Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the eARC of So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole.

This is the first in a new Jamaican-inspired YA fantasy series featuring magic, political intrigue and plenty of betrayals. I was very excited and intrigued by this novel, the description sounded fresh, but still playing on a lot of the tropes that I love in YA.

The magic system in this world is very interesting, it features Gods and acolytes which I don’t think is that explored in the YA I’ve seen, so it felt unique. I enjoyed that despite one of the characters being a ‘Chosen One’ of sorts, the reasoning for her choosing was nicely explained and the character does really battle with this reasoning throughout the novel.

I love a good sibling relationship in YA, especially one between two sisters. The relationship between Faron and Elara is perfect, a good mix of undying support and constant competition between the two of them. There are nice developments in their relationship which I appreciated too.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the romance that started to develop about half way through the novel, it felt very rushed and also just a convenient plot point, that wasn’t really built on any concrete foundations. However without giving anything away, the romance doesn’t really last very long!

The only element of the novel that slightly let me down, and which was the reason for a slightly lower rating was the ending. The novel is so well plotted and written until the last quarter where everything just goes a bit haywire. The perfect pacing and plotting seems to go out of the window to allow for a lot of things to happen. It felt unnecessarily busy, like the author was slightly trying to cram everything in, and it was just really jarring compared to the rest of the novel!

Overall I did like So Let This Burn, and I am interested to see what happens in book 2, especially since the ending was so chaotic!

It has been a while since I’d read a YA fantasy book and the Jamaican influence in this one really intrigued me. As is the usual with books I request on NetGalley, I knew very little about it beyond that first line of description so I went in blind and I’m really glad I did.

Faron is the Childe Empyrean who can channel the gods’ powers, which allowed her to liberate her people five years ago. When she attends an international peace summit with her sister Elara, no one expects Elara to be the one to bond with a dragon of their enemy. Faron also didn’t expect the only way to break this bond to be for her to kill her sister. There simply must be another way, right?

My biggest issue with this book was that the writing style made it feel like a sequel. In the first few chapters, there was so much telling of what had happened in the past that I had to actually double check that I was reading the first in a series. I would have much preferred to read and experience the war through a novel of its own than simply be told about how things and people have since changed.

My favourite aspect of the book was the relationship between Elara and Faron. They are sisters who would clearly do anything for each other and it was really touching to see how much love they had. I really hope that continues in future instalments and that they don’t develop any division.

The chapters where we’re following Elara at Hearthstone Academy, where she goes in order to nurture her bond with the dragon were my favourites. I really enjoy academic settings, so I would have loved to have more time with Elara as she learned all that she needed to while falling for the beautiful Signey. I would love to see more Hearthstone Academy antics in future books in this series.

So Let Them Burn is a promising start to a new YA fantasy series with an exciting romance and a lovely sister relationship. I think I’d have liked more dragon content and perhaps more explicit Jamaican influence. I didn’t see a lot of evidence that it was definitely set in Jamaica or a land that was similar, so I’d love to be able to recognise the culture more.

I LOVED THIS. IT WAS SO GOOD. I NEED THE SEQUEL RIGHT NOW!!!

This was incredibly intriguing, with a very interesting magic system that was complex but at the same time I could easily wrap my head around it which was nice. I was instantly drawn into the world - the author had fantastic, vivid writing and I felt completely immersed in these characters and this setting. I also loved both POVs of Elara and Faron; there wasn't one which I preferred over the other and I was always excited to see what each character was getting up to.

Now. The dragons! I loved the dragons, although I do wish that they had had a slightly bigger role?? That sounds silly, because of course there were a lot of scenes featuring the dragons, but I still felt like I needed more.

My one gripe with this book is that it is set after the end of an epic war. It certainly made this book stand out from other fantasy novels, and it made for a very intriguing plot, but there were times when I felt like I was missing a step, like there was a book I should have read before this, and I even went and double checked the author's Goodreads to make sure there wasn't something I was meant to have read first. And purely because I kept feeling like this throughout the book is the only reason I've docked half a star.

Apart from that however, this was so wonderful, so powerful, so gripping, and I desperately need the sequel right now!!

"So Let Them Burn" by Kamilah Cole is a YA fantasy inspired by Jamaican mythology. It follows Faron Vincent, a seventeen-year-old girl blessed with the power of the gods, and her sister, Elara Vincent, five years after the end of the war that had dramatically changed their lives. Faron, as the Child Empyrean, freed her homeland from the clutches of the Langley Empire and its dragons, but everything turns upside down when Elara forms a bond with an enemy dragon and it's up to Faron to break it.

The book explores the aftermath of the war, and what happens to its heroes. A concept that is rarely deepened in fantasy stories and I felt intrigued by these premises. Unfortunately, it didn't fully meet my expectations.
The pace was quite slow during the first half of the book. And yet when the narration sped up a little, it affected the plot and the very characters' development. Scenes that required more in-depth storytelling were dealt with too hastily, leading to the loss of pathos and making them look flat.
For example, I hoped to read more about Elara and how she tried to fit in as a Rider, her lessons, her days at the academy, and how she came to care for the bond with her den. On the other hand, the relationship between Faron and Reeve had so much potential, but again it was speeded up. Just like Reeve as a character who isn't thorough as it should have been.

The plot itself caught my attention. I liked reading how San Irie's gods and their history intertwined with the dragons and their past, and how many more questions arose as the story proceeded. But I couldn't fully appreciate the ending for the same reasons I clarified above. I'm fairly certain that with a more descriptive writing and if the author dwelled more on certain parts of the book, it would have proven to be far more engaging.

There is something that I still can't wholly understand. Faron was only a child when she was chosen by the gods, she became their weapon and won the war with their powers, but something just didn't make sense: why would Faron's parents allow Elara to follow her sister into war when she was just a child too? She didn't have any hidden ability that could help win the war, like Faron, so there's no point in the choice to make another kid fight. Is it possible that not even an adult thought about bringing Elara back to her parents? Perhaps, I missed something while reading, because otherwise I really can't justify this choice.

"So Let Them Burn" remains a well-written, intriguing debut novel, mind you.
Faron and Elara's differences and their love for each other are striking and unmistakable. The author did a great job portraying their character dissimilarities and creating two distinct individuals with battle scars ripping their very souls,
Faron is the chosen one and she despises her role as the savior and saint of her homeland because she doesn't feel as such. She still asks herself why she was gifted with the gods' powers and sees them more as a burden than as a miracle to be grateful for. Faron doesn't behave like a hero, she's scornful and doesn't hesitate to use the gods even for the silliest of reasons. But that's what made me like her more than Elara: she is the exact opposite of how I imagined her to be. I disagreed with almost all of her choices, but they were in-character decisions that could only lead to that end and therefore her character development.
On the other hand, Elara was the eldest sister, always overshadowed by Faron, always craving more. Elara wanted to be praised, to have something to call her own. Elara was a likable character, yet nothing was surprising about her, nothing that I hadn't envisioned since the beginning. I loved reading about her bond with Signey and Zephyra, and how it grew during the story, these were my favorite parts to read about her, but still, the fast pace of the story didn't let me emphasize with them as much as I wanted to.
What was lacking from their point of views were their memories from the war and how it still affected them. There are a few parts regarding their traumas, but they could have been more investigated since this war has marked much of their childhood and adolescence.

The magic system was my favorite thing to read and discover. The astral connections with their dead relatives, and the role magic played in normal life, are something I looked forward to deepening. The bond between riders and dragons couldn't compete with them. It's something fresh and new that I'm always eager to praise!

"So Let Them Burn" is a dazzling novel that will bring you into a world made of long-lost magic and unbreakable secrets. You will be torn between two sisters and their perspectives, between truths and lies. I highly recommend this book if you would love to read something fast-paced and easy to read with an original magic system and a plot full of twists and turns.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Little, Brown Book Group UK, Atom and TBRBeyondTours for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review*

This was a very intriguing story and I'd love to know what happens next. To be honest what kept me reading was the world building because the characters where a little younger than the YA aspect. I loved the queer representation of the book and overall it was a fun read.

Faron Vincent... chosen by the Gods in a time of war to be their conduit, the Childe Emperyean. But the war is over now and what does a legend do in a time of peace

Elara Vincent.... desperate to serve her country but only known as the sister of the Childe Emperyean. Little does she know what part she will be playing after a chance meeting with the enemy

Both girls have roles to play and may have to make sacrifices that neither of them want in the name of duty.

This is a story with the bonds of family, friends and country and how all of these can be altered

Amazing story, what's not to love about a tale of fate, gods and dragons. I cannot wait for book two after the way this story went

This was out earlier in the month and thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown for the review copy

A fiery queer-norm YA fantasy that works in refreshing postcolonial conversation with the chosen one trope.

What an incredible read! This was a great way to kick off 2024: fantastically fun with great heart.

This is a Jamaican-inspired fantasy novel about Faron, the island of Irie’s Chosen One, except the Chosen One thing happened five years ago along with Irie’s successful revolution. Now Faron, her sister, and their queen balance a rocky peace treaty while dealing with intense PTSD from the war they fought as teens. When everything goes sideways at the Peace Summit, all bets are off.

Absolutely everything in this worked for me! I loved the different take on the Chosen One trope, the dragons (mecha and flesh-and-blood!), and the sibling bond at the centre. The worldbuilding was thorough without slowing down the plot, and the different magic systems felt fully realised and fascinating. It’s so wonderful to see a multitude of female characters who are strong in very different ways as well as flawed in different ways. I also found each character’s voice to be distinct and could see their personalities shine through the text with ease.

This is also the first YA novel I’ve read with both a demisexual protagonist and a lesbian deuteragonist! The sisters’ sexualities were handled very well in the text, with the same feel as any straight character in a typical YA romance. It was such a delight to see.

This was a wild ride from start to finish, and I can’t wait to read the next one. Please pick this up if you get a chance – you won’t regret it!

I’ve been craving a nice sapphic book that had dragons. And thank you so much Kamilah because wow.

So Let Them Burn is a Jamaican inspired ya fantasy and I loved it so much. This book explores colonialism, finding one’s identity, and racism.

I feel like YA books always tend to hit bigger conversations in a way adult books can’t. And this book really stands to that thought. For being a debut book, the world Kamilah created was fantastic.

I hope everyone gets the chance to pick this book up!

4.5 stars.

Yet another debut author I have read from in 2024 that looks and sounds like she's been writing for years and years with a backlist to match. Trust me when I say, Kamilah Cole and So Let Them Burn should be on your 2024 Ones to Watch, because this book is sensational!!

Inspired by Jamaican mythology and lore, this action packed adventure focuses on sisters Faron and Elara. At the age of 12, Faron's connection to the Gods made her the Childe Emperyran, a modern day Saint with astral powers that saved her country from its dictatorial rulers. Older sister Elara was charged with protecting her sister at all costs and the horrors of war still live them both to this day.

But when a peace summit is called to reinforce the power of the new regime with its former oppressors, the sisters world begins to crumble in the most dramatic way.

This is a fast paced action adventure that just doesn't stop. Not only does it give some amazing action sequences, but it also gives you family relationships, sapphic romance, the power of identity and a sensational and unique cast of side characters (Yay for Signet, Reeve and Zephyra)

Oh and did I mention, there's DRAGONS???

I can't recommend this enough - I just can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for the advance reader copy.

2.5 🌟 rounded up
I really wanted to love this book, and yet found I was skipping through the book and also checking how much I had read.

This is a very standard YA book which I was hoping it wouldn’t be due to the concept,
There didn’t feel like enough of the story spoke about the dragons and even the war which started the path for the the two main characters.

Speaking of which, everyone felt very young, especially the Queen. Which I’m assuming is the point but there wasn’t a group she could rely on to help her who were adults.

I don’t know if this is the start of a series, and I also don’t know if I’ll continue to read the story. I think this was a good effort for a debut overall.

I loved So Let Them Burn!!!!!

It is fast paced, dual POV, has dragons and a sprinkling of romance. This is a perfect start to a series that left me wanting to immediately know what happens next in the story.

This debut shows that Kamilah Cole is an author to look out for!!




I was provided a free ARC on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review of this book.

A beautiful story centered around siblings and magic in a post-war post colonial setting. This book had me completely enamored from the beginning and I loved reading about a realistic sibling realistic sibling relationship.
The world building and magical system was incredibly well written and unique. I loved reading this so much and I can't wait to read more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book was a romp, as much as anything can be a romp when it includes a lot of colonialism! Dragon books are always fun, and the characters were all well-drawn and had understandable arcs, even if you did want to shout at Faron for trusting people you definitely should not trust. I particularly liked Elara and the way her character was explored when she went to the Langley Empire and she discovers that not everyone from a bad country is necessarily bad. I'm very much on board for seeing where this story goes in the second book.

SO LET THEM BURN is an action-packed dragon story about two sisters fighting to save each other as their world tips back towards a war they've ended once.

I loved that two sisters were at the heart of this book. Elara followed her sister to war last time. Faron is not going to kill Elara even if the gods want it. Instead, they are going to take on a colonial power and then gods (and a whole lot of dragons) to save each other. This is a tale of sisterhood, how you can resent what the other gets you into while also baring your teeth at the world and daring it to try hurting them. It gets that complicated sibling bond of love and tension just right - and I am loving that we are getting more YA books about siblings.

There is also romance in this book, as the secondary set of relationships to that sibling bond. I loved the demi-relationship Faron slowly discovers she wants. There's such a lack of acespec representation in books, particularly in the YA SFF space that gets more and more romance orientated each year. And here is Faron without crushes realising she needs that friendship connection first, and maybe discovering that a bit too late...

This book is inspired by Joan of Arc, asking what happens after you save the day? Many books end with the day being saved, but this looks at the pressures and expectations of doing that - and at such a young age. There's all the trauma caused by it and then the desperation to not have to face it again. Faron's actions because of this, her recklessness to live life and punch first, really makes you want to protect her and hope she gets through the return of war all over again.

I am looking forward to the next book!

I’ve read many great books in the last year, however, it has been a while since one has left me as emotionally wrecked as So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole did. This is a book that I have been waiting to read for a very long time, and it did not disappoint.

Faron Vincent is the Child Empyrean, a human who prayed to the gods when she was twelve during a war to ask them to save her people. They responded by giving her the ability to channel their power and the task of finding the heir to the throne. Five years later, Faron is seventeen, a revered hero who uses her divine powers to win street races. She has lots of power and no cause to fight, especially when the Iryan Queen, her former fellow rebel fighter, is holding a peace summit with the very people, the dragon-riding Langley Empire, who they were fighting not long ago.

As the infamous Child Empyrean, she’s expected to attend, and she’s even angrier when she’s forced to attend early because the Langley Empire used a loophole to bring extra dragons with them. It’s already a tense atmosphere, and then protesters meet them at the site of the Summit. Queen Aveline is questioning her decision, while at the same time recognising that another war would devastate her queendom.

Everyone is watching the Langley Empire even more closely, especially with the extra dragons and their riders in attendance. When one starts to attack the peace summit, Faron feels vindicated in her fury – until she realises her sister Elara isn’t just involved, she’s bound to the dragon. An Iryan bonded to a dragon has never been heard of, and as if this didn’t make things complicated enough, the Commander of the Langley Empire informs them that the attack was the result of a complicated illness that is affecting their dragons and riders. A Fury that takes over both, resulting in destruction.

The only time it didn’t was at the peace summit when Faron stopped it. The Langley Empire want her help to stop it before tragedy strikes, but the problem is Faron has no idea how she did it the first time. To make matters worse, they want to take her sister into the heart of their lands to learn how to ride a dragon, a creature that symbolises Iryan trauma.

Pulled apart for the first time in their life, Faron and Elara must try to survive as they decide who to trust, work out what’s real and whether their former oppressors truly want peace or up to something nefarious.

Where do I even start?! Cole has created an incredible book that is powerful, explosive and stunning to behold. Every word is laced with emotion, and this one will leave you emotionally wrecked. Just when you think you know how things are going to go down, Cole rips the reader’s complacency out from under them.

We get two stories for the price of one, as Cole drops details of the war and Faron and Elara’s traumatic childhood throughout the narrative. She does it in such a way that it adds to the story rather than information dumping in large clumps, helping the reader to see through the character’s eyes and recognise the significance of current events. I much preferred this method of storytelling rather than having to read through a first book dedicated to the sisters’ childhood. I’ve always been interested in the idea of what happens to the chosen one after their save-the-day moment is over, and that is the story Cole is telling us in So Let Them Burn.

I liked that there were moments in So Let Them Burn that I knew were coming; they were comforting amongst the chaos, and there is a lot of chaos in this book. There are tropes, but there are also some tropes that Cole turns on their head, and one was of particular interest to me as a disabled reader. I can’t say anything specific as it’s a major spoiler point, so you’ll need to just trust me on this one.

Fantasy novels with dragons and dragon-riding seem to be back in fashion, and a certain novel is a comp for So Let Them Burn. Personally, I wasn’t a huge fan of that one and if you’re beginning to get a bit fed up with dragons don’t let it put you off reading this one. While dragons and dragon-riding are a part of So Let Them Burn, consider them to be just one ingredient in a much larger recipe. This book is so much more than just a book about dragons.

It’s a book about race, culture, conquest, oppression and war and the trauma caused by them. How does someone begin to heal from that trauma when the cause of that trauma is still present in their life? That question is at the heart of So Let Them Burn, and please seek out reviews by readers of colour who can talk more about the specific type of trauma and related topics present in this book, as it’s not my place to do so.

All of Cole’s characters are brilliantly written, and her action scenes will leave your heart pumping. It did not surprise me that I bonded with Elara quickly, the rule-following sister being similar to myself. However, I was pleasantly surprised that I felt the same way about Faron who is nothing like me. That is always the sign of a skilful writer to me, someone who can create a character and embody them fully to the point that you feel them that strongly when you read their book.

There was a point in So Let Them Burn where Faron is told to just do her best, and it’s the first time that she’s not held to any obligation since becoming the Child Empyrean. She’s not expected to be a weapon, an all-powerful hero or a saint. She just needs to do her best, and I felt that deep in my chest because the feeling of obligation is something we’ve all felt at some point.

In case I’ve been too subtle; So Let Them Burn is the dragon fantasy book that you need to be adding to your reading list ASAP.

This story is a tale centered on siblings, colonialism and magical abilities. I loved that these sisters Faron and Elara kept centre stage. They were absolute opposites in so many ways which felt relatable to my siblings relationship but their bond was so strong.

The story picked up in a post-war, post colonial setting where the coloniser had been overthrown. Those themes brought a great lens to view the characters and the fight this newer independent society was having.

The characters were young, including the queen with big responsibilities on their shoulders. The chosen one trope was strong in this story. With this age in mind, there were some wild moves along the way. The magic was a manifestation of spiritual deceased relations which was incredibly interesting as a concept; it felt fresh.

Overall an enjoyable read, a fresh fantasy world with important themes and an ending that ensures future investment!

I absolutely love everything this book is doing.

We have two sisters who would do anything for each other, in the backdrop of a country that represents fantasy!Jamacia which has managed to defeat the English (I mean Langlish) Empire but is once again under threat by the power-hungry Empire's general.

As a reader from a country that was once occupied by the British I appreciated the nuance within the depiction, the Langlish aren't a country full of power-hungry maniacs, some of them have been forced into these roles because their countries are occupied. Of course, this doesn't excuse or prevent the apparent racist beliefs of the society as a whole, with the majority of Langish characters believing they are the superior country. The novel is a clear condemnation of colonialism, Imperialism and explores the inherent racism that comes from the "Langlish" desire to conquer - which obviously applies to its real life parallels.

Ultimately, this is a really important story, particularly for younger readers who are perhaps just learning or still to learn about these topics.

But of course colonialism isn't the primary plot - at the heart of the story there are two sisters who would do anything for each other. Familial love is SO important and SO special and I loved reading the sisters' separate journeys and the challenges they had to face.

One sister is quite literally put in the lions den (or dragons den if you will) when she is sent away to the Langlish country to train as a dragon rider. The threat here is obvious but she finds some found family along the way, and even finds herself falling for her co-rider.

Meanwhile, the other sister tries desperately to find a way to break the bonds between humans and dragons without her having to kill her sister in the process.

I found both plots entirely engaging, the characters were dynamic, had distinct relationships with side characters and felt like their own people. Dual POV can be a difficult task but it's absolutely perfect here, I was never more invested than one plot than another, and was equally excited to read what happened to Faron next as I was to Elena.

There is SO much love in this book, familial, romantic, platonic, and I would highly recommend it to any fan of YA Fantasy - I can absolutely see this ending up on a "must read" list in the future.

This started off so good and I was ready to love it, but as it went on it got more and more disjointed and I found myself not enjoying it as much as I did at the beginning.

I think the concept was really good, and the execution wasn't bad (especially for a debut book), but I was expecting a bit more development.

I liked the worldbuilding, the dragons (of course), the academy, the magic system/summoning Gods etc, all of that was very interesting. The characters were where this book lost me.

From what I've seen, most people prefer Elara to Faron, but for me it's the other way around. I liked her despite how immature she acted when compared to her sister, because as a character she felt more real to me and like a proper teenager. Elara was just...meh? But I did like her better than either love interest.

Speaking of, the relationships are my least favourite part of the book. Faron & Reeve's one in particular. There were so many lines that I could tell were supposed to be romantic and swoony, but they ended up sounding awkward, almost to the level where I wanted to close the book...hopefully this will get better as the author gains more experience.

The rest of the characters really didn't sway me one way or the other, one villain was kind of okay, but that's about it.

The ending was great though, and a cliffhanger. If I was the author and choosing where to end the story for now, I'd also end it there. I only wish that the book picked up the pace earlier than that. It wasn't slow paced exactly, more like medium-ish with a few bursts of exciting scenes here and there.

Anyway, please don't let my option prevent you from reading this book, there's a very high chance you'll enjoy it and Kamilah Cole deserves your support!!!

*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Overall I found this to be a fun, engaging YA story with a great focus on the relationship between sisters - sadly there were also many things that didn't work for me. I'll start with the positives.
The relationship between the sisters was great, and I would've liked for the story to explore that a bit more. But overall, I loved it! Sisters willing to kill for each other are always fantastic!
The worldbuilding was interesting, with the inspiration taken from Jamaican culture. The conflict with the Anglish was also well developed, and underlined the anticolonial themes in a great way. Great demi and lesbian rep as well!

Now, the negatives...
- The plot was way too rushed, with many too convenient things happening in the plot. Why were they allowed to visit the imprisoned father for example? It didn't make sense for me. I think the story would've benefitted from more room too breathe,
- I got whiplash from everything that was going on. There were many good ideas here, but none got developed enough to have enough depth. It all fell a bit flat for me sadly.
- I wish the dragons were more fleshed out. Considering they can talk, they were all surprisingly one dimensional.