I have not read this authors YA series that is set in this same world.. This is supposedly a prequel series according the acknowledgments at the back of the book. Now when this is done…or if i get antsy enough sooner I am going to have to go back and read the FIrelight Trilogy because I am now going to have to read everything this author has written. This is the origin story of how the Dragons came to be from what the acknowledgments states.
In this we find that our FMC is a princess of the realm…but she really isn’t. She was taken in by the king and queen when she was found and was used as the royal “whipping girl for the actual princesses as they all grew up together. This was a custom throughout their kingdom. Anyone could tell by looking at her that she didn’t belong as she has red hair and golden in coloring and they are more fair in coloring.
Our MMC was also found and taken in by the boarder king. He has now come to see if he can claim a princess as a prize and to try to get more of a voice for the boarder lands. But instead he is tricked by the king and get Tamsyn.
Now in this world dragons have been basically exterminated to extinction so have witches. They were hunted down over a long period of time and very agressively. We find that our MMC very much has dislikes them as he was found basically in a dragons lair by his adoptive father when he stained the last dragon.
Overall I loved this story. I loved the spice level that the author put into this. You can tell that this is defiantly on the adult level and not YA part so if you were into this authors last book and expect to go into it thinking that a preteen could read it I highly suggest rethinking that. I loved the writing style and found it very easy to read an breezed through it so fast that in the blink of the eye the book was over and I am desperate for the next one. Whenever it is announced it will be highly anticipated!

I truly wanted to love this book so much, but it was just flat for me. I found it repetitive, predictable, and the romance was not romancing for me.

This. Was. So. Fun.

I really loved A Fire in the Sky, between the amazing tropes, the blistering tension between the leads, and the really fun fantasy elements that were smartly deployed, this was just a super entertaining book that was insanely hard to put down. Tamsyn is a royal whipping girl for her kingdom, which means that she was raised alongside the princesses as one of their own but was forced to submit to all punishments for their bad actions. Meanwhile, Fell is known as the Beast of the Borderlands because of his fearsome reputation for keeping the kingdom safe. Fell visits the palace and demands marriage to one of the princesses, and the king and queen conspire to trick him while technically fulfilling their promise by marrying him to Tamsyn. What no one could have counted on was the chemistry between the two or their points of commonality that make them see a future in this "trick" of a marriage.

Tamsyn and Fell are both great characters whose journeys happen slowly and aren't without stumbling blocks. Tamsyn has to learn to stand up for herself but her entire life taught her to just let things happen to her rather than take the reins in her own life, while Fell yearns for a true family but has to move past the trickery of their beginning in order to realize that Tamsyn could be the family he is looking for. I loved them both, and the only times I was upset during this book was when it took me out of their POVs.

This is a great start to a series and I can't wait to see where it goes from here.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story overall. The FMC was strong and interesting. I loved her motivations and her position within the royal family. THe MMC was great, loved the touch her and die vibes!
I think we could have done without the 3rd POV. He seemed pretty pointless IMO. Also, there was a ton of recap and exposition in the midst of a conversation that really slowed down the pacing.
Overall I enjoyed this book and would definitely read the next, assuming there is one based on the ending.

A Fire in the Sky is a breathtaking plunge into a richly woven world where allegiances are tested, secrets abound, and the scars of a dragon-ravaged past linger in the air. At the center of this enthralling tale is Tamsyn, a young woman caught between royal privilege and servitude, who finds herself navigating a treacherous landscape of power, betrayal, and unexpected passion. From the outset, Jordan masterfully crafts a vivid setting in the kingdom of Penterra, where the lavish palace contrasts sharply with the palpable tension surrounding Tamsyn’s existence. Raised as both a member of the court and an expendable servant, Tamsyn embodies the struggle for identity and belonging that many readers can relate to. Her background confers a unique perspective that enriches the narrative, as she bears the weight of the princesses' misdeeds while longing for a life where she is cherished rather than discarded.
The dynamics between Tamsyn, Fell—the fierce Beast of the Borderlands—and Stig, the noble Captain of the Guard, add profound layers to the plot. Stig’s lingering affection for Tamsyn is palpable, producing a bittersweet tension that resonates throughout the story. Meanwhile, Fell, initially perceived as a brutish opponent, unveils unexpected depths that challenge Tamsyn’s preconceptions and lead to a story fraught with emotional complexity. Their interactions evolve from adversarial to intimate, igniting unexpected passion that elevates the stakes when Tamsyn's masquerade begins to unravel. The pacing of A Fire in the Sky is skillfully calibrated, maintaining an engaging rhythm that propels the reader through the twists and turns of Tamsyn’s predicament. Jordan's lyrical prose and vivid imagery bring Penterra to life, making the setting feel as much a character in its own right as Tamsyn and her companions. The sense of jeopardy is ever-present, as is the suggestion of magic waiting to be awakened—a perfect metaphor for Tamsyn’s discovery of her own strengths. I highly recommend this book, Tamsyn’s journey from the palace halls to the heart of the Borderlands is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and her story will resonate with anyone who has ever felt out of place or underestimated.

4⭐️
Tropes and themes: Dragons, Mates, Forced marriage

Likes: I enjoyed this read and would recommend to other fantasy readers. I felt that the pacing of the book worked really well. I enjoyed that the magic system was unique compared to other stories I’ve read this year that involved dragons and mates. The story felt like a quick read and I am intrigued enough to read a second book when released.

Growth areas: I wish we had a bit more character development. Especially from the FMC at time she felt too naive. Especially towards the end of the book I found myself wanting her to have grown / taken off her blinders a bit more. On that same note I wish we had a bit more details from other supporting characters.

What an ending!! This book took me by surprise in the best way and I could not put it down. I loved the slow reveals as the story begins with Tamsyn. She is immediately sympathetic as the crown’s whipping girl but the author immediately pivots to a sense of mystery that shows us there is much more to her. I was immediately hooked. The story is quick paced with various urgent and dangerous twists and so many surprises. I have never heard of this author before and I am so glad I took a chance on this. I strongly suggest diving in without reading too many reviews who might spoil the fun of the story unfolding for you.

Apparently this author had written YA novels but be warned this is very explicit and very much not YA.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I ATE THIS UP AND AM CRAVING MORE.
This was a unique concept to me as the reader becasue I have never read any of Sophie Jordan's previous work or read any kind of dragon shifter fantasy. I would definitely categorize it as upper YA or NA, consdering it had low explicit language and low spice, but can see book 2 being more!
The slow burn was delicious and I felt like it was still not quite where I wanted, which is why I am sooooo excited for book 2 already! I NEED MORE TAMSYN AND FELL ASAP!!!!

It's a 5 stars for me, hands down, BUT the only asepct I did not enjoy was the heavyyyyyy internal monologue. Very few conversations and hardly any banter. It was very similar to From Blood and Ash in this regard. Tamsyn is innocent and super sheltered. She has alot to figure out and is plunged into a whole new world when Fell comes into her life, so there is alot of internal struggle and reflection. Overall, I loved Tamsyn and feel like she is just getting started! I have high hopes for book 2!

OK, what did they put in this one? Because I was ADDICTED and couldn’t put it down. This book had me captivated from the first chapter and the story will live rent free in my head until I get the rest of the story.

The story opens in a world where magic is dead: dragons have been driven to extinction and witches are in hiding. Now the humans have no one left to fight but each other. Fell, the lord of the borderlands is a feared brute and he demands the hand of one of the princesses in return for his loyalty to the king. But instead of a princess he gets Tamsyn, the royal whipping girl, for a bride. Tamsyn and Fell have to now navigate the politics of their new marriage as well as some pretty deep secrets about their pasts.

Our FMC Tamsyn quickly became a new favorite for me. She’s fiercely loyal to her family, especially her sisters, and her kingdom. She’s intelligent and intuitive, thinking with both her head and her heart. I loved her POV chapters—she’s not a frivolous FMC that lets the events of the story happen to her. But equally as much, I loved Fell’s POV. This man has layers!! He’s brooding but with good reason—he has a great deal of responsibility on those well-chiseled shoulders. So if you like your FMCs and MMCs with some substance, this is the book for you.

The twists and turns were fun and exciting and I was on the edge of my seat during the action scenes. I thought I had it all figured out and then it caught me by surprise—I love the panicking feeling when you get to the last 90% and you find out how wrong you were.

Bottom line: if you like dragons, witches, marriage of convenience trope, and interesting main characters, this is the one for you!

Deepest gratitude and thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author Sophie Jordan for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

⭐️ 3/5

We dive into this book meeting Tamsyn (our FMC), the royal whipping girl who lives in the palace with her “sisters” and “parents”. I enjoyed the bit of character growth we’d received from her, between her fierce and fiery self, I appreciated how strong willed she was. I did struggle a bit on understanding her protectiveness for certain people, which in-turn led me to stray from connecting with her as a character. We also got to meet Stig, our side character. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to dive into his POV and I hope we get to see more of him in the next book. Shortly after, Tamsyn is then set up for an arranged marriage between Fell (our MMC), otherwise known as “The Beast”. I did feel like the relationship between our main characters was a bit choppy, I struggled to feel the emotions the two felt towards each other. There was also a tad bit of repetitiveness that I felt occur more often than not in the inner dialogue. I did end up thoroughly enjoying the last portion of the book, we got a bit more action and some moments that had me on the end of my seat. I will be picking up the second book for sure in-hopes of finding out more!

Definitely recommend reading if you enjoy the following:
✨ Arranged Marriage/Marriage of Convenience
✨ Dragons
✨ Multi POV
✨ Hidden Identity
✨ Betrayal
✨ Touch her and die
✨ He Falls First

A Fire in the Sky is an absolutely amazing romantasy. I had never read this author before and didn’t know much about it, but I was hooked from the very beginning. I read this in under 24 hours and, even now, I can’t stop thinking about it. Extremely fun and thrilling read. Dragons? Witches? Arranged marriage? Hidden identity? Seriously, I was all in.

I adored our FMC, Tamsyn. She was so strong and so relatable. As the royal whipping girl, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The MMC was great, too, and I really enjoyed his POV chapters. Arranged marriage and enemies to lovers are some of my favorite tropes and Sophie Jordan did them so well.

I THOUGHT I had figured out the plot twists but was only right about one of them! The two at the end were so perfect, I’m foaming at the mouth for the next book. I have read a ton of romantic fantasy this year and this one stands out as one of the best for me. I can’t wait to continue this series and also go back and read Jordan’s previous dragon shifter books while I wait. Will definitely be adding a copy of this beautiful book to my shelf once published! Strong 5 stars from me! Thank you so so much to Avon and Harper Voyager & Netgalley for the ARC!!

This book is an easy read, but i found some of it repetitive. i wish there would have been more world building. There was a little spice here and there. This romantasy is a forced proximity trope which was done very well.

onest review.

Tamsyn is the royal whipping girl but raised with the princesess as sisters. The world hates dragons, her family seems to have some serious political issues, and shes forced to marry in place of her princess sisters.

When she leaves her castle, shes forced to examine her family, relationships, her government, and the “way things work” in general.

Overall, I think it was an easy read, and very addictive. It falls into the YA vibe with with a couple sex scenes, pushing it into the New adult catagory.

Thankyou NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for this eArc.

I really enjoyed this book, Witches, Wolves and Dragons and I got all the Khal Drogo vibes from Fell.
The book had a satisfying ending / cliffhanger and I was on the edge of my seat the last 20%

I do wish the world building had a bit more to it, a little more character depth and growth between Tamsyn and Fell. Loved the substance Stig brang to the story, I wanted more from that too. All of this is possible from book two and I look forward to seeing how the author does this, I’ll definitely be continuing the story when it comes out.

Let’s start with the good stuff:
I flew through this so if you’re in a slump, it’ll do the trick. I’m also a sucker for the whole “bad reputation, good guy” trope. I can totally see this book taking off with enough publicity because it’s an easy read & bingeable. I found that even though I knew it was fundamentally not a good book, I looked forward to picking it up in the evenings.

Now the bad:
This book would have been really enjoyable had it not been so repetitive. The author didn’t seem to know how to fill up the pages with substantial content and instead used fluffy filler that did not add to the story’s movement. I think that space would have been better used for world building, it was weak and made envisioning the scenes and characters difficult. You can skim 75% of this.

Overall, I wouldn’t have finished this had it not been an ARC.

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

We meet our FMC, Tamsyn— 21 year old, whipping girl for the royal family. She’s adopted by the King and Queen but takes the punishments when the “real” princesses misbehave. We meet the MMC, Fell (yes, that’s his name), as he’s coming back from defunding the Borderlands on behalf of the King. Fell leads the warriors that defend against the humans since it been a 100 years without the dragons. Fell comes into the kingdom to demand the hand of one of the princesses, but the King tricks him into marrying Tamsyn.

I ate this book up… it wasn’t anything original but it was such a fun time! The narrative was repetitive at times, especially with explanations of the whipping girl "purpose." However, the pace of the book was fast enough that I overlooked it. There were a couple of plot holes but I let it slide, however they'll get explained in the second book. The spice was fun and I was enjoying the adventure!

I’ll be reading the second book when it comes out Also I’m definitely going to pick up some of Sophie Jordan’s regency books!

Amazing read! This book is the first book in a new series that is set in the same world as this author's Firelight series. This is a prequel to that series. This book was amazing! It has dragons, witches, political intrigue, and some unexpected twists. I binged this book in one sitting as I was unable to put it down. The FMC is a strong willed character that will win you over with her loyalty and love for her family, even if you feel they don't deserve it. The MMC is relatable and lovable. This was a different take on dragons, and I was here for it! There were scenes in this book that were so well written that I had zero difficulty envisioning it in my mind as though I were actually there. This is a POV book that alternates POV by chapter. There are more POVs than just the main character, and I truly enjoyed that. The ending was a small cliffy, and I'm ready for the next book! Highly recommend this book!!


Also note, this book does have some scenes that might be triggering to some. This is not a super spicy book. There are only a couple of spicy scenes. These scenes have awkwardness in them, but I feel that is part of the storyline.

In A Fire in the Sky, by Sophie Jordan, we have a fabulous story of Tamsyn, an orphan, who has been raised in the royal family in her region, as their daughter, but with the understanding that she was the royal whipping girl for her sisters. Her sisters, of divine blood, should not be marred by punishment, but Tamsyn stands as their proxy to take their punishment for any misdeeds they commit. Unfortunately, the King’s advisor loves to punish Tamsyn a little too much. While she loves her family, she hates her role and the punishment she receives. When Fell, a regional leader, whose role is to protect the kingdom from dangers at the borders, comes and demands a royal daughter as a wife, the King hopes to trick him by marrying him to Tamsyn rather than one of her sisters. After the wedding and Fell discovering the trickery, he still decides to take Tamsyn as his wife, and they begin the long, arduous journey back to Fell’s home. They never arrive. A unexpected twist comes in the book before Tamsyn is able to reach Fell’s home, and while she comes to love Fell, this twist could change everything. The cliffhanger ending is yet another twist to the story of these two characters’ love. I absolutely loved this book and read it very quickly. It is only about 300 pages, and it was very fast-paced and easy to read. The characters are complex, and Jordan shows much of their thinking. The only problem I had is that after the first twist, I guessed the second one. Other than that, this book very much deserves the 5 stars I gave it. Jordan has several other books on her backlist, and it shows in her polished writing style and this book actually builds on a theme that she wrote about in one of her previous books. This book is romantasy at its best, intended for an adult audience.
Overall, I thoroughly recommend A Fire in the Sky. It was a great read and I can’t wait to see the sequel.

I was super hopeful for this book to be awesome! I overall had a good time though! The lead up and foreshadowing in the 1st half of the book is what captured me. Once the magical twist was revealed, I felt like I was clumsily along for the ride that was the ending. I really liked the portrayal of the fated/blooded love story and I will consider the sequel because I want to know how that shakes out.

Tropes:
-blooded/bonded/fated love
-political marriage
-trick/false marriage
-dark/foggy mmc
-emboldened/loyal fmc
-witches/magic
-DRAGONS (shifters!)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

I ate this book up! I was hooked from beginning to end. Although some plot lines were a bit predictable, it did not take away from the story at all. I still very much enjoyed it. I wish there was just a tiny bit more adventure or action but, that is something that can be easily added in the second book. Which I will be reading! You have dragons, witches, betrayal, dual POV and a little bit of spice.

TROPES
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
⚔️ Arranged marriage
⚔️ Forced proximity
⚔️ Touch her and die MMC


Thank you to Netgalley, AvonBooks and HarperVoyagerus for the E-ARC.