Take a photo of a barcode or cover
TLDR: Overall, kept my attention, and I found the pacing to be done well. If you can’t handle the internal monologue of a somewhat rebellious lovestruck high schooler (I know that’s not the age of the characters but it is how it reads) or relatively predictable but intriguing enough plot, this book isn’t for you. Even you want an easy read to take you out of your own head and world for a while, and you can take the aforementioned characteristics in stride, then give it a shot.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, Death of parent
A fictional heroine with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome in a DAMN GOOD fantasy based around a dragon school. Mystery, romance and spice ✨
2ND READ:
So good I read both this and Iron Flame a second time, within six months of the first read. So, so good.
3RD READ:
Just less than a year after my first read and I'm rereading the series again ahead of Onyx Storm. I never reread a book within a year, and never three times. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ again from me. I'm starting to get nervous for Onyx Storm now and I don't even know what I want to happen in it! 😂
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Drug use
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
There is a mix of everything - adventure, friendship, romance. I found the main character, Violet, to be lovable, and I was rooting for her from the beginning. Even when I did not always agree with her decisions, I was all in on Team Violet, which does not happen in many books. I appreciated that she wasn’t a “perfect” main character - she has many flaws but prevails nonetheless.
I love that this book took place in a school - there was so many different elements to the school and the student’s training that allowed us to learn about not only the world but also the characters and watch them develop, grow and bond (with each other and dragons).
At first, I wanted more world building, but by the end as more and more unfolded, I was grateful for the timing of development - instead of overly intense world building in the beginning, it all slowly unfolds making it very easy to read.
SPOILERS: Threshing and forward had me hooked. The personality of Tairn and Andarna added so much to the book - Tairn as powerful and grumpy, and Andarna as simply adorable. The ability for everyone to mentally connect made it all feel so intimate and special. It is as if Tairn and Andarna represent both sides of Violet.
SPOILERS: The slow burn between Xaden and Violet was ‘chef’s kiss.’ The grumpy/sunshine and protector trope developed perfectly. Their survival being connected added in all the best ways.
SPOILERS: The ending left so much open for this series. The first battle was perfect and emotional. Liam’s, and his dragon’s, death devastated me, and in that battle I knew this was a 5 star book for me. I am so excited to keep going on this journey.
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Sexual content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Chronic illness, War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Classism