A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan

This early review copy was gifted to me by Avon Books through NetGalley. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: A Fire in the Sky

Author: Sophie Jordan

Release Date: September 24, 2024

Publisher: Avon Books

Genre: Romantasy

Source: digital, NetGalley

TW: graphic sexual content, death, physical abuse, violence, fire/fire injury, child abuse, blood, injury/injury detail, war

Synopsis

Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying.

But human lust for power is immortal.

Dragon fire no longer blisters the skies over Penterra, but inside the lavish palace, life is still perilous…especially for Tamsyn. Raised in the glittering court alongside the princesses, it's her duty to be punished for their misdeeds. Treated as part of the royal family but also as the lowliest servant, Tamsyn fits nowhere. Her only friend is Stig, Captain of the Guard...though sometimes she thinks he wants more than friendship.

When Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, descends on her home, Tamsyn’s world becomes even more dangerous. To save the pampered princesses from a fate worse than death, she is commanded to don a veil and marry the brutal warrior. She agrees to the deception even though it means leaving Stig, and the only life she’s ever known, behind.

The wedding night begins with unexpected passion—and ends in near violence when her trickery is exposed. Rather than start a war, Fell accepts Tamsyn as his bride...but can he accept the dark secrets she harbors—secrets buried so deep even she doesn’t know they exist? For Tamsyn is more than a royal whipping girl, more than the false wife of a man who now sees her as his enemy. And when those secrets emerge, they will ignite a flame bright enough to burn the entire kingdom to the bone.

Magic is not dead...it is only sleeping. And it will take one ordinary girl with an extraordinary destiny to awaken it.

Thoughts

I just finished reading "A Fire in the Sky" by Sophie Jordan, and I'm absolutely blown away! This has to be one of the best dragon fantasies I've ever encountered. I'm already eagerly anticipating the second book in the series!

There's so much to love about this novel. The world-building is simply exquisite - from the intricate lore to the vividly described settings. The characters are wonderfully crafted, each with their own depth and complexity. And of course, the dragons and magic elements are beautifully integrated into the story.

I found myself particularly drawn to Tamsyn, the main character. Unlike many female protagonists I've read, Tamsyn's strength is remarkably consistent throughout the story. It's refreshing to see a character who doesn't waver in her resolve. Fell, another key character, is equally captivating. I loved the strong Viking influence in his character and his people.

The medieval setting feels authentic and immersive, reminiscent of Saxon and Norse cultures. It also brought back fond memories of "Dragon Heart," one of my all-time favorite fantasy stories. The similarities in atmosphere were a delightful surprise.

Jordan's character development is truly outstanding. I was constantly surprised by the twists and revelations, many of which I never saw coming. The plot kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

I don't say this lightly, but "A Fire in the Sky" might just be my favorite read of the year. If you're a fan of dragon fantasies or just looking for a captivating new world to lose yourself in, I can't recommend this book enough!