The Boy in the Emerald Fire
by C.A. Jackson
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Pub Date Oct 28 2025 | Archive Date Oct 02 2025
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Description
In a world where magic is hoarded by nobles, one commoner becomes the spark that could burn it all down. Lorian Night is a blacksmith's bastard with no claim to power-until a noble's magic accidentally fuses with his soul. The theft is impossible. Illegal. A death sentence. Forced to pose as the noble's heir, Lorian is swept into a deadly journey to the capital, carrying secrets that could shatter kingdoms. As war brews and the line between justice and vengeance blurs, Lorian must decide what kind of man he wants to be: a pawn of the elite, or the hammer that forges a new order. But power, once stolen, never comes without cost. The Boy in the Emerald Fire is a gripping fantasy of class rebellion, forbidden magic, and a young man's fight to define his fate in a world built to keep him down.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
I absolutely loved this book! I went into this thinking it’d be “just another fantasy” but it’s so much more different than anything I’ve read. We follow our main character, Lorian, on a journey to the capital of his kingdom who now suddenly has magic where he shouldn’t. Only the nobles are to have this magic. Jackson takes us on an epic fantasy that I couldn’t put down. I love the uniqueness of this story. I can’t wait to see what comes next! Jenny on Goodreads
Reminiscent of Tolkien, George R.R. Martin, and Andrzej Sapkowski's 'The Witcher', this story grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go as it drags you into the world of a bastard named Lorian who has a chip in his shoulder and a hunger to see justice in a broken world. Filled with political intrigue and immersive worldbuilding, this high fantasy was rich with intrigue, adventure and a plot that just kept twisting. I reached the end and was immediately wanting the next installment because HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?! Definitely a 5 star read and I want the next book now because I have WAY too many questions and I cannot wait to see what comes next. -ER. Brooks on Goodreads
I am truly a fan of this book. It’s full of adventure and is beautifully written. I especially enjoyed learning about magic and the political systems along side Lorian. Also, fair warning, the cliff hanger is a big one!
“I would burn it all down.”-Samantha on Goodreads
Marketing Plan
Pre-Publication
Distribution of digital and physical ARCs to fantasy reviewers, BookTok/Bookstagram influencers, and genre blogs.
Targeted outreach to veteran and military publications highlighting author C.A. Jackson’s background as a disabled Navy veteran.
Goodreads and early reader campaigns to generate initial buzz and reviews.
Launch (October 28, 2025)
Coordinated press release to book media, fantasy blogs, and local outlets.
Virtual launch event with live Q&A, social media giveaways, and influencer partnerships.
Bookstore and library outreach, focusing on indie shops and regional library systems.
Post-Launch (3–6 Months)
Ongoing social media campaign featuring fan art, character spotlights, and quote graphics.
Submission to fantasy book clubs, podcasts, and award programs.
Continued promotion through cross-merch (exclusive editions, bookmarks, and themed collectibles).
Key Messages
Debut fantasy novel from disabled Navy veteran C.A. Jackson.
A bold new series launch blending immersive world-building, complex characters, and emotional depth.
Commitment to impact: JAC Press donates 10% of profits from every book to charity.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9441068423772 |
| PRICE | $29.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 372 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 6 members
Featured Reviews
Laney F, Reviewer
4.5 stars — loved it!!
This was my first ever advance review copy (thank you CA Jackson, NetGalley and JAC Press!). I picked this book randomly because the title and description sounded cool, and honestly — it FAR exceeded my expectations. This fantasy takes place in a world where magic obeys the law of conservation: children dilute the magic of the entire bloodline, so illegitimate bastards are seen as an intolerable drain on the nobility’s power. Lorian Night is a commoner bastard, son of a blacksmith and a prostitute, so he is not a threat to any nobility… until he meets Lord Sam Varios, where a mysterious event thrusts them both into danger.
By far, the world-building was my favorite part of the book. I LOVE a concrete magic system where the rules are well-defined (granted, we immediately see those rules bent…but there’s more going on than we know yet, so I’ll forgive it). There is religious and academic lore which expands the stakes. I love that the nobles are complex and not all overtly evil like you would see in run-of-the-mill fantasy, and Lorian is not what I expected either. Likeable, witty, but definitely flawed. You will love characters you did not expect to love. The exposition at the beginning is pretty compressed to get all the background in, but hold tight because it gets exciting pretty fast. I was also tricked by the title and opening chapters when I started — Lorian is NOT a boy, he’s like twenty! The tone is gritty, and there are crude (funny) jokes and a lot of violence.
The plot is not necessarily the star in this book, as a lot of the juicy meta stuff is intentionally left unresolved for the sequel, which... fair play, because I definitely want to read it. This IS fantastic for people who love clever world-building, character development, and not knowing which side to root for. That is me, so I loved it!
Kathryn M, Reviewer
this was a strong fantasy romance and worked well as a concept and from the storyline. I enjoyed the way the characters were written and how it was used in this plot. I thought the use of the magical element worked well to tell the story and was glad it was so well done. I enjoyed getting into this world and how well the characters were used in this.C.A. Jackson has a strong writing style and am excited for more.
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