What an amazing surprise. I expected to like this book but not as much as I did. Loved the fantasy and the romance and how it fits the entire plotline. Amazing and well based characters AND incredible world building. There was nothing I didn't like about this book. I liked it so much that I just purchased the series on paperback instead of reading them on kindle.

4.5. Delightful but way too much rape. Just so much.

Wow I was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. I'm not sure why I didn't have higher expectations going in but regardless they were blown away. Evie is sweet and sheltered but certainly not helpless. She has a courageous spirit and a big heart. Declan is strong and cold...except where Evie is concerned. I'm a sucker for a dude who is all in, especially when you add in the 'touch her and you die' vibes. I also appreciate that Evie has friendships and interests outside of Declan and how there is so much going on in this world. It's not just about Evie/Declan, there's a really compelling overall story that drives everything.

** spoiler alert ** This is going to be long and probably incoherent because I’m about to spew my love for this book all over the internet. It’s consumed my life for three days. Sorry not sorry. First of all, how is this the first full length book Hollee Mands has ever written?? It’s so. Damn. Good. I’ve read authors where the first foyer they take into writing is decent, but could use work. This book??? I swear it reads like an experienced fantasy author. The prose is beautiful, but it never feels stuffy or like I need a thesaurus to understand. I’m so freaking impressed!!! Plot: Wow. I’m a huge fantasy reader, but I’d gotten away from it because they all started to run together. I’ve always felt like fantasy plots are the hardest to write. Especially a high fantasy like this with totally new worlds. Little Fire knocked it out of the park. The world feels so fleshed out. Each realm we learned about felt so real and I could envision it in my brain. The trafficking plot?? So good. I loved how Hollee wrote about trafficking and detailed just how horrific it really was, even in a fantasy world with magic. The way she dealt with the victims and entwined this level of care with their trauma was really well done. Also, the entwined conspiracy between different kingdoms was VERY well thought out. I’m going to keep this fairly spoiler free, but the big reveal at the end really made my heart so happy. The pacing could be a little slow at times, but I liked that it wasn’t pedal to the floor all the time. The slow areas really gave the relationship a chance to build and I LOVED that. Characters: Declan Thorne, you giant simp. I love this man. How he went from cold, calculated Archmage to loyal worshipper at Evie’s feet was just muah. I love that even though we do get to see a softer side of him, he’s still a badass. The lengths he’d go to protect Evie? I love a good “touch her and you die” H and man, he delivered. Evie, my sweet summer child. She was so good as an h that’s innocent without being blindingly dumb. The way Hollee handled her trauma was really well done and I loved that it never felt rushed. These two together were just perfect. Declan took such care with Evie. He never rushed her to be ready before she really was. The way they came together felt all the more special because they really built a mutual respect for each other and a relationship first. I’m trash for them. I’m about to ramble but here we goooo: the creatures in the shadow realm were absolutely terrifying. The descriptions were so vivid, I could see these demons and monsters in my brain while I was reading. Also, Evie becoming a healer that works with trafficking victims? Loved it. Who better to help them than someone who’s experienced a similar trauma. The Shadow Realm/Draedyn’s realm was horrifying in the best way. So. Freaking. Good. Seeing Mailin and Killian again after reading Lullaby Scars was such a treat. And they’re going to have a little baby!!! I love them so much. I can’t believe we have a month to go until the sequel, Winter Sun. I’m going to be impatiently waiting until November 30th to get my hands on it. 5/5 stars. I cannot wait to continue this series!! PS. Gabriel Blacksage has my soul and we only see him occasionally on page. Im already a simp for this man and I know next to nothing about him. I’m feening for a book about our Unseelie rebel. Dual POV No cheating/No OW/OM Cliffhanger ending TW: violence, SA/attempted SA (mostly off page), trafficking, mentions of rape

Listen I’m a sucker for cute love and I loved their relationship. I love the fantasy and the story kept me interested but I loved that he took care of her

My favorite book of 2021, by far. (unless #2 will be better, but its not out as of writing this). I adore the FMC, absolute adore her. And she is the main reason why this is my favorite book of the year. I know a lot of other readers don't like her "helplessness" but I really like it. She is a young women an he is an 400+ years old Archmage. There is a good chance that he knows a little bit more and is obviously pretty powerful. Why should she take lead? In so many other books we have a really strong female character and she always knows better and takes lead of everything. I am tired of those, this isn't female empowerment, its sometimes just plain.. stupid. Listen to the ancient being trying to help you, a young girl doesn't necessarily know better (but ofc in 90% of the books they know better). And even better, there are consequences in this book. I can hardly believe it. Weak little human tries to help the powerful Archmage. And what happens? Bad stuff. I absolute love this. But at the same time, she is a really strong character, she is not a meak little thing that gets pushed around. And her character develops SO MUCH. And the world building. I can 'feel' how big the world is, the story isn't just about 2 characters and a tiny bit of world around it. We have a complex world here, lots of side characters that matter. The world feels full and complex. And I want more. I don't know how many books are planned in this series, but there are so many possibilities. Honestly, this book is amazing. And the author seems to be really lovely, seeing some of her TikTok comments.

I read LITTLE FIRE over the weekend and enjoyed it a lot! You have Fae, archmage, portals, grumpy-sunshine, lots of magic and monsters! The relationship between the two main characters was so endearing. Declan and Evie are truly perfect for each other. 🤍