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Flame and Thorns #1
Empire of Flame and Thorns
A fae rebel. A ruthless dragon commander.
And a deadly trial that will turn their lives upside down.
Trapped in the Seelie Court by a forest of thorns, Selena Hale lives at the mercy of the dragon shifters. Her only chance to gain her freedom is by entering the Atonement Trials: a deadly competition that pits fae magic users against each other. Only three people can win, and Selena intends to be one of them.
There is only one problem. Draven Ryat, the ruthless commander of the dragon shifter army, is determined to make her lose.
He symbolizes everything that she hates, and if he finds out that she is also a member of the secret fae rebellion, he will not only mess with her chances to win, he will kill her. But the more time she spends with him, the more she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him.
And nothing is more dangerous in a lethal trial than a distracted heart.
Especially one that beats for the enemy…
And a deadly trial that will turn their lives upside down.
Trapped in the Seelie Court by a forest of thorns, Selena Hale lives at the mercy of the dragon shifters. Her only chance to gain her freedom is by entering the Atonement Trials: a deadly competition that pits fae magic users against each other. Only three people can win, and Selena intends to be one of them.
There is only one problem. Draven Ryat, the ruthless commander of the dragon shifter army, is determined to make her lose.
He symbolizes everything that she hates, and if he finds out that she is also a member of the secret fae rebellion, he will not only mess with her chances to win, he will kill her. But the more time she spends with him, the more she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him.
And nothing is more dangerous in a lethal trial than a distracted heart.
Especially one that beats for the enemy…
366 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2024
17029 people are currently reading
130853 people want to read
About the author
Marion Blackwood
34 books1,666 followersMarion Blackwood is the author of The Oncoming Storm series, the Court of Elves series, the Ruthless Villains series, the Ruthless Enemy trilogy, and the Flame and Thorns series. She has a Master's Degree in English and History Education, and she worked as a high school teacher before becoming a full-time author. When she's not busy writing fantasy books or traveling the world, she reads, binges shows, and loses at video games. Marion has previously lived in the US and China, but now she once again calls the beautiful country of Sweden home. To find out more, visit: www.marionblackwood.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,498 reviews
June 2, 2025
Completely forgot to mark as finished last weekend!
Okay wait I loved this!! Such an easy fun romantasy, exactly what I needed! I’ve been having such a hard time getting into romantasy lately so the fact that this book sucked me in from the beginning is a feat in and of itself! Was this perfect? No but I simply didn’t care, I couldn’t put this down.
In this world the Fae are trapped in the seelie court which is run by the dragon shifters and Selena our FMC enters these trials to try and gain her freedom. I honestly loved her, she is flawed and definitely a weaker FMC but I loved how real she was and she never tried to be something she wasn’t, she owned her insecurities and it was so refreshing. Our girl is literally just trying to survive and prove herself. She can also manipulate people’s emotions which I loved!
Draven….. a mean, grumpy, dragon shifter commander???!! Guys I loved him so much and I literally know so little about him!! I NEED MORE!! He also will do everything and anything to get rid of Selena, they hate each others guts and I LOVE IT! This is a slowwwwwww burn and it’s so worth it. The tension, the banter, the will they won’t they, it’s so good!! The mouth on him… no I can’t. I’m gonna lose it. I love it when the MMC hates her but then slowly starts to show he cares about her in the little tells…. I couldn’t stop giggling! When he constantly flexes his hand to resist the urge to touch her…… hehehehe
But also the plot was so action packed and fast paced and the ENDINGGGG?!!!! I’m sorry?!! I need to jump into book two now because my jaw is ON THE FLOOR! WHAT DO YOU MEAN??? I did not see that coming.
- enemies to….. maybe kind of sort of not really lovers
- Deadly trials
- Morally grey dragon shift MMC
- Fae FMC with the ability to manipulate emotions
- Plot fucking TWISTS???!!! wtf was that?!
- Banter banter banterrrrrr
I definitely felt like the world building was a bit lacking and I would have liked more explanation of the magic system but I feel like we will definitely get that in book two! Again not perfect but definitely a lot of fun and addicting!
Okay wait I loved this!! Such an easy fun romantasy, exactly what I needed! I’ve been having such a hard time getting into romantasy lately so the fact that this book sucked me in from the beginning is a feat in and of itself! Was this perfect? No but I simply didn’t care, I couldn’t put this down.
In this world the Fae are trapped in the seelie court which is run by the dragon shifters and Selena our FMC enters these trials to try and gain her freedom. I honestly loved her, she is flawed and definitely a weaker FMC but I loved how real she was and she never tried to be something she wasn’t, she owned her insecurities and it was so refreshing. Our girl is literally just trying to survive and prove herself. She can also manipulate people’s emotions which I loved!
Draven….. a mean, grumpy, dragon shifter commander???!! Guys I loved him so much and I literally know so little about him!! I NEED MORE!! He also will do everything and anything to get rid of Selena, they hate each others guts and I LOVE IT! This is a slowwwwwww burn and it’s so worth it. The tension, the banter, the will they won’t they, it’s so good!! The mouth on him… no I can’t. I’m gonna lose it. I love it when the MMC hates her but then slowly starts to show he cares about her in the little tells…. I couldn’t stop giggling! When he constantly flexes his hand to resist the urge to touch her…… hehehehe
But also the plot was so action packed and fast paced and the ENDINGGGG?!!!! I’m sorry?!! I need to jump into book two now because my jaw is ON THE FLOOR! WHAT DO YOU MEAN??? I did not see that coming.
- enemies to….. maybe kind of sort of not really lovers
- Deadly trials
- Morally grey dragon shift MMC
- Fae FMC with the ability to manipulate emotions
- Plot fucking TWISTS???!!! wtf was that?!
- Banter banter banterrrrrr
I definitely felt like the world building was a bit lacking and I would have liked more explanation of the magic system but I feel like we will definitely get that in book two! Again not perfect but definitely a lot of fun and addicting!
November 29, 2024
2.5 stars.
I can't say whether this disappointed me, but I certainly went into it without high expectations. The romantasy genre has become increasingly repetitive; it seems like every story features a male interest with black hair who towers over the female protagonist and boasts a muscular, perfect physique. The female leads tend to be petite, equipped with powerful magic they don’t know how to control—no worries; the love interest will swoop in to teach them. The romance often claims to be enemies-to-lovers, yet it usually boils down to one character disliking the other for trivial reasons.
Finding a standout story in this genre feels like a rare occurrence, and I thought this might be it, but I ended up disappointed.
Initially, the book has promise. The female protagonist, Selena, is reasonably likable. She’s not overly special—her powers, while unique, lack overwhelming strength, and she's not portrayed as a typical "girl boss." The plot holds interest, and the initial ambiguity surrounding the trials creates a sense of urgency. While the world-building isn’t groundbreaking, it’s acceptable.
However, once I reached the halfway point, everything changed. As I learned more about the trials, it became apparent that the stakes weren’t as high as initially suggested. It started to feel like childish characters bullying those who are weaker. Selena quickly devolves into a damsel in distress, allowing Draven, the love interest, to rescue her far too often. When her personality shifts inconsistently from what was established, I lost all interest and hope for this book to earn a four-star rating.
The romance is outright disappointing. Selena and Draven lack any chemistry, and their feelings seem to materialize out of thin air. Their banter reads like that of 12-year-olds arguing. Draven epitomizes the clichéd male love interest in romantasy; there’s little to say about him beyond the fact that he can create storms (thankfully, he doesn’t possess shadow powers).
And the nickname little rebel that he had for her made me want to bang my head against a wall just so I could forget it.
The enemies-to-lovers angle had significant potential, especially with their races’ antagonism, but the author squandered it. Instead of genuine conflict, the relationship becomes a series of humiliations and a childish power dynamic, leaving me embarrassed to read.
The twist at the end was completely predictable; it was obvious from the very beginning of the trials. It's baffling that the characters didn't even entertain the possibility that the trials were a trap. This lack of common sense only added to the overall disappointment. The predictability of it all showcased the shortcomings of the story.
In conclusion, this book is just like every other romantasy out there—only with even more immature characters.
I can't say whether this disappointed me, but I certainly went into it without high expectations. The romantasy genre has become increasingly repetitive; it seems like every story features a male interest with black hair who towers over the female protagonist and boasts a muscular, perfect physique. The female leads tend to be petite, equipped with powerful magic they don’t know how to control—no worries; the love interest will swoop in to teach them. The romance often claims to be enemies-to-lovers, yet it usually boils down to one character disliking the other for trivial reasons.
Finding a standout story in this genre feels like a rare occurrence, and I thought this might be it, but I ended up disappointed.
Initially, the book has promise. The female protagonist, Selena, is reasonably likable. She’s not overly special—her powers, while unique, lack overwhelming strength, and she's not portrayed as a typical "girl boss." The plot holds interest, and the initial ambiguity surrounding the trials creates a sense of urgency. While the world-building isn’t groundbreaking, it’s acceptable.
However, once I reached the halfway point, everything changed. As I learned more about the trials, it became apparent that the stakes weren’t as high as initially suggested. It started to feel like childish characters bullying those who are weaker. Selena quickly devolves into a damsel in distress, allowing Draven, the love interest, to rescue her far too often. When her personality shifts inconsistently from what was established, I lost all interest and hope for this book to earn a four-star rating.
The romance is outright disappointing. Selena and Draven lack any chemistry, and their feelings seem to materialize out of thin air. Their banter reads like that of 12-year-olds arguing. Draven epitomizes the clichéd male love interest in romantasy; there’s little to say about him beyond the fact that he can create storms (thankfully, he doesn’t possess shadow powers).
And the nickname little rebel that he had for her made me want to bang my head against a wall just so I could forget it.
The enemies-to-lovers angle had significant potential, especially with their races’ antagonism, but the author squandered it. Instead of genuine conflict, the relationship becomes a series of humiliations and a childish power dynamic, leaving me embarrassed to read.
The twist at the end was completely predictable; it was obvious from the very beginning of the trials. It's baffling that the characters didn't even entertain the possibility that the trials were a trap. This lack of common sense only added to the overall disappointment. The predictability of it all showcased the shortcomings of the story.
In conclusion, this book is just like every other romantasy out there—only with even more immature characters.
May 11, 2025
3.5⭐️
October 24, 2024
And that ladies and gentleman is how one keeps a person up until 4:40am 😭🖤😭🖤
THIS WAS SO SO GOOD I CANNOT EVEN PUT WORDS IN!!!
ALL THE FRIGGIN STARS!!!!!!!
THIS WAS SO SO GOOD I CANNOT EVEN PUT WORDS IN!!!
ALL THE FRIGGIN STARS!!!!!!!
January 7, 2026
This is too stupid even for a romantasy.
I could’ve ignored a bunch of overused tropes/cliché and annoying plot: not very bright malnourished girl participates in a deadly competition and fucks tall-dark-and-handsome enemy. But the worldbuilding doesn’t make any sense! Fae couples can only have one child. Very dramatic for the FMC tragic backstory. But does the author realise that they would’ve extinct? This is too dumb and not the only plot hole.
With all respect to the writing profession, Marion should work on worldbuilding’s logic as thoroughly as she did with spice and wings-span jokes.
I could’ve ignored a bunch of overused tropes/cliché and annoying plot: not very bright malnourished girl participates in a deadly competition and fucks tall-dark-and-handsome enemy. But the worldbuilding doesn’t make any sense! Fae couples can only have one child. Very dramatic for the FMC tragic backstory. But does the author realise that they would’ve extinct? This is too dumb and not the only plot hole.
With all respect to the writing profession, Marion should work on worldbuilding’s logic as thoroughly as she did with spice and wings-span jokes.
June 9, 2025
DNF @ 30%
Guys… please be so fr rn. The premise of the story has potential, but the writing is genuinely soooo bad 💀 It lacks depth, emotion, and comes off very juvenile. It was only gradually getting worse the more I read and that’s when I knew it just wasn’t even worth it 🤣
I even ordered the paperback last night thinking I was gonna love it and I just cancelled it lol
Guys… please be so fr rn. The premise of the story has potential, but the writing is genuinely soooo bad 💀 It lacks depth, emotion, and comes off very juvenile. It was only gradually getting worse the more I read and that’s when I knew it just wasn’t even worth it 🤣
I even ordered the paperback last night thinking I was gonna love it and I just cancelled it lol
January 16, 2026
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
to start off, i really enjoyed this. there was a lot of action to keep you going. the trials alone were a lot but held so much. the stakes were rough cause basically there were 'no rules' besides whatever rules the dragon shifters deemed fit for the trial at that moment, so the stakes usually were high because the fae were fighting for their own lives to win a chance of freedom. and that plot twist? you were not fully expecting it until it happened. i never knew it was coming until the last chapter started and i could tell something was off and poor Selena, i wish she would have realized it before too late.
also, Draven may be a new main fav hehe.
i also loved Selena and her people pleasing aspect because she struggles with it so much and i find i relate to that a lot. she struggles with wanting to make friends and have people like her but also doing what is best for HER and her growth to slowly realizing that is amazing.
now i do wish this was dual POV and we could have gotten Draven's POV and made this a 5 star read just to know what's going on, on the other side of it all and what he was thinking the whole.
Selena and Draven's banter was my fav - but I wouldn't deem this quite enemies to lovers yet in Book one cause there really isn't a relationship yet between them nor did they discuss those terms etc but the spice? loved it. banter? chef's kiss.
i do wish we got more world-building in some ways and learned some more of the dragon shifters and the history but that's probably further along in the series since the fae aren't allowed to know to keep them in control and on tight leashes.
also screw you Icehearts.
will definitely continue the series once i can obtain the rest of the books hehe.
to start off, i really enjoyed this. there was a lot of action to keep you going. the trials alone were a lot but held so much. the stakes were rough cause basically there were 'no rules' besides whatever rules the dragon shifters deemed fit for the trial at that moment, so the stakes usually were high because the fae were fighting for their own lives to win a chance of freedom. and that plot twist? you were not fully expecting it until it happened. i never knew it was coming until the last chapter started and i could tell something was off and poor Selena, i wish she would have realized it before too late.
also, Draven may be a new main fav hehe.
i also loved Selena and her people pleasing aspect because she struggles with it so much and i find i relate to that a lot. she struggles with wanting to make friends and have people like her but also doing what is best for HER and her growth to slowly realizing that is amazing.
now i do wish this was dual POV and we could have gotten Draven's POV and made this a 5 star read just to know what's going on, on the other side of it all and what he was thinking the whole.
Selena and Draven's banter was my fav - but I wouldn't deem this quite enemies to lovers yet in Book one cause there really isn't a relationship yet between them nor did they discuss those terms etc but the spice? loved it. banter? chef's kiss.
i do wish we got more world-building in some ways and learned some more of the dragon shifters and the history but that's probably further along in the series since the fae aren't allowed to know to keep them in control and on tight leashes.
also screw you Icehearts.
will definitely continue the series once i can obtain the rest of the books hehe.
February 3, 2025
4.25/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️
Tropes & what to expect:
- Fae vs dragon shifters
- True enemies to lovers
- Deadly trials
- Forced proximity
- Tension + slow burn
- Single POV
Oh I knew I was going to love this as soon as I found out there were dragons/dragon shifters. I didn't know there were also fae - so that just made me even more intrigued.
So basically, the fae used to rule over the dragon shifters, however the tables turned and now the dragon shifters have been ruling over the fae for quite some time. The fae live in poverty with all of their own choices taken from them. They don't even get their own money, yet they have to work in order to get 1 meal ticket per day to feed themselves.
Every 150 years the dragon shifters allow any fae who want to fight for their freedom the chance to enter the Atonement trials. There are only 3 people allowed to win and gain their freedom to leave the city.
Selena is actually part of a rebellion against the dragon shifters and ends up joining the Atonement trials as a way to help the rebellion and earn her freedom. However, the rebellion's cover is about to be blown one day so Selena panics and tries to create a distraction by throwing a drink in the commander of the Dread Legion, second only to the Empress and Emperor of the Icehart Dynasty.
Draven, a dragon shifter also known as "the shadow of death" makes it his mission to ruin her life for this small act against him. So when he finds out that Selena has entered the Atonement trials, he stops at nothing to make sure she doesn't win.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2. THE ENDING OF THIS ONE HAD MY JAW ON THE FLOOR.
2/5 🌶️
Tropes & what to expect:
- Fae vs dragon shifters
- True enemies to lovers
- Deadly trials
- Forced proximity
- Tension + slow burn
- Single POV
Oh I knew I was going to love this as soon as I found out there were dragons/dragon shifters. I didn't know there were also fae - so that just made me even more intrigued.
So basically, the fae used to rule over the dragon shifters, however the tables turned and now the dragon shifters have been ruling over the fae for quite some time. The fae live in poverty with all of their own choices taken from them. They don't even get their own money, yet they have to work in order to get 1 meal ticket per day to feed themselves.
Every 150 years the dragon shifters allow any fae who want to fight for their freedom the chance to enter the Atonement trials. There are only 3 people allowed to win and gain their freedom to leave the city.
Selena is actually part of a rebellion against the dragon shifters and ends up joining the Atonement trials as a way to help the rebellion and earn her freedom. However, the rebellion's cover is about to be blown one day so Selena panics and tries to create a distraction by throwing a drink in the commander of the Dread Legion, second only to the Empress and Emperor of the Icehart Dynasty.
Draven, a dragon shifter also known as "the shadow of death" makes it his mission to ruin her life for this small act against him. So when he finds out that Selena has entered the Atonement trials, he stops at nothing to make sure she doesn't win.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR BOOK 2. THE ENDING OF THIS ONE HAD MY JAW ON THE FLOOR.
January 15, 2026
This story was not original at all, it has the same tropes and world building of endless other books I’ve read in the past, but I was totally ok with it not being the most original thing ever written. In fact, I was enjoying it while reading it and I would have given it 4 stars, if it wasn’t for the fact that the last chapter -and also the bonus chapter (you can find it for free on the author’s website)- really pissed me off... I’ll explain myself better in the following paragraph, let’s just say that the real world is already toxic enough and I don’t want toxic love being romanticized in books too.
(SPOILERS)
The final “plot twist” was not a plot twist at all, I was 100% sure that no fae could actually win their freedom since the very beginning of this book. Still, the missing of the “shock factor” was not what pissed me off. What made me really angry (and this happened to me with Kai in Reckless by Lauren Roberts too, and this also is the reason why I chose to not read Alchemised when it came out) is that I believe in “IF YOU WANT TO, YOU CAN DO IT”, meaning that Draven could have easily saved her from being enslaved, in multiple ways and multiple times! He didn’t try hard enough to make her lose the tournament, which leds me to think that he didn’t care about her enough to try harder, AND THEN -in the last chapter and in the bonus one- he also has the courage to act like he is a victim too… EXCUSE ME?? I’m ok with reading about betrayal in the romantasy genre, but one thing is lying (directly or by omission) to your girl and another thing is enslaving her! To be clear, I’m not against the main character being kidnapped, tortured and even enslaved, but I’m against the character being in love with it’s abuser, I’m against romanticizing dynamics of abuse. In order to not hate the next book of this series, I need Selena to wake the fuck up and I need Draven to beg her to forgive him while on his knees, before he helps her escape and take revenge
(SPOILERS)
The final “plot twist” was not a plot twist at all, I was 100% sure that no fae could actually win their freedom since the very beginning of this book. Still, the missing of the “shock factor” was not what pissed me off. What made me really angry (and this happened to me with Kai in Reckless by Lauren Roberts too, and this also is the reason why I chose to not read Alchemised when it came out) is that I believe in “IF YOU WANT TO, YOU CAN DO IT”, meaning that Draven could have easily saved her from being enslaved, in multiple ways and multiple times! He didn’t try hard enough to make her lose the tournament, which leds me to think that he didn’t care about her enough to try harder, AND THEN -in the last chapter and in the bonus one- he also has the courage to act like he is a victim too… EXCUSE ME?? I’m ok with reading about betrayal in the romantasy genre, but one thing is lying (directly or by omission) to your girl and another thing is enslaving her! To be clear, I’m not against the main character being kidnapped, tortured and even enslaved, but I’m against the character being in love with it’s abuser, I’m against romanticizing dynamics of abuse. In order to not hate the next book of this series, I need Selena to wake the fuck up and I need Draven to beg her to forgive him while on his knees, before he helps her escape and take revenge
January 12, 2025
2.5 stars rounded down because while this was pretty good for a second draft, it probably could have gone through a few more revisions. Otherwise, this book is on par with the kind if book you'd find via Booktok or for free on "Stuff My Kindle" day. Lucky for the marketing department, that also means this book has all the tropes that readers seem to want these days in their modern romantasies -- it has the romance and plot of Serpent and the Wings of Night and some of the tone/feel of Fourth Wing.
THE GOOD
1) The books reads so easily. The opening chapter sucked me in at the preview.
2) It's nice to read about our main character having a power that isn't some physical superpower but rather a seemingly useless one that manipulates emotions.
THE BAD
1) You could tell this book was written by a female Millenial or Gen Z-er because who else would write such painfully awkward "girl power" scenes?
2) Selena starts off as an immature, naive character but by the end of the book, is still an immature, naive character.
3) Draven is given no personality other than to have abs and wings. We don't know the history alluded to briefly by the members of his own Black Clan when it's hinted that his reign and position was highly unpopular among his clan. We have little clue as to why (and when?) he even became attracted to Selena. We don't learn much about him except he'd horny.
4) Weak world buildling and weak characterizations. The plausibility of every plotline is slim, at best. So Selena thinks winning the Atonement Trials is ultimately her ticket to getting the Resistance to accepting her? And the Atonement Trials are set up seemingly for the Seelie Fae to get a ticket out of Oz?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Entertaining. If all you're into are the tropes, this book does them all.
THE GOOD
1) The books reads so easily. The opening chapter sucked me in at the preview.
2) It's nice to read about our main character having a power that isn't some physical superpower but rather a seemingly useless one that manipulates emotions.
THE BAD
1) You could tell this book was written by a female Millenial or Gen Z-er because who else would write such painfully awkward "girl power" scenes?
“Want some advice?” the guy says. But he doesn’t wait for a response. “How about actually replying when a man tries to make small talk?”
“Yeah,” the blond one fills in. “And you should smile more.”
At that, Isera finally looks up. Her face is an expressionless mask and her tone is flat as she replies with one single word. “Why?”
“Because it makes you look pretty.”
“And why would that be my goal?”
Stunned silence falls over the table as the two guys stare at her, uncomprehending, while their mouths work up and down a few times.
Isera lets out a scoff and goes back to eating.
“No wonder you’re still single,” the silver-haired one huffs. “Fucking ice lady.”
2) Selena starts off as an immature, naive character but by the end of the book, is still an immature, naive character.
When I entered this competition, I thought… I don’t know. That I would breeze through the trials? Or something like that.
It sounds ridiculous now. But I just thought that because I wanted to win so badly, it would give me an edge against everyone else. But the more time I spend here, the more I realize that everyone desperately wants to win. And I don’t know if I’m skilled enough, and ruthless enough, to beat them.
_____
It’s insane that the fae resistance hasn’t utilized me more. I would make the perfect spy. I can deescalate conflicts before they happen. And I can create them too, as distractions or as a part of a longer manipulation mission. I could do so much for them. And yet, all these years, they’ve kept me stuck on lookout duty.
Pain stabs into my chest and squeezes my heart. I’ve tried so hard to prove myself. To the resistance. To my parents. To the friends I should have had. But no matter what I do, everyone always keeps me at arm’s length. As if they think I’m going to… what? Take advantage of them? Force them to like me against their wishes?
It’s ridiculous. Just because I can manipulate people’s emotions doesn’t mean that I go around doing it at random. Just like Isera doesn’t throw blocks of ice at everyone she meets just because she can. But it’s as if there’s suddenly this huge difference just because my powers are of the mental kind rather than something physical that people can touch, or at least see.
My heart clenches again, and hopelessness washes over me. How am I ever going to make them accept me?
3) Draven is given no personality other than to have abs and wings. We don't know the history alluded to briefly by the members of his own Black Clan when it's hinted that his reign and position was highly unpopular among his clan. We have little clue as to why (and when?) he even became attracted to Selena. We don't learn much about him except he'd horny.
4) Weak world buildling and weak characterizations. The plausibility of every plotline is slim, at best. So Selena thinks winning the Atonement Trials is ultimately her ticket to getting the Resistance to accepting her? And the Atonement Trials are set up seemingly for the Seelie Fae to get a ticket out of Oz?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Entertaining. If all you're into are the tropes, this book does them all.
July 21, 2025
Is this a pretty standard romantasy? Yes. Did I enjoy it anyway? Also yes. But I can totally see why someone might not.
I started this right after reading book four in the House of Devils series, and I immediately felt the difference in worldbuilding, plot, character development and writing. But I'm not here to compare them, because they're nothing alike, and this is book one so it still has time to grow by the time it gets to its own fourth installment.
It does have some flaws, the plot could be stronger, the trials a bit better, the world building more expansive, and the characters more interesting to set them apart from the typical romantasy formula, but it wasn't a bad read at all.
The pacing is really good, you get sucked in immediately, and you'll be halfway through before you know it. There is a ball scene (just saying), and there is something there that pushes you to keep reading. Whether it's the suspicion that the aren't what they seem, or just the desire to see where it all goes.
There's almost no backstory which works both in this book's favour and against it. As in, there's no info dump at any point, you can just jump in and turn off your brain for a couple of hours, so it's very relaxing. But, at the same time, it feels like there's not enough depth to the story/characters.
Everything moves so fast that it's hard to get to know them, and it doesn't help that everyone keeps staying away from poor Selena because of her powers. It's also hard to see why exactly Draven likes her? Other than physically.
SPEAKING OF, I'm actually so annoyed that he dropped zero hints about , because he just kept telling her .
They had some cute moments though, I won't deny, but I don't see them becoming one of my favourite book couples. Especially with Draven being a copy paste of a bunch of different romantasy heroes. Selena did seem more unique, and I like that she's not strong in a magical sense, or an expert fighter, but she has her own way of doing things.
I had an inkling the ending would be something akin to what happened, but I was still a little shocked, so extra points for that.
Hopefully the writing in the next one will be a teensy bit better, it could get repetitive in some sections. But I don't think it's that jarring when you get into it.
Not a full four stars, but I'm rating based on my enjoyment level, not what the book objectively deserves okay? Okay.
I started this right after reading book four in the House of Devils series, and I immediately felt the difference in worldbuilding, plot, character development and writing. But I'm not here to compare them, because they're nothing alike, and this is book one so it still has time to grow by the time it gets to its own fourth installment.
It does have some flaws, the plot could be stronger, the trials a bit better, the world building more expansive, and the characters more interesting to set them apart from the typical romantasy formula, but it wasn't a bad read at all.
The pacing is really good, you get sucked in immediately, and you'll be halfway through before you know it. There is a ball scene (just saying), and there is something there that pushes you to keep reading. Whether it's the suspicion that the aren't what they seem, or just the desire to see where it all goes.
There's almost no backstory which works both in this book's favour and against it. As in, there's no info dump at any point, you can just jump in and turn off your brain for a couple of hours, so it's very relaxing. But, at the same time, it feels like there's not enough depth to the story/characters.
Everything moves so fast that it's hard to get to know them, and it doesn't help that everyone keeps staying away from poor Selena because of her powers. It's also hard to see why exactly Draven likes her? Other than physically.
SPEAKING OF, I'm actually so annoyed that he dropped zero hints about , because he just kept telling her .
They had some cute moments though, I won't deny, but I don't see them becoming one of my favourite book couples. Especially with Draven being a copy paste of a bunch of different romantasy heroes. Selena did seem more unique, and I like that she's not strong in a magical sense, or an expert fighter, but she has her own way of doing things.
I had an inkling the ending would be something akin to what happened, but I was still a little shocked, so extra points for that.
Hopefully the writing in the next one will be a teensy bit better, it could get repetitive in some sections. But I don't think it's that jarring when you get into it.
Not a full four stars, but I'm rating based on my enjoyment level, not what the book objectively deserves okay? Okay.
November 27, 2024
Meh. This reads like someone's first novel length Wattpad fantasy story
August 9, 2025
“You really need to stop looking at me like that,” he warns, his voice low and rough. The mere sound of that dark and strained voice makes my skin prickle with pleasure. Drawing in an unsteady breath, I hold his searing gaze. “Or what?” 🫠
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This quote is now semi-applicable to me and book 2 (as it has no news of an audio).
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And another (fantasy) one
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This quote is now semi-applicable to me and book 2 (as it has no news of an audio).
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And another (fantasy) one
November 5, 2024
Lol. The writing and story were so bad that it was astounding. I finished reading this out of pure spite.
January 1, 2026
4 🌟
I sat down to read this and did not move an inch until it was finished. I ateee this up! 👏🏼
The trials were addictive, the banter had me giggling, and the whole thing was just such a fun, fast read. I genuinely enjoyed every minute!
Dragon shifters? Draven…shadow of death… say less 🙂↕️🙂↕️
That ending?! Yeah jaw on the floor 😲
🐉🖤 “𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵-𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘱 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴?” hehehehe
I sat down to read this and did not move an inch until it was finished. I ateee this up! 👏🏼
The trials were addictive, the banter had me giggling, and the whole thing was just such a fun, fast read. I genuinely enjoyed every minute!
Dragon shifters? Draven…shadow of death… say less 🙂↕️🙂↕️
That ending?! Yeah jaw on the floor 😲
🐉🖤 “𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵-𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦. 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘱 𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴?” hehehehe
Want to read
June 28, 2025Another one..
February 1, 2025
Meh....
It was super slow. Once it finally got good in the last few chapters it ended. I ended up skipping whole pages of her whining and complaining about her useless powers
It was super slow. Once it finally got good in the last few chapters it ended. I ended up skipping whole pages of her whining and complaining about her useless powers
September 7, 2025
POV: drakonai nužudo visus pasaulio dragon rider’ius, visas fae išsiunčia į vergiją ir tampa pasaulio valdovais.😈😈
Kas 150 metų jie rengia trials ir 3 nugalėtojai turi galimybę palikti vergystę ir pakeisti savo gyvenimą, pradėti iš naujo.
Selenai yra 167metai ir ji pirmą kart turi galimybę sudalyvaut turnyre…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Ohhhh, KOKIA GERA knyga!!! Lūkesčiai viršyti 🫠🫠 Labai tikėjaus, kad FMC bus brandesnė… ir ji tokia buvo 😄 Visą gyvenimą bandžiusi visiems įtikti, bet visada būdavo nustumta ir nemylima net savo pačios tevų, aš tikrai mačiau jos vidinę kovą ir norą laimėti, bet ir pleasint kitus.
Dragonshifter MMC.. 🥵 Kam patiko Xaden, man čia geresnė jo versija 🥵🥵
Labai lengvai skaitomas romantasy, taip sakant for the vibes ✨
Matau, kad daug prirašiau, nors galiu tęst, filmuosiu videooo ir imu 2 dalį!
Kas 150 metų jie rengia trials ir 3 nugalėtojai turi galimybę palikti vergystę ir pakeisti savo gyvenimą, pradėti iš naujo.
Selenai yra 167metai ir ji pirmą kart turi galimybę sudalyvaut turnyre…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Ohhhh, KOKIA GERA knyga!!! Lūkesčiai viršyti 🫠🫠 Labai tikėjaus, kad FMC bus brandesnė… ir ji tokia buvo 😄 Visą gyvenimą bandžiusi visiems įtikti, bet visada būdavo nustumta ir nemylima net savo pačios tevų, aš tikrai mačiau jos vidinę kovą ir norą laimėti, bet ir pleasint kitus.
Dragonshifter MMC.. 🥵 Kam patiko Xaden, man čia geresnė jo versija 🥵🥵
Labai lengvai skaitomas romantasy, taip sakant for the vibes ✨
Matau, kad daug prirašiau, nors galiu tęst, filmuosiu videooo ir imu 2 dalį!
October 24, 2024
Books just hit better when u have weeks of lectures to catch up on😮💨😮💨😮💨
October 18, 2024
This needs to be your next dragon romantasy book!!
Empire of Flame and Thorns is the perfect balance of plot and spice with a high stakes competition, unique magic system, dragon shifters, morally grey MMC and an FMC you can’t help but love! I was intrigued by the story from the first page and couldn’t put it down. The perfect book for the beginning of a series!
Here are a few of my favorite things…
- the world building and history revealed throughout the book makes it easy to get into
- the banter and reading between Selena and Draven is perfect. Anytime he can’t help but smile makes me so happy
- Draven does the Pride and Prejudice hand clench constantly because poor man just wants to reach out to Selena
- the perfectly placed hints that things aren’t as they appear but you’re still surprised by the twist at the end
Just a warning, there is a cliffhanger!!! I need more! Make sure to download the bonus chapter for the last scene in Draven’s pov because it’s EVERYTHING
Would I recommend? Yes!
Empire of Flame and Thorns is the perfect balance of plot and spice with a high stakes competition, unique magic system, dragon shifters, morally grey MMC and an FMC you can’t help but love! I was intrigued by the story from the first page and couldn’t put it down. The perfect book for the beginning of a series!
Here are a few of my favorite things…
- the world building and history revealed throughout the book makes it easy to get into
- the banter and reading between Selena and Draven is perfect. Anytime he can’t help but smile makes me so happy
- Draven does the Pride and Prejudice hand clench constantly because poor man just wants to reach out to Selena
- the perfectly placed hints that things aren’t as they appear but you’re still surprised by the twist at the end
Just a warning, there is a cliffhanger!!! I need more! Make sure to download the bonus chapter for the last scene in Draven’s pov because it’s EVERYTHING
Would I recommend? Yes!
February 21, 2025
This book had me enthralled from page one. I mean...major hunger games vibes... but with fae? Yes please...The build-up, back story, tension, chemistry...wow. Draven the MMC... just wow...so brooding and vicious...😍. He's perfect! I love how the FMC Selena becomes stronger and wiser throughout the book. She thinks her compassion is a weakness, but in the end it helps her.
That ending...wow I suspected they were villains, but man....just read it 😉 you won't regret it. Can't wait for book 2! 5⭐️
That ending...wow I suspected they were villains, but man....just read it 😉 you won't regret it. Can't wait for book 2! 5⭐️
January 14, 2026
Empire of Flame and Thorns (Flame and Thorns, #1) by Marion Blackwood
Book Blurb: Trapped in the Seelie Court by a forest of thorns, Selena Hale lives at the mercy of the dragon shifters. Her only chance to gain her freedom is by entering the Atonement Trials: a deadly competition that pits fae magic users against each other. Only three people can win, and Selena intends to be one of them.
There is only one problem. Draven Ryat, the ruthless commander of the dragon shifter army, is determined to make her lose.
Rating: *****
Feels: Amusement, Anticipation, Heat, Blushing
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance
First published October 21, 2024 : 366 pages
I just dont even know how to describe how much I loved this book. The dragon shifters in this book are like next level hot !!! I feel like I should have been blushing at some parts of this read and I do NOT blush. The magic system is really interesting and I enjoyed it being expounded on and hope to learn more about it in the next books. Selena has this really interesting magical talent and I loved how she developed it and grew as a person throughout the book. The tension and very real enemy vibes between Selena and Draven was just so hot to read and lets just say neither of them is nice to the other !!! I am also totally here for that !! The deadly trials were brutal and I never quite knew what was going to happen and how each puzzle was going to be solved. It was so fun watching Selena grow through each trial and the tension build between Selena and Draven. I can not wait to read each and every book in this series !!!
Favorite Quote: “No,” I reply. “But you do seem to have an unhealthy obsession with tracking me down in empty corridors. Can I suggest a hobby instead? Perhaps knitting since you’re so fond of pointy sticks.”
This book has:
Deadly Trials
Enemies to Lovers
Dragon Shifters
Touch her and die
Delicious Tension
Fae
Book Blurb: Trapped in the Seelie Court by a forest of thorns, Selena Hale lives at the mercy of the dragon shifters. Her only chance to gain her freedom is by entering the Atonement Trials: a deadly competition that pits fae magic users against each other. Only three people can win, and Selena intends to be one of them.
There is only one problem. Draven Ryat, the ruthless commander of the dragon shifter army, is determined to make her lose.
Rating: *****
Feels: Amusement, Anticipation, Heat, Blushing
Style: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance
First published October 21, 2024 : 366 pages
I just dont even know how to describe how much I loved this book. The dragon shifters in this book are like next level hot !!! I feel like I should have been blushing at some parts of this read and I do NOT blush. The magic system is really interesting and I enjoyed it being expounded on and hope to learn more about it in the next books. Selena has this really interesting magical talent and I loved how she developed it and grew as a person throughout the book. The tension and very real enemy vibes between Selena and Draven was just so hot to read and lets just say neither of them is nice to the other !!! I am also totally here for that !! The deadly trials were brutal and I never quite knew what was going to happen and how each puzzle was going to be solved. It was so fun watching Selena grow through each trial and the tension build between Selena and Draven. I can not wait to read each and every book in this series !!!
Favorite Quote: “No,” I reply. “But you do seem to have an unhealthy obsession with tracking me down in empty corridors. Can I suggest a hobby instead? Perhaps knitting since you’re so fond of pointy sticks.”
This book has:
Deadly Trials
Enemies to Lovers
Dragon Shifters
Touch her and die
Delicious Tension
Fae
December 30, 2024
2,5 ⭐
Well, let's just say I expected something different. My main problem with this book is the incoherence of the plot and characters, I struggled to let go of things that were just left there with no reason (eg. The rebellion: it's mentioned two times and then never again and I think it's pretty important in the overall plot, but here it was just abandoned all together).
I hated both main characters and I wish the author spent more time developing them separately instead of concentrating on their "relationship". Also, there were so many good second characters that were just not taken into consideration.
The plot was interesting, and while the plot twist may not be the most surprising, it was actually coherent with the plot.
Well, let's just say I expected something different. My main problem with this book is the incoherence of the plot and characters, I struggled to let go of things that were just left there with no reason (eg. The rebellion: it's mentioned two times and then never again and I think it's pretty important in the overall plot, but here it was just abandoned all together).
I hated both main characters and I wish the author spent more time developing them separately instead of concentrating on their "relationship". Also, there were so many good second characters that were just not taken into consideration.
The plot was interesting, and while the plot twist may not be the most surprising, it was actually coherent with the plot.
July 28, 2025
DNF - Rolled me eyes way too many times for it still to be the first chapter, writing is not for me - too tell, not enough show
December 5, 2025
3.5 Sterne 🌟
Unterhaltsam, aber teilweise sehr unausgegoren und nichts Neues. Stellenweise keine Erklärungen für Dinge, aber man fliegt durchs Buch, wirklich mitgerissen hat es mich aber leider nicht.
Unterhaltsam, aber teilweise sehr unausgegoren und nichts Neues. Stellenweise keine Erklärungen für Dinge, aber man fliegt durchs Buch, wirklich mitgerissen hat es mich aber leider nicht.
January 27, 2025
Why do I fall for it every time?
January 3, 2026
4.25 stars—the ending saved this one for me, cannot wait to get to the next one
July 31, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
This was a super fun and easy romantasy. Loved the dragon rider vibes and the male main character really carried this one for me. I kinda wish I’d read this instead of audiobooked it, because I just felt disconnected and predicted the ending from v early on.
This was a super fun and easy romantasy. Loved the dragon rider vibes and the male main character really carried this one for me. I kinda wish I’d read this instead of audiobooked it, because I just felt disconnected and predicted the ending from v early on.
November 7, 2025
3 Stars
2 on the spice scale
2 on the spice scale
December 12, 2025
The heroine’s main character trait is that she’s a people pleaser and you get hit over the head with this every single chapter.
This is basically Direbound with fae and magic.
Every 150 years, a competition is held to allow three winners to escape the oppressive dragon shifters.
Selena is a low-ranking rebel fae (the rebel part doesn’t play into this book) who can manipulate people’s emotions. Of course, the scary dragon shifter commander who helps run the trials seems to have a personal vendetta against her.
I never felt an emotional connection between our love interests. Maybe that was the point as it is the current trend - a dark, deadly, domineering male who looks like he wants to kill everyone.
The reveal/twist at the end was obvious considering we are told repeatedly the mean dragon shifters are the one compelling everything, and the ones offering the chance to escape.
Selena doesn’t have a fun side cast to interact with. Rather, her ‘friends’ are the ones who tell her she needs to look it for herself more. The bar is low in a competition where people are out to kill.
When I initially started writing this review, I was going to rate it three stars as it passed the time and I didn’t find anything annoying (apart from the constant need to remind us Selena puts everyone before herself). Now we’ve come to the end of the review and I’ve convinced myself this is a high two stars.
If you love romantasy and trials, you might like this with all the caveats within my review.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
This is basically Direbound with fae and magic.
Every 150 years, a competition is held to allow three winners to escape the oppressive dragon shifters.
Selena is a low-ranking rebel fae (the rebel part doesn’t play into this book) who can manipulate people’s emotions. Of course, the scary dragon shifter commander who helps run the trials seems to have a personal vendetta against her.
I never felt an emotional connection between our love interests. Maybe that was the point as it is the current trend - a dark, deadly, domineering male who looks like he wants to kill everyone.
The reveal/twist at the end was obvious considering we are told repeatedly the mean dragon shifters are the one compelling everything, and the ones offering the chance to escape.
Selena doesn’t have a fun side cast to interact with. Rather, her ‘friends’ are the ones who tell her she needs to look it for herself more. The bar is low in a competition where people are out to kill.
When I initially started writing this review, I was going to rate it three stars as it passed the time and I didn’t find anything annoying (apart from the constant need to remind us Selena puts everyone before herself). Now we’ve come to the end of the review and I’ve convinced myself this is a high two stars.
If you love romantasy and trials, you might like this with all the caveats within my review.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
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