The second in the Aurelian Cycle trilogy does not disappoint, it also has a handy scene at the beginning that reminds you of the important points in the last book, which is always useful. This does not suffer from second book syndrome, the plot does not dip, it is still fast paced and action packed, we meet new characters, and I think it manages to be more twisty than book one, I cannot wait for the conclusion to this series it is magnificent.

This book absolutely destroyed me in the best possible way! Rosaria Munda has crafted a world that is simply impossible to leave, and DK have packaged this piece of fiction perfectly.

Tense and fast paced; I cried, I screamed at the twist and I'm ready for book 3 immediately.

Thank you to DK Books and Netgalley for this gifted eBook version - I can't wait to purchase the physical trophy for my shelf!

Thanks to DK and Netgalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

If you enjoy dragons, political intrigue, found family and fantastic world building then The Aurelian Cycle trilogy is for you.

With the world building and political landscape set up in Fireborne, Flamefall dives straight into the story from where it left off and peels back more layers of the setting that is Callipolis. Though a YA book, Flamefall really does dive into some deep themes and questions, probing you to consider these moral complexities that the young characters of Annie and Lee are faced with.

Annie really grew on me in this book, with her tenacity, humanity and desire to serve those around her. She really developed as a character overall in Flamefall. Lee’s character is well written, showing his deep rooted trauma and warring elements of his inner workings. Though I must say that Annie and Lee's reluctance to communicate properly with each other made me want to throw my kindle out of sheer frustration.

The plot, as before, was well thought out and written. There were so many elements woven together and plot twists, some I saw coming and some I did not. I initially was unsure about the introduction of a new POV, but quickly grew to love Griff’s character.

This book truly made my heart ache and had me thoroughly invested emotionally. I absolutely cannot wait to read Furysong after that ending!

What a great sequel, this book was a great read. It was fast paced and filled with action. I loved the multiple povs, it gives the story so much more depth. Also the dragons! I always love reading about them and seeing their personalities.

I loved the new characters and learning about their motivations. My heart was in my throat at times with all the twists and turns and waiting to see how things unfold.

I would definitely recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ebook.

I can honestly say this is becoming an all time favourite series of mine. It's so rare to get YA series that are this complex, this detailed and political, but Munda really gives us everything and I am utterly obsessed with both the characters and the world they inhabit.

Leo annoyed the hell out of me in this book, but in a way that only a really well written character can. You understand his choices, even if you don't agree with them and I just think Munda does a fantastic job of writing him as this confused young adult both wanting to be so different from what came before, but also not agreeing with what's happening now. Did I want to jump in the book and wallop him over the head? Multiple times, especially relating so some of his scenes with Annie. But it's a complicated story, filled with characters who really showcase that in so many ways, so even if you don't agree with their actions and decisions you can still understand their thought process.

Annie on the other hand, Annie can do no wrong and I felt so frustrated for her in parts. How the people she classed as friends constantly overlooked her, assumed the worst, when in reality she was trying her best to end the war before it started. She's the realist to Lee's optimist, she knows the reality of war, knows that sometimes it's better the devil you know and, while I could absolutely see both sides, Lee frustrated me to no end with his willingness to think the worst of Annie in parts, to not stand up for the person who has always been there for him, risked her life for him.

And our final POV and a new addition was Griff, a lowborn dragonrider serving the Pythian lords. His relationship with the Pythian's is a mixed one with New Pythos looking down on riders like him, seeing them as lesser than those who fled from the revolution. His character really added to the emotional aspect of the story, but it also allowed us an insight into the political workings of New Pyhthos, both before and after Lee killed his cousin, their firstrider. Annie and Griff were the stars of this book in my opinion, willing to do what was needed to end the war before it truly began, knowing that hard decisions sometimes need to be made to ensure that everyone makes it out unscathed.

Honestly, I know I keep saying this but the thing I love most about this series is the complex nature of, well... everything. The plot, the politics, the characters, the relationships. Nothing is black and white, there is no easy route, no person you can claim truly good, though there are plenty I could say are truly bad. But it's these complexities, these complicated plot points that really drag you into the story. I found myself going though a roundhouse of emotions, being frustrated one second to crying the next and then irrationally angry, and it's so rare that I find books that deliver on these emotional aspects without loosing anything regarding the plot or characters. But Munda is a master storyteller, there is no denying it.

She really knows how to make her readers completely give themselves over to the story, to her characters. These characters, this world is dealing with so much trauma and grief and Munda manages to make you feel every single second of it. No matter the character, their politics, you feel their anger, their grief, their trauma as if it was your own, and that's something special that I don't get to see very often. Helped along by her emotive writing and use of plot twists (the one towards the end destroyed me) really help propel this story along, especially when you consider how politics heavy it is, and I finished this in a matter of hours, unwilling and unable to put the story down.

I'm honestly just blown away by this series so far. I am absolutely desperate to get my hands on the final book, even though I don't think I'm anywhere near emotionally stable enough to read it. Munda has created a group of characters and a world that feels all encompassing when you're reading, and for a long while after. I'm so glad this series has finally found a UK publisher and I can't wait to get my hands on the final installment.

Fireborne is my favourite read so far this year so I was a little nervous Flamefall wouldn’t live up to expectations, I needn’t have worried! I loved everything about it, the characters, the plot, the writing style; perfection. The characters are so rounded and well written. I really enjoyed the introduction of Griff’s character too and seeing through his eyes. I cannot wait to see how the trilogy ends!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

The stakes are higher and choices so much more difficult in this second book of the Aurelian cycle! Annie and Lee's viewpoints are now joined by Griff, one of the squires (with an awesome dragon of his own!) for the dragon lords in New Pythos. I do like how we can see how the other land is and let me tell you, it is definitely in as much turmoil as Callipolis! The rich are staying safe and the poor pay the price, in food, and being the first to die. Life is tough for Lee, who found out that Atreus, never actually meant for him to live after the revolution, is drawn to the less fortunate and the rebels looking now to overthrow the new government for equality for all. While Annie looks to protect the whole land from the dragon lords of New Pythos who want to conquer all. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place! I really enjoyed Griff's point of view too, he is a good person also with conflicting choices to make for his family and dragon (that muzzle makes me so mad!) but also looking for a better future, much like Annie and Lee.

The second book is full of dragon fights, revolution, tragedy, and I am intrigued by the land of the God King and his daughter with the giant dragon. I really hope we can get that story more complete in the third book. Plus the cliffhanger that this book ends on is a real humdinger and I have all my fingers and toes crossed that Annie, Lee, and Griff can figure out a way through and bring peace to both lands! Or at least a little happiness after all the dark doings that have happened so far!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to join Annie, Lee, and Griff on this revolution for a better world!