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Left to Burn

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“If you can hear me, I’m coming for you. I will paint Ezuria in your blood.”

Theia would sacrifice anything for her kingdom. She’d give her magic, her sword, and even her life. It's what she was raised for, after all. It’s only a matter of time.

When a night out ends in her being captured by rebels, her time may be up. Especially since their ruthless, bloodthirsty leader seems intent on drawing out her court's secrets— the secrets of people she’d do anything to protect.

She’s prepared. She’ll take them all down. Including that surly, powerful fire mage who held a dagger to her throat and expected her to submit. Stubborn and cold as ice, Theia Stormfury submits to no one but her kingdom.

Except, Theia’s in for a rude awakening. The rebel camp is the ultimate test. One that will force her to confront the very truth of her identity, her purpose, her existence. Even if she makes it out alive, she’d be a fool to think anything will ever be the same.

Left to Burn is the first installment in the Heirs of War series.

Trigger Warnings include death, violence, profanity, sexual content, and SA. More information can be found on the author's website.

423 pages, ebook

Published July 1, 2024

100 people are currently reading
636 people want to read

About the author

Nikki Stavros

3 books44 followers

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5 stars
162 (65%)
4 stars
67 (26%)
3 stars
15 (6%)
2 stars
4 (1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for bookster.
762 reviews
July 8, 2024
Interesting plot and the characters are well developed. It's well written, especially for a debut. I look forward to reading the sequel.
Profile Image for C.
737 reviews77 followers
August 22, 2024
Loved it

I rarely read series that aren't complete mainly because I hate waiting for the next one if it's that good...and man am I gonna hate waiting for the next one.

I loved it. It has everything. Characters I loved, characters I hated, and characters I want to hate but don't really know if I should.
Profile Image for Sam’s Sapphic Reads.
118 reviews98 followers
February 22, 2025
A beautifully crafted story filled with so many unexpected twists. Stories tend to be easy to predict what’s going to happen, but my jaw dropped more than once with this one.

Theia is a soldier with magic who would fight for her kingdom until the end. Chosen at a young age, she was destined to have a team of warriors. She’s captured by the rebels and has to live through horrible torture.

From enemies to lovers, you watch the two fight for what they love even if that means for each other. Your heart breaks, then swells with happiness, then anger and you circle around so many times. There’s a lot of great sexual scenes, but beware there are also a lot of scenes that may cause TW.

I couldn’t stop reading this book, it was a slow burn but once you hit the peak of the characters you fall in love with both. The connection the two MCs is so deep and wonderfully written. I absolutely cannot wait for the second book in the series, I don’t give 5 stars often but this one deserved it.

TWs: death, violence, talk of SA
Profile Image for S. Hess.
53 reviews3 followers
July 5, 2024
Wow.... Where do I even start?

TLDR: if you like sapphic, slow burn, fantasy, enemies to lovers, and fated mates, then you HAVE to read this book.

Longer: so in a nutshell, this book follows the MC Theia (an absolute bad ass magic-wielding warrior) and her love interest Sere (an equally badass magic-wielding warrior who is also Stone Masc/ Butch) as they navigate a world, magic system, and war that feels very Wheel of Time-like while not being directly Wheel of Time-like. This book is part of a series, so don't expect conclusions or HEA, it doesn't end on a cliffhanger though, so at least there is that.

The book did start sort of slow and confusing, alot of names and nouns and definitions and descriptions thrown at you very quickly, but within the first few chapters the author really gets the snowball rolling and by the end I was galloping along to the finish, absolutely could not put it down. The writing is engaging, the characters are well fleshed out and developed, the magic system is believable and, especially for a debut, really had a ton of thought into its rules, checks, and balances.

There are some TW for death, violence, and SA (implied rape/ explicit unwanted touching)

Warning: Slight spoiler here regarding some of the book's timeline.

There is not a TON of spice in this book, it is truly slow burn, but the flirtation is HOT, and there is so much plot to chew on, it gets away with the lack of spice pretty dang well. Honestly, given the back story of the characters leading into their fates mate status, I actually really appreciated the slower spice timeline because it further fortified the development the author had already given them. I can't think of any other books I have read with that trope which actually paid heed like that, so BRAVO!!

Overall, LOVED this book, so excited for the sequel, I am adding it to my "Would Read Again" list and I very well may be purchasing a physical copy to have too.
Profile Image for Alia.
247 reviews44 followers
October 10, 2025
Whoa! I was pulling my hair all along, mind you dear author, I dont have that much.
Loved it to pieces, cant wait for the next.

2nd reading. I went to check some plot part I didn't remember when starting book 2 and well... I may accidentally reread it whole. It happens 🙈
Profile Image for Kelly.
385 reviews21 followers
November 25, 2024
4.25 stars

Interesting debut book. The main characters are well written. The beginning is a little slow due to world building, but then the mid to later half picks up steam. I'll be patiently awaiting the sequel. If you're looking for a new romantasy with slow, slow burn, then check this one out.
Profile Image for Itzel.
15 reviews8 followers
March 25, 2025
I loved it.
At first, it was a bit confusing (like almost all fantasy books) because it introduced a lot of names and dynamics very quickly, but after a few chapters, I got the hang of it and became obsessed.
It has everything I like in a book: very good writing, a complex and well-crafted fantasy world, a sapphic slowburn enemies to lovers, adventure and action, and above all: it wasn't predictable AT ALL, it was so original.
And I CAN'T wait for the sequel, I've wanted to read a book like this for a long time.
Profile Image for Victoria.
527 reviews81 followers
December 8, 2024
Absolutely captivating! I'm not typically a fan of fantasy, but this book hooked me from the very first page. It's impressive how well-written it is, especially for a debut. I can't wait for the sequel!
Profile Image for Abbrosy.
106 reviews25 followers
July 21, 2024
Left to Burn is an incredible, mind-blowing fantasy novel with so much tension, pain, love, and goodness in it. The characters are sooooo complex and amazing. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time - and it’s definitely one of my all-time favourites now. I can hardly wait for the sequel!! Such a goooood enemies-to-lovers trope, with a spectacular storyline and plot. There are quite a few triggers to keep in mind, but none that felt excessive or unnecessary for the plot. I fell in love with Sere and Theia, Atlas and others. This is one of the few that I’d read again, it had perfect spice and tension, and was SOOOOO well written, which can be hard to find - it had it ALL.
Profile Image for shay pilar.
8 reviews
July 14, 2024
Wow. Just wow. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat. The character development is fantastic. Plot? Perfect. Sapphic? Uh, yes please! Fantasy? Chefs kiss. A fantastic read and before I knew it I was at the end. Can not wait for the next installment.
Profile Image for S. Hess.
53 reviews3 followers
July 5, 2024
Wow.... Where do I even start?

TLDR: if you like sapphic, slow burn, fantasy, enemies to lovers, and fated mates, then you HAVE to read this book.

Longer: so in a nutshell, this book follows the MC Theia (an absolute bad ass magic-wielding warrior) and her love interest Sere (an equally badass magic-wielding warrior who is also Stone Masc/ Butch) as they navigate a world, magic system, and war that feels very Wheel of Time-like while not being directly Wheel of Time-like. This book is part of a series, so don't expect conclusions or HEA, it doesn't end on a cliffhanger though, so at least there is that.

The book did start sort of slow and confusing, alot of names and nouns and definitions and descriptions thrown at you very quickly, but within the first few chapters the author really gets the snowball rolling and by the end I was galloping along to the finish, absolutely could not put it down. The writing is engaging, the characters are well fleshed out and developed, the magic system is believable and, especially for a debut, really had a ton of thought into its rules, checks, and balances.

There are some TW for death, violence, and SA (implied rape/ explicit unwanted touching)

Warning: Slight spoiler here regarding some of the book's timeline.

There is not a TON of spice in this book, it is truly slow burn, but the flirtation is HOT, and there is so much plot to chew on, it gets away with the lack of spice pretty dang well. Honestly, given the back story of the characters leading into their fates mate status, I actually really appreciated the slower spice timeline because it further fortified the development the author had already given them. I can't think of any other books I have read with that trope which actually paid heed like that, so BRAVO!!

Overall, LOVED this book, so excited for the sequel, I am adding it to my "Would Read Again" list and I very well may be purchasing a physical copy to have too.
Profile Image for Jes.
168 reviews
September 3, 2024
This was at times a tough read, I took breaks and read something else or literally did nothing to just process what I had read lol. Overall it was solid, but it was very detail and story building heavy which made it a bit exhausting. By the end, I def think I’ll read the next book, but I do have a few complaints

•they talk about the ideology of being a sylvere or wtf sooooo many times like fuckkkk dude we get it (it gives US military ideology lowkey like its their whole personality 😭) I found it obnoxious

•TBH the two fmc did not have chemistry for the longest. Even by the end I still wasn’t sure if I could even picture them together, I saw some reviews talking about the slow burn but to me it didn’t even feel like there was a spark lol in my opinion their romance felt forced like bc their mates they should be romantic? Idk, a part of me wonders if it would’ve felt more authentic if they had stayed platonic for a while without any sexual tension like idk if I could see myself as a FMC meeting a stranger during a time of war like this and wanting to bang especially bc of what happened to both of them?

•bro the whole series premise isn’t explained until essentially the end. WHICH MAKES NO SENSE. I felt so confused about why these mf are even fighting and then there was a dragon???? Girl bye

This is the most I’ve ever written for a review before lmao. Even tho I had to take my time to get through it, I’m glad I did bc I enjoy the premise and the inclusivity is refreshing since LGBTQ+ content across genres is still growing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for S.M. Lee.
Author 1 book9 followers
Read
November 30, 2025
I really quite liked this one. There are errors and issues with dialogue formatting that will irk some of the more nit-picky readers. But the story itself is great! Can’t wait for the next one!
2 reviews
February 8, 2025
I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to the sequel, though I do have some complaints. The big one for me, one that I hope will be less of an issue in the next book as the characters further develop, is that the main pairing consists of two extremely similar people. Their backstory is the same, they share same dynamics within their respective groups, they have the same trauma, they have the same abilities. Only difference is one of them is taller and more built.

It became such a noticeable thing for me that often times the main character just ended up feeling the discount version of her partner. She used be built but isn't anymore unlike her partner, she suffered severe torture but not as much as her partner, she was branded by her torturer, her partner was branded also except more times, she is proficient at using her magic but not as much as her partner. She is a skilled fighter but not as much as her partner. She is just her partner but lesser in every way. Even their personalities don't come across as distinct enough.

Don't get me wrong, I like the characters, I just wish Theia didn't feel so much like a lesser version of Sere, Sere is doing all the heavy lifting between these two which also doesn't help Theia look any better. Sere is the one making all the right choices, taking charge when it's needed, making Theia see reason when she's about to make a mistake. She always has her eyes on Theia making sure she isn't getting hurt in any way. It just makes the relationship feel so unbalanced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Stephieloohoo.
91 reviews8 followers
March 31, 2025
4.5 stars

I really liked this book. I wasn't sure I was going to because I really dislike fantasy/sci-fi books that give their characters/planets/towns/etc. names that are difficult to pronounce or just too long so they can give them a shorter nickname.

It took me a minute to get into the book - which I think was more on me than on Nikki's writing. I feel like the pacing was good throughout for the most part, however I feel like some scenes could have been shortened quite a bit.



------- SEMI-SPOILERS BELOW -----------




Also, I cannot get over how f**king stubborn Theia is. Like during some situations it got to be really annoying and she was definitely being rash/disobedient just for the sake of it. I really hope it's something that her character development goes through in the next book.

^^ Along with that, it'd be really nice to see Theia and Sere's feelings come to the surface more. It's slightly mentioned (toward the end) that Theia is noticing she's gaining feelings in a romantic sense, but since it's not dual pov we don't really see where Sere is (except for her saying "you have me"). So, I'm hoping they are more open and honest in the near future.

The combat was well written and exciting. I definitely felt emotions in this book and betrayed and angry for some characters. The spicy scenes are well done but I really want a little more and hopefully Sere let's her guard down and allows Theia to explore her body and show her love in return.

I'm really looking forward to what comes next in this series!
39 reviews
October 12, 2025
Left to Burn completely swept me away. Nikki Stavros has such a gift for worldbuilding — the elemental magic society was incredible, and as someone who’s obsessed with elemental magic stories, I thought it was done so well here. The details were rich without ever feeling heavy, and every scene burned with emotion and tension.
What really hooked me, though, was Theia and Sere’s relationship. I’m a sucker for a well-written enemies-to-lovers arc, and theirs was perfection — full of sharp banter, quiet vulnerability, and a chemistry that built beautifully over time. The plot twists near the end completely caught me off guard, even though the signs were there all along, which made the payoff even better.
This book had everything I love — strong worldbuilding, emotional depth, found family, and characters who felt so real. I was fully immersed from the first page, and by the end, I didn’t want it to be over. An absolutely fantastic read. I’m so glad to read this when the sequel is out!
2 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! It is beautifully written; the writing style is eloquent and captivating. The plot itself is pretty unique also. In some ways, this magic that the characters possess in story line reminds me of the bending you see in the ALTA universe (which is a major plus for me) and generally has a kind of adult Percy Jackson series vibe. I was a big fan of the fact that the characters (including our main characters) are not perfect; they are scarred and traumatized and just doing the best they can do. I appreciate the raw and human depiction of the characters in this book. It was really refreshing and is geared toward an adult audience. This book deals with some heavy and devastating things but it feels real and I enjoyed that authenticity. 10/10 this is just the kind of thing I didn’t know I was looking for!
5 reviews
September 7, 2025
This book reads like YA, and I'm disappointed.

Perhaps it is YA but it's not under the YA genre on goodreads and I expected something completely different. I'm sure there are people who enjoy this sort of novel but it aint me. The characters are ridiculously stupid and inept, even then they are all at least 24 years old and fully trained soldiers. They have had one job since they were children and they can't do it for shit. I can get past other issues but stupid main characters are just not it.
Profile Image for n8 h.
35 reviews
November 25, 2025
Pretty impressive for a debut novel. I thought that the plot was both simultaneously a little janky yet still concise. The main character felt a bit immature at times, but it makes sense given her upbringing i suppose?

I thought that the characters were compelling overall though, and they systems were nothing special but still nuanced for what they were.

I would take the TWs on this one seriously though, because it does get way more intense than i was expecting.

Looking forward to more from this author!
532 reviews5 followers
October 3, 2024
Im left in wonder... 😮

Never has it taken me this long to finish a book. Frustrated, anger, you name it, i felt it. The storyline is a gripping, intense magical heartbreaking dark novel. Can imagen how more intense book 2 is gonna be. A 5🌟 for the mindblowing novel that shredded my emotions for all time.
Profile Image for Andrea (looselfeftlesbian).
373 reviews16 followers
October 11, 2024
I knew I would regret reading this because I’d be mad when I had to wait for the next book! I’m not sure what I was expecting but Nikki delivered! I love Sere and Theia’s relationship and can’t wait to see how everything unfolds. It’s definitely a slow burn but it makes their relationship so much stronger!
Profile Image for Trippentigger.
346 reviews4 followers
December 19, 2024
Read this

This was an absolute joy to read, exactly what this genre has been waiting for. It felt like a seamless read for me, was drawn in and kept from the start. Paced good, characters and world are well introduced and developing nicely, storyline interesting. Watching for the next one (soon please and thank you very much).
Profile Image for Ashlee Kellehear.
16 reviews
December 27, 2024
Loved, loved, loved! Theia is such a wonderful character and I loved following her journey. This book definitely deserves more attention and is up there with my favourite fantasy novels of 2024. Next book when?

Also, the storm scene!? Ohhhhhh yeah! That is how you write a charged and passionate love scene right there!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Caley Bogolawski.
5 reviews
January 28, 2025
I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. It is hard to find quality sapphic writing and I was pleased to find it here. The world building was well done and the characters were interesting and captured my heart. The pacing felt a bit rushed toward the end of the book – but overall the story, slow burn romance, and fantasy elements have left me excited for the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Irene. E.
4 reviews
April 3, 2025
Left to Burn is an intense, sapphic slow-burn romantasy that hooked me halfway through and didn’t let go.
The world-building takes its time but really sets the stage (which I actually appreciated).
The characters? So well written.
If you love emotional tension, freaky plot twists, and fantasy with bite — don’t miss this one.
Profile Image for Candace Aresfury.
99 reviews
July 3, 2025
Umm wow. So I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a long time. The story, the characters..so so good. I cannot wait for the next book, although I know I’ll have to reread this one once it is released. This is definitely a physical book buy for me…in fact I think I’ll do that right now so I can have my bookshelf trophy. Absolutely looking forward to more of this story.
Profile Image for Jagged.
1,076 reviews31 followers
October 11, 2025
Had to give a rating

No where in the description did this allude to being LGBT. Thankfully, you get the idea pretty quick, so not a lot of time is invested before realizing that this isn't for you if that's not your preferred reading.
On that note, I read as far as the tavern. So take the one star as no stars.
But really, please note for readers that this is for that crowd.
13 reviews
November 7, 2025
4.5 stars. Interesting plot and characters but it was so much detail packed into 400 pages. It’s very fast paced which is refreshing in a fantasy book, but towards the end it felt more rushed and details sprinkled in to kind of tie every loophole so far together and set it up for book 2. Overall solid book but so many people are dead now😀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for legallybookish.
53 reviews
December 13, 2025
I really liked the premise of this one, but it lost me somewhere on the way. I can’t even exactly say why it happened, but it led to a rather long pause and I only resumed it now because I wanted to finish it in 2025. I‘m not sure if I‘ll read the other parts of this series. I kinda feel like I want to know what happens next and how this story ends, but I don’t want to read it…it’s really weird.
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