Son of Steel

by Allison Anderson

The truths they feared have risen from the ashes—and the bond between them may be the only thing strong enough to survive the fire.

The world Axel Ashersson believed in has shattered. After rescuing Petra from the High King of Åldras and being sent to retrieve Lady Idalia from the clutches of the Sidans, he’s left choking on the bitter truth that the war he’s sold his soul for was built on nothing but lies. And finally confessing the depth of his feelings for Petra—praise the Allfather—has only driven her farther from him. Now they are trapped aboard the same bloody ship, bound for Sida on a mission to steal back a woman who wants nothing to do with her brutal husband.

Petra Mallorysdottir would rather let a draugr bite her again than go with Axel and the crew to Sida. The lies she used to shield herself have been ripped away, leaving her raw, exposed, and burning with magic she can’t control. The way Axel continues to watch her certainly isn’t helping. Their kiss and the confessions she’d unburied from the ashes of her home have ruined everything and there’s no hope of ever returning to the life she’d so carefully built.

But the fragile truths uncovered in Åldras have not ended the conflict—they’ve only exposed deeper fractures. If Axel and Petra can’t navigate the widening chasm between them, reclaim Lady Idalia, and keep the kingdoms from plunging back into war, everything they have left to lose will be taken from them.

Allison Anderson returns with a sweeping epic romantasy where love is forged in battle, truth is a weapon, and destiny is written in fire. Son of Steel delivers emotional stakes, crackling magic, and a breathtaking world inspired by the raw power of Norse myth.

474 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Allison Anderson lives her best life as a wife, a mom, a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and a fantasy writer. As a life long fantasy nerd, she finds it natural to create stories of her own and you can often find her jotting down new story ideas or talking about dragons. She’s spent most of her life across the southwestern United States.

Reviews

[lena_likes_to_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second installment in the Children of Ash trilogy has perfected the formula for a middle book. It has equal amounts of new information as well as a good buildup to the last book. The Sidans got a whole new perspective in this book, and the war feels so much more important now.

In the first book, we saw the crew of the Phoenix working together. Pet and Axel's relationship evolved as they went through a lot of new experiences. That differs in this book. This one focuses heavily on Pet and Axel, the rest of the crew is less involved. This gives them a chance to think about their personal relationship. Axel knows how he feels, only Petra has to think about her feelings and how they would change their dynamics. It was so fun to read her internal conflict.

I loved getting to know the Sidan characters. We only saw the princes from afar in the last one, but now we get to know the strong women that stand behind them. Hildi is so cool, and shows that you never have to give up anything when you get married and have children. She keeps her job as a guard and she does it so good. Her friendship with Pet was one of the most beautiful ones I have read about, it felt so real with all the ups and downs it had. I look forward to see more about it in the next book.

Seeing Axel train with the Sidans and showing them how he does everything gave a very real feeling to this war. The Sidans aren't the bad guys and don't deserve to die, they are just people too. We get to see their human side more, and it makes it hurt even more knowing that Axel can't betray his own country and will eventually have to fight these people. It gives all the relationships they make in this book even more powerful, knowing they will be on opposites side in the war. Even Axel is not strong enough to go through that kind of heartbreak.

I just know the last book is going to be a nailbiter, I cannot wait! I'm just praying that every character I love survives.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sally O'Keef · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read every single book by Allison Anderson, so you could call me a super fan. I have watched her writing get better with each book. I didn't think she could top Paulo and Laurel's story from The Seers Assassin, but I am happily wrong.

Sometimes a second book feels like the weird and sketchy bridge between books 1 and 3. Sometimes it doesn't live up to the hype of book 1. This is not one of those cases. This book was everything.

When I tell you that I went through every single emotion, I mean it. From stomach-flipping kisses to soul-shattering twists. This book made me work for it, and I am so glad I did. Axel and Pet are the best friends-to-lovers couple ever. Their pining. The tension. The reasons keeping them apart, they all built into this beautiful and angsty book that had me hooked from the very beginning.

And that ending? I couldn't. It was so perfectly in character for the person that it had me cackling. I cannot wait to see how this series wraps up.

Keep it up, Anderson. I'll read every word you write.

[Michael Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book of the series, Children of Ash, and was fascinated with the blending of Norse and Greek mythology. While the first book introduces readers to the characters and setting, Son of Steel takes the surprise revelation at the end of the first book and takes readers on a non-stop voyage. As Axel navigates his romantic feelings toward Petra with her revelation that calls into question his past and purpose, the two are immersed in the political intrigues of Sidra, their nation's enemy. Meanwhile, the reader is left wondering which side is good or bad. Readers of classical literature will recognize shadows of Homer' The Iliad. The author has once again developed characters that readers really care about. I found myself wanting resolution while at the same time not wanting it to end. Therefore, I am looking forward to the third book of the series: Daughter of Flame.

[Courtnie ~ courtniemustreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this story! The characters, the plot, the world building, and the romance.

I love how Anderson weaves a world rich in culture. This one builds off the first book so well! I fell in love with the main characters and the friendships they built. I loved reading the character growth of both Petra and Axel. The romance was also sweet and worth waiting for. The plot had me on the edge of my seat the whole time!

Overall, this was one of my favorite reads this year and I don’t know how I will recover waiting to see where the story next takes us!

Content: Alcohol use, moderate (made up) language, kissing only romance, moderate wartime violence

[S.J Magnolia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic sequel, I absolutely loved it and what a cliffhanger!!. No spoilers from this girl but if you haven't read Children of Ash I definitely recommend before this book releases. Chefs kiss

[Torrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allison has written another page-turner! I love the character development and the complexities of the plot. I found myself engaged the entire time and enjoyed this book so much!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaysie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Viking tale is full of action, romance and an adventure that had me hooked from page one. Pet and Axel work through their pasts, the lies they told to protect each other and try to navigate their feelings for each other all while trying to keep the kingdoms from going to war made me keep turning page after page until the end.

The first book had me falling in love with the characters and this one had me head over heels for them all. A 5⭐️ book that had me in shambles over Axel and Pet, I am absolutely obsessed with this story, these characters and I can’t wait for whatever comes next. That ending absolutely killed me in the best way and I am already locked in for whatever comes in book 3. Do yourself a favor and read the Children of Ash series right freaking now.

AXEL AND PET FOREVER. ❤️‍🔥

Thank you to author Allison Anderson for an ARC of Son of Steel. I am so honored to give an honest review of this work of art! I am ready for the next one! 🗡️

[jennie.and.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOWOWOWOWOW! What a good second book! I absolutely loved it! And left me on a cliffhanger for book 3! eeeek!

These characters are soooo good and deep and I just love them! I just get pulled in and invested every time I open the book!

This series is an absolute must read!