A review by nclcaitlin
Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling

3.75

It’s giving me Daenerys from Game of Thrones in a romantasy vibe. 

"If you feel left out, I'll find someone for you to stab later," he calls out over his shoulder.

I cross my arms over my chest. "I'd like to stab you." 

His grin widens. "I love it when you sweet-talk me."

When she was a baby, five dragons broke free from what were thought fossils. A prophecy followed: Princess Elowen would either destroy Imirath or bring it immeasurable glory.

She was four when her dragons were ripped from her, taking her from being a princess to a prisoner overnight.

Elowen vowed to one day turn on the kingdom for all her suffering and what they took from her. 

To do so, she forms a tentative partnership with the demon Commander Cayden, her kingdom’s biggest enemy. He is a walking supply of endless innuendos, smirks, and glares.

It's a codependent, vengeance-based alliance, but it's still an alliance. 

This is extremely troupe heavy. Pinned against a wall, knives to throat, a cold, handsome Commander. Touch her and you die. Carrying her over glass shards. Buying her gowns and flowers. Sending letters. 

For this reason, I know this will blow up!

“What are you?" A monster, but for you, never to you."

Also, the FOUND FAMILY! I am obsessed! This is why I crave romantasy from time to time. 

Think the Night Court from ACOTAR, the friendships in Throne of Glass, the collective (funny) darkness of the Crows in Six of Crows…

We're a really fucked up group.

I think I like it.

Bonuses:

• Platonic boy and girl friendship which was extremely endearing and refreshing. I love Finnian so much - their belonging, and knowledge of each other🥺.
• Anxiety and panic attack representation. 
• MC loves romance books (Carden reads them to tease her with them).
• "You're a vicious little thing,"
• Angel and Demon nicknames.
• Period representation.

Yes, I admit some parts made me cringe. But know that romantasies normally turn me off as they each feel like carbon copies. This was so refreshing! The BANTER! 

Also the spice never overtook the plot (and was very easy to skip without missing key conversations if you are like me and prefer to skim these parts).  

Don’t expect amazing world-building - there’s mentions of creatures and gods and cults chucked at you with little explanation, but it was never too confusing - things you could overlook. 

One thing to note - there is less focus on the actual dragons rather than them being a goal to retrieve. 

Of course, as the series progresses I am sure they will be a more prominent feature. 

Thank you to Zaffre for sending me the physical proof in exchange for a review (I love the purple cover)!