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A Fire in the Sky #3
Spellcast
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26Win a free print copy of this book!
7 days and 00:21:14
50 copies available
U.S. only
New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan is back with an epic romantasy set in the world of A Fire in the Sky, about a girl on the hunt for the witch who cursed her, unaware of her own dormant power…waiting to emerge.
For ten long years, Arden has been invisible, trapped in her village by a spell she cannot break. She listens to friends chatter, watches her family grieve, but can never touch, speak, or be seen. Living like a ghost among those who’ve forgotten her, she dreams of vengeance against the witch who cursed her.
Until one fateful day, her village is devoured in flame, and everything changes.
From the wreckage rises a pride of dragons that can transform into humans. Their piercing eyes slice through her curse, and for the first time in a decade, Arden can be seen.
Swept off to the Crags by the enigmatic alpha dragon, Tage, Arden is forced into a world of fire and power, where danger lurks in every shadow. Though she plots her escape at every turn, Tage’s fiery intensity and undeniable magnetism spark an unwilling response in her.
But Arden’s fate is bound to a secret she has yet to uncover, a magic older and more perilous than she could ever imagine. With war on the horizon, Arden must decide whether to trust the dragon she swore to defy, harness the wild magic around her, or risk losing everything.
Sometimes all it takes to break a curse… is to cast another spell.
TROPES
Captor/CaptiveTouch Her and DieExtra SpicyMagic, Dragons & WitchesWorld at War
For ten long years, Arden has been invisible, trapped in her village by a spell she cannot break. She listens to friends chatter, watches her family grieve, but can never touch, speak, or be seen. Living like a ghost among those who’ve forgotten her, she dreams of vengeance against the witch who cursed her.
Until one fateful day, her village is devoured in flame, and everything changes.
From the wreckage rises a pride of dragons that can transform into humans. Their piercing eyes slice through her curse, and for the first time in a decade, Arden can be seen.
Swept off to the Crags by the enigmatic alpha dragon, Tage, Arden is forced into a world of fire and power, where danger lurks in every shadow. Though she plots her escape at every turn, Tage’s fiery intensity and undeniable magnetism spark an unwilling response in her.
But Arden’s fate is bound to a secret she has yet to uncover, a magic older and more perilous than she could ever imagine. With war on the horizon, Arden must decide whether to trust the dragon she swore to defy, harness the wild magic around her, or risk losing everything.
Sometimes all it takes to break a curse… is to cast another spell.
TROPES
Captor/CaptiveTouch Her and DieExtra SpicyMagic, Dragons & WitchesWorld at War
Audible Audio
Expected publication July 28, 2026
About the author
Sophie Jordan
73 books9,087 followersPseudonym:
Sharie Kohler
Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.
A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.
In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.
Sharie Kohler
Sophie Jordan took her adolescent daydreaming one step further and penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History.
A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature - teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love Antigone, Sophie resigned with the birth of her first child and decided it was time to pursue the long-held dream of writing.
In less than three years, her first book, Once Upon A Wedding Night, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, Too Wicked To Tame, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller's List.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
February 7, 2026
📖✨ Bookish Thoughts
I was honestly hoping for more from this book. The worldbuilding felt lackluster and underdeveloped. A large portion of the story read very YA to me, and the first 100 pages felt completely unnecessary to the overall plot. At most, maybe the first 20 pages were actually needed.
I also struggled with the FMC. She came across as whiny and frustrating. And the plot twist at the end just made me mad. It left me feeling like everything she endured was for nothing, especially after all those years of loneliness. It was a deeply unsatisfying.
🖤 What to Expect
• Cursed FMC
• Dragon shifters
• Captor/captive
• Touch her and die
• Witch magic
• Alpha dragon MMC
• War
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 3 stars
📅 Pub Date: July 28, 2026
📝 Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
I was honestly hoping for more from this book. The worldbuilding felt lackluster and underdeveloped. A large portion of the story read very YA to me, and the first 100 pages felt completely unnecessary to the overall plot. At most, maybe the first 20 pages were actually needed.
I also struggled with the FMC. She came across as whiny and frustrating. And the plot twist at the end just made me mad. It left me feeling like everything she endured was for nothing, especially after all those years of loneliness. It was a deeply unsatisfying.
🖤 What to Expect
• Cursed FMC
• Dragon shifters
• Captor/captive
• Touch her and die
• Witch magic
• Alpha dragon MMC
• War
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 3 stars
📅 Pub Date: July 28, 2026
📝 Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
January 10, 2026
Thanks to Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of Spellcast by Sophie Jordan, to be published on July 28th, 2026.
This book is part of A fire in the Sky, which has already 2 books published. This is a spin-off.
The plot is entertaining from beginning to end, with characters such as a wraith, a healer, witches, shapeshifters, different flocks of dragons, and harpies.
There's also so much mystery in the story that keeps you intrigued at all times.
The book is divided into three parts: The first one is related to "the ghost", the second one to "the dragons", and the third one "to the witch."
I really liked the organization of the book, and I certainly loved the plot twists!
This book is part of A fire in the Sky, which has already 2 books published. This is a spin-off.
The plot is entertaining from beginning to end, with characters such as a wraith, a healer, witches, shapeshifters, different flocks of dragons, and harpies.
There's also so much mystery in the story that keeps you intrigued at all times.
The book is divided into three parts: The first one is related to "the ghost", the second one to "the dragons", and the third one "to the witch."
I really liked the organization of the book, and I certainly loved the plot twists!
February 17, 2026
I was a bit surprised at how much I loved this book! I went in fairly blind because when I requested this, I must've missed that this was a companion novel to a completed duology in the same world. Let me tell you though that regardless of whether you have read the other books or not, you can still easily fall in love with Spellcast.
We follow Arden, a youngest daughter of an unremarkable family in an unremarkable village, who gets cursed by a witch when she was 14. For ten years, she is invisible and spends her days watching her family, friends, and fellow villagers with only her own thoughts for company. One day, her village is razed by a group of dragon shifters leaving her as the only survivor. She is then kidnapped by our MMC, Tage, and his friends. Things pick up from there.
This is a very character driven novel, which worked for me, but I understand it won't work for everyone. I want to preface this before I get too far into this review. The first third of this is almost a different novel compared to the last 2/3. It is very heavy as a multitude of different topics are discussed like death of a minor, depression, grief, and loneliness. I thought these were all handled well, however, I do feel like this section of the book could've been significantly shorter. I understand the purpose of it, in regards to the heavy themes present, but I feel it dragged on a little.
This leads into the rest of the book. The content is not nearly as heavy, and it was fun to learn more about the dragons and how they live. I felt like each of our 6 dragons had distinctive personalities and were equally interesting characters. I wasn't entirely sold on Tage and Arden as a couple. He seemed to just decide he would sacrifice everything for her out of the blue with not much of a defense for why. The tension was well done, however, and I felt the attraction.
There really isn't much of a plot here, so be prepared for that. This book is more fun vibes, cool world building, and well done character arcs. I think Arden is very relatable. Even though none of us have ever been cursed to become invisible, I think we can all relate to not being heard at some point in our lives.
I will certainly be checking out Jordan's other books in this series now!
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
We follow Arden, a youngest daughter of an unremarkable family in an unremarkable village, who gets cursed by a witch when she was 14. For ten years, she is invisible and spends her days watching her family, friends, and fellow villagers with only her own thoughts for company. One day, her village is razed by a group of dragon shifters leaving her as the only survivor. She is then kidnapped by our MMC, Tage, and his friends. Things pick up from there.
This is a very character driven novel, which worked for me, but I understand it won't work for everyone. I want to preface this before I get too far into this review. The first third of this is almost a different novel compared to the last 2/3. It is very heavy as a multitude of different topics are discussed like death of a minor, depression, grief, and loneliness. I thought these were all handled well, however, I do feel like this section of the book could've been significantly shorter. I understand the purpose of it, in regards to the heavy themes present, but I feel it dragged on a little.
This leads into the rest of the book. The content is not nearly as heavy, and it was fun to learn more about the dragons and how they live. I felt like each of our 6 dragons had distinctive personalities and were equally interesting characters. I wasn't entirely sold on Tage and Arden as a couple. He seemed to just decide he would sacrifice everything for her out of the blue with not much of a defense for why. The tension was well done, however, and I felt the attraction.
There really isn't much of a plot here, so be prepared for that. This book is more fun vibes, cool world building, and well done character arcs. I think Arden is very relatable. Even though none of us have ever been cursed to become invisible, I think we can all relate to not being heard at some point in our lives.
I will certainly be checking out Jordan's other books in this series now!
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 27, 2026
Thanks to the author and publisher for my alc. Narrator did a fantastic job especially with different distinct voices for different characters.
I absolutely loved this premise, imagine being invisible and then captured by dragons! Because of her invisibility it starts out slow, and it’s a bit heartbreaking but once she is “kidnapped “ the story picks up. Love a good enemies to lovers, hidden power and dragon shifter trope and this doesn’t disappoint.
I absolutely loved this premise, imagine being invisible and then captured by dragons! Because of her invisibility it starts out slow, and it’s a bit heartbreaking but once she is “kidnapped “ the story picks up. Love a good enemies to lovers, hidden power and dragon shifter trope and this doesn’t disappoint.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the eArc opportunity in exchange for an honest review.
I was sold from the first sentence of the blurb: witches and curses, sign me up. I haven’t read A Fire in the Sky yet, so I came into this world blind. I got lost in it, but it felt like two separate novels. The first part is a quiet character-driven portrait where we learn about Arden, the invisibility curse, and her loneliness. There are impactful moments that are beautifully written. As a reader, you feel as helpless as Arden.
After Arden’s village is attacked, the narrative shifts into a more plot-driven mode: Years have passed, and Arden is pulled back into the world, notably after she encounters shape‑shifting dragons. Most actions remains off-page until the climax. When it arrives Arden finally takes a proper central role, but by then the stakes, especially the romance, haven’t been fully earned: the relationship is sketched in broad strokes and feels rushed, so the emotional bond never quite lands.
Overall, I found this an enjoyable and easy read. Best for readers who enjoy character driven novels.
I was sold from the first sentence of the blurb: witches and curses, sign me up. I haven’t read A Fire in the Sky yet, so I came into this world blind. I got lost in it, but it felt like two separate novels. The first part is a quiet character-driven portrait where we learn about Arden, the invisibility curse, and her loneliness. There are impactful moments that are beautifully written. As a reader, you feel as helpless as Arden.
After Arden’s village is attacked, the narrative shifts into a more plot-driven mode: Years have passed, and Arden is pulled back into the world, notably after she encounters shape‑shifting dragons. Most actions remains off-page until the climax. When it arrives Arden finally takes a proper central role, but by then the stakes, especially the romance, haven’t been fully earned: the relationship is sketched in broad strokes and feels rushed, so the emotional bond never quite lands.
Overall, I found this an enjoyable and easy read. Best for readers who enjoy character driven novels.
July 16, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Sophie Jordan for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had a really good time with Spellcast! Even though it’s the third book in the series, I never felt lost, and I think it works really well as a standalone.
This story pulled me in right away, and I ended up listening to the whole thing in one sitting because I couldn’t stop. I really enjoyed following Arden’s journey as she discovers more about herself while navigating magic, danger, and an unexpected romance. The world was easy to get immersed in, and I loved the mix of witches, dragon shifters, and plenty of action.
The romance was one of my favorite parts. I loved watching the relationship develop, and there were several moments that had me smiling. The ending wrapped everything up in a satisfying way and left me really happy with how the story played out.
The audiobook narration was also fantastic and made it so easy to stay invested from beginning to end.
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced romantasy that kept me entertained the entire time. If you’re looking for a fantasy romance you can easily binge in a day, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Sophie Jordan for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I had a really good time with Spellcast! Even though it’s the third book in the series, I never felt lost, and I think it works really well as a standalone.
This story pulled me in right away, and I ended up listening to the whole thing in one sitting because I couldn’t stop. I really enjoyed following Arden’s journey as she discovers more about herself while navigating magic, danger, and an unexpected romance. The world was easy to get immersed in, and I loved the mix of witches, dragon shifters, and plenty of action.
The romance was one of my favorite parts. I loved watching the relationship develop, and there were several moments that had me smiling. The ending wrapped everything up in a satisfying way and left me really happy with how the story played out.
The audiobook narration was also fantastic and made it so easy to stay invested from beginning to end.
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced romantasy that kept me entertained the entire time. If you’re looking for a fantasy romance you can easily binge in a day, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.
May 1, 2026
I was immediately sucked into this book with that prologue! The descriptions are just incredible! This is a character driven story following Arden and I loved experiencing her emotional journey alongside her! My heart ached for her during the first third of this book as she is forced to watch life happen around her but never experience anything herself or help the ones she loves! Once Tage enters the picture (queue protective dragon shifter hehe), you can understand all her internal battles between being a captive but also the desire to be touched and feel that connection! Their relationship has all the push and pull, tension, and spice to keep you craving more! The twist toward the end was one I did NOT see coming and I loved the way everything concluded. It was great being back in this world and it was so easy to fly through those pages! 4.25 stars
✨Captive/Captor
✨Virgin and touch starved FMC
✨Touch her and die vibes
✨Wound care
✨Only one fur 😉
✨Dragon shifters and witches
Thank you so much to Avon, NetGalley and the author for the review copy!
✨Captive/Captor
✨Virgin and touch starved FMC
✨Touch her and die vibes
✨Wound care
✨Only one fur 😉
✨Dragon shifters and witches
Thank you so much to Avon, NetGalley and the author for the review copy!
July 17, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.0 stars.
In Sophie Jordan’s last book in my review I said I wanted more witch info and content, and I got it, I legit manifested this read it feels like.
Anyway, I found this quite devastating and emotional, our FMC is so lost throughout most of this read and she has some real trials to overcome without really having much information it feels like. There’s romance, violence and heartbreak in this story, it reminds me of the invisible life of addie larue in some shape or form, it has a haunting quality to it, but I adore how it builds and comes full circle. I only wish the epilogue was longer.
In Sophie Jordan’s last book in my review I said I wanted more witch info and content, and I got it, I legit manifested this read it feels like.
Anyway, I found this quite devastating and emotional, our FMC is so lost throughout most of this read and she has some real trials to overcome without really having much information it feels like. There’s romance, violence and heartbreak in this story, it reminds me of the invisible life of addie larue in some shape or form, it has a haunting quality to it, but I adore how it builds and comes full circle. I only wish the epilogue was longer.
June 8, 2026
Thank you Avon & NetGalley for this eARC!
What a quick, exciting read with a concept that has me scared to ever make a wish out of haste/my mood again 😭
This is primarily character driven as our FMC learns to navigate the new world she’s thrust into. The plot twists were twisty and descriptions so vivid I was fully immersed.
If you like impressive character arcs, witches & dragons/dragon shifters, you will love this!
What a quick, exciting read with a concept that has me scared to ever make a wish out of haste/my mood again 😭
This is primarily character driven as our FMC learns to navigate the new world she’s thrust into. The plot twists were twisty and descriptions so vivid I was fully immersed.
If you like impressive character arcs, witches & dragons/dragon shifters, you will love this!
January 21, 2026
I had to sit on this one for a bit before reviewing. I love Sophie’s consistency in her writing, but I’ll be honest this one was a bit of a miss for me compared to the others in the series.
The first half of this was way longer than necessary and the second half was a lot of the same thing. I liked Arden but she’s also super naive. I knew the plot twit was coming which was disappointing. However her story is pretty tragic so be prepared to sit in some heavy feelings.
It was definitely an interesting addition to the series, but not my favorite.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager. All opinions are my own.
The first half of this was way longer than necessary and the second half was a lot of the same thing. I liked Arden but she’s also super naive. I knew the plot twit was coming which was disappointing. However her story is pretty tragic so be prepared to sit in some heavy feelings.
It was definitely an interesting addition to the series, but not my favorite.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager. All opinions are my own.
July 5, 2026
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓛;𝓓𝓡 ✧˖°
An emotional fantasy romance perfect for readers looking for a tragic look into the human experience, a world of vivid and harsh realities, and an ending that makes it all worth it.
° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3.5 ⭐
2 🌶️
° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"If I wanted you dead, you would be." He steps closer and reaches for me, his long fingers resting against my throat.
"And... perhaps put on some clothes?"
One corner of his lips twitch. "Does my lack of clothing still disturb you, Arden?"
"Every moment of our lives is risk. It's unavoidable."
"Except she is avoidable."
"Not to me she isn't."
"You're you, and I'm me. That's the only thing that matters."
° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
Trapped in her village under an invisibility curse, Arden seeks revenge on the witch responsible. But when the village burns, leaving her visible to dragon shifters left in it’s wake, she must escape from fiery captor Tage before war breaks out.
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
🐲 Dragon Shifters
🔒 Captor x Captive
✨ Hidden Powers
💞 Reluctant Allies
💘 Enemies to Lovers
💀 Touch Her and Die
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🪦 Death and Grief (inc. Children)
💥 Violence and Abuse
🌶️ Sexually Explicit Content
❤️🩹 Brief Suicide Ideation
⚖️ Power Imbalance in Romance
° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Emotive Moments
+ Rich Worldbuilding
+ Interpersonal Conflict
+ Unexpected Twist
+ Sweet Epilogue
° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Time Skip between Prologue and First Act
- Lots of Interiority
- More like a Fantasy Romance than a Romantasy
- Potential for Found Family not executed well
- Romance felt unnerving at times
- Uneven Pacing
° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
After enjoying most of A Fire in the Sky, I was hoping Spellcast would improve upon A Scar in the Bone. Unfortunately, this isn't the book to change your mind on the series!
The prologue is action packed and emotive, as Arden watches her village be burnt down by dragons. Therefore, it's such a shame when the next first third of the book happens entirely before that moment. Time skips don't always work for me, and in this case I didn't appreciate the story going back so far.
The author does a wonderful job of setting the scene for Arden - but that's all it really is: backstory. We witness the moment that comes immediately before her curse, and then the 3000 days after (granted this is still split up to show only the "key" days/weeks).
I can appreciate Arden's emotions and the way they're described in this first act. I was completely immersed in her depression and the lives of the villagers she followed while invisible, especially her fraught relationship with her father. But it also just seemed very repetitive - which I guess is the point of displaying just how long she was invisible for, but as a reader it was extremely slow pacing.
Things got a bit more exciting once she met Tage, the shifter dragon and alpha of his pride. However, I believed this book to be a romantasy like the two books that came before it, and the execution of Spellcast had it looking more like a fantasy with a romantic subplot. The main love interest only appears after approximately 30% of the book.
I enjoyed her conflict with Tage and the other dragons in his pride. This new world after being stuck invisible in the village for so long was quite exciting! And the author has a talent for worldbuilding - everything is so rich and vivid. However, the rest of the book just fell a little flat for me.
I wish more time had been given to her experiences in the pride's den. I wanted her relationship with the other dragons to eventually flourish, but even the ones she marginally got closer to, there wasn't any kind of solid resolution to their relationships.
I was also marginally unnerved by her romantic dynamic with Tage. Sometimes it didn't actually feel like she wanted him, and he was forcing himself on her (albeit differently to other characters in the story). Then all of a sudden she loved him - very stockholm-syndrome. The quiet attraction between each of them was fun at the start, but I didn't like the end result unfortunately.
I found the final twist to be an interesting one I hadn't predicted, but that made more sense the more it was explained. But it happened so quickly at the end of the book that there wasn't much time for it to actually come into effect. Though the final scenes and eventual epilogue did make me tear up and were especially emotive, I would've liked to have seen a bit more of the resolution than just the lead up to it.
Overall, I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it had started closer to the action (i.e. Arden meeting the dragon pride) which would leave room in the story to expand on some of the later characters/events that I actually enjoyed.
Thank you to Sophie Jordan and HQ for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
An emotional fantasy romance perfect for readers looking for a tragic look into the human experience, a world of vivid and harsh realities, and an ending that makes it all worth it.
° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
3.5 ⭐
2 🌶️
° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"If I wanted you dead, you would be." He steps closer and reaches for me, his long fingers resting against my throat.
"And... perhaps put on some clothes?"
One corner of his lips twitch. "Does my lack of clothing still disturb you, Arden?"
"Every moment of our lives is risk. It's unavoidable."
"Except she is avoidable."
"Not to me she isn't."
"You're you, and I'm me. That's the only thing that matters."
° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
Trapped in her village under an invisibility curse, Arden seeks revenge on the witch responsible. But when the village burns, leaving her visible to dragon shifters left in it’s wake, she must escape from fiery captor Tage before war breaks out.
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
🐲 Dragon Shifters
🔒 Captor x Captive
✨ Hidden Powers
💞 Reluctant Allies
💘 Enemies to Lovers
💀 Touch Her and Die
° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🪦 Death and Grief (inc. Children)
💥 Violence and Abuse
🌶️ Sexually Explicit Content
❤️🩹 Brief Suicide Ideation
⚖️ Power Imbalance in Romance
° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Emotive Moments
+ Rich Worldbuilding
+ Interpersonal Conflict
+ Unexpected Twist
+ Sweet Epilogue
° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Time Skip between Prologue and First Act
- Lots of Interiority
- More like a Fantasy Romance than a Romantasy
- Potential for Found Family not executed well
- Romance felt unnerving at times
- Uneven Pacing
° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
After enjoying most of A Fire in the Sky, I was hoping Spellcast would improve upon A Scar in the Bone. Unfortunately, this isn't the book to change your mind on the series!
The prologue is action packed and emotive, as Arden watches her village be burnt down by dragons. Therefore, it's such a shame when the next first third of the book happens entirely before that moment. Time skips don't always work for me, and in this case I didn't appreciate the story going back so far.
The author does a wonderful job of setting the scene for Arden - but that's all it really is: backstory. We witness the moment that comes immediately before her curse, and then the 3000 days after (granted this is still split up to show only the "key" days/weeks).
I can appreciate Arden's emotions and the way they're described in this first act. I was completely immersed in her depression and the lives of the villagers she followed while invisible, especially her fraught relationship with her father. But it also just seemed very repetitive - which I guess is the point of displaying just how long she was invisible for, but as a reader it was extremely slow pacing.
Things got a bit more exciting once she met Tage, the shifter dragon and alpha of his pride. However, I believed this book to be a romantasy like the two books that came before it, and the execution of Spellcast had it looking more like a fantasy with a romantic subplot. The main love interest only appears after approximately 30% of the book.
I enjoyed her conflict with Tage and the other dragons in his pride. This new world after being stuck invisible in the village for so long was quite exciting! And the author has a talent for worldbuilding - everything is so rich and vivid. However, the rest of the book just fell a little flat for me.
I wish more time had been given to her experiences in the pride's den. I wanted her relationship with the other dragons to eventually flourish, but even the ones she marginally got closer to, there wasn't any kind of solid resolution to their relationships.
I was also marginally unnerved by her romantic dynamic with Tage. Sometimes it didn't actually feel like she wanted him, and he was forcing himself on her (albeit differently to other characters in the story). Then all of a sudden she loved him - very stockholm-syndrome. The quiet attraction between each of them was fun at the start, but I didn't like the end result unfortunately.
I found the final twist to be an interesting one I hadn't predicted, but that made more sense the more it was explained. But it happened so quickly at the end of the book that there wasn't much time for it to actually come into effect. Though the final scenes and eventual epilogue did make me tear up and were especially emotive, I would've liked to have seen a bit more of the resolution than just the lead up to it.
Overall, I think I would have enjoyed this book more if it had started closer to the action (i.e. Arden meeting the dragon pride) which would leave room in the story to expand on some of the later characters/events that I actually enjoyed.
Thank you to Sophie Jordan and HQ for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 17, 2026
Spellcast is freaking addictive. There’s pulse-pounding action, harrowing twists, and intense romance. I can’t remember the last time I finished a book in a day. Needless to say, I inhaled this in less than 12 hours. Sophie Jordan’s writing is spectacular! I absolutely had to know what happened next. I started with the ALC (audiobook- advanced listener copy) and realized I could read faster, so in the last 30% I switched to the eARC (ebook- advanced reader copy) so I could race to the ending. This is set in the world of A Fire In The Sky but is a complete standalone that requires no knowledge of the previous stories. The world building is great - it is built throughout the story and not overwhelming, or overdone.
Arden is, quite literally, invisible. She moves through the world unseen. Her actions do not affect those around her. She can neither touch nor be touched. All because a witch cast a spell on her when she was a stupid teenager. Her invisibility quickly becomes the least of her worries when a dragon hoard burns down her town. Because of their magic, the dragons and see her and take her back to their dwelling. Arden needs to escape the dragons and find the witch who cursed her. She soon learns she knows nothing of the magical world.
Whew boy, this story has it all. It’s heavy on the heartbreak and self-discovery. The highs are high and the lows are low. It’s fast paced, but not so fast that it feels rushed. Arden is incredibly relatable as she matures. She is definitely not one-dimensional. The romance is slow and full of yearning. If I haven’t made it clear yet, I freaking ate up this book. Loved every minute of it. The narrator did a fantastic job! I would love to listen to more books read by her.
Thank you Avon for the gifted ALC and eARC!
Arden is, quite literally, invisible. She moves through the world unseen. Her actions do not affect those around her. She can neither touch nor be touched. All because a witch cast a spell on her when she was a stupid teenager. Her invisibility quickly becomes the least of her worries when a dragon hoard burns down her town. Because of their magic, the dragons and see her and take her back to their dwelling. Arden needs to escape the dragons and find the witch who cursed her. She soon learns she knows nothing of the magical world.
Whew boy, this story has it all. It’s heavy on the heartbreak and self-discovery. The highs are high and the lows are low. It’s fast paced, but not so fast that it feels rushed. Arden is incredibly relatable as she matures. She is definitely not one-dimensional. The romance is slow and full of yearning. If I haven’t made it clear yet, I freaking ate up this book. Loved every minute of it. The narrator did a fantastic job! I would love to listen to more books read by her.
Thank you Avon for the gifted ALC and eARC!
March 9, 2026
When I finished A Scar in the Bone, the duology was over but I didn't feel done with this world. Spellcast has everything you know and love about A Fire in the Sky, but expands on the world with new characters in a standalone novel. Set in the same world, Spellcast follows Arden: a young girl who finds herself cursed to a life of invisibility by a witch. This character driven story takes us through multiple iterations of Arden. Most notably: as a young girl forced to watch her friends and neighbors but not be seen or heard, as the captive of an alpha who can't allow her to tell others that dragons still exist, and as a woman who is discovering what it means to be seen/ touched for the first time in over a decade.
As Arden adapts to being invisible, she is able to observe the world around her without consequence. When she is suddenly able to be seen by the dragons, it gives her the push to choose the future that she wants for herself. I think Sophie Jordan painted an excellent picture of what it means to truly be SEEN, and not just by a romantic partner. Arden's romance with Tage was definitely a slow burn, but it also allowed her to navigate her circumstances without her character arc being led by another person. I really loved Arden's journey, and thought the further exploration of witches, dragons, and magic was a wonderful way to expand this world. Secretly hoping that Sophie Jordan continues to write stories about swoon worthy dragons and strong FMCs.
Spellcast releases on July 28, 2026. Thank you Avon for gifting me with an eARC (via Netgalley widget), all thoughts expressed are my own.
As Arden adapts to being invisible, she is able to observe the world around her without consequence. When she is suddenly able to be seen by the dragons, it gives her the push to choose the future that she wants for herself. I think Sophie Jordan painted an excellent picture of what it means to truly be SEEN, and not just by a romantic partner. Arden's romance with Tage was definitely a slow burn, but it also allowed her to navigate her circumstances without her character arc being led by another person. I really loved Arden's journey, and thought the further exploration of witches, dragons, and magic was a wonderful way to expand this world. Secretly hoping that Sophie Jordan continues to write stories about swoon worthy dragons and strong FMCs.
Spellcast releases on July 28, 2026. Thank you Avon for gifting me with an eARC (via Netgalley widget), all thoughts expressed are my own.
July 3, 2026
I loved the first books in this series, so when I started getting lost in this world again, it was a pleasure. I enjoyed how the book kept the world but gave us a whole new perspective with this FMC. I enjoyed the MCs romance and the way it built. I really liked Arden and her curse. The way it shapes her as a character makes the story a 5 star read for me. The author added so much dynamic to the story with it, and I appreciated it. The author could’ve easily just gone straight to “dragon meets girl, bing bang boom, fell in love, and the end” like so many authors tend to do. But she didn’t. She really built the story and got you invested in it… which is what I, as a romantasy reader, want. I definitely recommend this one, especially if you enjoyed the previous books. The book is an adult romantasy, which means it will have darker themes and some mild open door spice, so be aware of that before you pick the book up. 100% is worth the read IMO.
This fantasy romance is a stand alone novel and book 3 in the Fire in the Sky series. The romance in this book is enemies to lovers. The book does have open door spice. Arden one night made a mistake that led her to being cursed. This curse follows her entire life. Even when the dragons come to take everything she loves. Taken hostage by their alpha, Tage, Arden is in his mercy for love or cruelty.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
📱Ebook
✨Thank You Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC✨
This fantasy romance is a stand alone novel and book 3 in the Fire in the Sky series. The romance in this book is enemies to lovers. The book does have open door spice. Arden one night made a mistake that led her to being cursed. This curse follows her entire life. Even when the dragons come to take everything she loves. Taken hostage by their alpha, Tage, Arden is in his mercy for love or cruelty.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
📱Ebook
✨Thank You Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC✨
June 16, 2026
Thank you Avon for the eARC!
Sophie Jordan truly can do no wrong.
Spellcast pulled me in right from the start with its unique premise. Arden has spent ten years cursed to live unseen and unheard, watching life move on without her. It was heartbreaking, fascinating, and impossible not to root for her.
Once dragons enter the story, the stakes get even higher. I loved the mix of magic, danger, and mystery, and the slow-building connection between Arden and Tage kept me turning the pages.
While this one feels like the beginning of something much bigger, it lays a strong foundation for the series and leaves plenty to look forward to. Sophie Jordan has once again created a compelling fantasy world filled with powerful magic, dragons, and characters you can’t help but become invested in.
If you love romantasy, dragons, curses, and discovering hidden magic, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
Sophie Jordan truly can do no wrong.
Spellcast pulled me in right from the start with its unique premise. Arden has spent ten years cursed to live unseen and unheard, watching life move on without her. It was heartbreaking, fascinating, and impossible not to root for her.
Once dragons enter the story, the stakes get even higher. I loved the mix of magic, danger, and mystery, and the slow-building connection between Arden and Tage kept me turning the pages.
While this one feels like the beginning of something much bigger, it lays a strong foundation for the series and leaves plenty to look forward to. Sophie Jordan has once again created a compelling fantasy world filled with powerful magic, dragons, and characters you can’t help but become invested in.
If you love romantasy, dragons, curses, and discovering hidden magic, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
May 1, 2026
Thank you netgalley for this opportunity to read and leave a review. I was not sure what I was walking into until I started reading and boy was I hooked fast. The premise, plot, characters and world you experience was to fall into and want to keep reading. There was spice eventually but mostly a solid plot with mystery involved. It has witches, dragons, and other creatures. You have a found family that seems to be questionable as you read and discover each person’s true self. I like the way the story develops and that there isn’t Wei’s time jumps or awkward moments where the flow isn’t continuous. I have read multiple books by this author before and loved them so no surprise that this one was read in one day. Definitely add to your TBR!
June 23, 2026
Arden makes a wish to be invisible but doesn’t expect that a witch will end up granting it. For the next ten years, she watches her family and friends move on while she just exists, until her village is attacked and she is taken by a group of dragons who may be the only ones capable of seeing her.
I didn’t realize this was book 3 in a series until I received it but I had no issues following along.
The first half of the book really drew me in watching Arden see everyone around her while she was stuck in limbo and her loneliness. I loved Tage and his group of morally grey dragons. This book was a lot of fun and perfect for anyone who likes a dragon MMC, witchy elements, and a dark fairytale vibe.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I didn’t realize this was book 3 in a series until I received it but I had no issues following along.
The first half of the book really drew me in watching Arden see everyone around her while she was stuck in limbo and her loneliness. I loved Tage and his group of morally grey dragons. This book was a lot of fun and perfect for anyone who likes a dragon MMC, witchy elements, and a dark fairytale vibe.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2026
Thanks so much NetGalley for the ARC of Spellcast by Sophie Jordan!
I was so excited to receive this arc! I really enjoyed FITS/ASITB so I was ready to dive back into this world! This was such a fun, emotional read! I was intrigued from start to finish, I really liked the dynamic between humans/witches/dragons and how we see that not everything is so black and white. The ending had me smiling. I think it wrapped up beautifully. This was def a fun and quick witchy/fantasy read!
*Fav Character: Tage
*Fav Quotes:
~“I thought you weren’t going to touch me again.”—“It appears I’m a liar,”
~“How could anyone ever forget you?”
*Fav Scene: Sleeping. Icicle. 1 yr later. IYKYK
I was so excited to receive this arc! I really enjoyed FITS/ASITB so I was ready to dive back into this world! This was such a fun, emotional read! I was intrigued from start to finish, I really liked the dynamic between humans/witches/dragons and how we see that not everything is so black and white. The ending had me smiling. I think it wrapped up beautifully. This was def a fun and quick witchy/fantasy read!
*Fav Character: Tage
*Fav Quotes:
~“I thought you weren’t going to touch me again.”—“It appears I’m a liar,”
~“How could anyone ever forget you?”
*Fav Scene: Sleeping. Icicle. 1 yr later. IYKYK
June 23, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️
This was an enjoyable story, with dragon shifters and witches. I enjoyed the plot point regarding the FMC being invisible. I did feel that it was a bit of insta love, despite them meant to be sworn enemies and on a personal level I did find the language used during the spicy scene a bit cringy. However, an enjoyable story and would read more of Sophie’s work.
Thank you NetGalley and HQ for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
🌶️
This was an enjoyable story, with dragon shifters and witches. I enjoyed the plot point regarding the FMC being invisible. I did feel that it was a bit of insta love, despite them meant to be sworn enemies and on a personal level I did find the language used during the spicy scene a bit cringy. However, an enjoyable story and would read more of Sophie’s work.
Thank you NetGalley and HQ for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2026
This book made me hooked from the second I started reading it. It surprised me so much and I never knew what to expect! Arden is such a strong and resilient person and she inspires me to keep fighting even when things get hard and you are alone. I can’t get enough of this book and the ending that took me by surprise! I loved this book so much!
Want to Read
July 5, 2026Review to come. Thankyou Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Waiting for the audio to come out. I Pre-ordered from Audible.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sophie Jordan returns to her world of elemental fantasy and high-stakes romance with Spellcast, the third installment in her sweeping A Fire in the Sky series. For fans who have been following the intricate dragon lore established in the first two books, this installment acts as a great continuation of the saga. It expands the boundaries of the universe while narrowing its focus onto a deeply personal, slow-burning romance that evolves into an explosive battle for survival.
The narrative centers on Arden, a young woman who has endured a living nightmare for ten long years. Cursed by a vengeful witch, Arden is entirely invisible to the world around her—unable to touch, speak, or be seen by her friends and grieving family. She exists purely as a ghost in her own home, surviving on stolen scraps and fueled by a desperate desire for revenge.
Her stagnant existence is shattered when her village is completely devoured by flame. Out of the ashes rises a pride of formidable dragons capable of taking human form. Uniquely, these dangerous creatures possess the ability to pierce through Arden's curse. For the first time in a decade, she is truly seen. Before she can fully process her sudden visibility, she is swept away to the perilous peaks of the Crags by their intense alpha leader, Tage. Thrust into an unfamiliar world governed by fire and power dynamics, Arden must navigate her sudden proximity to the dragons while guarding a dormant, ancient magic waking up within her.
The structure of Spellcast relies heavily on contrast, particularly when it comes to its pacing. The beginning of the novel takes a distinctly deliberate, slow approach. Jordan chooses to linger intimately on Arden’s initial predicament, letting the reader feel the crushing weight of her decade-long isolation. While this slow start may test the patience of readers looking for immediate action, it serves as a foundation for understanding Arden's psychological scars.
However, once the dragons make their entrance, the narrative truly gets moving. The moment Tage and his pride disrupt Arden's isolated existence, the pacing shifts gears, moving swiftly from a melancholic survival story into a high-octane romantasy adventure. The transition is sharp, sweeping the reader up in the dangerous politics and burning tension of the Crags.
At the heart of the novel’s success are the compelling character arcs of its two leads. Arden’s transformation is deeply rewarding. She begins the novel as a passive observer, hardened by isolation but severely lacking agency. Her journey to the Crags forces her to transition from a literal ghost into a fiercely independent woman. As she plots her escapes and defies the dragon in charge, she learns to embrace her own worth and harness a wild, perilous magic that threatens to alter the balance of power in the realm.
Tage’s arc complements Arden’s growth. As the enigmatic alpha dragon, he initially presents as a rigid, intensely protective leader bound strictly by duty and the survival of his pride. Yet, his interactions with Arden crack his stoic exterior. Tage is forced to evolve from a demanding captor into an equal partner, learning to balance his fierce responsibilities as an alpha with the terrifying vulnerability of an undeniable, fated bond. Their fiery chemistry serves as the emotional anchor of the book, keeping the stakes intensely personal.
Jordan plays her hand beautifully right up to the final pages. Just as the overarching war on the horizon begins to solidify, the story delivers an unexpected twist at the end. It is a brilliantly played narrative pivot that reshapes what readers thought they knew about Arden's true lineage and the nature of the curse itself, setting the stage perfectly for future conflicts. Balancing an empathetic look at trauma with a thrilling, fast-paced dragon adventure, Spellcast proves to be a highly satisfying addition to the series.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
The narrative centers on Arden, a young woman who has endured a living nightmare for ten long years. Cursed by a vengeful witch, Arden is entirely invisible to the world around her—unable to touch, speak, or be seen by her friends and grieving family. She exists purely as a ghost in her own home, surviving on stolen scraps and fueled by a desperate desire for revenge.
Her stagnant existence is shattered when her village is completely devoured by flame. Out of the ashes rises a pride of formidable dragons capable of taking human form. Uniquely, these dangerous creatures possess the ability to pierce through Arden's curse. For the first time in a decade, she is truly seen. Before she can fully process her sudden visibility, she is swept away to the perilous peaks of the Crags by their intense alpha leader, Tage. Thrust into an unfamiliar world governed by fire and power dynamics, Arden must navigate her sudden proximity to the dragons while guarding a dormant, ancient magic waking up within her.
The structure of Spellcast relies heavily on contrast, particularly when it comes to its pacing. The beginning of the novel takes a distinctly deliberate, slow approach. Jordan chooses to linger intimately on Arden’s initial predicament, letting the reader feel the crushing weight of her decade-long isolation. While this slow start may test the patience of readers looking for immediate action, it serves as a foundation for understanding Arden's psychological scars.
However, once the dragons make their entrance, the narrative truly gets moving. The moment Tage and his pride disrupt Arden's isolated existence, the pacing shifts gears, moving swiftly from a melancholic survival story into a high-octane romantasy adventure. The transition is sharp, sweeping the reader up in the dangerous politics and burning tension of the Crags.
At the heart of the novel’s success are the compelling character arcs of its two leads. Arden’s transformation is deeply rewarding. She begins the novel as a passive observer, hardened by isolation but severely lacking agency. Her journey to the Crags forces her to transition from a literal ghost into a fiercely independent woman. As she plots her escapes and defies the dragon in charge, she learns to embrace her own worth and harness a wild, perilous magic that threatens to alter the balance of power in the realm.
Tage’s arc complements Arden’s growth. As the enigmatic alpha dragon, he initially presents as a rigid, intensely protective leader bound strictly by duty and the survival of his pride. Yet, his interactions with Arden crack his stoic exterior. Tage is forced to evolve from a demanding captor into an equal partner, learning to balance his fierce responsibilities as an alpha with the terrifying vulnerability of an undeniable, fated bond. Their fiery chemistry serves as the emotional anchor of the book, keeping the stakes intensely personal.
Jordan plays her hand beautifully right up to the final pages. Just as the overarching war on the horizon begins to solidify, the story delivers an unexpected twist at the end. It is a brilliantly played narrative pivot that reshapes what readers thought they knew about Arden's true lineage and the nature of the curse itself, setting the stage perfectly for future conflicts. Balancing an empathetic look at trauma with a thrilling, fast-paced dragon adventure, Spellcast proves to be a highly satisfying addition to the series.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I was offered an ARC of Spellcast, I eagerly agreed. I enjoyed the first two books immensely and wanted to read the next one. Sophie Jordan’s writing pulls me in, even when she uses tropes, conventions, and character types that I usually don’t like much. This book was no different.
This book is set in the world of the first two, but you do not need to have read those books to enjoy this one. The characters and story lines are not related other than sharing a world.
Arden is the main female character and she has moments of astoundingly adolescent behavior. To be fair, she starts the story as a literal adolescent. Her overly dramatic (but not wrong) response to being denied what she wants starts her curse. She then spends 10 years outside looking in as an invisible observer. In many ways, she should be mature beyond her years after this experience. But I can also see that she lacks the feedback from others to help her mature. I don’t know if I actually like her all that much, even as I sympathize with her. But the ever-present “the-world-is-against-me-everyone-hates-me” thread throughout the book feels very adolescent. Again, I usually don’t like that in a book but I can give it a pass here because the story is just so enjoyable.
Like the other two books, there is a lot of sadness inherent in this book. I usually don’t like that because I read to escape. I don’t mind adversity. I don’t mind moments of despair. On-going bleakness usually ruins a book for me, but for some reason, I don’t mind it so much with Jordan’s writing. There is one moment in the general grimness that I think warrants a trigger warning, but it is slightly spoiler-y so I will place it well at the end of the review. The world is fairly violent in general, so one should go in with that expectation as well, but I don’t think it is at a level above and beyond other books in the genre. It doesn’t end bleak and grim, but if you aren’t up to long stretches of sadness, know that going in.
I like the main male character, Tage, quite a bit, although he is now quite as fleshed out as Arden is. Their relationship is interesting to read and you can see it evolving even if they stubbornly seem to see it as static.
Now onto a matter that has nothing to do with the story but with the publishing. I bought the first two books as deluxe edition hardcovers. They are not as fancy as some, but did have flip-book illustrations, which is a little unusual and very, very cool. The edges are sprayed, but not especially decorative. However (and I may be wrong), that does not seem to be the case with the hardcover for this book. Right now it feels like every single book out there has some sort of sprayed edges edition. One can argue it has gone too far, etc., but I feel like if you start a series with sprayed edges, you should at least offer the option for later books. I am not super anal about my books matching, but this seems like a low bar. Granted the cover (which is absolutely gorgeous!) doesn’t quite follow the style of the first two, either. Those two elements make it feel like it is not part of the series. And, to be fair, the first two books are somewhat of a set, but if you are going to have a series, the series should look like it belongs together. And here ends my pet peeve rant.
I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own. Oh, and the slightly spoilery trigger warning is below:
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Slightly spoilery trigger warning*Slightly spoilery trigger warning*Slightly spoilery trigger warning*Slightly spoilery trigger warning** Child death **Slightly spoilery trigger warning*Slightly spoilery trigger warning*Slightly spoilery trigger warning*
This book is set in the world of the first two, but you do not need to have read those books to enjoy this one. The characters and story lines are not related other than sharing a world.
Arden is the main female character and she has moments of astoundingly adolescent behavior. To be fair, she starts the story as a literal adolescent. Her overly dramatic (but not wrong) response to being denied what she wants starts her curse. She then spends 10 years outside looking in as an invisible observer. In many ways, she should be mature beyond her years after this experience. But I can also see that she lacks the feedback from others to help her mature. I don’t know if I actually like her all that much, even as I sympathize with her. But the ever-present “the-world-is-against-me-everyone-hates-me” thread throughout the book feels very adolescent. Again, I usually don’t like that in a book but I can give it a pass here because the story is just so enjoyable.
Like the other two books, there is a lot of sadness inherent in this book. I usually don’t like that because I read to escape. I don’t mind adversity. I don’t mind moments of despair. On-going bleakness usually ruins a book for me, but for some reason, I don’t mind it so much with Jordan’s writing. There is one moment in the general grimness that I think warrants a trigger warning, but it is slightly spoiler-y so I will place it well at the end of the review. The world is fairly violent in general, so one should go in with that expectation as well, but I don’t think it is at a level above and beyond other books in the genre. It doesn’t end bleak and grim, but if you aren’t up to long stretches of sadness, know that going in.
I like the main male character, Tage, quite a bit, although he is now quite as fleshed out as Arden is. Their relationship is interesting to read and you can see it evolving even if they stubbornly seem to see it as static.
Now onto a matter that has nothing to do with the story but with the publishing. I bought the first two books as deluxe edition hardcovers. They are not as fancy as some, but did have flip-book illustrations, which is a little unusual and very, very cool. The edges are sprayed, but not especially decorative. However (and I may be wrong), that does not seem to be the case with the hardcover for this book. Right now it feels like every single book out there has some sort of sprayed edges edition. One can argue it has gone too far, etc., but I feel like if you start a series with sprayed edges, you should at least offer the option for later books. I am not super anal about my books matching, but this seems like a low bar. Granted the cover (which is absolutely gorgeous!) doesn’t quite follow the style of the first two, either. Those two elements make it feel like it is not part of the series. And, to be fair, the first two books are somewhat of a set, but if you are going to have a series, the series should look like it belongs together. And here ends my pet peeve rant.
I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own. Oh, and the slightly spoilery trigger warning is below:
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Slightly spoilery trigger warning*Slightly spoilery trigger warning*Slightly spoilery trigger warning*Slightly spoilery trigger warning** Child death **Slightly spoilery trigger warning*Slightly spoilery trigger warning*Slightly spoilery trigger warning*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Depressing.
That was my very first thought after finishing this book.
The best way I can describe it is this: it felt like eating your favorite meal… but it’s lukewarm, almost cold. Everything you were looking forward to is there, but it just doesn’t hit the way it should.
I’ll start with the positives because there were some.
For some reason, once Part Two started, I couldn’t put it down. I genuinely wanted to keep reading because I was so excited to see how the romance would develop. That’s the reason this is a 2-star read instead of a 1-star one.
I kept turning the pages, convinced that the moment was just around the corner. I was waiting for the chemistry to click, for the tension to build, for me to finally understand why these two were falling in love. I kept thinking, it’s coming… it’s coming… But it never did, and that made the disappointment even greater.
First of all, for a standalone, Part One felt far too long. I understand why it was necessary to show the FMC’s loneliness and what it was like to be invisible, but it dragged on for so long that I completely lost interest. Half as many pages would have been enough.
By the time I reached the end of Part One, I started wondering how an enemies-to-lovers romance was supposed to work with so few pages left. The two main characters hadn’t even met yet, so it felt like there simply wasn’t enough room to properly develop both sides of the relationship. Either the enemies phase would feel rushed, or the lovers phase would. I kept hoping the author would somehow pull it off, but in the end neither side was given enough depth. They were enemies for a little while, then suddenly they weren’t, but I never truly felt either the tension or the romance.
I loved the concept of the dragon’s cave, their den, and the idea of them sleeping together beneath the furs. Those moments had so much potential, and I was convinced they were about to become emotionally unforgettable.
Instead, there was no real depth to the romance.
The FMC came across as borderline unlikeable to me and often unnecessarily rude, and I never actually felt these two falling in love. I never felt the attraction, never understood why they loved each other, so I simply didn’t believe in their relationship.
The plot also stayed very surface-level. The world-building, the magic system, even the characters all lacked depth. Where did they come from? What about their families? We’re told dragons live longer… but what does that actually mean?
The entire atmosphere felt heavy and depressing.
And then… the ending.
It was one of the most frustrating endings I’ve ever read.
We leave without any real answers. It doesn’t feel like a proper ending for a standalone. Does she finally feel like she belongs? Is she accepted by the clan? Can they even have dragon babies?
And cutting the chapter right at that moment was unbelievable.
I’m the kind of reader who needs answers. I need details. I need to see the emotional aftermath. Ending a standalone like that is something I simply can’t forgive.
The concept was incredibly interesting, but the execution never lived up to its potential, and I finished this book feeling disappointed more than anything else.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the e-arc.
That was my very first thought after finishing this book.
The best way I can describe it is this: it felt like eating your favorite meal… but it’s lukewarm, almost cold. Everything you were looking forward to is there, but it just doesn’t hit the way it should.
I’ll start with the positives because there were some.
For some reason, once Part Two started, I couldn’t put it down. I genuinely wanted to keep reading because I was so excited to see how the romance would develop. That’s the reason this is a 2-star read instead of a 1-star one.
I kept turning the pages, convinced that the moment was just around the corner. I was waiting for the chemistry to click, for the tension to build, for me to finally understand why these two were falling in love. I kept thinking, it’s coming… it’s coming… But it never did, and that made the disappointment even greater.
First of all, for a standalone, Part One felt far too long. I understand why it was necessary to show the FMC’s loneliness and what it was like to be invisible, but it dragged on for so long that I completely lost interest. Half as many pages would have been enough.
By the time I reached the end of Part One, I started wondering how an enemies-to-lovers romance was supposed to work with so few pages left. The two main characters hadn’t even met yet, so it felt like there simply wasn’t enough room to properly develop both sides of the relationship. Either the enemies phase would feel rushed, or the lovers phase would. I kept hoping the author would somehow pull it off, but in the end neither side was given enough depth. They were enemies for a little while, then suddenly they weren’t, but I never truly felt either the tension or the romance.
I loved the concept of the dragon’s cave, their den, and the idea of them sleeping together beneath the furs. Those moments had so much potential, and I was convinced they were about to become emotionally unforgettable.
Instead, there was no real depth to the romance.
The FMC came across as borderline unlikeable to me and often unnecessarily rude, and I never actually felt these two falling in love. I never felt the attraction, never understood why they loved each other, so I simply didn’t believe in their relationship.
The plot also stayed very surface-level. The world-building, the magic system, even the characters all lacked depth. Where did they come from? What about their families? We’re told dragons live longer… but what does that actually mean?
The entire atmosphere felt heavy and depressing.
And then… the ending.
It was one of the most frustrating endings I’ve ever read.
We leave without any real answers. It doesn’t feel like a proper ending for a standalone. Does she finally feel like she belongs? Is she accepted by the clan? Can they even have dragon babies?
And cutting the chapter right at that moment was unbelievable.
I’m the kind of reader who needs answers. I need details. I need to see the emotional aftermath. Ending a standalone like that is something I simply can’t forgive.
The concept was incredibly interesting, but the execution never lived up to its potential, and I finished this book feeling disappointed more than anything else.
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the e-arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up. I had not read the prior books in this series, but it works well as a standalone.
It's hard to rate this as a whole because it felt like 2 separate books combined into one. Part 1 and key sections of Part 3 are incredibly compelling and thought-provoking, and worthy of 4 (or even 5) stars. Part 2 takes a major detour plot-wise and thematically, but didn't work as well for me.
The story opens with Arden as a 14-year old who is frustrated at being left out of her older brothers' plans to venture out beyond their village (which is vaguely Nordic-inspired) and instead is forced to stay with her father. She storms off into the woods and casts a wish that she could disappear so she doesn't have to deal with the drudgery of being stuck at home. She immediately regrets her careless words as she comes home and realizes that no one can see or interact with her. She is like a ghost to everyone around her (but still very much alive) - nothing she does or touches has any impact or permanence. She is forced to watch helplessly as her family sends out search parties and eventually grieves for what they assume is her death. Part 1 follows the haunting and tragic consequences that follow, with Arden forced to watch her friends and family move on and live their lives without her. Rather than being free, as she had wished, she is doomed to stand as a silent witness to tragedies unfolding (which she cannot stop), and to see others experience the full range of human experiences that she cannot. Her attempts to take control and find the witch that she believes cursed her are futile, but it gives her a purpose for the more than 10 years that she is stuck in that limbo.
Part 2 of the story suddenly shifts into romantasy-mode, with shapeshifting dragons that kidnap Arden (who is now 24 years old and still invisible to humans, but not to dragons) and take her back to their den as a captive. Though there are a few "spicy" moments, this portion of the story feels almost YA-ish in complexity. The dragons and their conflicts are somewhat one-dimensional, and Arden seems to revert in maturity. Maybe the dragon mythology is explored or explained more in the prior books in the series, but it was somewhat glossed over here and didn't entirely make sense to me.
Overall, I loved the Monkey's Paw/O. Henry-ish spin of Arden's invisibility and curse storyline. I won't spoil anything relating to the revelations in Part 3 on this, but the whole thing was gut-wrenching in the best way. I would have happily read a novella with just that story. On the flip side, perhaps if the dragon storylines existed on their own (and could have been expanded on to add some depth), I would have liked them more than here where it seemed somewhat out of place from how the story was initially set up.
Thank you to Avon/Harper Voyager and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!
It's hard to rate this as a whole because it felt like 2 separate books combined into one. Part 1 and key sections of Part 3 are incredibly compelling and thought-provoking, and worthy of 4 (or even 5) stars. Part 2 takes a major detour plot-wise and thematically, but didn't work as well for me.
The story opens with Arden as a 14-year old who is frustrated at being left out of her older brothers' plans to venture out beyond their village (which is vaguely Nordic-inspired) and instead is forced to stay with her father. She storms off into the woods and casts a wish that she could disappear so she doesn't have to deal with the drudgery of being stuck at home. She immediately regrets her careless words as she comes home and realizes that no one can see or interact with her. She is like a ghost to everyone around her (but still very much alive) - nothing she does or touches has any impact or permanence. She is forced to watch helplessly as her family sends out search parties and eventually grieves for what they assume is her death. Part 1 follows the haunting and tragic consequences that follow, with Arden forced to watch her friends and family move on and live their lives without her. Rather than being free, as she had wished, she is doomed to stand as a silent witness to tragedies unfolding (which she cannot stop), and to see others experience the full range of human experiences that she cannot. Her attempts to take control and find the witch that she believes cursed her are futile, but it gives her a purpose for the more than 10 years that she is stuck in that limbo.
Part 2 of the story suddenly shifts into romantasy-mode, with shapeshifting dragons that kidnap Arden (who is now 24 years old and still invisible to humans, but not to dragons) and take her back to their den as a captive. Though there are a few "spicy" moments, this portion of the story feels almost YA-ish in complexity. The dragons and their conflicts are somewhat one-dimensional, and Arden seems to revert in maturity. Maybe the dragon mythology is explored or explained more in the prior books in the series, but it was somewhat glossed over here and didn't entirely make sense to me.
Overall, I loved the Monkey's Paw/O. Henry-ish spin of Arden's invisibility and curse storyline. I won't spoil anything relating to the revelations in Part 3 on this, but the whole thing was gut-wrenching in the best way. I would have happily read a novella with just that story. On the flip side, perhaps if the dragon storylines existed on their own (and could have been expanded on to add some depth), I would have liked them more than here where it seemed somewhat out of place from how the story was initially set up.
Thank you to Avon/Harper Voyager and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!
July 20, 2026
Returning to the world of Fire in the Sky was such a pleasant surprise! Spellcast is a standalone novel set within the world of Fire in the Sky featuring new characters with all the same dragon shifter and witchy lore from the previous two books. This is a character-driven novel that may be light on the action but hits heavy on the emotional impact.
Arden has spent the last ten years of her life trapped in a prison of isolation. Cursed by a mysterious witch, she cannot be seen by her fellow villagers and lives a silent life unable to speak to or touch her loved ones. One day, dragons come to her village leaving death and destruction in their wake. But at last, another creature can see Arden. The alpha dragon Tage takes Arden captive to protect their identity. Arden complies with her captors in the hopes of finding the witch who cursed her in order to break the spell.
The first third of the book chronicles Arden’s life living as a ghost amongst her loved ones under the witch’s curse. I found this section hauntingly beautiful. Think “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” but more tragic. This section is never boring and gives much-needed context to Arden’s character. Her character was well-written, especially as Jordan depicts the passage of time over the ten years. She begins as a naive fourteen-year old girl and grows into a still naive woman with a painfully limited world view. This all pays off once Tage and his pride of dragons are introduced in the second and third parts of the book. The push and pull of her relationship with Tage and the other dragons was compelling to read based on her past and I really enjoyed her dynamic with Tage as the story progressed. It felt like a real slow-burn relationship. This novel is short so there’s not much time for a lot of spice, but what we get feels real and earned for our characters.
The pacing was excellent and I never felt bored reading this book. Plenty of suspense and tension kept the story moving along. The final act was exciting and I was truly on the edge of my seat. I think I predicted the plot twist at the end, but I’m not upset about it. In fact, I’m happy that the story concluded the way that it did! I did however, feel like the first two books are pre-requisite reading for this novel in order to understand the magic system, politics, and history of this world. This book though it truly is a standalone, can’t fully function as one based on this information.
Bottom line: readers looking to return to this world will be pleasantly surprised with this wonderful story. Fast-paced but with a slow-burn romance, I think you’ll find yourself engrossed in Arden’s story.
Rating: 4⭐️
Spice Level: 1🌶️
Immense gratitude and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Avon/Harper Voyager for the wonderful opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Arden has spent the last ten years of her life trapped in a prison of isolation. Cursed by a mysterious witch, she cannot be seen by her fellow villagers and lives a silent life unable to speak to or touch her loved ones. One day, dragons come to her village leaving death and destruction in their wake. But at last, another creature can see Arden. The alpha dragon Tage takes Arden captive to protect their identity. Arden complies with her captors in the hopes of finding the witch who cursed her in order to break the spell.
The first third of the book chronicles Arden’s life living as a ghost amongst her loved ones under the witch’s curse. I found this section hauntingly beautiful. Think “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” but more tragic. This section is never boring and gives much-needed context to Arden’s character. Her character was well-written, especially as Jordan depicts the passage of time over the ten years. She begins as a naive fourteen-year old girl and grows into a still naive woman with a painfully limited world view. This all pays off once Tage and his pride of dragons are introduced in the second and third parts of the book. The push and pull of her relationship with Tage and the other dragons was compelling to read based on her past and I really enjoyed her dynamic with Tage as the story progressed. It felt like a real slow-burn relationship. This novel is short so there’s not much time for a lot of spice, but what we get feels real and earned for our characters.
The pacing was excellent and I never felt bored reading this book. Plenty of suspense and tension kept the story moving along. The final act was exciting and I was truly on the edge of my seat. I think I predicted the plot twist at the end, but I’m not upset about it. In fact, I’m happy that the story concluded the way that it did! I did however, feel like the first two books are pre-requisite reading for this novel in order to understand the magic system, politics, and history of this world. This book though it truly is a standalone, can’t fully function as one based on this information.
Bottom line: readers looking to return to this world will be pleasantly surprised with this wonderful story. Fast-paced but with a slow-burn romance, I think you’ll find yourself engrossed in Arden’s story.
Rating: 4⭐️
Spice Level: 1🌶️
Immense gratitude and thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Avon/Harper Voyager for the wonderful opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🐉✨ Spellcast by Sophie Jordan ✨🐉
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.25 stars)
📅 Expected Publication Date: July 28, 2026
Thank you so much to Avon, Harper Voyager, Sophie Jordan, and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of Spellcast!
I was immediately pulled into this story from the very first pages—the prologue alone had me hooked, and I knew I was in for something intense, emotional, and completely immersive.
Spellcast follows Arden, a girl cursed into invisibility at fourteen, forced to watch her life and loved ones continue without ever being able to participate in it. That premise alone is heartbreaking, but the execution takes it even further. Her emotional journey is the true heart of this book, and I felt every moment of her isolation, grief, and longing so deeply.
The first third of the book is especially heavy, focusing on loneliness, grief, depression, and survival in a world where Arden doesn’t truly exist. It’s slow in places, but intentionally so, and it really establishes just how much she has lost.
When the story shifts and we meet Tage and his crew of dragon shifters, everything changes. The pace picks up, the world expands, and the dynamic becomes so much more layered and interesting. The tension between Arden and Tage is incredible—full of push and pull, emotional conflict, forced proximity, and a deep sense of yearning that kept me completely invested.
The worldbuilding was one of my favorite parts. Wraiths, witches, healers, shapeshifters, harpies, and multiple dragon flocks all come together in a rich, magical setting that felt vivid and immersive without ever becoming overwhelming.
I also loved the structure of the book being split into three distinct sections—“The Ghost,” “The Dragons,” and “The Witch.” It gave the story a unique rhythm and helped highlight Arden’s emotional progression throughout.
The romance had strong chemistry, though I did struggle at times with the speed of Tage’s devotion. Still, the tension, attraction, and protective instincts made for a compelling dynamic.
And that twist near the end? I genuinely did not see it coming. It added a whole new layer to the story and made the conclusion even more satisfying.
✨ Tropes / Vibes ✨
🐉 Dragon shifters
✨ Captive / Protector dynamic
🐉 Cursed FMC
✨ Touch-starved heroine
🐉 Found identity arc
✨ Magical creatures galore
🐉 Emotional healing journey
✨ High tension romance
Overall, this was a fast-paced, emotional, and immersive fantasy with strong character focus, a unique structure, and a magical world that kept me turning pages late into the night.
I will absolutely be checking out more from Sophie Jordan after this.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.25 stars)
📅 Expected Publication Date: July 28, 2026
Thank you so much to Avon, Harper Voyager, Sophie Jordan, and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy of Spellcast!
I was immediately pulled into this story from the very first pages—the prologue alone had me hooked, and I knew I was in for something intense, emotional, and completely immersive.
Spellcast follows Arden, a girl cursed into invisibility at fourteen, forced to watch her life and loved ones continue without ever being able to participate in it. That premise alone is heartbreaking, but the execution takes it even further. Her emotional journey is the true heart of this book, and I felt every moment of her isolation, grief, and longing so deeply.
The first third of the book is especially heavy, focusing on loneliness, grief, depression, and survival in a world where Arden doesn’t truly exist. It’s slow in places, but intentionally so, and it really establishes just how much she has lost.
When the story shifts and we meet Tage and his crew of dragon shifters, everything changes. The pace picks up, the world expands, and the dynamic becomes so much more layered and interesting. The tension between Arden and Tage is incredible—full of push and pull, emotional conflict, forced proximity, and a deep sense of yearning that kept me completely invested.
The worldbuilding was one of my favorite parts. Wraiths, witches, healers, shapeshifters, harpies, and multiple dragon flocks all come together in a rich, magical setting that felt vivid and immersive without ever becoming overwhelming.
I also loved the structure of the book being split into three distinct sections—“The Ghost,” “The Dragons,” and “The Witch.” It gave the story a unique rhythm and helped highlight Arden’s emotional progression throughout.
The romance had strong chemistry, though I did struggle at times with the speed of Tage’s devotion. Still, the tension, attraction, and protective instincts made for a compelling dynamic.
And that twist near the end? I genuinely did not see it coming. It added a whole new layer to the story and made the conclusion even more satisfying.
✨ Tropes / Vibes ✨
🐉 Dragon shifters
✨ Captive / Protector dynamic
🐉 Cursed FMC
✨ Touch-starved heroine
🐉 Found identity arc
✨ Magical creatures galore
🐉 Emotional healing journey
✨ High tension romance
Overall, this was a fast-paced, emotional, and immersive fantasy with strong character focus, a unique structure, and a magical world that kept me turning pages late into the night.
I will absolutely be checking out more from Sophie Jordan after this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 3.25⭐️/5⭐️
I went into Spell Cast hoping this would be the book in A Fire in the Sky series that finally clicked for me. While I didn’t love the first two installments, the premise here—new main characters, a cursed FMC, and dragons—had me genuinely interested. In the end, it was an enjoyable read, but it didn’t live up to what I hoped it would be.
Arden’s story starts out very bleak. Cursed by a witch to be invisible, she’s forced to watch her village, friends, and family live their lives without ever acknowledging her existence. Those early chapters do a good job of capturing her loneliness and quiet despair. When dragons burn down her village, leaving her truly and completely alone, the story takes a turn. The fact that some dragons can actually see her was such an intriguing twist.
The pacing was my biggest issue. The pacing felt very uneven throughout. The first part of the book was extremely slow, spending a lot of time establishing Arden’s situation without moving the plot forward. Then, once the story finally picked up, everything else felt rushed. Major events, emotional moments, and twists flew by, which made the story feel underdeveloped.
This was especially noticeable in the romance. Tage, the dragon who kidnaps Arden, had the potential to be an interesting MMC, but both he and his relationship with Arden felt underdeveloped. Their connection progressed quickly with very little buildup, making it hard to truly feel the bond between them or be invested in their story.
Despite these issues, Spell Cast was a quick and easy read. Once the story picked up, it was entertaining enough, and I didn’t struggle to finish it. Readers who enjoyed the first two books in the series will likely enjoy this one as well. However, if you were hoping this book would change your opinion of the series, it probably won’t.
One final note: there were no trigger warnings included in the version I read, and the book does include the death of minors. I’m not sure if this was specific to the ARC, but it’s something I think should be clearly stated.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Sophie Jordan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I went into Spell Cast hoping this would be the book in A Fire in the Sky series that finally clicked for me. While I didn’t love the first two installments, the premise here—new main characters, a cursed FMC, and dragons—had me genuinely interested. In the end, it was an enjoyable read, but it didn’t live up to what I hoped it would be.
Arden’s story starts out very bleak. Cursed by a witch to be invisible, she’s forced to watch her village, friends, and family live their lives without ever acknowledging her existence. Those early chapters do a good job of capturing her loneliness and quiet despair. When dragons burn down her village, leaving her truly and completely alone, the story takes a turn. The fact that some dragons can actually see her was such an intriguing twist.
The pacing was my biggest issue. The pacing felt very uneven throughout. The first part of the book was extremely slow, spending a lot of time establishing Arden’s situation without moving the plot forward. Then, once the story finally picked up, everything else felt rushed. Major events, emotional moments, and twists flew by, which made the story feel underdeveloped.
This was especially noticeable in the romance. Tage, the dragon who kidnaps Arden, had the potential to be an interesting MMC, but both he and his relationship with Arden felt underdeveloped. Their connection progressed quickly with very little buildup, making it hard to truly feel the bond between them or be invested in their story.
Despite these issues, Spell Cast was a quick and easy read. Once the story picked up, it was entertaining enough, and I didn’t struggle to finish it. Readers who enjoyed the first two books in the series will likely enjoy this one as well. However, if you were hoping this book would change your opinion of the series, it probably won’t.
One final note: there were no trigger warnings included in the version I read, and the book does include the death of minors. I’m not sure if this was specific to the ARC, but it’s something I think should be clearly stated.
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Sophie Jordan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 19, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC in exchange for my honesty review. You know that feeling when you read the blurb and think “oh this is going to be so good”? Unfortunately, for me, the story itself never cast the same spell (roll credits…).
The premise is genuinely intriguing. Arden has spent the last ten years cursed into invisibility, unable to interact with anyone around her. We spend so long watching Arden live her invisible existence that by the time the dragon shifters (who, unlike humans, can actually see her) finally show up and invade her village, I was more relieved than excited... Like it literally takes almost half the book to actually get there. And here’s the kicker: the captor x captive storyline that sold me on this book only starts there.
Once Arden is taken by the dragon shifters, things somehow move at lightning speed. Arden is understandably wary for about five minutes before she and the alpha dragon shifter, Tage, are basically head over heels for each other. There was no delicious slow burn, no tension, no “I hate you but maybe I don’t.” Just… instant romance. Which is a shame, because this setup had so much potential.
From there the plot started feeling increasingly ridiculous:
- One dragon disagrees with letting Arden stay? Tage kills him. Barely an inconvenience.
- Arden finally escapes? She falls off a waterfall… and somehow survives. Barely an inconvenience.
- She ends up miles away and Tage has to find her? He locates her almost immediately. Barely an inconvenience.
At one point I realised I was mentally narrating the entire book like a Pitch Meeting episode because that was the only way I felt like I could get myself through this one. To paraphrase the one quote I remember from this entire book:
He’s a dragon.
She’s a witch.
I didn’t care…
I think there are definitely readers out there who will enjoy the fast-paced romance and dragon shifter dynamics once the story gets going, but for me the execution never lived up to the promise of the blurb. It took far too long to reach the part I was actually excited about, and once it did, everything escalated so quickly and conveniently that I just mentally checked out.
The premise is genuinely intriguing. Arden has spent the last ten years cursed into invisibility, unable to interact with anyone around her. We spend so long watching Arden live her invisible existence that by the time the dragon shifters (who, unlike humans, can actually see her) finally show up and invade her village, I was more relieved than excited... Like it literally takes almost half the book to actually get there. And here’s the kicker: the captor x captive storyline that sold me on this book only starts there.
Once Arden is taken by the dragon shifters, things somehow move at lightning speed. Arden is understandably wary for about five minutes before she and the alpha dragon shifter, Tage, are basically head over heels for each other. There was no delicious slow burn, no tension, no “I hate you but maybe I don’t.” Just… instant romance. Which is a shame, because this setup had so much potential.
From there the plot started feeling increasingly ridiculous:
- One dragon disagrees with letting Arden stay? Tage kills him. Barely an inconvenience.
- Arden finally escapes? She falls off a waterfall… and somehow survives. Barely an inconvenience.
- She ends up miles away and Tage has to find her? He locates her almost immediately. Barely an inconvenience.
At one point I realised I was mentally narrating the entire book like a Pitch Meeting episode because that was the only way I felt like I could get myself through this one. To paraphrase the one quote I remember from this entire book:
He’s a dragon.
She’s a witch.
I didn’t care…
I think there are definitely readers out there who will enjoy the fast-paced romance and dragon shifter dynamics once the story gets going, but for me the execution never lived up to the promise of the blurb. It took far too long to reach the part I was actually excited about, and once it did, everything escalated so quickly and conveniently that I just mentally checked out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The premise of the story was so unique that it hooked me right away!
Arden is upset because her father won’t let her leave her small village to travel with her brother and his wife. She has a fight and runs out into the woods and makes an emotional wish and plea that ends up coming true. This ends up giving her the freedom she was wanting but it also makes her invisible to everyone. She is forced to be invisible to everyone around her for years, walking along and watching her family and friends move on with their life without her. She’s basically a living ghost. Then one day she ends up running into dragons who can see her and kidnap her and take her to their den.
I really loved the premise of this and the entire aspect of her being invisible to everyone. You could feel the emotional impact this has and how utterly and truely lonely she was. However, the invisible parts of the book are far too long. It got to be a bit too much to the point I had to start skimming because it felt too much like unnecessary filler. Easily 50 pages could have been cut out of that part of the story and there would be no impact to the plot.
Then there’s Arden’s relationship to the dragons and Tage. I loved the whole enemies to lovers / captive x captive vibe. It was interesting to see their dynamics and the whole dragon culture too. I wish we got to see more build up of them, it felt almost a bit too insta lovey for me. It went from her doing everything she can to leave and then 20 pages later they’re together. I wish we took some of the pages of her invisible and got rid of them to use towards building their romance a bit more. It was a bit too faced paced compared to how slow everything else was in the story.
Overall it’s an okay read. I wish the relationships were a bit more developed, some of the beginning of her being invisible were cut out and we got to see more of the actual den and dragon dynamics.
If you like:
- Witches
- Dragons
- Harpies
- touch her and die
- enemies to lovers
- captive x captor
- spice ( 🌶️🌶️)
This is a book you should check out!
Thank you Avon & Harper Voyager for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Arden is upset because her father won’t let her leave her small village to travel with her brother and his wife. She has a fight and runs out into the woods and makes an emotional wish and plea that ends up coming true. This ends up giving her the freedom she was wanting but it also makes her invisible to everyone. She is forced to be invisible to everyone around her for years, walking along and watching her family and friends move on with their life without her. She’s basically a living ghost. Then one day she ends up running into dragons who can see her and kidnap her and take her to their den.
I really loved the premise of this and the entire aspect of her being invisible to everyone. You could feel the emotional impact this has and how utterly and truely lonely she was. However, the invisible parts of the book are far too long. It got to be a bit too much to the point I had to start skimming because it felt too much like unnecessary filler. Easily 50 pages could have been cut out of that part of the story and there would be no impact to the plot.
Then there’s Arden’s relationship to the dragons and Tage. I loved the whole enemies to lovers / captive x captive vibe. It was interesting to see their dynamics and the whole dragon culture too. I wish we got to see more build up of them, it felt almost a bit too insta lovey for me. It went from her doing everything she can to leave and then 20 pages later they’re together. I wish we took some of the pages of her invisible and got rid of them to use towards building their romance a bit more. It was a bit too faced paced compared to how slow everything else was in the story.
Overall it’s an okay read. I wish the relationships were a bit more developed, some of the beginning of her being invisible were cut out and we got to see more of the actual den and dragon dynamics.
If you like:
- Witches
- Dragons
- Harpies
- touch her and die
- enemies to lovers
- captive x captor
- spice ( 🌶️🌶️)
This is a book you should check out!
Thank you Avon & Harper Voyager for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
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