This is my first time reading this author but I had read great reviews about their other books on Goodreads and wanted to give it a try, and I’m so glad I did.

This is the first in a series so there is a real focus on world building and getting to know the characters. The world building was well done and interesting although perhaps a little slow at times which isn’t unusual for a first book in a fantasy series.

The characters were complex but I liked learning more about them and their stories/dynamics. Zanya was exactly the type of fierce, female main character that I enjoy reading about.

The romance is great, just the right level of believable emotion mixed with spice and I look forward to seeing more of this in the coming books.

Plus there’s dragons which will always be a win for me 😁

Looking forward to picking up the rest in the series

Thanks @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
While I enjoyed Kit Rocha’s prior Mercenary Librarians series (and still want to read their popular Beyond series someday), I was intrigued to hear that they were getting into the “romantasy” game with their own “Horny Dragon Book.” The promise of not just queerness but polyamory at the center further piqued my interest. And while Consort of Fire isn’t the best thing I’ve read from them, there’s a lot of promise here.
Whereas their dystopian worlds are much more bleak (for obvious reasons), I love that this was their outlet for fun. That’s not to say there aren’t issues to reckon with, but they aren’t on the world-ending scale, and there’s things like free healthcare and puppies, and other things that seem to manifest only in dreams. And with there being queer people in this world, it’s particularly refreshing that this world doesn’t impose faux-historically accurate homophobia and transphobia on the world, with the world being particularly friendly to bi/pan people and attraction and love not being attached to gender. There’s also a Phoenix that allows trans peopkle to be reborn as their “true” gender, enabling them to exist in the form they wish. The world itself is intricate, while also not being overly complex, and it was easy to become immersed in.
However, the characters and the dynamics between them are the most intriguing part. I loved that the story started with the relationship between Sachi and her handmaid, Zanya, and how their relationship is borne both out of their love for each other, as well as the painful things they’ve experienced. Both are rather fearsome, and are more than a match for the Dragon, also called Ash, when Sachi is summoned to be another in a long line of consorts for him.
I loved the tension, with Sachi and Zanya planning to murder Ash, and Ash being aware of this, but also being drawn to both of them in spite of it all. I enjoyed seeing them face off against each other, especially the more wary Zanya against Ash, and seeing how everyone eventually let their guards down and their plans changed and evolved to let the other(s) in.
This was a delicious book, and I’m excited for what’s to come for the series! If you’re looking for a fun, queer fantasy romance with dragons, I’d recommend checking this out!

Sachielle has been sent as consort to the Dragon god Ash in accordance with a three thousand year old tradition. She brings her handmaid(and lover) Zanya with her, but she's hiding secrets and once the bonding ceremony is complete Ash tells her he won't touch her until she no longer fears him as he can feel it through the bond. The problem there is that Sachi doesn't fear him she fears what her and Zanya have been sent to do. They have 50 days to kill the Dragon or Sachi's soul will be destroyed by the curse she's under.
It took me a while to get into this one because I'm so used to the author's other world from their dystopian series' but eventually I let that go and wound up enjoying myself. I enjoyed the relationships between the 3 MC's though I didn't feel as much for these characters as I have others in their various works but I'm hoping that will come with book 2 now that all the groundwork has been laid in this one.

I am very fond of Kit Rocha’s books. When asked what they wanted readers to get out of their books, the two authors who make up Kit Rocha, Donna Herren and Bree Bridges, said hope and joy. I think they deliver. I found them in 2019, and I genuinely do not know how I would have made it through the last few years without the chaotic, supportive, and fiery communities they have built. Their new series, Bound to Fire and Steel, is pure romantasy (fantasy+romance). I have totally over thought this review, written a thousand words and deleted them and started over a few times. The 15 word review: princess under death threat and assassin girlfriend go to kill dragon god. Mutual seduction ensues.

Sachi has been trained to seduce and Zanya to kill. They were acquired as children with the intent to use them as tools, and that is how they were raised. But the information they have about Ash, the Dragon god is misleading, and over time his legend has evolved from protector to villain. Kit Rocha has built a fascinating world. The magic in it and the creation of gods is unusual. Ash wasn’t born a dragon shifter or a god, but he became one because the Sheltered Lands needed a protector and he was willing. The Everlasting Dream, which made the world can call new gods and others into being as it needs.

Consort of Fire ably sets up the world, the relationships, and the conflict that will drive the series. Kit Rocha has always allowed their characters’ and their relationships to grow over their series. At the end of Consort of Fire Ash, Sachi, and Zanya are a throuple, but the newness of their relationship is evident. I’m glad we’ll get more books to see them evolve.

I enjoyed Ash as a character tremendously. He subverts a lot of the expectations of a dragon shifter god. He is big and manly, but the safety he offers is supportive and freeing rather than abusive and controlling.

Just so you know, this one is coming to me as an ebook, a paperback, and as an audiobook. I have already pre-ordered the second book, Queen of Dreams already. If you would like to hear how growly tones of the narrator for Consort of Fire, check out @authorkitrocha on Instagram.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Montlake and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

Spicy dragon hangover from Fourth Wing? Well Kit Rocha, they got your back! This definitely needs to be added to the Interspecies Romantasy Genre. Curses? Dragons? Assassin with stab stab stab and seduction vibes? sacrilege traditions? The plot and setting are so unique and original is so helpful to have two people write a book and makes a world of difference in my opinion. I really hope you give this book a chance. Thank you so much to Kit Rocha, the publisher, and Netgalley for this book!

I was so so grateful to get an ARC of this!!! I devoured KitRocha's Beyond books and Gideon's Riders annnnd the Mercenary Librarians series. So i was sooo eager to read this one. And let me say it did not disappoint at all!!

I was engrossed from the first word to the last. Give me the movie nowwwww!! I loved Sachi, Zanya and Ash as individuals but oooh boy together they are fireeee. (Ash is literally lol but yeah you get me).

The world building was so intriguing and interesting. Nothing ever felt too word dumpy in the way the lore etc was explained but flowed naturally for me with each reveal. There's a lot of characters who come into play here even though we mainly get the three MCs POVs. But learning about the rest of the High court was so fun and i need a book for everybodyyyyy!!!

And a movie. give me a movie!! This was a great start to a new series and now i know i have to wait a bit for book 2 *pouts* but it will be worth it i'm sure!

Ce livre traînait dans ma liseuse depuis un sacré bout de temps et je me suis enfin décidée à le lire… L’histoire avait un potentiel de dingue: un royaume est protégé depuis des millénaires par un dragon, en échange, celui-ci demande juste une femme tous les cent ans… C’est au tour de Sachielle d’être la prochaine sacrifiée mais elle a plusieurs secrets qui peuvent la sauver…
Au bout de 20%, j’ai complètement décroché de l’histoire car l’intrigue ne bougeait toujours pas et il y avait beaucoup de personnages (je m’y perdais) et aucun n’avait de charme particulier… j’ai préféré abandonné ma lecture que de continuer à m’acharner inutilement

🔥🔥🔥/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Wow! This was the first time I’ve read anything by this duo and I really enjoyed it! A really nice balance of story and spice and it really felt like the spice moved the story forward, it was just included to be there.

Sachi was brought up to be the Dragons consort. Trained from a young age (☹️☹️), she is capable of being whatever the Dragon wants in a consort. Her lover and protector, Zenya, has also been trained from a young age. But instead of courtly conversation and soft caresses, she is trained to kill.

I absolutely love that their relationship was not overshadowed or cast aside when we meet Ash. The development of all of them (as individuals. a thruple, and in pairs) was beautifully handled and respected.

Can’t wait to read the next one!

I have never read this author duet before, so I had no idea what to expect. Fantasy is my jam, so I gave it a try.
Great world building with a story that hooks you, though not as much as I had hoped it would. I struggled a little, but not enough to give up.
Good characters that each have their own traumas and some major trust issues.
A dragon god that's lived a long, long time and just wants his greatest dream of being loved.
A princess who wishes that she could make it out of this alive, that glows and loves freely despite all the darkness forced on her.
An assassin clocked in shadows that hid herself from everyone but the one she loves.
There is a terrible danger coming to the world, and they will have to fight it together.
There is some heat to this one! Delicious, sexy heat! Looking forward to more.

I've been a Kit Rocha fan for a long long time now. I think I tried Beyond Shame on a whim from NetGalley years ago and was hooked from the get go. So when I saw them talking about "the horny dragon" book, I knew I needed to get my hands on a copy. Luckily, I signed up for their ARC list eons ago and happily devoured my copy.

The book started a little slow for me but it sure didn't stay that way. Sachielle, Zanya, Ash and the rest of the characters quickly wormed their way into my heart and burrowed in for a long stay. The book was absolutely horny AF and everyone was down for a good time.

Read this book if you like:
*Found family
*Dragon shifters
*Political intrigue but not really (it's light)
*Badass women
*Horniess

This one took a while to get. Through, not because it wasn't good, but I kept getting distracted by other stories. Yet, I always found myself coming back to it.
I liked the world building, the characters and the relationships that formed the heart of the story.
Ash. Sachi and Zanya's journey to trusting each other and making a commitment to each other was great to see. I like that they all had their own special bond, with Sachi being the central link.
I liked the friendships and found family aspects of the story, they were heartwarming and charming.

I love Kit Rocha and will eagerly read any new Rocha title, but think the science fiction/dystopian Beyond and Mercenary Librarians series are stronger than this foray into epic romantasy (and, for that matter, than the earlier paranormal romances the authors published as Moira Rogers). Four stars rounded up because I love some of the characters and the f/f/m central relationship, but the pacing was off and the worldbuilding didn't blow me away. Hopefully this book and world will become more satisfying when (re)read as part of the complete duology/trilogy/series rather than as part one of the story.

This book felt more like a fantasy story with a FFM romantic subplot than it did an erotic romance. There was a ton of worldbuilding, a ton of secondary characters, and they ate up a significant chunk of the word count.

For our MCs, I found the connection between Sachi and Zanya to be well-written and compelling, but their respective relationships with Ash felt too lightly sketched [for Ash to make the decision he did when Zanya attacked him].

And then the ending. After having the curse hanging over the women for the entire story, the resolution felt rushed. One of my least favorite tropes in fantasy is when [the MCs end up being the bestest, most special, powerful beings in that world. I find it boring in the extreme - like when Zanya zaps herself to the bad guys and offs them in the space of a couple of pages.] YMMV, I guess.

Ok!!! Poly love yes!!!

I’m here for this energy!!! It was a slow build up!!! I mean slow….

There’s always gotta be world building but damn there was so much of it.

Once we get going I didn’t want it to stop! Assassins, dragons, and betrayal! Yes, yes, yes!

Thanks for letting me read this arc!

I was so excited to start this series, and now am eagerly waiting for the next books! This is a true romantasy, full of diverse characters, mysterious intrigue and lots of excellent spicy scenes (and a dragon!). I can't wait to see where the story goes from here. I wouldn't expect anything less from Kit Rocha, so of course the characters are well developed, and a lot of plot is packed into the book without seeming like to much or making the book drag. If you are a Kit Rocha and/or romantasy fan, I highly recommend reading this!

Twisty betrayals, unexpected revelations, gods who will protect their people and land with everything inside them, and a big something that's heading in the Sheltered Lands direction. And if that's not enough, we also have Ash, Sachi, and Zanya. Three people who are very different, but who fit together perfectly.

No lie, this book slayed me. Sachi and Zanya are bound to one another by love and their painful past. Ash is alone and lonely despite his position in the High Court. They have their hopes and their dreams and they're all wrecked by the idea that those hopes and dreams won't come to pass. It's a tangled web and it gets even more tangled when Sachi and Zanya realize Ash and the other gods aren't the monsters they've been told they are.

Despite knowing their plans for him, Ash is intrigued by both women. He might have to watch his back in the grand scheme of things, but he's drawn to Zanya's darkness as much as Sachi's bright affection. Frankly, finding a way into Zanya's wary heart is a bigger challenge than figuring out what the king has planned. But Ash is tenacious and he can't help but love both of them the way only a dragon can love.

A gorgeous world, dangerous times, a plot that could threaten the balance of everything, two women used as pawns against an ancient pact, and a dragon who loves them both. I canNOT wait for book 2.

A fun introduction to the epic world of the High Court of Dreamers. Sachielle and her handmaid, Zanya, were trained from childhood with one purpose: kill the dragon. Since Sachi’s life is on the line they feel they do not have a choice. But Ash has secrets of his own. Their triad romance forms the heart of the story with complex motivations, political machinations, a dash of humor, and an intriguing cast of characters. I particularly hope to learn more about the Raven guards as well as the members of the court in the next book. The duology has an overarching plot, but this book doesn’t end in a cliffhanger. Excited to read the upcoming book and further explore their relationship. Highly recommend. Four and a half stars.

Thanks to Montlake and #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25/5. Releases 11/28/2023.

Vibes: a complex love triangle, handmaiden/princess, arranged marriage, dragon heroes that fuck, and enemies to lovers with actual stakes.

Princess Sachielle is betrothed to the Dragon, a god feared for killing his previous consort a century prior. What the Dragon doesn't know is that she's been charged with killing him--and her own life is forfeit if she fails. He also doesn't know that Sachi's handmaiden and lover, Zanya, is much more than she seems. And neither Sachi nor Zanya expected their very different connections with the Dragon--or his determination to win both of them.

It's not easy to find FFM menage romances, and of course, it's therefore even harder to find good ones that don't treat the women as side dishes next to a hero entree. But this? This is really fucking good. And it's really good fantasy romance, at that. If the other dragon romance book (which I personally liked as well) was too light or tame for you--this uh... will not be that. This one is wild, and it is the beginning of a series--while this isn't exactly a cliffhanger, it doesn't end in a fully resolved manner, and I'm excited to see what comes next.

Quick Takes:

--Menage romances often favor one bond over the other; while I love them in general, I find many that do not... work. Here, it's pitched perfectly--and I suspect some of that has to do with the fact that we still have some story to tell, and development to watch unfold. Zanya and Sachi have a very established, loving, and passionate long-term relationship, and that is never in question in this book (despite the necessity of them keeping it a secret, initially). Sachi and Ash (of course the Dragon goes by Ash) have an immediate chemistry and physical attraction, which puts a real wrench in the "I'm here to kill him" thing. It only deepens into something more as they spend time together, with Zanya looking on--not quite un-jealous, but not really threatened either.

Zanya and Ash's interplay might have been my favorite, though. She is determined to keep Sachi safe no matter what, and she is vicious. Ash? Loves and relates to both of those things. The very literal sparring scenes between these two? So hot. And while I feel very sure about the dynamic between Sachi and Zanya and Sachi and Ash, these two still have a ways to go. Zanya is a hard character, with many emotional walls (and her reasons are super valid). Ash, on the other hand, is all heat--and while he's initially determined to make nice with Zanya because of his feelings for Sachi, over the course of the book you feel him become more interested in her, and excited to get to know her better and be with her for the long term. Zanya? Still needs some convincing. I am pumped to see how he wins her over.

--The way sexuality is handled in this book is so casual, and I fucking love that. Really, the main obstacle to Sachi and Zanya being together in public is related to class and Sachi's duty to marry Ash. The gods they meet are pretty much universally bisexual, and Ash's previous consort was a prince, not a princess, which doesn't seem unusual or remarked upon.

--I think it would be very easy for Ash to come off as a "just happy to be there" guy, because Zanya and Sachi have such a strong love, and such an established relationship. But he's really so lovable, so patient with both of them (well, Sachi has to be more patient in their case--he's very worried about hurting her) and so charmingly teasing. Like, he's a protective dangerous dragon guy (and to be clear: for most of the book, Ash is totally this big hot man dude, he shifts separately into a dragon form) but he's also just? A good guy?

--I loved the world of the gods and their mythology. It's fun, it's hedonistic, I identified several cool characters I'd love to see find love in their own books, and it feels like they're both... above humanity and sweetly emotional. It's a hard balance to strike, but I think they got it in this one. (Fun fact: Kit Rocha is a pen name for two friends.)

--In terms of "how fantasy is this and how romance is this" it's a romance novel, despite the fact that it doesn't end on a totally resolved note (I trust that will come in the future). But the fantasy is strong without being too hard to follow. I feel like fantasy purists who are Very Vocal On Twitter may complain about the level of fantasy in this but like. The world was very much solid enough for me. I got it. It was the right balance for me, as a romance reader, and I refuse to accept romantasy as a thing unless it defines itself better, because it feels like fantasy romance is all I really need to know about.

The Sex:

Um, one of the hottest books I've read in a while. It takes a bit before you get to the first sex scene, but once it gets going it's going. Most of the sex scenes involve all three parties in one way or the other. Sachi is absolutely a brat with both of her partners, and frankly, we love to see it.

One thing I really loved was the evolution of Zanya's role in the sexual aspect of the relationship. We see that she and Sachi have very defined roles in bed, they know each others' bodies so well. Ash is respectful of that, as he is respectful in general--and he's willing to learn from both Sachi and Zanya (and I get the impression that while both of them are clearly bi, neither has much or any experience with men due to their longstanding, presumably monogamous involvement with each other). He's such a great example of writing a romance hero who's like... an animal where it counts, but so respectful of consent and so willing to be taught. So, as time passes, you see Zanya's more dominant side come out with Ash as well, and the way in which she begins to shift her focus from just Sachi to Sachi and Ash. Which of course, very much aligns with the fact that she's catching feelings. Oops!

I can't give away too much, but--there is one sex scene towards the end of the book that is just. Beyond.

Like I said, it's kind of hard to find FFM, and I jumped on this book because I was so excited to see that--and of course, I want to read more fantasy romance. I'm really happy with where it's going, and I look forward to the next book.

Thanks to Montlake and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Wow. Honestly? This was a RIDE. I loved it. HATE cliffhangers, but I loved it. The twists? Amazing. I am impressed.

This novel is about a consort, the assassin assigned to protect her and dragon prince.

Sachielle must fulfill a centuries long pact by becoming the latest consort of the dragon prince. All is not well or what it seems within the world they live in—there are secrets and hidden dangers. Ultimately all three face difficult choices in order to survive.

I thought this was a decent fantasy read. As it is the first in a series, it sets up the world including a magic system with light and dark elements. There is a lot to like including forbidden love, sexual tension, facing adversity, building trust, as well as the search for self identity. It will likely appeal to readers who enjoy a not-so-typical love story and fantasy with an erotic element.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with a ARC of this novel. All of the opinions offered in this review are solely my own.