ARC Book Review: Roots of Darkness (The Ashen #2.5) by Demi Winters

June 19, 2025June 10, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance Novella
Length: 178 pages
Author: Demi Winters
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 10th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Traveling the Road of Bones was only the start of Hekla’s troubles.

The Bloodaxe Crew have arrived at the village of Istré—beleaguered and missing three of their members. They might be down in numbers, but Hekla ‘Rib Smasher’ is determined they’ll complete their job all the defeat the evil mist with a heartbeat and keep the citizens of Istré safe. What she didn’t expect is for Istré’s bull-headed chieftain to block her every move.

Exasperated, Hekla throws caution to the wind for a single passion-filled night. But to her horror, the mysterious, red-cloaked warrior to whom she’d spilled her deepest secrets, is the Bloodaxe Crew’s new temporary leader and ally—Eyvind Hakonsson.

Hekla must now learn to play by Eyvind’s rules while guarding her heart. But when it becomes clear that his plans align with the chieftain’s, Hekla takes matters into her own hands.

Nothing will stop her from keeping the innocent people of Istré safe—not even the man who haunts her thoughts.

Join Hekla and the remnants of the Bloodaxe Crew as they battle the evil, poisonous mist threatening the citizens of Istré—and perhaps all of Íseldur. This Ashen Series novella should be read after Kingdom of Claw.

Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for a gifted copy.

SUCH A GOOD STORY.

This was a novella I didn’t know I needed. I loved getting this deeper glimpse into Hekla and the way this excited me for book three. Hekla is a fierce FMC who has walked a hard road and I think getting her back story made me fall in love with her more. It made her character feel layered and complex and I hope we get to see more of her POV.

The romance was heated and a good example of making a one night stand trope work well for a short story. I am highly invested in these two and them finding a way to work together as the mist starts closing in. This is one of my favorite active fantasy romance series and I beg of you to pick it up.

Note this is a companion novella and must be read after book two!!

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance Novella
Language: molderate
Romance: 3ish open door scenes
Violence: moderate – high
Content warnings: spousal abuse (recounted), ableism

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

February 15, 2025February 7, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

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:

Fantasy Romance
Language: moderate
Romance: multiple open door
Violence: moderate – high

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Book Review: The Road of Bones (The Ashen #1) by Demi Winters

November 20, 2024November 15, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 500 pages
Author: Demi Winters
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: June 27th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A woman on the run. A crew of Viking mercenaries. A forbidden romance. And the secret which threatens them all.

Silla Nordvig is running for her life.

The queen of Íseldur has sent warriors to bring Silla to Sunnavík, where death awaits her. When her father is killed, his last words set Silla on a perilous quest: travel the treacherous Road of Bones–a thousand-mile stretch haunted by warbands, creatures of darkness, and a mysterious murderer–and go to Kopa, where a shield-house awaits her.

After barely surviving the first stretch of road, a desperate Silla sneaks into a supply wagon belonging to the notorious Bloodaxe Crew. To make it to Kopa, she must win over Axe Eyes, the brooding leader of the Crew, while avoiding the Wolf, his distractingly handsome right-hand man. But the queen’s ruthless assassin has other plans and hunts Silla obsessively.

Will Silla make it safely to Kopa? Or will she fall prey to the perils of the Road of Bones?

Featuring an immersive world blending fairy tale with Vikings, The Road of Bones leads you on an adrenaline-fueled chase with fun banter and a slow-building enemies to lovers romance. The first book in the Ashen Series, you are one click away from reading it!

Thank you Delacorte Press for the gifted copy.

THIS IS WHY I LOVE FANTASY ROMANCE.

Oh gosh, I have been looing for the next hit of dopamine that comes from finding an amazing fantasy romance. BLESS. I obsessively listened to this for two days and I regret nothing. This has one of my most favorite plot devices that I would love to tell you more about but I can’t because that would spoil and I will not ruin the fun. JUST TRUST ME.

I loved the multiple points of view and getting every angle of this world through the different characters. I loooove this found family group and the the road trip journey worked beautifully for this story. I found the world building to be easy to follow and I am obsessed with all of the Viking vibes. It’s gruesome and intricate and leaves you begging for more. I must get my hands on book two.

Overall audience notes: