What might be my favorite dragon romantasy series, A Fire in the Sky, gives Tamsyn an arranged marriage, a stern borderland ruler, and a set of dangerous powers to deal with…and that was after a violent childhood as the royal whipping girl. Raised alongside the princesses as their adopted sister, the king sees the perfect opportunity to pass Tamsyn off as a real princess when a notorious borderland lord asks for a royal marriage in exchange for his continued military protection. Fell was looking to secure his people’s safety. Instead, he gets stuck with a fake princess he is incredibly attracted to. Fell and Tamsyn must quickly develop a secure partnership if they want to navigate a set of suspiciously dragon-like abilities that could doom them both.

This book had a few good things, but overall, it just wasn't it. Too much repetition and not a great plot. I also felt like I was just forcing myself to try and finish it. The synopsis was intriguing but the execution fell flat.

I honestly slept on this one. I did not expect it to be as good as it was. I don’t know what I was expecting, however–I LOVE Sophie Jordan’s historical romances and she’s one of my instabuy authors in that genre, but I guess it’s dragons? I’m relatively new. Late adopted to The Empyrean. I really need to stop being so hesitant to enjoy and indulge in less than cozy fantasy. This was dark fantasy at its finest, and so very spicy. I really love a good bonded couple and Fell and Tamsyn were delicious together. If I had to describe this book in food terms, I’d say it’s a dark chocolate lava cake with a dash of strong, spicy cinnamon. But that cliffhanger is going to kill me…

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
I'm disappointed because the book sounded really good. Witches, dragons, romance, forced marriage? Sounds amazing! Sadly, I'm almost half way through and nothing has happened. Both the MMC and FMC POV has contridicting writing that doesn't go with their personality. There's some sort of insta lust which I normally dislike. And then there was some weird having sex in a room with people watching that just felt icky. I can see why people may like this but this was just not for me.

Thank you Net Galley and Avon. I appreciate getting the chance to read this book and always appreciate any ARCs I get in trade for an honest review.

This was a fantasy with dragons, arranged marriage, unexpected romance, and action. I am looking forward to continuing this series. ##netgalley #dragons #romantacy #SophieJordan

I regret not getting to this book sooner! IT WAS SO GOOD IT WAS UNREAL!

Spoiler Free Summary:
A glorified slave is to be married to "barbaric" Prince of the border. One of his knights tries to kill her and her true form comes out. But then the end of the book, his true form comes out!

Feels:
This book had me glued! GLUED!!! The beginning and camping scene was a little tedious. But the consummation scene was amazing. There such a huge build up of events carried out through the whole book that you think she is going to be one creature but comes out as a different one. Also, when a certain character shows his true cowardly colors.. it checks out. The ending had me shook and it all fit together perfectly!

Tropes:
Dragons
Witches
Touch her and die
lovers to enemies
forced Marriage
Forced proximity

The first thing you need to know is that A Fire in the Sky is not a standalone prequel to the Firelight series. I didn't know this until reading the acknowledgments after the book ended. That being said, the pacing of this book felt completely off for me. The closer I got to the end of the book, I felt like the plot should be wrapping up more than it was. A Fire in the Sky ended in a cliffhanger, but other parts were left open. Knowing more books are to come makes this make sense, but not knowing it affected my enjoyment as I was reading. I kept getting pulled out of the story because it didn't make sense that this was a standalone. It's not.

Tamsyn has been raised like a sibling to the princesses of Penterra. Well, except for one large difference, she has been the royal whipping child for the princesses and has taken all of their punishments upon herself. I hated this for Tamsyn, yet I liked this idea with some historical backing used to create a strong female lead character. She is used to keeping her behavior and feelings under wrap so she doesn't incur more punishments than she already received.

Fell has been fighting on the border to protect the kingdom. He demands to wed one of the princesses not because he wants power so much as he needs his voice heard. He needs the council and king to understand what's happening on the kingdom's border. But Fell is tricked into marrying Tamsyn. He isn't happy to have been tricked, but he doesn't want to annul the marriage either.

I feel much more beyond that description enters into spoiler territory. The wedding night scene is the main spicy scene. I can't remember if there was more than that, but if there was I don't think it was much. However, cursing was abundant in A Fire in the Sky.

I didn't highlight much. Only three things and none of them are anything I want to share in this review.

The cliffhanger and the characters kept me interested in reading more. And since finishing A Fire in the Sky, I did see A Scar in the Bone on Goodreads. But not knowing from the beginning that this was intended to be the first in a prequel series threw off my entire experience of the book. Coupled with a couple of plot points that fell a little short of great writing in my opinion leaves me giving A Fire in the Sky 3.5 Stars. I enjoyed it, but it also blows my mind to see it recommended so frequently by some reviewers and influencers on Instagram and such. Hopefully, as the series continues my rating for this book might rise. Have you read A Fire in the Sky? What did you think? Let me know!

I’ve read my fair share of romantasy at this point, and while I’m still a fan of the genre, I’m also getting more picky. It’s not enough anymore for the book to be a quick and exciting read, hitting some of my favorite romantasy tropes along the way. I feel like I need something more now for the books to stick around for longer than the few days it takes me to read them, something to make them stand out from the rest.

A Fire in the Sky, while it had its moments, unfortunately, didn’t quite stand out for me. Everything ended up feeling quite shallow, from the world-building to the main character, to even the romance itself. While I can often ignore shallow plots or worlds in these types of stories, I need the romance to then truly stand out. It means I spend less time focusing on the things that are not as necessary for this main romance plot, like the functioning of the world or the depth of the main character’s motivations. The romance, while intriguing, just wasn’t developed enough for me, and I was frustrated by how little time the characters actually spent together in the latter half of the book. We had an interesting start, but we never really built from there. The feelings between the main characters still strengthened somehow despite this, which just ended up making things feel too quick on top of that.

However, I have to admit there were a few things I did like. I ended up enjoying how one of the reveals played out, even if the reveal itself was extremely obvious. It made for some interesting perspectives and moments, and I liked the dynamic it seemed to introduce between the two main characters, even if I’m not sure that’ll last after the ending. I can’t go into much more detail without spoiling though!

In the end, while I enjoyed the afternoon I spent with the book, I don’t see it sticking with me for long. I also looked into the synopsis of the second book, and I’m sad to say I probably won’t be continuing with the series. It seems like the things I had issues with won’t be further developed in the next book, and I’m not really a fan of where the series seems to be going after this. I might still change my mind though, only time will tell!

Tamsyn is the royal whipping girl with a fierce loyalty to the princesses who she considers sisters and grew up alongside. As she is property of the crown, she is pushed into an arranged marriage with Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, to spare her sisters' fate.

I devoured this book in two days. I was definitely in the mood for this fast-paced romantasy. The ending was heavily foreshadowed but turned out exactly as I wanted it to so I didn't mind that one bit. The "consummate the marriage" scene was cringy but I feel like that is typical for arranged marriage tropes in this genre.

I received the e-book from NetGalley but I listened to some of the audiobook when I was walking with my dogs and thought it was very well done as well. It definitely kept my attention with multiple voice actors. To my surprise, I also received a beautiful hardcover copy of the book in my Romantasy FairyLoot subscription. It is a gorgeous shelf trophy and one of my favorites from the subscription.

Recommend to any Romantasy fans who like dragons and the arranged marriage trope!

A political marriage, travel to distant lands, and dragons all tied together in an addictive spicy romantasy

# A Fire in the Sky
# 3/1/2025 ~ 3/4/2025
# 5.0 / 5.0

I started Dragon's Veil with high hopes, intrigued by the premise of Tamsyn, the royal whipping girl, and the dark secrets lurking within her. The world-building and the dynamics between Tamsyn and the other characters were intriguing, but I found the pace to be a bit slow for my taste. While the plot certainly had potential, I struggled to stay engaged, and ultimately, I didn't finish the book.

That said, the premise of magic awakening and Tamsyn's hidden destiny is an interesting one, and I can see how it might appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn character development and political intrigue. The idea of Tamsyn's relationship with Stig and Fell also offered an interesting twist, though it didn't quite capture me as much as I hoped. I may revisit the story at some point when I’m in the right mood for a slower-paced narrative, but for now, I’ll be setting it aside.

Thank you to Sophie Jordan, Avon, and NetGalley for sending me the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The concepts behind the book were really good, but I could not get behind the execution and the pacing - also this book for sure should have had trigger warnings at the beginning (I'm not sure if the final version has TWs, I read a Netgalley ARC, but even that *should* have had TWs).

TWs as much as I remember - on page physical violence faced by one of the MCs as a whipping girl, two MCs forced to consummate their arranged marriage in front of a crowd, general violence and death

There's a lot of gritty time spent in explaining Tamsyn's role as a whipping girl which was traumatizing to read without any warning (esp given the callously casual way the rest of her "family" treated her), but following her wedding to Fell, the story and emotions fly really fast. The consummation scene was extremely difficult to read, it was for sure two people forced into a sexual situation they didn't want to be in -- the sudden passion they felt for each other felt very out of place with the other emotions they were feeling at the time. The insta love (lust??) grew by leaps and bounds within the next few chapters and I was.. pretty confused with the change of pacing. The ending was a good twist, but I don't think I'll be picking up book 2 :/

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Sophie Jordan’s A Fire in the Sky is a thrilling, imaginative take on the fantasy genre, blending dragons, magic, and romance into a whirlwind adventure. In a world where dragons are extinct, witches are outcasts, and magic is slowly fading away, the novel paints a picture of a society teetering on the edge of collapse. Amidst this backdrop, the relentless human lust for power persists, driving the action and setting the stage for a tale filled with tension, passion, and danger.

I devoured this book quickly, and while it wasn’t perfect, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. What stood out to me most was how refreshing it felt—A Fire in the Sky isn’t just another cookie-cutter fantasy romance. The premise alone feels different, offering a unique twist on familiar fantasy tropes. The storyline blends high stakes with deep emotional beats, keeping me hooked from start to finish.

The characters are where this book really shines. The relationship dynamics were a highlight for me. The arranged marriage trope, which can often feel cliché, is executed well here, and I couldn’t help but love the tension it brought to the story. The "touch her and die" vibe surrounding the male protagonist—gruff, powerful, and a bit of a brute—added a layer of intensity and excitement. Meanwhile, the female lead is more than she seems, which adds complexity to her character and makes her journey all the more satisfying.

This book delivers on what I was hoping for: a powerful and captivating romance set against a fantastical backdrop of dragons, magic, and danger. While it may not be perfect in every way, it certainly hit all the right notes for me. If you're a fan of fantasy novels with a strong, dynamic romance and a plot that keeps you on your toes, A Fire in the Sky is definitely worth a read. It’s everything I wanted it to be—and more!

Holy shiitake mushrooms! I just finished that in one sitting and OMG!
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC! I am so grateful I ordered a copy of this before I even finished because I definitely want a copy of this on my shelves. I also want book 2 now please!

Will come back with a full review

*Back with the review lol*

Tamsyn holds a unique role in the court as a member/non-member of the royal family. She is the royal whipping girl, which means she takes all punishments on behalf of the princesses. Her life takes a turn when Fell, the legendary Beast of the Borderlands, requests one of the princesses' hands in marriage. Tamsyn, considered a princess of the kingdom is given to him in their stead and many secrets come out of the woodwork.

Fell and Tamsyn grow to appreciate and respect each other and that slowly turns into love.

The author described the world beautifully and the character building is a bit slow but super interesting. I'm definitely looking forward to book 2.

Tropes:
- Arranged/Forced Marriage
- Forbidden/Dying Magic
- Touch Her & Die
- Romantasy
- Court politics
- Love Triangle Adjacent
- Magical Secrets
- Multiple POV

Unfortunately, this was a disappointment. I think it had promise, but the execution was lacking. The writing was repetitive with too much internal monologuing, and Tamsyn is a very passive character, which makes it hard to be in her head at times. The plot itself takes too long to get going, the world building is lacking, and the romance felt rushed and forced.

There’s also not much in the way of dragons until the very end, but it seems they may feature more in the next book. However, I don’t think I’ll continue with the series.

I would like to thank the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

I'll start by saying that I was captivated by the story when I read the synopsis and I was very excited about this book, so I was quite upset when it didn't meet my expectations.

The beginning of the book was quite pleasant and seemed quite promising, until it suddenly got distorted. I'm the kind of person who loves well-written and long-lasting romances, usually when they happen at a percentage of 40 to 50 percent I get a little uncomfortable, but I can still continue reading without much irritation, however, for me the fact that the character saw her romantic partner for the first time and already felt sexually attracted made me quite uncomfortable. Lust is also something that I value a certain construction and I hated how hers was so sudden, this really undermined much of the pleasure in reading this book.

As for the rest, I'll sum it up by saying that I didn't find anything very amazing. The premise and story ended up being boring and meaningless, and I couldn't connect with the couple or them as individual characters. The book also ended up not being as original as I had hoped.

Even so, I am very grateful for the opportunity to read this book.

I am completely obsessed with this book! Tamsyn, the royal whipping girl, has come to accept the life she’s been dealt. But when The Beast, or Border King, demands to marry a Penterran princess, Tamsyn is thrust into a marriage with a man who stirs up a whirlwind of emotions within her. This forced marriage is the ultimate enemies-to-lovers tale. Jordan’s writing style pulled me into this world, and I never wanted to leave. I adored all the characters, whether they were villains or heroes, and the dynamic they brought to the story. Even though the spice was minimal, the love story between Fell and Tamsyn was both steamy and heartbreaking. And the ending… wow, I need more of this world and story right now!

*Thank you to Sophie Jordan, Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

Weirdly entertaining if read like a fairytale, but not really a great book: Minimal worldbuilding, superficial characters, some very cringe moments and lots of plot holes. If you’re just there for the dragon romantasy vibe, it might be your book.

I just finished this and really enjoyed it more than I thought I would! This was another FairyLoot pick that I wanted to read after receiving a beautiful copy. I will say that it was not the most in depth 5 star fantasy world that you have ever read, but it is an easy and entertaining read. I liked this different take on a dragon story line and I am intrigued to learn where that goes. I hated that she was a "whipping girl", but ugh it could have been worse I guess. I would have loved to have seen a deeper connection between Tamsyn & Fall er Fell? What was his name ... FELL. Okay sure, moving on, I would have loved less of an instant love connection between the two and a bit more resistance and haaated that one of our only spicy scenes was a super awkward "royal wedding bedding" with an audience that included her parents, sisters, and boy best friend that loves her (ofc). Really could have done without that or would have loved FELL to refuse their customs, just closing the curtains wasn't enough for me. Anyways, if you want an easy fantasy read this one is good for a brain break - enough action to keep you interested, but not too complicated of a world and history.

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.