Sophie Jordan delivers a captivating sequel that burns brighter than the flames of its predecessor in A Scar in the Bone, the second installment in her spellbinding A Fire in the Sky series. Following the transformative events of A Fire in the Sky, Jordan plunges readers into a world where magic awakens from its slumber and dragons emerge from the shadows of extinction, while love proves itself as enduring as ancient bone.
The story unfolds one year after Tamsyn’s extraordinary metamorphosis from a royal whipping girl to a powerful fire-breathing dragon, and the narrative weight of that transformation resonates through every page. Jordan has crafted a sequel that doesn’t simply continue the story but deepens it, exploring the profound psychological and emotional aftermath of Tamsyn’s new reality. The author’s background as a former English teacher shines through in her nuanced character development and sophisticated world-building that rivals the complexity of Brandon Sanderson’s fantasy realms.
A Heroine Forged in Fire and Loss
Tamsyn emerges as a markedly different protagonist than the one we met in the first book. Gone is the uncertain girl discovering her dragon nature; in her place stands a warrior scarred by loss and hardened by necessity. Jordan masterfully portrays Tamsyn’s struggle to find her place within the dragon pride while haunted by her bond with Fell, whose absence creates a palpable void that drives the entire narrative forward.
The relationship dynamics between Tamsyn and Vetr, Fell’s enigmatic brother, provide some of the most compelling tension in the novel. Jordan navigates the delicate balance between grief, guilt, and growing attraction with remarkable sensitivity. The chemistry between these characters crackles with an intensity that feels both inevitable and forbidden, creating an emotional complexity that elevates the romance beyond simple instalove.
Character Development That Cuts Deep
Jordan’s character work in this sequel demonstrates significant growth from her earlier paranormal romance novels. Where her historical romances like The Duke Goes Down and While the Duke Was Sleeping relied on familiar tropes, this fantasy series showcases her evolution as a storyteller. Tamsyn’s internal struggle between her human upbringing and dragon nature creates authentic conflict that goes beyond surface-level romantic tension.
Vetr emerges as a particularly well-crafted love interest—neither purely heroic nor villainous, but genuinely complex. His role as alpha of the pride, combined with his protective instincts toward Tamsyn and his complicated relationship with his missing brother, creates a character worthy of the emotional investment readers will inevitably make.
World-Building That Breathes with Ancient Magic
The mythological framework Jordan has constructed rivals the depth found in her acclaimed Firelight series (Firelight, Vanish, Hidden), but with a maturity that reflects her growth as a writer. The Crags, the dragon pride’s mountain stronghold, feels lived-in and authentic, while the politics of dragon society provide compelling backdrop to the personal stakes.
Jordan’s exploration of magic’s return to the world carries thematic weight that resonates beyond the fantasy genre. The idea that magic “cannot die” but merely hibernates until conditions allow its return speaks to themes of resilience and renewal that feel particularly relevant to contemporary readers.
The Magic System’s Elegant Complexity
The dragon bond system that connects Tamsyn to Fell even beyond death creates a unique magical framework that serves both plot and character development. This isn’t merely a convenient plot device but a deeply integrated element that explores themes of connection, loss, and the nature of love itself. Jordan’s treatment of this mystical bond demonstrates the sophisticated approach to magic systems that has become expected in modern fantasy.
Pacing and Plot Construction
Where some sequels suffer from middle-book syndrome, A Scar in the Bone maintains momentum through carefully orchestrated reveals and escalating stakes. Jordan balances intimate character moments with larger conflicts, ensuring that personal growth and external threats develop in tandem rather than competing for reader attention.
The revelation of Stig’s transformation from friend to enemy provides emotional complexity that grounds the fantasy elements in recognizable human experience. Jordan doesn’t shy away from exploring how power corrupts and how circumstances can transform even the closest relationships.
Action Sequences That Sing
Jordan’s action writing has improved significantly since her earlier works. The training sequences in the dragon arena pulse with visceral energy, while the larger battles showcase her ability to choreograph complex scenes without losing reader orientation. Her background writing contemporary and historical romance serves her well here, as she never loses sight of the emotional stakes that drive physical conflict.
Critical Considerations
While A Scar in the Bone succeeds on multiple levels, it occasionally struggles under the weight of its own ambitions. Some readers may find the pacing uneven in the middle section, where Tamsyn’s internal struggles, while psychologically authentic, occasionally slow narrative momentum. Additionally, certain secondary characters could benefit from more development to match the depth Jordan achieves with her leads.
The romance, while emotionally satisfying, may feel rushed to readers who prefer slower romantic development. Jordan’s decision to explore Tamsyn’s relationship with Vetr while she still grieves Fell creates compelling conflict but may frustrate readers seeking more straightforward romantic resolution.
Comparisons and Literary Context
Readers who enjoyed Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing or Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash series will find much to appreciate in Jordan’s work, though her approach feels more grounded in emotional realism. Unlike some contemporary romantasy that prioritizes steam over substance, Jordan maintains focus on character development and world-building while delivering satisfying romantic elements.
The series occupies a sweet spot between the accessibility of young adult fantasy and the complexity of adult epic fantasy, making it appealing to readers across age groups. Jordan’s experience across multiple romance subgenres allows her to craft romantic tension that satisfies genre expectations while serving the larger narrative.
Final Assessment
A Scar in the Bone proves that Sophie Jordan has fully embraced the epic fantasy genre while retaining the romantic sensibilities that made her historical romances beloved by readers. This sequel successfully builds upon its predecessor’s foundation while charting new emotional and narrative territory.
Jordan has created a sequel that honors its series’ foundation while pushing boundaries in meaningful ways. The novel works as both a continuation of Tamsyn and Fell’s story and as exploration of themes that resonate beyond genre boundaries—resilience, identity, the nature of home, and love’s ability to transcend even death itself.
For readers seeking romantasy that balances epic scope with intimate character development, A Scar in the Bone delivers on both fronts. Jordan has crafted a worthy successor to A Fire in the Sky that sets the stage for what promises to be an equally compelling conclusion to this dragon-soaked saga.
Recommended for Readers Who Enjoyed
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- From Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
- The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
- Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton
- A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
- The Inheritance Games trilogy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
- Shadow and Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
- Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard
Bottom Line: Sophie Jordan has delivered a sequel that burns as bright as dragon fire, proving that magic—and exceptional storytelling—never truly dies. A Scar in the Bone earns its place among the year’s most compelling fantasy sequels.