Sunbolt week 2 – Memories of Ash

This week we’re diving into book 2 of the Sunbolt chronicles, Memories of Ash. It’s a year on from the events of Sunbolt, Hitomi has lost the majority of her memories due to the magic she expended in casting the sunbolt and she has spent that time with Stormwind recovering and working through magic studies with her new mentor.

Any theories on Stormwind’s past? Do you think she may have committed any of the crimes she stands accused of?

This one is interesting. I absolutely think that it’s a ploy by Blackflame to get what he wants. I think he has the council in his pocket despite not being a member and has bought them off with either bribes or blackmail to get his way. I think she was probably outspoken in her previous life before she moved to the valley and there must have been some catalyst that prompted her to live alone but I don’t think it is anything like the crimes she is accused of.

What were your reactions to Hitomi’s spiral following Stormwind’s arrest?

This made complete sense to me. Hitomi is alone. Her one friend that she has a clear connection with has left her, she has fragmented memories of Kenta and Ghost and so being left alone in a pretty precarious situation made sense to create this mental spiral. I loved that she went quickly to business and worked out what she needed to take with her to survive alone and knew that she wasn’t safe to stay at the house, even before the mirror conversation and the realization that the Blackflame’s men had taken Stormwind.

So what’s going on with Hitomi’s dreams of Val?

This was so cool! I’m excited to see what’s going on here, but there’s obviously more to their connection than just a debt and a level of friendship. I knew he was going to feature more but this makes me think it’s going to happen sooner than I thought. I thought the sudden break in the dream as soon as she projected a thought was interesting, maybe that means that Val knows she’s riding along in her dreams? Who knows! I’m also positive that the voice in Hitomi’s head was Val and not the phoenix.

We enter the Burnt Lands – any thoughts on this glimpse into magical misdeeds (past and present), and what it tells us about mages and the High Council?

I’ve seen this kind of thing done before in fantasy books and it was nice to see a new take on it and the fallout of the magical battles and its effect on the lands there. I’m not sure what it tells about about mages that we didn’t already know, although the creation of the High Council to try and prevent that kind of thing happening again made sense.

What did you make of the desert nomads and their ways? Were you surprised Hitomi did not mention her kinship?

I loved the nuance here, the honour around escorts and protection despite the clans being at war and what that means for sharing food, supplies etc whilst on a journey. Very much not surprised that she didn’t mention her kinship but will remain hopeful that she might be able to connect with any potential family in the future.

Hitomi makes it to the school of magic, to learn Stormwind has been found guilty and Stonefall has been poisoned. Care to place any bets on what is going on at the school, and whether Hitomi can pull off a rescue?

Assuming that Stonefall recovers, it feels like she has at least one ally and should be able to get more information on Stormwind’s capture. I think a rescue is where Val might pop up to assist somehow or we see more on her magic developing or the phoenix coming back. I’m excited to see how this develops!!