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bellebookcorner's review against another edition
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 you’re 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 didn’t 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.
There’s also a slight romance blooming throughout the story for both Elara and Faron, but I’m more interested in Faron’s love interest though especially after that ending.
I can’t wait to know what will happen to them both in the next book!
Overall, this is a great start for a series.
I’m 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. I’m 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 didn’t 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.
There’s also a slight romance blooming throughout the story for both Elara and Faron, but I’m more interested in Faron’s love interest though especially after that ending.
I can’t wait to know what will happen to them both in the next book!
Overall, this is a great start for a series.
I’m 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. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Racism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Slavery
destynee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
The cover of this book alone had me. Then all of a sudden goodreads is doing a giveaway and somehow I win a copy making this not only my first read of the year but also my first ARC…Where to begin…So Let Them Burn is full of many things including two of my most favorite things: Black girls and dragons. It’s a complex story with complex characters. Some things are easy to guess and others aren’t. They all make for a wonderful story full of twists and turns that make you think about what you would do to save a loved one. Would you betray your country? The gods? What wouldn’t be off limits??? This book also gives insight into the effects of colonization and how the oppressor doesn’t just leave. They’ll try to keep their claws sunk into their prey as best as they can. San Irie may be a fictional island but it is based off of Jamaica and the lasting effects of colonization in both cases are very real. I would also say that this book shows what happens when children are forced to grow up too quickly while in these situations. They are forced to fight to be free, whether they be chosen ones like Faron or ordinary like Elara, and it has long lasting effects on them. Both sisters have moments where they are dealing with ptsd from fighting in a war they didn’t want but that they had to fight in in order to gain their freedom and the freedom of their people. I will definitely be getting another copy but I’m already in love with this story and I cannot wait for book 2 😫.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Colonisation
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Blood
Minor: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, and Racial slurs
booksdogsandcoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
Captivating fantasy with a world influenced by Jamaican folklore.
This fantasy ya debut sucks you in and keeps you guessing till the end. Two sisters, one favored by the gods. The other bonds with the dragon from an enemy country they were most recently at war with
The different kinds of dragons, the rebellion, the topics of colonization. I enjoyed this book so much and can’t wait for the next one!
This fantasy ya debut sucks you in and keeps you guessing till the end. Two sisters, one favored by the gods. The other bonds with the dragon from an enemy country they were most recently at war with
The different kinds of dragons, the rebellion, the topics of colonization. I enjoyed this book so much and can’t wait for the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Violence, Blood, War, and Toxic friendship
km_kett's review
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: Racism, Death, Death of parent, Colonisation, Blood, Genocide, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Slavery
chronicacademia's review
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Pitched as Queer Jamaican Joan of Arc with dragons, So Let Them Burn might just be the YA fantasy of the year (and it’s only January). It’s a sparkling debut with relatable characters, immersive and thoughtful world-building, and an ending that will probably haunt me until book 2’s release.
I finished most of the book in one sitting this morning. While the story’s latter two-thirds are incredibly quick, I did struggle to get through the first ~70 pages. In part because I’ve been in just about the worst YA fantasy slump of my life, and partly because there’s just a lot of world-building to consume in those first several chapters. Everything from the drakes to the dragons to the Empyrean to the magic system is incredibly fleshed out at the expense of the story’s pace. I’m not complaining though, because I think the author did an excellent job of laying things out and building on them without confusing the reader by throwing too much at us all at once. And once I hit part II, I was hooked. I didn’t set the book down again until it was over (and it felt like it was over in the blink of an eye).
The characters were phenomenally written. I usually struggle with multiple POVs in a book because there’s always that one character I just don’t vibe with, but that wasn’t the case here. I adored Elara and Faron equally, though for vastly different reasons. I identified very strongly with Elara, I think because she was the eldest daughter, and I felt so much of her story very deeply. With Faron, I think I related to her undying loyalty to and love for her sister, as well as her determination to protect her. This was the sister story my heart needed.
The side characters were also fleshed out and fun to follow. Reeve was my favorite for a multitude of reasons. He was a much-needed diversion from the toxic alpha male love interests who’ve been dominating YA fantasy lately. I love to see positive masculinity and I think the author nailed it with Reeve’s story and arc.
To me, this book felt like a mashup of all the best fantasy books. It reminded me of Iron Widow but with the romance and sister aspect of Caraval and the dragons and expansive world-building of The Priory of the Orange Tree. I think fans of any one of these books will probably enjoy So Let Them Burn.
Overall, I highly recommend this one.
*Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! All views reflected are my own.
I finished most of the book in one sitting this morning. While the story’s latter two-thirds are incredibly quick, I did struggle to get through the first ~70 pages. In part because I’ve been in just about the worst YA fantasy slump of my life, and partly because there’s just a lot of world-building to consume in those first several chapters. Everything from the drakes to the dragons to the Empyrean to the magic system is incredibly fleshed out at the expense of the story’s pace. I’m not complaining though, because I think the author did an excellent job of laying things out and building on them without confusing the reader by throwing too much at us all at once. And once I hit part II, I was hooked. I didn’t set the book down again until it was over (and it felt like it was over in the blink of an eye).
The characters were phenomenally written. I usually struggle with multiple POVs in a book because there’s always that one character I just don’t vibe with, but that wasn’t the case here. I adored Elara and Faron equally, though for vastly different reasons. I identified very strongly with Elara, I think because she was the eldest daughter, and I felt so much of her story very deeply. With Faron, I think I related to her undying loyalty to and love for her sister, as well as her determination to protect her. This was the sister story my heart needed.
The side characters were also fleshed out and fun to follow. Reeve was my favorite for a multitude of reasons. He was a much-needed diversion from the toxic alpha male love interests who’ve been dominating YA fantasy lately. I love to see positive masculinity and I think the author nailed it with Reeve’s story and arc.
To me, this book felt like a mashup of all the best fantasy books. It reminded me of Iron Widow but with the romance and sister aspect of Caraval and the dragons and expansive world-building of The Priory of the Orange Tree. I think fans of any one of these books will probably enjoy So Let Them Burn.
Overall, I highly recommend this one.
*Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! All views reflected are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Colonisation, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, and War
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
A gorgeously immersive, fantasy debut that captured my heart just as much as it did my imagination! The writing was phenomenally lush and the complicated but heartfelt bond between sisters (and Dual POV characters) Faron and Elara had me emotionally invested from the very start. Did I also mention, it has DRAGONS?!!!
Set within a post-war, Jamaican inspired world, where the newly independent island (San Erie) is still recovering from the war with their former oppressors—and the colonial legacy left in their wake.
I LOVED every second of this and was blown away by the level of emotion that Kamilah Cole manages to imbue. Both through her detailed and emotionally nuanced characters but also the in-depth world-building and vivid, sensory descriptions that I literally couldn’t get enough of.
Like the descriptions of Deadegg, and its fossilised dragon egg, serving as a constant reminder to Faron of the cruelty and suffering inflicted by Langley (via Faron’s incredibly evocative and emotional flashbacks.) Or The Victory Garden and its lush, verdant greenery serving as a sign of a brighter future; in a Palace that had once been a barren, death shrouded ruin.
Given how intrinsically linked the themes of anti-colonialism, genocide, war and trauma are to the narrative —it’s hard not to find similarities in current real-world events. Making for a deeply emotional and highly relevant read, so do be sure to check trigger warnings.
However, unlike most fantasy novels (which end after the big battle), I loved that Cole starts hers at the end of one. Giving us a front row seat to the resilience and hard-work that goes into not only rebuilding a country destroyed by war, but also in working through the trauma that comes from experiencing such violence and destruction.
It still boggles my mind that our protagonists were only just hitting their teens when they first headed into battle—Faron being just thirteen when she took on the mantle of The Childe Empyrean, (and her sister Elara not much older.) It’s a very real aspect of war (especially in terms of the psychological impact for survivors) and one that was explored in such a nuanced and sensitive manner—I was soo emotionally invested in both of their journeys.
Though, I do admit that Elara’s arc did resonate with me the most (especially as someone with two older sisters.) And I loved that, despite feeling like she’s living in the shadow of Faron’s (already vast) legacy, she doesn’t let it affect the love she has for her. Honestly it’s one of the most realistic (and relatable) sibling relationships I think I’ve ever read!
Overall, an emotionally powerful and action packed debut that anyone who loves epic fantasy, dragons, or books exploring complex sisterly bonds should definitely consider picking up, it’s AMAZING!
Also, a huge thank you to Katya over at Little, Brown UK for the proof
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Genocide, Death of parent, Body horror, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Colonisation, and War
zoepagereader's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
I was obsessed with dragons when I was in elementary school, so this book really scratched an itch for me there. It had everything third-grade me would want. I did feel that Faron’s story sort of dragged and I was sort of just rolling my eyes at her decisions the entire time. I did like Elara’s story a lot more and was excited to read her side.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Body horror, Blood, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Death, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Violence, and War
butterbrioche's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
I wish I could give this book 6 stars.
I am so thankful that I was able to receive an arc of this. When I say this, I’m not being hyperbolic: I really do believe that this will become a very popular book in 2024. It deserves to be. From the writing to the storytelling to the character work, all of it is lush and immersive. Cole has such a talent for showing! She isn’t just telling us when she’s writing and that’s why what she writes also feels so visceral.
I love, love, love a man vs. god conflict. It always gets me every single time because despite us being mere mortals we will always crave the ability to control or disrupt the ways that the strings of fate are strummed. To have so many characters included and for them to all have their unique personalities in tact is a feat.
The world-building here is amazing. The way Cole maneuvers between giving us just enough information and then having us see it. It never feels like there’s an info dump, even though I don’t always mind those.
I also think watching Faron honestly grapple with what she’s felt surrounding being the child emperyean, the trauma around it and more was very good.
I think there’s something so special about this book. A Jamaican inspired Joan of arc with dragons that addresses the cost of war, colonization, and revolution and what comes next to avoid that. How war stays deep in your bones. The choices that we make and have made in the past.
I truly believe this is one of the best books of 2024 and I cannot wait for everyone else to read it.
I am so thankful that I was able to receive an arc of this. When I say this, I’m not being hyperbolic: I really do believe that this will become a very popular book in 2024. It deserves to be. From the writing to the storytelling to the character work, all of it is lush and immersive. Cole has such a talent for showing! She isn’t just telling us when she’s writing and that’s why what she writes also feels so visceral.
I love, love, love a man vs. god conflict. It always gets me every single time because despite us being mere mortals we will always crave the ability to control or disrupt the ways that the strings of fate are strummed. To have so many characters included and for them to all have their unique personalities in tact is a feat.
The world-building here is amazing. The way Cole maneuvers between giving us just enough information and then having us see it. It never feels like there’s an info dump, even though I don’t always mind those.
I also think watching Faron honestly grapple with what she’s felt surrounding being the child emperyean, the trauma around it and more was very good.
I think there’s something so special about this book. A Jamaican inspired Joan of arc with dragons that addresses the cost of war, colonization, and revolution and what comes next to avoid that. How war stays deep in your bones. The choices that we make and have made in the past.
I truly believe this is one of the best books of 2024 and I cannot wait for everyone else to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: War, Death, Blood, and Colonisation
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