I will not be submitting my review to Goodreads. I am DNFing A Fire in the Sky because it is marketed as an adult fantasy; it reads lower-grade YA with spice. Tamsyn is a character that I am unable to connect with and her role as a whipping girl seems to accomplish nothing other than to make the FMC into a sympathetic and tortured character that needs to be saved.
The writing was repetitive, which slowed the momentum of this book. I also found that there were no new or interesting plot beats that separated this book from any of the hundreds of other romances you can pick up at your local Barnes and Noble.
Suffice to say, I did not enjoy this book. Perhaps diehard fans of the romantasy genre will enjoy reading it, but anyone who wants more fantasy will probably not enjoy this one.

After reading a certain romantasy series about dragons and realizing there was far too much time before the next one came out, I was looking for something along the same genre that gave me the same feel. I will admit that when I came across this one I was intrigued and hopeful, and...for the most part I am happy to say it delivered.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, & Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC in return for an honest review. My thoughts are my own.

So this one starts out with a bang! The FMC, Tamsyn, has grown up in the castle among the princesses of Penterra. In fact, she is treated like a princess herself...unless you consider the whipping lashes as consequences for punishments she didn't earn. Tamsyn is a whipping girl (and yes, apparently this is a REAL position from days of old in our world). Early on in this tale we are introduced to Fell a handsome, brutish, LARGE (ahem...that's what she said) lord of the borderlands. He has been protecting the inner kingdom from raids and bands of thieves and its time to be compensated. With blood stained armor Fell enters the halls of the King and in front of everyone demands his prize for such loyalty and security...he wants one of the Kings daughters as his wife. He gets one too! When I tell you this book starts out with a spicy bang (pun intended) I don't lie. A very public and hot post wedding bedding follows, but is his new bride a legitimate princess of Penterra???
Tamsyn might have been given no choice, but she went along with the plot and now Fell must live with the consequences but he finds a bit of pleasure in the brutal and unforgiving journey to his home for his new wife which is just shy of terrible and short of death defying.
BUT are Tamsyn's secrets done?
Unbeknownst to even herself there is something that has been lurking inside her just waiting to be set free.

I will say once the journey to Fell's home begins this tale begins to slow down and by the time Tamsyn's secret is revealed in full, it takes a hard turn down meh-ville, BUT I am still quite intrigued by the story and where its going. I can't say I am as impatient for the second of this series as the other I still can't think about without becoming a needy mess, but I will definitely be keeping an eye out.

No regrets!!!!
3.75 stars out of 5

This is my first time reading this author. And first thoughts after finishing the book, I enjoyed it, a lot. I liked the plot. It has the basics of a lot of other romantasy plot lines. But there are enough things different to make it stand out and be interesting. I liked the characters. The FMC is loyal and strong, and her past history as a whipping girl is interesting. Fell is our typical brooding "bad guy who isn't really a bad guy". And Stig is our typical best friend who wants more but isn't going to be the one. The triangle aspect reminds me a lot of fourth wing, and a few other romantasies. I saw the ending coming a mile away. And that was one thing about this book is that there are glaringly obvious plot points happening if you ever read a fantasy novel before. Like glaringly obvious. But, I still devoured the book and enjoyed it a ton. The book ends on a cliffhanger that's going to have me salivating for the next book now.

I loved the romance! they understood each and could be themselves together. The chemistry between them was amazing! I also loved the slow-burn and the sexual tension between the main characters. There were several scenes that made me blush and smile so much. The writing is beautiful and descriptive. I honestly felt like I was living in the world with the characters. I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I cried, I laughed and I smiled. This book will stay in my heart for a long time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I have taken a break from fantasy and I'm happy to say this book helped me get back into it!

I loved the story (although predictable) and the pace of it. The writing is well done and I loved the author's style.

The characters Tamsyn and Fell are good characters. Tamsyn has a lot more growth to come and Fell is...wonderful. Their chemistry is steamy and they have some moments of undeniable attraction. I did think some of their plot lines are predictable, but again, it's enjoyable. Stig is a good character for his purpose of pushing Tamsyn to see the truth.

I do think this is a set up book for the next in the series and I'm hoping for more depth, background on the dragons and witches, and well, revolution!

This is a page-turner which will for sure get a lot of readers!

Thanks to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the ARC!

So I will say at first I was slightly bothered by the first 42% of the book being just world building and Tamsyn and Fell getting married. Then the next 17% of the book was just them trekking through the woods to get back to the Boarderlands. I liked the author’s take on whipping girls, while definitely unheard of in today’s standard I enjoyed learning about the possibility of it historically as it does seem plausible. Tamsyn shows character growth going from the ever obedient whipping girl, to showing her voice and trying to stand up for herself. Fell is the super hot guy that has no experience loving someone or having a family but sure can make you swoon. The book hints at the fact that Tamsyn and Fell are a mated pair, I would definitely say they are based on the marriage X on their hands. Even though it took us a while to get there, I really enjoyed this book. Now for the sequel even though this book hasn’t technically come out yet 😅😭 thanks Avon and Harper Voyager and Net Galley for this ARC!

*Thank you NetGalley, AvonBooks, and HarperVoyagerUS, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Okay wow. So from the start this was a fast-paced book and had a great flow. I think the first 50ish% was a lot of the build-up and might be seen as a little bland, but I PROMISE it is worth the world-building and character development. Right around the second half of the book, my jaw was on the floor and I don’t think it came back up until I finished. The ending was sooooo good and I need the next one as soon as possible 😭

If you like dragons, witches, magic, some spice 👀, or any combination of these, you need to pick up this book on September 24th!

This review was posted on Goodreads and will be posted on Instagram asap.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes:

🐉Hidden identity
🐉Enemies to lovers
🐉Only one bed/tent
🐉Forced marriage/proximity
🐉My wife! (Possessive alpha)
🐉Alphahole MMC/Fiery FMC

⭐️5
🌶3

Y'ALLLLLL. I started this book and finished with A SWIFTNESS. All in one sitting. Tamsyn and Fell are EVERYTHING. Fire and ice. Ensnared by fate.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, my first by Sophie Jordan, and I was so pleasantly surprised. The plot and the world-building have me in a chokehold and I'm frothing at the mouth for the next book.

Tamsyn is raised as a princess, but she is just the whipping girl for the actual princesses. Taking the punishment owed to the other girls. Fell is the brutal lord of the Border Lands. The Beast. And he comes demanding a royal bride for his service protecting the kingdom from all those who seek destruction.

The annoying royals hand over Tamsyn in a trick, having her wed off before Fell realizes what's happened. And it really is 'til death do us part 'round these parts. But Fell takes Tamsyn anyways and they start the long, arduous trek to his home in the Border Lands.

Dragons have been hunted to extinction. Their bones and scales used as weapons to eradicate them. Witches were next on the pyre in the quest for "peace" in a show of human domination. Nothing more than ashes on the wind. Neither exist except for in the tales told around campfires and sung by bards. Or do they?

Do yourself a huge favor and snatch up this gripping tale of adventure, magic, and possibly love? You will NOT regret it!!

This book had a lot of promise but ultimately it struggled for not knowing what it wanted to be. It was a bit of romantasy and a bit high fantasy with romance. I’m happy to read any fantasy featuring dragons but, despite being on the cover, dragons didn’t really come into the story until around 60%. I liked how the author setup the romance but ultimately it was hard for me to buy the rapid development of the protagonists’ feelings for each other.

This book could have benefited from being longer. More worldbuilding would be freaky appreciated.

I've never read anything by Stephanie Jordan before but I looked her up and she's quite an established author and it shows in her writing.

First of all, may I have all of the tropes?
Thank you. I am much obliged.

I was engrossed in this book from the beginning. I had also read somewhere (?) that whipping boys/girls was a thing and for Tamsyn, and her (very surprising character arc), I liked that this was her whole background. Coming from having no control then to having all the control, well sort of, is what I love to see in a main character.

Then we have Fell, who has all of the power but along comes Tamlyn and takes just enough to toss him into an existential spiral. You can *kind of* guess after learning his history, if you remember it, and during the 4th/5th part where his character is going. I was all aboard.

Stig needs to calm himself down. First, he's an emotional villain, now he's just gonna be an attempted murdery villain. (Probably in the next book. I mean, it seems clear.)

This book was just an enjoyable read. It wasn't overly complicated, it was a good book to get lost in.
I can't wait for the second book. I love Tamsyn and Fell.

Thank you NetGalley (and HarperCollins) for the eARC!)

This book was such a romantic, fantastical romp. Another gem from Sophie Jordan. She truly is a gift to the romance world. I can’t wait to read whatever she publishes next!

It was entertaining, but I felt like it was very long drawn out and nothing stood out as amazing to me. There was not a lot going on plot-wise.
I liked the concept of the magic system and dragons but I felt like I needed a little more from the characters..

Y’all let me tell you now I have my number 1 pick for Romantasy book of 2024! Sophie Jordan has outdone herself with this one. I haven’t had a cliffhanger ending shake me since Fourth Wing. Mrs Jordan I need book 2 immediately. Anyway I’m getting two far ahead of myself, I should probably calm down and back it up a bit.

I have been a Sophie Jordan fan since college. When I was in college I read Sophie Jordan’s firelight and Ivy chronicles series. I really enjoyed both of them. A Fire in the Sky feels like a beautiful love child of those two series in one book. This is my first adult dragon shifter romance and omg I now want more. This book was everything I could’ve wanted and more! We have of course all of my favorite tropes arranged marriage, touch her and die vibes, badass female heroine, and a grumpy “beast” MM.

I cannot stress this enough please read A Fire in the Sky when it comes out in September of 2024. You will not be disappointed. Also Thank you NetGalley and Avon publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First off thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC. Book comes out September 24, 2024. Rating a 4.75 ⭐️

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Finished it in a day. Felt like a mix of From Blood and Ash and King of Battle & Blood but with its own unique plot, twists and characters. Individually unique. Loved the characters, the sort of reluctant lovers and arranged marriage trope. Plot was as enticing as the romance which I find hard to find lately in romantasy books.

Don’t want to give too many spoilers but overall loved the plot, characters, tropes and inclusion of dragons, witches and warriors. The FMC Tamsyn was strong, caring but a big meek, I appreciate stories where the woman can both be humble and soft as well as strong and powerful.

Overall a really great read, Sophie Jordan is a great descriptive writer I think this will be a instant hit once released.

Part of a royal court, Tamysn lives in a world where dragons were once the hated enemy. They had been hunted a hundred years past to extinction, or so it is believed. Though peace reigns in the kingdom of Penterra where Tamysn lives serving in the ignominious role as a whipping girl to the royal family, wars and skirmishes still exists among humans. The few magical folk still thought to exist must hide away or be burned at the stake. Tamysn bears her burden of taking on physical punishments for the royal princesses with equanimity. She is called a royal but is not one. Her childhood friend and captain of the guard, Stig, looks to be more than a buddy for her, at least in his eyes.

When the Beast of the Borderlands, Fell, comes to Penterra to demand a royal wife as recompense for protecting their lands, Tamysn agrees to a subterfuge cooked up by the King to marry Fell. He does not realize the veiled woman is not one of the king’s three daughters until after the rather uncomfortable wedding night as they are being observed by the elite for a rather prurient custom.

Fell cannot believe the dirty trick foisted upon him but agrees to leave, taking his unwanted bride on a dangerous journey home. Tamsyn is determined to survive this perilous trek although she has never been far from Penterra, and her new husband can barely tolerate this deceiver. Trials and tribulations begin to awaken what was hidden and thought banished forever; magic may not be dead after all.

While not part of Ms. Jordan’s original dragon books, the Firelight series, it is ancillary and will likely please readers who enjoyed those stories. These tales are in the Young Adult category. This book is heavy on internal monologue so there less action than would be expected for what I would consider to be an epic, adventure romantasy.

3.5 stars

A Fire in the Sky is a magical dragon filled story about a girl named Tamsyn who serves as the whipping girl for the royal family, until the Beast of the Borderlands comes demanding to marry one of the princesses. The king decides to trick him by marrying him to Tamsyn and drama ensues.

Tamsyn is a little difficult to sympathize with for a lot of the book, but we do see glimpses of character growth and I’m sure we’ll see more as the series goes on. Although the romantic interactions were few, I enjoyed the dynamic between Tamsyn and Fell and the pull they felt toward each other.

I did not see the first big twist coming at all which was great. I thought the other twist became a little obvious after that but it was still enjoyable. I think this book could have used a few more likable characters considering there were hardly any. Overall this was an easy gripping read and I may be interested in continuing the series.

Thank you to NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

I don’t even know what to say about this one —

I like dragons, I like witchcraft, I like magical worlds - so that was some of what appealed to me about this novel. I appreciated the unexpected twists that popped up and kept me interested, and the ending certainly surprised me.

There was a lot about this book that got me fired up, and that’s not necessarily a negative thing - I think the author wanted to evoke emotions in the reader. Our FMC Tasmyn is the royal whipping girl, meaning she takes the beatings on behalf of the princesses who are untouched and unpunished. I felt as though Tasmyn doesn’t get a lot of respect from anyone in this book and falls victim to learned helplessness. I think we see glimpses of how her character can develop into a stronger woman who is more sure of herself, but as it stands she’s seen as weak and powerless for most of the book… succumbing to the fate that others lay out for her without really fighting back except for a few instances.

I suppose this book is considered romantasy, there’s a love triangle and an arranged marriage that leads to more. Our MMC Fell becomes more likable as the book goes on and I think he definitely has the potential to be a powerful protector that helps Tasmyn see her worth.

I am not sure if I will continue with this series - but I am grateful to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this ARC. I suppose I would recommend this one to dragon and fantasy lovers so that they can form their own opinion - I certainly think there is an audience who would love this book.

A Fire in the Sky was just okay for me. It’s didn’t knock my socks off with any big plot twists or stunning writing, but I do think a lot of romantasy readers will enjoy it. I can see this being really popular on TikTok/BookTok. There is some spice, around a 2.5-3/5.

I didn’t realize until the end that this was a prequel to Jordan’s YA series Firelight. I did read those books, but it’s been ages, so I didn’t make the connection.

I would definitely recommend this book for readers of Fourth Wing and SJM. It perfectly embodies the newer romantasy genre. Overall, for me personally, it gets a 3.5/5. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I devoured this book! I absolutely loved Tamsyn. She has been raised to be the whipping girl for the children of the royal family - a princess in name only who bears the brunt of all the punishments. She is a fascinating character- strong yet her sense of self is fundamentally enmeshed in how she can serve others. She expects to sacrifice and suffer to help those around her. I really loved the first half of the book. The second half moved very quickly and I think I would have liked to spend more time in the world instead of the plot moving so so quickly. Overall I cannot wait for the next book!

A Fire in the Sky was everything I could want from a romantasy book. This had great writing and an atmospheric world that reminded me of the show Reign. I loved the fantasy aspect and the dragons. It was subtle because this is a world where magic is almost gone and the dragons are extinct, but once the story got to the fantasy, it really took off. This had a unique spin on dragon fantasy books with dragon shifters and a perfect ending that I loved but don’t want to spoil. The romance was the highlight of this book and it still has me reeling every time I think about it. I was giddy over the main characters the second they met and the instant attraction was undeniable. The spice was just perfect and I don’t say that often. This was definitely one of my favorite books of the year and I am very excited to read more from this author.