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Sons of Fire
When Keegan’s father, the Demon King of Fire, attempted to produce an heir, a surge of light energy interrupted the process. One tiny piece of the newly forming demon broke off. That piece is Keegan. For years, he has attempted to lay low, watching from the shadows while his monstrous brother Aidan, the true Prince of Fire, is groomed for the throne.
Keegan’s shaky status quo is shattered when one of his father’s power-plays goes horribly wrong. He is cast to Earth and forced to work with a suddenly powerless Aidan. The two brothers must cooperate to complete an impossible task and avoid being cast forever into the abyss. As if having to spend time with his beastly other half wasn’t bad enough, Keegan must adapt to living on Earth, wielding his new human vessel, and dealing with his demonic appetite without harming the human creatures for whom he has always cared.
As Keegan and Aidan work to save themselves, questions arise. What exactly was the King of Fire up to, that sparked their Master’s interest enough to cast them from the Demon Realm? Can Aidan be trusted in his new human form, complete with emotions, or is he the same unfeeling creature he’s always been? And why are so many demons suddenly invested in the outcome of the brothers’ trial? The only thing Keegan knows for certain is that whether he succeeds or fails at the task, the consequences for the Demon Realm and for Earth itself will be catastrophic.
Keegan’s shaky status quo is shattered when one of his father’s power-plays goes horribly wrong. He is cast to Earth and forced to work with a suddenly powerless Aidan. The two brothers must cooperate to complete an impossible task and avoid being cast forever into the abyss. As if having to spend time with his beastly other half wasn’t bad enough, Keegan must adapt to living on Earth, wielding his new human vessel, and dealing with his demonic appetite without harming the human creatures for whom he has always cared.
As Keegan and Aidan work to save themselves, questions arise. What exactly was the King of Fire up to, that sparked their Master’s interest enough to cast them from the Demon Realm? Can Aidan be trusted in his new human form, complete with emotions, or is he the same unfeeling creature he’s always been? And why are so many demons suddenly invested in the outcome of the brothers’ trial? The only thing Keegan knows for certain is that whether he succeeds or fails at the task, the consequences for the Demon Realm and for Earth itself will be catastrophic.
Paperback
First published January 14, 2020
About the author
Tracy Auerbach
5 books107 followersTracy Auerbach is an author of science fiction and fantasy for teens and adults. As an avid reader with a vivid imagination, she chose to study film, English, and education, and went on to teach and write STEM curriculum for the New York Department of Education. This helped to polish her writing skills and ignite her passion for science fiction and fantasy.
Her first scholarly article, published in Language Magazine, was about the value of active, creative learning in science.
On the fiction side, Tracy’s work has been featured in the online literary journal Micro-horror, The Writing Disorder fiction anthology, and the “(Dis)ability” short story anthology, in addition to her novels, the "Fragments" trilogy, "The Human Cure," and "Sons of Fire."
When she is not teaching or writing, Tracy is usually reading or trying new adventures (escape rooms, axe throwing, etc.). She lives in New York with her family.
Her first scholarly article, published in Language Magazine, was about the value of active, creative learning in science.
On the fiction side, Tracy’s work has been featured in the online literary journal Micro-horror, The Writing Disorder fiction anthology, and the “(Dis)ability” short story anthology, in addition to her novels, the "Fragments" trilogy, "The Human Cure," and "Sons of Fire."
When she is not teaching or writing, Tracy is usually reading or trying new adventures (escape rooms, axe throwing, etc.). She lives in New York with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 23, 2020
Interesting, Entertaining and Original!
Terrific story about Hell, demons, power, and humanity. I really liked this original story about two brothers that are demons from Hell who are sent to Earth to perform a task. The premise was great for a supernatural story and the characters were perfect. Though there is romance for each of the brothers, the story focuses more on their relationship as brothers, the relationship with their father (Adramelech, the King of Fire in Hell), and their task on earth.
The King of Fire is set on taking over and ousting Lucifer since Lucifer is weakened and trapped in a frozen lake in the deepest part of Hell. In order for demons to accumulate power, they feed on the souls in Hell. Once the power is too much to contain, the demons humanoid form will change into something huge and monstrous. Though Adramelech is vain and wants to keep his handsome humanoid form.
So Adramelech decides to create a heir who he can feed on souls and who will gain all the power Adramelech covets. While In the process of creating the heir using his hoarded soul power, Lucifer discovers the unsanctioned creation and the newly forming demon heir is hit with a ball of holy fire from Lucifer and a piece breaks off. It doesn’t stop the creation, but another son is created, one much smaller than the heir and containing a soul from the light of the holy fire.
The heir is named Aidan Fire and the other demon child named Keegan “little fire”. Aidan is taught to only speak to his father, using few words, and that his only purpose is to consume souls. All he does feed on souls. Keegan is largely ignored by his father, but talks to Aidan and spends time with him, though Aiden doesn’t talk to him and has no interest in Keegan.
The boys are banished to Earth after disappointing Adramelech and Lucifer. They have a task to complete and to do that they are enrolled in high school. They each have a separate task but they have to work together to get both tasks completed and when they return to Hell they will be thrown into the abyss if they fail. If they complete the tasks, one of them will earn a favor from their father.
I won’t go into anything that happens while they are on earth or after, but to say that Aidan and Keegan both have love interests and the story is unpredictable and interesting. There are several other characters they meet, but a lot of the book deals with each of the boys and the different struggles they have. I recommend this book and give it a solid 4 stars.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Terrific story about Hell, demons, power, and humanity. I really liked this original story about two brothers that are demons from Hell who are sent to Earth to perform a task. The premise was great for a supernatural story and the characters were perfect. Though there is romance for each of the brothers, the story focuses more on their relationship as brothers, the relationship with their father (Adramelech, the King of Fire in Hell), and their task on earth.
The King of Fire is set on taking over and ousting Lucifer since Lucifer is weakened and trapped in a frozen lake in the deepest part of Hell. In order for demons to accumulate power, they feed on the souls in Hell. Once the power is too much to contain, the demons humanoid form will change into something huge and monstrous. Though Adramelech is vain and wants to keep his handsome humanoid form.
So Adramelech decides to create a heir who he can feed on souls and who will gain all the power Adramelech covets. While In the process of creating the heir using his hoarded soul power, Lucifer discovers the unsanctioned creation and the newly forming demon heir is hit with a ball of holy fire from Lucifer and a piece breaks off. It doesn’t stop the creation, but another son is created, one much smaller than the heir and containing a soul from the light of the holy fire.
The heir is named Aidan Fire and the other demon child named Keegan “little fire”. Aidan is taught to only speak to his father, using few words, and that his only purpose is to consume souls. All he does feed on souls. Keegan is largely ignored by his father, but talks to Aidan and spends time with him, though Aiden doesn’t talk to him and has no interest in Keegan.
The boys are banished to Earth after disappointing Adramelech and Lucifer. They have a task to complete and to do that they are enrolled in high school. They each have a separate task but they have to work together to get both tasks completed and when they return to Hell they will be thrown into the abyss if they fail. If they complete the tasks, one of them will earn a favor from their father.
Aidan would almost certainly receive the favor. A favor promised by an upper level demon was a binding contract, and his brother could ask for anything, including all the power that was Adramelech’s to offer.
I won’t go into anything that happens while they are on earth or after, but to say that Aidan and Keegan both have love interests and the story is unpredictable and interesting. There are several other characters they meet, but a lot of the book deals with each of the boys and the different struggles they have. I recommend this book and give it a solid 4 stars.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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July 25, 2020
Sons of Fire of by Tracy Auerbach turned out to be one of the bigger surprises of my 2019 reads. I'm generally not a frequent science-fiction or fantasy reader, but a friend recommended this author. Since the book is geared toward young adult readers, I thought perhaps it'd work for me... and wow, did it ever! I truly enjoyed my first Auerbach read, and now I'll be checking out her earlier works to see what else is out there waiting to be devoured.
The plot is simple. Two brothers. One seemingly good, the other seemingly bad. Except... they basically live in that eternally damned place. They are sent to Earth to accomplish a mission, by a father who needs to be knocked around a few times. When the ~17-year-olds arrive, nothing is as it seems... since I don't want to spoil the plot, I'll leave it at that. Once they make it to Long Island (yeah... where I grew up, another reason to read it), we encounter the typical high school jock versus nerd scene, but it's not all that typical. When everything comes to a powerful crescendo, the waves ripple so much, the shocks will keep you floating to safety.
The chapters alternate (mostly) between Earth and the fiery pits of... well, it's never quite named, so I'll leave it there. The first few tell the backstory, and I was a little hesitant. When the Earth section began, it pulled me in immediately... even with the fantasy and science-fiction components. A good writer can weave together those elements, and to me... this was both a character-driven and plot-driven book. That might be why I enjoyed it so much! The brothers are both very appealing, and how they change over the course of the pages is truly magnificent. Not everything we see on the surface is what's really going on.
So... if you're looking for a fine balance of YA / Suspense / Fantasy, you've got a great start with this book. Blending the various settings and other-worldly creatures with things we're both familiar and unfamiliar with has made this a big win for me. I definitely recommend it for any reader, especially newbies to this genre and those who crave the imagination of a solid writer.
The plot is simple. Two brothers. One seemingly good, the other seemingly bad. Except... they basically live in that eternally damned place. They are sent to Earth to accomplish a mission, by a father who needs to be knocked around a few times. When the ~17-year-olds arrive, nothing is as it seems... since I don't want to spoil the plot, I'll leave it at that. Once they make it to Long Island (yeah... where I grew up, another reason to read it), we encounter the typical high school jock versus nerd scene, but it's not all that typical. When everything comes to a powerful crescendo, the waves ripple so much, the shocks will keep you floating to safety.
The chapters alternate (mostly) between Earth and the fiery pits of... well, it's never quite named, so I'll leave it there. The first few tell the backstory, and I was a little hesitant. When the Earth section began, it pulled me in immediately... even with the fantasy and science-fiction components. A good writer can weave together those elements, and to me... this was both a character-driven and plot-driven book. That might be why I enjoyed it so much! The brothers are both very appealing, and how they change over the course of the pages is truly magnificent. Not everything we see on the surface is what's really going on.
So... if you're looking for a fine balance of YA / Suspense / Fantasy, you've got a great start with this book. Blending the various settings and other-worldly creatures with things we're both familiar and unfamiliar with has made this a big win for me. I definitely recommend it for any reader, especially newbies to this genre and those who crave the imagination of a solid writer.
Shelved as 'dnf'
November 6, 2020I really wanted to like this one :(
Let me clarify: nothing is wrong with this story! It’s written well and has a compelling plot. Characters that are interesting enough. But.... I just don’t feel like reading something set in a high school setting. I thought this was an adult book, so I had different expectations going into this. I thought it would be about two brothers being sent to earth to complete a series of tasks for Lucifer. And, yeah, that’s basically what’s happening here. But it’s only one task and, again, they’re having to live an actual teenage life. Which is not what I was expecting since I thought they were older.
Also, I don’t know if I’m over high school settings or not, but I’m not gravitating towards stories like that anymore. Which is why I haven’t cared to read contemporary stories much. Magical schools? Sure, that’s different for me. But just plain high school settings ain’t doing it for me anymore, sadly.
Idk, maybe someday I’ll return to this? Eh, probably not.
*le sigh*
Let me clarify: nothing is wrong with this story! It’s written well and has a compelling plot. Characters that are interesting enough. But.... I just don’t feel like reading something set in a high school setting. I thought this was an adult book, so I had different expectations going into this. I thought it would be about two brothers being sent to earth to complete a series of tasks for Lucifer. And, yeah, that’s basically what’s happening here. But it’s only one task and, again, they’re having to live an actual teenage life. Which is not what I was expecting since I thought they were older.
Also, I don’t know if I’m over high school settings or not, but I’m not gravitating towards stories like that anymore. Which is why I haven’t cared to read contemporary stories much. Magical schools? Sure, that’s different for me. But just plain high school settings ain’t doing it for me anymore, sadly.
Idk, maybe someday I’ll return to this? Eh, probably not.
*le sigh*
October 15, 2019
I loved this book! It was original with two awesome demon brothers! It felt refreshing getting two male POVs! The lore was so cool!
It was packed with everything I could want in a book! Emotion, swoon, world building, and flames! Aidan and Keegan will stay in my head for a while! Highly recommend it!
It was packed with everything I could want in a book! Emotion, swoon, world building, and flames! Aidan and Keegan will stay in my head for a while! Highly recommend it!
January 17, 2020
ARC provided by NetGalley and Tracy Auerbach. All opinions are mine and freely given.
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01-17: "The being before him contained so much power that it only held its pretty visage through sheer force of will. And still it wanted more. Always hungry, always obedient, always his."
I've been duped. Or rather, I've allowed myself to be duped. And if you know me, you understand this is almost an unheard of occurrence.. but let me explain, while I try not to spoiler anything for you either.
I'll tell you up front that I really enjoyed this book. Not because it's a spectacular display of writing ability, in fact.. at the start, the writing appears weak.. not unlike one of these lovely twins. It's never poor, mind you. It's simply.. imbalanced. There's a wealth of character depth which is slow to reveal itself, a fascinating underworld, and yet.. initially the writing feels.. unformed. Both language and dialogue seem stinted, names seem unimaginative and actually too human for a pair of demons, and interactions come across as cliché.. as the story opens.
After reading further, I could only assume that this was done with some intent. The story, like the brothers' relationship, is just toddling. There's an awkwardness to it that could be the result of Auerbach trying to separate that world from ours in the most basic way, but I prefer to think it's more reflective of the characters at that point. They have limited understanding, they have history that neither of them fully grasps, and that awkwardness stems from everything standing between them.
"There was merit in saving his words and not awarding a reaction. It made his enemy nervous."
At the start of my journey with the Sons of Fire, Keegan and Aidan, I was conflicted about choosing this read. I'm always intrigued by the use of theological entities in modern urban stories. The author displayed a penchant for making interesting choices as to which entities to employ, from the ancient Semitic god known here as Adramelech to the loyal King of Hell, Paimon.. the mighty Lucifer and a host of other various named demons. Each of which play an important role in the ultimate outcome of the story.
I'll admit, I'm always a sucker for a couple of things.. creatures that we as a society believe are evil exhibiting absolutely opposite behaviors and individuals that might be entirely different if they were pitted against each other by some outside force. This story has both.
Created by Adramelech as an heir, Aidan is a dark, powerful force, while Keegan is an unfortunate side-effect of an outside interruption. Cast to Earth in unfamiliar bodies with needs neither of them is accustomed to, they're sent to complete a task as a trial. Bound together by necessity, failing is not an option, but working together is an entirely new concept.
"After two hundred years of answering to no one except for Adramelech, he was ready to submit to another."
To explain my earlier statement about Auerbach's well-crafted deception, I was probably 70% through the story before realizing I'd allowed myself to be mislead by appearances. Perceived weaknesses and strengths in the story, mirroring those in the characters, had set me on a path not to take this author or this novel very seriously. I was invested, yes. I instantly loved the brothers. But I didn't realize the strength they or the author actually wielded.
I suddenly found myself looking around with a horrible sense of foreboding, not that someone had managed to fool me-- I love it when that actually happens. But at the dreaded suspicion that was developing in my mind. I had allowed myself to read with complacency and unexpectedly intuited that I had followed Auerbach's misdirection, looking at all the wrong things, which meant I was also on the precipice of understanding what the right things were.. and they were beautifully horrible.
Read this title. Ignore the poor looking cover art, it doesn't do the title justice. Or maybe it does.. it plays right along with that sleight of hand. But bring a box of tissues because if you're like me, you'll be struggling to see the last pages. This story is exquisitely painful and I'm so glad I read it. You will be too.
01-14: These brothers have had a difficult start.. and I find myself feeling bad for each of them in their own way. 20% through.. distracted today!
01-13: Argh.. this one's releasing tomorrow too! Gotta get a hustle on! Starting it tonight!
01-10: I love this kind of.. push and shove between two people who must work together.. and the foreboding of consequences. Excited to begin..
January 14, 2020
An entertaining tale about brotherhood, power and what it means to be human.
Keegan is the good brother or the shitty demon if you asked their father. Known by all, as the one with a soul, he feels more than anyone in his position should. Despite everything, Keegan loves his brother. Even if his brother seems to have little love or use for him.
Aidan, on the other hand, is the father's ideal son or more accurately the ideal pawn. Driven almost entirely by a hunger for power Aidan spends little time thinking of anything else. He is the being his father intended to create. A vessel for power meant to see their father's greatest ambition fulfilled.
But when brothers both fail at a task assigned by their father and catch the attention of the devil himself, they are sent to earth on a mission. One that requires them to work together, something neither has managed to do in their 200 years of existence.
Once there we learn that there is more than meets the eye in both brother's case. As they learn to adapt to life in the human realm, they both begin crave life outside of their father's rule. And secrets have been kept for far too long threaten everything the brothers have ever known about themselves and each other.
This is a story about love, trust, family, and forgiveness. A tale of two brothers who, despite the differences, continue to fight for each other.
I received a free ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Keegan is the good brother or the shitty demon if you asked their father. Known by all, as the one with a soul, he feels more than anyone in his position should. Despite everything, Keegan loves his brother. Even if his brother seems to have little love or use for him.
Aidan, on the other hand, is the father's ideal son or more accurately the ideal pawn. Driven almost entirely by a hunger for power Aidan spends little time thinking of anything else. He is the being his father intended to create. A vessel for power meant to see their father's greatest ambition fulfilled.
But when brothers both fail at a task assigned by their father and catch the attention of the devil himself, they are sent to earth on a mission. One that requires them to work together, something neither has managed to do in their 200 years of existence.
Once there we learn that there is more than meets the eye in both brother's case. As they learn to adapt to life in the human realm, they both begin crave life outside of their father's rule. And secrets have been kept for far too long threaten everything the brothers have ever known about themselves and each other.
This is a story about love, trust, family, and forgiveness. A tale of two brothers who, despite the differences, continue to fight for each other.
I received a free ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2020
What a fun, intriguing story!
This story about two demon brothers experiencing humanity and bonding was sweet and interesting. I didn't want to stop reading, I had to know who the borderline soul was! Keegan was a gentle, nice guy and I love that he was always trying to be friends with Aidan, even when he pushed Keegan away. Aidan had the biggest transformation and secrets, his crush on Libby was cute and I liked that he took to being a human so quickly.
The main thread of this story was brotherhood and it was well written. I haven't read a book like this before and the originality was refreshing. This went by quickly and the ending was great.
Thank you NetGalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story about two demon brothers experiencing humanity and bonding was sweet and interesting. I didn't want to stop reading, I had to know who the borderline soul was! Keegan was a gentle, nice guy and I love that he was always trying to be friends with Aidan, even when he pushed Keegan away. Aidan had the biggest transformation and secrets, his crush on Libby was cute and I liked that he took to being a human so quickly.
The main thread of this story was brotherhood and it was well written. I haven't read a book like this before and the originality was refreshing. This went by quickly and the ending was great.
Thank you NetGalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2020
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher, The Parliament House, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.
All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.
Content Warning: Some Sexual Content, Violence
Sons Of Fire shocked me. To be completely honest, I almost didn’t give this book a go. I really enjoy supernatural books, but am leery when they aren’t on the side of the angels. I’m really glad that I did decide to pick up this book, because it was so much better than I imagined. I will try to keep this review as concise as possible, but this book has my mind going in all sorts of ways. I feel like I could talk about this book for a while!
Hell has a hierarchy. Adramelech, demon god of fire, is secondary to Lucifer himself. When Adramelech devises a devilish plan for more power, he decides to produce an heir to play the main role. While his son was forming, a bright light intervenes, and strikes the embryonic demon, resulting in a piece breaking off. Instead of creating one offspring, Adramelech ends up with two sons.
Aidan Fire and Keegan (Little Flame) couldn’t be anymore different. Groomed from his birth, Aidan is destined for the throne, while Keegan simply survives. Aidan feeds on souls, and grows to become a monster. Keegan, much more sensitive to the beings subjected to use of their energy, lives off the ambient energy in the realm. He fears to become a monster like is brother, and would rather do that than following in his brother's footsteps.
Keegan isn't exactly the apple of his father's eye. Undoubtedly different than his monstrous brother, he often questions what makes him different. Does he, a demon and son of the top Fire demon, have part of a soul?
The spurn of his father, Keegan makes an unlikely friend—Paimon. The only other demon sympathetic to Keegan's situation, she helps guide him and support him when no one else cares to do so. Keegan is tasked with watching over the souls of the fiery realm while his father is away so his brother won't consume them all. One day, he notices a yellow cloud—typical when a demon is feeding. But this one is massive, and Keegan knows that his brother is the source.
In his brief absence, Aidan managed to consume all of the souls stored in the fiery realm. In turn for their punishment, Adramelech sends his sons to the mortal realm to learn a lesson. What, exactly that lesson is, the brothers must find out.
When they reach Earth, Aidan discovers that he has been changed into a mere human. All of the power that he is used to possessing has been stripped of him. Not having much wit, or general knowledge outside of feeding, power, and selfishness, Aidan realizes that he is in a massive predicament. He has to learn how his mortal body functions (which is rather comical at times, and well thought-out by the author). Keegan, is also cast inside a mortal body. However, his state is not the same as his brother's, as he must continue to find sustenance by feeding off of mortal souls. Unable to live off the meager power that his surrounding provided now that he is on earth, he finds himself becoming more of a demon than he ever cared to be in the body of a human that he cannot fully experience.
The two brothers definitely have to face a lot. They are thrust into society, high school, no less, and must learn to assimilate, and hide their true natures. For Aidan, it's humiliating. After time, he learns that the past two hundred years of his existence have been incredibly dull only submitting himself to his senses. For the first time, Aidan begins to understand his brother's situation, and likewise for Keegan. The two begin to join forces to seek out a soul that is teetering on the fence of salvation, or destruction. With their own personas in upheaval, will they succeed and be allowed back to their fiery dwelling?
Sons Of Fire is undoubtedly cleverly written. I've never thought of how a demon would experience existence. Obviously, this is an opinion and not based off of truth. What is truth is the overall nature of these characters. Designed from the teachings of the Bible, Aidan especially, is a great interpretation of how one that only cares about themselves naturally follow the seven deadly sins.
Aidan certainly lacks in character for the first half of the story—but this isn't in the way it sounds. He lacks in character because he literally doesn't have one. Aidan is a compilation of sensations. He absorbs energy when he needs it. He acts out when he feels fit. He doesn't think of the consequences—he simply does what he feels he needs to do without thought—rendering him a mindless mass, for the most part. He doesn't care a bit about the souls he consumes, unlike his brother. He cares so little that he doesn't even allow himself to experience what these souls have experienced in their lives. Insatiable hunger represent gluttony, as well as greed. Sloth sits nearby, overtaking Aidan once his hunger is momentarily satiated. He takes pride in the fact that he is his father's crafty weapon makes him blind to the fact that he is being manipulated. Aidan's lust after power initially binds him to his father. Once he is a human, he binds himself to a girl that he also idolizes.
Envy finds form in Keegan. He doesn't envy Aidan for his power, but for the raw humanity he is able to experience. Aidan's indifference to humanity enrages Keegan because its all that he's ever wanted. Despite his desire to be "good," we watch Keegan grapple with the undesirable effects of being a demon, especially one in a human body. Soft-hearted Keegan has to be reminded sometimes by his monstrous brother that there is good in him when his forced-nature try to take over.
Wrath appears in the form of Adramelech. While he too, lusts for more power, his wrath is what send the brothers to earth, and ultimately, causes him to do some terrible things.
There are Biblical references all over the place. The demon Adramelech (Adrammelech) is mentioned in 2 Kings in the Bible as the god of Sepharvaim. Lucifer is probably an obvious character, but doesn't appear much. What's most memorable about him are is origins. Even Leviathan and Behemoth show up on the scene. I really appreciated that this story wasn't borne out of evil for the purpose of evil. Growth cannot exist where evil lives, and these brothers certainly experience a change in their characters.
This really is a beautiful story in how it captures the true essence of humanity, and how preciously unique it is. Humanity, with all of its faults, has capabilities that no other thing in this world, or elsewhere, has to offer. The two brothers learn this. They learn that humans, while they do terrible things sometimes, also have the opportunity to do wonderful things. The good, innately, cannot be visible without the bad. I’m not sure if there is anything at all that I would like to see differently about this story. I really could write a lot more in this review, but if you are reading this far, then you should probably quit and just pick up this book!
Vulgarity: Miminal.
Sexual content: Some passionate kissing and borderline foreplay.
Violence: Some fighting.
My Rating: ★★★★★
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All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.
Content Warning: Some Sexual Content, Violence
Every human has the potential for good and the potential for bad within him, and every single thing that happens affects his path.
Sons Of Fire shocked me. To be completely honest, I almost didn’t give this book a go. I really enjoy supernatural books, but am leery when they aren’t on the side of the angels. I’m really glad that I did decide to pick up this book, because it was so much better than I imagined. I will try to keep this review as concise as possible, but this book has my mind going in all sorts of ways. I feel like I could talk about this book for a while!
Hell has a hierarchy. Adramelech, demon god of fire, is secondary to Lucifer himself. When Adramelech devises a devilish plan for more power, he decides to produce an heir to play the main role. While his son was forming, a bright light intervenes, and strikes the embryonic demon, resulting in a piece breaking off. Instead of creating one offspring, Adramelech ends up with two sons.
His brother was everything that a fire demon was supposed to be, and he, Keegan, was not.
Aidan Fire and Keegan (Little Flame) couldn’t be anymore different. Groomed from his birth, Aidan is destined for the throne, while Keegan simply survives. Aidan feeds on souls, and grows to become a monster. Keegan, much more sensitive to the beings subjected to use of their energy, lives off the ambient energy in the realm. He fears to become a monster like is brother, and would rather do that than following in his brother's footsteps.
Keegan isn't exactly the apple of his father's eye. Undoubtedly different than his monstrous brother, he often questions what makes him different. Does he, a demon and son of the top Fire demon, have part of a soul?
Adramelech is using you for some wicked end. For all you know, it is a trap set to allow the Prince to finally take your power.
The spurn of his father, Keegan makes an unlikely friend—Paimon. The only other demon sympathetic to Keegan's situation, she helps guide him and support him when no one else cares to do so. Keegan is tasked with watching over the souls of the fiery realm while his father is away so his brother won't consume them all. One day, he notices a yellow cloud—typical when a demon is feeding. But this one is massive, and Keegan knows that his brother is the source.
All of those pale blue pieces of grace were no more. Feeding demons were supposed to take just a bit of each one before shepherding it to the abyss...Parts of the souls were meant to be shepherded to the abyss, where they can ruminate on the fate they have wrought for themselves. They cannot be extinguished fully.
In his brief absence, Aidan managed to consume all of the souls stored in the fiery realm. In turn for their punishment, Adramelech sends his sons to the mortal realm to learn a lesson. What, exactly that lesson is, the brothers must find out.
When they reach Earth, Aidan discovers that he has been changed into a mere human. All of the power that he is used to possessing has been stripped of him. Not having much wit, or general knowledge outside of feeding, power, and selfishness, Aidan realizes that he is in a massive predicament. He has to learn how his mortal body functions (which is rather comical at times, and well thought-out by the author). Keegan, is also cast inside a mortal body. However, his state is not the same as his brother's, as he must continue to find sustenance by feeding off of mortal souls. Unable to live off the meager power that his surrounding provided now that he is on earth, he finds himself becoming more of a demon than he ever cared to be in the body of a human that he cannot fully experience.
The two brothers definitely have to face a lot. They are thrust into society, high school, no less, and must learn to assimilate, and hide their true natures. For Aidan, it's humiliating. After time, he learns that the past two hundred years of his existence have been incredibly dull only submitting himself to his senses. For the first time, Aidan begins to understand his brother's situation, and likewise for Keegan. The two begin to join forces to seek out a soul that is teetering on the fence of salvation, or destruction. With their own personas in upheaval, will they succeed and be allowed back to their fiery dwelling?
Sons Of Fire is undoubtedly cleverly written. I've never thought of how a demon would experience existence. Obviously, this is an opinion and not based off of truth. What is truth is the overall nature of these characters. Designed from the teachings of the Bible, Aidan especially, is a great interpretation of how one that only cares about themselves naturally follow the seven deadly sins.
There will be a price to pay for your greed, and I only hope that it falls on you for once.
Aidan certainly lacks in character for the first half of the story—but this isn't in the way it sounds. He lacks in character because he literally doesn't have one. Aidan is a compilation of sensations. He absorbs energy when he needs it. He acts out when he feels fit. He doesn't think of the consequences—he simply does what he feels he needs to do without thought—rendering him a mindless mass, for the most part. He doesn't care a bit about the souls he consumes, unlike his brother. He cares so little that he doesn't even allow himself to experience what these souls have experienced in their lives. Insatiable hunger represent gluttony, as well as greed. Sloth sits nearby, overtaking Aidan once his hunger is momentarily satiated. He takes pride in the fact that he is his father's crafty weapon makes him blind to the fact that he is being manipulated. Aidan's lust after power initially binds him to his father. Once he is a human, he binds himself to a girl that he also idolizes.
But Aidan got everything, didn't he? He got to feel every human sensation and truly walk as one of them. Aidan wasn't frozen in time. He could actually change his human body; work out and make it stronger. If they stayed long enough, he'd probably even grow taller. Keegan had been given a corporeal vessel, nothing more. He could feel his useless heart pumping away. He needed to breathe and could experience certain senses, but that was all. He was still a demon—just imprisoned in fancy flesh packaging. It wasn't fair.
Envy finds form in Keegan. He doesn't envy Aidan for his power, but for the raw humanity he is able to experience. Aidan's indifference to humanity enrages Keegan because its all that he's ever wanted. Despite his desire to be "good," we watch Keegan grapple with the undesirable effects of being a demon, especially one in a human body. Soft-hearted Keegan has to be reminded sometimes by his monstrous brother that there is good in him when his forced-nature try to take over.
Wrath appears in the form of Adramelech. While he too, lusts for more power, his wrath is what send the brothers to earth, and ultimately, causes him to do some terrible things.
There are Biblical references all over the place. The demon Adramelech (Adrammelech) is mentioned in 2 Kings in the Bible as the god of Sepharvaim. Lucifer is probably an obvious character, but doesn't appear much. What's most memorable about him are is origins. Even Leviathan and Behemoth show up on the scene. I really appreciated that this story wasn't borne out of evil for the purpose of evil. Growth cannot exist where evil lives, and these brothers certainly experience a change in their characters.
This really is a beautiful story in how it captures the true essence of humanity, and how preciously unique it is. Humanity, with all of its faults, has capabilities that no other thing in this world, or elsewhere, has to offer. The two brothers learn this. They learn that humans, while they do terrible things sometimes, also have the opportunity to do wonderful things. The good, innately, cannot be visible without the bad. I’m not sure if there is anything at all that I would like to see differently about this story. I really could write a lot more in this review, but if you are reading this far, then you should probably quit and just pick up this book!
Vulgarity: Miminal.
Sexual content: Some passionate kissing and borderline foreplay.
Violence: Some fighting.
My Rating: ★★★★★
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May 31, 2020
Synopsis:
The King of Fire, Adramelech, is finally ready to seize control from his master Lucifer. And in this sordid mission of his, he enlists the services of his true son Aidan Fire. But on the day of creation of his son some two hundred years ago in the Demon Realm, Keegan had also taken form. The twin brothers are as different as any two demons out there, one whose darkness dominates him while the other's light. But when Lucifer sets them a task in order to prove their mettle, it will be interesting to see who pulls through and who doesn't.
Review:
The story opens in the present day in the Demon Realm, where Adramelech's other son and Aidan's twin, Keegan, is spending his time studying humans with Paimon, his mother figure. But in their father's absence, Aidan doesn't resist and consumes all human souls. Now both the brothers have to face the wrath of their father and Lucifer where they're sent to the Earthly Realm. They have to prove they can work together to survive, and with their altered physiologies, they have their own set of missions to be carried out.
Narrated in the third person and a story roughly spanning a month, Sons of Fire is exactly what the title says. It is a story about how Aidan and Keegan, the sons of fire, face their lives as mortals (maybe not entirely so) and how their demonic life influences those choices. While my way of saying it may sound very cut and dried, it is the exact opposite. This is such an engaging read and the open ending stays with you for quite a long while, even though closure has been provided to the events of the story.
It was wonderful to read about the bonding between the two brothers, even during adverse situations. And I loved the character of Paimon, Lucifer's daughter, who was kind of like a mother figure to Keegan. It was amusing to see the brothers adapt, being demons, to being humans. The feelings, the sensations, and also their brotherly camaraderie. It was rather fun to watch Aidan, an out-and-out demon, on an uncharted territory as an emotional human and also to see Keegan in action who knew some of the workings of the human world because he had been studying them. What was more interesting was the way demons got to know about humans, for which I would greatly appreciate the author's level of imagination and the way she crafted this unique story.
Aidan has a secret which no one knows about. It was something else, to read about the changes that gradually came over Aidan throughout the story. I enjoyed reading every bit of it. Aidan's interactions with the humans made him sound almost human and not a two-hundred-year-old soul-guzzling demon. Ha!
Same, boy, same! Haha. The story goes back and forth between the time they are spending on Earth as high school students in between completing their mission and their previous lives, the lives they have led since their conception. This story is a strong reminder of one of the most important human values, that of having a choice. I would definitely recommend this wonderful story of you love tales of fantasy involving heaven and hell.
Thank you to The Parliament House Press for an e-ARC of the book.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
The King of Fire, Adramelech, is finally ready to seize control from his master Lucifer. And in this sordid mission of his, he enlists the services of his true son Aidan Fire. But on the day of creation of his son some two hundred years ago in the Demon Realm, Keegan had also taken form. The twin brothers are as different as any two demons out there, one whose darkness dominates him while the other's light. But when Lucifer sets them a task in order to prove their mettle, it will be interesting to see who pulls through and who doesn't.
Review:
The story opens in the present day in the Demon Realm, where Adramelech's other son and Aidan's twin, Keegan, is spending his time studying humans with Paimon, his mother figure. But in their father's absence, Aidan doesn't resist and consumes all human souls. Now both the brothers have to face the wrath of their father and Lucifer where they're sent to the Earthly Realm. They have to prove they can work together to survive, and with their altered physiologies, they have their own set of missions to be carried out.
Narrated in the third person and a story roughly spanning a month, Sons of Fire is exactly what the title says. It is a story about how Aidan and Keegan, the sons of fire, face their lives as mortals (maybe not entirely so) and how their demonic life influences those choices. While my way of saying it may sound very cut and dried, it is the exact opposite. This is such an engaging read and the open ending stays with you for quite a long while, even though closure has been provided to the events of the story.
The offspring was a paradox of mental weakness and physical fortitude that had taken two hundred years to create and shape.
It was wonderful to read about the bonding between the two brothers, even during adverse situations. And I loved the character of Paimon, Lucifer's daughter, who was kind of like a mother figure to Keegan. It was amusing to see the brothers adapt, being demons, to being humans. The feelings, the sensations, and also their brotherly camaraderie. It was rather fun to watch Aidan, an out-and-out demon, on an uncharted territory as an emotional human and also to see Keegan in action who knew some of the workings of the human world because he had been studying them. What was more interesting was the way demons got to know about humans, for which I would greatly appreciate the author's level of imagination and the way she crafted this unique story.
Aidan has a secret which no one knows about. It was something else, to read about the changes that gradually came over Aidan throughout the story. I enjoyed reading every bit of it. Aidan's interactions with the humans made him sound almost human and not a two-hundred-year-old soul-guzzling demon. Ha!
It seemed a tough upkeep, being human. Took a long time each day, it seemed, for Aidan to make himself publicly presentable.
Same, boy, same! Haha. The story goes back and forth between the time they are spending on Earth as high school students in between completing their mission and their previous lives, the lives they have led since their conception. This story is a strong reminder of one of the most important human values, that of having a choice. I would definitely recommend this wonderful story of you love tales of fantasy involving heaven and hell.
Thank you to The Parliament House Press for an e-ARC of the book.
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
January 14, 2020
I enjoy an easy read with action, a little romance and characters you can find your readerish heart smiling for. Keegan and Aidan bring all of that to the pages of Sons of Fire with a brotherly dynamic that I adored. Their struggles to find themselves and grow as individuals was well written and made me connect with each brother individually. The typical high school hierarchy, stereotypes and boy meets girl are prevalent throughout the novel. In a way I was hoping for more demonic power and chaos but the majority of the book is acclamation into human life and strife between brothers.
The world building is minimal but it did not completely take away from my reading enjoyment. One of the more intriguing aspects I would've liked to have read more about was the power systems and demon hierarchy in Hell.
Lastly this book deals with many hidden issues that are great for readers of any age. Self-identity, abuse, stereotypes, body image, self acceptance, family issues, choosing right over wrong, the passion of being human and loneliness. One of my favorite parts is the references to Lord of the Flies throughout the novel and how apropos it is to today.
The world building is minimal but it did not completely take away from my reading enjoyment. One of the more intriguing aspects I would've liked to have read more about was the power systems and demon hierarchy in Hell.
Lastly this book deals with many hidden issues that are great for readers of any age. Self-identity, abuse, stereotypes, body image, self acceptance, family issues, choosing right over wrong, the passion of being human and loneliness. One of my favorite parts is the references to Lord of the Flies throughout the novel and how apropos it is to today.
November 28, 2019
“If glass could get stronger under a life of constant degradation, maybe he could too.”
I want to thank the parliament house press for the e-ARC of this book.
Keegan and Aidan are two demon brothers who could not be more different. In their creation something went wrong and Keegan received the ability to feel emotions, like humans.. like angels. Whereas Aidan was forced to follow his Father’s orders without thinking, without complaining.. the perfect weapon. One day they mess up with their father’s plan to acquire more power so he punishes them by sending them to earth to accomplish a mission: find a borderline soul and lure it into evil. The problem is that one of them still has the ability of a demon, whereas the other one is completely human. They’ll both get to know people who change their lives and make them understand truths they would have never realized otherwise.
Honestly, this book took me by surprise, in the sense that I really didn’t realized who the borderline soul was, but I think the choice of the author is really great and that it makes sense. I really loved how the two brother get to know each other in a completely new and supporting way. Family bonds are usually neglected in YA Fantasy, whereas in this book they are the focus. Keegan is a bit annoying, in the sense that he had a very difficult life and he has never been able to fit in so he complains a lot about that, whereas I really loved Aidan. All his life he has been told he was a weapon, that there was no good in him, that he had no choice.. the process that brings him to realize he can be different, that he can do good, that he counts, is very involving.
It’s also very interesting the way in which Lucifer is seen: it is always reminded that he is not only the master of demons, but that, before this, he was an angel. This means everyone has a choice, everyone can choose his/her fate and this is a very important message.
I want to thank the parliament house press for the e-ARC of this book.
Keegan and Aidan are two demon brothers who could not be more different. In their creation something went wrong and Keegan received the ability to feel emotions, like humans.. like angels. Whereas Aidan was forced to follow his Father’s orders without thinking, without complaining.. the perfect weapon. One day they mess up with their father’s plan to acquire more power so he punishes them by sending them to earth to accomplish a mission: find a borderline soul and lure it into evil. The problem is that one of them still has the ability of a demon, whereas the other one is completely human. They’ll both get to know people who change their lives and make them understand truths they would have never realized otherwise.
Honestly, this book took me by surprise, in the sense that I really didn’t realized who the borderline soul was, but I think the choice of the author is really great and that it makes sense. I really loved how the two brother get to know each other in a completely new and supporting way. Family bonds are usually neglected in YA Fantasy, whereas in this book they are the focus. Keegan is a bit annoying, in the sense that he had a very difficult life and he has never been able to fit in so he complains a lot about that, whereas I really loved Aidan. All his life he has been told he was a weapon, that there was no good in him, that he had no choice.. the process that brings him to realize he can be different, that he can do good, that he counts, is very involving.
It’s also very interesting the way in which Lucifer is seen: it is always reminded that he is not only the master of demons, but that, before this, he was an angel. This means everyone has a choice, everyone can choose his/her fate and this is a very important message.
November 1, 2019
An enjoyable quick read with a strong, self-contained story. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a nice change of pace between longer series or a good entry point for the urban fantasy genre. I enjoyed the characterization of the central characters, and I thought that both of the brothers had interesting viewpoints that were well developed.
I also enjoyed the unique take on the demon realm within the book. The story uses the dichotomy between the demon realm and the human world to establish several themes, such as stagnation v. change, addiction, and nature v. nurture, which are subtly threaded throughout the book. These concepts are reflected in the characters and the shifting balance of power between them, and help guide the larger narrative of the story.
Without getting into any spoilers, I also liked that the book avoided falling into some of the more common tropes of the young adult genre, and handled the characters' various romantic entanglements with a subtle hand. Overall it was a fun story that I definitely recommend.
I also enjoyed the unique take on the demon realm within the book. The story uses the dichotomy between the demon realm and the human world to establish several themes, such as stagnation v. change, addiction, and nature v. nurture, which are subtly threaded throughout the book. These concepts are reflected in the characters and the shifting balance of power between them, and help guide the larger narrative of the story.
Without getting into any spoilers, I also liked that the book avoided falling into some of the more common tropes of the young adult genre, and handled the characters' various romantic entanglements with a subtle hand. Overall it was a fun story that I definitely recommend.
December 11, 2019
This book is utterly engrossing! Sons of Fire reads like a YA version of Lucifer but with twin demonic brothers, a coming of age story like you've never seen, and a devil of a, well devil. The pacing is perfect, the cast is developed and compelling, and I can't wait to see what comes next from Tracy Auerbach.
January 16, 2020
See this review and others at
Whisper & Wonder
.
--
They do it because they're human; beautifully imperfect. And then they pick themselves up again and keep going.
Adramelech, Demon King of Fire, seeks the means to expand his influence within the underworld, and what better way to harness the limitless power of trapped souls than to design the perfect weapon, an heir. However, The Morningstar has other plans, and through a violent blast of Holy Fire, the Fire King's creation is fractured. The result: Aidan and Keegan Fire, princeling twins, who couldn't possibly be any more different from one another. The warrior and the scholar, vacant and passionate, obedient and free-willed. Centuries pass, and they live their predetermined lives, until one day…an act of defiance, a punishment, and an awakening. Can the brothers find common ground to prevent the end of all?
Sons of Fire by Tracy Auerbach is a unique and impactful story that really took me by surprise. I've seen this labelled as Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy, but I have to admit there are some very mature, serious themes throughout its pages, the most prominent being what it means to truly be human. That anyone is capable of anything, both good and evil, as long as the precursors are present and the reasoning is sound. We, as humankind, are flawed, are destined to make mistakes, are meant to hurt and fail, then use this fuel to learn and succeed. This story also highlights the bonds of family, and their strength to overcome adversity in the most profound of ways. I adore this tale, and I think it's one that everyone needs to consider.
This book contains a highly original and exceptionally told narrative that I devoured in two days. A weaving of past and present across multiple realms, it slowly and beautifully constructs and reveals the grand picture. Told through the eyes of both brothers to give readers access to all angles, it's important to remember that nothing is as it seems, and shadows of deceit lurk around every corner. Wonderfully paced without a lull in sight, and expressed with a simple, yet effective prose, the raw emotion seeping from the pages as a result of facing the unknown and personal transformation is just extraordinary.
Monsters don't cry.
Auerbach has created a great cast of complex and distinct characters, led by Aidan “Fire” and Keegan “Little Fire”; the former cursed to live as a human, and the latter doomed to live as a demon during their time on Earth. Their task abruptly drops them into a seaside town at the end of the summer months, and they're forced to adapt to “normal” high school life as “normal” teens. While it proves a challenge, they ultimately learn more about not only those they come to meet, but themselves and each other, as well. With a patchwork group of meddling demons, and a band of emotionally-charged teenagers, there's never a dull moment in the brothers' journey.
I feel I need to mention one of my favorite aspects of this book, which would be the juxtaposition between the demon and human realms. The dry, fiery, and charred lands of the underworld, with its obsidian walls and sky, monumental frozen lake, all so devoid of life as we understand it. In contrast, Earth is exceedingly busy, with bursts of color and smells and sounds; Aidan's and Keegan's journey is their revival, allowing them to finally feel alive for the very first time.
Sons of Fire is an incredible standalone story about the dangerous consequences of all-consuming power and the deep effects of unconditional love, of choice and growth and sacrifice, and of fighting your own demons to find your true self. Auerbach's vivid and imaginative storytelling is infused with just enough mystery and suspense to keep you guessing until the very end, making this a definite page-turner. If you're looking for a fantastical tale of circumstance and destiny, mixed in with a little bit of love and a little bit of fire and brimstone, then this is the one you want. I highly recommend.
Note: A huge thank you to Parliament House for a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and to Xpresso Book Tours for inviting me to participate in the Sons of Fire Book Blitz.
--
They do it because they're human; beautifully imperfect. And then they pick themselves up again and keep going.
Adramelech, Demon King of Fire, seeks the means to expand his influence within the underworld, and what better way to harness the limitless power of trapped souls than to design the perfect weapon, an heir. However, The Morningstar has other plans, and through a violent blast of Holy Fire, the Fire King's creation is fractured. The result: Aidan and Keegan Fire, princeling twins, who couldn't possibly be any more different from one another. The warrior and the scholar, vacant and passionate, obedient and free-willed. Centuries pass, and they live their predetermined lives, until one day…an act of defiance, a punishment, and an awakening. Can the brothers find common ground to prevent the end of all?
Sons of Fire by Tracy Auerbach is a unique and impactful story that really took me by surprise. I've seen this labelled as Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy, but I have to admit there are some very mature, serious themes throughout its pages, the most prominent being what it means to truly be human. That anyone is capable of anything, both good and evil, as long as the precursors are present and the reasoning is sound. We, as humankind, are flawed, are destined to make mistakes, are meant to hurt and fail, then use this fuel to learn and succeed. This story also highlights the bonds of family, and their strength to overcome adversity in the most profound of ways. I adore this tale, and I think it's one that everyone needs to consider.
This book contains a highly original and exceptionally told narrative that I devoured in two days. A weaving of past and present across multiple realms, it slowly and beautifully constructs and reveals the grand picture. Told through the eyes of both brothers to give readers access to all angles, it's important to remember that nothing is as it seems, and shadows of deceit lurk around every corner. Wonderfully paced without a lull in sight, and expressed with a simple, yet effective prose, the raw emotion seeping from the pages as a result of facing the unknown and personal transformation is just extraordinary.
Monsters don't cry.
Auerbach has created a great cast of complex and distinct characters, led by Aidan “Fire” and Keegan “Little Fire”; the former cursed to live as a human, and the latter doomed to live as a demon during their time on Earth. Their task abruptly drops them into a seaside town at the end of the summer months, and they're forced to adapt to “normal” high school life as “normal” teens. While it proves a challenge, they ultimately learn more about not only those they come to meet, but themselves and each other, as well. With a patchwork group of meddling demons, and a band of emotionally-charged teenagers, there's never a dull moment in the brothers' journey.
I feel I need to mention one of my favorite aspects of this book, which would be the juxtaposition between the demon and human realms. The dry, fiery, and charred lands of the underworld, with its obsidian walls and sky, monumental frozen lake, all so devoid of life as we understand it. In contrast, Earth is exceedingly busy, with bursts of color and smells and sounds; Aidan's and Keegan's journey is their revival, allowing them to finally feel alive for the very first time.
Sons of Fire is an incredible standalone story about the dangerous consequences of all-consuming power and the deep effects of unconditional love, of choice and growth and sacrifice, and of fighting your own demons to find your true self. Auerbach's vivid and imaginative storytelling is infused with just enough mystery and suspense to keep you guessing until the very end, making this a definite page-turner. If you're looking for a fantastical tale of circumstance and destiny, mixed in with a little bit of love and a little bit of fire and brimstone, then this is the one you want. I highly recommend.
Note: A huge thank you to Parliament House for a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and to Xpresso Book Tours for inviting me to participate in the Sons of Fire Book Blitz.
January 12, 2020
This book was provided as an e-arc by NetGalley
I was confused at the beginning especially from the names of the places and the people but that didn't last long.
The story was good. It is 3.5 stars cause it was a bit slow for my taste.I wasn't enjoying some parts but with the second half, I started to love the story because of the characters' growth. I loved the bond between the brothers. It was very well hidden and it was beautiful to see unfold.
Small things that I loved:
-The lollipop
-Aidan thinking that his stomach will stick out permanently
-The little stuff they saw in humans
-The 2 instances of "Monsters don't cry" ❤
The moments before the end were surprising
I was confused at the beginning especially from the names of the places and the people but that didn't last long.
The story was good. It is 3.5 stars cause it was a bit slow for my taste.I wasn't enjoying some parts but with the second half, I started to love the story because of the characters' growth. I loved the bond between the brothers. It was very well hidden and it was beautiful to see unfold.
Small things that I loved:
-The lollipop
-Aidan thinking that his stomach will stick out permanently
-The little stuff they saw in humans
-The 2 instances of "Monsters don't cry" ❤
The moments before the end were surprising
January 22, 2020
*I received this book free for my honest opinion*
This book was..... different. Honestly I'm not really sure how I feel about it. It definitely didn't pull me in like some of the books I've read recently, and took far longer to finish then it should have.
There isnt much action, very little romance, and it's a very clean read. It does get you thinking a little about humanity, and the outcomes of how ones environment can lead a person one way or the other in the battle of good and evil though. There just wasnt a whole lot else to keep me invested.
This book was..... different. Honestly I'm not really sure how I feel about it. It definitely didn't pull me in like some of the books I've read recently, and took far longer to finish then it should have.
There isnt much action, very little romance, and it's a very clean read. It does get you thinking a little about humanity, and the outcomes of how ones environment can lead a person one way or the other in the battle of good and evil though. There just wasnt a whole lot else to keep me invested.
January 14, 2020
I would like to thank Tracy Auerbach and Xpresso Book Tours for my copy of the ARC. Due to this kind gesture, I have decided to leave an honest review.
When the Demon King of Fire Adramelech decides its finally time to make an heir, what happens when it does not go to plan? When a higher being intervenes and he ends up with twins? One strong and controllable, the other smart but seen as a lesser demon, our Fire King is not best pleased. Can Adramelech carry on with his plans or will one just break all the rules?
Did I hate the story? No, I thought it had a great concept hitting on issues that we see a lot among not only young people but any age struggle with. Identification, body issues, family, life changes, but still I didn't fully fall in love with the story. At parts, it fell flat for me where I just wanted to skim read an move onto the next chapter.
I just don't see how two extremely important demons just slipped into Earth but did not cause any real commotion? Fit into their new roles nicely? Yes, there were struggles but I don't know it just felt very meh. I would have loved to have seen some hilarious, out of control behaviour at first but unfortunately, it just ran with two teenage boys.
At first, you think Keegan's character is going to be the star - the one who loves humans, who spent all his time learning about them but really you only actually see Aidan's character develop and grow. I felt Keegan's character just simply got lost and our story was concentrating mainly on one character development.
I did read the book in one sitting, it was quick and enjoyable. I do believe maybe it leans to a more younger YA audience and the story starts off very unique.
3 stars!
https://mandyizzym.tumblr.com
"I hate to leave you, but per Aidan's request, Tiny Fire, I was only allowed to see you once, bearing you safely back to Earth. I will miss you forever."
When the Demon King of Fire Adramelech decides its finally time to make an heir, what happens when it does not go to plan? When a higher being intervenes and he ends up with twins? One strong and controllable, the other smart but seen as a lesser demon, our Fire King is not best pleased. Can Adramelech carry on with his plans or will one just break all the rules?
Did I hate the story? No, I thought it had a great concept hitting on issues that we see a lot among not only young people but any age struggle with. Identification, body issues, family, life changes, but still I didn't fully fall in love with the story. At parts, it fell flat for me where I just wanted to skim read an move onto the next chapter.
I just don't see how two extremely important demons just slipped into Earth but did not cause any real commotion? Fit into their new roles nicely? Yes, there were struggles but I don't know it just felt very meh. I would have loved to have seen some hilarious, out of control behaviour at first but unfortunately, it just ran with two teenage boys.
At first, you think Keegan's character is going to be the star - the one who loves humans, who spent all his time learning about them but really you only actually see Aidan's character develop and grow. I felt Keegan's character just simply got lost and our story was concentrating mainly on one character development.
I did read the book in one sitting, it was quick and enjoyable. I do believe maybe it leans to a more younger YA audience and the story starts off very unique.
3 stars!
https://mandyizzym.tumblr.com
"I hate to leave you, but per Aidan's request, Tiny Fire, I was only allowed to see you once, bearing you safely back to Earth. I will miss you forever."
January 14, 2020
I had high hopes for this book. After reading the synopsis, I added it to my Want To Read and have been waiting for this to become available. This morning I wake up to Goodreads telling me the day had finally arrived! Opened my kindle, bought it, and sat down to enjoy a good story.
WTF?
I'd honestly love to know what the other reviewers were smoking, because this book is awful. DNF'd at 6%. Frankly, I'm still laughing about naming one of the MCs Aidan Fire. Fire Fire. Like the wolf named Moon Moon. I just... nope. Can't do it.
WTF?
I'd honestly love to know what the other reviewers were smoking, because this book is awful. DNF'd at 6%. Frankly, I'm still laughing about naming one of the MCs Aidan Fire. Fire Fire. Like the wolf named Moon Moon. I just... nope. Can't do it.
December 25, 2019
A debut young adult coming of age fantasy, this reads as an adventure story with a lot of heart. Two sons of a demon are banished to Earth to complete a quest together with everything to gain and everything to lose. The stakes are high in this one, but you can't assume you know who the "good" or the "bad" is in either the twin brothers or the secondary cast. Speaking of the secondary cast, I enjoyed the demons who made "guest appearances" to offer a multi-dimensional view of the brothers' world as well as the other students from their high school. Well written and fast paced, this is a winner in the YA world.
January 21, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I had put myself on a schedule to read a few chapters at a time. Yeah, that didn't work. I DEVOURED this awesome book! I loved following these two demon brothers. And the writing is just excellent!!❤❤❤ I highly recommend.😊
December 30, 2022
We meet two brothers...Keegan and Aidan.
Keegan is the black sheep of the two. He is the one with the good heart and everyone knows it. His father could care less for him however. Aidan on the other hand is daddy's prized son and why? He's just as evil and power hungry as his father....completely heartless as well.
The two have been asked to do a task that they both failed horribly at and are forced to go to the real world and work together, but that becomes a problem. One still has demon tendencies within himself and the other has human. This is great in a way because they both start to realize things about themselves. Even Aidan realizes there's more to himself than being evil and terrorizing people.
This book was so amazing and very well written. It kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting more. Kudos to Auerbach for creating a masterpieces that kept me on my toes.
Thank you to the Parliament House for providing me with a copy in a exchange for an honest review.
Keegan is the black sheep of the two. He is the one with the good heart and everyone knows it. His father could care less for him however. Aidan on the other hand is daddy's prized son and why? He's just as evil and power hungry as his father....completely heartless as well.
The two have been asked to do a task that they both failed horribly at and are forced to go to the real world and work together, but that becomes a problem. One still has demon tendencies within himself and the other has human. This is great in a way because they both start to realize things about themselves. Even Aidan realizes there's more to himself than being evil and terrorizing people.
This book was so amazing and very well written. It kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting more. Kudos to Auerbach for creating a masterpieces that kept me on my toes.
Thank you to the Parliament House for providing me with a copy in a exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2020
Imagine keeping to the shadows for your entire life, watching a powerful demon king groom the heir to his bloodstained and charred throne…who also happens to be your brother. A story of family, royalty, duty, and survival, Sons of Fire by Tracy Auerbach is a thrilling YA adventure read that combines reality and fantasy in unexpected ways.
While the plot’s premise is one we’ve read before, the devil is in the details. Two brothers, one favored (Aidan, the Prince of Fire) and one just trying to stay out of an imposing and calculating father’s way (Keegan), get a crash course in cooperation when they’re forced to team up and keep their dad (the Demon King of Fire) happy – or else. Because here’s the first kicker; their assignment sends the teens out of the fire of the Demon Realm and right into a churning mess of teen angst and animosity in Long Island. And should they fail to secure their Master’s sudden interests on Earth? An eternity spent floating around the abyss. Succeed, and one of the brothers gets a favor from dear old Dad.
But for Keegan, this is just where the trouble begins. One of Auerbach’s greatest strengths as a writer, in my opinion, is in being able to draw a stark contrast between her two main characters without resorting to overt, obvious language. She doesn’t have to – everything about Keegan’s misgivings regarding Aidan’s ability to dig up some human emotion, his soft spot for the human race, his perception of his demonic urges, and even his approach to romance tell us all we need to know about how different he is from his harsher family members. For as formidable as he is by nature, Keegan also exposes a sense of vulnerability that we might expect from a human teenager, if not the spawn of a demon king sent to do recon on the world we know.
With an honest, straightforward writing style, Auerbach drives home the challenges both brothers face – Keegan’s disconnect with his family and literally hellish environment, Aidan’s blind acceptance and willingness to follow his father’s marching orders to the letter. In a way, it’s her most effective means of establishing a real-world connection between her readers and her otherworldly characters. Her insights into Keegan’s brain, featuring the thoughts and raw responses of both a demon and a human boy, are like outlets through which readers will be able to find ways to relate to this character and see him as a unique and utterly alien creature.
The pressure may be on for Aidan and Keegan, but readers who want a touch of the magical in a commonplace setting, complete with family dynamics, adventure, and romance to boot, will find Sons of Fire to be a read that’s so easily digested, they’ll find themselves at the end of the book before they even know it.
While the plot’s premise is one we’ve read before, the devil is in the details. Two brothers, one favored (Aidan, the Prince of Fire) and one just trying to stay out of an imposing and calculating father’s way (Keegan), get a crash course in cooperation when they’re forced to team up and keep their dad (the Demon King of Fire) happy – or else. Because here’s the first kicker; their assignment sends the teens out of the fire of the Demon Realm and right into a churning mess of teen angst and animosity in Long Island. And should they fail to secure their Master’s sudden interests on Earth? An eternity spent floating around the abyss. Succeed, and one of the brothers gets a favor from dear old Dad.
But for Keegan, this is just where the trouble begins. One of Auerbach’s greatest strengths as a writer, in my opinion, is in being able to draw a stark contrast between her two main characters without resorting to overt, obvious language. She doesn’t have to – everything about Keegan’s misgivings regarding Aidan’s ability to dig up some human emotion, his soft spot for the human race, his perception of his demonic urges, and even his approach to romance tell us all we need to know about how different he is from his harsher family members. For as formidable as he is by nature, Keegan also exposes a sense of vulnerability that we might expect from a human teenager, if not the spawn of a demon king sent to do recon on the world we know.
With an honest, straightforward writing style, Auerbach drives home the challenges both brothers face – Keegan’s disconnect with his family and literally hellish environment, Aidan’s blind acceptance and willingness to follow his father’s marching orders to the letter. In a way, it’s her most effective means of establishing a real-world connection between her readers and her otherworldly characters. Her insights into Keegan’s brain, featuring the thoughts and raw responses of both a demon and a human boy, are like outlets through which readers will be able to find ways to relate to this character and see him as a unique and utterly alien creature.
The pressure may be on for Aidan and Keegan, but readers who want a touch of the magical in a commonplace setting, complete with family dynamics, adventure, and romance to boot, will find Sons of Fire to be a read that’s so easily digested, they’ll find themselves at the end of the book before they even know it.
January 16, 2020
This book was received as an ARC from Tracy Auerbach in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This was such a nice cup of tea to read. This had the trifecta of a great book, Drama, Action and Conflict. Keegan was casted as the son of the King of the Demon Fire but the reincarnation went wrong and there is Keegan. Along with his brother Aidan the true heir to the throne, Keegan and Aidan are bound to complete tasks for their father but when one training goes ary, they both get transported to earth and are set to adjust to human form. They are given a task to return to the demon realm but they must hide and adapt themselves and protect themselves from something called Human Emotions. All while working together to get home they can't help but wonder if their father transported them intentionally? What was his plan all along and the fate of the demon world and earth rests in their hands. I felt like I was in a sci-fi/fantasy action movie that I did not want to end and I know our teen book club will go crazy for this and will be talking about it for a long time.
We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
This was such a nice cup of tea to read. This had the trifecta of a great book, Drama, Action and Conflict. Keegan was casted as the son of the King of the Demon Fire but the reincarnation went wrong and there is Keegan. Along with his brother Aidan the true heir to the throne, Keegan and Aidan are bound to complete tasks for their father but when one training goes ary, they both get transported to earth and are set to adjust to human form. They are given a task to return to the demon realm but they must hide and adapt themselves and protect themselves from something called Human Emotions. All while working together to get home they can't help but wonder if their father transported them intentionally? What was his plan all along and the fate of the demon world and earth rests in their hands. I felt like I was in a sci-fi/fantasy action movie that I did not want to end and I know our teen book club will go crazy for this and will be talking about it for a long time.
We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
December 20, 2019
Twin brothers Keegan and Aidan couldn't be more different. For one, they aren't human, but that doesn't mean that Keegan doesn't feel things like a human. He's been tasked in life with one goal, control his brother Aidan. Aidan is tasked with growing stronger, consuming souls for one purpose set forth by their father. Until unwatched for mere moments, Aidan consumes too much, and the brothers are cast out on a mission, their only goal is to succeed if they want to live.
This book was such a pleasant surprise. I found gentle Keegan endearing, his quest to understand humanity made him more human than a lot of humans out there. I pitied Aidan who seemed aloof and uncaring at first. I was very pleased that this book did not end on a cliffhanger, as so many books are falling prey to these days (and while I understand it's justified because of the genre, not everyone wants to read a series). But...I do believe Auerbach could easily turn this into a series as I'm not quite ready to let these brothers go. This was well-written, with excellent characters; a truly fun and engrossing read.
This book was such a pleasant surprise. I found gentle Keegan endearing, his quest to understand humanity made him more human than a lot of humans out there. I pitied Aidan who seemed aloof and uncaring at first. I was very pleased that this book did not end on a cliffhanger, as so many books are falling prey to these days (and while I understand it's justified because of the genre, not everyone wants to read a series). But...I do believe Auerbach could easily turn this into a series as I'm not quite ready to let these brothers go. This was well-written, with excellent characters; a truly fun and engrossing read.
September 19, 2020
This was a weird one. Coming off the back of The Sin Soldiers I was so damn excited but unfortunately this one missed the mark a little.
So ill keep this one short. I loved the premise of it - two demons have been sent to earth to make up for a mistake one of them made. Aidan, heir (kind of) to the kingdom of Hell is made human, while his lesser demon brother with a soul Keegan gets to stay in his demonic form. It started out well with the brothers being on a quest to find and tip a 'borderline soul' over the edge to evil. While its a tale that should have pulled at the heart strings, I kind of found myself feeling nothing for anyone but Paimon.
I also felt it took so. Damn. Long. To get anywhere. I get charcter building and sibling rivalry but it felt like all that truly happened for most of it was people eating and refusing to talk to their female crush 🤔.
Overall, while it wasnt the best thing I have read all year, it was an adequate way to spend an evening. And the ending is really sweet so it kind of redeemed itself.
So ill keep this one short. I loved the premise of it - two demons have been sent to earth to make up for a mistake one of them made. Aidan, heir (kind of) to the kingdom of Hell is made human, while his lesser demon brother with a soul Keegan gets to stay in his demonic form. It started out well with the brothers being on a quest to find and tip a 'borderline soul' over the edge to evil. While its a tale that should have pulled at the heart strings, I kind of found myself feeling nothing for anyone but Paimon.
I also felt it took so. Damn. Long. To get anywhere. I get charcter building and sibling rivalry but it felt like all that truly happened for most of it was people eating and refusing to talk to their female crush 🤔.
Overall, while it wasnt the best thing I have read all year, it was an adequate way to spend an evening. And the ending is really sweet so it kind of redeemed itself.
January 15, 2020
First off, I would like to thank Parliament House press for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This is definitely a enjoyable quick read for anyone who enjoys the supernatural. It focuses on two demon brothers, Keegan and Aiden, sons of the King of Fire in Hell, both sent to earth to complete a task. As the brothers learn to adapt to the human life, they both want more then to follow their father’s rule. There’s many twist and turns! The characters are well developed, the world building of Hell is very descriptive. I very much appreciate that the story focuses more on the bond between two brothers and the relationship between their father. I highly recommend!
This is definitely a enjoyable quick read for anyone who enjoys the supernatural. It focuses on two demon brothers, Keegan and Aiden, sons of the King of Fire in Hell, both sent to earth to complete a task. As the brothers learn to adapt to the human life, they both want more then to follow their father’s rule. There’s many twist and turns! The characters are well developed, the world building of Hell is very descriptive. I very much appreciate that the story focuses more on the bond between two brothers and the relationship between their father. I highly recommend!
February 4, 2020
Makes You Care About Young Demons
This book delivers an engaging story about two young demon brothers as promised. I enjoyed experiencing their lives both in Hell and high school. I especially liked how Aidan handled his limitations and negative situations in school. The brothers eventually triumph.
This is a good book for young readers with a single exception. The ending felt false to me. We humans like to think we could, but no one can really defeat the devil on his terms. That’s the whole point of evil. Some of the demons were too good and that’s not realistic even for younger readers.
This book delivers an engaging story about two young demon brothers as promised. I enjoyed experiencing their lives both in Hell and high school. I especially liked how Aidan handled his limitations and negative situations in school. The brothers eventually triumph.
This is a good book for young readers with a single exception. The ending felt false to me. We humans like to think we could, but no one can really defeat the devil on his terms. That’s the whole point of evil. Some of the demons were too good and that’s not realistic even for younger readers.
January 13, 2020
For the most part, I did like this book. It was interesting to see Keegan and Aidan adapt to human life after a mistake down in Hell. The two brothers definitely saved the book for me, as it was really the only thing that kept me reading. I enjoyed their differing personalities, and seeing them adjusting and then taking a newfound appreciation of their situation was fun. The overall story though, such as the task and then the ending, just didn't do enough for me. It was alright, but it could've used more finessing as I didn't really care about the story.
January 13, 2020
I really liked this book but there were some issues I couldn't look over. Let's start with what I liked then we can move on to what I didn't like.
Likes:
-Brother Dynamic
-The Character development
-The different lores
Dislikes:
-Fat Shaming
-The school experience
-The Father and how he handled his sons
Basically this is a good book if you want to read about some family struggles. I liked how the brothers switched places and they both had to learn to adjust. I would read this book again, I just don't think I will be spending money to reread it.
Likes:
-Brother Dynamic
-The Character development
-The different lores
Dislikes:
-Fat Shaming
-The school experience
-The Father and how he handled his sons
Basically this is a good book if you want to read about some family struggles. I liked how the brothers switched places and they both had to learn to adjust. I would read this book again, I just don't think I will be spending money to reread it.
January 21, 2020
Two demon brothers, Keegan and Aidan are different as night & day. Which makes this resd so interesting.
One raised to be a heir while one is ignored.
When an event causes them to be cast on earth they must work together to save themselves.
As they navigate thru their quest things slowly turn out to not what seem
Lucifer meets riverdale this is a fantastic read, fast paced and entertaining from the very 1st chapter.
One raised to be a heir while one is ignored.
When an event causes them to be cast on earth they must work together to save themselves.
As they navigate thru their quest things slowly turn out to not what seem
Lucifer meets riverdale this is a fantastic read, fast paced and entertaining from the very 1st chapter.
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