A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan

Dragons are extinct. Witches are outcast. Magic is dying.

But human lust for power is immortal.

Dragon fire no longer blisters the skies over Penterra, but inside the lavish palace, life is still perilous…especially for Tamsyn. Raised in the glittering court alongside the princesses, it's her duty to be punished for their misdeeds. Treated as part of the royal family but also as the lowliest servant, Tamsyn fits nowhere. Her only friend is Stig, Captain of the Guard...though sometimes she thinks he wants more than friendship.

When Fell, the Beast of the Borderlands, descends on her home, Tamsyn’s world becomes even more dangerous. To save the pampered princesses from a fate worse than death, she is commanded to don a veil and marry the brutal warrior. She agrees to the deception even though it means leaving Stig, and the only life she’s ever known, behind.

The wedding night begins with unexpected passion—and ends in near violence when her trickery is exposed. Rather than start a war, Fell accepts Tamsyn as his bride...but can he accept the dark secrets she harbors—secrets buried so deep even she doesn’t know they exist? For Tamsyn is more than a royal whipping girl, more than the false wife of a man who now sees her as his enemy. And when those secrets emerge, they will ignite a flame bright enough to burn the entire kingdom to the bone.

Magic is not dead...it is only sleeping. And it will take one ordinary girl with an extraordinary destiny to awaken it.

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It should be noted that this is a prequel to Sophie's Young Adult Firelight trilogy, but this is very much an adult read. I haven't read Firelight and wasn't confused at any point.

The concept of a "whipping girl"—a girl raised alongside royalty, only to bear the brunt of their punishments—is a fascinating aspect of history, or perhaps myth, that has always intrigued me. A Fire in the Sky explores this concept through the character of Tamsyn, who navigates a perilous life in the royal court of Penterra. Treated as part of the royal family but also as the lowest servant, Tamsyn's complex position immediately grabbed my interest.

The writing in this book is solid, with enough intrigue and tension to keep the pages turning. The courtly setting is well-crafted, and I found myself invested in Tamsyn's plight and her relationships with the other characters, particularly Stig, the Captain of the Guard. The stakes are high from the beginning, and the story maintains a brisk pace that kept me engaged throughout.

However, there are a few aspects that didn’t fully resonate with me. While the initial premise and Tamsyn’s role as the royal whipping girl were compelling, the development of Fell’s character felt a bit unclear. His motivations, particularly his desire to help his people, are well established, but the sudden, mystical bond between him and Tamsyn seemed to overshadow the potential for a more gradual, organic relationship. I would have preferred to see them grow to like and understand each other over time, rather than being thrust together by a mystical force. This aspect made their connection feel somewhat forced, which detracted from the emotional depth of their relationship. As well as this, as the story went on Stig's feelings for Tamsyn seemed less romantic and more possessive, which was unsettling to read.

Additionally, while the twists involving both Tamsyn and Fell were well-executed, I did find them a bit predictable. That said, the journey to these revelations was still enjoyable, and the story's pacing ensured that my interest never waned.

It’s worth noting that the book does contain some spicy scenes, which may not be to everyone’s taste. These scenes are integral to the plot but might be a consideration for readers who prefer their fantasy with a little less heat.

Overall, A Fire in the Sky is an enjoyable read with a unique premise and solid writing. While the romance element didn’t fully click for me, the story’s other strengths make it worth the read. I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series and seeing where Tamsyn’s journey takes her next.

A Fire in the Sky publishes on the 24th of September, 2024. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.