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blacksphinx's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall I had a fun time with this book but when I sat down to review it, all I could think of was that if someone asked me for an anti-colonialist fantasy novel with dragons, I would give them To Shape A Dragon's Breath instead. This was both a more action-y and a more romance-heavy book than I was expecting; depending on the ending of the duology I'd be comfortable handing it to any fantasy romance fan. What really kept me going was some interesting and unique aspects of how magic works in this world and what a "dragon" actually is. I think Kamilah Cole has a bright future as a writer and I will be checking out her next books.
When it comes to aspec representation, I think it's really important to say upfront that Faron is a demisexual character being written by a demisexual author. I think if I had just heard "aspec protag" without that context, the book would have deeply hurt me because without it, it's very easy to see Faron's character arc as "a young woman thought she was aro ace but just needed to meet the right man to fix her." This is #ownvoices so it's not the case, and as an asexual (not demi) person I can't criticize it. I wish being demi and experiencing attraction for the first time, and what that means to her/how she feels about it, was given more attention in the novel. Especially because the dual romances took up so much page count, so it's not like the romance was a small side plot.
When it comes to aspec representation, I think it's really important to say upfront that Faron is a demisexual character being written by a demisexual author. I think if I had just heard "aspec protag" without that context, the book would have deeply hurt me because without it, it's very easy to see Faron's character arc as "a young woman thought she was aro ace but just needed to meet the right man to fix her." This is #ownvoices so it's not the case, and as an asexual (not demi) person I can't criticize it. I wish being demi and experiencing attraction for the first time, and what that means to her/how she feels about it, was given more attention in the novel. Especially because the dual romances took up so much page count, so it's not like the romance was a small side plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Death, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Slavery
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
So Let Them Burn is everything I look for in a fantasy novel; complex characters, stunning world building, slow-burn romance, and dragons. Lots and lots of dragons.
I loved every page of this book. Following alternating points of view between sisters Elara and Faron, the story dives into the aftermath of a war they both fought in at very young ages. Faron, playing to the Chosen One trope as the Childe Empyrean, continues her life post-war with the ability to channel the gods. Meanwhile, Elara desires to step out of her sister’s shadow to help people in her own way. But when a summons from their queen leads to Elara being bound to a dragon and rider from their war enemy, chaos ensues.
This story, in many ways, was a true coming of age for Elara. She has my whole heart. Seeing her change and grow throughout the book had me cheering and crying. She was a truly refreshing character, while Faron was frustratingly arrogant (and maybe a little too relatable lol).
And the dragons!? I had so much fun reading the chapters where the riders and dragons interacted with each other. It was so cool to see the bonds between the dragons and riders.
I cannot say enough good things about the magic system and world building inspired by Jamaican culture either. It’s so good. The author’s talent really shines in the details of the pages in between major plot points. Every paragraph felt carefully crafted, progressing the story, but also planting seeds to grow the understanding of identity and motives of the people within the pages.
I cannot wait to read more by this author. Meanwhile, I’ll be recommending this book to everyone I know.
*Huge thanks to Kamilah Cole, Little, Brown Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of the ebook So Let Them Burn for review.*
I loved every page of this book. Following alternating points of view between sisters Elara and Faron, the story dives into the aftermath of a war they both fought in at very young ages. Faron, playing to the Chosen One trope as the Childe Empyrean, continues her life post-war with the ability to channel the gods. Meanwhile, Elara desires to step out of her sister’s shadow to help people in her own way. But when a summons from their queen leads to Elara being bound to a dragon and rider from their war enemy, chaos ensues.
This story, in many ways, was a true coming of age for Elara. She has my whole heart. Seeing her change and grow throughout the book had me cheering and crying. She was a truly refreshing character, while Faron was frustratingly arrogant (and maybe a little too relatable lol).
And the dragons!? I had so much fun reading the chapters where the riders and dragons interacted with each other. It was so cool to see the bonds between the dragons and riders.
I cannot say enough good things about the magic system and world building inspired by Jamaican culture either. It’s so good. The author’s talent really shines in the details of the pages in between major plot points. Every paragraph felt carefully crafted, progressing the story, but also planting seeds to grow the understanding of identity and motives of the people within the pages.
I cannot wait to read more by this author. Meanwhile, I’ll be recommending this book to everyone I know.
*Huge thanks to Kamilah Cole, Little, Brown Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of the ebook So Let Them Burn for review.*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death and Panic attacks/disorders
abby_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
📖
I had a wonderful time reading this book. I liked that it started post-independence war in a time of unsettled peace while everyone was trying to heal from the previous war. The characters were good and I adored their relationships. I liked the pacing and the plot was entertaining.
I had a wonderful time reading this book. I liked that it started post-independence war in a time of unsettled peace while everyone was trying to heal from the previous war. The characters were good and I adored their relationships. I liked the pacing and the plot was entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Racial slurs
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
First of all, I didn't realize this was about dragons until I looked closer at the cover, and I'm not mad about it! Always here for a good fantasy featuring dragons. And this is a pretty solid debut! The strongest aspect of this book is definitely the relationship between Faron and Elara and their dedication to each other. Though they are apart for a lot of the book, we can still feel that strong bond between them.
The world building was also pretty well done! The magic system felt unique, and I am definitely interested in seeing where it goes next. Especially with that ending!
However, some of the writing didn't quite feel as smooth as it should be, though the book definitely hit its stride in the last third of the story. Cole is a promising debut author, and I can't wait to see her grow from here!
The world building was also pretty well done! The magic system felt unique, and I am definitely interested in seeing where it goes next. Especially with that ending!
However, some of the writing didn't quite feel as smooth as it should be, though the book definitely hit its stride in the last third of the story. Cole is a promising debut author, and I can't wait to see her grow from here!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Slavery
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Gore, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
jennireadsmaybe's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
First of all, So Let Them Burn is a freaking amazing debut!!! A book about sisterhood is always my weakness and getting to have both Faron and Elara's POV made the book that much more emotional for this oldest sister. Their opposing stories and character growth did so much justice as they both want the same thing and have to navigate that desire in opposing ways.
This is the perfect example for what a queer-normative world should look like. We immediately know that Elara is a lesbian and her romance with Signey (her freaking dragon riding partner y'all!!!) is everything to me!!! When it is later revealed that Faron is demisexual, it was like a warm hug. She knows who she is and it's just wonderful.
Because of the differences in each countries magical abilities, the world building was super interesting too. San Irie's magic is very much based on an ancestral style of magic where they receive it by calling upon their ancestors. Whereas, LangIey is centered around the bond they share with their dragons. It made the idea of their previous battles and current outlook on political relations feel that much more recognizable. I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention the dragons. That's right dragons!!! It was so much fun to see how Kamilah Cole built a world around dragons where each country had a different experience and view point on dragons.
I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking to be in the dragon moment while supporting BIPOC authors and stories.
This is the perfect example for what a queer-normative world should look like. We immediately know that Elara is a lesbian and her romance with Signey (her freaking dragon riding partner y'all!!!) is everything to me!!! When it is later revealed that Faron is demisexual, it was like a warm hug. She knows who she is and it's just wonderful.
Because of the differences in each countries magical abilities, the world building was super interesting too. San Irie's magic is very much based on an ancestral style of magic where they receive it by calling upon their ancestors. Whereas, LangIey is centered around the bond they share with their dragons. It made the idea of their previous battles and current outlook on political relations feel that much more recognizable. I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention the dragons. That's right dragons!!! It was so much fun to see how Kamilah Cole built a world around dragons where each country had a different experience and view point on dragons.
I would definitely recommend this for anyone looking to be in the dragon moment while supporting BIPOC authors and stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Slavery
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This is a Jamaican mythology-inspired YA fantasy, and in my opinion, the dragon story yall should be talking about! I love a story about sisters, and we get the dual-POV of them (Faron and Elara)!
Faron is the 17-year-old Child Empyrean, appointed by the gods as a human conduit of god-power, who is examining her post-war life and wants to be more than this famous godlike figure she has become. Five years ago, she fought against the Langlish Empire/their colonizers and is now a renowned revolutionary. Her younger sister Elara is tired of living in her infamous sister's shadow, and that's perfect because that sets us up for what comes next! I loved that both of them were yearning for something more, and they're just KIDS! *sobs in "I just want everyone to be okay" *
At a peace summit, Elara bonds with a dragon (!!!!), which is not supposed to happen, and it never has! I loved that KC used this chosen one trope, because Faron is chosen by the gods to be the Empyrean, but Elara is chosen to bond with this dragon. They're both chosen for different journeys, and while they're seemingly separate, the connection is what pulled me in.
This turn of events completely upends their lives, with war not being behind them anymore... with Elara having to enroll at the enemy Langlish military academy, and Faron being told (by the GODS! my GOD!!!!) that the only way to save their home San Irie is to betray her sister?!? WILD.
Reeve, Elara's best friend who is originally from Langley and the Langlish commander's son (!!! the drama!!!), helps Faron try to get Elara back home and unbonded from the dragon.
I adored the queer-normative world, with Elara's sapphic representation (her forced proximity to Signey -her dragon riding partner- is so delectably crafted! Going from annoyance to pining? LOVE it!), and Faron's demisexuality. With a group of characters that you really begin to root for, the found family comes naturally and I can't wait to see more of this in the next book <3
I enjoyed the contrast between the magic systems: San Irie has ancestral magic, and Langley's magic comes from the bond that riders have with their dragons. I do hope to see even more magic system explanations and world-building in the upcoming books because I'm a sucker for lore lol.
Be prepared for a cliffhanger. I wasn't! So I'm helping you by letting you know ahead of time! UGH!
Also, if you liked this, check out Kindling by Traci Chee (comes out in March 2024), as it follows a similar story premise of following child soldiers years after the war has passed, and how they are reckoning with their new realities and futures!
This is a Jamaican mythology-inspired YA fantasy, and in my opinion, the dragon story yall should be talking about! I love a story about sisters, and we get the dual-POV of them (Faron and Elara)!
Faron is the 17-year-old Child Empyrean, appointed by the gods as a human conduit of god-power, who is examining her post-war life and wants to be more than this famous godlike figure she has become. Five years ago, she fought against the Langlish Empire/their colonizers and is now a renowned revolutionary. Her younger sister Elara is tired of living in her infamous sister's shadow, and that's perfect because that sets us up for what comes next! I loved that both of them were yearning for something more, and they're just KIDS! *sobs in "I just want everyone to be okay" *
At a peace summit, Elara bonds with a dragon (!!!!), which is not supposed to happen, and it never has! I loved that KC used this chosen one trope, because Faron is chosen by the gods to be the Empyrean, but Elara is chosen to bond with this dragon. They're both chosen for different journeys, and while they're seemingly separate, the connection is what pulled me in.
This turn of events completely upends their lives, with war not being behind them anymore... with Elara having to enroll at the enemy Langlish military academy, and Faron being told (by the GODS! my GOD!!!!) that the only way to save their home San Irie is to betray her sister?!? WILD.
Reeve, Elara's best friend who is originally from Langley and the Langlish commander's son (!!! the drama!!!), helps Faron try to get Elara back home and unbonded from the dragon.
I adored the queer-normative world, with Elara's sapphic representation (her forced proximity to Signey -her dragon riding partner- is so delectably crafted! Going from annoyance to pining? LOVE it!), and Faron's demisexuality. With a group of characters that you really begin to root for, the found family comes naturally and I can't wait to see more of this in the next book <3
I enjoyed the contrast between the magic systems: San Irie has ancestral magic, and Langley's magic comes from the bond that riders have with their dragons. I do hope to see even more magic system explanations and world-building in the upcoming books because I'm a sucker for lore lol.
Be prepared for a cliffhanger. I wasn't! So I'm helping you by letting you know ahead of time! UGH!
Also, if you liked this, check out Kindling by Traci Chee (comes out in March 2024), as it follows a similar story premise of following child soldiers years after the war has passed, and how they are reckoning with their new realities and futures!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Slavery
blakeandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I’m absolutely obsessed with this book and this world! This is everything I want from a fantasy book. I feel like if this would’ve came out when I was in high school, I would’ve never shut up about it, so I’m going to try to keep up that momentum!!
Faron is the chosen one who is revered and respected after saving her people from the enemy 5 years ago. They’ve been in a time of contentious peace until now. When her sister Elara bonds with an enemy dragon unexpectedly, she is forced to attend the dragon rider academy in Langley, where she is anything but safe. Faron will do ANYTHING to save her sister. She will defy the gods, learn dangerous and new powers, and even make an ally of her sister’s best friend, Reeve…who she also hates.
This cast is so expansive and queer. Faron is demisexual, and Elara is gay. Signey is Elara’s co-rider… and maybe something more? 👀 I loved so many characters in this book and how Elara is given this opportunity to step out of her sister’s shadow to see who she is on her own. There’s found family. There’s tension. There’s betrayal and mystery and lore.
Go read this book right now! I highly recommend it, especially the audiobook!
Faron is the chosen one who is revered and respected after saving her people from the enemy 5 years ago. They’ve been in a time of contentious peace until now. When her sister Elara bonds with an enemy dragon unexpectedly, she is forced to attend the dragon rider academy in Langley, where she is anything but safe. Faron will do ANYTHING to save her sister. She will defy the gods, learn dangerous and new powers, and even make an ally of her sister’s best friend, Reeve…who she also hates.
This cast is so expansive and queer. Faron is demisexual, and Elara is gay. Signey is Elara’s co-rider… and maybe something more? 👀 I loved so many characters in this book and how Elara is given this opportunity to step out of her sister’s shadow to see who she is on her own. There’s found family. There’s tension. There’s betrayal and mystery and lore.
Go read this book right now! I highly recommend it, especially the audiobook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Slavery
bellebookcorner's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you’re looking for a YA fantasy stories with strong sisterhood as well as an epic world building that comes with dragons and divine powers then I suggest picking this one up!
Told in dual POVs, Elara and Faron are both sisters that lives in a post-war world where Faron as the child Empyrean saves her country but the peace didn’t last long when Elara was found bonded to a dragon from an enemy kingdom.
This story has an interesting world building between summoning gods powers and also bonding with the dragons. Having both POVs really work out great here so we could see how each powers work differently.
There’s also a slight romance blooming throughout the story for both Elara and Faron, but I’m more interested in Faron’s love interest though especially after that ending.
I can’t wait to know what will happen to them both in the next book!
Overall, this is a great start for a series.
I’m looking forward to read the sequel cause I would like to explore more about the world building and know more about the dragons!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
Told in dual POVs, Elara and Faron are both sisters that lives in a post-war world where Faron as the child Empyrean saves her country but the peace didn’t last long when Elara was found bonded to a dragon from an enemy kingdom.
This story has an interesting world building between summoning gods powers and also bonding with the dragons. Having both POVs really work out great here so we could see how each powers work differently.
There’s also a slight romance blooming throughout the story for both Elara and Faron, but I’m more interested in Faron’s love interest though especially after that ending.
I can’t wait to know what will happen to them both in the next book!
Overall, this is a great start for a series.
I’m looking forward to read the sequel cause I would like to explore more about the world building and know more about the dragons!
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Slavery