Flamebringer by Elle Katharine White
This is the third book in White's Heartstone trilogy, and I almost didn't read it. Not because I didn't love the first two books, Heartstone and Dragonshadow, which I first read back in 2019, but because it had been so long since I'd read them I felt like I'd forgotten too many of the important plot points. Luckily, I decided to give this one a try anyway, and I'm so glad I did. It quickly drew me back into the story of Aliza and Alastair Daired and their dragon, Akarra, and all the dark intrigue and magical battles brewing across their land. I love these characters! And White's writing is so compelling and lyrical. And I love that the first book in this series is a loose retelling of Pride and Prejudice but with magic, swords and dragons. If you're looking for a captivating fantasy series, I absolutely recommend this one.
Happy Reading!
I adore these gorgeous covers -- and that the book grabbed you and drew you in rightaway. It's such a good feeling, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt's the best! :D
DeleteI think I would feel like I might need to stop reading a series if it had been a long time since I read the first book.
ReplyDeleteI almost did because I didn't want to start the series over, and I wasn't sure if I remembered enough about the story, but it all worked out.
DeleteThis series is on my TBR list. It sounds so good. And I love that this book was able to pull you right into the story even though it'd been awhile since you read the previous two. :)
ReplyDeleteYou would like this series, Ashley! Aliza and Alistair are such great characters. And the dragons are so cool. :D
DeleteIf something seems like it's going to be a trilogy, I often wait until all three are out--it makes it easier from the library, too.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like a good one & they're all out!
Waiting until the entire series is published is wise. My only problem would be remembering I wanted to read it by the time the 3rd book came out. ;D
DeleteThose covers are quite striking and evocative of the material within.
ReplyDeleteAren't they great? I especially love the first cover...probably because of the dragon on it. :D
DeleteThat's the thing I don't like about reading a trilogy or a series as they come out. I'm always worried I'll forget what happened. But if I don't read them they end up getting buried on the endless TBR list. This sounds like a great trilogy and I'm so glad the 3rd book lived up to the other 2.
ReplyDeleteI am, too! And I'm glad I was able to jump into the third book without rereading the first two (because how has time to reread books these days?) and that I didn't feel lost.
DeleteGreat review, Lark :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. Short and sweet was my motto for this one. :D
DeleteGotta look into this after your description of P&P with magic, dragons and swords! Sounds good, Lark! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so fun! I really enjoyed all three books in this series. :D
DeleteI have these on my radar because of the P&P connection. I told my daughter about them and she read them all immediately and said they were fantastic. I will get to the first book quickly. I'm just rereading The Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb because it's ten years since I read it and I want to read book 2. I knew I would've forgotten most of it and I had!
ReplyDelete:D That's always the worry for me when I wait too long between reading the first book and the second one...because I don't remember. Luckily, White did a good job of recapping enough of the story that I didn't need to go back and reread the first two books in this series before reading the third one.
DeleteI just added the first book to my tbr. I'll see if my library has it.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed! :D
DeleteIt seems like I heard really good things about Heartstone when it came out.
ReplyDeleteI really liked it! But then I tend to like a lot of the Pride & Prejudice retellings. This one was especially fun because of the magic and dragons in it.
DeleteI understand doubting continuing with a series when so much time has passed between books, but it sounds like picking up this latest one was a good decision! I haven't read this series, but it sounds good.
ReplyDeleteI'm SO glad I didn't just give up on it.
DeleteIt interests me that the first book is a Pride and Prejudice retelling (although I have never tried one of those). I haven't read a fantasy series in a long time. I read more science fiction than fantasy.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to read more science fiction this year, but I still love a fun fantasy read...and the connection to P&P in the first book was a lot of fun.
DeleteI always worry about picking up a book in a series after taking a long break. I am glad that this worked out well for you. It sounds like a great series.
ReplyDeleteI usually end up not resuming a series after a long break away from it, but I'm very glad I went back to this series!
DeleteHappy reading. Regine
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Hi, Regine! :D
DeleteThis series sounds like fun! And who can resist books about dragons? ;)
ReplyDeleteRight? I know I can't. :D
DeleteI just started watching Game of Thrones for the first time so these covers remind me of that show. lol
ReplyDelete:D All those dragons!
Delete