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Dragonbound Chronicles #1
Wings of Life
Fans of enemies-to-lovers romance and epic dragon-filled fantasy will be swept into Le Fay's Wings of Life, where duty, danger, and forbidden desire collide.
They cast me off to Rihtlond as a bride.
They don’t care if I come back alive.
Too sharp-tongued and too curious, I am my mother’s greatest lament and my father’s constant frustration. Unwilling to bow to their will, I’ve become expendable, worth sending on a mission doomed to fail.
Armed with nothing but a coded journal, a quill, and my wits, I’m thrust into the kingdom of our oldest enemy—a land of storms and warriors—to wed their high dane’s son. Trapped on their ruthless continent, I am no blushing bride. I’m a spy sent to unlock Rihtlond’s weaknesses… a cuckoo in the robin’s nest.
But my heart still bleeds red when the weaponmaster of these strange people steals it away. Through him, I learn to unlock their secrets. What I uncover is more dangerous than I ever magic thrumming in the roots of Rihtlond, a dragon hidden in plain sight, and a love I was never meant to feel. Holding this knowledge, I am meant to return home and bind myself to a future I was given long ago.
Now, as war rises and alliances crumble, I must choose between duty and desire, between the family who cast me aside and the bond that awakens who I truly am. To protect what I’ve found—and who I become—I must risk everything. Even if it brands me a traitor. Even if it costs me my life.
They cast me off to Rihtlond as a bride.
They don’t care if I come back alive.
Too sharp-tongued and too curious, I am my mother’s greatest lament and my father’s constant frustration. Unwilling to bow to their will, I’ve become expendable, worth sending on a mission doomed to fail.
Armed with nothing but a coded journal, a quill, and my wits, I’m thrust into the kingdom of our oldest enemy—a land of storms and warriors—to wed their high dane’s son. Trapped on their ruthless continent, I am no blushing bride. I’m a spy sent to unlock Rihtlond’s weaknesses… a cuckoo in the robin’s nest.
But my heart still bleeds red when the weaponmaster of these strange people steals it away. Through him, I learn to unlock their secrets. What I uncover is more dangerous than I ever magic thrumming in the roots of Rihtlond, a dragon hidden in plain sight, and a love I was never meant to feel. Holding this knowledge, I am meant to return home and bind myself to a future I was given long ago.
Now, as war rises and alliances crumble, I must choose between duty and desire, between the family who cast me aside and the bond that awakens who I truly am. To protect what I’ve found—and who I become—I must risk everything. Even if it brands me a traitor. Even if it costs me my life.
689 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2026
About the author
Meghan Le Fay
2 books181 followersMeghan Le Fay hails from present-day Earth, despite her lifelong dream of being born as an elf in Middle-earth. A constant and consummate fan of fantasy, she lives, breathes, and dreams in the spidery language of the magic. Her works are inspired by her obsessions with mythology, medieval history, and all things magical and mystical—especially dragons.
When not writing or daydreaming of other realms, Meghan can be found avoiding the Arizona desert heat through reading, crafting, music, or dance. Or having wild adventures (both real and imaginary) with her family.
When not writing or daydreaming of other realms, Meghan can be found avoiding the Arizona desert heat through reading, crafting, music, or dance. Or having wild adventures (both real and imaginary) with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
June 4, 2026
I love a story that keeps me on my toes, draws me into the story and has me gasping at all the twists and turns. Serae is just the kind of FMC I adore. Languishing in her birth land she is sent away to learn the ways of her enemy. I’m always a fan of enemies to lovers and this totally scratched that itch in the best way. She is technically engaged to someone from her birth land so it’s also forbidden love on a few levels and oh so spicy !!! I really loved watching Serae learn, grow and bloom in her betrothed lands as her parents give her away in a “fake” betrothal. The dragon magic manifests in blessings and is really fascinating. Loved the world building , political intrigue, found family with their military units and of course the romance plot. This story was truely delicious !!
June 14, 2026
Serae is the youngest and definitely not the favorite daughter of a very ambitious lord. He sends her to a neighboring kingdom disguised as a bride-to-be, but her real mission is to spy on their fleet, weapons, and military strength. Back home, she already has a fiancé she’s basically in a friends-with-benefits situation with (the steamy descriptions of which I honestly could have done without).
When she arrives, she quickly discovers that this kingdom is nothing like she was taught. The people aren't savages at all. The country is thriving, nonbinary people are respected, same-sex marriages are accepted, and women are treated as equals and can even serve as warriors. Her future husband is away on a dangerous mission, but she soon meets Wep, the kingdom’s weapons master, who spends most of his time training her, annoying her, and making her want to kiss his ridiculously perfect mouth.
At the same time, Serae starts hearing a voice in her head and eventually forms a bond with a dragoness. Dragons here are worshipped as gods, but they abandoned humanity long ago after losing faith in humans.
I wanted to DNF this book at least three times, and honestly, I can't even explain why I finished it. Around the 60% mark (and this book is long at nearly 700 Kindle pages), a new POV was introduced, and that's what kept me reading. In fact, that character is probably the only reason I might pick up book two. Even that is far from guaranteed, though, because Serae drove me crazy for most of the book. She's constantly miserable, convinced nobody understands her, and even after arriving in a country where women have opportunities far beyond being someone's wife, she still manages to be unhappy about everything.
A huge chunk of the story is dedicated to combat training scenes where Serae and Wep spar, argue, and occasionally get way too close to each other. The day authors come up with a new way to develop romantic tension without endless training montages will be one of the happiest days of my life, I swear!
But an even bigger part of the book is built around an absolutely absurd level of miscommunication. By the halfway point, literally everyone, including me, my neighbors, their cat, the cashier at the grocery store, and probably the mosquito flying past my window, had figured out that I also lost count of how many times important conversations got interrupted right before someone was about to reveal something crucial.
I wouldn't call this a bad book. It feels similar to a lot of other fantasy romances, though it does try to carve out its own identity. The dragon bonding and life magic were genuinely interesting. Serae can heal, grow flowers and plants, summon vines, see emotional auras, and apparently has even more powers waiting to develop. However, the pacing desperately needs tightening. There is an entire chapter dedicated to her going to the kitchen to make tea blends. Why? We didn't need that.
On the positive side, her arc of finding acceptance in this new kingdom reaches a satisfying conclusion, and the story seems ready to move toward bigger conflicts in future books.
That being said, I'm much more interested in the fate of a certain prisoner and Wep's brother than I am in the main romance.
When she arrives, she quickly discovers that this kingdom is nothing like she was taught. The people aren't savages at all. The country is thriving, nonbinary people are respected, same-sex marriages are accepted, and women are treated as equals and can even serve as warriors. Her future husband is away on a dangerous mission, but she soon meets Wep, the kingdom’s weapons master, who spends most of his time training her, annoying her, and making her want to kiss his ridiculously perfect mouth.
At the same time, Serae starts hearing a voice in her head and eventually forms a bond with a dragoness. Dragons here are worshipped as gods, but they abandoned humanity long ago after losing faith in humans.
I wanted to DNF this book at least three times, and honestly, I can't even explain why I finished it. Around the 60% mark (and this book is long at nearly 700 Kindle pages), a new POV was introduced, and that's what kept me reading. In fact, that character is probably the only reason I might pick up book two. Even that is far from guaranteed, though, because Serae drove me crazy for most of the book. She's constantly miserable, convinced nobody understands her, and even after arriving in a country where women have opportunities far beyond being someone's wife, she still manages to be unhappy about everything.
A huge chunk of the story is dedicated to combat training scenes where Serae and Wep spar, argue, and occasionally get way too close to each other. The day authors come up with a new way to develop romantic tension without endless training montages will be one of the happiest days of my life, I swear!
But an even bigger part of the book is built around an absolutely absurd level of miscommunication. By the halfway point, literally everyone, including me, my neighbors, their cat, the cashier at the grocery store, and probably the mosquito flying past my window, had figured out that I also lost count of how many times important conversations got interrupted right before someone was about to reveal something crucial.
I wouldn't call this a bad book. It feels similar to a lot of other fantasy romances, though it does try to carve out its own identity. The dragon bonding and life magic were genuinely interesting. Serae can heal, grow flowers and plants, summon vines, see emotional auras, and apparently has even more powers waiting to develop. However, the pacing desperately needs tightening. There is an entire chapter dedicated to her going to the kitchen to make tea blends. Why? We didn't need that.
On the positive side, her arc of finding acceptance in this new kingdom reaches a satisfying conclusion, and the story seems ready to move toward bigger conflicts in future books.
That being said, I'm much more interested in the fate of a certain prisoner and Wep's brother than I am in the main romance.
March 23, 2026
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️
I couldn’t put this book down, I absolutely adored everything about this. Between the jumps in different time lines, plot twists, dragons, magic system, and the love interests I devoured this book in two days. There are LGBTQIA+ characters, MM, and MF representation in this. I was confused in the beginning with how the chapters jumped, but like in every great fantasy book it all ties in at the end. I am going to need book two as soon as it comes out!
Thank you Meghan and Page & Vine for this eARC!
I couldn’t put this book down, I absolutely adored everything about this. Between the jumps in different time lines, plot twists, dragons, magic system, and the love interests I devoured this book in two days. There are LGBTQIA+ characters, MM, and MF representation in this. I was confused in the beginning with how the chapters jumped, but like in every great fantasy book it all ties in at the end. I am going to need book two as soon as it comes out!
Thank you Meghan and Page & Vine for this eARC!
March 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this eARC.
This starts as your typical romantasy where the princess is to be married to a prince from enemy territory. Then we have an unnecessarily long journey to said territory. Then we find out over half of the book was just one giant miscommunication trope. Then we end the book with just…impending doom?
Serae was your typical FMC who grows into her own throughout the book. She also ends up injured and bed ridden quite frequently, which did nothing to advance the plot ever.
The plot really didn’t pick up for me until over halfway in, and I wanted to DNF but I pushed through. The writing and sentence structure is choppy at best. I’m pretty sure I still don’t know what dowsa is? I enjoyed the dragon and magic aspects but it was only in relation to Serae. Others have magic but you never find out. The found family aspect what decent but the emotional attachment to those characters never came.
I most likely will not be reading book two when it is published later this year - the cliffhanger was not enough for me to continue being interested.
This starts as your typical romantasy where the princess is to be married to a prince from enemy territory. Then we have an unnecessarily long journey to said territory. Then we find out over half of the book was just one giant miscommunication trope. Then we end the book with just…impending doom?
Serae was your typical FMC who grows into her own throughout the book. She also ends up injured and bed ridden quite frequently, which did nothing to advance the plot ever.
The plot really didn’t pick up for me until over halfway in, and I wanted to DNF but I pushed through. The writing and sentence structure is choppy at best. I’m pretty sure I still don’t know what dowsa is? I enjoyed the dragon and magic aspects but it was only in relation to Serae. Others have magic but you never find out. The found family aspect what decent but the emotional attachment to those characters never came.
I most likely will not be reading book two when it is published later this year - the cliffhanger was not enough for me to continue being interested.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2026
I received Wings Of Life in return for an honest review from Page & Vine.
Serae is betrothed to a rival prince to form an alliance between two waring kingdoms. However, her father has other plans and sends her in to discover secrets and he will sweep her away before the wedding. The more time she spends with Wep the more she starts to question everything add in secret dragons that she's formed a connection with. She may not be able to betray the people she's come to care about.
I love Serae as she's been forced into a marriage she didn't want and sent away from the only life she has known. Instead of rolling over she embraced it even forming a connection with a dragon and finding that maybe friendship and even romance. This is an action packed story from start to finish I was on the edge of my seat till the last page.
I was hooked right from the very first page and devoured this book in just one long afternoon of reading. I couldn't put it down and had to know what was going to happen next in Serae's advantures as well as I needed more dragons. I am official obsessed with the authors storytelling it was beautifully written and stole a place in my heart. I can't wait for the next book to come out. Highly recommend if you are in your romantasy era as it checks all my boxes.
Serae is betrothed to a rival prince to form an alliance between two waring kingdoms. However, her father has other plans and sends her in to discover secrets and he will sweep her away before the wedding. The more time she spends with Wep the more she starts to question everything add in secret dragons that she's formed a connection with. She may not be able to betray the people she's come to care about.
I love Serae as she's been forced into a marriage she didn't want and sent away from the only life she has known. Instead of rolling over she embraced it even forming a connection with a dragon and finding that maybe friendship and even romance. This is an action packed story from start to finish I was on the edge of my seat till the last page.
I was hooked right from the very first page and devoured this book in just one long afternoon of reading. I couldn't put it down and had to know what was going to happen next in Serae's advantures as well as I needed more dragons. I am official obsessed with the authors storytelling it was beautifully written and stole a place in my heart. I can't wait for the next book to come out. Highly recommend if you are in your romantasy era as it checks all my boxes.
June 22, 2026
Absolutely loved this! Perfect for fans of bridge kingdom or Shield of Sparrows. Arranged “fake betrothal” , enemies to lovers done well and a fmc that’s relatable and has you rooting for her. The hardcover is absolutely stunning to boot! Thanks to the author and publisher for my arc .
June 17, 2026
Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book called, Wings of Life. This is about Serae, to solidify an alliance she is sent by her father to the enemy kingdom as a bride for their prince, but she is actually being sent as a spy to report back in coded letters and then he will come get her before the wedding. But Serae has no idea what awaits her in this new land; learning their ways, their language, being trained by them, uncovering magic abilities, bonding a dragon, and falling for the weaponmaster when she is betrothed to the prince. This was all supposed to be temporary, her father and his army will be coming to get her and bring her back home, but now she is going to be ripped away from her new life, a place that feels like home and the man she wants to be with. War is coming and Serae has to choose between her old life and honoring her family or the new life she's created for herself in enemy territory.
This was an entertaining fantasy filled with romance, secrets, war, magic, and duty. It took me a little bit to find my footing with the story and connect to it, but once I did I really enjoyed it! Also I totally wasn't expecting that plot twist and that ending! I'm definitely excited for the next book to see where this story goes because I'm invested in this story and need to know what happens! 💜📚
Thank you to Meghan Le Fay and Page & Vine for this ARC of Wings of Life, in exchange for an honest review.
This was an entertaining fantasy filled with romance, secrets, war, magic, and duty. It took me a little bit to find my footing with the story and connect to it, but once I did I really enjoyed it! Also I totally wasn't expecting that plot twist and that ending! I'm definitely excited for the next book to see where this story goes because I'm invested in this story and need to know what happens! 💜📚
Thank you to Meghan Le Fay and Page & Vine for this ARC of Wings of Life, in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2026
Tropes: Epic Romantasy, Hidden Identity, Magic, Betrayal, Dragons, Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Areanged Marriage, Trainer and Trainee, Feminine Rage / Underestimated FMC
Quotes: "When the head and the heart are at war, you should listen to your gullet."
Review No Spoilers: Serae of Cavendaffe is a sharp-tongued, curious, and underestimated noblewoman from the kingdom of Inra. Following devastating losses in her family from war, Serae's father forces her into a political arranged marriage with Eldreth, the prince and heir of their fierce northern enemy, Rihtlond. The marriage is a front; Serae is equipped with a coded journal to uncover Rihtlond's military secrets and magical strengths to send back to her father. Unlike patriarchal Inra, Rihtlond is a harsh, warrior culture inspired by medieval and Viking history where women fight as equals. Serae is thrown into a brutal physical training regime to prove her worth. Rihtlond harbors an ancient, hidden dragon magic system where chosen individuals receive unique elemental blessings.
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Quotes: "When the head and the heart are at war, you should listen to your gullet."
Review No Spoilers: Serae of Cavendaffe is a sharp-tongued, curious, and underestimated noblewoman from the kingdom of Inra. Following devastating losses in her family from war, Serae's father forces her into a political arranged marriage with Eldreth, the prince and heir of their fierce northern enemy, Rihtlond. The marriage is a front; Serae is equipped with a coded journal to uncover Rihtlond's military secrets and magical strengths to send back to her father. Unlike patriarchal Inra, Rihtlond is a harsh, warrior culture inspired by medieval and Viking history where women fight as equals. Serae is thrown into a brutal physical training regime to prove her worth. Rihtlond harbors an ancient, hidden dragon magic system where chosen individuals receive unique elemental blessings.
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
April 15, 2026
First I’d like to thank NetGalley and the author/publisher for an e-advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
This does contain spoilers, so if you don’t want to be spoiled, come back after and let me know if you agree!
After almost DNF this book, I’m glad I pushed through. This is a great read for dragon lovers, magic, enemies to lovers, and an interesting cliffhanger.
The beginning intimacy scenes felt forced, the scenario of “sold off princess for a political alliance” was a repetitive situation, and I wish the first chapter was a different POV. HOWEVER - once Serae gets to Riht, the story picks up pretty quickly.
Parts of the book were a bit choppy in making connections to some of the subplots and greater plot, but overall I found it was well paced and kept me turning page after page!
I did find the ending unsatisfying with Serae and Eldreth. It wasn’t necessarily a cliffhanger, just an awkward way to end the book. I wish there had been more resolve and coming together for them (and an end to the slow burn) versus what actually happens. That felt like a missed opportunity for me.
All in all, the slow burn, the proximity, the buildup between them, however, was fantastic! I loooved the banter and thought the moments of Serae coming to her own and the growth of her character were well done. And the Dragonbound? Come on, that’s just fulfilling for any fantasy lover!
The found family aspect is there, however you really only get a couple additional glimpses into that trope and there’s not as much connection emotionally for the reader as there could be. I did love the creativity of the magic and the different gifts/blessings, I thought that was a unique magic system that I’d not read before!
Although off to a slower start, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading book 2!!
This does contain spoilers, so if you don’t want to be spoiled, come back after and let me know if you agree!
After almost DNF this book, I’m glad I pushed through. This is a great read for dragon lovers, magic, enemies to lovers, and an interesting cliffhanger.
The beginning intimacy scenes felt forced, the scenario of “sold off princess for a political alliance” was a repetitive situation, and I wish the first chapter was a different POV. HOWEVER - once Serae gets to Riht, the story picks up pretty quickly.
Parts of the book were a bit choppy in making connections to some of the subplots and greater plot, but overall I found it was well paced and kept me turning page after page!
I did find the ending unsatisfying with Serae and Eldreth. It wasn’t necessarily a cliffhanger, just an awkward way to end the book. I wish there had been more resolve and coming together for them (and an end to the slow burn) versus what actually happens. That felt like a missed opportunity for me.
All in all, the slow burn, the proximity, the buildup between them, however, was fantastic! I loooved the banter and thought the moments of Serae coming to her own and the growth of her character were well done. And the Dragonbound? Come on, that’s just fulfilling for any fantasy lover!
The found family aspect is there, however you really only get a couple additional glimpses into that trope and there’s not as much connection emotionally for the reader as there could be. I did love the creativity of the magic and the different gifts/blessings, I thought that was a unique magic system that I’d not read before!
Although off to a slower start, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading book 2!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2026
If you love dragons, fantasy worlds, and a little romantic tension, there’s definitely a lot here to enjoy. The overall concept pulled me in, and I liked the mix of danger, magic, and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic woven throughout the story. It had the kind of setup that makes you curious to see where the series is going next. 
For me, this was one of those books I liked more than I loved. There were parts that felt a little slower than I wanted, and I didn’t feel fully hooked the entire time, but I still enjoyed the story overall and thought it had a lot of potential.
If you’re a fantasy reader who enjoys dragons, tension, and a romance-forward plot, this one is worth checking out.
For me, it lands at 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the ARC to review.
For me, this was one of those books I liked more than I loved. There were parts that felt a little slower than I wanted, and I didn’t feel fully hooked the entire time, but I still enjoyed the story overall and thought it had a lot of potential.
If you’re a fantasy reader who enjoys dragons, tension, and a romance-forward plot, this one is worth checking out.
For me, it lands at 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the ARC to review.
April 11, 2026
Just finished Wings of Life and really enjoyed it! 🐉✨
A strong, fiery heroine 💪 paired with a tense, slow-burn romance ❤️🔥 made this such an engaging read. The world of Rihtlond felt dark, atmospheric, and full of hidden dangers 🌩️🏰, and I loved uncovering its secrets alongside her 🔍.
The dragon elements were a standout for me 🐲—woven in a way that felt mysterious and powerful. Some moments were a little slower than I expected ⏳, but the emotional pull and twists definitely paid off 💫.
A solid 4-star read ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and one I’d recommend to fantasy lovers! 📖
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC 🙏💜
A strong, fiery heroine 💪 paired with a tense, slow-burn romance ❤️🔥 made this such an engaging read. The world of Rihtlond felt dark, atmospheric, and full of hidden dangers 🌩️🏰, and I loved uncovering its secrets alongside her 🔍.
The dragon elements were a standout for me 🐲—woven in a way that felt mysterious and powerful. Some moments were a little slower than I expected ⏳, but the emotional pull and twists definitely paid off 💫.
A solid 4-star read ⭐⭐⭐⭐ and one I’d recommend to fantasy lovers! 📖
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC 🙏💜
May 31, 2026
I am so into this book, and I really wish I didn’t have to wait for the next installment to stay in this world.
✅ Dragons
✅ Magic
✅ Sleeping gods
✅ Warriors
✅ Slow-burn
✅ Reluctant Betrothal
✅ LGBTQIA+ Representation
✅ Unassuming FMC
✅ Broody, baddie, MMC
I think that pretty much covers my wish list. Wings of Life provides a truly immersive journey of world building and personal drama. I appreciate the special attention to strong relationship development between the FMC and her various compatriots, it added to her growth and the overall dynamic in this new place she’s been thrown and how found family is the best family.
I did find one aspect a little unbelievable, (and it wasn’t the dragons or magic 🤣) I’m sure you’ll figure out what I mean, but in the end the author used it for some comedic relief- because come on lol. I did appreciate the absolute banger of a reveal though so all is forgiven.
Lots of fighting, injuries, gory details, and death, but in this harsh world it is to be expected.
✅ Dragons
✅ Magic
✅ Sleeping gods
✅ Warriors
✅ Slow-burn
✅ Reluctant Betrothal
✅ LGBTQIA+ Representation
✅ Unassuming FMC
✅ Broody, baddie, MMC
I think that pretty much covers my wish list. Wings of Life provides a truly immersive journey of world building and personal drama. I appreciate the special attention to strong relationship development between the FMC and her various compatriots, it added to her growth and the overall dynamic in this new place she’s been thrown and how found family is the best family.
I did find one aspect a little unbelievable, (and it wasn’t the dragons or magic 🤣) I’m sure you’ll figure out what I mean, but in the end the author used it for some comedic relief- because come on lol. I did appreciate the absolute banger of a reveal though so all is forgiven.
Lots of fighting, injuries, gory details, and death, but in this harsh world it is to be expected.
May 24, 2026
THIS is EPIC FANTASY!
From page one, I was taken away into the family of the Cavendaffe. We meet Serae with her future betrothed but she is then married off to another country’s prince to form an alliance between the two warring countries to hopefully bring peace.
Serae transforms from the weak, unknowing, and vulnerable future Dana, to a strong, stubborn, and powerful woman who knows exactly what she wants. I absolutely loved the transformation that Serae underwent and I loved that we got to really see her putting in the work. While she comes from a kingdom that only views women as less than and pretty play things, the Riht see women as equals. This in turn, means that Serae has to work even harder to ensure she has the capabilities in a few months, that the other women have received their entire life.
Wep, the weapons master, is HOT. His relationship (?) with Serae begins as confusing and almost forbidden. The heat between the two of them is burning!! The tension, the yearning!!! I absolutely ate it all up.
OMG & the plot twist like halfway through???? I truly was so confused at first and then audibly gasped when I realized what had happened.
I loved that this was a Romantic Fantasy that was based more so around the story rather than the romance. I truly did not want this book to end and can’t WAIT until November for book 2!!
Thank you to Page & Vine for the eARC!
From page one, I was taken away into the family of the Cavendaffe. We meet Serae with her future betrothed but she is then married off to another country’s prince to form an alliance between the two warring countries to hopefully bring peace.
Serae transforms from the weak, unknowing, and vulnerable future Dana, to a strong, stubborn, and powerful woman who knows exactly what she wants. I absolutely loved the transformation that Serae underwent and I loved that we got to really see her putting in the work. While she comes from a kingdom that only views women as less than and pretty play things, the Riht see women as equals. This in turn, means that Serae has to work even harder to ensure she has the capabilities in a few months, that the other women have received their entire life.
Wep, the weapons master, is HOT. His relationship (?) with Serae begins as confusing and almost forbidden. The heat between the two of them is burning!! The tension, the yearning!!! I absolutely ate it all up.
OMG & the plot twist like halfway through???? I truly was so confused at first and then audibly gasped when I realized what had happened.
I loved that this was a Romantic Fantasy that was based more so around the story rather than the romance. I truly did not want this book to end and can’t WAIT until November for book 2!!
Thank you to Page & Vine for the eARC!
June 18, 2026
First of all, I just wanted to say that I had a very difficult time trying to figure out what rating I wanted to give this and I am STILL not certain I have the right score. Bare in mind though, these are just my opinions and what I look for when I am reading and in no way should be taken as objective fact. What could be a low score for me could be a perfect score for someone else -- reading is always subjective!
TLDR plot: Merida from Brave (Disney) gets forced into an arranged marriage with a young Stoick the Vast (How to Train Your Dragon), moves to Berk (How to Train Your Dragon) and has to learn to adapt... quickly... Magic and dragons are present of course.
A couple of things influenced this score for my personal tastes... I'll start with those first.
Pacing. There is a major pacing issue that happens right after the beginning towards the middle that I would say dips in and out until the end. The majority of the story nothing is really happening and the characters are constantly "training". Training for this, training for that, they are ALWAYS training. It's monotonous and repetitive and it makes the flow of the story really start to drag in these moments. It was a good few hundred pages of this and I honestly debated dropping this because I felt like the plot was at a standstill and refusing to move forward. I think a good chunk can be cut out easily, maybe 30% of this book, and still keep to the same story. I felt like the beginning was so fantastic and had really good momentum going into it but it absolutely died off with its pacing issues. I honestly would not be surprised if a large number of readers chose not to continue midway because of this as I feel this is the number one issue that can be fixable.
Suspension of disbelief. I think this only affected me later on in the story with some of the character choices. I had a hard time believing some of the evil characters would do what they did compared to their earlier version of themselves we first met. Particularly of the reveals for some of the more traitorous or scorned characters. I just had a hard time believing these character are just straight up black or white in evil disposition without nuance or reason in the midst of a world where nuance and mistakes are present and forgivable. Growth was never a factor. Overall I think it just made the characters more shallow and lacking the complexity that is more common in a young adult book than an adult book.
This is where I start getting a bit spoiler-ish...
Conflict. This ties into the same pacing/repetitive issue.
Sarae's capabilities.
Now onto what I DID like...
The world. The worldbuilding is actually much better than I ever anticipated, including the cultural norms between kingdoms and the histories. I really loved learning about the various customs Serae herself also picked up on and the various terms they used to describe titles and expressions. The dragons too had a whole section on their history. The magic they used to bind with people and how it impacted the world and themselves felt unique and I really enjoyed the relationships between the bounded. I honestly would love more dragon involvement.
I also LOVE arranged marriage plots and this one definitely hit that for me. It's not for everyone, but the little miscommunication nugget between the MMC and FMC when she finally realized who she was engaged to was actually hilarious. I was yelling at her of course, but still amusing. This girl took WAY too long to put 2 and 2 together and let me tell you my faith was washing away.
That's basically all my thoughts on this and I again want to emphasize this is merely just opinion. I can easily see both views on why someone would love this series and why others may decide it's not for them. I may raise my score later as I sit longer on this or I may not. I don't think I will continue personally but I'm not writing it off either.
But, if this sounds like an interesting story to you, I implore you to give it a shot. I feel this is a book where you can honestly go either way.
TLDR plot: Merida from Brave (Disney) gets forced into an arranged marriage with a young Stoick the Vast (How to Train Your Dragon), moves to Berk (How to Train Your Dragon) and has to learn to adapt... quickly... Magic and dragons are present of course.
A couple of things influenced this score for my personal tastes... I'll start with those first.
Pacing. There is a major pacing issue that happens right after the beginning towards the middle that I would say dips in and out until the end. The majority of the story nothing is really happening and the characters are constantly "training". Training for this, training for that, they are ALWAYS training. It's monotonous and repetitive and it makes the flow of the story really start to drag in these moments. It was a good few hundred pages of this and I honestly debated dropping this because I felt like the plot was at a standstill and refusing to move forward. I think a good chunk can be cut out easily, maybe 30% of this book, and still keep to the same story. I felt like the beginning was so fantastic and had really good momentum going into it but it absolutely died off with its pacing issues. I honestly would not be surprised if a large number of readers chose not to continue midway because of this as I feel this is the number one issue that can be fixable.
Suspension of disbelief. I think this only affected me later on in the story with some of the character choices. I had a hard time believing some of the evil characters would do what they did compared to their earlier version of themselves we first met. Particularly of the reveals for some of the more traitorous or scorned characters. I just had a hard time believing these character are just straight up black or white in evil disposition without nuance or reason in the midst of a world where nuance and mistakes are present and forgivable. Growth was never a factor. Overall I think it just made the characters more shallow and lacking the complexity that is more common in a young adult book than an adult book.
This is where I start getting a bit spoiler-ish...
Conflict. This ties into the same pacing/repetitive issue.
Sarae's capabilities.
Now onto what I DID like...
The world. The worldbuilding is actually much better than I ever anticipated, including the cultural norms between kingdoms and the histories. I really loved learning about the various customs Serae herself also picked up on and the various terms they used to describe titles and expressions. The dragons too had a whole section on their history. The magic they used to bind with people and how it impacted the world and themselves felt unique and I really enjoyed the relationships between the bounded. I honestly would love more dragon involvement.
I also LOVE arranged marriage plots and this one definitely hit that for me. It's not for everyone, but the little miscommunication nugget between the MMC and FMC when she finally realized who she was engaged to was actually hilarious. I was yelling at her of course, but still amusing. This girl took WAY too long to put 2 and 2 together and let me tell you my faith was washing away.
That's basically all my thoughts on this and I again want to emphasize this is merely just opinion. I can easily see both views on why someone would love this series and why others may decide it's not for them. I may raise my score later as I sit longer on this or I may not. I don't think I will continue personally but I'm not writing it off either.
But, if this sounds like an interesting story to you, I implore you to give it a shot. I feel this is a book where you can honestly go either way.
May 30, 2026
I absolutely devoured Wings of Life! This book was everything I needed!
Dragons
Political intrigue
Forbidden romance
Found family
Enemies to lovers (my fav)
Serae is the type of FMC you can love! Her journey takes her from being an expendable pawn in her father's political game to a fierce woman who is forging her own place in the world, her destiny. Wep is an absolute 10 in my book, attractive, fiercely loyal, protective and broody. The betrothal was a huge twist that I did not see coming!
The slow burn enemies to lovers romance was chefs kiss!! The tension, the heat, the yearning, it was oooh so good!
The world building was very rich and immersive and the narrators helped me picture every single scene perfectly. They did an amazing job of making me forget my surroundings and engulfed me with the story. I absolutely cannot wait until book 2 comes out!!
Dragons
Political intrigue
Forbidden romance
Found family
Enemies to lovers (my fav)
Serae is the type of FMC you can love! Her journey takes her from being an expendable pawn in her father's political game to a fierce woman who is forging her own place in the world, her destiny. Wep is an absolute 10 in my book, attractive, fiercely loyal, protective and broody. The betrothal was a huge twist that I did not see coming!
The slow burn enemies to lovers romance was chefs kiss!! The tension, the heat, the yearning, it was oooh so good!
The world building was very rich and immersive and the narrators helped me picture every single scene perfectly. They did an amazing job of making me forget my surroundings and engulfed me with the story. I absolutely cannot wait until book 2 comes out!!
May 19, 2026
I enjoyed this - the lore + magic system is something different and I am very interested to see where it goes. It DEFINITELY took me a minute to grasp what was going on with the change in POV/chapter headers being from different POVs altogether at the onset. That being said, I think that chapter headers were a thoughtful way of folding in the lore/history and I appreciated them as the book went on.
If you love slow burn, tension, and build-up - this will be perfect for you. I really enjoyed this and am excited to see what book 2 has in store for us in terms of spice because lawd I just know Eldreth can put it down. I loved that there were also MM and FF couples represented and I am really hoping we explore more of these in the next book as well.
I really liked the whole cast && got attached to several of the supporting characters. I definitely cried at one point - no spoilers - but man did that hurt. One of the main plot twists I clocked early on so I was screaming at Serae to GET THERE because I could not TAKE it hahaha.
Overall, I thought this was a great romantasy read and did a great job of setting us up for book 2! I think I will enjoy that one even more now that we have a good foundation of the world!
If you love slow burn, tension, and build-up - this will be perfect for you. I really enjoyed this and am excited to see what book 2 has in store for us in terms of spice because lawd I just know Eldreth can put it down. I loved that there were also MM and FF couples represented and I am really hoping we explore more of these in the next book as well.
I really liked the whole cast && got attached to several of the supporting characters. I definitely cried at one point - no spoilers - but man did that hurt. One of the main plot twists I clocked early on so I was screaming at Serae to GET THERE because I could not TAKE it hahaha.
Overall, I thought this was a great romantasy read and did a great job of setting us up for book 2! I think I will enjoy that one even more now that we have a good foundation of the world!
June 9, 2026
Review: Wings of Life by Meghan Le Fay
Wings of Life is the debut romantasy novel by Meghan Le Fay and the first book in a trilogy.
Serae is still reeling from the news that her brother is missing in action and presumed dead, a casualty of war, when she is informed that she must marry the prince of her kingdom's greatest enemy. Sent to Rihtlond under the guise of a political alliance, Serae is also tasked with spying on the kingdom. What she discovers, however, is far more dangerous than she anticipated: a forbidden romance, dragons, shifting alliances, and the looming threat of war. As tensions rise, Serae must decide where her loyalties truly lie—with the family who sent her away or with the people of Rihtlond who have become far more than enemies.
From the very first page, I found Wings of Life to be exceptionally well paced. As the first book in a trilogy, extensive world-building is expected, yet Meghan Le Fay balances it beautifully with plot progression and character development. The world felt rich, immersive, and incredibly vivid.
What stood out most was Le Fay's ability to engage all five senses. Serae's changing vision and sensory experiences were described so vividly that I could easily imagine exactly what she was seeing and feeling.
"The light at the mouth of the cave blazed to the point of pain. I welcomed it, stepping through and bathing myself in the rays of the sun... Everything turned into a wild explosion of colors, a thousand times stronger than before. I swayed on my feet, Steading hands pressed against my shoulders, holding me upright. After a moment, my eyes adjusted."
Her descriptions of food were so detailed that I found myself craving a bun (quote below) and a bowl of soup right alongside Serea.
"My taste buds were having a heyday with the complexity dancing over my tongue. The sweet, the salty, the spicy, the richness, the fluffiness- it was all too much. I may have moaned more than once, earning a raised eyebrow from him and scandalized looks from passerby. "
"It'sh 'eally goo'," i managed through a stuffed mouth.
Moments such as Serae becoming overwhelmed by the scents in a shop felt tangible and real. Le Fay's descriptions of pain (quote below), touch, and Serae's connection to the earth through her magic created a strong emotional and physical connection to the story. Whether describing the weather, the terrain, or the atmosphere of a scene, I felt completely transported into the world.
"Gingerly, I turned onto my stomach. Pain surged across my spine at every movement, no matter how slight. I buried my face in my pillow, wishing i could never wake up again. If tears came, no one was there to witness."
The world-building itself was extensive and compelling. The two primary countries, Riht and Inra, were distinct and fully realized. Riht is home to Drakh, while Inra encompasses Cavendaffe and several other cities, each contributing to the richness of the world. I could clearly see the differences between them, particularly in how each nation treated its citizens. Rihtlond felt alive through its ever-changing climate—cold, sunny, and often rainy—its bustling markets, the keep, which served as a safe haven within its walls, and Serae's favorite place—the relaxation room. It never felt like a fictional setting—it felt like a place I could actually visit.
One of my favorite aspects of Le Fay's world was its inclusivity. Women have rights and autonomy, and sexuality is not restricted by gender. Love is simply love. This acceptance and normalization added another layer of depth to an already immersive world.
Let's not forget the humor woven throughout the story—it added a wonderful balance to the more serious moments and often had me laughing out loud. Here are a few spoiler free examples.
"..the one on the floor is my betrothed."
"Pity. Bring him to me, & I'll eat him."
or
"Dragons' balls, he noticed.
"What do you know of dragon balls? You seem rather preoccupied with this one's--"
I still can't believe this is a debut novel. The prose was beautiful, the dialogue felt natural, and the suspense kept me turning pages. Throughout the story, I developed countless theories about the characters and where the plot might lead, but Le Fay continually surprised me. Every time I thought I had figured something out, the story took an unexpected turn.
If it isn't already obvious, I absolutely loved this book. I connected deeply with the characters, adored the found-family elements, and appreciated the themes of acceptance and belonging. The story left a lasting impression on me.
The ending introduced new conflicts while leaving just enough unanswered questions to perfectly set up the next installment. I am already eagerly awaiting book two.
This story has truly captured a piece of my heart.
I experienced Wings of Life both through a physical copy and the audiobook, and I highly recommend either format. Personally, I found that pairing the audiobook with the physical book helped me keep track of the world-building and characters more easily.
The audiobook experience was phenomenal. At times it felt more like listening to a movie than a traditional narration. The narrators fully embodied the characters, gasping for breath after a punch, speaking with dry, strained voices when desperate for water, and conveying both physical and emotional pain with remarkable authenticity. Their range of character voices was impressive, making the audiobook feel almost like a full-cast production.
If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers romance, dragons, found family, immersive world-building, and a story that balances steady pacing with moments of high-stakes action, then Wings of Life is a book you won't want to miss.
Wings of Life is the debut romantasy novel by Meghan Le Fay and the first book in a trilogy.
Serae is still reeling from the news that her brother is missing in action and presumed dead, a casualty of war, when she is informed that she must marry the prince of her kingdom's greatest enemy. Sent to Rihtlond under the guise of a political alliance, Serae is also tasked with spying on the kingdom. What she discovers, however, is far more dangerous than she anticipated: a forbidden romance, dragons, shifting alliances, and the looming threat of war. As tensions rise, Serae must decide where her loyalties truly lie—with the family who sent her away or with the people of Rihtlond who have become far more than enemies.
From the very first page, I found Wings of Life to be exceptionally well paced. As the first book in a trilogy, extensive world-building is expected, yet Meghan Le Fay balances it beautifully with plot progression and character development. The world felt rich, immersive, and incredibly vivid.
What stood out most was Le Fay's ability to engage all five senses. Serae's changing vision and sensory experiences were described so vividly that I could easily imagine exactly what she was seeing and feeling.
"The light at the mouth of the cave blazed to the point of pain. I welcomed it, stepping through and bathing myself in the rays of the sun... Everything turned into a wild explosion of colors, a thousand times stronger than before. I swayed on my feet, Steading hands pressed against my shoulders, holding me upright. After a moment, my eyes adjusted."
Her descriptions of food were so detailed that I found myself craving a bun (quote below) and a bowl of soup right alongside Serea.
"My taste buds were having a heyday with the complexity dancing over my tongue. The sweet, the salty, the spicy, the richness, the fluffiness- it was all too much. I may have moaned more than once, earning a raised eyebrow from him and scandalized looks from passerby. "
"It'sh 'eally goo'," i managed through a stuffed mouth.
Moments such as Serae becoming overwhelmed by the scents in a shop felt tangible and real. Le Fay's descriptions of pain (quote below), touch, and Serae's connection to the earth through her magic created a strong emotional and physical connection to the story. Whether describing the weather, the terrain, or the atmosphere of a scene, I felt completely transported into the world.
"Gingerly, I turned onto my stomach. Pain surged across my spine at every movement, no matter how slight. I buried my face in my pillow, wishing i could never wake up again. If tears came, no one was there to witness."
The world-building itself was extensive and compelling. The two primary countries, Riht and Inra, were distinct and fully realized. Riht is home to Drakh, while Inra encompasses Cavendaffe and several other cities, each contributing to the richness of the world. I could clearly see the differences between them, particularly in how each nation treated its citizens. Rihtlond felt alive through its ever-changing climate—cold, sunny, and often rainy—its bustling markets, the keep, which served as a safe haven within its walls, and Serae's favorite place—the relaxation room. It never felt like a fictional setting—it felt like a place I could actually visit.
One of my favorite aspects of Le Fay's world was its inclusivity. Women have rights and autonomy, and sexuality is not restricted by gender. Love is simply love. This acceptance and normalization added another layer of depth to an already immersive world.
Let's not forget the humor woven throughout the story—it added a wonderful balance to the more serious moments and often had me laughing out loud. Here are a few spoiler free examples.
"..the one on the floor is my betrothed."
"Pity. Bring him to me, & I'll eat him."
or
"Dragons' balls, he noticed.
"What do you know of dragon balls? You seem rather preoccupied with this one's--"
I still can't believe this is a debut novel. The prose was beautiful, the dialogue felt natural, and the suspense kept me turning pages. Throughout the story, I developed countless theories about the characters and where the plot might lead, but Le Fay continually surprised me. Every time I thought I had figured something out, the story took an unexpected turn.
If it isn't already obvious, I absolutely loved this book. I connected deeply with the characters, adored the found-family elements, and appreciated the themes of acceptance and belonging. The story left a lasting impression on me.
The ending introduced new conflicts while leaving just enough unanswered questions to perfectly set up the next installment. I am already eagerly awaiting book two.
This story has truly captured a piece of my heart.
I experienced Wings of Life both through a physical copy and the audiobook, and I highly recommend either format. Personally, I found that pairing the audiobook with the physical book helped me keep track of the world-building and characters more easily.
The audiobook experience was phenomenal. At times it felt more like listening to a movie than a traditional narration. The narrators fully embodied the characters, gasping for breath after a punch, speaking with dry, strained voices when desperate for water, and conveying both physical and emotional pain with remarkable authenticity. Their range of character voices was impressive, making the audiobook feel almost like a full-cast production.
If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers romance, dragons, found family, immersive world-building, and a story that balances steady pacing with moments of high-stakes action, then Wings of Life is a book you won't want to miss.
July 1, 2026
Wings of Life by Meghan Le Fay
ARC and ALC Review of Advanced Copy Received from Author via NetGalley
First of all… 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
WOW! 😍 I did not expect to love this book the way that I did!
🎧📖 I read it as an immersive read, doing both the Audio and reading and it was nothing short of FANTASTIC!!
🗣️ The Narrators Meg Sylvan and Gabriel Michael were both new to me and both completely blew me away!! It was Dual narration but honestly, Meg did such an incredible job narrating the male POV of her parts that I did not even notice a change in narrators at times! And Gabriel did an excellent job voicing the multiple male roles and giving each their own distinct personality! 💜
💜💚 Wings of Life gave vibes of The Bridge Kingdom x Shield of Sparrows x Fourth Wing 🗡️
This was a very dramatic read, it kept you on your toes wondering what was going to happen next!
It had the ⚔️💪🏻Fierce FMC, 🐉 Dragons, 👑⚔️ Dangerous Commander, 👑❤️🔥 Duty vs Desire, and it was 💣 Highly Intense!!
Serae, our FMC is betrothed to one man but sold off to marry another, by all rights it shouldn’t even be her, it should be her sister!
She is sent to “enemy territory” to marry their next heir with one mission, SPY! She is to find out what she can while in the other kingdom and send coded messages back home with information to her father, or else.
But what happens when Serae discovers truths and makes alliances she didn’t expect?!
And what about the man they have promised her to? Who even is he? WHERE is he?
When he finally shows up, tensions run high and the secrets and mysteries deepen!
And what about the ‘Great Dragon’?! 👀😍🐉
The 😉🗣️Banter is FANTASTIC! There is plenty of 👑🗡️ Political Intrigue, 🤫 Hidden Secrets and 🐍 Betrayal.
Serae discovers along her journey who SHE is as a person, after forming a very strong alliance and friendship that helps to build her confidence and hone other abilities she is finding out she has! She must decide where her loyalties lie and ultimately who to call FAMILY and where her HOME is ❤️
I appreciated the journey that she took and that we got to witness her internal struggles, how it wore on her mental health and how her emotions ran deep. It showed that choices are not always black and white and absolutely not simple to make 💜
💚 I also loved the ‘Chapter Headers’ and how we saw snippets of diary entries from others but it left an air of mystery!
All in all, a fantastic and intense read that was not at all what I was expecting!—it FARRRR exceeded any expectations that I had, I still cannot believe this is a debut novel 🤯
ARC and ALC Review of Advanced Copy Received from Author via NetGalley
First of all… 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
WOW! 😍 I did not expect to love this book the way that I did!
🎧📖 I read it as an immersive read, doing both the Audio and reading and it was nothing short of FANTASTIC!!
🗣️ The Narrators Meg Sylvan and Gabriel Michael were both new to me and both completely blew me away!! It was Dual narration but honestly, Meg did such an incredible job narrating the male POV of her parts that I did not even notice a change in narrators at times! And Gabriel did an excellent job voicing the multiple male roles and giving each their own distinct personality! 💜
💜💚 Wings of Life gave vibes of The Bridge Kingdom x Shield of Sparrows x Fourth Wing 🗡️
This was a very dramatic read, it kept you on your toes wondering what was going to happen next!
It had the ⚔️💪🏻Fierce FMC, 🐉 Dragons, 👑⚔️ Dangerous Commander, 👑❤️🔥 Duty vs Desire, and it was 💣 Highly Intense!!
Serae, our FMC is betrothed to one man but sold off to marry another, by all rights it shouldn’t even be her, it should be her sister!
She is sent to “enemy territory” to marry their next heir with one mission, SPY! She is to find out what she can while in the other kingdom and send coded messages back home with information to her father, or else.
But what happens when Serae discovers truths and makes alliances she didn’t expect?!
And what about the man they have promised her to? Who even is he? WHERE is he?
When he finally shows up, tensions run high and the secrets and mysteries deepen!
And what about the ‘Great Dragon’?! 👀😍🐉
The 😉🗣️Banter is FANTASTIC! There is plenty of 👑🗡️ Political Intrigue, 🤫 Hidden Secrets and 🐍 Betrayal.
Serae discovers along her journey who SHE is as a person, after forming a very strong alliance and friendship that helps to build her confidence and hone other abilities she is finding out she has! She must decide where her loyalties lie and ultimately who to call FAMILY and where her HOME is ❤️
I appreciated the journey that she took and that we got to witness her internal struggles, how it wore on her mental health and how her emotions ran deep. It showed that choices are not always black and white and absolutely not simple to make 💜
💚 I also loved the ‘Chapter Headers’ and how we saw snippets of diary entries from others but it left an air of mystery!
All in all, a fantastic and intense read that was not at all what I was expecting!—it FARRRR exceeded any expectations that I had, I still cannot believe this is a debut novel 🤯
June 4, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐️
Buddy read with Shelby.
Give me dragons, found family, political drama, and a forbidden romance, and I’m already sold.
I loved watching Serae slowly realize that everything she’d been taught might not be true. Seeing her grow from someone following everyone else’s plans into someone making her own choices was so satisfying.
I also loved Wep. He’s protective without being overbearing, and the chemistry between him and Serae had me invested from the start. Their relationship felt natural and developed at a pace that made me root for them even harder.
And the dragons? Absolutely one of my favorite parts. The bonds, the magic, and all the dragon related moments had me completely hooked.
I will say it took me a little bit to settle into the worldbuilding at first, but once everything clicked, I couldn’t put it down.
The found family vibes were amazing, the romance had just the right amount of tension, and by the end I was immediately ready for the next book. November cannot get here fast enough.
Overall, dragons, adventure, romance, and found family done right. I had such a good time with this one. But that ending?! 😑😵💫
Buddy read with Shelby.
Give me dragons, found family, political drama, and a forbidden romance, and I’m already sold.
I loved watching Serae slowly realize that everything she’d been taught might not be true. Seeing her grow from someone following everyone else’s plans into someone making her own choices was so satisfying.
I also loved Wep. He’s protective without being overbearing, and the chemistry between him and Serae had me invested from the start. Their relationship felt natural and developed at a pace that made me root for them even harder.
And the dragons? Absolutely one of my favorite parts. The bonds, the magic, and all the dragon related moments had me completely hooked.
I will say it took me a little bit to settle into the worldbuilding at first, but once everything clicked, I couldn’t put it down.
The found family vibes were amazing, the romance had just the right amount of tension, and by the end I was immediately ready for the next book. November cannot get here fast enough.
Overall, dragons, adventure, romance, and found family done right. I had such a good time with this one. But that ending?! 😑😵💫
May 27, 2026
WINGS OF LIFE
Serae is sent away to marry into her kingdom’s oldest enemy with a hidden agenda to also be a spy, uncover Rihtlond’s secrets and learn their weaknesses. But the deeply buried secrets she uncovers are dangerous, as are the feelings she develops for Rihtlond’s weaponsmaster. As war lingers on the precipice, she must choose between her duty to her family and own kingdom or her heart.
This is a high fantasy epic adventure of duty, secrets, desire, self discovery, magic and dragon-bonding with two of my favorite tropes—enemies to lovers and a slow burn. The worldbuilding is rich, the banter between Serae and Wep was so good and the tension was🔥, and the sass from the dragon, Vaya’la, was entertaining😆
Romantasy and dragon lovers should give this one a shot!
Serae is sent away to marry into her kingdom’s oldest enemy with a hidden agenda to also be a spy, uncover Rihtlond’s secrets and learn their weaknesses. But the deeply buried secrets she uncovers are dangerous, as are the feelings she develops for Rihtlond’s weaponsmaster. As war lingers on the precipice, she must choose between her duty to her family and own kingdom or her heart.
This is a high fantasy epic adventure of duty, secrets, desire, self discovery, magic and dragon-bonding with two of my favorite tropes—enemies to lovers and a slow burn. The worldbuilding is rich, the banter between Serae and Wep was so good and the tension was🔥, and the sass from the dragon, Vaya’la, was entertaining😆
Romantasy and dragon lovers should give this one a shot!
May 28, 2026
I don’t even want to talk about it at this point
June 30, 2026
Wings of Life took me on a magical, twisted roller coaster of a journey that I never wanted to end. From the very first chapter, I was completely immersed in the world Meghan Le Fay created.
The enemies-to-lovers romance was everything I hoped for and more. The chemistry between the characters was electric, and their banter had me kicking my feet in the air and grinning like an idiot. Every interaction was packed with tension, humor, and just the right amount of slow-burn romance.
If you love fantasy filled with magic, adventure, unexpected twists, and an unforgettable enemies-to-lovers storyline, this book deserves a spot on your TBR.
Highly recommend!
The enemies-to-lovers romance was everything I hoped for and more. The chemistry between the characters was electric, and their banter had me kicking my feet in the air and grinning like an idiot. Every interaction was packed with tension, humor, and just the right amount of slow-burn romance.
If you love fantasy filled with magic, adventure, unexpected twists, and an unforgettable enemies-to-lovers storyline, this book deserves a spot on your TBR.
Highly recommend!
May 22, 2026
I want to thank netgalley, the publishers, and Meghan Le Fay for the chance to ARC read this book.
When I read the premise for Wings of Life I was immediately interested and couldn’t wait to jump right in. Unfortunately this did end up being a DNF for me. I just could not connect with the characters in this one, and that made the pacing of everything slow way down for me. It changed the pacing of the romance, the spice, and just the overall plot of the book for me.
For someone looking for a slow build romance, world building fantasy, this may be their next read though!
When I read the premise for Wings of Life I was immediately interested and couldn’t wait to jump right in. Unfortunately this did end up being a DNF for me. I just could not connect with the characters in this one, and that made the pacing of everything slow way down for me. It changed the pacing of the romance, the spice, and just the overall plot of the book for me.
For someone looking for a slow build romance, world building fantasy, this may be their next read though!
May 28, 2026
Such a good new fantasy with dragon bonds!
Poor Serae, essentially being sold into marriage to secure a truce between warring kingdoms. But she's also being sent as a spy to learn everything she can so her father's armies can storm in and take over. Not to mention that she's going to a kingdom where she doesn't know the language or customs! She leaves thinking she'll do her duty, be rescued by her father and his army, and come back to her planned betrothal at home to a neighboring lord's son, one of her best friends from childhood.
I'm so glad that she kept up her inner spark and snark. She likely needed it in order to keep her sanity while she was in Drakh. Plus learning how to fight, while she seemed to enjoy it, was definitely a trial by fire. Plus, I do think her sass was built up more after becoming bound to Va'ayla. The inner comments between the two of them was one of my favorite parts of this story!
This passenger princess needs to be better about picking up those hints! I, like Serae, fully believed that Ell was Eldreth, and Wep was Wep. So imagine my shock and surprise to to find out that Wep IS Eldreth when he comes to claim his right of betrothal. I luckily was able to read this alongside a friend so that I could shout about my surprises (even though she picked up on everything much more quickly).
I enjoyed that most of this book was from Serae's POV, with a few pieces from Wep/Eldreth and a mysterious prisoner connected to Serae. I will say the devotion that her raang showed her when coming to save her made me tear up, especially as they all were very willing to risk their lives for her. And finding out THAT surprising bit of information at the end of the story really shines those epigraphs in the chapter headings in a whole new light! I really wonder how it would be to do a re-read on this story after finding out the ending. I'm so excited for what comes next!
Some favorite quotes:
If my sister was like a starling--full of song, mischief, and something just a little bit sweet--then this woman was a raven of Death, ready to trick you out of your soul, then rip you apart just for fun.
"No matter what happens, you'll never be ruined to me."
My days in this house, as a daughter and not a son, were always numbered.
I became an instrument of death, for through death, I would find a way for life to thrive.
"You have enough words for us both, my delicious little liar."
The sea was safety. The sea was the way home. The sea was hope.
Calm washed over me. Then, she spoke through me, using words that were not my own. "Threaten my Bound at your peril."
Some crazed animal inside me was taking control--gripping his shirt and kissing him again like I couldn't survive without his lips on mine.
"I approve. He is worthy of you." "Except the one on the floor is my betrothed." "Pity. Bring him to me, and I'll eat him." "You'd eat a man you already blessed?"
I was the charge in the air before a storm and the flickering blue precursor to white hot flames.
... my betrothed had not bothered to return to support me on a day the Riht considered sacred. "You are my chosen, Small One." That should have been enough. It was enough.
It was one thing to want him, but knowing that he alone brought me more joy than any other, that he was the key to tapping into my source--it was more than I could bear. My life would never be bound to Wep's, and yet, in a twisted, gut-wrenching way, it already was.
"If this is any indication of how you'll be as dana, you're going to shake these people to their cores and look fvcking phenomenal doing it."
"When the head and the heart are at war, you should listen to your gullet." "Humans don't have gullets." "Pity."
"Only you could bend that man to your will... He's the most stubborn person in all of Drakh, even more so than Dane. The only reason Dane ever gets his say is because Wep bends to him. But you come in with your sharp tongue and big teal eyes, and that man turns to a puddle."
Forget Wep, forget Eldreth, I was in love with this coat.
"She has already claimed me, body, mind, and soul. There is no other for me, in this realm or the next. I demand the right for betrothal."
The taste of her tongue on mine was a drug, and I was its addict.
"You want to know why I held back? Because I'm a coward who could never deserve you, but I want you for myself anyway. My lungs only want to breathe your air. My tongue craves only your taste. My heart only beats when you're in the room, and every waking moment of my life is spent in search of you. And when I sleep? You invade my fvcking dreams with all the things I've wanted to do with you and never could. If. this is what it means to be in love, then good, because I can't live unless I have all of it. I want you--only you. And I won't, I can't, fight anymore."
I wanted him with every part of me. We'd barely had a chance to start. He may have been done fighting, but now more than ever, I knew I would have to begin. I would fight until my very last breath to keep him.
"Your time will come to lead the fight. Today is my turn."
"Get your hands off my betrothed."
"Serae will claw through the stars if that's her only way back to you. If you don't know that by mow, you don't deserve her."
"No, Tam, I don't hate you." He smiled. "I think nothing of you at all."
If you love a fantasy with dragons, enemies to lovers, duty and danger, found family, and forbidden desire, then you have to check out Wings of Life!
I received an advanced review copy. This review contains my honest opinion and is being left voluntarily.
Poor Serae, essentially being sold into marriage to secure a truce between warring kingdoms. But she's also being sent as a spy to learn everything she can so her father's armies can storm in and take over. Not to mention that she's going to a kingdom where she doesn't know the language or customs! She leaves thinking she'll do her duty, be rescued by her father and his army, and come back to her planned betrothal at home to a neighboring lord's son, one of her best friends from childhood.
I'm so glad that she kept up her inner spark and snark. She likely needed it in order to keep her sanity while she was in Drakh. Plus learning how to fight, while she seemed to enjoy it, was definitely a trial by fire. Plus, I do think her sass was built up more after becoming bound to Va'ayla. The inner comments between the two of them was one of my favorite parts of this story!
This passenger princess needs to be better about picking up those hints! I, like Serae, fully believed that Ell was Eldreth, and Wep was Wep. So imagine my shock and surprise to to find out that Wep IS Eldreth when he comes to claim his right of betrothal. I luckily was able to read this alongside a friend so that I could shout about my surprises (even though she picked up on everything much more quickly).
I enjoyed that most of this book was from Serae's POV, with a few pieces from Wep/Eldreth and a mysterious prisoner connected to Serae. I will say the devotion that her raang showed her when coming to save her made me tear up, especially as they all were very willing to risk their lives for her. And finding out THAT surprising bit of information at the end of the story really shines those epigraphs in the chapter headings in a whole new light! I really wonder how it would be to do a re-read on this story after finding out the ending. I'm so excited for what comes next!
Some favorite quotes:
If my sister was like a starling--full of song, mischief, and something just a little bit sweet--then this woman was a raven of Death, ready to trick you out of your soul, then rip you apart just for fun.
"No matter what happens, you'll never be ruined to me."
My days in this house, as a daughter and not a son, were always numbered.
I became an instrument of death, for through death, I would find a way for life to thrive.
"You have enough words for us both, my delicious little liar."
The sea was safety. The sea was the way home. The sea was hope.
Calm washed over me. Then, she spoke through me, using words that were not my own. "Threaten my Bound at your peril."
Some crazed animal inside me was taking control--gripping his shirt and kissing him again like I couldn't survive without his lips on mine.
"I approve. He is worthy of you." "Except the one on the floor is my betrothed." "Pity. Bring him to me, and I'll eat him." "You'd eat a man you already blessed?"
I was the charge in the air before a storm and the flickering blue precursor to white hot flames.
... my betrothed had not bothered to return to support me on a day the Riht considered sacred. "You are my chosen, Small One." That should have been enough. It was enough.
It was one thing to want him, but knowing that he alone brought me more joy than any other, that he was the key to tapping into my source--it was more than I could bear. My life would never be bound to Wep's, and yet, in a twisted, gut-wrenching way, it already was.
"If this is any indication of how you'll be as dana, you're going to shake these people to their cores and look fvcking phenomenal doing it."
"When the head and the heart are at war, you should listen to your gullet." "Humans don't have gullets." "Pity."
"Only you could bend that man to your will... He's the most stubborn person in all of Drakh, even more so than Dane. The only reason Dane ever gets his say is because Wep bends to him. But you come in with your sharp tongue and big teal eyes, and that man turns to a puddle."
Forget Wep, forget Eldreth, I was in love with this coat.
"She has already claimed me, body, mind, and soul. There is no other for me, in this realm or the next. I demand the right for betrothal."
The taste of her tongue on mine was a drug, and I was its addict.
"You want to know why I held back? Because I'm a coward who could never deserve you, but I want you for myself anyway. My lungs only want to breathe your air. My tongue craves only your taste. My heart only beats when you're in the room, and every waking moment of my life is spent in search of you. And when I sleep? You invade my fvcking dreams with all the things I've wanted to do with you and never could. If. this is what it means to be in love, then good, because I can't live unless I have all of it. I want you--only you. And I won't, I can't, fight anymore."
I wanted him with every part of me. We'd barely had a chance to start. He may have been done fighting, but now more than ever, I knew I would have to begin. I would fight until my very last breath to keep him.
"Your time will come to lead the fight. Today is my turn."
"Get your hands off my betrothed."
"Serae will claw through the stars if that's her only way back to you. If you don't know that by mow, you don't deserve her."
"No, Tam, I don't hate you." He smiled. "I think nothing of you at all."
If you love a fantasy with dragons, enemies to lovers, duty and danger, found family, and forbidden desire, then you have to check out Wings of Life!
I received an advanced review copy. This review contains my honest opinion and is being left voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thank you to Victory Editing and Brilliance Publishing for a complimentary arc and alc of Wings of Blood. All opinions expressed are my own.*
I was craving a new good story with political intrigue, high stakes and dragons for a minute, so I was delighted when I got the arc for Wings of Life. The story is rich and well-paced, and had my interest kept throughout my time both reading and listening to the story, and I loved being so sucked into another fantasy world.
The world building and political intrigue really hooked me due to its uniqueness at the same time as it has a familiar feel to it. With the multiple POVs, I appreciated how Le Fay set them up, giving you the characters’ perception and letting you try to figure out certain gaps and questions on your own - even though I guessed where the POVs came from straight away despite the confusion I’m sure was intended.
The found family that comes into play felt like a solid foundation to build on in the sequel, and I can’t wait to see the characters come more together without Serae secluding herself as much in the next book, but despite not feeling like we got enough moments with them together like how I might’ve wanted, I kept finding myself happy with the banter in the moments we got.
With the romance aspect of the plot, I was actually not mad at the miscommunication angle. I guessed pretty immediately what it was, and after that, following along with it became slightly amusing on its own. I did find it weird and kind of convenient how not one single character said anything that lead to the miscommunication being cleared up, but the way which it all eventually got resolved worked more nicely than anything I could’ve rationally thought of.
While I was hoping for more enemies to lovers vibes and quips to come with it, I still felt it all came together quite nicely towards the end.
Where the dragons were concerned, this is the first dragon-centred plot I’ve encountered where the dragon bond is such an important element, but also not that focal - Vaya’la isn’t actually physically there for virtually the whole book, so anyone hoping to live through the book to fictionally ride dragons might be let down by that, but her monologues in Serae’s head makes up for the lack of physical presence.
However, there were several things that felt very convenient, yet made me confused, while reading. Like how, with the power and dragon revelations coming into play, it feels like it got brushed off pretty easily when it surely would’ve been a bigger deal than what it became. With the blessing Serae received, and Dana telling Wep to figure out what said blessing is - which then proceeds to be witnessed by multiple people, and somehow it kind of just gets less attention than her clothing choices in the dining hall. When Serae suddenly doesn’t need glasses anymore, she hardly reacts to it when I’m sure that would be a bigger deal to someone who’s been relying on glasses to see for their whole life, and no one else seems to really take much note of it either. Then there was the war that was a major plot point in the beginning of the book, yet kinda fades into the back for the majority of the story, which confused me slightly.
With the audio narration, I’m also a bit confused as to what to feel about it. I frequently thought it sounded like they were bored while narrating, sometimes the voices became a bit grating and the narrators were not going in the same pace as each other which felt odd. But, at the same time, I was also not able to stop listening to the audiobook because I was still just as hooked?
Regardless of the little gaps and conveniences, none of them were really there to bug me while reading cause I was having too much fun with the story for any of them to bother me or alter my reading experience too much and I will say with confidence that anyone looking for a new fantasy read with high stakes that will have you invested in the story, a slow burn enemies to lovers plot with some spice to it, and political intrigue, will find the same joy as I did with Wings of Life. Luckily, we only have to wait a few months for the sequel.
I was craving a new good story with political intrigue, high stakes and dragons for a minute, so I was delighted when I got the arc for Wings of Life. The story is rich and well-paced, and had my interest kept throughout my time both reading and listening to the story, and I loved being so sucked into another fantasy world.
The world building and political intrigue really hooked me due to its uniqueness at the same time as it has a familiar feel to it. With the multiple POVs, I appreciated how Le Fay set them up, giving you the characters’ perception and letting you try to figure out certain gaps and questions on your own - even though I guessed where the POVs came from straight away despite the confusion I’m sure was intended.
The found family that comes into play felt like a solid foundation to build on in the sequel, and I can’t wait to see the characters come more together without Serae secluding herself as much in the next book, but despite not feeling like we got enough moments with them together like how I might’ve wanted, I kept finding myself happy with the banter in the moments we got.
With the romance aspect of the plot, I was actually not mad at the miscommunication angle. I guessed pretty immediately what it was, and after that, following along with it became slightly amusing on its own. I did find it weird and kind of convenient how not one single character said anything that lead to the miscommunication being cleared up, but the way which it all eventually got resolved worked more nicely than anything I could’ve rationally thought of.
While I was hoping for more enemies to lovers vibes and quips to come with it, I still felt it all came together quite nicely towards the end.
Where the dragons were concerned, this is the first dragon-centred plot I’ve encountered where the dragon bond is such an important element, but also not that focal - Vaya’la isn’t actually physically there for virtually the whole book, so anyone hoping to live through the book to fictionally ride dragons might be let down by that, but her monologues in Serae’s head makes up for the lack of physical presence.
However, there were several things that felt very convenient, yet made me confused, while reading. Like how, with the power and dragon revelations coming into play, it feels like it got brushed off pretty easily when it surely would’ve been a bigger deal than what it became. With the blessing Serae received, and Dana telling Wep to figure out what said blessing is - which then proceeds to be witnessed by multiple people, and somehow it kind of just gets less attention than her clothing choices in the dining hall. When Serae suddenly doesn’t need glasses anymore, she hardly reacts to it when I’m sure that would be a bigger deal to someone who’s been relying on glasses to see for their whole life, and no one else seems to really take much note of it either. Then there was the war that was a major plot point in the beginning of the book, yet kinda fades into the back for the majority of the story, which confused me slightly.
With the audio narration, I’m also a bit confused as to what to feel about it. I frequently thought it sounded like they were bored while narrating, sometimes the voices became a bit grating and the narrators were not going in the same pace as each other which felt odd. But, at the same time, I was also not able to stop listening to the audiobook because I was still just as hooked?
Regardless of the little gaps and conveniences, none of them were really there to bug me while reading cause I was having too much fun with the story for any of them to bother me or alter my reading experience too much and I will say with confidence that anyone looking for a new fantasy read with high stakes that will have you invested in the story, a slow burn enemies to lovers plot with some spice to it, and political intrigue, will find the same joy as I did with Wings of Life. Luckily, we only have to wait a few months for the sequel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Strap in, Fourth Wing fans, for the next romantasy hit that captures the Fourth Wing feel while also managing to be a unique take on dragon-bonding and magic, filled with political tension and slow-burning romance.
Serae is not what a young lady is expected to be. She rides her horse astride, enjoys archery, has a rogue tongue and a fiery temper, and is not at all content to live the boring life of a lady and wife. While she is fortunate that her father intends to wed her to her best friend, the "boxed-in life of a woman" is not one that will satisfy her. Yet, when she is told she is being sent as a spy to Rihtlond by posing as their heir's betrothed, she is anything but pleased by the impending adventure. Feeling that her mission is doomed to fail, she arrives in Rihtlond to find that nothing is what she expected. It is not long before she feels herself torn between her father's orders and the desires of her heart, as she becomes more and more attached to the weaponmaster tasked with training her, as well as the land, its people, and the dragon that claims her.
We see this woman, who felt so out of place in her own land, come into her own in her new home. She faces trials and challenges, growing pains that allow her to become more herself as she embraces her new role and the traditions of this new place. Some might complain about how often she finds herself injured, but I saw it as her body catching up with her strong spirit. The society she came from didn't allow her the chance to cultivate her body as it did her mind, as ladies there are expected to be demure, and she started at a disadvantage in this other culture because of it. Having her struggle was a necessary part of her journey and growth, and I appreciated that while her bond with Vaya'la imbued her with certain powers, it didn't give her a shortcut where her strength and fighting skills were concerned, especially when learning those skills is such an important part of Rihtlond's culture. She needed to do that work herself, IMO, for herself and for the people of Rihtlond who need to accept her as one of their own.
I felt the worldbuilding was very strong, and the book (IMO) was intentionally paced, with some sections moving slower or faster as the story required. The scenes where there was risk truly felt like the stakes were real, and I found myself wincing at the danger characters faced. I liked the multi-POV, where we had to go off of the characters' perceptions and infer certain things for ourselves. It felt like the confusion I had reading some sections was intended, as we're not meant to know everything yet. I enjoyed the banter between Sarea and Wep, and that between the members of the ranng. The dialogue between Sarea and Vaya'la felt very similar to that between riders and their dragons in Fourth Wing, though the dragon-bonding system is different in this book, as there are only a handful of dragon/gods, and so far there hasn't been any riding. In most of the book Vaya'la is present as a voice in Sarea's head. Also, Vaya'la offers gifts to others besides Sarea, as many in Rihtlond have a blessing, or bierlae, which grants each a specific ability, though as her chosen Sarea has much more power.
This is a story of unexpected belonging, of found family and found purpose. I found most characters diverse and lovable (except for Ellán, who I can't get a read on yet), and I cared about what happened to them. I love how the romance isn't the only important relationship in this book. Throughout the story, Sarea grows closer to many characters, including her lady's maid, her ranng, the master tea brewer, and more.
Themes/tropes:
- arranged marriage
- political tension/intrigue
- training
- banter
- defied expectations
- dragon bonding
- slow burn, forbidden desire
- miscommunication
- enemies to lovers
- found family
- duty vs desire
I look forward to reading the rest of the series, and am thankful for receiving an advanced copy to read and review!
Serae is not what a young lady is expected to be. She rides her horse astride, enjoys archery, has a rogue tongue and a fiery temper, and is not at all content to live the boring life of a lady and wife. While she is fortunate that her father intends to wed her to her best friend, the "boxed-in life of a woman" is not one that will satisfy her. Yet, when she is told she is being sent as a spy to Rihtlond by posing as their heir's betrothed, she is anything but pleased by the impending adventure. Feeling that her mission is doomed to fail, she arrives in Rihtlond to find that nothing is what she expected. It is not long before she feels herself torn between her father's orders and the desires of her heart, as she becomes more and more attached to the weaponmaster tasked with training her, as well as the land, its people, and the dragon that claims her.
We see this woman, who felt so out of place in her own land, come into her own in her new home. She faces trials and challenges, growing pains that allow her to become more herself as she embraces her new role and the traditions of this new place. Some might complain about how often she finds herself injured, but I saw it as her body catching up with her strong spirit. The society she came from didn't allow her the chance to cultivate her body as it did her mind, as ladies there are expected to be demure, and she started at a disadvantage in this other culture because of it. Having her struggle was a necessary part of her journey and growth, and I appreciated that while her bond with Vaya'la imbued her with certain powers, it didn't give her a shortcut where her strength and fighting skills were concerned, especially when learning those skills is such an important part of Rihtlond's culture. She needed to do that work herself, IMO, for herself and for the people of Rihtlond who need to accept her as one of their own.
I felt the worldbuilding was very strong, and the book (IMO) was intentionally paced, with some sections moving slower or faster as the story required. The scenes where there was risk truly felt like the stakes were real, and I found myself wincing at the danger characters faced. I liked the multi-POV, where we had to go off of the characters' perceptions and infer certain things for ourselves. It felt like the confusion I had reading some sections was intended, as we're not meant to know everything yet. I enjoyed the banter between Sarea and Wep, and that between the members of the ranng. The dialogue between Sarea and Vaya'la felt very similar to that between riders and their dragons in Fourth Wing, though the dragon-bonding system is different in this book, as there are only a handful of dragon/gods, and so far there hasn't been any riding. In most of the book Vaya'la is present as a voice in Sarea's head. Also, Vaya'la offers gifts to others besides Sarea, as many in Rihtlond have a blessing, or bierlae, which grants each a specific ability, though as her chosen Sarea has much more power.
This is a story of unexpected belonging, of found family and found purpose. I found most characters diverse and lovable (except for Ellán, who I can't get a read on yet), and I cared about what happened to them. I love how the romance isn't the only important relationship in this book. Throughout the story, Sarea grows closer to many characters, including her lady's maid, her ranng, the master tea brewer, and more.
Themes/tropes:
- arranged marriage
- political tension/intrigue
- training
- banter
- defied expectations
- dragon bonding
- slow burn, forbidden desire
- miscommunication
- enemies to lovers
- found family
- duty vs desire
I look forward to reading the rest of the series, and am thankful for receiving an advanced copy to read and review!
June 10, 2026
I blame this book for the fact that I got absolutely nothing productive done for two days.
Wings of Life by Meghan Le Fay caught me completely off guard. Thank you to Page & Vine for the gifted copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars
“They cast me off to Rihtlond as a bride.”
When I first started this book, I thought I knew exactly where it was going. Enemy kingdom. Political marriage. Secrets. A little romance. Maybe a dragon or two.
I was wrong.
Not because the story reinvents fantasy, but because it made me care far more than I expected to.
Serae was the reason for that. She’s not one of those heroines who walks into a room and immediately becomes the smartest, strongest, most talented person there. Honestly, half the time she’s just trying to survive the consequences of being stubborn. She gets things wrong. She says things she probably shouldn’t. She pushes when she should wait and doubts herself when she shouldn’t. In other words, she felt like a real person.
Being sent away by her family under the guise of a political alliance would be hard enough. Being expected to spy on the people she’s living with makes it even worse. The longer she stays in Rihtlond, the messier everything becomes. The people she was raised to distrust aren’t what she expected. The place she was supposed to infiltrate slowly starts to feel more like home than the one she left behind.
I loved that part of the story.
Not the dragons. Not the romance. Not even the magic.
The belonging.
Watching Serae find people who valued her opinions, challenged her, and actually saw her for who she was hit harder than I expected.
That said, let’s talk about Wep for a second.
I get it.
I really do.
The man barely has to do anything and somehow steals every scene he’s in. He’s frustrating, protective, guarded, and says just enough to keep you wanting more. The romance between him and Serae is a true slow burn. The kind where a conversation can have more tension than an actual romantic scene.
And thankfully, the romance never takes over the book. There’s still a larger story unfolding. Political maneuvering. Hidden truths. Dragon lore. Family loyalty. Questions about who deserves your loyalty when everything you’ve been taught starts falling apart.
The dragons were also woven into the story in a way that felt meaningful. They weren’t just there to look cool on the cover. Every time more of the mythology was revealed, I found myself leaning in a little closer.
One of my favorite lines was:
“When the head and the heart are at war, you should listen to your gullet.”
Honestly, that’s probably terrible life advice, but it made me laugh.
What really stayed with me after finishing wasn’t a specific twist or romantic moment. It was the feeling of watching someone slowly build a life for herself after spending years being told who she was supposed to be.
By the last hundred pages I was fully invested. I was nervous for these characters. Angry for them. Cheering for them. And when the book ended, my first thought was basically, “Well, that’s rude.”
Because now I need the next one.
If your favorite fantasy stories are the ones where the characters matter just as much as the magic, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try. Especially if you love dragons, found family, slow-burn romance, and heroines who have to earn every bit of their growth.
Now tell me I’m not alone: what’s the last book that completely wrecked your reading plans because you couldn’t stop thinking about it?
Wings of Life by Meghan Le Fay caught me completely off guard. Thank you to Page & Vine for the gifted copy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars
“They cast me off to Rihtlond as a bride.”
When I first started this book, I thought I knew exactly where it was going. Enemy kingdom. Political marriage. Secrets. A little romance. Maybe a dragon or two.
I was wrong.
Not because the story reinvents fantasy, but because it made me care far more than I expected to.
Serae was the reason for that. She’s not one of those heroines who walks into a room and immediately becomes the smartest, strongest, most talented person there. Honestly, half the time she’s just trying to survive the consequences of being stubborn. She gets things wrong. She says things she probably shouldn’t. She pushes when she should wait and doubts herself when she shouldn’t. In other words, she felt like a real person.
Being sent away by her family under the guise of a political alliance would be hard enough. Being expected to spy on the people she’s living with makes it even worse. The longer she stays in Rihtlond, the messier everything becomes. The people she was raised to distrust aren’t what she expected. The place she was supposed to infiltrate slowly starts to feel more like home than the one she left behind.
I loved that part of the story.
Not the dragons. Not the romance. Not even the magic.
The belonging.
Watching Serae find people who valued her opinions, challenged her, and actually saw her for who she was hit harder than I expected.
That said, let’s talk about Wep for a second.
I get it.
I really do.
The man barely has to do anything and somehow steals every scene he’s in. He’s frustrating, protective, guarded, and says just enough to keep you wanting more. The romance between him and Serae is a true slow burn. The kind where a conversation can have more tension than an actual romantic scene.
And thankfully, the romance never takes over the book. There’s still a larger story unfolding. Political maneuvering. Hidden truths. Dragon lore. Family loyalty. Questions about who deserves your loyalty when everything you’ve been taught starts falling apart.
The dragons were also woven into the story in a way that felt meaningful. They weren’t just there to look cool on the cover. Every time more of the mythology was revealed, I found myself leaning in a little closer.
One of my favorite lines was:
“When the head and the heart are at war, you should listen to your gullet.”
Honestly, that’s probably terrible life advice, but it made me laugh.
What really stayed with me after finishing wasn’t a specific twist or romantic moment. It was the feeling of watching someone slowly build a life for herself after spending years being told who she was supposed to be.
By the last hundred pages I was fully invested. I was nervous for these characters. Angry for them. Cheering for them. And when the book ended, my first thought was basically, “Well, that’s rude.”
Because now I need the next one.
If your favorite fantasy stories are the ones where the characters matter just as much as the magic, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try. Especially if you love dragons, found family, slow-burn romance, and heroines who have to earn every bit of their growth.
Now tell me I’m not alone: what’s the last book that completely wrecked your reading plans because you couldn’t stop thinking about it?
Review of advance copy
You can find this review of Wings of Life on my blog, Heart's Content!
A big shout out and thank you to Kaye Publicity and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of Wings of Life in exchange for an honest review!
Wings of Life is an immersive fantasy, with deep roots in feminine rage, power, love and courage. I began Wings of Life without any lofty expectations. I was just curious to see where the story would go and expected to see a familiar story-progression and style. The blurb indicates a fairly well-seen theme and I relaxed into my own confidence that I was likely going to be able to predict most of what happens in the book.
Well.. I was wrong.
While, yes, I still stand by my statement that the theme of WoL is one that has been seen before, Fay has done a lovely job bringing to life elements that render her story unique, addictive and emotional. The core concept of the story revolves around the FMC, her life and the situation that puts her ideologies, her loyalties and her very humanity to test.
The world building in this story is so important that it might need to be laid even before the story begins—only because it is a very complex story that spans across lifetimes that’s closely tied to the plot as well. The world needs a lot of time to build, and I believe it’s still yet to be completed (intentionally on the author’s part) even when the last page is turned. However, given how much room and time the author has made for all the elements in this story, I found myself very comfortable in my understanding of the world and its rules. Every step is prepared for, every expansion is thus never overwhelming and often only completes the narrative better.
The very first chapter will inform you that the world is not what it is thought to be—both by the citizens and its readers. While yes, you may find threads of similarities between this book and other famous books with similar themes or within the same genre, I do believe Fay has done a good job carving out a distinct space for her voice and story in the romantasy shelf. I will warn the reader again that the world is still building, we are just in book one. Yes, there’s lots to learn in this book, but there’s lots more coming and that’s made very evident.
The author’s skill in writing in this story is expressed expertly through the perspectives of three characters and the significance of it reveals itself slowly but surely towards the end. While in general I never gravitate towards stories that have multiple perspectives, there was something about Fay’s writing—and her story of course—that really made me stay with her words throughout. I say this even after struggling quite a bit with the format I read the book in—which was honestly no one’s fault.
The writing is the biggest, most compelling reason for my coming back each time to WoL. My experience of an author’s writing is greatly elevated when, between perspectives, it’s very very easy to be able to feel a perceivable difference in tone, personality and character. There’s a rough thorn-like narrative, another that’s harder, driven by duty and finally one that’s heartbreaking and comparatively a little softer too.
Kudos to the author for bringing this to her story and using a narrative style that I found myself enjoying even when it wasn’t amongst my preferences at all!
The plot in this story is still on its route to reveal itself. However, there are several sub-plots that weave themselves in and out of the story constantly. The book is long enough to give them all the time to reveal, expand and resolve (for the most part) themselves. However, you may still not know where the story is heading because the author has still not wholly revealed it to you. Don’t worry, you won’t notice until after the book ends. It’s only then that you’ll realise that you still have a forest to explore and you’re only at the edge of it.
The pace in WoL is extremely even throughout and while there are some aspects of it that may seem repetitive, I do believe there is a reason for it given that a lot of elements build underneath quietly. Please walk into this story expecting it to be a slow burn in its relationship and in revealing its true self with you.
I only struggled a little towards the end of the book and honestly I wasn’t sure how much of it was linked to the pace and how much is related to the format I read the book on.
4.75 stars! Happy, happy reading. As always please check trigger warnings as there are themes in this book that can be difficult for some.
A big shout out and thank you to Kaye Publicity and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy of Wings of Life in exchange for an honest review!
Wings of Life is an immersive fantasy, with deep roots in feminine rage, power, love and courage. I began Wings of Life without any lofty expectations. I was just curious to see where the story would go and expected to see a familiar story-progression and style. The blurb indicates a fairly well-seen theme and I relaxed into my own confidence that I was likely going to be able to predict most of what happens in the book.
Well.. I was wrong.
While, yes, I still stand by my statement that the theme of WoL is one that has been seen before, Fay has done a lovely job bringing to life elements that render her story unique, addictive and emotional. The core concept of the story revolves around the FMC, her life and the situation that puts her ideologies, her loyalties and her very humanity to test.
The world building in this story is so important that it might need to be laid even before the story begins—only because it is a very complex story that spans across lifetimes that’s closely tied to the plot as well. The world needs a lot of time to build, and I believe it’s still yet to be completed (intentionally on the author’s part) even when the last page is turned. However, given how much room and time the author has made for all the elements in this story, I found myself very comfortable in my understanding of the world and its rules. Every step is prepared for, every expansion is thus never overwhelming and often only completes the narrative better.
The very first chapter will inform you that the world is not what it is thought to be—both by the citizens and its readers. While yes, you may find threads of similarities between this book and other famous books with similar themes or within the same genre, I do believe Fay has done a good job carving out a distinct space for her voice and story in the romantasy shelf. I will warn the reader again that the world is still building, we are just in book one. Yes, there’s lots to learn in this book, but there’s lots more coming and that’s made very evident.
The author’s skill in writing in this story is expressed expertly through the perspectives of three characters and the significance of it reveals itself slowly but surely towards the end. While in general I never gravitate towards stories that have multiple perspectives, there was something about Fay’s writing—and her story of course—that really made me stay with her words throughout. I say this even after struggling quite a bit with the format I read the book in—which was honestly no one’s fault.
The writing is the biggest, most compelling reason for my coming back each time to WoL. My experience of an author’s writing is greatly elevated when, between perspectives, it’s very very easy to be able to feel a perceivable difference in tone, personality and character. There’s a rough thorn-like narrative, another that’s harder, driven by duty and finally one that’s heartbreaking and comparatively a little softer too.
Kudos to the author for bringing this to her story and using a narrative style that I found myself enjoying even when it wasn’t amongst my preferences at all!
The plot in this story is still on its route to reveal itself. However, there are several sub-plots that weave themselves in and out of the story constantly. The book is long enough to give them all the time to reveal, expand and resolve (for the most part) themselves. However, you may still not know where the story is heading because the author has still not wholly revealed it to you. Don’t worry, you won’t notice until after the book ends. It’s only then that you’ll realise that you still have a forest to explore and you’re only at the edge of it.
The pace in WoL is extremely even throughout and while there are some aspects of it that may seem repetitive, I do believe there is a reason for it given that a lot of elements build underneath quietly. Please walk into this story expecting it to be a slow burn in its relationship and in revealing its true self with you.
I only struggled a little towards the end of the book and honestly I wasn’t sure how much of it was linked to the pace and how much is related to the format I read the book on.
4.75 stars! Happy, happy reading. As always please check trigger warnings as there are themes in this book that can be difficult for some.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Firstly, thank-you netgalley and the author/publisher for letting me read the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Please note, that my thoughts are completely my own and are often filled with spoilers, so will spoiler alert the rest of the review.
OVERALL SCORE: 3.5-4 STARS
SPICE LEVEL: 2
One final note, not sure if it was the way it is on kindle, but the layout is actually terrible. Sentences are chopped up and don't line up well, so it took a while to get past this issue.
OVERALL SCORE: 3.5-4 STARS
SPICE LEVEL: 2
One final note, not sure if it was the way it is on kindle, but the layout is actually terrible. Sentences are chopped up and don't line up well, so it took a while to get past this issue.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I had a fun time with Wings of Life and honestly, once this book got going, I was INVESTED.
The beginning took me a minute because Serae’s life in Cavendaffe, especially with Tam, didn’t fully grab me. The chemistry just wasn’t chemistry-ing, and I did feel like I was clinging on for dear life a little bit, but once Serae is sent to Rihtlond as a political bride and secret spy for her father? Oh, it absolutely paid off.
Because Rihtlond is not the savage, brutal land Serae has been raised to fear. In fact, there’s something deliciously ironic about her being more free there than she ever was at home. She goes from being treated like she’s weak, inconvenient, and expendable to becoming this determined, sharp-tongued, magical badass who refuses to be owned by anyone.
And Wep? I was seated. Their tension, the miscommunication, the stolen moments, the “I would burn the world down for you” energy: yes, please. When he says, “Fuck, I can’t even. Control myself. Around you,” I was absolutely giggling, kicking my feet, embarrassing myself, the whole lot.
But the real scene-stealer for me was Vaya’la. She gave major Tairn vibes with all the sass, attitude, and casual violence, and I loved every second of it. Her telling Serae, “You cannot force these people to respect you, Small One. One day soon, they will all wish they had,” was such a perfect summary of Serae’s growth.
I also adored the found family in Rihtlond: Gerta, Teke, Raif, Lex, Helene, Ivank, Ell...all of them brought so much warmth and humour to the story. Especially when everything back in Cavendaffe was genuinely vile. Serae’s father? Horrendous. Tam? Absolutely not. The moment Serae says, “I never belonged to you...Don’t you see? I belong to myself,” I wanted to stand up and applaud.
My only real issue was that a few moments, especially towards the end, left me more confused than anything else. I could tell some of it was probably setting up book two, but I still had a few “wait… what is happening?” moments that pulled me out slightly.
I also listened to the audiobook thanks to Brilliance Audio via NetGalley, and Meg Sylvan and Gabriel Michael did an incredible job with the dual narration. They really brought the characters and world to life. Gabriel’s narration was a little faster than Meg’s, so I did have to adjust the speed here and there, but overall it was so immersive and well worth listening to. If you enjoy immersive reading as I do, I'd highly recommend doing it this way.
Thank you so much to Page & Vine Books for sending me an eARC, and thanks to Meghan Le Fay, Brilliance Audio, Meg Sylvan, Gabriel Michael, and NetGalley for allowing me to review the ALC in exchange for my honest opinions.
The beginning took me a minute because Serae’s life in Cavendaffe, especially with Tam, didn’t fully grab me. The chemistry just wasn’t chemistry-ing, and I did feel like I was clinging on for dear life a little bit, but once Serae is sent to Rihtlond as a political bride and secret spy for her father? Oh, it absolutely paid off.
Because Rihtlond is not the savage, brutal land Serae has been raised to fear. In fact, there’s something deliciously ironic about her being more free there than she ever was at home. She goes from being treated like she’s weak, inconvenient, and expendable to becoming this determined, sharp-tongued, magical badass who refuses to be owned by anyone.
And Wep? I was seated. Their tension, the miscommunication, the stolen moments, the “I would burn the world down for you” energy: yes, please. When he says, “Fuck, I can’t even. Control myself. Around you,” I was absolutely giggling, kicking my feet, embarrassing myself, the whole lot.
But the real scene-stealer for me was Vaya’la. She gave major Tairn vibes with all the sass, attitude, and casual violence, and I loved every second of it. Her telling Serae, “You cannot force these people to respect you, Small One. One day soon, they will all wish they had,” was such a perfect summary of Serae’s growth.
I also adored the found family in Rihtlond: Gerta, Teke, Raif, Lex, Helene, Ivank, Ell...all of them brought so much warmth and humour to the story. Especially when everything back in Cavendaffe was genuinely vile. Serae’s father? Horrendous. Tam? Absolutely not. The moment Serae says, “I never belonged to you...Don’t you see? I belong to myself,” I wanted to stand up and applaud.
My only real issue was that a few moments, especially towards the end, left me more confused than anything else. I could tell some of it was probably setting up book two, but I still had a few “wait… what is happening?” moments that pulled me out slightly.
I also listened to the audiobook thanks to Brilliance Audio via NetGalley, and Meg Sylvan and Gabriel Michael did an incredible job with the dual narration. They really brought the characters and world to life. Gabriel’s narration was a little faster than Meg’s, so I did have to adjust the speed here and there, but overall it was so immersive and well worth listening to. If you enjoy immersive reading as I do, I'd highly recommend doing it this way.
Thank you so much to Page & Vine Books for sending me an eARC, and thanks to Meghan Le Fay, Brilliance Audio, Meg Sylvan, Gabriel Michael, and NetGalley for allowing me to review the ALC in exchange for my honest opinions.
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