Elowen had dragons bond with her as an infant, but a prophesy fortold that she could possibly destroy her parent's kingdom. After her father had a bad experience with one of the dragons, Elowen is locked away from her people and her dragons in the castle dungeon and tortured for years until her uncle assists her in escaping, but the dragons are left behind. After being on the run and avoiding assassins, Elowen has created a home for herself and the people of the kingdom she created; however, she feels the tug of her missing dragons and wants to free them. Cayden Veles is a general and assassin of a rival kingdom and needs Elowen to help him with freeing her dragons to overthrow her father. Will they be able to free the dragons and if so, what will happen next?

The story kept me pulled in and wanting to find out what happened next. The characters are well written and you easily understand and relate to Elowen. The chemistry between Elowen and Cayden is electric and keeps you wanting more interactions with them.

when i got an email saying that i scored an arc for Fear the Flames i was genuinely so excited, and it did NOT disappoint. i DEVOURED this book and it got me back into my fantasy era.

i THOUGHT i down bad for cayden veles in the beginning but actually he is everything and i had no idea what i was in for then. this man had me BLUSHING. i was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time, but also fanning myself??? PLS i am a cayden apologist until my dying breath.

there are a lot of times especially in romantasy books when the mc’s that are supposed to be badass, independent and have had traumatic pasts are kind of insufferable, but Elowen was genuinely such a likable, well rounded character she definitely was a breath of fresh air. also?? she is bonded to 5 dragons and would do anything to have them back and that’s pretty kick ass. i love her, i love her, i love her

I really loved the round family aspect of this book, it’s always one of my favorite troupes and near and dear to my heart. finnian of course, but also Elowen’s friendship with saskia and ryder was so special as well.

THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD !! the smut? great. the story?? insane??? this book 10000% is what i want when i read a romantasy book. 5 ⭐️’s. i need the next one STAT PLS olivia rose darling bless u, u sweet sweet genius

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

This book was fine. It had a lot of aspects that were really enjoyable, but the writing tended to be…meh at times. There were a lot of transitions that didn’t make sense, or just scenes in general that felt unrealistic. Even the story itself was confusing at times. But, all that being said, I LOVED the way the main character addressed her mental health issues. It felt so realistic, and is something really uncommon in books that it kept me interested throughout. The strong female character really carried the story, and was worth the read. 3⭐️

What masterful story telling of an epic fantasy! Elowen is a princess in hiding from her father who had her beaten and tortured attempting to break her bond with dragons that were gifted to her as a child. Everyday that she is not with the dragons causes pain to her and them. Cayden is an army commander who found Elowen and plans to help her rescue the dragons and to get his own revenge on her father who had his mother executed. The characters are beautifully written and multifaceted. The relationship of Cayden and Elowen is humorous, adventurous and ultimately, passionate. This book is one of my favorites of the year.

This was a quick and fun read. It’s a romantasy with Elowen as the FMC that had her dragons stolen, and has to regain control of her kingdom. She is sassy and a a warrior! She can take you out with a sword or with her wit. I adore her. Cayden is the MMC. These two have a lot to overcome, but their interactions are great. The chemistry is electric. This book really is fully of wonderful characters (specifically Ryder, Saskia, Finnish) and their deep friendships. They all made me laugh so many times.

It’s also not all romance. There is fighting and bloodshed (I told you she could fight, as well as the others). There were some things that felt odd being in this time period, but that’s just me. Fantasy means fantasy, so really anything can be. I am looking forward to the next book, and feel this is series is only going to get even better.

I want to thank NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Olivia for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I truly enjoyed this fantasy novel. You get a sarcastic and strong-willed main character, Elowen. Who was once a princess turned into a prisoner all because of fear. Striking out and forging a kingdom of her own, but never forgetting the dragons that are bonded to our soul. That pain alone speaks volumes! Forging a deal with a rival kingdom and a feared commander…a desperate act to save the people she loves and protects, as well as a chance to save and reunite with her dragons. You’ll definitely get some tension between our princess and the commander (Cayden). Who does love a good forced proximity trope.

I have to say, I truly enjoyed the banter between Elowen and Finnian, this is the kind of friendship people want! The novel was written well and you are able to feel the sarcasm and darkness from the characters/their pain.

Fighting to fix the past, trying to get her dragons back, longing for more than she has. All great ingredients for a good story!

Once again, I ate up this book. I am in awe of Olivia’s ability to make this story even better! I loved every new plot point and scene. There’s wayyyy more Dragons in this version and Elowen’s character really reminded me of Daenerys at times! Some morally grey moments, which I was living for.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

I LOVED this!! The traditional version is even better than the indie. More Cayden, more dragons, and more action! I am thrilled I was able to see obtain an ARC.

I loved Cayden even more in this book than in the indie, and I didn’t think that’d be possible. This has everything you ever need in a romantasy! The romance is scorching. I love how morally grey Cayden is.

I cannot wait to have this physical book in my hands. I’ve already been singing this book’s praises, but now it’s tenfold.

The only complaint I have, is that I am a little confused on the magic system, or if there is one? Hopefully that gets built upon more in future books.

4.75 stars!

The additions to the new version helped me understand Elowen's relationship with her dragons. In the first print, we knew the dragons existed and that Elowen had a bond with them but we didn't get a sense of how that connection worked, we didn't know the dragon's names until the end of the book. The new edition has shed light on their connection and how Elowen feels them through the bond. I loved that we got to see more glimpses of them before they were reunited.

I loved getting more of Cayden's back story and the reasoning why he sought Elowen out in the first place. I was tearing up when he and Elowen watched his childhood home burn to the ground. It's easy to forget since the story is told from Elowen's point of view it's not just her journey we are following. I am infinitely glad the scene where Elowen makes Cayden split a pastry with her stayed in the book; imagining this ruthless commander submit to the pastry whims of this young queen makes me laugh every time.

An issue I had with the first edition of Fear the Flames was the pacing.  It felt as if there was a lot of downtime between them getting to Vareveth and putting the dragon heist into action. Yes, there were some assassination attempts and flirting between Cayden and Elowen but it felt like something was missing. I was grateful for the addition of the prison scene for two reasons. One, it added a bit of extra action we needed. Two,  it resolved the convenient location of the dragon's prison key in the first version.
One thing I did miss in the new version was Cayden and Elowen's letters. The first edition had letters Elowen and Cayden exchanged when he was away from the capital. I enjoyed seeing the two of them open up to one another without the pressure of having an in-person conversation.

I loved this! Elowen and Finnians friendship was one of my favorite parts. You really don’t see a lot of platonic M/F relationships in books very often.
I do think the relationship between Elowen and Cayden happens a tad too fast for my liking but I still enjoyed it!

I received a copy through Net Galley for review.


Although I gave this the rating I did, it’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy portions of this story. It has a great, strong female main character. Elowen was a wonderfully formed character, her story is interesting.
A prophecy, a princess with power- bonded to multiple dragons. But with a weak power grubbing father as a king. Prophesied to either raise up or to destroy her kingdom. Her father sort of seals that deal by imprisoning his own child, and trying to destroy her dragon bond.

A lot of people failed Elowen and didn’t help her when they could have. But even with that, she’s strong, both mentally and physically. She just wants her dragons back.

Her male romantic counterpart is- Cayden Veles, Commander of Vareveth. Known as the Demon Commander at only 29. He’s got the whole “Who did this to you?” Possessive, turned on by being held up at knifepoint thing going.

And with all that, I would have really enjoyed it - if it wasn’t for a few minor things that could have been fixed with a tad more editing. My biggest issue was scenes where the transition in space, was sort of glazed over. And it happened more than once, several of these made me re-read to figure out if I’d skipped information and I realized it just got skipped over. Probably a case of just writing very fast in the moment. But it really irked me as a reader. I hate having to give a review like this.

I truly wanted to like the plot, characters and pacing. It also felt rushed like this could have been two books. There was just soooo much going on.

What I liked:
- side characters
- dragons (albeit not as much as I had hoped)
- plot train

I really enjoyed the ending. The last 20% of the book is my favorite part. Everything finally came together for me, all the puzzles were fitting and I finally understood the plot and purpose. I really enjoyed Elowen in this part, I like the person she became during the last stretch of the book.

The beginning was a bit rough for me. I had a hard timing getting into it bc the first couple chapters seemed a bit juvenile (not childish, but the writing had the essence of a new writer/first book) but it gradually started getting better to where a few paragraphs here and now, the writing style shifts, but overall, was fine.

I like Finnian, I like Ryder, I like Saskia, and a bit Cayden (although his lines were corny). What kind of bothered me was the repetition/overselling of Elowen being a tough, strong, badass fighter. I prefer to see the strength of a character rather than the reiteration of how strong they are. I think it leads room for ingenuity and instability when trying to built her up as a character.

I never read the indie published, and I heard that there have been changes made for trad pub. Not sure if that plays a part, but there were times where it seemed the flow of timeline jumped without much context clues. Through me off quite a bit until I saw the trend. I did try to compare the indie to trad but the chapters I believe differed fairly early so I gave up on that.

It seemed like the author wants to mix some IRL references but that took away from the world building. Character being annoyed at someone bc they kicked a puppy in their dream… Character needing to drink coffee in the morning or else they're a grouch… I read that and was immediately thrown out of the world that was built bc it just felt too mainstream in a fantasy/olden world.

Romance between Cayden and Elowen was a bit rough for me, they were very hot and cold. I could be biased though bc I haven’t been able to connect with Elowen too much. But their romance did feel more genuine towards the end. With how it ended, it got me thinking about their romance and if I was correct or not ab some things.

The last 20% was the redemption. Not a full one, but I would rate the last 20% of the book at a 3.75⭐️ the remainder of the book for me unfortunately was a 2⭐️. I’m curious though with book 2. Because of all the world building, I’m wondering if issues I had with Elowen, will be contained as we already know her, we know her strength and weaknesses. We know her as a character. So I’m hoping that all the emphasis to how she is as a fighter is knocked down a peg and we are shown who she is as a FMC.

Princess Elowen Atarah of Imirath was bestowed a gift of dragon eggs at birth, eggs that were considered fossilized being that they were so old—yet they hatched in her presence on the night of her birth and an otherworldly bond was formed between her and those five dragons—an unbreakable bond. Her father, King Garrick began to view their bond as a threat and imprisoned her and her dragons when she was a child. Elowen escaped had since been plotting her revenge on her father as well as how to release her dragons from the bondage they’ve been in for years.

Commander of Vareveth, Cayden Veles, the most feared and dangerous man in all the kingdoms of Ravaryn seeks out Elowen and they form an unlikely alliance as they both have a common enemy in her father, King Garrick.

What Elowen and Cayden don’t see coming is their undeniable attraction—they have a connection that they try to resist and yet they find it near impossible to stay away from one another.

—

Fear the Flames was one of those books that hooked me from the very first page taking me on an adventurous ride while I excitedly kept up with the fast pace of the story unfolding before me. There wasn’t one moment while reading this book that I was bored or wishing that it would pick up.

Elowen, the FMC is an all-around badass—she took her trauma and turned it into her biggest strength. She is a force to be reckoned with and Cayden’s equal in more ways than one. Cayden is even more ruthless than Elowen and together they make an unstoppable team, and impenetrable force.

The world building in this book is beautiful. I enjoyed being introduced to many different lands and how Darling wove in ‘feelings’ of the places as a way to allow a deeper connection with the landscapes within the story.

Finnian, Elowen’s best friend who is really like family and a brother to her, was one of the most precious characters along with Saskia and Ryder (the brother and sister duo who are like family to Cayden).

The spice in this book is way more than I expected and I was so glad it was—I was giggling, squealing, blushing, smiling, and kicking my feet in various scenes.

I recommend this book to you if you enjoy wit, banter, sarcasm, adventure, trials, and unpredictable endings.

Reluctant allies to lovers, dragons, heartfelt friendship, ruthlessness, spice, revenge, justice, heists/quests—this book scratched every itch imaginable in my brain.

I rate Fear the Flames 5/5 stars and will eagerly be awaiting the second book as I cannot wait to dive back into the enchanting worlds of Imirath, Vavereth, and Aestillian.

The description of this book caught my attention (and the cover). I found that this story had a lot of the familiar tropes that are popular at the moment. Though I enjoyed it, I found that a lot of the story felt too familiar and I was comparing it to other romantasies that are popular at the moment. I enjoyed some of the relationships between characters, but traits of some of the main characters were annoying - such as knowing they are in danger/have an assassin after them, but still going out by themselves or with just one other person. Parts of the story also seemed disjointed.

I'm still curious about where the author will take this story, and I think the author has great potential, but this story didn't stand out to me.

Fear the flames
4/5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Favorite quotes:
“I’ve often felt like I’m too intense for people, so keeping to myself has always been preferable”
“I had to tell myself to present an emotion so people didn’t worry about me, and I just pretended I was fine so nobody would look too deeply and relapse how much pain I was in”
“I pretend like I’m not scared of anything, but I’m terrified”
“Just because I’m cracked doesn’t mean I’m broken “
“You’re so much braver than you believe, and stronger than you feel in this moment”
“I don’t think love is always about letting someone walk away; sometimes it’s about chasing after them to the ends of the earth”
“The only time a person can truly be brave is when they remain standing as fear tries to cut them down”
“I wonder how different the world would be if people cased thinking the unknown is a threat. People remain ignorant when they don’t open their minds to new teachings. They remain frozen in time like a statue while everything progresses around them”

There were many times I related with Elowen. Her emotions, keeping everything to herself to not make someone worry. While her personality changed at the end of the book, I’d wished her thoughts did too. However, everyone is different including characters so it’s understandable.

From being a lost princess to a queen AND dragon rider, the book was worth reading.
The characters PERFECT and oh my gosh Finnian was a friend every female would want: caring, loyal, funny. CHEFS KISS 👌
At first I was confused on why Cayden was so interested in her, but if you keep reading you’ll find out so beautifully written.


Now… THE DRAGONS AAAAHHHHH

I was flipping pages and I was like “WHERE ARE MY DRAGONS” (GOT reference) and did not disappoint. Haven’t watched got, BUT I’ve seen clips here and there and it gave me those vibes.
“Burn them” and I was like YESSS
The different colors made them unique. Although I wished we could’ve gotten more dragon scenes with Elowen, but hey I was sobbing here and there while reading their encounter and the things they went through.

Do NOT miss out reading this unique book! thanks for the arc! 🤍

Thank you Penguin Random House and Olivia Rose Darling for this eARC. I was so excited to read this new version of Fear the Flames. I was obsessed when Olivia indie published FoF and was ecstatic to learn that it was going to be traditionally published.

If you’re a fan of Epic Romantasy, you’re going to love this. The world building isn’t super complex and the love story is just swoon worthy. My favorite is the found family amongst the crew of Cayden Elowen Saskia Ryder and Finnian.

Without spoilers, you’ll find
— dragons
— slow burn but spice
— lots of banter
— adventure
— the best lines you won’t forget for awhile

I really wanted to love this book. It had everything that I wanted but I just couldn’t get into it. I’m not sure if I was in a slump and that affected my reading experience or if it was something else. I did like the book but didn’t love it.

As a child, Elowen was predicted to be the queen of her kingdom or the ruin of it, so her father imprisoned her for 5 years and separated her from her beloved, bonded dragons. Her uncle breaks her out and together they escape and establish the tiny hidden kingdom of Aestilian. Now many years later, Elowen has never forgotten her beloved dragons and vows to break them free. She teams up with the Commander of Vareveth, Cayden Veles to free her dragons and get revenge on the kingdom that caused her so much pain. With this alliance, she wouldn't expect to fall for the dangerous man she reluctantly aligned with. But the pull of attraction between El and Cayden is undeniable and they will stop at nothing to free her dragons from the claws of the enemy.
If you love a good foes-to-lovers story, this is for you! It has everything you could want in a romantasy- dragons, schemes, swordplay, and spice. I love the dynamic between El and Cayden, I ate this book up! Usually books do not surprise me with sudden twists but I was surprised by the twist at the end of the book! I could hardly put this book down, I had to know how the heist went.

When I read the synopsis of Fear the Flames, I knew it would be right up my alley. Let me tell you, this is one of the best debut novels I’ve read in a long time.

From the start, the book leaves no time for boredom as the author dives straight into the thick of things, making me immediately immersed in the story.

The relationship between Elowen and Cayden consisted of top tier romantasy banter with witty punch lines and heartwarming conversations. It was everything I could have ever wanted between them and more.

Along with that, all of the side characters in this book are so well developed. I loved seeing each of their individual personalities and how they clashed (and complimented) one another.

By the time the story was nearing the end, I was completely hooked and on the edge of my seat to see what was going to happen next. I can assure you that the ending did not disappoint.

I can’t help but look forward to reading more of Olivia Rose Darling’s work. She is most definitely an author I’m going to be raving about.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Olivia Rose Darling for sending me this arc in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I want to say a huge thank you to Olivia Rose Darling and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me the opportunity to read and review Fear the Flames! I originally read the indie version of FtF, and was so thrilled to see that it was going to be re-released via Ballentine.

That being said, words can hardly express how much I am STILL obsessed with this novel! Fear the Flames is the perfect blend of fantasy and romance, giving you the thrill of being on the edge of your seat while still having those steamy moments. The world building is done so well, and paints the perfect picture of Ravaryn and the world that Elowen has grown up in.

The pull between our reluctant-allies-to-lovers is intense from the very first moment that Elowen and Cayden meet. If you love a misunderstood bad boy who only has eyes for one revenge seeking woman then you will NOT regret picking up this book!! There's friendship, war, DRAGONS, spicy scenes that will have you fanning yourself, and vengeance for those who have been wronged. I can hardly wait to see where book 2 will take us!