Summer of Dust and Ash

by Ana Lee

Welcome to Teir—a shining beacon of hope amidst the ravages of war…or the trappings of a gilded cage?


Following an unforeseen treason and an unexpected attack on the New Orleans Council House, Wilder and his friends escape to the safety of Teir. But secrets, greater still than the ones kept by the people they trusted, arise just in time for Summer Solstice.

As the Red War builds between worlds, another—more ancient and more deadly—brews in the heavens. And its whispers are creeping into the heart of the Eadar.

The dragons, once believed by most to have never truly existed, begin to return—and they’re not playing by the rules. The mysterious Jeselle, born of both dark and dragon magic, takes her place as the first rider. And the hunt for the stones, all that stands in the way of Markus claiming control of everything he touches, finally begins.

But can Wilder and his friends stay alive long enough to find them? Can they truly trust the Magistrie to protect the Eadar, and the humans, from the Dahrk and the havoc it’s wrought? And most of all, can Wilder trust himself?

514 pages, ebook

Published April 22, 2026

About the author

Ana Lee is the author of Red Summer and Summer of Dust and Ash—the first two novels in the dark, gritty, and fast-paced contemporary epic fantasy series, Stone and Scale, and three-time recipient of Readers' Favorite 5-star rating.

Ana lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she spends her time reading, writing, or dreaming about reading and writing.
Her influences include (but are definitely not limited to) Rebecca Yarros, Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, Cassandra Clare, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien.


Praise for Red Summer:
"Reminiscent of author Cassandra Clare, Red Summer is engaging and highly readable with a strong emotional core. The pacing rises and falls in rhythm with the characters' emotional journeys, and thoughtful use of vocabulary helps each character feel fully realized. The novel tackles weighty themes, grounding fantasy elements in emotional reality. Power struggles between light and dark, good and evil, and the hunger for vengeance are central, and the world-building is creative and immersive. The writing is fluid and believable, and while it begins with a familiar "boy who feels different" trope, this story quickly proves itself to be far more nuanced. Red Summer is a thoughtful, well-crafted novel that stands confidently on its own within the genre." - Readers' Favorite Editorial Review

"Ana Lee delivers a brilliant urban fantasy in Red Summer, an amazing world any reader can happily get lost in. Characters are described with a depth that surpasses the norm. Descriptions are vivid, filled with sensory stimulation that will have you reeling from one page to the next. Red Summer ticks all the boxes for plot, action, and adventure. I now have another favorite author and eagerly look forward to the next book." - Readers' Favorite Editorial Review

"An enthralling novel. In this epic tale of hope, pride, self-discovery, friendship, and vengeance, the author brings together fascinating world-building, magic, and action, along with well-developed and intriguing characters, all combined with fantasy elements and emotional depth. This young adult urban fantasy, with a Southern Gothic and New Orleans flair, should be at the top of the must-read list for those interested in ancient dark magic, forbidden love, high stakes, and whispers of lost dragons. Red Summer is a brilliant and immersive story." - Readers' Favorite Editorial Review

Reviews

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️]

Shadowhunters meets Spiderwick with dragons.

Hurrah for authors who write summaries of previous instalments.

Whilst fast-paced, fun, and nostalgic of the early Young Adult books I grew up on; I did find the similarities to Shadowhunters very apparent in the sequel. This might lure some readers, but I found I missed the newness and addictiveness of book one.

There’s lots of relationship drama that is handled maturely (yay), hijinks, fraught familiar relationships, and intrigue. It follows the patterns of many tween/teen stories with an earnest attempt at bringing in more classical motifs.

I appreciated the detailed glossary as well as the chapter playlist at the end. Game of Survival by Ruelle was THE theme tune.

Arc gifted by author.

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[KMart Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very much a story about a group of young people figuring themselves out while the world shifts. After everything that went down in the last book, Wilder and the group land somewhere that’s supposed to be safe…but the vibes are off preeeetty quickly. Not for them, but for me as the reader.

Now this isn't marketed as young adult, but it really feels like it. They’re young, a little chaotic, sometimes dramatic in that very YA way where emotions swing hard and fast. It made me a little nostalgic.

And through it all, there are new friendships formed, old ones that deepen, romances and feelings all over the place, and dangerous situations looming. There’s something very endearing about watching them go through everything. Characters and their relationships are really the heart of this book, so watching bonds evolve as the group spends more time together was my favorite part. Jeselle absolutely steals every scene she’s in. She’s dealing with an incredibly rough hand: rapid physical changes, chronic pain, and the disorienting experience of becoming someone new almost overnight. It fizzles pretty quickly, but it’s handled with a lot of empathy, and I really felt for her during that time of the story.

A lot of setup, a lot of groundwork being laid, and then the action finally ramps up toward the end. When it does pick up, it really picks up, but you spend most of the time getting deeper into the characters and the world.

If you enjoy ensemble casts where everyone is a well-rounded character, this one feels both unique and nostalgic!

Thanks so much to the author and R&R Booktours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Rebecca Fouts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Summer of Dust and Ash as an ARC reader. It is the second book in the Stone and Scale Series by Ana Lee. The book picks right up where Red Summer (first book in series) ends off. Summer of Dust and Ash is really where the story picks up! I was immediately drawn in by the prologue that took place from a completely different POV than I would’ve ever guessed.

While Ana continues to write in Wilder’s perspective from the first book, we really get to know and love some of the other characters that are in his circle. There’s new friendships, deepened friendships, new romance, character growth and so much more happening in this book.

Ana Lee also does an AMAZING job with creating so many Easter egg and foreshadowing moments that just had my jaw on the floor as I started to piece together some scenes from book 1 and earlier in book 2 to what was happening toward the end.

This book is a MUST READ and truly highlights how amazing of an author Ana Lee is. Summer of Dust and Ash is a book that will leave you begging for more and have you still thinking about it well after you finish as you try to see if you missed any puzzle pieces to this larger story at play. I will definitely be following the rest of this series and cannot wait to see how the war in Eadar continues to unfold!

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal 6 star read!!

"At the end of the day, the only person you can trust to have your back is yourself."

Ana picks up right where she left off! Her writing is unbelievable! You will feel the all the feels in her story. She makes you question some things in your own life, as well as how you respond to them. " We all have our own (reason) for everything we do. Rarely can we see perspectives outside of our own, reasoning outside of our own, especially when met with impossible situations. Change for the better is difficult when the world feels set against you, and no one cares enough to help you see differently."

You can see the character growth in each person in their actions and words and I am here for it! I love following the relationships between all the characters and seeing how they evolve after getting to know each other better. They are some of the best relationships that have been written. You feel as if you could have some of these conversations in real life. More characters have been added to the story, which make it even more intriguing.

Magic, power and dragons. The book is full of everything fantasy. You are immersed into their world and don't want to miss anything!

Life is all about self discovery and relationships. Ana writes what most people can't vocalize. It's beyond amazing what she does. She brings everything to life and it plays out in our minds. We see it and feel it. "Yeah, you were born different. But you get to choose what to do with that."

It ends on a cliffhanger that will leave you yearning for more right away! You won't want to put this book down! This series is AMAZING! I would give it 6 stars if I could! Bring on book 3!

Thank you Ana for the eArc! I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read, definitely a step up from book 1 and I can really see the potential for this to be a great series long term. You can really see Ana setting up the characters for longevity, giving us heaps of dialogue and time to bond with characters as they banter and deal with a range of issues, sometimes dire and sometimes simply teenage drama and angst which is always fun to read.
What this meant is that this book was really made special by its characters, Tristian, Tal, Alleyne and Jeselle are my favourites, I LOVE THEM so much and they made this book for me.

All that being said, due to this character focus I really felt like at times the plot points were lacking and honestly not much really happened in the book plot wise until 60/70% through. To circle back I think this is most likely due to this being a book that is putting pieces in place for future books of the series, potentially, but it did just mean at times I was like “okay so I’m over half way and not much has actually happened”. Often the classic middle book of the series syndrome.

I will say though that the ending had me hooked and I really can’t wait to see where this series goes next, I’m 100% going to be reading. Ana you have successfully created some wonderful characters and I can’t wait to see what happens next on their journey!

Thank you so so much Ana for allowing me to read an Arc of your book, I feel very lucky to have been able to read book 2 straight after finishing the first ☺️

[Tammy's Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi! I finally got the chance to read this amazing book, and I couldn't wait to share with you some details I loved and enjoyed throughout my reading. Thank you, Ana Lee. It's been a privilege to be part of both Red Summer and Summer of Dust and Ash. So, let's start with the review.
--
Since the first book, Wilder's narrative has been enjoyable. I grew up reading Percy Jackson, so the sass and irony between the lines of his way of describing the situation made the perception of danger a bit distorted, so I honestly laughed at some comments of Wilder within some dangerous situations. Like, he's used to danger and crisis, which also shows the character development and balance between his personality in the first book against everything he's been through and the responsibility he now carries.

Also, the queen is an interesting character; she's very well written because in fantasy we always get the stone-cold and cruel queen, but giving her a narrative within the book allows us, the readers, to empathize with her grief and everything that made her tough. Besides, I have a theory about her character and why she's important, but I don't want to spoil myself, so I won't think that hard about it. 

Jeselle's narrative is very mature; it's written like a historian or even a strategist describing a battlefront, which surprised me, because, I mean, she was just a baby. But it's a smart move for the narrative flow, since we have different POVs, some descriptive of the context, others more focused on personal detail of the character, and Jeselle's style of chapter adds seriousness or a heavier sense to the main plot, balancing Wilder's intuitive or introspective style of narrative. 
--
I loved that this second part of the series introduces new (and important) aspects, new locations, new characters, and new details that give context to the main plot.

 Sometimes this process, or part of the narrative, makes reading heavy or harder, but this awesome author makes the world-building easier to read and learn, since we don't get all the information at the same time but at a smoother pace within subplots, like the Queen's character or even the small political crisis in the main storyline.
So, yes, this is a great second book, since it gives context to the plotline exposed by the first book while allowing the main characters, like Wilder, to keep getting their character development. 
--
I loved the change of dynamic between Wilder and Tristan; since the first book, I believed they could be amazing partners, and without the romantic plot complicating their friendship, I liked how Tristan started to respect Wilder and his battles; it made Tristan's character much more mature and respectable.
--
Now, writing different new characters isn’t easy, since you have to take account of their dynamic, personality, importance to the plot, their role to play, their influence on the book, and a lot more details, so kudos to the author. The variety of new characters and their dialogues are well written and actually likable. I normally have problems with reading about new characters when I already have my favorites, but I didn’t have that problem while reading this book.
--
One thing I would like is maybe to add more fighting or even a bit more of the development of different smaller plotlines within the main story, but that's just because I enjoy fighting scenes and imagining or seeing the training trope of the MMC have an effect or impact on other characters.
Also, I was stressed out with the dynamic between Terra and Wilder and every other "couple". I was holding my breath with every interaction, which, by the way, was lovely writing from Wilder to Terra, like, the quotes are beautiful. 
--
That will be all for this review (it's already an essay), and the only thing left to say is, I can't wait for the next book!  

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars!

"With every broken, cursed inch of me, I am yours."

Firstly, thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. Secondly, a shout out is in order for the recap in the beginning as well. MORE OF THAT IN EVERY NEW BOOK IN A SERIES, PLEASE! *standing ovation*

Dust and Ash picks up right where we left off in the first book. Each of the characters is dealing with the events of the previous book in different ways having now been separated to be either in Teir or New Orleans. I enjoyed watching the character growth for everyone. We get multi-POVs throughout the entire book, even from some you wouldn't expect. We're introduced to new characters as well, all of which feel like they have a certain part to play within this larger plot that is slowly unfurling. However, my one point to this would be, what about Harry and Olivia? They were such an integral part of the first book, yet here they are put to the back burner for these new characters. I was so invested in them and now we barely get a few scenes with them. It also felt like they didn't really have a place where this story is leading to and I was pretty bummed not seeing much of either of them.

This book is definitely the bridge from the first to the third in a way that is much more for lore and character building and relationships. There isn't much action this time around until the back end of the book, but when it hits, IT HITS GOOD. Was I still engaged with the story? Yes, because I really do enjoy the characters and being inside their POVs, but I think it could've been cut down a little just to move the larger plot along. Lots of ships to keep track of and a new budding one I'm not too sure how to feel about yet... *spoiler* It seems like it's leading to Tristian and Jeselle becoming something which I can't decide how to feel given he's known her as a baby and is watching her transformation into a teenager within a handful of months. *end spoiler*

Again, the lore, the magic system, the various species, the action, the politics, the character growth, the tension, the banter.. YUM. The author is great at all of it. Will I read the third book? Absolutely! I hope we get a good mix of books one (action) and two (mystery and relationships) to really pull things together.

Things to look forward to -

❤️ Pining between romantic couples
😩 Tension and banter
🏛️ Corrupt government
💪🏼Character growth
🐉 Dragons
⛪ Hidden magical worlds within our own
🔍 Mystery
🫂 Found family
👀 Multi-POV
✨ Magic abilities & various species
⚔️ Training scenes
📖 Extensive lore and vivid descriptions
😮‍💨 High stakes

[Sue Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a treat to read, and I was honored to be a beta reader for Ana Lee in this next installment of her fantastic series.

I will be doing a lot of comparing between the first installment in the series and Summer of Dust and Ash. First off, I had to do a lot more digging to find 'flaws' this time around, and said flaws were much more subjective than anything else. One thing that was a substantial improvement, in my opinion, was the switching of POVs. In this book, they were much more fluid in their transitions, and we get to see many more characters than in the first book, which was incredibly fun (especially when it was my favorite character's time to shine). In my review of the first book, I said that some of the adult characters were a bit annoying. In this entry, they are much more understandable, and I could see their point of view more easily. Another thing Lee really cut down on in this book was the exposition. I was able to puzzle out a lot of things on my own this time around, and it was a lot of fun to do so. Lee dropped just enough knowledge to keep me engaged but not enough to drown me, which was a huge improvement in my book.

I still enjoy the supporting cast, including some new faces in this entry. The relationships between characters were even better in this book than in the first! I loved getting to see everyone interact and problem-solve together. Of course, I did a lot of theory crafting in this book, which I won't share as of yet, but trust me, this book keeps you engaged.

There were really only two reasons that I dropped a star from the book, and it has to do with those more subjective opinions. I've mentioned it in other reviews before, but I do not read books for the relationships in them. They are the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae, but I usually like action and lore more. There was some teenager-in-love-induced drama that I wasn't necessarily a huge fan of, but it never took me out of the story. I also felt like the book was a bit long, but Lee also had to cover a lot of material in that book. She also had to build more relationships between characters. It really goes back to the first point about me not being big on certain relationship dynamics. If you are a big fan of that, though, then neither of the issues I listed above is going to be an issue for you.

Once again, I was honored to be a part of the beta readers for this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it early!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when a book has lots of world expanding in second book and defers from course in the first book, and this is exactly what Summer of Dust and Ash does! This book is basically if Shadowhunters and Eragon had a baby, taking all the parts I love from both of these series. 🤗 There is a lot of teenage angst driving the plot in the beginning that I did find myself wanting the none teenage conflicts to pick up more. On the other hand thinking back to it being a teenager, the drama with the relationships and life changes was very accurate and relatable for teenagers. When the epic fantasy elements picked, I just could not put down this book!

I loved how so many new POVs were added along with new characters that added a lot of depth to the story. As well as the new POV were adding in a way that connected to storyline and created such a vivid world for me to imagine plus more understanding the major conflict this series is focused on. Plus dragons and dragons eggs is such a fun edition 😍 I also love that so much world and plot still to explore in future books!

Overall this was a great second book in series that does an amazing job of expanding the world, making the conflict complex and not one sided, and added the perfect amount of teenage romance.

Just for parents information, there is kissing and insinuating/discussing of sex but no specific details of it. It isn’t any more graphic then Twlight series, Shadowhunter series, or house of night series.

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how the complexity of the story in this world evolves steadily in balance with the characters. Wilder was the starting point in the mundane struggle of an orphan boy just wanting to be loved. His longing for a family and a place of his own suddenly comes true in a revelation of magic and its hidden world - and the violence of war.
I like how everything expands from this point like the waves made of a stone thrown in a pond, slowly encompassing new characters and old grudges. Despite the will of the Creator, gods and magik beings become divided (like humans) for their arrogance and selfish goals. Everybody can justify themseves with words, but ultimately it is not their thoughts or their feelings, but their actions which define them. And when evil becomes prevalent and the world goes dark with pain, cruelty and betrayal, it is the light of hope in duty, compassion and honor which guides towards balance.

Very consistently good writing, with a good dose of mystery, poignant and raw feelings, a believable plot, surprising twists and turns and fascinating characters which made me unable to put this book down. Also on the plus side, it is substantial in length as well as in content - I can get frustrated when the books are too short to justify the story in becoming a series. I really look forward to the next book in the series. Well done!

[becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I finish this book or did the cliffhanger at the end finish me?!? BOTH.

Summer of Dust and Ash continues where Red Summer left off and oh boy was this book a ride!! As everyone probably knows (because of the amount of hype I gave book 1) Red Summer was my favorite read of 2025, and I say with confidence that Summer of Dust and Ash is by far the best book I’ve read for 2026.

I adored everything about this book. I fell more in love with Wilder and Terra and their chemistry. The story gripped me by my soul and I swear I felt every single emotion that was displayed. I loved watching Jeselle grow and being the sassy strong queen that she is. I loved watching each character grow stronger into their powers and learning so much more about the world of Teir and their magics along with dragons and their histories with the stones. The stone and scale series has undoubtedly become my comfort series. This series has touched my heart in a way I cannot explain besides I am so thankful this book series found me.

I am so beyond blessed to have arc both book 1 and book 2 and have found a friend within the author.

All I have left to say is…please read this series. and look forward to book 3 ;)

[Krista Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful second book to dive back into this exciting and fantastical world and with that ending, I am going to need that next book ASAP!

You pickup right where the last book left off with Wilder traveling with some of his friends into the safety of the kingdom, but immediately being apprehended because of who his father is. When he is able to prove his loyalty, he’s allowed freedom, but because of their resemblance many still doubt him. Him and the rest of the gang must unravel the truth about these dragon stones and how eggs keep popping up and what it really means for their world and unravel the plot of his father!

This book was even more exciting than the first with not only chaos going on with their quest, but also within the relationships between all the characters. I loved getting to see inside all of their POVs as different events were happening and how they each felt about each other. I wanted to smack Wilder about his relationship and tell him to go for what he wants but sometimes you just gotta let the plot play out. I cannot wait for the next book in this series to see where it goes and my rating 4.6/5!

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!

[Jan Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reviewing the first book, RED SUMMER, I got a chance to get an ARC copy of the soon-to-be-released next book in the Stone and Scale series, SUMMER OF DUST AND ASH!

Book one was like “Harry Potter” meets “Percy Jackson” on Bourbon Street. Book two sends us into “House of Dragons” territory! The stakes are high. Lee keeps a good pace as we learn more about each character and their stakes in the matter, without losing sight of our main character, Wilder. Speaking of Wilder, his character has grown a bit, too, but he is still in denial about some things, which I liked. He’s not, “oh, I am magic, so I know it instantly and am very good at it.” No, Wilder still has no clue, really; he is more powerful than he knows.

We also start to wonder whether Wilder and his friends are on the right side of it all. Our villain is starting to look less villainous, perhaps? Or is it just all a lie to lure Wil in? I was so with Wil in his internal struggle. A huge thanks again to Ana Lee and R&R Book Tours for the ARC copy to review. Cant' waith for the next book! It's called "Son of Summer!"

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Summer of Dust and Ash by Ana Lee is book 2 in the Stone and Scale series by the author. You should read the first book in the series entitled Red Summer or you will be a little lost. This book picks up where Red Summer ends. The book is told like the first one in the POV of Wilder who is our MC. However there are multiple POV's in this book from all the characters so if you love that you will really love this one. The writing is perfect for this book series. And if you are new to the series there is a summary from the last book in the very beginning of the series so you don't miss any important points from the story. I love the bantering between the characters, it is very YA well written and reminds me of other YA series I have read. The fact that the author throws in moral lessons/questions to her readers is something else that I found interesting and makes the book that much more enjoyable. I can not wait to see where the author heads in the next installment, because that ending leaves room for more! I can't wait to see what comes out:) And as always no spoilers here, read the book!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic fantasy with emotional growth, magic, dragons, wolf shifters, vampires, fae and more?! I’m here for it! Easily one of my favorite reads of the year!

This epic YA fantasy was so captivating! I was in a choke hold and constantly saying just one more chapter.

We pick up right where Red Summer left off and immediately get thrown into the power dynamics at play in Teir. You get more insight into how the war began and a massive amount of foreshadowing as to how it may play out. Not everything is as it seems.

We get to see the characters go through more personal growth, battling with their responsibilities and desires while dealing with a war that seems to be coming to its breaking point.

The writing and story will take you through every emotion and leave you invested in each characters story, even the side characters capture your heart!

The plot will also leave you torn on how you want this story to end with everything discovered or hinted at. The tension and relationships between the characters were done so well and each character has so personality and heart. I loved the emotions Ana was able to make you feel while reading. I can’t wait for book 3!

Highly recommend this for fantasy readers!!

[Finger Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summer of Dust and Ash was a wonderful extension of the series. While I did like Book 1, Red Summer, I preferred the pacing of this book. It was such a fun ride but beware the cliffhanger at the end!

A nice change is while we still get Wilder's perspective, we get multiple POV's from other characters. I really enjoy those chapters and see how those new and old relationships play out. Of course this book has all the elements we want in a fantasy world- magic, dragons, a little bit of intrigue. For those who don't want the heaviness that comes with adult fantasy romantasy this is such a breathe of fresh air. You can easily finish Red Summer and Summer of Dust and Ash in a long weekend.

Tropes:

🐠 Multi-POV
🐠 Slow burn
🐠 Fated bonds
🐠 Antagonist turned ally
🐠 Love triangle
🐠 Ultimate good vs evil
🐠 Dragons and ancient magic
🐠 Prophecies
🐠 Corrupt government
🐠 Political intrigue
🐠 Secret high-stakes battles

Definitely looking forward to book 3 to see what happens!

Thank you to the author and RR Tours for my gifted ARC copy. All opinions are my own.

[Amira (a.muses_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel started right where we left off from the first installment. Its incredible world expansion, fast-paced storytelling, and the complexity of it all were well-written. It still served the fun, adventurous, and slightly chaotic vibe and, it most definitely handled the mental pressures and emotions maturely.

The characters were beautifully developed and I loooooved their interactions with one another. Even having multiple POVs, it was not confusing at all and it actually helped me, as a reader, to figure out what's happening as a whole. The self-discovery aspect were immensely real and raw, a definite struggle but, it was portrayed positively and dealt with a lot of love and support. All the friendships and the romance formed were rightfully evolving for the better as well.

"𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑵𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒈𝒐, 𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝑰 𝒂𝒎, 𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒔, 𝑰'𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔. 𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏, 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒆, 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔."

With that sneak peek at the end, I am really looking forward to read the next one! Highly recommended! ✨️

[siyaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh I don't know where to start. I ADORED A Summer of Dust and Ash. Ana's writing is so descriptive and it actually feels like you are in the novel along with the characters. I really appreciated the multi-POVs. It was so fun being in each character's head and seeing how the novel unfolds from their perspectives, and how those differ from the other characters'.

As for the characters, I ADORED all of them; especially Wilder and Jeselle. Their bond is so, SO special, and it was amazing to read about. Terra, however, is definitely my favourite. Her character is amazing to read about; I love her personality and seeing how her character developed from Red Summer to Summer of Dust and Ash was amazing. Tristian's POV was also super special, and seeing his thoughts and plans progress throughout the novel was so fun to read! Thank you SO SO much Ana Lee for providing me with an ARC to review! I cannot WAIT for book 3.

[Kayleigh Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up right where book 1 left off, here is where the journey truly begins.
This installment shows us more of other characters' POVs and in turn helps us to get to know the other characters and their relationships as they evolve and develop.
There are a few moments in this book that make you stop and question certain things, but without giving too much away so that it keeps you unsure of what will come next.
There is plenty of action and plot twists in the book to keep you entertained and intrigued, but Ana also leaves a lot unresolved, so that by the time you come to the cliffhanger at the end you are on the edge of your seat screaming for it not to be over.
I feel like this book has truly blossomed from the first book (and i loved the first!) so I am excited to see what magic Ana creates for book 3!

[Cheryl devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was honored to receive an ARC of this book, just as I was for the first, and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it.

The story picks up exactly where book one left off, which I loved. My affection for Wilder continues to grow as his character develops, though I did feel we didn’t get as much visible growth from him in this installment as I was hoping for. That said, what we do get is fantastic development for the rest of the group, along with some intriguing new characters. Jes, in particular, completely stole my heart, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

The plot deepens significantly, and I am absolutely here for it. Just when you think you’re settled, Ana goes and gives us a sneaky peek at book three at the end, only to leave us waiting (impatiently) for the next installment of this brilliant story.

Needless to say, the countdown has officially begun.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah… I was hooked again immediately. No easing into it, no slow start… just straight back into the chaos and I loved it.

This one feels bigger, heavier, and way more intense. I kept having those moments where I’d pause like “wait… WHAT?” because things start connecting and it just hits all at once. I’m not even kidding, my brain was trying to keep up the whole time in the best way.

The characters really pulled me in here. I got way more attached than I expected, especially seeing the relationships grow and shift. It made everything feel more emotional and real, like I actually cared what happened to them.

Also the vibes?? Tense, magical, a little chaotic, and lowkey stressful because it feels like anything could go wrong at any second. I flew through this and now I’m just sitting here needing the next book because I’m not done with this world yet.

[Hilary Brenneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a book hangover after reading “Summer of Dust and Ash” by Ana Lee.

Multiple POVs ✔️
Slow Burn Romance ✔️
Dark, Ancient Magic ✔️
Political Intrigue ✔️
Immersive World Building ✔️
Brewing Cosmic War ✔️

Book two in the Stone and Scales series, we pick right back up where book one, “Red Summer,” left off. And while I thought the world-building in book one was good, the development in book two is *chef’s kiss*. I’m committed to these characters, their stories and their relationships.

This series is magic. Both in content and in vibes. This is the kind of book Bookstagram should be making viral. My only complaint is that I have to wait for book three. It’s safe to say I highly recommend this fantasy series.

Go read book one right now and pre-order book two, releasing on April 22.

Thank you, Ana Lee, for letting me experience this world and allowing me an ARC of this book.

[Dani Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Anna Lee for allowing me the opportunity to read your book before release date!
I’m really enjoying this story so far. The character dynamics are engaging, and I especially like how the narrative starts to challenge the idea that the “good” government might not actually be good at all. It adds a layer of moral ambiguity that makes Markus’s rebellion more compelling—despite the harm he’s caused, his motivations feel more complex the more we learn.

We already knew from the first book that Markus is Wil father and it was interesting when it was confirm officially, but now the bigger question is his mother’s identity. There are subtle hints that it could be the queen, which raises the possibility of an affair and adds even more intrigue to the political dynamics.

That ending left so many questions unanswered, but in a way that makes me even more excited to continue. I can’t wait to see what book three brings—seriously, I need answers!!!!

The reason I’m giving this four stars instead of five is because, at the beginning, the stakes didn’t feel as high as I expected. It took a little time for the tension to really build, but as the story progressed, that definitely changed and the stakes became much more compelling. I liked that
At times, it even gave me the same feeling I had when I first read The Mortal Instruments, which I loved—even though the two stories couldn’t be more different.

[nvl_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer of Dust and Ash is the second book in the Stone and scale series by Ana Lee. It begins where book one ended. I love the characters and the world building was great. This installment had a lot of character building, which is excellent. The relationships between the characters grew in this one and I really enjoyed the additions to this found family. It is full of magic, dragons (yay), Vampires, shifters, and fae. I was totally engrossed from the beginning to the end. Ana Lee’s writing style draws you in and keeps you thinking even after the last page is read. It ends on a cliffhanger and I need book 3 ASAP. Highly recommend.

[Penelope Cardinale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book I thought it was so well done. This is the second book in the series so I would definitely read the first one or else it might be a little confusing. One of my favorite things in stories is the banter between the characters and this had that. For me the author did a great job at setting up the characters for more development. This book starts where the first one ended so it’s easy to pick up and continue. The relationship development was more exciting for me in this one as they were a little chaotic and with the multiple POVs it was exciting to see how everyone was feeling internally. I’m excited for the next one in the series to come.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy I read Red Summer and then jumped right into book 2! I love how it picked up right where the last book ended. Being able to watch the characters go through self discovery, family troubles and relationship problems, they have learned so much! There are still a few characters I’m not 100% sold aren’t going to betray them. I can’t wait for book 3 to see where the story goes next. And if Wilder can ever by happy. Will the Riders make it? What will Markus get up to next?

Thank you Ana and RR book tours for this gifted arc!

[Amanda Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

"No matter where I go, or who I am, or what either of us chooses, I’m yours. With every broken, cursed inch of me, I am yours.”

I am quickly becoming obsessed with this series. I love the world Ana Lee had created and more people need to join me in the adventure.

Fantasy, dragons, battles of life and love.

Highly anticipating Book 3!

[Jannie Krout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy as an ARC and I cannot contain my excitement! I loved the first one so much, but the second was even better! You start to understand certain character dynamics more so in this one. I felt more connected to the characters in this one since there is some backstory for some of them. If you loved the first, the second does not disappoint. An absolute must read!

[Kellie- SpicedTeaandChapters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful continuation of the Stone and Scale series. Book 2 did not disappoint!

I was first introduced to this world in Red Summer, so I was really excited to jump back in and continue the story. It felt so good to return, especially with how the author continues to expand on everything we started in the first book.

While I’m not typically a big YA reader, I genuinely love the concept of this series. The characters are still very much finding themselves, and I’ve really enjoyed watching their growth unfold. I also loved getting introduced to new characters, as it added even more depth to the story.

The world-building is still developing, but in a slow and very intentional way that works well for the story. I especially appreciated the addition of multiple points of view this time around. It added more layers to Wilder’s journey and made the story feel richer overall.

I’m definitely looking forward to seeing where Book 3 takes us next!

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the second installment in Ana Lee’s Stone and Scale series, this book did not disappoint. Summer of Dust and Ash picks up right where we left off in Red Summer, except this time, with more perspectives - some new, some familiar. I particularly enjoyed seeing the Eadar through the eyes of Jeselle and Tristian, the latter of which quickly became one of my new favourite characters. He’s won me over now that I know more about him than I did in Red Summer.

The introductions of Tal and Alleyne were great, and they seamlessly joined our beloved ensemble and became key players in the plot. Along with the arrival of Daverick, these newcomers allowed for fresh friendships, romances, and tensions to arise, all of which were incredibly enjoyable to watch unfold. Ana Lee kept me on my toes, not knowing whose feelings were genuine or who could be trusted. There were twists I didn’t see coming, and breadcrumbs from Book One (Red Summer) that suddenly started to make sense, which was fun to try and piece together where they might lead. I particularly loved learning more about the stones, in particular the Sol Stone (can an inanimate object be a favourite character?!)

This book takes us to the wondrous homeland of Teír, and as the magic takes a step up, as does Ana Lee’s writing. Don’t get me wrong, her descriptions in Red Summer were beautifully curated, but the mystical setting of Teír for the majority of this book really allowed her prose to flourish. I loved the way she captured all the senses and the world became richer and more established. It was so immersive.

Now that our characters know more about the ongoing war, the politics in this book play a larger role - which is something I will never complain about. My favourite fantasies are always the ones that comment on society’s treatment of others, and I enjoyed learning more about our villain, Markus, who, despite having minimal ‘page time’, haunted the plot like a puppeteer. As for dialogue, Ana crushed it, as per usual, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times whilst reading this; the characters really do feel like young people who tease one another relentlessly, but ultimately have the strongest bond.

Our favourite will-they-won’t-they couple delivered more angst and yearning, and, messy as I am, I thoroughly reveled in watching them get jealous. Without spoiling who, there was also a relationship shift I really didn’t expect, but found myself being pleasantly surprised by, and am now eagerly awaiting the future scenes between this pair.
This will be tough to match, but I have no doubts I will enjoy Book Three just as much.

Thank you to Ana Lee for having me as a BETA reader, all opinions are honest and my own.