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Gilded Ashes: An Epic Romantasy Adventure, High Stakes Action with a Strong Heroine
Some truths can shatter empires. Others can shatter the heart.
Her magic is broken, her empire lies in ruins, but the man leading her to safety poses the greatest danger of all.
When the Golden Empire of Aurelia falls, Melora Aurelius is left with an impossible get her brother, the last heir of Aurelia, to safety.
Hunted across enemy territory, the siblings are desperate, defenseless, and alone. With nowhere else to turn, Melora strikes a dangerous bargain with Oran Rhodes, a notorious mercenary with blood on his hands and secrets lurking beneath his skin.
Their journey through Argentum is brutal. Ancient magic stirs, monsters haunt the wilds, and Oran himself becomes impossible to ignore—a man as ruthless as he is magnetic, and whose past is dark and tangled.
But attraction is a dangerous thing in a world built on betrayal.
Because Oran Rhodes is not who he seems to be.
And when Melora uncovers the truth about the man she’s falling for, it threatens to destroy not only their mission—but everything she thought she knew about her empire, her bloodline, and herself.
Her magic is broken, her empire lies in ruins, but the man leading her to safety poses the greatest danger of all.
When the Golden Empire of Aurelia falls, Melora Aurelius is left with an impossible get her brother, the last heir of Aurelia, to safety.
Hunted across enemy territory, the siblings are desperate, defenseless, and alone. With nowhere else to turn, Melora strikes a dangerous bargain with Oran Rhodes, a notorious mercenary with blood on his hands and secrets lurking beneath his skin.
Their journey through Argentum is brutal. Ancient magic stirs, monsters haunt the wilds, and Oran himself becomes impossible to ignore—a man as ruthless as he is magnetic, and whose past is dark and tangled.
But attraction is a dangerous thing in a world built on betrayal.
Because Oran Rhodes is not who he seems to be.
And when Melora uncovers the truth about the man she’s falling for, it threatens to destroy not only their mission—but everything she thought she knew about her empire, her bloodline, and herself.
571 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 26, 2026
I have read this book at least 5 times, and I STILL can't get over it.
If you're looking for a fantasy romance that actually feels different, please give Gilded Ashes by Elizabeth Corrington a chance.
The MMC is the perfect brooding, tattooed, intensely protective hero, but what I loved most is that the FMC is every bit his equal. She's a warrior—strong, capable, fiercely protective—and she's been sheltered from the truth about the world around her. Watching her slowly realize just how much has been hidden from her sets off one twist after another.
And the WORLD. I genuinely don't know what to compare it to because it feels so unique. There are wolves, giants, mythical beings, other dimensions, and an incredible magical system that the FMC doesn't even fully understand. There is so much more going on beneath the surface than you initially realize.
Then there's the romance. ENEMIES TO LOVERS. SLOW BURN. CLOSE PROXIMITY. BANTER. KICKING YOUR FEET-YEARNING.
Their banter actually made me laugh out loud—which is surprisingly rare for me in fantasy romance. And the tension between these two is SO good. His tattoos/marks are also incredibly intriguing because they shift and change in ways that become part of the mystery between them. I'll just say it first, one of the top book boyfriends of all time!
The romance takes its time, and when the spice finally arrives, it feels like an actual payoff for everything these characters have been building toward rather than being thrown in just for the sake of spice.
But the SUSPENSE is what really got me. This book moves. I was constantly thinking, Okay, NOW I understand what's happening—and then another twist would happen. I was genuinely at the edge of my seat, and the final twist completely shocked me.
It's also surprisingly emotional—not in a "cry your eyes out" way, but in the way that you become invested in these characters and get to watch them grow, understand each other, and slowly uncover who they really are.
And honestly? I am SO tired of the same recycled vampire/werewolf/fae fantasy worlds. This didn't feel like that at all.
I've reread Gilded Ashes at least five times, which should probably tell you everything you need to know. I immediately wanted the next two books in the series, and I'm dying to see where this world goes next.
If you like brooding protective MMCs, warrior FMCs, slow-burn romance, ridiculous chemistry, yearning, banter, mystery, twists, and a fantasy world that actually feels original—READ THIS BOOK!
If you're looking for a fantasy romance that actually feels different, please give Gilded Ashes by Elizabeth Corrington a chance.
The MMC is the perfect brooding, tattooed, intensely protective hero, but what I loved most is that the FMC is every bit his equal. She's a warrior—strong, capable, fiercely protective—and she's been sheltered from the truth about the world around her. Watching her slowly realize just how much has been hidden from her sets off one twist after another.
And the WORLD. I genuinely don't know what to compare it to because it feels so unique. There are wolves, giants, mythical beings, other dimensions, and an incredible magical system that the FMC doesn't even fully understand. There is so much more going on beneath the surface than you initially realize.
Then there's the romance. ENEMIES TO LOVERS. SLOW BURN. CLOSE PROXIMITY. BANTER. KICKING YOUR FEET-YEARNING.
Their banter actually made me laugh out loud—which is surprisingly rare for me in fantasy romance. And the tension between these two is SO good. His tattoos/marks are also incredibly intriguing because they shift and change in ways that become part of the mystery between them. I'll just say it first, one of the top book boyfriends of all time!
The romance takes its time, and when the spice finally arrives, it feels like an actual payoff for everything these characters have been building toward rather than being thrown in just for the sake of spice.
But the SUSPENSE is what really got me. This book moves. I was constantly thinking, Okay, NOW I understand what's happening—and then another twist would happen. I was genuinely at the edge of my seat, and the final twist completely shocked me.
It's also surprisingly emotional—not in a "cry your eyes out" way, but in the way that you become invested in these characters and get to watch them grow, understand each other, and slowly uncover who they really are.
And honestly? I am SO tired of the same recycled vampire/werewolf/fae fantasy worlds. This didn't feel like that at all.
I've reread Gilded Ashes at least five times, which should probably tell you everything you need to know. I immediately wanted the next two books in the series, and I'm dying to see where this world goes next.
If you like brooding protective MMCs, warrior FMCs, slow-burn romance, ridiculous chemistry, yearning, banter, mystery, twists, and a fantasy world that actually feels original—READ THIS BOOK!
August 26, 2026
This book was seriously so good! I was barely able to put it down!
As a reader, I often struggle with the fantasy romance genre because it always feels recycled, but this book was not that way at all! The world was so unique and the magic system was unlike any I'd read before.
I absolutely fell in love with the FMC! She was strong and smart and independent. She also wasn't scared of standing up for what she believed in.
The chemistry between the FMC and MMC was SO GOOD! The banter and slow burn kept me begging for more, but also perfectly content to wait and see how things would play out.
I love a broody, protective book boyfriend, and this one might just be my new favorite!
This book was the furthest thing from predictable! I was constantly surprised by the twists in the storyline and I felt just as invested as the characters in trying to figure out the mysteries taking place. I highly recommend this book, especially if you want something unique and exciting in the fantasy romance genre!
As a reader, I often struggle with the fantasy romance genre because it always feels recycled, but this book was not that way at all! The world was so unique and the magic system was unlike any I'd read before.
I absolutely fell in love with the FMC! She was strong and smart and independent. She also wasn't scared of standing up for what she believed in.
The chemistry between the FMC and MMC was SO GOOD! The banter and slow burn kept me begging for more, but also perfectly content to wait and see how things would play out.
I love a broody, protective book boyfriend, and this one might just be my new favorite!
This book was the furthest thing from predictable! I was constantly surprised by the twists in the storyline and I felt just as invested as the characters in trying to figure out the mysteries taking place. I highly recommend this book, especially if you want something unique and exciting in the fantasy romance genre!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book! The descriptions are phenomenal! They make every scene feel so vivid and have you completely immersed in the story.
One of my favorite parts was the way the characters were developed. I found myself genuinely attached to them, celebrating their victories, worrying about their struggles, and feeling invested in where their journeys would lead. Whether it was friendship, family, or romance, every interaction added something meaningful to the story and made the emotional moments hit even harder - both in happiness and sadness!
The buildup to the big moments was perfection and had me on the edge of my seat!
Overall, this was one of those books that’s difficult to put down and even harder to stop thinking about after you finish, because you need to know what happens in Book 2!
One of my favorite parts was the way the characters were developed. I found myself genuinely attached to them, celebrating their victories, worrying about their struggles, and feeling invested in where their journeys would lead. Whether it was friendship, family, or romance, every interaction added something meaningful to the story and made the emotional moments hit even harder - both in happiness and sadness!
The buildup to the big moments was perfection and had me on the edge of my seat!
Overall, this was one of those books that’s difficult to put down and even harder to stop thinking about after you finish, because you need to know what happens in Book 2!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews