Girl on Fire

Girl on Fire #1

by Eden Hart

Dystopian sci-fi fantasy laced with romance.
Completed 4-book series.

♦ 2025 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner.
♦ 2025 CLBC Gold Medal Winner—Dystopian Fantasy.

On her 16th birthday, Kassia is condemned to death—twice.

Already battling a fatal disease, Kassia Madison somehow survives an apocalyptic red mist. Only a tiny percentage of people are immune to the mist—but not all of them are human.

Alone, Kassia searches for her family in a dying New York filled with extraordinary dangers. After she meets a dynamic resistance leader fighting for humanity’s future, she faces a devastating choice.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, someone not fully human has taken a special interest in Kassia. Raised as an emotionless Outrider, this hybrid records the destruction of civilization in New York. As he coolly observes Kassia’s desperation and courage, he decides to turn her struggle to stay alive into a scientific experiment.

Elsewhere, the other hybrid Outriders are already planning their next move. Brutal and relentless, they are intent on eradicating the remaining human survivors … including Kassia.

Girl on Fire is the 1st book in the Girl on Fire series. Packed with pulse-pounding action, compelling characters, and a slow-burn romance, this thrilling 4-book series will grip you from start to finish.

For fans of The 5th Wave and Hunger Games.

Genres: Dystopia, Romance, Action, Fiction, Young Adult, Science Fiction

377 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

There are several authors named Eden Hart, who write in a wide variety of genres.

So far, the only books I’ve written are the 4 books in the GIRL ON FIRE series.

My dystopian sci-fi fantasy novels focus on compelling characters caught up in extraordinary events. They are laced with romance, action, mystery, and suspense, and aim to create immersive worlds that stir the imagination and enthrall the reader.

Reviews

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked up Girl on Fire and started reading I wasn’t quite sure what I would find between its covers but what I found was way better than anything I could have imagined. The world-building on this one is out of this-world amazing. I loved every minute of it.

I couldn’t turn those pages fast enough all the while wishing I was watching a TV show. Girl on Fire would make a great TV series. One that I would watch over and over. The more I read the more I wanted to know about each character.

Girl on Fire is a brilliantly written story that set me on fire as I raced to the end to see how it would all turn out. I couldn’t wait to see how each story was going to connect. Girl on Fire was written so well I had no problem seeing it all play out in my head as if I were a part of its world.

Girl on Fire reminded me of not just one TV show or movie but several but it is still in a class all by itself. Although it reminded me of more than one program it was also unlike anything I have read before. I can’t wait to read more from the world of the Girl on Fire.

Girl on Fire has so much to offer. It has mystery, romance, suspense, fantasy, and much more. Girl on Fire also has many twists that it throws into the mist I never expected but it worked so well. It had my imagination working over time as I tried so hard to see what was written in my head. I sure hope I did it justice.

I loved reading Girl on Fire so much that I highly recommend it to all science fiction and dystopia fans! Grab a copy of Girl on Fire today!

[Mya Elizabeth Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

OOOOOOOOOOOO!!
I LOVE ME A POST APOCALYPTIC BOOK
this start is so promising I’m LEAPING into book two
I’m rooting for Kassia to stay healthy or for Lynxx to find a cure for her
I’m excited to read more from her POV in the next book
Asher’s POV was just alright that’s why I rated 4 stars instead of 5
I REAAALLLY liked Lynxx POV
now THAT I need more of
I’m very interested in that
The plot is getting GOOOOOOD
I’m so excited to continue reading!

[Ellie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just knew going into this book by the blurb & cover I would love it & it was INCREDIBLE. The writing is super easy to follow & just flowed so well.

Dystopia sci-fi post apocalypse romance?! Like come on… this my favourite genre right now!!

It reminded me of watching the 5th wave. The world is facing the ‘red mist’ which kills most of the population & our FMC is also fighting her own battles to survive. We have our hybrids & one of the hybrid’s has taken interest in Kass & wants to try & keep her alive for a science experiment🤯

I loved the world building & everything that was happening. We have an emotional story in relation to our FMC & gosh I just wanted to reach out & give her a hug. The images I created in my head..I just love this type of story/plot/genre so much.

Romance wise.. there wasn’t much going on in this book but it didn’t stop me loving this. I can already feel the tension brewing & I am so excited to see how the next books go. The fact this is a series of 4 books..gimme them now!

Like there are sooo many questions I need answering right now & I will be jumping into the next book in the series & I think this may become one of my favourite dystopia reads of the year.

You know when you read an important sentence in a book that sticks with you? This was mine.

‘A life lived looking back is a life half lived.’

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of those OMG! moments, you will not regret spending whatever the author sets the price point at! The author didn't just build a great storyline but an entire world The descriptions were vivid, full and thought-provoking. I didn't just want these characters to survive; I wanted them to THRIVE! This will be another series that will be picked up by either a streaming service or a movie company and we will be watching it - it is that good, better than Silo, The Last of Us or dare I say even Hunger Games (which I am an ardent fan).

The characters see the end of their world and must find a way to survive in the aftermath of the new world. There is the usual mix of people - those who work together, those who thrive on the chaos and those who want to be left alone. This author has come up with a very unusual way of dealing with the thousands of resulting corpses - I was impressed. I was also impressed with the twist that the author used to drive the plot not one I had seen previously in this genre. I can't wait to read Book Two in this series!

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An edge of your seat, immersive dystopian apocalyptic story which really puts reality to the question- "How would humanity survive during an apocalypse of mammoth proportions?".

The story is centered around Kassia (a young 16 year old girl who has been diagnosed with an incurable disease) and during the fight for her life in 24 hours the world as she and everyone else knows it is altered dramatically and ravaged beyond repair having being taken over by strange alien like plants as well as by a poisonous "red mist".

I thoroughly enjoyed this story from start to finish and I cannot wait to read the sequel.

[Frances Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl On Fire is a magnificent treat for lovers of dystopian fiction. From its startling opening sentence, it promises the reader a heroine who must reinvent herself in a world that's changing in unthinkable ways. The storyline is extraordinarily inventive, with constant surprises; the romance is intriguing; and the pace as the characters face the ever-changing circumstances thrown at them is at times breathless.
This book is gripping and thought-provoking, and the captured reader will not easily leave it to rejoin everyday life.

[Jennifer Guindon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I liked how this book was written for many reasons. I liked the 3 different points of view, but more than that, I liked how each person's point of view was all in one big chunk of the book. It helped me keep track much easier than books that flip back and forth every other chapter or randomly.

The plot was unique and well-thought out. I liked the imagination behind the actions.

I'm not sure if I'll continue reading the series or not, as I enjoyed this book on its own.

[G Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl on Fire is a captivating and thrilling book. The mix of science and dystopian fiction created the perfect setting to snag you and draw you into its world. The characters really seal the deal by stealing your heart and keeping you teetering on the edge, desperately wanting to know what happens next. Good from beginning to end! I received a copy for review from the author via Voracious Readers online.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did really enjoy this YA, apocalyptic, end of the world adventure! Interesting characters, a really great idea, well realised, good pace & actions, great levels of tension & excitement through out the story. Great, there are moments of quite high angst, but I think now this is normal in a YA story. I did really like all of it & I will look for more by this writer!

[Hannah Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, good character development

I love that this moves between the POV of Kass, Asher and Lynxx - this weaves the story in such a rich way. The character development is well done also.
The post apocalyptic plant thing is a new one on me, but very well explored and a good plot device.

[Misty Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dystopia sci-fi fantasy

So, I liked the concept. I dont like reading or watching movies from multiple characters. That was a big downside for me personally. I get bored and just want to see the story unfold. However, author states that the next books are from only Kassia"s point of view... so I'll probably give the second one a go.

[Kimberly C. Winslow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Hooked me right in! I didn't want to put it down! Well written with a creativity that makes it unique and puts you in the story! You feel and see the struggle as you are transported with the characters from struggle to struggle!

[David Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book 5 stars, as it rekindled my lost interest in the absolute joy and escapism of reading a book on the train to and from work.

[mike leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

very good reading interesting and keeps you interested would reccomend this book to any one that likes scifi looking forward to rest of the series

[Savannah Fredericksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a pretty unique and entertaining story and I really look forward to continuing the series. I usually don’t like books with more than two POVs but I didn’t mind with this one! (There were three and the remaining books will only have Kassia’s POV) I recommend this!

[Melanie Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

intriguing

This is an interesting book. I’m intrigued to see how the series will continue. I like the character so far and I’m rooting for everyone.

[tina m. paris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I liked this book. It is a different ty
pe of post Apocalypse book. I already have the other books in this series. Looking forward to reading them.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading for my library & got sucked in

I loved the characters and it was so engaging. I was just checking it out to see if it was something the kids would like… the answer is a resounding yes. I’m gonna get the whole series.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her life has not been easy and she has survived a plague but she is barred from joining the group to fight for survival. She is being watched by him and things may finally change for her. What is going to happen? How will she get on? Will he help her? See how she gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review

[Aurelia Hulls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the kind of book that reminded me why I love reading in the first place. The characters felt like people I knew, and the emotional journey was so raw and honest. I was completely immersed from the beginning, and there were parts that made me stop and just sit with what I’d read. It’s not just a story, it’s an experience. One I’ll definitely be recommending

[Matilda Bartley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for people who like hunger games, fantasy and to be on edge. I loved this book, I read it in class at school, in the car, and at home.

[Dawn Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had nightmares!

I’m going to keep my eyes on this gal. Eden Hart is one helluva storyteller! What started out so normal quickly twisted into something that, when you think about it, could actually happen. Very scary, but ya just can’t stop reading!

[Kelly Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get ready for a cliffhanger ending

I read this book courtesy of Freebooksy. Naturally the cliffhanger ending is to tempt the reader to purchase book 2. I’m undecided on that right now. The writing is solid, and the plot is fresh. It is more melancholy than I would like. I enjoyed the read, although it feels very young adult.

[Lorie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too slow..

Don't care for this slow and make the heroine as weak and pathetic. Lots of telling and missing the feel. The heroine was unlikable. Lost interest..DNF

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girl on Fire by Eden Hart is a gripping mix of dystopian thrills and deeply personal struggles. The story follows Kassia, a sixteen-year-old girl who’s already grappling with a terminal leukemia diagnosis when the world plunges into chaos. On what seemed like humanity’s last normal day, a mysterious red mist heralds an apocalyptic event. Kassia’s life, already overshadowed by her illness, becomes a frantic fight for survival as the red mist triggers a global collapse. From moments of tender family connections to heart-stopping sequences of disaster, the book manages to weave the personal and the epic seamlessly.

What struck me most was Eden Hart’s ability to humanize the catastrophic. Kassia’s struggle with leukemia adds an emotional weight that’s missing from most apocalyptic novels. Early on, when Kassia receives her death sentence from Dr. McKay, it feels devastating but oddly distant—a reminder of how life continues its cruel march, even as the world burns. Then the red mist arrives, layering her personal battle with a planetary one. Hart’s writing here is haunting; when Kassia touches the alien “terras” sprouting on the Brooklyn Bridge and they scrape her skin, the grotesque beauty of this new reality left me chilled. The ordinary transforming into something alien yet visceral is a recurring theme that Hart handles brilliantly.

The relationships in the book feel real and raw, especially Kassia’s dynamic with her cousin, Charlotte. Their moments of banter and shared danger stand out, like when they navigate the eerie red haze only to find a classmate, Amanda, bleeding and collapsing. This scene perfectly captured both the horror of the new world and the fragility of the old one they’re losing. And then there’s “Loner,” the enigmatic boy whose chemistry with Kassia provides a simmering tension throughout. He’s a frustrating yet magnetic character—mysterious to the point of irritation—and while I’m unsure if he’s a hero or an antihero, his role is undeniably compelling.

Hart’s vivid descriptions of disaster feel cinematic. The fiery destruction of the Brooklyn Bridge and the surreal spread of alien plants, or “terras,” are written with intensity. The pacing slows slightly as Hart balances Kassia’s internal turmoil with the unfolding global crisis. But even in these slower moments, Kassia’s voice—honest, vulnerable, and fiercely determined—kept me hooked.

Girl on Fire is about confronting mortality, finding strength in unexpected places, and holding onto humanity when the world crumbles. This book is perfect for fans of survival stories with a touch of science fiction, like The 5th Wave or Station Eleven. Teen readers will appreciate the raw, relatable protagonist, while adults can delve into the deeper themes of resilience and loss.

[Neena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hart’s electrifying start to the Girl on Fire series thrusts readers into a relentless clash of survival, humanity, and alien terror. Kassia Madison, a terminally ill teen, survives an apocalypse that obliterates billions. Alone in a crumbling New York, she braves alien-born perils in her search for her family. A fateful meeting with a resistance leader forces a wrenching choice, while a cold, calculating hybrid Outrider observes her struggle, turning it into a sinister experiment. As humanity’s annihilation looms, Kassia becomes the target of the Outriders’ relentless plans.

Hart’s taut prose vividly contrasts beauty and destruction. Fiery red meteors, a suffocating mist, and the haunting image of humans reduced to dust create a visceral backdrop. Fire, both literal and symbolic, threads through the narrative, representing annihilation and rebirth. Kassia’s bond with her cousin Charlotte, vibrant yet bittersweet, offers a fragile reprieve, underscoring the tenuousness of connection in a collapsing world.

The novel’s unrelenting pace and suspense drive readers forward. Hart masterfully weaves Kassia’s personal stakes—her illness, her fractured family, her fleeting hope—into the terrifying escalation of the extraterrestrial threat. This is a gripping start to a promising series that leaves readers eager for more.

[Celina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kassia gets not one, but two death sentences in less than a day. She starts her sixteenth birthday finding out that her life long battle of leukemia will be over soon. That night, a red mist rains over the whole city unknown of the terror it brings.

The Red Fever from the mist starts killing people. Nosebleeds and extreme fatigue are just a start. Soon, transportation has to be shut down. Piles of dust litter the city. Small, indestructible plants cover everything. Within a few weeks, only a few remain.

Kassia struggles knowing she's alive still with no one else and is dying. She's trying, but she's afraid.

Girl on Fire has some Divergent vibes to it, but still has its own strong storyline. With multiple POVs, it keeps it engaging with new information thrown at you. One mysterious character becomes even more mysterious and Eden wrote some really intense scenes as the world is slowly dying. You are pulled emotionally into Kassia's fears and heartbreak. Highly recommend!

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

🪐🪷 BIG CRUSH !!


It was Kassia’s birthday: 16 years old. But the bad news continued to pile up.

Her cousin Charlotte was trying to find out the truth, but Kassia didn't have the courage.

Today, however, was the famous ritual of her birthday...

>>>>>>>>>>

From the first pages, I loved this extraordinary science fiction dystopia featuring three captivating main characters, my favorite being the moving Kassia.

I loved everything: the mysterious plot, the colorful and detailed science fiction universe of the novel, the many twists and turns and the excellent choice of characters.

I highly recommend this incredible start to the series and I can’t wait to read it!

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read! Gripping, thrilling and enthralling, you find yourself sucked into this incredible world and unable to leave! The characters are intriguing, strong and has you wanting to know more. Set in a world that has faced an apocalypse which has killed billions, theres survivors who are human and others not so much! Kassia, despite battling a fatal disease makes it through and is trying to find her family even with all the dangers. Her journey is dangerous and action packed and will have you glued to the pages!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was fast-paced, and full of twists and turns. The main character, Kassia, is a strong and brave heroine who faces incredible challenges in a post-apocalyptic world. The author does a great job of creating a vivid and realistic setting, as well as a compelling storyline that kept me wanting to read it until the end. I simply can't wait to read the next book in this series.