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.

Unladylike, bookish, and wholly uninterested in being a princess, Arismendi has one dream: to open Kingsgarden’s first school for girls. But such a dream is expensive—too expensive for a young woman with no legal right to money of her own.

I really liked this! The characters were great and the world-building was well done.

I could see the message this book wanted to portray but overall fell short of doing so. The main character had really done absolutely nothing about the misogynist acts, and there were a lot of them, and it became repetitive. The magic aspect of the book was confusing and was barely built. Over all, the book dragged for so long at the beginning that, at the end, it was rushed; it felt really boring and was hard to read.

I've started reading this book 3 times and DNFed every single time. Therefore, sadly, I cannot give feedback on the whole book.

🦊I liked:
- the main character's powers are very intriguing and great for building a strong plot
- loving family

🦊I disliked:
- childish names for powers (Greenloves, Honeytongue, Lightfinger,...)
- everyone ignoring that she keeps being sexually harassed (because his dad is rich)
- willingly marrying an abusive man (sacrificing herself) – was my last straw

Thank you so much for this ARC and if I ever give it a 4th chance, I'll change this review. I'm fully aware that the book might get amazing after a few more chapters but I think the fact that I can't read more than 12% deserves a feedback as well. With love.

I can’t decide on a 4 or 4.5 so somewhere in between.

Thank you NetGalley and WillowRoot Books for approving me to read this ARC! So so grateful 💕

This story goes hand in hand with “the chalice and the crown” I believe. However, I did not read that prior to reading this story.

This story was beautifully written. The characters are well fleshed out, the writing style is elegant but also simple and easy to comprehend.

The plot is self was very slow-paced and definitely not for everyone, however, I thoroughly enjoyed it and didn’t find myself bored at all throughout the entirety of it.

Ari, our FMC, is a princess on a journey to start a school for girls in a misogynistic kingdom. She ends up in a marriage of convenience in order to achieve this, and we follow her through her many struggles in arranging her plans.

Some of the characters, Hadrian in particular, were particularly aggravating. That was the intention though, and I felt it was written very well. He constantly gave me this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and had me feeling pity for Ari and her situation.

I think this book does a wonderful job of discussing difficult topics, and has a few really important underlying messages.

This is all not to mention the book is set in a whimsical kingdom full of gorgeous scenery and a courtly atmosphere. OH and a sapphic romance sub plot, how could I resist?!

I hope this review was helpful, this was a lovely little read 🥰🫶🏻✨

This was my first read by this author and I definitely enjoyed it. The FMC Ari was very easy to root for and I enjoyed her interesting relationships with her brothers. I love stories with interesting family dynamics and this definitely gave me that. I thought the pacing was a little slower but still enjoyable as it allowed us to learn about the kingdom and the magic system as well as the royals.

I loved the story and the character development the story was beautifully written but it was very hard to read.

This book was a bit of a surprise from the little blurb! The FMC was very real and relatable, and I felt a connection to her actions and rational throughout the story. Great character dynamics and an overall character heavy plot which was a refresher from other YA fantasy books.

The Fox and the Flame is a beautifully crafted YA novel that masterfully blends politics, love, family, and deceit. The enchanting world of KingGarden is depicted with magical allure, yet beneath its surface lies a dark secret that threatens to upend everything. The protagonist is a compelling mix of strength, independence, and tenderness, making her both relatable and engaging.

While the story starts off at a slower pace, it quickly accelerates into a whirlwind of twists and turns. Kassandra Flamouri has crafted a captivating YA fantasy that promises to resonate with many readers and is sure to be cherished by fans of the genre.

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished this book, it's nearly midnight here, and I'm breathless from everything that happened. My god. Let's just say 10 out of 10 stars, it's fantastic, go read it! The characters, the plot, the tension, the mystery, the action, the romance, just... everything was A+, no notes, the author crushed it.

My mind is still reeling from the events at the end of the book. I almost read the last 1/4 in a anxious fever dream. I had a profound attachment to certain characters and could not help myself from feeling panicky and anxious about their endings. Part of that was my brain being the mental health goblin it is (thanks, panic disorder) but a majority of it was me being scared about these characters (which rarely happens for me). I will buy this authors following books in a heartbeat regardless of what they're about.

I am more than grateful to Netgalley, Kassandra Flamouri (what a kick ass name btw), and her publishers for allowing me to review this for free. Thank you so much and I look forward to Kassandra's next book!

#NetGalley #TheFoxandtheFlame

Thank you Netgalley and Kassandra Flamouri for providing me with an eARC for an honest review

I understand the message that the Fox and the Flame was trying to bring, however, the execution was not done well. A majority of it was emphasizing the inability of women to have a say in society, such as widows being harassed after the loss of their husbands, wives and daughters unable to make important life decisions etc. As valuable as those situations are, I didn't see much of Ari TRULY do anything about it. The power that she attempts to wield as a princess is also dwarfed by her brothers' existence. They're great supportive characters, however, what is the point of pushing the narrative that we actually have influence over our own lives and decisions until Ari comes by and dismantles that by asking her brothers. I applaud their relationship, and I like how complex it is.

The magical system was unclear, there are vague mentions here and there of the Gifts. Typical miscommunication trope between Ari and her love interest. I am glad that a sapphic relationship was chosen, that redeemed this circumstance.

I received an e-arc from Net Galley to review.

This book is all about female empowerment and standing up to the patriarchal societal standard. The first part of the book did drag but the last part was enthralling and fulfilling. Our FMC has a lot spirit and boldness which she needs to chase her dream of educating girls.

There are also representation of supportive, caring men and there is also representation of misogyny and vile ideology. Overall, a good story with a message to share.

Rated 4 stars

Thank you to Net Galley for the Arc. Unfortunately I didn’t vibe with The Fox and the Flame. The story didn’t stand out and in the end was just boring.

I want to mention that this was an ARC and probably not something I would seek out as a mood read, so I might not be the right audience anyway. However, I did dnf this 1/3 into the story.

This type of storytelling is just not something that I enjoy — we’re thrown into a narrative that has very little world-building in the first third which leaves a lot of things (magic system, different types of beings, political system, character motivations) on a very basic level. Granted, this might change throughout the last 2/3 but I’m just not willing to risk wasting my time. Especially since I didn’t connect with any of the characters.

We’re in a very misogynistic world, which isn’t my actual problem — I’m sure the heroine will save womenkind. But this woke 17/18 year old keeps referring to her half brother (from an affair her father had while being married to the heroine’s mother) as a “bastard”. Her sense for fairness and equality should expand beyond her own needs, imho. Especially when she scolds others who call him that or even when he refers to himself as a bastard.

I don’t know, there are different “issues” that are hinted at quickly touched upon — but since this is the case for almost every storyline, it all just feels very random. We’re probably seeing how the puzzle comes together at the end but for me, reading is not about the destination, it’s about the journey. And I just didn’t think the destination would’ve made up for this journey.

As I said at the beginning — take my thoughts with a grain of salt. I’m not the right audience for this book and there seem to be a lot of people who enjoyed this read.

Thank you Netgalley and Willow Root Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"The Fox and the Flame" by Kassandra Flamouri is a YA fantasy novel set in the whimsical kingdom of Kingsgarden; the story follows Ari, the Rose Princess, on her determined quest to establish a school for girls in a deeply misogynistic society. Before going into this review, I do want to note that this book is set in the same universe as Flamouri’s previous book “The Chalice and the Crown,” but it’s a spinoff, so you do not need to read the previous book to enjoy this one (I did not read “The Chalice and the Crown,” but it is definitely my next book). I do think you may enjoy the world Flamouri created more if you did read the previous book. Also, there are a few content warnings for this book including slavery, SA, and misogyny. The misogyny is especially prominent in this book with some infuriating, so if that is something you don’t like to read, you may want to skip this book.

One of the first things that stands out about this book is its beautiful cover, which immediately draws you in. The writing is elegant yet accessible, making it easy to follow Ari's journey. Flamouri's storytelling is both descriptive and engaging, painting vivid pictures of the courtly atmosphere and the kingdom's gorgeous scenery. I absolutely loved the world-building within this book, and (despite the misogyny) I would love to visit Kingsgarden myself.

Ari's character is well-developed, showcasing her compassion, headstrong nature, and occasional entitlement. Her dedication to challenging the societal norms and fighting for the education of girls is admirable. Her relationships, especially with her brothers, Costi and Luca, add depth to her character and provide a strong familial bond that is heartwarming to read about. I really loved how realistic these relationships were; Ari felt so authentic throughout the book, and I really enjoyed her character.

The plot, while slow-paced for the first two-thirds, focuses on Ari's struggles against the patriarchal structures of her kingdom. Her engagement to Hadrian, a young noble obsessed with her, is a marriage of convenience that she endures to fund her school. Hadrian's character is particularly aggravating, embodying the misogyny that Ari fights against. While Hadrian is purposely supposed to be a “villain” character, I found myself sometimes having to take a break just because he aggravated me so much. He was almost too over the top, though it really helped show just how broken the society was within the book.

A significant subplot involves Ari's relationship with Sadra, a Companion trained to be a partner to nobles. Their romance is a highlight, adding a layer of complexity to Ari's life as she navigates her feelings and societal expectations. The sapphic romance is tender and poignant, contributing to the book's exploration of love and loyalty in a restrictive society. I felt like the romance really worked in this book, and it did not overwhelm the main plot. I found myself eagerly waiting for the tender moments between the two to help lighten the mood a bit due to the developing plot.

The magic system in "The Fox and the Flame" is intriguing but could benefit from more detailed world-building. The concept of "Gifts" and thralls—magical golems that serve nobles—is fascinating, yet it feels underexplored. Along with the detailed magic system, the book does not shy away from discussing difficult and heavy topics such as misogyny, slavery, and sexual assault. The portrayal of these themes is unflinching, highlighting the harsh realities of Ari's world. The repetitive nature of the misogyny can be overwhelming at times, but it serves to underscore the systemic oppression that Ari is up against.

Overall, "The Fox and the Flame" is a beautifully written, character-driven fantasy that tackles important themes with grace and sensitivity. While the pacing may be slow at times, the emotional depth and the strong relationships make it a worthwhile read. Fans of YA fantasy with strong female protagonists and rich, complex worlds will find much to enjoy in this book.

What an absolutely stunning cover! My favorite part about this book was the family relationships. I also really enjoyed the girl power aspect. I do wish I had of known that there was a book before this one. Though not necessary to fully understand this book, I would have liked to read it first.

This was a really great book! The cover is marvelous! The story was great! I really want to read the other works that tie to this story!

I love stumbling across a book which hasn't yet caught fire. I certainly hope this one does and am more than happy to provide my honest review in exchange for the advance reader copy I received through NetGalley.

We are presented a not so lady-like princess with her own ideas of independence and what she wants out of life. Ari has a young maid who is about to be sent to the temple which will establish her career but Ari's dream is to set up a school for girl's and to give her maid another option.

A portion of this book does focus on the vast inequality between men's and women's right in this world and what can happen when men feel their power is threatened. I do feel the story can be polarizing and make a reader angry but I think that's the point. The "patriarchy" is meant to be seen as a negative and women as property is intended to trigger outrage and change. Some people do not enjoy political topics within fantasy books, but i feel it can be well framed and well done especially if it drives the story forward in a meaningful way.

Ari's brother's are wonderful and do not seem to be part of the problem, so I will say they are not a part of the big problem. I hope others will give this book a chance as I would love to see this book receive more reviews. Plus the cover art is beautifully done!

The writing is good, nice and clean and the pace is fairly fast, with months brushed away because nothing really happened in them. I enjoyed this book so much I’m now off to read the Chalice and the Crown for more of Kingsgarden!

In a world where men rule can a woman make her dream come true? Ari our FMC have the dream of open a school for girls, the first school actually where girls can be prioritized and have the same rights has boys. So a lord offers her that change if she marries him but then she has to abandon any hope of love, until a beautiful woman kiss her. But people does fear a girl and their books right? On her path she realize that fear is her worst enemy and she needs to become the princess she was always meant to be