“In the stories, the beasts that must be vanquished are always female. Have you ever wondered why? It is because men have always feared women’s destructive potential. Knowledge gives us power. Your power is a threat. Especially the women in this room.”

A story of female empowerment, found family and true grit. Following, Lia, in a world split by a vengeful earth goddess. She is a princess of Locris, a desert nation where the goddess cursed 1000 years ago to have no growth. Every year two Locrian maidens are chosen to race for life or death in a thriving neighboring nation. If the maidens make it to the temple of the earth goddess, they are deemed safe and will serve her as an acolyte until death. But none have ever made it in. Chosen for this race, her life changes the second her feet hit the ground in Illion. A race for life, to save her people, to save her remaining siblings.. One for all.
The cliff hanger was absolutely noooooo joke though. I need that second book 😭

You know a book has you in a chokehold when you find yourself dreaming about it. I honestly see this being one of my tops reads of the year and I need book 2 right now 😅.

In this captivating story we follow Lia, Princess of Locris, as she competes in a thousand year old event as a tribute to the Earth Goddess where two maidens are dropped into an enemy city and must fight their way to the temple. Lia is a fiercely determined character and I immediately loved her as I followed her on her journey.

I could not put this down and found myself actively trying to read slower because I wasn’t ready for the story to be over. The FMC Lia had me intrigued immediately and then when she meets Jason who she finds herself unexplainably drawn too, I was hooked. The plot kept me on edge as I was trying to figure out what was coming next. The beautiful way stories of Greek mythology was woven into story is perfection. The romantic tension FOR DAYS, coupled with the angst from the amazing chemistry / pull between our characters is excellent. I’m not sure how else I can say this book is a must read!

I cannot recommend this book enough if you like the following things:
🔥Greek Mythology
🔥Found Family (a sisterhood)
🔥Enemies to Lovers
🔥Slow Burn romance
🔥Hidden Identities
🔥Royalty

I love how romantasy is becoming the latest craze in the romance book world, and that Sariah Wilson is dipping her feet into it with a really fun, suspenseful story that will have you hooked from the first moment you meet Lia.

A Tribute of Fire follows the tried and true formula for romantasy books that just works. You get a strong female heroine whose apparent only usefulness is an arranged marriage. However, before that marriage can come to be, she sacrifices herself for the good of her dying country by ensuring her name is chosen for the annual sacrifice that risks two maidens in a life or death race that has never been won in a millennium.

And you don’t have to wait long in the story to see Lia take this risk and hope that she can survive the labyrinth race to the Goddess’ temple - only the story doesn’t end there.

From this point the story does slow a bit with world building and the introduction of other characters at the temple, but what really keeps you glued to the pages is the appearance and reappearances of Jason – a sailor she met on her way to the maze who she has instant chemistry with and then some.

I loved the back and forth between these two and only wanted more. You know that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to Jason who shows up at the most interesting of times for Lia but you don’t really understand what he’s all about until the very end of the story with a jaw dropping revelation. Plus you know that more is brewing for Lia as well.

She also forms sisterly bonds with a few other young women whom I hope we will see more of as well.

This is definitely a must-read for romantasy fans that will keep you glued to the page and eagerly awaiting book two which drops next year. This was one of my most anticipated, new romantasy books of late 2024 and it did not disappoint.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

This author is soo devious! LOL On the one hand, she pulls you into the world of romantasy with a compelling story while on the other hand, she wallops you with book 2 scheduled for release ONE YEAR FROM NOW!!! Joking, not joking....

A Tribute of Fire is an unusual and original story that I absolutely enjoyed from the opening pages. The characters, the plot, the twists and turns, the heated kissing scenes - oh yeah, definitely the kissing scenes! - all pay tribute (see how I worked that little jewel in ?) to this author's ability to weave an entertaining novel in a genre that might be difficult to sell to hard-core romantics. Trust me when I say that it is worth the read!

This is a long book, 500+ pages. However, it is so engrossing that you aren't even slightly bored. I personally devoured A Tribute of Fire! In closing, let me say one last thing. All writers should read this book to understand the power of great kissing scenes!
5 stars (more if they would allow it!)

Locris is dying, and the only way to save her home is for Lia to put herself in danger. A thousand years ago Lia’s ancestor committed and atrocious crime, so the earth goddess cursed Locris. Now, every year two maidens must travel to Ilion and survive being hunted, if they make it to the goddess’s temple they will be given sanctuary, if not then death. Lia believes is she can make it to Ilion she can find the stone and return it to her homes temple it will save her city. But trouble will find her and having a handsome sailor who keeps showing up doesn’t help anything. What will happen once she is Ilion? How will she survive? And will the other maiden survive with her?

This first book in a series was an interesting start. The premise is intriguing and I don’t think I realized it was based off of mythology which makes sense. Lia is an interesting character and I appreciate her ingenuity and cunning. Some parts of the book felt a little slow which I think can be attributed to being a fantasy series with an intricate background so it needs the set up. I love/hate the cliffhanger. I appreciate when authors can do a good cliffhanger but also hate them when the next book isn’t out yet! I am intrigued and can’t wait to see what @sariahwilsonauthor the next book entails.

I think you will like this book if you enjoy…

• insta-love romance/banter
• Greek mythology
•deadly competitions
• girlhood

The storyline was interesting and engaging. The main character, Lia, is selected as a tribute to compete in a deadly trial where two tributes have to run through a city to reach the temple of the goddess and claim sanctuary all while being hunted!

It’s mysterious and action-packed. I found myself wondering what was going to happen next if Lia made it to this mysterious temple. I loved that Lia found a place amongst her group of girls and how they quickly became sisters! The mystery around the goddess and the temple leaders was very intriguing.

What fell short for me was that some of the descriptions might be misleading. I would not consider this book to be enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, or Reylo. The main characters were making out on top of each other the minute they meet at only 7% into the story. They’re constantly flirty and very much into each other any time they are near the other. Reylo romances usually entail a broody/grumpy x sunshine duo but our MMC was definitely an energetic and bubbly flirt which personally didn’t align with my Reylo soul.

I also found the big reveal at the end to be a bit predictable. However, I do think this is a great set-up to what could potentially be a great slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers situation in the upcoming book (that is, if they’re not all over each other within the first few pages!)

I am definitely very interested in reading the next books and am looking forward to it! I will place my rating of this book at 3.5 stars because the story interested me enough to want to continue the series and I have a strong feeling it will get even better as it goes.

This book! Wow. I'm hooked and need Book 2 because that ending was a nail biter.
The world building and story has a greek mythology with Hunger Games vibes, swoony sailor, fierce and determined FMC, meddling gods and goddesses, banter, twists and turns, betrayals, and magic.
Loved it, fast paced read, leaving me wanting more!

Fantasy and Greek mythology mixed in an action-packed and captivating story. It starts with a bang, I was completely immersed since chapter one, I loved Lia, our fierce heroine and the enemies to lovers trope. The only thing I didn’t like is that I have to wait for book two, I can’t wait.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗔 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 by Sariah Wilson releases November 1, 2024.

A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson is a thrilling fantasy with hints of Greek mythology, a fierce FMC, cursed nations, and a tension-filled romance with a mysterious sailor! Lia, short for Thalia, is the princess of Locris, a desert kingdom cursed by the goddess centuries ago. Every year, the enemy nation Ilion sends two Locrian maidens to compete in a dangerous ritual, a life or death race, to the goddess' temple while being hunted by the men of Ilion. Not one single Locrian maiden survived before, and this year Lia has to not only save herself but her fragile sister Quynh as well. This is not a fight for life anymore, there are more lives at stake than Lia can think of, and maybe the salvation of her nation is in her hands too.
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Starting this book, I never knew I'd be so invested in every single page so I must start by saying that I loved this book more than I expected. A Tribute of Fire has everything a reader would need, and more! The world building is very detailed and well thought out, with vivid descriptions of Greek inspired settings. Sariah Wilson kept me hooked with nonstop action, dangerous twists, and high stakes. I think her writing was really captivating and made it very easy for me to get into the book right at the start.
Another thing I loved about this book was the characters. The FMC Lia's character was just everything I love to see in a heroine. Her devotion to her nation, bravery, determination, but also vulnerability felt very real and I appreciated it very much. The relationship and found family she established with her friends on the temple were really sweet and reading about a female friendship is always cheering for me as a reader. Our MMC on the other hand, well who doesn't love a mysterious and dangerously attractive sailor in their books? I most certainly do, and the tension and chemistry between Lia and him, FIRE!! Even though I'm not really into insta-love/lust, I was rooting for them from the very start, and also as the book progresses this will make sense to the reader. I also believe that book 2 will shed more light on the situation since it ended with a big question mark.
Everything about the plot, writing, and characters were on point for me and the cliffhanger at the end made everything even better! If you, like me, are a fan of high stakes fantasy with a bit of romance, A Tribute of Fire is the book you need. Trust me you won't be able to put it down and most probably lose sleep over this one.
I am desperate for book 2 and I don't even know how I am going to wait patiently, but I will do my best.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sariah Wilson for providing me with a digital copy of A Tribute of Fire in exchange for an honest review.
#atributeoffiretheeyeofthegoddess #netgalley

5/5⭐ 1/5🌶️*** (More tension, low spice)

•Strong, smart, overall badass FMC
•Goddess-Cursed Nation
•Major Nods to Greek Mythology
•High Stakes Fantasy
•Reylo-Coded🐀/Fated Mates/Dyad-in-the-Force vibes
•Found Family and sisterhood
•Death Trial/Race
•Dragons
•Mysterious History and Magic System
•Enemies to nearly lovers to ???

I went into this eGalley *a pinch🤏 * hesitant. I was in a massive post-Iron Flame reading slump and found out after signing up for the arc that this book was very low-spice. I had some concerns, a Reylo and Greek Mythology coded romantasy with no spice?!?! I was worried that it could read as too YA for my preferences, especially when the reading slump was already absolutely awful.

I am glad that I gave this a chance, because it now is shelved as a five-star read for me. I finished in late September and I’m still thinking about it. I loved this soooo much. Even without explicit spice scenes, the freaking tension between Lia and Jason was perfection. The banter and chemistry between them is delightfully magnetic from their first meeting (the scene under the tree🥵), creating this taboo desire/forbidden love scenario with Jason, who happens to be an Illonian sailor/warrior. (Hello enemies to lovers!)

I was instantly in love with Lia's character when she was secretly training and volunteering to save her people from the Goddess’s curse. I love a determined, strong, cunning, badass princess FMC.

The mysterious lore surrounding the Goddess, the curse, and the politics between the Locrians and the Illonians was intriguing. I am hoping for more insight in book two.

The themes of sisterhood and found family were stunning. The scenario with Quyhn was so very heartbreaking 😭

I was slightly suspicious about two of the components of the plot twist, but overall, I was shook. With that cliffhanger, I NEED book two like yesterday. With more dragons and hot, angsty Sailors, please? 🥵

Anticipated Publication Date: November 1, 2024

A big thank you to Sariah Wilson, Literary Media Tours, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review! Reviews posted to NetGalley and GoodReads.

If anything can really draw me to a book, it's a Greek mythology retelling. But also written by one of my favorite romance writers? I am hooked!

🔥Greek Mythology
🔥Enemies to lovers to enemies
🔥Slow burn
🔥Found family
🔥Stabby FMC
🔥Broody MMC

Lia has a plan to save her cursed nation and is selected to be a part of a deadly race to the Goddess temple where she can retrieve the gem she needs. She is determined to complete this without getting too close to anyone. Including the dreamy sailor she meets along the way. Can she save her nation while also fighting off enemies (including a goose!) every step she takes?

This was action filled from the first chapter and constantly had me dying to read more to see what else would happen. The mysteriousness and charm of Jason had me wanting Lia to give in to him. But I am glad that, for the most part, she was able to stay on track with her mission. I feel like there are more people in this story who have secrets than we know. This ended on a cliffhanger, and I need more! Can't wait for the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Five stars isn’t enough. Six, seven, ten? I absolutely loved this book.

A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson took me by surprise. I was hooked from the very first page, and the enchantment lingered long after I turned the last one.

The world Sariah Wilson created is rich and immersive, filled with intricate details and woven with backstory and lore. It felt so palpable that I could almost step into it and stand alongside the characters. Idealistically, I would love to, but I’m not sure I could keep up with them! The supporting characters are beautifully crafted and well-rounded, each bringing a distinct personality that enhances the story.

Lia, the FMC, embodies a perfect blend of toughness and selflessness. She’s fiercely protective, intelligent, and always moves with intent and a plan while also being open to self-improvement. Jason, the MMC, is a morally grey delight, exuding an attractive arrogance and swoon-worthy devotion. Together, they create a heady combination of smoldering attraction and a torturous slow burn. Their chemistry is off the charts.

With elements of Greek mythology, enemies to lovers, found family, forbidden romance, quests, and magic dragons, there’s so much to love.

This book is a romantasy, rich with adventure and mystery, yet it also offers a profound exploration of how tradition can be both beautiful and harmful. It highlights the importance of devotion and the need to protect loved ones while celebrating the value of vulnerability and community. It almost felt like a tribute to every woman who’s ever fallen victim and been unable to defend themselves, reminding us that we can learn to stand up for ourselves.

This book encompasses everything I’ve described and more—feelings that are too big to put into words. I’m already yearning for book two, and I’ve only just put the first one down.

4.5 Stars! Wow! This book got me out of a reading slump (FINALLY)! I was sucked in to the story, read overnight, and finished within a 24 hour period.

I found this world to be very interesting and look forward to learning more about their magic system and goddess. Our FMC is a princess who plans on saving her kingdom from a curse by secretly training to survive a horrific trial. The forbidden love story had me kicking my feet and the support system from the FMC's found family is fantastic.

There are secret identities and secret plots, and even though I had my hunches, the ending still had me SHOCKED! I need book two immediately!!

Trigger warning: If you have a history of religious trauma, some aspects of this book might be difficult to read. Since the FMC is training to become an acolyte (against her will), signs her life away in temple ceremonies, and is gaslit by higher priestesses, some of those passages might be uncomfortable.

Thank you to the author, Sariah Wilson, for sending me an eARC copy! This is my honest review.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style but that didn’t prevent me from being engaged in the story. I’m curious to see how the series continues and how the relationships change.

I loved the twists and turns of the book! The mythology retelling vibes were perfect, and I adored the relationship between Jason and Lia. There were so many swoon-worthy moments, and I adored the slow burn. The only thing I would have loved to see was a more even balance between the romance and fantasy aspects of the book, as if it felt more fantasy-heavy than romance, especially in the middle.

₊⊹A Tribute of Fire
Firstly, thank you Sarah Wilson for reaching out and asking me to read your ARC! I appreciate it!!

When she told me this novel had:
enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn story (it also has a death trial, found family/sisterhood, a stabby FMC, is Greek-mythology adjacent and has some dragons),

I knew I wanted to read it!

And I definitely enjoyed this one!!! buttttt it felt like a tiny something was missing for me..I can’t really put my finger on it but it just felt like I was waiting for something to happen but I didn’t know what? The plot twists that did happen was great, I did eventually catch on to a couple of them but the ending was quite a shock to me and will definitely have me picking up book 2 just so I can have some questions answered!!

I do wish the author touched more on the creatures and magic lore in this world but maybe that will develop more in book two! (Because who doesn’t want more dragons, magic and mythical creatures?!)

I’m a sucker for Greek mythology, so I did love that aspect of this! The political scheming and a few heist made for a fun read. The found family was everything and I would like to join their Adelphia please 🥹 and Jason!!! I don’t know how to feel about you sir!!!!

"A Tribute of Fire" introduces readers to a cursed nation in dire need of salvation, centered around a fierce warrior princess whose journey is both physical and emotional. The narrative weaves a gripping tale of urgency as she embarks on a life-or-death race to a sacred temple, tasked with breaking the curse that plagues her land.
The themes of found family and camaraderie shine throughout the story, as the princess forges bonds with her companions, each character bringing depth and personality to the group. This dynamic enriches the plot, making the stakes feel personal and enhancing the overall emotional impact.
The enemies-to-lovers arc is particularly well-executed, adding layers of tension and complexity. As the princess navigates her feelings for a rival, the forbidden romance unfolds with palpable chemistry, drawing readers into the tumultuous emotions and dilemmas faced by the characters.
The world-building is immersive, combining elements of fantasy and mythology that create a vivid backdrop for the characters' struggles. The pacing keeps readers engaged, balancing action with moments of introspection and character development.
Overall, "A Tribute of Fire" offers a compelling blend of adventure, romance, and the power of chosen family, making it a must-read for fans of epic fantasy. The promise of further adventures in "The Eye of the Goddess" series leaves readers eager for more.

Wow, wow wow! I absolutely ate this book up! From start to finish I couldn’t put it down and the need to know how it was all going to end had me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. The mythological elements, the diversity in characters, the tension, all of it was so well done I found myself literally messaging the author at the halfway point to fangirl about the book! I loved everything about this story and I need book two asap! If you’re looking for your next romantasy read then look no further, this book will be all you can hope for and more! I highly recommend putting this one at the top of your TBR for next month.

Thank you to the Author for the eARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Sariah Wilson for this Arc.

Overall this book had a very promising story line but I felt it to be too predictable for me. I didn’t find the tension with Jason at the start gripped me, it was almost a bit too insta loveish and I suspected the plot twist immediately.

I think if you are a newer to the Romantasy genre you may really enjoy this book because you won’t necessarily see the twists coming.

I loved A Tribute of Fire!! Set in a world where every yearthe Kingdom of Locris must select two maidens as tribute to the goddess who was defied a millennia ago to run a life or death race to reach the Temple of the Goddess and become a priestess.
Lia, the princess of Locris has been training in battle combat and has taken it upon herself to go into this year's ritual and try to save her kingdom. I absolutely fell in love with Lia. She is such a strong, smart, and caring person who only wants the best for her kingdom and believes she will be the one to make it and return the eye of the goddess to her desert homeland. There are a few things she didn't account for: her sister being put in danger along with her and a man who she is inexplicably drawn to, but doesn't know if she can trust.
There are so many elements to this book that I love... High stakes, found family, instant attraction, love for family, and things that aren't what they seem at face value. Sariah has also done it again with the wittiest banter and steam between Lia and Jason (the man she cannot help but be drawn to). I love the way she plays these two against each other and when they weren't in the page together, I longed for it because of how great it was.
All I can say is after that ending, I NEED A Vow of Embers (like yesterday 😬).