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maevys's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
ebonis_tiny_library's review
4.0
This is an indie published fantasy romance that I would recommend a hundred times over!
Shula is an elemental and her power is Fire. By the end we find out her destiny and why she’s so important.
This story is written so well with such beautiful and vivid descriptions. The character development was one of the best parts of the story. The attachment the author was able to create between the characters and the reader was nothing short of perfect. Aleera’s writing is amazing.
I also loved the magic system. How all magic came with a price. Having the ability to stop time ages you faster, the ability to heal will make you take the physical and emotional pain of the people you’re healing, and so on.
Reading Shula’s journey was heartbreaking because she had so much hate for her fae heritage, it made her selfish and unlikeable but for good reason though. In this world fae are hunted down, enslaved and murdered.
This story is definitely one of my favorite reads this year. The romance, adventure, and creative use of magic had me engaged the whole time. The romance was definitely a slow burn and worth the wait. And the sexual tension was off the charts!
Shula is an elemental and her power is Fire. By the end we find out her destiny and why she’s so important.
This story is written so well with such beautiful and vivid descriptions. The character development was one of the best parts of the story. The attachment the author was able to create between the characters and the reader was nothing short of perfect. Aleera’s writing is amazing.
I also loved the magic system. How all magic came with a price. Having the ability to stop time ages you faster, the ability to heal will make you take the physical and emotional pain of the people you’re healing, and so on.
Reading Shula’s journey was heartbreaking because she had so much hate for her fae heritage, it made her selfish and unlikeable but for good reason though. In this world fae are hunted down, enslaved and murdered.
This story is definitely one of my favorite reads this year. The romance, adventure, and creative use of magic had me engaged the whole time. The romance was definitely a slow burn and worth the wait. And the sexual tension was off the charts!
jenakelsey's review
4.0
3.5 ⭐️
I’m not sure how I felt about this books. Parts of me absolutely loved it while other parts weren’t that impressed. I really didn’t love the FMC & MMC’s relationship. It felt forced and not organic in the slightest. I understand mating bonds but I just was meh.
As for the magic and storyline/plot. I found it very interesting. I think this series could be wonderful if the future couples are done better haha.
I’m not sure how I felt about this books. Parts of me absolutely loved it while other parts weren’t that impressed. I really didn’t love the FMC & MMC’s relationship. It felt forced and not organic in the slightest. I understand mating bonds but I just was meh.
As for the magic and storyline/plot. I found it very interesting. I think this series could be wonderful if the future couples are done better haha.
jennys_library's review
5.0
A Dance With Fire by Aleera Anaya Ceres is a high fantasy and book one in the Fae Elementals series. It follows Shula, who is a Fae hiding in a Circus, in a world where people basically want to get rid of her kind.
First of all, I can't believe that it took me this long to start this book because it was phenomenal. The idea of our fmc living in a world where she feels like she needs to hide just being herself was just too relatable. It was truly a path of self-discovery and acceptance. It left me rooting for our fmc the entire way. The world building was just perfection.
I absolutely loved the characters in this story. Aside from Shula being such a relatable character, the rest brought such a good dynamic to the story. The found family vibe was beautiful to witness. The mmc?? I loved and hated him at the same time! Or was it a hate to love him? Lol, either way, I loved this story!
First of all, I can't believe that it took me this long to start this book because it was phenomenal. The idea of our fmc living in a world where she feels like she needs to hide just being herself was just too relatable. It was truly a path of self-discovery and acceptance. It left me rooting for our fmc the entire way. The world building was just perfection.
I absolutely loved the characters in this story. Aside from Shula being such a relatable character, the rest brought such a good dynamic to the story. The found family vibe was beautiful to witness. The mmc?? I loved and hated him at the same time! Or was it a hate to love him? Lol, either way, I loved this story!
adriannarosita's review
4.0
Relationship Spoilers
First off, where are the hard covers and special editions? It’s blasphemy that this book is only on paper book! Blasphemy, I say!
Take my money! Give me hardcovers!
I really enjoyed the story line so much so that I stayed up almost 24ours to finish the book. I keep telling myself I’m not a slow burn type of girl but here I am, eating it up, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME! I also went into reading this book not knowing it was part of a SIX BOOK SERIES! It’s okay though, I am hooked and will be continuing on with the series. I will have to take my time with this series because book four is coming out 2025.
I was not the biggest fan of Shula and Ryker’s relationship, but I’m also not used to this type of storyline for fated mates. He was constantly too disgusted with her for me to be convinced he cared. His mood towards her gave me whiplash. But the author just wanted to show us that fated mates are not always a partner you want or see yourself with, which I thank her for.
I also found it so funny that Shula was so concerned and embarrassed that she would get aroused and Ryker would be able to smell her arousal. She was always around other fae males but her only concern was Ryker, like honey, there are literally two fae males sitting beside you and two sitting in front of you and you’re worried about the man in the other room. Too funny.
Honestly, I was rooting for Shula and Valerio, so it was funny to find out that someone in the book was also rooting for the same thing lol. That was an enemies to lovers I could have gotten behind.
I cannot wait for Shula to grow into her powers and become more comfortable with controlling them. She can already do so much now with the little she currently knows about it and I cannot wait to follow her along this journey.
First off, where are the hard covers and special editions? It’s blasphemy that this book is only on paper book! Blasphemy, I say!
Take my money! Give me hardcovers!
I really enjoyed the story line so much so that I stayed up almost 24ours to finish the book. I keep telling myself I’m not a slow burn type of girl but here I am, eating it up, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME! I also went into reading this book not knowing it was part of a SIX BOOK SERIES! It’s okay though, I am hooked and will be continuing on with the series. I will have to take my time with this series because book four is coming out 2025.
I was not the biggest fan of Shula and Ryker’s relationship, but I’m also not used to this type of storyline for fated mates. He was constantly too disgusted with her for me to be convinced he cared. His mood towards her gave me whiplash. But the author just wanted to show us that fated mates are not always a partner you want or see yourself with, which I thank her for.
I also found it so funny that Shula was so concerned and embarrassed that she would get aroused and Ryker would be able to smell her arousal. She was always around other fae males but her only concern was Ryker, like honey, there are literally two fae males sitting beside you and two sitting in front of you and you’re worried about the man in the other room. Too funny.
Honestly, I was rooting for Shula and Valerio, so it was funny to find out that someone in the book was also rooting for the same thing lol. That was an enemies to lovers I could have gotten behind.
I cannot wait for Shula to grow into her powers and become more comfortable with controlling them. She can already do so much now with the little she currently knows about it and I cannot wait to follow her along this journey.
loveleighreading's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Title: A Dance With Fire
Series: Fae Elementals
# in series: 1
Author: Aleera Anaya Ceres
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Tropes/Keywords: Elemental fire powers. Fae. Hate to Love. Kidnapped FMC. Magic. Romantasy. Wounded/Scarred MMC.
Rep: Mexican-American author.
Pages: 502
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Review: I sadly was not a fan of the relationship of the main characters. I felt we took too much of the book with them hating each other, then to finally just forgive each other and get over how awful he has been to her. I'm not sure that I'll read more books in this series, but I do love her contemporary writing.
Quotes:
- This book is for the oppressed. For the silenced. And for those who wish to be seen.
- The problem with listening to madness was, it invaded your senses like a black plague. It spread through the mind like a contagion. Sometimes, the madness was easy to fight off. And other times, it was just easier to give in. And in the rarest times, one could stare long and hard and find the madness looking back.
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CW: Violence. Past death of parents as a child. Blood. Death on page.
Pregnancy?: No
Babies/Children?: No
belle2022's review
4.0
This story is written so well with such beautiful and vivid descriptions. It’s not hard to imagine yourself in the MCs mind. It also follows multiple characters perspectives which I always adore! From the start I had mixed feelings about Shula especially when we learnt more about her background the reasons why she had to act the way she did. However, I believe it only made her stronger and it pushed her character development. I adored the start of the book where she was working in the circus and trying to stay hidden. This is one of the fewer books I’ve read were Fae are the outcasts and the hunter instead of being the Hunter. One of her so called friends I had a bad feeling about.
Loved the bond we had with the other characters in this book. One of which becomes very essential to the story and to Shula’s life. Shula is an elemental and her power is Fire. We never really learn by the Emperor wants her captured and brought to him. I have to say a big part of the reason why I enjoyed this book was the characters. The band of Fae that come to protect her and eventually becomes friends with her. They all challenge her beliefs and make her want to be a better person. They all have their own demons and pain in their past. It’s a hard life for the Fae in this world. They are constantly hunted and can never enjoy a moments of peace. Each of the other characters I believe could have their own book and I would 100% be down to read that.
The ending of this left so many mysteries to be discovered in book 2 and onwards. I’m very excited to see the adventures we have next.
Loved the bond we had with the other characters in this book. One of which becomes very essential to the story and to Shula’s life. Shula is an elemental and her power is Fire. We never really learn by the Emperor wants her captured and brought to him. I have to say a big part of the reason why I enjoyed this book was the characters. The band of Fae that come to protect her and eventually becomes friends with her. They all challenge her beliefs and make her want to be a better person. They all have their own demons and pain in their past. It’s a hard life for the Fae in this world. They are constantly hunted and can never enjoy a moments of peace. Each of the other characters I believe could have their own book and I would 100% be down to read that.
The ending of this left so many mysteries to be discovered in book 2 and onwards. I’m very excited to see the adventures we have next.
atrailofpages's review
3.0
I love books about Fae, and so I knew I needed to check this one out!
We follow Shula who works at a circus disguised as a human so that she is not caught since Fae are illegal. When she gets exposed due to an incident, she has to escape, and ends up meeting The Resistance. A group of Fae that are trying to stop the human emperor and restore the Fae lands and their rights.
So, although Shula would drive me nuts at times, I do not blame her for fighting The Resistance basically the entire book. I mean they took her against her will(not cool in my opinion, and the way it was done was also not cool), and they’re not exactly a nice bunch. It was refreshing to have a main character who was rather flawed, and quite literally a coward. Shula truly had to not only learn how she can be afraid, but brave at the same time, but also learn about herself and what she’s capable of.
Although, I’m really not a fan of the other characters(aside from Clay, such a cinnamon roll
We follow Shula who works at a circus disguised as a human so that she is not caught since Fae are illegal. When she gets exposed due to an incident, she has to escape, and ends up meeting The Resistance. A group of Fae that are trying to stop the human emperor and restore the Fae lands and their rights.
So, although Shula would drive me nuts at times, I do not blame her for fighting The Resistance basically the entire book. I mean they took her against her will(not cool in my opinion, and the way it was done was also not cool), and they’re not exactly a nice bunch. It was refreshing to have a main character who was rather flawed, and quite literally a coward. Shula truly had to not only learn how she can be afraid, but brave at the same time, but also learn about herself and what she’s capable of.
Although, I’m really not a fan of the other characters(aside from Clay, such a cinnamon roll
nighteyedreader's review against another edition
5.0
Okay. Wow. I finally have time for this review so here we go.
Let me first start off by saying that this is my first book by Aleera Ceres and it will not be the last. I absolutely loved this book. Absolutely loved.
A Dance With Fire is the perfect book for you if you are a fan of stories that center around fae and fae magic. This book is also for you if you enjoy tropes such as: mates, found family and slow burn.
The main character Shula isn't your typical badass. I mean, she is but, she doesn't particularly start off that way. But, boy does she pop off. Shula's journey is one of self discovery and it is truly wonderful to read.
Ceres does a wonderful job creating not only an MC with character depth but a whole cast of characters that have their own unique abilities, personalities and dare I say, trauma. Ryker is a prime example of this depth, he had so many layers to get through his rough exterior.
Speaking of Ryker. Shula and Ryker and just *chef kiss*. The sexual tension was fire. The desire and pining from a far is enough to have anyone flipping a couple pages ahead to see how long until they just kiss.
Character depth, wonderful fun tropes and sexual tension aside. This book has a wonderful magic system and fantastic world building. The magic used in this book and the lore behind the magic system was so well thought up and well execute. The world and history that Ceres created fits so well and feels refreshing to read.
I could go on about the magic system and the pining and the found family but I won't (mostly cause I need to read book 2 asap).
I highly recommend placing The Fae Elementals on your tbr if you are looking for a fun and easy read to get lost in.
Let me first start off by saying that this is my first book by Aleera Ceres and it will not be the last. I absolutely loved this book. Absolutely loved.
A Dance With Fire is the perfect book for you if you are a fan of stories that center around fae and fae magic. This book is also for you if you enjoy tropes such as: mates, found family and slow burn.
The main character Shula isn't your typical badass. I mean, she is but, she doesn't particularly start off that way. But, boy does she pop off. Shula's journey is one of self discovery and it is truly wonderful to read.
Ceres does a wonderful job creating not only an MC with character depth but a whole cast of characters that have their own unique abilities, personalities and dare I say, trauma. Ryker is a prime example of this depth, he had so many layers to get through his rough exterior.
Speaking of Ryker. Shula and Ryker and just *chef kiss*. The sexual tension was fire. The desire and pining from a far is enough to have anyone flipping a couple pages ahead to see how long until they just kiss.
Character depth, wonderful fun tropes and sexual tension aside. This book has a wonderful magic system and fantastic world building. The magic used in this book and the lore behind the magic system was so well thought up and well execute. The world and history that Ceres created fits so well and feels refreshing to read.
I could go on about the magic system and the pining and the found family but I won't (mostly cause I need to read book 2 asap).
I highly recommend placing The Fae Elementals on your tbr if you are looking for a fun and easy read to get lost in.