Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the gifted arc!!
I feel like I’ve been waiting for this book for so long, and it didn’t disappoint! It’s a pretty standard romantasy, but you know what? I love the standard romantasy formula. SUE ME.
This book picks up shortly after the finale of book one, and things between Elowen and Cayden are rocky to say the least. I definitely think the first half was a lot slower than the second half, so it did take me a minute to really get into. I will say the politics were a lot more prevalent in this book than the first one!
Cayden was the highlight of this—I truly love a man who’s down bad for his girl. And the mouth on him?? Swoon. It took a while for Elowen to forgive him which got frustrating at times BUT at the same time I can see where she’s coming from?? Idk. She had a lot of trauma to work through in this book
The ending of this book was crazy and the cliffhanger is brutal!! I’m super excited to see where the story goes in the next book

One of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint! Cayden had me swoooooning even more than the first book. The world building definitely progressed, and I thought the battle scenes were very well written. The only downside was that it dragged on a bit but still had a wonderful time!

Thank you to Ballantine for the advanced copy!!

I wasn’t sure what would happen after the cliffhanger of the first book and now I’m devastated. I need the third book now because I am unwell. It was cute how Elowen’s chapters were strategy and emotions and politics and Cayden’s were mostly simping and a little bit of devastating backstory. There were a lot more dragons in this book and magic.

I don’t have the words to explain the amount that I loved this book. I thought it couldn’t get better than fear the flames but it did. I mean the character growth that we get is honestly really good. The plot did start off a little slow but the descriptions really made up for that I could really picture some of the scenes. I love the Elowen and Cayden scenes we get, their love really is something else ( We all need a Cayden). Overall, really enjoyed the story and the ending really broke me it made my heart hurt for these characters (that ending was really well written could feel the pain ).

3.5 stars rounded up

Honestly, I struggled with the first half of the book and was not looking forward to picking it up. The last half was better at keeping my attention and the last 5% flew by. Cayden is feral for Elowen and his POV showed it, almost too consistently. This resulted in more spicy scenes than the first book if I remember correctly. I did like the new princes portrayed and the found family aspects as well as how the personalities of the 5 dragons showed through so much more than in Fear the Flames. I will probably continue the series just because of the cliffhanger and the direction it took.

Thank you Ballantine | Delacorte Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

"Wrath of the Dragons" Delivers on its Promise of Fire and Fury

Olivia Rose Darling truly ups the ante in "Wrath of the Dragons," the highly anticipated second book in her "Fear the Flames" series. Picking up right where the first left off, this installment plunges readers back into the heart of a war-torn world, overflowing with dragons, magic, and a romance that's as scorching as dragonfire.
Cayden and Elowen's journey continues to be the fiery core of this story. Darling masterfully deepens their bond, exploring the complexities of a relationship forged in the crucible of war and political intrigue. We get a much-appreciated dive into Cayden's perspective, which adds layers of vulnerability and devotion to his character. His love for Elowen is palpable, making their partnership all the more compelling.

The plot is relentlessly paced, full of betrayals, shifting alliances, and epic battles. The stakes feel incredibly high, and Darling does an excellent job of expanding the world-building, giving us a clearer picture of the warring kingdoms and the ancient magic that binds them. The dragons, as always, are magnificent and play a more central role in the unfolding conflict.

While "Wrath of the Dragons" is a thrilling ride, there were moments where the sheer speed of events occasionally left me wanting a bit more breathing room for certain emotional beats to fully sink in. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise gripping narrative.

Overall, if you loved "Fear the Flames," you won't be disappointed. "Wrath of the Dragons" is an addictive, action-packed romantasy that solidifies Olivia Rose Darling as a captivating voice in the genre. It's a must-read for fans of powerful heroines, devoted heroes, and a world brimming with danger and enchantment.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
-Touch her and die
-Political intrigue

I read this as an ARC, but this review is freely given and of my own opinions.

Cayden is living rent free in my mind😮‍💨😭 THIS MAN is a cinnamon roll only for Elowen!! I love that he will do anything and everything for her, and I’m now begging for book 3. After like 90% of the book, I was convinced that we were going to get a HEA and have a perfect duology but noooooo that cliffhanger was thrown right in😭

Wrath of Dragons delivers everything I love in fantasy — sharp political intrigue, heart-wrenching romance, and dragons that steal the show. Cayden and Elowen’s chemistry is electric, their dynamic full of tension, betrayal, and longing. The world is brutal and beautiful, with high-stakes battles and shifting alliances that kept me hooked. A fierce, emotional ride from start to finish — I need the next book ASAP!

An incredible tale of reclaiming a throne and fighting for the ones you love. This story swept me away with its rich worldbuilding, epic tension, and the kind of found family dynamics that burrow into your heart. The banter? Chef’s kiss. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and full of personality—I could not get enough.

Cayden and Elowen completely stole my heart. Their dual POV adds so much depth and emotion to their relationship—it’s passionate, intense, and perfectly balanced with just the right amount of slow-burn spice and emotional pull.

Now let’s talk Ryder. Massive, massive crush. I was genuinely stressed not seeing him mentioned in early reviews—he’s been my favorite since book one. If anything happens to him, I might not recover. And the dynamic between Cayden, Ryder, and Finnian? Absolutely hilarious. The humor and camaraderie between the male characters made this feel like such a well-rounded, immersive world.

Yes, the pacing dragged a bit in the first half, but once it picked up, I was all in. The emotional weight, the heartbreak, the little moments of levity—it all came together so beautifully in the second half.

Also, shoutout to Saskia and Finnian. This series doesn’t just have great main characters—it has phenomenal side characters that are just as fleshed out and lovable.

Overall, a gorgeously written fantasy full of heart, tension, humor, and unforgettable characters.

4.5 stars (docked slightly for the slower start, but absolutely worth the read).

3.5 ⭐️

Absolutely did not see that ending coming!! This is the second book in the Fear the Flames series by Olivia Rose Darling. I really enjoyed the first book when I read it back in 2024 so had very high hopes for the sequel.

This book picks up right where the first left off after Elowen has freed her 5 dragons and killed her Uncle for his treachery. I really liked that this was a dual POV and we got to see more from Cayden's side as well as more of the side characters like Ryder, Finnian and Saskia.

That being said, I had a VERY hard time with the pacing for the first 50% of the book. As others have shared, this book was very heavy on the battle strategy and politics as Elowen and Cayden are preparing to take back her throne from her father and need to find their allies.

I do feel like the second half picked up the pace and was more engaging, but I still found myself getting a bit confused and lost by all of the different names and how this magic system works as it hasn't really been explained very much.

Overall this was a 3.5 - 3.75 overall and am super interested to see how the story continues in book 3... I know we're going to get more Cayden POVs and I can't wait 👀

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers ❤️‍🔥
Found Family 🫶
Broody/Touch her and die MMC 🗡️
Political Intrigue 🏰

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5

This was so so good!!!! I think the pacing was perfect as it takes some building to get to the action!! I was truly so surprised by the ending and was crying for the last 30 minutes!!!

I cannot properly express how much I love this series! I was beyond excited and honored to be chosen to read an ARC of Wrath of the Dragons. I couldn't put this down, and i read throughout the night. I read it all in one sitting. I love Cayden & Elowens story and I live them as a couple. I really like that you get to see all of their ups and downs and you get to see how they work things out. After reading Fear the Flames I was really excited to dive deeper into the world of dragons and Wrath of the Dragons dogs not disappoint! I can't wait to get the special edition of this book so I can display it like the trophy that it is! Thank you for letting me ARC read this!

Book 2 of the Fear The Flames series absolutely blew me out of the water. It was SO good that I read it in just a few days. The world gets explored so much more in the continuation of this amazing story. Cayden is tortured and damaged and had me on my knees. I fell more in love with all of these characters and I felt all of the emotions they were experiencing right alongside them. The pacing was absolutely perfect, the action was written so well, and I found myself crying more times than I’d like to admit (a lot). This series has so quickly shot up into my top 5 for not only the year, but I think of all time. I loved it sooooo much. I’m dying for book 3!!!!

✨𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀✨

Following the *events* in the first book, Elowen and Cayden must navigate their new circumstances and alliances within the court and other kingdoms. As they prepare for war, trust is not easily given nor earned back. Can they forge a future together and usher forth a better future?

Tropes:
👀 Dual POV
⚔️ Bookish & st@bby FMC
🤌 Broody MMC
🚫 Touch her & 💀
🤝 Reluctant allies to lovers
🏰 Intrigue
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Found family
🐉 Battles
🌶️: open door

I loved having Cayden’s POV in this installment. We gain deeper insight into his past, motivations, and fears. I felt his turmoil over all that’s transpired and how much he yearns for Elowen.

Elowen must process all the betrayals and strengthen her resolve to embrace her new role and the weight of her responsibilities. My heart hurt so much for what she’s endured.

With their fates and futures entwined, I am holding onto hope for them to find happiness.

Wrath of the Dragons is an emotionally charged sequel with vibrant characters and an enthralling romance. This installment delivers more action, higher stakes, and more DRAGONS! Need I say more?

Huge thanks to the author, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the advanced review opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Wrath of the Dragons by Olivia Rose Darling is the second book in the Fear the Flames series. I could not wait for this book, as Fear the Flames was one of my favorite books I read in 2024. It had been about 8 months ago since I finished Fear the Flames, so it took me a while, and some Googling, to remember some of the finer, important points of Fear the Flames, but once it all came back to me, it helped.
Elowen and Cayden are both fierce main characters that will do anything to get the revenge they so desperately crave. And Cayden’s unyielding love for Elowen, especially since he isn’t one to show any emotion, is awe inspiring. Elowen is hard to trust Cayden again, as she feels betrayed, even though that was not Cayden intentions. So, for the first part of the book, I really felt for Cayden. He was trying to give her the space she needed, but staying away from her is difficult for him.
Then there is Ryder, Saskia, and Finnian that add some humor and pull Cayden out of his shell, which results in some of the best lines in the book. They are a great found family, and I love the bickering and banter within the group. We get to meet Prince Zale and Prince Zarius, and even though the whole group hasn’t embraced them, they are all working toward a common goal. But they added some more banter and bickering that made me laugh out loud.
I am usually pretty good at figuring out what is going to happen in romantasy books, since I have read so many, but the plot twist in Wrath of the Dragons left me with my jaw on the ground. I was shocked! Be warned, this book ends in a MAJOR cliffhanger, but don’t let that keep you from reading it. Olivia mentions at the end of the book that she is writing the next book, so hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to see how the story continues. I know it will be a must read for me.

Wrath of the Dragons is a fantasy filled with magic, political tension, and a strong sense of found family. The opening is engaging and sets the stage well, but the pacing dips around the 60% mark. It leans heavily into info-dump territory before ramping back up at 90%, where it launches into non-stop action.

Cayden absolutely carried this book; his character was the standout for me. The love story and found family dynamics were emotional highlights and really grounded the plot.

That said, I did struggle at times with the political structure and magic system; they felt a bit chaotic and under-explained. The dialogue could also be confusing, with unclear speaker tags that pulled me out of scenes.

But that ending? Shocking in the best way. I did not see that coming. Despite the ups and downs, I’ll definitely be picking up Book 3 just to see where this wild story goes.

Get ready because Wrath Of The Dragons picks up right where Fear The Flames left off, following Elowen and her dragons and now adding in Cayden’s POV, bringing in a whole new layer that I devoured.

With a slow roll into the story we get to venture through Ravaryn and experience the political implications of war. Of course, we are left bawling with this crazy cliffhanger of an ending wanting more.

So if you like dragons, a beautiful FMC who always has a dagger sheathed under her gorgeous dresses, and a MMC who will murder anyone who even talks about his ✨ wife ✨ read Wrath Of The Dragons 🐉

4 stars!! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I am grateful to receive an earc of Wrath Of The Dragons, thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group. I am forever hooked and can’t wait for book 3!

Wrath Of The Dragons releases on July 29!

I loved this book and this series. It's the perfect bend of action, romance and plot. I devoured this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read this arc.

If you didn’t know, this is book two to what I like to call a five star series. Incredible writing. Captivating plot. Phenomenal world-building. All-consuming characters. And just like Fear the Flames, Wrath of the Dragon was just so dang good.

I love Elowen and Cayden so much. Them as characters, yes. But them as a couple is what I love to see in a fantasy romance series. Elowen is our Daenerys-inspired baddie, a top-tier fmc, and dragon-riding queen. Cayden, our warrior king, demon commander, broodiest of broody cinnamon rolls, and my favorite book boyfriend. They’re a match made in heaven. Their relationship is built upon that delicious soulmate type stuff that just makes your heart pound and toes curl. I loved them so much. They have this earnest friendship I adore but also the spicy chemistry that’ll make you melt. So yeah, they’re perfect 😅

I loved the dragons, especially their different personalities. And was so happy we got to see so much more of them in this book. Also, I full-heartedly adore this found family. A1 banter between all the characters. I found myself laughing just as much as I found myself wanting to cry. The storyline for this series is so good and I found myself completely captivated within the story many times.

Now, the. Freaking. Cliffhanger. It’s a big oooofff. I wasn’t sure how this book was going to end but if definitely wasn’t that and I’m both excited and anxious to see what happens next! Def def recommend this book guys! ✌🏻

This was such a fun second installment to "Fear the Flames"!! I thoroughly enjoyed the continuation of Elowen and Cayden's story! I loved it even more since it had Cayden's POV and we got to take a peek inside his mind and see his love for Elowen. We follow Elowen and Cayden as they navigate marriage, a new kingdom, and everything that comes with it. THE YEARNING was SO GOOD. Olivia Darling writes yearning and tension so well between our main characters! I felt that the plot was carried throughout the book nicely, and the romance developed organically alongside the plot. There were times when I felt Elowen lingered in her hurt with Cayden, only to forgive him quite suddenly. That part felt a little choppy to me, but otherwise, I have no complaints. I feel that Cayden's POV made this book 10x better, and I hope his POV continues in the next book! Something about dual POV always does it for me. The found family, dragons, banter, and romance added so much to this story! This is such a unique storyline, and I'm so invested!

And don't get me started on the ending of this book! It was like everything hit the fan in the last 10% of the story, and it left my jaw on the floor. I will definitely be picking up the third book when it comes out! I need to know how Elowen and Cayden get through this and her poor dragons <3

Thank you so much for the eARC of this book!