Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for allowing me to have this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review!

The Sky on Fire follows our FMC Anahrod. She has grown accustomed to her solitary life when one day she is captured by the local warlord. Thankfully she is sprung from her capture by a band of misfits and after separating ways, Anahrod thought she was going back to her every day life. Much to her surprise, such was not the case. She is now being roped in to accomplish the biggest heist ever, stealing a dragon’s hoard. There’s just one major issue, this specific dragon wants Anahrod dead!

Although I have some degree of understanding of the story and the plot, I read 45% of the book before deciding to DNF. The synopsis was captivating and I really wanted to read a heist story that would blow my socks off but half way through the book I didn’t understand what was going on! There were so many characters and so many pieces of the story given to us that I couldn’t figure out what was relevant to the overarching plot. I wish the story wasn’t so muddled with information so it would be easier to follow. Maybe I will try this again in the future but for now I’ll have to leave it behind.

I think it’s been a while since I read a fantasy book with dragons, even though I do love them quite a bit. I was definitely glad this is a stand-alone because I’ve become horrible at keeping track with series. And this was quite enjoyable.

Firstly the narration of the audiobook was very good, and especially helped me with the pronunciations of everything. But I did get too impatient in the second half of the book and just read my ebook instead of the audio, coz I just wanted to get to know what was gonna happen, as soon as possible. The writing itself was easy to read, full of fun banter and humor, and some great friendships and romantic entanglements, that it made for a lovely read which had me smiling while also being quite edge of the seat.

While there were places where we get a lot of info dumps about the world and the magic system, and some plotlines were just left hanging without satisfying exploration, I still thought the author did a good job making it an overall fun fantasy read. The dragon/dragonrider dynamics, the eclectic group banded together for an impossible heist, a very unexpected and instalovey but ultimately adorable throuple, and a very action packed last quarter, make this definitely one of the books that I had most fun reading this year.

I liked this one. I think it had a fun and unique approach to dragons while also hitting all the familiar tropes. As always, Lyons approaches sexuality in a unique and interesting way. My main issue was that this book was trying to do too many things at once to where you couldn't dig deep on any one element. I wanted a bit richer world building. I also felt like the pace was breakneck while not really moving the plot forward until about 40%. At that point, the plot moved, but it was still SOOOO fast that I didn't get to enjoy anything. Dig deeper into anything. I did like the plot and the characters I just wanted more depth

I didn’t get to finish this book, I got a new Amazon prime account and my kindle deleted everything associated with my previous account including all of my downloads and I only just figured out why it wasn’t appearing whenI tried re-sending to my kindle multiple times. Now I’ve finally found the source of my problem and changed/updated the kindle email and can now download books again. It really messed up my reviews for all of the books I’d requested over the past few months, I apologize. I liked what I was able to read so that’s what I’m rating. I will purchase finish and properly review this and thank NetGalley for the ARC at a later date.

I was able to read this because NetGalley provided with an arc. I loved this romantasy. Great Read. I would read more by this author.

Absolutely loved this book. The characters all had great depth, interesting motives, and the plot twists were awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed the protagonist’s romance(s), the flirting & emotional turmoil she went through as she tried to sort through her feelings. The ending was extremely satisfying, without the overdone “and they lived happily ever after.”

One aspect I really adored throughout the book was the garden rings— how individuals ‘shared’ their gender identity, including whether they were trans, and both their romantic and sexual orientations. It was a brilliant way to show how normalized & accepted queerness was in the book, as well as being a great bit of worldbuilding.

I'm a big Jenn Lyons fan and though I long her longer series, I thought this was a great standalone (though I would love to return to the world to see what trouble her brother gets himself into as he gets older)! Lyons always serves with her love triangles and this was no different. I thought the dragons were interesting and the world-building was fun. Really my only issue was that I didn't love the way the novel handled the story of an abused character (Jaime). I understand that he was making questionable choices but I thought at the only main character who was suffered that type of abuse the narrative was very unforgiving towards him.

I have always loved reading about dragons. T.A. Barron, the Hobbit, pretty much anything fantasy I absorbed and devoured as a kid and into adulthood. I do read many different genres, but sometimes it's comforting to come back to an old favorite. The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons scratched the missing dragons in my life itch.

I admit, I did struggle a little bit after the initial introduction to the characters. The pacing of the story was a little off, but nothing that was too distracting from the story. It wasn't difficult to follow, it was more that things went very very very fast or very very very slow with not a lot of in between. There were moments I felt a little jerked around and it was a little choppy in portions of the storytelling.

In my opinion, the book potentially could have benefited from being split, whether that's into two or three I'm not sure but it could have really been a more series with all the storylines that the author explored. There were pieces of the book that I wish had been moved around, and it felt like there were several distinct story lines that did not get the full depth they could have if it were split. We get a lot of lore in the end of the novel, that I think would have been better placed in the beginning or middle as it helps give context to events. Overall, if you're looking for a dragon fantasy novel, this was a fun read, and I enjoyed the unveiling of the characters and their motivations and priorities as the book went on. There is a resurgence in the dragon fantasy novel, and this is great for any reader that wants to lose themselves in the political intrigues of dragons. As a heads up, there are some spicy scenes and discussions in the latter half of the novel.
 
Please be advised that I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*

I am sorry to say that I could not get into this book at all. The beginning confused me and even though things started to make more sense soon, I disliked all characters and did not care for world or story. Not sure if I'm the problem because this book has a lot of things that I usually enjoy, but somehow it did not grow on me at all.

So maybe ignore this review. Sorry!

2.5 stars because DRAGONS

I received an advanced copy of The Sky on Fire from Netgalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Sky on Fire is a book that has everything I love: dragons, heists, adventure, and magic. However, something about it left me unsatisfied, and I had to mark this book as a DNF.

The prologue reeled me in, leaving me with so many questions. Knowing that the book is about Anahrod, having those first characters talk about her the way they did left me intrigued. I needed to know what happened, and I wanted to understand more about this world that is separated by those who live in the sky and those who live on the ground. And the dragon/dragon-rider relationship? Fascinating. But then ...

I honestly couldn't tell you what happened. The first chapter throws you into the action and doesn't let up. I had no issues with the writing style and can't say that the story wasn't pulling me along. There was something about it, though, that left me not wanting to pick the book back up, and every time I did, I would only get a couple of pages in before wanting to do something else.

There was a lot of information thrown at you at once. I love starting with action scenes, but that means the author needs to find a way to integrate the world-building with those action scenes so the reader can follow what's going on. I didn't get that seamless flow here. It felt like the information interrupted the scenes, pulling me from what was supposed to be an intense moment. I have no problem with that happening occasionally, but the consistency started getting to me. I'm the person who wants all the world-building the author can give me, but, like most, I'm not too fond of it all at once in undigestible chunks in the middle of the action.

Furthermore, none of the characters resonated with me. They may get better as the story goes on, but they fell particularly flat in those chapters I read, their personalities feeling too reliant on familiar group tropes. I'm sure I've said it in other reviews, but I have no problem with authors relying on tropes for characters. They're popular for a reason, and I enjoy them. My issue is that sometimes, the trope is the only part of their personality. Again, this may get better as the story continues, but the characters needed to engage me more initially to want to continue to read about them.

While The Sky on Fire was a DNF for me, I believe it has the potential to draw others in. The first chapters didn't align with my reading preferences, leading to frustration that persisted until I eventually gave up. However, I encourage you to give it a chance, as it may work for you in ways it didn't for me.

I thought I’d love The Sky on Fire because it has magic, dragons, the whole shebang. While I did enjoy aspects of it, I found the majority of the tropes to feel like they were lacking. I found the pacing to be really odd and kind of off putting at times, some parts really dragged on. I wasn’t super engaged in the story or the outcome for the characters. I did find the world building and fantasy elements interesting!

Thank you Tor Books and netgalley for my copy!

The Sky on Fire is the newest book from Jenn Lyons, the author of the A Chorus of Dragons series. I really enjoyed the world-building and characters in this book. The plot felt a little predictable at times, but I still very much enjoyed the ride and look forward to more in the series (hopefully).

Loved most of this book... Unfortunately it didn't quite come together for me. The dragons were great, the plot was full of interesting elements but there was never a moment where it all clicked for me.

I loved this book! It's a standalone and lighter than Jenn Lyon's other works. If you love polyamory, heists, and dragons, then this is the book for you. We see so much of the well-built world (including sky-whalers, forest tribes, and a dragonrider school) while keeping the action consistently paced. My favorite of Jenn Lyons's so far!

*The Sky on Fire* presents a compelling mix of elements that should appeal to fantasy aficionados: dragons, heists, and a diverse cast of characters. The novel, written by the talented author *Lyonns*, showcases her prowess in worldbuilding and character development. However, despite these strengths, it ultimately leaves readers divided, reflecting a puzzling narrative that may struggle to find its footing amidst its ambition.

From the outset, *The Sky on Fire* immerses readers in a vibrant world that immediately captivates with its imaginative premise. The dynamic between dragons and dragon riders is intriguingly explored, presenting powerful and complex creatures imbued with distinct personalities. This dynamic elevates the narrative, creating a foundation for the unfolding adventure and establishing a high-stakes heist that centers on retrieving a legendary hoard.

The story revolves around Anahrod, a spirited protagonist who finds herself entangled with a motley crew of misfits intent on executing a daring robbery. The camaraderie among the characters, marked by witty banter and emotional resonance, is one of the book's high points. The interactions evoke a sense of found family, which often resonates well with readers, adding layers of warmth to the tale. The humor and quirkiness of the characters lend an engaging tone, reminiscent of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign where personalities clash and meld in unexpected ways.

However, the pacing of *The Sky on Fire* is a significant concern. Initially, the narrative’s brisk start is promising, but it soon devolves into a whirlwind of events that lack clarity and direction. The rapid shifts from political intrigue to jungle adventures, to romantic entanglements, and back again can feel disorienting. This chaotic pacing undermines the emotional weight of the plot's climactic moments and diminishes character development, particularly for Anahrod, who struggles to establish clear motivations or agency throughout the story.

The romantic subplots also suffer from similar pacing issues. The relationships, particularly the one involving Anahrod, feel rushed and underdeveloped. Moments of instant attraction lead to a lack of believable chemistry, leaving readers longing for more depth. The awkwardly inserted steamy scenes further contribute to the overall sense of disconnection within the narrative. When romance feels like an afterthought, it detracts from the otherwise engaging heist plot.

Moreover, while *The Sky on Fire* presents a queer-normative world, its handling of queerness has drawn criticism. The introduction of “garden rings,” which signify sexual preferences and kinks, is viewed as reductive and contrary to the very essence of a queer-normative narrative. Many readers appreciate nuanced portrayals of identity that transcend labels, and the rings appear to undermine that freedom. The representation of trans characters, while well-intentioned, often veers into tokenization, lacking the depth necessary for meaningful engagement. These aspects highlight a disconnect between the story's ambitious goals and its execution.

Despite its flaws, *The Sky on Fire* does achieve some noteworthy moments, particularly in its action sequences and character dynamics. The heist scenes deliver exhilarating tension, showcasing Lyonns's ability to craft engaging set pieces that draw readers in. Additionally, the charm of the diverse cast often rescues the narrative, ensuring that moments of levity and humor shine through even in the midst of confusion.

Ultimately, *The Sky on Fire* is a story rich with potential, yet its execution falters under the weight of its many ideas. It stands as a testament to the complexities of modern fantasy, where ambitious narratives can sometimes struggle to balance multiple elements successfully. Readers who appreciate quirky characters and heist adventures may find enjoyment in this tale, but those seeking a coherent narrative with well-developed relationships might leave feeling somewhat dissatisfied. As Lyonns continues her exploration of this fantastical world, there remains hope that future installments will refine the storytelling and deliver the depth and cohesion that *The Sky on Fire* hints at but doesn’t fully realize.

This a great read for fans of dragon/dragon-rider books like The Fourth Wing. I thought the cast of characters was great. They felt like DnD characters kind of in the best way--tropey and fun. That said, the pacing was abit off to me and really didn't pick up until the last third of the book, but I still found it an entertaining read overall.

The Sky on Fire is detailed and fascinating. The story is difficult to follow in places, with extensive development and slightly confusing descriptions. It has a heist and dragons though, so in the end I absolutely loved it and it was up my alley. I am glad I continued through my initial hesitation because this book has left me wanting more.

Having read Jenn Lyons' books before, I found that this one didn't initially capture me as much as I'd hoped, but it was worth it in the end.

Jenn Lyons is amazing! She has a way of writing the most engaging, fast and fun stories! She does dragons right! I want more from here now!

Dragons, heists and a band of misfits? Sold, absolutely sold.

This story is fun, has a good pace, and was interesting. I didn't connect with characters the way I did for her other stories, so I'm not sure this falls in the I'll read on repeat year after year category, but more so the I had a really good time camp.

Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. This took me so long to read. It dragged along and I felt very confused and unsure about what was actually going on throughout this book. I was actively trying to do absolutely any single thing at all so I didn’t have to read.

I liked the many aspects of LGBTQIA+ relationships throughout the book. I’m sad I didn’t like this book I thought it was going to be a win but this wasn’t for me.