Dawn of the North

The Ashen #3

by Demi Winters

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A new age begins in the Kingdom of Íseldur in this sizzling third installment of the Viking-inspired Ashen romantasy the series.

The lost Volsik heir has finally returned to the people of Íseldur, and even with the warrior who’s captured her heart standing by her side, Silla’s task is monumental. She must earn the loyalty of the northern jarls to drive Ivar Ironheart from the throne and restore peace in the kingdom. But the secret she vigilantly guards threatens to ruin all her A shard of a god lives in her mind, twisting her thoughts and deeds to His will.

Meanwhile, held captive on the mysterious isle of Zagadka, Saga Volsik fights to return to her sister in Íseldur. But when King Ivar sets his sights on the Zagadkians, she’s forced to make an impossible fight for the man who stole her—and is now hell-bent on marrying her—or let the innocent people of his kingdom die.

As a poisonous mist threatens the realm, the sisters will delve into the unknowns of their magic to battle against evil. Return to the land of ice and fire, where a god awakens, a queen finds her power, and sisters must unite against the darkness threatening their realm.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Audiobook, Fiction, Magic

592 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 3, 2026

About the author

Demi Winters is the author of romantic fantasy books featuring softer female leads, grumpy heroes and richly-built worlds. Lover of all things fairy tales, fantasy, and romance, Demi lives in British Columbia, Canada with her husband and two kids.

The Road of Bones is Demi's debut novel. Set in a world inspired by Iceland and Norse mythology, it follows Silla Nordvig as she travels the dangerous Road of Bones while fleeing the queen's assassins.

Reviews

[Demi Winters]

Hello hello!! Wowww this book was a challenge to write, in the best possible way! You're going to get answers. Moments you've been waiting for. Some steamy, swoony scenes. I can't wait for you to read it!

While Dawn is slated to release in Feb 2026, you can read the first three chapters now by signing up for my newsletter :)

Here's the link!

[Kaila.Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Was. Epic. It is so hard to find a fantasy romance series where every book is even better than the last and you have no idea wtf if going to happen. My jaw is on the floor with how Demi has mapped out the series. MAGNIFIQUE…. And to have multiple storylines that keep your interest I am just shook right now. This was so good. This has inched to a top series of all time for me.

[dak ⋆.˚ ☾ .⭒˚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ 𝓓𝓪𝔀𝓷 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓝𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓱 (ᴛʜᴇ ᴀsʜᴇɴ #𝟹)

this series is easily becoming one of my favorites just 𝐖𝐎𝐖 jaw on the floor Demi Winters does it again 🙂‍↕️🤏🏻
with 6 povs, 3 romances, amazing world building + magic system and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat

we continue the story right where 𝒦𝒾𝓃𝑔𝒹𝑜𝓂 𝑜𝒻 𝒞𝓁𝒶𝓌 and ℛ𝑜𝑜𝓉𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒟𝒶𝓇𝓀𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 ended and oh boy did this deliver!! i would also like to say the recap was perfection 👏🏻

i love the new location, 𝒵𝒶𝑔𝒶𝒹𝓀𝒶, we are introduced to in this book. and shifters??! yes pls

𝚂𝚊𝚐𝚊 & 𝙺𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚛 𝚁𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚔 i love them your honor!!! i love 𝚂𝚊𝚐𝚊 so much. i think her povs were my favorite in this one 💓 oh and 𝙺𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚛 𝚁𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚔 MY WORD every time this man speaks i fall to my knees. i will take any and every crumb of them together because their banter? their chemistry? 𝟷𝟶/𝟷𝟶
⋆˚₊ ➵ “𝒟𝑜𝒷𝓇𝑜𝓎𝑒 𝓊𝓉𝓇𝑜, 𝓂𝑜𝓎𝒶 𝓀𝑜𝓇𝑜𝓁𝑒𝓋𝒶” ➴ ˚.⋆

𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊 & 𝚁𝚎𝚢 my babies!! i loved watching their relationship develop over these last 3 books. seeing them grow together and as individuals absolute perfection. 𝚁𝚎𝚢 what a man!! no notes. and 𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊 taking on the role of being queen? ✨𝓎𝑒𝓈 𝓅𝓁𝓈✨
⋘ “ℰ𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓈𝑜 𝒸𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓇. 𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒽𝒶𝓁𝒻 𝑜𝒻 𝒽𝒾𝓂, 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒, 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑜𝓃 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒷𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔” ⋙
sɪᴅᴇ ɴᴏᴛᴇ: 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟾? 😮‍💨🤪🙂‍↕️

won’t lie 𝙷𝚎𝚔𝚕𝚊 did piss me off a bit in this one (like GIRL PLS JUST TALK TO THE MAN) but nonetheless she’s a baddie. and her and 𝙴𝚢𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚍? give me moreeeee!!!

𝙺𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚔𝚊 🐿️ + 𝙷𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚌 🦄 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒!!!

unfortunately we still get Jonas pov in this book. somebody free my from this hell

haha so listen… book 4 immediately!! cause that epilogue? JAW ON THE FLOOOOOR

[Emily-Rose At The Rose House · Rating 5 out of 5]

Micro-trope I will never shut up about

The MMC “teaching” the FMC his native language… except every phrase he gives her is wildly incorrect — and the real translation is just him worshiping her 🙌🏼
Immediately feral.

Also, Hekla’s squirrel 🐿️ companion dishing out mating advice?! I CAN’T stop laughing 😆 I’m begging, please don’t skip the Novella before starting this book!

[shaelinslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, everything Mrs. Winters writes gets five stars from me apparently?? This was SO GOOD!!

How does Demi write banger books one after another like that? The plot is good, the characters jump off the page, the atmosphere is so consistent, and the story is SO INTENTIONAL. I’m obsessed!

The ending of this book had me tearing up multiple times, and all the characters stories are now all falling into place. I am so, so anxious for the last two books in this series!

I cannot believe how good this series is, wowie.

I love Kass and Saga with my whole heart, Rey and Silla are my everything’s, and HEKLA AND EYVIND!!!! I LOVE THEM ALL. They’re all my family and I am now missing them so dearly.

5 stars!!!

[Nicole is Reading Fantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

EPIC. Absolutely, breathtakingly epic.

This third installment has cemented The Ashen Series’ place as a god-tier series.

Dawn of the North picks up right where Kingdom of Claw and Hekla’s novella, Roots of Darkness, left off, ultimately leading to the culmination of so many long-awaited moments and events in the series. Told through 6 POVs, Demi Winters seamlessly ties these perspectives together to produce a flawless narrative and a fantasy novel that delivers on all fronts. With its beautifully executed character development, jaw-dropping battle scenes, rich world-building/lore, and captivating romances, Dawn of the North is easily the best book in The Ashen Series thus far.

Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happiest release day to book 3 in the Ashen Series!

Another incredible addition to this epic series. One of the things I love is that each book feels distinct. The characters tackle new challenges and the story keeps progressing without losing sight of the original conflict between King Ivar and his oppression of Iseldur.

While there is a lot going on, this story focuses mainly on the two sisters. They are separated by an ocean, worried about the other’s well being and each facing unique challenges. Feeling betrayed and trapped, Saga is stuck on a foreign island while desperately wishing to find and help her sister. Eisa is deprived of her galdur, battling the consequences of a bargain that saved her life, while attempting to navigate court politics in order to unite those who stand against Ivar’s oppression.

I love the way Demi incorporates a mental health rep and shows growth through the struggles of each sister as they show potential to become actual leaders. Saga grapples with agoraphobia in a manner that is real, raw, sometimes moving forward, sometimes taking two steps back. There is no attempt to fix her, just an acknowledgment of the difficulty in navigating her fears, especially in a place where she feels completely alone. Despite his overbearing protectiveness, Kassandr displays patience and compassion with every limit she sets. His humor, flirtation, his veiled vulnerability, are charmingly supportive even when he sets limits for her safety. The slow burn between these two might possible kill me.

Eisa’s battle against the dangers of her own mind while having her magic locked away is chillingly genuine. The struggle between hiding weakness and attempting to be an honest leader is explored in a way that shows how different she would be than the current oppressor in power. That ultimately her vulnerability also gives her strength because she is willing to seek help and acknowledge her struggles. All while being schooled in the appearance leadership while not actually being one. And Rey. Devotion and steadiness personified. Their grumpy sunshine dynamic is still perfection.

More characters than I can name without making this long, but still love (aside from an obvious few), continue to be pivotal. Hekla, I’m looking at you. The battles, the drama, the multiple points of view kept me so occupied I rarely tried to predict outcomes. Ultimately we see that it is unity and teamwork, a commitment to being open rather than invincible, is what makes the sisters great as leaders. All I can say is that I love where the series has landed, and I can’t wait to see where it’s going.

5⭐️’s without question

A big thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Books_and_Crafts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is her best book yet!!!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

PERFECTION! All the stars. Idk how Demi does it, but every addition to this series is better than the previous. I love this series so much. This is book 3 in the series-usually when it’s a 5 book series, we expect some filler in the middle books. We don’t have that issue here! Every word has a purpose. Every POV progresses the story and adds to the world. These characters are my favorite. The banter is bantering. The steam is scorching! The found family tugs at the heartstrings. We get answers, while also getting set ups for books to come. This doesn’t release for 6 months yet; but you’ll want to read it asap! If you haven’t started this series yet, why not!? This ia your sign.

Thank you Demi Winters and Delacorte press for an early reader copy!

[Karly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demi Winters does it again—5 stars for Dawn of the North!!! I've officially given every book in this series a 5-star rating, so far.

🎧 ALC Review 🎧
🗓️ Release date: February 3, 2026

The Ashen Series by Demi Winters is quickly becoming a god-tier romantic fantasy series for me, especially after finishing this book. The character development is unmatched, the pacing is perfect, the twists continue to be twisty, and the romance is tension-filled and delectable.

I'm SO glad Demi Winters incorporated so many POVs into this series because it completely immerses me into this story and keeps things interesting. Also, the multiple romances?!?! *chefs kiss* They're truly a gift.

I was very curious to see how Demi Winters would handle this book since it is the middle of the series, and I think she did a phenomenal job. This book perfectly sets readers up for the remainder of the series (in my opinion). She introduced just enough new things to keep me on my toes while connecting the dots to existing plot lines.

That ending?? I need book 4 now please.

A sincere thank you to Podium Entertainment for gifting me an ALC.

[✩ Yaz ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

“I will worship you until you feel like the goddess you are.”

The stakes could not get higher than this. And I need the next installment as soon as possible after that epilogue!!

Another incredible installment in the Ashen series!! Demi continues to impress with how she carefully crafts such a layered and complex story and characters.

Even as the story expanded and different plot threads are woven into the story, it's balanced and while it's tricky to handle multiple POVs, but the author succeeded in making me invested in the journey of each of these characters.

I devoured the political scheming and the thrilling action scenes, but the romances? those I savored the most!! Silla and Rey hold my heart but damn if Saga and Kassandr didn't have me giggling and grinning.

As for Hekla and Eyvind, I recommend that you read the novella before this installment, it will make you appreciate their spicy dynamic more.

There's so much I want to say about Jonas and none of it is good. It's odd to say this but I am enjoying getting to read from the perspective of a character I loathe, but it's interesting when you see how a character can be shaped by his own insecurities, self-interest and greed.

I truly can't wait for the fourth book and I'm sure it'll be another epic installment!

[Gabi Koz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!! Another 5 star read from Demi Winters. I am so invested in all storylines and just love how they’re being so masterfully woven together. Silla, Saga, and Hekla - 3 FMCs and stories to love !!! I love all of the slow burn romances, the epic nature of the plot, and the writing is so well done.

I loved how this one didn’t have such a CRAZY cliffhanger but still leaves so much open for future books. I don’t want to say too much but the last 20% (saga & Kass!!!!! Silla & Saga!!!!) had me in tears and at the edge of my seat!!

The pacing, the characters, the romance. 10/10 no notes. This will go down in history as one of my favorite romantic fantasy series ever !!!

[BookishKB · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚔️ Bookish Thoughts
This was incredible! And I’m officially OBSESSED with this series! Honestly a six star read and easily my favorite of the series so far. The world-building was expansive, immersive, and detailed. I loved getting to see more of the clans. The ending was so satisfying and left me already desperate for book four.

I will share a full review closer to the publication date, but definitely add this to your 2026 TBRs!

🩶 What to Expect
• Viking Romantasy
• Sisterhood 💕
• Political rebellion and war
• Epic battles!
_ _ _

📖 Final Score: 6 stars
📅 Pub Date: February 3, 2026
Thank you to Ballantine, Random House, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Sue Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was everything and more. full review and thoughts to come but Demi continues to outdo herself. this series will be forever imprinted on me and I hope when you think of me… you think of this series.

“did I miss you? no. I obsessed about you, every minute we were apart”
THIS HEALED ME.

spoiler free for dawn of the north - possible slight spoilers for previous books in series.

I don’t know how to explain it other than: slipping back into this world felt like coming home. Demi’s writing? Unreal. These characters? Family. This series? My entire personality and I’m not even sorry about it.

We now officially have three incredible FMCs and three incredible MMCs and every single one of them has my whole heart. I was grinning like a fool, crying, and fist-pumping the air all in the same sitting — RANGE.

What blew me away in this one was the structure. Normally I ride or die for first person POV, but this third person was so well done. Instead of bouncing between names on chapters, the POVs were framed around locations - and it made everything feel like you were zooming out on a map, watching the threads tighten together across the world. Chef’s kiss.

Silla continues to own my soul. Watching her development and just HER as a character? It's my favorite. She's our resident soft girl but don't label her just as that because she is also a bad ass warrior and realizes that you can lead and still be KIND. Her relationship and connection with Saga, was everything I wanted. I especially loved how Demi handled Silla’s doubts without ever tipping into a miscommunication trope. Like… thank you for respecting us, the readers.

And the way each character stayed so aligned with themselves while still growing? Wholesome and fierce. Saga and Silla’s arcs had me absolutely locked in, but I also adored seeing how every storyline pushed forward without losing momentum. Of course, I loved seeing more of hekla and kritka. AND WE GOT A NEW ANIMAL FRIEND: Havoc <3

The ending? Perfect. Yes, there’s a little cliffhanger, but it’s the kind where you’re feral for the next book while still feeling some sense of peace because key threads were tied off. (Basically I didn’t throw my Kindle across the room, which is a win.)

At this point, Demi Winters could write her grocery list and I’d preorder it. This series is an ode to women, to strength in all its forms, and to messy, brave, complicated characters you want to root for.

I cannot wait for the next installment - but until then, just know this book gave me everything: empowerment, laughter, yearning, and a whole lot of heart.

[Sandra's Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

INFINITY STARS!!!!
Dawn of the North is an absolute must-read! Demi Winter's writing is utterly magic in itself! Each book just gets better, and book three is the best yet! I'm still processing what I just read! Multiple POVs that are easy to follow and each where the characters build and progress in their own. Must say Saga and Kass were amazing! Gotta love the banter Hekla, Eyvind, and Kritka! Silla fighting the god of chaos in her with Rey, their story continues. I'm not sure how I liked sillas insecurities, but I'll take that as the god making her slowly go crazy.. You have some spice, lots of action, found family,heart feels, and answers. Definitely, the world is building up to book 4, which I can't wait for! Bring on more mythical creatures. I loved it! The best viking romantasy is out today! If you have not started the Ashen series, you have time to start! Dawn of the North comes out February 2026! You will love it!
Thank you,
Netgalley, Demi Winters, and Delacorte Press this ARC was such a gift. Opinions are my own!

[BookishlySonia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave book one 4.5 stars and book two 5 stars, so yes, Dawn of the North by Demi Winters was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Which makes this 2.5-star experience hurt a little more than usual.

What made the first two books work for me was how they didn’t feel like every other romantasy clogging my feed. The FMCs were mature and capable. The MMCs had actual depth and treated the women with respect. Revolutionary, apparently.

This book? We pivot hard into trope territory.

Now we have FMC’s who oscillate between competent badasses and damsels-in-distress depending entirely on what spectacle the scene requires (because obviously we need a dramatic beast transformation followed by a conveniently naked reappearance). We get pages of internal monologue about how hot the MMCs are, exes materialize out of thin air purely to manufacture conflict so we can fast-track to makeup sex. Problems resolve themselves in the most convenient ways possible, which makes it hard to feel any tension because the narrative safety net is doing Olympic-level work.

One of my first red flags shows up early with a reveal that a character is bisexual. Instead of enriching the story, it retroactively shifts a previous storyline in a way that undermines the current one, and then it’s never meaningfully brought up again. One mention. That’s it. It felt less like character development and more like a marketing bullet point because if it mattered to the narrative, it would have been woven in. It wasn’t. Inclusions is important, exploitation of communities who are hungry for representation is not.

Then we add extra POVs. Because why not make a long book longer? One is a character I loved as a side presence but who absolutely does not need main-character page time. The other is someone I actively dread reading about, and yet here we are. If the goal was page count, we could have cut those chapters and instead expanded the ending, where major character moments happen off page. Off. Page. At the end of the book. After spending hundreds of pages meandering, we skip the actual payoff? Bold choice.

What frustrates me most is that this didn’t feel like a natural evolution of the series. It felt like abandoning what made it distinct in favor of chasing mainstream romantasy trends. The sharp edges and maturity are gone and what’s left feels generic as fuck.
I was already hesitant about committing to five books, but my love for the first two overrode that doubt. Book three fixed that.

2.5 stars, and this is where I tap out.

PS I rate harder when it’s highly anticipated and I am aware of what the author can do.

[tori faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

going into this book, i was honestly bracing myself to be disappointed because mid-way through a series is normally where we get tons of filler and "it was... fine". but no, this series just keeps. getting. better.

there are so many things i love about this book. to start, the writing is fantastic. we have a multi-pov structure that is done by focusing on locations rather than on specific characters, which should have made this book messy as hell. but not only was it actually really easy to follow, i didn't even notice until halfway through that we had been switching povs so often. and when all the timelines converged?? chef's kiss. then there's the world building, which is one of this author's greatest strengths. Íseldur and Zagadka felt like distinct and real places with rich cultures. and each new setting was packed with detail to the point where i felt like i was IN the scenes. i also really appreciate how this book is a natural progression in the overall story. each next step the characters take, each choice they make, it all flows and makes sense with what i read in the previous books.
next, we have to talk about the way female characters are written in this series, and in this book specifically. we have three (yes, i'm counting Hekla) fmcs, each strong in her own way, battling her own demons, and growing into herself. even Signe, as a villain, is so nuanced while being chillingly evil. to top it all off, we have a beautifully crafted tale of sisterly love between Saga and Silla.
finally, we come to my favorite aspect of this book. adult characters who COMMUNICATE and have truly healthy romances. and LORD, the way each male love interest is sooo respectful and down bad for his respective romantic interest. at this point, i feel like this series is written for women because the way each mmc reads like a classic man written by a woman and is a fantastic example of what i would consider to be healthy masculinity? THIS is what i want from "daddy manly man" characters.

i officially love this series. that is all.

[shelbysbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED. sagas journey in this book!!!?! she’s turned into a total baddie. this might be the first time i’ve read a book with multiple povs and couples where i was equally invested in all of them.

i was a little lost at times with the world building/magical elements in this book versus the first 3 BUT i blame myself for not grasping high fantasy lol also i might have missed it but im very curious why saga doesn’t have her abilities in zagadka but kass has his form in iseldur and zagadka?

cant wait for the next book!

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still have a lot of affection for this series, but it has officially bitten off more than it can chew. This is one of the most bloated books I’ve ever read. It’s absolutely overstuffed and struggling tremendously to balance all of its many conflicts, locations, and characters. The second book did a great job of balancing its POVs so that both were interesting and neither fell by the wayside, but we’ve completely lost that balanced touch here. Several POVs had me audibly groaning every time they came up, because I just COULD NOT care about them. It might actually be dishonest of me to say I “read” this book, because I was very heavily skimming a lot of the middle; every Hekla chapter I basically read a couple lines per page, and you know what? I still got everything that happened. That’s a good sign that this needed to be edited way, wayyyy down. I mean, we did the “unexpected reinforcements arrive and turn the tide of battle” trope a solid 3-4 times. That’s just not necessary.

Will I finish this series? Probably. I still consider it to be one of the only properly executed romantasies out there (by which I mean both the romances and fantasy elements are actually good.) And I do love how epic this world feels, in spite of the fact that its epic scale has led to this book tripping over itself as it grapples with too much.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandra's Book Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

INFINITY STARS!!!!
Dawn of the North is an absolute must-read! Demi Winter's writing is utterly magic in itself! Each book just gets better, and book three is the best yet! I'm still processing what I just read! Multiple POVs that are easy to follow and each where the characters build and progress in their own. Must say Saga and Kass were amazing! Gotta love the banter Hekla, Eyvind, and Kritka! Silla fighting the god of chaos in her with Rey, their story continues. I'm not sure how I liked sillas insecurities, but I'll take that as the god making her slowly go crazy.. You have some spice, lots of action, found family,heart feels, and answers. Definitely, the world is building up to book 4, which I can't wait for! Bring on more mythical creatures. I loved it! The best viking romantasy is out today! If you have not started the Ashen series, you have time to start! Dawn of the North comes out February 2026! You will love it!
Thank you,
Netgalley, Demi Winters, and Delacorte Press this ARC was such a gift. Opinions are my own!

[Olli_stay · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Thank you Demi Winters for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of the next installment in the Ashen series (book 3). Overall, I really enjoyed it. It started off slow but I ate the last 50% up. It definitely felt like a bit of a transition book, tying up some plot lines while setting the stage for whatever big things are coming next.

My favorite part by far was the Saga and Kass storyline, especially with a Kass POV. Their interactions, chemistry and everything about their scenes just worked so well for me. I was completely hooked every time they were on the page.

Demi’s writing is as strong as ever. Her world building is so rich, and I love how she balances character moments with the larger story. Even though this one wasn’t packed with nonstop action, it still felt important and satisfying.

Overall, a really solid read that left me excited for what’s next. What ungodly amount of time am I going to have to wait for the next one? 😭

[Clarissa Labue-Pham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawn of the North is a brilliant work of fantasy that is not to be missed. It's an epic addition to Demi Winters' The Ashen series that will leave you breathless. From the first page to the last I was absolutely gripped by this enthralling work.

In this thrilling installment, Silla tries to rouse support for the Volsiks while in the clutches of Myrkur, the god of chaos. The Blood Axe crew continues their battle against the mist with Hekla continuing to take the reins of a leadership role. Signe learns to adjust to her new prison in a foreign land.

In this novel the real star is the character development. You see truly tremendous and astounding character growth with Saga as she learns to not only cope with her fears but conquer them. Silla also sees a wealth of character development as she struggles to see herself as a leader, while battling her darker urges under Myrkur's influence.

The romance offers a nice break from breathtaking action set pieces and intense political intrigue. Sillas relationship with Rey offers spice, while Saga's with Kassandr features that intense, slow burn I always crave. Various relationships grow, develop, and change in a way we don't usually see in romantasy. It was nice to see an established relationship like the one between Rey and Silla, continue past the initial infatuation stage. That's not often seen in romantasy novels that largely focus on the initial stages of a relationship.

This book is a pulse-pounding epic that is a true work of art with an ending that will keep you hooked and ready for the next installment. If you like fantasy at all The Ashen is a must-read series, not just one for romantasy lovers. It is truly epic. Every book improves on the last and this is no exception. Dawn of the North is the best book yet in this explosive series.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars. 🩵

This 3rd installment of The Ashen series took me an unusually long time to get through, but I cannot stress enough that this is at no fault of Demi Winters and was purely due to life. In a perfect world, I would've been uninterrupted and sat in a cozy chair with a cozy blanket and binged it the way I so badly wanted to.
I will start by saying that you should definitely read Roots of Darkness (The Ashen Series; Book 2.5) before you move onto this one if you want to be fully caught up. And for sure read some cliff notes to refresh your memory of the happenings in Iseldur in general because you are thrown back in full force.
Like the previous installments, this is multiple POV which makes it feel as though you are actually reading like 5 Romantasies at once instead of just one. This might be why I love this series so much. The third book is usually my kryptonite. Boredom with the same MMC/FMC and the same enemies lead me to a soft DNF by now but not here. Not with this. I love everyone (except Jonas *eyeroll*).
Silla and Rey - Saga and Kass - Hekla and Eyvind <3
Overall, this has everything that makes a book 5 stars IMO: Romance, spice, action, badass FMC, swoon-worthy MMC, banter, chemistry, loathsome villains and found family.
I know I didn't meet the deadline but I am so appreciative to Demi Winters and Random House Publishing for supplying me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[britta ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Thank you, she told him with her lips, for believing in me. For building me up when so many would tear me down”

Dawn of the North is big chunky fantasy (600 pages) with plenty of new characters, intrigue, battles, love, death and sisterhood. ⚔️ 🪽🦉 The cover is a showstopper!

I really enjoyed the reread I did in preparation for this and getting back into this world but I skipped the 2.5 Hekla novel thinking it was not compulsory and I don’t recommend doing that as I was just not as connected with those characters or that storyline.

Saga’s storyline was my favorite and I loved coming back to her POV’s. Her character is so loveable. I did ultimately have a somewhat hard time with the development of her relationship with Kass as I felt like he took her out of the frying pan and into the fire. She went from living in one room her whole life to another and that’s a hard place to grow from. At the end we saw her come out of her shell which was exciting. (We get Pegasuses! Pegasi?) I don’t love a setup with a virginal naive FMC and an experienced MMC and that’s the sitch here. Plus we had a passage in the beginning sharing that the reason he was in her kingdom in the first place was that he was looking for his friend that he had unrequited love for. He seems impulsive. Not sure why that was shared as it wasn’t addressed again. It seems if she would stay on in Kass’s kingdom she would have to give up her magic as it didn’t work there. I think these things may be tackled in the next book.

Silla was coming into her own and taking on the role of Queen to rally supporters to their cause. She and Reynir were separated a lot and when they came together it helped them to solidify things in their relationship but I felt some of the OW drama felt silly and incongruent to their story.

Not sure if there’s one or two more books but I really enjoy the way DW writes, excited to see where they go.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Delacorte Press/Random House for the Copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kassidy Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Demi Winters for the ARC of Dawn of the North!

I usually want to start my reviews by highlighting the good. However, with this book, I feel like there isn’t much of that and no one hates that more than me. Well, maybe the author and publisher will.

I ate up Road of Bones and Kingdom of Claw when they first came out and was so excited to get my hands on this ARC. But honestly beyond being in the same setting and the characters having the same names, it didn’t feel like it was the same series.

Something about the characters felt flat. This book is multi-pov, but all of the characters had a super similar voice and made corny internal and external comments. Silla and Saga started to run together as one person and Rey didn’t have a grumpy bone in his body in this book. The Jonas sub-plot had me yawning, and didn’t seem like it was really necessary. I’m just glad we were spared from the intimacy scenes in his POV.

The plot was rather predictable and there wasn’t a lot of nuance to it. One minute the characters would be fighting for their life for an answer to a problem and the next minute they would be like “huh, I bet this is the solution” and it ALWAYS worked out. Where was the strife? Tragedy? Meaningful sacrifice?

Very little of importance happened in this book and it could have been much shorter and combined with the final installment.

[Yasmine]

I got the ARC 😭❤️ so excited for this one.

Thank you Delacorte Press / Random House for the early copy.

[The Babbling Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Summary:

In Dawn of the North by Demi Winters, the North stands on the edge of rebirth and ruin. With the lost Volsik heir returned, Silla must unite the northern jarls and reclaim the throne, all while guarding a dangerous secret: a fragment of a god lives within her mind, quietly shaping her thoughts and fate.

Across the sea, her sister Saga is held captive on the mist-shrouded isle of Zagadka, forced into an impossible choice between the man who stole her freedom and the lives of innocent people. As poison creeps through the land and ancient magic stirs, the sisters must embrace who they are becoming queens, warriors, and something far more powerful to stand against the darkness rising in the North.

A story of legacy, sacrifice, sisterhood, and love forged in fire and frost, Dawn of the North weaves multiple paths into one breathtaking reckoning.

⸻

❄️ Tropes & Vibes:

🛡️ Viking-inspired fantasy romance
🔥 Slow-burn, soul-deep bonds
👑 Lost heir reclaiming the throne
❄️ Ice & fire worldbuilding
🧠 Ancient god / magic in the mind
⚔️ Political intrigue & power struggles
🖤 Captivity with impossible choices
🌿 Found strength, earned power
🩸 Sisters bound by fate
🫖 Cozy yet EPIC

⸻

💭 My Review:

This book was everything and more to me, I genuinely didn’t want it to end! It’s one of the first stories where multiple POVs and parallel storylines completely pulled me in. At first, I kept wondering how everything was going to connect, but by the final 20%, it all came together perfectly—like a puzzle you’ve been working on all day and suddenly the last piece clicks into place.

The way Demi writes feels like coming home. Like a warm cup of tea on a cold day. Her storytelling is immersive but grounding and everything makes sense, every choice feels intentional, and the characters stay true to who they are. Their morals, values, and growth never feel forced.

Silla and Rey will always have my heart ❤️ they’re my number one. But there’s a special place reserved for Saga and Rurik. I fell in love with their story. Watching Saga grow, stepping fully into the strength she’s always carried within her, was incredible. I finished the book wanting more of them, more of their journey, more of everything they represent.

And then there’s Hekla and Eyvind. After the novella, I truly hated him… but learning more in this story softened my heart in ways I didn’t expect. Now, all I want is for Hekla to finally have the happiness she deserves after everything she’s endured. I’m very much waiting for more development here, because she is owed a hard-won happily ever after.

OHHH and I completely forgot about Jonas. Honestly, every time he appeared on the page, I wanted to roll my eyes. Him and the evil queen. And yet… I cannot wait for their downfall and to see how Demi orchestrates their eventual fall in the next book. The tension she’s building there is immaculate, and I know the payoff is going to hurt in the best way.

Overall, this was absolutely incredible and has cemented itself as one of my favorite series. We get fiercely strong female leads who grow into their power without losing their softness, and men who yearn deeply for the women they love. These men are protective, devoted, and formidable in their own right. This story is epic, emotional, and intimate all at once, and I already need the next book injected directly into my soul.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine | Delacorte Press for an ARC. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to read this story early. 🙏🏽

[Mara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really missed being in this world and our characters so much! So, It really pains me to say that this book did not live up to the standards of what Book 1-2 was. In my opinion I had a really hard time getting through this one. It seemed much longer than it needed to be. The characters this time around felt so Juvenile, and what I really appreciated about book 1-2 was the mature voice. I really was sad that I didn’t feel as connected to this, and that may be just because there is so much meandering especially from characters (cough cough, Jonas) that I think don’t need anymore unnecessary page time. The plot and pacing just fell a little flat for me, and the romance seemed to extremely overpower this third installment. I did towards the end enjoy parts with Kass and Saga, and the rich folklore/magic. What kept me going was whether or not the sisters would reunite. I don’t know if I will continue the series after this installment and it makes me sad.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

[McKenna]

DEMI I need this book now 😂! I’m so stressed lol. Can’t wait for it to come out. My heart is hurting😂

[Minni Mouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

#1) The Road of Bones: ★★★★★
#2) Kingdom of Claw: ★★
#2.5) Roots of Darkness: ★★★
#3) Dawn of the North: ★★★

In short, no, I didn't particularly care for this book. Gone are the intriguing characterizations and narratives from book one. What we have instead is the same neutral narrative voice that started in book two and continued through the next 1.5 books.

As an extra side note, I'd also say while you could always look up what happened in Hekla's novella, I'd personally advise to take the time and at least speed skim the novella before this so you have context of the Maiden storyline as well as what's up between Gunnar, Hekla, and Eyvind.

THE GOOD
1) Some good action and fighting sequences and some good character development on Saga's part.

2) I found myself caring for Saga and Kassandr more than Silla and Rey.

3) It was great seeing Silla's, Saga's, and Hekla's storylines converge throughout the story.

THE MEH
1) If you struggled with book two, chances are the same things you didn't like might remain true here. I felt so detached from the characters, so even though some of them had a few intriguing storylines or action sequences, I wasn't invested in them...and I'm not actually sure why there was such a disconnect. Maybe the plot has become more cookie cutter? (e.g., Oh, look, more special powers somehow...) Or maybe there was more tell, not show?

2) Lack of a convincing-enough feeling that feels personal. Sure, Big Bad, twirl the wicked stick in the air so we know you're the Big Bad. But where's the character motivation? Where's the sense that the villain poses an overall threat as well as a personal one to our main characters? Anything there that was explained felt like it was told, not shown.

3) Overall lack of chemistry with the characters and plot.

FINAL THOUGHTS
I really might stop the series here. Thanks anyway to NetGalley for the ARC review.