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Burn Her They Said
Imperial Grand Witch Tasch, born the strongest in emotional influencing magic during a time of great environmental changes, is one of the few known Anomalies of Ampara Deicra. Wielding power the Emperor covets, he entraps her to manage his moods under threat to those she cares about most. In recognition of her value, the Emperor assigns five Anomalies to protect her unique abilities–each one the sorcerer strongest in their magical form. Guards who ally with Tasch to one day free every citizen, with the aid of their bonded Dragons.
One sorcerer changes everything.
Varic’s magic surpasses Tasch’s Lead Guard, angering the Emperor who hides him away in the Imperial Army, where Varic is commanded to strengthen his magic beyond his control, resulting in the worst magical catastrophe in history. Emperor Aldritch sends Tasch to rehabilitate Varic, believing her magic alone can heal him. They forge a strong connection away from the Emperor’s direct command, and fall in love, which aids in Varic’s healing. A love so forbidden, the consequences of it being discovered are unlivable.
Oppression forms unbreakable bonds.
Attacks from bordering lands increase, requiring resources the Emperor hoards. Fearing the worst, Emperor Aldritch appoints Varic over Tasch’s Guards. Varic’s presence is so disarming, it proves impossible for them to hide their feelings—and the signs her magic is fading. All when the citizens demand the Emperor name an heir, while he chooses to believe the Imperial Grand Philosopher is on the cusp of discovering the answer to immortality.
In a land where Dragons are revered like Gods, a witch and her Guards must risk it all.
Dragonfall meets A Discovery of Witches in this dark fantasy, forbidden romance between Imperial Grand Witch Tasch whose magic is fading, and Varic, the sorcerer she saved years earlier who is bound and determined to return the favor. Family, power, and magic collide in the first of this series as the race to save Tasch and the citizens becomes ever more dire.
One sorcerer changes everything.
Varic’s magic surpasses Tasch’s Lead Guard, angering the Emperor who hides him away in the Imperial Army, where Varic is commanded to strengthen his magic beyond his control, resulting in the worst magical catastrophe in history. Emperor Aldritch sends Tasch to rehabilitate Varic, believing her magic alone can heal him. They forge a strong connection away from the Emperor’s direct command, and fall in love, which aids in Varic’s healing. A love so forbidden, the consequences of it being discovered are unlivable.
Oppression forms unbreakable bonds.
Attacks from bordering lands increase, requiring resources the Emperor hoards. Fearing the worst, Emperor Aldritch appoints Varic over Tasch’s Guards. Varic’s presence is so disarming, it proves impossible for them to hide their feelings—and the signs her magic is fading. All when the citizens demand the Emperor name an heir, while he chooses to believe the Imperial Grand Philosopher is on the cusp of discovering the answer to immortality.
In a land where Dragons are revered like Gods, a witch and her Guards must risk it all.
Dragonfall meets A Discovery of Witches in this dark fantasy, forbidden romance between Imperial Grand Witch Tasch whose magic is fading, and Varic, the sorcerer she saved years earlier who is bound and determined to return the favor. Family, power, and magic collide in the first of this series as the race to save Tasch and the citizens becomes ever more dire.
961 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
Did Not Finish
July 5, 2026DNF 25%
Thank you Cherish Wright for sending me this ARC.
After how amazing this book sounded I was really excited to read it so no one is more disappointed it’s a DNF for me than I am. The world building and magic system were quite interesting and I wanted to learn more about it, I liked the forbidden relationship vibes with a lot of mutual yearning and enjoyed the author’s writing style, but it wasn’t enough to keep me interested because at 25% of a 800+ pages book nothing really happened. Literally. I still have no idea what is the plot about, the characters’ goal, there was no action, just kind of everyday life at Emperor’s court which became repetitive quickly (and the one thing that happened that I think was supposed to be shocking I could see coming from a mile away) and honestly I just didn’t want to force myself to continue reading it. I think the book had a lot of potential, but it dragged a lot and could use a faster paced plot.
Thank you Cherish Wright for sending me this ARC.
After how amazing this book sounded I was really excited to read it so no one is more disappointed it’s a DNF for me than I am. The world building and magic system were quite interesting and I wanted to learn more about it, I liked the forbidden relationship vibes with a lot of mutual yearning and enjoyed the author’s writing style, but it wasn’t enough to keep me interested because at 25% of a 800+ pages book nothing really happened. Literally. I still have no idea what is the plot about, the characters’ goal, there was no action, just kind of everyday life at Emperor’s court which became repetitive quickly (and the one thing that happened that I think was supposed to be shocking I could see coming from a mile away) and honestly I just didn’t want to force myself to continue reading it. I think the book had a lot of potential, but it dragged a lot and could use a faster paced plot.
June 11, 2026
Wow! Ok for starters this baby is THICK but even so it doesn’t drag. Dragons, witches, sorcerers a ruler you wanna throat punch me a really endearing slow burn romance. The writing feels like a high fantasy. The idea of sharing and taking emotions was really unique and the world building was superbly done, it’s similar vibes to game of thrones and I’m really looking forward to book two. Thanks to Cherish for my copy!
Did Not Finish
June 22, 2026thank you to the author for providing me with an arc!
unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me, and i ended up dnfing at 12% (around 120 pages).
i really wanted to like this book, but i ran into several issues that made it difficult to continue. first and foremost… why is this book so long? at 120 pages in, it felt like almost nothing had happened. the pacing was incredibly slow, and i couldn’t convince myself to push through another 800+ pages hoping things would eventually pick up.
i also struggled with the writing style. there were multiple times where i had to reread sentences because they felt unnecessarily complicated. the word choices/phrasing often felt overly elaborate, and some sentences seemed more concerned with sounding poetic than actually communicating what was happening. not every sentence needs to be beautifully lyrical, and at times it made the reading experience frustrating rather than immersive.
another issue was how confusing the story felt from the very beginning. i constantly felt like i had been dropped into a world i was already supposed to understand. events, terminology, and character interactions were presented with very little context, leaving me unsure of what was actually happening for much of the first 100 pages.
the sentence structure didn’t help either. some sentences went on forever.. at one point, an entire paragraph on my kindle was a single sentence. combined with scenes that felt unnecessarily drawn out despite very little happening, the book became a chore to get through and i didn’t want to pick it up.
and if i ever read the phrase “my being” again, it’ll be too soon. there has to be another way to say that phrase.
overall, i think this book needed stronger editing, a clearer setup, and more direction early on. the premise had potential, but the execution left me confused, disconnected, and ultimately unwilling to continue.
unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me, and i ended up dnfing at 12% (around 120 pages).
i really wanted to like this book, but i ran into several issues that made it difficult to continue. first and foremost… why is this book so long? at 120 pages in, it felt like almost nothing had happened. the pacing was incredibly slow, and i couldn’t convince myself to push through another 800+ pages hoping things would eventually pick up.
i also struggled with the writing style. there were multiple times where i had to reread sentences because they felt unnecessarily complicated. the word choices/phrasing often felt overly elaborate, and some sentences seemed more concerned with sounding poetic than actually communicating what was happening. not every sentence needs to be beautifully lyrical, and at times it made the reading experience frustrating rather than immersive.
another issue was how confusing the story felt from the very beginning. i constantly felt like i had been dropped into a world i was already supposed to understand. events, terminology, and character interactions were presented with very little context, leaving me unsure of what was actually happening for much of the first 100 pages.
the sentence structure didn’t help either. some sentences went on forever.. at one point, an entire paragraph on my kindle was a single sentence. combined with scenes that felt unnecessarily drawn out despite very little happening, the book became a chore to get through and i didn’t want to pick it up.
and if i ever read the phrase “my being” again, it’ll be too soon. there has to be another way to say that phrase.
overall, i think this book needed stronger editing, a clearer setup, and more direction early on. the premise had potential, but the execution left me confused, disconnected, and ultimately unwilling to continue.
Did Not Finish
July 23, 2026DNF
I went into this one SO excited. The marketing? Incredible. The premise? Right up my alley. A massive fantasy with gorgeous vibes, dangerous magic, political intrigue, and promises of an unforgettable story? Sign me up immediately.
Unfortunately... this ended up being one of those books where the writing style completely got in the way of everything else.
From the very first chapter, I found the prose incredibly difficult to follow. It wasn't just lyrical or poetic—it was so dense and overly elaborate that I often struggled to make it from the beginning of a sentence to the end without forgetting where it had started. I'm not someone who enjoys flowery prose for the sake of it. If a writing style is going to be this elaborate, I need it to either develop the characters, move the plot forward, or make the world clearer. Instead, it often felt like style was taking priority over substance. It honestly felt like every sentence had to audition for a poetry award. The problem is I wasn't looking for poetry—I was looking for a story.
The biggest issue for me was how repetitive everything became. Once a thought was introduced, it rarely stopped there. Instead, it would be restated two or three more times using slightly different wording, as if every sentence needed multiple remixes before we could finally move on. Very little new information was actually being added. It felt like the same ideas were being recycled over and over again, artificially stretching every single scene far beyond what it needed to be.
Honestly, if this story had been written with a tighter, more direct style, I genuinely think it could've been hundreds of pages shorter. And considering this book is over 900 pages long... that's a problem. There simply wasn't enough plot progression to justify that length. It often felt like the writing existed to make the book longer rather than to move the story forward.
The worldbuilding also left me frustrated because I actually think there was a really interesting world hiding underneath all the prose. There are clearly complicated systems of magic, politics, history, and power in place, but very little of it is explained in a way that allows the reader to fully understand how everything works. Instead of gradually building my understanding, the book throws terminology, magical concepts, and important characters at you with very little grounding. I constantly felt like I'd accidentally skipped a prequel or missed several chapters somewhere along the way.
There's certainly a lot of world... but not nearly enough actual worldbuilding.
I kept waiting for that moment where everything would click into place, where I'd suddenly understand the rules, the relationships, the stakes, and why everyone was making the choices they were. Unfortunately, that moment never really came. Beyond knowing that the emperor is dangerous and people die if they cross him, I never felt like I truly understood what was at stake or why I should be emotionally invested.
The same goes for the characters. We receive pages upon pages describing them, their abilities, and their histories, but I never felt connected to them because I was spending so much mental energy simply trying to decipher what I was reading. Instead of becoming immersed, I found myself constantly rereading paragraphs trying to figure out what had actually been said.
I can absolutely see why some readers might adore this. If you love extremely lyrical, atmospheric prose where every emotion is unpacked from six different angles and every scene lingers for pages, this may be exactly your kind of book.
Sadly, it just wasn't mine.
There is a genuinely fascinating concept buried somewhere underneath all of the ornate writing, and I kept wishing the story trusted itself enough to simply tell it. Instead, I felt like I was fighting through layers of decorative prose just to reach the plot. For me, the execution never lived up to the incredible premise, and what should have been an immersive epic fantasy became an exhausting reading experience.
I went into this one SO excited. The marketing? Incredible. The premise? Right up my alley. A massive fantasy with gorgeous vibes, dangerous magic, political intrigue, and promises of an unforgettable story? Sign me up immediately.
Unfortunately... this ended up being one of those books where the writing style completely got in the way of everything else.
From the very first chapter, I found the prose incredibly difficult to follow. It wasn't just lyrical or poetic—it was so dense and overly elaborate that I often struggled to make it from the beginning of a sentence to the end without forgetting where it had started. I'm not someone who enjoys flowery prose for the sake of it. If a writing style is going to be this elaborate, I need it to either develop the characters, move the plot forward, or make the world clearer. Instead, it often felt like style was taking priority over substance. It honestly felt like every sentence had to audition for a poetry award. The problem is I wasn't looking for poetry—I was looking for a story.
The biggest issue for me was how repetitive everything became. Once a thought was introduced, it rarely stopped there. Instead, it would be restated two or three more times using slightly different wording, as if every sentence needed multiple remixes before we could finally move on. Very little new information was actually being added. It felt like the same ideas were being recycled over and over again, artificially stretching every single scene far beyond what it needed to be.
Honestly, if this story had been written with a tighter, more direct style, I genuinely think it could've been hundreds of pages shorter. And considering this book is over 900 pages long... that's a problem. There simply wasn't enough plot progression to justify that length. It often felt like the writing existed to make the book longer rather than to move the story forward.
The worldbuilding also left me frustrated because I actually think there was a really interesting world hiding underneath all the prose. There are clearly complicated systems of magic, politics, history, and power in place, but very little of it is explained in a way that allows the reader to fully understand how everything works. Instead of gradually building my understanding, the book throws terminology, magical concepts, and important characters at you with very little grounding. I constantly felt like I'd accidentally skipped a prequel or missed several chapters somewhere along the way.
There's certainly a lot of world... but not nearly enough actual worldbuilding.
I kept waiting for that moment where everything would click into place, where I'd suddenly understand the rules, the relationships, the stakes, and why everyone was making the choices they were. Unfortunately, that moment never really came. Beyond knowing that the emperor is dangerous and people die if they cross him, I never felt like I truly understood what was at stake or why I should be emotionally invested.
The same goes for the characters. We receive pages upon pages describing them, their abilities, and their histories, but I never felt connected to them because I was spending so much mental energy simply trying to decipher what I was reading. Instead of becoming immersed, I found myself constantly rereading paragraphs trying to figure out what had actually been said.
I can absolutely see why some readers might adore this. If you love extremely lyrical, atmospheric prose where every emotion is unpacked from six different angles and every scene lingers for pages, this may be exactly your kind of book.
Sadly, it just wasn't mine.
There is a genuinely fascinating concept buried somewhere underneath all of the ornate writing, and I kept wishing the story trusted itself enough to simply tell it. Instead, I felt like I was fighting through layers of decorative prose just to reach the plot. For me, the execution never lived up to the incredible premise, and what should have been an immersive epic fantasy became an exhausting reading experience.
Did Not Finish
July 17, 2026I am unfortunately having to DNF this book at around 10%, and I want to be very clear that this isn’t a decision I make lightly.
I genuinely wanted to support this author, especially as a writer living with disability creating stories about disabled characters. That representation matters deeply to me, and I’m always rooting for authors doing that work. That said, the writing style in this book ended up being a major barrier for me. I live with OCD, and the frequent repetition of certain phrases and terminology became overwhelming very quickly. Even early on, the recurrence of specific expressions (especially “my being”) pulled me out of the story and made it difficult to stay focused on the plot.
The style itself leans heavily toward lyrical, densely packed sentences. While I appreciate poetic writing, I personally need that style to serve a clear purpose: advancing the plot, developing the character, or bringing the scene into focus. Here, the long, ornate sentences often felt more indulgent and decorative than functional, and I struggled to find the underlying direction of the story.
By chapter six, I was so disengaged from the story that I was overly focused on the length of the book and that’s never a good sign. I want to emphasize that this is a me issue as much as a craft issue - readers who enjoy highly lyrical, introspective prose may connect with this book in ways I couldn’t. But for my reading needs and neurotype, the style became too challenging to continue.I’m still cheering for this author and the representation they bring to the genre, even if this particular book wasn’t the right fit for me.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the gift of this ARC! In exchange for my honest review, and hopefully they’ll understand that I had barriers here that I couldn’t overcome.
I genuinely wanted to support this author, especially as a writer living with disability creating stories about disabled characters. That representation matters deeply to me, and I’m always rooting for authors doing that work. That said, the writing style in this book ended up being a major barrier for me. I live with OCD, and the frequent repetition of certain phrases and terminology became overwhelming very quickly. Even early on, the recurrence of specific expressions (especially “my being”) pulled me out of the story and made it difficult to stay focused on the plot.
The style itself leans heavily toward lyrical, densely packed sentences. While I appreciate poetic writing, I personally need that style to serve a clear purpose: advancing the plot, developing the character, or bringing the scene into focus. Here, the long, ornate sentences often felt more indulgent and decorative than functional, and I struggled to find the underlying direction of the story.
By chapter six, I was so disengaged from the story that I was overly focused on the length of the book and that’s never a good sign. I want to emphasize that this is a me issue as much as a craft issue - readers who enjoy highly lyrical, introspective prose may connect with this book in ways I couldn’t. But for my reading needs and neurotype, the style became too challenging to continue.I’m still cheering for this author and the representation they bring to the genre, even if this particular book wasn’t the right fit for me.
Thank you to the Nerd Fam for the gift of this ARC! In exchange for my honest review, and hopefully they’ll understand that I had barriers here that I couldn’t overcome.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to Whimsy Words PR for providing me with an ARC of 'Burn Her They Said'. This is my honest, voluntary review.
Some flames are lit by revenge, but they rarely stop there.
'Burn Her They Said' is one of those dark romances that immediately pulls you into a world where love, revenge, and obsession become impossible to separate. Cherish Wright delivers an emotionally charged story filled with damaged characters, dangerous chemistry, and enough suspense to keep the pages turning long into the night.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is Wright's writing style. It is fluid, immersive, and packed with emotion without ever feeling overwhelming. Every conversation carries meaning, while the characters' inner thoughts reveal the pain, vulnerability, and determination hidden beneath their hard exteriors. The storytelling makes it easy to become completely invested in their journey.
The pacing is carefully balanced. Rather than rushing from one dramatic moment to the next, the story allows the tension to simmer, making every revelation feel well deserved. The structure steadily uncovers new layers of the plot, blending romance, mystery, and suspense into a gripping reading experience. Just when everything seems to make sense, another twist changes the direction of the story.
The characters are wonderfully complex. Their flaws make them believable, their motivations understandable, and their morally grey nature keeps you questioning every decision they make. The emotional push and pull between them creates intense chemistry that never overshadows the darker themes of grief, betrayal, trust, and revenge.
What impressed me most was how naturally the emotional storyline and the suspenseful plot complement one another. Neither element dominates the other, creating a story that feels complete from beginning to end. Every secret uncovered raises the stakes, while every emotional moment carries genuine weight.
Cherish Wright has written a captivating dark romance that balances emotional depth with suspense, unexpected twists, and unforgettable characters. Readers who enjoy morally grey protagonists, slow-burning tension, and stories where love and revenge collide will find plenty to enjoy in 'Burn Her They Said'.
Morally Grey Characters | Revenge | Obsession | Secrets | Betrayal | Emotional Scars | Suspense | Twists | Dark Romance | High Emotional Stakes
Some flames are lit by revenge, but they rarely stop there.
'Burn Her They Said' is one of those dark romances that immediately pulls you into a world where love, revenge, and obsession become impossible to separate. Cherish Wright delivers an emotionally charged story filled with damaged characters, dangerous chemistry, and enough suspense to keep the pages turning long into the night.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is Wright's writing style. It is fluid, immersive, and packed with emotion without ever feeling overwhelming. Every conversation carries meaning, while the characters' inner thoughts reveal the pain, vulnerability, and determination hidden beneath their hard exteriors. The storytelling makes it easy to become completely invested in their journey.
The pacing is carefully balanced. Rather than rushing from one dramatic moment to the next, the story allows the tension to simmer, making every revelation feel well deserved. The structure steadily uncovers new layers of the plot, blending romance, mystery, and suspense into a gripping reading experience. Just when everything seems to make sense, another twist changes the direction of the story.
The characters are wonderfully complex. Their flaws make them believable, their motivations understandable, and their morally grey nature keeps you questioning every decision they make. The emotional push and pull between them creates intense chemistry that never overshadows the darker themes of grief, betrayal, trust, and revenge.
What impressed me most was how naturally the emotional storyline and the suspenseful plot complement one another. Neither element dominates the other, creating a story that feels complete from beginning to end. Every secret uncovered raises the stakes, while every emotional moment carries genuine weight.
Cherish Wright has written a captivating dark romance that balances emotional depth with suspense, unexpected twists, and unforgettable characters. Readers who enjoy morally grey protagonists, slow-burning tension, and stories where love and revenge collide will find plenty to enjoy in 'Burn Her They Said'.
Morally Grey Characters | Revenge | Obsession | Secrets | Betrayal | Emotional Scars | Suspense | Twists | Dark Romance | High Emotional Stakes
July 26, 2026
Wow. So much to say about this book! I was so excited to get this as an ARC and I was not disappointed.
Cherish Wright’s writhing is absolutely beautiful and she really brought these characters to life. My favorite thing about the book is probably the world that she has created. I don’t think I have read any magic system or world building quite like it. The women (witches) only being allowed to practice the type of magic that has them carrying the emotional / mental load of the empire is so clever. The emotional depth in the book is intense. I would not describe this as “light reading,” but in a good way!
I absolutely loved our FMC and MMC. We get such a sense of their past, shame, trauma, all of it and it was lovely to see these characters grow through things together. I love that their relationship is clearly established at the beginning, but we still get to see how they navigate everything through the tyranny they live through.
If you are a fan of forced proximity, like me, you will love this. But even this was done in a different way. I think because the feelings are already there.
The “found family” in this book is one my favorites that I have read. I feel like sometimes authors just want you to take their word for it that the characters love each other, but this book really shows all the things this group has to endure together. I love how they bond together but also have individual relationships as well.
The story and plot is really good. It keeps a good pace. I feel like a lot of it was surprising and kept me on my toes and I love that it ended with some resolutions but also has a few loose ends. I am looking forward to book 2 but am not pissed it’s not out already.
Overall, the characters and how they deal with their trauma and shame is so relatable. I loved the world and magic system and recognize how it is representative of women bearing the mental load in so much. I have never read emotional dynamics quite like this and appreciate the effort the author put into really taking the reader on a ride. I love Tasch and Varic and look forward to the next part of their story.
Cherish Wright’s writhing is absolutely beautiful and she really brought these characters to life. My favorite thing about the book is probably the world that she has created. I don’t think I have read any magic system or world building quite like it. The women (witches) only being allowed to practice the type of magic that has them carrying the emotional / mental load of the empire is so clever. The emotional depth in the book is intense. I would not describe this as “light reading,” but in a good way!
I absolutely loved our FMC and MMC. We get such a sense of their past, shame, trauma, all of it and it was lovely to see these characters grow through things together. I love that their relationship is clearly established at the beginning, but we still get to see how they navigate everything through the tyranny they live through.
If you are a fan of forced proximity, like me, you will love this. But even this was done in a different way. I think because the feelings are already there.
The “found family” in this book is one my favorites that I have read. I feel like sometimes authors just want you to take their word for it that the characters love each other, but this book really shows all the things this group has to endure together. I love how they bond together but also have individual relationships as well.
The story and plot is really good. It keeps a good pace. I feel like a lot of it was surprising and kept me on my toes and I love that it ended with some resolutions but also has a few loose ends. I am looking forward to book 2 but am not pissed it’s not out already.
Overall, the characters and how they deal with their trauma and shame is so relatable. I loved the world and magic system and recognize how it is representative of women bearing the mental load in so much. I have never read emotional dynamics quite like this and appreciate the effort the author put into really taking the reader on a ride. I love Tasch and Varic and look forward to the next part of their story.
July 25, 2026
Come sit with me and let’s talk about this incredible book that is available as of today!
“There’s nothing you can say or do that would make me flinch. I will kneel before every broken part of you and swear my love to it. You are my beginning and my undoing, and I choose you anyway”
Like this MMC cherishes the ground the FMC walks on, loves and appreciates her every feature and what she perceives as flaws (but he would never say they were a flaw), and he gives his everything EVERYTHING to keep her safe. Varic is beyond swoon-worthy!
Now for our FMC, our lovely and lovable Tasch who gives every fiber of herself to care for those around her. Tasch is THE representation of burnout, of overextending oneself for the sake of those around them, and of self-sacrifice.
This book recognizes consistent burnout like nothing else, it shows how constantly being hypervigilant and empathetic without boundaries is draining. It feels like a whole mental health journey braided into a romance layered into a fantasy. It has depth, it has beauty, it has pain and emptiness, and it has substance to keep the fantasy grounded. If Nesta’s breakdown got to you, this is that but dug even deeper into the meat of it. This book is heavy in more than just the sense of its length but of its emotional weight.
This book captures what it’s like to be socialized as a woman in our society, to be the bearer of the burden, silent and supportive, and be so wholly drained at the same time. It hits home like no other.
This book is that moment at the end of a long day where you finally just get to sit and rest and take a moment to breathe and recognize the strength it takes to just be you.
The magic, the world-building, the character creation and development, the prose, just everything about BHTS had me hooked and sunk into this beautifully tortured story. I’m a sucker for a fantasy slow-burn romance and this book checked all the boxes of what I love in both MCs.
If you want your heart slowly picked apart piece by piece in the best way as two characters who were meant to be together just can’t, this book will do that. I am so very in love with BHTS and I hope you will be too!
“There’s nothing you can say or do that would make me flinch. I will kneel before every broken part of you and swear my love to it. You are my beginning and my undoing, and I choose you anyway”
Like this MMC cherishes the ground the FMC walks on, loves and appreciates her every feature and what she perceives as flaws (but he would never say they were a flaw), and he gives his everything EVERYTHING to keep her safe. Varic is beyond swoon-worthy!
Now for our FMC, our lovely and lovable Tasch who gives every fiber of herself to care for those around her. Tasch is THE representation of burnout, of overextending oneself for the sake of those around them, and of self-sacrifice.
This book recognizes consistent burnout like nothing else, it shows how constantly being hypervigilant and empathetic without boundaries is draining. It feels like a whole mental health journey braided into a romance layered into a fantasy. It has depth, it has beauty, it has pain and emptiness, and it has substance to keep the fantasy grounded. If Nesta’s breakdown got to you, this is that but dug even deeper into the meat of it. This book is heavy in more than just the sense of its length but of its emotional weight.
This book captures what it’s like to be socialized as a woman in our society, to be the bearer of the burden, silent and supportive, and be so wholly drained at the same time. It hits home like no other.
This book is that moment at the end of a long day where you finally just get to sit and rest and take a moment to breathe and recognize the strength it takes to just be you.
The magic, the world-building, the character creation and development, the prose, just everything about BHTS had me hooked and sunk into this beautifully tortured story. I’m a sucker for a fantasy slow-burn romance and this book checked all the boxes of what I love in both MCs.
If you want your heart slowly picked apart piece by piece in the best way as two characters who were meant to be together just can’t, this book will do that. I am so very in love with BHTS and I hope you will be too!
Did Not Finish
July 2, 2026*Review of ARC received from the author*
I made it until page 200 (and forced myself to get there) but I can’t do 750 more pages of this. I really wish I had liked it, but it unfortunately was not for me, and I DNFd at 21%. I think there A LOT of potential, however, but I just could not go on to see it come to life.
I want to be fully transparent on why I decided to DNF as this was an ARC, so here it is:
World building:
There’s a whole lot of world, but not much building going on. I feel like this book has so much potential on that aspect but it lacked explanations and information that would allow the reader to understand the world without doing a lot of guess work. I obviously don’t know if it gets better, but the 200 first pages did not give me enough to go on without being puzzled.
Magic system:
Same as the world building. There is a rather complex system in place but after 200 pages I still have no idea how it works exactly.
Social and political context:
I gathered from the blurb and some hints here and there that the population is not happy with how everything is organised and dealt with (especially women’s place in society) but other than that, I don’t know? I’m sure it gets developed further in the book but I need more for 200 pages. One thing however that I did not understand at all was how Tash was considered such an important person when all she does (based on those 200 pages) is regulate the emperor’s emotions (and other people’s when it benefits the emperor). Must be extra useful when negotiating with other nations but other than that…? And why does she need five guards for HER instead of the emperor? There must be something I missed, or once again, it gets explained later on.
Relations:
There’s some yearning, some friendships that seem to run deep, some resentment towards the emperor, but I’m missing some character building. Especially on the Varic-Tasch relationship because I don’t know how they get to where they are after the prologue.
Writing:
The writing is beautiful to be honest, but there’s so much said that is unnecessary. I really feel like this book would highly benefit from being shorter.
Dragons:
I haven’t seen the dragons bonded to humans I was promised and only heard of them as almost godly figures everybody’s scared of and either worships or despises. I’m sure they’ll come later, but limiting myself to the first 200 pages this sounds like the opposite of the blurb so that bothered me a bit.
I made it until page 200 (and forced myself to get there) but I can’t do 750 more pages of this. I really wish I had liked it, but it unfortunately was not for me, and I DNFd at 21%. I think there A LOT of potential, however, but I just could not go on to see it come to life.
I want to be fully transparent on why I decided to DNF as this was an ARC, so here it is:
World building:
There’s a whole lot of world, but not much building going on. I feel like this book has so much potential on that aspect but it lacked explanations and information that would allow the reader to understand the world without doing a lot of guess work. I obviously don’t know if it gets better, but the 200 first pages did not give me enough to go on without being puzzled.
Magic system:
Same as the world building. There is a rather complex system in place but after 200 pages I still have no idea how it works exactly.
Social and political context:
I gathered from the blurb and some hints here and there that the population is not happy with how everything is organised and dealt with (especially women’s place in society) but other than that, I don’t know? I’m sure it gets developed further in the book but I need more for 200 pages. One thing however that I did not understand at all was how Tash was considered such an important person when all she does (based on those 200 pages) is regulate the emperor’s emotions (and other people’s when it benefits the emperor). Must be extra useful when negotiating with other nations but other than that…? And why does she need five guards for HER instead of the emperor? There must be something I missed, or once again, it gets explained later on.
Relations:
There’s some yearning, some friendships that seem to run deep, some resentment towards the emperor, but I’m missing some character building. Especially on the Varic-Tasch relationship because I don’t know how they get to where they are after the prologue.
Writing:
The writing is beautiful to be honest, but there’s so much said that is unnecessary. I really feel like this book would highly benefit from being shorter.
Dragons:
I haven’t seen the dragons bonded to humans I was promised and only heard of them as almost godly figures everybody’s scared of and either worships or despises. I’m sure they’ll come later, but limiting myself to the first 200 pages this sounds like the opposite of the blurb so that bothered me a bit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2026
Thank you to the author for this advanced copy. 4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️. I think the only issue I had with this book was the length. I don’t mind a lengthy book but this felt a little too wordy and repetitive at times. Despite that, I still really enjoyed it and really connected with all of the characters.
The chemistry between Varic and Tasch was evident from the beginning. I loved them both individually as well as together. Their relationship was so heartbreaking and the tension was excruciating. This is probably the slowest burn I have ever read. Don’t expect any spice, however, the tension and hand grazes did it for me. These two aren’t allowed to form a relationship, touch, or even talk about anything other than their duties. They manage to sneak in longing glances, hand grazes, and they write notes to each other. The spice is nonexistent but the romance is off the charts. You can feel their love and devotion to one another.
The found family was absolutely perfect. All of Tasch’s guards really stepped up to make her feel safe, cared for, and give her some semblance of a family that loves her. I loved how they all rallied around her and worked together to carry out their duties while also making Tasch feel safe and cared for.
The villain, The Emperor, was absolutely awful and I despise him immensely. I hope he gets what’s coming to him next book.
I really liked the plot and where this seems to be going. I’m really excited for the next book!
The chemistry between Varic and Tasch was evident from the beginning. I loved them both individually as well as together. Their relationship was so heartbreaking and the tension was excruciating. This is probably the slowest burn I have ever read. Don’t expect any spice, however, the tension and hand grazes did it for me. These two aren’t allowed to form a relationship, touch, or even talk about anything other than their duties. They manage to sneak in longing glances, hand grazes, and they write notes to each other. The spice is nonexistent but the romance is off the charts. You can feel their love and devotion to one another.
The found family was absolutely perfect. All of Tasch’s guards really stepped up to make her feel safe, cared for, and give her some semblance of a family that loves her. I loved how they all rallied around her and worked together to carry out their duties while also making Tasch feel safe and cared for.
The villain, The Emperor, was absolutely awful and I despise him immensely. I hope he gets what’s coming to him next book.
I really liked the plot and where this seems to be going. I’m really excited for the next book!
June 28, 2026
ARC Read.
Tasch is a grand imperial witch with the ability to influence emotions. Varic is a powerful force sorcerer who’d rather die than be a pawn to the Emperor. Brought together through an oppressive ruler in hopes of his rehabilitation, they instantly form a connection, a forbidden love.
This book had so much promise and I was really intrigued with its premise. I love dragons and high fantasy, but it just felt too long. There was constant over explaining and repetitive moments, that I just began getting confused. A slow burn that’s a little too slow and an inconsistent MMC.
Whilst this read may not be for me I can definitely see others enjoying it.
Tasch is a grand imperial witch with the ability to influence emotions. Varic is a powerful force sorcerer who’d rather die than be a pawn to the Emperor. Brought together through an oppressive ruler in hopes of his rehabilitation, they instantly form a connection, a forbidden love.
This book had so much promise and I was really intrigued with its premise. I love dragons and high fantasy, but it just felt too long. There was constant over explaining and repetitive moments, that I just began getting confused. A slow burn that’s a little too slow and an inconsistent MMC.
Whilst this read may not be for me I can definitely see others enjoying it.
Did Not Finish
July 23, 2026DNF at 13% ... I really wanted to enjoy this, but something just really wasn't clicking. I wasn't interested at all and just didn't feel anything!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Despite not enjoying this novel, I would like to thank the author for providing me with an ARC for the purposes of this review. The core of this novel was set up for me to love and I truly think there is potential for a great story here. We are just so far from it in the current stage.
I have no idea, how this book was SO LONG, yet practically nothing happened. 75% of this book is our gorup of main characters sitting in a room together, yearning for each other, and not understanding each other's feelings despite having a character who is actively reading everyone's emotions 24/7 and imbuing them with her own emotions so there can be no mistaking how she feels. Not to mention they literally write their feelings down on paper in plain words, use terms that call each other "my heart, my soul," yet still down to the very last chapter are constantly wondering if those around them feel the way they do or are acting out of love rather than a different emotion. I understand that the characters are meant to be neurodivergent-coded, and a common trait amongst many neurodivergent people is having a hard time interpreting emotion/body language, etc. BUT IT IS LITERALLY WRITTEN DOWN FOR THEM, THEY CAN FEEL EACH OTHER'S EMOTIONS IN REAL TIME AND ARE CONSTANTLY SENDING EACH OTHER THEIR EMOTIONS IN REAL TIME, AND STILL SOMEHOW ARE DOUBTING/MISINTERPRETING??? It drove me up the wall.
I could probably write an essay on all the things that tempted me to DNF this book (and would have if it hadn't been provided as an ARC), but I will try and be succinct (unlike this novel).
Issue 1 - I love yearning, I ADORE a good yearn and a slow burn, but that is all this book is. There is no build or growth to the yearning as well. Our characters hit the soulmate status immediately and stay there the whole book. It feels like the author is trying to stoke the sexual tension when they desperately want to touch but can't but this only works for so long, not for LITERALLY the entire novel. We finally get one kiss as the LITERAL LAST SENTENCE OF THE BOOK, but just the sentence saying it finally happened. We don't even get the catharsis as a reader of getting to know how the characters finally felt and reacted to this long awaited kiss (literally hundreds of pages).
Issue 2 - I'm dying for a plot. There are attempted plot threads in the background of the romance(?) happening for 90% of the book, but often they are introduced and then either dropped on the floor or used as a means to an end with no explanation how they occurred. For example, and probably my biggest pet peeve of this book, early on (like 10-15% in), a plot point is started where our FMC has manipulated a General into bringing her this super secret mystical book which is somehow important to help them bring down this corrupt empire. How? Why? What's in this book? Where did he even get it from? couldn't tell you. This apparently does not matter as really this meeting was just a tool to put the characters in a certain place at a certain time so an important death could happen. They then hide this book because it is TOO IMPORTANT for the Emperor to know they have it, and they hide it somewhere we already know it is practically inaccessible and will never come up again. This book doesn't come back up again until literally 80% (or maybe even 85) through the book. I literally made a note saying "Oh so we DO remember this plot thread." And yes, the author remembers it, but still does nothing with it. The book comes back into the picture, and by the end of the novel I STILL don't know what's in it, why they got it, where they got it, what the plan is to use it for.
Issue 3 - The author seems to have a way of writing that aritificially extends every scene. Once a thought is expressed, most of the time it has to be expressed 2-3 more ways afterward. Nothing new is added, we are just re-hashing what was just said with different words. Often these also felt like sentence fragments.
Issue 4 - Somewhat related to the previous point, at a line level this book still needs so many edits. Halfway through reading (and after sending my own notes for line-level edits to the author since an email was provided to do so), the author uploaded a revised copy claiming that the initial one sent out had incorrectly applied her editor's notes. Once I started reading this revised copy, the frequency of the text issues was definitely lower but still frequent enough to truly get on my nerves. The only reason for this was because of the author's note. The note mentions this book has not been proofread yet (so I expected to find the occasional error) but has been through a few rounds of edits so far including a copy editor.
Issue 5 - The ever-changing and inconsistent magic system. At first explanation I ADORED the way magic worked and it is a very powerful metaphor for all the emotional labour expected of women and the burden most of us carry. However the way magic was categorized was just straight-up incorrect. "Force magic" was absolutely the wrong name, the "telekinetics" were also doing telepathy for the first third of the book so that had me confused as heck, and just a medley of other minor issues that brought down what could have been a great system.
Issue 6 - The absolute hypocrisy and controlling nature of the MMC/main love interest. One of the first things he does that endears our FMC to him is stick up for her when someone is trying to limit her agency/remove her ability to consent. He does this many times throughout the novel and one of his main missions is to supposedly help restore the agency she hasn't had since she was a child. But then multiple times in the book he ignores her consent and treats her like a material possession. For example there are two instants (if I remember correctly) where he is grabbing her arm, borderline painfully, and she is asking him to let go and he refuses. Yet he becomes borderline murderous if anyone else does the same thing. Make it make sense.
Last but not least, the repetition. If I had played a drinking game for every time the phrase "his impossibly bright brown eyes" was written, I would have been a frequent visitor to the hospital. If I never read those words again it will be too soon.
I have no idea, how this book was SO LONG, yet practically nothing happened. 75% of this book is our gorup of main characters sitting in a room together, yearning for each other, and not understanding each other's feelings despite having a character who is actively reading everyone's emotions 24/7 and imbuing them with her own emotions so there can be no mistaking how she feels. Not to mention they literally write their feelings down on paper in plain words, use terms that call each other "my heart, my soul," yet still down to the very last chapter are constantly wondering if those around them feel the way they do or are acting out of love rather than a different emotion. I understand that the characters are meant to be neurodivergent-coded, and a common trait amongst many neurodivergent people is having a hard time interpreting emotion/body language, etc. BUT IT IS LITERALLY WRITTEN DOWN FOR THEM, THEY CAN FEEL EACH OTHER'S EMOTIONS IN REAL TIME AND ARE CONSTANTLY SENDING EACH OTHER THEIR EMOTIONS IN REAL TIME, AND STILL SOMEHOW ARE DOUBTING/MISINTERPRETING??? It drove me up the wall.
I could probably write an essay on all the things that tempted me to DNF this book (and would have if it hadn't been provided as an ARC), but I will try and be succinct (unlike this novel).
Issue 1 - I love yearning, I ADORE a good yearn and a slow burn, but that is all this book is. There is no build or growth to the yearning as well. Our characters hit the soulmate status immediately and stay there the whole book. It feels like the author is trying to stoke the sexual tension when they desperately want to touch but can't but this only works for so long, not for LITERALLY the entire novel. We finally get one kiss as the LITERAL LAST SENTENCE OF THE BOOK, but just the sentence saying it finally happened. We don't even get the catharsis as a reader of getting to know how the characters finally felt and reacted to this long awaited kiss (literally hundreds of pages).
Issue 2 - I'm dying for a plot. There are attempted plot threads in the background of the romance(?) happening for 90% of the book, but often they are introduced and then either dropped on the floor or used as a means to an end with no explanation how they occurred. For example, and probably my biggest pet peeve of this book, early on (like 10-15% in), a plot point is started where our FMC has manipulated a General into bringing her this super secret mystical book which is somehow important to help them bring down this corrupt empire. How? Why? What's in this book? Where did he even get it from? couldn't tell you. This apparently does not matter as really this meeting was just a tool to put the characters in a certain place at a certain time so an important death could happen. They then hide this book because it is TOO IMPORTANT for the Emperor to know they have it, and they hide it somewhere we already know it is practically inaccessible and will never come up again. This book doesn't come back up again until literally 80% (or maybe even 85) through the book. I literally made a note saying "Oh so we DO remember this plot thread." And yes, the author remembers it, but still does nothing with it. The book comes back into the picture, and by the end of the novel I STILL don't know what's in it, why they got it, where they got it, what the plan is to use it for.
Issue 3 - The author seems to have a way of writing that aritificially extends every scene. Once a thought is expressed, most of the time it has to be expressed 2-3 more ways afterward. Nothing new is added, we are just re-hashing what was just said with different words. Often these also felt like sentence fragments.
Issue 4 - Somewhat related to the previous point, at a line level this book still needs so many edits. Halfway through reading (and after sending my own notes for line-level edits to the author since an email was provided to do so), the author uploaded a revised copy claiming that the initial one sent out had incorrectly applied her editor's notes. Once I started reading this revised copy, the frequency of the text issues was definitely lower but still frequent enough to truly get on my nerves. The only reason for this was because of the author's note. The note mentions this book has not been proofread yet (so I expected to find the occasional error) but has been through a few rounds of edits so far including a copy editor.
Issue 5 - The ever-changing and inconsistent magic system. At first explanation I ADORED the way magic worked and it is a very powerful metaphor for all the emotional labour expected of women and the burden most of us carry. However the way magic was categorized was just straight-up incorrect. "Force magic" was absolutely the wrong name, the "telekinetics" were also doing telepathy for the first third of the book so that had me confused as heck, and just a medley of other minor issues that brought down what could have been a great system.
Issue 6 - The absolute hypocrisy and controlling nature of the MMC/main love interest. One of the first things he does that endears our FMC to him is stick up for her when someone is trying to limit her agency/remove her ability to consent. He does this many times throughout the novel and one of his main missions is to supposedly help restore the agency she hasn't had since she was a child. But then multiple times in the book he ignores her consent and treats her like a material possession. For example there are two instants (if I remember correctly) where he is grabbing her arm, borderline painfully, and she is asking him to let go and he refuses. Yet he becomes borderline murderous if anyone else does the same thing. Make it make sense.
Last but not least, the repetition. If I had played a drinking game for every time the phrase "his impossibly bright brown eyes" was written, I would have been a frequent visitor to the hospital. If I never read those words again it will be too soon.
July 15, 2026
Burn Her They Said completely captivated me from beginning to end. Every chance I had, I picked this book back up because I simply couldn’t stop reading. Cherish Wright’s writing is incredibly immersive, with rich descriptions that bring every sight, sound, emotion, and moment vividly to life. It has easily become one of my favourite books I’ve ever read.
This story is thrilling, emotional, dangerous, and beautifully written. The world-building is exceptional, the stakes continue to rise with every chapter, and I found myself completely invested in the characters and their journeys.
How It Begins
The story is set in the Empire of Ampara Deicra, where witches and wizards are only permitted to use the magic they were born with. Practising magic outside of your assigned abilities is considered a crime punishable by torture and death.
On the surface, the Empire appears prosperous and peaceful under Emperor Aldritch’s rule. However, it quickly becomes clear that beneath this carefully crafted image lies a kingdom built on fear, manipulation, and control.
To maintain his power, the Emperor creates the Anomaly, an elite unit tasked with protecting the Imperial Grand Witch while ensuring that the Empire’s most powerful magic users remain firmly under his control.
“How, in exploiting our bodies and magic to seek more power for himself, the Emperor has created a life filled with misery…”
That single line perfectly captures the atmosphere of the Empire and the suffering hidden beneath its polished exterior.
Tasch, the Imperial Grand Witch
Tasch quickly became one of my favourite protagonists.
She possesses extraordinary magical abilities, but what truly makes her stand out is her compassion and selflessness. Despite everything she has endured, she continues to put others before herself, even when it comes at great personal cost.
Throughout the novel, it’s heartbreaking to watch how years of responsibility, manipulation, and emotional abuse begin to take their toll. You can almost feel her exhaustion as she pushes herself beyond her limits for the sake of everyone else.
One quote that particularly stood out to me was:
“…to keep going when it all feels for nought and to find strength to endure what is coming.”
It perfectly reflects Tasch’s resilience and determination despite everything she has been forced to endure.
Varic, the Imperial Lead Guard
Varic was another character I absolutely loved.
Although he serves as Tasch’s lead guard, his relationship with her goes far beyond duty. The trust, loyalty, and understanding between them develops naturally throughout the story, making every interaction meaningful.
Varic has experienced his own hardships, and those experiences have shaped him into someone who is fiercely protective, dependable, and quietly compassionate. I loved watching his softer side emerge whenever he was with Tasch.
One of my favourite moments between them from Tach’s point of view is captured perfectly in this line:
“…my heart constricts at the recognition of yet another unfamiliar emotion… safety.”
For two people who have spent so much of their lives simply surviving, that moment felt incredibly powerful.
Emperor Aldritch
If there was one character I consistently wanted to scream, and throw things at it was Emperor Aldritch.
He is manipulative, controlling, arrogant, and obsessed with maintaining power. Everything revolves around his own desires, regardless of the cost to everyone else.
Every scene involving him filled me with frustration, which is exactly what makes him such a well-written antagonist. I honestly don’t think I’ve wanted to throw a fictional emperor off his throne more than Aldritch!
The Anomaly
One of my favourite aspects of the novel was the Anomaly itself.
Although they’re introduced as an elite group of Imperial guards, they slowly become something much more. Their loyalty, friendship, and unwavering support for one another create a wonderful found-family dynamic that adds warmth to an otherwise dark story.
Watching them work together and protect each other quickly made me fall in love with every member of the group.
The Romance
The romance between Tasch and Varic was everything I hoped it would be.
Their relationship is built on trust, quiet moments, unwavering loyalty, and years of knowing one another. Rather than relying on dramatic declarations, the romance develops through meaningful conversations, small gestures, and an undeniable connection that neither of them can ignore.
This quote completely melted my heart:
“I need to let her go. But I can’t. Not yet.”
Sometimes the quiet moments say so much more than grand romantic speeches, and I think Cherish Wright captured that beautifully.
Final Thoughts
Burn Her They Said is a beautifully written fantasy filled with magic, political intrigue, danger, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters.
The world-building is immersive, the relationships feel genuine, and the story balances action, emotion, and romance perfectly. Every chapter left me wanting more, and by the time I reached the ending, I was completely stunned.
That cliffhanger has left me desperate for the next instalment, and I genuinely cannot wait to see where the story goes next.
If you love fantasy romance, found family, forbidden bodyguard romance, magic, political intrigue, gothic Victorian-inspired settings, dragons, emotional slow burns, and high-stakes adventure, I cannot recommend Burn Her They Said enough.
Be sure to pre-order your copy and add it to your TBR—you won’t want to miss this one!
This story is thrilling, emotional, dangerous, and beautifully written. The world-building is exceptional, the stakes continue to rise with every chapter, and I found myself completely invested in the characters and their journeys.
How It Begins
The story is set in the Empire of Ampara Deicra, where witches and wizards are only permitted to use the magic they were born with. Practising magic outside of your assigned abilities is considered a crime punishable by torture and death.
On the surface, the Empire appears prosperous and peaceful under Emperor Aldritch’s rule. However, it quickly becomes clear that beneath this carefully crafted image lies a kingdom built on fear, manipulation, and control.
To maintain his power, the Emperor creates the Anomaly, an elite unit tasked with protecting the Imperial Grand Witch while ensuring that the Empire’s most powerful magic users remain firmly under his control.
“How, in exploiting our bodies and magic to seek more power for himself, the Emperor has created a life filled with misery…”
That single line perfectly captures the atmosphere of the Empire and the suffering hidden beneath its polished exterior.
Tasch, the Imperial Grand Witch
Tasch quickly became one of my favourite protagonists.
She possesses extraordinary magical abilities, but what truly makes her stand out is her compassion and selflessness. Despite everything she has endured, she continues to put others before herself, even when it comes at great personal cost.
Throughout the novel, it’s heartbreaking to watch how years of responsibility, manipulation, and emotional abuse begin to take their toll. You can almost feel her exhaustion as she pushes herself beyond her limits for the sake of everyone else.
One quote that particularly stood out to me was:
“…to keep going when it all feels for nought and to find strength to endure what is coming.”
It perfectly reflects Tasch’s resilience and determination despite everything she has been forced to endure.
Varic, the Imperial Lead Guard
Varic was another character I absolutely loved.
Although he serves as Tasch’s lead guard, his relationship with her goes far beyond duty. The trust, loyalty, and understanding between them develops naturally throughout the story, making every interaction meaningful.
Varic has experienced his own hardships, and those experiences have shaped him into someone who is fiercely protective, dependable, and quietly compassionate. I loved watching his softer side emerge whenever he was with Tasch.
One of my favourite moments between them from Tach’s point of view is captured perfectly in this line:
“…my heart constricts at the recognition of yet another unfamiliar emotion… safety.”
For two people who have spent so much of their lives simply surviving, that moment felt incredibly powerful.
Emperor Aldritch
If there was one character I consistently wanted to scream, and throw things at it was Emperor Aldritch.
He is manipulative, controlling, arrogant, and obsessed with maintaining power. Everything revolves around his own desires, regardless of the cost to everyone else.
Every scene involving him filled me with frustration, which is exactly what makes him such a well-written antagonist. I honestly don’t think I’ve wanted to throw a fictional emperor off his throne more than Aldritch!
The Anomaly
One of my favourite aspects of the novel was the Anomaly itself.
Although they’re introduced as an elite group of Imperial guards, they slowly become something much more. Their loyalty, friendship, and unwavering support for one another create a wonderful found-family dynamic that adds warmth to an otherwise dark story.
Watching them work together and protect each other quickly made me fall in love with every member of the group.
The Romance
The romance between Tasch and Varic was everything I hoped it would be.
Their relationship is built on trust, quiet moments, unwavering loyalty, and years of knowing one another. Rather than relying on dramatic declarations, the romance develops through meaningful conversations, small gestures, and an undeniable connection that neither of them can ignore.
This quote completely melted my heart:
“I need to let her go. But I can’t. Not yet.”
Sometimes the quiet moments say so much more than grand romantic speeches, and I think Cherish Wright captured that beautifully.
Final Thoughts
Burn Her They Said is a beautifully written fantasy filled with magic, political intrigue, danger, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters.
The world-building is immersive, the relationships feel genuine, and the story balances action, emotion, and romance perfectly. Every chapter left me wanting more, and by the time I reached the ending, I was completely stunned.
That cliffhanger has left me desperate for the next instalment, and I genuinely cannot wait to see where the story goes next.
If you love fantasy romance, found family, forbidden bodyguard romance, magic, political intrigue, gothic Victorian-inspired settings, dragons, emotional slow burns, and high-stakes adventure, I cannot recommend Burn Her They Said enough.
Be sure to pre-order your copy and add it to your TBR—you won’t want to miss this one!
July 26, 2026
I went into Burn Her They Said with unusually high expectations because Cherish had been sharing so much about this story before release, and almost everything she mentioned sounded specifically designed to appeal to me.
Gothic romantasy. Political intrigue. Adult characters in their thirties. Found family. Forbidden yearning. Dragons. Neurodivergent, disability, mental health and LGBTQIA+ representation.
Somehow, knowing all of that beforehand still didn’t prepare me for how deeply human this book would feel.
Tasch is one of those characters whose internal experience became as important to me as the external plot. She has spent years being valued for her usefulness, controlled to the point where her own wants barely factor into her understanding of herself, and pushed far beyond what her body and mind can continually give. Her burnout, trauma responses and thought patterns never felt like convenient character traits used to create drama. They felt like part of how she experiences the world.
There were moments in her perspective that were genuinely difficult to read because they felt so recognisable, but there was something strangely healing about watching other people gradually challenge the belief that her worth comes from what she can provide.
Her Guards were a huge part of why that worked. This found family has actual texture. They don’t all love Tasch in exactly the same way, they don’t have interchangeable personalities, and their banter gives the book some desperately needed levity without undermining its heavier moments. Their protectiveness is lovely, but what mattered more to me was watching them repeatedly value Tasch as a person rather than simply the Imperial Grand Witch they are assigned to protect.
And then we have Varic.
Good GOD, the yearning.
This romance understands that intimacy does not require explicit scenes to feel intense. A hand brushing another hand. A forbidden moment of comfort. Falling asleep too close together. The constant awareness that these two desperately want something they are not allowed to have. Tiny moments repeatedly carried the emotional weight that other books might reserve for a full spicy scene.
Their banter is wonderful too, which stops all that pining from becoming unbearably solemn. Tasch and Varic can be deeply tender and then immediately irritate each other, and that balance made their connection feel lived-in rather than idealised.
The book is substantial, but I personally never struggled with its length. The pacing felt natural because there are several things developing simultaneously: Tasch’s emotional arc, the romance, the mystery surrounding her abilities and history, the political manoeuvring, the growing resistance to the Empire, and the relationships within her found family.
I also appreciated how the worldbuilding remains closely tied to Tasch’s understanding of it. We aren’t given an encyclopaedia simply because the reader needs information. There are things she knows, things she assumes, things she has been taught—and increasingly, things she begins to realise may not be true. That made discovering the wider world alongside her much more interesting.
There is no explicit spice in this book, and I genuinely didn’t miss it. The romantic tension is doing PLENTY of work.
Emotionally, this put me through it. I laughed. I cried. I got furious on Tasch’s behalf. I became suspicious of approximately everybody. I loved the moments where the Guards were allowed to simply be ridiculous together, and I adored watching tiny pieces of Tasch emerge as she experiences safety, choice and affection in ways she has rarely been allowed.
And those later twists? RUDE.
I genuinely don’t have a meaningful criticism to add just for the sake of appearing balanced. It’s a long book, but the length worked for me. The heaviness will absolutely mean it isn’t a light read, and I’d strongly recommend checking the author’s content warnings because control, abuse, trauma and burnout are integral to Tasch’s story.
But for me? Everything worked.
If you love gothic or darker romantasy, painfully forbidden slow burns, political intrigue, dragons, fiercely protective found families, characters in their thirties, meaningful representation and stories about surviving long enough to realise survival isn’t the only thing you deserve, I cannot recommend this enough.
I will absolutely be continuing this series.
Preferably immediately.
Unfortunately, nobody asked me before deciding book two should not already be in my hands.
Gothic romantasy. Political intrigue. Adult characters in their thirties. Found family. Forbidden yearning. Dragons. Neurodivergent, disability, mental health and LGBTQIA+ representation.
Somehow, knowing all of that beforehand still didn’t prepare me for how deeply human this book would feel.
Tasch is one of those characters whose internal experience became as important to me as the external plot. She has spent years being valued for her usefulness, controlled to the point where her own wants barely factor into her understanding of herself, and pushed far beyond what her body and mind can continually give. Her burnout, trauma responses and thought patterns never felt like convenient character traits used to create drama. They felt like part of how she experiences the world.
There were moments in her perspective that were genuinely difficult to read because they felt so recognisable, but there was something strangely healing about watching other people gradually challenge the belief that her worth comes from what she can provide.
Her Guards were a huge part of why that worked. This found family has actual texture. They don’t all love Tasch in exactly the same way, they don’t have interchangeable personalities, and their banter gives the book some desperately needed levity without undermining its heavier moments. Their protectiveness is lovely, but what mattered more to me was watching them repeatedly value Tasch as a person rather than simply the Imperial Grand Witch they are assigned to protect.
And then we have Varic.
Good GOD, the yearning.
This romance understands that intimacy does not require explicit scenes to feel intense. A hand brushing another hand. A forbidden moment of comfort. Falling asleep too close together. The constant awareness that these two desperately want something they are not allowed to have. Tiny moments repeatedly carried the emotional weight that other books might reserve for a full spicy scene.
Their banter is wonderful too, which stops all that pining from becoming unbearably solemn. Tasch and Varic can be deeply tender and then immediately irritate each other, and that balance made their connection feel lived-in rather than idealised.
The book is substantial, but I personally never struggled with its length. The pacing felt natural because there are several things developing simultaneously: Tasch’s emotional arc, the romance, the mystery surrounding her abilities and history, the political manoeuvring, the growing resistance to the Empire, and the relationships within her found family.
I also appreciated how the worldbuilding remains closely tied to Tasch’s understanding of it. We aren’t given an encyclopaedia simply because the reader needs information. There are things she knows, things she assumes, things she has been taught—and increasingly, things she begins to realise may not be true. That made discovering the wider world alongside her much more interesting.
There is no explicit spice in this book, and I genuinely didn’t miss it. The romantic tension is doing PLENTY of work.
Emotionally, this put me through it. I laughed. I cried. I got furious on Tasch’s behalf. I became suspicious of approximately everybody. I loved the moments where the Guards were allowed to simply be ridiculous together, and I adored watching tiny pieces of Tasch emerge as she experiences safety, choice and affection in ways she has rarely been allowed.
And those later twists? RUDE.
I genuinely don’t have a meaningful criticism to add just for the sake of appearing balanced. It’s a long book, but the length worked for me. The heaviness will absolutely mean it isn’t a light read, and I’d strongly recommend checking the author’s content warnings because control, abuse, trauma and burnout are integral to Tasch’s story.
But for me? Everything worked.
If you love gothic or darker romantasy, painfully forbidden slow burns, political intrigue, dragons, fiercely protective found families, characters in their thirties, meaningful representation and stories about surviving long enough to realise survival isn’t the only thing you deserve, I cannot recommend this enough.
I will absolutely be continuing this series.
Preferably immediately.
Unfortunately, nobody asked me before deciding book two should not already be in my hands.
June 22, 2026
An ARC was freely provided to me by the author - thank you!
My enjoyment of the IDEA of this gets around a 4.5 star. The execution bumped it to a 3.25.
Don’t get me wrong - I liked Burn Her They Said. I spent fourteen and a half hours reading it, and I’ll be watching for the next in the series.
⭐⭐⭐ (3.25)
I don’t know if I’ve ever had such a conflicting read before. The following are all true, in my experience: BHTS is a good story. The messages behind it are both brutal and beautiful, and so needed. The story did not need to be even half as long as it was. The writing isn’t bad, but most sentences could have been wrapped up in a quarter of the amount of words, without losing any meaning. Some parts are repetitive, painfully so. The plot was - not bad. But with everything else taking so long between the overly wordy writing, and the pacing of scenes, I often found myself forgetting what the point was? Other than the Romance? The word “slog” came to mind multiple times while reading. The first time at 6%, which is painful af to realize. 😅
That sounds awful. I know it does. I STILL liked this, though. Not even as a guilty pleasure, or ‘junk food,’ it’s just GOOD. If the writing had been more condensed while being as expressive as it was (ik I’m a huge hypocrite as a rambler, but I’m a reviewer lmao) this would have easily been one of my highest rated reads. I think some readers will HATE it, some will devour it and savor the slow pace, while more still - like me - are kinda in the middle. Don’t love it, but it doesn’t completely overshadow our enjoyment of the story.
It’s got a pretty interesting plot for a foundation; the world and magic are interesting. My first impression was that it was a deeply misogynistic culture, militarized, with fraught politics. I wasn’t wrong, and Wright knocks it out of the park with the first two. As for the politics, I’m a bit torn. We get a good setup with Tasch’s Empire, but when we eventually see a differing culture on the Continent, it seems - like a flat wash of “Good” versus the Empire’s obvious Evil. I expected more nuance there, and there may be - we didn’t spend much time there in book one, and I have reason to believe our group will revisit soon.
I do have quite a few reservations that I had as BIG issues in the book, but I think (expect) Wright to touch on each later in the series. Like how dystopic Tasch and her Guards’ lives are. She does, but her Guards never sleep: the harm on their bodies are healed, and the harm on their minds from not - y’know - RESTING are also healed… by way of taking the emotions away? Or something. I wasn’t super clear on that.
Speaking of, the magic system has great bones. As it’s presented in the first half or so of the book is pretty simplistic, but not bad. As we get deeper into the story, more comes to light that really fleshes it out and makes it way more interesting - but as of the end of this book, we don’t actually get any answers. Looking back in my reading log, not a SINGLE thing I questioned was answered clearly.
Or, like, any answers at all. We finish on a MASSIVE cliffhanger. On one hand, I loved it. It was beautiful. On the other… I expected more of the story to be wrapped up? We got plenty of “ooh, the plot thickens” moments throughout the book, but at the end none of them were really… There were few developments, everything still hanging over Tasch and her Guards’ heads. I guess I’m just used to a different cadence in storytelling? I didn’t hate it, but it still felt odd and a bit unfulfilling.
ALL THAT SAID… This is very much an eldest daughters’ story, and while I no longer consider myself a daughter, oof. If an Atlas personality, parentification, and/or enmeshment sound familiar - well. There’s a reason. That is Tasch’s every day, and has been since childhood. Her story is absolutely brutal, horrifying, and especially gut wrenching when you, as a reader, go - oh, that reminds me of… Like, this book made me write down notes to bring up with my therapist. 😂
I have so much more to say about this story, and I may come back to ramble more, but for now, I have it end it here. What a fuckin' story, I'm so glad Wright is sharing it with us.
Please keep in mind that although ARCs don't often change much, if at all, before publishing: it is possible, and this review is based on pre-released content. Burn Her they Said has a planned publication date of July 24, 2026!
My enjoyment of the IDEA of this gets around a 4.5 star. The execution bumped it to a 3.25.
Don’t get me wrong - I liked Burn Her They Said. I spent fourteen and a half hours reading it, and I’ll be watching for the next in the series.
⭐⭐⭐ (3.25)
I don’t know if I’ve ever had such a conflicting read before. The following are all true, in my experience: BHTS is a good story. The messages behind it are both brutal and beautiful, and so needed. The story did not need to be even half as long as it was. The writing isn’t bad, but most sentences could have been wrapped up in a quarter of the amount of words, without losing any meaning. Some parts are repetitive, painfully so. The plot was - not bad. But with everything else taking so long between the overly wordy writing, and the pacing of scenes, I often found myself forgetting what the point was? Other than the Romance? The word “slog” came to mind multiple times while reading. The first time at 6%, which is painful af to realize. 😅
That sounds awful. I know it does. I STILL liked this, though. Not even as a guilty pleasure, or ‘junk food,’ it’s just GOOD. If the writing had been more condensed while being as expressive as it was (ik I’m a huge hypocrite as a rambler, but I’m a reviewer lmao) this would have easily been one of my highest rated reads. I think some readers will HATE it, some will devour it and savor the slow pace, while more still - like me - are kinda in the middle. Don’t love it, but it doesn’t completely overshadow our enjoyment of the story.
It’s got a pretty interesting plot for a foundation; the world and magic are interesting. My first impression was that it was a deeply misogynistic culture, militarized, with fraught politics. I wasn’t wrong, and Wright knocks it out of the park with the first two. As for the politics, I’m a bit torn. We get a good setup with Tasch’s Empire, but when we eventually see a differing culture on the Continent, it seems - like a flat wash of “Good” versus the Empire’s obvious Evil. I expected more nuance there, and there may be - we didn’t spend much time there in book one, and I have reason to believe our group will revisit soon.
I do have quite a few reservations that I had as BIG issues in the book, but I think (expect) Wright to touch on each later in the series. Like how dystopic Tasch and her Guards’ lives are. She does, but her Guards never sleep: the harm on their bodies are healed, and the harm on their minds from not - y’know - RESTING are also healed… by way of taking the emotions away? Or something. I wasn’t super clear on that.
Speaking of, the magic system has great bones. As it’s presented in the first half or so of the book is pretty simplistic, but not bad. As we get deeper into the story, more comes to light that really fleshes it out and makes it way more interesting - but as of the end of this book, we don’t actually get any answers. Looking back in my reading log, not a SINGLE thing I questioned was answered clearly.
Or, like, any answers at all. We finish on a MASSIVE cliffhanger. On one hand, I loved it. It was beautiful. On the other… I expected more of the story to be wrapped up? We got plenty of “ooh, the plot thickens” moments throughout the book, but at the end none of them were really… There were few developments, everything still hanging over Tasch and her Guards’ heads. I guess I’m just used to a different cadence in storytelling? I didn’t hate it, but it still felt odd and a bit unfulfilling.
ALL THAT SAID… This is very much an eldest daughters’ story, and while I no longer consider myself a daughter, oof. If an Atlas personality, parentification, and/or enmeshment sound familiar - well. There’s a reason. That is Tasch’s every day, and has been since childhood. Her story is absolutely brutal, horrifying, and especially gut wrenching when you, as a reader, go - oh, that reminds me of… Like, this book made me write down notes to bring up with my therapist. 😂
I have so much more to say about this story, and I may come back to ramble more, but for now, I have it end it here. What a fuckin' story, I'm so glad Wright is sharing it with us.
Please keep in mind that although ARCs don't often change much, if at all, before publishing: it is possible, and this review is based on pre-released content. Burn Her they Said has a planned publication date of July 24, 2026!
August 6, 2026
Français ⬇️
I've ARC read this book and couldn't put it down. "Burn Her, They Said" by Cherish Wright is a hefty tome (17 hours of reading) with the most intense, exquisite, and explosive slow burn I've ever encountered. The plot unfolds slowly, but every element is perfectly placed. The heroine is a neurodivergent autistic woman, kept in her bubble of suffering and misery by her king, which explains her slow progress and great difficulty moving forward. This world is unfamiliar to us, the magical system is entirely new, and the rules imposed by the tyrant hinder everyone's understanding of it. We glimpse other possibilities, but we understand that the heroine's knowledge is limited and will be expanded upon in the next book in this series. The heroine, Tash, is, as I mentioned, a neurodivergent autistic woman in her thirties who has spent her entire life with her captor. She feels a profound sense of responsibility and show great empathy. This sometimes saddened me and even made me mad with her, but the author takes care to explain her feelings and the reasons for her choices. Her exhaustion is entirely justified and plunges you into deep despair.
The main male character, Varic, is hopelessly in love with the heroine, and sometimes, this love defines him completely. I don't necessarily appreciate this, but this situation also gives me hope that it's just a passing phase and that there will, I hope, be more to him in the future.
I loved the other characters, especially the four guards who have constantly watched over Tash since she was a child and who bring a certain light to the story. I loved their interactions with her, but also with each other. Always together, they maintain a remarkable bond of love and complicity, especially given the circumstances.
And the Dragons! A touch of sass, a few laughs, and plenty of fearsome, secrets, elusives conversations... I give it 5 stars ✨ and I want more!
J'ai lu ce livre en avant-première et je n'ai pas pu le lâcher. « Burn her they said » de Cherish Wright est un pavé (17 heures de lecture) à la tension dramatique la plus intense, exquise et explosive que j'aie jamais lue. L'intrigue se développe lentement, mais chaque élément a sa place. L'héroïne est une femme autiste neurodivergente, maintenue dans sa bulle de souffrance et de misère par son roi, ce qui explique sa faible progression et ses grandes difficultés à aller de l'avant. Ce monde nous est inconnu, le système magique est totalement novateur, et les règles imposées par le tyran entravent la compréhension de ce système par tous. On entrevoit d'autres possibilités, mais on comprend que les connaissances de l'héroïne sont limitées et seront approfondies dans le prochain tome de cette série. L'héroïne, Tash, est, comme je l'ai dit, une femme neurodivergente et autiste d'une trentaine d'années, qui a passé toute sa vie avec son ravisseur. Elle éprouve un profond sentiment de responsabilité et fait preuve d'une grande empathie. Cela m'a parfois attristée et même mise en colère contre elle, mais l'auteure prend soin d'expliquer ses sentiments et les raisons de ses choix. Son épuisement est tout à fait justifié et vous plonge dans un désespoir profond.
Le personnage masculin principal, Varic, est éperdument amoureux de l'héroïne, et parfois, cet amour le définit entièrement. Je n'apprécie pas forcément cela, mais cette situation me laisse aussi l'espoir qu'il ne s'agit que d'un mode de vie passager et qu'il y aura, je l'espère, plus que cela à l'avenir.
J'ai adoré les autres personnages, notamment les quatre gardes qui veillent constamment sur Tash depuis toujours et qui apportent une certaine lumière à l'histoire. J'ai aimé leurs interactions avec elle, mais aussi entre eux. Toujours ensemble, ils entretiennent une relation d'amour et de complicité remarquable pour la situation.
Et les Dragons ! Un peu d'insolence, quelques rires, et beaucoup de peur et de conversations secrètes et insaisissables...
Je lui donne 5 étoiles ✨ et j'en redemande !
I've ARC read this book and couldn't put it down. "Burn Her, They Said" by Cherish Wright is a hefty tome (17 hours of reading) with the most intense, exquisite, and explosive slow burn I've ever encountered. The plot unfolds slowly, but every element is perfectly placed. The heroine is a neurodivergent autistic woman, kept in her bubble of suffering and misery by her king, which explains her slow progress and great difficulty moving forward. This world is unfamiliar to us, the magical system is entirely new, and the rules imposed by the tyrant hinder everyone's understanding of it. We glimpse other possibilities, but we understand that the heroine's knowledge is limited and will be expanded upon in the next book in this series. The heroine, Tash, is, as I mentioned, a neurodivergent autistic woman in her thirties who has spent her entire life with her captor. She feels a profound sense of responsibility and show great empathy. This sometimes saddened me and even made me mad with her, but the author takes care to explain her feelings and the reasons for her choices. Her exhaustion is entirely justified and plunges you into deep despair.
The main male character, Varic, is hopelessly in love with the heroine, and sometimes, this love defines him completely. I don't necessarily appreciate this, but this situation also gives me hope that it's just a passing phase and that there will, I hope, be more to him in the future.
I loved the other characters, especially the four guards who have constantly watched over Tash since she was a child and who bring a certain light to the story. I loved their interactions with her, but also with each other. Always together, they maintain a remarkable bond of love and complicity, especially given the circumstances.
And the Dragons! A touch of sass, a few laughs, and plenty of fearsome, secrets, elusives conversations... I give it 5 stars ✨ and I want more!
J'ai lu ce livre en avant-première et je n'ai pas pu le lâcher. « Burn her they said » de Cherish Wright est un pavé (17 heures de lecture) à la tension dramatique la plus intense, exquise et explosive que j'aie jamais lue. L'intrigue se développe lentement, mais chaque élément a sa place. L'héroïne est une femme autiste neurodivergente, maintenue dans sa bulle de souffrance et de misère par son roi, ce qui explique sa faible progression et ses grandes difficultés à aller de l'avant. Ce monde nous est inconnu, le système magique est totalement novateur, et les règles imposées par le tyran entravent la compréhension de ce système par tous. On entrevoit d'autres possibilités, mais on comprend que les connaissances de l'héroïne sont limitées et seront approfondies dans le prochain tome de cette série. L'héroïne, Tash, est, comme je l'ai dit, une femme neurodivergente et autiste d'une trentaine d'années, qui a passé toute sa vie avec son ravisseur. Elle éprouve un profond sentiment de responsabilité et fait preuve d'une grande empathie. Cela m'a parfois attristée et même mise en colère contre elle, mais l'auteure prend soin d'expliquer ses sentiments et les raisons de ses choix. Son épuisement est tout à fait justifié et vous plonge dans un désespoir profond.
Le personnage masculin principal, Varic, est éperdument amoureux de l'héroïne, et parfois, cet amour le définit entièrement. Je n'apprécie pas forcément cela, mais cette situation me laisse aussi l'espoir qu'il ne s'agit que d'un mode de vie passager et qu'il y aura, je l'espère, plus que cela à l'avenir.
J'ai adoré les autres personnages, notamment les quatre gardes qui veillent constamment sur Tash depuis toujours et qui apportent une certaine lumière à l'histoire. J'ai aimé leurs interactions avec elle, mais aussi entre eux. Toujours ensemble, ils entretiennent une relation d'amour et de complicité remarquable pour la situation.
Et les Dragons ! Un peu d'insolence, quelques rires, et beaucoup de peur et de conversations secrètes et insaisissables...
Je lui donne 5 étoiles ✨ et j'en redemande !
July 27, 2026
There are fantasy books with incredible world-building, and then there are fantasy books that completely consume you. Burn Her They Said was the latter.
From the very first chapter, I was captivated by the rich magic system, political intrigue, and the constant tension surrounding Tasch and the immense power she possesses. Every page revealed another layer of this beautifully crafted world, and I found myself completely immersed in its history, magic, and the dangerous balance of power that governs it.
Tasch was an incredible protagonist. Despite being one of the most powerful witches in the empire, she spends much of her life trapped by the Emperor's control, forced to use her gifts for his benefit while constantly worrying about the people she loves. Her resilience, compassion, and quiet determination made her impossible not to root for. Watching her continue to fight for hope in a world built on oppression made her journey all the more compelling.
Varic quickly became one of my favorite characters. His past is heartbreaking, and the scars he carries—both physical and emotional—make his healing feel incredibly meaningful. His relationship with Tasch develops naturally through trust, understanding, and unwavering support, making their romance feel deeply authentic. Every interaction between them carried emotional weight, and knowing how forbidden their love was only made me more invested in their story.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was how seamlessly the romance blended with the larger fantasy plot. While Tasch and Varic's relationship is central to the story, it never overshadows the political conflicts, the looming threat of war, or the growing rebellion against the Emperor. Instead, every storyline strengthens the others, creating a book that feels both epic in scope and deeply personal.
The supporting cast added even more depth to the story. Tasch's Guards, each gifted with their own unique magic and bonded dragons, brought loyalty, friendship, and heart to every scene they appeared in. I loved seeing the relationships between the characters evolve as they faced impossible choices together, and it truly felt like everyone had an important role to play.
The dragons were another standout. They weren't simply creatures in the background—they felt like living, breathing members of the story whose presence elevated every scene they were part of. Combined with the unique magical abilities and detailed world-building, they helped create a fantasy setting that felt vivid and unforgettable.
The pacing balanced quieter emotional moments with high-stakes action, political maneuvering, and shocking revelations that constantly kept me turning the pages. Just when I thought I understood where the story was heading, another twist raised the stakes even higher.
If you love dark fantasy filled with intricate magic systems, forbidden romance, dragons, political intrigue, morally complex characters, loyal found family, and an epic fight against tyranny, Burn Her They Said is a book you absolutely need to add to your TBR.
This was an unforgettable start to the series, and I'm already eager to return to this world to see what happens next.
From the very first chapter, I was captivated by the rich magic system, political intrigue, and the constant tension surrounding Tasch and the immense power she possesses. Every page revealed another layer of this beautifully crafted world, and I found myself completely immersed in its history, magic, and the dangerous balance of power that governs it.
Tasch was an incredible protagonist. Despite being one of the most powerful witches in the empire, she spends much of her life trapped by the Emperor's control, forced to use her gifts for his benefit while constantly worrying about the people she loves. Her resilience, compassion, and quiet determination made her impossible not to root for. Watching her continue to fight for hope in a world built on oppression made her journey all the more compelling.
Varic quickly became one of my favorite characters. His past is heartbreaking, and the scars he carries—both physical and emotional—make his healing feel incredibly meaningful. His relationship with Tasch develops naturally through trust, understanding, and unwavering support, making their romance feel deeply authentic. Every interaction between them carried emotional weight, and knowing how forbidden their love was only made me more invested in their story.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was how seamlessly the romance blended with the larger fantasy plot. While Tasch and Varic's relationship is central to the story, it never overshadows the political conflicts, the looming threat of war, or the growing rebellion against the Emperor. Instead, every storyline strengthens the others, creating a book that feels both epic in scope and deeply personal.
The supporting cast added even more depth to the story. Tasch's Guards, each gifted with their own unique magic and bonded dragons, brought loyalty, friendship, and heart to every scene they appeared in. I loved seeing the relationships between the characters evolve as they faced impossible choices together, and it truly felt like everyone had an important role to play.
The dragons were another standout. They weren't simply creatures in the background—they felt like living, breathing members of the story whose presence elevated every scene they were part of. Combined with the unique magical abilities and detailed world-building, they helped create a fantasy setting that felt vivid and unforgettable.
The pacing balanced quieter emotional moments with high-stakes action, political maneuvering, and shocking revelations that constantly kept me turning the pages. Just when I thought I understood where the story was heading, another twist raised the stakes even higher.
If you love dark fantasy filled with intricate magic systems, forbidden romance, dragons, political intrigue, morally complex characters, loyal found family, and an epic fight against tyranny, Burn Her They Said is a book you absolutely need to add to your TBR.
This was an unforgettable start to the series, and I'm already eager to return to this world to see what happens next.
July 25, 2026
Burn Her They Said was such a refreshing fantasy read for me because it reminded me why I fell in love with fantasy in the first place.
The first thing that stood out to me was the prose. The language has a high fantasy quality that I honestly miss in a lot of modern fantasy. A lot of current fantasy leans into a very casual, conversational style, which works for many readers, but personally I often find myself wanting something with more atmosphere, a stronger voice, and a sense that I’m stepping into another world rather than simply listening to characters have conversations in a fantasy setting.
This book gave me that feeling. The writing has weight to it. It feels intentional and immersive, and the language itself helps build the world. Despite being a long book with a slower pace, I actually flew through it and finished it in two days because I was so absorbed by the prose and the characters.
What I loved most is that this story is not just about magic or power. At its core, it is about trauma, guilt, burnout, recovery, and learning how to find yourself again after being hurt. It explores what tyranny and abuse can do to people, even those who are incredibly powerful.
One of the most compelling parts of the book is the way it shows that power does not automatically make someone free. Someone can be one of the most powerful people in the world and still feel trapped by fear, guilt, and the things they have survived. The story understands that reclaiming your power does not happen overnight. Sometimes it happens slowly, piece by piece.
I also really appreciated the romance. There is romance in this book, but it is restrained, and I think that restraint is what makes it work. The characters are not in a situation where they can simply acknowledge their feelings and immediately act on them. There are expectations, rules, and consequences surrounding them that make their relationship complicated.
Because of that, their connection develops through trust, vulnerability, and small moments rather than rushing straight into passion. It felt much more meaningful because the romance grows alongside their healing. It is not just about attraction; it is about two people learning to feel safe with another person while carrying everything they have been through.
The found family aspect also fits beautifully with these themes. This is a story about people who have been hurt learning that they do not have to carry everything alone.
I understand why some readers found the pacing slow or struggled to connect with the characters. This is not a book that rushes. It spends time exploring the inner lives of wounded people — their thoughts, fears, guilt, and contradictions. For me, that was exactly what made it work.
I would recommend Burn Her They Said to readers who enjoy fantasy with strong prose, emotional depth, and characters who feel shaped by their experiences. If you are looking for a fantasy that cares just as much about the psychology of its characters as it does about magic and world-building, this is absolutely worth reading.
The first thing that stood out to me was the prose. The language has a high fantasy quality that I honestly miss in a lot of modern fantasy. A lot of current fantasy leans into a very casual, conversational style, which works for many readers, but personally I often find myself wanting something with more atmosphere, a stronger voice, and a sense that I’m stepping into another world rather than simply listening to characters have conversations in a fantasy setting.
This book gave me that feeling. The writing has weight to it. It feels intentional and immersive, and the language itself helps build the world. Despite being a long book with a slower pace, I actually flew through it and finished it in two days because I was so absorbed by the prose and the characters.
What I loved most is that this story is not just about magic or power. At its core, it is about trauma, guilt, burnout, recovery, and learning how to find yourself again after being hurt. It explores what tyranny and abuse can do to people, even those who are incredibly powerful.
One of the most compelling parts of the book is the way it shows that power does not automatically make someone free. Someone can be one of the most powerful people in the world and still feel trapped by fear, guilt, and the things they have survived. The story understands that reclaiming your power does not happen overnight. Sometimes it happens slowly, piece by piece.
I also really appreciated the romance. There is romance in this book, but it is restrained, and I think that restraint is what makes it work. The characters are not in a situation where they can simply acknowledge their feelings and immediately act on them. There are expectations, rules, and consequences surrounding them that make their relationship complicated.
Because of that, their connection develops through trust, vulnerability, and small moments rather than rushing straight into passion. It felt much more meaningful because the romance grows alongside their healing. It is not just about attraction; it is about two people learning to feel safe with another person while carrying everything they have been through.
The found family aspect also fits beautifully with these themes. This is a story about people who have been hurt learning that they do not have to carry everything alone.
I understand why some readers found the pacing slow or struggled to connect with the characters. This is not a book that rushes. It spends time exploring the inner lives of wounded people — their thoughts, fears, guilt, and contradictions. For me, that was exactly what made it work.
I would recommend Burn Her They Said to readers who enjoy fantasy with strong prose, emotional depth, and characters who feel shaped by their experiences. If you are looking for a fantasy that cares just as much about the psychology of its characters as it does about magic and world-building, this is absolutely worth reading.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the Author for the advanced review copy !
The world building and magical abilities system is so fascinating and unique, I really need more on that omg! 😍
A forbidden slow burn type of romance, a "villain" you wanna gut punch or roast (or both ahem), witches and sorcerers, DRAGOOONS, etc💜
It was a bit long (in the "it dragged a bit here and there" type of long) and could definitely use a bit of faster pacing on many occasions imo although I also really liked that you could feel the tension build up on slow motion so it is really on particular occasions where the pacing felt way too slow and could strongly benefits from a bit of a push yk.
Same with repetitions, some long paragraphs as well as extended sentences, which could definitely be less complexified in a lot of cases and could use some strong proofreader's help regarding turns of phrase, paragraph editing and such.
Writing in a lyrical and dense way constantly can be very hard and taxing for the reader. Best to choose when to use them rather than use those types of paragraphs and sentences all the time.
I reaaaally loved the uniqueness of the magic system, although there were some inconsistencies that made it confusing, like "telekinetics" using telepathy when there was no allusion made that was part of their magic (an important forgotten mention if so, as both magic are supposed to be completely different) or "force magic" which was... not force magic? Confusing for us sadly.
But the powerful metaphor that system gives for the emotional burden most of us carry is so well done, such a strong image! We need more on that!
I feel like it's one of those books that I will probably appreciate way more, after a reread in a few months.
If you are a palace intrigues in a fantasy world enjoyer and forbidden slow burn romance consumer, this book series might be right up your alley (as long as you like highly lyrical and dense sentences)
Can't wait to see the author's writing style evolve on the next book!💜💪
As a first book, though, I would definitely say it is really nice!
Do not lose motivation, Author! First books are always the hardest because that's when you start actually having readers and feedbacks! Do take those feedbacks, try to see if you can work with them, don't hesitate to ask people that knows you personally how to interpret and use them, and make the next books even greater 🤩🤩💪
Thank you so much for your hard work! 💜 Can't wait for book 2!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
The world building and magical abilities system is so fascinating and unique, I really need more on that omg! 😍
A forbidden slow burn type of romance, a "villain" you wanna gut punch or roast (or both ahem), witches and sorcerers, DRAGOOONS, etc💜
It was a bit long (in the "it dragged a bit here and there" type of long) and could definitely use a bit of faster pacing on many occasions imo although I also really liked that you could feel the tension build up on slow motion so it is really on particular occasions where the pacing felt way too slow and could strongly benefits from a bit of a push yk.
Same with repetitions, some long paragraphs as well as extended sentences, which could definitely be less complexified in a lot of cases and could use some strong proofreader's help regarding turns of phrase, paragraph editing and such.
Writing in a lyrical and dense way constantly can be very hard and taxing for the reader. Best to choose when to use them rather than use those types of paragraphs and sentences all the time.
I reaaaally loved the uniqueness of the magic system, although there were some inconsistencies that made it confusing, like "telekinetics" using telepathy when there was no allusion made that was part of their magic (an important forgotten mention if so, as both magic are supposed to be completely different) or "force magic" which was... not force magic? Confusing for us sadly.
But the powerful metaphor that system gives for the emotional burden most of us carry is so well done, such a strong image! We need more on that!
I feel like it's one of those books that I will probably appreciate way more, after a reread in a few months.
If you are a palace intrigues in a fantasy world enjoyer and forbidden slow burn romance consumer, this book series might be right up your alley (as long as you like highly lyrical and dense sentences)
Can't wait to see the author's writing style evolve on the next book!💜💪
As a first book, though, I would definitely say it is really nice!
Do not lose motivation, Author! First books are always the hardest because that's when you start actually having readers and feedbacks! Do take those feedbacks, try to see if you can work with them, don't hesitate to ask people that knows you personally how to interpret and use them, and make the next books even greater 🤩🤩💪
Thank you so much for your hard work! 💜 Can't wait for book 2!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am so in love with Cherish Wright’s Burn Her They Said!! It is a rollercoaster of emotions, a masterclass in the hurt and comfort trope, and easily one of my favorite reads of this year!
BHTS leans into raw human elements and mature characters, which immediately grabbed my attention. Tasch and Varic are in their 30s, carrying heavy trauma and betrayal from those who should have kept them safe. Yet, through all the cruelty, they never lose what makes them beautifully human. Tasch is formidable, intelligent, and deeply compassionate, always fighting for those at risk. Varic truly sees her and would literally burn the world down for her. Their broken souls just magnetise toward each other in the most intense way, creating a beautiful slow burn that has me on the edge of my seat at times!
For me, your title does not entitle you. Family is earnt, not given, and the found family aspect in BHTS is done so beautifully that I found it so easy and to connect with these characters! They do everything they can to create a modicum of safety, love, and beauty for one another. To me, this is everything! Dragons always win for me. I love them! In BHTS, the dragons are wise, formidable, and perfectly written! Their role in this world is so unique, and I love the connections to their bonded. You can guess I am very interested to see what happens with the dragons input as the story continues.
I absolutely loved that Cherish included effortless disability and LGBTQ+ representation. It made the world feel so rich and real. The Emperor, Wryth and Raki are truly awful, and I cannot wait to see justice served!! The magic system with witches and sorcerers bound to unique forced paths is very different but fresh. It’s hard to put into words how deeply I connected to this journey without giving away spoilers, but it is just breathtakingly human. Thank you so much Cherish for gifting me this eARC. I loved it from start to finish!
BHTS leans into raw human elements and mature characters, which immediately grabbed my attention. Tasch and Varic are in their 30s, carrying heavy trauma and betrayal from those who should have kept them safe. Yet, through all the cruelty, they never lose what makes them beautifully human. Tasch is formidable, intelligent, and deeply compassionate, always fighting for those at risk. Varic truly sees her and would literally burn the world down for her. Their broken souls just magnetise toward each other in the most intense way, creating a beautiful slow burn that has me on the edge of my seat at times!
For me, your title does not entitle you. Family is earnt, not given, and the found family aspect in BHTS is done so beautifully that I found it so easy and to connect with these characters! They do everything they can to create a modicum of safety, love, and beauty for one another. To me, this is everything! Dragons always win for me. I love them! In BHTS, the dragons are wise, formidable, and perfectly written! Their role in this world is so unique, and I love the connections to their bonded. You can guess I am very interested to see what happens with the dragons input as the story continues.
I absolutely loved that Cherish included effortless disability and LGBTQ+ representation. It made the world feel so rich and real. The Emperor, Wryth and Raki are truly awful, and I cannot wait to see justice served!! The magic system with witches and sorcerers bound to unique forced paths is very different but fresh. It’s hard to put into words how deeply I connected to this journey without giving away spoilers, but it is just breathtakingly human. Thank you so much Cherish for gifting me this eARC. I loved it from start to finish!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this as an ARC.
I was very interested in the plot description on NetGalley, which is why I requested it. And the magic of this world is quite unique and interesting. I was also really intrigued by the dragons being the ones actually pulling the strings of power, both worshipped and feared. And who doesn't love to read about an evil Emperor losing his grip on power?
However, the execution was not my cup of tea. I feel like it took ten sentences to say what could have been said in one. My attention drifted a lot. So I likely missed crucial details as I wound up skimming a lot to get to something that wasn't the FMC and her guards talking repeatedly about the same things and then doing nothing at all.
I remained confused about why the FMC was so valuable that the Emperor put the Empire's strongest sorcerers as her guards rather than his. She can manipulate emotions. Okay, cool. Why did that make him obsessed and protecting her more than protecting himself?
And the relationship between the FMC and MMC didn't work for me. They fall in soulmate deep love off page at the very beginning, then he spends the rest of the book being completely unsubtle with his obsession with her and his willingness to use forbidden magic all the time. Which he did constantly. In front of the Emperor. In front of anybody.
And despite his eagerness to die for her and them being in the same room essentially 24/7, they literally only kiss in the very last line of this very, very long book. I'm a fan of slow burn, but when the characters are in this close proximity constantly, it strains credulity that they wouldn't even kiss.
There's great potential here. Lots of very unique and creative elements which unfortunately are lost under a lot of nothing happening. This needs a lot of stuff trimmed out to show the treasure buried in the sand.
I was very interested in the plot description on NetGalley, which is why I requested it. And the magic of this world is quite unique and interesting. I was also really intrigued by the dragons being the ones actually pulling the strings of power, both worshipped and feared. And who doesn't love to read about an evil Emperor losing his grip on power?
However, the execution was not my cup of tea. I feel like it took ten sentences to say what could have been said in one. My attention drifted a lot. So I likely missed crucial details as I wound up skimming a lot to get to something that wasn't the FMC and her guards talking repeatedly about the same things and then doing nothing at all.
I remained confused about why the FMC was so valuable that the Emperor put the Empire's strongest sorcerers as her guards rather than his. She can manipulate emotions. Okay, cool. Why did that make him obsessed and protecting her more than protecting himself?
And the relationship between the FMC and MMC didn't work for me. They fall in soulmate deep love off page at the very beginning, then he spends the rest of the book being completely unsubtle with his obsession with her and his willingness to use forbidden magic all the time. Which he did constantly. In front of the Emperor. In front of anybody.
And despite his eagerness to die for her and them being in the same room essentially 24/7, they literally only kiss in the very last line of this very, very long book. I'm a fan of slow burn, but when the characters are in this close proximity constantly, it strains credulity that they wouldn't even kiss.
There's great potential here. Lots of very unique and creative elements which unfortunately are lost under a lot of nothing happening. This needs a lot of stuff trimmed out to show the treasure buried in the sand.
June 24, 2026
A will they wont they romance that burns in the slowest but yet best way, especially since it’s a guard x the person they’re sworn to protect romance.
Tasch has spent her life under the emperor’s thumb as his prized witch since her power over emotion was discovered as a child. She spends her days trying to placate his more violent emotions and keep her kingdom safe. But when one of her high guards life is lost after an attempt to assassinate her, he is to be replaced by another powerful sorcerer who she has a past of feelings for. Against her wishes, he takes the oath, bonds a dragon and becomes the leader of her guards. Now forced to be around the man she cares for every day, it becomes hard to hide her true feelings and continue to keep up her loyalty for her emperor who continues to force her to do his bidding, all while expanding his empire and searching for immortality.
I always enjoy a guard romance and especially one where they had a history before hand. I enjoyed all the flashbacks to previous interactions and also the internal monologue the FMC had that really showed how much she is struggling with all she’s endured under this emperor. Dragons are my favorite so also getting that aspect along with some awesome magic and found family of those guards meant to protect her, this book had a lot of my favorite tropes. I cannot wait to see how this storyline will continue to unfold, especially with a few reveals at the end and what will be next for this group of guards and Tasch. My rating 4.3/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
Tasch has spent her life under the emperor’s thumb as his prized witch since her power over emotion was discovered as a child. She spends her days trying to placate his more violent emotions and keep her kingdom safe. But when one of her high guards life is lost after an attempt to assassinate her, he is to be replaced by another powerful sorcerer who she has a past of feelings for. Against her wishes, he takes the oath, bonds a dragon and becomes the leader of her guards. Now forced to be around the man she cares for every day, it becomes hard to hide her true feelings and continue to keep up her loyalty for her emperor who continues to force her to do his bidding, all while expanding his empire and searching for immortality.
I always enjoy a guard romance and especially one where they had a history before hand. I enjoyed all the flashbacks to previous interactions and also the internal monologue the FMC had that really showed how much she is struggling with all she’s endured under this emperor. Dragons are my favorite so also getting that aspect along with some awesome magic and found family of those guards meant to protect her, this book had a lot of my favorite tropes. I cannot wait to see how this storyline will continue to unfold, especially with a few reveals at the end and what will be next for this group of guards and Tasch. My rating 4.3/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I would like to thank the author and Whimsy Words for am ARC of this book. I am sure there will be people who love this book but unfortunately it wasn't for me.
Some of the characters are good, I liked the FMC's guards. I sadly didn't connect with the FMC and MMC all that much. The FMC often came across as naive, a bit spineless and often quite stupid at times. She observed something suspicious and didn't think to tell her guards, even after failed assassination attempts? Come on, seriously? The MMC, Varic, seemed a bit red flaggy and at times inconsistent in my opinion.
Other good points of the book were the dragons, but I really want more of them. They were a bit of an afterthought and I hope they are developed throughout the series so we find out more about them. I liked the mystery elements and unanswered questions at the end, the set up of the next book could be interesting if plot points are followed through and developed.
While I wanted to love it, because the blurb and premise sounded excellent, I felt this book dragged a bit and I was often confused. It felt like the world was already built when the book first started so I didn't have a good understanding of the world, magic system or terminology which was a bit odd considering the book is massive (~950 pages). The pacing was also a bit off, I felt like nothing really happened in the first half of the book with plot points set up and forgotten, or just unexplained. The most interesting part was part 2 set in another bit of the world.
Some of the characters are good, I liked the FMC's guards. I sadly didn't connect with the FMC and MMC all that much. The FMC often came across as naive, a bit spineless and often quite stupid at times. She observed something suspicious and didn't think to tell her guards, even after failed assassination attempts? Come on, seriously? The MMC, Varic, seemed a bit red flaggy and at times inconsistent in my opinion.
Other good points of the book were the dragons, but I really want more of them. They were a bit of an afterthought and I hope they are developed throughout the series so we find out more about them. I liked the mystery elements and unanswered questions at the end, the set up of the next book could be interesting if plot points are followed through and developed.
While I wanted to love it, because the blurb and premise sounded excellent, I felt this book dragged a bit and I was often confused. It felt like the world was already built when the book first started so I didn't have a good understanding of the world, magic system or terminology which was a bit odd considering the book is massive (~950 pages). The pacing was also a bit off, I felt like nothing really happened in the first half of the book with plot points set up and forgotten, or just unexplained. The most interesting part was part 2 set in another bit of the world.
July 24, 2026
Burn Her They Said dives headfirst into a dark, high-stakes world where power, secrets, and dangerous obsession collide. The narrative follows a resilient heroine who finds herself targeted by a powerful, ruthless male lead—and the elite circle surrounding him.
Instead of backing down when the world demands her downfall, she stands her ground, leading to a volatile cat-and-mouse game. The line between intense hatred and undeniable passion blurs rapidly as hidden truths come to light, forcing both characters to confront the secrets that could destroy them both.
What Works Well :
⚡️Electric Tension & Chemistry: Cherish Wright excels at building palpable hostility that easily translates into fiery, intense romantic chemistry. The enemies-to-lovers execution is sharp and gripping.
🌃Compelling Dark Atmosphere: The setting feels atmospheric, claustrophobic, and filled with tension. The dark academia / elite secret society vibes add a layer of mystery that keeps you turning pages.
💪🏻Strong, Unyielding Heroine: Rather than being a passive damsel in distress, the female lead displays grit and resilience, standing up to the oppressive forces around her.
The final verdict: 🥰
Burn Her They Said is an addictive, dark, and angst-filled read that delivers high drama and intense passion. Cherish Wright crafts a compelling tale for readers who love morally grey characters, toxic tension, and stories where love and vengeance collide. If you enjoy gritty romantic suspense that pushes boundaries, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR list.
Instead of backing down when the world demands her downfall, she stands her ground, leading to a volatile cat-and-mouse game. The line between intense hatred and undeniable passion blurs rapidly as hidden truths come to light, forcing both characters to confront the secrets that could destroy them both.
What Works Well :
⚡️Electric Tension & Chemistry: Cherish Wright excels at building palpable hostility that easily translates into fiery, intense romantic chemistry. The enemies-to-lovers execution is sharp and gripping.
🌃Compelling Dark Atmosphere: The setting feels atmospheric, claustrophobic, and filled with tension. The dark academia / elite secret society vibes add a layer of mystery that keeps you turning pages.
💪🏻Strong, Unyielding Heroine: Rather than being a passive damsel in distress, the female lead displays grit and resilience, standing up to the oppressive forces around her.
The final verdict: 🥰
Burn Her They Said is an addictive, dark, and angst-filled read that delivers high drama and intense passion. Cherish Wright crafts a compelling tale for readers who love morally grey characters, toxic tension, and stories where love and vengeance collide. If you enjoy gritty romantic suspense that pushes boundaries, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR list.
July 26, 2026
💙 ARC REVIEW 🐲
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A dark gothic fantasy with witches, sorcerers, and dragons that also deals with mental health!? 😍 I loved the found family in this book - it may be one of my favorites so far! 🫶🏼 How the author writes about not only the FMC & MMC’s mental health but even the side characters?? It was great. Mental health impacts everyone. Full stop. This is an epic story. Saw some similarities to how our political landscape is currently. 👀
I am very excited to continue this in this massive world. 🗺️
A few of my favorite quotes…
💪🏼 “We do this for them. We do this so they might have a better world than our ancestors. We endure for their right to a better life.” “I am in my own element, and nothing and no one can take this from me. Not anymore.”
✨ “To keep going when it all feels for nought and to find strength to endure for what is coming.” “A reminder that all we know in the present does not have to remain as it is. Change is always possible. That is the only true definite.” “I can see it. So even when you can’t tell it exists, I can. And I will hold this recognition for you until you can.”
💜 “Two things can be separated, yet still belong together, Tasch.” “He’s doing it again. He’s seeing me. All of me.” “Saying what scares you, naming what hurts you, is the very definition of bravery.” “I will be here, and I will hold you while your mind tries to convince you otherwise…I am going to keep talking until you come back to me, because you are so f’n strong, and you can do this, Tasch.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
A dark gothic fantasy with witches, sorcerers, and dragons that also deals with mental health!? 😍 I loved the found family in this book - it may be one of my favorites so far! 🫶🏼 How the author writes about not only the FMC & MMC’s mental health but even the side characters?? It was great. Mental health impacts everyone. Full stop. This is an epic story. Saw some similarities to how our political landscape is currently. 👀
I am very excited to continue this in this massive world. 🗺️
A few of my favorite quotes…
💪🏼 “We do this for them. We do this so they might have a better world than our ancestors. We endure for their right to a better life.” “I am in my own element, and nothing and no one can take this from me. Not anymore.”
✨ “To keep going when it all feels for nought and to find strength to endure for what is coming.” “A reminder that all we know in the present does not have to remain as it is. Change is always possible. That is the only true definite.” “I can see it. So even when you can’t tell it exists, I can. And I will hold this recognition for you until you can.”
💜 “Two things can be separated, yet still belong together, Tasch.” “He’s doing it again. He’s seeing me. All of me.” “Saying what scares you, naming what hurts you, is the very definition of bravery.” “I will be here, and I will hold you while your mind tries to convince you otherwise…I am going to keep talking until you come back to me, because you are so f’n strong, and you can do this, Tasch.”
August 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️
I wanted to love this one. Dark fantasy, forbidden bodyguard romance, found family, witches, dragons, political danger… on paper, this had SO many things that should have worked for me.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t.
There are some genuinely interesting ideas here, especially surrounding Tasch’s position, the way power is controlled and exploited, and the different abilities within this world. I also liked the bond between Tasch and her guards. There’s a real sense that these people have chosen each other in a world where very few choices actually belong to them.
But this desperately needed a tighter edit. The story spends so much time inside the characters’ emotions, thoughts, trauma, conversations, and repeated reflections that the actual plot kept disappearing underneath all of it. I love emotional depth, but eventually I felt like I understood how everyone felt about something several chapters before we were finished discussing how everyone felt about it.
The forbidden romance between Tasch and Varic had plenty of emotion behind it, but even the yearning started losing its impact because it was stretched so far. Instead of making me desperate for every stolen moment, I eventually just wanted something to MOVE.
And that was ultimately my biggest problem. There’s a really cool dark fantasy buried in here. I could see the story I wanted to be obsessed with—the dangerous empire, unusual magic, dragons, rebellion, forbidden love, and a fiercely loyal found family—but getting to those pieces required more patience than I had.
Not every epic fantasy needs to be fast-paced, but for me, this one simply asked too much time from the reader without enough forward momentum in return.
Thank you to Cherish Wright for the opportunity to read Burn Her They Said.
I wanted to love this one. Dark fantasy, forbidden bodyguard romance, found family, witches, dragons, political danger… on paper, this had SO many things that should have worked for me.
Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t.
There are some genuinely interesting ideas here, especially surrounding Tasch’s position, the way power is controlled and exploited, and the different abilities within this world. I also liked the bond between Tasch and her guards. There’s a real sense that these people have chosen each other in a world where very few choices actually belong to them.
But this desperately needed a tighter edit. The story spends so much time inside the characters’ emotions, thoughts, trauma, conversations, and repeated reflections that the actual plot kept disappearing underneath all of it. I love emotional depth, but eventually I felt like I understood how everyone felt about something several chapters before we were finished discussing how everyone felt about it.
The forbidden romance between Tasch and Varic had plenty of emotion behind it, but even the yearning started losing its impact because it was stretched so far. Instead of making me desperate for every stolen moment, I eventually just wanted something to MOVE.
And that was ultimately my biggest problem. There’s a really cool dark fantasy buried in here. I could see the story I wanted to be obsessed with—the dangerous empire, unusual magic, dragons, rebellion, forbidden love, and a fiercely loyal found family—but getting to those pieces required more patience than I had.
Not every epic fantasy needs to be fast-paced, but for me, this one simply asked too much time from the reader without enough forward momentum in return.
Thank you to Cherish Wright for the opportunity to read Burn Her They Said.
Review of advance copy
"The more I find the opportunity to touch her, the more contact I want. The more I breathe her in, the more I want every breath I take to be made of her scent. And that's just it - I need her. Not shwat she does, but who she is, and why, and how."
Varic is an anomaly discovered after he destroys a compound and is then trained by the Imperial Witch Tasch. They have an instant connection that they try to hide for years, as Tasch is owned by the Emperor, but once Varic is placed in her Imperial Guard, there is no hiding their bond and attraction. Tasch continues to siphon emotions for the evil Emperor as he plots to gain more power, and Varic and her other imperial guards must stand by and watch her continue to weaken, even as they try to protect her and plot a way out from under his thumb. With the aid of their dragons, they end up planning an escape amidst a devastating attack on the palace.
There's only one word to describe this book: YEARNING! And so much of it. She's CHONKY, over 1200 pages. This would probably have been a four-star book for me if it weren't so long. There's a LONG time in the castle after Varic becomes her guard, and it details each day of traveling to Annovia, really not necessary.
What I liked: Unique magic, the anomalies all have their own, but some can have multiple even though it's illegal. The yearning, the dragons, Tasch's other guards are very found family.
What I didn't like: No way this needed to be over 1200 pages.
Varic is an anomaly discovered after he destroys a compound and is then trained by the Imperial Witch Tasch. They have an instant connection that they try to hide for years, as Tasch is owned by the Emperor, but once Varic is placed in her Imperial Guard, there is no hiding their bond and attraction. Tasch continues to siphon emotions for the evil Emperor as he plots to gain more power, and Varic and her other imperial guards must stand by and watch her continue to weaken, even as they try to protect her and plot a way out from under his thumb. With the aid of their dragons, they end up planning an escape amidst a devastating attack on the palace.
There's only one word to describe this book: YEARNING! And so much of it. She's CHONKY, over 1200 pages. This would probably have been a four-star book for me if it weren't so long. There's a LONG time in the castle after Varic becomes her guard, and it details each day of traveling to Annovia, really not necessary.
What I liked: Unique magic, the anomalies all have their own, but some can have multiple even though it's illegal. The yearning, the dragons, Tasch's other guards are very found family.
What I didn't like: No way this needed to be over 1200 pages.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to be on the ARC team for Burn Her They Said. I wish Cherish all the best in their journey as a published author and all thier future books!
This book is a solid 2 stars for me. Please note that just because this book wasn't for me doesn't mean it's not for other readers.
I love the premise and the idea behind the characters. In fact, I love how the characters were described. I love that it gives high fantasy vibes, like LOTR meets When The Moon Hatched in terms of writing style. I love the forbidden, almost fated feeling, romance between gaurd and ward. I love the magic system. It is an ambitious story with great promise.
But where this book got me was in that it was dry. Each time I read a chapter, I hoped for something to happen to grab my attention, and it didn't. It was really repetitive. There were several opportunities for our FMC and her party to just seize control and head towards the happy ending... and yet we got more repition of the same old same old.
I also feel like the description of the relationship between the FMC and MMC in the promotional material was not what we got in the book. I walked away from this book wondering where this relationship was because what we got was underwhelming.
I also found that this book was too long. I never drag through books like i did through this. This story could have benefitted from being two separate books instead of being nearly 1000 pages and 90 chapters.
This book is a solid 2 stars for me. Please note that just because this book wasn't for me doesn't mean it's not for other readers.
I love the premise and the idea behind the characters. In fact, I love how the characters were described. I love that it gives high fantasy vibes, like LOTR meets When The Moon Hatched in terms of writing style. I love the forbidden, almost fated feeling, romance between gaurd and ward. I love the magic system. It is an ambitious story with great promise.
But where this book got me was in that it was dry. Each time I read a chapter, I hoped for something to happen to grab my attention, and it didn't. It was really repetitive. There were several opportunities for our FMC and her party to just seize control and head towards the happy ending... and yet we got more repition of the same old same old.
I also feel like the description of the relationship between the FMC and MMC in the promotional material was not what we got in the book. I walked away from this book wondering where this relationship was because what we got was underwhelming.
I also found that this book was too long. I never drag through books like i did through this. This story could have benefitted from being two separate books instead of being nearly 1000 pages and 90 chapters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review:
I was able to receive an ARC from the author in advance for an honest review. My hopes were high for this 700 plus fantasy novel. Which I unfortunately, struggled with. It was hard to keep my interest and I had a hard time finishing it all the way.
The world building and magic system to me in fantasy is very important. It's what makes the story interesting also, that genre. When it came to the work building it felt unfinished. I knew the basics of the world I was reading; but I felt it needed more to completely immerse me. The magic system was done the same way.
Furthermore, I found the magic system interesting. Plus, the world; but it lacked even half way through the novel. Now her writing is done beautifully; but it can be hard to write a 700+ novel & keep some people interested in the story.
I enjoyed the yearning and the building of relationships; but they weren't solid. The FMC too I felt needed some work. The characters in this novel didn't hold enough of their own unique personality traits to stand out to me. I forced myself to finish this book thinking things would add up towards the end.
Unfortunately, it did not. The world building, magic system, and characters needed more work to stand out, to be immersive, and interesting. If I didn't feel the need to finish it in hopes things would get better I probably would have DNF it half way through.
Overall rating:
3/5⭐
I was able to receive an ARC from the author in advance for an honest review. My hopes were high for this 700 plus fantasy novel. Which I unfortunately, struggled with. It was hard to keep my interest and I had a hard time finishing it all the way.
The world building and magic system to me in fantasy is very important. It's what makes the story interesting also, that genre. When it came to the work building it felt unfinished. I knew the basics of the world I was reading; but I felt it needed more to completely immerse me. The magic system was done the same way.
Furthermore, I found the magic system interesting. Plus, the world; but it lacked even half way through the novel. Now her writing is done beautifully; but it can be hard to write a 700+ novel & keep some people interested in the story.
I enjoyed the yearning and the building of relationships; but they weren't solid. The FMC too I felt needed some work. The characters in this novel didn't hold enough of their own unique personality traits to stand out to me. I forced myself to finish this book thinking things would add up towards the end.
Unfortunately, it did not. The world building, magic system, and characters needed more work to stand out, to be immersive, and interesting. If I didn't feel the need to finish it in hopes things would get better I probably would have DNF it half way through.
Overall rating:
3/5⭐
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