Ashwalker

The Emberfall Trilogy #1

by S.M. Gaither

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Romantasy, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Magic, Fantasy Romance

578 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 14, 2026

About the author

I 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.

Reviews

[karouzaa ۶ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

╰┈➤ 🔥 : ashwalker ★★★☆☆ ⋆˙⟡

☆ ── ꒰ 📖 “not every fire is meant to burn forever. some are only meant to leave behind ashes.” ꒱ ❞ ‧₊˚

𖥻 my thoughts 🐉 ₊˚⊹ ᰔ

i’m actually so sad this wasn’t a new favourite because this book had EVERYTHING that should’ve worked for me😭. dragons, fantasy, magic, curses, a brooding king… like hello?? this literally sounds like something i would’ve become obsessed with🙈.

the beginning was definitely slow, but i didn’t really mind because i thought it was setting everything up for something amazing🌙. around the 20% mark i actually started getting invested. i wanted to know more about the dragons, the curse, and where the story was going, so i genuinely thought i was about to love it. and then i reached around the halfway mark🥲.

i got to 46% and realised i was spending more time looking at how many pages i had left than actually enjoying what i was reading😭. i HATE when that happens because that’s usually when i know a book has officially lost me.

my biggest issue was definitely the romance💔.

everyone kept calling this a slow burn and i was SO excited because that’s literally one of my favourite tropes🙂‍↕️. but honestly… i fear we have very different definitions of slow burn😭.

i could already feel the attraction between arowyn and reave almost immediately. i kept asking myself why he was already helping her so much and why there already seemed to be feelings involved before i had even gotten attached to either of them. i wanted more longing, more tension, more “i absolutely cannot fall for you.” instead, it felt more like insta-attraction with a slow plot than an actual slow burn.

i also found the plot becoming a little predictable😓. maybe i’ve just read too much fantasy at this point, but i could see a lot of things coming before they happened, which made it harder for me to stay invested.

the worldbuilding definitely had potential🐉✨. i liked the dragons, the curse, and the overall concept, but i kept waiting for everything to fully pull me in… and it just never happened. i wanted more depth because the ideas themselves were genuinely interesting.

𖥻 characters ⚔️ ౨ৎ˚₊‧ִֶ

⋆˙⟡ arowyn 🏹

. ❥ ּ֯ ┆꒰ “sometimes surviving is its own kind of victory.” ꒱

i actually really liked arowyn🥹🌷.
she was probably my favourite part of the book. i loved watching her train, become stronger, and slowly gain confidence in herself. she felt determined, realistic, and easy to root for.

i just wish we had gotten another pov because after a while i felt like i was reading the same thoughts over and over again😭. i think another perspective would’ve made the story feel much more exciting.

⋆˙⟡ reave 👑

. ❥ ּ֯ ┆꒰ “even kings carry burdens they never speak aloud.” ꒱

this man had EVERYTHING going for him🙈.

brooding king.
wears glasses.
BAKES.

i was fully prepared to add another fictional man to my collection, and somehow it just… never happened🥲. i never really fell in love with him, which honestly surprised me more than anything because he had so much potential.

⋆˙⟡ arowyn + reave 🐉

this romance honestly made me the saddest💔. i wanted to be giggling every time they looked at each other. i wanted to kick my feet over tiny moments and slowly become obsessed with them. instead… i just never felt it😭.

their chemistry wasn’t awful, but i never felt the emotional connection. i wanted to watch them slowly fall in love, but it felt like the attraction got there before i did.

₊⁺ 𖥻 overall 🧺 ⋆.˚୨ৎ

this definitely isn’t a bad book🌷i actually had fun with parts of it, especially at the beginning, and i can absolutely understand why people love this series💐. it just wasn’t the fantasy romance i was hoping for.

i’m mostly disappointed because this had SO much potential, and i genuinely thought i was about to find another favourite. unfortunately, by the halfway point i just wasn’t excited anymore, and i didn’t love the romance enough to keep going.

maybe one day i’ll come back to it… but for now, i’m leaving this trilogy here and hoping my next fantasy read completely steals my heart instead🐉💫.

⋆.˚ ★— started: July 7
finished: dnf at 46% 📖💔
₊˚⊹౨ৎ ₊˚⊹

* ୨୧ • 🐉🔥 pre-read

the second i read the blurb i was completely sold.
dragons are already enough to get me interested, but then i read that the king looks at her with both danger and desire… yeah i’m sat.

i honestly have no clue what this book is gonna be like, but it sounds exactly like the kind of fantasy i’m in the mood for. please let this be as good as i’m imagining because i’m actually so excited. ✨

[Roxy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every chapter, I held my breath thinking," ok now it's going to lose the plot, and I'll hate it", even as I INHALED the book, fell in love with the characters, the dragon, the fantasy world, I STILL waited to dislike it. NEVER DID WOOOOH. Oh my god, I enjoyed every page of this book. It had everything I wanted in my last read ( Glow of the Everflame). The training didn't take over the whole plot; the romance was just right- not too much forced yearning just for the sake of it; it was the right pace, and AAA I loved the flirty bits. THE DRAGON, I love bonded dragon tropes, and this one was so well written. I enjoyed the return of Mal, asshole, though fr. I loved the ending, different and unique.


I had so many more thoughts when I finished the book cuz I loved it sm ( thus forcing Clace to read it ). I DON'T REMEMBER what else I had to say hah....

[meggthereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!*

What to expect:

• Strong but flawed heroine
• Slow burn
• Forced proximity
• Magic bonds with sassy dragons
• So. Much. Banter.
• Enemies to lovers


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,”

[Iqra]

I need a win guys pray for me

[kitkat (vacation era ♡︎)]

pre-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

[ciana · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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.”

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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**

[AndaReadsTooMuch · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!)

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Rochelle ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

────────────────────

˖⁺‧₊♡ 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

[m y r · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[RedFireLady Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️
1.25🌶

Well, well, well! This definitely helped cure my romantasy reading slump. I devoured this in less than 24 hours!

What's inside:
- Enemies-to-lovers
- Grief
- Forced Proximity
- Banter
- He Falls First
- Slow Burn
- Dragons & Dragon Bonds
- Found Family
- Secrets & Betrayal
- Stolen Magic
- Cursed

-- “What are you reading?”
“A How-To Guide on Dealing With Exasperating Women,” he says without looking up.
“Learning any lessons?”
“Apparently not.” --

Ashwalker lived up to the hype, with the characters and banter making this book a truly enjoyable read. S.M. Gaither built a detailed world around complex characters, threw is an interesting storyline, mixed in some yearning and banter and is all hooked me in right from the start. I went into this pretty well blind, not really knowing what it was about, and found mysef pleasantly surprised with how much I loved it.

I enjoy watching an already tough FMC come into her power and decide to be the woman she needs to be, even when that is different from whom she expected to become. Arowyn doesn't need saving, as she points out numerous times, she's sassy and determined and she doesn't wait around for other people to make things happen.

The way Raeve find himself falling for the woman that was supposed to be a tool for him, the yearning and the tension had me on the edge of my seat waiting for it all to boil over. I love how complex he is and how it really takes some time to figure out if he is truly evil, or just a tad morally grey.

-- “You’re going to hurt yourself if you don’t stop.”
“What if I do?” I snarl. “What does it matter? You can just find another weapon to use, another sword to swing at your enemies.” I jerk away. Hard. I’m dizzy, the world is tilting, and I end up on my hands and knees.
“I don’t want another one,” I hear Reave mutter as he kneels beside me—though I wonder if I’ve misheard him, because it seems like a stupid thing to say. --

I had some suspicions, but I did not fully see that plot twist coming. I will absolutely be sticking around to read the rest if this series, and can't wait to see how it all plays out! If you enjoy romantasy books with a slow burn enemies-to-lovers story, with a tough FMC, banter and an "is he evil or is he a cinnamon roll" MMC, then this is definitely a book that I would highly recommend for you!

[Déirdre · Rating 5 out of 5]

✔️Slow burn
✔️Forced Proximity
✔️He Falls First
✔️Enemies-to-Lovers
✔️Found Family
✔️Dragons

I loved everything about this book. I literally could not put it down! Great plot, great world building, the writing was amazing. There was slow burn, yearning, tension, banter. The last 10% had me on the edge of my seat. I wanted to keep reading but also didn't know if I could at times, because I was that worried about what might happen next. 100% recommend!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Jenny Lampe · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Julie Banks · Rating 4 out of 5]

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. 🫶🏻

[The Wicked Chicken · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 40%

*clears throat, cue David Attenborough voice*

“Here we observe a promising fantasy novel in its natural habitat. Unfortunately, it has wandered too close to the Bad Trope Swamp. Note the emergence of the Smirking Male. A tragic but common sight. Rehabilitation efforts for the genre have thus far proven unsuccessful.”

*Ahem* Anyway…

I admit, I sneered at the description of the book because it sounded like every other derivative romantasy drivel currently on the market, and then decided “what the hell” to reading it because it was free on Kindle Unlimited. And I was PLEASANTLY SURPRISED at first because I liked Arowyn—she was disfigured, had a healthy female friendship, and an entire identity outside of a man. This didn't feel like a copy-paste story even though it shares many elements with other books in the genre.

That all went out the window the moment Reave shows up.

I was hoping for something different. Instead, he’s just another smug romantasy man that invades personal space, uses power imbalance and coercion to isolate the FMC, finds her threats amusing, sexualizes conflict, turns valid anger into banter, has Secrets™, and whom the narration repeatedly points out as hot.

Because gods forbid the narration doesn’t incessantly point out that he’s attractive; we the reader might forget that he’s the love interest.

Can we please quit insisting that physical attraction is the only path to romance? Let’s shake it up a little. Maybe try some trust first before lathering the characters in sexual tension and lingering on physical appearance. No? Too much to ask? Fine... continue to bake up shallow romance while telling me it's deep. I don't have a problem chucking it out to the raccoons.
Attraction should be earned through mutual vulnerability and emotional safety. Not the other way around.
And don't get me wrong, Reave can be hot. That's FINE. We can make objective notes on it once or twice. But if the narration keeps framing his appearance through an obviously romantic lens before there's any trust between the characters, then you're undermining Arowyn's "I hate him/I don't trust him" angle.

And, IDGAF that Reave bakes and wears glasses. That’s a hobby and a fashion choice not a personality. He's still just a romantasy starter pack dude. Let me guess. He’s actually a sweetie under all that asshole varnish and secretly obsessed with Arowyn? Riveting. Obsession does not replace actual relationship development and I’m so tired of reading romance that makes the heroine scrape the asshole outer layer off the male character. It’s not romantic.
QUIT TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT IT IS.
Give me a man that is sincere and kind from the get-go. No seriously. Imagine how destabilizing that would have been to Arowyn’s worldview if she met Reave thinking his whole family were monsters and then was immediately confronted by the fact that she was wrong.
But noooo, we have to have smirks and innuendo and Reave taking Arowyn's VALID rage and turning it into stupid banter instead of anything of actual substance.

For a minute, I was thinking the author was doing something smart—using Reave as a red herring and that Gareth was going to be the actual love interest. Because Gareth was the only one spending any real time with Arowyn. He was training her, having actual CONVERSATIONS with her, looking at her AWESTRUCK and REVERENTLY when she made progress on her bond. I don't know what happens with him, but I was getting so nervous from the constant ogling of Reave that I intentionally spoiled the ending for myself. SURPRISE. Auburn-haired Rhysand is in fact the love interest. Silly me for forgetting what genre I was reading.

And slow-burn where? Where my loves? WHERE IS IT? Because if there’s instant attraction and romantic framing, then it’s not a slow burn, it’s an inferno held behind plot walls with a big fat “delayed gratification” label. Not the same. Fight me.
And by 40%, Arowyn and Reave have had no meaningful interaction, just stupid-fucking-banter and him being coercive, and her perception of him has changed ZERO. She sees him as the same attractive, smug, entitled asshole that he was at first meet. And after spoiling the end I know the first kiss happens at 75%. So, that's what, only 35% of the book to try and make that kiss feel earned?? Boo. Tomato. Tomato. 🍅
That's not a slow burn, that's a speedrun.
This man has been in the story since the 15% mark. That's 60% of the book before the kiss happens! Why TF did the author not utilize all that page time to build an actual foundation for the relationship that's not made of devastating eyewear and jaw lines??

I’m MAD, because I was otherwise enjoying the story. I liked the other characters, the writing, the plot, the dragons, I was suspicious of the ex-fiancé thing—but I’m a stickler for earned romance and desperate for a different type of man to be propped up as desirable, and this failed miserably on both fronts.

I thought this was going to be a bright spot amidst all the romantasy trash that’s out there. Now I’m wishing there'd been no romance at all. 😑 Such a shame because this might have been a 4 or 5 star read for me.

[Anita]

"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.

[Troi Stith · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Nat ~ Pitucareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (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.

[Ashley R · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.”

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Cassie Nosko · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ "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 🥺

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️

[Magg · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.”

[Haleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a unique take on dragons and for that reason alone it's a really good book. The history and depth to the world was extremely nice, and again it's not your typical dragon bonding world. It's definitely nothing extremely new, but it's also not the same dragon drivel we see everywhere else. The politics and the way the world functions really helped this book shine.

HOWEVER

I wish we got more of our FMC as an ashwalker. I feel she got pulled out of her life way too quickly and we got to the dreaded "stuck in a kings castle" trope way too quickly. I was invested when she was on her own doing her thing as an ashwalker. Annnnnd thennnnnnnn she's just *vibing in a castle playing dress up with a king* gah really a missed opportunity considering the rest of the plot up to that point was really good.

Though the BANTER was AMAZING, I feel the slow burn just wasn't burning slow enough for me. They had instant attraction, and yes they both talked a big game (see the amazing banter) it just didn't feel r e a l. Does that make sense? It was flirtatious banter off the rip, rather than "I legitimately want to kill you because to my knowledge you're responsible for the deaths of thousands of people in my town and the slumlife of everyone else while you live lasciviously in a castle". Just again a missed opportunity. Furthermore, I didn't really get.....romance from them. They read more like best friends than lovers. That's not to say you can't be in love with your best friend, but these two just give off friendzone vibes.

Our MMC has alllllll the good traits. Glasses. Love for his little siblings. Yearning. The MOUTH ON HIM. HE BAKES. (Emphasis on the last one)......but I wasn't really in love with him? He honestly kind of bored me. Along those same lines, though I love a strong independent FMC that takes no shit (literally my favorite FMC) once she got in that fucking castle she was basically reduced to a lovesick puppy pining after a king.

The ending was really good, and again the way the dragons function are unique and the world is interesting. The plot was good and entertaining (sans the stuck in a castle).

Overall a good read, wish it was better cause plot wise this could've been one of my favorites all time, but the other details reduced it down to a good read instead of a great one. Could've been way worse.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arowyn Vale is one of few who does dangerous smuggling as an Ashwalker. She does it to survive in a world destroyed by war, where she lost both her parents and her loved one. When Arowyn saves a dying dragon hatchling on a mission she gets King Reave Callahan's attention. Earlier his people had a powerful magic connected to the dragons, but it's fading. So when Arowyn shows a bond to the hatchling Reave takes her - and the dragon - to his court - against her will.

Once again Gaither confirms that she's one of my favorite authors! Her world building, characters and writing makes her books a pleasure to read - every time! Here she gives us a romantasy with dragons, a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers with addictive banter, a stubborn and one-eyed female protagonist, a male ditto with several secrets, and twists that had my jaw drop. I read this slow because I didn't want it to end! (Have you added Ashwalker to your TBR yet?!)

“I've never really believed in destiny. If I did, I would have broken down long ago, based on the hand the gods dealt me. Instead, I've made a point of choosing my own path.”

I appriciated to see how Arowyn handled just having one functioning eye and how it affected her. That disability and other circumstances have made her so stubborn that I sometimes wanted to shake her. Since we only get Arowyn's POV we don't get to know Reave in the same way, but it's still obvious that he carries a lot of burdens and that he might not be as monstrous as his rumor.

"I may have burned all the way down to the last embers of myself, but I am not extinguished. And very soon, he will regret not finding a way to put my fire out completely."

* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *

[Brianna Farnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨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.

[Unnamednonsense · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.