Book Review: Kingdom of Claw (The Ashen #2) by Demi Winters

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 586 pages
Author: Demi Winters
Publisher: Delacorte
Release Date: February 4th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Silla Nordvig survived the Road of Bones.

In the aftermath of her journey, her dreams of a simple life have been shattered. Beaten, betrayed, and reeling from the revelation of her true name, she flees Kopa with Reynir Galtung, ruthless leader of the Bloodaxe Crew. But Silla soon discovers Rey has been keeping secrets of his own, and they’re forced into hiding together.

Stuck in a shield-home with the murderous man she thought she knew, Silla forms a new plan: master the magic flowing through her veins to save her sister. But before she can do that, Silla must face her most formidable opponent yet–her own inner demons.

Saga Volsik has nothing to lose.

They’ve murdered her family. Stolen her throne. And now they expect her to marry their son. But when she discovers her foster mother has been keeping the biggest secret of all, everything changes.

Saga’s goal: dismantle Queen Signe’s plans piece by piece. The only problem? The handsome Zagadkian dignitary who knows far too many of her secrets.

Meanwhile, dark threads continue to weave themselves through Íseldur as magic long thought dead begins to wake. In this follow-up to The Road of Bones, both women will need to find the strength to step into their destiny and stop chaos from sweeping across the land.

Return to the Kingdom of Íseldur where enemies become lovers and dark secrets hide around each corner. This installment digs deeper into Íseldur’s forbidden magic and the simmering attraction growing between two unlikely couples.

Thank you to Delacorte Press for my gifted copy.

HOT DANG.

I just really need more to get to reading this fantasy series because it is SO GOOD. I loved the sequel and appreciated how much bigger the world became by adding in more POV’s and getting a feel for both sisters, Saga and Silla.

And I really loved the slow burn romances for both sisters. Silla’s was tender and slow and filled with brimming tension. Not to mention, the communication was my absolute favorite!! I love feisty arguments and moments of connection that really show you who someone is and what they are willing to fight more. Saga’s was always incredible because I loved the complexity of the forbidden and hidden identities as she tried to survive a gilded cage.

The ending brought it in so many ways and I am so excited with the new turns book three will take. I love the lore and the Viking inspiration and the world building and magic. It’s all good. And the audiobooks are great too!!

Overall audience notes: