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Courts of Aetheria #2

Crown of Flames and Ash

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Von „Darkblood Academy“ und USA Today Bestseller Autorin G.K. DeRosa kommt Band 2 der epischen spicy Romantasy Reihe mit Fae, Drachen und einem Shadow Daddy, der BookTok in Flammen setzte.

Nach Reigns Verrat stehe ich unter Schock. Trotzdem muss ich an die gnadenlose Akademie des Lichts zurückkehren. Zwar hilft mir jede tödliche Prüfung, meine mysteriösen Kräfte besser zu beherrschen, doch der Preis dafür ist hoch.

Um zu überleben, muss ich das Undenkbare mich mit dem Feind verbünden. Widerwillig lasse ich mich auf einen rivalisierenden Schüler ein, und gemeinsam decken wir die dunklen Pläne eines unerwarteten Gegners auf, der unsere Akademie und das gesamte Reich ins Chaos stürzen will.

Die Gerüchte über einen bevorstehenden Krieg werden immer lauter und der fragile Frieden zwischen den Höfen steht auf der Kippe. Zwischen all dem beginne ich Gefühle für meinen heimlichen Verbündeten zu entwickeln. Dennoch verspüre ich immer noch tiefe Sehnsucht nach Reign, wobei jeder verbotene Moment mit ihm eine schmerzhafte Erinnerung an seinen Verrat ist.

Ich muss mich entscheiden, auf welche Seite ich wirklich gehöre. In einer Welt, in der Licht und Schatten aufeinanderprallen, ist es verdammt schwer, sich nicht blenden zu lassen … Doch von meiner Entscheidung hängt das Schicksal unseres Reiches ab.

Band 2 der epischen Romantasy-Reihe für Fans von Fourth Wing und ACOTAR ... Lies jetzt die Fae Academy Serie, wenn du diese Tropes

Found Family
Forbidden Love
Slow Burn … but spicy!

487 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2025

1293 people are currently reading
2152 people want to read

About the author

G.K. DeRosa

88 books1,548 followers
G.K. De Rosa has been an avid reader from a very young age. In fact, before she could even read, she tried fooling everyone into thinking that she could. At the precocious age of two, while living in Italy, she had memorized an entire children’s book in Italian and expertly turned the pages at the exact right moments of the story. As she grew up, she always enjoyed literature, no doubt having been instilled with a love of story telling from her early years in Catholic school where she was greatly influenced by exemplary teachers who taught her the value of English and Literature. Though she did not pursue writing in college and instead went for the more traditional route of International Business inspired by her love for travel and all things foreign, after a move to New York City, she found her creative writing side calling once again. She began writing a restaurant review blog, City Lights and Tasty Bites, detailing her other passion – food! The hectic hustle and bustle of the city, combined with long commuting times gave her the opportunity to spend more time reading and rekindled a lost love. After reading countless books in many diverse genres over the two years in New York City, and returning to her home state of Florida, she felt compelled to write something for herself. She had always felt particularly drawn to Young Adult novels and having been an eternal romantic at heart, a fantasy romance was a natural choice. She currently lives in South Florida with her real life Prince Charming and their fur baby, Nico the German Shepherd.

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5 stars
1,683 (46%)
4 stars
1,257 (34%)
3 stars
544 (14%)
2 stars
109 (3%)
1 star
40 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
Profile Image for ℛℰ.
176 reviews48 followers
October 27, 2025


The love triangle was completely unnecessary and I was annoyed a lot
Profile Image for Gigi Davidson.
1 review1 follower
December 25, 2024
Ugh…this was a DNF for me. Ive been reading a decent amount of romantacy lately, so the genre isn’t new to me. I know about all the tropes, unfortunately. This was full of them but not in a fun way.

I got 3/4 through, working through a lot of “ick” of Aelia and Reign’s interactions, but couldn’t bring myself to finish. I kind of liked the first book even though I knew it wasn’t great, I felt like it was a fun read.

In this book though, the romance is what killed it for me in the end. Aelia is angry and mean at Reign for more than half the book for the fact that he didn’t tell her his secret identity? And the dagger thing? I get the anger over the dagger thing, but the anger feels excessive, drawn out, and contrived. Just forgive him already! It doesn’t actually seem like they LIKE each other, even, as all their interactions are pretty nasty, punctuated by random sex scenes. There’s a couple of places where Reign says something sweet, but that’s not the basis of an entire relationship. It just seems like their relationship is purely physical, which is disappointing.

I also hate the love triangle. I hate it. Aelia’s unwilling to seal the cuorem bond with Reign for kind of flimsy reasons, and now Ruhl is in the mix? No. I was here for Aelia and Reign, and I’ve been waiting the whole goddamn book for them to FINALLY get together, but instead of that, I get another twist and reason they CANT seal the bond?? I literally groaned out loud when I got to the part about Ruhl asking her to refuse to make the bond with Reign. It was at that point I knew I’d have to slog through a lot more BS to get to a satisfying conclusion. And because I skimmed to the end, I see that it ends on another cliffhanger. Joy.

Let me rant about the cuorem bond more. The author decided that the bond was confused between Reign and Ruhl (also, JFC why did she have to name the brothers these cringey matching royalty names?) The point of that common Romantasy trope is that it happens with one special person, they’re the One, the Only One, and you’ll be together Forever, but the author took this trope and mutated it into something sad. By making the bond confused over the object of its desire, it makes it seem like Aelia’s relationship with Reign is far less meaningful. I don’t want this idea of a romantic, timeless bond spoiled by the main character lusting after her lover’s own brother. If she can be so easily confused and attracted to another, then is the bond really that powerful? I guess the point is that they haven’t sealed the deal as they put it, but still. It’s just kind of depressing to me. Makes me not want to read more.

Aelia doesn’t want to make the bond because she doesn’t want to run away from her problems, but making that bond literally won’t prevent her from staying and tackling them…Reign would probably be in the same situation if he was called in on his oath anyways. Maybe I’m not clear on that plot point or I missed something, but that seemed really flimsy to me at best.

Also, Reign and Aelia both suck. Reign is pretty toxic and can be creepy. He can be sweet sometimes, but I find his personality un-charming. Aelia is no better. She’s a badass, yes, but she’s mean to Reign for no good reason. She annoys me. She knows he wants it, and she knows she wants it. She’s denying herself for no good reason after a certain point. I feel like a good romance shouldn’t have the reader thinking “just get it over with and have sex already!” multiple times throughout the book.

I’m disappointed because I really wanted to like this book. I still am curious about who Aelia is, who bound her, and what ultimately happens. I like the idea of the story and the magic systems too. In theory, Aelia and Reign have a lot of romantic potential. But I don’t know if I can force myself to read any more of the cringy and toxic romance between them! Maybe I’ll change my mind to see what happens at the end, but it’s going to be a rage-finish.
EDIT TO ADD: oh my god how could I forget to talk about Sy? Sy is one of Aelia’s two friends, and he’s a creep. Their whole relationship is him “joking” about wanting to sleep with her and going on about her “sexy round ears” and her playfully rejecting him. He constantly caresses her ears throughout this series which js met by a joking rebuff and slap on the wrist from Aelia, but this is WEIRD because it’s actually super creepy to imagine a “friend” like this in real life. Who does this? What is this relationship, anyways? If I knew someone like this, I’d stay far far away from them. I get that Fae aren’t human and are more sexually open, but like…this is not the basis of a friendship for any sentient species, I’m sorry.
I feel like the only guy in this book that’s remotely not creepy and remotely decent all-around is Heaton. Team Heaton! Poor guy. Why do the men in this book all suck? Why do the characters in this book all suck?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
294 reviews
November 25, 2024
I feel like I wanted this book to be good so I hung onto the little kernels of truth given to us throughout the story holding on for dear life, and the end just blew it all up. It sounds like she doesn’t look like the third court demon people, or at least the way they were described, but the king called her princess and took her away, and all the other courts are around still so that leaves her being the princess of the demon court with the zar power? but then that doesnt make sense because she has rais and nox power which means her parents were from the other kingdoms… And there was a mention of an old rais king so maybe thats her dad and the current king is her uncle? But the cliffhager was large, but it was honestly the most exciting thing to happen in the book. Also, what is all the weird stuff about her being “mated” to both brothers? This book made me hate Reign he is so annoying and indecisive and thinks he is hot shit, that I was actually rooting for his brother and the heir to the throne to be the actual love interest. But like what the hell was this book. The mfc was alll over the place, the first half of the book is basically her complaining and being annoying. And the entire romance plot literally just doesnt make any sense its hot and cold and they are all over the place, then it brcomes a love triangle? Honestly im confused and a bit weirded out. Overall disappointed in the romance section, disappointed in the fantasy plot section, but intrigued in the mystery of who she is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Hailei.
84 reviews
April 26, 2025
When I say this series is a slow burn, I mean the candle is going to take YEARS to burn.
Profile Image for Stephanie Christian .
1 review1 follower
November 8, 2024
I will admit that I am a reader who has VERY high expectations for a second book in a series if I LOVE the first. I was nervous but did my reread and jumped right into it. I was not disappointed. Not only did Crown of Flames and Ash live up to my high expectations but it surpassed them. The transition was flawless and immediately hooked my interest. The slow burn with some spice was the perfect amount to keep us wanting more but staying true to the plot. The old characters we love get more of a richer role and the new characters add more dynamic to the story. For example: Ruhl keeps you on your toes as you don’t know where your feelings lie with him. Do we like him? Do we hate him? Where does his loyalties lie?!
I especially love the puzzle that is Aelia’s origins. We get to add a few more pieces to the puzzle but G.K. DeRosa gives us time to make our own educated guesses. I love a story that allows you to guess and have theories before you have the complete picture. It makes you feel accomplished and just that much more invested in the story.
I highly recommend this series and especially this second installment. The first book gives fourth wing, Harry Potter, and ACOTAR vibes but this book transcends them into “Crown of Flames and Ash” vibes of its’ own. I started and ended this book within 24 hours. It’s a must read!
Profile Image for Melinda.
840 reviews4 followers
November 13, 2024
I disagree with the author. The wait because of the cliffhanger will not be worth it. I'm out.
Profile Image for Katie P.
183 reviews1 follower
November 17, 2024
Bored to tears. I skimmed until the end.

I liked the first book so much. Second book—-I didn’t find a likable character.
Both FMC and MMC on my nerves and forced love triangles to mindlessly fill the plot.

I think this book was unnecessary and should have just gone from plot book to end book 1 right to end of book 2…

Won’t be continuing this series…

Profile Image for Migeldy Mauri.
956 reviews11 followers
November 9, 2025
5/5 ⭐️ Spoilers ahead 🚨

The slow burn is like a fine wine aging to perfection, but it’s making me tipsy with anticipation! Forbidden romance with an age gap? Count me in! Aela’s character arc is truly a rollercoaster, she can be as infuriating as Reign, but Alphaholes have always been my guilty pleasure.

Aela’s juggling deadly trials and a divine love triangle
what kind of twisted games are the gods playing at?! And just when you think things couldn’t get more chaotic, she gets taken! Two books in, and things are spiraling into a delightful mess. I just want to know what in the burning hell was that cliffhanger?!
Profile Image for Beatrice.
88 reviews
March 29, 2026
1,5 stars

boaaaah, irgendwann ist auch mal gut. Wie oft kann man eigentlich dieselben Sätze sagen!? Die Sätze: "Wer verliert muss 1 Woche in der Schule der Schattenleute verbringen, ich muss schaudern bei dem Gedanken." und "die niedere Kin" und "meine Rund-ohrige Freundin" kamen 1 mio mal vor.
Man hat auch nicht wirklich neues erfahren. Das ganze hin und her mit ihr und Reign war super unnötig. Immerhin haben sie auch mal rumgemacht und so, aber das ganze Ding mit Ruhl auch super unnötig. Das einzig witzige wäre, wenn es mal ne 3er Geschichte wird hahaha, aber sonst alles dumm. Die Prüfungen waren ganz ok.
Profile Image for Siarn.
226 reviews2 followers
November 29, 2024
3.75 ⭐️

Aelia & Reign..

Fae Academy.
Professor / Student.
Light vs. Dark Fae.
Prophecy.
Fated Mates.
Trials.
Hidden / Secret Identity.

Second book in the series.. It's good but lacking in some parts.
I'm not sure how I feel about the almost love triangle and the delay in making the bond.
Ends on a cliffhanger.
Profile Image for Jenn (loves_a_good_book).
164 reviews10 followers
November 13, 2024
This was amazing!

The twists and turns had me reeling. This book stomped on my heart, dragged me through all the feels and left me screaming in shock. It reveals some secrets from earlier but I need more answers.

As Aelia grows into her powers, her strength in her beliefs and the ones she loves never waivers. Her fierceness is admirable and I think we’ve only seen the beginning of what she can do.

I love a good shadow daddy and Reign definitely fits the bill. Still morally grey, touch her and die protective with a sweet side that I can’t resist.

The end had my heart pounding and I NEED the next book now!
Profile Image for Sue Harbers.
1,455 reviews13 followers
November 13, 2024
This book is an absolute stunner! Aelia is reeling from the events and info that happened at the end of book 1 and Reign is in her crosshairs. That boy has some ‘splainin to do. I do love him but I don’t feel that he’s been completely honest with Aelia but it seems to be out of a need to protect her. I’m really liking Rhule right now but I don’t trust him. And of course, Aelia’s found family in her friends makes me so happy. I can’t wait for more of this series, especially after the end of this book!
Profile Image for GI LA.
455 reviews5 followers
January 7, 2026
Hier ist meine Rezension zu Crown of Flames and Ash – und ja, ich bin völlig hin und weg!

Schon nach den ersten Seiten war ich wieder vollständig in dieser fantastischen und gefährlichen Welt gefangen.
Band 2 setzt nahtlos an den Cliffhanger des ersten Teils an – und gönnt einem wirklich keine Verschnaufpause.
Aelia hat mit Enttäuschungen, neuen Gefühlen und sehr gefährlichen Prüfungen an der Akademie zu kämpfen.
Am meisten hat mich überrascht, wie schnell die Geschichte an Tempo und Spannung gewinnt.
Aelia wächst mit jeder Herausforderung über sich hinaus. Sie wird stärker, entschlossener und gleichzeitig verletzlicher, denn sie hat viel zu verlieren.

Reign hat mich in diesem Band komplett für sich eingenommen. Seine Zerrissenheit, seine unerschütterliche Loyalität und seine stille Hoffnung, dass Aelia ihm irgendwann wieder vertraut … das hat mich emotional sehr bewegt.
Die Kapitel aus seiner Sicht machen ihn auf eine dunkle, geheimnisvolle Art, greifbar, verletzlich und wahnsinnig liebenswert.

Und dann betritt Ruhl die Bühne.
Reigns Bruder ist ein einziges großes Fragezeichen – faszinierend, gefährlich, undurchschaubar. Jede Szene mit ihm wirft neue Fragen auf, und ich bin sicher, dass er im nächsten Band noch eine viel größere Rolle spielen wird. Dieses Dreiecks-Geflecht aus Vertrauen, Verrat und Anziehung ist so geladen, dass man beim Lesen fast Funken spürt.
Die Akademie sorgt erneut für die richtige Atmosphäre: brutal, voller Intrigen, Machtspiele und Geheimnisse, die man erst nach und nach zusammensetzen kann.
Die Prüfungen sind spannend und treiben die Handlung immer weiter nach vorn. Dazu kommen Nebenfiguren wie Rue und Symon die die Story noch lebendiger machen. Besonders neugierig bin ich, welche Rolle die mysteriöse Liora wirklich spielt.

Emotionen gibt es ohne Ende.
Ich wollte Aelia manchmal schütteln und Reign in den Arm nehmen. Meine Nerven waren mehrfach kurz vorm Zerreißen.

Und dann dieser Cliffhanger am Ende. 😱😱😱
Eiskalt. Unerwartet. Richtig gemein. Absolut brillant.
Wie soll ich es bitte bis April 2026 aushalten?

Fazit:
Band 2 ist intensiver, wilder, emotionaler und noch fesselnder als der Auftakt. Eine packende Mischung aus Romantasy, Intrigen, düsterer Magie und herzzerreißenden Momenten Für mich eine der spannendsten Fantasyreihen der letzten Jahre.
Ich brauche Band 3. Am besten gestern.
Profile Image for Ashley Caines.
26 reviews1 follower
December 31, 2024
The first book in this series was SO good!! I had high hopes that this would be a favorite series of mine.
This second book seemed to drag on FOREVER with Aelia and Reign back and forth, back and forth in their romance. The slowest burn EVER as by the end of the second book they still haven’t sealed the deal.
Also, she goes on and on about how everyone is lying to her yet she’s consistently lying to her friends.
However, I will read the third when it comes out in hopes it is better than this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Katharina.
136 reviews
March 24, 2026
1,5 ☆

naja... die Dreieicksbeziehung war uuuunnnöööttiiig und es wurde viieelll zu wenig aufgeklärt... Dolche, ihre Abstammung, ALLES. Sonst ist nix passiert, bissle Schulleben und Ruhl, der Bruder von Reign war auf einmal wichtig. Können Aelia und Reign einfach mal was haben?!
Dumme Gründe mit dem Courumband das nicht zu villziehen... nur weil du nicht weglaufen willst?!! DAS IST KEIN GRUND!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dani Rogers.
58 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2025
4.5 ⭐️holy endings of endings. this sequel brought the action, the confusion, the pull for darkness from the light. this cliff hanger has left me with more questions then answered and i cannot wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Becky.
307 reviews3 followers
January 25, 2026
I don't trust Liora at all!
what does Duskling mean..
Is it weird that I'm also really want to know what's happening with the dragons' relationships? What did Phantom tell Sol?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Angela.
74 reviews
November 19, 2024
Great book! I enjoyed getting more pieces of the puzzle and loved getting more of Reign and Aelia. The ending was just wild though. Did not expect that at all and I can’t believe I have to wait six months for the third book. That better be the final book. Ugh.
Profile Image for Mila.
218 reviews4 followers
May 7, 2025
4.5⭐️ enjoyed this book as much as the first… few plot twists and a cliffhanger… can’t wait for the third one to come out soon…
Profile Image for Nicole M. Davis.
60 reviews
July 24, 2025
Better than the first book, first half was annoying and slow, then the second half got interesting and now I have to read the third book to find out what happens…
Profile Image for Jenn Ely.
31 reviews
January 21, 2026
This one felt like a whole lot of nothing happening which bums me out because i enjoyed book 1 but this one makes me not want to continue on with the series.
12 reviews
November 6, 2024
I received an ARC from the author after devouring the first book and holy cow, this series has me in a chokehold. The cliffhanger is going to ruin me, and I cannot wait to get the third book in my greedy little hands. I don’t often rate books 5 stars but I love the magic system in this book, and I’m a sucker for academy fantasy romance books. Countdown for book 3 is already started in my brain!
1 review
November 16, 2024
I enjoyed the first book but found book 2 left me wanting. There wasn’t enough focus on story progression as I felt like I was treading water a lot and I became frustrated over the romance element. I was disappointed with this instalment because the story didn’t live up to its full potential but I still want to know what happens next and will read the 3rd book.
Profile Image for Jessie.
271 reviews10 followers
February 22, 2025
I’m giving it 3.5 ⭐️s because I found myself endlessly frustrated with use of the “interruption trope” —just forever stalling relationships and character development. I also don’t like the way we have conflict for the sake of conflict. That being said, can our FMC just fuck shit up already???
5 reviews
November 15, 2024
total failure

I cannot even imagine a more boring book! This was a total flop for me. First book was good… second book… well…I never DNF a series before but this one is it. The story just stalled with very little action to strengthen the plot.
Profile Image for Amanda.
186 reviews3 followers
December 7, 2024
Just Cruel!!!!

O! M! G! So close to completing the bond and you do this!! Not fair for anyone!!! I do have a theory on how to get out of the blood oath Reign made with his father, now to see if my theory happens. 😏 I also have a theory about Aelia’s parents. But with how this ended…now I have more questions than theories.
Profile Image for Amber Meulemans.
30 reviews
September 5, 2025
some twists and turns in this one and im not quite sure what to expect next.
still a bit more simple writing, and the ick with the overprotective dudes is in full force on this one, but honestly the predictability is a little less this book and thats why im enjoying it
1 review
February 25, 2026
I love the story and the trope of a really strong female lead so I'm really disappointed in the awful writing from this book. I had to DNF a little over halfway through this one.
If you have to create forced conflict that makes zero sense and wouldn't actually happen, then you can't write. This series could have been so good, but there was so much unnecessary nonsense between the two main characters. The FMC is insufferable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews