Review: Flame Chasers by Julie Pike

Flame Chasers is a marvellously magical, mesmerising adventure with family, friendship and home at its heart – an unforgettable quest that completely captured me as I ventured with a courageous team across uncharted waters to find their heart’s desire. 

Once a year, the flamebirds arrive in Bright Beacon to rest before continuing their journey home.  These wondrous, magical birds hold the power to grant a heart’s wish through the wish-magic in their tail feathers.  If a tail feather is found, or taken, then the holder can have a wish come true. 

Ember is feeling excited at the prospect of sailing with her father and joining the flame chase to race across the sea with the hope of finding these majestic creatures’ home, and perhaps even a magical tail feather.  Her heart’s desire is to join the flame chase, so she is heartbroken to discover that her father is leaving her behind and joining the chase alone. He is convinced the race will be too dangerous for her to take part and will not risk her safety.

When her father’s boat is found wrecked in the Westward Seas, Ember is determined to become part of the flame chase in order to find both the home of the flamebirds and her father.  But her father has made the captains promise not to take his daughter on this perilous journey.  Worrying that her hopes are to be dashed once again, Ember is relieved when she sees a new boat, the Sea Quest. She soon meets Stanley and his mother, Agatha.  Whilst Stanly is eager to take part in the flame chase, his mum has forbidden it.  But the children find themselves in circumstances where they need to take part in the flame chase and Aggie reluctantly agrees they can all sail together.

So begins the most fantastic, action-packed, thrilling adventure as the three sail through uncharted waters following a path towards the mysterious home of the flamebirds, a home which they have kept hidden from humans.  There is plenty of danger for this daring trio as they face perilous waters, and so much more, on their race to save those they love before it is too late.  I absolutely loved the twists and turns, secrets and jaw-dropping revelations that made this a riveting read that I absolutely could not put down.  Will Ember find her father or will the sea keep what it has taken?  Is it possible to find the secret home of the flamebirds to keep hope alive? 

As with Julie’s first adventure, The Last Spell Breather, I absolutely loved the magic system in this story which blended wish-magic with leftover magic linked to the feathers of the flamebirds in a fascinating way:  magic which could prove both helpful and dangerous – and which has a sting in its tail!    

There is also an important conservation message in the chasing/hunting of creatures for something people desire – in this case, the feathers of the flamebirds.  Whilst some only wish to find a feather which has dropped from the tail of the birds, others are prepared to exploit these magical creatures no matter the cost.  I loved that the flamebirds are keenly aware of the need to protect their home, and each other, from exploitation and harm.

I adored both Ember and Stanley who show incredible courage and determination when faced with great danger and difficult decisions.  Ember has the capacity for great love and has such a kind, empathetic heart.  She is prepared to take risks for those she loves and never gives up hope.  Stanley’s desire to make his heart’s wish come true makes him do something which he knows he shouldn’t, but this fallability makes him more likeable as he strives to put right what he has done.  I also really liked Aggie, Stanley’s mum, who so clearly loves her son and wants to protect him, but has the courage to let him become part of the flame chase even when this frightens her. 

This is a spectacular, stunning story that that is sure to captivate young adventurers of 9+ seeking an enchanting, engrossing, electrifying read.