mjordan1434's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great book. I would recommend reading the prologue not the back cover to get the hook. It is great and really sets the tone for the whole book. I would highly recommend reading this one for quick fun.
bookwormmama's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
erinarkin20's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this just as much as the hard copy book. The narrator did a great job capturing each of the character's voices.
erinarkin20's review against another edition
5.0
All 5 stars for this!
The Burning Sky is one of the reasons I love fantasy. This book brings together wonderful characters, an interesting story and a world that can only exist in a great book. If you enjoy any of those things, get this book as soon as you can as Thomas does a wonderful job of building this world with magic, dragons, and fairy tales. Also, that cover is PERFECT!
Iolanthe is an elemental mage and grew up believing she could control 3 of the 4 elements – Fire, earth, and water. An experiment (of sorts) to attempt to fix a batch of elixir reveals her ability to call forth lightning. It just happens that this is the sign that Prince Titus was waiting for as it proves the prophecy he has been waiting for has come true. The Bane is the greatest mage tyrant and the second Iolanthe released the lightning bolt, he and his Inquisitor were hunting her down for her power. According to the prophecy it is up to Iolanthe to face the Bane and defeat him. With the protection and assistance of Prince Titus, she just might have a chance.
I loved the characters in this book. Iolanthe is tough, loyal, determined and smart. She doesn't just sit back and hope someone will save her even though that is what she would like to do. She is only sixteen and has never been prepared for the situation she is suddenly thrown into but she adapts quickly. She plays her role well and even impresses Titus with what she can do – not just as a mage but with who she is as well as with how well she does. I’m hoping in the next book we get to learn more about her real background and family.
Prince Titus is the opposite – he has been preparing for this his whole life and when the time comes, he is going to be ready for whatever will happen. Titus is definitely one of those characters that has some layers. He knows he can never let people know him for who he really is and repeatedly tells Iolanthe that people like them can’t have friends. He really believes this and does his best to keep Iolanthe at arm’s length and when he has succeeded, he realizes just how much it hurts. Another thing about Titus – he may be a bit manipulative and condescending (depending on the crowd) but that boy can deliver some swoons. I’ll just leave one of my favorite lines right here:
“I live for you and you alone.”
The fact that he will deliver that line and then turn around and deliver a line like “I play Big Bad Wolf to Little Red Riding Hood. She likes it rough, did you know? I did not.” only makes him that much better in my opinion.
I loved the build of the relationship between Titus and Iolanthe. Don’t worry – the romance doesn't take over the story here but it is a critical piece to the story as it changes how things are supposed to happen. Also, the banter between Iolanthe and Titus was one of the best things. I found myself laughing at not only their conversations but also those that included some of the secondary characters like Kashkari.
Definitely check this one out when you can. I will be waiting (let’s be honest…it will be impatiently) for the next book of the series as I am very curious to see where this goes.
The Burning Sky is one of the reasons I love fantasy. This book brings together wonderful characters, an interesting story and a world that can only exist in a great book. If you enjoy any of those things, get this book as soon as you can as Thomas does a wonderful job of building this world with magic, dragons, and fairy tales. Also, that cover is PERFECT!
Iolanthe is an elemental mage and grew up believing she could control 3 of the 4 elements – Fire, earth, and water. An experiment (of sorts) to attempt to fix a batch of elixir reveals her ability to call forth lightning. It just happens that this is the sign that Prince Titus was waiting for as it proves the prophecy he has been waiting for has come true. The Bane is the greatest mage tyrant and the second Iolanthe released the lightning bolt, he and his Inquisitor were hunting her down for her power. According to the prophecy it is up to Iolanthe to face the Bane and defeat him. With the protection and assistance of Prince Titus, she just might have a chance.
I loved the characters in this book. Iolanthe is tough, loyal, determined and smart. She doesn't just sit back and hope someone will save her even though that is what she would like to do. She is only sixteen and has never been prepared for the situation she is suddenly thrown into but she adapts quickly. She plays her role well and even impresses Titus with what she can do – not just as a mage but with who she is as well as with how well she does. I’m hoping in the next book we get to learn more about her real background and family.
Prince Titus is the opposite – he has been preparing for this his whole life and when the time comes, he is going to be ready for whatever will happen. Titus is definitely one of those characters that has some layers. He knows he can never let people know him for who he really is and repeatedly tells Iolanthe that people like them can’t have friends. He really believes this and does his best to keep Iolanthe at arm’s length and when he has succeeded, he realizes just how much it hurts. Another thing about Titus – he may be a bit manipulative and condescending (depending on the crowd) but that boy can deliver some swoons. I’ll just leave one of my favorite lines right here:
“I live for you and you alone.”
The fact that he will deliver that line and then turn around and deliver a line like “I play Big Bad Wolf to Little Red Riding Hood. She likes it rough, did you know? I did not.” only makes him that much better in my opinion.
I loved the build of the relationship between Titus and Iolanthe. Don’t worry – the romance doesn't take over the story here but it is a critical piece to the story as it changes how things are supposed to happen. Also, the banter between Iolanthe and Titus was one of the best things. I found myself laughing at not only their conversations but also those that included some of the secondary characters like Kashkari.
Definitely check this one out when you can. I will be waiting (let’s be honest…it will be impatiently) for the next book of the series as I am very curious to see where this goes.
geldauran's review against another edition
4.0
Had a few problems- it takes a long time for the characterization and narration to solidify. But I thought it was charming. I liked the magic, I liked the setting and both of the main characters. I liked the romance. I liked pretty much everything, once I got past the first quarter or third of the book.
It does have a bit of a weak start; things happen very suddenly and there are many concepts introduced with absolutely no explanation or hand-holding of any sort. I was a tiny bit confused, but ultimately once the world building and plot settled better into place, the rest of the book clicked.
It does have a bit of a weak start; things happen very suddenly and there are many concepts introduced with absolutely no explanation or hand-holding of any sort. I was a tiny bit confused, but ultimately once the world building and plot settled better into place, the rest of the book clicked.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
Sherry Thomas was already known to me as author of several historical romance novels. I heard a lot of praise from my romance-loving friends and I planned to check out her work some day. Then I heard about The Burning Sky. Adult romance author writing a young adult fantasy novel? To say I didn't think the switch will work out would be an understatement. That’s why I haven't read eARC of The Burning Sky, although I had it on my Kindle since March. Well, you can not imagine how sorry I am now because this book was awesome. It had all the elements of good ya fantasy novel I like and hit all the right feelings.
Iolanthe Seabourne is mage who can control the elements (fire, water, earth). When she tries to purify the potion-gone-wrong by hitting it with lightning (and pulls it off), Iolanthe reveals that she wields amount of elemental magic that only heroes from long-gone-times had. And, that’s how Iolanthe becomes ‘a girl who would never again be safe anywhere’…
Warned not to trust anyone, Iolanthe finds an unwanted ally in a young prince Titus. Together they run through their homeland, 19th century England and The Crucible (magical playground). Prepare yourself for flying horses; carpets; elemental, mind and other kinds of magic; dragons and a lot of action.
Iolanthe is the kind of heroine I wish all young adult novels have: smart, resourceful, with good decisions and set of values. Even when she is disguised as a boy in 19th century Eton, she’s not shy. She radiates charm, cockiness and confidence. Her playful banter with prince Titus often made me smile.
“If I hadn't interfered earlier, you’d be a drooling imbecile by now. So shut up and let me make my own decisions.”
He almost smiled. “That doesn't sound right. I am the brains of the operation. You are only supposed to provide the muscle.”
She wanted to touch his cheek, but did no such thing. “When there is enough muscle, it develops a mind of its own.”
And, as the quote above hints, there is an ongoing attraction between Titus and Iolanthe that slowly builds and makes them from enemies to… something more. Sherry Thomas used her previous experience in writing romance novels in the best way possible. The love story in The Burning Sky is not the theme in the book. It’s subtle, but it’s always there in small glances, touches and thoughts that will make you sigh and smile and swoon and get all misty-eyed.
The only negative thing that I can say about The Burning Sky is that it needed more world building. There are a lot of holes that are left to be explained in sequels and although most of the times these things can really irritate me, The Burning Sky had me in tight grip with action and romance so this didn't bother me at all. I can't wait for September 2014 and the sequel!
In The End…
It feels like Sherry Thomas took a list of my favorite elements in young adult fantasy novels and wrote The Burning Sky. It has a lot of action, strong complex characters, awesome magic contraptions, heroine masquerading as a boy, slow-building romance without any hint of love triangle and it even has dragons! And if you are my friend be prepared that I will recommend it to you soon. ;)
My rating:
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
Iolanthe Seabourne is mage who can control the elements (fire, water, earth). When she tries to purify the potion-gone-wrong by hitting it with lightning (and pulls it off), Iolanthe reveals that she wields amount of elemental magic that only heroes from long-gone-times had. And, that’s how Iolanthe becomes ‘a girl who would never again be safe anywhere’…
Warned not to trust anyone, Iolanthe finds an unwanted ally in a young prince Titus. Together they run through their homeland, 19th century England and The Crucible (magical playground). Prepare yourself for flying horses; carpets; elemental, mind and other kinds of magic; dragons and a lot of action.
Iolanthe is the kind of heroine I wish all young adult novels have: smart, resourceful, with good decisions and set of values. Even when she is disguised as a boy in 19th century Eton, she’s not shy. She radiates charm, cockiness and confidence. Her playful banter with prince Titus often made me smile.
“If I hadn't interfered earlier, you’d be a drooling imbecile by now. So shut up and let me make my own decisions.”
He almost smiled. “That doesn't sound right. I am the brains of the operation. You are only supposed to provide the muscle.”
She wanted to touch his cheek, but did no such thing. “When there is enough muscle, it develops a mind of its own.”
And, as the quote above hints, there is an ongoing attraction between Titus and Iolanthe that slowly builds and makes them from enemies to… something more. Sherry Thomas used her previous experience in writing romance novels in the best way possible. The love story in The Burning Sky is not the theme in the book. It’s subtle, but it’s always there in small glances, touches and thoughts that will make you sigh and smile and swoon and get all misty-eyed.
The only negative thing that I can say about The Burning Sky is that it needed more world building. There are a lot of holes that are left to be explained in sequels and although most of the times these things can really irritate me, The Burning Sky had me in tight grip with action and romance so this didn't bother me at all. I can't wait for September 2014 and the sequel!
In The End…
It feels like Sherry Thomas took a list of my favorite elements in young adult fantasy novels and wrote The Burning Sky. It has a lot of action, strong complex characters, awesome magic contraptions, heroine masquerading as a boy, slow-building romance without any hint of love triangle and it even has dragons! And if you are my friend be prepared that I will recommend it to you soon. ;)
My rating:
Disclaimer: I was given a free eBook by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
3.0
It was hard not to read this book and think of Harry Potter. There were some great moments in the story (dragon fighting) but I also found it insulated in a strange little world that was far too saturated in political intrigue that I couldn't quite follow. (Maybe because I didn't refer to the 16 pages of footnotes?) I also despised the whole English boy school thing. It seemed silly and unnecessary. The magical world and the normal world just never made sense together. That ended up ruining a story I think I should have liked. I might still read the rest someday, though.
jinian's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? No
4.0
usskrantz's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jennkrenn's review against another edition
5.0
A new series to love! Looking forward to reading the subsequent books and seeing where it goes, as I think it has a lot of potential. These books are a cross between Harry Potter (with magic and world building) and the Infernal Devices books (with its character personalities and historical setting). There is a lot to remember as she introduces everything, but by the end I couldn't put it down and I'm now very curious about what might happen next.