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Embergold
Fire dreamed of water, but the first sip would be its last.
Gilde has spent her life isolated in the wild marshlands, a place too wet for the dragon to go. She’s safe there, according to her father. So why is he asking her to leave with him now that she has come of age? There is more to Gilde’s family than she knows, and debts need to be paid.
Betrayed and shattered, she wakes in a crumbling mountain castle with the beast of her nightmares. Except this dragon speaks like a man and reads books. His kindness confuses her and opens a forgotten longing in her heart, all while Gilde plans her escape from a mountain full of secrets.
This place can unveil her past and why she was sacrificed to the beast—truths that may put both their lives in danger if they can’t learn to trust each other. But how can Gilde ever trust again? Especially after she discovers what dragons truly are.
Gilde has spent her life isolated in the wild marshlands, a place too wet for the dragon to go. She’s safe there, according to her father. So why is he asking her to leave with him now that she has come of age? There is more to Gilde’s family than she knows, and debts need to be paid.
Betrayed and shattered, she wakes in a crumbling mountain castle with the beast of her nightmares. Except this dragon speaks like a man and reads books. His kindness confuses her and opens a forgotten longing in her heart, all while Gilde plans her escape from a mountain full of secrets.
This place can unveil her past and why she was sacrificed to the beast—truths that may put both their lives in danger if they can’t learn to trust each other. But how can Gilde ever trust again? Especially after she discovers what dragons truly are.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published March 18, 2025
24 people are currently reading
1091 people want to read
About the author
Rachelle Nelson
2 books197 followersRachelle Nelson grew up reading fantasy novels and getting her clothes muddy in the pine forests of Idaho. These days, she still loves hiking through forests and libraries, though she’s a bit less fond of mud. Her debut novel, Sky of Seven Colors, released in 2023 through Enclave Publishing, and was a recent Carol Award winner and Christy Award winner. Embergold, her newest standalone, releases in March 2025. Rachelle doesn’t write true stories, but she does write about truth. When she’s not doing that, she sings in a band with her husband who makes her happier than should be legal. If you like good food and honest conversations, you’re her favorite kind of person.
To receive a story set in the world of Sky of Seven Colors, you can sign up for Rachelle's newsletter at her website.
To receive a story set in the world of Sky of Seven Colors, you can sign up for Rachelle's newsletter at her website.
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December 18, 2025Review to come soon!
July 11, 2025
This reimagining of Beauty & the Beast is a beautiful story about love, sacrifice, and abuse. I loved that the author wasn’t afraid to tackle hard topics in a god-honoring way.
Full of heart and hardship, this story follows the journey of Gilde, a girl given to a dragon by her own father. The dragon quickly became one of my favorite characters and I loved his relationship with Gilde as the story progressed. I normally don’t like romances, but this one was just so sweet, real, and innocent it was difficult not to love. 🥰
Full of heart and hardship, this story follows the journey of Gilde, a girl given to a dragon by her own father. The dragon quickly became one of my favorite characters and I loved his relationship with Gilde as the story progressed. I normally don’t like romances, but this one was just so sweet, real, and innocent it was difficult not to love. 🥰
March 12, 2025
"Embergold" by Rachelle Nelson is a new favorite! Ms. Nelson weaves an enchanting story for young adults that has fairy tale and “Beauty and the Beast” vibes, while remaining its own unique story. I loved that it felt like I was reading a classic fairy tale or folk tale. From the incredible writing to the amazing world building, "Embergold" kept me glued to the page from start to finish. The world has castles and dragons and is Germanic in nature. Readers will love our heroine, Gilde, and her strength, persistence, loyalty, grit, and determination (despite the odds being stacked against her). Gilde is very relatable as she deals with anxiety, panic attacks, and health issues. I also loved the dragon and the character Wil. The romantic relationship in the story was super sweet and almost had me in tears several times. When Gilde meets the dragon, she begins to question everything she thought she knew and learns to think for herself. Ms. Nelson explores some deep themes such as what is truth, what is the true story, what is good, and what is evil. “Embergold” celebrates stories and why they matter. I loved the allegory and beautiful faith message. At times, I really did not know how things would end with certain characters. This is an exceptional story for young adults (and the young at heart) and lovers of fairy tales full of heart!
Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: mention of someone drinking alcohol; mention of and flashbacks of domestic violence and physical abuse; rumors of insanity; a character curses, but the words aren’t actually written; blood; a main character has panic attacks; there’s a ghost and mention of spirits; the word ar*e is used; there’s a type of dark magic and people get power by sacrificing and killing others; dark wizards and oracles; someone had a child out of wedlock; an animal is harmed in self-defense; someone thinks a girl may be possessed by demons; very vague reference to possible r*pe in the past.
TW: mention of domestic violence and physical abuse; rumors of insanity and madness; panic attacks; main character possibly has complex PTSD; toxic family dynamics; very vague reference to possible r*pe in the past.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: mention of someone drinking alcohol; mention of and flashbacks of domestic violence and physical abuse; rumors of insanity; a character curses, but the words aren’t actually written; blood; a main character has panic attacks; there’s a ghost and mention of spirits; the word ar*e is used; there’s a type of dark magic and people get power by sacrificing and killing others; dark wizards and oracles; someone had a child out of wedlock; an animal is harmed in self-defense; someone thinks a girl may be possessed by demons; very vague reference to possible r*pe in the past.
TW: mention of domestic violence and physical abuse; rumors of insanity and madness; panic attacks; main character possibly has complex PTSD; toxic family dynamics; very vague reference to possible r*pe in the past.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
November 3, 2025
“Thank you for showing me stories.”
“You reminded me why they matter.”
With its dragons, soft strength, and atmospheric fantasy settings, Embergold is gilded with candor and loveliness. Reminiscent of “Beauty and the Beast,” the story of Gilde and Wil shines and uplifts with the gleam of truthful magic.
It’s a story rich in carefully chosen descriptions, giving you just enough evocative detail to envision the setting without being too much. It’s a story with a gentle romance that heals and dreams and soars. It’s a story that sets a spin on classic tropes and legends surrounding dragons and the craving of gold.
It’s a story of overcoming fear and abuse without calcifying into a bitter shell. It’s a story of sorting through your own mind’s twisting of truth. It’s a story of navigating a suddenly big world, of learning to be kind yet careful, hopeful yet discerning.
It’s a story with stirring symbolism about water, hunger, and thirst, how you can be full. Free.
It’s a story that’s beautiful and honest.
⚜️ heads-up for abuse (physical and psychological), drunkenness on the part of an abuser, references to promiscuity and prostitution, some violence and blood, slight creepiness, a couple of sweet kisses, and dark magic (always portrayed as evil) ⚜️
September 30, 2025
Sobbing over how beautiful this book is, my word. Embergold tackles abuse and all the challenging processing around it so masterfully, with world building and a magic system and characters that pull you right in. The first few chapters were difficult for me to read personally, and some of the technicalities of the magic system confused me somewhat, but this is a book that I know I'll be coming back to and I'll be surprised if it doesn't make my Top Ten of 2025 list. I loved it. <3
August 11, 2025
Rachelle Nelson has a knack for writing stories that are wholesome and sweet while also being deeply wise and poignant at the same time. Embergold is no exception! I loved this story from start to finish, with its heart-touching characters and themes, and sense of wild adventure, and subtle nods to beloved fairytales. Definitely recommended!
July 3, 2025
4.5⭐️
Nelson weaves wonderful stories. I don’t think I enjoyed this one quite as much as Sky of Seven Colors, but it’s close!
FRTC
Nelson weaves wonderful stories. I don’t think I enjoyed this one quite as much as Sky of Seven Colors, but it’s close!
FRTC
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July 17, 2025
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🔥 First off, the cover is really pretty! I love the purple! Second, this is my first I’ve read by Rachelle Nelson. I was drawn to it because of the dragons. I really wanted How to Train Your Dragon vibes, but unfortunately, it was a miss in that area. It was interesting to say the least. I have a lot of feelings about it so I’m going to try my best to explain. 😆 I really wanted to love this book, but I just didn’t. It reminded me a lot in some ways of Mary Mecham’s Rapunzel’s Gambit, but Rapunzel’s Gambit is way better.
🔥 I’ll start off with what I did like starting with Gilde. First, I don’t think I’m pronouncing her name right…haha. Anyway, she is a strong character that I really did enjoy. I liked her transformation and growth. She had a big heart and strong determination. Gilde had been through a lot in her life and she didn’t let that stop her.
🔥Wil is a great character! I did really like him. He was strong, protective and honorable. I liked Gilde and Wil together although it felt a bit rushed. I wish it would have been more drawn out and more time with him as a human. I did love the ending especially the last few paragraphs.
🔥 I was hooked from the start and wanted to know what happened next. I did have a hard time stepping into the world and picturing things. I’m not sure why.
🔥 Here are two quotes that I liked: “Love couldn't be demanded or coerced, only given.” And His eyes were glassy now, and his voice came out husky. "I don't have anything for you. No family. No heritage." “Don't you see it?" I lay my hand on his cheek. "If I have a family, then so do you." A single, human tear spilled from his eye as he pulled me close. Our lips met.
🔥 Now for the things I didn’t like. The writing is a bit choppy for my taste. I don’t love reading choppy and short sentences. I would have liked a little more elegant writing.
🔥 I didn’t like Isa and Gunther and that whole situation…I didn’t care for that at all. But I did like how Isa change and overcame what she went through. I’m shipping her with Marcus…haha!
🔥 This isn’t Christian fantasy as there’s no real mention of God or anything like that. I mean, there’s a brief mention, but it didn’t feel like it gave God the honor and attention that He deserves. I wish she would have expanded more on that and gone more in depth. She had an opportunity to really have Gilde grow in that area, but she didn’t which was disappointing.
🔥 I didn’t care for the ghost at all or all that talk about ghosts especially when she made a wish on one. It was completely unnecessary, just plain creepy and does not belong in Christian fantasy.
🔥 I hated her father and everything that he was involved in. The sacrificing, bleeding and killing people was evil, dark and completely unnecessary especially in a Christian book. It felt way too dark and gave me chills. I didn’t like all the talk about wizards and spells. There was way too much talk and detail about things like that.
🔥 I didn’t care that when Wil transforms into a human he has no clothes like I do not need to know that…thank you very much. That was completely unnecessary. If he’s wearing clothes when he transforms into a dragon, why can’t he wear clothes when he transforms back into a human?
🔥 The magic and fire thing was a bit confusing and I still don’t understand everything to be honest. I felt like the book ended on kind of a cliffhanger with not everything being wrapped up.
🔥 Overall, this book had a lot of potential, but it fell flat for me. I don’t think I’ll be reading anymore by Rachelle Nelson which is disappointing.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
🔥 First off, the cover is really pretty! I love the purple! Second, this is my first I’ve read by Rachelle Nelson. I was drawn to it because of the dragons. I really wanted How to Train Your Dragon vibes, but unfortunately, it was a miss in that area. It was interesting to say the least. I have a lot of feelings about it so I’m going to try my best to explain. 😆 I really wanted to love this book, but I just didn’t. It reminded me a lot in some ways of Mary Mecham’s Rapunzel’s Gambit, but Rapunzel’s Gambit is way better.
🔥 I’ll start off with what I did like starting with Gilde. First, I don’t think I’m pronouncing her name right…haha. Anyway, she is a strong character that I really did enjoy. I liked her transformation and growth. She had a big heart and strong determination. Gilde had been through a lot in her life and she didn’t let that stop her.
🔥Wil is a great character! I did really like him. He was strong, protective and honorable. I liked Gilde and Wil together although it felt a bit rushed. I wish it would have been more drawn out and more time with him as a human. I did love the ending especially the last few paragraphs.
🔥 I was hooked from the start and wanted to know what happened next. I did have a hard time stepping into the world and picturing things. I’m not sure why.
🔥 Here are two quotes that I liked: “Love couldn't be demanded or coerced, only given.” And His eyes were glassy now, and his voice came out husky. "I don't have anything for you. No family. No heritage." “Don't you see it?" I lay my hand on his cheek. "If I have a family, then so do you." A single, human tear spilled from his eye as he pulled me close. Our lips met.
🔥 Now for the things I didn’t like. The writing is a bit choppy for my taste. I don’t love reading choppy and short sentences. I would have liked a little more elegant writing.
🔥 I didn’t like Isa and Gunther and that whole situation…I didn’t care for that at all. But I did like how Isa change and overcame what she went through. I’m shipping her with Marcus…haha!
🔥 This isn’t Christian fantasy as there’s no real mention of God or anything like that. I mean, there’s a brief mention, but it didn’t feel like it gave God the honor and attention that He deserves. I wish she would have expanded more on that and gone more in depth. She had an opportunity to really have Gilde grow in that area, but she didn’t which was disappointing.
🔥 I didn’t care for the ghost at all or all that talk about ghosts especially when she made a wish on one. It was completely unnecessary, just plain creepy and does not belong in Christian fantasy.
🔥 I hated her father and everything that he was involved in. The sacrificing, bleeding and killing people was evil, dark and completely unnecessary especially in a Christian book. It felt way too dark and gave me chills. I didn’t like all the talk about wizards and spells. There was way too much talk and detail about things like that.
🔥 I didn’t care that when Wil transforms into a human he has no clothes like I do not need to know that…thank you very much. That was completely unnecessary. If he’s wearing clothes when he transforms into a dragon, why can’t he wear clothes when he transforms back into a human?
🔥 The magic and fire thing was a bit confusing and I still don’t understand everything to be honest. I felt like the book ended on kind of a cliffhanger with not everything being wrapped up.
🔥 Overall, this book had a lot of potential, but it fell flat for me. I don’t think I’ll be reading anymore by Rachelle Nelson which is disappointing.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
April 23, 2025
I’ve been eagerly anticipating Embergold since I first read the synopsis, which I found utterly captivating:
See what I mean? Captivating. Embergold sounded like a fairytale with depth, like a story I am always on the hunt for but very rarely find. Now, if it could just deliver on that promising premise.
It did. And then some.
Embergold was everything I was hoping it would be and more. This is a dream of a novel. It tells a wonderful, fully fleshed out story. There are high stakes and quiet moments, tension and romance, brutality and beauty. It’s the kind of story I was hoping to find in Uprooted, especially when it comes to the relationship dynamics. I would recommend this for those who loved Uprooted as well as those who were disappointed by it, as well as fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Howl’s Moving Castle, and of course, Beauty and the Beast. The Beauty and the Beast vibes are incredibly strong. There’s even a library scene that brought the classic Disney film to mind.
I was completely taken by the characters. Gilde and Wil are both wonderfully fleshed out. Both start with some wonderful qualities while also being given room to grow over the course of the narrative. Wil in particular was wonderful, and is exactly the type of male character I always hope to find in this type of fantasy story, but rarely do. Gilde is such a strong main character without either sacrificing her femininity or leaning too strongly into it. I found them both incredibly well balanced.
The other elements of the book were just as strong as the character development. Nelson’s writing is lovely, compelling without dipping into purple prose. Important themes, like breaking cycles of abuse and recognizing when you’re acting on fear, were included without becoming tedious or impeding the story being told. The pacing was perfect for this type of story, propulsive without being so fast as to sacrifice the atmosphere. The world building and setting were rendered beautifully, giving readers just enough without getting bogged down in too much heavy detail. And there’s a wonderfully presented thread of faith that begins light but strengthens as the story progresses to its climax.
I loved everything about Embergold. No notes. It was just a wonderfully compelling novel from start to finish. I was impressed with the depth of the story, as well as the beautiful moments that shone through its darker segments. I love that this is a standalone, as well, making it a book I am much more likely to revisit. As a side note, I tandem read the physical book with the audio, and the narrator did a phenomenal job. So, no matter what format you prefer, I definitely recommend picking this one up!
Fire dreamed of water, but the first sip would be its last.
Gilde has spent her life isolated in the wild marshlands, a place too wet for the dragon to go. She’s safe there, according to her father. So why is he asking her to leave with him now that she has come of age? There is more to Gilde’s family than she knows, and debts need to be paid.
Betrayed and shattered, she wakes in a crumbling mountain castle with the beast of her nightmares. Except this dragon speaks like a man and reads books. His kindness confuses her and opens a forgotten longing in her heart, all while Gilde plans her escape from a mountain full of secrets.
This place can unveil her past and why she was sacrificed to the beast—truths that may put both their lives in danger if they can’t learn to trust each other. But how can Gilde ever trust again? Especially after she discovers what dragons truly are.
See what I mean? Captivating. Embergold sounded like a fairytale with depth, like a story I am always on the hunt for but very rarely find. Now, if it could just deliver on that promising premise.
It did. And then some.
Embergold was everything I was hoping it would be and more. This is a dream of a novel. It tells a wonderful, fully fleshed out story. There are high stakes and quiet moments, tension and romance, brutality and beauty. It’s the kind of story I was hoping to find in Uprooted, especially when it comes to the relationship dynamics. I would recommend this for those who loved Uprooted as well as those who were disappointed by it, as well as fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses, Howl’s Moving Castle, and of course, Beauty and the Beast. The Beauty and the Beast vibes are incredibly strong. There’s even a library scene that brought the classic Disney film to mind.
I was completely taken by the characters. Gilde and Wil are both wonderfully fleshed out. Both start with some wonderful qualities while also being given room to grow over the course of the narrative. Wil in particular was wonderful, and is exactly the type of male character I always hope to find in this type of fantasy story, but rarely do. Gilde is such a strong main character without either sacrificing her femininity or leaning too strongly into it. I found them both incredibly well balanced.
The other elements of the book were just as strong as the character development. Nelson’s writing is lovely, compelling without dipping into purple prose. Important themes, like breaking cycles of abuse and recognizing when you’re acting on fear, were included without becoming tedious or impeding the story being told. The pacing was perfect for this type of story, propulsive without being so fast as to sacrifice the atmosphere. The world building and setting were rendered beautifully, giving readers just enough without getting bogged down in too much heavy detail. And there’s a wonderfully presented thread of faith that begins light but strengthens as the story progresses to its climax.
I loved everything about Embergold. No notes. It was just a wonderfully compelling novel from start to finish. I was impressed with the depth of the story, as well as the beautiful moments that shone through its darker segments. I love that this is a standalone, as well, making it a book I am much more likely to revisit. As a side note, I tandem read the physical book with the audio, and the narrator did a phenomenal job. So, no matter what format you prefer, I definitely recommend picking this one up!
February 14, 2025
This was such an excellent Beauty and the Beast inspired story. I loved every minute of it! Full of adventure, magic, mystery, and hidden identities. I stayed captivated by this story to the end.
Gilde is a sweet naive girl that faces health issues, betrayal, danger, and has her world turned upside down. I felt for her and cheered her on as she grew, endured, and overcame her circumstances. She made mistakes some of which were almost deadly. I loved watching her become braver and bolder standing up for her beliefs, loyalty, and love. And can we talk about the dragon aka Wil? He’s so protective and caring towards Gilde. He takes the time to help and teach her when others didn’t.
The plot starts a little slow and picks up pace as the action heats up. Several twists and revelations take Gilde on an unexpected journey and surprised her and me!
This book does lightly touch on some darker themes: vague references to prostitution, domestic abuse, fighting, wizards and human sacrifice as a dark magic source.
Read if you enjoy
✨fairytales
✨dragons
✨magic
✨good vs evil
✨betrayal
✨naive FMC
✨adventure
✨hidden identities
✨hidden castles
Spice: none
Strong language: none
Violence: mild nothing gory but see my above note on darker themes
Gilde is a sweet naive girl that faces health issues, betrayal, danger, and has her world turned upside down. I felt for her and cheered her on as she grew, endured, and overcame her circumstances. She made mistakes some of which were almost deadly. I loved watching her become braver and bolder standing up for her beliefs, loyalty, and love. And can we talk about the dragon aka Wil? He’s so protective and caring towards Gilde. He takes the time to help and teach her when others didn’t.
The plot starts a little slow and picks up pace as the action heats up. Several twists and revelations take Gilde on an unexpected journey and surprised her and me!
This book does lightly touch on some darker themes: vague references to prostitution, domestic abuse, fighting, wizards and human sacrifice as a dark magic source.
Read if you enjoy
✨fairytales
✨dragons
✨magic
✨good vs evil
✨betrayal
✨naive FMC
✨adventure
✨hidden identities
✨hidden castles
Spice: none
Strong language: none
Violence: mild nothing gory but see my above note on darker themes
July 7, 2025
A dragon story that is slightly reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast but is a unique story all on its own.
I loved reading about the dragon and discovering the lore behind them in this story. There's also a mysterious castle with hidden secrets that was fun to read as well. I was really hoping this was a romance and I was pleasantly surprised that it was!
There were a few bits that I would have liked to get more from (particularly with the ending).
I think this book is best read without knowing much about it beforehand, so Im trying to be a helpful but vague as possible with this review.
Content: domestic abuse, parental apathy
Christian faith rating: 1/3 Christian fantasy-- a God representation included as a main plot point
I loved reading about the dragon and discovering the lore behind them in this story. There's also a mysterious castle with hidden secrets that was fun to read as well. I was really hoping this was a romance and I was pleasantly surprised that it was!
There were a few bits that I would have liked to get more from (particularly with the ending).
I think this book is best read without knowing much about it beforehand, so Im trying to be a helpful but vague as possible with this review.
Content: domestic abuse, parental apathy
Christian faith rating: 1/3 Christian fantasy-- a God representation included as a main plot point
October 25, 2025
One of my favorite fantasy books to date! Inspired by the tales of Rumpelstiltskin and Beauty and the Beast. I loved the romance, the different settings and the action. It felt like I was watching a movie and literary finished over 300 pages in six hours! 6⭐
*thank you to Enclave publishing for a complimentary copy of this book to read, All thoughts are my own.
*thank you to Enclave publishing for a complimentary copy of this book to read, All thoughts are my own.
April 17, 2025
Embergold is a unique tale with elements of Beauty and the Beast, sacrificial love, a talking dragon, and a plot that will hook readers from the first chapter.
I am not YA's biggest fan, but when I read the blurb for Embergold, I knew I needed to read this book, and I'm happy I did. What a ride. There were some touching moments, some breath-holding moments, and some tenderly sweet moments. Glide was a great protagonist, but Wil was my favorite character. The reading scenes in particular made him quite endearing.
As I mentioned in the first paragraph, this book contains sacrificial love, and plenty of it. That was one of my favorite things about Embergold. It is displayed in so many ways, from Wil caring for Glide during an injury, to a secondary character attempting to protect Glide, to Glide willing to give everything for Wil's life.
Sensitive readers should note that there are some heavier and darker themes in this book, but not in a positive light. Alchemy is discussed quite often, divination is mentioned as is the attempt to bring back the dead, magic is shown as evil, and there a ghost-like creatures that will likely send a shiver down your spine. Again, these things are not promoted in a positive light and it is clearly illustrated how dangerous it is to attempt to alter life's natural course.
In conclusion, Embergold is a story readers of clean fantasy will enjoy. I hope we see more of Glide and Wil.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in conjunction with CelebrateLit. All opinions expressed are my own.
I am not YA's biggest fan, but when I read the blurb for Embergold, I knew I needed to read this book, and I'm happy I did. What a ride. There were some touching moments, some breath-holding moments, and some tenderly sweet moments. Glide was a great protagonist, but Wil was my favorite character. The reading scenes in particular made him quite endearing.
As I mentioned in the first paragraph, this book contains sacrificial love, and plenty of it. That was one of my favorite things about Embergold. It is displayed in so many ways, from Wil caring for Glide during an injury, to a secondary character attempting to protect Glide, to Glide willing to give everything for Wil's life.
Sensitive readers should note that there are some heavier and darker themes in this book, but not in a positive light. Alchemy is discussed quite often, divination is mentioned as is the attempt to bring back the dead, magic is shown as evil, and there a ghost-like creatures that will likely send a shiver down your spine. Again, these things are not promoted in a positive light and it is clearly illustrated how dangerous it is to attempt to alter life's natural course.
In conclusion, Embergold is a story readers of clean fantasy will enjoy. I hope we see more of Glide and Wil.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in conjunction with CelebrateLit. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 23, 2024
I read this in (for all intents and purposes) one day. And I loved it. The wonderful illustrations of dying to self were especially potent in this story. Looking forward to writing a much longer review for this in Clean Fiction Magazine's Spring edition, early next year.
March 31, 2025
I thought Nelson’s next book couldn’t get any better than Sky of Seven Colors.
I was wrong.
Embergold is a touching, heart-aching tale of a young woman who longs to be known and a dragon who needs to be freed. It’s filled with rich allegorical depth worthy of C. S. Lewis, painting a beautiful picture of the grace of God.
The worldbuilding is unique and well done. I loved the Beauty and the Beast vibes—definitely an interesting spin on the classic concept!
I can only describe Nelson’s writing as bittersweet. There’s an air of sadness attached to it, mourning the brokenness of the world, but it’s sadness tinged with hope, itself a testament to better things to come. It’s refreshing.
I highly recommend this book for readers aged 13+!
I was wrong.
Embergold is a touching, heart-aching tale of a young woman who longs to be known and a dragon who needs to be freed. It’s filled with rich allegorical depth worthy of C. S. Lewis, painting a beautiful picture of the grace of God.
The worldbuilding is unique and well done. I loved the Beauty and the Beast vibes—definitely an interesting spin on the classic concept!
I can only describe Nelson’s writing as bittersweet. There’s an air of sadness attached to it, mourning the brokenness of the world, but it’s sadness tinged with hope, itself a testament to better things to come. It’s refreshing.
I highly recommend this book for readers aged 13+!
May 3, 2025
This ended up being quite disappointing, from a potential four star read to a solid three and then all the way down to two, bored out of my mind stars 🙃
The beginning was great; the atmosphere and the characters felt fairytale like, the dragon with a secret and a castle full of trapped magic and curses kept me wanting more... The bond between the dragon and Gilde showed signs of a good kind of slow burn but then they left the castle and it all went to shit. Any tension or interest the story held was gone.
The worldbuilding ended up being extremely shallow and predictable, the entire embergold/dragon explaination was even worse. But yeah, eveything was just blabbed out in big chunks of wobbly exposition and nothing felt truly genuine. Not even the love story (that felt so so rushed and forced omg it was painful to read at the moments).
I was honestly debating whether to dnf it halfway through but I pushed through in hope it would get better... or just manage to surprise me. Neither ended up being the case henceme skimming the last 50ish pages and yeah, the resolution to the curse was shit. Random characters started popping up pretending they are important and so and so forth. I also wish we could've explored Gilde's relationship with her father more, wish we delved deeper into it...
So yeah, sadly this was a huge waste of my time 🤷🏻♀️
The beginning was great; the atmosphere and the characters felt fairytale like, the dragon with a secret and a castle full of trapped magic and curses kept me wanting more... The bond between the dragon and Gilde showed signs of a good kind of slow burn but then they left the castle and it all went to shit. Any tension or interest the story held was gone.
The worldbuilding ended up being extremely shallow and predictable, the entire embergold/dragon explaination was even worse. But yeah, eveything was just blabbed out in big chunks of wobbly exposition and nothing felt truly genuine. Not even the love story (that felt so so rushed and forced omg it was painful to read at the moments).
I was honestly debating whether to dnf it halfway through but I pushed through in hope it would get better... or just manage to surprise me. Neither ended up being the case henceme skimming the last 50ish pages and yeah, the resolution to the curse was shit. Random characters started popping up pretending they are important and so and so forth. I also wish we could've explored Gilde's relationship with her father more, wish we delved deeper into it...
So yeah, sadly this was a huge waste of my time 🤷🏻♀️
Read
February 4, 2025DNF at 30% 🫣.
It’s always difficult to step away from a book, especially when I’ve agreed to endorse it, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to continue.
While I can see that this book may resonate with many readers, I personally struggled to connect with the story. One aspect that was particularly challenging for me was the main character’s heart health issue, which is a sensitive topic for me. By the 30% mark, I realized I wasn’t able to fully engage with the narrative.
That said, I do think the book has a lot of potential, especially for readers who are drawn to character-driven stories. The writing is solid, and the premise could be very appealing to those who are interested in this kind of plot.
I believe this book will find its audience, even though it wasn’t the right fit for me. A complimentary copy was provided by the author, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s always difficult to step away from a book, especially when I’ve agreed to endorse it, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to continue.
While I can see that this book may resonate with many readers, I personally struggled to connect with the story. One aspect that was particularly challenging for me was the main character’s heart health issue, which is a sensitive topic for me. By the 30% mark, I realized I wasn’t able to fully engage with the narrative.
That said, I do think the book has a lot of potential, especially for readers who are drawn to character-driven stories. The writing is solid, and the premise could be very appealing to those who are interested in this kind of plot.
I believe this book will find its audience, even though it wasn’t the right fit for me. A complimentary copy was provided by the author, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 6, 2025
This book weaves a beautiful story of self-sacrifice and true love. The biblical parallels in the novel are incredibly well done. Main character Gilde goes through many trials over the course of the novel, developing into a resilient and selfless young woman. I enjoyed every minute of this action-packed, romantic, imaginative tale.
Be sure to add this to your TBR and check out the pre-order price when you order directly from the Enclave website.
Thank you to the author for a complimentary review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Be sure to add this to your TBR and check out the pre-order price when you order directly from the Enclave website.
Thank you to the author for a complimentary review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
August 31, 2025
In all honesty, I didn’t like this book very much. The dad was awful, the cousin was awful, the friend wasn’t too bad, but still awful. There was abuse, physical and emotional. Some of the characters had some less than reputable jobs. I did like Wil and the girl, I can only remember Wils name though out of all of them. But in general the book felt a bit flat and the content made it even less of a good book for me. Plus, I was expecting more faith content, there was basically none and that made me really sad. It could have been so much better. Not for me.
May 26, 2025
I already want to read this book again. So good!
Perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast reimaginings, fairytales, found family, self discovery, beautiful prose, and sweet love stories.
I ADORE this book and will now always recommend it!
Perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast reimaginings, fairytales, found family, self discovery, beautiful prose, and sweet love stories.
I ADORE this book and will now always recommend it!
November 14, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ 2/5
I'm sorry, I couldn't do it. I hate DNFing books, but I had to stop at 66%. It started out boring, and there were several times I thought it would get interesting -- and it didn't. It stayed boring.
Excuse my bluntness, but I didn't understand the world-building, the characters were flat, there was no plot, no stakes, and Gilde was so dumb. Like girl, I know you've been living under a rock your whole life, but how do you not know what emotions are? 😭
I wanted to like Wil, but he was so stoic and just annoyed me by some of the things he did.
And the whole troupe of "innocent girl still loves her abusive father even though he tried to kill her" is so freaking aggravating to me. I see that too often in "Christian fantasy" like the FMC can't be feminine without being a slave to people she's supposed to love. Like yes, respect your parents, but if they're physically hitting you, you need to leave. That's not okay. Find another home lol.
Side Note: Ngl, the narrator of the audiobook read so slowly. It wouldn't have been a problem, but it literally just added to my annoyance of this book.
I hate being so negative, but I was sad I wasted so much of my time on this and wish it could've turned out differently. I think it had potential, it just needed a lot of work.
I'm sorry, I couldn't do it. I hate DNFing books, but I had to stop at 66%. It started out boring, and there were several times I thought it would get interesting -- and it didn't. It stayed boring.
Excuse my bluntness, but I didn't understand the world-building, the characters were flat, there was no plot, no stakes, and Gilde was so dumb. Like girl, I know you've been living under a rock your whole life, but how do you not know what emotions are? 😭
I wanted to like Wil, but he was so stoic and just annoyed me by some of the things he did.
And the whole troupe of "innocent girl still loves her abusive father even though he tried to kill her" is so freaking aggravating to me. I see that too often in "Christian fantasy" like the FMC can't be feminine without being a slave to people she's supposed to love. Like yes, respect your parents, but if they're physically hitting you, you need to leave. That's not okay. Find another home lol.
Side Note: Ngl, the narrator of the audiobook read so slowly. It wouldn't have been a problem, but it literally just added to my annoyance of this book.
I hate being so negative, but I was sad I wasted so much of my time on this and wish it could've turned out differently. I think it had potential, it just needed a lot of work.
April 18, 2025
An captivating original fantasy novel, reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, with a plucky heroine, powerful dragon, and terrible truths.
Betrayed by her own kin, Gilde finds herself living in a mountain castle with a dragon her only constant in a mysterious and magical new reality. The dragon slowly gains her trust, opening up a whole new world to her, and challenging the things she knew before. Gilde is courageous, curious, with a strong moral compass, but not immune from anxieties, fears, and physical ailments. The dragon is kind, and fair, but he holds onto a dark secret.
A riveting tale, with complex and well developed protagonists, that grab you by your heartstrings. The story explores themes of loyalty, truth, right and wrong, sacrifice, as terrible secrets are brought to light and impossible choices must be made. Emotionally gripping, bittersweet, with a powerful message. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Betrayed by her own kin, Gilde finds herself living in a mountain castle with a dragon her only constant in a mysterious and magical new reality. The dragon slowly gains her trust, opening up a whole new world to her, and challenging the things she knew before. Gilde is courageous, curious, with a strong moral compass, but not immune from anxieties, fears, and physical ailments. The dragon is kind, and fair, but he holds onto a dark secret.
A riveting tale, with complex and well developed protagonists, that grab you by your heartstrings. The story explores themes of loyalty, truth, right and wrong, sacrifice, as terrible secrets are brought to light and impossible choices must be made. Emotionally gripping, bittersweet, with a powerful message. Highly recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
June 10, 2025
While this was an enjoyable read, it did not completely enrapture me and I found I didn’t grow especially invested until near the end. I am happy I read it, but it hasn’t become an all time favourite for me.
March 7, 2025
This book is why I read fairy tales. Embergold takes the traditional story of the girl sacrificed to the dragon and retells it with a depth and insight into both the darkest parts of human life as well as the brightest. Full of mysterious forests, dangerous sea journeys, glittering treasures, and the power of true love and true friendship, this is a book I would have loved as a teenager, only to enjoy it even more as an adult.
I enjoyed following Gilde's journey, growing up among corruption that is obvious to the reader, and eventually discovering what real love and goodness look like in family and friends. The story was so thoughtfully and sensitively crafted with lots of respect for each character, even the ones who don't make the best of choices. I was especially intrigued by the use of "wizardry" in this book, as it explored an old meaning of the word in ancient Germanic languages referring to criminal acts, which was very fitting for the worldbuilding based off of Roman-era Europe. The best part of the book for me was the ending, a beautiful and powerful sacrifice that doesn't end the way Gilde expects. I really look forward to rereading this book many times in the years to come!
I enjoyed following Gilde's journey, growing up among corruption that is obvious to the reader, and eventually discovering what real love and goodness look like in family and friends. The story was so thoughtfully and sensitively crafted with lots of respect for each character, even the ones who don't make the best of choices. I was especially intrigued by the use of "wizardry" in this book, as it explored an old meaning of the word in ancient Germanic languages referring to criminal acts, which was very fitting for the worldbuilding based off of Roman-era Europe. The best part of the book for me was the ending, a beautiful and powerful sacrifice that doesn't end the way Gilde expects. I really look forward to rereading this book many times in the years to come!
September 9, 2025
Absolutely fantastic book! I enjoyed it even more than I was expecting. This might be my new favorite dragon story!
January 13, 2025
I have had the honor of being on Rachelle’s street team for the release of Embergold! I’m so excited to share this review with you all.
This was a magical story full of hope, love, sacrifice and growth. The plot was interesting, the characters were likable, and it was a fast paced story. Once you start reading you won’t want to stop until you find out what happens! The romance was sweet and I liked watching their relationship grow. This book was heavily inspired by Beauty and the Beast so that was fun! This story may not be for everyone (see content below), but I enjoyed it and I think fantasy/dragon lovers would enjoy it too! Embergold releases on March 18th 2025!
Content : Mentions of wizardry (not portrayed in a good light), killing, death, ghosts, domestic abuse, sickness, severe injuries
Thank you @rachelle.nelson.author and @enclavepublishing for the early copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
3.5 ✨
This was a magical story full of hope, love, sacrifice and growth. The plot was interesting, the characters were likable, and it was a fast paced story. Once you start reading you won’t want to stop until you find out what happens! The romance was sweet and I liked watching their relationship grow. This book was heavily inspired by Beauty and the Beast so that was fun! This story may not be for everyone (see content below), but I enjoyed it and I think fantasy/dragon lovers would enjoy it too! Embergold releases on March 18th 2025!
Content : Mentions of wizardry (not portrayed in a good light), killing, death, ghosts, domestic abuse, sickness, severe injuries
Thank you @rachelle.nelson.author and @enclavepublishing for the early copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
3.5 ✨
January 11, 2025
I loved this book so much! Once I started reading, I couldn’t put this book down! I ended up reading most of it in one sitting. I loved Gilde and Wil so much! I can’t recommend this book enough! The cover is also one of my favorites, too!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
October 1, 2025
Embergold Book Review:
✨ Embergold is a beautifully dark fantasy that gives off Beauty and the Beast vibes while still feeling fresh and original. Gilde has always believed she was hidden away to keep her safe from a dragon—until betrayal forces her into his castle, where nothing is as she imagined. The “monster” she feared turns out to be intelligent, gentle in unexpected ways, and tangled in secrets that shift everything she thought she knew about love, loyalty, and trust. ✨
Full Synopsis:
Embergold follows Gilde, a girl hidden away in the marshes to keep her safe from a dragon—at least, that’s what she’s always been told. But when betrayal forces her into a crumbling castle and face-to-face with the very creature she’s feared, she discovers the truth is far more complicated. This dragon isn’t just fire and scales; he reads, reasons, and shows a surprising gentleness that blurs the line between monster and man. The story has definite Beauty and the Beast vibes, with themes of fear, trust, and unexpected love, but it’s not a retelling. Instead, it spins those familiar threads into something darker, layered with family secrets, betrayal, and a richly imagined fantasy world that feels both fresh and timeless.
My Review:
Wow! Once again, a book I knew very little about going in grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go! I never thought I was a “dragon person,” but the few dragon-themed books I’ve read this month have completely warmed my heart—and Wil stole my heart in this one! Gilde, our sweet and devoted heroine, captured my heart just as quickly. I was heartbroken for the betrayal that landed her in the dragon’s care, and I felt every emotion alongside her as her journey unfolded. The Embergold and Beauty and the Beast parallels added an extra layer of warmth to the story for me. This book was an unforgettable adventure and now holds a special place on my favorites list. I wholeheartedly recommend it! ❤️
Favorite Quotes:
• “You’re alive.” I rested my forehead against his scales. “So that means the story isn’t over yet. Don’t pretend you know the ending if you haven’t read it.”
• “Why would anyone want to pray to a trickster god? Or a god that was like a man? The idea was very different from Wil’s story, where a creator was powerful enough to breathe the world into existence.”
My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
✨ Embergold is a beautifully dark fantasy that gives off Beauty and the Beast vibes while still feeling fresh and original. Gilde has always believed she was hidden away to keep her safe from a dragon—until betrayal forces her into his castle, where nothing is as she imagined. The “monster” she feared turns out to be intelligent, gentle in unexpected ways, and tangled in secrets that shift everything she thought she knew about love, loyalty, and trust. ✨
Full Synopsis:
Embergold follows Gilde, a girl hidden away in the marshes to keep her safe from a dragon—at least, that’s what she’s always been told. But when betrayal forces her into a crumbling castle and face-to-face with the very creature she’s feared, she discovers the truth is far more complicated. This dragon isn’t just fire and scales; he reads, reasons, and shows a surprising gentleness that blurs the line between monster and man. The story has definite Beauty and the Beast vibes, with themes of fear, trust, and unexpected love, but it’s not a retelling. Instead, it spins those familiar threads into something darker, layered with family secrets, betrayal, and a richly imagined fantasy world that feels both fresh and timeless.
My Review:
Wow! Once again, a book I knew very little about going in grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go! I never thought I was a “dragon person,” but the few dragon-themed books I’ve read this month have completely warmed my heart—and Wil stole my heart in this one! Gilde, our sweet and devoted heroine, captured my heart just as quickly. I was heartbroken for the betrayal that landed her in the dragon’s care, and I felt every emotion alongside her as her journey unfolded. The Embergold and Beauty and the Beast parallels added an extra layer of warmth to the story for me. This book was an unforgettable adventure and now holds a special place on my favorites list. I wholeheartedly recommend it! ❤️
Favorite Quotes:
• “You’re alive.” I rested my forehead against his scales. “So that means the story isn’t over yet. Don’t pretend you know the ending if you haven’t read it.”
• “Why would anyone want to pray to a trickster god? Or a god that was like a man? The idea was very different from Wil’s story, where a creator was powerful enough to breathe the world into existence.”
My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars)
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