What do you think?
Rate this book
The Emberfall Trilogy #1
Ashwalker
Long ago, dragons were unleashed as weapons of mass destruction, igniting a war that shattered the Empire of Kaldra. Now, the survivors of that once-great realm cower behind fortified walls, while the beasts terrorize the wilds between the broken kingdoms.
Arowyn Vale survives as an ashwalker—one of the few reckless enough to brave the burned-out roads between the walled cities, smuggling everything from supplies to secrets. But when she reluctantly saves a dying dragon hatchling on a routine run, she draws the eye of the ruler of Mouren, a brutal realm directly in the heart of dragon territory.
Once upon a time, King Reave Callahan’s people wielded powerful magic, bonding with dragons in order to crush their enemies with wing and flame. But now, that magic is fading, and law decrees that anyone who manages to bond with a dragon must serve the Mouren crown—even a gutter-born, half-feral ashwalker from the slums of an enemy kingdom.
Dragged into Reave’s glittering but cutthroat court, Arowyn must navigate a treacherous new life built upon secrets, ancient magic, and shifting alliances. As her connection to the hatchling deepens—and with the Mouren king watching her with a gaze full of both danger and desire—she will have to make a
To become a weapon of the kingdom that broke her world…
Or to burn it all down from within.
Arowyn Vale survives as an ashwalker—one of the few reckless enough to brave the burned-out roads between the walled cities, smuggling everything from supplies to secrets. But when she reluctantly saves a dying dragon hatchling on a routine run, she draws the eye of the ruler of Mouren, a brutal realm directly in the heart of dragon territory.
Once upon a time, King Reave Callahan’s people wielded powerful magic, bonding with dragons in order to crush their enemies with wing and flame. But now, that magic is fading, and law decrees that anyone who manages to bond with a dragon must serve the Mouren crown—even a gutter-born, half-feral ashwalker from the slums of an enemy kingdom.
Dragged into Reave’s glittering but cutthroat court, Arowyn must navigate a treacherous new life built upon secrets, ancient magic, and shifting alliances. As her connection to the hatchling deepens—and with the Mouren king watching her with a gaze full of both danger and desire—she will have to make a
To become a weapon of the kingdom that broke her world…
Or to burn it all down from within.
578 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2026
About the author
S.M. Gaither
29 books2,258 followersI don't check Goodreads regularly, but you're welcome to send me an email (smgaitherbooks@gmail.com) or reach out to my PA, Rachel (rachel@smgaitherbooks.com) anytime!
--
As a kid, S.M. Gaither spent way too much time playing video games like Final Fantasy and reading every book she could get her hands on instead of doing silly things like her assigned homework. As an adult…Well, not much has changed. Her goal is to write books that distract others from their life’s obligations, too, thus creating an army of fellow procrastinators over which she can reign supreme. These days, her personal favorite places to procrastinate are in the mountains near her North Carolina home, in the company of her husband, their daughter, and their very spoiled dog.
--
As a kid, S.M. Gaither spent way too much time playing video games like Final Fantasy and reading every book she could get her hands on instead of doing silly things like her assigned homework. As an adult…Well, not much has changed. Her goal is to write books that distract others from their life’s obligations, too, thus creating an army of fellow procrastinators over which she can reign supreme. These days, her personal favorite places to procrastinate are in the mountains near her North Carolina home, in the company of her husband, their daughter, and their very spoiled dog.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 782 reviews
Currently Reading
June 8, 2026I need a win guys pray for me
Currently Reading
June 1, 2026pre-read <3
i've seen such good things about this book! i can't wait to start <3
huge thanks to sm gaither and her team for an arc
i've seen such good things about this book! i can't wait to start <3
huge thanks to sm gaither and her team for an arc
June 17, 2026
You ever finished reading a book and you just sit there for a few minutes and try to process what you just read? Well that’s me right now. I honestly don’t know how I’m going to put into words how amazing and beautiful this book was. Not only were the characters amazing, but the writing was absolutely spectacular. I could picture everything so vividly, every sentence I read had me hypnotized. This was easily a six star read for me.
From the moment we get a glimpse into Arowyn’s mind and how she viewed herself and her world around her, I knew I was a goner. One night was all it took for Arowyn to lose everything she held dear to her. She is barely holding onto her life by being an Ashwalker, someone who smuggles anything and everything. She reluctantly catches the eye of the new King of Mouren, Reave Callahan by saving a dying dragon hatchling. She is dragged from the gutters of her world and thrust into his shiny cutthroat kingdom. While she learns to navigate his world and her connection to the hatchling, feelings of hatred and anger turn into something else and man it rock my wold.
I need everyone, and I mean everyone to add this to their TBR. This is a series I know everyone will fall in love with. If you love fantasy, the story and the world building was told so vividly, you will feel as if you are there. If you love romance, the slow burn will fully pull you in and leaving you wanting so much more. The twists and turns alone had me clutching my kindle to the point where I’m sure if someone tried for take it off of me I would have bit them. This story was just so beyond beautiful, I cannot wait to see where this series goes and how it will most likely tear my heart out of my chest.
*Thank you so much to the author S.M. Gaither for the ARC!*
Some of my favorite quotes:
“What he doesn't understand is that I've already been broken for years. All my jagged pieces are just armor, now. So if he wants to try and crush me, I hope he's prepared to get cut.”
“And yet, as foolish as it is, all I can think about right now is how it’s also the reason you’re here. The reason we met. How I would endure it a thousand times over, in a thousand different lifetimes, if it meant even a chance of finding you again in any of them. And if it ultimately drives me to madness, then I don’t think I would even care, so long as you are the last thing I see before the darkness takes me.”
“Breathe, I command myself. But it’s useless. I don’t want air as much as I want him. If he is going to drown in the turbulent waters of me—of us—then I want to go out the same way.”
“I protected you from the flames, she says. Then I found you among the embers. It was all I could do. And I would have stayed at your side as you walked through the ashes of after—but you turned me away.”
“My throat tightens. “Why did you save me? Even after I denied you?” Hope.”
“Still here,”
From the moment we get a glimpse into Arowyn’s mind and how she viewed herself and her world around her, I knew I was a goner. One night was all it took for Arowyn to lose everything she held dear to her. She is barely holding onto her life by being an Ashwalker, someone who smuggles anything and everything. She reluctantly catches the eye of the new King of Mouren, Reave Callahan by saving a dying dragon hatchling. She is dragged from the gutters of her world and thrust into his shiny cutthroat kingdom. While she learns to navigate his world and her connection to the hatchling, feelings of hatred and anger turn into something else and man it rock my wold.
I need everyone, and I mean everyone to add this to their TBR. This is a series I know everyone will fall in love with. If you love fantasy, the story and the world building was told so vividly, you will feel as if you are there. If you love romance, the slow burn will fully pull you in and leaving you wanting so much more. The twists and turns alone had me clutching my kindle to the point where I’m sure if someone tried for take it off of me I would have bit them. This story was just so beyond beautiful, I cannot wait to see where this series goes and how it will most likely tear my heart out of my chest.
*Thank you so much to the author S.M. Gaither for the ARC!*
Some of my favorite quotes:
“What he doesn't understand is that I've already been broken for years. All my jagged pieces are just armor, now. So if he wants to try and crush me, I hope he's prepared to get cut.”
“And yet, as foolish as it is, all I can think about right now is how it’s also the reason you’re here. The reason we met. How I would endure it a thousand times over, in a thousand different lifetimes, if it meant even a chance of finding you again in any of them. And if it ultimately drives me to madness, then I don’t think I would even care, so long as you are the last thing I see before the darkness takes me.”
“Breathe, I command myself. But it’s useless. I don’t want air as much as I want him. If he is going to drown in the turbulent waters of me—of us—then I want to go out the same way.”
“I protected you from the flames, she says. Then I found you among the embers. It was all I could do. And I would have stayed at your side as you walked through the ashes of after—but you turned me away.”
“My throat tightens. “Why did you save me? Even after I denied you?” Hope.”
“Still here,”
May 4, 2026
“and no matter how many marks are carved into your skin, you belong to no one except yourself.”
—
this is a PERFECT first installment in a romantasy trilogy. it has everything— dragons, magical bonds, banter, found family, slow burn, etc.
arowyn, our fmc struggles with trauma / ptsd which causes her to lash out and refuse to get close to anyone. her character development was done so well, as i loved seeing her realize her worth. her bond with “blight” is so special.
reave. mf. callahan. you already know i added him to my book bf list SO fast. grumpy king who wears slutty little glasses, bakes, AND falls first? did i mention he also graduated with his masters in yearning? i’m obsessed with him.
the slow burn, tension, angst, yearning. oh my god. i was actually foaming at the mouth and i had butterflies from all of their interactions. i’m so obsessed and the ending makes me want to sob for them.
i could not put this book down if i tried. the multiple plot twists i didn’t see coming had me on the floor! i’m desperately awaiting book two!!
thank you SO much s.m. gaither and her team for this advanced copy! ♥︎
“𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕—𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆.”
—
this is a PERFECT first installment in a romantasy trilogy. it has everything— dragons, magical bonds, banter, found family, slow burn, etc.
arowyn, our fmc struggles with trauma / ptsd which causes her to lash out and refuse to get close to anyone. her character development was done so well, as i loved seeing her realize her worth. her bond with “blight” is so special.
reave. mf. callahan. you already know i added him to my book bf list SO fast. grumpy king who wears slutty little glasses, bakes, AND falls first? did i mention he also graduated with his masters in yearning? i’m obsessed with him.
the slow burn, tension, angst, yearning. oh my god. i was actually foaming at the mouth and i had butterflies from all of their interactions. i’m so obsessed and the ending makes me want to sob for them.
i could not put this book down if i tried. the multiple plot twists i didn’t see coming had me on the floor! i’m desperately awaiting book two!!
thank you SO much s.m. gaither and her team for this advanced copy! ♥︎
“𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕—𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆.”
Currently Reading
May 27, 2026────────────────────
˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙
this book sounds divine—dragon bonds, enemies to lovers AND found family? s.m. gaither had me at dragons. the next best part? this is my first s.m. gaither book! 🐉
a massive thank you to s.m. gaither for the gifted e-arc.
follow me on: instagram
˖⁺‧₊♡ pre-read review ⋙
this book sounds divine—dragon bonds, enemies to lovers AND found family? s.m. gaither had me at dragons. the next best part? this is my first s.m. gaither book! 🐉
a massive thank you to s.m. gaither for the gifted e-arc.
follow me on: instagram
Review of advance copy received from Author
Many thanks to SM Gaither for the arc!
I am an asbolute sucker for all things dragons, then throw in an enemies to lover slow burn romance and I was sold!
Ashwalker kept me hooked from the beginning, but the last 20% of this book had me 😱😱😱 and I cannot wait for book 2 because holy cannoli!!!
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- enemies to pretend lovers
- magic bonds with sassy dragons
- slowish burn
- he falls first
- ✨banter✨
- court intrigue
- found family
I am an asbolute sucker for all things dragons, then throw in an enemies to lover slow burn romance and I was sold!
Ashwalker kept me hooked from the beginning, but the last 20% of this book had me 😱😱😱 and I cannot wait for book 2 because holy cannoli!!!
𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧:
- enemies to pretend lovers
- magic bonds with sassy dragons
- slowish burn
- he falls first
- ✨banter✨
- court intrigue
- found family
May 30, 2026
Excuse me! Excuse me! Hello! Are you all listening? Well… are you?
This book… this book had no right to be this good. It had me in a chokehold for two solid days. I forgot I was a human being for TWO SOLID DAYS while I devoured every single word of this book. Did I bother to take care of basic living needs during those two days? No, I did not. Did I make dinners or do chores? No, I did not. Did I breathe? Sometimes. Do I regret a single second of it? 1000% no.
Holy shit. I have not been taken in by a book like this in a minute. I was so absorbed in this it felt like a movie playing in my head. Every time I picked up my kindle I was immersed in the world, watching it unfold around me as I watched our main character Arowyn overcome unimaginable horrors to try to cast off her chains, both mental and physical. I felt like I was there, everything was so incredibly vivid and real. I loved every single character in here. (Several of which I won’t name because of spoilers, but can I just say THANK YOU for putting in an MMC with glasses bc daaaaamn and also for not “magically” fixing Arowyn’s disability. That mattered. A lot.) It had everything I loved; enemies to lovers, true and even reluctant friendships… dragons. Especially dragons. Nothing about this felt tired or overdone. I felt like I was walking into a fresh story, a new world, and it was one I didn’t want to leave when it was over. (The neighbors checked on me after the scream I scrumpt at the last page.)
I am also appalled that I did not have S.M. Gaither on my radar before now. If you’re like me, you’d best rectify that because this one… this one is going to be HUGE. I can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy because I just know it’s going to be out of this world.
Now… we fly.
Ashwalker hits shelves June 16 and you need to RUN, not walk… hell, fly if you have to and grab yourselves a copy. You will not regret it (even tho she’s a THICCCC book.)
Huge thank you to S.M. Gaither for the gifted ARC of this beautiful story. I am privileged to be part of the street team for this amazing book. All opinions are my own. (And you know what they are, you need this book in your life!)
This book… this book had no right to be this good. It had me in a chokehold for two solid days. I forgot I was a human being for TWO SOLID DAYS while I devoured every single word of this book. Did I bother to take care of basic living needs during those two days? No, I did not. Did I make dinners or do chores? No, I did not. Did I breathe? Sometimes. Do I regret a single second of it? 1000% no.
Holy shit. I have not been taken in by a book like this in a minute. I was so absorbed in this it felt like a movie playing in my head. Every time I picked up my kindle I was immersed in the world, watching it unfold around me as I watched our main character Arowyn overcome unimaginable horrors to try to cast off her chains, both mental and physical. I felt like I was there, everything was so incredibly vivid and real. I loved every single character in here. (Several of which I won’t name because of spoilers, but can I just say THANK YOU for putting in an MMC with glasses bc daaaaamn and also for not “magically” fixing Arowyn’s disability. That mattered. A lot.) It had everything I loved; enemies to lovers, true and even reluctant friendships… dragons. Especially dragons. Nothing about this felt tired or overdone. I felt like I was walking into a fresh story, a new world, and it was one I didn’t want to leave when it was over. (The neighbors checked on me after the scream I scrumpt at the last page.)
I am also appalled that I did not have S.M. Gaither on my radar before now. If you’re like me, you’d best rectify that because this one… this one is going to be HUGE. I can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy because I just know it’s going to be out of this world.
Now… we fly.
Ashwalker hits shelves June 16 and you need to RUN, not walk… hell, fly if you have to and grab yourselves a copy. You will not regret it (even tho she’s a THICCCC book.)
Huge thank you to S.M. Gaither for the gifted ARC of this beautiful story. I am privileged to be part of the street team for this amazing book. All opinions are my own. (And you know what they are, you need this book in your life!)
June 8, 2026
my fave sm gaither book yet 🫶🏻 a huge thank you to her for the ARC!!
This is a perfect first book for a planned trilogy ♥️ from the intricate world-building, character development, political intrigue, to magical system and bonds. I loved every part of this world and didn’t want to put this one down! SM Gaither is a master at immersing readers into her books in ways that they can envision the scenes so clearly.
Arowyn, the FMC, has been through unimaginable trauma and filled with grief, anger, and sorrow. But her development through this book was so healing. Her bond with her dragon was so much fun to read about as they learned to trust each other through difficult challenges. Reave was a complex character that surprised me often after he let his guard down and the reader got to know more about his backstory and personality. I loved their slow burn romance, the eventual trust and loyalty they gave and received from one another was everything 🥹 but the banter between them, I was such a sucker for🤭
The found family was healthy, raw and real. Every character had such depth and personality to them, and although they weren’t exactly friendly with one another at first, their eventual little family became something strong and impactful 🫶🏻
I am so eager for book 2 and can’t recommend this one enough to everybody! If you’re a fan of…
♥️ Enemies to lovers
♥️ Sassy dragons
♥️ He falls first
♥️ Political intrigue
♥️ Sloooow burn
♥️ Magic system and curses
Then you 100% need to pick this up!!
This is a perfect first book for a planned trilogy ♥️ from the intricate world-building, character development, political intrigue, to magical system and bonds. I loved every part of this world and didn’t want to put this one down! SM Gaither is a master at immersing readers into her books in ways that they can envision the scenes so clearly.
Arowyn, the FMC, has been through unimaginable trauma and filled with grief, anger, and sorrow. But her development through this book was so healing. Her bond with her dragon was so much fun to read about as they learned to trust each other through difficult challenges. Reave was a complex character that surprised me often after he let his guard down and the reader got to know more about his backstory and personality. I loved their slow burn romance, the eventual trust and loyalty they gave and received from one another was everything 🥹 but the banter between them, I was such a sucker for🤭
The found family was healthy, raw and real. Every character had such depth and personality to them, and although they weren’t exactly friendly with one another at first, their eventual little family became something strong and impactful 🫶🏻
I am so eager for book 2 and can’t recommend this one enough to everybody! If you’re a fan of…
♥️ Enemies to lovers
♥️ Sassy dragons
♥️ He falls first
♥️ Political intrigue
♥️ Sloooow burn
♥️ Magic system and curses
Then you 100% need to pick this up!!
June 14, 2026
3.25 ⭐️
I will begin this by saying that, based on the reviews thus far, I'm in the minority in not loving this book.
i had a good time with the dragon connection element (which is to be expected, given that i always love that element in a story). i also found the plot to be interesting, especially in the first half.
however, at the second half, my enjoyment did flag a bit. i'm not sure if it's a personal pacing piece or if i just didn't fully "believe" the romance plotline, but the latter half wasn't as fun as the beginning.
that being said, this is overall solid, entertaining and plot-forward.
**thank you to S.M. Gaither for the ARC copy**
I will begin this by saying that, based on the reviews thus far, I'm in the minority in not loving this book.
i had a good time with the dragon connection element (which is to be expected, given that i always love that element in a story). i also found the plot to be interesting, especially in the first half.
however, at the second half, my enjoyment did flag a bit. i'm not sure if it's a personal pacing piece or if i just didn't fully "believe" the romance plotline, but the latter half wasn't as fun as the beginning.
that being said, this is overall solid, entertaining and plot-forward.
**thank you to S.M. Gaither for the ARC copy**
June 12, 2026
Ahhhhhh I loved Ashwalker so much!!!! I've been looking forward to reading AW I am still not over getting a gorgeous ARC, a huge thank you to S.M Gaither and her PA Rachel for sending me one!
I absolutely devoured Ashwalker. Honestly, if adulting and responsibilities didn't exist I would have literally just sat and read it in a day. The world building and the imagery was brilliant, like you could picture yourself right alongside Arowyn and Briar from the start, as they rode through this bleak, war ravaged landscape and everything just built from there. The pacing was perfect, it didn't feel rushed or like you were waiting for things to happen. The intricacies around the magic system being connected to Gods via Dragons felt really unique and I really enjoyed the concept of an almost class-like system of the dragons, with some being divine, magical and intelligent, and the others more like mindless beasts that are violent and feared. Then you get the political elements of the world woven in with the historical conflict and events that have led to the present-day, where we find our main characters.
And as if all the fantastic world building and magic and dragons and political setting wasn't enough, then there's the fabulous cast of characters. It didn't feel like it was just our main FMC and MMC that were front and centre, they all stole the spotlight.
Arowyn is brilliant FMC and Briar, her best friend is just as wonderful. The friendship between them is really powerful and I absolutely loved their dynamic and the two of them on the page. Arowyn is such a strong character in so many ways; she carries a massive burden on her shoulders and no matter what she has to face, she pushes through because she knows people rely on her. Even when she's thrown entirely out of her comfort zone and bonds with her dragon, and has to deal with events unfolding that she never thought would ever happen to her in her wildest dreams, she just steps into it because she feels like it's the right thing to do for everyone else. It's also her biggest vulnerability in that she doesn't allow herself to dream about her wants because she doesn't feel like she deserves to be happy. And then there's Reave. The King. The enemy. Except, IS HE?! (wink wink) Man, the chemistry between the two of them from the start is brilliant, but ultimately, it's more of a bond that creeps up on the two of them before they even realise how important they've become to each other. Reave isn't the cold and calculated King that's he's been painted to be, he just wears the image like armour for the sake of his family and the Mouren people. His brother and sister are absolutely fab too, the bond and the love between the three of them is just *chefs kiss.
All of this is to say that I am so looking forward to the next book in the series! If you're a fan of fantasy books with plenty of world building, a few twists and turns that keep you on your toes, characters that will steal your heart, dragons, magic and a storyline that will have you hooked from the first page, then you need to pick up Ashwalker!!
I absolutely devoured Ashwalker. Honestly, if adulting and responsibilities didn't exist I would have literally just sat and read it in a day. The world building and the imagery was brilliant, like you could picture yourself right alongside Arowyn and Briar from the start, as they rode through this bleak, war ravaged landscape and everything just built from there. The pacing was perfect, it didn't feel rushed or like you were waiting for things to happen. The intricacies around the magic system being connected to Gods via Dragons felt really unique and I really enjoyed the concept of an almost class-like system of the dragons, with some being divine, magical and intelligent, and the others more like mindless beasts that are violent and feared. Then you get the political elements of the world woven in with the historical conflict and events that have led to the present-day, where we find our main characters.
And as if all the fantastic world building and magic and dragons and political setting wasn't enough, then there's the fabulous cast of characters. It didn't feel like it was just our main FMC and MMC that were front and centre, they all stole the spotlight.
Arowyn is brilliant FMC and Briar, her best friend is just as wonderful. The friendship between them is really powerful and I absolutely loved their dynamic and the two of them on the page. Arowyn is such a strong character in so many ways; she carries a massive burden on her shoulders and no matter what she has to face, she pushes through because she knows people rely on her. Even when she's thrown entirely out of her comfort zone and bonds with her dragon, and has to deal with events unfolding that she never thought would ever happen to her in her wildest dreams, she just steps into it because she feels like it's the right thing to do for everyone else. It's also her biggest vulnerability in that she doesn't allow herself to dream about her wants because she doesn't feel like she deserves to be happy. And then there's Reave. The King. The enemy. Except, IS HE?! (wink wink) Man, the chemistry between the two of them from the start is brilliant, but ultimately, it's more of a bond that creeps up on the two of them before they even realise how important they've become to each other. Reave isn't the cold and calculated King that's he's been painted to be, he just wears the image like armour for the sake of his family and the Mouren people. His brother and sister are absolutely fab too, the bond and the love between the three of them is just *chefs kiss.
All of this is to say that I am so looking forward to the next book in the series! If you're a fan of fantasy books with plenty of world building, a few twists and turns that keep you on your toes, characters that will steal your heart, dragons, magic and a storyline that will have you hooked from the first page, then you need to pick up Ashwalker!!
June 10, 2026
The way that I devoured this book should be studied. S.M. Gaither put magic into Ashwalker because I was locked in from page 1. I loved the world building. I loved the dragons. I loved the romance. I loved all of the characters, and I am READY for more.
Thank you to the author for the gifted ARC.
When I start a romantasy book with dragons, I assume everyone loves the dragons and wants to bond with them and enjoy them always. Imagine my surprise when I meet Arowyn who hates dragons with every fiber of her being, for they are responsible for the deaths of her loved ones and her entire village. And then getting to see her journey of being forced into a kingdom that works with the dragons is so much fun.
I loved Owyn's journey in this book, and I truly can't wait to see what she does next. I loved seeing both her strength and her vulnerability. "Still here." That was her mantra, especially when times were tough, she could remind herself that she's still here, and that's enough.
I love how Gaither unveiled the secrets of the reigning kingdom. The pacing made me want to keep flipping the pages to find out more. And I really loved the way a few pieces of the puzzle came together. And if you're someone who doesn't love wild cliffhangers, then this is for you! The cliffhanger didn't feel so shocking, but I'm still extremely excited for the next installment!
If you love romantasy and dragons, I would highly recommend Ashwalker. It was both a breath of fresh air and everything I love about the genre all wrapped up in one book.
Thank you to the author for the gifted ARC.
When I start a romantasy book with dragons, I assume everyone loves the dragons and wants to bond with them and enjoy them always. Imagine my surprise when I meet Arowyn who hates dragons with every fiber of her being, for they are responsible for the deaths of her loved ones and her entire village. And then getting to see her journey of being forced into a kingdom that works with the dragons is so much fun.
I loved Owyn's journey in this book, and I truly can't wait to see what she does next. I loved seeing both her strength and her vulnerability. "Still here." That was her mantra, especially when times were tough, she could remind herself that she's still here, and that's enough.
I love how Gaither unveiled the secrets of the reigning kingdom. The pacing made me want to keep flipping the pages to find out more. And I really loved the way a few pieces of the puzzle came together. And if you're someone who doesn't love wild cliffhangers, then this is for you! The cliffhanger didn't feel so shocking, but I'm still extremely excited for the next installment!
If you love romantasy and dragons, I would highly recommend Ashwalker. It was both a breath of fresh air and everything I love about the genre all wrapped up in one book.
May 24, 2026
Dragons 🐉… say less!
This was a solid 4⭐️ (4.25 to be more precise)
This book hooked me from the beginning and I was so intrigued with the world and magic. The bonding with dragons in this book was really cool! I loved our FMC and how snarky she was. Our MMC was mysterious and kept me wanting to know more about him. One of my favorite characters was Arlo. I really loved the side characters in this story.
I loved the slow burn in this one. The two main characters had chemistry right off the bat, BUT I loved that it build up for over 60% of the book. I was almost nervous we wouldn’t even get a kiss between them. 😆
This book had a lot of twists and turns. Secrets to be revealed and I never knew where the story was going to take us. The last 20% had my mind blown. 🤯 I was throughly impressed with this book! I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Thank you to the author for this e-arc in return for my honest review. 🫶🏻
This was a solid 4⭐️ (4.25 to be more precise)
This book hooked me from the beginning and I was so intrigued with the world and magic. The bonding with dragons in this book was really cool! I loved our FMC and how snarky she was. Our MMC was mysterious and kept me wanting to know more about him. One of my favorite characters was Arlo. I really loved the side characters in this story.
I loved the slow burn in this one. The two main characters had chemistry right off the bat, BUT I loved that it build up for over 60% of the book. I was almost nervous we wouldn’t even get a kiss between them. 😆
This book had a lot of twists and turns. Secrets to be revealed and I never knew where the story was going to take us. The last 20% had my mind blown. 🤯 I was throughly impressed with this book! I can’t wait to see what happens next!
Thank you to the author for this e-arc in return for my honest review. 🫶🏻
Read
June 9, 2026"Our world is on the cusp of war, dragons are going rogue, the gods are pulling strings in ways we can only guess at..."
In the shattered world of Kaldara, the survivors of an age where dragons were used as weapons struggle to make ends meet. Survival is a risky game. Ashwalker is about Arowyn Vale fighting against those that broke her. When she saves a dragon hatching, her fate is sealed. Those in power try to wield her as a weapon. She must decide if anyone will use her at all.
"This is the spot where it happened," he says suddenly.
"Where what happened?"
A pause, and then: "Where I realized there was no going back. That I was drowning in you, and I no longer cared about finding my way back to the surface."
It doesn't take many pages before Ashwalker has you in a grasp that you know you can't fight against. The world building, the relationships, the characters and sass, all start from the beginning and with every word, every page, you are drawn into their world and their lives. They become a part of you, of how you breathe, what you think of. They pull you into their story and you never want to stop.
"I came here to ruin him, and I fell in love with him instead."
Ashwalker isn't just a book. It's an awakening: of your soul, of your fire, of strength. A story of taking all of your trauma, all the parts of you that you want to hide from the world, and taking those bits and pieces to pull yourself back together again. Sturdier and more alive than you have ever been. Not because you weren't ever tested but because you were. There's a strength in that. Something the world around you can never take again.
Ashwalker is that and so much more. The first book in the Emberfall trilogy, it is 5 out of 5 stars. You will not want to miss this one! It releases soon, June 16th, 2026.
I want to thank the author for allowing me to be a part of this books journey. I am forever grateful for your trust.
In the shattered world of Kaldara, the survivors of an age where dragons were used as weapons struggle to make ends meet. Survival is a risky game. Ashwalker is about Arowyn Vale fighting against those that broke her. When she saves a dragon hatching, her fate is sealed. Those in power try to wield her as a weapon. She must decide if anyone will use her at all.
"This is the spot where it happened," he says suddenly.
"Where what happened?"
A pause, and then: "Where I realized there was no going back. That I was drowning in you, and I no longer cared about finding my way back to the surface."
It doesn't take many pages before Ashwalker has you in a grasp that you know you can't fight against. The world building, the relationships, the characters and sass, all start from the beginning and with every word, every page, you are drawn into their world and their lives. They become a part of you, of how you breathe, what you think of. They pull you into their story and you never want to stop.
"I came here to ruin him, and I fell in love with him instead."
Ashwalker isn't just a book. It's an awakening: of your soul, of your fire, of strength. A story of taking all of your trauma, all the parts of you that you want to hide from the world, and taking those bits and pieces to pull yourself back together again. Sturdier and more alive than you have ever been. Not because you weren't ever tested but because you were. There's a strength in that. Something the world around you can never take again.
Ashwalker is that and so much more. The first book in the Emberfall trilogy, it is 5 out of 5 stars. You will not want to miss this one! It releases soon, June 16th, 2026.
I want to thank the author for allowing me to be a part of this books journey. I am forever grateful for your trust.
May 10, 2026
I literally just finished up Ashwalker by and let me say… Holy moly. I’m lucky to still have a pulse even after that ending. I’m so happy I get to be an ARC reader to review it! I HIGHLY recommend this book. I’m not sure how I will make it until the next one. There’s going to be a next one… Right? Because I have to know what happens to Arowyn. Reave. Arlo. Everyone. I have to know. 😂😅 I’m not a great reviewer but I’m good at sharing my feelings!! I get absolutely invested in a good book and this one is incredible! One if my favorite quotes from the book is this, “light can only reach so far on its own. That the spreading of it is not a grand act, but a daily choice, made quietly, again and again, to keep going when it would be easier to put the lantern down and let the flame go out. “ I think that quote resonates because it reframes strength as something quiet instead of dramatic. A lot of stories make “being a light” sound heroic and effortless, but this quote acknowledges how exhausting it can be to keep showing up with hope, strength, or compassion when life keeps giving you reasons not to. And our FMC does this and then some. 💙 I love it! Thank you Rachel Cass and S.M Gaither for giving me a chance to read this early!
May 20, 2026
Review from Advanced Reader copy received by author
You ever read a book and once it’s done you sit there in your feels and process what you just read?
This is me.
This is an epic-fantasy romance with enemies to lovers, found family, sloooooow burn romance with immersive world building.
However, the best part of this book is how the FMC deals with grief and the impact and story it has that resonates with all readers. How you can be dealt a crap hand and rise from the ash and fly.
“There is a certain kind of beauty that grows from pain you thought would destroy you. A strength that only comes from falling and being forced to catch yourself on the way down.”
You ever read a book and once it’s done you sit there in your feels and process what you just read?
This is me.
This is an epic-fantasy romance with enemies to lovers, found family, sloooooow burn romance with immersive world building.
However, the best part of this book is how the FMC deals with grief and the impact and story it has that resonates with all readers. How you can be dealt a crap hand and rise from the ash and fly.
“There is a certain kind of beauty that grows from pain you thought would destroy you. A strength that only comes from falling and being forced to catch yourself on the way down.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2026
Thank you to the author for this advanced copy. I was invested in this story from the beginning and it kept my interest the whole way through.
Here’s what I loved:
- fierce scrappy scarred FMC with trauma
- brooding, green flag MMC that bakes
- the dragon bonds felt unique and fresh - not like what I’ve read before
- the plot was so interesting and kept me guessing the whole time
- the plot twists genuinely shocked me and I loved that
- the romance was sweet and the banter was fun
- Princess Kestrel was not the typical mean girl sister - even when she wasn’t super nice to Owyn, she was still helpful - they grew to like each other
- bestie Blair
- sassy dragon who I shall not name so I don’t spoil the reveal
- cliffhanger ending
- we know where the FMC, MMC, and their relationship stands at the end - we aren’t left hanging there
I can genuinely say that there isn’t anything i didn’t like about this book. It was 530 pages, but so easy to read and get drawn into.
I loved how Reave thought Owyn was so beautiful even with her scars. That was one of my favorite parts - how hard he fell and how sweet he was to her.
If you love fantasy, dragons, amazing plot, and amazing twists, please do yourself a favor and read this book.
Here’s what I loved:
- fierce scrappy scarred FMC with trauma
- brooding, green flag MMC that bakes
- the dragon bonds felt unique and fresh - not like what I’ve read before
- the plot was so interesting and kept me guessing the whole time
- the plot twists genuinely shocked me and I loved that
- the romance was sweet and the banter was fun
- Princess Kestrel was not the typical mean girl sister - even when she wasn’t super nice to Owyn, she was still helpful - they grew to like each other
- bestie Blair
- sassy dragon who I shall not name so I don’t spoil the reveal
- cliffhanger ending
- we know where the FMC, MMC, and their relationship stands at the end - we aren’t left hanging there
I can genuinely say that there isn’t anything i didn’t like about this book. It was 530 pages, but so easy to read and get drawn into.
I loved how Reave thought Owyn was so beautiful even with her scars. That was one of my favorite parts - how hard he fell and how sweet he was to her.
If you love fantasy, dragons, amazing plot, and amazing twists, please do yourself a favor and read this book.
May 21, 2026
✨ "Still here." ✨
✨ "And those that don't bow? They burn." ✨
✨ "What he doesn't understand is that I've already been broken for years. All my jagged pieces are just armour, now. So if he wants to try and crush me, I hope he's prepared to get cut." ✨
Thank you so much SM Gaither for providing me with an earc for Ashwalker! Ashwalker is MY MOST anticipated read this year and to receive a copy in advance had me jumping for joy!
Full disclosure this book surpassed every expectation I had! This book absolutely destroyed me in the best way possible. THIS BOOK is by far my favourite read of 2026!
Ashwalker from start to finish had me flipping through the pages; I did not want to do anything else but continue on. I haven't read a book like this in so long that completely enthralled me.
Owyn our FMC has suffered so much loss. Owyn an ashwalker by trade takes on contracts with her best friend Briar to support themselves, but also the very few survivors from Emberfall. Owyn lost both her parents as well as the love of her life to that fateful night. Owyn's character was written so deeply; it was evident the grief she carried and you couldn't help but feel for her. Through her suffering she still carried on and found purpose for those who still remained. While on a contract job with Briar they discover Mouren soldiers but they also have a broken and battered dragon hatchling in there clutches. What transpires from this encounter enfolds so much...
Reave Callahan the current king of Mouren is so much more then what is spoken of him. Without spoilers you will be shocked!
Sesca Sesca Sesca I absolutely adore her character! 🥺
Ashwalker is jammed pack with incredible world building, reluctant relationship that burn brighter the further you dive in and so much emotional and psychological devastation (in the best way).
I'll be raving about this book forever and I cannot wait to see what happens throughout this trilogy 🥺
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
✨ "And those that don't bow? They burn." ✨
✨ "What he doesn't understand is that I've already been broken for years. All my jagged pieces are just armour, now. So if he wants to try and crush me, I hope he's prepared to get cut." ✨
Thank you so much SM Gaither for providing me with an earc for Ashwalker! Ashwalker is MY MOST anticipated read this year and to receive a copy in advance had me jumping for joy!
Full disclosure this book surpassed every expectation I had! This book absolutely destroyed me in the best way possible. THIS BOOK is by far my favourite read of 2026!
Ashwalker from start to finish had me flipping through the pages; I did not want to do anything else but continue on. I haven't read a book like this in so long that completely enthralled me.
Owyn our FMC has suffered so much loss. Owyn an ashwalker by trade takes on contracts with her best friend Briar to support themselves, but also the very few survivors from Emberfall. Owyn lost both her parents as well as the love of her life to that fateful night. Owyn's character was written so deeply; it was evident the grief she carried and you couldn't help but feel for her. Through her suffering she still carried on and found purpose for those who still remained. While on a contract job with Briar they discover Mouren soldiers but they also have a broken and battered dragon hatchling in there clutches. What transpires from this encounter enfolds so much...
Reave Callahan the current king of Mouren is so much more then what is spoken of him. Without spoilers you will be shocked!
Sesca Sesca Sesca I absolutely adore her character! 🥺
Ashwalker is jammed pack with incredible world building, reluctant relationship that burn brighter the further you dive in and so much emotional and psychological devastation (in the best way).
I'll be raving about this book forever and I cannot wait to see what happens throughout this trilogy 🥺
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
May 22, 2026
I had fun with this book for what it’s worth. The beginning was a bit slow but it’s started to pick up around the 20% mark and once it did, I was hooked. I was super intrigued to know a bit more about the world and why exactly dragons are destroying it, but I was left feeling like the world building wasn’t fully there. Granted this is something that could easily be delved into more in the next book but, I expected a bit more in the first installment.
While I did manage to get invested into the story, I felt like once I reached the middle, it just took a dive to uninterested territory. I also guessed the plot twist right at the beginning 🫣 I really loved seeing the interactions between Owyn, Arlo, Briar, and even Kestrel. But these moments were so fleeting that I wish I had more of it. And I’ll be honest I wasn’t feeling the romantic connection between Owyn and Reave. It felt very insta-love like they only really started to communicate around like 60% mark and already were in love with each other. I just couldn’t connect.
But the characters themselves, I loved. I thought Arowyn was so strong and funny (calling her bonded dragon “blight” because of her inconvenience to her life was so funny). She channels her trauma into art which I love. And Reave was the typical brooding king but he also wore slutty little glasses that ultimately made him hotter AND he cooks/bakes? A man after my own heart. I also immediately loved Sesca, she in my opinion was the star of this book.
All in all, I am still intrigued enough to know where the rest of the story goes and hopefully have bit more depth into the world and the characters in it.
I wanna thank the author and her team for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!
While I did manage to get invested into the story, I felt like once I reached the middle, it just took a dive to uninterested territory. I also guessed the plot twist right at the beginning 🫣 I really loved seeing the interactions between Owyn, Arlo, Briar, and even Kestrel. But these moments were so fleeting that I wish I had more of it. And I’ll be honest I wasn’t feeling the romantic connection between Owyn and Reave. It felt very insta-love like they only really started to communicate around like 60% mark and already were in love with each other. I just couldn’t connect.
But the characters themselves, I loved. I thought Arowyn was so strong and funny (calling her bonded dragon “blight” because of her inconvenience to her life was so funny). She channels her trauma into art which I love. And Reave was the typical brooding king but he also wore slutty little glasses that ultimately made him hotter AND he cooks/bakes? A man after my own heart. I also immediately loved Sesca, she in my opinion was the star of this book.
All in all, I am still intrigued enough to know where the rest of the story goes and hopefully have bit more depth into the world and the characters in it.
I wanna thank the author and her team for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!
May 6, 2026
5⭐️ 1🌶️
Gaither has done it AGAIN!! This was SUCH an incredible start to this trilogy!
The lore and world building was well-paced, the characters felt deep and REAL, and the action scenes had me on the edge of my seat! The plot was interesting and twisty, and while some of it was predictable, enough of it wasn’t to feel unique and fresh. I so wasn’t expecting the story to end how it did, so I’m especially looking forward to seeing what happens in book two!
TROPES
Reluctant Allies to Lovers
Dragon Bonds
One Horse and One Bed
The Chosen One
Betrayals
Found Family
Medium Burn
THE WORLD
The magic system is clearly defined slowly throughout the book so the reader can acclimate easily. It wasn’t done in a way that was awkward or random though - every bit of information came perfectly timed and was relevant to the surrounding plot or the lore for what is to come.
The political intrigue was fun and relevant to today’s society (made fun by the fantasy and dragons, of course) and I found the lore and history of Kaldra to be deep and interesting. I think the one thing I wanted a tiny bit more of was the types of jobs that Ashwalkers often took on. They were described as travelers uniting people originally but over time became more of a revenue source than anything else. So I’d love to see more of that timeline and what it looks like in the present time of this story in the next books!
The setting itself was detailed enough, but exceptional at times. When Arowyn was using her bond at some point, the visual of the energies of the elements as strings to be pulled and drawn in was SO vivid I could see it like a movie. I loved the level of detail in it!
THE CHARACTERS
Owyn had a lot of big feelings throughout the book, but every different thing she did managed to feel accurate for her character. I loved learning her backstory and seeing hints as to what happened during Emberfall that caused so much trauma for her. It kept me interested and wanting to learn more. Her growth was also really fun to see as she let down her barriers and found her inner strength. She felt raw and REAL and I loved how the author was able to convey that in this book.
Reave also had a lot of development through his backstory and his relationships with his family and his kingdom. He also got to let his guard down and open up a bit and I loved seeing that. I hope he gets even more growth (and maybe some chapters from his pov) as the trilogy continues!
The side characters were GREAT here! They all had their own backstories and pasts that gave them depth, and their personalities were unique and distinguishable from one another. I liked Kestrel and Briar and Arlo and loved the little found family that grew over time.
THE ROMANCE
I’m a sucker for banter and a man with slutty little glasses! Gaither never misses when it comes to banter, and this book is no different. I LOVED it!
It is hard to execute a true slow burn, especially when people are hoping for declarations of love in book one of a series. I do think this one has a decent burn though, with a good build up of little flirts here and there, some soft moments, and some spicy banter to keep the tension growing. I would ultimately call this a medium burn given that there’s two more books in the trilogy, but it was still fun and steamy and had me hooked!
A HUGE thank you to S M Gaither for the arc!! I’m forever grateful to have read this masterpiece early 🫶🏼
QUOTES:
*quotes are from an Advanced Readers Copy. Please refer to the final publication for official quotes!*
“Irritation burns through me. I'm sure it's a frequent lie told within the walls of this palace-how lazy the ones outside of their kingdom supposedly are. Because vilifying us makes it easier for them to pretend they played no role in our misfortunes, of course.”
“And surviving traumatic things doesn't mean they end; it just means learning to live with them over and over again, in different ways, as they change shape.”
“light can only reach so far on its own. That the spreading of it is not a grand act, but a daily choice, made quietly, again and again, to keep going when it would be easier to put the lantern down and let the flame go out.”
“there is a certain kind of beauty that grows from pain you thought would destroy you. A strength that only comes from falling and being forced to catch yourself on the way down.”
Gaither has done it AGAIN!! This was SUCH an incredible start to this trilogy!
The lore and world building was well-paced, the characters felt deep and REAL, and the action scenes had me on the edge of my seat! The plot was interesting and twisty, and while some of it was predictable, enough of it wasn’t to feel unique and fresh. I so wasn’t expecting the story to end how it did, so I’m especially looking forward to seeing what happens in book two!
TROPES
Reluctant Allies to Lovers
Dragon Bonds
One Horse and One Bed
The Chosen One
Betrayals
Found Family
Medium Burn
THE WORLD
The magic system is clearly defined slowly throughout the book so the reader can acclimate easily. It wasn’t done in a way that was awkward or random though - every bit of information came perfectly timed and was relevant to the surrounding plot or the lore for what is to come.
The political intrigue was fun and relevant to today’s society (made fun by the fantasy and dragons, of course) and I found the lore and history of Kaldra to be deep and interesting. I think the one thing I wanted a tiny bit more of was the types of jobs that Ashwalkers often took on. They were described as travelers uniting people originally but over time became more of a revenue source than anything else. So I’d love to see more of that timeline and what it looks like in the present time of this story in the next books!
The setting itself was detailed enough, but exceptional at times. When Arowyn was using her bond at some point, the visual of the energies of the elements as strings to be pulled and drawn in was SO vivid I could see it like a movie. I loved the level of detail in it!
THE CHARACTERS
Owyn had a lot of big feelings throughout the book, but every different thing she did managed to feel accurate for her character. I loved learning her backstory and seeing hints as to what happened during Emberfall that caused so much trauma for her. It kept me interested and wanting to learn more. Her growth was also really fun to see as she let down her barriers and found her inner strength. She felt raw and REAL and I loved how the author was able to convey that in this book.
Reave also had a lot of development through his backstory and his relationships with his family and his kingdom. He also got to let his guard down and open up a bit and I loved seeing that. I hope he gets even more growth (and maybe some chapters from his pov) as the trilogy continues!
The side characters were GREAT here! They all had their own backstories and pasts that gave them depth, and their personalities were unique and distinguishable from one another. I liked Kestrel and Briar and Arlo and loved the little found family that grew over time.
THE ROMANCE
I’m a sucker for banter and a man with slutty little glasses! Gaither never misses when it comes to banter, and this book is no different. I LOVED it!
It is hard to execute a true slow burn, especially when people are hoping for declarations of love in book one of a series. I do think this one has a decent burn though, with a good build up of little flirts here and there, some soft moments, and some spicy banter to keep the tension growing. I would ultimately call this a medium burn given that there’s two more books in the trilogy, but it was still fun and steamy and had me hooked!
A HUGE thank you to S M Gaither for the arc!! I’m forever grateful to have read this masterpiece early 🫶🏼
QUOTES:
*quotes are from an Advanced Readers Copy. Please refer to the final publication for official quotes!*
“Irritation burns through me. I'm sure it's a frequent lie told within the walls of this palace-how lazy the ones outside of their kingdom supposedly are. Because vilifying us makes it easier for them to pretend they played no role in our misfortunes, of course.”
“And surviving traumatic things doesn't mean they end; it just means learning to live with them over and over again, in different ways, as they change shape.”
“light can only reach so far on its own. That the spreading of it is not a grand act, but a daily choice, made quietly, again and again, to keep going when it would be easier to put the lantern down and let the flame go out.”
“there is a certain kind of beauty that grows from pain you thought would destroy you. A strength that only comes from falling and being forced to catch yourself on the way down.”
June 19, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5 ⭐️)
This book delivers exactly what dragon fantasy fans crave: a fierce heroine, dangerous political intrigue, and a slow-burning romance wrapped in a richly imagined world scarred by the consequences of war. From the opening pages, the concept of dragons as former weapons of mass destruction creates a compelling backdrop that feels both fresh and haunting.
Arowyn Vale is an excellent protagonist—resourceful, stubborn, and shaped by hardship without becoming one-dimensional. Her life as an ashwalker makes her immediately engaging, and watching her transition from a survivor on the fringes of society to a key player in a kingdom's political games is incredibly satisfying. The dragon hatchling steals every scene it appears in, and the bond that develops between it and Arowyn provides some of the story's most emotional moments.
The worldbuilding is one of the novel's greatest strengths. The shattered Empire of Kaldra, the dragon-ravaged wilderness, and the tension between the surviving kingdoms create a setting that feels vast, dangerous, and lived-in. The court of Mouren is equally captivating, filled with secrets, rivalries, and shifting loyalties that keep the stakes high throughout.
King Reave Callahan is a compelling romantic lead, balancing authority, mystery, and vulnerability. The chemistry between him and Arowyn develops naturally, with plenty of tension and emotional payoff. Their relationship never overshadows the larger political and magical conflicts, which helps the story maintain momentum.
The only reason this isn't a full five stars is that some pacing issues emerge in the middle section, where court politics occasionally slow the narrative's otherwise gripping pace. A few supporting characters also could have benefited from deeper development.
Overall, this is an addictive blend of dragon fantasy, political intrigue, and romance with memorable characters and a world you'll want to revisit. If you enjoy powerful dragon bonds, morally complex rulers, and heroines determined to challenge the systems that seek to control them, this book is well worth picking up.
This book delivers exactly what dragon fantasy fans crave: a fierce heroine, dangerous political intrigue, and a slow-burning romance wrapped in a richly imagined world scarred by the consequences of war. From the opening pages, the concept of dragons as former weapons of mass destruction creates a compelling backdrop that feels both fresh and haunting.
Arowyn Vale is an excellent protagonist—resourceful, stubborn, and shaped by hardship without becoming one-dimensional. Her life as an ashwalker makes her immediately engaging, and watching her transition from a survivor on the fringes of society to a key player in a kingdom's political games is incredibly satisfying. The dragon hatchling steals every scene it appears in, and the bond that develops between it and Arowyn provides some of the story's most emotional moments.
The worldbuilding is one of the novel's greatest strengths. The shattered Empire of Kaldra, the dragon-ravaged wilderness, and the tension between the surviving kingdoms create a setting that feels vast, dangerous, and lived-in. The court of Mouren is equally captivating, filled with secrets, rivalries, and shifting loyalties that keep the stakes high throughout.
King Reave Callahan is a compelling romantic lead, balancing authority, mystery, and vulnerability. The chemistry between him and Arowyn develops naturally, with plenty of tension and emotional payoff. Their relationship never overshadows the larger political and magical conflicts, which helps the story maintain momentum.
The only reason this isn't a full five stars is that some pacing issues emerge in the middle section, where court politics occasionally slow the narrative's otherwise gripping pace. A few supporting characters also could have benefited from deeper development.
Overall, this is an addictive blend of dragon fantasy, political intrigue, and romance with memorable characters and a world you'll want to revisit. If you enjoy powerful dragon bonds, morally complex rulers, and heroines determined to challenge the systems that seek to control them, this book is well worth picking up.
June 6, 2026
✨ARC REVIEW✨
This book was pure perfection for me. I DEVOURED this book almost overnight, I just couldn’t put it down!
Honestly, it wasn’t even 100% about the romance for me. Now, is the romance a kick-your-feet-and-squeal romance? Is there delicious banter? Does the MMC bake to reduce stress and have slutty little glasses? Does he give off touch her and die? Why, yes!
HOWEVER, what really did it for me was the female characters.
Arowyn (the FMC) is her own worst enemy and the only thing standing in her way is often herself. She works diligently to face her demons, overcome her pain and trauma, learn to trust herself and those around her, and become the incredible heroine she is. What I love most about her is she doesn’t need anyone. She’s not dependent on others but she knows when to rely on those who care for her and seek support. I love her story of forgiving, accepting, and embracing herself. Not the picture perfect version, but the version with all the scars and jagged pieces 💜
Briar (the BFF) is an incredible friend. She’s funny, witty, supportive, and honest. This is a girl’s girl. She knows how to win basically anyone over but is also a fierce and loyal protector of the people she cares about. I love her for her never ending support of her friend, no questions asked. Arowyn needs her, Briar is there.
Kestral is the sister of the MMC. At first, she comes off as rude and standoffish but you quickly realize that’s the protective layer you need to earn her trust to get past. I found her hilarious in her ability to match Arowyn’s sarcasm and I loved her quick friendship with Briar.
Last but not least, the dragon. Man oh man, she is sassy!! I love how sassy she is and she can certainly hold a grudge! But, she is an unwavering ally and believes in Arowyn when she can’t believe in herself. Never once does she leave her side, even when Arowyn would do essentially anything to get her to leave her alone. Once Arowyn can accept the dragon and herself, they are unstoppable.
I cried not because it was sad (though it was in some parts) but because of the love story to strong women everywhere this represents and the power we can wield if we have the strength to accept ourselves, jagged pieces and all.
Now we fly.
This book was pure perfection for me. I DEVOURED this book almost overnight, I just couldn’t put it down!
Honestly, it wasn’t even 100% about the romance for me. Now, is the romance a kick-your-feet-and-squeal romance? Is there delicious banter? Does the MMC bake to reduce stress and have slutty little glasses? Does he give off touch her and die? Why, yes!
HOWEVER, what really did it for me was the female characters.
Arowyn (the FMC) is her own worst enemy and the only thing standing in her way is often herself. She works diligently to face her demons, overcome her pain and trauma, learn to trust herself and those around her, and become the incredible heroine she is. What I love most about her is she doesn’t need anyone. She’s not dependent on others but she knows when to rely on those who care for her and seek support. I love her story of forgiving, accepting, and embracing herself. Not the picture perfect version, but the version with all the scars and jagged pieces 💜
Briar (the BFF) is an incredible friend. She’s funny, witty, supportive, and honest. This is a girl’s girl. She knows how to win basically anyone over but is also a fierce and loyal protector of the people she cares about. I love her for her never ending support of her friend, no questions asked. Arowyn needs her, Briar is there.
Kestral is the sister of the MMC. At first, she comes off as rude and standoffish but you quickly realize that’s the protective layer you need to earn her trust to get past. I found her hilarious in her ability to match Arowyn’s sarcasm and I loved her quick friendship with Briar.
Last but not least, the dragon. Man oh man, she is sassy!! I love how sassy she is and she can certainly hold a grudge! But, she is an unwavering ally and believes in Arowyn when she can’t believe in herself. Never once does she leave her side, even when Arowyn would do essentially anything to get her to leave her alone. Once Arowyn can accept the dragon and herself, they are unstoppable.
I cried not because it was sad (though it was in some parts) but because of the love story to strong women everywhere this represents and the power we can wield if we have the strength to accept ourselves, jagged pieces and all.
Now we fly.
May 22, 2026
This was an absolute work of art. I love everything SM Gaither writes, but this one still somehow managed to rise above all others and easily is my favorite.
I absolutely loved this story. I literally started this book like a month ago, and after reading the first chapter, I knew I needed to put it down and save it for when I could fully immerse myself, because I just knew it was going to be incredible. And it did not disappoint.
I sunk so fully and deeply into this book. I was captivated by the characters, plot, world, and romance. This book is so incredible bingeable as well. I read about 60% of it in one day and didn’t even feel like that much of the book had gone by.
I loved the dragon in this book. I’m not saying her name because I don’t want to spoil, but she’s a top favorite of mine. The way she throws everything at Owyn that Owyn throws at her makes their relationship so perfect. I can’t wait to see what comes from their bond in book two.
Owyn is an epic fmc. She’s broken, she doesn’t think highly of herself, she has terrible trauma, and she just wants to save the world with as little help as possible. She’s so well developed and relatable. I absolutely loved her, and I really wished she was my friend rather than words on a page.
The romance in this book is incredible! It’s the slow burn romance of my dreams. SM always does an incredible slow burn, but this one was another level. They go from annoying each other on purpose to agreeing to work together for the sake of the world to spending every moment together without even knowing it. I highlighted so many things this man says to her that made me just stop for a minute and bask in the yearning. And the banter was absolutely top tier.
While we have a cliffhanger ending, it left me incredibly satisfied. I’m 10000% still desperate for the next book, but I feel so good about where we left certain parts of the story. I can’t wait to see the epic adventures we get in book two.
Some notable tropes: reluctant allies to lovers, forced proximity, found family, banter banter banter, yearning, slow burn romance, fake dating/pretending, and so much more.
Thank you so much to SM Gaither for sending me a physical arc of this book. All opinions are my own, and I’m going to forever cherish my copy of this book.
I absolutely loved this story. I literally started this book like a month ago, and after reading the first chapter, I knew I needed to put it down and save it for when I could fully immerse myself, because I just knew it was going to be incredible. And it did not disappoint.
I sunk so fully and deeply into this book. I was captivated by the characters, plot, world, and romance. This book is so incredible bingeable as well. I read about 60% of it in one day and didn’t even feel like that much of the book had gone by.
I loved the dragon in this book. I’m not saying her name because I don’t want to spoil, but she’s a top favorite of mine. The way she throws everything at Owyn that Owyn throws at her makes their relationship so perfect. I can’t wait to see what comes from their bond in book two.
Owyn is an epic fmc. She’s broken, she doesn’t think highly of herself, she has terrible trauma, and she just wants to save the world with as little help as possible. She’s so well developed and relatable. I absolutely loved her, and I really wished she was my friend rather than words on a page.
The romance in this book is incredible! It’s the slow burn romance of my dreams. SM always does an incredible slow burn, but this one was another level. They go from annoying each other on purpose to agreeing to work together for the sake of the world to spending every moment together without even knowing it. I highlighted so many things this man says to her that made me just stop for a minute and bask in the yearning. And the banter was absolutely top tier.
While we have a cliffhanger ending, it left me incredibly satisfied. I’m 10000% still desperate for the next book, but I feel so good about where we left certain parts of the story. I can’t wait to see the epic adventures we get in book two.
Some notable tropes: reluctant allies to lovers, forced proximity, found family, banter banter banter, yearning, slow burn romance, fake dating/pretending, and so much more.
Thank you so much to SM Gaither for sending me a physical arc of this book. All opinions are my own, and I’m going to forever cherish my copy of this book.
June 1, 2026
Wow. This was just—so freaking good.
I’ve been tiring of a lot of romantasy lately—too much of the same words in a different font.
Ashwalker, though? It is somehow both packed to the brim of all the tropes and vibes I love without ever ONCE feeling trope-y or rehashed.
Arowyn is the kind of tenacious FMC you dream of following. She’s disabled, but never once lets that hold her back. Brilliant, but human. Stubborn, brash, and fiercely protective of the people she loves.
Raeve, on the other hand, is a quietly complex, ruthlessly charming, fatally down-bad man. Big time Dorian Havilliard vibes, with every bit of the rizz. His lines absolutely destroyed me.
They banter. They bicker. They absolutely infuriate one another. And I just GOBBLED it up.
Also:
💍Incredible witty dialogue, in every character interaction
⚔️ Scene-stealing side characters
🐉 Dragons used in a way that feels so different from a lot of dragon-heavy romantasy
💙 So many brilliant messages about empowerment
✨Plot twists that hit and an ending that leaves you desperate for the next book
Easy 5 ⭐️ and a must-read for anyone who wants something NEW.
I’ve been tiring of a lot of romantasy lately—too much of the same words in a different font.
Ashwalker, though? It is somehow both packed to the brim of all the tropes and vibes I love without ever ONCE feeling trope-y or rehashed.
Arowyn is the kind of tenacious FMC you dream of following. She’s disabled, but never once lets that hold her back. Brilliant, but human. Stubborn, brash, and fiercely protective of the people she loves.
Raeve, on the other hand, is a quietly complex, ruthlessly charming, fatally down-bad man. Big time Dorian Havilliard vibes, with every bit of the rizz. His lines absolutely destroyed me.
They banter. They bicker. They absolutely infuriate one another. And I just GOBBLED it up.
Also:
💍Incredible witty dialogue, in every character interaction
⚔️ Scene-stealing side characters
🐉 Dragons used in a way that feels so different from a lot of dragon-heavy romantasy
💙 So many brilliant messages about empowerment
✨Plot twists that hit and an ending that leaves you desperate for the next book
Easy 5 ⭐️ and a must-read for anyone who wants something NEW.
June 16, 2026
Ashwalker by S.M. Gaither
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
4.5 stars
Gaither understood the assignment when it came to enemies-to-lovers. Not the usual “he frowned at her once and now they’re soulmates” enemies-to-lovers but ACTUAL genuine, “I would gladly throw you off a cliff” levels of hostility that slowly, painfully transform into something much more dangerous. Add dragons, court intrigue, ancient magic, and enough tension to keep me turning pages far too late at night, and I was completely hooked. Arowyn and Reave’s relationship felt earned after fighting every step of the way. Every stolen glance and reluctant alliance hit that much harder.
What surprised me the most was how emotionally invested I became. I came for the dragons and the fantasy politics, but somewhere along the way I became deeply attached to these characters and their messy, complicated choices. The world building is rich and the dragon bond storyline added exactly the kind of stakes I love. Every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, Gaither found a way to raise the tension another notch.
Then came that final chapter. Excuse me, Gaither, but I was not prepared to be emotionally ambushed like that. I finished the book with tears in my eyes, stared at the wall for a few minutes, and immediately started looking for information about book two. The ending managed to be satisfying and devastating at the same time, which is apparently my favorite kind of suffering. If the next installment delivers even half the emotional payoff that this one did, I’ll be first in line to read it.
Thank you to the author for the digital advance reader copy
Publish date: June 16, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
4.5 stars
Gaither understood the assignment when it came to enemies-to-lovers. Not the usual “he frowned at her once and now they’re soulmates” enemies-to-lovers but ACTUAL genuine, “I would gladly throw you off a cliff” levels of hostility that slowly, painfully transform into something much more dangerous. Add dragons, court intrigue, ancient magic, and enough tension to keep me turning pages far too late at night, and I was completely hooked. Arowyn and Reave’s relationship felt earned after fighting every step of the way. Every stolen glance and reluctant alliance hit that much harder.
What surprised me the most was how emotionally invested I became. I came for the dragons and the fantasy politics, but somewhere along the way I became deeply attached to these characters and their messy, complicated choices. The world building is rich and the dragon bond storyline added exactly the kind of stakes I love. Every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, Gaither found a way to raise the tension another notch.
Then came that final chapter. Excuse me, Gaither, but I was not prepared to be emotionally ambushed like that. I finished the book with tears in my eyes, stared at the wall for a few minutes, and immediately started looking for information about book two. The ending managed to be satisfying and devastating at the same time, which is apparently my favorite kind of suffering. If the next installment delivers even half the emotional payoff that this one did, I’ll be first in line to read it.
Thank you to the author for the digital advance reader copy
Publish date: June 16, 2026
June 18, 2026
4.25 ⭐️ 2🌶️
Dragons! Secrets! Curses! Enemy to Lovers!!!!!
Okay I went in with very high expectations because I have loved SMs other books and knowing this had DRAGONS?! Sold.
This was an amazing foundation for the trilogy. We learn alongside our FMC about the lore and magic. I never felt confused or overwhelmed. Everything tied in nicely. The magic in this world was typical dragon lore but with a twist AND I ATE IT UP. I was so invested anytime the dragons came into the scene! Theres a good amount of world building. So much ancient history and political tension.
Arowyn is our FMC and her world is turned upside down. I loved that whenever she got knocked down she would get back up. I know we love a strong fmc but sometimes i wanted to smack her a little 😂. We do get some great character growth though where she learns her value. Reave has a reputation that follows him but also a secret passed down from his ancestors. I loved him the moment I met him. He’s a cinnamon roll in hiding. The banter between these two was my favorite. They have some really sweet vulnerable moments I loved.
The found family was so well done. Arlo and his innocence warmed my heart 😭. Briar always being there for Arowyn was so special.
There were so many moments that I gasped from revelations I did not see coming AT ALL! Shocked me entirely. The ending was so insane and broke my little heart but also I am very mad 😩. Definitely a cliffhanger.
Things I didn’t love. The spice didn’t quite hit like I was hoping. Their dialogue during these scenes threw me off a bit. I think it lacked a little more swoon. Specially because our mmc is clearly obsessed.
Very excited for everyone to read this and for the next book!
What an honor to be selected for the physical ARC! 😭 please know my opinions are still my own.
Dragons! Secrets! Curses! Enemy to Lovers!!!!!
Okay I went in with very high expectations because I have loved SMs other books and knowing this had DRAGONS?! Sold.
This was an amazing foundation for the trilogy. We learn alongside our FMC about the lore and magic. I never felt confused or overwhelmed. Everything tied in nicely. The magic in this world was typical dragon lore but with a twist AND I ATE IT UP. I was so invested anytime the dragons came into the scene! Theres a good amount of world building. So much ancient history and political tension.
Arowyn is our FMC and her world is turned upside down. I loved that whenever she got knocked down she would get back up. I know we love a strong fmc but sometimes i wanted to smack her a little 😂. We do get some great character growth though where she learns her value. Reave has a reputation that follows him but also a secret passed down from his ancestors. I loved him the moment I met him. He’s a cinnamon roll in hiding. The banter between these two was my favorite. They have some really sweet vulnerable moments I loved.
The found family was so well done. Arlo and his innocence warmed my heart 😭. Briar always being there for Arowyn was so special.
There were so many moments that I gasped from revelations I did not see coming AT ALL! Shocked me entirely. The ending was so insane and broke my little heart but also I am very mad 😩. Definitely a cliffhanger.
Things I didn’t love. The spice didn’t quite hit like I was hoping. Their dialogue during these scenes threw me off a bit. I think it lacked a little more swoon. Specially because our mmc is clearly obsessed.
Very excited for everyone to read this and for the next book!
What an honor to be selected for the physical ARC! 😭 please know my opinions are still my own.
April 24, 2026
Beta read
RTC once arcs are out in the world.
I’m obsessed!!
RTC once arcs are out in the world.
I’m obsessed!!
June 9, 2026
I have nothing but praise for Ashwalker! I love how seamlessly the worldbuilding is woven into the story. Seriously, I often find this part of fantasy novels overwhelming due to chronic brain fog, but not this time. The plot and character development, along with the breadcrumbs about the dragons, the bonded, the curse—chef's kiss!
The writing pulled me in, and without even realizing it, I blinked and found myself more invested in the characters than I realized. The connection snuck up on me, and bam, I was done for!
Owyn is such a resilient character who literally goes through fire and becomes stronger over time. Despite everything thrown her way, she doesn’t give up, using the need for revenge and the desire to right wrongs to fuel her every move. If only she knew the truth. Reaven’s keeping secrets, and he just wants to heal his family and fix his kingdom. As truths are unraveled, my heart hurt for the unfair hand he and his siblings have been dealt.
The found-family vibes are strong, and I need more Owyn, Reave, Arlow, Briar, and Kestrel. Each one snuck into my heart, and I feel an overwhelming desire to protect them from the curse and the evil in their midst.
Ashwalker left me an emotional mess. After finishing, I literally stared off into space, contemplating what I’d read; then, out of nowhere, I started crying. I can’t recall ever feeling so emotionally vulnerable and wrecked after reading a first book in a series. Leading up to the final pages, I kept my emotions in check, expecting a painful cliffhanger, but none came. However, the ending still surprised me, which was when I let the cathartic tears flow.
This one tugged hard on my heartstrings, and even days later, it’s taking up a whole lot of head and heart space. Five stars. No notes. Cue the massive book hangover.
𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫...
"𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒐, 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆."
"𝑰'𝒎 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆."
"𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒆𝒕, 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆."
"𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆?"
"𝑰'𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒕." 😂😂😂
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝕃𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤 & ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤:
"𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆. 𝑺𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏...𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔."
"...𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆."
"𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆... 𝑰𝒕 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰'𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕."
"𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆. 𝑰'𝒎 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 ���𝒐𝒘. 𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒇*𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝑨𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒚𝒏. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒇*𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆."
"𝑨𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌."
𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒘, 𝑰 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒕. 𝑳𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕. 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚.
"𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒆. 𝑵𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒔𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒕𝒐."
𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔.
I’m not sure if my review does Ashwalker justice, so I’ll end by saying, read this book, now. You won’t regret it!
Initial review 6/5:
I have nothing but praise for Ashwalker. I need to gather my thoughts before posting my review.
I will say, after that ending, I stared at the wall a bit, then cried. I didn't tear up; I cried, which is practically unheard of for me to do after a first book in a series. I think it was due to all the pent-up emotions I kept control of throughout the book. They continued to build up, and after that unexpected ending, which surprised me, the tears came.
For those of you who know me, if a book makes me feel all the emotions, especially if it makes me cry, I'm giving it five stars.
The writing pulled me in, and without even realizing it, I blinked and found myself more invested in the characters than I realized. The connection snuck up on me, and bam, I was done for!
Owyn is such a resilient character who literally goes through fire and becomes stronger over time. Despite everything thrown her way, she doesn’t give up, using the need for revenge and the desire to right wrongs to fuel her every move. If only she knew the truth. Reaven’s keeping secrets, and he just wants to heal his family and fix his kingdom. As truths are unraveled, my heart hurt for the unfair hand he and his siblings have been dealt.
The found-family vibes are strong, and I need more Owyn, Reave, Arlow, Briar, and Kestrel. Each one snuck into my heart, and I feel an overwhelming desire to protect them from the curse and the evil in their midst.
Ashwalker left me an emotional mess. After finishing, I literally stared off into space, contemplating what I’d read; then, out of nowhere, I started crying. I can’t recall ever feeling so emotionally vulnerable and wrecked after reading a first book in a series. Leading up to the final pages, I kept my emotions in check, expecting a painful cliffhanger, but none came. However, the ending still surprised me, which was when I let the cathartic tears flow.
This one tugged hard on my heartstrings, and even days later, it’s taking up a whole lot of head and heart space. Five stars. No notes. Cue the massive book hangover.
𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫...
"𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏'𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒐, 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆."
"𝑰'𝒎 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆."
"𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒆𝒕, 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆."
"𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆?"
"𝑰'𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒊𝒕." 😂😂😂
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝕃𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤 & ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤:
"𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆. 𝑺𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏...𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔."
"...𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆."
"𝑵𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆... 𝑰𝒕 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔. 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝑰'𝒎 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕."
"𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆. 𝑰'𝒎 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 ���𝒐𝒘. 𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒇*𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝑨𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒚𝒏. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒇*𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆."
"𝑨𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝑰 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒎 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌."
𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒘, 𝑰 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒕. 𝑳𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕. 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚.
"𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒆. 𝑵𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒔𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒕𝒐."
𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔.
I’m not sure if my review does Ashwalker justice, so I’ll end by saying, read this book, now. You won’t regret it!
Initial review 6/5:
I have nothing but praise for Ashwalker. I need to gather my thoughts before posting my review.
I will say, after that ending, I stared at the wall a bit, then cried. I didn't tear up; I cried, which is practically unheard of for me to do after a first book in a series. I think it was due to all the pent-up emotions I kept control of throughout the book. They continued to build up, and after that unexpected ending, which surprised me, the tears came.
For those of you who know me, if a book makes me feel all the emotions, especially if it makes me cry, I'm giving it five stars.
June 6, 2026
5 ⭐️
🌶️.5
1st person POV (FMC)
Book 1 of trilogy
This book hit all of my checkmarks and more! Ashwalker completely swept me away from the very first chapter. From the dragons, the magic, the political intrigue, and the incredibly written characters this is everything I want in a romantasy!
Arowyn (FMC) was actually compelling and not annoying like some FMC’s are in other romantasy books. Her journey through grief, trauma, and self worth felt so genuine. As readers we get to see her slowly learn to trust herself and others, and this was one of my favorite parts of the story. Her bond with Blight absolutely stole my heart. Blight was also one of my favorite characters, but I won’t say why because I don’t want to spoil the story.
And then there’s Reave (MMC). A grumpy king with hidden depths, endless yearning, sharp banter, and a surprisingly soft heart. Every interaction between him and Arowyn had me kicking my feet and desperate for more. The yearning from this man was just *chef’s kiss*!
“Jealous, even now, when you clearly have me in your hold?”
“But do I?” A pause, then: “Do I have you?”
“There is no length of time I wouldn’t endure,” he says against my lips, his hands cradling my face. “No choice you could make, and no distance that could possibly matter, so long as you come home to me whenever you’re ready to.” -Raeve
The worldbuilding was immersive without ever feeling overwhelming. I loved uncovering the lore alongside Arowyn. The dragons, ancient history, and political tensions kept me completely invested. The found family dynamics were also perfection, as every relationship felt meaningful and added so much heart to the story.
But what truly sold this book for me were the twists. Every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, it surprised me. And that ending?!!!Absolutely devastating in the best way… I finished the final page staring at the wall, wondering how I’m supposed to survive until book two.
Tropes + atmosphere:
Enemies to lovers
He falls first
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Yearning
Found family
One horse
Dragons
Magical bonds
Sassy dragon
Loads of banter
Political intrigue
If you love dragons, slow burns, magical bonds, found family, emotional character growth, and enough yearning to make your heart hurt, then Ashwalker needs to be on your TBR immediately!
A huge thank you to author S.M. Gaither for the gifted physical ARC!
🌶️.5
1st person POV (FMC)
Book 1 of trilogy
This book hit all of my checkmarks and more! Ashwalker completely swept me away from the very first chapter. From the dragons, the magic, the political intrigue, and the incredibly written characters this is everything I want in a romantasy!
Arowyn (FMC) was actually compelling and not annoying like some FMC’s are in other romantasy books. Her journey through grief, trauma, and self worth felt so genuine. As readers we get to see her slowly learn to trust herself and others, and this was one of my favorite parts of the story. Her bond with Blight absolutely stole my heart. Blight was also one of my favorite characters, but I won’t say why because I don’t want to spoil the story.
And then there’s Reave (MMC). A grumpy king with hidden depths, endless yearning, sharp banter, and a surprisingly soft heart. Every interaction between him and Arowyn had me kicking my feet and desperate for more. The yearning from this man was just *chef’s kiss*!
“Jealous, even now, when you clearly have me in your hold?”
“But do I?” A pause, then: “Do I have you?”
“There is no length of time I wouldn’t endure,” he says against my lips, his hands cradling my face. “No choice you could make, and no distance that could possibly matter, so long as you come home to me whenever you’re ready to.” -Raeve
The worldbuilding was immersive without ever feeling overwhelming. I loved uncovering the lore alongside Arowyn. The dragons, ancient history, and political tensions kept me completely invested. The found family dynamics were also perfection, as every relationship felt meaningful and added so much heart to the story.
But what truly sold this book for me were the twists. Every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, it surprised me. And that ending?!!!Absolutely devastating in the best way… I finished the final page staring at the wall, wondering how I’m supposed to survive until book two.
Tropes + atmosphere:
Enemies to lovers
He falls first
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Yearning
Found family
One horse
Dragons
Magical bonds
Sassy dragon
Loads of banter
Political intrigue
If you love dragons, slow burns, magical bonds, found family, emotional character growth, and enough yearning to make your heart hurt, then Ashwalker needs to be on your TBR immediately!
A huge thank you to author S.M. Gaither for the gifted physical ARC!
June 8, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
When I saw S.M. Gaither has a new book coming with DRAGONS my brain short circuited because I was already obsessed before I knew details 🤭
And I’m happy to report that I ate this up!
From the very first chapters, I was completely in. The writing immediately grabbed me, the FMC was easy to root for, and her banter with her best friend was everything. Every conversation between them was a delight and honestly? I’d read a whole book of just those two causing problems together.
But can we talk about the LORE?!
Because wow. Every time this book revealed something new about the world or the magic or the DRAGONS, I was glued to the page. Give me secrets, history, legends, mysteries, and dragons, and I’m happy. This book gave me all of it, but in a way I really enjoyed. Never did it feel overwhelming or like info dumping. Instead it was woven naturally into the development of the story and I enjoy that a lot.
And the writing? SO GOOD. I highlighted an embarrassing number of passages because some lines just hit so hard. There were so many moments where I had to stop and reread a paragraph because it captured something so perfectly.
I loved watching all the relationships unfold, but the real winner for me was the dragon. I have a weakness for sassy animal companions, and this book knew exactly what it was doing.
Then those final chapters happened.
THEY. WERE. SO. GOOD.
I was gasping. I was grinning. I was fully seated for every reveal and every twist the story threw at me. The stakes kept rising, the story kept getting better, and by the end I was desperate for the next book.
And that “Now we fly” moment? 😱
CHILLS.
Trust me. You’ll know exactly what I mean when you get there.
If you’re looking for a dragon fantasy packed with incredible lore, great banter, mystery, heart, and a dragon you’ll become emotionally attached to, pick this one up immediately.
Thank you so much to S.M. Gaither for making dreams come true and sending me a physical ARC of this. All opinions are my own.
When I saw S.M. Gaither has a new book coming with DRAGONS my brain short circuited because I was already obsessed before I knew details 🤭
And I’m happy to report that I ate this up!
From the very first chapters, I was completely in. The writing immediately grabbed me, the FMC was easy to root for, and her banter with her best friend was everything. Every conversation between them was a delight and honestly? I’d read a whole book of just those two causing problems together.
But can we talk about the LORE?!
Because wow. Every time this book revealed something new about the world or the magic or the DRAGONS, I was glued to the page. Give me secrets, history, legends, mysteries, and dragons, and I’m happy. This book gave me all of it, but in a way I really enjoyed. Never did it feel overwhelming or like info dumping. Instead it was woven naturally into the development of the story and I enjoy that a lot.
And the writing? SO GOOD. I highlighted an embarrassing number of passages because some lines just hit so hard. There were so many moments where I had to stop and reread a paragraph because it captured something so perfectly.
I loved watching all the relationships unfold, but the real winner for me was the dragon. I have a weakness for sassy animal companions, and this book knew exactly what it was doing.
Then those final chapters happened.
THEY. WERE. SO. GOOD.
I was gasping. I was grinning. I was fully seated for every reveal and every twist the story threw at me. The stakes kept rising, the story kept getting better, and by the end I was desperate for the next book.
And that “Now we fly” moment? 😱
CHILLS.
Trust me. You’ll know exactly what I mean when you get there.
If you’re looking for a dragon fantasy packed with incredible lore, great banter, mystery, heart, and a dragon you’ll become emotionally attached to, pick this one up immediately.
Thank you so much to S.M. Gaither for making dreams come true and sending me a physical ARC of this. All opinions are my own.
June 21, 2026
This was a thrilling fantasy book! It was great seeing the dragon as a true companion instead of the eventual love interest too. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes in the next book!
Our MFC is a retriever mercenary of lost goods from the remains of a demolished village. She goes out and finds lost items for money to help keep the remaining people in what remains of the town alive and thriving. She stumbles upon a dragon in a cage and gets the weird feeling to free it. After she does, she can't bring herself to kill it even though dragons are the reason her first village burned. This leads to her getting taken by the king who has an interest in the dragon that was following her.
There were a lot of twists and turns in this story. Just as you get past one shock, another drops. I loved the pacing between the love interests, the slow forged bond with the dragon, and unique friendships that formed with a lot of the other characters. It felt more genuine and earned.
Overall, this was a great book for fantasy and romance lovers. It has some spicy scenes but I wouldn't consider book 1 a spicy book in general. Triggers and warning due apply.
I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Our MFC is a retriever mercenary of lost goods from the remains of a demolished village. She goes out and finds lost items for money to help keep the remaining people in what remains of the town alive and thriving. She stumbles upon a dragon in a cage and gets the weird feeling to free it. After she does, she can't bring herself to kill it even though dragons are the reason her first village burned. This leads to her getting taken by the king who has an interest in the dragon that was following her.
There were a lot of twists and turns in this story. Just as you get past one shock, another drops. I loved the pacing between the love interests, the slow forged bond with the dragon, and unique friendships that formed with a lot of the other characters. It felt more genuine and earned.
Overall, this was a great book for fantasy and romance lovers. It has some spicy scenes but I wouldn't consider book 1 a spicy book in general. Triggers and warning due apply.
I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 782 reviews