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The Path of Ashes
Fire.
It follows Kael, a man driven by vengeance. The only thing he clings to is fractured memories—and finding the sorcerer who took everything from him.
In a land of ash and monsters, the path forward demands he relive the past.
And some memories should have stayed buried.
The Path of Ashes is a psychological dark fantasy dealing with the themes of trauma, loss, manipulation, and obsession. Blending elements of psychological horror, myth, and sword-and-sorcery fantasy, this book asks what happens when your truth is based on vengeance—and when even that slips away.
For readers who enjoy immersive prose, mythic worldbuilding, and emotionally damaged heroes—follow the beginning of Kael’s descent.
It follows Kael, a man driven by vengeance. The only thing he clings to is fractured memories—and finding the sorcerer who took everything from him.
In a land of ash and monsters, the path forward demands he relive the past.
And some memories should have stayed buried.
The Path of Ashes is a psychological dark fantasy dealing with the themes of trauma, loss, manipulation, and obsession. Blending elements of psychological horror, myth, and sword-and-sorcery fantasy, this book asks what happens when your truth is based on vengeance—and when even that slips away.
For readers who enjoy immersive prose, mythic worldbuilding, and emotionally damaged heroes—follow the beginning of Kael’s descent.
560 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2025
7 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 21, 2025
I was gifted a copy of the book by the author, that said my thoughts are my own!
Ok so first off, really enjoyed this book. I think if you’re a fan of the Witcher, you’re really gonna love this book.
Quick synopsis of the book, our story follow Kael, who is a monster hunter, on his quest for vengeance. To find the sorcerer who has taken so much for Kael. And on his path we met some many characters and places and of course many monsters.
One thing I think this book does really well is the battles and fight scenes. The action here is really top notch. All of the different monsters and mythical creatures Kael fights is awesome. They are all very well written, they are brutal, bloody, and had me at the edge of my seat for many of them.
This book also does a really good job with building up the world here. As we follow Kael we see many different places, and is very vivid with the descriptions. From large castle’s and fortresses, to vast magical forests.
The monsters. Kael is a monster hunter, and I’m glad to report he has a massive list of monsters he fights in this book.
I also enjoyed the characters for the most part. Kael himself was a really great character. And I really enjoyed the turmoil within him, of choose to stay of his path of vengeance or abandoning his quest for something that might make him happy. Also many of the side characters stand out as well. Ijos was a great character and many other.
Now for some cons.
I only really had a few. The first being this is a nonlinear timeline, which is fine, but the times it switched form past to present always through me off. Especially in the early chapters as we are still trying to learn all the characters and places. And it was a little confusing. As the book went on that became less an issue. But maybe there was some sort of indication of a time switch I would have be less confused at the beginning.
Second con is the pacing at the beginning was a little rough. While I did really enjoy the monster fights, the beginning was kinda fight after fight after fight. And I think I could have used a little more time to breathe between fights scenes.
Other than those I had a great time with the path of ashes. and I think a a debut novel the author absolutely nailed it. And really enjoyed the story. I definitely recommend giving this a read and I personally cannot wait for the sequel when that happens!
Ok so first off, really enjoyed this book. I think if you’re a fan of the Witcher, you’re really gonna love this book.
Quick synopsis of the book, our story follow Kael, who is a monster hunter, on his quest for vengeance. To find the sorcerer who has taken so much for Kael. And on his path we met some many characters and places and of course many monsters.
One thing I think this book does really well is the battles and fight scenes. The action here is really top notch. All of the different monsters and mythical creatures Kael fights is awesome. They are all very well written, they are brutal, bloody, and had me at the edge of my seat for many of them.
This book also does a really good job with building up the world here. As we follow Kael we see many different places, and is very vivid with the descriptions. From large castle’s and fortresses, to vast magical forests.
The monsters. Kael is a monster hunter, and I’m glad to report he has a massive list of monsters he fights in this book.
I also enjoyed the characters for the most part. Kael himself was a really great character. And I really enjoyed the turmoil within him, of choose to stay of his path of vengeance or abandoning his quest for something that might make him happy. Also many of the side characters stand out as well. Ijos was a great character and many other.
Now for some cons.
I only really had a few. The first being this is a nonlinear timeline, which is fine, but the times it switched form past to present always through me off. Especially in the early chapters as we are still trying to learn all the characters and places. And it was a little confusing. As the book went on that became less an issue. But maybe there was some sort of indication of a time switch I would have be less confused at the beginning.
Second con is the pacing at the beginning was a little rough. While I did really enjoy the monster fights, the beginning was kinda fight after fight after fight. And I think I could have used a little more time to breathe between fights scenes.
Other than those I had a great time with the path of ashes. and I think a a debut novel the author absolutely nailed it. And really enjoyed the story. I definitely recommend giving this a read and I personally cannot wait for the sequel when that happens!
August 4, 2025
Dark, haunting, and beautifully written. A journey into vengeance, memory, and the fragility of truth. The Path of Ashes is more than just a dark fantasy it’s a psychological descent into a fractured soul. Kael is the kind of protagonist that lingers with you: raw, broken, and utterly human in his pain. Driven by vengeance and the shadowy remnants of a stolen past, his journey through a world of ash and monsters becomes as internal as it is external. The worldbuilding is mythic and immersive, with layers of sorrow, danger, and surreal beauty. The prose is elegant yet brutal, pulling you deep into a narrative where memory can’t be trusted, and every revelation cuts deeper than the last. This book doesn’t shy away from hard themes trauma, loss, obsession but handles them with emotional depth and complexity. If you’re a reader who appreciates character-driven fantasy, psychological tension, and morally gray storytelling, Kael’s story is one you won’t forget. A gripping start to what promises to be an unforgettable saga.
July 28, 2025
The Path of Ashes pulled me in from page one and didn’t let go. This isn’t your typical fantasy it’s a descent into the psyche of a man unraveling, and I loved every unsettling minute of it.
Kael is one of the most compelling anti-heroes I’ve read in a long time. Haunted by grief and driven by revenge, his journey is brutal, emotional, and incredibly raw. The world is bleak but beautifully rendered, full of strange creatures, ancient ruins, and a creeping sense of dread that reminded me more of a psychological thriller than a classic sword-and-sorcery tale.
This book doesn’t shy away from heavy themes trauma, obsession, memory but it handles them with intention. The writing is immersive and poetic at times, twisting memory and myth together until you’re not sure what’s real… and neither is Kael. It’s haunting in the best way.
Kael is one of the most compelling anti-heroes I’ve read in a long time. Haunted by grief and driven by revenge, his journey is brutal, emotional, and incredibly raw. The world is bleak but beautifully rendered, full of strange creatures, ancient ruins, and a creeping sense of dread that reminded me more of a psychological thriller than a classic sword-and-sorcery tale.
This book doesn’t shy away from heavy themes trauma, obsession, memory but it handles them with intention. The writing is immersive and poetic at times, twisting memory and myth together until you’re not sure what’s real… and neither is Kael. It’s haunting in the best way.
June 12, 2025
I was hooked from the first page. The Path of Ashes is dark, brutal, and unexpectedly beautiful. As someone who really enjoys emotional depth in fantasy, Kael’s trauma and fragmented memories hit hard and kept me invested.
The worldbuilding is rich, the lore is genuinely interesting, and the story mixes gritty action with quieter, more emotional moments in a way that feels both intimate and wide in scope.
If you’re into the monster-hunting edge of The Witcher, the scope of Stormlight Archive, or the emotional weight of Name of the Wind, you’ll love this as much as I did.
Honestly, I can’t wait to see where the series goes next. Easily one of the most immersive indie fantasies I’ve read in a long time.
The worldbuilding is rich, the lore is genuinely interesting, and the story mixes gritty action with quieter, more emotional moments in a way that feels both intimate and wide in scope.
If you’re into the monster-hunting edge of The Witcher, the scope of Stormlight Archive, or the emotional weight of Name of the Wind, you’ll love this as much as I did.
Honestly, I can’t wait to see where the series goes next. Easily one of the most immersive indie fantasies I’ve read in a long time.
August 7, 2025
I haven’t read The Path of Ashes yet, but the synopsis alone feels like it’s pulling me into something intense and unforgettable. A broken hero chasing vengeance, haunted by memories in a world of ash and monsters it already sounds like a deeply emotional ride. I’m drawn to stories that explore trauma and the thin line between justice and obsession, and Kael's journey seems to promise exactly that. If the writing matches the atmosphere hinted here, I know this will be a powerful and gripping read. Definitely adding this to my TBR.
July 18, 2025
he Path of Ashes is a gripping blend of dark fantasy and psychological horror. Kael’s journey through a world of monsters and buried memories is both haunting and powerful. The writing is rich, the worldbuilding mythic, and the emotional depth truly hits hard.
A must-read for fans of brooding heroes, immersive prose, and stories that dig deep into trauma and vengeance.
A must-read for fans of brooding heroes, immersive prose, and stories that dig deep into trauma and vengeance.
August 11, 2025
Vengeance has never felt this human. The Path of Ashes isn’t just another dark fantasy—it’s an emotional, gripping journey that pulls you into Kael’s pain, his choices, and his relentless drive. The writing is vivid, the world feels alive, and every chapter makes you want to keep turning pages. If you want a story that’s as powerful as it is unforgettable, this is it.
August 23, 2025
This book is raw, haunting, and unforgettable. Kael’s journey through vengeance and trauma pulled me in and wouldn’t let go. The writing is so immersive that I felt like I was walking through the ash right beside him. It’s dark, yes, but also deeply human if you love fantasy that makes you feel as much as it thrills you, this is a must read.
August 23, 2025
The Path of Ashes is unlike any fantasy I’ve read before. It’s intense, emotional, and beautifully written. Kael is such a complex character flawed, broken, yet impossible not to root for. The mix of myth, horror, and sword and sorcery kept me turning pages late into the night. Highly recommended for fans who want their fantasy with real depth and grit.
August 11, 2025
I loved how this book blended fantasy, myth, and psychological depth. It’s not just a story about revenge, it’s about what’s left of you when revenge is all you’ve lived for. Some scenes gave me chills.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews