Another excellent romantasy! I find myself somewhat bored with some ya romance at the moment, especially the fade to black spicy scenes - I'm an adult reader, and I find it weird that sex isn't more normalised in books that are at the core, a romance.
This was a lovely refresh! The spice is very well written and very exciting.
I loved the twist of this book - no spoilers - as I think every woman would like to be Tamsyn at times, and she's a great mix of feminine and powerful.
Loved the sibling relationship - so nice to have loving siblings in a romantasy.
Solid three point five out of five. Would read the next one.
Not five stars as I feel it does read a little stilted at times, and like a newer author not settled into genre, but that's personal opinion.

Enemy’s to lovers, dragons, fantasy - what’s not to love. Great storyline and fabulous characters. It did take me a while to read but not because of the writing. I loved the writing. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a dragon themed book.

There’s always something about reading a romantasy about dragons that I love and A Fire In The Sky didn’t disappoint. From the very first page I was instantly hooked on the story of the royal family’s whipping girl Tamsyn and how she has spent her life takening the punishments for her adopted sisters.

The plot is set around a very historical world in which dragons and witches have been not been around for years after what was called the threshing where they were hunted down and slaughtered and how the royal family of Penterra have relied on the beast of the borderlands to defend them. When Fell the known beast of the borderlands comes to court in demand of a royal daughter for his service he is tricked into a marriage with Tamsyn and what entails is a journey to his homeland and the hidden secrets that neither are aware of as well as trying to understand the connection they have felt towards the other since they first met.

I throughly enjoyed this book and found it so hard to put down. I loved the tension between Tamsyn and Fell and while they didn’t get along for most of the book I wouldn’t call them true enemies to lovers..they do have a connection and their chemistry together was very well written as was the spice scenes..it does end on a cliffhanger that I wasn’t expecting but does make me very excited for book two!

I was invited to read this book (thank you author/publishers) and I had zero idea what it was about when I said, sure, I'll read it.
It turns out, saying yes was a great decision.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I like this. It was hot - literally dragon fire hot - and although I had a feeling from the start about where this was going I didn't care because I was enjoying it too much.
I don't like spoilers and I try and avoid them at all costs in reviews, so I will say that, for the first time in a while I stayed up way past my bedtime reading because I was really into this book, I have recommended it to friends and my eldest niece already as I know they will like it and I am kind of hoping there will be some kind of special edition because I know it will be pretty.
Now, if I could just get my hands on book 2.....

Firstly thank you to NetGalley, the author & HQ

I really enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would!

This book had so much that I loved:
Dragons & witches✅
Enemies to lovers✅
Magic✅
Quickly gripping✅
Forced marriage✅

The main character Tamsyn was somebody that I rooted for from the very start. raised as a whipping girl for the royal families daughters behaviour, then being forced into a marriage she is not the typical FMC.

Although some of the plot was predictable and I had my suspicions I still thoroughly enjoyed seeing that I had worked out the plot, it wasn’t annoying and predictable but rather an OMG I was right!

The end of this book had made absolutely shocked and I 100% cannot wait for the next one! I will be recommending this to everybody!

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

A pure entertainment popcorn read that brings the heat - both between the two MCs and with all the mentions of dragons. I wasn't sure what kind of book this would be when I picked it up, whether it would lean more towards fantasy or romance. It is 100% a steamy romance in a very cool fantasy setting, emphasis on the romance. The world building is simple to follow, easy to understand and interesting to read about - nothing overly complex or difficult to get your head around. There's some insta-lust and an obvious deeper connection between FMC Tamsyn and MMC Fell from the very beginning, which may not be everyone's cup of tea. Having said that, a very fun beginning to a sizzling romantasy series. Plus, you can't go wrong with dragons!

Wow! Just wow!

I have so many emotions writing this because this book was perfection!

We follow Tamsyn the royal whipping girl who was found on the doorstep of the castle and taken in by the king and queen.

They marry her off to Fell, Beast of Borg in the North.

The world building was brilliant and the insertion of characters as the story progressed was excellently done. I loved both the FMC and MMC so much!

If you like enemies to lovers and marriage of convenience tropes, dragons, witches, magical creatures then trust me when I say that you NEED to read this book! It’s book 1 in a new series and you can bet that I’ll be avidly waiting for the next book!

Title: A Fire in the Sky
Author: Sophie Jordan
Pages: 336
Rating: 3/5

Arc Copy (gifted) - review left voluntarily
Publish date - 26th September 2024

"Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying. But human lust for power is immortal."

Tamsyn the royal whipping girl is forced to marry Fell. A warrior from the Northern part of the kingdom. Fell is tricked into marrying Tamsyn.

We follow the story with different multiple perspectives and lots of internal monologue.

The spice was fun albeit awkward in places which made some great writing. I also felt anger for Tamsyn.

The plot was predictable but it makes a nice light fantasy read.

The ending was fantastic and I can't wait to see where the rest of the plot will go.

You'll love this book if you like
- romantasy
- enemies to lovers
- marriage of convenience
- spice
- magic dragons and witches

Thank you @netgalley and @harpercollinsuk for allowing me to review.

Will you read it? If you've read it already, what were your thoughts??

This is my first journey into the fantasy world of Sophie Jordan and I’m slightly conflicted. I enjoyed A Fire in the Sky, by the end of the book I was seriously hooked but it took me a long time to get there. For most of the story I was frustrated by the repetition and lack of world building but when the action started and the lines were drawn (no spoilers here, folks), I forgot my frustration and just enjoyed the ride.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

It should be noted that this is a prequel to Sophie's Young Adult Firelight trilogy, but this is very much an adult read. I haven't read Firelight and wasn't confused at any point.

The concept of a "whipping girl"—a girl raised alongside royalty, only to bear the brunt of their punishments—is a fascinating aspect of history, or perhaps myth, that has always intrigued me. A Fire in the Sky explores this concept through the character of Tamsyn, who navigates a perilous life in the royal court of Penterra. Treated as part of the royal family but also as the lowest servant, Tamsyn's complex position immediately grabbed my interest.

The writing in this book is solid, with enough intrigue and tension to keep the pages turning. The courtly setting is well-crafted, and I found myself invested in Tamsyn's plight and her relationships with the other characters, particularly Stig, the Captain of the Guard. The stakes are high from the beginning, and the story maintains a brisk pace that kept me engaged throughout.

However, there are a few aspects that didn’t fully resonate with me. While the initial premise and Tamsyn’s role as the royal whipping girl were compelling, the development of Fell’s character felt a bit unclear. His motivations, particularly his desire to help his people, are well established, but the sudden, mystical bond between him and Tamsyn seemed to overshadow the potential for a more gradual, organic relationship. I would have preferred to see them grow to like and understand each other over time, rather than being thrust together by a mystical force. This aspect made their connection feel somewhat forced, which detracted from the emotional depth of their relationship. As well as this, as the story went on Stig's feelings for Tamsyn seemed less romantic and more possessive, which was unsettling to read.

Additionally, while the twists involving both Tamsyn and Fell were well-executed, I did find them a bit predictable. That said, the journey to these revelations was still enjoyable, and the story's pacing ensured that my interest never waned.

It’s worth noting that the book does contain some spicy scenes, which may not be to everyone’s taste. These scenes are integral to the plot but might be a consideration for readers who prefer their fantasy with a little less heat.

Overall, A Fire in the Sky is an enjoyable read with a unique premise and solid writing. While the romance element didn’t fully click for me, the story’s other strengths make it worth the read. I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series and seeing where Tamsyn’s journey takes her next.

Thankyou to the publisher for reaching out! Some parts of the book I really enjoyed, but the whole thing just wasn't for me and I really just had to battle through most of the book.

I haven’t read any of Sophie Jordan’s previous books but, A Fire in the Sky is the first in her new adult romantasy series and I was intrigued to discover a fantasy world where dragons have been eliminated and magic destroyed.

The story of the FMC Tamsyn begins in a world of outward luxury and gilded walls, the royal court, where Tamsyn has been elevated from an orphaned baby to proxy daughter of the royal family and whipping girl, punished for the indiscretions and misdeeds of the royal daughters. It is here that Jordan sets the scene for a romance told from the PoVs of the three core characters. This is a romance which at its roots calls upon forced proximity, marriage of convenience, and reluctant partners, set amidst a world of dying magic and the destruction of dragons.

Tamsyn is forced to marry Fell, a Northern lord who protects the pampered royals from threats to their borders, also known as the Beast of the Borderlands, after his demand that he is given one of the royal princesses as his bride. Whilst he is deceived and Tamsyn forced to deceive him, not the greatest start to a marriage, their relationship grows and evolves as they journey back to Fell’s home, however, not all is as it seems and during this journey Tamsyn discovers more about herself than she ever knew, which puts under threat everything she knew before and the kingdom itself.

Wow! That was such a fun read! Even though I’ve never read the YA Firelight trilogy, for which I believe this book is a prequel, I was totally engrossed from start to end. Tamsyn is an empathetic character, who it was easy to warm to and feel for, and the relationship between her and Fell was written beautifully. I am definitely not a fan of Instalove and Jordan created a relationship between them that deftly and skilfully manoeuvres around this to deliver just the right balance of attraction and deception that works with the plot.

The world building is really well done, it isn’t overly lecturing, you don’t have to take notes, Jordan gradually immerses you into the world, introducing themes and politics, such as the whipping child whose role is to take corporal punishment on behalf of the royal princesses in this case. The arranged marriage and evidence of consummation are portrayed in such a way that you can feel the discomfort of the participants and the spite and glee of the spectators. The geography of the world and the dark woods are written in such a way that you can feel the mists swirling around your ankles or the neck aching awe of viewing the Crags, alongside the physical hardships endured to travel through such regions, all of which weave together to bring to life this fantasy world.

The only gripe I have, is that I don’t have the next book in my hands. As soon as I opened this book, I was entranced and didn’t want to put it down to leave this world. The ending has only served to increase my desire and appetite to find out what the next book has in store for Tamsyn and Fell. If you love fantasy, romance, great characters, worldbuilding and a story that will totally transport you, pick up A Fire in the Sky now!

Thank you HQ and Harper Collins, and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

What a great Fantasy story, dragons that can become human, what next! There was a lot of atmosphere to this story that drags you in. A lovely, very fitting conclusion.

⭐⭐⭐.75.

Cons
I think this would have made a better YA or teen book if it didn't have so much spice. The style of writing felt like it belonged to YA books.
It all felt very fast. Once the big *spoiler* happened. It was all very fast with hardly any world building in the new location. Just lots of things happening one after the other.
Pros
It was interesting learning the history behind the whipping girls and boys.
I liked the main two characters personalities and their chemistry.
It was an easy fun read and it could be read in one to two days easily.
The big *spoiler* was a nice surprise and I guessed it was something along those lines, but I never would have guessed that reveal!

Headlines:
Clever plotting
Marriage of convenience
Dragon revival

This book swept me into it's thrall rather quickly with Tamsyn's situation in the royal family that was both awful and at the same time, intriguing. I couldn't fathom the idea of a whipping girl. The arrival of "the beast" brought ripples through the palace and colour me interested in the dynamic that evolved.

I didn't expect the turn of events but found myself laughing in parts and horrified at the wedding night. Still, Jordan was able to show incredible chemistry between Fell and Tamsyn that had me wishing all the things for them.

The journey they found themselves on both relationship-wise and across the country was risky and full of peril. I did not see the twists that came along that journey. You could have heard my jaw drop from 50 steps. What a turn of events...and then we got a second twist!

I did feel a bit of ebbing in the plot and pace towards the end but then things picked up with steep excitement. It's a fairly open ending and I really hope the author intends to bring us more of this world and characters; I'm ready for it.

Thank you to HQ stories for the eARC.

Could not put this book down! I just wanted to inhale it!

It was intriguing, engaging and just the right amount of spice!

Tamsyn was a perfect female lead. Her prestigious yet lowly position in court was a rollercoaster. 1 minute she's a princess the next a servant. Her mysterious life unfolded so well throughout the book. Giving just the right amount of background as you go along to keep you guessing!

Fell was a wonderful beast with rough edges and unruly followers. But his more tender nature just shone through! In the beginning it was so hard knowing whether to route for their marriage or hope he rejected Tamsyn to keep her safe.

The treachery thought up by the royals was both unbelievable and totally predictable. I loved the under current of mistrust that surrounded them as the book went on.

The only slight issue I had with this book was that it was too short!!! I could have read 200-400 more pages and still be wishing there were more!

Enemy to loves done right! If you love this trope buy this book! I could not put it down and the twist I did not see coming. Please give us book two asap!

What a great read. This book has it all, magic, tension, action, drama, spice (on the lighter side), and everything else in between. Tamsyn is the main character and you can't help but be on her side. She's hasn't been dealt an easy life. Fell is a great character too and I loved the dynamic between him and Tamsyn. I flew through this book as I didn't want to put it down. I love when I'm hooked for the first few pages. There was a great twist that I didn't see coming either.

The world building is excellent as is the character development and the magic. I loved the author's style of writing too. For me it was the perfect mix of fantasy and romance and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.

3.8 Rating for a fast paced romance in a fantasy world.
If you like arranged marriages, marriages under pretense, heroines who come into their beastly inheritance, medieval settings with magic, and love triangles, then you're in for a good book.

A Fire in the Sky is easy to read, fast paced and the language is clear and casual, with some sprinkles of antiquated language we all love.

This book is very obviously a part of a series and thus, there isn't much character development yet, nor extensive world building, but there are many wonders in this fantasy world that are fascinating and I suspect will be further explored in book two. It's well structured, paints vivid pictures and has all the tropes, if you're so inclined. Banned magic/magic leaving the 'land', witch hunts and creature heroines who learn to appreciate their strong side.
I hope to see that in the next book, the heroine is coming to terms with, in some way, with the injustice of her childhood as a whipping girl. There's much potential here. I think if you like the premise and want a light and fast read, you should give it a go.

I would have given more stars, but for my personal tastes I'm not a huge fan of the trope of touching your soulmate gives you physical symptoms and some of the characters were a bit stereotype-y. That is a personal preference.

A copy of the book was given to me through Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. This does not influence the ways in which I write about my reading experience, or the book itself.

A great start to an intriguing fantasy world! Whilst there were certain aspects of the plot that I predicted, I still found the characters compelling and am curious to find out where the story goes next