This was a solid fantasy romance based in mythology. Although the concept of a trial or tribute of sorts isn't necessarily a new plot idea, I did find this version to have a unique take. I immediately liked the FMC, Lia. She is strong and determined to break the curse impacting her home. I really enjoyed the action, but there were definitely softer moments to offset that. Although I am interested in the budding romance, it did feel a bit too intense at times for my taste. The two characters obviously have a special connection, but it did still feel a little too insta lovey for my taste. The book did get a little slow during the middle, but the end had me quickly flipping pages. Overall, I did really like this book and I'm looking forward to the second one!

The story was beautiful and the plot was amazing. Lia is a princess of Loris. After tragic historic events, kingdom of Loris is punished for war crimes. They have to send tributes who will have to run for their life and reach the temple it goddess while the entire city will try to kill them. Tired of living in dire circumstances and wanted to do something for her kingdom Lia found something that can help. There is one item that could change everything but it's located in llion, home of the goddess they betrayed. Lia wanted to be chosen for as a Tribute to lift the curse on the kingdom.

Both the world-building and magic system were well thought out and super interesting. Jason was absolute sweetheart. I guessed the twist from the start but equally enjoyed it anyways. I just wished the interactions between the MCs had a bit more than just lust. Most of the dialogues of Lia when she meets Jason is filled with how much she wants to touch him. Also, I feel like the starting has tons of info dumping which definable could have been shortened.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read the next one!

This was just okay for me. I really wanted to enjoy it more than I did, but something was missing for me.
However, I will probably check out book two when it’s released, especially after that cliffhanger.

A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson is an enjoyable blend of romance and fantasy, with a captivating premise that had me hooked from the start. The story follows Lia, who volunteers for a dangerous competition where women are hunted, and the only way to survive is to reach the goddess’s temple. From the outset, I was fully invested in the story, especially with how Wilson crafted some intense action sequences that pulled me right into the heart of the adventure. The fantasy elements were thrilling and immersive, making this aspect of the book particularly engaging.

However, the romance didn’t quite work for me. While Lia is initially laser-focused on the competition, once she meets the male love interest, the stakes of the game seem to fade into the background. I’m not a fan of insta-lust, and in this case, I felt like the romance overshadowed the plot in a way that diminished the story's tension. The romance had the potential to complement the story without taking over, and I think it could have been woven in more gradually to maintain the balance between the thrilling fantasy and the romantic development.

This was such a wild and twisty ride. There are a lot of elements and moving parts to this story, told by one main narrator, who happens to be the main character, Lia. I don’t remember if it was specified exactly how young Lia is, but it’s very punched into the reader how inexperienced she is in the ways of adult relationships. While I enjoyed the story and want to finish this series, I feel like we are seeing a very morally grey Lia at this point in time. I want to see her grow, and develop the interpersonal relationships that she needs in order to thrive.
I really like how this is based on Greek Mythology and how it’s tied together into a “real fantasy world” setting. It’s magical, but the landscapes feel like real places. I’m looking forward to reading the next two books in this series and finding out how all of the elements at play will intersect with one another to complete the circle.

This story follows a determined princess whose unwavering resolve to save her nation is at the heart of the narrative. Her people have suffered from famine for centuries, all due to a selfish act by a goddess who, after running away with her lover, was punished and destroyed.

A thousand years later, one nation reveres this goddess and thrives with bountiful harvests, while the other continues to starve. But there’s a glimmer of hope: a powerful relic tied to the goddess that could change everything. Lia, the protagonist, is on a mission to claim it. The relic is believed to be hidden in enemy territory, and the only way to reach it is through a perilous trial that could lead to her death. The enemy nation honors their goddess with a brutal ritual in which women from rival nations are given a chance to earn freedom by surviving a deadly race from the docks to the temple, while the men hunt them down along the way.

The trial mirrors the goddess's own flight from responsibility, as the women must run for their lives, with no guarantees of survival. The moment Lia sets foot on enemy soil, she’s plunged into a series of dangerous trials. Her goal is clear: survive, find the relic, and save her people. But she never anticipated being distracted by an infuriatingly charming sailor who seems to appear just when she least expects him.

I was captivated by this story of fierce female empowerment, resilience, and the bonds of found family. The book does a fantastic job of setting up what promises to be an exciting continuation, and I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment!

This was a big read at just over 500 pages, but I didn’t even notice until I was done. The story/ world, MC’s and side characters had me on the edge of my seat and feeling unable to put it down. The characters, relationships and bonds consumed me from start to finish.
I have never been so desperate for the second book to be available immediately!

I had heard a lot of buzz around A Tribute of Fire before its release and was very excited to read it. Maybe my expectations were too high but this one was just okay for me. Honestly if I didn’t have a #gifted copy I might have dnf’ed this one. I definitely saw some of the twists coming, but not all.
To me, the betrayal at the end would have been better if there was more of a connection between our love interests rather than them just wanting to get it on all the time.
I’m still undecided if I will read book two or if I will look up what happens in the second book.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Hunger Games vibes was top-notch in this novel and the cliffhanger felt personal!
I wanted more plot, more things happening, but we got a lot making out and a lot of internal struggles with ideology and conflicting vows.
Loved Lia's character and zeal to do right by her people at the expense of her own self. Jason's reveal was very obvious and there are a thousand questions left unanswered about him.
The sisterhood between the priestesses felt very heartwarming and Io has my heart.
There's a conspiracy brewing in the temple as well beyond the politics over the throne and the animosity between the nations and I'm super excited to read more about it!

Wow this was a thrilling and addictive read! I really enjoyed the elements of Greek mythology that were woven into the story to create a unique plot, drawing from myths that I haven’t seen featured before which was refreshing. There is quite a bit of world building to be established but it is done in an artful manner throughout the story so as not to dump information onto the reader.

As for the characters, I loved Lia’s fierceness and determination to fight for a better future for her people. This story emphasizes female empowerment and the power of sisterhood. The bond Lia shares with her adelphia is so heartwarming and I can feel there is more to these characters to be explored. There is an interesting dichotomy at the temple of being protective of women’s choice yet shackling them with restrictive vows that I know was written this way purposefully and I’m looking forward to this being further delved into.

Now the romance. I loved the banter between Lia and Jason! He is such a shameless flirt and it was highly entertaining. The circumstances that Lia finds herself in had me wondering how we would see a romance bloom but never fear because there was nice workaround. The attraction these two feel towards is each other is through the roof and it starts off as insta-lust but remains a slow burn. And there’s clearly a reason for their draw towards each other.

The plot was an action packed in the first half with the journey to Illion and the dangerous, heart pounding trial but cools off somewhat in the second half to allow for Lia to explore her new world and form the necessary bonds. Did I predict the two big plot twists at the end? Yes and it was extremely satisfying to yell ‘I knew it’. This first book does an excellent job of setting the stage for a grander plot with bigger players to follow in the rest of the series. I cannot wait for the sequel!

Also shout out to the guardian geese that had me cackling 😂.

Thanks to the author and the publisher for the eARC.

I enjoyed this book a lot! I felt it easy to read and I could quickly pick up on the world, which is a lot of times difficult when starting a new romantasy series. I loved the premise of this book and that she must win the race and find the hidden item to save Lorcis.
This story had a lot of unexpected twists and turns that I did not see coming, which I LOVED. I also appreciate character growth and this book did not dissapoint . I also am an absolute sucker for banter and the banter in the book is *chef's kiss*
Can we also take a moment to appreciate Jason, the MMC.

And excuse me. What was that ending?!?!

4.5 rating

3.5⭐️

I think this story has so much potential. The storyline and romance is great. However, my biggest issue was the pacing in this book. And how dragged out parts were. I felt like the beginning was super fast. Then it got so slow and then the last 50 pages picked back up again. There were just parts that needed to be cut back. And my other issue was I felt like things became repetitive and the same point would be made in ten different ways before you moved on.

I will probably read the second book because of the ending. It was predictable for sure. But I still want to know what happens next.

Story was great. The writing is just dragging my rating down.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! Lia, a princess with a fierce sense of duty, hides her identity to help save her cursed country, which has been suffering for a thousand years. Her journey takes her to the goddess’s temple, where she trains as an acolyte.

What stood out to me most were the bonds of sisterhood she shares with her adelphia, the thrill of her secret meetings with Jason, and her unwavering bravery and stubbornness in the face of danger.

I can’t wait to see where her story goes in the next book!

I devoured "A Tribute of Fire" in one sitting! This captivating tale of adventure, romance, and self-discovery had me hooked from start to finish.

Princess Lia, the protagonist, is a strong-willed and determined heroine who will stop at nothing to save her nation and her sister. I admired her bravery, wit, and compassion.

The world-building is rich and immersive, with a unique magic system and a fascinating mythology. The author's vivid descriptions transported me to the desert landscapes of Locris and the labyrinthine streets of Ilion.

The romance is sweet and subtle, adding a delightful layer to the story without overpowering the plot.

Overall, "A Tribute of Fire" is a thrilling and emotional ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend it to fans of fantasy, adventure, and romance! 4.5/5 stars!

#ATributeOfFire #NetGalley

This was a wonderful book, and I am looking forward to the next one! It made my shortlist of five star reads for 2024.

Character Rating:
The FMC, Lia, is a very fun character. She is strong, loyal, persistent, fierce, and well-written. Her arc is wonderfully written, both for the journey itself and its plausibility. Jason is a delicious MMC - mysterious, clever, honorable, intense, and equally well-written. The banter is entertaining and the build up of their relationship is sizzling.

Relationships Rating:
The sisterhood that Lia becomes a part of is beautiful. Each sister is different and complex, and I genuinely hope we see more of them in the next book. Additionally, there are family members that play a role in this story and will continue to do so as the story continues. The FMC and MMC are surrounded by a cast of characters who are not only well-developed, but they also help to move the plot forward.

Emotional Impact Rating:
The love and loyalty of the sisters are truly heartwarming while the enemies-to-lovers romance is sizzling, and this book stayed with me after I read it. I was engrossed in the story, and I found myself nearly skimming the pages from reading so fast during the peak action moments.

Writing Style Rating:
The characters were well-written, the dialogue was wonderfully done, and the setting was beautiful. The inspiration from Ancient Greece was engaging, and the plot was well done. There are a couple of different plot twists at the end, and the stage has been set for an excellent continuation of the story in the next book.

Spice Rating:
There are some spicy scenes, but they do not overtake the plot or seem out of place. However, it would be difficult to make closed door modifications.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions are honest and my own.

https://www.amrauthor.com/post/a-tribute-of-fire-by-sariah-wilson
A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson

Rating: 5 stars
Adult - Spice: Enemies to Lovers
Genre: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Mythology, Romance
Tags: Gods, Goddesses, Magic, Book Review
The Eye of the Goddess Book 1

Lia is trying to save her people, so she is willing to sacrifice herself to an almost certain death. She has made it so that she has a chance to at least getting her to the temple. But on the selection it isn't just her now, she has to help save her sister too. How will she be able to get them both to the temple alive?

This is the first book in the Eye of the Goddess. Lia may be a princess, but she is so much more than that. She is such a complex character that you can't help but identify with. Jason is someone that I'm not sure if she should be kissing or slapping. But either way, I want to see more between these two. The world is rich with mythology and yet it is twisted and beautiful. There are so many questions that are left unanswered. I loved reading this book with its take on. Mythology. I can't wait to read the next book in the series, a Vow of Embers.

Tell me if this has helped in your choice to add this book to your TBR.

To see what I am reading next, you can find me on Goodreads or on The Story Graph. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook.

Until next time, enjoy what you’re reading.

Pages: 524
Read: Digital
From: Author as an ARC - is part of Kindle First Reads

Final Rating: 4.5/5⭐️

holy cow this book was like reading 3 books in one in the best way possible! i feel like the books i have been reading lately have all been centered around one major event but this one had so many! like every time you thought omg how is this going to keep going there was more and it was intoxicating! i finished this within a day and it was so enjoyable! literally could not put it down! there was a high level of detail surrounding the events but the chapters were short so it made it easy to just keep saying “okay only one more” haha ,, that didn’t turn out well for me though bc i just kept reading😂

i really enjoyed the loose tie in of greek mythology! the fmc was bada**, determined, and fierce and i was so here for it! i do think the lust was a little extra but it makes sense with her background! i think the whole story was amazing and i can’t believe i have to wait for book 2 with that ending😭 i did guess one of the major plot twists and had a suspicion about another but they played out so different than i was expecting!

overall this was a fantastic read and i highly recommend if you’re looking for a book centered primarily about strong females, sisterhood, high stakes, and greek mythology! I am so ready to get my grubby little fingers on book 2 it’s not even funny!!

really really enjoyed this book! it was well-paced and i found the characters so intriguing and engaging…. the twist and turns only really stared in the last few chapters which made some parts a bit boring but i am SO ready to read the next one — i have so many questions

Thank you for the chance to read this book.

Initially, I was really intrigued by the premise of ‘A Tribute of Fire’ and the book held up to that intrigue!

Some scenes could have been cut and the book did seem too long at some parts.

Wow I hated this. The worldbuilding was clunky, the whole premise of the race was short-lived, the main character was super annoying, and the romance was just insta-horniness. I saw every twist coming from 10 miles away and I didn’t care for any of the characters. Definitely won’t be continuing the series.