What do you think?
The Ashen #2.5
Roots of Darkness
Join Hekla and the remnants of the Bloodaxe Crew as they battle the evil, poisonous mist threatening the citizens of Istré - and perhaps all of Íseldur - in
Roots of Darkness
by Demi Winters, an epic romantasy novella following the events of
Kingdom of Claw
.
Traveling the Road of Bones was only the start of Hekla's troubles.
The Bloodaxe Crew have arrived at the village of Istré - beleaguered and missing three of their members. They might be down in numbers, but Hekla "Rib Smasher" is determined they'll complete their job all the defeat the monstrous, sentient mist, and keep the citizens of Istré safe. What she didn't expect is for Istré's bullheaded chieftain to block her every move.
Exasperated, Hekla throws caution to the wind for a single passion-filled night. But to her horror, the mysterious, red-cloaked warrior to whom she's spilled her deepest secrets is the Bloodaxe Crew's new temporary leader and ally - Eyvind Hakonsson.
Hekla must now learn to play by Eyvind's rules while guarding her heart. But when it becomes clear that his plans align with the chieftain's, Hekla takes matters into her own hands.
Nothing will stop her from keeping the innocent people of Istré safe - not even the man who haunts her thoughts.
Roots of Darkness is a romantic companion novella to the Ashen series from BookTok sensation Demi Winters.
Continue reading the Ashen series with Dawn of the North , the third breathtaking book.
****
Readers DEVOURED Roots of Darkness . . .
'Easy one sitting read for this incredible novella!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I easily could've read another 300+ pages .. . amazing amazingamazing' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'THIS is how you do a novella'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vikings
Feminine rage
Golden retriever x black cat
One night stand turned love interest
Slow burn
F*ck the patriarchy
Animal sidekicks
Traveling the Road of Bones was only the start of Hekla's troubles.
The Bloodaxe Crew have arrived at the village of Istré - beleaguered and missing three of their members. They might be down in numbers, but Hekla "Rib Smasher" is determined they'll complete their job all the defeat the monstrous, sentient mist, and keep the citizens of Istré safe. What she didn't expect is for Istré's bullheaded chieftain to block her every move.
Exasperated, Hekla throws caution to the wind for a single passion-filled night. But to her horror, the mysterious, red-cloaked warrior to whom she's spilled her deepest secrets is the Bloodaxe Crew's new temporary leader and ally - Eyvind Hakonsson.
Hekla must now learn to play by Eyvind's rules while guarding her heart. But when it becomes clear that his plans align with the chieftain's, Hekla takes matters into her own hands.
Nothing will stop her from keeping the innocent people of Istré safe - not even the man who haunts her thoughts.
Roots of Darkness is a romantic companion novella to the Ashen series from BookTok sensation Demi Winters.
Continue reading the Ashen series with Dawn of the North , the third breathtaking book.
****
Readers DEVOURED Roots of Darkness . . .
'Easy one sitting read for this incredible novella!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I easily could've read another 300+ pages .. . amazing amazingamazing' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'THIS is how you do a novella'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vikings
Feminine rage
Golden retriever x black cat
One night stand turned love interest
Slow burn
F*ck the patriarchy
Animal sidekicks
176 pages, Hardcover
First published June 10, 2025
About the author
Demi Winters
8 books5,143 followersDemi 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,637 reviews
June 30, 2026
For a book that promised me feminine rage, the men in this sure got away with a lot of bullshit. There were minimal consequences to their actions. All of Hekla's rage in my eyes got suppressed and bottled up towards the end when I wanted a more satisfying arc.
The chemistry between Hekla and Eyvind is really nice. The banter is good and they're good for each other. But that man really needs to grovel in book three.
Despite the whole mist situation and it tying up to book three, I found majority of the book boring. There was nearly not enough rage for me to hold on to. Well, except my own by the end of it 🥴
~•~•~
Here for the feminine rage
The chemistry between Hekla and Eyvind is really nice. The banter is good and they're good for each other. But that man really needs to grovel in book three.
Despite the whole mist situation and it tying up to book three, I found majority of the book boring. There was nearly not enough rage for me to hold on to. Well, except my own by the end of it 🥴
~•~•~
Here for the feminine rage
August 28, 2025
I love how the feminine rage left the room when she fell on his dick....40 pages in.
___
Starting this so we can read our arc for book 3!! Hoping it's as good as the first two books.
Buddy reading with Hoda
___
Starting this so we can read our arc for book 3!! Hoping it's as good as the first two books.
Buddy reading with Hoda
September 2, 2026
THERE ARE MY BLOOD-AXE BABIES <3
Loved seeing this, but I do think this probably could have been woven into the main book with minimal disruption to the overall pacing. Demi Winters does multi POV so well, I have faith.
Loved seeing this, but I do think this probably could have been woven into the main book with minimal disruption to the overall pacing. Demi Winters does multi POV so well, I have faith.
September 23, 2025
HEKLA THE FEMINIST ICON
May 1, 2025
Demi Winters just gets it. Hekla is THAT bitch.
Thank you Demi so much for the early copy, I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this novella.
This was so thrilling and packed such a punch for such a short book. I loved this, and it does a great job of gearing us up to face the issues in book 3, I cannot wait!
5 stars.
Thank you Demi so much for the early copy, I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity to read this novella.
This was so thrilling and packed such a punch for such a short book. I loved this, and it does a great job of gearing us up to face the issues in book 3, I cannot wait!
5 stars.
January 6, 2026
Confession time, I don’t always get excited about novellas. Usually I really just want to get on with the main story, but my feelings are starting to change. Per a post by Demi, this novella was originally going to be part of Dawn of the North. I’m so glad she decided to separate it, because Hekla deserves her own story and it would have gotten lost among the characters and scenes in the upcoming 3rd book in the series.
With Rey stuck in hiding, Hekla has become the temporary leader of the Bloodaxe crew and has taken lead on investigating the deadly mist that mysteriously killed so many on The Road of Bones and in the town of Istre.
I love how Demi writes her characters, portraying their past and thought processes in a way that allows you to empathize with them even if you don’t always agree with their decisions. Here Hekla is given a chance to shine and she is one of my new favorite characters ever.
Hekla is truly a badass woman in a man’s world. A warrior who wears her tragic past like armor and for the most part, has only let it make her stronger. This story explores the way women are invalidated and sidelined by men, even when they are more qualified by experience and intelligence.
Hekla has to struggle with walking the political line between deferring to egotistical men and defying direct orders so she can successfully investigate the mist and save Istre. With the nickname Rib Smasher you can imagine that she only has so much deference, and I love her more for it. And even when she is pushed aside she takes the high road by putting her mission to save innocent people first, rather than allowing the actions of petty men to interfere.
“She didn’t fight to feel bigger, more powerful. She fought for those who could not, for the girl she’d once been.”
5⭐️’s for Hekla Rib Smasher
With Rey stuck in hiding, Hekla has become the temporary leader of the Bloodaxe crew and has taken lead on investigating the deadly mist that mysteriously killed so many on The Road of Bones and in the town of Istre.
I love how Demi writes her characters, portraying their past and thought processes in a way that allows you to empathize with them even if you don’t always agree with their decisions. Here Hekla is given a chance to shine and she is one of my new favorite characters ever.
Hekla is truly a badass woman in a man’s world. A warrior who wears her tragic past like armor and for the most part, has only let it make her stronger. This story explores the way women are invalidated and sidelined by men, even when they are more qualified by experience and intelligence.
Hekla has to struggle with walking the political line between deferring to egotistical men and defying direct orders so she can successfully investigate the mist and save Istre. With the nickname Rib Smasher you can imagine that she only has so much deference, and I love her more for it. And even when she is pushed aside she takes the high road by putting her mission to save innocent people first, rather than allowing the actions of petty men to interfere.
“She didn’t fight to feel bigger, more powerful. She fought for those who could not, for the girl she’d once been.”
5⭐️’s for Hekla Rib Smasher
October 9, 2026
ꕤ roots of darkness ❦
3.5 stars out of 5
rib smasher deserves better, actually. 🪓
ꕤ first things first…
getting to return to íseldur and spend more time with hekla was something i didn’t realise i’d missed quite so much until i was back in her head again. 🥹 there’s something so special about revisiting a character you already adore and getting to see a completely different side of their story, especially when you know there’s so much happening behind the scenes that we haven’t been privy to. this little novella gave us a glimpse into what the bloodaxe crew were up to during kingdom of claw, and honestly, getting that extra context made me even more excited to see where everything goes next. however, and this is a rather important however, i have THOUGHTS. so many thoughts, actually, because whilst i enjoyed my time here, i’m walking away with some very mixed feelings.
ꕤ my girl hekla, always and forever.
can we take a moment to appreciate hekla ‘rib smasher’ because that woman has my entire heart. ♡ she’s fierce, stubborn, capable, and absolutely refuses to make herself smaller just because the men around her struggle to accept that a woman can be the one calling the shots. watching her step into a leadership role whilst rey is absent was one of my favourite parts of this story. she’s more than capable of handling herself, and i loved seeing her take charge of the bloodaxe crew whilst trying to figure out the mystery surrounding the deadly mist in istré. there’s also something particularly lovely about getting to know a character beyond their strongest exterior, and seeing hekla’s vulnerabilities alongside all that stubborn determination reminded me why i loved her so much in the first place. she doesn’t need to be fearless to be formidable, and she certainly doesn’t need anyone’s permission to prove herself. 🖤
ꕤ the bloodaxe crew have my heart.
one of the biggest reasons i enjoyed this novella was getting to spend more time with the crew. i missed these absolute menaces, and seeing them thrown into another dangerous situation together was such a treat. there’s a familiarity to returning to a world and its characters that makes everything feel a little bit like coming home, even when said home is full of monsters, questionable decisions, and enough danger to make me question everyone’s survival instincts. 🤭 the investigation into the mist gave the story a nice thread of mystery and action, and i appreciated seeing what was happening elsewhere whilst the events of kingdom of claw were unfolding. i just wish we’d had more room to breathe between everything. i wanted more conversations, more character moments, more of those little interactions that make a found family feel like a found family. instead, i occasionally felt as though the story was rushing me towards the next thing before i’d properly settled into the moment i was already enjoying.
ꕤ a talking squirrel, you say?
listen. LISTEN. because apparently dealing with a deadly supernatural mist wasn’t enough for these people, we also had to introduce a TALKING SQUIRREL. 😭😂 i can’t even pretend that this wasn’t one of the more entertaining elements for me because the sheer absurdity of it all deserves recognition. imagine being surrounded by danger and trying to solve a potentially deadly mystery, only for a squirrel to enter the equation. honestly, íseldur never lets anyone have a peaceful day, does it? it’s these wonderfully unexpected fantasy elements that make me love this world, and i did enjoy the overall adventure even when certain aspects felt a little underdeveloped. give me the monsters, give me the chaos, give me the questionable woodland creatures. just perhaps give me another hundred pages whilst you’re at it.
ꕤ the worldbuilding needed more room.
unfortunately, the biggest issue for me was how much this novella had to squeeze into such a short amount of time. the premise had so much potential, but between the mist, the mystery, hekla’s personal journey, the crew, and the romantic developments, everything felt a little too crowded. i wanted the atmosphere to have more time to settle around me, and i wanted some of the reveals to feel more substantial instead of moving quite so quickly from one plot point to another. i don’t necessarily think every story needs to be enormous to be effective, but when you’re working within an established fantasy world with so much going on, the limited page count becomes noticeable. i needed more depth, not necessarily more drama. there were moments when i could see exactly what the story was trying to accomplish, but i wasn’t always given enough time to feel the full impact of it. for a world i already love, that was a little disappointing.
ꕤ now, about the romance… 👀
oh, we need to have a little chat about this because i’m not entirely convinced by the romantic direction here. i can absolutely understand attraction developing quickly, and i’m never going to complain about a bit of chemistry when the characters are giving me something to work with. but there is a difference between wanting someone and suddenly feeling as though your entire emotional world revolves around them, and some of these developments felt a little too close to the latter for me. i struggled to reconcile certain moments with the hekla i’d come to know and love, because i wanted her to have the space to figure herself out without immediately having a romantic storyline take centre stage. the love triangle also felt unnecessary to me, particularly when there was already so much else happening. not every woman needs to fall in love for her story to be worth telling. sometimes i just want a badass woman to save the day, smash a few skulls, and go home with absolutely no romantic complications whatsoever. is that really too much to ask? apparently, in íseldur, it might be. 🫠
ꕤ and eyvind… oh, eyvind.
i need to be very clear about something: i was not impressed. not even a little bit. the way he treats hekla genuinely frustrated me, and what made it worse was the feeling that she was expected to understand his perspective whilst he wasn’t held to the same standard of accountability for his behaviour. WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? 😭 i can appreciate a complicated character, and i’m perfectly happy to read about flawed people who make terrible decisions, but there needs to be something meaningful behind the way those actions are handled. i don’t want a character’s hurtful behaviour brushed aside simply because we’re being invited to understand where it comes from. hekla deserves to have her feelings taken seriously, too. she deserves to be angry, to have boundaries, and to expect better from the people around her. instead, i found myself getting increasingly frustrated with the direction of this storyline, and it definitely affected my enjoyment of the romance. understanding someone is not the same thing as excusing them. and, respectfully, i would have been perfectly happy if hekla and sigrún had picked up their hammers and dealt with the problem themselves. just saying. 🫶🏻🪓
ꕤ the pacing was pacing… unfortunately.
there’s a lot going on in this little book, and i think that’s where some of my frustrations come from. the structure jumps between the aftermath of hekla’s one-night stand and the events surrounding it, whilst also trying to develop the mystery and move her emotional journey forward. i could appreciate what the narrative was attempting to do, but there were times when i wanted it to slow down and allow certain developments to feel more natural. some emotional beats needed more breathing room, and the romantic progression especially would have benefited from a little more time. i’m not against fast-paced stories, but fast-paced and rushed aren’t quite the same thing, and i occasionally found myself wishing this novella had chosen a few key moments to explore more deeply rather than attempting to fit everything in. the result wasn’t bad, exactly, but it did leave me feeling as though i’d been given the outline of a story i wanted to experience in much greater detail.
ꕤ necessary reading? absolutely. perfect execution? not quite.
despite all my complaints, i do think this is an important instalment for anyone continuing with the series. this isn’t one of those novellas that feels completely detached from the main story, where you can happily skip it and pick up the next book without missing anything substantial. the events here add context to what was happening with the bloodaxe crew during kingdom of claw, and i’m very glad i read it before moving forward. however, i do wonder whether some of this material might have worked better woven into the main series rather than separated into its own instalment. i understand that fantasy books can grow into enormous beasts of their own, and sometimes an author has to make difficult decisions about what stays and what goes. even so, i couldn’t shake the feeling that the story was caught between wanting to be a self-contained adventure and needing to set up something bigger. i wanted a little more closure here, whilst also wanting the character development to have more room to unfold naturally.
ꕤ the narrator deserves her flowers. 🎧
i also listened to the audiobook, and the narration was phenomenal as always. there’s something so enjoyable about returning to a familiar fantasy world through a narrator who knows how to bring its characters and atmosphere to life. the action was engaging, the tension had its moments, and i found myself swept along even when certain plot developments weren’t entirely working for me. there are also some genuinely gruesome scenes in this book, so please do check the trigger warnings before diving in if that’s something you need to be mindful of. this isn’t necessarily the gentlest little fantasy adventure, and some of the darker moments can be quite graphic. i appreciated the audiobook experience enormously, and i think it helped keep me invested even when the pacing and romance left me wanting more.
ꕤ my final thoughts… ♡
ultimately, roots of darkness was a bit of a mixed bag for me. i loved returning to íseldur, i loved getting hekla’s perspective again, and i loved seeing more of the bloodaxe crew in the middle of all the chaos. the mystery and action were enjoyable, the talking squirrel deserves its own fan club, and there were enough interesting developments to keep me invested in what comes next. but the short length, rushed character moments, and romantic decisions stopped this from being the instalment i wanted it to be. i also struggled with the way certain behaviour was handled, because i wanted more accountability and more space for hekla’s feelings to matter without everything circling back to romance. i can see the potential in this story, and i think it could have been something truly special with a little more room to develop. i wasn’t disappointed enough to stop loving the series, but i was frustrated enough to have a few words with the author in my head. respectfully, of course. mostly. 🤭
ꕤ so, would i recommend it?
yes, especially if you’re already invested in the ashen series and want the extra context before moving on to book three. just don’t go into it expecting a completely separate, neatly wrapped adventure, because this very much feels like a bridge between bigger events. for me, this was a case of loving the character and the world more than loving every decision made within the story. hekla remains an absolute favourite, and i’m genuinely excited to see what comes next for her and the crew. i just hope the next instalment gives her the space, development, and treatment she deserves, because if there’s one thing i’ve taken away from this novella, it’s that i will always be seated for hekla rib smasher, but i reserve the right to be extremely judgemental about the men in her vicinity. 😂🖤
ꕤ favourite things ❦ hekla, the bloodaxe crew, returning to íseldur, the action, and one very unexpected talking squirrel.
ꕤ less favourite things ❦ the rushed pacing, the underdeveloped romance, and certain men needing to learn that accountability is, in fact, a thing.
ꕤ pre-read ❦
i won’t lie to you, i am the queen of skipping novellas 🤭 and i said what i said, so don’t expect an apology from me! BUT when i realised this one follows the bloodaxe crew, i knew i couldn’t possibly skip it. i absolutely adore hekla and her little band of misfits, so the second i read the blurb, i was sold. honestly, getting more time with these characters is all the convincing i need, and suddenly my usual novella-skipping tendencies have disappeared. 😂🖤
3.5 stars out of 5
rib smasher deserves better, actually. 🪓
ꕤ first things first…
getting to return to íseldur and spend more time with hekla was something i didn’t realise i’d missed quite so much until i was back in her head again. 🥹 there’s something so special about revisiting a character you already adore and getting to see a completely different side of their story, especially when you know there’s so much happening behind the scenes that we haven’t been privy to. this little novella gave us a glimpse into what the bloodaxe crew were up to during kingdom of claw, and honestly, getting that extra context made me even more excited to see where everything goes next. however, and this is a rather important however, i have THOUGHTS. so many thoughts, actually, because whilst i enjoyed my time here, i’m walking away with some very mixed feelings.
ꕤ my girl hekla, always and forever.
can we take a moment to appreciate hekla ‘rib smasher’ because that woman has my entire heart. ♡ she’s fierce, stubborn, capable, and absolutely refuses to make herself smaller just because the men around her struggle to accept that a woman can be the one calling the shots. watching her step into a leadership role whilst rey is absent was one of my favourite parts of this story. she’s more than capable of handling herself, and i loved seeing her take charge of the bloodaxe crew whilst trying to figure out the mystery surrounding the deadly mist in istré. there’s also something particularly lovely about getting to know a character beyond their strongest exterior, and seeing hekla’s vulnerabilities alongside all that stubborn determination reminded me why i loved her so much in the first place. she doesn’t need to be fearless to be formidable, and she certainly doesn’t need anyone’s permission to prove herself. 🖤
ꕤ the bloodaxe crew have my heart.
one of the biggest reasons i enjoyed this novella was getting to spend more time with the crew. i missed these absolute menaces, and seeing them thrown into another dangerous situation together was such a treat. there’s a familiarity to returning to a world and its characters that makes everything feel a little bit like coming home, even when said home is full of monsters, questionable decisions, and enough danger to make me question everyone’s survival instincts. 🤭 the investigation into the mist gave the story a nice thread of mystery and action, and i appreciated seeing what was happening elsewhere whilst the events of kingdom of claw were unfolding. i just wish we’d had more room to breathe between everything. i wanted more conversations, more character moments, more of those little interactions that make a found family feel like a found family. instead, i occasionally felt as though the story was rushing me towards the next thing before i’d properly settled into the moment i was already enjoying.
ꕤ a talking squirrel, you say?
listen. LISTEN. because apparently dealing with a deadly supernatural mist wasn’t enough for these people, we also had to introduce a TALKING SQUIRREL. 😭😂 i can’t even pretend that this wasn’t one of the more entertaining elements for me because the sheer absurdity of it all deserves recognition. imagine being surrounded by danger and trying to solve a potentially deadly mystery, only for a squirrel to enter the equation. honestly, íseldur never lets anyone have a peaceful day, does it? it’s these wonderfully unexpected fantasy elements that make me love this world, and i did enjoy the overall adventure even when certain aspects felt a little underdeveloped. give me the monsters, give me the chaos, give me the questionable woodland creatures. just perhaps give me another hundred pages whilst you’re at it.
ꕤ the worldbuilding needed more room.
unfortunately, the biggest issue for me was how much this novella had to squeeze into such a short amount of time. the premise had so much potential, but between the mist, the mystery, hekla’s personal journey, the crew, and the romantic developments, everything felt a little too crowded. i wanted the atmosphere to have more time to settle around me, and i wanted some of the reveals to feel more substantial instead of moving quite so quickly from one plot point to another. i don’t necessarily think every story needs to be enormous to be effective, but when you’re working within an established fantasy world with so much going on, the limited page count becomes noticeable. i needed more depth, not necessarily more drama. there were moments when i could see exactly what the story was trying to accomplish, but i wasn’t always given enough time to feel the full impact of it. for a world i already love, that was a little disappointing.
ꕤ now, about the romance… 👀
oh, we need to have a little chat about this because i’m not entirely convinced by the romantic direction here. i can absolutely understand attraction developing quickly, and i’m never going to complain about a bit of chemistry when the characters are giving me something to work with. but there is a difference between wanting someone and suddenly feeling as though your entire emotional world revolves around them, and some of these developments felt a little too close to the latter for me. i struggled to reconcile certain moments with the hekla i’d come to know and love, because i wanted her to have the space to figure herself out without immediately having a romantic storyline take centre stage. the love triangle also felt unnecessary to me, particularly when there was already so much else happening. not every woman needs to fall in love for her story to be worth telling. sometimes i just want a badass woman to save the day, smash a few skulls, and go home with absolutely no romantic complications whatsoever. is that really too much to ask? apparently, in íseldur, it might be. 🫠
ꕤ and eyvind… oh, eyvind.
i need to be very clear about something: i was not impressed. not even a little bit. the way he treats hekla genuinely frustrated me, and what made it worse was the feeling that she was expected to understand his perspective whilst he wasn’t held to the same standard of accountability for his behaviour. WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? 😭 i can appreciate a complicated character, and i’m perfectly happy to read about flawed people who make terrible decisions, but there needs to be something meaningful behind the way those actions are handled. i don’t want a character’s hurtful behaviour brushed aside simply because we’re being invited to understand where it comes from. hekla deserves to have her feelings taken seriously, too. she deserves to be angry, to have boundaries, and to expect better from the people around her. instead, i found myself getting increasingly frustrated with the direction of this storyline, and it definitely affected my enjoyment of the romance. understanding someone is not the same thing as excusing them. and, respectfully, i would have been perfectly happy if hekla and sigrún had picked up their hammers and dealt with the problem themselves. just saying. 🫶🏻🪓
ꕤ the pacing was pacing… unfortunately.
there’s a lot going on in this little book, and i think that’s where some of my frustrations come from. the structure jumps between the aftermath of hekla’s one-night stand and the events surrounding it, whilst also trying to develop the mystery and move her emotional journey forward. i could appreciate what the narrative was attempting to do, but there were times when i wanted it to slow down and allow certain developments to feel more natural. some emotional beats needed more breathing room, and the romantic progression especially would have benefited from a little more time. i’m not against fast-paced stories, but fast-paced and rushed aren’t quite the same thing, and i occasionally found myself wishing this novella had chosen a few key moments to explore more deeply rather than attempting to fit everything in. the result wasn’t bad, exactly, but it did leave me feeling as though i’d been given the outline of a story i wanted to experience in much greater detail.
ꕤ necessary reading? absolutely. perfect execution? not quite.
despite all my complaints, i do think this is an important instalment for anyone continuing with the series. this isn’t one of those novellas that feels completely detached from the main story, where you can happily skip it and pick up the next book without missing anything substantial. the events here add context to what was happening with the bloodaxe crew during kingdom of claw, and i’m very glad i read it before moving forward. however, i do wonder whether some of this material might have worked better woven into the main series rather than separated into its own instalment. i understand that fantasy books can grow into enormous beasts of their own, and sometimes an author has to make difficult decisions about what stays and what goes. even so, i couldn’t shake the feeling that the story was caught between wanting to be a self-contained adventure and needing to set up something bigger. i wanted a little more closure here, whilst also wanting the character development to have more room to unfold naturally.
ꕤ the narrator deserves her flowers. 🎧
i also listened to the audiobook, and the narration was phenomenal as always. there’s something so enjoyable about returning to a familiar fantasy world through a narrator who knows how to bring its characters and atmosphere to life. the action was engaging, the tension had its moments, and i found myself swept along even when certain plot developments weren’t entirely working for me. there are also some genuinely gruesome scenes in this book, so please do check the trigger warnings before diving in if that’s something you need to be mindful of. this isn’t necessarily the gentlest little fantasy adventure, and some of the darker moments can be quite graphic. i appreciated the audiobook experience enormously, and i think it helped keep me invested even when the pacing and romance left me wanting more.
ꕤ my final thoughts… ♡
ultimately, roots of darkness was a bit of a mixed bag for me. i loved returning to íseldur, i loved getting hekla’s perspective again, and i loved seeing more of the bloodaxe crew in the middle of all the chaos. the mystery and action were enjoyable, the talking squirrel deserves its own fan club, and there were enough interesting developments to keep me invested in what comes next. but the short length, rushed character moments, and romantic decisions stopped this from being the instalment i wanted it to be. i also struggled with the way certain behaviour was handled, because i wanted more accountability and more space for hekla’s feelings to matter without everything circling back to romance. i can see the potential in this story, and i think it could have been something truly special with a little more room to develop. i wasn’t disappointed enough to stop loving the series, but i was frustrated enough to have a few words with the author in my head. respectfully, of course. mostly. 🤭
ꕤ so, would i recommend it?
yes, especially if you’re already invested in the ashen series and want the extra context before moving on to book three. just don’t go into it expecting a completely separate, neatly wrapped adventure, because this very much feels like a bridge between bigger events. for me, this was a case of loving the character and the world more than loving every decision made within the story. hekla remains an absolute favourite, and i’m genuinely excited to see what comes next for her and the crew. i just hope the next instalment gives her the space, development, and treatment she deserves, because if there’s one thing i’ve taken away from this novella, it’s that i will always be seated for hekla rib smasher, but i reserve the right to be extremely judgemental about the men in her vicinity. 😂🖤
ꕤ favourite things ❦ hekla, the bloodaxe crew, returning to íseldur, the action, and one very unexpected talking squirrel.
ꕤ less favourite things ❦ the rushed pacing, the underdeveloped romance, and certain men needing to learn that accountability is, in fact, a thing.
ꕤ pre-read ❦
i won’t lie to you, i am the queen of skipping novellas 🤭 and i said what i said, so don’t expect an apology from me! BUT when i realised this one follows the bloodaxe crew, i knew i couldn’t possibly skip it. i absolutely adore hekla and her little band of misfits, so the second i read the blurb, i was sold. honestly, getting more time with these characters is all the convincing i need, and suddenly my usual novella-skipping tendencies have disappeared. 😂🖤
January 29, 2026
May I present to you one of my new favorite FMCs ever : HEKLA RIB SMASHER ❤️🔥🗡️🩸
This is how you write a freaking glorious novella!
Gods, that was absolutely fantastic 🔥 I loved EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT and I can’t wait to dive into my ARC of *Dawn of the North* to find out what happens next!!!!
[Side note : Eyvind I’ve got beef with you 😤 and you better explain yourself, BEG & GROVEL like it’s your sole purpose in life, got it golden boy?]
[Second side note : Gunnar you darling fool 😭😂 I feel terrible for you…]
This is how you write a freaking glorious novella!
Gods, that was absolutely fantastic 🔥 I loved EVERY SINGLE SECOND OF IT and I can’t wait to dive into my ARC of *Dawn of the North* to find out what happens next!!!!
[Side note : Eyvind I’ve got beef with you 😤 and you better explain yourself, BEG & GROVEL like it’s your sole purpose in life, got it golden boy?]
[Second side note : Gunnar you darling fool 😭😂 I feel terrible for you…]
October 5, 2025
Yeah that was useless
June 12, 2025
Easy one sitting read for this incredible novella! It’s a wonderful addition to an already addicting story of the Blood Axe Crew following Hekla!
Read this after book 2 in The Ashen series!
Read this after book 2 in The Ashen series!
June 11, 2025
Ooooh this actually pissed me off SO bad!!!!!! I can’t stand Eyvind and I can’t stand the audacity of the narrative punishing Hekla while he faces NO repercussions for the way he treats her. “She came to understand his perspective-” well she shouldn’t!!!!!! Fuck his perspective. Hekla did nothing wrong and, frankly, she and Sigrún should have killed Eyvind with hammers and then fallen in love with each other instead.
The ending of the book gives me very slight hope that I might actually be satisfied with the final resolution to all of this, but it also confuses and concerns me. I didn’t realize this wasn’t a standalone. Is there going to be a B-series of novellas, ongoing in between the main novels? Or is this plotline going to join back up with the main books? I’m afraid this series will struggle with pacing and scope as it continues.
In spite of being steaming mad the entire time I read this book, I just can’t give it less than 3 stars. I love Hekla and I love getting to be in this world again.
The ending of the book gives me very slight hope that I might actually be satisfied with the final resolution to all of this, but it also confuses and concerns me. I didn’t realize this wasn’t a standalone. Is there going to be a B-series of novellas, ongoing in between the main novels? Or is this plotline going to join back up with the main books? I’m afraid this series will struggle with pacing and scope as it continues.
In spite of being steaming mad the entire time I read this book, I just can’t give it less than 3 stars. I love Hekla and I love getting to be in this world again.
February 21, 2026
4 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Perhaps what she’d truly needed all these days was a taste of shattered male ego. It was so delicious, after all.
This was a fun little side quest with the Rib Smasher before the events of book 3 unfold.
The Fox and the Lynx had me kicking my feet. I need more of them.
Perhaps what she’d truly needed all these days was a taste of shattered male ego. It was so delicious, after all.
This was a fun little side quest with the Rib Smasher before the events of book 3 unfold.
The Fox and the Lynx had me kicking my feet. I need more of them.
May 12, 2025
Roots of Darkness (The Ashen #2.5) by Demi Winters
Book Blurb:
Traveling the Road of Bones was only the start of Hekla’s troubles.
The Bloodaxe Crew have arrived at the village of Istré—beleaguered and missing three of their members. They might be down in numbers, but Hekla ‘Rib Smasher’ is determined they’ll complete their job all the defeat the evil mist with a heartbeat and keep the citizens of Istré safe. What she didn’t expect is for Istré’s bull-headed chieftain to block her every move.
Rating: *****
Feels: Anticipation, Adventurous, Outraged, Pleased
Style: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Magic, High Fantasy, Vikings
First published June 10, 2025 : 185 pages, Kindle
I love that our girl Hekla ‘Rib Smasher’ got her own story. This did not even feel like a Novella but a full story which I absolutely loved. It makes me want a side story for each character because I just love all the characters in this world so much. I loved the back and forth between fox and lynx .. it was just too adorable given that they are both trying not to be adorable. The mystery aspect of this story and how it all unfolds was really a story that drew me in and had me riveted to find out what was going to happen. Thank you for giving our girl Hekla some spice worthy of her !! Eyvind Hakonsson was swoon worthy and turned out to be even better then anticipated. I loved watching the bonds develop between these two. If anyone deserves a good romance/spice its our girl Hekla. Now give us book 3 !!!! Let the stalking commence.
Favorite Quote: "I will call you Fox, and you can call me Lynx." (just the cutest !!!)
This book has:
Strong FMC (Super Stabby)
Morally Gray MMC
Lovers to Enemies ...
Touch her and die
Found Family
Hidden Identity
Forced Proximity
Politics
Magic
Book Blurb:
Traveling the Road of Bones was only the start of Hekla’s troubles.
The Bloodaxe Crew have arrived at the village of Istré—beleaguered and missing three of their members. They might be down in numbers, but Hekla ‘Rib Smasher’ is determined they’ll complete their job all the defeat the evil mist with a heartbeat and keep the citizens of Istré safe. What she didn’t expect is for Istré’s bull-headed chieftain to block her every move.
Rating: *****
Feels: Anticipation, Adventurous, Outraged, Pleased
Style: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Magic, High Fantasy, Vikings
First published June 10, 2025 : 185 pages, Kindle
I love that our girl Hekla ‘Rib Smasher’ got her own story. This did not even feel like a Novella but a full story which I absolutely loved. It makes me want a side story for each character because I just love all the characters in this world so much. I loved the back and forth between fox and lynx .. it was just too adorable given that they are both trying not to be adorable. The mystery aspect of this story and how it all unfolds was really a story that drew me in and had me riveted to find out what was going to happen. Thank you for giving our girl Hekla some spice worthy of her !! Eyvind Hakonsson was swoon worthy and turned out to be even better then anticipated. I loved watching the bonds develop between these two. If anyone deserves a good romance/spice its our girl Hekla. Now give us book 3 !!!! Let the stalking commence.
Favorite Quote: "I will call you Fox, and you can call me Lynx." (just the cutest !!!)
This book has:
Strong FMC (Super Stabby)
Morally Gray MMC
Lovers to Enemies ...
Touch her and die
Found Family
Hidden Identity
Forced Proximity
Politics
Magic
January 18, 2026
4☆
𝚑𝚎𝚔𝚕𝚊 is just THAT girl 🙂↕️🤏🏻 i loved her in book 1 so getting more of her story in this novella was everything!! and 𝚎𝚢𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚍 🤭🤪
‧₊˚.𑣲 𝓯𝓸𝔁 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓵𝔂𝓷𝔁 ⋆˚࿔
ˋ°•*⁀➷ so excited for 𝐝𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 🐺✨🗡️
𝚑𝚎𝚔𝚕𝚊 is just THAT girl 🙂↕️🤏🏻 i loved her in book 1 so getting more of her story in this novella was everything!! and 𝚎𝚢𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚍 🤭🤪
‧₊˚.𑣲 𝓯𝓸𝔁 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓵𝔂𝓷𝔁 ⋆˚࿔
ˋ°•*⁀➷ so excited for 𝐝𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 🐺✨🗡️
January 30, 2026
Ok I just love everything about this series 🤯 it’s perfect
April 30, 2025
Demi Winters is an auto-buy author for me.
Roots of Darkness is yet more proof of her incredible talent…not just as a writer, but as a masterful storyteller.
Experiencing the story from Hekla’s point of view was a refreshing shift from Silla and Saga, and it was absolutely magnificent. Hekla is such a strong, beautiful character, and getting inside her head felt like a privilege..one I didn’t feel I’d earned, but was deeply grateful for.
I definitely have more questions than answers (I’m looking at you, Eyvie), but rest assured: this novella was perfection and fits into the Ashen series like the final piece of a puzzle.
A huge thank you to Demi & her team for the honor of being able to read this ARC! 🐿️💕
Roots of Darkness is yet more proof of her incredible talent…not just as a writer, but as a masterful storyteller.
Experiencing the story from Hekla’s point of view was a refreshing shift from Silla and Saga, and it was absolutely magnificent. Hekla is such a strong, beautiful character, and getting inside her head felt like a privilege..one I didn’t feel I’d earned, but was deeply grateful for.
I definitely have more questions than answers (I’m looking at you, Eyvie), but rest assured: this novella was perfection and fits into the Ashen series like the final piece of a puzzle.
A huge thank you to Demi & her team for the honor of being able to read this ARC! 🐿️💕
December 28, 2025
“It was poetic, Hekla supposed—she’d molded what one might consider a weakness into her greatest weapon.”
I am completely and utterly obsessed with this world, I’m currently re-reading Kingdom Of Claw and then starting Dawn Of The North 🙌🏼
IF YOU ARE SLEEPING ON THIS SERIES, stop! Go start The Road Of Bones immediately!! 🦴
I am completely and utterly obsessed with this world, I’m currently re-reading Kingdom Of Claw and then starting Dawn Of The North 🙌🏼
IF YOU ARE SLEEPING ON THIS SERIES, stop! Go start The Road Of Bones immediately!! 🦴
June 28, 2025
I really liked this brief read! It revisits the initial reason behind the journey of the blood axe crew. Hekla is certainly a character I look forward to learning more about in the future.
November 25, 2025
and just like that, a hot new bombshell enters the villa that is my gay little heart that yearns for all the strong women.
not this novella single-handedly turning Hekla "Rib Smasher" into one of my favorite characters from the Ashen series. she is mommy AND a feminist icon AND a such badass and i am down bad (i wanna be her when i grow up). i don't have a ton to say about this novella except i loved it so very much and it was the perfect little bite that i needed to keep me satisfied until the next Ashen book comes out in 4 months.
also, Eyvind can go eat dirt.
not this novella single-handedly turning Hekla "Rib Smasher" into one of my favorite characters from the Ashen series. she is mommy AND a feminist icon AND a such badass and i am down bad (i wanna be her when i grow up). i don't have a ton to say about this novella except i loved it so very much and it was the perfect little bite that i needed to keep me satisfied until the next Ashen book comes out in 4 months.
also, Eyvind can go eat dirt.
May 1, 2025
i’m in love with hekla rib smasher!!!!!!!!!!!! (full review to come)
May 21, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️6 star perfection!!!
Not only do I love this world already and think that Demi’s writing is some of the best out there, this little novella is about my FAVE CHARACTER!
It has feminine rage, golden retriever X black cat, disability rep, slow burn to spicy romance, monsters and a mystery plot that is integral to the overall plot of the series… I LOVE IT ALL!!! If you haven’t started this series then this is your hint!
Thank you Demi for the arc.
Not only do I love this world already and think that Demi’s writing is some of the best out there, this little novella is about my FAVE CHARACTER!
It has feminine rage, golden retriever X black cat, disability rep, slow burn to spicy romance, monsters and a mystery plot that is integral to the overall plot of the series… I LOVE IT ALL!!! If you haven’t started this series then this is your hint!
Thank you Demi for the arc.
January 4, 2026
Roots of Darkness is a fast, spicy return to Íseldur, and while I enjoyed spending more time with Hekla “Rib Smasher,” this novella ultimately left me a bit conflicted.
Hekla remains the standout—fierce, stubborn, morally grounded, and unwilling to bend even when everyone around her underestimates her. Watching her take charge of the Bloodaxe Crew in Rey’s absence was satisfying, and I loved seeing her navigate leadership, danger, and her own vulnerabilities. That said, the short length really works against the story. The sentient mist plot feels rushed, the worldbuilding is thin, and the emotional beats don’t always have time to land. This is very much a companion piece—you’d be lost without reading the previous books.
Romance-wise… mixed feelings. The Hekla/Gunner dynamic got weird for me. Emphasizing their “brother/sister” bond immediately after Hekla reflects on not wanting to casually hook up with him anymore felt uncomfortable and unnecessary. As for Eyvind, he just didn’t work for me. Demi Winters’ love interests are starting to blur together—broody, controlling, and overly dominant—and it’s getting old. Eyvind wasn’t my favorite addition.
I’m also increasingly frustrated with Winters’ reliance on mind-speaking as a narrative shortcut. It feels like an easy way to push the plot forward rather than doing the harder work through dialogue and action.
Overall, enjoyable for Hekla fans and readers here for the spice, but narratively shallow and a bit disappointing.
Hekla remains the standout—fierce, stubborn, morally grounded, and unwilling to bend even when everyone around her underestimates her. Watching her take charge of the Bloodaxe Crew in Rey’s absence was satisfying, and I loved seeing her navigate leadership, danger, and her own vulnerabilities. That said, the short length really works against the story. The sentient mist plot feels rushed, the worldbuilding is thin, and the emotional beats don’t always have time to land. This is very much a companion piece—you’d be lost without reading the previous books.
Romance-wise… mixed feelings. The Hekla/Gunner dynamic got weird for me. Emphasizing their “brother/sister” bond immediately after Hekla reflects on not wanting to casually hook up with him anymore felt uncomfortable and unnecessary. As for Eyvind, he just didn’t work for me. Demi Winters’ love interests are starting to blur together—broody, controlling, and overly dominant—and it’s getting old. Eyvind wasn’t my favorite addition.
I’m also increasingly frustrated with Winters’ reliance on mind-speaking as a narrative shortcut. It feels like an easy way to push the plot forward rather than doing the harder work through dialogue and action.
Overall, enjoyable for Hekla fans and readers here for the spice, but narratively shallow and a bit disappointing.
September 13, 2025
The Ashen series will forever be one of my all time favorites so l, of course, LOVED being back in this world with these characters🥹 For such a short book, this
was so entertaining and packed with action. This novella continues an existing plot line from book 1 and also introduces us to a new side character (I'm already rooting for you Eyvind🫶🏼). I really loved catching up with the Blood Axe crew and getting this bonus glimpse into Hekla's character, especially since she was always my favorite from the crew.
As always, I enjoyed Demi's writing and her perfect balance of fantasy plot and romance. Reading this has me even more excited for book 3's release and I cannot wait to see what's in store for these characters!! I can already tell the next installment in this series is going to be EPIC.
Thank you so much to the NerdFam and the author for an early, gifted copy!!
was so entertaining and packed with action. This novella continues an existing plot line from book 1 and also introduces us to a new side character (I'm already rooting for you Eyvind🫶🏼). I really loved catching up with the Blood Axe crew and getting this bonus glimpse into Hekla's character, especially since she was always my favorite from the crew.
As always, I enjoyed Demi's writing and her perfect balance of fantasy plot and romance. Reading this has me even more excited for book 3's release and I cannot wait to see what's in store for these characters!! I can already tell the next installment in this series is going to be EPIC.
Thank you so much to the NerdFam and the author for an early, gifted copy!!
January 4, 2026
In this novella we see Hekla lead what's left of the blood axe crew on a special mission.
There's not a ton to say here, there's plenty of romance and action but this story pales in comparison to the previous two full length books.
There's a lot of female rage here so if that's your thing it's worth reading. I'd suggest you read this if you read the previous two books because I think what happens here is noteworthy enough to read through it.
There's not a ton to say here, there's plenty of romance and action but this story pales in comparison to the previous two full length books.
There's a lot of female rage here so if that's your thing it's worth reading. I'd suggest you read this if you read the previous two books because I think what happens here is noteworthy enough to read through it.
August 2, 2025
Rib Smasher 🫶🏻
December 22, 2025
The Ashen series is so under-hyped. I’ve thought this since the very beginning of the Road of Bones. I should’ve read this back when it was released but hadn’t gotten to it yet, and I couldn’t officially start Dawn of the North until I caught up on Hekla and the rest of the Bloodaxe Crew. Shits not boring anywhere in Iseldur, it seems. Hekla is a badass and Eyvind has some explaining to do…
July 29, 2025
Hekla fans unite!!!
May 15, 2026
**ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** ℜ𝔬𝔬𝔱𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔇𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔟𝔶 𝔇𝔢𝔪𝔦 𝔚𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯𝔰 (𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔄𝔰𝔥𝔢𝔫, #2.5)
Release Day: June 10, 2025
5⭐️4🌶
This is the perfect little connector book between Kingdom of Claw and Dawn of the North. This book follows the three other members of the Bloodaxe Crew who didn't go with Rey to rescue Silla. Helka, Sigrind, and Gunnar have taken upon themselves to complete the job they signed up for with Commander Magnus, which to help rid a town of a magic mist with a heartbeat into which people and animals have been disappearing.
Minor Spoilers Ahead:
Hekla "rib smasher" has been with the Bloodaxe Crew for several years and with Reynir currently absent from their group, Hekla has been the leader until Eyvind's arrival. Being a female warrior in man's world, she's quite used to being underestimated and overlooked. But to get this job done she will have to assert herself over and over to these pigheaded warriors and commanders to get her thoughts and theories about this mist across.
There is one commander in particular, Eyvind Hakonsson, who she slept with upon arriving in this cursed town without realising who he was, that has caught her eye. Eyvind also happens to be old friends with her current leader Reynir, and Reynir has requested Eyvind act as leader until his return.
This book is full of training and battles with dark and twisted creatures that may or may not be alive. I can't want to continue Hekla's story in Dawn of the North.
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Enemies to Lovers
🍁Slow Burn
🍁Hidden Powers/Princess
🍁Nordic/Viking Inspired
🍁Evil King/Queen
🍁Magic Users vs. Non-magic users
🍁Touch her and you die
🍁Grumpy v. Sunshine
TW:
✨Violence
✨Sexual Assault
✨Self-defense training
✨Betrayal
✨Death of family/close friend
Release Day: June 10, 2025
5⭐️4🌶
This is the perfect little connector book between Kingdom of Claw and Dawn of the North. This book follows the three other members of the Bloodaxe Crew who didn't go with Rey to rescue Silla. Helka, Sigrind, and Gunnar have taken upon themselves to complete the job they signed up for with Commander Magnus, which to help rid a town of a magic mist with a heartbeat into which people and animals have been disappearing.
Minor Spoilers Ahead:
Hekla "rib smasher" has been with the Bloodaxe Crew for several years and with Reynir currently absent from their group, Hekla has been the leader until Eyvind's arrival. Being a female warrior in man's world, she's quite used to being underestimated and overlooked. But to get this job done she will have to assert herself over and over to these pigheaded warriors and commanders to get her thoughts and theories about this mist across.
There is one commander in particular, Eyvind Hakonsson, who she slept with upon arriving in this cursed town without realising who he was, that has caught her eye. Eyvind also happens to be old friends with her current leader Reynir, and Reynir has requested Eyvind act as leader until his return.
This book is full of training and battles with dark and twisted creatures that may or may not be alive. I can't want to continue Hekla's story in Dawn of the North.
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Enemies to Lovers
🍁Slow Burn
🍁Hidden Powers/Princess
🍁Nordic/Viking Inspired
🍁Evil King/Queen
🍁Magic Users vs. Non-magic users
🍁Touch her and you die
🍁Grumpy v. Sunshine
TW:
✨Violence
✨Sexual Assault
✨Self-defense training
✨Betrayal
✨Death of family/close friend
November 14, 2025
This was so good!!!!
I loved being reunited with Hekla and the Bloodaxe Crew, and seeing what they've been up to as I definitely missed them in Kingdom of Claw.
The mental health and disability representation in this series is truly exceptional. Demi Winters handles heavy topics with utmost care and respect.
Hekla truly deserves the world. Her backstory absolutely broke my heart. Her strength is so admirable, I just want to give her the biggest hug.
I also love the fact that she is such a girls girl and will always have your back no matter what. Her friendship with Silla was a huge highlight for me in book one, so I can't wait to see more of them in book three.
One of the reasons why I love this series so deeply is because of the incredible female characters Demi has created. They're all so fiercely badass and empowering. Each of them has endured so much, yet they continue to demonstrate strength and resilience in their own unique ways.
The romance in this, as always, was beautifully written. Demi Winters can do no wrong. The men she writes are just absolutely top tier, unmatched and completely swoon worthy!!! I'm obsessed.
This novella made me even more excited for book three! That ending set everything up perfectly for what's to come. I genuinely CANNOT wait for everyone to be reunited and to see how the story will unfold!
I loved being reunited with Hekla and the Bloodaxe Crew, and seeing what they've been up to as I definitely missed them in Kingdom of Claw.
The mental health and disability representation in this series is truly exceptional. Demi Winters handles heavy topics with utmost care and respect.
Hekla truly deserves the world. Her backstory absolutely broke my heart. Her strength is so admirable, I just want to give her the biggest hug.
I also love the fact that she is such a girls girl and will always have your back no matter what. Her friendship with Silla was a huge highlight for me in book one, so I can't wait to see more of them in book three.
One of the reasons why I love this series so deeply is because of the incredible female characters Demi has created. They're all so fiercely badass and empowering. Each of them has endured so much, yet they continue to demonstrate strength and resilience in their own unique ways.
The romance in this, as always, was beautifully written. Demi Winters can do no wrong. The men she writes are just absolutely top tier, unmatched and completely swoon worthy!!! I'm obsessed.
This novella made me even more excited for book three! That ending set everything up perfectly for what's to come. I genuinely CANNOT wait for everyone to be reunited and to see how the story will unfold!
May 4, 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️.5
Thank you Demi Winters for sending me the eARC of this novella.
Hekla was an amazing side character in The Road of Bones, and honestly I missed her and the bloodaxe crew while reading Kingdom of Claw. I’m so glad she got her own novella!
If you were wondering what her and the other members from the Bloodaxe crew were up to while reading Kingdom of Claw then you are going to want to read this!
For a novella this had everything: Adventure, mystery, romance, some spice, flashbacks, a cute talking animal, creepy creatures, and a strong FMC who also has a vulnerable side.
Probably one of the best novellas out there! Please read this once it comes out! It will come out on June 10th.
Spice: 🌶️.5
Thank you Demi Winters for sending me the eARC of this novella.
Hekla was an amazing side character in The Road of Bones, and honestly I missed her and the bloodaxe crew while reading Kingdom of Claw. I’m so glad she got her own novella!
If you were wondering what her and the other members from the Bloodaxe crew were up to while reading Kingdom of Claw then you are going to want to read this!
For a novella this had everything: Adventure, mystery, romance, some spice, flashbacks, a cute talking animal, creepy creatures, and a strong FMC who also has a vulnerable side.
Probably one of the best novellas out there! Please read this once it comes out! It will come out on June 10th.
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