Are these stories becoming formulaic? To be honest this whole book feels like it exists to set up the next one. It was entertaining, anyways.

"Dragons live. Everyone believes they are gone, the last of them annihilated in the Threshing. Lost to the annals of time, to the fade of memory, to be recalled only by the bards. It is the arrogance of man that holds to this—the wish for it to be so. Wishing does not make it true, though." —Sophie Jordan, A Fire in the Sky

A Fire in the Sky is the first in a new romantasy series by Sophie Jordan that follows Tamsyn, a royal whipping girl, part of the royal family yet still a lowly servant, who is made to marry a border lord known as the "Beast of the Borderlands" to save her sisters from a fate worse than death. After a passionate yet tumultuous start to their marriage arrangement, as she begins to navigate life away from court journeying to her new home, she finds that there might be more to her story, and herself, that she'd been conditioned to settle for.

I really enjoyed Tamsyn's character concept! I think that her being someone who was so conditioned to serve, to endure and to always put others before herself under the guise of it being "her duty" as well as a "privileged position," not to mention an act of "love" and "protection" towards her sisters, allowed for significant character development as she comes to terms with the fact that while yes, she lived a childhood that was more privileged than most, it was still a violent one. She's definitely got a long way to go in breaking out of this mindset of compliance and abnegation, as well as learning to embrace herself, so I'm excited to see where Sophie Jordan takes her character in the coming installments in this series.

I think this book was written and published with bingeability in mind and they definitely accomplished that not only in the writing and pacing (I felt like I flew through it) but also in the way that the book/series is formatted, with a moderate amount of pages and a sequel projected to come out less than a year after the first book's release.

If you're looking for a fun, bingeable romantasy read with accesible writing that features DRAGONS, an arranged marriage, the forced proximity trope and major "touch her and die" vibes, I'd definitely recommend checking out A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan.

Although this was a relatively short novel, it was very enjoyable. I liked that it switched point of view so you could get a better understanding of the story. While some of what happened was predictable, it was still a good read and I look forward to the next one.

3.5

Really curious for the next book in this.

I love Sophie Jordan's historical romance so I loved seeing her write in romantasy now. I think this was an interesting nad fun concept. A quick but enjoyable read.

If you love romantasy and dragons, you’ll definitely need to add this one to your TBR! Full of adventure, romance (with spice), magic, and plot twists that set the stage for a great new series.

Tamsyn isn’t a part of the royal family by blood; she serves as their “whipping girl,” a barbaric role that forces her to take physical punishments while her sisters remain untouched.

An arranged marriage turns her life upside-down, and the brute she’s promised to turns out to be much more than she originally thought. 😏

I loved the characters and the progression of Tamsyn and Fell’s relationship as they got to know each other and struggled to trust each other. The world building was well done, great writing and a solid ending that made me NEED the next book as soon as possible.

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!!

Thank you to Avon books and the author for the gifted e-book.

Tamsyn's character is truly compelling as she becomes the sacrifice to protect the King’s daughters. Her hidden secret adds an intriguing layer to her personality, and when it is revealed, it is clear she will become a formidable force.

The alternating perspectives of Tamsyn and Fell provided a fascinating glimpse into their marriage and the growing passion between them. Unexpected twists kept the story exciting, and the ending will leave you craving more from these characters.

If you're a fan of fantasy with dragons and warriors, this book is a must-read. Don't miss out on this captivating adventure - it's available now!

✨I received this ARC in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley ✨

From starting this book, the story really intrigued me, and I really struggled to put it down! The world building was great, and so much detail was put into everything! I did guess some plot points, but others took me by complete surprise.
The main characters relationship was so complicated with arranged marriage, deceit, and a lack of trust. But in finding themselves they also found eachother in the process, and I loved reading the multiple POVs throughout.

The cliffhanger was absolutely brutal and I was definitely left feeling that I desperately wanted more! I can’t wait for the next book!

When I first started A Fire in the Sky, I thought it was a little slow. I told myself to keep going and if it doesn’t pick up, then you could acceptably DNF it. However, I was pleasantly surprised and ended up LOVING this book! Not only was the book an easy read fantasy, the writing truly made you feel like you were going through the journey with Tamsyn and Fell. It was interesting to see how their relationship evolved throughout the book and not to ruin this for anyone, but the book ends on a huge cliffhanger. So if you’re willing to wait for book two, I highly suggest giving this a read for anyone who is either new to fantasy or needs a break from huge world-building fantasy series.

Sophie Jordan’s A Fire in the Sky had me hooked from the moment dragons were mentioned. But add an arranged marriage, an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and a dash of spice to that mix? This romantasy checks all the boxes for me.

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC from NetGalley, and I’m happy to report that it absolutely lived up to my expectations.

The story is set in a world where dragons and witches are thought to be extinct, and we follow Tamsyn, an orphan raised at court who’s role is to bear the consequences for the princesses' misdeeds. Then there’s Fell—the beast from the borderlands, fierce and untamed—arriving to claim his princess bride. But in a twist of fate, it’s Tamsyn who ends up marrying him, setting the stage for a royal deception.

The chemistry between Tamsyn and Fell is undeniable, simmering beneath every interaction. They’re drawn to each other in a way neither can fully explain.

“Suddenly, I realized we were two puzzle pieces fitting together. Fire melding with ice. Heat with vapor: Smoke with fog.”

And just when I thought I had things figured out, the plot twists took me by surprise. The ending? Absolutely mind-blowing. I couldn’t put the book down, and I can’t wait for the sequel.

📚A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
🌶️🌶️

✨Tropes✨
🐉 Arranged Marriage
🐉 Hidden Identities
🐉 Dragons!
🐉 Touch Her and 💀
🐉 He Falls First
🐉 Morally Grey MMC
🐉 She’s Mine
🐉 Love Triangle

✨Summary✨
Tamsyn is the royal whipping girl, which is a coveted royal position. As such, she takes the punishment for the royal children in exchange for a lower level princess status. She has known all of her life that she was found, presumed an orphan, and then kept by the King and Queen to suffer the whippings which were meant for the 3 princesses misdoings.
When the tough, yet handsome Lord Dryhten makes an official visit and demands one of the princesses to be his wife to maintain good kingdom relations, Tamsyn is the one to be married to the brute. Unfortunately, it is done unknowingly to Lord Dryhten. He doesn’t realize he has been bamboozled until after he has wedded (and bedded) Tamsyn.
Lord Fell Dryhten, despite being tricked into marrying the wrong wife, takes Tamsyn on the long and arduous journey north to his home land. Not everyone who makes the trek to the north lives to tell the tale. Will Tamsyn survive the trip to her new home, or will she succumb to something far worse?

👩🏻My Recommendation👩🏻
This was such a great story with a really interesting twist. It’s been a while since I was truly shocked by a twist in a story and this one came out of no where (in an enjoyable way). If you’re looking for a fast, steamy, arranged marriage story with dragons, look no further. The cliffhanger at the end makes me NEED the next book stat!


Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing the ARC and the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me an opportunity to read Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan. Overall I enjoyed this read, it was a fun and I enjoyed the magical elements. I thought Fell the main love interest was perfection! He was grumpy, thoughtful, complicated, and smokin' hot. The story had me captivated from the beginning, however about half way through I became somewhat bored due to the travel scenes and lack of things happening. I also felt like the romance was too insta-love. It may be others cup of tea but I enjoy when characters relationships grow overtime and this felt too fast. I loved the surprise twist, however I think there could have been more build up and action towards the end of the story, it felt like it happened too quickly.

I enjoyed this story and you will too if you enjoy dragons, grumpy love interests, and drama!

Such a wonderful read! The book definitely has moments where the foreshadowing was a little too obvious, but altogether a very fun and quick read. The ending did seem to go too fast, but the cliffhanger was great! I absolutely cannot wait for the second book to come out. Will most certainly be continuing to read the series.

Firstly, Thank you to Avon Books & NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

We have arraigned marriage
dragon shifters
dragons
strong female protagonist
viking male MMC

This book was fun and interesting and I liked the plot! The romance was enemies to lovers but instalove but I did enjoy them together as a couple! The writing was fun and the story was easy to get into. It makes me want to read more of Sophie Jordan's books!

A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan is a dark, romantic fantasy that explores themes of betrayal, resilience, and forbidden love. The story centers on Tamsyn, a royal whipping girl who is manipulated into marrying Fell, a fierce northern warrior expecting to marry a true princess. Deceived and angered by this twist, Fell’s plans for influence are shattered, leaving their relationship fraught with distrust and lingering tension.

The characters, particularly Tamsyn, are layered with trauma and secrets. Tamsyn’s backstory is rife with abuse, and her evolution from a subservient, broken girl to someone striving to reclaim control of her life is portrayed in a deeply emotional manner. Fell’s initial fury is quickly overshadowed by his inexplicable attraction to Tamsyn, making their romance intense but somewhat rushed. Their chemistry is evident, yet the sudden shifts in feelings could leave readers desiring more depth and gradual development.

The world-building is intriguing, though it feels somewhat incomplete. The story teases at a broader universe with dragons and magical elements but stops short of fully immersing readers in it. The setting’s political intrigue and power plays are compelling, yet they sometimes take a backseat to the romance. There’s potential for these elements to be fleshed out in future installments, which would significantly enrich the narrative.

Despite its flaws, the novel’s raw emotional beats and high stakes keep readers engaged. It’s not without issues—pacing can feel uneven, and certain plot points stretch believability—but it succeeds in delivering a passionate, tension-filled romance. The love triangle subplot and some unresolved questions might polarize readers, but for those who enjoy complex relationships set against a backdrop of deception and danger, A Fire in the Sky is worth the read.

Overall, I finished this book and for basically enjoyed it. The story was fast-paced with decent world building and moved along well. I did finish this book but I'm not sure how I feel about it all. I will say I enjoyed it enough to finish the book, but there were some things throughout that really were a little unnecessary. There were some cringy parts for sure and even though the story moved along, I'm not as invested in the characters or story as I had hoped. The cover art, the blue sprayed edges, and the flip book edges are gorgeous and completely beautiful. However, the story was just ok, I didn't love the main character and thought she needed a little more fight or something more in her. It was a nice enough read, but as a whole it was not a favorite. I wanted to like the characters more, Fell was pretty solid but Stig and the others were just ok, and the main character was just lacking. I wanted to feel like I should be rooting for her more, and even though I liked her, it didn't hook me like I had hoped. Overall it was a nice enough read with dragons.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I was torn between 3.5 to 4 stars tbh so I rounded up…

First of all, I got this book as an ARC. Thank you NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read and provide my honest, unsolicited review. Let’s get to it:

The Good:

1. The premise. Without spoiling too much, this story has a Norse-like kingdom, witches, and dragon shape shifters. It is definitely a romatasy and the main characters’ relationship takes front and center. We have Tamsyn, an orphan raised by royalty alongside 3 princesses only to take punishments for them as a whipping girl, and Fell, a gruff northland lord and warrior who is bent on making a political move. They end up hitched despite their will and off we go.
2. The language. Prolific, rich, and flowing, this book didn’t feel like many others in the genre, poor in vocabulary and nuance. The author clearly knows how to write which made it easy and pleasurable to read. I finished the book in under a week.
3. The characters. This will probably repeat in the bad too, since I didn’t think they were perfect. I do however, feel like I know what Fell and Tamsyn are about as the book is rich in inner monologues.

The Bad:

1. Rushing (and the characters again). The book is comprised of a few parts and I felt like parts 1-2 were super rushed. I understand the author’s desire to get to the meat of the story already, but there was so much room to build slowly and more intricately not only the instigating circumstances but all the other minor relationships and with them, the characters. For example, there was room to build on Tamsyn’s relationship with her sisters and with Stig her best friend. If that happened, then the outcome of those relationships would affect us as readers more. I also felt like Tamsyn and Fell’s relationship was rushed. They traveled together for a WHOLE MONTH and he never spoke to her once? Why is Fell nothing but brooding? Why did he even feel like he couldn’t resist her charms? And her, so he was hot. So what? Anything in his *behavior* that melted her defenses? We could have used more story development and through it, character development.
2. Inner Monologues. Look, I get that it’s a writing style but I think the fact the book is written from multiple characters’ POVs could have been a great opportunity to experience the plot from every viewpoint. However, I felt like each character just kept “telling” me what was happening and how they were feeling about it. It would have been better, in my opinion, to just have scenes in which I see Fell warming up to Tamsyn instead of a chapter where he tells me he’s warming up to her. It’s the epitome of show me, don’t tell me.
3. The Sex. It felt close but not quite there and also less close to the truth in how quickly aggressive thrusting get Tamtam over the edge. Sex can be hot in books, this didn’t quite get me there.

The Ugly:

Please for the love of god stop using words like quim and sex for vaginas. You already said cock, just do us a favor and commit to pussy.

**All in all it was a fun read and I feel like writing 30% more would take this book to the next level. Still happy to read the next one. **

I was interested enough to keep reading; overall, the book was fine. Some plot points were “easy” to figure out, with plenty of hints to tell you which direction the story is going. I struggled with some aspects of the story, which is just me. It was a fast read and more romance than fantasy. If you are looking for an entertaining story, this will hit the mark.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon, and Sophie Jordan for the eARC.

**3.5 stars

Oops I got behind and forgot to review this before it came out!
All in all, it was....fine. I was intrigued by the plot enough to keep reading and definitely thought the world was interesting.
My biggest issues were that the pace was a mess, and that it was basically insta love/ lust. Like, it's done in a way that ends up making sense, but it's a personal preference that I do NOT like it. It's also a little on the cheesy side, but again that's just personal preference.
If you're looking for an easy romantasy, this is it! It isn't groundbreaking or ~amazing~ but it's entertaining and done well enough.

It was pretty good. The first part was a bit slow and it didn’t seem like I was going to enjoy it but once we got about 30% into the book, i was invested. I enjoyed the plot and characters although there were a few parts I didn’t really enjoy. Definitely has some trigger warnings but overall it was enjoyable. The only reason I wouldn’t give it a five star is because i found the beginning to be a bit boring.

I enjoyed the book thoroughly. It was short, well cultivated fantasy world and great characters. I can’t wait for the sequel. There were no unnecessary storylines and no unnecessary writing (like long winded monologues).