Jump to ratings and reviews

Win a free print copy of this book!

16 days and 12:49:41

20 copies available
U.S. only
Rate this book

The Aerimander Chronicles

The First Flame: The Aerimander Chronicles Book 2

Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26

Win a free print copy of this book!

16 days and 12:49:41

20 copies available
U.S. only
Rate this book
The highly anticipated second book in the Aerimander Chronicles flies readers to the Northern Isles with another flame-filled adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats!

Hatching and then hiding the world’s last aerimander kit got Eva Alexander locked up in Byrdhaven, gave Myrnie Wilshins a bad reputation, and left Dusty St. Ichabod a fugitive on the streets of Porttown. With Rubi the baby aerimander missing, and all three of her beloved humans separated, it's hard to imagine a path forward.

When fate leads Dusty back to the Lockwood Inn, he overhears the next stage of Eoin Parnassus’ sinister plans for aerimanders, and knows he must do everything in his power to stop him. But first Myrnie and Dusty need to break Eva out of Byrdhaven. Dodging strict nuns, WANTED posters, and an evil clown on the way, the trio manage to make it to the Northern Isles in search of Rubi. But it's Rubi who finds them first, and introduces them to a secret society living in the mountains of the Northern Isles called the Unruled.

But as Eva and Dusty spend more time amongst the Unruled, secrets begin to emerge that could threaten the safety of them all. With Parnassus stopping at nothing to find them, who can Eva, Myrnie, and Dusty really trust? Filled with humor, heart, and high-stakes adventure, The First Flame explores the deep-rooted bonds forged by flame and friendship, and the lengths people will go to protect those that need it the most.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 17, 2026

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Lily Berlin Dodd

4 books20 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
0 (0%)
4 stars
3 (100%)
3 stars
0 (0%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
1,589 reviews26 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 8, 2026
What worked:
The same main characters from the first book regroup to save an aerimander from danger. Aerimanders will remind readers of dragons, and the main one in this story is Rubi. Dusty and Eva guarded her egg until she hatched, and they still have a connection with her. Eva and Dusty can sense when the aerimander is near, which comes in handy when they try to locate Rubi in the mountains. The story takes a surprising turn when the characters finally locate her, or rather, Rubi finds them.
Dusty, Eva, and Myrna bring contrasting talents to the story. Dusty grew up in an orphanage before escaping, so he has street smarts and physical skills the others lack. He has other abilities and connections thanks to his time in the Thieves Guild. Eva is book-smart and outspoken, so don’t expect her to hold her tongue. She has a keen eye for details and a talent for creativity. Readers find her in a reformatory for problem girls when she enters this story. Myrna is Eva’s best friend, and her strengths are planning and a sensitivity to nature. Eva is rescued from the reformatory thanks to Myrna’s step-by-step plans.
Several elements of the plot will have readers wondering about upcoming events. Myrna is not immune to aerimander flame, like Dusty and Eva, so it’s dangerous for her to be around them. Eoin Parnassus, the story’s evil antagonist, is searching for Rubi and wants to use her as a weapon. He’s nearing the mountains where Rubi is hiding, and he’s dragging a heavy box along with him. It’s obviously not good news, but what is in the box? Dusty, Eva, and Myrna discover people secretly living in the mountains, and the three kids pass a test to join their school. They’ll learn common school topics, but they’ll learn all about the aerimanders. However, these people seem to know everything about the trio, and Eva wonders how that’s possible. There’s a huge secret they’re not being told.
What didn’t work as well:
Rubi’s size may be confusing. On one hand, Dusty can carry her in his arms, but later she picks him up and flies him away to safety. There’s also a scene later in the book where Dusty and Eva wear a protective covering to complete a ceremony. However, Myrna later walks the same path without the same protection. Confusing. However, overall, this is a solid book.
The final verdict:
Readers should begin with the first book, The Last Ember, to fully understand the backstory. I recommend it for lovers of dragons and adventure.
Profile Image for Lenore.
502 reviews55 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
April 14, 2026
I read the first story and I'm so happy I got to read the next part in the story.
This is a middle grade novel that follows three children: two girls and one boy. This book has short easy to read chapters and is a multiple POV story.
Read this book is you like dragons...aerimanders. You like clever children solving problems in unique ways. And you enjoy good vs evil adventures.

Myrnie is a biology genius, Eva is an engineer and Dusty is an orphan who has street knowledge the two girls lack.
The story begins with the kids getting back together to find Rubi after finding out the evil Parnassus has a head start in the search.
Most of the book builds up nicely to the big reveal ls at the end. I had questions about the children at the inns role but finally figured that out before the end.
There were some twists and reveals at the end that have me interested to find out what happens next.
Thank you to the author publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read the story before it was published.
Profile Image for Pariseia.
53 reviews28 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 2, 2026
BEAUTIFUL book! I want to read the first one, now.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews