Such a good standalone, dragon rider fantasy! A well flushed out world, diverse characters and a queer, polyamorous romantic subplot. This just cements how much I love this authors writing.

The sky on fire is a standalone fantasy book with dragons and a high-stakes heist, promising an action-packed and intense story. In theory, I should have loved it. In reality, it was so disappointing I almost cried.

This was my very first book from Jenn Lyons and I'm afraid to say I really, really disliked the writing style, which is what made this book especially hard to finish. It's just personal preference and there's nothing wrong with it, but it's extremely descriptive and wordy. It made me want to skim through the words every time a half-page long description appeared.

However, the main issue is the characters: this book feels like a ton of characters just slapped together at random. New characters are constantly introduced, just to appear only one more time at a super convenient time, to do something to further the plot. The main characters don't fare much better: they are all fun and quirky, but lack complexity and have very minimal personality traits. At this point I have would preferred less characters, but with a developed personality and a satisfying arc.

The plot was also extremely predictable: there were no plot twists of any kind and everything went exactly how I expected it to go, which is simply not good. The pacing was a bit off too. Getting into this novel was very difficult and it dragged quite a lot in the middle. While the last 30% or so redeems it a little (sort of), it's not enough to make it truly satisfying.

To end on a positive note though, there were a few things I enjoyed.
The worldbuilding is dense, perhaps a bit too much for a standalone, but it overall stands on its own legs without infodumping too much.
I especially appreciated the representation we got, even of a few of the "less common" LGBT+ identities.
I also liked the interesting twist the author gives to the classic dragon/dragonrider trope, making dragons the “abusers” and not the other way around.

Overall, I think my main problem was that I was just very bored throughout the whole book. I just wanted to dnf it and I would have under any other circumstances.
The sky on fire is a standalone fantasy book with dragons and a high-stakes heist, promising an action-packed and intense story. In theory, I should have loved it. In reality, it was so disappointing I almost cried.

This was my very first book from Jenn Lyons and I'm afraid to say I really, really disliked the writing style, which is what made this book especially hard to finish. It's just personal preference and there's nothing wrong with it, but it's extremely descriptive and wordy. It made me want to skim through the words every time a half-page long description appeared.

However, the main issue is the characters: this book feels like a ton of characters just slapped together at random. New characters are constantly introduced, just to appear only one more time at a super convenient time, to do something to further the plot. The main characters don't fare much better: they are all fun and quirky, but lack complexity and have very minimal personality traits. At this point I have would preferred less characters, but with a developed personality and a satisfying arc.

The plot was also extremely predictable: there were no plot twists of any kind and everything went exactly how I expected it to go, which is simply not good. The pacing was a bit off too. Getting into this novel was very difficult and it dragged quite a lot in the middle. While the last 30% or so redeems it a little (sort of), it's not enough to make it truly satisfying.

To end on a positive note though, there were a few things I enjoyed.
The worldbuilding is dense, perhaps a bit too much for a standalone, but it overall stands on its own legs without infodumping too much.
I especially appreciated the representation we got, even of a few of the "less common" LGBT+ identities.
I also liked the interesting twist the author gives to the classic dragon/dragonrider trope, making dragons the “abusers” and not the other way around.

Overall, I think my main problem was that I was just very bored throughout the whole book. I just wanted to dnf it and I would have under any other circumstances.

This is the first Jenn Lyons book I've read. Going into it I didn't know what to expect with her writing style.
This started off really well. Had me intrigued to learn about the world and characters.
While the pacing was slow at times, I was still invested for most of the story. Only losing interest for a tiny amount of time but was soon gripped again.
The World was interesting to learn about. With Dragons and riders. How they came to connect etc.
The book ends open enough for a potential sequel. Which if it happens I'll happily pick it up.

A heist with dragons?!!!

A group of misfits save Anahrod, independent and wilful and capable of communicating with animals, from capture by the local warlord. In return, they plan to rob the most powerful dragon’s hoard. A dragon that wants Anahrod dead.

All of Lyonn’s characters are always extremely quirky, distinct, and oftentimes brash. In such a diverse group with varying ages, motives, skills, and identities, she is able to build a fun, strong, and bold dynamic.

“It was easier," Ris corrected, "when the only person I loved was a dragon." Then she realized what she'd just said and sighed, closed her eyes, hung her head. "You're both like damn jungle vines." Hopefully that was because they were growing on her, and not because she thought they both needed to be pruned with a sword.

Don’t worry - this is not nearly as complex as Ruin of Kings.

Lyonns is always genius with her worldbuilding. Here, citizens wear ring which denote different aspects of their identity: career, gender, sexual preference, bedroom activities, etc. This seems like such an easier way of knowing who to date.

One thing that remains the same from her Chorus of Dragons series is the teasing at BDSM. Whilst this isn’t a ‘spicy’ book per se, it’s more dialogue hinting at fantasies, I personally didn’t find it to my taste.

“Shame I couldn't find a ring that means 'I'm attracted to people who are vengeance -obsessed and prone to extreme violence! Would've been perfect.’”
“Very niche.”
“No, very niche is renic root, which apparently means I am sexually attracted to cloth dolls."

This could be read as a standalone, and only the epilogue hints at how the next book might start. I am always astounded at authors who manage to write a high epic fantasy that satisfyingly ties off most loose ends in one book.

Thank you to Tor for providing an arc in exchange for a review.