he horses of Soldonia are unlike any other. Fire welding, water-breathing, and earth moving horses are just a few of the breeds of magical steeds.
After an unfortunate accident that claimed the life of her twin brother, Ceridwen is exiled and given the name of the steed she rides, Fireborn. The flames of her strong heart are almost as visible as the scorching ribbons that coil around her fireborn’s breath. Despite her outcast status, she protects her people as an outrider, protecting the borders. When invaders arrive and destroy her kingdom from within, she must fight to claim the crown she was denied and rise above the smoke her burning path holds. Her journey will soon become entwined with an enslaved priest and a boy on the run. The fate of the three may determine the fate of nations.
Speechless….. This book left me speechless! It has everything, flaming horses, exalted royalty, ancient rivalries, betrayal, found family, and the stubbornness of a hero who refuses to fail. This is by far my favorite read of the year, and that’s saying something because my 2024 books have been one winner after another. If you love epic storytelling with high-stakes and tightly interwoven plots, you need to read this book! I implore you!
Scoresheet:
Category: YA Epic Fantasy
Spice/Romance: Clean read/No spice. More friendship than romance, only brief mentions of emotional connections building.
Violence: Mild warning but nothing too intense. Beheadings, lost limbs, and bloody wounds are presented on stage but not graphicly.
Morals/Worldview: Christian worldview. Hints to scripture and God in allegorical form.
Recommended reading age: 14+
