The second book in V S Holmes’ Blood of Titans: Reforged series begins slow, but burns towards an explosive finale worthy of the forces in its name. More introspective and character-driven than its predecessor, Lightning and Flames picks up the protagonists broken by events of the first book and charts how they reforge themselves through training, politics and magically-augmented physical changes. This is where the novel shines brightest—Arman and Alea’s struggle to make sense of their powers and their feelings for each other is tumultuous, and royal scion Brentimir’s battle between his duty and his sense of self is engaging, if a little focused on world-building for the sequels...As a set piece, Holmes’ prose perfectly illustrates the incredible, world-shaking horror unleashed when Alea and Arman’s magic clashes with that of the gods..

"The atmosphere surrounding this saga is intoxicatingly real, despite the knowledge that this is a fantasy fiction....While some readers may fear the plethora of strange names, in Holmes’ skilled hands the verbiage becomes additive and thoroughly important This REFORGED volume elevates the reader even more, adding to the obvious stature of V.S. Holmes’ literary presence. Very Highly recommended