Relentlessly pursued by the Extremists, Vela and Linc embark on a perilous journey toward a hidden Elemental community in the Canadian mountains. It’s a place where couples of different elements thrive, raising families while living off the grid. These Elementals, like the Extremists, are searching for the portended Chosen Child, the one who will unite the clans. Vela is forced to accept she might be a part of this prophecy whether she likes it or not. Vela is more than intrigued by a mixed Elemental in the community who single-mindedly pursues her. Faced with a choice between two very different men makes committing to Linc as her Intended harder than she imagined. Can Linc win the fight for her heart? Will this prophecy be her undoing or the Elementals’ salvation? |
Release Date: February 6, 2024
I got hooked on the Elemental Series while reading the first book, Terra, a few months ago. There was something about Sofia Simpson's blend of the familiar with the fantastical that captured my imagination. And, I'll be the first to admit that I can really get into a good YA fantasy novel like Torch and its predecessor.
Torch is the second Elemental Series novel and it turned out to be every bit as good as the first one – and even ends on a cliffhanger, too, just like that one did. Not every succeeding novel in a series can pull off the same strength and quality as the previous one or ones but Sofia Simpson seemed to do just that with this one. Not only is the Elemental aspect continued but it is carefully built upon and expanded.
I found the story to be full of adventure, clean romance, and some pretty good messages about boundaries, respect, honesty, and simply growing up. Torch also affirms family and faith in a realistic fantasy setting.
As I'm sure you can tell, I did enjoy the book and after that ending I'm a little desperate to find out where Sofia Simpson will be taking her characters next and what will befall them along the way...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Torch by Sofia Simpson a 4 Bark rating.
More from Sofia
I loved every minute of it, especially the researching part. Researching how to live off the grid was fascinating to me, and it couldn’t have been more interesting. It really made me understand how people lived without modern conveniences. Well, in my book, they lived with modern conveniences thanks to generators and the Elementals’ gifts and abilities, but they had to make their own soap, butter, cheese, sometimes, clothes. I learned how a toilet can work thanks to gravity and setting up the pump on a hill. It’s all fascinating to me and I hope everyone finds it fun to learn, too, all while a great story unfolds!
The following recipe was so neat, I had to include it! And, yes, it’s in the book. They had to cook bread without an oven, so this worked nicely so they could still enjoy some fresh cooked bread.
Campfire Bread on a Stick Recipe – Vegan on Board
Ingredients
1 tsp dried yeast
1 tsp sugar
2 ½ cups (300 g) flour
⅞ cup (200 ml) warm water
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
1 tsp salt
Dough:
In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients into a moist dough. No need to knead!
Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in
size – about 1 hour.
With floured hands, briefly ‘knock back’ the dough by making it into a ball.
Tip the dough out onto a floured surface and divide into 8 pieces.
Shaping your breadsticks:
Start by stretching the dough into a strip and then roll it into a long sausage shape.
Twist a strip around the end of your sticks.
Pinch the dough together to secure the end if necessary.
Cooking Over a Campfire:
Either hold or prop up your stick over the fire.
Choose a spot over hot embers for best results.
Keep rotating until all sides are browned.
Enjoy your freshly baked bread!
Sofia grew up moving constantly. Never in one place more than three years, there was plenty of time to daydream during long car rides. College finally gave her a chance to study what she had always dreamed of doing, writing her stories. She obtained a B.A. in Journalism, married her handsome husband and had two amazing sons. A big believer in dreaming big, Sofia loves speaking to youth, encouraging them to find hope no matter what their life looks like. Sofia is a daughter of the Lord first and foremost and finds inspiration with the stories like King David and Esther. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
a $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!
Blog Stops
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 16
Guild Master, February 17 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 17
Texas Book-aholic, February 18
Fiction Book Lover, February 19 (Author Interview)
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 20
Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 21 (Author Interview)
Pause for Tales, February 22
Simple Harvest Reads, February 23 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 24
A Reader’s Brain, February 25 (Author Interview)
The Lofty Pages, February 25
Locks, Hooks and Books, February 26
Through the Fire Blogs, February 27 (Author Interview)
Blogging with Carol, February 28