Blood of Bryggen: Book 1 of Keeper of the Flames

by Cate Renee Rayne

461 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 30, 2026

Reviews

[Diana]

I honestly truly loved this book and didn’t expect to get as sucked into Blood of Bryggen as I did, but once I started reading, I was hooked. I read the entire book in under a week because I just couldn't put it down!

One of my favorite things about this book was how immersive it was. The writing flowed so naturally that I felt transported into the world of Bryggen. It was so easy to picture the landscapes, villages, the castle of Drustrum and its dragons, and everything happening around the characters so clearly. It felt like I wasn’t just reading about this world—I was actually in it.

The characters were another huge aspect of why I enjoyed it so much. Even though they’re living in a fantasy world so different than our own, their emotions, relationships, and struggles felt really relatable. It made it incredibly easy to get attached to them and actually care about what happened. And obviously… THE DRAGONS. I loved that each dragon felt like actual characters with their own personalities and quirky traits!

There was the perfect mix of mystery, intrigue, adventure, and unanswered questions that kept me wanting to read more. It gave me that feeling I’m always looking for in fantasy—the ability to completely escape into another world. The only downside of getting this as an ARC is waiting to find out what happens next! I cannot wait to see where Rayne takes the characters and story as I am deeply invested now!

[Brittney Wright]

I received this book as a manuscript/ARC from the author.

As a lover of romantasy books, I was really excited to pick up the Blood of Bryggen based on the pitch/description! I was immediately pulled in from page one and loved how the story built up and expanded over the course of the book. I appreciated the fast reading pace that kept me wanting to pick it back up any time I had a free hour to read. The relationships between the characters felt authentic and the world building was unique and exciting. It truly was the perfect blend of romance and fantasy and would make a fantastic bookshelf addition for fans of Fourth Wing or Fireborne looking for their next read.

I can’t recommend this book enough. If you’re on the fence, and craving your next dose of dragons, give it a chance! I can’t wait to get my hands on Book 2 in the series to find out what happens next🐉❤️

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Scott Lorbacher]

I was lucky enough to be an ARC reader for this book and thoroughly enjoyed my time reading it. I appreciate the author’s willingness to take the time to build the world even if it does create a slow roll to getting to the story. I enjoyed the magic of it all; the new take on dragon fire, the MC’s connection to her environment and the animals big and small within it. It left me wanting more in all the best ways. Can’t wait to see how the world expands and read more about the surrounding villages and cultures.

PS: Special shoutout to Ralph the Cat.

[Georgia Morrison]

I was an ARC reader for this book and 4.5 stars! I really enjoyed it! It starts off a little slow but it definitely keeps your attention and gets better and better as the book continues. I am fond of dragons and I really liked how they were described and their personalities. This had the vibe of Fourth Wing, but better. I would definitely reread it and am looking forward to the next book!

[Madison]

I received an ARC of this book and really enjoyed it! There was enough action to keep you engaged and the writing style helps you feel totally immersed in the story. Can’t wait to get my actual copy when it is released—and I’m excited for the next book!

[Jennifer Fisk]

I love a great fantasy read that involves dragons. I was easily pulled into Reese’s story and couldn’t put it down. The way the dragons are developed added another layer to a detailed landscape. The animosity and tension made the romance very palpable. I can’t wait to see where the series goes!

[Aimee]

I received an ARC of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am excited about the next one!