Truth of Embers

Dragonsworn #3

by Caitlyn McFarland

Months after bonding with Rhys, Kai is finding her place among the Wingless—humans who have heartsworn to dragons. Determined to help her new people, she's delving deep into her magical training and is the first Wingless to ride into battle with her dragon mate.

Going against customs as ancient as dragons, Rhys is forming his own vision for dragonkind. But the Council have plans of their own that don't include a Wingless queen. Meanwhile, the war with Owain is finally here and the fight for control of dragonkind could destroy everything—including humanity itself.

When unbreakable bonds are torn asunder, Kai and Rhys will learn exactly how deep their love goes. The battle has begun, and no matter what happens, this one will be the last. If they can't come together, their lives are forfeit—as well as every other life they hold dear.

Genres: Dragons, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 14, 2015

About the author

After spending most of her adult life in UT, Caitlyn McFarland has returned to the Midwest and currently lives by a lake in Missouri with her husband and three daughters. She has a Bachelor’s degree in linguistics from Brigham Young University. When she's not writing romantic fantasy, Caitlyn can be found wandering the woods, crafting, or playing TTRPGs.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth of Embers is book three in the Dragonsworn trilogy by Caitlyn McFarland. Wow, just wow! What a way to start the new year, by finishing this fantastic book. This series, sigh, is amazing. And this epic finale was everything it should be, and more.



Rhys ap Ayen, King of the Eryri dragons, newly dragonsworn to his mate and his love, Kai Monahan, wants nothing more than to be a good King. But everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. Now Kai along with his sister who is also the seeres, Seren, have been taken by Owain. For thirteen days he has held her prisoner, and because of the connection between them, Rhys is aware of every single thing he has done to her, how he has tortured her. He will get her back, but will his Kai be the same?



“Once she’d thought bad things happened to other people. She would’ve assumed things would work out for the best. That they had to. She knew better now. Whatever the future held, she would face it when it came.”

Rhys and Kai have such a long road ahead of them. Rhys wants revenge against Owain for what he’s done. Owain wants to rule all dragons, and he wants to kill the humans. Rhys has to do whatever it takes to win, to re-unite his people and save human kind. But their struggles have only begun. Owain finds a new way to make Rhys and Kai suffer. They are forced to figure out if the bond they share was only from the magic of being dragonsworn, or if the love is real without magic.

“My parents began this war,” Rhys said, “I intend to finish it.”

“You’ll have to heal us. You and Kai. Our people used to be such a fire, Rhys. We lit the world. But we’ve become embers – scattered, dying coals. We can burn bright again, but not as we are. You must unite us.”



The complicated situation between Juli, Ashem and Kavar is stressed to the max. Juli is constantly torn between the love she feels for Ashem and the magical bond tying her to both. Seren and Cadoc’s friendship also takes on a new shape as Cadoc is forced to protect her.

“Everything they’d planned had come together and begun to unravel at exactly the same time.”



This book was non-stop from the beginning to the end. I am in awe of this series. I have loved these characters from the first page of the first book. Not just Rhys and Kai, but all of them. Caitlyn McFarland’s writing is magical and wonderful. I absolutely recommend it to anyone that enjoys young adult paranormal romance with tons of action. These characters will be with me for a long time. I am so excited to see what project this author is starting next. I will most definitely read anything at all that she writes.



“Tan o fy enaid, fflam o fy nghalon.
Fire of my soul. Flame of my heart.”

[Charlie Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me cry and hurt and it's so good. Early copy FTW.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth of Embers is book three of Caitlyn McFarland's Dragonsworn trilogy. It should not be read as a standalone. You will need to start with book one, Soul of Smoke and continue with book two, Shadow of Flame.

Kai was kidnapped and for thirteen days she was tortured and healed over and over again. Rhys her heartsworn is going nuts. He feels her pain and suffering and blames himself for putting her in the situation she's in. Kai tries to block out Rhys as much as she can. He is unaware of how much was really done to her. When plans are made to free Kai, things go wrong, and Juli is left behind with Kavar-one of Juli's heartsworn-but one of Owain's followers. She expected this to happen, and tries to tell Ashem-Juli's other heartsworn, that they can use the situation to their advantage. By spying on Owain. Juli gains valuable information about what he's doing, and it's sickening!

Kai and Rhys are determined to stop what Owain's doing. On their way home, one of the worst things to ever happen actually happens, neither knows how to act. Trying to navigate without their connection is extremely difficult. Rhys knows Kai has been changed by her abduction and is trying to figure out how to get the old Kai back.

Once back on Eryri, Kai and Rhys work together to plan for a war with Owain. Kai is part of the Wingless-humans who have heartsworn to dragons. She is putting her heart and soul in her training and learning what her magic entails and how to use it-even without Rhys. It's revealed that there is a saboteur among them.

Owain comes to battle as Rhys hoped he would. Things are in their favor until the traitor acts again and the battle shifts. Owain calls to Rhys to finish this between them. Not wanting anymore loss of life, Rhys agrees to battle till death.

I knew this final book was going to be good! I surely was not disappointed! There was so much action going on, I couldn't read fast enough! Caitlyn McFarland outdid herself with this one. All of the characters I liked. Rhys I loved from the very beginning, but Kai was a harder sell for me. I wasn't a fan in book one. She firmly had me in her corner midway through book two and I ultimately ended up loving her by the end of book three. I loved Cadoc and Seren and Ashem and Juli. I didn't mind Kavar after awhile. He really cared for Juli.

This was definitely a good, satisfying end to the series and I was happy with how the author tied things up! We have a lot going on to be sure, and even some things that I was not expecting. The battle was epic and vividly portrayed. I felt as if I was watching it all unfold in front of me. The lives of so many are irrevocably changed forever and I was kept guessing how it would conclude. If you are a fan of paranormal worlds and are interested in dragon shifters, grab this trilogy, and prepare to be amazed!

5 stars/2 flames

I was gifted this book for the express purpose of an honest review. The rating and review are solely my opinion and in no way was I compensated.

[Vesper Vesper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot believe the trilogy is over.

It seems like not long ago, I was given a copy of Soul of Smoke to review -- seems like not long ago that I fell in love with the story and its characters, and now I'm here, having just finished the end of a wonderful trilogy.

Truth of Embers truly did not disappoint with its action-packed story, building up to an epic battle between Owain's forces and the others. Ms. McFarland knows full well how to keep her readers reading and completely engaged and committed to the story. From the moment I picked up this book, to the moment I put it down, the final sentence read, I was hooked.

The complete character development coming from all characters was... (more via website)

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Their fated touch ignites a destiny that could leave them both burned.

Ember of Truth is the third and final book in the Dragonsworn trilogy. This is a great trilogy for fans of fated mates and dragon shifters and a secret world that is in the middle of a dragon war! As I mentioned in my last review, book two left us off at the start of a war, and there was an epic battle in the third book. This book was full of action and adventure and felt faster paced than the last book, which I enjoyed.

The book starts off with Kai being held as a captive, with Rhys forced to know exactly what she is enduring thanks to their mate bond. This of course, makes him even more anxious to get her back.
There is plenty going on with all of the characters in this book, and everything wrapped up very nicely. ut it was a long road to get there. Juli is in a very high tension situation with her two dragon brothers- one on each side of the war and Juli smack dab in the middle of them. I enjoyed their push and pull. And I was really rooting and interested in the friendship/relationship between Cardoc and Rhys sister, the seer. I have been thinking about them ever since we learned more about Seren in the last installment and I have loved Cardoc right from the very start. If you are a fan of fantasy worlds embroiled in war, dragon shifters and fated mates check out this trilogy.

[Cathy | A Case Full of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books in this series got better and better! I could tell that Caitlyn McFarland improved with her writing with each installment. I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR SHADOW OF FLAME AHEAD.

Oh man. This book was such a roller coaster ride for me. I have really come to care about these characters, and the things that happen to them in this book--both good and bad--really tugged on my heartstrings.

Truth of Embers picks up shortly after Shadow of Flame left off. Kai has been Owain's prisoner for 13 days, enduring repeated torture and then healing as Owain tries to pressure Rhys into giving himself up to spare Kai. Long story short, they manage to rescue her but have to leave Kai's best friend Juli behind. Then comes the first big plot twist as Rhys and Kai (and a few of their vee) are making their escape, and it's heartwrenching. I literally had to stop reading for a few minutes so I stood a chance of being able to keep from bursting into sobs on a plane full of strangers.

You know what, I just realized I can't really give a good plot summary without giving away all the major plot twists. There are several, and every single one of them hit me hard. Every time you think "What else could possibly go wrong?", Caitlyn McFarland throws another devastating curveball at you. This is war, and people die. I appreciate the realism of the story in that respect.

I know I'm kind of sounding like a Debbi Downer here, but if you've fallen in love with Kai, Rhys, Juli, Ashem, Cadoc, Deryn, and the rest of them as I have, don't let me put you off of reading this stunning conclusion to the Dragonsworn trilogy. It does have a mostly happy ending. And I truly love the characters. Everything they go through in this book made me feel for them, and I loved watching Rhys and Kai's relationship develop even into this final book. They're not one of those lopsided literary couples where the man is always saving the woman and being all overprotective. Yes, Rhys tries to shield Kai from danger sometimes, but he also listens to her and eventually ends up letting her help in battle because she's very capable and because she refuses to be a doormat, even for the man she loves.

In my opinion, the best plot twist comes right at the very end of the book. That it could happen never crossed my mind, but once it did it felt like the perfect solution to the problem of Owain and the mantle. I applaud Caitlyn McFarland for pulling off such a fitting ending to the series. For sure, the Dragonsworn trilogy will go down in history as one of my favorites. It is absolutely worthy of all 5 stars I gave it. I look forward to reading whatever Caitlyn McFarland writes next.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo! Bravo!!! Truth of Embers was brilliant. In fact, this entire series has been so wonderfully done that I cannot not find adequate words to express how much I have loved it.

In this final book in the trilogy, all the pieces came together. The prophecies, the war, the heartswearing, the chemistry, the conflict, the mantle...it all made for a spectacular story. I appreciated that the author kept me guessing about the outcome of dragonkind and humans right until the end. I also really liked how she weaved in nuances of light and dark in every character storyline. From the king and queen to the bard and the seer to the twin warrior and his mate, McFarland cast a spell that worked like magic.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
Stand-Alone: +/-
Re-read: Yes
Spin-off: Yes (Kavar, Brendan, Evan and the young female fire dragon)

[Dísir · Rating 5 out of 5]

A panoramic wrap-up of all the loose strings in the first 2 books, and so enthralling that I was enraptured for most of the book. I loved the dragon-myths were spun in this particular universe and how the human-dragon worlds collide in this one. There's an impending war, horrifying pains for the various pairings and unexpected deaths, but Caitlyn McFarland does provides a sufficient HEA for me to call it one of my favourites.

*ARC by netgalley
(so, so grateful, mind)

[Tracey Magruder · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the last week and a half I have been immensely enjoying Caitlyn McFarland’s Dragonsworn Trilogy and getting to know the characters caught in a war of two kings who want very different futures for their people. The final installment, Truth of Embers picks up shortly after the end of book two and sweeps you along for a breathtaking conclusion.

The thing I loved most about Truth of Embers and what truly set it apart from the first two books in the series were the plot twists I did not see coming. There were moments where I mentally laughed or cheered on the main characters, and also times when I grieved along with them. It truly is a whirlwind of finish, and it left me feeling satisfied with the outcome. I simply could not put the book down as I think the story of this book is simply the best of the three.

I think Caitlyn McFarland truly found her voice as an author with this installment. She brilliantly took what she had built in books one and two and managed to craft a captivating ending. All of the world building and character development from the first two books truly paid off, especially when faced with a plot twist that left me shocked and in tears. She managed to appeal to me on an emotional level with her writing, which is not something that is always achieved, and it helped create what is simply a beautifully written book.

From the very beginning of the first book of this series I have simply adored the characters found within its pages. Kai and Rhys, the main couple of the book, go on an incredible journey and to see them so sure of their love in this installment was so fulfilling. I think of all the characters Kai goes through the most development throughout the story, and I simply adored the person she grew into. She is a fighter and she is loyal, and precisely the sort of main female character I adore.

The supporting characters who often gave moments to shine throughout the book are also so incredibly diverse and well written. In the second book we met Seren, and to see reclaim her identity and become more than just a symbol to her people was an amazing addition to the book.

I gave the final installment of the Dragonsworn Trilogy a 5 out 5 with no hesitations. It is truly the best of the series. It is still low spice, but the story itself is not lacking in any way because of that. If you love fantasy romance and dragons, check out this trilogy!

[Ali R · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Truth of Embers" is the final volume in the Heartsworn trilogy which will surely have readers hooked until the very last page! The stakes are high in this one and peril lurks in almost every chapter. Yet while I was on the edge of my seat, I also found this book difficult to read at times. Not because it lacked anything, but because I've grown so attached to these characters that it was hard to see them endure so much suffering. And boy do they suffer! Physically, emotionally, and mentally ... these poor characters bear it all. It's no wonder this story had me tearing up at certain points!

Despite its intensity, this was a truly epic conclusion to an awesome fantasy series! Even with the novel's fairly positive ending, I appreciated how it was still relatively open-ended without every single conflict being tied up too neatly. Instead, there was a general recognition that although most of these characters had prevailed against all odds and resolved the central conflict, this did not equate to automatic utopia and perfection for everyone. Rather, there was still room for growth and working toward a better tomorrow.

Speaking of happy endings, I was especially pleased that my guy Cadoc finally got the happiness he deserved! As for some of my other favorite characters?  I valued seeing the progression of Rhys and Kai's relationship throughout the series. The bond they shared had grown into such a beautifully profound love and trust for one another. It ran so much deeper than mere heartswearing.  Similarly, I have loved Ashem and Juli's relationship dynamic from the start. This is probably why I found the bizarre "love" triangle between Ashem, Juli, and Kavar equal parts fascinating and infuriating. I am satisfied, however, that Ashem and Juli's love reigned supreme and true until the story's end. That being said, Kavar is an intriguing and complex character who I didn't mind getting more insight into. Overall, I am just grateful to have come across this captivating trilogy so that I could become invested in all these vivid characters and their exciting journeys.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every time I saw the term Wingless in this series, my brain read Wine Glass. I think it was wishful thinking on my part because the unrelenting crises and things going wrong in this series kept me tense. There were so few scenes that were strictly character moments or humorous interactions where I could metaphorically catch my breath. I can only remember one that was not fraught with pain and/or tension. Through surviving her capture and torture we are presented with an evolved, mature, heroic Cai, yet somehow the transition never felt believable, nor as a result, the final resolution. While I was applauding the cleverness of the twist at the end, I could still not believe in the character, and I'm not sure why. She never worked for me as a character I could care about and despite the horrors of torture and her bravery and willingness to sacrifice, the unrelenting pace never allowed her personal growth to take root long enough to change my perceptions. One thing for sure, McFarland never shirked from hitting her characters when they were down and giving her readers a true taste of the complexities and cost personally and corporately of prolonged war, particularly civil war. Still that choice also came at a cost in terms of character development and some sloppy transitions and loose ends. Overall, a little like labor, my first response to finishing this trilogy was relief. Only afterward could I enjoy that the the three central couples (only two of which I cared about) got their relatively happy ending.

[Sara (thebookwebb) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth of Embers is book 3 in the Dragonsworn trilogy and I have absolutely loved it. I read both the first two books in a day each as I couldn't put them down. The third book has taken longer due to a busy time with work and I have been so frustrated because I just wanted to devour this book. On the other hand I also liked that I was able to savour it rather than read it quickly and suffer from a huge book hangover.

I really wasn't ready for this book to end and I would have loved for it to continue longer and give me an insight into what happened to the characters and their relationships in the long term. I don't want to give any spoilers but the relationships in this book are the heart of the story and I love how all the characters are flawed and whether they are good or bad isn't so simple. Having said that there is also tons of action and adventure and twists to keep you turning those pages. This trilogy is a must read for fans of dragons and fantasy romance. It isn't spicy but the romance and the depth of feelings between the characters made my tummy flip. There is great world building too and dragons being hidden somewhere in the modern human world is made to be completely believable.

A definite must read with something for everyone, adventure, action, romance, morally grey characters, found family and more.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story is nice. Typos are not.

The storyline is compelling, does a decent job at the fantasy/real world crossover, and includes a group of well fleshed out characters. I read the three books back to back. That would usually make this at least a 4 star review.

However, the copy is riddled with typos, sentences that have been improperly edited (leaving pre edit material in with the new or missing words), and sloppy, undisciplined use of the third person subjective (tps) . The story is told in tps, that is, through the main characters individually, with only that character's thoughts and emotions included until the story switches to a different character. In first book the tps is well assigned, easy to follow, and transitions are clear. In the second and, especially, third book the tps becomes ambiguous, switching from person to person, sometimes within the same paragraph. This is very confusing/jolting and takes the reader out of the story. A good copy editor could make this a book I'd be more likely to recommend to friends.

[Ashley Gallaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Their fated touch ignites a destiny that could leave them both burned

Truth of Embers by Caitlyn McFarland is the third book in the Dragonsworn Trilogy! This trilogy is a Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance!

I was so excited to read this book and find out how this trilogy ended. This books starts right off with action like the second book. I love that this story is told from different points of view. The author does a great job with the different points of view. The action does not stop through out the book. Kai and Rhys and their friends go through so much in this book. I really enjoyed this book if you are looking for an epic dragon book you need to pick this series up!

Tropes: Shifter, dragon shifter, fated mates, hidden world, paranormal romance, secret royalty, enemies to lovers, forbidden romance

Trigger / Content Warnings: Fantasy Violence

If you enjoy books by Tricia Levenseller, Sarah J Maas then you should definitely check this one out!

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last book in the Dragonsworn Trilogy wraps up Kai and Rhys’s story, but like the first two, it struggles to fully land its emotional punches. The setup and world still have potential, and the writing is easy to read, but there’s very little connection to the characters. I never really felt invested in their journey or the stakes of what they were fighting for.

The pacing also felt uneven. The buildup dragged on for much of the book, and then the big climax hit too quickly to feel satisfying. After three books, I wanted a deeper sense of payoff, both emotionally and narratively.

That said, if you’ve made it this far in the series, it’s still worth finishing just to see how everything resolves. It’s a quick, straightforward read with dragons, romance, and action, just don’t expect a sweeping, heart-wrenching finale.

[Mary Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final book and like the others, intense and amazing

This book wrapped up the series and we see where the dragons end up. Kai & Rhys sundered, but still deeply in love. Cadoc finds his heartsworn, Juli has twin brothers she is heart sworn to and on opposing sides of the war. Spies, traitors, human family and many dragon clans all factor into the most fantastic story of dragons I have ever read. This author made these books come alive. They awaken the adventurer and they are stories of dreams and nightmares come true. Excellent book series. Books you can read again and find so much you missed the first time. I would give the series 10 stars if I could. I hop to read more from this author.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite in the series! This was a perfect series ending, full of apprehension and great plot. I finished this book a few days ago and have been just pondering on what I loved so much about it.

McFarland is so good at writing relationships. Romantic ones as well as platonic ones. They are complex and nuanced, and heart wrenching in a very real way. Over this trilogy, centuries old relationships have been shown with great emotion, it’s a sense that the reader picks up on without being “told”. Greatly admired this strength in her writing!

I honestly want to know more about these characters, and about the lives they will lead. Also, all the side characters and their relationships in this series were spot on. I cared about each and every one of them, and since this is a multiple POV, I never felt like I was missing out on the action because I genuinely wanted to know what was going on with all the characters.

I’m so happy that I was introduced to this series. It’s going on my list of favorites!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't-put-it-down finale to the Dragonswoon (not a typo) saga... or is it?

You'll probably think you know early on how things will stand at the end—and a great deal of it will be correct—but there are a *lot* of wrinkles thrown in (and the fabric is completely torn a couple times) and you won't be entirely correct in your predictions.

There are three minor threads left unsnipped at the end, and if Caitlyn finds the time and energy to write a second trilogy, I can easily imagine how those threads would be tied together to form the impetus of a second series.

Here's hoping....

[Sammy Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

That trilogy truly captivated me from start to finish. I was so thoroughly engrossed by the compelling world-building, particularly in "Truth of Embers," that I devoured all three installments in rapid succession, barely pausing for breath. The intricate details of the Dragonsworn world, the lore, and the way the societies and magic systems were crafted truly brought the story to life. The characters resonated deeply within me; their joys lifted my spirits, and their sorrows weighed heavily on my heart, as if their experiences were my own within that fascinating world you built. A truly commendable piece of work, and I eagerly anticipate whatever narratives and worlds you craft next!

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conclusion of a fantasy adventure and romance trilogy.
Two dragon leaders fight for control of their species, and for the fate of humanity.
It's been a while since I last visited this world of pain, despair, and death. I had to take frequent breaks with lighter, happier books.
The conclusion has a surprise.
One violent event near the end seemed to contradict what happened just before it. The explanation given made absolutely no sense to me, despite reading it a few times.
Typos: Missing word (instead disdain), sentence fragment (He finished).

[Ti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trilogy was one of the best I have read in a very long time. Elements of fantasy, dragons and lore, but the women aren't doormats! Whats not to like! On the sex and romance part, the sex is light and generally over in a paragraph, and not at all explicit, for those that are concerned. I would say its PG except there is actually sex.

This is one of the only trilogies that has kept my interest since, like the lord of the rings.

[Maren Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun series. I found myself thoroughly entertained. Usually, I have a hard time skipping around to more than two POV characters. But I didn't mind it here, probably because each POV character had a romance that I cared about.

There were moments, plot-wise, where I felt like I was missing something. But overall the story was very satisfying. The ending was happy, but not too happy. A little bittersweet like every good ending should be.

[Freda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous conclusion to great trilogy! This satisfying conclusion to the story of Kai, Queen of the Wingless and Rhys, her Dragon King, is a great addition to the independent authors who can find a voice through ebooks. The story was romantic, the action exciting, the development of the alternate world interesting and the end worth the read. Recommend very highly!

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the first two, and overall I liked the series. I just wish that the books had felt more interconnected. A lot of things came up in the last book that I wish had been woven into the story earlier. I also found myself more interested in the side characters (Cadoc, Seren, Ashem, Juli, Kavar) than any of the main ones.

[Christel Van Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

I really could feel the way the people in the story felt. The best stories make me feel a part of what is going on on and this story was one if those. I also love that this was not one of those books where there was the "throw me against the wall and have sex" kind. It was just enough love to make you go "awwwe". Great books, five stars for sure.

[Gail Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dradomsworne book 3

I had originally read the first 2 books that I loved. I was heartbroken when I couldn't get book 3. I was so excited to find it for my Kindle. I loved all 3 books. I love happy endings. I really love books about dragons.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all three of these books. Some things were predictable but I didn't always know how my predictions were going to happen. Needs a better editor though. The number of typos was a little frustrating. Definitely recommend these!!

[Scarlet Scorpion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Ending

This was a great third book. All the ends are not tied up but there is enough completion to make any reader happy. I hope that there is enough for two more books as I would love to meet Ffion's baby and to know what gives with Kavar.

[Dalonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the series and the characters though I think some of the relationship building was rushed. I could not give this series a 5 because sundering or its variations were used 135 too many times😑