming-of-age genre. The book is labelled as a fantasy, but the metallic object the protagonist gets stuck with is described as a weapon, so now I am thinking the genre might be sci-fi…? I quit reading at 30% bc I didn’t care about any of the characters, even the talking cat.

[Shana · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. There is a lot I find annoying with this book, but I’ll summarize only a few points. The “prologue” isn’t even a prologue. There isn’t a clear writing style or tone. A lot of words put together that mean a lot of nothing to sound smart and it comes off as pseudo-intellectual and pompous. Seems like an unfinished idea. What a mess and a waste of time.

[Tammie Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the worlds I was taken to in this fantasy. I'm not a fantasy reader but gave this one a shot. 4 stars is because I did find the pace slowed down in the middle of the book and picked up again towards the end. And I wanted more of the talking cat.

I recommend this book to any preteen and teen to read who love fantasy. You won't regret following Nivan's adventures.

[Karen Mize · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun book with interesting characters and relationships. Can't wait to see where the rest of the series goes!

[Brandon Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it, and I think it's pretty good! Wish there had been more of the talking cat though.

[William j · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is spectacular. The writing is extraordinary. For a first novel, this book exceeds all expectations. I was enthralled from beginning to end and I look forward to the next book.

[E.S. Fein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandon Carter has crafted something special here, blending traditional fantasy elements with his unique twists that kept me turning pages late into the night. The story centers on Nevin, who’s in a pretty tough spot from the get-go. Escaping an abusive situation only to find himself pursued for reasons he doesn't fully understand, his journey is as much about internal discovery as it is about survival. The narrative is compelling, mainly because Nevin’s struggles felt real. He’s not your typical hero, which I found refreshing. His fears, doubts, and growth are portrayed with a sincerity that’s hard to find.

What really stood out to me was the world-building and the magic system. Carter introduces a world that’s expansive yet accessible. The magic system is innovative, adding depth to the story without dominating it. The supporting characters, especially the talking lynx, add layers to the narrative that were both entertaining and profound. It’s these relationships that elevate the story, providing moments of levity, insight, and, at times, heartbreak. (Lynxy, as I referred to him in my head, was of course my favorite part lol).

Sparking the Inferno is a solid read. Carter has managed to weave a tale that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing where this series goes.

[Donna Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a highly entertaining read. The characters are diverse and vividly rendered by the author's masterful prose - not less Aidux, a consistent scene stealer!

The plot drives steadily forward to a satisfying, if tantalising, end, leaving it open to the rest of the Circle of Origin series. I can't wait to read more!

Highly recommend to fans of the Wheel of Time, Lord of the Rings and, of course, cats.