ARC receive on NetGalley from publisher, GenZ Publishing.

So I was really intrigued by that book when I saw the synopsis. It felt like a good fantasy, the kind I really enjoy. Unfortunately it didn't deliver the way I thought it would.

I had a lot of difficulty to get into the story at first. The first 15 to 20% of the book felt way too long with nothing happening and it took me forever to read that small bit. There was part of the story when it flew really well and I would read a few chapters without break. And then, at some other point, only reading a small chapter took me everything. I feel like there was a lack in the world building. Sometimes I couldn't follow the story, and the long gab were the main character "lost sens of time" was really bothering me. There was a lot of telling in the world building instead of showing. I didn't like the Q&A part, it felt like an easy way to write a complex world. The kind of notes you'll take while brainstorming a story, not the things you'll actually put in it. We could've wait for the second book to learn most of what was in those Q&A. The writing style wasn't really for me. It was almost like there was a like of editing or revision in it. Some part were amazingly written, and then we'll get to some lazy writing style and I didn't like it.

One of the other things I had problem with was the way everything was solve so easily. Honestly, every single problem was solved before anything could actually happened. It felt like everything was given on a silver plate to the heroine. Especially the ending. I really hated that part of the story. The summoning of demons and all that... it felt like some easy way to add something to the story, and then, like all the rest, it ended up real fast and it felt like it was there for no reason at all. That's how I felt for most of the book. it feels like it could've been cut in half and it would still be the same story.

The thing that annoyed me the most was actually the main character. Halley Ashwood felt at first like a strong female lead, intelligent and with a lot of character. Yet she was so dumb it was infuriating. Being in her head for all the book was draining a lot of my energy and I wished it would've been told in third person instead of first. Every time she did something, it was as if her brain had stop working and the supposed doctor didn't exist anymore. the only thing she was, was actually a doctor. There was nothing else about her.

Fortunately we had Azrael Falkov to save the story! I loved him so much and yet it felt like we didn't have enough of him in the book. I wish we could have had is POV or at least more of him into the story. He's a dark and mysterious character, the kind I love. And he's the only reason why I would read the next book.

To sum it up, the story idea was really great but the book could've been better. There was too much lacking in some area that made me not enjoy it as much as I wish I would've. The story felt long and incomplete for me.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This had a very interesting concept but the writing felt very weak and I just couldn't get into it.

Halley Ashwood is about to become a doctor in Detroit. She grew up in California, where her controlling and distant father still lives and is the governor. She is heading to Amsterdam to visit her brother Flynn. They became super close to each other as they had to depend on each other when their mother passed away and their father was out campaigning instead of being the dad they needed.

When she lands her brother informs her to stay at the airport and not to leave until he gets there, under no circumstance. When he doesn't show, she sets off to find him on her own. Halley is a determined, fiery, and strong-willed woman who refuses to allow any distractions to keep her from the goals she sets out to achieve. Rather it is personal, emotional, or even her past traumas. I can see how this character could be a role model for young ladies in this light.

However, when she is unable to find Flynn she realizes that this city is not just the normal tourist town everyone thinks it is. Something is happening in Amsterdam and Flynn was involved. Now she's forced to work with a stranger named Azrael, a golden-eyed benefactor or most of the time a thorn in her side, who promises to help reunite her with Flynn. Unfortunately, when it gets real, Halley is left lost and alone and must depend on a stranger who offers her more cruelty than kindness.

Graythorne is extremely descriptive throughout the book. This allows the reader to actually feel like they are in the world that has been built. There is action, thrilling adventure, paranormal intrigue, and a very slow-burn romance. She portrays the scenery with a peculiar beauty of Amsterdam’s red-light district and the use of demons brings the whole story into a fantastic mold. I am truly looking forward to book 2 to get more of this world and see what Halley does next.

This review was made possible by a copy provided to me by NetGalley.

This one i found alittle confusing at times. Maybe that was just me but the storyline didn't quite flow. Wasn't sure what was so special about Hayley and why she was being protected.
Great description and liked learning about Amsterdam.

The plot that unfolds in this story is full of emotion, action and bends and turns that keep you questioning. The main characters allow for an easy immersion. The flaws though come in when too many questions go unanswered and it isn't until the very end of the book that we begin to get a glimpse at some of them. Still, we are left with wondering what one of the main characters is, and many unanswered questions regarding her brothers murder. It left me with confliction because on one hand, it makes me want to continue on to the next to receive some of those answers as I'm aware that most likely is the intention of the author but the other side of that coin is left with doubts because I read through hundreds of pages and really only got glimpses of what's going on. The flow was nice and I didn't want to put the book down until I finished. There were parts however, that didn't explain what was going on and I now believe that to be intentional and another way to get us to want to continue with the series but when we are left with feeling unsatisfied that much, it's hard to decide.

Woah. It was love at first sight. Fireborn caught my eye with the burning pentagram on the cover that screamed of something unique and interesting. It delivered. I just hope this wasn't the lone book in this storyline because it feels like it was just making sense and getting really good.

Halley is headed to Amsterdam to visit her brother Flynn. Halley is a soon to be full blown doctor in Detroit, but originally from California, where her father still lives and is the governor. Halley can't stand him and his controlling, yet nom existent parenting. Flynn and Halley are super close. They fended for themselves while dear dad was gone on the campaign trail. Their mom passed after giving birthday to Halley. Before Halley leaves, Flynn tells her to wait for him at the airport and under no circumstances is she to leave. When he doesn't show, guess what stubborn Halley does?! Of course she sets off to find him, but what she finds is that the world she knows is a farce. Something is happening in Amsterdam and Flynn was involved. Now she's forced to work with a stranger named Azrael to figure out what happened to Flynn and ensure she doesn't succumb to the same fate.

Who doesn't love a book with demons and that which cannot be explained?! I was captivated from the start and couldn't put this one down. Thank you to #NetGalley for the #ARC. This one comes out October 5, 2021!

Halley is headed to Amsterdam to visit her brother Flynn. Halley is a soon to be full blown doctor in Detroit, but originally from California, where her father still lives and is the governor. Halley can't stand him and his controlling, yet nom existent parenting. Flynn and Halley are super close. They fended for themselves while dear dad was gone on the campaign trail. Their mom passed after giving birthday to Halley. Before Halley leaves, Flynn tells her to wait for him at the airport and under no circumstances is she to leave. When he doesn't show, guess what stubborn Halley does?! Of course she sets off to find him, but what she finds is that the world she knows is a farce. Something is happening in Amsterdam and Flynn was involved. Now she's forced to work with a stranger named Azrael to figure out what happened to Flynn and ensure she doesn't succumb to the same fate.

Who doesn't love a book with demons and that which cannot be explained?! I was captivated from the start and couldn't put this one down.

Thank you NetGalley and GenZ publishing for providing me an ARC of this book. Halley is headed to Amsterdam to visit her brother Flynn. Halley is a soon to be full blown doctor in Detroit, but originally from California, where her father still lives and is the governor. Halley can't stand him and his controlling, yet nom existent parenting. Flynn and Halley are super close. They fended for themselves while dear dad was gone on the campaign trail. Their mom passed after giving birthday to Halley. Before Halley leaves, Flynn tells her to wait for him at the airport and under no circumstances is she to leave. When he doesn't show, guess what stubborn Halley does?! Of course she sets off to find him, but what she finds is that the world she knows is a farce. Something is happening in Amsterdam and Flynn was involved. Now she's forced to work with a stranger named Azrael to figure out what happened to Flynn and ensure she doesn't succumb to the same fate.

Who doesn't love a book with demons and that which cannot be explained?! I was captivated from the start and couldn't put this one down.

The plot had so much potential, but the execution needs a little more work. Too much tell with less show/feel. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with the story.

3 stars

~ I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own ~

I can tell that the book took a lot of effort and I really appreciate that, unfortunately, it just wasn't for me.

I don't like the main character at all. Her personality just didn't click with me and she's dumb sometimes. I didn't enjoy being in her head and reading her thoughts the entire book. The writing is OK, there's a lot of telling and no showing. The worldbuilding was too convoluted and nonsensical to me, and I didn't like how it was explained through Q&A at some point. Some parts that should've been interesting were just mind-numbingly boring because there were too many mundane things happening in between and too little action. It's a pretty standard demon book to me.

I received an eArc of this book for free. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

I found this book on Netgalley and the cover caught my attention right away. I am definitely a cover buyer and this one was beautiful so I requested an early copy. I am so glad that I did. This book was sooooooo good and very thought provoking. I love books about demons but this one also had great amount of suspense and mystery to it as well.

The story centers around Halley who is finishing up her studies as a doctor. She takes a trip to visit her brother in Amsterdam for a vacation away from her life in Detroit. Once there, she realizes her brother is in trouble and sets out to help and her adventure begins. Now this is a dark read but very well written. The author is extremely descriptive throughout the book. This allows the reader to actually feel like they are in the world that has been built. There is action, thrilling adventure, paranormal intrigue and a very slow burn romance. The writing of this book reminded me of Karen Marie Moning and her Shadowfever series. This was great read and if you love a great thriller with a pinch of fantasy, you will love this story I give this book 5 stars

Thank you NetGalley, GenZ Publishing and Author for the chance to read this amazing advanved ebook!

Book one in the series and I'm so delighted I was able to read the first book of the group!
I simply can not wait till Jessa comes out with the second.....
I know! I know! Book one hasn't even released yet. Its that good y'all!

This type of sci-fi, fantasy is one I very much loved and enjoyed reading. Because it has a mix of thriller/mystery added in the mix. And guys it was phenomenal!
Fireborn was such a stunning story! The characters were spot on, very interesting and well written.
Halley is one of those hate to love characters. And I loved her!
The Author Jessa Graythorne... Has gained a fan right here! I usually steer clear from sci-fi fantasy books but she nails this head one. She wrote this so smoothly and wonderfully I was hooked and didn't want to stop!
You will just have to read it.

Thanks again NetGalley, Publisher and Author for the chance to read and review this amazing book!
I'll post to my Goodreads, Bookstagram and Facebook account closer to pub date!