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Sea and Stars #2
Heart of Silver Flame
The Desert Sands seeks a weapon—a weapon the Moon sealed away long ago.
Six months have passed, and Tallora’s nightmares are haunted by memories of Solvira and the woman she loves—Empress Dauriel Solviraes, seated on a throne a thousand miles away. But war waits on the horizon, and when rumors of her kingdom’s coalition with Moratham surface, Tallora fears her small kingdom will be destroyed between the two warring empires. With the help of new friends—a merfolk prince and a mysterious sea witch—Tallora must return to Solvira in order to stop the rising tides of war.
From the author of FALLEN GODS comes a story of duty and betrayal—and a love that transcends the bounds of land and sea.
Six months have passed, and Tallora’s nightmares are haunted by memories of Solvira and the woman she loves—Empress Dauriel Solviraes, seated on a throne a thousand miles away. But war waits on the horizon, and when rumors of her kingdom’s coalition with Moratham surface, Tallora fears her small kingdom will be destroyed between the two warring empires. With the help of new friends—a merfolk prince and a mysterious sea witch—Tallora must return to Solvira in order to stop the rising tides of war.
From the author of FALLEN GODS comes a story of duty and betrayal—and a love that transcends the bounds of land and sea.
217 pages, Paperback
First published May 29, 2020
101 people are currently reading
1852 people want to read
About the author
S.D. Simper
22 books879 followersSD Simper is a bestselling horror author, award-winner of fantasy romance, and understands that the true secret to writing great villains is living with cats. She and her wife share a home with four cats, a Great Dane, and innumerable bookshelves.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
March 17, 2021
4.5⭐️ – I loved The Fate of Stars but Heart of Silver Flame blew my mind. I didn’t expect the ending and I’m a bit mad at the author right now for playing with my emotions so much. I know, that’s why I read, but still, it hurts right now. I need to listen to the third book asap.
Heart of Silver Flame begins six months after the end of The Fate of Stars. Tallora is trudging through her life, working at her mother’s shop and mourning. In her ocean home, people now call her The Great Survivor but won’t listen when she says Dauriel isn’t as bad as they believe and that Solvira is changing with its new ruler. The only person who believes her and the only one she feels truly comfortable with is Prince Calvin. When war seems imminent, Cal convinces Tallora to travel with him to Solvira to try and talk to Dauriel.
There are so many layers to this story. The reunion between Tallora and Dauriel was everything I was hoping for, funny, sexy, heart-wrenching. Six months apart have done nothing to diminish the chemistry between Dauriel and Tallora. As soon as they meet again, the heat is on. And while in the first book Tallora got to experience sex in a human body, it’s Dauriel’s turn now to find out about another species
Tallora’s friendship with the prince is sweet and I was happy that she had such a good friend by her side. There’s also a lot of intrigue and happenings behind closed doors that will break Tallora’s – and the reader/listener’s – heart. Both main characters are faced with impossible choices, honour and duty vs. love, while powerful forces play in the background. It’s hard to say more without spoiling, besides mentioning that new and old secondary characters add mystery and conflict and a fair amount of wondering who can be trusted and who should not be, what is betrayal, what is treason, and what is the right thing to do.
Lois Ridge’s narration is just as good in this audiobook as it was in the first one. There are more characters and therefore more voices added to the ones that have become familiar, and they all fit the characters well.
Heart of Silver Flame isn’t a standalone, you’ll need to read or listen to The Fate of Stars first and you’ll definitely want to move on immediately to the third book in the series, which, fortunately, is already out both in book and audiobook forms.
Heart of Silver Flame begins six months after the end of The Fate of Stars. Tallora is trudging through her life, working at her mother’s shop and mourning. In her ocean home, people now call her The Great Survivor but won’t listen when she says Dauriel isn’t as bad as they believe and that Solvira is changing with its new ruler. The only person who believes her and the only one she feels truly comfortable with is Prince Calvin. When war seems imminent, Cal convinces Tallora to travel with him to Solvira to try and talk to Dauriel.
There are so many layers to this story. The reunion between Tallora and Dauriel was everything I was hoping for, funny, sexy, heart-wrenching. Six months apart have done nothing to diminish the chemistry between Dauriel and Tallora. As soon as they meet again, the heat is on. And while in the first book Tallora got to experience sex in a human body, it’s Dauriel’s turn now to find out about another species
Tallora’s friendship with the prince is sweet and I was happy that she had such a good friend by her side. There’s also a lot of intrigue and happenings behind closed doors that will break Tallora’s – and the reader/listener’s – heart. Both main characters are faced with impossible choices, honour and duty vs. love, while powerful forces play in the background. It’s hard to say more without spoiling, besides mentioning that new and old secondary characters add mystery and conflict and a fair amount of wondering who can be trusted and who should not be, what is betrayal, what is treason, and what is the right thing to do.
Lois Ridge’s narration is just as good in this audiobook as it was in the first one. There are more characters and therefore more voices added to the ones that have become familiar, and they all fit the characters well.
Heart of Silver Flame isn’t a standalone, you’ll need to read or listen to The Fate of Stars first and you’ll definitely want to move on immediately to the third book in the series, which, fortunately, is already out both in book and audiobook forms.
March 22, 2021
4.25 stars. I’m hooked to this series. Where the first book mainly focused on the romance between Tallora and Dauriel, the theme of this book is broader, focusing on the political situation of warring countries, destiny and ambition and how to fit a life together in all this. Will their circumstances allow it? Will they still have a world to live in?
The romance between Tallora and Dauriel seems to be doomed from the start and in this book it is still not looking much better. A large part of the book they are separated and ow the longing…. But that’s not all, because of the conflicts between their countries/worlds/planes (I don’t know what the correct terms are) they have to deal with constant deceit and betrayal, and the emotions, the pain Tallora feels, it’s just not good for your heart. I haven’t mentioned it yet but the book is written in the third person from the POV of Tallora, so it’s mostly her feelings you feel and it was almost like I was reading a book in the first person, the connection with Tallora is that good.
This book does have a ‘middle book’ feeling, expanding the story from book 1 and building towards something big that will happen in book 3, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t keep my attention and the ending…. I need some more pages to see if I can possibly recover! I am going to keep on reading now. Recommend!
The romance between Tallora and Dauriel seems to be doomed from the start and in this book it is still not looking much better. A large part of the book they are separated and ow the longing…. But that’s not all, because of the conflicts between their countries/worlds/planes (I don’t know what the correct terms are) they have to deal with constant deceit and betrayal, and the emotions, the pain Tallora feels, it’s just not good for your heart. I haven’t mentioned it yet but the book is written in the third person from the POV of Tallora, so it’s mostly her feelings you feel and it was almost like I was reading a book in the first person, the connection with Tallora is that good.
This book does have a ‘middle book’ feeling, expanding the story from book 1 and building towards something big that will happen in book 3, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t keep my attention and the ending…. I need some more pages to see if I can possibly recover! I am going to keep on reading now. Recommend!
July 31, 2021
“I don’t want to know how short our time is. I only want to love you for all of it.”
Hey Dauriel, do you mind turning on your location super quick? I wanna talk.
This is a sequel so I won't say much, but I did enjoy this a lot! It felt a bit slow, almost like a filler book between the action, but nevertheless, it was still super enjoyable because of the character interaction and development, and the romance remains super strong and really swoony. When things finally ramp up, they ramp up hard. Some decisions were made that like, I understand, I guess, but oh man. It'll be exciting and harrowing to see where things go! I don't always enjoy angst, but I think this'll be delicious.
My favourite part of this was the middle-ish. I loved hearing Dauriel talk more about her sexuality, and her vulnerabilities, or more accurately, her unwillingness to be vulnerable. It's still so surprising and sweet to get such good, thoughtful stone butch rep. I love their communication, and how open and understanding and loving Tallora is. Also there's a scene with lap-sitting which was uh. Really good. 🔥
I had the same problems with the writing and not being able to totally get into it. I hesitate to talk about it like a flaw, because it really is just a pet peeve of mine. Like... simultaneously a bit too flowery and a bit too passive, if that makes sense. Idk. I'm getting really tired of the word 'held' also.
But it didn't stop me from enjoying the book! On to the next.
May 12, 2025
I liked this novel, certainly more than the first one. This was well written, and the story hooked me and kept me reading. Once again, the worldbuilding was extensive and well done.
I think that, unfortunately, some parts of this novel didn’t quite hit in the right way for me and that this is one of the rare situations where my personal opinion of the novel is probably lower than I think it deserves objectively. I didn’t like some of the character choices (or thought they were unrealistic or dumb) and I didn’t like…. well a few things but I can’t go into it without extensive spoilers. I think objectively this novel deserves 4-stars, even if personally I would rate it lower, so 4-stars it gets. I am invested in the story and will be reading book 3, so that also says something about the novel’s quality.
This is definitely a “book 2 of a trilogy” type of novel, so it is hard to judge it on its own. If you know what I mean, then you know what I mean.
I think that, unfortunately, some parts of this novel didn’t quite hit in the right way for me and that this is one of the rare situations where my personal opinion of the novel is probably lower than I think it deserves objectively. I didn’t like some of the character choices (or thought they were unrealistic or dumb) and I didn’t like…. well a few things but I can’t go into it without extensive spoilers. I think objectively this novel deserves 4-stars, even if personally I would rate it lower, so 4-stars it gets. I am invested in the story and will be reading book 3, so that also says something about the novel’s quality.
This is definitely a “book 2 of a trilogy” type of novel, so it is hard to judge it on its own. If you know what I mean, then you know what I mean.
October 26, 2024
3.5⭐️ I have mixed feelings about Book 2! I appreciated how it further developed the world and in particular the back stories that are driving the political turmoil that Tallora and Dauriel are embroiled in. Cal was a lovely character addition - charming, endearing and loveable. However, Tallora and Dauriel’s relationship really took a back seat, and the two characters had limited time together in the pages, making it a little difficult to stay invested in their relationship. But just like Book 1, I will be embarking on Book 3 - how can I not, with that ending!
June 9, 2020
Full review forthcoming, but I wanted to offer some release day hype for my favorite author, S.D. Simper!
Heart of Silver Flame is the continuation of the Sea & Stars trilogy and oh man does this one pack a punch. Sometimes the second book in a trilogy suffers from middle child syndrome, but not this one! I'll forever be mad about the cliffhanger ending, but I trust Simper to bring it all back together and finish us up with a happily ever after in Death's Abyss - however painful the journey to HEA might be 😂
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Heart of Silver Flame is the continuation of the Sea & Stars trilogy and oh man does this one pack a punch. Sometimes the second book in a trilogy suffers from middle child syndrome, but not this one! I'll forever be mad about the cliffhanger ending, but I trust Simper to bring it all back together and finish us up with a happily ever after in Death's Abyss - however painful the journey to HEA might be 😂
Let's be friends!
Bookstagram | Book Blog | Twitter
July 11, 2021
I read halfway through it. Stopped at the fish sex. No judgement but I’m just not into that, don’t fist a mermaids fishy half, DONT FIST FISH, is the moral of this story.
How can I make fun of hets and their wolf porn now? ;-;
The rest of it was ok and pretty funny too.
How can I make fun of hets and their wolf porn now? ;-;
The rest of it was ok and pretty funny too.
June 2, 2025
5 Stars
SD Simper’s stories remain unparalleled. The twist in Heart of Silver Flame left me gasping. The author’s ability to leave readers feeling betrayed and bereft beyond repair and then in the same breath have a totally understandable reason for said betrayal. I’m just… I am so full of feelings right now but I don’t know which one to entertain. And there’s one more book left and my cortisol levels are spiralling.
SD Simper’s stories remain unparalleled. The twist in Heart of Silver Flame left me gasping. The author’s ability to leave readers feeling betrayed and bereft beyond repair and then in the same breath have a totally understandable reason for said betrayal. I’m just… I am so full of feelings right now but I don’t know which one to entertain. And there’s one more book left and my cortisol levels are spiralling.
June 1, 2020
I will continue the series - hated the ending of this book
I hated the ending of this book and I will continue the trilogy because I want to find out what happens,
Spoilers:
but this mermaid has been cruelly used and abused by her love twice now and I find it very hard to forgive this second betrayal.
The empress has an empty heart and has betrayed who she claims to love over and over again.
The mermaid has been betrayed on all sides: her mother, her people, and her lover have all betrayed her.
Ultimately I will read the next book, but I just feel sad on what could have been a great love instead it seems to have washed away upon the ocean shores.
I hated the ending of this book and I will continue the trilogy because I want to find out what happens,
Spoilers:
but this mermaid has been cruelly used and abused by her love twice now and I find it very hard to forgive this second betrayal.
The empress has an empty heart and has betrayed who she claims to love over and over again.
The mermaid has been betrayed on all sides: her mother, her people, and her lover have all betrayed her.
Ultimately I will read the next book, but I just feel sad on what could have been a great love instead it seems to have washed away upon the ocean shores.
August 8, 2021
AAAAHHHHHH! Cliffhanger from hell. Have book 3 at the ready.
March 31, 2021
Oh my heart!!! My emotions are all over the place with book two of the trilogy! Im totally addicted now and currently diving into the third and final book of the trilogy Death’s Abyss. The separation between Tallora and Dauriel is hard. The heartache Tallora feels. I’m so happy she found a friend in Prince Kal and extremely happy she never allowed for more like Kal hoped for. Dauriel is her heart. It’s hard to see the way the other merfolk treat Tallora and the things they say about Dauriel. Kal is the only one who believes Tallora. When they find Harbringer captive and tortured and then learn of Kal’s father involvement. The king is working with Amulon and the speaker of Moratham to free Yu’Khrall. Kal and Tallora seak the Harbringer to get a message to the Solviran Empress, but what she delivers is a spell to give them legs but only for a day. Tallora and Dauriel’s return was so beautiful. The day they get to spend together is so bittersweet but before it ends and offer of marriage and a way to see one another is offered. Things are looking so good. I’m floating on a cloud with Tallora. Dauriel sets up a meeting to clear the air between the three kingdoms. You can feel the acceptance in Tallora she is ready to leave her home and become the wife of Empress Dauriel even with her mother’s disapproval and then all is shattered by Dauriel’s betrayal. Goddess my heart hurt so much when they spoke on the beach. Dauriel pleading her side. She’s a little right and a lot wrong and it breaks my heart. Tallora leaves her and then is captured by the merfolk and used as the key to release the Leviathan!!
**Update**
I listened to the Audiobook. Highly enjoyed. Lois Ridge did an excellent job in portraying the characters within the story. Planning to listen to the other final book next.
**Update**
I listened to the Audiobook. Highly enjoyed. Lois Ridge did an excellent job in portraying the characters within the story. Planning to listen to the other final book next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2021
This book was fun, but not as strong as the first one. I wish the leads spent a bit more time together and communicated properly. I really hate the miscommunication trope. Still, I absolutely adored the first book in this series, so now that I'm invested in these characters, it's hard not to like any content in this series. This didn't live up to the first book, but it was still a fun sapphic ocean adventure.
June 30, 2023
THAT ENDING WAS SO MEAN THAT I PERSONALLY SCREAMED TO THE AUTHOR ABOUT IT IN HER FANDOM DISCORD
Yeah. That. That sure was a sequel! I was a little scared I wouldn't like this as much as the first on account of having less Tallora x Dauriel, and that's true. But we do get more worldbuilding, we get a heartwarming sea prince, we get a less heartwarming but equally awesome sea witch, a Little Mermaid reference, lore behind the goddess wives of the world, and themes of what happens when you're torn between duty and love. And the ending had me gasping! Reeling! It reached its Dragon Age: Trespasser era!
I already loved the first book, but I feel like the sequel, as short as it was, was what really solidified this trilogy as a new all-time favorite. I am so glad I did not have to wait six months for Death's Abyss!
Yeah. That. That sure was a sequel! I was a little scared I wouldn't like this as much as the first on account of having less Tallora x Dauriel, and that's true. But we do get more worldbuilding, we get a heartwarming sea prince, we get a less heartwarming but equally awesome sea witch, a Little Mermaid reference, lore behind the goddess wives of the world, and themes of what happens when you're torn between duty and love. And the ending had me gasping! Reeling! It reached its Dragon Age: Trespasser era!
I already loved the first book, but I feel like the sequel, as short as it was, was what really solidified this trilogy as a new all-time favorite. I am so glad I did not have to wait six months for Death's Abyss!
September 17, 2025
coming out for the thousandth time as a proud mermaid fker!
there were some laugh out loud moments - i love how simper weaves a bit of ridiculousness into the dialouge, while absolutely delivering with the spicy scenes. if you're looking for a steamy but wholesome wlw creature romance, this is IT.
“Is this how you’ve spent your whole life? Fantasizing about your death?”
Dauriel frowned as she looked to her, though not in anger. “And what’s so wrong with that?”
“Because if all you care about is your death, you’ll forget to live.”
there were some laugh out loud moments - i love how simper weaves a bit of ridiculousness into the dialouge, while absolutely delivering with the spicy scenes. if you're looking for a steamy but wholesome wlw creature romance, this is IT.
“Is this how you’ve spent your whole life? Fantasizing about your death?”
Dauriel frowned as she looked to her, though not in anger. “And what’s so wrong with that?”
“Because if all you care about is your death, you’ll forget to live.”
September 1, 2024
I was genuinely shocked by the ending. But most of my review for this is included in the next book's review.
Re: Fish sex, it wasn't that bad. It was interesting to have it included, as of the three sapphic mermaid stories I've read this was the first one to do so. Not something to quit the series over. That's Dauriel.
Re: Fish sex, it wasn't that bad. It was interesting to have it included, as of the three sapphic mermaid stories I've read this was the first one to do so. Not something to quit the series over. That's Dauriel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2025
eu não tava botando muita fé até sei lá chegar em 85%
e, apesar do plot twist ser bem óbvio e tal, ainda assim esse final foi bem Intrigante
e agora eu tô inesperadamente muito curiosa pra saber como vai acabar (e com um puta medo do angst que me aguarda também....... 😔)
e, apesar do plot twist ser bem óbvio e tal, ainda assim esse final foi bem Intrigante
e agora eu tô inesperadamente muito curiosa pra saber como vai acabar (e com um puta medo do angst que me aguarda também....... 😔)
September 13, 2025
This second part to The Fate of Stars was even better than the first I think! like I absolutely love how it picked up from the ending of the first book. also such a bitter twist at the end which is explained well, but doesn't make the hurt sting any less
June 10, 2021
Leaves you wanting more, in the best way possible. Can't wait to start the next one.
January 10, 2023
3.5, i feel like this book was used to get us from A to B like it felt very filler, i still enjoyed it i just wish there’s been a bit more action
September 16, 2024
are these books perfect? no. do they have me absolutely gagged and swooning a bit over dauriel? yes.
March 9, 2025
4.5
tallora my poor meow meow 😭🩷
tallora my poor meow meow 😭🩷
January 3, 2025
god i fkn love plotty political intrigue
June 12, 2022
Omg, this one had me in my feelings. Emotional damage, but this series is amazing.
May 14, 2022
I really should read fantasy more. also why did that have to go SO WELL right up until the very end, now everything sucks and everyone hates each other
April 11, 2021
A good sequel to the first book, the relationship between the two protagonists is drastically different due to circumstance and time apart. With the impending doom of a Leviathon hanging over the heads of both their kingdoms, can the strained relationship between the two survive?
June 3, 2020
Wild ride!
What an amazing series. These books have it all. Love, intrigue, betrayal and angst, just to name a few. I can't wait for the next book to come out! Two thumbs up to author SD Simper.
What an amazing series. These books have it all. Love, intrigue, betrayal and angst, just to name a few. I can't wait for the next book to come out! Two thumbs up to author SD Simper.
May 31, 2020
SD Simper is slaying the fantasy game. I impatiently waited for this book and was rewarded with a story I couldn’t put down. Her characters are flawed and relatable and as well developed as any I’ve gotten to know. Simper just keeps getting better!
May 21, 2020
S.D. Simper has done it again. Heart of Silver Flames is every bit as good as The Fate of Stars! I read it in one sitting, could not put it down. There is love and war and peace and trouble stirring. The balance is so beautifully written and she keeps you on your toes. I would recommend all her books to anyone because they are so detailed, so well planned and thought out. It's clear that she loves the world her books are set in and I must say I love FALLEN GODS too. You can't help but admire the creativity and detail in every scene. Book #3 Death's Abyss can't come out fast enough.
Read
March 19, 2024Okay let’s start at the beginning, this book was definitely put in a wrong category: I would rather call it Erotica with a mention of a plot, then a fantasy novel. The amount of boring, useless sex scenes is baffling.
Let me give you a few examples: ***spoiler alert***
Tallora hasn’t seen Dauriel in 6 months (which is repeated over and over. By the way, it’s stated that they knew eachother even shorter than that, yet they want to get married and refer to each other as the love of their lives.) Anyways, they haven’t seen each other in a while, so what is the first thing they do? Have sex.
They are having some kind of important matter to discuss with the *whole council* so what do they do? HAVE SEX. (Like literally, there are so many people there! Disgusting and inappropriate.)
Tallora turns into a mermaid again. (Big deal right?) So what’s the first thing they do? …..
(i’m so done)
And then when they finally go to my precious boy Kal, he had sex too? We get it, Kal needs to have sex with someone to move on from Tallora…. (Which isn’t even necessary. Give him some time to heal omg-) If he *has* to have someone, why Leah? They have 0 chemistry together.
***end of spoilers***
Apart from a few plot holes and the ending where Dauriel breaks the little character that she has even more, and apart from the boring plot, AND apart from the awful over-the-top writing style that is just a collection of “fancy” words, the world building is amazing! I really wish we could’ve seen more of that and less of….. you know the bad characters (and the boring sex, that just kept on going and going and going and-).
either way, this was really disappointing and i don’t think i’ll be reading the last book. perhaps if someone convinces me, or if the only plot point in the first 100 pages isn’t a sex scene, perhaps i’ll give it a try.
Let me give you a few examples: ***spoiler alert***
Tallora hasn’t seen Dauriel in 6 months (which is repeated over and over. By the way, it’s stated that they knew eachother even shorter than that, yet they want to get married and refer to each other as the love of their lives.) Anyways, they haven’t seen each other in a while, so what is the first thing they do? Have sex.
They are having some kind of important matter to discuss with the *whole council* so what do they do? HAVE SEX. (Like literally, there are so many people there! Disgusting and inappropriate.)
Tallora turns into a mermaid again. (Big deal right?) So what’s the first thing they do? …..
(i’m so done)
And then when they finally go to my precious boy Kal, he had sex too? We get it, Kal needs to have sex with someone to move on from Tallora…. (Which isn’t even necessary. Give him some time to heal omg-) If he *has* to have someone, why Leah? They have 0 chemistry together.
***end of spoilers***
Apart from a few plot holes and the ending where Dauriel breaks the little character that she has even more, and apart from the boring plot, AND apart from the awful over-the-top writing style that is just a collection of “fancy” words, the world building is amazing! I really wish we could’ve seen more of that and less of….. you know the bad characters (and the boring sex, that just kept on going and going and going and-).
either way, this was really disappointing and i don’t think i’ll be reading the last book. perhaps if someone convinces me, or if the only plot point in the first 100 pages isn’t a sex scene, perhaps i’ll give it a try.
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