An intriguing first book

Aeryn lives in a small village in Ice Crown with her parents, away from mages and problems. But when she discovers she had a gift for magic, her world is turned upside down: she can control and create fire. Which draws attention to her and her family. Taken from home to train at Windhall University and learn to control her powers, she discovers the real world and all the threats that await her out there...

I really enjoyed this book. The magic system and the academia vibe of the book with the magic university was really cool and interesting to discover. I liked that not everything was easy and good at the school, it made for a more mysterious and realistic setting. I found the writing to be quite immersive and addictive and the fact that Aeryn is a very compelling and relatable main character. The story was a bit slow and predictable at times, which made me rate it 4 and not 5 stars, but I feel like the sequel will really pick up pace and intensity so I'm excited to discover it. The romance was implied in this and I can't wait to see how the different relationships evolve. As for the plot in itself, it was quite intriguing and I really want to see what happens in the next after the revelations of the ending. I'm really excited to read the sequel!

I recommend if you like YA fantasy with magic and darkness.

"Every life is precious, every life matters."

TW: violence, fire, battle, war, blood, death

I have to say that I really liked this book. The way the author painted the characters and the magical elements with such vivid descriptions allowed me to effortlessly immerse myself in this enchanting world.

Admittedly, the cliffhanger at the end wasn't much of a surprise for me; I had a sense of where it was heading. Nevertheless, this didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. In fact, I was thrilled to discover that there is a sequel, and I'm genuinely excited to dive into the next installment. I can't wait to continue this journey and see where the story takes me and I look forward to know more about the story of Aeryn.

Daughter of Fire: Conspiracy of the Dark;

It was okay, thought it might have been a little more exciting but felt it was uninteresting and lacked imagination especially considering nothing gets going until about 100 pages in, it was a struggle to finish.

Karen Frost's 'Daughter of Fire: Conspiracy of the Dark' is an enchanting journey into a world where magic and mystery intertwine. The book offers a rich and immersive experience, with vivid descriptions that transport readers to a realm of secrets and power.

The protagonist, a young woman destined to wield incredible fire magic, embarks on a thrilling adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Her character is well-developed and relatable, making it easy to invest in her story.

Frost weaves a complex web of intrigue, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing throughout. The world-building is exceptional, painting a vivid picture of a realm where darkness and conspiracy lurk in every corner.

The writing style is engaging and flows effortlessly, making it a pleasure to read. The pacing keeps the story moving at just the right tempo, ensuring you won't want to put the book down.

In 'Daughter of Fire: Conspiracy of the Dark,' Karen Frost has crafted a captivating tale that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. If you're a fan of fantasy and magic, this is a must-read.

Aeryn, born and raised in the Ice Crown region of Ilirya, who possesses a rare and uncontrollable magic in the form of blue flames. Fearing the empire's intentions, she conceals her powers, but when her secret is uncovered, she is whisked away to Windhall University to learn how to harness her abilities. As she grapples with her newfound powers, she also navigates complex relationships, including her attraction to her friend Lyse, a skilled healer, and uncovers unsettling truths about her kingdom.

“Daughter of Fire: Conspiracy of the Dark” by Karen Frost was interesting. Not a lot happens and it’s slow at times. A lot of the characters were hard to remember and didn’t really connect with them. I liked how Aeryn uses her powers in fighting and I am really interested in seeing more of it. The characters at Windhall University reminded me of a lot of characters in Hogwarts Legacy which I really liked. 3 out of 5 stars, I think the sequel has promise to have more action and hopefully more in depth of the side characters.

Beginning of new fantasy series felt off balance at times
Fantasy is a new-ish genre for me and this book sometimes felt heavy with information that distracted from the core storytelling in my opinion. There are points in the story where numerous characters are introduced and it's not clear if they're worth remembering beyond that scene or if they're one time appearances in the story. The pace of the story felt uneven at times and I wondered where it was all leading, whether or not this was important to the storyline of this book or it was worldbuilding for future volumes in the upcoming series. This may be the kind of book that's best read when the full series is published and can be read in close succession; that may be more clear when the sequel is out next month. The cliffhanger for this one is a good one so all the more reason to anticipate its sequel to see how it resolves and continues from where this one leaves off, and to see if other unanswered questions are addressed there or will be carried over if the series is to be more than a duology. I am very curious to see if the imbalances are corrected in the sequel(s)
The main character is a teenager but the story is at times quite dark so I would steer older teens and adults to read it rather than anyone younger. There are alot of fight scenes in the book if that's your thing and fans of Harry Potter may feel a certain familiarity with parts of the plot line.
It's not my favorite fantasy story of those I've read but I did like the healthy family and community dynamics of the main character's home and the diversity of characters that appear in the book. I will read the sequel when it's available to see if the imbalances in this book are evened out and questions answered.