I thought this was a good first book in a new series. We meet Tamsyn the royal whipping girl, who takes all the punishments that the princesses would receive when they misbehave. Tamysn is a trooper, she obliviously doesn't like the whole whipping thing or how some of the people in the palace get off on punishing her, but she sees this as her royal duty. She has grown up with these girls and sees them and the King and Queen as family so she is who she needs to be to stay with them.

When she ends up married to Fell, we see how the King and Queen view her. I think they do care for her but have no problem sacrificing Tamsyn to protect their blood daughters.
I did like both Fell and Tamsyn. Tamysn did read a bit young to me in certain situations, but she was basically a pampered princess beyond the whole whipping thing so if I take that into account it didn't bother me overly much. I did like how Tamsyn and Fell's relationship grew while they were traveling to his home. We get a big reveal about halfway and while I did see that one coming, there were more reveals to follow that I didn't see coming.

All in all I like this more than I thought I would, and with the way it ended I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

Remarkably, I've never read anything written by Sophie Jordan before. I now feel left out! What a fun story this is--and much too short. I'm looking forward to the next installment which can't come soon enough!

Dragons, destiny, and a fiery romance—sign me up!

I received an ARC of A Fire in the Sky in exchange for an honest review, and let me just say: Sophie Jordan knows how to craft a romantasy that keeps you hooked from start to finish. I ate it up in one sitting, ok!

The setup is classic: forced marriage, hidden identities, and a world where dragons are supposedly extinct. Tamsyn, our fierce and selfless heroine, is thrust into an impossible situation, and her chemistry with Fell, the so-called Beast of the Borderlands, is everything. The tension between them is sizzling, and the spice? Definitely well-done. I loved how Fell’s brooding demeanor paired with Tamsyn’s defiance created a dynamic that felt electric and emotional all at once.

The plot twist about dragons was brilliant—I saw hints of it early on, but when it finally came to light, it had me gasping. The pacing was a little uneven in the middle, with some repetitive moments and less focus on the romance, but the high-stakes ending completely made up for it. The cliffhanger has me desperate for book two—I need answers yesterday.

Final Thoughts:
A Fire in the Sky is a fast-paced, addictive romantasy with just the right mix of spice, drama, and dragon lore to keep you turning pages. It’s not groundbreaking in terms of world-building, but it’s immensely entertaining, and I’m already counting down the days for the sequel. Fans of The Bridge Kingdom or Fourth Wing will love this one!

4.5⭐️ 2🌶️

Great book for fans of books that contain Dragons!

Sophie Jordan weaves fantastic story with a twist that you usually do not see in dragon related story. In the process she builds a beautiful world with unique groups of characters and settings.

Both the MMC Fell and FMC Tamslyn are strong well developed characters overall, though I would have liked to see more development work for Fell when the first big twist in the story.

I also predicted the second twist at the end of the book after learning about that characters background it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book, and it’s reveal when it happened was well executed.

I cannot wait to read more of this series!

4 ⭐️ for A Fire in the Sky

This was an interesting read. It was a bit slow to start but gained some traction as the story developed. I didn’t hate it; I think I just expected more. The plot premise is there for sure. I just feel like it could have been developed much further with more “call to action” and not so many gaps in time where the reader is left wondering what actually happened during that lost time span. I will say, the world building was quite beautiful though. The details were exquisite. The characters were interesting and crafted quite nicely.

I believe there is a lot of promise based on how this books ended. Will I read the next book, of course; because now I need to know what happens next because we know very little about Fell - where he comes from and how on earth he wound up also being a dragon. That was a bit of a jaw dropping moment that took me completely by surprise. A good surprise, I might add.

Overall, this was a quick easy read. And great for anyone who likes their Romantasy with some dragons, forced proximity, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers and court politics.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read this book!

I've always known of Sophie Jordan on the periphery. I've seen her Firelight book for years, and yes it's been on my TBR forever. When I saw an ARC for one of her books, I jumped at the chance. Imagine how delighted I was to learn that it's an origin story for Firelight!

Tamsyn has been raised as part of the royal family. She's never questioned that she's loved by the king and queen. Her love for the three princesses may vary by degrees, her favorite the kind youngest sister. But no one has ever let her forget that she's not one of them - not really. She's the whipping girl, and she takes the punishment whenever they make a mistake. None of them likes to see her punished, though they must to realize the severity of their actions. And the magister has always sought to break Tamsyn.

When one of the Borderland lords comes to the castle, demanding his fair debt for protecting the capital, no one expects him to demand marriage to one of the princesses. Tamsyn is ordered to don a disguise and go along with deceiving the lord to take one of the princesses place once again. Only once she's been wed - and bedded - does Fell realize too late he's been given not a royal wife, but a servant. While the king and queen claim she is one of their own, Fell doesn't forget to slight.

Saddled with a wife he doesn't want, and the Borderlands at a constant knife's edge of peace, Fell knows that at last he must lash out against the crown. Some slights can't be ignored, and without a change in Penterra, there won't be anything worth defending for much longer.

Tamsyn can't deny the attraction she feels to Fell. The unexpected pleasure from their wedding night, and the lingering tension that always follows him, even as he tries to ignore her. The way she can feel the connection from their bond, a scar on her palm that will never let her forget. As she leaves the palace for the first time, she's shocked by the quality of life that awaits beyond the capital city. And something else thrumming in her veins.

There is definitely a cliffhanger at the end of this one, and I have to know where this will go before I can finally jump into the Firelight series. There are a few spicy scenes, so be aware to those readers switching from the YA series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers at Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC to this one!

First I would like to thank NetGalley, Sophie Jordan, and HarperCollins for my ARC.

A Fire in the Sky: A Fiery Fantasy

Sophie Jordan's A Fire in the Sky is a captivating adult fantasy novel that rekindles the magic of her beloved Firelight series. Set in a world where dragons are extinct and magic is waning, the story follows Tamsyn, a young woman with a mysterious past and a fiery spirit.

Jordan masterfully weaves a tale of political intrigue, forbidden romance, and a touch of the supernatural. The world-building is rich and immersive, with a complex power dynamic and a cast of intriguing characters. Tamsyn's journey is filled with danger, betrayal, and self-discovery as she navigates a treacherous court and uncovers a hidden truth about her heritage.

While the romance between Tamsyn and the enigmatic Kaelan adds a swoon-worthy element, it's the strong female protagonist and the thrilling plot that truly shine. Jordan's writing is evocative and passionate, drawing readers into a world of magic, mystery, and danger.

If you're a fan of fantasy, romance, and strong female characters, A Fire in the Sky is a must-read.

I didn’t expect to like this book so much, but the audiobook had me hooked right from the start. The narration was absolutely brilliant, and it might have contributed to making this book more entertaining than I would have found it otherwise, to be honest.
Although I have been happy to read books on the smaller side lately, I felt this one could have been 200 pages longer and would probably have been better for it. Some plot holes were glossed over, the story moved very quickly and a lot of the secondary characters were definitely too cliché for my taste, but I was looking for an engrossing romantasy to take me out of my head, that felt refreshing without being too demanding. And this book hit the spot perfectly.
All in all, sure, it wasn’t the best book I’ve read this year, but I’m still eager to read the sequel.

Book Review: A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan

In A Fire in the Sky, Sophie Jordan delivers a sweeping, emotionally charged tale that seamlessly combines romance, action, and breathtaking worldbuilding. Known for her captivating storytelling and ability to create vibrant, unforgettable characters, Jordan’s latest novel is an immersive journey into a world brimming with peril, passion, and hope.

Set against the backdrop of a war-torn land where the skies burn with danger and the ground trembles with secrets, the story follows a fierce and determined heroine who has spent her life searching for freedom in a world that demands loyalty and sacrifice. Alongside her stands a brooding, complex hero with a haunted past, and as their destinies collide, their dynamic ignites with fiery tension and undeniable chemistry. Jordan masterfully builds their relationship, balancing sharp, emotionally charged exchanges with tender moments that showcase their vulnerability and strength.

One of the standout elements of A Fire in the Sky is its atmospheric setting. From sweeping deserts under star-filled skies to towering citadels and hidden rebellions, Jordan paints a cinematic world that feels alive on every page. The novel also excels at pacing—readers are treated to thrilling action sequences, shocking twists, and quiet moments of introspection, creating a narrative that is both gripping and heart-wrenching.

At its core, A Fire in the Sky is about resilience, love, and the lengths we go to in order to protect what we hold dear. It’s a story of unlikely alliances, sacrifice, and the hope that burns even in the darkest moments. Sophie Jordan delivers a tale that is as radiant and powerful as its title suggests, making this a must-read for fans of epic romantic fantasy.

Rating: 4.5/5
Perfect for fans of: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh and Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin.

Wow wow wow! Romantasy fans will love this one! The writing in this book really sets it apart from other books in the genre. I loved the characters and world building as well!

I absolutely loved this book! From the very first chapter, the backstory of being the "whipping girl" hooked me in, and I was instantly captivated. I'm a sucker for both enemies-to-lovers and arranged marriage tropes, and this one did not disappoint. Fell? Everything. He’s truly a top 10 book boyfriend for me this year! I did a tandem read and listened to the audiobook, and the actors they cast were perfect—seriously, they brought the story to life. I thought this was a standalone novel... right up until the very last chapter. Sophie, girl, where’s book #2?! 😱

Give me all the dragon books! Ugh, loving this trend so much. This book was really entertaining and I loved reading it so much. Definitely recommend!

This was a great debut novel! I cannot wait to see where the story heads, the beginning was a little slow for me and at first I had a hard time following along but once j got into the story i definitely started to enjoy it.

"A Fire in the Sky" is a fun, if not amazing read. I had not previously heard of the concept of a "whipping girl" and I remain disturbed at the notion. And also by FMC Tamsyn's easy acceptance of what she has had to endure. She seriously needed to stop referring to the king and the queen as essentially loving parents. I did see the start of dissatisfaction, a reexamination of memories towards the end, and I hope that continues to grow in the next book in the series.

Tamsyn and MMC Fell definitely have a case of instalust, and it is hard to see where that somehow transitioned to love considering how little he interacted with her during the initial journey to his homeland. Though I am pretty sure they are supposed to be fated mates, so maybe that explains the overwhelming, not backed up by anything, feelings of love they each have for the other.

The secondary characters here are lacking. Stig is annoying and seemed almost irrelevant. The royal family...maybe the one sister is redeemable? Maybe? Fell's people are mostly just there, expect for his psycho right-hand man, and even he doesn't get real depth.

I did like the ending, even though I was not surprised. Once we learn Tamsyn's true origin story, the rest of it was fairly obvious. It did suck me in enough that I will read the next book in this series.

3 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. These opinions are my own.

thank you netgalley for the arc!

i'd rate this around 3.5 stars! i enjoyed our FMC and her story. definitely different from other romantasy books i've read in the past, and the MMC has the whole dark and broody thing going on too.

this was spicy!!! like i did not expect it to be as spicy as it was. the chemistry between the FMC and MMC definitely worked and the ending really solidified them as a couple for me.

i wanted a bit more explanation of the magic in this book (hopefully will be getting this in book 2???) and overall i feel like i wasn't super wowed by the story.

world-building was good! but could have used a few side characters or more of a focus on the political system, etc. in this book bc i definitely forgot some of the various politics/kingdoms that were mentioned.

enjoyed it and will read the next book!

I really love this fast paced, fantasy! It had an intriguing world building, steamy romance, dragons and some twists I did not see coming! I can't wait to read the sequel after that ending!!

Dragons? Check
Broody warrior love interest? Double check

This fantasy romance is packed with beloved tropes, including an
- arranged marriage that serves as a ruse
- enemies-to-lovers tension, and
— a brave heroine with a secret past.

Tamsyn, the royal whipping girl, has spent her life enduring pain and punishment for the princesses she serves. Her final mission is to deceive Fell, a brooding warrior, into a marriage that will secure a crucial alliance for the kingdom.

But here's the twist-Tamsyn and Fell have serious chemistry, and things get complicated. Lies, passion, and danger collide in this slow-burn romance set in a world with witches and dragons

If you're into fantasy romance with action-packed tension, morally gray heroes, and just the right amount of spice, pick this one up already looking forward to book two

Tamsyn is the whipping girl that is what she had been ever since she was lil, she takes the princess punishment when they misbehave. So when Fell, The Beast of the Botherlands arrives at the palace demanding a Princess as a wife Tamsyn is chosen to be his wife so safe the pampered Princesses of a horrible fate since she is consider part of the family. Fell is tricked because he doesn’t know in reality who he is marrying. But when he finds out she swears to take revenge on those who wronged him.

The pace at the beginning was too slow it took almost half of the book for the story to take off. But one we passed the first half the story starts to unravel and oh I was glad I stick to it. The way the dragons are featured in this story is so unique I have not read something similar before. Thought I had my suspicions of what was going to happen.

The ending was so good I thought I have more pages ahead but I guess that was it for now!!! 😫

I can’t wait for the next book!!!

I really enjoyed this book! I love dragon books and it was so fun to read. The story was very well written and the world building was the perfect amount!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager.

Sophie Jordan's A Fire in the Sky is a quick read that offers a fresh take on the fantasy romance genre, though it falls short in some areas. The narrative is heavily driven by internal monologues, and the twists and revelations feel predictable. Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the main characters, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, the premise had a lot of potential, but the execution didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

Read for:
-Arranged Marriage
-Dragons
-Touch her and die
-Hidden Identity
-He falls first
-Dual PO

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review