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A Single Captive Spark
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jul 26In the brutal aftermath of a human-changeling war, a twist of fate throws two enemies together to fight for their love and survival in a sweeping dark fantasy of betrayal, magic, and romance.
In the centuries-long battle between humans and changelings, those who are taken by the changelings do not live. They do not return. They are simply gone. And for the humans left behind, there is only the brutal reign of the Irskan king.
Having spent her life in the castle, Fionna has protected herself and her younger sister by securing a position as a servant. But when the rebels mistake Fionna for the Irskan princess, she becomes a hostage of Helio, the cruel changeling leader whose mismatched eyes haunt her dreams. Drawn to Helio even as she attempts to escape the rebels, Fionna finds herself questioning everything she once believed about his cause.
For Helio, undying loyalty to the rebels saved him from the ravages of war. But his hostage blunder has put his people in peril. He may possess secret magic, but even he is not immune to Fionna’s charms. Uncovering what she knows about the castle may prove to be his most dangerous mission yet.
In this sweeping dark fantasy, a dangerous game of love, loyalty, and betrayal will decide the fate of a nation.
In the centuries-long battle between humans and changelings, those who are taken by the changelings do not live. They do not return. They are simply gone. And for the humans left behind, there is only the brutal reign of the Irskan king.
Having spent her life in the castle, Fionna has protected herself and her younger sister by securing a position as a servant. But when the rebels mistake Fionna for the Irskan princess, she becomes a hostage of Helio, the cruel changeling leader whose mismatched eyes haunt her dreams. Drawn to Helio even as she attempts to escape the rebels, Fionna finds herself questioning everything she once believed about his cause.
For Helio, undying loyalty to the rebels saved him from the ravages of war. But his hostage blunder has put his people in peril. He may possess secret magic, but even he is not immune to Fionna’s charms. Uncovering what she knows about the castle may prove to be his most dangerous mission yet.
In this sweeping dark fantasy, a dangerous game of love, loyalty, and betrayal will decide the fate of a nation.
301 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 1, 2026
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 1, 2026
I loved being back in a world of Emberly’s creation. I will never get tired of her writing.
A Single Captive Spark is firmly planted in a society divided into two factions, humans and “changelings”. With the suppression of magic as a result of a violent conflict centuries ago, walls are built to divide (“protect”) races, and Irska lives under the reign of a human king set on supremacy and division. The rebellion has built since magic was leashed; over 300 years of hate and blame are coming to a head. This story was inspired by a historical event, but it feels all too relevant today.
Emberly is a master crafter of MCs. Women who look and feel like women, not carved away to fit societal ideals. Who are not perfect, sculpted, poised, pristine women who have it all together. They are real, they are struggling, they are relatable. They show a strength and fortitude, a humanity, a perseverance through hardships, abuse, and oppression, and still have it within them to find a way to stand up for what is right, to hope, to be kind, to keep going, to love. Men who fight their own demons, battle the world’s injustices, search for their purpose, and value these women exactly as they are, not seeing them as subordinates to be ruled, directed, fixed, or perfected.
All of that shows up in this story. There is plenty of action in the book, I just wish we’d had more of it between Fionna and Helio. It’s definitely a slow burn build with very well done momentary flashes of spice. As for plot, we’re rich!
I look forward to learning more about Fionna’s path (especially in the aftermath of that cliffhanger) in book two!
**As always, I’m grateful to Emberly, 47North, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given freely.**
A Single Captive Spark is firmly planted in a society divided into two factions, humans and “changelings”. With the suppression of magic as a result of a violent conflict centuries ago, walls are built to divide (“protect”) races, and Irska lives under the reign of a human king set on supremacy and division. The rebellion has built since magic was leashed; over 300 years of hate and blame are coming to a head. This story was inspired by a historical event, but it feels all too relevant today.
Emberly is a master crafter of MCs. Women who look and feel like women, not carved away to fit societal ideals. Who are not perfect, sculpted, poised, pristine women who have it all together. They are real, they are struggling, they are relatable. They show a strength and fortitude, a humanity, a perseverance through hardships, abuse, and oppression, and still have it within them to find a way to stand up for what is right, to hope, to be kind, to keep going, to love. Men who fight their own demons, battle the world’s injustices, search for their purpose, and value these women exactly as they are, not seeing them as subordinates to be ruled, directed, fixed, or perfected.
All of that shows up in this story. There is plenty of action in the book, I just wish we’d had more of it between Fionna and Helio. It’s definitely a slow burn build with very well done momentary flashes of spice. As for plot, we’re rich!
I look forward to learning more about Fionna’s path (especially in the aftermath of that cliffhanger) in book two!
**As always, I’m grateful to Emberly, 47North, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given freely.**
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨A Single Captive Spark✨
Thank you, Emberly, 47 North, and Netgalley for this gifted arc and what a hooray for Em getting trad published!
This fast paced Romantasy lands us in the middle of a civil war, facing an oppressed race called the Changelings, and plummeting into a captor x captive romance. We follow a dual POV from our MCs, Fionna and Helio, born enemies who find common purpose and relatability where they’d always been misunderstood. Initially, Fionna’s only goal is the save her sister and escape Irska, but her eyes are soon opened as she is dragged across enemy lines. It’s a story of finding hope and being seen despite the odds being against you on every side.
The story moves quickly, but the burn is slow. I would’ve loved more intimate moments between our MCs to better strengthen the connection that is alluded but I adored Helio, his fierce angst, AND I’m a sucker for mismatched eyes. The ending was a bang and left me aching for the answer to the question it left us with. I am intrigued to see what Emberly brings us with book two in the duet.
Tropes you may find in ASCS are forced proximity, captive x captor, OCD/anxiety rep, light world building, magic, oppressed people/civil war, slow burn to low-ish spice, betrayals, yearning, and a cliffy.
Thank you, Emberly, 47 North, and Netgalley for this gifted arc and what a hooray for Em getting trad published!
This fast paced Romantasy lands us in the middle of a civil war, facing an oppressed race called the Changelings, and plummeting into a captor x captive romance. We follow a dual POV from our MCs, Fionna and Helio, born enemies who find common purpose and relatability where they’d always been misunderstood. Initially, Fionna’s only goal is the save her sister and escape Irska, but her eyes are soon opened as she is dragged across enemy lines. It’s a story of finding hope and being seen despite the odds being against you on every side.
The story moves quickly, but the burn is slow. I would’ve loved more intimate moments between our MCs to better strengthen the connection that is alluded but I adored Helio, his fierce angst, AND I’m a sucker for mismatched eyes. The ending was a bang and left me aching for the answer to the question it left us with. I am intrigued to see what Emberly brings us with book two in the duet.
Tropes you may find in ASCS are forced proximity, captive x captor, OCD/anxiety rep, light world building, magic, oppressed people/civil war, slow burn to low-ish spice, betrayals, yearning, and a cliffy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A powerful, emotionally rich read that completely pulled me in from the very first page. The intensity, the atmosphere, and the slow-burning connection between the characters make this story impossible to put down.
The emotions are beautifully layered, with longing, tension, and vulnerability woven into every interaction. The character dynamics feel raw and real, and I found myself deeply invested in their journey and choices. Every moment feels purposeful, building toward a connection that’s both gripping and deeply satisfying.
Emberly Ash’s writing is immersive and evocative, creating a world that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. This is a stunning story with heart, depth, and unforgettable emotional impact. If you love romance that burns slow and hits hard, A Single Captive Spark is an absolute must-read.
The emotions are beautifully layered, with longing, tension, and vulnerability woven into every interaction. The character dynamics feel raw and real, and I found myself deeply invested in their journey and choices. Every moment feels purposeful, building toward a connection that’s both gripping and deeply satisfying.
Emberly Ash’s writing is immersive and evocative, creating a world that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. This is a stunning story with heart, depth, and unforgettable emotional impact. If you love romance that burns slow and hits hard, A Single Captive Spark is an absolute must-read.
February 5, 2026
3.5 stars. This was different from what Emberly usually writes and that was really fun to see. This book felt like a lot of world building and ended on a major cliff hanger. I love that Emberly writes her FMC’s as thick, strong headed women. Plus size representation is so necessary and I love seeing. I felt the love interest was quick and I would have like more of a slow burn. I’m interested to see where this series goes.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews