Faron Vincent, a 17-year-old blessed with the power of the gods, once used her divine abilities to free her island from the clutches of the dragon-riding Langley Empire. Now, with peace restored and no wars to fight, Faron struggles to find her place in a new order. Her world is upended when her sister Elara bonds with an enemy dragon – a connection the gods decree can only be severed by Elara’s death. As Faron searches for another way, Elara uncovers truths about the Langley Empire, setting both sisters on a collision course with fate.
Cole’s world-building is lush and immersive, with its Jamaican-inspired setting offering a vivid stage for a story steeped in magic, politics, and rebellion. The cultural nuances, richly-drawn landscapes, and intricate systems of gods and dragons lend the novel a distinctive voice, while the sharp contrast between the sisters’ perspectives heightens the tension and stakes.
At the heart of the story is the complex relationship between Faron and Elara. Faron’s brash determination and Elara’s introspective resolve create a compelling dynamic as their paths diverge yet remain linked. Cole captures the essence of sisterhood – its fierce loyalty, deep love, and inevitable conflicts – through their fraught, yet poignant journey.
The novel explores themes of sacrifice, identity, and the weight of power, posing difficult questions about whose lives are worth saving and at what cost. As Faron wrestles with her gods-given role and Elara questions the empire’s foundations, readers are drawn into a gripping narrative where personal choices ripple into world-altering consequences.
So Let Them Burn is an exciting debut, offering an emotionally-charged story of high-stakes fantasy.
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