I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It had a lovely balance of lore, fantasy, romance, and twists that made for a powerful start to a series. While some of it did run a bit predictable, I didn’t mind at all. Very sad about the cliffhanger but excited to see what comes next in the series!

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and was truly honored to be asked to ARC read. Diving into this book I immediately felt it give me a bit of Hunger Games vibes combined with plenty of mythology references which I enjoyed.

The connection between Lia and Jason was perfect. They gave the reader enough swoony moments to keep you intrigued and looking forward to another chapter with their engagement and spicy energy. The world building was great and Lia’s strength, willpower and determination did not disappoint.

Looking forward to seeing and reading the reviews from other readers and most definitely looking forward to seeing how the rest of the series unravels.

A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson
-The Eye of the Goddess Book 1-

3.75/5⭐️
🚪* steamy make outs
1/3🦋

•My Thoughts•
There was a lot to enjoy in this one - I liked the world, the story set up, the quest, and the sisterhood! Lia is young but spunky and has such a good heart. The MMC, was a bit more of a mystery and I’m interested to see where book 2 takes his character arc! The romance was where I struggled a bit since it came on pretty fast and was mostly based on physical attraction which won’t bother some. I really wanted to understand more about why they were developing such feelings for each other than she thought he was so handsome. Regardless, after that ending, I would read book 2 in a heart beat. Sariah’s cliffhanger ending made me super curious about where things are heading!

Bottom line: I think that if you don’t mind a romance based on being physically & inexplicably drawn to each other then the rest of the story is pretty entertaining. The ending was great and based on that, I’d be really interested in seeing where book 2 takes the story

Thank you to Sariah Wilson and Literary Media Tours for the early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this book and I absolutely devoured it. A beautiful story steeped in rich Greek mythology, with a romance so good I couldn’t contain my grin reading their interactions and found family to boot!
The tension in this book is electrifying and the world building keeps you entrenched in the story. I loved every single second of this incredible read and the ending had me clutching at my chest begging for there to just be 100 more pages, I’m going to be on the edge of my seat until we get more of this world. Lia is such an amazing, multifaceted protagonist for this story to follow, she is the embodiment of unwavering strength, her resilience is awe inspiring. Jason, is everything you could ask for in an MMC, swoony, mysterious, hilarious, truly had me giggling and kicking my feet on more occasions than I’d like to admit. The trials, the world building, the adelphia and the romance, a show-stopping must read for any romantasy lover. I need book 2 yesterday!

Very predictable and has a lot of repetition. I clocked who Jason was the second he appeared so i was more annoyed with it than intrigued.

Lia struck me as unlikable, she never really had *any* consequences for her actions. Like, okay she snuck out of the temple, broke into government buildings and what? Was scared by geese?

I don’t wanna talk about Jason, just because he was a useless character and played a role for maybe 10 percent of the book? For all I know it could’ve been 3 different people and I wouldn’t know the difference.

I missed the world-building. I get that Lia wasn’t supposed to know anything, but I feel like the lessons could’ve been a good way to explain the whole premise.

Overall, I don’t know if I will ever pick this up again or be interested in a sequel.

I want to say huge thanks to the publisher and the author for this eARC as well.

This might be one of the best books i’ve read this year.

Wilson does a phenomenal job in all aspects of this book. Each page of Lia’s story is filled with intrigue, and I seriously couldn’t stop reading.

The book takes place in a very “ancient greece” type world. there are a lot of callbacks and references to popular (and obscure!) greek mythos, which i thought added a lot to the tale. as a love of greek mythology and literature, i was so impressed with how flawlessly the intertwining of the greek world and Wilson’s worked.

The MCs were phenomenal. Every time Lia and Jason were on page together, I could FEEL them teetering towards something huge. And I wasn’t wrong - but it absolutely wasn’t in the way I thought. Their interactions were full of exactly the kind of banter that romance readers LONG for.

The spice was on the tamer side for this novel, but it makes SENSE. The slow burn between Jason and Lia makes every little payoff so worth it.

Aside from the MCs, the side characters were so full of heart. There is a RESOUNDING found family theme throughout this book, which has such a special place in my heart. Lia finds herself consistently surrounded with strong women that have her back no matter what. We love supporting women’s rights AND women’s wrongs.

10/10, 5 stars, i can’t wait buy my copy when it’s released on Nov. 1!

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book!

🙌🏼❤️‍🔥this might be one of the best books I’ve read this year❤️‍🔥🙌🏼

thank you Sariah for sending me this ARC I am head over heals in love with this story, world and characters.🫶🏼🫶🏼

I have not read a romantasy with a plot like this, sure the plot twist was potentially slightly obvious (but only nearer the end of the book) I was still shocked and mind boggled. I am so invested, I have no idea where the plot is going to take us and I absolutely love that.

This book was so perfectly paced, nothing happened too quickly or dragged out too much, everything was done so well and gave an amazing background into Lia and her relationships with all the characters.

There is so much potential for the characters backstories!! I need to know about Suri and the sisters. Oh and don’t get me started on our little birdy friend. I love him!!

I love the focus on sisterly love throughout this book in the forms of blood related, adopted and oath sisters. And that the focus wasn’t all always about Lia and Jason (don’t get me wrong, romance is my favourite part of a book), but by doing so it’s given more opportunity to highlight the other characters and give more depth into the plot as a whole and I LOVE IT.

and to the main event. Jason. God damn Jason. I am knee deep in love with him. He is so effortlessly funny. The way he his written is just so fun, not only does he say the right things and is so funny, but his mannerisms and he way he carries himself are just so hot lol.

now if I was Lia would I be frothing at the mouth? Angry? Pissed off? F*** yeah!!! But I mean…. at least your dickhead betrothed prince is easy on the eye (I’m a sucker for a scarred prince)😏 and potentially your fated mate (unless jason has actually been lying and dreamwalking just to get her to marry him. I’ll flip my shit if that’s the case😡)

The lore and backstory *chefs kiss* I need all the answers asap!!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Wow ! Really loved this one.This is the first book to me by this author and certainly won't be my last! Such a enthralling page turner. Loved the writing style ,the characters and their development! Honestly such a great read and can't wait for the book 2!

Unfortunately this was not for me, I was at about the 20% mark when I knew I should have DNF’d it but I didn’t and now I regret it. I was bored through most of the book because I’ve heard this story before in From Blood and Ash, and because of that book I predicted the ending to this story. Also the fmc being a maiden and developing red hair is a little too similar to Poppy. It also aggravated me how much the fmc talks about kissing? No joke it was so repetitive I should have done a tally every time she mentioned it. I think what led me to push through the book was my curiosity of the world building which was actually pretty good in comparison to From Blood and Ash, and the side characters were pretty interesting as well. The ending was also pretty obvious, and it sucks because this book has so many good reviews, but again it just was not for me.

A Tribute of Fire is an engaging take on Gods and mythology. The world building was sufficient to paint a picture but didn’t go overboard where readers are lost in the details. The writing is also done in such a way that those new to the fantasy/romantasy genre can dive in without being overwhelmed. I enjoyed the FMC, Lia, especially her growth journey throughout the story. The chemistry and draw between Lia and Jason is palpable. You can’t help but root for them from their very first meeting. More than that, though, I loved the found family Lia created with her adelphia. Each sister in the group balanced the others out. The plot is full of twists and secrets to keep readers engaged. There’s an overwhelming sense throughout the story that something isn’t quite right and that feeling is reoccurring with the various situations Lia finds herself in. While certain reveals felt predictable, that may be a “me thing” with the overwhelming number of romantasy books I’ve read. It also didn’t take away from my enjoyment reading the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. I also can’t believe Sariah ended it the way she did. I am in desperate need of book 2.

Lia is about to have an arrange marriage but with the women in her kingdom dying she knows it can wait. She has trained to save the women who are put to death all to settle an ancient grudge. But maybe things are not as they seem.

This is the first book in a series and wow it’s amazing. This sets up the world for what is to come and I can always feel the Easter eggs for the next books.

This reminds me a lot of Ember in Ashes meets the Hunger Games. If you are a fan of dystopian/ fantasy worlds with strong female characters you will love this!

Thank you @netgalley and @sariahwilsonauthor for this ARC.

Release 1 of November

A Tribute of Fire is an amazing fantasy debut from Sariah Wilson! The story is compelling, fast-paced and action-packed. I love the main female and main male characters, and the writing really conveyed how much they cared about and wanted each other. If you enjoy fantasy, romance, enemies to lovers, Greek mythology, and adventure, then you will absolutely love this book. I just finished it, and I already cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Rating 4.5

I love discovering new to me authors, I enjoyed this so much

What a ride, Author Sariah Wilson masterfully weaves tension through every twist and turn in the labyrinthine streets of Ilion, where danger lurks at every corner. Lia’s fierce determination and unwavering love for her sister give her strength as she faces the life-or-death challenges ahead. The vivid description of the landscape, the palpable heat of the desert, and the political tensions between the two nations enhance the urgency of Lia's mission.

One of the most compelling aspects I enjoyed in this story is Lia’s inner turmoil. She is not only fighting to survive but also grappling with her unexpected attraction to Jason, an Ilionian sailor. Their chemistry crackles on the page as Lia struggles between her hatred for Ilion and her growing desire for him. Jason’s complexity as a character adds layers of intrigue to their relationship, making it hard for Lia—and readers—to fully trust him.

The themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and empowerment pulse through the narrative as Lia fights for her own life and seeks to lift the curse and change the fate of her nation. Wilson creates a balance between action-packed scenes and emotional depth, especially through the sibling bond between Lia and Quynh. The tribute race tests more than just physical strength; it challenges Lia’s moral compass, forcing her to make gut-wrenching decisions that will have lasting consequences.
As the first installment in The Eye of the Goddess series, A Tribute of Fire sets the stage for an epic fantasy filled with rich mythology, intense action, and a heroine willing to defy the gods themselves.

The book left me breathless, eager to see how Lia’s journey continues.

An action-packed, heartbreaking story of devotion, sisterhood, loss, love and betrayal. Set in ancient Greece, Lia just wants to save her people. But this won’t come easy. She will need to fight, sacrifice everything and trust no one.
The plot twists and the fantastic writing kept me up late multiple nights in a row! The relationship dynamics and the world-building set the fast-paced tone, allowing us to walk through Locris and Ilion, meet new characters and combat fiercely. A highly recommended read!

Inspired by Greek mythology, this novel pulls you into a life where one country has been cursed for a thousand years with drought and famine, trade route blockages, and losing two daughters a year in a terrible tribute. In secret, Lia, one of the younger daughters of the king of Locris, has been training to be one of those chosen as tribute in hopes to make it to the goddess' temple and avoid her arranged marriage to the younger son of Ilion. Of course, things do not go as planned, and she finds herself both attracted to an enemy and trying to save her beloved sister unexpectedly. There are plenty of politics and myths that come to life, as well as the unexpected romance and new friends she makes in Ilion. Lia is a fabulous character, although some of her choices remind the reader that she is also very young and in a terrible situation generations old. I loved Jason as well and their mystical connection is fantastic. The cliffhanger! Oh my! I'm so excited to see the title and release date for book 2 already because I will be desperately awaiting more answers to the questions this novel raises.

This book was an amazing start to the series. Lia, the princess of Locrain, going through trials and tribulations not only outside but inside the temple was a great way to introduce characters and pull the reader in. I loved the characters and the bonds they shared. Just like many romantasy books the last 100 pages go completely insane. I can’t wait to continues this series!

It was overall enjoyable and I was able to finish it but it didn’t necessarily catch my interest the entire time.

Wow. I cannot believe I have to wait till 2025 for the sequel. She leaves us on such a cliff-hanger. I will be getting my hands on the second book ASAP!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lia is the princess of a failing country. Dealing with overwhelming taxes, a trade blockade, and famine means the end is in sight for the Locrians. So she has decided to put herself to the test and get sent to Illion to run for her life and try to save her country. But of course, nothing works out as planned and things are not always as they seem.

What a fun ride! The pacing of this book was perfect and I loved that there was romance but enough of a plot to carry the book forward with some fantasy thrown in as well. This book was right up my alley and really did a good job of throwing some twists and turns in with multiple subplots going on mixed in with the main storyline. I love all the characters and all their sides. I highly recommend this book to a romance or fantasy reader but would say it’s a must read for romantasy readers… so good! The only bad thing I have to say is the cliff-hanger at the end is deadly and if you buy this book you’ll be mad at the author too for making us wait while she writes the next book!

Don't mind me....I'll just be staring at a wall and pouting until I get the next book. My soul feels absolutely drained, my heart is pained, and my brain is WIRED! I can usually hop from book to book, but I may need a moment after this one to digest.

SO. MUCH. HAPPENS! There is a lot of history and world building in this book, but it happens over time. I still had to go back and read a few pages, not because I didn't understand it but because I could tell it would be important later and I didn't want to forget.

Lia is everything you want in a FMC. She is smart, she is brave, she is caring. And she gets gloriously side-tracked every time a certain sailor enters the scene. Her internal conflict is one of my favorite parts about the story, because you're equally as conflicted and confused as she is.

I have a lot of thoughts and feelings about Jason, but I'm going to keep them to myself. Just know....I have high hopes, and I think good things, but given I've just finished the book I'm still processing how I feel about him. So circle back with me after book 2.

I felt like this book has everything you want and love in a Romantasy. Enemies to lovers? Check. Deep family bonds? Check. Found family? Check. Mysterious magic system that no one truly knows about? All the checks.

This is such a special world that Wilson has created, and I cannot wait to get more of it!

Overall: Highly Recommend!

WOW! I will start this review by saying that I need the second book right now!! I flew through this story, and I loved Lia and Jason’s characters. Lia is a princess, who plans to find a way to end the curse that was placed on her home, Locris, centuries ago by an earth goddess. She unexpectedly meets Jason, who is a handsome sailor, that Lia feels an immediate bond with, and is confused about why she feels this way.

I really loved the chemistry between Lia and Jason, and the slow burn and banter is done really well. I thought Wilson did a great job balancing the time that Lia and Jason spend together, while giving Lia her own time to shine in the story, sans love interest.

Lia makes for a great lead character, and I loved seeing her character growth through the story. She is loyal, brave, and inquisitive, while also being reckless and not always making the best decisions. Her character definitely kept me interested in the story and I loved following her time in the temple and the relationships she formed with the other women in her adelphia.

The mythology references added a great feel to the book, but I still felt like it was its own original story. My favorite reference was the story of Hades and Persephone, that Maia told the sisters about, during one of their classes.

A Tribute of Fire definitely kept me caught up in the suspense of the story and the cliffhanger is “chef’s kiss”, and I feel like I will have an impatient wait for book two to come out and continue the story. I’m looking forward to seeing more revealed about Lia’s role with the goddess and seeing where Wilson takes the tension that is building in Lia’s relationship with Jason.