This is a beautifully written epic fantasy. I have been trying to think about how to describe it and cinematic might be one imperfect word. . Definitely an investment, but one that pays dividends. The characters were magnetic and action was compelling. The themes speak a bit too close to current day. This is the first of a series and it definitely leaves you wondering what will happen next!

The Last of the Fire Lilies - Book One of A Lullaby in the Rain by M.A.R.Pereira is the first book in what is shaping up to be an epic fantasy series. The world building is immense and immersive at the same time. The character building is artful and bolstered by the flow of multiple povs which also builds up the web of intrigue and political machinations

I feel genuine excitement for this series which has huge potential to be absolutely massive!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Chainlight Press for this incredible ARC - My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This book is truly a testament to doing fantasy right! Yes, it is long but I feel like that is precisely what an intricate fantasy book needs. It needs length and detail and density and depth that is thoroughly explored. The worldbuilding is fantastic and it is so lush and vivid that I could truly picture it all in my mind. I feel like I could see it as a show à la Games of Thrones or House of Dragon. The character development is also a highlight for me, because not one single character was left untouched in terms of fleshing out and I appreciated this. It’s a slow book, but I think it was a necessity for how much there really is in this book; I wouldn’t expect it to be fast moving all of the time. There are politics, high stakes, action, romance, and yes, even spice, and a LOT of it. I do think there are some elements that can be improved upon, such as: there were many POVs which makes me feel conflicted because it gets a bit confusing at times, it could be extremely political within the book and less focused on characters/action at times, and I wish we kind of weren’t dropped off into this book with not a lot of prologue or explanation that would have helped immensely. Regardless, there is so much to love about this book and I think true fantasy fans will really love this and this could be the next big thing, if it is really refined and polished in the ways it would benefit from.

This was a very in-depth read. When I started reading I couldn’t help but admire how beautifully written it was. It was a slower read but I think because of how much world building and thought was put into it. There were multiple POVs and each character was very developed in their personalities and seemed very real. The family betrayal, the scheming the anticipation of the forgotten flame behind it had me turning the pages. Overall, it was a good read, I did wish it was a bit faster but it was enjoyable nonetheless & I can’t wait for the next one.

Big thanks to Netgalley & the Author for reaching out & providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my review. All thoughts and honest opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed The Last of the Fire Lilies. It was way out of my comfort zone as a high fantasy book but it was nice to dip my toe in.

This is an ambitious, character-driven epic fantasy with rich mythology, intricate political intrigue, and a story that slowly peels back layers of long-buried truths.

This isn’t a light or easy read. The world-building is dense, and there’s a lot of history, lore, and political maneuvering to take in. I found it was definitely a book to savour rather than rush through, and there were a few moments where I went back to refresh my memory on certain plot details. If you’re willing to invest the time, though, the payoff is worth it.

One of the highlights for me was the cast of characters. The strong female leads were compelling, and I appreciated that the four main characters weren’t simply good or evil. Their motivations, flaws, and loyalties made them feel authentic and kept the story unpredictable. The betrayals and shifting alliances added a constant sense of tension throughout.

What stood out most was how original the story felt. The central mystery surrounding the kingdom’s history and the lies it was built upon creates an engaging foundation for what promises to be an epic tale.

Overall, The Last of the Fire Lilies is a dark, layered fantasy that rewards patient readers. If you enjoy complex world-building, morally grey characters, and political fantasy with mythological elements, this is well worth picking up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐🍪
3.5 stars and 1 cookie!

First of all, I think I need to mention that the e-book cover and its ultra-vague synopsis don't do the actual content justice at all. This is a book that tells about royals circling a fragile throne, ambitious schemers with their own plans, old wars lingering in the background, and even a little sea adventure woven through the larger political mess. It honestly reminded me of the first time I read the first novel in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, complete with that initial "head-scratching confusion" that I rarely experience with modern fantasy nowadays.

The central premise begins when King Nyedraan is found dying, leaving the throne to his young and named heir, Aelayas IV. Aelayas seems kind-hearted, but he is also clearly too young to rule without becoming a pawn for the adults around him. The writing itself was one of the strongest parts for me. Pereira has a real gift for atmosphere, especially when describing landscapes, palaces, and the texture of the different settings. I could see the influences of real-world cultures in the naming conventions and settings, with elements that felt Welsh-inspired, Scandinavian-inspired, and South Asian-inspired, among others (if my guess is correct, that is). It is clear that this world has been built with care, down to the roots of its language and geography, and I loved encountering those details.

However, note that the book takes a long time to become a story rather than a setup. I understand that epic fantasy needs room to breathe, especially when it has a cast this large and a world this layered. Still, around 30% of the novel felt like an extended prologue. By the 27% mark King Nyedraan was technically still alive, though barely, and I was still trying to identify the central conflict. My ARC copy had nearly 100 highlights within the first ten chapters alone because I was constantly trying to keep track of names, places, historical figures, and political connections.

I could barely tell you what the overarching plot was initially, other than Reynard's chapters. I'll admit I'm easily overwhelmed, and here I was very much knee-buckling from the in-world lore. Either way, once the characters settled into place in my head (plus with some help from Ctrl+F'ing names haha), the world opened up beautifully, though getting there required patience.

Still, I want to be clear that I do not see the slow beginning as a failure. This is very obviously the opening movement of a much larger saga so I can understand why Pereira chose to build the foundations so thoroughly. Every fantasy series has to begin somewhere, and this one begins with a kingdom full of old wounds, contested loyalties, and enough royal drama to keep an entire court whispering behind closed doors.

Ultimately, this was a 3.5-star read for me, yet I am adding an honorary cookie because I genuinely liked the ambition behind it. Readers who love that slow immersion, particularly if they enjoy fantasy that treats a fictional history as part of the plot, will feel right at home here. This is very much a character-driven novel, relying heavily on its massive cast to pull you into the world, so if you're looking for fast-paced action, you won't find a lot of it here--but if you want deep, flawed people to root for (or judge), you're in for a treat.

Also just to note, there are explicit scenes involving battle and sex, so this is definitely not a fantasy novel for younger readers.

This is a wonderful and daring debut. With *that* ending, I'm so curious what else M.A.R. Pereira has in store!