Of Earth and Flame

The Ithenmyr Chronicles #1

By Elayna R. Gallea

TheStory

Aileana escapes from her tower where she has been held by the king. As soon as she runs in the woods she meets Xander. The two can’t stand each other but end up on a wild adventure. 

And that. is. it. 

TheReview

Sounds great, yeah? NO. I have never rated a book 1 star before but. this. killed. me. In my soul. It was a BATTLE to get through. Almost DNFed but I wanted to be able to give a full review. 

So let’s jump right in. 

The storyline is… there isn’t one. There is a bad world. And a woman that needs freedom. And a bad guy. And a map that needs finding? Whaaat. 

The whole book is a jump from one random scene to the next. There’s just no HEART. or SOUL. Where is my gut being wrenched from my body?! Where are my tears?! My laughs?! 

The main characters are… always angry. But also feel things for each other. But also hate each other. And also like each other. And the entire book is a back and forth between those. No relationship progression. Hatred <> infatuation. Anger <> happiness. Friends <> enemies. Back and forth and back again. And they are just always randomly angry for no reason. 

Character development? Not here. The MFC is always “thinking” about her “horrible life,” which maybe, but it’s basically just her being whipped and isolated. Which, yes, it’s bad, but she inner monologues about it so much and it’s only those two things. But she comes straight out of that tower with “sass” and “know how” and “bravery.” I just… don’t… buy… it…

Whoops! Did I forget to mention the side characters? No. Because there are none. Forget to comment on the banter? No. It was just a lot of yelling at each other. 

I just can’t with this. I wanted to read the series so badly but I can’t. I disliked every moment of reading this. I’m so sad. And mad. And feel like I just wasted 4 hours of my life. 

TheRating

Storyline: 1/5

Characters: 1/5

World Building: 1/5 

Writing: 1/5

Overall: 📘

Spice: 🫑

The Ithenmyr Chronicles Series

Of Earth and Flame

The Ithenmyr Chronicles #1

Of Wings and Briars

The Ithenmyr Chronicles #2

Of Ash and Ivy

The Ithenmyr Chronicles #3

Of Thistles and Talons

The Ithenmyr Chronicles #4

Of Shale and Smoke

The Ithenmyr Chronicles #5