Karis is orphaned and forced to work for the Scriptorium, a group of scribes looking for the secrets to unlocking the automaton army that had been left to rust. She wants to find her brother, who had been shipped away seven years ago and somehow managed to wake one of the automatons searching for information to find him. Alix doesn't know why he was made or why the automatons were meant to be destroyed. The Scriptorium finds out and hunts Karis and Alix as they try to find her brother.

From the start, Karis is so focused on one goal that she doesn't really make friends with any of the other orphans on the island. The scribes don't care for her either, and think of her as a troublemaker. Her one friend is content to stay on the island to become a warrior someday, but he's swept up in her wake as well when she tries to protect Alix from being found. We wouldn't have a story if she wasn't so driven and bad at planning ahead, but it does mean that there are moments where she isn't very likable in the beginning of the book.

Alix is a bronze automaton, human-sized and shaped, capable of independent thought and movement once Karis wakes him. Without memories of his past other than a few vague ones, he follows in Karis' wake as well. They're all caught by pirates, and it's there where he makes decisions for the first time. It's frightening for him, especially when he thinks his father might not have actually cared for him, and used him as only a tool to destroy the Scriptorium. It's the same goal that the others have, leaving him with the dilemma of being a tool or a person.

While romance isn't exactly at the forefront of the story, Karis remarking on Dane's past with girls on the island and then the growing attraction to Zara makes it clear that Karis has zero romantic or physical attraction to anyone. At first, she thinks that it makes her strange, but it's never actually remarked on as something odd. This makes Karis a good example of aromantic and/or asexual representation. It's simply another facet of her and not the main one we need to be concerned with. With everyone having very straightforward goals, they're easy to understand and follow through the story. I found it really enjoyable, especially the big climactic battle after we find out the truth about Alix's father, the purpose of the Automaton Heart, and the Magistrate's manipulations to stay in power. Friendship and family are important, and drive the characters to fix the power dynamic to improve their city. That kind of message is a great one to have, especially now.

This Golden Flame is a story about taking a stand for what--and who--you believe in. Orphaned Karis lives her days forced to serve her country's elite scribes, but she dreams of escaping her servitude and reuniting with her brother, Matthias, who was taken away from her by the Scriptorium. She inadvertently gets her chance when she finds and wakes Alix, an automaton created by the infamous traitor Theodis, but this automaton is unlike the rest--with a consciousness and intelligence of his own. Alix's quest to figure out why his father created him and Karis's to find her brother send them on the run with a renegade soldier, a pirate queen, and a group of rebels who seek to bring the Magistrate to account for his deeds and the Scriptorium down. But soon, Alix and Karis realize that their journey will test the newfound friendship that has formed between them, and uncover a secret that could either assure the rebels their victory--or their doom.
This Golden Flame was an adventure of a read, it's strongest point being it's characters. I really loved Alix the most. I thought he was sweet and thoughtful, a cinnamon roll main character that we don't see much of, and I thought his character arc in this book as he attempts to figure out who he is and why he was created was really rewarding until the end. Karis was a great MC as well, and I really liked her imperfections. Karis makes some rough mistakes that tests the bonds she has formed in this novel, and I thought that the eventual reconciliation between herself and Alix demonstrates how complicated friendship hurt can be and a healthy way to handle that. And Zara. I just love her. She's fantastic, and I think she and Dane need a book of their own. The world-building in this book was also really interesting with it's Ancient Greek sort of structure and the magic system of runes. These two things brought together added a rich texture to the world of Eratia and was really well-done. I will say that this book started rather slowly, and it wasn't until its second half that the plot really picks up and sucks a person in, but as the pacing got better and things happened, I was hooked until the very end. There is also wonderful aro/ace representation in here and an emphasis on platonic relationships that was really nice to see in a market that is so romance driven. This Golden Flame is a story about power and purpose, bondage and freedom, and the way those things test the bonds we make with other people.

***ARC Review***

Hello I would like to sHOUT from the rooftops and tell everyone to read this amazing book about an AROACE MAIN CHARACTER, her soft magic automaton friend, a very diverse crew of PIRATES, strong women, the power of friendship, and a slightly terrifying magical library and then I will curl up and just hug this book forever and ever. Seriously, This Golden Flame has it all.
Set in a world inspired by Ancient Greece interwoven with a unique type of rune magic, I got lost in the vivid storytelling and fast-paced adventure. The writing style is gorgeous and there were so many powerful and quotable lines.
Not only were Karis and Alix incredible main characters who’s stories and emotions I became attached to quickly, all of the side characters were deep and complex and I truly felt connected to all of them. The author writes in such a way that I could really feel the characters emotions and while this book is fun, it is also intricate and emotional and one of the few books to even come close to making me cry.
One of my favorite parts of This Golden Flame was the focus on friendship and familial love and how that’s just as strong and important as romantic love. Karis was very strong and sure in her identity and her relationships are beautiful. The dynamics between the characters were done very well and I loved reading about them all.
This Golden Flame is a touching story, perfectly wrapped into this standalone novel, that I will keep close to my heart always.

In a few words this book was very simple in its writing. The magical system based on runes called the Script was very invented and I loved it. But the story itself was a simple one. I did enjoy that this book represented a diverse cast of LGBTQ characters because, we don't really get a lot of that, but we are getting more now a days.

As a debut it felt like the author was playing it safe. Which in itself isn't a bad thing but I wished that she would have taken chances and I don't know but done more? My only other issue was that no one dies in this book which just seemed really weird. I think that Victoria is one to watch and I am excited to see what she come out with next.

I loved that this one didn't have a romance as the forefront of the story. So many YA doe this and I was glad that this one did not. I think that this one would work out for those that are just starting YA from reading Middle Grade stories and for those who like simple easy to read fantasies.

This Golden Flame is a sweet fantasy story about the love of family and friendships that stand the test of wrong decisions, betrayal, and altogether bad attitudes.

Automatons are something I have not read a lot about, and I feel like this was done very well. The plot was decent, characters were likeable and relatable, villain was villainous ... I do wish there had been a little more details throughout.

Over all I do recommend this book. It was an easy standalone (I am pretty sure lol) read that I very much enjoyed.

I was not expecting this book to suck me in from the beginning, but it did. The beginning definitely gives a good introduction to Karis and her motivations and it hits the ground running so to speak. I did enjoy the setting and aspects of Ancient Greek that were woven into the world/story. The duel perspectives of Karis and Alix were well played off of each other and it was nice to have a perspective that wasn't just another human character. I loved the inclusion and diversity of the characters and their orientations without it being a huge thing. Those are my favorite types of inclusive stories, when it's just normalized within the world. There were definitely aspects where the story could have gone a little farther, but overall I really enjoyed the story and the characters. Even minor characters were given fleshed out identities that were wonderful to read and breathed life to them even as the main characters worked through their adventure. I could see this having a sequel or companion, but I think it's meant to be a standalone - still, the potential is there.

*): I found this story engrossing and entertaining, a well written fantasy that I read in an afternoon.
The author delivers a story about friendship, searching for our story and who we are, and very inclusive where there is no “normal” as plenty of characters are non binary or belong to different cultures.
My favorite characters were Alix and Zara. Alix, the automaton who is trying to understand who he is, Zara the strong willed and no-nonsense captains of the pirates.
I can say that I found all the characters interesting even if some more background would have helped.
The world building is well done and I was fascinated by the magical system and this sort of steampunk Ancient Greece.
The plot is well developed, a bit slow at times, and the solution was satisfying.
I think it would be great to read other stories set in this universe as there’s plenty to explore and I’d like to visit other places and learn more about the ancient story.
Even if it’s marketed as YA I think it can be appreciated by fantasy aficionados of any age.
It’s recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This YA fantasy is an adventure that's both fun and thoughtful for the reader.

Once the world was at the mercy of automatons. Made for good things, they were soon used for war and violence. Then, one day, they stopped as the pioneer of automaton work was killed and portrayed as a monster. Two hundred years later an orphan finds one automaton that actually works—not only does he activate but he has a consciousness of his own! Karis knows she must escape the island for her and the automation's sake. How willing will this new automaton be to help Karis in a war that is brewing?

Emily Victoria creates a fantastical world of magic, pirates, and family. Her characters are not your stock characters. The main character is asexual giving a fresh face to YA fantasy. Other characters are homosexual but not portrayed in a stereotypical manner. These characters breathe real life into the world and give each a riches many other YA fiction lacks.

The only issue with this fantastical novel is the ending seemed anti-climatic. It seemed like an abrupt and easy ending. While I appreciated the fight and story not being drug out, the ultimate villain really got their resolution too easily. The Epilogue of their life was a nice touch, and I liked seeing that the character's actions meant something.

Overall I enjoyed this story. I loved the adventure and the acceptance of “others” embraced by this book. I'd absolutely recommend this for YA readers.

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This was such an entertaining read! I thought this book was super fun and had a lot going for it.

First off, this is an #ownvoices book that features an ace main character, which happens, like, never in YA fantasy. So that aspect was super cool. There were other romantic relationships featured in the novel, but the main characters Karis strictly has close platonic relationships with her childhood friend Dane and new automaton friend Alix.

Speaking of Alix, the second POV of this book is a robot! With feelings! Such a cool, unique spin on one of those age-old ideas. I loved getting a peek into Alix’s mind and thought his POV really added an interesting depth to the story. Plus, his and Karis’ relationship, while platonic, did play a front-and-center role in the story, much like a romance would in another book.

Along with ace and automaton main characters, there was also quite a bit of other diverse characters, including multiple queer characters and a range of races. And, like, it wasn’t a big deal. There were a couple of “surprise I’m not straight” moments, but immediately after, we just moved on and didn’t have to spend forever talking about it. It’s just the way things were.

Anyway, the diversity of this book isn’t the only thing that made it fun to read. The plot was also fairly intriguing and the world was really incredible. It took a moment to get used to everything in this world, but once I kind of had the hang of things, it was really cool. Kind of like Ancient Greece? Which is always great. With a ruling class, from what I gathered, made up of scholars.

Like I mentioned in the beginning, I ended up rating this pretty high (four stars on Goodreads) just because I enjoyed my time reading this. The entertainment value was fairly high for a good part of this novel. Especially in relation to Alix and everything going on with him.

Unfortunately, however, that’s kind of where my love for this book ends. I could have rated it lower, but again, entertainment value.

So, here are a few things I didn’t like as much:

- The characters lacked depth. They were so interesting on the surface, but I don’t feel like I really got to know them super well. Karis’ and Alix’s POV’s were actually pretty hard to tell apart until it was made obvious one way or the other by mentioning the other one. There were a couple of times when I had to go back to check which POV I was in. I feel like Alix, an automaton, should have had a little bit more unique of a voice.

- On that same line, the villain in this book was suuuper weak. Karis and Alix face plenty of other external conflicts on their journey to find answers, but when it came time to face down the final boss, I just wasn’t really feeling it. The details surrounding him were pretty vague and I didn’t really have a reason to care. He just was evil and that was that. A lot more could have gone into him, I think. Especially if they had spent a little more time in the final location.

So really, me not absolutely loving this book came down to characters, but that’s a HUGE thing for me. Overall, I would definitely read this author again and I look forward to whatever Emily Victoria has planned next. If you’re looking for a diverse and entertaining, but not too deep fantasy read, this one is a pretty solid choice.

I must say this book was so good. As someone who enjoys a book built on fantasy, this hit the spot. We have a wonderfully fantastical world created by the author. Unique characters and a story with alternating POV. IT was one of the best books I've read so far in 2021.

The story follows eighteen-year-old Karis as she tries to find out what happened to her brother after the two were separated seven years prior. As she journeys to find him we meet many characters that brought me joy and a few that didn't. There were several unexpected moments in the book. Things I didn't anticipate which I loved.

This book is geared towards young adults and rightly so. It is one I know I would share with the younger kids in my family.

There is one bad thing about this sorry I could find and that was it is not the first book in a series. I feel I would love to delve deeper into this fantasy world adn these characters.

First of all, I have a lot of people at HarperCollins to thank for ARC access to this title. I am on the HarperCollins Canada influencer list and attended an online YA preview event in December 2020, which is when I heard about this book. Everything about it excited me! From the title and cover design to the synopsis to the fact that a Canadian wrote it and it has so much LGBTQIA representation. The cherry on top is that publication day for this title, February 2nd, is my birthday! We were told at that event that we'd all be receiving a randomly selected ARC and I hoped it would be this one, but I ran off to NetGalley and Edelweiss to request the eARC anyway, just in case. My HCC contact Marisol Folks helped arrange to ensure I was granted access through Edelweiss and I eagerly scheduled it into my reading list. Days later my NetGalley request with the USA team was also approved, and then weeks after when I had forgotten about those randomly selected print ARCs, a beautiful proof of this title showed up unannounced on my doorstep. Thank you! Thank you to everyone at HarperCollins who had a hand in permitting me to read this three times over, thank you to Marisol Folkes and the HCC Frenzy team for making me aware of this book in the first place, and thank you to Emily Victoria for writing such an amazing book!

With all of that said, the wealth of ARC access has not swayed my opinion in any way. This may be a glowing 5-star review, but it is an honest and entirely genuine one, and I wouldn't have said anything differently (apart from the paragraph above) if I had been forced to wait for a published copy.

I am featuring this review on both of my book blogs on February 3rd and will be shouting it from the rooftops for a while! If you like my review and want to see what else I recommend, I would very much appreciate the visit to either blog.

Westveil Publishing (My blog/professional site - 6:30am EST): https://www.westveilpublishing.com/?p...
With a Book in Our Hands (Group review-only blog 10am EST): https://withabookinourhands.com/?p=1975

The Scriptorium plucks orphaned children off the streets and puts them to work to serve their goals, all of which funnel into the primary goal of awakening the world's slumbering atomatons. Karis is one of those orphans, and she's been studying the runes she copies for her masters to work with. Her brother was culled from this island's group and sent elsewhere, and her one mission in life is to get off the island and find him. When Karis discovers an unexplored cave and within it finds an automaton like no other, and awakens him, she dares to hope that she's solved all her problems. This atomaton can get her into the records hall and then off the island. What she didn't anticipate was discovering that this Atamoton, Alix, is more than a mindless machine controlled by runes in a tome.

This book is told in the first person, present tense from two points of view: Karis and Alix. The discovery and awakening of Alex is the first major event which means we get to read Alix's POV as early as the second chapter. POVs are consistent throughout a chapter and all chapters are labelled with the character's name, so there is no confusion if you are reading a print or eBook copy. I haven't yet listened to an audiobook recording (if one even exists yet) but I do believe the two characters have been given distinct enough voices that any skilled narrator will be able to make them sound different without too much struggle or resorting to pitch shifting their own voice (something I'm not fond of listening to.) I do feel that both POVs are vital to the story and that although I'd love to be in a few other characters' heads, none of the others were needed. Two POVs is exactly what this story called for, and it was executed very well. Between the two I enjoyed reading Alix most, but that may be the hardcore SFF fan in me whose favourite Star Trek character has always been Data. I'm a sucker for artificial beings wrestling with their humanity!

The points of interest on the back of my print ARC include mention that this title is an #OwnVoices asexual representation story, and yes, can confirm, Karis is asexual. We also get other LGBTQIA orientations and gender identities (including a pair of gay lovers and a pirate who uses they/them pronouns.) I would like to praise this book and author for writing these representations into the book without making them major plot points and for having the other characters be accepting. As a demisexual she/they pronoun user, I absolutely love that! With all of that said, the ace element may have been a little too buried in the first half of the book. Having read that tidbit about representation before reading the book, I was looking for the ace character, and I pegged Karis early on for two reasons: I assumed (as was correct) that this book would not be delving into the sexual orientation of created beings with metal bodies so that knocked out one of the two POV characters, and although it felt to me as the reader like Dane might be feeling more than just friendship or perhaps brotherly kinship for Karis, all of that seemed to fly over her head. If I hadn't been given the heads-up that there's ace representation in the book, I would have simply assumed Karis wasn't interested in Dane, specifically, up until about two-thirds of the way through the book when Karis privately reflects on her asexuality and spells it out on the page. This isn't a bad thing at all, I did say that I appreciate that orientations and identities weren't major plot points, but I mention this in case anyone daring enough to read reviews first is looking forward to the ace representation and might otherwise spend a lot of the book wondering when it's going to show up.

I love the world-building and magic system in This Golden Flame! The world feels like an ancient Rome/ancient Greece inspired version of Earthsea, with humanity scattered across small islands. It's both fresh and exciting, but also comfortably familiar, and I love that. The rune-based magic with the addition of a natural essence of magic (script ink) that civilizations past had figured out how to distill and use, but modern people have forgotten, is absolutely fascinating. It felt very alchemy inspired, but again in a fresh way. I also really enjoyed the fact that this book heavily featured a very polite crew of pirates!

Representation in this book: Asexual, Gay relationship, they/them pronoun user, low vision disability, orphan status

Content warning: mild knife/sword violence, threats of murder, orphan status, forced separation of siblings, situations that can be considered allegory for slavery

This book works amazingly well as a stand-alone, and if it remains a stand-alone I would not be upset ...but I would also really like to hear what happens next!

When I started reading this book, bits and pieces of it reminded me of Rachel Caine's The Great Library series, which I absolutely loved, so that was the best! There were so many aspects of this book that I really enjoyed- the friendship between Karis and Dane, the fact that Karis sees Alix as a person rather than a machine, the pirates, the whole overthrowing a government/leader that has let their power corrupt them, but the book itself did feel just a little bit too long. It didn't really take away from the reading experience, I just felt like I was checking my progress to see how far along I was far more often than I normally do. Besides that, I also really enjoyed the world that Emily Victoria built- I wish we had learned more about the actual world though because the characters kept saying places and I wanted to know more about these places, more about their history, more about these wars fought (with or without automaton). I thought the automatons were great too- definitely an interesting concept with runes and there being a mystery around why they had stopped and how to get them back on again. Overall, This Golden Flame was a fun read and if you're craving fantasy with great friendships, relationships, and accepting anyone no matter who they are, I definitely suggest picking this one up!

One of the first things I found that I liked about this book was that the main character, Karis, is asexual. I think the thing I liked the most about it was that it wasn't made as some "big deal". Sometimes, ace rep is used as a comparison to what the author would call "normal" feelings/attraction, which always made me so angry. But that's not done in this book. Karis mentions she doesn't have those romantic or sexual feelings towards others and that's that. It's not a pressing issue, it just is. And I love that. 

Next thing I found myself in love with was the dual POVs. Karis is the exact opposite from Alix, personality wise. Where Alix is more shy and reserved, Karis is more of an in your face kind of person. She's willing to stand up for what she believes in, especially concerning the people she loves, and she's willing to take a risk to get what she wants. Their dichotomy made the back and forth so much more fun. It was great to switch POVs and see what the other person is thinking or feeling in the same situation. And while this leads me to intense feelings in certain moments, I found that I loved every chapter, even during moments that I hated. 

And with each chapter I read, I loved the book more. I think the background of this world is so cool. The way that automatons, which used to be robots controlled with magic, are now just giant statues, is so interesting. It was so weird that basically no one knew what happened to them and that goal of working to get them up and running again made me anxious. I couldn't imagine wanting to have giant robots running around at my beck and call. It gave me vibes of The Iron Giant, but less destructive. And even though Alix is an automaton himself, he feels so human compared to the other machine, and maybe that's why I liked his character so much.

Along with the world, I loved the plot too. How the book progressed was so seamless and clean that no matter where I stopped I was dying to read more. I had to know what was going to happen next, it was so difficult to find a place to stop. Which is why I took as few breaks as I possibly could. By the end, I was so sad to find there were no more pages to read, and it took me a little while to gather my thoughts. 

Overall, I loved this story. I loved the two storylines converging into one without overshadowing the other. I loved the characters, especially Alix, and the fact that most of them were well fleshed out. And most of all, I loved the feeling of "I can't get enough of this" as I read. This was a great book and I'm excited to read more from this author!

Actual rating probably like 3.75 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Asexuality rep!!! Ahhhhh!!!!!!!!! That was pretty much the main selling point for me.

This Golden Flame is about a fantasy Greek-like society full of deactivated/dead technological creations called automatons. Karis, an orphan and slave to the governing Scriptorum, finds a humanoid automaton in a cave and wakes him up. Together they team up to find her brother who she was separated from, and Alix, the automaton, uncover the mystery of his creation and past.

Surprisingly, this ends up being a pirate fantasy too. On their way to the capital, they’re taken prisoner by pirates, but become members of the crew.

It took me awhile to read this because I was in a slump, but all in all it was very enjoyable, solid little YA fantasy novel. The worldbuilding and magic system made sense, the characters were diverse, and the conflict was engaging!

Romance requirers, this is not the book for you. No major romance in it as the one narrator is an automaton and the other human narrator, Karis, is asexual (and I think aromantic) aside from some side characters having a romance.

Fellow aces, this is the book for US. Main character ace rep is still so incredibly rare in fantasy. It makes me feel warm inside and understood and SEEN to read positive, relatable representation.

I don't typically tend to like books where the point of view switches between characters, but This Golden Flame handled it well, probably because both viewpoints characters are fascinating in their own right and different enough that the dual perspectives added something to the story that you couldn't get with a single viewpoint. Karis especially is different from most other YA female protagonists (no romance, hallelujah) and a well-developed character.

Emily Victoria's debut novel, This Golden Flame, is making waves and touching hearts. It's one of those books that immediately caught my attention thanks to the description and promises, but then went above and beyond in impressing me.

Karis was orphaned at a young age, and soon after taken in by the Scriptorium. To be clear, they didn't do this out of the kindness of their hearts. They bound her and bade her to work for them, alongside all of the other orphan children they've collected.

While some may find it possible to be content with this life, that is not an option for Karis. It never would have been an option, even if she hadn't been separated from her brother in the process. That is why she's been seeking every avenue for freedom.

“Besides, some risks you have to take.”

This Golden Flame is going on my list of books that you absolutely have to read in 2021. It's every bit as brilliant as the title and cover suggest, with lots of pleasant surprises woven in throughout. The end result is a memorable experience.

One that has a lot of representation along the way. It isn't every day you get to pick up a book with an ace main character, especially not in the world of fantasy. Yet that is exactly what happened here, and it is a delight.

Karis' character is bold and tough, but she also knows what she wants. And more importantly, what she doesn't want. Her honesty is refreshing, and it adds so much to the way she navigates this world and all of its problems. At least, it did for me.

“Even after all these years I'm still not used to it. To the quiet.”

This is a fun read, one that has a distinctly steampunk feel to it, as well as several other surprises up its sleeve. It made it an absolute delight to read, and I for one would give anything to see this as part of a series. Though that's just my greedy little heart talking, I know.

If you're looking for a clever fantasy novel with an ace lead, then please take some time to read This Golden Flame, as it is that and so, so much more.

I don't know where to start with this review. This story is so much more than just a fun fantasy read. Like a diamond, there's facets to this story that needs to be uncovered.

We follow a dual perspective in Karis and Alix. Karis is stubborn and fierce, with a single-minded goal of reuniting with her brother. When she finds Alix, an automaton unlike any other, their lives intertwine into a new purpose to create a better future.

"You either take what you need no matter the cost, or you watch it be taken from you."

Emily created a world rich with history and promise. With characters as diverse and unique as her world, she imparts an important message within the pages of her novel - we are all unique, with a purpose we determine ourselves.

You will read about the bonds of family, both by blood and by choice; of mistakes and bravery in fixing them; of making difficult choices that affect others. Mostly, you'll learn about love and the lengths people will go to to save the ones they love...

"If we flame out, we'll burn like stars."

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, but an Ancient Greece inspired world with automatons and ace rep most definitely made for a nice surprise!

Told in dual POV, this book follows Karis, an acolyte with the Scriptorium, and Alix, a newly awakened automaton. In this world where the Scriptorium is doing everything it can to reanimate the automatons that have been dead for centuries, Alix’s existence needs to be kept secret from the all powerful Magistrate. What unfolds is a story of pirate ships, monster automatons and rebellion against evil.

Let’s dig into the main characters a bit, shall we?

Karis, as mentioned is an acolyte. She became one when her and her brother were taken off the streets, orphans that they were, and given to the Scriptorium. Only the pair of them were separated when they arrived and Karis has been trying to find out where he went for years. When she accidentally stumbled upon and wakes Alix up, his ability to unlock runes finally gets her the information she needs. She’s a pretty resilient young woman. Both clever and determined, she was easy to root for right from the start. I adore that she identifies as aroace. YA novels need a lot more ace rep because it was so refreshing to not have a character hung up on a romance. However, it wasn’t without its faults. I found the author was far too on the nose about it and I didn’t appreciate it being spelled out so blatantly for the reader.

Alix is an anomaly in this world. Not only is he the only automaton awake, but he has his own will. He can think, move and feel all on his own, which makes the need for him to be kept hidden from the Magistrate hellbent on reanimating the others for his own gain all the more important. Especially when one considers who created him. He is very sweet and soft, and befriends Karis almost immediately. Much of Alix’s journey centres around his identity and free will. I think the conversations had were well done but as an automaton, I didn’t quite buy it as he didn’t feel like a robot. A little more on that below.

An issue I had was that the two POVs felt very similar. There was little to distinguish either voice, and it didn’t help that both were in first person. I often wasn’t sure who was speaking because of that. There were a few secondary characters I really liked though. Namely Zara and Dane. Dane is Karis’ best friend at the Scriptorium, a ladies man guard, while Zara is the spunky pirate captain who picks them up. The cast is actually quite large, with a big ship crew and several contacts on the islands, but I really only connected with/found important Dane and Zara.

The world building felt very unique! It’s not often automatons pop up in an ancient setting like this, but they were well grounded. The idea is that there is a magical ink in the world that allows for the automatons to be controlled. Each has their own tome, and when a rune is written in it, the command must be followed. This is why Alix is so unique: he doesn’t need his tome to move. The world was clear to imagine, but I did think more detail could have been given. It’s apparent that this is an expansive world, but we see very little of it. The detail is quite surface level, and at times when it pertained to the automatons, I simply needed more.

What kept me from giving this five stars was that I lost interest in the last quarter. I found myself no longer invested once the path to the end of the book was unveiled. This was for two reasons. One, the rebellion mounted is just ... sad. It’s a tiny group with little to no clout and honestly, no real hope of even getting anywhere. But somehow they still get by. Which leads to my second reason: the danger was not there. This was a rebellion with no bloodshed. No one is injured, no one died. Of course, if that is the kind of book you’re looking for, then by all means please pick up this book. For me, I need the threat of failure, and even though they were an unlikely group, there was never any doubt they would win. It was too simple for me.

Overall, for a debut and a standalone, this was super solid. A little too safe, but still entertaining with some much needed rep.

This book is about a girl who is looking for her brother and not doing a very good job of it. The characters in this book were very bland I couldn't make myself care about them at all. Also, there was no death on either side in the middle of a war? What's that about? And you never actually get to see the Magistrate being evil you only get told about his misdeeds. I want to see him do some evil shit. Make him earn that title of being the villain.

Not everything about this book was negative. I enjoyed that Karis was asexual and aromantic. I don't think I've read or even heard of a book where the female or male leads are these things so it was a refreshing change. We get two points of view in this book and one of them is from a sentient automaton! The secondary characters were also awesome.

This Golden Flame is a fabulous story about agency and fate. I adored reading the asexual rep in this book, about how we can let the thoughts and allosexual normativity into our thoughts. But at the same time, This Golden Flame is about being in a situation where we are not free. When we are forced, commanded, driven to go against what we want. Situations not of our own making. It's also about unraveling what we thought was possible, of seeing beyond what we are taught. History serves only those who control it.

In This Golden Flame I enjoyed the characters, their details, and their struggles with these themes of agency. Victoria questions them through both Karis and Alix's POV. We are asked about how much control we have over our own life. I loved reading about Alix's, the automaton, POV and struggle to figure out what he was made for and what he is capable of in the end. He has to wonder not only what makes himself different, but also whether or not he is a weapon. If he will become one.