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Fireheart #1
Fireheart
Kaliyah is sworn to slay the dragon that took her mother’s life. But, even with the skills of generations of slayers coursing through her veins, she’s not prepared for Ryu, the one boy who can make her question everything she believes. When the Dragon Akademie orders an unwarranted execution of two slayers, Kaliyah is shocked by the revelation of their corrupt rule. Seeking vengeance for her mother, she forges an alliance with Ryu. With dangerous lies uncovered at every turn, Kaliyah and Ryu’s worlds converge, stoking the flames between them. But one dark secret they both share could rip them apart…if it doesn’t destroy Kaliyah first.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2022
3 people are currently reading
1335 people want to read
About the author
Vanessa Lanang
5 books24 followersVanessa Lanang makes her home in Los Angeles, CA, with her family, an insatiable passion for baking, and her two cats. When she isn’t writing and drinking copious amounts of coffee, she can be found playing tennis or watching her daughters swim.
*** WHITEOUT was a #1 New Release on Amazon under the category of YA Extreme Sports Fiction***
*** WHITEOUT was a #1 New Release on Amazon under the category of YA Extreme Sports Fiction***
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 8, 2023
Kaliyah, the main character, is a teenager growing up in a military style school called The Akademie. She is training to be a dragon slayer. There has been a war between humans and dragons for hundreds of years and she is determined to find the dragon that killed her mother. She is also the daughter of a commander in the Colony's army and has a lot of expectation riding on her shoulders.
Kaliyah learns some disturbing truths when her father is called away to another region. She forms an alliance with a boy named Ryu, who she wants to trust but has difficulties. She discovers concerning side effects of the dragon blood they have been using to enhance their slayer abilities.
She witnesses an unfair public execution of two students for dubious crimes. Kaliyah and Ryu leave with their friends Jimari and Teru to seek out Kaliyah's father to inform him that things are not right at the Akademie. They encounter a red dragon while on the way to the region where her father is and things are once again not what they seem... Dun dun dun.
I loved Kaliyah's character. She is fiercely independent and loyal. As someone who has been raised as a soldier her entire life, it was so interesting to see her character development throughout the book. She decides who she wants to be and what she wants her legacy to be and it is so brave. The world buidling in this fantasy was perfect. Not too much, not too little. It was descriptive enough without being bogged down with details. This is seriously one of the most underrated YA books out there and I wish more would discover it. This book would be incredible as a movie. 5/5 stars for me!
Kaliyah learns some disturbing truths when her father is called away to another region. She forms an alliance with a boy named Ryu, who she wants to trust but has difficulties. She discovers concerning side effects of the dragon blood they have been using to enhance their slayer abilities.
She witnesses an unfair public execution of two students for dubious crimes. Kaliyah and Ryu leave with their friends Jimari and Teru to seek out Kaliyah's father to inform him that things are not right at the Akademie. They encounter a red dragon while on the way to the region where her father is and things are once again not what they seem... Dun dun dun.
I loved Kaliyah's character. She is fiercely independent and loyal. As someone who has been raised as a soldier her entire life, it was so interesting to see her character development throughout the book. She decides who she wants to be and what she wants her legacy to be and it is so brave. The world buidling in this fantasy was perfect. Not too much, not too little. It was descriptive enough without being bogged down with details. This is seriously one of the most underrated YA books out there and I wish more would discover it. This book would be incredible as a movie. 5/5 stars for me!
July 13, 2023
"Every day I remind myself to accept magic as it is, a gift, not a privilege."
Kaliyah is sworn to slay the dragon that took her mother’s life. But, even with the skills of generations of slayers coursing through her veins, she’s not prepared for Ryu, the one boy who can make her question everything she believes. When the Dragon Akademie orders an unwarranted execution of two slayers, Kaliyah is shocked by the revelation of their corrupt rule. Seeking vengeance for her mother, she forges an alliance with Ryu. With dangerous lies uncovered at every turn, Kaliyah and Ryu’s worlds converge, stoking the flames between them. But one dark secret they both share could rip them apart…if it doesn’t destroy Kaliyah first.
This is a solid YA high fantasy novel that I think our young people will enjoy. Kaliyah is a fiercely independent and rebellious YA who ticks all the right boxes for a female MC. The world building is intriguing and of course, there are DRAGONS. Who doesn't love a dragon?!?
“There’s always been one thing I’ve been sure of—you’re a born leader, Kaliyah. No matter how hard I tried to deter you, you wouldn’t let me. It’s one lesson I never had to teach you.”
Kaliyah is sworn to slay the dragon that took her mother’s life. But, even with the skills of generations of slayers coursing through her veins, she’s not prepared for Ryu, the one boy who can make her question everything she believes. When the Dragon Akademie orders an unwarranted execution of two slayers, Kaliyah is shocked by the revelation of their corrupt rule. Seeking vengeance for her mother, she forges an alliance with Ryu. With dangerous lies uncovered at every turn, Kaliyah and Ryu’s worlds converge, stoking the flames between them. But one dark secret they both share could rip them apart…if it doesn’t destroy Kaliyah first.
This is a solid YA high fantasy novel that I think our young people will enjoy. Kaliyah is a fiercely independent and rebellious YA who ticks all the right boxes for a female MC. The world building is intriguing and of course, there are DRAGONS. Who doesn't love a dragon?!?
“There’s always been one thing I’ve been sure of—you’re a born leader, Kaliyah. No matter how hard I tried to deter you, you wouldn’t let me. It’s one lesson I never had to teach you.”
August 25, 2023
So this is a YA fantasy with humans vs dragons (think HTTTYD), and the MC is like Astrid, but then a horrific incident leads her to realising that her dragon-slaying institution is self-serving and villainistic, and she goes on a journey (literal and metaphorical) where she finds out the truth. And there's a lot of lovely friendship and love thrown in <3
I think my favourite parts in the book were all the revelations? Because, damn, there were so many cool shocks and reveals, they started at like 50% of the book and kept rolling in 😭 I'm super excited for the next book, can't wait to see how this all ends!
TWs - death of family, violence
I think my favourite parts in the book were all the revelations? Because, damn, there were so many cool shocks and reveals, they started at like 50% of the book and kept rolling in 😭 I'm super excited for the next book, can't wait to see how this all ends!
TWs - death of family, violence
December 19, 2022
Fantasy novel that has you soaring with dragons and falling into magical wonders. Kaliyah Is a Fantasy novel that has you soaring with dragons and falling into magical wonders. Kaliyah Is a powerful character on a journey seeking revenge on the dragon that took her mothers life. Her adventures take her far from the beliefs of the Academie Dragon Slayers into places she never thought possible. And the ending Wow! Cannot wait for the next book! Step one foot into this world and you’ll want to return again and again! I highly recommend this 5 star book!
October 22, 2022
a wonderful journey
Fireheart is a wonderful journey of a girl discovering her past and what it means for her future. Is she meant to be the dragon slaying soldier she was born to be? Or something more? And what lengths will she go to to find herself and protect the ones she loves.
Fireheart is a wonderful journey of a girl discovering her past and what it means for her future. Is she meant to be the dragon slaying soldier she was born to be? Or something more? And what lengths will she go to to find herself and protect the ones she loves.
to-read-i-own
July 20, 2023
April 23, 2024
I tried…I did try to like this but I just have too many gripes. Someone said in a different review that this book would have benefited from being longer and I agree. Too many quick decisions that aren’t fleshed out because the world needed more time to cook. It was lacking in understanding of the characters and the decisions they’d make as well as how they go about the world. I also think a map would have been helpful.
November 25, 2022
An action packed coming of age story with characters you can't help but root for! The author paints beatiful imagery of this fantasy world to conjure in your mind and who doesn't love dragons! Akademie forever! Definitely a must read.
June 5, 2023
DNF 30% The story just wasn't coming together for me. It seemed like something completely different was happening chapter to chapter. Also, dragons are not herbivores.
September 2, 2023
This book felt like someone who loves world building and fantasy read a best selling series in this genre but didn’t think it needed to be that long. So instead they decided that it would be no problem squeezing 3-8 books into ONE book that was less than 300 pages. So they just took all the tropes and highlights and “troubled characters” and loyalty inspiring friend group and was like well if I can just say that this is the case then it will totally be believable. It just kept changing scenes while trying to introduce new people and as a result it felt like I was missing huge sections of the book.
In the first few chapters I had to re-read sections like 3 times because I didn’t know how we went from one paragraph seen to another. It was all so boring and there is no way we are suppose to be rooting for Kaliyah. She is so troubled and just trying to be the best she can be apparently so she need our support, but like does she? I feel like the book started and it felt like I had skipped the first like 20 chapters of built up because how are we holding hands and staring intently into each others eyes THREE PAGES IN? It feels like it is suppose to give off insta lust but it’s just here following around the first person who tells her no. I don’t get it
Her “it all makes sense now” background didn’t make sense to me. And then for the final climax to be done in like 2 pages with a time jump?? The explanation about how magic works was confusing. If you learned a character’s name somewhere in the book then they made a comeback for 2 pages somewhere towards the end just to take the characters hand and guide her to her next stop.
I think that’s it for this review because this is just rambling at this point. I was just very disappointed because it would throw a concert that could be good and then move to the next scene time after time. It made me so frustrated. Maybe I’ll try to come back and edit parts of this when the book isn’t as fresh.
In the first few chapters I had to re-read sections like 3 times because I didn’t know how we went from one paragraph seen to another. It was all so boring and there is no way we are suppose to be rooting for Kaliyah. She is so troubled and just trying to be the best she can be apparently so she need our support, but like does she? I feel like the book started and it felt like I had skipped the first like 20 chapters of built up because how are we holding hands and staring intently into each others eyes THREE PAGES IN? It feels like it is suppose to give off insta lust but it’s just here following around the first person who tells her no. I don’t get it
Her “it all makes sense now” background didn’t make sense to me. And then for the final climax to be done in like 2 pages with a time jump?? The explanation about how magic works was confusing. If you learned a character’s name somewhere in the book then they made a comeback for 2 pages somewhere towards the end just to take the characters hand and guide her to her next stop.
I think that’s it for this review because this is just rambling at this point. I was just very disappointed because it would throw a concert that could be good and then move to the next scene time after time. It made me so frustrated. Maybe I’ll try to come back and edit parts of this when the book isn’t as fresh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2023
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝:
💘 I liked how unapologetically fierce Kaliyah was. Whether it meant breaking the rules or not being afraid to start questioning her way of life and setting of on a journey spur of the moment because of that, she was always doing what SHE wanted to do. I also loved that it wasn’t at the cost of her empathy.
💘 I liked Ryu’s easy swagger. You just know this boy has a crooked smile 😉
💘 The idea and premise of this was wonderful. I enjoyed learning all the secrets and watching everything unfold.
💘 I liked how the book had a very Orwellian ambience to it. The Akademie was very much a don’t ask questions and just obey, while hiding secrets left and right. I liked watching the main group divest from this and make their own path to understanding and purpose.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫:
🚫 At the very beginning of the book, I felt there was too much geography and different types of dragon/villagers/descriptors. I honestly just kept reading hoping they’d be explained again if necessary for the story.
🚫 Despite the above, I didn’t feel the world building was especially fleshed out and I was hoping for more in this area.
🚫 I also didn’t feel there was a lot of character analysis or development done, outside of Kaliyah, and even then it was very quickly glazed over. Her friends were basically pawns with very little personality.
🚫 A couple small pet peeves:
- Kaliyah’s and Ryu’s relationship at first was very confusing. Didn’t realize they weren’t together for like 20% of the book.
- Why the hell did Xavier just keep showing up places???
- The final fight and the ending wrapped up too fast. For how slow the book moved in other parts, the end felt rushed.
💘 I liked how unapologetically fierce Kaliyah was. Whether it meant breaking the rules or not being afraid to start questioning her way of life and setting of on a journey spur of the moment because of that, she was always doing what SHE wanted to do. I also loved that it wasn’t at the cost of her empathy.
💘 I liked Ryu’s easy swagger. You just know this boy has a crooked smile 😉
💘 The idea and premise of this was wonderful. I enjoyed learning all the secrets and watching everything unfold.
💘 I liked how the book had a very Orwellian ambience to it. The Akademie was very much a don’t ask questions and just obey, while hiding secrets left and right. I liked watching the main group divest from this and make their own path to understanding and purpose.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫:
🚫 At the very beginning of the book, I felt there was too much geography and different types of dragon/villagers/descriptors. I honestly just kept reading hoping they’d be explained again if necessary for the story.
🚫 Despite the above, I didn’t feel the world building was especially fleshed out and I was hoping for more in this area.
🚫 I also didn’t feel there was a lot of character analysis or development done, outside of Kaliyah, and even then it was very quickly glazed over. Her friends were basically pawns with very little personality.
🚫 A couple small pet peeves:
- Kaliyah’s and Ryu’s relationship at first was very confusing. Didn’t realize they weren’t together for like 20% of the book.
- Why the hell did Xavier just keep showing up places???
- The final fight and the ending wrapped up too fast. For how slow the book moved in other parts, the end felt rushed.
July 13, 2023
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ rounding up to 5 because math is like that.
𝐼 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡 𝑚𝑦𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓. 𝑀𝑦 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑤, 𝑡ℎ𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡.
It's been a while since I started a book and didn't want to put it down. That's not to say they have been bad books, but I'm just having trouble sitting and reading lately. I want to be outside, walking and enjoying the fresh air. This one, though, made me want to read it from start to finish without moving. (Unfortunately, I had to go to work and didn't get to read it in one sitting or even two.)
Kaliyah, Ryu, Xavier, Jamari, and Teru were all so real. Their reactions, their personalities, their flaws, and their determination made them seem like friends that @vanessalanangauthor was writing about.
The author painted such a beautiful picture of the world that I fell in love with its landscapes and would love to vacation there — if only to stay up at night and watch the Nocs fly in front of the twin moons.
I saw the twist at the end of the book coming from a long way away, but it didn't ruin the story for me. I was still able to enjoy the way it all came together.
This book would make an amazing movie, and if you love dragons as much as I do, you should pick it up!
𝐼 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑒𝑥𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡 𝑚𝑦𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓. 𝑀𝑦 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑤, 𝑡ℎ𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡.
It's been a while since I started a book and didn't want to put it down. That's not to say they have been bad books, but I'm just having trouble sitting and reading lately. I want to be outside, walking and enjoying the fresh air. This one, though, made me want to read it from start to finish without moving. (Unfortunately, I had to go to work and didn't get to read it in one sitting or even two.)
Kaliyah, Ryu, Xavier, Jamari, and Teru were all so real. Their reactions, their personalities, their flaws, and their determination made them seem like friends that @vanessalanangauthor was writing about.
The author painted such a beautiful picture of the world that I fell in love with its landscapes and would love to vacation there — if only to stay up at night and watch the Nocs fly in front of the twin moons.
I saw the twist at the end of the book coming from a long way away, but it didn't ruin the story for me. I was still able to enjoy the way it all came together.
This book would make an amazing movie, and if you love dragons as much as I do, you should pick it up!
July 7, 2023
Writing: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Themes: Fantasy, Adventure, Dragons
Fireheart is about a girl who is in an achademy that slays dragons, but she soon realizes everything she was taught might not be the truth. I really enjoyed the dragons and the characters. The FMC was a strong character and fought to find the truth despite other pushing against her. I wish the plot and the world was explained a little more and had more of a path on how things happened, but I still enjoyed reading this.
I received an arc and am leaving an honest review.
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
World Building: 4/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Themes: Fantasy, Adventure, Dragons
Fireheart is about a girl who is in an achademy that slays dragons, but she soon realizes everything she was taught might not be the truth. I really enjoyed the dragons and the characters. The FMC was a strong character and fought to find the truth despite other pushing against her. I wish the plot and the world was explained a little more and had more of a path on how things happened, but I still enjoyed reading this.
I received an arc and am leaving an honest review.
August 13, 2023
YA Fantasy You Don't Want to Miss
Connect With Me:
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Read if you like:
✨A coming-of-age YA fantasy book
✨Magic
✨Fire breathing dragons
✨Slayer school.
Hear the interview with the author:
Booktrovert Reader Podcast: Vanessa Lanang
This is a fantastic young adult fantasy novel for teens.
What drew me into this novel is the first chapter. You are brought immediately into the action with the main character Kaliyah. Where the weapon of choice is a bow and arrow and she is coming against dragons. A bow and arrow is not a typical weapon of choice in fantasy in general so I certainly enjoyed something different.
Kaliyah is strong, independent, very skilled in combat, and not a whining character at all. Sometimes, ya fantasy can be a challenge for me due to the maturity of the character. This was not the case and I certainly enjoyed reading Kaliyah and her journey to discovering truth and magic.
I love the small bit of romance in this book. It is clean and not too heavy in the story. Nice change of speed from what I have been reading already.
The only thing that I wished personally more of is that this had a little more world building. Even though I love the action scene in the very beginning, you are sort of just plopped into the story line. Not really knowing what is going on and why. A little more background in this world would have been amazing.
I received an advance review copy for free by the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Full review on my blog:
Booktrovert Reader: Fireheart
Connect With Me:
BLOG ⟫ INSTAGRAM ⟫ PODCAST ⟫
Read if you like:
✨A coming-of-age YA fantasy book
✨Magic
✨Fire breathing dragons
✨Slayer school.
Hear the interview with the author:
Booktrovert Reader Podcast: Vanessa Lanang
This is a fantastic young adult fantasy novel for teens.
What drew me into this novel is the first chapter. You are brought immediately into the action with the main character Kaliyah. Where the weapon of choice is a bow and arrow and she is coming against dragons. A bow and arrow is not a typical weapon of choice in fantasy in general so I certainly enjoyed something different.
Kaliyah is strong, independent, very skilled in combat, and not a whining character at all. Sometimes, ya fantasy can be a challenge for me due to the maturity of the character. This was not the case and I certainly enjoyed reading Kaliyah and her journey to discovering truth and magic.
I love the small bit of romance in this book. It is clean and not too heavy in the story. Nice change of speed from what I have been reading already.
The only thing that I wished personally more of is that this had a little more world building. Even though I love the action scene in the very beginning, you are sort of just plopped into the story line. Not really knowing what is going on and why. A little more background in this world would have been amazing.
I received an advance review copy for free by the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Full review on my blog:
Booktrovert Reader: Fireheart
March 3, 2024
I received this book via Storygraph giveaway. I enjoyed seeing Kaliyah’s journey and finding the truth and lies about what she has learned about Ryu. One thing about Kaliyah is that she stands her ground in what she wants, which I appreciate. Throughout the middle of the story, I felt myself getting taken out a bit. I don’t know if it was some new experience outside of what Kaliyah is used to. I thought it would go in a love triangle, but it doesn’t. The story overall was enjoyable!
November 14, 2022
I was immediately drawn in by the characters in this fantasy YA novel, and watching them grow and change over the course of the story was thoroughly enjoyable. The plot was fast-paced and kept me guessing, making it hard to put the book down. Some twists and turns I didn't see coming made this a very satisfying read.
January 21, 2023
So pleasantly surprised! It took me a couple of chapters (like many books can), but I was dragged right in. I wanted to know more and keep reading. Even now, with being finished reading it, I want to know more...
Decisions of legacy, loyalty, or what could be the right thing. Curiosity, love, magic. It's all so amazing and draws you right in. This book is a MUST read!
Decisions of legacy, loyalty, or what could be the right thing. Curiosity, love, magic. It's all so amazing and draws you right in. This book is a MUST read!
January 19, 2023
This book was a WILD ride with a twist I did NOT see coming. It was violent and original and I was completely absorbed. I read this during silent reading time while teaching and the seventh graders teased me about how into it I was! :)
January 28, 2023
(Note: I received this as a Kindle book from a GoodReads giveaway). This is a nice, quick read. An interesting fantasy world with dragons, which I always like. The middle was a bit rocky, and the ending felt rushed, though
June 9, 2023
I love this cover! Dragons and a great story. I was hooked!
August 25, 2023
I absolutely loved the world building in this. The different groups were well explained. The plot had me pulled in with trying to figure out what was going to happen next.
September 5, 2023
Those who liked Forth Wing must read this book because it is impossible not to like it. From one person who loves dragon books to another, this story captivates you and takes you to a world of magic and dragons, where the main character must overcome obstacles to achieve her goal.
Kaliyah is sworn to slay the dragon that took her mother's life. But, even with the skills of generations of slayers coursing through her veins, she's not prepared for Ryu, the one boy who can make her question everything she believes. When the Dragon Akademie orders an unwarranted execution of two slayers, Kaliyah is shocked by the revelation of their corrupt rule. Seeking vengeance for her mother, she forges an alliance with Ryu. With dangerous lies uncovered at every turn, Kaliyah and Ryu's worlds converge, stoking the flames between them.
Kaliyah is fiercely independent and loyal character. Her character development throughout the book is so interesting because from the beginning we can see her how she was raised as a strong soldier her entire life.
The author has created a wonderful, very beautiful world that you fall in love without hesitation.
I have to admit that it was a little difficult for me to get into the story, but after that I couldn't stop. The plot twist at the end didn't surprise me, but it didn't make me dislike the book either.
In the end, I really liked the book and I recommend it to everyone who likes dragons.
Kaliyah is sworn to slay the dragon that took her mother's life. But, even with the skills of generations of slayers coursing through her veins, she's not prepared for Ryu, the one boy who can make her question everything she believes. When the Dragon Akademie orders an unwarranted execution of two slayers, Kaliyah is shocked by the revelation of their corrupt rule. Seeking vengeance for her mother, she forges an alliance with Ryu. With dangerous lies uncovered at every turn, Kaliyah and Ryu's worlds converge, stoking the flames between them.
Kaliyah is fiercely independent and loyal character. Her character development throughout the book is so interesting because from the beginning we can see her how she was raised as a strong soldier her entire life.
The author has created a wonderful, very beautiful world that you fall in love without hesitation.
I have to admit that it was a little difficult for me to get into the story, but after that I couldn't stop. The plot twist at the end didn't surprise me, but it didn't make me dislike the book either.
In the end, I really liked the book and I recommend it to everyone who likes dragons.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews