Absolutely LOVED the premise of this book. Princess turned warrior (in secret), in order to save her kingdom. Political/ kingdom intrigue as well as romance!! The story hooked me from the beginning until the end and left me wanting more. Lia and Jason have the kind of “kick your feet and screaming when reading” kind of romance and I livedddd for it! Do yourself a favor and read this immediately!

A Tribute of Fire is an action packed, emotional, and swoony romantic fantasy filled with Mediterranean inspiration and female rage.

Lia is a princess of the cursed island of Locris. A thousand years ago, her ancestor assaulted a priestess in the temple of the goddess in Ilion, and the goddess cursed Locris for the crime, insisting that Locris send two maidens every year to Ilion as tribute. The maidens must race to the temple of the goddess to find sanctuary, but the men of Ilion are allowed to catch and kill the maidens if they cannot reach the temple. Lia is determined to save her island. She needs to find the mythical eye of the goddess to restore her island, hidden somewhere in Ilion. She needs to first reach the temple in Ilion, so she bribes the selector to choose her name, and trains in secret in hopes she will be the last tribute. Her plan is flawless, assuming she can get past the men of Ilion, but then the worst happens - her sister is selected as the second tribute. Meanwhile, she develops romantic feelings for an Illionian sailor, Jason, despite the laws against it. Lia must reach the temple to save her island, and cannot be distracted from her task, but can she put aside her feelings for Jason in order to succeed?

I loved this book! It was fast paced, easy to read, with plenty of action balanced with plot intricacies and character development. The book has a lot of ancient Greek and Mediterranean influences, which I really enjoyed. There is a strong found family element with the acolyte priestess as Lia is part of a group of five young women who dedicate their lives to the goddess. One issue that was tough to read, but important to the story, is violence against women. The curse is caused by an assault on a woman, and the punishment is further violence on women. Misogyny is an important element and something that Lia is fighting against, and the female rage is strong in this story. The women in this book are strong because they have to be. The differences between the men in Locris and Ilion are distinct, and as Lia says, the men of Locris learned from their past and learned to be better. The priestesses and acolytes take a vow of chastity and devote themselves to the goddess, which adds a layer of complexity in the romance - Lia wants to be with Jason romantically, but cannot risk being thrown out of the temple before she retrieves the Eye to save her people. So there is a lot of swoony romance and slow burn tension in this book. There are mysteries that are slowly being unraveled, and more surprises that hint at exciting things to come in this series.

I truly enjoyed this book, and I think if you are a fan of From Blood and Ash, or A Kiss of Iron, you might really enjoy this story. I am absolutely invested and cannot wait for the next book!!

Thank you so, so much to NetGalley, Sariah Wilson, and Montlake for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book was a bit slow going for me, but it did get more up there in speed and I enjoyed it. It was a fun book, I loved the characters.

When I say this is good…I mean it is stay up late to finish good.

I was intrigued from the beginning with the world building and the characters (especially Lia). I found “A Tribute of Fire” to hold unique elements that I so look forward to seeing how they play out as the series continues.

Were there parts I guessed…yah, sure. I’ve read many a fantasy in my day, but did I see all of the twists…no I did not. Were they twists I enjoyed? Yes…I did. I wonder how many of them you might guess too.

Am I now disappointed I need to wait for book 2 to come? Most definitely yes! July 2025 can’t come soon enough (and hopefully that date is an accurate one)

If you enjoy fantasy, adventure, twists and turns then I highly recommend grabbing this one to devour.

Thank you to @talesandteacups for the E-ARC! It was an amazing read and I look forward to the sequel!

The last 140 pages of this book had me nonstop reading till it was finished. It was a fun read especially while noticing red-herrings and hints that later revealed themselves as the story progressed.

The world building was great with descriptions of locations that I found easy to imagine. It was well-paced with romance and action that kept me reading.

Her character grows as she learns more of the world and others. She is collected, can strategise, plans and prepares. She continues to learn and develops her skills as she goes as well.
The relationship also grows with the story and was fun to read. Definitely liked his banter and personality. Looking forward to the next book.

Can I give it 6 stars?? I wanna give it six stars!! This book had me hooked from the start!! I love how deeply ingrained the story was in various Greek and Roman mythology. There were several surprises throughout the book that I had a hard time putting it down.

While the character of Lia is young, I found it easy to relate to her. Her love for her passion and her people is strong and admirable, she would go to any and all lengths for them. I really enjoyed the side characters as well, I’d really love to learn more about Suri and Antiope if given the chance!

With the mythology, I found some little Easter Eggs throughout the book. I love those little “aha” moments! I really enjoyed the backstory to the goddess and magic in the world. I know this is only the tip of the iceberg and there is so much still to learn and explore. This story is so unique and I can’t wait for book two!!

This book deserves all of the hype that it has been generating. The world building is wonderfully done. The characters are complex and multifaceted. The plot grabs and refuses to let go. Everything that I really enjoy about a fantasy book. The setting taking place in two vastly different places was great. I really liked that the two countries were opposite in almost every single way. I think this led to a lot of the absolutely horrible behaviors of some of the city people and made it easy to follow the politics. The run had me on the edge of my seat and I was sad to see that even the female population was also hardened and calloused. I adored the sisterhood and found family that came out of the girls and loved that each of them had their own special something that rounded them out. There were a few twists and turns that I did not see coming and that ending!!!! I cannot wait for book two!

I stayed up well past my bedtime to be left with a cliffhanger! You're killing me!
I am so invested in Lia. She's such a force of nature and always willing to stand up for what's right.

✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: A Tribute of Fire (The Eye of the Goddess Book 1)
🔥 Releasing November 1, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

Princess Lia of Locris has been training in secret to prepare as a tribute for the selection, the annual sacrifice to the goddess enforced by the rival nation of Ilion.

Lia undertakes a secret mission of her own to help restore balance to her kingdom but unexpected complications present, like pesky betrothals, a threat to her beloved sister’s safety, and her forbidden attraction to the pompous Ilionian sailor. Will Lia survive the selection, save her cursed nation, and protect her heart?

Tropes:
⚔️ St@bby FMC
⛔️ Enemies to lovers
💀 De@dly trial
🫥 Hidden identities
🫂 Forced proximity
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Found family
🏰 Courtly politics
💫 Curses & Prophecies
🏛️ Mythology
🫑 Slow burn romance

Lia is courageous and willing to sacrifice herself to ensure the safety of those she loves and her kingdom. She showcases fortitude and resilience with each challenge she faces. The chemistry between her and the devastatingly handsome and rakish Jason is intense and dynamic. I loved witnessing their unique connection and snarky banter. Why is the pull to him so strong and what does fate have in store for her?

Infusing elements of Greek mythology, intrigue, action, and romance, Tribute of Fire is a riveting story of a young woman who may be the key to redemption and salvation. After the brutal cliffhanger ending, I’m anxiously awaiting the next installment, A Vow of Embers!

Huge thanks to the author, Montlake, and NetGalley for the ARC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review

Thank you to Sariah Wilson for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Personally, I didn't think this book needed to be this long. I don't really care for Lia and Jason, but I also I don't really like insta-love, and I felt like the FMC was basically just horny and ridiculous and a little childish overall, so that's a me-thing. I also feel like it's a bit weird that Lia has been hardcore trained and still somehow seems super naive and unskilled. And the pacing was a bit off for me. The big trial/challenge this story sets up in the beginning happens over a quick 6 or 7 chapters and then the rest of the book just moves on.

I really struggled to make it through the middle of this book. And yes, there were twists, but they were predictable. This one just wasn't for me!

I absolutely loved this book! I read it within 2 days and that includes a night shift, where yes, I deprived myself of sleep to read it. There are so many high action chapters that I would constantly lose track of time. The slower chapters were filled with so much plot that I found myself relating to the main character Lia and just needing answers! I stayed up till about 1am to finish this book, then had to sit there for a good 30mins to process the ending. I already cannot wait for book no2! Have I already recommended this book to my friends? Absolutely I have.

First off, thank you NetGalley, Sariah Wilson , and the publishers for this book. It was such an epic fantasy read and I really enjoyed it.

I was beyond excited to be able to read this book! It was been on my radar since Sariah announced she was writing a romantasy book. I will say it 100% lived up to the hype! I love the mythology and history that went into to the story and was totally drawn in to this world! The world building was fantastic, and I can already tell she going to expand further in the next book.

I LOVE between Lia and Jason. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, and this did it so well. The banter was perfect and spice kept you wanting more. Other than Jason and Lia, the found family and sisterhood that Lia develops in the book was probably my favorite. It was truly the heart of the story.

We all know there are twists and cliffhangers in this book, but don’t let that steer you away. It was read book and I’m already looking forward to the next one. Thank you again for the opportunity to read it.

This started off so well! High stakes, a trial/race to the death, and then it ended by like 25% in. At that point I was lost. I couldn't figure out what the new characters significance to the story were or what the romance was for.

How can so much but so little happen at the same time? The best parts were the beginning and the ending though slightly predictable. The middle was hard to get through. Like I said, so much happened but also nothing happened.

I liked this but didn't love it. I will read the next book to see what happens.

A Tribute of Fire is my first book by Sariah Wilson and it delivered!

Lia is the princess of Locris and competes in a deadly ritual to save her land. She has to survive along with her sister while she is also navigating her attraction to Jason, a sailor from an enemy nation.

The world building is easy to follow and get swept up in. The author does a great job of weaving Greek mythology throughout the book. While the pacing slowed down a bit in the middle, the beginning pulls the reader right in and the ending? What a cliffhanger!

The characters are strong and if you enjoy girlhood, this book will definitely appeal to you. That is probably why I enjoyed this book so much!

I would recommend this book if you enjoy romantsy, suspense, and found family.

Thank you so much to Sariah Wilson for this ARC! Now about that second book?

4.5/5 ⭐️

wow, what a book!! I honestly could not stop reading it. This is nothing like I’ve read before, I really enjoyed it. The world building and characters were great. It was Full of action. Lia, a fierce female main character who doesn’t give up. She’s strong, determined, and witty. Now Jason, ugh… he is funny, intense and has this sexy mysterious vibes about him. Definitely questioned his character quite a few times. But their connection, is undeniable. It hit off right from the start, and no matter how much Lia denies her attraction to him, it’s only going to make it deeper. Hoping to see more of these two! But the plot twist at the end of the book, and the cliffhanger. Like what?? I need book 2 like now, I need to know what happens!!

From the books description to the last page - this book was so good! The story was engaging, the characters were well rounded and it was such an immersive setting. The chemistry between Lia and Jason was so good I was basically giggling the whole time. The twists left me wanting to pick up the second book right away! Definitely a recommend! 4.5 stars!

Dive into this captivating fantasy romance infused with Greek mythology! Follow Lia, a fierce heroine determined to save her cursed nation, Locris, from the repercussions of Ajax's actions. The chemistry between her and Jason sparks a slow-burn romance, while a vibrant cast of supporting characters adds depth to the tale. With twists that will leave you breathless—especially that jaw-dropping ending—you'll be left eagerly anticipating the next installment!

Perfect for fans of enemies to lovers, death trials, and sisterhood!

Lia is left with a task of trying to save her home by making it through a terrifying sacrificial trial and searching for the eye that will restore her nation. All while keeping her vows and navigating feelings for a man she never wanted to fall for.
Lia felt real. She was strong, but felt her emotions. She held her own, and embraced others. She honored her values, and embraced change when needed.
Lia was a refreshing character in the fact that she felt like a real person. She had flaws and strengths and reacted like I would imagine someone would during all her struggles. The emotions were there and the independent fantasy main character energy was there.
The story was unique and the first I have read with Greek mythology but it was amazing. I LOVED the found family. It really was so important to the story and I was so glad that Lia found that in the most unexpected way. And of course, the slow burn, the enemies to lovers, it was fun and it kept me hooked. And the ending was enough to keep you desperately waiting for the next book.
For a fantasy debut I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I’ve loved Sariah Wilson’s romance books and now I love her fantasy.

I was so excited to read this book. Now I'm just disappointed.

Thank you for the opportunity to arc-read this book. I wish I could have loved it more.

The book is about Lia, the princess of Locris, who is chosen in a deadly sacrifice, where two maidens need to race to a temple, while every man around tries to kill them. But Lia is trained, and ready for the race. Same cannot be said about her sister, who is also chosen. Before departing Lia also meets this arrogant handsome man, who she instantly has chemistry with, and who somehow is always there.

The rest of this might contain slight spoilers, so please don't read if you don't want to know anything.

I wrote four things down while reading this book, which now seems very little, as the book was so long, but these four things were my main thoughts.

1) starting with the positive: The world building and myths. I love greek mythology, and this book wa full of stories and mythology, everything one might hope. Interesting places, gods and goddesses, stories of dragons and tetrawolves (? if I remember this spelling correctly).

2) ... but the story was so boring. while it was full of myths, the actual plot was slow and boring for the most parts. There were parts when nothing really happened for so long, because we were talking about yet another myth. The book was so long, and it had potential, but every time I felt something was bound to happen, it yet again slowed down. It took me 4 days to read this book, while I usually manage to read books like this in a day.

3) every character seemed to be there only to tell more about the world to the main character as well as the reader. I get it the main character was supposed to be really curious about everything, but i still felt that most of the questions were only asked so the reader would also know the answers. The sister squad (ade-something) was especially doing this so much.

4) this story was (for the romantic parts of it) very very very insta love. They are kissing and feeling a pull to each other just minutes after meeting. And the chemistry between them seems very non-believable (although the book tries to play it off saying the goddess wants them to be together). I really can't stand instalove, and I almost dnf:ed the second they kissed at the start.

I guessed the secret identitys and the ending almost straight away, and after reading almost 600 pages of this, I really hated the cliffhanger at the end. There was no satisfying story arc in this book, stuff just happened, and that was it. I didn't like Lia one bit and there was little to no growth trough out the story in her.

I'm sad that this book wasn't as good as I was hoping. I wish I could say, it's not you it's me, but I really think for this book, it was the book. Not me. 2,5 stars. Again, thank you for the arc.

The Goods✨
•Demaratus
•enemies to lovers
•”one for many”
•slow burn
•death trial
•found family
•Greek mythology vibes
•”stupid girl”
•forbidden love
•hidden magic
•goose punching
•a little bit of dragons
•Hunger Games vibes

I absolutely love Sariah Wilson and I was so excited when she announced that she was releasing a romantasy this fall. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I enjoyed this book so much! The world building was just the right amount — enough to be able to vividly imagine Lia’s world, but not too much that it bogged down the story.

The pacing was perfect and kept me on my toes. I loved the balance of action and romance and the ROMANCE…ugghhhh my heart. Lia and Jason, the chemistry was chemistrying, y’all. 🥵😮‍💨 The push and pull was insane. These two…Iike what?!

Lia’s growth throughout the story was my favorite. She goes through so much in such a short amount of time and shows so much determination and resilience. I really liked the relationships she formed along the way and I’m so excited to see how they further develop in the next book. It’s so hard to truly convey how much I loved certain parts without spoiling anything. I will say that the end of this book rushed at me way too fast and that cliff hanger…are you kidding me?! I can’t wait for more!!

Content: So. Many. Kisses 💋

Thank you to Literary Media Tours and the author for the gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.