Fireborne is a pretty good fantasy debut and I definitely enjoyed the whole premise Munda has created! I am a bit of a sucker for the childhood friends to maybe more trope and the relationship between Leo and Annie was sweet, hopeful and pure.

There were a few rocky parts in this that I want to point out. For one, the world building early on felt vague and a bit shaky. I understand that there was an uprising and some of the causes for it, but there’s still some grey areas as far as the classes go and the war currently at hand.

Perhaps I missed some of these things ... if I did I think that lies with the pacing during the first half of this book almost being <b>too</b> fast. We are constantly jumping from action scene to action scene, sometimes with days, weeks, months passing between and it was jarring at times to keep up with the pace of the story. Sometimes we need to slow down a little and let scenes breathe and I feel the first half of this book felt like a bunch of one-shots smashed together.

That said, the second half of this book is much stronger. The pacing is better and I felt like I had a stronger grasp on the characters and factions at play. 

I do wish that more had happened in this book by the end, though. As much as I enjoy competitions, each round was basically a repetition of the same thing. That, paired with the dragonriders school aspect was too reminiscent of a fictional sport that starts with Q and a magical school that starts with H in a series that shall not be named. 

All of that said, I definitely came to love Annie and Leo’s characters. I especially enjoyed their childhood connection and sympathize with both of them over what they’ve lost. I was especially taken with Leo’s character, which is probably no surprise, but I’m mostly curious to see where the series takes his journey.

Again, a solid fantasy debut with a few minor issues, but overall enjoyable!

The comps for this story pulled me in - Red Rising and Game of Thrones! - but the story kept me turning the pages. I love when fantasy can take a classic trope like caste systems and revolution and make it into something fresh and new. Munda does this with Annie and Lee's story. They were opposite in so many ways but also equals. Love it. The worldbuilding was stellar and I felt like I was living there from the first chapter. I didn't envy the characters the choices they had to make but Munda evolves the story in such a way that their decisions are believable and supported. I hope there are more stories in this world!

I was pleasantly surprised by this book and how much I enjoyed it. I read the blurb and new I had to try it (because it sounded amazing) - but would it deliver on its promise and interesting premise? Have no fear - it absolutely does. Anyone who likes Rachel Hartman, or dystopian fantasies, needs to try this book!

Fireborne
4 stars


Ms. Mundi brought to life in Annie and Lee.
She does a great job of world building and character building.  This book really focuses on friendship integrity and loyalty.  If you are looking for a fantasy YA novel that doesn’t have a strong romantic aspect you would
Really enjoy this one. I’m excited to
See future books from this author.

There was a LOT of story building and I had high hopes for this one-  but there were many aspects that while set up well, fell flat. The most notable was the ability to emotionally connect with ones dragon. It was set up as such a special communication, but I don't think it was executed well enough for it to be a major strength for the riders. There was not enough character development for me either, while the plot was pretty fast paced and the reading easy, the characters and their explanations and motivations were little vague and not very well explained, except for our MC. Most of the plot was predictable and easy to see what was coming. There was no thrill factor that I expect from most YA Fantasy these days. There was not  much to set this series apart from other fantasy series, even those including dragons.

It was a little below the reading level of what I am looking for when adding things to my library however I do know that several students who are interested in fantasy would find it interesting, but I'd be more apt to start them on something like Pern instead of this. However if you've got kids who are already into the dragonriders of Pern this might be a good follow up, if a bit underwhelming in succession.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. After a fierce war, the ruling class has been defeated and orphans Lee and Annie are chosen to train as dragon riders. When a shocking secret is revealed, one becomes leader and the other is under suspicion as a traitor. How will their friendship be affected by the events that happened when they were just children and how will they move forward under the new regime? I adored this book. It is told from three perspectives: Lee’s, Annie’s, and the narrator’s. Giving us all three views helps us see the story in full, which I fully appreciate. The characters are well thought out and the storyline is exciting. It is left on a bit of a cliffhanger and I am anxious for the next part of the series.

There have been relatively few dragon books for teens in recent years, and I think this will capitalize on the group who are aging out of Wings of Fire but still want something action-packed and dragon-filled.

Decent debut fantasy set in a Greek-inspired world with dragon riders in an empire that underwent a revolution when the MCs were young. Largely predictable but with some intriguing potential. Audiobook very well done.

I love dragons. I love dragon riders. I requested this book just based on those criteria. Other than that, I didn't really know what to expect. It was filled with action and political intrigue and reminded me a bit of His Majesty's Dragon and Eragon mixed together to make a unique story. I loved this so much!

This book has been sitting in my Netgalley queue for a long time and I question why I didn’t pick it up sooner. Set in a time after a major revolution with two teenagers as the main characters that are growing into the power granted to them as Dragon Riders, we follow their journey and see that change might not always be for the better. There is a lot of romantic tension which was slightly annoying, but other characters balanced it out a bit (Power might be the character we all want to “win”). What I enjoyed is the growth of the characters and the politicking that occurs. Who is going to win “the game?” I’m excited to see where this series goes and would recommend anyone who likes fantasy mixed with politics and doesn’t mind a dash (ok, its pretty heavy-handed) of romance alongside.

This was entertaining, transportive, politically complex and it has dragons. It’s the best kind of fantasy. I loved everything about it from the intrigue., the angst, the characters to the character dynamics. What more could you want. Absolutely phenomenal!

Look Y'all, I'm going through books I need to review and I could've sworn I reviewed this one. Especially because I really enjoyed it and would recommend it. 

I couldn't put this one "down", it was so intriguing and well written. I enjoyed that there wasn't strong romance in it because when every book is built on that it can become mundane. The world-building was amazing and there are well-developed characters. This is a story about survival, friendship, family, and love. And, what all of those mean when your beliefs are questioned. 

I enjoyed the flashbacks as they added depth and backstory to the two main characters. This is definitely a book I would purchase to re-read and continue as another installment is released.

“With that greatness came arrogance, and with that arrogance corruption, and with that corruption downfall.”

Alright, where are my dragon fanatics at??? Let me hear you ROAR because oh my first protector, was Fireborne an insane ride!!!

I don’t even know where to start…

Okay. I do. I want to start with how REAL Annie and Lee are written. This isn’t about morally grey or compelling characters. I could feel the journey they both were on. Every decision they made, how they felt afterwards, the progression from naive exuberance and optimism to a battered, tarnished, weary adult realism. It all was so incredibly well done. And not just Annie and Lee. All the characters. I could pluck any of them from the pages and put them in real life and they would plausibly function in our reality.

Which leads me to my next favorite thing. I had absolutely no idea where I wanted the story to go. What decisions did I want Lee or Annie to make? I have no idea! I seriously could not wish for one outcome over the other because I FELT THEM ALL IN THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART!!! Oh Rosaria Munda, you enchantress you. I had to completely submit any freewill, any expectations, any preconceived notions, and all of my fictional desires. She was completely in control and I had no choice but to submit to her will.

That’s what makes this book pure fucking magic.

“It’s strange how you can fight your way to a door, even through it, without thinking about what lies on the other side.”

Fireborne is described as Red Rising meets Game Of Thrones and oh boy, was this as intense as that ride sounds. Like both series, Fireborne is wrapped in the grey subtlety that political intrigue generally resides in. This isn’t a good versus bad, right versus wrong, but more a scale of ideals, weighed and measured and bitterly fought over. The psychology behind rebellions and regimes is woven into the plot so intricately, it’s difficult to unwind and unravel the black and white morality of either side.

That’s not to say there isn’t a right or a wrong, just that Munda presents each argument from the perspective of humanity, forcing the reader to see and understand that good for some is bad for others, and vice versa. This is a realistic complexity I love in a book. I want to think. I want to feel. I want to sink into the depths of characters and muse over the triumphs and tragedies of both sides. I want to immerse myself in a completely human experience and Fireborne does all of that.

“It leaves me wondering, at this ability I seem to have, of convincing others of things I can no longer convince myself.”

If you want to be swept away, immersed in a world that is recognizable but far away, grab this book. Also, there are dragons! Did I talk about the dragons?! I know. I loved so much about this book that dragons somehow made it to the bottom of the fucking list. Like, who am I right now?! Anyway. Just read this book. It’s fucking amazing.

Thank you Bookish First and Penguin Teen for including this book in their weekly raffle!

I’m glad that of all things in this book I experienced, romance was not the central focus of this book. Books about the after effects of revolution and characters  affected who survive the perils of such a world have to have a delicate balance to attract readers and with the plus of dragons, I feel this book did it for me. I know romance can be important,  but it isn’t always necessary to have it. I want to say I feel like, just for a moment while reading this book, I was transported  back to the  concepts brought in the Dragon Riders of Pern, just a little, and I love that series. I look forward to the next book and how this world and the people within it grow, for better or for worse.

I am really disappointed it has taken me a while to pick up this book, and I am glad I did.  It had many aspects I liked, fantasy, political intrigue, revolutions, and dragons! 
The story was very meaningful, we follow two orphans, Annie born a serf and Lee born an aristocrat but pretending to be a serf, both dragon riders competing to become First Rider. Both main characters find themselves thrown into a revolution between the new regime and the surviving members of Dragonlord families wanting to reclaim their power.

I felt that this book was a slow burn, in the beginning it felt a little slow but I really enjoyed the interactions between the main characters and the side characters.  I do think that it paid off in the end, when the plot began to pick up the pace.  Can’t wait to see where the next book leads us, hopefully to more dragons!

Thank you, Net Galley and the publisher, for offering this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own. 

This was an absolutely brilliant debut and I was completely captivated by it from start to finish. 

The world-building in this book and the plotting of the story are fantastic. I loved how detailed linked everything was. One of the things that really shows a great fantasy read for me is when I feel like I have been enveloped by the story and I am actually right there living it. I got that with this book. I felt totally immersed in the story. I loved all the political points in the story. I love nothing more than a good story about differences in class. It always makes for a compelling story and Munda certainly knows how to seed this into her story to get the most powerful effects. 

I loved how distinct the personalities of the characters were. Both main characters are complex in their own right and I loved how the author makes the getting-to-know-you part so intimate. When it comes down to it, Annie and Lee are opposites but they have shared experiences in their past that connect them. Many of their past experiences are the same even though they react to them differently. It was so easy to connect to Annie and Lee. Their emotions are so tangible in the story that it brings their characters to life. 

Overall, this was an incredibly emotional tale about found family and the family that we ultimately choose. This is an unforgettable story and I am so eager to find out what happens next in this series. I applaud the author on a mesmerizing debut!

This was a case of one of the POVs not working for me and resulting in the story taking a toll. Additionally, the first quarter was a bit of a slower paced story building than what I would have liked.

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda is the first book of the young adult fantasy The Aurelian Cycle series. Told from multiple points of view this fantasy is one of young dragonriders dealing with a world with plenty of political intrigue with a small bit of romance added into the mix.

Annie and Lee are both orphans that were born into a world in the middle of a brutal revolution. Annie and Lee came from very different backgrounds in their world, Annie had been a lowborn while Lee had been an aristocrat but with the revolution everyone was eligible to become a dragonrider and status was based on their abilities leaving Annie and Lee both rising stars now.

To me Fireborne was one of those so-so young adult novels that the biggest downfall to me was the incredibly slow pace of the story. By the end of this one the action certainly picked up but I would have loved for that to have happen much sooner. I also felt the story could have flowed better between the characters sometimes along with needing to dig deeper into action.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I'll read anything with dragons so combine this with saying it was also like one of my favorite sci-fi series, Red Rising, and I knew I had to read it. This was an in-depth high fantasy full of intrigue and shifting relationships recovering from revolution. I also enjoyed the multiple POVs because of the dimensions they add, especially in a fantasy like this one. However, my expectations might have been too high after expecting it to be like my favorite books and it fell prey to being a high fantasy that had a tendency to drag on.  I liked the side characters better than the main POVs who were tied down in drama and miscommunication offenses.