Series Review: Aurelian Cycle by Rosaria Munda

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for Fireborne (from Goodreads):

Annie and Lee were just children when a brutal revolution changed their world, giving everyone–even the lowborn–a chance to test into the governing class of dragonriders.

Now they are both rising stars in the new regime, despite backgrounds that couldn’t be more different. Annie’s lowborn family was executed by dragonfire, while Lee’s aristocratic family was murdered by revolutionaries. Growing up in the same orphanage forged their friendship, and seven years of training have made them rivals for the top position in the dragonriding fleet.

But everything changes when survivors from the old regime surface, bent on reclaiming the city.

With war on the horizon and his relationship with Annie changing fast, Lee must choose to kill the only family he has left or to betray everything he’s come to believe in. And Annie must decide whether to protect the boy she loves . . . or step up to be the champion her city needs.

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Fave 2023
Author: Rosaria Munda
Series: Aurelian Cycle
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, High Fantasy, Romance, Action, Dragons
Heat Rating: cool
Point of View: First Person, Alternating (#1), Multiple (#2-3)
Publication Dates: October 2019 – August 2022
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I was looking for a new audiobook series to binge at my library and the covers for this series just kept calling to me. And once I read the synopsis, it just sounded great! So I put my holds on each book and eagerly awaited the day I could read them.

The Concept / The World:

While I’ve read books with similar worlds and plotlines, this one still managed to feel fresh to me. I found this world very easy to get into and navigate. I loved the idea of dragons but I also liked that they weren’t the main focus either. There are a lot of politics as well which I always enjoy in my novels. It’s just a rich, well crafted setting.

The Plot:

I’ll admit I wasn’t overly impressed with Fireborne (#1), but as I got closer to the end, I quickly realized that there was more at play than I anticipated and I quickly got sucked into this story.

Sure, there are dragons (and the entire system of that is definitely awesome), but if you took those away, you see the heart of this story is how far are people willing to go to achieve freedom. Do you fight from within, by playing by the rules of your oppressors? Or do you outright rebel? How and should to you fight something you’ve been conditions to obey since birth? It really challenges these characters and I loved watching that struggle unfold.

The Characters:

I honestly loved all our characters – even the ones I think I was supposed to “hate”. I truly grew so attached to not only the lead characters but also to the side characters as well. Everyone had great character development throughout the series. I might not always like their choices but I loved watching them learn from that.

The Romance:

While not the focus, it does enhance the plot and drama in the perfect ways. It never distracts but I definitely was obsessed with all of the romances.

My Audiobook Experience:

It was a great production and I think it really helped me to connect more with the characters by hearing their emotions.

Series Rating: 4/5

Fireborne 3.5/5 | Flamefall 4/5 | Furysong 5/5

This story just always kept building and growing. With great characters, a twisting plotline where no one seems to be safe and the right dash of romance, this was a great series!

Read if You Like: fantasy, action, world building
Avoid if You: dislike fantasy, violence