Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

A Tempest of Shadows #3

A Dream of Embers

Rate this book
“I had dreams of the sun dying like hot coal smothered by sand, suffocating in a world where darkness hunted light ... but then I woke and saw that it had risen again, and I knew we would be no different.
From this battle to the next, we would endure.”

What began as a war of force had turned to one of secrets and strategies. An army was amassing in the shadows, hidden from our eyes, slipping into our ranks until there was nowhere safe to turn, and nobody left to trust.
To win the war, I would be forced to forget the man I trusted, and to bind myself to the men I hated.
Forever.
Since the first day, the great masters have fought for control over me, fought to claim me in marriage and seize my power for themselves. Every step of the way, they’ve asked me to choose. They’ve attempted to deal and swindle the decision out of me, but I’ve managed to out-manoeuvre them at every turn, bringing me to this moment.
The moment I finally choose.
If they can take my power, I can take theirs, and if marriage is how they want to do it, then so be it.
I’ll marry all five of them, and choose myself.

444 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 8, 2021

186 people are currently reading
470 people want to read

About the author

Jane Washington

34 books4,577 followers
Jane is a Wall-Street Journal bestselling author who spends all her time writing books and then telling people not to read them.
Find her here: https://linktr.ee/janewashingtonbooks

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
934 (52%)
4 stars
577 (32%)
3 stars
229 (12%)
2 stars
24 (1%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
Profile Image for cha.
312 reviews643 followers
September 13, 2024
as a Helki girlie, THANK YOU JANE



and as a Calder hater, that ending HURT

the romance in this was SO GOOD <3 I have faith it will only get better after this. every single minuscule interaction they had here got me giggling and blushing.

His fingers had spread out, almost possessively, his thumb dragging up the edge of my sleep shirt until an inch of my skin was exposed, his fingers seeking my skin.

ASJDGASJKFGAKFG I WAS GIGGLING SO HARD. I'm a Helki girlie thru and thru but I have a feeling Andel is gonna steal his spot and I'm not even mad about it

Also the banter between the Masters and Lavenia in this book >>>> worth all the pain from book 1 and 2

“What in the three worlds are you doing?”
I took stock of the mess of torn pages scattered around me like the fanned-out train of a dress. “Making paper animals. I’m taking requests for the next ten minutes only.”
“A spider.”
“How about a horse?”
“A caterpillar.”
“Can I tempt you with a horse?”
He stared at me, unimpressed. “A stag.”
“I’m sorry, did you say horse?”
He pressed a finger between his brows, pushing upward as he sighed. “A fucking horse, then.”


it's so weird seeing them being *kind of* friendly like that lmaooo

the friendship with Frey, Bjern, Sig, Herra AND Jostein made me SO happy. Love them so much <3 emphasis on Jostein bc I NEVER HATED U

“So let me get this straight.” Sig held up his hands. “This girl says you have no sense of humour, so you offer her a joke—”
“The bee joke.” Jostein nodded. “What do you call an indecisive bee? A maybe.” He said it without any inflection, his expression unchanging, and the others burst into laughter all over again.


JOSTEIN I WILL PROTECT YOU WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE !!!!

honestly all the characters in this book are awesome. Christian and the other Sentinels, and the two steward brothers.

so many things still went right over my head tho I'm gonna be real lmao. the whole Darkness thing just... doesn't appeal to me. not that it's supposed to, it being their great enemy and all. I just don't feel anything towards it because the Darkness is what... exactly? a big evil goo?

like if the ENTIRE reason for my existence was because someone decided to create me to fight this great evil that just appeared out of nowhere because someone before me failed, so now the fate of the rest of the world rested solely on my shoulders because some bullshit prophecy said so, I would've said bye so quick. yall are on your own sorry I never asked for this lmaooooo

*might change rating to a 4 once I see the bigger picture lol this is more like a 3.65 right now
Profile Image for Al *the semi serial series skipper*.
1,659 reviews852 followers
June 27, 2021
I love this series.

I've probably said it before but in the beginning I didn't know this was a RH, the connection between the heroine and Captain was so well written that I thought they were going to be together. I didn't like the Masters at all but each subsequent books brought a little something, a beautiful picture being painted by the author.

I cannot wait for the next book, I am more interested in the Masters and the heroine's romance than the "Darkness" that is fast approaching at this point. Its so fun to see them pretend they don't want her because they thought they had gotten rid of those emotions ( except Vidrol of course with his harem) and then their jealousy when she pays more attention to one of them.
Profile Image for Michelle Fritz PA.
1,359 reviews98 followers
June 2, 2021
All. The. Girly. Squeals!!! I loved every second of this unputdownably beautiful book! I devoured this and didn't want to reach the end. Ven and her guys are absolutely addictive. This is delightfully delicious and will leave you pouty faced for the next book. The chemistry is close to exploding and I can't wait to see what happens next!

Ven takes charge and we start to see the Masters take more notice of her and the reactions within the group dynamic that she creates. Those guys are so smitten and so very close to bowing down before her. I can't stop smiling! I crave seeing them each open their hearts to all the possibilities of what their future could be together. I'm also a little broken too...

This series is one of my favorites! Jane Washington takes this tragically tortured girl who's starved for attention and touch, who wants to belong and makes this fierce goddess out of the mess of her brokenness. It's beautiful! This is an emotional journey that will leave you begging for more. More steamy scenes, more charged moments and more of Ven accepting all of her bits and pieces and fully embracing herself.

Ms. Washington writes unlike any other. She's a master storyteller who is just magical. I so so so adore her glorious words that bury themselves into my heart, mind and soul.
Profile Image for Jennifer G.
2,879 reviews54 followers
June 6, 2021
The darkness has changed its tactics. No more direct attacks, now it's a game of strategy. The stakes have never been higher. Souls, magic, lives are at risk. Former loves become enemies; enemies become allies. It's a desperate battle for power and control.

Jane Washington is one of today's most talented fantasy authors. A brilliant storyteller. The world-building is immense, elaborate, and explicit. No detail is ignored. She has created her own middle-earth. The characters are complex and new depth continues to be revealed. The more we learn, the more "human" the Masters become. Ven resumes her tests and her fight against the darkness. She's come so far but still carries the little girl who needs affection and touch inside. She's a beautiful mix of strength and vulnerability, an innocent soul touched by darkness, clever and brave, a worthy heroine instilling hope in the people. She has gathered a loyal group of friends and has captured the Masters even if they don't quite realize it yet. The relationships are evolving and I can't wait to see them come to fruition. I can barely imagine the madness. This book had a bit of heartbreak, a lot of danger, plenty of negotiating, and a touch of sexual tension. It has witty banter, fierce fighting, and frightening imagery. The only thing missing was Jane's signature humor. I love how she can make me giggle even in the most serious times. There was a morsel of humor but I was greedy for more. I guess I can say the same about the entire book, I loved it but I look forward to more.
Profile Image for Andrea.
42 reviews9 followers
June 8, 2021
Oh, where do I start? I cannot begin to explain how much I loved this book. This series from the beginning, has had me completely enamored, but this third installment is a new beast entirely. The thing I love about slow burn reverse harems, is how the relationships start to evolve. There is no instant love. It's messy. You get to build with the characters and witness those changes first hand.
You start to see some hidden depths in this book. How these men made monsters aren't as cold and ruthless as they seem. Well, no, they are. But maybe some where deep down, like wayyyyyyy deep down, there is a shred of humanity. Anyway, what I'm trying to say here, is the character development is on point.
The world building is phenomenal. The writing is amazing. I genuinely laughed while reading this book. Jane's the best in her field when it comes to dialogue.

You'll struggle right along side our Tempest as she fights to stay one step ahead of the growing darkness that is threatening to consume her world, all while trying to navigate the murky and dangerous waters of the five powers. I have no idea what will be her undoing, The darkness or them.
Profile Image for Eve L.  Mitchell.
Author 52 books762 followers
May 31, 2021
Book 3 is sooooo good!! I absolutely loved it. The story was so well written and flowed so well, I was swept along for the ride. The character development of the Masters was well thought out and I absolutely adored the sneak peeks the author gave us into their ‘humanity’. Temp was sensational throughout, I absolutely love her character. Strong and fearless and yet so incredibly vulnerable. The whole book drew me in and kept me wishing there was more pages to go. My heart is heavy at a certain aspect of the story but I will keep my sorrow to myself.

Absolutely loved this book, my only regret is I finished it already and have to wait, but I seriously cannot wait for the next book. Loved loved loved it.
Profile Image for senna.
412 reviews31 followers
August 31, 2023
aaaand this is where she lost me. you mean to tell me she gave me all that angst with calder and he’s not even part of the harem? when he was the best guy thus far? and by far the one with the nose development with lavania?🧍🏼‍♀️ i feel like my time has been wasted, my heart has been broken, and now i don’t even feel like continuing 😞
92 reviews
July 26, 2021
This series was the first series of the author that I struggled to finish... it is just soooo much information. Very, very, very slow burn.
Profile Image for Christine Woo.
Author 4 books43 followers
March 7, 2022
Lines I LOVED (check out the other reviews for each book to see more lines I liked):

💜 “It was just a nightmare.” Andel’s quiet voice grounded me.
He didn’t sound angry or soothing. I wasn’t even sure if he was trying to reassure me or simply informing the others.

I followed his voice in the darkness, crawling over the body beside me. I had been conditioned, in a way, to seek out Andel whenever that now-familiar insanity threatened the edges of my mind.

💜“The Eilfur,” I muttered.
They stilled, and I heard the sharp inhale of Vidrol against the back of my head.
“Where did you hear that word?” Andel whispered, danger seeping into his tone.
“The royal birth records,” I replied with a shrug.
“Those records are sealed,” he snarled.

💜 “You’re mute again, aren’t you, Skayld?”
I nodded, and he sighed, resting his forehead to mine for a moment. “The one time we actually need you to talk. Figures.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Gillian Dowell.
Author 4 books84 followers
November 14, 2025
Picture this:

You’re a young woman, full of untapped, ruthless, untamed and barely-contained power. There are FIVE, count them, FIVE masters. Gods. Eternal, endless, brimming with powers of their own, and EACH the master and peak of a portion of your power—soul, spirit, mind, body, and fate.

NOW IMAGINE YOU GET TO MARRY ALL FIVE OF THEM.

THAT’S IT. THAT’S THE DREAM.

Tormenting them with small touches, tiny kisses, and TENSION-BRED RAGE 😩

Muahahahaha
Profile Image for Bookish Serendipity Shannon williamson.
1,116 reviews10 followers
July 25, 2021
This book was absolutely amazing. Simply stunning. Jane writes so fluidly and vividly, it’s like you’re part of the book.

This book is dark and intense and filled with twists that will make your head spin.

The character development is amazing and I am loving following Ven’s journey through this tumultuous world.

And the tension! You can’t forget the 🔥🔥🔥 tension.

This book (this series) is an intense ride, with new surprises around every corner. It’s an absolute must read and it will pull you in and never let go! ❤️

Here is one of my favorite parts (not spoilery, just funny 😆):

“What in the three worlds are you doing?” I took stock of the mess of torn pages scattered around me like the fanned-out train of a dress. “Making paper animals. I’m taking requests for the next ten minutes only.”
“A spider.”
“How about a horse?”
“A caterpillar.”
“Can I tempt you with a horse?”
He stared at me, unimpressed. “A stag.”
”I’m sorry, did you say horse?” He pressed a finger between his brows, pushing upward as he sighed. “A fucking horse, then.”

I was dying 💀😂

I cannot wait to see what happens next!
Profile Image for Renée.
863 reviews134 followers
June 7, 2021
A Dream of Embers by Jane Washington is the third book in the Tempest of Shadows series.

As The Tempest continues on her journey to win the remaining battles so she can finally defeat the Darkness, she still has to succumb to the tests, torture and manipulating that the five masters keep putting her through. As well as the increased game of seduction. Everything for Ven continues to change and evolve, her world is shifting, whilst she continues to grow stronger for each battle ahead.

Loving the development of the side characters as this series progresses, as even though this is Lavinia’s story these characters still have an important part to play and it helps to understand more of the bigger picture

Every chapter threw another twist into the puzzle of this world. I thoroughly enjoyed the concept and storyline and can’t wait to read the next book.
15 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2021
Loved it

I loved this book. I devoured this book so quickly, I'm already planning to do a reread of the entire series so far. It was that good. The world building was fantastic and the character development is amazing. There are definitely some laugh out loud and heart wrenching moments.

I'm so happy with the way the characters are growing, and am glad we get a glimpse of why the masters are who they are. The peaks into their humanity makes you want to know more.

I rarely leave reviews and I never know what to say in them but read this book and this entire series. You won't be disappointed. I can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Cat.
1,501 reviews14 followers
July 23, 2021
Jane Washington is seriously the master of world-building. It's so immersive and her descriptive, flowing style transports you elsewhere. So, the con to this is it's hard to pick up this book in the middle of series. Otherwise, if you enjoyed the first two, this doesn't disappoint!

I didn't know where this book was going. It's not that there weren't clues or that the author doesn't build on things...it's that I ended up so captivated I didn't have time to think, I was just there for the story to unfold.
706 reviews3 followers
June 20, 2025
I think I'm supposed to be more excited that everyone is starting to get together, but I liked it better when they all hated each other.

The other issue with this series is that the heroine is constantly saying she's absolutely 100% never going to do something and then five seconds later she encounters an obstacle and immediately does the thing she swore she wouldn't do. It's not the best.

Still enjoyable, but I'm nervous the next one is going to go off the rails.
1,234 reviews4 followers
June 8, 2021
This continues to be an incredibly well-written series. I love the world building. The character development is slow, but so so good and natural. This series, of course, has the amazing banter I love to read in Jane Washington books. I definitely recommend if you’re a fan of slow (and I mean SLOWWW lol) build but an incredible world with great banter and development, this is definitely for you!
59 reviews
June 6, 2021
All I can say is FINALLY!! Wow, the tension is unreal but sooo good!!! Talk about a cliffhanger! I can't wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Tash.
1,296 reviews106 followers
June 9, 2021
The world building in this series is one of my favourite and this third book didn’t disappoint with the storyline. Washington offers a lot to readers in this book and I can’t wait for more.
Profile Image for Annie.
68 reviews
April 7, 2024
Okay I got it ! I’m now hooked, I’m so happy that I stuck with this series, I knew Jane would get me through the blur to the other side! Book 3 is where the flow of the story and its happenings worked for me. 4.5 stars from me and I recommend you stay with the series.
The romance picks up and the bond between Ven and her harem increases, you now get why they have been such assholes and as their humanity is glimpsing through you just get it. The camaraderie with Ven and her friends and followers builds and you feel the warm fuzzies.
Stick with the journey peeps , it’s worth it!
Profile Image for Madison Miller.
229 reviews11 followers
December 15, 2023
OKAY LISTEN. Does some of this go way over my head? ya. it's one of my red flags honestly. BUT did I have a grand time? ABSOLUTELY. I love these characters and I can already feel a hangover coming with how much I'm going to miss them when this series is over. Can't wait for all the mischief they're about to get into in the next book.
Profile Image for Clarice.
555 reviews134 followers
August 29, 2025
Dnf 60%

We are 1000+ pages into this series and I feel like nothing has even happened in terms of plot or romance. Dnfing for my own mental well being 💀

I don’t think I’ll ever forgive that Calder was basically thrown out in terms of a love interest and straight up betrayed the fmc in the worst way. I know it was the “darkness” and not him, but still it kind of killed this for me.
Profile Image for Find.Ur.Inner.Lygia.
78 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2024
"You’re the last true warrior of light, and we’ve been without light for so long.” He drew the iron skilti pen from one of his pockets, twisting it through his scarred fingers. “If you swear to win this war, we’ll help you get your power back. Do we have a deal, Skayld?"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,449 reviews17 followers
dnf
September 19, 2024
I'm only in the 2nd chapter and am already miserable. I can't figure out why this series isn't working for me. I'm working too hard to try and understand what's actually happening and there's nothing there to cling to. DNF ✌
Profile Image for Jenny (jennyluvslitbooks).
773 reviews12 followers
September 20, 2021
A Dream of Embers is the third book in this phenomenal series and man, the challenges are coming hard and fast. And also, what the hell? Now that we are progressing with the story, it appears the masters are realizing the immense influence of this human woman amidst them and her meaning to their lives. Seduction, power play, heartbreak, betrayals and slow burn romance are abound. Gahd! Now on to book four!
Profile Image for Wendy (bardsblond).
1,399 reviews20 followers
September 3, 2024
So she totally didn’t need to do Calder dirty like that, did she? This series is like a whipsaw, I just don’t know where these characters are going in terms of how they feel about one another. On the one hand, I feel like the relationship between Calder and Tempest is so tragic and I feel so much sympathy for Tempest. And this was the first book where we had a glimmer of something redeeming in our MMCs, who until this point in time have been absolutely horrible. We do have the faintest hint of a romance emerging.
Profile Image for Leisha Andrews .
67 reviews2 followers
August 23, 2021
Book 3 in this new series from Jane is phenomenal. Beautifully written, phenomenal characters, a world that grabs you and holds you and a storyline that has you hooked from the first page to the last. This third instalment is as good as if not better than the first two which is so often not the case with authors but with Jane it is always a guarantee. It will hook you in and spit you out at the end desperate for the next instalment. It’s brilliant absolutely brilliant and in true Jane style absolutely beautiful. Can’t wait for the next one ❤️
Profile Image for Ro.
135 reviews26 followers
March 29, 2022
this series has an iron grip on my throat
Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.