Rosaria Munda

"Two dragonriders must go head-to-head for the top position in the Callipolan fleet, and protect the new regime from those who lost power"--

Fireborne

nina 

4.5 stars 

the girls that get it, get it. a new favourite :’)

UGH i wrote out an entire review and then it disappeared bc i don’t know how to use this yet haha. this was engaging enough for me to finish, but it wasn’t particularly surprising in its plot or its writing; i wasn’t really wowed at any moment. i enjoyed lee and annie’s relationship, and i liked that crissa was more than just ~ the other girl ~ and power played a larger role than just a bully. however, i felt like more could have been poured into the dragons to make them seem more like actual characters (feels like the whole telepathic dragon bonds got lost a bit here), and maybe it’s because i was listening via audiobook and therefore didn’t pay as much attention, but i didn’t feel a deep emotional investment for any particular character, though i did like quite a few of them. i will probably not continue with the series! 

lucia

Teeeeeesha

There's just something achingly simple about this book. It is political, adventurous with a dash of longing and desire, it shows the aftermath of a revolution. Is it always good or bad? Also DRAGONS.

Anna Bold

I received an arc of this. 

It was dense but not a slow read - in a lot of ways it felt like an entire trilogy wrapped up into one book, which I really liked. I feel like this book can stand on its own and I’m kind of bummed to find out it was a series, but while I might read the next one I’m not dying for it, in a good way, I’m really glad the author was able to wrap up most things in one book while still leaving the plot open.

The political metaphor is extremely obvious but didn’t take away from the plot too much, and I was able to connect to the characters enough. Once I got into it, it was a fun read.

Emily B

I read this book because Elliot Brooks kept gushing about it and was not disappointed. The characters seemed very fleshed out, especially in regards to their trauma. I enjoyed the relationships between the friends and the angst between the love interests was *chef's kiss* and I usually don't go for friends to lovers, so it is saying something when it impressed me using that trope. The highlight of this book though were the politics. The author said she studied political theory and science and it shows. I never really knew how to feel about the world of the revolution. In some ways, it was better than the old world. In others, it was just as bad. I think she got the idea of a revolution down pat. Often times, they start because they want justice, but more often than not, they dissolve into bids for power and personal gain. I loved how she portrayed that. I didn't know how to feel about the man who started the revolution until the very end. Overall, if you love politically heavy books with well rounded characters, I would definitely pick this up. It was so good!

Julie Janis

Reread:

I need to bump up my rating from a 4 star to a 5 star because there's just too much about this book that is incredible.

The plot and world building is so well done. Exploring a new government after a revolution, questioning whether it's good or bad and seeing it's flaws was very well done. The war between two countries really makes you wonder if this new regime is the right one or not. On the surface it seems good, but digging deeper, is it really?

The characters are what make this book shine. Their depth is outstanding and their emotions and trauma are very well written. Though I'm not a fan of angst in relationships, the angst between Lee and Annie felt very realistic and made sense because of the trauma they went through. Some may not like this because of the "love triangle" (which I believe there isn't one really), but they're teenagers and are figuring out how to deal with the trauma they're going through. 

Going more on the relationships, I love that despite the complications with Lee and Annie's past--and their current situation--they still remain best friends and are loyal to each other. While they are competing against each other--and ALL the side characters competing in this tournament--they ALL remain friends. I find that to be so compelling and love that they don't need to be enemies when they're competing against each other. 

The choices that Annie and Lee make are incredibly difficult. I hurt for them and all I want is a happy ending for them. I'm so interested in rereading the second book and see if my opinion will change with that one too. 

I HIGHLY recommend this book! It's so well done!

<i>”Bring what fury you have and I will answer it with ours.”</i>

This was one of the BEST YA fantasy books I’ve ever read. 

• two best friends who come from different worlds but share similar loss and pain

• secrets (& boy do I ever wish I could expand on this)

I absolutely loved this!! I couldn’t put it down and I’m so curious to see where this story goes ☺️

Kathryn

<i>”Bring what fury you have and I will answer it with ours.”</i>

This was one of the BEST YA fantasy books I’ve ever read. 

You’ve got:

• a post revolution setting 

• dragons 

• two best friends who come from different worlds but share similar loss and pain

• a competition

• court politics 

• dual POV’s 

• secrets (& boy do I ever wish I could expand on this)

• & a dash of romance 

I absolutely loved this!! I couldn’t put it down and I’m so curious to see where this story goes ☺️

5/5⭐️



Bryanna M

Sheila Goicea

I received a copy of this book via BookishFirst in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.

WOW. What a fantastic read! RTC!

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Rina

*3.5
Never met a character from a fantasy book that matched my personality until this one! This could have been a 4 star considering this actually had the elements I dig in a book, but since this had dragons and battles, the scenes where the dragons and their riders actually fight were too short for me. Not really a bad thing but I expected more of those I guess.

laura

* I got this book for review from the publisher*

I really loved this russian inspired dragon themed novel. This book was such a strong read. I really loved the duel POV in this story and loved how their realtionship developed throughout the novel, Lee and Annie realtionship was unique and was such a strength of the novel. I also found the structure of this book to be so fun. I also really loved the dragons in this novel and it was such a fun book to read. I thought the ending could have been more expanded one, but this book was such a strong political fantsay novel that I really enjoyed.

Nickie Mohler

This book is amazing! I loved it so much.

Nine years ago there was a bloody revolution that left many orphans behind. Two of them grew up together in an orphanage and mourned all they had lost. 

Before the revolution, only Dragon Lords (highborn) could be dragon riders. In this new world, any class can test to become a dragon rider. Lee and Annie will never forget the day they lost their families, but becoming dragon riders would allow them to help protect this new world they believe in.

I loved the characters, the dragons, the politics, and everything else about this book. I am very sad that I will have to wait until March for the next one.

If you're like me and love fantasy and aren't a romance fan, this is for you.

"Fireborne is everything I want in fantasy."--Rachel Hartman, New York Times bestselling author of Seraphina Game of Thrones meets Red Rising in a debut young adult fantasy that's full of rivalry, romance . . . and dragons. Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone--even the lowborn--a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders. Now they are both rising stars in the new regime, despite backgrounds that couldn't be more different. Annie's lowborn family was executed by dragonfire, while Lee's aristocratic family was murdered by revolutionaries. Growing up in the same orphanage forged their friendship, and seven years of training have made them rivals for the top position in the dragonriding fleet. But everything changes when survivors from the old regime surface, bent on reclaiming the city. With war on the horizon and his relationship with Annie changing fast, Lee must choose to kill the only family he has left or to betray everything he's come to believe in. And Annie must decide whether to protect the boy she loves . . . or step up to be the champion her city needs. From debut author Rosaria Munda comes a gripping adventure that calls into question which matters most: the family you were born into, or the one you've chosen.

Kimberly

I enjoyed this book. Dragons! Love me some dragons in a story. Also loved the classical references. The characters were developed that at the end I felt that I was a part of the crew and inside the story. I cried, rolled my eyes, and smiled throughout the story. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

Deborah Kerr

An absolutely awesome YA Fantasy--exactly what I needed to reinvigorate my love for Fantasy!

The characters were great (way too mature/responsible for their age, but believable considering their circumstances), the world-building fantastic, and the dragons were the perfect cherry on top. The pacing could've been revved up a bit but it didn't lag too hard.

I am always, always, always a fan of found family and this book is chock full of it.

Docked a star for:
- unnecessary Love Interest storyline
- there were just one too many times where the main characters looked at each other and just understood each other--except half the time they didn't understand each other and a conversation could've saved us a lot of pining/heartache

Can't wait to get my hands on Flamefall!

Lovisa

Lätt uppe på min topp fem av årets bästa böcker. Allt med denna var precis vad jag förväntade mig och ville ha. Kan knappt vänta till bok nummer två!

Taylor McNeely

Fireborne has the right amount of action, dragons, and romance for anyone who likes one or all three of those themes. I loved the growth the characters went through and how they were able to grow with each other’s help. Also, the ending was so tension filled, surprising, and awesome that I seriously can’t wait for the second book!

Kerri McDonald

“They watch us kneel, they see the back of our heads, and they think we’ve given in. They don’t realize you can think from your knees just as well as from your feet.”

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

We all have those books that we read that we absolutely love, but seems to be under the radar in the wider bookish community. Books that capture our imagination, make us ache, but don’t get talked about all that much. Fireborne is one of those books for me! This was an absolute treat to read and, yet, I don’t see a lot of people talking about it. So allow me to throw my thoughts out there and hopefully get more people on the Fireborne train!

This story follows two main characters: Lee and Annie. Lee and Annie are both orphans for very different reasons. Annie’s family was burned to death by her former dragonlord, one of the leaders of the old regime that used to rule over the island of Callipolis. Lee is the son of the same dragonlord and watched his entire family die on the day that the people rebelled and overthrew them. Now, both Annie and Lee are the top two dragonriders that protect the new regime, competing for the title of Firstrider. They have grown up taking care of one another and both are passionate about becoming Firstrider, though for different reasons. Then, survivors of the old regime reveal themselves and their intention to take back the island. Loyalties and relationships are tested and nothing will be the same.

Y’ALLLLLL, THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD! It’s taken me forever to start this review because all I want to do is just shout “This is AMAZING!” and throw it at people. Throwing books at people makes them want to read them, right? I’m going to seem semi-articulate in this review, though.

First, let’s talk about the world-building of this novel, because it is absolutely top tier! Rosaria Munda has crafted a world that will captivate you from page one. There’s a lot of history here but at no point does it feel like the author is just dumping information on top of you. The history is brought up organically and is so fascinating that you want to learn more! I loved burrowing into Callipolis and I didn’t want to leave. I found the fact that this world was inspired by classics like Plato’s Republic interesting, as well. Hand-in-hand with the world-building, the plot was impeccably constructed, as well! I will say, there were a few moments that lagged just a tad for me, but, overall, it was compelling from beginning to end. AND THE ENDING! Ugh, that ending was perfect but also made me ANXIOUS. I guess I should be happy that the sequel is already out 😁

My personal favorite thing about this book, though, was the characters and their relationships. Annie and Lee are such well-developed and compelling protagonists that make you want to know everything about them. I quickly became attached to both of them and was entirely invested in their journey. And what a journey they both have! There’s so much emotional turmoil and growth for both Annie and Lee to tangle with and it’s told in a beautifully evocative way. I felt their pain and their struggles, which made me even more attached. The secondary characters, though more in the background of course, feel just as real, which made me love this book even more. Give me all the well-crafted characters arcs, pleeeeease!

Final thoughts: This was such a fun young adult fantasy with a lot of political intrigue and a lot of heart. The characters are all incredibly vivid, to the point that you find yourself connecting to them almost as soon as you meet them. You feel their pain and cheer their growth as they struggle through the trials Rosaria Munda has written for them. The world-building is immaculate and, though bits of the book can lag, it keeps you captivated from beginning to end. And I haven’t even mentioned the dragons! If you like fantasy that examines complicated political machinations and gives you wonderful character growth on top of high-flying action, I think you would love Fireborne!

Meagan Fowler

3.2? 3.5? I’m not super sure. With the first part of this book having so much info dump I almost dnf-ed it. It did get better at the end but I wanted that all the way through the novel.

Madeline Hulburt

4.5 rounded to 5.

I really enjoyed this story. Sometimes I felt like it dragged a bit and the character's actions annoyed me, but the last third of the book really made up for the rest. I wish the book was just slightly shorter, but this book really was amazing and I highly recommend it as a political fantasy.

Manon van Heumen

This was an amazing story, full of potential. For me, it was too difficult to follow at times, which made me dislike it, and my mind wandered. I'm still very curious how this story will develop though!

Ashlee

Fireborne is a pretty good fantasy debut and I definitely enjoyed the whole premise Munda has created! I am a bit of a sucker for the childhood friends to maybe more trope and the relationship between Leo and Annie was sweet, hopeful and pure.

There were a few rocky parts in this that I want to point out. For one, the world building early on felt vague and a bit shaky. I understand that there was an uprising and some of the causes for it, but there’s still some grey areas as far as the classes go and the war currently at hand.

Perhaps I missed some of these things ... if I did I think that lies with the pacing during the first half of this book almost being too fast. We are constantly jumping from action scene to action scene, sometimes with days, weeks, months passing between and it was jarring at times to keep up with the pace of the story. Sometimes we need to slow down a little and let scenes breathe and I feel the first half of this book felt like a bunch of one-shots smashed together.

That said, the second half of this book is much stronger. The pacing is better and I felt like I had a stronger grasp on the characters and factions at play. 

I do wish that more had happened in this book by the end, though. As much as I enjoy competitions, each round was basically a repetition of the same thing. That, paired with the dragonriders school aspect was too reminiscent of a fictional sport that starts with Q and a magical school that starts with H in a series that shall not be named. 

All of that said, I definitely came to love Annie and Leo’s characters. I especially enjoyed their childhood connection and sympathize with both of them over what they’ve lost. I was especially taken with Leo’s character, which is probably no surprise, but I’m mostly curious to see where the series takes his journey.

Again, a solid fantasy debut with a few minor issues, but overall enjoyable!

Fireborne

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