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exlibris_noctis's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
aruktai's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A first Jenn Lyons book for me, and I was not disappointed. This book ticked all the boxes for a high-fantasy, dragon filled adventure, bursting with action from beginning to end.
The world building is immense - so large that it definitely takes some time to get your head around. The descriptions are lush, the creatures and people painted so strongly, mixed in with the system they have in their world. I will say that I still don't 100% understand the meaning of the social and garden rings which people seem to pick at 15 years of age. Alas, there was no explanation but a lot of hinting, so maybe I'm just dense...
The storyline was amazing, being split into sizable parts to allow a sense of where a new major plot point was happening. While the beginning may have been a bit slower, with the plot set up and the meeting of all our beloved characters, it was worth the build up because it was just non-stop action, adventure and dragons. Gwydinion grew on me a lot, his mischievous mind always turning. I also loved Sicaryon and wished there was almost more of him.
There was also hint of a potential growing poly relationship, which didn't feel forced or sudden at all. While it's true that the attraction between Ris and Anahrod felt quite quick, the story not being too clear on how much time passed between start to end, it wasn't quite insta-love nor slowburn.
I am seeing this a standalone, even though it opens up a way for a sequel if needs be with the ending. Since that is the case, I look forward to reading Jenn Lyons other books.
The world building is immense - so large that it definitely takes some time to get your head around. The descriptions are lush, the creatures and people painted so strongly, mixed in with the system they have in their world. I will say that I still don't 100% understand the meaning of the social and garden rings which people seem to pick at 15 years of age. Alas, there was no explanation but a lot of hinting, so maybe I'm just dense...
The storyline was amazing, being split into sizable parts to allow a sense of where a new major plot point was happening. While the beginning may have been a bit slower, with the plot set up and the meeting of all our beloved characters, it was worth the build up because it was just non-stop action, adventure and dragons. Gwydinion grew on me a lot, his mischievous mind always turning. I also loved Sicaryon and wished there was almost more of him.
There was also hint of a potential growing poly relationship, which didn't feel forced or sudden at all. While it's true that the attraction between Ris and Anahrod felt quite quick, the story not being too clear on how much time passed between start to end, it wasn't quite insta-love nor slowburn.
I am seeing this a standalone, even though it opens up a way for a sequel if needs be with the ending. Since that is the case, I look forward to reading Jenn Lyons other books.
afloodofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
The Sky on Fire was my first Jenn Lyons book and it immediately sucked me in. As soon as I finished, I ran to the library and picked up Ruin of Kings because I was ready for more.
Synopsis: The cloud cities are ruled by dragons, from which Anahrod was *literally* ejected 17 years before. She now lives only for survival in the warm jungles of the Deep with her titan drake. A misfit group of saviors (not so) accidentally rescue Anahrod from capture by the local warlord, Sicaryon. She is immediately thrust on an epic adventure as she learns that her rescue was very intentional and her past has come to call, as her saviors require her help stealing from a dragon's hoard for revenge, and to hopefully save future dragon riders.
Lyons' world building of the sky cities and the Deep was exceptional and immediately drew me in, I loved the social structure and the use of ring wearing to denote things like careers, gender, sexual preferences, and bedroom activities. The characters were diverse in their sexuality, love interests, and gender expression and it was such a run, daring, and exciting read as we transverse through the world and far into the sky with Anahrod and her misfit saviors. Lyons built a lovely dynamic between the characters that spanned ages, gender, motives, skills, identity, etc. and created a really fun group of characters, and ultimately a very fun and engrossing read. This book is touted as a standalone, but I hope we get to join Anahrod and her friends as they transverse their changing world together.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for an advanced eARC of The Sky on Fire.
Synopsis: The cloud cities are ruled by dragons, from which Anahrod was *literally* ejected 17 years before. She now lives only for survival in the warm jungles of the Deep with her titan drake. A misfit group of saviors (not so) accidentally rescue Anahrod from capture by the local warlord, Sicaryon. She is immediately thrust on an epic adventure as she learns that her rescue was very intentional and her past has come to call, as her saviors require her help stealing from a dragon's hoard for revenge, and to hopefully save future dragon riders.
Lyons' world building of the sky cities and the Deep was exceptional and immediately drew me in, I loved the social structure and the use of ring wearing to denote things like careers, gender, sexual preferences, and bedroom activities. The characters were diverse in their sexuality, love interests, and gender expression and it was such a run, daring, and exciting read as we transverse through the world and far into the sky with Anahrod and her misfit saviors. Lyons built a lovely dynamic between the characters that spanned ages, gender, motives, skills, identity, etc. and created a really fun group of characters, and ultimately a very fun and engrossing read. This book is touted as a standalone, but I hope we get to join Anahrod and her friends as they transverse their changing world together.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for an advanced eARC of The Sky on Fire.
landofkait's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.5
ARC Review: The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
First of all, thank you, #NetGalley and @torbooks, for this e-ARC in return for an honest review.
Where do I start with this story? It never slows down, action-packed right out of the gate. We open with Anahrod, a woman surviving, and end with Anahrod, a woman thriving. Her wrongs have been righted, the family she thought she never had is suddenly found, and she finally gets closure she didn’t know she was chasing.
Anahrod is not the only complex character. We’re introduced to an entire cast of memorable and unique characters with their own ambitions and challenges. Ris, whose bond with her dragon is unlike anything Anahrod has ever seen, is instantly someone who appeals to her—and their relationships eventually blossoms into something more.
But Anahrod also has a complex relationship with Sicaryon, her sword-sworn brother, and we get to see the three of them navigate a complicated and fun relationship that really emphasizes the queer normative aspects of this world.
The character development in this book is exceptional. The rapid-fire banter and the relentless pace of the story are a perfect match. The plot never lets up, each moment propelling the reader forward without a pause for breath.
It’s a fleshed-out world with a highly annoying (and well-done) set of villains, some good old-fashioned betrayal, plot twists you’re not expecting, and a heroine who gets to call the shots at the end of the day and save herself.
A masterpiece. This is my first book by Jenn Lyons, but I don't think it'll be my last.
#arcreview #bookrecommendations #bookreview #theskyonfire #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #dragons #fantasybooks #jennlyons
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
First of all, thank you, #NetGalley and @torbooks, for this e-ARC in return for an honest review.
Where do I start with this story? It never slows down, action-packed right out of the gate. We open with Anahrod, a woman surviving, and end with Anahrod, a woman thriving. Her wrongs have been righted, the family she thought she never had is suddenly found, and she finally gets closure she didn’t know she was chasing.
Anahrod is not the only complex character. We’re introduced to an entire cast of memorable and unique characters with their own ambitions and challenges. Ris, whose bond with her dragon is unlike anything Anahrod has ever seen, is instantly someone who appeals to her—and their relationships eventually blossoms into something more.
But Anahrod also has a complex relationship with Sicaryon, her sword-sworn brother, and we get to see the three of them navigate a complicated and fun relationship that really emphasizes the queer normative aspects of this world.
The character development in this book is exceptional. The rapid-fire banter and the relentless pace of the story are a perfect match. The plot never lets up, each moment propelling the reader forward without a pause for breath.
It’s a fleshed-out world with a highly annoying (and well-done) set of villains, some good old-fashioned betrayal, plot twists you’re not expecting, and a heroine who gets to call the shots at the end of the day and save herself.
A masterpiece. This is my first book by Jenn Lyons, but I don't think it'll be my last.
#arcreview #bookrecommendations #bookreview #theskyonfire #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #dragons #fantasybooks #jennlyons
gdurand's review against another edition
4.5
this was awesome!!!! I loved the world. I loved the dragons. I loved the evolution of characters and relationships. and I loved the story. really all-around solid book. some of the romance felt a little forced and like it came out of nowhere, but I didn’t mind overly much. I liked the magic and concept enough to allow it. the trans representation is great and I love the use of rings as societal representation of personal preferences. very cool. complex but straightforward, smart but fun, action packed but well plotted. I can really appreciate the work put into this and I thoroughly enjoyed it!!
brewed_books's review
4.0
The Sky on Fire
By Jenn Lyons
This was a really cool take on the dragon/dragon rider trope! The world is dominated by dragons who look down on humans and use them basically as slaves when they need to. Imposing their wills on them with no recourse. Enter Anahrod who is supposed to be dead and might be the key to changing things.
I enjoyed the cast a lot, very found family and our main trio were fun and interesting. Each character felt like a whole person. The love triangle / budding throuple was sometimes annoying. Like focus on the heist/battle/etc, please.
This is a standalone which I enjoyed, no cliff hanger. But I’d love to see another story set in this world.
Thanks to @netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
By Jenn Lyons
This was a really cool take on the dragon/dragon rider trope! The world is dominated by dragons who look down on humans and use them basically as slaves when they need to. Imposing their wills on them with no recourse. Enter Anahrod who is supposed to be dead and might be the key to changing things.
I enjoyed the cast a lot, very found family and our main trio were fun and interesting. Each character felt like a whole person. The love triangle / budding throuple was sometimes annoying. Like focus on the heist/battle/etc, please.
This is a standalone which I enjoyed, no cliff hanger. But I’d love to see another story set in this world.
Thanks to @netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
chloehanrattyfairbairn's review
4.5
Such a good standalone, dragon rider fantasy! A well flushed out world, diverse characters and a queer, polyamorous romantic subplot. This just cements how much I love this authors writing.
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
This was so incredible read, I loved the world and these characters, and it was just so good!
readwithanne's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5