The Lady of Fire and Light

The Fate of Ashes #0.5

by Victoria K. Taylor

Sometimes a captain's duty is more than just protecting the realm . . .

To Captain Valeria Augusta, nothing is more important than the Pillar Legion and their mission to regain control of the realm from the Kingdom of Praiton. And, of course, to protect her three best friends under her command. Especially when most of the Legion believes the only reason she got her position of captain was because she’s a female rather than for her battle prowess or talent with a flaming sword.

But when General Aris Calatos hears of a plot by the Ember Throne of Maniel, one that could threaten any advantage the Legion may have, Val and the handsome general are thrust together as they work to stop the kingdom from toppling the last free region of the realm.

As the threat of Maniel approaches, Val is forced to not only face the noble past that haunts her, but to fight the dangerous feelings for the general that she can’t shake . . . feelings that neither of them are allowed to have.

Val must decide what is worth protecting the mission of the Legion or her very heart.

The Lady of Fire and Light is a Fate of Ashes prequel novella set thirty years before the events of A CROWN OF STAR & ASH and is intended to be read AFTER reading A CROWN OF STAR & ASH.

Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romantasy, Fiction

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 30, 2024

Reviews

[zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

i had to go back to a crown of star and ash to re-read the scene where val and aris reunite just to make up for all this angst.

reading this, now i do wish the main story was between these two and not deya (sorry!) i’m just more interested in deep-rooted lore between val and aris. i was considering not reading the next book in the series just because i felt like a crown of star and ash didn’t bring anything else to the table in terms of romantasy, but after finishing this, i’m considering.. because val and aris have me hooked

[abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was honestly iffy about reading this book JUST because I was so eager to start the series off where we ended in book 1. As much as I loved Val and Artis, I wasn’t really sure if I’d be interested in reading a whole prequel about them. But omg was I wrong.

Val is such a fantastic, fun, heartwarming FMC. I love her, I love her found family and I love the tension between her and Artis. Honestly reading about her and the Fireflies in book 1 made this so so so much more heartbreaking. I’m glad we got to know them, but kinda wish we didn’t, knowing what we know now😭 and Val’s story???? holy shit. She’s so remarkable to be as bright and strong as she is. This prequel novella really did an amazing job at filling in the blanks for important side characters without over doing anything. I enjoyed this story SO MUCH🖤🔥

Thank you for this ARC I can’t wait to continue on this journey with this series🫶🏼

[Stephanie Leonardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this novella so much! I need MORE!!!

And that ending 😭😭😭

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

great fast paced novella, started this before diving into book one and I’m invested!

[amelyakayreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

IM SO EXCITED TO READ THIS BOOK AHHHH ❤️‍🔥

[Caz Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valeria is the captain of the fireflies, a unit within the Pillar Legion, the rebellion. General Aris leads them.
Valeria is constantly put down by the other captains as she’s the only female captain in the legion and they don’t believe she is worthy of being a captain.
When she was younger, her brothers forced her to train with them, even though as a daughter of a noble family this was uncommon, they didn’t want to be associated with the weak.
Aris asks for Val’s help in gaining information about the manielians, as he fears they may try to attack Bridah next.
As the two spend late evenings together, the stronger the pull towards each other is, but is there any time for them when danger is lurking around the corner?

Once again Victoria has smashed it out of the park! I couldn’t put this story down, it had me captivated from the very first chapter.
I love Victoria’s writing style and find that it is easy to read, whilst also capturing your attention and making you want to read on.
As a short novella, I thought this wouldn’t be more than 4 or 4.5 star read, only due to the fact novellas don’t have the same detail and depth than a full novel.. how wrong was I!!
This novella has everything you could ever want.. Romance, friendship, magic, action and jam packed with trauma!

Val is such a strong fmc, my heart literally broke as I got further into the story and we learned more about her backstory. I don’t know how she is so strong after everything that she has been through!
Aris, I enjoyed him as the MMC and I am excited to learn more about him, as I felt there was quite a lot of mystery surrounding him, but I’m really excited and hopeful that we will get more on him! I feel not everything is what it seems with him regarding some things that happen in this novella 👀

I absolutely adored the friendship between Val, Lucia, Katia and Atria. I loved that after everything Val had lost, she had these girls by her side. This was one of my favourite parts of the book, the friendship between them all.

I highly recommend checking out this series as you will not be disappointed.

[Erica • thebridgeto.fantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I know it’s a novella but that wasn’t enough Val! (Just kidding it was perfect!🤩)
I absolutely loved getting a little back story to Val. How she ended up where she was in book one, her Fireflies, her relationship with Aris, even a little back story into her early life with her family.
I will forever love Aris being a flirty guy but also obsessed with the protective side of him.
The found family between the four girlies is something we all want in real life. The sisterhood between them was my favorite aspect of this whole book. 🥰
My heart broke with her by the end.. what a perfect way to end the story but also.. 💔

[m y r · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ENDING GOT ME CRYING 😭

I need Val and Aris to be endgame, I will accept no other possibilities

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may only be a novella but it sure packed a punch!
The lady of fire and light follows the FMC Val who is a side character from the first book (A crown of star and ash - a must read enemies to lovers fantasy romance) and I was so intrigued by character. She’s strong. She’s a warrior. But she is also such a sweetheart. And she has been through so much! I loved getting to know more about her and her back story.
Aris was such a good MMC, the connection between him and Val was 🙌🏻 but I still think we have lots to learn about him!!
The ending of this novella had me like 😱 I have more questions than ever! I need more Val and Aris like asap!
I’m so excited to see where the story will go next and can’t wait for the third book!

[Emmy P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a little novella to accompany the descent into a new fantasy world?

I appreciated our author offering us context for our side characters after the first installation of this series, and adored that were given a glimpse into our warrior women's reality. That dichotomy between who we want to be, who we are, and who everyone around us needs us to be, will always be a womans battle (and a story I'm excited to read), fantasy and real world alike.

[Ranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blown away by this novella! Val was my favorite side character in A Crown of Star and Ash and her getting her own spotlight was amazing!

Her story is full of tragedy and nightmarish circumstances, but with her Fireflies Val finds comfort and true family. That is, until the tide shifts and things go wrong.

Absolutely loved this. The emotions were so intense, just like Val.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella to go along with the other story and it left me wanting more. I want to know more about Val and Aris and really hope we get some more of that in the next book. This helped to fill some gaps for me with Val's story. Definitely worth taking the time to read.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not one that typically reads novellas but I think this was essential in understanding some back story and realllllly making me want to read Book 2 in this series 😆

I love these two characters so much ❤️‍🔥

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was worth pausing the main story to get the back story on Val & Aris and her sisters, Lucia, Katia, & Atria. I liked Val in the first book, but this prequel makes me love her! I hope we get to see what happens between her & Aris, too, and why he was so spooked after their kiss.

[Ashley M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved A Crown of Star and Ash, and this novella made me love this world even more.
This tells the story of Valeria's life before the events of A Crown of Star and Ash. I loved learning her story and the heartbreak she experienced. This novella had raw emotion and made me feel all of the feels - especially certain parts and knowing what happens in the novel. The ending was perfect for leading into the events of the novel, but was so heartbreaking to read.
I'm 100% invested in this story and cannot wait to have more.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lady of Fire and Light | Victoria K. Taylor

✨Tension
✨Found Family
✨Elemental Magic
✨Trauma Rep
✨Warring Kingdoms

After reading A Crown of Star and Ash, this prequel novella will give you some insight into the past for side characters Val & Aris. I loved getting to read about the four girls and the sisterhood that the fireflies formed. You also get to really see how the romantic tension started for Val and Aris.

I love how Victoria writes such a raw and emotional take on fantasy. The character development is always top notch. During this book we really dive more into Val and the adversities she faces as a female Captain as well as the trauma she experienced from her family in the past. That ending was heartbreaking. Very short novella but perfect for us while we wait for book two in the main series.

“A moth to a flame, a dragon to a fire…She wanted him right now. Regardless of everything he had said, of everything he had done, she sat next to him on that bed and missed him. She wanted him more than anything in her entire life.”

“Val fought like a female possessed. The slash of her blades, the slicing of flesh from bone only fueled her. Fire was licking every inch of her body, the inferno building with flames both from Val's unit and their enemy, but none of it stopped her.”

“It was only as he turned back to look at her could she see the ghost in those starburst eyes. The hollowness that he always disguised. The empty cracks in his soul he couldn't seem to hide from her. She fought the urge to reach for them, to scoop them up in her hands and piece him back together like a broken vase. He was not hers to fix.”

“We can conquer anything as long as the four of us are together.”

Thank you Victoria for the ARC

[AA ⚡️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE LADY OF FIRE & LIGHT
BOOK I.5 | A FATES OF ASHES

Impeccably imagined and deeply moving, Victoria K. Taylor once again revisits the riveting worlds of A Fate of Ashes series with The Lady of Fire and Light, a noteworthy slice in this impressive tale that doesn't skimp on the details and developments. A petite addition in this on-going series, this captivating novella is set a few decades ahead of the events in the introductory novel and concentrates on Val and her key associates in her time as a captain in The Pillar Legion. Despite the slim page count, there's no shortage of exceptional character crafting, pulse-pounding drama, tantalizing tension and heartbreaking revelations that rouse an array of strongly-felt emotions whilst illuminating the lasting effects of buried traumas.

Much like the initial novel in this series, Taylor's vivid and skillful hand at storytelling is evident within these pages and brings this unique world and its thriving characters to life in an enchanting manner. Not only are the leads (Val + Aris) brilliantly sketched to precision but familiar supporting characters are painted in alluring new shades that further colors these personalities in more complete forms. Though most impressive is the focused exploration of Val's character. With a deeply heartbreaking history, Taylor carefully unravels Val's pointed memories of anguish and pain throughout this tale whilst highlighting the immense light that still floods this multifaceted figure's heart despite her unspeakable trauma.

As one falls deeper into this short but abundantly detailed tale, the remarkable exploration of matters of the heart becomes evident. Bonds rooted in the many ranges of love are so wonderfully illustrated and quickly became moments that resonated with me the most. Perhaps the most moving were those that illuminated the beautiful sisterhood between Val and her three warrior sisters whose love, loyalty and encouragement never faltered despite Val's personal apprehension and growing sense of doubt. Additionally, the blossoming romance between Val and Aris is approached with such thoughtful intention where the intensity is so potent between the pair and the magnetic attraction that draws these two to one another is so well noted throughout these pages.

FINAL VERDICT // A story I never wanted to end, The Lady of Fire and Light spotlights a beautifully complex character who shines with a unique brilliance and depicts the nature of a true warrior deserving of power and respect. An exceptionally rendered narrative that walks readers along an adventurous road dotted in heart-wrenching occurrences, harrowing battles and astonishing twists, this novella is a mesmerizing addition to this outstanding epic. In all its bold strokes and bends, these compelling pages will tug at your heartstrings while snapping those delicate threads with its sharp truths and emotionally-charged storytelling. An incredibly done chapter that only made me fall deeper in love with these charming characters, The Lady of Fire and Light is an unmissable piece of this series that thrills and enchants in a wealth of ways. Simply incredible!

*A huge thanks to author Victoria K. Taylor for allowing me to advance read this lovely book and offer my authentic thoughts on this release. I excitingly look forward to next novel chapter in this series and can't wait to see where all the pieces land moving forward.

[jace · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5

Before I start:
🚨!CONTENT WARNING FOR THIS BOOK!🚨
The Lady of Fire and Light contains multiple references to and one on page instance of sexual violence between siblings!! Nothing overtly sexually explicit or graphic is depicted on the page but there is still violence and PTSD as a result of said assault. If that is something you are not able/do not wish to read about, this book is NOT FOR YOU! GO STRAIGHT TO ACOSAA!

Onto the review:
I love Valeria! This novella was short, easy to read, full of tension, tension, and more tension! There is no explicit or closed door scene within this novella but there is a lot of wishful thinking and some kissing.

Although I understand why Val and Aris's story didn't get a full length novel, I 100% wish they would have! I think adding more of the late nights they spent together, more solo Aris time to get deeper into his thoughts, and some more interactions between all of the side characters could've easily turned this into a 300+ page book. Sometimes it is nice to have a quick and easy story to read though.

Despite all of that, I really enjoyed seeing more of Valeria and Aris pre-ACOSAA. I even think this could easily be read as a true prequel since there aren't any major spoilers for A Crown of Star and Ash. My absolute favourite moments are between Valeria and her Fireflies: Lucia, Atria, and Katia. As the youngest of 3 girls, themes of female friendship/sisterhood resonate so deeply within me that seeing their love for each other made me think of my own sisters.

This novella is not 100% necessary for plot reasons to The Fates of Ashes series but if you read A Crown of Star and Ash and want more information about Valeria and Aris, I highly recommend it! I enjoyed this novella very much and I can't wait for more of this world from Victoria K. Taylor! Thank you so much for sending me an ARC of this!

[Kloey Murphey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a fun time jumping into this novella that dove deeper into the story of Valeria, one of my favorite characters from the first book in the series, A Crown of Star & Ash. The relationships that she had within her unit were so close that they considered each other sisters, and you could really see that by the end of this quick but moving story. I loved each of these characters and how they all fit together fiercely and with an abundance of love. I also loved alllllll the continued tension with Aris, the general. I wish we would’ve gotten to see even more happen between the two of them, but alas, I will have to keep rooting for their happy ending in future books.

I do wish I would have been able to read the first book and this novella closer together. It’s important to read the first book first so you don’t get spoiled and have the prior understanding of the world, magic, and war that is going on in this story. There’s a lot of complex details that I struggled to remember in the novella, so I hope now that the novella has been released more people are able to read them back to back. There are a lot of unique aspects to the world in this book that are really fun and I will definitely have to reread this novella and book one before the next one comes out.

Overall I enjoyed this story and am happy to be continuing the series. There are a lot of great characters and I would love to get even more novellas like this for other characters. It’s definitely a great choice for fantasy lovers and I am excited to see how the series will continue! Without a doubt I will be reading all the future books!

[BooksThrillJessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vilaya, Val, has gone against everything her family believes in by joining the rebel army who fight against the Kingdom of Praiton. Growing up with brutally violent brothers who maliciously tormented Val she is ready to escape and find her own family. Finding a band of sisters within the rebel army, Val now knows the true meaning of family… a family that will stand by her side no matter what.
While serving in the rebel army Val rises to high ranking quickly, to the bemusement of the male rebels who think she must have only achieved this by doing the male general “favors”. While Val is betrothed to someone else she can not fight the attraction she has for general Aris. But the neverending war they fight has no patience for love.
This new family, and this new life that Val has built for herself will soon come crashing down. Will Val find the happiness she deserves?
Overall rating 5/5
We get a delicious sneak peek into Val’s back story in this novella. Val’s character was more vulnerable in this book than in A Crown of Star & Ash. Seeing how she was before her stint at Ironbalt Prison is truly heartbreaking knowing her fate. The ending tore my heart out. I so want her to have the happy ending she deserves! Val is the character for all the women who have fought, struggled, and exceeded expectations, she is a true hero.
*Thank you to Victoria Taylor for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lady of Fire and Light by Victoria K. Taylor is a novella that adds so much depth to A Crown of Star and Ash. If you loved Val and Aris in the main book, this novella is a must-read!

This story gives us a bigger look into Val such as details about her family history, her time before being taken to Ironbalt, and the sacrifices she made for the people she loved. Val is such a fantastic, fun, and heartwarming FMC, and getting to see more of her journey only made me love her more. Her found family, the Fireflies, and her connection with Aris added even more emotional weight, making everything we already knew from book one even more devastating. Honestly, I almost wish I didn’t know some of these details because knowing what happens later makes this story hurt in the best way. The slow burn and the tension between Val and Aris are written marvellously. While we don’t learn much about Aris’s background, we do finally get insight into what their relationship was like before book one.

This novella is fast-paced, well-written, and utterly heart-wrenching. From the very first page, I was hooked, unable to put it down. It beautifully fills in important blanks without over-explaining, making it an essential read for fans of the series. I’m so excited to see where the story goes next, and I cannot wait for the next book!

[emilyjo_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I. NEED. MORE. VAL AND ARIS.
This is a prequel Novella in The Fate of Ashes series by this author. I was lucky enough to be chosen as an ARC reader for this book 🤗
•
In book 1 - A Crown of Star and Ash - we follow along MC’s Deya and Caelum and their journey. Val is a side character and when I saw that this little novella was about Val and Aris I was thrilled!!
And it did not disappoint. This story takes place BEFORE book 1 takes place. I am so glad that Varis got their main character moment because they deserved it!
•
There were so many things that I enjoyed…
Getting to meet the Fireflies and uncovering each relationship that they have with Val was really great.
The slow burn and the TENSION between Val and Aris is written marvelously.
I really enjoyed getting a bigger backstory for Val with her family history and the events leading up to her getting taken to Ironbalt.
Though we really didn’t learn much about Aris and his background, we do learn what his and Val’s history with each other was prior to the start of book 1. And let me tell you, I do in fact need a whole additional Varis book okay?? The questions I have….that ending….I didn’t want it to end.

[Jessica literary_vet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Run, don’t walk, to read this fabulous novel from Victoria K Taylor and share it with your friends. Victoria’s skill as a writer and engaging storyteller deserves way more exposure. The writing is as good or better than many of the popular romantasy writers (who I also love)! We need to get her name out there so everyone can enjoy these works. If you haven’t read A Crown of Star and Ash, I recommend you read that first.

This is a lovely look into the lives of one of the characters, Val, from A Crown of Star and Ash that illuminates her character arc. Victoria’s writing is phenomenal and draws you in. I flew through A Crown of Star and Ash and I did the same with The Lady of Fire and Light. The care Victoria used to develop Val as a character and give us an engaging story in its own right is a testament to her skill as a writer. I love the positive female role models offered in this book and the sisterhood presented. Females so often tear each other down in real life, it’s refreshing to see females supporting females. I am so happy I found this author and this world. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would. I CANNOT wait for more!

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK!! CHEF’S KISS!! I can’t express how insane this book is. It’s a roller coaster of emotions. Just when you think you are safe from wanting to scream, there is another scream worthy scene.
I truly loved getting to know another side of Val and Aris. I don’t know how I read the first book without realizing how desperate they are for each other. I can’t explain how much I love them. I really hope we get a Val POV in the second book because I need to know what she is thinking after being in prison after everything that happened in this book.
I’m 100% of the opinion that Val and Aris are mates because there is no way that tension can’t be endgame. I’m obsessed with Val and how much she loves her family. This really puts into perspective the grieve she feels after losing them. Again this furthers my want for a Val POV. I’m begging for it actually. This book reignited my impatience for the next book. I truly can’t believe this is Victoria’s debut series because it’s so well written.
I cannot recommend this series enough. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking.
I read this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my gosh I have been waiting soooo long for this and boy did, Victoria deliver !! Add this to the top of your tbr (and read A Crown of Star and Ash first if you haven't already, trust me you will want to, these are SO good). And it's a novella so it's a quick read, but you won't want it to end.

There's not enough words to describe how much I love Val and Aris. I love the character background we get on them in this prequel. Even though it's a novella, the character development and (continual) world-building is excellent. There is so much depth and that is expertly done. It's seriously so beautiful, heartbreaking, and wonderful, it's hard to imagine that this is a debut series- I can't wait for it to continue.

That ending has me in a chokehold 😭

I need to do a reread of A Crown of Star and Ash immediately so I can't ✨patiently✨ wait for the sequel all over again.

💫Building tension
💫Warring kingdoms
💫Fierce FMC
💫Found family
💫Elemental magic system
💫Beautiful world building and characters 🥲

*chef's kiss*

I feel so fortunate that I have gotten to be an ARC reader for this series 💕🫶🏼 all opinions are my own.

[Eileen Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ Fave Quote ✨

How could she tell Lucia that that was precisely what she was afraid of? That the thing she longed for the most was quite possibly the most protected thing in all of Light’s Tower: the general’s heart.

✨ Review ✨

My main takeaway is that this should have been a full-length novel! (For many reasons!)

What I loved: Val giving major Mor vibes, girl power, found family, ARIS, great insight into a character who seemed so strong and complete in ACOSAA

That being said…this book felt a little bit like limbo. It wasn’t long enough for all the revelations about Val to have the buildup and payoff they were owed, and there was no time for the Fireflies to become more than one-dimensional sidekicks. While the writing, plot, and organization weren’t as strong as A Crown of Star and Ash, the novella was a great quick read, and I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series 😍

Worth the read? Yes!

✨ Overall Rating ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️▫️▫️▫️

✨Rating Breakdowns ✨
Concept: ⭐️
Freshness:⭐️
Character Development: ⭐️▫️
Main Characters: 💫
Supporting Characters: 💫
Voice: 💫
Style: 💫
Intrigue: ⭐️
Enjoyability: ⭐️

[Alex | alexs.magical.library · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚ᎪᏒᏟ ᏒᎬᏉᎥᎬᎳ📚
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Lady of Fire and Light is a devastatingly-beautiful romantasy novella that will grip your heart & send you on an emotional roastcoater. Set 30 years before the events in ACOSAA, you'll delve into the heart-breaking background of the fierce but sassy Captain of the Fireflies. This story is fast-paced and full of sisterly love, painful longing looks, gentle caresses, flirty banter and forbidden love. 

The magic system is so easy to fall into that I devoured this book in just a day. 

Val's dark history is full of only trauma, pain and secrets and Victoria does a great job making you sympathize with her characters so much that I was sobbing the entire last half of this book. 

I absolutely loved the group of fierce females that made up The Fireflies. The different personalities brought a well-rounded vibe to the group and made their banter more comical. Their sisterly bond fueled their woman empowerment and truly expressed their love & loyalty towards one another. 

The steamy forbidden romance between Val &  General Aris will make you ache and crush your heart. Their scenes together left me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I was absolutely NOT ready for the end of this book & very anxious for the next book. 

[Queso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honored to finally know Val's story. During A Crown of Star and Ash, we learned parts and pieces but not the full picture. I knew I was going to like Val based on her witty banter and well timed comments. She is a strong, fierce, amazing character that fights hard for her family.

One of the best things I learned from Val is the power of found, or chosen, family. This is one of my favorite tropes generally, but Val shows the true power it can have throughout time. True found family will fight for you to the bitter end and wait for your return.

I see the value in keeping her story secret. It needed to be told, but at the right time. The sheer emotional power that comes from an abusive upbringing and is then forged into an ironclad will to fight for good is a formidable force that no one can stop, no matter how hard one may try. Val shows that. She lives it, believes it, and I believe always will.

[Janet⚔️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️ some spoilers ahead🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️


🫶🏻🫶🏻🥰🥰 I absolutely loved and devoured this Novella ! The banter and the unconditional love between Val and her found sisters, just left me in awe !
Getting to know Val’s story meant so much to me. I love connecting with characters and her trauma and story definitely felt so relatable not in the sense of the fantasy world, but connecting through experiences and trauma.
Val had to deal with the abuse from her brothers, not just physical, but emotionally and the way that stayed and followed her which led her to finding a place she felt she belonged and finding love, not just the kind of love we all assume ( which she finds that kinda love too 😏😏😏)
But she found her sisters, her unit, the love they shared went beyond the explainable, they would give up their lives for her and for each other and let’s be real. Don’t we all crave friendships like that I know I do

Aris!! Ughhh I love this man ! Her commanding general was at many times a total ass, but the chemistry and desire between them was so undeniable and so f*** hot. Not gonna lie.It felt at times like being back in high school all the gossip about her and the general. It boiled my blood at times because we still as women experience that, a woman in a leadership role ha ha ha she must’ve f*** and sucked her way up there , we all still hear that now a days in the real world 🤬 and that’s what Val had to deal with daily, especially when Aris feeds into the lie to make himself feel better or feel like a man in front of the other male captains oh my God it infuriated me he didn’t deny nothing had happened, but let me stop rambling!

That dam ending 🥺🥺 the sacrifices she makes to save her loved ones, utterly destroyed me !

“ When her eyes found Lucia, Atria and Katia , she mouth the only words she had never said to anyone “ I love you “

Victoria def knows how to make reader / character connections and I cannot wait for the next book ❤️❤️❤️

[Chelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Victoria K. Taylor for this amazing ARC!!

Ohhhh myy goodnessss! Where do I even begin?? 

Reading this prequel after A Crown of Star and Ash was such a warm but bittersweet and heartbreaking experience, and I LOVED EVERY BIT OF IT!!!

Knowing what happens to Lucia, Katia, and Atria in A Crown of Star and Ash while reading this was so bittersweet! I absolutely LOVED reading about the three of them and how much they mean to Val, which in turn, made my heart ache even more for Val in A Crown of Star and Ash.

I loved reading and learning more about Val and her backstory as well as her history with Aris! I enjoyed the sisterly moments between Val, Katia, Lucia, and Atria as well as the fighting/training moments! 

This world and its characters that Victoria K. Taylor has created are so rich and well-written! I cannot wait to read what comes next!!