A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan – A Romantic Tale of Dragons and Deception

Sophie Jordan’s A Fire in the Sky promises an enchanting tale filled with dragons, magic, and romance set in a world where power and deceit reign. The story introduces us to Tamsyn, a royal whipping girl, and Fell, a feared warrior known as the Beast of the Borderlands. As the two are thrust into a forced marriage, their tumultuous relationship unfolds amidst a backdrop of extinct dragons, hidden secrets, and magical forces waiting to be awakened. But does the novel deliver on its grand premise?

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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.

The protagonist, Tamsyn, is caught between two worlds—treated as part of the royal family but also punished for the misdeeds of the princesses she serves. Tamsyn is a likable character, though her role as the royal “whipping girl” is more about her circumstances than her personal growth. While she shows resilience and determination, especially after being forced into marriage with Fell, her character development remains somewhat superficial. When reading you do wish for a deeper dive into her emotions and her struggle to find her place in this world.

Fell, the “Beast of the Borderlands,” is presented as a fearsome warrior, but the book tends to tell us more about his terrifying nature than show it. His relationship with Tamsyn starts with tension, but rather than developing into a slow burn, the romance escalates quickly, which may leave some readers unsatisfied. Fell’s character does offer moments of vulnerability, but his transformation into a more sympathetic figure feels rushed.

Stig, the Captain of the Guard and Tamsyn’s long-time friend, is set up as a potential romantic rival. However, his possessiveness and sudden jealousy once Tamsyn is to be married off feel cringey at times. His “love” for Tamsyn lacks depth, and his reactionary jealousy makes his character seem immature and overly dramatic, especially since there was little between them before the arranged marriage plotline.

The central plot revolves around the extinction of dragons and a kingdom teetering on the edge of ruin. But the real story focuses on Tamsyn and Fell’s forced marriage and the romance that unfolds between them. The concept of a long-forgotten dragon magic and a world where these creatures once ruled is intriguing, but unfortunately, the dragons play a minimal role in the story. The world-building around magic and dragons feels underdeveloped, and those looking for a high-fantasy adventure may be left wanting more.

The romance is very much the focus of the plot, leaning heavily into the “forced marriage that turns into love” trope. While some readers may enjoy the romantic tension, the relationship between Tamsyn and Fell is more about lust than a deep emotional connection. Their attraction is instantaneous, and the romantic development feels predictable. Additionally, not much happens outside of their interactions, making the pacing slow and uneventful at times.

The story does introduce some twists, particularly concerning Tamsyn and the secrets she doesn’t even know about herself, but these revelations come late in the narrative, and by then, the predictability of the romance overshadows the more interesting magical elements.

Sophie Jordan’s writing style is repetitive at times, with frequent inner monologues that slow the pacing of the story. There’s a lot of exposition through Tamsyn’s thoughts, which often restates information the reader already knows. While the prose is easy to follow and relatively simple, it may not offer the level of immersion or complexity some readers look for in a fantasy novel. The descriptions of the world and characters are sometimes vague, making it difficult to fully visualize the settings, especially in a story that could have benefited from richer world-building.

The theme of deception is central to the story, particularly as Tamsyn is forced into marriage under false pretenses. The manipulation and power struggles within the royal court are touched upon but not explored in great detail.

Tamsyn’s journey of self-discovery and her connection to the long-lost dragon magic are key to the plot, though these elements feel underused. Her character arc could have benefited from a deeper exploration of her inner strength and how her powers affect her identity.

A Fire in the Sky is firmly a romantasy, with the romance between Tamsyn and Fell taking center stage. Readers looking for a complex fantasy world or intricate plotlines may be disappointed, as the story leans heavily into romantic tropes and keeps the fantasy elements in the background. The presence of dragons, though intriguing, is minimal, making this more of a romance with light fantasy elements rather than a true high-fantasy epic.

Positives of A Fire in the Sky

• The premise of a forgotten dragon magic is intriguing.
• Tamsyn is a likable, resilient protagonist.
• The romance may appeal to fans of the “enemies to lovers” and “forced marriage” tropes.
• Quick and easy to read, making it suitable for a light fantasy escape.

Negatives of A Fire in the Sky

• The romance feels more lust-driven than emotionally developed.
• Minimal involvement of dragons and magic despite the intriguing premise.
• The writing style is repetitive and can slow down the plot.
• Predictable storyline with few surprises.
• Stig’s possessiveness and jealousy come across as cringey rather than endearing.

A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan is a quick, light romantasy read that may appeal to fans of romance-driven stories with fantasy elements. However, those hoping for a rich, dragon-filled world or a complex plot may find the book lacking. While the premise holds promise and Tamsyn is a character worth rooting for, the story ultimately feels predictable and underdeveloped in terms of both its romance and fantasy elements. If you’re in the mood for a simple, escapist romance with a touch of magic, A Fire in the Sky could be worth picking up – but don’t expect a high-fantasy epic.

I received A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan from the publisher. This is an unbiased and honest review

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