Reviews

Serpents of Sky and Flame by Rebecca F. Kenney

achaean's review

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

4.25

RUDE to end it on that note when it's book one and book two isn't out yet!!!!!

kned's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny 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

3.75

book_lydia_6's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

jamsu's review against another edition

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mysterious tense medium-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

3.5

 
I was really excited to read this book because I've read few books by this author (who is a fellow Spuffy shipper!) and I had just finished reading The Fourth Wing a little while before I saw quotes for this book in booktok. 

The dragons stole the daughters of their enemies to sent a message to Elekstan that what happened didn't go unanswered. I found this world interesting and I still have so many questions, including who Serylla's father is or why Kyreagan's father wanted to involve him in the war.  
Serylla's plan to drive her captor mad by being annoying was interesting choice but also refreshing as most would try to be as likeable as possible, so their captors won't kill them. She just didn't want to become the person she was pretending to be-- selfish, demanding, callous and cruel. Serylla and Kyreagan's romance was slow burn but I really liked to see them going from hating each other and blaming each other to slowly understanding each other. 

All in all my expectations for this book were too high. This book was different from what I thought it would be like but in the end I ended about enjoying after I got over the fact that it wasn't like the book I thought it would be like. I also had no idea this couple would have two books about them since the previous books by this author have been standalones.  

empressofbooksandgeeks's review

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

k_garamella's review

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

2.25


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cjoy18's review

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3.0

Good, quick palate cleanser between heavier books.

emma_daviies's review

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

koistyfishy's review

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

4 Dragon Egg Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

If I have to sum up this book in one word... it is FUN!
I recently explained to some friends that reading a Rebecca F Kenney book to me is like coming home. It is that comfort that you find knowing you're going to get what you love. You just know it's going to be good, a breath of fresh air and no matter what, you're going to enjoy it.

This was no exception! Whilst it was new territory for me, as I have never read anything Monster Romance, it still kept me intrigued, captivated and enticed! I had no idea what to expect so it was a FUN Ride (literally on the back of a Fire Breathing Dragon)

This is a Dual POV that is told from Kyreagan and Serylla's views. Kyreagan is the eldest dragon prince of the Oureskelle land. He teamed up with the King of Vohrain to overthrow the Elekstan nation in exchange for new land. The Dragons succeed in winning the war but a terrible spell cast by the Elekstan Sorcerer kills all the female dragons, right before the Dragon Mating season which only happens every 25 years. So Kyreagan devises a plan to steal women from Elekstan to save his nation. He happens to capture Serylla who happens to be the princess of Elekstan and she vows to make Kyreagans life a living hell.

The worldbuilding in this is pretty simple and easy to understand, which helps because this is a very fast-paced story showcasing the delicate dance of enemies to lovers. There is ACTUAL DRAGON DANCING!!!

Serylla is an interesting and unexpected character. More at home in the palace kitchens with the maids than on a future thrown, she often comes off as naive, childish and sheltered - through no fault of her own, given how cloistered the queen kept her. But underneath this is a rebel who loves music and seeks passion in her life. While she does not always understand the world, she is kind and generous and has a need to try.

Kyregan is primal and animalistic, his thoughts are often blunt, simplified but why wouldn't they be considering he is a DRAGON? He is quick to anger, has a fiery temper and can be explosive when angry. His tone gives off power. He is also regal and just trying to be the best ruler he can be even if it feels like all his recent choices are mistakes.

I enjoyed that based on their thoughts it was so easy to know whose mind or POV you were in based on how they think and act. I also loved that it felt like the two of them were speaking a different language to each other and that they considered the other stupid because they didn't understand the customs and culture of their respective races.

It was just cute to see how these two enemies could overcome their differences, find common ground and work together. I devoured this incredibly quickly (If I was a dragon, it might have been in one gulp) - which is a testament to how good it is.

The one aspect that was weird for me, and this is entirely my preference...is I don't normally read books with a breeding/pregnancy kink. I know this often comes in books found in the Omegaverse and Monster Romance - this was unchartered territory for me. I was not used to the typical mating frenzy that could occur and that primal need to procreate. BUT even though this was strange new territory for me - I still enjoyed it (and I typically dislike pregnancy books).

The Cliffhanger was absolutely brutal. I panicked when I looked down and saw I was 95% done and it felt like I was just getting to the good part. Rebecca really pulled my heart out with that end and I am FERAL for the next one.

Trope Summary:
▶ Beauty and The Beast Vibes
▶ Captor/Captive
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ 7 Brides for 7 Brothers
▶ Monster Romance
▶ Light Primal CNC
▶ Breeding Kink
▶ Mine
[▶ Dragon Shifters (hide spoiler)]

If you want something fun, lighthearted and spicy that is going to give you your kick, whether you like traditional fantasy romance, monster romance, omega verse, or just anything... this is the book for you. You will lap it up and enjoy the kick out of it!

Thank you Rebecca F Kenney for my gifted ARC copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own
 

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_bethsbookcollection_'s review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I love me some monster romance, and this book was a perfect introduction to the series. Rebecca does an absolutely incredible job with the world building and character development.

When Kyreagan kidnaps Serylla intending to use a spell on her for the betterment of his people of his people goes terribly wrong things really start to heat up. 

Throughout this journey we follow both our main characters on two very different journeys but both  very much about survival. This slowly grows into them getting to know each other, which includes a hefty amount of banter and humourous moments due to the wrong ideas they both have about each others cultures. There is a huge amount of hot and cold between these characters and it takes a while for things to fall into place and when they do we are rewarded with steamy, spicy, goodness, 
Within this core part of the story you distinctly get the feeling that something else is amiss and this intrigue had me even more hooked. 

I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series and get my questions answered as well as explore other characters.