Legends of Ash and Dust

by Kate Cowan

A dark YA Fantasy set in a sprawling Eastern world...

They forged her into a weapon. Now, she is the last.

Aerona was raised by legends. The Shae Warriors are the closest thing the Six Kingdoms have to the supernatural: fearless warrior monks who train their entire lives to protect the realm. Or, they were — until the massive Red Wolf army attacked, slaughtering them all in a single night.

Now, brokenhearted and defeated, Aero is the last Shae. Tasked with protecting Niran, the prince her people were caring for, she journeys to his home in the Golden City with one thing on her mind: revenge.

In the Palace of the Golden City, nothing is as it seems. The Red Wolves are in the pocket of the royals, the Emperor is blackmailing Aero into becoming his assassin, and an ex-Shae librarian is convinced that Aero has a long-forgotten power hidden inside of her.

On top of it all, a demon is wandering the halls of the Palace. If Aero can’t stop the demon and figure out the ancient and supernatural origins of the Shae, every life in the palace might be at stake.

There is a terrifying evil in the palace, and it’s hunting Aero down.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2023

About the author

Hey there!

I'm an author, writer, painter, and illustrator. When I'm not writing or creating art, I love to take my three insane dogs out for hikes and explore the beautiful Niagara region of Canada, where I live.

My passion is in telling stories that move people and capture their imaginations. I also strive to create art that is full of life and beauty.

I love creating pretty things, both written and painted. I'm also a martial arts instructor, 3rd-degree black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate, and lover of badass characters (which I'm sure you can tell from my books!!)

Reviews

[nina! ˚⟡˖ ࣪ ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Xpresso Book Tours and NetGalley for this ARC!
I surprisingly liked this book a lot. It was really fast paced and I wasn’t bored once. I loved the romance and I liked how it didn’t take over the entire plot. I also LOVED THE SLOWBURN. I don’t feel like Aerona and Niran’s friendship was rushed or anything. Throughout the book, the romance developed naturally, something that I feel most authors struggle with, but Kate Cowan did an amazing job at.

Aerona, the protagonist, was really likeable in my opinion. She’s not your typical weak main character, which is why I liked her so much. Additionally, she has both flaws and fears, which makes her an interesting character to read about.
But I feel like the ending was kinda rushed and that the story itself was missing something in a way. I also think that there wasn’t a lot of world building, which left me a bit confused at times. But it was still developed enough to the point where the story flowed. However, the book was also marketed as dark fantasy but I don’t think I’d classify it as such. Despite its short length and few flaws, I really enjoyed the book and i highly recommend it. 3.75★

[Dario Pacheco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book for sure was one that came out of left field for me. I randomly gave it a chance with its intriguing synopsis of a girl, who is now the last of her people, tasked with protecting a Prince her people were caring for. Broken hearted and defeated Aero out sets on a journey to get the Prince back to his home while planning to get financial backing to rebuild her home and get revenge on the people that took everything from her.
This book was for sure gripping one for me. It reminded me of Mulan with its strong central character, Aero, being the only female in training to be a Shae, Fearless warrior monks who train their whole lives to defend the realm.
She is underestimated and judged for not being what society expects a woman to be. She fights head on and it’s just admirable to see her show that she earned her title and that women have just as much as right to be bada**es as men do. Her romance flowed smoothly and naturally and made sense with how the story progressed,which I loved. It sometimes had its moments with predictability but did it enjoyably. I for sure want to keep reading about Aero’s journey of revenge and romance.
Would I recommend this book? I would. If you love bad a** female main characters and intriguing stories. Aero and her journey to stop a demon from destroying the world will have you flipping through pages like a maniac.
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for a copy of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.

[Reece · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley

Well. This was certainly center-aligned.

Sorry to the author, but I'm not going to be kind. There was almost an error on every page, some pages many errors. I don't expect perfection in an ARC, but I do have some expectations.

Sentries are centuries, quotation marks are missing, commas in the wrong spot, lots of colons and semicolons which are not always used correctly. Given the amount of errors, I have to assume this wasn't beta'd. It's just a lot to look past for a mediocre book.

"A dark YA Fantasy" This book isn't what I would call dark. It's like bubblegum dark if at all. It's called legends of ash and dust, but I do not get the reference. Unless it somehow cropped up in the last 10% I skimmed, I don't see how the title is relevant.

The story is not compelling. It reads quite blatantly as a book with Asian themes written by a White person. It's just cringey. There's an element of romance, but it's not interesting. The characters are all quite static and boring. The main character is very bland and, for someone who is supposed to be bad ass, often a bit weak and dumb. I made it to like 90% and finally felt the urge to peace out, so I just skimmed the rest, and there isn't even a satisfying ending.

Boo-urns.

[BookWaffle :3 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, my, what a wonderful book! I don't know how to formulate a short and nicely written review at the moment. I am still too focused on this book, what I read, and how much I want it.
I urge you to buy, love, read and appreciate it. This has got to be one of the most creative fantasy books I have read in a while. It is an absolute wonder.

[whatnolareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to be completely honest the first page was hard to get through I don't know why but it was. After the first couple of pages, I became lost in the story of Aero and Prince Niran. Areo's character was well-developed and she was a strong female lead with so much emotional depth you couldn't help but be pulled into her. The way her character was written made you feel what she felt and I loved that I could immerse myself into this book because of that.

The friendship between Areo and Niran is very believable and grows organically throughout the book which I love. This book is a slow burn, low spice, and has a lot of action as far as fight scenes. This was one of those books where it kept you pulled in wanting to know more, not wanting to put it down. I think it could have had a little more world-building but what the author put in did wonders for the world as is.
I would love to have seen more of both Chime and Raiden I think the author needs to look into developing those two as something more I would read a book about both of them especially if Chime becomes a bad as Shae.
I do feel as if the end was rushed a little but I can't wait to read book two. I will be purchasing this book for my collection.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Source* Kindle Unlimited
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5

*Thoughts*

Kate Cowan's Legends of Ash and Dust is the first installment in the authors The Fearless Saga series. Aerona was raised by legends to be a weapon after she was abandoned by her mother. The Shae Warriors are the closest thing this world has to the supernatural: fearless warrior monks who train their entire lives to protect the realm from all threats. They have sealed themselves off for the past 14 years since war between the realms. But after Prince Niran of Dothor is found by Aero close to the Shae sanctuary, it brings the harbinger of bad things to come.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Beth Rosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one so much that I already read the next one too! Such an intriguing story of being the last of her kind. Being the only female Shae warrior and the last of her kind is challenging. In addition, being a teenager battling emotions and hormones as a celibate monk is also difficult, and this leads to some interesting scenes in the book.

I honestly can't wait for the third one in this series.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Legends of Ash and Dust” by Kate Cowan is the first book of The Fearless saga. Aerona, the only woman raised by the Shae Warriors to become a Shae warrior herself. The Shae warriors are warrior monks that protect the realm from evil. When the Red Wolf Army attacks the Shae Warriors Aerona is the only one left. As the last Shae she is determined to protect Niran, the prince who saved her life. Both set out to the Golden City, where evil lurks in the shadows.

I really liked this book. The lore and world building were unique and fun. I loved how strong Aerona was, especially next to Niran who was also strong but mentally weaker than her. I liked the fact that I didn’t know who she should trust throughout the book, so it had a lot of mystery to the story. The first half of the book was a bit slow, but the second half was much faster. I can’t wait to read the second book. 4 out of 5 stars.

-Strong FMC
-Royalty
-Magic
-Drugs
-Evil King
-Monks

[Tay (Read With Tay) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I was provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

This book was SO. GOOD. I was hooked from the moment I started it and I am so glad I requested it (and that the second is out now!) Aero was such a bada** main character. I appreciated how strong she was and how she didn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of her goals. The romance was a secondary plot and I enjoyed that as well, because the book was plot-driven.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea what to expect from this book. And I’m so happy I took the jump and gave it a chance.

The story is simple and sad and beautifully written. A young orphan girl is brought under the wing of a secret group of warriors. The first woman accepted to train with them. And the last of them when her people are wiped out in a night raid. Leaving her alone to take the young prince back to his father’s “loving” arms.

A mixture of amusing characters fill out this beautiful cast and build this world of unknown magic and wonder.

The moral of this story, trust no one and even then you will find allies in the strangest places.

If you’re looking for something action packed, fast paced, full of intrigue and coming of age, look no further!

[Emm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shae warriors are the protects of the six kingdoms. After finding Aerona, they take her in and she becomes the first and only woman apprentice of the Shae. Years later Aerona or Aero as she is mostly called, saves the life of Prince Niran and is tasked with taking care of him and returning with him to his city Dorthor. Soon after, an army of Red Wolves, take out the Shae leaving Aero as the last. Aero and Niran must work together to return to Dorthor and avenge the Shae.

Rating: 4/5 stars. ⭐️

Opinion: I liked this book a lot. The pacing is nice and the world building is done well. The writing itself is easy to read and follow.

This is marketed as a dark YA novel and while it has “dark” themes, I wouldn’t say this book is dark.

Aero is great and I love that she’s a strong FMC, but sometimes it comes off as being “not like other girls.” This is somewhat fine as of course she isn’t like other girls, but it can be a bit annoying when it’s mentioned a few too many times. She has multitudes, which is really great. She’s fierce but also gets scared. She’s strong, but sometimes she needs help

Niran was great too. I liked him a lot and didn’t really have complaints about his character.

Chime was awesome and I loved the friendship that formed between her and Aero

I loved the relationship building between Niran and Aero. A lot of romantasies get straight into the romance and leave behind the friendship, but here their relationship starts as a friendship and rides that wave for a good amount of time in my opinion.

I don’t understand why the Shae were so easily killed when they are the protectors of the six kingdoms. It almost felt like they didn’t even fight back and accepted that they were at a loss. I think if they were attacked once before and lost a lot of people and then were attack again and that’s what made them die would make this point stronger.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tension and action drive this tale forward with a strong character to root for the entire way through.

I picked this one up hoping for a fast-paced tale and rich fantasy world, and it does a good job with both of these. The story begins with Aerona as the only female in a monk society, known for their fearless and amazing fighting strength. She rescued a young man, who's lost his memory, but with care and time, he gets it back, and when he does, the world flip-flops. Aerona's people don't even see the danger coming, leaving her as the last known survivor. Now, she has to stop an evil force and live up to her upbringing.

This is a rich read with many unexpected plot twists, tons of intrigue, quite a few fight scenes, and a heroine, who will not stop until she achieves her goals. Not only is she strong, but she has enough weaknesses and softness to make her likeable. It was easy to root for her and hope she makes it through. There is a hint of romance, but I was happy to see that this is very slow burn. Instead, it's the challenges Aerona and the others face, which weaves the tale.

The world building is done well enough to allow the story to flow and the scenes to come to life. Most of the characters carry enough depth to make them interesting, although a few were a bit light. The first page did distract thanks to the heavy use of italics. Luckily, this changed, and the tale immediately pulled in after that. The story does hold the reader in the pages and offers plenty of layers and richness. There was a scene (a major one) in the beginning, which I, unfortunately, just couldn't find peace with (nothing major but it hit me wrong), and then, the ending came with a rush. So, I'm not sure I'll be heading on to the next book, although I did enjoy this read and do recommend it. I received a DRC through Netgalley.

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: Aerona, the last of the Shae Warriors, is forged into a weapon by legends. In a world shattered by the Red Wolf army, she embarks on a quest for revenge, tasked with protecting Prince Niran. However, as she unravels the mysteries of the Shae, a terrifying evil threatens the palace, putting every life at stake.

Pros:
🌟 Three stars for a great and intricate plot that weaves together revenge, political intrigue, slow-burn, and supernatural elements. A mix of suspense that keeps you turning the pages.

💖 Loved the characters Aero and Niran, whose dynamics and add depth and heart to the story.

Cons:
👻 Though advertised as dark, it may not delve into super-dark territories. However, the intrigue and suspense provide a captivating journey, even for those with a penchant for the darker side.

🤔 The Asian-inspired setting, while commendable, does reveal nuances to those well-versed in Asian history and lore. The sensitivity and authenticity might be questioned, but it's all a matter of perspective.

In conclusion, "Legends of Ash and Dark" is a captivating blend of revenge, romance, and supernatural mysteries. As you navigate the palace's twists and turns, beware of the lurking darkness and the secrets that could shatter legends anew. A commendable quest with a sprinkle of action and a touch of the fantastical! 👏🌟

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC copy. Opinions are as diverse as the Eastern world, and this review is crafted with the charm of a slow-burning fantasy. 🌙📖

[Sarahpants · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legends of Ash and Dust by Kate Cowan is the first book in The Fearless Saga, a young adult fantasy series. It introduces Aerona, the last of the Shae Warriors, who is not only the sole survivor of her people but also the first female Shae in history. The plot revolves around her quest for revenge after the Shae are wiped out by the Red Wolf Army, and her duty to protect a prince named Niran.

The novel features an atmospheric, Asian-inspired setting, which many readers appreciate for its unique take on world-building without directly copying existing cultures. Cowan’s writing has been praised for its vivid descriptions and immersive world, but some readers have noted inconsistencies in pacing, especially in the second half, where the story sometimes feels rushed. The character of Aerona, balancing her warrior identity and emotional turmoil as a teenager, adds depth to the narrative.

Overall, Legends of Ash and Dust is lauded for its intriguing premise and promises of further development in future installments, though it may require some patience with its uneven pacing

Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with the DRC and allowing me to provide my honest review

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman who is more than she appears saves the life of a prince. Aerona was raised by the Shae Warriors and is always trying to prove herself, the only woman among men. But why take in a woman? It appears the Shae have kept many secrets, but Aerona does not realize that until she starts her journey to restore the Shae. Aerona has never left the sanctuary, but the upheaval has caused her to flee with the son of the emperor and return him home. Niran and Aerona encounter much on their journey, especially danger. From those hunting Aerona to those involved in slavery, the two travel until they reach the city. Nothing is as it seems, everyone has an ulterior motive, and trust is almost nonexistent. Everyone keeps secrets, but the right price will lead to betrayal. To discover the truth, Aerona must look to the past for answers and discover what she truly is and why she is being hunted.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you! All thought and opinions are my own.

[marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

*thank you netgalley and the author for an arc in exchange for an honest review*

wow, oh wow! i LOVED this. the action, the budding romance, the twists and turns, all of it was amazing

i especially loved the asian inspired world and characters, it was nice to see that in a fantasy novel.

this was fast paced but not in a way that made it feel lacking in any area. i felt immersed in this world and so connected to these characters.

speaking of characters, our main character aerona is so bad ass. i loved being inside her head and watching her fight against everything thrown at her. she knew when she could do things and also when she couldn’t and it was time to turn over

the discussion of drug abuse and addiction was also really lovely and not something i expected. it was raw and real and i appreciated the discussions and moments niran and aerona had about it.

and speaking of niran and aerona, how dare you?? i need to read the next book asap because how could you?! the slow burn and tension between these two was killing me (in the best way)

[Devsai · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!!

How do legends die?

This is a book about the journey of a warrior girl Aerona who belongs to the Shae (a group of warriors). In a blink of an eye she loses her entire Shae family and is forced to run away with the prince she saved and make sure he is back in his kingdom while being his bodyguard.

No. Legends don’t die in a blaze of glory, in shaking sunsets, or godly
battles. They die like anyone else.
They bleed.

This was an amazing book. I liked the realistic way in which Nilan's addiction had been depicted and how Aerona dealt with it. I liked Aerona even more as I read further which makes it hard to believe that this book is so underrated.

I am so sad Nilan died in the end, but am also intrigued about Shen.

I am very excited to read the next book soon!

[cshellz · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This book was gifted by netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!* This book was interesting. I would definitely call it Avatar the Last Air bender inspired. It’s about a girl who is raised by a group of all male Monks called the Shae. She grows up away from the outside world until she’s 18, at which time due to certain circumstances her life is turned upside down and she’s basically alone fighting for her life. The reason I say this is Avatar inspired (without spoiling it too much) is due to a few reasons. 1) the main character is oblivious to what the world outside her temple home is like so like Ang she’s unaware of customs and how to act around everyday people. She sticks out like a sore thumb. 2) she’s a parentless girl being raised by monks away from the world. Monks with magical abilities. A group of monks that get tattooed when they reach a certain age. 3) the big city sounds so much like Ba Sing Se I kid you not. There are other reasons that I can’t say without spoiling the book 😭👀 it was a good read and the end definitely has me wanting to find out more. The beginning was amazing but once they reached the city in the second half it kind of started to feel a bit rushed and choppy. It was still a good read tho I enjoyed the twists and turns. If you grew up liking Avatar then you will enjoy this like I did. It had a nostalgic feel to it.

[Vicki (MayhemBoundBookshelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ebook through NetGalley to review.
I’ve seen quite a few criticisms of this book stating that the author may not fully understand Asian culture and Lore but as someone who is not deeply versed in these either, it was an enjoyable book with some unexpected twists and an easy to follow world-building.
My biggest critique is of that of the editing. There were so many errors in the text that at times it felt amateurish and like it was a draft, not a finished product. If KC is able to obtain a better editor for her sequel(s) I think it would serve her well.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really do not like giving negative feedback, but I found this book a chore to get through. The characters were simply not interesting and I was not at all invested in the stakes. It is very much a YA novel, but the writing and dialogue feel even younger than that. The world building somehow feels hollow. It is an interesting premise but the one dimensional nature of the characters and lackluster backdrop cannot carry the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the ARC.

[JoAnn W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, this was an enjoyable read for me! This was definitely teen/YA. Following the FMC who has to find herself once she is outside of the care of the Shae when she turns 18 years old. I love the idea of a strong female being a warrior, but I feel this particular trope is overdone in YA series, especially when paired with her history. I did love the overall build of Areo and Niran's relationship and the adventure and pace of this book. Overall, this was a fun read and I can see the series growth in the future!

[Sara Mcfadden · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Kate Cowan for the opportunity to read rare and review this arc which is now available for purchase!

These are my thoughts. No insult to the author but I have many issues. You can tell this story was supposed to be Asian inspired but clearly written by someone not in those cultures. Lackluster writing and many many liberties taken with a culture not her own. I do not recommend this book to anyone.

[Jenna Deaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legends of Ash and Dust by Kate Cowan is a delightful fantasy read and promising series opening.
What I loved
- Atmospheric writing style
-Asian inspired setting that doesn't simply try to copy paste the culture
What didn't work as well for me
-Pacing and tone consistency were a bit all over the place. especially during the second half of the work
Who I recommend this title for
Fans of work such as shadow of the fox may enjoy the the darker theme elements to this fantasy offering.

[Nochu_Dee]

With all due respect to the author, I did not expect this story to be East and South Asian inspired. As an Asian American, a woman of color, I always feel very uncomfortable when Caucasian authors write fictional books based on Asian traditions/legends/history/mythology/lore. Therefore I will refrain from reviewing this book. DNF at 38%. I hope you understand my point of view.

[Tiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting plot line. The spelling errors that i have seen mentioned in other reviews appear to be fixed. I found it to be a little bit difficult to read at some parts, and the ending was a bit disappointing, but that was only because Kate Cowan did such a good job at making me love the characters. Hopefully what happens at the end can be resolved/ rewound in the next book!

[Holly Gonzales · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC reader for NetGalley

I enjoyed the premise of the story. It’s a good read if you can look past all the mistakes in the writing. With a bit more polishing and proper editing this could be a great series.

Not the fault of the author, but the arc I had was completely unreadable, so the version I read was the published final version on kindle unlimited.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong woman protagonist, Aero has trained her entire life as a warrior. She faces betrayal after betrayal as she attempts to determine her course in life. This book is full of battles and high energy scenes juxtaposed with drama and a slow burning love story. The cliff hanger ending has me ready to read the next book to find out what happens next.

[quillsandpages · Rating 4 out of 5]

***This is a review of an ARC sample from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

This book was amazing with It's setting and plot. I loved the vibe of mountainous regions and a training center nestled in between them, 4 Stars from me.

[zoe klein · Rating 1 out of 5]

im counting this because i read over 50%

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. The story is very well written. The character are fantanstic. I already have book 2 downloaded.