Forged by Flames

Darkened Skies

By: H.E. Bauman

Narrated by: Ethan R. Pitcher

Not a soldier. Not a prince. Not even a son.

A weapon…

Varojin Auris didn’t ask to be a prince. As the illegitimate child of the Helosian emperor, he was never meant for the world he grew up in, and he knows it. When his father enlists Varojin in the military two years before the service age, it’s clear he’s no longer welcome in the court. So, forced to follow the emperor’s orders, Varojin severs ties with his old life and sets off for Fort Ironwing.

Amid the ranks of junior soldiers, Varojin finds himself as unwelcome as he was at the palace—only this time, there are no rules protecting him from superiors who use far more force with him than on his peers. So when Varojin is offered the opportunity to leave basic training behind and join a highly specialized, secretive unit, he accepts.

But the relief of being flanked by those who support him is tainted by a new reality: the responsibility to take lives when duty calls. When a crisis reveals the full extent of Varojin’s powers, he fears he has finally become his father’s son. In the midst of destruction, the weary prince finds himself faced with a choice: fight for the rubble of his past, or rebuild his life anew.

***

Forged By Flames is the prequel to Under Darkened Skies. In it, you’ll follow Prince Varojin for the full eight years he was separated from Astrea and his family. The story begins just after his 18th birthday and ends on that fateful night at the Whiskey Dream when he runs into Astrea.

©2023 H.E. Bauman (P)2024 H.E. Bauman

perspective

I really enjoyed learning more about Jin perspective and his background as a character overall. This listen also gave me a bit more perspective to understand Darkend Skies more. I really enjoyed reading and listening to this.

Jin 😍 that is all

Reading this prequel after the first book is the right move. I appreciate getting more background on Jin's traumatic experiences and how he met his important people. He's basically a bad@ss with sad boi tendancies. A soldier with daddy issues? Classic. Honestly, there's really no quicker way to my heart. I am still glad Astrea gave him hell for the way he ignored her, though. I wish I had the resolve that she has to stick to her choices.

The Story of Jin's Transformation

Have you ever wanted to know why the main male character was so aloof? Why they keep their secrets so close and only allow a select few in? H.E. Bauman gives us this in “Forged by Flames” the prequel to “Under Darkened Skies.” We get to learn more about Jin and why he cuts Astrea out of his life so suddenly. We learn all his deepest, darkest fears and secrets.

Bauman did a phenomenal job at digging down into what exactly happened with Jin and why he’s so different from who he was eight years ago. We experienced the pain, heartache, guilt, and emotion that he felt throughout each leg of his journey, becoming who he is in the rest of the series.

As this is an audiobook, I also want to point out that Ethan R. Pitcher did an amazing job at narrating in a way that brought Jin to life. He broke when Jin broke and stood strong at other times. He also adjusted his pace as the story intensified and calmed down.

Since this is a prequel, there isn’t much more I want to say as it might spoil the first book for you. There was a lot of cursing, but the most romance was kissing and suggestions at other things. There is drinking.

Overall, I give “Forged by Flames” by H.E. Bauman and the narration five stars. I was extremely invested and can not wait to continue on in the series!

Perfect Prequel

Perfect to be read right after book1 and explain some things the set up for book 2. Jin’s POV of his years away was really eye-opening and the story has the same solid vibes of book 1! Now ready for book 2!

Excellent Backstory

This book is the back story for the MMC, Jin, from Under Darkened Skies. It was so good. It really brought a lot of depth to his character that you didn't get see experience in Under Darkened Skies. He's a soldier that has experienced a lot of trauma but you get to read about his regret on how he ended his friendship with Az as well as how truly awful his father is.
Highly recommend reading this one prior to book 2!
Ethan did an excellent job narrating this as well. The emotion Jin experienced really came out in his voice.