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The Mark of Fire
It is early twentieth century Ireland and fifteen-year-old Molly Connolly is dreading an uncertain future. With her basic schooling behind her, she is just an extra mouth to feed on a poor farm. As the probable fate of being sent to work in a factory looms on her dismal horizon, Molly feels powerless-or so she thinks. In an exhilarating turn of events, Molly and her brother find a mysterious portal that flips their lives upside-down. Not only is Molly thrust into a chaotic whirlwind of trying to comprehend the fact that they appear to be on another planet entirely and that she suddenly has an unexplainable ability, but it soon becomes evident that this world has deep, dark secrets of its own. Something terrible happened many years ago, and a harrowing threat whispers it is happening again. As Molly and her friends find themselves the unwitting targets of an unknown enemy, in the midst of a dangerous game beyond their understanding, they discover an ancient secret with the power to change everything.
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2017
About the author
Hannah LeBlond
1 book13 followers Even before she could hold a crayon, Hannah LeBlond was a storyteller. Though the format varied over her childhood years—from dictating books aloud to patient parents, to acting them out in elaborate dress-up games, to typing up hundreds of pages saved on floppy disks—she always knew she had a deep passion for stories, fiction, and writing.
At age sixteen, after completing both her junior and senior years of high school in one, she graduated early in order to dedicate more time to writing the novel she had begun and what would years later become The Mark of Fire series. Hannah graduated from two ministry schools, received her Emergency Medical Technician certification, worked for a non-profit ministry organization in the North Bay Area of California, all while earnestly writing her young adult fantasy book series, the first installment of which she self-published in the summer of 2017.
Hannah is a champion of creatives, dreamers, and forerunners. She believes fictional stories are a universal language that inspire, encourage, educate, and connect people across the globe. Now she uses her love of storytelling by means of her novel, other writings, and the visual storytelling of bookish photography, particularly on instagram.
When she is not working, writing, or taking bookish photos, Hannah can be found watching or reading her favorite stories, obsessing over her favorite fandoms, snuggling kitties, interior decorating, enjoying the magic of the changing seasons, sleeping, drinking copious amounts of tea, or organizing her closet for the trillionth time.
At age sixteen, after completing both her junior and senior years of high school in one, she graduated early in order to dedicate more time to writing the novel she had begun and what would years later become The Mark of Fire series. Hannah graduated from two ministry schools, received her Emergency Medical Technician certification, worked for a non-profit ministry organization in the North Bay Area of California, all while earnestly writing her young adult fantasy book series, the first installment of which she self-published in the summer of 2017.
Hannah is a champion of creatives, dreamers, and forerunners. She believes fictional stories are a universal language that inspire, encourage, educate, and connect people across the globe. Now she uses her love of storytelling by means of her novel, other writings, and the visual storytelling of bookish photography, particularly on instagram.
When she is not working, writing, or taking bookish photos, Hannah can be found watching or reading her favorite stories, obsessing over her favorite fandoms, snuggling kitties, interior decorating, enjoying the magic of the changing seasons, sleeping, drinking copious amounts of tea, or organizing her closet for the trillionth time.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 8, 2022
The Mark of Fire is the start to a new fantasy series about a teenage girl, Molly, who stumbles into a new and unfamiliar world along with her brother, Richard. These two find themselves forced into an unexpected fresh start and encounter plenty of adventure, surprising new abilities, and friendships along the way.
The latter was one aspect of the story that really stood out to me. It reminded me of the tight-knit group in Harry Potter we all know and love in that no matter what these young, brave characters face, they will get through it together. They have each other’s backs and love each other fiercely and this really shows. In addition, the setting itself is beautiful including magical creatures such as unicorns, a sky filled with multiple moons, and a stunning whitewashed stone castle overlooking the town.
I am so excited to continue Richard and Molly’s story because the ending had me needing the next book as soon as possible and I can't wait to learn more about the magic system. I highly recommend for those of you looking for a new young adult fantasy series!
The latter was one aspect of the story that really stood out to me. It reminded me of the tight-knit group in Harry Potter we all know and love in that no matter what these young, brave characters face, they will get through it together. They have each other’s backs and love each other fiercely and this really shows. In addition, the setting itself is beautiful including magical creatures such as unicorns, a sky filled with multiple moons, and a stunning whitewashed stone castle overlooking the town.
I am so excited to continue Richard and Molly’s story because the ending had me needing the next book as soon as possible and I can't wait to learn more about the magic system. I highly recommend for those of you looking for a new young adult fantasy series!
February 17, 2020
I really enjoyed the writing style of this book!! Hannah writes very well, and she still managed to make this easy to read, as it IS middle grade. The writing style and the characters are very adequate for younger readers. I did find some parts ran a bit long and were a bit predictable, but then again.. I'm an adult reading a middle grade book, so that is to be expected!! 😅 The author still managed to surprise me with her plot twists, and I especially enjoyed when MAGIC arrived 😏 I would definitely recommend, especially for younger readers. I'm looking forward to finding out how the books develop, as the writing style is supposed to evolve as the characters grow up 😍
March 14, 2021
Wow I loved this book!!! I’m not huge into fantasy anymore but I got sucked in early on with this book! Loved Molly and Richard and their character development and the adventures they embarked. Hannah is a great author and her writing kept me entertained till the very end! Highly recommend!!
March 4, 2020
Set in a world apart, "The Mark of Fire" follows Molly and her brother as they venture into a new kingdom where unicorns are real! Although this was set more middle grade, I found the story absolutely endearing and adventurous and I was rooting for the kids the entire way! Also, with the finesse of incredible talent, it left me wanting more and more of the story.
I give my 3 star rating because I feel that the story could have been more than it was and it was missing something to really get me emotionally involved with Molly's journey. A small example was Molly's shift in character throughout the book. These seemingly randomized shifts had me looking back a couple of times and once asking her out loud, "you're in a world of unicorns, grow a spine!"
But the story was fantastic nonetheless and I really grew to love Molly and I am sure that as the plot thickens (as it already has), I will be more and more engrossed in the adventures of each and every character!
I give my 3 star rating because I feel that the story could have been more than it was and it was missing something to really get me emotionally involved with Molly's journey. A small example was Molly's shift in character throughout the book. These seemingly randomized shifts had me looking back a couple of times and once asking her out loud, "you're in a world of unicorns, grow a spine!"
But the story was fantastic nonetheless and I really grew to love Molly and I am sure that as the plot thickens (as it already has), I will be more and more engrossed in the adventures of each and every character!
August 20, 2018
A wonderfully fresh new author in the young adult fantasy fiction genre. Mark of Fire 🔥 is the first book in the upcoming series of books about a young woman finding herself in an amazing world of mystery and magic. Molly's adventures are extraordinary to say the least. With each page Hannah LeBlond draws the reader into a story that will keep you reading... and begging her to publish book 2 and 3.
March 8, 2021
Fantastic! I loved this story and I can’t wait to read more.
Molly and Richard have stumbled into the most amazing world. I loved the magic and the people they discovered along the way. I found myself wishing I could join them.
I am anxious to see where the story goes from here.
Highly recommend this one!
Molly and Richard have stumbled into the most amazing world. I loved the magic and the people they discovered along the way. I found myself wishing I could join them.
I am anxious to see where the story goes from here.
Highly recommend this one!
February 27, 2020
After meeting Hannah and talking to her at my window at the local post office, I decided to read The Mark of Fire. I am so glad that I did and cannot wait for the next book in the series. Thank you Hannah for this very fun and interesting read. Great job!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews