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When the Sky Burns
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
13 days and 10:13:11
100 copies available
U.S. only
The 'Christmas' romantasy of 2026 is here...
Twelve perilous nights of Yule.
One ancient curse.
Two men who sought to contain her.
Until she became the weapon they feared.
The phoenixes are dying. The kingdom that worshipped them has fallen. When rebel spy Aliwen steals a sentient grimoire, she uncovers a truth the witches buried. The curse that destroyed the phoenixes was never meant to be broken.
But hidden within it is a single flaw.
Her.
On the run with the rebel leader who believes she holds the key to reclaim their kingdom — and hunted by an enemy Rider whose fire would destroy her with a single touch. Aliwen has the twelve nights of Yule to unravel the spell that reshaped kingdoms.
Or burn with it.
When the Sky Burns is a dark romantic fantasy with cursed phoenix riders, sentient books, ancient magic, dangerous loyalties, and a slow-burn romance set across the twelve nights of Yule.
Perfect for fans of One Dark Window, Road of Bones and When the Moon Hatched.
Twelve perilous nights of Yule.
One ancient curse.
Two men who sought to contain her.
Until she became the weapon they feared.
The phoenixes are dying. The kingdom that worshipped them has fallen. When rebel spy Aliwen steals a sentient grimoire, she uncovers a truth the witches buried. The curse that destroyed the phoenixes was never meant to be broken.
But hidden within it is a single flaw.
Her.
On the run with the rebel leader who believes she holds the key to reclaim their kingdom — and hunted by an enemy Rider whose fire would destroy her with a single touch. Aliwen has the twelve nights of Yule to unravel the spell that reshaped kingdoms.
Or burn with it.
When the Sky Burns is a dark romantic fantasy with cursed phoenix riders, sentient books, ancient magic, dangerous loyalties, and a slow-burn romance set across the twelve nights of Yule.
Perfect for fans of One Dark Window, Road of Bones and When the Moon Hatched.
542 pages, Paperback
About the author
Isla Lockwood
3 books59 followersHello and welcome!
I’m Isla Lockwood and I write dark, immersive romantasy inspired by folklore, mythology, ancient magic and the wild beauty of the winter.
My stories feature cursed phoenix riders, sentient books and the wonder of midwinter - where myths still walk among mortals. I draw inspiration from the traditions of Yule, winter folklore, Celtic and Germanic mythology. And I'm obsessed with the idea that long ago stories were told around fireside on the darkest nights of the year.
Growing up in a family who loved books, antiques and storytelling, I’ve always been drawn to myths, legends and the objects that carry stories through generations. Before becoming a novelist, I worked in publishing for a little bit before moving into events. But books have always been my whole personality either reading or writing them.
When the Sky Burns is my debut indie published romantasy novel, and the first book in the Skyworld series. It took nearly three years to get to this point and it is my love letter to the atmospheric, romantic and just-the-right-amount-of-dangerous books that I adore to read. And this is just the beginning - things will get darker and more dangerous as we go on!
Isla Lockwood is my fantasy pen name. My other pen name is C L Miller – the internationally bestselling crime novelist. But I have always read and written fantasy and romantasy so it was evitable that one day my love for the genre would lead me here.
I live in a medieval cottage in a tiny village in Suffolk with my family, where you’ll usually find me trying to convince my two overly energetic labradoodles that the shadows in the garden are not, in fact, invading armies.
If you want to join the Skyworld and learn more about it's characters (and the hot phoenix riders!) visit my website and for bonus content and upcoming info on my books and events join the newsletter.
Hold on tight - this is going to be quite a ride!
I’m Isla Lockwood and I write dark, immersive romantasy inspired by folklore, mythology, ancient magic and the wild beauty of the winter.
My stories feature cursed phoenix riders, sentient books and the wonder of midwinter - where myths still walk among mortals. I draw inspiration from the traditions of Yule, winter folklore, Celtic and Germanic mythology. And I'm obsessed with the idea that long ago stories were told around fireside on the darkest nights of the year.
Growing up in a family who loved books, antiques and storytelling, I’ve always been drawn to myths, legends and the objects that carry stories through generations. Before becoming a novelist, I worked in publishing for a little bit before moving into events. But books have always been my whole personality either reading or writing them.
When the Sky Burns is my debut indie published romantasy novel, and the first book in the Skyworld series. It took nearly three years to get to this point and it is my love letter to the atmospheric, romantic and just-the-right-amount-of-dangerous books that I adore to read. And this is just the beginning - things will get darker and more dangerous as we go on!
Isla Lockwood is my fantasy pen name. My other pen name is C L Miller – the internationally bestselling crime novelist. But I have always read and written fantasy and romantasy so it was evitable that one day my love for the genre would lead me here.
I live in a medieval cottage in a tiny village in Suffolk with my family, where you’ll usually find me trying to convince my two overly energetic labradoodles that the shadows in the garden are not, in fact, invading armies.
If you want to join the Skyworld and learn more about it's characters (and the hot phoenix riders!) visit my website and for bonus content and upcoming info on my books and events join the newsletter.
Hold on tight - this is going to be quite a ride!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 19, 2026
Ratings✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Basics✨
🪢 Captive x Captor(s)…but they’re actually ex-lovers
💁🏼♀️ Vengeful FMC hellbent on burning down those who burned HER world down
🙋🏻♂️ Morally grey MMC who does have her best interest at heart, even if it doesn’t seem like it
🔮 Magic, witches, Yule, and magical witch Yule lore
🐦🔥 PHOENIXES. I thought I loved dragons…but phoenixes? They do it better
☝🏼Single POV
My Review✨
From the beginning, this book was PACKED with adventure and action. No slow build up for the first half, no overly intricate world building that required referencing lists and maps repeatedly or getting confused about locations/families/feuds/etc. Don’t get me wrong - there absolutely was world and lore building as both are VERY relevant to the plot as a whole. And also don’t get me wrong - the world and lore building WAS detailed. But all of the aforementioned were done in a way that flowed effortlessly along WITH the plot and this, in my opinion, made this book INCREDIBLY easy to read and keep up with.
As far as the characters and the plot itself go? 10/10, no notes, literally chef’s kiss. There will be characters you love to hate, characters you hate to love but can’t help loving anyway, and an INCREDIBLY strong, feisty, determined, take no shit from nobody (even when she’s in some VERY precarious/dangerous situations) spitfire of an FMC that you will LOVE. And if you don’t, pure entitled to your opinion…but your opinion is WRONG (jk of course, I FULLY respect everyone’s right to have their own opinions even if they differ from mine).
There IS some spice in the book for those who are spice friendly but the scenes do not overshadow the plot and whilst detailed AND hot 🥵, they are very minimal. But trust when I say that the plot is so enrapturing you honestly probably won’t even notice (I certainly didn’t).
This is, hands down, going to be one of those books that I am going to recommend to anyone and everyone I humanly can because it’s just THAT good and that hard to forget.
RELEASING: October 15th, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Basics✨
🪢 Captive x Captor(s)…but they’re actually ex-lovers
💁🏼♀️ Vengeful FMC hellbent on burning down those who burned HER world down
🙋🏻♂️ Morally grey MMC who does have her best interest at heart, even if it doesn’t seem like it
🔮 Magic, witches, Yule, and magical witch Yule lore
🐦🔥 PHOENIXES. I thought I loved dragons…but phoenixes? They do it better
☝🏼Single POV
My Review✨
From the beginning, this book was PACKED with adventure and action. No slow build up for the first half, no overly intricate world building that required referencing lists and maps repeatedly or getting confused about locations/families/feuds/etc. Don’t get me wrong - there absolutely was world and lore building as both are VERY relevant to the plot as a whole. And also don’t get me wrong - the world and lore building WAS detailed. But all of the aforementioned were done in a way that flowed effortlessly along WITH the plot and this, in my opinion, made this book INCREDIBLY easy to read and keep up with.
As far as the characters and the plot itself go? 10/10, no notes, literally chef’s kiss. There will be characters you love to hate, characters you hate to love but can’t help loving anyway, and an INCREDIBLY strong, feisty, determined, take no shit from nobody (even when she’s in some VERY precarious/dangerous situations) spitfire of an FMC that you will LOVE. And if you don’t, pure entitled to your opinion…but your opinion is WRONG (jk of course, I FULLY respect everyone’s right to have their own opinions even if they differ from mine).
There IS some spice in the book for those who are spice friendly but the scenes do not overshadow the plot and whilst detailed AND hot 🥵, they are very minimal. But trust when I say that the plot is so enrapturing you honestly probably won’t even notice (I certainly didn’t).
This is, hands down, going to be one of those books that I am going to recommend to anyone and everyone I humanly can because it’s just THAT good and that hard to forget.
RELEASING: October 15th, 2026
September 28, 2026
I thought dragons had a permanent residence in my fantasy loving heart but Isla Lockwood came along with this book and said: “Move over, we have giant magical birds now.” And honestly? Fine. I surrender. Give me them all!
From the very beginning, there is something happening. This is not a book where I have to patiently wait 40% of the story for everyone to stop standing around explaining the world to me. The action, danger, magic and mystery are sprinkled throughout in a way that kept me turning pages because I genuinely wanted to know what disaster was waiting around the next corner and there are quite a few.
Aliwen was absolutely my kind of FMC. She is angry, determined, stubborn and carrying enough rage to power an entire city. LOVE IT! She has every reason to want revenge and watching her navigate everything thrown at her without becoming a helpless damsel was SO satisfying and refreshing. She doesn’t just sit around waiting for someone else to fix her problems. Girl has plans. Questionable plans sometimes? Absolutely. But plans.
And then there is Aster. 👀
I spent a good chunk of this book trying to figure him out and honestly, I enjoyed every second of it. There is a layer of mystery around him that made me want to keep digging, especially as more of his connection with Aliwen came into focus. Their relationship gave me that delicious combination of tension, history, hurt and please just TALK TO EACH OTHER frustration that I live for. The romance also worked for me because it didn’t completely swallow the fantasy plot. There is yearning, chemistry, kissing and a little spice but I never felt like the story was using romance as an excuse to forget everything else happening. I was here for the magic, the revenge, the phoenixes, the danger and the emotional damage. The romance was simply another way to make me emotionally unstable.
Kit and Torren also deserve a mention because I had approximately many different feelings about them. Some characters you love immediately. Some you want to shake. Some you are suspicious of while simultaneously thinking, hmmm… tell me more. These two definitely kept things interesting.
The Yule setting was another favorite for me. There is something about winter, old magic, curses, witches, ancient lore and a countdown toward something potentially catastrophic that just scratches the fantasy itch in my brain. Add phoenix riders and a curse involving dying phoenixes and their bonded riders and suddenly I have forgotten every responsibility I have ever had.
🫠 The Emotional Damage Department… Aliwen and Aster definitely put my emotions through the washing machine. There is so much history, loss, anger and unfinished business between the characters that I was constantly waiting for another little piece of the puzzle to fall into place. I liked that I wasn’t handed every answer immediately. It gave the story enough mystery without making me feel completely lost.
And that ending?
Ma’am.
EXCUSE ME?!
I would like to formally request the next book immediately. Preferably yesterday. Thank you.
🌶️ Spice Check: There is some spice, but this is definitely not a romance where the spice takes over the plot. The romance is much more about tension, yearning, emotional connection and the complicated history between Aliwen and Aster.
Final Thoughts: This was such a fun fantasy romance read for me. It’s adventurous without becoming overwhelming, magical without drowning me in complicated lore and emotional enough to make me stare at my Kindle like it personally betrayed me.
Release Date: October 15, 2026
Huge thank you to Jess Beyond The Pages and Isla Lockwood for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC ahead of release. I had such a fun time getting lost in this world and I am absolutely going to be watching for what comes next.
From the very beginning, there is something happening. This is not a book where I have to patiently wait 40% of the story for everyone to stop standing around explaining the world to me. The action, danger, magic and mystery are sprinkled throughout in a way that kept me turning pages because I genuinely wanted to know what disaster was waiting around the next corner and there are quite a few.
Aliwen was absolutely my kind of FMC. She is angry, determined, stubborn and carrying enough rage to power an entire city. LOVE IT! She has every reason to want revenge and watching her navigate everything thrown at her without becoming a helpless damsel was SO satisfying and refreshing. She doesn’t just sit around waiting for someone else to fix her problems. Girl has plans. Questionable plans sometimes? Absolutely. But plans.
And then there is Aster. 👀
I spent a good chunk of this book trying to figure him out and honestly, I enjoyed every second of it. There is a layer of mystery around him that made me want to keep digging, especially as more of his connection with Aliwen came into focus. Their relationship gave me that delicious combination of tension, history, hurt and please just TALK TO EACH OTHER frustration that I live for. The romance also worked for me because it didn’t completely swallow the fantasy plot. There is yearning, chemistry, kissing and a little spice but I never felt like the story was using romance as an excuse to forget everything else happening. I was here for the magic, the revenge, the phoenixes, the danger and the emotional damage. The romance was simply another way to make me emotionally unstable.
Kit and Torren also deserve a mention because I had approximately many different feelings about them. Some characters you love immediately. Some you want to shake. Some you are suspicious of while simultaneously thinking, hmmm… tell me more. These two definitely kept things interesting.
The Yule setting was another favorite for me. There is something about winter, old magic, curses, witches, ancient lore and a countdown toward something potentially catastrophic that just scratches the fantasy itch in my brain. Add phoenix riders and a curse involving dying phoenixes and their bonded riders and suddenly I have forgotten every responsibility I have ever had.
🫠 The Emotional Damage Department… Aliwen and Aster definitely put my emotions through the washing machine. There is so much history, loss, anger and unfinished business between the characters that I was constantly waiting for another little piece of the puzzle to fall into place. I liked that I wasn’t handed every answer immediately. It gave the story enough mystery without making me feel completely lost.
And that ending?
Ma’am.
EXCUSE ME?!
I would like to formally request the next book immediately. Preferably yesterday. Thank you.
🌶️ Spice Check: There is some spice, but this is definitely not a romance where the spice takes over the plot. The romance is much more about tension, yearning, emotional connection and the complicated history between Aliwen and Aster.
Final Thoughts: This was such a fun fantasy romance read for me. It’s adventurous without becoming overwhelming, magical without drowning me in complicated lore and emotional enough to make me stare at my Kindle like it personally betrayed me.
Release Date: October 15, 2026
Huge thank you to Jess Beyond The Pages and Isla Lockwood for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC ahead of release. I had such a fun time getting lost in this world and I am absolutely going to be watching for what comes next.
September 20, 2026
I know we all love a dragon fantasy, but When the Sky Burns proves that phoenixes are just as fierce, magical, and badass 🐦🔥
I loved the worldbuilding in this one! An ancient curse is believed to be behind the dying phoenixes, their bonded riders going mad, and war on the horizon. Everything gets more chaotic as we follow the 12 nights of Yule, the most dangerous time of year. And there are sentient books! 📚 This was such a cool addition to the story and I love that they actually served an important purpose.
𝙃𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙨. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙢.
As for the characters, our rebel FMC, Aliwen, was my favourite - full of feminine rage and always plotting revenge. Kit had me smiling every time he was on page. Torran might be a villain but the kind I want more of… and maybe even see a redemption arc in future? 👀 And Aster had me swooning, especially as I got to understand him more.
“𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙’𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪.” 😭
When the Sky Burns is an action-packed, addictive fantasy romance featuring:
❄️ Winter Fantasy
☠️ Touch = Death
🖤 Morally Grey Characters
🐦🔥 Cursed Phoenix Riders
💞 Second Chance Romance
⛓️ Forced Proximity
⚔️ Captor x Captive
⏳ Countdown to Catastrophe
I need book two like right now 😅
I loved the worldbuilding in this one! An ancient curse is believed to be behind the dying phoenixes, their bonded riders going mad, and war on the horizon. Everything gets more chaotic as we follow the 12 nights of Yule, the most dangerous time of year. And there are sentient books! 📚 This was such a cool addition to the story and I love that they actually served an important purpose.
𝙃𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙚𝙭𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙨. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙢.
As for the characters, our rebel FMC, Aliwen, was my favourite - full of feminine rage and always plotting revenge. Kit had me smiling every time he was on page. Torran might be a villain but the kind I want more of… and maybe even see a redemption arc in future? 👀 And Aster had me swooning, especially as I got to understand him more.
“𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙’𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙄𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪.” 😭
When the Sky Burns is an action-packed, addictive fantasy romance featuring:
❄️ Winter Fantasy
☠️ Touch = Death
🖤 Morally Grey Characters
🐦🔥 Cursed Phoenix Riders
💞 Second Chance Romance
⛓️ Forced Proximity
⚔️ Captor x Captive
⏳ Countdown to Catastrophe
I need book two like right now 😅
September 23, 2026
⭐️5.
🌶 1.5 of 5- for 1 descriptive intimate scene with roaming hands and named body parts, lots of yearning and tension, and a couple scenes of passionate kissing.
⚠️ some strong language throughout, mentions of SA and a scene of attempted SA (not committed by MMC), torture.
📚 first in a series, ends with a cliff hanger. Totally worth it.
💫 star-crossed lovers who keep fighting for each other.
I couldn't put this book down! I'm too old to be up reading at 1 am but here we are.
Giant phoenixes with bonded riders who have magical powers and a telepathic connection. This. Was. Incredible.The world building and magic system was creative and succinctly explained. I also loved the sentient/magical books and their importance to the plot.
These characters have my heart in a vice grip. Aliwen is strong, determined and out for revenge and I can't wait to see how she'll make them all pay for what they've done to her kingdom. Aster has my heart. He is a bit of a mystery at the beginning but the more you learn about him the more you love him. Torren and Kit are excellent characters as well. I hate them, I love them, I want more of them.
I will absolutely be continuing this series. I cannot believe this is a debut novel.
Thank you to the author for the ARC! These opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any way.
🌶 1.5 of 5- for 1 descriptive intimate scene with roaming hands and named body parts, lots of yearning and tension, and a couple scenes of passionate kissing.
⚠️ some strong language throughout, mentions of SA and a scene of attempted SA (not committed by MMC), torture.
📚 first in a series, ends with a cliff hanger. Totally worth it.
💫 star-crossed lovers who keep fighting for each other.
I couldn't put this book down! I'm too old to be up reading at 1 am but here we are.
Giant phoenixes with bonded riders who have magical powers and a telepathic connection. This. Was. Incredible.The world building and magic system was creative and succinctly explained. I also loved the sentient/magical books and their importance to the plot.
These characters have my heart in a vice grip. Aliwen is strong, determined and out for revenge and I can't wait to see how she'll make them all pay for what they've done to her kingdom. Aster has my heart. He is a bit of a mystery at the beginning but the more you learn about him the more you love him. Torren and Kit are excellent characters as well. I hate them, I love them, I want more of them.
I will absolutely be continuing this series. I cannot believe this is a debut novel.
Thank you to the author for the ARC! These opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any way.
September 25, 2026
You don't want to miss this one!!! I normally am all about the dragons but now....phoenixes!!!! 🐦🔥 Whoa!!!
Immediately you are diving into the action and there is never a lull! I loved that the worldbuilding was not overly complicated but easy to immerse and imagine being a part of from the start. And for anyone that has read my reviews before..know I love a strong non whiny FMC..and that is what we have in Aliwen! I was cheering her on the entire book! And Aster with her is 💞 . I loved them together!!
The magic system was so creative and explained enough that you were left with questions and confused. There was excellent side characters as well and hope to see more of them in the next book! I can't wait for everyone to read this one when it releases October 15,2026 so we can discuss! Highly recommend!! Thank you very much to the author for the eARC!
Immediately you are diving into the action and there is never a lull! I loved that the worldbuilding was not overly complicated but easy to immerse and imagine being a part of from the start. And for anyone that has read my reviews before..know I love a strong non whiny FMC..and that is what we have in Aliwen! I was cheering her on the entire book! And Aster with her is 💞 . I loved them together!!
The magic system was so creative and explained enough that you were left with questions and confused. There was excellent side characters as well and hope to see more of them in the next book! I can't wait for everyone to read this one when it releases October 15,2026 so we can discuss! Highly recommend!! Thank you very much to the author for the eARC!
October 1, 2026
eARC provides by the author for an early review!
I’m obsessed with the descriptive writing. I was completely immersed seeing, smelling and feeling everything Aliwen experienced. There was nonstop action from the first page. The sentient magical books, the tension, the yearning, and the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat making guesses and creating theories!
Our FMC is fierce and loyal! She’s ready to fight for the ones she loves and seeks vengeance on those that have wronged them. I was on the fence about Aster for most of the book! He was a like puzzle trying to fit all the pieces together.
Every time I would tell myself just one more chapter I’d have to keep reading to see what happened next! I could have devoured this in a day if it weren’t for adult responsibilities. Ready for the next book!
I’m obsessed with the descriptive writing. I was completely immersed seeing, smelling and feeling everything Aliwen experienced. There was nonstop action from the first page. The sentient magical books, the tension, the yearning, and the mystery kept me on the edge of my seat making guesses and creating theories!
Our FMC is fierce and loyal! She’s ready to fight for the ones she loves and seeks vengeance on those that have wronged them. I was on the fence about Aster for most of the book! He was a like puzzle trying to fit all the pieces together.
Every time I would tell myself just one more chapter I’d have to keep reading to see what happened next! I could have devoured this in a day if it weren’t for adult responsibilities. Ready for the next book!
October 1, 2026
This is my honest ARC review
I was really intrigued after the description, and about the three worlds.
(Sky world, earthworld, otherworld)
But after that, I had trouble to keep up.
It was good, but for me it was difficult to remember what I just read. So I felt confused for the most of the time, but I still enjoyed the book.
”Words held power in our world.”
It was an interesting read, even if I was confused most of the time. It has Yule, Celtic, phoenixes, magic and so much more.
I think it is perfect for the fantasy reader that doesn’t want too much romance. I think I expected a bit more, but yeah. It was still a pretty good book, but for me, it was one of those books you read and instantly forget everything you just read. Unfortunately.
“You’ve always been in a cage. You just chose not to see the bars. At least our cages are honest.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was really intrigued after the description, and about the three worlds.
(Sky world, earthworld, otherworld)
But after that, I had trouble to keep up.
It was good, but for me it was difficult to remember what I just read. So I felt confused for the most of the time, but I still enjoyed the book.
”Words held power in our world.”
It was an interesting read, even if I was confused most of the time. It has Yule, Celtic, phoenixes, magic and so much more.
I think it is perfect for the fantasy reader that doesn’t want too much romance. I think I expected a bit more, but yeah. It was still a pretty good book, but for me, it was one of those books you read and instantly forget everything you just read. Unfortunately.
“You’ve always been in a cage. You just chose not to see the bars. At least our cages are honest.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 2, 2026
Everyone who loves a good wintery romantasy, NEEDS this book in their life!! The action and adventure starts at the beginning and doesn't stop. There is world building and lore throughout the whole story that makes this world so immersive. I absolutely love the characters and their development. The FMC is strong, determined, and vengeful...also, she has 12 nights of Yule to get through. "Everyone who played a part in our kingdom’s devastation would pay for what they did." I love the uniqueness with Phoenixes, riders, ancient lore, and the magic system. I had a hard time putting this book down and found myself wanting more when I did put it down (I almost called out of work to finish, haha). The ending has me in a choke hold and I need more!!
September 29, 2026
I received this book as an advanced reader copy - the opinions are my own.
In a patriarchal world filled with betrayals, phoenix riders and a growing rebellion, Aliwen finds herself on the run. She discovers things along the way that many were believed were true were the exact opposite.
This story has growth, fantasy, romantic tension, and gives why choose vibes (imo) may be coming.
I loved this new take on sky creatures - don’t get me wrong… I love my dragon books, but something about the phoenix speaks to me!
This is book one in the series and I can’t wait for book 2!
In a patriarchal world filled with betrayals, phoenix riders and a growing rebellion, Aliwen finds herself on the run. She discovers things along the way that many were believed were true were the exact opposite.
This story has growth, fantasy, romantic tension, and gives why choose vibes (imo) may be coming.
I loved this new take on sky creatures - don’t get me wrong… I love my dragon books, but something about the phoenix speaks to me!
This is book one in the series and I can’t wait for book 2!
October 2, 2026
OMG. This was so so so good!
Going to try and write this without spoilers!
First, I love how this genre of book was half of nothing but world building. Most I’ve read spend so much time world building it gets confusing. Isla wrote this book in a way that had just enough with out it being over bearing. Much appreciated.
I love all the characters and this story was thrilling, and it did in fact leave off on a cliffhanger! I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!!
That’s all I can say without spoilers
Ps I’m rooting for A & T…. Anyone else?!?
Going to try and write this without spoilers!
First, I love how this genre of book was half of nothing but world building. Most I’ve read spend so much time world building it gets confusing. Isla wrote this book in a way that had just enough with out it being over bearing. Much appreciated.
I love all the characters and this story was thrilling, and it did in fact leave off on a cliffhanger! I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!!
That’s all I can say without spoilers
Ps I’m rooting for A & T…. Anyone else?!?
September 29, 2026
Advance Reader Copy provided by author!
I struggled with this one in the beginning. The world-building felt confusing, and I was pretty lost trying to understand the magic, kingdoms, and characters. Around the halfway point, though, things finally started to click, and I found myself enjoying the story much more. Once I understood the world, the plot became more engaging and I was invested in seeing where it would go. It took some patience to get into, but I’m glad I stuck with it.
I struggled with this one in the beginning. The world-building felt confusing, and I was pretty lost trying to understand the magic, kingdoms, and characters. Around the halfway point, though, things finally started to click, and I found myself enjoying the story much more. Once I understood the world, the plot became more engaging and I was invested in seeing where it would go. It took some patience to get into, but I’m glad I stuck with it.
September 29, 2026
ARC READ
First off, thank you for the opportunity to arc read for this book!!
While I do think this book could be a 5 star for some, it just didn’t hit right for me. For some reason I couldn’t stay with all the magic and the different worlds, I got lost a lot. But it definitely did pick up and get better for me in the last 25%!
I loved the relationship between aster and aliwan and the ending did have some major draw dropping moments!
Spice 1/5 (one small scene, nothing wild.)
First off, thank you for the opportunity to arc read for this book!!
While I do think this book could be a 5 star for some, it just didn’t hit right for me. For some reason I couldn’t stay with all the magic and the different worlds, I got lost a lot. But it definitely did pick up and get better for me in the last 25%!
I loved the relationship between aster and aliwan and the ending did have some major draw dropping moments!
Spice 1/5 (one small scene, nothing wild.)
September 29, 2026
The sky, the earth , warhorse and phoenixes with riders and greedy nasty kings. This is a great fantasy, almost fairytale like and wonderfully written. It has a great flow and lovable characters and I really like Torran.
September 22, 2026
If you enjoy reading about Dragon Riders you'll love this book with Phoenix Riders!
I loved this very much and very glad I signed up to ARC read. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I loved this very much and very glad I signed up to ARC read. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Want to Read
September 22, 2026I received this as a ARC from NerdFam - super jazzed to dive in!
September 24, 2026
THE ENDING 10/10 GIRL POWER!!!!!!
But on a real note screw dragons I want more Phoenixs in my fantasy 🥰🥰
But on a real note screw dragons I want more Phoenixs in my fantasy 🥰🥰
September 25, 2026
Thank you for the ARC I love a great fantasy and this story was it
October 1, 2026
Incredible. I love the phoenix riders!
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