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sup3r_xn0va_maya's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
š¬:āBeing forced to learn the language of your oppressors is an oppression of the mind. They rewrite your history when youāre too young to know what youāre giving away, and before you know it, itās too late to reclaim what youāve lost, she said.ā
Cole, Kamilah. So Let Them Burn (The Divine Traitors Book 1) (p. 82). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Kindle Edition.
šGenres: fiction, fantasy, young adult, dragons, LGBT, queer, mythology
šPage Count: 392
š§Audiobook Length: 11hrs 24mins
š©š¾āš«My Rating: āļøāļø - 2.75/5
TW -blood, child abuse, colonization, cursing, death, fire/fire injury, injury/injury detail, murder, racism, violence, war
So Let Them Burn is a Jamaican inspired fantasy about two sisters who get separated from each other against their will, it's book one in the Divine Traitors series. Elara and her younger sister Faron live in a country that was just at war, although the countries are currently vying for peace, there's still conflict behind the scenes.
The setting and backstory are really fleshed out and I liked the dragons and I enjoyed the fighting and action scenes. The end of the book was really exciting.
The author created a sense of urgency within the premise of the book and then the entire first and second half of the book fell flat because nothing happened. 40% of the way through Faron asksthe gods for help and they say no, then 60% of the way through she goes back and asks them for help again. Like the first time, they decline to help. At this point 20% of the book has gone by and almost nothing has happened.
I really didn't enjoy most of this book, the pacing was too off. Most of the beginning and middle of the book was just exposition, and it was frustration. The author would tell you something, not show you and that's not quite as exciting as it could be. It also felt like the author was writing in mundane scenes (even though she created that sense of urgency) just to fill the space so she can make the end of the story lead up to a sequel.
Here are a few other things I didn't like about the book. The character relationships had little development butboth Faron and Elara find love with their respective companions that they each used to hate. The action scenes were really entertaining, it's unfortunate that they weren't spread out more. Most of the action scenes were at the end of the book. The end of the book was very info dumpy with "surprises" she revealed.
I didn't enjoy this book for the most part, I only enjoyed the ending. Due to that I'm going to give this 2.75 out of 5 stars
āļøāļø - 2.75/5
I listened to this audiobook on [Spotify.com]
Cole, Kamilah. So Let Them Burn (The Divine Traitors Book 1) (p. 82). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Kindle Edition.
šGenres: fiction, fantasy, young adult, dragons, LGBT, queer, mythology
šPage Count: 392
š§Audiobook Length: 11hrs 24mins
š©š¾āš«My Rating: āļøāļø - 2.75/5
TW -
So Let Them Burn is a Jamaican inspired fantasy about two sisters who get separated from each other against their will, it's book one in the Divine Traitors series. Elara and her younger sister Faron live in a country that was just at war, although the countries are currently vying for peace, there's still conflict behind the scenes.
The setting and backstory are really fleshed out and I liked the dragons and I enjoyed the fighting and action scenes. The end of the book was really exciting.
The author created a sense of urgency within the premise of the book and then the entire first and second half of the book fell flat because nothing happened. 40% of the way through Faron asks
I really didn't enjoy most of this book, the pacing was too off. Most of the beginning and middle of the book was just exposition, and it was frustration. The author would tell you something, not show you and that's not quite as exciting as it could be. It also felt like the author was writing in mundane scenes (even though she created that sense of urgency) just to fill the space so she can make the end of the story lead up to a sequel.
Here are a few other things I didn't like about the book. The character relationships had little development but
I didn't enjoy this book for the most part, I only enjoyed the ending. Due to that I'm going to give this 2.75 out of 5 stars
āļøāļø - 2.75/5
I listened to this audiobook on [Spotify.com]
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
jennireadsmaybe's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
First of all, So Let Them Burn is a freaking amazing debut!!! A book about sisterhood is always my weakness and getting to have both Faron and Elara's POV made the book that much more emotional for this oldest sister. Their opposing stories and character growth did so much justice as they both want the same thing and have to navigate that desire in opposing ways.
This is the perfect example for what a queer-normative world should look like. We immediately know that Elara is a lesbian and her romance with Signey (her freaking dragon riding partner y'all!!!) is everything to me!!! When it is later revealed that Faron is demisexual, it was like a warm hug. She knows who she is and it's just wonderful.
Because of the differences in each countries magical abilities, the world building was super interesting too. San Irie's magic is very much based on an ancestral style of magic where they receive it by calling upon their ancestors. Whereas, LangIey is centered around the bond they share with their dragons. It made the idea of their previous battles and current outlook on political relations feel that much more recognizable. I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention the dragons. That's right dragons!!! It was so much fun to see how Kamilah Cole built a world around dragons where each country had a different experience and view point on dragons.
I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking to be in the dragon moment while supporting BIPOC authors and stories.
This is the perfect example for what a queer-normative world should look like. We immediately know that Elara is a lesbian and her romance with Signey (her freaking dragon riding partner y'all!!!) is everything to me!!! When it is later revealed that Faron is demisexual, it was like a warm hug. She knows who she is and it's just wonderful.
Because of the differences in each countries magical abilities, the world building was super interesting too. San Irie's magic is very much based on an ancestral style of magic where they receive it by calling upon their ancestors. Whereas, LangIey is centered around the bond they share with their dragons. It made the idea of their previous battles and current outlook on political relations feel that much more recognizable. I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention the dragons. That's right dragons!!! It was so much fun to see how Kamilah Cole built a world around dragons where each country had a different experience and view point on dragons.
I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking to be in the dragon moment while supporting BIPOC authors and stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Slavery
porcupine_girl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Murder, and War
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
disclaimer: I donāt really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This is a Jamaican mythology-inspired YA fantasy, and in my opinion, the dragon story yall should be talking about! I love a story about sisters, and we get the dual-POV of them (Faron and Elara)!
Faron is the 17-year-old Child Empyrean, appointed by the gods as a human conduit of god-power, who is examining her post-war life and wants to be more than this famous godlike figure she has become. Five years ago, she fought against the Langlish Empire/their colonizers and is now a renowned revolutionary. Her younger sister Elara is tired of living in her infamous sister's shadow, and that's perfect because that sets us up for what comes next! I loved that both of them were yearning for something more, and they're just KIDS! *sobs in "I just want everyone to be okay" *
At a peace summit, Elara bonds with a dragon (!!!!), which is not supposed to happen, and it never has! I loved that KC used this chosen one trope, because Faron is chosen by the gods to be the Empyrean, but Elara is chosen to bond with this dragon. They're both chosen for different journeys, and while they're seemingly separate, the connection is what pulled me in.
This turn of events completely upends their lives, with war not being behind them anymore... with Elara having to enroll at the enemy Langlish military academy, and Faron being told (by the GODS! my GOD!!!!) that the only way to save their home San Irie is to betray her sister?!? WILD.
Reeve, Elara's best friend who is originally from Langley and the Langlish commander's son (!!! the drama!!!), helps Faron try to get Elara back home and unbonded from the dragon.
I adored the queer-normative world, with Elara's sapphic representation (her forced proximity to Signey -her dragon riding partner- is so delectably crafted! Going from annoyance to pining? LOVE it!), and Faron's demisexuality. With a group of characters that you really begin to root for, the found family comes naturally and I can't wait to see more of this in the next book <3
I enjoyed the contrast between the magic systems: San Irie has ancestral magic, and Langley's magic comes from the bond that riders have with their dragons. I do hope to see even more magic system explanations and world-building in the upcoming books because I'm a sucker for lore lol.
Be prepared for a cliffhanger. I wasn't! So I'm helping you by letting you know ahead of time! UGH!
Also, if you liked this, check out Kindling by Traci Chee (comes out in March 2024), as it follows a similar story premise of following child soldiers years after the war has passed, and how they are reckoning with their new realities and futures!
This is a Jamaican mythology-inspired YA fantasy, and in my opinion, the dragon story yall should be talking about! I love a story about sisters, and we get the dual-POV of them (Faron and Elara)!
Faron is the 17-year-old Child Empyrean, appointed by the gods as a human conduit of god-power, who is examining her post-war life and wants to be more than this famous godlike figure she has become. Five years ago, she fought against the Langlish Empire/their colonizers and is now a renowned revolutionary. Her younger sister Elara is tired of living in her infamous sister's shadow, and that's perfect because that sets us up for what comes next! I loved that both of them were yearning for something more, and they're just KIDS! *sobs in "I just want everyone to be okay" *
At a peace summit, Elara bonds with a dragon (!!!!), which is not supposed to happen, and it never has! I loved that KC used this chosen one trope, because Faron is chosen by the gods to be the Empyrean, but Elara is chosen to bond with this dragon. They're both chosen for different journeys, and while they're seemingly separate, the connection is what pulled me in.
This turn of events completely upends their lives, with war not being behind them anymore... with Elara having to enroll at the enemy Langlish military academy, and Faron being told (by the GODS! my GOD!!!!) that the only way to save their home San Irie is to betray her sister?!? WILD.
Reeve, Elara's best friend who is originally from Langley and the Langlish commander's son (!!! the drama!!!), helps Faron try to get Elara back home and unbonded from the dragon.
I adored the queer-normative world, with Elara's sapphic representation (her forced proximity to Signey -her dragon riding partner- is so delectably crafted! Going from annoyance to pining? LOVE it!), and Faron's demisexuality. With a group of characters that you really begin to root for, the found family comes naturally and I can't wait to see more of this in the next book <3
I enjoyed the contrast between the magic systems: San Irie has ancestral magic, and Langley's magic comes from the bond that riders have with their dragons. I do hope to see even more magic system explanations and world-building in the upcoming books because I'm a sucker for lore lol.
Be prepared for a cliffhanger. I wasn't! So I'm helping you by letting you know ahead of time! UGH!
Also, if you liked this, check out Kindling by Traci Chee (comes out in March 2024), as it follows a similar story premise of following child soldiers years after the war has passed, and how they are reckoning with their new realities and futures!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Slavery
blakeandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Iām absolutely obsessed with this book and this world! This is everything I want from a fantasy book. I feel like if this wouldāve came out when I was in high school, I wouldāve never shut up about it, so Iām going to try to keep up that momentum!!
Faron is the chosen one who is revered and respected after saving her people from the enemy 5 years ago. Theyāve been in a time of contentious peace until now. When her sister Elara bonds with an enemy dragon unexpectedly, she is forced to attend the dragon rider academy in Langley, where she is anything but safe. Faron will do ANYTHING to save her sister. She will defy the gods, learn dangerous and new powers, and even make an ally of her sisterās best friend, Reeveā¦who she also hates.
This cast is so expansive and queer. Faron is demisexual, and Elara is gay. Signey is Elaraās co-riderā¦ and maybe something more? š I loved so many characters in this book and how Elara is given this opportunity to step out of her sisterās shadow to see who she is on her own. Thereās found family. Thereās tension. Thereās betrayal and mystery and lore.
Go read this book right now! I highly recommend it, especially the audiobook!
Faron is the chosen one who is revered and respected after saving her people from the enemy 5 years ago. Theyāve been in a time of contentious peace until now. When her sister Elara bonds with an enemy dragon unexpectedly, she is forced to attend the dragon rider academy in Langley, where she is anything but safe. Faron will do ANYTHING to save her sister. She will defy the gods, learn dangerous and new powers, and even make an ally of her sisterās best friend, Reeveā¦who she also hates.
This cast is so expansive and queer. Faron is demisexual, and Elara is gay. Signey is Elaraās co-riderā¦ and maybe something more? š I loved so many characters in this book and how Elara is given this opportunity to step out of her sisterās shadow to see who she is on her own. Thereās found family. Thereās tension. Thereās betrayal and mystery and lore.
Go read this book right now! I highly recommend it, especially the audiobook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Slavery
janiceinwonderland's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
iām honestly so mad that i picked this up the day it debuted because GIRL I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
iāve fallen in love with these two sisters and kamilah cole has written a bond that i want to read about over and over. there were times where the transition and explanation of them sharing knowledge felt clunky but not to a distracting degree
i really canāt wait for the next book. the build up and the following cliffhanger were really something
iāve fallen in love with these two sisters and kamilah cole has written a bond that i want to read about over and over. there were times where the transition and explanation of them sharing knowledge felt clunky but not to a distracting degree
i really canāt wait for the next book. the build up and the following cliffhanger were really something
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and War
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
dragonsheart8261920's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Classism
rowbooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The only reason I am not giving it five stars is it felt like.ot struggled to get going but once it did it was amazing.
Faron has exasperated my abandonment issues š I'll be sending author kamilah Cole a bill for my therapy
Faron has exasperated my abandonment issues š I'll be sending author kamilah Cole a bill for my therapy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
bellebookcorner's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If youāre looking for a YA fantasy stories with strong sisterhood as well as an epic world building that comes with dragons and divine powers then I suggest picking this one up!
Told in dual POVs, Elara and Faron are both sisters that lives in a post-war world where Faron as the child Empyrean saves her country but the peace didnāt last long when Elara was found bonded to a dragon from an enemy kingdom.
This story has an interesting world building between summoning gods powers and also bonding with the dragons. Having both POVs really work out great here so we could see how each powers work differently.
Thereās also a slight romance blooming throughout the story for both Elara and Faron, but Iām more interested in Faronās love interest though especially after that ending.
I canāt wait to know what will happen to them both in the next book!
Overall, this is a great start for a series.
Iām looking forward to read the sequel cause I would like to explore more about the world building and know more about the dragons!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. Iām leaving this review voluntarily!
Told in dual POVs, Elara and Faron are both sisters that lives in a post-war world where Faron as the child Empyrean saves her country but the peace didnāt last long when Elara was found bonded to a dragon from an enemy kingdom.
This story has an interesting world building between summoning gods powers and also bonding with the dragons. Having both POVs really work out great here so we could see how each powers work differently.
Thereās also a slight romance blooming throughout the story for both Elara and Faron, but Iām more interested in Faronās love interest though especially after that ending.
I canāt wait to know what will happen to them both in the next book!
Overall, this is a great start for a series.
Iām looking forward to read the sequel cause I would like to explore more about the world building and know more about the dragons!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. Iām leaving this review voluntarily!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Slavery
km_kett's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I don't know how to express how much I loved this book! The world building was so rich, yet not too complicated like some fantasy books. The bond that the sisters had was so pure and a huge driving factor of decisions that were made within the book. I instantly like Farron and Elara and my love for them only grows throughout the book as you discover who our lead characters are as people as the story progresses. The delightful LGBTQ+ representation was so lovely to see especially in a teen novel. I am so excited to see where Kamilah Cole takes this story in the next one!
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with an eArc.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with an eArc.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Slavery