**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review*

I'd just finished the first book in the trilogy and loved it. On a whim, I thought I'd see if the second book was available as an ARC and have never hit the 'Request' button so hard!

The first book was a rare 5/5 for me and I was a little nervous that the second book might be disappointing after such a good start. I'm so pleased that it was just as good as the first and I can't wait to read the third one whenever it's released.

Strong, believable charcters fighting back against opression in all their different circumstances. Bravery, loyalty, friendship and even a bit of romance.

Absolutely amazing.

I loved Songlight - it set a great foundation for the characters, politics and world-building. Torchfire took the story to the next level.
I absolutely devoured this book, staying up until the small hours, telling myself only one more chapter (who was I kidding)!
The multiple POV'S works - so clearly done it isn't overwhelming or confusing; it adds to the story.
I cannot wait for book 3.

First of all a huge Thank You to the publishers and also Netgalley for the opportunity to read and Arc of this book.
5 stars definatly, i rated book 1 at 4.5stars but this was just that little bit better. I was worried this book might get 'middle book syndrome' or whatever people refer to it as lol, like it would just be a filler to get you to book 3, but its not its so much more.
The story is continuing(obviously) from book 1 and i feel there is a lot of plot and character development in this book, and i especially like the character developments.
Torchfire has muliple POV's, most we met in book 1 (Songlight, if you havent started this series) and in book 2 we are also joined by Petra, who i think im really starting to like already.
For anyone who may be interested there is also some LGBTQIA+ representation as well.
Overall a great 2nd book which i will be buying(to join book 1) when its released.

This is the second book in Moira Buffini's dystopian trilogy. I loved the first instalment, Songlight, giving it a rare 5* rating. This second book is just as good. The same key protagonists appear as in the first book - Elsa Crane and her former love Rye Tern, and Nightingale (Kaira), Elsa's friend who she communicates with from a distance via Songlight. Joining the cast of important characters we also have Kingfisher (from Ayland - a territory at war with the people of Northhaven and Brightland and thus in theory a sworn enemy of Elsa and Rye but who has come with the aim of bringing peace), Heron Mikane (Elsa's husband in name) but who has a close connection to Elsa's mother Curlew (Curl). Piper Crane (Elsa's brother) has a stronger part too - and becomes a more likeable character as he recognises and struggles to overcome his own prejudices/propaganda fed to him since birth. We have the enigmatic Zara Swan - sometimes good, sometimes evil, and clearly vulnerable to the evil of Lord Kite. And from across the seas we also have Sealanders - most notably Petra - one of few sealanders to have a good heart and be able to see past the prejudices of elite Sealanders (those with songlight).
In book 1 we see those with songlight (Torches) discriminated against, considered inhuman - in this book we see how the Sealander Torches themselves can wrongly use their powers to subjugate those who lack songlight. Set against these two harsh and unpleasant regimes we have the Aylish - who it seems, welcome all and treat all equally.
This was a book which I raced through - lots of tension, teen romance and a plot line that really draws you in whilst at the same time using key characters to call out injustice and highlight where prejudice is evident. Left as before on a cliff edge - can't wait to read the next instalment and find out what happens next. Massive thanks to NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this ARC.

Torchfire by Moira Buffini is a brilliant and intense read. The writing is sharp, the characters are strong, and the story pulls you in from the start. It’s emotional, thought-provoking, and beautifully told. A powerful piece that stays with you long after the last page. Highly recommend!

A great follow up from book 2, really interesting. Love when a 2nd book in a Trilogy can stand on its own and not give middle book syndrome. Excited for book 3!

I had very high hopes for Torchfire, as it is the second book in the Torch trilogy and I really loved Songlight, well my expectations were exceeded! This book was amazing! I was constantly on the edge of my seat!

In this book, we got to see more of the world it is set in, exploring it in greater depth, as well as meeting new characters and experiencing their POVs, which I found really exciting. This book was both equally amazing and heartbreaking at times. Buffini is such an eloquent and talented writer that I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't put the book down.

The characters were also really well-developed, which was great because it made me feel more attached to them. It was also interesting to see part of the book written differently from a traditional format. Near the beginning, we get a diary entry from a new character we haven't met before, which I thought was a brilliant way of both introducing this new character and giving us, information without overloading us-while still showing the passage of time.
I cannot wait for the third book. I strongly encourage people to read The Torch trilogy. Songlight was great, and Torchfire was even better!

A great second installment! I love Lark, Nightingale, Rye and Wren, and the representation of different types of love throughout. The wider messaging around society, leadership and acceptance is poignant given the current world order.


As with anything by Moira Buffini, the second installment of her fantasy trilogy is beautifully written. I found this one harder to follow due to the addition of more narrators, especially at the beginning when all the chapters were shorter, but it got easier as the novel progressed.


Some storylines were perhaps a little repetitive for me, but there were plenty of moments where I was on the edge of my seat. I'm excited to find out how it all comes together.

Thank you NetGalley and Faber and Faber Ltd for the arc

Torchfire is the follow on from songlight I loved songlight I already preordered Torchfire on Waterstones was so excited when I got approved for the arc and it lived up expectations I loved it and wanted more hopefully they is a 3rd book in the series as it ends on a cliffhanger

What I loved they was more character development and plot development it was gripping on the get go and engaging and pacing was great and action packed and the different characters POVs and energy and the acceptance of a character coming out basically I loved everything

What can I say it getting better for each book everyone needs to read this series so far
5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

After reading song light, I was so excited for this and it did not disappoint. Such a brilliant and enjoyable read.

This series just gets better and better. No second book syndrome here!

Torchfire was incredible, full of nail biting tension, high stakes drama and impossible to put down. From start to finish I completely forgot I was even reading. The writing is so vivid and descriptive that its like watching a movie in your head. I could see the world and events happening so clearly I never wanted it to end.

The characters are so well fleshed out that you feel you know them all on a personal level so it makes the story that much more impactful. The world is brutal and unforgiving and you can't help but root for them.

The LGBTQ rep in this was done brilliantly in my opinion. The trans rep in particular was handled well. Sometimes it can be abit in your face but this was done in a very real way for people to be able to understand and relate too.

As far as YA Dystopian goes this is one of the best I've read in years!

4.5/5⭐️
Wow! Just wow! An amazing second instalment. While I enjoyed Songlight I wasn’t left feeling very invested, but Torchfire was incredible. So many trilogies are let down by their second book but it was in Torchfire that we really got to see the character development and understand the world in which they live.
I feel so invested in the future of these characters that I cannot wait for book 3! I just want more! I really feel that this was the book where the series really begins to thrive.

We have queer representation, mental health discussion and inner turmoil as just a few of the things explored in this book. This Multi-POV story where we get to explore the politics of Brightland - a country where those with Songlight are persecuted. We are reunited with some of the characters we met in Songlight including Lark and Nightingale while also meeting some new characters. I loved getting to see more of Rye and loved the addition of Petra and her POV to the story. I felt that her side of the story was the hook that was missing in book one. The variety of backgrounds and experiences means we get a fantastic overall understanding of what it’s like to live in a world where you are constantly targeted for being different and for not agreeing with the people in authority.

The only thing that holds this book back is that I felt the different feelings between characters were hard to distinguish from each other. So many different characters developed feelings for each other that the first person prose meant at times it was confusing. I often had to flip back to the start of the chapter to remind myself which character the chapter was about.

Firstly, I'd like to say thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this e-arc!

Songfire had my intrigued and Torchfire had me absolutely captivated. Everything about this book is genius. From the story-telling, to the world building and character development, everything had my utterly transfixed. I am obsessed with dystopian era stories and holy shit, this absolutely delivered!

This book is easy to follow, simultaneously being fast paced in plot but nothing felt rushed. Each scene felt perfect and so well thought out, I could imagine everything so vividly and felt like I was in the world with these characters. They are all going through their own stories, their own stages of denial and grief and battling their own ingrained beliefs as the truth unravels before them. Some of these characters take you on such a rollercoaster of emotions, displaying such a realistic representation of unpredictable, volatile behaviour fueled by her will to survive. One moment I'm rooting for her and the next I'm feeling betrayed. These characters are deep and complex, and their stories are not for the faint of heart.

If you're after a YA, high stakes, dystopian novel with complicated characters shaped by lifelong conditioning of hatred and their difficult journey of unlearning these prejudices, this story is for you!!!

Moira Buffini’s Torchfire, the much-anticipated second installment in her dystopian fantasy trilogy, delivers a gripping continuation of the saga that began with a world divided by a powerful force known as "songlight." Buffini masterfully expands her universe, deepening the stakes and introducing new layers of intrigue and conflict.

The novel plunges us back into a fractured world where telepathy—either a blessing or a curse—defines power, allegiance, and survival. Our central characters—Elsa, Nightingale, Piper, and Rye—are each thrown into perilous circumstances. Elsa’s desperate search for refuge, Nightingale’s forced betrayal, Piper’s brutal rise through the Airmen, and Rye’s discovery of a mysterious airship all form riveting narrative threads that intertwine in surprising and satisfying ways.

Buffini's world-building continues to shine, particularly with the introduction of the Sealander Torches—a formidable new threat. The tensions between Brightland, Ayland, and Sealand create a charged political landscape, and the moral questions around the use and suppression of songlight lend the story real weight.

Torchfire is a powerful exploration of power, resistance, and the price of peace. With its rich characters, imaginative lore, and high-stakes drama, this installment raises the bar and sets the stage for what promises to be an explosive finale. A must-read for fans of intelligent, emotionally resonant fantasy.

Okay, so if you don't like love triangles and cliffhanger endings then this isn't the book for you. But if you can cope with the knowledge that relationships are complicated especially in high adrenaline situations (putting it mildly) and are prepared to have to wait for book 3 for any resolution to any one of several plotlines then buckle up for this rollercoaster of a read.
The author mentioned that she was inspired by John Wyndham's dystopian novel The Chrysalids about teenagers who can communicate with their minds, growing up in a fundamentalist world and in Torchfire, the sequel to Songlight, there are some clever nods to her source material. Enter new character Petra (named after a character in The Chrysalids) who hails from Sealand - Wyndham's Zealand. In Petra's world mind speakers are at the top, those who can't communicate that way exploited and very much bottom tier. Meanwhile Lark and Kingfisher are on the run from a society which is vey much the reverse, while Rye is trying to escape to Ayland where everyone is equal. Lark's brother Piper is torn between his loyalty to his homeland and his betrayal of his friend and sister, while Nighingale tries to hide her power while a dangerous coup is carried out around her.
The action doesn't stop in this inventive, fast paced, dystopia. Roll on book three - and in the meantime a Chrysalids reread is in order. Highly recommended.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book early, I’m rating it 5 stars.. if I could rate it 6 I would.

This story remains incredible, I’m in awe. I’m such a huge fan of multi POV and this book does it very well, it gives us such a well rounded story as we follow characters on separate paths.

At many points my heart was on the line, the war is developing at a scary rate, people are more divided than ever. We get introduced to new players on the board who may turn the tables one way or another. There is a lot of loss, tragedy and sacrifice in this instalment of the story and it really builds the emotion and tension. There are some redemption arcs which I’m occasionally a fan of and in this case I liked it, a lot of people are just ignorant in this story and they are guilty of prejudice, but they aren’t evil so the potential for growth is so high and I’m here for it.

I am so excited for the next book, I will be impatiently waiting for it!

I am loving this series. I admit it took a little bit of getting back into the story and remembering the characters and what had happened. Once i was up to speed though, what a ride! There is a lot going on and although it is YA it reads well for adults with twisting plots and plenty of politics.
In this book there is the introduction of a new character and consequently, a new society- where songlight is cherished and those without it looked down on. A good contrast to Brightand, but just as wrong. There are a lot of viewpoints and it works well to highlight the difference between the cultures. We also get to see the motivations for the characters and others views of them. It did leave me feeling very conflicted over Swan, should I hate her, admire her or feel sorry for her? I kept changing my mind and still can’t decide. Hurry up book 3!

The ending. I can’t.

This was incredible. I don’t even know where to begin.

The pacing was spot on - there wasn’t a single dull moment in the entire book. It was action packed, plot driven, whilst also not feeling like anything was moving too quickly.

The queer representation is lovely to see. M/M, F/F, a trans character - and none of it felt shoehorned in, it was all so natural.

The characters relationships have all developed well - I don’t think I could say at this point which couples are endgame (although I’ve obviously got my hopes!).

There was a new main character introduced - their first few chapters I did struggle to understand what was happening. It felt like their POV was in the past or future, and I was struggling to connect it on the story. Once something happened that made it click it was in the same time period, it all made much more sense. Other than that initial little hiccup, this new character is integrated well with the current characters, and the new ‘world’ that they brought with them leaves so many possibilities for the next book that I’m already excited for it.

The world building continued to be brilliant. It’s so intricate at times, broken yet hopeful, and just stunningly portrayed.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Incredible, a fantastic read for 2025! Definitely chasing the back catalogue of this author. Strong female leads, action, dystopian future, magic. Beautifully written, wonderful world building. Thank you so much to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This book has cured my Hunger Games hangover!

The sequel to Songlight, a YA fantasy dystopian series with a cast of characters set in a world where ‘songlight’ (i.e. telepathic ability) is forbidden. Thank you so much to Faber & Faber for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

The book is written from various perspectives, most of whom are in the first book. (**spoilers ahead for anyone who hasn’t read Songlight**) Lark has fled her hometown, Northaven. Nightingale is disguised as a chrysalid by Sister Swan. Rye is on the run, and Piper is promoted up the airforce ranks, but at what cost?

There is also a new perspective added to the book: Petra. Petra is living in an airship, sent from her homeland, Sealand, tasked to explore the land before them. Her people value Songlight and dehumanise anyone who doesn’t have it as a ‘sapien’.

Petra’s perspective adds a new layer to the series, and swings it slightly towards the sci-fi genre.

It took me a few dozen pages to get back into the worlds of Brightland and Ayland, and remember all of the characters and their predicaments. (Can we normalise short summaries of past books at the start?!)

Once I was back in it, I was fully there, living and breathing the story. I really loved having the multiple perspectives, even though some of them (Swan and Piper), weren’t likeable, and were morally grey to say the least.

The plot was fast-moving and action-packed, and the world is beautifully crafted. There is a lot of political commentary and parallels that can be drawn to our world and its inequities.

It goes without saying that I can’t wait for the conclusion of this trilogy!