That ending?! GAGATONDRA 🙀
I don’t even know how to review this without spoiling ‘cause omg, there were SO MANY sussy parts like, I just knewww Ms. Wilson was cooking w/ crack.
I PEEP YOUR GAME NOW QUEEN.

The tropes? Devoured them. Even the quotes?!

“It’s like we’re two flames, drawn to each other, meant to burn brightly together.”
“That also means we can destroy one another.”
“Yes, but it would not be a bad way to die.”

I’LL TAKE 14 OF THIS. Such an amazing read, disappointed it took me a hot min to get to it, but when I finally did?

Overall, there wasn’t a part I didn’t enjoy. The world building was enough, the characters made you wanna vow to their Goddess, & the plot was mf PLOTTING AGAINST ME OMFG THAT ENDING!!

And don’t even get me started on the romance, THE SLOW BURN YEARNING… IF THEY DON’T JUST 👹 ALREADY. I’m over here ripping my tunic off.

aesthetic: 🗡️🏛️🖤☀️👩🏽‍🦲🕊️💫🏜️⚓️🐉👑

tropes: enemies to lovers, slow burn, death trial, found family, stabby fmc, dragons, greek-mythology, ‘who did this to you?’

This was an extraordinary take on the Trojan’s and Greek mythologies. The concept was that two Locrian maidens are selected to participate in a death race each year to appease the goddess because of the actions that were conducted by a Locrian centuries in the past. This was such a high stakes, intense, and magical read.

Lia was unlike any female character portrayed in this book, she had a strong determination and will to sacrifice herself to save the many maidens that couldn’t save themselves or wouldn’t be able to save themselves in the centuries to come if something didn’t change. As well as the deathly races her nation was plagued by a famine that left them without produce and many aspects of life, so it felt natural for her to question everything when she found her way to Ilion.

The male main character (aka Jason) did leave a lot up to your imagination. Where his loyalties lied, what his pure intentions were, and if everything he said was a ploy or if he was being his truest self. I loved their immediate connection, not love at first sight but fated together beyond anything Lia could comprehend. You would really get inside Lia’s head through Sariah’s writing style, it was so thoroughly detailed that it was like you became Lia.

The sisterhood was wholesome, they didn’t question each other beliefs or pasts, and remained faithful to one another through thick and thin. The actions of the priestesses did frequently leave me questioning the way things would turn in the end but nothing prepared me for most of plot twists that’s occurred and I’m still reeling from the cliffhanger ending.

Thankyou so much to Sariah Wilson for sending me an advanced copy of her fantasy novel, and I’m seriously in dire need of book 2!

🔥 „It only takes one person to change the world, one person to save a life.“

💙 „When you kiss me, it will be because you choose to, not because I tricked you into it.“

🔥 „I pledge to you my whole heart. My entire soul. Every part of my being already belongs to you. Ask for anything and it is yours.“

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and 0,5🌶️

So normally I don’t read arcs immediately after I get them, but this one got me SO curious, I couldn’t wait any longer.
Enemies-to-lovers will always get my attention, you just can’t go wrong with that trope, but as I’ve read the authors dedication I was gone.
„For all my Reylo friends“?!? 😳 Sign me up!!! Say no more, that was the moment I knew this book was going to be amazing. I’m a Star Wars lover (ofc I am, friends, I’m like the exemplary nerd!) and Kylo Ren?! Excuse me, but 😮‍💨
So don’t let me get started with him, let me tell you something about this amazing book.
I don’t give spoilers, you know by now, if I like a book, the review is basically me screaming at you to buy the book 😂 So… you have to get that thing! 😍 Seriously, I was hooked from the start and couldn’t put that masterpiece down. The tension is 🤌🏻 chef’s kiss, we have a badass FMC and the MMC is like a greek mythology kissed version of Kylo Ren in my head 🫠 I’m in love, I want that second book now. I mean, I need it!

A Tribute of Fire releases November 1. Just do yourself the favor and read it. It’s honestly one of the best arcs I’ve read this year. Thank you so much for the arc, @sariahwilson411 !!!

This book delivered a thrilling blend of danger, mythology, and romance that kept me turning pages late into the night! Lia is the kind of fierce, determined heroine I love rooting for, and the high-stakes “tribute game” setup had serious Hunger Games-meets-ancient-curse vibes. The relationship between Lia and her sister added heart, and the tension with Jason? Whew—complicated in the best way. Some parts of the plot felt a little rushed but overall, this was an intense, fast-paced adventure with a powerful message about sacrifice, survival, and rewriting fate. The ending was...WOW.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review.

Oh boy. There is a concept here, based on the Trojan War but it is so bogged down by the stupidity and insufferability of every character.

Quynh brings a comb and hairpins to a death race. Jason is completely disgusting. Everything he says is gross and the way he completely shirks any responsibility for the fact that he is literally leading Lia and her sister to their deaths is so frustrating. <spoiler> And the fact that her entire success in the race (that she's been training for her entire life) is credited to Jason protecting her is just offensive. God forbid she just be well-trained and clever. </spoiler>.

Lia, as another reviewer said, is a horny moron. She is obsessed with mega gross Jason because he kisses her in her dreams. I love a romance, but this one is genuinely the worst I think I've read this year. They have no actual interest or commonality. They talk about nothing except how turned on they are. And he's so crude and awful! And she constantly waxes poetic about how she trusts him more than anyone because of dream smooches. I hated it SO much. Her strength and abilities also completely change with plot necessity. Sometimes she can take on multiple grown men who are trained fighters and sometimes like one guy is too much for her? Her plans are terrible and the only reason she survives them is dumb luck.

The side characters aren't much better. Artemesia is a one dimensional mean girl, Io is constantly whiny and then <spoiler> randomly a total traitor </spoiler>, and the rest of Lia adelphia are all the exact same bland "we'll do anything for you because you're the main character and we're not" girl. I also don't understand how the priestesses are all "girl power, don't hurt us warrior women" and then also be cool with the Locrian maiden crap and try to get rid of Lia when she was claiming sanctuary?

I wouldn't pick this up for anyone, I don't think there is anything here for anyone. Two stars because it is readable and has A Concept.

Thank you Sariah Wilson and Netgalley for the e-arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

This book was SO fun and such a wild ride. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and am excited to read the sequel!

Such a good great!
It's incredible easy to immerse yourself in this world as the characters and the world-building are so well written. And the ending! Cannot wait for book 2.

Thoroughly enjoyed!

I loved the characters and got so involved with their stories. The world building was excellent. I honestly can’t wait to read book 2 in July!

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-ARC.

Before I started reading, I was fully expecting a gritty, grimdark tale with only vague historical references to ancient Greece. I was completely wrong. When I finished the first chapter, there was no turning back. I was caught--hook, line, and sinker.

The worldbuilding has references to ancient Greece and beyond, which I appreciated. Too often, I read novels that focus only on ancient Greece or ancient Rome. The Sasanian Empire was one of ancient Rome's contemporaries. This book references them in first few chapters! It's a relief to read from an author who definitely researched.

I enjoyed Lia's relationship dynamics with her family and friends, but not her romance. Like with other romantasies I've read, Lia and her love interest's relationship progressed too quickly. I feel like that rushed through the potential of tension between the two of them.

♡ A Tribute of Fire ♡

2⭐️, DNF at 30%
Thanks @netgalley for the #gifted eARC last year.

This really had an intriguing premise—romantasy meets Greek mythology with a promise of high stakes and strong fmc. I was drawn in by the magic, mythology and mystery until it fell flat.

Unfortunately, I found myself feeling bored and disconnected from the characters. I say this over and over again, it's probably me being not much of a romantasy gal and I just couldn’t invest in the story the way I hoped. I'm sure romantasy readers will be the better audience for this and if you've read this, do lemme know your thoughts!

A really good start to a series! I felt like at times to story had some unnecessary filler, it didn’t need to be as long as it was but I will reach for book 2! I love strong FMC’s and the Greek mythology aesthetic. Thanks for the ARC!

I really enjoyed the plot, storyline, and characters in this book. I have never read a fantasy book like this before so it was very refreshing to read something new. That ending had my jaw on the floor and I need the next book like yesterday. I am so excited to see where Lia's story goes from here.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book but I wouldn’t say it was my favourite. The premise was cool, Greek mythology x the hunger games. But the book was too slow to start, the characters were brilliant but in my opinion Lia lusted too much after Jason without much substance. I did love the whole theme of sisterhood throughout the book and lia’s utter devotion to her country!! Lia is a hardcore warrior lady and that I DO love!! I would have liked more of the race itself but what we saw of it was fantastic!!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the arc.

This one wasn't for me. I ended up not finishing after reading about half of the book. I would maybe come back to this at a later date and try again. But for now it's just not something that I'm interested in continuing. I will not be leaving a review on Goodreads just simply because I don't like leaving negative reviews or anything review on something that I didn't finish.

I really enjoyed this book. Some parts were a little slow, but overall the story is a lot of fun! It also felt like she went between mature and immature in some parts and it felt like two different characters. But that ending! Gah! I can’t wait for the next book!

This one wasn't for me.

I kept reading thinking it would get better. But it was very slow and very predictable. I've read this plot a hundred times. It's one of those books where the reader knows what's happening the entire time and is just waiting for the FMC to catch up. But she's young and dumb. And never does. The whole book reads very YA, and spends 3 chapters describing a kissing scene, because that's all they do. Kiss.

Basics:
Girl has a personal quest but doesn't make any progress throughout the entire 500+ pages.
Girl doesn't realize she's the chosen one who has to save the realms.
Boy knows who girl is and gets her to fall for him but keeps his own identity secret until the end.
Girl is shocked because of course she is.

Maybe someone who isn't tired of this plot and wants a no spice and easy-to-predict book will enjoy it.

Sariah Wilson’s first dip into the fantasy world, A Tribute of FIre delivers in a multitude of ways for those who are fans of the genre with high-stakes action that will keep you on the edge of your favourite seat, and as a warning for those who struggle with them, a cliffhanger that had me cursing and in need of book two to already be within my grasp.

The world-building is mesmerising and helps to ensure the reader is swept away into the story that has Wilson weave together Greek Mythology, with its Gods and Goddesses into this refreshing page-turner and beginning to a captivating duology. I have a feeling The Eye of a Goddess series will be loved and re-read by many if book one is anything to go by because Gods, I was hooked.

This has everything we could ask for with a strong and well-written female protagonist in Lia who as a princess of a dying nation, is all too aware of what it is to survive against all the odds because her people have been disregarded by the Gods and seen their lands bare no produce, and the water offer little for sustenance nor to offer as trade. I thought initially she would be unappealing and possibly boring, as sometimes that can be the case and it can make following their journey a hard one. Not Lia, nor her small family either who are all wonderfully written and give you an understanding of what makes our leading lady tick. She’s not your average princess, and I loved that about her. She's all too aware that the curse laid upon her land could affect not just the female citizens but both Lia and her sister and she doesn’t want to go down without a fight.

There's a small but vividly brutal insight into how she tries to ensure that if her family’s greatest fears come true? She won’t be completely vulnerable and it’s so well done that it had me winching and then chuckling at how she shrugs off pain like it’s dust on her shoulder. This alongside moments with her parents, and her sister gives Lia depth and in my opinion, the reader hopes that all that she wishes for does come true.

“The code says that there is no honor in a man who rushes to war because he doesn’t care if he dies. There is valor in battle for those who desire to live. Courage can only exist in the same space that fear does.”

With lines such as this, Sariah also has us thinking and in my case, taking moments to think of who we are as humans, and even though this is fiction there are moments of truth and insight given to us by the characters we encounter. I always like, even in fantasy, when the story makes me think over who I am, or how people are and how they treat one another. Turning a magnifying glass on oneself is always good, especially from the written word and A Tribute of FIre is definitely one that does this.

I think if you like world-building that is vivid and immersive that draw on civilisations from times past and perhaps myth, along with characters that are so well written that they could step off the page or draw you into fight from all sides? Then A Tribute of Fire is definitely for you - I’ve read and re-read this book and both times left cursing that I’m left waiting on the sequel because I became lost to the writing.

Sariah's books are always breathtaking, and this book is no exception! I love how vividly she paints a picture of the landscape for the reader, and every single page you are able to walk through the world through Sariah's eyes! It was incredible to be able to read this story and then get to speak with the author about it! I hope it has all the success in the world!

I’ve become increasingly picky about the kinds of romantasy books I prefer and this felt like everything I’ve read before. It was very cliche and felt weak in its overall fantasy plot and world building