Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Mastering the Flames

SERIES: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #4

AUTHOR: SJ Himes

NARRATOR: Joel Leslie

PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio

LENGTH: 14 hours, 53 minutes

RELEASE DATE: June 16, 2020

BLURB:

Guilt-ridden after the massacre of his family, Isaac Salvatore turned to binge drinking to escape the pain. Now 24 years old, Isaac is a recovering alcoholic woefully out of practice in the magical arts, leaving his fire affinity hanging on the edge of disaster. After a month of rehab, he returns to Beacon Hill and his family, determined to remain sober, learn to control his magic, and figure out a plan for his life that doesn’t involve drinking.

Constantine Batiste is the oldest, most powerful vampire in the city. Born in ancient Gaul, the bastard son of a Celtic king, his long life has been shrouded in tragedy and horrors. Recent mistakes have left him wary and determined to guard his clan from all foes. When two of his clan members fall victim to an ancient evil, he summons the Necromancer of Boston for aid. Accompanying his older brother to the Tower is the handsome young fire mage once wounded by Constantine’s arrogance, and their encounter reignites an attraction that burns within both Constantine and Isaac.

REVIEW:

Isaac captured my heart in book one, there was something about this broken young man that called to me, and I’ve wanted to know his story ever since. Not to mention I just had to know how this millennia old vampire would woo Isaac, a man that intrigued him from the start. They’ve been sniffing around each other for a while and it was time for them to finally get together.

From the previous books we know Isaac has a drinking problem and has checked himself into a rehab facility and this is where we meet him again. Going through detox with him, feeling his need to get clean, to get well. Sometimes In books I find that substance abuse (or other illnesses) are used more as a plot device to give the illusion of a well-rounded character development. That was never the case here. Himes so clearly showed us how Isaacs addiction was present in his everyday life, that it would be a lifelong struggle. And she also did it in a way that bash the reader over the head of it or reached the preachy territory. To me it felt just right and I loved it.

Anyway, when Isaac comes back home things are, and aren’t what he expected, and they are all trying to find a new rhythm to their lives. That is until Isaac falls victim to a magical attack – one eerily similar to the ones happening to vampires all over the city. The gang is determined to find the practitioner using the vilest kind of magic and stop them – before it’s too late, and in order to do that they must learn to really work together as equals.

I loved seeing how all the relationships developed, seeing Angel accepting Isaac as a grown man, flawed for sure, but one that could handle himself. They’ve grown so close since that first book and it’s beautiful to see. Another thing that I’m really enjoying is watching Daniel and Rowan dance around each other, I hope we’ll get to read their story soon.

As for Constantine Batiste, we get to know him more as well. Through a few flashbacks – not many mind you, but just enough, we get a feel for Constans back when he was human. The trials he went through and how some of the affected him still. They were done well and added layers to the otherwise mysterious vampire master.

The romance between Isaac and Constans was slow-going, to the point where it took a good chunk of the book for them to be in the same place in the same time period. However, I didn’t mind that in the least, it fit the narrative of the story. Isaac needed to heal first and find his footing in the world without his drinking.

There are so many of the cast of characters that have captured my heart, but I think my favourite still would be Eroch. I just love him and his antics. He doesn’t speak, but he sure does make his thoughts very clear. I love how fiercely he protect what’s his, be it his charges or his new hoard -which was beyond adorable I might add.

Joel Leslie’s performance of this book was great. He excels at those fast-paced delivered lines and rants, and Isaac had a few of them. I also loved how he made you feel Isaacs struggle with alcohol, his need to do better and his vivid reactions to when he encounters it. And Eroch… I could just see him atop his hoard, fiercely guarding his egg. Leslie took you to Boston and made you have a great time there – blood magic and all.

This book ended with a reveal in the end and I can’t wait to explore what that will mean for our guys, it has the power to change everything.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

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