The Rift is stirring, and the Darkness beyond it is no longer content to wait.
As the human king prepares for a war driven by greed rather than survival, newly mated Arik and Eisa are pulled into a dangerous web of politics—one that threatens not only their fragile alliances, but the mate bond that ties their souls together.
When the Darkness breaks free, only a soul of fire born once in a generation can stand against what comes next. And awakening that power may cost more than either of them is willing to lose.
Soul of Fire is the second book in the Chaosborn trilogy, an adult romantasy featuring dragon shifters, Norse-inspired lore, and spicy romance.
Madeleine Eliot loves to read and write spicy romantasy with all of the best tropes. Dubbed the “Queen of Cozy” by her readers, Madeleine enjoys writing romantasy that is all vibes and spice, with a dash of adventure and world-building. She is always working on her next book, which is probably another spicy romantasy. Follow her adventures and latest works at instagram.com/madeleineeliotwrites
I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of this book- and I finished it in one sitting.
I loved, loved, LOVED this book. I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately, but I got this book at around 5 pm and finished it at 8:30.
Madeleine Eliot always does an incredible job with not only making each series feel unique, but also letting them be apart of her overall world- and this book is no exception.
I loved every moment of this book, the tender ones that had be melting, the ones that made me want to fight alongside them, the ones that had me sitting at the edge of my seat- and especially the ones that had me grinning from just how clever they were.
Madeleine Eliot is absolutely the Queen of Cozy, and this book made me unbelievably happy. That being said- I am absolutely furious I don’t have a Time Machine so I can travel forward and read the next book right now. Know that I will be waiting eagerly for its release.
I’m extremely grateful for the ARC copy, and let it be known I’d be rating this book a 6/5 stars if Goodreads would let me.
Wow, did this one completely blow my ever-loving mind!! The journey and emotional depths we were taken to with the growth of Eisa & Arik’s relationship was so beautifully written out. You can honestly just feel the utter love & devotion they have for each other without it being over the top cringy at all. And on top of their love, we also have their dragons loves. Without spoilers, I can’t dive into much detail there. But my heart aches for Idunn. This new adventure brings new reveals that were both touching & heartbreaking, and some new mysteries with them remain. The way our MC’s navigate it all together and also grow into their new roles as mates was sweet, sexy, inspiring, and swoon worthy all wrapped up. They just give me the warm & fuzzies! Arik and his emotional intelligence especially.
We are introduced to new characters, some good/some bad, and also blessed with a new characters POV, which played out perfectly, giving us another view into whats going on with the Rift and the other side of the situation at hand. It was easy to quickly become attached to Revna and her dragon’s insistent search for a mate, and her devotion to her Reinhold. Branka and Jorgen help bring some comedic relief & comradely to the table for the majority of the book, giving that found-family vibe in full force. And blessed be, let’s give a round of applause for Uncle Arne! Because that man and his Scottish accent had me cracking up quite often, his insults are one for the books!
I’m just so eager to see more of how that all plays out after Madeleine relieves us from the freaking CLIFF she left us dangling from yet again!! That ending… the way I was furiously tapping at my screen, because there has to be more, right?! She gives us just the beginnings of the worst, I fear, and then leaves us in darkness *pun intended* 🤯 So much revealed, yet so many questions remain.
Book 3 cannot come fast enough! I am feral for more.
It has become really hard for a romantasy to completely win me over these days, but Soul of Fire did exactly that.
This series continues to feel fresh and unique in a genre that can sometimes start to blur together. The banter is fantastic, the characters have incredible chemistry, and every interaction had me either smiling or desperately needing to know what happened next.
One thing I especially appreciated was that the spice actually served the story. It never felt like it was thrown in just for the sake of it—every moment had purpose and strengthened the relationships instead of distracting from the plot.
Getting Revna’s POV was another highlight. I loved seeing inside her head, and now I’m even more invested in where her story is going. I’m completely hooked!
And then… THAT ENDING.
Madeleine… how could you?! 😭 I actually stared in disbelief. Now I’m supposed to just patiently wait for book three after that? Absolutely not.
If you’ve been looking for a romantasy with a compelling plot, lovable characters, genuinely funny banter, meaningful romance, and an ending that will leave you emotionally devastated in the best way, Soul of Fire absolutely delivers. I cannot wait for book three.
I absolutely love being a part of Madeleine’s ARC team, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to receive an advance copy of one of my most anticipated reads of the year!
I really enjoyed continuing this story. The world got bigger in book 2 and there were a lot of moving parts! I enjoyed the POVs as the group split up so we could keep up with what’s going on everywhere. I love world building so learning more about the magic, the kingdom hierarchy, and Arik and Eisa’s family/background was all really interesting!
Arik is still a top tier MMC. He’s protective and hates to see her in danger but he isn’t overbearing either. He lets her be her own person while supporting her. With that said, Arne may be coming for you Arik! I love a feisty, smart mouthed man that’s a little older too….
And poor Eisa can’t catch a break! There is so much Eisa doesn’t know about herself and this book does a good job of giving her some answers. Of course, now there are more questions! And don’t get me started on that ending; it has me spinning!
I am REELING from the chokehold this series has on me!
Every aspect that I loved about Heart of Chaos was amplified in Soul of Fire — the lore, the world, the characters, the romance — all of it was so much more fleshed out. I swooned, I cackled, I was on the edge of my damn seat.
If you enjoyed the first book, you’re in for a ride!
THIS BOOK. <3 Soul of Fire is everything you'd want a Romantasy sequel to be and more.
We get introduced to new characters (Arne is my favorite), get to know existing characters even more, and get immersed much more deeply into the magic, family dynamics, and history of the existing universe. While there is much more world building involved, it was fairly easy to follow along with and did not feel extremely confusing to understand. I also really appreciated having the multiple POVs in the book, as it provided a look into everything that was going on during the timeline. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this book even more than book one, Heart of Chaos, and I adored HoC!
You can expect action and adventure, lots of dragon chaos, tons of suspenseful moments that will have you on the edge of your seat, plenty of sizzling swoon-worthy scenes, and an ending that will have you screaming and demanding book 3 yesterday.
Soul of Fire was one of my most anticipated sequels after I read Heart of Chaos last year and it did NOT disappoint! This story felt so epic and riveting, I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. Fast-paced to keep you on your toes and entertained l never knew what was going to happen next!
The furthering of Eisa and Arik’s mating bond was done beautifully, and I loved getting to explore more of our side characters and their dynamics (I NEED a spin-off book for a certain couple iykyk). The emotional depth of their connection was really heartwarming to read about as well.
I will say, I wanted more! I could’ve easily read 200 more pages of this world and would’ve still been having the time of my life! Phenomenal sequel and cannot wait for the finale after that ending. 5 stars for the immaculate vibes!
Only a soul of fire can stand against what comes next…
The Rift is stirring, and the Darkness beyond it is no longer content to wait.
As the human king prepares for a war driven by greed rather than survival, newly mated Arik and Eisa are pulled into a dangerous web of politics—one that threatens not only their fragile alliances, but the mate bond that ties their souls together.
When the Darkness breaks free, only a soul of fire born once in a generation can stand against what comes next. And awakening that power may cost more than either of them is willing to lose.
TROPES
🐉 Dragon shifters ❄️ Inspired by Norse mythology 🐉 Spicy romantasy ❄️ Fated mates 🐉 Chronic illness rep ❄️ Viking vibes 🐉 Found family ❄️ Touch him and die 🐉 Messy family
THOUGHTS
* All my opinions are based on my beta read of this book - not the final version.*
Thank you, Madeleine, for allowing me the opportunity to beta read "Soul of Fire"! This book has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2026, so to get coveted early access was so incredibly exciting.
If I'm being honest, I have mixed feelings about "Soul of Fire" (SOF). The previous book, "Heart of Chaos" (HOC), was such a strong beginning to the Chaosborn series - it had cheeky dragons, delicious and sexy Viking-inspired shifters, a delectable romance (with a blonde MMC!) and a terrifying "Big Bad".
However, I felt like SOF's execution fell short of the standard set by HOC, even though all of the same ingredients were there. I'll explain why in more detail below, but let me just preface this all by saying that I love Madeleine (she is a wonderful human being, and I love her Whispering Seas Duet) very much. I just found myself more disappointed than usual with this particular book. (Don't read on, Madeleine, unless you're in a good mood for constructive criticism 😅😅 I'm sorry 😭😭)
A key reason for that is the first third of SOF, which (from my POV) contained quite a few problems. One of the most obvious issues (without giving too much away) was that I think the book's plot started too early. As a result, too many pages were devoted to documenting the characters' travelling, where nothing much really happened other than (admittedly) sometimes-cute or funny banter. The story just took way too long to kick off. If the journey absolutely needed to be discussed, a better place for it probably would have been narrative summary in the midst of a more interesting scene. Or more conflict needed to happen on the journey other than the characters being tired, cold and wet.
Speaking of which, in this slow start to the book, an inordinate amount of time was also spent with the characters as they either removed soggy clothing or put clothing back on. There were also too many "stage directions" in these scenes, and not much going on inside the POV characters' brains as these de- and re-clothing rituals took place.
I noticed some buzzwords pop up with a near-irritating frequency in the first third as well. In the first third of the book, "mental bridge", "cold" and "wet" were used probably more than they should have been. You might consider this to be more of a subjective matter, though. But it did form part of a larger gripe I had with the word choices.
ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, there is also plenty to love about SOF. There was a discernible point in the book, around 1/3 to 2/3 in, where the author seemed to have recovered her passion for her craft. Either that, or she devoted a lot more time to editing the second half of the book. From then on, the writing noticeably improved. All of a sudden, I remembered the fondness for Arik and Eisa which prompted me to get a custom-embroidered jumper showing off their characters 🤣
Other things I loved:
- The introduction of a third character's POV 😍 - A certain "Scotsman" character, who brought so much light and humour to the narrative! - Our cheeky dragons (Baldur and Idunn are absolute chaos monsters, and I love them to bits) - Finding out more about Eisa's past (loved this twist!) - The cliffy (which sounds self-defeating because it also ruined me a little, ending on a very strong note)
Where HOC was captivating, atmospheric, sexy, and heart-pounding with the smaller-scale conflicts, I found that SOF could not usher in the same magic and intensity for the bigger stuff. Overall not terrible. I just didn't love it like I'd hoped, even if the ending did redeem it quite a lot.
Oh my goodness 🤯 I thought Book 1 was amazing, but book 2 has completely blown it out the water. Once again, I absolutely inhaled the pages finishing it in under 24hrs. The transition between the 2 is seamless, allowing us as readers to be completely drawn back into the world immediately.
From page 1 this book is action packed and fast paced, the already beautifully built world being expanded on and and strengthened without taking anything away from the storyline. Alongside this, the POVs are also expanded allowing us to keep up with all the characters as the story unfolds - the multiple POV also creates a lot of suspense, keeping the reader on the very edge of our seats throughout the book.
The relationships between the existing characters become much deeper, the slower more intimate moments between them intricately woven between the action and new bonds are formed which I cannot wait to learn more about. The banter is sharp and witty, the dragons sly comments will have you laughing out loud, and the scenes between Arik Eisa will have you grinning and kicking your heels. There is a real sense of a found family being formed as the characters continue to fight together, their bonds only being reinforced with each turn.
Questions from book 1 are answered as we learn so much more about Eisa's backstory, but even more are asked leaving me absolutely desperate for book 3. The cliffhanger at the end is OUTRAGEOUS, and left me with goosebumps and a strong urge to throw my kindle across the room.
I cannot thank Madeleine Eliot enough for kindly sending me an eARC of this book, it completely exceeded my already high expectations and I am counting down the days until book 3 already.
Soul of Fire releases 1st August, and you are not going to want to miss it!
I was incredibly excited to dive into Soul of Fire and was fortunate enough to receive an ARC from the author. After absolutely loving Book 1, my expectations were high, and while I did enjoy this installment, it unfortunately didn't hit quite the same way for me.
One of the strongest aspects of this book was the continued development of the found family dynamic. I really loved seeing the relationships deepen, not only among the characters but also between the MCs and their dragons. Those connections felt heartfelt and added emotional weight to the story. The character growth and expanding bonds were definitely highlights for me.
That said, I think my biggest challenge was that this book felt a bit like a bridge between the explosive first installment and what is shaping up to be a huge Book 3. I can clearly see the groundwork being laid, and honestly, it has me very excited for where this series is headed. However, because so much of the story seemed focused on setup, I found myself less invested in the overall plot than I was in Book 1.
I almost hate calling it a "filler" book because there is genuinely nothing wrong with it. The writing is solid, the characters remain engaging, and there are plenty of meaningful moments throughout. It simply didn't give me the same level of connection or momentum that I experienced with the first book, which I absolutely flew through and couldn't put down.
Overall, Soul of Fire is a good continuation of the series that successfully builds toward what's coming next. While it didn't quite capture the magic of Book 1 for me, I'm still fully invested in these characters and very eager to see how everything unfolds in Book 3.
Soul of Fire by Madeleine Eliot (Book 2 in the Chaosborn trilogy) 4.5 ⭐️/5 ⭐️
This review won’t contain spoilers for Soul of Fire (which will be tough because they start early), but it will have minor spoilers for Heart of Chaos, book 1 of the Chaosborn trilogy. Sorry in advance for the vague-ish review, but I really don’t want to spoil anything for anybody!!
“Only one born of both worlds–a human with a soul of fire–is strong enough to destroy the darkness for good.”
Soul of Fire by Madeleine Eliot was a spectacular second installment to the Chaosborn trilogy. The book’s pacing was medium-fast, which is my favorite. There are DEFINITELY some lovable characters in this series, and most of the new characters introduced were also delightful. I was pleasantly surprised with who Revna’s mate turned out to be, because they are a new character who is so much fun. I loved reading their banter.
I also absolutely loved whenever the dragon’s spoke. Like, if something came out of a dragon’s mouth, there’s a good chance I was very entertained: “Human bodies are so inefficient,” Idunn grumbled. “Feed me now.” “My magnificence is meant to be observed.” “I will sleep now until you are ready to feed us.”
Now, the ending was jaw-dropping. A certain trope that many people like appears, and you won’t be disappointed! I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to fans of the series. Even if you’re on the fence about reading the second book, just take the dive! It’s worth it, I promise!
Thank you Madeleine and Sadie for lending me the eARC for Soul of Fire. I am more than happy to be on Madeleine’s Street Team!
Soul of Fire completely hooked me—and I genuinely cannot understand why more people aren’t talking about this series.
From the very first pages, the pacing is relentless in the best way: not a single dull moment, just pure, edge-of-your-seat storytelling. The world building expands beautifully from book one, adding depth without ever slowing things down. It’s the kind of sequel that reminds you why you fell in love with the series in the first place.
The character dynamics are where this book shines. The banter is sharp and genuinely funny, balanced perfectly with that warm, found-family energy that makes you feel so invested. Uncle Arne brings such a fun, comedic presence, while Baldur’s unexpected passion for flower arrangements had me laughing out loud. And Kindra’s sass? Absolutely perfect.😂😂
Eisa’s journey in this installment had me fully locked in—I was cheering, stressed, and completely emotionally invested. That moments where she truly unleashes? Incredible. And Branka’s loyalty and evolving bond with Eisa was one of my favorite parts; I already liked her in book one, but here she really stands out as a cornerstone of that emotional core.
And then… chapter 35 😱😱😱I’m still not over it.
This book had my heart racing from start to finish, and I already need book three immediately.
Also, a quick note of appreciation to Madeline Eliot for including me on the Cozy Queen street team—such a joy to be part of this world as it grows.🤗🩵
If you love fast-paced fantasy with heart, humor, and characters you can’t help but root for, Soul of Fire delivers on every level.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The second book in the series is one that you will devour in one sitting.
Eisa and Arik are back and mated. Thrust into a world of political power play while trying to stop a threat that will change their world forever. Racing against time while navigating their feelings. Willing to sacrifice it all for the sake of their future.
I adored the first book in this series and this book is an emotional ride from the very first pages! The world building grows organically from book one, expanding the world and characters seamlessly. I adore Arne and Revna, they bring the sass in the best way possible!
The banter and tension between Arik and Eisa is just chefs kiss! Add in the banter between their dragons and you will be laughing out loud, but despite it's light moments there is a sense of anticipation as the story progresses, leaving you with your heart in your throat and jaw on the floor. (My heart is still processing the final chapters)
Madeleine really shines in this book! You will feel every emotion along with her characters, a nod to her amazing writing skills and her ability to pull you into her world.
A big thank you to Madeleine for allowing me to be part of your street team and for the privilege of Beta reading this book! 🫶🏼
If you love Nordic inspired fantasy romance, dragons, tension, banter and so much heart, this book is for you! Happy Reading!
After absolutely loving Heart of Chaos, I knew the second book had to be amazing! And she definitely delivered. The story continues perfectly after the first book. The recap at the beginning was perfect! I love Arik and Eisa so much. I loved the relationship developments. Not only between the main MCs and the dragons, but also the evolving friendships. Its giving found family, which I adore!
I was both shocked and intrigued by some of the revelations! Amazing story, great build-up and wonderfully fierce characters (Arne might be a new favorite!). The anticipation was worth the wait. I'll be once again anxiously awaiting the next release in the Chaosborn trilogy. THAT ENDING... I need more!
Second books in a planned trilogy can be a challenge or can provide the perfect bridge to the final book. In Soul of Fire, Madeleine Eliot has nailed the balance perfectly.
The pacing and character development work well to build tension and keep interest. Book 1 left Eisa and Arik in a new relationship that was still untested. This book builds their relationship in subtle ways as they spend time together in difficult circumstances.
Some central questions from Heart of Chaos start to be answered in ways that are satisfying by still leave you wanting more (which luckily will come in book 3).
For anyone who's already read Eliot's previous work, there are some sweet love letters to the fans where we get reminders of worlds we've already explored. And for those lucky enough to still have those books yet to read, you get a nice peek at the rest of the continent beyond Stalheim and Ironholm.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that passed by far too quickly!
It was an honour to be accepted onto the ARC team for Soul of Fire, the second book in the Chaosborn Series, as it was Madeleine Eliot’s first book in this series, Heart of Chaos, that I received as my very first ARC.
I have a special place for this story and for these characters.
My favourite part of the book is the dragons and their personalities. The relationship between the main MMC was carried on nicely and new characters were introduced with intrigue and depth.
The ending of this book not only blew my mind and had me saying, “wait, what? Wait, did I just read that right?”
Then I went back and re-read.
It did happen.
If you haven’t read the Chaosborn Series, I highly recommend it! I’m looking forward to the next book!
Thank you Madeleine Eliot for the opportunity to read and review.
Absolutely eating this series up! I have been so excited to read this, and so many thanks for the arc from the author and her team.
This is a great book 2, and it DOES end on a cliffhanger - so prepare yourselves! I was ready to throw my kindle about it, it's glorious.
I loved getting back to this unique world and the dragon shifters, as well as getting to explore new parts of the universe. There were some fantastic character introductions that I really enjoyed. Not to mention our main characters Arik and Eisa, and their dragons Idunn and Baldur. I loved getting to be back with them, and watching Arik and Eisa's relationship evolve and grow.
I received this book as an ARC and I absolutely loved it! I was obsessed with Heart of Chaos, so I was highly anticipating Soul of Fire. I was not disappointed in the slightest! The dragon banter is the best I've read. They know they're powerful and their comments are ridiculous and hilarious. While Eisa and Arik are perfect as usual, we also get more insight into a few other relationships in book 2 which I thoroughly enjoyed.
On top of incredible characters, the plot had me on the edge of my seat. I did not see some of the twists and turns coming. I could not believe the ending! I can't wait for book 3!
Picking up right where Heart of Chaos left off, Soul of Fire flies right into the action! Things heat up quickly for Arik and Eisa, their relationship continuing to grow even as the stakes climb. This was a page turner for me- and even when I had to put it down it was all I could think of! I’m already eagerly anticipating book 3. If you’re a fan of dragons, shifters, steamy scenes, fantasy and intrigue, I hope you’ll enjoy this book as much as I did!
Thank you Madeleine for the opportunity to get an ARC.
I really enjoyed this book! You get more background on the characters and get to see Arik and Eisa’s relationship deepen and progress. This book was definitely more focused on world/story building. I’m excited to get into the action in book 3 and see what is going to happen!
CURRENTLY SCREAMING INTO MY PILLOW!!!!! I am obsessed!!! I love the relationship of the characters and their dragons! I am completely enthralled into the world while reading (and even after). I can’t wait until book 3!!
AHHHH this book!!! I loved how we got some other character POVS! Also love that we got to explore more of this world. Arik and Balder are my favorite, and I love how much we learned about Eisa’s history. The ending has my shooketh and I will be patiently waiting for the next book. Ah!