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Ember and Steel
Not yet published
Expected 9 Mar 26The 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.
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.
ebook
Expected publication March 9, 2026
6 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Donna Morgan
1 book11 followersJuggling a business, a family, and writing books. What could possibly go wrong?
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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 :)
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
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"
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. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.
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
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
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
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 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
Ember and Steel is different from the other Fantasy books I've read and the change is refreshing. It has gritty edge while not taking itself too seriously and the complexities of the protagonist, Sarah, adds an extra layer of interest.
The opening gets right down to business setting a harrowing context for the story. Morgan's universe does not mollycoddle the reader. The storyline, universe and cast of characters then grow and interweave before the finale which is twisty, but not excessively so.
I very much enjoyed reading my pre-release copy on e-reader. The style is very readable and chapter lengths are a good compromise between a snatched commute or bedtime read or a just-another-chapter binge. The cover art is fabulous and will look great on your shelf.
The opening gets right down to business setting a harrowing context for the story. Morgan's universe does not mollycoddle the reader. The storyline, universe and cast of characters then grow and interweave before the finale which is twisty, but not excessively so.
I very much enjoyed reading my pre-release copy on e-reader. The style is very readable and chapter lengths are a good compromise between a snatched commute or bedtime read or a just-another-chapter binge. The cover art is fabulous and will look great on your shelf.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really wanted to love this book.
The concept was amazing, yet as I started reading I was mildly disappointed.
The story was easy to follow but there were suggestions made about characters and their personalities and those characters felt inconsistent. A lot of the scenes felt forced and lacked some depth. The concept was there, but I struggled to fully connect with the main characters.
I was on the verge of not continuing when she slipped into the POV of the villain. I truly felt the author did an amazing job of creating suspense and intrigue during these chapters. She gave just enough information and the story flowed so well. It kept me reading just for those chapters.
I'm glad I read it and I think the author definitely has the potential to make a great series.
The concept was amazing, yet as I started reading I was mildly disappointed.
The story was easy to follow but there were suggestions made about characters and their personalities and those characters felt inconsistent. A lot of the scenes felt forced and lacked some depth. The concept was there, but I struggled to fully connect with the main characters.
I was on the verge of not continuing when she slipped into the POV of the villain. I truly felt the author did an amazing job of creating suspense and intrigue during these chapters. She gave just enough information and the story flowed so well. It kept me reading just for those chapters.
I'm glad I read it and I think the author definitely has the potential to make a great series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I obtained an early copy as an ARC reader.
I was totally hooked from the start. The pacing, the story line was all fantastic. The first person narrative from Sarah's POV was great, especially with the suggested neurodiverse traits. I loved that this was highlighted in the book and not something that was 'flawed', or something she had to overcome either. The fact she found a place that welcomed her, and people who accepted her for who she is without expecting anything in return, or for her to change was sweet.
She gets justice for her friend without it being a big revenge plot. The ending was a great twist I didn't expect.
I can't wait to read more of the series!
I was totally hooked from the start. The pacing, the story line was all fantastic. The first person narrative from Sarah's POV was great, especially with the suggested neurodiverse traits. I loved that this was highlighted in the book and not something that was 'flawed', or something she had to overcome either. The fact she found a place that welcomed her, and people who accepted her for who she is without expecting anything in return, or for her to change was sweet.
She gets justice for her friend without it being a big revenge plot. The ending was a great twist I didn't expect.
I can't wait to read more of the series!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was very fortunate to BETA read this book when it was first written and I loved it then. To see how it has changed and to be reintroduced to the Characters again is amazing. My last read of 2025 and I'm glad it was Ember and Steel. Gwith gives me serious Aragon vibes and I'm totally here for it. Love the side characters and hope we get more of them in the next book. Did I cry? Yes, yes I did. This book has been a massive labour of love for Donna but my oh my has it been worth it. An incredible book with an intriguing magic system and a kick ass FMC. Well done, Donna! You nailed it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ember and Steel is a gripping dark fantasy that blends mystery, magic, and destiny into an unforgettable journey. Donna Morgan crafts a haunting world where lost gods, ancient power, and creeping vengeance collide. Sarah Brandt is a compelling heroine, and her transformation from survivor to savior is both powerful and emotionally driven. With rich atmosphere, high stakes, and a steadily building sense of dread and wonder, this novel is a captivating read for fans of epic and myth-infused fantasy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Powerful debut in Ember and Steel.
Gods forsaken, vengeance raw... With rugged honor and fierce grit, forging soul-shattering bonds. Not quite what I had been expecting going in, to be frank. The story veers into fresh emotional depths, yet comes off as a bit checklist-y in spots. Still a deeply satisfying read!
Best of luck with the launch, Donna. Breitho Chronicles has real fire, and the cover is indie perfection! 4.5/5
Gods forsaken, vengeance raw... With rugged honor and fierce grit, forging soul-shattering bonds. Not quite what I had been expecting going in, to be frank. The story veers into fresh emotional depths, yet comes off as a bit checklist-y in spots. Still a deeply satisfying read!
Best of luck with the launch, Donna. Breitho Chronicles has real fire, and the cover is indie perfection! 4.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was asked to read and review this by the author and I’m really glad I did. It’s equal parts horrific and heart warming. A real rollercoaster of emotions. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect when I agreed to read it, but the gut punch of this book was a brilliant suprise. I give it all the stars as I couldn’t put it down
Review of advance copy received from Author
I love this cover! It starts out fast paced and kind of stays that way. Lots of moving pieces in a good way. Fun read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a great read. It opens with some heavy topics, so do check for any potential trigger warnings.
The characters were endearing and engaging. Seeing Sarah’s struggles with interacting and fitting into the world are powerful and done in a believable way. The bonds of friendship, and more, are built on obvious respect and the strength of that shows.
Be ready for an emotional rollercoaster toward the end of the book, but though your heart may shatter, it will be put back together!
I am eagerly awaiting the next installment to see where the story takes us.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters were endearing and engaging. Seeing Sarah’s struggles with interacting and fitting into the world are powerful and done in a believable way. The bonds of friendship, and more, are built on obvious respect and the strength of that shows.
Be ready for an emotional rollercoaster toward the end of the book, but though your heart may shatter, it will be put back together!
I am eagerly awaiting the next installment to see where the story takes us.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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