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Fallen Legacies #1
Stealing Embers
A realm of monsters. A world of lies. She belongs to both.
My name is Emberly, and everything I’ve ever been told is a lie.
Monsters don’t exist. Wrong.
The nightmarish spectrum world is just my imagination. Wrong.
In a few months, I’ll finally be free. Wrong.
It takes being dragged to a secret training academy in the mountains to unravel the truth. My captors--an elite race of angel-born warriors called Nephilim.
The deadliest of them all is an arrogant shape shifter, Steel. He’s gorgeous, lethal, hot-headed . . . and convinced I’ll be the death of them all.
Maybe he’s right. As soon as I show up, the monsters that have haunted me my entire life breach the academy walls. My only hope of saving my new friends is learning how to control my powers, but when a stunning betrayal hurts someone I care about, I have an impossible choice.
Stay and fight for a place to belong . . . or decide once and for all that I’m better off alone.
Enter the spectrum world, a realm in-between worlds where shadow beasts draw blood, reality is a maze of twisted lights and sounds, and life goals are whittled down to just one: survive.
Fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Cassandra Clare will love this Crescent City meets Crave mash up!
My name is Emberly, and everything I’ve ever been told is a lie.
Monsters don’t exist. Wrong.
The nightmarish spectrum world is just my imagination. Wrong.
In a few months, I’ll finally be free. Wrong.
It takes being dragged to a secret training academy in the mountains to unravel the truth. My captors--an elite race of angel-born warriors called Nephilim.
The deadliest of them all is an arrogant shape shifter, Steel. He’s gorgeous, lethal, hot-headed . . . and convinced I’ll be the death of them all.
Maybe he’s right. As soon as I show up, the monsters that have haunted me my entire life breach the academy walls. My only hope of saving my new friends is learning how to control my powers, but when a stunning betrayal hurts someone I care about, I have an impossible choice.
Stay and fight for a place to belong . . . or decide once and for all that I’m better off alone.
Enter the spectrum world, a realm in-between worlds where shadow beasts draw blood, reality is a maze of twisted lights and sounds, and life goals are whittled down to just one: survive.
Fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Cassandra Clare will love this Crescent City meets Crave mash up!
454 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2020
About the author
Julie Hall
22 books1,243 followersJulie Hall is a USA Today bestselling, 11x award-winning author.
She writes YA paranormal / fantasy novels, loves doodles, and drinks Red Bull, but not necessarily in that order. Julie's daughter says that her super power is sleeping all day and writing all night... and well, she wouldn't be wrong.
Julie currently lives in Colorado with her four favorite people - her husband, daughter, and two fur babies.
Website: www.JulieHallAuthor.com
Newsletter: www.JulieHallAuthor.com/newsletter
Julie's Fan Club: www.fb.com/groups/juliehall
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julie.hall....
She writes YA paranormal / fantasy novels, loves doodles, and drinks Red Bull, but not necessarily in that order. Julie's daughter says that her super power is sleeping all day and writing all night... and well, she wouldn't be wrong.
Julie currently lives in Colorado with her four favorite people - her husband, daughter, and two fur babies.
Website: www.JulieHallAuthor.com
Newsletter: www.JulieHallAuthor.com/newsletter
Julie's Fan Club: www.fb.com/groups/juliehall
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julie.hall....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 473 reviews
February 4, 2021
seraphim/nephilim are one of my favourite subjects for paranormal stories, so this was totally a guilty pleasure read.
this is a great series opener. the story definitely focuses more on characters and world-building, rather than plot. i know some readers may not enjoy that, because it gives a 'prologue' feel to the book, but i found myself engaged enough. the unique world and the broody love interest helped. lol.
the only thing keeping me from rating this higher is just how juvenile the story and characters feel. with some of the dialogue, it honestly seems like the author was using certain language to 'keep up with the kids.' it just feels super awkward. i honestly think the story could have been elevated if it had a much more mature YA feel.
but overall, this is a good first installment and has my interest piqued regarding how the rest of the series will play out.
↠ 3.5 stars
this is a great series opener. the story definitely focuses more on characters and world-building, rather than plot. i know some readers may not enjoy that, because it gives a 'prologue' feel to the book, but i found myself engaged enough. the unique world and the broody love interest helped. lol.
the only thing keeping me from rating this higher is just how juvenile the story and characters feel. with some of the dialogue, it honestly seems like the author was using certain language to 'keep up with the kids.' it just feels super awkward. i honestly think the story could have been elevated if it had a much more mature YA feel.
but overall, this is a good first installment and has my interest piqued regarding how the rest of the series will play out.
↠ 3.5 stars
March 13, 2023
YES!
I love it when you read a book that you pick up on a whim, never hearing of the author previously and it turns out to be a 5 star!!!
I've never heard of Julie Hall before and I'd never come across the Fallen Legacies series either and both have pleasantly surprised me. Ms Hall's style of writing hits home for me, I love her way of wording, her way of structuring paragraphs, the way she builds up the world and I especially love how involved I became.
The storyline was one that I really thought I wouldn't enjoy so much, quite honestly I was thinking it may be a little too YA for me but I absolutely became engrossed in this world. Don't get me wrong, YA can be fantastic but there are some that are just a little too much but Stealing Embers was just the right balance.
Loved the entire book, the ending leaving me wanting more and I've already downloaded the following books which I will be chasing very soon!
I love it when you read a book that you pick up on a whim, never hearing of the author previously and it turns out to be a 5 star!!!
I've never heard of Julie Hall before and I'd never come across the Fallen Legacies series either and both have pleasantly surprised me. Ms Hall's style of writing hits home for me, I love her way of wording, her way of structuring paragraphs, the way she builds up the world and I especially love how involved I became.
The storyline was one that I really thought I wouldn't enjoy so much, quite honestly I was thinking it may be a little too YA for me but I absolutely became engrossed in this world. Don't get me wrong, YA can be fantastic but there are some that are just a little too much but Stealing Embers was just the right balance.
Loved the entire book, the ending leaving me wanting more and I've already downloaded the following books which I will be chasing very soon!
September 22, 2020
Any book about the Nephilim is a book I’m going to read. Angels here on earth with earthly problems is just too much for me to pass up. In Stealing Embers, Emberly doesn’t know she’s a Nephilim, she just knows that life has been tough and she’s had to build up defenses to keep from getting hurt, she also knows that she sees things that others don’t and to keep herself out of the mental institution, she runs away. It’s on the streets where she’s dragged away to a special academy by people who look remarkably like her, barring her unique hair color, that she learns she is Nephilim and the monsters she sees in the Spectrum aren’t just her imagination or a byproduct of crazy. It’s at the academy that she meets friends that accept her but will she be able to accept their friendship and ultimately, who she is?
Stealing Embers is a fantastic story with exceptional world building, setting the perfect stage for the story to progress and play out. There are big bads that follow Emberly to the academy, the same monsters she saw in the ‘Spectrum’ world that made her think she was crazy for a hot minute, there are fabulous secondary/supporting characters that added so much to the story and Emberlys growth. Then there’s Tinkle, the talking squirrel that charmed the nuts right outta me. I am really looking forward to the next in the series!
Stealing Embers is a fantastic story with exceptional world building, setting the perfect stage for the story to progress and play out. There are big bads that follow Emberly to the academy, the same monsters she saw in the ‘Spectrum’ world that made her think she was crazy for a hot minute, there are fabulous secondary/supporting characters that added so much to the story and Emberlys growth. Then there’s Tinkle, the talking squirrel that charmed the nuts right outta me. I am really looking forward to the next in the series!
August 30, 2020
Thank you to the author and Book of Matches Media for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Emberly has always thought there was something wrong with her brain. Being able to see a spectrum world that's full of monsters hasn't helped. But when she learns she's Nephilim and taken to an academy to train, everything she's ever known is flipped on its head. Emberly's never truly had friends, and she doesn't want to endanger the new ones she's made, but the Fallen keep coming after her for some reason. It doesn't help that the one guy she feels a strange pull towards thinks she's the doom of them all.
Wowwwww. Y'all this was thrilling and so much fun!! I loved Emberly's character and getting introduced to this world of Nephilim along with her. The angel lore classes were so intriguing and I need a codex or handbook of them all right now.
The main thing that irritated me was Steel-the love interest. I get that he's the overbearing sibling type, but that doesn't excuse the way he acts towards Emberly. If he seriously wants something to happened between them, he needs to apologize for his actions and show Emberly kindness for once. I did like that the tension between these two never went away and Emberly doesn't jump into this oh we have some sort of pull on each other without any thought. Actually, she does the opposite. She stays the eff away from him when she can. I would like to see what these two might have, but Steel has got some work to do first.
The other thing that made me like a tiny bit sad was that there's no queer characters. Like I just can't get behind a world that's 100% straight, 100% cis or 100% white anymore. I can't, it's not realistic.
Other than those two things, I very much enjoyed this book. Emberly does some stupid stuff, but I don't blame her since she was thrown into this world with 0 knowledge of what is even happening. The angel lore was built up really nicely, though I'd love for more details bc I am a nerd. Emberly's friendship with Ash made me so happy. I loved how supportive Ash and the twins were of her.
Omg and then the surprise of all surprises! Nova, the mean girl wasn't actually an awful cliche! I liked Nova right away, unlikeable characters are becoming my vibe. But when she tries to tell Emberly to stay away from Steel and Emberly was like please take him, Nova immediately befriends her. It was one of those tense frenemy things where you're never sure if Nova will eat Emberly or protect her, but damn did I love it. I hope to see their friendship cement more over like swords or something.
Besides the fantasy world, there's also a bit of mystery since no one actually knows what type of Nephilim Emberly is. That is until the end. And oooh wow it was a doozy. I can't wait for the answers book 2 will bring.
Emberly has always thought there was something wrong with her brain. Being able to see a spectrum world that's full of monsters hasn't helped. But when she learns she's Nephilim and taken to an academy to train, everything she's ever known is flipped on its head. Emberly's never truly had friends, and she doesn't want to endanger the new ones she's made, but the Fallen keep coming after her for some reason. It doesn't help that the one guy she feels a strange pull towards thinks she's the doom of them all.
Wowwwww. Y'all this was thrilling and so much fun!! I loved Emberly's character and getting introduced to this world of Nephilim along with her. The angel lore classes were so intriguing and I need a codex or handbook of them all right now.
The main thing that irritated me was Steel-the love interest. I get that he's the overbearing sibling type, but that doesn't excuse the way he acts towards Emberly. If he seriously wants something to happened between them, he needs to apologize for his actions and show Emberly kindness for once. I did like that the tension between these two never went away and Emberly doesn't jump into this oh we have some sort of pull on each other without any thought. Actually, she does the opposite. She stays the eff away from him when she can. I would like to see what these two might have, but Steel has got some work to do first.
The other thing that made me like a tiny bit sad was that there's no queer characters. Like I just can't get behind a world that's 100% straight, 100% cis or 100% white anymore. I can't, it's not realistic.
Other than those two things, I very much enjoyed this book. Emberly does some stupid stuff, but I don't blame her since she was thrown into this world with 0 knowledge of what is even happening. The angel lore was built up really nicely, though I'd love for more details bc I am a nerd. Emberly's friendship with Ash made me so happy. I loved how supportive Ash and the twins were of her.
Omg and then the surprise of all surprises! Nova, the mean girl wasn't actually an awful cliche! I liked Nova right away, unlikeable characters are becoming my vibe. But when she tries to tell Emberly to stay away from Steel and Emberly was like please take him, Nova immediately befriends her. It was one of those tense frenemy things where you're never sure if Nova will eat Emberly or protect her, but damn did I love it. I hope to see their friendship cement more over like swords or something.
Besides the fantasy world, there's also a bit of mystery since no one actually knows what type of Nephilim Emberly is. That is until the end. And oooh wow it was a doozy. I can't wait for the answers book 2 will bring.
October 30, 2020
This was just okay for me. I thought the beginning of the book started off really good but the story became predictable after a while. Emberly, the protagonist is an orphan. She is homeless and living on the streets when a group of strangers kidnap her. Emberly hasn't has the best life growing up since she usually is a loner having to rely on herself all her life. Bouncing from one foster home to another she finally ran away after being deemed mentally insane because of her strange behaviour and unexplained cuts and bruises. Emberly however, has been able to transition to a realm where monsters exists but she is unaware of her abilities. The story contains Nephilim, fallen angels, other realities and celestials.
Throughout the book the Forsaken ( when the fallen possesses a Nephilim or human) wreck havoc at the school Emberly is taken into to learn more about her abilities. She is trying to harness her abilities and identify her true origin. The more time she spends at the school she begins to feel a sense of belonging and she begins to uncover her abilities.
Steel is the hero in this story but he was so mean and insulting to the main character, Emberly. Steel is the bad boy and the one all the girls are in love with. He is attractive, powerful and a complete jerk. Emberly was constantly hurt by his insulting words which left her broken and feeling bad about herself. He blames her for everything that has gone wrong and it was so bad she decides to run away again to her life on the streets because of his accusations towards her. This however, is not her fault since she is completely unaware of her abilities and who she really is in their world. Steel was always pushing her around and I was so happy when she started to fight back against him. At the beginning it was normal banter between the two but later it began to take an emotional toll on Emberly which was not cute to me. I just couldn't believe the attraction/connection between Emberly and Steel. I wasn't convince by their love and disappointed in Steel's character by making the heroine feel utterly horrible about herself.
Throughout the book the Forsaken ( when the fallen possesses a Nephilim or human) wreck havoc at the school Emberly is taken into to learn more about her abilities. She is trying to harness her abilities and identify her true origin. The more time she spends at the school she begins to feel a sense of belonging and she begins to uncover her abilities.
Steel is the hero in this story but he was so mean and insulting to the main character, Emberly. Steel is the bad boy and the one all the girls are in love with. He is attractive, powerful and a complete jerk. Emberly was constantly hurt by his insulting words which left her broken and feeling bad about herself. He blames her for everything that has gone wrong and it was so bad she decides to run away again to her life on the streets because of his accusations towards her. This however, is not her fault since she is completely unaware of her abilities and who she really is in their world. Steel was always pushing her around and I was so happy when she started to fight back against him. At the beginning it was normal banter between the two but later it began to take an emotional toll on Emberly which was not cute to me. I just couldn't believe the attraction/connection between Emberly and Steel. I wasn't convince by their love and disappointed in Steel's character by making the heroine feel utterly horrible about herself.
September 24, 2021
I liked the world this book was set in and initially really was enjoying the story. However the characters seemed too young and there were many overused tropes. The relationship between the two main characters was unconvincing. Not bad. Just meh.
September 26, 2020
VAMPIRE ACADEMY with angels.
This was such a fun and magical adventure. If you like your books with a sprinkling of romance and a large dose of humor, this one’s for you.
This was such a fun and magical adventure. If you like your books with a sprinkling of romance and a large dose of humor, this one’s for you.
December 8, 2022
4 Stars ⭐️
I’m trying to find a good way to summarise how I feel about the book. Overall it is generally entertaining and well written and I had a good time reading it. I found it extremely easy to read and at times was giggling at the banter between the characters. It was hilarious to read!
This book feels almost akin to watching a show on CW. You’re not gonna get too much depth in the characters and obviously there’s going to be teen drama but you just can’t look away. But you also know that this is not on HBO, so the story is not too deep and the characters don’t have much development. They’re pretty face value (what you see is what you get) especially the side characters, the character they are when you’re introduced to them are kind of who they are at the end. There is also not much “inferring” needed to understand the plot, it’s pretty straightforward and most unknowns or questions are answered with a few seeds to setup the sequel.
Basically a quick little summary is Emberly is homeless and living on the street. She believes that people think she’s crazy because she can see the “spirit realm” or spectrum world (as she calls it. She is often attacked by monsters that she sees in this world and so she’s gotten very good at running and hiding to protect herself. One day she is kidnapped and while this kidnapping occurs, she is attacked my these spectrum monsters and her kidnappers basically protect her and take her to the Seraph Academy, which happens to be a school where they take Nephilim or any humans who are born from fallen Angel descendants…. And the plot goes from there.
It’s does have hints of very common YA tropes and did feel very similar to YA from 2010 with a broody “alpha male” Steel and a “not like the other girls” Emberly who no one really understands what she is and where she comes from and of course these two are in an enemies to lovers situation.
Steel took a little time to grow on me, I am not particularly sold on him just yet… I am intrigued and want to see how the relationship develops further with Em.
Em did have a little development in the story from a character perspective but I did find at times she was quite juvenile in her choices and often felt her decisions were contradictory to what I thought her personality was given she was homeless and living on the street at the start of the book.
The world building pulls off of the known Angel Hierarchy and I am all here for it… who knew I liked the angels trope. Cause I have just found out I do.
The last 30 pages of this book were a little WTF….
Ultimately would recommend this read and am looking forward to book 2!
I’m trying to find a good way to summarise how I feel about the book. Overall it is generally entertaining and well written and I had a good time reading it. I found it extremely easy to read and at times was giggling at the banter between the characters. It was hilarious to read!
This book feels almost akin to watching a show on CW. You’re not gonna get too much depth in the characters and obviously there’s going to be teen drama but you just can’t look away. But you also know that this is not on HBO, so the story is not too deep and the characters don’t have much development. They’re pretty face value (what you see is what you get) especially the side characters, the character they are when you’re introduced to them are kind of who they are at the end. There is also not much “inferring” needed to understand the plot, it’s pretty straightforward and most unknowns or questions are answered with a few seeds to setup the sequel.
Basically a quick little summary is Emberly is homeless and living on the street. She believes that people think she’s crazy because she can see the “spirit realm” or spectrum world (as she calls it. She is often attacked by monsters that she sees in this world and so she’s gotten very good at running and hiding to protect herself. One day she is kidnapped and while this kidnapping occurs, she is attacked my these spectrum monsters and her kidnappers basically protect her and take her to the Seraph Academy, which happens to be a school where they take Nephilim or any humans who are born from fallen Angel descendants…. And the plot goes from there.
It’s does have hints of very common YA tropes and did feel very similar to YA from 2010 with a broody “alpha male” Steel and a “not like the other girls” Emberly who no one really understands what she is and where she comes from and of course these two are in an enemies to lovers situation.
Steel took a little time to grow on me, I am not particularly sold on him just yet… I am intrigued and want to see how the relationship develops further with Em.
Em did have a little development in the story from a character perspective but I did find at times she was quite juvenile in her choices and often felt her decisions were contradictory to what I thought her personality was given she was homeless and living on the street at the start of the book.
The world building pulls off of the known Angel Hierarchy and I am all here for it… who knew I liked the angels trope. Cause I have just found out I do.
The last 30 pages of this book were a little WTF….
Ultimately would recommend this read and am looking forward to book 2!
August 2, 2020
Julie Hall has done it again!! This is captivating and will pull you into it's pages and won't let go! This is filled with heart hurting moments but there is also such joy and heaping doses of hope. Emberly is such a beautiful character. She stands apart from her peers but her light shines brightly. There were so many moments where she's stood up for herself that made me want to leap to my feet and cheer. She's still learning her worth and this journey is beautiful. Steel is both frustrating and drool worthy. He absolutely broke my heart each time he cut Emberly down. I see such potential for him and I'm rooting for him to live up to who he could be. And can I just brag about Ash?! I loved her!! She is the best bestie and her moments of support and praise brought a beauty to this book. I keep using these words... beautiful, beauty... but this book is just that. It's beautiful. The imagery, the world building and the storytelling are brilliantly breathtaking! This is why Julie Hall is a master storyteller, she engages all of your senses and brings your imagination to life.
June 19, 2021
Книга из серии «я сто раз такое читала, причем еще лет так 10-15 назад».
Ничего нового, шаблон на шаблоне. Этакое «дешевенькое фэнтези» про ангелов, коим полнится YA годов так 2000-2010-ых.
Банальные отношения «ненависти-любви», которые современные читатели смело называют токсичными и осуждают поведение героя, который в душе, конечно, лапочка, до смерти любящий героиню, но при этом может знатно в порыве ярости приложить ее к стенке и грубо схватить за руку.
Романтика вообще прямо совсем плоха. Нелогичная, странная, делающая героиню поразительно жалкой (с ней так ужасно обращаются, а она в лужицу перед парнем растекается, хоть и понимает, что так нельзя… какое клише).
Невероятно особенная героиня обзаводится классическими врагами (в лице некой стервозы) и внезапно непонятно почему преданными друзьями (после двух дней знакомства). Стервоза, правда, тоже вдруг становится ее подругой, но это выглядит еще страннее и нелогичнее, чем если бы она всю книгу просто гнобила героиню.
Я не говорю, что автор совсем уж плохо пишет. Но дело в том, что абсолютно все, что она «придумала», мягко говоря, не ново. Персонажи очень банальные, отношения тип��чные, а сюжет… ничем опять же не выделяется. Это все больше похоже на неплохой, но все же фанфик, который, по идее, не стоило бы издавать.
Единственное, что меня порадовало, это странное, но забавное существо в конце книги. До этого «юмористом» в книге был только Стилл, и его шутки и фразы меня только раздражали. А Динь-Динь оказался действительно забавным. Наверное, следующая книга будет с его участием повеселее.
В общем, да, читаемо. Но местами персонажи сильно раздражают… И по большей части каждый, кто хоть немного знаком с жанром YA, точно уже читал миллион абсолютно таких же историй.
Итоговая оценка: 5/10
Ничего нового, шаблон на шаблоне. Этакое «дешевенькое фэнтези» про ангелов, коим полнится YA годов так 2000-2010-ых.
Банальные отношения «ненависти-любви», которые современные читатели смело называют токсичными и осуждают поведение героя, который в душе, конечно, лапочка, до смерти любящий героиню, но при этом может знатно в порыве ярости приложить ее к стенке и грубо схватить за руку.
Романтика вообще прямо совсем плоха. Нелогичная, странная, делающая героиню поразительно жалкой (с ней так ужасно обращаются, а она в лужицу перед парнем растекается, хоть и понимает, что так нельзя… какое клише).
Невероятно особенная героиня обзаводится классическими врагами (в лице некой стервозы) и внезапно непонятно почему преданными друзьями (после двух дней знакомства). Стервоза, правда, тоже вдруг становится ее подругой, но это выглядит еще страннее и нелогичнее, чем если бы она всю книгу просто гнобила героиню.
Я не говорю, что автор совсем уж плохо пишет. Но дело в том, что абсолютно все, что она «придумала», мягко говоря, не ново. Персонажи очень банальные, отношения тип��чные, а сюжет… ничем опять же не выделяется. Это все больше похоже на неплохой, но все же фанфик, который, по идее, не стоило бы издавать.
Единственное, что меня порадовало, это странное, но забавное существо в конце книги. До этого «юмористом» в книге был только Стилл, и его шутки и фразы меня только раздражали. А Динь-Динь оказался действительно забавным. Наверное, следующая книга будет с его участием повеселее.
В общем, да, читаемо. Но местами персонажи сильно раздражают… И по большей части каждый, кто хоть немного знаком с жанром YA, точно уже читал миллион абсолютно таких же историй.
Итоговая оценка: 5/10
October 7, 2020
I have mixed feelings on this book. I liked the angel/forsaken plot and Emberly was a compelling heroine to read about. The book lost me at the romance. Steel is just a huge dick and I couldn’t buy in to the lust/hate relationship. I have no interest in why they are connected because Steel was so unlikeable and mean to Emberly that I kept hoping a new love interest would pop up. I may check out the next book if I can’t find anything else to read. The book cover is really pretty though!
October 31, 2020
another enemies to lover serve... abit wattpad-ish but still a serve
November 25, 2021
“She called me a fat turkey.” I hear, rather than see, the shrug in his words.
Have you seen how gorgeous this book is?! And if you have, let me just tell you the story is as good! Sure, I am indeed partial to all things nephilim… but can you blame me?! Angels, fallen, their offspring, demons, celestials… do I need to say more?! Fine, enemies to lovers 👀 and now that I have your attention… this book was unputdownable and I finish all 400+ pages in a day. All the unknowns, the secrets, the twists, the other world and… her. Damn, I was here for it all. And Emberly & Steel are amazing! I can’t resist a bad@ss MC and a brooding counterpart 🙈 This was fantasy at its best! 5 stars ⭐️
Have you seen how gorgeous this book is?! And if you have, let me just tell you the story is as good! Sure, I am indeed partial to all things nephilim… but can you blame me?! Angels, fallen, their offspring, demons, celestials… do I need to say more?! Fine, enemies to lovers 👀 and now that I have your attention… this book was unputdownable and I finish all 400+ pages in a day. All the unknowns, the secrets, the twists, the other world and… her. Damn, I was here for it all. And Emberly & Steel are amazing! I can’t resist a bad@ss MC and a brooding counterpart 🙈 This was fantasy at its best! 5 stars ⭐️
September 18, 2020
Julie does it again! I was already crazy in love with her stories from the Life After series and wasn't really sure I could love a new set of characters anywhere near as much as her last series.
Boy, was I wrong! All these characters are amazing, the world building goes super detailed, there are a ton of surprises and twists, and the action is kick-butt. (Also, for some reason, when I read it, it played out like an anime in my head. Which isn't a bad thing. :P)
I'm definitely hungry for more!
Boy, was I wrong! All these characters are amazing, the world building goes super detailed, there are a ton of surprises and twists, and the action is kick-butt. (Also, for some reason, when I read it, it played out like an anime in my head. Which isn't a bad thing. :P)
I'm definitely hungry for more!
January 4, 2021
4.5 Stars ... Julie Hall is a skilled writer, and I thoroughly enjoyed this read. With all the chaos of the world happening right now, it speaks to me when a book can distract me from all the distractions--and Stealing Embers did just that. I was enthralled and was up reading until 1am, when I should've been writing and/or prepping for a workshop I was teaching the next day.
The Nephilim concept is one of my favorite tropes in fiction, so that definitely played into my appreciation of STEALING EMBERS. I was a little hesitant (uncomfortable?) about some of the theological aspects/insinuations/implications, but it didn't steal or interrupt my appreciation for the story. Clean, a bit steamy in a couple of spots, and very well done!
The Nephilim concept is one of my favorite tropes in fiction, so that definitely played into my appreciation of STEALING EMBERS. I was a little hesitant (uncomfortable?) about some of the theological aspects/insinuations/implications, but it didn't steal or interrupt my appreciation for the story. Clean, a bit steamy in a couple of spots, and very well done!
August 18, 2020
I was sent this eARC in exchange of an honest review.
I really enjoyed Stealing Embers - it was gripping and fast pace, moving the story along easily. Emberly is a great character and I'm intrigued to find out even more about here origins in the next book. I really liked the cast of characters, there were lots of funny comments throughout and I especially liked the introduction of Tinkle - I can't wait for more from him!
It was a great set up for the rest of the series and has left me wanting to know more!
I really enjoyed Stealing Embers - it was gripping and fast pace, moving the story along easily. Emberly is a great character and I'm intrigued to find out even more about here origins in the next book. I really liked the cast of characters, there were lots of funny comments throughout and I especially liked the introduction of Tinkle - I can't wait for more from him!
It was a great set up for the rest of the series and has left me wanting to know more!
July 15, 2022
the summary
The action that is happening very quickly, and Steel and Emberly argisbdbn. (my language is garbled talking about this sighh) Overall, it is a great book
the rating
5/5
Like this review for a mention :p
Find me on:
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P.S. Add me as a friend :) I like to read romance novels and mystery stories
The action that is happening very quickly, and Steel and Emberly argisbdbn. (my language is garbled talking about this sighh) Overall, it is a great book
the rating
5/5
Like this review for a mention :p
Find me on:
Instagram: @chevreads
Wattpad: @writerthursday
Pinterest: @thursdayfrappe
Youtube: @chevreads
P.S. Add me as a friend :) I like to read romance novels and mystery stories
April 8, 2021
So good, I need book two right now!
September 25, 2020
*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Young Adult / Paranormal
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Stealing Embers is the first installment in author Julie Hall's Fallen Legacies series. This story focuses mainly on a girl named Emberly. Emberly is a runaway who saved herself from being locked away in a psych hospital after nobody could understand why she has so many scars on her body and was always getting injured. She has always thought there was something wrong with her since she is the only one to see the shadow monsters. Emberly is 6 months short of turning 18 and aging out of the system and thus gaining her freedom from the foster system.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult / Paranormal
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Stealing Embers is the first installment in author Julie Hall's Fallen Legacies series. This story focuses mainly on a girl named Emberly. Emberly is a runaway who saved herself from being locked away in a psych hospital after nobody could understand why she has so many scars on her body and was always getting injured. She has always thought there was something wrong with her since she is the only one to see the shadow monsters. Emberly is 6 months short of turning 18 and aging out of the system and thus gaining her freedom from the foster system.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
August 2, 2020
I’m in love! The way the story starts is so intense and unique. Immediately I loved the MC. Then a few chapters in we start meeting the side characters and I want to go to this academy, take these classes and be friends with these people. It seems like an enemies to lovers relationship is brewing, but there’s so much more than just possible romantic love. There’s the bond of true friendship and family. Also tons of humor- my husband thought I was slightly crazy laughing for 10 minutes straight while staring at my kindle.
November 29, 2020
Really 2.5 ⭐️ but I rounded up because even though I didn’t love it I didn’t hate it either.
I feel like I’ve read a million books just like this one. The h is definitely going to be a Mary Sue and the H had no redeeming qualities. He was a huge douche throughout the book but in the 11th hour he switches and suddenly were supposed to like him 🙄
Maybe I’m just getting too old for these academy books. If you’ve never read an academy book before you’ll probably love this book.
I feel like I’ve read a million books just like this one. The h is definitely going to be a Mary Sue and the H had no redeeming qualities. He was a huge douche throughout the book but in the 11th hour he switches and suddenly were supposed to like him 🙄
Maybe I’m just getting too old for these academy books. If you’ve never read an academy book before you’ll probably love this book.
September 23, 2020
I received an eARC of this book for review.
I am giving Stealing Embers 4 stars. I read this book in one sitting and really enjoyed it.
I loved Emberly as a character and watching her settle into her life with the other nephilim. I loved her sassy, take no shit attitude and her spunk.
I also loved the enemies to maybe eventually lovers vibe that was going on between her and Steel. Even though Steel isn’t my favourite male character of all time I did like that you started to learn why he was so overbearing as the book went on.
Overall the world building and magic systems were super enjoyable and overall I thought it was such a fun read!
I am giving Stealing Embers 4 stars. I read this book in one sitting and really enjoyed it.
I loved Emberly as a character and watching her settle into her life with the other nephilim. I loved her sassy, take no shit attitude and her spunk.
I also loved the enemies to maybe eventually lovers vibe that was going on between her and Steel. Even though Steel isn’t my favourite male character of all time I did like that you started to learn why he was so overbearing as the book went on.
Overall the world building and magic systems were super enjoyable and overall I thought it was such a fun read!
May 3, 2021
The premise is interesting, and the book starts off with nice details and some quick action. Julie Hall is a talented writer. The main characters in this story, however, reminded me far too much of the main characters in her last series.
Stealing Embers is another first person, female POV YA novel. The main character Emberly is a strong female savior with too much snarky attitude and a vocabulary far to educated to be believable based on her life as put forth in the story.
Steel, the “love interest,” is—surprise, surprise—a taciturn, rude, and brooding male who verges on abusive in his relationship with Emberly. But, of course, Emberly is so strong she does what no one else at the academy has been able to achieve, she puts Steel in his place—and down on the floor. The sparks fly, and fly, and continue to fly. Every opportunity the two have to move past their prejudiced initial impressions fall to the wayside as they continue to spit and snipe at each other rather than show a modicum of maturity and actually try to communicate. The relationship stagnates in a kind of limbo throughout.
The premise of Fallen and Forsaken drew me in. I thought it was an interesting take on the Nephilim of the Bible and Ms. Hall did a good job delineating the various “angels” and their powers.
I liked the loyalty and relationship between Steel’s parents. And, although I thought Emberly’s language (1st person POV) did not suit the character, it was fun to read the well phrased descriptions. By the time I finished the book, however, I no longer appreciated her nonstop, usually cynical, internal dialogue. It was too much of a “good” thing and began pulling me out of the action.
This review is based on my opinion as an older reader but if you are a YA reader who likes this kind of story, and its standard tropes, you will most likely enjoy Stealing Embers
Stealing Embers is another first person, female POV YA novel. The main character Emberly is a strong female savior with too much snarky attitude and a vocabulary far to educated to be believable based on her life as put forth in the story.
Steel, the “love interest,” is—surprise, surprise—a taciturn, rude, and brooding male who verges on abusive in his relationship with Emberly. But, of course, Emberly is so strong she does what no one else at the academy has been able to achieve, she puts Steel in his place—and down on the floor. The sparks fly, and fly, and continue to fly. Every opportunity the two have to move past their prejudiced initial impressions fall to the wayside as they continue to spit and snipe at each other rather than show a modicum of maturity and actually try to communicate. The relationship stagnates in a kind of limbo throughout.
The premise of Fallen and Forsaken drew me in. I thought it was an interesting take on the Nephilim of the Bible and Ms. Hall did a good job delineating the various “angels” and their powers.
I liked the loyalty and relationship between Steel’s parents. And, although I thought Emberly’s language (1st person POV) did not suit the character, it was fun to read the well phrased descriptions. By the time I finished the book, however, I no longer appreciated her nonstop, usually cynical, internal dialogue. It was too much of a “good” thing and began pulling me out of the action.
This review is based on my opinion as an older reader but if you are a YA reader who likes this kind of story, and its standard tropes, you will most likely enjoy Stealing Embers
Read
September 17, 2020So I’m writing this review SUPER sleep deprived because I just HAD to finish this book last night! Well, this morning! To say I was excited for this book is a bit of an understatement. I mean it was compared to two of my favorite authors, Cassandra Clare and Jennifer L. Armentrout! And, as you can see I obviously loved it since I chose to lose sleep because I couldn’t put it down.
So what I loved about this book was just how unique it was! We have some creatures that we’re used to seeing but it is a brand new world! The spectrum realm is just so unique and I loved learning more about it along with Emberly. I also cannot wait to see how else it expands in the second book as we continue to learn more and more. Then there are the characters in this book, or maybe I just want to talk about our resident love-hate relationship between Steel and Emberly. PHEW! There was a LOT of steam between the two and I just adored the feistiness as they bantered back and forth.
So, the one bad thing about this book is that I have to wait for the second one. Things went WILD at the end and I was just reading faster and faster all the while dreading that I was running out of pages. So yeah, I’m not ready to be done with these characters and I’m especially excited because we’re just on the cusp of having so many questions answered! So here I’ll be, twiddling my thumbs while I wait for book two.
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
So what I loved about this book was just how unique it was! We have some creatures that we’re used to seeing but it is a brand new world! The spectrum realm is just so unique and I loved learning more about it along with Emberly. I also cannot wait to see how else it expands in the second book as we continue to learn more and more. Then there are the characters in this book, or maybe I just want to talk about our resident love-hate relationship between Steel and Emberly. PHEW! There was a LOT of steam between the two and I just adored the feistiness as they bantered back and forth.
So, the one bad thing about this book is that I have to wait for the second one. Things went WILD at the end and I was just reading faster and faster all the while dreading that I was running out of pages. So yeah, I’m not ready to be done with these characters and I’m especially excited because we’re just on the cusp of having so many questions answered! So here I’ll be, twiddling my thumbs while I wait for book two.
You can view my full review on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
September 23, 2020
*English*
I really loved this book 😍
This book is about Emberly, a seventeen years old years girl who lives totally alone in the streets, also she always live with fear of monsters which always are hunting her. Moreover, she always believe she is crazy, because she can see other reality, that she calls it the Spiritual realm.
But some night she is protected or kidnapped by very strange people. One of those people is a shape shifter! and she is taken to an Academy called Seraph Academy.
So soon she will discover that she is a Nephilim- descendant of angels. And now she is between in a war between Nephilims and the Fallen.
Emberly is a very well developed character, she is very grumpy, but she is a badass too.
Steel.... OMG , Steel is .... gorgeous 😍
So excited the sequel coming out very soon!!
*Español*
Realmente me encantó este libro 😍
Este libro trata sobre Emberly, una niña de diecisiete años que vive totalmente sola en las calles, además siempre vive con miedo a los monstruos que siempre la están cazando. Además, ella siempre cree que está loca, porque puede ver otra realidad, que ella lo llama el reino espiritual.
Pero alguna noche es protegida o secuestrada por gente muy extraña. ¡Una de esas personas es un cambiaformas! y la llevan a una Academia llamada Academia Seraph.
Muy pronto descubrirá que es una Nephilim, descendiente de ángeles. Y ahora está en medio de una guerra entre los Nephilims y los Caídos.
Emberly es un personaje muy desarrollado, es muy gruñona, pero también es una ruda.
Steel... Dios mío, Steel es ... precioso 😍😍
¡¡Estoy muy emocionada de que la secuela salga pronto !!
I really loved this book 😍
This book is about Emberly, a seventeen years old years girl who lives totally alone in the streets, also she always live with fear of monsters which always are hunting her. Moreover, she always believe she is crazy, because she can see other reality, that she calls it the Spiritual realm.
But some night she is protected or kidnapped by very strange people. One of those people is a shape shifter! and she is taken to an Academy called Seraph Academy.
So soon she will discover that she is a Nephilim- descendant of angels. And now she is between in a war between Nephilims and the Fallen.
Emberly is a very well developed character, she is very grumpy, but she is a badass too.
Steel.... OMG , Steel is .... gorgeous 😍
So excited the sequel coming out very soon!!
*Español*
Realmente me encantó este libro 😍
Este libro trata sobre Emberly, una niña de diecisiete años que vive totalmente sola en las calles, además siempre vive con miedo a los monstruos que siempre la están cazando. Además, ella siempre cree que está loca, porque puede ver otra realidad, que ella lo llama el reino espiritual.
Pero alguna noche es protegida o secuestrada por gente muy extraña. ¡Una de esas personas es un cambiaformas! y la llevan a una Academia llamada Academia Seraph.
Muy pronto descubrirá que es una Nephilim, descendiente de ángeles. Y ahora está en medio de una guerra entre los Nephilims y los Caídos.
Emberly es un personaje muy desarrollado, es muy gruñona, pero también es una ruda.
Steel... Dios mío, Steel es ... precioso 😍😍
¡¡Estoy muy emocionada de que la secuela salga pronto !!
September 16, 2020
"I'll accept a wide variety of suffering to hold on to my freedom. "
"On a bad day I'm a lot of things, but dumb isn't usually one of them."
"With a shake of my head, I shatter my unease. I don't have room for frivolous emotions right now. Fear gets you dead."
This is an INCREDIBLE story that is so hard to put down. Like I skipped my nap time to read it...and I'm a professional napper ya'll. The characters are so loveable. Beautiful, rich descriptions. Pulse, pounding action. Romantic tension. Enemies to lovers anyone?🙌🏻 Hilarious dialogue. Slap yourself in the face moments. ...ugh, so much good stuff.
Our MC Emberly is actually a homeless orphan. 🤯 Did not expect that. (It's not a spoiler bc you find this out on page 1.) It adds some fun quirks to her character.
One of the characters gives me Cate vibes from The Darkest Minds. If you've seen the movie she's played by Mandy Moore.
Steel (our enemy love interest) is one tough, sexy, brooding beast🦁
Her friend Sterling is the epitome of a hot, funny, super flirty dude. He's one of my favorite characters.
Love Emberly's gal pal, Ash. I love when authors include a really great friendship.
I love Emberly's little gang. They're all so much fun with their own personalities. They're very relatable, very real.
Definitely, definitely, definitely READ THIS BOOK!
"On a bad day I'm a lot of things, but dumb isn't usually one of them."
"With a shake of my head, I shatter my unease. I don't have room for frivolous emotions right now. Fear gets you dead."
This is an INCREDIBLE story that is so hard to put down. Like I skipped my nap time to read it...and I'm a professional napper ya'll. The characters are so loveable. Beautiful, rich descriptions. Pulse, pounding action. Romantic tension. Enemies to lovers anyone?🙌🏻 Hilarious dialogue. Slap yourself in the face moments. ...ugh, so much good stuff.
Our MC Emberly is actually a homeless orphan. 🤯 Did not expect that. (It's not a spoiler bc you find this out on page 1.) It adds some fun quirks to her character.
One of the characters gives me Cate vibes from The Darkest Minds. If you've seen the movie she's played by Mandy Moore.
Steel (our enemy love interest) is one tough, sexy, brooding beast🦁
Her friend Sterling is the epitome of a hot, funny, super flirty dude. He's one of my favorite characters.
Love Emberly's gal pal, Ash. I love when authors include a really great friendship.
I love Emberly's little gang. They're all so much fun with their own personalities. They're very relatable, very real.
Definitely, definitely, definitely READ THIS BOOK!
October 1, 2021
Super entertaining. The Jerk factor was taken a little too far in this one so a bit of a star off for that. A little bit more for not really fleshing out any of the characters, but the writing style page turning and laugh out loud. I really did like our main character, Emberly. She's a bit prickly and broken given what she's been through, but she's real. A lot of her internal monologue consists of her wanting to run away from the new and unknown, but she doesn't.
Then there's Nova, the person who you think is going to be the Queen Bitch, but turns it around super fast. I like that. I like that A LOT. Sounds super corny, but hooray for friendship!! 🎉
The boys, oh the boys. I would love more on their personalities other than just chill jokesters, and I hope to get that in book 2.
A partial star off as well for me really not understanding the male lead. I do not u derstand how he grew to like Emberly, but it turns out he really really does. It just isn't clear to me what he likes about her through his interactions with her. Hoping this is revealed a little more in book 2.
Overall, like I said, very entertaining! Doesn't hurt that it was narrated by my favorite narrator, Vanessa Moyen.
Then there's Nova, the person who you think is going to be the Queen Bitch, but turns it around super fast. I like that. I like that A LOT. Sounds super corny, but hooray for friendship!! 🎉
The boys, oh the boys. I would love more on their personalities other than just chill jokesters, and I hope to get that in book 2.
A partial star off as well for me really not understanding the male lead. I do not u derstand how he grew to like Emberly, but it turns out he really really does. It just isn't clear to me what he likes about her through his interactions with her. Hoping this is revealed a little more in book 2.
Overall, like I said, very entertaining! Doesn't hurt that it was narrated by my favorite narrator, Vanessa Moyen.
April 6, 2021
This book gripped me from the very first paragraph. Emberly is a very compelling character and the dangerous life she leads, facing danger in two different worlds, makes for an un-put-downable book. It has been a long time since I was literally unable to stop reading a book from start to finish, but I read this in one delighted sitting. I stayed up beyond a reasonable hour because I had to see how things were going to turn out. And I may now feel the need to quietly stalk the author until I can get my hands on a sequel. Wow.
In less emotional terms, this book has an intriguing plot that unfolds with enough mystery and tension to keep readers hooked. The main character is compelling, and her foe/love interest is so hot, he practically steams off the pages. The remaining cast of characters made me laugh, tear up, and want to hug them at alternate points during the story. I could not get enough of this world and the beings who live in it. I will ABSOLUTELY be continuing this series and exploring any other offerings that exist from Julie Hall.
In less emotional terms, this book has an intriguing plot that unfolds with enough mystery and tension to keep readers hooked. The main character is compelling, and her foe/love interest is so hot, he practically steams off the pages. The remaining cast of characters made me laugh, tear up, and want to hug them at alternate points during the story. I could not get enough of this world and the beings who live in it. I will ABSOLUTELY be continuing this series and exploring any other offerings that exist from Julie Hall.
March 23, 2021
Thank you to The author Julie Hall and BOMM for a free copy of this book for an honest review.
As soon as I saw who the author was I know I wanted to join this tour.. and being part of the cover reveal was so much fun! When I was given the book to read, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to put it down once I started... and believe me I didn’t!
I instantly fell in luv with Emberly. I really enjoyed watching her come out of her shell and take everything that came at her head on. Steel.. aahhh Steel.. let’s just say im a sucker for the jerks and he takes the cake. I can’t wait to have more of him in book 2. Even the side characters stole pieces of my heart and knew I would have been torn apart if anything was to happen to them!
Overall this was an action packed read that had its claws in me the whole time and I couldn’t let go till the very end! LOVED IT!
As soon as I saw who the author was I know I wanted to join this tour.. and being part of the cover reveal was so much fun! When I was given the book to read, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to put it down once I started... and believe me I didn’t!
I instantly fell in luv with Emberly. I really enjoyed watching her come out of her shell and take everything that came at her head on. Steel.. aahhh Steel.. let’s just say im a sucker for the jerks and he takes the cake. I can’t wait to have more of him in book 2. Even the side characters stole pieces of my heart and knew I would have been torn apart if anything was to happen to them!
Overall this was an action packed read that had its claws in me the whole time and I couldn’t let go till the very end! LOVED IT!
August 2, 2020
I rarely give a full 5 stars... the book has to be amazing and this one was. The writing is humorous and the main character endearing. The storyline was fast-paced and well plotted. It has everything you expect in a YA story: the love interested really well developed, snarky banter and throat punches! Seriously, I can’t wait for the next book!
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