Daughters of Ash

by Dakota Monroe

Daughters of Ash is the start of an adult series where Mulan meets The Handmaid’s Tale. It is a dark, dystopian fantasy romance that is very slow burn and more plot-centric. In the first installment, we follow Cassia as she infiltrates the Enforcers after hiding the last twenty-six years of her life. Women are property in Dascenia, and they are either kept in a breeding facility from the day they’re born, or purchased by a man to be used for anything he wishes. Men have every freedom granted to them, and Cassia is determined to change their world back to what it used to be before the leaders of the Syndicate took over. When she discovers the Syndicate is calling for a new team of Enforcers to take out a rebel group found outside the perimeter, Cassia uses her privilege as an undocumented woman to join this team, learn their secrets, and dismantle them from the inside.

While there is little romance in Daughters of Ash, please note the series is a reverse harem. Please visit the authors website for a full list of content warnings.

Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 29, 2026

About the author

Dakota Monroe lives in a dark world and dreams of even darker fantasies. She has been a fantasy-obsessed reader since she was a child and now brings hers to life through her writing. As a neurodivergent woman, Dakota has always felt out of place with her thoughts and ideas; but books have been her savior, and a nonjudgmental place for her to escape the colorless world we call reality. She hopes her characters, and stories, provide an outlet for others, even if just for a little while.

Reviews

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“i’m tired of hiding and pretending the world is acceptable when it’s built on the suffering of half the population. i want that to change.”

so many parts of this book are currently reflecting what is going on in the world and the impact of continuing to allow men in power to make decisions so this really hit hard.

females are shipped off to breeding facilities and it is considered a capital crime for a woman to exist outside of these.

cassia our fmc has spent 26 years hiding until she has finally had enough of women being treated like property and makes the decision to become an enforcer, taking on the identity of her twin brother to destroy the syndicate from within. she was sooo strong both physically and emotionally and i was rooting for her the whole time.

reading the pov of commander arayik made me so angry because of his views but it really gives an insight into how he’s been brainwashed by men in society. elias and keller also really intrigue me and im looking forward to having more of their povs in the next book! this is also supposed to be a reverse harm series so, ya know😏

daughters of ash is a mix of the handmaid’s tale and mulan and whilst this book is more plot heavy at this stage (which the author acknowledges at the beginning), i’m really excited for the next book in the series to see these characters develop!!

thank you so much to the author for the arc!!

[Kelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Twisted Tales PR and the author for the eARC!

I loved every second of this book and ate it up in a day. It reminds me once again of why I love the militaristic style dystopians. The world building is done so well, because it’s all through Cassia’s eyes as she’s seeing things for the first time. I’m so intrigued by the magic and world as a whole and can’t wait to learn more about it in book 2.

Cassia was such a great fmc. She’s incredibly intelligent and driven by a strong sense of right and wrong. She’s risking her life every day because she couldn’t stand by any longer watching a world where women were treated like nothing more than property. And don’t get me started on our mmcs 🤤. I feel like I know so little about them but I’m already completely obsessed. I need book 2 yesterday so I can obsess over them more 😫.

I just know that this is gonna be the next dystopian fix for people. The pacing is perfect, the world is intriguing, and the characters are *chef’s kiss*. I HIGHLY recommend.

[d_uhreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"But I was never meant to be quiet. And I sure as hell was never meant to stay in a cage."

Oppressed. Chained. Angry.

Be ready to RAGE.

This story thrusts us into a dystopian world where women are only used for breeding and only men have magical abilities. They are locked up, abused, and underestimated. Cassia has had enough and can not just sit by anymore.

Disguised as her brother, she enters to become the very thing she hates, an enforcer. Training along magic welding men, she hides her identity. She fights every day for herself and with herself, but Cassia has a secret that can change everything and burn the world to the ground.

This was such an incredible story and absolutely bingeable. You won't be able to put it down. Daughters Of Ash is a mashup of Mulan and the handsmaidstale. It's dark, it's poignant, it's beautifully written with all the rage we are all feeling right now.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of Dakota Monroe's that I have read and I now want to go and read all her other books!
Daughters of Ash is so beautifully written with depth, richness and descriptions that take you into the world of the Syndicate. Cassia is a young woman who has lived her entire life in the confines of her family home, only ever interatcting with her parents and her twin brother Lachlan. Unlike other girls she was hidden away at birth and not 'tagged' in the Syndicates system and taken away to one of three breeding facilities. Men have all the power in this world, both postionally and physically with men having a power. Mens powers are categorised in the following way:
Anchor
Charger
Thermic
Empath
Suppressant
Reveler
Telepath
Concealer
Clinger
Cassia is intelligent and spends her time reading, when her father can get them she even reads forbidden texts that talk aboit the world before the Syndicate where Woman were free and treated as equals.
One night whilst Cassia is in her under the floor hidey hole whilst her fathers boss comes for dinner hears about a new Enforcer team being formed to track down escapee woman from the facilities who are hiding beyond the preminiter...recruits are to present at dawn.
Cassia makes a decison to join the team, impersonating her brother to infiltrate the Sydicate with the goal to take it down.
Dakota's storytelling takes us along as Cassia makes this decison and leaves her family and the only place she has ever known. The emotions that Dakota can convey thru her storytelling is powerful and you feel as if you are Cassia stepping outside for the first time, trying to figure out how to keep her gender a secret and get the information she needs to make a change.
We also get a few differnt POVs in the book from Commander Aryaik who takes a instant dislike to Cassia/Ashford and his 2nd and 3rd Kellen and Elias.
There is a lot of world building in this book beibg the first in the series but it is done in such a natural way via Cassia viewpoint of experiencing the world for the first time, it builds the world building seamlessly into story.
The themes of sexism, blind obedience to a Government structure, ownership of people, power inbalance scarily tells a story of what could happen in our real world if certain men in power are succussfull in rolling back the hard-won rights of woman.
I cannot wait for the next installment in the series.

[Jessica Beatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how you can just leave us hanging like that, but okay!

Where to begin? Dakota is one of my favorite authors so I knew I wanted to read this no matter what it was about. However, I did put it off for a little while because I was scared to read it. The theme is hitting close to home because I can see a possibility where this could become a distant reality, and that is absolutely terrifying. Some of the views of the male characters and the situations were eerily familiar.

I'm really intrigued by this story and looking forward the next in the series!

it won't let me share my highlights, so here are a few of my favorites

"For the girls who were told to be quiet, to the women who forgot how loud they can be: Use your voice. Take up space. And never apologize for existing."

"autonomy. Freedom. Equality. Such notions will not do for the Syndicate if I leave this house. They want obedience. Submission. A quiet, faceless soldier who never questions why the world was built to keep their women caged. But I was never meant to be quiet. And I sure as hell was never meant to stay in a cage."

"I’ve learned change isn’t something you plan for. It happens in the moments when you accept that speaking up costs more than remaining silent, but do it anyway. When you know that standing while those around you kneel is dangerous, yet still find the courage to rise and face your oppressors. That is how change begins."

"every failure contains a lesson if you’re patient enough to find it."

"he speaks about women as if they’re possessions and not people sitting directly next to him. How he embodies everything corrupt about the Syndicate’s rule without having the self- awareness to recognize it. Maybe he does, though, and just cannot be bothered to care. Why would he? Our world was made to cater to his kind… of course he wouldn’t fight it, or at the bare minimum, speak on its faults."

"My ability to sabotage myself remains unmatched." (relatable lol)

"Vitriol doesn’t build a good soldier— it creates a resentful one.”

"Is this what becoming an Enforcer does to you? Strips away your humanity piece by piece until there’s nothing left but a shell that blindly follows orders? I hate them. I hate all of them. The Syndicate, the Enforcers, my team, my leaders, and every fucking man on this disgusting planet. But most of all, I hate myself for not being able to do more."

"I’ve seen what it’s like on the inside of these men’s heads— I’ve lived it. Small victories here and there will mean nothing in the grand scheme, because they will never change. They will always win because that’s how they set the system up."

[Andrea Galvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassia has always remained hidden from the world. Trapped in a society where women are treated like cattle and prized only for breeding, she begins to feel the weight of her chains. When an opportunity presents itself to her twin brother, she steals his spot. In the cover of darkness, she leaves the safety of her family home for the training camp for the enforcers. Men with elite powers and strength to keep society in line. Masked at all times, Cassia is challenged and pushed to the brink of death, testing not only her lack of skill but her dedication to aiding for equal rights for women. The longer she hides though, the more she finds herself transforming to the monsters she's trying to stop.

Dakota Monroe set up the first installment in what may become a smash dystopian series. Cassia is STRUGGLING with life outside of her home. Everything is a challenge and a test both mentally and physically. She's placed among the fittest and thrown into scenario after scenario where her identity could be revealed. The plot line does move slow, it's the first in a series, that's to be expected. There are scenes that will linger in your mind. I am eager to see what lies next for Cassia and this messed up society. Thank you to the author for the advanced copy.

[Ashley (andtheniwasbookish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holyyyyyyyy cow. Whew. My mind is just....wow. WHAT a start to this series! I loved every second. Every dramatic moment, every tense interaction, every conflicted feeling....all of it.

This book is not only wonderfully written, but the characters are full of complex qualities — some likeable, some hateable.

Cassia is a human version of the phrase "diving in head first", but oh I love her! She is fueled by a desire for change, and she is going to make it happen even though all of the odds are stacked against her.

While this book is plot driven, you get peeks at what the potential romances are going to be, and the underlying tensions are there. But I was so so glad that Dakota Monroe spent book 1 in this series focusing on Cassia's character development as well as the world building.

I loved every creative choice that Monroe made, this is going to be an AMAZING series!

overall: highly recommend
spice: no spice

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 3.5 stars

This felt like a classic first-in-series foundation book for me.

The world building is definitely the strength here — the setting feels bleak, political, and layered, and you can tell there’s a much bigger story unfolding behind the scenes. I liked the atmosphere and the darker tone, and there’s a lot of potential in the overall plot.

That said, it leaned very heavy on information and history, and lighter on character development. I never fully connected emotionally to the cast, and the pacing dragged in places because it felt more like setup than payoff. By the end, I was interested, just not hooked.

I’d continue with book two, but not in a drop-everything way — more of a “when I’m in the mood” read. If you love slower, lore-rich fantasy starts, this might really work for you.

Thank you to the Nerd Fam and the author for the gifted eARC!

[Amber Falleaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassia the FMC is 26 years old & for those 26 years she spent them in hiding. Due to a rule.
Cassia was hiding in the floorboards when her father’s boss came by for dinner hearing what they talked about Cassia made the decision to join a special team, she did this by impersonating her twin brother. She has a goal in mind and that is to take down the Syndicate and help women.
The POVs of the men were all very different. Commander Aryaik immediately disliked Cassia and wanted to kill her. Kellen and Elias his 2nd and 3rd wanted to talk to her.
I’m definitely ready to dive into book 2.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughters Of Ash is a Handsmaid Tale and Mulan vibes. I received an ARC for this books and I will gladly read anything by Dakota! I love anything she writes 🫶this story follows the main character Cassia who has been in hiding her while life and decided enough is enough. She sets out in a dangerous journey to try and help the women who are suffering what she’s was hiding from. She is very strong and resilient and shows these men what she’s made of even though she is hiding as one. I can’t wait to see more of her journey in the next books! 📚

[Dariia · Rating 4 out of 5]

first English, then Ukrainian

3,8⭐️

A future in which the world is clearly divided into male and female.
Men get everything: power, work, respect from others, and ultimately a normal life.
Women, on the other hand, taken from their families after birth to be raised as incubators to give birth, can only dream of freedom.

Cassia, a girl with a power she shouldn't have had, spent her whole life within the four walls of her family home, like a ghost. All she could do was read, study alchemy, develop her abilities, and talk to her family. Until one day, she heard the news about the recruitment of a new team of enforcers. I liked Cassia's character: she is confident, quick-witted, somewhat impulsive, but without that we would not be here with you now. I still don't really understand how she was determined to single-handedly change a system that has been functioning for decades, but that makes it all the more interesting to read the next books. It felt like Cassia just wanted to escape from that house and at least once see and experience the outside world. Because in fact, she simply forced her brother to live these weeks the same way she had lived all these years: without leaving the house and keeping quiet. This whole plan was very risky. If only the security forces had checked her documents a little more carefully when she joined the team, her whole family would have been exposed on the first day.

But that's how it is.

I need more chapters from the boys 🌚
I really like the dynamics between the four of them.
Elias is a dark horse. It feels like he's not so devoted to his government anymore, because he didn't expose Cassia and even defended her.
Kellen is a dark horse number two. I need more information about him, because so far he's neither good nor bad.
Arayik - oh my. Everything we love: menacing, sarcastic, with a bunch of problems. I can already see a delicious arc from hatred to love. I can't wait for Arayik to fall harder than anyone 😈. Because they really have a lot in common with Cassia.

A few things still seem strange to me:
Arayik's sister. He made it very clear to everyone that he does not consider women to be human beings, seeing them solely as incubators for the next generation. So what is the difference between all those women and his sister? Where does his emotional attachment to her come from? And in general, she should have been taken away from her family immediately after birth, so how did they even keep in touch? I really hope this will be explained in the next book.

Some moments lacked completeness. Like the trial in the maze city. I would like to know the outcome: was Cassia's strategy better, more successful than that of all the other recruits? And how come Pax wasn't kicked out after that trial? He literally fucked up everything. That was a slight oddity.

Overall, there are more questions than answers so far, but I liked the story, so I'm looking forward to the sequel. 😌


3,8⭐️

майбутнє, в якому світ чітко поділений на чоловічий і жіночий.
чоловіки отримують все: здібності, роботу, повагу оточуючих, нормальне життя врешті решт
жінки ж, яких після народження забирають з сімей, щоб виростити з них черговий інкубатор для народження чоловіків можуть тільки мріяти про свободу.

Кассіа, дівчина зі здібностями, яких в неї не повинно було бути, все життя провела в чотирьох стінах родинного будинку, наче привид. все чим вона могла себе зайняти були: читання, алхімія, розвиток здібностей та розмови з сім'єю. допоки в один день не почула новину про набір нової команди силовиків. мені сподобався характер Кассії: вона впевнена в собі, кмітлива, дещо імпульсивна, але без цього ми не були б тут зараз з вами. Я поки дійсно не розумію як вона була налаштована самотужки змінити систему, яка функціонує не одне десятиліття, але тим цікавіше буде почитати наступні книги. По відчуттям Кассії просто хотілося вирватися з того будинку і хоча б раз побачити і відчути зовнішній світ. Бо по факту вона просто змісила свого брата жити ці тижні так само, як вона жила ці роки: не висовуючи носа з дому і помовкуючи. Цей весь план був ну дуже ризикований, якби тільки при прийомі в команду силовиків трохи краще перевіряли документи, то всю їх сімейку викрили б в перший день.

Але то таке.

Мені треба більше розділів від хлопців 🌚
Їхня динаміка вчотирьох мені дуже зайшла.
Еліас - темна конячка. По відчуттям наче вже і не такий відданий своїй владі, бо не викрив Кассію і навіть захищав її
Келлен - темна конячка [2] мені треба більше інформації про нього, бо поки що він і не хороший і не поганий.
Араїк - ну ой. все як ми любимо: грізний, уїдливий, з купою проблем. тут вимальовується дуже смачне від ненависті до кохання. вже не можу дочекатися того моменту, коли Араїк закохається в Кассію найбільше з усієї трійки. Ну бо в них дійсно дуже багато спільного.

декілька моментів, які все ще мені здаються дивними:
Сестра Араїка. Він дуже чітко доніс до всіх свою думку, що не вважає жінку за людину, що бачить в ній виключно інкубатор для народження наступних поколінь. Так в чому різниця між всіма тими жінками і його сестрою? Звідки така емоційна прив'язаність до неї? І взагалі, її ж повинні були забрати з сім'ї одразу після народження, як вони взагалі підтримували зв'язок? Дуже сподіваюся, що це поясниться в наступній книзі.

Не вистачило закінченості в деяких моментах. От як, з випробовуванням в місті-лабіринті. Я хотіла б дізнатися про результат, чи була стратегія Кассії кращою, виграшною, ніж у всіх інших рекрутів? І як взагалі після цього випробування не виперли Пакса? Він буквально все проїбав. Це було трохи дивно.

В цілому поки що більше запитань, чим відповідей, але історія сподобалася, тому з нетерпінням чекаю продовження 😌

[mybookishhyperfix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved Daughters of Ash. Dystopian is making a massive come back and this is one you don’t want to miss! I’m going to start with the more serious elements of this story.

This book resonates so much with what is happening in the world at the moment, with Men in power making decisions about women’s bodies and stripping women of their autonomy. It hits hard and really makes you take note. Although this is a dystopian setting, it’s not hard to see how this could become a very real reality which is a very sobering realisation.

The main focus is on Cassia, our FMC. We follow her as she joins to become an enforcer with the aim of bringing down the Syndicate within. After being hidden away for all her life, Cassia has had enough of the oppression of women and is determined to rise up and bring about change. I loved Cassia’s intelligent, her wit, her boldness and her resilience.

Arayik I do not like, he is everything the Syndicate wants from their male citizens and he is completely and utterly brainwashed by them. He believes everything he’s ever been told even when the evidence is right in front of him that he’s been lied to his whole life. His POVs give you an insight into how it’s possible for society’s like this to maintain power. I did however like the push and pull between him and Cassia and am intrigued to see where this goes as he stands for everything she hates and is fighting against.

Elias and Keller I need to know more about! They seem like they could be open to the possibility that maybe everything is not as they have been led to believe and I’m intrigued to see where this goes. I can also easily see the romance developing here and I’m very excited for it!!

The world building is really good and easy to follow. It’s told all through Cassia’s POV so we experience the world as she experiences it for the first time. There are still lots of questions, and still lots I want to know more about but I reckon this will be explored as the series goes on and as Cassia experiences more of the world. The magic system is also really interesting and I cannot wait to learn more about how it works!

Daughters of Ash is character and plot driven and some might find it quite slow paced to begin with, but you can see so much potential of how this story is going to develop. There isn’t really much romance in this book, although there is some building tension and chemistry!! The author does make this clear from the get go and the romance will develop through the rest of the series. It will also be a RH romance.

This was such a great read, the plot kept me hooked, the characters are compelling, the magic system intriguing, and the world draws parallels to what we are currently seeing and experiencing. I cannot wait for book 2!! I’d highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys dystopian fantasy.

Thank you to the author Dakota Monroe for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own

[Ashes And Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5
This dark, dystopian fantasy romance has Mulan meets Handmaid’s Tale vibes and is the first book I have read by Dakota. I may not like insta love in my main characters, but I love it when it happens between me and a new book, and this one there was an instant attraction within the first few chapters. This is the first book in this new series and is a perfect foundation for this new world. It sets up a complex world where men have powers and women are tools to be used. Some are beginning to question the world around them and some are done sitting by and ready to fight back. This is a strong start to a series I very much look forward to continuing.

Cassia is a woman who is lucky to not exist. Her family has risked everything to keep her hidden from a life that is not worth living. She has had nothing but time to learn and train what makes her special because like the men in her world she has been born with powers. Cassia is done hiding and doing nothing so she will now risk everything she knows and loves in an attempt to make a difference.

Elias, Kellen, and Arayik are the Enforces tasked with establishing a new, special unit to deal with a rising problem. Arayik is the Commander, Elias, and Kellen are his second and third. However, the relationship between these three goes beyond rank. They have been friends and grown together over the years and the bond that has developed is one that is deep. When Cassia joins their unit, under disguise, all of their beliefs and their relationships will be shaken one way or another.
This book spends its time building this dystopian world and unique magic system. Since Cassia has spent her entire life in hiding; the majority of the story is hers. Her journey and thoughts, experiencing the world around her and being faced with challenges she could not even dream of. Her successes and her failures are one thing that kept me so engaged in this book.

Much to my surprise, for a book that is quite a bit of world building I found the pacing is executed nicely, I read this very quickly and stayed invested throughout the book. I feel the world building framed the developing story and did not overshadow the plot. I appreciate the time Dakota took to address what Cassia would be up against going from one extreme of living to another and not quickly brushing past what a crucial element this is in Cassia’s character development.
This is a slooow burn and I am on edge waiting for the dynamics to come to fruition between Cassia and these men!

I genuinely enjoyed this book and the unique world that Dakota has created. While some parts may hit a little close to reality right now the fantasy element allowed me to still enjoy the story while reflecting on everything it represents. With the way the first book ended I am at a loss waiting for the next book and what it will bring for the characters that I am becoming attached to.

[TheNovelNomad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of Ash is one of those books where you start reading and immediately realize, oh… this is going to be dark. The pitch alone—Mulan meets The Handmaid’s Tale—sets the tone, and honestly? It delivers.

The story follows Cassia, who has spent her entire life hidden away in a world where women are literally property. You’re either bred, bought, or broken. Cassia has survived by being undocumented, invisible,and then she decides to do something wildly dangerous: infiltrate the very system that destroyed everything. I was like, “Girl… this is unhinged. But I respect it.”

What really worked for me was Cassia as a main character. She’s not reckless for the sake of drama—she’s thoughtful, angry in a quiet, controlled way, and driven by the knowledge that the world didn’t always look like this. Her strength feels earned, not flashy. Watching her step outside the only life she’s ever known and navigate a society built to erase her was genuinely gripping.

The world-building is heavy, but in a good way. This is book one, so there’s a lot to absorb—power systems, government structure, gender hierarchy—but it’s handled smartly. Because Cassia is experiencing so much of this world for the first time, the exposition feels natural rather than dumped on you. I also loved having the magic system explained upfront and the character guide at the end—super helpful in a dense dystopian setup like this.

Now, let’s be clear: this is a slow burn in every sense. The romance is barely a whisper right now, and the story is very plot-forward. If you’re coming in expecting immediate chemistry or spice, this isn’t that book. But if you like rebellion stories, undercover missions, morally gray authority figures, and the slow unraveling of a corrupt system? You’ll be locked in.

The themes hit hard—sexism, obedience, power imbalance, ownership of bodies—and there are moments where the parallels to our real world are uncomfortable in that oh no, this feels a little too close kind of way. It’s bleak, but it’s also defiant. This book is about choosing to stand up even when survival would be easier.

If I had one small critique, it’s that the pacing leans heavily into setup, which means you can feel the weight of it being the “foundation book.” But honestly? The payoff at the end makes it clear this series is going somewhere big. That ending had me staring at the page like, excuse me??

Bottom line: Daughters of Ash is a strong, intense start to what feels like an epic dystopian series. It’s perfect for readers who love fierce female leads, slow-burn rebellion, morally complex worlds, and stories that aren’t afraid to be uncomfortable. I finished it already impatient for book two—and that’s always a good sign.

[Amanda Culp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story pulled me in from the very beginning. The plot is strong, the pacing is steady, and the writing has a clean, clear style that makes it easy to visualize scenes without ever feeling weighed down. There are several emotional moments that hit hard — my heart clenched more than once — and I found myself fully invested in what was happening. By the end, I definitely needed to know how they would move forward!

One thing I really enjoyed is the subtle setup for a future love interest. There’s no romance in this book, but there are three possible directions it could go. Two feel like solid contenders, and the third seems unlikely… which almost makes me think *that’s* the one it might end up being. I love that sense of curiosity and the groundwork being laid for something slow‑burn and intriguing.

I did have a couple of believability hurdles that affected my overall experience. Cassia’s mental strength and magical abilities make sense, and her stealth skills fit well with the Enforcer training dynamic. But physically, nothing in her sheltered upbringing would have prepared her for the intense, combat‑heavy training she goes through. Some of the things she endures — taking hits, climbing ropes, pushing through physically demanding drills — just didn’t feel believable for someone who has lived her entire life indoors with no physical conditioning. Even a small detail, like her brother training her in self‑defense “just in case,” would have made those moments easier to accept. Instead, I kept finding myself thinking “no way” during those scenes, and it pulled me out of the story.

I also expected her lack of experience outside her home to influence her more. For someone who has never stepped outdoors, she adjusts very quickly, and I found myself wanting a bit more of that disorientation, wonder, or hesitation to shape her reactions.

These elements are the main reason my rating lands at 3 stars. Without those realism bumps, this easily could have been a 4‑star read for me, because the writing is strong, the emotional beats land, and the plot itself is genuinely compelling. The ending sets things up beautifully for the next book, and I’m excited to see how the relationships, the world, and Cassia’s journey develop from here.

Thank you to Dakota Monroe and The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.

[Anke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughters of Ash (Bound by Order Book 1) by Dakota Monroe releases on January 29, 2026

e-ARC Review - 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Tropes

• Mulan x The Handmaid's Tale
• Hidden Identity
• Enemies to Allies
• Slow, Slow Burn
• Female Rage
• Dystopian
• Forbidden Magic
• Three MMCs

Cassia Ashford
"Chess isn't about the game; it's about the player."
Hidden her whole life within one building, reading books thirsty for knowledge. She gathers the courage to take the one opportunity to change her whole life stepping outside her protected house into the dark cruel world, impersonating her brother and joining the newly established special unit of enforcers. To take down the thing she most hates, she has to become one of the monsters she hates.

Arayik, Commander
Truest definition of grumpy I ever read. Such a rage and stubbornness in one person is infuriating and exciting.

Elias, Commander's Second
Conflicted Commander's Second with Revealer Power. I'd say he's the only friendly person towards Cassia.

Kellen, Commander's Third
Very smart and hot Commander's Third with Telepath power. He's kinda neutral towards Cassia.

It took me a while to get my head around the Power/Magic System, but after that it proved to be uniquely designed and appealing for this world setting.

The presented themes and the dystopian world leaves you questioning and thinking whether it's possible for our reality to shift this way towards total authority with half the population restricted and not seen as humans anymore, just a necessity producing more soldiers keeping the regime functioning.

The worldbuilding of the whole dystopian world is slow and detailed crafted, fascinating in a formidable and frightening way. I like the dark atmosphere and the fighting of Cassia through the training weeks, growing with each challenge put in front of her. Step by step acclimating to the coldness required of her, but internally torn and conflicted, stepping up to the syndicate and her commander.

Considering the slow burn, it's very slow but the tension is there and some moments ohhh so nice. It's gonna be so good in the next books. Who doesn't love a good reverse harem?

Daughters of Ash was very well written, I nearly binged the book, but stretched it to four days to enjoy it a little longer :D Loved it <3

Book review; recommended read

[B Likes to Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, where do I begin? I am a pretty slow reader, so I couldn't believe I finished this book in about 2 days! Honestly, I can't think of another book that had pacing as good as Daughters of Ash. But don't mistake the quick pace for lack of story-telling, world building, or character development. Dakota does such a great job immediately immersing you in this alternate, dystopian universe. Through Cassia's eyes, we see and feel the enormity of this new society where women are treated like cattle - meaning for breeding and nothing more. This new perspective helps us understand just how incredible it is that Cassia's parents have been able to keep her hidden for so long. All of this, and Cassia hasn't even left home yet.

Now, this being a Mulan reimaging, you know the general way the story is going to go. It doesn't make it any less tense or nerve-wrecking. Disguised as an Enforcer recruit, I was constantly worried about Cassia's identity being revealed. Sneaking to the showers. Trudging through mud and obstacle courses. Engaging in hand-to-hand combat training. So many ways to be discovered - too many close calls.

Of course we're rooting for Cassia - she's the unexpected hero putting herself in danger to create change and hope for a better future for women. But there's something more, something deeper with her character arc that made her actions and resilience more personal. Maybe it's because her dystopian reality isn't come crazy, never-gonna-happen, hypothetical situation. We're seeing these ideas and perceptions play out in real life. The idea that this sheltered, inexperienced young woman would risk EVERYTHING (her family, her limited freedom, her bodily autonomy, her future) on the hope of creating change hits a place deep in my soul.

As I said before, I FLEW through this book. So much so that when I turned the last page, I didn't even realize it was finished. I literally yelled at my Kindle, "THAT'S HOW IT ENDS?!" I knew this wasn't a standalone book, but I wasn't expecting the slap-in-the-face, shock-to-the-system, "excuse me, what?!" kind of ending. No fade-to-black or curtains slowly closing. Just DONE! Full stop.

Ugh, I could go on and on about this book. There are so many moments that just that keep you coming back. If you've read and loved Daggermouth, I'd say Daughters of Ash should be your next read.

[Eren Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, the start of the book, she's playing chess with her father and I love that. It's such an enriching moment that really leans into her character set. Chess is a mighty game, and she's a mighty girl. It's strategic. It's definitely a moment I look back on throughout the story.

Cassia is a female. She's supposed to be chipped, marked and basically be raised for nothing but breeding. But she's escaped that fated and that is one thing that I find makes her strong. She's survived in a world that she will never know, she can never be found. Not unless she wants to go to the facilities. Become property. A breeder. She's strategic, she has no real people skills outside of the 3 people she's ever known. But she's good at hiding. It just comes to question how good is she at hiding in plain sight?

Cassia is intriguing. I love her inner thoughts and the need to be the man she well needs to be. She's thrown herself into the world with just of a smidge of plan. But she knows what she wants. Freedom. She's bold. Feisty. She's quick to learn and eager to reach her goals all while hopefully not to lose herself in the process.

The cast of characters throughout the story all had personality and really set a lot of intrigue into the plot. Of course, the 3 MMCs held all of my interest along with the star of course. Kellen, Arayik, and Elias are definitely ones I'm keeping an eye on in the next book because I want to know where they are each going to go next. I loved her back and forth she had going with Arayik. She's definitely pretty bold and he's super stubborn.

The pacing in the story was perfect. World building was also perfect. I felt like I knew the world even though the character herself hadn't ever left her own home. I loved being a part of this book and impatiently patiently going to await the next story however long that takes.

Needing a Dystopian fix? A world where Men have the powers, but a Woman is who fights back? That Mulan feel with it's own narrative? Tension and taking the awkward and becoming adaptable when that's all you can do to survive? This book.

[The Collie Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 - ARC Review below!

Talk about a book for the times we are living in! This transported me back to how I felt reading The Hunger Games for the first time, and I haven’t felt that way about a dystopian fantasy since.

I finished this book in one sitting it was that good, and the cliffhanger 👀 I can’t wait for book 2! So if you’re looking for your next dystopian fantasy series to jump into I definitely recommend this one!

Daughters of Ash, Book 1 in the Bound by Order series, felt like the adult mix of Mulan, Handmaids Tale, and The Hunger Games when it comes to setting, themes, and ability to draw the reader in. If you’re looking for a book with tropes like:
🎭hidden identity
✨forbidden magic
🤬feminine rage
🗡️rebellions
🤝🏼enemies to allies
❤️‍🔥slow, slow burn
& THREE MMCs 👀 you’re gonna love this.

It brings to the dystopian fantasy genre a story discussing and depicting many topics we are facing in real life, or have faced historically:
- Force binary gender roles
- Prejudice
- Misogyny
- Censorship
- Chattel slavery
- Experiences similar to that of undocumented & documented immigrants

And while this first book is more focused on Cassie’s experiences being out in the world for the first time and infiltrating the Enforcers than I anticipated (the only reason it wasn’t 5 stars as I’m obsessed with worldbuilding), we do get insights into the three MMCs and the world/politics of Dascenia throughout. Arayik, Elias, & Kellen act as fantastic antagonists and potential allies to Cassie throughout DoA. I loved how each MMC has a different approach when engaging with Cassie that is both reflective of their Power and their personality; I’m curious to see how those approaches evolve throughout the series as the author has said this will be eventually be a reverse harem situation 🤭

So if you’re as intrigued as I was when I found this book I recommend you get your copy and dive in!

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the last page of Daughters of Ash and I feel absolutely feral with the need to know what happens next!

I wanted to read, and requested an advance copy from Twisted Tales, when I saw it billed as a cross between The Handmaid’s Tale and Mulan. That is a perfect description, but it has something more! I enjoyed both of those, but to me Daughters of Ash outshines them both.

There are things I want to say, but can’t because I’m afraid they would be spoilers. So, I will say this - the path Cassia takes is not linear, it is not overly easy, and her steps along that path are realistic. When you read it (because you should!) I think you’ll agree with me and understand why I say it. The entire foundation of this story is a society so obscenely unreal that as a reader I wanted to rebel against it.

In Dascenia there is no cutesy animated sidekick to fall back on. There is no network of people in similar circumstances who may slip you a small kindness. Cassia is a young woman entirely alone facing a world she has literally never touched, ground she’s never trod, with not much of a plan. You can’t help but cheer her on, and she continues to deserve that support.

Surprisingly, among the other characters more than one emerges that you don’t want to hate. Most of them are truly loathsome, and the author has done a spectacular job of managing the greyscale of character across them all.

Everything I think to say borders on spoilers so I will end with this: go read this book! If that blurb caught your eye, it will not disappoint!

If forced to have any critique at all, the masks did feel a little bit overused, but honestly I’m not sure the book would have been as successful without them.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dystopian meets Handmaid’s Tale and Mulan

As a lover of dystopian novels, I thoroughly enjoyed this take on a post apocalyptic society that has Handmaid’s Tale and Mulan vibes. Dakota Monroe crafted a heartbreaking world where women are treated as breeding machines and not allowed to move freely (or at all) within society. Our FMC, Cassia has been in hiding since her birth and has only ever been around her father, mother and brother for 26 years. She is not only highly intelligent, but in a world where supposedly only men have powers, she miraculously has her own very strong power. Her life changed the night her father’s employer invites himself to dinner. She overhears from her hiding spot that the Syndicate (the ruling government) is forming a special Enforcer squad to track down females that have escaped from breeding facilities. She has finally had enough of her existence of fear and hiding and decides to pose as her twin brother to join the squad. She must adjust to a completely foreign world and navigate relationships within this patriarchal system so she can help save her oppressed sex. Through this grueling and psychological journey she might find allies in an unlikely spot.

It was so refreshing to have such a highly intelligent FMC who was older than 18 for this novel. Seeing Cassia use her intelligence to navigate this patriarchal world is impressive, especially considering she has been in hiding since birth. The novel is definitely more plot forward however there are two spicy scenes. Remember this is a male only society so be aware of what that means for spicy scenes. I thought that Dakota’s writing was engaging and vivid, I will most definitely be checking out her other books!

[Megan Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

♾️🌟

I READ THIS IN ONE DAY!!

Dakota very quickly became an insta buy author for me. Everything she writes is so unique and inspiring. It only makes sense that this book would be the same!

True to the tropes she shared, this is a Handsmaid Tale meets Mulan vibed story where our FMC is secretly being raised in a world where women are sent away to breeding stations from the moment they are born. Her parents have been hiding her and keeping her safe as best they can but when she overhears something that the Syndicate is about to do she has no other option than to go full Mulan, take on her brother’s identity, and put her life at risk for even a sliver of a chance to make a change in the world she has known.

Set in a future time, the world we actually live in is something only written in history books tucked away and covered in dust. Dakota’s writing style pulls you in instantly and gives you no other choice but to connect with the characters in a way that you feel like you are right there with them. The strength and resilience of the FMC, the diverse personalities between our 3 MMcs, and the sprinkled in sarcasm and passion make this book something that sinks right into your bones.

There were training scenes that reminded me a bit of Fourth Wing just in the intensity and banter but the rest of the story is much more futuristic.

I wish I could read this again for the first time. I can’t stop thinking about it and the detail that went into writing it but it flows so smoothly you may miss the fact that it is so layered and intentional. Absolutely FANTASTIC!!!

*Note: This is book 1 in the series and does end on a cliffhanger.

Thank you SO much for this arc!! 💖💖💖

[HighLadyPitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lover of dystopian novels, I thoroughly enjoyed this take on a post apocalyptic society that has Handmaid’s Tale and Mulan vibes. Dakota Monroe crafted a heartbreaking world where women are treated as breeding machines and not allowed to move freely (or at all) within society. Our FMC, Cassia has been in hiding since her birth and has only ever been around her father, mother and brother for 26 years. She is not only highly intelligent, but in a world where supposedly only men have powers, she miraculously has her own very strong power. Her life changed the night her father’s employer invites himself to dinner. She overhears from her hiding spot that the Syndicate (the ruling government) is forming a special Enforcer squad to track down females that have escaped from breeding facilities. She has finally had enough of her existence of fear and hiding and decides to pose as her twin brother to join the squad. She must adjust to a completely foreign world and navigate relationships within this patriarchal system so she can help save her oppressed sex. Through this grueling and psychological journey she might find allies in an unlikely spot.

It was so refreshing to have such a highly intelligent FMC who was older than 18 for this novel. Seeing Cassia use her intelligence to navigate this patriarchal world is impressive, especially considering she has been in hiding since birth. The novel is definitely more plot forward however there are two spicy scenes. Remember this is a male only society so be aware of what that means for spicy scenes. I thought that Dakota’s writing was engaging and vivid, I will most definitely be checking out her other books!

[Kata · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m speechless! I loved this book and I’m so excited for this series!

I love Dakota’s writing style. She’s one of those authors who can make me forget that I’m reading, making me feel like I’m in the middle of the story, experiencing the world with the characters.

I really liked Cassia as a main character, she was strong and fierce, and someone who was willing to make the hard decisions. I liked how she stayed true to herself and wanted to do what was right despite her own life and how she grew up. I can’t wait to learn more about her and the MMCs.

The world of this story was a terrifying glimpse of something that in small ways is already our reality. The plot was interesting and kept me hooked. And that ending!! I can’t wait to read the next book!

Loved having the info about the magic / power system right at the beginning of the book and the character guide at the end.


“They want obedience. Submission. A quiet, faceless soldier who never questions why the world was built to keep their women caged. But I was never meant to be quiet.  And I sure as hell was never meant to stay in a cage.”
“I will survive this. I will learn from it. Then I will use everything they teach me against them.”
“The odds are impossible. But then, everything about my life and presence here should be impossible.  It seems to be my specialty.”
“I am become death. And the worst part is that tomorrow, I’ll have to do it all again.”


I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. Receiving ARC didn’t affect my opinion of the book.

[Ashley M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughters of Ash is an incredible dystopian story that I absolutely ate up.

Set in a society similar to that in The Handmaid's Tale, Daughters of Ash takes place in Dascenia, where women are seen as property and sent to a breeding facility at birth or purchased by men for whatever purpose they see fit. This story follows Cassia, who has been hidden away in her family's home since birth and is gifted with magic, a trait found only in men. When a call goes out for a new enforcer team to take out a rebellion group, Cassia decides this is her chance to act. She pretends to be her twin brother and joins in to take down the Syndicate from the inside.

Cassia's heart and determination are evident from the moment she begins the grueling training to become an enforcer. She never gives up, even when pushed to the limit by the Commander in charge of the training. There are three MMCs, the Commander and his two lieutenants. Since this series will be a reverse harem, I'm inclined to think that the three of them will eventually be the love interests.

There isn't any romance for the FMC in this book; it's mostly setting up the world and the story itself, which Dakota does an amazing job with. This story is emotional and intense, with an ending that leaves you hanging, desperate to find out what happens next.

This world is crazy intense, and it was a fantastic start to the series.

[Amanda Callies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughters of Ash is absolutely phenomenal, it’s set in a dystopian where men have powers and women are seen only as property.

In Daughters of Ash we follow our FMC Cassia as she hides from society, from everything, wanting to know what life is like outside her little bedroom when she learns about The Syndicates new Enforcer group who are going outside the walls to find this rebel camp. She decides then and there to take her brothers place and try to change things from inside. The vibes of this book are giving Mulan meets Handmaids Tale.

This is the first book in the Bound by Order series and I’m extremely interested to see where Dakota Monroe is going to take Cassia’s story.

Here are a few quotes I thought were amazing.

“I���ve learned change isn’t something you plan for. It happens in the moments when you accept that speaking up costs more than remaining silent, but do it anyway. When you know that standing while those around you kneel is dangerous, yet still find the courage to rise and face your oppressors. That is how change begins. If Elias chooses to expose me tomorrow, and my time here ends in execution or worse, at least I’ll know I didn’t just watch.“

“Because I’m tired of hiding and pretending the world is acceptable when it’s built on the suffering of half the population. I want that to change.”

[Krista Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

With everything going on in our world right now, this book hit much closer to home than I realized and I am so glad I found it! It’s a combination of the handmaids tale and mulan in the best way.

In this society, women are property, and are kept in captivity for breeding or ownership by a man their whole lives, some end up lucky like our FMCs mom but others not so much. Our FMC is a secret daughter hidden her whole life who ends up deciding she’s sick of sitting around and wants to do something with the ability she has to change the world. When she goes undercover as her brother to join a new unit of enforcers that are tasked to retrieve women outside their cities, she must hide who she is behind a mask while also staying strong enough and alive to make a difference.

This book is very dark so check your triggers before diving in. I really enjoyed this take on the similar storyline to the handmaids tale on what would happen if a woman was on the inside and included magic powers. I love how over time you also see some of the men starting to question if what they’re doing is truly right or not. I am excited for more of this slow burn I can see coming and how the next books will end up! Overall I really enjoyed this dystopian book and can’t wait for more! My rating 4.7/5!

Thanks to the author for the gifted arc, all opinions given are my own!

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, gets a 4.5 stars from me....
Such a great start to the series and I cannot wait for the 2nd book. There is no spice BTW so those that want spice, don't expect it with this one.

Ok, so this book follows our MFC who has been locked away by her family her whole life because they don't want her to go into the "breading" facilities. One day she decides to take her brother's identity and join a new division of soldiers. It goes through her battles she has to remain in the group and her powers that she shouldn't have. The commander, oh this is going to be interesting with the 2nd book I feel. The ended did leave on a cliff hanger and I wanted more.... It was such a tough spot to end on because I have so many questions.

The author did a great job with getting you to know these characters more and how she "hid" her real self while being around guys and struggles with bathroom use. Didn't talk about monthly cycles so not sure how that works but that is ok. It didn't diminish from the story

If you are a fan of the dystopian world of Hand Maids Tale, the hidden identity of Mulan, and the power and battle for doing what is right (also with the hidden areas outside the main area) like Divergent, then check out this book.

[Angel (withangelxo) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐5 Stars⭐
Just want to start out saying thank you Twisted Tales PR and Author Dakota Monroe for the eARC!

WOW. Where do I even begin because this had me hooked and glued to my seat from the get-go:

The story follows our FMC, Cassia, who has been hidden away in a world where men dominate every aspect of society and women are bought, oppressed, and reduced to breeding tools. After years in hiding, she decides to take action, disguising herself as her twin brother to infiltrate the governing order from within and bring it down from the inside. During her training, she is placed under the command of three leaders—men who embody everything she despises, yet also might be her only chance of successfully completing her mission.

This dystopian Mulan x The Handmaid’s Tale with a reverse harem twist had me dropping everything to read it in a single sitting. Prepare for female rage—because this book makes you feel far more than that. The story mirrors aspects of today’s world in a way that’s chilling, and it genuinely gave me goosebumps. The writing and atmosphere are immersive and engaging, pulling you completely into the story. By the time I reached the end, I didn’t even realize it was over—and now I desperately need Book 2 ASAP!

[Hannah The Awkward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a book that will make people question and analyze everything. Dakota Monroe places you into the shoes of a woman named Cassia with Empath powers that never gives up despite the world that she is brought up and hidden in. Monroe seeps Cassia’s Empath powers into the words on the pages of this book, so you feel every ounce of what Cassia has had to endure due to the Syndicate’s oppression. The injustice, the pain, the lonely years spent in the same four walls without feeling the outside air against her skin, and the urgent need to not just survive, but to live fully. I openly sobbed at some parts of this story, cheered on Cassia, and chewed my nails to nubs at the nerve wracking thought of her being discovered. This book truly transported me into this world and I felt every emotion as if it were my own. If you enjoyed reading The Handmaid’s Tale, The Hunger Games, and watching Mulan as a child then this one is for you. Daughters of Ash isn’t just a story— it’s a battle cry.

“Remember that.”

Thank you Dakota for the eARC and the good cry. This was next-level writing.

All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.