elyenna's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
emu2000's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
amandasharabooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Gore, and Injury/injury detail
laras_star's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
milointhewoods's review against another edition
3.0
it was fine. there were some bits that i really enjoyed and there were some bits that were pretty boring. i also feel like the pacing wasn’t quite right. but all in all, a mostly enjoyable read but probably for a younger YA audience than i am.
nickyvakarian's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
phoxyphoenix's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mon_bookedoc's review against another edition
3.0
This was a decent read! I know the hidden identity plot point was a main theme of the book but I did get a little impatient about how much of the book it took up. I think that caused the ending to feel a little hurried and not as satisfying as I wanted for the progression of the relationship between the two MC’s. I would consider the book firmly in the younger end of the “young adult” genre as the romantic content/substitute profanity is very juvenile.
That being said: the magic elements of the book are unique (although a little convoluted at times) and it had enough action to be entertaining. We know this book has a romantic element from the synopsis on the cover, but it was nice that there was more substance to other elements of the book as well, such as the political intrigue and the role of Aadra as a spy. Overall, it was worth the read and I am looking forward to the conclusion in the second book!
That being said: the magic elements of the book are unique (although a little convoluted at times) and it had enough action to be entertaining. We know this book has a romantic element from the synopsis on the cover, but it was nice that there was more substance to other elements of the book as well, such as the political intrigue and the role of Aadra as a spy. Overall, it was worth the read and I am looking forward to the conclusion in the second book!
ashton_reads_'s review against another edition
5.0
4.25/5 stars
AAHHH my first two reads of 2021 are new favorites?! I’m off to a great start!!
My Moodboard
Goodreads summary:
Adraa is the royal heir of Belwar, a talented witch on the cusp of taking her royal ceremony test, and a girl who just wants to prove her worth to her people.
Jatin is the royal heir to Naupure, a competitive wizard who's mastered all nine colors of magic, and a boy anxious to return home for the first time since he was a child.
Together, their arranged marriage will unite two of Wickery's most powerful kingdoms. But after years of rivalry from afar, Adraa and Jatin only agree on one thing: their reunion will be anything but sweet.
Only, destiny has other plans and with the criminal underbelly of Belwar suddenly making a move for control, their paths cross...and neither realizes who the other is, adopting separate secret identities instead.
Between dodging deathly spells and keeping their true selves hidden, the pair must learn to put their trust in the other if either is to uncover the real threat. Now Wickery's fate is in the hands of rivals..? Fiancées..? Partners..? Whatever they are, it's complicated and bound for greatness or destruction.
*Usually I like to write my own summaries because they aren’t always reflective of the book, but I thought this one was perfect!*
This book truly has it all: an interesting magic system, a unique mix of cultures, the coolest heroine, a sweet other main character and love interest, a stunning cover, a lil forbidden romance, vigilantes & royalty, mysteries, and secret identities upon secret identities!
For real, Cast in Firelight is a RIDE. An action-packed, tension-filled, romantic and magical adventure full of near-death experiences and all the feels! I highly recommend this book to lovers of action-packed fantasy romances looking for the next unique story to escape into! And I’m not kidding about Adraa being the coolest heroine - she is literally the coolest and I want to be her.
Because it’s important for me to critique as well as praise, the beginning of the book is rather confusing, as the world-building and the development of the magic system is skipped over more than it should be. It took me a long time to figure this out, so PSA: the color of their magic is based on the type they’re best at, not the type of magic they’re doing at the moment. And there is so much build-up to the climax of the two characters’ romantic arc that when it happens, it feels the *tiniest* bit anticlimactic. But in all seriousness, these things are pretty minor, especially the romance one. I really truly recommend this read, especially if you need an escape from reality - it’s one of those that just takes you away and puts you right into a world of action and magic!
**I won an-earc of Cast in Firelight from an author giveaway; all opinions are my own! This book releases January 19th.**
If you enjoyed this review, you can friend me here on Goodreads and follow my Bookstagram/Twitter @ashton_reads. Thanks for reading!
AAHHH my first two reads of 2021 are new favorites?! I’m off to a great start!!
My Moodboard
Goodreads summary:
Adraa is the royal heir of Belwar, a talented witch on the cusp of taking her royal ceremony test, and a girl who just wants to prove her worth to her people.
Jatin is the royal heir to Naupure, a competitive wizard who's mastered all nine colors of magic, and a boy anxious to return home for the first time since he was a child.
Together, their arranged marriage will unite two of Wickery's most powerful kingdoms. But after years of rivalry from afar, Adraa and Jatin only agree on one thing: their reunion will be anything but sweet.
Only, destiny has other plans and with the criminal underbelly of Belwar suddenly making a move for control, their paths cross...and neither realizes who the other is, adopting separate secret identities instead.
Between dodging deathly spells and keeping their true selves hidden, the pair must learn to put their trust in the other if either is to uncover the real threat. Now Wickery's fate is in the hands of rivals..? Fiancées..? Partners..? Whatever they are, it's complicated and bound for greatness or destruction.
*Usually I like to write my own summaries because they aren’t always reflective of the book, but I thought this one was perfect!*
This book truly has it all: an interesting magic system, a unique mix of cultures, the coolest heroine, a sweet other main character and love interest, a stunning cover, a lil forbidden romance, vigilantes & royalty, mysteries, and secret identities upon secret identities!
For real, Cast in Firelight is a RIDE. An action-packed, tension-filled, romantic and magical adventure full of near-death experiences and all the feels! I highly recommend this book to lovers of action-packed fantasy romances looking for the next unique story to escape into! And I’m not kidding about Adraa being the coolest heroine - she is literally the coolest and I want to be her.
Because it’s important for me to critique as well as praise, the beginning of the book is rather confusing, as the world-building and the development of the magic system is skipped over more than it should be. It took me a long time to figure this out, so PSA: the color of their magic is based on the type they’re best at, not the type of magic they’re doing at the moment. And there is so much build-up to the climax of the two characters’ romantic arc that when it happens, it feels the *tiniest* bit anticlimactic. But in all seriousness, these things are pretty minor, especially the romance one. I really truly recommend this read, especially if you need an escape from reality - it’s one of those that just takes you away and puts you right into a world of action and magic!
**I won an-earc of Cast in Firelight from an author giveaway; all opinions are my own! This book releases January 19th.**
If you enjoyed this review, you can friend me here on Goodreads and follow my Bookstagram/Twitter @ashton_reads. Thanks for reading!