ldquo;Anyone can start a fire. The problem is what happens after." This second book in Munda's Aurelian Cycle is as swift and sure as the first (Fireborne, 2019). In Callipolis, Lee and Annie have begun a budding romance, but things aren't easy between them. Lee, reeling from betrayal and flameshock (i.e., PTSD), is drawn into the Passi, an underground group protesting the unequal distribution of rations during the famine. He no longer supports Atreus' noble vision--not when it still draws deep divisions between people. Annie is similarly conflicted. As Firstrider, she's sworn to protect, but what does that mean between leading the war against New Pythos and suppressing the one growing at home? In New Pythos, Griff, a lowborn Norcian dragonrider, serves as squire to cruel dragonlord Ixion because he has no choice. When chance brings him into Annie's orbit, they hatch a plot to end the war and free Griff's people. Parallels between totalitarian New Pythos and Callipolis, which overthrew tyranny only to institute their own brand of class injustice, are razor-sharp, highlighting the complexity in building a morally just system. Munda balances nuanced political intrigue and subtle characterizations with thrilling scenes of battle and heartbreaking moments of love and sacrifice. Ending with a series of intense cliff-hangers, this volume will leave readers breathless for more.

With war on the horizon and civil unrest brewing at home, what options are left for the dragonriders of Callipolis? Picking up where Fireborne (2019) left off, the dragonlords are eager to start their siege of Callipolis while the Guardians struggle with famine and unrest on their own shores. As Firstrider, Antigone sur Aela is responsible for leading the charge, but with her best rider, Lee sur Pallor, suffering from flameshock, she must change her strategy. As things unfold, Lee and other riders begin to ask questions: Hunger, rationing, and withheld information make them wonder if maybe the rebels are right. In New Pythos, the old regime's dragons have sparked and are ready for war. But will the cruelty of the dragonlords push the humble-riders to rebel? Can the Guardians and the humble-riders work together to build something new? Class rather than race is significant in Callipolis; those who test into Gold or Silver have resources that Bronze and Iron classes can never dream of. While framed as equity, this doesn't sit well with those who remember what came before and is the catalyst for unrest. Point-of-view chapters show complexities, provoking readers to think. In addition to the central will-they, won't-they love story, there is a lovely subplot with a same-sex, cross-class romance. Exciting aerial battles, political machinations, and a bit of romance make this hard for readers to put down. (author's note) (Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.