A Covenant Written In Ash

by Inaam B. Khaled

362 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2026

Reviews

[Morgan Laut · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

I had the opportunity to meet the author at a book fair, and hearing her talk about the book was genuinely captivating. It added another layer to the reading experience for me.

Review:

I really appreciated how this story built toward an ending that refused to follow the expected path. So often, it feels like characters are forced into impossible choices, sacrifice everything or become something destructive, and I loved that this book challenged that idea. The final resolution did not rely on overpowering anything or giving something up completely. Instead, it created a third path, which felt both powerful and meaningful.

The concept of the covenant evolving rather than just binding or breaking was especially compelling. It made the ending feel earned, not just dramatic for the sake of it. There is a sense that the characters come out of everything changed but not diminished, which added a layer of hope without ignoring the weight of what they went through.

I also really enjoyed how the emotional core carried through to the end. The relationships felt grounded and intentional, and the resolution did not undo that. It strengthened it in a way that felt believable.

Overall, this is one of those endings that lingers a bit after you finish. It is not just about how things end, but what that ending says about choice, agency, and redefining what power can look like.

[Al B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book from a friend who picked it up at an event. I want to be very kind to this author, but this book was not possible for me to finish. It was very disjointed, the world building was not easy to understand. The characters fell flat. At one point I’m reading the book and a character’s name is spelled 2 different ways on the same page.
I would suggest a more thorough editing process perhaps?

[SM · Rating 1 out of 5]

I purchased this book because it sounded like a fun read. However, I DNFed as this was not pieced together into something enjoyable. It felt as though there was minimal world building so I had no idea what was happening and was left quite confused. The characters also felt incomplete, and the banter/dialogue fell flat. There was even a character whose name was misspelled twice on the same page. With a good editor and more detail, it could have potential. But I honestly find it a bit discourteous to be selling this book as it is, since it does not feel complete enough to be published for sale. When I'm reading fantasy, I want to be immersed completely into that world. With this book, I unfortunately just felt like I was reading words on a page.

[Norma Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed A Covenant Written in Ash by Inaam B. Khaled! The world-building was easy to follow which made it an enjoyable read. The enemies-to-lovers trope was executed really well, keeping the tension and chemistry alive throughout.

My only small critique is that I left the story feeling like I only got to know the characters on a surface level but I wanted a deeper connection. Still, the story kept me engaged, and I’d definitely recommend it to fans of fantasy romance and slow-burn tension.

[Whats Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly haven’t stopped thinking about A Covenant Written in Ash since I finished it. From the very first chapter, the world felt alive—dark, magical, dangerous, and incredibly immersive. Inaam B. Khaled created a story that feels cinematic in the best way possible, with high stakes, emotional depth, and characters that stay with you long after the final page.

Ophelia is such a strong and compelling protagonist. She’s not perfect, which made her feel real, and watching her navigate betrayal, power, fear, and responsibility was one of my favorite parts of the book. And Xavier? Absolutely unforgettable. The tension between them was EVERYTHING. Every scene they shared had so much emotion underneath it, and the slow-burn dynamic was done so well.

The writing itself is beautiful without trying too hard. There are so many lines that felt powerful and haunting, especially during the more emotional scenes. The balance between action, romance, and world-building was perfect. Nothing felt rushed, but I was never bored for a second.

What really surprised me was how emotional this book became. Beneath all the magic and conflict, it’s a story about trust, sacrifice, identity, and choosing who you become when the world tries to decide for you. The ending left me speechless and immediately desperate for book two.

If you love fantasy with morally gray characters, intense chemistry, political tension, emotional twists, and a world that pulls you in completely, A Covenant Written in Ash deserves a spot on your shelf. This felt like the start of something huge, and I cannot wait to see where the series goes next.

[Nona Bakkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so well written , one of the books that you pick up and get lost in time. The characters romance between love and hate is so interesting. You can’t help but fall in love with the lead’s relationship. Love that the spice level isn’t so high it’s just the right amount. Allowing for the story plot to take place instead of losing it just focusing on the characters lust for each other . I’m not really a magic type of girl so it took me a minute to catch on but doesn’t change the fact book is so good . I can’t wait for the second book to come out because the ending got me hooked !

[Maddy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel bad for taking so long to finish this book.😭 The reading slump I’ve been in had me going crazy but I finally got out of it and finished this amazing book. I loved the characters, I loved the relationship they had, and I really loved the story overall.

⚠️Spoiler Warning⚠️⬎

The ending, when Lira confesses she is Ophelia’s mother!…wasn’t expecting that at all.

I also really loved how Xavier stood up for himself and Ophelia against Cassiaus. That part really had me because that mad was SO convinced he had control over Xavier! The audacity!

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - I find the world intriguing and I liked both may characters. My issue with this is the dialogue. For most of the book it is very stilted and abrupt. There were times where no one spoke more than one sentence in a row. This progressively got better as the book continued, but it was jarring at first.

[Maria Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantasy that is easy to follow!.
Lots of banter and hidden powers... and a love that fights to survive in adversity!
I read this in one sitting! Loved the characters a lot! especially Xavier :3
Can't wait to see what book two will bring to their story!!!!

[Heatherchampagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was intense and carefully put together you could feel the love spilling from the pages. This is another book I am grateful for buying and reading I intend to read it again.