Fire & Night

Warriors & Mages #1

by V.K. Dixon

Sometimes, getting what you want means taking a risk . . .

Evylin Glaas longs for adventure.

Trained in swordplay by her veteran uncle and bound by a promise from the past, Evylin dreams of more than what her small village can provide. However, in war-ravaged Ephria, where patriarchal laws dictate her station, leaving isn’t an option—at least, not alone.

Captain Deckard lives to serve.

Deckard has devoted his life to the service of the Ephrian Army, inspired by the legends of old. But instead of fighting for his country, he’s been relegated to recruitment duty. This mission, however, is his chance at redemption—if he can conscript 500 men from the Shires, he might finally make a difference for his nation.

When Deckard arrives in Evylin’s village, she sees an opportunity with this servant-hearted captain. Together, Evylin and Deckard choose to take a risk, entwining their fates in the hope of mutual gain. But as their journey leads them to discover a conspiracy against the throne, they find themselves thrust into an adventure filled with heretical magic, mythical creatures, powerful Relics, and a secret that could change the fate of their kingdom forever.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Adventure, Clean Romance, Adult, Fiction

876 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 20, 2026

About the author

V.K. Dixon writes fantasy and romance novels filled with found family, lasting love, and unique magic. She believes that the extraordinary gives us a deeper desire for the things beyond us; for the things of God.

Reviews

[V.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

- 5/24/25 update: I just reread Fire & Night after going through copy edits, preparing to go into the edit for Sword & Shadow. The improvements I've made over the last five years—even the last year—truly astonish me. There is so much about this story that has improved. Evylin's journey is truly lovely and heartbreaking all at once. She's grown so much as a character, and her internal conflict is so much more impactful.
Alongside her development, the world is stronger too. The lore is more complex and rooted. The history is solidified. There are tidbits suggested for future books. I'm just so thankful that I've been able to bring this story to this place through the help and input of others.
Now, I'm about to see my dream come true as I prepare to publish this book!

- 1/15/24 update: Completed my annotation read through, and I still adore these characters. 🤭

- 2/20/23 update: Completed the proofread and now it's time to get this ready for publication!

I love this book. Truly. The characters make my heart so filled with joy. Their journey is fraught with so many trials, but it all ends up being so, so good!

[Millie Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!

I have no words for how much I love this book!! It was brilliant and a wild ride. There were so many little cliffhangers throughout it that it was like torture at times, but I LOVED it!

The romance, adventure, and character chemistry were absolutely fantastic! I won't give spoilers, but there were several plot twists I didn't see coming and I was shocked and sad over a certain character's death.

I can't wait to see what happens next!!!!!

[Alissa J. Zavalianos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire & Night is breathtaking in its scope, even down to every last detail. With intricate world-building, unique magic, and an endearing cast, it’s a story of survival as much as love and sacrifice. The characters are this book’s heartbeat, and they won’t be releasing you from their grips any time soon.”

- Alissa J. Zavalianos, author of Endlewood, Unearth the Tides, and On the Edge of the Forgotten Sea

A note on content*
- some mild language interspersed throughout
- some passionate kissing but nothing beyond that

[Tatum - nuggetybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- dual POV
- Romantasy
- very SLOW burn
- FMC who yearns for adventure with tragic past
- MMC with strong sense of duty and nationalism
- Beginning is cozy fantasy and then gets more intense and magical at the end
- Age gap (26 & 32)


✨ a few of my favorite things:
- Hewitt & his gruffness, teaching abilities, and love for his niece
- The notes 🥹
- Evylin’s feistiness, determination, grit, and quick wit
- Jonn’s devotion to his wife
- Evylin & Jon’s teamwork and how they balance one another
- Their little band of solders
- The world and adventures throughout the book. Big and small
- The magic, quests, and fighting is epic
- Then ending 😭 sweet, devastating, tragic, hopeful, and heartbreaking all in one 🫠

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cozy fantasy that turns into a high-stakes adventure QUICKLY in the later half of the book. Vivid imagery and scenes play out through most the book. From the fight scenes, swordplay, or even the various landscapes all are described in detail so that you can form clear pictures. The history, lore, and magic is explained in a way that isn’t over done but left me intrigued and desiring more information so I could piece together the world. There is foreshadowing though the the book and as someone who LOVES to catch foreshadowing, the author surprised me a handful of times. I became so invested in the characters rather quickly and can say there is definitely more character development for some. 😂🫠

There is so much I wish I could say but SPOILERS. So I’ll leave it at this, I AM HIGHLY invested in the characters, especially now. So a certain someone better BACK OFF 👀 I want my people to get their happiness 🥲

This is a closed door romance-fantasy with some cursing, passionate kissing, death, war, and violence.

Songs:
Solider, Poet, King by the Oh Hellos
Bitter water by the Oh Hellos
What was I made for by Billie Eilish
Make it rain by Riley Green
Weren’t for the wind by Ella Langley
Fair to you by Vincent Lima
Slow dancing in a burning room by John Mayer
Hello my old heart by the Oh Hellos
Venezia by Jake Scott
Storm by Ruth B

[Katie Woodard · Rating 5 out of 5]

HEY SO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS REVIEW SHOULD STOP WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND READ THIS BOOK!

I loved this book and these characters so much it is actually insane. The romance was swoon worthy and pure. I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens next. The development from where we started and ended the book is crazy. There are so many plot twists and the action really picks up toward the end. My only qualm with this book was how it got a little slow in the middle but it was COMPLETELY worth it in the end! All of the characters are super developed and the found family is amazing. Lastly, the overall messages of this book are having me question my own dreams and the danger of putting those dreams on a pedestal. Overall, i think everyone should read this. 5⭐️

[Cari Legere · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish I could give it five stars, but to do so would go against my conscience. Full review, including content warnings and reasoning for such a low review, will be posted soon.

[letsgosupernova · Rating 4 out of 5]

another review to come just struggling to keep up right now

[KAurora Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fire & Night

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC Review

Author @v.k.dixon knocked the first book of her Warriors & Mages trilogy out of the park, and I am completely craving the rest of the series! Of the 40 books I have read so far this year, Fire & Night is only my third five-star read of 2025. 🔥

If you love the ardency of Mr. Darcy, the honor and goodness of Aragorn, the watchful care of Peeta Mellark, and the patient devotion of Hilary "Jingle" Gordon, then Captain Deckard will be your new book boyfriend! In contrast, Evylin has the perfect balance of warmth, strength, passion, and insight to make her a tender yet vibrant FMC character (which can be a hard balance to find these days). Evylin knows what she wants but doesn’t live in the extremes - so refreshing! Together with a lovable band of brothers, Evylin and Deckard adventure through political intrigue, harrowing rescues, mystery, and magic, all the while navigating an array of meaningful relationship dynamics. I laughed, cried, cheered, and yelled by turns. This regency-inspired fantasy romance contains a level of realism that drew me in right from the start and kept me enthralled to the very end. 📖⚔️🏰

[Kailey Eicher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the absolute pleasure of receiving an ARC of this book, and I am absolutely blown away. The characters are so well written, and the world-building is *chef's kiss*. It takes a lot to make me cry once in a book, and this managed to make me cry three separate times. I can't recommend this book enough. I am so excited to read the rest of the trilogy!!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 6 stars, I would without hesitation. This story, these characters, they have my whole heart! From the very first chapter, I was hooked and I barely came up for air until I completed the book. I was dreaming about the world, giggling at the banter between the characters, laughing when they laughed, crying when they cried and holding my breath through multiple tense chapters!

The relationship growth is realistic, the depiction of grief and trauma bonding is so believable and raw! The burn is SLOOOOWW and I loved every second of the building tension between our MMC and FMC! I have no notes, this book is god tier work imo and I will recommend it till the day I die. I just want to pick it up and start back at the beginning again right away!

Having the opportunity to read this as an ARC was such an honor that I'm so grateful for! Now to anxiously await books 2 and 3.

[Aubin Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, let it be known that I am a stingy reviewer. I rarely give 5 stars. This book genuinely deserves them.

This book started by introducing a unique and refreshing FMC. She cares deeply for those around her, and even though she’s tough and stubborn, you can see her softer side shine through. She presents herself as strong, confident, and funny. Yet she feels weak, insecure, and lost. I adore her character.

The dynamic between the FMC and the rest of the cast is top tier. Side characters felt fully fleshed out and I ended up caring about each of them. The author did a wonderful job giving them memorable voices. You always know who is speaking, with or without a dialog tag.

The writing quality and style was outstanding.

The storyline? Dude. I am someone who has been obsessed with LOTR and Jane Eyre most of my life. This truly felt like a blend between my favorite genres. Epic quests with dire consequences AND deep exploration of the characters internal battles and their relationships? Sold. A million times sold.

Best read of the year thus far. I laughed. I smirked a lot. I cried. I cried some more. My only complaint is that I want to read the next book IMMEDIATELY and it’s not out yet. 🥲

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly loved this book even though I really wanted to just shake Evylin sometimes. It was wonderful and so much more than I was expecting.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. ⭐️

From the moment I began reading this book, I was drawn in right away. I was honestly kind of worried about the length because I struggle with staying focused enough for longer books, but the storytelling was so fantastic and engaging that I ended up being really happy about the length. Dixon's writing style is really beautiful, and the story was very creative...especially once it begins to introduce the magic system and villain later in the book.

I always love books that are character and dialogue driven, and this book was exactly that! We get so much time to learn about these characters, and for them to become a family and a team in a believable way. It helped that the characters were all loveable in their own ways...even if they were frustrating sometimes, haha! There is some action mixed in as well, especially in the last 25%, for those who enjoy that.

I can't wait to see what's coming in book 2, and I'm especially looking forward to the character growth I can see coming.

Now, onto a few things I didn't enjoy as much, just to explain why it's a 4.5 star rating for me. I don't like miscommunication, lack of communication, assumptions, etc, as tropes in books, and although having some made sense, it got to be a bit too much for me at times. I also loved the romance, but at times it was a little out of my comfort zone..although it always stayed close door/no spice, which I did appreciate. The last thing was the language, which I don't prefer in books I read, though it did make sense for soldiers to use that language.

Because of some content (read content info below), I would recommend this books for adults only.

Overall, I thought this was one of the most entertaining, engaging and well written books I've read. Thank you to VK Dixon for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. 😊

Content:
Romance - stays no spice, but discusses needing/wanting to consummate a marriage many times in the book, three passionate kissing scenes that are semi-detailed, cuddling
Violence - mild to medium level violence, deaths, injuries, some blood, fights
Magic - the magic system is tied to the faith system (which has similarities to Christianity), elemental powers (fire, water, earth, etc) and existential powers (night, day, time, etc)
Language - d*mn (x21), d*mned, sh*t (x5), bloody (x20), bloody h*ll (x2), h*ll (x13), half-*ssed, *ss, b*stard (x4)

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨
Thank you to V.K. Dixon for the opportunity to read and review Fire & Night.

I did enjoy this book, but I can’t in good conscience give it five stars. The writing is gorgeous and the world-building is immersive, but the pacing made this a bit of a tough read for me. The story was longer than it needed to be, and the slow burn eventually fizzled out.

For about the first 65% of the book, the focus is heavily on the push-and-pull between the MMC and FMC and their complicated feelings. While this sets up a slow burn, it lacked the tension, angst, or yearning that usually keeps me hooked during that kind of buildup. To be honest, it started to feel a little repetitive.

A lot of the FMC’s internal monologue and her tendency to push away romance stems from a promise she made to her cousin—but that relationship never felt fully developed or emotionally convincing, even by the end.

Then, after so much character-driven focus... magic, mages, and relics suddenly get introduced, flipping the story on its head. While these elements were intriguing, the shift felt abrupt after such a long, slow-burn start.

That said, I absolutely adored Jonn, the MMC. His character is consistently intriguing, and his growth throughout the story is tangible and satisfying. Some other stand-out characters were Hewitt and Rafferty.

I do think this book shows a lot of promise for the series. Fire & Night delivers a richly imagined world and lays a strong foundation for what’s to come. The character development especially stood out — it’s deeper and more intentional than what I’ve seen in many romantasy reads lately. Every character feels layered and complex, with new sides continuing to emerge as the story unfolds, which makes me curious to see where the series goes next.
⭐⭐⭐/5

[Angelina Chang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expecting the typical fantasy trope, I opened this book ready for typical characters with a typical adventure smothered in a typical romance. For once, I'm glad I was wrong. 

Landing amist a micro village among nothing but farmland and sky, readers find themselves following the footsteps of a young woman (surprise! She's not a teenager but an actual adult for once! Finally, someone I can relate to!) Desiring nothing but to escape the monotony of small village life and embark on an adventure worth having, Evylin eagerly searches for a way out. When a solution presents itself, she eagerly throws herself fully into her escape only to realize that life isn't exactly what it seems even when you achieve what you thought you always wanted. 

Trapped between the desires of her past and the promises of her future, she seeks out for truth only to discover truth is subjective. 

Find yourself immersed in a world almost too believable; a place where the line between reader and reality can blur and you feel as though you can step out your door and embark on the journey alongside the main characters. 

With nearly every page turn I found myself intrigued by the believability of each character, enticed by their motives and missions, and infatuated with the potential buried just below the surface of the plot. 

Although this first book focuses heavily on world building and character growth, the pages sped by as I discovered more and more of the intricacies deep within each character.

I'm looking forward to seeing how these unlikely allies overcome the trials left to conquer and how the complex but enthralling relationships between each character unfolds throughout the next two books. 

[Abigail Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨

Fire & Night by @v.k.dixon

5 ⭐️

This was a lovely, and well-written beginning of a trilogy. I found the first 65%-ish to be a bit slow, and had a ton of world-building. I haven’t read a heavy world-lore book in a minute, so that took me awhile to get through. However, once the plot picked up a bit towards the end, I finished it within a day!

Evylin is an adventure-seeking young woman in a very regency-like setting where she’s not allowed to go adventure by herself. However, she’s very close to her blacksmith uncle, Hewitt, and her father turns an eye at Evylin’s apprenticeship with Hewitt. When the army comes into their little small town, Hewitt and Evylin hatch a plot to get her out of there and onto her own little adventure - involving a little small life change of marriage to the army captain 😏

This book was a wild ride, and I am so glad I ended up backing the kickstarter for this series! All of the characters are able to shine their own moment, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!

This book will release next year, but the kickstarter is currently running through the end of the month and you can get ahold of the entire series! If you like any of the following tropes, I definitely recommend checking it out:

✨ Forgotten magic
🥀 Marriage of convenience
✨ Found family
🥀 Magical quests
✨ (Very) slow burn romance
🥀 Regency inspired

[Emily Maybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was kindly given to me as an ARC ♥️

i loved this!! i loved the combination of regency and fantasy elements (new genre obsession??) it created such a cool world with unique magic. i loveeeeed the very slow burn, they had me giggling and kicking my feet 🤭 i felt as though i really knew Deckard and Evylin from their respective chapters. their motivations were clear and i loved getting to see into their mental/emotional processes. they both have their issues that we slowly see more and more of and it was fascinating!

though i loved how much we got to see the relationship unfold and build a very important foundation for the rest of the book, i do think that that part of the book could have been a tiny bit shorter. i really enjoyed the pacing of the action once the story picked up and felt as though more intense world-building aspects/lore were described and explained well.

overall, i loved this book and i am SO excited for the rest of the series!! i have so many questions and hopes for what will happen.

[Rachel Trout · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚔️Binge Worthy Book✨

This is the book you want if you just need to be absorbed into a good story for hours!

V.K. Dixon is especially gifted in detailed, thorough, and paced out world building while the reader is basically unaware and just enjoying the rich characters, setting, and atmosphere of the story! This has been my experience with her other books, and Fire and Night was no exception. Reading her stories makes me feel like I'm absorbed in my favorite show; not trying to see how it ends, but just enjoying each chapter.

The action, plot twists, slow burn romance, and characters that will leave you wondering and worrying, are perfect for those of us who are "old enough to read fairy tales again."

Eagerly anticipating Warriors & Mages Book 2: Sword and Shadow!!


*Thank you V.K. Dixon for the ARC of Fire and Night

[Serenity 🪶💛 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ✨️ for this epic romance fantasy by V.K. Dixon 👏

When I tell yall this is my all time favorite book- I mean all. time. favorite. book. The characters, the plot, the romance, the world building, the banter, the friendships/found family 🤌 it's all there!!

Victoria does a wonderful job of building such complex, emotional, relatable characters.

This story follows Evylin, our FMC, through her journey of really growing from a small town woman to the start of expanding her knowledge of the world (both known and magical) through friendship, marriage, and mistakes.

[Alex Fredrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE!! It’s been a while since I read a book with characters that had that much dimension and made me feel multiple things about them. I don’t mind having 2D characters who are obviously built to be liked or disliked, but it was SO refreshing to find a fantasy book with characters who really felt so real. Everyone was realistically flawed and simultaneously both likable and unlikable in moments. I am so sad to wait for the next books but simultaneously thrilled to see where this adventure goes. The description of “Jane Austen meets Skyrim” was really accurate as well!

[Josh Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. This was my second full read through and I liked it even more the second time around. The story, the characters, the atmosphere, the surprises, the twists and turns. It all sticks with you so well and makes you wish to high heaven that this was a place you could go and experience in real life. I will forever be grateful to this book as it introduced me to the amazing world of fantasy. ❤️ I can't wait to go back to this world in book 2!!

[grumpy_bookdragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is pitched as a "Jane Austen meets Skyrim"-story. Evylin is a woman in her 20s, living in a small town and yearning for adventure. When Captain Deckard shows up, Evylin know he is her ticket out.

This story is amazing. The characters, the world, the plot, it is excellent and I am so excited for the release so I can continue the story! I loved reading this, and I did not want the story to end.

[Brynn The Book Nymph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victoria has crafted a rich fantasy world along with unique characters that continually tug your heart around. I found (and still find) myself thinking about her book many times after reading it and getting attached to characters and trying to guess plot twists.

If you like clean slow burn romance with action, magic and deep character development, FIRE & NIGHT is for you.

[Courtney Ritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The feelings this book made me feel…the tears I cried! The beginning of this book was giving pride and prejudice in the best way and the fantasy twist was perfection. I love every character and their differing storylines and journeys that they all take as they struggled with different things. Each emotion was captured so well that I felt like I was going through it all with them. Will be crying about this book for days…in the best way. I foresee this becoming my new comfort book.

[Kourtney Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the kind of book I love to read. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Lauryn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s wild to have an addition to my favorite books of the year this late in the game yet here we are

[Brianna Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sets a new standard in so many ways. It’s one of the few books I’ve read that truly earned five stars with its impeccable writing, rich and immersive world, achingly relatable characters full of personality, a remarkable understanding of human nature and the hope that makes us *better*.

The FMC is confident with a sword without being an obnoxious girl boss—and it works because of her backstory [don’t worry, no spoilers here]. She’s softer, gentler, kinder, and more teachable than most FMCs in this genre, and is a stronger character for it. The MMC is a walking green flag, but not because he checks all the feminist boxes; he’s just an honorable, strong leader. He does have flaws, but they aren’t arbitrary or surface level. They’re deeply rooted in his character and keep him believable. The way the two interact is a breath of fresh air—no dark romance tropes here. Their relationship, though rocky at times, is beautiful in so many ways! (But explaining that further would inevitably lead to spoilers)! The side characters deserve their own note here, too. They aren’t cookie cutter pieces moving around the board with no effect on the story; they have agency, personality, and heart.

The world we’re treated to in this book is accurately described as “Jane Austen meets Skyrim”. The first half of the book sets the stage in a world that feels like Austen’s English countryside with the complications of polite society mixed with politics of war. More than a backdrop for the plot to happen, the world makes the reveal of a forgotten magic hit with an emotional punch.

There are several themes I could extract and expound on like forgiveness and trust, but none of them are preachy or on-the-nose. But to avoid spoilers, I’ll just say that one theme that stuck out to me was the dangers of following your heart without discernment or care for others.

My absolute favorite thing about this book? A lot of fictional romances can be a real threat to the happiness and health of a real life marriage, if we’re not careful. But not this romance. What Dixon does is paint a beautiful picture of Christ and the Church through a couple of flawed people—and it makes me thankful for my own marriage. Even overtly Christian fiction doesn’t do that very well. And while this isn’t “Christian” fiction, the themes are.

And even if that’s not your thing, I guarantee you’ll still love it, because a good story is a good story.

I can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the past year or two, I’ve come to the conclusion that I like the idea of romantasies, it’s just really hard to find one done well.

Fire and Night, at least for my tastes, is romantasy done right. The first half of the book is reminiscent to a regency romance with a hint of adventure. It helped ground the story into the world Dixon has created while solidifying character relationships and motivations. By the time we make it to the halfway point, which is where the action and adventure begins, we’re well and truly settled into this world and the rest of the plot falls into place.

There was a lot packed into the last 200 pages (if you’ve heard of the Sanderlanche you’ll know what I mean) but none of it felt rushed. It was the perfect tie in to how the book began, as well as the perfect transition point to lead us into the rest of the series. I have a feeling the stakes will keep getting higher and the adventures more harrowing, and I’m totally here for the ride. Given the deep character work Dixon has already done, I think it’ll be brilliant.

Occasionally I did have a hard time relating to Evylin (mostly because I wanted to smack some sense into her), but I’m excited to follow her character arc over the next two books. I’m truly rooting for her and I’m here for the long haul.

Deckard was amazing. In a literary world filled with brooding, morally grey MMCs, he was a breath of fresh air. He was kind and heroic, yet not infallible, and I enjoyed how he grew throughout the book. I also have a few theories about his character and I’m curious to see if they’ll come to fruition or not.

I loved the band of friends Evylin made along the way as well. Rafferty was iconic, Ethann was such a sweetie pie, I wanted to slug Thom in the nose but by the end of the book his face looked slightly less punchable, and Hewitt was a great mentor figure.

Also, massive props to Dixon for not pulling her punches. I’m excited to see how the consequences trickle down (and hopefully resolve) over the rest of the series.

While this book is long (I think the ebook version is 882 pages) it didn’t *feel* long or tedious. If the premise intrigues you, definitely give it a go. You won’t regret it.

I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[GC Annison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Description
When everything you’ve tried doesn’t work, how far will you go?

Evylin is the middle daughter of the Glaas family, her two older sisters are already married and her two younger sisters are bound to be married before her, the war having taken all suitors her age. But even if it hadn’t, she wouldn’t be interested. She longs to be out – out of her small town, out of societal expectations, out into a life of adventure, knights, and mythical mages. But she’s been trying to get out for years and nothing has worked.

Captain Deckard has been climbing in the military ranks since he volunteered to fight in the Centurial war. His first assignment as Captain is to recruit more volunteers from the same villages that the draft ravaged only years before. Determined to serve his country and complete his near-impossible assignment, he’ll sign up every man he can get.

When Captain Deckard’s recruiting brings him to Evylin’s village, opportunity seems to have introduced them. But how can she get him more soldiers to fight for their nation when all the men are already soldiers? And how can he get her a life of adventure, when the fantastical adventure she longs for includes things that aren’t real? If by some magic they are able to help each other, will it lead to all that they each hope for?

Disclosure
I received this ARC for free from the author, my reviewing it was encouraged but not required. This does not affect my opinion of the book, or the content of my review; the following review is unbiased and all opinions are my own

Note: this review is based on my reading of an Advance Reader Copy (ARC), therefore some content of the book may change between my reading it and its publication. Any quotes taken from an ARC may not match publication.

Review – Spoiler Free
I happened upon a post of V. K. Dixon’s that offered a free digital copy of Fire & Night (the edition she put out via Substack). Her description of it as a Jane-Austen-meets-Skyrim romantic fantasy had me hesitant. I did not have the patience for the societal drama in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but fantasy is easily my favorite genre.

The story immediately drew me in. I read through it and signed up to receive the ARC (a further edited edition that is closest to what the published book will be, and what this review is based on), which I read a month later. As someone who doesn’t get to read much and hardly ever rereads books, my reading its Substack and ARC editions back-to-back is a testament of just how good Fire & Night is.

The first half of Fire & Night is definitely has those Jane Austen romance vibes. Evylin’s hometown is a quaint little village, and her family is close and loving. Her father is the magistrate, her uncle the blacksmith, and her sisters are happily absorbed with their husband or in their search for one. Evylin however, throws all that she is into learning swordsmanship from and working with her Uncle.

From the beginning, the relationship between Evylin and Deckard is full of witty banter that I love. Unfortunately it is also rife with a lack of open conversation which leads to misunderstandings that I don’t love. Despite the drama-causing-communication, this part of the story didn’t drag for me, since characters were well fleshed out and each one was a joy to meet.

Where the first half developed the characters in a way that readers can invest in and care for, the second half develops the world: the true conflict of the story comes to light, the relationship between the two nations is fleshed out, and the magic system is introduced. This is where the Skyrim fantasy vibes surface beautifully and come into their own, whisking the story along in a pace I’m more familiar with and really enjoy.

I loved Dixon’s pacing in Fire & Night, the character heavy first half could have easily dragged for me, but she kept it moving along and swept it naturally into the plot heavy second half, weaving continued character development into the increasing action. This is where Evylin and Deckard’s relationship really starts to flesh out as their motives and internal struggles become clearer to both each other and to the reader.

Fire & Night is the first book in Dixon’s Warriors & Mages trilogy, and it lays a wonderful beginning for the rest of the series. At the end of Fire & Night, I was invested in the characters and looking to see them succeed, and I was interested in where the story was going next. While it has a very open ending, it isn’t a cliff hanger and doesn’t leave off with a lot of questions, rather it ties up one important part of the storyline which launches some characters along on their journey and pulls at the readers emotions.

One more thing to note: Fire & Night is a romantic fantasy, so at its heart is a strong romantic storyline. Dixon describes is as having no to low spice, which can mean completely different things to two different people – to someone familiar with heavier romance reads, this description could mean it only goes as far as kissing, but to someone who reads no romance or avoids heavier romance, this description could mean it only goes as far as hand holding. Fire & Night lands near the first description: romantic scenes are clearly described and some have an intensity to them, but it only goes as far as kissing

Overall, I absolutely loved V. K. Dixon’s Fire & Night. It introduced some really great characters and an increasingly interesting story that I will happily follow through two more books. I would recommend Fire & Night to readers who enjoy both cozy and epic fantasy and those looking for a slower paced adventure fantasy. I would also recommend it to readers looking for a sweet, slow burn romance, but not to those who avoid descriptive romantic scenes.

[Laurianna Koeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to be an ARC reader for this (and relive the story after reading the serial edit) was an absolute delight.

This is a story I will return to over and over and over again in the coming years.

Victoria does an incredible job of creating atmosphere with her words - not just visually, but emotionally. I felt the joy, the struggles, the grief, and everything in between.
I don’t often find myself relating so deeply to characters when I read, but there were moments where certain interactions felt incredibly raw and real - where I saw so many of my own experiences and struggles in a new light.

I absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of this trilogy. And if you know me and are already sick of me talking about this book all the time… you haven’t even heard the half of it yet😂