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: Dystopia, Fantasy, Romance

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!!

[KMart Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SUCH a satisfying dystopian read for me, especially because it doesn’t rush the romance. I’ve been craving a dystopian story that actually prioritizes the world and the stakes first, and this one really delivers on that. Cassia has a clear attraction to the men around her, but none of them are remotely ready yet, and I loved that. It feels realistic and makes things feel WAY more earned, rather than forcing chemistry where it doesn’t belong. This future Why-Choose is playing the long game, and I’m SO very here for that.

Cassia has been hidden and protected her whole life, so her decision to step into danger feels fueled by both rage and naïveté, which makes her feel thoroughly human instead of invincible. I liked that the training wasn’t easy for her and that she had to struggle every single step of the way. There’s a little suspension of disbelief, sure, but it worked for me because the emotional arc made sense. Watching her move from sheltered to defiant was genuinely compelling.

The world is bleak in a way that’s meant to make you angry, and it succeeds. Women being reduced to property isn’t subtle, but it isn’t supposed to be. The book leans into that horror and makes it impossible to ignore. I do think there’s room for the world-building to grow, especially when it comes to how oppression affects different groups, and I hope the series expands in that direction. If women are treated this badly, I want to see the full scope of how that system harms EVERYONE.

There are many unanswered questions and I'm excited to see where things go. I’m especially curious to see whether these men actually change enough to deserve Cassia, because right now… nooope. And, on a personal note, I hoping for a poly romance rather than a RH, but that's just me. Strong start, fierce heroine, and a slow-burn structure that promises payoff instead of instant gratification. I’m definitely continuing this series.

Thanks so much to Twisted Tales PR and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[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.

[Katarina Poppa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not let me breathe, and I mean that in the best possible way.

Did Daughters of Ash keep me in a constant state of spiraling anxiety while I read? Absolutely. Was I stressed, tense, and emotionally invested from start to finish? Without a doubt. And somehow, that only made the experience better. This is a story written with intention. To make you feel every emotion deeply, whether you’re ready for it or not. Every page, every moment.

Cassia is undeniably the soul of this book. Her voice is strong, unyielding, and achingly real. Cass isn’t just resilient. She chooses to keep going, even when everything is stacked against her, and that determination is impossible not to admire. She’s the kind of character that stays with you long after you close the book. The kind that makes you reflect on your own strength and wonder if you could rise the way she does.

I loved that Dakota centered this story so heavily on Cassia’s point of view. But I'm looking forward to get, hopefully, inside the heads of Elias, Kellen, and Arayik, and to uncover more of the world’s history and hidden layers as the series unfolds.

[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.

[Belinda Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daughters of Ash (Bound by Order Book 1) by Dakota Monroe pulled me in right from the start. 📖✨ The writing was clear and easy to follow, and I never felt lost or overwhelmed. I could picture the scenes so well that it was hard to put the book down once I got into it.

The story took place in a dark dystopian world where women were treated like property and had almost no freedom. We followed Cassia, who had spent twenty-six years hidden away from society. When the powerful Syndicate called for new Enforcers to hunt down rebels outside the perimeter, Cassia saw her chance. She joined them to learn their secrets and hopefully tear the system down from the inside. 🔥⚔️

The whole concept gave strong Mulan meets The Handmaid’s Tale vibes, and I really liked that this book focused more on the story than romance. It felt serious, emotional, and full of quiet strength. Watching Cassia step into a world she had never experienced before made my heart ache at times. 💔

There were quite a few emotional moments that hit me hard. The danger felt real, the stakes were high, and I found myself fully invested in what was happening. By the time I reached the ending, I needed to know what would happen next. That final stretch definitely made me excited for the next book. 👀

One thing I really enjoyed was the hint of future romance. There wasn’t an actual love story yet, but the setup was there. I could see three possible love interests — two seemed pretty obvious, and the third felt unlikely… which honestly made me wonder if that might be the direction the author chooses. 😌

Cassia’s mental strength and magical abilities made sense, and her stealth skills fit her training. But physically, some things were hard to accept.

She had lived indoors her entire life with no real physical training, yet she handled extremely intense combat drills — taking hits, climbing ropes, pushing through brutal exercises. I kept catching myself thinking, this doesn’t feel possible. Even a small detail, like someone secretly training her while she grew up, would have helped those scenes feel more real.

I also expected her first time outside to affect her more. Someone who had never stepped outdoors would probably feel more overwhelmed, hesitant, or amazed. I wanted a little more of that emotional reaction. 🌫️

✨ Perfect for readers who enjoy:
⚔️ Dark dystopian worlds
🔥 Fighting against unfair systems
👑 Strong female lead
🗡️ Secret missions & infiltration
🌎 Detailed world-building
💔 Emotional moments
🔮 Magic elements
📚 Story-focused fantasy

Thank you to Dakota Monroe and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity! I’m excited to see what happens next in this series.

[JessicaIsRoyallyBooked · 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."

[Lila‘s 1000Lifes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of Ash is a dystopian Reverse Harem inspired by The Handmaid’s Tale and Mulan.

The setting of the world is dark; the FMC lives in a world where women are treated as breeding stock and property. The FMC herself was hidden by her family until one day she decided to steal the identity of her twin brother and join the Enforcers to bring the Syndicate down from within.

This was my first book by Dakota Monroe and I really enjoyed her writing style. I found her writing style to be engaging and I really enjoyed the pacing. The story in this first installment mostly revolves around the plot and I found myself intrigued by the world and its characters. As the FMC was hidden her whole life, the world unfolds to the reader as it does for her and I can‘t wait to get to know more in the next books in this series. While I couldn‘t say that I liked most of the characters (except for Elias, he’s everything!), everyone was thought through and I could understand their reasonings for their behaviour. I love complicated and morally grey characters!

That being said, this book could have been a five-star read to me if it weren’t for one big hang-up that accompanied me through the whole book. In the first scene of this book, the FMC is displayed as this chess genius who is able to think many steps ahead and has lots of tactical thinking, but then in reality, she can‘t think from A to B. She makes one dumb decision after another and is always like, “Oh, I hadn‘t thought of that.” I get that she‘s naive and I get that many things surprise her because she was hidden away all the time, but she didn‘t think about the simplest things when she‘s displayed as this genius, on the other hand. It didn‘t really work out for me and I found myself frustrated by it on many points.

Overall, Daughters of Ash left me wanting more; more of this dark world I want to discover the secrets of and definitely more of Cassia and her three men! I want to watch them burn their world!

Thank you to Twisted Tales PR and Dakota Monroe for sending me an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Zoe|BlackSoulReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

I’m on a real dystopian kick of late, probably for no reason at all. Ahem. So reading the blurb of this one drew me in immediately. Handmaids tale meets Mulan? Sweet. Sign me up.

I’ve found myself reading increasingly long books recently, so as a start, I definitely enjoyed that it was a shorter read. It feels very much like the first in a series, by which I mean there’s a lot of time spent setting up lore and the world the characters are in but perhaps a little less time setting up the characters themselves. I didn’t feel overly connected to any of them by the end, but I was suitably intrigued for the next book to see if my overall vibes are vibing in the right directions.

I will admit that I found myself increasingly distracted by our FMC - who has been locked in a house her entire life but seemingly navigates stepping into the world for the first time without a hitch. She’s also able to hold her own during assault courses and sparring with instructors who’ve trained their whole lives? If her magic explained it I think it would have been easier to mentally adjust to but It continually took me out of the story because it simply failed at the first believability test.

Overall, I think it has good bones and I’m certainly curious to see where it goes but I’d super love it if our FMC was a tiny bit less ‘not like the other home-imprisoned girls’.

Thank you to Dakota Monroe for gifting me this eARC. My opinions are my own.

[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

[undonelibrary · 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.

[jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

A great start to a series and I can’t wait for the next book to release!!

If you want a Mulan x The Handmaids Tale, actual slow burn, dystopian then you NEED to read this one. We follow Cassia who pretends to be her twin brother, after being hidden away for 26 years, to join as an enforcer to infiltrate the Syndicate to take them down from the inside.

ITS SO GOOD!! I couldn’t put it down, I read over half the book in one sitting. It was when I was on the plane flying back from LA to home. BUT STILL ONE SITTING!!

[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! 📚

[Haley Gallaher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NerdFam BookFunnel and author Dakota Monroe for this eARC! My opinions are my own.
Daughters of Ash was a super fun read! It gives adult Mulan vibes. The first little bit of the book was a bit repetitive for me (hence the 4/5 stars) so I felt myself skimming a bit. But then the story really picks up! Def recommend!

[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 😌

[Ashe | 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.

[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.

[Dominique (The Diary of a Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughters of Ash is a slow-burning dystopian fantasy that focuses less on spectacle and more on systems. Systems of power, control, and compliance, and that choice shapes the entire reading experience.

Set in Dascenia, a world where women are claimed at birth, stripped of names, and treated as property, the story follows Cassia, an undocumented woman who should not exist and who possesses an ability she should not have. Men are born with supernatural Power; women are denied it entirely. Cassia's decision to stop hiding and infiltrate the Enforcers by impersonating her twin brother isn't framed as heroic so much as necessary.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its clearly defined magic system. Power isn't whimsical or flashy; it reinforces hierarchy. Men inherit a single ability, and the ability becomes another mechanism of dominance. Cassia's own power, rooted in memory and empathy, feels quietly dangerous in a world built on erasure. The intentional withholding of certain details (like unrevealed abilities) creates a sense that this story is playing a longer game.

The worldbuilding is bleak but immersive, not because it lacks detail, but because cruelty is so thoroughly normalized. Monroe weaves those details into daily life rather than exposition, which makes the parallels to our own world uncomfortable in the best way. This is a story that confronts bodily autonomy, fear as governance, and the cost of compliance without softening its edges.

My hesitation comes from restraint rather than execution. Cassia takes enormous risks, but much of the narrative circles decision-making rather than action. The rebellion simmers in the background, and the payoff is deliberately delayed. This reads very much like a foundation book (ignition rather than explosion) which works on a thematic level, but may leave some readers wanting more forward momentum.

Still, the prose is strong, the pacing controlled, and the atmosphere deeply effective. Daughters of Ash asks the right questions and builds its world with intention. I'm invested in where this series is going (and curious to see how much further it's willing to go.)

Check out my full review on my blog The Diary of a Reader

[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.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm super grateful to have received an eARC of this book! 💕

A woman aiming to overthrow a regime solely built to cater to men (who are not even trying to hide it)? I never signed up for anything so fast!! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

This book had me in its firm grip from the very beginning. For her entire life, Cassia was confined to her home, never once having been in the same room as anyone other than her immediate family (which is only her parents and her brother). To the outside world, she doesn't exist, and that must never change. Her curious nature and thirst for knowledge was bound to get the best of her one day, I felt her terror every step of the way. Planning to leave, putting on her disguise, leaving her home for the first time and actually signing up for this special task force.

This is so risky. If I’m caught, it’s not just me who pays the price. My family will be discovered. Mother will be sent back to a facility. Father and brother will be executed. All because I couldn’t stand by and do nothing this one time. But if I do nothing, I’m complicit. I become the exact thing I’m pretending to be.

She is SO brave, and even when pushed close to the breaking point multiple times during her training, she doesn't budge. Quite the opposite, her resolve hardens as she realizes how easy and lush life as a man truly is.

Her conflicted feelings about Mira and Rook and how these encounters stayed with her in contrast to how the Enforcers simply get on with their lives? It really made me mad. SO MAD. And root for Cass even more!

The way we are introduced to her future love interests was so 👏 good 👏 I am SHOOK. There's no romance or spice in this first book, but it's obvious where this is going. (Plus we were given a warning that this is RH, so...) She's drawn to each of these men for different reasons, and honestly, given that she's basically lived under a rock all of her life it would have been odd if she had not been attracted to anyone. 🤭
The way one of them despises her from the start? Makes me suspect he's going to be the most feral and protective of the bunch, especially with what we know about his family. I cannot wait for this to unfold!

[Salsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was utterly impeccable! So well written and totally reinforces the love I have for Dakota's writing. The world just immediately drew me in and had me so deep in the feels. The dystopian setting and the Syndicate was down right miserable and chilling. I felt rage, digust and shock at the world where women are nothing but property. I felt pure pride and hope towards the fmc Cassia.

Cassia had such determination and yet she was so totally out of her element. She went on her mission totally blind and clueless, having been hidden and sheltered her entire life up until now. She may have struggled, but she sure endured through all the grueling challenges and harsh treatment. She was so relatable in her reactions and banter to all of it too. Loved that!

"What’s it like out there?"

"I am become death. And the worst part is that tomorrow, I’ll have to do it all again."

This book had a well flushed out magic system and I enjoyed how there was an early-on page describing all of the unique types of powers/abilities that could be referred to while reading. And as always, love me a map of the world so I can visualise different areas.

Arayik, Elias and Kellen were all very intriguing, still slightly mysterious as it is with just under the surface glimpses into who they are as people. I am excited to get a deeper view in the future books. Their group dynamic was shown a few times and it was nice to see the lighter sides of them each and the meshing of their personalities.

The pacing in this just made sense for how the plot is building. It's slow burn, with all the tension ratcheting up slowly, a touch of *audibly gasps* moments...so delightful.

Final thoughts: I love how strong and steady the theme of this story is. At no point does Cassia deviate from her end goal or her morals, nor does she let you forget what is important, it is admirable. The endinnnngggg though. I neeeed book 2!

"The thought fills me with a different kind of fire. I didn’t leave my family, cut my damn hair, and risk everything just to fail now. I’m here for a purpose."


Special mention of the dedication:

"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."

[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

[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!

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughters of Ash absolutely wrecked me in the best way.

This is Mulan meets The Handmaid’s Tale in a brutal, dystopian fantasy where women are property and freedom is a privilege reserved for men. Women are either shipped off to breeding facilities at birth or owned.

Cassia, our FMC, has spent 26 years hidden from the world. She is the kind of FMC you root for without hesitation.

This first book is very plot-driven, and honestly I loved that choice. Dakota Monroe prioritises world-building and Cassia’s internal journey, and it works. You really feel the weight of Cassia moving from isolation into a violently oppressive society, and the author doesn’t rush or gloss over that transition.

Arayik’s POV made me angry, which I think is exactly the point. He is everything the Syndicate wants: brainwashed. His perspective offers a chilling insight into how societies like this maintain power. I hate his beliefs… but I’m deeply intrigued by the tension between him and Cassia, especially knowing he stands for everything she’s fighting against.

And then there’s Elias and Keller 👀
I need more of them. Their curiosity, their cracks in belief, the potential for growth. I’m so ready.

This is a reverse harem series, the burn is slow, but the underlying tension is already there and I am on edge waiting for it to ignite.

What really hit hard was how relevant this story feels. Men in power controlling women’s bodies, stripping autonomy it’s unsettling how close this dystopia sits to reality. But because it had some kind of magic in, it didn't feel too real.

The pacing is excellent despite the heavy world-building, I flew through this book and stayed fully invested the entire time. The magic system is intriguing, the characters are complex (some lovable, some rage-inducing), and the ending left me desperate for the next book!!