Ashen Son

The War of Lost Hearts #0.5

by Carissa Broadbent

Maxantarius is a skilled magic Wielder and a military rising star. But in one terrible night, he has learned that glory is bloodier than he ever could have imagined.

War has broken out, thrusting his family into the center of a savage conflict. In its wake, Max is chosen to compete for the title of Arch Commandant.

The title is all he has ever wanted. But the competition is merciless, and victory will mean fighting against the love of his life… all while he must navigate a war that threatens to destroy those he treasures most.

As allies and enemies alike draw blades at his back, Max learns that no victor walks away with clean hands.

It’s only a matter of how far he’s willing to go.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Novella, Ebooks, Magic

140 pages, ebook

First published August 1, 2022

About the author

I've been concerning teachers and parents with mercilessly grim tales since I was roughly nine years old. Since then, my stories have gotten (slightly) less depressing and (hopefully a lot?) more readable. Today, I write fantasy novels with a heaping dose of badass ladies and a big pinch of romance.

When I'm not writing, I'm working at my day job in cybersecurity marketing, watching too many movies, or drawing. I live with my fiance, one very well behaved rabbit, one very poorly behaved rabbit, and one perpetually skeptical cat in Rhode Island.

Reviews

[Lucie V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella can be obtained through the author’s newsletter ( You can subscribe here )

I have to say, that while I adored all of Carissa Broadbent’s books, this novella was alittle boring. I do understand that it was meant to be part 1 of 4 of the prequel, but with only the first part being available for now, I can’t say that I am impressed. I did enjoy the sound of “Captain Farlione” though, it has a sexy ring to it. 😏

I would recommend reading this novella after the trilogy, or at least after the first book of the trilogy because the world-building and magic system are not explained in this book. I also think that it would be harder to care about Max if I hadn’t read the series before this novella. While he is still a good and likable character in this short story, he does not shine as he does in the trilogy, and because of the short length, we can’t see his complexity and layers. It was nice to see him interact a teeny tiny bit with his family though, and to have some insight on how he was before the war changed him.

Also, I think this novella, despite being less than 150 pages, made me hate Nura even more. 😅


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[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a novella that serves as a prequel of Max's life before the events of The Daughter of No Worlds. There will apparently be multiple of these novellas provided for free if you are subscribed to Carissa's email list. This story takes place when Max is 20/21 years old, so around 10 years before the trilogy. It gives insight into his military background as well as his start to the goal of becoming Arch Commandant. I will never complain about getting more Max, and while I understand Nura was a huge part of his past, I still hate her guts. Knowing the events that will take place in the future and her role in them, I can't find it in me to like her at all. While it was nice to see some of Max's past, the parts with Nura and their relationship made me want to metaphorically barf. A great short read otherwise.

[Michelle (Bamamele.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Max and I will take any extra content I can get. But ugh Nura 😂
I hope we do eventually get the other 3 novellas!

[AC's · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't fully dislike this one, but it was overall plain and dull.
I was 100% sure it would've explained more of Max's unsurprisingly shitty life and Reshaye involvement in his family's death, but here we are instead.
I wouldn't consider it important for the story development.

[jagodasbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

gonna be honest, I'm not really a fan of Maxantarius😬

[Grace Btrs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seriously wish Carissa finished writing all the novellas 🙏🏻📚
Max is so worth it, and only when reading this did I remember how much I love and miss him, Tissanah, and this world.

I loved reading this part of his story. It was very eye-opening.
I am glad that before the events of DoNW, Max has lived and loved and lost.

I am not sure if this was supposed to be read as a prequel before DoNW.
There is so much information about the orders, towers, and cities that I find would have been hard to understand if the person was reading this book as an introduction to the world.
It is not complicated and I am sure if someone starts DoNW immediately they can track and follow, but it still feels like a #1.5 read not a #0.5 read.

It also occurs to me reading Max POV that he never wanted to "lead". He had good instincts and he's a great fighter and soldier, but him saying he trusts Nura's judgments more than himself, and how in the books later he follows Tissanah's lead, it is evident where he stands on leadership.
I wonder how much of this was actually pressure.
It's refreshing to see an MMC want to take the backseat in leadership.

--
Pre-read:
I love Max, but no idea why I am discouraged every time I want to start this.
But since I got a tattoo (last month) with "Daughter of no worlds" in it, I have to finish this last bit, right?

[Drop of Jupiter ⊙°˚*✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would read anything about Maxantarius or Tisaanah. That being said, this novella wasn’t my favourite.

It was heartbreaking to read about Max’s siblings and parents, knowing what fate awaits them later. That knowledge cast a shadow over every moment, making it all the more painful and bittersweet.

The part I struggled with most was the relationship between Max and Nura. It simply didn’t sit right with me. Nura has always been a detestable character in my eyes, and she and Max just don’t belong together. After experiencing the depth of Max and Tisaanah’s love in Daughter of No Worlds, it’s impossible for me to go back and see him with anyone else.

What I did appreciate in this novella, however, was the deeper exploration of Max’s character. We get to glimpse more of his past and understand the choices he makes later in The War of Lost Hearts series. Maxantarius remains, to me, one of the most underrated male characters in fantasy—flawed, complex, and quietly powerful, yet at the same time sensitive, emotional, and kind.

I only hope Carissa Broadbent decides to release the remaining three parts of this serial, because I’m not ready to say goodbye to Max just yet.

[⋆.˚ Ariana ᡣ𐭩ྀིྀི · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this novella tells the tale of how Max becomes a Captain. ‘Twas full of action and stuff. I don’t like Nura so her presence was ehhhhh.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what to say about this one. I don't feel like the magic system or world really, is explained much in this one. Interesting premise though. I'm curious about Max. I'm guessing maybe Nura will become a problem in the future.

I am excited to start this series.

[Becci · Rating 3 out of 5]

First part of a prequel novella surrounding Max’s time with the order and in the military. It was nice to see him interacting with his family and without so much bitterness and resentment. Hasn’t added too much to his background or character as of yet but it is only part 1.

[Hallie (thecommonroomshop) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maxantarius Farlione pre-trauma *gulp* ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹😭😭❤️‍🩹 HANG IN THERE BABE, ILY!!!!!! I can’t find part 2 so I’m assuming it’s not out yet! Hoping to read it soon even though I know it will have maximum pain. I love this sassy, emotional warrior man!!! He’s just a big softy on the inside!

[kaley ❥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 ★

5/4/23 — i’ll take any max content i can get 🫶🏻 i miss him already 💓

[Milica · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐ one star less just because of nura and her presence alone bc i loathe her, ew🙄 the rest was okay, i guess, but not as fun as i hoped 🤷🏼‍♀️

[stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"in times like this, we only get to be one thing."

this novella felt like a teeny tiny slice of cake and although it was yummy i craved for more because i love max's character so much and it was all just very interesting to dive into his past just a little bit more while reading this

[Alylally⛰️⛺️⛈️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐ Purley for Carissa's writing. I am disappointed in this novella.. I thought we were going to learn more.. I guess Carissa said this was a part one of five novellas but she has yet to release the other parts. We learned how the war started but that's it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Oh well... onto the next!

[zeya౨ৎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

𐙚｡°⋆｡ ﾟ ☁︎｡⋆｡ 2⭐️
I don't like Nura, i don't think anyone likes it, this novella tells how Max became a captain with an army and everything was pleasant to feel without bitterness or resentment.

[Francesca ❆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute. 2.5 stars
Don't have much to say, tbh.
Max almost felt too much like a different character but it was nice to see what he was like before the big fact.

[Salma [Comment restriction] · Rating 1 out of 5]

WHY ON EARTH IS THERE NO MAP? I WAS SO CONFUSED AND BORED.

[Lex 🇲🇽 · Rating 4 out of 5]

man what a great prequel

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting a look into Max's past (from Daughter of No Worlds). It's crazy how despite how much he's changed between Ashen Son and Daughter of No Worlds, you can clearly see the connection between his character in both. Broadbent did an amazing job at knowing her character and how he's grown.

[Taylor English · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need the other parts STAT.

[Tyla-Jade Edgerton 🕷️🥀 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited for more Max content but honestly this was a bore.

[Damla Yasar · Rating 2 out of 5]

part 1 der Novelle für daughter of no worlds.
Leider eher langweilig - 80 Seiten Kriegsbeschreibung und Background stories von Max.

[Dominique Gransaull · Rating 3 out of 5]

was super excited to finally get a chance to start this novella… and to find out only part 1 has been released😔😔 “patiently,” anticipating the rest of this 4 part series (ie more max content)

[vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

So apparently I messed up reading this first… I didn’t know it was 4 parts but 1 is available. wtf. I hate when authors do that. I was actually interested in the story but it should not be read before the trilogy bc idk the world building yet and the rest of the prequel parts are unfinished. If not true, does anybody know where to find them? Also, I did not like nura. She’s too cold.

[rochi ⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella is about how Max became a captain. It was nice to get a look into his past. I can't get enough of him, I love him so much ❤️.

[bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max is amazing and I love to get to know him better. I can't wait to keep reading The War of Lost Hearts but also can't wait for the other novellas.
I admit I'm not a fan of Nura and she is very present here, but it makes sense because she was a member of the Orders and was important in Max's life.
I liked to meet Max's family, although it breaks my heart too because he won't have that again 💔
Overall it was great and very quick to read

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m desperate for any little bits of Maxantarius I can cling too.

Great little prequel - wished she was planning on finishing it as I would love to see more on how it played out.

[Zozu Nicki]

I don’t even know how to rate it. Wasn’t good, wasn’t bad. Neutral in every way.

Although, it was good to know Maxs backstory and his early days

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

ℍ𝕠𝕨 𝕀 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜: E-Book
𝔻𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕋𝕠 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕: 03 Days
𝕊𝕡𝕚𝕔𝕖: Low
ℙ𝕣𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕚𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕪: High: I do recommend reading this after the series since it’s when it was released. I knew a lot of this book but feel like the others will have new info.
𝔼𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕪𝕡𝕖: Unresolved
•
𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕎𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕊𝕥𝕪𝕝𝕖: Carissa’s writing is so easy to follow along with and she always knows how to keep a reader hooked! This was such a fun quick novella, easy, read!
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤: “In times like this, we only get to be one thing.”
& “Still, I had to admit he was competent. I liked him well enough. From a distance. When my back wasn’t turned.”
& “You’ve got to work on that face of yours, Farlione.”
& “I had lost count of the hours, but never the death toll.”
𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣: 10
𝔽𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣: Maxantarius Farlione: So happy to be back with my Maxy Poo I can’t wait to get my heart broken with him. ❤️‍🩹
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: This is a gripping fantasy novella that pulls you in from the very first page. I absolutely love Carissa’s writing. She skillfully weaves a tale of magic, war, and personal conflict through the eyes of Maxantarius, a complex and relatable MMC. This is a beautifully crafted story that provides both action and emotional depth, making it a must-read for any fantasy lover. This prequel sets the stage perfectly for The War of Lost Hearts series, and this was just part 1 of 4! 🫠