Cavern of Terrors: The Kobold Race

On Wings of Ash and Dust (Episodes 1-6) #5

by Brittany Wang

The tunnels are not the only terrors Quinn will face next.

The heirs have agreed to find Quinn’s attacker and decode the tome’s ominous prophecy together, but their new alliance is tested at every corner as they enter the underground tunnels. Hickory’s home in the Kobold city is an overwhelming maze of mystery, pixie dust machinery, and mayhem—and nothing compares with the challenge that awaits them in the next death defying trial.

As they prepare for the impossible task, Quinn uncovers dark truths about her past, and her enemies, which raise more questions that send her spiraling. If she hopes to survive this time, she’ll have to face her demons and tame the fire inside.

Cavern of Terrors is the fifth Episode in the On Wings of Ash and Dust serial series. Full of action and surprising twists, this YA fantasy adventure is perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and Six of Crows.

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Young Adult

89 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2021

About the author

Brittany Wang is the author of the young adult fantasy serial series, On Wings of Ash and Dust.

She is also a YouTuber and Author Website Designer who is passionate about helping writers finish their novels, find writing community, & build a platform that grows their readership.

CONNECT WITH BRITTANY:
https://www.authorbrittanywang.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbritt...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/authorbrittan...
Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/authorbrittan...

Reviews

[Renee Dugan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is tied with the Sea of Secrets as my favorite installment so far! I loved the steampunk worldbuilding of the Kobold haven, as well as the continued character development. This cast is a joy! Can't wait for the next part!

[Bethany Atazadeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This episode was my favorite out of the five so far! Can't wait to read the last episode! :D

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Spoilers for episodes 1-4 ahead!

Another brilliant new setting, another deadly trial. Quinn and the others arrive at the Kobold caverns, and they quickly learn that this challenge will not be easy. Not to mention, things are getting more suspicious by the day.

The world-building in this series is so good! I was totally fascinated by the concept of the Kobolds living underground to work the mines! And these trials are so clever! They just keep getting deadlier! I'm really curious about the Gwyllion trial coming up!

I also loved getting to see the friendship between the competitors! I enjoy how they are aware they're all competing with each other, yet they still have each other's backs.

The character development in this episode was also excellent! Quinn is forced to face her issues, but things don't go as planned. I'm so curious about her past, and I hope she and the other competitors discover the truth soon!

I am so pumped to read the next episode! I can't wait to see how things play out! If you haven't read this yet, I strongly recommend picking it up! Each episode leaves you wanting more; I have read every episode through in one sitting! If you like fantasy, faeries, competitions, and a bit of romance, this series is for you!

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This serial continues to impress me with the unique settings and challenges Quinn and her fellow competitors have to go through! The fifth novella sized installment of On Wings of Ash and Dust brings us to the caves under Faylan’s surface and I was really interested in the framework of the cities as well as the unique Kobolds that live in them! Again, the world building is spot on, and the trial has unique properties. I like how each trial is getting more dangerous. I love digging into Quinn’s character a bit more and I’m really feeling for her as she’s growing. And that ending got to me. Plus, these cliffhangers just get better and better, I need that last episode now!

[Holly Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Brittany takes us on another rollercoaster ride in Cavern of Terrors! The stakes are higher than ever in the 5th installment of the Ash and Dust serial. I love how we dive deeper into Quinn's arc, the backstory and lore, and also get some mysteries revealed. The Kobold trial was exciting (who doesn't love labyrinths and riddles?) and of course, Brittany doesn't take it easy on Quinn. She has to fight every step of the way both inside and out of the Ethodine, and not everything goes her way. It's why Quinn continues to be my favorite character. The tension in Cavern of Terrors ebbs and flows at the perfect pace and of course, that cliffhanger!! I do NOT want this story to be over because I want to stay in this world forever. <3

[Ashley Zuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

More death defying trials. Questions are being asked and the they are getting close to answers. From the beginning of episode 5 things are moving with intensity. You see how much all the characters have begun to care for each other despite their differences. I highly enjoyed this book, I read it in about 5 hours after my kids went to bed, staying up way past my own bedtime! My eyes were stinging but I just couldn’t put it down. They are so close to finding out SOMETHING I just know it! But once again we are left clinging to the edge of a cliff for dear life in anticipation of the final episode.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy smokes! So much is going on! I couldn't put this down with all the mysteries, new information, and stakes! SO MUCH TENSION AND STAKES!
Episode 5 takes us to the underground tunnels and caverns, where we learn more about pixie dust & prisoners, find a grand library with critical info, and watch an old friend battle it out for freedom in a deadly maze.
Their next trial is just as deadly and man, it was a nail biter!
The ending left me in shock on several accounts. I can't wait to have all the answers.
The final episode is going to be explosive!

[Holly Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Brittany takes us on another rollercoaster ride in Cavern of Terrors! The stakes are higher than ever in the 5th installment of the Ash and Dust serial. I love how we dive deeper into Quinn's arc, the backstory and lore, and also get some mysteries revealed. The Kobold trial was exciting (who doesn't love labyrinths and riddles?) and of course, Brittany doesn't take it easy on Quinn. She has to fight every step of the way both inside and out of the Ethodine, and not everything goes her way. It's why Quinn continues to be my favorite character. The tension in Cavern of Terrors ebbs and flows at the perfect pace and of course, that cliffhanger!! I do NOT want this story to be over because I want to stay in this world forever. <3

[Mandi Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER TWIST

This episode threw me for a loop! Definitely didn’t see any of it coming and can’t wait to dive into the final episode!

[Faith Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things are continuing to get interesting! Episode 5 of this serial was a little shorter than the rest, but I enjoyed getting to see more of Hickory's clan and where he came from, and there may be a familiar face briefly returning for this episode. Ends on another juicy cliffhanger and I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! The tension just ratchets up a little more with every episode! I had to pace around the apartment a little bit to relax after this one, and I don't read many books that do that. (Could probably count them on one hand.) That's a good thing, in this case, because I'm too excited for the next episode! I HAVE to know how all this turns out! We learn so much more about the world of Faylan, the Kobold territory specifically, an almost steampunk vibe if you will. All the characters grow a little more. Some shocking revelations too. Hold onto your seat!

[Kylie MacDougall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series so far is one that I just can’t put down and I know once the entire series is published, I will be going back to reread it all again. Such an enjoyable adventure! I am ALWAYS a fan of riddles in books. It’s so fun to try to guess the answers along side the characters. The suspense on who is behind all the wrongdoing just keeps growing! I can’t believe there’s only one more episode left. I am anticipating that the last one is going to be action packed and full of surprises…I can’t wait!!

[Ara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't believe I'd read the last page!!

This episode really brought on the floods and tugged at my heart strings.
We get more of the romance and the developing friendships. We get more magic, more answers and even more questions!!
The way Brittany has teased the clues and information in is masterful.
I'm both excited for the next episode and sad because it'll be over.

This is an ARC review. All opinions are my own.

[Heather Venkat · Rating 5 out of 5]

[delayed ARC review] Wow wow wow! I was not expecting the twists and turns in this book! Brittany Wang hit it out of the park again with this next episode of the serial. I love how she keeps me guessing but also doesn't leave the reader so clueless that we get frustrated with the mysteries. It makes me better able to relate to Quinn and the other characters that way. My gut wrenched during the flashback scene and I felt so bad for Quinn! Also, I hope they find the missing item (won't say due to spoilers) in the next book!

[Madeline · Rating 5 out of 5]

And the tension continues!

Since this is the second to last episode I am going to be brief to avoid spoilers, but this series is really getting serious. I am so excited for the reveals I'm expecting next and I'm enjoying the tension and stakes!

Highly recommend.

[Kayleigh Idea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Episode 5 of the On Wings of Ash and Dust serial did not disappoint!

In this episode, we venture into the land of the Kobolds, Tartarus (which is a really cool name btw!). Just like all the other locations, this one is so unique and magical. I love the vibe/aesthetic. I’m having such a hard time choosing a favorite location!

With each episode, the trials continue getting more exciting and dangerous. This one had to be the best yet. I loved all the riddles and how they tied into each physical challenge. It was all so clever!

The ending surprised me—I did not see that coming!

The only thing I didn’t like was that the descriptions felt sparse in numerous places, which made it hard to understand at some points. But there were also some points that had amazing descriptions, especially relating to the world building.

I’m looking forward to the final episode, and I can’t wait to see how everything plays out in the end!

[C.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

Actual Rating 3.5

This is episode five of On Wings of Ash and Dust. As an episode alone it was good. I loved Brittany’s idea for the trial, A maze was the perfect thing to use for a clan of Faeries that live underground but the execution itself felt a little bit too much like a combo of trials we’ve seen before IMO. Since this one was supposed to be about any more about the past and facing it, I was hoping for some sort of psychological trial. Kind of like the minds scapes, in Divergent. Where Quinn would have to at least make a start at accepting her emotions/fire

I also, unfortunately, felt like we didn’t get to learn much about Hickory which is a shame because he’s a real cinnamon roll. I love him so much and I just wanted to learn more: about his family, his friends, even some of the Kobold culture. In the other books, we had entire subplots revolving around getting to know the other competitors families. I wanted that here too.

I will say that the riddles were great and really hard. I was figuring them out right along with Quinn! My favorite scenes were definitely the ones between Quinn, Alys & Hickory, They are #triogoals! I also think Brittany has laid down so many interesting plot threads. I’ll be curious to see if she’s able to wrap up the trials and A giant world ending prophecy in one book . I hope she does, I really do, but honestly? I could just as easily see this “season” wrap up with the trial winner taking the crown and ending on a massive cliffhanger to set up for season two.

[Martin A. Marquez Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This episode was the best yet. Oh my goodness, it had me on my seat. It wasn’t really that full of adventure and action like some. It’s exactly what episode 5 needed. Brittany did an amazing job of adding just the right touches to this specific episode. You don’t want to stop reading but you can’t go on. It’s one of the greatest. There’s no way she’ll top this episode in the next. I was literally in tears and had to stop reading. Not bad tears and not good tears, just completely perplexed with so many emotions in my soul. Even though the story is obviously not over and it must go on, I’d be complete if I stopped now and didn’t read the next episode. My chest hurts from the emotion and yet it’s not a bad thing. My head is spinning from the what next and oh no and what the heck and there’s no way. If she was a musician I would put Brittany along with Frank Sinatra on this episode. I can’t stop the tears. Oh my goodness. I must have the next episode now. Good thing it’s in my library. Will be starting it as soon as I hit submit on this.

[Miranda Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This episode was kinda of the calm before the storm. It's setting up such an epic ending. A lot happened but also didn't at the same time. This one was a lot calmer emotionally, but also not either. (A lot of good mixed feelings.) Its ending though just blew me away. I am so tense right now. I can't wait to see all the questions answered and everything tied up. I'm not sure how it can be done, but I have faith that this author can do it. So far, she has completely blown me away with this story. Every single episode so far have been SO GOOD and I have every confidence that the final episode will not disappoint, just like its predecessors.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was both shorter than and not as interesting as the others. I think the fact that it is the least interesting can largely be blamed on the fact that the trial takes up the least amount of time because you only see Quinn's completion of it. You do not receive any information on the remaining competitor's journeys through the labyrinth which I think takes away something that has been a major factor in the story. In the first challenges, seeing the way the competitors complete the challenges gives them some additional character development, however little it may be. That is lost with the way the kobold challenge was written

[Dania Dorat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brittany has done it again!!! Episode 5 of On Wing of Ash and Dust was terrific. There was even a returning character from Quinn Crew. I was like, "OMG…but what about others!!!" In this episode, all the competitors traveled to Kobold Haven, steampunk vibe, for the next competition. Quinn has decided to tell everyone what she has learned and ask for their help to discover the truth. I enjoyed seeing all the internal conflict Quinn was having with herself. She has grown so much. But, once I got to the end, I was mad at Brittany for yet another Cliffhanger.

[Athena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will not spoil the book for you. I want to talk about how the details are in the right place. I can SEE the tunnels and when the characters enter (feels almost like the ride from thr original Willy Wanka minus the acid-like trip) I feel the places are put in with a lot of description so we know exactly what they look like BUT the characters have minimal description so we can relate to them, and put our friends or enemies as one of these characters.
I'm so sad this is the second to last book.

[Lara's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

The penultimate book in the series had its moments and I was curious to see how things would progress.

I found some of the plot points engaging, but overall, it still felt like it was holding back a little. I was hoping for more intensity and deeper character exploration at this stage of the story.

[Tvisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's all coming together! I'm enjoying the friendship bond with our opponents. The fear of never gonna meet all these characters together again is real. This episode was an emotional ride with lots of attention to character growth and connections. I am so eager to read the next episode.

I'm a Kobold and this was a lethal ride. Which I will love to revisit. The world-building and writing were amazing. A quick read with a deadly cliffhanger.

[Alli Earnest · Rating 5 out of 5]

AH. The ending of this episode only makes me SO excited to get my hands on the last and final episode. This particular trial kept me on the edge of my seat, and Wang does a brilliant job leading up the climax of the entire first season!

This is an ARC review. All opinions are my own.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last test is at Quinn's home town and it is a battle between each other with weapons. Bow out or death is the only option. The princess asked for her not to just let her win. She finds out that her brother may still be alive and some of her friends may even know

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

The worldbuilding and characters continue to be absolutely fantastic as they face new information and challenges both in the Trials as well as outside of it. The danger, risk, and fear is increasing and I cannot wait to see how the final trial wraps everything up!

[Rebecca Garoffolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great continuation of an amazing story. The author always has me on the edge of my seat. Quinn’s layers are really being revealed more and more. I love seeing her heart continue to soften towards the other competitors. Im feeling so much connection to the characters and Im so curious for what’s to come. I can’t wait for the next episode!!!

[Taya · Rating 4 out of 5]

It just keeps getting better

[Cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending of this trial is my favorite so far! More of the mystery unfolding!