Debut YA fantasy is perfect for Games of Thrones fans!

     In her debut book, Rosaria Munda brings readers into a world of dragons, revolution, and adventure. The first book of The Aurelian Cycle, Fireborne, introduces readers to this fantasy world that fans of Games of Thrones will enjoy!
     Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone--even the lowborn--a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders. Now they are both rising stars in the new regime, despite backgrounds that couldn't be more different. Annie's lowborn family was executed by dragonfire, while Lee's aristocratic family was murdered by revolutionaries. Growing up in the same orphanage forged their friendship, and seven years of training have made them rivals for the top position in the dragonriding fleet. But everything changes when survivors from the old regime surface, bent on reclaiming the city. With war on the horizon and his relationship with Annie changing fast, Lee must choose to kill the only family he has left or to betray everything he's come to believe in. And Annie must decide whether to protect the boy she loves . . . or step up to be the champion her city needs.
     This was a really interesting YA fantasy! There was political intrigue on top of fantasy world building and dragon riding that kept the action of the plot moving. And a fierce competition between two childhood friends who just need to admit their feelings to one another in my opinion… Can you say drama???
     While it took a little bit for me to get into the book, the last few chapters were super engaging and I really liked how the book ended to set up the plot of the second book! I also liked the alternating POVs between Annie and Lee and the flashbacks to their childhoods to help deepen the plot and enhance the intrigue of the characters.
     Overall, I think this was a really good debut book and I’m looking forward to reading Flamefall and seeing what Lee and Annie will have to face next. If you’re looking for a fantasy book with dystopian themes then this is the book for you!

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