I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Published by Wednesday Books on April 24th 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: ARC
Source: Netgalley
Buy the Book •
OND ELDR. BREATHE FIRE.
Raised to be a warrior, seventeen-year-old Eelyn fights alongside her Aska clansmen in an ancient rivalry against the Riki clan. Her life is brutal but simple: fight and survive. Until the day she sees the impossible on the battlefield—her brother, fighting with the enemy—the brother she watched die five years ago.
Faced with her brother's betrayal, she must survive the winter in the mountains with the Riki, in a village where every neighbor is an enemy, every battle scar possibly one she delivered. But when the Riki village is raided by a ruthless clan thought to be a legend, Eelyn is even more desperate to get back to her beloved family.
She is given no choice but to trust Fiske, her brother’s friend, who sees her as a threat. They must do the impossible: unite the clans to fight together, or risk being slaughtered one by one. Driven by a love for her clan and her growing love for Fiske, Eelyn must confront her own definition of loyalty and family while daring to put her faith in the people she’s spent her life hating.

As soon as I heard about this book I knew it was something I needed to get my hands on. And then the hype hit which always gets me equal parts excited and nervous. Will it be as amazing as everyone says? Will it come together and keep me on my toes too? And the answer here is ABSOLUTELY YES!
Right from the get-go this story jumps us into action as Eelyn and her Aska clan fight their rivals, the Riki. I was immediately engrossed in not only this badass, fierce fighter of a main character but her incredible loyalty to her clan, her people. When the brother she believed to be dead appears suddenly, and fighting for the opposite side no less, Eelyn wants answers, answers that put her danger and get her captured. All she wants to do is find her way home but when new dangers arise she must find a way to work with the enemy and unite the rival clans for survival.
There is just so much to love about this read. The background and world building is very easy to follow along with, which is a huge bonus for me. The characters are full of depth and easy to fall in love with. A touch of forbidden romance is thrown in that was easy to get behind. There is also a huge emphasis on family and loyalty. And I love that there was this overall theme that though we as people can be so different from one another and share different beliefs, we are much the same deep down.
I honestly flew through this read and had a hard time putting it down! I also love that it’s not overly long and wraps up as a standalone, which seems rare with YA fantasy. I do see a companion book is on the horizon and cannot be more excited! This is an absolute must read!

Nick
Ahh! So glad you loved this one so much, Sara! I have this coming up to read – I might make it my next one – and I’m pumped that it’s easy to follow and so exciting. And a companion series too? Love those!
Nick recently posted…When Opposites Attract: The Love Coupon by Ainslie Paton
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
I hope you love it too!!!
Jenea’s Book Obsession
This sounds amazing! The world and the characters seem so intriguing too! Great review.
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
It so is. And thanks!
Danielle Hammelef
Yes! Your review confirms that this is a book I will love to read–with the world building and characters and romance and action. I’ve had my eye on this one since I first heard about it.
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
I hope you will love it too!
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
I’m so glad to see you enjoyed this one. I haven’t written my review yet but I thought it was a great read too. Eelyn is such a great character.
Sara @ Forever 17 Books
I just read your review! I’m so glad you enjoyed it as well!