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.
Fireborne is so out of my comfort zone and not something I would usually pick up. I haven’t even seen many people talking about it, so I have no idea what compelled me to give it a chance. Whatever it was, I am so happy that I trusted my gut! Blogging has really broadened my reading taste and it is interesting to see that even four years later blogging is still encouraging me to try new genres. I have a read very few books involving dragons. The type of fantasy I am typically drawn to is centered around magic and/or witches. Now I want to read all of the dragons books, so please give me your recommendations!
What stood out to me most about Fireborne was the political system and the history of the world that Rosaria Munda has created. So I was not at all surprised to see in the author bio that she studied political theory at Princeton. I found myself thinking about the politics in this world even when I wasn’t reading it, which is odd for me. I think that Munda tackles some interesting questions. The book takes place after a revolution, when most books would have ended. It makes the reader contemplate whether the new system is truly better than the old. Are they really that different? I have a feeling this will be explored even more in the next book, Flamefall, which I cannot wait to get my hands on!
The book is told from two perspectives, Lee and Annie, and we jump between each of them often, which could have been confusing or overwhelming but somehow wasn’t. I loved the connection between these two characters, which is obviously blossoming into more than friendship and I cannot wait to see where it goes! There are a lot of tropes in here, but I loved Munda’s spin on them. This is how to write friends to lovers!
Fireborne starts with a competition between dragonsriders, and that continues throughout the book. I am always here for a good competition! I will say that I hope we get to see even more dragons in the rest of the series.
If you are looking to dip your toe into high fantasy, I think that Fireborne is a good place to start. It has a little bit of everything- romance, dragons, great side characters, and a competition. What’s not to love!
- Characters: 9
- Atmosphere/Setting: 9
- Writing Style: 8
- Plot: 8
- Intrigue: 8
- Logic/Relationships: 8
- Enjoyment: 9
Overall CAWPILE score: 59/7= 8.4
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I enjoyed this book too when I read it! Glad you liked it!
It was so good! Cannot wait to read the sequel.
Thank you for sharing your book review. The story sounds intriguing. The way the author set up the relationship between Anne and Lee makes it sound like a good read. I might have to add Fireborne to my stash i keep hidden under the stairs.
If you like, or want to try, historical fiction, Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series, starting with His Majesty’s Dragon, is terrific! Take the Napoleonic Wars and add the existence, since prehistory, of intelligent dragons . . . .
Ohhh interesting! I have not heard of that series even though I have read her work in the past! I will definitely have to check it out. Thanks!
This book sounds so fun! It’s awesome how the two perspectives were done well, it’s always tragic when the book is interesting, but the perspectives are written poorly. Great review! 😊
That happens so often but both perspectives were strong in this one!!
Great review! I’ve never heard of this book, but I’m adding it to my TBR now! The politics aspect sounds amazing 🤩
Love hearing that! The political system is definitely well done!
What a gorgeous cover! 😱 I haven’t heard of this one before (and I’m kinda surprised considering it’s got that cover PLUS it’s a fantasy with dragons lol) but I’m definitely keen to check it out now. Love a book that can keep me thinking even after it’s over. Great review!
It’s definitely an underrated book!! I’m so happy I came across it.