Cinders & Ashes Book 4: A Gay Retelling of Cinderella

Cinders & Ashes #4

by X. Aratare

A Gay Fantasy Series Based on Cinderella.

The clock runs down to midnight…

Prince Finrael Ravenspar must defy his father’s will and cross back to the Kingdom of Rirea to save his beloved King Rohan De Clare from the undead. Finally together again, Finrael and Rohan desire only to be with one another and enjoy their newfound love, including attending the royal ball to celebrate the kingdom’s alliance against the Death Mage Marikoth.

But ancient prophecies and present enemies are working to destroy both Rirea and the Fae Empire. Will their combined power be able to stop the world from being turned into a graveyard?

This will be a 5-book, high fantasy series with fated lovers, magnificent monsters and powerful magic.

NOTE: THIS NOVEL SERIES HAS CLIFFHANGERS! EVERY BOOK WILL END ON ONE. THAT'S MY NATURAL WRITING STYLE. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE CLIFFHANGERS, WAIT UNTIL THE WHOLE SERIES IS PUBLISHED TO READ. THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance, Romance, Audiobook, Magic, Fae, M M Fantasy

254 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2021

About the author

X. Aratare is the pseudonym for Raythe Reign's Gay(M/M) books.

Reviews

[Kaity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio: 5 stars I really am enjoying Edward Fox’s narration and Hannah Hart is a smart addition to do the women’s voices

Book: 3.5-4 stars

Ugh real life has been busy lately so haven’t been able to pick this up and finish this book until today!

To me this was the weakest out of the group.. that could be because I might need a break from reading these back to back, or that it’s getting a tad dragged out haha!

Overall I am excited to continue but so many of the books I’ve been anticipating on audio have come out and I need to do rereads of those series. Ugh being a mood reader sucks haha! I want to finish this but I might take a break.. we will see.

[~David~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were a lot of twists and turns in this one. I like that I don't know exactly where the story is going. The involvement of the gods raises so many questions!

[Lily]

DNF @ 16%. I stopped reading to wait for book 5 release and well....my interest cooled. Like below zero degrees cooled. I don't know if I'll get back into it. But I think this is definitely the sort of series you need to either binge or leave alone.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will write out a review at the end of the series, so on to the next book! ;-D

[Gal · Rating 5 out of 5]

הסדרה הזאת ממשיכה להפתיע אותי לטובה! איזה כיף (:
עכשיו אני סקרנית לא רק לראות מה יקרה בספר החמישי והאחרון, שמחכה לי, אלא גם בהחלט מתכוונת לבדוק ספרים נוספים שלה. הכתיבה שלה מתאימה אמנם לכולם (הספר לא כתוב בשפה גבוהה ״מדי״) ויחד עם זאת אני מוצאת שזו כתיבה אינטליגנטית במיוחד וזה ניכר גם בדמויות וגם בעלילה.

בספר הזה פין ורוהן מוצאים סופסוף את דרכם אחד אל השני, כך שיש המון רומנטיקה ומדי פעם גם סקס. שני הגיבורים ממשיכים להיות מקסימים, כל אחד בדרכו (אני מניחה שיש מי שיגידו שלפעמים הם מקסימים מדי) ושניהם לומדים עוד על כוחות הקסם שלהם, אישיים ומשותפים כאחד.

ברקע מריקוט ממשיך לרקום מזימות נקמה ות׳אלניל, אביו של פין, עדיין מסרב לאפשר לפין לבקר את אהובו וחבריהם. אחרי שפין מציל את המצב ומפגין לעיניי כל את כוחות הקסם האפלים שלו, ת׳אלניל נאלץ לעזוב את הארמון ולחפש אחר תשובות אצל אביו ופין מוצא את הדרך אל רוהן.

המשך העלילה, כמו תמיד בתחילת הספר, אז לא אחיה רק אומר שזו סדרה כיפית המיוחד ומומלצת בחום!

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhh it's getting so interesting!

Taking a small break before book 5.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

X. Aratare brings us Book 4 of Cinders & Ashes and what an incredible book. We learn more about King Rohan and Prince Finn's special connection together in healing each other and their surroundings. Then the undead comes in mass groups attacking the castle causing so much chaos.

Finn discovers he has the Crow power that even he doesn't understand, but everyone else is frightened of, except for Rohan who can calm him down and bring him back to reality.

Not only is there trouble in Rirea, but Finn's father, King Thalanil Ravenspar of the Empire has discovered betrayal when he visits his father for advice. His father lives in seclusion at Faerseton Palace, but upon his arrival, the palace had been attacked, his father poisoned, and on the brink of death and an important artifact stolen. And now I'm excited to read book 5 when it comes out.

This is a wonderful series and well worth reading.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of plot advancement here, even when it's less action-driven. I really liked the revelation of how Rohan and Finn's magic works together.

I also enjoyed a lot that Finn's stepfather got his comeuppance and I even manage to felt sorry for Miles. And I'm so looking forward to seeing if Christopher and the foppish Lord (I can't avoid thinking about Lord Dorian Red Gloria from 'From Eroica with Love' any time that I hear foppish lord :P ) end together XD

The audiobook for the last volume isn't done yet, argh! I'll have to wait /0\

[Jsalt80 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot twist!

So much happening at the same time in this one, coming to a head for at least one of the arcs maybe! At least the Gerard arc has some closure, though I feel we have not seen the last of him!

Thalanil is once again thinking like an idiot, but hopefully he’ll get some sense without losing his life.

Marikoth still doing Marikoth. There are so many threads that lead to so many people seemingly working with him, Uncle Hugues, King Tearlach, hell even the Death God at one point, and now we add a few more people on the fae side! That man has an extensive network!

See my notes, highlights and commentary on Goodreads. Happy reading!

[Patdbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can one say. It's truly a masterpiece in mine eyes. Again, the love that is Rihan and Finns evolves and deepends. Their link to the core magic of the land is developed and explored. Serxio and Leonaid keep on bickering lovingly, and the depths that hatred can go are shown, but more importantly, the depths of love shine through. Sadness that I am creeping closer to the end of this magical land and story

[Shawn Cha · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg omg omg

I started reading the book literally the day it was released but due to having to work and due daily things I haven’t been able to finish it till now. My god the book took a turn I wasn’t even thinking. This is X. Aratare best series, it’s not really Cinderella anymore as to all the action and fantasy aspect of it. Now we wait for book 5 which will most likely be in 2022

[Andy Escalante · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was another great book in the series, but not a five stars because it feels like an exposition book with no climax. It ends with a twist semi-cliffhanger that is not that interesting, surprising or very deserving. Don't get me wrong it is a great book just not very "actiony" compared to the others. But, really good book.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still good...

This was perhaps the most uneven book so far. There were some really brilliant moments, but a few that dragged.

I think a good editor could probably get these six books down to three really wonderful ones. As it is, I'm having a good time, and the problems are minor overall.

[Al · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good

The plot is thickening and I’m getting nervous. I love Fin and Rohan so glad they are together again but so much going on around. You really don’t know who to trust. Can’t wait for the audio and book 5! I’m ready for their HEA.

[Calleyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet

So, so, so satisfying! So many great things happen in this book! My only complaint is that I was not aware the series finale isn't out yet. I thought this was a complete series and I'm very sad that it's not.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's great seeing Fin come into his own . Love his relationship with Rohan and the things they will be able to do together. Interesting cliffhanger. I can't wait to find out what happens next for all the players in this story. Narration was great.

[Deirdre Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Just keeps getting better and better. Excellent plot, great chemistry between Fin and Rohan, and I can’t wait for the next book.

[Jeremy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read, but I thought this was the last book, but still brilliant

[Lilli · Rating 2 out of 5]

WTF? I read this book just because it was the last one in the series and in the end of the last chapter I found out there will be book 5! Are you freaking kidding me? I am done.

[Aruslovesspring · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books keep getting better and better!

[llv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars

While good, the story is starting to drag in places. It will be interesting to see where the author takes the story from here since we still have two books to go.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 stars

Will Rohan and Finn be enough to handle what is coming their way???

[M'rella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drags a lot. Like A. Lot.
I had to skim through the second part of the book.

2.7 stars

[F. Thot Fitzgerald · Rating 2 out of 5]

These characters aren’t the brightest. Also why is Finn’s response to most things to cry.

[DJO · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief review under book 6

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

At least they finally reunite? Editing has gotten worse as we go along, and pacing drags a bit, but I'm still here.

[PaperMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was saved from a 2.5 stars rating by the few (not enough) fight / battle sequences.

[nazzੈ✩‧₊˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it's his character but I feel Finn is too optimistic for his good he's so easily forgiving and kind to everyone ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )‧º·˚in my opinion he should have made Christopher and Miles sweat a little with the way they abused him he was a little too quick to forgive and forget. Speaking of abusive family members the whole confrontation scene was interesting... to say the least. Look I'm all for taking down abusive parents but how it was executed seemed all over the place with Christopher, Rohan, Rohan guards, the workers, Finn, and a plethora of others all for this one man it was so silly haha on a lighter note Christopher and certain foppish lord are totally crushing on each other!! I'm so looking forward to reading how the book ends.

[Kiera Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

X Aratare always keeping us on our toes.
Please read Cinders and Ashes if you love high fantasy and a whole lot of world building. The world building, guys- it’s amazing. It is so easy to clearly visualize what is going on. X Aratare’s writing style is some of my favorite. Never ever boring and so beautiful. I love every side character, every plot twist. I need people to talk about these more.