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A Tale of Scorched Ash and Elm
The gods have abandoned the world. Their relics have not. Over a century ago, the Wexians came to Alfheim with chains, steel, and a dragon wreathed in fire. The elven regent queen Anya walked into the flames with Sumarbrander, the sword of Freyr, and vanished. Alfheim fell. Its magic broke. Stories say the sword was lost.
Now that same shadow has crossed the sea. When war-chief Gunvald returns from raiding to find his home in Hammerfel reduced to ash and his wife butchered, vengeance is the only thing left to him. But the ruin at the heart of his village is no ordinary stone has melted, the dead are marked by impossible fire, and survivors whisper of a chained dragon in Wexian colors.
Far from the fjords, Balt, a hunted half-elf born of Wexian conquest, has spent a decade striking at the empire that made him. Rumors of Sumarbrander draw him north, toward a weapon that could finally turn slaughter back on its makers.
Between them stands Glyrna, a young Völva who has lost her home, her faith, and her priestess-mothers in one night. The Wexians want to use her seidr to find the sword. Balti wants her help to keep it from them. Gunvald needs any hope he can get.
Above them all, Aric of Wexia, dragon-rider and heir to generations of blood, is determined to succeed where his forefathers break the last wild magics of the north and claim a god’s power as his own.
As raiders, witches, half-bloods, and warlords collide, one truth burns through the The gods may be gone. Their war isn’t.
Now that same shadow has crossed the sea. When war-chief Gunvald returns from raiding to find his home in Hammerfel reduced to ash and his wife butchered, vengeance is the only thing left to him. But the ruin at the heart of his village is no ordinary stone has melted, the dead are marked by impossible fire, and survivors whisper of a chained dragon in Wexian colors.
Far from the fjords, Balt, a hunted half-elf born of Wexian conquest, has spent a decade striking at the empire that made him. Rumors of Sumarbrander draw him north, toward a weapon that could finally turn slaughter back on its makers.
Between them stands Glyrna, a young Völva who has lost her home, her faith, and her priestess-mothers in one night. The Wexians want to use her seidr to find the sword. Balti wants her help to keep it from them. Gunvald needs any hope he can get.
Above them all, Aric of Wexia, dragon-rider and heir to generations of blood, is determined to succeed where his forefathers break the last wild magics of the north and claim a god’s power as his own.
As raiders, witches, half-bloods, and warlords collide, one truth burns through the The gods may be gone. Their war isn’t.
472 pages, Paperback
Published December 2, 2025
1 person is currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 4, 2025
I’ll be honest, getting through the first few chapters was a bit of a challenge for me. The world, names, and events came at me quickly, and I found myself rereading sections just to feel like I had my footing. But once everything clicked into place, I was in.
The author’s world-building is rich and atmospheric, and once I settled into the rhythm of the story, I found myself genuinely drawn in. The culture, history, and sense of place felt well-developed. The characters grew on me too. At first I struggled to keep track of who was who, but as the story progressed, their motivations and personalities became clearer. As the book went on, the pacing picked up, the tension sharpened, and the emotional payoff was absolutely worth the initial confusion.
Overall, despite a rocky start, this turned out to be a rewarding and immersive read. If you enjoy fantasy that drops you into the deep end and slowly reveals its depth, this one is worth sticking with. I’m glad I did & can’t wait to get my hands on the next parts of this series!
The author’s world-building is rich and atmospheric, and once I settled into the rhythm of the story, I found myself genuinely drawn in. The culture, history, and sense of place felt well-developed. The characters grew on me too. At first I struggled to keep track of who was who, but as the story progressed, their motivations and personalities became clearer. As the book went on, the pacing picked up, the tension sharpened, and the emotional payoff was absolutely worth the initial confusion.
Overall, despite a rocky start, this turned out to be a rewarding and immersive read. If you enjoy fantasy that drops you into the deep end and slowly reveals its depth, this one is worth sticking with. I’m glad I did & can’t wait to get my hands on the next parts of this series!
December 4, 2025
The following is my review as an ARC reader:
As someone who is a bit of a newbie to dark fantasy, this book was a fantastic inclusion! I absolutely love the story from beginning to end! My favorite thing that separates this from most fantasy I've consumed, is the world building itself. This book's setting of a Viking fantasy world rich with Norse culture and references is a breath of fresh air. I felt like the author was sinking me into a brand new realm of fantasy while also learning quite a lot about Norse culture and daily life. The state of this book's world is one of despair and danger, while also holding room for a little light of hope for a better future. I could not help but root for the characters in this story as they each have a heavy resolve to keep fighting for that better tomorrow. The pacing is great, putting you right in the middle of the action and still finding room for exposition for the characters, the history of the world, and the magic itself.
I cannot wait for the next installments in the series! This is a wonderfully original work that deserves a brighter spotlight in the dark fantasy genre. If you are looking for something with a fresh story, memorable characters, immersive world and an ending that will leave you ugly crying while wanting more, go ahead and grab this one. It is a fantastic read! 5/5 stars easily!
As someone who is a bit of a newbie to dark fantasy, this book was a fantastic inclusion! I absolutely love the story from beginning to end! My favorite thing that separates this from most fantasy I've consumed, is the world building itself. This book's setting of a Viking fantasy world rich with Norse culture and references is a breath of fresh air. I felt like the author was sinking me into a brand new realm of fantasy while also learning quite a lot about Norse culture and daily life. The state of this book's world is one of despair and danger, while also holding room for a little light of hope for a better future. I could not help but root for the characters in this story as they each have a heavy resolve to keep fighting for that better tomorrow. The pacing is great, putting you right in the middle of the action and still finding room for exposition for the characters, the history of the world, and the magic itself.
I cannot wait for the next installments in the series! This is a wonderfully original work that deserves a brighter spotlight in the dark fantasy genre. If you are looking for something with a fresh story, memorable characters, immersive world and an ending that will leave you ugly crying while wanting more, go ahead and grab this one. It is a fantastic read! 5/5 stars easily!
December 4, 2025
This epic story of magic and tragedy took me on a ride I’ll never forget. The world that H.F. Day has created is rich with lore and colorful characters. The vivid and descriptive writing style is perfect for readers who love imagining a story playing out in their head. I could feel the weight of the swords, smell the stench of battle, and hear the cries of anguish. Day has a way of describing emotions and tension that give the reader no choice but to live in that moment with those characters. This book is the first of a series that will leave you wanting more and demanding answers. I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the series!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews