50-Word Synopsis:

Hidden all their lives, sisters Kelly and Leandra are seized and thrust into the war-torn realm of Xamalie. Forced into a brutal training gauntlet, they must endure deadly trials, confront their hidden destinies, and fight to survive. Courage, loyalty, and resilience are their only weapons in this gripping dark fantasy.

100-Word Synopsis:

For Kelly and Leandra, life in hiding ends the moment they are captured and delivered to Xamalie, a land ravaged by war and ruled by ruthless forces. Stripped of choice and thrust into a deadly training gauntlet, the sisters must rely on each other to endure impossible challenges designed to break them. As secrets of their hidden lineage emerge, their fight for survival becomes more than a test of strength—it’s a battle for destiny itself. Filled with peril, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood, Flair delivers a powerful story of resilience in a world where weakness means death.

250-Word Synopsis:

Kelly and Leandra never imagined their hidden lives would end in chains. Taken against their will, the sisters are thrust into Xamalie, a mysterious realm plagued by war and ruled by a merciless power that thrives on fear and obedience. Here, the unwilling are forged into soldiers—or discarded as failures.

Forced into a brutal gauntlet designed to crush body and spirit, Kelly and Leandra must face trials that test not only their physical endurance but also their loyalty, courage, and will to survive. In this arena, trust is dangerous, compassion is punished, and weakness can cost a life. Yet within the darkness, they discover strength they never knew they possessed—and the possibility of a destiny greater than their captivity.

As the truth of their hidden lineage comes to light, the sisters realize they are more than pawns in Xamalie’s war. They may be its greatest hope—or its most dangerous threat.

Blending the high-stakes tension of The Hunger Games with the sweeping fantasy of Throne of Glass, Flair is a harrowing and inspiring tale of survival, resilience, and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood.

Taglines:

• “Hidden sisters. Deadly trials. One chance to survive.”
• “In Xamalie, destiny demands blood.”
• “Survival isn’t given—it’s earned.”
• “Sisters bound by fate, tested by war.”
• “The gauntlet will break the weak.”
• “From hiding to the battlefield—nowhere is safe.”
• “When war calls, only the strong remain.”

Reviewed by Valicia France for Reader Views

“Flair” by J.L. Platt tells a story of a family that had tried to keep the existence of their daughters, Kelly and Leandra Deluvia, a secret for many years. The book focuses primarily on those daughters as they are taken from a life of total seclusion and thrown into war to rescue their fathers. Kelly, who is of greater focus in the book than Leandra in my opinion, is known as a Flair which (without giving away too much) means that she has important magical powers that make her a somewhat desirable asset in the war. But she has to learn a lot about what this means throughout her journey.

The storyline was very interesting. The fantasy world was well thought out – from the war, the culture, the countries – everything seemed to tie together seamlessly. I was initially against how easily murders were processed in that world, but once I reflected on the culture and the long-standing war, things made a lot more sense. I enjoyed the development of all the characters, with Leandra being my favorite. She was blunt, talkative, and impulsive, but someone you wanted on your side. Despite having no superpowers, she was a strong, confident, and skilled warrior. Her determination and loyalty made her a force to be reckoned with.

On their journey to rescue their fathers, Kelly and Leandra had their shares of ups and downs. They ended up having more heartache before their journey was over - one of their losses was so abrupt that I mourned with them all through the book. But they seemed to develop some important relationships as well. By the end of the book, Kelly and Leandra ended up learning a lot more about themselves and their past than they expected to.

There were some things in the book that did not come across as authentic, mainly timing issues. Certain parts seemed too rushed, like Kelly’s attempt to look for the Healer as advised by her Guide. It just did not seem like the pattern of events could happen in the timeframe with the outcome as described. In another instance, one character’s realization about the treachery of one of her teammates was too abrupt, jarring me out of the story. I also felt that the deaths of a few characters were too sudden, but it may have mainly been that I had gotten a bit too connected to those individuals. In addition, the book cover was attractive, but upon first glance, I would not have guessed that it was fantasy.

Overall, I highly recommend “Flair” for young adults and up that love reading fantasy that is written with a flair.”

For media inquiries, event booking, rights and review copies, contact J. L. Platt at jessplatt@yahoo.com

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