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laurachignall's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
4.0
✈️ Read this book if you want to travel to a world with dragons, world building and strong family bonds. ✈️
A strong debut novel that you will want to binge read. It has dragons, romance (without spice) and a dual point of view by fierce and endearing sisters.
While I wish the history of the world was a little more fleshed out I can see this happening later on and will be eagerly awaiting book 2 coming early 2025!
Favourite quote: “The story spilled from Faron like water through the cracks in a dam, trickling at first and then pouring out in an unstoppable deluge”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
A strong debut novel that you will want to binge read. It has dragons, romance (without spice) and a dual point of view by fierce and endearing sisters.
While I wish the history of the world was a little more fleshed out I can see this happening later on and will be eagerly awaiting book 2 coming early 2025!
Favourite quote: “The story spilled from Faron like water through the cracks in a dam, trickling at first and then pouring out in an unstoppable deluge”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
_ezra_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
4.75
l_schwartz15's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cloreadsbooks1364's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This YA fantasy is set in a Jamaican-inspired world, and focuses on two very powerful sisters.
Faron is the Childe Empyrean, 5 years ago she used her ability to channel the gods' power to defeat the dragon-riding Langish forces and free her small island nation, San Irie. Then, at the international peace summit, her sister Elara is shocked to bond with a Langish dragon, Zephyra, and her rider Signey. Faron must figure out how to break the bond and bring her sister home, alongside discovering shocking secrets that could harm everyone.
I liked Elara from the start. She was strong, caring and so lovable. I found myself becoming impatient to return to her pov during the alternating chapters where Faron had her pov. She quickly accepted the bond with Zephyra and fit in well in Hearthstone, the dragon riding school, and I'd have loved to see more of her there.
Faron was very brave, she always spoke her mind, and made very rash decisions. As the Childe Empyrean she was worshipped, which she was quite tired of.
Reeve, the son of the Langish commander, who helped win the war 5 years ago by telling the Iryans his father's plans, was a very studious, calm, character, who thought before he acted (something I think Faron should've learnt). I enjoyed him as a character.
Signey was a character I liked immediately. Sharp, funny, trustworthy, and loyal, I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between her and Elara immensely.
Zephyra, the sweet sage dragon, was amazing, as most book dragons tend to be.
Aveline, the young Queen of San Irie, was such a strong character!
The magic in this book included the Langish dragon powers, the Iryan ancestor-summoning, and the Iryan drakes (flying machines that combat dragons.
I loved this book and will certainly read the sequel upon its release!
Queer rep:
Demisexual mc (Faron)
Sapphic mc (Elara)
Sapphic sc (Signey)
TWs: possession, bullying, death, violence, war, colonisation, racism, blood.
Faron is the Childe Empyrean, 5 years ago she used her ability to channel the gods' power to defeat the dragon-riding Langish forces and free her small island nation, San Irie. Then, at the international peace summit, her sister Elara is shocked to bond with a Langish dragon, Zephyra, and her rider Signey. Faron must figure out how to break the bond and bring her sister home, alongside discovering shocking secrets that could harm everyone.
I liked Elara from the start. She was strong, caring and so lovable. I found myself becoming impatient to return to her pov during the alternating chapters where Faron had her pov. She quickly accepted the bond with Zephyra and fit in well in Hearthstone, the dragon riding school, and I'd have loved to see more of her there.
Faron was very brave, she always spoke her mind, and made very rash decisions. As the Childe Empyrean she was worshipped, which she was quite tired of.
Reeve, the son of the Langish commander, who helped win the war 5 years ago by telling the Iryans his father's plans, was a very studious, calm, character, who thought before he acted (something I think Faron should've learnt). I enjoyed him as a character.
Signey was a character I liked immediately. Sharp, funny, trustworthy, and loyal, I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between her and Elara immensely.
Zephyra, the sweet sage dragon, was amazing, as most book dragons tend to be.
Aveline, the young Queen of San Irie, was such a strong character!
The magic in this book included the Langish dragon powers, the Iryan ancestor-summoning, and the Iryan drakes (flying machines that combat dragons.
I loved this book and will certainly read the sequel upon its release!
Queer rep:
Demisexual mc (Faron)
Sapphic mc (Elara)
Sapphic sc (Signey)
TWs: possession, bullying, death, violence, war, colonisation, racism, blood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Bullying, Colonisation, War, and Violence
mythian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Colonisation, War, Violence, and Classism
Moderate: Slavery and Racism
alyssadorn's review against another edition
3.0
Low 3 ⭐️
Pros:
Anticolonialism
Faron being the self-proclaimed queen of lies was fun
Queer rep— demisexual, lesbian, and gay side characters whoo!
The author blurred the distinction between hero and villain well— shades of grey
Elara’s storylines were great— I wanted more of her and Signey and the dragon!
The characters’ interpersonal dynamics were interesting in how they were set up, but I wish it was executed better and shown more than told.
Cons:
The world building feels a little clunky
There’s a lot of exposition without clarity and without anything really happening— I didn’t get into this book until around page 100 and even then not a lot seemed to happen.
Also, I didn’t really believe Faron’s and Reeve’s passion— growing friendship and care and even love, sure! Not so much the passion.
Cliffhanger ending without any narrative arc having been completed
Also my partner was watching Star Wars: Attack of the Clones while I read this and the amount of Anakin vibes Faron has is insane. She even mentions sand getting everywhere at one point and I almost screamed 😂
brookevol's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
behindpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
_tara_'s review against another edition
adventurous
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kaitlinmc's review against another edition
4.25
I really liked how the ages of the characters are used in this. These are teenagers making decisions that teenagers would make rather than saying they're 17, but having them act 25. I also really like how it isn't a conventional chosen one story. I think this was a really good debut and I'm excited to read the sequel next year.