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Through the Fire #6
Circle of Ashes
The dance must end.
Ruethwyn learned more in Corval than she imagined was possible, for both good and ill. As an invasion looms over Selwyn, it is time for them to return, seeking answers along the way. Hope and fear intertwine as she searches for a true solution, yet all tastes of ashes.
The darkness is coming, but Ruethwyn didn't bow to a dragon, she will not bow to a corrupt mentor. Events will come full circle, and only the relationships she's built give Ruethwyn hope of success.
The only question is, will her preparations be enough?
Ruethwyn learned more in Corval than she imagined was possible, for both good and ill. As an invasion looms over Selwyn, it is time for them to return, seeking answers along the way. Hope and fear intertwine as she searches for a true solution, yet all tastes of ashes.
The darkness is coming, but Ruethwyn didn't bow to a dragon, she will not bow to a corrupt mentor. Events will come full circle, and only the relationships she's built give Ruethwyn hope of success.
The only question is, will her preparations be enough?
- GenresFantasy
542 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2025
15 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Benjamin Medrano
50 books311 followersI was born in October, 1985. Not much of my history would likely be of interest, but I grew up primarily in Utah, a land of ultra-conservative people, and yet oddly open to Science Fiction and Fantasy.
I started trying to write in high school. That didn't go well, and I mostly lost the spark for a long time, only rarely finishing writing a story, as most of my inspiration instead went into tabletop role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. In the process I developed a possibly unhealthy obsession with elves and succubi. If I ever write a story without either, it's probably Science Fiction...and there are even odds that someone will body-mod themselves to look like an elf. Trying to be honest here.
My writing tends to focus on the relationships between characters, though it may not seem like it at times. The stories in the background are just that, a backdrop for the development of the characters and situation. I try to fully think them through, but it's not always the case.
Anyway, not much more to be said. I'm an oddball, and I know it. I'm also somewhat stunned at the success my work has attained thus far, and am trying not to panic over it.
I started trying to write in high school. That didn't go well, and I mostly lost the spark for a long time, only rarely finishing writing a story, as most of my inspiration instead went into tabletop role-playing games, like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. In the process I developed a possibly unhealthy obsession with elves and succubi. If I ever write a story without either, it's probably Science Fiction...and there are even odds that someone will body-mod themselves to look like an elf. Trying to be honest here.
My writing tends to focus on the relationships between characters, though it may not seem like it at times. The stories in the background are just that, a backdrop for the development of the characters and situation. I try to fully think them through, but it's not always the case.
Anyway, not much more to be said. I'm an oddball, and I know it. I'm also somewhat stunned at the success my work has attained thus far, and am trying not to panic over it.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 2, 2025
An annoying fantastic finale
TLDR:
Sticks the ending extremely competently, if you read any of the previous books in the series you won't be disappointed & if you haven't why not. This is a fantastic adventure novel, and the fact that it is also a extraordinarily example of lesbian romance that both moves forwards & isn't a plot tumor.
More words:
I almost never write reviews, I have so little time & so many books I want to read. So that I felt the need to leave one really means something.
This book follows on almost immediately from the previous that doing anything other than rereading from the beginning is doing yourself a real disservice.
The characters read as fully formed unique people with wants , desires and flaws that exist beyond their relationships, which is where so many of these "love triangle/harem" stories fall to pieces. And this being the finale the most important part is that this book sticks the landing. And it does, to an almost frustrating degree.
I finished this book feeling exhilarated and joyful but also melancholy, that loose ends are wrapped up so tidally and character arcs land with such aplomb that as much as I would love for the author to write a sequel you just know that to do so would deminish both this book & the characters themselves.
It's not that they are left as unchanging paragons or that there are no more threats to face, they still have personal flaws that need to be worked through, and no doubt Essryl won't let them rest on their laurels long. But that this part of their life is complete and they don't need us as the reader any longer.
I would love to see a sequel in a few years, or tomorrow, maybe journeying to the world tree, telling that story doesn't feel necessary any longer. In the same way that "Marin's Codex" is for that series (that ending leaves me in tears, if you've made it this far into my review you should probably go and read Ancient Dreams as well)
Whilst I want to run around telling everyone how much I enjoyed this & want to discuss it, no book is perfect. Now my complaints are really minor, will come across as nitpicky, and in no way diminish this books achievement, I will say that the tea taste plot point isn't even a red herring, it's just due to a change in altitude, which is never relevant either.
So to wrap up, if you are still reading this, thank you, now why aren't you reading this book yet
TLDR:
Sticks the ending extremely competently, if you read any of the previous books in the series you won't be disappointed & if you haven't why not. This is a fantastic adventure novel, and the fact that it is also a extraordinarily example of lesbian romance that both moves forwards & isn't a plot tumor.
More words:
I almost never write reviews, I have so little time & so many books I want to read. So that I felt the need to leave one really means something.
This book follows on almost immediately from the previous that doing anything other than rereading from the beginning is doing yourself a real disservice.
The characters read as fully formed unique people with wants , desires and flaws that exist beyond their relationships, which is where so many of these "love triangle/harem" stories fall to pieces. And this being the finale the most important part is that this book sticks the landing. And it does, to an almost frustrating degree.
I finished this book feeling exhilarated and joyful but also melancholy, that loose ends are wrapped up so tidally and character arcs land with such aplomb that as much as I would love for the author to write a sequel you just know that to do so would deminish both this book & the characters themselves.
It's not that they are left as unchanging paragons or that there are no more threats to face, they still have personal flaws that need to be worked through, and no doubt Essryl won't let them rest on their laurels long. But that this part of their life is complete and they don't need us as the reader any longer.
I would love to see a sequel in a few years, or tomorrow, maybe journeying to the world tree, telling that story doesn't feel necessary any longer. In the same way that "Marin's Codex" is for that series (that ending leaves me in tears, if you've made it this far into my review you should probably go and read Ancient Dreams as well)
Whilst I want to run around telling everyone how much I enjoyed this & want to discuss it, no book is perfect. Now my complaints are really minor, will come across as nitpicky, and in no way diminish this books achievement, I will say that the tea taste plot point isn't even a red herring, it's just due to a change in altitude, which is never relevant either.
So to wrap up, if you are still reading this, thank you, now why aren't you reading this book yet
November 28, 2025
This is the sixth and last book in a series that began with "The Avatar's Flames". That was a strong beginning. The protagonist, Ruethwyn, is badly crippled when she becomes collateral damage in an attack on her village. Through sheer determination she becomes an adept student magician. The next four-and-a-half books in the series are an extended middle book, in which she and her friends (increasingly her would-be lovers) travel the world, with obligatory conflict at every stage. Suffering from middle-book syndrome, but still quite entertaining.
I enjoyed reading "Circle of Ashes", but the end was disappointing. The first half of the book is more travelog. Then we get to Ruethwyn's final climactic battle - and it is resolved by dei ex machinis. (Imagine two rival swordsmen finally meeting, and having the fight resolved by a third party with a sniper rifle.) Meanwhile, each of the secondary characters faces a battle against near-impossible odds, and must succeed through sheer pluck (or, in one case, the help of another machina).
If you've read the first five books in this series (and why else would you read book six?), you'll want to read this one. It resolves most of the dangling plot threads, and gives the reader more time with characters in which they may have become invested. But it doesn't live up to its potential.
I enjoyed reading "Circle of Ashes", but the end was disappointing. The first half of the book is more travelog. Then we get to Ruethwyn's final climactic battle - and it is resolved by dei ex machinis. (Imagine two rival swordsmen finally meeting, and having the fight resolved by a third party with a sniper rifle.) Meanwhile, each of the secondary characters faces a battle against near-impossible odds, and must succeed through sheer pluck (or, in one case, the help of another machina).
If you've read the first five books in this series (and why else would you read book six?), you'll want to read this one. It resolves most of the dangling plot threads, and gives the reader more time with characters in which they may have become invested. But it doesn't live up to its potential.
December 8, 2025
I have always found Rue an interesting heroine and have enjoyed most of these books, but I found this one hard going. It felt disjointed, and I found the descriptions and explanations of the magic systems, elementals, spheres, runes and mana use, became wearing, especially when they became repetitive and in some cases meaningless.
Unfortunately the last quarter of the book goes into Overblown, Hollywood Blockbuster mode, where piling in as many special effects as possible, no matter how ridiculous, is everything and the story doesn’t really matter.
I’m not entirely sure why I struggled so much with this book, as I usually enjoy this author’s works, there were elements I enjoyed, but overall it didn’t really do it for me.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
Unfortunately the last quarter of the book goes into Overblown, Hollywood Blockbuster mode, where piling in as many special effects as possible, no matter how ridiculous, is everything and the story doesn’t really matter.
I’m not entirely sure why I struggled so much with this book, as I usually enjoy this author’s works, there were elements I enjoyed, but overall it didn’t really do it for me.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
November 25, 2025
Absolutely Amazing
I wholeheartedlys love this series. The final fight between Rue and Sinera was a masterpiece. The final moments between them had my heart breaking and me crying. I’m beyond sad to see the series come to a finale but what a finale it is. Stunning work. I wish there was gonna be more. So many storylines left unsaid. If there ever is more I will be reading them as fast as I read this one. Absolutely amazing.
I wholeheartedlys love this series. The final fight between Rue and Sinera was a masterpiece. The final moments between them had my heart breaking and me crying. I’m beyond sad to see the series come to a finale but what a finale it is. Stunning work. I wish there was gonna be more. So many storylines left unsaid. If there ever is more I will be reading them as fast as I read this one. Absolutely amazing.
November 26, 2025
Think you for All your work
Thank you for the stories you have written I have read All of them be All your For all your work Bee song was 1 of my favorites joy was a wonderful character I hope you bring it come on into it I do hope things are well for you and I hope you have a wonderful end of the year and wonderful new year May the ancients bless you
Thank you for the stories you have written I have read All of them be All your For all your work Bee song was 1 of my favorites joy was a wonderful character I hope you bring it come on into it I do hope things are well for you and I hope you have a wonderful end of the year and wonderful new year May the ancients bless you
December 17, 2025
Perfect end to the series, but I want more
I don't normally bother with reviews, but this was just too good. Every question I had was answered, we finally got to see the MC really show off how tough she is, and THE question is finally answered between all of them. Drama, romance, magic, battle suspense, this book has it all. Do yourself a favor and read the entire series.
I don't normally bother with reviews, but this was just too good. Every question I had was answered, we finally got to see the MC really show off how tough she is, and THE question is finally answered between all of them. Drama, romance, magic, battle suspense, this book has it all. Do yourself a favor and read the entire series.
December 23, 2025
A great series
Ilove this series. Have all but this book in audio as well.
I enjoyed this last book immensely. And since the hour I'm writing this review is04:07 ( 4:07 AM), it is proof how much captivating the story is.
I hope for some more stories here, maybe after a few years have passed in the universe.
Ilove this series. Have all but this book in audio as well.
I enjoyed this last book immensely. And since the hour I'm writing this review is04:07 ( 4:07 AM), it is proof how much captivating the story is.
I hope for some more stories here, maybe after a few years have passed in the universe.
December 6, 2025
Overall, an incredible series
This series definitely surprised me. The story was well thought out and the ending was both incredible and surprising. I highly recommend this series.
This series definitely surprised me. The story was well thought out and the ending was both incredible and surprising. I highly recommend this series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews