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Trium Perfectum #1

Cinders Burn at Midnight

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Cinders Burn at Midnight is a new adult & college dark fantasy with mystery, magical worlds, and fae real world crossover.​ It's book one in the Trium Perfectum series. 
​​ 
Kaitlin Gilbert doesn't know she's a murderer. 
 
On her way to college, she wakes up standing next to her estranged father who presents her with an opportunity to walk through a new door—one filled with magic. Kaitlin doesn't realize what she's unlocking with it.  
 
When she walks back into the real world, the truth unravels.
 
Not only does Kaitlin have to navigate her newfound freedom at college, but she also needs to figure out what to do with the lightning pulsing in her chest in a non-magical world. Plus, she's feeling a powerful draw to her brother's best friend, something more than physical attraction.  
 
Kaitlin is plagued with terrible memories of bodies burnt to cinders and her mother injecting a mysterious substance into her. Kaitlin, along with her brother and new friends, must discover the truth before her mother snatches Kaitlin and her powers away for good. 

410 pages, Paperback

Published January 21, 2025

114 people are currently reading
497 people want to read

About the author

Kara M. Zone

6 books67 followers
Kara M. Zone crafts tales of magic, mayhem, and mischief.

She is the author of the forthcoming new adult dark fantasy:

Book .05: An Accidental Faerie Tale
Book One: Cinders Burn at Midnight
Book 1.5: Even After...
Book Two: Ashes Fall at Dawn

The Trium Perfectum universe includes 12 full-length novels in the Soverign City series; three novellas (to date); and a standalone Romance Series in Shadows Ridge (date TBD)

Stick around! You're in for a wild ride!

When she is not writing her own books, Kara works as indie publishing and writing consultant.​ Contact her at contact@karamzone.com

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
Profile Image for Kristen's Bookshelf.
129 reviews35 followers
January 15, 2025
I have so many mixed emotions about this book...

The main characters (Max, Aiden, Kaitlin and Finn) are fantastic and the relationships between them is great. Their struggles and journeys as a unit was very engaging and fun to see play out.
The main story is about Max and Kaitlin (brother and sister) and their magical dysfunctional family. I honestly can't say too much more without giving spoilers. Just when you think the whackadoo family can't get any worse...WRONG! I am so invested in this story and will definitely be following this series to the end!

There is a novella prior to this book, An Accidental Faerie Tale, that introduces us to the family and the start of where things go off the rails. It also gives us insight as to how Max and Aiden come together as a couple. Fated mates thru trium perfectum (a special magic that connects 3 magical powers together and makes their magical powers stronger)

In Cinders Burn at Midnight, we dive deeper into the whackadoo family history and also see Kaitlin and Finn become fated mates. However the path of Kaitlin and Finn coming together was clunky. The author did a fantastic job with Max and Aiden in the novella. It was smooth and the "ah-ha" moments were there and they hit perfectly. But with Kaitlin and Finn it seemed just given to us. I didn't get to enjoy a discovery phase with them.

Also at the start of the book when the author retold the start of the family history thru the POV of Kaitlin this time, the author cut and pasted a lot of the inner monologue of Max from the novella and gave it to Kaitlin. I don't think you can assume a reader didn't read the novella first and can just reuse material. I was disappointed not to be able to see a fresh perspective from a different character.

Once I got thru all of that introductory stuff and the action played out, the book was good! The magic system was different to anything I've read which is always a good thing! It leaves on a cliffhanger, of course as this is slated to be a total of like 6+ books I believe, a mix of novellas and full novels.
Profile Image for Book Witchling.
136 reviews
April 2, 2025
4.5 I could not put this book down. The magic system is so unique. I love how she brought real world and magic together without it being extreme. You get thrown into it with the first chapter. It is first person, multi POV. Kara did a wonderful job of making me feel as though I was the character. I got lost in the world and story.

The only thing I didn't love, is one of the professors is named Professor McGonagall. While they do make a joke and reference HP it brought me out of the story and book whenever the professor or class was brought up. I was thinking of Harry Potter and not this amazing story.
Profile Image for Jacklyn (Thetwinthatreads).
165 reviews3 followers
January 16, 2025
Thank you for allowing me to read this in advance and provide my review.

The first few chapters I had to re-read because it was a bit confusing at first. But the overall story was AMAZING. The description of the scent of magic when used was actually my biggest draw! And of course the importance of mental health!

I would have like to see a bit more world building because some pieces are confusing without sharing any spoilers.

The characters are well written and I appreciate the author not dragging out certain areas in the book and moving forward with the story. I really love how strong and resilient Kaitlin is and to try and overcome her trauma. I am passionate about mental health and overall wellness so love when I get the opportunity to follow a charters journey in battling and hopefully overcoming their demons.

I can’t wait to see what is next for Kaitlin and Finn🥺🥺 the tug and pull between those two is everything!
Profile Image for Gaby | gabblesreads.
142 reviews4 followers
February 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this debut!

The writing made it really hard to put down, I absolutely flew through this book. I loved all the characters in this, from Kaitlyn and Finn’s romance to her brother Max and his boyfriend Aiden, as well as Cassie who absolutely cracked me up.

The magic system and all the different powers were really interesting, I can’t wait to see even more in the next book and will definitely continue the series!

Thank you to the author & Inkspire for providing me an eArc in exchange for an honest review 💫
Profile Image for Alicia.
319 reviews5 followers
January 16, 2025
Okay, I blew through this one. I absolutely fell for the character and the world. Kaitlin has a lot of mind blowin experiences and learns more about herself throughout the book. Finn is chef's kiss. I mean, just perfect. One of my favorites in books is well developed side characters, and they show up in this one!

I need book 2 like yesterday. I cannot wait to see what else unfolds with this crew.
Profile Image for Hopesmoonlitpages.
44 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2025
A Very Heavy Read

Be prepared to have your trauma triggered with this book. It was a great read that comes with a lot of strong traumatic events.

I was not prepared for this book. I loved it and I wanted to throw it across the room.

The villain is the worst kind. I fell in love with all of the other characters. I really liked all the different magic abilities in each of the characters as well.

The scene at the Chinese restaurant made me laugh out loud. I have to say it was one of my top favorites!

The slow burn is extra slow with a slight bit of spice towards the end. The book ends on a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting to RUN for the next book IMMEDIATELY!

If you are looking for a dark romance with found family and a slow burn then this book is for you!

Thank you to Hype Queen PR and the author for this advance readers copy. I am honored to leave this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Samantha.
62 reviews1 follower
October 8, 2025
If you like stories that stick with you after you close the book, this one does. I found the ending of Cinders Burn at Midnight mind-blowing! — not in the sense of a “traumatic,” but more like this is crazy! It balances out what she has forgotten and the cost of what her mother put her through and the mystery behind why? The book makes me want to know about what comes next, rather than feeling like the first book was just a period followed by a blank line. It makes you wanna keep going to find out what comes next and I love me a good page turner! Thank you!
Profile Image for Stephanie .
29 reviews1 follower
October 4, 2025
What a cliffhanger!

I could relate to the FMC in a way I haven't in other books! I can't wait for the second book!

This is a fast pace, fated mates, interesting magic and magic lineage, modern world setting, spicy, in a way found family and so much more!

Some heavy topics are discussed so check your triggers.
Profile Image for Jana.
70 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2025
- A story full of potential, but missing the mark for me personally -

I was drawn to Cinders Burn at Midnight by its intriguing premise and promise of a dark, emotional fantasy journey. The concept was truly fascinating, and I could see so much potential in the world Kara M. Zone created. However, I struggled to fully connect with the story due to its execution.

The first 30% felt chaotic to me. I found myself disoriented rather than immersed, which made it difficult to engage with Kaitlin's journey initially. I missed some world-building and depth in the characters. I was left with too many unanswered questions.

That said, there were some bright spots—certain scenes really captured the magic and emotional depth I was hoping for, and the idea behind the story was intriguing. The story ended with a big cliffhanger, making you want to know how the story will progress.
Profile Image for Katie Moody.
41 reviews3 followers
January 13, 2025
✨ARC Review✨

I’m absolutely obsessed with this book. From the very beginning, I was intrigued by the story and the mysteries being presented to the FMC, Kaitlin. The banter and slow burn between Kaitlin and the MMC, Finn, was *chef’s kiss*. The end of this book had me devastated and needing the second book ASAP. The author did an AMAZING job with this book and I can’t wait to see where she takes the story.

Themes:
⚡️Hidden Powers
⚡️Traumatic Past
⚡️Slow Burn
⚡️Abusive Family
⚡️Magical Bond
⚡️Brother’s Best Friend
Profile Image for Unleishd_reads.
247 reviews4 followers
January 21, 2025
This is an intriguing read that pulls you in from the start. The magic system is super unique, with magic even having its own scent. Kaitlin's journey of self-discovery and healing from past trauma is both relatable and inspiring. The chemistry between her and Finn is a slow burn, but totally worth it. Overall, it's a gripping tale that leaves you eager for the next installment. If you're into fantasy with a fresh take on magic and deep character development, give this one a shot!
Profile Image for Ahana M Rao (Heart’s Content).
696 reviews87 followers
October 25, 2025
You can find this review of Cinders Burn at Midnight on my blog, Heart's Content!

A big shout out and thank you to the author for giving me this amazing opportunity to read Cinders Burn at Midnight early! All opinions stated in this review are my own.

Cinders Burn at Midnight has, first of all, an extremely interesting title. It made me very curious as a reader to understand what the book was about that could possible justify that unique title. That being said, once I started the book I promptly forgot about the title.

The writing in this book honestly follows an extremely simple but straightforward style and I could sink right into it. CBaM is a just short of being a medium sized book that manages to grab your attention from page one and keep—it in its own sweet way—’til the end. Given the size of the book (as mentioned earlier) the author ensures that the book hits the ground running. However, despite all the moments in which the book takes flight, there are many sweet moments that are warm and make you smile.

The world-building in this book is done with equal levels of sweetness and efficiency. The introduction to the world is done in such a smart and lovely way; and soon the book then takes us on a journey that made me feel that this book would look great on screen because of the nature of the set up. The world, its rules, secrets and mysteries are built over the course of the book taking turns to both reveal itself to and intrigue the reader. I would say that the book sits in the magical realism genre than in the genre of fantasy and that requires the ‘contemporary’ aspect of the story to be (for the most part) present throughout; be it the education/work life, or the other “magic-absent” relationships of the protagonist(s). The author has ensured this criteria is fulfilled naturally and at the same is relevant to the plot in its own way.

The plot of the story (along with its other elements, now that I think about it) are often hidden behind the mystery that the author doesn’t let you see past until she deems us ready. Though in all honestly, I’m not sure I was ready. The book has a very interesting and unique plot line that has a LOT of potential to be something special and while I will admit that though book one doesn’t reveal everything, it has established the basic set-up for the rest of the series. So … *fingers crossed*

The characters are a big part of what makes this book as sweet as it is. We alternate perspectives between the MMC and the FMC and we get a close look into both their personalities, their thoughts, emotions and families. Given how important all these aspects are to how the story unfolds, the author made a good choice breaking the narrative down the middle and giving us both the characters’ POVs. For me personally, I struggled with figuring out whose mind I was in while reading because I always forgot to see the name at the top along with the chapter header and given that the book is in first person and the characters are surrounded by mostly the same people, it sometimes took me a minute to place whose mind I was in if I was reading without realising a new chapter had started.

The pace was wondrously even and—dare I say?—swift *giggles in Swiftie*. Cinders Burn at Midnight was such an easy book to simply sink into and I will say that yes, it does read like the work of a debut author, but in a good way. There’s a sweet, youthfulness to it that you can’t help but smile at sometimes. However, the book does have many dark themes that can be disturbing for some, so please do check trigger warnings before reading!

Four stars! Happy reading! CBaM has already released and is available to be purchased immediately.
Profile Image for Callisa.
28 reviews
March 11, 2025
I literally just finished this and when I say the ending left my mouth agape 😧😧

Over the course of the book, I grew to love the core 5 characters with their quirks and banter. We find out the main character, Kaitlin, is not only magic, but she’s missing parts of her memory. The story just took off from there as we’re trying to solve what’s been done to her.

The spice added a great touch to an already great story and I can’t wait to continue this journey to find out what happens!
Profile Image for moonlightkittyreads.
69 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2025
Easiest 5 stars to give. This book may have snapped me out of my reading slump! (That ending though!)
Profile Image for Lisa Villarreal.
355 reviews10 followers
June 29, 2025
Not only is this one of the prettiest covers I've ever seen, this story is such a cute and lovely thing with great tension and twists. I love Aiden and Max's story so it is really great having them here too. I expected a slight bit more from Aiden but it turned out great either way.

Finn makes such a great mmc and I adore Kaitlin the fmc. Finn comes off as such a sweetheart with a huge heart.

I love how some of the scenes are paced almost lyrical. It feels clever and entertaining while still getting the story. It really added to the feel and voice of the story.

Such a fun ride and I'm excited to read Ashes Fall at Dawn
Profile Image for GheridenTheBookBard .
219 reviews29 followers
May 13, 2025
I am giving this a 4.5/5 (rounded up)

Kara M. Zone delivers a gripping tale of magic, trauma, and resilience in Cinders Burn at Midnight. Kaitlyn, our strong and relatable FMC, navigates a turbulent life shaped by an over-controlling mother, estrangement from her brother Max, and a lack of real friendships—until college changes everything. Through Cassie, Aiden, Finn, and even Max, Kaitlyn begins to find connection and healing.

Finn, the MMC and secondary POV, is equally engaging—relatable, charming, and imperfectly real. Together, the characters create a compelling dynamic that draws you into their journey.

The pacing works well, though a few parts feel a bit drawn out. However, this is minor compared to the story’s strengths. The world-building and unique magic system are a highlight, adding depth and intrigue without overshadowing the characters’ emotional arcs.

Trigger warnings for abuse and trauma are warranted, but these elements are handled thoughtfully, making the story both heartfelt and empowering. Overall, Cinders Burn at Midnight is a captivating read, blending magic and emotion in a way that feels authentic and deeply engaging.
Profile Image for Rachel Giffin.
10 reviews
February 6, 2025
I’m always excited to celebrate Indie Authors, especially as a coach. I know the work and dedication that goes into projects like this, and this author is to be celebrated for all that effort.

I was on the ARC team for this project, and it was a privilege to read this before most other readers. The story is cohesive, but even at the smallest level, Zone has a command of tone and voice that is captivating as it is beautiful.

For my friends who are fans of fantasy, romance, and a unique voice in the storytelling world, this book deserves to be moved to the top of your TBR.
Profile Image for Lacey Kintz.
111 reviews6 followers
January 9, 2025
Cinders Burn at Midnight weaves an exciting tale about a college-age young woman overcoming her loss of memory, outmaneuvering a monster of a mother, reconnecting with family, and falling in love.

The opening of the story felt a little jarring at first. I was struggling to grasp what was going on fully but I stuck it out for a chapter or two and really began to get into it. Once I got started the only thing that pulled me back into the real world was dinner and sleep. Otherwise I was in the trenches with Kaitlin and Finn.

LISTEN I love scent descriptions in a book. I even buy candles that smell like fictional characters; and his book is filled with call backs to scents and it thrilled me to no end. I will blame the author if suddenly the Japanese Cherry Blossom scent from Bath and Body Works goes out of stock.

The fact that this is a modern mystery, supernatural, romance makes the whole book feel a lot more casual than a lot of the epic romantasies that I read where the end of the whole world is a pressing matter. The weight of what’s happening and what needs to be done doesn’t overshadow the character development and growth.
There are some REALLY good side characters in this book. Kaitlin’s stronger than she gives herself credit for and is a sympathetic FMC who actually doesn’t do stupid things just to further the plot. Cassie’s our girl-bossing girl’s girl. I’ll lump Max and Aiden together because, well.. they’re together; but I love that their queerness isn’t the only thing they’re put in the book for. Often it feels like many authors just throw LGBTQ+ characters in to say they represented us – but Max and Aiden are incredible supporting characters with substance and feelings. And our MMC Finn is so contentious and honest. He’s a bit of a mess at times but it’s so relatable.

Even distant characters that we don’t hear much from like Aiden and Finn’s parents are the best. I can’t believe there’s a book where all the parents in the universe aren’t either villains or dead.

Overall, read your trigger warnings and heed them! There’s some spice for us smut-loving girlies and a great plot to keep me tuned-in and wanting to figure out what’s going to happen next.
Okay.. I’m gonna go cry over the cliffhanger now.
137 reviews4 followers
January 18, 2025
I loved this story! It was a very unique premise with some twists I didn’t see coming and a very unique writing style that I had a lot of fun with while reading!

My entire way through the story, I was on the edge of my seat, just waiting for what was going to happen next. In fact, I only really took breaks to hop into Kara’s DMs because there were things to talk about!

Kara’s writing style is unique and well done while her imagery during world and character building was just beautiful and stunning. She masterfully worked in grief, trauma, personal growth, relationship building, and self-discovery while building the foundation for a wonderful series and story. The themes in this story were deep and well-ingrained and it was obvious how passionate the author was about this story line.

Also, I’m so obsessed with a good found family trope, which this author did so well! I loved their little family and how quickly they came to protect each other.

Kaitlin is a naive FMC but she doesn’t let that stop her from embracing her badassery and I loved that so much! And by the end of the story, she had embraced her new world and her friendship as well as all the shit that happened and is ready to face the next steps! Finn is such a fun MMC - I loved the bouncing back and forth between cocky, inflated ego, and exceptionally sweet and soft. It made for a very fun dynamic that I’m excited to see grow even more going forward!

// I will say that this book was let down slightly by editing and proofreading but, as this was an ARC, I’m not going to take off stars for it with the understanding that things could improve. There were a couple minor pacing and dialogue inconsistencies that would benefit from a bit more polishing to be perfect.

I would’ve loved to see a bit more angst between Kaitlin and Max (estranged sibling bond) and slow burn with Kaitlin and Finn (magic bond). I think that would’ve made this a 5 star read for me!//
Profile Image for Brittany Goldman.
121 reviews14 followers
February 18, 2025
Cinders Burn at Midnight completely blew me away! From the unique magic system to the deep, emotional character dynamics, this book had everything I love in a dark fantasy. The magic system was one of the most creative I’ve read—each type of magic is associated with different scents, which made it so immersive and easy to recognize who wielded what kind of power. It added an extra sensory layer to the storytelling that I found so unique!

The characters were another standout. Every single one felt distinct and well-developed, but the found family dynamic is what truly stole my heart. Finn and Aiden, the twin brothers, had such contrasting yet complementary personalities—Aiden radiating golden retriever energy, while Finn had that cocky yet fiercely loyal charm. And Kaitlin’s sibling bond with Max? Absolutely gut-wrenching in the best way. Watching them find their way back to each other after their mother’s manipulation was so powerful. As someone incredibly close with my younger brother, their journey really hit me in the feels.

The romantic connection in this book was another highlight. While it played on the fated mates trope, it did so in a fresh, unexpected way. Rather than being bound purely by fate, the characters’ magic connected them in a way that felt deep, raw, and meaningful. It made their bond feel earned rather than just inevitable, and I loved that!

The dual POV structure was fantastic (I love getting into multiple characters' heads), but I honestly wish there were even more POVs! I became so invested in Aiden and Max that I’d love to see inside their minds. Thankfully, I have the novella about their love story, and I cannot wait to dive into that next!

With so much mystery left to unravel, this book left me desperate for the next in the series. If you love dark fantasy, intricate magic systems, strong sibling relationships, and found family vibes, do yourself a favor and pick this one up ASAP!
Profile Image for Mel Weisbecker.
190 reviews9 followers
January 7, 2025
Trium Perfectum series - Book One

If you’re looking for a dark fantasy mystery with a subplot of romance… this may be the one for you!

⚡️ Undeniable connection
⚡️ Lost memories
⚡️ Estranged parents
⚡️ Chosen One
⚡️ Cliffhanger
⚡️ Found family

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5
Spice: 🌶️/5
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

⚠️ Check all the TW including but not limited to: Attempted SA, parental abuse

The beginning was a bit confusing and a little discombobulating. But I think the author intended it. We are wading through, unsure of what is going on, as much as Kaitlin is. As details begin to clear, so does the full world building and all of the connections between characters. No matter what I was feeling, I couldn’t put it down.

Be warned, you will stay up way too late reading this.

Stuck with her controlling mother and grandmother after losing contact with both her dad and brother, Kaitlin is ready to go to Trinity University just to get away. She will still be watched, this she knows, but it will be the first taste of choosing for herself Kaitlin gets. (Forewarning, this is a young and sheltered FMC and she reacts accordingly.)

What Kaitlin doesn’t expect is magic, new friends, and her estranged brother Max. Or his best friend, Finn, who she can’t seem to keep her eyes off of. Why is she having flashes of moments she formerly thought were blackouts? And to top it all off, fae from another world are telling her she is The One from a prophecy she has never even heard of. Who can she trust? And why is she being pulled in so many directions?

Overall a good read! I wanted to know what was coming next. I think I personally am just into older main characters these days but that is nothing against this author or the way she wrote her fmc who was realistically naive while simultaneously being strong. And there were a lot of loose ends left because this is the beginning of a planned series!

Thank you Kara M. Zone and Inkspire Services for my advanced reader copy! This is an honest and unbiased review.
January 26, 2025
˚ ࣪˖ ⋆ ᝰ。˚⋆ “𝓘 𝓻𝓪𝓲𝓼𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓫𝓻𝓸𝔀 𝓪𝓽 𝓱𝓲𝓶. 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓵𝓪𝓬𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮” ˚ ࣪˖⋆ ᝰ 。˚⋆


4★

𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖ 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝜗𝜚 ࣪˖
ᝰ 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴
ᝰ 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
ᝰ 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝘆
ᝰ 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀
ᝰ 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲/𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲
ᝰ 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲

︵‿︵‿୨☠︎︎୧‿︵‿︵

⋆ ⁺₊❅.𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨⋆ ⁺₊❅.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 , 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘩 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘊𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦

︵‿︵‿୨☠︎︎୧‿︵‿︵


⋆ ⁺₊❅.𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨⋆ ⁺₊❅.
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 she 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨-𝘧𝘰𝘳-𝘢-𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳; 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥-𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘵𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘴 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘩. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹 𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘵.
Profile Image for Janessa.
110 reviews8 followers
January 11, 2025
Book Review: Cinders Burn at Midnight
4.5 stars ⭐

Cinders Burn at Midnight, the first installment in the Trium Perfectum series. The story is an enthralling dark fantasy experience that weaves together themes of trauma and self-discovery within a richly constructed magical world. The story follows Kaitlin Gilbert, a college student who unwittingly becomes entwined in a web of mystery and fae magic upon reuniting with her estranged father. Kaitlin unlocks a door to magic, only to find that her past holds darker secrets than she could ever imagine.

The dual perspective storytelling enhances the story, allowing you to delve into the complexities of Kaitlin's psyche as she navigates her newfound powers and the haunting remnants of her traumatic past. The author skillfully tackles the sensitive subject of C-PTSD, using the fantastical elements as a vehicle for exploring real-world issues and emotional struggles.

Cinders Burn at Midnight is not just a tale of magic; it is a profound exploration of identity, memory, and the shadows that linger long after the storm has passed. As Kaitlin's journey unfolds, you contemplate the fine line between light and darkness, making this debut a compelling adult fantasy. The cliff hanger at the end had me saying ‘no, no, no!’ I am excited for the next book in the series!
Profile Image for Sabrina.
212 reviews109 followers
January 29, 2025
A quick read filled with descriptive imagery, a back and forth tension that comes to life with the instant attraction, and a story about finding your power and taking control of your life.
It had a nice fast pace to it which I really liked, but there were some bits that I found myself a little lost and I would’ve loved to have gotten more explanation and maybe a little bit slower pace for those parts.

Kaitlin has gone thru so much. I can’t even imagine having to live thru the amount of manipulation and abuse she had to endure from the people who were supposed to love and protect her. Her mother is a piece of work. She’s not sure what’s happened to her father, and the relationship she has with her brother is an unsteady one.

Luckily she ends up at the same college as her brother and it’s there that we get to see some growth with the characters. The experiences of found friends/family and healing connections that the Fmc goes thru are key to helping her find herself, and the amount of support she gets was beautiful. I do wish there had been a little more time to build up the relationships tho because I would’ve loved more depth to the blossoming attraction that was happening between the two MCs. It was cute, sweet and the way the MMC cares was heartwarming. The ending was not one that I expected either and I’m curious to see where the next book takes us.
Profile Image for Teresa.
Author 7 books50 followers
January 17, 2025
ARC Review

I’ve anticipated the release of this book since I read Kara M. Zone’s novella “The Accidental Faerie Tale.”

Right from the start, the tension is high as our MFC Kaitlin tumbles into the strange and unknown...or what she thinks is strange and unknown. What she must accept is that magic isn’t unknown to her--it’s only forgotten. Once she begins to accepts that, she is sent through a door that marks the beginning of everything.

When she meets Finn and learns about trium perfectum, Kaitlin’s further thrown into the world of magic her mother has been trying to hide from her since she was a child.

Watching Kaitlin come into her magic and (more importantly) into her true self is the best part of this journey. Because her past is sad and traumatic, I relate to her and want her to find happiness.

The depth of the characters in “Cinders Burn at Midnight” is artfully rendered; Finn is playful and cocky to contrast with Kaitlin’s anxiety and timidness (at first), and Max, Aiden, and Cassie are the perfect supporting cast. Fun banter is a go-to, especially for the guys, and I’m here for it.

“His energy skitters along his body.”
Don’t miss this story--the energy of it skitters along the page, and its words sweep around you with its magic.
Profile Image for Tabitha.
27 reviews
January 11, 2025
What a ride! This book has everything! Unique magic system, brother’s best friend, insta-love, academia, found family, shifters, LGBTQ rep, memory-loss, and a refreshing new take on “fated mates”. Cinders Burn at Midnight is a tale that will leave you questioning everything.

We follow our FMC on a journey of self-discovery, trauma healing, first love, and reuniting with those she cares about. As she prepares to begin college, and the freedom that comes with it, she is desperate to get out from the controlling thumb of her mother and find her own “spark”.

Our MMC comes from a healthy home life and is best friend with his brother and his brother’s boyfriend. He seems to have been coasting along in life and is thrown for a loop when he feels a tug on his magic. That tug consumes his thoughts and he will do anything to bring it closer and consume it.

The beginning of this story started with a lot of new information and characters that made it hard to follow at first, but once I got a handle on everything, I was dying to know what happened next! I’m very excited to learn what happens in the next book!
Profile Image for lizface.
201 reviews6 followers
January 13, 2025
Rating is 4.5, but rounded up 😊

“I won’t let you go. We will always find you. You will always find us. We are part of each other.”


Following Kaitlin on her journey of self discovery after being controlled by her mother to do whatever she wishes. Her losing her father years ago it’s just been her mother and brother. Now finally being able to fly the coop, kinda, Kaitlin is ready for college! Ready to do her own thing, on her own terms.
What she wasn’t ready for was rekindling her relationship with her brother and his closest friends. But also, magic?!!
As Kaitlin rediscovers herself she learns some dark and disturbing secrets. Can she keep the darkness from overtaking the goodness in her?

Where to start?! 🥹
I devoured this book! The self discovery, magic, family relationships, and friendships built was everything. This story spoke to me on a spiritual level. As my siblings and I are trauma bonded. Reading about Kaitlin and her brother was heart wrenching, and so relatable. My only gripe is I wish it was longer!! I wanted more, so much more! But I just know book 2 is gonna be mind blowing!

Thank you Kara for my eARC copy. I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us!
Profile Image for mel..
120 reviews3 followers
January 20, 2025
3.5⭐️

if you’re looking for a book with phenomenal mental representation, i recommend Cinders Burn at Midnight. through the story, you learn about Kaitlin’s (FMC) childhood and watch as she learns to start standing on her own two feet and navigate anxiety, PTSD and panic attacks. the author beautifully recognizes that overcoming traumatic events is not a linear journey. with the support of Finn (MMC) and their found family, Kaitlin faces mental setbacks, heartwarming moments of growth and starts to unravel the true events of her past

as a slow burn enthusiast, the relationship between Kaitlin and Finn developed too quick for my liking. there were a lot of aspects and events of the story that were introduced in this book and never mentioned again. i was left with a lot of questions that i assume will be answered in future books but made the story feel slightly disconnected.

regardless, i cannot express my appreciation for how the author handles the aspects of mental health AND the beautiful way people can rally around the ones they love to support.

thank you to the author, Kara, and Inkspire PR for the opportunity to ARC read Cinders Burn at Midnight!
Profile Image for Renée (FatedBookReviews).
169 reviews12 followers
January 10, 2025
This sloooow burn romance by debut author, Kara M. Zone was one of the most unique magic systems I've read in a very long time. If you're looking for a book that feels like the comfort of fantasy/urban fantasy, but a totally newish take on it, this book will definitely be for you!

The rule of 3s applies here in this relatively quick read about a girl going to college for the first time, her evil mother, and her brother trying to help her get out from her mother's clutches. The mystery unravels a bit... enough to keep you guessing!

This book is like urban fantasy meets a little portal fantasy. There are some dark themes and a couple pretty brutal ones, but they were done SO well! I loved the fact that Kaitlin, the FMC, learns quickly how to fight for herself. This book is for folks who enjoy:

⚡ A unique take on Fated Mates
🐺 Evil mothers
⚡ Found family
🐺 Learning magic
⚡ Virgin FMC
🐺 Independent FMC
⚡ Cinnamon roll MMC

Thank you to Inkspire Services and Kara M Zone for the ARC. I can't wait to see what comes next!
Profile Image for Teahlyn Seeger.
155 reviews5 followers
January 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and I am so excited to continue this story! It was not what I expected at all. I love the urban fantasy setting and that it’s in a world that isn’t our own but could be. Though, very time I saw “Sovereign City” I thought of “Raccoon City” and Resident Evil but… that’s my brain.

I really enjoyed the dual POV, I love when you can get in another character’s head and get more insight into what’s happening. I know this world is huge even though we haven’t gotten to see much of it yet.

There’s so much mystery surrounding Kaitlin and her family and I love it!! Discovering information along with the main character is so exciting. Speaking of Kaitlin, girl is so mature for her age! She handles all of the changes coming at her so much better than I would. I know she’s going to be such a force going forward. And I can’t forget about Finn! He’s so swoon-worthy. I love the banter between all of the characters.

Thank you, Kara and Inkspire Services for the opportunity to read this book early!
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