The Making of a King: From Ashes We Rise

by Phoenix Kol

Genres: Sports Romance

231 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 28, 2026

Reviews

[☕‎ꫂ᭪݁ Fall Girly Vibes‎ꫂ᭪݁☕ · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Here's my review of From Ashes We Rise by
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Little note: Thanks so much to BookSirens for the ARC copy of this book! This is my first arc and I'm looking forward to more. There are some minor and mild spoilers below so just beware of that. Here's my honest review of From Ashes We Rise.
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✨Plot ✨
AJ Blackwood. Amazing hockey player, cocky team captain, golden child, dating the perfect girl, Noa Fox. But both have dangerous secrets. AJ's verbally abusive dad, Atlas Blackwood Sr. , is blackmailing Noa to keep her not-yet born son with his son secret and essentially trying to pay her off. AJ himself doesn't love hockey, he was forced by his dad to play, when his real passion is baseball. When a baseball scout asks him to come spend the summer playing for a tournament/competition (thing), he's sure he won't go. But suddenly Noa mysteriously dies and his father goes too far, physically abusing his mom, so he and his mom flee, and he ends up doing the tournament. Everything is going well; he's meeting friends, a new girlfriend, and someone who becomes kind of a father figure to him. But Atlas Blackwood won't just let his son get away. He sends his cold, killer assistant to bring his son back, no matter the cost, even at framing AJ for Noa's death .

✨ My top 3 Characters ✨
🔥 AJ Blackwood (Christian Wolfe) 🔥
I really liked AJ as a character and I felt deeply for him, but I think he and the love interest(s?) were so cute that I don't feel like he's a book boyfriend for me. His emotions were so realistic for all the situations and this was one of the first books where the character has been in a teen boy's pov and I actually enjoyed it.
What I loved:
-Love a good attractive and cocky yet vulnerable man
- He was so good to Noa and Tessa and his relationship with Willie warmed my heart. It was the father-son relationship he should've had
- I loved that he kind of had to relearn some things about pitching and wasn't instantly perfect again at it
- The ending blew me away! I hope he finds a way out of this!
What I didn't love:
- It seemed like he pushed down Noa's death and never really processed it
- It also seemed like he moved on pretty quickly
- I wish he had stood up to his dad earlier but I understand that would probably have been really hard for him

🦊 Noa Fox 🦊
My poor heart felt for this girl so strongly! I get that her death was important for the story but I've never cried 30% or so into a book over not even the main character. I really wish we could've seen more of her as her own person and hopefully we might see that in another book! 🤞
What I loved:
- She seemed like such a sweet girl and her and AJ's relationship was couple-goals! You could really tell they loved each other and had a healthy relationship
- The plot with AJ's dad blackmailing her was very interesting but it was also so sad because you could tell she really wanted to keep the kid, not put it (him?) up for adoption
- Every scene she was involved in either had me sobbing, wanting to give her a hug, or tell her she and AJ are the cutest!! It's been a minute since I've cared so much about a character.
What I didn't love:
- I wished she hadn't been blackmailed and had gotten to tell AJ about the baby although that wasn't her fault
- I really wish she hadn't had to die. I know it's part of the plot but I wanted to have seen more of her and AJ together or at least have him learn that he had a kid

⚾ Willie ⚾
At first, he just seemed like a simple, sweet old guy willing to take in a troubled kid who was doing the local baseball tournament. But he started caring for AJ so much and the same was true the other way around. I felt so bad for WIlly and what happened to his son but I'm glad AJ/Christian could come and they grew a bond. He honestly grew to feel like a grandpa to me. That ending was criminal and I hope he ends up being okay!
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😡 Least favorite character 😡 :

Atlas Blackwood Sr.
1. I freaking hate this man! Congrats, Phoenix Kol, you made a truly hateable character (obvi, it was on purpose. You're supposed to hate him).
2. What kind of person do you have to be to force your failed dream onto your son even though you know it's not what he wants to do.
3. What kind of person do you have to be, to be so hateful and cruel that you verbally abuse your family, blackmail a scared, pregnant teenager who's carrying your grandkids, and hit your wife when she tries to leave.

There are no redeeming qualities about him I can think of at all and he's a horrible person. I've never been more grateful for the amazing, loving family I have.
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🎶 Song of the book 🎶: Arcade by Duncan Laurence
Age/spice rating:
Age rating- 1️⃣4️⃣+ : There are very dark, heavy topics, cursing, and blood/violence. Minor hits on an adult but she rejects him, as she's just looking for information.
💋 Spice rating 💋 : (0.75-1/5)- There is romance but it's mostly sweet and fluffy, not going past kissing and that's not super detailed. They mention someone being seductive as a disguise but all you hear about it is her flirting.
Theme(s) & Trope(s): Hockey romance, baseball romance, teen pregnancy (I support pregnant teens, not teen pregnancy, if that makes sense), dark, accidental? death, dark thoughts, manipulation, sports romance, abusive family, violence, love, etc
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Thanks so much for reading my first ever ARC review of From The Ashes We Rise by Phoenix Kol, my gorgeous lovelies, and I hope you all have an amazing rest of your night and day tomorrow!

[Amee · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review. Thanks to BookSirens for the From Ashes We Rise ARC. Book one in The Making of a King series. Told in third person, we get quite a lot of people’s POV’s in this story, which serves as both a good thing and not for me. Was hard to build any kind of emotional connection to the characters being as we’re jumping around so much. On the other hand with third person we do know what the lot are all thinking or feeling. Takes the guessing away some too.

There’s also a lot going on within the story. Lots of different types of people and their own storylines getting merged, it’s a lot to keep track of who’s who, and how they are ultimately tied to AJ’s story, which my old lady brain has trouble doing sometimes.

Overall I enjoyed the mixed bag of tropes From Ashes We Rise turned out to be. Going forward I’d like to see AJ more fleshed out as well as his relationships to others. Maybe less telling and more showing is another way to explain it. My opinions are my own so take them with a grain of salt but I’d recommend for a good start to a series which kept me entertained and watching.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ ARC Read ❤️

Oh my goodness, I went through all the feels with this book and I loved it. 🥹😭❤️ I wasn't 100% sure what I was expecting as a dark romance, sports, and thriller, but I'm so glad my curiosity got the better of me. ❤️ The suspense, the heartbreak, the love, and everything these characters endured had me completely invested in their stories. There were moments that absolutely shattered my heart, and I definitely shed some tears. 😭💔

AJ's story broke my heart. 💔 Being so young and carrying the weight of everyone else's expectations while trying to figure out who you really are is already a lot, but having a father who treats love like something you have to earn makes it that much more heartbreaking. Seeing the pressure, the expectations, and the emotional struggles AJ faced made me feel for him so deeply. Sometimes the people who are supposed to love us the most are the ones who leave the deepest scars. 🥺💔

And then there's Christian. ❤ ️ Watching him step onto a different path, away from the expectations and the life that was never truly his to choose, was such an emotional part of the story. The chance to build a life on his own terms, find his people, and discover what unconditional love really feels like made me root for him. 🥹❤️

I loved how the suspense kept me on my toes. There was always that feeling that something bigger was happening beneath the surface, and I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen next. The emotional twists, the tension, and the connections between the characters had me completely hooked. And the fact that this story brought me to tears while keeping me on the edge of my seat? I absolutely love when a book can do that! 😭❤️

What really stood out to me was the deeper message woven throughout this story. The struggle to find your own identity, the need to be loved for who you are rather than what you can achieve, and the importance of finding the people who make you feel like you belong. Sometimes family isn't just about the name you carry, but about the people who stand beside you when everything falls apart. 🥹❤️

Phoenix, you truly delivered an emotional roller coaster with this one! I laughed, I cried, I felt my heart breaking, and I was completely caught up in the suspense. Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of your ARC team. It was an honor and pleasure to help you with your book. ❤️ I am so excited for the next books in the series! ❤️📚

@authorphoenixkol

❤️ Dark sports romance

❤️ First love

💔 Family trauma

🖤 Dark family dynamics

❤️ Found family

❤️ Romantic suspense

💔 Grief and healing

❤️ Identity and self-discovery

❤️ Past secrets

💔 The pressure of expectations

❤️ Love without conditions

❤️ Emotional roller coaster

🔥 Suspense that keeps you wondering what will happen next

[Tammy - · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a lot of sports and hockey romances, but I've never read one quite like this.

Every legend has a beginning.

This is the first book in the From Ashes We Rise universe, and the author warns you at the very start that this truly is just the beginning of this story.

AJ Blackwood has always known who he is supposed to be. His father is determined to make him a hockey star, but AJ has other dreams. After one night changes everything, AJ tries to make a fresh start, but can he really escape his past?

This book is told in third person POV, and I admittedly struggle with that unless a story really pulls me in from the start, and this book did just that. There are a lot of characters in this universe though, so it did feel a bit overwhelming at times.

Although I was expecting a dark, suspenseful story, I was still surprised by the turn that this story took. This truly is just the beginning and it's a page turner, but if you're wanting a story that's all tied up with a pretty bow at the end, you won't find that here. I can't even imagine where this story is headed next.

[Ruxi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story with an even more interesting writing. I think it was the first time I read a book with so many points of view without being a fantasy one with a lot of pages. This made it easier to see and understand the whole story and some of the reasons behind the actions of the characters. It also made me attach faster to the side characters.

My favorites in this book were AJ of course (he is very sweet and kind but also competitive and focused when he needs to be, despite all he had been through) and surprisingly Gabi who is very protective of AJ and very smart in his businesses.

I liked the book, but I would have appreciated a little more romance and a little less sports details. I knew the ending was not going to give me all the answers but I was hoping for at least something to be good in that moment. Now I can't wait for the next book to find out what happens next!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story. No other way to phrase it. Slowly slides in and captures your attention. Young love, deception, fear, and above all hope and dreams. Learning to start again after you feel your life has been thrown in front of a train only to have everything you have worked and sweat for, ripped away in the blink of an eye. And for what? Because there are people who don't understand that humans are not possessions and are there to do your bidding. To act and behave how you feel is right. To make their accomplishments, yours. Remember though, just when you think you are in control they snap and rip you apart. Fall in AJ's life and see where the Wolffe takes you.

[Rosalily_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

That cliffhanger!!!
I’m not going to lie, this took me a moment to get my head around, the way the story is told is different to what I am used to, but once I got my head around that I was locked in.

This is a Dark Sports romance, but it feels like something different,
Not in a bad way, in a different way. This story felt rather unique.

This book is the beginning of many stories to come, and the author warns you that you may not get all the answers you are after till down the track, and I don’t know whether to be mad about that, because ahem cliffhanger or intrigued, because we met some really amazing people in this story, and maybe we will see them in the stories to come. I really hope we do anyway. The answers will come, I will just need to be patient.

I really felt for AJ, watching this boy try to find himself amongst the demands that are put on him from his father, was really heartbreaking. This story is not just a romance story, nor is it just a sports romance, this story is about a young boy trying to find himself, and work out what his life could be, if he did not have the restraints put on him by his father.

I enjoyed this book, and I am looking forward to seeing where this story goes.


"You gave your son a chance to follow his heart. That is not a mistake. Boys like him are not undone by one hard night. They are shaped by them."

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. - as always all opinions are my own.

[Rocki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first sports-based book, and I was hesitant, but the premise just kept calling for me and I'm so glad I was chosen for the ARC. This story had me captivated. I sat and read this book as much as I could in any window of free time I had. It reminded me of One Tree Hill, but with hockey and baseball instead of basketball. I could feel the pressure on the field with AJ and it carried through the entire book as Christian. Towards the end I was so connected with the characters I cried during one of the locker room moments and officially settled on Brooks as my favorite teammate.

If you're looking for a happy go-lucky kind of story, this one is not for you. This one tugs on the heart strings right out the gate and keeps you wanting more all the way until the last word. I had no idea how much I would enjoy a sports-based suspense, and maybe I'm bias because hockey and baseball are both my favorite sports, but I am eagerly awaiting the sequel. I have never loved having my heart torn out more than now.

[Tara Mcqueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. From page 1, the tone was set and I was on the edge of my seat. The narrative is written eloquently and with purpose, with a suspenseful undertone that captivated me. Each chapter ends with a statement that had me quickly turning to the next. The characters, so complex and well-rounded, were quickly established, and although there are quite a few viewpoints, each one adds another layer to the intensity of this story. And it is intense, with twists that keep coming and an antagonist that you love to hate. The foundation for conflict was established early, and it just kept building and building until the end…which, by the way, just leaves you wanting more. It’s a love story, but it’s mostly a story of growth, perseverance, courage, and a desperate need for our young MMC to find his own path and follow his dream. I absolutely devoured it. Highly recommend.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

AJ is a rising high school hockey star under immense pressure from his father, Atlas Sr., to become the number one draft pick. But AJ’s true passion is baseball, a dream he was forced to abandon. Meanwhile, his high school sweetheart, Noa, is keeping a life-changing secret: she’s pregnant. When Atlas Sr. intervenes, his attempts to control the situation lead to a devastating tragedy that leaves AJ shattered. Determined to escape his father’s control, AJ reinvents himself as Christian Wolffe and pursues baseball, chasing the dream he and Noa once shared: moving to whichever city drafted him and building a life together on their own terms. But as his past threatens to catch up with him, can AJ overcome the pain he’s buried deep inside, or will everything he’s been holding back finally come crashing down? 🖤

The twists and revelations kept me on the edge of my seat! Noa’s heartbreaking scene on the bridge left me absolutely stunned. I also enjoyed the multiple POVs, especially seeing how Atlas Sr.’s actions affected the entire family. The themes of second chances, chasing your dreams, and breaking free from toxic family dynamics made this an emotional and gripping read.

OMG, THAT ENDING! I did not see that coming! If you love dark sports romance filled with secrets, family drama, emotional moments, and jaw-dropping twists, add this one to your TBR! 🖤🏒⚾.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna Stump · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I thought I was going to get a Hockey Romance and ended up with a thriller instead.
But I liked it! I cried like a banshee at about 30% thru and then watched as a young boy worked to become a man. He was well on his way until the ending cliffhanger has him in a bad way. Not as romance oriented as I thought it would be but it was a better story for it.
I recommend anyone that loves thrillers with a side of murder/suicide then you will love this book! Be on the lookout for the next one in this series too. So that we can get some closure.
As side characters goes, my favorites were Gabi and William. That's all I'm gonna say about them. You'll just have to read it to find out why!

[Jillian · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This is a sports story for sure, but I wouldn’t call it a sports romance by any means. There is romance weaved throughout but it’s primarily fiction, perhaps with a bit of crime/thriller. As someone who knows nothing about sports, I was able to follow along just fine.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It moves at a good pace with decent character development. It is multiple POV, however this didn’t bother me. The writing itself can be a bit syrupy at times, with a lot of adjectives and similes. I liked the way the plot lines crossed at the end, leaving you with a big cliff hanger that makes you want to read more.

[AC Sports Thriller Fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not see this book coming. I went in expecting a sports romance. What I got was a sports romance wearing a thriller's clothes, and I mean that as the highest compliment. Phoenix Kol does not waste a single chapter setting this up. Within the first few pages you understand exactly what AJ Blackwood stands to lose, and by the end of the book, you understand it was never really his to keep in the first place.

What got me most wasn't the hockey, and it wasn't even the romance, though both are genuinely well done. It was watching a boy try to figure out who he is when every single person in his life has already decided that for him. There's a kind of ache to that premise that hits different once you're actually in it. I found myself rooting for this kid so hard I had to put the book down a few times just to sit with it.

And the ending? I audibly said "no" out loud on my couch. That's how you know a cliffhanger worked.

If you love sports romance with real stakes, characters who feel like actual people instead of tropes in jerseys, and a story that isn't afraid to hurt you a little before it lets you hope again, this book is for you!

[Brittany Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really wanted to love this one because I think the premise had a lot of potential, and I’m always excited to support indie authors. Unfortunately, the structure made it difficult for me to connect with the story and characters.

I went into this expecting AJ Blackwood/Christian Wolffe to be the main focus, but with so many different POVs between each chapter, I never felt like I got the chance to really connect with him. Personally, I think the story would have been much stronger if it had stayed primarily with AJ, or even alternated between AJ and his father.

I also expected more of a sports romance/thriller based on the description, but the sports and romance elements felt secondary to the complicated—and very broken—family dynamics.

Overall, I think there was a good story buried in here, but the execution and number of POVs just didn’t work for me. I finished it, but ultimately found myself wishing the story had been structured differently.

[Terri Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy provided by author:

I was super excited for the opportunity to read this book as the author is from my city. The description of the book had me intrigued as I do enjoy sports romance books.

Unfortunately, this book definitely didn't hit for me as well as I had hoped it would. There was not much in the way of romance, which i was disappointed in.

There were way too many story lines and characters to try and keep track of. I felt none of the story lines had a chance to get fully developed, making it hard to connect with any of the characters.

I would have liked to have had the story focus more on the relationship of AJ/Christian and his dad. I hope there is more development on their relationship in the next book.

Overall I thought the writing was pretty decent for a debut book.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided I may need to join the hype of hockey romances a bit (may have missed the action side of things in the synopsis) and the blending of sports was a fun addition. The book is full of twists that caught my attention but that’s also one problem I had with the book. There was almost too much happening and too many plot twists for how short the book was. I see the potential of a cliffhanger for a second book but it was almost too much left hanging and too many storylines to keep track of (where did his mom go?). I see how this could be a great story through the sequels but would’ve loved it to be flushed out more in this book.

This was a free ARC provided by the author

[Teodora · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and BookSirens for this ARC.

Atlas Blackwood Jr has it all. A promising future, destroyed in a moment. When tragedy strikes and second chances come, he has to carefully make his choice, to step out of his fathers shadow.

This story shows us that parents should never try to live through their childrens dreams in order to make their own dreams come true. It also shows how hard it is to rebuild oneself after tragedy and learning to live after it again. Only, he moved on to fast for my liking. Some storylines also felt unfinished. The ending was quite disappointing.

Overall, I give this book 1 star.

[Suzanne]

I found this book predictable and cliché. Money buys everything and everyone. The story is solid but the language and vocabulary is very heavy on prior knowledge of the sports mentioned ie Hockey. I liked the story but it needed a bit more thought about the target reader.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.