Parents' Guide to

Flamefall: The Aurelian Cycle, Book 2

By Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Complex dragon-fantasy sequel has intrigue, excitement.

Book Rosaria Munda Fantasy 2021
Flamefall: The Aurelian Cycle, Book 2 Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

FLAMEFALL tells the stories of Annie, Lee, and Griff in the aftermath of a revolution that exiled the dragonlords of Callipolis to the island of New Pythos. Thanks to Lee's sacrifice, Annie is now Firstrider, leader of the Guardians who must protect Callipolis against retaliation from the dragonlords. But food shortages and civil unrest may mean Annie will have to protect the people of Callipolis from themselves, and from an unjust government, too. Now second in command of the Guardians, Lee is traumatized by a recent duel in which he killed, and he freezes up whenever he rides his dragon Pallor into a fight. He's also angry at the unjust distribution of food and resources under the very government he's supposed to protect. Will he abandon the Guardians and join the new revolutionaries as they start to take more drastic, and more dangerous, action? Griff is the servant of a sadistic master on New Pythos. Griff and other low-born people like him are forced to ride muzzled dragons to both defend New Pythos and attack Callipolis. Griff wants to be free of the dragonlords as much as his dragon Sparker wants to be freed from the muzzle. So he strikes a bargain with Annie to bring the dragonlords down in an act almost too horrible to think about. When the moment comes, will he be able to make himself do what it takes?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This dragon-fantasy follow-up volume continues to successfully combine classic elements like dragons, dystopia, government intrigue, civil unrest, and romance. Dragon fans should note that in Flamefall, dragons aren't characters who speak but are more like horses that form a psychic bond with their chosen rider. Reading Fireborne first is recommended, or else readers may find the characters, places, and story confusing. As in the first volume, author Rosaria Munda creates complex, relatable characters and keeps the pages turning with even more intense dragon battles, political intrigue, romance, and plenty of surprises along the way. It also provides food for thought about power, especially compared with inner strength; about how people become powerful; and, most important, what they do with the power they have. It ends on a real cliffhanger that will have readers eager for the next volume.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Annie, Lee, and Griff as role models in Flamefall. What are their character strengths and weaknesses? Who was your favorite character, and what did you like about them?

  • Dragon fantasies have been popular for ages. What do we love about them? Do you have a favorite kind of dragon, or favorite dragon character?

  • What are some of the ways characters try to bring justice and equality to Callipolis and New Pythos? Are there right or wrong solutions? Which do you think have the best chance of succeeding?

Book Details

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