📚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).

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/🌶️🌶️ A Fire In The Sky by Sophie Jordan was a surprising find! I got sent an ebook of this as an ARC, and I am so disappointed I didn't pick it up sooner.. It was very different and so, so good. Arranged marriage, moody, broody MMC, betrayal, magic, dragons, MY WIFE... Lots of angst and tension in this one! And can we take a moment to appreciate the cover and sprayed edges?! I love the bright, rich blue, and the silver writing in the title is actually foiled. 😍

THE. LAST. TWO. CHAPTERS.
THAT. LAST. SENTENCE.

HOLY COW. I NEED MORE NOW.
i was getting worried as i read that there wasn't enough left in the book for everything and there wasnt. i can't wait for book 2. but i was NOT AT ALL disappointed in how this ended. i just need more. wowieee.

thank you to netgalley for a review copy! ♡

Although this book was a really quick read, I found it to be more romance than fantasy. Too much more romance, for my taste. I also felt as if the pacing was a bit off; the final act of the book seemed rushed in comparison to the opening and middle sequences. I wish the author had spent more time in Borderlands, but hey, I guess that's what sequels are for, right?

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5 stars)

Dragons may be extinct, but in A Fire in the Sky, Sophie Jordan serves up plenty of intrigue, deception, and hidden magic to keep the flames of fantasy alive. Tamsyn, the royal court’s go-to scapegoat, is used to living a life caught between two worlds: punished for the princesses' mistakes yet still raised among them. But when a beastly warrior, Fell, descends upon the kingdom and forces her into a fake marriage, her entire life gets a lot more dangerous—and a lot more complicated.

Tamsyn is an intriguing protagonist. She's tough enough to endure the constant punishment for others’ crimes, yet there’s a vulnerability to her that makes her relatable. Her relationship with Stig, Captain of the Guard and her only friend, is sweet but simmering with unspoken tension. Enter Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands—rough, brutal, and surprisingly layered—and the story shifts into an intense tale of duty, deception, and discovery.

The setup is classic fantasy fare: the reluctant bride, the hidden secrets, and a kingdom teetering on the edge of war. While some of these tropes feel familiar, Jordan adds her own twist with the hint of forgotten magic lurking beneath the surface of Tamsyn’s world. The dragons may be long gone, but their legacy still looms large, and as the story unfolds, the sense that magic isn’t as dead as everyone thinks grows stronger.

The chemistry between Tamsyn and Fell is another highlight. Their initial meeting—a wedding night full of unexpected passion followed by near-violence when her deception is revealed—sets the tone for a tumultuous relationship. Fell’s acceptance of Tamsyn as his bride, even after discovering her trickery, adds complexity to what could have been a straightforward enemies-to-lovers story. The push-and-pull between them is tense and fraught, and you’ll find yourself rooting for them even as they struggle to trust each other.

That said, the pacing can be uneven at times. The first half of the book sets up the world and characters well, but there are moments where the plot slows down, and it feels like you’re waiting for the action to really kick in. When it does, the stakes are high, but getting there takes some patience.

Still, A Fire in the Sky delivers on its promise of hidden magic, court intrigue, and an ordinary girl with extraordinary potential. The world-building is rich, even if some fantasy tropes feel familiar, and Tamsyn’s journey from royal scapegoat to a woman who holds the kingdom's fate in her hands is one worth following. It’s not a perfect read, but it’s an engaging one, especially for fans of slow-burn fantasy romance and secret powers waiting to be unleashed.

A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan is the first book of the series of the same name. If you like magic, dragons, and romance, you might consider picking this one up. I have to admit, I sped through this as I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen with these characters and when I got to the end, I was annoyed I got through it so quickly.

Tamsyn is our fmc and while technically an orphan, she has grown up with the royal family. While they all view her as part of their family, her role as the princess's whipping girl made it difficult for me to truly see her as a family member. That said, I get why Tamsyn needed to have the connection - it's the love she has for the princesses (who she considers her sisters) that lead her into her future. The other person she has a friendship with is the Captain of the Guard, Stig. He is the one who has pushed her to realize that when she is done being a whipping girl she has choices and sometimes Tamsyn thinks he wants more than friendship from her too.

When Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, descends on her home, Tamsyn’s world becomes even more dangerous. To save the pampered princesses from a fate (some would consider) worse than death, she is commanded to don a veil and marry the brutal warrior. She agrees to the deception even though it means leaving the only life she’s ever known behind.

The wedding night starts well —and ends in near violence when her (truly the royal family's) trickery is exposed. Rather than start a war, Fell accepts Tamsyn as his bride but not everyone in his party is as accepting and when they hit the road to head for the Borderlands, Tamsyn is aware that some in Fell's camp aren't going to go out of their way to help her if she ever needs it. In fact, Fell's most trusted man, Arkin, is one that thinks they need to get rid of her. While Fell isn't ready to leave her behind, he does refuse to fully trust Tamsyn and when something eventually happens to hear that Fell believes is his fault (not truly knowing what has occurred), he is determined to do whatever he needs to in order to avenge her.

Little does he know...Tamsyn is more than what she appears and as her secrets start to come to light, everything begins to change for the kingdom and everyone in it. Fell has some things to come to terms with himself and I can't wait to see how everything comes together in the next installment of this series.

I know some of this sounds super vague but that's mostly because I don't want to ruin any of the plot for you. Just know that there is plenty of magic, angst, and dragons to keep you turning the pages of this one. If you enjoy those things, I highly recommend you pick it up. I'll definitely be waiting impatiently for the next book in the series.

I really enjoyed this book! I devoured it in one day because it was so engaging. I’d been in a bit of a book slump before reading it and this really brought me out of it. The plot was interesting and unique.

There were some aspects that I didn’t love though. For example, I didn’t love the third point of view that was not the MMC or FMC. It didn’t really feel necessary and could in all honesty be cut without impacting the story at all. Additionally, I didn’t love the repetitiveness of the MMC and FMC when talking about their pasts. In the early chapters it was mentioned a lot for both characters. That stopped about halfway through the book though.

All in all, I would highly recommend this book to others to read. I can’t wait to see where the series goes!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the e-arc!
I have been craving more dragon books so I was so excited when Avon offered me a copy of A Fire in the Sky! With witches, dragons, magic, and marriage of betrayal., this sounded like such an exciting read. We follow Tamsyn, a servant/pawn of the royal family, who is made to switch places with the princess at her wedding to Fell, a dangerous and brutal warrior. When her betrayal is revealed after their wedding night, Fell decides to keep Tamsyn, but will her secrets ruin their newly kindled relationship before it can begin?
I was really excited about the dragons and the arranged marriage aspects, but overall, it fell a bit flat for me. I was a bit confused about the dynamic between Tamsym and the royal family and felt as though the world needed a bit more fleshing out. The romance ended up not being for me; it was very instant, and I just didn't feel a connection between the characters.

THIS BOOK WAS FREAKING AMAZING OMG. It was honestly one of the best books I’ve read all year and I’ve read a lot of them. I can’t wait for the next one!!

Despite the predicability of many things in this story, and the fact that I just couldn't get over Tamsyn's blind obedience, I actually really enjoyed this book. I love me some dragons and give me band of fierce warriors as well, and I'm totally in.

Tamsyn was found as a baby at the castle one night and the queen immediately decided to keep her and raise her as her own. Her own, but to be used as the whipping girl for her own real daughters. Which I guess was a tradition in that kingdom. I know she is fiction, but I was just floored at how Tamsyn willingly took any and all punishments as if it was the most natural thing in the world. And she still thought of the three princesses as her sisters even so. Sure, these girls did feel bad about it to varying degrees, but this whole setup is completely bizarre and I couldn't understand why she was totally okay with it all. I get that that's all she's knows her whole life, but you'd think at some point she would question something. She even goes so far as to marry and bed the Northern brute that came to the king and demanded one of his daughters as a wife.

I really did like Fell. He too was found as a child, but he was found in a cave with a dragon over him. Obviously the humans thought the dragon was going to kill him, so they kill the dragon and the leader raises Fell as his own son to take over when he's gone. Fell does end up being much like his father in many ways. But the one major difference is that Fell refuses to just be used by the kingdom to protect them from various invaders, he wants his opinions heard and he wants to really make changes. To do that, he needs the power that comes with marrying a princess.

Deceived by the king into bedding the royal whipping girl and not one of his true daughters, Fell is understandably furious. But he still can't deny the attraction he feels towards Tamsyn, nor the connection they had when consummating their marriage. So it's a very long and tense ride back to the North. Thankfully there is one female among Fell's party and she has more or less befriended Tamsyn, so she's not entirely alone. When Fell and Tamsyn start to decide to see if they can make their marriage work in some way is when everything changes. What happens with Tamsyn was painfully predictable. But it does make Fell realize how much he already cares for her, so he gives chase believing that he can rescue her from a dragon. Who were long thought eradicated. I was annoyed when I thought that Tamsyn would stay away from Fell for a long time, but things happened and it wasn't that long at all so I was happy. Once back together, things are again tense, but not bad. Until a stupid guard that apparently had loved Tamsyn since childhood marches an army on Fell's fortress believing that Fell killed her. Honestly, I kind of hated Stig and the more we got of him the less I liked him. Especially with what he does at the end, which causes nothing but even more trouble for Fell and Tamsyn. But it does lead to the ending with was also painfully predictable, but I didn't mind all that much.

I'm definitely looking forward to finding out what happens next. Especially considering Fell's station and how loyal most of his men were.