Book Review: The Fires of Treason by Michele Quirke

Released: October 23, 2020

Genre: Historical Fantasy Fiction

Age: Young Adult, New Adult

Trigger Warnings: Mild Violence, Mild Language

Purchase: Amazon

Blurb: Princess Elizabeth has always idolized and supported her older brother, but when Greg is accused of treason and banished, her loyalty to him is tested in ways she never could've imagined. As she leaves her luxurious lifestyle behind to join him in exile, she must learn to cope with the everyday struggles of the working class, all while keeping her true identity a secret. Facing new hardships and the looming threat of execution, Elizabeth will need to toughen up if she has any chance of surviving outside the palace walls.

Prince Gregory spent his entire life trying to prove himself worthy of the crown until his banishment releases him of all the pressures and obligations that have chained him down. Although he has no intention of raising an army to defend his birthright, he soon learns that not everyone is content to let him walk away from the throne. With his sister's safety and well-being to consider, Gregory must make a decision that will change both their lives forever.

My Review:

So, lets get in to this! I am a SUCKER for historical, medieval times, Victorian era fiction, and now adding fantasy! Whew! While this book doesn’t have any magic (YET!) within it, I’m going to assume that its to come. I’m in LOVE with that take this book went. The relationship between Gregory and Elizabeth is what everyone with siblings dreams about.

I literally fought my sister over the corn in the cafeteria in elementary school, so the way these two love each other has put me to shame.

The backstory of these two, really took me into the reasons why they were so close, and why Elizabeth looked up to him so much. Yet but was also the reason why Gregory felt that pressure to do that, but then again did he have a real choice? With a father/king like that, and an older sister hell-bent on just taking her own little brother out of the game, I mean...like he said, when Elizabeth was born, he finally seen the chance to teach love, and receive it back from someone after losing there mother. *insert heart breaking*

Not overly descriptive and done where the image of what she is trying to convey is there. You can tell the research that she put into about knowing the inns and out of life living back in the 1500’s, so her knowledge is.

A great balance with the action to important character development. The two siblings had a lot of “Come to Jesus” meetings. I love a good adventure story, where people are moving around, and in suspense from something chasing them. I would say I thought Gregory was a bit hard on himself, and Elizabeth was slightly unrealistic in there expectations of each other when it came to running and ruling a kingdom. With there father being as violent and abusive as he was, even if Gregory would of became the king, it would be unrealistic to think war wouldn’t be a thing, even for the nicest kings out there. And with being that Gregory was well liked, it would have been possible that it wasn’t necessary, as he was respected by many and loved within the Kingdom. I do agree that Elizabeth held him on “God” status her whole life, but with all they went through its completely understandable. I felt that she put a little bit of the pressure he felt on himself, by expecting him to be completely spotless.

To see the development and the realization that he’s just as flawed and as human as the next, and trying to live up to these expectations, and in the end all of that build up, can come spilling out.

I love cliff hangers that don’t leave me wanting to punch a wall in anticipation and frustration. THANKFULLY, this one doesn’t. It ends very well, but leaves you knowing that there is more to come and that the adventure with Elizabeth and Gregory is far from over.

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 Definitely Recommend! Great Adventure, Beautiful Dynamics

Michele writes with such a fluid ease. The beautiful dynamics between the characters will have your heart melting, while the gripping adventure will have your brain spinning, wanting more!

Author: Michele Quirke

Website: https://michelequirkewrite.wixsite.com/mysite

Bio: Michele Quirke is an up and coming historical fiction author. She currently lives near Seattle, Washington with her husband, son, and their cat, Link.