I love Jenn Lyons, she's a fantastic author, but this is not my favourite of her books. In fact I really struggled to get into it.

There's are lots of components of a great story - an enticing backstory, great world building, some lovely little touches such rings which tell an observer all about the person wearing them, and some interesting characters. I think perhaps there was just too much going on with lots of scene jumps, but not a huge amount happening overall.

I loved the commitment to diversity, of many types.

I'll definitely give this another read when I can read a big block in one go as I think that might enable me to be more immersed in the story and get more engaged.

Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC. This is unfortunately a DNF @ 45%. For the most part, I do see this book being well-liked by many others. It's got an interesting world revolving around dragons being on a higher hierarchy over humans—quite an unexpected set up from the pitch mentioning dragon riders!—and I found the social system regarding rings that indicate your gender and orientation fascinating. I love a queernormative fantasy world.

Unfortunately, as a character-driven reader, I struggled to be interested in all but the protagonist Anahrod, and even that was a slog to go through, because the situations she finds herself in end up dull. It was such a long set up to get to the point of the story where the heist was even introduced. Perhaps on another day, I will give this novel another chance.

Unfortunately I did not finish this book. It was not for me, you were thrown in and expected to just understand what was going on. I found the formatting made the book hard to engage with (although I appreciate this is irrelevant as it is not a finished copy).

The names used also (Anahrod and Overbite as an example) were bizarre and off putting and I’m sorry to say I just couldn’t read on.

Will put 3 stars as a medium rating as I think it is unfair of me to rate a book I have not finished but I can’t leave it blank

This book I was instantly intrigued and interested to read this book, especially after reading the blurb of the book. With the way that the book started I was instantly intrigued to see what would happen. I loved the author's writing style as it really worked in this book. As the story developed I just wanted to continue reading to be able to see what was going to happen next. The character develop very nicely throughout the book, alongside the story which help made it very intriguing, and gripping. Finally with the way the ending of the boo I had really enjoyed it and hoped for another book in the series.

This was a first for me by this author and I would most certainly grab more by her! Overall this was an enjoyable and engaging fantasy story that was well written and executed.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.75 rounded to 4

After initially really struggling to get into this, once I hit about 25% I was invested enough to enjoy the rest. It's not perfect - some characters needed to be more fleshed out, pacing was a bit TOO quick with jumps from event to event without much respite, some of the writing felt clunky and unnecessary.

However, the world is so interesting from the magical elements (dragons, dragon riders, sorcerers and terrifying beasts) to the societal ones (people display their gender and sexual identity as well as personality traits with elaborate rings)! This really managed to keep me hooked in. I also really ended up enjoying some of the characters, in particular Gwydinion and Sicaryon, even if FMC Anahrod annoyed me at times.

There is a heist, but don't make that your main reason for picking up the book - its very brief and not even the real overarching plot. Don't expect much spice levels either - while there's plenty of suggestive language and one surprisingly kinky conversation, anything beyond that is fade to black. There's also a poly throuple so if that's not your jam then you may not love the small romance subplot.

I'd say if you're a fan of found family, witty, snappy dialogue and dragons with big personalities then this is the book for you!

You know when you read a book and then sit back and think damn, now I really need to read everything this author has ever done, how have I not been a fan this whole time? Yeah. Jenn Lyons. How have I not been a fan this whole time??

The Sky On Fire starts with a plan. To steal from the hoard of the most dangerous dragon currently living, the regent of dragons, Neveranimas. And when it’s such a dangerous job the best option is to find the one person who supposedly stole from her before. Only one problem, that person was thrown to their death over a decade ago.

Anahrod has been living in the harsh jungles of the Deep for over a decade. Dodging creatures, bandits, and especially nosy warlords. Now, she is caught up with an adventuring party who need her for skills she’s not sure she possesses. And one of them happens to be a gosh darn dragon-rider.

With wanted criminals, dragon politics, cunning misfits, annoyingly attractive red-heads, and a past that is sprinting to catch up with her, Anahrod is going to be dragged kicking and screaming into a high-flying adventure. And she’s just trying to hang on to her stomach contents!

This is a fiesty little standalone of dragons and magic. I read this so fast. I love it when the best laid plans go horribly wrong. I love heists. I love dragons. I love silly little flirtations that only complicate things. Turns out I love Jenn Lyons, and I will now be going off and reading her Chorus of Dragons series and I’ll be back in 5 books.

Four and a half
Having been hugely impressed by the authors Chorus Of Dragon's series I obviously had to dive into this book as soon as I saw it. I will start by saying this isn't high, complicated fantasy but definitely more accessible and I feel fits very well into more current and popular tropes.
A society ruled by Dragons , a rag tag group coming together and a deadly heist all combine to give the reader a very entertaining read. I thoroughly enjoyed the assorted characters with their diverse needs and thought that the magic in play was well done without being over the top. If I have a slight niggle it's just that because things happen quickly I thought that perhaps supporting characters could have been given more depth but this does work as a standalone so for many reasons I can understand why. There's a smidge of romance to enhance the story and a family history that just didn't convince me but I very much enjoyed turning the pages and I definitely recommend this book. As this ends its clear that the author could easily write a sequel if she wishes and I would happily jump all over that !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Sometimes you just want to read a standalone with dragons and this book delivers!!! It’s a wild ride that’s high stakes as we follow a group of diverse misfits on a heist. The group has some fun dynamics and all of the characters are very much distinct. I absolutely adored the animal companions and the magical interweaving with the dragons. The book does throw you in at the deep end but the story is not overly complex and I feel it’s an accessible read. It’s action packed and maybe too action packed in a way, but I don’t know if that’s a more of a personal preference on my part. The best characters are indeed the dragons and the power they hold is something to behold. It’s an epic story set in a rich world, I highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

THE SKY ON FIRE is a fantastic story! I have always enjoyed Lyons' story and no one writes High Epic Queer Fantasy as Jenn Lyons she is the mastermind. Deliciously Queer and in a way so similar to my favourite novel of hers Ruin of Kings book one in the Chorus of Dragons Series.

I feel in love with Anahrod's voice, just as I did all those years ago when I was introduced to Kieren. The Sky on Fire made me desperate to re-read book one of The Chorus of Dragons series. Lyons has created a beautiful and thought-out world that captivates what the rules would be if Dragons governed humans. High is better than the deep, it all makes sense in this complex and beautifully written story.

Lyons dragons are more God-like than Dragons I have seen in a while and I enjoyed how they are brought down to earth. this was especially demonstrated between one rider and his dragon and their complex and difficult relationship. this was one of my favourite threads of the story and although the villain I found this dragon and his rider's story fascinating.

No one can fault Lyons for her wonderful characterisation. Each character felt 3D and thought through, even just a father making a life for himself selling hot dogs to students felt fleshed out and interesting. I know that The Sky on Fire is a stand alone which I think works but I would be delighted to see more into this world. Especially from different POV for example Ana's brother.

Overall 5 wonderful stars and have ordered the hardback straight away!

Took my a while to get into this one, but once I was I really enjoyed it.
I'm loving anything with dragons at the moment so this was right up my street!
Great book!

Romance 💋? Dragons🐉? Heist🥷?
I was signing on the dotted line!

ALSO, look at that cover! I was ready and so elated to be selected for this ARC copy of The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons.

Anahrod, managing to survive against the odds, is out on a quest. She was a great MFC with so much character & depth that she really came to life for me and I was very invested in her.
Unfortunately, I did not feel the same attachment to her companions, and the relationships between them left me feeling a little... flat? Particularly with Ris, I just didn't see how we got there. I felt I was being told that the romance was happening rather than being shown it and feeling it.
Also, I am a bit of fated mates girly (and I was ready and excited for a fated three after reading other reviews), but I just felt I was missing that all encompassing, us-against-the-world mentality.
However, the gender fluidity / queerness in this book was elegantly and naturally delivered. Well done Lyons.

The badassery of the dragons in this book is no joke, and for me, the dragon supremacy and the world that Lyons immerses us in is truly unique and masterfully done. The attention to detail in all the different cities made the vast world building in this book fully enveloping; so vibrant and distinctive.

The pacing was a little slow and meandering at times, however, it didn't feel tedious or wasteful, but instead had the tension piquing or added a whimsical air.

Did I enjoy this book? Honestly, yes. But, I do feel I was missing that character attachment to make me love it. If I could have just felt for them a little more deeply then this book could have been a perfect match for me.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC 🌸

A bank heist with dragons and sky ships! Volcanoes with sleeping dragons in them! Diamonds! Pirates! Dragonrider School! A great entertaining story with a real Six of Crows feel to it. I loved the characters - especially Ris and Peralon - every single character comes to life and if you like Fourth Wing you will love this story of the prodigal Anahrod Amnead, with unusual powers to calm animals, who was unfairly accused and sentenced to death, her amazing younger brother Gwydinion who needs a book all of his own, and even the Snape-like teacher Varrighul.
I really hope there are more installments to come!

This upsets no one more than me. I was so incredibly ready to enjoy this after hearing nothing but fantastic things about the Chorus of Dragons series and Lyons's writing. Nonetheless, here we are with me disappointed.

The book begins with a fantastic scene where a dragonrider confronts the mayor of Crystalspire demanding that a previously believed dead woman is found to be killed frfr this time. From there, the pace does not let up, with plot, characters, and worldbuilding hitting you like flies as you drive a motorcycle with only some sticking in your teeth as the rest bounces off. I wish more than anything that this book would breathe! Just a bigggggg inhale, sit with the characters, develop relationships, soak in the mystery, experience the world, and then a biggggg exhale. Instead, so much happens that a lot of the plot hinges on coincidence and quickly delivered exposition to explain how problems were resolved.

As you can probably tell, I'm frustrated with this experience because the concept of dragonriders and the relationships between the dragon and rider had soooo much potential. I loved a lot of the romance that happened in this book and a lot of the characters had brilliant moments that I wish I was more connected to. But I simply didn't have the time with them to develop these stronger emotions. I wish more than anything that this was a trilogy instead of one book. It needed that sooooo badly.

I will definitely be reading Chorus of Dragons despite this experience, but yeah... I hope all pre-existing fans have a much better time than me.

Unfortunately and unexpectedly for me, this was a DNF. I couldn't get invested in either the characters or the story. I found it too confusing to follow. The characters are thrown in by name, but they are not presented. Even their motivations or goals are barely mentioned. This made it impossible for me to get into their stories. I struggled to understand what they were doing or why they were doing it. The descriptions of the world were completely lacking in evocation, even though the world itself was very interesting, with different kinds of dragons ruling over humans. I am very sorry about this, because the ingredients were something that could have totally worked for me, but the execution and the writing felt like a mess.

Jenn Lyons is a queen of creating new fantasy worlds.
What a wild ride and found this much easier to follow than her Ruin of Kings series.

I mean misfits on a heist and there’s dragons. I’m sold.

3.5 stars. I think this was solid! It's my first Lyons so didn't really know what to expect but I like her writing style.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

The Sky on Fire had some absolutely fantastic elements to it. I really liked certain characters, I really loved certain world-building elements. (The Trans-Rep in this was done exceedingly well, in my opinion, I really liked that.)

Dragons have been huge in fantasy over this last year, and very few of them hit home for me, despite the fact that I love Dragons in fiction. And this book came… close. It was almost great.

I think my main issues were with the beginning. This story starts out rough, and I felt like I was a good 40% in before I had a good grip on the story, the characters and where we were going. I felt like the character arcs were maybe not as well developed, that maybe this book just needs some tighter editing, because it’s definitely the bones of a story I could love.

I do want to add that I’m ill, and I read this with a bit of a fever, so grain of salt to all of the above. I really liked it and will probably buy a copy.

3.5 ⭐️

The sky’s on fire by Jenn Lyons
Release date July 9th 2024
Rating 5 stars 9.86 Cawpile

I am finding books that I am just connecting with at the moment and Jenn Lyons new book is no exception and when it came up on NetGalley I thought shoot my shot and somehow I got accepted so thank you so much for the team for allowing me to read this.

When you see a Jenn Lyons book what do you expect? Dragons [check] love interests [check] a hero who may not be the hero [check] this had all the buzzwords that I knew from the first page that this was going to be stepping back into my blanket of Jenn Lyons.

And to tell you I would die for these characters is an understatement each one I would stand in front and that includes a few dragons well two in particular. I cannot wait to be able to scream about this book with my bookish friends because they all need to read this.

Review to go up on instagram June 2nd 2024

i was really excited to read this having read the description and some of the author’s previous work, but this missed the mark for me.

i didn’t really vibe with the pacing, but the world-building made up for it - i felt really immersed in the world. i just wasn’t a fan of the characters, and i think that combined with the pacing i just did not get on with this.

i think other people would love this, it just wasn’t for me unfortunately.

thank you so much to netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc 🫶🏻