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Forgotten Kingdoms
Of Elves & Embers
A princess bound in flames.
A king living in shadows.
A forgotten vow written in the stars.
When I jetted off to Vegas for a reluctant girls’ weekend, the last thing I expected was to tumble through a portal into an alternate reality.
Now, I'm stuck in a world straight out of a fantasy, collared by a king who can't stand the sight of me, and roped into a deal he insists I struck in a previous life - a life where I was an Elven princess, arch-rival to his court.
I keep telling myself it's all a crazy dream, but the memories that barrage me every night are too real to ignore. And, as much as I hate to admit it, there's this inexplicable pull towards this mysterious elf - my captor, my adversary, and, bizarrely, my protector.
King Hadeon is hiding things about our shared history, and I'm not sure I'm ready to dig into that mystery. Even if I dared, the revelations might be more than I can handle.
With the Moon Court Elves gunning for me and wraiths threatening to destroy everything, I'm racing against time and fate. I need to piece together my past life before it's too late, and before history decides to repeat itself.
*Author Note: This is a standalone fantasy romance that contains a dark romance with slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, forced proximity, and medium spice.
A king living in shadows.
A forgotten vow written in the stars.
When I jetted off to Vegas for a reluctant girls’ weekend, the last thing I expected was to tumble through a portal into an alternate reality.
Now, I'm stuck in a world straight out of a fantasy, collared by a king who can't stand the sight of me, and roped into a deal he insists I struck in a previous life - a life where I was an Elven princess, arch-rival to his court.
I keep telling myself it's all a crazy dream, but the memories that barrage me every night are too real to ignore. And, as much as I hate to admit it, there's this inexplicable pull towards this mysterious elf - my captor, my adversary, and, bizarrely, my protector.
King Hadeon is hiding things about our shared history, and I'm not sure I'm ready to dig into that mystery. Even if I dared, the revelations might be more than I can handle.
With the Moon Court Elves gunning for me and wraiths threatening to destroy everything, I'm racing against time and fate. I need to piece together my past life before it's too late, and before history decides to repeat itself.
*Author Note: This is a standalone fantasy romance that contains a dark romance with slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, forced proximity, and medium spice.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2024
756 people are currently reading
4098 people want to read
About the author
Elle Madison
33 books677 followersElle Madison is a faerie disguising herself as an author in the human world.
When she isn't wrestling her children, she's busy baking cookies for her husband and becoming a regular at every taco shop she comes across.
After hours, when she puts the kiddos to bed, you can usually find Elle working on creating new fantastical worlds, reading about them or playing Stardew Valley like the child she is.
Elle enjoys watching the sunset, trying new wines, the occasional raccoon or two, and being with people who make her laugh.
When she isn't wrestling her children, she's busy baking cookies for her husband and becoming a regular at every taco shop she comes across.
After hours, when she puts the kiddos to bed, you can usually find Elle working on creating new fantastical worlds, reading about them or playing Stardew Valley like the child she is.
Elle enjoys watching the sunset, trying new wines, the occasional raccoon or two, and being with people who make her laugh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 364 reviews
June 11, 2025
╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝚍𝚗𝚏 - 𝟻𝟼% ⊹
╰ ✦ •
Honestly, the beginning was slow and some parts were confusing to the point where it put me in a reading slump.. I've tried picking it up again multiple times but I just wasn't into it, whether it was the writing or just the slow story in general, wasn't for me, which makes me sad since I really wanted to read this... maybe I'll pick this up in the future since its on KU.
Thank you for the ARC tho <3
│ ⊹ 𝚍𝚗𝚏 - 𝟻𝟼% ⊹
╰ ✦ •
Honestly, the beginning was slow and some parts were confusing to the point where it put me in a reading slump.. I've tried picking it up again multiple times but I just wasn't into it, whether it was the writing or just the slow story in general, wasn't for me, which makes me sad since I really wanted to read this... maybe I'll pick this up in the future since its on KU.
Thank you for the ARC tho <3
January 24, 2024
Where to begin...🤔
This was the total package of everything I want in a dark fantasy romance.
I seldomly read novels of this subgenre and am usually more drawn towards grimdark, military and epic fantasy, but this was the perfect book in between the above mentioned subgenres.
The characters were well written, had depth and the banter made me smile throughout and even laugh out loud in some scenes.
A Cerberus as a pet? Heck yes!🥰
My dog was not amused about me telling her how cute a three headed dog would be to cuddle with😅
I liked the magic system a lot, as well as the world building (there were a few places I'd like to visit myself tbh) and all the twists and turns throughout the book.
Btw, this is a standalone and a quite fast-paced read...I got the book yesterday and couldn't put it down. I snuck in a few more smoke breaks at work today, just to read a few pages🤫
Thanks to Elle Madison & Robin Mahle for providing me with an ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and my opinion on this book is my own.
This was the total package of everything I want in a dark fantasy romance.
I seldomly read novels of this subgenre and am usually more drawn towards grimdark, military and epic fantasy, but this was the perfect book in between the above mentioned subgenres.
The characters were well written, had depth and the banter made me smile throughout and even laugh out loud in some scenes.
A Cerberus as a pet? Heck yes!🥰
My dog was not amused about me telling her how cute a three headed dog would be to cuddle with😅
I liked the magic system a lot, as well as the world building (there were a few places I'd like to visit myself tbh) and all the twists and turns throughout the book.
Btw, this is a standalone and a quite fast-paced read...I got the book yesterday and couldn't put it down. I snuck in a few more smoke breaks at work today, just to read a few pages🤫
Thanks to Elle Madison & Robin Mahle for providing me with an ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and my opinion on this book is my own.
February 2, 2024
As always, I was really excited to read another ElBin book. The way they spin stories and make you fall in love with their characters is just amazing.
Of Elves and Embers is part of a multi-author collaboration. Although you can read all these books as standalones, I think it does the stories more justice if you read them all (maybe even in order of publication). This way I suspect you’ll get a lot more worldbuilding and overall depth in the stories. Because that’s what I missed in OEAE, having only read this one. You can feel there is an entire world ready to be discovered, a shared history that can be explored, and lots of interesting characters. Especially with the prophecy (being really intriguing and unique), that’s really an overarching element that can’t properly be done justice if you only read one of the books. Even though the prologue gives you more insight into what happened in the past, combined with flashbacks and references to prior events, I’m still hungry for more. Nonetheless I still enjoyed reading OEAE and was happy to find some closure at the end of the story. Now I’m curious to find out what happened to the other 7 women of the prophecy.
The characters are just like I expected. Their personalities are really differentiated yet they are all very loveable in their own way (even the broody shadow king). Celani, Kallius and Leander are absolutely new favourites of mine. There are also a few amazing animal companions in this book who you’ll definitely want to meet. Ember and Hadeon make a strong and compelling duo as well.
The pacing on the other hand was a tad too slow for me, especially in the first half of the book. I would also have loved some more overall depth and character development, but I guess this is due to the book being part of this collaboration (as explained above) and the whole reincarnation aspect. Because of the reincarnation part, some things evolved rather automatically and without much explanation. It just didn’t always feel as natural as I’m used to with other characters and stories written by these authors. But I think that has more to do with me apparently not liking this reincarnation storyline type, personal preference wise, and less with the authors and the way they created and executed this story. Because they crafted a compelling story as part of this bigger whole.
Even though this book is advertised as being more spicy and dark than their other books, it isn’t actually that bad. On the darkness and spice level I felt like it was comparable to their Twisted Pages series. And if you compare it to other books that are out in the open (like for example the ACOTAR series) this one was still fairly mild in my opinion. So don’t let that warning scare you away (and even if you don’t like spicy scenes in books, you can easily skim over them without missing out too much of the storyline). It’s an easy reading portal fantasy with a compelling storyline and lots of amazing characters.
Of Elves and Embers is part of a multi-author collaboration. Although you can read all these books as standalones, I think it does the stories more justice if you read them all (maybe even in order of publication). This way I suspect you’ll get a lot more worldbuilding and overall depth in the stories. Because that’s what I missed in OEAE, having only read this one. You can feel there is an entire world ready to be discovered, a shared history that can be explored, and lots of interesting characters. Especially with the prophecy (being really intriguing and unique), that’s really an overarching element that can’t properly be done justice if you only read one of the books. Even though the prologue gives you more insight into what happened in the past, combined with flashbacks and references to prior events, I’m still hungry for more. Nonetheless I still enjoyed reading OEAE and was happy to find some closure at the end of the story. Now I’m curious to find out what happened to the other 7 women of the prophecy.
The characters are just like I expected. Their personalities are really differentiated yet they are all very loveable in their own way (even the broody shadow king). Celani, Kallius and Leander are absolutely new favourites of mine. There are also a few amazing animal companions in this book who you’ll definitely want to meet. Ember and Hadeon make a strong and compelling duo as well.
The pacing on the other hand was a tad too slow for me, especially in the first half of the book. I would also have loved some more overall depth and character development, but I guess this is due to the book being part of this collaboration (as explained above) and the whole reincarnation aspect. Because of the reincarnation part, some things evolved rather automatically and without much explanation. It just didn’t always feel as natural as I’m used to with other characters and stories written by these authors. But I think that has more to do with me apparently not liking this reincarnation storyline type, personal preference wise, and less with the authors and the way they created and executed this story. Because they crafted a compelling story as part of this bigger whole.
Even though this book is advertised as being more spicy and dark than their other books, it isn’t actually that bad. On the darkness and spice level I felt like it was comparable to their Twisted Pages series. And if you compare it to other books that are out in the open (like for example the ACOTAR series) this one was still fairly mild in my opinion. So don’t let that warning scare you away (and even if you don’t like spicy scenes in books, you can easily skim over them without missing out too much of the storyline). It’s an easy reading portal fantasy with a compelling storyline and lots of amazing characters.
February 2, 2024
This was such a lovely book. The story between Ember and King Hadeon was heartbreaking at times, infuriating a lot of the time, but completely relatable despite it being set in a fantasy world where rival elven courts are continually at each other’s throats.
While this is a standalone novel, it is book five of a shared world series that I’d honestly recommend reading books 1-4 before diving into this one so you get the full effect the cameos and understand everything fully.
Much like the first four books we start with Ember’s kidnapping from the Vegas casino she and all the other heiresses were at on Halloween night. I’ve gotta say, I think Ember definitely had the least traumatic “kidnapping” out of everyone so far…once she crosses over into the Moon Court territory though, well…that’s another story.
I found that the characters in this book, not just Ember and King Hadeon were well fleshed out. I really enjoyed the fact that we got to know the side characters pretty well and see glimpses of how they fit into Ember’s life before and afterwards.
The love story between Ember and Hadeon had shades of the Hades & Persephone myth, a personal favorite of mine. Hadeon is angry throughout a decent portion of this book, but you can still see how much he loves Ember, or the Ember from before. You learn why he’s so angry and you understand why he’s so angry. Ember, to her credit, learns from her past life mistakes and these two do get their HEA after a few very close calls.
We also get two very cute animal sidekicks in this book, though one takes center stage. We get a flaming cat/griffon/bird creature and a Cerberus that can portal through moonlight. I mean, how cute is that?
We also get a cameo from a familiar face and meet our next book heroine when she needs Ember and Hadeon’s help.
I was thoroughly entertained during this entire book and didn’t want it to end. I hope we’ll see more books in the future with Ember and Hadeon…maybe a spinoff series, perhaps?
I’d like to thank Elle Madison & Robin D. Mahle for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this awesome book!
While this is a standalone novel, it is book five of a shared world series that I’d honestly recommend reading books 1-4 before diving into this one so you get the full effect the cameos and understand everything fully.
Much like the first four books we start with Ember’s kidnapping from the Vegas casino she and all the other heiresses were at on Halloween night. I’ve gotta say, I think Ember definitely had the least traumatic “kidnapping” out of everyone so far…once she crosses over into the Moon Court territory though, well…that’s another story.
I found that the characters in this book, not just Ember and King Hadeon were well fleshed out. I really enjoyed the fact that we got to know the side characters pretty well and see glimpses of how they fit into Ember’s life before and afterwards.
The love story between Ember and Hadeon had shades of the Hades & Persephone myth, a personal favorite of mine. Hadeon is angry throughout a decent portion of this book, but you can still see how much he loves Ember, or the Ember from before. You learn why he’s so angry and you understand why he’s so angry. Ember, to her credit, learns from her past life mistakes and these two do get their HEA after a few very close calls.
We also get two very cute animal sidekicks in this book, though one takes center stage. We get a flaming cat/griffon/bird creature and a Cerberus that can portal through moonlight. I mean, how cute is that?
We also get a cameo from a familiar face and meet our next book heroine when she needs Ember and Hadeon’s help.
I was thoroughly entertained during this entire book and didn’t want it to end. I hope we’ll see more books in the future with Ember and Hadeon…maybe a spinoff series, perhaps?
I’d like to thank Elle Madison & Robin D. Mahle for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this awesome book!
February 10, 2024
I literally read this book in one day! I picked it up for some "light" reading and never stopped (because I couldn't! 😭).
Of Elves and Embers is just right up my alley with a dark shadow daddy, a sassy and powerful heroine, slow burn plot that slowly unravels and keeps me on the edge, enemies to lovers, AND most importantly - REINCARNATION!
I absolutely love a reincarnation trope and I feel like it's so rare for me to find a book with this trope that nails it. It just gives that angst, the longing, that no other trope can give. I mean come on??? To have someone literally wait and love and OBSESS over you across different lifetimes?
"No matter what name you go by, in a different body, in a different world, with a different accent and different memories, I will know you every time. Every version of you across space and time and circumstances." - King Hadeon to his Feralina
SOBBING 😭 😭 😭 😭 😭 😭 😭
This book made my heart ache both in a good and bad way, and I know this is a standalone, but I really wish there was more. I wanted to see more them just being goofy, happy, and IN LOVE after everything they have gone through. Thank you so much for giving me this book for free - I am so lucky to have the opportunity to read such an amazingly-written story!
Of Elves and Embers is just right up my alley with a dark shadow daddy, a sassy and powerful heroine, slow burn plot that slowly unravels and keeps me on the edge, enemies to lovers, AND most importantly - REINCARNATION!
I absolutely love a reincarnation trope and I feel like it's so rare for me to find a book with this trope that nails it. It just gives that angst, the longing, that no other trope can give. I mean come on??? To have someone literally wait and love and OBSESS over you across different lifetimes?
"No matter what name you go by, in a different body, in a different world, with a different accent and different memories, I will know you every time. Every version of you across space and time and circumstances." - King Hadeon to his Feralina
SOBBING 😭 😭 😭 😭 😭 😭 😭
This book made my heart ache both in a good and bad way, and I know this is a standalone, but I really wish there was more. I wanted to see more them just being goofy, happy, and IN LOVE after everything they have gone through. Thank you so much for giving me this book for free - I am so lucky to have the opportunity to read such an amazingly-written story!
April 6, 2024
Book 5 in the Forgotten Kingdoms collection
I wish I could give this book more than 5*! I'm not sure my mere words could possibly convey my love for these characters and their journey, not to mention the absolutely adorable animal sidekicks.
A highly emotional, gripping portal fantasy featuring a sweet second chance romance with plenty of humor, banter, tension, angst, desire, and love that pulled me in from page 1 and held me captive til the very last word. The characters face struggles, but they're resolved to face each battle and save their kingdom with the help of unlikely allies. This book is very well written as a stand alone within the collection blending the mortal world with the fantasy world in a seamless manner.
Well-developed, strong characters. Intricately detailed world building to transport me onto the page of the book along the way. Captivating plot.
"All relationships take work, but there's value in knowing someone could be perfectly compatible with you, as long as you're willing to try."
"There is never a choice when it comes to you."
"You are an inevitability."
I wish I could give this book more than 5*! I'm not sure my mere words could possibly convey my love for these characters and their journey, not to mention the absolutely adorable animal sidekicks.
A highly emotional, gripping portal fantasy featuring a sweet second chance romance with plenty of humor, banter, tension, angst, desire, and love that pulled me in from page 1 and held me captive til the very last word. The characters face struggles, but they're resolved to face each battle and save their kingdom with the help of unlikely allies. This book is very well written as a stand alone within the collection blending the mortal world with the fantasy world in a seamless manner.
Well-developed, strong characters. Intricately detailed world building to transport me onto the page of the book along the way. Captivating plot.
"All relationships take work, but there's value in knowing someone could be perfectly compatible with you, as long as you're willing to try."
"There is never a choice when it comes to you."
"You are an inevitability."
February 3, 2024
Fantastic portal romantasy!
This story starts in our time, our Earth, and then the FMC Ember is taken to a world of epic magic - magic tied to places, magical creatures, magical species. Without giving away any spoilers, the journey Ember takes while going from her besties party to being hauled across snowy mountains to a shadow king who collars her with said shadows to coming into her true self for the first time was beautifully done. The reincarnation realization for Ember slowly (but not painfully for the reader) put the missing pieces from her life together without overriding or negating her lived experiences. This was handled so well within the story and I loved how, as her memories returned from her previous life, it didn’t change her thoughts and feelings, but they helped her understand things in new ways.
We had ElBin’s witty banter, their slow-burn sizzling tension, this time with non-explicit, but on-page romance scenes that were fabulous, and fantastic character growth! Also, we have not one but TWO ridiculously wonderful, adorable, and vicious animal sidekicks. Of course I want both of them.
Hadeon is fantastic for her love interest and his character works beautifully for drawing out her magic, and learning who his soulmate it - how she has changed as well as how he’d know her anywhere. Their balance, their push & pull, and their chemistry is strong and I was so here for it!
Side characters don’t steal the show, but the enrich it beautifully and help bring out more depth to the main characters, their flaws, their personalities, and their intentions, while giving the reader an even deeper understanding of the world Ember finds herself in. I genuinely hope that we get to have more stories- I have a few requests already, actually, but please give us stories for: C, L, K, and E for sure!
Final note for readers: be ready to crave tacos before the book is over. Have supplies on-hand.
This story starts in our time, our Earth, and then the FMC Ember is taken to a world of epic magic - magic tied to places, magical creatures, magical species. Without giving away any spoilers, the journey Ember takes while going from her besties party to being hauled across snowy mountains to a shadow king who collars her with said shadows to coming into her true self for the first time was beautifully done. The reincarnation realization for Ember slowly (but not painfully for the reader) put the missing pieces from her life together without overriding or negating her lived experiences. This was handled so well within the story and I loved how, as her memories returned from her previous life, it didn’t change her thoughts and feelings, but they helped her understand things in new ways.
We had ElBin’s witty banter, their slow-burn sizzling tension, this time with non-explicit, but on-page romance scenes that were fabulous, and fantastic character growth! Also, we have not one but TWO ridiculously wonderful, adorable, and vicious animal sidekicks. Of course I want both of them.
Hadeon is fantastic for her love interest and his character works beautifully for drawing out her magic, and learning who his soulmate it - how she has changed as well as how he’d know her anywhere. Their balance, their push & pull, and their chemistry is strong and I was so here for it!
Side characters don’t steal the show, but the enrich it beautifully and help bring out more depth to the main characters, their flaws, their personalities, and their intentions, while giving the reader an even deeper understanding of the world Ember finds herself in. I genuinely hope that we get to have more stories- I have a few requests already, actually, but please give us stories for: C, L, K, and E for sure!
Final note for readers: be ready to crave tacos before the book is over. Have supplies on-hand.
January 26, 2024
When Ember is going out in Vegas on a fully paid holiday she won with her friends, she goes to the Fairy Bar. But all of a sudden, Ember is transported away from the Bar and gets dropped in a totally new world. She’s seen as the reincarnation of a woman called Phaedra, who’s struck a bargain with the Shadow King. Because that same woman didn’t hold up her end of this bargain, Ember has to step in and gets collared up by the Shadow King, called Hadeon.
At first they can’t stand each other, but after a while they both see they have to work together to defeat the great evil and the prophecy. They have to fight the wraiths and all kinds of other obstacles to finally get what they have craved for, for so long. While all this happens, Ember starts to retrieve more and more of Phaedra’s memories and Ember starts to act more like this woman. She flies her own baztet (how cool is that) and has her own cute Cerberus dog for a pet. Along the way Ember makes friends but she also discovers who her enemies are. And what about her life in Vegas?
I thought this was a book that felt really long; though it really wasn’t, but I think that was because of the worldbuilding that was quite heavy. There’s this definite enemies-to-lovers trope and I personally loved the addition of Nyx, the Cerberus. Also really liked that the MMC was called Hadeon, he initially had Nyx ánd he can command the shadows. So like a Hades kind of guy, and I always like that. I loved the character development in this book, for the main characters but also the side characters. Furthermore, I could really appreciate the relation ship development between Ember and Hadeon.
The story was fast-paced when I look at the story line, the world building just made it feel like it wasn’t going that fast. But that didn’t bother me. I read the book in 2 days, so I guess that says enough. There was a lot of action going on and there is some spice, but not too much, luckily.
The ending felt okay, but something tells me this doesn’t have to be the end of Ember and Hadeon’s story. I would gladly read a second book about them, as long as Nyx and Celani are a part of it!
I received this book as an ARC from Elle Madison and Robin Mahle. Thank you!
At first they can’t stand each other, but after a while they both see they have to work together to defeat the great evil and the prophecy. They have to fight the wraiths and all kinds of other obstacles to finally get what they have craved for, for so long. While all this happens, Ember starts to retrieve more and more of Phaedra’s memories and Ember starts to act more like this woman. She flies her own baztet (how cool is that) and has her own cute Cerberus dog for a pet. Along the way Ember makes friends but she also discovers who her enemies are. And what about her life in Vegas?
I thought this was a book that felt really long; though it really wasn’t, but I think that was because of the worldbuilding that was quite heavy. There’s this definite enemies-to-lovers trope and I personally loved the addition of Nyx, the Cerberus. Also really liked that the MMC was called Hadeon, he initially had Nyx ánd he can command the shadows. So like a Hades kind of guy, and I always like that. I loved the character development in this book, for the main characters but also the side characters. Furthermore, I could really appreciate the relation ship development between Ember and Hadeon.
The story was fast-paced when I look at the story line, the world building just made it feel like it wasn’t going that fast. But that didn’t bother me. I read the book in 2 days, so I guess that says enough. There was a lot of action going on and there is some spice, but not too much, luckily.
The ending felt okay, but something tells me this doesn’t have to be the end of Ember and Hadeon’s story. I would gladly read a second book about them, as long as Nyx and Celani are a part of it!
I received this book as an ARC from Elle Madison and Robin Mahle. Thank you!
January 27, 2024
I had high expectations for this book and it did not disappoint! Definitely a 5⭐️ for me, which means not only did I love it but will definitely reread at some point.
A standalone fantasy romance, book 5 in the Forgotten Kingdoms series. Although you can read it on its own, this series has been so good that I would recommend reading them all.
A princess bound in flames
A king living in shadows
A forgotten vow written in stars
With the Moon Court Elves gunning for her and wraiths threatening to destroy everything, she races against time and fate. She needs to piece together her past life before it’s too late, and before history decides to repeat itself.
I devoured this book with its captivating story and strong characters you can’t help but fall in love with. The banter, tension, humour, longing and love had me hooked from page one and I think I found my new shadow daddy in Hadeon.
A standalone fantasy romance, book 5 in the Forgotten Kingdoms series. Although you can read it on its own, this series has been so good that I would recommend reading them all.
A princess bound in flames
A king living in shadows
A forgotten vow written in stars
With the Moon Court Elves gunning for her and wraiths threatening to destroy everything, she races against time and fate. She needs to piece together her past life before it’s too late, and before history decides to repeat itself.
I devoured this book with its captivating story and strong characters you can’t help but fall in love with. The banter, tension, humour, longing and love had me hooked from page one and I think I found my new shadow daddy in Hadeon.
February 1, 2024
As a fan of all sorts of books, I didn't shy away at all from the idea of more spice in a book from some of my favorite authors. Elbin has consistently wrapped my heart in each of their books, and Elves is no different.
Ember and Hadeon are dynamic. They contrast and compliment each other in such a fantastic way, and their soul connection makes each of their interactions memorable. The side characters are lovable, the world building is *chef's kiss*, the over-arcing story is playing out gorgeously over this shared world, what is not to love!
Ember and Hadeon are dynamic. They contrast and compliment each other in such a fantastic way, and their soul connection makes each of their interactions memorable. The side characters are lovable, the world building is *chef's kiss*, the over-arcing story is playing out gorgeously over this shared world, what is not to love!
January 30, 2024
How does one put into words how this book made them feel?
That it was everything and not enough all at the same time?
That Ember is a force to be reckoned with even if she doesn't believe it. That Hadeon is totally a douche canoe all the time. 🤣
I absolutely love Ember and her Shadow Daddy Hadeon. I couldn't get enough of them, and I really really want more of their story or their family's. Particularly her brother Leander and Celani. 😉
That it was everything and not enough all at the same time?
That Ember is a force to be reckoned with even if she doesn't believe it. That Hadeon is totally a douche canoe all the time. 🤣
I absolutely love Ember and her Shadow Daddy Hadeon. I couldn't get enough of them, and I really really want more of their story or their family's. Particularly her brother Leander and Celani. 😉
February 2, 2024
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book. I knew nothing about the authors or the previous books they have written. I went into this book completely blind, and I can say that I am very happy that I read this.
I honestly adored this book. The plot was great, the characters highly enjoyable, each of them different in their own way, the descriptions of things not paragraphs and paragraphs long. Plus Nyx, what’s not to love about Nyx?
I enjoyed Ember. I felt that I could connect with her. She used a lot of the words that I use in my own day to day life, so it had me laughing whenever I came across them and thinking “I say that too!”. Hadeon I warmed up to as things went on, but I think that was the entire point of his character. The antagonist of the book I found myself unconsciously wrinkling my nose at whenever they popped up (no spoilers about it, don’t worry).
Overall, I’m glad I read this. It was paced well, had characters that you could genuinely enjoy, and a plot that was interesting. I would happily read more books by these authors.
I honestly adored this book. The plot was great, the characters highly enjoyable, each of them different in their own way, the descriptions of things not paragraphs and paragraphs long. Plus Nyx, what’s not to love about Nyx?
I enjoyed Ember. I felt that I could connect with her. She used a lot of the words that I use in my own day to day life, so it had me laughing whenever I came across them and thinking “I say that too!”. Hadeon I warmed up to as things went on, but I think that was the entire point of his character. The antagonist of the book I found myself unconsciously wrinkling my nose at whenever they popped up (no spoilers about it, don’t worry).
Overall, I’m glad I read this. It was paced well, had characters that you could genuinely enjoy, and a plot that was interesting. I would happily read more books by these authors.
January 29, 2024
Oh, I loved every second of this! Elle and Robin have struck again with a slightly more spicy story this time around! They wove together an intriguing story of a human girl who finds out that she isn't exactly human, and there her adventure beings.
I really enjoyed the magic system in this world and the variety of fantasy creatures that live there. I loved the premise and the slow regaining of memories that give us more insight into the world and the relationships with these new characters. This had a very interesting villain and issue to overcome, and I am looking forward to reading the other books in this multi-author series/world!
I received this book as an advanced reader, and these are my own opinions.
Rating: 4.5⭐️
I really enjoyed the magic system in this world and the variety of fantasy creatures that live there. I loved the premise and the slow regaining of memories that give us more insight into the world and the relationships with these new characters. This had a very interesting villain and issue to overcome, and I am looking forward to reading the other books in this multi-author series/world!
I received this book as an advanced reader, and these are my own opinions.
Rating: 4.5⭐️
January 30, 2024
4.75 ⭐️
2 🌶️
Thank you ElBin for gifting me an ARC of this standalone fantasy romance novel.
My first novel by Elle and Robin didn’t disappoint. The characters are loveable and the plot tugged at my heartstrings throughout the novel.
Ember is a reincarnation but doesn’t have access to her memories or isos. Haedon is a brooding, morally grey elfin king with shadow daddy vibes.
A host of Hades & Persephone vibes, witty banter, training montages, prophecies, and tense battle scenes provides a fantastic read with a fast pace. Utterly heartwarming and heartbreaking the story of Ember and Haedon gives way to the perfect slow burn, enemies to lovers combination that sucks the reader in.
The antagonist throughout the novel is challenging for both Ember and Haedon while Abba provides prophetic thoughts that lead the protagonists down a dark tunnel to save their courts. I absolutely did not call the plot twist at the climax.
Overall, this book was a wonderful combination of tension, banter, and heartwarming moments.
2 🌶️
Thank you ElBin for gifting me an ARC of this standalone fantasy romance novel.
My first novel by Elle and Robin didn’t disappoint. The characters are loveable and the plot tugged at my heartstrings throughout the novel.
Ember is a reincarnation but doesn’t have access to her memories or isos. Haedon is a brooding, morally grey elfin king with shadow daddy vibes.
A host of Hades & Persephone vibes, witty banter, training montages, prophecies, and tense battle scenes provides a fantastic read with a fast pace. Utterly heartwarming and heartbreaking the story of Ember and Haedon gives way to the perfect slow burn, enemies to lovers combination that sucks the reader in.
The antagonist throughout the novel is challenging for both Ember and Haedon while Abba provides prophetic thoughts that lead the protagonists down a dark tunnel to save their courts. I absolutely did not call the plot twist at the climax.
Overall, this book was a wonderful combination of tension, banter, and heartwarming moments.
January 29, 2024
This is the second book I've read in this series, and I definitely will have to read the rest of them. The connected storyline is SO good and yet each book really is its own thing, but then adding in a few hints and characters from the other stories is enough to tie the whole thing together.
Ember and Hadeon are both such great characters. The will they/won't they tension of their love/hate relationship is written so well and the reasons for their actions are sprinkled throughout the story perfectly. There are also a couple of really great side characters and, of course, since this is an ElBin book, we have some awesome animal sidekicks.
It's only January, and y'all are already making picking a favorite book of the year really hard.
Ember and Hadeon are both such great characters. The will they/won't they tension of their love/hate relationship is written so well and the reasons for their actions are sprinkled throughout the story perfectly. There are also a couple of really great side characters and, of course, since this is an ElBin book, we have some awesome animal sidekicks.
It's only January, and y'all are already making picking a favorite book of the year really hard.
February 1, 2024
I didn’t know what to expect from this book since I’ve never read anything by these authors, but was pleasantly surprised.
The slow burn was immaculate and my heart lived for Hadeon and Ember’s interactions.
Learning the story with our FMC also made this really fun since she also has no idea what’s happening and it brings you so close to understand how Ember is feeling and I loved it!
I cannot wait to read the rest of this world.
I haven’t purchased this book, and received the ebook ARC for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The slow burn was immaculate and my heart lived for Hadeon and Ember’s interactions.
Learning the story with our FMC also made this really fun since she also has no idea what’s happening and it brings you so close to understand how Ember is feeling and I loved it!
I cannot wait to read the rest of this world.
I haven’t purchased this book, and received the ebook ARC for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 20, 2024
This is a standalone fantasy shared world from the Forgotten Kingdoms.
Fast paced enemies to lovers, fated mates.
Ember goes on holiday with her friends for a weekend away to Vegas which they won. They end up in Fairy Bar and then Ember is transported to a different world via a moongate.
She meets Hadeon the Shadow King. They can’t stand each other. They then start to get along as they need to work together to defeat evil and a prophecy.
The elves think Ember is a princess who died and is reincarnated. She starts to receive dreams from another life. She made a bargain with Hadeon which she needs to fulfil.
Loved the world building and the characters.
Elle and Robin are new authors and I’m looking forward to reading more of their stories. Loved the Cerebus Nyx and Celani.
Fast paced enemies to lovers, fated mates.
Ember goes on holiday with her friends for a weekend away to Vegas which they won. They end up in Fairy Bar and then Ember is transported to a different world via a moongate.
She meets Hadeon the Shadow King. They can’t stand each other. They then start to get along as they need to work together to defeat evil and a prophecy.
The elves think Ember is a princess who died and is reincarnated. She starts to receive dreams from another life. She made a bargain with Hadeon which she needs to fulfil.
Loved the world building and the characters.
Elle and Robin are new authors and I’m looking forward to reading more of their stories. Loved the Cerebus Nyx and Celani.
February 2, 2024
This was a fun and easy Romantasy book read that kept me hooked and reading the whole time. No slow parts!
There is a prophecy I didn’t quite understand or see come to pass but this book is apart of a series of books and I think it would make complete sense with reading those as well. But this is still a stand alone story with a HEA!! You will come away with a new book boyfriend who is also a Shadow Daddy!!
Definitely would recommend to read if you like Romantasy! It’s not quite a slow burn but you do have to wait a little for some spice.
Update they added a prologue and that helped clear things up for me! Definitely worth a read!
There is a prophecy I didn’t quite understand or see come to pass but this book is apart of a series of books and I think it would make complete sense with reading those as well. But this is still a stand alone story with a HEA!! You will come away with a new book boyfriend who is also a Shadow Daddy!!
Definitely would recommend to read if you like Romantasy! It’s not quite a slow burn but you do have to wait a little for some spice.
Update they added a prologue and that helped clear things up for me! Definitely worth a read!
July 26, 2024
Second readthrough with the audiobook! I was really excited to listen to this stand alone from Elle Madison & Robin Mahle, especially with Olivia King narrating! Ember is a super sassy lady who is a great complement to Hadeon, the grumpy shadow daddy 😂. The animal sidekicks are very adorable too 🥰. Once I started the story and got to the world of Terrea it was difficult to put down the story to take care of my real life responsibilities. The pacing of the story was great for a stand-alone left me wanting more. I'm looking forward to jumping into the other stories of the Forgotten Kingdoms!
February 3, 2024
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦, 𝘴𝘮𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩. 𝘈𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘹𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.”
•
Main Characters: Hadeon & Ember
•
This book is part of an 8 book series called, Forgotten Kingdoms series. This is the next installment to be published in this series! Which I highly recommended you to check all of them out 🤩
•
I got swept into the pages from page 1. Our FMC, Ember, is happily going about her life when she gets swept away by her new friends into this magical realm. Here, she meets our sexy Shadow Daddy, Hadeon; and she’s a little confused at what’s going on here. Modern girl in a fantasy world. Later we find out she’s a fierce warrior from another kingdom with magical powers! And Hadeon is trying to keep her all to himself lol.
•
This book has a story within a story and it all fits so well together and I just loved all the emotions. The angst, slow burn, the BANTER. Ember wasn’t going down without a fight. You get it girl. However, Hadeon loves a good challenge…all for the sacrifice of love. Memories come to surface as Ember tries so hard not to remember his touch…
•
Thank you to Elle Madison for this beautiful ARC in exchange for an honest review! I held on to every word!
•
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Spice: 3/5 🌶️
•
This title releases on 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟔𝐭𝐡! Be sure to check it out!!
•
Happy Reading, my lovelies! xo
•
Main Characters: Hadeon & Ember
•
This book is part of an 8 book series called, Forgotten Kingdoms series. This is the next installment to be published in this series! Which I highly recommended you to check all of them out 🤩
•
I got swept into the pages from page 1. Our FMC, Ember, is happily going about her life when she gets swept away by her new friends into this magical realm. Here, she meets our sexy Shadow Daddy, Hadeon; and she’s a little confused at what’s going on here. Modern girl in a fantasy world. Later we find out she’s a fierce warrior from another kingdom with magical powers! And Hadeon is trying to keep her all to himself lol.
•
This book has a story within a story and it all fits so well together and I just loved all the emotions. The angst, slow burn, the BANTER. Ember wasn’t going down without a fight. You get it girl. However, Hadeon loves a good challenge…all for the sacrifice of love. Memories come to surface as Ember tries so hard not to remember his touch…
•
Thank you to Elle Madison for this beautiful ARC in exchange for an honest review! I held on to every word!
•
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Spice: 3/5 🌶️
•
This title releases on 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟔𝐭𝐡! Be sure to check it out!!
•
Happy Reading, my lovelies! xo
February 4, 2024
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have to say, I love everything written by Elle Madison and Robin D Mahle that I’ve read, and this is no exception. It is the exception in that it is more …physical… than the other books. Not gratuitously so, but the sex is there for those who might be interested (in reading it or avoiding it, I don’t judge).
Ember was just out for a free girls’ weekend in Vegas when she was drugged and led through a portal into another world. In the Elven land, she finds herself captive to a Moon Elf and learns that she is the reincarnation of Phaedra, a Sun Elf who sacrificed herself to save others. But what Phaedra died for is still there and present, and Hadeon and Ember will need each other if they’re going to save everything they hold dear.
This book has all my favorites:
Fairy Tale Retelling ✔️ This is a pseudo-twist on Hades and Persephone (if the character name Hadeon didn’t give that away, Ember herself comes up with the comparison within the story)
Animal companion(s) ✔️ I adore the giant shadow Cerberus, Nyx, and am so intrigued by the fire-cat-griffin feraline Ahvi. If someone does fan art of him, I want to see it
Shadow Daddy ✔️ Hadeon is literally an Elf King who controls shadows… and who uses them to torment Ember oh-so-delightfully
One bed. And one baztet (flying mount) ✔️ need I say more?
Snark! ✔️
And such sweet, tender moments between the MMC and the FMC
I have to say, I love everything written by Elle Madison and Robin D Mahle that I’ve read, and this is no exception. It is the exception in that it is more …physical… than the other books. Not gratuitously so, but the sex is there for those who might be interested (in reading it or avoiding it, I don’t judge).
Ember was just out for a free girls’ weekend in Vegas when she was drugged and led through a portal into another world. In the Elven land, she finds herself captive to a Moon Elf and learns that she is the reincarnation of Phaedra, a Sun Elf who sacrificed herself to save others. But what Phaedra died for is still there and present, and Hadeon and Ember will need each other if they’re going to save everything they hold dear.
This book has all my favorites:
Fairy Tale Retelling ✔️ This is a pseudo-twist on Hades and Persephone (if the character name Hadeon didn’t give that away, Ember herself comes up with the comparison within the story)
Animal companion(s) ✔️ I adore the giant shadow Cerberus, Nyx, and am so intrigued by the fire-cat-griffin feraline Ahvi. If someone does fan art of him, I want to see it
Shadow Daddy ✔️ Hadeon is literally an Elf King who controls shadows… and who uses them to torment Ember oh-so-delightfully
One bed. And one baztet (flying mount) ✔️ need I say more?
Snark! ✔️
And such sweet, tender moments between the MMC and the FMC
February 1, 2024
I genuinely loved this book and recommend giving it a go.
Ember is all fire and sass with a touch of compassion and empathy complete with pets! I love it when a FMC has a pet sidekick.
Hadeon was also a great MMC and I liked his progression through the text but that his personality stayed consistent. I was immediately won over when Ember first met him.
I also loved the side characters in this text, these authors are great at developing a sense of family with great banter. I loved Embers brothers!
I really like the concept of all my favourite authors contributing a book to this world. I think the last one will be the hardest, because it feels like there needs to be something at the end with all of them. I'm enjoying all the books so far and I think this one might be a favourite.
Even though it has a bit of spice it's not crazy spicy, easy to skip over if that is something that puts you off.
Happy reading!
Ember is all fire and sass with a touch of compassion and empathy complete with pets! I love it when a FMC has a pet sidekick.
Hadeon was also a great MMC and I liked his progression through the text but that his personality stayed consistent. I was immediately won over when Ember first met him.
I also loved the side characters in this text, these authors are great at developing a sense of family with great banter. I loved Embers brothers!
I really like the concept of all my favourite authors contributing a book to this world. I think the last one will be the hardest, because it feels like there needs to be something at the end with all of them. I'm enjoying all the books so far and I think this one might be a favourite.
Even though it has a bit of spice it's not crazy spicy, easy to skip over if that is something that puts you off.
Happy reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2024
A slow burn, tension romance with a 🌶️🌶️ pay out. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. At times I had a hard time following but overall think it was well written. I hadn’t realized but they wrote another series I really enjoyed. I’m looking forward to reading the other books within this realm with similar fierce characters. It’s unique how they’re tied together which contributed to the overall plot of the book.
I love Ember’s love for wild creatures, her nick name, and her broody shadow king. She is fierce, daring and witty.
Slow burn
Fated destiny
Soul mates
🌶️🌶️.5
I love Ember’s love for wild creatures, her nick name, and her broody shadow king. She is fierce, daring and witty.
Slow burn
Fated destiny
Soul mates
🌶️🌶️.5
January 27, 2024
✅ Morally gray Shadow Daddy
✅ Enemies to lovers
✅ Fated mates
✅ Slowburn spice (🌶️.5)
✅ Acotar/Hades & Persephone vibes
✅ Loveable side characters
If you fell in love with Rhys, Xaden, or the Darkling, you’ll swoon over Hadeon!
This is my first portal fantasy, where a modern woman gets whisked away to a fantasy world. I really enjoyed the mix of familiar & unfamiliar in this way. Just wait til you get to the tacos scene!
My favorite character was actually one of the side characters, Celani. I want a whole book based on her!
Of Elves and Embers is a standalone novel in a series of interconnected books by 8 different authors, the Forgotten Kingdoms Collection. I haven’t read the others yet but I’m looking forward to it!
(I received an ARC of this book, but my review is my own & unbiased)
✅ Enemies to lovers
✅ Fated mates
✅ Slowburn spice (🌶️.5)
✅ Acotar/Hades & Persephone vibes
✅ Loveable side characters
If you fell in love with Rhys, Xaden, or the Darkling, you’ll swoon over Hadeon!
This is my first portal fantasy, where a modern woman gets whisked away to a fantasy world. I really enjoyed the mix of familiar & unfamiliar in this way. Just wait til you get to the tacos scene!
My favorite character was actually one of the side characters, Celani. I want a whole book based on her!
Of Elves and Embers is a standalone novel in a series of interconnected books by 8 different authors, the Forgotten Kingdoms Collection. I haven’t read the others yet but I’m looking forward to it!
(I received an ARC of this book, but my review is my own & unbiased)
January 28, 2024
I literally pulled an all nighter because I couldn't put this book down. My 36 year old body isn't too pleased with me, but I'm so glad I kept reading.
This book was absolutely amazing, no surprise coming from these amazing ladies. I laughed, cried, and wanted to throw my kindle a few times. I adored all the characters and am in need of stories centered around the side characters now (nothing new...*looking at you Lochlann World). This book was definitely spicier than what I'm used to from these authors, but in a tasteful, more emotion driven way. Can't recommend this book enough.
This book was absolutely amazing, no surprise coming from these amazing ladies. I laughed, cried, and wanted to throw my kindle a few times. I adored all the characters and am in need of stories centered around the side characters now (nothing new...*looking at you Lochlann World). This book was definitely spicier than what I'm used to from these authors, but in a tasteful, more emotion driven way. Can't recommend this book enough.
January 29, 2024
This book is def one of my best of the best 2024.
I was shocked with the quality of whole concept and world building.
This is one of the very few books that made me strongly emotional… (yes I’ve cried happy tears)
I don’t even know why, maybe it’s because it’s so beautifully written. Maybe it’s because this story is special. It’s easy to imagine all their emotions, actions, feelings.
Rating is 100/100✨
Need this book in hardcover with their Night sky balcony view.
I was shocked with the quality of whole concept and world building.
This is one of the very few books that made me strongly emotional… (yes I’ve cried happy tears)
I don’t even know why, maybe it’s because it’s so beautifully written. Maybe it’s because this story is special. It’s easy to imagine all their emotions, actions, feelings.
Rating is 100/100✨
Need this book in hardcover with their Night sky balcony view.
January 31, 2024
This was an adventure! It gave me Persephone and hades vibes! Very interesting take on elves! Can’t wait to read more!
January 27, 2024
What a fun time honestly
4.5 ✨
(some spice but not explicit!!)
I received this as an ARC and i was THRILLED! I love their writing style and how they describe the world and the characters so well but so quickly as well! i flew through this once i got started honestly!!
overall this was so good!!! I loved the premise and the storyline and the characters!!! I think my favorite part of the whole story was the world and the magic system. I loved the way that the moon and stars court was described and what roles each little piece of it had to do with the story! I feel like I’ve known these characters for more than just one book and i haven’t even tried to read the rest of these interconnected books from the other authors!
The characters were downright heartwarming. I’m a SUCKER for found family tropes and this did its job 👏🏻 I loved all the side characters and the family that they had all built alongside eachother. For such a short book but intricate world, the characters really were so loveable. I gotta say, my favorite of them all has to be Nyx. Justice for my favorite three headed softie 🥹
HEADON AND EMBER?! They were actually made for each other. I was stunned by how she could pick up on his little tells. it’s really one of my favorite descriptions in books is small little tells that the other characters point out. Their relationship was a SLOW MF BURN, but man if that’s not my favorite trope 👏🏻👏🏻 this was the perfect slow burn and also just trying to figure out what to do about the past and the present while also fighting their feelings for each other. the tension was THICK
I think my only gripe was how out of touch i felt with the main character towards the middle/end. I really wish this was a whole separate series of this series because this would make for an AMAZING series. I think the pacing and the description was perfect, I just wish we had more time of her coming to terms with her past and easing into it just a litttlleee bit more. But outside of that, this book was absolutely stunning
The ending had me moving pages like i was the flash. it had me on the EDGE of my seat. I was screaming and going through all the emotions within the last 10% of the book 🥹
Thank you so much again for sending me an early copy. GO PICK THIS UP THE SECOND IT RELEASES!! You will not regret it one bit
4.5 ✨
(some spice but not explicit!!)
I received this as an ARC and i was THRILLED! I love their writing style and how they describe the world and the characters so well but so quickly as well! i flew through this once i got started honestly!!
overall this was so good!!! I loved the premise and the storyline and the characters!!! I think my favorite part of the whole story was the world and the magic system. I loved the way that the moon and stars court was described and what roles each little piece of it had to do with the story! I feel like I’ve known these characters for more than just one book and i haven’t even tried to read the rest of these interconnected books from the other authors!
The characters were downright heartwarming. I’m a SUCKER for found family tropes and this did its job 👏🏻 I loved all the side characters and the family that they had all built alongside eachother. For such a short book but intricate world, the characters really were so loveable. I gotta say, my favorite of them all has to be Nyx. Justice for my favorite three headed softie 🥹
HEADON AND EMBER?! They were actually made for each other. I was stunned by how she could pick up on his little tells. it’s really one of my favorite descriptions in books is small little tells that the other characters point out. Their relationship was a SLOW MF BURN, but man if that’s not my favorite trope 👏🏻👏🏻 this was the perfect slow burn and also just trying to figure out what to do about the past and the present while also fighting their feelings for each other. the tension was THICK
I think my only gripe was how out of touch i felt with the main character towards the middle/end. I really wish this was a whole separate series of this series because this would make for an AMAZING series. I think the pacing and the description was perfect, I just wish we had more time of her coming to terms with her past and easing into it just a litttlleee bit more. But outside of that, this book was absolutely stunning
The ending had me moving pages like i was the flash. it had me on the EDGE of my seat. I was screaming and going through all the emotions within the last 10% of the book 🥹
Thank you so much again for sending me an early copy. GO PICK THIS UP THE SECOND IT RELEASES!! You will not regret it one bit
February 1, 2024
This book has a warning for being spicy. It’s not. Also it lends itself to being a dark romance, it’s not.
Sure the MMC can be a douche, but I failed to see the dark romance element. As for the ‘spice’ it’s not there, and it took away from the story with a half hearted attempt.
The characters were easily distinguishable from each other and I did love the banter between them.
ETA- I did check after I wrote this, and it seems these authors don’t write spice in their books, but rather fade to black.
Sure the MMC can be a douche, but I failed to see the dark romance element. As for the ‘spice’ it’s not there, and it took away from the story with a half hearted attempt.
The characters were easily distinguishable from each other and I did love the banter between them.
ETA- I did check after I wrote this, and it seems these authors don’t write spice in their books, but rather fade to black.
February 3, 2024
This is a standalone fantasy romance (yay standalone books!!) mostly focused on reincarnation trope. This book was a fun and fast read! The book starts with FMC Ember as an aggressively “not like other girls” redhead in Las Vegas. She quickly gets taken my elves and transported to the magical land of Aelvaria. Once there she learns she is the Fire-Elf princess Phaedra reborn and has been taken by her former enemy/lover Hadeon, the king of the Court of Moon and Stars.
This books deals a lot with Ember regaining memories from her past life and grappling with how to connect them to her current life. I don’t love the reincarnation trope but it’s handle really well in this book! Ember never completely reverts to the previous identity and still treasures people/things from her human life (like tacos!) The MMC Hadeon is great because early on we learn his coldness is a coping mechanism for his fear rather than just his personality. I Really loved how Hadeon and Ember’s relationship feels like a second-chance romance where they really dissect and communicate the issues in their relationship from Ember’s first life and figure out how to learn and grow in their new relationship. The side characters were also all enduring and lovable! And this book has great banter / humor like all Madison/Mahle books.
I did find Ember very annoying at the start of the book when she’s in Las Vegas and right after entering the elf realm. Mostly because she only drinks whisky and hates girly things and only wears black and combat boots etc etc. Like we get it you’re not like other girls. That only lasts for like 30 pages though!
Also the “big baddie” wasn’t really fleshed out so the reveal was a little flat BUT it doesn’t really matter because the romance is the star of the book!
The spice was mild sauce at most. Very vague language and lots of metaphors. Which is totally fine - not every book needs spice! Like .5 🌶️
Edited to add: I think this book isn’t marketed to the right audience. It is in no way a dark romance or spicy.
This books would be great for fans of: “A Fate of Wrath and Flame”, “King of Battle and Blood”, “A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows”
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This books deals a lot with Ember regaining memories from her past life and grappling with how to connect them to her current life. I don’t love the reincarnation trope but it’s handle really well in this book! Ember never completely reverts to the previous identity and still treasures people/things from her human life (like tacos!) The MMC Hadeon is great because early on we learn his coldness is a coping mechanism for his fear rather than just his personality. I Really loved how Hadeon and Ember’s relationship feels like a second-chance romance where they really dissect and communicate the issues in their relationship from Ember’s first life and figure out how to learn and grow in their new relationship. The side characters were also all enduring and lovable! And this book has great banter / humor like all Madison/Mahle books.
I did find Ember very annoying at the start of the book when she’s in Las Vegas and right after entering the elf realm. Mostly because she only drinks whisky and hates girly things and only wears black and combat boots etc etc. Like we get it you’re not like other girls. That only lasts for like 30 pages though!
Also the “big baddie” wasn’t really fleshed out so the reveal was a little flat BUT it doesn’t really matter because the romance is the star of the book!
The spice was mild sauce at most. Very vague language and lots of metaphors. Which is totally fine - not every book needs spice! Like .5 🌶️
Edited to add: I think this book isn’t marketed to the right audience. It is in no way a dark romance or spicy.
This books would be great for fans of: “A Fate of Wrath and Flame”, “King of Battle and Blood”, “A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows”
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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