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Imdalind #7

Dawn of Ash

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Flying demons, a city in ruins...
... and a bit of a rodent problem I need to solve.

Being trapped in a post-apocalyptic city has its perks. Free dusty clothes, all the canned food you can eat, a slowly deteriorating city. Paradise.

Or it would be if the city wasn’t filled with man-eating Vilỳ, hundreds of Edmund’s men, and a mole. Not the massive blind rat things, but the kind that’s working for the massive blind rat things. By which I mean Edmund. It seems we have one of those, although we can’t figure out who it is.
Watching Edmund stay one step ahead of us is doing nothing for the overall morale, however.

Which is already pretty low seeing as we are trapped inside of Edmund’s Zit. And yes, I know, we decided not to call it that, but it’s feeling a bit too accurate nowadays.

Thom’s still in a coma, Sain is deteriorating, Wyn is a bit of a mess, and did I mention the mole?

Ilyan and I just need to keep everything together, which would be so much easier if my father would keep his nose out of things.

If anyone’s a zit, it’s him.


Joclyn, Ilyan, and all the others are in a bit of a pickle. Okay, not a pickle, a giant ugly red zit. The danger level is about to crank itself up to eleven. Good thing we have two powerful girls on our side, ready to kick butt.

314 pages, ebook

First published February 23, 2016

390 people are currently reading
1890 people want to read

About the author

Rebecca Ethington

98 books1,466 followers
Rebecca Ethington has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then on stage with years of theatrical performances. The Imdalind Series is her first stint into the world of literary writing. Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. She was born and raised in the mountains of Salt Lake City, and hasn’t found the desire to leave yet. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her amazing family.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Profile Image for Emily.
3 reviews
November 24, 2015
when is it going to come out!?!it was first supposed to come out in January. And then it was supposed to be out in mid 2014. Its August now (more than halfway through the year) and there is still no release date. i even checked her facebook and her website, I'm getting kind of frustrated.
Profile Image for Roy.
764 reviews4 followers
October 23, 2025
Good Surprises

Although some people thought that Sain was predictable, I thought that there was a chance that it would turn out different, so I was a little surprised with how he ended in this book. I am now hoping that all of his plans end up on their ears. I think there is plenty that he is not seeing or predicting and plenty more will change along the way, I am predicting at least.
1,240 reviews24 followers
April 25, 2016
It's so sad. I LOVE details... BUT! God, the only reason I finished reading this book is because it was the last, last (the previous book was supposed to be the last too) book of the series. SURPRISE, turns out it's not the last book of the series this time either. It's like John Farnam... he just keeps coming back for 'one last concert'.

I really did struggle to finish it. It was excessively convoluted, and fairly boring with it. There was a high confusion factor because of all the interchanging view points (some were missing their name labels too, so you were a page or two before you found out who was talking).

I could go on... but it's already pissed me off by spoiling a fairly good series... and it has eatten u enough of my time that I will never get back!
Profile Image for Victoria.
182 reviews41 followers
February 22, 2016
5 Silný Stars

Oh, my holy hell. I had tried to write this review just after I finished reading the book, but I was too much of a mess, my thoughts jumbled, and I'm pretty sure I would've let out more than one spoiler. So here I am, a couple days later, and my mind is still reeling over the events that took place in this book, the lines crossed, and even where it was cut off ( I mean what the heck Rebecca Ethington!! ) That last book better be coming out sooner rather than later.

My little Imdalinders, you will certainly not be disappointed in Dawn of Ash! It was everything I had hoped for and more. With more POVs from Joclyn, Ilyan, Wyn, Ovailia, Sain, and even Ryland. We are taken around in a constant stream of just enough information to sate, but never fully satisfy the qustions brimming. What is the True Future going to hold? Can you really break a sight? Do they have to die? What's Sain up to (Man, I thought Edmund was a d*#k at the beginning of this series? Whoo, Ryland and Ilyan, your daddy dearest is a cuddly teddy bear compared to Joclyn's)? And with each new reveal, new questions just popped up more and more.

Joclyn truly comes into her power, or her power comes into her, but either way...MONUMENTAL!! I won't give anything away, hopefully, but she actually spends most of the book in one vision or another. Then there's Ilyan who is still a sweetheart and knight-in-shining armor, always trying to save his Love and his People, but he seems to have taken a back seat in this book with all the other things going on, this book much more heavily focused on Joclyn and Sain, with a side of Wyn. You can never forget Wyn.

Sain, I don't think I can fully express how much I despise him, and yet appreciate his character, but mostly I despise him. Can we kill him yet? Like now? The second I read this passage?

"I changed it and created a war that would end in her death. I set brother against brother and father against son. I took the image I had seen of Joclyn beside the well, of her magic restarting all of the magic. I took the other, of her alongside her father-in-law in peace. I took the battle that ended in life. I took it all away and showed him death and destruction, instead. I showed him her dead body as he held her, as he screamed. I took his future away."

Yeah, screw you, too Sain. Yeah, I'm going to leave it there because I'll either give the book away or ramble and diatribe on about Sain..neither one is good.

Moving on!

Then there is Wyn, Wyn who I love and is fighting so hard for the ones she loves, the ones she lost. Talon is still talking to her in her dreams, she can still hear her daughter's voice, begging for her to save her, and the thing that could set her free also puts her at the greatest risk. But Wyn is struggling with the two sides of herself, so asking for help and fearing what others will say...yeah NO! Stubborn Mule. But I still love her and my heart breaks when she comes to face two of her own (I'm not telling you a darn thing of what that's supposed to mean so :P )

Ryland. Oh Ryland. He can't seem to stay out of love, but this time it seems to be the right kind of love, not a I must possess you-kind of love. He's also in charge of training the Chosen who Joclyn managed to save from go Edmund crazy evil, or dead, and train them for battle. But The very first and youngest they saved Jaromir, stays with Ryland where ever he goes, looking for guidance and acceptance. It seems Ryland has found himself a new ward, and he's scared witless.

So overall this book was quite amazing! The pacing was good. There was action, but it didn't over run the book, and plot twists. I was serious in the beginning when I said that I'm ready for the next book, this one leaves it's characters and you dangling on the edge of a very dangerous precipitous. One move and it can go either way, but what move? whose? Is everything as it seems, or are there still twists to be had?

Until the next.
~Let the Ink Run Free



*I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Profile Image for Cricket Hanback.
2 reviews
March 4, 2016
I read the entire series. If they are not read in order you will be lost. I read them in order and was still lost. The plot for the series is great and the characters are great. Although I have never read a book in which the main character screams so much. Lol every single thing was so dragged out. The main character was called silny which was supposed to mean most powerful and I didn't see that through any of the books. Most of the time Even though I liked Jocelyn, Wyn was definitely the toughest.
21 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2016
After a read Dawn of Ash, I thought about how much has happened since we began this journey with Jocelyn, Ilyan, Wyn, Ryland and Edmund. I did not think this series would be so big, be so heartbreaking, have so many changes and still be so compelling. I was totally team Ryland in the beginning and could not imagine them not as a couple. I was heartbroken when their relationship was completely destroyed. I nearly quit this series because of it. I'm glad I stuck with it, and it was because of Wyn that I did. Now I love Ilyan and Jocelyn together, and I am so glad that Ryland has found someone else and is pretty much back to normal.
I truly hated Edmund and was happy with his fate at the end of this book. Now the big baddie has been revealed, Sain, and he is even more evil than Edmund if that is possible. There are so many twists and turns in this series, that I truly have no idea how this series is going to end.
I am both looking forward and dreading the next book. I just hope my girl, Wyn, makes it out alive.
Profile Image for FANTASIAH.
175 reviews26 followers
September 17, 2017
I felt like I was watching a movie! An epic action/ Fantasy/ thriller movie.. With a bit of romance because it was not consuming in this one! But I really wanted more of it a bit to lessen the sadness but I get it.. It's a time of war and danger is around the corner! .. 👍
The war is finally making sense a bit with Major plot twists..

I really enjoyed reading this one especially with the different POVs.. It lets you understand the story line better.. We now see each characters prospectives and personalities and goals more clearly!
I want more of Ilyan POVs though! He really grew on me.. I love his character so much and his unconditional and passionate understanding love for Joclyn.. He is really true!
And how Ryland is finally finding a little peace with himself and regaining his friendship with Joclyn.. I hope they go back at being best friends again!
And wyn! Thom! Dramin! Each character of this series has its own charisma and different personality!

Going to the next book: Crown of sinders

I really wish that this series turns into a movie series or TV series! It would be amazing! ❤
Profile Image for Andrea.
157 reviews11 followers
May 13, 2019
This installment of the series was just full of emotions… Jos is struggling to understand her sights that are all over the place and leaving her struggling with what is real vs what is sight. I LOVED that during this book that you get to see different sides of the same fight. I believe you get a more well-rounded story this way as you get a glimpse of everyone trying to play the battlefield to their advantage.
Watching Wyn struggle with her past (and present) demons in this story was difficult. At times – well most of the story – I felt bad for her. You get a glimpse of her true power and I’m hoping in future stories she continues to grow and can overcome the demons that haunt her.

Throughout the story I did notice a few words that were used incorrectly (simply missed during editing process) and there are parts of the story that when jumping from POV to POV you get almost identical wording between characters so it will make it seem as if you are reading the same part twice. HOWEVER, none of this made it any less of a great story. I am extremely excited to see where the next book goes especially after the ending of this one!
Profile Image for H.
152 reviews113 followers
on-hold
January 1, 2018
that covER IS FUCKING OMINOUS AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ILLYAN IM LEAVING THIS PLANET
11 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2016
Did not like Burnt Devotion as it was just a retelling of the story from Wyn's POV. Dawn of Ash at least had new scenes, but most of them were confusing. There was a lot of screaming from Jocelyn and time spent in white space, for many characters. There have been quite a few times in this series spent in the mind's of the characters and I have found that most of the time it is very confusing/hard to follow.

POV changes were numerous and I felt there should have been more from Jocelyns'. I also have a hard time with how she is supposed to be the world's most powerful being, but is constantly unable to rise to any challenges. I'll read the next book hoping it is the last to be able to finish the series, but it has become less exciting as I read.
Profile Image for Danylle.
181 reviews
March 8, 2016
Oh man I love this series and Dawn of Ash has been one of my favorites to date. I love the characters so much! I feel like some of the different relationships were reinforced in this book and I am really loving it. I can't wait to see where the story goes from here!! As usual, I will have to hang on the edge of my seat until the next book comes out!
Profile Image for Jay.
628 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2016
In this the sixth outing of this series I find myself growing weary. The series is no closer to being resolved than it was at the end of book 4 and several of the "surprises" weren't so surprising. I'm not sure that I am going to see the series to the end.
Profile Image for Barbara Marie Warner.
1,622 reviews2 followers
September 25, 2017
Dawn of Ash (Imdalind Series Book 6)

OMG 😮 juts when I think it CANNOT get any better !!!! The author goes and does it!!! Yes the POV’s does get confusing at times, but the book is a page turner, and yes some people find it a turn off, but if you are truly invested, then you will enjoy this series as I can’t put it down!!!!

If you do not want spoilers please don’t read beyond this point!!!!


Joclyn can't decipher sight from reality because Sain told her she broke the sights, and she created a Zlomeny., and that her owner is taken all her magic because she isn’t worthy!?!?? Really!?!?! he is one sick man!!!

Sain is implanting lies into the people, to have them view Joclyn, their queen as unstable and dangerous, the rumors he is spreading is beyond crazy, and the people just bow to him!!! REALLY?!? In what world, does anyone not second guess him or question this?!?!


The couple's suspicion of Sain only grows more and more each day...with good reason. I've never wanted to let my words reach these characters so badly before...like when your watching a scary movie and you yell at the girl to turn around. I just want to tell them so badly the truth! The terrible surprising truth!

Wynifred has been going crazy since the removal of the shard of the soul blade from Rylands heart. It done something to her, the evil of the shard swaying her. The voice of her daughter haunting her...pushing her to save her and she will try no matter what...no matter who stands in her way, even her friends. She doesn't realize the mistake she has made, but she will before she can even get anywhere.

The sight is shown...the true sight...what it was meant to be before everything was broken...Everyone who entered the sight was shown their own truth.

A child shown to dreaming....whom he must dispose of...but it's so Much more complicated than that...too many people involved....and in a shocking turn of events, we see the death of an evil person! One long overdue! To bad it’s the wrong one in my opinion!!!!

The ending will leave you breathless and asking yourself why??? A million times over!!!! I will not give this away !!!

OMG 😮 I am still writing, I hope the next book is the last one and all my questions are answered and that there is a HEA for everyone!!!! Or I may be disappointed 😔 really bad!!!

Definitely, recommend this series!!!!
Profile Image for Tiffany.
393 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2020
***Spoilers***

I definitely feel like there was a great pace through the middle of the book. I was fully invested in everyone. I do wish that there were more interaction and plan of action set in for the Chosen Children. It feels like they were so isolated and in the dark, like nothing was being brought up to them and that made it all the easier for Sain to really dig his nails into them. I appreciate the slow burn of Ryland and Risha. I think that this progress makes sense. I do appreciate the scene between Ryland and Joclyn but I wish they got more time together. I am hoping that the next book will dive into rekindling their friendship.

Ovailia was an interesting character in the beginning but she has continued to stay a one-note character to me. I also don't find her switching loyalties appealing in whatever redemption arc she might have. I hope that her loyalty will eventually go back to Ilyan because she actually cares and loves him. I really don't think she even loves herself and that is a sad existence.

Sain is just bat-crap crazy. Holy crap, him killing Edmund felt like a power move that I am not sure how to handle. Edmund has been the big bad boss for most of the series and for him to just die at Sain's hands seemed odd. I wanted there to be some kind of big blowup between Edmund, Ilyan, and Ryland. I also feel like having Thom knocked out for two books makes his character kind of forgetful. I appreciate the insight to Dramin and his past as well as him playing a key part in finding out about Sain's true abilities.
Profile Image for Kristin Owens.
17 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2018
So the plot is incredibly twisted. If you like things to tie themselves up nicely, this not for you. The plot continues to thicken with Sain becoming all-powerful from seemingly nowhere. But to get there, you often have to read the same scene from several points of view. That sometimes seems to drag down the book’s pace. I’ve read most of this book in a day, and I’m glad I did. Otherwise, I would have to reread a ton of it to pick up the threads of action. The one thing I don’t think I like is the demise of Edmund. It’s too quick- too easy- not how you would expect the villain of six books to go out- with barely a peep.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jessica Pool.
255 reviews
December 8, 2018
And that it’s for me.

I gave the first 3 books a better rating but this is where it started to crash and burn for me. I liked the characters and loved that it was a clean love story. As a mom, I would let my teens read this series. However, I just finished book 7 and don’t think I will even bother to read book 8. Somewhere between book 3and 5, the series just lost me. I found my self skimming chapters and I skipped one whole book. I think I didn’t like all the povs. It just was too much. I had a vague interest in seeing the end but ready to move on to a series that can keep me hooked.
1 review
January 22, 2019
A true disappointment

I was really looking forward to this book but it was just a huge mess for me! I felt that it was too repetitive going back and forth between characters. Everything was just bounced around too much! A bunch of unorganized thoughts. Felt like her thoughts were everywhere just wanting to rush everything into this book. I skipped through most of the chapters and it still didn't get anywhere until the end which still ended poorly. Not worth the time skipping through chapters spent on this book.
Profile Image for Summer.
27 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2018
I am so completely disappointed in this book. I loved this series. I could laugh and cry all within a few pages of each other and then I'm not sure what happened but through changing perspectives of characters and whatnot the depth of the relationships was lacking. The story felt forced. I didn't laugh or cry. I just wanted it to be over really. I'm really sad that I feel that way too because I loved this series.
Profile Image for Brittany Smith.
918 reviews15 followers
October 1, 2018
Now I would have read this a lot quicker if I stuck to my main book rule-read one book at a time!!!

Another thrilling book in the Imdalind series! The twists in this plot weren’t even seen or felt until they happened!

Rebecca Ethington has made a great continuation and continues to develop these characters in a magnificent way. I was definitely on the edge of my chair by the end of this book and I can’t wait to continue!
Profile Image for Roxanne.
265 reviews2 followers
September 15, 2022
So, years ago I read this series up to Burnt Devotion and stopped. I was waiting for the rewrites that the author declared the series needed. What I've read now has blown me away. I love that Joclyn is so strong, the Silny, because if she wasn't she wouldn't have survived this book and all that she must endure with her magic thanks to Sain and what was revealed in Brand of Betrayal. This book was phenomenal and read in the Ruby edition volume II.
Profile Image for Lillian.
1,085 reviews68 followers
February 23, 2016
I received an eARC of this book from Lady Amber's Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Please note: if you are new to the series, this review has minor, unavoidable spoilers to previous books in the series. I highly suggest reading those prior to this review….unless you like spoilers…than by all means keep reading


Initial Reaction
I went into Dawn of Ash by Rebecca Ethington with a lot of trepidation. Burnt Devotion about killed me, especially that massive, game-changing ending. As much as I love the series I was NOT looking forward to this book. I was afraid what I would find in its pages. But really, I shouldn’t have been. Rebecca Ethington has never let me down before and she didn’t this time!

Dawn of Ash starts a few months after the end of the last book. Ilyan, Joclyn, Ryland, and Wyn along with the survivors from Edmund’s attack are still under Edmund’s dome in Prague. They’ve not found a way out or why they’re trapped. The Vilý’s are still hunting them when they leave the cathedral they are holed up in. Thom is still dying from mysterious causes, Dramin is slowly dying as well. Joclyn is hiding the truth from Ilyan, desperate to change his end, and she is seeing broken sights. Wyn is hearing her daughter more and more and her actions are becoming volatile. BUT the real story is Sain —evil little man! He’s playing both sides, but what’s his game?

Truth and Lies
I have always loved Joclyn! She is courageous. Thrown into this world where magic is real, she’s taken it all in stride., including her heritage as a Drak. She can see the future with haunting clarity. It’s enough to make anyone go insane and that is exactly what she thinks is happening. She changed the future in Soul of Flame and now according to her father her sight is “broken.” She believes him to an extent, her sights keep changing, but from what she’s learned that isn’t possible. So she begins to question her sanity, her power, and if she really is the Silny they all claim she is.

Ilyan *sigh* really Ilyan has been my ship since the first time he spoke in Kiss of Fire. He’s the King, made Joclyn his Queen, and he is good, genuinely and honestly good. He cares more about others than himself and in this book it really comes out. His worry for Joclyn, those under his care, even those who his father has manipulated, he still cares for. I want an Ilyan….just saying....

Perhaps my favorite character (in a really demented way) is Sain. At least he’s my favorite to hate. After 5 books, Sain finally gives some clues, some answers to what is happening in the magical world. He is the first Drak, climbing from the mud of the wells of Imdalind. He is the first and plans to be the last. He twists everything and from what we saw of him in Burnt Devotion, he has his own motives. He’s the evil to Ilyan’s goodness. And he will stop at nothing and bulldoze over anyone that gets in his way. He’s one scary dude!

The Plot Thickens
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Sain truly changed everything at the end of Burnt Devotion. In this book, the reader finally gets a glimpse at what is happening, the truth behind all the lies. Sain has his own agenda and is playing both sides: Edmund and Ilyan, Ovalia and Joclyn, even Ryland and Wyn. He uses them all, playing them like pieces in a twisted chess game. Truly the twists, surprises, EVERYTHING in the series to date is sheer genius on Rebecca Ethington part!

While I was seriously impressed with the way all the loose ends and questions I’ve had are starting to come together, I was a little disappointed in the execution. The plot moved really slow. Despite this though, I couldn’t set the book down. How’s that for an oxymoron? I felt like while there was a lot of info dump and tying the ends together, there was also a lot of redundancy. The last half of the book flips between many different characters: Ryland, Wyn, Ovalia, Ilyan, Sain, Dramin, and Joclyn. While I like the head hopping and it flowed well without me getting confused who I was reading, it was basically the same scene from different perspectives over and over again! My personal opinion is this could have been done a little better or with fewer characters.

The Ending That Wasn’t an Ending
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I’m SO excited there is one more! That ending though….I have no words for it! After such a build up, I wasn’t let down that’s for sure. If anything I was left wanting more! If you are a fan of the series or you’re a fan of fantasy, I highly recommend you grab a copy ASAP!
Profile Image for Munira Vahed.
453 reviews1 follower
July 16, 2019
Wow!!

So much was revealed in this book. A more thorough understanding of the role Sain played in everything from the beginning is explained.
This book reveals how crazy Sain is. It was shocking to know if everything he has done.
Ilyan and jocyln go through some.devastating times.
Can't wait to read more and find out what happens next.
Profile Image for Kathy Zuercher Diveley.
1,608 reviews11 followers
February 16, 2021
Jocelyn and Ilyan

Sain manipulates Jocelyns' site , so she appears unreliable. Making Ilyan' s followers doubt their queen. Jocelyn has a massive site ,and emerges with more magical power. She and Sain fight, then Wyn shows up to help. Sain goes back to Edwards camp and kills him
657 reviews
May 30, 2021
Busy book

This book was far to busy . But it's needed to understand the outcome. Very point of view given from everyone .I almost stopped reading half way through. But I kept going and glad I did. Sain is a funny one and a whole new story has unfolded . Nothing is the same story line from the first book now. It's done a 180.
4,243 reviews
June 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The world is crumbling—literally—and the team is falling apart. Trapped in a cursed city, battling demons (and a mole), Joclyn juggles exhaustion, politics, and parent issues while preparing for what might be the final battle. Packed with sarcasm, dread, and power surges, this one feels like the calm before a firestorm.
Profile Image for Natalie Hughes.
717 reviews8 followers
December 26, 2021
Left this one for a while because I felt the series was too long and that I would not enjoy it and then I forgot about it.

It was wnjoyable but I think not my favourite and this may have been because I left it too long and it took time for me to get into it.
Profile Image for Mary.
28 reviews
March 24, 2018
Another winner

I like that the female and male character are both strong and capable. This was another win for me in the Imdalind series.
Profile Image for Amanda.
495 reviews3 followers
July 4, 2018
A brazen new world

This book sets everything you think you know of Imdalind on its ear. It is a new beginning but a harsh one. The story leaves you hungry for more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews

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