I went into this not sure of what to expect. And let me tell you when I say I was gripped, I was GRIPPED. I honestly have no words. Obviously, that’s a lie since I’m writing this review, but it’s taken me a month to get settled in my feelings. I don’t know how to write reviews for books I love!
Revolutions and Politics
The world, specifically the political structure, is based on Plato’s Republic. However, you don’t have to be familiar with that before reading. It’s basically about aristocratic (blood) rule vs. socialist (merit) rule. One thing I especially loved was that we begin the story after the revolution. We see the impact war has had on young children and families. We see the building of a new government.
In this new regime, everything is run on a meritocracy. The new government is fragile. There are still outlier groups from the old regime that threaten the stability of the new one. This results in the society still being hyper militaristic. The dragon riders are no longer exclusive to the nobility, but are now open to those who pass a merit exam. Propaganda is still pumped out regularly.
And of course, not all is as equal and fair. The new regime is perhaps no longer tied to old traditions and blood ideology, but it's still very flawed. I love political intrigue in fantasy books and I'm excited to see how this one will develop in future books.
“They watch us kneel, they see the back of our heads, and they think we've given in. They don't realize you can think from your knees just as well as from your feet.”
Fantasy Elements
My favorite type of fantasy stories are ones that have a magic system. Give me that witch, wizard magic stuff and I’ll eat it right up. Fireborne isn’t that kind of fantasy. Honestly, there weren’t many fantastical elements in this one aside from people being able to ride dragons. And while the dragons have strong connections with their riders, they don’t really have distinct personalities. So I wouldn’t classify them as magical animal companions like Mister Kindly from Mia (although, he’s like a cat made of shadows so never mind).
Relationship Dynamic
We follow two characters, Annie and Lee, who grew up in the aftermath of a bloody revolution. They come from vastly different backgrounds. Lee is the song of one of the most prominent aristocratic families. Annie is the daughter of a serf, the lowest members of the old society. Both lost their families through the rebellion and they each have personal trauma and baggage because of the war.
Relationship dynamic between Annie and Lee is amazing. I’m talking about a slow burn romance that makes you want to scream. And makes you want to make little Annie and Lee puppets that kiss face all day since the author is depriving you of romantic interactions between the two. Jokes aside, the two have a deep connection to each other that is both twisted and beautiful.
They love each other so much. They’ve been each other’s lifeline since they met as orphans in an orphanage at a young age. But there's more that bounds them together than just loss. I don't want to say more but it's what makes them hold each other at an arm's length - fighting their attraction all the while depending on each other. They are a found family but with a lot of hurts between them because of the past. AND I JUST WANT THEM TO BE HAPPY. PLEASE.
[There are so many beautiful quotes between these two, but I am resisting adding them in here because they are spoilers. And it's honestly so much better seeing how their relationship progresses throughout the book.]
Character Development
Dragon riders are the aerial military in this world. The characters are in a type of riding military training school so most of the story takes place in this training/school type setting. The nature of their "job" also makes for some very fun action scenes. However, I fell in love with this book because of the character development. I think if you favor character-driven stories, you will love Fireborne!
Munda did an amazing job with writing Annie and Lee as main characters for the story. Both were fully realized characters. We see Annie grow from this timid, insecure person to a leader. She was always capable but seeing her believe in herself was inspiring. But it was Lee's character development that was heart wrenching. He grapples with what it means to be a leader, to be loyal, how to forgive and let go. He has to face some very difficult choices. These characters' motivations and emotions felt so real that the situations they're in kept me on the edge of your seat.
“There is a moment when it happens, usually somewhere between summoning and launch, where Annie transforms from the person she is on the ground to the one she becomes in the air. Where the hesitation vanishes, the awkwardness falls away, and suddenly she’s free. Unleashed.”
[no quote for Lee, because if I revisit my tabbed quotes I will ugly cry.]
Seriously, if you haven't picked up this book. You must! The ending left me speechless, but it’s not a cliffhanger.
Revolutions and Politics
The world, specifically the political structure, is based on Plato’s Republic. However, you don’t have to be familiar with that before reading. It’s basically about aristocratic (blood) rule vs. socialist (merit) rule. One thing I especially loved was that we begin the story after the revolution. We see the impact war has had on young children and families. We see the building of a new government.
In this new regime, everything is run on a meritocracy. The new government is fragile. There are still outlier groups from the old regime that threaten the stability of the new one. This results in the society still being hyper militaristic. The dragon riders are no longer exclusive to the nobility, but are now open to those who pass a merit exam. Propaganda is still pumped out regularly.
And of course, not all is as equal and fair. The new regime is perhaps no longer tied to old traditions and blood ideology, but it's still very flawed. I love political intrigue in fantasy books and I'm excited to see how this one will develop in future books.
“They watch us kneel, they see the back of our heads, and they think we've given in. They don't realize you can think from your knees just as well as from your feet.”
Fantasy Elements
My favorite type of fantasy stories are ones that have a magic system. Give me that witch, wizard magic stuff and I’ll eat it right up. Fireborne isn’t that kind of fantasy. Honestly, there weren’t many fantastical elements in this one aside from people being able to ride dragons. And while the dragons have strong connections with their riders, they don’t really have distinct personalities. So I wouldn’t classify them as magical animal companions like Mister Kindly from Mia (although, he’s like a cat made of shadows so never mind).
Relationship Dynamic
We follow two characters, Annie and Lee, who grew up in the aftermath of a bloody revolution. They come from vastly different backgrounds. Lee is the song of one of the most prominent aristocratic families. Annie is the daughter of a serf, the lowest members of the old society. Both lost their families through the rebellion and they each have personal trauma and baggage because of the war.
Relationship dynamic between Annie and Lee is amazing. I’m talking about a slow burn romance that makes you want to scream. And makes you want to make little Annie and Lee puppets that kiss face all day since the author is depriving you of romantic interactions between the two. Jokes aside, the two have a deep connection to each other that is both twisted and beautiful.
They love each other so much. They’ve been each other’s lifeline since they met as orphans in an orphanage at a young age. But there's more that bounds them together than just loss. I don't want to say more but it's what makes them hold each other at an arm's length - fighting their attraction all the while depending on each other. They are a found family but with a lot of hurts between them because of the past. AND I JUST WANT THEM TO BE HAPPY. PLEASE.
[There are so many beautiful quotes between these two, but I am resisting adding them in here because they are spoilers. And it's honestly so much better seeing how their relationship progresses throughout the book.]
Character Development
Dragon riders are the aerial military in this world. The characters are in a type of riding military training school so most of the story takes place in this training/school type setting. The nature of their "job" also makes for some very fun action scenes. However, I fell in love with this book because of the character development. I think if you favor character-driven stories, you will love Fireborne!
Munda did an amazing job with writing Annie and Lee as main characters for the story. Both were fully realized characters. We see Annie grow from this timid, insecure person to a leader. She was always capable but seeing her believe in herself was inspiring. But it was Lee's character development that was heart wrenching. He grapples with what it means to be a leader, to be loyal, how to forgive and let go. He has to face some very difficult choices. These characters' motivations and emotions felt so real that the situations they're in kept me on the edge of your seat.
“There is a moment when it happens, usually somewhere between summoning and launch, where Annie transforms from the person she is on the ground to the one she becomes in the air. Where the hesitation vanishes, the awkwardness falls away, and suddenly she’s free. Unleashed.”
[no quote for Lee, because if I revisit my tabbed quotes I will ugly cry.]
Seriously, if you haven't picked up this book. You must! The ending left me speechless, but it’s not a cliffhanger.