What do you think?
The Dominions Ash & Embers
Darkness is its own kingdom, born of Death and destruction. And Asha Raynor, like many living things, had learned long ago how to dwell without the Light.
Recently graduated from basic military training, Asha Raynor finds herself faced with the grueling challenge of becoming the first female Soturi-the highest ranking military unit in the Kingdom of Perseis. But before she can successfully complete her elite training academy, Asha must first survive a merciless selection process, a hellacious series of military benchmarks, and the looming eyes of a sinister Major. As training with her Division teammates renews her lost sense of family and gradually repairs the fragile cracks etched into her scarred soul, encounters with the alluring lieutenant of her regiment threaten to demolish the stone walls she has securely built around her cold heart. But Asha quickly learns that the lieutenant is not the man she believed him to be, and the twisted secrets surrounding the death of her brother are not as clear cut as she initially thought. And with endless information causing her to question where her loyalties lie, Asha soon realizes that those in Leadership, the same military officials she has followed her entire life, might have played a key role in the brutal slaughtering of those she loves most. As the looming Darkness enters her mind and threatens to swallow her whole, Asha is faced with a splitting become Perseis's first female Soturi warrior, or embark upon a journey that could uncover the answers to every question she carries about the death of her family. But what if she can have them both? And what if the attainment of one, is the answer to the other? Asha thus begins an adventure she never wanted; an adventure that will release her Darkest memories, and unleash the locked power burning through her veins-a magic more dangerous than any hidden secret...
Recently graduated from basic military training, Asha Raynor finds herself faced with the grueling challenge of becoming the first female Soturi-the highest ranking military unit in the Kingdom of Perseis. But before she can successfully complete her elite training academy, Asha must first survive a merciless selection process, a hellacious series of military benchmarks, and the looming eyes of a sinister Major. As training with her Division teammates renews her lost sense of family and gradually repairs the fragile cracks etched into her scarred soul, encounters with the alluring lieutenant of her regiment threaten to demolish the stone walls she has securely built around her cold heart. But Asha quickly learns that the lieutenant is not the man she believed him to be, and the twisted secrets surrounding the death of her brother are not as clear cut as she initially thought. And with endless information causing her to question where her loyalties lie, Asha soon realizes that those in Leadership, the same military officials she has followed her entire life, might have played a key role in the brutal slaughtering of those she loves most. As the looming Darkness enters her mind and threatens to swallow her whole, Asha is faced with a splitting become Perseis's first female Soturi warrior, or embark upon a journey that could uncover the answers to every question she carries about the death of her family. But what if she can have them both? And what if the attainment of one, is the answer to the other? Asha thus begins an adventure she never wanted; an adventure that will release her Darkest memories, and unleash the locked power burning through her veins-a magic more dangerous than any hidden secret...
- GenresFantasy
421 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 17, 2025
The Dominions Series - Book 1 is Fabulous!! Grabs you quickly and does not let go!! The characters are interesting and have depth, very well developed. You quickly find allegiances for some and an intense loathing for others! The detail and descriptions are so thorough. You are drawn into this fascinating world where your imagination allows you to feel like you are watching every scene play out.
I love the heroine – nothing short of an extremely strong independent Badass woman that anybody with a brain would think twice before crossing her! The main character of men in the book do not leave you disappointed either. They are every woman’s dream, strong, tough, manly men that takes care of business, while the male readers will enjoy the literal FIGHT that is in them. The characters are sassy, intelligent, loyal, and devoted to the cause (whichever one they have chosen).
The creatures are so well described I could probably draw them – In my mind some are fabulously stunning and beautiful where others are horrifying scary enough for nightmares.
Unique and different! Not the same run of the mill story line!! Interesting from the start to finish and CAN NOT wait for the second book – I did not want to finish it because I wanted more and more!! So, I just started reading it all over again!! Honestly, glad I did because so much happens and you pick up on a lot more the second read! It is just pure entertainment. Looking forward to where this adventure goes!!
I love the heroine – nothing short of an extremely strong independent Badass woman that anybody with a brain would think twice before crossing her! The main character of men in the book do not leave you disappointed either. They are every woman’s dream, strong, tough, manly men that takes care of business, while the male readers will enjoy the literal FIGHT that is in them. The characters are sassy, intelligent, loyal, and devoted to the cause (whichever one they have chosen).
The creatures are so well described I could probably draw them – In my mind some are fabulously stunning and beautiful where others are horrifying scary enough for nightmares.
Unique and different! Not the same run of the mill story line!! Interesting from the start to finish and CAN NOT wait for the second book – I did not want to finish it because I wanted more and more!! So, I just started reading it all over again!! Honestly, glad I did because so much happens and you pick up on a lot more the second read! It is just pure entertainment. Looking forward to where this adventure goes!!
March 24, 2025
Get Ready for a new story to be hitting your shelves! For the Fantasy Readers of this Generation this one is sure to get you hooked. Great pacing in this New World brought to the page! Twisting some of the favorites if you have been in the space, but unique to her own. A story thats going to make you wish it was another hundred pages. Digestible in a can't put down fashion or take your time type of read. I recommend the dont put it down! Enjoy the ride I got a feeling we are going to be reading her stories for years to come!
March 23, 2025
This book is nothing short of amazing. From the very first page, it pulls you into a fantastically crafted world. The story itself is gripping, with twists and turns that keep you at the edge of your seat the entire time. I couldn’t put the book down.
The pacing is fantastic and the character arcs pull you in, and just when you think you’ve figured things out, another layer of mystery unfolds.
It’s clear this is only the beginning, and it promises even more adventure and intrigue in the future. A must read for sure!
The pacing is fantastic and the character arcs pull you in, and just when you think you’ve figured things out, another layer of mystery unfolds.
It’s clear this is only the beginning, and it promises even more adventure and intrigue in the future. A must read for sure!
March 29, 2025
⚫️Cameron L. Jimenez's The Dominions: Ash & Embers is an engrossing blend of military fantasy, intense intrigue, and unvarnished emotional depth. At its center is a fierce but vulnerable heroine, taking readers on a thrilling ride through a world where strength is pushed to the limit, loyalties are tested, and the past will not remain buried.
⚫️Asha Raynor is a heroine you can't help but root for unwavering, steadfast, and bearing the burden of loss. Her determination to be the first woman Soturi is more than a test of her physical capabilities; it's a battle for personal discovery, justice, and honesty. Jimenez expertly weaves together high-stakes military training, complicated relationships, and a slow-burning mystery that keeps the tension alive. The richly detailed world and its encroaching gloom establish an atmosphere which is both immersive and cinematic.
⚫️The book excels in its pacing, with a beautiful balance between action sequences and quiet moments of introspection and emotional resonance. Asha's changing relationships with her teammates, a charming lieutenant, and the specters of her past provide layers of depth that make each twist and revelation feel deeply satisfying. Just when you think you know where the story is going, Jimenez skillfully ratchets up the stakes, reminding us that nothing is ever as it appears.
⚫️For fans of epic fantasy with strong female protagonists, morally nuanced conflicts, and a touch of secret magic, The Dominions: Ash & Embers is a must-read. It's an intense tale of survival, betrayal, and the unyielding pursuit of truth one that will have you eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Happy reading ❤️✨
Did Not Finish
February 3, 2026DNF 5% argh this is not for me, so unfortunate because the story has potential but this needs editing badly !! In the first chapter a whole paragraph is repeated twice 🤦🏼♀️ So far it really feels like this - a little sprinkle of “important”information in a swarm of nothingness. Pretty brutal to read and even understand WTF is going on. Not gonna force myself through this where I am only 5% in and it’s already a struggle. Would definitely give it another shot if I hear it gets edited.
August 23, 2025
A Must‑Read for Fans of Complex Fantasy
Cameron L. Jimenez delivers a powerful, immersive tale that blends military intensity, emotional depth, and slow-burning intrigue into something unforgettable. Strong, nuanced characters, masterful pacing, and a hauntingly atmospheric setting make this book a must-read. I can’t wait to see where Asha’s journey leads next.
Cameron L. Jimenez delivers a powerful, immersive tale that blends military intensity, emotional depth, and slow-burning intrigue into something unforgettable. Strong, nuanced characters, masterful pacing, and a hauntingly atmospheric setting make this book a must-read. I can’t wait to see where Asha’s journey leads next.
June 16, 2025
Great first book by the author! Fast paced page turner in a fun and creative world for an action/romance novel. There were a few plot lines that weren’t fully explained, but overall i loved the book and would be excited to read the sequel.
April 7, 2025
The story begins with the protagonist, Asha, who is a Kappi officer training to become a Soturi warrior in a kingdom where the military structure is broken into three branches, with each branch focusing on the bond or magical link between a cadet and mythical creature. Kappis are the basic officers of the sky branch, and they bond with large phoenixes or firebirds that they ride into battle. Following her brother’s death, Asha begins Soturi training to glean more information about how he died and who ultimately killed him. She has her suspicions and her hunches tell her that her new Lieutenant, Anselem Eros, is ultimately to blame. However, she is willing to endure the brutal and cutthroat arena that is Soturi training as the first woman to potentially become a Soturi warrior in order to find out the truth.
But, it isn’t just the deadly training benchmarks and the Major who mysteriously has it out for her that Asha must contend with, but she also must survive her own inner darkness, secrets, and magic that threaten to take control. Who can she really trust? Are there more secrets that lie within the ranks of the elite military academy? Is Anselem Eros truly the enemy? Asha must walk through the fire to find out.
With fast-paced action, intriguing mythology, robust world-building, strong and likable characters, and a touch of romance, this debut novel had me instantly hooked from the first page to the last. I knew this was going to be a very good book when I got to the chapter where Asha competes in Soturi selections, and she must survive both the Crucible and the Maze to officially be selected to train as a Soturi warrior. These chapters really show just how brutal the training is going to be for the warriors who survive. They also introduce an interesting world of mythical creatures and a magic system that is really just teased throughout the novel. We as the readers are just getting a small taste of how large and intricate the world of The Dominions truly is, which will undoubtedly unfold further as the series progresses. What we do see in the novel seems heavily inspired by ancient mythology but with interesting twists on timeless tales of familiar heroes.
As far as novels go, world-building is important, but not as integral as the characters who inhabit that world. This book is able to masterfully balance the intrigue of the world-building with the inner worlds of each character. Asha is not just the standard badass female character who is perfect in every way and doesn’t face any struggles, but she is someone who is truly broken on the inside, clinging to dark secrets, fear, and guilt that prevent her from easily trusting other people and even herself. The book also mostly focuses on Anselem, who is powerful and intimidating, but also equally as broken as he faces darkness and secrets of his own. As Asha’s Lieutenant and also friend of her late brother, Anselem must deal with the guilt of her brother’s death while keeping his promise to keep her safe, without interfering in the challenges she must face to become a Soturi. He wants to gain her trust, but he tries to keep a fair distance as they both develop feelings for one another. In addition to the main characters, the side characters are also really well-developed with their own motivations, hidden pasts, and varying personalities (I loved Jeremiah and Kaira!).
This novel is mature in the fact that the romance buds in a very realistic way, rather than the she-hates-him-he-hates-her-then-they-have-sex-and-are-in-love-all-of-a-sudden-type of way that is presented in most fantasy books nowadays. Sometimes love unfurls slowly and has to find ways to walk through the broken glass that each person has littered about their souls. If you are looking for a steamy romance fantasy that is basically borderline pornographic, you need to look elsewhere. Honestly, it is really nice to read a book where I don’t have to skip through chapters upon chapters of smut that masquerade as “adult fantasy.” And Asha, while she does develop feelings for Anselm throughout the novel, does not let those feelings interfere with her ultimate goals. She is serious about becoming a Soturi and she understands how it looks for a woman in a male-dominant field to begin a relationship with her superior. She cares about her reputation, which, unfortunately, a lot of women in male-dominant fields both in novels and in the real world don’t seem to care much about.
This novel was an amazing find. I love fantasy, but I am at the point in my life where I don’t want to read about teenagers who act like adults and find themselves in mature situations but also simultaneously make decisions like and have the emotional instability of small children. This book is mature but still a fun and thrilling adventure. If you are a fantasy lover who is looking for something new and exciting, and who doesn't mind the romance and mystery to continue to develop and unfold over the course of what I assume will be several novels, I would definitely recommend picking up a copy of The Dominions: Ash and Embers!
But, it isn’t just the deadly training benchmarks and the Major who mysteriously has it out for her that Asha must contend with, but she also must survive her own inner darkness, secrets, and magic that threaten to take control. Who can she really trust? Are there more secrets that lie within the ranks of the elite military academy? Is Anselem Eros truly the enemy? Asha must walk through the fire to find out.
With fast-paced action, intriguing mythology, robust world-building, strong and likable characters, and a touch of romance, this debut novel had me instantly hooked from the first page to the last. I knew this was going to be a very good book when I got to the chapter where Asha competes in Soturi selections, and she must survive both the Crucible and the Maze to officially be selected to train as a Soturi warrior. These chapters really show just how brutal the training is going to be for the warriors who survive. They also introduce an interesting world of mythical creatures and a magic system that is really just teased throughout the novel. We as the readers are just getting a small taste of how large and intricate the world of The Dominions truly is, which will undoubtedly unfold further as the series progresses. What we do see in the novel seems heavily inspired by ancient mythology but with interesting twists on timeless tales of familiar heroes.
As far as novels go, world-building is important, but not as integral as the characters who inhabit that world. This book is able to masterfully balance the intrigue of the world-building with the inner worlds of each character. Asha is not just the standard badass female character who is perfect in every way and doesn’t face any struggles, but she is someone who is truly broken on the inside, clinging to dark secrets, fear, and guilt that prevent her from easily trusting other people and even herself. The book also mostly focuses on Anselem, who is powerful and intimidating, but also equally as broken as he faces darkness and secrets of his own. As Asha’s Lieutenant and also friend of her late brother, Anselem must deal with the guilt of her brother’s death while keeping his promise to keep her safe, without interfering in the challenges she must face to become a Soturi. He wants to gain her trust, but he tries to keep a fair distance as they both develop feelings for one another. In addition to the main characters, the side characters are also really well-developed with their own motivations, hidden pasts, and varying personalities (I loved Jeremiah and Kaira!).
This novel is mature in the fact that the romance buds in a very realistic way, rather than the she-hates-him-he-hates-her-then-they-have-sex-and-are-in-love-all-of-a-sudden-type of way that is presented in most fantasy books nowadays. Sometimes love unfurls slowly and has to find ways to walk through the broken glass that each person has littered about their souls. If you are looking for a steamy romance fantasy that is basically borderline pornographic, you need to look elsewhere. Honestly, it is really nice to read a book where I don’t have to skip through chapters upon chapters of smut that masquerade as “adult fantasy.” And Asha, while she does develop feelings for Anselm throughout the novel, does not let those feelings interfere with her ultimate goals. She is serious about becoming a Soturi and she understands how it looks for a woman in a male-dominant field to begin a relationship with her superior. She cares about her reputation, which, unfortunately, a lot of women in male-dominant fields both in novels and in the real world don’t seem to care much about.
This novel was an amazing find. I love fantasy, but I am at the point in my life where I don’t want to read about teenagers who act like adults and find themselves in mature situations but also simultaneously make decisions like and have the emotional instability of small children. This book is mature but still a fun and thrilling adventure. If you are a fantasy lover who is looking for something new and exciting, and who doesn't mind the romance and mystery to continue to develop and unfold over the course of what I assume will be several novels, I would definitely recommend picking up a copy of The Dominions: Ash and Embers!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews