I really enjoyed this book! The world building was spectactular! This book is definately for all fans of Brandon Sanderson, Robert Jordan, and Epic Fantasy in general. There are so many bad a$$ females (and males) that can kick butt and ride dragons and strange swamp creatures. My only complaint is that the ending dragged a little bit. There is a LOT of action/battle sequences and that doesn't always hold my attention. Which is a personal thing, and not necessarily a mark against the book.

Anah has been living in the Deep since she was 15 years old when she was cast out of her family home for an apparent treason against the lead dragon. When she was cast out, she was literally thrown from a sky ship, and everyone assumed she didn't survive the fall. She's been surviving as best she can since then. A young group of people including a couple dragon riders come to find her in the deep to bring her back to the Dragon Rider College and help them overthrow the dictator of a Dragon Leader.

There are a few spicy scenes, but they all faded to black before it got truly spicy. However! The main relationship is a trio!

ARC Review: The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

First of all, thank you, #NetGalley and @torbooks, for this e-ARC in return for an honest review.

Where do I start with this story? It never slows down, action-packed right out of the gate. We open with Anahrod, a woman surviving, and end with Anahrod, a woman thriving. Her wrongs have been righted, the family she thought she never had is suddenly found, and she finally gets closure she didn’t know she was chasing.

Anahrod is not the only complex character. We’re introduced to an entire cast of memorable and unique characters with their own ambitions and challenges. Ris, whose bond with her dragon is unlike anything Anahrod has ever seen, is instantly someone who appeals to her—and their relationships eventually blossoms into something more.

But Anahrod also has a complex relationship with Sicaryon, her sword-sworn brother, and we get to see the three of them navigate a complicated and fun relationship that really emphasizes the queer normative aspects of this world.

The character development in this book is exceptional. The rapid-fire banter and the relentless pace of the story are a perfect match. The plot never lets up, each moment propelling the reader forward without a pause for breath.

It’s a fleshed-out world with a highly annoying (and well-done) set of villains, some good old-fashioned betrayal, plot twists you’re not expecting, and a heroine who gets to call the shots at the end of the day and save herself.

A masterpiece. This is my first book by Jenn Lyons, but I don't think it'll be my last.

While this book had potential, it didn't quite capture my heart. The beginning was strong and the worldbuilding was impressive. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the dragons and the magic systems they possessed. However, the characters themselves lacked depth and I found myself skipping ahead, unengaged with their journey. The romantic relationships were rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me wanting more. Despite these drawbacks, I would love to read another book set in this imaginative world.

Well this was a lot of fun. It felt liked it jumped around a bit in places but I forgive it because the characters are just so fun!

I felt like this book had everything to be a hit, sadly, if wasn't for me (but it will be for many I'm sure). It has dragons, I mean, what else do you need to be convince? I know I didn't need more.
The pace, sadly, wasn't enough to woo me. I'm coming back from an heavy reading and I think the timing wasn't read neither.
I loved the writing tho, it was my first Jenn Lyons's read and I'm curious about her work now!

had big hopes for this book because I adore dragon books and I enjoy a good heist narrative. This book not only lived up to my expectations, but it also beyond them all. When I was reading this, I was completely engrossed in it, and it continues to be a constant in my thoughts.

Anahrod has no intention of changing her circumstances; she lives in the perilous deep forests and her only objective is to survive. Sadly, everything is altered when a warlord tries to kidnap them and is eventually freed. The rescue is not what she had anticipated, and before long, she is entangled in a scheme to pilfer from a dragon who desires her destruction.

An standalone epic fantasy featuring dragons (plus a thousand other fantasy favorites), a ragtag group of misfits, and an ill-advised heist. This book has it all and is sure to delight both the dragon crowd and anyone who loves a good heist novel. It occasionally feels like a bit more space (or a bit less plot) would have served the narrative well, but for those craving a standalone read, this action-packed romp with a bit of heat will hit the spot.

The Sky on Fire
By Jenn Lyons

This was a really cool take on the dragon/dragon rider trope! The world is dominated by dragons who look down on humans and use them basically as slaves when they need to. Imposing their wills on them with no recourse. Enter Anahrod who is supposed to be dead and might be the key to changing things.

I enjoyed the cast a lot, very found family and our main trio were fun and interesting. Each character felt like a whole person. The love triangle / budding throuple was sometimes annoying. Like focus on the heist/battle/etc, please.

This is a standalone which I enjoyed, no cliff hanger. But I’d love to see another story set in this world.

Thanks to @netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

🔥The Sky On Fire🔥by Jenn Lyons

Dragons. High stakes heist. A failed rescue mission, and a dragon that wants her dead.

If you’re looking for a standalone dragon heist core (Fourth Wing hangover cure perhaps) here it is! Anahrod’s content living in the depth of the jungle protected by its dangers. However, her life takes a twist when she is coerced into a “rescue” which transforms into her stealing from a powerful dragon. Dangerous situations, world building , a lovely crew of characters, and plot twists await you in this fantasy novel!

The things I love about Fourth Wing:
- First person present, easy and accessible reading, contemporary prose
- Violet and her willful spirit (even if she’s not particularly smart)
- Xaden. Enough said. That man…
- The romance was great. Rebecca Yarros is a romance writer, so of course it was.

I did not find that in this book. From that perspective, I was let down. Though there were dragons!

The short version is, this book isn’t the next Fourth Wing. It’s not going to be. And that’s fine.

This book is great for people who want a more traditional dragon fantasy, with the traditional third-person POV and plenty of narrative distance. I’m guessing it will be a solid 3-4 stars for people who prefer to be in that space.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC.

I found this book an odd mix. It was hard for me to get into, and I'm not sure why. I didn't find it overly complicated in terms of world building; I think it was more finding the characters hard to connect with. It is definitely plot driven and it's a strong and compelling story. I think I prefer books that do a little more character building than this one did. It's a fast paced book and if you like a good dragon story, you'll like this.
It's good, but not one I'd read again.

As a huge fan of the Chorus of Dragons series, I was incredibly excited to read The Sky On Fire, and this didn't disappoint one bit. It was billed by the publisher as combining "conniving dragons, lightning banter, high-stakes intrigue, and a little bit of heat" and 10/10 did this book deliver MASTERFULLY.

The misfit heist crew that Lyons created was hilarious, epic, and heartfelt - I especially loved the way the interactions between Anahrod and Gwyndarion developed. Each of the characters was unique and brilliantly rendered, and complimented the incredible worldbuilding. I'm not sure what magic Lyons possesses to create worlds that feel lived in and immersive--but also completely intelligible to the reader--from the very first page, but it's a wonderful talent.

I was hooked from page 1 by the initial setup, and I stayed hooked the whole time as the heist unfurled itself. The plot really got going at 30%, and I was glued to the book until I finished. This was the perfect standalone, even if I wish that it was a series because I didn't want to leave the world.

Lyons is a true master of epic fantasy and I will be reading each and every book she writes for the rest of her career.

I requested The Sky on Fire because dragons and a heist, and it absolutely delivered. This was a fantastic read full or quirky and diverse characters, wonderful world building, and plenty of action!

Always love to see a dragon book that actually features the dragons! Loved the world building and thought this was a fun, fast paced read!

I absolutely devoured this book! I love how centered on the dragons it was, and the humans were endearing as well. I can’t wait to check out more from this author!

Releasing July 9th, 2024
5 🐉 out of 5

dragons and heists all together in one exciting fantasy book? yes please.

this was my first Jenn Lyons book and I was not disappointed! I enjoyed every aspect of it; from the action-driven plot, to the fun characters and the writing style. every character felt unique and distinctive which is a credit to Lyons’ writing skills. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump recently and this surely got me out of it!

The fast pace of the plot never once felt confusing, it sucked me in almost immediately and left me on the edge of my seat each chapter.

thank you netgalley and Tor for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I love a book with dragons and I love a good heist story, so I had high expectations for this book, and not only did it not disappoint, it exceeded all of my expectations. I was absolutely obsessed with this while I was reading it, and now it lives rent free in my brain.

Anahrod’s only goal is survival; she lives in the dangerous jungles of the deep and has no plans to change her situation. Unfortunately, a kidnapping attempt by a war lord and subsequent rescue changes everything. The rescue is not at all the rescue she thought it was and soon she finds herself wrapped up in a plan to steal from a dragon that wants her dead.

This was pure action from the first page and it never let up. I flew through this book on the edge of my seat and with my heart in my throat. I was so invested in every main character, that every setback felt personal.

This is the standalone dragon fantasy I have always needed. If you are looking for an outstanding standalone fantasy, you definitely need to check this one out.

Thank you to NetGalley and TOR for a copy of this book (both physical and e-book). I leave this review voluntarily.

A heist with dragons?!!!

A group of misfits save Anahrod, independent and wilful and capable of communicating with animals, from capture by the local warlord. In return, they plan to rob the most powerful dragon’s hoard. A dragon that wants Anahrod dead.

All of Lyonn’s characters are always extremely quirky, distinct, and oftentimes brash. In such a diverse group with varying ages, motives, skills, and identities, she is able to build a fun, strong, and bold dynamic.

“It was easier," Ris corrected, "when the only person I loved was a dragon." Then she realized what she'd just said and sighed, closed her eyes, hung her head. "You're both like damn jungle vines." Hopefully that was because they were growing on her, and not because she thought they both needed to be pruned with a sword.

Don’t worry - this is not nearly as complex as Ruin of Kings.

Lyonns is always genius with her worldbuilding. Here, citizens wear ring which denote different aspects of their identity: career, gender, sexual preference, bedroom activities, etc. This seems like such an easier way of knowing who to date.

One thing that remains the same from her Chorus of Dragons series is the teasing at BDSM. Whilst this isn’t a ‘spicy’ book per se, it’s more dialogue hinting at fantasies, I personally didn’t find it to my taste.

“Shame I couldn't find a ring that means 'I'm attracted to people who are vengeance -obsessed and prone to extreme violence! Would've been perfect.’”
“Very niche.”
“No, very niche is renic root, which apparently means I am sexually attracted to cloth dolls."

This could be read as a standalone, and only the epilogue hints at how the next book might start. I am always astounded at authors who manage to write a high epic fantasy that satisfyingly ties off most loose ends in one book.

Thank you to Tor for providing an arc in exchange for a review.

This standalone fantasy book had me excited with its promise of dragons and heists 🐉. I enjoyed Fourth Wing & Six of Crows so the hype was real when I got approved for this ARC but sadly I found it a struggle to get into because of the heavy world-building 😩I also didn’t connect with the characters (don’t get me wrong I liked the characters but I hoped for them to be fleshed out more which is hard to do in a fantasy standalone). I will say I liked the unique magic system & found the last 30% of the book a lot more interesting. I would only recommend this book to high fantasy readers who enjoy the tiniest bit of romance (definitely not for readers of Fourth Wing or SOC in my opinion). I’m settling on ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5 for this one. Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, let's take a second to appreciate this cover! This stunning book was unlike anything that I've read before! In this world, Dragons rule all, including humans. In books I've read with Dragons before, usually, the humans are the ones truly in control, it was so interesting and unique to see the roles flipped! Anahrod wants to live with her titan drake in peace but when she is rescued by outsiders, she gets roped into a journey she never expected...

This story is plot-driven, with sub-plot romance to go along! I did find this book a little difficult to get into at first, as the world-building is heavy and very detailed, but enjoyed the characters and the amazing world that the author created!

Review posted to GoodReads (https://www.goodreads.com/user_challenges/47481404) on 4/12.