A Fox Among Flames

by Sara Puissegur

The Celestial Destiny Series brings the vibes of The Lord of the Rings with a reluctant heroine reminiscent of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games, the court intrigue of Reign, and slow burn, closed door romances that will make you kick your feet! A Fox Among Flames is the second installment in this upper young adult fantasy trilogy.


The stars call for bloodshed.
But to inherit a stolen throne, someone’s legacy must go up in flames.

Serena, Will, and the guardians have made it to the fabled City of Mercy, yet the citadel is not as they anticipated. With tensions rising, Queen Elara struggles to maintain control of her court. Serena is ready to emerge from the shadows and face her destiny, but she must first find a way to gain an advantage in the coming war—and her greatest hope lies with the elves.

In the aftermath of their father’s cruelty to Talitha, Anteros and Sabine struggle with the parts they played in her misfortune. As summer comes to an end, they welcome envoys from the neighboring kingdom of Denorfia, and the king’s latest schemes come to light—much to their horror.

Torn between complying and choosing their own paths, the young royals must find a way to break free of Antoine Rexton’s grasp before it’s too late.

Genres: Fantasy

427 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2026

Reviews

[BookishVibesClub]

I love seeing how everything from book one comes together with the political intrigue, impending war, and the developing romances.

This is a multi POV story showing three different perspectives of the story.

❤️‍🔥 political intrigue
❤️‍🔥 chosen one
❤️‍🔥 forbidden romance
❤️‍🔥 touch him and ☠️
❤️‍🔥 found family

[Kalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sara has truly outdone herself with this one ♥️
While book one lays the foundation and builds a beautifully immersive world, A Fox Among Flames amplifies the emotional depth tenfold. I honestly loved book two even more, largely because I felt even more deeply connected to the characters. I was completely invested in their journeys. (I adore them all, but my personal favorites are Anteros, Talitha, Sabine, and Rilura.)

I still can’t believe this is Sara’s debut series! Every detail feels so thoughtfully planned — and if you know me, you know I love a good plotter. She keeps readers constantly on their toes. I was genuinely shocked and devastated by some scenes, while completely melting and swooning over others.

The ending leaves us with plenty of unanswered questions, which I personally loved — give me a good cliffhanger any day! I cannot wait for book three!

[Chelsie Speakman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Celestial Destiny series is ingrained into my heart. I will be recommending the series until the end of time.

Sara’s writing is achingly beautiful. A Fox Among Flames rips your heart out, and gently puts it back together again with the most heartfelt moments between characters.

This book picks up seamlessly from the end of book one, with Serena training relentlessly alongside the guardians, all of whom fight tooth and nail to ensure she’s ready for the impending war against the usurper, Rexton. Simultaneously, readers are given an insight into Rexton’s fracturing family, as seen from the perspective of Anteros and Sabine. Their perspective adds layers of depth and emotional complexity.

This instalment makes you feel. The bonds between the characters are real that the emotion lingers in your heart long afterwards. I left this book with the fullest heart, and a tenderness I will cherish forever.

[Kaci Rehkemper · Rating 5 out of 5]

The further I get in this series, the more enraptured I become. Sara Puissegur does a phenomenal job at making each character perspective so interesting and that is quite the task considering how many characters we are following. These books are a perfect amount of fantasy, romance, and politics. I felt like my heart was stolen, broken and given back several times throughout this book. Even the rigid characters such as Cole have grown on me so much. I absolutely loved following his and Crystals storylines. I have no idea how I'm going to recover from the ending. 😭❤️ I will probably just be over here re-reading these two books until book 3 drops.

Thank you so much Sara for allowing me to be a part of your street team and to arc read this! I am so intrigued love with these books!

[Amanda✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Solid Continuation of the Series

A Fox Among Flames is a strong and engaging second installment that really expands the world and raises the stakes. The political tension, shifting alliances, and emotional fallout from book one kept me hooked, especially as the characters are forced to confront their past choices. I loved seeing the story grow darker and more complex while still keeping that upper YA feel.

Some sections were a bit slower or more setup heavy, but they clearly lay important groundwork for what’s coming next.

Overall, a solid continuation of the trilogy that left me excited (and slightly anxious!) for the finale.

Thank you to Sara for the advanced copy, this is my honest review.

[the_sugercoatedlibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fox Among Flames 🔥

This is my second ARC book from Sara Puissegur & I'm so grateful for the amazing opportunity. To read her book 📖 before it comes out on 22nd January 2026.

A Fox Among Flames had me hooked from start to finish. I love the way Sara writes ✍️ with passion & love. The Celestial Destiny Series has pulled in from her book 📖 "A Sparrow Among Stars." ✨️ The series has cripped my heart 💜 & soul.

YA fantasy ✨️
slow burn romance 🔥
found family
Dwarfs & Elves
villan/ choosen one


5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📖

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of A Fox Among Flames from the author! 🫶

It’s time to give a standing ovation to A Fox Among Flames because this book is truly a worldclass masterpiece in fantasy and everything I could have ever wanted from this sequel in the Celestial Destiny Series! 🥹💜 If you are a fantasy lover and have not picked up this series yet consider reading my review a sign to immediately start reading A Sparrow Among Stars to be ready for this one when it comes out on January 22nd! 🫶

This book had me ugly crying and broke my heart into a gazillion pieces and I need book three in my life right now! 😭💔 It takes a lot to get me to cry when reading a book but to have me crying that hard just shows how invested I am with the characters that Sara Puissegur created. Serena, Will, Talitha, Anteros, Crystal, Rigel, Xandra, Cole, Sabine, and Julian all have my heart and I love them so much. The world-building in this book is exquisite and how all of it connects together as a whole is beautiful beyond words! 💜 Don’t even get me started on how many couples I am shipping so hard to the point that I have shipping names for them that I will not be sharing! 🤭🔥

If you love YA high fantasy, Throne of Glass and Lord of the Rings vibes, found family, and a book that will forever be a part of your heart then this is the one for you! 🫶

[Ashlyn Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow, this book was even better than the first. Once again, this collection of characters and intense plot kept me tangled in their grip, not even releasing me after the last page. Each page had me feeling all the feels! Each twist sent be back in complete shock, not expecting the jolt! I truly couldn’t have imagined anything better. These waves of emotions only were heightened with the cliffhanger leaving me anxiously awaiting the final book.

[Clémence CJPM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Français en dessous

I've ARC read A fox Among Flames by Sara Puissegur. It's book 2 in the Celestial Destiny serie.

"The stars call for bloodshed.
But to inherit a stolen throne, someone’s legacy must go up in flames.
Serena, Will, and the guardians have made it to the fabled City of Mercy, yet the citadel is not as they anticipated. With tensions rising, Queen Elara struggles to maintain control of her court. Serena is ready to emerge from the shadows and face her destiny, but she must first find a way to gain an advantage in the coming war—and her greatest hope lies with the elves.
In the aftermath of their father’s cruelty to Talitha, Anteros and Sabine struggle with the parts they played in her misfortune. As summer comes to an end, they welcome envoys from the neighboring kingdom of Denorfia, and the king’s latest schemes come to light—much to their horror.
Torn between complying and choosing their own paths, the young royals must find a way to break free of Antoine Rexton’s grasp before it’s too late."

It's a good book, with a fast-paced and entertaining journey in the first volume and a build-up to war and confrontation in the second. I really enjoyed it: we follow the heroine, Serena, but also the Queen and the King at war, as well as all of Serena's companions. As a bonus: the meeting between her best friend and the King's son.
The writing is pleasant, neither too dense nor too descriptive. However, I would have preferred greater clarity in the shifts in perspective. If not separated by chapter, would a simple line break be sufficient? I sometimes had to reread certain passages because I got confused between the characters.
The magic system is simple but well-designed, and the world is clear and well-constructed! The end of the second volume is explosive, and I'm eager to read the third.
In short, it was an good read, my first ARC of 2026.

J'ai lu en avant-première « Un renard parmi les flammes » de Sara Puissegur. C'est le deuxième tome de la série « Destinée céleste ».
"Les étoiles appellent au carnage.
Mais pour hériter d'un trône volé, l'héritage de quelqu'un doit partir en fumée.
Serena, Will et les gardiens sont parvenus à la légendaire Cité de la Miséricorde, mais la citadelle est loin d'être conforme à leurs attentes. Alors que les tensions montent, la reine Elara peine à maintenir l'ordre à sa cour. Serena est prête à sortir de l'ombre et à affronter son destin, mais elle doit d'abord trouver un moyen de prendre l'avantage dans la guerre imminente – et son plus grand espoir repose sur les elfes.
Suite à la cruauté de leur père envers Talitha, Anteros et Sabine sont rongés par le poids de leur responsabilité dans son malheur. À la fin de l'été, ils accueillent des émissaires du royaume voisin de Denorfia, et les derniers complots du roi sont révélés – à leur grande horreur.
Partagés entre obéissance et liberté, les jeunes membres de la famille royale doivent trouver un moyen d'échapper à l'emprise d'Antoine Rexton avant qu'il ne soit trop tard."

C'est un bon livre, avec une intrigue rythmée et divertissante dans le premier tome et une préparation à la guerre et à l'affrontement dans le second. J'ai beaucoup aimé : on suit l'héroïne, Serena, mais aussi la Reine et le Roi en guerre, ainsi que tous les compagnons de Serena. En bonus : la rencontre entre sa meilleure amie et le fils du Roi.
L'écriture est agréable, ni trop lourde ni trop descriptive. J'aurais toutefois préféré une plus grande clarté dans les changements de point de vue. À défaut de les séparer par chapitre, une simple ligne de séparation serait-elle suffisante ? Il m'est arrivé de devoir relire certains passages, car je me perdais entre les personnages.
Le système de magie est simple mais bien pensé, et l'univers est clair et bien construit ! La fin du deuxième tome est explosive et j'ai très envie de lire le troisième.
En résumé, ce fut une excellente lecture, mon premier ARC de 2026.

[Nikki Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'm not sad that you've changed. I've changed, too. I'm sad because you can't see the good in yourself anymore."

A Fox Among Flames by Sara Puissegur. Oh my gosh. If ASAS laid the foundation for Puissegur's world, AFAF absolutely sets it alight. This second installment takes everything that made the debut so stand-out – its heart, its peril, its sense of destiny – and sharpens it into something richer and far more emotionally complex. What a seriously incredible read, and so, so rich. I'm going to be reflecting on this arc for a while.

The story picks up right where we left off: Serena training under Queen Elara's direction and finding her place among soldiers and allies. She's no longer the frightened girl who fled her home in ASAS. She's a leader now, hardened by grief and journey but still defined by compassion. Her growing bond with Will adds both tenderness and ache to her journey, especially as the tides of war begin to rise again. Meanwhile, across enemy lines, Anteros continues to emerge as the series' most compelling contradiction; a prince born to cruelty, fighting to keep his soul intact. As with the first story, his loyalty to his father continues to fracture in surprising ways, and by the time Sabine's arc unfolds, that fracture becomes something more like a chasm. We see new layers to the prince that were hinted at in ASAS, but become even more potent here. (I have things to say about Talitha, too, but I'll bite my tongue so we don't venture into spoilers.) Beyond our parallel heirs, the battle scenes are cinematic, the emotional beats are intimate, and the worldbuilding has SO much texture. Relationships also evolve beyond the expected, from Cole and Xandra's companionship to Queen Elara's precarious marriage and motherhood.

Without venturing into spoilers, I'll just say this: the final act left me HOOKED, y'all. The losses cut deep, the victories feel earned, and the questions left hanging are the kind that keep you itching for the next installment. Puissegur has built a world worth exploring and a cast of characters worth fighting for. Literally SO excited for the next book!

[Alli MacManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

🫂 Found family
👀 Multi pov
2️⃣ Parallel heirs
⬆️ Coming of age
❤️‍🩹ptsd representation
♠️ Ace Rep
👑 Court drama

This book made me feel so many things.

Following her harrowed journey to Symptee, and a…less than loving…reunion with her aunt, we find Serena pouring her all into training with her guardians to become the warrior her people need her to be, and building a compassionate relationship with Elara. When danger hits a little too close to home, Serena sets off with her Guardians (and will ;)) to seek new alliances and troops for the loyalists. Her journey in this book is largely focused on accepting her role as the true heir, and the sword that will free Hyroscenia from Rexton’s grasp.

Heavily pregnant and navigating a new marriage that is anything but what she expected, Elara continues to bear the weight of the Garrick crown and fight to retain control of her council and citadel. She faces BLOOD BOILING betrayal in this book, and I’m eager to see how she reasserts control and reminds everyone who the damned queen is in book 3.

Anteros and Sabine are not the same as they were before their father learned of their involvement with Talitha. When an unexpected visitor arrives to court to negotiate a trade deal with their father, both siblings are reminded that Antoine’s cruelty knows no bounds…and determine to find a different path for themselves. Somehow.

All three storylines are starting to converge as the universe begins to barrel towards a reckoning for the stolen Hyroscencian crown. Most interesting to me are the parallel storylines of Anteros and Serena— two heirs, finding who they are, on opposite sides of the war. Could they be the ones to end it all?

The losses hit heavy. The plot continues to thicken. And I can’t help but find myself in love with every character I encountered.

This book gives us mental health and asexuality representation, found family dynamics, broken families healing (or shattering), and one hell of a set up for the final book— which I will absolutely be reading.

[Luke Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the rarest things: a sequel that not only doesn't fall foul of "second book syndrome" but that I enjoyed more than the first. This is high fantasy at its best as Serena Finch embraces her destiny to lead the battle to overthrow the tyrant king Antoine Rexton and free Hyrosencia from his stranglehold. It was great to see the familiar faces return in Serena, Crystal, Cole, Rigel, Xandra, Will and all the rest, not to mention seeing the next stage in the Talitha/Anteros/Sabine plotline (full disclosure, if Talitha doesn't get a happy ending, I will riot!)

The blossoming romance between Serena and Will is particularly sweet (fans of slow burn/friends to lovers will find a lot to like with those two kids) and I have to give Sara Puissegur credit as an author for making me overcome my usual dislike for human/elf pairings with just how well written the Cole/Xandra plot is (though I keep expecting something bad to happen to them).
It isn't all fun and games on the romantic plots: I'm really engaged in how Elara and Gerard are going to fix things in their relationship, if they ever do (nothing like marital strife to drive up plot tension!)

The action scenes were compelling, and there are plenty of nail biting moments that will make your jaw drop (one character death in particular was rather unexpected). I only had two dislikes about this story: one, I wish Anteros had been a bit more forceful in certain scenes (I was literally screaming at the page in those moments: "Tell him if he does, you'll kill him in his sleep, Anteros!" "Bury the dagger in his neck, Anteros!" "Stab him in the back, Anteros!"), and given how Fox ends on a cliffhanger, I need Book 3 now, and I need Antoine Rexton to die, painfully, preferably by his son's hand!

If you enjoyed A Sparrow Among Stars, you must read this book, and if you're a fan of Lord of the Rings, the Inheritance Cycle or high fantasy in general, I cannot recommend this series enough!

[Kay Cobbold · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Fox Among Flames”, the second installment in Sara Puissegar’s “Celestial Destiny” series, not only meets the high bar set by its predecessor but skillfully raises it. The foundations of an immersive world are expanded with vivid detail, making the setting feel wonderfully tangible. The plot moves at a thrilling pace, yet masterfully balances its momentum with quieter, character-driven moments that allow the reader to breathe and absorb the story’s depth.
The true triumph of this novel, however, lies in its extraordinary characters. Narrated through the perspectives of key,and often rival, figures, each character is rendered with such life and nuance that they leap off the page. Puissegar crafts no archetypes here; every being, whether human, elf, or dwarf, possesses a multifaceted and relatable personality. It is this profound empathy for the cast that truly drives the plot and held me enthralled from beginning to end.
The conclusion is a masterstroke of anticipation, leaving the reader desperate for the next chapter. Will Serena fulfill her destiny? What fate awaits the characters I’ve grown to love? And will Antoine Rexton finally get his just desserts? I am already counting down the days until I can find out.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔥 𝘔𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘗𝘖𝘝𝘴
🔥 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺
🔥 𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 & 𝘚𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴
🔥 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘨𝘦
🔥 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯...

The second installment of this upper young adult fantasy trilogy was 𝒇𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄!

If you like a large cast of characters with sharp tongues and soft hearts, slow-burn tension, political intrigue, lush fantasy worldbuilding, and a heroine who learns how to fight and survive then you should add the Celestial Destiny trilogy to your TBR!

The writing style is a delight, with a seamless, fast-moving plot and characters who aren’t just sidekicks, but fully integral to the story. 𝐴 𝐹𝑜𝑥 𝐴𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝐹𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑠 is perfect for readers who love found family forged in chaos, court politics, betrayal, and simmering romances with fierce character growth. 🔥🦊📖

This 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 is sure to captivate a wide range of readers!

Everyone please help wish @authorsarapuissegur Happy Release Day! 💕
Rating: 4.25/5

[Beth DeLong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank goodness for sequels that are just as good as the first book, if not better!

This book is beautifully written, helping you really connect with the characters and what they're going through. From their hurts, to their stressors, to their joys, you feel it. And there are characters you cheer for, and characters you want to punch in the face. There were several scenes my empathy game was strong as I read this with a disgusted look on my face because some of those bad guys are.... well, bad guys. 😂

There are lots of relationships going on in this book, adding a lot to the story and dynamics.

And I did NOT see chapter 33 coming!! It was one of those moments I had to keep reading and wait for the "gotcha" moment...

Looking forward to book 3!

⚠️ Occasional cursing
🫑 Kissing only, fade to black (marital)

Thanks so much to the author for the opportunity to ARC read!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel was so amazing! The characters, the bigger world building, the new side characters and the romances! I have one favourite romance but the others are also great. The different kinds of stories and obstacles are well done and are a great addition to the book.
The character development and revelations are great and the suspense was sharp and captivating. I really can't wait for the next book - these cliffhangers were brutal.
How everything is coming together is amazing and I want book 3 now to quench my thirst for more!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

💜💜This series lives in my brain!! I think about it ALL the time!!💜💜

I want to be transported into an absolutely amazing world inside this book.

The cast of characters will forever own a piece of my heart. The family this group builds is so uplifting.

The plot is non-stop!! It is a constant twists and revealed secrets. This book has life, death, and even a wedding!💜💜

I need the last book, NOW, please.

This series is must for anyone who likes Lord of the Rings and Hunger Games!!

[Khadijah Abdul Sattar · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Full review under construction; here's a mini one in the meantime*

4.5/5 stars
One of the best books I've read this year, it lives up to its predecessor in the best way possible.
Unlike ASAS, this sequel felt more darker and heavier which makes me think there's going to be a LOT of heartbreak incoming through the next installment (and I'm all here for it! *checks tissues*)

[Blanca aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars!!!

A Fox Among Flames is the second book in The Celestial Destiny trilogy, and so far it’s my favorite. The story delivers more intense and emotionally charged fight scenes, along with a compelling redemption arc for Anteros. Serena, our main female character, is stronger and more confident, and it was exciting to watch her learn to navigate her new role within the kingdom while coming to terms with the prophecy tied to her fate. Serena and Will are so cute, and I also can’t get enough of Xandra and Cole! 💖

It’s a beautifully gut-wrenching story.

If you love high-stakes fantasy, morally complex characters, devastating emotional moments, and adorable relationships, this book will absolutely wreck you in the best way. The tension is higher, the battles are fiercer, and A Fox Among Flames will leave you desperate for the next book. 🔥📖