“I like how ordinary things seem special through your eyes.”

Curses, fate, destinies, attraction, pledges, mysteries, adventure, danger, intense passion and more make up this first book in the Eye of the Goddess series and it’s going to be hard to wait for more.

What in the world just happened?! This romantasy lived up to every drop of hype I was expecting (and more) and I’m over here curled up in a ball and reeling from every single thing about this book. I’m in awe of Sariah Wilson’s first venture into this genre.

Not only are there fantastic and passionate kissing scenes, but the chemistry is volatile and tangible. The action is vivid, with threats of war and danger lurking everywhere. A surprising bond of sisterhood also claimed my soul. Euthalia (aka Lia) doesn’t have to pursue her mission alone and has “sisters” who have her back and that means everything. She is pure fire and I loved everything about her strong, powerful, yet soft, character.

I don’t want to give any spoilers, but there is nothing ordinary about this book and I was hooked from the start.

Content: romance (passionate kissing); violence (not extremely graphic)--fighting, death/killing, war.

Honestly, I could not get into this. I tried so hard, you tell me Kylo Ren/Rey inspired, I’m here for it. But the main character annoyed me from the start and then it was like insta-lust to a kiss that felt almost… bad… the whole book was just not my vibe. I can see it being others, though, who don’t mind the trope doing all the work.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
A Tribute of Fire
By: Sariah Wilson

I'm so surprised at how much I LOVED this book. Each page, each chapter kept me so engrossed that at night I kept saying "oh, just one more chapter". If I didn't have adult responsibilities and could be glued to my Kindle, I definitely would have, just to keep going.

I have rated my last few reads at 5⭐ and they are truly those ratings, but this book... I seriously cannot wait for book two since this one ended on such a cliffhanger!

Tropes:
🔪 Stabby FMC
❤️ Found family/sisterhood
💥 Enemies to lovers (my favorite trope)
🌚 Elemental Magic
🌜 Retelling Greek mythology

A Tribute of Fire by S. Wilson, published by Montlake is afantasy romance. This is not a stand alone. The book ends in a cliffhanger, be warned.
This is Lia and Xander's story, drama laden and action packed, I raced through the pages, I couldn't read fast enough. The heroine who's between a rock and a hard place and the hero who has secrets and his own aganda.
A fantastic read, 5 stars.

I loved this book. This may be one of my all time favorite reads. Lia is such a relatable main character. She fights so hard for what she thinks is right. There are a couple revelations in the end that I expected and didn’t surprise me. But it still kept me on the edge of my seat. I knew I was getting close to the end but when I tapped on my kindle to turn the page and then saw “author’s note” on the next page, I swore. I was fighting back tears. I was not ready for the story to be over and I don’t know how I’m supposed to make it to July waiting for the next one. I have already purchased the ebook for a friend because I needed someone to talk to about it. Will definitely be recommending this book to everyone.

This is a fantastic romantasy read! The intricate world-building drew me in and made me feel like I was right there. The action scenes were vivid and wonderfully done. The storyline blended with the lore perfectly, delivering information at just the right pace. I loved how the main and supporting characters each had unique personalities that complemented each other seamlessly. The cliffhanger caught me off guard, and now I’m eagerly awaiting the second book! This was the perfect book to finish out the month.

I was so excited to get my hands on a review copy of A Tribute of Fire! Sariah Wilson has long been a favorite author of mine, so to see her branch into romantasy is really exciting. I’m happy to say that I truly loved this story. Lia is a fierce heroine who will stop at nothing to save her nation. She’s joined by a handsome sailor who is mysterious and swoony. I CANNOT wait for the next book in this series!

A Tribute of Fire is the first book in a new Fantasy Romance series and it’s absolutely amazing, it has so many of my favorite tropes and I was hooked since the first page!

Lia is a princess of Locris and arranged to marry the prince of their enemy nation, but she plans to escape her fate and save her country by becoming a tribute, one of two girls chosen every year who can either become a priestess by participating in a deadly run, or die (and no one has ever won). Being aided by the handsome sailor Jason, Lia swears to become the first tribute to survive and save her people, but with the dangerous secrets coming to light, she realizes that staying alive is the least of her worries.

OMG I’ve just finished reading this book and I’m speechless! This book is so freaking amazing I can’t believe it ended, it was over 500 pages and I wish it was even longer. The world building was so interesting, I loved everything about it (don’t want to spoil anything) and the magic system was only vaguely explained but I have a feeling its going to be a big part of the next book and I can’t wait to learn more about it. Lia was the kind of FMC I love in fantasy books, she was badass, not taking anyone’s shit and I loved how much she grew in this book and can’t wait to see her again. She and Jason had a complicated relationship but I loved them together, they were perfect for each other (even when Lia didn’t want to see it) and their banter was everything, I loved all their scenes together and after what happened at the end, I’m so excited to see what happens with them next. The plot was really great paced and while there was a moment in the beginning and in the middle where it was a bit slow, there was so much suspense, action, crazy revelations and plot twists that I was hooked since the beginning and couldn’t put the book down and when I got to the ending I was literally screaming, the author is evil ending it in that moment and I need the next book ASAP!

A Tribute of Fire is an amazing first book in what shapes up to be an incredible Fantasy Romance series, I loved Lia and Jason’s story and definitely recommend it to everyone who enjoys this genre. I can’t wait for book 2!

Firstly, a huge thank you to Sariah for reaching out and sending over a copy of A Tribute of Fire. I really enjoyed the book and that cliffhanger has me wanting book 2 asap. This was a sweeping greek mythology fantasy with romance sprinkled in.
Here are my top 3 things I loved about this book:
-Kunguru, the adorable raven! I have many thoughts and questions about this bird.
-The banter between Lia and Jason was perfect. It lead to some great tension between the two and Lia was so sassy, I related to her so much.
-A fierce heroine who knows what needs to be done for her country and will stop at nothing to accomplish her goals.
Top 3 reasons why you should read this book:
-Greek mythology loose retelling (make sure to read the author's note)
-Found friendship and support. I loved how each of the side characters supported each other and shared in common issues.
-This is a romantasy but was plot first, romance second.

3.5/5

Set in a world with Greek/Roman vibes but with magic and blessings from the gods, A Tribute of Fire is a decent introduction to the fantasy romance genre for those who haven't dipped their toe into it before. As I understand, Sariah Wilson is a contemporary romance author and I would imagine that her audience would appreciate the ease of the fantasy elements without feeling out of their depth.

It was an easy to read, easy to follow story with twists that might or might not be guessed at early. My star rating is purely from a personal standpoint as I am not a big fan of couples acting on insta attraction so quickly. This is not a slowburn romance, but rather one where our FMC is smitten from the second they meet the MMC (although I don't necessarily blame her). I'm interested to know how the reveals at the end of the book are going to play out in book 2.

Thank you to Wilson & NetGalley for the opportunity to review A Tribute of Fire early.

First off, this survey loves spicy dreams 🤣 this was an enjoyable book but there were some big plot holes that I am confused on. Not to mention that I felt like I didn't really get to know the love interest. I will probably read the next book, but we will see.

The story revolves around Lia Princess of Locris, a dying desert nation cursed centuries ago by earth goddess - one still worshipped by the thriving and adversarial nation of Illion. Every year, Illion offers the goddess a sacrifice : two Locrian Maidens are forced to compete in a life- death race to reach the temple. In a millennium no maiden has made it out of Illion alive. This year, Lia is the chosen one. She has trained hard for this day, but things don’t go as planned when she learns that the other chosen one is her untrained sister. Together, they must reach the temple, but the journey is far more challenging than it seems. In the midst of it all, she finds herself drawn to a man—Jason, an Ilion sailor. The irony stings, as she despises the Illions so deeply that she’s willing to kill them rather than accept their help. Attraction, or even love, was unthinkable. But fate has other plans. Lia and Jason’s relationship is captivating—at times almost too flirty to handle, with plenty of teasing and playful banter that keeps things interesting. The story becomes even more intriguing when Lia reaches the temple, where she discovers friends who feel more like sisters—each willing to go to great lengths to support one another, their bond rooted in deep understanding. There are many secrets waiting to be revealed as the story delves deeper. However, the story’s pacing is uneven; it starts slowly, gradually building tension before abruptly accelerating, which can be jarring for readers.
The cliffhanger at the end leaves us hanging, intensifying the suspense and excitement. Just as the plot reaches its peak, the sudden ending leaves us craving more. Despite the pacing issues, the overall story is enjoyable, filled with engaging characters and thrilling twists.

I highly recommend this book to fans of romantasy and Greek mythology. It delivers an emotional rollercoaster that keeps readers eager for the next installment.

4.5 rounded up to 5 ⭐️

Female empowerment & girl bonding??? YES PLEASE.
I ate this book up like it was my last meal. It had everything I love. A deathly trial, found family, female empowerment, and forbidden romance?!?
Lia is the embodiment of strength and sacrifice and she's willing to put herself on the line to save her homeland but she turns to absolute putty in the hands of the ever cocky Jason who she can't seem to stay away from. She's got strong family ties (both blood & found) and I loved all the relationships built in this book. The magic was vast ranging from water dragons to mythological gods and I was intrigued while learning about it.

I've really enjoyed this author's romantic comedies, so I was thrilled to check out her new book in a genre I adore. This is author Sariah Wilson's first foray into the fantasy genre, specifically "Romantasy".

The story centers around Princess Lia, who lives in Locris, a dying desert kingdom. Each year, two young women are chosen as tributes to the Goddess to atone for a mistake made over a thousand years ago. While being hunted by the Ilion men, these maidens must hurry to the Goddess's temple to survive, but no one has ever made it back alive. Lia believes it’s her destiny to save Locris by being chosen to race to the temple, find a relic of the Goddess, and then return to restore her homeland.

Things don’t go as smoothly as planned, even though she’s trained to fight back. Writing this review without
revealing too much is tough, so here’s a quick rundown without spoilers.

-Lia encounters the charming Jason, who tries to win her heart.

-She builds strong friendships within a devoted sisterhood.

-The plot is full of surprising twists.

-The story draws inspiration from Greek Mythology.

-Lia is a stubborn and determined main character.

-There are hidden identities that lead to a big cliffhanger.

If you love Greek Mythology, fated mates, strong female leads, and intense situations,
this new Romantasy should be your next pick.

This was another great read by Sarah wilson! Captivating romance, a strong female lead, and everything you could ask from a fantasy romance story. Lovable characters and a fun read. 4\5 stars

This was a good start for a new fantasy series! There are so many moving parts to this story that it feels like there are quite a few possibilities for how this series could continue, which is fun! I felt like the pacing of this book was quick, which made it easy to jump into the story and get hooked into what was happening.

Lia was such a refreshing FMC! She was a strong and capable fighter which made her such a believable character for this story. You also really do want the best for her and believe in her cause. (Even if sometimes her plans were a little misguided)

I loved her friendships in this book! To see her find little pieces of home in this “enemy” territory and see the people as real people made the plot feel so much more believable. (Sidenote: I am really interested to see how some of these friendship dynamics play out in the next book?? )

I will say that although I really enjoyed how quick paced this book was and how much was going on, I think there were definitely some moments that felt rushed and/or not fully explored. And I’m sure this will get fleshed out as the series continues! It just kind of took me out of the book with how many things popped up and moved on. I also feel like the romance was a fun element - but it was a little hard for me to believe?

Overall, I thought the ending brought everything together in SUCH an interesting way, and it is going to be a series I definitely want to keep up with!

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to start a new fantasy series that has chosen one vibes! 🫶🏻

I really enjoyed book. The story was unique, and the characters were well-developed. The magical system universe were very well developed in all planned out. I enjoyed the conflict that was the main thread throughout the book. And I found both main characters to be ones that are easy to fall in love with, but also had great development with the plot and their magical system.

🔥 Book Review 🔥

A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson
🔥
If you love Greek mythology and want a fantasy retelling with a strong heroine who will do anything to save her kingdom, you’d love this one. Lia is a princess of Locria and she’s been secretly training and sword fighting in order to survive being a tribute to the neighboring enemy kingdom of Ilion. Every year, two women from Locria must compete in Ilion in a deadly race to reach the goddess’s temple. They are dropped off at the docks and the men of the city hunt them through a maze and they are killed if they’re caught. The book follows Lia through her flight through the maze and what comes after. It’s packed with action, danger, magic, prophecy, revenge, betrayal, secrets, and forbidden romance. A large portion of the book is spent in worldbuilding, character development, and setting things up for the next book, so by the end of the book, I was completely invested in Lia’s story and I need to know what happens next! I’m intrigued by this series and can’t wait to see where it takes me.
🔥
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
🔥
Read if you like:
▫️Greek mythology
▫️deadly gauntlet
▫️gods, goddesses, and magic
▫️enemies to lovers
▫️found family
🔥
Thank you to Sariah Wilson for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺! 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 & 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Definitely a roller coaster of a romance! I was enthralled by the ever-shifting sentiments between the MCs — it’s dynamic up until the 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐞 at the end. And I must say, Sariah excels at making make-out sessions steamy! But I especially loved the 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 (𝐑𝐞𝐲𝐋𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬!) which kept the tension & emotions building between the MCs in such a creative way!

The 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤-𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 backdrop & the documented Ancient Greek history the author pulls from for the “𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞” lent color to the plot. I enjoyed that vibe!

I had a hard time connecting with the characters unfortunately. While the FMC, Lia, is young & out of her element, she is too naive & impetuous to authentically pull off the things she does in this story. She seems to succeed mostly because of conveniences & easy-outs written in. Lia basically wings it & often gets lucky or gets helped. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 “𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦” 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦. The only characters I enjoyed were the MMC & Lia’s mentor Demaratus. The other characters simply didn’t make a significant impression on me.

My biggest frustration with this book is 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵. However, they don’t affect that this is a good start to a potentially great series overall. The romance aspect & the cliffhanger have me invested, and I do plan to read book two!

Honestly I looooved the concept of her leaving for her lover and there’s dragons, heavy romance plot points, the fmc is so likable and relatable, the sailor is hot and the villain feels like an actual villain. And that cliffhanger omg!