Firstborn Review: A Dystopian World Where Your Birth Order Is Your Destiny

 

Tittle: Firstborn by M.J. Hastings
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Publication Date: September 01, 2026

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Firstborn by M.J. Hastings is an epic dystopian romantasy with a premise that immediately hooks you. In this world, your entire life is decided the moment you are born. Firstborns are trained to be soldiers and take up arms, secondborns become scholars and take up books, and thirdborns are taken away.

Our protagonist, Bryn Ruelle, is a Firstborn facing her final trial. To graduate and defend her country, she must take a life or face exile. But Bryn has never killed before. Just as the pressure reaches its peak, she uncovers a plot that threatens her youngest sister. To save her, she has to team up with an enemy, she must choose between loyalty to her nation and protecting the family she loves.

The concept of society being strictly divided by birth order is brilliant and thought-provoking. I really enjoyed seeing how the government controls information, rewrites history, and tries to brainwash its people. Watching Bryn slowly uncover the truth and deconstruct everything she believes in felt very powerful.

The world-building and plot definitely give off major Hunger Games vibes, which fits perfectly with how the book is marketed as a mix of Hunger Games and Forth Wings. The writing is strong, the pacing is quite fast, and the tension keeps you turning pages. The dynamic between Bryn and her love interest is full of chemistry, danger, and forbidden desire.

While the story feels much like a Young Adult dystopian adventure in terms of plot and world-building, there is one important thing to mention: the romance includes explicit scenes.

In my opinion, this moment feels more suited to an Adult or New Adult fiction novel rather than a YA novel. I honestly don't recommend this book for young adult readers. If you are an Adult and you're looking for a strictly clean read, you might want to be aware of that before diving in. 

Despite the romance feeling too mature for the genre, the story itself is gripping, imaginative, and full of action. If you like political intrigue, strong female leads, and intense romance, pick this up!

Thanks to Stonefruit Studio and Netgalley for providing me with the review copy.