Overall, I thought this was fun. It wasn’t anything special, but I found myself enjoying it. I do think the author tried to bite off more than they should have for a stand-alone, but it is what it is. What really bothered me was the repetition of certain phrases and actions.

However, it was still interesting to see a take where humans haven’t gained control over the dragons and dragons are actually kind of scary

An overall fun fantasy heist read with great world building and an interesting take on the ever popular dragon. Pacing was a bit slow in the beginning, Didn't fully connect with any of the characters, but the story was fun and interesting.

Unfortunately this felt very pieced together and rushed in many areas. The characters didn’t really gain much development, and the romance didn’t make me feel anything. Really disappointed :(

This was a fun read. I really enjoy it when a book has good world building and plenty of action and you get dropped right in the middle of it haha! I especially loved the take this author took on the dragon/dragon rider dynamics. That being said, I do feel like there was A LOT going on for one book and that it caused a bit of what I call reader whiplash 😂. This many elements would've been more feasible in a duology or trilogy but for one standalone book, it left me reeling a little. I also found that I didn't connect with the characters as deeply as I would've liked.

Either way, I think it was a fun read with plenty of action, a heist, dragons and queer rep!

I went between ebook and audiobook for this one and both were enjoyable! The narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life.

A big thanks to Tor books, MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC/ALC. All opinions are my own.

Jenn Lyons' The Sky on Fire delivers an exhilarating blend of fantasy and adventure, though it sometimes feels like it’s moving at breakneck speed. The story leaps from one event to the next, which, while keeping the reader on their toes, can occasionally lead to a sense of disorientation due to the rapid pacing and frequent shifts in focus. Despite this, the novel is undeniably engaging. Lyons' world-building and character development shine through, making the characters endearing and relatable. As the story progresses, you find yourself invested in their journeys and growth. The climax of the book might feel a bit rushed, leaving some threads hanging or resolved too quickly, but it’s clear that Lyons is setting up for future installments. This rush does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the book. The fast pace and energetic plot, combined with characters you grow to care about, make The Sky on Fire a compelling read.

It took me quite some time to get into this book and forever to finish it.

I love heist stories and dragons hence I figured this would be the perfect book for me...it wasn't though.

I'm someone who needs to connect with the characters on some level and I just couldn't.
Anahrod I honestly disliked from the start and the romance/relationships were also not for me (the rings 🙈).

The writing style itself, the dragons and also the world building were great, the rest just fell flat for me.

For fans of: heists, found family, dragons, throuples, lush histories, and inclusive worlds. While not as complex as A Chorus of Dragons (it is a standalone, after all), Lyons manages a fair bit of world-building that has me eager to dive into its histories.

Amazon Review submitted
Blog review goes live August 30th

TL;DR: This one felt like it couldn’t stop twisting but it worked SO well!
Source: Netgalley! Thank you to the publisher!

Plot: This one went from kidnapping, to heist, to save the family, to so much and I was just holding on enjoying the ride.
Characters: Everyone felt distinct and interesting and I was genuinely upset at several points when someone would die or be at risk. A fun and diverse cast.
Setting: This world felt very well drawn, it was a little standard with floating islands and low lands but I still really enjoyed it.
Magic: This was very fascinating and I’d love to read more books in this world just to learn more about the magic!

Thoughts:

I’m probably the last person to finally read Jenn Lyons but this won’t be my last of her books. I generally find something lacking in standalone fantasies that are longer than a novella. They reach just enough but not quite to a five star. This one breaks the mold for me though, I loved this.

We follow Anahrod as she’s living her best, exiled life in the jungle when things go sideways. She’s kidnapped and returned to the Skylands from where she came. There she is the ultimate criminal, the boogeyman and she thinks she is being returned to the Draconic ruler for her final death. Things aren’t quite that cut and dried though and we go on a wild and twisty journey that changes her world.

Everything from the characters to the setting worked so well for me. I felt a bit of a slump in pacing midway through but it didn’t detract enough from my reading to matter ultimately. I loved this. The dragons were unique, the world fascinating, and I was very invested in all the characters. I really recommend this for any Dragon Lovers out there.

5 out of 5 Dragonstones

As a big fan of Fourth Wing, you can only imagine my happiness while reading this book. We got what we were promised. Amazing adventure filled with dragons and interesting characters, what more can you ask for?

The sky on fire by jen lyons is a slow moving fantasy that unfortunately does not grip me. The characters were not interesting enough to keep me in the story.

"The Sky on Fire" offers an imaginative journey into a world ruled by dragons, with a unique blend of heist and adventure that will appeal to fans of high fantasy. The premise is intriguing, and the world-building stands out, particularly the dragon society and its customs. I appreciated the originality in the portrayal of the dragon-rider bond and the way the story explores a society beholden to these powerful creatures.

However, the book has its flaws. While the plot is engaging and the pacing kept me interested, the characters felt underdeveloped. I struggled to connect with them, and their actions often seemed to lack depth. The story also jumps around quite a bit, which made it hard to follow at times, and the magic system could have been better explained.

The action sequences, especially those happening off-page, felt like missed opportunities to add more excitement and tension. The ending, while satisfactory, didn’t leave a lasting impression.

Overall, "The Sky on Fire" is a fun read with an interesting premise, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It’s worth checking out if you’re a fan of dragon-filled fantasies, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

The Chorus of Dragons is one of my favorite series ever, in comparison I knew a standalone heist book could not meet those highs but I did have a delightful time with this adventure fantasy standalone. If you like messy dragon rider relationships, that is touched on here and the characters are loveable archetypes that will make you feel grounded while exploring a fairly unique fantasy world, where the world building is not always spelled out for you on the page. That said a lot happens in 400 pages so if you like to sit in a fantasy book and not feel things passing you by, you might be more disappointed with this one than I was.

Things that checked my boxes:
+Dragons
+Queer rep
+Heist
+Standalone

The only real criticism I have is that the world-building is a little shaky when it comes to describing The Deep, an area that we do spend a decent amount of time in at certain points in the novel. However, Lyons does a fantastic job fleshing out the people and dragon societies up in the sky enough to paint a unique fantasy setting but not so much that it bogs down the story. Anahrod is a very compelling character with a colorful past and a well-rounded personality with strengths and weaknesses; I also loved that she's on the older side for a fantasy protagonist at 32ish. The pacing is a little slow at first, and we don't really get to any heisting until well past the halfway point, but once the group starts coming together I got properly immersed and didn't mind that the heist isn't really the main focus of the story, even if it's the plot driver. Overall though a great fantasy standalone in my opinion!!

Ahoy there me mateys! With the pretty cover, dragons in control, and author, I was sure this was going to rock.  Alas I decided to abandon ship at 32% right before Part 4.  I have been trying to finish this since July 1st and has been over a month.  I read some crew reviews for encouragement.  Instead, I have no urge to read more.  The reviews with spoilers cemented its doom.

This book is fast-paced to its detriment.  There are too many settings, too many underdeveloped characters, too many plot points, and confusing politics.  The book feels incredibly disjointed and aimless.  While I sort-of liked the main character, Anahrod, I never quite understood exactly what she wanted.  She just seemed to get thrown around by the plot.  She was rather bland.  Ris, a dragonrider, arrives for some insta-lust and frankly has awkward sexual tension with Anahrod.  There is a dude who talks in lines from plays, a girl who wants to fight with everyone.  A drake (that I liked) that is abandoned for "reasons."

I will stop here because I have honestly spent more time trying to force myself to finish the book, marshal my thoughts about what I read, and write this review then I did reading the 32% of the book.  To call this a disappointment is an understatement.  Arrrr!

First off, the cover is fantastic! As for the content of the book, there were alot of things about the book I really enjoyed. The dragonrider and dragon dynamic was fun and the heist narrative was exciting, but unfortunately this book doesn't really feel like it knows what it wants to be. The plot jumps around a lot and makes it difficult for the reader to keep up.

I wish this book got more hype on Instagram and tiktok, because I was pleasantly surprised by it. Dragons are definitely hyped right now, and this one fit right in. Loved it

*The Sky on Fire* by Jenn Lyons is a gripping fantasy novel with dazzling world-building and intricate plots. The story unfolds with rich, dynamic characters and intense, imaginative storytelling. Lyons’ vivid prose and complex narrative make for a captivating read, though some plot threads may be challenging to follow. Overall, it’s a compelling addition to the genre that leaves readers eager for more.

Anahrod is on the run for crime she didn't commit. Enter in a diverse cast of characters who pull her out of hiding against her will to help with the ultimate heist. There is plenty of action, twists, and dragons! This is a fantasy adventure. From the beginning readers are thrown into the action. There is magic, danger, romance, betrayal and, again, dragons. It was a pretty fun reading adventure.

I enjoyed the book. I did struggle with the pacing in the beginning and connecting with the characters, but I stuck it out and in the end really enjoyed the ride. Each of the characters is very distinct with their own quirks. While some are more fleshed out, those that hold smaller roles are pretty cookie cutter. There isn't any big surprise or development where they are concerned. There is romance, though it's a bit all over the place at times. It develops quickly and feels a little like an unnecessary side story. I'm glad it was included as it added flavor, but there was somewhat a lack of emotional intimacy that might have added to the story.

I really liked the world and magic system. While there isn't a lot of explanation for the magic elements, there is just enough to give a general idea of what is happening. The dragons are pretty interesting, too. While this is a stand alone, the epilogue leaves it open for a possible sequel.

This was a really enjoyable dragon heist story. I was pleasantly surprised to find a decent amount of depth to the characters and their underlying story.

I've seen this compared to Fourth Wing but since I haven't read that one and I cannot comment if they are similar or not. On its own, I found this to be a really fun story.

I would recommend this to someone looking for a lighter, but worthwhile fantasy story. I have read the entire Chorus of Dragons and felt this had a very similar tone. If you love that series, you will very likely enjoy this book too

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I was super excited for this book since I just got into my romance/romantasy era but I really struggled with getting captured into this world.
I felt that I didn’t get enough time to truly develop “relationships” with the characters and places.
I believe this book is an amazing one for those who may struggle with a lot of world building and need something fast paced and go straight into the action.