Isla Lockwood
Isla Lockwood
Cursed phoenix riders.
Sentient books.
Twelve perilous nights of Yule.
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Twelve Nights of Yule
Cursed phoenix riders- ☠️ Touch = Death
Countdown to catastrophe
Slow burn- 🖤 Morally grey everyone
Second chance romance
Forced proximity
Forced alliance
Captive / captor
Enter a frozen world holding its breath…
before everything burns.
When the Sky Burns
Twelve perilous nights of Yule.
One ancient curse.
Two men who sought to contain her
Until she became the weapon they feared.
The phoenixes are dying. The kingdom that worshipped them has fallen. When rebel spy Aliwen steals a sentient grimoire, she uncovers a truth the witches buried: the curse that destroyed the phoenixes was never meant to be broken.
But hidden within it is a single flaw.
Her
On the run with the rebel leader who believes she holds the key to reclaim their kingdom — and hunted by an enemy Rider whose fire would destroy her with a single touch. Aliwen has the twelve nights of Yule to unravel the spell that reshaped kingdoms.
Or burn with it.
When the Sky Burns is a dark romantic fantasy with cursed phoenix riders, sentient books, ancient magic, dangerous loyalties, and a slow-burn romance set across the twelve nights of Yule.
Perfect for fans of One Dark Window, Road of Bones and When the Moon Hatched.
About Isla
FAQs
When the Sky Burns is a dark midwinter romantasy set across the twelve perilous nights of Yule. When a rebel spy, undercover as a book restorer, steals a ancient book and uncovers a truth buried for generations. And then the clock start ticking – she has 12 nights of Yule to break the curse that destroyed her kingdom’s phoenixes and bring them back.
Combining gothic atmosphere, slow-burn romance, ancient book magic and high-stakes fantasy, When the Sky Burns is a dark midwinter romantasy and the first novel in the duology.
When the Sky Burns is a romantasy novel, combining a central romance with a substantial fantasy plot, immersive world-building, political intrigue and cursed phoenix riders. Readers who enjoy books such as One Dark Window, The Foxglove King, Belladonna, Road of Bones and When the Moon Hatched will find familiar elements alongside a unique winter and Yule-inspired setting. With its seasonal setting, cursed phoenix riders and slow-burn romance, When the Sky Burns is a dark midwinter romantasy perfect for readers who love atmospheric fantasy romance.
When the Sky Burns takes place across the twelve perilous nights of Yule, and readers are invited to experience the story as it unfolds through the official Twelve Nights of Yule Read-Along.
Beginning on December 20th and continuing through the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas through to new years, readers will journey through the story together, discussing each night’s events, characters, theories and favourite moments as the countdown to catastrophe unfolds.
The read-along will feature exclusive content, discussion prompts, behind-the-scenes insights and opportunities to connect with fellow readers from around the world.
Whether you’re discovering Skyworld for the first time or returning for a festive re-read, the Twelve Nights of Yule Read-Along is designed to bring the magic of the story to life and create a shared winter reading experience unlike any other.
Details on how to join the Skyworld community and participate in the read-along can be found on the ‘Join the Skyworld’ page and will be run by Jessbeyondthepages
Yes.
When the Sky Burns is the first novel in the Skyworld series, a planned seasonal romantasy series set in a world of ancient magic, dangerous secrets and unforgettable love stories.
Each duology will explore one of the three cousins – Wren, Ember and Thorn, legends and magical traditions while expanding the wider Skyworld universe. The series is designed around the changing seasons, blending folklore, myth and romance with epic fantasy storytelling.
When the Sky Burns will be published on 15 October 2026, perfectly timed for the autumn and Christmas reading season.
Pre-orders are very welcome (they help enormously!) will be available ahead of publication through Ingrams, Amazon, major retailers, independent bookshops and Learra Press.
When the Sky Burns will be available in paperback, ebook and special-edition hardback formats from major online retailers, independent bookshops, libraries.
Bookshops and libraries can order the book through Gardners Books, one of the UK’s leading book wholesalers and library suppliers. If your local bookshop does not have the book in stock, they should be able to order it using the ISBN.
Readers will also be able to purchase signed copies, special editions and exclusive merchandise directly.
Yes.
When the Sky Burns will be available in multiple formats:
Paperback Edition – £10.99
Special Edition Hardback – £25.00
Trade paperback through Ingrams – £14.99
eBook Edition – Kindle – and in December KU
The limited indie special-edition hardback features premium collector details including a dust jacket, foil finishes, spot UV detailing and bespoke sprayed edges.
Additional special editions, signed copies and exclusive merchandise may also be available directly – go to the shop page for more.
If you love atmospheric fantasy worlds, slow-burn tension, dangerous men – the tropes done a little differently – and stories steeped in folklore, When the Sky Burns was written for you.
Featuring cursed phoenix riders, political intrigue, ancient curse, gothic atmosphere and a race against time across the twelve nights of Yule, this dark midwinter romantasy.
