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Demon Wielder #1
The Emerald Dawn
"If I truly wanted to serve the Queen, I’d only have to cut my own throat."
After her mother’s execution, ten-year-old Reina Sangrey begged Damian Arden—a wealthy, charming, criminally-minded aristocrat—for refuge. The terms to repay her debt, ensuring her and her brother's safety were survive the Armory, rise to the Queensguard, and kill the Queen.
Reina Sangrey is initiated into Thera’s Armory at twenty-four, just as duty, and destiny, required. On the eve of her first trial, her true gift reveals itself . . . and it is anything but ordinary. A once-in-a-century power something worth more than dragons or griffons—even more than a prince. Reina was the demon wielder a prophecy promised to the Crown.
Years as Damien Arden’s assassin, training for regicide in the shadows, hadn’t prepared her to be the greatest weapon the Crown had ever seen. Nor did it exclude her from the deadly Armory trials where only half of the first-years would survive. No longer disposable, and overwhelmed with power, Reina has to learn how to control her demons with the unwelcome help of Prince Farran and his own rare gift. Despite her strong will, Reina finds herself drawn to the brooding prince, but it didn't matter—it couldn’t matter. There wasn’t anything or anyone in the realm that could change her course . . . least of all, the son of her mother’s murderer. Reina was born a traitor, and traitors die alone.
Killing the Queen was her only purpose, or so she thought.
After her mother’s execution, ten-year-old Reina Sangrey begged Damian Arden—a wealthy, charming, criminally-minded aristocrat—for refuge. The terms to repay her debt, ensuring her and her brother's safety were survive the Armory, rise to the Queensguard, and kill the Queen.
Reina Sangrey is initiated into Thera’s Armory at twenty-four, just as duty, and destiny, required. On the eve of her first trial, her true gift reveals itself . . . and it is anything but ordinary. A once-in-a-century power something worth more than dragons or griffons—even more than a prince. Reina was the demon wielder a prophecy promised to the Crown.
Years as Damien Arden’s assassin, training for regicide in the shadows, hadn’t prepared her to be the greatest weapon the Crown had ever seen. Nor did it exclude her from the deadly Armory trials where only half of the first-years would survive. No longer disposable, and overwhelmed with power, Reina has to learn how to control her demons with the unwelcome help of Prince Farran and his own rare gift. Despite her strong will, Reina finds herself drawn to the brooding prince, but it didn't matter—it couldn’t matter. There wasn’t anything or anyone in the realm that could change her course . . . least of all, the son of her mother’s murderer. Reina was born a traitor, and traitors die alone.
Killing the Queen was her only purpose, or so she thought.
451 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2024
40 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 14, 2025
╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝟺 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
omg the ending!!
I loved this so much
│ ⊹ 𝟺 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
omg the ending!!
I loved this so much
October 9, 2024
4.5 Stars (rounding up)
ARC received for review. All comments are my own personal and honest opinions.
I really enjoyed this one. I have been craving fantasy with bad ass female characters lately and The Emerald Dawn delivered. Reina is a baddie… period.
The friendship between Reina and Leena is so special to me. Strong female friendships in books is such a magical thing and it deserves to happen more often.
I will say that the first 20 ish percent of the book was a bit info dumpy for me. But I think that this kind of had to happen for the rest of the story to be fast paced and action packed. It’s giving SJM… you just gotta push through 20% of slow story to get to the most iconic action packed fantasy. It’s worth it!
I also loved how descriptive the writing style was. I could picture everything so vividly in my head. The castle imagery is just so nostalgic and beautiful. I loved it so muchhhh
I am SO interested in seeing her story play out. I can’t wait for book two!!! I like need it… now!
Congratulations to Allison on her debut novel!! I cannot wait to see what you write in the future 🤍
ARC received for review. All comments are my own personal and honest opinions.
I really enjoyed this one. I have been craving fantasy with bad ass female characters lately and The Emerald Dawn delivered. Reina is a baddie… period.
The friendship between Reina and Leena is so special to me. Strong female friendships in books is such a magical thing and it deserves to happen more often.
I will say that the first 20 ish percent of the book was a bit info dumpy for me. But I think that this kind of had to happen for the rest of the story to be fast paced and action packed. It’s giving SJM… you just gotta push through 20% of slow story to get to the most iconic action packed fantasy. It’s worth it!
I also loved how descriptive the writing style was. I could picture everything so vividly in my head. The castle imagery is just so nostalgic and beautiful. I loved it so muchhhh
I am SO interested in seeing her story play out. I can’t wait for book two!!! I like need it… now!
Congratulations to Allison on her debut novel!! I cannot wait to see what you write in the future 🤍
August 25, 2024
First, thank you to Allison Trebacz for an eARC of this book and congratulations to her on her debut novel.
If you enjoyed the stabby FMC vibes of Throne of Glass, the military complex/academy of Fourth Wing or Ember in the Ashes, then you may enjoy this book.
The positives first:
- The magic system is interesting and feels like a unique twist on how we often see magic depicted in similar books.
- I enjoy the relationship between Reina and Leena, and wish we got more of that dynamics, especially how their friendship started.
Now the less positive:
- while I think the magic system has potential, it was never well explained. In fact, much of the world building feels unexplained, and not in the "you'll learn more in future books" kind of way. For much of the book, it felt like we were presented with information and perspectives as though we had already learned some of the relevant background, without us having learned the relevant background. Also, this world has dragons AND griffons, and yet we see like nothing of them. I WANT MORE DRAGONS!
- I wanted more from the characters in term of background. Related to above, Reina thinks alot about Arden and the blood oath she made to him, but we never really get a straightforward explanation of what happened, how she felt when her mother was executed, what drove her to the priest to see her future etc. Instead we get a lot of vague background about how she's his viper, without really ever saying what that means. She was an assassin? A spy? I assumed assassin, but then she sometimes acts like she's never killed someone before.
- The love interest and romance is boring. Farran kind of comes out of nowhere and it feels very insta-love. It also really annoyed me that he just calls her "darling" for no real reason and she just kind of...accepts it? I'm not a fan of unnecessary pet names between love interests, but at least the independent FMC at least kind of objects to nicknames at first.
- Finally, on the writing craft itself. There are A LOT of typos, missed words and what feels like unfinished sentences. I was making notes of them at first, but then it just got to be too many to feel worth it. Normally, I wouldn't comment on it, especially for an ARC, but they were frequent enough that they were both distracting and led to confusion. Related, the dialogues between the characters often felt a little nonsensical. In normal human conversation, we will frequently repeat what is said to us, if paraphrased. It sometimes felt like Trebacz had originally arranged the dialogue with one set of words, thought it was too reptitive and so had one of the characters use a synonym. While that would be fine for regular narrative, it is jarring in the context of conversation. At other times, it felt like the characters were replying to dialogue that never actually happened - either because it was just out of the blue or it was responding to their thoughts. Again, this makes me suspect it was a casualty of revisions and editing moving things around, and the not properly reconnecting the dots.
All in all, I'm not dying for the next installment, but I might consider checking it out if I have gaps in my TBR or library holds.
If you enjoyed the stabby FMC vibes of Throne of Glass, the military complex/academy of Fourth Wing or Ember in the Ashes, then you may enjoy this book.
The positives first:
- The magic system is interesting and feels like a unique twist on how we often see magic depicted in similar books.
- I enjoy the relationship between Reina and Leena, and wish we got more of that dynamics, especially how their friendship started.
Now the less positive:
- while I think the magic system has potential, it was never well explained. In fact, much of the world building feels unexplained, and not in the "you'll learn more in future books" kind of way. For much of the book, it felt like we were presented with information and perspectives as though we had already learned some of the relevant background, without us having learned the relevant background. Also, this world has dragons AND griffons, and yet we see like nothing of them. I WANT MORE DRAGONS!
- I wanted more from the characters in term of background. Related to above, Reina thinks alot about Arden and the blood oath she made to him, but we never really get a straightforward explanation of what happened, how she felt when her mother was executed, what drove her to the priest to see her future etc. Instead we get a lot of vague background about how she's his viper, without really ever saying what that means. She was an assassin? A spy? I assumed assassin, but then she sometimes acts like she's never killed someone before.
- The love interest and romance is boring. Farran kind of comes out of nowhere and it feels very insta-love. It also really annoyed me that he just calls her "darling" for no real reason and she just kind of...accepts it? I'm not a fan of unnecessary pet names between love interests, but at least the independent FMC at least kind of objects to nicknames at first.
- Finally, on the writing craft itself. There are A LOT of typos, missed words and what feels like unfinished sentences. I was making notes of them at first, but then it just got to be too many to feel worth it. Normally, I wouldn't comment on it, especially for an ARC, but they were frequent enough that they were both distracting and led to confusion. Related, the dialogues between the characters often felt a little nonsensical. In normal human conversation, we will frequently repeat what is said to us, if paraphrased. It sometimes felt like Trebacz had originally arranged the dialogue with one set of words, thought it was too reptitive and so had one of the characters use a synonym. While that would be fine for regular narrative, it is jarring in the context of conversation. At other times, it felt like the characters were replying to dialogue that never actually happened - either because it was just out of the blue or it was responding to their thoughts. Again, this makes me suspect it was a casualty of revisions and editing moving things around, and the not properly reconnecting the dots.
All in all, I'm not dying for the next installment, but I might consider checking it out if I have gaps in my TBR or library holds.
August 19, 2024
I was not able to put this down. I wasn't expecting all those truths to come out. I know reina wasn't either ,things she never had the knowledge of
Farran, I love him, but in the end, I felt so bad for him. I won't say why
Leena, my girl she the best kind of friend to reina
I need to know more about her ,her life,her family
There are so many characters I want to know about their story , the history of each of them, and the past of the old gods
Reina been through so much just as the rest of them have
The tension and the spicy scenes were just right
The women in this book are amazing,strong,fighters, and brave the friendships the men and women have with each other, and some of them have dragons, yes dragons
Farran, I love him, but in the end, I felt so bad for him. I won't say why
Leena, my girl she the best kind of friend to reina
I need to know more about her ,her life,her family
There are so many characters I want to know about their story , the history of each of them, and the past of the old gods
Reina been through so much just as the rest of them have
The tension and the spicy scenes were just right
The women in this book are amazing,strong,fighters, and brave the friendships the men and women have with each other, and some of them have dragons, yes dragons
September 24, 2024
3.75⭐️ - Overall I had a lot of fun reading this debut fantasy!
The prologue and first chapter do an excellent job of sucking you right in. I was intrigued from the very beginning by the dark and immersive setting. We meet our FMC and can immediately tell she is a badass with standby assassin vibes. We are also thrown into the middle of what seems to be a military like academy filled with deadly trials and testing of skills. — like come on, what else could you want?!
I felt the storyline was well paced, starting a little slower in the beginning and then building up. There isn’t a ton of info dumbing in the beginning like a lot of fantasy books which was a nice change of pace. I thought the magic system was very interesting, but I desperately wanted to dig deeper into it. Many of the characters that we meet have unique powers, but we didn’t really learn the history of the powers or why some people have them and some don’t. I also wanted to learn more about the magical creatures that are mentioned and see them more on page. Ex: dragons & griffins (gimmie more)🐉
I loved the concept of our FMC being a demon wielder and learning the ends and outs of her power along with her. It’s made very clear early on that there is a lot more to Reina and her power than meets the eye, and I enjoyed putting the puzzle pieces together. I also loved that it added a dark and mysterious aspect to the story. Not really knowing if her power is good or evil. I’m a huge fan of a good slow burn, so I loved Reina & Farran’s romance, but I definitely wanted a little bit more pining and tension between the two.
Overall I felt like the story and characters were very engaging and there were definitely parts where it felt hard to put down. With that said, I do think there were some world building and storyline misses for me. I wish we got more of Reina’s backstory with Arden and the blood oath, it’s all very cryptic (which for the story I can understand why) but there were parts that felt unclear so hopefully we get more of this backstory in future books.
I loved the plot twisty/cliff hanging ending and it got me very excited to continue the story. I look forward to future books in the series.
Thank you to Allison Trebacz for sharing an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own!
The prologue and first chapter do an excellent job of sucking you right in. I was intrigued from the very beginning by the dark and immersive setting. We meet our FMC and can immediately tell she is a badass with standby assassin vibes. We are also thrown into the middle of what seems to be a military like academy filled with deadly trials and testing of skills. — like come on, what else could you want?!
I felt the storyline was well paced, starting a little slower in the beginning and then building up. There isn’t a ton of info dumbing in the beginning like a lot of fantasy books which was a nice change of pace. I thought the magic system was very interesting, but I desperately wanted to dig deeper into it. Many of the characters that we meet have unique powers, but we didn’t really learn the history of the powers or why some people have them and some don’t. I also wanted to learn more about the magical creatures that are mentioned and see them more on page. Ex: dragons & griffins (gimmie more)🐉
I loved the concept of our FMC being a demon wielder and learning the ends and outs of her power along with her. It’s made very clear early on that there is a lot more to Reina and her power than meets the eye, and I enjoyed putting the puzzle pieces together. I also loved that it added a dark and mysterious aspect to the story. Not really knowing if her power is good or evil. I’m a huge fan of a good slow burn, so I loved Reina & Farran’s romance, but I definitely wanted a little bit more pining and tension between the two.
Overall I felt like the story and characters were very engaging and there were definitely parts where it felt hard to put down. With that said, I do think there were some world building and storyline misses for me. I wish we got more of Reina’s backstory with Arden and the blood oath, it’s all very cryptic (which for the story I can understand why) but there were parts that felt unclear so hopefully we get more of this backstory in future books.
I loved the plot twisty/cliff hanging ending and it got me very excited to continue the story. I look forward to future books in the series.
Thank you to Allison Trebacz for sharing an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own!
August 25, 2024
This is SO good!
Favourite quotes:
"The slaughtering of a demon, even three, had been effortless, but it was the stairs that would be the end of me. "
😅Girl I feel you!!!
The Emerald Dawn by Allison Trebacz begins with a prologue that immediately sets the tone for the dark and intense journey ahead.
From the very first scene, a key plot element is revealed, sparking my curiosity and making me wonder not only how the characters will reach this pivotal point but also if they will survive it. It's the kind of opening that makes you think, "This is going to be good," and Trebacz delivers on that promise, trust me!!!
The world Trebacz crafts is a harsh and unforgiving one, populated by shifters, demons, and constant danger. The trials the characters face are ruthless, with death lurking at every turn. This is dark fantasy at its finest, filled with the perfect balance of tension, action, and just the right touch of romance.
It was everything I expected. 💕
However, the pacing in the first quarter of the book is a bit slow. Up until about 25%, the story takes its time building momentum, which might feel a bit sluggish. Additionally, while there are significant moments—like Reina receiving the silver cords, a crucial development in the story—it felt underplayed. These milestones deserve more emphasis in my opinion.
One side note worth mentioning is the presence of numerous typos, enough to be distracting and hinder the reading experience. Hopefully, these will be ironed out in future editions. Especially in the first 20%.
Favourite quotes:
"The slaughtering of a demon, even three, had been effortless, but it was the stairs that would be the end of me. "
😅Girl I feel you!!!
The Emerald Dawn by Allison Trebacz begins with a prologue that immediately sets the tone for the dark and intense journey ahead.
From the very first scene, a key plot element is revealed, sparking my curiosity and making me wonder not only how the characters will reach this pivotal point but also if they will survive it. It's the kind of opening that makes you think, "This is going to be good," and Trebacz delivers on that promise, trust me!!!
The world Trebacz crafts is a harsh and unforgiving one, populated by shifters, demons, and constant danger. The trials the characters face are ruthless, with death lurking at every turn. This is dark fantasy at its finest, filled with the perfect balance of tension, action, and just the right touch of romance.
It was everything I expected. 💕
However, the pacing in the first quarter of the book is a bit slow. Up until about 25%, the story takes its time building momentum, which might feel a bit sluggish. Additionally, while there are significant moments—like Reina receiving the silver cords, a crucial development in the story—it felt underplayed. These milestones deserve more emphasis in my opinion.
One side note worth mentioning is the presence of numerous typos, enough to be distracting and hinder the reading experience. Hopefully, these will be ironed out in future editions. Especially in the first 20%.
August 31, 2024
The Emerald Dawn by Allison Trebacz 💚✨️
The Emerald Dawn is the first book in and the perfect start to The Demon Wielder Series. This Romantasy has everything and more.
If you liked Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and/ or Powerless.. then this book is for you!
It has demons, dragons, powers, deadly trials, and blood oaths. (Cool, right?! What are you waiting for?? Go pre-order it right now 🤭🙈)
We follow Reina Sangrey, our badass FMC. She is a 24 year old assassin who's trying her best to give her brother a good life. Her newly discovered, very rare and powerful gift, ushers Reina to accept the unwelcome help of Prince Farran and his own rare gift. Despite her strong will, she finds herself drawn to the brooding prince, our MMC.. 🤭✨️
I was invested throughout the whole book. I kept thinking about the book when I wasn't reading.. And when I was reading, I found myself completely immersed in this story and world.
I absolutely love the characters. Especially the beautiful friendship between Reina and Leena!!
This romantasy was romantasying. I ate the tension and banter between Farran and Reina up! It was so fun to read!!
Something I really liked was the pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️,5 /5
I highly recommend The Emerald Dawn
The Emerald Dawn is the first book in and the perfect start to The Demon Wielder Series. This Romantasy has everything and more.
If you liked Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and/ or Powerless.. then this book is for you!
It has demons, dragons, powers, deadly trials, and blood oaths. (Cool, right?! What are you waiting for?? Go pre-order it right now 🤭🙈)
We follow Reina Sangrey, our badass FMC. She is a 24 year old assassin who's trying her best to give her brother a good life. Her newly discovered, very rare and powerful gift, ushers Reina to accept the unwelcome help of Prince Farran and his own rare gift. Despite her strong will, she finds herself drawn to the brooding prince, our MMC.. 🤭✨️
I was invested throughout the whole book. I kept thinking about the book when I wasn't reading.. And when I was reading, I found myself completely immersed in this story and world.
I absolutely love the characters. Especially the beautiful friendship between Reina and Leena!!
This romantasy was romantasying. I ate the tension and banter between Farran and Reina up! It was so fun to read!!
Something I really liked was the pronunciation guide at the beginning of the book!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️,5 /5
I highly recommend The Emerald Dawn
September 26, 2024
"Ever since that first kiss, I've been desperate for you. You've broken something in me."
What an adventure! The Emerald Dawn is full of action, magic wielding, romance, and hidden secrets. Reina Sangrey is taken in by Damien Arden after her mother's execution. She has a debt to pay for the continuous safety of her and her brother. She must survive the Armory, become part of the Queensguard, and assassinate the Queen.
Reina has this strong demeanor, yet she seemed caring enough for characters to get close to her. I liked the scene where she is forced to get out of her comfort zone during their journey in the deadly trials. I enjoyed those funny moments. The storyline is in her POV, and I really enjoyed being able to know what she's thinking throughout the book as she's constantly torn with her emotions. I feel for her because she just wants normalcy, but being Arden's viper, she must continue to deceive others so she can complete her task and that just makes me hurt for her. I like Leena, the caring friend role she plays in Reina's life. Prince Farran is the forbidden love, and the slow burn is pretty good in this story. I would like to know more of the side characters who were a big part of Reina's experience through the Armory Trials.
Overall, this story is unique, with an eccentric magic system. I hope Book 2 will answer the questions I was left after reading The Emerald Dawn, especially with that cliffhanger. The ending was fast-paced, and I did not want it to end. Thank @allisontrebacz_author for letting me ARC read your debut fantasy book. There is definitely a nice fantasy read with the essence of Throne of Glass (imo).
What an adventure! The Emerald Dawn is full of action, magic wielding, romance, and hidden secrets. Reina Sangrey is taken in by Damien Arden after her mother's execution. She has a debt to pay for the continuous safety of her and her brother. She must survive the Armory, become part of the Queensguard, and assassinate the Queen.
Reina has this strong demeanor, yet she seemed caring enough for characters to get close to her. I liked the scene where she is forced to get out of her comfort zone during their journey in the deadly trials. I enjoyed those funny moments. The storyline is in her POV, and I really enjoyed being able to know what she's thinking throughout the book as she's constantly torn with her emotions. I feel for her because she just wants normalcy, but being Arden's viper, she must continue to deceive others so she can complete her task and that just makes me hurt for her. I like Leena, the caring friend role she plays in Reina's life. Prince Farran is the forbidden love, and the slow burn is pretty good in this story. I would like to know more of the side characters who were a big part of Reina's experience through the Armory Trials.
Overall, this story is unique, with an eccentric magic system. I hope Book 2 will answer the questions I was left after reading The Emerald Dawn, especially with that cliffhanger. The ending was fast-paced, and I did not want it to end. Thank @allisontrebacz_author for letting me ARC read your debut fantasy book. There is definitely a nice fantasy read with the essence of Throne of Glass (imo).
September 6, 2024
Y’all this Book?
Is Absolutely ASTONISHING, DIVINE, and STUNNING!
Trebacz DEBUT NOVEL had me hooked from page one and there was no hope for me after that. It’s the best of Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Fourth Wing! She gave us a detailed map AND a pronunciation guide AND a book playlists AND a delicious prologue chapter that sinks its teeth into you.
I don’t know about you but I loveeeee a strong FMC and that is exactly what Reina Sangrey is serving! 🖤 Her journey is full of swords, demons, god worthy magic, self sacrifice, friendships, corrupt rulers, and a very fine prince 😉
Due to the tragic loss of her family she is now the only guardian for her little brother, Declan, and this forces her to make a deal with the Devil AKA Damien Arden. Arden takes them in and in exchange Reina swears a blood oath to him, which is sealed on her skin in the form of a sick tattoo on her back. To complete the oath she must survive The Armory, a three year war college full of danger, and graduated successfully to become a Queensguard. Seems simple right? Oh yeah, did I mention her destiny is to kill the Queen she might die trying to serve?
This story was one I could NOT PUT DOWN.
I want to give a huge thank you to Allison Trebacz for sending me an eARC of her book! It has become hands down my favorite read of 2024!
Is Absolutely ASTONISHING, DIVINE, and STUNNING!
Trebacz DEBUT NOVEL had me hooked from page one and there was no hope for me after that. It’s the best of Throne of Glass, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Fourth Wing! She gave us a detailed map AND a pronunciation guide AND a book playlists AND a delicious prologue chapter that sinks its teeth into you.
I don’t know about you but I loveeeee a strong FMC and that is exactly what Reina Sangrey is serving! 🖤 Her journey is full of swords, demons, god worthy magic, self sacrifice, friendships, corrupt rulers, and a very fine prince 😉
Due to the tragic loss of her family she is now the only guardian for her little brother, Declan, and this forces her to make a deal with the Devil AKA Damien Arden. Arden takes them in and in exchange Reina swears a blood oath to him, which is sealed on her skin in the form of a sick tattoo on her back. To complete the oath she must survive The Armory, a three year war college full of danger, and graduated successfully to become a Queensguard. Seems simple right? Oh yeah, did I mention her destiny is to kill the Queen she might die trying to serve?
This story was one I could NOT PUT DOWN.
I want to give a huge thank you to Allison Trebacz for sending me an eARC of her book! It has become hands down my favorite read of 2024!
December 31, 2024
(4.25/5) The vibes alone would've convinced me to read The Emerald Dawn by Allison Trebacz.
If you're looking for a fantasy romance on KU that is set in magical world with a war college, trials, magical creatures, magic wielders, and a stabby FMC—then you'll want to add this debut to your TBR.
What to expect:
🗡️ Fantasy romance
⚔️ 1st person, single POV
🗡️ Secret identity
⚔️ Stabby FMC
🗡️ Broody MMC
⚔️ Found family
🗡️ War college with trials
⚔️ Slow burn
🗡️ Demons, dragons & other creatures
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
I was sucked into this story from chapter one—Reina is the definition of a stabby FMC but also has many layers to her personality. Even though this is a fantasy romance, Allison Trebacz does a great job at introducing various interesting fantasy aspects. This isn't a super fast paced book (so I had to take my time with it), but I enjoyed the journey.
While I have a handful of unanswered questions, I'm looking forward to (hopefully) getting answers in book 2.
A sincere thank you to Allison Trebacz for gifting me a physical copy of the book.
If you're looking for a fantasy romance on KU that is set in magical world with a war college, trials, magical creatures, magic wielders, and a stabby FMC—then you'll want to add this debut to your TBR.
What to expect:
🗡️ Fantasy romance
⚔️ 1st person, single POV
🗡️ Secret identity
⚔️ Stabby FMC
🗡️ Broody MMC
⚔️ Found family
🗡️ War college with trials
⚔️ Slow burn
🗡️ Demons, dragons & other creatures
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
I was sucked into this story from chapter one—Reina is the definition of a stabby FMC but also has many layers to her personality. Even though this is a fantasy romance, Allison Trebacz does a great job at introducing various interesting fantasy aspects. This isn't a super fast paced book (so I had to take my time with it), but I enjoyed the journey.
While I have a handful of unanswered questions, I'm looking forward to (hopefully) getting answers in book 2.
A sincere thank you to Allison Trebacz for gifting me a physical copy of the book.
August 28, 2024
Firstly, thank you for allowing me to be apart of your ARC team! What a fab debut novel!
This book was soo good & so fun to read. Anything involving trials will have me hooked & this book did!
Tropes
💚Forced proximity
💛Deadly trials
💚Brooding royal MMC
💛Female rage
💚Stabby FMC
💛Magic & creatures
I love the relationship our FMC has with her best friend Leena. This was a favourite of mine!
It’s a slow burn for sure but the spice was good & seemed like the right amount for it. There is so much action/tense moments & so many things going on in this book that it wants you to keep reading & find out more.
I hated knowing what was brewing towards the end because I was rooting soooo hard but I think this is what is going to make the next book in the series EVEN BETTER. I feel much more betrayal is coming.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was soo good & so fun to read. Anything involving trials will have me hooked & this book did!
Tropes
💚Forced proximity
💛Deadly trials
💚Brooding royal MMC
💛Female rage
💚Stabby FMC
💛Magic & creatures
I love the relationship our FMC has with her best friend Leena. This was a favourite of mine!
It’s a slow burn for sure but the spice was good & seemed like the right amount for it. There is so much action/tense moments & so many things going on in this book that it wants you to keep reading & find out more.
I hated knowing what was brewing towards the end because I was rooting soooo hard but I think this is what is going to make the next book in the series EVEN BETTER. I feel much more betrayal is coming.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 18, 2026
Solid 4! Honestly. I throughly enjoyed this book. It is faced paced in general but I appreciated it because it kept my interest. I like the world building and character development keeps pace. Ending was not expected and it’s a twist I really enjoyed. I’m excited for book 2!
September 23, 2024
This book got better and better as I read it. I loved the characters and the gut-wrenching realities when secrets are revealed and betrayals are felt. A brilliant debut with dystopian fantasy vibes and that slow burn romantasy that I love.
September 26, 2024
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (I've been thinking about this book for days)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (2,5/5)
»The Emerald Dawn is a compelling, high-stakes fantasy that delivers on all fronts: original world-building, intense romance, and a gripping plot packed with twists and turns.«
Alison Trebacz creates a captivating tale centered on Reina Sangrey, a trained assassin with one mission—kill the Queen. But when her true, once-in-a-century power is revealed just before the brutal Armory trials, everything changes. Suddenly, Reina is no longer disposable, and she must navigate a world where her newfound abilities could be her greatest asset or her downfall.
Fans of Iron Flame or Sarah J. Maas will feel right at home with this one. Trebacz takes the well-loved academy trope and gives it a fresh twist, particularly with the way the academy and its sponsorship system are structured. This adds a layer of political intrigue that feels natural within the story, creating a fascinating tension between survival, alliances, and power struggles.
Reina herself is a fantastic protagonist—her powers are almost too much for her to handle, and that vulnerability makes her journey all the more gripping. The relationship between Reina and Prince Farran is an absolute delight - wow, they truly do despise each other in the beginning. But, as these things go, their chemistry is undeniable, and Farran’s role as the one person who can help Reina control her powers adds a beautiful layer to their connection. The romance is slow-burning, but absolutely satisfying, full of tension and well-timed emotional beats.
The world Trebacz has built is harsh and unforgiving, and she doesn’t shy away from showing the brutal realities of war. Yet amidst the chaos, there are moments of camaraderie and humanity that make the characters feel grounded and relatable. Those small, personal moments really bring the story to life, balancing the intensity of the plot.
As the story progresses, the stakes keep rising, leading to a stunning reveal and cliffhanger that left me genuinely shocked. The final twist sets up the next book perfectly, and now I’m anxiously waiting to see what comes next.
If you're looking for a fantasy novel that combines political intrigue, a gripping romance, and a thrilling plot, The Emerald Dawn is a must-read. Trebacz has created a world and characters that are impossible to forget!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (2,5/5)
»The Emerald Dawn is a compelling, high-stakes fantasy that delivers on all fronts: original world-building, intense romance, and a gripping plot packed with twists and turns.«
Alison Trebacz creates a captivating tale centered on Reina Sangrey, a trained assassin with one mission—kill the Queen. But when her true, once-in-a-century power is revealed just before the brutal Armory trials, everything changes. Suddenly, Reina is no longer disposable, and she must navigate a world where her newfound abilities could be her greatest asset or her downfall.
Fans of Iron Flame or Sarah J. Maas will feel right at home with this one. Trebacz takes the well-loved academy trope and gives it a fresh twist, particularly with the way the academy and its sponsorship system are structured. This adds a layer of political intrigue that feels natural within the story, creating a fascinating tension between survival, alliances, and power struggles.
Reina herself is a fantastic protagonist—her powers are almost too much for her to handle, and that vulnerability makes her journey all the more gripping. The relationship between Reina and Prince Farran is an absolute delight - wow, they truly do despise each other in the beginning. But, as these things go, their chemistry is undeniable, and Farran’s role as the one person who can help Reina control her powers adds a beautiful layer to their connection. The romance is slow-burning, but absolutely satisfying, full of tension and well-timed emotional beats.
The world Trebacz has built is harsh and unforgiving, and she doesn’t shy away from showing the brutal realities of war. Yet amidst the chaos, there are moments of camaraderie and humanity that make the characters feel grounded and relatable. Those small, personal moments really bring the story to life, balancing the intensity of the plot.
As the story progresses, the stakes keep rising, leading to a stunning reveal and cliffhanger that left me genuinely shocked. The final twist sets up the next book perfectly, and now I’m anxiously waiting to see what comes next.
If you're looking for a fantasy novel that combines political intrigue, a gripping romance, and a thrilling plot, The Emerald Dawn is a must-read. Trebacz has created a world and characters that are impossible to forget!
September 21, 2024
I’m so sad that I didn’t vibe with this book as much as I thought I would. I do think the story and characters have potential but it just didn’t come together in my opinion.
There are a lot of characters introduced but they all seemed to have disappeared throughout the majority of the book. I feel like the relationship between Reina and Blaise had no purpose. I was hoping for maybe a fierce love triangle but Blaise was pretty much non existent after Farran came along which felt weird because at the beginning it seemed like Blaise was an important part of Reina’s life.
The magical system seemed pretty interesting but it often confused me. There were a lot of terms thrown around that classify the magical classes that were mentioned but they weren’t really explained. I often went back to the books “glossary” page to see if the term was defined there but not all are listed.
Also, I do not buy that magical soldiers were training for years for the trials yet could not access their full potential by the time of the first trial without dying from burn out. You would think that they would specifically train to strengthen their gifts??
The trials itself felt so menacing at the beginning of the book but just came and went like nothing ever happened. I guess I was expecting it to be more action packed and rigorous.
I did like the FMC, Reina, but I feel like she was not portrayed as a fierce Viper or solider that she is reputed to be. I don’t think she really showed off her fighting skills and it seemed like she was mainly all talk 😅
I was also so over her getting knocked unconscious every other chapter 😭
I hate to mention it but the book has a TON of grammar issues… like almost every other page. There were times where I couldn’t really get a sense of what was going on because of the way the sentences were structured so I just ended up reading on autopilot.
I’m so sorry . 🙈😅
This was a hard review to write but I am still so thankful to Allison Trebacz for sending me an ARC! I am so glad to see that there are many ARC readers out there that loved this book because true book besties wish these authors nothing but the best ✨
There are a lot of characters introduced but they all seemed to have disappeared throughout the majority of the book. I feel like the relationship between Reina and Blaise had no purpose. I was hoping for maybe a fierce love triangle but Blaise was pretty much non existent after Farran came along which felt weird because at the beginning it seemed like Blaise was an important part of Reina’s life.
The magical system seemed pretty interesting but it often confused me. There were a lot of terms thrown around that classify the magical classes that were mentioned but they weren’t really explained. I often went back to the books “glossary” page to see if the term was defined there but not all are listed.
Also, I do not buy that magical soldiers were training for years for the trials yet could not access their full potential by the time of the first trial without dying from burn out. You would think that they would specifically train to strengthen their gifts??
The trials itself felt so menacing at the beginning of the book but just came and went like nothing ever happened. I guess I was expecting it to be more action packed and rigorous.
I did like the FMC, Reina, but I feel like she was not portrayed as a fierce Viper or solider that she is reputed to be. I don’t think she really showed off her fighting skills and it seemed like she was mainly all talk 😅
I was also so over her getting knocked unconscious every other chapter 😭
I hate to mention it but the book has a TON of grammar issues… like almost every other page. There were times where I couldn’t really get a sense of what was going on because of the way the sentences were structured so I just ended up reading on autopilot.
I’m so sorry . 🙈😅
This was a hard review to write but I am still so thankful to Allison Trebacz for sending me an ARC! I am so glad to see that there are many ARC readers out there that loved this book because true book besties wish these authors nothing but the best ✨
July 2, 2025
The story and worldbuilding in this are fairly solid, if a bit confusing at times. There are a lot of characters and a lot of different powers they can wield, and while the names for those powers are cool, they can be difficult to keep straight. Ditto for all the place names. Duchies are cool and all, but not if I can't tell one from the other. [Side note: I just looked at book two, and there is both a map and a glossary of characters and terms in the front. YAY!! I'm not sure if there's one in this book as well, since Kindle has a habit of dumping me in after all the good stuff, and I've already returned it to KU. Suffice it to say that I will be making use of both when I read the second book.]
Both main and side characters are solid, although, as with the worldbuilding, I had trouble keeping all the terminology and political/military hierarchies straight (thanks, perimenopause). I liked Farran and Reina and the development of their romance. My only gripe there is with the strength of Farran's reaction to the reveals at the end. I felt like it was a little out of character for him, at least given what we learned about him throughout the book.
What really held me back from giving this book a higher rating, however, is the writing. There are a lot of missing words - as if the author missed writing them out while typing, and no one caught them in proofreading - and vague statements that left me unsure what was actually going on. The writing also frequently jumps back and forth between present and past tenses (to be fair, this is hard to do consistently, but is also something that should be caught and fixed in proofreading). Add all of this to the complexity of the world, and I had to work a lot harder than I should have to understand what was going on. I admit I was tired and my brain wasn't running on all cylinders last night, but the overall effect was still jarring enough to put me off reading book two immediately.
Heat index: Two open-door sex scenes with some explicit language.
Profanity meter: Frequent harsh profanity.
Both main and side characters are solid, although, as with the worldbuilding, I had trouble keeping all the terminology and political/military hierarchies straight (thanks, perimenopause). I liked Farran and Reina and the development of their romance. My only gripe there is with the strength of Farran's reaction to the reveals at the end. I felt like it was a little out of character for him, at least given what we learned about him throughout the book.
What really held me back from giving this book a higher rating, however, is the writing. There are a lot of missing words - as if the author missed writing them out while typing, and no one caught them in proofreading - and vague statements that left me unsure what was actually going on. The writing also frequently jumps back and forth between present and past tenses (to be fair, this is hard to do consistently, but is also something that should be caught and fixed in proofreading). Add all of this to the complexity of the world, and I had to work a lot harder than I should have to understand what was going on. I admit I was tired and my brain wasn't running on all cylinders last night, but the overall effect was still jarring enough to put me off reading book two immediately.
Heat index: Two open-door sex scenes with some explicit language.
Profanity meter: Frequent harsh profanity.
September 1, 2024
Is this surely a debut novel??? It doesn’t seem so and is so damn captivating, fascinating and more!!
This is the only book till date in 2024 that I’ve religiously read every second of the day, whenever I’m free!
With fantasy, powers, demons, kingdoms and many more things, this is a power packed first book to an amazing series🙌🏼
I loved the world building, and have to say that there was a perfect blend and balance of storyline with romance. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good romance but nothing can beat a good fantasy.
The first few chapters created the world and kingdom but after a few pages, I could easily envision and understand the lingo. We see friendships, sibling relationships and romantic connections.
💌 “I was his viper, his favorite weapon—I wasn’t made for love. I was made for old gods, the Crown, and the demons that haunted both.”
Reina is someone who has power and responsibility. But she doesn’t want it because it crosses with her past and makes her a monster, or so she believes. “Emerald Dawn” is HER story. Reina is stabby and can hold her own ground. She’s concerned for her brother and knows her destiny. Complications arrive when her life gets tangled with the Princes’.
The trails were unforgiving and there are mentions of death. The romantic relationship with the prince feels more because of the magic that brings them together than particular character traits, atleast from Reina’s side so I hope that we get to some more details on her feelings for him. I loveeee dragons, so that’s a bonus I found in this book. The ending brings more drama and though many things are uncovered, we still have quite a few things yet to be understood, which hopefully will be seen in the next upcoming books
Overall, I was thoroughly invested and am looking forward to read the whole series if they release quickly💕
This is the only book till date in 2024 that I’ve religiously read every second of the day, whenever I’m free!
With fantasy, powers, demons, kingdoms and many more things, this is a power packed first book to an amazing series🙌🏼
I loved the world building, and have to say that there was a perfect blend and balance of storyline with romance. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good romance but nothing can beat a good fantasy.
The first few chapters created the world and kingdom but after a few pages, I could easily envision and understand the lingo. We see friendships, sibling relationships and romantic connections.
💌 “I was his viper, his favorite weapon—I wasn’t made for love. I was made for old gods, the Crown, and the demons that haunted both.”
Reina is someone who has power and responsibility. But she doesn’t want it because it crosses with her past and makes her a monster, or so she believes. “Emerald Dawn” is HER story. Reina is stabby and can hold her own ground. She’s concerned for her brother and knows her destiny. Complications arrive when her life gets tangled with the Princes’.
The trails were unforgiving and there are mentions of death. The romantic relationship with the prince feels more because of the magic that brings them together than particular character traits, atleast from Reina’s side so I hope that we get to some more details on her feelings for him. I loveeee dragons, so that’s a bonus I found in this book. The ending brings more drama and though many things are uncovered, we still have quite a few things yet to be understood, which hopefully will be seen in the next upcoming books
Overall, I was thoroughly invested and am looking forward to read the whole series if they release quickly💕
September 24, 2024
𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚. 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝.
For the last 10 years, Reina Sangrey has been an assassin, a viper, for a man just short of a traitor, in a country she’s destined to destroy. Now age 24, she finally has the chance to join the Armory to hone her magic and become a Queensguard. Keeping her head down and avoiding attachments becomes difficult in the Armory — magic like hers hasn’t been seen in 2 centuries, and it is the kind to turn the tides of a war. And the only person who can truly train her to use it is her Captain, Prince Farran… the son of the woman she is destined to kill.
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙢—𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙨—𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩.
I absolutely loved this debut! The pacing was fantastic and there wasn’t a single lull in the story. Reina is an intriguing character and her arc in the second half of the book is so delicious and I loved getting to see a softer side to her. The ending was mind blowing and I need my grubby little hands on book 2 asap. I’m hoping we get a bit more explanation on the magic system in book 2 now that some major bombs have been dropped but this gritty, all-consuming dark romantasy is 100% worth the read!
“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙄 𝙢𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙨𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚, 𝙍𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙖. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙄 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚. 𝙄 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝. 𝙄 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄’𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨—𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙩. 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩. 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙄 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
For the last 10 years, Reina Sangrey has been an assassin, a viper, for a man just short of a traitor, in a country she’s destined to destroy. Now age 24, she finally has the chance to join the Armory to hone her magic and become a Queensguard. Keeping her head down and avoiding attachments becomes difficult in the Armory — magic like hers hasn’t been seen in 2 centuries, and it is the kind to turn the tides of a war. And the only person who can truly train her to use it is her Captain, Prince Farran… the son of the woman she is destined to kill.
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙢—𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙨—𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩.
I absolutely loved this debut! The pacing was fantastic and there wasn’t a single lull in the story. Reina is an intriguing character and her arc in the second half of the book is so delicious and I loved getting to see a softer side to her. The ending was mind blowing and I need my grubby little hands on book 2 asap. I’m hoping we get a bit more explanation on the magic system in book 2 now that some major bombs have been dropped but this gritty, all-consuming dark romantasy is 100% worth the read!
“𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙄 𝙢𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙨𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚, 𝙍𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙖. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙄 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚. 𝙄 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝. 𝙄 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄’𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨—𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙤𝙧 𝙣𝙤𝙩. 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙨𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩. 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙄 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
August 29, 2024
I'd like to thank Allison trebacz for sending me this ARC to review.
Unfortunately I had to rate lower as i dnf'd at 50%. I really tried to push through the first half but I just couldn't get past the info dump.
We were immediately brought into the story just before a big trial event with first second and third years and it felt very reminiscent of fourth wing.
The magic system was just so vast and barely explained, I just couldn't get a grip on what was going on. There was every type of magic packed in from dragon riders, shadow wielders, demons etc and also simple magic and names for magical powers I feel like weren't explained and we were just supposed to understand? The fmc herself didn't even know about the demon wielding until she suddenly was one after a period of time without one and she was so blasé about it. It just didn't make any sense to me.
Also I didn't understand all the talk about makers and reina being ardens viper, assassin? Spy? There was no clarification, again it was like we were just supposed to know.
Farran immediately calling her darling was a bit cringe and insta lovey and although I didn't finish the book, I could see where it was going to go.
In summary it seemed alot of telling but not enough showing and I really struggled with wanting to continue.
I'm sad that this wasn't a hit for me but I know others will really immerse themselves into the plot and the characters.
2.5 rounded down
Unfortunately I had to rate lower as i dnf'd at 50%. I really tried to push through the first half but I just couldn't get past the info dump.
We were immediately brought into the story just before a big trial event with first second and third years and it felt very reminiscent of fourth wing.
The magic system was just so vast and barely explained, I just couldn't get a grip on what was going on. There was every type of magic packed in from dragon riders, shadow wielders, demons etc and also simple magic and names for magical powers I feel like weren't explained and we were just supposed to understand? The fmc herself didn't even know about the demon wielding until she suddenly was one after a period of time without one and she was so blasé about it. It just didn't make any sense to me.
Also I didn't understand all the talk about makers and reina being ardens viper, assassin? Spy? There was no clarification, again it was like we were just supposed to know.
Farran immediately calling her darling was a bit cringe and insta lovey and although I didn't finish the book, I could see where it was going to go.
In summary it seemed alot of telling but not enough showing and I really struggled with wanting to continue.
I'm sad that this wasn't a hit for me but I know others will really immerse themselves into the plot and the characters.
2.5 rounded down
September 25, 2024
Thank you Allison Trebacz for choosing me to join the ARC team, and big congratulations on your debut novel! These are my honest opinions.
The Emerald Dawn is a dark fantasy, the first book in the Demon Wielder series. You get a map AND pronunciation guide which I thought was so helpful.
The women in this book are so badass, and I loved seeing it! I feel it's rare to see FCs get powers/magic the way they do in here. I really enjoyed this book I didn't want to put it down! It has deadly trials, that start almost immediately.
Reina is our FMC and suffered a tragic loss in the beginning leading her to become sole care taker of her younger brother Declan while being a child herself. She decides to make a blood oath in exchange for his protection/freedom.
One of my favorite things is the friendship between Reina and Leena. I truly wanted more scenes with them together. It was the light through the darkness.
Oh Farran 🫠😍 a prince, and an enemy at the same time. The slow burn in this was done really well. The tension built at the right pace and I think the spice was just enough without taking away from the plot.
I will say this didn't bother me, however for some other readers who are more into high fantasy may feel different. The magic system is explained as a "learn as you go" which to me I enjoyed because it feels you're learning along side the FMC.
Thank you again, I am absolutely looking forward to book 2!
The Emerald Dawn is a dark fantasy, the first book in the Demon Wielder series. You get a map AND pronunciation guide which I thought was so helpful.
The women in this book are so badass, and I loved seeing it! I feel it's rare to see FCs get powers/magic the way they do in here. I really enjoyed this book I didn't want to put it down! It has deadly trials, that start almost immediately.
Reina is our FMC and suffered a tragic loss in the beginning leading her to become sole care taker of her younger brother Declan while being a child herself. She decides to make a blood oath in exchange for his protection/freedom.
One of my favorite things is the friendship between Reina and Leena. I truly wanted more scenes with them together. It was the light through the darkness.
Oh Farran 🫠😍 a prince, and an enemy at the same time. The slow burn in this was done really well. The tension built at the right pace and I think the spice was just enough without taking away from the plot.
I will say this didn't bother me, however for some other readers who are more into high fantasy may feel different. The magic system is explained as a "learn as you go" which to me I enjoyed because it feels you're learning along side the FMC.
Thank you again, I am absolutely looking forward to book 2!
September 13, 2024
5/5 ⭐️
HELLO???? Omg okay well I loved it.
The world building was incredible.
I was able to vividly picture each scene as if it was playing in front of me. That is something a lot of authors cannot do. I love a good story with a strong FMC.
I took my sweet time with this book because I absolutely could not put it down while simultaneously not wanting it to end.
Reina is such an amazing character and I am so so so looking forward to the next book already. She went in with a single mission and was a complete bad a$$. I have so much empathy for her but super excited to see where the next story takes her and what she will become.
Farran is 🥵🥵🥵🥵 book bf for REAL lol. I love a good moody lil guy. Hahaha the tension between him and Reina was 🤗😎🤩
I adored Leena as a character. She was such a well rounded character and a great friend to Reina. I think she helped Reina get through a lot of the tough times in the books and I’m so glad they had each other.
The book definitely got a little slow after the first couple chapters but picked up the pace pretty quickly and I enjoyed it.
This book is 100% for fans of SJM, Rebecca Yarros & JLA.
Congrats Allison on your debut novel and thank you for choosing me to read your ARC!
HELLO???? Omg okay well I loved it.
The world building was incredible.
I was able to vividly picture each scene as if it was playing in front of me. That is something a lot of authors cannot do. I love a good story with a strong FMC.
I took my sweet time with this book because I absolutely could not put it down while simultaneously not wanting it to end.
Reina is such an amazing character and I am so so so looking forward to the next book already. She went in with a single mission and was a complete bad a$$. I have so much empathy for her but super excited to see where the next story takes her and what she will become.
Farran is 🥵🥵🥵🥵 book bf for REAL lol. I love a good moody lil guy. Hahaha the tension between him and Reina was 🤗😎🤩
I adored Leena as a character. She was such a well rounded character and a great friend to Reina. I think she helped Reina get through a lot of the tough times in the books and I’m so glad they had each other.
The book definitely got a little slow after the first couple chapters but picked up the pace pretty quickly and I enjoyed it.
This book is 100% for fans of SJM, Rebecca Yarros & JLA.
Congrats Allison on your debut novel and thank you for choosing me to read your ARC!
September 19, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Thank you to Allison for the eArc of The Emerald Dawn!
What I loved:
I enjoyed it overall! The plot was fast-paced and well-thought-out, and the writing was good. The vivid descriptions were well done, making it a very enjoyable read. I really liked Reina and Farran, although I thought the slow burn could have been even more drawn out. I still liked seeing their love story unfold and Allison truly made me crave for more! I also loved Leena so much, she might be my fave; I hope we get more of her!! Those plot twists at the end were great, I hadn't seen them coming! I actually gasped, which happens rarely to me.
What I disliked:
I did think some of the action scenes were a little too short and easily resolved. In my opinion, the descriptions took too much place, and so the actual action was lacking for me. I did feel the world-building and background of the characters to be lacking a bit. It felt like the second book of a series, where we were missing the first part with the magic system. Some more flashbacks would have been great! Or maybe Farran's pov as well?
I believe that if it had been longer, it could have been a five-star read for me!
Thank you to Allison for the eArc of The Emerald Dawn!
What I loved:
I enjoyed it overall! The plot was fast-paced and well-thought-out, and the writing was good. The vivid descriptions were well done, making it a very enjoyable read. I really liked Reina and Farran, although I thought the slow burn could have been even more drawn out. I still liked seeing their love story unfold and Allison truly made me crave for more! I also loved Leena so much, she might be my fave; I hope we get more of her!! Those plot twists at the end were great, I hadn't seen them coming! I actually gasped, which happens rarely to me.
What I disliked:
I did think some of the action scenes were a little too short and easily resolved. In my opinion, the descriptions took too much place, and so the actual action was lacking for me. I did feel the world-building and background of the characters to be lacking a bit. It felt like the second book of a series, where we were missing the first part with the magic system. Some more flashbacks would have been great! Or maybe Farran's pov as well?
I believe that if it had been longer, it could have been a five-star read for me!
August 26, 2024
Reina Sangrey has only one way to pay her debt and secure her brother’s safety: surviving the Armory and rising to the Queensguard of the Kingdom of Thera.
Years of training as an assassin have prepared her for physical combat, but not to become the Crown’s greatest weapon in hundreds of years. And just as she begins to understand her new power, the prince she’s supposed to hate inches closer and closer to her heart.
The Emerald Dawn has everything you could want: incredible world building, characters you love so dearly, dragons, demons, and magic like you’ve never seen before!
It’s the PERFECT dark fantasy/romantasy and I’m quite literally obsessed. If you’re looking for a cozy, dark, all-consuming autumn read then you need to add this to your TBR!
I could not put this down or stop thinking about this book- it was amazing! If I’m being honest, I think it’s my favorite of all the books I’ve read this year. It’s dark but cozy and completely all-consuming.
If I could insert myself into a world without a moments notice, I’d throw myself in the heart of Thera 🖤
Years of training as an assassin have prepared her for physical combat, but not to become the Crown’s greatest weapon in hundreds of years. And just as she begins to understand her new power, the prince she’s supposed to hate inches closer and closer to her heart.
The Emerald Dawn has everything you could want: incredible world building, characters you love so dearly, dragons, demons, and magic like you’ve never seen before!
It’s the PERFECT dark fantasy/romantasy and I’m quite literally obsessed. If you’re looking for a cozy, dark, all-consuming autumn read then you need to add this to your TBR!
I could not put this down or stop thinking about this book- it was amazing! If I’m being honest, I think it’s my favorite of all the books I’ve read this year. It’s dark but cozy and completely all-consuming.
If I could insert myself into a world without a moments notice, I’d throw myself in the heart of Thera 🖤
September 25, 2024
Wow!!! Just wow!
What a stunning debut novel for Allison! I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. You are immersed in a dark, intriguing fantasy romance from the very first page. The world-building is beyond incredible and really stands out from many other novels of this type. I couldn't get enough of the badass FMC, and felt like I was right there with her through her trials and adventures. The magic system is unique and I really hope that it gets expanded on in future books. I felt like a twist was coming at the end of the book and was not disappointed. Now I'll be waiting on pins and needles for the follow-up to be released! Allison is now on my must-read list!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️/5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forced Proximity
Brooding Royal MMC
Blood Oaths
Deadly Trials
Female Rage
Stabby FMC
“I wasn’t made for love. I was made for old gods, the Crown, and the demons that haunted both. The sooner I accepted that, the stronger I would be.” - Reina Sangrey
What a stunning debut novel for Allison! I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. You are immersed in a dark, intriguing fantasy romance from the very first page. The world-building is beyond incredible and really stands out from many other novels of this type. I couldn't get enough of the badass FMC, and felt like I was right there with her through her trials and adventures. The magic system is unique and I really hope that it gets expanded on in future books. I felt like a twist was coming at the end of the book and was not disappointed. Now I'll be waiting on pins and needles for the follow-up to be released! Allison is now on my must-read list!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🌶️🌶️/5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Forced Proximity
Brooding Royal MMC
Blood Oaths
Deadly Trials
Female Rage
Stabby FMC
“I wasn’t made for love. I was made for old gods, the Crown, and the demons that haunted both. The sooner I accepted that, the stronger I would be.” - Reina Sangrey
March 21, 2025
I wanted to DNF this book so badly. I pushed through, though. I think it's trying to do some of the same things Throne of Glass did (keeping facts about Celeana secret from the reader, the assassin oathed to their teacher, being a pawn in a larger game the MC doesn't know about in the beginning) and falling just shy of being successful.
What I liked:
Leena, I love an amazing best friend and a girl who moves away from pretty things like dancing to bad ass things like being a soldier.
The idea of where the story is going.
What I didn't like:
The writing. It constantly was changing tense, often in the middle of the sentence. Is it being told as a recounting or is it what is currently happening?
The forced use of "darling". It didn't flow for me.
The love triangle that was introduced felt very weak to me. It was barely acknowledged or interacted with.
Do I recommend this? No.
Am I going to read the second one to figure out the story? Unfortunately for me and my family who have to listen to me complain, yes.
What I liked:
Leena, I love an amazing best friend and a girl who moves away from pretty things like dancing to bad ass things like being a soldier.
The idea of where the story is going.
What I didn't like:
The writing. It constantly was changing tense, often in the middle of the sentence. Is it being told as a recounting or is it what is currently happening?
The forced use of "darling". It didn't flow for me.
The love triangle that was introduced felt very weak to me. It was barely acknowledged or interacted with.
Do I recommend this? No.
Am I going to read the second one to figure out the story? Unfortunately for me and my family who have to listen to me complain, yes.
October 4, 2024
Wow, I loved everything about this book!
The characters in this book are fab, I loved Reina, and obviously, I loved Farran, I mean, he has wings 🥵.
I was really intrigued with the blurb and wasn't disappointed. The story was fast-paced and kept me hooked.
Reina was such an interesting character, and I instantly loved her. She was so broken and damaged after years of being lied to, manipulated, and used. She didn't believe she deserved any form of happiness. I can't wait to see how she develops and grows in book 2.
Fallan, obviously, was amazing. A winged, broody, handsome Prince, what isn't there to like? The ending of book 1 was so exciting, and it's left me completely guessing where the story for both Fallan and Reina is going to go.
The side characters were also great, so I do hope we see more of them as the series goes on.
The Emerald Dawn is available now, so get it added to your TBR!
The characters in this book are fab, I loved Reina, and obviously, I loved Farran, I mean, he has wings 🥵.
I was really intrigued with the blurb and wasn't disappointed. The story was fast-paced and kept me hooked.
Reina was such an interesting character, and I instantly loved her. She was so broken and damaged after years of being lied to, manipulated, and used. She didn't believe she deserved any form of happiness. I can't wait to see how she develops and grows in book 2.
Fallan, obviously, was amazing. A winged, broody, handsome Prince, what isn't there to like? The ending of book 1 was so exciting, and it's left me completely guessing where the story for both Fallan and Reina is going to go.
The side characters were also great, so I do hope we see more of them as the series goes on.
The Emerald Dawn is available now, so get it added to your TBR!
April 19, 2025
The Emerald Dawn by Allison Trebacz was a marvelously executed fantasy debut. I thoroughly enjoyed the world she crafted and can’t wait to learn more about it and the characters that inhabit it in Sapphire Noon. Great hook at the beginning that dropped you right into this world and Reina’s incredibly complex and complicated life. The magic system was interesting and hopefully something that’ll be touched a little more on in the sequel. Reina’s relationship with Leena was wonderful. I love a good strong female relationship. Farran was a great MMC/love interest, and increasingly well fleshed out as we learned more about his own complicated life and history. Trebacz did a good job keeping the story building and the last parts were very well paced and action packed. And the ending!! The twist! The tension! The implications for the future! Can’t wait to see how that pans out in Sapphire Noon!
September 5, 2024
When I say I enjoyed this book, I mean I couldn’t put it down. It was insanely good - it flowed well and developed naturally, but not in a way where you could predict what would happen. Every twist and turn was still a surprise and kept me on the edge of my seat.
Reina is an incredible character, and I felt so drawn to her. She’s a complex character; not only because of her background and history, but also because of how she views the world around her based on those experiences. I loved learning more about Reina throughout the story and experiencing events alongside her.
The world building was really interesting and well done as well. I truly enjoyed each piece of information given whether it was historical, magical, or personal. The Emerald Dawn is such a good book, and I am so grateful I was able to read it. I can’t wait for the next in the series!
Reina is an incredible character, and I felt so drawn to her. She’s a complex character; not only because of her background and history, but also because of how she views the world around her based on those experiences. I loved learning more about Reina throughout the story and experiencing events alongside her.
The world building was really interesting and well done as well. I truly enjoyed each piece of information given whether it was historical, magical, or personal. The Emerald Dawn is such a good book, and I am so grateful I was able to read it. I can’t wait for the next in the series!
September 17, 2024
Thanks Allison for giving me an ARC for an honest review.
"I wasn't made for love.
I was made for old gods, the crown and the demons that haunted us both."
- Demons
- shadow mummy best friend
- enemies to lovers
- trails & Knight school!
- he falls first
- all the death
Honestly this book!
Reina is such a morally grey queen. I love books with assassin fmcs. She really delivers, I felt Emerald dawn really discussed the impact of this on her wellbeing and mental state. I think this book really plays out the mental damage this has had on her.
The book was action packed, I enjoyed the concept of the trials but also liked how they felt different to the trial scenarios in other books. I would have been interested to know what trials the other groups had.
Please pick this book up when it's out!
"I wasn't made for love.
I was made for old gods, the crown and the demons that haunted us both."
- Demons
- shadow mummy best friend
- enemies to lovers
- trails & Knight school!
- he falls first
- all the death
Honestly this book!
Reina is such a morally grey queen. I love books with assassin fmcs. She really delivers, I felt Emerald dawn really discussed the impact of this on her wellbeing and mental state. I think this book really plays out the mental damage this has had on her.
The book was action packed, I enjoyed the concept of the trials but also liked how they felt different to the trial scenarios in other books. I would have been interested to know what trials the other groups had.
Please pick this book up when it's out!
September 9, 2024
4.5⭐️
This book was an adventure that I struggled to put down. I was captivated from the start. This had everything, slow burn, enemies to lovers to enemies again...maybe, found family, power hungry rulers. Reina is such a bad ass, broken FMC and Farran fluctuates between being that golden retriever MMC and a shadow daddy in my opinion. Leena is also such a badass andngreat friend. The one that calls you on your bullshit and is there for youn100%. I look forward to seeing her story develop too as the series progresses All up this was ansuper enjoyable read, there were definitely some WTF moments and I'm so excited to read the next instalment of this series. Allison Trebacz definitely delivered on her debut.
This book was an adventure that I struggled to put down. I was captivated from the start. This had everything, slow burn, enemies to lovers to enemies again...maybe, found family, power hungry rulers. Reina is such a bad ass, broken FMC and Farran fluctuates between being that golden retriever MMC and a shadow daddy in my opinion. Leena is also such a badass andngreat friend. The one that calls you on your bullshit and is there for youn100%. I look forward to seeing her story develop too as the series progresses All up this was ansuper enjoyable read, there were definitely some WTF moments and I'm so excited to read the next instalment of this series. Allison Trebacz definitely delivered on her debut.
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