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Books › Brightly Burning (Valdemar (Chronological) #18)

Cover of Brightly Burning (Valdemar (Chronological) #18)

Brightly Burning (Valdemar (Chronological) #18)

Mercedes Lackey

445 pages

A classic coming-of-age fantasy where profound isolation ignites into overwhelming, world-altering power.

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What it feels like

This epic fantasy delivers a deeply emotional coming-of-age experience, anchoring its grand wartime stakes in the intimate struggles of a displaced teenager. The narrative moves at a brisk pace, transitioning from the melancholy of social isolation and the tense, claustrophobic dread of severe bullying into an explosive, fiery awakening. The tone is earnest and empathetic, focusing heavily on the psychological weight of possessing a dangerous, destructive gift. Readers will find themselves immersed in a classic fantasy atmosphere where profound loneliness is eventually met with mentorship, healing, and purpose. It is a perfect fit for those who love character-driven stories about outcasts learning to control terrifying abilities just in time to face a kingdom-shattering war.

Mood
  • melancholy
  • tense
  • fiery
  • triumphant
Tone
  • earnest
  • dramatic
  • empathetic
  • intense
Pace
brisk
Themes
coming of age · isolation and displacement · bullying and revenge · mastering dangerous gifts · the burdens of power
The writing
Accessible and emotionally direct, focusing on the internal struggles and dramatic awakenings of its teenage protagonist.
The arc
From profound isolation and victimization to an explosive awakening and the disciplined mastery of a terrifying power.
Who it's for
Readers who love classic epic fantasy centered on teenage outcasts discovering overwhelming magical abilities and finding their place in a wider war.
Content notes
  • bullying
  • torture
  • depression
  • war violence

About the book

His name is Lavan Firestorm, a young man blessed—and cursed—with a special talent for firestarting. His legend has haunted the darkest corners of Valdemar, yet the truth has never been told. Here, at last, is his story.

Brightly Burning marks Mercedes Lackey's return to the kingdom of Valdemar, and introduces us to a portion of the otherwise unchronicled reign of King Theran. The book's principle figure is Valdemar's most powerful herald, Laven Firestorm, who comes of age during Valdemar's war with its long-time enemy, the kingdom of Karse. Sixteen-year-old Laven Chitward's world is turned upside down when his mother is selected as a textile guild representative in the small rural community where he was raised. Moving to the capital city of Haven rips him away from his friends and boyhood pleasures, and nothing in Haven seems to fill that void. Unable to fit into the nouveau riche society, and unwilling to follow his parents into the textile guild, he finds himself adrift and depressed. His father enrolls him in a special school that will allow him to choose a trade that interests him, rather than be apprenticed against his will. There he finds himself terrorized and tortured by the boys in the sixth form until, with an awful roar, the gift of fire awakens deep within him and extracts revenge for his sadistic treatment.

With the help of a unique herald, an empathetic healer and a special companion, Laven soon learns to keep his gift under control and eventually, to direct his awful firestorm as far as he can see. When the kingdom of Karse attacks, Laven is hurried to the border to assist his king and country by repelling the invasion. During the final battle Laven earns the name Firestorm and becomes one of the most famous heralds in the history of Valdemar.

Description from Open Library.

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