Marked for Fire

In the war-ravaged kingdom of Verne, where volcanic ash cloaks jagged peaks and obsidian fortresses, only those who survive the brutal Trials of Ash in a cratered wasteland can bond with dragons. Freya Veyne, a 19-year-old healer with a rare joint disorder, never dreamed of becoming a dragon rider. Her fragile body with near-constant knee pain forces her to rely on fierce intellect and cunning. But when her hidden fire magic is exposed during a village raid, she's thrust into the Dragonrider Academy, a gritty, dark academic world of high-stakes training and deadly rivalries. As Verne faces an invasion from a neighboring empire wielding forbidden blood magic, Freya bonds with Sylva, a cunning dragon with a fiery temper and cryptic motives. Sparks fly with Dren Thalor, a brooding but clever and cunning rider from a disgraced clan with electrifying and unforgettable storm-blue eyes. His secret rebel ties complicate his enemies-to-lovers story arc. Together, they must protect the kingdom from all threats, including the ubiquitous blood mages. Freya's fire magic, tied to the empire's blood magic, makes her a target—and a potential weapon. Marked for Fire blends spicy romantasy and intense dragon battles, with a morally gray exploration of loyalty, power, and potential betrayal. With relentless pacing, this illustrated tale of identity and ethics is tailor-made for BookTok hype and dragon-story fans craving steamy tension and epic stakes.