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nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, War, Bullying, Grief, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Torture, Alcohol, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Violence
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
lcgordon's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
this book is so good and so slept on!! lost half a star bc i hate first person but it's done incredibly well in a way that i didnt mind too too much
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Violence, and Child death
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