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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 books208 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 58 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
May 29, 2026
4,25 ⭐️
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….
June 10, 2026
The Blade in the Ashes is everything I wanted from a third installment in a romantasy series: higher stakes, deeper character growth, impossible choices, and a heroine who must discover who she is when everything she once relied on is stripped away.
At the end of the previous book, Theadora Moore lost nearly everything. Now trapped in a kingdom controlled by Hyrax and cut off from her magic, she finds herself in the most vulnerable position she's ever faced. What makes this book so compelling is that Thea can no longer rely on her powers to save the day. Instead, she must find strength within herself.
Watching her navigate political manipulation, grief, fear, and uncertainty was one of my favorite aspects of the story. Her growth feels earned, and her journey from relying on magic to relying on her own courage creates some of the novel's most powerful moments.
Meanwhile, Clayton Vail is determined to reclaim his kingdom and save the woman he loves. I loved seeing the expansion of the world beyond the palace walls as Clay and his allies travel across the Mortal Realm gathering support, ancient weapons, and allies for the battles ahead.
The romance continues to be one of the strongest elements of the series. Even while separated, the connection between Thea and Clay remains at the heart of the story. Their relationship feels built on trust, sacrifice, and genuine partnership rather than simply attraction.
The pacing is excellent throughout, balancing political intrigue, action, emotional moments, and worldbuilding. The Underworld beasts, growing darkness, and looming threat of Hyrax create a constant sense of urgency that kept me turning pages.
If I had one small criticism, it's that some sections focus heavily on setup for future events, which occasionally slows the momentum. However, the emotional payoff and character development more than make up for it.
Overall, The Blade in the Ashes is a strong continuation of the House of Hyrax series and leaves readers eager for what comes next.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5 Stars)
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Romantasy
Strong character growth
Political intrigue
Found family
Forbidden magic
Gods and mythology
High-stakes fantasy adventures
Slow-burn romance
At the end of the previous book, Theadora Moore lost nearly everything. Now trapped in a kingdom controlled by Hyrax and cut off from her magic, she finds herself in the most vulnerable position she's ever faced. What makes this book so compelling is that Thea can no longer rely on her powers to save the day. Instead, she must find strength within herself.
Watching her navigate political manipulation, grief, fear, and uncertainty was one of my favorite aspects of the story. Her growth feels earned, and her journey from relying on magic to relying on her own courage creates some of the novel's most powerful moments.
Meanwhile, Clayton Vail is determined to reclaim his kingdom and save the woman he loves. I loved seeing the expansion of the world beyond the palace walls as Clay and his allies travel across the Mortal Realm gathering support, ancient weapons, and allies for the battles ahead.
The romance continues to be one of the strongest elements of the series. Even while separated, the connection between Thea and Clay remains at the heart of the story. Their relationship feels built on trust, sacrifice, and genuine partnership rather than simply attraction.
The pacing is excellent throughout, balancing political intrigue, action, emotional moments, and worldbuilding. The Underworld beasts, growing darkness, and looming threat of Hyrax create a constant sense of urgency that kept me turning pages.
If I had one small criticism, it's that some sections focus heavily on setup for future events, which occasionally slows the momentum. However, the emotional payoff and character development more than make up for it.
Overall, The Blade in the Ashes is a strong continuation of the House of Hyrax series and leaves readers eager for what comes next.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5 Stars)
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Romantasy
Strong character growth
Political intrigue
Found family
Forbidden magic
Gods and mythology
High-stakes fantasy adventures
Slow-burn romance
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 28, 2026
The Blade in the Ashes
by Arcadia Rayne
This series genuinely keeps getting better with every book and somehow this one completely blindsided me. I thought I had an idea where the story was heading and I was VERY wrong 😭
The shift into multiple POVs added so much to the story. Getting deeper into the side characters, their relationships, loyalties, and personal struggles made the world feel so much bigger and more emotional. I became way more attached to everyone than I already was, which honestly just made everything hurt more when the chaos started unfolding.
This book felt heavier in the best way. The stakes are higher, the tension is constant, and there’s this feeling the entire time that nobody is truly safe. I also loved how the story keeps you questioning everyone’s motives. Every time I thought I trusted somebody, something would happen that had me immediately suspicious again.
Thea and Clay still own my entire heart. Their scenes together carried so much emotional weight and longing, especially with everything working against them. The romance in this series continues to hit perfectly alongside all the political tension, betrayals, and looming disaster.
And THAT ending??? Actually rude. I didn’t fully see it coming until it was already happening and then I just sat there staring at the wall afterward trying to process everything.
Absolutely my favorite installment in the series so far and now I desperately need book four immediately 😭
Thank you to Arcadia Rayne for the ARC!
by Arcadia Rayne
This series genuinely keeps getting better with every book and somehow this one completely blindsided me. I thought I had an idea where the story was heading and I was VERY wrong 😭
The shift into multiple POVs added so much to the story. Getting deeper into the side characters, their relationships, loyalties, and personal struggles made the world feel so much bigger and more emotional. I became way more attached to everyone than I already was, which honestly just made everything hurt more when the chaos started unfolding.
This book felt heavier in the best way. The stakes are higher, the tension is constant, and there’s this feeling the entire time that nobody is truly safe. I also loved how the story keeps you questioning everyone’s motives. Every time I thought I trusted somebody, something would happen that had me immediately suspicious again.
Thea and Clay still own my entire heart. Their scenes together carried so much emotional weight and longing, especially with everything working against them. The romance in this series continues to hit perfectly alongside all the political tension, betrayals, and looming disaster.
And THAT ending??? Actually rude. I didn’t fully see it coming until it was already happening and then I just sat there staring at the wall afterward trying to process everything.
Absolutely my favorite installment in the series so far and now I desperately need book four immediately 😭
Thank you to Arcadia Rayne for the ARC!
May 31, 2026
The dedication set the tone: To the readers trying to figure out which men they're supposed to trust. Good luck.
Ummmm, ok Ms. Rayne! I see you, and I feel you 😉
The Blade in the Ashes is the third installment in the House of Hyrax series filled with dragons, political intrigue, shifting alliances, enemies-to-lovers, found family, and my favorite trope of all: FEMININE RAGE!
The Blade in the Ashes finds our heroine, Thea, in an impossible situation, forced to withstand a husband and father she didn't choose. She's lost her powers, her love, her found family, with no plan on how to save herself and the kingdom. There's so much action throughout the story and we really get to feel Thea's frustration with her powerless mortal body, and her determination to never give up.
I appreciated how the story unfolds from multiple POVs, allowing for further character development and a deeper dive into the motivations behind their behavior. I especially loved learning more about Camilla and Iris's stories and witnessing them become more vulnerable. I did find myself rushing through the chapters on Kent and Rankor, however. Perhaps it's because I can't get enough of that feminine rage trope 🔥
The love story between Clay and Thea never felt forced or over-the-top. The tension and build up really added to the story and you can really buy into their bond.
This book ends on a cliffhanger that, once again, had me mouth agape and so ready to see Thea kick ass in the next installment. War is coming ⚔️
I love this series and it truly is a must read!
Ummmm, ok Ms. Rayne! I see you, and I feel you 😉
The Blade in the Ashes is the third installment in the House of Hyrax series filled with dragons, political intrigue, shifting alliances, enemies-to-lovers, found family, and my favorite trope of all: FEMININE RAGE!
The Blade in the Ashes finds our heroine, Thea, in an impossible situation, forced to withstand a husband and father she didn't choose. She's lost her powers, her love, her found family, with no plan on how to save herself and the kingdom. There's so much action throughout the story and we really get to feel Thea's frustration with her powerless mortal body, and her determination to never give up.
I appreciated how the story unfolds from multiple POVs, allowing for further character development and a deeper dive into the motivations behind their behavior. I especially loved learning more about Camilla and Iris's stories and witnessing them become more vulnerable. I did find myself rushing through the chapters on Kent and Rankor, however. Perhaps it's because I can't get enough of that feminine rage trope 🔥
The love story between Clay and Thea never felt forced or over-the-top. The tension and build up really added to the story and you can really buy into their bond.
This book ends on a cliffhanger that, once again, had me mouth agape and so ready to see Thea kick ass in the next installment. War is coming ⚔️
I love this series and it truly is a must read!
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.
May 25, 2026
I have loved every book in this series, but something about this one is pushing it firmly into favorite territory for me. Each character is on a mission, separated and focused on their own individual tasks, determined to do whatever it takes to raise an army capable of fighting a god.
Sending them each off on new paths, we are introduced to new lands, creatures, and characters that expand the world in such a compelling way. These additions bring fresh energy, sparks of new relationships, and all the inevitable tension that comes with them. With multiple POVs unfolding, the story becomes even more immersive, and I found myself speeding through every chapter, eager to return to each storyline to see what new trials or surprises were waiting.
What I found most captivating was how this new structure allowed for rich character development, getting to know them all more deeply and watching where their journeys are heading a real highlight for me.
The story was so rich and consuming. I felt the love, the loss, and every emotion in between, all rooted so deeply in its characters. This isn’t your everyday found family they weren’t found, they are forged. Forged in blood and steel, tears and magic. And seeing what they can accomplish together was truly powerful.
This book was a seamless evolution, opening up the lush, epic story even further, which only builds my excitement. I am literally dying for the next book and can’t wait to see where it takes us.
Thank you so, so much to Arcadia Rayne and Behind the Pages for this gifted copy. I’m honestly so in love with this world and can’t wait to continue the journey.
Sending them each off on new paths, we are introduced to new lands, creatures, and characters that expand the world in such a compelling way. These additions bring fresh energy, sparks of new relationships, and all the inevitable tension that comes with them. With multiple POVs unfolding, the story becomes even more immersive, and I found myself speeding through every chapter, eager to return to each storyline to see what new trials or surprises were waiting.
What I found most captivating was how this new structure allowed for rich character development, getting to know them all more deeply and watching where their journeys are heading a real highlight for me.
The story was so rich and consuming. I felt the love, the loss, and every emotion in between, all rooted so deeply in its characters. This isn’t your everyday found family they weren’t found, they are forged. Forged in blood and steel, tears and magic. And seeing what they can accomplish together was truly powerful.
This book was a seamless evolution, opening up the lush, epic story even further, which only builds my excitement. I am literally dying for the next book and can’t wait to see where it takes us.
Thank you so, so much to Arcadia Rayne and Behind the Pages for this gifted copy. I’m honestly so in love with this world and can’t wait to continue the journey.
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 25, 2026
In the latest installment of this series, we see Thea go through some of the toughest times yet and still find a way to come out on top… for the most part. This book had the biggest emotional rollercoaster of the series so far for me and I couldn’t believe a couple of the twists but looking back, they were right there and ready. Plus the start of the epic war of Gods we all knew would one day be coming over Thea.
This book was the one I needed and was waiting for this whole year without even knowing it. Theas story is one I am here for and can’t wait to continue learning more about and being apart of as a reader. Does she end up with Clay? Does she save the world and remain? Does the friend group remain together? So many unanswered questions that are going to stay rent free in my head until this series is complete..
If you are looking for an amazing Romantasy series that doesn’t slow down or leave you wishing the characters give more of themselves to each other then this is the one. Otherwise the tropes themselves tell you everything you need to know: found goddess, dragon shifter, battle of gods and goddesses, loss of magic, multiple POV, found family, betrayal, feminine rage, meddling gods, heirs of gods
This book was the one I needed and was waiting for this whole year without even knowing it. Theas story is one I am here for and can’t wait to continue learning more about and being apart of as a reader. Does she end up with Clay? Does she save the world and remain? Does the friend group remain together? So many unanswered questions that are going to stay rent free in my head until this series is complete..
If you are looking for an amazing Romantasy series that doesn’t slow down or leave you wishing the characters give more of themselves to each other then this is the one. Otherwise the tropes themselves tell you everything you need to know: found goddess, dragon shifter, battle of gods and goddesses, loss of magic, multiple POV, found family, betrayal, feminine rage, meddling gods, heirs of gods
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!
August 3, 2026
Blade in the Ashes was an enjoyable read, but there were simply too many POVs for me to keep track of, and the story felt overcrowded at times. It honestly could have been finished as a trilogy. I also went in thinking this was the final book, so I was surprised to find out the series isn't over yet. Another thing that fell flat for me was how the major villains were handled. The dragon in the previous books and Hyrax in this one were built up as huge threats, only to be defeated very quickly. After so much hype, their endings felt a bit underwhelming from my perspective.
On the character side, I was happy to see how much Thea has grown throughout the series. However, I wasn't a big fan of Clay constantly calling her "love." I would have preferred a more unique nickname between them.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the character development, especially Thea's, but the crowded POVs and rushed villain resolutions kept me from fully loving it. Now I have to wait for the remaining books to finally see how the story ends.
On the character side, I was happy to see how much Thea has grown throughout the series. However, I wasn't a big fan of Clay constantly calling her "love." I would have preferred a more unique nickname between them.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the character development, especially Thea's, but the crowded POVs and rushed villain resolutions kept me from fully loving it. Now I have to wait for the remaining books to finally see how the story ends.
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!
May 24, 2026
After the cliffhanger of the previous book, I was eager to return to the story. Reading the series back-to-back meant I still remembered the main events, but I especially appreciated the detailed “previously on” recap. I would also recommend reading the prequel first, as there are several references and connections that carry more weight when you understand their origins.
This instalment primarily deals with the aftermath of earlier events. The main characters are separated and must come to terms with their new realities on their own, each still working towards a shared goal. Along the way, we meet new characters, and both Clay and Thea in particular are given space to grow and find their footing independently. I enjoyed seeing the characters split into different groups with their own missions, as it allowed each of them to stand out in their own way.
Overall, this book feels very much like a foundation for what lies ahead, and I appreciated the time it took to build towards that. It left me curious and excited for what’s to come, and I’m expecting something truly epic next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This instalment primarily deals with the aftermath of earlier events. The main characters are separated and must come to terms with their new realities on their own, each still working towards a shared goal. Along the way, we meet new characters, and both Clay and Thea in particular are given space to grow and find their footing independently. I enjoyed seeing the characters split into different groups with their own missions, as it allowed each of them to stand out in their own way.
Overall, this book feels very much like a foundation for what lies ahead, and I appreciated the time it took to build towards that. It left me curious and excited for what’s to come, and I’m expecting something truly epic next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 30, 2026
[ARC received in exchange for my honest review]
Excuse me for thinking this series couldn’t get any better.
And then Miss Rayne pulls this astonishing, high stakes, heart shattering, adrenaline pounding, nail biting instalment out of a hat, presents it wrapped up in a lovely bow and then expects us to just what? Wait? After that cliffhanger?
Once again, I loved how we had so many POVs as our heroes were scattered on different missions across the kingdom in this instalment. The short, snappy chapters giving us glimpses into what they were up to made me not want to put this down because the pace was just so fast and gripping.
Theadora’s struggles with her identity and powers were once again a key aspect of this novel and I loved watching her grow as she accepted her new role and the actions she had to take in order to protect her people.
And although this was gut wrenching in far too many places, I was left almost with a sense of hope as well as the dread of battle at the end of this instalment, but as our heroes gear up for the next battle, I can’t help but be nervous of what’s coming next…
A huge thank you to the lovely Arcadia for having me as a part of your street team and for the opportunity to read this one early!
Excuse me for thinking this series couldn’t get any better.
And then Miss Rayne pulls this astonishing, high stakes, heart shattering, adrenaline pounding, nail biting instalment out of a hat, presents it wrapped up in a lovely bow and then expects us to just what? Wait? After that cliffhanger?
Once again, I loved how we had so many POVs as our heroes were scattered on different missions across the kingdom in this instalment. The short, snappy chapters giving us glimpses into what they were up to made me not want to put this down because the pace was just so fast and gripping.
Theadora’s struggles with her identity and powers were once again a key aspect of this novel and I loved watching her grow as she accepted her new role and the actions she had to take in order to protect her people.
And although this was gut wrenching in far too many places, I was left almost with a sense of hope as well as the dread of battle at the end of this instalment, but as our heroes gear up for the next battle, I can’t help but be nervous of what’s coming next…
A huge thank you to the lovely Arcadia for having me as a part of your street team and for the opportunity to read this one early!
May 28, 2026
Rcvd an ARC from the author.
Thea and her 2 companions are with Hyrax and Caldrius and things are getting out of hanD. Hyrax's temper is short and had been directed towards Thea who is powerless. Thea and her friends decide to make a run for it. Clay and his friends are trying to stay a float gathering forces who are willing to fight. Camilla is having visions and thinks she's going crazy. Iris and Nikolai venture off to look for missing books that may help everyone on their quest. Rankor is off to get Clays princeas sisters and Thea is in trouble. She had lost so much and with no magic she feels worthless unless she can do the Forging and gain back her powers and her God sword....except she has no idea how to do it. There are forces at play that are trying to stop Thea and Clay but can they succeed before it's too late?
Thea and her 2 companions are with Hyrax and Caldrius and things are getting out of hanD. Hyrax's temper is short and had been directed towards Thea who is powerless. Thea and her friends decide to make a run for it. Clay and his friends are trying to stay a float gathering forces who are willing to fight. Camilla is having visions and thinks she's going crazy. Iris and Nikolai venture off to look for missing books that may help everyone on their quest. Rankor is off to get Clays princeas sisters and Thea is in trouble. She had lost so much and with no magic she feels worthless unless she can do the Forging and gain back her powers and her God sword....except she has no idea how to do it. There are forces at play that are trying to stop Thea and Clay but can they succeed before it's too late?
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!!
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