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The Iron Sky Trilogy #1
Under the Iron Sky
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26A fallen empire. A warrior determined to protect her people. And the masked soldier who captures her behind enemy lines. The first novel in a dark, seductive, and all-consuming trilogy where hope is fickle but the fight is never over.
Vordell was beautiful once. Its people lived in harmony, and their civilization flourished as they learned to harness and control the power of Light.
Then the darkness came.
The Iron Sky unfolded dark clouds across the land, thick enough to choke out the light of the suns. The ground cracked, releasing vicious creatures that looked like humanity’s oldest fears. The Dar’rak—an enemy long believed to be buried and forgotten—returned to claim the world above.
Soraya Tollmere has spent most of her life on the front lines of the brutal war that followed. Now a high-ranking commander, she knows loss better than anyone.
By day, she leads troops across ruined landscapes and guides covert teams through enemy territory. By night, she meets with a Dar’rak defector who has kept humanity alive with his steady stream of secrets.
On a mission to investigate his latest lead—one that could turn the tide of the war—Soraya is captured by The Demon, the Dar’rak’s most feared soldier, his true identity unknown.
His orders are break the human commander, uncover where the humans are keeping a weapon that could win them the war, and bring it to the Dar’rak. But as he gets to know the fierce warrior, the lines between interrogator and enemy, prisoner and ally, begin to blur.
As devastating truths surface and loyalties shatter, Soraya must decide who to trust in a world where light is dying—and where her greatest enemy may be her only salvation.
Vordell was beautiful once. Its people lived in harmony, and their civilization flourished as they learned to harness and control the power of Light.
Then the darkness came.
The Iron Sky unfolded dark clouds across the land, thick enough to choke out the light of the suns. The ground cracked, releasing vicious creatures that looked like humanity’s oldest fears. The Dar’rak—an enemy long believed to be buried and forgotten—returned to claim the world above.
Soraya Tollmere has spent most of her life on the front lines of the brutal war that followed. Now a high-ranking commander, she knows loss better than anyone.
By day, she leads troops across ruined landscapes and guides covert teams through enemy territory. By night, she meets with a Dar’rak defector who has kept humanity alive with his steady stream of secrets.
On a mission to investigate his latest lead—one that could turn the tide of the war—Soraya is captured by The Demon, the Dar’rak’s most feared soldier, his true identity unknown.
His orders are break the human commander, uncover where the humans are keeping a weapon that could win them the war, and bring it to the Dar’rak. But as he gets to know the fierce warrior, the lines between interrogator and enemy, prisoner and ally, begin to blur.
As devastating truths surface and loyalties shatter, Soraya must decide who to trust in a world where light is dying—and where her greatest enemy may be her only salvation.
512 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
Want to Read
March 18, 2026ready to have my heart broken again by this author in a different font 🫡
Currently Reading
May 30, 2026Pre-read: I’m not a fan of Harry Potter or Dramione, but I absolutely love reading traditionally published former fanfics!
June 4, 2026
I’m so tired of romantasy, lately. But Under the Iron Sky? In a sky filled with gray, it is blindingly, brilliantly blue.
This book is a g*d damn masterpiece.
Think PEAK enemies-to-lovers. Characters that truly hate one another, that come to physical and emotional blows, with tension in a slow burn that absolutely scorches.
Soraya is the perfect FMC. She’s fiery, tenacious, brilliant, calculating, and most of all, human. A tinkerer and a thinker. No magic needed, to be a complete and utter badass.
Ikarus is her perfect foil—a dramatic & deadly diva who is more down bad than even he knows. (rich smart shitty sad blonde boy CORE, people!)
Add to that an utterly original, immersive world that you truly LIVE in. I just loved the concept of the Iron Sky, and how sun played into the civilizations here. There’s a touch of sci-fi, political intrique, complex morality.
It’s all so stunningly visual, I felt like I was watching this play out on a screen, as I read. One fight sequence had me SCREAMING. Someone get these screen rights, ASAP.
Also:
🐦⬛ magical metal familiars you’ll fall for (I’d die for Twiigs)
💅🏼 a deadly, chaos goblin side character who is a total shit (affectionate)
🔩 incredible found family with rich, complex characters
🩵 the perfect dash of irreverent humor, and witty banter
☀️ high stakes and a plot that keeps you guessing
🪨 a golem friend who was giving Rocky
I suspected this would be good. It still utterly blew me away. I’m genuinely wowed. Emerald deserves all the flowers, for this debut.
All the ⭐️ s. Get that NetGalley request in. Preorder all the copies. You need this book ASAP.
Thank you Delacorte for the eARC!
This book is a g*d damn masterpiece.
Think PEAK enemies-to-lovers. Characters that truly hate one another, that come to physical and emotional blows, with tension in a slow burn that absolutely scorches.
Soraya is the perfect FMC. She’s fiery, tenacious, brilliant, calculating, and most of all, human. A tinkerer and a thinker. No magic needed, to be a complete and utter badass.
Ikarus is her perfect foil—a dramatic & deadly diva who is more down bad than even he knows. (rich smart shitty sad blonde boy CORE, people!)
Add to that an utterly original, immersive world that you truly LIVE in. I just loved the concept of the Iron Sky, and how sun played into the civilizations here. There’s a touch of sci-fi, political intrique, complex morality.
It’s all so stunningly visual, I felt like I was watching this play out on a screen, as I read. One fight sequence had me SCREAMING. Someone get these screen rights, ASAP.
Also:
🐦⬛ magical metal familiars you’ll fall for (I’d die for Twiigs)
💅🏼 a deadly, chaos goblin side character who is a total shit (affectionate)
🔩 incredible found family with rich, complex characters
🩵 the perfect dash of irreverent humor, and witty banter
☀️ high stakes and a plot that keeps you guessing
🪨 a golem friend who was giving Rocky
I suspected this would be good. It still utterly blew me away. I’m genuinely wowed. Emerald deserves all the flowers, for this debut.
All the ⭐️ s. Get that NetGalley request in. Preorder all the copies. You need this book ASAP.
Thank you Delacorte for the eARC!
Want to Read
February 25, 2026Is this what I think it issssssss?!
Read
April 22, 2026I’ll rate this later when I’m not the first to do it since I designed the cover, but wooweee y’all aren’t ready. Just stayed up till 2:30 to finish this.
Want to Read
February 25, 2026"A fallen empire. A warrior determined to protect her people. And the masked soldier who captures her behind enemy lines."
The first book in a new dark, seductive and all-consuming fantasy series, in which a human commander and the masked enemy interrogator sent to break her are drawn into a slow-burn, dangerous bond - one that could end a fifteen-year war, or ignite something far deadlier.
The first book in a new dark, seductive and all-consuming fantasy series, in which a human commander and the masked enemy interrogator sent to break her are drawn into a slow-burn, dangerous bond - one that could end a fifteen-year war, or ignite something far deadlier.
Want to Read
April 3, 2026I am prepared to go to war for an ARC.
June 4, 2026
“Underneath all that rotting gold, you’re just like me.”
Going to try my best to put into words how absolutely amazing this book was. WOW. I’m not sure what I expected, but Under the Iron Sky exceeded my expectations. This was almost a dystopian read mixed with sci-fi & fantasy, I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it. The world building is immaculate. Soraya? Easily one of the top FMC’s I’ve EVER read and a certain chapter with her had my jaw on the floor. There were some fun plot twists that came into play and had my mind whirling. This is definitely going to be the next big fantasy read when it releases.
Going to try my best to put into words how absolutely amazing this book was. WOW. I’m not sure what I expected, but Under the Iron Sky exceeded my expectations. This was almost a dystopian read mixed with sci-fi & fantasy, I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it. The world building is immaculate. Soraya? Easily one of the top FMC’s I’ve EVER read and a certain chapter with her had my jaw on the floor. There were some fun plot twists that came into play and had my mind whirling. This is definitely going to be the next big fantasy read when it releases.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1000000/10. Exactly the way I thought it would be.
As someone who read the original work, I was ecstatic when this got picked up traditionally. Turning an existing piece of writing into an entirely new piece can be challenging. But Emerald knocked it out of the park.
It was everything I wanted it to be and more. The tension is incredible. The slow burn, true enemies to lovers is chef’s kiss. The side characters (looking at you Malakai) are perfection. Even having read the original, the last 15% had me STRESSED. There are so many twists and turns. The world is easy to understand. Every fantasy reader needs this on their TBR, trust me.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballentine for the ARC! (for real though - you’re real ones)
As someone who read the original work, I was ecstatic when this got picked up traditionally. Turning an existing piece of writing into an entirely new piece can be challenging. But Emerald knocked it out of the park.
It was everything I wanted it to be and more. The tension is incredible. The slow burn, true enemies to lovers is chef’s kiss. The side characters (looking at you Malakai) are perfection. Even having read the original, the last 15% had me STRESSED. There are so many twists and turns. The world is easy to understand. Every fantasy reader needs this on their TBR, trust me.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballentine for the ARC! (for real though - you’re real ones)
Want to Read
June 3, 2026
May 30, 2026
Not sure I can even put into words how excellent this book was.
What an absolutely incredible debut from A.T. Emerald.
Nothing could have prepared me for how good this book is - thank you immensely to Dell Romance/ Del Rey and NetGalley for the eArc.
Emerald’s writing is spectacular - the world building is incredible - I felt like I was IN IT with them.
Soraya is a fearsome warrior and emotionally complex woman, doing everything she can to save her people. The way she, and her world are introduced have you absolutely hooked in from the very get go.
The stakes are set incredibly high and the pacing never falters.
Meeting the Demon (Ikarus) and seeing his absolute ruthless behavior on the battlefield, and then learning what has shaped him into the man he is. Stunning.
Twiigs and Golla have my whole heart - and anything left is torn between Emelda, Aeris, and the entirely unhinged Malakai.
Other key points:
Excellent world building
Very intense enemies to… unwilling allies with the world most palpable sexual tension?!
True found family.
Incredible magic and tech systems.
Oh, and my cry count rounded out at 5 times which is 5 times more than I expected to cry in a FIRST book of a series (how dare you!)
As a lover of AT Emerald’s writing, I was prepared to enjoy this. I was not prepared to be absolutely blown out of the water, as I have been.
I cannot wait for the next book. I cannot wait to re-read this book and pick up on more details.
If you want to see more gushing, I’ll be over on Instagram screeching into the void over this book for the foreseeable future.
What an absolutely incredible debut from A.T. Emerald.
Nothing could have prepared me for how good this book is - thank you immensely to Dell Romance/ Del Rey and NetGalley for the eArc.
Emerald’s writing is spectacular - the world building is incredible - I felt like I was IN IT with them.
Soraya is a fearsome warrior and emotionally complex woman, doing everything she can to save her people. The way she, and her world are introduced have you absolutely hooked in from the very get go.
The stakes are set incredibly high and the pacing never falters.
Meeting the Demon (Ikarus) and seeing his absolute ruthless behavior on the battlefield, and then learning what has shaped him into the man he is. Stunning.
Twiigs and Golla have my whole heart - and anything left is torn between Emelda, Aeris, and the entirely unhinged Malakai.
Other key points:
Excellent world building
Very intense enemies to… unwilling allies with the world most palpable sexual tension?!
True found family.
Incredible magic and tech systems.
Oh, and my cry count rounded out at 5 times which is 5 times more than I expected to cry in a FIRST book of a series (how dare you!)
As a lover of AT Emerald’s writing, I was prepared to enjoy this. I was not prepared to be absolutely blown out of the water, as I have been.
I cannot wait for the next book. I cannot wait to re-read this book and pick up on more details.
If you want to see more gushing, I’ll be over on Instagram screeching into the void over this book for the foreseeable future.
Want to Read
March 12, 2026im about to become so annoying about this
June 10, 2026
*ARC REVIEW*
As someone who considers Secrets and Masks one of my favorite reads of all time, I went into Under the Iron Sky equal parts excited and terrified.
I should not have worried.
A.T. Emerald has done something incredibly difficult here: she has captured everything that made me fall in love with the original story while creating something that feels fresh, expansive, and entirely its own. This is not a scene-for-scene retelling. This is a reimagining.
The worldbuilding is immersive without ever feeling overwhelming, the magic system is easy to sink into, and every detail feels intentional. And the characters?! Just as complex, frustrating, brilliant, and unforgettable as ever.
Most importantly, this is a true enemies-to-lovers story. Not mild dislike. Not irritation. Not two people secretly obsessed with each other after three chapters. These characters genuinely hate each other, and the tension that creates is absolutely delicious. Every interaction crackles with conflict, yearning, resentment, and the kind of emotional complexity that keeps you turning pages long after you should have gone to sleep.
What I loved most is that this story doesn’t rely on spice to create chemistry. It relies on tension. On longing. On impossible circumstances. On two people who would rather do anything than admit what is happening between them.
Book one left me completely obsessed, and I think breaking this story into a trilogy was a brilliant decision. There is so much room for the world, the characters, and their relationships to fully unfold.
If this is where the trilogy begins, I cannot wait to see where it goes next. A.T. Emerald has created something imaginative, addictive, and unforgettable, and October cannot come fast enough!
As someone who considers Secrets and Masks one of my favorite reads of all time, I went into Under the Iron Sky equal parts excited and terrified.
I should not have worried.
A.T. Emerald has done something incredibly difficult here: she has captured everything that made me fall in love with the original story while creating something that feels fresh, expansive, and entirely its own. This is not a scene-for-scene retelling. This is a reimagining.
The worldbuilding is immersive without ever feeling overwhelming, the magic system is easy to sink into, and every detail feels intentional. And the characters?! Just as complex, frustrating, brilliant, and unforgettable as ever.
Most importantly, this is a true enemies-to-lovers story. Not mild dislike. Not irritation. Not two people secretly obsessed with each other after three chapters. These characters genuinely hate each other, and the tension that creates is absolutely delicious. Every interaction crackles with conflict, yearning, resentment, and the kind of emotional complexity that keeps you turning pages long after you should have gone to sleep.
What I loved most is that this story doesn’t rely on spice to create chemistry. It relies on tension. On longing. On impossible circumstances. On two people who would rather do anything than admit what is happening between them.
Book one left me completely obsessed, and I think breaking this story into a trilogy was a brilliant decision. There is so much room for the world, the characters, and their relationships to fully unfold.
If this is where the trilogy begins, I cannot wait to see where it goes next. A.T. Emerald has created something imaginative, addictive, and unforgettable, and October cannot come fast enough!
Want to Read
April 27, 2026Theodore Nott from Secrets and Masks is the most unhinged character I have ever read.
I’m here for more.
I’m here for more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The people of Vordell (quite literally) thrive in the Light. They have harnessed the energy of their three suns and use it to power a perfect utopia, full of wondrous technological inventions that allow them to live a peaceful, quiet life ruled over by the benevolent Queen Aleena Savros. But when the queen suddenly dies, an awful secret is revealed - her power alone has been keeping the evil Dar’rak at bay, trapped underground for decades by her life force. With her passing, the darkness is freed, the Iron Sky rises to blot out the suns in the sky, and the citizens of Vordell, unprepared for war, are slaughtered in the streets by nightmarish creatures.
Fifteen years have passed and Vordell is still fighting off the Dar’rak. Soraya Tolmere, a child during the initial invasion, is now a high-ranking commander who has secretly been working with a Dar’rak mole for years to give the humans a fighting chance. But when she is on what should be a routine mission, Soraya is captured by The Demon, one of the most fearsome generals in the Dar’rak army. Ikarus, gifted with rare memory walking magic, is ordered to break Soraya and reveal the last remaining secrets about the Vordellian army that will end this war for good. But as Ikarus and Soraya spend time together, alliances begin to blur, and both realize that this war is not as clear-cut as it seems. When a devastating truth is revealed, both Soraya and Ikarus must decide how far they are willing to go to save their people.
Under the Iron Sky is the first in a dark romantasy trilogy. My thoughts on various aspects of the story are given below.
*World-building/Plot: A.T. Emerald has truly created a unique world here! I love the contrast between Vordell and Belvador - it’s a battle between light vs. dark and technology vs. magic. Current-day Vordell felt like a realistic, dystopian world, and I liked that none of the ugly details of war were glossed over for other parts of the story (like the romance, for example). The main plot was also really compelling - it is very easy to understand why Queen Aleena did what she did to save her people, and it is also clear why Belvador feels they have no choice but to completely annihilate the humans and take over Vordell. There is a really strong foundation here for the rest of the series, and I am excited to see how the plot further develops in future installments (especially given the reveals at the end of the book).
*Character Development: The main heart of the story is the relationship between Soraya and Ikarus, who are true enemies for much of the book. The best enemies-to-lovers books are the ones where you can understand why both sides despise each other so much (and can see that they are justified in feeling that way) and that is definitely the case here. However, though there is a lot of hate between Soraya and Ikarus, the way that they slowly get to learn more about each other (and realize that they have more in common than not) was beautifully done. And, of course, the twist at the end of the book that solidly puts them back in “enemies” territory was fantastic! I am so happy that this is going to be a true slow burn and can’t wait to see how their relationship will develop in the sequel. My only minor quibble was that so much of the early part of the book was dedicated to world-building that Soraya and Ikarus’ personalities seemed more “telling than showing”, so their banter didn’t really work for me at first - they felt a bit like petulant children “arguing with each other for the sake of arguing” more than anything else. But this impression definitely went away towards the end of the book as we got to learn more about both of them.
There was also a really solid cast of secondary characters (especially Ikarus’ core group) that added a lot of emotional depth to the story.
*Pacing/Writing Style: The pacing of Under the Iron Sky started off a bit slow (in particular, I had a hard time getting through the first 30%), but definitely picked up in the second half of the book. Though the writing style at the beginning was a bit awkward, with more than a few long, run-on sentences filled with clunky expository content to help establish the world, it was much better after that point. A.T. Emerald’s writing especially shines in the emotional moments and interactions between her core cast of characters.
Though I am not familiar with any of the author’s previous works, I really enjoyed Under the Iron Sky! I’d highly recommend this book for any romantasy readers looking for a non-traditional fantasy world with an *actual* enemies-to-lovers slow burn (no fae or fated mates here!). This book was a breath of fresh air and I cannot wait until the next book comes out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Fifteen years have passed and Vordell is still fighting off the Dar’rak. Soraya Tolmere, a child during the initial invasion, is now a high-ranking commander who has secretly been working with a Dar’rak mole for years to give the humans a fighting chance. But when she is on what should be a routine mission, Soraya is captured by The Demon, one of the most fearsome generals in the Dar’rak army. Ikarus, gifted with rare memory walking magic, is ordered to break Soraya and reveal the last remaining secrets about the Vordellian army that will end this war for good. But as Ikarus and Soraya spend time together, alliances begin to blur, and both realize that this war is not as clear-cut as it seems. When a devastating truth is revealed, both Soraya and Ikarus must decide how far they are willing to go to save their people.
Under the Iron Sky is the first in a dark romantasy trilogy. My thoughts on various aspects of the story are given below.
*World-building/Plot: A.T. Emerald has truly created a unique world here! I love the contrast between Vordell and Belvador - it’s a battle between light vs. dark and technology vs. magic. Current-day Vordell felt like a realistic, dystopian world, and I liked that none of the ugly details of war were glossed over for other parts of the story (like the romance, for example). The main plot was also really compelling - it is very easy to understand why Queen Aleena did what she did to save her people, and it is also clear why Belvador feels they have no choice but to completely annihilate the humans and take over Vordell. There is a really strong foundation here for the rest of the series, and I am excited to see how the plot further develops in future installments (especially given the reveals at the end of the book).
*Character Development: The main heart of the story is the relationship between Soraya and Ikarus, who are true enemies for much of the book. The best enemies-to-lovers books are the ones where you can understand why both sides despise each other so much (and can see that they are justified in feeling that way) and that is definitely the case here. However, though there is a lot of hate between Soraya and Ikarus, the way that they slowly get to learn more about each other (and realize that they have more in common than not) was beautifully done. And, of course, the twist at the end of the book that solidly puts them back in “enemies” territory was fantastic! I am so happy that this is going to be a true slow burn and can’t wait to see how their relationship will develop in the sequel. My only minor quibble was that so much of the early part of the book was dedicated to world-building that Soraya and Ikarus’ personalities seemed more “telling than showing”, so their banter didn’t really work for me at first - they felt a bit like petulant children “arguing with each other for the sake of arguing” more than anything else. But this impression definitely went away towards the end of the book as we got to learn more about both of them.
There was also a really solid cast of secondary characters (especially Ikarus’ core group) that added a lot of emotional depth to the story.
*Pacing/Writing Style: The pacing of Under the Iron Sky started off a bit slow (in particular, I had a hard time getting through the first 30%), but definitely picked up in the second half of the book. Though the writing style at the beginning was a bit awkward, with more than a few long, run-on sentences filled with clunky expository content to help establish the world, it was much better after that point. A.T. Emerald’s writing especially shines in the emotional moments and interactions between her core cast of characters.
Though I am not familiar with any of the author’s previous works, I really enjoyed Under the Iron Sky! I’d highly recommend this book for any romantasy readers looking for a non-traditional fantasy world with an *actual* enemies-to-lovers slow burn (no fae or fated mates here!). This book was a breath of fresh air and I cannot wait until the next book comes out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A. T. is THE mastermind. Under The Iron Sky was my most anticipated read of the year and it exceeded all of my expectations, hopes and dreams. The intricacy of the characters, the twists, the pacing, the banter, the world building. Everything came together beautifully and created an incredible immersive reading experience. It felt like I was there fighting against the Dar'raks with Soraya and walking next to the Ancient One with Ikarus. A. T. made this world and these characters so easy to love, I'm already missing them and sad that I have to wait so long for book two - book one isn't even out yet! What's great about this series is that it is TRUE enemies to lovers. The loathing is real and I could feel it through my kindle screen! You know what else is there? The THICK, undeniable, juicy, yummy, kick-my-feet-and-giggle tension!! We know they want it, they know they want it, I can't wait for them to have it! I love a slow burn - make me work and yearn for it! What's also great about this series (well maybe not for the characters) is the war between the Vordellians and the Dar'raks. It's a perfectly explained war without it becoming too dense to follow and it's engaging enough that the book doesn't feel slow when there are war focused scenes. You WANT to be there in the action with everyone, it's very entertaining! Put me in coach and let me hold a sunrifle!
This was an infinity star read for me. Five stars is simply not enough! Thank you so much to A. T. Emerald, Ballantine and NetGalley, for the ARC opportunity! I am so excited for book two!
Quotes:
(This is your warning that these can be spoilery if you have not read the book yet!)
"Demon Mask. God Killer. You don't get names like ours from just sitting behind a war table. They come from getting your hands dirty, from tearing your enemies apart with your bare fingers, and when this war ends, our names won't be written in some history books collecting dust somewhere-oh no, we'll be side by side, me and you, written on the walls in blood-because underneath all the rotting gold, you're just like me." ch. 11
"Oh, how he wanted to grab her by those fucking curls and-" - ch. 16
"Standing over him, the Light from her scythe and shield reflected in her eyes, she could've been one of the suns, torn straight from the sky and made flesh to wreak havoc on this world. She was the most terrifying thing he'd ever seen-and the most beautiful." - ch. 22
"And then...lips against his mouth. Lips that'd taste like ash and fire. Of power and warm sunlight so foreign and sweet they'd had him lurching up despite the burning agony roaring through his chest just to get another taste." - ch. 24
"He may not have his wings or knives or that sword she'd only ever seen him touch once, but he WAS power. Even now, every vine and rock in the room seemed to be curving inward toward him, slaves to that horrible power lurking in his veins. One thought from him, and her heck would snap like a twig." - ch. 38
"He watched her face, those strange eyes briefly flicking to the ash-stick when she brought it to her lips again. She'd answer 'no' if anyone ever asked if she enjoyed this. It would be a lie." - ch. 38
"I wouldn't be surprised if you touched yourself at night, imagining all the ways you're going to kill me when this is over." - ch. 38
"Do that again. Need to hear you make that sound again." - ch. 38
"The God Killer though...she was fire and brimstone. She meant every insult she spat at him, challenged him whenever she could-and she certainly wasn't afraid to use that pretty mouth of hers to rile him up." - ch. 39
"In a world where strategy was everything and knowing your enemy was the difference between life and death, the human was the unknown." - ch.39
"Because I want you to know he wasn't supposed to be this cold. There were times when we were children that he really wanted to be something else, but because o the war, he didn't have a choice. Because I think you ought to know the kind of man he is beneath the helmet." - ch. 41
"That's it. Good girl. Breathe deep." - ch. 44
"She was human. She was the enemy. He should not care. But he did. And he was tired of pretending that he didn't." - ch. 52
This was an infinity star read for me. Five stars is simply not enough! Thank you so much to A. T. Emerald, Ballantine and NetGalley, for the ARC opportunity! I am so excited for book two!
Quotes:
(This is your warning that these can be spoilery if you have not read the book yet!)
"Demon Mask. God Killer. You don't get names like ours from just sitting behind a war table. They come from getting your hands dirty, from tearing your enemies apart with your bare fingers, and when this war ends, our names won't be written in some history books collecting dust somewhere-oh no, we'll be side by side, me and you, written on the walls in blood-because underneath all the rotting gold, you're just like me." ch. 11
"Oh, how he wanted to grab her by those fucking curls and-" - ch. 16
"Standing over him, the Light from her scythe and shield reflected in her eyes, she could've been one of the suns, torn straight from the sky and made flesh to wreak havoc on this world. She was the most terrifying thing he'd ever seen-and the most beautiful." - ch. 22
"And then...lips against his mouth. Lips that'd taste like ash and fire. Of power and warm sunlight so foreign and sweet they'd had him lurching up despite the burning agony roaring through his chest just to get another taste." - ch. 24
"He may not have his wings or knives or that sword she'd only ever seen him touch once, but he WAS power. Even now, every vine and rock in the room seemed to be curving inward toward him, slaves to that horrible power lurking in his veins. One thought from him, and her heck would snap like a twig." - ch. 38
"He watched her face, those strange eyes briefly flicking to the ash-stick when she brought it to her lips again. She'd answer 'no' if anyone ever asked if she enjoyed this. It would be a lie." - ch. 38
"I wouldn't be surprised if you touched yourself at night, imagining all the ways you're going to kill me when this is over." - ch. 38
"Do that again. Need to hear you make that sound again." - ch. 38
"The God Killer though...she was fire and brimstone. She meant every insult she spat at him, challenged him whenever she could-and she certainly wasn't afraid to use that pretty mouth of hers to rile him up." - ch. 39
"In a world where strategy was everything and knowing your enemy was the difference between life and death, the human was the unknown." - ch.39
"Because I want you to know he wasn't supposed to be this cold. There were times when we were children that he really wanted to be something else, but because o the war, he didn't have a choice. Because I think you ought to know the kind of man he is beneath the helmet." - ch. 41
"That's it. Good girl. Breathe deep." - ch. 44
"She was human. She was the enemy. He should not care. But he did. And he was tired of pretending that he didn't." - ch. 52
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I started reading Under the Iron Sky by A.T. Emerald without knowing much about the book. I didn’t read the synopsis as I always love when a book surprises me and that was definitely the case here. The author has crafted a fresh and intricate world with a fascinating magic system, blending sci-fi and dystopian elements with fantasy in a way that feels both unique and exciting.
The Vordelians harness sunlight to power incredible technology! From home appliances to weapons, fighter jets and even mechanical familiars. (Twigs, a mechanical bird that Soraya fixes in the first chapters will undoubtedly become everyone’s favourite character!) On the other side of the war are the Dar’rak who rely entirely on magic. We get dragons, fairies with moth like wings, spider people and even a little rock golem who grows flowers on his head, all living within a vast underground kingdom.
Light meets dark. Technology meets magic. Two opposing nations at war. It’s a tale as old as time, and yet… there’s something fresh about the way A.T. Emerald tells her story.
While I loved the immersive world building of Under the Iron Sky, it was the characters that really kept me engaged. Soraya is strong, fierce and determined, while Ikarus is dark, ruthless and endlessly intriguing. Two people from opposite sides of the war slowly realising they may have more in common than they initially believed. I also really loved the supporting cast who added plenty of personality to the story. I hope to see more of them in the future books!
And if you're looking for a true enemies to lovers romance, this is it. The slow burn is excruciating in the best possible way. There are no spicy scenes here, and honestly I hope book two takes its time as well. Soraya and Ikarus truly hate each other and they are in no position to be thinking about romance at this point in their lives. They have much bigger problems to deal with. I would be genuinely cross if the author added spicy scenes just for the sake of having spicy scenes. Their relationship needs time to develop and that's exactly what makes it so compelling... Soraya and Ikarus will have to work for it! They go through a lot in this book but by the end they finally seem to be on the right path toward trusting one another. The author does a great job building tension between them. The forced proximity might have brought them together, but it’s the tension that carries their "relationship".
So why four stars?
Despite thoroughly enjoying myself while reading, I couldn't ignore a few issues. What bothered me was the author's difficulty finishing the scenes. It sometimes felt as though she wasn't quite sure how to transition from one scene to the next, so we would often jump abruptly between moments, making the story feel choppy at times.
I loved the opening and the introduction to the world, but the middle section dragged a little. Then around 70 maybe 80 percent in we were hit with a big plot twist. And don’t get me wrong, I love being surprised by a twist, but I also love being able to look back and find the clues I missed along the way. Here, the reveal came quite out of nowhere ..
That said, I genuinely think A.T. Emerald put her whole heart into this book. It’s a great debut but the writing could use a bit more polishing. I can only hope that's something that will naturally improve as the series continues. And now that the world and magic system have been established, I’m excited to see the author focus even more on our favourite idiots and finally start turning enemies into lovers.
Despite a few complaints, I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. For the past year, if not longer I’ve struggled to finish books. I don’t DNF them, I just slowly lose interest and stop picking them up. So when a book manages to keep me entertained for days and leaves me wanting to turn the next page, that’s already a huge win in my eyes. Under the Iron Sky did exactly that, and I’m genuinely excited to see where the story goes next.
The Vordelians harness sunlight to power incredible technology! From home appliances to weapons, fighter jets and even mechanical familiars. (Twigs, a mechanical bird that Soraya fixes in the first chapters will undoubtedly become everyone’s favourite character!) On the other side of the war are the Dar’rak who rely entirely on magic. We get dragons, fairies with moth like wings, spider people and even a little rock golem who grows flowers on his head, all living within a vast underground kingdom.
Light meets dark. Technology meets magic. Two opposing nations at war. It’s a tale as old as time, and yet… there’s something fresh about the way A.T. Emerald tells her story.
While I loved the immersive world building of Under the Iron Sky, it was the characters that really kept me engaged. Soraya is strong, fierce and determined, while Ikarus is dark, ruthless and endlessly intriguing. Two people from opposite sides of the war slowly realising they may have more in common than they initially believed. I also really loved the supporting cast who added plenty of personality to the story. I hope to see more of them in the future books!
And if you're looking for a true enemies to lovers romance, this is it. The slow burn is excruciating in the best possible way. There are no spicy scenes here, and honestly I hope book two takes its time as well. Soraya and Ikarus truly hate each other and they are in no position to be thinking about romance at this point in their lives. They have much bigger problems to deal with. I would be genuinely cross if the author added spicy scenes just for the sake of having spicy scenes. Their relationship needs time to develop and that's exactly what makes it so compelling... Soraya and Ikarus will have to work for it! They go through a lot in this book but by the end they finally seem to be on the right path toward trusting one another. The author does a great job building tension between them. The forced proximity might have brought them together, but it’s the tension that carries their "relationship".
So why four stars?
Despite thoroughly enjoying myself while reading, I couldn't ignore a few issues. What bothered me was the author's difficulty finishing the scenes. It sometimes felt as though she wasn't quite sure how to transition from one scene to the next, so we would often jump abruptly between moments, making the story feel choppy at times.
I loved the opening and the introduction to the world, but the middle section dragged a little. Then around 70 maybe 80 percent in we were hit with a big plot twist. And don’t get me wrong, I love being surprised by a twist, but I also love being able to look back and find the clues I missed along the way. Here, the reveal came quite out of nowhere ..
That said, I genuinely think A.T. Emerald put her whole heart into this book. It’s a great debut but the writing could use a bit more polishing. I can only hope that's something that will naturally improve as the series continues. And now that the world and magic system have been established, I’m excited to see the author focus even more on our favourite idiots and finally start turning enemies into lovers.
Despite a few complaints, I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. For the past year, if not longer I’ve struggled to finish books. I don’t DNF them, I just slowly lose interest and stop picking them up. So when a book manages to keep me entertained for days and leaves me wanting to turn the next page, that’s already a huge win in my eyes. Under the Iron Sky did exactly that, and I’m genuinely excited to see where the story goes next.
June 20, 2026
‼️ARC Review‼️
Thank you as always to NetGalley, the publishers, and A.T Emerald for providing me with an arc to get my grimy little hands on.
A.T. Emerald is genuinely a gift.
As someone who absolutely loved Secrets and Masks, I was blown away by how Under the Iron Sky took the bones of that story and expanded them into something even richer, sharper, and more immersive. It’s rare for a reimagining to feel this fresh while still honoring everything that made the original so unforgettable, but A.T. Emerald does exactly that.
There were so many moments I adored in the original that felt even more refined here, more fleshed out, more intentional. It felt like revisiting something familiar, but through a new polished lens that made every scene hit harder.
What I especially loved was the change in pacing. Some moments that happened much earlier in the original are being held back here, and I honestly think that was such a very smart choice. It gives the characters, especially the FMC and MMC, so much more room to breathe, develop, and build a foundation that makes their dynamic feel even more authentic. Their relationship, their tension, and their conflict all feel deeper because of it. The slow burn strengthens the enemies-to-lovers arc in a way that feels incredibly intentional, and I know the payoff is going to be all the more satisfying and impactful for it.
The worldbuilding is one of my favorite parts. The blend of fantasy and dystopian elements creates such a fascinating, layered world that feels both brutal and alive. I was completely absorbed by it. The writing made it very easy to get immersed in this new world.
The FMC is everything I want in a heroine. She’s strong, capable, and unapologetically formidable, but still fighting to hold onto her humanity despite everything she’s endured. I especially loved that she’s a tinker, It adds such a unique dimension to her character.
“You trapped the sun in a cage, but she does not burn the way you thought she would, does she?”
And the MMC was completely captivating. He’s the kind of morally gray character I love most, the kind who isn’t afraid to become a monster if it means protecting the people he loves. There’s something so compelling about a character willing to shoulder the weight of impossible choices and take on the blame, the violence, and the burden so others don’t have to. His ruthlessness never feels hollow. It feels earned, driven by loyalty, love, and survival. That complexity makes him endlessly fascinating, and it makes every moment with him hit that much harder.
“He’d done all that, had sacrificed everything he had and was, just to worship at the altar of a God he didn’t believe in in the mere hope it might protect those he loved.”
The tension between them is exquisite. This is true enemies-to-lovers, and A.T. Emerald delivers it perfectly. The chemistry, the hostility, and the yearning had me absolutely feral.
“What makes you think you’ll be rid of me in death? What makes you think I won’t follow you there, just so this thing between us never has to end?”
“He didn’t think he would ever tire of their game. Thought he might do this with her forever, dance with her for eternity while the rest of the world burned to ash around them, and he would never be bored.”
I’m not usually someone who highlights passages while reading, but this book had me stopping constantly to save lines because the writing was just that good.
Even knowing the rough blueprint from Secrets and Masks, this story still surprised me. It felt new, exciting, and deeply satisfying in its own right.
I’m already desperate for the next book. ❤️
Thank you as always to NetGalley, the publishers, and A.T Emerald for providing me with an arc to get my grimy little hands on.
A.T. Emerald is genuinely a gift.
As someone who absolutely loved Secrets and Masks, I was blown away by how Under the Iron Sky took the bones of that story and expanded them into something even richer, sharper, and more immersive. It’s rare for a reimagining to feel this fresh while still honoring everything that made the original so unforgettable, but A.T. Emerald does exactly that.
There were so many moments I adored in the original that felt even more refined here, more fleshed out, more intentional. It felt like revisiting something familiar, but through a new polished lens that made every scene hit harder.
What I especially loved was the change in pacing. Some moments that happened much earlier in the original are being held back here, and I honestly think that was such a very smart choice. It gives the characters, especially the FMC and MMC, so much more room to breathe, develop, and build a foundation that makes their dynamic feel even more authentic. Their relationship, their tension, and their conflict all feel deeper because of it. The slow burn strengthens the enemies-to-lovers arc in a way that feels incredibly intentional, and I know the payoff is going to be all the more satisfying and impactful for it.
The worldbuilding is one of my favorite parts. The blend of fantasy and dystopian elements creates such a fascinating, layered world that feels both brutal and alive. I was completely absorbed by it. The writing made it very easy to get immersed in this new world.
The FMC is everything I want in a heroine. She’s strong, capable, and unapologetically formidable, but still fighting to hold onto her humanity despite everything she’s endured. I especially loved that she’s a tinker, It adds such a unique dimension to her character.
“You trapped the sun in a cage, but she does not burn the way you thought she would, does she?”
And the MMC was completely captivating. He’s the kind of morally gray character I love most, the kind who isn’t afraid to become a monster if it means protecting the people he loves. There’s something so compelling about a character willing to shoulder the weight of impossible choices and take on the blame, the violence, and the burden so others don’t have to. His ruthlessness never feels hollow. It feels earned, driven by loyalty, love, and survival. That complexity makes him endlessly fascinating, and it makes every moment with him hit that much harder.
“He’d done all that, had sacrificed everything he had and was, just to worship at the altar of a God he didn’t believe in in the mere hope it might protect those he loved.”
The tension between them is exquisite. This is true enemies-to-lovers, and A.T. Emerald delivers it perfectly. The chemistry, the hostility, and the yearning had me absolutely feral.
“What makes you think you’ll be rid of me in death? What makes you think I won’t follow you there, just so this thing between us never has to end?”
“He didn’t think he would ever tire of their game. Thought he might do this with her forever, dance with her for eternity while the rest of the world burned to ash around them, and he would never be bored.”
I’m not usually someone who highlights passages while reading, but this book had me stopping constantly to save lines because the writing was just that good.
Even knowing the rough blueprint from Secrets and Masks, this story still surprised me. It felt new, exciting, and deeply satisfying in its own right.
I’m already desperate for the next book. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine, Delacorte Press, and A. T. Emerald for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
5/5⭐️
This is my holy grail of arcs. I may have screamed when I was approved for this, because this book? Is IT! A. T. Emerald is a fantasy genius, and this is only her debut novel. You know when you read a book and you’re like ‘yeah, this is the next big thing’? This is that. I promise you.
‘An Iron Sky stretching right above our heads with no end in sight.‘
The Iron Sky was summoned over Vordell when the Dar’rak escaped from their underground prison and destroyed the once beautiful and glowing land. The Dar’rak turned the pioneering Vordell into a rusted shell of itself, slipping up through the cracks in the ground to rip them apart. Soraya Tollmere has grown up in the midst of this war, fighting a losing battle against the Dar’rak and their Iron Sky, that of which blocks them from their power of Light. During battle, Soraya is captured by The Demon, Dar’rak’s most infamous soldier, known for his brutality. Upon her capture, she is forced to be a pawn for the Dar’rak, and assigned as a captive under The Demon’s watch.
‘The Demon, Ikarus, bowed his head, a loyal dog on a leash if Soraya had ever seen one.’
When I say I want to read romantasy, this is the kind of book I mean. The initial hatred and tension between Soraya and Ikarus felt so real. You have two characters so desperate to save their people, so certain their side is right, that the tension flows off the pages. They want to kill each other, and they mean it, taking every opportunity possible. Their hatred isn’t forced, and it isn’t easily changed. The years-long battle, two people in the same position, just opposite sides. Two pawns in a game. Overtime, they find they have more in common then they thought, no matter how much they wish that weren’t true. Their hated for each other, their tension, turning into the possibility of friendship or allies was perfect. I love slow-burn, and this was that to a T.
‘Was she stupid to antagonize him now? Probably. Was she going to stop? Absolutely not.’
The characters, side characters included, are so complex. The brutality and raw violence of their actions are introduced first, but the emotional complexity is built on as you dig further into everyone’s backstories. Learning about the side characters, both Vordellian and Dar’rak, added so much depth to the story. I found them all just as interesting as Soraya and Ikarus themselves. The world building and fantasy elements were done very well. The world felt so immersive and easy to visualize. Plus, for the sci-fi fans, we did lots of explaining of the magic/technical details.
This book had everything! Fairies, pet-sidekick familiars (who are so cute), spider-human half-breeds, dragons, blood manipulation magic, telekinesis, and one very brooding, white haired captor. Found family, well written magic systems, enemies-to-?, slow burn, strong female characters, and plot twists. I mean, how much more could you ask for? I feel such a strong connection to these characters after just one book that I’m desperate for more.
I’m thrilled beyond words to have been able to read this book so soon. I’ve been keeping up with this A. T. Emerald in anticipation for this release, and my expectations were exceeded. I might cry knowing how long I have to wait for book two!
5/5⭐️
This is my holy grail of arcs. I may have screamed when I was approved for this, because this book? Is IT! A. T. Emerald is a fantasy genius, and this is only her debut novel. You know when you read a book and you’re like ‘yeah, this is the next big thing’? This is that. I promise you.
‘An Iron Sky stretching right above our heads with no end in sight.‘
The Iron Sky was summoned over Vordell when the Dar’rak escaped from their underground prison and destroyed the once beautiful and glowing land. The Dar’rak turned the pioneering Vordell into a rusted shell of itself, slipping up through the cracks in the ground to rip them apart. Soraya Tollmere has grown up in the midst of this war, fighting a losing battle against the Dar’rak and their Iron Sky, that of which blocks them from their power of Light. During battle, Soraya is captured by The Demon, Dar’rak’s most infamous soldier, known for his brutality. Upon her capture, she is forced to be a pawn for the Dar’rak, and assigned as a captive under The Demon’s watch.
‘The Demon, Ikarus, bowed his head, a loyal dog on a leash if Soraya had ever seen one.’
When I say I want to read romantasy, this is the kind of book I mean. The initial hatred and tension between Soraya and Ikarus felt so real. You have two characters so desperate to save their people, so certain their side is right, that the tension flows off the pages. They want to kill each other, and they mean it, taking every opportunity possible. Their hatred isn’t forced, and it isn’t easily changed. The years-long battle, two people in the same position, just opposite sides. Two pawns in a game. Overtime, they find they have more in common then they thought, no matter how much they wish that weren’t true. Their hated for each other, their tension, turning into the possibility of friendship or allies was perfect. I love slow-burn, and this was that to a T.
‘Was she stupid to antagonize him now? Probably. Was she going to stop? Absolutely not.’
The characters, side characters included, are so complex. The brutality and raw violence of their actions are introduced first, but the emotional complexity is built on as you dig further into everyone’s backstories. Learning about the side characters, both Vordellian and Dar’rak, added so much depth to the story. I found them all just as interesting as Soraya and Ikarus themselves. The world building and fantasy elements were done very well. The world felt so immersive and easy to visualize. Plus, for the sci-fi fans, we did lots of explaining of the magic/technical details.
This book had everything! Fairies, pet-sidekick familiars (who are so cute), spider-human half-breeds, dragons, blood manipulation magic, telekinesis, and one very brooding, white haired captor. Found family, well written magic systems, enemies-to-?, slow burn, strong female characters, and plot twists. I mean, how much more could you ask for? I feel such a strong connection to these characters after just one book that I’m desperate for more.
I’m thrilled beyond words to have been able to read this book so soon. I’ve been keeping up with this A. T. Emerald in anticipation for this release, and my expectations were exceeded. I might cry knowing how long I have to wait for book two!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First, I want to thank A.T. Emerald and Ballantine Books/Delacrote Press for the wonderful opportunity to read this ARC. I am so incredibly grateful.
Secondly, I feel I should preface this by saying it feels difficult to review something that is so utterly wonderful that it left you breathless. How can I properly put into words how this book made me feel when I don’t think any book make me feel this way? Everything I can think of to write seems dull in comparison to how I truly feel about this book.
Almost from the first page, I was sucked in. Emerald doesn’t begin by setting a specific stage – she begins as though the stage has been set and then builds the world from there – something that I ABSOLUTELY loved. She takes you to the place where the characters are and lets you get to know them as people and then she gradually gives you more and more information about the world, the people, and the characters and it is just a wonderful ride to be on.
Something else that is truly a wonder is how descriptive this book is without being excessive if that makes sense? There isn’t any overly flowery language describing the way a place or character looks, but you absolutely know what they look like. The best way for me to describe Emerald’s writing as ART. We all know writing is an art form, but it is as if her pen was a paintbrush creating this world and these characters so that we, the reader, can see them and feel them and feel as if we are getting to really know them.
Soraya is everything you want in a female character – she is strong, fierce, smart, and someone you don’t want to mess with. But she also knows she isn’t perfect. She has dealt with the destruction of her people in the only way she knows how and it is determined to never break. She does everything she can to just be warrior, but we get to see as readers that, like all of us, we are not just one thing. We can be strong but have weaknesses, we can do everything we can to be the best but we are all flawed. We can build walls to be strong, but they will never be fully impenetrable.
Ikarus is something else altogether. The Demon Mask. The most feared of the Dar’rak who have overthrown Soraya’s people in Vordell. When you meet him that is all you see. But as the story goes on, you find that nothing is as it seems with him. He is not just a warrior, but a son, a friend, a brother. I think Emerald absolutely nailed him as male character because so often, men are seen as one thing on the surface, but there is so much underneath that we don’t see until we get to know them or get closer to them. And we watch Soraya do this and uncover things she never thought she would, just as Ikarus does with her.
The tension between them was palpable. It left me breathless and speechless. They are absolutely enemies, but there is something more there that is so impossible that there is really no way to know what will happen.
And I can’t leave out the side characters. They are build so well into the story. None of them feel superfluous as they all help create lives of the main characters. I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens going forward with them.
Honestly this is probably going to be one of my favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romances of the year and probably of all time.
Secondly, I feel I should preface this by saying it feels difficult to review something that is so utterly wonderful that it left you breathless. How can I properly put into words how this book made me feel when I don’t think any book make me feel this way? Everything I can think of to write seems dull in comparison to how I truly feel about this book.
Almost from the first page, I was sucked in. Emerald doesn’t begin by setting a specific stage – she begins as though the stage has been set and then builds the world from there – something that I ABSOLUTELY loved. She takes you to the place where the characters are and lets you get to know them as people and then she gradually gives you more and more information about the world, the people, and the characters and it is just a wonderful ride to be on.
Something else that is truly a wonder is how descriptive this book is without being excessive if that makes sense? There isn’t any overly flowery language describing the way a place or character looks, but you absolutely know what they look like. The best way for me to describe Emerald’s writing as ART. We all know writing is an art form, but it is as if her pen was a paintbrush creating this world and these characters so that we, the reader, can see them and feel them and feel as if we are getting to really know them.
Soraya is everything you want in a female character – she is strong, fierce, smart, and someone you don’t want to mess with. But she also knows she isn’t perfect. She has dealt with the destruction of her people in the only way she knows how and it is determined to never break. She does everything she can to just be warrior, but we get to see as readers that, like all of us, we are not just one thing. We can be strong but have weaknesses, we can do everything we can to be the best but we are all flawed. We can build walls to be strong, but they will never be fully impenetrable.
Ikarus is something else altogether. The Demon Mask. The most feared of the Dar’rak who have overthrown Soraya’s people in Vordell. When you meet him that is all you see. But as the story goes on, you find that nothing is as it seems with him. He is not just a warrior, but a son, a friend, a brother. I think Emerald absolutely nailed him as male character because so often, men are seen as one thing on the surface, but there is so much underneath that we don’t see until we get to know them or get closer to them. And we watch Soraya do this and uncover things she never thought she would, just as Ikarus does with her.
The tension between them was palpable. It left me breathless and speechless. They are absolutely enemies, but there is something more there that is so impossible that there is really no way to know what will happen.
And I can’t leave out the side characters. They are build so well into the story. None of them feel superfluous as they all help create lives of the main characters. I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens going forward with them.
Honestly this is probably going to be one of my favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Romances of the year and probably of all time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve been sitting on my couch for a long minute now trying to find the right words to describe how this book made me FEEL.
I need to preface this by saying that it’s been a long while since I’ve had a year where I’ve had more than one 5 star read, but this book blew it out of the ball park for me & it’d be criminal if I didn’t give it 5 stars.
Now where to begin (aside from -wow-).
In the publishing world today, this would be considered a Romantasy but let me clearly state this is a fantasy forward book first. The overall plot & what is happening in the world of these characters are what truly drive the story. The romance that is sprinkled in is not the main focus of this book (but let me tell you, the CRUMBS we are given???? I was/am FERAL for it-pls give me more in book 2 or I will die).
I was delighted over the post apocalyptic/dystopian type setting with technology and magic/mythological creatures. Usually, I find that most authors that try this have a hard time realistically meshing the two together in an overall plot that works. I felt like A T Emerald did a wonderful job intertwining the two.
Reading this book, you’re really made to think about the “are monsters born or made” question. Good people doing bad things to survive and save/protect those they love. Our MCs are made to question their biases/prejudices/stereotypes they hold about each others kind. Both MCs have experienced soul crushing hardships that have molded them into the hardened characters they are now, and both think that what they are doing is for the greater good of their people.
Main characters aside, the side characters in this book are all equally fascinating, & I felt like the use of multi-POV was perfectly executed in this book. I can happily say that the multi-POV was not overdone to the extent that I felt annoyed or thought it pointless. Each POV change was perfect and well placed in terms of the direction of the story.
When I tell you that my heart was slowly being crushed by the end of this book?? The tears I shed??? The HOLLOWNESS I felt???? I thought I had it all figured out but LET ME TELL YOU. Emerald expertly distracts the reader from the real end goal, & when that’s revealed? Feels like a brutal gut punch. It didn’t feel like a random -aha!- to simply try & surprise the reader. Once this is revealed, you start thinking back to the entire book and how this realistically makes sense bc of the plot points/crumbs Emerald leaves.
Fascinating characters who are complex and multilayered, fascinating world building, fascinating character relationships/dynamics.
A 10/10 read. A MUST read of 2026. A MUST EYE AUTHOR. I will 100% be buying physical copies of this series as they release bc I want to see what else A T Emerald will pull from their sleeves.
Thank you to NetGalley & Ballentine-Delacorte Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!! :)
I need to preface this by saying that it’s been a long while since I’ve had a year where I’ve had more than one 5 star read, but this book blew it out of the ball park for me & it’d be criminal if I didn’t give it 5 stars.
Now where to begin (aside from -wow-).
In the publishing world today, this would be considered a Romantasy but let me clearly state this is a fantasy forward book first. The overall plot & what is happening in the world of these characters are what truly drive the story. The romance that is sprinkled in is not the main focus of this book (but let me tell you, the CRUMBS we are given???? I was/am FERAL for it-pls give me more in book 2 or I will die).
I was delighted over the post apocalyptic/dystopian type setting with technology and magic/mythological creatures. Usually, I find that most authors that try this have a hard time realistically meshing the two together in an overall plot that works. I felt like A T Emerald did a wonderful job intertwining the two.
Reading this book, you’re really made to think about the “are monsters born or made” question. Good people doing bad things to survive and save/protect those they love. Our MCs are made to question their biases/prejudices/stereotypes they hold about each others kind. Both MCs have experienced soul crushing hardships that have molded them into the hardened characters they are now, and both think that what they are doing is for the greater good of their people.
Main characters aside, the side characters in this book are all equally fascinating, & I felt like the use of multi-POV was perfectly executed in this book. I can happily say that the multi-POV was not overdone to the extent that I felt annoyed or thought it pointless. Each POV change was perfect and well placed in terms of the direction of the story.
When I tell you that my heart was slowly being crushed by the end of this book?? The tears I shed??? The HOLLOWNESS I felt???? I thought I had it all figured out but LET ME TELL YOU. Emerald expertly distracts the reader from the real end goal, & when that’s revealed? Feels like a brutal gut punch. It didn’t feel like a random -aha!- to simply try & surprise the reader. Once this is revealed, you start thinking back to the entire book and how this realistically makes sense bc of the plot points/crumbs Emerald leaves.
Fascinating characters who are complex and multilayered, fascinating world building, fascinating character relationships/dynamics.
A 10/10 read. A MUST read of 2026. A MUST EYE AUTHOR. I will 100% be buying physical copies of this series as they release bc I want to see what else A T Emerald will pull from their sleeves.
Thank you to NetGalley & Ballentine-Delacorte Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!! :)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What an incredible rewrite IYKYK. I found the world-building in Under the Iron Sky to be exceptionally well-crafted and distinctive. Vordell, once a land of beauty and tranquility, was plunged into chaos after the queen’s demise. Her protective reign crumbled, and creatures imprisoned by her in the underworld broke free, determined to reclaim the world above. Fifteen years later, the conflict between the “Light” harvesters and the monsters/creatures continues on.
The scenery transitions between the apocalyptic world shadowed by an Iron Sky and the toxic fumes in underworld below. The underworld is a labyrinth of caves, buildings carved into mountainsides, castles, stalagmites, and stalactites. Above, the population consists of humans and machines, while below, creatures such as Dar’raks, Ethereals, fairies, humanoid spiders, lizards, and golems inhabit the depths.
The fights and confrontation scenes were meticulously choreographed. My favorites are the ones between Soraya and Ikarus. Soraya, the top human general on the side of the light, is an expert tinkerer. She receives a lead from a Dar’rak spy and leads her people on a mission to harvest sunlight. However, she is captured by Ikarus, a ruthless, magic-wielding Dar’rak-Ethereal creature who serves as the Ramapheal’s right-hand man. Ikarus is tasked with being Soraya’s captor and extracting information from her about an ancient artifact that is believed to have the power to liberate his kind from the toxic underworld that is killing them. Ramapheal binds Soraya to Ikarus with blood magic, ensuring that her life is intertwined with his. Ikarus will always be able to find her, and if she kills him, she will perish as well. These mortal enemies engage in a fierce battle of strikes and wits. But the forced proximity forces them to question everything they were taught about each other. As their beliefs are challenged, sympathy gives way to potential attraction. This is a slow-burn… the end of book 1 is very satisfyingly wrapped up and sets the stage for the next book. I am very curious if Soraya and Ikarus will have a happy ending.
The supporting casts are interesting. I particularly like the psychotic Malakai, the drunk Emelda, the quirky Twiigs and the child-like Golla.
Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to A.T. Emerald, Ballantine | Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC. I am very excited to be among the first readers to read and voluntarily share an unbiased review.
TROPES/ THEMES: fight for survival, magic, dragons, fairies, mind reading, forced proximity, REAL enemies to lovers, slow slow burn, the light vs the dark, apocalyptic world, character redemption, character betrayal…
The scenery transitions between the apocalyptic world shadowed by an Iron Sky and the toxic fumes in underworld below. The underworld is a labyrinth of caves, buildings carved into mountainsides, castles, stalagmites, and stalactites. Above, the population consists of humans and machines, while below, creatures such as Dar’raks, Ethereals, fairies, humanoid spiders, lizards, and golems inhabit the depths.
The fights and confrontation scenes were meticulously choreographed. My favorites are the ones between Soraya and Ikarus. Soraya, the top human general on the side of the light, is an expert tinkerer. She receives a lead from a Dar’rak spy and leads her people on a mission to harvest sunlight. However, she is captured by Ikarus, a ruthless, magic-wielding Dar’rak-Ethereal creature who serves as the Ramapheal’s right-hand man. Ikarus is tasked with being Soraya’s captor and extracting information from her about an ancient artifact that is believed to have the power to liberate his kind from the toxic underworld that is killing them. Ramapheal binds Soraya to Ikarus with blood magic, ensuring that her life is intertwined with his. Ikarus will always be able to find her, and if she kills him, she will perish as well. These mortal enemies engage in a fierce battle of strikes and wits. But the forced proximity forces them to question everything they were taught about each other. As their beliefs are challenged, sympathy gives way to potential attraction. This is a slow-burn… the end of book 1 is very satisfyingly wrapped up and sets the stage for the next book. I am very curious if Soraya and Ikarus will have a happy ending.
The supporting casts are interesting. I particularly like the psychotic Malakai, the drunk Emelda, the quirky Twiigs and the child-like Golla.
Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to A.T. Emerald, Ballantine | Delacorte Press, and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC. I am very excited to be among the first readers to read and voluntarily share an unbiased review.
TROPES/ THEMES: fight for survival, magic, dragons, fairies, mind reading, forced proximity, REAL enemies to lovers, slow slow burn, the light vs the dark, apocalyptic world, character redemption, character betrayal…
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June 6, 2026Under the Iron Sky was a great debut. I flew through this book! The opening immediately hooked me, and from there I was invested in the characters and world. Ikarus and Soraya's relationship was done perfectly. I liked that they were true enemies. Their push and pull relationship was exactly what I wanted to see in an enemies-to-lovers book. Despite being on different sides of the war, they were much more alike than either of them realized. The ending set up book two perfectly, and I'm excited to see what the group has planned next. Overall, this was an impressive debut with compelling characters, strong worldbuilding, and plenty of twists. I'm excited to continue with the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC.
June 10, 2026
“They were like a sun and moon, slowly circling each other, each fighting for their chance to eclipse the other.”
True enemies to lovers. Soraya and Ikarus, grew up on opposite sides of the war: one above, one below the earth. When they are forced to spend time together and grow to know each other intimately, their truths become blurred, truths they had been taught from childhood.
The world is so unique and creative. The Vordellians: their technology and science of converting sunlight into Light to power everything: weapons, transport, buildings, familiars. The Dar’rak: banished underground, with magical powers and all sorts of monstrous creatures.
Soraya is a major badass. Capable, enjoys tinkering and fixing things, deadly. The pride of the Vordellians. Tactician. Daughter of the general. Bleeding heart. Tired. Her tenacity, moral compass, and drive to shield and protect others, define her.
•High stakes, espionage, lies
•Dragons, fairies, half spider creatures, mechanical familiars, golems (Twiigs and Golla captured my heart)
•Deadly illness
•Friends who ARE family
•Forced proximity
•Prophecy
•Plot twists
•Sci-fi/dystopian/fantasy
“The two of you together—oh, the things you could do. So, so terrible. Or you could remake this and every world.”
There were a few issues, for me. The author didn’t seem to have a great concept of distance. While I know this story doesn’t take place on earth, flying hundreds of miles in the air doesn’t seem realistic to me, as well as “a good few miles underground.” Also, this is definitely a ‘me problem,’ but I hate how many times “skull” was used, instead of just saying head. It seemed like she wanted to use common phrases, but make them *special* (“tearing your enemies apart with your bare fingers”). The dragon’s head is the size of at least 2 jets. Soraya is unhardened by the war— still willing to sacrifice herself and question if one life was worth thousands. Recognizable (hundreds of miles in the air in a jet) enough to be captured and let go of all the Light. Given the nickname God Killer. I guess I didn’t see enough evidence of her ruthlessness/deadliness to warrant a nickname that had the enemies retreating when it was screamed. Ikarus and his 3 pillars/ memories makes sense to how he became the way he is. But Soraya seems all over the place.
Can’t wait for the next book! Excited to see what Soraya and Ikarus can do as a team (along with Aeris, Malakai, and Emelda). I would love to see more of the Vordellian base and people, as well as learn more about Ramaphael and the Arch.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books/Delacorte Press for the eARC.
True enemies to lovers. Soraya and Ikarus, grew up on opposite sides of the war: one above, one below the earth. When they are forced to spend time together and grow to know each other intimately, their truths become blurred, truths they had been taught from childhood.
The world is so unique and creative. The Vordellians: their technology and science of converting sunlight into Light to power everything: weapons, transport, buildings, familiars. The Dar’rak: banished underground, with magical powers and all sorts of monstrous creatures.
Soraya is a major badass. Capable, enjoys tinkering and fixing things, deadly. The pride of the Vordellians. Tactician. Daughter of the general. Bleeding heart. Tired. Her tenacity, moral compass, and drive to shield and protect others, define her.
•High stakes, espionage, lies
•Dragons, fairies, half spider creatures, mechanical familiars, golems (Twiigs and Golla captured my heart)
•Deadly illness
•Friends who ARE family
•Forced proximity
•Prophecy
•Plot twists
•Sci-fi/dystopian/fantasy
“The two of you together—oh, the things you could do. So, so terrible. Or you could remake this and every world.”
There were a few issues, for me. The author didn’t seem to have a great concept of distance. While I know this story doesn’t take place on earth, flying hundreds of miles in the air doesn’t seem realistic to me, as well as “a good few miles underground.” Also, this is definitely a ‘me problem,’ but I hate how many times “skull” was used, instead of just saying head. It seemed like she wanted to use common phrases, but make them *special* (“tearing your enemies apart with your bare fingers”). The dragon’s head is the size of at least 2 jets. Soraya is unhardened by the war— still willing to sacrifice herself and question if one life was worth thousands. Recognizable (hundreds of miles in the air in a jet) enough to be captured and let go of all the Light. Given the nickname God Killer. I guess I didn’t see enough evidence of her ruthlessness/deadliness to warrant a nickname that had the enemies retreating when it was screamed. Ikarus and his 3 pillars/ memories makes sense to how he became the way he is. But Soraya seems all over the place.
Can’t wait for the next book! Excited to see what Soraya and Ikarus can do as a team (along with Aeris, Malakai, and Emelda). I would love to see more of the Vordellian base and people, as well as learn more about Ramaphael and the Arch.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books/Delacorte Press for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“They were so different in blood and upbringing, on different sides of the war facing opposite directions, but more alike than she’d ever expected.”
Vordell, once a beautiful empire, has fallen under the might of the Dar’rak and their Iron Sky. Soraya Tollmere has spent her life on the front lines of Vordell’s losing war, until a mission goes awry and she is captured by the Demon, a high-ranking Dar’rak general, so that they might use her memories to find intelligence that could decisively end the war. As the Demon searches Soraya’s mind, the lines between captor and prisoner, enemy and ally blur - will their greatest foe be their only salvation?
Under the Iron Sky was everything I wanted it to be - brilliant and brutal. The world A.T. Emerald has created is indisputably fantasy (magic wielders, fairies, spider-people, a dark kingdom under the earth), yet also has fascinating sci-fi/dystopian elements. The Vordellians harnessed sunlight to power incredible technology, and even after being invaded, are able to maintain a resistance due to their technological advancements, such as light-based guns, weapons, and shields. The Dar’rak, on the other hand, rely almost entirely on magic - telekenesis mostly - and magical creatures to fight. They are very dangerous, but the war seems more realistically matched due to these nuances of different fighting styles.
Though I found the world to be immersive and amazing, Soraya and the Demon were the standouts. Two sides of the same coin, they fight fiercely for their people, both firmly believing that they have no other choice to preserve their loved ones. Despite this, they can’t help but be drawn to each other, as hesitant allies, reluctant friends, and possible lovers (keep in mind however, very very slow burn). I found their interactions enthralling as they got to know each other through Soraya’s memories. One of the things that really stood out is how strongly I felt toward both characters. In these types of stories, it’s easy to paint one side as ultimately more villainous, but as we get to know the Dar’rak, it’s not so simple to see them as evil. Each character operates in “morally gray”, though Soraya’s heart and strong moral compass make her an easy protagonist to love.
I can’t speak too much on how the plot develops for spoiler reasons, but this is an amazing debut novel. I absolutely devoured this and cannot wait to pick up the next!
✨ 5 stars! ✨
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine | Delacorte Press for providing an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Vordell, once a beautiful empire, has fallen under the might of the Dar’rak and their Iron Sky. Soraya Tollmere has spent her life on the front lines of Vordell’s losing war, until a mission goes awry and she is captured by the Demon, a high-ranking Dar’rak general, so that they might use her memories to find intelligence that could decisively end the war. As the Demon searches Soraya’s mind, the lines between captor and prisoner, enemy and ally blur - will their greatest foe be their only salvation?
Under the Iron Sky was everything I wanted it to be - brilliant and brutal. The world A.T. Emerald has created is indisputably fantasy (magic wielders, fairies, spider-people, a dark kingdom under the earth), yet also has fascinating sci-fi/dystopian elements. The Vordellians harnessed sunlight to power incredible technology, and even after being invaded, are able to maintain a resistance due to their technological advancements, such as light-based guns, weapons, and shields. The Dar’rak, on the other hand, rely almost entirely on magic - telekenesis mostly - and magical creatures to fight. They are very dangerous, but the war seems more realistically matched due to these nuances of different fighting styles.
Though I found the world to be immersive and amazing, Soraya and the Demon were the standouts. Two sides of the same coin, they fight fiercely for their people, both firmly believing that they have no other choice to preserve their loved ones. Despite this, they can’t help but be drawn to each other, as hesitant allies, reluctant friends, and possible lovers (keep in mind however, very very slow burn). I found their interactions enthralling as they got to know each other through Soraya’s memories. One of the things that really stood out is how strongly I felt toward both characters. In these types of stories, it’s easy to paint one side as ultimately more villainous, but as we get to know the Dar’rak, it’s not so simple to see them as evil. Each character operates in “morally gray”, though Soraya’s heart and strong moral compass make her an easy protagonist to love.
I can’t speak too much on how the plot develops for spoiler reasons, but this is an amazing debut novel. I absolutely devoured this and cannot wait to pick up the next!
✨ 5 stars! ✨
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine | Delacorte Press for providing an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
June 12, 2026
“we’ll be side by side, me and you, written on the walls in blood”
5/5. Spectacular. No notes. Except, well, I have some notes.
When I got into the Dramione bug I had 3 big works that had me addicted. Manacled, The auction and Secrets and masks. I have read and loved the trad published version of the first two and I was over the moon when the author announced she’s rewriting her work for publishing. Tho considering how bad the ending to secrets and masks got me I am stressed 😂
First of all I want to say A.T. Emerald’s writing is spectacular. It has this addictive quality to it that it only took me a few pages to be unable to put this down. She turned the world into a very well executed blend of sci fi and fantastical elements that’s very easy to comprehend and follow. The pacing was perfect, I was not bored for a second, not even in the slower parts of the story. She kept some of my favorite parts from the original fanfic and added on to them seamlessly that had I not already known what I was reading, I would dance never guessed this story was originally written in a different universe.
The characters. THE CHARACTERS 😩 in love with both Soraya and Ikarus (and can I just say how on the nose perfection this name was) but the secondary ones as well. The found family adds so much to the story and to the MMCs character and motivation. I’m not one for tropes reading or reviewing, but if you want enemies to lovers that stay that way through the entire first book, I highly recommend picking this up. Both the main characters are very morally ambiguous. In a war setting, they have both committed atrocities for their cause, going to any lengths to protect what they think is right. The tension and banter between them is “chefs kiss”, their interactions feel natural and the overall flow of both their relationship and the story reads seamlessly.
“What makes you think you’ll be rid of me in death? What makes you think I won’t follow you there, just so this thing between us never has to end?”
“I will find you in the next life, in every life, and torture you for eternity! You do this, and you will never be rid of me!”
Now one of my favorite books. Foaming at the mouth for the next one😭
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for my arc copy!
5/5. Spectacular. No notes. Except, well, I have some notes.
When I got into the Dramione bug I had 3 big works that had me addicted. Manacled, The auction and Secrets and masks. I have read and loved the trad published version of the first two and I was over the moon when the author announced she’s rewriting her work for publishing. Tho considering how bad the ending to secrets and masks got me I am stressed 😂
First of all I want to say A.T. Emerald’s writing is spectacular. It has this addictive quality to it that it only took me a few pages to be unable to put this down. She turned the world into a very well executed blend of sci fi and fantastical elements that’s very easy to comprehend and follow. The pacing was perfect, I was not bored for a second, not even in the slower parts of the story. She kept some of my favorite parts from the original fanfic and added on to them seamlessly that had I not already known what I was reading, I would dance never guessed this story was originally written in a different universe.
The characters. THE CHARACTERS 😩 in love with both Soraya and Ikarus (and can I just say how on the nose perfection this name was) but the secondary ones as well. The found family adds so much to the story and to the MMCs character and motivation. I’m not one for tropes reading or reviewing, but if you want enemies to lovers that stay that way through the entire first book, I highly recommend picking this up. Both the main characters are very morally ambiguous. In a war setting, they have both committed atrocities for their cause, going to any lengths to protect what they think is right. The tension and banter between them is “chefs kiss”, their interactions feel natural and the overall flow of both their relationship and the story reads seamlessly.
“What makes you think you’ll be rid of me in death? What makes you think I won’t follow you there, just so this thing between us never has to end?”
“I will find you in the next life, in every life, and torture you for eternity! You do this, and you will never be rid of me!”
Now one of my favorite books. Foaming at the mouth for the next one😭
Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for my arc copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 GLOWING ⭐️
MINDBLOWN.
There is no doubt in my heart this will be my top book of the year.
A fallen empire. A warrior determined to protect her people. And the masked soldier who captures her behind enemy lines. This is the first novel in a dark, seductive, and all-consuming trilogy where hope is fickle but the fight is never over.
I am completely at a loss for words. I had huge expectations for this book, as it was my most anticipated read of the year, and I want to cry because it absolutely did not disappoint.
A.T. Emerald is a brilliant writer. How she manages to rip these emotions out of you through her storytelling is just insane.
This book had EVERYTHING I could possibly ask for.
Amazingly crafted world-building ✅
Compelling characters ✅
Dark fantasy setting ✅
Romance ✅
REAL enemies-to-lovers ✅
Tension ✅
Slow burn ✅
Angst ✅
Soraya and Ikarus were such well-written characters, and I’m so glad we got both of their POVs. They felt so real and each endured their own share of suffering, and the horrific things that happened to them shaped who they became. They see each other as monsters, but slowly they begin to unravel, peeling back the layers and realizing they aren’t who they thought they were. There’s no insta love here—it’s a slow buildup. These two absolutely loathed, wanted to kill each other. A.T. Emerald did an amazing job at developing their relationship. TRUE enemies-to-lovers. I’m so obsessed with these two ❤️
The other characters were just as good! I freaking loved Malakai 🥹
Ramapheal was incredibly creepy, but also a very well-written villain.
I will always love a book that makes me FEEL. There were so many heartbreaking moments, and I know this is only the beginning. I’m already bracing myself for all the pain that’s still to come 😩
The ending wasn’t the worst cliffhanger, but it stops at a very crucial turning point and delivers a lot of shocking reveals.
I tried to pace myself because I didn’t want this book to end 😭 Now I’m sad that I’ll have to wait a while for the sequel 💔 I’ll be impatiently waiting to get back to this insane world and amazing characters 🥹
Thank you A.T Emerald for writing one of my favorite books ever. Truly ❤️
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine/Delacorte Press for the ARC
MINDBLOWN.
There is no doubt in my heart this will be my top book of the year.
A fallen empire. A warrior determined to protect her people. And the masked soldier who captures her behind enemy lines. This is the first novel in a dark, seductive, and all-consuming trilogy where hope is fickle but the fight is never over.
I am completely at a loss for words. I had huge expectations for this book, as it was my most anticipated read of the year, and I want to cry because it absolutely did not disappoint.
A.T. Emerald is a brilliant writer. How she manages to rip these emotions out of you through her storytelling is just insane.
This book had EVERYTHING I could possibly ask for.
Amazingly crafted world-building ✅
Compelling characters ✅
Dark fantasy setting ✅
Romance ✅
REAL enemies-to-lovers ✅
Tension ✅
Slow burn ✅
Angst ✅
Soraya and Ikarus were such well-written characters, and I’m so glad we got both of their POVs. They felt so real and each endured their own share of suffering, and the horrific things that happened to them shaped who they became. They see each other as monsters, but slowly they begin to unravel, peeling back the layers and realizing they aren’t who they thought they were. There’s no insta love here—it’s a slow buildup. These two absolutely loathed, wanted to kill each other. A.T. Emerald did an amazing job at developing their relationship. TRUE enemies-to-lovers. I’m so obsessed with these two ❤️
The other characters were just as good! I freaking loved Malakai 🥹
Ramapheal was incredibly creepy, but also a very well-written villain.
I will always love a book that makes me FEEL. There were so many heartbreaking moments, and I know this is only the beginning. I’m already bracing myself for all the pain that’s still to come 😩
The ending wasn’t the worst cliffhanger, but it stops at a very crucial turning point and delivers a lot of shocking reveals.
I tried to pace myself because I didn’t want this book to end 😭 Now I’m sad that I’ll have to wait a while for the sequel 💔 I’ll be impatiently waiting to get back to this insane world and amazing characters 🥹
Thank you A.T Emerald for writing one of my favorite books ever. Truly ❤️
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine/Delacorte Press for the ARC
June 8, 2026
♾️⭐️✨
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
INFINITY STARS!!! Five stars simply are not enough!!
I am calling it now: Under the Iron Sky is my favorite book of the year. I’m sorry to all of the other books I read this year, nothing will compare to UTIS 😭
This is one of those rare books that completely consumed me. Whenever I had to set it aside, I couldn't stop thinking about it, and the moment I returned, I was instantly swept back into the story.
A.T. Emerald has created one of the most immersive fantasy worlds I have ever read. The worldbuilding feels both intricate and effortless, unfolding naturally as the story progresses.
And the romance?
This is what I mean when I say true enemies to lovers. Soraya and Ikarus are genuinely on opposing sides, and you can feel their hatred for one another screaming from the page. Their relationship is complicated, messy, and blurs the lines of everything they once held true. Neither wants to fall for the other, but it almost feels inevitable from the start. The tension, the push and pull, and the emotional complexity between them are absolutely delicious and everything I wish more romantasy enemies to lovers romances delivered.
But what truly elevates this story is that the emotional investment doesn't stop with the romance.
The supporting cast is not there to fill space around the main couple. Their relationships, choices, loyalties, and personal arcs all have a meaningful impact on the story. The found family elements are some of my favorite parts of the book, and I became just as invested in many of the side characters as I was in Soraya and Ikarus. (Cannot wait to see how Malakai’s story develops in book 2 and 3 😭)
I finished this book feeling equal parts satisfied and completely wrecked.
October cannot come soon enough for everyone else, and I am already desperate for book two.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
INFINITY STARS!!! Five stars simply are not enough!!
I am calling it now: Under the Iron Sky is my favorite book of the year. I’m sorry to all of the other books I read this year, nothing will compare to UTIS 😭
This is one of those rare books that completely consumed me. Whenever I had to set it aside, I couldn't stop thinking about it, and the moment I returned, I was instantly swept back into the story.
A.T. Emerald has created one of the most immersive fantasy worlds I have ever read. The worldbuilding feels both intricate and effortless, unfolding naturally as the story progresses.
And the romance?
This is what I mean when I say true enemies to lovers. Soraya and Ikarus are genuinely on opposing sides, and you can feel their hatred for one another screaming from the page. Their relationship is complicated, messy, and blurs the lines of everything they once held true. Neither wants to fall for the other, but it almost feels inevitable from the start. The tension, the push and pull, and the emotional complexity between them are absolutely delicious and everything I wish more romantasy enemies to lovers romances delivered.
But what truly elevates this story is that the emotional investment doesn't stop with the romance.
The supporting cast is not there to fill space around the main couple. Their relationships, choices, loyalties, and personal arcs all have a meaningful impact on the story. The found family elements are some of my favorite parts of the book, and I became just as invested in many of the side characters as I was in Soraya and Ikarus. (Cannot wait to see how Malakai’s story develops in book 2 and 3 😭)
I finished this book feeling equal parts satisfied and completely wrecked.
October cannot come soon enough for everyone else, and I am already desperate for book two.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A cinematic experience confined within ink on the pages that utterly stole my breath and thoughts!
It was brilliance in its purest form and such an incredible honor to read the newest Romantasy release that is going to take the book world by storm
Creative and unique stories like this rarely come around and when I tell you this enemies to lovers is the best thing I’ve read in a while I truly mean the the fight sequences, the world building, and plot twists felt like watching a movie play across my eyes.
I COULDN’T PUT THE BOOK DOWN!
Two opposing enemies are thrust into a war and turned into violent weapons and they suffer the consequences of other’s choices and fate.
Soraya is a tenacious, intelligent, strategic FMC and my favorite attribute to her character is the strength of her soft side is equal to her battle skills.
Ikarus is uncompromising, ruthless, and willing to burn the world to ash on the back of his dragon for those he protects.
Together, the enemies to lovers is on a whole new tier for these two who literally come to physically blows. Yet the chemistry between them is ELECTRIC and volatile and a literal written masterpiece.
The world building perfectly balanced complexity without confusion. The backstory and history was a captivating challenging argument for who was right or wrong and it bleeds onto the pages with indignant righteousness from both sides and their belief in their moral superiority for decisions they made.
The familiars and side characters brought struggles and heartbreak, but also comedic relief that brought color to the pages of a gray bleak world filled with war, death, and revenge.
I’m still screaming in excitement I got to read this now, crying from the emotional devastation I just endured, and jaw dropping every time I think about that ending!!
1000% recommend running to request this on Netgalley to read an ARC or preorder a copy and make room on your shelf because you need this story in your life.
It was brilliance in its purest form and such an incredible honor to read the newest Romantasy release that is going to take the book world by storm
Creative and unique stories like this rarely come around and when I tell you this enemies to lovers is the best thing I’ve read in a while I truly mean the the fight sequences, the world building, and plot twists felt like watching a movie play across my eyes.
I COULDN’T PUT THE BOOK DOWN!
Two opposing enemies are thrust into a war and turned into violent weapons and they suffer the consequences of other’s choices and fate.
Soraya is a tenacious, intelligent, strategic FMC and my favorite attribute to her character is the strength of her soft side is equal to her battle skills.
Ikarus is uncompromising, ruthless, and willing to burn the world to ash on the back of his dragon for those he protects.
Together, the enemies to lovers is on a whole new tier for these two who literally come to physically blows. Yet the chemistry between them is ELECTRIC and volatile and a literal written masterpiece.
The world building perfectly balanced complexity without confusion. The backstory and history was a captivating challenging argument for who was right or wrong and it bleeds onto the pages with indignant righteousness from both sides and their belief in their moral superiority for decisions they made.
The familiars and side characters brought struggles and heartbreak, but also comedic relief that brought color to the pages of a gray bleak world filled with war, death, and revenge.
I’m still screaming in excitement I got to read this now, crying from the emotional devastation I just endured, and jaw dropping every time I think about that ending!!
1000% recommend running to request this on Netgalley to read an ARC or preorder a copy and make room on your shelf because you need this story in your life.
Review of advance copy
Ľudia moji, čo by som k tejto knihe povedala. Kým som sa začítala, chvíľu to trvalo, pretože aj keď je Under The Iron Sky zaradená do žánru fantasy, na začiatku príbehu si myslím, že som bola hodená do dystopie/sci-fi/fantasy mixu, na čo som nebola úplne pripravená a dosť ma to vykoľajilo. Nečakala som žiadne zbrane fungujúce na slnečnú energiu, žiadne solárne panely v tvare slnečníc, mechanické zvieratá, stíhačky a podobne, no keď som si zvykla na to, že jedna hlavná postava pilotujte lietadlo a druhá jazdí na drakovi (a podobné, podľa mňa, divné kombinácie), tak som si príbeh začala fakticky užívať.
Príbeh bol zaujímavý, dosť originálny aaaaa hlavne postavy prepracované.
Hlavný konflikt sa pomaly pekne odvíjal a odhaľovali sa tajomstvá, ktoré zapadali do seba ako puzzle.
Vzťahy bola zas ďalšia vec, ktorá tú knihu riadne ťahala. Nie takým jednoznačným spôsobom, nemyslím si, že nejaká romantická linka bola v popredí, to vôbec nie, skôr takým spôsobom, že keď si o niekom myslíš, že je to absolútny hajzel a potom ho (nechtiac) začneš spoznávať a uvedomíš si, že je to hajzel, áno, ale má na to podobné dôvody ako ty (pretože aj ty si hajzel, v ženskej verzii). A teraz ste obaja riadne krvilačné hovädá, ktoré na to majú dôvod a okolnosti, ktoré ich k tomu priviedli a ide len o to, čo už bude pre tieto postavy za hranicami. Čo by už nespravili… extrém.
Takéto enemies to still enemies som ešte necitala a bolo to extrémne dobre napísané.
Niektoré scény ma reálne zasahovali tak, že mi vbehli slzy do očí. Vojna je krutá, a spraví z ľuďmi rôzne veci, z ich psychikou a vnímaním sveta a dôležitosti vecí.
Páčilo sa mi to veľmi.
Dlhší začiatok a pomalší stred (kedy sa na môj vkus všetky akčné scény diali rýchlo a potom menej akčné scény sa tiahli), prišlo asi posledných cca 30% knihy a ja som ostala úplne mimo z toho, čo so mnou knižka spravila. Extrémne sa teším na pokračovanie…
(knižku som čítala ako posudok pre slovenské vydavateľstvo)
Príbeh bol zaujímavý, dosť originálny aaaaa hlavne postavy prepracované.
Hlavný konflikt sa pomaly pekne odvíjal a odhaľovali sa tajomstvá, ktoré zapadali do seba ako puzzle.
Vzťahy bola zas ďalšia vec, ktorá tú knihu riadne ťahala. Nie takým jednoznačným spôsobom, nemyslím si, že nejaká romantická linka bola v popredí, to vôbec nie, skôr takým spôsobom, že keď si o niekom myslíš, že je to absolútny hajzel a potom ho (nechtiac) začneš spoznávať a uvedomíš si, že je to hajzel, áno, ale má na to podobné dôvody ako ty (pretože aj ty si hajzel, v ženskej verzii). A teraz ste obaja riadne krvilačné hovädá, ktoré na to majú dôvod a okolnosti, ktoré ich k tomu priviedli a ide len o to, čo už bude pre tieto postavy za hranicami. Čo by už nespravili… extrém.
Takéto enemies to still enemies som ešte necitala a bolo to extrémne dobre napísané.
Niektoré scény ma reálne zasahovali tak, že mi vbehli slzy do očí. Vojna je krutá, a spraví z ľuďmi rôzne veci, z ich psychikou a vnímaním sveta a dôležitosti vecí.
Páčilo sa mi to veľmi.
Dlhší začiatok a pomalší stred (kedy sa na môj vkus všetky akčné scény diali rýchlo a potom menej akčné scény sa tiahli), prišlo asi posledných cca 30% knihy a ja som ostala úplne mimo z toho, čo so mnou knižka spravila. Extrémne sa teším na pokračovanie…
(knižku som čítala ako posudok pre slovenské vydavateľstvo)
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