Ash of My Dragon

by Thomasina Bloom

He’s a powerful dragonlord. She’s a mortal housemaid in love with dragons. The punishment for touching his bonded dragon is death. But she just can’t resist . . .

Ash of My Dragon is a New Adult Romantasy set in a realm where dragonlords are royalty and mortal humans are nothing. Filled with dragons, dragon lore, hidden powers, and a war brewing between magical creatures, this is the first installment in an enthralling new series perfect for fans of Spark of the Everflame , Wild Reverence , Heir of Fire , and Eragon .

Embryne, a sickly and tender-hearted 18-year-old, toils as a housemaid yet daydreams about dragons. In the realm of Smolderra, it is a crime punishable by death for a mortal human to touch a bonded dragon. Her only joy is to glimpse a dragon during the royal dragonlord parades.

To ease the misery of her life, Embryne risks a terrible thing—stroking a dragon. Not just any dragon, but the gleaming bronze dragon of the powerful dragonlord, General Vachilleus Creydor. For her crime, the General must burn Embryne alive with dragonfire. Having felt sparks of attraction for the brooding, intense General, Embryne is devastated to imagine death at his command.

But when dragonfire licks Embryne’s skin for the first time, the course of her life irrevocably shifts. She begins to wonder if she’s not mortal at all . . .

On the run, Embryne must discover her own inner fire and claim a dragon of her own. When she discovers the dreadful source of all dragons’ power, she vows to destroy the dragonlord patriarchy, even if it means burning it all to ash.

Ash of My Dragon is a gripping adventure
Dragon riders and dragon lore • Slow burn romance • Forced proximity • Touch her and die • Feminine rage • Morally gray love interest • Morally black dragon • Fire wielding • Magical creatures • Found family • Animal sidekick

Genres: Dragons, Fantasy, Romantasy

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 28, 2026

About the author

Author from Maine.

Reviews

[Kha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty easy and enjoyable introduction to a dragon fantasy world. The writing and worldbuilding were simple to follow, which makes it a good pick for younger readers or for anyone who wants a lighter fantasy read without getting overwhelmed.

It’s very clearly a YA book, and I think that’s why it didn’t fully work for me emotionally. Although at times, some violent scenes felt more suited for adult readers, which made the tone feel a little uneven. The plot was complete and easy to follow, but it never had that major moment that really stayed with me after finishing. I kept waiting for something stronger or more emotional to happen, but it never quite got there.

I was also hoping for more romance, but it was almost nonexistent. If you’re expecting a strong romantic subplot, you might end up disappointed.

The ending especially felt very open-ended and clearly set up the next book. I just wish it had given a little more closure so it could feel more satisfying on its own.

Overall, I think this would be perfect for younger readers who enjoy dragons and fantasy stories that are easy to read and follow, especially if they prefer little to no spice.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this eARC.

[Kyla Azer of the hollow · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my very first ARC! And I have to say, if was a pretty good read!

Thank you so much Netgally and Thomasina Bloom for giving me the ARC to this book! (And also thanks to my GR friend Ava and Liv for telling me about Netgally. This is so cool- TY!)

Review
—————————-
Age Rating: 15+
Language: 0/10 (legit ‘darn’ was the closest it came to a swear word)
Romance: 1/10
Violence: 8/10 😬

Trigger warnings: Attempted SA (not descriptive and pretty brief) and intense descriptions of disturbing torture

While this book is listed as New Adult, I definitely think it could be considered YA too. While I wouldn’t let a 12 year old read it, I think like a mature 14 year old or a normal 15 year old and above will be fine! The only thing in it that would make it more mature is the violence. Theres lots of death, skinning alive, and more.

ANYWAYS! So I actually enjoyed this book quite a bit! Was it phenomenal? Ehh… but was it entertaining? Yes!

So- I don’t watch anime, ever, at all, but my friend begged me to watch one called “Mh Happy marriage.” I did. I’m still not an anime person and think it’s weird- BUT, this book, in the beginning at least, reminds me of that show! So if yk that show, then yeah. Just take away the Japanese aspects of the show, and then like- yeah. I forget the characters name- Mina? Idk. But Embryne, in this book, is an abused house maid just like in the anime. So yeah idk if ur into that but yesss



OKAYYY let’s get to the actual review now lol.

PLOT:
What if you lived in a world with Dragons and hot dragon lords? What if you had an OBSESSION with dragons? What if one day, you came really close to one? But, sadly, the law does not allow you to touch a dragon. If you touch a dragon, you die. Your hands are cut off or you’re burned to death. In this world, Embryne is just like this. And one day, when she’s conscripted to go to war with a dragon lord whos dragon she’s take an interest in took her for, she accidentally touches Bella, his dragon. However, when she’s burnt to death, she’s not actually killed, and finds out she has some sort of magic she needs to figure out herself.

Characters:
- Embryne: this is the FMC. She starts out as a skinny, ugly, house maid with little to no good aspects. She’s always had a huge interest in dragons. However they’re forbidden. Later on in the story she changes completely. Like her eye color is changed, she suddenly has muscle, and yeah.
- Vachilleus: this is the MMC. Lowkey I didn’t like him too much. The constant talk about the stubble on his chin was like- ewwwwww noooo and then his hair was long enough to tie back. No thanks (that’s js me personally tho lol). And tbh there wasn’t even that much chemistry between the characters. Like- it felt kinda dry. But I mean that’s to be expected. Romance is a side plot here it’s out of focus.
- Grieg: he can freaking die bro. I hated him. He’s an old skinny old man who thinks his house maid can be his mistress? EUGH!
- Baccha: Embryne’s future dragon. Someone tell me why I thought they were gonna end up together?! 😭😭 a dragon and a human 💀 but the way some things between the were described… I was expecting some zoophile actions (YES IK EW it’s ok tho it ended up being safe but SOME KF THE DESCRIPTIONS- woah there Bloom 🥲)
- Bella: Vachilleus’s dragon. She’s such a slay lol. You meet her in the second chapter
- Nunget: the monkey. He only increase my desire for a pet monkey 🙂‍↕️
- there are way more characters but honestly idrc about them so we’re just not going to list them lol!


WRITING:
I both loved and hated the writing. I loved the descriptions. I felt like I was IN the story. What I didn’t like was the lack of italics. What Embryne had a thought, it was normal texts. Like- maam use italics for thoughts! Haha. Another thing I didn’t like was how much the characters growled. No joke in one scene it said *grrr.* (sentence ab something Embryne didn’t like but I forget what it was). Like honey you’re human haha. (Or are you…? 😝)

OTHER THINGS:
There was one thing I DID NOT LIKE at all about this. It’s that the dragons can talk. Full on English. I’m sorry but it gave MAJOR Wings of Fire vibes. And the fact an animal can talk to a human is just- no. I could get like talking through their minds through a bond, but I can’t imagine a dragons mouth moving and talking human words. No thank youuuu!
Oh yeah and near the end it was talking about the MMC being bald. I won’t spoil the circumstances but like- NOO. That didn’t happen. I need to Harare that from my head. That’s worse than having shoulder length! Aaagh! Anyways!
Oh one more thing! Near the end of the book, I both felt like crying and laughing. Like my eyes teared up but also it was so- idek. The description of what happened was so… I can’t spoil it! Ugh! It just made me want to laugh but also I almost cried. Years didn’t break but my eyes were burning!




CONCLUSION:
Anyways! So yeah! In all it was a very entertaining read! While it’s not something I would reread a billion times and recommend to every living soul on earth, I enjoyed it! And if anyone ever asks for like dragon recommendations this would be one of them. Thank you so much again to the author and Netgally for this ARC! If was a great first ARC! And here is the conclusion to my honest review.

I very much look forward to a potential 2nd book!
BYEEE!

[Galatée · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden gem ! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🐉
It was my first English ARC. Many thanks to the author.
This book was as hard to put down as GoT or ACOTAR for me. Yes, it was this good !
It has Khaleesi vibes, Tairn vibes.
The romance is a tiny subplot (no spice).
The mystery and the world building is awesome.
I would advise to start reading the book without reading the blurb to avoid spoilers.

[Valerie Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

went into this book really excited because the blurb immediately caught my attention. A maid who obsessively loves dragons is such a fun and promising concept. Unfortunately, the execution ended up being the book’s biggest weakness.
The repetition was exhausting. The same ideas were reinforced over and over again, sometimes only pages apart, and it started to feel like the author didn’t trust readers to remember details or make connections on their own. I began noticing this within the first 25% of the story, and by around the 35% mark it was impossible to ignore. It slowed the pacing and made the reading experience frustrating at times.
The concept itself is strong, and with smoother pacing and deeper character development, this story could have been something really special. There was actually quite a bit I liked, which made the issues stand out even more. The story often jumps around, lingers too long on certain moments, and then rushes through others, sometimes without creating a clear picture of what is even happening.
One example that really pulled me out of the story was Embryne’s characterization. She is repeatedly described as sickly, skinny, pale, and extremely weak, yet she suddenly gains near superhuman strength after eating fruit meant for a monkey. That shift didn’t feel earned or believable.
I also wouldn’t personally classify this as a romantasy. The central relationship felt more like an awkward friendship than a romance, and the emotional depth just wasn’t there for me.
Overall, the premise has a lot of potential, but the book would really benefit from heavy editing and a tighter focus. With more refinement, it could truly shine, but as it stands, it did not fully work for me.

[Nancy ☾.⋆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing screams “I’m a romantasy” louder than when the story is set up for the protagonist to cross path with the largest man ever, and no time is wasted to introduce him within the first handful of pages. He also happens to have the youth of a 24-year-old but is rugged in appearance and carries himself like he has lived for a century. Ash of My Dragon makes that list.

The redeeming qualities? Dragon lore is cool. Dragons are exciting. But the dragon lords and human mortals? Not so much.

From a skittish girl to an assertive and valiant heroine, the protagonist has a personality shift which is explained away by magic and proximity to dragons. It’s such a convenient and immediate way to give her the inner strength to go up against the status quo. The plot would have suffered had that not happened. I wonder, why worry about character development at all? In my opinion, the reluctant heroine would have been the believable character arc for this protagonist. And to top it off, even with her ignorance, she has a holier-than-thou attitude.

In order to be spoiler-free, I will try to be as precise as possible with my following criticism without citing any quotes and pages.

Another thing to note is how the bite-sized chapters make the story digestible, but the downside to that is the author will treat readers like they're incapable of retaining information. Within the first 25% of the story, I started to catch on that the author couldn't trust readers to remember tidbits from one page to the other and to make sense of the story on their own. By the 35% mark, I could no longer ignore it.

The author also has a habit of reinforcing the same idea several pages apart, which translates to only a couple minutes of reading time. The wording is not different enough to fly under this reader’s radar. For instance, when the protagonist states their intention on one page, they don’t need to repeat themselves in such a short span of time. It’s unnecessary repetition that can be reduced to one action and one setting in a single paragraph.

Unfortunately, the writing quality is lacking in Ash of My Dragon.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kate_KaylaDean · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and for NetGalley for providing an ARC of Ash of My Dragon. While this book ultimately wasn’t for me, I always appreciate the opportunity to read and support emerging voices in fantasy.

Marketed as a New Adult fantasy, this story read much younger to me in both tone and execution. The writing style felt quite simple and, at times, underdeveloped, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the world or connect deeply with the characters. Characterisation in particular felt thin, with relationships and motivations often told rather than shown, leaving little room for emotional investment.

I also struggled with some of the language choices from Bacca the dragon, which occasionally made me uncomfortable.

That said, readers who enjoy lighter, more straightforward fantasy, particularly those who lean more toward young adult rather than new adult, may find elements here to enjoy. There is a clear enthusiasm for dragons and fantasy tropes, and I can see the foundations of a story that may resonate with a different audience than myself.

Overall, this wasn’t a book that worked for me, but I believe the right reader may have a very different experience.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really went on a rollercoaster ride with this book. I could physically feel my enjoyment out of five starting at a three from the opening of the world and the magnificence of these dragons, to a strong four when Baccha was introduced, and finally plummeting to a two because of Embryne. I think that unraveling comes through in this review... this is a long one.

Credit is due in the writing of the dragons, but especially Baccha the Doom. He's easily my favourite character from the moment he awoke, and I found myself flying through every page he was on. Charming, respectful, and described well, you can literally feel his magnificence in his description. I love the way he talks with that old-timey, smooth, gruffness - incredible. I ate it up.

But that's where part of my issue began. He's so much better than our actual male lead in book one, Vachilleus. General Vachilleus, while described as tall, strong of heart, and "not like the other dragonlords", is so lackluster as a character compared to Baccha. It's like looking at a buffet of potential, then someone says "here have this slice of toast". The author made Baccha this amazing, ancient beast... then there's A Man. This mental comparison hits to the point where it makes me ache every time Embryne has to speak or have a spark with Vachilleus instead of our hulking dragon.

If Baccha were the main male lead, maybe I'd enjoy this more. Nothing felt like a slap in the face more than the line, "It's a good thing you aren't a man." "If I was, that giant oaf would have no chance." There better be something there for book two... I understand that the main theme and focus of this book is self-discovery, female empowerment and individualism, not really romance at this point. That is completely fine, but I should at least like the characters around Embryne, right? I don't care about the General at all.

There are some confusing elements, or points I wish had been done a little differently.

Embryne is frustrating as a female lead. She falls into a constant loop of thinking something couldn't possibly happen... only for that exact situation to play out to a reaction of great surprise from her. As the reader, we're not remotely surprised, but we do have to wait for her to catch up on the obvious. For example, Embryne can't come to terms with the fact that Baccha is her dragon, "You said I am more than a dragonlord. Does this mean someday I will be bound to a dragon?" "These things you must determine for yourself, my lovely, golden-haired queen." So... we're just supposed to pretend that we can't guess the outcome of this early-on conversation? We have to wait for her to "discover" what we already know?

Also even earlier, Chapter 2, when she's face to face with Belleana, she can't bring herself to touch her even with permission because she's worried she'd be imprisoned. But mere minutes ago, when she didn't have permission at the parade, she went through this exact mental turmoil already, and decided that she could in fact, give up her life and go to prison for the chance to touch her hide. That's how she started the little "riot"!

Chapter 27, she's so surprised when Vachilleus said he wanted to kill Grieg, "This was important to me. Vital. Any potential friendship between myself and Vachilleus in the future hinged entirely on his response to this question." Girl, Embryne, back around Chapter 8 on the ship after Grieg tried to force himself on you, Vachilleus already said that he and Belleana wanted to kill him! Chapter 2 Belleana said she wanted to burn and eat him! Why. Are. We. Surprised?!

I couldn't possibly touch the bronze dragon. I couldn't possibly climb the cursed mountain. Baccha couldn't possibly be my dragon. Vachilleus couldn't possibly be looking for me. You can, he is, and we all know about it except for you, Embryne.

Don't even get me started on Chapter 44, one of the major climaxes and breaking points in the book, where she felt manipulated by Vachilleus because she followed after him to the Giant camp. (1) The King's daughter straight out said that "it's strange that General Creydor is gone, I thought you were assigned to kill the Giant King", (2) Vachilleus said the night before "the King will ask you to kill the Giant King", there were probably screams and sounds of mass destruction when you and Vachilleus were taking down the Giants with the dragons... yet Embryne is confused how the King knew where she was. She said that Vachilleus sold her out, and she's furious that the King and Vachilleus planned to test her here... The test was transparent. So many people warned her. She walked into it and she blamed everyone else.

Then there's Grieg... dude, how many times do you need to get elbowed, kneed, and head-butted, before you see Embryne in the distance and just shield some part of your body... he's manipulative, and a complete ignorant arse... but he's also a painfully one-dimensional villain.

I really enjoy books with a strong female lead, but Embryne can be too on the nose sometimes, and it removes me from the world the book is building. She has very negative experiences from men like Grieg that could make her wary of men, but she also has good experiences doesn't she? Her grandfather whom she loves? The apothecary owner who takes her grandfather on walks and whom she bought the ash from? So I understand her hesitation when meeting and trusting Baccha. That's fine. But the sudden modern phrases in the book like, "More male manipulation", and "Typical male-waiting for his female to come to him" in Chapter 21 at the slightest male intervention... it's so jarring.

There is a lot of information dumping closer to the end of the book, such as in Chapter 48, which has Embryne and Baccha having a back and forth conversation. While this sharp turn of topics might mimic a real life conversation, it was not enjoyable to read at all. I had whiplash from the blatant plot-point dropping. I noted down the exact way it was presented: the general is not the man for me – Baccha tells her to give him a chance (ML established), oh and happy birthday Embryne (E birthday established; she doesn't think much about it), it’s wrong to kill magic creatures (restating E's moral stance), dragons need to bond to a rider (once again teasing The Bond that is never established in Book 1), there’s a building E wants to destroy. All these topics fired back to back without any transition lines, in a single conversation like bullet points the author wanted the reader to know before Book 1 wrapped up... It felt like a Q&A interview. It was so immensely rushed, and there was nothing like this conversation earlier in the book either, so it’s not a consistent writing choice/style.

I did note good things as I read this book, but where I expected to start absolutely loving it – when Embryne discovered her potential and powers, was when I started disliking Embryne. Her appearance completely changed, with no reference to her past looks except to show how much prettier she is now. She doesn’t refer to her past job as a maid as anything other than an embarrassment, or fodder for the villains in the book use to laugh at her. I thought she would refer to a couple skills from her experience to explain growing into her newfound power. Like being adept with tools, maybe having a skill for eavesdropping which could have come in handy when she was at the camp with the dragonlords. Anything to show us readers that she is the same person from the start of the book, other than her distaste for cruelty against magic species. The lack of positive reference (Other than when Vachilleus was burnt and said he liked her brown eyes because they were hers +1) makes everything we knew about her in the past seem meaningless.

So end of Book 1, Baccha and Embryne are not bonded, there’s no detail about what the bonding ritual includes other than it being intense and taking time, Vachilleus and Embryne probably each have a supernatural parent that weren’t discussed further, and we have barely stepped foot into the illustriously mentioned dragon town. I understand that the epilogue was meant to build anticipation for the second book in the saga, but the open-ended threads felt less like an engagement choice and more like it was just incomplete.

I really enjoyed reading about Baccha and Belleana, I had a lot of fun imagining the riding clothes and new garb Embryne was getting made, it’s wonderful that she is a “queen of the people”, and there is so much potential in the world – I just wish we could have seen more of that.

This book was reviewed as an advanced reader copy. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity in exchange for my honest review.

[Between the covers and pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I went into Ash of My Dragon by Thomasina Bloom really excited because the premise sounded amazing—dragons, magic, and a strong fantasy setting are usually an instant win for me. And while it definitely had its moments, this ended up being more of a middle-of-the-road read for me.

The worldbuilding was probably my favorite part. There’s a really interesting foundation with the dragon lore and magic system, and you can tell the author put thought into how everything works. It had that immersive fantasy feel, even if at times I wanted a bit more depth or clarity in certain areas.

The characters… this is where I struggled a bit. I didn’t fully connect with the main character, which made it harder to stay emotionally invested. She had potential, but her development felt a little uneven, and some of her decisions frustrated me. The side characters were interesting, but I wish they’d been explored more because they sometimes felt a bit underutilized.

The pacing was also a bit off for me. Parts of the story dragged, especially in the middle, while other moments that should have had more impact felt rushed. Because of that, the emotional highs didn’t hit as hard as I wanted them to.

That said, it wasn’t a bad book at all—it just didn’t completely pull me in. There are definitely elements here that I think other readers will really enjoy, especially if you like dragon-centric fantasy and slower-burn plots.

Overall, a 3-star read for me. I’m glad I gave it a shot, and I’d be open to reading more from this author in the future because the ideas are definitely there—it just didn’t fully land for me this time.

Thankyou Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read the e-arc

[Teigan-Jay]

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity of reading this arc in return for an honest review.

I had to DNF this book at 54%, I found the writing got really sloppy and I hated the relationship between the FMC and her dragon. It came across sexual for me and that’s not what I planned to read about. Unfortunately I won’t be able to finish this book.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I am not the audience for this book, but I have a friend who’s into dragons so I wanted to testdrive this book for them. So, here’s my two edged review.

The review for genre lovers:
So imagine you love cats. Really, really love cats. Way more than you’d ever image you’d love a guy. But cats are off limits. Yet suddenly you get a cat! The best cat! A cat with a huge inheritance. You are now bonded to this cat. The cat will attack anyone who would hurt you, and the cat also makes you stronger than ever, also you’ve got loads of money now because this cat is loaded. Also there’s this other cat you like, and its owner is not actually too shabby it turns out. Now imagine the cats are huge dragons. That’s the book, with added magical creatures and a monarchy to upheave. And there’s a power fantasy about getting to defeat people who’ve hurt you yourself or by sicking your cool dragon on them. So if you’re into that, go read this book.

Now the review for crochety old dames like me:
So I didn’t only pick up this book because of my dragon loving friend. I also picked up the book because it said the MC was NOT into men, just into dragons. Ah, I though. Dragonloving YA is something I haven’t seen before – well, I did read the first Tremeraire but I wasn’t into it. I’m intrigued. Then it turns out the first dragon of interest is a female dragon! Am I getting lesbian dragonlove? Am I so lucky to read a YA – sorry, adult romantasy, that is way different than the usual fare? My dragonloving friend is also queer so that might actually work out.
Imagine my disappointment when MC’s attention very quickly goes to the female dragon’s dragonrider. Like, immediately there’s all the tell tale signs of a crush (that she doesn’t want to admit to, of course) so I’m bracing myself for The Straights. Then it turns out she can bond to a male dragon (the only male dragon!), so okay, maybe I’m getting dragonloving, but just the straight type? Maybe acceptable. Anyway end game is maybe female dragon x male dragon (they are siblings but what are you going to do if there’s only dragons 5 left) and then female dragon’s lord x male dragon’s lord I mean Queen (our MC), which I guess is the most boring way to do polyamory in this context.
My favourite scene was when the MC was thinking about how she’s so not into guys (despite the “feelings in her underbelly” whenever dragon dude is about), and well, she’s not 18 yet anyway (how neatly this overlaps with the morals of our day), and not ready for a man, and the VERY NEXT PAGE her dragon goes “happy birthday!”. It’s like the dragon version of those gross “is the female child actor legal yet” websites.
Side note, MC is so skinny. She’s so skinny because she never eats yet is able to go about her day no problem. It’s the pro-ana dream. Even more when after some hidden magic within herself is unleashed, she gets BOOBS and A TAN and a little bit of muscle. Also her eyes turn violet. No word on whether she still gets her period but she’s not called Alexandria so I guess that’s still up in the air (this is a reference and if you don’t get it, count yourself lucky). There’s also some ogling of other curvy women and their boobs so maybe the jury is still out on some bisexualism in the sequels. I am not going to stick around to find out though.

[Kimberley Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Spice: nil. Mild YA language.

Overall, this book delivered in both reading satisfaction, world building and characters. I was rather looking forward to this, and I was so happy to be given the opportunity to ARC read this.

Plot; strong start, slightly slower finish. The story began with a whirlwind of development and deepening understanding. The world building wasn’t overly complex, which helped as the pace picked up and the main storyline became clearer. I feel like I understood the wold around me, and how the characters fit into it. I felt the ending of this book was slower due to the cliff hanger it left. Although I expected a hanger (aware there are other books in the series planned), I felt slightly cheated; the bonding between the FMC and her dragon seemed to be the building apex of the cliff….for it then to be brushed over in a page. Perhaps that will be picked up again in the second book, but I still felt like book 1 needed more to it, the satisfaction of something that had been building. There was an awful lot of suspense, without any real feeling of satisfaction or gratification for reading 300+ pages. I’m not shy of big books, I rather enjoy them, but I felt like I needed something, even if just a paragraph, to be like ‘yes! This! Now I can release that suspended tension and let it grow again from the big cliff hanger, ready for book 2’.

Characters:
Our FMC, Embryne, went through some biiiig character developments in this book. How she started was definitely not how she ended, and although who she became needed to happen for the plot, I did feel the tingling of whiplash at the sudden dramatic change. I hate it when characters seem to do a full 180 and forget who they were before their life changing moment. Although the author tried to hold onto some elements of who Embryne was prior, it just felt a little bit forced and unnatural. I expected to see her grow into herself, develop her strength and ability to propel it outward. A slave all her life, reliant on scraps and tattered cloth, who had experienced sexual harassment, levels of assault and physical abuse, to then walk into a tent full of men, and go toe to toe with them without an ounce of preparation….id of expected to see her flounder a little more as she found her strength.

Our MMC, Vachilleus, well. I don’t like him right now. He’s well written, do not get me wrong, and plays his part well as the standard Fantasy/Romance MMC. He has strong convictions and refuses in every way to express himself clearly. It’s quite obvious everything he’s done/is doing, is for the protection and/or betterment of Embryne, but he also outright rejected her without any real thought or hesitance; not even a frown! Id have liked to see either burning hatred or flickers of respect between them at this point…they just felt very stoic with no real emotional progress either way.

Of course I loved the dragons. Who doesn’t love the dragons!

Overall, I’m cautiously optimistic for book 2. For fans of fantasy with sloooow burn, this will definitely hit the spot! Thanks again for letting me step into your world, Thomasina, and share my opinion on this beautiful world you have created. I await book 2!

Thanks to the author (Thomasina Bloom) and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this via E-Book, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Tonje Lien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley and the author for an ARC of this!

This was a very entertaining read! The world building was easy to understand and nothing was overly complicated. So it does fit with it being New adult, while I think this also could be in the yound adult category, at least for this first book.

In the realm of Smolderra, Embryne a 19 year old mortal human maid is obsessed woth dragons and longs to touch one, though she don't know why. It is punishable by death to touch a dragon bonded to a dragonlord so she can only look and see one at the royal dragonlord parades. During the parade she sees general Vachilleus Creydor on a gleaming bronze dragon and she feels really compelled and drawn to her.

Embryne is taken on the royal warship due to her job as maid to her employees knew wife, who also wants to use Embryne as a mistress for himself. There she discovers new and confusing things about herself as she defends herself from greedy hands and escapes the ship.

When she finds an island after days of floating in the water she discovers many secrets about who she is and who she can become. The general also finds her and tells her to go to dragons keep but she has a mind of her own and is tired of taking orders from men, she does what she wants.

Ash of My Dragon is considered a new adult romantasy though the romance in this first book is bearly there. In a realm where the dragonlords are considered royalty and humans are nothing, Embryne wants to change this as she believes every life is worth something. Through everything that happens to her, at every step, this is what drives her determination and her desitions going forward.

This book has magical creatures, feminin rage, an animal sidekick, dragons and dragon lore, morally grey mmc who's the very subtle love interest, dragon bonds and touch her and die trope.

If you are a fan of dragon books like Spark of the everflame and Fourth wing (allthough the chilipepper rating are much higher in them and the romance comes quicker) I believe you will like this too!

The very, veery slow to almost non existent romance in this sid not bother me because the vibe between the fmc and the mmc are enough to umderstand it and even though there's a small on page kiss I believe, and hope, that it will be more of their development during the next book!

[Yaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ash of My Dragon - very entertaining book!

I read this in like, 2 days (I was up till 3am last night!), I pretty much love anything with dragons.
This is very much a New Adult fantasy with a sloooww burn - don't expect tons of romance here and there's zero spice. Just a heads up to manage expectations.

In this world, magical creatures exist. Dragons are at the top of the food chain; and the immortal dragonriders who are bonded to a dragon are at the top of the human chain. They live in a separate city but very close to the normal, mortal humans.
If a human touches a bonded dragon, it's execution by dragon fire.

Our FMC Embryne starts out as a very weak, barely eats (seriously, I thought she had an ED?? as it's mentioned a lot), has to work for an employer that's physically abusive and likes to SA her (and wants to coerce her into sex). But she's OBSESSED with dragons and she likes to eat ash - she can feel memories and such from the ash she eats, it's all very odd and intriguing.

Our MMC Vachilleus is your typical dark, conflicted, morally grey character who's hiding some big secret and has a lovely dragon.

I love the two main dragons in this book!

One thing I wish this book had is a second POV. I think having at least a handful of chapters from Vachilleus's POV would have added a lot more to the story. As a reader, I think it would have helped us to relate / bond with Vachilleus much more if we'd gotten a look into his thoughts. As it stands, I'm not *massively* fussed about him at the moment, I like his dragon much much more! But hopefully that changes with book 2.

I really enjoyed reading this and while it's a little predictable (not unexpected for YA/NA), it's a lot of fun! I'm so intrigued by some of the mysteries that have popped up in this book, and I'm really looking forward to Book 2! That epilogue was such a great ending and I definitely didn't see THAT coming!
Also please give us more lore in Book 2, I really loved what we got in this book!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Thomasina Bloom for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

NB. I'm kinda sad we didn't get a reunion scene with her grandad. I'd have LOVED to read about his reaction!

[Amanda N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ash of My Dragon delivers one of the most unique takes on a dragon bond I’ve ever read. The world building is easy to grasp, nothing overly complicated. There are clear explanations woven naturally into the story as it unfolds. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, but it gives you enough structure to stay grounded while the character dynamics do the heavy lifting.
And those characters are all fascinating. There’s rarely a clean line between who’s a villain and who isn’t, which fits perfectly with the morally gray tone the book leans into. That ambiguity extends to the dragons as well. Their nature is destructive, violent, and unpredictable. Just like many of the magical creatures in this world. But our FMC has a soft heart and instinct to nurture. She ends up bonded (kind of) to a dragon whose existence clashes with everything she is. This makes their relationship very compelling.
What really stood out to me was how intimate that bond felt. Not in a romantic way exactly, but the lines between friendship, love, and something deeper blur in a way that feels tender. Their communication and connection never came across as awkward or strange, even though it’s between a human and a dragon. Instead, it felt earnest and emotionally rich. It was one of the strongest elements of the book.
The romance between the FMC and MMC, however, needed more space to breathe. I understand the FMC is young, and honestly, I would’ve preferred her to be in her early twenties rather than seventeen. Because of that, I was fine with the romance staying minimal, but it also meant I couldn’t rate the book higher. The potential is there, and the emotional groundwork is starting to form, but at her age it’s simply not appropriate to push it further. Still, you can tell they’re beginning to care for each other, even if our FMC feels like an unreliable narrator at times. Something I suspect will matter a lot in the next installment.
I found the dragons to be the most standout characters. I’d love even more of their perspectives and presence moving forward.

[Aubrey Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to add a quick edit, that author (she's so sweeet) reached out to me a shared that she felt she had to add the mild spice, because she wasn't really able to reach readers from the no-spice community.
I completely feel for her and she shared that in a lot of her writing she doesn't add spice. and in response to my email, she mentioned that she went and made the scene even milder.
With this in mind, I would recommend this book for fun dragon loving, alternate world books!

• I will leave the review as I had written so that what I added in my edit makes sense, but I will amend my 4 star rating to a 4.5! •

I would rate this a 4.5⭐️, mainly because *ONCE* near the end there was just a dash of extra 🌶. (a little extra passionate kiss, with just a couple details mixed in.) but not a full on s*x scene. I just wanted to give this as an alert for non-spice readers.
I would say, on behalf of those that dont read anything spice related, that I wish the author would have left that tidbit out because it was literally at the very end and truly didn't add to the story... and because it didn't go on, it just didn't make sense for it to be there.

So saying, I do not know that Book 2 will have spice, but I just wanted to throw in that little critique; not personal to the author.
Just wanted to share my thoughts, as that is what reviews are for! To see if a book is right for you! ♡

But the writing was easy to follow and I thought it was a unique take on the dragon world. AOMD ended with just enough intrigue to keep you awaiting the follow up novel!

The love interest is shown very early on, and instinct tells you kinda who it is and how it'll go, but there are some surprising twists and turns that I was sideswiped into seeing and left me with the question of "What? why?? what is happening??"

I did enjoy this read and appreciate the skill and creativity of Thomasina Bloom!
I would probably age this book 16+

[Cinnamon&Pine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming dragon fantasy that occasionally trips over its own fire-breathing logic.

Our heroine is a sickly, naïve 17-year-old with an earnest obsession with dragons and every decision she makes reflects exactly that level of maturity. Unbeknownst to her (and conveniently so), she is the first female Dragonlord in a world previously occupied only by male Dragonlords. Even more fortunate: her dragon is the biggest and baddest of them all. Proximity to him turns her into a beautiful, strong, still naïve, 17-year-old. Progress….

The story’s internal morality is sometimes… flexible. Even the heroine notices the hypocrisy of mourning magical creatures killed by dragons while ordering her own dragon to feast on giants, because they’re cruel and eat children. Sheep, cows, and goats, however, remain morally exempt as livestock. The line is drawn somewhere, just not always consistently.

Romance-wise, a slow burn is clearly being set up. The MMC is, as expected, tall, dark, handsome, and very much fell first. His scent profile is excellent: wood smoke, sea salt, and polished steel and his approach to “let’s take a moment and talk” involves felling a tree, building a bench, a lean-to, and stocking up on firewood.

Overall, this was a solid and captivating read. Some sections could have been tighter, and the lack of closure was noticeable. There are many open questions and too few answers, and the epilogue felt more like a sneak peek than a true ending. It clearly takes place later—but whether that’s days, weeks, or months remains frustratingly unclear.

That said: the world works, the dragons are compelling, and the foundation is strong enough that I’m invested.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️ 3.5 rounded up

Not perfect, but engaging—and yes, I’ll be picking up the sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-arc. I am leaving a review voluntarily.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this opportunity

This book looks like it might be familiar dragon-fantasy territory at first glance: rigid hierarchies, dragonlords with god complexes, and a powerless girl at the bottom of the food chain. But Thomasina Bloom doesn’t play it safe for long. The story digs its claws in early and keeps tightening the grip.
Embryne is exactly the kind of heroine I love to watch become. She starts small, quiet, and overlooked — not secretly overpowered, not snarky-for-the-sake-of-it — and when the world cracks open around her, it actually feels earned. Her connection to dragons is emotional before it’s epic, and that made all the difference for me.
The dragons themselves? Not just shiny fantasy accessories. They’re dangerous, opinionated, and woven into the power structures of the world in a way that feels deliberate and cruel. The class divide between dragonlords and everyone else is uncomfortable in the way it should be, and the book doesn’t rush to soften it.
The romance is a slow, simmering threat rather than a distraction — heavy on tension, restraint, and implications. If you’re expecting instant chemistry or over-the-top spice, this isn’t that. If you like longing, power imbalance, and “this could go very wrong,” you’ll eat it up.
My only reason for not giving a full five stars is pacing in the middle — there were moments where I wanted just a little more forward momentum — but the payoff more than made up for it. The ending left me equal parts satisfied and feral for the next book.
If you like:
dragons that feel ancient and dangerous
a heroine who grows instead of magically winning
slow-burn romantic tension
fantasy worlds that don’t apologize for being brutal
…this one’s worth your time.
I will absolutely be continuing the series.

[Leeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an ARC via NetGalley — thank you to the author/publisher for the opportunity to review.

🐉 Clever Concept & Strong Premise

The idea here is so clever and very compelling — it immediately hooked me and kept me turning the pages. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this and found the premise and world engaging from the start.

World Building & Character Development

I appreciated the balance of world building and character development, especially watching the FMC’s journey and growth unfold. Her shift in confidence and identity after leaving the warship was one of the strongest parts of the story.

Emotional Stakes & Villain Tension

That said, I did feel the emotional depth could have been pushed further. The physical peril she faces and her interactions with one of the villains at the beginning of the story had huge potential for truly heart-wrenching tension, but at times the internal struggle and emotional angst felt a little underexplored. I wanted more rawness in those moments to fully feel the stakes.

🌱 Character Arc & Transformation

Embryne’s character arc — from someone described as thin, almost ghastly and hesitant to stand up for herself, to the stronger and more self-assured person she becomes — was satisfying overall, and parts of the transformation had some parallels to the “ugly duckling”.

⭐ Final Thoughts

Overall, an enjoyable fantasy with a clever concept, solid world building, clear character development, and heroes versus villains themes. I just wished for deeper emotional intensity in the darker moments to make the impact hit even harder. I feel Ash of My Dragon reads more YA than NA audiences but on saying that I read this book in one day and really enjoyed it.

[Lynsey Sheldon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received as an ARC read from netgally

As always thank you to the author, I'm always grateful for the opportunity ❤️

Rating 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance level ❤️ 1/10
Spice level 🌶 0/10 (none)

Would be a fabulous introduction to dragons and fantasy for a younger reader.


I sat on this a few days before reviewing I really wanted to LOVE this book as I'm big on dragons, I just felt the it was lacking somehow even though I still sort of enjoyed it.

I feel like it's definitely more YA rather than an adult fantasy and that's not because it has no spice ( I can enjoy a good clean book with a stong plot just fine!) It's more about the language used. The way the characters talk to the Dragon's is a bit cringe, the phrase "firebelly pulse" for how a male dragon fertilised females felt really juvenile. I could literally picture the FMC stamping her feet at times! The writing style occasionally made me feel like I was reading one of my 11 year old daughters books.

The pace felt a bit off as in some parts felt rushed that would have been a fantastic opportunity to really add some depth to the story and the characters. Some parts felt a bit repetitive like we as readers can't remember what the thoughts and feelings were two pages back. Some of the ideas in the book are really good and the outline of the plot is strong I did have a couple of moments that grabbed my attention, I just feel it needs a bit more depth to be labelled an adult fantasy. I know a 12 and 14 year old who would likely love this book!!

Overall I wouldn't say the story is bad just more YA, good if you want a nice light read that doesn't need too much focus like some fantasy books demand. I'm still intrigued as to what happens in book two and would absolutely recommend it to my younger relatives who enjoy fantasy.

[Samantha Eades · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (3.5/5) — A unique dragon story featuring a compelling FMC, rich dragon lore, and a standout morally grey dragon, though some pacing and writing issues kept it from reaching a full 4 stars.

We follow our FMC, who begins as a sickly housemaid working for a truly deplorable person. Her love for dragons, and the dragon lore, is what initially drew me to this story. The foundation felt different than other dragon centered books I've read, which made me excited to dive into this world.

There were several elements I really enjoyed. Embryne navigating her life and processing her rage and experiences felt compelling, and I also enjoyed the addition of the animal sidekick. The morally grey black dragon and his devotion stood out to me. We also have a MMC with his own dragon, which added another interesting layer to the storyline. Lastly, there's a strong mystery element, as Embryne doesn't know much about her parents or why she is different, which clearly plays a role in her present and future.

Overall, I did enjoy this story and look forward to reading the next book. There are still unanswered questions that I'm eager to explore. However, enjoyment will depend on the type of reader you are. If you're here for the vibes and overall story, I would definitely recommend giving this a try. However, if you tend to be a more critical reader—especially when it comes to spelling, sentence structure, and consistency—you may want to go in prepared for those issues or consider skipping. For me, there were some pacing issues and elements that felt a bit off, which may make it harder for some readers to fully connect with the characters.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ash of my dragon is a new adult fantasy book. Over all rating 3 ⭐️ 0 🌶️ this will be a spoiler free review.


This book had a very short trigger warning list, which needs to be increased, due to the ages of some of the characters and the nature of incidents.

Initially when reading the first few chapters it was difficult, the short length mixed with repetitive information as well as constant contradictions from our FMC nearly made for a DNF. The internal narrative of the FMC does come across as immature which also poses issues with some of the implications and actions of an antagonist.

However, as the book progresses (mainly last 1/4) the story truly kicks in. The FMC comes into her own and we see more depth in her character, as well as beginning to understand her back story and some of her actions as well as set up for a sequel. Her interactions with the MMC initially were a difficult read, but as the story concluded the reader begins to see the beginning of the slow burn rather than ‘school girl crush’.

In the second act we are introduced to more world building, and a further understanding of the politics (but human and other wise) which was what provided the encouragement to read on, and really set the story into motion.

Over all, this story truly has potential, however does need some more detailing and description which could be achieved by slowing the narrative at the beginning to allow the reader to truly immerse themselves to the world and the characters.

Thank you to Thomasina Bloom for this opportunity and I’m excited to see what comes next.

[Sophia Tranter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished Ash of My Dragon at 2 AM and I’ve spent the last six hours staring at my ceiling.

If you’re obsessed with Fourth Wing, stop what you’re doing and buy this. It gives all the "touch her and you die" energy we crave, but with a twist that actually feels fresh.

The Premise: Embryne is a mortal housemaid who is just... obsessed with dragons. Same, girl. But in Smolderra, if a mortal touches a bonded dragon, it’s a death sentence. Does she do it anyway? YES. Does she do it to the most terrifying, brooding, "I have no emotions" General Vachilleus Creydor’s dragon? ABSOLUTELY.

Why I’m obsessed:

The First Chapter: I was hooked within the first ten pages. The stakes are immediate and the world building is so immersive.

Embryne: She’s sickly and tender hearted but has this hidden fire (literally). Watching her journey from a "nothing" mortal to someone ready to burn down the dragonlord patriarchy? Iconic.

The General: Vachilleus is the ultimate "he’s a red flag but his dragon is cool" love interest. The tension when he has to "punish" her... I was screaming.

The Lore: The source of the dragons' power is actually dark and twisted, and I loved following Embryne as she pieced it all together.

My only tiny note: The second half slows down a little bit as we get into the "on the run" travel vibes, but honestly, I throughly enjoyed.

This is going to be HUGE on BookTok.

[blushwithalfiaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC REVIEW**

Okay, I won’t lie… I requested this book on NetGalley just because the title contained “dragon,” because I think I also have an obsession with them just like Embryne and honestly, I’m so glad I followed that instinct because I don’t regret it even a bit

This book is going to stay with me for a long time I just can’t move on from it although I do feel the ending was a bit rushed or slightly incomplete because I really wanted to know how they bonded and what she did when they went back to “Dragon’s Keep” because I just wished we had a little more time with those moments since I wasn’t ready for the story to end😭😭

But overall, this book is EVERYTHING!!!!
The world felt magical, and the bond between the characters and the dragons was written in such a heartfelt way that it was impossible not to get attached..💗

I also want to keep this review completely spoiler-free, so I can’t go into too much detail about the plot or the specific scenes that made me feel so connected to the story… Just so you know
For me, it was one of those reads that reminds you why you love reading in the first place!!

So yes, I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a beautiful, heartfelt dragon story because honestly, if you don’t read this book, you’re missing out on something truly special🫶

[Desirae L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the very first page of Ash of My Dragon! Thomasina Bloom has created a world so rich, vivid, and immersive that I genuinely had a hard time putting this book down. Every chapter pulled me in deeper, and I found myself constantly wanting to read “just one more page.”

Watching Embryne grow and navigate the challenges in her journey was one of my favorite parts of the story. Her development felt natural and engaging, making it easy to connect with her and root for her every step of the way. Vachilleus, the dragonlord, was such a compelling character as well, his presence added so much depth and intrigue. I really enjoyed how his story intertwined with Embryne’s. The relationships, especially between the dragons and the main characters, were beautifully written and added so much heart and emotion to the story.

The world building is absolutely incredible. From the magical creatures to the intricate details woven throughout the setting, everything felt thoughtfully crafted and full of wonder. It’s the kind of story you can completely lose yourself in, where the world feels just as important as the characters within it.

This is one of those books that keeps you up late because you just need to know what happens next. If you love dragons, magic, immersive fantasy worlds, and strong character journeys, I highly recommend picking this up. I already cannot wait for Book 2!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Breanna Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Thomasian Bloom and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I went back and forth on how I felt about this one, but I think a solid 3 stars feels right for me.

The world itself was really interesting, and the dragon bonding was probably my favorite part. I liked the overall concept, and it definitely kept me curious enough to keep reading to see where things were going.

Where it didn’t fully land for me was mostly the writing style. There were moments where I’d finally get into a groove with the story and then something would pull me out of it. Some conversations or events were summarized after the fact instead of happening on page, which made parts of the story feel a little disconnected for me.

I also wouldn’t really call this a romance yet. There is a little flirting and tension, but this book feels much more focused on building the world and setting everything up.

The epilogue also surprised me a bit. Personally, I almost wish that reveal had been saved for book two because it felt like it took away some of the mystery at the end.

That said, this very much feels like a “book one walked so book two can run” situation. The foundation is there, the world is interesting, and I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes next.

[Emily Bumpus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomasina Bloom for the ARC of Ash of My Dragon.

This story gave me everything I hoped for, and everything I didn’t know I needed. The dragon lore really set this apart for me. As the story goes, we learn more about the history of dragons, their bonds with their riders, and their ties with other magical creatures. While elements of the dragon lore reminded me of Eragon, especially the bonds between the rider and their dragon, other parts were very unique.

Embryne originally started as the typical weak damsel-in-distress FMC. But her storyline quickly pivoted, and we started to learn more about her. Her inner strength began to shine through, with her empathy becoming an asset. I loved seeing her grow and find herself while building relationships and allowing those connections to grow alongside her.

I found the pacing gradually increased as the story went on, and with the majority of chapters being a 5 to 10 minute read, I couldn’t put the book down. I even changed my morning routine so that I could read a couple of chapters before work. If you are looking for a book with dragons, riders, mythical creatures, slow-burning tension, and some underlying political plays, then the Ash of My Dragon is for you. I can’t wait to see how the story continues!

[Reading with Goose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ash of My Dragon by Thomasina Bloom absolutely filled the dragon-shaped hole in my heart that Fourth Wing left behind.

From the very first chapter, I was pulled into a world that felt vivid, dangerous, and completely addictive. The dragons are powerful and fascinating, the stakes feel real, and the emotional tension between characters kept me glued to the pages. It has that perfect mix of action, romance, and high-stakes fantasy that makes you say “just one more chapter”… and suddenly it’s 2 a.m.

What really stood out to me was how immersive the story felt. The bond between rider and dragon had the same thrilling energy that made me fall in love with dragon-rider fantasy in the first place, but Bloom still manages to make it feel fresh and her own. The characters feel layered and human, and I found myself genuinely caring about what happened to them.

If you finished Fourth Wing and felt that empty, “what do I read now?” feeling, this book is exactly what you’re looking for. It scratched that itch perfectly while still giving me something new to fall in love with.

Highly recommend to anyone who loves dragons, tension-filled relationships, and fantasy worlds you never want to leave.

Final rating: 5 honks out of 5.

[M.K. McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Ash of My Dragon by Thomasina Bloom and can’t wait for the next book in the series. This captivating young adult romantasy pulls you into Embryne’s world, and Bloom’s vivid dystopian world‑building brings to life a magical realm brimming with dragon lore, charm, and heart. The adventure was thrilling, and I often could not stop reading.

Embryne Inistree is a compelling heroine whose path of self‑discovery is enriched by the warm bond with her grandfather and challenged by the ever‑annoying overlord, Grieg. She’s brave, clever, defiant, and often funny, with some of the most charming and relatable moments coming from the little phrases she mutters to herself. She grows quickly to overcome and outsmart the most powerful men in her society. The bond between rider and dragon stands out as one of the story’s most magical elements, brimming with wonder, closeness, and heartfelt emotion. The romance is sweet with slow-burning tension to strike the ideal balance for YA readers.

With its vivid atmosphere, unforgettable characters, and powerful themes of identity and growth, Ash of My Dragon stays with you long after the last page. I’m excited for the next installment in the Wyrmhorne Saga series.

[Iva Atanasova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Thomasina Bloom for the ARC.

Ash of My Dragon by Thomasina Bloom had all the ingredients of a story I should have completely fallen for dragons, emotional stakes, and a richly imagined world,but unfortunately, it didn’t fully land for me.

The plot itself was genuinely engaging. I found the premise intriguing, and there were moments where the story really pulled me in, especially when the tension between characters and the underlying conflicts started to unfold. The world-building had promise, and I appreciated the ideas behind the magic and dragon lore, which added depth to the narrative.

However, the writing style just wasn’t for me. It often felt difficult to connect with the characters on a deeper level, and at times the pacing and prose made it harder to stay fully immersed. While I can see how others might enjoy the author’s voice, it personally created a bit of distance between me and the story.

That said, I did like the overall story and can appreciate what the book was trying to do. It has a strong foundation and some compelling elements, but the execution didn’t completely work for my taste.

A solid 3 stars , worth checking out if the premise speaks to you, but it may depend on how much you connect with the writing style.

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book with a heroine that truly goes through dramatic transformation as the story progressed. Embryne isn't interested in boys no she's absolutely bonkers for Dragons but as a lowly housemaid hardly has any chance of meeting one . A quirk of fate finds her on a boat with one and sadly that doesn't exactly go as you would imagine !
I'm loathe to give too many spoilers although admittedly the books synopsis gives away some of what happens. I liked Embryne, I absolutely loved Baacha and sadly wasn't too keen on the romantic interest although to be fair it's obvious he has secrets and I'd love the author to reveal those. Speaking of secrets I know I'm meant to be intrigued by what Baacha deliberately does not say and golly gosh that last page just leaves me beyond curious. I want answers !
Hehe ok this isn't exactly an adult book if you get my drift and I say suitable for teens . The world building seemed pretty straightforward as in if you have the biggest, baddest Dragon you get to be in charge although hmm something here definitely sets the cat amongst the........Dragons ? I did have fun reading this and I will look out for the next book.
This voluntary take is of an advanced copy