When blood gleams like garnets and tombs enshrine secrets, love must have faith it will survive.
Ariadne Caldwell gained and lost much following Azriel’s arrest. As her inner strength grew, her life in the Society withered. Now unable to return home, she finds herself in the place she swore to never go again: the dhemon keep that once served as her prison. There she confronts her past while preparing for a future of war against the new King of Valenul.
While Ariadne grapples with the torments of her past, Azriel faces a bleak present in which becoming the Dhemon King is the least of his concerns. His bond, broken during his imprisonment in Algorath, only appears whole in the presence of his wife. Memory loss and a conscious lack of self-control have him spiraling; even recognizing friend from foe is a challenge.
Determined to heal Azriel’s crumbling bond and the dhemon community as a whole, Ariadne embarks on a quest alongside her husband and friends to track down the ritual to reconnect them all to the Underworld and their patron god, Keon. Yet the price required to connect the pieces is greater than any of them could imagine.
I have a new favorite book in the series! Book 3 is just as emotional, action-packed and funny as the previous two with more unexpected twists and turns that had me flying through the last half. New characters to love, new characters to mourn, and villains that somehow reach new levels of loathing. I need book 4 immediately because that cliffhanger!?
4.7 rounded to 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loooooved this book! I really enjoyed Ariadne’s character growth and even Emilie’s journey! Still hate Loren but what’s new there. He’s the perfect villain.
BUT MY BABY AZRIEL CANT CATCH A BREAK 😭😭 I need him and Ariadne’s happy ending with the completed bond cause my heart can’t handle his heartbreak anymore.
I will say I was hoping for a bit more of the tomb given it’s the title of the book but I feel it didn’t *really* show up in extensive detail until Emilie and Ariadne’s reunion. Still a great plot and storyline and the character development was fantastic. Enna you did it again and I can’t wait to see how the story finishes!
Enna Hawthorn may be an Indie, but I have no doubt that she’ll become a well known author. The Garnet Tomb of Anwenja just released so I don’t want to spoil, but I will say, if you want a villain you’ll love to hate, she created him. If you want spice 🥵 she nailed it. The love that we romanticize? She did it. And the cliffhanger… I’m just mad that I read it so fast. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In our third installment, our heroes are together and facing their inner demons while fighting not only for each other, but for their people as a whole.
*Note, there are some spoilerish bits below, so proceed with caution unless you've read the other two books.*
Still with me? Good.
We start with Azriel and Aridane at the Dhemon Keep - the place where our FMC was held and abused prior to the start of book one. While she faces her PTSD head on, with the support of her found family, she also is working to figure out how to help Azriel repair his broken mate bond to her before it drives him to insanity.
Azriel is fighting to stay sane after his incarceration and abuse, the scars around that broken bond are deep. He suffers from nightmares and flashbacks, and is riddled with self-doubt between whether or not he is actually free and his place as the ruler of the dhemons. Azriel is doing his best to get through, while trying to support Aridane's healing and continued growth while living in the last place either of them ever saw themselves.
Their fight for each other and for their own healing is deeply painful, yet their love for each other shines through no matter how bleak things become.
Loren, for his part, has become relentless in his pursuit of power and Aridane. This time trying his evil best to capture her sister Emille, who has been on the run this whole time, use against her. We get to see Emillie grow from her own personal tragedies from the upheaval that Loren has created and the events between her and Alec that sent her on the run. There are still many mysteries to Alec that i hope to learn of when the next book wraps.
Book three continues with the dark themes and hurts-like-hell moments that you will feel with your whole soul. (Enna, how could you?!) I am still reeling over the events at the end, even though it has taken me months after reading it to sit down and write this review.
The conclusion of this book is an even worse cliffhanger than book one and I cannot wait to see how it wraps up in the last entry in the series. Though I may have to consult a cardiologist for the damage to my heart by the time all is said and done.
As an aside for anyone who says Azriel whines and cries a lot in this book, or any point during the series - it is rare we get any kind of depth inside the head of a highly traumatized MMC. Most authors gloss over male trauma. Often its insinuated the man is broken, traumatized, and we get an idea of what he went through and nothing more. The true show of how that affects the character is implied at the most basic level, but not explained. In this series, the author goes in depth and pulls no punches regarding Azriel's trauma. It is refreshing to see someone acknowledge what happens to male abuse victims and I applaud her for it. She does something here that is not done often enough.
Let's be real. If this were a female character, folks would be applauding the author for her exploration of those themes and the journey to healing. A lot of you aren't ready to admit that men can break from trauma, too.
I said what I said.
Anyway. As usual, check your triggers and practice safe reading. The story is amazing and the mental health themes of PTSD are so well written that it can be hard for some.
This book follows Ariadne Harlow and Azriel Tenebra as they navigate the depths of their unique and tender relationship, while confronting the heavy traumas of their pasts. As they work together to unite the people and eliminate two vile monsters responsible for much of their suffering, their journey becomes both epic and deeply personal.
Though I typically struggle with multiple POVs, the author masterfully weaves in the perspectives of Madan Antaire and Emillee Harlow, enriching the narrative without overwhelming it. The result is a story layered with emotional intensity and political intrigue, and it all ends on a cliffhanger.
Azriel is unlike any MMC I’ve read before. He is a beautiful, sensitive soul who wears his heart on his sleeve. He loves deeply, feels profoundly, and experiences anxiety in a way that makes him feel real and vulnerable. If you're looking for a male lead who cries, fiercely loves his family, and embodies emotional depth, Azriel is it.
Having just turned the final page, I’m honestly at a loss for words. The cliffhanger left tears in my eyes, and I genuinely don’t know how I’ll manage the wait for book four. Much like books one and two, I devoured this installment, eagerly flipping pages while also pausing to re-read key moments I wanted to fully savour. It’s the kind of book you want to race through and yet never finish.
The world-building continues to impress, with the addition of new magic systems, dragon bonds, fated mates, and thrilling plot twists that elevate the story far beyond typical romantasy. How this book currently only has 32 reviews is beyond me; it deserves, in my humble opinion, a place among the genre’s best.
That said, I did find myself frustrated with some of Ariadne’s critical decisions near the end. But she’s clearly a character in evolution, gaining confidence, strength, and resilience through her mistakes, which makes her journey feel all the more authentic. I really appreciate that both the FMC and MMC are portrayed with some flaws; it makes their dynamic feel more grounded and relatable.
This is an easy 5/5 for me. The writing remains consistent with the tone and style of the time period, and the dialogue perfectly captures both the high-society grace and brutal warrior edge of the characters. The author has shown, once again, that she’s an incredibly talented storyteller, keeping me utterly hooked with every page.
Now, I wait on bated breath for the next book. I sincerely hope this author gains the recognition and support she deserves, because I would gladly read anything else she writes.
Ya'll I thought I put a review in for this book when I finished this read in July, but apparently I did not.
Anyways this book is absolutely amazing Enna Hawthorn is an absolutely amazing romantasy author, and she has done it again with this book.
I have loved this series and the amazing world building throughout, I have fallen in love with Ariadne and Azriel and their romance, and this book is no different.
Enna also writes villains like no one else. I love hating a villain like Loren and I have enjoyed hating him since book 1 and will continue to do so throughout the rest of the series.
Let's talk about Azriel because man do I love an MMC that is emotional. I love a man that is connected with his emotions and feels them and expresses them. This man has every reason to be an emotional mess I mean just look at the first two books the man has been through it. I want him to be happy with Ariadne.
Now the character arc of all character arcs my girl Ariadne. From damsel in distress to femme fatale she is everything I want in an FMC in a fantasy series. Her development in her fighting and strategy skills is realistic which is breathtakingly refreshing.
This whole series deserves to be loved more than it does. Enna Hawthorn should be broadcasted all over bookstagram and booktok because this series is absolutely stunning, and I cannot wait to see what she creates next after this amazing series.
The Garnet Tomb of Anwenja by Enna Hawthorn Book three in the Dhemon Wars series Releases 5/27!!
Thank you to Enna for entrusting me with an early copy!
Multiple POV, aristocratic vampires, LGTBQ rep, forbidden love, fated mates, dragons!, touch her and 💀, vampires/fae/dhemons, found family, training, mental health rep, secrets, reluctant king Please check the trigger warnings!
A bit spoilery if you haven't read the first books!
This book picks up where the last book left off with Azriel rescued but completely in a disarray from the damage done to him during his imprisonment. And Ariadne is having to deal with being back in the place where she experienced so much pain and trauma. On top of dealing with all of that, they still have the issues of Ehrun hunting them and Loren continuing to go off the deep end with his villain era getting worse and worse. We also get Emillie journeying to try to escape Loren's clutches.
I got done with this book and just had to sit and process for a minute. Ahhh so much happened especially at the end! My heart! So many emotions! This book is definitely be a kick to the gut, but I CAN'T WAIT for the next book to see what happens. I'm going to leave it at that to avoid spoilers!
Where do I begin with this? Enna has done it again with the continuation of this series! As a beta AND ARC reader for this series, one of the biggest honors, I was on edge nearly the whole time (in a good way). Reading Ariadne’s growth and Azriel’s journey through navigating the broken bond was heart wrenching. Their love still shone through the struggle. Seeing more of the love and bond between Madan and Whelan made me love them even more. And there were even hints of a new love forming?! The introduction of new characters, AND the return of ones from the previous two books will have your mind churning from page one, to the end; who will make it to BOOK FOUR?!
My only warning for this book is that you will NOT want to put it down! Also, a loving warning, you might need Kleenex for this one.
HAPPY RELEASE DAY ENNA, our loving Mother of Dhemons! Love love, UNTIL THE VERY END ♥️
Initially 3.5⭐️ but rounded up to 4⭐️!!!!! Book Two is one of my most favorite romantasy books EVER so it makes sense that the following book might not score as well.
I’m new to big series like this but it makes sense that the book the follows The Crimson Walls of Algorath has a lot of information building up to even more craziness in books 4 and 5. This one has a lot of relationships forming, alliances being sought out, traveling, new people and new lands so the middle was a little slow. BUT the beginning and the end had me devouring the pages waiting to find out what happens next and HOLY ENDING.
If you haven’t read the first two, put down your TBR and read them ASAP!
Absolutely obsessed with this book and series, and the next book cannot come soon enough. The series is so well paced and all the characters are so well developed, my heart broke for everyone at the end! The plot/politics/relationships are somewhat complex but I found the multiple POVs easy to follow, so props to the writer for being able to portray everyone's actions and emotions in a way that is easy to understand. Love the exploration of trauma, healing, mental illness, grief and loss, and hopefully book 4 will have some happier times!
I have been waiting months to see what happens next with these characters and I was not disappointed. What a rollercoaster 😭 these lovers just can’t catch a break. One thing I love about Enna Hawthorns writing is you will definitely feel all the emotions throughout her books. But please, can Loren please just go away? 🤣 can’t wait to see what happens next🖤
DNF! While the first book was excellent, I struggled with the slow pace of the second book and the overwhelming gloom and doom feeling, yet the story was still really interesting. This third book is too focused on inner thoughts and traumas instead of the story. It's frustrating and just ruins it.
Well, continuing on with the 🎢 of a ride over here. I bawled at a couple parts towards the end. Twisty turns and a betrayal later, which I’m still not over and need to know more about..
MY FAVORITE IN THE SERIES!!!! (So far heheh) the tension of everything that is building, questions being raised, while also elevating the characters is INCREDIBLE!
This is my favorite of the series so far! I had so much emotion thru the whole saga… Az and Ari have been thru so much heart ache and Emillie…omg. But I feel good things are on the horizon. Enna will no doubt throw in some gut wrenching episode in bk 4. I’ll no doubt cuss, stomp, cry and keep going because in the end it has to end well, right?
The Garment Tomb of Anwenja is one of those rare novels that lingers in your bones long after the final page. Enna Hawthorn weaves a tapestry of sorrow, beauty, and buried magic so vivid that it feels like stepping into a forgotten legend whispered by the wind.
The worldbuilding is exquisite—rich without ever being overindulgent. Anwenja herself is a haunting, enigmatic setting that feels like a character in its own right. The prose is lyrical yet razor-sharp, filled with passages that make you pause and reread just to savor the language.
But what truly elevates this book is its emotional core. The characters are deeply human, even when surrounded by the strange and supernatural. Themes of grief, memory, and identity are explored with such nuance and care that it hits hard—but never heavy-handedly.
This is not just fantasy—it’s literary alchemy. I didn’t just read this book; I felt it.
If you’re drawn to stories that feel ancient and otherworldly, yet startlingly intimate, do not let this one pass you by.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Enna, did it again! And this one is easily my favorite in the series so far! This book gutted me! I thought book 2 was bad… but this one? I don’t think I’ll ever stop thinking about this one.
I’m loving all the side characters and how they are all really stepping into who they were always meant to be. I loved Emilie’s character growth in this one. Azriel’s arc is heartbreaking as he struggles to reconcile what he knows with what his bond is trying to make him think.
Loren continues to be the villain I love to hate and hate to love.
As much as I’m terrified about what’s coming, I can’t wait!
I truly can’t wait for the next in this series to come out. Very impatiently waiting for January to pop around. I finished this book in the span of two days because I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. There’s growth and development of Azriel and Ariadne’s relationship was cast perfectly. I still hate Loren but that’s to be expected. I recommend this series all the time. Makes me sad that Enna is a truly undiscovered gold mine of an author and hope she becomes someone who’s on everyone’s bookshelf.
Ariadne and Azriel have been brought back together and now must figure out how to fix things. She is living in the place of her nightmares and having to learn to be okay around the keep. He is having to deal with a broken bond and trying to fix it. Realizing the fix may not be an easy feat. There's loss and heartbreak that you didn't see coming and didn't want to happen.
Can't wait for the final installment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was lucky enough to read The Garnet Tomb of Anwenja as an ARC a few months back, and wow— Enna did it again! Book 3 of the Dhemon Wars is definitely my favorite so far. This one took me on such an emotional roller coaster! I loved getting more of Azriel and Ariadne, loved every moment with Madan and Whelan, and the new friends we get to meet make for new adventures.
SCREAMING!! The cliffhanger has been chomping at the bit for the next one and it feels like it will be forever. So far book 3 is my favorite. And I have no idea how I’ll feel about if ending so soon. Freaking villains man. He’s the worsttttt.