Nyssa came to Velmira to become nobody. Fate had other plans. For twenty years, her village blamed her for every misfortune since the night she was born beneath a sky that bled gold. Velmira is her only chance at a new life: survive one week at the academy, awaken as a Bearer, earn a place in the army—or return home with nothing. That was the plan. Then the king of Solkoris decides he wants her. And the dragon prince can’t stop hunting her scent. One would freeze the world to claim her. The other would burn a kingdom to keep her. She came to Velmira to disappear into something ordinary. She should have stayed home. A slow-burn romantasy with dragons, enemies to lovers, and dangerous obsession.
Enemies to lovers. Fated mates. Chosen one who refuses to be.
Pixie Hart writes romantasy about dragon shifters, dangerous kings, and women who were never meant to kneel.
Her debut novel, Between Wings and Flames, opens The Between Saga — a fantasy romance built for readers who love morally grey men, slow-burn tension, ancient magic, political intrigue, and impossible choices.
She writes for those who believe love should feel like a warning, power always comes with a price, and the most dangerous thing a heroine can do is survive long enough to choose for herself.
Pixie Hart’s Between Wings and Flames opens The Between Saga with an appealing romantasy premise: Nyssa enters Velmira hoping to disappear, only to find herself caught between a dangerous human king and a dragon prince who commands fire. The story combines dragons, awakening magical powers, political conflict, prophecy, and a romantic choice shaped by forces older than the kingdoms themselves.
These ingredients give the novel immediate commercial appeal. Yet familiarity is both the novel’s strength and its most persistent limitation. Between Wings and Flames offers an entertaining foundation and flashes of genuine promise, but its character development, pacing, and balance between exposition and dramatization do not always feel equally refined.
We encounter an intriguing world that sometimes explains too much. One of the book’s strongest qualities is its central setting. Velmira is presented as a place where humans and dragons share power and where every soul possesses the potential to awaken. That concept creates fertile ground for political tension, social hierarchy, and personal transformation. The magical and political elements also give Nyssa’s romantic predicament consequences beyond simple attraction. Her choices potentially affect competing kingdoms and older supernatural forces. At the same time, the world-building seems to occupy so much narrative space that it occasionally slows the story’s momentum.
This is where a stronger commitment to “show, don’t tell” could have elevated the novel. Instead of explaining every relevant custom, power structure, or magical principle as it becomes important, the narrative could allow Nyssa to encounter those rules through consequences. A failed decision, an uncomfortable public ritual, or a misunderstanding with a dragon would allow readers to absorb the world while remaining emotionally involved. The setting is compelling enough to sustain that more immersive approach.
Nyssa has the foundations of an engaging protagonist. She is treated as cursed and blamed by those around her, yet appears capable of fulfilling a much greater role than the one society has assigned her. That resistance makes her more interesting than a heroine who accepts extraordinary power without hesitation.
Her desire to disappear also establishes a meaningful internal conflict. She wants safety and anonymity, while the external plot continually pushes her toward visibility, power, and consequential choices. Thematically, this creates an effective tension between fate and self-determination.
However, Nyssa’s development would be more convincing if the narrative gave greater weight to the decisions she makes independently of the men surrounding her. The description repeatedly positions her as someone who is watched, wanted, claimed, or chosen by larger forces.
For her arc to reach its full potential, her eventual choices need to arise from clearly dramatized values, fears, and ambitions. What does she want beyond survival? What kind of power would she refuse, even if accepting it protected her? What does freedom mean to her when every available option comes with an obligation? The story raises these questions, but greater interior depth and more decisive action would make her transformation feel earned rather than merely destined.
What keeps the novel at three stars is the uneven balance between world-building and momentum, the limited depth afforded to some characters, and the need for Nyssa to exercise more visible agency within her own story. The romantic tension is engaging, but the relationships would have greater impact if the love interests were defined by more than elemental contrast and possessive intensity.
This book is kind of a mixed bag, though the writer has talent. It also seems to even have other versions, such as a Spanish language version, which is cool. Much of the story focuses on the POV of Nyssa, who sort of reminds me of a Jonah character from the Biblical story. She seems cursed and is blamed for many things by the locals, but she has a chance to fulfill much greater things. This one has the usual fantasy tropes-- prophecy, dragons, magic, academies for training, etc. However, the writer has a nice style and many people will love the enemies becoming lovers spicy romance elements. Once again, like Jonah, it seems Nyssa does not really want the burdens or the heroic greatness that could be hers for the taking, but she must discover a way to navigate tough choices. Recommended for lovers of fantasy or romantic love stories.
This book delivers EXACTLY what modern romantasy promises, but with a sharper emotional edge and a more psychologically grounded heroine than the genre often allows.
Nyssa isn’t your typical chosen one. She’s shaped by rejection, burdened by a lifetime of blame, and driven less by destiny than by a desperate need to redefine herself. That internal conflict gives the story weight, turning what could have been a familiar trope into something far more compelling.
The world of Velmira unfolds with a steady, immersive pace, balancing academy intrigue, political tension, and the looming pull of fate. The magic system feels purposeful, and the stakes escalate in a way that keeps the tension simmering rather than rushing to spectacle.
Where this book truly stands out is in its romantic dynamics. The dual male leads—one cold, one consuming—create a magnetic push-pull that leans into obsession without losing emotional nuance. (Did I mention that the Dual POV is CHEF'S KISS???) The slow burn is deliberate, and when it ignites, it does so with intensity that feels earned rather than manufactured.
Fans of enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, and morally complex desire will find plenty to sink into here. But beyond the tropes, this is a story about identity, autonomy, and what it means to choose yourself when the world insists you belong to something greater.
A strong start to a series that clearly understands both the fantasy and the psychology behind desire.
Between Wings and Flames is an enjoyable start to a fantasy romance series, blending magic, danger, and slow-burning attraction into an engaging adventure. The story introduces a richly imagined world where fate, ancient powers, and forbidden desire intertwine, creating plenty of intrigue as the characters navigate both external threats and their growing feelings for one another. The magical elements add depth to the world, and there are enough twists to keep the pages turning. Fans of character-driven fantasy with a touch of spice will find plenty to enjoy here. At times for me, the pacing slows a little too much as the world-building takes centre stage, and a few characters could have been explored in greater depth. Even so, the immersive setting, and satisfying blend of romance and fantasy make this a strong opening to the series. A captivating read for romantasy fans. Between Wings and Flames is an enjoyable start to a fantasy romance series, blending magic, danger, and slow-burning attraction into an engaging adventure. The story introduces a richly imagined world where fate, ancient powers, and forbidden desire intertwine, creating plenty of intrigue as the characters navigate both external threats and their growing feelings for one another. The magical elements add depth to the world, and there are enough twists to keep the pages turning. Fans of character-driven fantasy with a touch of spice will find plenty to enjoy here. At times for me, the pacing slows a little too much as the world-building takes centre stage, and a few characters could have been explored in greater depth. Even so, the immersive setting, and satisfying blend of romance and fantasy make this a strong opening to the series. A captivating read for romantasy fans. The author does a good job of balancing moments of tension with quieter scenes that allow the characters and their relationships to breathe. The ending leaves enough unanswered questions to create genuine anticipation for the next instalment without feeling incomplete. Overall, it's a well-crafted debut that delivers romance, adventure, and magic in equal measure, making it an easy recommendation for fans of the genre.
What an interesting read this book was. I saw it in my kindle app and decided to try a whole new genre for me. I am so glad I did! The main characters are so very similar in grit and yet so very different in reality. Our heroine Nyssa does not know who she is, has questions about her mother and her background shows us that she is living a life that does not feel like hers. The Kael character is fascinating, he is both invincible and vulnerable and switches between each emotion in an instant. Although he is a dragon prince, he is a highly relatable character and completely understandable. I grew to appreciate his inner voice and emotions. Drake was both predicable and unexpected, a controlled version of breeding and human emotion. The character contrasts made this book what it is. An engrossing read. The central romance of this book, was hard to pinpoint at the start, as we believe we know how the story will go. We have so many moving parts, and things change in a few hours. Romance was also the core of the action and the reason for it. The heroine is no silly girl with romantic whims, she is a woman who knows what she wants, but finds it in different places, and that becomes the issue for her. The depth of each characters feelings becomes obvious as the novel moves ahead. Each travels at its own pace externally, and to the eyes of the world. We see the world Nyssa lives in expand and grown and we are allowed to witness it through different sets of eyes. Read it, you will be glad you did.
Slow-burn romantasy with tension that keeps you turning the pages. “Between Wings and Flames” hooked me from its opening scene of Nyssa’s dream to the Awakening festival events that just left me wanting more. The author crafts a vivid fantasy world of dragons, magical powers, and a prophecy that sets the tone for the book from page 1.
The contrast between the king and the dragon prince fuels most of the book’s heat and obsession, and the slow-burn pacing does a lot to turn up the chemistry. Secondary dynamics such as friendships, rivalries, and the mystery of Nyssa’s past all contribute to building up the tension and contribute to several satisfying plot twists and turns that stay with you long after you have finished the scene.
What fell short was the pacing in the middle, where repetitive phrasing and worldbuilding occasionally overshadow character development. I felt that a few supporting characters could have used more spotlight to make them more impactful. A couple of plot threads also appear to be setting up the ground for future books, which could delight series readers but may very well frustrate those who want a more self-contained storyline.
Overall this is a well-written romantasy with passion, danger, and emotional depth that is perfect for fans of darker fantasy romance with dragon magic and high-stakes adventures.
I love fated mates, so this book immediately caught my attention, and I was excited to see where the story would go. I really enjoyed the combination of fantasy, romance, dragons, and magic, and the slow-burn attraction gave the story plenty of tension without rushing things.
Nyssa was easy to root for. I liked that she wasn't simply waiting for fate to decide everything for her. She wants a different life, she has her own goals, and she keeps pushing forward even when everything around her starts changing. That made her feel much more interesting to me as a main character.
I also enjoyed learning about Velmira and the world around her as the story developed. There was enough world-building to make the setting feel different and intriguing without dumping too much information on the reader at once. The king and the dragon prince bring very different energy to the story, and I liked the added tension that creates around Nyssa.
There are plenty of familiar romantasy elements here, but they come together in a fun way. If you enjoy dragons, enemies to lovers, fated mates, magic, and a heroine caught up in something much bigger than she expected, this is an enjoyable start to the series. I would definitely read the next one.
Stepping into this debut fantasy romance chronicle offers an exceptional immersion into a world defined by magical academies, deep-seated political friction, and powerful fated connections. I deeply valued how the text frames the profound isolation of a reluctant chosen protagonist, balancing her desire for ordinary survival with the compounding attention of two rival rulers. The chapters excel at formatting an atmosphere driven narrative where the physical parameters of the world echo the internal conflict, pitting the freezing dominance of one monarch against the fiery, predatory obsession of a dragon prince. I was particularly impressed by the slow burn pacing of the central relationships, utilizing traditional enemies to lovers structures to elevate the emotional and political stakes of the plot. The author maintains an authoritative, highly engaging, and visceral tone throughout, making this opening saga an outstanding resource for readers who appreciate structured, character driven speculative romance anchored by elemental magic
The worldbuilding and setup pulled me in quickly, especially with the academy setting, dragons, magic, and the mystery surrounding Nyssa’s past. There’s a strong sense of destiny and danger hanging over the story from the beginning.
The romantic tension between the characters keeps the story moving, particularly for readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers dynamics, possessive love interests, fated mates, and emotionally intense relationships. The contrast between the king and the dragon prince also added an interesting layer of conflict and obsession.
Nyssa’s desire to disappear into an ordinary life while constantly being pulled toward something bigger gave the story emotional tension beyond just the romance.
Overall, an entertaining romantasy with dragons, magic, slow-burning attraction, and dramatic emotional stakes for fans of darker fantasy romance.
Ugh! I hate when a balanced plot is ruined by grammar and laziness. Proof. Read. Take the time to make the corrections. So many scattered thoughts, like the author was trying too hard to be poetic. Many many repeats, I had to go back numerous times just to be sure I hadn’t already read that part. Random characters just showing up like they had been there the whole time - that’s laziness. Two females having a conversation but then it switches to “he said”, and you have to go back to see if you missed something in the dialogue. Speaking of dialogue, the conversations just ramble. The characters saying things that don’t make sense, trying so hard to be witty but it comes off forced. Somebody needs to go through and clean up this whole book because the plot isn’t bad, it was just the presentation that’s disappointing.
First, I love books where the heroine is underestimated, just another human girl with a beautiful face and maybe a little athletic talent. Nope. This FMC had more dimension. Nessa was sassy, head strong, and quick to make some inexperienced mistakes in haste, but there was something more about her. She’s got secrets that she takes her reader on a journey to discover. I also enjoyed that the author made her world-build an academic setting where characters of many different sects competed, dragons, humans, elemental magics. And even more, kings, princes, and others in high standing played their own game of thrones. The romance, a bit of jealousy, and possessive need, all the makings of a messy and entertaining love life. One thing I wasn’t so fond of, and this might be more my reading preference, but it distracted me, just a little bit, from the story was the over-descriptions. There were too many ‘like this’ or ‘as if’ that when the initial imagery already gave me enough to understand where the story was going. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the plot, and I will be looking for the next book.
This book was truly something special. It checked every single box: political intrigue, high tension, desire, and wonderfully stubborn characters. The author perfectly executed a slow-burn romance that kept me guessing until the very end: would Nyssa choose Drake or Kael? Personally, I was team Kael all the way and kept rooting for her to realize he was exactly what she needed. My only minor critique is that the dialogue could be a bit confusing at times, requiring me to reread a few passages to track who was speaking.
Ultimately, it was a fantastic read, and I can’t wait to dive into the sequel to see what happens next!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
ARC copy received by author. I felt like the story line had some bones to it but at the end of the book I still had questions. Nothing was ever explained, why is she travelling to this city, what is the purpose of the training, what is the difference between keepers and bearers, where is this all going. Some conversations I had to read multiple times just to figure out who is talking. The writing seemed a little disjointed and like I had to fill in some blanks, the transitions could be smoother and world/character building a bit more in depth. I would still read the next book to see what happens.
Book 1 of The Between Saga. And a wonderful start it is! Look forward to more from this world.
'Between Wings and Flames is a spicy romantasy featuring dragons, morally grey characters, and an impossible choice between fire and ice.'
The characters were very complex and compelling and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oh, I am so obsessed with this already. This story has everything I wanted in a fantasy romance: mystery, danger, obsession, and a heroine who is clearly about to have her entire life turned inside out. The lines about the king and the dragon prince are absolutely insane in the best way, and that ending gave me immediate chills. It’s dramatic, addictive, and full of the kind of tension that makes you want to keep reading. There were just a few small grammatical issues and occasional pronoun inconsistencies, but nothing that took away from how enjoyable the story was overall. This was a superb read.
At first, I was drawn in by the premise of the book. The world of magic and dragons is always a good escape. I did have trouble at times following the story as it tended to over-explain what the characters were thinking and not enough about what they were doing. I did notice a few instances of typos that may have been caught in maybe one more edit. Overall, I loved the tale and found myself reading more to see where things went.
Nyssa fled her cursed past for velmira’s academy hoping to disappear from her past. Instead she is hunted by a frozen king and a dragon Prince. This is a spicy faded romance fantasy. Let’s hope that this is the first book of many in the series.
I loved this book. It's not a fast paced book. You are told a lot of things, but they never get explained. More information about these unfold as the story is told. You get to create your own theories about what is going on and what is going to happen. I didn't guess anything in the first half of this book.
The romance is a love triangle with intense 'will they won't they' which is well written. I think there might be another involved in the love quadrangle? But that just my own theory.
It has a military academy style setting, though not in the traditional fashion. And the cliff hanger at the end made me want to grab the next book immediately. Guess I'll have to wait though!
A captivating romantasy filled with magic, dragons, and irresistible tension 🐉✨📖 Nyssa is a compelling heroine, and her journey from outcast to someone at the center of powerful forces makes for an exciting and emotional story.
I loved the slow-burn romance, the rich fantasy atmosphere, and the constant sense of danger surrounding the characters. The mix of dragons, destiny, and enemies-to-lovers chemistry keeps the pages flying by.
A fantastic read for fans of romantasy, fated mates, and epic fantasy worlds filled with intrigue and passion 🔥💙🌟.