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From Crimson Ashes
A tragic past. A soul-hungry blade. A family bound by blood and light.
For fans of epic Young Adult dark fantasy, progression fantasy, academy magic systems, and slow-burn romance comes From Crimson Ashes, the thrilling first book in The Dawnhart Saga.
DEMONS TOOK HIS HOME.
When a nightmare horde of Nerademons reduced the village of Elbery to ashes, Maximus lost everything except his little sister Mia, his best friend Blake, and the haunting memory of the warrior who saved them.
THE ACADEMY DEMANDS HIS SACRIFICE.
For six years, Max has had one become strong enough to protect the people he loves. At Summora, the elite academy of the Royal Dawn, students who have awakened their gifts in tragedy are judged by their strength. Every surge of illumancy shortens the wielder's life, yet it is a price they willingly pay to defend the realm.
Everyone is advancing except Max. Stuck at the lowest rank, he watches his sister and closest friends leave him behind.
A POWER THAT DEMANDS EVERYTHING.
Desperate to catch up and protect those he holds dear, Max claims Infinity, a notorious obsidian sword that demands more of its wielder's life with every strike.
As a royal prince arrives with hidden motives and the Nerademons begin closing in, Max must push beyond the limits that have held him back for years. With his companions at his side, Max must control his volatile power, confront the scars of his past, and discover what he's willing to sacrifice before everything he loves burns once more.
WHY READERS WILL LOVE FROM CRIMSON
Character-Driven Progression Max must struggle, adapt, and earn every step forward in a magic system where power carries a deadly toll.Found Family & Sword and Fierce friendships forged through hardship, danger, shared history, and the choice to stand together when everything falls apart.Dark, Immersive Fantasy Demonic beasts, ancient monasteries, intricate light magic, and secrets hidden beneath Lumirion's gilded halls.Slow-Burn A developing emotional thread woven naturally through danger and the pressures of coming of age."May the Radiant Light protect King and Country..." From the coming darkness.
Scroll up and one-click to begin The Dawnhart Saga today!
For fans of epic Young Adult dark fantasy, progression fantasy, academy magic systems, and slow-burn romance comes From Crimson Ashes, the thrilling first book in The Dawnhart Saga.
DEMONS TOOK HIS HOME.
When a nightmare horde of Nerademons reduced the village of Elbery to ashes, Maximus lost everything except his little sister Mia, his best friend Blake, and the haunting memory of the warrior who saved them.
THE ACADEMY DEMANDS HIS SACRIFICE.
For six years, Max has had one become strong enough to protect the people he loves. At Summora, the elite academy of the Royal Dawn, students who have awakened their gifts in tragedy are judged by their strength. Every surge of illumancy shortens the wielder's life, yet it is a price they willingly pay to defend the realm.
Everyone is advancing except Max. Stuck at the lowest rank, he watches his sister and closest friends leave him behind.
A POWER THAT DEMANDS EVERYTHING.
Desperate to catch up and protect those he holds dear, Max claims Infinity, a notorious obsidian sword that demands more of its wielder's life with every strike.
As a royal prince arrives with hidden motives and the Nerademons begin closing in, Max must push beyond the limits that have held him back for years. With his companions at his side, Max must control his volatile power, confront the scars of his past, and discover what he's willing to sacrifice before everything he loves burns once more.
WHY READERS WILL LOVE FROM CRIMSON
Character-Driven Progression Max must struggle, adapt, and earn every step forward in a magic system where power carries a deadly toll.Found Family & Sword and Fierce friendships forged through hardship, danger, shared history, and the choice to stand together when everything falls apart.Dark, Immersive Fantasy Demonic beasts, ancient monasteries, intricate light magic, and secrets hidden beneath Lumirion's gilded halls.Slow-Burn A developing emotional thread woven naturally through danger and the pressures of coming of age."May the Radiant Light protect King and Country..." From the coming darkness.
Scroll up and one-click to begin The Dawnhart Saga today!
292 pages, Hardcover
Published October 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 27, 2026
My first Arc review! Thanks to V.S. Klare for reaching out! The world building and characters are great! The magic system was interesting. The added element of it taking years off your life made the stakes seem much higher. This book took me a while to get into. But once I did, it got better from there
October 25, 2026
This book was a pleasant surprise! There is found family, a sword with questionable intentions, animal friends. Fun magic system. Excellent worldbuilding. An older mentor. Absolutely couldn’t put it down.
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
October 24, 2026
ARC Copy received in return for an honest review ✨
A world where light is power, magic comes at the cost of years of your life, and a blade that chooses you 👀 Sign me up!
Plot explanation -
Six years after losing everything in a Nerademon attack, Max has dedicated his life to making sure it never happens again. Alongside his sister Mia and best friend Blake, he finds himself at the Royal Dawn’s elite academy, Summora, where Radiance determines your rank and power. But while those around him continue to grow stronger, Max remains stuck at the bottom, unable to ignite his own illuminancy.
That is, until he’s chosen by Infinity — an obsidian-black blade unlike any other, one that demands more with every strike and threatens to consume him from within. With a royal prince arriving with hidden motives and the Nerademons drawing closer, there’s clearly much more happening beneath the surface than meets the eye. 👀
My thoughts -
One of my favourite things about this book was the magic system! I found it genuinely unique and unlike anything I’ve read before. The idea of light being a source of power that comes at the cost of years of your life was such an interesting concept, and I loved discovering how everything worked.
This is definitely a world-building-heavy read, with a lot of time spent establishing the world, its magic, and the different elements that will shape the story. While it takes its time setting everything up, I think this is laying the foundations for something bigger, and I’m interested to see how everything develops in the next books.
Max, Mia and Blake and their found family in Summora were a pleasure to follow and get to know. I instantly felt connected to them and became fond of the group. I’m looking forward to their journey.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and think it’s a solid start to the Dawnhart Saga! There’s plenty of potential here, and I’m excited to see what comes next!
A world where light is power, magic comes at the cost of years of your life, and a blade that chooses you 👀 Sign me up!
Plot explanation -
Six years after losing everything in a Nerademon attack, Max has dedicated his life to making sure it never happens again. Alongside his sister Mia and best friend Blake, he finds himself at the Royal Dawn’s elite academy, Summora, where Radiance determines your rank and power. But while those around him continue to grow stronger, Max remains stuck at the bottom, unable to ignite his own illuminancy.
That is, until he’s chosen by Infinity — an obsidian-black blade unlike any other, one that demands more with every strike and threatens to consume him from within. With a royal prince arriving with hidden motives and the Nerademons drawing closer, there’s clearly much more happening beneath the surface than meets the eye. 👀
My thoughts -
One of my favourite things about this book was the magic system! I found it genuinely unique and unlike anything I’ve read before. The idea of light being a source of power that comes at the cost of years of your life was such an interesting concept, and I loved discovering how everything worked.
This is definitely a world-building-heavy read, with a lot of time spent establishing the world, its magic, and the different elements that will shape the story. While it takes its time setting everything up, I think this is laying the foundations for something bigger, and I’m interested to see how everything develops in the next books.
Max, Mia and Blake and their found family in Summora were a pleasure to follow and get to know. I instantly felt connected to them and became fond of the group. I’m looking forward to their journey.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and think it’s a solid start to the Dawnhart Saga! There’s plenty of potential here, and I’m excited to see what comes next!
October 24, 2026
From Crimson Ashes takes familiar YA fantasy elements like magical training, found family, and coming-of-age struggles and builds them around one of the most interesting magic systems I've come across in a while.
After surviving a traumatic attack by Nerademons, siblings Max and Mia are taken to Summora, a magical academy where they train to join the Royal Dawn, the magical defenders of the realm. Along the way, they form friendships that become a found family, giving the story a strong emotional core as they learn what it means to protect others.
The real standout for me was Illumancy, a magic system fueled by absorbing light into the body. What makes it so interesting isn't just the different paths and foundations of the magic system, but the cost of using it. Every act of heroism requires sacrifice, reinforcing one of the book's central ideas: power comes with responsibility, and the people willing to protect others are often the ones who pay the highest price.
One of the book's biggest strengths is its scope, but it also left me wishing for a little more time with the characters and world. With so much happening in this first installment, some of the cast didn't always feel as distinct as I'd hoped. That said, this is one of those books I wouldn't have minded spending another hundred pages with.
Overall, From Crimson Ashes is a strong start to the Dawnheart Saga. If you enjoy magical academies, found family, meaningful themes, and magic systems where power comes with a real cost, this is definitely one worth checking out.
After surviving a traumatic attack by Nerademons, siblings Max and Mia are taken to Summora, a magical academy where they train to join the Royal Dawn, the magical defenders of the realm. Along the way, they form friendships that become a found family, giving the story a strong emotional core as they learn what it means to protect others.
The real standout for me was Illumancy, a magic system fueled by absorbing light into the body. What makes it so interesting isn't just the different paths and foundations of the magic system, but the cost of using it. Every act of heroism requires sacrifice, reinforcing one of the book's central ideas: power comes with responsibility, and the people willing to protect others are often the ones who pay the highest price.
One of the book's biggest strengths is its scope, but it also left me wishing for a little more time with the characters and world. With so much happening in this first installment, some of the cast didn't always feel as distinct as I'd hoped. That said, this is one of those books I wouldn't have minded spending another hundred pages with.
Overall, From Crimson Ashes is a strong start to the Dawnheart Saga. If you enjoy magical academies, found family, meaningful themes, and magic systems where power comes with a real cost, this is definitely one worth checking out.
October 28, 2026
Thank you to V. S. Klare for this advanced read. My experience and feedback are my own.
I am so glad that the author reached out to me about reading this. I absolutely loved it! It is a YA dark fantasy with epic world-building and character driven. I did not get lost in the details at all, in fact, I quite enjoyed and could envision the world with ease.
The base is Nerademons destroyed everything that Max had except for his sister, Mia, his best friend, Blake and a memory of a savior. They attend an elite academy for students who have awakened gifts from tragedy. This is where it really gets interesting with a unique light magic for wielders that costs them every time they use it and a questionable sword Max chooses so he is not left behind. He is determined not to lose anyone else and wans to be strong enough to protect those he loves. His heart is in the right place.
This is a multi-facet read that shows character growth, struggles and adaptability, freedom of choice, what can occur when you choose to stand together, doing the hard and necessary, all within a dangerous environment where monsters and demons roam. Add in the unique light magic and slow-burn with emotions in this coming of age read and it was magic on a page. While a different tale, the writing style reminded me of J. R. R. Tolkien's series, The Lord of the Rings. Took me back to some of my favorite fantasy reads when I first started reading. Highly recommend and with the cliffhanger it will be interesting to see where this series goes.....which I am here for it.
I am so glad that the author reached out to me about reading this. I absolutely loved it! It is a YA dark fantasy with epic world-building and character driven. I did not get lost in the details at all, in fact, I quite enjoyed and could envision the world with ease.
The base is Nerademons destroyed everything that Max had except for his sister, Mia, his best friend, Blake and a memory of a savior. They attend an elite academy for students who have awakened gifts from tragedy. This is where it really gets interesting with a unique light magic for wielders that costs them every time they use it and a questionable sword Max chooses so he is not left behind. He is determined not to lose anyone else and wans to be strong enough to protect those he loves. His heart is in the right place.
This is a multi-facet read that shows character growth, struggles and adaptability, freedom of choice, what can occur when you choose to stand together, doing the hard and necessary, all within a dangerous environment where monsters and demons roam. Add in the unique light magic and slow-burn with emotions in this coming of age read and it was magic on a page. While a different tale, the writing style reminded me of J. R. R. Tolkien's series, The Lord of the Rings. Took me back to some of my favorite fantasy reads when I first started reading. Highly recommend and with the cliffhanger it will be interesting to see where this series goes.....which I am here for it.
October 25, 2026
From Crimson Ashes by V.S. Klare is an impressive entry into the YA dark fantasy. Plunging you straight into the aftermath of a tragic backstory, the author delivers a gripping tale of survival, trauma, and relentless determination that will for sure hold your attention.
If you love military academy settings, high-stakes magic systems with a tangible price, strong found family bonds that hit you right in the heart, and dark progression fantasy, this book needs to be on your TBR. I am officially hooked on the Dawnhart series and cannot wait for Book 2!
Thank you to V. S. Klare for allowing me to be part of the ARC team!
What Worked for Me:
Magic with a Life Cost: The hard magic system is brilliant and terrifying—the rule that "light is power, paid for with years of life" gives every spell a permanent, heavy cost. It adds an intense layer of stakes to every single conflict.
Fierce Found Family: The emotional core of the book is the unbreakable bond between Maximus, his sister Mia, and his best friend Blake. Bound together by shared tragedy, their fierce loyalty to one another grounds the entire story as they lean on each other through every trial.
Military Academy & Progression: The shift to Summora delivers a fantastic military training arc. Watching the characters train under a legendary Novablade mentor and steadily grow in power and skill makes for an incredibly satisfying progression fantasy structure.
Atmosphere & Pacing: Klare excels at slow-burn world-building. While it takes time to set up the sprawling lore and dark, atmospheric setting, the payoff in emotional resonance and action is well worth it.
There are also bits of time when you’re not quite sure who should be trusted and it seems like there may be ulterior motives afoot!
If you love military academy settings, high-stakes magic systems with a tangible price, strong found family bonds that hit you right in the heart, and dark progression fantasy, this book needs to be on your TBR. I am officially hooked on the Dawnhart series and cannot wait for Book 2!
Thank you to V. S. Klare for allowing me to be part of the ARC team!
What Worked for Me:
Magic with a Life Cost: The hard magic system is brilliant and terrifying—the rule that "light is power, paid for with years of life" gives every spell a permanent, heavy cost. It adds an intense layer of stakes to every single conflict.
Fierce Found Family: The emotional core of the book is the unbreakable bond between Maximus, his sister Mia, and his best friend Blake. Bound together by shared tragedy, their fierce loyalty to one another grounds the entire story as they lean on each other through every trial.
Military Academy & Progression: The shift to Summora delivers a fantastic military training arc. Watching the characters train under a legendary Novablade mentor and steadily grow in power and skill makes for an incredibly satisfying progression fantasy structure.
Atmosphere & Pacing: Klare excels at slow-burn world-building. While it takes time to set up the sprawling lore and dark, atmospheric setting, the payoff in emotional resonance and action is well worth it.
There are also bits of time when you’re not quite sure who should be trusted and it seems like there may be ulterior motives afoot!
October 25, 2026
A new author for me, but one I’ll definitely be looking out for in future! This book throws you into the action in the opening pages!!
Siblings Max and Mia survive an attack by the Nerademons, but the impact on their family is devastating. They are taken to Summora Academy to train to join the Royal Dawn and become defenders of the Realm.
This book examines friendship, loss and never giving up hope. The relationship with Scarlett and Owen is authentic and all the characters are described in a way that truly brings them to life. The author spends a good deal of time focusing on world building, but this never becomes monotonous or detracts from the current story.
Some important messages are conveyed about the horrors of war and although it’s a YA book, my opinion is that it can easily be enjoyed by older readers too.
If you enjoyed Fourth Wing, here is another story about putting faith in the young to overcome the darkness around us.
A solid start to the series. I look forward to Book Two!
"To Nobles and the Council, we're just weapons with an expiry date,"
Siblings Max and Mia survive an attack by the Nerademons, but the impact on their family is devastating. They are taken to Summora Academy to train to join the Royal Dawn and become defenders of the Realm.
This book examines friendship, loss and never giving up hope. The relationship with Scarlett and Owen is authentic and all the characters are described in a way that truly brings them to life. The author spends a good deal of time focusing on world building, but this never becomes monotonous or detracts from the current story.
Some important messages are conveyed about the horrors of war and although it’s a YA book, my opinion is that it can easily be enjoyed by older readers too.
If you enjoyed Fourth Wing, here is another story about putting faith in the young to overcome the darkness around us.
A solid start to the series. I look forward to Book Two!
"To Nobles and the Council, we're just weapons with an expiry date,"
October 25, 2026
I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved From Crimson Ashes! It was easily one of my favorite fantasy reads, and there was so much happening throughout the story that I constantly found myself wanting to read more. I’m already counting down the days until book two!
I loved all the characters and really enjoyed getting a glimpse into their minds and learning more about each of them. The world-building was fantastic, and the story was packed with action, keeping me hooked from beginning to end. One of my favorite things about this book was how unpredictable the plot was. I never knew what was coming next, and I absolutely love being surprised by a story! It was refreshing to read a book that kept me guessing rather than following the same predictable storyline.
If you’re a fantasy lover looking for an engaging story filled with action, intriguing characters, and plenty of unexpected twists, I highly recommend From Crimson Ashes! I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I absolutely loved From Crimson Ashes! It was easily one of my favorite fantasy reads, and there was so much happening throughout the story that I constantly found myself wanting to read more. I’m already counting down the days until book two!
I loved all the characters and really enjoyed getting a glimpse into their minds and learning more about each of them. The world-building was fantastic, and the story was packed with action, keeping me hooked from beginning to end. One of my favorite things about this book was how unpredictable the plot was. I never knew what was coming next, and I absolutely love being surprised by a story! It was refreshing to read a book that kept me guessing rather than following the same predictable storyline.
If you’re a fantasy lover looking for an engaging story filled with action, intriguing characters, and plenty of unexpected twists, I highly recommend From Crimson Ashes! I can’t wait to see what happens next!
October 30, 2026
I recently finished reading the book above for @V. S. Klare Author, and I can't wait to share my thoughts without spoiling anything! This story is definitely one to pick up when it releases and I'm thrilled it's part of a saga with more installments to come.
The plot stands out with its originality, and the magic system, along with the world-building, is fascinating. By the end, I found myself questioning certain things about certain characters and where their story will lead to.
There are demons which threaten the existence of the humans. This is where the story starts, with a tragedy, forming the resilience you see in the characters to exact revenge.
There's a lot of intrigue, with secrets layered throughout the story and a hierarchy system that drives some characters to seek change. In this world, magic isn't handed out freely; you have to prove your strength and courage to earn it, which adds an exciting challenge.
I hope I haven't revealed too much! Just know, it's a must-read!
The plot stands out with its originality, and the magic system, along with the world-building, is fascinating. By the end, I found myself questioning certain things about certain characters and where their story will lead to.
There are demons which threaten the existence of the humans. This is where the story starts, with a tragedy, forming the resilience you see in the characters to exact revenge.
There's a lot of intrigue, with secrets layered throughout the story and a hierarchy system that drives some characters to seek change. In this world, magic isn't handed out freely; you have to prove your strength and courage to earn it, which adds an exciting challenge.
I hope I haven't revealed too much! Just know, it's a must-read!
October 25, 2026
First off thank you V.S. Klare for allowing me to be one of your ACR readers.
Wow that’s all I can say about this book, it left me right on the cliff needing more. From Crimson Ashes takes you on a trauma building rollercoaster. Max, Mia and Blake all had the same devastating night that changed their lives forever, it shaped them into relatable characters throughout the book. You are taken on this journey of moving faster certain things, learning to believe in yourself and pushing your fears aside when needed, V.S. Klare does a superior job of world building, very descriptive of the characters and the environment around them. She does a great job of keeping you guessing as to what’s going to happen next, while reading I had a few theories that are still not ruled out, waiting to see what happens in the second book. Her style of writing is easy to follow along and understand; I really appreciate that in a book.
Wow that’s all I can say about this book, it left me right on the cliff needing more. From Crimson Ashes takes you on a trauma building rollercoaster. Max, Mia and Blake all had the same devastating night that changed their lives forever, it shaped them into relatable characters throughout the book. You are taken on this journey of moving faster certain things, learning to believe in yourself and pushing your fears aside when needed, V.S. Klare does a superior job of world building, very descriptive of the characters and the environment around them. She does a great job of keeping you guessing as to what’s going to happen next, while reading I had a few theories that are still not ruled out, waiting to see what happens in the second book. Her style of writing is easy to follow along and understand; I really appreciate that in a book.
October 25, 2026
Some books pull you in from the very first page… and Dawnhart: From Crimson Ashes by V. S. Klare Author was definitely one of them! 🔥📖I got the chance to read this as an ARC reader. I finished this book in just a few days, and I absolutely loved it! The world-building, the magic, the intriguing characters, and the dark fantasy atmosphere made this such an engaging read. ✨
🐉 Epic & dark fantasy
🏰 Magical academy, royalty & commoners
⚔️ Powerful magic, sword fights & dangerous creatures
🖤 Found family & childhood trauma
👑 Prince x commoner tension
🤫 Forbidden secrets & political intrigue
❤️🔥 Slow-burn romantic tension
🔥 A kingdom on the brink of war
If you love dark fantasy, found family, magical academies, political intrigue, and stories filled with secrets and high stakes, add this one to your TBR! 📚✨
🐉 Epic & dark fantasy
🏰 Magical academy, royalty & commoners
⚔️ Powerful magic, sword fights & dangerous creatures
🖤 Found family & childhood trauma
👑 Prince x commoner tension
🤫 Forbidden secrets & political intrigue
❤️🔥 Slow-burn romantic tension
🔥 A kingdom on the brink of war
If you love dark fantasy, found family, magical academies, political intrigue, and stories filled with secrets and high stakes, add this one to your TBR! 📚✨
October 25, 2026
Some books capture your attention from the very first page, and From Crimson Ashes was one of those books for me!
I absolutely loved this story. It felt fresh, different and refreshing, bringing something that stood out from the fantasy books I usually read. The characters drew me in, and I found myself becoming invested in their world and their story.
I was so hooked that I was already thinking about the second book before I had even finished the first! And honestly, I think that says a lot.
This was a fantastic read for me and an easy five stars. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this ARC, and I'm excited to see where the Dawnhart Saga goes next!
A five-star fantasy read that left me wanting more!
I absolutely loved this story. It felt fresh, different and refreshing, bringing something that stood out from the fantasy books I usually read. The characters drew me in, and I found myself becoming invested in their world and their story.
I was so hooked that I was already thinking about the second book before I had even finished the first! And honestly, I think that says a lot.
This was a fantastic read for me and an easy five stars. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this ARC, and I'm excited to see where the Dawnhart Saga goes next!
A five-star fantasy read that left me wanting more!
October 25, 2026
This is a book in the Fantasy Youth Adult world.
I just finished and friends you truly need to grab this book.
Follow Owen as he mentors Max, Mia, Blake, Anna and Scarlet on a journey of friends that become family and the process they go through to learn their powers to use to fight the demons. But be careful every strike comes with a price.
I seriously cannot wait for book 2 in this series. I am excited to continue the journey with my new book friends I have come to know in this first book. I still have so many questions about Max. Oh and Scarlet girl has secrets of her own. Thank you V. S. Klare for inviting me into this world your book introduced to me and the wonderful magic. It was a honor to be one of your ACR readers
I just finished and friends you truly need to grab this book.
Follow Owen as he mentors Max, Mia, Blake, Anna and Scarlet on a journey of friends that become family and the process they go through to learn their powers to use to fight the demons. But be careful every strike comes with a price.
I seriously cannot wait for book 2 in this series. I am excited to continue the journey with my new book friends I have come to know in this first book. I still have so many questions about Max. Oh and Scarlet girl has secrets of her own. Thank you V. S. Klare for inviting me into this world your book introduced to me and the wonderful magic. It was a honor to be one of your ACR readers
October 26, 2026
This booked grabbed me from the very beginning. Loved the world building, getting to know all the characters, the magic system and the badass fight scenes! I mean who doesn't want to weild a sword and fight some demons.
This was something different to what I noramally read and I loved every second, can't wait to see what happens next..
🐉Epic & Dark fantasy
🖤Found family & childhood trauma
☠️Magical Academy/monsters & demons
🤴Prince x Commoner tension
🤫Forbidden secrets & political intrigue
👊Underdog protagonist & high-stakes missions
🗡️Sword fights & magical combat
🔥Slow-burn romantic tension
⏳A kingdom on the brink of war
If your into anime and like Demon Slayer then this is the book for you!
This was something different to what I noramally read and I loved every second, can't wait to see what happens next..
🐉Epic & Dark fantasy
🖤Found family & childhood trauma
☠️Magical Academy/monsters & demons
🤴Prince x Commoner tension
🤫Forbidden secrets & political intrigue
👊Underdog protagonist & high-stakes missions
🗡️Sword fights & magical combat
🔥Slow-burn romantic tension
⏳A kingdom on the brink of war
If your into anime and like Demon Slayer then this is the book for you!
October 25, 2026
🖤 Dawnhart: From Crimson Ashes by V. S. Klare
I did receive an ARC of this book I’m leaving this review voluntarily
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The found family, the fantasy world and the darker elements of this story made it such an interesting read! ✨ I loved Max’s determination to protect the people he cares about, and the friendships brought so much heart to the story. Between the magic, demons, royal politics and the mysteries woven throughout, there’s plenty to keep you intrigued. The world-building is detailed, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the Dawnhart Saga develops from here!
Definitely one for fantasy lovers who enjoy a mix of adventure, found family and darker themes. 🗡️❤️
I did receive an ARC of this book I’m leaving this review voluntarily
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The found family, the fantasy world and the darker elements of this story made it such an interesting read! ✨ I loved Max’s determination to protect the people he cares about, and the friendships brought so much heart to the story. Between the magic, demons, royal politics and the mysteries woven throughout, there’s plenty to keep you intrigued. The world-building is detailed, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how the Dawnhart Saga develops from here!
Definitely one for fantasy lovers who enjoy a mix of adventure, found family and darker themes. 🗡️❤️
October 24, 2026
I wanted to love this. The beginning had a lot of promise and then it fizzled out through the rest of the book. There were lots of little events that didn’t go anywhere and when the big ending finally came, it was hard to follow. I think too much time was spent on world building and trying to make the reader understand the academy. Now, I’m not saying I won’t read the next book. Although this one was a tough read, there’s a lot of potential. And now that all the fluff is hopefully out of the way, I’m ready for more fights and action that the next one can potentially have.
October 25, 2026
I received this as an ARC from the author and I was hooked from the very first page. It was beautifully written, very descriptive and took me on a journey, it actually made me feel like I was right there along with the characters. Max’s steadfast devotion to protect the people he loves was very moving. You have Adventure, Demons, Magic, Found Family, Friendships, and so much more woven into this story and I can’t wait for book 2. If you are a lover of YA Dark Fantasy then this book is for you. 100% recommend it!!
October 25, 2026
my first arc/arc review!
after losing his parents, max is determined to work as hard as he can to make sure he never loses anyone else he loves.
after training for six years to become a dawnblade, max finally earns his title. max, his friends, and the rest of the students at summits train nonstop to protect lumirion from the nerademons. they work to advance their radiance and illuminancy to fight the nerademons. the higher the radiance, the more strength they have, but that also comes with a higher cost.
can’t wait for the next book! 📕
after losing his parents, max is determined to work as hard as he can to make sure he never loses anyone else he loves.
after training for six years to become a dawnblade, max finally earns his title. max, his friends, and the rest of the students at summits train nonstop to protect lumirion from the nerademons. they work to advance their radiance and illuminancy to fight the nerademons. the higher the radiance, the more strength they have, but that also comes with a higher cost.
can’t wait for the next book! 📕
October 26, 2026
I had the pleasure to read an arc copy of this book.
This was fantastic! I really enjoyed the story. Characters are great, love that they have such a tight bond and friendship. The magic in this story is phenomenal! Absolutely love when there’s a cost associated with using magic.
The demons and using the light to fight again are super awesome concepts done well. Pacing was good I was glued to these pages and invested in the story.
This was fantastic! I really enjoyed the story. Characters are great, love that they have such a tight bond and friendship. The magic in this story is phenomenal! Absolutely love when there’s a cost associated with using magic.
The demons and using the light to fight again are super awesome concepts done well. Pacing was good I was glued to these pages and invested in the story.
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November 2, 2026This was my first time reading V.S. Klare and I enjoyed every minute. From Crimson Ashes had my attention from the very beginning and held it throughout the story. I thought the world and characters were very thought out and well developed. The magic system is crazy, especially how much it cost the one who yields it. This was definitely an epic adventure and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the ARC team. I look forward to what is to come in this series.
October 25, 2026
I received this book as an ARC from the author!
From the beginning I was hooked, the story starts with a tragedy which shapes the rest of plot. There are cursed lands, warriors and found family.
It was wall written and the world building was great!
I really enjoyed this book and will be continuing with the saga!
October 28, 2026
This book hit so many of my favorite tropes perfectly:
🏰 Magical Academy
🖤 Found Family
🔥 Slow Burn
The action scenes are top-tier, the worldbuilding is beautiful, and the pacing will keep you reading all night. It’s a fast, dark, epic adventure fantasy that sets up the Dawnhart Saga perfectly.
Thank you so much for the ARC copy.
🏰 Magical Academy
🖤 Found Family
🔥 Slow Burn
The action scenes are top-tier, the worldbuilding is beautiful, and the pacing will keep you reading all night. It’s a fast, dark, epic adventure fantasy that sets up the Dawnhart Saga perfectly.
Thank you so much for the ARC copy.
October 28, 2026
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was nothing like I expected...it was better! A refreshing take on a fantasy world where power is light. I enjoyed the characters, towards the end I wanted to read more as we got closer to the end demon battle. An ARC that I actually enjoyed and would certainly revisit future books.
This book was nothing like I expected...it was better! A refreshing take on a fantasy world where power is light. I enjoyed the characters, towards the end I wanted to read more as we got closer to the end demon battle. An ARC that I actually enjoyed and would certainly revisit future books.
October 25, 2026
The author sent me a complimentary copy, and I was honored to be among the first to read it. I witnessed the journey of Max, Mia, and their friends—friendships forged through hardships and losses, and their struggles against enemies and grueling trials. I am eagerly awaiting the second book.
October 27, 2026
I received an ARC copy of this book to review. This is a 5 star read, without a doubt. Really enjoyed it! At first I found it hard to immerse myself into the world of Neuhaven as I'm not used to fantasy but once I was in, I was totally gripped. Already excited for Book 2 in the Dawnhart saga.
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