Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton, Hodderscape and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Idolfire is advertised as an epic sapphic fantasy inspired by the fall of Rome.

I agree the scope of the story is epic, although the fantasy setting does have some gaps and is not fully developed. There is some sapphic romance but this not a significant part of the book.

This book had so much potential and after reading I felt frustrated that it didn’t deliver on its premise. The romance is very much a minor plot so anyone going in expecting a sweeping sapphic love will be disappointed. The leads lacked chemistry and only showed personality when bickering and I was not rooting for them to couple up.

I appreciated the worldbuilding which had intriguing ideas even though some elements felt generic and I never fully had a grasp of geography, distances or the passage of time.

I strongly disliked the second person POV chapters interspersed throughout the book. The first time I found it totally jarring and had to pause reading. They interrupted my reading experience and I hoped the significance of these chapters would be revealed later, but ultimately these could have been removed entirely with minimal difference.

A third main character was introduced part way through the book and while I enjoyed seeing a different perspective and his viewpoint of the two FMC, he was sidelined too frequently to have any impact.

I can see the bones of an ambitious tale but it didn’t transport me into another world like I yearn for with epic fantasy, the romance was half-baked and the ending rather anti-climactic.

A disappointing read.

Thank you netgalley for this arc.

I think this might be my perfect book everything about it feels so perfect for what I want! I love a quest, I love an interesting magic, I love a bit of intrigue, I love love!!!! What a book! One of the greatest quest books of all time??? An absolute banger a million stars a million hearts

I am such a huge fan of Grace Curtis sci-fi books so I was curious to try their fantasy writing! I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

Here we start the book following two different women, one living in a palace and with magical powers, one living in a struggling village suffering a tragic loss. Both will journey from miles apart to reach a mysterious city, one for a quest, one to save her town. It was an interesting juxtaposition to see their different experiences at the start of their travels. They are different in temperament, wealth, fighting ability and must approach their journey accordingly.

We start to see found family elements in this story, but with Curtis, it was not going to be straightforward or expected and we see this turned on its head. Cleverly done. I was a huge fan of the connections between the two main characters and how they influenced each other for the better, making each other braver, kinder, more compassionate.

We have an interesting magic system relating to the title of the book. I would have happily seen more of this. I can understand why restraint was necessary within the structures of the novel but I found this very cool so would have gladly seen more.

A good foray into fantasy from Grace Curtis, a fantastic writer who is so good at journeys, writing the unexpected and giving us characters we can root for.

Idolfire was the third book I finished this year. And it was my first five star read. It was seriously incredible. I wasn't sure it was a genre I would like but wanted to give it a try because the synopsis made it sound very good. And I'm glad I did.
I fell in love a little with the characters as the story went on. Aleya is brash and smart and harsh while Kirby is naive and kind and strong. They are also so much more. They are headstrong and motivated and open-minded. They had a goal and they went through a lot to achieve it.
Their paths was full of adventures and issues and wonders and meetings. It felt like reading an epic story. We have our heroes, we have several gods, we have meetings of different civilisations, a quest to achieve, a transformation. We can clearly see that the Kirby and Aleya of the start are not the ones from the end.
The characters we meet on the way are all interesting too, whether we like them or hate them. They are all fleshed out, they had personalities, goals, lives, different languages and cultures. I loved it all.
When I approached the ending and saw that the story wasn't close to done I was so afraid for our characters. The ending is incredible, it makes sense and it made me feel alla the feels. It's so true to the characters and it answered the questions I had while reading.
I absolutely recommend this book to everyone.

grace curtis you will always be famous.

a phenomenal novel. its strength lies in its worldbuilding, it is SO creative and bold that it manages to take settings we've seen before and make them feel so fresh and new. this is done mainly through really good prose that really serves the storytelling, and through an excellent cast of characters that i was deeply invested in from page one. i think it should have been (and may be, in its final product), a bit tighter and a tad bit shorter, but i will forgive it all its little flaws because it's something truly original, that i've not read before at all, and that was truly so full of heart and beauty and kindness and grief that i don't want to get hung up on technicalities. it's nice to read a book that really takes chances and has such a simple yet full vision. kind of like a kaleidoscope, every time you think you know what you're looking at, there's something new woven in expanding the story, its lore, its depth, its range. i think this would also be great on a reread, there's probably lot to explore again in a couple of years. i would LOVE to read more stories like this, and will be on a little quest to find them. just so much heart and beauty to this story. aaah

thank you netgalley + publisher, truly a delight! i warmly recommend it far and wide, even to those who might not think they'd be into it. give it a go!!!

Idolfire is a solid adventure novel with a firm focus on its characters, and how their relationship grows as their adventure progresses. I know Grace Curtis for her excellent character development, and those hallmarks are ever present in Idolfire - for her fantasy debut, she takes a smaller pool of POV characters to develop much more than the characters of her previous works. The result is a nice balance of adventure and sapphic romance, with neither aspect stifling the other. The world felt dynamic, and the regions passed through during the plot felt distinct enough to draw you into the journey. The final segment took on a different tone to the rest of the novel, and the ending didn’t go the way I’d expected (and subverted plenty of the classic tropes you find at the end of adventure/romance novels).

I had two gripes with the novel that kept me from rating the book a little higher. The first revolves around the elements of magic and idolfire in the story, which didn’t factor into the story anywhere near as much as I expected (especially since the book is named after it!). The impression I got was of a book setting up a series of novels, and just giving a hint of what magic is present in the world. However, without spoilers for the end, the finale resolved enough of the plot to not absolutely warrant a sequel (though the scope is definitely still there). With such an ending, I have to conclude the magic felt rushed and underused in Idolfire, which is a shame given the potential it had.

My other (less cohesive) complaint is that Idolfire, while being a perfectly fine fantasy novel, simply didn’t have the spark that has drawn me to Curtis’ previous books. The perspective hopping shown in Frontier and Floating Hotel was a really unique style, and is an excellent way of demonstrating her talent at rapid-fire quality character creation. Rest assured Idolfire’s characters were well developed, but the book as a whole felt more run-of-the-mill and generic when her previous novels shined with originality. Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and to NetGalley for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a fun read! I didn't expect to love it so much but it was a really welcome change from the fantasy books that I'm usually drawn to. It's very fast paced and plot-driven but in a really good way: the book was absolutely impossible to put down and I was completely invested in the story. I kept letting out little yells and laughs because that's how alive the story is, it really felt like being immersed into a new world.

This is a book that, according to me, embodies the notion of "enjoying the journey more than the end" (but the end is also great!). The environment was so vividly described, I had no trouble picturing it at all and I love every interaction that they had on the road. The magic system was also really interesting and easy to keep up with.

The characters are all so adorable, engaging and well fleshed out. I loved their relationships and the way they evolved, how they also serve to define the characters traits further. The romance just felt a little too abrupt, I didn't exactly feel that much chemistry between them but it was still sweet. I wished we spent more time with Kirby's point of view as she's the sweetest and my favorite but I still appreciated the other perspectives, and surprisingly enjoyed Nylophon's a lot.

We also have an exploration of the consequences of imperialism on places and individuals, though it wasn't developed in-depth through the writing but more in the imagery. Part of me wishes there'd been more explicit telling of what happened around Nivela (both pre and post our protagonists' passage) because the "You" chapters just felt a bit too abstract and I still had a lot of questions by the end.

I also really liked how the book was structured a bit like the classic epics, told in separate acts with defined arcs. The last act gave off very strong Ghibli vibes which was fun!

Overall, an amazing story that I recommend if you're looking for some light fantasy read. It's also a book that I would suggest to people wanting to explore that genre more as the language is very close to our modern day one and easy to follow.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC!

Overall, a fun adventure fantasy with a very cool setting - I don't know that I would have picked up the inspiration of the fall of Rome if I wasn't told, but I think knowing that added to my reading experience, at least.

When I talk about the setting, I mean that specifically each city or country had a very distinct personality. I loved how the book delved a bit into the history of each, as well as their individual gods. Each setting felt quite fully realized to me, and while I'm already a noted fan of road novels and picaresque writing, I definitely enjoyed the fact that the very plot of this book meant that we got to explore so many of its cultures.

It's a bit sad, then, that where this book didn't quite hit the mark for me was in the personalities of its actual characters. Aleya, Kirby, and even Nylo had great setups to their arcs, with strong motivations to drive them, and yet I just did not get attached to any of them. They were fine, but I could not bring myself to really care for any of them.

One other aspect that didn't quite work for me, though I appreciate the idea behind it and the ambition, was the handful of "You" chapters. I like the idea of these mysterious, lore-building chapters in the second person, but I felt like the author also liked the idea of it and didn't really go much beyond "wouldn't this be cool?"

There were many elements common to epic fantasy - a quest! Magic! A band of misfits-turned-found-family! - and it was a fun story and easy to read, even if I didn't connect with it as much as I'd like. The fact that the author is writing a companion set 2000 years later is intriguing enough to get me coming back, I think!

Thank you to both publishers, DAW and Hodderscape, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you very much for this eARC!

Immediately this book drew me in—I love Roman history, especially the less commonly discussed parts, and using that as an inspiration meant I was hooked straight away. I also think Curtis did really well in using the Roman Empire as a recognisable basis for the world of this book, rather than an exact replica, which allowed a bit more freedom/creativity with the worldbuilding.

Curtis’ prose was excellent in her two previous books, but here it shone. I’m not usually one for long descriptions, but the descriptions of the different landscapes were gorgeous.

The introduction of a third POV character was unexpected but not unwelcome—I ended up really feeling empathy for Nylophon. That said, Aleya and Kirby were the heart of the book, and their characterisation complemented each other well. Their relationship was compelling and well developed as a slow burn!

I sped through the last few chapters of the novel and thought the ending was both beautiful and satisfying. This feels like a book I might have to revisit for full appreciation, but I will be nothing but glad to return.

I was promised serious Xena vibes with this one, and it didn't disappoint. But make no mistake, this book is a story all on its own and goes in many different directions that are far from the Warrior Princess.
There's Aleya and Kirby, and their paths cross in a world full of gods and history and magic, and they go on a hero's journey together...for a time.
There's even a third person with a sad past and the need for redemption, and another voice that will not be revealed until the end.

It's character driven and it's sweet, but also tragic at times.
I loved this book, even though it took a while for me to kick in. And I especially loved the least 15% or so. I had not expected this.

4/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @dawbooks and @hodderbooks for the eARC!

#Idolfire #Netgalley #Bookstagram

As a big fan of Grace Curtis's previous books I have to say I was a tad let down by this one. When she announced her next release would be fantasy I did think it was a shame, as her scifi books are brilliant but I had faith. Unfortunately for me, this one ended up being very generic and forgettable, and sadly didn't have anything that set it apart as unique from competitor titles in the fantasy space.

I will say, i think Curtis is a great writer. Her use of language and the way she plays with POV is very unique and enjoyable, I just didn't really warm to the characters and I found the plot quite boring. Our main characters don't even meet until the 30% mark and we don't even get to meet the other POV character until about 50% in. The plot structure also felt a bit repetitive and I didn't really believe the growing intimacy between the main three.

In terms of the romance, it was ok. I felt like there was a potential spark but I wasn't really kicking my feet over them together. When they eventually did kiss it was a bit of a let down, it just sort of happened a la: "And then they kissed." And that was the end of the chapter 😅

I will say I LOVED the ending however. And I won't say anything else on that as I don't want to spoil anything.

I would recommend this if you like the "hero's journey" format and arent too bothered about romance and characters having a lot of depth. Like I didn't hate it, I just expected a bit more from Curtis based off of her previous work. But as I've said, not a bad book, just maybe not my cup of tea.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I think it’s very hard to write an epic fantasy adventure, particularly a there-and-back, that feels fresh and new and exciting, and yet Curtis has done just that. The warmth, the joy, the *art* of IDOLFIRE made it a delicious reading experience that I took pains to savour over many weeks. There are shades of Tolkien and Avatar: The Last Airbender and modem fantasy favourites like The Jasmine Throne and The Unbroken, rooted in real-world history that culminate into something so carefully, loving crafted that I think fans of Curtis’ sci-fi books will have no trouble following her on the path to Nivela with Kirby and Aleya. Add to it the sapphic slow-burn of it all, and this might just be my favourite read of the year.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It mixes gods, religion and fantasy very well.

Kirby is all heart and brings such a warmth to this story, while Aleya comes across sharp and a little arrogant, but it’s her past and quest that has shaped her this way. The true surprise was the 3rd somewhat main character who I really ended up adoring, I hope despite what happens that they show up in a book 2.

4.5 stars

When I first started reading Idolfire, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Structurally, I think this is a unique take on the hero's journey - in this book's case, the journeys of both Aleya and Kirby, coming together - on their quest to find the city of Nivella. But pretty much by chapter three, I found myself falling in love with the characters and this story. And the world-building...let me tell you, it was simply incredible. As Aleya and Kirby follow the trail of the lost city, they find themselves in many places marked by the Nivellans. The city is very much imbedded into the core of everyone who resides in the world - it is marked by symbols, road markers, mythical stories and more.

The story feels very character-driven. By centering Aleya and Kirby (and eventually Nylophon), Idolfire paints a wondrous picture of three different perspectives, each coming from very different lands, undertaking the same journey. Aleya, the headstrong princess with aspirations to rule, fighting against the machinations of an arrogant council (and her uncle). Kirby from the World's End, a small village much further than anything you can think of, going on this journey for her brother. Nylophon of Cartha, a deadly mercenary soldier with a sad past. The three characters feel very distinct and that, for me, really cemented this book.

Oddly enough, I would say, even enjoying the worldbuilding as it is, I would have loved it even more if we had gotten more of that mysterious second person POV (no spoilers but when you read it, you will know what it is). I think it adds a certain charm to the book and I would have read chapters more from that perspective, especially if they were narrating the history of the world.

But all in all, Idolfire was a pretty good adventure fantasy and I am glad that I got to read it this early. I will definitely be getting a physical copy when it releases!

I went into Idolfire with some misconceptions (probably all of my own making) which altered my reading experience. Based on Grace Curtis' previous works I was expecting, if not an outright scifi novel, a fantasy novel which still leaned on those tropes. In contrast, Idolfire is closer to Robin Hobb than Grace Curtis' previous works. None of this is negative at all, but it meant that it took me a little longer to really become involved in the tale. The pacing meanders.slowly during the epic journey which makes up the majority of the plot, but falters slightly when it picks up speed for the ending, which felt rather rushed. I enjoyed Kirby and Aleya as characters, and particularly watching them learn to interact with and understand one another. However, I found it incredibly difficult to warm to Nylo, regardless of how much redemption or explanation for his character was given. This was an absorbing book, with fascinating world-building underpinning it - however, for me, it was a case of right book wrong time.

Kirby is from Wall's End, and needs to go to Nivela to break the curse on her home hamlet. On the other side of the world, in Ash, Aleya is sent on a quest to Nivela to be fully accepted into her family. On the way there, they (obviously) run into each other, and quite a few other people.

The first 30 pages of Grace Curtis' latest sci-fi novel were really confusing. Then I realised this is in fact her first fantasy novel, and things started making a lot more sense. I probably should've looked beyond the author's name before starting to read.
Anyway, this was very, very good. I will keep thinking about it for a while, and almost certainly end up rereading it more than once. Als seems to be a habit with Curtis, the reader doesn't know any more than the main characters about what's going on, and frequently quite a bit less. All you can do is go along for the ride. The world building is exquisite, the narrative format is interesting, the writing style is straightforward, and the underlying ideas are complex. 9.5/10, and that last 0.5 is because I can't read the name 'Kirby' without thinking Super Mario.

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for the e-arc provided via Netgalley

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape!

I first heard of this book through CL Clark, who mentioned that it gave off Xena vibes. As any sapphic who has consciousness in the early 2000s-- that's a very high bar. AND YET IT WAS DONE. It's not a direct 1:1 correlation, but it is THERE. The warrior, fighting for a better life for others, commanding and deep-voiced, knowledgeable, and with an imperial family helping or harming her. The open-eyed dreamer, coming from a rural area, bright-hearted and needing adventure, needing to find what can happen. The warrior, unable to push her away, let alone resist her.
Their friend, a young man struggling to be the warrior he's told he ought to be. Trying and failing and trying and failing, with the same sort of understanding that something is wrong with his world.

Their courage will change the world. But they must fix it-- and it is deeply broken, Kirby's village cursed from losing their god, Aleya fighting to prove herself against her heritage.
As they walk across impossible landscapes, find broken cities, and interact with different peoples, it's a journey that feels both vast and intensely small, a bit of life in a world that does not revolve around them. Nivala itself has its own secrets, after all....

Grace Curtis, you've made a believer out of me.

Curtis has done it again! I think she's became one of my favourite authors after all these successes. Idolfire is her first foray into a more traditional format and is a great success.

We follow two characters, Kirby & Aleya. Kirby comes from a ruined village, their god stolen years ago by what is essentially a fantasy Roman empire. Her brother was preparing to save her before becoming distracted despite their home withering away. Aleya is an heir to the throne in her city and needs to go through a process known as 'The Calling' to secure her place as the successor to the crown.

Two unlikely characters find one another in an epic fantasy roadtrip. They encounter many obstacles along the way, rampant gods, war, mercenary parties, cultists, a commander with a vendetta and betrayals. They also find unlikely friends, uncover secrets and love.

This story was masterfully crafted and reads so well, I highly recommend people pick this one up!

Thanks to Netgalley & Hodderscape for this arc.

An epic quest! Sapphic heroes! A deeply annoying but somehow endearing antagonist-turned-companion!

In Idolfire, Grace Curtis crafts the most beautiful world filled with stolen gods and terrifying magic, and sends two very different but equally lovable main characters on their merry way. I devoured it.

Kirby and Aleya both want something back from the Nivelan empire which once controlled the world but has since mysteriously gone quiet. This story is their journey across the world to retrieve what was taken from their people.

It reminded me a bit of the spear cuts through water in that it’s a hero’s journey with queer lovers that plays around with structure and tense of storytelling.

Worldbuilding is definitely a strength. I loved the description of all the places and cities they travelled through, and how Nivela left its mark as a stain across the landscape through their conquest.

This is a cosy sapphic fantasy, very PG rated, though the stakes do feel sufficiently high to keep it interesting.