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onthesamepage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I just love it when I finish a book and realize I wouldn't change a thing about it. This is definitely a different kind of YA fantasy. The characters are teens, but they come across as very mature. There's a complex political system, high stakes, and moral dilemmas facing our two main characters. I've always enjoyed political fantasy, and this was top notch.
There are plenty of books where the plot centers around a revolution, but this one is about what happens after that. An old regime gets toppled, its leaders killed, and now the revolutionary leader must come up with something that is better. The question this book asks is, is it really better? Does putting good people in charge mean the system is fair?
The old regime used dragons as a weapon to terrorize people and extort them for resources. Those who disobeyed were burnt by dragon fire, as a lesson to the rest. Only the nobles from specific families were allowed to ride dragons, even though dragons can bond with anyone. The post-revolutionary government sets out to make the system fair by allowing anyone from any class to try and bond with a dragon, and so become a dragon rider. This is what happened to our two main characters, Annie and Lee. And the new system does sound like it's fair. There are still classes in the population, named for metals, and the metal you test into decides what kind of job you get. But it also factors into what information you are given by the government, and how much of it is propaganda. After all, according to the new government, not everyone can be expected to understand nuance. And the further you get into the story, the more relevant the question of what makes a government good becomes. Is it really about implementing a better system, or is it about power? And what happens when this new regime is put under pressure?
If these kinds of questions make your brain sit up and pay attention, I highly recommend this book.
Aside from the fascinating political machinations, we also have two characters with very distinct arcs, both of which really appealed to me. Annie is lowborn, and this has affected her standing among the dragon riders. Even though they are supposed to compete for the title of Firstrider, some officials quickly make it known that they don't see her as suitable for the role. The way she handles this and builds her confidence was fantastic, and I really enjoyed following her journey.
Lee's challenge is very different. Firstrider should have been his birthright, but even though the revolutionaries executed his family, he firmly believes the new regime is better than the old. But when he finds out that there are survivors among his family who have been hiding away and biding their time, he is faced with a difficult choice: defend those of his blood, or the family he found? Regardless of the choice he makes, the process he goes through to get there is compelling to read about.
There are plenty of books where the plot centers around a revolution, but this one is about what happens after that. An old regime gets toppled, its leaders killed, and now the revolutionary leader must come up with something that is better. The question this book asks is, is it really better? Does putting good people in charge mean the system is fair?
The old regime used dragons as a weapon to terrorize people and extort them for resources. Those who disobeyed were burnt by dragon fire, as a lesson to the rest. Only the nobles from specific families were allowed to ride dragons, even though dragons can bond with anyone. The post-revolutionary government sets out to make the system fair by allowing anyone from any class to try and bond with a dragon, and so become a dragon rider. This is what happened to our two main characters, Annie and Lee. And the new system does sound like it's fair. There are still classes in the population, named for metals, and the metal you test into decides what kind of job you get. But it also factors into what information you are given by the government, and how much of it is propaganda. After all, according to the new government, not everyone can be expected to understand nuance. And the further you get into the story, the more relevant the question of what makes a government good becomes. Is it really about implementing a better system, or is it about power? And what happens when this new regime is put under pressure?
If these kinds of questions make your brain sit up and pay attention, I highly recommend this book.
Aside from the fascinating political machinations, we also have two characters with very distinct arcs, both of which really appealed to me. Annie is lowborn, and this has affected her standing among the dragon riders. Even though they are supposed to compete for the title of Firstrider, some officials quickly make it known that they don't see her as suitable for the role. The way she handles this and builds her confidence was fantastic, and I really enjoyed following her journey.
Lee's challenge is very different. Firstrider should have been his birthright, but even though the revolutionaries executed his family, he firmly believes the new regime is better than the old. But when he finds out that there are survivors among his family who have been hiding away and biding their time, he is faced with a difficult choice: defend those of his blood, or the family he found? Regardless of the choice he makes, the process he goes through to get there is compelling to read about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Violence
Moderate: Death and Murder
stone_stupas's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The beginning is rocky but the book picks up and when it does, it is unputdownable. I don't think I've ever read a YA set in the aftermath of a revolution and Fireborne does a wonderful job in showing a nuanced world that feels real, dragons and all. The writing could've been better but I'm sure it will be so in the sequels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Classism, and Child death
albernikolauras's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Fireborne is a series that is about two teenagers - Lee and Annie - from different classes who were given the opportunities to become dragon riders, sort of. Really, it is about the construction of an "equal society" based on the ability to take a test and what happens when that society is tested by war.
I found this series stress inducing in the best way. This was a reread and I was just as sucked into this story as the first time. Lee and Annie constantly had to weave their way through situations where there is no right answer and grappling with how those decisions affect others. It's a tough book to read and I am both excited and terrified of the sequel - hence why I haven't picked it up.
I found this series stress inducing in the best way. This was a reread and I was just as sucked into this story as the first time. Lee and Annie constantly had to weave their way through situations where there is no right answer and grappling with how those decisions affect others. It's a tough book to read and I am both excited and terrified of the sequel - hence why I haven't picked it up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Classism
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Death of parent
snowkestrel's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Genocide
Minor: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, War, Sexual content, Animal death, and Blood
moonlitreading_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
4.5
“Together we’ll defy them, step by step through this fire, to the end.”
I will never be the same person I was before l read this. This book gave so much suspense (especially the last few chapters) that it got me hooked all throughout. I enjoyed the story a lot. I'm definitely a fan of the plot. The characters were so easy to get attached to, especially Annie my girl. The bond between dragons and their humans was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. This is a story about friendship, love, and defying the odds.
I will never be the same person I was before l read this. This book gave so much suspense (especially the last few chapters) that it got me hooked all throughout. I enjoyed the story a lot. I'm definitely a fan of the plot. The characters were so easy to get attached to, especially Annie my girl. The bond between dragons and their humans was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. This is a story about friendship, love, and defying the odds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Child death, and Classism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Animal death
Minor: Vomit
martamae77's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, War, Classism, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death and Vomit
kennedyb159's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Classism
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