A very well done diverse world that made you feel like you knew the landscape and people. I also enjoyed the character development and the way dragons bonded with the rider and how the abilities did not always work one way. I am excited to read the next installment in this series.

This was my first book by Jen Lyons, and I enjoyed it for the most part. I did have some problems with the general pacing of the book as well as With the romantic relationship.

First, the things the book did well that I enjoyed. I didn't enjoy the separate personalities of the dragons and the interesting way in which they interacted with their writer. I really liked our main character. I felt like she was very well written and had a lot of depth and growth throughout her plot line. I was very interested in the characters and have interacted with each other and I thought that the building was pretty and definitely held my attention.

However, the book was paced very awkwardly. I felt like there was times when a lot was happening, and I felt like there was times when nothing was happening, and I felt a little bored. There was absolutely no chemistry within the polyamorous relationship contained in this novel. For the life of we understand why they were all in a relationship because there was just nothing between them that I can see that was palpable.

Overall, it's a good story and I'm glad that I read it and yes, I will read more lines in the future, but it just didn't set my world on fire the way I hoped it would.

The Sky on Fire by Jen Lyons is a fast paced heist story featuring a fun cast of characters. The chapters were all very short which helped keep the pace moving.

I really liked our main character Anahrod, she felt very real to me and I was very invested in learning about her past. The planning and execution of the heist was well done, nothing ever felt too convenient, there were plenty of times where plans fell through and we got to see the group brainstorming together on next steps. I especially like that we got to see everyone play a part in how the story played out, none of the side characters felt redundant.

The magic and the dragons were awesome and I’m left feeling like we’ve only just scratched the surface, there is definitely potential if Jenn Lyons ever decides to tell more stories in this setting.

Overall this book was fantastic and I could see myself rereading it in the future!

I loved the premise of this book. A bunch of dragons and a heist. Unfortunately, this fell short for me. We are thrown right into the action in the beginning, which I really enjoy in books. But the world was never really filled out after that. There were so many characters I couldn’t keep track of who was who. All the characters seemed underdeveloped as well. There were also some tropes in here that I just don’t enjoy which dampened my listening experience.

Overall, this book reminded me a lot of Fourth Wing for some reason. If you enjoyed that I think you would enjoy this. I can see/ understand why many people enjoy this.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for an advanced listening copy of this audiobook for my honest review.

The Sky on Fire is a vivid fantasy adventure with complex world-building that had me entranced. There were so many thoughtful details that made me feel immersed and gave the impression of a real world. I liked the magic system and how unique the powers were. The level of interaction of the dragons within the story was very refreshing. The dragons were as much a part of the story as the humans. The main characters were also complex and the banter was top-notch. What I will say, is that the pacing is pretty inconsistent. Sometimes it dragged, and I will admit it took me a minute to finish this. I truly enjoyed the story, and was definitely entertained, but there were moments that went on too long, or just weren't needed. But the magic, the adventure, the characters, the dragons and the beautiful representation made me love this book. It may not have been a five-star read for me, but I think it's still a great book for those that love magic, heists, and dragons of course!

I think this is a solid 3.5 stars, and I did find it overall to be an enjoyable time.

The dragons and dragon riders had a really interesting bond that were unique and also seemed way less pleasnt than your typical dragon story. Some of the dragon's powers were insanely cool, and I thought that the idea of rampancy made a lot of sense. I initially went into this book blind and had no idea it was a standalone, but since this is all I'm going to get from this world I do feel like I wanted more (more dragons, more politics, more magic). For a good chunk of the story we are following the characters around on their quest and convincing characters to do things and following characters as they attempt to run away from things. I feel like this messed with the pacing for me.

I loved the idea behind Anahrod's character, but I didn't always feel like her personality was believable. This woman had been through so incredily much, she was betrayed by pretty much everyone she had ever loved, survived a brutal execution attempt and then basically lived in exile/hiding for a number of years. I feel like I was expecting her to be a little bit messed up but everyone who meets her instantly falls in love with her (insta-lust), and she forms her own attachments just about as quickly. I loved the dynamic of the little group for the most part, but I wasn't able to connect to any of the characters enough for any real emotional impact when something happened. I did like Overbite, who reminded me of a dog so therfore I loved her.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with the audiobook. I thought the narrator did a fantasic job:)

The Little House books are something special from my childhood. I always pretended I was one of the family. I loved the tv series as well. I loved listening to Dean Butler talk about his life and experiences and how Little House shaped him and his whole life. Such a gracious, wholesome man. The book was great, no cursing, no backstabbing and Dean acknowledges and is humble about the privileges' he has had in his life.
A fun and interesting read. I highly recommend this to all Little house on the Prairie fans- both of the books and the TV series/movies.
Thank you to Dean Butler, and NetGalley, for this audiobook to listen to in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons has so many fascinating concepts but a very inconsistent plot.

The world building was amazing. I love what Lyons did with the magic system and the political system. I also loved the concept of a person visibly indicating their orientations and identity through rings. This was so unique. Honestly, the world building kept me going through this book.

Unfortunately I found the pacing and overall plot to be inconsistent. The beginning was strong and engaging. But as more of the backstory was revealed, it got less and less interesting and more random.

DNF at 41%

The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons had a very promising premise. Dragons, a heist, what’s not to like?

I enjoyed the beginning of the book. You’re thrown right into the action. Then things go off the rails a little. I felt that the pacing was off. Some parts are action packed and then there is a long lull. A lull in a book is ok and sometimes needed but there was no real character development during it. I felt like I never really got to know the characters and therefore didn’t really care. I also kept mixing up the dragons which made it difficult to follow at times. The story also bounces around a lot and I started to get confused on where they were and why. Due to those issues I was struggling to listen to the audiobook and decided to stop reading it.

Another great dragoneering book from the ages. A story of found family and growth. The pacing could've been a bit quicker in some parts but it overall immersed the reader in the story and did not let go. Will be rereading again.

Lord of the rings with extra dragons, and more dragons. The entire time I was listening to this I couldn't place why it was so familiar and it was because it really reminded me of the hobbit. But you know.... more dragons

I found the concept of this book fascinating, but ultimately it fell a little flat for me. I felt there was too much content for a standalone story. There seemed to be three separate story lines. Two of the stories probably could have been combined into one book and then the last story be the second book in a duology.
By making it into at least a duology, we could have had time to get to know the world, society and characters better. As it is, I had a hard time following and staying engaged. There was just too much there, which is a shame as I really enjoyed the world, or at least the parts I was able to follow.
What it came down to was pacing. If we could have had a little more time with the characters, I think this would have been a 10/10.

I am SO GLAD to finally read a standalone fantasy with dragons! This was definitely a little complicated in the beginning, but once we got going, I really enjoyed it! I'd highly recommend this as an audiobook because the narration is phenomenally done!

3.5 stars rounded up

Dangerously intelligent dragons, an infamous woman who was supposed to be dead, secrets, betrayal, and a magical heist! The Sky on Fire is a standalone fantasy novel with intricate world-building (honestly, I would be surprised if we don't get more books set in this world), rogues, plots, and lots of dragons. Lyons' background is in D&D and I feel like that comes through in her writing- it feels like you're following the twists of a campaign through the perspective of a main character and occasionally others.

Anahrod supposedly died after committing a crime and has gone down in infamy, except that she says she's innocent and has been hiding out in the Deep. But two groups are trying to kidnap her for their own reasons and she is drawn back into the messy politics she ran from. Because she has a secret ability that someone doesn't like...

Because this doesn't totally follow a typical plot structure, I found it a little frustrating at times even though I liked the characters and the overall story. I've seen other reviewers say that this needed space to breathe and I agree. It feels like a LOT crammed into the book and I would have preferred to take more time with the characters, world, and relationships.

You may know I tend to be a hard sell on a heist story, but in this case it was only a part of a much larger plot and I think it works. This was pitched for fans of Fourth Wing, and while I enjoyed that book this is VERY different. Sky on Fire is high fantasy, not a popcorn read with a lot of romance. It's not an easy entry point to the genre for people who are mostly reading romantasy. That said I liked it and the audiobook is good. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

This book sounds absolutely fantastic and I was so excited to read it because of the dragons and the heist. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work out for me. This one drops you right into the magical world and action without any time to orient yourself to what is happening. I was really hoping for some found family vibes, but instead it felt like the characters weren’t well developed. It also felt like there were too many characters to keep track of. I think this one could benefit from some editing to shorten it up and fix the pacing issues. I did like the concept of the dragons. The overall premise sounds so cool and has so much potential.

I listened to the audio and appreciated that the narrator gave the characters their own distinct voices.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

This is a captivating standalone fantasy set in a world ruled by dragons. The story follows Anahrod, who prefers the solitude of the jungle with her titan drake, but her past catches up when an adventuring party rescues her from a warlord. Reluctantly, she joins these misfits on a mission to steal from a dragon’s hoard in the cloud cities, where the regent, Neveranimas, wants her dead. Lyons masterfully weaves action, intrigue, and rich world-building into a thrilling narrative. I enjoyed the fast-paced adventure, complex characters, and high-stakes heists. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys dragon lore and epic fantasy tales.

✔️ Dragons
✔️ Heist
✔️ Fast paced

This book hooks you in from the beginning, were we meet our MFC, Anahrod. We meet many people on the way that are wanting revenge and joining the heist. The dragons and their magic are unique and possibly the best part of the book. There are dragon overlords, kings that want revenge, and dragon riders that have ulterior motives. It’s a fast paced fantasy adventure, that unfortunately falls short of its potential.

I enjoyed the dragon conversations and related to them almost more than the other characters. The character development fell flat for me. I wasn’t able to connect with some of the characters and it made reading the later half of the book a project.

The concept is exceptional, I just wish I had more of a reason to cheer for Anarhod, Ris, and company. I would suggest this book to fans who love dragons. There is plenty to love about this book! The narrator does an amazing job and is one of the biggest highlights of the book. 3.5 stars

This was a mixed bag for me. The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job. The world felt creative and nicely formed, with fascinating settings, a unique culture, and an intriguing magic system. I especially enjoyed the parts set in The Deep. The dragons in this world are absolute powerhouses, but they need human riders to keep them from going rampant, which was a cool twist. Peralon’s relationship with Ris and his perspective on the world were definite highlights.

That said, the book felt like it should have been split into two or three books. There’s just too much going on, and it suffers from being an unfocused mess. The characters and their relationships are really underdeveloped. Anahrod, for instance, had no real characterization or motive. Her relationships, especially the romantic ones, felt rushed and shallow, making it hard to connect with or care about any of the characters. Anahrod’s exile seemed like it should’ve been a big deal, but we barely got any background on it, which made it hard to care about her.

The pacing was all over the place. You get thrown into the action right away, some political drama, jungle adventure, a journey with a band of misfits, random spicy scenes, and finally a heist. It felt like the plot was just carrying Anahrod from one place to the next without any clear direction. The last 25% of the book was especially chaotic, with so much happening that it was hard to get invested in any of it. This lack of focus made the narrative feel directionless and hard to follow.

The garden rings concept was interesting but felt pointless to the storyline, even though they were mentioned a lot. The idea of social rings indicating one’s profession, place of origin, and marital status was cool, but rings that reveal your sexual or romantic preferences? Not for me. I love a queer-normative fantasy, but this book was all about labeling, which felt off.

"The Sky on Fire" had so many good ideas, but it needed more space to develop them. When it was good, it was great, but the bad moments really took away from the good. It could have been so much better if it had been stretched over two or three books to give the story more room to breathe. Despite its flaws, the creative world-building and intriguing magic system make it worth a read, but it could’ve been so much more.

I enjoyed listening to this well paced epic fantasy. The narrator did a good job with the narration - it provided a good flow to the story and the voices were well done which lent well to getting a deeper sense for the characters. This is also a testament to the authors writing. I really liked getting that second POV towards the end from her brother (I do not want to butcher the name since I listened and did not see it in print). I would have liked even more as he was probably one of my favorite characters - Claw was right up there too. However, I did not feel the romantic connections as I would have liked to. That part didn’t capture me, but could for other readers. This is, in my opinion, the weak part of the novel, but fortunately, it is not an essential point to the story and does not pull the reader away from the overarching plot. The representation of sexuality was well done and I liked the way the characters used to identify themselves in that respect.
This is a world ruled by dragons, where the humans and other beings are actually secondary. This was so cool and different from other dragon fantasy out there. The plot was good, the story flowed and was captivating, keeping the reader engaged from the very beginning.
I recommend this book for readers that enjoy epic fantasy with a fun, everything that could go wrong goes wrong, heist.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an audio-arc of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

I did not finish this book. I read about 50% before stopping. The pacing of this book was very start and stop for me. I loved the dragons and the action but I could not stay caught up.