suflet's review against another edition
5.0
This was an excellent story and romance, I'd highly recommend!
sarahxsimon's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book was delightful. I enjoyed the main storyline and the tasteful B-plot romance. (I want more "sci-fi/fantasy with romance", as opposed to "romance forward"). It cured my reading slump. I did feel the dialogue was a bit stilted/scripted at times, but it didn't take me out of immersion.
brokenrecord's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. LOVED this, it was totally my kind of thing, namely being a historical fantasy with a secondary slow burn romance, and it was just lovely. I liked Elinor a lot, how she realized what her options in society were and found a third path by joining the navy. I loved how her shipmates came to respect and like her and how she found a place with them, and I loved later in the book after she's been gone from the ship for awhile, how she refers to going back as returning home because it's become a home to her. And just seeing her use her power and help out was a lot of fun. I loved the world building with there being people who are talented and not, and then among the talented, there are those who are "extraordinarily" talented.
And the romance!!! I liked how Ramsay was never really an antagonist and didn't completely discount her abilities from the start or anything. Like, he thought she could be helpful even if he didn't necessarily want her on his ship, but he did accept her, and he never crossed the line into being too controlling or alpha male or anything. I loved their interactions and chats and how it became so friendly and lighthearted between them — their trip to the shore in particular was really lovely. The bit where he starts worrying about propriety because of some dumb comments and tries to put distance between them and how she feels hurt (even though she gets it) was great, and the fact that he stops so quickly because he misses her!
God, it was all SO GOOD, the more I think about this maybe I should bump it up to 5 stars. I was originally only planning on reading this one, but I think I'll continue with the series because I enjoyed the world-building and romance so much, and I'd love to see more of it, especially in other settings in this world outside the navy.
Spoiler
Stratford's death which she's semi-responsible for broke my heart a bit.And the romance!!! I liked how Ramsay was never really an antagonist and didn't completely discount her abilities from the start or anything. Like, he thought she could be helpful even if he didn't necessarily want her on his ship, but he did accept her, and he never crossed the line into being too controlling or alpha male or anything. I loved their interactions and chats and how it became so friendly and lighthearted between them — their trip to the shore in particular was really lovely. The bit where he starts worrying about propriety because of some dumb comments and tries to put distance between them and how she feels hurt (even though she gets it) was great, and the fact that he stops so quickly because he misses her!
Spoiler
And when she's assigned to another ship and they get taken by pirates and she's on an island and her bad new captain tells everyone she's dead but Ramsay NEVER gives up home and keeps looking for her and FINDS her was wonderful. And that both of them are like "Okay, we're making sure you're coming back to the Athena now, there's no question about that." AND THEN THAT LAST SCENE before the last battle when he's talking about struggling with being patient and waiting and asking her what she wants and later her thinking that she should've told him she wanted him, and also her asking him if he's always certain about what he wants and he's like, "Always, though knowing doesn't mean getting what I want," and then her thinking he's DEAD and she was the cause, but he's okay in the end and proposes but isn't sure she wants him and she's like, "HOW COULD YOU THINK I WOULD LOVE YOU LESS BECAUSE OF A FEW SCARS?" Also, the "I can't remember now if I've said I love you," and his "You did, but it was a rather tear-riddled confession, and I was too startled to fully appreciate it," was very cute. And the last chapter of them basically just being flirty and cute before their wedding was adorable.God, it was all SO GOOD, the more I think about this maybe I should bump it up to 5 stars. I was originally only planning on reading this one, but I think I'll continue with the series because I enjoyed the world-building and romance so much, and I'd love to see more of it, especially in other settings in this world outside the navy.
miloulou's review against another edition
4.0
3 stars for most of it that weren't that interesting, 4 stars for all the great scenes of strength and romance :)
katleap's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
I received an e-ARC copy of Burning Bright from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
So this book was all kinds of wonderful.
Elinor Pembroke wakes up to her room on fire, manifesting as an Extraordinary Scorcher. Her father takes advantage and gives her two options: marry the man he picked out or be a trapped spinster, with no income. Elinor can't do either so she makes a third choice and joins the royal navy.
This book was like elemental fantasy meets regency romance and I adored it. The world building is familiar and wonderful. It felt almost steampunk but fantastical instead.
Elinor grows as a character and we get to along with her. She is a mouse in the beginning but as she makes her choices she comes out of her shell. Elinor proves herself to the men of her world and more importantly to her own self.
I adored the cast of characters. Captain Miles Ramsay was interesting and I liked that there was friendship first. I grew as attached to the crew (and especially Captain Ramsey) as Elinor and loved the trust built over time and forged in battle.
I liked that there are some darker parts like the psychological effects of killing men in war and the desire of the fire to consume everything including the person that wields it. Its an emotional burden that any person would have to deal with and it makes Elinor feel more real because it effects her.
I loved the vivid details of ship life and the personalities that are forced to get along in that limited space. I was impressed with the accommodations that were made for Elinor and the respect every character learned for one another as they struggle with someone who is so outside their normal. I loved that it is not just because she's a woman but because she turns out to represent the single greatest weapon the ship carries. This has so much the emotional impact and that the action fully supports both the physical and emotional adaptations needed for Elinor to learn to not only survive but love it.
I want to read the next book and I hope that Elinor will make an appearance.
I received an e-ARC copy of Burning Bright from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
So this book was all kinds of wonderful.
Elinor Pembroke wakes up to her room on fire, manifesting as an Extraordinary Scorcher. Her father takes advantage and gives her two options: marry the man he picked out or be a trapped spinster, with no income. Elinor can't do either so she makes a third choice and joins the royal navy.
This book was like elemental fantasy meets regency romance and I adored it. The world building is familiar and wonderful. It felt almost steampunk but fantastical instead.
Elinor grows as a character and we get to along with her. She is a mouse in the beginning but as she makes her choices she comes out of her shell. Elinor proves herself to the men of her world and more importantly to her own self.
I adored the cast of characters. Captain Miles Ramsay was interesting and I liked that there was friendship first. I grew as attached to the crew (and especially Captain Ramsey) as Elinor and loved the trust built over time and forged in battle.
I liked that there are some darker parts like the psychological effects of killing men in war and the desire of the fire to consume everything including the person that wields it. Its an emotional burden that any person would have to deal with and it makes Elinor feel more real because it effects her.
I loved the vivid details of ship life and the personalities that are forced to get along in that limited space. I was impressed with the accommodations that were made for Elinor and the respect every character learned for one another as they struggle with someone who is so outside their normal. I loved that it is not just because she's a woman but because she turns out to represent the single greatest weapon the ship carries. This has so much the emotional impact and that the action fully supports both the physical and emotional adaptations needed for Elinor to learn to not only survive but love it.
I want to read the next book and I hope that Elinor will make an appearance.
kblincoln's review
4.0
I went into this thinking it was a paranormal historical romance. I wasn’t entirely wrong, as its definitely an alternate history Britain (around 1800s) and there is a smidge of romance (mostly at the end) however really its a naval battle story spiced up with strategy based on a few abilities.
Elinor Pembroke is a gentleman’s daughter with a tyrannical father who is forcing her to marry a nasty titled man once she wakes up coming into her powers as a Scorcher (start and put out fires.) She chooses a different path– joining the navy. She’s put on a ship whose mission is to get rid of Caribbean pirates.
Many ship to ship battles ensue. What’s fun here, besides all the bits about trying to be a lady and manage clothing as the only female aboard a navy ship, is Elinor figuring out the ways in which her powers can help ship to ship battles. Set masts on fire. Enemy pirates treat their sails with fire-retardant chemicals? Find something else to set on fire.
Elinor really gets to literally, come in to her power as a woman in this book, and I loved, to my surprise, all the battle scenes especially when she encounters another Scorcher who matches her for power. The romance, as I said, was only slightly present. There’s a protective captain, but very little (to my sorrow) flirting. Just a little kiss at the end. I will definitely go on to read others in this series for escapist fun
Elinor Pembroke is a gentleman’s daughter with a tyrannical father who is forcing her to marry a nasty titled man once she wakes up coming into her powers as a Scorcher (start and put out fires.) She chooses a different path– joining the navy. She’s put on a ship whose mission is to get rid of Caribbean pirates.
Many ship to ship battles ensue. What’s fun here, besides all the bits about trying to be a lady and manage clothing as the only female aboard a navy ship, is Elinor figuring out the ways in which her powers can help ship to ship battles. Set masts on fire. Enemy pirates treat their sails with fire-retardant chemicals? Find something else to set on fire.
Elinor really gets to literally, come in to her power as a woman in this book, and I loved, to my surprise, all the battle scenes especially when she encounters another Scorcher who matches her for power. The romance, as I said, was only slightly present. There’s a protective captain, but very little (to my sorrow) flirting. Just a little kiss at the end. I will definitely go on to read others in this series for escapist fun
xeni's review against another edition
3.0
Elinor has the Extraordinary power to call and control (and extinguish) fire. Instead of staying in England to be married off and create more power-babies, she decides to join the British Royal Navy, heads to the Caribbean and fights pirates. She also has to fight a lot of misogyny, the patriarchy, as well as her controlling father. I really hated the culture. I did not understand how women are so suppressed in society if they have as much magical power as men. It was an okay book. Would have liked more Caribbean exploration than the little we got.
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
5.0
*Reading this for SPFBO, this is only my personal opnion, the team review might be very different!*
I fear I sound like a broken record, but let me say again: I'm usually not a fan of romance, aside from few rare exceptions. Having seen the cover, I went into Burning Bright fully expecting it to not be for me.
Next time I looked up, I was already 50 pages in and absolutely hooked!
So why was I flying through this story?
The romance in this one is really minimal, especially compared to what the cover suggests. A bit like in Pride and Prejudice, where it really takes people their sweet time to even acknowledge any attraction at all. As that is one of my favourite books, this is one of the highest compliments! Now imagine Elizabeth being able to throw fireballs…
It is a regency story, about a fine lady who joins the Navy to get out of two unpleasant choices for her life. A woman. In the Navy. The scandal!
She starts off a bid timid, yet determined to not have her life controlled by her father, or a husband she doesn't love. She grows quickly with her new challenges, and has to adapt a lot to her new home! I really enjoyed spending time in her company.
It's not all nice and fluffy. Hunting pirates is a bloody affair, and not everyone makes it out hail and healthy.
At times she felt a bit too naive, which fit with her upbringing. I have no as just wondering why she didn't get more instruction, but rather was left to her own, untrained, devices a lot. At times it just felt a bit off to let a newbie just do her thing, instead of telling her what would be the best targets and such.
Some other bits also had me raise an eyebrow, because it just didn't make much sense for experienced men to make catastrophically stupid decisions. It did get the plot along though…
Earlier in the book there were some thoughts interspersed into the text in italics, and those didn't work well for me. Instead of the intended deeper insight, it felt a bit like being hit on the forehead by "This is the character's motivation". These few were less, and felt more natural in the later bits of the books though, so only annoyed me at first.
These few instances really are my only complaint about the whole book, so it's a straight up favourite for me! And if this wasn't clear enough: GO READ IT, if a strong heroine in a regency style fantasy sounds like a good thing!
I fear I sound like a broken record, but let me say again: I'm usually not a fan of romance, aside from few rare exceptions. Having seen the cover, I went into Burning Bright fully expecting it to not be for me.
Next time I looked up, I was already 50 pages in and absolutely hooked!
So why was I flying through this story?
The romance in this one is really minimal, especially compared to what the cover suggests. A bit like in Pride and Prejudice, where it really takes people their sweet time to even acknowledge any attraction at all. As that is one of my favourite books, this is one of the highest compliments! Now imagine Elizabeth being able to throw fireballs…
It is a regency story, about a fine lady who joins the Navy to get out of two unpleasant choices for her life. A woman. In the Navy. The scandal!
"You are a woman," he continued.
"I realize that. I have been a woman my entire life. Do you think a woman might not feel some desire to defend her country?"
She starts off a bid timid, yet determined to not have her life controlled by her father, or a husband she doesn't love. She grows quickly with her new challenges, and has to adapt a lot to her new home! I really enjoyed spending time in her company.
"She can share my hammock any time," one of the men said, none too softly, to his neighbor, who chuckled. Elinor's heart sank. How had she gone this long without threat of assault from her fellow officers?
"I thank you for the compliment, sir," she said, extending her hand as if offering to shake his, "but I fear you would find me an...overly warm companion." She lit her hand on fire and let the gem-colored flames spread across her palm and up her arm to the elbow.
The man swore and fell out of his chair backward in his attempt to get away from her.
It's not all nice and fluffy. Hunting pirates is a bloody affair, and not everyone makes it out hail and healthy.
But it wasn't the killing-or not entirely the killing. It was that she'd done it with fire. Her precious, beautiful tal ent that filled her with such joy, used to turn men into so many piles of bone and ash and grease.
At times she felt a bit too naive, which fit with her upbringing. I have no as just wondering why she didn't get more instruction, but rather was left to her own, untrained, devices a lot. At times it just felt a bit off to let a newbie just do her thing, instead of telling her what would be the best targets and such.
Some other bits also had me raise an eyebrow, because it just didn't make much sense for experienced men to make catastrophically stupid decisions. It did get the plot along though…
Earlier in the book there were some thoughts interspersed into the text in italics, and those didn't work well for me. Instead of the intended deeper insight, it felt a bit like being hit on the forehead by "This is the character's motivation". These few were less, and felt more natural in the later bits of the books though, so only annoyed me at first.
These few instances really are my only complaint about the whole book, so it's a straight up favourite for me! And if this wasn't clear enough: GO READ IT, if a strong heroine in a regency style fantasy sounds like a good thing!
abhss's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5