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Friendly Fyre #1
Friendly Fyre: A Cozy Gender-Bender Kingdom Builder
Reborn as the Dark Lord... Born to make friends.
After living 50 years as a human scientist, being reborn as a fire-wielding harpy is a bit of a shock. Not to mention, Fyre now has the physiology one might expect from someone with two X chromosomes. However she's much more concerned about the Role that's appeared at the bottom of her game-like stats The Dark Lord.
That's probably fine... Right?
Stuck in a freezing cave, Fyre forms a pact with a ravenous and morally ambiguous Dungeon Core, which helps tunnel a path to civilization. Though she now has some semblance of shelter, the community she joins is barely scraping by itself. But with the power of her fire—and science!—she believes she can help build a thriving metropolis.
There's just one hang These people were forsaken by the gods for the very power Fyre now wields. She can't abandon the lives of the people who have come to rely on her. But reviving the lost civilization might mean incurring the wrath of the heavens—and embracing her role of The Dark Lord.
A subversion of your typical gender-bender, Friendly Fyre is a cozy exploration of identity and second chances.
Fyre is a trans lesbian. There is romance, but it is a slow-burn across the trilogy.
After living 50 years as a human scientist, being reborn as a fire-wielding harpy is a bit of a shock. Not to mention, Fyre now has the physiology one might expect from someone with two X chromosomes. However she's much more concerned about the Role that's appeared at the bottom of her game-like stats The Dark Lord.
That's probably fine... Right?
Stuck in a freezing cave, Fyre forms a pact with a ravenous and morally ambiguous Dungeon Core, which helps tunnel a path to civilization. Though she now has some semblance of shelter, the community she joins is barely scraping by itself. But with the power of her fire—and science!—she believes she can help build a thriving metropolis.
There's just one hang These people were forsaken by the gods for the very power Fyre now wields. She can't abandon the lives of the people who have come to rely on her. But reviving the lost civilization might mean incurring the wrath of the heavens—and embracing her role of The Dark Lord.
A subversion of your typical gender-bender, Friendly Fyre is a cozy exploration of identity and second chances.
Fyre is a trans lesbian. There is romance, but it is a slow-burn across the trilogy.
471 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2025
About the author
Kia Leep
9 books21 followersKia is the author of quirky, creepy, and queer fantasy books. Before turning to fiction, they built spaceships to send people to the Moon. When not roller skating or walking their dog, they can be found with a cup of tea working on any of their dozens of in-progress stories.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 6, 2025
This was my first experience with a book like this and I loved it! Don’t get me wrong. I read sci fi as well as fantasy but this was a unique experience. Sloth burn sapphic romance…as in barely touched on in this book but I believe this will be a trilogy and I can’t wait for more! I loved the world building and character building! I loved the Psionic touch and look forward to discovering more especially between Mir and Fyre. I adored Ollie and their connection with Fyre in more ways than one. I recommend this book and excitedly await the next book!
July 11, 2025
In this story we follow Fyre, who once was a 50 year old man living on earth, but who is now reborn as a female phoenix harpy. With Fyre, we discover this new world, dealing with all parts of this new reality (gender, regret, hope, and so much more) whilst meeting many different characters to love along the way.
This book was just so captivating! The writing style, and the world building, were both so wonderful; I particularly enjoyed that we discovered more about this magical world alongside of our protagonist, keeping me intrigued at all times.
The trans representation in this book? Outstanding! It was done so beautifully. Throughout the story I couldn’t help but root for our protagonist, and my favourite part must be the wonderful bonds that formed between Fyre and her allies; so heartwarming.
If you enjoy books that cover many layered and emotional topics, but still has a very cozy feeling to it, with beautiful found family; this one is for you!
Thank you Netgalley and Pulsar Publishing for the eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review!
This book was just so captivating! The writing style, and the world building, were both so wonderful; I particularly enjoyed that we discovered more about this magical world alongside of our protagonist, keeping me intrigued at all times.
The trans representation in this book? Outstanding! It was done so beautifully. Throughout the story I couldn’t help but root for our protagonist, and my favourite part must be the wonderful bonds that formed between Fyre and her allies; so heartwarming.
If you enjoy books that cover many layered and emotional topics, but still has a very cozy feeling to it, with beautiful found family; this one is for you!
Thank you Netgalley and Pulsar Publishing for the eARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review!
September 13, 2025
A trans femme isekai/litrpg story? More please!
July 21, 2025
Isekai litrpgs are not uncommon, ditto for the gender bending aspect, but like all books within a genre, they come in a variety of flavours. Kingdom building, sapphic slow burn, a dragon and a phoenix harpy, and an interesting premise - colour me intrigued.
Turns out, it is remarkably good. Fyre's journey, meeting the people of the fortress, and forming connections with them - it had me hooked, and I eagerly devoured the book in the course of a day. It's not heavy on the litrpg elements - they're there, but more in flavour and part of the setting, rather than hard numbers and expansive character sheets, and it works well for this story.
It's also connected to the other stories by the author, all of them taking place in the same world, and an event from their main story the trigger for the reincarnation that happens at the beginning of this one, and it wouldn't surprise me if there is some more influence later on. Having not read them, though, I can say that it functions quite well as a standalone story.
Very enjoyable, and I will be eagerly reading the rest of the series to see where it all goes.
Turns out, it is remarkably good. Fyre's journey, meeting the people of the fortress, and forming connections with them - it had me hooked, and I eagerly devoured the book in the course of a day. It's not heavy on the litrpg elements - they're there, but more in flavour and part of the setting, rather than hard numbers and expansive character sheets, and it works well for this story.
It's also connected to the other stories by the author, all of them taking place in the same world, and an event from their main story the trigger for the reincarnation that happens at the beginning of this one, and it wouldn't surprise me if there is some more influence later on. Having not read them, though, I can say that it functions quite well as a standalone story.
Very enjoyable, and I will be eagerly reading the rest of the series to see where it all goes.
July 14, 2025
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I wanted to love this book so badly. It seemed to have a lot of elements that I usually enjoy so I ended up feeling ever so slightly disappointed.
We follow along with Fyre who has just been reborn from a 50-year-old human male to a female harpy. I found it interesting to follow along with her as she not only explores this fantasy world and all the happenings in it, but also her gender identity! This was a fun twist.
The world itself was built well, but I found it at times overwhelming with all of the extra details and information that I feel could have easily been edited out. At times, it read a little bit like a passionate rant, rather than an edited story; this pulled the book down for me which is a shame.
If you’re looking for a sweet queer fantasy, this could be a good book for you!
I wanted to love this book so badly. It seemed to have a lot of elements that I usually enjoy so I ended up feeling ever so slightly disappointed.
We follow along with Fyre who has just been reborn from a 50-year-old human male to a female harpy. I found it interesting to follow along with her as she not only explores this fantasy world and all the happenings in it, but also her gender identity! This was a fun twist.
The world itself was built well, but I found it at times overwhelming with all of the extra details and information that I feel could have easily been edited out. At times, it read a little bit like a passionate rant, rather than an edited story; this pulled the book down for me which is a shame.
If you’re looking for a sweet queer fantasy, this could be a good book for you!
June 29, 2025
Friendly Fyre is such a deep story in so many ways. It goes in depth scientifically into what magic really is, the lore and world building is really interesting as well as the character development, second chances to be the person you want to be. It was a very fascinating read. I alternated laughing and crying throughout.
A 50 year old man dies and wakes up in the body of a female Harpy, in the complete darkness of a cave and only Echo to tell her her role and stats. But it doesn't feel wrong, in fact we like it. Then she stumbles upon a civilization of people living in the caves, just trying to survive, but Fyre reminds them of a great leader they once had that disappeared centuries ago. All she wants to do is help them live comfortably and build trust, and take care of the seven year old in the body of a giant dragon.
A 50 year old man dies and wakes up in the body of a female Harpy, in the complete darkness of a cave and only Echo to tell her her role and stats. But it doesn't feel wrong, in fact we like it. Then she stumbles upon a civilization of people living in the caves, just trying to survive, but Fyre reminds them of a great leader they once had that disappeared centuries ago. All she wants to do is help them live comfortably and build trust, and take care of the seven year old in the body of a giant dragon.
April 23, 2026
3.5 in reality.
I am quite happy with the quality of writing, the characters themselves, how they think and their motivations; I also find that the mystery re: the system, the gods and the previous master's legacy quite interesting. The gender bender and how it was handled (as well as the species bender) were interesting and well handled.
Unfortunately kingdom building is not my sort of thing and I find that, more often than not, authors tend to overcomplicate or simplify the entire thing, or misunderstand how politics work. I am not sure where this is heading, but given the pacing I might hold off until looking into the second book tbh. Feel kinda bad that I couldn't get more into this, but we all have our favourite genres.
I am quite happy with the quality of writing, the characters themselves, how they think and their motivations; I also find that the mystery re: the system, the gods and the previous master's legacy quite interesting. The gender bender and how it was handled (as well as the species bender) were interesting and well handled.
Unfortunately kingdom building is not my sort of thing and I find that, more often than not, authors tend to overcomplicate or simplify the entire thing, or misunderstand how politics work. I am not sure where this is heading, but given the pacing I might hold off until looking into the second book tbh. Feel kinda bad that I couldn't get more into this, but we all have our favourite genres.
August 15, 2025
I used to read a lot of fantasy a couple of decades ago. I gradually moved on into other genres as the years passed. I thought this looked interesting though, so I gave it a try. I’m glad I did. This helped remind me why I loved fantasy in the first place. This is a wonderful isekai fantasy. I loved the world building of this desolate, cold underground place. There are not a lot of characters compared to the many sprawling fantasies out there, but the ones in this book are enjoyable. And the length of this book is perfect. I loved our two MC’s, Fyre and Mirzayael. I really hope there’s a sequel, because I want more of their adventure.
September 16, 2025
Interesting but I feel a little disappointed.
I like the character and relationship potential. I just feel like we missed an opportunity to experience what it's like to become a harpy. The main character didn't feel enough amazement and curiosity about the new people in front of her let alone in her new body. It's childish of me but I honestly want to know if her first bathroom experience was awkward because of the feathers and if she worried it was going to come out like a birds. Is she paranoid about laying eggs? Does it take hours for her feathers to dry or are they like a ducks? Smells and taste compared to when she was human, the need to perch because of the wings?
I like the character and relationship potential. I just feel like we missed an opportunity to experience what it's like to become a harpy. The main character didn't feel enough amazement and curiosity about the new people in front of her let alone in her new body. It's childish of me but I honestly want to know if her first bathroom experience was awkward because of the feathers and if she worried it was going to come out like a birds. Is she paranoid about laying eggs? Does it take hours for her feathers to dry or are they like a ducks? Smells and taste compared to when she was human, the need to perch because of the wings?
August 4, 2025
Good Read
This was a good solid read with a well thought out plot. The characters were well fleshed out with good and bad qualities. I wish there were more fights and leveling up as well as more new skills learned, but I did love the addition of a character like Ollie. It really tugged at the heart strings.
This was a good solid read with a well thought out plot. The characters were well fleshed out with good and bad qualities. I wish there were more fights and leveling up as well as more new skills learned, but I did love the addition of a character like Ollie. It really tugged at the heart strings.
February 4, 2026
Great characters and story!
This was my first venture into LitRPG and what a great book to start with! Kia Leep is a talented writer. The story was just the right pace and the characters were well-developed and fun to spend the last couple of weeks with. I’d recommend to anyone looking for a story full of adventure and friendship.
This was my first venture into LitRPG and what a great book to start with! Kia Leep is a talented writer. The story was just the right pace and the characters were well-developed and fun to spend the last couple of weeks with. I’d recommend to anyone looking for a story full of adventure and friendship.
July 31, 2025
cute litrpg with lots of room to explore!
Looking forward to the rest of the series! I like the open ended finale that give lots of room to explore the setting after the events of this book. Can’t wait to see what Fyre and co. get up to!
Looking forward to the rest of the series! I like the open ended finale that give lots of room to explore the setting after the events of this book. Can’t wait to see what Fyre and co. get up to!
September 27, 2025
This book was very entertaining. Take an older gentlemen who was an engineer and put them into a female harpy body and force them to protect a settlement of people. I love the friendships that develop and the way the castle develops.
April 4, 2026
Very cute, solidly written, and Fyre has some heartbreaking thoughts about her gender and the life she had lived before she got this second (isekai) chance. As, admittedly, some sort of pink harpy phoenix with butt wings.
August 9, 2025
amazing
Not only was it a fun twist on the litrpg/ dungeon core genre it was well written and well paced. I can’t wait for the next.
Not only was it a fun twist on the litrpg/ dungeon core genre it was well written and well paced. I can’t wait for the next.
January 2, 2026
Such a fun story!
I can’t wait for the next one. There was magic, action, city building, and world building. I’m a bit skeptical about the budding romance between the FMC and another woman, but it’s done slowly and beautifully.
I can’t wait for the next one. There was magic, action, city building, and world building. I’m a bit skeptical about the budding romance between the FMC and another woman, but it’s done slowly and beautifully.
November 28, 2025
A great fantasy with SCIENCE that doesn't get too caught up in the details. It's ultimately a story about people, acceptance (both internal and external), also a giant friendly dragon. I love them all.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews