Beyond the Flame (Essence of Ohr, Book 3)

By: Parris Sheets
Published by: Evolved Publishing
Publication Date: June 9, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-62253-657-3
Reviewed By: Kathy Stickles
Review Date: November 15, 2022

In my opinion, it is always hard to read and review a book in a series when you have not yet had the opportunity to read the others. It is always hard to “catch up” so to speak. In the case of Beyond the Flame, I am happy to say that was not the case. When I finished reading this book, I had completely fallen in love with the series and I went right to the computer and bought the first two books.

In Beyond the Flame, Parris Sheets has added yet another chapter to this incredible fantasy series that should not be missed. In the first two books, we saw Kole’s quest to reunite the six gods begin as he and his mentor tried to stop evil from destroying what was left of their world. In the third installment Kole and his friends are still working toward completing their goal. They are led to a faraway city where magic stills rules but the people in the city are also working with great new technology, all in the hope of stopping the spread of the Black Wall. This wall is impossible to control and out to destroy the city and everything else in its path. Of course nothing is ever simple because the god that Kole seeks this time is not to be found in front of the wall but beyond it and no one ever gets past the Black Wall.

During this journey, however, Kole does not rely only on help from his friends and mentor but also tries to obtain some of his help from the one that all others believe is the true enemy. This alliance is, in a word, insane but it makes for a very compelling plot twist. Even though Kole is able to gain a small part of what he wanted, it looks like he will lose so much more. The reader gets to watch as Kole tries to use the technology developed in the city of Zeal to help further his cause. While he does have the help of his friends and a new god, Caradin, it does not help when the technology in the city begins to mysteriously breakdown and Kole and the group not only have to deal with the black wall but also with a group of people in the city who are out to stop him from succeeding no matter what the cost.

Ms. Sheets knows two things without any doubt at all. She knows how to draw in her reader so they are completely spellbound with the story and do not want to put it down and she knows how to enthrall the reader with her various characters so one truly feels that they are living though this adventure with their favorite heroes. The personalities of all the characters are so well-written and come through very clearly. Felix is a great character trying to help while he also attempts to understand how to control his new power. Vienna is the voice of reason, or at least she tries to be. When we add in other old favorites along with many new ones, the tale becomes even more exciting and enjoyable. In addition, this author knows exactly how to create an edge-of-your-seat, gripping climax that will leave any reader clamoring for the next book to see where the journey will lead now. Unfortunately, that will not be until the spring of 2023. I, for one, cannot wait.

Quill says: This book is absolutely mesmerizing and just goes to show that, even when the author has already written two books in a series, the next book can truly be even better. All I can say is I can’t wait to see book 4 and, if we are all very lucky, a motion picture that may be the beginning of the best movie series ever!

For more information on Beyond the Flame (Essence of Ohr, Book 3), please visit the author's website at: www.parrissheetsauthor.com