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Wounds of Ash: Book One of the Vendi Chronicles
Ringard, the capital of Myral, and home of the magical Ringada has been attacked. With the help of his best friend, Josen sets out to hunt for those responsible. Driven by rage at the murder of his wife during the onslaught, Josen will stop at nothing to get revenge.
Aliyah, a Myralian born on the wrong side of the mountains, may be the key to bringing magic back to Gralanth. Sold to a Gralanthian nobleman, she learns more about her powers and just how dangerous magic can be in the wrong hands.
When their paths collide, Aliyah and Josen must work together. Monsters once thought to be myth are hunting them, and the fates of Myral and Gralanth are at stake...
Aliyah, a Myralian born on the wrong side of the mountains, may be the key to bringing magic back to Gralanth. Sold to a Gralanthian nobleman, she learns more about her powers and just how dangerous magic can be in the wrong hands.
When their paths collide, Aliyah and Josen must work together. Monsters once thought to be myth are hunting them, and the fates of Myral and Gralanth are at stake...
- GenresFantasy
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2023
16 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
July 24, 2023
Aliyah, having been sold into a marriage contract by her aunt and guardian, is left at the devices of her abusive fiance who seeks to tap into her unknown ability to be a living magic amplifier. Escaping from his captivity, she stumbles upon Josen and Kaino, and they take her on a series of unexpected turns as she finds companionship, and maybe something more on the road toward her destiny. There are other reviews that give a more thorough summary of the book, but know that Wounds of Ash does not read like a first novel.
The world building here is beautifully balanced, it is just detailed enough to make everything real and visual, but not so much so that it slows down the progression of the story or bogs down the plot. The characters are equally real and speak with their own voices and personalities that makes each stand out and apart from the others, this is true for all the characters, not just the main ones. And, even though the good guys are worn by their humanity, this adds a complexity that drives their ‘backstory’ and helps to create the wonderful tension that fills this story. Even the villains share this complexity and there is something to them that leaves me wondering what the author has in mind for them in the next books. And that is one of the major factors for my five star review… the author has me thinking as I read, and wondering what will happen next, how will the characters I have grown to know react to the fallout of the end of Book One? Needless to say, I did not want this book to end. I did not want to leave Kaino, Josen, and Aliyah because I felt as if I was part of their company, and in the last bit of the book, on the very last page no less, there’s a wonderful tease that had me going back and re-examining what I thought early in the book. One last parting thought, I know a lot of reviewers like to say "This book kept me up all night reading because I could not put it down." But I think this book deserves a different but equally powerful statement: this book made me consciously slow down my reading. And the power of the writing made me put down the book when I was tired because I didn’t want to lose the artistry of the writing that captivated me and made me savor the world I was living in. And for me, THAT IS GOOD WRITING!
The world building here is beautifully balanced, it is just detailed enough to make everything real and visual, but not so much so that it slows down the progression of the story or bogs down the plot. The characters are equally real and speak with their own voices and personalities that makes each stand out and apart from the others, this is true for all the characters, not just the main ones. And, even though the good guys are worn by their humanity, this adds a complexity that drives their ‘backstory’ and helps to create the wonderful tension that fills this story. Even the villains share this complexity and there is something to them that leaves me wondering what the author has in mind for them in the next books. And that is one of the major factors for my five star review… the author has me thinking as I read, and wondering what will happen next, how will the characters I have grown to know react to the fallout of the end of Book One? Needless to say, I did not want this book to end. I did not want to leave Kaino, Josen, and Aliyah because I felt as if I was part of their company, and in the last bit of the book, on the very last page no less, there’s a wonderful tease that had me going back and re-examining what I thought early in the book. One last parting thought, I know a lot of reviewers like to say "This book kept me up all night reading because I could not put it down." But I think this book deserves a different but equally powerful statement: this book made me consciously slow down my reading. And the power of the writing made me put down the book when I was tired because I didn’t want to lose the artistry of the writing that captivated me and made me savor the world I was living in. And for me, THAT IS GOOD WRITING!
May 27, 2024
Wounds of Ash is an NA fantasy with romance, I read it through KU and I absolutely loved it. The elemental magic, characters, and terrifying villains came together to create one of my favorite new books of this year! The atmosphere of the world feels like Lord of the Rings meets the color palette of Avatar the Last Airbender. I liked all the MCs instantly, they reminded me a lot of Avatar the Last Airbender while still being their own individual people. It’s a pretty fast read. But I still felt like quite a bit of nuance and drama was packed into every scene. For a bit I felt like the romance was moving rather fast. But then I decided that circumstances made sense for it to move fast. Especially since not every day of the story was accounted for. I did feel like sometimes the author had trouble communicating to me what exactly was happening during the more traumatizing scenes. There’s a TW for R and I was a bit confused for the whole book about when that TW was applicable. I did figure it out. So it could be just me. I thought the characters were excellent at learning to be honest with each other and beginning to heal from their traumas through honest & hard conversations. I’m very impressed by this book and I look forward to more from this author ♥️
TW for Abuse, R, Death
no open door scenes
TW for Abuse, R, Death
no open door scenes
July 17, 2024
Wounds of Ash was different than what I was expecting. It was more of a romance novel with some fantasy in it, than a fantasy romance. About 75% of the book was dedicated to Aliyah’s and Josen’s developing relationship. That’s not to say it wasn’t good, I was just expecting more of the fantasy element in the book.
The book starts off strong and ends strong with the fantasy, and it’s quite the entertaining concept. The MMC’s were very likable, and it was nice to read about some good guys for a change, that don’t have ulterior motives. The FMC, Aliyah was also a great character, because even though she was dealing with trauma, she didn’t spend the majority of the book locked inside herself and pushing everyone away. I enjoyed the characters very much.
The book is heavily character driven. There is just enough world building to get a sense of the atmosphere, but it could have been a little more detailed.
Overall, this was a great read, and I will most definitely read book two to see where the characters journeys lead.
The book starts off strong and ends strong with the fantasy, and it’s quite the entertaining concept. The MMC’s were very likable, and it was nice to read about some good guys for a change, that don’t have ulterior motives. The FMC, Aliyah was also a great character, because even though she was dealing with trauma, she didn’t spend the majority of the book locked inside herself and pushing everyone away. I enjoyed the characters very much.
The book is heavily character driven. There is just enough world building to get a sense of the atmosphere, but it could have been a little more detailed.
Overall, this was a great read, and I will most definitely read book two to see where the characters journeys lead.
January 30, 2024
*SPOIL FREE REVIEW*
"You are a pawn in a game that he is playing for power."
What an absolute fantastic read!!
Hester drops us right into the heat of it all. From forced marriages to revenge to rising political tensions, we are given it all right from the start.
The world building is so fun, refreshing, and well-developed. I absolutely adore fire magic (I'm looking at you Josen) and the relationship that forms between Aliyah and Linna is absolutely precious. There is a charm to that relationship that adds a significant layer to the heated plot of this narrative. Yet, amongst all that, we are exposed to themes of self-discovery, purpose, and companionship for our characters who are destined to cross paths. This is a book jam-packed with fantasy elements, strange beasts, magic, royal politics, a map, and well-rounded characters.
There's a complexity to the character development that blurs the lines of wanting to hate but not quite - backstories and tensions that build on one another and create morally complex characters with a lot to offer. And also hint to certain avenues in the next installment (wink, wink).
Overall, what a fabulous book. I cannot recommend it enough!!
"You are a pawn in a game that he is playing for power."
What an absolute fantastic read!!
Hester drops us right into the heat of it all. From forced marriages to revenge to rising political tensions, we are given it all right from the start.
The world building is so fun, refreshing, and well-developed. I absolutely adore fire magic (I'm looking at you Josen) and the relationship that forms between Aliyah and Linna is absolutely precious. There is a charm to that relationship that adds a significant layer to the heated plot of this narrative. Yet, amongst all that, we are exposed to themes of self-discovery, purpose, and companionship for our characters who are destined to cross paths. This is a book jam-packed with fantasy elements, strange beasts, magic, royal politics, a map, and well-rounded characters.
There's a complexity to the character development that blurs the lines of wanting to hate but not quite - backstories and tensions that build on one another and create morally complex characters with a lot to offer. And also hint to certain avenues in the next installment (wink, wink).
Overall, what a fabulous book. I cannot recommend it enough!!
November 22, 2023
A beautiful story. I found the world-building very well done and not overwhelming. The intricacy of the characters' personalities made them real and relatable.
I loved the book and I am looking forward to more from this author.
I loved the book and I am looking forward to more from this author.
July 17, 2023
4 stars
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a wonderful first book in a new YA fantasy series. The kingdoms of Myral and Gralanth are separated by a range of mountains. The Myral people have magic. It's capital is Ringard and it's ruled by a High Enforcer, who is a member of a group of fierce warriors called Ringada. Gralanth people do not have magic, and both sides are wary of each other.
Aliyah is a young orphan Myralian born on the wrong side of the mountains. Her aunt sells her to be wed to a Gralanthian nobleman with evil plans to use her to bring magic back to Gralanth, and more specifically, to him so he can rule the land. She knew she had powers, but didn't know much about them or how to use them. He teaches her more about her powers and just how dangerous magic can be in the wrong hands.
Meanwhile in Myral, the capital Ringald has been attacked. With the help of his best friend, Josen sets out to hunt for those responsible. Driven by rage at the murder of his wife during the onslaught, Josen will stop at nothing to get revenge. When their paths collide with Aliyah, the trio decide to work together. Monsters once thought to be myth are hunting them, and the fates of Myral and Gralanth are at stake...
I really enjoyed this book. The author does a great job of weaving the worldbuilding throughout the story so you don't have to suffer through a huge information dump. The main characters, as well as Kaino, Josen's best friend, are well developed. I like how Aliyah is strong, fierce and determined, but still allows herself to feel and show her emotions with Kaino and Josen. She's been through a horrifying ordeal and loads of information thrown at her, but instead of crumbling into a puddle, she firms her jaw and faces the next challenge.
At the beginning of the book Josen is closed off, bitter and focused on nothing but hunting down the man who killed his wife. Kaino tries to coax Josen out, to no avail. He is the light to Josen's dark, an incurable flirt and the much needed levity to an otherwise dark and heavy book. Once the duo cross paths with Aliyah, the dynamic of the duo changes. Aliyah's presence begins to reach through the layers of Josen's despair, slowly bringing him out of the depths of his grief.
The focus of their mission changes, and they race back to Ringald to re-group. However, the dark evil that is spreading through the land is not finished with Aliyah and they must fight monsters and wild animals as they run back to safety.
This book has plenty of good guys to cheer, evil to hate and action to keep your attention. The book ends on a fun cliffhanger and I can't wait to see how it ends. This book is perfect for readers that are new to reading fantasy, or a reader that just wants to try fantasy for the first time. It is well written, evenly paced and is interesting enough to keep your attention, but not so bogged down with complicated court intrigue, magic systems, or dozens of characters to be intimidating or overwhelming.
I was provided a complimentary e-copy of this book from Breys Book Tours and the author. All opinions are my own.
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a wonderful first book in a new YA fantasy series. The kingdoms of Myral and Gralanth are separated by a range of mountains. The Myral people have magic. It's capital is Ringard and it's ruled by a High Enforcer, who is a member of a group of fierce warriors called Ringada. Gralanth people do not have magic, and both sides are wary of each other.
Aliyah is a young orphan Myralian born on the wrong side of the mountains. Her aunt sells her to be wed to a Gralanthian nobleman with evil plans to use her to bring magic back to Gralanth, and more specifically, to him so he can rule the land. She knew she had powers, but didn't know much about them or how to use them. He teaches her more about her powers and just how dangerous magic can be in the wrong hands.
Meanwhile in Myral, the capital Ringald has been attacked. With the help of his best friend, Josen sets out to hunt for those responsible. Driven by rage at the murder of his wife during the onslaught, Josen will stop at nothing to get revenge. When their paths collide with Aliyah, the trio decide to work together. Monsters once thought to be myth are hunting them, and the fates of Myral and Gralanth are at stake...
I really enjoyed this book. The author does a great job of weaving the worldbuilding throughout the story so you don't have to suffer through a huge information dump. The main characters, as well as Kaino, Josen's best friend, are well developed. I like how Aliyah is strong, fierce and determined, but still allows herself to feel and show her emotions with Kaino and Josen. She's been through a horrifying ordeal and loads of information thrown at her, but instead of crumbling into a puddle, she firms her jaw and faces the next challenge.
At the beginning of the book Josen is closed off, bitter and focused on nothing but hunting down the man who killed his wife. Kaino tries to coax Josen out, to no avail. He is the light to Josen's dark, an incurable flirt and the much needed levity to an otherwise dark and heavy book. Once the duo cross paths with Aliyah, the dynamic of the duo changes. Aliyah's presence begins to reach through the layers of Josen's despair, slowly bringing him out of the depths of his grief.
The focus of their mission changes, and they race back to Ringald to re-group. However, the dark evil that is spreading through the land is not finished with Aliyah and they must fight monsters and wild animals as they run back to safety.
This book has plenty of good guys to cheer, evil to hate and action to keep your attention. The book ends on a fun cliffhanger and I can't wait to see how it ends. This book is perfect for readers that are new to reading fantasy, or a reader that just wants to try fantasy for the first time. It is well written, evenly paced and is interesting enough to keep your attention, but not so bogged down with complicated court intrigue, magic systems, or dozens of characters to be intimidating or overwhelming.
I was provided a complimentary e-copy of this book from Breys Book Tours and the author. All opinions are my own.
April 17, 2023
Thank you so much to the author and Hazel’s Booktours for sharing an ARC copy of this book with me !!!
Trigger Warnings: abuse, violence, torture, SA, grief, trauma
“Nowhere in Gralanth was safe. The Executioner had told her to go to Myral, but why? Why give her his horse? None of it made sense.”
“How can you move on when your sun is gone and all that is left is the dark of night?”
Wonderful and amazing start for a fantasy romance series !!!! There was trauma. There was pain. There was grief. There was magic. There was love and sweetness!!!
This book had them all !!!! Aliyah is a magic wielder. She can control and absorb other people’s magical abilities. She is also an orphan who is left to be abused by a man who wants to spoil her powers and get them for himself. While trying to escape she meets two men, Josen and Kaino. Together they will overcome enemies from the present and the past… and maybe live once again with peace!!
This book was so many great things it is hard to explain. I loved that it was character driven and I loved the magic system in all its forms !!!
I loved Josen and I loved his grief and his personalities and his trauma. And I loved how his and Aliyah’s stories kind of linked in the most unexpected of ways !!!
And Kaino … he was actually the best of brothers !!! For both of them !!!!
Two of them trying to deal with loss and grief and abuse and trauma. Both finding hope, peace and happiness in each other
And at the bottom of it all the message that bravery comes with accepting one’s scar and realising that the abuse doesn’t define us !!!!
I literally cannot wait for the sequel of this story !!!
“Happiness is always possible,” Aliyah said. “It depends on how much work you are willing to put into it. How much you are willing to fight for it.”
“No! I will not cry, she thought angrily as she stared at her arms. I am still me. Scars do not define a person”
Trigger Warnings: abuse, violence, torture, SA, grief, trauma
“Nowhere in Gralanth was safe. The Executioner had told her to go to Myral, but why? Why give her his horse? None of it made sense.”
“How can you move on when your sun is gone and all that is left is the dark of night?”
Wonderful and amazing start for a fantasy romance series !!!! There was trauma. There was pain. There was grief. There was magic. There was love and sweetness!!!
This book had them all !!!! Aliyah is a magic wielder. She can control and absorb other people’s magical abilities. She is also an orphan who is left to be abused by a man who wants to spoil her powers and get them for himself. While trying to escape she meets two men, Josen and Kaino. Together they will overcome enemies from the present and the past… and maybe live once again with peace!!
This book was so many great things it is hard to explain. I loved that it was character driven and I loved the magic system in all its forms !!!
I loved Josen and I loved his grief and his personalities and his trauma. And I loved how his and Aliyah’s stories kind of linked in the most unexpected of ways !!!
And Kaino … he was actually the best of brothers !!! For both of them !!!!
Two of them trying to deal with loss and grief and abuse and trauma. Both finding hope, peace and happiness in each other
And at the bottom of it all the message that bravery comes with accepting one’s scar and realising that the abuse doesn’t define us !!!!
I literally cannot wait for the sequel of this story !!!
“Happiness is always possible,” Aliyah said. “It depends on how much work you are willing to put into it. How much you are willing to fight for it.”
“No! I will not cry, she thought angrily as she stared at her arms. I am still me. Scars do not define a person”
May 9, 2023
5★ – Well deserved
"- How can you move on when your sun is gone and all that is left is the dark of night?
- You look for the stars, they might never be able to replace the sun, but they have their own beauty and light just the same"
I hope my review will express how much I lOVE this book! I devoured every sentence, every chapter. I was hooked from the beginning; I read it in less than 24hours. I didn’t want it to end, I was looking at the percentage and I was feeling sad to reach the last chapters… That was I much I loved Wounds of Ash. I liked the pace of the book, the writing style allowed me to understand immediately the world building.
Aliyah has been sold to get married because she may be the key to bringing magic back to Gralanth.
Josen is on a quest to kill his wife’s murderer.
What I really like was to get attached from the first chapter to each main character. I had so many emotions with them, I had tears several time: I shared their pain, they had been through so much, but they also give me hope.
I really liked how the author wrote the relationship between the characters. Kaino was such a funny character. Josen was the sweetest.
And the romance… Perfection. I loved them, they gave me butterflies.
Wounds of Ash is also full of actions scenes with magic. I really liked the magic system especially Aliyah’s magic
Wounds of Ash doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but I really need the next book because I miss Aliyah, Josen and Kaino already. I also need to have some answers to my questions and to know what will happen next!
I highly recommend you to add it to your TBR! It was one of my favorite first book series.
"- How can you move on when your sun is gone and all that is left is the dark of night?
- You look for the stars, they might never be able to replace the sun, but they have their own beauty and light just the same"
I hope my review will express how much I lOVE this book! I devoured every sentence, every chapter. I was hooked from the beginning; I read it in less than 24hours. I didn’t want it to end, I was looking at the percentage and I was feeling sad to reach the last chapters… That was I much I loved Wounds of Ash. I liked the pace of the book, the writing style allowed me to understand immediately the world building.
Aliyah has been sold to get married because she may be the key to bringing magic back to Gralanth.
Josen is on a quest to kill his wife’s murderer.
What I really like was to get attached from the first chapter to each main character. I had so many emotions with them, I had tears several time: I shared their pain, they had been through so much, but they also give me hope.
I really liked how the author wrote the relationship between the characters. Kaino was such a funny character. Josen was the sweetest.
And the romance… Perfection. I loved them, they gave me butterflies.
Wounds of Ash is also full of actions scenes with magic. I really liked the magic system especially Aliyah’s magic
Wounds of Ash doesn’t end on a cliffhanger but I really need the next book because I miss Aliyah, Josen and Kaino already. I also need to have some answers to my questions and to know what will happen next!
I highly recommend you to add it to your TBR! It was one of my favorite first book series.
June 30, 2023
Aliyah misses her parents. They were taken away from her at a young age and she was immediately shoved into a house where all her aunt wanted was to marry her off - and if she could get something out of it, well that would be a bonus. So when Aliyah's Wyvanni powers attract the attention of a Sir Caldryk, her aunt takes the first chance she gets to sell her to him.
But it was not a marriage that Sir Caldryk wanted, instead, he was obsessed with her amplyfying magic. See, ever since a war against a recluse Wyvanni, Madranna, almost three centuries ago, the Gralanth side of the Vendi Mountains have been left without magic while the Myralians still have theirs. And there is no level too low for Sir Caldryk to stoop in order to get his magic back.
Meanwhile, Josen and his friend, Kaino - both members of the Myralian Ringada - have been tracking Josen's father for nearly a year. After Josen's wife died at the hands of his father, all he wants is revenge. Until chance brings his and Aliyah's paths together and he slowly starts to heal. But it is a long road for Josen to travel before he can get over the guilt of loving someone else, and then when he finally accepts his future, everything gets ripped away from him again.
My thoughts:
This book was brilliant from the first to the last page. I initially fell in love with the cover and knew I had to read it but I never thought that it would be this good. The characters were so well written. The world was so good. I loved how much depth the origins of their specific magics had. Josen's story was heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time and I just loved how Aliyah brought something back to him, she was his missing piece. I was kept on my toes throughout this entire book and that plot twist at the end!!! Brilliant!
But it was not a marriage that Sir Caldryk wanted, instead, he was obsessed with her amplyfying magic. See, ever since a war against a recluse Wyvanni, Madranna, almost three centuries ago, the Gralanth side of the Vendi Mountains have been left without magic while the Myralians still have theirs. And there is no level too low for Sir Caldryk to stoop in order to get his magic back.
Meanwhile, Josen and his friend, Kaino - both members of the Myralian Ringada - have been tracking Josen's father for nearly a year. After Josen's wife died at the hands of his father, all he wants is revenge. Until chance brings his and Aliyah's paths together and he slowly starts to heal. But it is a long road for Josen to travel before he can get over the guilt of loving someone else, and then when he finally accepts his future, everything gets ripped away from him again.
My thoughts:
This book was brilliant from the first to the last page. I initially fell in love with the cover and knew I had to read it but I never thought that it would be this good. The characters were so well written. The world was so good. I loved how much depth the origins of their specific magics had. Josen's story was heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time and I just loved how Aliyah brought something back to him, she was his missing piece. I was kept on my toes throughout this entire book and that plot twist at the end!!! Brilliant!
January 30, 2024
ARC Review: Wounds of Ash
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨
Tropes:
-New Adult (NA) fantasy romance
-Found family
-Trauma/healing
-Tragic backstory/grief & loss
✨
“Wounds of Ash” features multi-pov storytelling, revealing a broader story while maintaining a sense of intrigue. Hester’s technique allows for nuanced character development and engaging interactions, particularly among Aliyah, Kaino, and Josen.
✨
Aliyah's quiet resilience shines throughout her journey, allowing the reader to find solace in the strong bonds she forms with her newfound family. The author sensitively explores the trauma Aliyah endures at the hands of her fiancé, adding depth and realism to her character arc.
✨
Josen, driven by a dark past and a thirst for vengeance, adds intrigue and depth to the narrative. His gradual attraction to Aliyah, gently encouraged by his friend Kaino, allows him to overcome his grief and highlights his capacity for personal growth and loyalty. Kaino, a fan-favorite, stands out as a source of warmth, humor, and unwavering support for Aliyah. His relationship with her is particularly endearing, resembling a sibling-like bond that leaves readers eager for its further development in future installments.
✨
While the book doesn't heavily focus on explicit romance, Hester balances chemistry, wit, and banter to create a simmering tension between Josen and Aliyah. Their eventual happy ending feels satisfying and well-earned.
✨
For fantasy readers who love intricate world building, this novel may fall short. Hester blends much of the world building into the plot well, allowing the pace of the storyline to progress more quickly.
✨
“Wounds of Ash” is a captivating debut novel from Hester that intertwines dark fantasy elements with themes of hope and healing. Recommend for fans seeking an emotional and immersive reading experience!
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨
Tropes:
-New Adult (NA) fantasy romance
-Found family
-Trauma/healing
-Tragic backstory/grief & loss
✨
“Wounds of Ash” features multi-pov storytelling, revealing a broader story while maintaining a sense of intrigue. Hester’s technique allows for nuanced character development and engaging interactions, particularly among Aliyah, Kaino, and Josen.
✨
Aliyah's quiet resilience shines throughout her journey, allowing the reader to find solace in the strong bonds she forms with her newfound family. The author sensitively explores the trauma Aliyah endures at the hands of her fiancé, adding depth and realism to her character arc.
✨
Josen, driven by a dark past and a thirst for vengeance, adds intrigue and depth to the narrative. His gradual attraction to Aliyah, gently encouraged by his friend Kaino, allows him to overcome his grief and highlights his capacity for personal growth and loyalty. Kaino, a fan-favorite, stands out as a source of warmth, humor, and unwavering support for Aliyah. His relationship with her is particularly endearing, resembling a sibling-like bond that leaves readers eager for its further development in future installments.
✨
While the book doesn't heavily focus on explicit romance, Hester balances chemistry, wit, and banter to create a simmering tension between Josen and Aliyah. Their eventual happy ending feels satisfying and well-earned.
✨
For fantasy readers who love intricate world building, this novel may fall short. Hester blends much of the world building into the plot well, allowing the pace of the storyline to progress more quickly.
✨
“Wounds of Ash” is a captivating debut novel from Hester that intertwines dark fantasy elements with themes of hope and healing. Recommend for fans seeking an emotional and immersive reading experience!
February 13, 2024
Watch out for the TW: abuse, violence, torture, SA, grief, trauma
At first, Aliyah seemed like a shy girl, who didn’t really seem to want to go out into this world. But the more you read, the more you notice how fierce and how brave and how much of this world she has already seen and that she had been through so much too
Josen’s past is enough as it is. I understood all the groovy times and all the grumpiness. I like how he started opening up and how he started doing small acts of kindness without even noticing it. He was slowly healing and I was loving reading about it
Kaino has a warm, loving, funny, loyal character. His personality was exquisite. His relationship and bond with Aliyah was so sweet. The fact that he thought she reminded him of his sister at the very first and that’s how he kept treating her till the very end was very endearing
I felt like the writing was premature at first. I ignored it though, because the book was so easy to read and the plot kept getting better and better. Near the middle though, the writing got so much better. I don’t know if that makes sense
This book was gripping from the very first chapter. I couldn’t wait to know what happens. The plot was a new and different magical world. The characters and the magical realism of the whole book was of something I had never seen before!
I really liked this book. I absolutely want to read the second book when it comes out🤍
At first, Aliyah seemed like a shy girl, who didn’t really seem to want to go out into this world. But the more you read, the more you notice how fierce and how brave and how much of this world she has already seen and that she had been through so much too
Josen’s past is enough as it is. I understood all the groovy times and all the grumpiness. I like how he started opening up and how he started doing small acts of kindness without even noticing it. He was slowly healing and I was loving reading about it
Kaino has a warm, loving, funny, loyal character. His personality was exquisite. His relationship and bond with Aliyah was so sweet. The fact that he thought she reminded him of his sister at the very first and that’s how he kept treating her till the very end was very endearing
I felt like the writing was premature at first. I ignored it though, because the book was so easy to read and the plot kept getting better and better. Near the middle though, the writing got so much better. I don’t know if that makes sense
This book was gripping from the very first chapter. I couldn’t wait to know what happens. The plot was a new and different magical world. The characters and the magical realism of the whole book was of something I had never seen before!
I really liked this book. I absolutely want to read the second book when it comes out🤍
January 28, 2024
"How can you move on when your sun is gone and all that is left is the dark of night?"
Kiano thought for a moment before saying, "you look for the stars. They might never be able to replace the sun, but they have their own beauty and light just the same."
"Kissing her made him feel like the rest of the world could burn and he would be unaware of the ashes that remained."
***The audiobook comes out February 16, 2024!***
What a fantastic debut from K.L. Hester! If anyone is looking for an example of character building, I'd recommend reading this book because Hester does a wonderful job introducing the reader to our main characters Aliyah and Josen. The writing itself is lovely, and the world building is top notch. I also highly enjoyed the fondness between Ailyah and Josen, and how their feelings for one another grew -- and not immediately, like you see in a lot of books lately (not to knock those books, but it's nice to read about relationships forming over a period of time -- not everything is love at first sight!) And who doesn't love Kiano!
My *only* critique, if you can call it that, is that I wish the ending was a bit longer, as the action felt a bit rushed - HOWEVER, the way book one ends is a great set up for the next book in the series. A cliffhanger for sure! Excited to pick the second one up when it comes out.
Kiano thought for a moment before saying, "you look for the stars. They might never be able to replace the sun, but they have their own beauty and light just the same."
"Kissing her made him feel like the rest of the world could burn and he would be unaware of the ashes that remained."
***The audiobook comes out February 16, 2024!***
What a fantastic debut from K.L. Hester! If anyone is looking for an example of character building, I'd recommend reading this book because Hester does a wonderful job introducing the reader to our main characters Aliyah and Josen. The writing itself is lovely, and the world building is top notch. I also highly enjoyed the fondness between Ailyah and Josen, and how their feelings for one another grew -- and not immediately, like you see in a lot of books lately (not to knock those books, but it's nice to read about relationships forming over a period of time -- not everything is love at first sight!) And who doesn't love Kiano!
My *only* critique, if you can call it that, is that I wish the ending was a bit longer, as the action felt a bit rushed - HOWEVER, the way book one ends is a great set up for the next book in the series. A cliffhanger for sure! Excited to pick the second one up when it comes out.
June 6, 2023
Watching this story unfold was an absolute pleasure. I feel like I know the characters personally. I loved watching them face their challenges and then find their inner strength and resilience. As someone who has experienced trauma, it was nice to watch the characters come out the other side of theirs and find moments of joy and a renewed sense of hope and purpose. I couldn’t help but giggle out loud at some of Kaino’s comments or when Grandma Nettle interacted with Josen, Kaino, and Aliyah. (I absolutely LOVE Grandma Nettle!!!) I also really loved The Executioner, despite him being a villain. The main villain of this book, Sir Caldryk, was easily hateable. I love the magic system, the wit, the emotion, and the deep inner strength found along their sometimes treacherous journey. I laughed, I cried (Poor Ellie,) and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. I would add a trigger warning for abuse, torture, and implied SA.
June 7, 2023
A fantasy romance that's the first book in The Vendi Chronicles. I was gripped by Wounds of Ash from the first paragraph until the final word!
The world building was brilliant for me, I was immersed, and there was no tearing me away from this book. The pacing was great, the characters so real to me too! Aliyah was someone I had to find out everything about.
The magic in this book just added so much more. I am a sucker for a great magic system, and this was exactly that! Aliyah's especially.
I found myself so invested in, not just Aliyah but Josen and Kaino, too. I felt everything they went through myself. The ups, the downs, and the romance, too.
I was gutted to reach the end and leave the characters I felt were friends by then. I am so looking forward to the next book!
Thanks to Hazels Book Tours and K. L Hester, for my copy of the book to write my honest review.
The world building was brilliant for me, I was immersed, and there was no tearing me away from this book. The pacing was great, the characters so real to me too! Aliyah was someone I had to find out everything about.
The magic in this book just added so much more. I am a sucker for a great magic system, and this was exactly that! Aliyah's especially.
I found myself so invested in, not just Aliyah but Josen and Kaino, too. I felt everything they went through myself. The ups, the downs, and the romance, too.
I was gutted to reach the end and leave the characters I felt were friends by then. I am so looking forward to the next book!
Thanks to Hazels Book Tours and K. L Hester, for my copy of the book to write my honest review.
February 5, 2024
Wounds of Ash - K.L Hester
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Synopsis:
Dual POV of Aliyah, a Wyvanni; and Josen, a Ringada. Aliyah is escaping from her torturer, while Josen is seeking vengeance for his past loss. Their paths entwine and start traveling together and their connection grows between them.
The magic system was intriguing, world building was immersive, the battle scenes were immaculate, and the writing style was easy to comprehend. It had me completely engaged with the story, and I didn’t let go until I finished it.
Triggers:
Torture
Kidnapping
Child loss
Off-page SA
Plot: - ★★★★★
Characters: - ★★★★★
Style: - ★★★★★
World Building: - ★★★★★
Overall: -★★★★★
Favorite Quote: [Despite my favourite quote, there is no spicy scenes]
“In my experience, there are lots of ways a woman can get a man’s clothes off. But burning them off is a new one,"
Favorite Character: Kaino
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Synopsis:
Dual POV of Aliyah, a Wyvanni; and Josen, a Ringada. Aliyah is escaping from her torturer, while Josen is seeking vengeance for his past loss. Their paths entwine and start traveling together and their connection grows between them.
The magic system was intriguing, world building was immersive, the battle scenes were immaculate, and the writing style was easy to comprehend. It had me completely engaged with the story, and I didn’t let go until I finished it.
Triggers:
Torture
Kidnapping
Child loss
Off-page SA
Plot: - ★★★★★
Characters: - ★★★★★
Style: - ★★★★★
World Building: - ★★★★★
Overall: -★★★★★
Favorite Quote: [Despite my favourite quote, there is no spicy scenes]
“In my experience, there are lots of ways a woman can get a man’s clothes off. But burning them off is a new one,"
Favorite Character: Kaino
April 15, 2023
I loved reading this so much! The characters are very interesting and I found myself loving and hating them at the exact same time. Usually I'm not a big fan of fantasy and magical creatures, but I found myself enjoying the rules of magic within the series, and seeing how they where properly used. Of course, there are more questions on how they actively work, but I hope in future installments that will be explored more deeply.
September 6, 2023
*Review*
WOUNDS OF ASH by K.L. Hester
I am not a fantasy girl at all, but I read this indie author's book because I'm trying to really support indie authors now that I know how much that support means!
And, wow! This blew me away! From the first pages, I was hooked. The imagery is so vivid, the world-building so detailed, and the characters so developed that I instantly wanted to keep reading. Lots of magic, and getting past grief, some evil villains, an epic journey with friends, oh and romance. 💙
If I'm being honest, I am intimidated by the new worlds and names that fantasy books can throw at you and this one did have some, but they were presented in an easy to follow way (no Game of Thrones confusion here), and I didn't once get lost.
I'm so glad I picked this one up. If you enjoy fantasy, want to support indie writers, or heck, just want to give a new genre a try, this is your book!!
WOUNDS OF ASH by K.L. Hester
I am not a fantasy girl at all, but I read this indie author's book because I'm trying to really support indie authors now that I know how much that support means!
And, wow! This blew me away! From the first pages, I was hooked. The imagery is so vivid, the world-building so detailed, and the characters so developed that I instantly wanted to keep reading. Lots of magic, and getting past grief, some evil villains, an epic journey with friends, oh and romance. 💙
If I'm being honest, I am intimidated by the new worlds and names that fantasy books can throw at you and this one did have some, but they were presented in an easy to follow way (no Game of Thrones confusion here), and I didn't once get lost.
I'm so glad I picked this one up. If you enjoy fantasy, want to support indie writers, or heck, just want to give a new genre a try, this is your book!!
September 11, 2023
Fantasy is usually not my go-to genre but I find myself reading it more and more lately.
The author did a fantastic job with the world building. It wasn’t over the top; just enough so you can picture the story as it goes along.
I was hooked immediately with the characters and had a hard time putting this down. I’m excited to see what book two has in store!
Go check out this indie author and show her some support ❤️❤️
The author did a fantastic job with the world building. It wasn’t over the top; just enough so you can picture the story as it goes along.
I was hooked immediately with the characters and had a hard time putting this down. I’m excited to see what book two has in store!
Go check out this indie author and show her some support ❤️❤️
July 25, 2023
*I received a free copy of this ebook through BreysBookTours in exchange for my honest review.
This is the first book in the fantasy series, The Vendi Chronicles. I absolutely loved the FMC, Aliyah, a powerful Wyvanni who's dealt a shitty hand in life. The author did an excellent job with the world-building and creative magic system. The main characters were relatable and likable in one way or another.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, easy-to-read fantasy that will take them on a heartwarming journey. This book has a cliffhanger that will leave wanting more...like now!
This is the first book in the fantasy series, The Vendi Chronicles. I absolutely loved the FMC, Aliyah, a powerful Wyvanni who's dealt a shitty hand in life. The author did an excellent job with the world-building and creative magic system. The main characters were relatable and likable in one way or another.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good, easy-to-read fantasy that will take them on a heartwarming journey. This book has a cliffhanger that will leave wanting more...like now!
August 22, 2023
Thank you, K.L. Hester, for adding me to your street team and sharing your book with me. I couldn't put it down, and I love that you're also from Utah. That made my day when I got to the end of your book.
Okay, so this book was fantastic. Not going to lie, what drew me to this book was knowing that there were characters that were trying to heal from trauma. I've been doing the same, so I've been very drawn to characters who are going through similar things as me. I thought the way two of the main characters were written as they are on their different healing journeys was very well done. One is going through trauma linked to abuse and the other linked to losing a loved one. They help each other start to heal and it was really beautiful.
Aliyah has special magic, and is essentially sold to this really awful lord who tortures her and abuses her to try and get her to help him with his magic. She's able to escape, gets attacked, and is saved by two very yummy men, Josen and Kaino. We follow them on their journey trying to get her to safety and away from the people who would want to harm and abuse her.
The epilogue makes me so anxious for the next book! I can't wait for it to come out.
Okay, so this book was fantastic. Not going to lie, what drew me to this book was knowing that there were characters that were trying to heal from trauma. I've been doing the same, so I've been very drawn to characters who are going through similar things as me. I thought the way two of the main characters were written as they are on their different healing journeys was very well done. One is going through trauma linked to abuse and the other linked to losing a loved one. They help each other start to heal and it was really beautiful.
Aliyah has special magic, and is essentially sold to this really awful lord who tortures her and abuses her to try and get her to help him with his magic. She's able to escape, gets attacked, and is saved by two very yummy men, Josen and Kaino. We follow them on their journey trying to get her to safety and away from the people who would want to harm and abuse her.
The epilogue makes me so anxious for the next book! I can't wait for it to come out.
July 28, 2023
I loved this story!
My heart broke for Aliyah and all she has to endure. And Jos! His broken heart and pain is so heartbreaking. Reading their romance bloom was so good!! I also really enjoyed the relationship between the trio! I can’t wait to see what happens next cause damn the cliff was steep!
My heart broke for Aliyah and all she has to endure. And Jos! His broken heart and pain is so heartbreaking. Reading their romance bloom was so good!! I also really enjoyed the relationship between the trio! I can’t wait to see what happens next cause damn the cliff was steep!
August 10, 2024
4.5/5 stars
A slowburn romance with adventure and a battle against past trauma, Wounds of Ash was a great read. I loved seeing how the love interests started to heal each other as the story progressed, and I can't wait to see how their relationship continues to develop in book two.
A slowburn romance with adventure and a battle against past trauma, Wounds of Ash was a great read. I loved seeing how the love interests started to heal each other as the story progressed, and I can't wait to see how their relationship continues to develop in book two.
January 22, 2024
The magic system and world building were there and interesting. However the writing is poor and the romance lackluster and not believable. The characters didn't feel well thought out or authentic.
January 12, 2024
I’m not exactly the target demographic for NA novels; nor is fantasy a genre I frequently read, although Wounds of Ash may have just changed that. The book includes everything that I love about fantasies with none of the heavy-handed world-building that I dislike. Fantastic creatures, secret bloodlines, magic galore. Check, check, check. There are trigger warnings, but the major theme is one of healing rather than hurting, and I felt that the violence was necessary to the story. The only slight let-down was the cliffhanger ending—but it didn’t bother me enough to deduct a star.
August 27, 2023
This was such a great NA fantasy! It is the first in the Vendi Chronicles series. I really loved the action in the beginning and end of the book. The story-telling was brilliant, and engaging which kept me reading. I enjoyed the world-building and magic system. There was a nice lull in the action in the middle of the book, where the author focused on character development and a blossoming romance between two of the main characters. There were monsters and a great evil. I am excited to continue with the series. Definitely check out the trigger warnings before you begin, if you want, but some of them include: trauma, grief, death of a loved one, SA off page, torture, violence, blood.
Blurb:
Ringard, the capital of Myral, and home of the magical Ringada has been attacked. With the help of his best friend, Josen sets out to hunt for those responsible. Driven by rage at the murder of his wife during the onslaught, Josen will stop at nothing to get revenge.
Aliyah, a Myralian born on the wrong side of the mountains, may be the key to bringing magic back to Gralanth. Sold to a Gralanthian nobleman, she learns more about her powers and just how dangerous magic can be in the wrong hands.
When their paths collide, Aliyah and Josen must work together. Monsters once thought to be myth are hunting them, and the fates of Myral and Gralanth are at stake. What ancient power has been awakened and why is it seeking revenge of its own?
Blurb:
Ringard, the capital of Myral, and home of the magical Ringada has been attacked. With the help of his best friend, Josen sets out to hunt for those responsible. Driven by rage at the murder of his wife during the onslaught, Josen will stop at nothing to get revenge.
Aliyah, a Myralian born on the wrong side of the mountains, may be the key to bringing magic back to Gralanth. Sold to a Gralanthian nobleman, she learns more about her powers and just how dangerous magic can be in the wrong hands.
When their paths collide, Aliyah and Josen must work together. Monsters once thought to be myth are hunting them, and the fates of Myral and Gralanth are at stake. What ancient power has been awakened and why is it seeking revenge of its own?
June 18, 2024
I apologize for the low rating. I do think there are a lot of elements that make this book a fantastic debut novel. I found it to be a super accessible book that flowed well and had some truly wonderful moments. A lot of readers will find this book engaging and really enjoy it.
That said, I found it difficult to connect with the story and took particular fault with Aliyah's character arc. Throughout most of the book, she is portrayed as completely helpless and fully dependent on the men around her. She can't even decide what clothes to wear, prioritizing the need to please the men in her life. And look, I have no issue with wanting to look beautiful for your partner, but Hester's reductionist portrayal of Aliyah's internal dialogue felt limiting.
There's definitely a turning point where Aliyah wants to take control of her life and stand on her own two feet. I loved that shift in tone and seeing that growth take place. I felt there was even great exploration of her past traumas and how they hindered her from achieving her goals of being an effective combatant.
Trigger Warning: This rest of this review discusses themes of abuse and sexual assault.
Sexual assault is always going to be a highly polarizing issue. And unfortunately, I finished the book feeling really frustrated with how Hester handled the topic. In the 2nd to last chapter of the book, Aliyah is sexually assaulted by Sir Caldryk, a man she was sold to for marriage several months earlier. Hester had previously established that Caldryk, despite his extremely violent tendencies rife with physical and emotion abuse, had no history of sexual violence. This was a trait he never displayed across 2 partners over several months and years. This point was emphasized several times.
So I was actually very confused when it happened. I reread the passage making sure I understood it correctly because it was very out of character for Caldryk.
Then, one chapter later, the book ends.
I finished the book feeling like writing this assault was more to make a point, instead of realizing that maybe it was no longer necessary, given the direction the book had taken. I get the importance of addressing real-world issues like this in literature, but this wasn't a "spoils of war" moment with soldiers wreaking havoc in the background. This was our main character who just experienced a life shattering moment and the event felt swept under the rug.
Had this taken place earlier in the book, maybe it would have allowed for more meaningful dialogue about its impact on Aliyah. Placed at the end, it felt like an afterthought, and I find that really too bad given the weight and importance of this topic.
That said, I found it difficult to connect with the story and took particular fault with Aliyah's character arc. Throughout most of the book, she is portrayed as completely helpless and fully dependent on the men around her. She can't even decide what clothes to wear, prioritizing the need to please the men in her life. And look, I have no issue with wanting to look beautiful for your partner, but Hester's reductionist portrayal of Aliyah's internal dialogue felt limiting.
There's definitely a turning point where Aliyah wants to take control of her life and stand on her own two feet. I loved that shift in tone and seeing that growth take place. I felt there was even great exploration of her past traumas and how they hindered her from achieving her goals of being an effective combatant.
Trigger Warning: This rest of this review discusses themes of abuse and sexual assault.
Sexual assault is always going to be a highly polarizing issue. And unfortunately, I finished the book feeling really frustrated with how Hester handled the topic. In the 2nd to last chapter of the book, Aliyah is sexually assaulted by Sir Caldryk, a man she was sold to for marriage several months earlier. Hester had previously established that Caldryk, despite his extremely violent tendencies rife with physical and emotion abuse, had no history of sexual violence. This was a trait he never displayed across 2 partners over several months and years. This point was emphasized several times.
So I was actually very confused when it happened. I reread the passage making sure I understood it correctly because it was very out of character for Caldryk.
Then, one chapter later, the book ends.
I finished the book feeling like writing this assault was more to make a point, instead of realizing that maybe it was no longer necessary, given the direction the book had taken. I get the importance of addressing real-world issues like this in literature, but this wasn't a "spoils of war" moment with soldiers wreaking havoc in the background. This was our main character who just experienced a life shattering moment and the event felt swept under the rug.
Had this taken place earlier in the book, maybe it would have allowed for more meaningful dialogue about its impact on Aliyah. Placed at the end, it felt like an afterthought, and I find that really too bad given the weight and importance of this topic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2023
I had the pleasure of arc reading this book and damn was this book lovely. It was so sweet, but had powerful underlying messages of mental health rep and overcoming grief, loss and abuse! Not to mention powerful personalities and a great worldbuilding. Aliyah had to be my favourite, she is my name sake after all, but I loved Kaino. He was definitely the comic relief character we all need in our lives! And the end is such a cliff hanger-
Yoh, you'll actually want more and more. This story was as heartwarming as the journey the characters undertake! Definitely one to read!
Yoh, you'll actually want more and more. This story was as heartwarming as the journey the characters undertake! Definitely one to read!
November 25, 2023
subverted and exceeded my expectations
I got this book when K.L. Hester was selected for indie boomtown on instagram. I was expecting a by the numbers YA fantasy. I was pleasantly surprised when all the things I was not looking forward to didn’t happen. There’s not a lot of info dumping, and the moving from location to location feels natural and not jarring. I kept rooting for Josen and Alyiah to kiss the whole time. A lot of the time, YA fantasy couples just fall in love because the plot says so, but this felt like a natural progression of emotions. I will recommend this book to anyone.
I got this book when K.L. Hester was selected for indie boomtown on instagram. I was expecting a by the numbers YA fantasy. I was pleasantly surprised when all the things I was not looking forward to didn’t happen. There’s not a lot of info dumping, and the moving from location to location feels natural and not jarring. I kept rooting for Josen and Alyiah to kiss the whole time. A lot of the time, YA fantasy couples just fall in love because the plot says so, but this felt like a natural progression of emotions. I will recommend this book to anyone.
June 8, 2023
Wounds of Ash
Vendi Chronicles Book 1
By:K.L. Hester
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
I thought Wounds of Ash is a great start to a new high fantasy series. The magic system was creative and unique, but completely understandable. I really loved our FMC Aliyah. She was tough and persistent and relatable. Josen and Kaino were a great team. I loved Kaino the most in the story. He had such an easy personality to fall in love with.
One thing that I found extremely helpful is that the author read the first five chapters on her YouTube channel. I didn’t have to guess at pronunciations! I do wish there was a map of the world but all in all I would definitely recommend Wounds of Ash to fantasy lovers!
Blurb:
Ringard, the capital of Myral, and home of the magical Ringada has been attacked. With the help of his best friend, Josen sets out to hunt for those responsible. Driven by rage at the murder of his wife during the onslaught, Josen will stop at nothing to get revenge.
Aliyah, a Myralian born on the wrong side of the mountains, may be the key to bringing magic back to Gralanth. Sold to a Gralanthian nobleman, she learns more about her powers and just how dangerous magic can be in the wrong hands.
When their paths collide, Aliyah and Josen must work together. Monsters once thought to be myth are hunting them, and the fates of Myral and Gralanth are at stake...
Thank you K.L. Hester and HazelsBookTours for the opportunity to read and review Wounds of Ash. I was provided a copy for free and all thoughts and opinions in the review are mine.
Vendi Chronicles Book 1
By:K.L. Hester
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️
I thought Wounds of Ash is a great start to a new high fantasy series. The magic system was creative and unique, but completely understandable. I really loved our FMC Aliyah. She was tough and persistent and relatable. Josen and Kaino were a great team. I loved Kaino the most in the story. He had such an easy personality to fall in love with.
One thing that I found extremely helpful is that the author read the first five chapters on her YouTube channel. I didn’t have to guess at pronunciations! I do wish there was a map of the world but all in all I would definitely recommend Wounds of Ash to fantasy lovers!
Blurb:
Ringard, the capital of Myral, and home of the magical Ringada has been attacked. With the help of his best friend, Josen sets out to hunt for those responsible. Driven by rage at the murder of his wife during the onslaught, Josen will stop at nothing to get revenge.
Aliyah, a Myralian born on the wrong side of the mountains, may be the key to bringing magic back to Gralanth. Sold to a Gralanthian nobleman, she learns more about her powers and just how dangerous magic can be in the wrong hands.
When their paths collide, Aliyah and Josen must work together. Monsters once thought to be myth are hunting them, and the fates of Myral and Gralanth are at stake...
Thank you K.L. Hester and HazelsBookTours for the opportunity to read and review Wounds of Ash. I was provided a copy for free and all thoughts and opinions in the review are mine.
June 5, 2023
Thank you to hazel’s book tours and the author for a copy of the book to read in exchange for a review!!
This was an excellent debut novel. The characters were throughly developed, and I felt myself caring about each of the three main characters. I liked the magic system in this world. This book has fantasy and romance while also dealing with heavier topics like death and abuse. I loved how the author incorporated Ellie throughout the novel. It was done in such a beautiful way. Having Josen overcome his heartbreak, but not lose his love for his wife. When Ellie helped Aliyah at the end, I loved it. The only critique I have is that the beginning was a little slow for me. I do understand that the author was developing the world and the characters, but once Aliyah found Kaino and Josen, it was a fast paced read. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next, and I am looking forward to book 2.
This was an excellent debut novel. The characters were throughly developed, and I felt myself caring about each of the three main characters. I liked the magic system in this world. This book has fantasy and romance while also dealing with heavier topics like death and abuse. I loved how the author incorporated Ellie throughout the novel. It was done in such a beautiful way. Having Josen overcome his heartbreak, but not lose his love for his wife. When Ellie helped Aliyah at the end, I loved it. The only critique I have is that the beginning was a little slow for me. I do understand that the author was developing the world and the characters, but once Aliyah found Kaino and Josen, it was a fast paced read. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next, and I am looking forward to book 2.
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