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House of Hyrax #3
The Blade in the Ashes
Theadora Moore has lost everything.
With Hyrax now seated on the Athenian throne and the palace under Caldrius' control, Thea is trapped in a kingdom she no longer recognizes. Powerless and cut off from her magic, she must play the obedient heir while secretly searching for a way to end Hyrax's rule before the Mortal Realm falls to ruin.
Beyond the palace walls, Clayton Vail refuses to accept the loss of his kingdom. Joined by their closest allies, Clay races across the Mortal Realm to raise an army, gather ancient weapons, and save the woman he loves.
But Hyrax's influence is spreading, and with beasts from the Underworld now roaming freely, the realm stands on the brink of collapse. With every path forward shrouded in danger, Thea must find the courage to stand on her own--without magic, without her friends, without certainty.
To save her realm, Thea must finally defy the God of Death.
With Hyrax now seated on the Athenian throne and the palace under Caldrius' control, Thea is trapped in a kingdom she no longer recognizes. Powerless and cut off from her magic, she must play the obedient heir while secretly searching for a way to end Hyrax's rule before the Mortal Realm falls to ruin.
Beyond the palace walls, Clayton Vail refuses to accept the loss of his kingdom. Joined by their closest allies, Clay races across the Mortal Realm to raise an army, gather ancient weapons, and save the woman he loves.
But Hyrax's influence is spreading, and with beasts from the Underworld now roaming freely, the realm stands on the brink of collapse. With every path forward shrouded in danger, Thea must find the courage to stand on her own--without magic, without her friends, without certainty.
To save her realm, Thea must finally defy the God of Death.
541 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2026
About the author
Arcadia Rayne
6 books189 followersArcadia Rayne is a fantasy romance author based in Maryland.
Arcadia developed a passion for storytelling from a young age. After receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, she went on to pursue a Master's and PhD at Boston University.
Arcadia is passionate about creating fantastical worlds with strong characters. She loves all the tropes. When she's not writing, Arcadia enjoys binging reality tv and crocheting.
Arcadia developed a passion for storytelling from a young age. After receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, she went on to pursue a Master's and PhD at Boston University.
Arcadia is passionate about creating fantastical worlds with strong characters. She loves all the tropes. When she's not writing, Arcadia enjoys binging reality tv and crocheting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
May 22, 2026
One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the multiple points of view and the many storylines that intertwine. It allowed me to have a better understanding of what kind of world I've been thrown into. Furthermore, experiencing multiple POVs allowed me to connect with the characters.
Despite the multiple viewpoints, I could never quite trust what was going on as the story progressed. The sense of betrayal always lingered underneath, keeping me on edge and constantly occupying my mind.
I loved the summary of the previous books at the start before we continued on with the story - thank you for that!
I have a few things to say... A war is coming. Brace yourself. I'm rooting for you Thea.
Despite the multiple viewpoints, I could never quite trust what was going on as the story progressed. The sense of betrayal always lingered underneath, keeping me on edge and constantly occupying my mind.
I loved the summary of the previous books at the start before we continued on with the story - thank you for that!
I have a few things to say... A war is coming. Brace yourself. I'm rooting for you Thea.
May 15, 2026
ADDICTED!!! This is the BEST one so far in the series and I cannot wait for the next book! I absolutely loved getting to know these characters better and the different POV’s and the stories within a story and how every thing comes together through out the book and series.
May 22, 2026
⭐️4.5 🌶️1
📝 ARC Review
Some books break your heart once and call it a day. The Blade in the Ashes broke mine several times over, and I couldn't put it down. The move to a multi-POV format in this third House of Hyrax installment was the best decision this book could have made: getting to dive into the side characters' stories, their love stories, their found family moments, added so much richness to a world I was already completely invested in. And that ending. I didn't see it coming until it was already happening, which is exactly the kind of storytelling that keeps you reading until midnight. If you love emotionally devastating romantasy with a found family that makes everything hurt twice as much, this one is absolutely for you.
Thanks to Arcadia Rayne for this amazing ARC ♥️ one of my favorite series
📝 ARC Review
Some books break your heart once and call it a day. The Blade in the Ashes broke mine several times over, and I couldn't put it down. The move to a multi-POV format in this third House of Hyrax installment was the best decision this book could have made: getting to dive into the side characters' stories, their love stories, their found family moments, added so much richness to a world I was already completely invested in. And that ending. I didn't see it coming until it was already happening, which is exactly the kind of storytelling that keeps you reading until midnight. If you love emotionally devastating romantasy with a found family that makes everything hurt twice as much, this one is absolutely for you.
Thanks to Arcadia Rayne for this amazing ARC ♥️ one of my favorite series
Review of advance copy received from Author
5⭐️
2🌶️
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of this book!
This series has been on my TBR for a while and I had been waiting to read it until book 3 came out here in May. I had thought originally this was a trilogy, but it’s not. But I received an opportunity to get book 3 here as an arc, so I dove into the series!
I gobbled up all 4 of these books in a matter of days! And YES, DO READ THE PREQUEL NOVELLA! It’s worth it and provides so much context to the side characters.
We move to a multi-POV this book and I am SO glad we do! I have grown to love all our side characters and their journeys just as much as Thea and Clay. I loved Iris’s, Rankor’s, and Kent’s chapters so much and their own love stories and family being explored. I think it does add to the overall story and hope to continue to see more of all of them 🥰 Iris and Nikolai? Yup, they provided the banter we tend to lose once the main characters get together, so it’s fun to get more of that stuff to read.
Thea unwittingly opened the Veil to the Underworld and freed her father, who now looks to take complete control of the Mortal realm with Thea by his side (and with Caldrius by hers). With the regime change, Clay and his friends are on the run, but never determined to give up or give in. They find themselves allies in unlikely places and rush to secure their loved ones. All the while, fighting their own insecure thoughts about Thea and if she’s truly still one of them or not. They all have to step into leadership roles they never expected they’d need to so soon and find that sometimes those you think are your enemies may end up being your biggest allies.
Thea is forced to wear a mask of devotion to her father while internally fighting against him any way she can. She fights to break free to find Clay and their friends to save this realm from another war of the Gods, while also dealing with the fact that her powers have vanished themselves. When everything seems to be going against her, it’s up to Thea to find the courage to stand up on her own and find her own power back again.
We have a little spice in here 🌶️ with multi-POVs now and more characters, I’m hoping we can see some more next book. 😝
The ending was wild and I didn’t see coming until right as it was happening, and I should have! The way Arcadia writes these characters, I feel like you never really know who’s a friend and who’s a foe. 😈 but this leaves me wanting book 4 NOW! I’m so anxious to see where this all goes and how certain issues may or may not end up resolved. War is coming….and not everyone will come out alive….
2🌶️
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of this book!
This series has been on my TBR for a while and I had been waiting to read it until book 3 came out here in May. I had thought originally this was a trilogy, but it’s not. But I received an opportunity to get book 3 here as an arc, so I dove into the series!
I gobbled up all 4 of these books in a matter of days! And YES, DO READ THE PREQUEL NOVELLA! It’s worth it and provides so much context to the side characters.
We move to a multi-POV this book and I am SO glad we do! I have grown to love all our side characters and their journeys just as much as Thea and Clay. I loved Iris’s, Rankor’s, and Kent’s chapters so much and their own love stories and family being explored. I think it does add to the overall story and hope to continue to see more of all of them 🥰 Iris and Nikolai? Yup, they provided the banter we tend to lose once the main characters get together, so it’s fun to get more of that stuff to read.
Thea unwittingly opened the Veil to the Underworld and freed her father, who now looks to take complete control of the Mortal realm with Thea by his side (and with Caldrius by hers). With the regime change, Clay and his friends are on the run, but never determined to give up or give in. They find themselves allies in unlikely places and rush to secure their loved ones. All the while, fighting their own insecure thoughts about Thea and if she’s truly still one of them or not. They all have to step into leadership roles they never expected they’d need to so soon and find that sometimes those you think are your enemies may end up being your biggest allies.
Thea is forced to wear a mask of devotion to her father while internally fighting against him any way she can. She fights to break free to find Clay and their friends to save this realm from another war of the Gods, while also dealing with the fact that her powers have vanished themselves. When everything seems to be going against her, it’s up to Thea to find the courage to stand up on her own and find her own power back again.
We have a little spice in here 🌶️ with multi-POVs now and more characters, I’m hoping we can see some more next book. 😝
The ending was wild and I didn’t see coming until right as it was happening, and I should have! The way Arcadia writes these characters, I feel like you never really know who’s a friend and who’s a foe. 😈 but this leaves me wanting book 4 NOW! I’m so anxious to see where this all goes and how certain issues may or may not end up resolved. War is coming….and not everyone will come out alive….
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m screaming.
Honestly, whatever direction I thought The Blade in the Ashes was going to take, this was not it—and I mean that in the best possible way. This book completely exceeded my expectations and delivered a reading experience that had me shocked, emotional, and fully obsessed from beginning to end.
This series somehow gets better with every single book, which is such a rare thing to say. Each installment raises the stakes, deepens the world, and makes me more invested in these characters. By the time I reached the end of this one, my final note was simply: scream.
The pacing in this story kept me locked in the entire time. There was tension, danger, emotional fallout, and so many moments where I had no idea what was coming next. And then there were the emotional scenes—this book had me sobbing more than once.
The romantasy elements continue to be such a strength of the series. The slow burn tension, forbidden romance, and enemies-to-lovers threads all remain compelling, but the moments between Clay and Thea were some of my absolute favorites here. Every interaction between them carried so much weight, and those scenes were some of the most memorable in the book.
I also love that this series keeps me questioning everyone. There was one character I never quite trusted, a few characters I actively disliked, and plenty of moments that had me side-eyeing everyone on the page. The intrigue and uncertainty make this world impossible to look away from.
And as someone already theorizing about how this overall story might end, I definitely caught hints in this book that made me even more convinced I’m onto something. Whether I’m right or completely wrong, I am having the best time trying to piece it all together.
Overall, The Blade in the Ashes is intense, emotional, and wildly addictive. This series just keeps leveling up, and I already need the next book immediately. Huge thank you to the author for trusting me with an ARC of this one.
Spice Note: Ch. 42, 44
Honestly, whatever direction I thought The Blade in the Ashes was going to take, this was not it—and I mean that in the best possible way. This book completely exceeded my expectations and delivered a reading experience that had me shocked, emotional, and fully obsessed from beginning to end.
This series somehow gets better with every single book, which is such a rare thing to say. Each installment raises the stakes, deepens the world, and makes me more invested in these characters. By the time I reached the end of this one, my final note was simply: scream.
The pacing in this story kept me locked in the entire time. There was tension, danger, emotional fallout, and so many moments where I had no idea what was coming next. And then there were the emotional scenes—this book had me sobbing more than once.
The romantasy elements continue to be such a strength of the series. The slow burn tension, forbidden romance, and enemies-to-lovers threads all remain compelling, but the moments between Clay and Thea were some of my absolute favorites here. Every interaction between them carried so much weight, and those scenes were some of the most memorable in the book.
I also love that this series keeps me questioning everyone. There was one character I never quite trusted, a few characters I actively disliked, and plenty of moments that had me side-eyeing everyone on the page. The intrigue and uncertainty make this world impossible to look away from.
And as someone already theorizing about how this overall story might end, I definitely caught hints in this book that made me even more convinced I’m onto something. Whether I’m right or completely wrong, I am having the best time trying to piece it all together.
Overall, The Blade in the Ashes is intense, emotional, and wildly addictive. This series just keeps leveling up, and I already need the next book immediately. Huge thank you to the author for trusting me with an ARC of this one.
Spice Note: Ch. 42, 44
May 20, 2026
The Blade in the Ashes was one of those fantasy books that completely pulls you back into the world immediately and refuses to let you leave.
This series honestly keeps getting better with every book.
Because this is a connected series, I definitely recommend reading books 1 and 2 beforehand (and the prequel as well) because so much of the emotional impact comes from everything the characters have already survived together.
This book was intense from beginning to end.
Thea’s storyline especially hurt because she’s trapped pretending to stand beside the very person destroying everything around her. Watching her secretly fight against her father while trying to protect the people she loves made every chapter feel emotionally heavy.
And the fact that she’s doing all of this while separated from her powers made her journey feel even more desperate and vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Clay and the others are on the run trying to secure allies and protect the realm before another war begins.
I loved how the story constantly balanced emotional moments with action, tension, politics, loyalty, and uncertainty.
The multi-POV format also worked SO well here because it allowed you to see the fear, mistrust, desperation, and hope from multiple sides of the conflict.
One of my favorite parts was seeing Clay and the group struggle with whether or not they could still trust Thea while she was trapped behind enemy lines.
That emotional conflict made the story feel even more intense.
This book honestly left me desperate for the next installment because the stakes continue getting bigger with every single book.
If you enjoy:
🖤 Multi-POV fantasy
⚔️ High stakes fantasy romance
✨ Found family
🔥 Political tension
🌙 Gods & magic
🤍 Allies forced apart
💔 Emotional fantasy reads
then I definitely recommend this series.
⭐️ 4.75/5
🔥 2.5/5
🌶️ 2/5
💧 4/5
Thank you to Behind the Pages PA and Arcadia Rayne for the ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own.
This series honestly keeps getting better with every book.
Because this is a connected series, I definitely recommend reading books 1 and 2 beforehand (and the prequel as well) because so much of the emotional impact comes from everything the characters have already survived together.
This book was intense from beginning to end.
Thea’s storyline especially hurt because she’s trapped pretending to stand beside the very person destroying everything around her. Watching her secretly fight against her father while trying to protect the people she loves made every chapter feel emotionally heavy.
And the fact that she’s doing all of this while separated from her powers made her journey feel even more desperate and vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Clay and the others are on the run trying to secure allies and protect the realm before another war begins.
I loved how the story constantly balanced emotional moments with action, tension, politics, loyalty, and uncertainty.
The multi-POV format also worked SO well here because it allowed you to see the fear, mistrust, desperation, and hope from multiple sides of the conflict.
One of my favorite parts was seeing Clay and the group struggle with whether or not they could still trust Thea while she was trapped behind enemy lines.
That emotional conflict made the story feel even more intense.
This book honestly left me desperate for the next installment because the stakes continue getting bigger with every single book.
If you enjoy:
🖤 Multi-POV fantasy
⚔️ High stakes fantasy romance
✨ Found family
🔥 Political tension
🌙 Gods & magic
🤍 Allies forced apart
💔 Emotional fantasy reads
then I definitely recommend this series.
⭐️ 4.75/5
🔥 2.5/5
🌶️ 2/5
💧 4/5
Thank you to Behind the Pages PA and Arcadia Rayne for the ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Oh my holey Christ what the hell have I just read….. thank you so much for giving me this ARC I have absolutely devoured this.
The story continues following our main characters through the aftermath of the wedding and Hyrax coming into power in the world from the cliffhanger on book 2 which also killed me. All of our characters are separated and all have their own missions and journeys to deal with so the multiple pov was just perfect…. To give us that insight on each and every one of them…. I love them all.
The feelings each character brings out of you is amazing and I loved every part of it. The side quests and the build up made this story come together flawlessly. And no chapter was boring each of them brought you in more.
Thea and Clay my days are just absolute perfection…. One of the best couples written (although iris and Nikolai LOVED) but they broke me inside throughout wanting them back together and the devotion from both sides.
Little more spice to add to it for our characters, and then more new characters added. I can not wait to see what happens with them.
BUT the ending what the absolute hell I cried I cheered and then I literally died inside at that ending and then was just so incredibly proud of all of our characters and Thea the women that you are is just incredible.
An absolutely addictive series and honestly I can not wait for more of this Arcadia you have broke me completely and utterly. Thank you so much and I can’t wait to jump into book for. Also again Nikolai the man you are 😍
Side note read the novella you need that sneak peek for all of the people we meet in this one.
The story continues following our main characters through the aftermath of the wedding and Hyrax coming into power in the world from the cliffhanger on book 2 which also killed me. All of our characters are separated and all have their own missions and journeys to deal with so the multiple pov was just perfect…. To give us that insight on each and every one of them…. I love them all.
The feelings each character brings out of you is amazing and I loved every part of it. The side quests and the build up made this story come together flawlessly. And no chapter was boring each of them brought you in more.
Thea and Clay my days are just absolute perfection…. One of the best couples written (although iris and Nikolai LOVED) but they broke me inside throughout wanting them back together and the devotion from both sides.
Little more spice to add to it for our characters, and then more new characters added. I can not wait to see what happens with them.
BUT the ending what the absolute hell I cried I cheered and then I literally died inside at that ending and then was just so incredibly proud of all of our characters and Thea the women that you are is just incredible.
An absolutely addictive series and honestly I can not wait for more of this Arcadia you have broke me completely and utterly. Thank you so much and I can’t wait to jump into book for. Also again Nikolai the man you are 😍
Side note read the novella you need that sneak peek for all of the people we meet in this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5/5
Wow wow wow what a fantastic continuation to the House of Hyrax series! After that wild ending to the second book I have been eagerly waiting for this one and I was not disappointed. We are finally getting answers to questions that have been building since the very first book. The wait and build up has been worth it because the actions surrounding these answer were incredible and kept me invested from the very first page. I read this story in one sitting and finished it in less than a day!
This book was action packed from all sides! Hyrax is working to gain fealty from everyone after being released form the Underworld, Clay is making allies and building a resistant army, and Thea is doing everything she can to gain her power back while working against Hyrax and Caldrius. Following these main storylines we have multiple POV's from the found family that we have seen since the first book. We follow each character as they go on side quests that play an important role in the overarching plot. I don't usually enjoy multiple POV's but the author has done a fantastic job of building up these characters since the very beginning. We are slowly seeing each of them enter into their own romantic relationships so instead of just Thea and Clay's relationship we are seeing multiple relationships build. I find this refreshing since none of the relationships, including Thea and Clay's, take away from the plot and seem to add to it. The action and world building around the gods & goddesses is still the center of this story and for me that's what I really love about this series.
With another cliff hanger ending I need the next book ASAP! So much happened in this book and the build up for the final book is amazing. I still have so many questions and I'm not sure how everything will wrap up in the final book but wow I'm so excited to see what comes next!
Wow wow wow what a fantastic continuation to the House of Hyrax series! After that wild ending to the second book I have been eagerly waiting for this one and I was not disappointed. We are finally getting answers to questions that have been building since the very first book. The wait and build up has been worth it because the actions surrounding these answer were incredible and kept me invested from the very first page. I read this story in one sitting and finished it in less than a day!
This book was action packed from all sides! Hyrax is working to gain fealty from everyone after being released form the Underworld, Clay is making allies and building a resistant army, and Thea is doing everything she can to gain her power back while working against Hyrax and Caldrius. Following these main storylines we have multiple POV's from the found family that we have seen since the first book. We follow each character as they go on side quests that play an important role in the overarching plot. I don't usually enjoy multiple POV's but the author has done a fantastic job of building up these characters since the very beginning. We are slowly seeing each of them enter into their own romantic relationships so instead of just Thea and Clay's relationship we are seeing multiple relationships build. I find this refreshing since none of the relationships, including Thea and Clay's, take away from the plot and seem to add to it. The action and world building around the gods & goddesses is still the center of this story and for me that's what I really love about this series.
With another cliff hanger ending I need the next book ASAP! So much happened in this book and the build up for the final book is amazing. I still have so many questions and I'm not sure how everything will wrap up in the final book but wow I'm so excited to see what comes next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬
𝐁𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭
- - -
Read this if you like:
□ deities and descendants
□ slow-burn
□ forbidden romance
□ multi POV
□ touch her and die
□ dragonshifters
□ found family
This is the third installment in the House of Hyrax series. Be sure to read the first two books (and novella) to avoid spoilers!
I was so excited to return to this story! And, also very grateful for the quick recap at the beginning of the book. It's been a while since I have read the previous books, so this was great!
I loved the multiple POV's in this book. Each character is just so interesting, so different, you just want to know more about everyone's powers and how they feel through this mess, through the war. It's also this whirlwind of emotions. I might have shed some tears while reading some POV's.
Oh gosh, Thea. Look at the brazen woman you've become! That character development was phenomenal. Just speechless! She is one of my favorite characters. I also really enjoyed Iris and Nikolai's story. I wish there was a spin-off of this couple! I want to know more about their history, about the missions, about everything! I also looked forward to their chapters in this story. I hope to see more of them in the next book!
Also, that plot twist... did not see that coming at all! Like what?! And of course, it ended with a cliffhanger. Now I have to wait and it's killing me. I just want to know what happens next.
Overall, an intriguing, fascinating story and highly recommend this series to all the fantasy lovers.
Thank you, Arcadia and Behind the Pages, for the ARC.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬
𝐁𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭
- - -
Read this if you like:
□ deities and descendants
□ slow-burn
□ forbidden romance
□ multi POV
□ touch her and die
□ dragonshifters
□ found family
This is the third installment in the House of Hyrax series. Be sure to read the first two books (and novella) to avoid spoilers!
I was so excited to return to this story! And, also very grateful for the quick recap at the beginning of the book. It's been a while since I have read the previous books, so this was great!
I loved the multiple POV's in this book. Each character is just so interesting, so different, you just want to know more about everyone's powers and how they feel through this mess, through the war. It's also this whirlwind of emotions. I might have shed some tears while reading some POV's.
Oh gosh, Thea. Look at the brazen woman you've become! That character development was phenomenal. Just speechless! She is one of my favorite characters. I also really enjoyed Iris and Nikolai's story. I wish there was a spin-off of this couple! I want to know more about their history, about the missions, about everything! I also looked forward to their chapters in this story. I hope to see more of them in the next book!
Also, that plot twist... did not see that coming at all! Like what?! And of course, it ended with a cliffhanger. Now I have to wait and it's killing me. I just want to know what happens next.
Overall, an intriguing, fascinating story and highly recommend this series to all the fantasy lovers.
Thank you, Arcadia and Behind the Pages, for the ARC.
May 12, 2026
After the cliffhanger ending of the first two books, I should have known this one would also leave me wanting more and hanging on until the next release!
You pickup with the FMC now trapped in a marriage to a man she cannot trust, he says he’s going to help her contain her fathers actions, but who knows what his true motives are when he had her made to look like his precious lover. At the same time, while she’s fighting to keep the kingdom safe from the inside, her friends on the outside are all working on their own plots to both rescue her, and figure out how to take down a God now that he’s been released from beyond the veil. They must gather an army and prepare for war and protect as many innocents from his wrath as they can, while the FMC must race to get her powers back to take him down.
I really enjoyed all the many story lines and viewpoints that this book had. It helped progress the plot in a way that showed all of the chaos of trying to deal with a god, and some of the connections between characters in their little found family group. I was so worried for them all the whole time, with their own people turning on them to follow a god, and never knowing who they could trust, along with missions that continued to put them in danger. It’s clear they all care for the people of their kingdom just as much as each other and with that last betrayal at the end, I can’t wait to see what happens next! My rating 4.7/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
You pickup with the FMC now trapped in a marriage to a man she cannot trust, he says he’s going to help her contain her fathers actions, but who knows what his true motives are when he had her made to look like his precious lover. At the same time, while she’s fighting to keep the kingdom safe from the inside, her friends on the outside are all working on their own plots to both rescue her, and figure out how to take down a God now that he’s been released from beyond the veil. They must gather an army and prepare for war and protect as many innocents from his wrath as they can, while the FMC must race to get her powers back to take him down.
I really enjoyed all the many story lines and viewpoints that this book had. It helped progress the plot in a way that showed all of the chaos of trying to deal with a god, and some of the connections between characters in their little found family group. I was so worried for them all the whole time, with their own people turning on them to follow a god, and never knowing who they could trust, along with missions that continued to put them in danger. It’s clear they all care for the people of their kingdom just as much as each other and with that last betrayal at the end, I can’t wait to see what happens next! My rating 4.7/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
May 21, 2026
This series just keeps leveling up—each book brings fresh twists, jaw dropping reveals, and yes… another massive cliffhanger that leaves me desperate for more!
I loved how the story picked up right where the last book left off, with a handy recap at the beginning (thank you, Arcadia!) that made diving back into this series so much easier.
Told through multiple POVs, we get to see the main characters on their separate missions, all fighting to save the realm and take down the villain.
Honestly, this installment felt the most heart wrenching yet—it really pushes the characters to their limits, clinging to any shred of hope.
Romance fans, you’re in for a treat: while new sparks start to fly, Clay and Thea’s love remain steady and burning bright.
The final chapters? Intense, bloody, and packed with one huge surprise that had me gasping!
Overall, this was a brilliant continuation of the saga—this was one of my most anticipated books of 2026, and Arcadia absolutely nailed the execution!
The ending sets the stage for what feels like an epic finale—bring on the battle, I’m ready!
✨ Highly recommended if you love:
⚔️ Morally grey characters
🔥 Slow burn tension
🐉 Dragons
👑 Political intrigue
💜 Found family
I received a review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: themese of trauma, disorder eating, PTSD, grief, explicit sexual content, physical violence.
I loved how the story picked up right where the last book left off, with a handy recap at the beginning (thank you, Arcadia!) that made diving back into this series so much easier.
Told through multiple POVs, we get to see the main characters on their separate missions, all fighting to save the realm and take down the villain.
Honestly, this installment felt the most heart wrenching yet—it really pushes the characters to their limits, clinging to any shred of hope.
Romance fans, you’re in for a treat: while new sparks start to fly, Clay and Thea’s love remain steady and burning bright.
The final chapters? Intense, bloody, and packed with one huge surprise that had me gasping!
Overall, this was a brilliant continuation of the saga—this was one of my most anticipated books of 2026, and Arcadia absolutely nailed the execution!
The ending sets the stage for what feels like an epic finale—bring on the battle, I’m ready!
✨ Highly recommended if you love:
⚔️ Morally grey characters
🔥 Slow burn tension
🐉 Dragons
👑 Political intrigue
💜 Found family
I received a review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: themese of trauma, disorder eating, PTSD, grief, explicit sexual content, physical violence.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: The Blade in the Ashes (House of Hyrax Book 3)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
Thea and Clay find themselves on opposite sides of the war. The multi-POV storyline drives the interwoven journeys of Clay and his allies as they gather aid and search for powerful relics to help them in the impending war against a High God.
Tropes:
🧑🧑🧒🧒Multi-POV
💀Heir to the god of death
🐉Dragon shifter king
🔥Feminine rage
✨Meddling gods
🫂Found family
🏰Intrigue
💕Multiple romances
Thea is isolated but determined. Clay is desperate to take back all that he's lost. Can they find their way back to each other and prevent more loss of life?
The author thoughtfully chronicles Thea's continued journey of self-discovery and her resilience really shines in this installment. Clay's "burn the world for her" and "touch her & unalive” energy had my heart soaring.
I loved the additional POVs and the introduction of new characters, romances that develop, and friendships that deepen. This installment had me bracing myself at so many points! My heart ached as each character faces the trǟumas of their past and fears for the future.
With brutal betrayals, thrilling action, and smoldering romances, The Blade in the Ashes is an adrenaline rush of emotions that will keep you turning the pages from start to finish!
Thanks to the author for the review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review
📖: The Blade in the Ashes (House of Hyrax Book 3)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
Thea and Clay find themselves on opposite sides of the war. The multi-POV storyline drives the interwoven journeys of Clay and his allies as they gather aid and search for powerful relics to help them in the impending war against a High God.
Tropes:
🧑🧑🧒🧒Multi-POV
💀Heir to the god of death
🐉Dragon shifter king
🔥Feminine rage
✨Meddling gods
🫂Found family
🏰Intrigue
💕Multiple romances
Thea is isolated but determined. Clay is desperate to take back all that he's lost. Can they find their way back to each other and prevent more loss of life?
The author thoughtfully chronicles Thea's continued journey of self-discovery and her resilience really shines in this installment. Clay's "burn the world for her" and "touch her & unalive” energy had my heart soaring.
I loved the additional POVs and the introduction of new characters, romances that develop, and friendships that deepen. This installment had me bracing myself at so many points! My heart ached as each character faces the trǟumas of their past and fears for the future.
With brutal betrayals, thrilling action, and smoldering romances, The Blade in the Ashes is an adrenaline rush of emotions that will keep you turning the pages from start to finish!
Thanks to the author for the review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review
Review of advance copy received from Author
House of Hyrax is a solid indie romantasy read, with this being the third — but not last — installment. The world is heavily built on Greek mythology and is mixed with the right amount of own lore.
The Blade in the Ashes is a transport book. It’s good to be aware of this going in. I personally felt that there were too many storylines and that they could be cut by a third.
The book continues Thea’s journey with Hyrax now being set free in the world. She is trapped and unhappy, plotting to take revenge. Thea’s story is interesting enough to be the focal point of this series, which is why all the added storylines felt a little redundant. I’ve noticed a lot of romantasy books do this, and then they also add love stories in all storylines. If that’s a trope, the “everyone gets a partner” is my least favorite one.
I hold out hope for this one. Rayne is a master of plot twists and the world building and plotting is really good. There’s enough here to make me want to read on. And, all in all, House of Hyrax as a whole is excellent. It’s like an adult version of the Zodiac Academy, almost.
I received this ARC from the author. Thank you for that! I can’t wait to see what Thea gets up to next.
The Blade in the Ashes is a transport book. It’s good to be aware of this going in. I personally felt that there were too many storylines and that they could be cut by a third.
The book continues Thea’s journey with Hyrax now being set free in the world. She is trapped and unhappy, plotting to take revenge. Thea’s story is interesting enough to be the focal point of this series, which is why all the added storylines felt a little redundant. I’ve noticed a lot of romantasy books do this, and then they also add love stories in all storylines. If that’s a trope, the “everyone gets a partner” is my least favorite one.
I hold out hope for this one. Rayne is a master of plot twists and the world building and plotting is really good. There’s enough here to make me want to read on. And, all in all, House of Hyrax as a whole is excellent. It’s like an adult version of the Zodiac Academy, almost.
I received this ARC from the author. Thank you for that! I can’t wait to see what Thea gets up to next.
May 9, 2026
Just a heads up before diving into The Blade in the Ashes… you really should read To the Edge of Athenia first. It adds so much depth to the story, the side characters, and the relationships, and it introduces several characters who end up playing huge roles later on. It made the emotional moments in the series hit so much harder for me.
I’ve genuinely loved every book in the House of Hyrax series, and this one was no exception. One of my favourite things about this series is seeing how much the characters continue to grow across each book. Nobody feels stagnant, and every new perspective adds another layer to the world and the story.
I also really loved the addition of more POVs in this one. It made the stakes feel bigger, the world feel richer, and honestly just made me even more attached to everyone involved. Arcadia Rayne has such a good way of balancing action, emotion, and character growth without losing the addictive pacing that keeps you flying through chapters.
This series just keeps getting stronger with every release, and I already know I’m going to be thinking about this one for a while.
I’ve genuinely loved every book in the House of Hyrax series, and this one was no exception. One of my favourite things about this series is seeing how much the characters continue to grow across each book. Nobody feels stagnant, and every new perspective adds another layer to the world and the story.
I also really loved the addition of more POVs in this one. It made the stakes feel bigger, the world feel richer, and honestly just made me even more attached to everyone involved. Arcadia Rayne has such a good way of balancing action, emotion, and character growth without losing the addictive pacing that keeps you flying through chapters.
This series just keeps getting stronger with every release, and I already know I’m going to be thinking about this one for a while.
April 27, 2026
I can not begin to accurately describe how much I DEVOURED this book! The intricate, woven plot lines which have been running throughout the series, the multiple POVs, the action packed adventure. This was the best one yet!
Thea is fighting from behind enemy lines. Clay is fighting for his kingdom and his love. Not to mention side characters such as Iris and Nikolai, Kent, Rankor to name but a few. Who in actual fact have become so much more than side characters. Each has their own interwoven plot line which is equally as compelling as Thea and Clay.
I can’t not mention how much I adore the relationship between Clay and Thea. How much they’ve grown over the series, Clay has a special place in my literacy heart. I never thought I’d ever associate sweet with a character like Clay, but he’s totally redeemed himself in my eyes.
“I am, and always have been, yours to command, Theadora.”
I was lucky enough to have received an ARC of this book from the author. I can’t recommend enough, this is most definitely a Romantasy series you need to read!
Thea is fighting from behind enemy lines. Clay is fighting for his kingdom and his love. Not to mention side characters such as Iris and Nikolai, Kent, Rankor to name but a few. Who in actual fact have become so much more than side characters. Each has their own interwoven plot line which is equally as compelling as Thea and Clay.
I can’t not mention how much I adore the relationship between Clay and Thea. How much they’ve grown over the series, Clay has a special place in my literacy heart. I never thought I’d ever associate sweet with a character like Clay, but he’s totally redeemed himself in my eyes.
“I am, and always have been, yours to command, Theadora.”
I was lucky enough to have received an ARC of this book from the author. I can’t recommend enough, this is most definitely a Romantasy series you need to read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Not me being in a massive slump before starting this because real life was hard. But the moment I picked this up, I was completely hooked. The recaps helped a lot, and I realized how much I’d missed this world, the characters, and all their messy love lives, lmao.
I got so into it that I ended up devouring the whole book in a single day.
Now, about Thea… as much as Caldrius helped her and was technically right about a lot of things, at the end of the day he was still kind of a douchebag. If he truly liked Thea for who she is now, he shouldn’t have expected all those thank-yous from her.
But by the end, I realized that was the least of my concerns. It felt like so much happened in this book, yet somehow we still circled back to the same problem.
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book. I honestly thought this series was going to be a trilogy, but now it seems like the next book might be the last one… hopefully I’m not proven wrong again.
I got so into it that I ended up devouring the whole book in a single day.
Now, about Thea… as much as Caldrius helped her and was technically right about a lot of things, at the end of the day he was still kind of a douchebag. If he truly liked Thea for who she is now, he shouldn’t have expected all those thank-yous from her.
But by the end, I realized that was the least of my concerns. It felt like so much happened in this book, yet somehow we still circled back to the same problem.
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book. I honestly thought this series was going to be a trilogy, but now it seems like the next book might be the last one… hopefully I’m not proven wrong again.
May 16, 2026
Blade in the Ashes
Arcadia Rayne
4.25 ⭐️
*SPOILERS from books .5, 1, & 2* Book 3 in the House of Hyrax Series. Thea has lost her magic, Clay and the others are exiled, and Hyrax and Caldrius are in the mortal realm.
Thank you to Arcadia Rayne for the advanced reader copy. I’ve read the 3 other books in the series and I’m so in love. 😍
My favorite thing about this series is the multiple POV. It’s not just the FMC and MMC POV but the entire court have their own POVs and side stories to the overall plot. It a refreshing and lovely style of writing.
Blade in the ashes is what I would call a build up book in this series, it has less action than book 1 & 2 but doesn’t drag. It’s building the world in this story and helping you gain the insight needed for books 4 & 5. My heart ached with Thea’s struggles, my anger towards Caldrius and Hyrax was palpable, and the sexual tension between Iris and Nikolai was making the pages smolder🔥🥵.
Arcadia Rayne
4.25 ⭐️
*SPOILERS from books .5, 1, & 2* Book 3 in the House of Hyrax Series. Thea has lost her magic, Clay and the others are exiled, and Hyrax and Caldrius are in the mortal realm.
Thank you to Arcadia Rayne for the advanced reader copy. I’ve read the 3 other books in the series and I’m so in love. 😍
My favorite thing about this series is the multiple POV. It’s not just the FMC and MMC POV but the entire court have their own POVs and side stories to the overall plot. It a refreshing and lovely style of writing.
Blade in the ashes is what I would call a build up book in this series, it has less action than book 1 & 2 but doesn’t drag. It’s building the world in this story and helping you gain the insight needed for books 4 & 5. My heart ached with Thea’s struggles, my anger towards Caldrius and Hyrax was palpable, and the sexual tension between Iris and Nikolai was making the pages smolder🔥🥵.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2026
** Review of advanced copy received from Author**
Arcadia Rayne has done it again! This book has everything you could ever want. The stakes are high, the emotional tension is palpable, and the betrayal at the end of the book is BRUTAL! And the best part? We get multiple POV’s throughout the book! All of the character development, side quests and new love stories pulled me in, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to hear from another character to know what was happening to them at the same time. This shows the power of Arcadia Rayne’s writing where introducing multiple character POV’s did not take away from the pace of the book and just made it infinitely better.
This book showcases multiple love stories and found family at its finest, mixed with political intrigue, meddling gods and a journey of finding your power and magic. This series gets better and better with every book, and after that twist at the end, I cannot wait to see what is in store for us in the next book!
Arcadia Rayne has done it again! This book has everything you could ever want. The stakes are high, the emotional tension is palpable, and the betrayal at the end of the book is BRUTAL! And the best part? We get multiple POV’s throughout the book! All of the character development, side quests and new love stories pulled me in, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to hear from another character to know what was happening to them at the same time. This shows the power of Arcadia Rayne’s writing where introducing multiple character POV’s did not take away from the pace of the book and just made it infinitely better.
This book showcases multiple love stories and found family at its finest, mixed with political intrigue, meddling gods and a journey of finding your power and magic. This series gets better and better with every book, and after that twist at the end, I cannot wait to see what is in store for us in the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the third book in the House of Hryax series, where Theadora is trapped under the rule of the god of death. Fresh out of magic, her friends prepare for a war that will determine the fate of the mortal realm, in a race against time and a battle of wills. Meanwhile, Clay struggles to accept the loss of his kingdom and fights to get back the woman he loves—no matter the cost
This story is an action-packed romantasy, featuring dragon shifters, meddling gods, and the unbreakable bonds of found family! loved that there were multiple POVs and a few different love stories, all with their own side quests and banter! I would definitely recommend this series for all my fantasy lovers out there!
This story is an action-packed romantasy, featuring dragon shifters, meddling gods, and the unbreakable bonds of found family! loved that there were multiple POVs and a few different love stories, all with their own side quests and banter! I would definitely recommend this series for all my fantasy lovers out there!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Blade in the Ashes by Arcadia Rayne
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you to the author for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
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What I Liked: Arcadia does it again! I have loved every book in this series and am so excited to be able to provide this advanced review. I loved the expanded look into Iris and Nikolai. They had me laughing and kicking my feet. The twist at the end I didn't see coming. All I am going to say is be careful who you trust.
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What I Didn't Like: There wasnt a lot that I didn't like, but if I had to choose, I would have liked to see more of Thea and Clay's relationship. This book does focus more on Thea's arc which is very needed.
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Would I Recommend? Absolutely yes!!
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you to the author for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
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What I Liked: Arcadia does it again! I have loved every book in this series and am so excited to be able to provide this advanced review. I loved the expanded look into Iris and Nikolai. They had me laughing and kicking my feet. The twist at the end I didn't see coming. All I am going to say is be careful who you trust.
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What I Didn't Like: There wasnt a lot that I didn't like, but if I had to choose, I would have liked to see more of Thea and Clay's relationship. This book does focus more on Thea's arc which is very needed.
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Would I Recommend? Absolutely yes!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
As an ARC reader I had the pleasure of getting my hands on this early release. What an intense and captivating continuation of the story! I was completely pulled into Thea’s journey as she faced impossible choices, heartbreaking losses, and the terrifying rise of Hyrax. Watching her fight to reclaim her strength without relying on magic made her character growth feel even more powerful and emotional. The tension throughout the Mortal Realm kept me hooked, and Clay’s determination to save both his kingdom and the woman he loves added so much heart to the story. The world-building, danger, and emotional stakes were all incredibly well done, leading to a dramatic and satisfying read. A thrilling 4-star fantasy full of courage, loyalty, and epic twists!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This series just keeps getting better. The Blade in the Ashes had me stressed, emotional, and completely glued to the page. Theadora has been through so much and you can feel the weight of it in every decision she makes. She’s stronger now, but everything she’s endured still lingers beneath the surface, and I loved that the story never lost sight of that.
The tension in this book was unreal. The betrayals hit hard, the emotional stakes were high, and the relationships had me completely invested. Every time I thought things might calm down, the story twisted the knife even deeper.
And the ending? Arcadia Rayne really looked me in the eyes and chose violence.
I’m obsessed with this world and absolutely not okay after finishing this one.
The tension in this book was unreal. The betrayals hit hard, the emotional stakes were high, and the relationships had me completely invested. Every time I thought things might calm down, the story twisted the knife even deeper.
And the ending? Arcadia Rayne really looked me in the eyes and chose violence.
I’m obsessed with this world and absolutely not okay after finishing this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I'm really enjoying the way all the characters are growing in this series.
I thought Clay in book 1 was an annoying jerk but after each book since I can see why Thea loves him.
Thea risked so much at the end of the last book and it was heart breaking to see her lose herself for so much of this book.
I did not feel for 1 second that Caldrius is being honest with Thea and I really hope that the next book shows him getting what he deserves.
I loved the multiple POV's and the new additions to the team as well as the unexpected power that someone is granted.
I can't wait to see how everything play out.
I received an advanced reader copy but these thoughts are my own.
I thought Clay in book 1 was an annoying jerk but after each book since I can see why Thea loves him.
Thea risked so much at the end of the last book and it was heart breaking to see her lose herself for so much of this book.
I did not feel for 1 second that Caldrius is being honest with Thea and I really hope that the next book shows him getting what he deserves.
I loved the multiple POV's and the new additions to the team as well as the unexpected power that someone is granted.
I can't wait to see how everything play out.
I received an advanced reader copy but these thoughts are my own.
May 20, 2026
Hello, people!
Today I come with a series that will amaze readers. It is the House of Hyrax series.
In the third book of the series, The Blade in the Ashes, the author does an even more excellent job. Every page is a reading revelation.
The plot has tension, suspense and twists. The characters are well-structured and her world building is incredible.
As for her writing, all I will say is that it is fantastic, captivating, enjoyable, tender -as needed-, with nice doses of humor, smart and exciting.
Thank you very much to the author and PA @behindthepagespa for the eARC!
This is my honest review!
Today I come with a series that will amaze readers. It is the House of Hyrax series.
In the third book of the series, The Blade in the Ashes, the author does an even more excellent job. Every page is a reading revelation.
The plot has tension, suspense and twists. The characters are well-structured and her world building is incredible.
As for her writing, all I will say is that it is fantastic, captivating, enjoyable, tender -as needed-, with nice doses of humor, smart and exciting.
Thank you very much to the author and PA @behindthepagespa for the eARC!
This is my honest review!
May 21, 2026
Say what? I thought this would be the last one in the series but it wasn't and that cliffhanger was too much!! I flew through this book, it was that engaging. I loved that we got more POVs from different characters in this one since they were all doing different things. I just can't get over that ending and now I need the next book.
"I don't care, Thea. I only want you. I need no ceremony or vow between us to know that I want you today, tomorrow, and forever. I don't need you to permanently wear my marriage bands to show the world what you mean to me. You may not be my wife, but you are my partner in every way that matters."
"I don't care, Thea. I only want you. I need no ceremony or vow between us to know that I want you today, tomorrow, and forever. I don't need you to permanently wear my marriage bands to show the world what you mean to me. You may not be my wife, but you are my partner in every way that matters."
April 30, 2026
OMG I need book 4 right now!!!!!
This has been my favourite book so far in the series and the YEARNING is next level! The fact that we still have yearning in book 3 of a series is rare and I loved every second of it. We’ve got two MMCs and I still don’t entirely know who I like better. One of them is clearly great for her and the other… I still think he’s my favourite 👀. The cliffhanger at the end shocked me and I wasn’t expecting that but omg this set us up for an intense 4th book and I need it ASAP!!
This has been my favourite book so far in the series and the YEARNING is next level! The fact that we still have yearning in book 3 of a series is rare and I loved every second of it. We’ve got two MMCs and I still don’t entirely know who I like better. One of them is clearly great for her and the other… I still think he’s my favourite 👀. The cliffhanger at the end shocked me and I wasn’t expecting that but omg this set us up for an intense 4th book and I need it ASAP!!
May 22, 2026
Absolutely amazing. This book was so good! I couldn’t put it down once I got started. The adventure and action, so good. I was literally grouping my iPad the entire time. The world building was exquisite. And I couldn’t get enough of the description. It was so vivid, it was like I was right there the entire time. I was so invested in what was going on. The chaos and evening surrounding this was just so good. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
It was so good to be back with Thea, Clay and the rest of the crew. Just a few chapters in reminded me how much I loved this series.
I really enjoyed seeing more of the side characters stories develop along with Thea and Clay from their sides to prepare for the fight for their Kingdom.
I can't wait for the next book to see how things develop, as that ending had quite an unexpected moment!
I really enjoyed seeing more of the side characters stories develop along with Thea and Clay from their sides to prepare for the fight for their Kingdom.
I can't wait for the next book to see how things develop, as that ending had quite an unexpected moment!
May 15, 2026
I couldn’t put this book down! I have loved every single book from Arcadia Rayne! I absolutely love this series! I can’t wait for what’s next! All the POVs of the group and the roller coaster of emotions! I absolutely love Thea and Iris so much!! They are my favorite fmcs! I love Clay and I’m beginning to love Nikolai so much! All the other characters are great as well!
Review of advance copy received from Author
*Thank you to Arcadia and Behind the Pages for this ARC!* 4.75 true rating
NO MAAM. I REJECT THAT ENDING. I’m only a lil upsetti because now I need book four immediately in my hands.
You had me so utterly on the edge of my seat. You gave me multiple POV, you gave me plot twists, and frankly a whole damn heart attack. I need to recover.. emotionally, physically, mentally.. yeesh
NO MAAM. I REJECT THAT ENDING. I’m only a lil upsetti because now I need book four immediately in my hands.
You had me so utterly on the edge of my seat. You gave me multiple POV, you gave me plot twists, and frankly a whole damn heart attack. I need to recover.. emotionally, physically, mentally.. yeesh
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