Ashfall: A Young Adult Portal Fantasy Romance

by Dalton Bequette, Emily Bequette

Genres: Fantasy

416 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 14, 2026

About the author

Dalton Bequette has always been a storyteller. From a young age, he was crafting tales of his own. With a passion for history and the natural world, Dalton can usually be found outdoors, from which he draws extensive inspiration for the rich detail of his fantastical worlds. He met his wife, Emily, on a writing website where their mutual love for stories blossomed into a rich relationship. It now is the cornerstone for their debut fantasy novel.

Reviews

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am feeling a mixture of emotions. Ashfall has been the book I have been anticipating the most this year, and it blew me away!!! The way the story picks up so beautifully from Flameheart, and intertwines so seamlessly. It is beautiful writing! Ashfall is book 2 of the Flameheart Chronicles, for as y’all may have seen, I am absolutely in love with!!!

The way the Debequette’s continue to grow the world of Norenth with even more detail and depth is astounding! Seeing the growth of every single character, and their inner turmoil is one of the many aspects that keeps me hooked. It is not often I come across a book where I feel truly seen and understood through a character. But that is what Aurelia is, and seeing her grow and face new challenges with fierceness and tenacity, even when she’s scared, is inspiring! I may live in fantasy, especially in my head, but Ashfall truly brings realism with the struggles we sometimes have to face. The weight that makes us human. And it reminds me of how important it is to surround yourself with people that will stand in the fire with you and will always have your back. It is why this is one of my favorite Bible verses; “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

This book made me laugh, be in awe, kick my feet and giggle, cry, and ponder about my own life. And I am so excited (and scared 😅, in a good way) to see where the story goes.

If you haven’t yet, please read Flameheart. Trust me when I say, you will love this story!! These are just my own thoughts.

[Gabriella Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thrilling continuation to “FlameHeart!” I couldn’t be more happy with how this book picked up where the first one left off!

Kayce and Aurelia are easily becoming my favorite book couple! It doesn’t matter what they’re faced with, or how the situation unfolds, they fight together and protect one another no matter what lies ahead. The longing and yearning they feel towards one another melted my heart and made me wish for a love as passionate and true as theirs.

Aurelia, not only learns to master her FlameHeart abilities, but the truth surrounding her birth comes to the surface and affects her and those around her in a way she never saw coming. However, even despite the grim circumstances and the odds stacked against them, the group remains together and stronger than ever before ready to take on the world and whatever it throws at them.

Kayce, who finds himself drowning in the loss of someone close to him, along with fighting to find his place and purpose in life, is pulled into a despair unlike any other. When all seems lost, hope springs forth like a beacon of light in a world of eternal darkness.

I can’t wait to see where this story is headed next!

[Elizabeth Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So thankful I was chosen to be an ARC reader! I had just finished the first book and didn't know how I was going to cope waiting for the second! (Even though I now have to wait for the third, the agony...)

I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster that is this book. I was so emotional by the time I finished it AHHH-

I adored the first book and my only hope for the second book was that I enjoyed it just as much as the first- and it absolutely surpassed my expectations.

The world building, the pacing, the characters- everything was so well done. I love all the small details we get about Norenth, it makes it feel so much more real. The thing that really stands out to me is the characters- I genuinely enjoy reading about all of them, which is not often for most books.

Honestly I could gush about this series all day.

This book may make you cry (likeitdidme) but it is so worth it!!


Memorable quotes ❤️:

"Darkness was a hunter. But so was she."

"I will always look at you. I will always see you. Nothing could make me look away."

[Mandee (mandee.reads.cleanbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy was thing an emotional roller coaster! I went into this knowing there was going to be some serious trauma for the characters, but I didn’t even know the half of it. Dalton and Emily did a great job of dealing with loss and heartache, and I feel like I learned something for myself from it. The romance remained YA, although for my personal preference it was a bit much. I appreciated that Kayce treated Aurelia with respect, and even talked about honoring her body until marriage. I would rate it at the same level as Victoria McCombs for romance/ violence. No profanity, other than some occasional made up words. Ashfall also deals with the heavy topic of survivor’s guilt, and I feel like it could be relatable, even though it is fantasy. The world building was great, and I loved getting to see more of Norenth. Overall, a great book for fans of closed door fantasy, with a minor critique on romance levels. Thank you to Dalton and Emily for letting me read it early)

[Ariel Yount · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Heartbreaking. Wonderful.
This sequel picked up right at the end of the first book, Flameheart, and it kept me interested all the way through! I loved this book so much even though I also kind of hate it, but not really.
I’ve never been so emotionally devastated by a book, but then put back together so beautifully.
While Flameheart focused more on Aurelia and overcoming her anxiety and self-doubt, Ashfall brings in more mature themes, including POV from Kayce, the main male character which I loved. He really became his own multi-dimensional character that I can’t stop rooting for!
Aurelia was so passionate about protecting her brother, her worlds, the creations, etc and I loved her fierceness. I loved the new creatures and characters introduced, while getting to know old ones even better.
And the heart of these authors is so good in the messages displayed in this story. Read it. Just do it.

[Sydney Schmied · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flameheart was so amazing I was worried the sequel wouldn’t live up to the fist book, but it absolute did!!! Ashfall explores the story world a lot more an dives into the Flameheart past much more. I thought the authors did an amazing job dealing with the theme of power, good versus evil, and sometimes the blurred lines between when we are uncertain what is right and what is wrong, with evil masquerading as good. The world building was pretty epic, too! I’m not a huge fantasy person-as I get confused with too many new words/places easily- but this book does a great job explaining it without overloading the reader.
As for content, this book handles a lot more darkness(but also a lot of good themes) than the first, the romance is much more front and center, and there is some mild violence an spiritual warfare. I would put this book 16+.
I need the third book ASAP! 😂
I received an early copy from the authors. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

[Jessica P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up from 3.5.

The book is well-written, and the authors’ heart behind their storytelling and for their readers is apparent in every page, which is a beautiful thing. It’s a solid sequel to Flameheart!

That said, as an older reader, I’m not the target audience for the book… Because of that, there were a lot of plot points and character choices that did not resonate with me. Some of the grief themes felt heavy-handed; and the intense romance was a little much for teenagers to share, in my opinion.

I’d definitely still recommend Flameheart and Ashfall to YA fantasy lovers!

Thank you to the lovely authors for an advanced copy of the book! This review is voluntary and my honest thoughts.

[Abigail L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the authors for providing me with an ARC!
This was quite different from Flameheart, but in a good way! The world and magic system were further explored, the characters faced great development, and the romance between the two MCs deepened (in the cutest way ever). There were also far more intense and dark scenes. Such were obviously bad for the characters, but enjoyable for me to read since they kept me interested in the story (lol). There was something pretty heavy that happeneded near the end. I thought the occurrence itself, as well as its aftermath, were written very well. And this whole sequel saw an elevation in the prose in general! I enjoyed this more than the first book, and I’m really looking forward to the third. Hoping it comes out asap!

[Patty Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The emotional ride I went on in this story! There was love, joy, angst, fear, trauma, and grief, just to name a few. The story is still ongoing but it ended on a good note, though still a bit of a cliffhanger. There is more romance (and kissing) in this book than there was in book 1, and along with that there was talk of respectful boundaries. That, with all the other hard things that the characters have to deal with and go through, makes this book more of a mature (or upper) YA than book 1 was.
I'm so thankful for the opportunity to read this book ahead of the release!
✴️CW:
♦️loss of a child
♦️heated kissing, with one instance of a little loss of control
♦️PTSD and survivors guilt

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashfall will take you on one heartpounding, exciting, emotional adventure. Be prepared with Chinese food and tissues, you will be wanting both. (And the tissues will be a need)
It has the perfect combination of swoon, drama, humor, and thrill. I adore every character and love seeing them not just develope but how they find growth in pain and loss.
Flameheart blew me away, and i wasn't sure how the next book in this series would measure up, but it doesn't disappoint at all! The story only got better, and I can't wait to see what happens next.


I was given an early copy but this review and my opinions are my own.

[Aliyah K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow
Blown away by this book
The realism of bringing in real themes coupled with the fantasy world that is brought to you by these two authors.
In the first book I fell in love with Aurelia
Now this book gave me the realism for Kayce.
Couldn’t put it down, and now I have to wait in agony for the 3rd book (hopefully?)

Go read the first FlameHeart before reading this sequel!

[LightningTail97 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would first like to thank Dalton and Emily again for this arc! This review (and the full one to come) is voluntary and completely my own opinion.

This book was so good! I could gush all day long, but I don't want to put any spoilers until the book is released. Full review to come!

[The Humorous Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC!!!

[Moriah Chavis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great sequel! Full RTC