When I requested this book, I honestly didn't realize it was a sequel. And while I'm very interested in reading the first book in the series, Fireborne, it's kind of hard to review the second one without having read the first one. Oops... my bad.

But I will say that I love the cover art! It's absolutely stunning and epic, so it's definitely getting me hyped up to read this series!

Flamefall is a story about duty and revolution, and how each can challenge the other. Annie, Lee and the other Guardians are left reeling as the fallen dragonlords begin to move against Callipolis. Annie struggles with her duty as Firstrider and her feelings for Lee, while Lee begins to wonder if he is on the wrong side after he is forced to kill kin for the leader that murdered his family. Unrest and dissension plague the Guardians as loyalties are tested, bonds are broken and decisions are made that will change Annie and Lee's world forever. I thought that Flamefall was a solid follow-up to Fireborne, although it didn't quite reach my rather high expectations based on the first book. I'll get to why in a minute. I love how the author is able to challenge her characters and create conflict in her novels. I loved seeing all the characters grapple with their issues of complicity and privilege as Guardians and their notions of right and wrong. There is a clear call for social equity and justice that rings clear in Munda's poignant writing that you just can't get enough of. I also love all the dragons. They are so stinking fun to read about and were super cute. As with Fireborne, Flamefall has absolutely impeccable world-building and character development. My main issue with this book was that I found grammar issues in a finished copy, which doesn't sit well with me when a book comes from a major publisher. Also, the ending was abrupt and didn't have the same impact as it did in Fireborne. But Flamefall is a story where relationships and identities are challenged by duty and revolution, and it was a pretty good followup to Fireborne.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for a review! I have really enjoyed this continuation from the first book. Once more, the world building is fantastic! I have always wanted to read books with dragons in them but somehow they had always left me disappointed. This is not the case here! And we don't suffer much, if at all, from sequel syndrome as i like to call it.

Our characters are faced with many challenges. Political intrigue and maneuvering, difficult decisions where you want to support one but must betray another, and dragons! This is a seriously cool fantasy with one of my favorite mythical creatures and I am so happy to have been able to read this early, even if I didn't finish it early lol.

Definitely recommend!! 4 stars!

I LOVE THIS BOOK.

These characters are so foolish, so hurt and so, so, so complex.
Even though there were times when I wanted to shake her, Annie is brilliant. She has so much responsibility thrust upon her and has to contend with people opposing her every move, confronting the big mistakes she makes and keeping her head up when her name is dragged through the mud. Lee is incredible. He spent the entire book questioning where he belonged, who he was and to whom his allegiance lied. And these are not easy questions for him to answer. Reading about his sense of lostness and conflict between these two worlds was so compelling and frustrating. Griff’s story is one that pulled at the heart strings, made me rage on his behalf and sob at one point. He was brave and passionate and yearned for the freedom of his greatest loves. We stan.
This book is all about choices. Every single character had to made tough choices. And their decisions do not align most of the time.

So the politics GOT EVEN MESSIER. Clashes between classists and revolutionists. The exhausting plight of sexism and how women are painted as villains and promiscuous snakes for the sake of preserving the image of golden boys. And to top it off, the horrors of colonialism and conquest are central to the politics in New Pythos. A lot is going on, a lot is being said.

This world brilliant. I loved that we got to go beyond Calliopolis and into New Pythos. I loved that these places were so distant yet closely tied to one another. I also loved that we got to see more kinds of dragons spring up and up the ante for our dragonriders. Their presence was so central to the story, to the history of violence and the freedom/victory so many of these characters desire.

There is never a dull moment. Annie, Lee and Griff get caught up in so many plots, get caught up in who others say they should be, get caught up in their own emotions and consequently find themselves in lots of traps that they then have to get themselves out of! The twists and turns kept me entertained from the beginning to the very end. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. This book is wrought with emotion. So much grief and exhaustion. So much rage. The emotional atmosphere just hooks the reader completely.

The romance is so soft. Both ships are so complicated and not easy many ways, but both pairs have such chemistry! The yearning and pining that went on was a sweet, sweet torture.

And finally...Munda really said I’m giving you all a final page twist and she did. She really did. And it's good.

So glad to have this gem in my hands because the characters mirror my students and the community they represent. I will house this novel in my classroom and recommend to my students because its a diverse spine and they need to see characters that look and sound like them!!

Full transparency, I had NO IDEA this was book 2 to Fireborne because of the cover change. Wow. It looks so different...

Anyways luckily I read Fireborne! Phew. The ending of the first book was tied together. This ending felt like falling off a cliff. This just shows that Rosaria Munda is not afraid to show the brutal and ugly side of revolution. It's like a reading a real novelization of a revolution. She writes the elements of an uprising so masterfully, the reactions of the population are so realistic, and she shows different point of views and the way the characters have to try and decide what they align themselves with, in a situation where the consequences are so extreme and large-scale. This is a Russian Revolution inspired fantasy with dragons! It follows the story of these two best friends from an orphanage, Annie and Lee, who come from completely opposite backgrounds.

Overall, a really great sequel!

Did I enjoy this read? Yes. Is this a book I'll be picking up for years to come? Probably not. Honestly, it's mostly just bad timing. It's simply hard to read a book about fantasy revolution in a world that currently is struggling so much and hurting. While this may be the perfect escape of a novel for some people, I tend to find novels filled with battle scenes and political tension harder to get through.

However, I am still curious as to how this series will continue in book three! Despite my lack of love for action, I do find the characters super intriguing and I want to know how it all ends!

If you're looking for a dragon-filled story, full of action, and political turmoil, look no further (but be sure to check out Fireborne first!)

Huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing early access to this title. This is the sequel to Fireborne, and number 2 in a trilogy. Annie, Lee, and a host of new characters are along for the ride. As with the first book, the world building is phenomenal. Anyone who really loves stories about dragons should check this out. As this is the sequel I don't want to say too much in regards to it as not to spoil, but if you enjoyed book 1 you will like book 2.

This is a story with political intrigue. Dragonlords are here to punish their usurpers and reclaim their city. Destroying the food supply was step one - so much more unfolds after this. Annie is the new Firstrider and Lee is desperate to prove himself to support Annie and the other Guardians. In order to do so he must either betray those he cares about and join the usurpers or fight and risk losing everything. When faced with impossible choices, how to make any decisions at all??

I highly recommend this to people who love high fantasy and dragons! Such a great sequel that doesn't fall trap to second book syndrome.

I absolutely loved this sequel! Rosaria is such a great story teller, and I mean, come on! Who can resist a story about dragons?! 😍

Sign me up for the second dragon book! I loved the twists and turns this book took, and the landscaping was absolutely gorgeous! Rosaria Mund knocks it out of the park every time!

Munda is a master storyteller. I was nervous going in because I loved Fireborne so much. But no need to worry. Flamefall was just as heart pounding, action-packed, frustrating, and emotional as Fireborne. The world is definitely bigger and we got a new character perspective in this one.

The political machinations are amped up in Flamefall. Flamefall felt more emotional because the stakes were higher. Annie and Lee aren’t trying to prove themselves as much as they are grappling with gray areas of morality and justice. A lot of people do things they don’t want to but feel they have to. To follow orders. To do what they feel is right even if innocent people suffer.

But the heart of the story is still Annie and Lee. Their relationship is just as angsty and deep as it was in the first book but they’re starting to see that fixing a flawed regime is a lot harder to do and they don’t always see eye to eye. There’s so much that keeps them from being totally honest with one another. I love that no matter what they have this unshakable faith in each other’s character. I live for these two!

<b>”Before I turn away, Lee’s lips brush against my ear. ‘Raze them to the ground.’”</b>

The author really painted a clearer picture of the relationship riders have with their dragons. I felt this wasn’t as strong in Fireborne. But it definitely shines here. The riders are so in tune with their dragon that both of them are able to communicate with each other through their emotions. I loved this connection.

There are a lot more aerial battles in this one. I think Munda does a fantastic job with the battle scenes. I never feel lost about what’s happening. And I personally love battle scenes in my fantasy so I loved it. These scenes also have some of the best dragon-rider moments.

And if you couldn’t tell from the way I started this review, Flamefall ends with a bang. It’s one hell of a cliffhanger. I absolutely hate cliffhangers but this one has just the right amount of shock. It’s not like Six of Crows or Wicked King where things end really abruptly. You still get a sense that things are building up and will be answered in the next book. It’s clear from the pacing that we weren’t going to get this wholly satisfying ending. I just know Book 3 is going to be even crazier and I can’t wait!

In this sequel to one of my favorite reads of 2019, we return to the world of the Aurelian Cycle with Annie, Lee, and a new narrator Griff. The book contains as much political intrigue, Greco-Roman deep cuts, and dragons as before, only compounded by the consequences of what occured in Fireborne.

Flamefall is told from three POVs: Annie, who continual struggle with anxiety and the purpose she feels is hers to fulfill, Lee,.the dragon-born turned orphan who is determined to take the throne he believes is his. Lastly, there is Griff, a low-born of New Pythos with a spark of rebellion in his heart. I enjoyed all three narrators and found each of their character arcs and motivations intriguing and compelling.

I also can’t help but gush about the dragons in this series. Ever since I read Eragon, I have sought out book series that feature dragons as companions and The Aurelian Cycle as a whole scratches that itch. I love the creativity behind the different dragon breeds, as well as the bond that exists between dragon and rider. Also, because I know you’re wondering, I would like to think I would ride an Aurelian. They just seems so majestic and powerful.

Beyond the important theme of characters struggling with mental health- I really did see myself in Anmie- I also appreciate the examination of class and social commentary on the cycle of poverty. Within Flamefall, as rations tighten, there is more than one rebellion taking place and a lot of that comes within the pages of Book 2. You see numerous characters, on both sides of the war, reckoning with reality of economic disparity and what each of them can do to fight for equality.

Overall, I gave Flamefall 4🌟 and would recommend it to those enjoy novels with plenty of political intrigue, dragons, and Greco-Roman inflience.

I did not really enjoy this sequel. The book really jumps right in without an pr4eviuous info on the prior novel and I felt so lost even thoiugh I had read the first recently.

This is an excellent continuation of Fireborne! I loved everything about it and can't wait for the next book!

4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5) Oh wow, what a ride! This was better than book one, so much so that I’m dying for book three! It’s rare book 2 is better than one.

There are 3 POV’s in this book. Annie, Lee and a new character, Griff. I really liked Griff. He is actually on the other side of the war so it brings in such a great aspect hearing his side of the story. He’s sensitive, caring and tough. He is abused by many but his love for his family and his dragon are commendable. It’s rare I like new characters in a book, so for him to be my fav is pretty impressive. He loves with all his heart and it’s very apparent. He is in a relationship with another guy at one point and it’s done well. They are very good together.

Lee and Annie continue to struggle with their relationship. The rift between them is still there but their love is always there too and I like that eventually it wins. Their relationship feels more real due to their problems. They are friends first and lovers second and I really love that.

There is action throughout the book. Oh, Munda has the best storytelling skills! Those action scenes have me flipping pages faster than I can read. She’s able to bring in emotion so well. Fantasy doesn’t typically bring out emotion in me, but she was able to make my eyes prickle multiple times with her amazing descriptions.

Content Summary: This book leans more toward the darker YA side. It’s full of action, but a lot of that action is violence, blood, harm to others and more. There are intimate moments but not a lot of details. There is a relationship between two young men and it’s done well. Sex is assumed a few times (gay relationship and straight relationship) but no details.

And that ending! Thank you to Penguin Teen for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. I can’t wait for book 3!

Quick Stats
Overall: 5 stars
Characters:5/5
Plot:5/5
Setting:5/5
Writing:5/5

Oh. My. Gosh. I thought this was a duology? It’s not a duology. Which means I need to wait 365 days for the next book. I CAN’T WAIT THAT LONG! I seriously don’t know how I’ll manage because this series has quickly made its way to the very top of my favorites. It has DRAGONS!
If you’re a fan of Seraphina, Throne of Glass, or Red Queen, pick up the first book in this series—Fireborne—right now.
On to the actual review:
Flamefall picks up right where Fireborne left off, but we get an additional, new narrator—someone we’ve never met before—Griff. I was a bit concerned when the book opened to Griff’s POV, but don’t worry, we still get Annie and Lee’s POVs too. Griff is a “humble rider” for New Pythos. When the survivors of the triarchy went to New Pythos and took twenty odd dragon eggs with them, they didn’t have enough dragonborn riders, so they were forced to accept some peasants into their dragonriding program. However, these lowborn riders are treated like scum. If you thought Annie was treated poorly? You haven’t seen anything yet.
I loved Griff as a character as well as getting to see what was going on behind enemy lines. That added a whole new layer too the book—actually, there were several new layers added to the book, each twistier than the last, and each masterfully executed. I adored Fireborne, but Rosaria Munda has really outdone herself with Flamefall.
The plot was complex, twisty, and really well developed. Every twist and turn—and there were a lot!—caught me off guard in the best way. And when I say that ending has me FREAKING OUT—oh my gosh. I need the next book. I need it.
I’m kind of the worst at writing reviews for books I liked. I can’t think critically. There were no flaws—I mean, Annie and Lee’s crappy communication did drive me crazy for a got third of the book. That was annoying. And Cor. Like, I get it, but he still pissed me off.
Anywayyyyyyyyyyyy please please please read this book! Now! Thank you!

After Fireborne, I couldn’t wait to read Flamefall by Rosaria Munda. I loved Fireborne and I got everything I loved about it in Flamefall plus a lot more. First off, the addition of Griff, a lowborn from New Pythos and a voice that added such depth to the story. Annie and Lee are two other POV that perfectly round out this story.

There are a few things about Flamefall that really just sucked me in and made this series an all-time favorite:
I loved that there is a same-sex romance that crosses the social caste system set in place. I loved being able to see the character growth compared to the first book. The character arcs and sense of consciousness between the narrators worked so well in Flamefall and I loved the insight it gave me on both sides of the political issues plaguing this world. And then, there’s the real terror and penalties of war, especially when there may be a personal stake or involvement in both sides.

The Aurelian Cycle series is one of the best political fantasies that I’ve read and this is because it has what I call the triple threat:
1) Great world-structuring
2)Characters that are easy to become emotionally invested in
3) A well developed plot that makes me want to know more.

Flamefall is a 5-star read for me and I cannot wait to see where Ms. Munda takes the third book in this series. I think any fan of fantasy will love this series and I’d highly recommend it!

Thank you so much to Penguin Teen for gifting me a copy of Flamefall!

It’s official, book two has completely sold the series for me. Munda knows how to create action, character growth and captivating plot building. In other words, I did not want to put this down. I enjoyed Fireborne don’t get me wrong, but folks, Flamefall just grabs you by the heart and mind and takes you on a literal ride. And no pun intended for dragon riders. I even feel that the writing style changed in a more descriptive and flowing fashion. It’s like you can feel Munda’s passion for her characters and their world coming to life between the pages. It wasn’t until reading Flamefall that I was able to genuinely look back and compare my emotions between the two.

I highly enjoy that this book doesn’t start long after the first. New characters are introduced and the POV takes on a trifecta between Lee, Annie and Griff. I admit that while Lee and Annie made me raise an eyebrow and shake my head in frustration at times, it was evident how much more I connected with the characters on this go-around. I am still not on board with the chemistry, but I blame my personal tastes and am sure many readers are loving what is occurring between the characters. The world building is still as exquisitely penned as book one. I swear nothing lacks when it comes to the imagery and detail of New Pythos and Callipolis.

There are more morally grey aspects to this one and deeper understanding of the connection between rider and dragon. THIS is what I truly enjoyed. I really wanted more dragon in Fireborne and felt I got a better dose this round. I will stop here though. If you haven’t had the chance to start The Aurelian Cycle books yet than I highly recommend getting on board before book 3 hits shelves. If it is anything like this one, you’ll want to be along for the dragon ride.

Thank you to Penguin Teen for the gifted advanced copy in exchange for an honest opinion. All thoughts are my own. True rating 4.5/5.

Please Note: This is the second book in a series that needs to be read in order. If you are new to the series, you can check out my review of book one, Fireborne HERE

Flamefall is the second book in the young adult fantasy series, called The Aurelian Cycle by author Rosaria Munda. I have fallen in love with this series so hard! I am completely enraptured by this world, their political problems and the plot. It is all pure magic. To say I am impressed by Rosaria Munda's writing and storytelling ability and world building is the understatement of the century. If you are a fan of politically driven fantasy worlds, then the Aurelian Cycle is a must read series. It is one of my favorite fantasy series of all time, and I don't feel like it gets nearly the attention and acclaim it deserves. I want more people to read this series so they can become obsessed with it like I am. Flamefall is one of the best books I have read in 2021. I think I might have loved it even more than the first book, which is no easy feat!

In Flamefall, we join our main characters just days after the crazy events of Fireborne. Where Lee has just done something super hard, and now this post-revolution fantasy world is edging closer and closer to full blown war. In case you need a quick reminder of the world setup in the Aurelian Cycle- this political landscape is a world overthrown by a revolution, where the old regime has been over thrown and a new merit-based regime has taken its' place. The old regime was referred to as a triarchy, where three royal families ruled together and passed down leadership through their bloodlines. The royal families, or dragonlords, were the riders of dragons, which served as the kingdom's aerial defense. Under the new regime, royal titles are thrown out and a merit based class system has taken it's place. Here anyone, no matter their birth right, can test into a higher class and a better lifestyle. Children all go to school and all take a merit test early on which will determine their job sector and their lifestyle. 

But now that the world is at war again, the new regime is facing it's first famine, and the inner struggles bring a whole new wave of political unrest and problems. I said it before in my first review, and I will say it again here with Flamefall- Rosaria Munda is a master at weaving a devastatingly complex political landscape. I am in awe over how nuanced and multifaceted all of the issues are. Nothing is black and white- not even the good guys vs. the bad guys. Everything in this series lives in the much more interesting shades of grey.  Watching the characters delve into the nuances of the old regime vs. the new regime was so fascinating. Not to mention the conflicts that each of the characters face. All of the characters face hard decisions, and their relationships with one another are also so complex. I find everything about this book fascinating and compelling. Rosaria Munda has created a world that has taken up permanent residence in my head. I can't stop thinking about Callipolis and New Pythos. 

In Flamefall we get to see a glimpse in the other side of the war. We journey to New Pythos, where we meet a new character, Griff. Flamefall is told in multiple points of view, including Annie, Lee and now Griff as they each navigate the harsh realities of war and making very complicated decisions that come with being pivotal players in said war. I really enjoyed Griff. He is a lowborn dragon rider for New Pythos, but they treat lowborns very differently than Callipolis does. New Pythos felt very much like a traditional throw back to the old regime and it was a political structure that I commonly see in fantasy worlds. I still really love Lee as a character.  I liked Annie as well, but there were certainly times I was disappointed in her. She has her own set of internal struggles and difficulties paid out before her, but sometimes I just wish she made different choices. Overall, I was really happy with her progress as a character but Lee carved out a special place in my heart in a way that Annie has not managed to do yet. That being said, I am so invested in all of their stories that I am desperate to get my hands on book 3. Flamefall totally destroyed me, and I need to know what is going to happen next. This book was super emotional for me because I was so invested in the story. Rosaria Munda has created a series that will always hold a very special place in my heart. I love these books so much. 

The Aurelian Cycle is a brilliant series. Rosaria Munda has created a fascinatingly complex world with really layered and nuanced politics. This novel was so thought provoking and such a compelling read that the more I read of it, the less I was able to put it down. She transported me directly into the minds of these characters. I felt every struggle right alongside them, and I loved every second of this journey. If you have not yet read this series, you need to! It is a masterpiece of young adult fantasy. One of the fantasy series I have ever read!

I came into this a bit warily because I loved Fireborne so much that it's been my go-to dragon book recommendation ever since I read it. And I'm so happy to say that I was not disappointed.
We jump right into the story of Lee and Annie right as it ended in Fireborne and it takes off from there at breakneck speed. Munda once again manages to set up a story full of political intrigue and moral quandaries all tied up with emotion, loyalties, and tough choices.
So much is going on in Callipolis and with the exiled dragonlords in New Pythos as the war begins both inside and out. We meet the citizens of Calliopolis who are fed up with the unfair system that didn't fix any of the inequalities the revolution had promised to make better, and we also meet the natives of New Pythos who suffer under the heel of the exiled dragonlords and their abuse of their people and their land.
A great second volume that builds on top of the fantastic foundations set by book 1 and taking the story to an even bigger and more dangerous arena. Munda opens up Annie and Lee's world and introduces new characters and obstacles for them to face, all while keeping their tentative relationship and their past traumas at the forefront.
It's a phenomenal read and definitely a worthy addition to The Aurelian Cycle. Can't wait to see where Munda takes us next.

Many happy thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the early read!