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A Ballad of Crystal and Ash
He is fire to my ice. We burn brighter together but cause destruction and chaos when we are apart.
The kingdom went up in flames, lives were lost, and a man with fire in his veins was forced into exile by the lords’ demands.
Every single thing was taken away from me. Ripped my entire world apart and confined him to the dungeons for the rest of his life. What was left of the fire was consumed by the burning ice I created, and the heat that I had clung to, kissed by the embers, whittles away until I'm nothing but crystal to his ash.
The kingdom went up in flames, lives were lost, and a man with fire in his veins was forced into exile by the lords’ demands.
Every single thing was taken away from me. Ripped my entire world apart and confined him to the dungeons for the rest of his life. What was left of the fire was consumed by the burning ice I created, and the heat that I had clung to, kissed by the embers, whittles away until I'm nothing but crystal to his ash.
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About the author
Shaina Anastasi
18 books84 followersShaina Anastasi is a romantic fantasy author who loves delving into magic, blending elements of science fiction and horror into her work.
She loves pushing boundaries and crafting stories that stem from an overflowing mind filled with chaotic imagination.
Lately, she’s been dabbling in horromance and enjoying all things spooky and dark.
When she's not writing through the late hours of the night–keeping the ghosts company–Shaina creates Emergency Evacuation Diagrams for her day job and is also a full-time carer and cat enthusiast.
Your cat pics won't go unnoticed!
She loves pushing boundaries and crafting stories that stem from an overflowing mind filled with chaotic imagination.
Lately, she’s been dabbling in horromance and enjoying all things spooky and dark.
When she's not writing through the late hours of the night–keeping the ghosts company–Shaina creates Emergency Evacuation Diagrams for her day job and is also a full-time carer and cat enthusiast.
Your cat pics won't go unnoticed!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 13, 2024
A Ballad of Crystal and Ash by Shaina Anastasi is a dark fantasy, with elemental powers and morally grey MC's. We follow Reen and Pandora, but also get to see the brothers and knights playing a part in the journey Reen and Pandora are going through.
The banter between Pandora and Reen is to die for. I love how Shaina shows all the aspects of the story, the good, bad, hurtful, joyful, everything going on in Pandora's head, and also in Reen's head. We break down with them, but we also get stronger and build everything back up.
I like the back and forth between timelines. There is this unique structure and chapters weave together seamlessly. Shaina has also mastered writing with a butterfly effect, making this story feel even more exceptional. The incorporation of a Curator to give you additional background information when needed, and the journal entries of both Reen and Pandora, are a really unique and welcome feat.
A Ballad of Crystal and Ash has action, emotional depth, protagonists who are both relatable and deeply compelling, great world building and a heavy sprinkle of trigger warnings and spice. The plot twists and the emotional depth of the story keep you engaged from beginning to end.
With a complex and well thought through plot, great world building and highly emotional and complex challenges, it resonates long after the final page. The ending though… I can't. I am torn, sad, happy, and all other feelings bunched into a ball… I am at a loss because the book is finished.
Thanks to the author Shaina Anastasi for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. I read this book as an ARC reader, my opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily.
View my full review on my YouTube Channel or my blog: https://bookalyptic.com/
The banter between Pandora and Reen is to die for. I love how Shaina shows all the aspects of the story, the good, bad, hurtful, joyful, everything going on in Pandora's head, and also in Reen's head. We break down with them, but we also get stronger and build everything back up.
I like the back and forth between timelines. There is this unique structure and chapters weave together seamlessly. Shaina has also mastered writing with a butterfly effect, making this story feel even more exceptional. The incorporation of a Curator to give you additional background information when needed, and the journal entries of both Reen and Pandora, are a really unique and welcome feat.
A Ballad of Crystal and Ash has action, emotional depth, protagonists who are both relatable and deeply compelling, great world building and a heavy sprinkle of trigger warnings and spice. The plot twists and the emotional depth of the story keep you engaged from beginning to end.
With a complex and well thought through plot, great world building and highly emotional and complex challenges, it resonates long after the final page. The ending though… I can't. I am torn, sad, happy, and all other feelings bunched into a ball… I am at a loss because the book is finished.
Thanks to the author Shaina Anastasi for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. I read this book as an ARC reader, my opinions are my own and my review is voluntarily.
View my full review on my YouTube Channel or my blog: https://bookalyptic.com/
April 20, 2025
This series never gets boring—every book is an emotional rollercoaster and I’m obsessed!
The banter between the characters continues to be absolute perfection, and once again, I was completely blown away. Of course Pandora crystallized herself to save Reen—my heart! And Desmond showing up in her mind like that was real and not just a figment of her imagination?Chills. The way the timelines weave together and slowly reveal everything is so cleverly done, I love piecing it all together as it unfolds.
Seeing more of Emmerton this time around was such a bonus—it’s making me even more excited for his act. It feels like he knows everything, like he’s aware of all the timelines and the consequences of each butterfly effect. The mystery around him is sooo good.
And Reen and Pandora? They're chaotic and unhinged in the best way, yet somehow still adopting a kid. Ashton is such a little cutie and I know he’s going to be powerful—can’t wait to see how that plays out. I also can't wait to learn more about possible other elemny powers.
That ending though with Dove scheming with the hearts?? I NEED the next book right now. The suspense is killing me!
The banter between the characters continues to be absolute perfection, and once again, I was completely blown away. Of course Pandora crystallized herself to save Reen—my heart! And Desmond showing up in her mind like that was real and not just a figment of her imagination?Chills. The way the timelines weave together and slowly reveal everything is so cleverly done, I love piecing it all together as it unfolds.
Seeing more of Emmerton this time around was such a bonus—it’s making me even more excited for his act. It feels like he knows everything, like he’s aware of all the timelines and the consequences of each butterfly effect. The mystery around him is sooo good.
And Reen and Pandora? They're chaotic and unhinged in the best way, yet somehow still adopting a kid. Ashton is such a little cutie and I know he’s going to be powerful—can’t wait to see how that plays out. I also can't wait to learn more about possible other elemny powers.
That ending though with Dove scheming with the hearts?? I NEED the next book right now. The suspense is killing me!
June 14, 2024
Listen, to who ever is reading this, if you have read last book and it made you cry I will warn you so will this one!
I'm gonna start with, I love this author's writing style. It's unique and it just holds your interest, you know when you eat something sugar-y, something sweet, and your body asks for more and more. Well, as dumb as it sounds, but this is my sugar. I personally don't like series, interconnected standalones series - yes, but series like this often bores me. However, this one, I don't think that I for one single second lost interest in the story plot or character.
With that said, this book is heavy on grief, mental health, trauma and healing. Characters heal in their own specific way, and you will get to see them almost like, starting from beginning. Also there are new characters😏 which will give you love triangle vibes🤭
⭐️5/5
🌶2/5
I'm gonna start with, I love this author's writing style. It's unique and it just holds your interest, you know when you eat something sugar-y, something sweet, and your body asks for more and more. Well, as dumb as it sounds, but this is my sugar. I personally don't like series, interconnected standalones series - yes, but series like this often bores me. However, this one, I don't think that I for one single second lost interest in the story plot or character.
With that said, this book is heavy on grief, mental health, trauma and healing. Characters heal in their own specific way, and you will get to see them almost like, starting from beginning. Also there are new characters😏 which will give you love triangle vibes🤭
⭐️5/5
🌶2/5
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews