Crest of the Scorned

by Johnna Dee

Aguya, a fire witch who was scorned by her own coven and falsely accused of murder by her own family, decides to flee in order to escape execution. As she desperately runs away, she unexpectedly encounters Aethelredd Ascelin, a vampire, and becomes a member of his family. Determined to assist in breaking the spell cast upon Feya by the Fae queen, Aguya finds herself caught in the midst of preventing a potential fae war from erupting. However, her old Coven eventually discovers her whereabouts and imprisons her, causing all of her worst nightmares to become a horrifying reality. As she faces her greatest fear, Aguya delves deep into the depths of her soul in search of her fire magic.

Meanwhile, Alvero, a fairy whose wings they cruelly clipped during the great war, is summoned by his old friend Aethelredd to find a spell capable of breaking the enchantment upon Feya. In an unexpected twist of fate, he encounters his ex-lover, Aguya, and the air crackles with unresolved emotions. As old feelings resurface, Alvero fights against the tide of longing, his heart torn between guarding his heart and desire. The sight of Aguya, her fiery spirit flickering in her eyes, becomes both a source of torment and solace, leaving him conflicted and unsure of his path.

Death, Violence, Sex, Claustrophobia, Sibling battles.

Witches, Vampires, Fairies, New Adult Romance, Fantasy, Fated Mates, Magical Creatures, Slow Burn, found family, Betrayal, Magic.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2024

About the author

Author Johnna Dee is a fantasy romance writer who has three series out at the time of publication. Initially, her creative journey began with poetry, where she honed her skills in crafting evocative and lyrical verses. As her passion for storytelling grew, she ventured into the realm of novels, weaving intricate plots and enchanting worlds that transport readers to extraordinary realms.

For more exclusive content and other goodies, sign-up for Johnna Dee’s newsletter https://linktr.ee/johnnadee or check out her website https://alstroemeriapub.com/.

Reviews

[Michelle Anglin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series. Book two did not disappoint. I love these characters so much. It was well written and fast paced. If you like romantasy and adventure then you should read it. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

[Joanne H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A scorned witch chased out of her coven by a jealous sister that claimed Aguya killed their stepmother. Now Aguya is running for her life, and the coven is only steps behind her, wanting to kill her for revenge!
Sleeping wherever she could, Aguya was getting kicked out of her room for non-payment. An elf and a vampire happened to be there and asked Aguya to be a nanny.
Along the way, they meant other shape shifters and a man called Alvero, who could talk to animals and more. Aguya fell for him while he was helping keep her safe, but she had a smart mouth that was hard to take. Aguya's sister caught her, and the story continues. Good writing.

[Mazie Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crest of the Scorned had a very intriguing summary, and turned out to be an enjoyable, fast read. It definitely wasn’t the most intricate story, but if you’re looking for a quick romantasy to get through, this book is great for that. My favorite aspect was Alvero’s relationship with the forest and its creatures.

[kalila jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book and really enjoyed reading it. A witch flees for her coven after wrongfully accused of murdering her stepmother, accused by her sister no less!
I loved the story line, I did get a bit confused with the time line at first, however it slowly pieces together throughout the book. This book does have spice, so wouldn’t recommend for younger readers.

[Lumie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Johnna Dee for the ARC.

The premise sounded really interesting but unfortunately, I hadn’t realised that this was the second book of a series. I should have done more research on this book and read the first one. I still feel like that this book can be read on its own but I do feel like I have missed a lot of world building and background. Overall, I still quite enjoyed this book it was entertaining and the characters were alright but since everyone kept mentioning that Aguya was so mean, it kind of bothered me that she was just unnecessarily rude but other than that, I still enjoyed it.

[Bill Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have become a massive fan of Johnna Dee and was excited to download Crest of the Scorned, the second installment in the Ascelin Series. The story begins with a mega gut-punch. Aguya, a fire witch, is falsely accused of murder by her sister. This betrayal sets the tone for a story grounded in themes of survival, identity, and family. Johnna loaded the story with Celtic and Lithuanian myth, folklore, and supernatural politics.
Aguya’s transformation from fugitive to fierce protector is one of the book’s emotional centers. Her relationships with the charmingly sarcastic vampire Aethelredd, his daughter Feya, and the brooding healer Alvero add depth and humor to a deep story. I was especially impressed with Alvero’s quiet bond with the forest and Feya’s wild, magical unpredictability.
This was a fantastic read. I loved the balance between dark fantasy and human connections. Yet, I was impressed that Johnna did not shy away from heavy topics like abuse or emotional trauma.
I recommend Crest of the Scorned to any reader who enjoys vampire and Celtic-themed stories. I look forward to reading Johnna’s next book in the series.

[Rania Laham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good witch and coven drama! And Crest of the Scorned starts exactly on this premise – and to be accused by her sister of all people! Oooh yes, you will enjoy this book which is the second in a series. A lot of the world building is in the first book, Crest of the Fallen, so be sure to read it first.

If Romantasy is your thing, then this is the book for you – clearly not for the younger readers as the warnings are clear: Death, Violence, Sex, Claustrophobia, Sibling battles. But I love a good series, and I can’t wait for the next book!!

[Steinbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main focus of this story is on the witch Aguya and her history. Spoiler: she has a crazed witch sister. During Aguya's story, she is found by her sister and suffers. Her salvation, her family, reunites her with Alvero. She finally realizes and acknowledges her desires and finds her place in this magical world.
This is a fast read, which goes in depth to some characters you met in Book 1, Crest Of The Fallen. (Read this first)

[Jane Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book plus add in witches to kick off the holiday season and you had me. I loved the first book and the second did not disappoint. The FMC is such a sassy character. Plus, Bobo a fluffy barghest with an a sweet disposition.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as an arc reader. Loved it! Loved the first and was so excited to get this one. It's is better then the first one!!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first one and loved it. This one did not disappoint!! I love the sassy nature of the FMC, Aguya. Can't wait to read the next one. Plus I have a mini book boyfriend crush on Alvero.

[Jay Buttrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first one "Crest of the Fallen" and now I love the second one!! This book had me hooked. I loved the characters, the sass, and all the drama.

[Kelly Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! I can't wait for the next in the series!