House Ignis: Book One of the Thrones of Lyr'n'dell Series

by Nicole Erica Green

What do you get if you mix Fourth Wing with A Court of Thorns and Roses, a dash of Greek mythology, and a shadow-wielder who will absolutely ruin you?

Welcome to Lyr'n'dell Academy.
Expect magic.
Expect trials. Expect fire.
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Preorder House Ignis, Book One of the Thrones of Lyr'n'dell series, now! Kindle pre-order live—paperback releases September 15th.
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The reader reviews say it all!
"I've been staring at the wall since finishing this book... The romance is top-tier swoon-worthy with steamy, spicy scenes. A+++!!" ★★★★★

"OMG! What a delicious book to read as an ARC reader for the first time... it had it all, and now I NEED more. Absolute fire in my eyes." ★★★★★

"If you love Hunger Games and Fourth Wing, this book is for you. Perfect combination of adventure and romance with twists and turns that keep you wanting more." ★★★★★

"What did I just read?! I absolutely devoured this book, I can't believe this is the first book by this author, the writing is brilliant." ★★★★★

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I didn't ask to be the Heir. I didn't ask for the panic that curls in my chest every time my own magic threatens to burn me from the inside out. And I definitely didn't ask to be bound, soul and blood, to the most dangerous male at Lyr'n'dell Academy.
I'm Ava Pyreson — last daughter of House Ignis, keeper of a fire that's slowly killing me, and sister to a brother the crown insists died of an overdose. I don't believe them. Then Asher Maddox happens. Shadow-wielder. Umbra's most lethal export.
The male my father decides to chain to my soul through an ancient blood oath, whether either of us wants it or not.
Now I can feel him. His rage. His hunger. His secrets.
And gods help me — he can feel everything I try to hide.
Between a betrothal I never chose, a bond I can't escape, and a brother's disappearance I refuse to let go of, all I have to do is survive the Aegos Trials without losing my magic, my heart, or my life. Easy. Right?
Except the deeper I dig, the darker the truth becomes. And Asher? He might be the one who buries me in it.

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Perfect for fans of:
🔥 Elemental Magic - Fire, Shadow, and Bonded Boundlings
🌶️ Slow-burn and open-door spice
🖤 Forced proximity and morally grey love interests
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Readers are OBSESSED with House Ignis:

"I was hooked from the start. What a awesome read. Wicked read, and oooh my what happens at the end... you need to read to find out." ★★★★★

"I was honored to be sent an e-ARC of this book and I'm already dying for more. I loved the world, the vibe, banter, sarcasm, and sass." ★★★★

"Mysterious shadow, Daddy Asher catches everyone's attention... I can't wait to read book two." ★★★★★

Genres: Romantasy

683 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 15, 2026

About the author

Nicole Erica is a South African dark fantasy romance author and the creator of the Thrones of Lyr'n'dell series. Born and raised in South Africa, she writes worlds of elemental magic, ancient blood oaths, morally grey men, fierce heroines, and the kind of love that would burn kingdoms to the ground.

Her debut novel, House Ignis, is the first book in the Thrones of Lyr'n'dell series—a dark, addictive romantasy filled with magical boundlings, dangerous secrets, and a soul bond that changes everything.

Living with Crohn’s disease and chronic illness has deeply shaped both Nicole and the stories she tells. Ava’s journey was born from pieces of her own—the exhaustion, pain, uncertainty, and quiet battles that so often go unseen. Through Ava, Nicole wanted to write a heroine whose strength isn’t measured by how much she can endure without breaking, but by the fact that she keeps choosing to live, love, fight, and take up space in a world that doesn’t always understand what she carries.

When she isn’t writing, Nicole is usually buried in a book or surrounded by her cats, dogs, and family.

Through Fire, We Rise.

Reviews

[Haley B ✨]

*I received this book as an ARC*

Overall a fast paced, well written Romantasy with a huge cliff hanger at the end leaving you wanting more.

I was gripped by the story from page one and could not put it down. I was staying up late and waking up thinking about this book. I can’t wait for the next one!

[Nickole]

Rcvd an advanced reader copy from the author.

5 🌟 🌟🌟🌟

Holy Holy...what a wild ride. We meet heir and future Queen Ava, who is now at the academy. But the most important person who was supposed to be there with her was her brother Jaz. However her betrothed Jeremy is here and will help her along the way along with her bonded panther Aether. What Ava didnt expect was a sexy shadow wielder who made her feel. There is smtg about him that has her on edge. As future queen Ava must act the part and keep her illness at bay. We meet Asher, the Umbra shadow wielder who is the strongest in a century and he has his sights set on Ava. Ava learns her room was actually her brothers and she finds a book hidden in a crevice hoping it will help her find out what happened to him. After an attack on Ava, her father the King wants to bring her home but Asher says he will be her soul bond...a life long bond of protection. Things are not always what they seem. Asher has a darkness about him and Avas magic is getting more unstable. There are forces at play that Ava must be smart on moving forward. Will Ava find out what happened to Jaz? Will she lose herself to Asher? Or will her power finally bring her downfall! The ending....UGH! Cliffhanger! Next book please!!

[Rebecca Minarik]

I received this book as an ARC, for which I am very grateful. Now, let me share my thoughts and explain all the whys behind my actually 2,5-star rating. Caution: spoilers may occur. Double caution: this is my first review ever, so I might not make any sense.

First of all, let's run through all the positives:

* There are some obvious influences from other books, but the author still manages to make it her own.
* I absolutely love the boundlings, in particular Mr. Grumpy himself, Aether. Truly a surly panther with a heart of gold.
* The banter. I love me some good banter between friends. Ember is the real firecracker.
* The elemental powers and the descriptions of the houses in relation to their elements were really cool.
* Even though the plot twist wasn't really a big secret, I was still excited by the cliffhanger.

Now let's move on to the room-for-improvement part of this review, and the reason for my lower-than-average rating:

* I feel like Ava and Asher became obsessed with each other way too fast. I know that some people really enjoy that, but I think I prefer the characters getting to know one another before they "burn" for each other. I also feel like they had little to no chemistry besides being horny and the small amount of banter.
* Speaking of obsession, there was too much pining and "triangle drama" (even though I felt like Jeremy wasn't involved all that much). 80% of the book seems to be about them having sex, talking about sex, or thinking about sex, when I feel like there should have been more focus on the cool world.
* Ava reluctantly agrees to the blood oath with Asher after only 150 pages, even though there might be other options (like your warrior-prince boyfriend, maybe?).
* There were too many potential stories and not really a clear goal. There's this drug that's really dangerous, and my friend is addicted. I happen to find my dead brother's journal in my room, even though it seems like he had it with him when he was kidnapped. The journal instantly leads me to the cure that grows in the same place the drug grows? We never talk about the drug again. There are these demon people that suck blood; Ava will see one of them, and it won't be a big deal (even though they're not supposed to exist). There will be trials soon to find a new person to join the army. They're supposed to be super high stakes, but Ava and Asher just make out all the time and have their horny conversations. My cousin's mother was killed by something called Ravages that we'll only speak about that one time. There are monoliths, a barrier, and a dangerous world outside that we barely know anything about.

These different "plots" could be meant to be used as a base for further books, but for this story, I don't feel like they blended all that well. Things just seemed to happen.
* Why does everything smell like ozone?
* I get it, you will ruin each other and come undone. It was a bit repetitive. And all that flame talk... I get that Ava is a fire princess, but there were too many flamey references or metaphors.
* Poor Jules was totally forgotten. Ava had a panic attack for ten minutes when she was gone, went to a party in the evening, and then we never heard anything else about her.

I will stop here for fear of this review being waaay too long, but I will say this: keep up the good work! This world has immense potential, and I'm excited to see what the author comes up with next.

[Kristin]

This was such a fun read! I got this as an Arc and was excited about the premise and the tropes. It did not disappoint! It followed well know themes but wove in enough new elements to keep it fresh while also allowing a new connection to the story with the comfort you get from the familiar. At times the pacing felt off balance and as if some extra details or some more time would have been helpful rather than rushing from point to point but overall things were enjoyable. I liked the main characters and their bondlings- there is nothing like a snarky panther to make ya laugh! Some of my favorite sassy dialogue was from their friend group and I really did appreciate the support they all gave one another; the book truly would have been poorer without Ava and Asher’s friend group. I can also say I would have very much enjoyed partying as they did in school.
You knew where the book was leading but in a low key way- you still felt for Ava when the truth was revealed and felt for her situation. I genuinely am looking forward to the next book to see what magic is made, to learn more about each of the characters and to find out more details about her brother.

[Zoe Reads 🧚‍♀️]

This incredible book is an ARC and OMGGGG I am obsessed 😍 I devoured this book as it had everything that I love about fantasy in it. If you loved twilight, acotar and zodiac academy, then you will enjoy this book too 🤞🏽

MMC is giving Rysand vibes but a more darker and delicious one. He is definitely one of my fav book bfs for sure!!! 🥵🌶️

I loved the world building, the academy, the storyline, the rich history and all its mystery, the magic system, the friendships and love interests🥰🧚‍♀️✨

Aethor cracked me up from start to end, his banter and smart ass one liners had me in stitches throughout

The plot twist at the end caught me off guard, I really didn’t see that coming. I cannot wait to see what happens next in book 2!!!

[Shelley C]

4.5 House Ignis Stars🔥

House Ignis is the first book in this series and I will definitely be back for more books in this series and more of these characters🙌

Our main characters are Asher and Ava, with some fantastic secondary characters that I can’t wait to get to know better in the future😍 Ember and Ezra are just some of these additional characters I’m intrigued to learn more about.

This story felt like a mixture of Harry Potter magical school and dark, dangerous Hunger Games vibes. I for one will be screaming to get book 2 in my hands as soon as possible especially after that ending. Do note that this book is pretty lengthy so make sure to set some time aside to get stuck in as it took me about a week and a half to finish roughly and I usually read pretty quickly😳 I received an advanced copy and willingly leave my honest review❤️‍🩹

[Kaitlyn]

I dont know if I should say “thank you” or “I hate you” to the author for allowing me to read an arc of this book. I am utterly destroyed. Rarely does a book make me genuinely feel like this one has. I put it up there with fourthwing and while the stories are pretty different the vibes are there and that really drew me in. I loved Ava and her friends; her strength and resilience but also her ability to lean on others. She wasn’t too powerful or too weak. She was intelligent and strong and could learn. And now I, like Ava, am heartbroken and begging for the rest of the story.

[Silk & Sentences Danielle Robinson]

I was generously provided with an advance copy of House Ignis and am very grateful for the opportunity to read and review it. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

House Ignis introduces an ambitious romantasy world shaped by elemental kingdoms, ancient gods, magical bloodlines and the Monoliths that protect the continent from the Void. At its centre is Ava Pyreson, a fire-wielding princess forced to become her kingdom’s heir after the death of her older brother, Jax. Arriving at the Academy while still deeply immersed in grief, Ava must learn to control her volatile power, navigate the political expectations surrounding her and uncover the truth behind her brother’s increasingly suspicious death.

There's a great deal to appreciate here. The elemental magic system has considerable potential, and I particularly enjoyed the boundlings - magical creatures whose emotional and supernatural connections with their wielders add warmth, and vulnerability to the story. Ava’s relationship with her celestial panther, Aether, was one of the strongest elements of the novel. Their bond feels affectionate and reciprocal, and Aether is allowed to challenge Ava rather than functioning merely as a magical accessory.

The central mystery surrounding Jax, Eclipsa and the supposedly extinct Veyari also provides a compelling foundation for the wider series. As the official account of Jax’s death begins to unravel, the story opens into something larger than an Academy romance, touching upon corrupted magic, suppressed history and the possibility that the institutions governing this world have concealed far more than Ava understands.

For me, however, the novel didn't always balance these elements as effectively as it might have. The romantic conflict between Ava, Asher and Jeremy occupies a significant portion of the story, and the repeated cycle of attraction, jealousy, confrontation and reconciliation occasionally became repetitive. I found myself more invested in Jax’s journal, the Veyari mystery and the corruption spreading through Eclipsa than in the ongoing struggle between Ava’s two romantic interests.

The novel also introduces a substantial number of characters, kingdoms, gods, creatures and magical terms in a relatively short space of time. The world is imaginative, but greater restraint in the early exposition, and more time allowing its political and historical structures to develop organically, would have made it easier to absorb. At approximately 121,000 words, the story is substantial, yet certain developments still feel crowded while some of the emotional conflicts are revisited at length.

Ava is a flawed protagonist, which I generally welcome. She's brave, and determined not to be treated as fragile, but she's also secretive, and sometimes unfair to the people around her. Her mistakes create genuine consequences, although I would have liked to see more sustained reflection upon the ways her indecision and secrecy affect others.

Asher is suitably intense for readers who enjoy possessive shadow-wielding romantic heroes, although his devotion repeatedly crosses into control. Importantly, the novel does begin interrogating that danger rather than presenting every expression of possessiveness as unquestionably romantic. The final chapters suggest that the darkness surrounding him may be far more complicated than temperament alone.

This is a promising beginning to an expansive fantasy series. The mythology, and central mystery offer strong foundations, and the dramatic ending creates several intriguing questions for the next instalment. With tighter pacing, a little more space devoted to the political and supernatural mystery, and less repetition within the romantic conflict, the series has considerable room to grow.

Three stars from me: imaginative, dramatic and full of potential, even though the balance between its romance, world-building and mystery did not always work for me.

#HouseIgnis #ThronesOfLyrndell #FantasyRomance #RomantasyReads #AcademyFantasy #ElementalMagic #ShadowDaddy #ARCReview #BookReview #FantasyBooks

[Emi Rowland]

This was an ARC received from the author.

First, I want to say thank you to the author for trusting me with the ARC of this book. I truly had a great time reading it.

I will start by saying this series has tons of potential. The characters, magic, and world are very intriguing and I really like the premise.

The good:
-I really like the boundlings and their dynamic. I like how they are bonded, but still independent rather than just animal protectors that follow blindly.
-Ava & Aether. My favorite character pairing. I like how they interact and how he challenges her rather than just going along with everything she says. He’s probably my favorite character overall.
-The world is very interesting. While it is similar to a lot of other Romantasy worlds, it was unique enough to be enjoyable and I love a good academic setting.
-the elemental magic has a lot of potential
-the characters are fun

The not-so-good:
I unfortunately did have some issues with this book. While I understand that at this point, pretty much all romantasy/fantasy books are inspired by others and there are lots of frequently used ideas and tropes, I don’t like when I feel that certain aspects too closely resemble other very popular titles. Examples being:
-the dead brother with a mysterious journal
-a soft-spoken human scribe that helps with secret research
-being engaged to prince vanilla
-the Veyari to me seem exactly like the Venin in Fourth Wing
Things not necessarily copy/paste from one book, but overused in my opinion:
-shadow wielder MMC
-the concept of mates
-magical academy
-secret catacombs that for some reason are super easy to find
-the nickname “darling”

I also did not like Ava. I’m sorry. While she’s very clearly depicted as a flawed FMC, I just found myself getting annoyed at her constant dumb decisions and whining. She was complaining about Asher being a player basically while having a whole fiancé and doing the same thing to him. Then she’s constantly going off on her own while “not needing help” then doing something dumb. She also comes across as a chronic victim and always has an excuse as to why nothing is her fault.

For a rigorous war academy, they sure had a lot of free time. It seemed like they always had time to do whatever they wanted and were barely in class or training. All of the academic parts of the book felt exactly like Fourth Wing mixed with Red Queen. Very copy-paste classroom and training scenes placed just frequently enough to remind the reader they were in school. And why were they always at parties or dances or balls? I feel like almost every chapter they were going to an event. You can only have so many party scenes before it gets old.

I’m sorry but I hate the name Jeremy in a fantasy book. There were so many unique fantasy names and then Jeremy. It just doesn’t fit the world. Why do we have Elena’s brother in here?

This book was advertised as “slow burn” which it absolutely is not. First of all, they were infatuated with each other from first sight. Then he bonds to her very early in the book and that was basically the start of their relationship. The sexual tension lasted until about a third of the way through. Then he had PROPOSED TO HER by 50% which is absolutely not slow burn. I think calling it that is very misleading.

I hate to be that person, but this was too smutty for me. It unfortunately felt like the story was incorporated into the smut rather than smut being incorporated into the story. If that’s your thing, you’d probably love this book. But for me I want the smut to be able to be completely removed and there still be an awesome story. I just didn’t get that from this. It almost felt like the author wrote all the smut and then figured out the story around it. Like every single plot point somehow lead to a spicy scene. Spice is fine, too much spice makes it hard to take the story seriously. Even in the trials they were just making out and lusting after each other. It was less focus on the actual trial than their longings during the trial.

I feel like there was too much telling and not enough showing. We are introduced to a large number of characters all at once without really allowing each one to be fleshed out felling before throwing more in. There is so much information thrown at the reader that it’s hard to comprehend and to reflect back on what is what. There is a lot of info dumping that doesn’t really give the reader time to process. I also think too many adjectives are used. I don’t need 10 words describing a scent or a look. A little bit more creative liberty for the reader would have been nice. I don’t need to know that his voice was hot, steamy, powerful, dark, and mysterious with a hint of starlight and lightning wrapped in steel and velvet. Not an actual quote, just an example.

Overall this has a lot of potential, and I appreciate that it was a debut novel, but unfortunately for me it fell flat. I really enjoyed parts of it, but connecting it as a whole just wasn’t a hit. For readers that enjoy an ongoing love triangle, dark MMC, borderline possessive relationships, etc. this would be great. That’s just not really my cup of tea so I would say this wasn’t for me.

I would, however, continue this series because I am interested to see how the author grows as a writer and how the story develops.

[Tamzin]

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

I had mixed feelings about this book. There were elements of the story that I found interesting and are certainly my cup of tea, but unfortunately, I struggled with the execution and pacing, which made it difficult for me to stay fully engaged.
One of the biggest issues I had was the repetition throughout the book. Certain words and descriptions appeared far too frequently that they became noticeable and distracting. I would have liked to see a wider range of vocabulary and descriptions rather than repeatedly coming back to the same terms, descriptions and phrases.
I also struggled with the pacing, particularly when it came to the more intimate scenes. Of course, I'm never against having these scenes in a book but there were many times where these scenes felt as though they significantly slowed down the progression of the main storyline. Eventually, I found myself skimming them because I was more interested in seeing the plot move forward.
Another issue was the transitions between scenes and locations. There were several moments where the story seemed to jump from one place or point in time to another without enough explanation or connection between the two. This occasionally left me feeling like I'd missed something and made the overall flow feel disjointed.
Unfortunately, I also found much of the plot quite predictable. I was able to anticipate a number of developments chapters before they happened, which took away some of the tension and made certain sections feel slower than they might otherwise have been.

The book also gave me strong Fourth Wing and Hunger Game vibes, particularly in some of its themes and overall feel. While inspiration and similarities aren't necessarily a problem, I found the similarities noticeable enough that the story sometimes felt less distinctive to me.


Finally, there were two terms introduced towards the end of the book that seemed to rely on the reader already knowing what they meant. However, I don't remember these terms being established earlier in the story, so I found the context surrounding them confusing. A little more setup earlier in the book would have made this easier to follow, rather than me stopping to search whether this term had been used before.

Overall, while I can see the appeal of this book for readers who enjoy romantasy, particularly books with a similar feel to Fourth Wing, I personally found the repetitive language, predictable storyline, and pacing issues made it difficult for me to become fully immersed in the story.

I would say 3 stars maximum for my personal review.

As this was an ARC, some of these issues may be addressed before the final publication, and I'd be interested to see how the finished version develops.

[Joanne Kirkham]

I really wanted to like this story and novel as the premise and description were so promising. Unfortunately it wasn’t the most enjoyable read for me but that is likely due to my reading preferences.

Most of the story was focused on the love triangle which dragged, was repetitive and the least interesting part of the story.

The FMC of the story spent so much time devoted to thinking about her love interests/so consumed by them that I couldn’t discern any notable character growth despite being told of it, and she never reflected on her actions, considered the consequences or actually faced any consequences for things she absolutely should have, which contributed to my feeling of barely any character growth occurred.

The story did a lot of telling and very little showing of much of anything, to the point of the main character suddenly letting the reader know of things she knew about characters all the time, which left me having to retrospectively try and remember if any of their actions ever hinted towards these major aspects of their character.

I was also disappointed in being told the female main character had a chronic illness which was central to her story, for it only then to come up when it conveniently suited the plot, I actually found this happened with a lot of plot points, they seemed to be briefly explored then completely forgotten when conflict happened with the love triangle/between the main characters.

The story could have been so much more, as the more interesting parts of the story with the mystery of Ava’s brother, the Veyari, how Ava managed her illness in relation to being an heir and what that would look like, Ava reflecting on her actions and if they reflect who she wishes to be as a future ruler and navigating an academy with her chronic illness, managing her reputation and the pressures faced being in the public eye all could have contributed to make a really interesting story.

Overall, it was a slog to read through the endless drama of the love triangle, the fallout afterwards, and the all consuming nature of a possessive new relationship especially as there was little to no reflection on any of it. The more interesting aspects of the mystery surrounding Ava’s brother and the Veyari, plus Aether’s snarky comments and calling Ava out on her shit kept me reading and made the read a little more enjoyable.

I rate it 3 stars. I think readers who enjoy love triangles and possessive relationships will probably get much more out of this than I did, as those elements dominate a large portion of the story. Unfortunately, they came at the expense of the world-building, character development and plot threads I found far more interesting.

[Akelia]

I received an ARC copy in exchange for a review sharing my honest opinion.

I've tried to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible.

Sometimes you come across books where, after just a few chapters, you already know you’ll enjoy reading them all the way through. That’s exactly how I felt right away with *House Ignis*.

From the very first chapters, I was completely immersed in Ava’s story. She’s a young woman starting a new chapter in her life, even as she’s still grappling with grief from the past. Her curiosity and adventurous spirit, combined with the people she meets along the way, kept me hooked.

What I liked about Ava is that she isn’t perfect. She makes mistakes, has doubts, and because of that, she really feels like a real person. I also found Ember and Emma’s stories interesting. They aren’t just “Ava’s friends” they’re given enough space to reveal themselves and grow. Because of that, the group of friends felt very real and believable.

One of my favorite things in the book was the bonded animals. At first, I thought they’d mostly be a fun extra, but they turned out to be so much more. They’re fully-fledged characters with their own personalities, sense of humor, and opinions. Because they’re old souls, they also possess a great deal of wisdom. They’re not just protectors, but also mentors who guide, challenge, and sometimes hold up a mirror to their bonded partners. Aether, in particular, was a real standout for me who often stole the show.

I also found the world of Lyr’n’dell very captivating. The different Houses, the magic system, and the history are well-developed and made me curious about what’s next.

The various Houses, the magic system, and the history are well-developed and made me curious about what else there is to discover in this world.

Of course, it wasn’t perfect. I saw some things coming early on, and at times I felt that certain storylines or questions could have been given a little more attention. As for the love triangle, I would have preferred a bit less repetition.

Still, that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book. For me, House Ignis is a strong start to a new series. The world, characters, and magic have me eager to find out what happens next. I recommend this book to anyone who loves young adult or new adult fantasy with romantasy elements and a morally grey love interest

Are you planning to read *House Ignis*? Or have you already finished it? What did you like best about the story?

[Susan Stover]

There are some books you read, and then there are books you completely disappear into. House Ignis was definitely one of those for me. From the very first chapter, I knew I was in for something special.

The world-building is incredible without ever feeling overwhelming. Nicole Erica creates a setting that's rich, immersive, and full of mystery. Every chapter pulled me in a little deeper, and I loved uncovering more about the world alongside the characters. It has that perfect balance of fantasy, suspense, and emotion that kept me turning the pages.

The characters were one of my favorite parts of the book. They felt complex, flawed, and incredibly real. I found myself getting attached to them quickly, celebrating their victories and feeling every setback right along with them. Their growth throughout the story felt natural, and the relationships developed in a way that kept me completely invested.

The tension in this book is so well done. Whether it was the danger lurking around the corner, the emotional moments, or the unanswered questions, there was always something pushing me to read more and more. Every time I thought I had things figured out, the story surprised me in the best way ever.

I also loved that this wasn't just a fantasy filled with action. It has heart. There are moments that make you stop and really connect with the characters, and those quieter scenes made the bigger moments hit even harder. The balance between the emotional depth and the fast-paced plot was done really well.

Nicole Erica's writing is beautiful and easy to get lost in. The descriptions paint such vivid pictures without slowing the story down, and the pacing kept me engaged from beginning to end. I never felt like I was waiting for something to happen because there was always another mystery to uncover or another piece of the story falling into place.

If you enjoy fantasy with immersive world-building, unforgettable characters, high stakes, emotional depth, and plenty of mystery, House Ignis is absolutely worth picking up. It's the kind of book that pulls you into its world and doesn't let go until you've reached the final page.

Overall, House Ignis was an exciting, emotional, and beautifully written fantasy that kept me hooked from start to finish. I already know this is one I'll be recommending to other fantasy readers because it left such a lasting impression.

[Ingre Pansegrouw]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book had me curling my toes and reading through the night. I fell completely in love with the world, and somewhere along the way, these characters found their way straight into my heart.

The academy is the centrepiece of the world-building, and what a beautiful place it is! I want to live here. I want to attend every party, survive the training, and probably be completely broken by it in the process. Every house is absolutely gorgeous, and I'm still trying to decide which one I would claim for myself. The magic practically vibrates through the halls, making the academy feel like a character of its own.

And then there are the Bondlings. I want one! Nicole, I also need whatever potion gives them that level of sass because I'd like my dogs to have the same attitude, please.

But the characters... my heart.

They are so beautifully written that throughout this journey my heart sang, ached and was thoroughly broken more than once. The friendships, the different love stories, the character dynamics and the banter all added so much to the experience.

And can we talk about the outfits?! Because yes, I am absolutely here for the stunning fashion.

Then we have the shadow daddy "touch her and die" energy... and honestly, I have no complaints.

There is so much packed into this story: a gorgeous magical academy, banter, stunning outfits, forever friendships, different love stories to follow, adorable and sassy Bondlings, and enough tension to keep the pages turning.

I absolutely loved being swept into this world, and I'm already invested in seeing where these characters and their stories go next.

I would absolutely tell everyone with a heartbeat to read this series.

If you're a romantasy reader looking for a magical academy, strong friendships, multiple love stories, plenty of banter and a little flame in your veins, House Ignis is definitely one to add to your TBR.

4 stars — and I am absolutely claiming a house.

Thank you, Nicole Erica Green, for the opportunity to read House Ignis as an ARC and for inviting me into this beautiful, magical world. I can't wait to see where the journey takes us next!

[Sarah H]

**5 Stars**

I absolutely frothed over this book. I was hooked from chapter one and found it incredibly difficult to put down.

House Ignis follows Ava, heir to the throne and a fire-wielding princess with a chronic illness, and her snarky boundling companion, Aether, as they begin their first year at Lyr’n’dell Academy. The world-building is thorough and complex without ever feeling overwhelming, and the book gave me strong *Harry Potter* meets *Zodiac Academy* vibes but with its own unique style.

We have shadow daddy Asher, golden boy Jeremy, and a love triangle that, while occasionally repetitive, definitely adds to the romantic tension. I enjoyed the overall pace of the book, it didnt feel boring or hard to read at any point.

This is very much a **more questions than answers** kind of book, and by the end I was desperate for book two. I particularly loved the way the writing develops alongside Ava. Her world and perspective feel more immature at the beginning, but as she grows, the writing matures with her. It feels incredibly intentional and makes her character development even more impactful.

The boundlings were another highlight. Magical creatures who are spiritually bound to their companions? Yes, please. And Aether, the dramatically sassy panther, is easily one of my favourites, I have never related to a fictional character so much!

I also really appreciated the exploration of addiction and how easily it can be hidden from family and friends, along with the ripple effect it has on those around the person struggling.

The best compliment I can give this book is that **I couldn't stop thinking about it after I finished**. I literally woke up at 2am because my subconscious had started piecing together subplots and connections. It felt like unraveling a tightly woven web, leaving me with even more theories and questions about where the story is heading.

Nicole has clearly planted a lot of seeds throughout this book, and I am dying to see how they all come together.

Bring on book two.

[Kiriaki Alexiadou]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I genuinely LOVED this book! 🖤🔥

As an ARC reader, I honestly couldn’t have asked for a more fun romantasy read. It had so many of the things I absolutely love about the genre—magic, bonds, mates, animals, romance, banter, family drama, secrets, and a plot that just keeps moving. There was always something happening, and I felt like I was constantly trying to catch up with the story! 😂

One of my favorite things was the friend group. The banter and humor between them made so many scenes even better, and I loved how naturally their relationships developed. There’s just something about a chaotic group of friends that gets me every time. 😂

And our FMC? Definitely NOT a damsel in distress. 🔥 No matter how much life—and everything else—throws at her, she keeps fighting, adapting, and standing on her own. I absolutely loved watching her navigate everything that comes her way.

Now… the MMC. 👀
I’m not going to say much because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will leave you with this:

His nickname in the girls’ group chat is literally “Daddy Darkness.” 🫣😉

I rest my case. 😂🖤

I also really appreciated the side characters. They never felt like background decoration—they actually felt like an important part of the story. And the best part? They made me want to know more about them without the story ever feeling like it was getting sidetracked or dragging.

There are bonds, magic, secrets, romance, family drama, mates, banter, and plenty of moments that had me smiling—basically, everything I want when I pick up a romantasy. ✨

A huge thank you to Nicole Erica Green for giving me the opportunity to be an ARC reader and to step into the world of House Ignis. I had such a great time reading this, and I’m genuinely excited to see where this story goes next! 🔥🖤

If you love romantasy with magic, mates, bonds, found family, secrets, badass FMCs, humor, romance… and apparently a little Daddy Darkness™ 👀—add this one to your TBR! 📚🔥

[Bev booksandchocs]

I was delighted to receive an ARC copy. Thank you, Nicole Erica Green, for the opportunity!
The book opens at a brisk pace as our FMC, Ava Pyreson, enters Lyr'n'dell Academy, and we are soon introduced to the MMC, Asher Maddox. Their chemistry is immediate, although I would have enjoyed seeing their connection develop a little more gradually. Spending a few additional chapters exploring their backstories and expanding the world-building might have made their relationship feel more intimate and allowed me to become even more invested in them.
While I enjoyed the sexual tension between the main characters, I would also have welcomed more detail surrounding the trials and Ava's journey as she learns to develop and control her powers. There were some really interesting ideas hinted at that I would have loved to explore in greater depth.
The friendships that develop throughout the book are a real highlight. I enjoyed both the main characters and the supporting friend group, particularly the banter between them. I was left wondering what happened to Jules, though! Hopefully, book two will reveal more.
Aethor was a great addition to the story, and I especially enjoyed his interactions with Ava. I really hope there is much more to come from Mr Grumpy!
The plot did seem to jump around a little at times, but as this was an ARC copy, some of those rougher transitions may have been refined in the final version.
I had a feeling a cliffhanger was coming and even suspected what it might be, but that certainly won't stop me from eagerly awaiting the second book in the series.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I found difficult to put down. Nicole Erica Green has laid the foundations for what could become an epic series, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.
If you enjoy morally very grey MMCs, great banter, magical academies, plenty of sexual tension and lots of added spice, House Ignis is one to add to your TBR!

[Dahlia Ramage]

Review of advanced copy from Author

I was granted the opportunity for an advanced copy read for an honest review.
(It's a little long, bare with me)

This is my first ARC review and I deeply thank the author for the opportunity! I swear this is my full honest review with no bias.
To start, the introduction was strong. It drew me into Ava's mindset immediately, introducing a clear scene and situation that had me curious for more.

I absolutely love Aether. He takes me back to my childhood, reminding me of Salem from the Sabrina. Their partnership and bantering brought a smile to my face often as I read, and their deep love for each other shined.

I found the plot built beautifully throughout the story, a little repetitive but that's life, going through the motions and expectations until you find your path. The tension between the main characters had me on the edge of my seat, giggling like a schoolgirl. Also, the love and care between the side characters for each other and for the MCs just gave me ultimate friendship goals. Embers relationship with Ava specifically was perfection and full of laughter.

The beauty of the world created, the academy and the house's separate areas were perfect. I could picture each scene and I'd love to live in a world like that! My favorite, and what I'd like more of, is the cliffs, lava and ocean scenes, but that's my bias for the ocean.
By page 314 I was screaming into my phone. The tension, yes I said it twice, the passion! I devoured the last 90+ pages and by the end I was bursting at the seams for book two!
I started reading around 9:15pm. I finished at 3:20am. I could not put it down!

Thank you Nicole Erica Green for giving me the opportunity to read your story. It gave me chills and laughter. I can not wait to get my copy House Ignis in hand! My eye is on my calendar!

[Rhe]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 STARS

Okayyy, House Ignis was such a fun romantasy read 🔥

I went into this not really knowing what to expect, and I ended up getting completely sucked into the world of Lyr’n’dell. The elemental magic, different kingdoms, boundlings, romance, tension and morally grey characters made this such an addictive read.

One of my favourite parts was definitely Ava and Aether. I absolutely LOVED their bond and their dynamic. Aether’s attitude had me laughing, and I honestly need a boundling of my own now 😂 Their relationship added so much personality to the story.

And then we have the romance… 👀🔥 The tension was TENSIONING. I’m always going to be weak for a morally grey man in a fantasy book, and this definitely delivered.

The story was also really fast-paced, which made it incredibly easy to fly through. There was constantly something happening, and once the story really got going, I just wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next.

The reason this wasn't quite a 5⭐ read for me was that there were a few moments where I wanted things to slow down a little more. I would have loved some extra development in certain relationships and parts of the world because there were so many interesting ideas that I wanted to spend more time with.

BUT THAT ENDING???

Excuse me??? 😭

You cannot just end a book like THAT and expect me to calmly move on with my life. That cliffhanger absolutely did its job because now I need Book Two.

Overall, House Ignis was a really enjoyable start to the Thrones of Lyr’n’dell series. If you love romantasy, elemental magic, magical creatures, morally grey men, strong FMCs and books that leave you desperately needing the sequel, I definitely recommend giving this one a go.

⭐️ 4/5

🔥 Elemental magic
🐉 Boundlings
🖤 Morally grey MMC
✨ Fantasy kingdoms
❤️‍🔥 Romance & tension
🤯 Plot twists
😭 A cliffhanger that personally offended me

[Kristy]

Were do i even begin this book dose not disappoint the word building the characters the book breathes magic its intense its dangerous its about love,betrayal and mystery and Ava who has suffered her brother's loss all while dealing with a debilitating disease that know one even knows what it is but she and her boundling Aethera a panther are making it but the first day at her brother's Academy brings suprises and old love and friendship. Asher dose not disappoint as Daddy Darkness with his wicked looks,charm, and very knotty shadows and Ava is instantly drawn to him even though there's a slight matter of her betrothed Jermy and Earth Elemental and its instant dislike between him and Asher all over Ava. There are friendships that are tested and a betrayal that Ava never saw coming from Jeremy and enemy who wants her but would just as soon kill her if he cant have her a friend in need strange disappearances old legends come to life and one more betrayal by the ending with a cliffhanger that leaves the reader begging for the next book write now I personally can't wait for it. So what about Ava and Asher well there bond is intense there chemistry could burn your e-reader alone but its not all catnip and full contact battles there are other relationships brewing especially between Ezra and Ember i don't know what's going to happen there but it definitely keeps you guessing Ava's friends Maddy and Zyvan well I'm worried especially for Zyvan the book leaves his fate up in the air and what about poor Jules please please let the reader know what happens with them even if its tragic I have to know here's hoping that love will win out and Ava will get a Happy ending by the end of this series whatever happens I'm all aboard for the journey and whatever comes next. I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Brooklynn]

*I received this book as an arc*

Okay… I have THOUGHTS.

House Ignis completely pulled me in. I felt like I was living inside this world with Ava, and I was genuinely invested in what was happening from beginning to end.

One of my favorite parts was the chemistry between Ava and Asher. The teasing, tension, and push-and-pull between them had me absolutely hooked. Asher doesn’t even have to try sometimes, and somehow he’s still managing to drive both Ava AND me insane. And let me just warn you: this book is SPICY. There is a LOT of heat throughout the story, and if you’re coming from books like ACOTAR or Fourth Wing, this definitely takes things up several notches.

I also really enjoyed the world Nicole created. The different kingdoms, elemental abilities, wielders, boundlings, and magical academy all had me wanting to know more. I especially loved the animal companions and wish we had gotten even more interaction with them.

My biggest criticism was the pacing and timeline. There were times when I felt like the story moved through a scene minute-by-minute, only to suddenly jump forward drastically. I also found myself wanting more of the smaller character moments—friendships, conversations, interactions with the boundlings, and more exploration of the world outside of the main romance. The plot was interesting, but at times I felt like the spice took up more space than the actual plot development.

I still absolutely loved this book. 😂🖤 I was entertained, emotionally invested, and completely obsessed with the characters. And whatever my complaints are, apparently they weren’t enough to stop me from immediately wanting the next book.

I will absolutely be reading book two.

[Lianne Scheepers]

Academy setting, elemental magic, forced proximity, strong friendships, touch her and die, dangerous trials and a murder mystery to solve. All tropes I enjoy, so I knew I didn’t want to miss out on ARC reading this one.  At 30% in, I knew I was in big trouble. I loved the story and the characters way too much and was reading way past my bedtime because I honestly couldn’t put it down.

Ava is a feisty fire wielder, reluctant heir to the throne, grieving over the death of her brother and trying to live around her chronical illness.  Asher is a powerful shadow wielder (aka Daddy Darkness), who falls first and offers a blood oath to keep her safe without a second thought. His panty melting smirk has all the girls at the academy swooning, but he only has eyes for her. Their pull towards each other was everything, and when their bond grew stronger and more volatile, I got addicted to this book even more. The main characters are written so well, but so are the side characters. They contribute so much to the overall story and plot, and the story would not be the same without them. The magical boundlings were also a great addition to the story, and I laughed so hard at Aether’s ethics and dry responses. The romance will have you kicking your feet and the banter will have you smiling until your face hurts.

That last page had me screaming and wanting to hurl my kindle at the nearest wall! That cliffhanger destroyed me, and yet I’m ready for more destruction. I’m already yearning for the next book in the series, and this one isn’t even officially out yet.

If you love ACOTAR, From Blood and Ash, Fourth Wing and Zodiac Academy, this book is definitely your cup of tea! (It sure was mine)

[Stephanie Binns]

4 ⭐️ 3 🌶️

🔥 Forced Proximity
🔥 Enemies to lover
🔥 Bonded
🔥 Magical bondlings
🔥 Academia
🔥 Trials

If you’re a fan of fourth wing, acotar, zodiac academy, this one is for you !


Ava Pyreson is our firecracker of a FMC. She’s stubborn, whitty, and fierce. she wields fire and is set to be the Queen of her kingdom one day. she’s gripped by the loss of her brother that haunts her through her first year at school. she ends up staying in his old room and uncovers secrets about his disappearance. there are multiple red flag magical warnings that she doesn’t heed too because you know, being in love with a shadow wielding daddy like Asher makes it a bit difficult to stay away. especially when he says things like “Darling, hear me. As long as darkness breathes, I am yours. I will never let anyone come between us—never let another steal what we are. You are my fire, my ruin, my salvation. And if the world dares to try, I will drown it in shadow before I ever let it take you from me." Just throw me off a cliff now. Asher Maddox our MMC dark shadow wielding daddy 🤤 we all know we’re in for some secrets and twists when they be welding shadows ! there’s more to him than he seems and i think he’s very loyal to those close to him. i also think he uses situations to his advantage you just don’t know it till later. they can either hurt her or save her in the name of “protecting her”!

The banter had me laughing with lots of feet kicking hehehehehe moments. lots of hot steamy scenes. i think he really does love her in his own twisted shadow wielding way. i have a feelings we’re gonna end up hating that we love and forgive him. ugh Nicole give me moreeee. I did receive this as an ARC!

[Danielle Grohmann]

5⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This book grabbed me by the throat and wouldn’t let go. I seriously could not put this book down.

This book has all the elements that a romantasy reader like me loves. There are bonds, elemental magic, secrets, love triangle romance, trials; drama, fated mates, and banter between all the characters.
The plot is very fast paced and there is always something going on that kept me turning the pages

I absolutely loved all the different boundlings with their sassy personalities. They are is one of my favorite parts in this book. I love how many different creatures/beasts there are and how they are incorporated into day to day life and in the trials/battles. I love how they are actual characters with their own personalities, sense of humor, and big opinions. They are protectors and guides. Ava’s bounding Aether made me think of Scar with his commentary which made me chuckle on several occasions.

Another aspect I loved about this book is getting the experience the different classes the students go through. The author did a brilliant job of transporting you into those scenes.

There is a pretty serious back and forth love triangle. At first it was hard for me to choose sides but in the end Daddy Darkness won my heart.

The side characters are also well done and dynamic in multiple ways. I love their commentary and shenanigans.

This book does make me think/has some of the vibes of Zodiac Academy which is a definite bonus for me because that is my all time favorite series

There is a cliffhanger ending so I need the next book right now please and thank you!

Thank you to the author for allowing me to be an ARC reader.

[Anne Marie]

Got this book as an ARC copy from the author🤩❤️
Brilliant romantasy, sizzling hot 🔥 chemistry between the main characters.
Wonderful likable side characters that helps move the plot forward.... it was never a dull moment while reading this...

And yes it very much a mix of HP and Hunger games... the similarity is there but certainly sprinkled with enough originality that it doesn't ruin the pleasure of reading this... ex the bondlings... (not entirely new but the way its built in this book makes it unique and interesting 👍)

It took me some time to appreciate parts of the worldbuilding... especially when we have some very modern and typical college vibes w rallies and cheerleaders... along w sweatpants.... I mean yes there are romantasy stories set in our world where these things would make sense... and it would then be called urban fantasy...
But this book takes place in a completely different world than ours... so to me those modern elements pulled me out of the magic...
But I do appreciate that the school sport is not modern but an attempt to make i magical.

BUT I love the added layer of her magic going haywire because of something inside her... (i got a feeling we'll see more of that in book 2🤔 it's got to be important) it sets her in another perspective as the main character.
Asher is shadow daddy with all that the word includes 🔥🥵🥵 absolutely love him....

Now a fair warning: this book ends on a freaking CLIFFHANGER🥴😬😵‍💫🤯🤯😱😱😭😭😭😭

But if you love romantasy with all the complexity there is in the genre you'll definitely going to love this book... now can we pretty please have book two soon...🤗

[Becky]

Oh my god, this book was one heck of a good time. I was immediately pulled in. It had all the drama of a classic CW drama with some of Harry Potter and Fourth Wing thrown in.
The banter in this book was insane and had me laughing so many times and saying" Oh my God" that my husband became worried. LOL. What makes it so much fun was it just wasn't simply banter between the FMC and the MMC it was banter between friends and their love interest relationships too.
The side characters in this story are so well fleshed out. You know their names, their personalities, who loves who, etc. You know them almost as well as the main characters. So many of them deserve their own stories. Hint, hint.....
Ava is our FMC and Princess of Zymarra. She's struggling with grief over the death of her brother. She is torn between two men- Jeremy the Earth Prince and her betrothed. Or Asher, cousin of the Umbra Queen, and a shadow daddy. It became kind of obvious who she was leaning towards after a little bit so I was a little annoyed when she would start to change her mind.
A slight nit pick - in the beginning, there was lots of information about classes as it is an academy setting. However, that tapered off towards the middle of the book. I wish that had been continued a little more throughout the story.
But that ending?! What the absolute (bleep) was that?! My mind is still trying to process it. It's one brutal cliffhanger. I'm praying book 2 comes out soon and puts me out of my misery. LOL
Thank you for choosing me to be an ARC Reader!

[Sandra Dirfors]

🔥 ARC REVIEW — HOUSE IGNIS 🔥

I received an ARC of House Ignis for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

House Ignis has SO much potential, and overall I enjoyed reading it!

The worldbuilding was one of the things I really liked. It gave me a mixture of Fourth Wing and Harry Potter vibes, which immediately caught my attention. However, I found myself missing that overall feeling of magic. The characters have magic, but I wanted the world itself to feel more magical and immersive.

I also really enjoyed the characters, and the bondlings were probably some of my favorites. 😂 They brought so much personality and humor to the story. The spice level was good, and I really appreciated that consent was clearly present.

At the same time, I kept waiting for that moment where the plot would completely grab me and make me think, I NEED to know what happens next. That moment never fully came for me. To be fair, I have VERY high expectations when it comes to books, so I know I’m a difficult reader to impress. 😂

That being said… I read over 600 pages and enjoyed it. If work hadn’t gotten in the way, I honestly think I would have finished this in one sitting. And the fact that it’s 600+ pages? Extra points from me because I LOVE a long book. 👏🏻

Despite my criticisms, I genuinely just think the story needs a little more time and attention to really bring all of those elements together.

[Eliza-Jane]

I was lucky to receive an eARC and here are my honest thoughts:

Okay but WHAT DID I JUST READ?! 🔥

House Ignis was SO much fun. It’s giving fae fantasy, romance, partying, spice, preppy vibes and just enough chaos to keep me completely hooked. It honestly felt like The Vampire Diaries and Zodiac Academy had a very spicy, slightly unhinged baby. 😂

The MMC calling her “darling”??? YES.
Her best friend calling him “Daddy Darkness”??? EVEN BETTER. 💀

The spice was 👌🏻🔥 and the whole book had this fun, feisty energy that made it ridiculously easy to fly through.

I also really loved how beautifully the FMC’s struggle with her flares was written. Seeing her deal with the physical toll of using too much magic felt so honest and relatable, and it resonated with me so strongly as an endo and adeno warrior. It was such a meaningful part of her character and made her journey feel even more real.

And then that ENDING.

EXCUSE ME????

I am going to need answers because I have QUESTIONS. 👀

Also… Ezra. That is all I am going to say because I refuse to accidentally spoil anything, but I spent a suspicious amount of this book wondering if I was picking up on something… or if my romantasy brain was simply creating problems that did not exist. 😂

Either way, Nicole Erica Green has successfully left me confused, intrigued and already wanting MORE.

Give me the next book immediately, please and thank you. 🔥🖤

[AJ Robertson]

How do i even review this without giving away spoilers? I mean, I think I'm pissed or at least I should be. This ending..boy. I can only assume the author wanted you to throw your phone, scream into the void, and then just stare at the wall. So if you do decide to dive into this, just know the state you'll end in.

Anywho, the story was great. You got some HP mixed with ZA here, and I'm not mad at it. I had a little confusion in the beginning that was quickly sorted out, I'd explain, but...spoiler. You have your main characters, but also, the side characters can be deemed heavy MVPs because they were maybe 🤏 from being the main characters.

The read is ABSOLUTELY worth it. Definitely should be a movie because I mean, I need to see these fights in live action and the apparel worn for these events because it read amazingly.

This is probably the most vague review I've given, but like, I'm all in for whatever comes next.

Fav Quotes:

"The one who makes you burn is the one who will unmake you."

"It's not like I've got a busy schedule today, other than bleeding out and listening to this psychopath's monologue."

"I'm yours. In the light and the dark. Always."

“Love is a battlefield. Some of you are just particularly bad strategists.”

"I'm going to ruin you tonight, and the gods themselves are going to watch."

[Laura Timbrook]

When you receive a ARC copy of a book and it hasn’t released yet.. you try not to spoil it as much as possible. Or at least I do.

That being said.. just like the fourth wing brought me back to reading with its differentness.. with its otherworldly quality and a place you can immerse yourself in fully. This does just that. I saw it as a mixture between hunger games, divergent, mixed with zodiac academy. That’s the most spoiler free way for me to describe it.

This book captivates you right away.. has you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what happens next. To the point you’ll lose sleep reading into the wee hours of the morning (as I did for more than one night) but it was totally worth it.

…and the spice? The spice is off the charts. So many descriptive scenes from more than one pov.

He falls first, she’s a girl who’s a bit different (I’ll let you read exactly how once it’s released) but I related to her quite a bit. It felt nice to be represented in yet a whole different way but just as seen.

The side characters are just as interesting if not more interesting than the MMC/FMC.

This has elements, houses, a school. Lovers, rivals.. hierarchy. It has it all.

I just got done with book 1 (and it doesn’t even release until Sept 15th!! ) and I already am anticipating book 2!!