This is the story of a girl who fooled a thousand boys, a boy who fooled an entire country, a partnership that would change the fate of realms, and a power to challenge the greatest tyrant the world had ever known. Expect magic. – Sherry Thomas, The Burning Sky
Let me take a deep breath before I even begin with this series. Oh boy.
If you’re a fan of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter franchise, then you might fall in love with Sherry Thomas’s Elemental series. In fact, I loved it so much that I bought an audiobook from the series and I listen to it at work (Shhh, don’t tell my boss). This book is full of plot twists, deception and magic. You’ll want to dedicate a lot of time for this page-turner of a story.
In Sherry Thomas’s novel The Burning Sky, two mages are thrust into a cruel and unforgiving destiny. One, possibly the greatest elemental mage of her generation. The other, a Prince with dangerous knowledge. With the fate of the realm resting on their shoulders, falling in love was the last thing they intended.
If you weren’t happy about my last review lacking romance, then you’re in for a treat tonight. Take a seat and join me while I regale you with my experience reading this riveting novel.
At its core, this novel is a romance first and a fantasy second. While the magical aspect and world-building are spot on, readers might be distracted by the passion in Thomas’s writing. After all, she is more known for her romance titles like Not Quite a Husband and Tempting the Bride. Still, her Elemental series marks her growth into other genres.
Our first protagonist is a miss Iolanthe Seabourne, an elemental mage with outstanding potential. Despite her reservations, she is destined to fight the Bane and bring peace to the realm. And who told her about her so-called destiny? Our second protagonist: Prince Titus, the Master of the Domain. You can tell where this set up is going, yes?
The first couple chapters were actually pleasant. I didn’t have to force myself to keep reading. Before I knew it, I was five chapters deep in this magical adventure. The plot moved very quickly in the beginning, however I think it helped the plot rather than hinder it.
What I loved about these two was the thick tension between them. They don’t start off friends. In fact, Iolanthe is practically strong-armed into the sort of “this is your destiny” trope. Normally, this would turn me off, but Thomas fiddles with this common theme in a different manner. While Iolanthe tries to fight her way out, Titus does everything he can to stay in line (how very “princely” of him). Despite how they clash, you can’t help but empathize with both sides.
Not to mention they low-key flirt every chance they get. Remember, it’s a romance first and foremost and fantasy second.
The plot itself isn’t unique by any means, but Thomas has some tricks up her sleeve to keep you interested. Iolanthe has to go into hiding while the Bane, our primary villain throughout the series, scavenges the land for her. She assumes the identity of Fairfax, a student at an all-boys school. Cue the awkward “I have to hide my breasts” scene. That part made me laugh harder than I want to admit. Humorously enough, she acts more boyishly than Titus most of the time, but that helps further flesh out the two of them as separate characters. There’s a sort of fragile innocence between Iolanthe and Titus that makes their destiny all the more cruel.
Thomas skillfully combines the world of mages and nonmages together. It’s similar to Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, in which magical occurrences are happening right beneath our noses. Did I forget to mention this all takes place in England? I swear, there’s something about England that draws in magical themes. I love Thomas’s world-building, although at times she can go a little overboard with the exposition.
By itself, nothing drastic really happens in The Burning Sky. It’s more a set-up for The Perilous Sea and The Immortal Heights, its sequels. The series, ultimately spanning three books, is totally worth the read if you’re not too distracted by the romance.
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