The moment I saw that this was a desi-inspired fantasy novel I had to read it immediately and let me tell you it did not disappoint me. The writing and oh my god the worldbuilding was so, so beautiful, I was hooked in from the start because of it. I actually went in thinking it would a historical fantasy but I was surprised to find that it was futuristic instead. Each and every character here was so intriguing that it made the story even more engrossing than it already was and also because of course I love me some morally grey characters, but I must admit it would've been better if the pacing was not so slow, but nonetheless, I think Aparna Verma did a fantastic job and it was a great start for a trilogy. I am really looking forward to read the other books, especially after that ending jhksgs.

The Boy With Fire is a wonderful south indian-inspired story with unique morally-grey characters that you can't help but love. Worldbuilding? Spectacular. Plot? Thrilling and jaw-dropping. Characters? GAH I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. And the slowburn with this is REAL, The moment you're waiting for finally happens and all you can do is squeal and dance around your room. Recommend this book to everyone!

This was a fantastic debut novel! This indian inspired fantasy novel has all then tropes like morally grey characters and enemies to lovers that will have you hooked and waiting for more! The plot was good but I felt as if it was a bit undeveloped and not as direct as it could be. Overall, a great story.

Very fun and very compelling! This book was full of adventures and likeable characters. I enjoyed the writing style and the plot a lot

DNF at 25%

Try as I might, I simply could not get into this one. I was intrigued by the world and the characters, and I wanted to learn more about their motivations, but the writing simply did not grip and me and every time I thought about picking this book up, I felt this severe lack of motivation to do so. I’m sure there’s an audience for this, I just don’t believe I’m the person for it.

I loved this book so much. The characters, the composition, the sentiment and most the amazing indian portrayal. I straightforwardly can't sit tight for the following book.

ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.

This was an incredible debut from who I’m sure will become a well-known and widely read author, Aparna Verma. The Boy with Fire was rich with Indian-inspired mythology, next-generation technology and intricately-written characters, and I loved every moment of the book.

“The past is binding, but I want to break it…if we carry the burdens of our fathers, then we’ll never know what it means to be free.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)

Each character in this story had their own struggles, their own pains, their own regrets. I loved learning about the backstory of Yassen, Elena and Leo, but Yassen was the character who completely stole my heart, as I couldn’t help but fall for that dear little cinnamon bun assassin. Elena and Leo both had beautifully written and solely unique personalities, as one sought to control fire and accept her responsibility as future queen, and the other sought to handle the loss of his throne, and it was fascinating to read about both of their decisions and how the power of fire changed them both individually. Samson and Ferma were two other side characters who stuck out, and I really loved the relationship between Ferma and Elena, because hell yeah, girl power! I’m honestly still not sure what to think of Samson, even after finishing the book… I guess we’ll see what happens in the next book in the series, because he’s a very I-could-either-love-or-hate-you kind of character!

“Perhaps, then, the boy he had been, the man who he wanted to be, was still here, still within him.
Waiting.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)

One aspect in this book that really stood out was the prose, and the world-building. Both aspects were gorgeously done, and the prose was absolutely stunning in sections, emphasised by the life-like characters and brilliant magic system/world. The Indian-inspired world with royalty, magic and advanced technology that supersedes anything from our current world was a really interesting combination, and one that I was surprised to find worked really well. I look forward to seeing what else the author comes up with in the future!

All in all, I really enjoyed this start to a fascinating new series, and that ending was mind-blowing and completely captivating! Thank you to the dear Discord Book Club Server for buddy reading this with me, and thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC copy provided by NetGalley!

Pitched as Dune meets The Poppy War, The Boy with Fire certainly held a lot of promise and potential to be one of the greats, and it was. However, my overall stance on this book is very conflicting.

This novel was definitely ambitious - it has elements inspired by two very reputed novels, but puts an Indian twist to deliver a very unique story. The writing was everything I wanted and hoped it would be with intricate world building and a great plot overall.

Unfortunately, for me the issue was with mostly with the pacing. typically in a fantasy novel, I prefer a regular paced novel that’s a little toward the slower side, so that I can connect with the overall plot and characters better. This felt very dragged out. The characters also did not live up to their potential. I was unable to connect with them and because of that, it got to the point where I really just couldn’t care less if anyone of them died. They didn’t develop much throughout the book and they lacked depth (Leo is the exception, of course).

Personally, I also felt that this book failed to deliver a romance that I could be invested in/obsess over and I was very disappointed by that. I think what did save this book from being a total disappointment was the writing, which was absolutely stunning, and the plot related elements in this book.

So, even though I wasn’t the biggest fan of this book, I will still recommend reading it for those redeeming qualities.

DNF 50%

Yep, I can't do it!

I tried, I really did. I had requested this book on a whim because 1. oh my God revenge plot? 2. supposedly morally grey characters and 3. dilf in the official art. What else was I supposed to do?

Not request it, apparently.

I want to be as nice as possible, I really do, but it's not like I have much to insult this book for anyway. Its problem isn't that it's egregiously bad or offensive, it's just boring. Every time I took a break in between reading (because I've got school and an actual life) I would come back and have no idea what was happening. I mean, my memory isn't this bad. It's just that nothing happened. I even tried giving it a fair shot by waiting until the halfway mark, because I understand it takes a while to pick up sometimes, but /seriously/ nothing happened.

Maybe it miraculously speeds up afterward and has some glorious ending I'll be sad to miss because of my impatience, but this book is too slow-paced and I'm too busy with work to be able to continue. I really do hope other people are able to enjoy it more than I have.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy.

The Boy with Fire is a desi-inspired high fantasy with morally grey main characters. Ravence is about to have a new queen, Elena, but between threats of the Arohassin and the fact that she cannot withhold fire, her father fears she’s not ready. Samson, the Landless King, is promised to marry Elena if he swears to protect Ravence during these trying times with his growing army. He comes with Yassen, an ex-murderer for the Arohassin. Nobody trust him, especially not Elena. Will they realize they may have more in common than they’d like to admit? And will Leo, king of Ravence be able to find the Phoenix, who’s threatening to destroy his entire kindgom? If that didn’t already convinced you, it’s beautifully written and the characters have depth. Strong healthy relationships between women and between a father and his daughter, indian folklore and a cliffhanger that will make you want to have the sequel in your hands right away.

The Boy with Fire was excellent! The characters felt so real, and their struggles were believable and poignant. Their character arcs were wonderfully developed. I grew so attached to them, especially Elena and Yassen.

The beginning of the book was a little slow because there was a lot of worldbuilding. However, it wasn’t overwhelming. The worldbuilding was done in such a way that it created suspense and revealed aspects of the plot at just the right times. The blend of sci-fi and fantasy elements was interesting and occasionally jarring, but I got more used to it the further I got in the book. The plot was brilliantly and intricately woven. It was so suspenseful, and I’m dying for the sequel! Aparna Verma has real talent, and I’m looking forward to reading everything else that she will write!

Go preorder an eBook of The Boy with Fire on Amazon or preorder a signed paperback from Aparna Verma’s website! Alternatively, you can buy it when it comes out on August 31, 2021 from other booksellers or request it from your library!

For some reason I went into this book thinking it was an epic fantasy - in a way, it still was. Instead this was very delightful romp into a very original science fantasy world crafted by Verma. Finding science fantasy books is rare and finding GOOD ones even more so. Luckily, I'm glad to say that I really enjoyed this novel.

The novel is told from three different POV's - Elena, the heir of Ravance; Leo, her father and current king; and Yassen, an assassin on the run from his sins. Each brings something unique to the story, fleshing out facets of the world in a very natural and organic way. There is very interesting lore and worldbuilding, and the overall aesthetics (futuristic fantasy mingled with South Asian influences) felt fresh and original from anything I've read in a while.

Verma is an expert in description and paints the world vividly through her amazing metaphors. I could never get tired of all the ways she managed to tie fire, deserts and dunes into the character's situations and emotions. The main trio are also great with excellent motivations and storylines (some more heartbreaking than others), and a few side characters were great (Ferma, Samson) while most others were forgettable.

My only issue in this book, the one thing that kept this from being a five star read for me, was the pacing shift around the 70% mark. Up until then the pacing was excellent and I couldn't wait to read on. But after what felt like the climax of the book, there was still 30% left to go and this part unfortunately dragged a bit for me. Nothing really interesting happens and I was just reading to find out the answer to one of the central mysteries of the novel - who is the Prophet?

All in all, excellent book that I would definitely recommend to anyone who is a fan of fantasy, science fantasy, or even just intriguing and original plots.

This book was so good! The plot and character development were amazing and I fell in love with the characters. I love the desi vibes in it. I am a big fan of fantasy and sci fi and this had all of the elements of a great series!

Yassen Knight was the Arohassin’s most notorious assassin until a horrible accident. Now, he’s on the run from the authorities and his former employer. But when Yassen seeks refuge with an old friend, he’s offered an irresistible deal: defend the heir of Ravence from the Arohassin, and earn his freedom.

Elena Ravence prepares to ascend the throne. Trained since birth in statecraft, warfare, and the desert ways, Elena knows she is ready. She only lacks one thing: the ability to hold Fire. With the coronation only weeks away, she must learn quickly or lose her kingdom.

Leo Ravence is not ready to give up the crown. There’s still too much work to be done, too many battles to be won. But when an ancient prophecy threatens to undo his lifetime of work, Leo wages war on the heavens themselves to protect his legacy.

This book reminds me of The Poppy War and The Jasmine Throne, it is an epic Indian-inspired fantasy with questionable characters that you can't help but root for.
The world is dark at the brink of war, the characters are all fighting for something they want and will all do whatever it takes to get there, no matter the cost.
The female characters in this book were a real highlight, they are powerful and caring they can still be beautiful whilst holding immense power and destroying everything in their path.
The 3 points of view work together so well and I was never waiting to get back to another character. Particularly with Leo and Elena's points of view the seeing from both sides that will never understand each other is amazing, both believe they are doing the right thing for the kingdom.
The world and the fire beliefs are beautifully detailed and I loved the melding of sci-fi and fantasy with the holopods and the Jantari metal.
I do feel that some of the other characters lacked characterisation and a romance subplot that came out of no where but overall it was a great read
The writing is amazing, despite it being slow at some points and the book flows so well, I was fascinated by most of the characters, can't wait for the rest of the series!

I liked this book. I saw that it was inspired by The Poppy War and that made me interested immediately. I'm really happy to have read it. The concept was well written, I felt like it was info dumpy in the beginning but it gets better as you move on. It’s a great fantasy novel and I can’t wait to see more from this author.

rating: 3.5/5

I really enjoyed this especially for a debut book it was so intriguing I enjoyed the world building and the characters although some parts were a bit predictable and fell flat and mostly I had issues with pacing but overall I liked it and can't wait to see what's next!

Thank you to NetGalley and New Degree Press for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is SO GOOD. What an amazing epic fantasy debut! Excellent writing and excellent plotting. The world was really well established, particularly through Elena's deep love for the desert. I was surprised to see that they live in a high-tech society with fantasy elements like the fire and the Phoenix, but I thought that the combination of the two was really well done! They blended together really well and it didn't feel like one negated the other. I loved the intrigue and mysteries that ran through the book. The plot twists were so good and made it really hard to put the book down! What I loved most about this book though was its Indian inspirations. As an Indian myself, it was so exciting to read a book that had so many familiar elements, from the food and the clothing to just the general construction of the world.

The characters were incredible and so relatable and well-written. We are told the story through three POVs: Elena, Yassen, and Leo. Elena's struggle to control the fire and her anxiety over whether this will impact her ability to rule makes it clear to us how much she cares for her kingdom and her people. Yassen's desire for freedom from his past makes you really root for him to find it. Leo's fear for the future of his kingdom of course doesn't justify his actions but it shows us how good intentions can very quickly lead people down the wrong path.

Overall an absolutely incredible book, I can't wait for the next one!!

I really enjoyed the strong world-building, morally grey characters, the multiple POVS and slow burn romance. The characters were intriguing for the most part but sometimes fell a little flat for me. I also wish it had started off with a little more action. Overall, though, an enjoyable Indian-inspired fantasy debut.

I received a copy of this book as an e-ARC from NetGalley. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Elena Ravence soon must rise to the throne in this world at war. However, unlike her ancestors before her, she is unable to wield the Eternal Fire without being burned. Insert an ex-assassin that must earn his freedom and the threat of a foretold Prophet threatening the king's rule, and Elena must come to terms with the real world that she will need to rule.

I heard so much about this book while on Booktok and as much as the idea and the advertisements enticed me, I felt like the book lacked in a few departments. But I would like to start with some of the elements that I found enjoyable.

Although the world-building and mythology behind the kingdom is a bit dense, I really enjoyed it. I really liked the Phoenix and the Eternal Fire and the overbearing feeling of fear and destruction that comes from it. Yet it still maintains this sacredness to it, and almost makes you feel like you are intruding on specific scenes that involve this religion. I also really liked that you could tell the culture and traditions from what was told, like the kissing of three fingers and placing it on someone's forehead. Things like that really did immerse me into the story.

I also really liked that this is a fantasy with a lot of science fiction elements to it, like pulse guns, holopods, just everything from my sci-fi dreams. It brought a new depth to the story that I don't think would have been achievable otherwise. In a way, I feel it elevates the story to that of a modern fantasy than anything, while still retaining typical fantasy elements. Even though this story did have a glossary at the end (that I didn't realize until I got through the e-book), I do wish that there had been a map, which would have helped me navigate the different lands discussed in the book. The only one I could really figure out is Jantar being above the main city where the story takes place.

Now let's get into some of the other parts I wasn't a huge fan of. First, the characters. I went into this expecting to love all of them, and left only really liking Yassen. Even then, I wish we saw more of him and Elena, or just more of him in general. To me, it almost was like we didn't see much of him when other characters had POVs. I just wish we saw more of these characters and their interactions with one another. Instead, we got a lot from King Leo and what he was doing. His parts felt kind of boring, and the author advertises him a lot as a DILF villain. He didn't even read off as a DILF to me. He was just a corrupted villain, and most of his stuff I would have loved to see it be discovered by Elena on her own while she's also focusing on wielding fire and discovering more about her mother. Also it bothered me that Elena calls her parents by their first names half the time, not really mother or father. It read off to me as disrespectful, especially since she's royalty, and detached me from the story. Overall, I was detached from all of these characters and didn't find a reason to really root for them.

Going off of my rant on the characters, because I felt like we didn't see much of them, there were some huge plot twists that, as a result, didn't really leave me with much impact. Except for one thing at the end that I was completely shocked by and was also pissed after thinking it over, which I won't get into because of spoilers. Also this whole ploy to find the Prophet? I had my hopes set on one specific individual only TO BE COMPLETELY PROVEN WRONG? AND I'M SO MAD ABOUT IT! It felt like there was so little foreshadowing leading up to it that it hurt to have that ending. And the worst part? I didn't really care about who the Prophet ended up being. It just felt like a giant plot to make you think it's one person only to have you fall over the edge at the last possible second.

The Boy with Fire is a slow-paced fantasy novel with great world-building potential but lacking in the character department.

2,5 stars rounded down, dnf 40%

Ugh, I hate that I did not enjoy this. I was very excited to read this book, it sounded like something that could’ve been a new favorite for me. Sadly, I was not able to focus on it, it didn’t keep my attention at all. I struggled through the first third and decided not to read further.
I don’t have much to say since I didn’t finish the book, but there were a bunch of things that didn’t work for me. The character work was pretty underwhelming. At first, they looked interesting but I quickly found them boring as there was nothing happening or keeping me on edge. I was not invested in their stories at all. The pacing was way too slow to keep me interested. I initially thought this was an issue of me not being in the mood, but after giving this book a few chances, I realized that maybe it just wasn’t a book for me at all. This was pitched as Dune meets The Poppy War. I haven’t read Dune but The Poppy War is one of my favorite series and… no. I wasn’t hooked, wasn’t rooting for the characters despite their flaws, I wasn’t invested in their dynamics. Overall, I was bored. I went in expecting an adult fantasy, this reads more like upper YA.
Quite sad because I was excited about this and even now, rereading the blurb, I feel like I might’ve missed something because the idea of this book really is exciting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!