Firstly the cover - WOW. I really enjoyed this book it was well written with a good level of character development and an interesting storyline. Im a sucker for forbidden love and so this got me right in the feels. I couldnt put this down and I can't wait to read more by the author.

Firekind is a fast-paced and engrossing YA fantasy novel that sucked me in from page one. Wren's writing is flowing and gorgeous and reminds me of Naomi Novik. The worldbuilding is detailed and epic with a fantastic elemental magic system, and I adored the romance between Thom and Poppy. Give me a bearded tattoed hottie with a strong protective vibe all day, every day. Poppy is a heroine you can really sink your teeth into and can't help but root for. I loved this book and can't wait for the next one! Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC.

Immediately starting this book I was instantly confused because the setting starts in Missouri in a standard reality. After realizing i was infact reading a YA fantasy book, i really fell into the story so quickly. It does shift from a typical contemporary setting to a fantasy setting as the story progresses. I actually thought this element was interesting and not something i’ve seen done in any fantasy i’ve read before.

Poppy, our MC, works at Target with handsome, and caring Manager Thom. Until one night when things get insanely weird and Poppy realizes Thom is clearly much more than her manager. We have adventure, romance, battles, what more can you ask for?

I also really enjoyed the way different POVs were portrayed. I like being able to know how and what characters are thinking from both sides.

I think my only annoyance was the fact that the glossary for the world specific terms were at the end of the book with no outward description of them in the actual story. Which, i’m just not a glossary girl so that’s kind of just on me. i like when i get answers within the story. it would’ve been an excellent opportunity to explain what these world specific terms are when Poppy can’t remeber any of her time spent in Caelith.

Overall, i really enjoyed the story. The plot was great & there was always something happening but not in that agitating “they’re battling again?” way if you know what i mean? I am super excited to read the next book to see where Poppy and Thoms relationship ends up and what’s to come with Ryness, who is suppose to be the villain but might not be? Would recommend to anyone who loves fantasy but especially someone who’s just diving into fantasy!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for proving me with an eARC. i am always so grateful!

"The pain of loving is often overlooked. Sometimes there's as much suffering in love as there is joy. That's the way of it. Even in the havenlands."

This contemporary YA fantasy was such a fascinating and interesting read! With inspiration drawn from Iceland and a captivating magic system rooted in elemental magic, I was easily able to read this in one sitting!

The plot was well-paced and I really liked how there was almost always something going on to keep me engaged with the story. It took me a few chapters to really get immersed in the story, but beware, it's easy to get sucked in! The added bonus is the lovely glossary at the end that helps you understand the many terms brought up in this book and I always enjoy books that have little guides in them!

At first, the setting threw me off because, well, it's Missouri and that's probably the last place you'd expect a fantasy novel to take place. But as the story progresses, the setting makes sense and changes as our main characters are forced to speed west to find a way into Caelith, or the alternate realm that the elementalkind reside in.

As for the characters, I really enjoyed them! Poppy was such an easy character to root for because she's so relatable. She's just a young woman who is trying to make ends meet and take care of her mother when her world is turned upside down and is forced to figure out things as she goes. And Thom? Who doesn't want a bearded, gentle yet strong, handsome Icelandic man to protect and encourage them? (*Swoons*) The character development was great with a bit of a forbidden love angle that was very enjoyable.

The dual POV was also nice because I love seeing events through each character's eyes and it gave more insight into character relationships and reactions. Normally I'm not into "insta-love" books, but all things considered, it's not quite the typical example of it since one character is having to recover memories about the other from their pasts. It takes place over such a short period of time, but by the end, it all just makes more sense.

Overall, this book is a really strong start to what could be a great series and I can't wait to read the next book as that cliffhanger has me craving more! From the elemental magic system to the great characters, this is a fun and unique read for any YA fantasy and romance fan!

(Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and of course, the author for providing me with the chance to read an eARC of this book! This has no influence on my review.)

This book was amazing, I loved the story, the characters, the world-building. Everything was amazing. I love poppy I can't want to see her grow into herself. Thom is such an interesting love interest. I think the author did a fantastic job of doing every character justice. Sometimes authors can be too focused on the main character that they lack the depth to their other side characters but the author did a fantastic job of developing the other characters in this book. I love the little I can say that the writing gets better as you read, the first couple chapters were a little rough in my opinion but that's to be expected from a new author and this being the first book. They just didn't flow as well as the rest of the book. You can see the progress they make. As I said before the story this author tells is amazing I haven't read anything like this and it was amazing. The story is enthralling and vivid, I applaud the author for weaving this together do well. The world-building is astounding, I was blown away and without words to describe how fantastic it is. I highly recommend checking out this book.

This was really cool. It wasn't what i was expecting at all looking at the front cover. The characters and the story were what made this book senssational. I loved Poppy and I wait to see what she does next. Thom is such a heartthrob. It's a breath of fresh air to find an author who gives all of the characters space to grow and come into their own. This book is one in a million honestly. Highly reccommend

Poppy Paquin is a normal 18-year-old girl. At least it seems so, until a creature tries to pull her into the river. Now, normal no longer exists, and Poppy is on the run from a kidnapper with a bearded guy from her past. She soon finds that the world is more dimensional that she’s ever known…or remembered.

Firekind is a fast-paced story blending urban and epic YA fantasy. I enjoyed the character and world building, especially the elementals which add a fascinating magical flair. Most of all, I love the forbidden romance sparking between Poppy and Thom and look forward to seeing how that evolves in the next book.

I recommend Firekind to lovers of YA fantasy and unique worlds, with a bit of enemies to lovers sprinkled in.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley & BooksGoSocial and am leaving an honest review.

Rating: 4/5
I received this book from Netgalley for my honest review

Firekind was a great read, and the author knew how to draw you and keep you on your toes the whole book. I loved that it was an urban/fantasy YA book, and really enjoyed the main characters, Poppy, and Thom. I love the chemistry between them and the understanding from both about what is going on and how to handle everything. I really enjoyed the elementals to the plot which just made it even better with the plot twist. Angela Wren knows how to build a world, I loved all the attention to details. I didn’t rate this book higher than 4 due to the times in the book that I would lose interest with the world building and just wanted to hurry through those parts but I understand this is the first book and she was building up the world. I can’t wait to see what book 2 will have in store for us and to see the rest of the story of Poppy and Thom and the adventures they will have to make and the battles to come. If you want a book that is unique and something different but still YA fantasy this is your book.


I want to Thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for allowing me the chance to read and review this book for my honest review

I absolutely loved Firekind by Angela Wren.

Poppy’s story is one of mystery and action that kept me glued to book until the end. Unraveling the secrets of her past and the truth of who she is and her family was a fantastic ride. Her relationship with Thom was pure and sweet as well.

I really enjoyed Wren’s writing here. She uses a vast vocabulary that I wish more YA novels had used when I was a teen! In Dune style, she even uses some terms she came up with herself and includes a handy glossary for those terms at the end of the book.

This book did end leaving many questions to be answered, so I believe (hope) there will be a sequel. If you like YA fantasy novels I don’t think you will be disappointed with Firekind.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley & BooksGoSocial in exchange for an honest review.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in return for my honest review. Thank you to Angela Wren Crocker and Books go Social for giving me the opportunity to read Firekind before its release.
18 year old Poppy Paquin is living a perfectly normal life until one evening she is almost dragged into the nearby river by a creature she has never seen before in her life- or so she thinks. Having no memories of her past before she moved with her mother Deidre, she soon finds herself running desperately from her new enemies, accompanied by her hot manager Thom- who is not at all who he seemed.
Not only does Poppy have to come face to face with the fact that she is being hunted by strange creatures and cruel men, but her memories are starting to come back and it turns out, Thom is far more familiar than she ever realised.
This book had me hooked from the very start, I quickly grew invested in Poppy’s attempt at escaping her enemies and I enjoyed the world Wren painted. The characters stuck with me throughout and I found myself desperate to learn of their fates as the story progressed.
I really appreciated the glossary at the back of this book and I loved the fact that she incorporated her own words to add impact to her story. I honestly can’t wait to see what she writes next and this was such a brilliant start to a potential series.