Spellcast

A Fire in the Sky #3

by Sophie Jordan

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Dragons, Romance, Adult, Romantasy

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 28, 2026

About the author

Pseudonym:
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.

Reviews

[Visionary Druid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arden is the daughter of a blacksmith. She spends ten miserable years invisible due to a curse, unable to interact with her family and fellow town’s folk. Tragedy strikes her village, leaving Arden the lone survivor. She ends up kidnapped by a pride of dragons, ones who can transform into humans. Arden knows she does not belong with them, but she cannot ignore her desire for their alpha. Can Arden find a way to break her curse? Or will a secret forever alienate her from Tage?

Tage is the leader of a small group of shape-changing dragons. They investigate a skelm attack – dragons who prey on humans – only to find one survivor. Tage decides to bring the human woman back with them when they fail at altering her memories. Arden proves to be an anomaly among her kind; one he cannot ignore. Tage does not dare trust her with the secret of their existence. Will Arden’s presence destroy everything that Tage built within his pride?

SPELLCAST is the third book in Sophie Jordan’s fantasy romance series, A FIRE IN THE SKY.I did not know the author wrote books/series in this genre – fantasy and fantasy romances are my top favs. So, I have not read the first two books in the series. This did not hinder my ability to follow the plot or enjoy the story and characters. SPELLCAST takes place in the same world yet an all-new cast of characters.

The author breaks the story into three parts. The first focuses solely on Arden. How the curse starts and the ramifications it has on her. It allowed me to really empathize with Arden. My heart went out to the girl for everything she experienced while invisible. I am amazed that Arden managed to maintain her sanity.

The second part introduces Tage and his pride. I like the creative spin the author took with her dragon shapeshifters. How their kind evolved with the ability to morph into human shape. I also like how the dragons are still learning the full scope of their abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.

[Rmplift, Rachel Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything this author writes I devour. I didn't realize this series was getting another book, but it was welcomed! This is one of my favorite series!!

Spoiler Free Summary
A girl wishes out loud to be invisible and then becomes cursed with being invisible to others. She is picked up by dragons where they fight a local dragon gang and finally figure what happened to her.

Vibes
The pacing in this book was excellent—I was able to keep up with all the plots and drama while still fully enjoying the chemistry between the two main characters. You really feel for the FMC after witnessing everything she’s forced to endure and experience. For deep thinkers, this story reads as a powerful metaphor and lesson about overthinking. It does a great job of illustrating the harm someone can inflict on themselves when they don’t give themselves grace or believe in their own worth.

Spice/Romance
2/5 - 🌶️🌶️ - You knew what was going on, but it wasn't extremely graphic. Nothing Non-traditional

One of the reasons I love this author is that she doesn't force smut or spicy scenes. She just lets the story flow. She will put a romance scene in when it naturally flows, but won't force anything. To add on, the hot spring scene was 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. Finally, I also liked the little acts of intimacy the two characters would do like the arm cradles in bed or light touches. Next, I did see on the book description that it was super spicy. Compared to trending books, I wouldn't say its super spicy, but definitely 18+

Overall, this is a great addition to the series, and I cannot wait for what else this author has in store.

Tropes:
Secret Identity/Hidden Powers
Enemies to Lovers
Touch her and die
Captor/Captive
Magic
Dragons
Witches

[Julia Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spell Cast by Sophie Jordan is the third book in Fire in the Sky Series." Ten years ago, while upset, Arden went to the woods near her home and made a silly wish. Only it came true, and she now spends her days alone and unseen. Barely a part of the world any longer. Even though she did not mean to and has been trying to fix it ever since she has yet to find the one responsible for this horrible wish gone awry. She regrets it even more when the dragons come and she can not save those she loves. Her world is destroyed. She is then confronted by the fact that the dragons that came after the attack can transform into men.
This story is emotional as you can feel Ardens pain and loneliness as she is never seen nor heard, then as she watches her village be destroyed yet can do nothing or save anyone, your heart breaks again. Arden starts to develop feelings for the alpha dragon. Will hers be a love story or a tragedy?
This fantasy story was engaging and easy to read. The pacing was good, and it was easy to get immersed in Ardens story. The background on the dragons was interesting, and I liked the magical characters of this book.
I gave this book 3 stars out of 5. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick fantasy read and to fans of the series! I need to now go back and read the first two books in this series.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own!

[Brigid · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a easy, fun ride. It got me out of a real reading slump.

Things I liked
-Learnig more about the mythical creatures, especially Arden's big reveal
-Beautiful cover art
- It's short

Things that I didn't
- Tage's pride seem to follow him because he is strong and powerful, not because they side with his principles. They do not seem very committed to anything.

Things you just have to accept to enjoy this book
- this is lite fantasy. The world building is not detailed or intricate.
- the writing skews towards YA where things are described in broad strokes. There is a lot of perseverating. We do not get into the minutea of Arden's daily life. This is not deep or serious literature.
- and thats okay!

Again, this book came to me at the right time and helped me get back into the enjoyment of reading.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spellcast by Sophie Jordan is a refreshing read with a totally original plot that stands out in the fantasy-romance genre. I really enjoyed the creativity woven into the story, it felt unique and imaginative, which kept me invested.

That said, the pacing took a little while to find its rhythm. The beginning felt slower than I expected, and it took me some time to fully sink into the world and characters. Once the story picked up, though, it became engaging and rewarding, with twists that made the journey worthwhile.

Overall, Spellcast is a solid read with inventive storytelling and a payoff that makes it worth sticking through the slower start. If you’re looking for something different in the fantasy romance space, this one delivers originality with heart.

3.5 stars

I received this ARC copy of Spellcast from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the premise/concept of this book, someone who’s invisible for years and cannot be seen or heard, until she comes across a group of dragons who can actually see and touch her. The idea is great but the story is lacking. I feel like there were several times that I thought, ‘she could have developed that part a little more’, or ‘I wish she would have spun a better tale with that little nugget’. However, I’ll start it at a 4 star with the hopes that, just like the first 2 books, the 2nd one will really drive it home.
#Spellcast #NetGalley

[Lenore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 100 pages are slow. I get the backstory but it seemed long especially since it really doesn't matter what happened to her much once the next part of the book starts.
Dragon Shifters. This is the good part.
this next part seemed really familiar and then I see I read book 2? or a version of this book? a long time ago and Im not sure if this is the same book rewritten or a different story. A lot of it felt very familiar.
The twist at the end was nice. And HEA ending. Things were not resolved but it ended in a good place.
thank you NeTGalley and Sophie Jordan

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was genuinely surprised with how much I liked this book considering I wasn’t the biggest fan of the last book. I was so intrigued with the concept of a young girl becoming invisible to the world. It’s very relatable to so many people. The second part of the book was where it felt a little boring for me. It was too much like the last book. The epilogue finished so abruptly. I would have liked to see Arden’s reunion. Overall I really enjoyed this one. It’s a great standalone in the series.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very little plot and no romance just lust. I did think the wishing you could disappear and it actually happening was an interesting concept, but it was mostly just depressing.

[Gabic Reads]

Review coming at Gabic Reads. eARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book can be read as a standalone. I don't think it should be considered as the third book in the A Fire in the Sky series.

Content: death, some violence, sex