Book: Empire of Flame and Thorns by Marion Blackwood
Reviewed by Karina's Magical Reads
Rating: 5/5
This is a story I could sink my teeth into. I was completely hooked from the first chapter, but the minute the Dark Dragon Shifter Commander stepped into the room, I was sat! Draven Ryat...good gracious.
This book is an outstanding Fantasy Romance that grips you in all the best possible ways. The story is set in a world where Fae have been overtaken by Dragon Shifters and are now theirs. The Shifters consider this payment for the torment and enslavement the Faes had over the Dragons for so long. Now the Emporer and Empress rule along with the heads of each Dragon clan, Including Draven Ryat who is the ruthless Dark Commander and the right hand to both the Empress and Emporer. Every 150+ years they hold "Atonement" trials to allow the Fae a chance to win a new life outside of their confined lives with suppressed magics. Now enter in Selena Hale, a common Fae who is secretly part of the rising resistance. Selena decides the only way to help herself and those around her is to get into the Atonement trials.
Selena makes it into the trials and must show her magic to the Emporer and Empress. Selena has Emotional Magic, so it's something she struggles to use because Selena does not like disrupting people's lives or putting others needa above her own. Selena begins to go through the trials but Draven Ryat has other plans for her, like sabotaging her chances every step of the way!!!
The twists and turns in this book are so good. I loved the banter between Draven and Selena. Selena is full of sass FMC, and Draven is an arrogant MMC with so much swag. If you love Romantasy or Darkish Romantasy with Fae, Dragon Shifters, Beautiful world building, interesting side characters, beautiful magic abilities and magic systems...then this book should be immediately in your hands. I was 100% engaged in Marion's writing style as well. This book has some spice and open door scenes. I would give it a 2 to 2.5 🌶.
An amazing Five Star Read!
Thank you Netgalley, Scarlett Press & Marion Blackwood for this early re-release ARC Opportunity. This is my honest review. 🖤🫶