• Age: 13 to 18
• Grade: 8 to 12

"With a delightful cast of characters and an explosive plot, fantasy fans won't want to miss this one!" —Rosiee Thor, author of Tarnished Are The Stars

Orphaned and forced to serve her country’s ruling group of scribes, Karis wants nothing more than to find her brother, long ago shipped away. But family bonds don’t matter to the Scriptorium, whose sole focus is unlocking the magic of an ancient automaton army.

In her search for her brother, Karis does the seemingly impossible—she awakens a hidden automaton. Intelligent, with a conscience of his own, Alix has no idea why he was made. Or why his father—their nation’s greatest traitor—once tried to destroy the automatons.

Suddenly, the Scriptorium isn’t just trying to control Karis; it’s hunting her. Together with Alix, Karis must find her brother…and the secret that’s held her country in its power for centuries.

"With intricate worldbuilding and a delightful cast of characters, Emily Victoria's This Golden Flame was a page-turning adventure I thoroughly enjoyed."
—Audrey Coulthurst, author of Of Fire and Stars

"A slow-burn fantasy about found family, friendship, and the struggles of finding oneself, This Golden Flame is perfect for fans of classic YA fantasies and automatons with hearts of gold."
—Linsey Miller, author of the Mask of Shadows duology and Belle Révolte

Emily Victoria is a Canadian prairie girl who writes young adult science fiction and fantasy. When not wordsmithing, she likes walking her overexcitable dog, drinking far too much tea, and crocheting things she no longer has the space to store. Her librarian degree has allowed her to work at a library and take home far too many books.

Emily Victoria's profile page

"This Golden Flame examines the perils of power and the magic of friendship for a fun-filled adventure. With a delightful cast of characters and an explosive plot, fantasy fans won't want to miss this one!"—Rosiee Thor, author of Tarnished Are The Stars

"With intricate worldbuilding and a delightful cast of characters, Emily Victoria's This Golden Flame was a page-turning adventure I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved getting lost in Karis and Alix's world as they uncovered the dark secrets of their country's past and found strength and purpose in being true to themselves."—Audrey Coulthurst, author of Of Fire and Stars

“A slow-burn fantasy about found family, friendship, and the struggles of finding oneself, This Golden Flame is perfect for fans of classic YA fantasies and automatons with hearts of gold.”—Linsey Miller, author of the Mask of Shadows duology and Belle Révolte

“Victoria creates a world in which questioning history and fighting for the good of all takes center stage… It’s a refreshing adventure…for readers seeking a unique twist in the fantasy genre.”—School Library Journal

“Victoria creates an engaging narrative with enough fantasy and science fiction elements to satisfy fans of both genres… A colorful fantasy with ancient Greek influences that is a delight to read.”—Kirkus Reviews