This was really great! I loved the characters and the FMC was such a badass. The setting was really cool as well and the story kept me engaged and not once did I feel bored at all. Will be adding to our library 100%!

It's difficult for me to give this novel a star rating, For purposes of goodreads and instagram, I set this one as somewhere between a 3.5 and 4 star, and said: "The writing (like in terms of actual sentence structure) is very basic/YA, and the novel most certainly would’ve been elevated by a better edit. But also: OH MY GODDESS, I LOVED THIS STORY AND COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN (even knowing exactly where it was going).

All that is true. I also said, "I hate/am grateful that I read this as an arc (thank you Literary Media Tours), because it’s 2am on a Sunday (I started this yesterday) and I would’ve gone straight into the next in the series if it was available." This is also true. I got very caught up in this story and very much want to see where it takes me next,

Having said that, I'm now reviewing on netgalley, where people are here (I think) for more than just vibes. I'm truly not sure how I would rate this book for people who read as a very serious hobby or as a profession. As thoroughly engrossed in the book as I was, I was pulled out of the story in every single chapter, like literally EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER (there are 68), finding edits to the sentence structure, word choice, grammar, and punctuation. The story itself was also very predictable, like zero surprises here. And I am truly shook, SHOOK, that this isn't a work of YA. All that being said, however, as I mentioned above: OH MY GODDESS, I LOVED THIS STORY AND COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN. It is truly rare for me to lose track of a bad edit bc I'm caught up in the story/vibes. Normally all the aforementioned problems (aka a bad edit) would INFURIATE me and, ultimately, lead to a DNF. It speaks volumes, i think, for the storytelling, that I not only loved this, but am WAITING WITH BATED BREATH FOR BOOK 2. So do with that information what you will.

“A Tribute of Fire” by Sariah Wilson is an electrifying, mystifying and sensational fantasy read, mixed with a passionate slow-burn romance that is bound to capture the reader’s attention within the first few pages. Wilson tells the story of Lia, a princess from the lands of Locris, a decrepit nation struggling on the brink of famine after being cursed by an earth goddess. The earth goddess is worshipped and praised by the nation of Ilion, who every year for a millennium, offers two Locrian maidens as a sacrifice to their goddess. The maidens are forced to run for their lives in an-all out death race, hunted by Ilion men, while trying to reach the goddesses’ temple, where they can see refuge if they manage to get there. The plot twist is that a maiden has never made it before. This year, Lia is one of the maidens forced to run the race, something she has been training and preparing for her whole life. She has a plan to save her nation, and her first step involves making it to the temple alive. Lia may have planned to be selected but a number of things she didn’t anticipate come to fruition, some welcome and others desperately not.

This book follows the story of Lia, a courageous, strong and powerful female character, as she embarks on a journey that no women has ever survived. It features adrenaline-filled battle scenes that will have the reader sitting on the edge of their seat, unable to put the novel down, as well as swoon-worthy, slow-burn romantic scenes between Lia and her forbidden lover. This story not only contains an amazing, thrill-seeking fantasy, and an electrifying romance, but the story of found family and sisterhood.

Readers looking for their next fantasy read should look no further. This book will not disappoint, with its cleverly crafted storyline, passionate romantic scenes and continuous plot twists that will keep the reader engaged for hours. The characters in this story have been developed with a level of great detail and intricacy that make them extremely interesting and likeable. Readers that are fans of the enemies- to-lovers trope with a fierce female main character will love this read. It gives off Ancient Greece meets The Hunger Games vibes, which fans will fall in love with. I loved this book and am eagerly awaiting the second installment in this series.

5⭐️

A Tribute of Fire is the first book in a three book series and honestly, I think this has become my favourite read of the year.

I was completely hooked from start to finish. The world building was great, I loved the lore of the world and premise of the yearly sacrifice (think a simpler hunger games/maze runner vibe) and the FMC was great. She felt well rounded and fully relatable.

The book does end of a cliff hanger which I know a lot of people won’t like but I believe (and hope) the payoff will be worth it in the next book.

Troupes:
Enemies to lovers ☁️
Slow burn 🔥
Found family/sisterhood 💞
Forbidden love ❤️‍🔥
A sprinkle of dragons 🐉
Badass female characters ⚔️

I love a good mythology inspired book, and this book was no exception! The story blends Greek mythology with a new and exciting world and story to create a both familiar and unique world. The world building was excellent, and the romance was sweet. The cliffhanger at the end has me DYING for the next book. This is definitely a good book worth checking out!

Lia, the princess of Locris, reigns over a deteriorating desert kingdom that was cursed centuries ago by an earth goddess—still revered by the prosperous and hostile nation of Ilion. Each year, Ilion presents a sacrifice to the goddess: two maidens from Locris who must race to her temple in a dangerous life-or-death competition. In a thousand years, no maiden has ever survived. This year, Lia is one of the chosen.
Armed with battle training, Lia has a fighting chance, but her challenges are more daunting than she imagined. Her beloved but inexperienced sister Quynh is also in danger. The streets of Ilion have been transformed into a treacherous maze of choices and dead ends. Complicating matters, Lia finds herself drawn to Jason, a strikingly attractive Ilionian sailor she both distrusts and desires.
The tribute game has begun. Lia must break the goddess’s curse, restore Locris to its former glory, and alter the fate of every young woman who will come after her however, it will not be easy, and she will need to figure out who she can trust and who may betray her.
The slow burn element was executed well. But, the second half of the book I could not put down with all the twists and turns – it will fully captivate you.

The characters are powerful, and I enjoyed following the story from our female main character’s point of view.

This book is written well, and the locations are described with such vivid detail you can picture yourself there, the book is so well written it feels as though you are the main character during every battle and facing everything throughout the book.

There was a minor plot point that remained unresolved, which led me to anticipate a following development that did not occur. Leaving me with lingering questions.

I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy enemies to lovers, slow burn, Greek mythology, forbidden love, and romantasy!

I DESPERATELY NEED BOOK 2!!!!

Thankyou to the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC and express my honest thoughts.

Oh my goodness! This was sooooo good! If you like to go in blind. This is the time. If you like a little backstory please continue.

Okay, I saw this around Instagram and I had to get it as an ARC so thanks to the author and NetGalley for this win. I needed a new book and fantasy was it. This book is based off Greek mythology and I am here for it! I have never read anything quite like this and I loved going in blind and feeling that way for most of this story. I seriously did not see so many things happening…until the end. Gahhhhh!!!

Lia is the princess of Locris. Like most Greek stories she has a bit of a rough back story. Not only is her entire kingdom cursed but two maidens have to literally fight to the death to reach the temple in Ilion. Her ancesestory had committed an atrocious act and here we are. No maiden has made it. I refuse to give you any more because you need to just read this!

Okay, I will mention Jason because the TENSION! Guys. I literally cannot. Read this book!

WOW! The best book i have read this year!! Thank you Sariah for the digital ARC of this book! I loved every minute of it!! Lia was relatable and easy to cheer for in all her trials and tribulations! The twist at the end SHOCKED me!! I cannot wait for the second book - I need to know what is going to happen next and if Lia will able to complete her mission!!

Before I pour my feelings about the fantastic book, thank you to Author Sariah Wilson and Montlake for providing an ARC of this book!!

I have to literally pick my jaw up off the floor right now. A Tribute of Fire was incredible and I am beyond looking forward to reading more about Lia’s story and her journey to save her people and Locris.

The book was stunning: the vivid and fierce characters, the Greek Mythology inspiration, and the romance! Just stunning.

I came into this read with no expectations and it blew me away. I loved the Greek take with the inspiration from the story of Ajax. I think it’s so cool to see romantasy in a different colored world than medieval-ish styles. To see it so perfectly mesh with the Greek mythology, was such a pleasure to read.

The main character, Lia, was amazing. She was determined, strong, and incredibly loving and loyal. I loved reading her journey and when the twists and turns, I felt them with her. The love she has for her family and her country was so good, and I felt her feelings throughout: my heart plummeted with hers! Don’t get me started on the actual race itself and the things that happened when she is in Ilionia. So many feelings.

Jason, the MMC, was of course so good. He was written the perfect amount of cocky/arrogant but still the moments when his kindness and care shone through. I loved. I loved the banter between Jason and Lia and just the feeling of their bond together. I thought that Sariah did a fantastic job and having them together but also not together, especially in the latter half of the book.

The book just really did it for me! With the Greek mythology, the characters, the high stakes, and the TWIST. While a part of me had suspicions throughout the book, the last like three chapters blew my mind. I was quite literally shouting at my poor husband who knew nothing about this book because I was feeling so many feelings.

An incredible read, so excited to get a physical copy of this book because I will need to reread and cannot wait to see how this story continues and what happens next for Lia and Jason..

I highly highly recommend if you like Greek Mythology, romantasy, deadly races, and gods/goddesses intertwining with the realm of humans.

Everyone should grab a copy when A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson is released on November 1st! The book pulled me in right from the start and stands out for its originality steeped in Greek mythology, slow burn romance, high stakes adventure, found sisterhood and enemies to lovers.

In Wilson's story, Lia, the princess of Locris, is part of a nation cursed centuries ago by an earth goddess. Each year, Locris must send two maidens to compete in a deadly race through the treacherous lands of Ilion to the temple, a tradition steeped in the same tragic legacy as the Greek myth which inspired Wilson's story. This year's chosen maidens include Lia and her sister Quynh, who are thrust into a perilous situation fraught with physical and emotional challenges.

Lia is a formidable character, from her first scene on page I really enjoyed how she was battle trained and could hold her own. The stakes are high, as Lia navigates life in a foreign place, in a strange temple and trying to fulfill her mission to find the eye and lift the curse from the goddess to restore her nation. The focus on sisterhood in the temple, as Lia is paired with four other acolytes, was a standout element for me that enhanced the story. It was really interesting to learn more about each of Lia's new "sisters", their varying personalities and the bond they developed. There is an underlying thread of magic between these women which I think will be fleshed out in book two. Meanwhile, Lia is trying to wrestle with the complex dynamics of her intense, but reluctant attraction to Jason, an Ilionian sailor. Wilson set up the tension deliciously and it's been awhile since I wasn't sure how a story was going to unfold. The cliffhanger left me reeling and I am eagerly awaiting what comes next. I think book two is going to be a fun ride!

Mark your calendars when this book drops on November 1st! With its unique blend of mythology, intense chemistry, and a powerful sisterhood at its core, it promises to be a romantasy must read! 😊🔥

Oh… my… GODDESS!!! This book was amazing and I NEED BOOK 2!!! I was blessed by the Word Goddess herself (Sariah) and her priestess (Sarah Younger) by being offered an ARC for this book! While that was exciting in its own regard, you can better believe I’ll be going out to purchase this book to put on my bookshelf when it comes out! I started reading this book not realizing that there was a Greek Story in the background (I’m a huge nerd for anything Egyptian or Greek)! To me it almost feel like a better telling of the story of Medusa or maybe an extension of this story… No matter, this story was amazing and a strong powerful female character in Lia and her love interest, Jason… oh Jason I honestly can’t figure out what is going on with you and I LOVE IT!! Can’t speak more highly of it, please go and read it!!!

*Enter stage right* my girl, Lia. Lia hears voices and has a knack for finding herself in scrapes. Like forreal this girl gets into fights like her life depends on it. Between the scuffles, religious manipulation, and pure political hellscape this book had my blood pressure way too high for too long. Oh and did I mention the legit EDGING we are consistently on with her hormone-fueled dreams with Steamy McDreamy Tunic!? *insert Stitch rubber-banding his eyelids gif* go-go read this book.

I loved this book so much. I have been wanting to read this book for a while. I have been getting into fantasy lately and this book, is a 10/10.

I really enjoyed reading this story I found it really got along with the characters. Got to know them. There are times i felt like it was a bit slow. However I feel like it is a series that i really would like to continue reading. So thanks.

The characters were multi layer, diverse characters, which made me love them even more from Jason to Lia. They were truly out of this world. the world building that Sariah has written is stunning. I am already planning on buying the physical copy to fully annotate physically when it is out. So thank you for allowing me to read such a beautiful story.

A Tribute of Fire was a thrilling read! I thoroughly enjoyed the character development and continuous anticipation of what would happen next! I also appreciate the detail of food. The ending was superb! I cannot wait for book two to see how the story continues!

So when’s the second book releasing 🤣 This was AMAZING!!! I did not think this was your fantasy debut until I seen a review saying it was, omg would never have guessed it?? your writing style is beautiful and fits this world perfectly. 4.5 ⭐️

A tribute of fire was a hit surprise for me. The mythology elements of the book, the narrative, and the world building was amazingly well done.

This book follows the journey of Lia, a Princess of the Kingdom of Locris who is finding her way to bring prosperity to her land. Locris had been cursed long ago by the earth goddess for a crime committed by an ancestor of Lia. The curse caused Locris to become a dying dessert where nothing grew, and famine was the norm of the day. The nation of Ilion, worshipers of the earth goddess, heavily taxed Locris and demanded that 2 Locris maidens are to be given to them every year to be presented as a blood sacrifice to the goddess. The maidens would have to run through a maze on Illonian ground while being hunted by Illonians who would try to kill them unless they found their way through and made it to the goddess temple in which then they would be safe and dedicate themselves to the service of the goddess. No maiden had ever survived before, and this time was Lia’s turn to run the maze. Lia however has an agenda of her own and had been training to prepare herself for this day, to try to beat all the odds at surviving.

I can say with absolute certainty I enjoyed this book. The author created a world using Greek mythology that flowed and weaved together to create the perfect fantasy world. Lia (fmc) has a backbone, strong belief in achieving her goals, loyal to those she cares for, and very goal oriented with a tough courageous personality. Jayson (mmc) was charming and charismatic with a good sense of humor and very alluring. The chemistry between these two was over the charts while being enveloped in a shadow of mystery. I had no problems connecting with not only the main characters but secondary ones as well.

At the beginning of the story, I found that it sort of moves a bit slow. So, if you do experience this hang in there, I promise it gets so much better. The plot twist and cliffhanger punched me so hard it made this book worthwhile to read. There is some spice through the book that I would rate very mild.

If you love Greek mythology with a strong heroine, charming, alluring, and tempting love interests with plot twists this is the book for you. Be warned the cliffhanger is everything. Do yourself a favor and do not spoil it; don't read the last page, be patient and wait you won't regret it.

This story and these characters are amazing. Sariah Wilson has outdone herself as she weaves the tale of Princess Thalia (Lia), sacrificing her safety for the good of her country and future. "One for many."

The world building in this book is spectacular, and is written in such a way that readers can absorb it without being overwhelmed. It's interwoven into the individual story of Lia's adventures and is totally captivating. The relationships between characters is wonderfully done and leaves readers invested in everyone.

There is non-stop action and mystery that keeps the story moving along as well. Readers won't want to put the book down, I know I didn't! To top it off we get a sweet but intense new love brewing when the unexpected Jason catches Lia's heart before she realizes she even wants to give it away.

If you love a fascinating fantasy with mystery, romance, adventure, and a strong female main character, get this book!!

Spice level: 🌶️(1/5)

As a lover of Greek mythology I was immediately pulled in by this inspiration. This book is a beautiful slow burn forbidden love romantasy, with female rage, found family, a unique magic, and strong female characters. Admittedly I wasn’t sure the first couple chapters, but the story got its bearings after that and pulled me in, I would have loved more of the plot, which is part of why I am not rating it 5 stars. The concept is so interesting that I wanted to know more, wanted more time spent on those elements and less on the love interest, this is very much a slow burn, with passionate moments but nothing explicit. The love interest is protective and alluring, while encouraging the main characters strengths. Once I was pulled by the 10% mark or so I couldn’t read it fast enough, so I would definitely say this is one to not give up on! The ending is an absolute cliffhanger and I will need book two immediately! Overall a worthwhile, emotional and also heartwarming read.

I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK!!!!
The Greek mythology vibes, with deadly trials, enemies to lovers, found family, betrayal, gods & goddesses, and mythical creatures had me EATING THIS BOOK UPPPPP.
Lia, a princess of a dying kingdom decides to take matters into her own hands by getting herself chosen as the next maiden of Locris. The goddess of earth has demanded two maidens from Locris to be sent each year to Ilion. There, they have to race through the city (while being hunted by men) to try and find the goddesses temple. No maiden has successfully made it to the temple in over a thousand years but this is the only chance for Lia to save her kingdom. Along the way she meets a cocky sailor, finds sisters, and endures many challenges and trials all in the hopes of saving her kingdom.
I read this book in two days and loved every second! I thought it was paced very well and my attention was kept throughout the entire story.
I am absolutely SALIVATING at the cliffhanger and desperately need book 2 ASAP PLS