Review: The Torch that Ignites the Stars

The Torch that Ignites the Stars by Andrew Rowe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Arcane Ascension series continues with a detour to another land on this vast continent of mana and magic, where Corin, Sera, and all their friends and allies are taking a break between school years to do some independent study, as it were. There could really be some hidden treasures in the secret magitek labs, some cures for various maladies our heroes may suffer, some hints about where the next known level of attunement may lie (Peridot is discussed), and maybe finally some advancements from Carnelian to Sunstone? If only Corin could find some better mana food. Relatable, that struggle.

Sadly, while this book is noticeably shorter than either of its sprawling predecessors, it unfortunately is also less focused as a story. It really does feel like a touch of filler between the first book covering the first school year, and the second year arc promised to begin in the fourth book. Also, while Sera narrates the recap at the start, I was hoping to see more of her involvement in this story as a result, and was sadly disappointed on that front.

That said, though, Rowe still keeps my interest as well as can be expected, especially with the nasty cliffhanger this one ends on. It's just too bad that my local library doesn't have Book 4 yet, and claims they can't even order it either. Guess I might have to shell out some gift card money from my birthday for that...

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