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elyrinda's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
The story itself was really good but I personally could have done without Faron's pov, her sister Elara is such a better person! I'm not sure if I will read the second book or not but this one was pretty okay
The story itself was really good but I personally could have done without Faron's pov, her sister Elara is such a better person! I'm not sure if I will read the second book or not but this one was pretty okay
myknos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Faron was way too lackadaisical for what she had been through prior to the book. Too many rash decisions.
Also it lost some points for the damn cliffhanger.
Also it lost some points for the damn cliffhanger.
olive_oaso's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
syn_06's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-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
3.75
It's very rare that I feel any desire to write fan fic but this book makes me want to fix it so bad. The writing is occasionally awkward but not bad, the plot is interesting, the characters are compelling. My biggest issue with it is the editing.
I kept checking throughout the first few chapters to make sure this was the first novel in the series because it feels like a sequel. and the more I read, the less I understood why it wasn't a sequel.
It forces the writer into these awkward info dumps and the novel suffers from telling, not showing. We should understand the complex relationship between the queen and the sisters, and the complicated feelings they have about their roles because we should've been there. A tween runs off, gets powers, plucks a girl from a farm who happens to be queen, and wins a war against an empire with dragons and ALL of that is treated like footnotes? That's honestly an insane choice. Had the story started there in a stand alone book, I think this novel could've done a much tighter job of pacing and storytelling.
It's still good, but it has so much more potential and I wish it would've been given time to develop fully
I kept checking throughout the first few chapters to make sure this was the first novel in the series because it feels like a sequel. and the more I read, the less I understood why it wasn't a sequel.
It forces the writer into these awkward info dumps and the novel suffers from telling, not showing. We should understand the complex relationship between the queen and the sisters, and the complicated feelings they have about their roles because we should've been there. A tween runs off, gets powers, plucks a girl from a farm who happens to be queen, and wins a war against an empire with dragons and ALL of that is treated like footnotes? That's honestly an insane choice. Had the story started there in a stand alone book, I think this novel could've done a much tighter job of pacing and storytelling.
It's still good, but it has so much more potential and I wish it would've been given time to develop fully
shonnareads's review against another edition
4.0
Listen! These characters had me invested!! I had so much fun while reading this YA fantasy. I found myself really liking and understanding a lot of the characters. Faron and Reeve were my favorites and I kept wanting to know what they were going to do next. Cole also did a wonderful job with her villains in the story, I thought they were extremely interesting. There were some plot holes and I did have a little bit of issues with the world building where I still have some questions, but it wasn't enough to keep me from wanting the second book. I am excited to see where this story goes. I hope there's more dragon action in the next one since this one lacked a bit.
**Possible small spoiler: The Gods in this are getting a side eye from me
**Possible small spoiler: The Gods in this are getting a side eye from me
afriqeenhilife's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Sisterly Struggles and World-Building Woes
So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole had me intrigued with its compelling title and premise. A unique tale of two sisters, Farren and Elara, navigating a post-war world. Farren emerges as a national hero, while Elara grapples with her identity in her sister's shadow. The premise is captivating: “Are you going to save your sister? Or are you going to save the world?” However, the execution left me feeling a bit frustrated. I wish the storytelling had drawn me in more.
The struggle was real—over 12 restarts! I usually thrive on fantasy, but the world-building felt incomplete, and I didn’t grasp the magical elements fully. However, I appreciated the themes of trauma and the complex relationship between the sisters. I found it hard to connect with the characters, especially Farren. I actually actively disliked the fmc. I hope this was the authors intention…good job. The audio version made it a struggle to follow the world-building. Honestly, I was ready to give up, but I’m trying hard to support Black authors so it kept me pushing through. The story dives deep into trauma and sibling relationships, as a Black woman in America, I felt the title resonated with me on a personal level.
**Score:** 3.5/5. While I struggled the entire time, the representation in fantasy is vital, and I hope for a prequel that dives deeper into their backstory.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and War
dannigirl's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
macaronsnotmacaroons's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5 WOOOOOOWEEEEEEEE
This was amazing! Eat shit certain fantasy series about dragons and military colleges!
Setting the story after a revolution was so different and refreshing from other fantasy stories. Instead of following along with the MCs as they fight in a revolution, we see what happens after they have won, something that most fantasy books choose not to do. It explores the effects of colonization and realities of revolution.
World building 10/10
Dragons 10/10
This was amazing! Eat shit certain fantasy series about dragons and military colleges!
Setting the story after a revolution was so different and refreshing from other fantasy stories. Instead of following along with the MCs as they fight in a revolution, we see what happens after they have won, something that most fantasy books choose not to do. It explores the effects of colonization and realities of revolution.
World building 10/10
Dragons 10/10
olipop607's review against another edition
3.0
I was really interested in this book when I heard it had dragons and was based on Jamaican folk lore. It was a solid read but sadly not my favorite. I definitely think this is going to be a popular one it just wasn't for me.