Her Crown of Fire

Molten Crown #1

by Renee April

In the dull, everyday world, seventeen-year-old Rose Evermore struggles to plan beyond her final year of high school. But when fire suddenly obeys her every command and her dreams predict the future, she becomes hungry for more of this strange power.

Under her dreams’ guidance, Rose lands in the fantasy realm of Lotheria–with a tagalong. Tyson, her best friend since childhood, winds up there with her, just as confused and a hell of a lot more vulnerable. In Lotheria, Rose is welcomed and celebrated as a fire mage at the Academy, while the very un-magical Tyson is forced into hiding under threat of death from the headmasters of Rose’s new school.

As Rose’s talent in fire magic draws unwanted attention and Tyson struggles to transition from high school student to blacksmith, Rose must find a way to return Tyson to their own world before the headmasters discover and execute him–no matter the cost.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

387 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2019

About the author

Renee April is the author of the Molten Crown Trilogy.

She is also the Creative Director of SkyNation Publishing in Brisbane, Australia (Tales of Ale and Chainmail Vol 1 and Beasts of London).

Twitch Partner (ReneeSky), YouTube Partner, voice actor.

Business enquiries: renee@skynation.info

Reviews

[Ivana - Diary of Difference · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wishlist | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Ko-fi

#1 Her Crown of Fire - ★★★★
#2 His Throne of Embers - TBR (coming out in Winter 2022, and I cannot wait!)



Her Crown of Fire is the first book of the Molten Crown series.

Rose Evermore is a girl trying to survive high-school. But she suddenly has dreams that can predict the future and she seems to be able to control fire.

Curious about the power she possesses, she finds herself in the fantasy realm of Lotheria with her best friend Tyson. When she arrives, she is welcomed as a fire mage at the academy, while Tyson is forced to hide in order to survive.

With a lot of plot twists and new power discoveries, Rose and Tyson are in trouble and have to find a way back home.

I enjoyed this book, and I loved the characters.

It is quite difficult for me to find characters I actually feel for in young adult fantasies, but I loved Rose and Tyson. Both characters were full of energy and wisdom. I especially loved the way Tyson developed into a man during his time in Lotheria.

Aside from Rose and Tyson, we also met many side characters which were instantly lovable, such as Laela, Orin and Amisha. They all had something about them that made them special, and I loved every scene that they were in.

I wish that the academy had a more welcoming feeling about it. But given the circumstances, I also loved the mystery and danger that is surrounding it. I loved the the scenes when they talk about their classes and magic, and I loved the runes class. It gave me a Hogwarts vibe.

I enjoyed reading this book, and I cannot wait to read the next book of this series. If you love young adult fantasy, magic, danger and adventure, followed by incredible friendships, you will absolutely love Her Crown of Fire!

Thank you to the team at White Plan Publishing, for sending me an ARC paperback copy, in exchange for my honest review.

Wishlist | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

[Helen Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Rose Evermore is just a normal teenager who has no idea what she wants to be when she grows up. That is, until she suddenly discovers her magical affinity for fire and develops dreams that predict the future.  Before she knows it, she winds up in a fantasy realm called Lotheria—with her best friend, Tyson, who has no magic. She is taken to the mysterious Academy to learn to use her magic, while Tyson must hide from the authorities—at the risk of death.  Rose needs to find a way to get them back home, before Tyson becomes the next target of the headmasters’ frightening wrath.

My Thoughts
This book is a real page-turner! I had a hard time putting this book down at bedtime.  From the first page I could tell that this was going to be different from other books like this. I kept expecting it to fall into common tropes.  While it’s still a book about a girl who discovers her magical powers and is torn away from her life and forced to live in a magical world where she must attend a school for magic, the individual plot points are quite unique from other similar books.

The atmosphere of this story is quite dark, darker than expected, and the Headmasters of the school are far from warm and cuddly. Punishments are severe, and they come with even the teeniest, tiniest of infractions.

At the risk of spoilers, I want to be super vague when I talk about the romance in this story. Rose does not fall for who I was expecting her to fall for, which was a pleasant surprise.  I was fully expecting April to write the more obvious of the romances (there are quite a few potential love interests), and she went with someone else entirely.  That said, the romance felt rushed towards the end of the book, and I would have preferred if Rose had interacted with her love interest a little more earlier on, had some longing glances and whatnot to build up to their passionate love affair.

I did find a few parts of the book confusing, especially earlier on. When Rose first shows up in this unique world and is taken to the Academy to study magic, she experiences a strange magical… something. Was it a test? A hazing ritual?  I’m still not entirely sure what I had read, and it happened early enough in the book that it left me worried that I would experience that level of confusion again. Fortunately, it’s the only part of the book that really left me scratching my head, as everything else was quite easy to follow.  If you experience the same while reading this book, I encourage you to push through it, because this read is quite rewarding!

One part of the book that I absolutely adored is the use of Runes. April has created a unique type of magic that leaves me aching for more. You know that a writer has created an interesting type of magic when I long to read a textbook on the subject. Yeah, I know that sounds weird, but I want to read a textbook on Runes written by Renee April. (I am a librarian and researcher, after all! It shouldn’t be so hard to believe). Other aspects of the magic in this world are just as interesting, especially the unique take on soulmates, and I’m eager to explore this world more in the next instalment in this series.



I recommend this book to anyone looking to get lost in a dark, magical world.



*Thank you to Write Plan for the advanced reader copy for review*

This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/

Instagram | Blog | Website | Twitter

My 2019 Reading Challenge

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and her agent for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
4.5/5

First the world:
At the beginning I was a but confused. because I wasn't able to picture the world, the magic system etc. the author wasn't really giving us any clues. But actually, we discovered things at the same time as the main character. And I really appreciated that because first it was very well done, and second it kept me on edge.

I wasn't expecting that world to be that dark. I mean Rose ends up in Lotheria which is a city that is in war with the North but most importantly a place where I would not love the live! If you have magic, the Academy will just take you away from your family, will make you pick a major for your study, will make you study super hard while using you as much as they can. And once you graduate you will start paying your debts. I totally get the debts thing as many in our world get loans to go to university but here? They didn't have a choice. They didn't have a say. I mean, do you want to have magic at that point? haha
Just knowing that I fell in love with the world. So dark, but not bloody, gothic dark. It was very realistic and I loved it as much as I hated it.
It was a very complex world, with a unique and imaginative magic system. And yes, that Academy is very impressive! And the courses choices the students have, are different from what you would see in other YA.

The characters:
I loved every single one of the characters. I have to admit that their relationships evolved very quickly. They became friends maybe a bit too quick for me. But at the same time, when all in trouble, we all stick together. I didn't feel like any of the characters were too immature, or too stubborn, or too anything as it is usually the case in YA. I loved Rose a lot. She was strong and curious!

You can see each character changing through the pages. They were believable and had layers! They weren't just angry and messy teenagers taking part in something they couldn't possibly understand fully.

The Enjoyment:
Besides the fact that I was a bit confused at the beginning, I loved that book a lot! I ate it to be honest. Read it in two sittings. I was intrigued, captivated and I wanted to keep reading. I will definitely continue with that series and keep recommending it to the avid readers who love high fantasy.

So will you add it to your TBR?

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Her Crown of Fire is a debut YA portal fantasy following 17-year-old Rose Evermore who discovers she can manipulate fire and then falls into another world, along with her best friend Tyson. Lotheria is a world full of magic, but also one that is extremely authoritarian and brutal, taking control of training any potential mages, whether human-born or not. I found this to be a fun read, but it definitely feels like a debut novel and makes some interesting choices.

Structurally, this book actually reminds me more of what you would see these days in middle grade novels, although the content is certainly much darker and more mature. In that sense it feels kind of like a throwback with a nothing-special girl thrown into another world where she suddenly matters a whole lot. In terms of pace and plot, it's a little bit scattered and doesn't always feel very cohesive. It's doing a lot of different things and while all of it is interesting, I would have liked to see more development of different pieces and maybe a bit of streamlining. We get a lot of different world-building elements introduced, but sometimes the explanations aren't very clear. It's tricky navigating how to give enough clear information without info-dumping, but in this case we could have done with more, or at least clearer explanations of certain elements. Because of the uneven pacing, the ending feels rather abrupt and leaves you with a lot of unanswered questions.

The character & relationship development tend to take a backseat to the plot, which unfortunately makes some important things feel less emotionally compelling than they otherwise could be. For instance, there is a romance that develops near the end of the book that feels like it comes out of nowhere with very little buildup, and there is a character death that could have been more impactful.
That said, there are a lot of twists and turns that keep things interesting. The execution could have been more polished, but I think some of that will come with experience.

That is a lot of critique and it might sound like I didn't like the book, but I actually found it to be interesting and quite enjoyable to read. It kept me turning the pages and while some things could have done with more development, it wasn't so clunky as get in the way of the reading experience too often. I liked how dark and brutal the world was and the ways she explored social inequality in a variety of ways. I am left with several questions I want answers to, like who exactly is Rose's dad? What does it mean to be a queen in this world? And why did the book end the way it did?! I think (although it's not entirely clear) that Rose might be bisexual and I liked that representation, although I was pretty underwhelmed with the development of her romantic interest.

Overall, this is a fun if imperfect read and definitely worth picking up if you like dark fantasy and portal-type stories. I was send an advance copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book about a week ago and have waffled a little bit about what rating I wanted to go with. I’m pretty settled on 3.5/5.0 and the decision has been how to round for goodreads. I definitely enjoyed the read, so up it is.

I will start by saying tha YA fantasy is not normally what I read most often, but in reading the synopsis for this, I decided to give it a shot. There are things I really enjoyed about this book, and some things I wanted more. I’ll break these down below:

First, the things I liked best:
* The characters. I enjoyed most all of them, especially our main character Rose. She is multifaceted, and grows a lot during this tale. I also enjoyed the supporting characters, who are quite varied.
* The world. Very well built setting, and a believable world. I liked the magic system.
* Good story. I like the overall story, and that there are lots of ways this can go still. I don’t feel that it’s locked in, and there is a lot more to the story.
* Good pace. Things are happening, not a lot of downtime.

And the other side of the coin:
* Needs a little more detail. I think my main complaint is that I just wanted a little more detail in some spots. I wanted to know more about the school and it’s background. I wanted some more background on the conflict with the north. I wanted to know more about the headmasters, and where they came from, how they have been able to be in control. I really wanted to know more about the magic system, especially the Runes. I felt at one point that Rose knew things that we hadn’t seen her learn along the way. I wanted to know more about Rose’s friends, and especially her teachers, who seem to have a lot more story And background to know.
* A slower start. I felt like I was just thrown very quickly into this new world with Rose. I would have liked a little more background for both Rose and Tyson. I didn’t really understand some of the things that happened at first, and would have liked a little more knowledge.
* Dark. I felt at times that everything was so dark, maybe a little overwhelming.
* Not long enough. I wasn’t ready to be finished when it ended. :)

Overall, I think the things I wanted more of are there, but have been saved for the continuation of the story In the next book (at least I hope!), or were cut in fear of making the story too long. I can feel the author’s enthusiasm for this story, and especially for Rose, and her growth. I will certainly be reading the sequel(s) to see where this story takes us.

[kiwi · Rating 4 out of 5]

EDIT 8.1.19: REVIEW HAS BEEN POSTED!! (see below)

1.20(?).19

Okay, so...I have been following this author since day ONE pretty much, back when she was just posting chapter by chapter updates on Goodreads. I've watched her grow and watched her writing become better and better. She first indie-published some things that I read through high school and enjoyed quite a bit, and I'm so happy for her that she's foraying into the official publishing business! That's super-exciting for anyone who supports indie artists!!!

Can't wait for this to come out...So happy I checked to see that there's a cover now :0

7.31.19 - Heyooo

So, the author graciously lent me an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and I plan on getting my review up either today or tomorrow so stay posted! I have mostly positive, good things to say, with a few critiques, but please everyone note that I read an early access, non-edited copy of the book, so some things (including quotes, critiques, etc.) are subject to change in the final printed version.

8.1.19 - THE REVIEW (as promised)

Overall rating: 3.5-3.7 stars (but round it to a four b.c. in comparison to the rest of the books I've read this year)
Mood: War's a bitch
Friendship-relationship points: 8/10
Side-character presence: Waaaaaay better than most YA books

Now, it's important to note going in that this is NOT the first version of this book I've read. It's actually the third.

Back when I was like...14 or 15 (almost a decade ago, wow, freaky), Goodreads was just starting to boom as a community, and the creative writing tag was actually...active. Like, really active. People were sharing stories and pumping each other up and it was...kinda nice, TBH.

At the time, the author, Ms. April, started posting a story that I followed (the original draft of this book). That story morphed again when it was first printed into a completed indie trilogy (which I read all of) and once again now that she is officially being published.

With this in mind, I went into reading this book with a LOT of background knowledge about Rose, Phoenix, Lotheria, Petre, Theresa, Jett, etc. etc.

But things have changed in this version. Mostly for the good, TBH, which is sort of what I expected.

Just as a warning, though, I WILL be comparing things a bit to old drafts. I'll try to hide any spoilers for the old versions in tags, but again: those were pretty different versions compared to this final product. So some of my "spoilers" might not even be spoilers. Who's to know.

In general? I like the general premise and the characters set up by the author. It has this vaguely old-school 2000's fiction vibe about it that I REALLY like, because the story is a story for the sake of being an entertaining story. It's not trying to make a political point, or satisfy any particular group of people, or put down any ground of people.

Which I appreciate.

But I also appreciate it because it's a dying subculture of books and it really shouldn't be. The whole "journeying to a different world and going on a dank quest" is something that...everyone in their 20s and below still dreams about because it's FUN. Most YA books are the same nowadays, which worried me a LITTLE it when I saw the author was rebooting this, but she maintained her original story roots without doing any pandering.

Could that change? Possibly, sure. But I appreciate it when authors just give me an entertaining story without trying to bullshit me. I feel like the book is somehow nostalgic for times back when fantasy was just starting out and people felt like they could do anything with their book because even 15 years ago, it was less about letting the big six publishers make $$$ and more about telling a story.

Authors, take note: you don't have to do what everyone else is doing to be successful. I'd consider this indie to official story as a nice confidence boost to anyone writing something that the main publishing companies have decided isn't enough of a copy of another popular book to make them money.

ANYWAY. Now that I've stopped talking about why I'm glad this book went from Indie to official, now it's time to get on to the review of the book contents themselves.

To the specifics:

WORLDBUILDING

The first thing I'll note is that the world Rose travels to in this version of the story is a lot DARKER than the one before. However, before you start rolling your eyes, the great relief here is that Ms. April doesn't go full Grimdark. And a lot of my problems with Grimdark fantasy is that its weirdly kinky in that most Grimdark feels as if it's an excuse for the author to write about taboo and horrible subjects that they get off on.

The new Lotheria isn't Grimdark. It's more, honestly realistic dark.

We learn that Lotheria is basically at war with the north, and that the Academy is stealing/"recruiting" people with magical potential (from surrounding areas and from Earth) to train up as soldiers, get them hooked into military service to pay off their education debt, and then send them off to fight said war for them.

Because of this war, food is scare. People in the nearby (arguably "occupied") village suffer and are treated like 2nd class citizens for not being magical. The academy isn't just "a school" like it was in older versions, but more sinister and war-focused. Students who are punished get PUNISHED. As in: whipped at a stake.

Yeah.

Like I said: darker.

Because instead of being more of a funsy-style adventure-fantasy (nothing wrong with that but you know), the book is taking hold of its roots and showing what it is really like to live in a war-torn area and the consequences that come from that: people being forced into military service to fight someone else's war, people using whatever they can to take advantage of others and gain political, monetary, or military power.

Heck, the whole "school debt" thing might even potentially be a clever social commentary on how sunk in debt everyone born from 1980 onwards are from school costs. Netalia and Iein are less like "the heads of an academy" and are darker iterations of their previous selves. Even the teachers of the school feel like they've been chained to their desks, and don't really want to be a part of this student --> soldier push.

In Ms. April's new version of Lotheria, there are CONSEQUENCES to actions, and those consequences MATTER.

For example something that wasn't in the original, but is in this version, is Rose's leg injury after she and Petre try to save his younger brother. In the original version, there is still a similar event that occurs near the end of that draft, but Rose is a lot more powerful. There is more focus on the "Hogwarts-esque" schooling mixed with Cinda Williams Chima's "Warrior Heir" training, while this book is more social-politically focused. When Rose gets hurt, that injury stays with her. It's a battle wound, and it's not going away. Because fighting isn't how they make it look like in Marvel movies.

It's dirty. Violent. War is nasty. There are consequences.

The world-building overall is pretty general magical-fantasy, but in the original series there are definitely MoNSteRS and nasty stuff out there that we may or may not see later on. And the usage of soul-mates is something that will definitely be explored more later on, seeing as its pretty important to the plot and to the world.

CHARACTERS

First thing's first, in the original: there was no Tyson, and no Arno, or Laela. Most of the other characters, though, are similar to their first iterations. I'll mention just a few differences here below:

Rose is just as saucy and justice-driven as before, but matures much quicker in this version of the book than in previous ones. The only thing that changed about her that's a little confusing is the fact that I think she's bisexual? But it's never really said or not.

She shares two kisses in the book, one with Petre before he dies so that's not fully explored, and one with Laela.

Now, I have no idea if Petre was just a friend or not because the story never has time to explore that more: he dies. But Laela is obviously supposed to be "more" than just a friend. Or maybe she won't be a "full" future love interest, given the vagueness of the ending. I really couldn't say.

Where it gets confusing is that Rose and Laela's relationship feels a little rushed towards the end. We meet her a couple of times sporadically in the book as a 3rd tier character, and then she and Rose share a rather passionate kiss, and afterwards, though Rose has been insisting up until now that the two are not AT ALL in a relationship, Laela's mentioned like a potential girlfriend and is treated as such.

And I'm not contesting that Rose WOULDN'T risk her life for Laela, because she's shown before that she'll lay down her life to protect people she barely knows.

I'm just contesting the idea that the relationship feels like it came out of nowhere when put next to the events that happen at the end of the book.

Tyson and Amisha have more of a foundation for a relationship because they've been meeting each other and exchanging gifts etc. and even they are still treated like they're in the "budding romance" stage while BAM, Rose goes pretty 0-100 romantically with Laela.

GRANTED: in my re-read, I DID notice Rose noticing Laela more and felt sort of stupid for not picking that up the first time around. Like, there is definitely not really flirting, but there IS some eye-balling going on.

But I also felt like the relationship isn't really starting from a healthy place, because its basically built on Rose feeling like she owes Laela and her family, and then feeling guilty about what happened to Laela's father and trying to repay that debt. ... Not that book relationships are always 10/10, it just felt a little weird to me. It's just something that I noticed.

Its also a little confusing because in the original, I know Rose is straight (or at least she dates 2 guys) and Theresa (? I think) ends up falling in love with the queen of a different country (not in the original series, in an add-on). So IDK if this is just a major plot point change, or if Laela's going to die in another installment, or if I misread it completely, or if Rose isn't bi, or what.

SHRUGS.

Basically, it just made me confused. It probably will be less confusing for other readers who DIDN'T read the original version, but at the same time, it does want me to get the next book to see what happens next because at this point, given this change: who knows. So...

We also see MUCH less of Jett and Phoenix in this version than in previous ones.

Either Phoenix's role has been diminished somewhat, or he'll become more of a major player in following installments. I honestly couldn't tell you. Since the series DOES have an emphasis on the whole soul mate bit, and Rose knows for a FACT that Phoenix is supposed to be hers, they just haven't bonded yet, we know he'll PROBABLY be more important in the next book. I just don't know how.

It's interesting to see how he's changed, though. He is much less brooding bad boy in this one, and just seems sad instead. Like he's seen too much (which he probably has). He actually is the one to try to reach out to Rose and she's the one giving him the cold shoulder. Which is nice. He is a good boy.

...Sort of.

SHRUGS.

We'll see.

Jett, meanwhile, is also held more at a distance as "one of several" teachers instead of Rose's mentor figure, and that role ends up being split between him and Arno.

I'm very interested to see what happens with that triangle, there, because both teachers seem fond of Rose and are willing to break MAJOR rules to help her out, so I don't think they're that down to clown with the university workings.

I DO like the addition of Arno, though. I'm not even entirely sure why, it just feels like a good casting addition. The "mentor hiding in the basement" sort of fellow. And I like his use/Rose's use of runes and how that comes into play in the storyline.

Another addition I like is the brief exchange Rose has with Petre's little brother.

I think it adds more to her character, and it's also nice to see a "tough fem character" for once who DOESN'T hate kids or isn't repulsed by them or awkward with them. It's nice that Rose is, well...NICE to children.

Rose's friends are also interesting, because when the first death happens , I don't think readers will be that upset about the death itself, but will connect more with how the rest of Rose's friends, and how she herself, react/s to it. So, as of yet, we are still awaiting what I like to refer to as the first PAINFUL death because while it was painful for some of the characters, the audience probably won't feel that much.

Because we didn't know Petre that well.

Lol. Sorry for the spoiler section. But it's important.

I think the most interesting dynamic change is throwing Tyson into the mix. Because it forces Rose to choose between different things: staying in Lotheria and helping a new cause she believes in/saving Tyson and getting home. Learning her magic/visiting Tyson. Etc. Etc.

I'm also glad to see Griffin Marks making an earlier appearance in the story than in the previous version. Originally, he doesn't show up until MUCH, MUCH later, and it's always kind of fun to see characters in new scenarios when I already kinda know what they're like.

Granted, because of all the influx of characters being introduced, there IS a little feeling of lack-of-attachment that some people might have. I know these characters because I've read about them before. But the book IS rather short (nothing against short books, it's just a fact!), so I haven't fully invested in any set of characters yet, as in, if one of them died I probably wouldn't throw the book at the wall.

But I also haven't been that attached to a character in years, so who's to say.

I WILL say that the characters I'll be watching next time around are probably: Jett, Amisha, Arno, Phoenix, and Griffin.

Because...IDK, that's just who I am.

Speaking of Amisha, I'm happy that her homeland is introduced way earlier on. It adds a sense of worldliness to the story, that there are other places out there other than Lotheria, and also adds some background knowledge JIC the series takes a familiar turn to the original...

Let's just say that there's a character from a later installment in the "original" version that I really liked, and who I hope makes a reappearance.

I will read the next books when they come out, to see what happens next, but I haven't gotten super attached to any one of the characters, so hopefully I'll do some picking and choosing next time around.

I might edit this review a little more later, and keep in mind that some of the things I mentioned may or may not be subject to change in the final version. But yep. This is it for now.

See yas.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/14/2020)! 🎁

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Darkness takes me, and I let myself slide into its caress"

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

A dark world filled with realistic characters.

SUMMARY
Rose Evermore and her best friend Tyson are getting ready for their senior year. But when Rose starts having premonitions of the future, and finds herself immune to fire, her life starts to change. When Rose gets sucked in the kingdom of Lotheria, Tyson is accidentally dragged along with her. Rose is taken in by The Academy and trained as a mage, but Tyson is in danger. As a "humanborn non-magi", his presence means death. Rose suddenly finds herself torn between finally finding a place where she belongs, and also wanting to protect her best friend. But when Rose uncovers dark secrets about the rulers of The Academy, she ventures down a traitorous path that puts not only her life, but those around her, at risk.


REVIEW
This was such a conflicting read for me. There were aspects that I loved and aspects that I ... didn't.

The kingdom of Lotheria is fleshed out and, even though the ARC has no map, I felt like I could envision all the different lands. This was also a very dark novel. There is so much corruption going on in this world and the people who are in charge are abusive of that power. I was shocked by how deep the topics got on inequality and the struggles of war.

I also felt connected to Rose's pain, especially after a major character death. The way that Renee April wrote Rose's grief and showed the different methods in which others grieved felt very realistic. I was also personally affected by the major character death due to the way April makes the reader connect to her cast. I felt their absence from the rest of the novel and it really cemented the grief that Rose was experiencing.

Rose also sustains a leg injury that causes her to don a cane for half the novel. The representation of her pain and the way she deals with the injury was well crafted. Honestly, Rose is such a complex character. And while I wasn't a huge fan of her in the beginning, she really grew on me. I admire her as a character and understand the decisions that she made. I think that she may not be likable to a lot of people, but that is because the loss of her friend breaks her and you see a major personality shift.

(side note: the Rune magic in this is SO COOL)

The reason why this book was only 3 stars is because the beginning was very hard to get into and slow. There were too many moments that I found cringe-worthy and the characters frustrated the heck out of me. You can definitely tell that this story is a debut, and it just is not up to par with the other debuts that I have read recently. There were also a few plot points that felt forced, especially Tyson. It felt like he was constantly forgotten and then would pop back up now and then. This story does have an early-2000's feel and it reminds me of my childhood in Australia with all the slang that is used. While I really enjoyed seeing the Aussie rep, it did take me out of the book at times.

I will also admit that this book did remind me a lot of "Trial by Fire" by Josephine Angelini. Only because it is about a girl who ends up in a different world and finds out that what made her seem crazy in the mortal world, makes her powerful in the magic world. Without spoiling, it also ended in a very similar way.

Overall, I really want to pick up the next book! I have a need to know what happens next and how the characters will deal with the ending events. If the premise sounds interesting, I recommend you pick it up!

[Renee]

Her Crown of Fire is now a fully voice acted adventure podcast on Spotify! https://anchor.fm/hercrownoffire

Book 2, His Throne of Embers, comes out in 2024. Keen for you all to read it!

[Sofía Aguerre · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Spanish review, English below]

Me hace muy feliz poder estar escribiendo esta reseña. Algunos de ustedes tal vez recuerden cuando les compartí las mini reseñas de The Soul Trilogy hace un par de años, que fue como conocí a esta autora y a este mundo en particular. Ahora, años después, esta historia tiene un radical —de verdad es muy diferente— lavado de cara y se publica con editorial, como siempre supe que merecía. Tengo que agradecerle a la editorial y a la autora por confiar en mí y dejarme leer el ARC hace unos meses. El libro se publica el próximo 1 de noviembre, así que ya pueden ir preparándose para comprarlo apenas salga, porque viene con todo. Eso sí, está en inglés y no tengo idea de si saldrá traducido en algún momento, pero si pueden leerlo, de verdad vale la pena y es ideal para practicar la lectura en este idioma.

Como la sinopsis está en inglés, ya les cuento yo de qué trata. Se trata de una novela de fantasía que empieza en nuestro mundo, con una Rose muy confundida sobre su futuro. Entonces empiezan a pasar cosas raras. Pájaros muertos, fuego. En determinado momento, Rose y su amigo Tyson terminan por caer en otro mundo, totalmente distinto al nuestro, pero al que Rose pertenece. El problema es que Tyson, no, y por lo tanto está en peligro de muerte. Mientras Rose aprende a controlar sus poderes y a especializarse en la magia de las runas, conoce a otros estudiantes que son tanto de su mundo como de este y además descubre que las cosas son bastante más complicadas de lo que parecen, Tyson se queda con el herrero. En distintos frentes, intentan encontrar la manera de regresar a su mundo. Pero, ¿de verdad ambos quieren volver? ¿Podrán hacerlo? Hay mucho más en juego que sus propias vidas.

Sé que hasta acá parece, bueno, más de lo mismo. Tengamos en cuenta que no soy muy buena resumiendo cosas. En fin, puede parecer algo que ya leímos antes, pero no es tan así. La autora no solo logra crear algo que se siente diferente, sino que no tiene problema en mostrarnos una historia bastante cruda en la que las consecuencias de los actos de los personajes son difíciles y, sobre todo, permanentes. Y cuando uso esta palabra, no lo hago a la ligera, quiero que entiendan eso.

Desde el momento en el que entramos en Lotheria notamos que no se trata de un mundo amable donde la magia es algo feliz. No, ser mago implica tener una posición social, pero también una obligación y años de servicio después de graduarte. Significa jugarte la vida en una guerra de la que Rose, al menos, no sabe lo suficiente. Y este no es ni siquiera el destino más terrible. Sea como sea, Rose tampoco tiene muchas opciones. Y además quiere aprender más sobre su magia, ese poder que ahora sí puede explorar y conocer como se debe. Aunque la academia en la que estudia sea estricta y guarde montones de secretos.

En esa academia y en la ciudad vecina es donde Rose conocerá a un montón de gente nueva, hará amigos, todo lo que podemos esperar. Sin embargo, lo que sí no deben esperar son las típicas relaciones (y por relaciones me refiero a de todo tipo) de estas historias. Hay amistades, pero llevan su tiempo. Hay algún que otro sentimiento interesante, pero no son los que uno imagina. No quiero ponerme a hablar de todos los personajes porque, de verdad, a veces se me mezclan sus arcos argumentales de la versión actual con la anterior y no quiero decir cosas que no son. Sí diré que me parecen más maduros que antes y también, a mi pesar, más trágicos. Y los malos, bua, son complejos y detestables. El combo que necesitamos.

Así que, si voy a hablar de un personaje, que sea de Rose. Esa chica valiente, atrevida, irreverente y deseosa siempre de hacer lo que cree correcto. Una chica que debe hacerse cargo de las consecuencias de su ímpetu, y a veces estas son devastadoras. No quiero spoilear, pero vuelvo a insistir con que son permanentes. Como ya conocía a nuestra protagonista de la versión vieja, ya le tenía cariño, pero igual fue interesante conocer esta versión suya más madura y que enfrenta desafíos mucho más sombríos que antes. He de decir que la autora logra transmitir muy bien lo que pasa por la cabeza de Rose y que me muero por darle un abracito.

El mundo al que nos introducen, Lotheria, es bastante oscuro, como les digo. Además, Rose no recibe toda la información de inmediato, sino que la va descubriendo de a poco, como puede, y debido a eso se mete en muchos problemas. Es de corte medieval en algunos aspectos, aunque tengo la sensación de que no se corresponde tanto con nuestro medioevo. Hay magia, y hubo reinas, aunque ahora tenemos un gobernador y a los directores de la academia. Además, hay una guerra con la gente del norte y muchos otros países de los que vienen algunos estudiantes a la academia, incluso. Es un mundo que fue construido con cuidado y amor y que se siente real. Tal vez no sea un mundo lindo y que uno quiera visitar, es verdad, pero no deja de ser muy interesante y completo. Me encanta comprobar cómo creció desde la versión anterior.

Y qué decir de la prosa, que es incluso más maravillosa que antes. Si ya me parecía fluida y bella, ahora noto la evolución. Engancha mucho, se adapta a la tensión del momento a la perfección y además no me resulta agotadora, incluso si hay descripciones complejas. Por eso, aunque esté en inglés, la recomiendo como práctica del idioma.

Entonces, sin decir demasiado, pero lo justo para que se queden con las ganas y lean, no puedo más que recomendarles que lean esta novela, que se empapen de su mundo y de la voz de Rose, que tiene mucha fuerza y de seguro logra conquistarlos. ¿Se animan?

---------------------------------------

It makes me very happy to be writing this review. Some of you may remember when I shared the mini reviews of The Soul Trilogy with you a couple of years ago, which is how I met this author and this particular world. Now, years later, this story has had a radical - it really is very different - editing and is published with an editorial, as I always knew it deserved. I have to thank the publisher and author for trusting me and letting me read the ARC a few months ago. The book is published on November 1, so you can start preparing to buy it as soon as it comes out.

It is a fantasy novel that begins in our world, with Rose very confused about her future. Then weird things start to happen. Dead birds, fire. At one point, Rose and her friend Tyson end up falling into another world, totally different from ours, but to which Rose belongs. The problem is that Tyson doesn't, and therefore is in mortal danger. As Rose learns to control her powers and specialize in rune magic, she meets other students who are both from her world and this one, and also discovers that things are far more complicated than they appear, Tyson stays with the blacksmith. On different fronts, they try to find a way to return to their world. But do they both really want to go back? Can they do it? There is much more at stake than their own lives.

I know that up to now it seems, well, more of the same. Keep in mind that I'm not very good at summarizing things. Anyway, it may seem like something we have read before, but it is not so. Not only does the author manage to create something that feels different, but she has no problem showing us a rather crude story in which the consequences of the characters' actions are difficult and, above all, permanent. And when I use this word, I don't do it lightly, I want you to understand that.

From the moment we enter Lotheria we realize that it is not a friendly world where magic is a happy thing. No, being a magician implies having a social position, but also an obligation and years of service after graduation. It means risking your life in a war that Rose, at least, doesn't know enough about. And this is not even the most terrible fate. Either way, Rose doesn't have much of a choice either. And she also wants to learn more about her magic, that power that she can now explore and know properly. Although the academy in which he studies is strict and keeps lots of secrets.

In that academy and in the neighboring town is where Rose will meet a lot of new people, make friends, everything we can hope for. However, what you should not expect are the typical relationships (and by relationships I mean all kinds) of these stories. There are friends, but they take time. There are some other interesting feelings, but they are not what one imagines. I don't want to start talking about all the characters because, really, sometimes their plot arcs from the current version get mixed up in my mind with the previous ones and I don't want to confuse you. I will say that they seem more mature than before and also, to my regret, more tragic. And the bad guys are complex and obnoxious. The combo we need.

So if I'm going to talk about a character, let it be Rose. That brave girl, daring, irreverent and always willing to do what she thinks is right. A girl who must bear the consequences of her momentum, and sometimes they are devastating. I do not want to spoil you, but I insist again that they are permanent. As I already knew our protagonist from the old version, I already cared for her, but it was still interesting to meet this more mature version of hers that faces much darker challenges than before. I have to say that the author manages to convey very well what goes through Rose's head and that I am dying to give her a hug.

The world we are introduced to, Lotheria, is pretty dark. In addition, Rose does not receive all the information immediately, but she is discovering it little by little, as she can, and because of that she gets into a lot of trouble. It is medieval in some aspects, although I have the feeling that it does not correspond so much to our Middle Ages. There is magic, and there were queens, although now we have a governor and academy directors. In addition, there is a war with the people of the north and many other countries from which some students even come to the academy. It is a world that was built with care and love and that feels real. It may not be a beautiful world that you'd like to visit, it is true, but it is still very interesting and complete. I love seeing how it grew from the previous version.

About the prose, which is even more wonderful than before: if it already seemed fluid and beautiful to me, now I notice the evolution. It hooks a lot, it adapts to the tension of the moment perfectly and it also does not exhaust me, even if there are complex descriptions.

So, without saying too much, but just enough for you to want to read it, I can only recommend that you give a try to this world and to Rose's voice.

[riverprincess ✨]

The mc has fire magic, normally I would want any magic power I’ve read about but if I had fire magic I might accidentally set my books on fire and I can’t risk that.

[Toya (thereadingchemist) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I immediately gravitated towards this book because of the synopsis. I mean a girl who can command fire? A secret magical academy in another world? Yes please!

Her Crown of Fire opens with Rose and Tyson in the human world (the Other). Rose realizes that she’s able to command fire. When she tries to show her mom and grandmother, they want her committed to the psych ward. Rose escapes and she finds herself in Lotheria with her best friend Tyson…they are definitely a long way from Kansas, I mean home.

The way that Rose and Tyson entered Lotheria reminded me of how Quentin discovered Brakebills in The Magicians . One moment they were in the human world, the next, not so much. The similarities stop there though. Those in power in Lotheria are the mages of the Academy. The non-magi are not even allowed to mingle with the mages, as this is punishable by death.

I’ll admit, when I first heard about The Academy, I was like sign me up, but it’s essentially a glorified prison. If children show any magic, they are taken from their families to study at The Academy. They have no say in the matter, and while you’re there you must obey their every wish. Oh, and after you graduate you must repay your debts to them. These debts range from wage garnishing and unable to travel for a decade or to sacrificing your life in war.

This book really blew me away once I oriented myself in Lotheria and what was happening. Lotheria is frighteningly dark, and the author doesn’t shy away from gore and violence. The world building is incredible. I was able to completely immerse myself in this story, and I felt like I was at Rose’s side trying to fight for her friends. There’s so much betrayal and sacrifice in this book. Every time I thought I finally understood where the plot was going, more twists, turns, and revelations where thrown my way.

Overall, Her Crown of Fire is a fantastic debut by Renee April, which immerses you into a dark fantasy world dripping in magic, blood, secrets, and betrayal. I can’t wait to see where the series goes from here.

Thank you to Write Plan for providing an ARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.

[Bailey Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.75)

This was an enjoyable read. I liked some choices that the author made for the stories, while others where not quite my style. I'm probably not going to continue the series due to some of those choices (and heading into a job that will take A LOT of my reading time) but I liked it more than I was confused with/disliked some of the choices.

This really was an enjoyable read and I'm glad I agreed to read it.

A more in-depth review with what I liked and disliked can be found on my blog (Here is the link: https://t.co/OOp9Gncher?amp=1 ).

Disclaimer: I received this for free from the publisher Write Plan. This does not affect my thoughts on this book and they are all my own (blah, blah, blah, we all know the drill).

[Energy Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose is just your typical everyday girl, who is starting to have prophetic dreams and can suddenly manipulate fire. Her best friend Tyson is supportive of her, and her biggest cheerleader. Only somehow, they've found a portal to a new land, Lutheria, and it appears they're stuck there. 

Rose is sent off to the academy, being part mage, and Tyson needs to go into hiding because it isn't safe for him here. Rose has really taken with her new life. She's made friends and she was able to find where Tyson was spirited off to. Even though they have a life elsewhere, Rose and Tyson are doing their best to carry on with their new lives until they can figure out a way home. 

The academy itself is really impressive. The talents of the students, the classes and specializations are creative. There are some really great characters and I'm particularly fond of Rose's instructor, Arno. The entire world is so imaginative I found myself wanting to live there, though perhaps not under the academy rule. Rose is a wonderful main character because she's strong, she's curious, and she's pretty badass.  

I needed to sit on this book a few days before I could start this review because it's a lot to process. I'm pretty blown away with the fact that this is Renee's first book. I loved Her Crown of Fire and you're probably not going to hear me shut up about it. It's creative and imaginative, a super fun read. 

[Nildene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tossing between 3.5 and 4 stars


Surprisingly intrigued by political things in this book but the lgbt+ rep came out of nowhere and felt forced and unnecessary. Keeping my review spoiler free (i hope) but full review will be up next week for my BLOG TOUR STOP!

[Caitlin Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

April’s YA fantasy debut is packed with excitement and danger. Normal kids being sucked into a fantasy world is a premise I’ve always liked and April executes it so well. Although Rose is determined to find a way home, she’s conflicted about whether she’ll return there with her best friend, Tyson, when she does. Rose’s moral compass, and determination to do the right thing, often lands her in trouble but her calm intelligence impressed me most. She’s gutsy and capable, sure, but more importantly, she’s always planning. Rose is the sort of person you’d want on your side if things went wrong because she’d figure a way out of it.

Although Lotheria feels like your standard medieval Europe style fantasy world there are a couple of quirks to it that add interest. The one that most intrigues me is that Lotheria (the land itself, not the people) magically chooses a monarch to rule it. The varying languages of rune magic and their differing applications are intriguing, as is the slightly unconventional concept of magical soul mates, and how losing one’s soul mate effects the surviving mage.

A surprising romance rounds this YA fantasy off. Throughout the novel there are various potential love interests for Rose but when she finally settles on somebody it’s both unexpected and an extremely satisfying twist. There are several intriguing plot hints that indicate this is going to be a series that wows readers with its twists. This, combined with the high stakes and Rose’s tendency to land in dangerous situations also suggests that readers should brace themselves for heartbreak as the Molten Crown series continues.

Book provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Literary Portals · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Made Me Read It I was sent a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The blurb sounded interesting: a girl who can suddenly control fire sent to a school of magic in a medieval setting; since the publisher assured me there were none of the typical romantic elements of an YA novel, which I really dislike, I decided to give it a try.

The Plot Rose Evermore is a 17-year-old senior at Narralong High. A loner by nature, Rose has a shaky relationship with her mother, an unknown father and no plans for her future. As if that wasn't bad enough, she's now being haunted by disturbing dreams of dead birds and premonitions, and an irresistible attraction to fire, which she not only seems impossibly impervious to but can also control at will.

After feeling an overwhelming pull towards the river, Rose dives into the deep waters accidentally dragging her best friend Tyson along. When they resurface they find themselves no longer in Narralong but in the strange land of Lotheria, a feudal nation ruled with an iron grip by the Council of Three, where mages have a high standing in the community, commoners struggle to survive and humanborn non-magi are sentenced to death.

As a skilled fire mage, Rose is enlisted at the Stanthor Academy against her will, resenting the rules set by the Headmasters and the indentured servitude expected of her after graduation. But as a humanborn non-magi Tyson is in mortal danger, unless Rose learns to control her powers and find a way to return to The Other, their home. When Rose is caught in the middle of Lotheria's civil war between the northern rebels and the southern rulers, pledging her allegiance to the Halvers leader Kaya might be the only way to save her friend. But the Halvers are feared for a reason, and Kaya's obsession for revenge against the Headmasters' rule might cost Rose more than she bargained for.

The Good "Her Crown of Fire" is a young adult fantasy novel, the first book in the "Molten Crown" series. It follows the adventures of Rose Evermore, a 17-year-old high school girl who finds herself transported to the magical world of Lotheria with his best friend Tyson, a medieval world ravaged by civil war under the rule of tyrannical mages. Forced to join the Stanthor Academy for mages, she must learn to control her fire power to protect Tyson who, as a humanborn non-magi, risks death if found by the Headmasters.

The worldbuilding is complex and imaginative. Even though the author doesn't describe the world of Lotheria in great detail, she gives enough information to deliver a vivid picture of the setting: a realm divided into different regions with their own unique people, traditions and rivalries; a land ravaged by civil war where the northern races defy the rule of the southern regions; a civilization built on social classes, with the mages at the top of the food chain and the non-magi struggling to eke out a meager existence, where relations between the different classes is not just discouraged but strictly prohibited and punishable; a land ruled by the 2 Academy Headmasters who thrive and prosper by exploring the non-magi and through indentured servitude of their own students. The magic associated with fire and runes (the powers controlled by the main character Rose) are fascinating and the existence of soulmates between the mages and the nature of Halvers as a consequence of losing one's companion is well thought-out. The plot is fast-paced with enough magical action sequences and mystery to keep us engaged throughout the plot - fair warning though, not all questions are answered in this first volume. 

The characters are 3-dimensional, with realistic personalities and believable reactions. The main character Rose shows the biggest development throughout the plot: from a sassy teenager resentful of her situation, to someone who stands up for those considered beneath her station; a girl torn between her desire to protect his friend and return him home to The Other, and her growing attachment to the magical realm of Lotheria; someone who faces loss and the fear of her own powers but still struggles to make a difference.The secondary characters: Rose's best friend Tyson, her Lotherian mage friends Petre, Orin and Amisha, the non-magi Markon and his daughter Laela, Craige the blacksmith, Rune Master Arno and History Master Jettais, the stable-boy Thompson, the Academy Headmasters Netalia and Iain, the Halvers leader Kaya... each adds a new layer to the narrative and impacts the main character on her personal journey.

The Not So Good Even though the novel is about a group of teenagers learning to control their powers in a school for mages, the themes explored are clearly mature. There is injustice and tyranny, violence and war, loss and despair and none of the characters are unaffected by any of it. There were times when I seriously considered dropping the book, it made me feel too angry and frustrated to fully enjoy the story. But that's a personal reaction, other readers might enjoy this particular realism.

Read the full review on: https://literaryportals.blogspot.com/...

Final Rating 4 of 5 stars. "Her Crown of Fire", the first book in the "Molten Crown" series, is a young adult fantasy novel, set in the medieval fantasy realm of Lotheria. Fast-paced with plenty of action sequences, an engaging mystery surrounding the characters and also a touch of sassy humor from the main character. Recommended for those who enjoy epic fantasy stories with magical powers.

[Marisa Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg! This book! I don’t usually go for high fantasy but with the novel opening in the real world with a sarcastic heroine I was immediately drawn too, I couldn’t help but be pulled right in! I read it breathlessly as the twists and turns kept surprising me and taking the book in unexpected directions. This novel has magic, humour, heartache and passion and will be one of my favs of 2019

[Kyria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read. It has so many of the YA tropes, but it always puts a little twist to them that you never see coming. Some of the things that happened were big suprises to me, mostly things I never thought the writer would do that early - or even thought would ever happen.

I am extremely excited for the sequel!

[Emma]

...I'm interested

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of Her Crown of Fire in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Renee April’s debut novel, Her Crown of Fire, is not one you’re going to want to miss out on. This is a tale of magic, friendship, and other worlds. It’s full of personal conflicts, politics, and danger. And it all combined to make a brilliant read.
Rose Evermore spent her whole like thinking she was normal. Okay, so sometimes she had some weird events happen around her. But for the most part, she was still pretty normal. Until the day she started a fire by mistake. And it didn’t burn her.
Suddenly, Rose has been thrust into a world of magic and wonder – literally. She’s been tossed into a realm known as Lotheria, and she might have accidentally taken her completely non-magical friend, Tyson, along for the ride.
Her Crown of Fire is a shockingly thorough and dark read, introducing readers to a world where magic rules and the concept of right or wrong are cast to the wayside.

“My breath catches.
There’s still no pain.
I’m fireproof.”

Her Crown of Fire was a breathtaking read. It was intricate and intense, and shockingly dark and twisted at times. I was delighted by everything April’s debut had to offer. And I’m crossing my fingers about seeing more work from her in the future.
The world of Lotheria was not at all what I pictured. It’s deceptive in that it appears like a charming school of magic – when in truth there’s actually so much darkness lurking within these halls. It was such a refreshing take on the whole magical school trope, and I can’t get over how much I loved it.
I know that the whole ‘girl finding magic’ plot may sound like it’s been done a million times before, but trust me when I say this: Renee April has an utterly unique take on the subject. She constantly subverted my expectations and surprised me left and right while I was reading Her Crown of Fire.
Speaking of surprises, even the romantic subplot surprised me. At least I was right about there being one – but that’s about all I can brag about here. Once again I was thrown through a loop, with all of my assumptions getting tossed right out the window. And I absolutely loved it.
Overall I’m really happy with Her Crown of Fire. It was a delightful read, and one that I’m so happy to have read. Now all I need is news about whatever project Renee April is working on next, and I’ll be the happiest girl around.

For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[Deston Munden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know what to expect going into Her Crown of Fire. I went in blind and I’m glad that I did.
Her Crown of Fire is a YA Portal fantasy following a seventeen-year-old girl named Rose Evermore. With her friend Tyson, they are thrown into a world where she is considered a weapon and Tyson, expendable collateral damage. Rose Evermore must learn to use her newfound powers to protect him, herself and all her new friends within this strange new world where her teachers are also her greatest threat.

The characters were easily some of the best parts of this book. Rose is an intense, emotional character that embodies her magic of fire. She’s a little quick tempered and rash but warm and caring to the people that she interacts with. Every side character she interacts with, she takes the time to learn more and more about them as well as the world around herself. What I found interesting is that she does have plenty of strong friendships within the course of the book, developing as the story climbs to its climax. By the end, you’re worried about the lives of the people Rose had interacted with as well as Rose and Tyson themselves.

The story is a fastpaced one. For those who are into slower paced books with a lot in depth deep dives into the lore, it might throw you off a bit first. But, please don’t let that deter you. The action, the dialogue, and the character moments are where this book shines. Where it does have moments of the day to day of the mages and what they must deal with, they are mostly there to build those moments where the stakes are high. Give this a try, especially if you are new into YA fantasy. I feel like this book will be a great start to getting you into the fantasy genre.

I cannot recommend this book enough. This is a great debut novel and I will like to see more from Renee as she can only improve.

[Sam Bahrij · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first sought out this novel, I honestly wasn't expecting the ride it would take me on;
Firstly I'll point out the novel style was new to me, in most cases I've avoided novels based on the mental notation of the protag or at least since gaining some years, within the Young adult aspect of reading;

Her Crown of Fire, this book is a well crafted novel that if anything I'd hope to see more younger age groups devour. The story is lovingly crafted, showing the strong impact of the Australian authors perspective but in a way that won't alienate international readers.
From page one till the final chapter I was rather hooked, with the direction and flow being slightly different to my normal medium it was a curve I enjoyed immensely. I took my honest time, enjoying this over tea to soak in the chapters, which I'd say isn't needed for most; The world felt loved and crafted with the character design being something I felt strongly enough to picture and taste;
Overall the book had faults but if anything I'd call it less faults and more my own bias based on emotional impact of the story, this being the case when a character opens the door to the spooky murder and you scream "dont go in there you gronk" to me that speaks volumes of the ability Renee has by allowing me to feel emotional investment in the choices and impacts made from chapter to chapter.

For those seeking similar stories, tho this might be a stretch for some readers; Ruins by Orson Scott Card is one of the few I'd draw slight links between, with multi-world saga; But overall I can't rightly draw any parallels; But as a reference point its the only one I'd say could do it justice;

Give it a read, You'll be screaming at the pages before long and emotionally wrecked by the final splash.

[Michelle Monaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those wanting to read something different, ‘Her Crown of Fire’ is definitely the one. The story follows Rose and her best friend Tyson as they get transported to the magical realm of Lotheria. Here Rose discovers her unique abilities as a fire mage while Tyson must hide for his safety. I found it easy to get lost inside this novel. Renee does an amazing job of creating this medieval world of magic and I really enjoyed how she kept her writing descriptive but simple, so you could follow the story. You will read many novels that include people with magic, but it can often be overdone and reflect common stereotypes. The mages in this world are a refreshing change and their magic and history is crafted with such detail that it keeps you engaged. My only criticism would be that some parts of the novel moved a bit more slowly than others which is where it lost me a little. Overall, this story was a light and interesting read with an imaginative and fun world to get lost in. Will eagerly await the next book in the series. 🤩

[Auburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is most definitely a high fantasy novel. With an intricate world that has three dimensional characters that will really draw you in. The characters go through some pretty tough things. So if you want a more non depressing high fantasy this may not be for you. For an 18 year old there is a ton of trials.
I enjoyed the story but some of the plot details felt a bit forced. Poor Tyson deserved better than just being thrown in for a plot point. Most of the story felt depressing for him. I call for a redemption arc where he gets everything he wants.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was out of my norm as I wasn't expecting High Fantasy when I started. But it definitely had all of the world building you would expect. It was one of the best parts. I loved all of the background and magic. I am a fan of magic especially if everyone has different types.
If you want a high fantasy with 3 Dimensional characters that go through some very tough times then this may just be the book you should read.

[John Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's certainly a unique way of pulling your main character into another reality...Having her fall into a river and come out somewhere completely unexpected. Rose is dancing on the edge of getting in big trouble here in our time by playing with fire. That troublesome fact is what makes her special in Lotheria, the magical place where she lands. Unfortunately, her best friend Tyson, is dragged along when he attempts to rescue her.
While humanborn with magical ability are desirable in this new world, those, like Tyson, who possess no such ability, are not and if found, are executed. Rose must not only navigate the harsh and unfamiliar rules of the mages academy she finds herself attending, she must keep Tyson safe while learning to survive, not to mention deal with things like her ever growing fire powers and rune magic, the secrets behind the way the academy is run, and what part the mysterious and scary Half-Souls play.
There's plenty of dark intrigue and tension in this story and they contribute to its being a very satisfying read.

[G.M. Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best way to describe Renee April’s Her Crown of Fire is as a cross between Harry Potter and Game of Thrones, and if that isn’t enough to convince you to give it a read, I don’t know what is.

Fire’s protagonist Rose is an Australian high schooler who – after a series of disturbing dreams – finds that she can bend fire to her will. Soon after she discovers her abilities, Rose is drawn to a nearby river which whisks her – and her non-magical best friend Tyson – to a fantasy world. There, she must attend a school for mages to learn how to control her abilities, while Tyson must hide away lest he be found out.

If that sounds like a fun, fanciful adventure, it isn’t. Unlike the fantastical world of Hogwarts, the world of Her Crown of Fire is more akin to Westeros – a harsh, medieval realm locked in the grip of a dark age sense of control and justice. Instead of being coddled and mentored, Rose is thrust headfirst into a fight for her day-today survival while learning about her abilities and – occasionally – trying to get back home.

Renee April manages to foster a constant sense of danger and keeps the reader on their toes, since there’s never a guarantee all of her characters will survive or escape unscathed. All of this escalates as Rose finds herself drawn into local politics and class struggles against the system she has been forced into. April’s world is lushly and darkly drawn with a supporting cast whose intents and morals are murky and grey. There is never a morally unimpeachable answer to any of the problems Rose is faced with, which makes the book all the better.

If there are any downsides to Her Crown of Fire, it’s that I wish that there were more aspects of the world that were developed. The full year of curriculum at the mage school is never described in detail, and we’re thrown into it just as Rose has been. However, we don’t see Rose adjust to her harsh new world, as she seems to easily slip into the day-to-day within a chapter or two.

I would’ve liked to see how she adapted, as she’s said to be a gamer and perhaps being shown how that helps her blend into the world might have been more satisfying. Additionally, there are some relationship aspects – particularly the concept of magical soulmates – that could use some elaboration, especially when it comes to Rose and her soulmate, whom she avoids for most of the book, which feels like unrealized potential.

But all of those complaints boil down to me wishing that the book was longer, which, at around 400 pages, might bloat an already clean and satisfying storyline. Plus, this is set to be a series, so hopefully there will be more fantastic worldbuilding when His Crown of Embers releases in 2022.

At the end of the day, Her Crown of Fire is a darkly mature, tense YA fantasy that is more than worthy of being added to your TBR list.

[Alistair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright where to begin, I admit at first I was hesitant. but once I started reading I couldn't stop myself. I just kept reading, and reading. before I knew it I finished the book.

Now Im not good with writing reviews, Honestly I usually just throw a star rating and leave it at that. but I am compelled to write this review. so here it is.

The world. the characters, the magic and the just everything is fleshed out well, It draws you in, it makes you want to keep reading, you want to know what happens to these characters, you feel genuine feelings towards some characters. maybe thats just me being immersed into a wonderful story. and I look forward to the continuation of this story. no matter how long I must wait.

now my one criticism of the book. I finished it in a day and now I must wait an unknown amount of time for the next. so that is my only complaint.

[Jesse · Rating 1 out of 5]

Renee April

Her Crown of Fire

First review here that isn't purely a numerical one.

Simply did not enjoy this YA trash at all.

Poor writing style, characters, themes and structure.

Not looking forward to 'His Throne of Embers' (the next book in this series) and will not be purchasing or reading.

Renee April, after reading well over two dozen books with a VERY similar name and theme -please be more creative and captivating for your audience instead of trying to fit into a well worn-out mold.

More to follow on my blog.

[Sophie Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Crown of Fire Molten Crown All in all was a really good read, I really felt the emotion in the scene with Petre and Rose at the northerners camp. That whole moment I was reading it wide eyed like if I blinked I would miss something. The fear, the pain, the heartache were all really nicely written. I felt so much for Rose after that, I was just constantly finding myself just wanting Rose to find a reason to snap towards the Headmasters. Especially Iain. I feel like she is really going to stir up some well buried dirt when she makes her way back. Her mother better get the grilling of her life, I swear. It is a little slow the start but when you get to the meat of the story it really takes off and draws you in. Definitely worth the read.