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goldendreams's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, Death, Blood, War, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Xenophobia
cloreadsbooks1364's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Death, Bullying, Colonisation, War, and Violence
catherinedsharp's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, War, Racism, Blood, Colonisation, and Death
clockworkstars's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Grief and Racism
Minor: War and Death
foreverbooked15's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, and War
avaa1000's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: War, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Racism, Death, and Blood
Minor: Racial slurs, Panic attacks/disorders, and Slavery
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved every page of this book. Following alternating points of view between sisters Elara and Faron, the story dives into the aftermath of a war they both fought in at very young ages. Faron, playing to the Chosen One trope as the Childe Empyrean, continues her life post-war with the ability to channel the gods. Meanwhile, Elara desires to step out of her sister’s shadow to help people in her own way. But when a summons from their queen leads to Elara being bound to a dragon and rider from their war enemy, chaos ensues.
This story, in many ways, was a true coming of age for Elara. She has my whole heart. Seeing her change and grow throughout the book had me cheering and crying. She was a truly refreshing character, while Faron was frustratingly arrogant (and maybe a little too relatable lol).
And the dragons!? I had so much fun reading the chapters where the riders and dragons interacted with each other. It was so cool to see the bonds between the dragons and riders.
I cannot say enough good things about the magic system and world building inspired by Jamaican culture either. It’s so good. The author’s talent really shines in the details of the pages in between major plot points. Every paragraph felt carefully crafted, progressing the story, but also planting seeds to grow the understanding of identity and motives of the people within the pages.
I cannot wait to read more by this author. Meanwhile, I’ll be recommending this book to everyone I know.
*Huge thanks to Kamilah Cole, Little, Brown Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of the ebook So Let Them Burn for review.*
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Death
hannahmichele5's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: War, Colonisation, and Death
Moderate: Violence and Blood
aelis_'s review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Death and War