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Ember and Steel
A brutal and fast paced debut, introducing a new and distinct voice in dark fantasy.
“I love this book!!! Sarah is such a wonderful protagonist, the depiction of ASD is superb, the romance had me cheering... and, for all my much remarked on bleak brutality, one particular scene broke my heart. Also it has a cameo appearance by some tiddymun which made me ridiculously happy.” Anna Smith Spark, author of A Sword of Gold and Ruin and The Court of Broken Knives
The gods are gone. Magic is lost. Vengeance is nigh.
There is death in the north; entire settlements slaughtered in the night by unknown hands. But dead things do not rest. Mages and scholars from across Breitho search for answers, to no avail.
The church clings to a whispered prophecy to bring back the gods and end the horrors in the dark.
But none of them understands what is truly at stake.
In her tiny village, Sarah Brandt has her own problems. She has witnessed her friend’s murder and is now running for her life.
Her frantic escape takes her to a circle of Druid stones, where something ancient and powerful is waiting in the darkness. When she encounters the burning presence within the stones, Sarah’s world changes forever.
Now it isn’t just justice she seeks, but salvation.
Not for herself, but for all humankind.
“I love this book!!! Sarah is such a wonderful protagonist, the depiction of ASD is superb, the romance had me cheering... and, for all my much remarked on bleak brutality, one particular scene broke my heart. Also it has a cameo appearance by some tiddymun which made me ridiculously happy.” Anna Smith Spark, author of A Sword of Gold and Ruin and The Court of Broken Knives
The gods are gone. Magic is lost. Vengeance is nigh.
There is death in the north; entire settlements slaughtered in the night by unknown hands. But dead things do not rest. Mages and scholars from across Breitho search for answers, to no avail.
The church clings to a whispered prophecy to bring back the gods and end the horrors in the dark.
But none of them understands what is truly at stake.
In her tiny village, Sarah Brandt has her own problems. She has witnessed her friend’s murder and is now running for her life.
Her frantic escape takes her to a circle of Druid stones, where something ancient and powerful is waiting in the darkness. When she encounters the burning presence within the stones, Sarah’s world changes forever.
Now it isn’t just justice she seeks, but salvation.
Not for herself, but for all humankind.
423 pages, ebook
Published March 9, 2026
About the author
Donna Morgan
1 book13 followersJuggling a business, a family, and writing books. What could possibly go wrong?
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Review of advance copy
Read this review and more on my Medium page: Distorted Visions
Score: 2.5/5
Since this is an ARC, the review aims to be as Spoiler-free as possible.
The debut offering by Donna Morgan and the first entry in The Breitho Chronicles, Ember and Steel, is a combination of dark fantasy and fantasy romance, telling a tale of good vs. evil, light vs. dark, life vs. death.
Set in the kingdom of Breitho, Ember and Steel follows events through the eyes of Sarah Brandt, as she escapes hardship, is rescued by dashing heroes, is possessed by a mysterious power, and must use this new-found fire to save the ones she cares for most, as well as the world! The world of this novel has influences from the British Isles, with druids, dire wolves, and various creatures with vague Celtic imagery.
Our heroine, Sarah narrowly escapes the unjust murder of her friend Melody, and is rescued by the heroic trio of Sir Gwithyas “Gwith” Lowan, Casworron “Caz” and Taran. Together, they must guard Sarah, after she is possessed by the mysterious Ember, a fire elemental, on her quest to battle darkness and death.
The setting with the nods to Brittonic influences, with the landscapes, and creatures therein, as well as the crisp description of action set-pieces worked well for me.
Sadly, that was all that worked for me.
At its core, stripped off all stylistic accoutrements, Ember and Steel is as generic as it gets in this space. From the paragraph Sarah gets rescued by Gwith and his merry men, I predicted the story, identifying the character archetypes, the romantic progression, and the inevitable strife that would come. I was disappointed that every single one of my predictions were painfully on-the-money, with very little diversion from the bog-standard fantasy romance plot. The conflict of Sarah dealing with her new-found power, the standard training montages, the various exploratory quests, and the inevitable final conflict, felt more like window dressing rather than a hefty plot with tense stakes.
The characterization of the main crew and the smattering of side characters also felt trite to the point of tedium. Central to Ember and Steel is Sarah, the social outcast, with the heart of gold, feeling guilt from failing Melody and scrambling to control the Ember within her. Sarah comes off as the standard Fantasy Romance female main character (or FMC as the BookTokers call ‘em), following a well-trod character arc from scared girl to powerful heroine (obviously still full of doubt and strength).
At one point in the story, the author drops that Sarah is thirty years old! Which makes her characterization even more bafflingly mundane. Without that one reference, I had cast Sarah as your standard doe-eyed early twenty-year-old FMC. Her inner thoughts, reactions to events, and interactions with other cast and circumstances do not fit even a sheltered lady of thirty. Reading other reviews, I am informed that Sarah shows patterns common to neurodivergent behaviors, and others have celebrated this representation. While some of her characterization may be explained with this extra information, my critique of her lukewarm personality stands.
Even to someone who only occasionally dips his toes into Fantasy Romance, and tends to stay away from Romantasy, the trio of heroes felt tediously stereotypical. We have the central male, the broody male love interest Gwith is a cardboard cutout of a romantic lead. Reeking nobility, hiding personal turmoil, showing stalwart loyalty to friends, and throwing himself armor and blade first into protecting his new love interest, Gwith feels less like a well-crafted protagonist (or even a love-interest) and more like trope-board that the TikTok-ers are so enamored by. Along with Gwith, Taran and Caz form your standard sidekicks. Without direct comparison to the caricature of barbs and flowers, the sidekick duo feel like pale imitations of characters we’ve seen in that (and many, many other fantasy romance) series. The fussy Taran and the bluff, irreverent Caz, these characters are barely given any depth beyond being foils for Sarah and Gwith, hopping in and out where the plot wants feeling more like trope-props than fleshed out characters. A smattering of side characters make an appearance, but also follow the mold they are written into, providing very little other than what the plot and setting demand to keep the story moving.
The romance in Ember and Steel feels very rushed and altogether predictable. Following the Romantasy 101 progression beat for beat, I was able to call out individual checkpoints and when the romantic duo finally converge, there is very little triumph to the reader, rather I felt like the box was finally (even rushingly so) checked off, so we could get back to the story.
My major gripe with Ember and Steel is that it feels overwritten and underwritten at the same time! The dialog and descriptions are overwrought, with lackluster dialog using standard tropes. With very little to be found in terms of individual character voice, the dialogue falls flat. While the story largely follows a push forward momentum, I cannot help but be bogged down by over-described sections, with the author falling into the amateur trap of over-writing every section, every emotion, every monologue till a point of nigh-frustration. In contrast, the predictable plot, stereotypical characters, with a mundane heroine, a mediocre antagonist with very little menace, Ember and Steel also feels underbaked with very little depth. A skilled editor would have cut down large portions of this story to tell a tighter, more focused, narrative with more heft brought by impactful moments. There were also several typos and grammatical errors that were jarringly apparent, and frustratingly made it past various edits to the ARC copy received close to official release.
Overall, Ember and Steel is a standard fantasy romance. A predictable plot, lackluster characters, a rushed romantic plot, and a window-dressing incidental world plot, this book is a middling debut. Morgan will have to put in serious work in future sequels to expand her world, give her characters some more meat to gnaw on, and twist and turn standard tropes, if The Breitho Chronicles wants to be noticed in a saturated genre.
Advanced Review Copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to BookSirens.
Score: 2.5/5
Since this is an ARC, the review aims to be as Spoiler-free as possible.
The debut offering by Donna Morgan and the first entry in The Breitho Chronicles, Ember and Steel, is a combination of dark fantasy and fantasy romance, telling a tale of good vs. evil, light vs. dark, life vs. death.
Set in the kingdom of Breitho, Ember and Steel follows events through the eyes of Sarah Brandt, as she escapes hardship, is rescued by dashing heroes, is possessed by a mysterious power, and must use this new-found fire to save the ones she cares for most, as well as the world! The world of this novel has influences from the British Isles, with druids, dire wolves, and various creatures with vague Celtic imagery.
Our heroine, Sarah narrowly escapes the unjust murder of her friend Melody, and is rescued by the heroic trio of Sir Gwithyas “Gwith” Lowan, Casworron “Caz” and Taran. Together, they must guard Sarah, after she is possessed by the mysterious Ember, a fire elemental, on her quest to battle darkness and death.
The setting with the nods to Brittonic influences, with the landscapes, and creatures therein, as well as the crisp description of action set-pieces worked well for me.
Sadly, that was all that worked for me.
At its core, stripped off all stylistic accoutrements, Ember and Steel is as generic as it gets in this space. From the paragraph Sarah gets rescued by Gwith and his merry men, I predicted the story, identifying the character archetypes, the romantic progression, and the inevitable strife that would come. I was disappointed that every single one of my predictions were painfully on-the-money, with very little diversion from the bog-standard fantasy romance plot. The conflict of Sarah dealing with her new-found power, the standard training montages, the various exploratory quests, and the inevitable final conflict, felt more like window dressing rather than a hefty plot with tense stakes.
The characterization of the main crew and the smattering of side characters also felt trite to the point of tedium. Central to Ember and Steel is Sarah, the social outcast, with the heart of gold, feeling guilt from failing Melody and scrambling to control the Ember within her. Sarah comes off as the standard Fantasy Romance female main character (or FMC as the BookTokers call ‘em), following a well-trod character arc from scared girl to powerful heroine (obviously still full of doubt and strength).
At one point in the story, the author drops that Sarah is thirty years old! Which makes her characterization even more bafflingly mundane. Without that one reference, I had cast Sarah as your standard doe-eyed early twenty-year-old FMC. Her inner thoughts, reactions to events, and interactions with other cast and circumstances do not fit even a sheltered lady of thirty. Reading other reviews, I am informed that Sarah shows patterns common to neurodivergent behaviors, and others have celebrated this representation. While some of her characterization may be explained with this extra information, my critique of her lukewarm personality stands.
Even to someone who only occasionally dips his toes into Fantasy Romance, and tends to stay away from Romantasy, the trio of heroes felt tediously stereotypical. We have the central male, the broody male love interest Gwith is a cardboard cutout of a romantic lead. Reeking nobility, hiding personal turmoil, showing stalwart loyalty to friends, and throwing himself armor and blade first into protecting his new love interest, Gwith feels less like a well-crafted protagonist (or even a love-interest) and more like trope-board that the TikTok-ers are so enamored by. Along with Gwith, Taran and Caz form your standard sidekicks. Without direct comparison to the caricature of barbs and flowers, the sidekick duo feel like pale imitations of characters we’ve seen in that (and many, many other fantasy romance) series. The fussy Taran and the bluff, irreverent Caz, these characters are barely given any depth beyond being foils for Sarah and Gwith, hopping in and out where the plot wants feeling more like trope-props than fleshed out characters. A smattering of side characters make an appearance, but also follow the mold they are written into, providing very little other than what the plot and setting demand to keep the story moving.
The romance in Ember and Steel feels very rushed and altogether predictable. Following the Romantasy 101 progression beat for beat, I was able to call out individual checkpoints and when the romantic duo finally converge, there is very little triumph to the reader, rather I felt like the box was finally (even rushingly so) checked off, so we could get back to the story.
My major gripe with Ember and Steel is that it feels overwritten and underwritten at the same time! The dialog and descriptions are overwrought, with lackluster dialog using standard tropes. With very little to be found in terms of individual character voice, the dialogue falls flat. While the story largely follows a push forward momentum, I cannot help but be bogged down by over-described sections, with the author falling into the amateur trap of over-writing every section, every emotion, every monologue till a point of nigh-frustration. In contrast, the predictable plot, stereotypical characters, with a mundane heroine, a mediocre antagonist with very little menace, Ember and Steel also feels underbaked with very little depth. A skilled editor would have cut down large portions of this story to tell a tighter, more focused, narrative with more heft brought by impactful moments. There were also several typos and grammatical errors that were jarringly apparent, and frustratingly made it past various edits to the ARC copy received close to official release.
Overall, Ember and Steel is a standard fantasy romance. A predictable plot, lackluster characters, a rushed romantic plot, and a window-dressing incidental world plot, this book is a middling debut. Morgan will have to put in serious work in future sequels to expand her world, give her characters some more meat to gnaw on, and twist and turn standard tropes, if The Breitho Chronicles wants to be noticed in a saturated genre.
Advanced Review Copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to BookSirens.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I requested an ARC of this book because it’s exactly the sort of dark fantasy I devour by the bucket-load, and I’m so glad I did, because this was incredible!
We’re thrown straight into the action alongside MC Sarah from the very first chapter, following her as she and her friend Melody flee the pursuit of a group of sinister men who mean them ill. From there, Sarah stumbles into the path of a decidedly less-sinister group, who in time will become her found family.
As the story progresses, the threats facing Sarah evolve and grow, until she’s not just trying to preserve her own life, but now has the fate of possibly the entire world on her unsuited shoulders. This is where Sarah distinguishes herself as a thoroughly engaging character because, rather than buckle beneath the pressure, she rises to the challenge and wades her way through it in her own fashion. The answers aren’t presented to her easily, and she doesn’t master the powerful magic thrust upon her without a good number of hurdles. Nothing felt like it was overcome too easily, and every step Sarah made on her journey was earned.
She’s not an accomplished warrior (in fact, she has to be taught the rudiments of sword fighting because she has no experience), and she’s not the gallant, overconfident hero of traditional fantasy. She’s better than that, because Sarah is flawed and human and complex. She doesn’t see the world the same way as others, and was made a pariah in her hometown. People look down on her and judge her. Even when she makes powerful friends and proves herself a selfless, compassionate woman, people still try to take advantage of her, or sneer at her. She doesn’t let her anger overwhelm her, though she’s not averse to letting her righteous feminine rage fuel some of her actions. When she’s betrayed, she listens to the reasons why and takes the time to understand how someone could undermine her to their own detriment.
The supporting cast were just as strong in their own ways. Gwith, for example, was framed, at first, as being the stoic, older warrior who rarely cracks a smile and refuses to put himself first. As the narrative develops and Sarah spends more time with him, we as the reader learn more about what drives him, and come to appreciate the personal setbacks he’s faced and how they’ve influenced the man he is today. Caz and Taran, the other two members of Sarah’s tight-knit little group, were more light-hearted and jocular, able to see the positives in an otherwise quite dark situation.
I also really appreciated the way the Church of the New Dawn was handled. It’s quite refreshing, reading a fantasy book where the central religion isn’t righteous, moral, or overly championed. Instead, the Church was used as a lens through which to view the consequences of human greed and what fear of a group of people (in this case magic-users and Druids) can do when weaponised by a powerful institution.
There was also a romance subplot that became slightly more prominent in the second half, and I think it added a great deal to the story in terms of the more emotional angle. Whilst Sarah is rightly concerned with saving the world, she’s also navigating the precarious waters of what could well be her first proper relationship (we’re given to believe her outsider status in her hometown didn’t really allow for previous relationships). She and her love interest (not naming names) share a lot of chemistry even before they admit to their feelings for one another, and the build-up of their initial yearning was subtle and tactful.
I won’t delve too far into the plot to avoid the risk of giving too much away, but suffice to say it unfolded in a satisfying manner. The build-up was perfectly paced, giving us the necessary downtime between important scenes to show Sarah developing friendships and relationships with the people in her life, and stepping into her role as an unwitting saviour. This is very much the first book in a series, so don’t expect a neat tying-off of all the plot threads. However, the most important arcs do come to their natural close here, and there’s plenty of set-up for the sequel.
Overall, I had such a great time reading this book. I eagerly anticipate the next books in this series, as I really want to know what Sarah, Gwith, Taran, and Caz do next.
Thank you to the author for my ARC :)
We’re thrown straight into the action alongside MC Sarah from the very first chapter, following her as she and her friend Melody flee the pursuit of a group of sinister men who mean them ill. From there, Sarah stumbles into the path of a decidedly less-sinister group, who in time will become her found family.
As the story progresses, the threats facing Sarah evolve and grow, until she’s not just trying to preserve her own life, but now has the fate of possibly the entire world on her unsuited shoulders. This is where Sarah distinguishes herself as a thoroughly engaging character because, rather than buckle beneath the pressure, she rises to the challenge and wades her way through it in her own fashion. The answers aren’t presented to her easily, and she doesn’t master the powerful magic thrust upon her without a good number of hurdles. Nothing felt like it was overcome too easily, and every step Sarah made on her journey was earned.
She’s not an accomplished warrior (in fact, she has to be taught the rudiments of sword fighting because she has no experience), and she’s not the gallant, overconfident hero of traditional fantasy. She’s better than that, because Sarah is flawed and human and complex. She doesn’t see the world the same way as others, and was made a pariah in her hometown. People look down on her and judge her. Even when she makes powerful friends and proves herself a selfless, compassionate woman, people still try to take advantage of her, or sneer at her. She doesn’t let her anger overwhelm her, though she’s not averse to letting her righteous feminine rage fuel some of her actions. When she’s betrayed, she listens to the reasons why and takes the time to understand how someone could undermine her to their own detriment.
The supporting cast were just as strong in their own ways. Gwith, for example, was framed, at first, as being the stoic, older warrior who rarely cracks a smile and refuses to put himself first. As the narrative develops and Sarah spends more time with him, we as the reader learn more about what drives him, and come to appreciate the personal setbacks he’s faced and how they’ve influenced the man he is today. Caz and Taran, the other two members of Sarah’s tight-knit little group, were more light-hearted and jocular, able to see the positives in an otherwise quite dark situation.
I also really appreciated the way the Church of the New Dawn was handled. It’s quite refreshing, reading a fantasy book where the central religion isn’t righteous, moral, or overly championed. Instead, the Church was used as a lens through which to view the consequences of human greed and what fear of a group of people (in this case magic-users and Druids) can do when weaponised by a powerful institution.
There was also a romance subplot that became slightly more prominent in the second half, and I think it added a great deal to the story in terms of the more emotional angle. Whilst Sarah is rightly concerned with saving the world, she’s also navigating the precarious waters of what could well be her first proper relationship (we’re given to believe her outsider status in her hometown didn’t really allow for previous relationships). She and her love interest (not naming names) share a lot of chemistry even before they admit to their feelings for one another, and the build-up of their initial yearning was subtle and tactful.
I won’t delve too far into the plot to avoid the risk of giving too much away, but suffice to say it unfolded in a satisfying manner. The build-up was perfectly paced, giving us the necessary downtime between important scenes to show Sarah developing friendships and relationships with the people in her life, and stepping into her role as an unwitting saviour. This is very much the first book in a series, so don’t expect a neat tying-off of all the plot threads. However, the most important arcs do come to their natural close here, and there’s plenty of set-up for the sequel.
Overall, I had such a great time reading this book. I eagerly anticipate the next books in this series, as I really want to know what Sarah, Gwith, Taran, and Caz do next.
Thank you to the author for my ARC :)
February 7, 2026
✨ ARC review ✨
📖 Ember and Steel - Donna Morgan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow… I truly loved this one.
A fantasy that delivers all the essentials I crave — magic woven deep into the bones of the world, distant and ever-silent gods, and a plot that constantly whispers just one more chapter.
Our FMC, Sarah, is a neurodivergent baddie in the truest sense — proof that you don’t need to be flawless to be formidable ⚔️ Her strength feels real, earned, and quietly powerful.
From the very first pages, I was completely gripped. The worldbuilding pulled me in, and the mystery of the gods lingering in the background had me desperate to uncover more.
My only small note: I would have loved more quiet, everyday moments between the characters. While I adored the groundwork laid for Caz and Taran, I felt their relationships could have been explored more deeply to give certain moments an even greater emotional weight.
And that ending… prepare yourself.
Heart-shattering, emotionally relentless, and utterly unforgettable. The rollercoaster hurts — in the best way.
I can’t wait to see everyone’s thoughts when this officially releases on 9th March 🌙📖
📖 Ember and Steel - Donna Morgan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow… I truly loved this one.
A fantasy that delivers all the essentials I crave — magic woven deep into the bones of the world, distant and ever-silent gods, and a plot that constantly whispers just one more chapter.
Our FMC, Sarah, is a neurodivergent baddie in the truest sense — proof that you don’t need to be flawless to be formidable ⚔️ Her strength feels real, earned, and quietly powerful.
From the very first pages, I was completely gripped. The worldbuilding pulled me in, and the mystery of the gods lingering in the background had me desperate to uncover more.
My only small note: I would have loved more quiet, everyday moments between the characters. While I adored the groundwork laid for Caz and Taran, I felt their relationships could have been explored more deeply to give certain moments an even greater emotional weight.
And that ending… prepare yourself.
Heart-shattering, emotionally relentless, and utterly unforgettable. The rollercoaster hurts — in the best way.
I can’t wait to see everyone’s thoughts when this officially releases on 9th March 🌙📖
March 11, 2026
my rating is 4.25
This was a very good read, with good pacing and characters I wanted to root for.
The opening chapter is both brutal and rage inducing. Our FMC experiences a huge loss and is forced to run for her life.
What happens after begins her journey to power and fire.
Found family, a slow burn love and some awesome side characters round out the book.
Highly recommend!
Thank you Donna for the ARC to read and review. my thoughts are my own.
This was a very good read, with good pacing and characters I wanted to root for.
The opening chapter is both brutal and rage inducing. Our FMC experiences a huge loss and is forced to run for her life.
What happens after begins her journey to power and fire.
Found family, a slow burn love and some awesome side characters round out the book.
Highly recommend!
Thank you Donna for the ARC to read and review. my thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received the arc for this book and enjoyed it thoroughly, I enjoyed the plot and pacing, this book didn't take long to get going with action from the first page, I enjoyed the world and it's characters I couldn't put it down as something was never far away from happening, if you enjoyed the empire of the wolf trilogy by Richard swan I believe you'll enjoy this book too. After my re-read and being able to look at everything much closer there's no way I can't give this book 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from Author
Now this? this is representation. I've never felt so seen in a book before. Morgan wrote far more than a fantasy book. She's spoken up for the ND community and created a fantastic fantasy around it.
The fantasy elements were wonderful. There are many different types of beings, with different powers, all with a background of political intrigue. The FMCs story starts of dark, but goes full circle as she meets a group of the Dukes elite men. You read as she forms connections and friendships with each of them.
The romance 'will they, won't they' had me kicking my feet. The characters surrounding the main 2 even comment on it, which felt like a tiny 4th wall comedy moment. The emotion poured out of Morgans soul and put onto the page is breathtaking.
I had to take pauses from reading due to physical reactions, be it crying from reading about my life with ND on the pages of a fantasy book, emotional scenes, or excitement at what's going on!
I'll leave you with one of my highlights, which will hopefully show you the decadence of Morgans writing:
"In the time before the gods, Tewolgow Bras claimed all of the nothing,” she began cryptically. “There was nothing to claim, and it claimed all of it. The Great Darkness crawled with beings of malice and hatred, all parts of a hideous whole"
The fantasy elements were wonderful. There are many different types of beings, with different powers, all with a background of political intrigue. The FMCs story starts of dark, but goes full circle as she meets a group of the Dukes elite men. You read as she forms connections and friendships with each of them.
The romance 'will they, won't they' had me kicking my feet. The characters surrounding the main 2 even comment on it, which felt like a tiny 4th wall comedy moment. The emotion poured out of Morgans soul and put onto the page is breathtaking.
I had to take pauses from reading due to physical reactions, be it crying from reading about my life with ND on the pages of a fantasy book, emotional scenes, or excitement at what's going on!
I'll leave you with one of my highlights, which will hopefully show you the decadence of Morgans writing:
"In the time before the gods, Tewolgow Bras claimed all of the nothing,” she began cryptically. “There was nothing to claim, and it claimed all of it. The Great Darkness crawled with beings of malice and hatred, all parts of a hideous whole"
April 28, 2026
I really enjoyed Embers and Steel by Donna Morgan. Her story pulled me in straight away and was super easy to get lost in. It’s a dark fantasy with a really strong atmosphere, but what made it stand out for me was how character-driven it is.
The developing found family aspect was one of my favourite parts. The relationships feel natural and slowly build over time, which makes the emotional moments hit so much harder. There’s also a really compelling love story woven in—it doesn’t feel rushed or forced, just develops in a way that actually makes you care.
Sarah as a main character is great to follow. She’s dealing with this unknown power that she doesn’t fully understand, and watching her struggle to control it adds a lot of tension and depth to the story. It keeps things interesting because you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen next.
The pacing was solid too—enough action to keep you hooked, mixed with quieter moments that let everything breathe. Overall, it’s a really engaging read with a nice mix of dark fantasy, emotion, and character growth.
Definitely recommend if you like stories with dark fantasy, and slow-burn romance.
The developing found family aspect was one of my favourite parts. The relationships feel natural and slowly build over time, which makes the emotional moments hit so much harder. There’s also a really compelling love story woven in—it doesn’t feel rushed or forced, just develops in a way that actually makes you care.
Sarah as a main character is great to follow. She’s dealing with this unknown power that she doesn’t fully understand, and watching her struggle to control it adds a lot of tension and depth to the story. It keeps things interesting because you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen next.
The pacing was solid too—enough action to keep you hooked, mixed with quieter moments that let everything breathe. Overall, it’s a really engaging read with a nice mix of dark fantasy, emotion, and character growth.
Definitely recommend if you like stories with dark fantasy, and slow-burn romance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wonderful debut filled with magic, gore, revenge and a reluctant hero on a quest to save all of humanity.
From chapter one, the action kicks in as we meet Sarah, witnessing her best and only friend being murdered, for which she is framed. She faces the impossible choice of staying and possibly facing her own death or running for her life, with the hope that one day she could get revenge.
During her escape, she stumbles upon a force that changes her life irreversibly, and before her, a threat on the grandest scale unravels, leaving her no choice but to act.
Sarah's character is endearing and intriguing, pushing aside the status quo of the typical hero representation by being autistic. The lesson she learns along the way is that it's okay not to fit in, that it's okay to be unique, and that you can be embraced for who you are. Most importantly, it doesn't prevent you from being the hero at the end of the day.
Gwith, on the other hand, is the absolute embodiment of the word knight - loyal to the bone, brave with the biggest heart hidden behind the armour. That makes the combination between him and Sarah all the more heartwarming and sweet in a world that is all but.
Caz is hands down the most charming character of them all, managing to bring levity to the most intense of situations, like a spark of hope much needed.
Really glad I had the chance to pick up this adventure, and I'm curious what awaits them onward.
From chapter one, the action kicks in as we meet Sarah, witnessing her best and only friend being murdered, for which she is framed. She faces the impossible choice of staying and possibly facing her own death or running for her life, with the hope that one day she could get revenge.
During her escape, she stumbles upon a force that changes her life irreversibly, and before her, a threat on the grandest scale unravels, leaving her no choice but to act.
Sarah's character is endearing and intriguing, pushing aside the status quo of the typical hero representation by being autistic. The lesson she learns along the way is that it's okay not to fit in, that it's okay to be unique, and that you can be embraced for who you are. Most importantly, it doesn't prevent you from being the hero at the end of the day.
Gwith, on the other hand, is the absolute embodiment of the word knight - loyal to the bone, brave with the biggest heart hidden behind the armour. That makes the combination between him and Sarah all the more heartwarming and sweet in a world that is all but.
Caz is hands down the most charming character of them all, managing to bring levity to the most intense of situations, like a spark of hope much needed.
Really glad I had the chance to pick up this adventure, and I'm curious what awaits them onward.
March 2, 2026
ARC review - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed this book! I loved the representation with our neurodivergent FMC Sarah. She felt very raw and real and I was rooting for her the whole time. I also enjoyed the slow burn romance sub plot. The world building was interesting and I was a fan of the nonlinear timeline and the glimpses into Moriga’s story.
The pacing occasionally felt a bit off, but not enough to impact my reading. There are some elements of the world building and magic that I hope are explored further in future books. I can’t wait to see what comes next for Sarah and her band of knights!
A huge thank you to Donna Morgan for the gifted eARC!
I really enjoyed this book! I loved the representation with our neurodivergent FMC Sarah. She felt very raw and real and I was rooting for her the whole time. I also enjoyed the slow burn romance sub plot. The world building was interesting and I was a fan of the nonlinear timeline and the glimpses into Moriga’s story.
The pacing occasionally felt a bit off, but not enough to impact my reading. There are some elements of the world building and magic that I hope are explored further in future books. I can’t wait to see what comes next for Sarah and her band of knights!
A huge thank you to Donna Morgan for the gifted eARC!
April 6, 2026
A phenomenal debut. An intricate fantasy world and richly layered story are brought to life with remarkable skill. From beginning to end, it delivers an epic and immersive adventure. The depth of character development and the strength of the plot draw you ever deeper into the world. It stirs a wide range of emotions and leaves you eager for more. I truly hope we get to return to the kingdom of Breitho again!
May 12, 2026
Ember and Steel is a fierce, atmospheric dark fantasy that opens with grief and quickly deepens into something far more haunting. Donna Morgan creates a world of ancient stones, forbidden magic, and encroaching darkness that feels both mythic and immediate. Sarah Brandt is a compelling center for the story, carrying its emotional weight with resilience, vulnerability, and growing strength. The novel balances dread and wonder well, with vivid imagery, sharp tension, and a sense of doom that never quite lets go. It is a bleak, immersive, and emotionally charged read that lingers after the final page. Fans of grimdark fantasy and old-world magic will find plenty to admire here.
March 18, 2026
Ember & Steel by Donna Morgan
This debut novel starts off in medias res as our FMC Sarah is fleeing for her life with her friend Melody. I enjoyed being thrown into the chaos immediately and the world was built up around this, making it feel organic. Sarah struggled as an outcast from society and I appreciated the author’s ability to bring the reader into the folds of Sarah’s mind and give insight into the inner workings of this particular neurodivergent person’s mind. It helped shape the character and her actions throughout the story.
The side characters were funny, if somewhat predictable. While I enjoyed the tension in the first half of the story, the second half whereupon the love story explodes felt a bit rushed and underwritten to me. I wanted more from the characters, their actions and conversations. The story was well-written, though I did find the conversation lacking in some areas. I was shocked when it was casually mentioned that Sarah was 30 since I had assumed she was a younger FMC due to some of her actions and thoughts.
Overall, I think this series has potential and I’d like to see where it leads. If you’re looking for a feel-good romantasy that shuts your brain off, this could be the story for you.
Thank you for the eARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶
🔹️🔹️Tropes🔹️🔹️
• Neurodivergent rep
• Slow burn
• Found family
• Multiple POV
• 30 year old FMC
This debut novel starts off in medias res as our FMC Sarah is fleeing for her life with her friend Melody. I enjoyed being thrown into the chaos immediately and the world was built up around this, making it feel organic. Sarah struggled as an outcast from society and I appreciated the author’s ability to bring the reader into the folds of Sarah’s mind and give insight into the inner workings of this particular neurodivergent person’s mind. It helped shape the character and her actions throughout the story.
The side characters were funny, if somewhat predictable. While I enjoyed the tension in the first half of the story, the second half whereupon the love story explodes felt a bit rushed and underwritten to me. I wanted more from the characters, their actions and conversations. The story was well-written, though I did find the conversation lacking in some areas. I was shocked when it was casually mentioned that Sarah was 30 since I had assumed she was a younger FMC due to some of her actions and thoughts.
Overall, I think this series has potential and I’d like to see where it leads. If you’re looking for a feel-good romantasy that shuts your brain off, this could be the story for you.
Thank you for the eARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶🌶
🔹️🔹️Tropes🔹️🔹️
• Neurodivergent rep
• Slow burn
• Found family
• Multiple POV
• 30 year old FMC
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rcvd an ARC from the author.
We meet Sarah and her friend melody running for their lives from melody new horrible husband. When they are found melody is killed by her new hubby and thr priest will put the blame on Sarah. Sarah runs for her life in a swampy bog. She has given up and decides to join her family in the summer isle. Except she is saved but a group of men, thr Dukes men. One night they are attacked by wolf like creatures and Sarah is forced into the druid stones. She hears a voice and reaches out to the small flame. King commander Gwithyas pulls her back from the stones. Pain is all that Sarah knows and she feels smtg inside her. Venturing to the Duchy, the churches men are stopping people looking for someone or something. Things are not what they seem as Sarah can bring forth fire. She knows there ia smtg evil out there. She works with the chief archivist who happens to be a snake, and she learns he has illegal druid papers and instructs her to go in search of them for answers. A perilous journey to find answers and to find where Sarah belongs. Drama, deceit, love and acceptance make this a good book.
We meet Sarah and her friend melody running for their lives from melody new horrible husband. When they are found melody is killed by her new hubby and thr priest will put the blame on Sarah. Sarah runs for her life in a swampy bog. She has given up and decides to join her family in the summer isle. Except she is saved but a group of men, thr Dukes men. One night they are attacked by wolf like creatures and Sarah is forced into the druid stones. She hears a voice and reaches out to the small flame. King commander Gwithyas pulls her back from the stones. Pain is all that Sarah knows and she feels smtg inside her. Venturing to the Duchy, the churches men are stopping people looking for someone or something. Things are not what they seem as Sarah can bring forth fire. She knows there ia smtg evil out there. She works with the chief archivist who happens to be a snake, and she learns he has illegal druid papers and instructs her to go in search of them for answers. A perilous journey to find answers and to find where Sarah belongs. Drama, deceit, love and acceptance make this a good book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
this book was absolutely amazing. I got lucky enough to be chosen to read this as an ARC book. and let's just say this book book is fantastic. I felt as though I was in the book I felt like I was apart of Sarah's journey. Rollercoaster of emotions I felt while reading this is insane!!! I cant wait to for book two to come out
Review of advance copy received from Autorin bzw. Autor
This book is represantation done well.
We are thrust into the story and into heartbreak. We follow a traumatized womany that has not only her own weight onto her shulders, but the eintire world's. The main character, which we follow in 1st person, is no warrior, no fighter and needs to grow beyond herself quickly. At the same time she is flawed and has her shortcomings. The setting is trope heavy at points, which isn't a bad thing.
The fighting scenes were not the strong suit of the book, that was the character work. The book is darker at points, but not grim dark.
The love story subplot of will they, won't they, went on too long for my liking and I personally didn't root for them that much.
The religion was folded in well into the book, ob mulitple levels.
The pacing was mostly well done and only had a few hickups, which are easily overlooked.
If you are looking for a new twist on the classic fantasy tropes, a strong but flawed female MC and a classic feeling setting, this is the book for you.
I recived an ARC copy of the book by the author in exchange for a honest review.
We are thrust into the story and into heartbreak. We follow a traumatized womany that has not only her own weight onto her shulders, but the eintire world's. The main character, which we follow in 1st person, is no warrior, no fighter and needs to grow beyond herself quickly. At the same time she is flawed and has her shortcomings. The setting is trope heavy at points, which isn't a bad thing.
The fighting scenes were not the strong suit of the book, that was the character work. The book is darker at points, but not grim dark.
The love story subplot of will they, won't they, went on too long for my liking and I personally didn't root for them that much.
The religion was folded in well into the book, ob mulitple levels.
The pacing was mostly well done and only had a few hickups, which are easily overlooked.
If you are looking for a new twist on the classic fantasy tropes, a strong but flawed female MC and a classic feeling setting, this is the book for you.
I recived an ARC copy of the book by the author in exchange for a honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Big thanks to the author for this enjoyable ARC!
3.5⭐
The first thing that stood out to me was our MFC, Sarah, she isn't your typical character you find; Sarah isn't feisty or headstrong but she is a real, relatable character who finds herself and strength through the story.
Furthermore, Sarah is a character who is neurodivergent which makes her more relatable to many readers out there. I really liked the author did this.
🔥🗡️
For me, the reason this book didn't quite hit 4 stars is because the build up to the main event was not fleshed out enough to my personal liking, it was too quick.
𝗕𝘂𝘁!
Everything before that was built up at a nice pace, introducing you to the characters, the world and various creatures.
I did like the slow growth of the romance with the 'will they, won't they' energy.
And what came to be after the main event was so good, I couldn't stop reading, it pulled on my heartstrings and it set up another level to the future books and thus, I am really looking forward to the next book!
3.5⭐
The first thing that stood out to me was our MFC, Sarah, she isn't your typical character you find; Sarah isn't feisty or headstrong but she is a real, relatable character who finds herself and strength through the story.
Furthermore, Sarah is a character who is neurodivergent which makes her more relatable to many readers out there. I really liked the author did this.
🔥🗡️
For me, the reason this book didn't quite hit 4 stars is because the build up to the main event was not fleshed out enough to my personal liking, it was too quick.
𝗕𝘂𝘁!
Everything before that was built up at a nice pace, introducing you to the characters, the world and various creatures.
I did like the slow growth of the romance with the 'will they, won't they' energy.
And what came to be after the main event was so good, I couldn't stop reading, it pulled on my heartstrings and it set up another level to the future books and thus, I am really looking forward to the next book!
January 14, 2026
A huge thank you to Donna Morgan for allowing me on this journey with you as an ARC reader.
In summary: A young woman, outcast from societal norms, embarks on a journey to save humanity. She must learn to control the power within and accept herself in order to close the gap which threatens to destroy life itself.
Ember & Steel was an utterly captivating first read of 2026. The finger tapping? Adversity to unknown food texture? Seeking her necklace for comfort? There’s something so unusual to feel so seen through a “normal” FMC facing the same social struggles as yourself. This was my first read where the struggles of day-to-day have been so well depicted in a fantasy novel through a neurodivergent FMC.
Aside from minor grammatical errors, which is to be expected in an ARC, this was truly fantastic. It was fast paced and engaging throughout.
In summary: A young woman, outcast from societal norms, embarks on a journey to save humanity. She must learn to control the power within and accept herself in order to close the gap which threatens to destroy life itself.
Ember & Steel was an utterly captivating first read of 2026. The finger tapping? Adversity to unknown food texture? Seeking her necklace for comfort? There’s something so unusual to feel so seen through a “normal” FMC facing the same social struggles as yourself. This was my first read where the struggles of day-to-day have been so well depicted in a fantasy novel through a neurodivergent FMC.
Aside from minor grammatical errors, which is to be expected in an ARC, this was truly fantastic. It was fast paced and engaging throughout.
March 12, 2026
This was such a beautifully written book!! I loved the FMC and the representation of neurodivergence, I was really able to relate to her character! Her character growth was absolutely amazing and you really felt like you were on the journey with her and I was rooting for her all the way!
The MMC was so loveable too! His character development was so well written and their relationship was so beautiful and I didn’t feel like it was rushed!
The side characters were also so loveable and especially Caz I loved his humour and wit! His and Tarans relationship was such a breath of fresh air!
The world building in this book was amazing and not too heavy! I could easily keep up and didn’t feel overwhelmed at any point!
I can’t wait for the next one!
The MMC was so loveable too! His character development was so well written and their relationship was so beautiful and I didn’t feel like it was rushed!
The side characters were also so loveable and especially Caz I loved his humour and wit! His and Tarans relationship was such a breath of fresh air!
The world building in this book was amazing and not too heavy! I could easily keep up and didn’t feel overwhelmed at any point!
I can’t wait for the next one!
May 13, 2026
A brilliant debut from Donna Morgan. The story is packed with twists and turns that keep you hooked from the very first chapter, constantly urging you to read just one more page. The author has a real talent for building tension and weaving surprises into the narrative without ever losing clarity or momentum.
The characters feel genuinely relatable—flawed, human, and easy to connect with—which makes every emotional beat, land that much harder.
Their relationships and motivations are crafted with care, adding layers to the plot and making the stakes feel real.
Overall, it’s an engaging read that balances mystery, emotion, and character development beautifully. A fantastic first book that leaves you excited to see what Donna Morgan writes next.
The characters feel genuinely relatable—flawed, human, and easy to connect with—which makes every emotional beat, land that much harder.
Their relationships and motivations are crafted with care, adding layers to the plot and making the stakes feel real.
Overall, it’s an engaging read that balances mystery, emotion, and character development beautifully. A fantastic first book that leaves you excited to see what Donna Morgan writes next.
January 24, 2026
This is a breath of fresh air for romantasy. The characters were so relatable and lovable. I was invested in each one. I have no idea why Sarah would’ve considered weird in her village because she is intelligent and quick witted. The character growth was phenomenal.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this book. such a refreshing FMC and I felt truly invested in her journey. i was reading Heir of Fire at the same time as this, and it had some very similar aspects in it, whilst being 100% its own wonderful story.
I highly recommend this 👌
I highly recommend this 👌
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
This story gripped me from the start, I have never been so emotionally invested in a book so early! Within the first few chapters it was in tears. The author really manages to build the emotional relationship between you and the characters very quickly.
You really feel like you've experienced Sarah's journey with her, the ups and the downs. I adore Caz he really brings the banter amongst the 4 main characters. I hope Taran has more of a role in the second book. Id like to see more of his character and story, in this book he felt a little forgotten.
The story line is solid and engaging. The environments are artfully described well enough to draw you in, be atmospheric and immersive, but without overloading you with details to the point you forget what was happening in the story.
It isnt as dark as I was expecting, the darkest part is at the start. After that, minus the references to that initial incident, id say its no darker than a standard fantasy.
As a Autistic woman myself, I really appreciate the representation within this book. I feel it is a good illustration of the struggles some people with neurodivergentcy encounter and deal with every day that normally go unnoticed by outsiders.
For this to be a 5 star read for me, and thought out reading I really did fluctuate between 4 and 5 stars, but id love more build up in the relationships between the 4 main characters. All 3 MMC accepted Sarah no questions asked straight off, and it came across as they had known her for years rather than just meeting her. As most of the book is written in Sarah's first person view, I dont know if the lack of description of and relationship build up is on purpose by the author as part of Sarah's traits could be her lack of awareness of others feeling and intention as well as not understanding her own feelings. But if that is that case it could be demonstrated somewhere by the author.
I also had no idea of timeline throughout the story, at one point it is mentioned it had been a few months. But apart from that id no idea how long they had been travelling together with Sarah at the start and the same through the story.
There are some spelling and grammar mistakes but as the author states these are to be expected and will be edited so I absolutely do not hold those against my rating.
It was a pleasure to be able to read this before publication and I truly look forward to the next installment!!
This story gripped me from the start, I have never been so emotionally invested in a book so early! Within the first few chapters it was in tears. The author really manages to build the emotional relationship between you and the characters very quickly.
You really feel like you've experienced Sarah's journey with her, the ups and the downs. I adore Caz he really brings the banter amongst the 4 main characters. I hope Taran has more of a role in the second book. Id like to see more of his character and story, in this book he felt a little forgotten.
The story line is solid and engaging. The environments are artfully described well enough to draw you in, be atmospheric and immersive, but without overloading you with details to the point you forget what was happening in the story.
It isnt as dark as I was expecting, the darkest part is at the start. After that, minus the references to that initial incident, id say its no darker than a standard fantasy.
As a Autistic woman myself, I really appreciate the representation within this book. I feel it is a good illustration of the struggles some people with neurodivergentcy encounter and deal with every day that normally go unnoticed by outsiders.
For this to be a 5 star read for me, and thought out reading I really did fluctuate between 4 and 5 stars, but id love more build up in the relationships between the 4 main characters. All 3 MMC accepted Sarah no questions asked straight off, and it came across as they had known her for years rather than just meeting her. As most of the book is written in Sarah's first person view, I dont know if the lack of description of and relationship build up is on purpose by the author as part of Sarah's traits could be her lack of awareness of others feeling and intention as well as not understanding her own feelings. But if that is that case it could be demonstrated somewhere by the author.
I also had no idea of timeline throughout the story, at one point it is mentioned it had been a few months. But apart from that id no idea how long they had been travelling together with Sarah at the start and the same through the story.
There are some spelling and grammar mistakes but as the author states these are to be expected and will be edited so I absolutely do not hold those against my rating.
It was a pleasure to be able to read this before publication and I truly look forward to the next installment!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC to read and review, and full disclosure, I also beta read this book in its early stages.
What stood out in her early writing (expansive worldbuilding, character depth and voice, twisty plot, and emotional gut punches) has only been improved upon and polished into a crisp debut novel full of things to enjoy for many people who like dark fantasy with a strong romance presence. It will also appeal to those who like the Grimdark depths and can handle dark material written in a thorough and unflinching manner.
In Ember and Steel we follow a woman named Sarah as she forges a path from outcast peasant to a warrior with ancient and mysterious magic smouldering within her veins. She follows a path of righteous vengeance and refuses to bend before corruption and darkness; be it the darkness of man or something... older. The cast of characters are all engaging, ranging from corrupt religious officials to knights who live and die by honour. An ancient evil lurks in the dark, waiting for the right moment to strike. Sarah's character evolution, slow-burn romance, and ever-deepening relationships with the people around her all combine to create an experience well worth your time.
Morgan is an author who puts a lot of passion into her story telling and wants to provide an immersive and emotional experience, and she succeeds in every facet with Ember and Steel. While this type of story isn't my favourite, Morgan has the requisite skill to keep me reading through her distinct characters and unwavering storyline and I really enjoyed it. I love ancient evils and a rich history and this story delivers. The dark history of the world and magic itself slowly being unveiled is unique enough to be interesting and familiar enough to remain easy to follow along with.
For anyone perusing the reviews to decide if this is worth your time, go and buy a copy right now!! This is an author who is serious about her craft and I expect her next work will only improve upon her strengths.
What stood out in her early writing (expansive worldbuilding, character depth and voice, twisty plot, and emotional gut punches) has only been improved upon and polished into a crisp debut novel full of things to enjoy for many people who like dark fantasy with a strong romance presence. It will also appeal to those who like the Grimdark depths and can handle dark material written in a thorough and unflinching manner.
In Ember and Steel we follow a woman named Sarah as she forges a path from outcast peasant to a warrior with ancient and mysterious magic smouldering within her veins. She follows a path of righteous vengeance and refuses to bend before corruption and darkness; be it the darkness of man or something... older. The cast of characters are all engaging, ranging from corrupt religious officials to knights who live and die by honour. An ancient evil lurks in the dark, waiting for the right moment to strike. Sarah's character evolution, slow-burn romance, and ever-deepening relationships with the people around her all combine to create an experience well worth your time.
Morgan is an author who puts a lot of passion into her story telling and wants to provide an immersive and emotional experience, and she succeeds in every facet with Ember and Steel. While this type of story isn't my favourite, Morgan has the requisite skill to keep me reading through her distinct characters and unwavering storyline and I really enjoyed it. I love ancient evils and a rich history and this story delivers. The dark history of the world and magic itself slowly being unveiled is unique enough to be interesting and familiar enough to remain easy to follow along with.
For anyone perusing the reviews to decide if this is worth your time, go and buy a copy right now!! This is an author who is serious about her craft and I expect her next work will only improve upon her strengths.
Review of advance copy
I got to read this as an ARC
I'll be completely honest, when I first started this, I wasn't sure what to think. The book started with action; it wasn't one of those slow beginnings that dragged on. However, it felt like it to me more. Like it wasn't, but I needed to stop reading it for a little bit to get a better feel for it. I stopped reading it at around 13% and then picked it up a little while later. After I did this, the book seemed to make more sense and flow better. Sometimes one has to step into a world, then step out for a little bit to get a greater appreciation for it.
Not saying the world, characters, or the story is bad, though. Actually, the world-building is brilliant. A lot is going on in the story, and I feel like sometimes the story does tend to go on and could have been cut down a lot. Mainly, the constant flashbacks to the past.
I love Moriga, though I feel like it would have done better justice to give her and the past its own story instead of trying to wedge it into this story. Thus feeling like too much is going on in the story.
I understand her part to play in this story does, of course, need to be included. Though her past, I feel like it would have been better to give it its own story instead of a chapter here and there.
The characters and the story building were great. It was slow for me to get into without having to walk away and come back to it. Though I'm glad I did. I do look forward to seeing what is next.
I'll be completely honest, when I first started this, I wasn't sure what to think. The book started with action; it wasn't one of those slow beginnings that dragged on. However, it felt like it to me more. Like it wasn't, but I needed to stop reading it for a little bit to get a better feel for it. I stopped reading it at around 13% and then picked it up a little while later. After I did this, the book seemed to make more sense and flow better. Sometimes one has to step into a world, then step out for a little bit to get a greater appreciation for it.
Not saying the world, characters, or the story is bad, though. Actually, the world-building is brilliant. A lot is going on in the story, and I feel like sometimes the story does tend to go on and could have been cut down a lot. Mainly, the constant flashbacks to the past.
I love Moriga, though I feel like it would have done better justice to give her and the past its own story instead of trying to wedge it into this story. Thus feeling like too much is going on in the story.
I understand her part to play in this story does, of course, need to be included. Though her past, I feel like it would have been better to give it its own story instead of a chapter here and there.
The characters and the story building were great. It was slow for me to get into without having to walk away and come back to it. Though I'm glad I did. I do look forward to seeing what is next.
Review of advance copy
This book throws you straight into a dark, dangerous world where the gods are silent, magic is broken, and something ancient is stirring in the shadows. The atmosphere is tense from the very first pages, and the sense of looming threat never really lets up.
Sarah is a fantastic protagonist—flawed, human, and deeply relatable. She isn’t a traditional fantasy hero, but her resilience, compassion, and determination make her compelling to follow. Her growth feels earned, and the supporting cast adds warmth and depth, creating a strong found-family dynamic that contrasts nicely with the bleak setting.
The worldbuilding is thoughtful, especially in its exploration of faith, power, and fear, and there’s a subtle romantic thread that adds emotional weight without taking over the story. While this is clearly the start of a series, it’s a satisfying read that left me eager for more. A great choice for fans of dark fantasy with heart.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sarah is a fantastic protagonist—flawed, human, and deeply relatable. She isn’t a traditional fantasy hero, but her resilience, compassion, and determination make her compelling to follow. Her growth feels earned, and the supporting cast adds warmth and depth, creating a strong found-family dynamic that contrasts nicely with the bleak setting.
The worldbuilding is thoughtful, especially in its exploration of faith, power, and fear, and there’s a subtle romantic thread that adds emotional weight without taking over the story. While this is clearly the start of a series, it’s a satisfying read that left me eager for more. A great choice for fans of dark fantasy with heart.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
I really enjoyed reading this book! It is really nice to have a FMC that doesn’t fit the typical “small-but-mighty-assassin” stereotype that is flooding the fantasy genre right now. It kept things fresh and the author did a great job at showing Sarah’s inner thoughts and how she processes the world around her. It makes the reader realize that she is a little “different” without it being over-explained.
The main reason why this was a 3 star read for me and not higher was the pacing of this story— I feel like the romance needed to develop more before they were publicly in love and a couple. Not that it needed to be a slow burn, it just seemed like they needed to get to know each other better. Additionally, I wish the penultimate scene that the whole book was leading up to was way too quick. Had that been more drawn out, I think I would have felt more engaged.
Either way, this book is a great setup to this series and I look forward to seeing what Sarah does next in book 2.
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily**
The main reason why this was a 3 star read for me and not higher was the pacing of this story— I feel like the romance needed to develop more before they were publicly in love and a couple. Not that it needed to be a slow burn, it just seemed like they needed to get to know each other better. Additionally, I wish the penultimate scene that the whole book was leading up to was way too quick. Had that been more drawn out, I think I would have felt more engaged.
Either way, this book is a great setup to this series and I look forward to seeing what Sarah does next in book 2.
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily**
March 16, 2026
This book had a really strong start. The opening immediately pulled me in and had the pacing and tension of a thriller. As the story progressed, however, the pacing slowed down quite a bit for me. Because of this, I sometimes found it difficult to stay fully engaged with the story. I also struggled to connect with the characters on a deeper level. While they were clearly developed with care, I personally didn’t feel as emotionally invested in them as I had hoped to be.
I absolutely love the concept behind this book. The larger stakes feel unique and refreshing within the fantasy genre. There’s a lot of creativity in the premise, and I can see why it would appeal strongly to many readers.
Overall, this one just wasn’t quite the right fit for me. However, if you’re looking for a fantasy story with a badass neurodivergent female main character and an intriguing, original concept, this could definitely be a great pick for you.
Thank you to Donna Morgan for gifting me this ARC.
I absolutely love the concept behind this book. The larger stakes feel unique and refreshing within the fantasy genre. There’s a lot of creativity in the premise, and I can see why it would appeal strongly to many readers.
Overall, this one just wasn’t quite the right fit for me. However, if you’re looking for a fantasy story with a badass neurodivergent female main character and an intriguing, original concept, this could definitely be a great pick for you.
Thank you to Donna Morgan for gifting me this ARC.
Review of advance copy
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book should either have been a smidge longer or the romance aspect a smidge shorter, as it was there were some pacing issues with one certain character where a reveal wasn't as impactful as there wasn't really much for me to actually care or develop a feel about the specific character.
Aside from that I enjoyed this story, the world building was awesome and I loved that each chapter revealed more about the world and its history in little bite sized chunks. Also, the chapters were fairly short and digestible so each sitting I could reasonably knock out at least one in between tasks at work. It tickled the dopamine hit of progress.
Aside from a few cliche or cheesy moments, it was a great read. The brutality, stakes, and tension were well done :)
This book should either have been a smidge longer or the romance aspect a smidge shorter, as it was there were some pacing issues with one certain character where a reveal wasn't as impactful as there wasn't really much for me to actually care or develop a feel about the specific character.
Aside from that I enjoyed this story, the world building was awesome and I loved that each chapter revealed more about the world and its history in little bite sized chunks. Also, the chapters were fairly short and digestible so each sitting I could reasonably knock out at least one in between tasks at work. It tickled the dopamine hit of progress.
Aside from a few cliche or cheesy moments, it was a great read. The brutality, stakes, and tension were well done :)
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book had me in a chokehold at Chapter 1 and for that reason I read this book in one sitting.
I was ready to yell "WE RIDE AT DAWN" after what the FMC went through in the beginning of the book and how the age-old narrative of influential men in positions of power and money use it to their advantage to do terrible things without consequences (and don't get me started on the so called "Church"). I was so angry while reading the beginning because that same narrative holds true in today's world. All fantasy isn't based on fiction. IYKYK
This book will have you feeling all types of emotions from the very 1st chapter: Fear, Grief, Hopelessness and most of RAGE!!!
If you want an Epic Fantasy with Adventure, Ancient Magic, Prophecies, Revenge and Feminine Rage.......look no further.
This book gets ALL THE STARS 🤣
I was ready to yell "WE RIDE AT DAWN" after what the FMC went through in the beginning of the book and how the age-old narrative of influential men in positions of power and money use it to their advantage to do terrible things without consequences (and don't get me started on the so called "Church"). I was so angry while reading the beginning because that same narrative holds true in today's world. All fantasy isn't based on fiction. IYKYK
This book will have you feeling all types of emotions from the very 1st chapter: Fear, Grief, Hopelessness and most of RAGE!!!
If you want an Epic Fantasy with Adventure, Ancient Magic, Prophecies, Revenge and Feminine Rage.......look no further.
This book gets ALL THE STARS 🤣
April 15, 2026
I absolutely loved this book!
Even though it’s only the first installment in the series, I’m already dying for the sequel! The world-building is rich and fascinating, the side characters are well-developed, and the story is packed with political intrigue, religious persecution, magical creatures, and gods who have abandoned humanity.
But the best part? The heroine! She simply amazed me! Not because she is smart and beautiful, not because she is selfless or endlessly talented — no, that’s not about her! Sara is the kind of woman that any of us could be; she is a woman it’s easy to associate yourself with. And she is truly the best ND character I have ever encountered in any book I’ve read.
I want to wish the author great success and inspiration to continue the story! And I urge all readers — leave reviews! It’s just unfair that such a good book has so few reviews!
Even though it’s only the first installment in the series, I’m already dying for the sequel! The world-building is rich and fascinating, the side characters are well-developed, and the story is packed with political intrigue, religious persecution, magical creatures, and gods who have abandoned humanity.
But the best part? The heroine! She simply amazed me! Not because she is smart and beautiful, not because she is selfless or endlessly talented — no, that’s not about her! Sara is the kind of woman that any of us could be; she is a woman it’s easy to associate yourself with. And she is truly the best ND character I have ever encountered in any book I’ve read.
I want to wish the author great success and inspiration to continue the story! And I urge all readers — leave reviews! It’s just unfair that such a good book has so few reviews!
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