From the Bookshelf of ⋆.ೃ࿔࿐ྂfaith & fantasy⋆.ೃ࿔࿐ྂ…

Of Sea and Smoke (The Fireborn Epic, #2)

Gillian Bronte Adams

Start date: June 1, 2025

Finish date: June 30, 2025

Discussion: ✯Book of the Month✯

Why we're reading this: June 2025 BotM 🌊
[close] June 2025 BotM 🌊

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 144 topics — 4,679 comments total

✯Book of the Month✯

* ⭒September 2025 BotM - The Mermaid’s Tale [General Discussion]⭒
By ✨ tazannah - … , ⭒spiritual leader⭒ · 21 posts · 26 views

last updated Sep 09, 2025 04:46PM

* ⭒September 2025 BotM - The Mermaid’s Tale [Questions]⭒
By ✨ tazannah - … , ⭒spiritual leader⭒ · 1 post · 8 views

last updated Sep 02, 2025 03:32PM

showing 3 of 3 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Dec 30, 2023 Amelie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: to-reread, fantastical-tales, favorites, books-i-own, amazing-covers, enclave-publishing, young-adult

She always clung doggedly to the belief that whatever wounds life dealt her, Aodh bore them upon his skin and would one day remake them into something new.

A masterful second tale to continue the Fireborn Epic series. There's no "second book syndrome" to be found in Of Sea and Smoke. The story is excellent. The author juggles the multiple points-of-view beautifully, keeping me focused and invested. The narrative balances action, inner musings, character conversations, and growth in a brilliant flow of captivating prose. And just as in the first book, the scenes build and build upon one another until they crash into a breathtaking climax.

These characters, too...I love these characters dearly, aching with them when they stumble and blowing a rallying war horn for them as their stumblings lead them ever nearer to restoration. Rafi wrestles mightily with himself, with the memories of his past and the temptation to run, but he remains a beacon of humor and grit who continually picks himself up and strives to run in the right direction. Ceridwen wrestles with failure and impossible expectations of herself, a deeply realistic figure of brokenness yet revealing a growing and unmistakable strength. They parallel one another, Ceridwen and Rafi, fire and water, smoke and waves. And Jakim...through his chapters, I felt his brokenhearted faith, his struggle to remind himself of what he knows must be true, his strain to cling to Aodh's hand even while adrift. (I can tell his full story is waiting to manifest itself fully in book three, and I'm so eager for it.)

We also see the messiness of revolution, the light of simple kindnesses, the burn of loss, the joy of hope, the tears of guilt, and the gravity of evil. We see that the stories we tell ourselves have power, that the nature of hatred is black and looming, and that gathering fellow riders around you for the road of life is far from a weakness. And I wrote down so many quotes speaking of Aodh's eternal scars, of Aodh's guiding hand, of Aodh's healing touch.

Three months feels like a long while before the coming of Of Dawn and Embers, but I will spend every minute in growing anticipation. Especially with this book's ending. (Maybe those three months will give me a little time to decide which ship I'm hoping will sail? And maybe I'll recover from that ending by then? And maybe these poor characters can take some serious rest in the medical tent in the meantime? Perhaps?)

The Fireborn Epic is one of my immediate recommendations for the high fantasy genre. It's fierce in courage and bright with hope. I haven't stopped thinking about it since I first read book one two years ago, and I'll be thinking about it for a long while to come.

🌊 heads-up for violence (which is sometimes gruesome but never gratuitous) and talk of an out-of-wedlock birth 🌊 ...more

19 likes · Like · see review

Jan 29, 2025 Sharon Loves to Read rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy-ya, christian-fantasy, eye-and-ear-read, favorites

✨Reread thoughts✨

The characters deepen; the plot thickens; the stakes accelerate; the betrayals crush; the light shines; a world upends.

My heart cannot wait for Of Dawn and Embers!!🥹💜🥹💜🥹

✨Original thoughts✨

What was that ending??🤯😳🤯😳 I am in shock.

I am off to go see when Of Dawn and Embers comes out…🏃‍♀️

These books are fabulous, and I highly recommend them!

16 likes · Like · see review

Jul 23, 2025 Mary Emma Sivils rated it really liked it

Another great installment in The Fireborn Epic! I think I enjoyed this more than book 1 because I felt like I was getting to know the characters and the world much better. Rafi remains my favorite, but I'm excited at the way all of the main characters' storylines are beginning to tie together.

Can't wait for book 3! ...more

13 likes · Like · see review

Dec 01, 2023 Madisyn Carlin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, reviewed-for-author

RTC.

I was provided an ARC copy of this book through the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

7 likes · Like · see review

Sep 03, 2023 M.C. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, christian, young-adult, books-i-own

I've been waiting for this book for over a year.

I read Of Fire and Ash last summer, expecting a cool story with an interesting fantasy world. I did not expect to become so irrevocably invested in this phenomenal universe, to the extent that I actually pre-ordered this sequel as soon as it became available and then joined the author's street team so I could get an early review copy. I was so excited to start reading, and so nervous that it wouldn't live up to my expectations.

As it turned out, I n I've been waiting for this book for over a year.

I read Of Fire and Ash last summer, expecting a cool story with an interesting fantasy world. I did not expect to become so irrevocably invested in this phenomenal universe, to the extent that I actually pre-ordered this sequel as soon as it became available and then joined the author's street team so I could get an early review copy. I was so excited to start reading, and so nervous that it wouldn't live up to my expectations.

As it turned out, I needn't have worried.

Characters: The three POV characters we came to know and love in OFAA are back, bringing with them an increased whirlwind of excitement and intrigue. Ceridwen is still as impulsive and hot-headed as ever, but she's growing. If she reminded me of Éowyn in the first book, she gave off more Rings of Power Galadriel vibes in this one. She wants so desperately to do right by her people, and since fighting is the only way she knows how to do that, she'll fight until she dies. I'm still a little scared of her, but she's softening, and it's so good to see.
Rafi is as amazing as before. I loved getting more of his backstory, especially concerning his relationship with Delmar. Sibling dynamics are always my favorite in stories, and this was no exception! Rafi resists growth so much, but he's making progress anyway. And his sense of humor made me laugh out loud several times.
As for Jakim... Eep, what exciting things this book holds for him! He's still such a sweetheart, and his twist at the end is perfection. I can't wait to see how his part in the story concludes!

Content: There's a decent amount of violence in the book, on the same level as OFAA. (So if you made it through that one, you'll be fine here, too.) People are injured, sometimes tortured in brutal ways. A characters loses an eye off-page. A sadistic character revels in inflicting slow, painful torment. There's a good amount of blood and frequent discussions about wounds getting infected. The worst part, though, is when a character cares for a stone-eye tiger's sores that are oozing pus. Really gross...
There are a couple of hints at romances. Two characters seem like they almost kiss. A non-POV couple kiss.
There are several instances of fantasy cursing (blazes, shades, etc.).

Writing: Adams' writing is excellent. This book is massive, but I tore through it, eager to keep reading and get to the end of this magnificent story so I could finally breathe easily again. I laughed, I gasped, I even almost cried a little. So much that was foreshadowed in the first book finds it payoff here, and it's amazing.
The ending, though... I'm still a bit mad about that cliffhanger. I literally flung my Kindle onto my bed after finishing it. How can I be expected to wait at least another year to find out what happens next??? *sobs*

Summary: This book is even better than its predecessor! OFAA set the stage, and OSAS gets the pieces moving. It's all heading toward what I know will be an epic climax, and this all-important second act leaves us satisfied with an excellent story in its own right while ensuring we stay hungry for the finale. Fans of The Fireborn Epic will be thrilled with this sequel! ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 05, 2023 Kristianne rated it really liked it

Gillian continues her fast-paced, gripping saga of magical horses and fearless riders in this second installment of the Fireborn Epic, drawing you back into the worlds of Ceridwen, Rafi, and Jakim and leaving you breathless with a wild cliffhanger that’s sure to keep you raving for book three!

I made the mistake of not rereading the first book, which meant it took me awhile to get back into the story and figure out the characters again. But once I was in, I was fully invested and couldn’t put it Gillian continues her fast-paced, gripping saga of magical horses and fearless riders in this second installment of the Fireborn Epic, drawing you back into the worlds of Ceridwen, Rafi, and Jakim and leaving you breathless with a wild cliffhanger that’s sure to keep you raving for book three!

I made the mistake of not rereading the first book, which meant it took me awhile to get back into the story and figure out the characters again. But once I was in, I was fully invested and couldn’t put it down.

I loved watching each of the characters grow into who they were meant to be. Ceridwen, the fiery leader, learning to accept the help of others. Rafi, the reluctant rebel, learning to let go of the past and step into his brother’s shoes. And Jakim, the exiled Scroll, learning to find his voice and have the courage to share the message of Aodh’s hope.

I was so happy that Ceridwen and Rafi finally met in this book! Their dynamic and interactions were so fun to watch. I loved their connection--how Rafi could reach past the stony walls of Ceridwen’s heart and speak to her pain like no one else could. I can’t wait to see how this relationship grows even more in book three! (Sorry, Finnian, but I’m Team Rafi all the way.)

My other favorite part? The mentions of Aodh. I love, love, love the parallels between Aodh and God and how seamlessly Gillian weaves those similarities into her writing. This story rings deep and true, and I think that’s because she’s allowed the Truth to speak into her words.

All in all, Of Sea and Smoke is an exciting, compelling sequel to book one that leaves you breathless from its rollercoaster of a ride. Sure to be a favorite of fantasy lovers!

Favorite quotes:

“Sometimes life was war and anguish and pain, but sometimes it was also music and laughter and companionship by the fireside after the battle.”

“The weeping of the stars is not hidden from Aodh and neither are the tears of men.”

“Because I believe that the place where Aodh’s justice and mercy meet is in his scars. He bears the wounds of the world, after all, even our unworthiness.”

“We rise and ride again, but we don’t have to do it alone.” ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 23, 2023 Tiffany Goldman marked it as to-read

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult

Jun 03, 2023 Winter marked it as to-read

Dec 16, 2023 Brian Peveto rated it it was amazing

Sep 26, 2023 Sisters Three rated it it was amazing

5 likes · Like

Sep 17, 2023 Niki marked it as to-read

Nov 24, 2023 CC marked it as to-read

Nov 27, 2023 Rouzu marked it as to-read

Shelves: christian-fantasy-science-fiction

Jun 19, 2024 Victoria Roberts rated it it was amazing

Jan 08, 2024 ˚༚✧˳⁺⁎davm⁎⁺˳✧༚˚ marked it as to-read

Apr 12, 2024 Laurel added it

Apr 21, 2024 Jordan Wright marked it as to-read

Jun 07, 2024 The Lazy Reader marked it as to-read

Apr 12, 2024 Laurel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Jan 04, 2025 Craig Dressler rated it it was amazing

Feb 03, 2025 Rebecca Merhej marked it as to-read

May 21, 2025 Becky Harris marked it as to-read

Jun 08, 2025 Jessica Sprecher rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya, favorites, fantasy, christian-fiction

🌊“There's no shame in having someone haul you back to your feet again, Ceridwen. That's what we do. We rise and ride again, but we don't have to do it alone.”🌊

Man, this book was crazy, and I mean that in the best of ways. The plot twists were so unexpected yet made perfect sense (well, mostly--(view spoiler)), characters meet when I thought they never would, and J ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Jun 03, 2025 Kayla marked it as to-read

Jun 11, 2025 Beth marked it as to-read

Jun 14, 2025 Heather Robinson marked it as tbr-cf-contemporary

Group Home Bookshelf Discussions

Photos Videos

Send invite Members Polls