Iron-Bound Flames by Melanie K. Moschella: A Spoiler Free Review
Working Title: A Heartfelt Story with Escapist Vibes from a Debut Author
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I’ve been diligently reading my stack of signed books purchased at Chicago’s Romantasy Fest, and today I’m happy to introduce you all to the first installment of the Raek Riders Series. Iron-Bound Flames by Melanie K. Moscella is the book for all of you out there who enjoyed the dragons in Fourth Wing but felt the violent worldbuilding bordered on unrealistic. Moschella’s easy-to-read writing and perfect pacing means everyone who grew up reading Eragon, Wings of Fire, Dragon Rider, or Dealing with Dragons will devour these books with the same vibe—but adult themes— with the burning intensity of Raek fire.
As a fan of all of the books just mentioned, I adored Iron-Bound Flames and can’t wait to find out what happens next. Even better, unlike a certain fantasy author who writes about dragons but never bothered to let us know what happened once winter arrived, the entire series is already published.
Iron-Bound Flames is the story of an educated but otherwise ordinary kitchen maid in the king’s castle named Meera Hailship. In a moment fueled by her intense compassion for all living creatures, she volunteers to feed the King’s captured raek, a fire-breathing, flying beast best described as a feathered dragon. When she isn’t consumed in a ball of blue fire right from the onset, they form an uneasy alliance with the massive creature she names Cerun after his beautiful blue hue.
Meera’s unusual act of bravery—or perhaps foolishness—is noted by the King. Before she realizes it, Meera is at the heart of the plotting in the kingdom of Terratelle. Having traded in her loneliness for sleepless nights and fear for the safety not only of Cerun but herself, Meera must turn inwards to see if she has the strength to follow her conscious rather than her common sense.
Iron-Bound Flames by Melanie K. Moschella
Romance: 🌶️1 out of 5 hot peppers.
Worldbuilding/Fantasy Elements:
🐉 Dragon-like creatures called Raek
🧝🏻♂️ Magic-wielding humanoids called knell
🏰 Secondary fantasy world with medieval elements
🧑🏾🍳 Bonus points for BIPOC and non-binary rep
Trigger Warnings: Medieval torture, description of burn wounds, attempted rape.
The Romance: Patience is a Virtue
For readers who need spice in their reads: Patience! In my experience, one of the things that makes a romantasy book different from straight up romance is that the romance beats can be stretched over an entire series. While Iron-Bound Flames contains a meet-cute, that is as far as the romance goes.
I personally do not mind this at all. While I do love a spicy scene, they are always better when married with emotion. Meera already has such a huge heart. Indeed, she is someone I could be friends with, so I am looking forward to finding out how her romance is going to play out. Plus, the author’s website promises that later books in the series get down and dirty. I’m ready to read more!
The Worldbuilding: Fairytale Vibes FTW
With the romance slowly building, this opening volume of the series does an excellent job immersing the reader in a world of mythical beasts, magic, and palace intrigue. Meera finds herself in a world that she has read about but never dreamed of experiencing first hand, and I loved watching the bond grow between Meera and the unfortunate raek. The escapist vibe in Moschella’s writing is fantastic. By combining some familiar fantasy elements with a protagonist who is smart, honorable, and brave, the reader is swept away into a world that promises more adventure around every corner.
The secondary fantasy world with its elegant palace, handsome King, lecherous Prince, drunken guards, and steadfast Cook felt very much like a good old-fashioned fairy tale. For context, I am a loud and proud Disney adult who still cries every time the Beast collapses, who unabashedly sings “Let It Go” off key with the same passion as a toddler in an Elsa dress, and modelled my own wedding day look on Cinderella. So, when I say a book has fairytale vibes, that is the highest of compliments.
Please don’t think this is a child’s tale however. Moschella presents a world that is familiar in order to truly concentrate on Meera’s growth through the book while also providing the darker themes and warnings inherent in the original fairytales of the Grimm Brothers. Moschella’s writing hits all the right beats and is addictively immersive. Consider me a fangirl.
In Lieu of My Favorite Steamy Quote…Drag Queens and a King!
Please note: There are zero drag queens in this story. Maybe future installments? LOL—probably not. However, Moschella was an amazing guest judge during one of the contests at the Chicago Romantasy Festival last March. Here is a pic from the end of the show! Everyone had so much fun and it was wonderful to be a part of such an inclusive space.
Where to Buy Her Books
The Raek Rider Series is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. If you are a mom and a writer, I also suggest checking out Moschella’s article in the UK publication Female First by clicking here.