The book started off really well. Since it's the first book of a series, I expected a lot of world-building, so I wasn't too bothered by how slow it was at the beginning. I do, however, think that the romance between Tanwen and Zolya felt somewhat underdeveloped. There wasn't much interaction between the two characters, so their attraction to each other was based on curiosity initially. I enjoyed how they eventually formed a genuine connection through their shared interests and beliefs, rather than just physical attraction.

My problem was with the last third of the book, when Zolya started acting cowardly. His actions went against everything he supposedly believed in, in my opinion. The ending was definitely the biggest disappointment, which led me to lower my rating. It was overall still a very unique story with solid world-building, but I'm just not a fan of the characters.

Thank you, NetGalley and Montlake, for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4/5 stars

Wow, I am not sure where to even begin. This book was more heart wrenching than her other books. The story of Icarus and his recklessness does really shine through in this story. There were many moments I was frustrated with the characters and their very human decisions. Yet understood why they made them.

Tanwen and Zolya were doomed from the beginning to fail. Which made their relationship that much sweeter. I enjoyed watching them fall in love. Especially Zolya who did not know what to do with himself. It was interesting to see how he would react and what he would do when faced with his choices.

I think my favorite part of this book was the side characters. Seeing Zolya’s mom and how she ran her island was interesting. I loved watching the princess learn how to cope with decisions and stand up for herself.

Overall this was a whirlwind ride. Even though it was darker, I still enjoyed the character development. I’m excited to see where book 2 takes us!

I really enjoyed this book! It has a lot of interesting aspects to it. It didn’t give me the full five star feeling but I still had a blast!

this one’s for those who love forbidden romance, slow burn and vast world building. we follow two main characters: Tanwen and Zolya.. Tanwen is a Mütra, which makes her an “abomination”, while Zolya is the crown prince under the harsh scrutiny of his father. when Tanwen’s father is taken from their home and forced to work under the king, she becomes determined to infiltrate the castle to retrieve both him and her brother. im glad the author included a glossary at the start of the book cause there’s a lot of terminology that would’ve went over my head without it, cant even lie.

it took me a while to get into the story, but once i did i was so invested in how everything would unravel. the stakes are very high and the author is unforgiving when it comes to putting immense pressure on the characters. Tanwen and Zolya were both likable on their own and together. Zolya was a lot different than i was expecting for a prince, he kind of stays in the background while assisting where he can. i hated his father so much, but i loved the side characters— especially Zolya’s sister. the sense of urgency as things hit the fan at the end of the book made me so anxious, there’s still so many things that still need to be resolved. i will definitely be reading the next book whenever it comes out cause i just want them all to be happy.

This unique spin on the story of Icarus was refreshing.

She should never have born. Her existence in the world of Cadra is illegal. Because of who she is, Tanwen has spent her whole life hiding. Over two decades after her father had his wings cut from his back and was banished from the world of the Volari, they are hunting him. When her father and brother are kidnapped, Tanwen becomes a servant in the hopes to find and rescue them.

Forbidden love
Magic
FMC talks to animals
Court intrigue
Greek mythology
War on the patriarchy
Truly irredeemable villain

Scorched Skies is told from multiple points of view, which is one of the things I love to discover when reading a book. It explores the life of Zolya, a prince, who wants to please his father and needs to obey, keep quiet, and know his place. Tanwen, due to her life as a Mutra, has had to blend in and not draw attention to herself. The way they both navigate the world has its challenges. This books explores their struggles as they find how they fit into the world while they are falling in love with each other.

This book captured my attention, had unique world building at the beginning, picked up between 20-30% and I could not put it down. There were a few moments where I felt like it was a bit wordy and drawn-out for what was happening, and it felt a little unnecessary. Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the sequel in this epic tragedy as they stand on opposite sides of a long-standing war.

Loved it loved it loved it!!!!

I would say this fantasy romance done at its best. The world buidling was beautifully done and I could really understand the settings and the characters that were introduced.

I loved the romance as well and I am feral for anybook with wings!!!

I am so thankful to have gotten the opportunity to read this book early.
.
“His wingspan was as terrifying as it was magnificent.”

I loved how original and imaginative this story was. It felt so new while reading. I kept wanted to learn more about this world and the characters in it. EJ Mellow has created a beautiful new world for us. Filled with magic, Gods, multiple POVs, clans, and winged beings. She never stops bringing a creative, engaging story to life. Let’s get into some tropes:

Forbidden Love (Prince and Servant)
Undercover Mission
Who did this?
Say my Name
Prince against his Father
Supposed to be enemies to lovers

I also got to listen to the audiobook as well. I loved having multiple POVs. You have your FMC, MMC, and the FMC’s father. That was an interesting POV to have, but made so much sense to the story and added to it. I really enjoyed the cast for the audiobook as their voices followed throughout the story.

The story starts with her father and brother’s capture which leads Tanwen on a new journey that she may not return from. This journey leads her closer to the prince, who she hates. However, he is beautiful and has piercing blue eyes. He seems he could be different, but is he worth the risk? She’s here to save her family from the very people that took them. The prince would only be a problem in a well thought out plan.

If you love EJ Mellow’s past works you will love this. If you love fantasy, winged men, new worlds with an original story, Greek mythology, forbidden love, and say my name trope this is a story for you.

Wow, I just finished Scorched Skies by EJ Mellow and took the deepest breath I've ever taken. You know that feeling when you stand up after being on one of the most thrilling rollercoaster rides you've ever been on, and your hair's a mess, heart is racing, and you can't really get your footing to even out because you literally were swept off your feet just two seconds ago, soaring through gravity? That's what reading Scorched Skies felt like. It felt like I was held in a chokehold for most of the book. I didn’t know if I wanted to cry, laugh, scream, or bite all my nails off, but here I am, I made it through the rollercoaster, alive, with my heart mostly in tact and a tortured soul yearning for book 2. (Don't worry there isn't a major cliff-hanger!)

EJ Mellow is a master story teller. After reading her Mousai Trilogy, which is a stunning dark and gritty, atmospheric romantasy series I 100% recommend you read if you haven't done so already, I knew that Scorched Skies would be her best book yet! This woman poured her heart and soul, sweat and tears into this book and I was honored to be able to read an advanced reader's copy.

Scorched Skies has three points of view: Tanwen, a Mütra in hiding as a Süra who can communicate with animals and has a mouse friend named Eli, her father, Gabreel, a disgraced and exiled Volari inventor, and Zolya, the crown prince of Galia. I am SO pleased that EJ Mellow gifted us Gabreel's chapters because this book wouldn't have been the same without the reader experiencing the inner thoughts and suffering he and his son, Aberthol, experience under King Réol's tyrranic reign.

Tanwen has spent her entire life hiding what she is and the magical ability she has to talk to animals and communicate with them through emotions, thoughts, and words because she is Mütra. Her kind get hunted and executed because the king is threatened by how unpredictable their magic is and that there’s a possibility that their magic could rival his own. Her father, Gabreel, is hiding the fact he is an exiled Volari with cut wings, so the entire family lives their life on the run to prevent the Volari finding him and either executing him and his family, or using him for his brilliant mind as an inventor.

When Tanwen is confronted by a Volari as she is gathering a rare Jadüri flower to make Docüra, a hallucinogic elixir that has differing life alterring capabilities amongst the different species, he questions her to see if she knows the whereabouts of a Gabreel Heiro. She lies to not only the Volari soldier to protect her father, but also to her parents about her unexpected encounter because she doesn't want to pack up her life in Zomyad and run anymore.

Tanwen’s procrastination in telling her parents about the Volari hunting her father comes with a heart wrenching consequence. He father and brother are captured and flown back to Galia, the island in the sky ruled over by the High gods and hardened by the Volari, so that Gabreel can become the King's inventor once more and build him another mine to harvest gems since the royal coffers are rapidly depleting. Thus, puts into motion Tanwen's journey to a Recruitment office as she signs her life away to serve the Volari who ruined her life and rescue her father and brother.

Meanwhile, Zolya has endured centuries of his father's wrath and hundreds of beatings into submission as he’s taught it’s easier to obey the king’s every command. Mütra are hunted and killed. Süra who live on Cādra are oppressed. But when Zolya's heart and soul finds Tanwen there's no going back to a life of obedience. Zolya's heart has always has other desires. His mind has always had other thoughts and greater ambitions as he ponders what kind of king he would be. Tanwen only enhances his world even as she seeks to unravel it.

And all of the misery these characters experience are as pawns on the High and Low gods chess table. They pull the strings playing with all the poor souls on lives and interfering when it suits their own agenda is because a war is coming. The Low gods want to take back the skies. Will Tanwen and Zolya play right into their hands or defy the gods? We will find out in Book 2!!!

The world-building is flawless, which based on the world of Aadilor and the Thief Kingdom in the Mousai Trilogy, is no surprise. Everything feels so real in this book! Like you stepped into the pages and would never want to leave. The characters, the places, the smells and sounds!! It’s sheer perfection and chill-worthy that a made up world becomes so beautifully depicted on paper from the mind of EJ Mellow.

Scorched Skies has everything that makes an epic fantasy a great story:
- Forbidden Love
- Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
- Enemies, to friends, to lovers
- Animal companions
- Incredible side characters
- Sinister plots
- Really cool and terrifying deities
- Grand schemes
- Political intrigue
- Death
- Magical abilities (I can't wait to see more of in the next book!!)

If you loved the Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor and the Winner's Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski you will love, cherish, and absolutely devour Scorched Skies.

I bestow Scorched Skies with 5 gold stars and pray that the moon goddesses, Maja and Parvi, send down an infinite amount of stars all around EJ Mellow for creating such a masterpiece. Book 2 can't come soon enough!

ARC review
Publication date: 15 Apr 25

"Scorched Skies" by E.J. Mellow is the first book in the "Way of Wings" duology.
This is a romantic fantasy inspired by the Icarus myth.

I received an ARC from Montlake via Netgalley.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

What you can expect:

- enemies to lovers
- forbidden romance
- dual POV
- slow burn
- prince/ commoner
- winged hero/horned heroine

The story takes place in Cādra, a divided world where the winged Volari rule over the earthbound Süra.
The main characters are Zolya, the Volari prince and Tanwen, the child of a forbidden union between a Volari and a Süra.
Tanwen and her family are in hiding and Zolya was ordered to capture her father and brother.

The beginning of the book is a bit slower, as we have the world building and the set up for the main plot.
Tanwen is a strong and brave character and it is in her nature to help and heal. Also, she can communicate with animals.
Zolya is trapped between his father's orders and trying to do the right thing.
Between them there is a slow burn forbidden romance with a lot of chemistry.
The story is well written, complex, it kept me intrigued and has many emotional moments.

I am looking forward to the sequel.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Scorched Skies by E.J. Mellow is a third person multi-POV enemies-to-lover fantasy romance. Tanwen and her brother’s existence has been illegal for centuries. The child of a father connected to the sky and a mother connected to the Earth, children like Tanwen and Thol have been tortured and killed for the crime of being born. When Prince Zolya finds Tanwen’s father, who is the former architect of the king, he kidnaps her father and Thol, leaving behind Tanwen and her mother. Tanwen will do whatever she must to save her family.

This is exactly what I am looking for when I’m looking for enemies-to-lovers. Zolya is Tanwen’s enemy but he doesn’t remember that she was present when he took in her father and he never sees them together in the same room after so he doesn’t put two and two together. Meanwhile, Tanwen is determined to hate him but she sees his kinder and more understanding side when she becomes a servant for his sister. It’s messy and complicated but goes behind physical attraction and takes the time to build up the ways in which Tanwen is conflicted while Zolya is openly attracted to her but respects her boundaries.

The worldbuilding is on the darker end though I wouldn’t quite call this a dark fantasy. Besides the already horrific conditions that interracial relationships and children are living in, there is sexual assault of servants, sexism that refuses to recognize the autonomy of women, and the continued torture of Thol at the hands of the king, with him even being referred to as a ‘toy.’ The reader is given room to take these things in and process them, but we aren’t allowed to forget that they are happening for long.

Another thing I thought was really interesting is that the gods are closely connected to the royal family of the winged Volari and we do see gods and goddesses running around. After the recent explosion of Greek myths, it’s nice to see a totally new patheon that’s doing some similar things (such as commanding mortals to commit acts of revenge and having domains, like the arts) but is also doing new things, like making deals with a king for a god to marry a princess. I hope the second book explores this new pantheon in more depth and either brings them down or finds new ways to mess with their plans.

Content warning for depictions of sexual assault, mentions of addiction, and torture

I would recommend this to fans of the enemies-to-lovers dynamic who loved Heartless Hunter and readers of Romantasy who want a bit more worldbuilding and multiple fantasy races, including leads with wings and horns

4.5 stars

I don’t even know how to start this review. It was absolutely incredible. It has everything I want in a fantasy romance and the story telling was just brilliant.

Zolya and Tanwen, from their first encounter I knew I was going to love them together. I mean it’s an enemies to lovers, and forbidden romance! How could I not! It’s a bit of a slow burn, and damn! I did not expect it to take the spicy to that level 😮‍💨

I feel like I don’t want to say too much, so I’m not going to. Just know that it’s epic. There are twists that just gutted me or left me off balance. I was on the edge of my seat. I cried. I raged. And I was shooketh. Many emotions accompanied this book and I absolutely can not wait for what the next it going to bring, especially from that ending 🙈

THIS BOOK. I cannot believe that I was able to read this as a read now or that there doesn’t seem to be as much talk about it. This book was phenomenal. The perfect fantasy book. I absolutely couldn’t put it down.

EJ Mellow brings such an intricacy in her world building through her lyrical writing, her complex world building, the romance was romancin’, and even the side characters were hard to forget. I cannot wait to recommend this book to fellow fantasy readers.

Thank you so much to Montlake and EJ Mellow for this eARC. I cannot wait to dive into more.

This book is the Romantasy we all deserve. The enemies to lover we all deserve. I loved this book so much, aside from some small pacing issues, and maybe some parts that felt over written from time to time, I have no complaints. The romance didn't feel forced, their interactions felt real, and it didn't over shadow the larger plot of saving her family. If anything it added to the tension because it added a layer of complications. Oh, and a refreshing bonus there are no humans in this book. The romance is between two non-humans, which is a nice change. There's still an age-gap that I didn't think needed to be there, but at least she's over 20, which is also a nice change.

Tanwen, at first I was worried that she was going to be similar to other FMC's in romantasy, but she isn't. Sure, there are some common tropes that are part of her character, but with how they're used it doesn't feel tired, or like a cliché. I like the magic she has, it wasn't used in any deep way in this book, but I am curious how it will be used in later books.

Zolya, it was nice that the MMC wasn't a jerk. He loves his sister, he loves his mother, his biggest "crime" is that he's complicit in what his father does. Which doesn't make him a bad person, but he also doesn't really think there's anything he can or should do to change anything. He has the most character development in this book as he starts to see how bad things are under his father's rule. How it effects not only the Süra, but also the women Volari, like his sister and mother. And even the Mütra, and how messed up it was to damn a whole race for simply existing. Granted, it is a little strange that this guy who's been around supposedly for 80 years and has never once thought it was bad the mixed race of beings were killed basically on sight until he met one he thought was pretty. But I digress.

The lore and the magic take more of a back seat than I would like for a fantasy story that has no human equivalent. There are two moons for starters, and as I already mentioned no humans in this world. The Gods talk to the people of this world when they feel like it at least. But I don't really understand the pantheon as of this book. Hopefully the future books will explain it more.

I haven't read an Icarus retelling. It's not a story that gets a lot of traction and I was hesitant to read it. However, I really loved this book. This book ripped my heart apart and I would let it destroy me again all over again if I could. I am also impatiently waiting for book 2.
A surprising must read for 2025!

As a huge fan of E.J. Mellow’s Mousai series I was so excited to see she was starting a new romantasy duo. Scorched Skies is a fast paced, engaging, and emotional start to her new duo the Way of Wings inspired by the Icarus Myth.

This book takes us on a rollercoaster. I enjoyed Tanwen and Zolya story and slow burn relationship. The world of Cādra is divided and as Crown Prince Zolya is forced to fulfill his father’s every whim. When Tanwen disguises herself as a servant to infiltrate the palace she realizes there’s more to save than just her family.

I thought this story was a great blend of many beloved tropes and E.J. does a great job balancing the forbidden romance and the Prince falls for a commoner trope but the enemies to lovers is my favorite part. It feels unique while still familiar. I also really enjoyed the world building and the author just had a way with writing. I will say though if you’re an animal lover please check the trigger warnings. This book can be intense and heartbreaking at times.

Overall this was a great start to a new romantasy duo. I think fans of fantasy’s that aren’t all rainbows and happy times will enjoy this one. The characters really do face some very difficult times and choices.

Great retelling of Icarus. I love the drama with this, and the decisions that had to be made. Such a great rollercoaster of emotions and I cannot wait for the second half.

Emotional, engrossing and epic, Scorched Skies is a beautiful and unique retelling of the Icarus myth, with a twist.

With great world building, well written characters and captivating plot, this story is so well paced, fully rounded, and wonderfully flowing.
The struggles of the characters are real, their decision while sometimes hard are never foolhardy, and the magic, gods and political intrigue are top notch and form the perfect backdrop to a beautiful love story - that is imperative to the plot progression, but not overpowering and overtaking the plot.

Extra special brownie points go out to narrators Dominique Salvacion and Andre Santana - for breathing life into these intricate, fierce characters, helping this rich world and tale come to live even further.

5 stars and a sacred flower

This was a unique Icarus inspired Fantasy Romance with an amazing enemies to lovers tension filled story between our two main characters, Tanwen and Zolya.

I really enjoyed the multiple characters we were able to follow outside of just our two main characters, I think it really added to the depth and understanding of the story. It also helped with the world building as this is only a duology, world building has to be done in a quick and precise manner.

The main love story was not the only one we got to follow and understand. I think the amount we got from the side characters with their relationships to the main characters and each other is what really drew me to this story and made me feel for the characters as a whole. The romance was built up in a very "realistic" way considering their connection and what drew them together in the first place.

This had the perfect amount of yearning, suspense, and pain that I love in my fantasy romance books.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC and I cannot wait to read the conclusion to this story!

I may have shirked some responsibilities to finish this book.
The world and plot feel fresh and I loved all the characters from the family to the friends to the mouse. The complexity of the characters and the choices they grappled with felt grounded in reality and often had me on the edge of my seat or were tugging at my heart. I'm inpatiently awaiting book two!

4.25/5

This is my first E.J. Mellow read, and an overall wonderful introduction that has made me eager to read more of her books.

"Scorched Skies" brings us to a world of divided races: the Volari, the winged highborn of the world; the Süri, the horned lowborn; and the Mütra, who are considered worse than low: an abomination to society, whose very existence is punishable by death. As one who appreciates political intrigue in a book, I thought that it was very well done but not too steeped in it. "Scorched Skies" makes it approachable but not overwhelming, if you find yourself getting lost in books that have high-stakes politics involved. I also enjoyed reading about the magic system and the Süra clans, but I had hoped for a bit more fleshed-out world building than what I was given, based on the amount of information given in the. beginning regarding the world (which was incredibly helpful and interesting).

I very much loved the portrayal of the main protagonists. FMC Tanwen is no shrinking violet, but she is not an overcharged superhero (but she does have a pretty cool magical gift). She lies somewhere in the middle: a very clever woman who has a seemingly insurmountable task set before her, tackling it the best she knows how and drawing strength from her friends along the way. MMC Zolya, the heir to the throne, has seen plenty of the world and has a mind of his own with how he believes it should be ruled. I wouldn't say that their relationship is slow burn. I'd classify it is, "medium burn, with a fast burn lust." To me, a true slow burn romance takes more than one book to develop. But I don't mind an enemies-to-lovers trope, which Mellow does well here. There is also some pining, which is always a win for me; but I personally prefer my romance to have a bit more angst.

As a side note, I also liked the cast of side characters overall. Azla is definitely a favorite, and I hope that she gets more time in the next book. I look forward to getting to know Huw in the next installment.

Overall an enjoyable read. Pacing was well-done, and I appreciated the different POVs. The pictures at the beginning of each chapter denoting whose POV you are reading was an interesting but not unwelcome choice. I also loved the story of Nocémi and Ré. It was a brief part of the book, but lovely.

Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for an e-ARC. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.