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Ashen
A war awakens in the divided realms long before mortals start to feel its pull.
Rainee Bennett believes she is normal. That is, until a strange power begins to surface beneath her skin, marking her as something far more dangerous. As ancient gods turn their attention back toward a world they abandoned, the fragile thread holding the realms together begins to fracture.
When Rainee crosses paths with three strangers bound by secrets of their own, her quiet life is pulled into a conflict that began long before she was born. Loyalties begin to shift. Truths are buried. And every choice carries crushing consequences .
As divine forces close in, Rainee must confront who she is and how much she is willing to sacrifice to save herself, the people she loves, and the other realms in The Division.
Ashen is book one in The Destroyed Trilogy and is a dark, character-driven fantasy told through multiple perspectives, where destiny is a burden and morality exposes the cost of loyalty.
Rainee Bennett believes she is normal. That is, until a strange power begins to surface beneath her skin, marking her as something far more dangerous. As ancient gods turn their attention back toward a world they abandoned, the fragile thread holding the realms together begins to fracture.
When Rainee crosses paths with three strangers bound by secrets of their own, her quiet life is pulled into a conflict that began long before she was born. Loyalties begin to shift. Truths are buried. And every choice carries crushing consequences .
As divine forces close in, Rainee must confront who she is and how much she is willing to sacrifice to save herself, the people she loves, and the other realms in The Division.
Ashen is book one in The Destroyed Trilogy and is a dark, character-driven fantasy told through multiple perspectives, where destiny is a burden and morality exposes the cost of loyalty.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 28, 2026
Ashen was a blast! I was honored to receive an ARC and now I don’t know what I’ll do waiting for book two! Ashen is a story about found family, acceptance of past shadows, and finding who you are and not who you have to be.
The characters were really well formed and very relatable. The pacing was excellent. The world building was great: not too much but still thorough with lots more space to expand. I’m really excited to see how the rest of the story forms through the next books.
The characters were really well formed and very relatable. The pacing was excellent. The world building was great: not too much but still thorough with lots more space to expand. I’m really excited to see how the rest of the story forms through the next books.
March 31, 2026
I was so lucky to be given an ARC of Ashen by Jade Wilson!
Listen, I know this book is about Rainee Bennett, the demigod, and she has her own love triangle to contend with, but I think I’m in love with Sapphire Swiftstream, she is sassy and bad-assy and just does it for me. And don’t even get me started on Scott “daddy” Bennett… I’m in my hot dad era and Scott delivered.
This book has magic, war, demigod/gods, kings, assassins, different realms, a love triangle, brutality and tragedy, some fun banter, and that found/chosen family vibe that I LOVE.
The last 50% of this book was where it really got me and that cliffhanger was a good one! Can’t wait for the next book!
Listen, I know this book is about Rainee Bennett, the demigod, and she has her own love triangle to contend with, but I think I’m in love with Sapphire Swiftstream, she is sassy and bad-assy and just does it for me. And don’t even get me started on Scott “daddy” Bennett… I’m in my hot dad era and Scott delivered.
This book has magic, war, demigod/gods, kings, assassins, different realms, a love triangle, brutality and tragedy, some fun banter, and that found/chosen family vibe that I LOVE.
The last 50% of this book was where it really got me and that cliffhanger was a good one! Can’t wait for the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 28, 2026*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*
3.5 Stars
This is my first ARC experience and I want to thank the author for giving me a copy of this book! I’m thrilled to support an indie author and get a sneak peek before the rest of the world!
Ashen is the first book in a young adult fantasy trilogy. Book one follows several characters as their stories intersect, but the primary POV characters are Rainee, an 18-year-old high school student on Earth, and the three young Fire Realm soldiers sent to assassinate her—Finn, Axel, and Connor. Allegiances muddy as secrets are unraveled and everyone’s true motivations come to light. This story is a fast-paced, easy read that will appeal most to middle school and high school girls who enjoy fantasy adventures with a romance element!
Strengths:
-This story is comfortably fast-paced. There was no downtime or fluff within the narrative. The chapters are very short (my personal preference) which also aided the pacing. This was a nice change of pace for me personally and I enjoyed breezing through this book.
-There are multiple realms, all of which are hinted at having elaborate backstories. The magic system/level of technology in this story is very intriguing, though I wish there had been more explanation regarding how it all worked. With more time dedicated to world building within the book, this world has the potential to be very compelling.
-Without completely spoiling the plot, I will say there’s a mild plot twist/mystery as to who one of the characters truly is, and I did not see his true identity right from the start, which was very fun and clever.
-The characters are likable. Keeping in mind that this is a young adult book with a stated audience of ages 15-18, I think the characters are relatable to that age group. There’s some character development throughout the duration of the book that was positive.
-I found Sapphire’s character to be the most compelling. I wish she had had more time on-page. At first she gives off the stereotypical mean-girl vibe, but I think she could have a powerful character arc (and maybe she does in book two!)
Weaknesses:
-Suspension of disbelief was hard to maintain while reading this book for me personally. I chalk some of this up to the fact I’m older than the target demographic and I don’t read as much fantasy anymore, but throughout the book I felt there were many events or character developments that were unrealistic or happened too quickly/without enough explanation or reflection. Unfortunately, the largest issue I had with this was central to the plot (**spoiler** when the three assassins shift from assassinating Rainee to befriending and siding with her and her father, I felt like this issue was just breezed past. The three boys literally move into her house with her the same day and they all become like a little family. While that dynamic was cute, I was baffled by how quickly Rainee and her dad were able to get past the fact they’d been planning to kill her)
-There was a bit of an element of insta-love/insta-lust between the main characters that felt unearned, especially given the issue stated above. I enjoy a romantic subplot in most books, but I was sometimes confused by it here because I was unsure why these characters all liked each other.
-There were some grammatical errors and minor formatting issues, as well as odd turns of phrase that threw me off a bit (“deafly quiet” instead of “deathly quiet”). However, I’m going to chalk that up to this being an ARC from a self-published author, and the fact I was reading it on my phone, which likely didn’t help with the format. These are not issues that made the book unreadable or would keep me from continuing to read the series.
Overall, I enjoyed my ARC reading experience and I will probably read book two to see how this author’s writing continues to grow as well as where the story leads!
3.5 Stars
This is my first ARC experience and I want to thank the author for giving me a copy of this book! I’m thrilled to support an indie author and get a sneak peek before the rest of the world!
Ashen is the first book in a young adult fantasy trilogy. Book one follows several characters as their stories intersect, but the primary POV characters are Rainee, an 18-year-old high school student on Earth, and the three young Fire Realm soldiers sent to assassinate her—Finn, Axel, and Connor. Allegiances muddy as secrets are unraveled and everyone’s true motivations come to light. This story is a fast-paced, easy read that will appeal most to middle school and high school girls who enjoy fantasy adventures with a romance element!
Strengths:
-This story is comfortably fast-paced. There was no downtime or fluff within the narrative. The chapters are very short (my personal preference) which also aided the pacing. This was a nice change of pace for me personally and I enjoyed breezing through this book.
-There are multiple realms, all of which are hinted at having elaborate backstories. The magic system/level of technology in this story is very intriguing, though I wish there had been more explanation regarding how it all worked. With more time dedicated to world building within the book, this world has the potential to be very compelling.
-Without completely spoiling the plot, I will say there’s a mild plot twist/mystery as to who one of the characters truly is, and I did not see his true identity right from the start, which was very fun and clever.
-The characters are likable. Keeping in mind that this is a young adult book with a stated audience of ages 15-18, I think the characters are relatable to that age group. There’s some character development throughout the duration of the book that was positive.
-I found Sapphire’s character to be the most compelling. I wish she had had more time on-page. At first she gives off the stereotypical mean-girl vibe, but I think she could have a powerful character arc (and maybe she does in book two!)
Weaknesses:
-Suspension of disbelief was hard to maintain while reading this book for me personally. I chalk some of this up to the fact I’m older than the target demographic and I don’t read as much fantasy anymore, but throughout the book I felt there were many events or character developments that were unrealistic or happened too quickly/without enough explanation or reflection. Unfortunately, the largest issue I had with this was central to the plot (**spoiler** when the three assassins shift from assassinating Rainee to befriending and siding with her and her father, I felt like this issue was just breezed past. The three boys literally move into her house with her the same day and they all become like a little family. While that dynamic was cute, I was baffled by how quickly Rainee and her dad were able to get past the fact they’d been planning to kill her)
-There was a bit of an element of insta-love/insta-lust between the main characters that felt unearned, especially given the issue stated above. I enjoy a romantic subplot in most books, but I was sometimes confused by it here because I was unsure why these characters all liked each other.
-There were some grammatical errors and minor formatting issues, as well as odd turns of phrase that threw me off a bit (“deafly quiet” instead of “deathly quiet”). However, I’m going to chalk that up to this being an ARC from a self-published author, and the fact I was reading it on my phone, which likely didn’t help with the format. These are not issues that made the book unreadable or would keep me from continuing to read the series.
Overall, I enjoyed my ARC reading experience and I will probably read book two to see how this author’s writing continues to grow as well as where the story leads!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved reading Ashen!
The story revolves around multiple characters from different realms who, due to certain circumstances, end up together. Each of them has important choices to make—decisions that have the potential to change their lives forever. I really enjoyed how this theme is represented differently in each character, making them all feel unique.
The story is written in third-person with multiple points of view, which enriches the worldbuilding and character development.
My favorite character was Connor, perhaps because of his optimism and his still-unaltered hope. He may seem like he doesn’t have much to offer, but that turns out to be an understatement. I also liked Scott, who was a pleasant surprise for me. Let’s just say he has a few aces up his sleeve.
There is no spice—just a single scene with a kiss—so it’s suitable for all readers. The only thing that might bother some people is the occasional swearing, but I didn’t find it uncomfortable. There were only a few instances. Some scenes could be considered slightly violent, but nothing excessive. I found them acceptable and not overdone.
I recommend Ashen—it’s a very engaging read, with well-constructed characters and a complex, interesting world.
Thank you, Jade Wilson, for providing me with a copy of this ARC.
The story revolves around multiple characters from different realms who, due to certain circumstances, end up together. Each of them has important choices to make—decisions that have the potential to change their lives forever. I really enjoyed how this theme is represented differently in each character, making them all feel unique.
The story is written in third-person with multiple points of view, which enriches the worldbuilding and character development.
My favorite character was Connor, perhaps because of his optimism and his still-unaltered hope. He may seem like he doesn’t have much to offer, but that turns out to be an understatement. I also liked Scott, who was a pleasant surprise for me. Let’s just say he has a few aces up his sleeve.
There is no spice—just a single scene with a kiss—so it’s suitable for all readers. The only thing that might bother some people is the occasional swearing, but I didn’t find it uncomfortable. There were only a few instances. Some scenes could be considered slightly violent, but nothing excessive. I found them acceptable and not overdone.
I recommend Ashen—it’s a very engaging read, with well-constructed characters and a complex, interesting world.
Thank you, Jade Wilson, for providing me with a copy of this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review of Ashen 🖤✨
First of all, thank you so much for trusting me with this story. I truly enjoyed reading it, and I hope you will too!
Ashen is the first book of a political fantasy series and it has such intriguing world-building: elemental realms, Olympian gods, political tension, and a lightning-wielding badass demigod at the center of it all. I was immediately hooked by the concept alone.
I loved the dynamic between the outcast soldiers and the found family they build with each other.
The political conflict brewing within the realms, the looming threat of war, and the involvement of the gods create a world that feels expansive and full of possibility. There’s a strong fantasy backbone here, and you can tell this story is building toward something much bigger.
The romance is cute with emotional tension and connections developing quickly, and I’m curious to see how those relationships deepen as the series continues.
I also can’t wait to see more growth in the FMC’s powers and how she truly comes into herself as the last demigod. There’s so much potential there, especially with her lightning magic.
The ending definitely sets up high stakes, and I’m excited to see how everything unfolds next.
Thank you again for the opportunity to read and support this journey 🖤✨
First of all, thank you so much for trusting me with this story. I truly enjoyed reading it, and I hope you will too!
Ashen is the first book of a political fantasy series and it has such intriguing world-building: elemental realms, Olympian gods, political tension, and a lightning-wielding badass demigod at the center of it all. I was immediately hooked by the concept alone.
I loved the dynamic between the outcast soldiers and the found family they build with each other.
The political conflict brewing within the realms, the looming threat of war, and the involvement of the gods create a world that feels expansive and full of possibility. There’s a strong fantasy backbone here, and you can tell this story is building toward something much bigger.
The romance is cute with emotional tension and connections developing quickly, and I’m curious to see how those relationships deepen as the series continues.
I also can’t wait to see more growth in the FMC’s powers and how she truly comes into herself as the last demigod. There’s so much potential there, especially with her lightning magic.
The ending definitely sets up high stakes, and I’m excited to see how everything unfolds next.
Thank you again for the opportunity to read and support this journey 🖤✨
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ashen pulled me in right away. Jade Wilson’s writing is smooth, vivid, and full of emotional weight without ever feeling heavy. The worldbuilding is easy to follow and has just the right amount of detail. It never drags, and it never feels thin. It simply works, and it lets you sink into the story without effort.
The characters are the heart of this book. Their development feels natural, and the emotional connections between them grow in a way that makes you care before you even realize it. I loved watching each character shift and reveal new layers. Connor feels like he is being set up for something important in the series, and I am convinced there is more to Scott than he lets on. The tension around the larger threat in the background adds a steady sense of anticipation that never lets up.
The ending left me wanting the next book immediately. It is the kind of finish that makes you sit there for a moment and think about everything that could happen next. I am fully invested in these characters and this world, and I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here.
If you enjoy character driven fantasy with emotional depth, strong pacing, and a cast you grow attached to, Ashen is absolutely worth reading.
The characters are the heart of this book. Their development feels natural, and the emotional connections between them grow in a way that makes you care before you even realize it. I loved watching each character shift and reveal new layers. Connor feels like he is being set up for something important in the series, and I am convinced there is more to Scott than he lets on. The tension around the larger threat in the background adds a steady sense of anticipation that never lets up.
The ending left me wanting the next book immediately. It is the kind of finish that makes you sit there for a moment and think about everything that could happen next. I am fully invested in these characters and this world, and I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here.
If you enjoy character driven fantasy with emotional depth, strong pacing, and a cast you grow attached to, Ashen is absolutely worth reading.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5/5
Thank you to Jade Wilson for the opportunity to read an ARC of Ashen. I originally picked it up because the premise and tropes caught my attention, and overall, I’m glad I did. The worldbuilding is one of the strongest elements of this book. Even as someone who hasn’t read many Greek mythology–inspired stories, I found the world easy to follow and well-woven into the narrative.
I also really enjoyed the character dynamics, especially the banter between Axel and Finn. Axel in particular stood out to me—his backstory and emotional depth made him one of the most compelling characters in the story. (I already know who my fav is lol)
The first half felt a bit slower and occasionally clunky in terms of phrasing, but the second half really picks up, and the writing and pacing feel much stronger. While I personally guessed some of the twists, they still worked well within the story.
As the first book in a trilogy, the ending leaves readers on a cliffhanger, but it feels more like the start of something bigger rather than an abrupt stop. For a self-published debut, this is a promising start, and I’m curious to see where the story goes in the next instalment. Fans of political fantasy and mythology-inspired worlds will likely enjoy this one.
Thank you to Jade Wilson for the opportunity to read an ARC of Ashen. I originally picked it up because the premise and tropes caught my attention, and overall, I’m glad I did. The worldbuilding is one of the strongest elements of this book. Even as someone who hasn’t read many Greek mythology–inspired stories, I found the world easy to follow and well-woven into the narrative.
I also really enjoyed the character dynamics, especially the banter between Axel and Finn. Axel in particular stood out to me—his backstory and emotional depth made him one of the most compelling characters in the story. (I already know who my fav is lol)
The first half felt a bit slower and occasionally clunky in terms of phrasing, but the second half really picks up, and the writing and pacing feel much stronger. While I personally guessed some of the twists, they still worked well within the story.
As the first book in a trilogy, the ending leaves readers on a cliffhanger, but it feels more like the start of something bigger rather than an abrupt stop. For a self-published debut, this is a promising start, and I’m curious to see where the story goes in the next instalment. Fans of political fantasy and mythology-inspired worlds will likely enjoy this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Jade Wilson for an advance copy of this book.
As the first book in the Destroyed Trilogy, Ashen is a political fantasy featuring numerous realms, Olympians, demigods, and characters with questionable morals.
The book has a strong start, introducing us to the world without it being one huge infodump. The pacing was also good. It guides us through the world and introduces new characters naturally, without feeling the rush of the story needing to be moved along.
As for the romance, one part of the love triangle is instalove-y, so I wasn’t a huge fan.
The found family part didn’t feel as natural as I hoped it would be, though most of the characters had good dynamics.
The characters are whar really shine in this book. I loved the character development! I was in particular a fan of Connor’s, and how he comes to terms with what he was raised to believe in, and the reality of what the situation really is.
I love how Ashen is a story of redemption, and making your own choices and carving your own path.
As the first book in the Destroyed Trilogy, Ashen is a political fantasy featuring numerous realms, Olympians, demigods, and characters with questionable morals.
The book has a strong start, introducing us to the world without it being one huge infodump. The pacing was also good. It guides us through the world and introduces new characters naturally, without feeling the rush of the story needing to be moved along.
As for the romance, one part of the love triangle is instalove-y, so I wasn’t a huge fan.
The found family part didn’t feel as natural as I hoped it would be, though most of the characters had good dynamics.
The characters are whar really shine in this book. I loved the character development! I was in particular a fan of Connor’s, and how he comes to terms with what he was raised to believe in, and the reality of what the situation really is.
I love how Ashen is a story of redemption, and making your own choices and carving your own path.
April 5, 2026
Things went from complicated to just plain “oh, gods…” literally. I can’t wait to see what happens next!! This was a 5⭐️ read for me.
Ashen had so many things wrapped into one that worked, like gods (The Olympian kind 😏) military, and magic. In addition, there were hidden identities, a love triangle, and found family. So if you’re a fan of these, you’ll love this.
One of my favorites was the banter, I loved her characters and the back and forth between them. Each of the main characters had their own well developed personality, and you could see the changes and growth in them as the story went along. I liked learning more about them as the plot progressed.
Are you team Axel or Finn? Hmmm, that’s a hard one for me honestly, I’m not sure I could choose… I might have to say, I would go for Finn.
This book was a mpov, so you got several points of view. The chapters were short, but the story continued to flow well.
I look forward to seeing what happens next!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🫑 No
Kindle Unlimited: ✅ Yes
Recommend to my Book Bestie: She would like this!!
ARC Review
Ashen had so many things wrapped into one that worked, like gods (The Olympian kind 😏) military, and magic. In addition, there were hidden identities, a love triangle, and found family. So if you’re a fan of these, you’ll love this.
One of my favorites was the banter, I loved her characters and the back and forth between them. Each of the main characters had their own well developed personality, and you could see the changes and growth in them as the story went along. I liked learning more about them as the plot progressed.
Are you team Axel or Finn? Hmmm, that’s a hard one for me honestly, I’m not sure I could choose… I might have to say, I would go for Finn.
This book was a mpov, so you got several points of view. The chapters were short, but the story continued to flow well.
I look forward to seeing what happens next!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🫑 No
Kindle Unlimited: ✅ Yes
Recommend to my Book Bestie: She would like this!!
ARC Review
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from Author.
Ashen is Book 1 in this fantasy series and focuses around a girl name Rainee who is from Earth, along with 3 fire realm soldiers, Axel, Connor and Finn, who are sent to assassinate her.
The start of the story took awhile to build up, but once we got there it was set at a good pace to learn about the world, multiple realms and the characters themselves. This is a multiple POV book. I enjoyed how technology and magic were woven within one another.
There was some character growth + we got to learn about the realms and I'm hoping there will be more development in the next books! I really enjoyed that I cannot determine who the antagonist is and that kept me on edge. Overall was a fun read with good pacing and enjoy characters. Thank you Jade Wilson for giving me this ARC opportunity.
Ashen is Book 1 in this fantasy series and focuses around a girl name Rainee who is from Earth, along with 3 fire realm soldiers, Axel, Connor and Finn, who are sent to assassinate her.
The start of the story took awhile to build up, but once we got there it was set at a good pace to learn about the world, multiple realms and the characters themselves. This is a multiple POV book. I enjoyed how technology and magic were woven within one another.
There was some character growth + we got to learn about the realms and I'm hoping there will be more development in the next books! I really enjoyed that I cannot determine who the antagonist is and that kept me on edge. Overall was a fun read with good pacing and enjoy characters. Thank you Jade Wilson for giving me this ARC opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
•This book has a very interesting plot line. It’s a multi realm Greek mythology theme that takes place in a real world atmosphere. Rainee, our FMC, is slowly realizing that something about her human life isn’t so human after all. There are three soldiers from a different realm that end up being unexpectedly dropped into earth, and let’s just say they didn’t get to accomplish their mission. There is lots of confrontation, fighting, banter, and sarcasm that kept me engaged so much that I read this book in one day. There is a bit of a love triangle that occurs, however there is no “spice”. The “team” goes through so much in such a short amount of time, but it was entertaining to get to read from everyone’s points of view. Overall, a fun read and I’m looking forward to see what happens next!•
•This book has a very interesting plot line. It’s a multi realm Greek mythology theme that takes place in a real world atmosphere. Rainee, our FMC, is slowly realizing that something about her human life isn’t so human after all. There are three soldiers from a different realm that end up being unexpectedly dropped into earth, and let’s just say they didn’t get to accomplish their mission. There is lots of confrontation, fighting, banter, and sarcasm that kept me engaged so much that I read this book in one day. There is a bit of a love triangle that occurs, however there is no “spice”. The “team” goes through so much in such a short amount of time, but it was entertaining to get to read from everyone’s points of view. Overall, a fun read and I’m looking forward to see what happens next!•
March 5, 2026
“‘A war is coming, and you’re the only one powerful enough to stop it.’”
“Protect the spark.”
I’m giving this one a 3.75 (darn you Goodreads for not giving me half options)
I think what I enjoyed most about Ashen is; who is the villain here?! There are just so many options and I’m looking forward to see that all work out in the rest of the trilogy.
This work is a portal jumping, battle of realms and hearts. Multiple parties hunting a demigod descendant. A nice little love triangle with an utterly chaotic bad boy and a guilt ridden good boy.
It did take me a while to get connected to the characters. But when the plot kicked off (around chapter 12) I really started seeing them develop and I started getting invested in them. Plus, Connor? What an adorable golden boy.
“Protect the spark.”
I’m giving this one a 3.75 (darn you Goodreads for not giving me half options)
I think what I enjoyed most about Ashen is; who is the villain here?! There are just so many options and I’m looking forward to see that all work out in the rest of the trilogy.
This work is a portal jumping, battle of realms and hearts. Multiple parties hunting a demigod descendant. A nice little love triangle with an utterly chaotic bad boy and a guilt ridden good boy.
It did take me a while to get connected to the characters. But when the plot kicked off (around chapter 12) I really started seeing them develop and I started getting invested in them. Plus, Connor? What an adorable golden boy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review..
“Protect the Spark!”
The story follows Rainee, a normal girl finding her way through life…or, is she? Discovering oneself is often a tedious process as is, throw in the surprise:
'''A war is coming, and you're the only one powerful enough to stop it!" And you find yourself in a whole new world as a demigod.
Soldiers were sent to kill her.. at least that was the mission. The trip consists of Connor- the naive, good hearted newbie. Axel - the chaotic “she’s the target, not a conquest” seemingly bad boy, and Finn - the “I did the right thing but..” leader.
Navigating through portals, battles, and determining who is really friend or foe.
The story is a full of intrigue, angst, and found families. I can’t wait for the next one!
“Protect the Spark!”
The story follows Rainee, a normal girl finding her way through life…or, is she? Discovering oneself is often a tedious process as is, throw in the surprise:
'''A war is coming, and you're the only one powerful enough to stop it!" And you find yourself in a whole new world as a demigod.
Soldiers were sent to kill her.. at least that was the mission. The trip consists of Connor- the naive, good hearted newbie. Axel - the chaotic “she’s the target, not a conquest” seemingly bad boy, and Finn - the “I did the right thing but..” leader.
Navigating through portals, battles, and determining who is really friend or foe.
The story is a full of intrigue, angst, and found families. I can’t wait for the next one!
March 30, 2026
4.5 stars!! ARC read
Oh. My. Gods.
This was INCREDIBLE. The world building, the plot, the setup, the plot twists! I have fallen in love!!
Jade, you’ve done such an amazing job for your debut! You really fleshed out the characters and took your time with the plot, which I am so grateful for. I also was not expecting the mini love triangle subplot but I am here for it! The realms and their different customs were dipped into a bit, but most of our time was spent on Earth, will we get more realm traveling in book 2?
I can’t say enough good things about this. I am speechless and my heart hurts that it’s over.
Oh. My. Gods.
This was INCREDIBLE. The world building, the plot, the setup, the plot twists! I have fallen in love!!
Jade, you’ve done such an amazing job for your debut! You really fleshed out the characters and took your time with the plot, which I am so grateful for. I also was not expecting the mini love triangle subplot but I am here for it! The realms and their different customs were dipped into a bit, but most of our time was spent on Earth, will we get more realm traveling in book 2?
I can’t say enough good things about this. I am speechless and my heart hurts that it’s over.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ashen was a great read, I spent too much time reading the book at work, I just couldn't put it down. shhhh, don't tell the boss. Ashen is about the family you need, and how your past shapes you in ways you don't notice until later, then you finally realize you don't have to be who everyone expects.
The characters are relatable, and the story moved along at a good pace. I’m looking forward to the next book to see how the story moves forward.
This was an ARC book and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
The characters are relatable, and the story moved along at a good pace. I’m looking forward to the next book to see how the story moves forward.
This was an ARC book and I can't wait for the next book in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ashen is a strong and engaging fantasy story with a rich world and compelling characters. The opening immediately pulls you into a larger conflict between realms, gods, and political forces, while still grounding the story through characters like Rainee and the soldiers sent after her. The mix of mythology, tension, and character-driven moments keeps the story moving and makes the world feel alive. It’s an exciting start to a larger journey and a very promising fantasy novel. Now it’s hurry up and wait for the next book.
March 24, 2026
Jade Wilson created characters who were easy to find myself in. The plot was definitely one that I have never read before which made it all the more intriguing. It’s an action packed romance that really feels like something I will see in the movie theaters in the future! Sapphire and Conner stole my heart truly! This book had many aspiring moments where I found myself tearing up and nodding along with them.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the ARC.
I haven’t read a YA book in a long time, but Ashen was a great return to the genre. It’s packed with action, self acceptance, personal growth, and a strong found family element. I really enjoyed exploring the different realms, especially with the added touch of Greek mythology woven into the world building.
This is a great read for teens and adults alike who enjoy fantasy with a little romance and a strong focus on character growth.
I haven’t read a YA book in a long time, but Ashen was a great return to the genre. It’s packed with action, self acceptance, personal growth, and a strong found family element. I really enjoyed exploring the different realms, especially with the added touch of Greek mythology woven into the world building.
This is a great read for teens and adults alike who enjoy fantasy with a little romance and a strong focus on character growth.
Did Not Finish
April 2, 2026I want to say thank you to the author, Jade, for sending me an ARC!
I was excited to read Ashen because the blurb sounded really interesting and the author and I follow each other on Substack.
However, I was unaware of the heavy swearing used throughout the book and I personally try to avoid books with vulgar language. That made me really sad because I was excited to dive into this fantasy. Maybe I'll pick it up again sometime in the future, but for now this book is not for me.
I was excited to read Ashen because the blurb sounded really interesting and the author and I follow each other on Substack.
However, I was unaware of the heavy swearing used throughout the book and I personally try to avoid books with vulgar language. That made me really sad because I was excited to dive into this fantasy. Maybe I'll pick it up again sometime in the future, but for now this book is not for me.
April 3, 2026
4.5 stars
I had the honor to ARC review this amazing book. Ashen is a dark, character-driven fantasy that pulls you in from the very beginning. With multiple perspectives and rich world-building, it creates a tense and immersive atmosphere where every choice feels significant. The story balances action with emotional depth, making it easy to connect with the characters. A strong and intriguing start to a trilogy that leaves you wanting more. Make sure you add this book to your TBR!!
I had the honor to ARC review this amazing book. Ashen is a dark, character-driven fantasy that pulls you in from the very beginning. With multiple perspectives and rich world-building, it creates a tense and immersive atmosphere where every choice feels significant. The story balances action with emotional depth, making it easy to connect with the characters. A strong and intriguing start to a trilogy that leaves you wanting more. Make sure you add this book to your TBR!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Definitely enjoyed this read. Great love triangle. I liked the pacing and always questioning who is the "bad person". The characters all have more growth space and as the story progressed I got more connected to them. ...there's something unknown about some characters and a couple I'm ready to know her better. looking forward to book 2.
Thanks for the ARC read.
Thanks for the ARC read.
March 15, 2026
Ashen by Jade Wilson was a fun ride. I don’t usually read this particular genre, but I had a great time anyway. The world building was phenomenal. The romance hit the spot perfectly.
I can’t believe this is a debut novel.
Such a great ride this book put me thru. Thank you for letting me arc review!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a very enjoyable read. It is a Young Adult fantasy that will transport you to alternate realms and entertain you with amazing characters. You will cheer them Along through their interactions and adventures. The world descriptions are well written and not over done. There are plenty of areas to explore in future books. Well done.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was amazing. A little slow to get started, but the story really picked up and kept me reading more. I loved seeing the characters grow. I can't wait for the next book and to see the story progress more!!
April 2, 2026
Overall a good read. The first half was a bit slow for me to get into but it did pick up. I enjoyed the different realms and details that were put into the story. I’ll be looking forward to the next one.
March 28, 2026
I was drawn in immediately. The characters are likable, I love the found family, and the love triangle is heart-breaking. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
Review of advance copy
Mythology is one of my favorite themes in a book. (I was a Percy Jackson kid) This book has that but add in additional realms and a love triangle(maybe? 🤷🏽♀️), who knows, it’s only book 1.
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