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Bitter Ashes #1-6
Bitter Ashes: The Complete Series
Worlds collide in over 1,300 pages filled with gods, necromancy, and magic!
Madeline is cursed. A touch from her, even accidental, can kill, and she’s haunted by the victims she never meant to hurt. Alone, isolated, and remorseful, she thinks life can’t get any worse--until she’s kidnapped in the middle of the night and thrown into a secret world more twisted than her darkest nightmares.
The Vaettir claim to be the children of the gods, created by the fates themselves, and tell her she’s one of them--and that they can help her control her abilities. But not everything is as it seems, not all gods are good, and the dark powers surrounding Madeline are no exception. She finds herself in the middle of an ancient search for a dangerous and all-powerful charm, one that has the power to kill all humans and bestow its bearer dominion over all. Amid the secrets and danger is Alaric, a deadly cat shifter, who’s as mysterious as he is alluring.
When the Vaettir’s plans come to light and Madeline is betrayed, she embarks on a quest to find the charm herself, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Her dark gifts may just be the key to everything, but will she be able to accept them in time, or will the Vaettir destroy mankind, and inherit the earth?
Discover the underworld of the Vaettir, gods and monsters, secrets and lies, and a temptation equal parts irresistible and deadly...
This set includes:
-Bitter Ashes
-Collide and Seek
-Rock, Paper, Shivers
-Duck, Duck, Noose
-Shoots and Tatters
-Truth or Death
Madeline is cursed. A touch from her, even accidental, can kill, and she’s haunted by the victims she never meant to hurt. Alone, isolated, and remorseful, she thinks life can’t get any worse--until she’s kidnapped in the middle of the night and thrown into a secret world more twisted than her darkest nightmares.
The Vaettir claim to be the children of the gods, created by the fates themselves, and tell her she’s one of them--and that they can help her control her abilities. But not everything is as it seems, not all gods are good, and the dark powers surrounding Madeline are no exception. She finds herself in the middle of an ancient search for a dangerous and all-powerful charm, one that has the power to kill all humans and bestow its bearer dominion over all. Amid the secrets and danger is Alaric, a deadly cat shifter, who’s as mysterious as he is alluring.
When the Vaettir’s plans come to light and Madeline is betrayed, she embarks on a quest to find the charm herself, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Her dark gifts may just be the key to everything, but will she be able to accept them in time, or will the Vaettir destroy mankind, and inherit the earth?
Discover the underworld of the Vaettir, gods and monsters, secrets and lies, and a temptation equal parts irresistible and deadly...
This set includes:
-Bitter Ashes
-Collide and Seek
-Rock, Paper, Shivers
-Duck, Duck, Noose
-Shoots and Tatters
-Truth or Death
- GenresFantasy
1246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2019
372 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Sara C. Roethle
126 books925 followersSara C. Roethle is a Fantasy author and part-time unicorn. She enjoys writing character driven stories in various fantasy realms with elements of Celtic and Norse myth, humor, and metaphysical ponderings.
Her series include:
Tree of Ages
The Thief's Apprentice
The Moonstone Chronicles
Xoe Meyers
Bitter Ashes
Her series include:
Tree of Ages
The Thief's Apprentice
The Moonstone Chronicles
Xoe Meyers
Bitter Ashes
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 15, 2020
Gods vampires were animal/people....
Instantly felt a connection to the characters and the very unusual being’s they all were the near death trials and tribulations miraculously explained in a logical way - this had to happen because if that happens it would be so much worse - poor maddy spent all her life before being kidnapped thinking herself evil so she kept herself on the back burner of life until she was pushed into the moving vines thinking she was about to die little did she know she was just beginning to live recommend reading kept me interested and entertained a few type I’d being my only complaint
Instantly felt a connection to the characters and the very unusual being’s they all were the near death trials and tribulations miraculously explained in a logical way - this had to happen because if that happens it would be so much worse - poor maddy spent all her life before being kidnapped thinking herself evil so she kept herself on the back burner of life until she was pushed into the moving vines thinking she was about to die little did she know she was just beginning to live recommend reading kept me interested and entertained a few type I’d being my only complaint
January 7, 2020
Wow!
I sit here after not sleeping all night as I couldn't put this book down and all I'm thinking is wow and is there more lol
This was exciting and full of adventure from the start till the end I don't do spoilers but I also don't do 5* reviews very often for anyone who likes myths and legends esp about the gods mainly Norse should defiantly read this series of books as they are fantastic
I would say they are for adults and maybe older teens there's not sexual activity or swearing but light blood and gore at times
I sit here after not sleeping all night as I couldn't put this book down and all I'm thinking is wow and is there more lol
This was exciting and full of adventure from the start till the end I don't do spoilers but I also don't do 5* reviews very often for anyone who likes myths and legends esp about the gods mainly Norse should defiantly read this series of books as they are fantastic
I would say they are for adults and maybe older teens there's not sexual activity or swearing but light blood and gore at times
Currently reading
February 7, 2020I almost completed the series and Amazon pulled the books. I tried to find somewhere else to read it and the only thing I found was to purchase the book for 250.00! What i read of the series was amazing and I'm so upset that I am unable to finish it. I will never download another book to read again 😠
January 1, 2020
Lots of imagination went into this set of books. A great way to occupy spare time
I would recommend this set of books as first class entertainment. Good for all ages clean fun and well written.
I would recommend this set of books as first class entertainment. Good for all ages clean fun and well written.
January 8, 2020
Enjoyable reading
Throughly enjoyable. Loved the character Madeline . And Alaric .the book had lots of adventure to keep your mind wanting to see what will happen next. It also had the perfect amount of romance . I would recommend it highly
Throughly enjoyable. Loved the character Madeline . And Alaric .the book had lots of adventure to keep your mind wanting to see what will happen next. It also had the perfect amount of romance . I would recommend it highly
January 27, 2021
Good fantasy series!! A page turner with a lot of twists
Really good read that lasts for awhile! Good storyline that keeps your interest. Once you start it you won't want to put it down
Really good read that lasts for awhile! Good storyline that keeps your interest. Once you start it you won't want to put it down
February 13, 2020
Great story
Loved learning about Madeline and her story! All the side characters were all awesome and complimented the main character! Hopefully there is a story about Erykah!
Loved learning about Madeline and her story! All the side characters were all awesome and complimented the main character! Hopefully there is a story about Erykah!
February 21, 2020
Amazing
Riveting read story flowed and captured your imagination, characters interaction and growth were such that you can’t put it down x
Riveting read story flowed and captured your imagination, characters interaction and growth were such that you can’t put it down x
February 4, 2021
The will of Yggdrasil
A finely crafted cast of characters defined by the struggle of good vs evil. Although at times the boundaries aren’t clearly defined. Same as in real life.
A finely crafted cast of characters defined by the struggle of good vs evil. Although at times the boundaries aren’t clearly defined. Same as in real life.
April 29, 2021
Really enjoyed it
I really enjoyed this book. It kept my interest all the way through. It was a nice love story but also of companionship and be living in yourself.
I really enjoyed this book. It kept my interest all the way through. It was a nice love story but also of companionship and be living in yourself.
September 20, 2021
Great series
If you enjoy mythology, this is a series you will definitely want to read! War, chaos and love all included.
If you enjoy mythology, this is a series you will definitely want to read! War, chaos and love all included.
September 7, 2025
Love this author and all the series
December 18, 2019
Enjoy the journey
Great series, one of the few I've found recently that has relationships without having to use long drawn out sex scenes to compensate for lack quality plot.
It kept its pace the whole way through.
Great series, one of the few I've found recently that has relationships without having to use long drawn out sex scenes to compensate for lack quality plot.
It kept its pace the whole way through.
December 10, 2019
Great read from book 1 to 6
Enjoyed all 6 books , loved all the twists and turns and characters, great read from begin to end !
Enjoyed all 6 books , loved all the twists and turns and characters, great read from begin to end !
November 22, 2019
Honestly, this whole set ended up taking me much longer to get through than I expected. The premise of it dragged me in, the Norse, Egyptian, Celtic Mythology, and Pantheon Gods kept me there. I spent a lot of time Googling gods/goddesses and then subsequently falling into a Wikipedia black hole of research. I know a lot more now than I did of different mythological beings and for that I'm thankful I picked this book up.
But - The explanations that the MC is given for a lot of things don't make sense and she approaches a lot of it with the mindset of "I don't understand but okay // It's too much for my mortal mind to comprehend." She spends so much time doubting herself that it detracts away from everything else. Her moments of bad-assery are fantastic, she is clearly capable of greatness and it has little opportunity to show.
I do however feel this series could have been a couple of books less since there was so much fluff added in terms of how tired characters were, how they needed to rest and get food, the MC agonizing over her doubts and unchangeable things happening around her.
I gave it 3 stars because I did like it, even with the mind-numbing parts.
But - The explanations that the MC is given for a lot of things don't make sense and she approaches a lot of it with the mindset of "I don't understand but okay // It's too much for my mortal mind to comprehend." She spends so much time doubting herself that it detracts away from everything else. Her moments of bad-assery are fantastic, she is clearly capable of greatness and it has little opportunity to show.
I do however feel this series could have been a couple of books less since there was so much fluff added in terms of how tired characters were, how they needed to rest and get food, the MC agonizing over her doubts and unchangeable things happening around her.
I gave it 3 stars because I did like it, even with the mind-numbing parts.
November 22, 2019
So happy I started this book.
Once I started the complete series i could not stop reading. Awesome story of growth, courage and learning to believe in yourself.
Once I started the complete series i could not stop reading. Awesome story of growth, courage and learning to believe in yourself.
November 17, 2019
Loved it
This was a great read. I loved reading it. I had trouble putting it down, and excited to see what happened next. Very well written series.
This was a great read. I loved reading it. I had trouble putting it down, and excited to see what happened next. Very well written series.
November 12, 2019
Outstanding!
I love Sara's imagination. I have been places I never even knew existed. And I loved every minute of it! I plan on reading everything Sara has ever written. Grocery lists even!☺️ Thank you dear author for allowing me to take the most entertaining Trip whilst never leavin' the Farm. 🙏🏻😍
I love Sara's imagination. I have been places I never even knew existed. And I loved every minute of it! I plan on reading everything Sara has ever written. Grocery lists even!☺️ Thank you dear author for allowing me to take the most entertaining Trip whilst never leavin' the Farm. 🙏🏻😍
November 7, 2019
Absolutely loved the story line and how it played against good an evil, an how the characters were intertwined in a beautiful manner.
August 2, 2019
Sara spins an epic tale of life, death, love and all that follows in between in this series. Why did I wait so long to read it?!
Well thought out and well rounded characters, both main and secondary help to complete this story that includes the mythological Norse gods. The world building is epic, bringing our modern world together with fantasy world's that are written so well you could easily imagine yourself to be standing right there next to the characters.
I definitely recommend this series for anyone who loves well written fantasy!
Well thought out and well rounded characters, both main and secondary help to complete this story that includes the mythological Norse gods. The world building is epic, bringing our modern world together with fantasy world's that are written so well you could easily imagine yourself to be standing right there next to the characters.
I definitely recommend this series for anyone who loves well written fantasy!
August 18, 2019
A special young woman's journey in finding her destiny...
Finding one's self and roots is journey, but more so when you have no idea who or what you are to begin with. Come join Madeline in her journey of self discovery, love, betrayal and finding a family in this fantastic series.
Jo-Ann Doyle
Finding one's self and roots is journey, but more so when you have no idea who or what you are to begin with. Come join Madeline in her journey of self discovery, love, betrayal and finding a family in this fantastic series.
Jo-Ann Doyle
August 30, 2019
Myths and legends
I loved every minute of it!!
From the very first page you are pulled into a version of a mythical life on earth, unknown to us mere mortals, I thoroughly enjoyed the style of writing the characters and the plot of the story itself it was fascinating I definitely recommend this series of books.
I loved every minute of it!!
From the very first page you are pulled into a version of a mythical life on earth, unknown to us mere mortals, I thoroughly enjoyed the style of writing the characters and the plot of the story itself it was fascinating I definitely recommend this series of books.
September 24, 2019
Refreshingly odd!
This is a new twist on old mythology, so much so that I was fully over half way done with the series before realizing it was old mythology at all. Well written, lots of bumps and turns, while constantly maintaining that “thread of relationship” keeping me constantly ready to read more.
This is a new twist on old mythology, so much so that I was fully over half way done with the series before realizing it was old mythology at all. Well written, lots of bumps and turns, while constantly maintaining that “thread of relationship” keeping me constantly ready to read more.
September 27, 2019
Better at the start than finish
The first four books with Estus and the key had a fairly consistent plot, introduced a fascinating new world with memorable characters. The characters all seemed to flatten in books five and six, and there were more plot holes when fighting Hexate or Odin rather than Estus and the key.
The first four books with Estus and the key had a fairly consistent plot, introduced a fascinating new world with memorable characters. The characters all seemed to flatten in books five and six, and there were more plot holes when fighting Hexate or Odin rather than Estus and the key.
September 27, 2019
Madeline the brave little mouse
The twist and turns were great who was the true enemy and who was a true friend. Madeline all full of fear still forgot to do the right thing everybody in the end really cared for her she helped change a lot of people behave your emotions and thoughts.
The twist and turns were great who was the true enemy and who was a true friend. Madeline all full of fear still forgot to do the right thing everybody in the end really cared for her she helped change a lot of people behave your emotions and thoughts.
September 6, 2019
This book kept me interested from beginning to the end
All the characters were well developed and their personalities were just as they should be. The book was exciting and the ending just as it should have been.
All the characters were well developed and their personalities were just as they should be. The book was exciting and the ending just as it should have been.
September 7, 2019
Definitely a great story
A detailed and epic story that spans several books worth of adventure. Our heroine starts out by being abducted in the middle of the night and grows through the story to eventually become something more powerful and true than death itself.
A detailed and epic story that spans several books worth of adventure. Our heroine starts out by being abducted in the middle of the night and grows through the story to eventually become something more powerful and true than death itself.
September 22, 2019
Solid fantasy series with a clever use of Norse mythology. I liked Madeleine from the beginning, but wasn’t crazy about the other characters at first. They grew on me, though. Sara Roethle does an impressive job of character development. They all grow and mature throughout the series.
November 2, 2019
Loved it!
I loved this series. This author is one of my new favorites. Such a fascinating and well explored concept too.
I loved this series. This author is one of my new favorites. Such a fascinating and well explored concept too.
July 28, 2019
Good read
The characters were engaging and the story original enough to keep you reading til the end. It would be appropriate for young teen readers as well.
The characters were engaging and the story original enough to keep you reading til the end. It would be appropriate for young teen readers as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews