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Dreamcatcher #2

Dreaming of Embers

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Embers are slumbering flames, waiting to be awakened...

Freedom is a promise that always seems to slip through Sienna Steel’s fingers. Still reeling from the blinding disappointment of deceit, she finds herself forced to accept her fate as Prince Ryker’s betrothed — a possession and a pawn once more.

Bound by black magic to a future she didn’t choose, Sienna leaves Moonastaria for the Prince of Nightmares’ kingdom. But when Ryker brings his bride-to-be before King Sodom — the very person rumored to want Sienna dead — they form an unlikely alliance to search for someone vital to them both: Sienna’s mother, Saffron.

Exploring the cosmic capabilities of her powers, Sienna finds herself one step closer to Saffron — and stumbles upon a secret that changes the way she sees Ryker forever. With their hearts fast becoming inextricable, Ryker’s layers wrap Sienna in untold depths, even as he pursues an agenda that risks tearing them apart.

And as their impending union nears, so too does a deadly foe.

From the creative mind of author Alyssa P. Kelso comes a romantic, otherworldly adventure in this second occult installment to her dreamy debut series.

402 pages, Paperback

First published September 11, 2023

3 people are currently reading
73 people want to read

About the author

Alyssa P. Kelso

3 books118 followers
Alyssa fell in love with the magic of books the day she was given a copy of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. She loves to express herself through multiple mediums and spend her weekends playing games and rewatching The Lord of the Rings (the extended edition) with her family. Alyssa lives in Utah with her husband and their beautiful children.

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5 stars
22 (81%)
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3 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Keri M.
435 reviews40 followers
September 4, 2024
Dreaming of embers is a captivating and beautifully well written fantasy novel that excels in character development, worldbuilding, and emotional depth. Alyssa delivers a story that is both enchanting and thought-provoking with a romance that is as intense as it is tender. This book is absolutely a must read and a perfect continuation of this series. the magical elements and the fantastical settings are vividly described, making the other worldly realm come alive with every single page. The blend of cosmic powers and dark enchantments creates an immersive experience that pulls you into the heart of the story. Do not sleep on this Author or this series.
Profile Image for Jessica Knapp.
Author 2 books12 followers
September 28, 2023
Okay, but I’m obsessed and NEED the next book. I need more Sienna! And…Ryker. 😏 DOE answered the questions I had from the first book. The imagery in this is beautiful, I loved the little references, I had laugh out loud moments and the writing was gorgeous. This book is well written and will keep you on the edge of your seat. It was a beautiful escape into a new world and you won’t be disappointed. Did I say I NEED the next book? 😍🥲 I cannot wait to read what Alyssa writes next.
Profile Image for Cammie.
97 reviews3 followers
April 21, 2025
I am so obsessed with the world Alyssa has created! I NEED book three! Sienna’s healing journey and the profound wisdom within the pages of this book have helped me more than I realized I needed. I can’t wait to see where the story goes!
Profile Image for L.D. Walters.
39 reviews
August 17, 2025
'I won't. I refuse. Because I'm not going to be another statistic. Another missing, murdered indigenous woman. A red handprint over someone else's mouth-for all of the sisters left unheard.


No. I will not be another number. I will survive. Fight. Dedicate my voice, my life, to honor those women.


To tell the worlds that they matter. That they deserve more. Because they do. And if I don't take the time to remember them, to care about their well-being and their stories, the losses will continue. Not just on Earth, but here too, with so many left unaccounted for. And that is unacceptable. '

- Sienna Steel

I loved every sentence! Sienna's world keeps growing. However, I did find a few inconsistencies. Sometimes, when a chapter would end, the next one wouldn't seamlessly fit, and I had to ponder: how did we get here? What's happening? Did that happen in the last chapter? Additionally, the constant scene jumps sometimes worked, but they also had the drawback of confusing the reader. Some grammar mistakes that could be overlooked.

Alyssa's pace is good. Her world-building is amazing. And the descriptions made me feel like I was there. She is the next Stephanie Meyer. Plus, I love how she addresses the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. That part made me cry.

For my Christian readers, it does contain strong swearing like s***t, damn, hell, prick, but no f bombs or uses of Jesus or God taken in vain, and sensual scenes.

2 reviews
September 17, 2023
Author Alyssa Kelso did not disappoint!


I have been waiting with much anticipation for the release of Dreaming of Embers and was so excited when it was released. I grabbed up my copy as soon as it was available and I couldn't put it down! I was hooked from the first page until the last. I laughed and I cried. Dreaming of Embers is filled with beautiful imagery, playful banter, tasteful love scenes, epic fight scenes, an intricate and imaginative story line, and major plot twists and cliff hangers! After finishing Dreaming of Fire, I was left with some questions, which were answered in Dreaming of Embers, but now I have more questions! I have loved following Sienna’s journey throughout this series. She is a force to be reckoned with for sure! Kelso expertly portrays the many facets of Sienna. She is brave and beautiful, fragile and fierce, vulnerable and confident. It was also fun to read about Sienna’s love/hate relationship with Ryker. I enjoyed the chapters that were written from Ryker’s POV, which were some of my favorite chapters. Kelso has a gift for weaving words together in such a way as to evoke powerful feelings and emotions. She makes me want to be braver, stronger, and better. I am an Alyssa Kelso fan, and can't wait for the next book in the Dream Catcher series!
1 review
September 21, 2023
I couldn't wait to see where Sienna's journey took her, and this second installment DID NOT DISAPPOINT! There were so many on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments, twists and turns, empowering messages, sweet/romantic elements, beautiful imagery, funny dialog, fascinating details, wonderful (and not so wonderful) characters, that I was engaged the entirety of the book! I was ecstatic to get some answers that the first book couldn't cover, and I'm thoroughly invested in Ryker's and Sienna's stories. You'll laugh and cry and break right along with the characters! Can you say, cliffhanger 😭? You'll be anxiously awaiting for the rest of their story to be finished up in the final book of the trilogy. What a creative and talented mind Alyssa has to come up with this breathtaking fantasy world! Love, love, loved it! It is a must read for sure! I feel like a different person for getting to experience this dream world, and it's a beautiful thing!
Profile Image for Taylor.
30 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2025
Dreaming of Embers takes everything I loved about the first book and turns the volume all the way up. The character growth? Fantastic. The emotional payoff? Even better. Kelso deepens the world and the relationships in a way that feels organic and earned, and I found myself tearing through chapters just to see how it all would unfold.

The tension in this book is immaculate...both the romantic tension and the “I’m holding my breath because these stakes are serious” tension. The pacing stays perfect, the magic feels richer and more intricate, and the emotional beats hit hard. Invested is an understatement.

This is the kind of sequel that makes you want to evangelize a series to everyone you know. It’s gripping, heartfelt, and beautifully written. I’m already counting down to whatever comes next and this series has made Alyssa an auto-buy author for me.

Another five-star read without hesitation.
Profile Image for Kassidy Peterson.
5 reviews2 followers
September 27, 2023
Seriously, I could not put this book down! The writing sucked me in from the first page and I was experiencing everything Sienna described. The imagery is so beautiful, but the message was even more beautiful. We're all worthy, we're all capable, and we're all dreamers 💚 I highly recommend this series to everyone. I laughed, I cried, and I finished the book with some very dramatic jumping and screaming. This world feels so real and the twist at the end had me freaking out! I know this one just came out, but I already can't wait to hear more of Sienna's story. This is a perfect mix of fantasy and action, and I loved the dual points of view. I felt like I got a much better picture of the world seeing it through different eyes. There's something for everyone in this book with romance, fight scenes, magic, fantasy, and lots of female bad-assery!
Profile Image for Savanna.
66 reviews7 followers
November 14, 2023
This is so gooooooood 🤩 The love story is 🤌🏼💋 perfection. We get a bit of a fated mate twist, enemy to lover and he falls first. 😍

Sienna is so cool. I want to be her friend. ❤️ and this world is just amazing. I thought nothing would surprise me because it feels like this story has all the fun tropes and magical creatures but pirates? Seriously? You got me. Haha. I was surprised. And I loved it!

And aghhhhh. The ending… like what? I flipped back and forth so many times trying to figure out why I was missing pages. Like I literally thought my kindle broke. NO. It’s just a cliffhanger that has my heart racingg stillllll. I NEED BOOK 3!!!

Such a wonderful and creative series full of healing, growth, love and inspiration. ❤️

Profile Image for Kelly Ormsby.
48 reviews
July 7, 2024
We begin "Dreaming of Embers" exactly where "Dreaming of Fire" ended - Ryker, prince of Feardawn, dropped a bomb on Sienna and all of Moonastaria. Sienna finally finds a path, and even more allies in finding her parents, but first - she's engaged to the very prince who captured her attention and her rage. The tiny love triangle between Darius, Ryker and Sienna is SO well done. Character development is truly Alyssa's forte. I am constantly surprised by how she built the characters in this story, and interwoven their paths in such an intricate, beautiful pattern. I've been a reader for a long time, and I really think that this series is one to keep your eye on. I said it in my review of the first book and I'll say it again. I feel like it's "Harry Potter" obsession level.
Profile Image for Marae Good.
Author 3 books232 followers
October 4, 2023
My favorite fantasy stories are ones with a balance of a little bit of everything. DOE has it all---fantasy, action, romance, humor, light hearted moments, healing, secrets, plot twists and just amazingly well fleshed out characters. Ryker holds my heart, but man, Sienna is right there with him. I loved watching her grow into herself. I can't wait to see her full potential in book three.

Alyssa's writing is beautiful and neat, honestly she has quite the talent with immersing the reader in the story. I'm so excited for the next book in the Dreamcatcher series. No pressure Alyssa, but I think we are all anxiously awaiting what's next after that CLIFFHANGER LOL.

Profile Image for Taylor Seymour.
7 reviews4 followers
September 14, 2023
I loved Dreaming of Fire and I REALLY LOVED Dreaming of Embers. In this book, you follow and get to know characters you met in the first book on an even deeper level. Histories are learned, secrets are uncovered, powers are discovered and strengthened, and PLOTS ARE TWISTED!!! Sienna is an extremely likable FMC with a level of self awareness and reflection that enables her character to constantly grow and strengthen as the story progresses. The romance, angst, and passion in this story DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. Beautifully done, Alyssa! Can’t wait for your next one!!
Profile Image for Amanda M.
2,843 reviews16 followers
September 20, 2023
This is an excellent read and addition to this series. I've waited for this part of the story since the last one. It was so good. Sienna and Ryker completely surprised me. There is so much more to these two than meets the eye. I really liked the plot twists that were weaved into the storyline. I also liked the deatils in the story, the suspense, the not knowing what was coming till happened and the growth in the characters. I recommend reading this it is a page turner that doesn't disappoint.
Profile Image for Wayne Elwood Jr..
1 review1 follower
September 20, 2023
Author Alyssa Kelso has done it again. Dreaming of Embers was such a fun read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Her writing creates vivid images of the Dream Catcher world that makes you feel as if you are right there alongside Sienna. Love, Adventure, Action and a few plot twists will keep you enthralled in the book with a strong desire to find out what will happen next. If you are looking for a new book to read look no further, I promise you won't be disappointed.
1 review
February 8, 2024
This story was enthralling. It pulled me in the moment I started reading. Epic sequel! The authors voice and vision on life, trauma and love is beautiful. I fell in love with these characters, it honestly felt like I've known them forever and could connect with them. Well written, detailed perfectly and most of all absolutely kept me engaged the whole time! Can't wait for Book 3!! When a book can bring me to both joy and heartbreak tears, I know I've found an author that speaks to my soul.
Profile Image for Jenna.
28 reviews
January 13, 2025
Even though it took me dang near a month to finish this, do not let that fool you. Deep and rich characters along with world building had me immersed in the story. It brought out all the emotions and spoke to the parts of me that are still healing. From one survivor to another it is our stories that help each other heal 🫶🫶🫶
Profile Image for Michelle Thatcher.
5 reviews
September 20, 2023
Loved this book. The world that was created was beautiful and it was full of adventure unlike anything I’ve read before. So many little twists and such a healing journey for Sienna.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1 review
September 30, 2023
Couldn’t put this down!! Alyssa is such a gifted author. I read the first book again before this one and it was even better the second time. So much to take in! Can’t wait for more books in this series!!❤️
Profile Image for Janet Feltner Jones.
14 reviews
April 22, 2025
Kelso weaves another beautiful story that leaves you wishing for more. She is a storyteller, through and through. Can’t wait for book 3!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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