The Valkyrie were dead. She alone held Odin's power. Her Problem? She can't access it.
The Valkyrie bloodline was slaughtered to extinction, or at least that is what she led the world to believe. Betrayed by an allied kingdom she swore to protect during the last war, Alyra went into hiding for almost a century.
As princess of the Valkyrie race, she was the last to wield Odin’s power, The Ivory Flame. Her power could only be given willingly to another and she spent months being tortured by the enemy King in his attempt to make her give it up. In order to protect it, she built a wall around it and even after her escape, she couldn’t break it down.
Now, war was coming again, and her power was needed to sway the odds against the enemy. Reluctantly, she returns to fight for the same kingdom that betrayed her and is assigned a combat trainer to help get her power back. He is brutal, dark, and pushes her to her breaking point more often than not.
An earth-shattering betrayal rocks her world just as she thought she was making progress and it takes everything she has to fight for the world she loves, even if she can’t trust anyone in it.
Contains memory/talk of torture, explicit sexual content, violence, and narcissistic manipulation. ***REVISED AND EDITED POST ADVANCED READER COPY REVIEWS***
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book.
The plot of this story was really good. From the start I was intrigued to know where the story was going and who our FMC was going to be. I really enjoyed the idea of our FMC finding her voice and strength again. The story of the kingdoms and the political strife was done well.
My GREATEST issue with the book is the spelling and grammar. Holy errors. It really impacted my experience with the book and removed me so heavily from the reading. Vial instead of bile, lushish instead of luscious, nap instead of nape, volubility instead of vulnerability. I could only focus on the typos. You couldn't go a page without a typo and sometimes multiple on one page. While I understand this could 10000% be a me issue it really ruined the reading for me.
The repetitive use of "barked", "snapped" etc. It got so annoying to read that every time. The FMC was almost always snapping or being defensive when there was little reason to be in some situations. Overall, many conversational verbs were overused and it seemed like we tried to make every conversation a bigger deal than it needed to be. It's okay to just have characters talk. I think the dialogue was hard to read and has a bit of room for improvement. It felt a bit immature and did make me cringe a handful of times.
The idea of our FMC was strong, but I feel like she didn't really have a character arc fitting her. She went from traumatized and afraid to toxic and overdramatic. Getting angry over little things. When she made her own dress at the first ball she talked about how traditional Valkyrie outfits showed a lot of skin, but then said something towards the end about not wearing a skimpy dress because she isn't a slut. I was hoping when she found her power it would be this whole amazing reclaiming of her trauma and power, but it just missed the mark on that for me. Truthfully, I found her borderline insufferable by the end.
This one thing is very much likely a me issue, but when our FMC is trying to connect with nature to find her powers and says a chant, half the book the chant is said in the FMCs native tongue (I think Old Norse) and the translation typed in English after to the final time she says the chant, it's just typed in English and then says "she said in her native tongue". I, obviously, don't speak old Norse so I don't really care for the way it's written a majority of the book since I just skip that to read the translation. I prefer the way it was written the final time. It's somewhat minor but it was just enough to bother me.
I think the ending was GREAT. There were a few twists I didn't see coming which were so strong to the plot, but the amount of errors in the book as a whole and the writing style I don't see myself picking up the sequel.
I think this being a debut book and still having a lot of strong points is GREAT, but there is a lot of room for growth. I hope book 2 is reviewed more carefully for grammatical errors and can grow a bit from this one.
I wish I could give this book infinite stars!! From beginning to end I was invested! Twists and turns all throughout. The perfect slow burn, intimacy between MMC and FMC is written in such an exquisite way you can feel the love and respect between them. Every chapter bringing all the emotions in waves, ultimately ending with me NEEDING the second book!!
I was hooked from the beginning! I had to make myself put it down to sleep. The way to relationship evolved throughout the story was fabulous. The plot was plotting and moved at a great pace. I was able to connect with the characters, even the side characters. The twists were so good. One of them I guessed early on but the rest had my jaw on the floor.
Were there spelling and grammatical errors? So many! How can I still give this 5 stars? The plot, characters, action, banter and everything was so intense and immersive that it had me turning pages and anticipating what was coming next. I noticed the errors (and notated some of them) but I was so invested in the overall story that I didn’t let it take away from the experience. Another round of edits would be advised though.
Now for that ending, it was the most jaw-dropping ending that I have read in a long time. I will definitely be jumping on board for the next book.
I received an advanced copy from the author at no charge. I voluntarily give this honest review.
This book had me so entranced the whole time! I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one day! It was such an easy yet engaging read. I am not sure what I was expecting but this surpassed it by far!
The story line and world building flowed so well that it almost felt familiar. The FMC isn’t annoying or weak. She is strong and full of justified feminine rage.
Enemies to lovers at its best, alongside a touch of hero to villain, that makes you feel all the emotions.
I will be purchasing my trophy as soon as it comes out. Amber did an amazing job with this book and I can’t wait for the next one!
The book had great plot! I was hooked from the beginning and was eager to read every chance I got. The plot plotted and the twist twisted. It was a fast paced book and it didn’t pause in one place too long! I do however wish there was just a little bit more given with the details of the characters. I wish the battle scenes had a little more battle to them. Overall decent read. I hope to read the next one when it comes out.
Let me start by saying that overall, the story arc was good. It has a lot of potential and really good bones. The political conflict and the trenchers were both a very cool addition to the story. I enjoyed the journey and felt the pacing of the timeline was very balanced for the most part. It was easy to read and I actually loved the short chapters because I didn't feel bogged down or stuck when reading.
I always go into arc reads with an open mind and an understanding that this could be a debut novel and that authors I read sometimes haven't found their flow yet. This one, however was a tough read and not because it was necessarily bad.
One MAJOR issue - the arcs are riddled with so many spelling and grammar mistakes on nearly every page that it made it such a challenge to even read because I was so distracted. I'm assuming this will be corrected by official launch, but the egregious amount of mistakes unfortunately affected my reading experience and therefore belongs in my review.
In addition, the author chose 4 ways to describe her characters speaking: "barked", "snapped", "mumbled", and "muttered". And then towards the end, "smirk" was introduced and then overused as well. No one conversed in regular tones. No one "said" anything. And characters were muttering and mumbling in situations that didn't call for it. The snapping and barking at one another was so overused I started rolling my eyes every time the characters interacted.
Character development was problematic as well for me. The FMC went from a sniveling mess to a codependent mess. It is a hard thing to do to write an FMC with trauma who overcomes obstacles, and reclaims her power and for me that was not achieved here. Unfortunately based on the sequence of events presented to me, I was never convinced of Alyra's ability to be a badass flame wielding queen; she was portrayed too delicately and then too dependent. She was also way too insecure, immature and sometimes toxic - not someone I was always rooting for to "find her power".
In addition to grammar issues and character development issues the dialogue was extremely immature and cheesy and the overall frame is overused. Fae bonds are so common in romantasy that combined with the character development issues and bad banter, utilizing such a common trope did not help this book stand out.
One thing I will say is that the very last sentence was a HELL OF AN ENDING and was a great hook to get return readers. I probably won't be one of them, but I know that hooked some people for sure. So big congrats for that!
Gosh where do I start with this book! Her Ivory Flame is my first 6⭐️ read of the year! I had the privilege of receiving this as an ARC read. I normally prefer to read first person POV or multiple POV books but this one was done in 3rd person that leaned more towards the FMC and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Main Characters gave me Rowan and Aelin vibes from TOG and I connected with them instantly. The story just keeps moving right from the start and I was always on my toes throughout. I never got bored with it and could not put it down. The betrayals that happen were well done and I did not see one of them coming. The ending had me in goosebumps! I knew in my mind what was going to happen and it still got me! I havnt been this excited for a book all year! There’s clear detail when it comes to outfits and I love that when you can clearly visualize what a character is wearing. The world building is not complicated at all. There’s a lot of focus on the plot with the romance mixed in there. The spice was great when it happened and the slow burn just had you connecting with the main characters more and impatiently waiting for them to take the plunge. But there was no doubt once the decision was made! I recommend this to anyone who loved the TOG and ACOTAR series. Where your FMC is a bad ass Valkyrie who is fierce no matter her trauma. Who through betrayal, torture, lost family, and political use she rises to be the Queen she was born to be. Where the MMC is fierce and protective yet lets her light shine and grow, never suffocating her. This is a must read when it’s released!!! I will be buying a hard copy of this for sure!!! What a great story and I cannot wait for book 2!! I most definitely will be signing up to ARC read that as well!
Thank you, Amber, for allowing me to read and review. I watched your progress on TikTok and I'm happy for you.
Alyra, a princess of the Valkyrie, is now in hiding after a horrible war that took out her people. Betrayed by an ally, she was taken hostage by Mavros and tortured, as he wanted her Ivory Flame. To keep it out of the wrong hands, she walked up her immense power and his away in a small town. After many years, she is approached by a friend who asks her to return again so save a kingdom from Mavros yet again. Can she bring down her wall, return her power, and save her allies?
I enjoyed the book and watching Alyra work on her power and grow to trust and love again. I understand she was hidden away for years due to the horrors of her past, but given how old she was supposed to be, I felt like she acted a smidge too young.
I look forward to finding out how the war plays out in book two.
“Her Ivory Flame” was a pretty good read overall, but it felt very predictable at times. There were a lot of parallels to “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” which made parts of the story feel familiar rather than original. While the world and romance had potential, I kept waiting for bigger emotional climaxes or shocking moments that never fully delivered.
Several scenes seemed like they were building toward something intense, only for the story to fall short or move on too quickly. Some parts also felt rushed, almost like important details or transitions were missing, which made it harder to fully connect with certain plot points and character developments.
That being said, the book still had enjoyable moments and enough intrigue to keep me reading. If you enjoy fantasy romance with familiar tropes and don’t mind a more predictable storyline, it’s still worth picking up.
First, thanks to Amber Hubbard for letting me ARC read your book.
If you are looking for a fantasy world that will completely consume your life for a a day or two, add this to your TBR immediately. I inhaled this book.
We are dropped right into the middle of warring kingdoms with trying to figure out who really is the bad guy.
And the romance? Pure, exquisite torture. It is the definition of a SLOW. BURN. The tension between the main characters is so thick you could cut it with one of those Valkyrie blades. They have to navigate a minefield of secrets and massive, heart-shattering betrayals.
Which brings me to that ending. The cliffhanger?! That should be illegal. I need book two right now, and I have no idea how I'm supposed to function until it comes out.
"Death searched for her, Death found her, and yet Death himself was not strong enough to take her." When a book starts out with a line like this one - I know it's going to be good. This was an ARC read that I asked to join and it turned out to be one of the best books that I have read all year (and I read a lot of books). Alyra is the last Valkyrie and she has no magic left, yet she is called upon to help save the kingdom. We're taken on a journey of torture, loss, betrayal, love and resilience. When I finished this book I had to lay it down and just walk away to recover. I thought the beginning was a fire starter? The ending had me stunned and wishing I already had book two in my hands. This is a book I will definitely be buying for my book "trophy shelf".
I absolutely love this book from the first page all the way through to the last page I was hooked.
The way the author wrote about the intimacy between the MMC and the MFC was done in such fantastic way. I loved reading about them slowly fall for each other. I like the other side characters bought something different to the Story and no two characters were the same.
I absolutely loved the plot and found the book written well I enjoyed the well building. It had great descriptions. You felt like you were part of the book. I found a book well paced and can’t wait to read the Next book.
Thank you to the author for the chance to read this as an arc. I look forward to the next book and will definitely read more from this author in the future.
I loved this book so very much. Following the story of Alyra how she thought she lost everything, everyone she loved, kept herself in hiding, come back with nothing, found her only friend was not who he was supposed to be, the fiancé, she thought that loved her., to find out all her people where alive, her true mate, and her magic. This story was so good and kept me wanting to keep ready and not put it down. Thank you and cant wait for the next one after that cliffhanger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I thoroughly enjoyed the main character, Alyra. She was strong and badass. The world building was wonderful, and I really liked the plot twists and slow burn. I'm a sucker for slow! I also love the name Kaden, just from an aesthetic perspective. He was very enjoyable as a character and balanced Alyra out as a lead in the best ways. Very nice dynamic. Overall, a wonderful read with a beautifully constructed world.
This was my first ever ARC reading. I don't think I could ever do it again unless it's for the second book. The pacing is great not too fast or too slow. The whole time I was like Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory of "why?....why?......WHY!.......Oh that's why." It keeps you on your toes and wondering what twist and turns it's going to take you on. The first book isn't out yet and I already need book 2!!!
Supposed ruler of Mydalsa, Alyra has been hiding licking her wounds and building herself back up. After years of hiding she finds out another war like the last is coming. She has the power to end it, but with her past, it's a tough goal to set. Filled with love, found family and some betrayal sprinkled in, I found this book to be binge-worthy and a nice flow through the storyline. -husbands account
This book had me hooked from the start! The world building, the tension, the hurt and an anger, but also the love and the found family it just had everything and I really cannot wait for the second book! There was a lot of times in this book where I was yelling at a part or laughing, even crying at one point it just keeps you all in your feels and you feel like you are there with them in this story. So if you like a Romantacy with all the feels this is definitely for you.
I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED! From the beginning to end I was captivated. The world building, found family, plot twists, deception, plus fated mates never a dull moment for sure. What I really enjoyed was seeing our FMC finding herself and standing strong “I am Death” I am ready to suit up and stand beside her! Now I need my trophy book and book 2.
Wow, I did NOT see those twists coming! A well paced story, with character development that keeps you entertained and intrigued. You can't help but hope for Alyra and Kaden, where the author builds the tension with impeccable timing. Ending in an incredible cliff hanger, I am highly anticipating book 2.
This book was very well written! And I would most definitely recommend it to people! It left me wanting more and honestly I can’t wait for the next book to come out. The story line was amazing and the emotions put in to it were easily felt through the pages over all I can’t wait to read the 2nd book!!!
I loved this book. The relationships between the mfc, Alyra, and the males in her life made me cry multiple times because the emotions she felt really came through in the writing. The story was fast-paced and interesting as new details emerged and I read this book in just a few days because I did not want to put it down. I can't wait for the next book.
I really enjoyed this book, I loved the plot so much that I wish the author would of went into more detail, the FMC was enjoyable when she had a backbone for her situation and other times she acted immature. The twist at the end I DID NOT see coming. Overall it was a 3 star from me and I will be reading book 2.
From start to finish this book had me captivated. From the world building , to the magic system. The Fmc is such a bad A**. I enjoyed every minute of this book. This book is going on my trophy book shelf. Such a fun time. Bravo Amber Now I need book 2
If I could rate this book 6 stars!! I was hooked on this book from the beginning, I went to bed thinking about this book and waking up thinking about it I am absolutely obsessed and cannot wait for book 2!! definitely one of my top books and authors now!!
I absolutely loved this book!!! I couldn't put it down and finished it in one day! I'm really hoping there's a second and can't wait to read that as well I am definitely recommending to all my friends!
I absolutely loved it!!! It was incredibly addictive and hooked me for the very first page, I love the chemistry between the main characters and the author's writing style, it make me feel completely inmmersed in the story. 🖤🖤👌
This story is so good….love the banter between the characters. The FMC is awesome. I love her strength. The MMC is awesome, he is so aggravating at times but you have to love him too. I can’t wait for the next book to come out…what a cliffhanger.
this book had alot of emotions in it and the plot twist at the end of it makes me want to scream and also hope everything come back to her in the end amd she wont lose what matter to her. also the charater building in this i need the second book please