Ash Burned

Greatdrakes #4

by Alessa Thorn

A widowed dragon father. A witch in exile. Four matchmaking sons. One missing sister…Sometimes the best love stories start with the worst first impressions.

Cosimo Greatdrakes has lived in emotional solitude since his wife's death, burying his grief and dragon beneath duty to his sons. When his missing sister's trail leads him to Florence, he encounters the one beautiful witch who will challenge everything he believes—his academic rival, who has been frustrating his research for over a year.

Marcella Sforza has spent a decade hiding her powerful magic after escaping an abusive marriage. Helping Cosimo find his sister means facing the people who stole her birthright, but he offers the one thing she can't her family's lost grimoire.

With four meddling sons determined to play matchmaker and an inner dragon that believes it has found another mate, Cosimo and Marcella discover that some forces—love, family, and ancient magic—refuse to be denied.

Please note this book is an adult paranormal romance, and it contains swearing, violence, and spicy scenes.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Witches, Dragons, Enemies To Lovers, Fae

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Alessa Thorn believes that all monsters and villains deserve their happy endings. She prefers her clothes black, eyeliner winged and books full of hot romance. She thinks heroes are boring, so her first series 'The Court of the Underworld' centers around dark gods, monsters and villains from her favorite Greek Myths.

Reviews

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Greatdrakes family books, and that cliffhanger was killer.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hoovered this book in 2 sittings. I fell hard for the Greatdrakes guys a while ago but always knew Cosimo's story would be one of the best. Cosimo lost his mate years ago and lived for his sons. They're grown and mated now and his sister's spirit has shown up asking him to help free her. They all go to Italy to track her down but will have to convene with a coven of witches. The intermediary who is available to help them happens to be one of Cosimo's rivals and his dragon's new obsession. Marcella agrees to help with some conditions but going back means opening old wounds. Cosimo and all the Greatdrakes adopt her basically immediately since the boys and mates can read him like a book and want him to find happiness again.
I guess what I liked so much about this book is all the things Marcella liked about Cosimo. He admired her, protected and worshipped her but never smothered her, letting her take things at her pace knowing that up to him and his dragon they'd be mated right off the bat. The way Cosimo is with his kids is great, they seem almost more like friends than parent-children in a lot of ways. And then there's his dragon. There's something about a shifter's inner animal pouting "want the witch" that just get me.

I had forgotten about the Fenris plot so I'm curious how that will play out in the next book.

[Kylee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This instalment is noticeably longer than what AT typically delivers and it’s packed with her usual action, drama and emotional development from start to finish.
The story centres on Cosimo as he connects with Marcella, a woman he has been in fierce professional competition with for over a year due to their shared pursuit of rare research books. From their very first encounter Cosimo’s dragon instinctively recognises Marcella as their true mate.
Together they embark on a dangerous quest hunting down ancient books. Along the way they must confront Marcella’s cruel ex-husband and manipulative mother-in-law, all while searching for Cosimo’s missing sister, Maria.

The story concludes with a powerful moment of unity as the family comes together, only for a new cliffhanger to emerge with the shocking revelation that Linnea has gone missing, having gone after Fenris. As someone who recently reread the entire series, I found myself especially invested in this development, as Linnea has had surprisingly little focus so far. Her storyline feels long overdue and this tease has left me both excited and impatient for what’s next.

Adding to the emotional intensity the book also ends with Elise going into labour, setting up yet another pivotal moment for the next installment.


Is there a hint of Maria & Vidir???

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daddy G!

The build up to Cosimo’s story has been immaculate. I first got to read it on Alessa’s Ream platform, and I have been hopelessly in love with it since. Cosimo and Marcella are everything I could’ve possibly dreamed of for the Greatdrakes finale. The sizzling chemistry, banter, tenderness, academic prowess, spicy time - gah! It is all just so, so perfect. This family, the Fae Universe world, and Alessa’s work in general make my heart a big squishy pile of gleefully giddy goo. Believe me when I say you need these dragons in your life. Can’t wait for the next chapter in the FU!

[Deborah L Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an amazing read!

What a way to end a reading slump. I was in the world’s worst. It was to the point I was reading favourite books two and three times. Then by luck I found this! What a read! Being a witch I am easily put off by authors who write what they know not. But Alessa has a new fan who has plans to read every book she has written. And then probably read them again. Read the cover to see what the story is about if you must, but trust me, just read it! You will love it!

[Katie Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alessa is hands down one of my favorite authors and this series is my favorite of hers. I have been wanting Daddy Cosimo’s story since the Ironwood books so for it to finally be here was surreal. And let me tell you, Cosimo’s story did not disappoint! It was filled with tension, mystery, action, and of course, over possessive dragons! If you love shorter stories with amazing story lines and the best found family vibes, read this series!!

[Pet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been eagerly waiting for Cosimo’s story ever since Taranis made his declaration about Dragon mates. This book didn’t disappoint; in fact, I had to muffle a couple of happy squeaks while reading. I love the cover – yum yum! The ending was quite shocking, though. I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, but honestly, this feels more like a foreshadowing. I just really hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next book.

[Asia Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!

This was so good! I loved Cosimo getting his happy ever after and finally learning more about his sister. This was a good end to the Greatdrakes! I’m itching for the next installments, I’ve been waiting for Fenrir and Linnea since Tor’s book. I just know they’re going to be a favorite. Also, Maria is freaking awesome and I’m hoping we’ll see her with her own book soon!

[Jenn Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always loved these. It was great to see Cosimo finally get a second chance at love. The scene where they are out on the balcony and all the sons and their mates are pressed to the other side of the door writing and drawing phallic things in the condensation will forever be one of the funniest things I have ever read. Their family dynamic where there is so much love yet everyone just teases and torments the hell out of everyone else is so believable.

[Andrea Richburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daddy G was as hot as I knew he would be!! He DID NOT disappoint!!! I don’t know that I will ever get enough of her writing. She always sucks me in and does not let me go. I love this story and the second chance at love after Cosimo lost Lisa. In the whole Fae Universe series this is the book I have been impatiently waiting for! It was everything I hoped it would be!!

[Jane Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good addition to series

I think this was one of my favourites, and def prefer the older characters. Finally, there was no "baby" term of endearment, and it just felt much more grown up. I enjoyed the storyline and look forward to the next instalment. No spoilers, but I think some of the other female characters getting pregnant would be exciting!

[Carina Gomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously delightful

Well well well daddy Greatdrakes finally found his challenger, step up powerful witch to bring the final dragon free. Absolutely loved this story, as with everything Alessa Thorn. Just perfection. Funny. Smart. Adventure. Mystery. Witchcraft. Magic. Mates.

[Lauren Pidcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daddy Greatdrakes, ooh yummy 😋. His story was perfect for him and made that whole grey in the hair even hotter when mixed with someone who can do magic and is a dragon. Dragon shifter romances are quickly becoming my favourite

[Dreamnovelisticnova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this series!

Each books in this series is amazing. Love all the characters. Love how she intertwines previous characters into the new books of the serious. Highly recommend.

[Kseniya V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me be my obnoxious, basic AF, internet self for 5 minutes:

yaaaaaasssssss! Daddy dragon's big adventure to find love again 💕

Isn't it just amazing when everything is perfectly perfect in fiction?

This is why I read books about magical mates and HEAs for everyone!

[Pam Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome

This may be my favorite to date! I so enjoyed reading about the senor Greatdrakes getting his HEA! Loved the MFC she was perfection! Great story as always so interesting and loved the teaser at the end!

[kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow! fantastic read

I was very pleased with this book. Great job!! Funny, full of adventure, and some adult content. I cannot wait for the next book! So amazingly well written.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit chaotic especially near the end, but hot.

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this one, and am so happy.

[Arianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book

[Alicia Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Alessa Thorn!

I absolutely adore Alessa Thorns writing style! I cannot get enough of her work! I cannot wait for the next!

[Dany · Rating 5 out of 5]

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