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librarybookfamily's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I struggled understanding the different magic systems, but after putting in the time I loved the book. The characters are strong and yet imperfect. They strive to do what is right for the ones they love and conquer their own weaknesses . Magic and dragons with an emphasis on ancestry.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Bullying, Death, and Death of parent
camzfernandez763's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
The book is a fun read. I stayed up until ungodly hours until I reached the ending and now I can't wait to read the second book.
I also couldnt help but think of Wuthering Heights whenever it was mentioned that characters have the same soul. Given the circumstances of the characters, I found thay deliciously romantic and tragic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Racism and War
Minor: Bullying
zaonic's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
Kamilah Cole knocked her debut book out of the park.
So let them burn is all the embodiment of being the chosen one and what happens afterwards. The jealousy of friends and family, the heartbreak of lost friendships, the feeling of being trapped by what and who you are and the absolute crazy bonkers things you'd do to save the one you loved most.
This book, unlike most high fantasy epics, starts off AFTER the war. After the adventures, during a time of peace. But we all know peace doesn't last forever. So let them burn follows the story of two sisters, one a Childe Empyrean another the older sister always trying to live up to her sisters shadow.
What a delightful take and breath of fresh air for fantasy. While it starts off as a medium paced book the tone and pace quickly shift and pick up to have your heart and your head throbbing at the next twist and wondering how in the world the author will end this book.
Dear reader, this book ends on the most wrenching of cliff hangers. But fear not, because the next novel is to be published in February of 2025 and I, for one, cannor wait to plunge back in.
So let them burn is all the embodiment of being the chosen one and what happens afterwards. The jealousy of friends and family, the heartbreak of lost friendships, the feeling of being trapped by what and who you are and the absolute crazy bonkers things you'd do to save the one you loved most.
This book, unlike most high fantasy epics, starts off AFTER the war. After the adventures, during a time of peace. But we all know peace doesn't last forever. So let them burn follows the story of two sisters, one a Childe Empyrean another the older sister always trying to live up to her sisters shadow.
What a delightful take and breath of fresh air for fantasy. While it starts off as a medium paced book the tone and pace quickly shift and pick up to have your heart and your head throbbing at the next twist and wondering how in the world the author will end this book.
Dear reader, this book ends on the most wrenching of cliff hangers. But fear not, because the next novel is to be published in February of 2025 and I, for one, cannor wait to plunge back in.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, and Colonisation
oxfordcommas91's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was such a creative take on the trope of "young woman chosen by Gods gets powers and saves her kingdom." I loved how this picked up years after the big fight with our two female main characters who are grappling with their identity, future, and place in the kingdom after everything that's happened. This unique plot had lots of action and was a unique twist on many of the typical fantasy plots that get a bit stale after so many books. It kept me on my toes the whole time and even though it's a YA, it's complex and satisfying enough for an adult audience. I appreciated the genuine/authentic representation for young women of color and queer folks and think the author did a beautiful job creating a unique world that was also steeped in Jamaican history and culture. Absolutely obsessed with this book (and the characters). The only downside was that I realized too close to the end that this was a series and not just a one-off ... I am definitely counting down the days until the sequel is released in early 2025!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Racial slurs, Death of parent, and Abandonment
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
cloreadsbooks1364's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This YA fantasy is set in a Jamaican-inspired world, and focuses on two very powerful sisters.
Faron is the Childe Empyrean, 5 years ago she used her ability to channel the gods' power to defeat the dragon-riding Langish forces and free her small island nation, San Irie. Then, at the international peace summit, her sister Elara is shocked to bond with a Langish dragon, Zephyra, and her rider Signey. Faron must figure out how to break the bond and bring her sister home, alongside discovering shocking secrets that could harm everyone.
I liked Elara from the start. She was strong, caring and so lovable. I found myself becoming impatient to return to her pov during the alternating chapters where Faron had her pov. She quickly accepted the bond with Zephyra and fit in well in Hearthstone, the dragon riding school, and I'd have loved to see more of her there.
Faron was very brave, she always spoke her mind, and made very rash decisions. As the Childe Empyrean she was worshipped, which she was quite tired of.
Reeve, the son of the Langish commander, who helped win the war 5 years ago by telling the Iryans his father's plans, was a very studious, calm, character, who thought before he acted (something I think Faron should've learnt). I enjoyed him as a character.
Signey was a character I liked immediately. Sharp, funny, trustworthy, and loyal, I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between her and Elara immensely.
Zephyra, the sweet sage dragon, was amazing, as most book dragons tend to be.
Aveline, the young Queen of San Irie, was such a strong character!
The magic in this book included the Langish dragon powers, the Iryan ancestor-summoning, and the Iryan drakes (flying machines that combat dragons.
I loved this book and will certainly read the sequel upon its release!
Queer rep:
Demisexual mc (Faron)
Sapphic mc (Elara)
Sapphic sc (Signey)
TWs: possession, bullying, death, violence, war, colonisation, racism, blood.
Faron is the Childe Empyrean, 5 years ago she used her ability to channel the gods' power to defeat the dragon-riding Langish forces and free her small island nation, San Irie. Then, at the international peace summit, her sister Elara is shocked to bond with a Langish dragon, Zephyra, and her rider Signey. Faron must figure out how to break the bond and bring her sister home, alongside discovering shocking secrets that could harm everyone.
I liked Elara from the start. She was strong, caring and so lovable. I found myself becoming impatient to return to her pov during the alternating chapters where Faron had her pov. She quickly accepted the bond with Zephyra and fit in well in Hearthstone, the dragon riding school, and I'd have loved to see more of her there.
Faron was very brave, she always spoke her mind, and made very rash decisions. As the Childe Empyrean she was worshipped, which she was quite tired of.
Reeve, the son of the Langish commander, who helped win the war 5 years ago by telling the Iryans his father's plans, was a very studious, calm, character, who thought before he acted (something I think Faron should've learnt). I enjoyed him as a character.
Signey was a character I liked immediately. Sharp, funny, trustworthy, and loyal, I enjoyed the slow-burn romance between her and Elara immensely.
Zephyra, the sweet sage dragon, was amazing, as most book dragons tend to be.
Aveline, the young Queen of San Irie, was such a strong character!
The magic in this book included the Langish dragon powers, the Iryan ancestor-summoning, and the Iryan drakes (flying machines that combat dragons.
I loved this book and will certainly read the sequel upon its release!
Queer rep:
Demisexual mc (Faron)
Sapphic mc (Elara)
Sapphic sc (Signey)
TWs: possession, bullying, death, violence, war, colonisation, racism, blood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Violence, Colonisation, and War
zombiezami's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.0
It took a little effort to get into this, but the story started to flow about 25 percent of the way in. I liked the characters quite a bit, especially Ilora. I think the book could have started stronger if it hadn't yada yada-ed the whole war that took place before the book. There was a lot of exposition that could have been more engaging in a show, not tell model.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, and Alcohol
literelli's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and War
Minor: Bullying
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
natraf_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
WOW. A debut novel from Cole and an exceptional one at that!
I loved the sister relationship between Elara and Faron. These sisters have had to face SO much so young.
The trauma from war has greatly affected these girls as they fought to save their country as actual children!!
Still incredibly young, our sisters now find themselves at the forefront of the nations newest disaster. I loved watching Elara grow and become more confident in a world way different from her own. I loved seeing Faron forced to grow up and acknowledge that she has been selfish her whole life, and that being the empyrean is a much bigger commitment than just the title.
I loved the sister relationship between Elara and Faron. These sisters have had to face SO much so young.
The trauma from war has greatly affected these girls as they fought to save their country as actual children!!
Still incredibly young, our sisters now find themselves at the forefront of the nations newest disaster. I loved watching Elara grow and become more confident in a world way different from her own. I loved seeing Faron forced to grow up and acknowledge that she has been selfish her whole life, and that being the empyrean is a much bigger commitment than just the title.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Bullying and Death