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Ember Dragon Daughter

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Four beasts. Three kingdoms. One hidden princess.

Ember has a secret, a birthmark unlike any other—scales. After her moms are murdered, she knows without a doubt they were correct in keeping her and her secret isolated.

After all, Ashkadance is in turmoil. With the dragons missing and a mysterious fateless plague leaving citizens crazed and loveless, nothing and no one in their enclosed kingdom is safe.

But when Ember’s one rebellion leads to her beastly birthmark being revealed, she discovers not all is as it seems.

Now that she has her fated mate and a kingdom celebrating her, will she risk all that she has gained to accept her destiny?

Ember Dragon Daughter is a story of fate, mystery, betrayal, mythological creatures, royal rebellion, and instalove fueled by magic.

WHAT READERS CAN EXPECT: Ember Dragon Daughter is book one of the Fated Tales series. This series covers topics such as inclusion, LGBTQ+ characters, adoption, true love, responsibility, and loving and accepting yourself.

Content in the Fated Tales series may be triggering for some readers. This includes murder, rejection by a biological parent, and more. A content guide of potential triggers can be found on the author's website.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2019

161 people are currently reading
944 people want to read

About the author

R.K. Sampson

4 books1 follower

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5 stars
69 (46%)
4 stars
36 (24%)
3 stars
27 (18%)
2 stars
9 (6%)
1 star
8 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Yvonne Marie.
704 reviews5 followers
July 25, 2023
I re-read this book while listening to the audiobook.

It is very challenging to rate audio (for me) ... The narrator did do an amazing job. After I needed to get used to the audio, I was roped in.

The audio gets ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5

Review from back in April:
The world-building was incredible, the characters were equally likable as unlikable, and the writing was easy to follow along.

Ember is a bad ass btw. I loved how even when she could have easily curled up into a corner and choose not to do anything, she emerged into the spotlight and did the total opposite.

I am glad she had Noor there for support, but I am even more glad she did not use him as her ONLY salvation if that makes sense.

I also really enjoyed the "found family" vibe 🖤

If you have NOT read The Fated Tales series do so ...

Suggested reading order:
Ember Dragon Daughter
Hasley Fateless
Profile Image for Christian Vazquez.
1 review
November 4, 2019
This book went from good to gucci good while reading it.

As someone who enjoys fantasy books such as The Gentleman Bastards and The Broken Empire series of books, Ember Dragon Daughter had all the elements that I enjoy from those readings. Great characters, great atmosphere, and certainly an intriguing idea on how the world works. Ember Dragon Daughter's world absolutely fascinated me, in how its residents live and the entire Fated system it portrays. There is also that feeling of inquisitiveness I love getting from these kinds of book that make you really think into what is REALLY going on behind the mystery of the world and its people. Needless to say, the ending blew my mind when it all came together, and I am totes stoked for the sequel.
Profile Image for Gabriella Kuhn.
Author 3 books33 followers
July 2, 2019
Thank you to the author for the ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.
I'll be honest, I went into this book pretty hyped after seeing all of the author's promo and teasers. She's succeeded in that aspect of marketing. I was extremely honored to be a part of her street team.
To start this off, Ember is a very fleshed out hero. She's someone I instantly attached to. She's flawed and has her issues, but she's also had a tragic past and gets completely thrust into a new way of living. I had a lot of compassion for her throughout this story.
The plot also did a very good job of moving. The pace didn't slow at all. In fact, I kind of flew through the story.
Personally, the world could've used a tad bit more detail, but I have a feeling we will see more of that in the future books in the series.
I also liked the twist ending--I didn't see it coming from a mile away.
My biggest gripe with this book was the insta-love feel to the relationship. I understand fating is a big part of this series, but I saw no reason to like the love interest beforehand, and I feel like things were rather rushed. However, I did end up liking him the more I got to see him interact with Ember.
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One last note: to those of you who may be uncomfortable with it, homosexual relationships are a normal thing in this storyworld. There was nothing too detailed, but I wanted to leave that as a note for fellow readers who may want to know before picking up this story. :)
Profile Image for Renee Marski.
Author 93 books80 followers
August 25, 2019
Princesses and dragon o my!!

This story is going to pull you right in. Ember is a girl with scales, trained to hide. She soon discovers shes actually the dragon daughter the long lost heir. Her whole life gets turned upside down and her only bright spot is her pair. Can they cure the fateless? Can they bring down the wall? There are so many secrets in the royal family.

I loved this. The author is so good at writing her characters that your heart breaks at Oma's betrayal. Cindrea comes as a shock when for so long you thought she was a friend. And Amir, you wish he couldve lived. Definitely a must read!!!
Profile Image for Holly Davis.
Author 2 books46 followers
January 11, 2020
A beautifully crafted debut with rich worldbuilding and strong writing! Rebecca did a wonderful job making me feel attached to Ember from page 1. I love the representation and diversity in the story as well. I understand the idea of being Fated to someone, but I did feel a bit of instalove between Ember and Noor, and would have liked a little more action and tension throughout the story. But I rooted for Ember all the way and the twists at the end were awesome! I listened to the audiobook version and loved the narrator. Looking forward to the sequel!
Profile Image for E.C. Woodham.
Author 2 books13 followers
July 30, 2019
I absolutely loved this book! It gave me serious GoT vibes at first, which I LOVED! All of the characters were so complex and well-developed. The twists and turns of this story kept me guessing, too, and I didn't see any of it coming—which I absolutely loved. Now I'm so excited to see what happens next for Ember & Noor!!
Profile Image for Heather.
Author 2 books4 followers
October 19, 2021
I loved this book! Sampson's world-building is incredible. It is so easy to understand the context of this vibrant and inclusive world. It was such an enjoyable read!
Profile Image for Ethan Gregory.
2 reviews1 follower
July 24, 2019
As a disclaimer, I was asked to be an ARC reader for Ember Dragon Daughter, but I intend to give a full and honest review. Personally, I think it's important, as a reader, and a potential indie author myself, to not bullshit people. I would want an honest review and not lip service, so I will give all indie authors the same respect and courtesy I would ask of them.

First, Rebecca Sampson happens to be an author I very much respect for her drive, tenacity, and ingenuity. She is well liked in the writing community and has put together wonderful writing aids that she sells on her website. In a profession filled with self-loathing, anxiety, depression, and imposter syndromes aplenty, she is an endless source of positivity for authors. So, needless to say, I was very excited when she asked me to be an ARC.

On to the review...

First, the good:

I think the names of some of historical characters, especially the dragons, were really cool. The whole "Fated" system is a really interesting idea, as the novel suggests it's a great thing to be fated, but fate is not always glorious, as you will learn if you read the novel. I think that is a great twist. It suggests people are kind of stuck in a fairy tale and are now only just being awoken to the reality.

There were also some themes I really liked. Themes that I hope do not go over the heads of YA readers, though, they are a smart bunch so I'm sure they'll see it, but the concepts of power and privilege stood out to me very early on. In particular, the fated vs. the fateless stood out as another example of powerful people are more well...protected...and those in poverty are not. To put it simply.

The idea of the main character having two moms is also a nod to an LGBTQ friendly theme, which I think is great for YA readers who are struggling with their own identities.

The book did seem to have an upward swing in that the writing got better the further you went in. The world and characters became more solid the longer you read on. Had that been there early on, though, this would have easily been 4 stars.

Shout out to Oma, though. She's cool. A bit crotchety, but cool.

Now on to my dislikes:

Ultimately, I had to give the novel three stars. As an adult, reading a YA novel, I struggled at times to connect to the main character. Perhaps a YA reader might not have the same struggles, but I found myself questioning the main character's decisions...more than I think a reader should and it detracted from my ability to stay immersed in the story. Ember seemed at times a very smart and strong young lady and at others...not so...Part of my troubles may lay in the fact that the book began really fast, almost media en res, and so I didn't get a real sense of who Ember was nor did I get a sense of what world she was in. She was simply thrown into her new role and that was that. I couldn't see how it truly affected her because I didn't know her.

Ember is forced into a new world and should be struggling to figure herself out, but I don't feel that struggle as intimately as I should. She says she's struggling, sure, but I, as a reader, didn't feel the struggle and that pulled me away from Ember as a character. I think that struggle is what readers will connect to and I hope they do because it's a real shock to learn that your past may not have been what you thought it was. But, for me, I didn't connect to Ember's emotional turmoil.

The reader is also shown the world in a mix of showing and telling and the telling wasn't nearly as effective as I think Rebecca was going for. I could see what she was trying to do, but it fell flat at times because, while other parts of the novel were inventive, the way you learn about the world wasn't. I wasnt as immersed as I think I could have been, which is really sad because when I take a step back I can see there is a really interesting world with a cool history.

So that's my review of Ember Dragon Daughter. Do I think there are some things that need to be improved on? Yes. I do. This is Rebecca's first novel and a really good start. Am I excited for the sequel? Yes sirreeebob. Would I recommend it? Yes. I would. I think YA readers will be able to connect a little more than I was.

Thank you to Rebecca for giving me the chance to be an ARC and a shout out for being one brave momma for finishing the damn novel.
Profile Image for JB.
2,181 reviews8 followers
October 11, 2019
Page turner galore!

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I don’t like to give spoilers as I think the blurb is sufficient in deciding whether or not you will read the book. If you do decide to read this book, enjoy!
Profile Image for Kimberly Swartz.
787 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2019
I loved this book!

While I have problems with being fated to someone, it seems like a quick way to get past getting to know one another, Rebecca is able to be it in a natural way.

Her characters are amazing and I loved her use of many gay/lesbian couples.
86 reviews1 follower
July 18, 2025
Ultimately a sweet story, but the twists were pretty predictable and I had a lot of questions about the the world and the basic premise of the story that were never resolved. Sadly the plotting just didn't work for me, and I spent a lot of the book distracted by these plot holes.
Profile Image for Tessy.
Author 3 books3 followers
July 22, 2023
Ember Dragon Daughter is the story of a girl who held a secret that she thought would get her killed, when truly, it made her something special. This book follows Ember as she gets thrown into the precarious world of fated mates, royalty, and secrets much darker than her own. To find out if she's truly where she's supposed to be (because let's be honest - she fully believes she shouldn't be there), she must go through twists and turns, encounter the harsh realities of her upbringing, and make peace with her new life. It is definitely a story that will make you feel all the emotions, and you'll never see the plot twists coming.

Things I enjoyed:
I adore fantasy books. While I will dig into almost any genre, fantasy is where my reader heart lives and breathes. But, so many of them are the same. It becomes easy to figure out the plot twists and exactly where the character development is headed. That was never an issue for this story. Plot twists are typically so predictable for me, even when they shouldn't be. But there were so many in this book that truly took me by surprise. It was a total delight. And don't even get me started on Ember's character arc. I love a good growth arc. Sure, it's the most typical, but it's also the most gratifying to read. Rebecca has done Ember's so well that it'll actually have you feeling everything along with her. You'll feel the heartbreak, the romance, the struggle, and the joy. And you'll enjoy every minute of it.

What I didn't like:
Can I say there was nothing I didn't enjoy? Okay, okay, if I have to get seriously really nitpicky, I'll say that I was sad to not get more Hasley throughout the book. If you haven't read the book, you'll need to know that Hasley is Ember's best friend. And she's a really great character. Definitely fun to read about. But you don't get much of her on-page in this story. The good news though? Hasley has her own book in this series. So, I'm definitely looking forward to diving into that.

Final thoughts and recommendations:
Overall, this was an easy 5 out 5 star read for me. The world is beautifully crafted, the characters are genuinely fun to follow, and the story will keep you on a roller coaster that you won't want to get off of. It'll certainly keep you on your toes. The magic system isn't very heavy, but I genuinely think the story is enough to draw in any fantasy or romantasy reader. So, if that's your thing, go pick up this book!

*I'm lucky enough to be part of Rebecca's arc team, but you should always know that any book review is always my completely honest opinion - including this one.*
Profile Image for Amelia Vegan.
331 reviews61 followers
April 25, 2023
"As a child, Ember would imagine making wings of fabric and jumping off of Mount Pietan. She would soar over the wall into the sea beyond. Ember knew now that was impossible, but the fantasy was enthralling regardless. In another kingdom, her secrets wouldn’t matter."
🐉
This was soooo much more than I expected, and I did expect a lot, just by adoring that cover. Look how gorgeous it is!
I stayed up till 4 am because I couldn't stop reading and needed more answers to the mysterious twists that were thrown at us by the end.
This world is so beautiful, still with prejudices and cruelty, but with so many fantastic characters, with layers and scales 👀 and secrets that were revealed and had me gasping sometimes.
There was a death of a character that I will not be talking about and will refuse to acknowledge it ever happened because it was devastating. I'm cried. I was sobbing in the dark of the night with everyone else asleep in the house. I will not forgive Rebecca for that.
But I am grateful to be part of her ARC team and to have a chance to read this gorgeous book. There's fated mates trope that usually repulses me, and here I was wanting more of it because it was so sweet and beautiful and I loved it!
Main character was raised by two moms, two amazing fated souls and I needed to acknowledge this because this was very important to the story, and to me. I was jealous of Ember right there.
Queer fantasy with dragons, merfolk and so many more amazing creatures, that is short and sweet and has heart and a gorgeous cover. I don't think you need any more reasons to pick this up 💜
Profile Image for R.S. Williams.
Author 14 books45 followers
January 26, 2020
I was lucky enough to have a sneak peek of the cover for Ember before it was even in a launch stage and honestly, I loved it. Now having read the story, I know it encompasses it perfectly. The blurb for the book also drew me in before I decided to pick up an ebook copy, then a paperback!

This story will pull you right into the middle of it. It starts with Ember, a girl trained to hide the scales on her body. Then she discovers she’s a long lost heir, a dragon daughter. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you wanting the pages to turn.

The whole "Fated" system is a really interesting idea, as the novel suggests it's a great thing to be fated, but fate is not always glorious. It was a great concept that was well explained and comes across a but like in Once Upon A Time (TV Show) where fairytales are awoken to reality.

There are some parts in this novel that are slower than the rest and sometimes it can be difficult to connect to Ember, but that doesn’t take anything away from the story.

Overall this book is a solid read. This was an excellent book for a debut author, who has woven a story and created characters which you can easily fall in love with. Definitely recommend and cannot wait for the second book!
1,402 reviews13 followers
December 29, 2019
I absolutely loved this book!
“Ember Dragon Daughter” is the perfect start to this series. It is an original and creatively written tale with non-stop drama, intrigue, suspense, secrets and lies. The world-building is vivid, detailed and crisp, so realistic that you feel as if you are stepping into their world as you read each page. The main characters Ember and Noor, along with the support characters Amir, Hasley, Jedoriah, Karwyn, Oma and Jade add depth and emotion to this tale and each is perfect in their role. This plot-driven storyline is unbelievably creative and intense. I love this tale and the ending is a perfect conclusion to this book. I am excited to continue reading the “Fated Tales” series with Book 2. The book sets up the series wonderfully and we're both super excited to see where it's going!
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily
Profile Image for Kïrsten.
67 reviews
April 22, 2023
The book follows Ember (Embrance) through her journey of losing the only family she has ever known, and discovering she is the lost princess of her land. She was kept hidden by her moms, her scales always covered, thinking herself deformed.

I really enjoyed following Ember as she comes out of her shell, becoming much more confident, standing up for what she knows is right despite the possible consequences. Her mother is fateless, her mother’s knight seems cold and dismissive of her, and her grandmother lives far away. She has her royal family now, but who can she truly trust?

The world is vivid, full of life and strong people willing to give whatever it takes to gain their freedom. The characters’ different personalities really shine and either fit together or oppose each other in such a cohesive way. There is such intrigue, many lies, secrets and mysteries to solve in this book, it is truly gripping.
Profile Image for Susan Lafontant.
37 reviews3 followers
August 10, 2019
I bought this book because my friend, Rebecca, wrote it and I believe in supporting my friends’ art. I was also nervous about reading it. What if I didn’t like it? I often feel this when when starting YA novels. I’m not sure why, because I usually end up loving them!

So, I started this book with some skepticism. Quickly, however, I found myself engrossed in the story. Rebecca did a fantastic job in creating a new world and bringing the reader into that world. I will admit that I figured out one of the twists early on in the book, but there were others I learned shortly before they were revealed. Despite that, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading future books in this series.

Rebecca, I am so proud of you and your debut album! I can’t wait to see what you come out with next.
Profile Image for Timi V.
66 reviews2 followers
March 4, 2020
Wow! Just wow!

I have listened to the audiobook version while painting and wow! I just have to say that this book bacame one of my fav books ever!

The characters are amazing, round characters with flaws and traits, who change a lot and became better or worse at the end.

The world and it’s history it’s amazing, great world building and shown so beautiful, loved it so much. Great job!

The plot is well written with lots of twists and unexpected events which makes this story exciting and full of emotions. A few scenes even teared me up!

I recommend this book to everyone who loves fantasy and wants to read a wonderful piece of art!!!

P. S. : the voice of the narrator is awesome, she does such a great job with different accents and voices for different characters, she’s an amazing narrator, I am starting to love audiobooks thanks to her!
48 reviews1 follower
April 27, 2023
Once again, i took a blind leap of faith in a book and I had no idea what I was getting myself into reading Ember Dragon Daughter but I loved it.

I love how everything Ember was brought up to believe is challenged throughout the book. What I loved even more is her acceptance (even if reluctant at first) of a whole new life that gets introduced to her.

The plot twists in this book coupled with Ember going over old conversations in her head while she pieces everything together is just perfect. ESPECIALLY the big one towards the end of the book. My jaw just about hit the floor 😂

I can’t wait to read the next book already!

Spice Rating: 🌶️ (you get a couple of make out scenes)

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Megs: Knee Wall Reads.
513 reviews15 followers
April 23, 2023
This book was so interesting and I loved that all the last names were their profession (or purpose as they call it in the book).

There were so many twists and turns that I did not see coming.

Ember is such a strong character. She has been put through so much and her whole life has been based on so many lies and falsehoods. I'm glad that she had Noorworth on her side for the majority of the book. I loved how they balanced each other out and he brought humor in their relationship.

I loved the way that this book described the fatings (and blessings). It is so unique. I love the instant connection the characters feel.
165 reviews
November 1, 2024
Creative, Breath stealing, Riveting

This incredibly imaginative tale is the embodiment of fantasy. A talented world builder has set this in an easily imagined, complete milieu leaving the reader to concentrate on the actions of the characters. These started two generations prior to the action based on greed and prejudice and result in lies, murder, betrayal, and the slow deterioration of an entire society. The situation is resolved but only at the cost of innocence, self-sacrifice (both literal and figurative) and property destruction. This is an incredible, absorbing story sure to captivate fantasy readers of all ages.
Profile Image for Zoe Schamehorn.
162 reviews3 followers
August 17, 2020
Loved this book; pacing was on point, the characters were captivating and the story was magical and engaging.
I cannot wait to see what happens next, not only with the characters introduced in this novel but with what will happens in the rich and vibrant world that has housed their struggles.

Highly recommend.
Profile Image for MyBookishWhims.
44 reviews
May 3, 2023
I usually don't read YA but I made an exception for this book!! I loved loved loved the world building Sampson put into this book!! The twists and turns had me! Ember is a strong FMC. I loved her journey to power and love! If you want to read about lost/found family, adventure,love, and power this book is for you!

🐉LGBTQI
🐉Fated Mates
🐉Adventure
🐉Mermaids
🐉Dragons
🐉YA Spice (aka kissing)
104 reviews22 followers
July 13, 2024
Intriguing

The young lady this book us written about is strong in character. She has suffered some tragedy from a very young age. With hope and love she succeeds past what seems almost impossible. It is a lovely read, and I look forward to reading more about her and the other characters in her story. Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Cassandra.
6 reviews
March 18, 2020
4.5/5 rounded up to 5!

I'll admit, the middle of this book dragged a bit for me, though I'm not sure why. But the final third more than made up for that - almost all of the twists and turns were MIND BLOWING. Yet they made perfect sense? Sorcery, I swear. 😂

Definitely one of my new favorites!
Profile Image for Sam.
242 reviews25 followers
May 17, 2023
Very unique storyline. Easy to read and follow along with the journey. Good pace and fun twists to keep you on your toes. Easy to love characters.

•fated mates
•evil queen
•heroine FMC
•dragons and mermaids
•overcoming tragedy
Profile Image for CozyDreamsStudio.
259 reviews17 followers
June 5, 2023
I received an ARC of this book.

This book was unremarkable. I didn’t have anything I absolutely loved about it, but I also didn’t have anything I really hated. It did have a couple of twists and surprises, but overall the story was kinda unmemorable to me.
1 review
July 23, 2019
Could not stop reading!

Captures your attention since you start reading. Very entertaining and the plot is great. It is a feel good book that leaves you waiting for the sequel.
Profile Image for Dawn Milligan.
2,659 reviews16 followers
December 31, 2019
I enjoyed this story. It is well written and has a pretty good cast of characters in excited to see where this story goes.
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