Flameborne: Chosen

Emberquell Academy #1

by Aimee Lynn

Flameborne is a slow-burn, mythical-world romantasy perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing, and Sarah J. Maass's ACOTAR series—in which one broken woman and her dragon wage war with centuries-old tradition and the men who uphold it.

They all expect her to fall. Only one man believes she can fly.

Lowborn Bren never imagined she'd meet a dragonfury face-to-face. But when Ruin, her first love and a newly raised Furyknight, is sent on his first mission, Bren leaves the safety of her family's farm and stumbles through the night to surprise and farewell him. Instead, she discovers her lover's betrayal.

Shamed, broken, and reeling, Bren climbs the Dragonmaw cliffs to end her life, only to be saved—and bonded—by a dragon.

Now, as the first ever female Flameborne, Bren must earn her place among the Furyknights, a hallowed, all-male society of dragon riders. Her mere existence is the breach of centuries-old tradition. Yet, when the dragons embrace her, the men have no choice but to watch and wait for her to go up in flames.

Her only willing ally is the fabled Battle Commander, Donavyn Arsen. Donavyn knows dragons don’t make mistakes. He agrees to train Bren in secret to prepare her for the Trials. But with so many hours alone, the pair’s mutual respect deepens into something more.

Something forbidden.

The #1 bestselling serial author, Aimee Lynn, ignites a fierce new world in which a broken young woman must find the strength to claim love—and a future no one believed she'd survive.

Triggers and Tropes Romantasy with spice, dragons and dragon rider romance, fated mates, forbidden love, fantasy academy romance, touch her and die, forced proximity, weak-to-strong female lead, age gap, slow burn, and much, much more!

*****

Genre and Series This Emberquell Academy duet is a romantasy book for adults / romantasy with spice (though the first volume is slow burn.) These romantic dragon books are brimming with forbidden love storylines, "Who did this to you?" and a female lead who grows from weak to strong.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Slow Burn, Young Adult

417 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 21, 2025

About the author

Aimee Lynn was born in Oregon and grew up in New Zealand. She dreamed of being a novelist from the age of seven, but as a Gen-Xer, was informed it wasn’t a realistic career. Instead, she went to college to be a journalist and (very realistically) never completed her degree. It wasn’t until her mid-thirties, after a marriage, a corporate career, and a family, that she rediscovered the joy she’d found in writing fiction. Now, she thanks God for giving her a husband whose love inspires romance, and who isn’t threatened by Jason Momoa.

Reviews

[Haleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could've been higher.

I must preface I am 100000% atheist. HOWEVER, I don't mind references to "gods/higher beings/etc" in books USUALLY. I even love quite a few books with religion as a main plot line, as it can be extremely interesting when used correctly. In this one however, we are just told "God is the Creator and we must follow the plan he lays for us" WITHOUT ANY OTHER SUBSTANCE. It's giving *Christian propaganda*. Like it didn't do a deep dive into the belief system or even a mini dive. It was just that line. Over and over again. "Trust the creator" "God puts us in our path and we must follow it without question" "Do you think God would put you here if it wasn't for a reason" Basically, imagine the song "mother knows best" from tangled, but change the word mother to God or The Creator.

Moving on, the dragons were cute, and I appreciated the fact that it was actually a slow burn, though when it comes to the relationship building its minimal. Very "I want her, but I can't have her not cause she's 20 years my junior but because I'm her superior and it'll make me look bad". It's also pretty guaranteed they're "soulmates" along with their dragons even though the author tried to "make it suspenseful" its just too obvious.

The plot was slow moving and had many many many time skips. *2 months later* *1 month later*.

The MMC is okay. He didn't do anything *bad* necessarily, but also the age gap and how he references her is just.....a little odd. He treats her as if she is a child though he repeatedly tells other people she's not.

The FMC has obviously been though a lot, and I liked the attempt at character depth. However, we don't really learn much of her past, other than small snippets when she's having episodes. It never really came all together.

What we did learn of the world is everything I'd expect of such a Christian society. Women are to be seen, but not heard. They're there for men's entertainment, but they must also somehow remain pure in the process. if you aren't pure you're demeaned and brutalized by men. There was so much emphasis at the beginning when she showed up about "where to put her" because "Men have urges and they might not be able to control themselves which is why all the women who work here are kept in specific places away from them" to the point that the first scene with the "honor bound men protecting the country" was dozens of them cornering her like she was a piece of meat because they "just couldn't help themselves". Basically, women are seen as weak things to use and abuse and discard and belittle when they're done.

I did like the side characters, but we didn't get much info on them either. The dragons were definitely the best part, but they too were obsessed with "God is the Creator".

And finally, as I'm writing this I've determined there was much more I disliked then liked, so I'm actually lowering my star rating from where I first started. 😂😂🥲

[Anastasia Beaverhausen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christian romance. 0% spice

Favorite subject matter (dragons) but tainted by the 20 year age gap & constant God stuff.
I guess I didn’t realize this was a Christian romantasy. I would give it 2⭐️ for the sprained eyeballs at the every other page of incessant God stuff but, the writing is quite good & I love dragons. That being said, it’s just another space that’s being invaded by constant forced religion, including normalizing/romanticizing a 19 yo (almost 20) FMC & a 40 yo MMC. There is 0% chance a 19yo is attracted to a 40yo and it gives the ICK even though the MMC is portrayed as a competent and kind character. He never once questions the age gap as problematic other than how it will negatively change HIS position/image/reputation as her “superior” in the hierarchy. He’s insensitive/uncaring of the fact that she could get herself confidence & prior trauma regulated and date someone HER OWN AGE.
The FMC is what you’d expect from a Christian romance. Poor, unloved by her family, feels inferior, has been SA’d, and looking for anywhere to fit in. No self actualized teen or almost 20 something would see her 40yo commander as anything other than predatory or a platonic father figure.

Spoiler: The book ends with their 2nd kiss on a kind of fade to black deal. Despite this, while shallow, the dragon subject matter is a bonus for dragon lovers who are looking for uncomplicated plot, fewer characters, and an easy to follow writing style.

It’s not terrible, but I won’t be reading the next book as I don’t want to be taken out story of my leisure time reading experience by constant proselytizing.

[Joanna Beach · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5⭐️ I thought this book was going to be really good but I was disappointed. When the synopsis reads “readers of fourth wing will love this book” it should really say if you like fourth wing, read it’s religious zealot step cousin. A lot of the school structure was the same including some of the squadron names like fang and wing, but also wing leaders. It was quite annoying that the world was so similar yet they didn’t do enough world building of their own. Who was this enemy they were talking about, why is war coming, what is the conflict, do the others have dragons?
Also, can we talk about the 20 year age gap between the love interests!?! I’m okay with an age gap book, but to not discuss it at all especially when they live normal life spans and we aren’t dealing with some immortal fae that are older but still look 19. I just found it odd that it wasn’t mentioned. Not to mention her obvious history with abusive relationships both with her family and her previous partner. FMC get SAd then starts dating her superior officer that’s also 20 years older than her???? Talk about unhealthy. This book should end with her getting the therapy she needs and deserves.
I don’t mind when books have references to god(s) old new or whatever. Usually it adds to the book and the background of the world, but you could tell this author was VERY religious. Mentioning god and his plan but not giving any context to who is this god, what is their goal? All the dragons and people would just say we must follow His plan/all will be revealed just feels very Christian propaganda. If you’re going to have religion in a fantasy book you have to give it more instead of putting real world religion where it doesn’t fit.
The writing was also bad and it really needed to be checked again for spelling mistakes and sentence structure. Will not read the rest of the series.

[Hannah]

Dnf at 30%. The start of this book was strong but as the book went on it drug on. It wasn’t even that long of a book. We weren’t getting a lot about the dragons and more about the military aspect of the book. Which didn’t interest me. Also the book was boring. So for those reasons I couldn’t finish this book. But I’m glad if you like this book. Just wasn’t for me.

[Anaya Duncan · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNFd at 62% - this review is basically a stream of consciousness regarding all the things that crossed my mind as I attempted to read this story. Be warned lol.

As an avid romantasy reader, I wanted to like this book; I really did. But while the pieces / foundation are there for a great, compelling story, it just ultimately falls flat (for me).

First and foremost, I am never really a fan of age gaps when it comes to human with human romances, my preferred cap is like 6 years - and once it gets to 8-10 I am definitely actively burying my discomfort. So this TWENTY year age gap is a lot and honestly seems so unnecessary. And to be clear a 50 year old man plotting on a 30 year old woman wouldn’t be my first choice either - but I’d take it everyday of the week over a 39 year old and 19 year old. Like seriously?!? It’s just really uncomfy :(

As for the FMC, she doesn’t really seem to have a clear like personality. She’s naive and stubborn enough to chase a man through the woods all night before he ships out, and to also talk back / out of turn to the highest ranking official and also just straight up disobey orders; but is also apparently meek and afraid and doesn’t see value in herself. Not to mention, We only get these like half glimpses into her past with her betrayed lover and also her dads reaction to the loss of her maidenhood, but we otherwise have no clear details as to why she’s absolutely terrified of men. This can be both confusing and frustrating as a reader. It’s hard to cheer for her and her decision making. Also, I find it kind of odd, but like, we never got a description of her, right? ?? Like we see the little illustration before her chapters, but like is she tall or petite? Slender of curvy? What color are her eyes? Does she have black her or brown? It’s possible I missed this, but I just remember her disheveled state being described, not her features, when MMC first lays eyes on her.

There’s A TON of religious pretense - which is fine and common in these books - but it’s truly like coming in every other 5th line in the book. And with no exposition of details on the religion. It very much gives when a parent says “because I said so” instead of actually providing any plot forwarding information or character development devices.

This might significantly change - idk bc I DNFd at page 256 - but like, this is a war college / academy and she has like no friends at all? Has a whole squadron the author went through the effort of introducing us to and naming / describing for us readers twice, just for her to spend like zero time with them?

Not to mention there’s been no mention of what / who we are fighting in the war. Do they also have dragons?! For someone who took 2 months before they could test for their flying assessment, she sure is mighty determined to get out to the dangerous war front of all places - makes me think she don’t really know anything about the war either.


I’m sure many of my above questions perhaps get answered later on, but alas, I will not be on that journey!
Honestly, if the age gap wasn’t so off putting for me, I might actually have finished it. But on top of the other things I didn’t care for, my dislike of that lead me to realize this book may not be for me!

[britta ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf 52% started out a fun fantasy page turner but got bogged down with the boring training scenes, Christianity and timidity/cowering of the FMC

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I made it as far as him saying he’s almost 40 and her saying she’s 19/20. Would it kill someone to make her like 25 and more acceptable of an age gap!!

[Krista Jimenez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a true duet, it will be left with no ending until next year when the other "duet" will come out. I fished both books in this "duet" and while I truly enjoyed everything about the story I am very upset with the fact that it is not complete at all. I always wait for fantasy books to all come out before I start them because I like to read the story all at once with no cliffhangers. Since it said it was a completed duet I went ahead and read them thinking it would be like crowns of nyaxia, duets with completed stories as part of a bigger fantasy world but it is not like that. If you are good with waiting for books to finish I think this is a good series. First book has no spice but 2nd has multiple scenes if you're into that. I never really cared so doesn't bother me when a book has or doesn't have but I know some people only read books that include it. I can see why people think it's a Christian book based on the dragons always saying believe in "the creator" but I feel like it's more like wolf shifters always talking about the "moon goddess" and to trust her judgments. Overall I really liked the story and the characters but wished I would have known to wait to read till all books are out because I read too many books a year to actually remember what these books were about by the time the next "duet" comes out and at that point I'll probably wait even longer just in case she left it with no end for more "duets"

[Minni Mouse]

DNF at 5% because something about this book and the writing gave me the ick. I think the moment I saw the formatting of each chapter as well as how the first paragraph opened in the middle of a scene, I knew it was going to be rough. And despite what some of the reviews say, no, I could tell by the profanity in the first chapter that this certainly isn’t a Christian book.

[BigRed · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars entirely for the fairly ok dragon yarn but it’s badly edited, the FMC is such a drainer (her poor dragon) and it’s filled with Christian propaganda. Overall I’d call this: Christian Temu Fourth Wing

[Holli Jackowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.25)

Flameborne Chosen offers a compelling introduction to its heroine, a woman caught between her own fragility and fierce determination. I appreciated how the story frames her as both vulnerable and resilient, someone who feels heartbreak and despair yet still manages to burn brightly against the odds. Her dynamic with the “brotherhood” of men she’s thrust among was one of the book’s strongest elements—rather than constant conflict, the tension was often internal, shaped by her expectations of rejection in a male-dominated world. I also enjoyed how Donovan, the primary male lead, mirrored her struggles with self-doubt while still embodying the moral compass of the group, making their push-and-pull dynamic engaging to follow. The dragons, with their wit, wisdom, and playful bond with their riders, added a vibrant layer to the worldbuilding and hinted at a deeper culture still to be revealed.

That said, the book struggled with pacing and structure. The arcs didn’t always land cleanly, and the ending felt more like a pause in a serialized drama than the conclusion of a novel. While I usually enjoy multiple POVs, here I felt the heavy early focus on Donovan detracted from fully grounding us in the heroine’s perspective. Her recurring panic attacks and fractured memories of past trauma were evocative but underdeveloped, leaving her backstory and growth less impactful than they could have been. With more clarity and focus, especially in exploring how her past informs her present, the emotional weight of the story could have been stronger.

Overall, Flameborne Chosen reads like a rough but enjoyable indie novel. It moves quickly, the characters are easy to root for, and the interplay between humans, dragons, and the trials ahead is intriguing. While its execution is uneven—particularly in pacing and character depth—the book still delivers enough charm, heart, and promise to keep me turning pages. For fans of dragonrider fantasy looking for a lighter, less polished but still engaging entry into the genre, this lands as a solid three-star read.

[McKenzie On The Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are missing Fourth Wing and want something similar this is definitely for you! The first book has very little romance to it and is more about overcoming obstacles but the tension is definitely there.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

im a sucker for a dragon rider story so this book had me entertained at some parts, but others had me incredibly irritated or bored.

love the dragons!! i like the concept of the world/dragon war academy. i even like bren at some points and i think her development was decent! however, the pacing of the story was unbearably slow at some parts but then there were sudden major time skips that were explained away as “training”, but really was just skipping any time bren wasn’t interacting directly with the commander.

i guess this was meant to be a primarily romance book but it was disappointing to see virtually no character/relationship development between bren and anyone not the main romantic interest. the romantic chemistry fell flat (prediction: they’re connected by fate or destiny or soul bonds or whatever, which honestly feels like the only way to explain why these characters are even interested in each other).

just found out on the goodreads summary that this is meant to be only a duet which is very surprising and leaves me doubting book 2 will deliver a satisfying end and tie up all the loose ends (because there is a fair amount of them) but i will remain hopeful.

mayyyybe a 2.5/5? (the additional .5 is hope for the second book)

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is a very good first book in a new dragon romantasy series featuring the first female dragon rider cadet at the Emberquell Academy. Bren starts the book out as a lowborn country girl dating a newly raised Furyknight, the famous dragon riders that serve and protect the kingdom. She sneaks out of her house to say goodbye to him before he leaves on a mission, but discovers his betrayal. Embarassed and ashamed she throws herself off a mountain but is saved and bonded with a young dragon. Everyone that bonds with a dragon must go through the dragonfury Trials and if successful, will become a Furyknight.

No woman has ever bonded with a dragon before, let alone become a Furyknight. Almost everyone is against her joining the group, and almost no one believes she will be successful. Battle Commander, Donavyn is willing to give her a chance because he knows that dragons don't make mistakes. A unit leader agrees to let Bren join their crew and help her through the trials. It takes her awhile to earn their respect, but she's brave, strong, independent, and determined to make it.

Unfortunately, she's also been treated badly by almost everyone in her past and her wounds run deep. These wounds continually interfere with her ability to trust people, especially men, and interfere with all of her relationships. Donavyn agrees to secretly train Bren and as they get closer, feelings begin to develop. Both of them fight them and stay away from each other, but it's just a matter of time before they give in.

This was a fun book to read and I especially love how big of a role the dragons play in the story. There is plenty of action and I loved the academy setting. There is always a golden retriever that follows the female MC around, and there is always a villain, or villains, that make her life a living hell just because they can. We have all that here and more, plus a little bit of spice to boot.

I received a complimentary audio of this book from Simon Maverick and all opinions are my own. The narrators did a fantastic job with the characters in the book. Troy Duran's voice is amazing and he portrayed Donavyn with such a sexy voice. You could feel Donavyn's stress, determination, and desire with every word. He also did a great job distinguishing all the other male characters in the book from each other. Marcella Black did a great job with Bren and all the other female voices. You could feel Bren's determination and vulnerability through Marcella's voice.

[Kemper of the Stacks · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was terrible

Summary:
Flameborne sets out to be a fantasy romance but struggles to balance its elements. While the concept of fated mates could have added depth, the execution feels rushed and underdeveloped.
Strengths:
• The writing style is smooth and easy to read.
• Readers who enjoy instant attraction and mate-bond dynamics may find the romance appealing.
Criticism:
• No World-Building: The kingdom and realm are barely described. There’s no sense of geography, culture, or political intrigue, leaving the fantasy setting feeling empty.
• Romance Without Foundation: The main characters sleep together almost immediately, with no shared experiences or challenges to build a believable emotional connection. Their bond relies solely on being “mates,” which feels shallow.
• Overused Miscommunication Trope: The central conflict hinges on misunderstandings rather than meaningful stakes, making the drama feel forced.
• Missed Potential for Action: There’s little to no depiction of battles, quests, or external challenges that could have enriched the story and strengthened the characters’ relationship.
Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for a fantasy novel with rich lore and adventure, Flameborne will likely disappoint. It reads more like a romance with a thin fantasy veneer than an epic tale. Fans of deep world-building and layered character development may want to look elsewhere.

[Cierra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had higher expectations for this book considering the author so badly wants it to be what fourth wing is. I feel like this was published straight to Amazon without a proofreader or a final edit; there are inconsistencies and many instances of bad grammar and punctuation. I would have loved to learn more about the world we are in and how society functions, but we only get life inside the academy.
I began the book thinking the author was working through some religious trauma, though that doesn't seem the case, however there's plenty of internalized (and externalized) misogyny to go around. I enjoyed many of the characters and the trials, tribulations, and development the FMC endured but think we could've delved more into her past.
Generally, I don't have a problem with age gap romances when done tastefully. However, this one started out inappropriate with a power imbalance and the MMC having to remind himself she isn't a child in a way that I can only describe as 'yucky'. I felt the romance would've been better suited with one of her squad mates, but it appears the dynamic between academy mates (student and superior alike) is to be sibling-esque instead of team.
The story got marginally better from beginning-to-end so I don't think I will be pursuing the second of the duet, nor any of this authors other works.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bren fell for an asshole who used & discarded her. Her parents reject her because she is no longer "pure". With no where left to go she thinks her only choice is to end it, but at the last second changes her mind, but she slips anyways and is saved by a dragon who claims her. She is the first female to be claimed by a dragon and that upsets the men. She has such low self esteem and zero trust in men. She does make good strides at the academy, but always expects the worst form everyone around her and of herself. And this does not really improve much. She has a very slow burn romance with the Battle Commander, no spice (kissing only)

It was ok, I enjoyed parts of it, but Bren needed some more character growth, she was still very much woe is me, everyone hates me and is out to destroy me, even toward the end of the book. Hopefully she grows more in the next book.

[Amy :) · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a Christian wattpad version of fourth wing, with a celibate dragon, then this is for you!

That was simply not a good book. The age gap paired with the power imbalance was very disturbing and took me out of the book every single time something happened between the 2 main characters. I dont mind either of these tropes, but there is definitely a right and wrong way to go about it, and this book missed the mark on all accounts. Theres also a lot of victim blaming and shaming from Donavyn, to the point where i will not read the other books bc he disgusts me. I would give it 1/2 star but the side characters made me laugh a few times.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ and more - what a brilliantly beautiful, yet albeit straightforward story. Loved the two main characters, Bren and Donovyn. Just a nice easy “she’s meant to be a dragon rider and is the first female ever to do so” kinda story. Loved that Donovyn (and mostly everyone else tbh) wasn’t an a-hole. Everyone had a solid set of morals (FOR THE MOST PART HAHA) and they ultimately wanted the best for everyone who rode a dragon and worked in a team. Handling their first female was done with more grace than I’d expected and I loved it. Loved the dragons, loved Bren’s team she worked with and I loved her development over time. Can’t wait to read the next.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️, but dragons are 5 ⭐️ so rounding up

The dragons in this story are amazing. The world building is excellent, and the story is action-packed. I get a little bit annoyed with Bren because she's always so down on herself, but hoping that the confidence she's gaining that will change in the next book. My only other thing is that I'm not a huge fan of 15+ years age difference between the main characters. It doesn't hurt the story, just a preference thing.

[shelby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like for a fantasy this really lacked the world building for the society and belief system it was set in, it felt rushed yet drawn out at the same time. Also I found both the FMC and the MMC insufferable half the time and their internal monologues were just a bit too much for me it felt so repeated every time. Had such high hopes after seeing this on KU but it just wasn’t for me at all.

[Carmen Tudic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the relationship between the riders and dragons! I enjoyed seeing Bren grow in confidence and loved how her squad rallied behind her. Loved that her dragon was so supportive, loved the backing of Donovan and his dragon. Can’t wait to read the next in series.

[Addilynn Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

a mix of some things being explained too much to the point I skipped paragraphs because it felt like I was rereading the same information over again and things that were explained enough. theres a lot of glossing over and using snippets of memories to provide suspense but it feels like its not fully plotted out. also the excessive God references is annoying. I dont mind deity use in books, but this was beating a deaf horse. I enjoyed the general plot though. the dragons and brothers are great characters.

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a slowwww burn romantasy.
I admit I am still on the fence about the FMC. But I still really enjoyed the angst, the adventure and of course, the dragons

[Tonya Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was riveted

Fantastic book! Although, I'm really glad I waited until the second book was out. I'm about to download it now!!

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dragons 100% made this book they were not side characters. I really enjoyed the tension and the found family.

[**Manjula ♥ Books** · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting to like this so much. The beginning was slow but once it started going I couldn’t put it down.

[Olyvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i could not stop

Are you ready for this slow burn strong fmc traumatized and learning to love her new life omg I love this book instantly starting on the second one

[jossy · Rating 1 out of 5]

A temu version of Fourth Wing… but even worse than that?

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

dragons, yes. riders, yes. trials, yes. angst, yes. audiobook, 💯🔥 this is a great start to the series. character development. ❤️‼️❤️‍🔥🐉