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The Other Half of the End #1
Dream in the Ash
THE DREAM HOTEL meets THE ATLAS SIX in this dark, psychologically charged dystopian thriller, featuring speculative elements and a dangerous slow-burn romantic thread.
Only when you're facing the ashes of despair can you truly dream. For Audrey, the ashes are about to give birth to an inferno.
Ten years ago, telepath Audrey Sarafian was convicted of murdering her family after insisting the real killer was a voice inside her head. Without proof, no one believed her. She was declared unstable, sent to prison, and remade into a public monster.
When her conviction is suddenly overturned, Audrey walks free into a society that still sees her as a brutal murderer. And the moment she leaves prison, the voice returns—very much alive. Determined to prove what really happened, Audrey descends into the city’s decaying underworld, where ex-convicts are exploited, and powerful people erase inconvenient truths without consequence.
But the deeper she goes, the more she realizes her family’s murder was never an isolated crime. It was the beginning of something much larger.
And as the hunt closes in, the voice in her head grows more insistent—not pushing Audrey toward madness, but toward becoming something far more dangerous.
Because it doesn’t want her dead.
It wants her transformed.
Dream in the Ash is a dark, psychological speculative thriller with dystopian, sci-fi, and fantasy elements and a restrained, slow-burning romantic thread. It’s set in a near-future Earth society and is for readers who enjoy being dropped into uncertainty, piecing things together, and following a flawed heroine through psychological chaos, betrayal, and dangerous power. It is book one in a five-part series. Please see the author’s website for a list of content warnings.
Only when you're facing the ashes of despair can you truly dream. For Audrey, the ashes are about to give birth to an inferno.
Ten years ago, telepath Audrey Sarafian was convicted of murdering her family after insisting the real killer was a voice inside her head. Without proof, no one believed her. She was declared unstable, sent to prison, and remade into a public monster.
When her conviction is suddenly overturned, Audrey walks free into a society that still sees her as a brutal murderer. And the moment she leaves prison, the voice returns—very much alive. Determined to prove what really happened, Audrey descends into the city’s decaying underworld, where ex-convicts are exploited, and powerful people erase inconvenient truths without consequence.
But the deeper she goes, the more she realizes her family’s murder was never an isolated crime. It was the beginning of something much larger.
And as the hunt closes in, the voice in her head grows more insistent—not pushing Audrey toward madness, but toward becoming something far more dangerous.
Because it doesn’t want her dead.
It wants her transformed.
Dream in the Ash is a dark, psychological speculative thriller with dystopian, sci-fi, and fantasy elements and a restrained, slow-burning romantic thread. It’s set in a near-future Earth society and is for readers who enjoy being dropped into uncertainty, piecing things together, and following a flawed heroine through psychological chaos, betrayal, and dangerous power. It is book one in a five-part series. Please see the author’s website for a list of content warnings.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2026
About the author
Jacquelyn Gilmore
6 books198 followersJacquelyn Gilmore writes dark speculative fiction about villain-coded characters, impossible choices, and the emotional cost of survival. Her books span dark fantasy and dystopian sci-fi, but are united by the same obsessions: morally black characters, dangerous relationship dynamics, psychological intensity, and stories that explore what happens when survival demands monstrosity. With over a decade of professional writing experience and a bachelor’s degree in English literature, Gilmore crafts stories that lure readers into terrifyingly beautiful realms where antiheroes thrive, and every choice carries a cost.
When she isn’t writing, Gilmore lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and dog, Finn, constantly dreaming up new terrifying worlds and the villains who rule them.
When she isn’t writing, Gilmore lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and dog, Finn, constantly dreaming up new terrifying worlds and the villains who rule them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
April 9, 2026
4.5 stars! OKAY- what did I just read!?! 🤯🔥
✦ Wrongfully accused heroine
✦ The voice in her head is real
✦ Outlawed telepaths
✦ Dangerous slow-burn tension
✦ Psychological mind games
✦ Morally black characters
✦ Conspiracy + violence
✦ Women on the edge of monstrosity
✦ Cliffhanger ending
This dystopian dark thriller romance had me on the EDGE of my seat the entire time, and I still don’t know who to trust!
Filled with secrets, twists, betrayal, tension- I can’t even say too much without giving things away.
Our FMC, is released from prison after being convicted of unaliving her family- when she starts hearing the thoughts of the actual killer.
Telepathy, prison systems & ranking, violence, moments where you think - WTF!?
Ahhh- this was so good and left SO much open, I can’t wait to see where this story goes.
Highly recommend for any dark romance, dystopian, or dark romantasy lovers!
✦ Wrongfully accused heroine
✦ The voice in her head is real
✦ Outlawed telepaths
✦ Dangerous slow-burn tension
✦ Psychological mind games
✦ Morally black characters
✦ Conspiracy + violence
✦ Women on the edge of monstrosity
✦ Cliffhanger ending
This dystopian dark thriller romance had me on the EDGE of my seat the entire time, and I still don’t know who to trust!
Filled with secrets, twists, betrayal, tension- I can’t even say too much without giving things away.
Our FMC, is released from prison after being convicted of unaliving her family- when she starts hearing the thoughts of the actual killer.
Telepathy, prison systems & ranking, violence, moments where you think - WTF!?
Ahhh- this was so good and left SO much open, I can’t wait to see where this story goes.
Highly recommend for any dark romance, dystopian, or dark romantasy lovers!
April 9, 2026
This was such a unique read. Dream in the Ash throws you straight into the chaos and expects you to keep up and honestly, that’s part of the experience.
It is a little confusing at times, especially early on with all the terminology and moving pieces, but once I settled in, I found myself really intrigued by the world and what was unfolding. The sci-fi elements were super interesting, especially the telepathy and the underlying conspiracy vibes.
Audrey is not the easiest FMC to love, and I actually appreciated that. She’s messy, struggling with addiction, and dealing with a lot of trauma and that representation felt really well done. Even when I didn’t fully like her, I still rooted for her, which says a lot.
The pacing is pretty fast, and there’s always something happening, but this definitely feels like a setup for something bigger. There are still a lot of unanswered questions by the end, but in a way that makes you curious for what’s next.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with strong psychological elements, a flawed but compelling main character, and a world that slowly pulls you in even if it makes you work for it a bit.
It is a little confusing at times, especially early on with all the terminology and moving pieces, but once I settled in, I found myself really intrigued by the world and what was unfolding. The sci-fi elements were super interesting, especially the telepathy and the underlying conspiracy vibes.
Audrey is not the easiest FMC to love, and I actually appreciated that. She’s messy, struggling with addiction, and dealing with a lot of trauma and that representation felt really well done. Even when I didn’t fully like her, I still rooted for her, which says a lot.
The pacing is pretty fast, and there’s always something happening, but this definitely feels like a setup for something bigger. There are still a lot of unanswered questions by the end, but in a way that makes you curious for what’s next.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with strong psychological elements, a flawed but compelling main character, and a world that slowly pulls you in even if it makes you work for it a bit.
April 10, 2026
'𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳.
The word soothed her now like a cold hand across a fevered brow. Better monster than victim. Better beast than burned.' (Ch 21)
Dark Speculative Fiction | Psychological Thriller | Dystopian | Morally Grey | Mystery | Feminine Rage
Have always been fascinated with ESP (Extrasensory Perception) like telepathy, telekinesis, clairvoyance, clairaudience, pyrokinesis, etc. The main character has telepathy, which drew me to this book, in addition to the author (loved her other series), and it being dystopian and a psychological thriller. Add some morally grey, and this book had its hooks in me even before I opened it.
'Audrey curled her lip, blood coating her teeth as she snarled at anyone foolish enough to meet her stare. Let them think she was pathetic. Every wolf was small once.' (Ch 25)
Umm... one word... intense! Like a pressure cooker, the pressure and intensity slowly builds until it's about to combust. Especially about 40-50% in. The suspense! Hanging on the edge, waiting to see what would happen.
'Let him try to break her. She would be waiting, and not to die quietly or to beg— but to hear him scream.' (Ch 21)
Enjoyed this book immensely! The world building and atmosphere that Jacquelyn creates is immersive. And the characters! Loved Audrey, her vulnerabilities, and her strengths. She was a pawn, a weapon, and/or a threat that everyone wanted to use or kill, and a force unto herself. Yet underneath all of that fierceness and rage, there was a lowkey whisper of compassion even for some of her enemies.
'“Like what you see?” he asked.
“Yes,” Audrey said honestly. He blinked, faint surprise playing across his face. Why lie? He was built like something sculpted for war. A beautiful killer. Temptation with teeth.' (Ch 19)
There is a potential for romance. There's tension, for sure, but nothing substantiated yet. It's a 5-part series, so we'll see what happens next in book 2!
5🌟 eARC voluntary review
The word soothed her now like a cold hand across a fevered brow. Better monster than victim. Better beast than burned.' (Ch 21)
Dark Speculative Fiction | Psychological Thriller | Dystopian | Morally Grey | Mystery | Feminine Rage
Have always been fascinated with ESP (Extrasensory Perception) like telepathy, telekinesis, clairvoyance, clairaudience, pyrokinesis, etc. The main character has telepathy, which drew me to this book, in addition to the author (loved her other series), and it being dystopian and a psychological thriller. Add some morally grey, and this book had its hooks in me even before I opened it.
'Audrey curled her lip, blood coating her teeth as she snarled at anyone foolish enough to meet her stare. Let them think she was pathetic. Every wolf was small once.' (Ch 25)
Umm... one word... intense! Like a pressure cooker, the pressure and intensity slowly builds until it's about to combust. Especially about 40-50% in. The suspense! Hanging on the edge, waiting to see what would happen.
'Let him try to break her. She would be waiting, and not to die quietly or to beg— but to hear him scream.' (Ch 21)
Enjoyed this book immensely! The world building and atmosphere that Jacquelyn creates is immersive. And the characters! Loved Audrey, her vulnerabilities, and her strengths. She was a pawn, a weapon, and/or a threat that everyone wanted to use or kill, and a force unto herself. Yet underneath all of that fierceness and rage, there was a lowkey whisper of compassion even for some of her enemies.
'“Like what you see?” he asked.
“Yes,” Audrey said honestly. He blinked, faint surprise playing across his face. Why lie? He was built like something sculpted for war. A beautiful killer. Temptation with teeth.' (Ch 19)
There is a potential for romance. There's tension, for sure, but nothing substantiated yet. It's a 5-part series, so we'll see what happens next in book 2!
5🌟 eARC voluntary review
April 14, 2026
“‘What’s inside you isn’t human. It isn’t gentle.’”
I must need therapy, because I cannot get enough villains, especially Jacqueline Gilmore’s violently destructive creations. Dream in the Ash gives us a tenacious FMC, that is one of the most irresponsibly determined leading ladies I’ve read. Audrey is constantly corrupted by rage and intoxicants. While highly unreliable she’s always a delightful spite fire. But my favorite might just have to be Ryker. While he might be the vilest of them all, I can’t help admiring his nonchalance and snark. He gives me all the Johnny Silverhand (Cyberpunk 2077) vibes.
I must need therapy, because I cannot get enough villains, especially Jacqueline Gilmore’s violently destructive creations. Dream in the Ash gives us a tenacious FMC, that is one of the most irresponsibly determined leading ladies I’ve read. Audrey is constantly corrupted by rage and intoxicants. While highly unreliable she’s always a delightful spite fire. But my favorite might just have to be Ryker. While he might be the vilest of them all, I can’t help admiring his nonchalance and snark. He gives me all the Johnny Silverhand (Cyberpunk 2077) vibes.
May 21, 2026
Fast-paced and uniquely dark, this dystopian sci-fi fantasy throws us straight into the story with Audrey, our wrongly accused heroine, being released from jail after being accused of murdering her entire family. Now free, she’s left trying to find her footing in the sprawling city, while uncovering secrets of her family and her unnatural powers that she attempts keep conceal.
What follows moves at an almost excruciating pace, with Audrey constantly fumbling her way through survival in this harsh world. I went into this book completely blind, and for the first half I felt like I was scrambling to absorb everything being thrown at me as the plot built itself up. At times, it felt like the story was telling me information rather than fully immersing me in the adventure, and I think I may have enjoyed it more if it had been written in first person.
Still, Audrey is an incredibly intriguing protagonist, she’s flawed and gritty. I’d definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy dark, fast-paced dystopian sci-fi stories.
What follows moves at an almost excruciating pace, with Audrey constantly fumbling her way through survival in this harsh world. I went into this book completely blind, and for the first half I felt like I was scrambling to absorb everything being thrown at me as the plot built itself up. At times, it felt like the story was telling me information rather than fully immersing me in the adventure, and I think I may have enjoyed it more if it had been written in first person.
Still, Audrey is an incredibly intriguing protagonist, she’s flawed and gritty. I’d definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy dark, fast-paced dystopian sci-fi stories.
Did Not Finish
April 11, 2026Unfortunately I couldn’t finish this book. I made it 25% and was not enjoying it. I received an eARC from the author and am so grateful; yet I couldn’t push myself to keep going. My primary reason was the chunky writing that didn’t flow well, I was confused. I had to re-read something multiple times and was wondering, how did that happen or what is going on?! After several times, I decided it was time to let this ARC go.
An example to demonstrate my point: the MFC’s lawyer/lifelong friend Alex wasn’t at the prison on her release day, which was shocking for the MFC since he had been her number one support person for over 10 years and she expected him to be there. Then, randomly a good chunk of time later he just showed up at the sex club she was working at. Soon after he revealed information but not enough to get why he was missing or why he couldn’t have communicated with her earlier that he couldn’t pick her up from prison. It was all super vague. While he’s sharing the little information he was willing to disclose, she hit him. The next day, the story abruptly jumped to the MFC taking $10k from Alex’s safe to pay her sex club boss back so she no longer had to work there, and then she just left with a stranger, leaving Alex a note that she was leaving. I was so confused what was happening. Did Alex consent to her using his money? I know he offered it earlier, but when she actually took the money out of his safe he wasn’t mentioned at all nor was it clear that he actually gave her the money. The way it was worded was like she stole the money, but I didn’t think that could be true because why would she steal from the person who was helping her, even though he had secrets. Where was Alex? Also, the author took time to explain multiple times that Alex did A LOT for the MFC over the ten years she was in prison and the time leading up to her imprisonment, but once he shared some of his secrets, she was hitting him because she was angry? What?
Further, when Alex came back into the picture after he was mysteriously missing, he engaged in a conversation with the mysterious man as if they already knew each other. However, the MFC never followed up with Alex about this, rather they talked about her mom. Why didn’t they talk about Alex knowing the mystery man? Why would she just go to bed and not ask about that? It was so odd, they were in a conversation and then it just ended, she was trying to sleep, and suddenly taking money out of a safe and going to pay back her boss. It was so fast and abrupt. I didn’t get it.
Another example: The MFC’s ex-prison cellmate was randomly outside the prison to pick the MFC up when she was released. The MFC was surprised by this and said no to this person. Rather, the MFC got on a public bus and took a two hour ride to the city. The MFC waited outside Alex‘s apartment all day, finding he did not come home. Therefore, she went to the ex-cell mates house. We didn’t get any transition regarding this. She was just all of a sudden at this person‘s house. It was noted that she had to find Alex‘s address on a piece of paper in her bag, specifically writing his address in the margins of that paper. So she didn’t know the address of her childhood friend and lawyer over the last ten years, she needed to find where she wrote it down. Yet, she knew where to walk in the city to this random ex-prison cellmates house that she had never been before? How did she know the address? How did she know how to get there? If the ex-cell mate lived in the same city the MFC just took a 2 hour bus ride too, that means that the ex-cellmate just randomly drove two hours, unplanned to pick the MFC up? Huh? Why? What? NONE of this was fleshed out.
Another example: while she was high and sexually with a client, she looked over at a couch and saw the mysterious man having sex with a woman. Then, all of a sudden, that mysterious man was over by her yelling at someone saying they shouldn’t talk or treat her the certain way they were. I was confused, I thought he was having sex with someone. Did he stop and pull his pants up? Was his dick hanging out? There was just no information to transition from one part to the next. I reread that multiple times and could not figure it out.
Overall, I was excited about the story, especially with an addiction rep and it being a dark dystopian mystery thriller, but I just didn’t feel like I was getting enough explained to me to understand what was going on. I had the base/foundation, but the transitions were chunky and didn’t make sense to me. Truly, reading this and wondered if there had ever been an editor or beta readers who read this and provided feedback.
Lastly, saying this book is like Daggermouth is simply untrue.
An example to demonstrate my point: the MFC’s lawyer/lifelong friend Alex wasn’t at the prison on her release day, which was shocking for the MFC since he had been her number one support person for over 10 years and she expected him to be there. Then, randomly a good chunk of time later he just showed up at the sex club she was working at. Soon after he revealed information but not enough to get why he was missing or why he couldn’t have communicated with her earlier that he couldn’t pick her up from prison. It was all super vague. While he’s sharing the little information he was willing to disclose, she hit him. The next day, the story abruptly jumped to the MFC taking $10k from Alex’s safe to pay her sex club boss back so she no longer had to work there, and then she just left with a stranger, leaving Alex a note that she was leaving. I was so confused what was happening. Did Alex consent to her using his money? I know he offered it earlier, but when she actually took the money out of his safe he wasn’t mentioned at all nor was it clear that he actually gave her the money. The way it was worded was like she stole the money, but I didn’t think that could be true because why would she steal from the person who was helping her, even though he had secrets. Where was Alex? Also, the author took time to explain multiple times that Alex did A LOT for the MFC over the ten years she was in prison and the time leading up to her imprisonment, but once he shared some of his secrets, she was hitting him because she was angry? What?
Further, when Alex came back into the picture after he was mysteriously missing, he engaged in a conversation with the mysterious man as if they already knew each other. However, the MFC never followed up with Alex about this, rather they talked about her mom. Why didn’t they talk about Alex knowing the mystery man? Why would she just go to bed and not ask about that? It was so odd, they were in a conversation and then it just ended, she was trying to sleep, and suddenly taking money out of a safe and going to pay back her boss. It was so fast and abrupt. I didn’t get it.
Another example: The MFC’s ex-prison cellmate was randomly outside the prison to pick the MFC up when she was released. The MFC was surprised by this and said no to this person. Rather, the MFC got on a public bus and took a two hour ride to the city. The MFC waited outside Alex‘s apartment all day, finding he did not come home. Therefore, she went to the ex-cell mates house. We didn’t get any transition regarding this. She was just all of a sudden at this person‘s house. It was noted that she had to find Alex‘s address on a piece of paper in her bag, specifically writing his address in the margins of that paper. So she didn’t know the address of her childhood friend and lawyer over the last ten years, she needed to find where she wrote it down. Yet, she knew where to walk in the city to this random ex-prison cellmates house that she had never been before? How did she know the address? How did she know how to get there? If the ex-cell mate lived in the same city the MFC just took a 2 hour bus ride too, that means that the ex-cellmate just randomly drove two hours, unplanned to pick the MFC up? Huh? Why? What? NONE of this was fleshed out.
Another example: while she was high and sexually with a client, she looked over at a couch and saw the mysterious man having sex with a woman. Then, all of a sudden, that mysterious man was over by her yelling at someone saying they shouldn’t talk or treat her the certain way they were. I was confused, I thought he was having sex with someone. Did he stop and pull his pants up? Was his dick hanging out? There was just no information to transition from one part to the next. I reread that multiple times and could not figure it out.
Overall, I was excited about the story, especially with an addiction rep and it being a dark dystopian mystery thriller, but I just didn’t feel like I was getting enough explained to me to understand what was going on. I had the base/foundation, but the transitions were chunky and didn’t make sense to me. Truly, reading this and wondered if there had ever been an editor or beta readers who read this and provided feedback.
Lastly, saying this book is like Daggermouth is simply untrue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2026
I absolutely loved this book!! I can’t wait for book two!! It was a magical world with all kinds of powers and different realms! I was sucked in right from the beginning and couldn’t stop reading it!!
April 20, 2026
Dream in the Ash
4.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read this extremely fast (for me as I’m normally a slow reader). The first chapter got me hooked and I had a hard time putting this book down.
I really enjoy dystopias and this particular dystopia deals with an entirely different world and culture than Earth. I really like the main character, Audrey, who has gone through some s**t. She isn’t the easiest character to love because of her internal dialogue and the things she has gone through. She deals and battles addiction, living and working as a s*x worker, etc. Even when I got frustrated with her, I still wanted her to get up and keep going. I like her attitude, how hard she fights for those she loves and it’s really interesting to learn her thoughts about her powers.
This book really delves into powers and whether they are used for good or bad. And what we really think is “bad”. Because is it always that black and white? It really makes you think about how if you are born with powers but don’t know how to control them, as an adult can you learn control and can they be twisted? A bit like nature versus nurture argument.
The male characters are interesting because the ones that Audrey trust end up betraying her. As she is the narrator, I wonder if we can fully trust her version of events as are they really betraying her trust. I definitely need the next book out asap! I have so many questions - I would like a little bit more accurate information about this society, the history, history of Audrey’s family, etc.
Note: I received and read this as an ARC - received from the author.
4.5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read this extremely fast (for me as I’m normally a slow reader). The first chapter got me hooked and I had a hard time putting this book down.
I really enjoy dystopias and this particular dystopia deals with an entirely different world and culture than Earth. I really like the main character, Audrey, who has gone through some s**t. She isn’t the easiest character to love because of her internal dialogue and the things she has gone through. She deals and battles addiction, living and working as a s*x worker, etc. Even when I got frustrated with her, I still wanted her to get up and keep going. I like her attitude, how hard she fights for those she loves and it’s really interesting to learn her thoughts about her powers.
This book really delves into powers and whether they are used for good or bad. And what we really think is “bad”. Because is it always that black and white? It really makes you think about how if you are born with powers but don’t know how to control them, as an adult can you learn control and can they be twisted? A bit like nature versus nurture argument.
The male characters are interesting because the ones that Audrey trust end up betraying her. As she is the narrator, I wonder if we can fully trust her version of events as are they really betraying her trust. I definitely need the next book out asap! I have so many questions - I would like a little bit more accurate information about this society, the history, history of Audrey’s family, etc.
Note: I received and read this as an ARC - received from the author.
April 22, 2026
3.5⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok
This is a unique, fast-paced story that throws you straight into the action and rarely lets up. I went in completely blind, and it turned out to be a twist-filled ride from start to finish.
The story follows Audrey, a young woman released from prison after being wrongfully convicted of murdering her family in a mysterious fire. As she tries to rebuild her life, she’s haunted by a telepathic killer who may or may not be real, while uncovering the truth about her mother’s past, her own abilities, and a hidden war between powerful factions.
The beginning is overwhelming—with heavy terminology and a lot of moving pieces to keep track of. While it does get easier to follow,
I found myself lost again around the halfway point, before things improved toward the end.
What stands out most are the characters. There are no clear heroes or villains—I just love flawed, messy, and morally black characters. Audrey herself is imperfect but easy to root for, navigating a world where trust is both necessary and dangerous.
It’s a story that demands your attention, makes you think, and keeps you guessing the entire time.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥ Book 1 / Dark Dystopian Series
➳❥ Telepathic FMC
➳❥ Morally Black Characters
➳❥ Slow Burn
➳❥ Tension
➳❥ Everyone is Flawed
➳❥ Mind Games
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼
"Let them think she was pathetic. Every wolf was small once."
“You think you can outgrow me?”
“No. I think I can outlast you.”
“There was always a crack somewhere. If you stayed alive, long enough to see it.”
“A smile spread across her face. Not because she wasn't afraid... but because she was done
April 9, 2026
This was unlike anything I’ve ever read before. The storyline was extremely unique and the worldbuilding was insanely detailed. I can see how much thought went into it, and I’m honestly so intrigued by this world.
Audrey is such a complex FMC. The unhinged rage? Absolutely here for it. At some point I genuinely couldn’t tell if she was the villain or if “number one” was. But I loved seeing her slowly come into her powers and accept what she was. I can’t wait to see more of that growth in the next book.
This is a dark dystopian thriller with sci fi and fantasy elements woven into the magic system. It’s fast paced, intense, and had me on edge the entire time. Definitely not a cozy read, but if you love the darker dystopian stories with a thrill, you’re going to eat this up.
Audrey is such a complex FMC. The unhinged rage? Absolutely here for it. At some point I genuinely couldn’t tell if she was the villain or if “number one” was. But I loved seeing her slowly come into her powers and accept what she was. I can’t wait to see more of that growth in the next book.
This is a dark dystopian thriller with sci fi and fantasy elements woven into the magic system. It’s fast paced, intense, and had me on edge the entire time. Definitely not a cozy read, but if you love the darker dystopian stories with a thrill, you’re going to eat this up.
April 29, 2026
I received this book as an ARC. It is definitely a new genre for me. The world building was cool and so was the character development. I did feel it was a bit slow especially in the middle when they are traveling but I’m interested to see where the series goes next and who I should be rooting for in the end.
May 7, 2026
This is my honest review of Dream in the Ash
This starts out real ominous and real on point for a dark thriller. Audrey is not perfect, but that’s understandable with her past. She was jailed for something she did not do and must now try to somehow survive and move forward.
This book has so many twists and turns you won’t see coming! You can expect telepathy, violence, and a loy of betrayal and secrets! This is just the start to this story and will definitely keep you wanting more at the end!
There is immense world building and so much to look forward to that can still be explored! Be mindful of the trigger warnings, but if that doesn't bother you, journey on into this world with your pearls clutched and your breath held tight! Enjoy!
Thank you Jacquelyn Gilmore for this ARC
This starts out real ominous and real on point for a dark thriller. Audrey is not perfect, but that’s understandable with her past. She was jailed for something she did not do and must now try to somehow survive and move forward.
This book has so many twists and turns you won’t see coming! You can expect telepathy, violence, and a loy of betrayal and secrets! This is just the start to this story and will definitely keep you wanting more at the end!
There is immense world building and so much to look forward to that can still be explored! Be mindful of the trigger warnings, but if that doesn't bother you, journey on into this world with your pearls clutched and your breath held tight! Enjoy!
Thank you Jacquelyn Gilmore for this ARC
May 12, 2026
Thank you the author for the ARC opportunity!
If intrusive thoughts could kill… we’d all be done for.
Dream in the Ash by Jacquelyn Gilmore was DARK, gritty, obsessive, and psychologically messy in the best way possible. Telepaths, trauma, vengeance, morally gray characters, dystopian survival, and a FMC slowly spiraling under the weight of grief and obsession?? yeah..this one had me STRESSED.
Audrey is not your soft, lovable heroine. She’s angry, impulsive, obsessive, and honestly one bad decision away from becoming the villain herself and that’s exactly why I couldn’t stop reading.
The atmosphere felt so heavy the entire time. Ash-covered world, paranoia, desperation, people hiding motives left and right… it constantly felt like something terrible was about to happen. And the obsession in this book?? unhealthy, consuming, destructive. Exactly how I like my dark dystopian reads. 🖤
If you like:
morally gray/morally black characters
dystopian chaos
telepathic warfare
psychological tension obsession & vengeance
“are they helping her or manipulating her?” energy
his book is probably for you too.
definitely check trigger warnings because this world is brutal.
Espanol: Si los pensamientos intrusivos pudieran matar… ya estaríamos todos acabados.
Dream in the Ash de Jacquelyn Gilmore fue oscuro, intenso, caótico y psicológicamente pesado de la mejor manera. Telepatía, trauma, venganza, personajes moralmente grises y una protagonista consumida por la obsesión y el dolor?? sí por favor.
Audrey no es una protagonista “dulce” o fácil de querer. Está rota, impulsiva, obsesionada y honestamente a una mala decisión de convertirse en la villana… y eso fue exactamente lo que me atrapó de ella. La atmósfera de este libro se siente pesada TODO el tiempo. Un mundo cubierto de cenizas, paranoia, desesperación y personajes ocultando sus verdaderas intenciones. Sentía que algo horrible iba a pasar en cualquier momento. Y la obsesión en este libro?? tóxica, intensa y destructiva. Exactamente como me gustan mis lecturas dystopian oscuras. 🖤
Si te gustan:
personajes moralmente cuestionables
caos dystopian
tensión psicológica
guerras telepáticas
obsesión y venganza
relaciones llenas de manipulación y tensión
probablemente este libro también te va a destruir emocionalmente.
revisa los trigger warnings antes de leerlo porque este mundo es brutal.
If intrusive thoughts could kill… we’d all be done for.
Dream in the Ash by Jacquelyn Gilmore was DARK, gritty, obsessive, and psychologically messy in the best way possible. Telepaths, trauma, vengeance, morally gray characters, dystopian survival, and a FMC slowly spiraling under the weight of grief and obsession?? yeah..this one had me STRESSED.
Audrey is not your soft, lovable heroine. She’s angry, impulsive, obsessive, and honestly one bad decision away from becoming the villain herself and that’s exactly why I couldn’t stop reading.
The atmosphere felt so heavy the entire time. Ash-covered world, paranoia, desperation, people hiding motives left and right… it constantly felt like something terrible was about to happen. And the obsession in this book?? unhealthy, consuming, destructive. Exactly how I like my dark dystopian reads. 🖤
If you like:
morally gray/morally black characters
dystopian chaos
telepathic warfare
psychological tension obsession & vengeance
“are they helping her or manipulating her?” energy
his book is probably for you too.
definitely check trigger warnings because this world is brutal.
Espanol: Si los pensamientos intrusivos pudieran matar… ya estaríamos todos acabados.
Dream in the Ash de Jacquelyn Gilmore fue oscuro, intenso, caótico y psicológicamente pesado de la mejor manera. Telepatía, trauma, venganza, personajes moralmente grises y una protagonista consumida por la obsesión y el dolor?? sí por favor.
Audrey no es una protagonista “dulce” o fácil de querer. Está rota, impulsiva, obsesionada y honestamente a una mala decisión de convertirse en la villana… y eso fue exactamente lo que me atrapó de ella. La atmósfera de este libro se siente pesada TODO el tiempo. Un mundo cubierto de cenizas, paranoia, desesperación y personajes ocultando sus verdaderas intenciones. Sentía que algo horrible iba a pasar en cualquier momento. Y la obsesión en este libro?? tóxica, intensa y destructiva. Exactamente como me gustan mis lecturas dystopian oscuras. 🖤
Si te gustan:
personajes moralmente cuestionables
caos dystopian
tensión psicológica
guerras telepáticas
obsesión y venganza
relaciones llenas de manipulación y tensión
probablemente este libro también te va a destruir emocionalmente.
revisa los trigger warnings antes de leerlo porque este mundo es brutal.
May 24, 2026
Dream in the Ash is a dark, emotionally charged dystopian thriller that blends psychological tension, sci-fi politics, and powerful character development into a gripping story about survival and identity. From the very first pages, the book throws readers into a harsh galaxy filled with manipulation, secrets, and dangerous abilities, and it never really lets up.
Audrey is an incredibly compelling protagonist because she feels both powerful and deeply vulnerable at the same time. After years of imprisonment and isolation, she’s forced to confront not only the truth about her past but also the terrifying reality of what she’s capable of becoming. Her abilities aren’t portrayed as glamorous superpowers they’re unstable, frightening, and emotionally exhausting, which made her journey feel much more grounded and intense.
One of the strongest aspects of the novel is its atmosphere. There’s a constant sense of paranoia woven throughout the story, especially as Audrey struggles to trust the people around her while questioning her own memories and sanity. The political dynamics between the Aggregate and the Voíríans add depth to the world-building without overshadowing the emotional core of the story.
The supporting characters also help elevate the tension. Every interaction feels layered with hidden motives, shifting loyalties, and uncertainty, which keeps the stakes high throughout the book. The relationships are complicated in a way that fits perfectly with the morally gray tone of the narrative.
What stood out most to me was the exploration of power and control. Dream in the Ash constantly asks who gets to define someone as dangerous, and whether survival sometimes requires embracing the parts of yourself others fear most. Audrey’s journey from broken prisoner to someone reclaiming agency over her own life is both emotional and empowering.
Overall, this is a tense, immersive sci-fi story filled with mystery, emotional depth, and high-stakes conflict. If you enjoy dystopian worlds, complex heroines, psychic abilities, political intrigue, and stories that blur the line between hero and weapon, this is definitely worth picking up.
Audrey is an incredibly compelling protagonist because she feels both powerful and deeply vulnerable at the same time. After years of imprisonment and isolation, she’s forced to confront not only the truth about her past but also the terrifying reality of what she’s capable of becoming. Her abilities aren’t portrayed as glamorous superpowers they’re unstable, frightening, and emotionally exhausting, which made her journey feel much more grounded and intense.
One of the strongest aspects of the novel is its atmosphere. There’s a constant sense of paranoia woven throughout the story, especially as Audrey struggles to trust the people around her while questioning her own memories and sanity. The political dynamics between the Aggregate and the Voíríans add depth to the world-building without overshadowing the emotional core of the story.
The supporting characters also help elevate the tension. Every interaction feels layered with hidden motives, shifting loyalties, and uncertainty, which keeps the stakes high throughout the book. The relationships are complicated in a way that fits perfectly with the morally gray tone of the narrative.
What stood out most to me was the exploration of power and control. Dream in the Ash constantly asks who gets to define someone as dangerous, and whether survival sometimes requires embracing the parts of yourself others fear most. Audrey’s journey from broken prisoner to someone reclaiming agency over her own life is both emotional and empowering.
Overall, this is a tense, immersive sci-fi story filled with mystery, emotional depth, and high-stakes conflict. If you enjoy dystopian worlds, complex heroines, psychic abilities, political intrigue, and stories that blur the line between hero and weapon, this is definitely worth picking up.
May 6, 2026
Dream in the Ash is a dark, compelling, and fast-paced dystopian thriller that hooks the reader from the very first page.
The story centers on Audrey, who is finally released from prison for murdering her family—a crime she swears she did not commit.
From the moment she is released, the voice that was in her head the night her family died returns, sending her paranoia spinning out of control.
Hunted, lied to, and manipulated by almost everyone she encounters, Audrey is forced into a life on the run where she must discover her own inner strength.
The narrative is intentionally chaotic, dropping you directly into Audrey's world and allowing you to experience the confusion and tension right alongside the protagonist. Audrey is not an easy character to relate to, which makes the psychological journey even more fascinating.
Dealing with trauma and addiction, she is unpredictable, and the story does not try to make her put-together. You are stuck in her head the whole time, questioning reality and the true intentions of the voice guiding her.
The world-building is expansive and develops rapidly, featuring complex power structures and telepathy. While there are many moving pieces at first, the inclusion of a glossary makes the information remarkably easy to digest.
The psychological side of the story is particularly strong; the voice in Audrey's head feels manipulative and intentional, constantly leaving the reader guessing whether it is helping her or slowly turning her into something else.
This novel balances its dark, overwhelming atmosphere with a strong focus on survival, control, and figuring out what is actually real. It is a fantastic and promising start to the series that ends on a brutal cliffhanger, leaving me desperate for the next book to see what Audrey chooses to do next.
The story centers on Audrey, who is finally released from prison for murdering her family—a crime she swears she did not commit.
From the moment she is released, the voice that was in her head the night her family died returns, sending her paranoia spinning out of control.
Hunted, lied to, and manipulated by almost everyone she encounters, Audrey is forced into a life on the run where she must discover her own inner strength.
The narrative is intentionally chaotic, dropping you directly into Audrey's world and allowing you to experience the confusion and tension right alongside the protagonist. Audrey is not an easy character to relate to, which makes the psychological journey even more fascinating.
Dealing with trauma and addiction, she is unpredictable, and the story does not try to make her put-together. You are stuck in her head the whole time, questioning reality and the true intentions of the voice guiding her.
The world-building is expansive and develops rapidly, featuring complex power structures and telepathy. While there are many moving pieces at first, the inclusion of a glossary makes the information remarkably easy to digest.
The psychological side of the story is particularly strong; the voice in Audrey's head feels manipulative and intentional, constantly leaving the reader guessing whether it is helping her or slowly turning her into something else.
This novel balances its dark, overwhelming atmosphere with a strong focus on survival, control, and figuring out what is actually real. It is a fantastic and promising start to the series that ends on a brutal cliffhanger, leaving me desperate for the next book to see what Audrey chooses to do next.
May 29, 2026
I received an ARC of this book; all opinions are my own.
4 ⭐️
We have our FMC Audrey who was wrongfully convicted of murdering her family. She insists the real killer was a voice inside her head. After ten years in prison her conviction is suddenly overturned, leaving Audrey to walk free but the moment she leaves prison the voice inside her head returns. She wants to prove her innocence but the path to do so for an ex-convict is a long and dangerous one. She discovers she is a telepath and gets thrust into a world with dangerous secrets, not to many options, and finds herself navigating through the city's underworld just to stay alive. The deeper she gets the louder the voice in her head gets pushing her to madness… it doesn’t want her dead though it wants her to turn into something more.
The more Audrey discovers the more she realizes that the murder of her family was the just the beginning of something more… and that she is also something more.
I loved this story, it was far greater than I imagined. This story has so many layers to it and I was absolutely pulled into this story and went along for the ride. Audrey is pretty much in the dark and we are experiencing all the twists and turns, right alongside our FMC. I loved the complexity of this story and the world the author created .
Think of this story as a mix between your sci-fi thriller and a dark dystopian world.
⚠️Please check triggers
4 ⭐️
We have our FMC Audrey who was wrongfully convicted of murdering her family. She insists the real killer was a voice inside her head. After ten years in prison her conviction is suddenly overturned, leaving Audrey to walk free but the moment she leaves prison the voice inside her head returns. She wants to prove her innocence but the path to do so for an ex-convict is a long and dangerous one. She discovers she is a telepath and gets thrust into a world with dangerous secrets, not to many options, and finds herself navigating through the city's underworld just to stay alive. The deeper she gets the louder the voice in her head gets pushing her to madness… it doesn’t want her dead though it wants her to turn into something more.
The more Audrey discovers the more she realizes that the murder of her family was the just the beginning of something more… and that she is also something more.
I loved this story, it was far greater than I imagined. This story has so many layers to it and I was absolutely pulled into this story and went along for the ride. Audrey is pretty much in the dark and we are experiencing all the twists and turns, right alongside our FMC. I loved the complexity of this story and the world the author created .
Think of this story as a mix between your sci-fi thriller and a dark dystopian world.
⚠️Please check triggers
July 6, 2026
Ok I'm hooked on this new series now. Audrey has been in prison for murder, is battling addiction and now she finds out she isn't human and has been captured and sent to a different world. There's so much going on in her life you can't help but feel sorry for what she's been thru.
After being locked up for 10 years from being accused for the murders of her father, mother and twin sister and called a monster, Audrey can't help but believe she is one especially with the phantom voice in her head. She gets released, reconnects with her best friend from childhood who turned out to be her lawyer and then winds up battling addiction and works in a sex club. She finds out her mother didn't die and is after her to kill her and is caught by people from her own race from a different world. She finds out she has more powers than she had already discovered and is now training to sharpen and control them before she becomes a liability.
The romance is a slow burn that is just touched on in this book so don't go expecting any spice here since you won't find it. The beginning is kinda hard to catch on to until you hit around ch.10 which it all starts to make sense and by then you'll be unable to put this book down. This is only book 1 of 5 so there's a lot more to come and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
#goodreadsgiveaway
After being locked up for 10 years from being accused for the murders of her father, mother and twin sister and called a monster, Audrey can't help but believe she is one especially with the phantom voice in her head. She gets released, reconnects with her best friend from childhood who turned out to be her lawyer and then winds up battling addiction and works in a sex club. She finds out her mother didn't die and is after her to kill her and is caught by people from her own race from a different world. She finds out she has more powers than she had already discovered and is now training to sharpen and control them before she becomes a liability.
The romance is a slow burn that is just touched on in this book so don't go expecting any spice here since you won't find it. The beginning is kinda hard to catch on to until you hit around ch.10 which it all starts to make sense and by then you'll be unable to put this book down. This is only book 1 of 5 so there's a lot more to come and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.
#goodreadsgiveaway
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2026
If you’ve ever had a voice inside your head telling you to do something, please tell me it was just reminding you to buy more books and not plotting an actual inferno! 🎙️🔥👇
If you like the moody, dark academia vibes of The Atlas Six mixed with a gritty, dystopian landscape, Dream in the Ash by Jacquelyn Gilmore needs to go directly to the top of your TBR list.
The story follows Audrey, a telepath who was framed and imprisoned for ten years for her family's murder after claiming a voice in her head was the real killer. Now she's suddenly free, walking into a society that absolutely loathes her, and guess what? The voice is back. What follows is a dark, slow-burn descent into a decaying city underworld to uncover a massive conspiracy, featuring speculative elements and a dangerous romantic thread that had me turning pages way too late into the night.
Gilmore’s writing is incredibly atmospheric and tense. Audrey is such a complex, resilient protagonist, and watching her try to navigate her own mind while fighting a corrupt system was completely gripping. It’s raw, it’s psychologically charged, and that ending? Absolutely wild.
If you want a smart, high-stakes dystopian thriller that will make you question what is real and what is illusion, grab a copy of this immediately!
✨️Thank you Plunge into Book Tours and Jacquelyn Gilmore for sharing Dream in the Ash with me!
If you like the moody, dark academia vibes of The Atlas Six mixed with a gritty, dystopian landscape, Dream in the Ash by Jacquelyn Gilmore needs to go directly to the top of your TBR list.
The story follows Audrey, a telepath who was framed and imprisoned for ten years for her family's murder after claiming a voice in her head was the real killer. Now she's suddenly free, walking into a society that absolutely loathes her, and guess what? The voice is back. What follows is a dark, slow-burn descent into a decaying city underworld to uncover a massive conspiracy, featuring speculative elements and a dangerous romantic thread that had me turning pages way too late into the night.
Gilmore’s writing is incredibly atmospheric and tense. Audrey is such a complex, resilient protagonist, and watching her try to navigate her own mind while fighting a corrupt system was completely gripping. It’s raw, it’s psychologically charged, and that ending? Absolutely wild.
If you want a smart, high-stakes dystopian thriller that will make you question what is real and what is illusion, grab a copy of this immediately!
✨️Thank you Plunge into Book Tours and Jacquelyn Gilmore for sharing Dream in the Ash with me!
June 16, 2026
Dream in the Ash was such a unique and addictive read that kept me guessing from start to finish. This dark dystopian sci-fi fantasy throws you straight into the action, and while the world-building and terminology can feel overwhelming at first, I found myself completely hooked once everything started coming together.
The story follows Audrey, who is released from prison after being wrongfully convicted of murdering her family. As she tries to rebuild her life, she begins hearing the thoughts of the real killer while uncovering dangerous secrets about her family, her powers, and the world around her. The telepathy, conspiracies, betrayals, and constant twists kept me on the edge of my seat.
Audrey is messy, flawed, and struggling with addiction and trauma, but that made her feel all the more real. Even when she frustrated me, I couldn’t help rooting for her. Add in a cast full of morally gray characters and shifting loyalties, and I never knew who to trust.
Fast-paced, dark, and packed with unanswered questions, this feels like the start of something much bigger. I already can’t wait for book two.
The story follows Audrey, who is released from prison after being wrongfully convicted of murdering her family. As she tries to rebuild her life, she begins hearing the thoughts of the real killer while uncovering dangerous secrets about her family, her powers, and the world around her. The telepathy, conspiracies, betrayals, and constant twists kept me on the edge of my seat.
Audrey is messy, flawed, and struggling with addiction and trauma, but that made her feel all the more real. Even when she frustrated me, I couldn’t help rooting for her. Add in a cast full of morally gray characters and shifting loyalties, and I never knew who to trust.
Fast-paced, dark, and packed with unanswered questions, this feels like the start of something much bigger. I already can’t wait for book two.
June 3, 2026
I received this ARC directly from the author—thank you so much! Apologies for the delay in sharing my thoughts; between buying a home and moving, life got a little chaotic, but I finally have the chance to dive into this dark, compelling story.
Dream in the Ash is a gripping start to The Other Half of the End series, blending dark romantasy, suspense, and a touch of heartbreak. Jacquelyn Gilmore creates a world that feels dangerous, atmospheric, and vividly alive, with high stakes that kept me turning pages late into the night.
The characters are layered and relatable, especially the leads, whose chemistry crackles even in the darkest moments. The romance is intense and emotional, woven seamlessly into a plot full of secrets, tension, and moral complexity. Some aspects of the world and supporting cast could have been explored a bit more, but this first installment sets up the series beautifully, promising even more intrigue and emotional depth to come.
Dream in the Ash is a gripping start to The Other Half of the End series, blending dark romantasy, suspense, and a touch of heartbreak. Jacquelyn Gilmore creates a world that feels dangerous, atmospheric, and vividly alive, with high stakes that kept me turning pages late into the night.
The characters are layered and relatable, especially the leads, whose chemistry crackles even in the darkest moments. The romance is intense and emotional, woven seamlessly into a plot full of secrets, tension, and moral complexity. Some aspects of the world and supporting cast could have been explored a bit more, but this first installment sets up the series beautifully, promising even more intrigue and emotional depth to come.
June 8, 2026
I won this as a Goodreads Giveaway
which, again, is the only reason I forced myself to finish this.
I'd say the beginning is hard to get into, but really the whole book was. The writing felt like I was reading in circles; I went back again and again and reread lines and still was left confused about what was going on. It was clunky and mashed together; it felt like the author was purposely vague and didn't answer questions. I could not tell you anything about the world or what was going on in it.
Audrey, the FMC, was not only not likable, but dumb? All this stuff happened to her, she kept saying she wanted answers, but kind of just went along with whoever was with her, plans. They would mention something and stop, and she just wouldn't ask them to finish what they were saying even though they had answers she wanted? Like, okay.
The whole story just left me confused and even now, I still cant say with certainty what happened or what is was about.
which, again, is the only reason I forced myself to finish this.
I'd say the beginning is hard to get into, but really the whole book was. The writing felt like I was reading in circles; I went back again and again and reread lines and still was left confused about what was going on. It was clunky and mashed together; it felt like the author was purposely vague and didn't answer questions. I could not tell you anything about the world or what was going on in it.
Audrey, the FMC, was not only not likable, but dumb? All this stuff happened to her, she kept saying she wanted answers, but kind of just went along with whoever was with her, plans. They would mention something and stop, and she just wouldn't ask them to finish what they were saying even though they had answers she wanted? Like, okay.
The whole story just left me confused and even now, I still cant say with certainty what happened or what is was about.
May 4, 2026
I went into this one really intrigued, and for the first half it absolutely delivered. Audrey is such a compelling main character. She’s gritty, sharp, and unapologetically tough, very Jessica Jones energy with a “don’t mess with me” edge that I loved. She felt different from the typical female lead, which was refreshing.
One thing I really appreciated was how the author handled her addiction. It wasn’t glossed over or wrapped up neatly, and that made it feel real. It may be triggering for some readers, but for others it could feel validating and honest in a way you don’t often see.
Plot-wise, the first half had me hooked. It was fast-paced, engaging, and hard to put down. Around the halfway point, though, it started to lose me a bit. The story seemed to slow down as it shifted toward setting up the next book, and it dragged more than I would’ve liked. That said, it did pick back up toward the end and left me interested enough to see where things go next.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
A strong, unique start with a standout main character, just loses a bit of momentum in the middle.
One thing I really appreciated was how the author handled her addiction. It wasn’t glossed over or wrapped up neatly, and that made it feel real. It may be triggering for some readers, but for others it could feel validating and honest in a way you don’t often see.
Plot-wise, the first half had me hooked. It was fast-paced, engaging, and hard to put down. Around the halfway point, though, it started to lose me a bit. The story seemed to slow down as it shifted toward setting up the next book, and it dragged more than I would’ve liked. That said, it did pick back up toward the end and left me interested enough to see where things go next.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
A strong, unique start with a standout main character, just loses a bit of momentum in the middle.
May 28, 2026
🔥🖤 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐡 𝐛𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 🖤🔥
Thank you to @plungebooktours for the #gifted E-ARC! ✨📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had me questioning EVERYONE the entire time 😭 Between the telepathy, paranoia, secrets, and constant “wait… who’s actually telling the truth?” energy, I was completely hooked.
Audrey is traumatized, messy, angry, and dangerously close to becoming the villain everyone already believes she is, which honestly made her such an addictive character to follow. The twists kept coming and the trust issues were REAL.
This definitely ends with a lot of unanswered questions, so I’m very curious to see how this story unfolds. Guess I’m going to need book 2 sooner rather than later 👀🔥
If you love:
🖤 dystopian sci-fi
🖤 morally gray characters
🖤 psychological mind games
🖤 chaotic female rage
🖤 “trust no one” vibes
…this one is worth picking up 🔥
Thank you to @plungebooktours for the #gifted E-ARC! ✨📖
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book had me questioning EVERYONE the entire time 😭 Between the telepathy, paranoia, secrets, and constant “wait… who’s actually telling the truth?” energy, I was completely hooked.
Audrey is traumatized, messy, angry, and dangerously close to becoming the villain everyone already believes she is, which honestly made her such an addictive character to follow. The twists kept coming and the trust issues were REAL.
This definitely ends with a lot of unanswered questions, so I’m very curious to see how this story unfolds. Guess I’m going to need book 2 sooner rather than later 👀🔥
If you love:
🖤 dystopian sci-fi
🖤 morally gray characters
🖤 psychological mind games
🖤 chaotic female rage
🖤 “trust no one” vibes
…this one is worth picking up 🔥
May 29, 2026
Dream in Ash by Jacquelyn Gilmore is book 1 in The Other Half of The End series by the author. The FMC is named Audrey who is in a prison for a crime of killing her family in a fire, because she was found with blood on her hands at the scene of the crime. I loved this book overall, the premise of hearing the killer who murdered your own family. That was such an interesting concept to hear about. I love Audrey, she is just so relatable to me as a reader, she shares addiction and trauma with me, personally. I really liked this story, it is an excellent read. There are so many great things to mention about this book, the tension between characters, the fast pacing, the telepathy, the dark romantasy vibes, and the slow burn build up! I highly recommend this one to all my dark dystopian thriller fans and I can not wait for the next book in the series coming next year!
June 9, 2026
There is SOOOOO much to say about this book. First and foremost .... I LOVED IT. Dark romance just took a twist and I'm all about it.
Just the fact that one of our main characters has telepathy made this book so intriguing. I have quickly become a fan of this author. After lovingThe Elf Witch, I knew this was going to be a book that I didn't want to pass up. My instincts were spot on.
Audrey ... well ... there simply aren't enough words to describe the many facets of who she is. She definitely has gone to hell and back, which is why she is the way she is. There are moments where you want to hug her but for the most part, you just want to shake her and go what the heck?
I do love the world building and how descriptive everything is. It makes it super easy to visualize everything clearly in my head. This was a great take on a dystopian thriller. I give it four out of five stars.
Just the fact that one of our main characters has telepathy made this book so intriguing. I have quickly become a fan of this author. After lovingThe Elf Witch, I knew this was going to be a book that I didn't want to pass up. My instincts were spot on.
Audrey ... well ... there simply aren't enough words to describe the many facets of who she is. She definitely has gone to hell and back, which is why she is the way she is. There are moments where you want to hug her but for the most part, you just want to shake her and go what the heck?
I do love the world building and how descriptive everything is. It makes it super easy to visualize everything clearly in my head. This was a great take on a dystopian thriller. I give it four out of five stars.
May 25, 2026
My goodness... The complexity of this novel... I honestly loved this. I love how truly harrowing this whole experience was. You have a complicated FMC who you don't always like but definitely always root for. She struggling with trauma, addiction, a newfound power, and she only has her need to save her sister keeping her even slightly together. I say slightly because she honestly doesn't do what's best everytime. She has weakness and flaws. I love that. You have a whole corrupt system that needs dismantling as well to contend with. Honestly, the world building is amazingly done and I got so invested right at the start of it all. I could not put this book down and I can't wait for the next part.
June 29, 2026
Dream in the Ash
by Jacquelyn Gilmore
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Dream in the Ash is the first book in a new dystopian thriller series The Other Half of the End. I am super thankful to Jacquelyn Gilmore for the ARC of this book.
This was such a unique book and unlike anything I have read before. There are a lot of unfamiliar terms and a lot of world building. I had a harder time connecting with the FMC and struggled to stay invested throughout the majority of the book. The last 10% of the book truly captivated me, and I swiftly finished the ending. I’m eager to see where this story will take us next!
This book is very dark and heavy. There is a touch of romance but that is not a major point of this first book in the series. There is a heavy emphasis on mental health for multiple characters and I appreciate the care Jacquelyn put in to writing this.
Please take care of yourself while reading this book and make sure you check out the content warnings before reading.
by Jacquelyn Gilmore
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Dream in the Ash is the first book in a new dystopian thriller series The Other Half of the End. I am super thankful to Jacquelyn Gilmore for the ARC of this book.
This was such a unique book and unlike anything I have read before. There are a lot of unfamiliar terms and a lot of world building. I had a harder time connecting with the FMC and struggled to stay invested throughout the majority of the book. The last 10% of the book truly captivated me, and I swiftly finished the ending. I’m eager to see where this story will take us next!
This book is very dark and heavy. There is a touch of romance but that is not a major point of this first book in the series. There is a heavy emphasis on mental health for multiple characters and I appreciate the care Jacquelyn put in to writing this.
Please take care of yourself while reading this book and make sure you check out the content warnings before reading.
May 10, 2026
Dream in the Ash
3/3.5
A dark gritty thriller that blends dystopian and sci-fi together into this new and interesting world.
I enjoyed the fast-pace of the story and how it was full of constant suspense never knowing what was going to happen next. I never knew who to trust and still don’t! What I do know is that I enjoy Audrey’s character.
Audrey was a survivor. I loved her grit and how she fight through things.
If you enjoy dark dystopian reads with trauma, unique powers, sci-fi elements, alien like characters, fight the system, morally grey characters, and more then check this one out.
3/3.5
A dark gritty thriller that blends dystopian and sci-fi together into this new and interesting world.
I enjoyed the fast-pace of the story and how it was full of constant suspense never knowing what was going to happen next. I never knew who to trust and still don’t! What I do know is that I enjoy Audrey’s character.
Audrey was a survivor. I loved her grit and how she fight through things.
If you enjoy dark dystopian reads with trauma, unique powers, sci-fi elements, alien like characters, fight the system, morally grey characters, and more then check this one out.
May 23, 2026
I was intrigued with this book because it is listed as a dystopian psychological book. The FMC was imprisoned for the mirder of her family. She swears that she didn’t do it and that the true killer is a man that she hears his voice in her head. This book is dark !!!! Check your triggers!!! This book has all the elements of a great series. I liked it because of the dystopian feel but it also had a sci-fi feel as well. This is definitely a grown up book and I definitely recommend it to others. This was my honest review as an arc provided by the author.
May 29, 2026
Wow, so much was going on in this book! It was unique and had a lot of layers! Not in a bad way at all, just to throw that in! I vibe with a FMC that is a bit rough around the edges! Audrey sure was, and she struggled with a lot of things that happened in her life in the past and also the present. She was very complex.
It was very well written. The world building was pretty outstanding as well as the character development. I enjoyed this and look forward to the next one!
Thanks to Plunge into Books Tours and the author for the ARC
It was very well written. The world building was pretty outstanding as well as the character development. I enjoyed this and look forward to the next one!
Thanks to Plunge into Books Tours and the author for the ARC
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