loved being back in this world with dragons. loved the ending twist and would read more about the couple who ended up falling love and she is figuring herself out and family issues.

4.5 STARS

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! This book is EXCELLENT and really kept me on my toes! I was definitely hooked as soon as I started reading! Definitely different than other fantasy/romantasy books that I've read recently.

Tamsyn is a "whipping girl" for the princesses of the court. Given to the King and Queen at only a day or two old by unknown parents, Tamsyn is considered a princess in her own right. When Fell, a warrior, is tricked into marrying Tamsyn, chaos ensues. This is a marriage that neither expected or wanted, but starts to grow into something that could mean more for both of them.

Until a dragon comes along and ruins their future.

Or does it?

The cliffhanger on this one was SO GOOD! I can't believe book 1 hasn't even been released yet and I'm already craving book 2!

Note: There was some repetition that I could have done without, otherwise, this would have been 5 stars, for sure!

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been in a huge reading slump all summer and this was THE book to get me out of it. It was fast paced and quite enjoyable. I do wish there was a little more world building throughout to explain more about dragons and the world itself. I feel like the world was explained with royalty and such but not much of the magic aspects were given other than one tiny chapter in the front and another chapter in the middle. Those are more nit picky things but other than that I don’t have anything bad to say about this book. It’s definitely a good choice for someone that is looking to get into adult fantasy while it not being super heavy on world building. I’m really looking forward to reading the next book!

ARC Review:

4.5⭐️

A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan is an enemies to lovers fantasy romance. This was a a fun read! I really liked this book. The plot and storyline was interesting. I was never bored! The characters were really likeable. I thought the world building was easy to understand. This was a short read but the storyline was still developed well. This book did end on a cliffhanger! I am excited to see what will happen in book 2.

I loved Tamsyn! She was a great heroine. Her and Fell were so cute. I loved their relationship and you can’t help but root for them. Fell and Tamsyn had such great chemistry! I am excited to see where their relationship will become in the next book. Loved that we got both POVs! It was nice to know Fells feelings and thoughts regarding the arranged marriage and the events that transpire after. The plot twist regarding Tamsyn was pretty easy to guess but I still loved it. This was a quick read and I could not stop reading. I am looking forward to the rest of this series! I need more of Fell and Tamsyn!!!

Thank you Goodreads and @sophiejordan for a physical ARC of A Fire in the Sky!

📚 A Fire in the Sky is available now to preorder!

🗓️This book will be released on September 24th , 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

HAPPY READING

This was a delight. It’s easy to burn through the book in one sitting.

Here are all of your favorite romantasy tropes, with royals, witches, dragons, enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, hidden powers, and secret identity. Fell is a likable MMC, your typical alpha hero but with a softside, and Tamsyn is a long-suffering FMC who won’t get on your nerves.

The pacing is relentless, with never a dull moment. Highlights include the wedding night scene. Alas, some parts of the story are predictable, and the writing could be improved. The sentences are all very short, and often repetitive, which gives it a Kindle Unlimited feel, like the author is trying to bulk up on page count. Nevertheless, I liked it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

I enjoyed this and will look for more. I liked the balance between fantasy and romance here and the tropes involved. The world was intriguing enough for me to stay engaged.

I will say that it felt at times like the author was trying to do just too much with this book, which made it a little harder to love. I think if we slowed down and focused on the important stuff here the story has a lot of potential.

The first half of this book really had me glued to it, I loved the palace setting and this rugged war lord coming in and demanding a princess as a bride. The writing seemed smooth and practiced, and the spice was spicing! So... I'm not sure what happened in the second half. Things became repetitive and the main couple's chemistry continued to seem almost purely about sex and the twists were so predictable, but the worst part was how she wrote about the dragons as if they were just people too. Like, without being too spoilery, why would a dragon have or use a basket?? I couldn't get a clear image of how she was depicting the dragons appearance or behavior. A dragon using their hands instead of talons/claws just felt to incongruous with the images of them I had in my head. There was so much potential to start world building for the dragons specifically and it just ended up disappointing me I'm sad to say. Overall it left me wanting and I wouldn't necessarily recommend this one.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy, I wish I had loved this more but of course my reviews will always be honest.

I received this book as an ARC. I loved the first half of the book. It was unique and fast-paced and gripping. I got lost in the last part of the story, and quite frankly, lost interest. I think that this story has the potential to be great, but got convoluted by trying to be too interesting. I will definitely read the next book if only to know what happens to the main characters.

Wow! I was so excited when I was chosen to get an ARC of this book, especially since I’ve read Sophie Jordan’s other dragon series, “Firelight”. That being said I was given an ARC of this book in exchange he for my honest review/opinion. That being said, holy cow this is a good book!! You know a book is good when you look to see how many pages are left, and start having a little anxiety and sadness because you’re half way through and you don’t want to stop reading the book! The story/world/characters were so beautifully crafted, and interwoven. I started this book on a Friday morning, and finished it that Friday night. I could not put it down!! As the FMC Tamsyn is amazing!!! While she was raised as a princess she isn’t someone who needs to be coddled or constantly reassured, which I loved! Too often I am annoyed with FMCs because though they are given this amazing power they constantly need to be told they’re amazing, Tamsyn doesn’t need that! She makes it a point of trying to show she can be strong and adapt to her new surroundings and people despite her lavish-ish upbringing. Being the whipping girl has left her with some trauma (who wouldn’t have trauma from that), but she used it as a way to help with her current situation, rather than let it be a reason to hold her back. Fell has firmly joined the list of my top tier book boyfriends! He definitely has the touch her and die vibes! Fell is strong, and rough, but he has compassion and tenderness. The way their relationship starts and continues to grow throughout the book is masterful! I don’t know if the author planned this, but the story could be set up as a prequel to her “Firelight” series, and helps add a deeper understanding of that series, at least for me it did. I loved this book, but now I’m upset I have to wait so long for this book to be published (September 2024, and yes I preordered as it will have gorgeous sprayed edges), and then wait even longer for the next in the series! If you love enemies to lovers, touch her and die, medieval type setting, and dragons, you will love this book!! I did!!

Vibes: arranged marriage, bride swap, warrior hero, Secret Identities

Heat Index: 6.5/10

The Basics:

Tamsyn is the royal whipping girl, which means that though she has been raised like a princess—even calling the princesses her sisters and the king and queen her parents—her ultimate duty is to take the punishment meant for her adoptive siblings. She takes it again when Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, demands a princess to marry in exchange for his continued protection of the kingdom. Veiled for the wedding night, Tamsyn is given to Fell in place of a real princess... something that, despite their immediate connection, he isn't happy about upon realizing it. He has no choice but to keep her—but as the two make their way to Tamsyn's new home, they have to decide whether they can even trust each other. Because not doing so could cost them their lives.

The Review:

I'll be honest—the past few historical romances I've read by Sophie Jordan have been a bit light on the romance for me. And fantasy romance in particular can be a mixed bag on that level as it is. So I'm happy to say that this series is off to a SOLIDLY "fantasy Romance" (emphasis on the romance) start. Really, a lot of this first book was laying the groundwork for the general world and big plot, while giving us a clearer idea of our characters and teeing up the direction in which their love story is going. Which I'm not mad at!

From the beginning, you get the sense that Tamsyn has a personality, has desires and needs... but her role as the whipping girl has essentially forced her to push her individuality away. That's compelling to me, especially when she's paired with Fell, someone who is all about self-determination and responsibility and carving out his own destiny. While the two do have an instant physical attraction—and why shouldn't they? They sound hot—the trust is immediately gone as soon as Tamsyn's real identity is revealed.

And... I like that! I like that they have this amazing moment together—Tamsyn's first time, by the way—only for it to be thrown off instantly. It creates a good amount of angst on both sides. However, it's well-balanced because, despite that angst, they also have to focus on immediate dangers, rough travel, and so on.

The Big Fantasy Plot isn't like, a shocker. You'll probably be able to predict the twist fairly on (which isn't a bad thing, to me). Again, we're definitely more laying the groundwork here. If anything, I feel like we needed a bit more time with Fell and Tamsyn getting to know each other. But again, that does seem to be somewhat symptomatic of the plot of this book—how much can they really trust each other at this point? The book is bringing them together, and it's far from a standalone, so I feel like the true emotional intimacy will come later.

For the most part, this is really more of a fun time, an adventure. I will say—something I found so insightful was the handling of Stig, Tamsyn's childhood friend-turned-Friend Guy who only acts on his feelings when he realizes she's going to marry Fell, who tells her she's "more than a whipping girl".

Tamsyn's response is somewhat conflicted, but she's mostly like "Yeah... So why are you only offering me the chance to escape NOW?"

So refreshing. The Friend Guy is a type I hate more than anything. It's a Mal from Shadow and Bone thing. He's always been the heroine's friend, he doesn't make a move, and suddenly I'm supposed to see him as the best option because... friends? Because Other Man Scary?

And to be fair, Fell isn't a bad guy at all. He's big, he's gruff, he's a warrior, he's definitely dangerous. But he clearly has a good heart, and even when he's pissed at Tamsyn, he's never abusive. Stig, however, presents him as this threatening violent guy—and Stig clearly sees HIMSELF as this softer, safer option.

That's really deconstructed here, and I so appreciated it.

The Sex:

I wouldn't call this overly steamy—you have two full-length sex scenes and one scene that is EXTREMELY hot, but not... mutually satisfactory...?—but it's definitely heated. That first scene? So good. You really get the physical chemistry between Fell and Tamsyn.

And there's a whole... thing... that I can't spoil.... But it involves examinations... and it's SO. GOOD. I was clutching my pearls.

I'm a sucker for a "fuck first feelings later" romance. And this does that quite well.

I'm excited for more from this series, and honestly? That's great. While it does feel like a lot of setup, it was entertaining setup. I'm ready to get into what happens next—in the big plot, yeah, but mostly within Fell and Tamsyn's romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Fire in the Sky - 4 ⭐️
I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the next book! As soon as you become acquainted with the world and history, it’s easy to predict the plot and reveals. Still had a lot of fun going through it! Maybe a little too much foreshadowing and time spent in the character’s heads, but the tropes had me hooked. I thought the fact she’s a whipping girl and has been raised as part of the royal family was fascinating. She’s so brainwashed to normalize her situation that it makes a lot of sense she would go along with the marriage arrangement. The scenes had some very fun tension. Such much going on in that bedding ceremony! 👌

I love anything to do with fantasy and can I just say this book exceeded my own expectations. From the very beginning you are drawn into the story of Tamsyn and Fell. The history of royalty and the overall question of how a royal child was punished… whipping girl/boy? The author pulls you into this world of fantasy from the first page and I could not put this book down. I will eagerly be anticipating book 2. Thank you so much for the ARC!!! Best birthday gift ever!

Release Date: September 24, 2024

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely adored this book. I read it in one sitting, as I could not put it down. Dragons in books are my favorite.

Tamsyn is our FMC, and she is the royal whipping girl. Raised with the princesses of Penterra as their sister, she is the one who gets the punishments for their misdeeds. That is her sole purpose. So when "Beast Lord" comes and demands one of the princesses as a wife, she gets chosen by the king and queen so they don't have to give up their daughters. They hide her face and hair within a veil and do not allow it to be removed until after the marriage is comsummated. Once Fell, our MMC, finds out he is absolutely enraged that he has been tricked.

I honestly figured the twist out fairly early in the book. But I didn't expect the other twists. The fantasy in the book was amazing, and the spice was spicing. It's definitely a book i will be sharing with others. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Thank you, NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishers, and Sophie Jordan for this E-Arc. This is my honest review.

Hooked from the very first page this is a touch her and die romantasy .. the world building isn’t too heavy and the plot was great!

Look forward to more dragons in the next book

If you are looking for your next adult romantasy book with dragons, look no further. Admittedly, the dragon bits are few and short but given the ending, I'm guessing the next book will have more dragon content. I think this is a great new start to a new fantasy series and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more. This book hooked me right from the beginning and the worldbuilding isn't overwhelming at all so that is a definite plus. Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands is broody and hot, has a body like a god and protects his wife from the instant they are wed despite the deception of their joining. What's not to love.

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

Hooked from the very beginning. Love the touch her and die troupe! Thought I had everything figured out, but was pleasantly surprised in the end. Looking foward to more by this author!

Thank you to Avon for my #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f romantasy
-marriage of convenience
-beauty and the beast vibes
-insta attraction
-whipping girl
-fated mates vibes
-hurt/sick comfort

Welcome to my newest obsession. This book was everything I needed it to be more. Propulsive, just the right mix of adventure, romance, and sizzling chemistry. The little doodles on the corner of the pages. Everything about this book was perfectly executed. The fairytale vibes, the self-sacrificing heroine who deserves the world. The grumpy LI with a chip on his shoulder who can't help but fall for her.

I loved how this story twisted their fates together even as they constnatly butted heads, just two stubborn people trying to fight the incredibly chemistry between them. Both orphned, struggling with family and the future, two sides of the same coin. I am already ready to reread it just to hold off the fact that I am desperate to see what happens in book 2. Just romantasy perfection.

What a great book! This is perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros. The main character is that great combination of tough and soft. The world building is excellent. Great for romance and fantasy lovers alike. Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC copy

Despite being a "princess," Tamsyn has lived her life in service to and for others, knowing that one day it would be over, and she would finally have choice. Just at the cusp of gaining that freedom, the man she has called father, her King, takes any hope of having of a life of her choosing, by marrying her off to a barbarian border lord, descended from a long line of dragon slayers, known as The Beast.

Relationship fraught with lies and secrets from the outset, Tamsyn tries to navigate a new marriage, new expectations for who (and what) she is, and new dawning realization that she still has strength, and most importantly choice, in her life.

I could not put this book down. I read it start to finish in one sitting and am chomping at the bit for the sequel. There was just enough to keep you hooked without getting tedious. Just enough romance, just enough spice, just enough secrets and lies, just enough will they won't they?

And then...there are dragons. 🥰

I have to admit, I did see a few things coming, but it absolutely did not spoil the journey or the reveal.

I’m calling it right now: This is going to be the next big romantasy book series.
Tamsyn has grown up alongside the princesses of Penterra, but she is the one who is punished for their wrongdoings. As the royal whipping girl she is not granted the same freedoms as the princesses. When the Beast of the Boarderlands comes demanding one of the princesses as his wife, Tamsyn is forced to marry him to save the princesses from that fate. When the Beast finds that he was tricked into marrying the wrong girl he begins to plot his revenge on the King who deceived him. But, he can’t ignore the connection that they have.

This book was so addictive! I never wanted to put it down and when I finished I thought about the story for weeks. This book has magic, dragons, hate to lovers, touch her and die!!! So many twists and an ending that feels satisfying but still gives room for a continuation of the series. A Fire in the Sky comes out on September 24th and I 1000% recommend picking it up!