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A review by miyaosamu
Fireborne by Rosaria Munda
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Bring what fury you have and I will answer it with ours.”
i genuinely have no words, this was ya fantasy excellence at its finest that left me breathless and riveted while reading. fireborne took me by complete surprise in the best way possible, when i went into this story with the only knowledge that it had an academy for dragonriders. like being the first in a trilogy it was such a distinctive standout already. maybe it’s just me but i thought it was skillfully thought out on its distinct themes of morals being in question, loyalties, atonement, anf more. also while not being too heavy on world building being easy to absorb, lore, history of the old regimes, impressive political intrigue, character bonds, bureacracy of the new regime, social class levels and of course the aspects of dragon riding in how it’s the nation’s core. the politics stuck out to me a lot, it’s been a while since i’ve read fantasy with the morally clashing complexity this book had with its conflicted characters’ political thoughts. our mains lee sur power and antigone sur aela being both so layered in both their own backstories being orphans yet what led to them being orphaned entagles their bond and loyalty to one another. antigone, or annie, definitely had the full character development seeing her truly grow, while lee’s arc factored in his past and interesting seeing his views on the regime. seeing both characters’ perspectives on the new regime and figuring out how things aren’t so black and white in terms of good versus bad. coming to terms that morals and personal beliefs sometimes cannot take place to have order and how the inevitable war plays into testing out the reality of how this new regime will hold already seeing the ruptures with propaganda trying to rid of former dragonlord regime beliefs. classism was a huge aspect in the story with the testing to become a dragonrider is open to any class of economic status. yet obviously there is still blood prejudices and visible privilege with the gold class and their children.
really enjoyed how varying input in dialogue makes readers’ contemplate alongside the character’s views, constantly trying to understand the current ruling leader, atreus, who overthrew the dragonlords, if his vision of a nation is something to vow to defend or if they want more change. lee and annie, alongside their friends and classmates, were hardened within months by the realities of war in the high positions they’re in on orders against their morals that makes it a hard to stomach read at times. i’m very excited and scared to continue this incredible world of the aurelians to see where the story will take me next.
“And as she turned, it was revealed by her tread that she was fireborne.”
i genuinely have no words, this was ya fantasy excellence at its finest that left me breathless and riveted while reading. fireborne took me by complete surprise in the best way possible, when i went into this story with the only knowledge that it had an academy for dragonriders. like being the first in a trilogy it was such a distinctive standout already. maybe it’s just me but i thought it was skillfully thought out on its distinct themes of morals being in question, loyalties, atonement, anf more. also while not being too heavy on world building being easy to absorb, lore, history of the old regimes, impressive political intrigue, character bonds, bureacracy of the new regime, social class levels and of course the aspects of dragon riding in how it’s the nation’s core. the politics stuck out to me a lot, it’s been a while since i’ve read fantasy with the morally clashing complexity this book had with its conflicted characters’ political thoughts. our mains lee sur power and antigone sur aela being both so layered in both their own backstories being orphans yet what led to them being orphaned entagles their bond and loyalty to one another. antigone, or annie, definitely had the full character development seeing her truly grow, while lee’s arc factored in his past and interesting seeing his views on the regime. seeing both characters’ perspectives on the new regime and figuring out how things aren’t so black and white in terms of good versus bad. coming to terms that morals and personal beliefs sometimes cannot take place to have order and how the inevitable war plays into testing out the reality of how this new regime will hold already seeing the ruptures with propaganda trying to rid of former dragonlord regime beliefs. classism was a huge aspect in the story with the testing to become a dragonrider is open to any class of economic status. yet obviously there is still blood prejudices and visible privilege with the gold class and their children.
really enjoyed how varying input in dialogue makes readers’ contemplate alongside the character’s views, constantly trying to understand the current ruling leader, atreus, who overthrew the dragonlords, if his vision of a nation is something to vow to defend or if they want more change. lee and annie, alongside their friends and classmates, were hardened within months by the realities of war in the high positions they’re in on orders against their morals that makes it a hard to stomach read at times. i’m very excited and scared to continue this incredible world of the aurelians to see where the story will take me next.
“And as she turned, it was revealed by her tread that she was fireborne.”