Review: Helps set the dark tone to Firelight, but the events within may be better understood after reading the novel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 8, 2012
Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: This prequel novella helps set the dark tone to Firelight, but the events within may be better understood after reading the novel.Opening Sentence: "This is the story of a beast, so great and fearsome that he was reviled by all. And of a merchant's daughter, brave and beautiful, whose love for the beast redeemed his soul."The Review:First of all I have to say that I read Ember after reading Firelight. After seeing some of the reviews on Amazon saying not to read the novella until after Firelight I decided to wait and read it after. I would have to agree with that sentiment. Ember is, by all rights, a prequel novella to Firelight. All the events in Ember, except one, take place between the Prologue and Chapter One of Firelight. Every scene in the novella really does help explain the back story to Firelight that was mentioned in the novel but not explained.Ember begins with the warehouse fire that starts the downfall of Miranda's family. Then it skips to after Miranda and Archer met in the dark alley. Archer is searching for a cure to his mysterious appearance and Miranda is moving on with her life as a thief. The stories do intertwine. The only thing I found weird was the fact that Miranda's story line was two years in the past from Archer's story but a dream connected them together, like it was happening at the same time.As a standalone novella, it is intriguing and makes me want to know more about the characters. The plot is mainly about Archer getting back to Miranda, but I think some of the mystery that I loved so much about Archer is removed if you read this first. I did like the fact that Miranda is not as strong as a heroine as she is in Firelight since these are the events that helped make her a well-developed woman, it makes perfect sense.I would almost say that Ember is all the background that was taken out of Firelight for the sake of pacing and plot, even though I don't think this was the case.Ember is a perfect read after you have read Firelight. If you like the characters of Archer and Miranda it helps explain quite a bit of the background. Once again I will say I think it would take away some of the mystery if you read it first, but I would recommend reading the novella, if you liked Firelight.The Darkest London Series:0.5. Ember1. Firelight2. Moonglow3. WinterblazeFTC Advisory: Grand Central Publishing provided me with a copy of Ember. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review.