Once upon a time, there was something called the sun… grandfather. Besides them, nobody else understands her fascination with the sun, especially not her strict and demanding parents. Siria’s need to please them is greater than her fear of the dark, and so she heads to the royal city—the very center of the darkness—for a chance at a place in Queen Iyzabel’s court.
But what Siria discovers at the Choosing Ball will send her on a quest that could bring back the Light—or doom the kingdom to shadow forever. Accompanied by a ragtag group of rebels, she sets her course for the North, toward the last vestiges of the sun.
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Let me just say that this book was phenomenal and it was simply amazing. I loved it and enjoyed it a lot. Not enough words can explain how much I truly enjoyed reading it.
The storyline was really easy to follow and the flow of the story was really smooth, so it won’t be complicated to understand what was going on. It was about a girl named Siria and her other companions on their journey to help Siria reach her full power by escaping the Darkness to find the Sun. Along the way, Siria learns a lot about herself, her past, and her power.
It was a story full of beautiful and dangerous adventure. The journey that all the characters had to go through was rough but what makes it wonderful was the fact that they had each other, and when they are together nothing can stop them from reaching their goals. It was good to know that they don’t have to be alone in their struggles.
I liked how the author wrote Siria’s story in this book and showed the truth about who Siria actually is, what she is, her actual past, and everything that has to do with her and her power. There was a lot information to be honest, but it was all important and helped me to understand why the author chose her as the main protagonist of the story and why her role as the savior is the main focus.
As for the plot, it was a very well-written one. I loved how the plot was simple and yet still fantastic in so many ways. The plot was to save Siria and get her to the North so that she can finally embracing her full power as a Sunchild and that would eventually make her powerful enough to defeat the Darkness which was controlled by the villain of the story. The things that never stop surprising me was the twists and turns. As I said earlier, the characters that appeared in this book each have their own story to tell, well…from learning about their past, there was a lot of shocking things I’ve learned.
I was shocked and surprised to know the whole truth about Siria and the other characters—mainly her companions and the villain. It was a jaw-dropping surprises and most of it are just unpredictable, I didn’t see it coming. It was obviously the most clever thing to do. The author put as much surprises as she can into the story to surprise the readers, totally unexpected but most importantly, she succeeded.
The world-building was massive and unique, and I’m actually impressed by this beautiful new fantasy world created by the author. I can see the huge effort that the author put into creating this world. Writing a new fantasy world in details are hard, it wasn’t easy at all but the author managed to create this beautiful world and make it interesting. I can already imagined how beautiful it looks.
I loved the concept of the magic here which are very well-explained in the book. The magic of the Darkness and the magic of the Sun. Those who are evil and corrupted, they controlled the Darkness. As for the Sun, it is the source of power for the Sunchildren (people who were born with the power of the Light). The light vs dark and good vs evil is a very common concept in many books, but I loved how the author use it to symbolize the two different magic in this book and making it appear more interesting. It was all so intriguing to the point it felt so unreal.
The characters in this book are so amazing and each of them have different ability due to not all of them are the same. I wasn’t expecting that at all, I just thought they were all the same before I even started reading this book. What I truly liked the most was how the characters are connected to each other by their past, not by blood because majority of them aren’t blood-related, only Siria and her brother do.
This book just doesn’t stop surprising me, especially learning about the characters’ past because that was one hell of a ride learning the whole truth about everyone, and how one is connected to the other and connected to another and connected to Siria—again, not by blood. It was a wonder how my brain doesn’t explode from that many surprises. I was impressed, so that’s a good sign.
Siria Nightingale, let me take a moment to appreciate how good and unique her name is. Okay, now let’s talk a bit about her. She is without a doubt a powerful protagonist. Look, she doesn’t become powerful all of a sudden, unlike most female protagonist do which is very unrealistic. She was trained by Yarrow and Linden a lot, and there was a lot of scenes in this book that showed her training process and how it was progressing. She’s a very determined person and the effort she put into her training only make her one of the best and one of the most likable female protagonist. She’d been working so hard to get to where she was at the end of the story. I really admired her strength and dedication. Despite being young, she had a lot of things to do and that can be a heavy burden on her, and yet she never complained. She knew what her purpose was and what she should do, so she put all of her focus on it and trained as hard as she can to succeed.
Her journey wasn’t all that easy and that’s why I liked her character a lot because of the rough journey she had to go through and the hardships she had to endured, it made her stronger. It didn’t weaken her but instead it motivates her to work harder so that she can be as strong and powerful as she was born to be. She wasn’t just a lost princess of her long-dead kingdom, but she was also a young warrior who saved the entire world from the darkness. Her journey inspired me in some way, it make me look at success in life differently than I did before. How she was written and developed in this book was solid and on point. That’s all I can say about her.
Linden is Siria’s best friend who’ve been protecting her since the beginning. He lost a lot of people in his life but he gained Yarrow and Siria. Learning about his past and how much he had suffered made me feel sad for him. Despite having to face many obstacles in his life, he never give up hope that better things are coming for him and everyone that has been following the right path. He’s strong and even volunteered to train Siria because she needed to harness her skills and know how to use her power properly. I get why some people thought Linden is a dull character, that he is not interesting, and his only purpose was to become Siria’s love interest. Well, that was from what I’ve seen people said the most about his character. Honestly to me, his purpose is bigger than most people can grasp. He might not be as special as Siria, but he is indeed strong and powerful in his own way that he was able to give Siria a proper training. He wasn’t just there to become Siria’s love interest later on, but he was there to bring Siria to the North, where she can reach her full power. He’d been protecting her from the start, making sure she was safe, and always be the first person to run to her whenever danger was trying to get them. Also, he was smart and there was a scene that proved it (I don’t want to spoil it).
As for the villain, one thing that you should know is that she was introduced early in the story. I didn’t know who the villain was, and when it was time to meet her I was shocked because never once did I ever thought she would become the villain. I thought the woman could be trustworthy and have a kind heart, but no, I was wrong. She was strong and definitely is the hardest challenge Siria had to face. Learning about the vile things she did to become what she is in the present day and to achieved whatever messed up goals she had in her mind made me see the bigger picture of what she truly is. No wonder she was important, and due to her absence for the majority of the book, there wasn’t enough room for her character development as a villain and despite the flaw in her character, I still enjoyed watching her insane act as someone who’d been living with the darkness inside of her for so long that it drove her mad.
Can we please appreciate the friendship between Siria and Linden before they decided to pursue a relationship and become each other’s love interest. Their friendship was really-really wonderful, I really appreciate all the good things coming from their friendship. I know mostly people preferred enemies-to-lovers trope but as a huge fan of the friends-to-lovers trope I’m so happy. I’m happy two see two best friends slowly develop romantic feelings toward one another and to see them slowly fall in love with each other. Most romance in fantasy books can be seen as a weakness, but it was different here. Their love for each other is one of the things that motivates them to become better and stronger so that they can keep each other’s safe and reach the goals they’ve been targeting since the beginning of their journey. They are not each other’s weakness but they are each other’s motivator. Seeing them fight side by side against the bad guys are one of my most favorite moments in the book.
Overall, it was a remarkable story and so interesting too from the beginning until the end. There are so many good and unforgettable moments that made this book phenomenal. I really enjoyed it and the ending was perfect, really fit for the characters after witnessing the obstacles they had to face throughout their journey. I was speechless by how good it was written, I expected it to be an excellent story and I gladly admit that it was beyond my expectation.
A wonderful YA fantasy read! A great adventure and magical
After a huge transformation, Siria is on the run and on the hunt for the truth. The truth about everything. As she comes into her powers, everyone she loves is in danger. Does she have what it takes to defeat the darkness?
Before I get into my review, I want to take a moment to admire and compliment the cover. It’s beautiful and eye catching. This inside is just as beautiful. Decorative illustrations grace the pages. As a reader, I both love and appreciate those little touches.
This was a great read! Adventure and action. The plot was unique and the pacing of the story was good. As a character, Siria grew on me. At first I had trouble connecting with her and didn’t care too much for her. I felt she was a brat. Then as the story went on, I felt myself rooting for her. There’s plenty of conflict and magic to keep you enraged.
As a whole, this story is quite enjoyable. Fans of both YA and fantasy will enjoy this. I enjoyed the authors writing and look forward to reading more from her. I give this 4 stars.
If I could give 1/2 star ratings, I would give this book 3.5 stars.
This is the type of fantasy novel where the journey is the story – all of the trials, obstacles, and roadblocks to the final destination are what changes the characters. Looking at it through this lens, it is a very good book. There is fantastic world-building, the supporting characters are loyal and determined, there is a central quest to try to save the world from darkness, and the main characters grows and comes into her own.
Siria is a teenager who grew up with courtier parents who cared more about their status than their daughter. She is deeply concerned with how people perceive her and with winning the approval of others, so much so that she basically ignores her childhood friend because he is a lower class than her. Her life changes in an instant when she is presented to the Queen, an honor she has been waiting for her whole life. Unbeknownst to her, the Queen wants her dead and everything she’s ever known has been a lie. She sets off on a journey to find family, friend, and the Sun.
This book is very heavily told through Siria’s thoughts. As the story progresses, her thoughts become stronger, more assured, and more confident – this happens with each obstacle and each fight. I know there are some reviewers that find her to be whiney, but I tried to remember that the character is 16 years old, has been sheltered her whole life, has to live with the truth of who is is and the responsibility that carries, and has been lied to by everyone around her. There is a great deal of growth with this character and that’s one of the strongest points of this book.
However, because this book is so heavy on exposition, there isn’t that much action. And what action there is doesn’t have that urgency, that sense of high stakes that you expect in a fantasy novel. This is the reason for a 3.5 star review vs. a 4 star review.
Ultimately, this is a good book and I enjoyed the audiobook narration. However, there are so many excellent books in this genre that you really need to hit on all levels to stand out.
Strong world building meets a heroine with heart and more in an exciting adventure with an intruiguing twist.
Siria Nightingale has grown up with everything a girl could wish for: wealth, friends, and plenty of free space. She’s a princess in her parent’s estate, but one that loves to run around with the gardner and his son. She’s wild and free, and her parents don’t approve. So, when she finally heads off to school and four years later has the chance to be chosen to stand with the royals surrounding the Queen, she’ll do what she can to make her parents proud. But as she stands on the dias, several things become clear. Her red hair will never fit in with the black of everyone else, others will never see her as someone who fits in, and her fear of darkness in a world of black carries a dreadful meaning she’s not ready to face. Siria’s worst nightmare is about to come true—she is the monster the Queen and her parents fear most.
I was looking forward to reading this one, and it is a tale to get lost in. The world in this book is vivid and bold, making it hard not to sink into it. While the blurb makes it clear that darkness reigns and an evil queen will have more than a few thrills throughout the plot, I was surprised (and thrilled) when mages, nymphs, dwarves and more mystical creatures stomped onto the stage. Especially when they blend right into the tale with as much finesse as they did here. These characters alone made this a book with reading, although Siria is an intriguing character in many ways herself.
Siria fits the role of a special snowflake in many ways, and this is something I’m not usually a huge fan of. She has secret, overwhelming strong powers and must learn to wield said powers from nothing. And lets not forget the chosen savior of their world and super strong heroine who can defeat anyone with a wink (if she gets those powers to go work). But her ample rough edges and corners…and a lack of arrogance…keep the cliche aspects from hitting too hard. Plus, she’s got plenty to learn and enough character arc as she’s thrown into a world she’s hated all of her life. I just would have liked to get to know her a little better before her life flipped upside down.
What really makes this book (besides the world) is the side characters. They are rich and bold and simply a treat to accompany. These are what makes Siria an interesting character. Add the darkness to light aspect and an evil witch Queen who is determined to hold on to her power no matter what, and it’s a read to cuddle up with and enjoy.
I received an ARC and enjoyed this adventure quite a bit.
While I was going through NetGalley to find an audiobook, I came across Ignite the Sun. I didn’t even need to read the description, as I knew from the cover it will be a story I’d love. I requested it, and in a few days, I received the audiobook. I began listening to it right away, and I loved it just as soon.
The best thing about the book was by far the worldbuilding. It was rich, complex, and it was pure fantasy. In a kingdom where the darkness ruled, its inhabitants have never seen the Sun. Siria, the only sun child left, has to bring back the Sun and restore the light. How cool is that? Also, the world was full of magical creatures, and each of them had a solid backstory. There wasn’t room for misunderstandings. I also liked that every single character had something to do with the story, and wasn’t brought there only to exist.
The group of rebels that helped Siria go through her journey was round. Every single character had its own believes and mindset, and even if they were so different, they managed to work together and complete their task. I especially liked Elegy as I think she made Siria realize some of the importance of being inclusive and not believing the stereotypes. I adored the romance in this book, as it wasn’t too mild or too extreme. This book is designed to be a stand-alone, but I think there is a fair shot to a sequel. If so, I would love to see more of Siria and Lynden. Their love was sweet and full of hope.
The pacing was great, and I loved listening to the audiobook. I didn’t get bored, and the narrator did a great job. I could have sensed the emotions form her voice, and I enjoyed that.
There were also a few things that I didn’t like about this book. There was no diversity. There were zero POC characters, zero queer representants. The only reason why I gave this book one star instead of zero for the diversity point is because Siria was inclusive. She chose to help Elegy even if she was a banshee. Another thing that annoyed me is that Siria’s brother took the throne of the Kingdom of Light. Siria has been through hell and more to bring back the Sun, and her brother, who has been hiding for the past sixteen years, took the throne. What in Gaia’s name is that Hanna? He did nearly nothing and yet, he took the throne?! On the other hand, their reunion was touching and I almost cried.
Overall, the book was good. It was fast-paced, and it had a solid base. I could see a sequel being released and I would love to read it. I will be mad if the next book isn’t more inclusive.
Ignite the Sun has a really interesting premise. On her sixteenth birthday, a girl discovers that she has special powers. She is a sunchild and the only person who can defeat Queen Iyzabel, the evil witch who has shrouded the kingdom in darkness. Syria travels with a trusted group of companions to unite with the rebels, master her powers, plan the witch’s demise, and bring the sun back to their kingdom. Can Siria and the rebels succeed before it’s too late?
Siria is a richly developed protagonist who begins the story as a young woman who blindly follows the dictates of society. She falls prey to the lies of the Queen, just like everyone else. I like how Siria changes and matures after realizing that what she always believed as truth is a lie. She must reflect on what she believes, face her prejudices, and reevaluate what is most important. Early in the story, revealed secrets bring with them a sense of betrayal, and Siria questions feelings, relationships, and basically everything she knows about her life. She struggles to come to terms with these revelations as well as the revelations about her true identity and her powers.
Witnessing the violent death of an innocent man at the hands of the Queen’s guards serves as a catalyst for Siria. It is after this incident that Siria embraces her gift and realizes how much she can help others. This is such a pivotal moment in her maturation, and it is when Siria sees her potential.
Yarrow helps Siria realize her powers and acts as a mentor, protector, and father-figure throughout the novel. I loved this relationship! Yarrow and Siria have a special bond built on love and trust.
The vivid imagery when describing the setting, major characters, and plot adds depth to the story. This dynamic use of figurative language is not as noticeable with the minor characters, however. A bit more development would lend a depth to the minor characters, especially considering there are magical beings like elves, nymphs, banshees, and more. I wanted to know more about their lives and worlds and experiences and felt this was a missed opportunity.
The friends- to-more-than-friends romance that blossoms is a highlight of the story. I’m a sucker for a good romance, and Siria and Linden’s love story is fantastic! Siria and Linden have been friends since childhood, and their developing feelings are sweet and strong. Unsure of the other’s feelings, they are so awkward and insecure. It is clear to the reader that these two love each other (and not in a friend way), but Siria and Linden have several obstacles in their way, including Siria’s fear of physically harming him with her power, that prevent them from addressing their feelings.
Their love for each other is palpable, and I liked watching them evolve from best friends into something more.
The rich mythology was another highlight of the novel. I enjoyed learning about the history of the kingdom, how and why the kingdom changed from light to darkness, and the mythology of the sun children. Lore about the different magical beings and powers, as well as the history of the Queen, is also fascinating.
Ignite the Sun is a quick-paced coming-of-age story with interesting, magical characters and an immersive plot. The ending did feel a little rushed, and I wish it were developed a bit more, especially considering this is a standalone. That being said, the major characters are deftly-developed and interesting, and the story is action-packed.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Blink for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Ignite the Sun by Hanna Howard is imaginative and thoughtful. It brings to life the dichotomy between light and darkness in a literal way to tell the story of perseverance and hope. As a debut novel, it is good, but it is not without its faults.
Compelling World-Building
Howard did an excellent job with her world-building, using her imagination thoughtfully. There is a range of beings in the novel that give the story an edge, while also remaining unique. There are wood nymphs who are elves, water nymphs who can turn into mermaids, banshees, and most interesting are the fire nymphs.
Howard used her imagination here because she utilized classic creatures but gave them new life. It was interesting to see the water nymph turn her legs into a fin and spend her nights in a floating globe of water, and it was interesting to see Siria turn into a fire nymph.
This allusion to her numerous freckles calling them spots makes her seem like a cheetah, giving her a unique edge. It is something unique, making it enjoyable.
These beings create such a strong connection to the history of the world and the earth in this novel, making it quite enjoyable.
However, what was more interesting were the witches and the mages and how different they were. Mages have their magic inside them and channel them through a relic while witches have to steal their power. It was an exciting sinister edge that further highlighting this dichotomy between and good and evil.
Howard focused on building the world with imagination. There are many details to ground the reader in the story, and it has a vibrancy. It is such an easy novel to visualize, and the way Howard trickles in bits of history here and there gives the story a strong foundation while also keeping the tension and pacing steady.
Storytelling and Characterization
As exciting as the story is, again, it is not without its flaws. As a debut novel, it is good, but Howard relies too much on tropes and clichés to give her story its footing. Siria falls into those tropes quickly. She is the “chosen one,” and many of those “chosen one” tropes create many clichés in the story, unfortunately.
While she does go on this incredible journey and grows as a character, it is difficult to be invested in her because she comes off as a spoiled princess. Yes, her world has been turned upside down and everything she knows is a lie and an evil witch is trying to kill her, but her tone is off-putting and makes it hard to connect to her.
That said, she does grow as a character, and the dynamics grow with her. These are some noteworthy characters and they all have strong personalities that blend in well together. The way they push each other forces them all to be better.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately Ignite the Sun is an exciting story. It has such a fabulous imagination behind it, highlights the magic in the world, and how it can be warped while also showing readers this battle between light and darkness. While clichés do give the story its foundation, it does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the novel.