Fast-paced, imaginative, and brimming with high-stakes tension—The Ellyrian Code pulled me in from the very first chapter. The world-building was rich and layered, blending sci-fi elements with action and just enough mystery to keep the pages turning. I loved how the story balanced advanced technology with emotional depth and character-driven moments.

The protagonist was easy to root for—determined, smart, and just flawed enough to feel real. Watching them navigate political intrigue, unexpected alliances, and a looming threat made for an exciting ride. The pacing was strong, and the stakes kept rising in a way that felt organic and earned.

If you're a fan of smart sci-fi with strong characters, clever twists, and a universe you can get lost in, The Ellyrian Code delivers. Looking forward to seeing where this world goes next!

Unputdownable. I started reading it in transit while travelling, and when I looked up my flight was boarding. Absorbs you wholly and I xannot wait for this to be in the world

sadly, I did not enjoy this book: it wants to be a bit fourth wing (an academy of magic and dragons?) and a bit atlas six: the title in fact refers to the ellyrian code on which the protagonists build their endless clashes of dialectics that take place in the academy: the entire book is fundamentally based on that, even the final twists, the interactions between
the characters, the lessons at the academy: only laws, only back and forth; the worldbuilding, the chemistry between the characters, the plot: nothing has come through; the characters remain a name on a sheet of paper, they are many but not characterized, anonymous, interchangeable; a book that I would define not satisfying, despite the purpose of mixing dragons and dark academia vibes.

"Everyone is content not knowing a secret until they realize that there's a secret they don't know."

The way my heart fluttered and my throat trembled at this line. I know it might not seem much, but for a person who loved reading Peter Baelish and Varys in a Song of Ice and Fire, these words triggered something cold in me. The feeling that what I was reading was only the first layer in an intricate story of magic, deception, and loyalty. The question is, what loyalty comes first? Your house, your kingdom, your self , or the truth?

Ellyrian is broken up into three principalities, house of blood, gold, and war. The house of blood are descended from the old Kilethi kings and honor the teachings of the elves. They favor the code of love and forgiveness. The house of gold purchased their princedoms when Ellyrian was new and in need of gold. The house of war took the lands for their princedom, living by a code of might.

The prologue starts with Hazzar. A Edrei who is far away from home with his breatheran. Tasked to uphold the Orders code and justice. But all is not well. A decision made in the silent dark will leave Hazzar shunned and nameless but never forgotten.

The story cuts to several years later. We then begin to follow multiple students who are initiates at Eshtem, a peace college. Where perspective students are tutored and challenged in anticipation of one day being a Edrei or peace knight. The curriculum is rigorous, and very few make it, but it is worth every moment. To be an Edri is to be almost untouchable. To be held above all others in the realm, what judgment you bring final. Not to mention they're the keeper of dragons. As the students battle not only each other but their inner selves to come out on top, a secret is accidentally uncovered. Leaving them and you to ponder, what is the truth , where does it come from, and at what cost is it worth?

I finished this book in 3 days because it sucked me in. It gave just enough Fourth Wing vibes to sate my hangover while still being an intriguing story. I loved all the banter and whitty quips between the mcs throughout the book. I also thoughlly enjoyed the interrogations and tried to figure out what I would have answered before reading the characters response. 😅 These were very humbling moments knowing I wouldn't cut it here.

I would like to thank angryrobot publishing and B.F. Peterson for the free arc I received and am happy to leave this honest review.

This had a comp title of fourth wing which made me really excited, but it was a very different book, which I'm partly glad for. It was very dark academia, but I did want more dragons. While confusing at the start, by the end I was pretty invested in a few familiar characters. I think this left off at a very interesting point and that book 2 could be even better.