i can tell that the author put a lot of thought into the complex politics because it was one of the main elements that kept me hooked to the story.

Her debut young adult fantasy Fireborne was published in 2019 to critical acclaim, with sequels to follow. Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone-even the lowborn-a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders. The romance is nuanced and slow burn, as they jockey for position in the government as well as with their feelings. i genuinely have no words, this was ya fantasy excellence at its finest that left me breathless and riveted while reading. The side characters have enough depth to make you care what happens to them, but Lee and Annie are both beautifully fleshed out and trigger some intense emotions in you as the reader.

Suspense that had me wondering what was going to happen, because I knew way more than all the characters, and the possible reveals had me on edge.

The worldbuilding was done well, and the fact that it takes place on two small island nations meant that it covered just enough geographic space to keep the story well contained without things getting overly complicated. I found myself agreeing with the proposed actions of one character, and then the very next chapter I would change my mind and agree with a different character. Our two protagonists, Lee and Annie, grew up in an orphanage together and are now two of the lead candidates competing to be Firstriders in the dragon corps. First line from my Booklist review: “What happens after a revolution, when the fire and fury of the righteous must turn from violence to governance?As I mentioned above, I turned the page, and nothing happened, that's because so much happened off-page.

Fireborne moved me, it surprised me, it thrilled me, it enraged me, it made me cry, it made me think. The mirroring of our characters, going through similar arcs but making different decisions based on privilege and status. By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions. Lee and Annie are dragonriders-in-training, and after seven years of effort, they’re now competing to be Firstrider, an important position in the dragon army.If you like political fantasy that's thought provoking and character driven, definitely pick this one up. Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone--even the lowborn--a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders. But the rest, Hermione Granger (I suppose that was Annie, but I don't really see it), Game of Thrones.