There really is so much to love about this one. A queernorm fantasy world, heists, dragons, amazing worldbuilding, a sprinkle of romance -- these were all strengths. The first 100-150 pages had me hooked.

I think this would have been better as a series, or even a duology. It just felt like it tried to be many things at once, which made for some old pacing at times and a slow middle. It took me longer to read than I expected, because so much of the middle didn't have much momentum behind it. Then it wrapped up really fast. But it did hint that there may be future books in this world, and I'm definitely excited for that.

But overall, I really think a lot of readers will like this one. If you liked Priory of the Orange Tree, you'll probably like this one as well.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Ok, so the cover freaked me out because I thought it was related to throne of glass series lol but this was a super fun fresh new fantasy. I liked the characters, but didn’t love them so that’s why I’m giving a 4 star. I’m not sure what was missing but I couldn’t quite settle in with them entirely. Otherwise, world building is great, plot is well paced and intriguing. And SO many dragons!! Haha Great read for fantasy lovers.

This had a lot of elements I look for in a fantasy, engaging world building and fun characters to follow - I was hooked from the opening chapter!

We are introduced to a societal hierarchy world where dragons are all but gods, ruling the Skylands and humans alike. Anahrod has been in hiding for seventeen years. Executed for betrayal and presumed dead, only to be found in the jungles of the Deep by a rag tag team of characters wanting to steal a dragon’s horde.

Heists and dragons, this was a fun and chill fantasy, I really liked Anahrod and all the various characters we meet like Ris, Claw, and Sicaryon - they had an entertaining camaraderie throughout. The world building aspects had me eating up the story, everything flowed effortlessly from the magical system to the fluidity of relationships and sexuality. It was very refreshing in that regard. While this isn’t a full blown romance, I think it worked very well within the story and I made an emotional connection to these characters and their battles.

Slow burning to a larger climax towards the end felt a little rushed but I still enjoyed the ride! Performed by my favorite narrator Lauren Fortgang, the voice changes she achieves are always top tier, from the feminine characters to the gruff and rumbling dragons, playing out the story like a movie in my head, amazing! 4.5⭐️

Thank you Tor Books for the eARC to review.

Did you think that Fourth Wing was missing dragons?

Fourth Wing is a comparison for The Sky on Fire because Fourth Wing is a comparison for everything these days. But if you thought there weren't enough dragons in Fourth Wing, then The Sky on Fire is for you. There are dragons on page one of The Sky on Fire and there are dragons on every page of The Sky on Fire. The Sky on Fire is a solid fantasy with deep characters, a plot, and fantastically rich world-building. (If you enjoyed Fourth Wing for the smut, The Sky on Fire isn't for you.)

I don't know when The Sky on Fire was drafted, but it definitely feels like it was written to correct the grievances readers had with Fourth Wing. The biggest difference is that Anahrod is thirty-two and has agency over her own choices. She's an adult who has made bad decisions, good ones, and all of the ones in between. So when Anahrod is faced with a corrupt government, a power imbalance in the dragon training system, and threats against her life she is able to act against them with the tools at her disposal that she's grown and cultivated herself. The Sky on Fire isn't riddled with relationships that threaten to turn abusive because of power imbalances and that is so refreshing to read. The Sky on Fire features peers working together to solve problems and adults actually looking out for the children in their care.

Anahrod is a well-developed character, with flaws, opportunities for growth, and set-backs of her own. Once I got over the name (also featured in The Merlin Conspiracy), I got quite attached to Anahrod. She's logical about the opportunities presented, she's fantastic in a crisis, she loves her friends, and she's clever. She's three-dimensional, the choices that she makes aren't all good or all bad and often carry a weight to them which makes Anahrod so relatable. It's been a while since I've read about a hero who actually has to weigh the choices and opportunities presented to them. This depth and level of characterization is present for all of the supporting cast as well - Sicaryon, Ris, and Gwydion.

I want to give a shout out to the world-building, especially the beautiful queer-normative world that Lyons has built. A huge feature of the culture is rings - there are both societal and garden rings. Societal rings introduce an occupation, someone's family, and their culture. But garden rings really stole my heart - they indicate someone's relationship status, sexuality, gender, and sexual preference. It's a beautiful plot device to convey a lot of information to the reader, but it's also beautiful to have spent time in this world where someone's gender and sexuality is publicly displayed on their hands. Where gender and sexuality are acknowledged as an important part of someone's identity and the public is open enough to view all of a person as part of the formal introduction process.

I can see that this is currently a stand-alone, but I am definitely hoping for a sequel.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This was...disappointing to say the least. I love dragons, I love a found family trope, and I especially love a heist book. For all three of these, there are books that do it better. When I read "fantasy heist" I was expecting to love this, and get something similar to how I felt about 'Six of Crows'. I just found myself not really caring for any of the characters, which made it difficult to immerse myself fully into this world. It felt like no one was really fleshed out into a whole being, rather they just fit a role within the group. Everything felt so surface level. Because of that I found myself skim reading, which I really hate to do. I am not sure if the writing style is similar to Lyons previous series, as that is still on my TBR and I like to read authors standalones to get a taste of what they're like. Now I'm not so sure if I should read her quartet. Overall, this was quite disappointing.

Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons takes readers on a thrilling journey into a world divided by both geography and power. The narrative unfolds in a vibrant setting where the "upper people" reside in the mountains, ruled by power hungry dragons, while the "deepers" navigate the dangers of the dense jungle below. This stark dichotomy sets the stage for an epic tale brimming with dragon riders, magic, heists, and a fierce, over-30 female main character.

One of the standout features of this novel is its plot-driven structure. Lyons crafts an intricate storyline that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The unpredictable twists and turns ensure that there's never a dull moment, making it difficult to put the book down. The heist is particularly well-executed, adding layers of intrigue and excitement.

In addition to its compelling plot, Sky on Fire offers a refreshing take on LGBTQ+ characters. Lyons integrates these characters seamlessly into the narrative, providing representation without resorting to clichés or tokenism. This aspect of the book feels organic and adds depth to the story.

The theme of found family is beautifully explored. The bonds formed between characters from diverse backgrounds and with differing motivations highlight the power of unity and trust. This element adds a heartwarming touch to the otherwise intense and action-packed narrative.

However, the novel does have its shortcomings. The characters, while interesting, often feel slightly underdeveloped. This lack of depth made it challenging to connect with them on an emotional level. Their motivations and backstories could have been fleshed out more to provide a richer reading experience.

Overall, Sky on Fire is a captivating read that excels in world-building and plot development. Jenn Lyons has created a unique and immersive universe that will appeal to fans of fantasy and adventure.

Pros:

Engaging, unpredictable plot
Unique and inclusive LGBTQ+ representation
Strong world-building and setting
Exciting heists and action sequences
Themes of found family
Cons:
Characters feel slightly underdeveloped

Recommended for: Fans of fantasy, dragon enthusiasts, readers seeking strong LGBTQ+ representation, and those who enjoy plot-driven narratives with a dash of heist excitement.

This was so much fun! A little bit hard to get through in the beginning, with lots of characters and world building happening as you are thrown into the story. But once you grasp the politics and magic system, it unfurls into an engaging story with a lot of heart, sass, and dragons!

While I wasn’t expecting the heist plot, it added more interest to the story beyond a usual “good dragon vs bad dragon” arc. The characters are lovable (and detestable), with unique backstories, personalities, and identities. I thought the garden rings system was incorporated well, although a cheat sheet might have been helpful.

My one gripe with this book was that some bits were bogged down by details, and thus hard to get back into after a reading break. Overall, I think this book will be a satisfying and enjoying read for lovers of dragons, fantasy, and found family.

The Sky on Fire offers an exhilarating fantasy adventure, The richly crafted characters and diverse cast breathe life into a story that seamlessly blends plot-driven action with imaginative world-building, showcasing distinct powers and cultures. A captivating read from start to finish, it’s a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling escape into a fantastical realm.

Thank you for providing an e-ARC; all opinions expressed are my own.

This book was so much freaking fun.

It’s got so much cool shit in it. Airships. Jungles infested with fantasy dinosaurs. Found family. Heists. Love triangles that don’t make me want to smack everyone involved. Terrible puns. Wonderful puns. (Often the same pun.) Dragons. More dragons. And check out that cover! Seriously, that is such a cool cover.

This is set in a world split in two. On the one hand, you have the Skylands, mountain top cities linked by airships. On the other hand, you have the jungles of the Deeps. The humans of the Skylands are ruled by dragons, whose leadership sits somewhere between tyrannical and disinterested neglect. The Skylanders see the people of the Deeps as primitive savages, though of course it’s not so simple.

Our main character is Anahrod, cast out of the Skylands and into the Deeps for a crime she did not commit. Literally cast out: she was tossed off an airship 50,000 feet up. But she was able to survive and start a life in the Deeps with her fantasy dinosaur titan drake Overbite. Anahrod finds herself between a rock and a very large, scaled, be-toothed, breath-weapon-wielding place when she is hunted both by the self-proclaimed king of the Deeps (also her ex-boyfriend) and a dragon, dragonrider, and miscellaneous companions searching for her on the rumor that she somehow survived her fall. That group wants her for something they keep quiet about, but they also aren’t trying to kidnap or kill her (and Ris the dragonrider is distractingly sexy) so it’s not really a hard choice for Anahrod which group to go with.

From there we’re off. This is, as I said at the top, a hell of a lot of fun. Pure popcorn fiction in the very best sense of the term. Highly recommended.

Thank you @torbooks @macmillan.audio #partner #macaudio2024 for the gifted copies of this book!

Calling all Dragon lovers! This is a heist book mixed with dragons ruling the world! Yes please. 😅 The group of characters in this book were fun to follow. They are strong willed, can communicate with animals (what?!), unique in their own way, daring and bold! I have to admit I did grab this one as it said it was for the likes of Fourth Wing lovers (that’s me! 🙋‍♀️) but I don’t know that I would actually put it quite in that category. It was more of a slow burn for me but still a satisfying read. This book has a great mix of eccentric and nonconformist characters, romance, a heist, a vivid world perfectly built and dragons. 🐉 This was a first for me by this author and I would most certainly grab more by her! The audio was done well and really made me feel immersed into this adventure.

✨ARC REVIEW ✨

The Sky on Fire is a well paced fantasy story that has a lot of diversity and lovable characters. The main character we follow in this book, Anahrod, is an interesting personality to follow and I enjoyed watching her overcome the challenges and fears along her journey. I loved the exploration of the way that identity was displayed in this world, and I loved following a main character that was comfortable in who she was from the start.

I found that the beginning of this story was very hard to get to grips with as there was a lot of information and names dumped on the reader within the first few pages/chapters. For newer fantasy readers this may make the start of this book feel daunting. Even for myself I found the start of this book a little daunting however I seriously recommend pushing through this initial confusion as the story itself is worth the brief confusion.

The dragons in this story were lots of fun with the different powers and looks. I enjoyed the magic systems and government/politics that made up all the different areas of this world. The plot had some good twists in it, not always unpredictable twists but enjoyable non the less. The author did a great job with the settings and character descriptions in this story considering it was a standalone the world felt very fleshed out and developed.

I did wish that the romantic relationships were explored a bit more as I felt there was lots of angst and build up missing. I could see the connections were genuine but I wasn’t fully invested in them due to the lack of buildup and background. I also did wish that the FMC had more development as a character as her morals and personality remained mostly the same throughout the story.

Overall this was an enjoyable and engaging fantasy story that was well written and executed.


***Arc provided in exchange for honest review***

actual rating: 2.5 stars

Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. The premise sounded very intriguing (especially with it being a standalone fantasy, which is very rare), but it just fell flat in the end. The characters were not well developed, which meant that I was not invested in the plot, or with the intricacies of the different interactions . Additionally, the romantic sub-plot just felt like it came completely out of nowhere that it was so unbelievable. Finally, the plot was very roughly developed - the stakes didn't feel very extreme, and the world building was completely left behind.

I was worried whenI first started that it was going to take a while to understand the world and the language and the names used. I was a bit confused in the first few chapters as to which characters we were following or whose storyline we would be following the most. The names are also tricky but honestly I just gave them nicknames and it made it easier for me.

Everything else was freaking EPIC!

Once I got my bearings, which honestly for any fantasy book isn’t uncommon the story was captivating, fast paced, action packed and the world building became more and more transparent the further on I read.

The dragon and rider dynamic was so refreshing, and the politics between the dragons was something I thoroughly enjoyed and I am glad was explored. The concept of dragon hordes, and that the different types of hordes were a debate and discussions between the dragons to make sure that no two in a territory were the same. Ah! I don’t know why this made me so happy. It drew upon a very traditional concept of dragons but was a subtle twist.

The main storyline follows a group of misfits trying to steal a hidden dragon horde from the Queen Regent who has meddled in the lines of succession between the dragons. The character dynamic is full of banter, angst and tension. Though do not expect anything explicitly spicey, the innuendo in some sections was not lost. The banter between characters was done well and I enjoyed there witty conversations.

Dragon riders are now not an uncommon feature in the current fantasy genre, but the idea of a dragon transferring consciousness between rider and dragon was next level. So we got to know the depths of personalities between both characters.

The world building, the clever dialogue and characters that evolve was all very well done.

The Sky on Fire is a whirlwind adventure with dragons, warlords, misfits, heists, and romance. Readers looking for something that evokes Fourth Wing meets Six of Crows should give The Sky on Fire a try!

Sky on Fire by Jen Lyons - eBook ARC
2.5 Stars

Sky on Fire by Jen Lyons, a book that had all the makings of an epic fantasy but ended up leaving me with mixed feelings.

~The Good
Let's start with what worked. Lyons' world-building is impressive. The rich, detailed universe is teeming with magic, politics, and lore that fantasy enthusiasts like us live for. The author has a knack for creating vivid settings and complex societies, and I found myself getting lost in the intricate tapestry she wove. The characters, for the most part, are intriguing. There are moments where their depth shines through, especially in the backstories and the interplay of personal motivations. Lyons does a commendable job in giving us heroes who are flawed and villains who have relatable reasons for their actions.

~The Bad
Now, onto the not-so-great parts. For a book that's supposed to be an epic fantasy, *Sky on Fire* felt surprisingly disjointed. 🧩 The narrative jumps around too much, making it hard to follow the main plot thread. Just when you start to get invested in one storyline, the perspective shifts abruptly, leaving you scrambling to keep up with the new developments.

The pacing is another issue. Some sections drag on with unnecessary details, while pivotal moments that should have been gripping and intense feel rushed. This uneven pacing made it difficult to stay engaged, and I found myself skimming through parts that didn’t hold my interest.

~The Verdict
Sky on Fire isn’t a bad book by any means, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. As an epic fantasy fan, I expected a more cohesive and tightly-woven story. Lyons has a lot of great ideas and a fascinating world, but the execution fell flat in this installment. 😕

I enjoyed reading this book. I think the main characters were interesting and the plot was okay. I’m excited to read more from this author

Received as an ARC, thank you so much Tor Publishing and Jenn Lyons for this opportunity!

Dragons, dragon-riders, and heists all in one book? What more could you possibly wish for? This fun, fast-paced standalone fantasy was just what I needed! Anahrod and her mismatched gang of thieves, dragon riders, sorcerers and a plethora of other rowdy individuals sucked me in immediately. Jenn Lyons does an amazing job at character development and engaging the reader in a twisty plot. Plus, what isn’t there to love about a girl who can talk with animals?

My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit too “perfect” and came together rather seamlessly which seemed to clash with the rest of the novel’s hectic nature. That being said, I absolutely ate this book up and I highly recommend it to anyone who loved Fourth Wing and needs some more witty dragons in their life!

This book has an absolutely gorgeous cover. I really hate how I feel about this book, because I want to like it! I felt no connection to the characters, though. Many new words and names were used so I couldn’t jump in from my reality into the book’s fantasy.

The incomparable Jenn Lyons has done it again, only this time it's with a standalone fantasy, so if you've been reluctant to immerse yourself in the gloriously bewildering saga that is A Chorus of Dragons, The Sky on Fire is your chance to see what you've been missing.

The cover blurb will tell you this is a story about a rescue from a warlord and a heist from a dragon, but don't let that deceive you - nothing about this is that simple. It's also a story about regrets, resentment, and revenge, with personal motives driving the narrative. Nobody is all good or all bad, it's just that their objectives are sometimes violently at odds with one another - so much so that even villains can end up becoming heroes.

The world-building here is simple but nicely detailed and well thought-out. Below, we have the jungles of the Deep, humid lands where air, foliage, and danger all lie thick and heavy. Above hang the cloud cities, home to the ruling classes, merchants, nobility, and dragons. So many dragons! This isn't just a book with dragons, it's very much a book about dragons - their history, their mythology, and their overbearing presence in the lives of tiny humans. While we don't get too deeply into human politics, we do explore a lot of dragon politics, which makes sense because everything in this world is subservient to their whims.

Very much like A Chorus of Dragons, The Sky on Fire is wonderful in its casual, no-big-deal, assumed diversity in gender, sexuality, and relationships. Characters wear garden rings and social that communicate their identity, preferences, and personality, and I loved the way it's done as much as I loved the language around it: a ring to denote "male, both by birth and inclination"; another to show "a committed, monogamous relationship"; and yet another to communicate a preference for "both feminine and masculine partners." Anahrod, our protagonist and POV, is a bisexual woman who begins exploring a polyamorous triad, and all people can say about it is that it's about time they admit their feelings for one another. There are also some casual kink references sprinkled throughout that, again, aren't a big deal for the characters, but refreshing to see as a reader.

If I were to have one complaint about the book it would be that it flounders for direction in the middle, with the pacing suffering as goals, alliances, and agendas are established. However, at this point, I know Lyons never does anything accidentally, never just fills pages for the sake of exposition, so I trusted that it would all come together and that we'd see how and why it all fits together - and we do. Along those lines, there were some questions I had early on about aspects of the story that seemed too simple, too convenient, but they're all satisfyingly explained by the end as well.

The Sky on Fire doesn't feel as grand or as poetic as A Chorus of Dragons, but that may actually play in its favor for new readers. It's a narrative style that fits the urgency of the tale, and had I not read anything else by Lyons, I'd never notice anything missing.

Dragons rule – literally.

Anahrod lives in a world governed by dragons, and the reagent Neveranimas wants her dead. Why? Well, Anahrod has a talent that has scared the First Dragon to her core – She can communicate with animals and dragons.

The Sky on Fire is an ambitious tale about dragons, politics, revenge, and secrets. Intricate societal details like ‘garden rings’ add vivid colour to the various communities, which makes them a rich and tangible part of the novel.

I absolutely love the queer normative world Jenn Lyons has created. It was a very appropriate book to dig into during Pride Month. With so many prejudices ingrained in our own society, it’s difficult to find books that treat queerness in such a way that feels accepting but not hypersexualised.

While there is a heist, it really isn’t the main focus of the narrative. Instead, there’s a heavy lean on revenge. The comeuppance for Neverainmas is sought by a lot of characters, and it’s reminiscent of Game of Thrones in that whenever there has been a longstanding ruler, they’re likely to have an enemy or two.

Speaking of Game of Thrones, I really feel that this book would have benefitted from being more than one book. There was a significant volume of characters, locations, and plot points that made for a dense read. And I really think the character connections and relationships suffered due to the cramped pacing. The singular explicit scene felt abrupt. I was so taken aback that I felt like I was intruding rather than seeing sexual tension coming (aha) to a head.

The universe in Sky on Fire is a complex and intriguing place brimming with dragons, magic, and culture. There’s a diversity to the characters. There’s a powerful theme of consent. Karma isn’t the guy on the screen – it’s the girl you tried to kill seventeen years ago.