Varojin Auris didn't ask to be a prince. As the illegitimate child of the Helosian emperor, he was never meant for the world he grew up in, and he knows it. When his father enlists Varojin in the military two years before the service age, it's clear he's no longer welcome in the court. So, forced to follow the emperor's orders, Varojin severs ties with his old life and sets off for Fort Ironwing.
Amid the ranks of junior soldiers, Varojin finds himself as unwelcome as he was at the palace - only this time, there are no rules protecting him from superiors who use far more force with him than on his peers. So when Varojin is offered the opportunity to leave basic training behind and join a highly specialized, secretive unit, he accepts.
But the relief of being flanked by those who support him is tainted by a new reality: the responsibility to take lives when duty calls. When a crisis reveals the full extent of Varojin's powers, he fears he has finally become his father's son. In the midst of destruction, the weary prince finds himself faced with a choice: fight for the rubble of his past, or rebuild his life anew.
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Forged By Flames is the prequel to Under Darkened Skies. In it, you'll follow Prince Varojin for the full eight years he was separated from Astrea and his family. The story begins just after his 18th birthday and ends on that fateful night at the Whiskey Dream when he runs into Astrea.
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Forged by Flames is the prequel to the Darkened Skies series, and I highly recommend you read Under Darkened Skies (Darkened Skies #1) first to have the most enjoyment of this novel.
In this book, you'll follow Prince Varojin and his misadventures during his time away from his family and friends. The fact that this novel covers eight years of his life may be a bit unconventional, but I wanted to show you the pivotal moments that helped him grow from a scared young man into the stronger, more confident hero he is in the main books in the series. I love writing Varojin, and I hope the struggles he faces and lessons he learns remind you that your past doesn't have to define your future.
Some quick facts to help you decide if Forged by Flames is a good fit for your reading preferences:
* You've already read Under Darkened Skies and want to know more about Prince Varojin.
* The story focuses on the perspective of a brooding and sensitive hero as he survives eight years of war.
* The main character is ages 18-26 in this novel.
* There's a mix of external fight scenes and major internal character struggles.
* Themes include recognizing your own power, finding strength in chosen faimly, and discovering who you really are.
