Embers of Magic by Catherine Bakewell
Brimming with seasonal energy, Embers of Magic by Catherine Bakewell — inspired by The Snow Queen — is a heartwarming new fantasy novel that will remind you what true love is meant to feel like.
In a world where witches wield the magic of the different elements, Fiamma, a fire witch, finds herself at the feet of the king, asking for his help to grant her safe passage across the dangerous lands to where she believes her parents to be. Wearing the powerful Corevero crown that once belonged to the Corevero family of witches, the king agrees if Fiamma will accompany his son Joseph, who also journeys that way. Joseph’s quest is to seek out and destroy the witch whose ice magic is plaguing the kingdom with an eternal winter. Snow is falling in the middle of summer, and the entire land is suffering as a result.
Prince Joseph, much to the king’s dismay, is nothing like his battle-hardened, cruel father. Kind, soft, gentle Joseph is the leader that the kingdom perhaps truly needs, but in his father’s eyes, he is nothing but a disappointment. When he and Fiamma cross paths, the young witch fears that the prince will be just like the rest of the aristocracy, just like the king, and yet Joseph is unlike anyone that Fiamma has ever met.
A Journey of Magic and Romance
As they set out on their journey, Fiamma and Joseph are soon to learn that the curse upon the land is not what it seems, and perhaps neither are they. With ice and snow bearing down on the kingdom and Prince Joseph’s fate interwoven with that of the land itself, ice slowly crawling its way into his heart, he and Fiamma must find the witch responsible before it’s too late.
Set against a vivid backdrop of towering forests and glittering ice, Embers of Magic is a breathtaking adventure filled with magic and romance. It’s a cozy tale that is perhaps best enjoyed curled up with a warm blanket and a hot drink, as our heroes journey through the snow toward the witch that will grant them the answers they seek.
Fiamma is such a wonderful character. Her candor, her kindness, her spirit and her joy are so interwoven in her words and actions, and we root for her from the very first pages, even when she won’t root for herself. Joseph surprises her, completely unlike the others — highborn, non-witches, men — that she has met, and the bond that develops between the two is a beautiful one. Watching their relationship develop, walking alongside Fiamma as she learns to trust him, to open herself up to him, and watching Joseph in turn do the same for her, is incredibly touching.
A World That Comes Alive on Every Page
Bakewell has such a way with words, both in the characters’ dialogue and in the layered, stunning world that she has crafted. Each and every page is packed with detail — this is a world that you can see, hear, feel, smell, and taste. Sensory detail and imagery intermingle with the blossoming romance between Fiamma and Joseph, and when you add in the whimsical layer of magic that grounds the story, it makes for a tale that is sure to capture both your heart and mind, from cover to cover.
If you love a book with whimsy, romance, elemental magic and so much more, then Embers of Magic is for you!
About Catherine Bakewell:
Catherine Bakewell writes fairytales for anyone with big feelings. She currently lives in St. Louis, but she misses her time in Spain and in France, where she romped through gardens, ate pastries, and worked on her novels.
She is represented by Jordan Hamessley at JABberwocky Literary Agency.
