Thank you to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, Elyssia Books, and Anna Holmes for the opportunity to read Ember in exchange for an honest review.

This fantasy has it all: prospective coronations, plots against the crown, rebellion, magic, romance; what more can a seeker of a great young adult fantasy series ask for?

Ember is the first novel of the Elyssia Quartet. It follows the shifting first-person perspectives of Caelin and Alain. Caelin is the crown princess of the Rosalian Empire, though her advisor does not yet think she is ready. She might just agree.

In his own plotting, Alain plans to kidnap princess Caelin. Perfect timing for her to get away from her advisors and see the world, acting for the better of her people from outside the palace. Alain is confused by the ease of her kidnapping, only to find she has turned his plan against him.

In an enemies to friends to lovers tale, the two venture together, along with other close companions, to save the people of the country, stop an uprising against the crown, and forsake a marriage that was never wanted. 

The novel has a fairly traditional fantasy plot, though the dynamic between character interactions is well-written and the world of Elyssia is one for fantasy lovers to immerse themselves in. An excellent start to a series for young adult readers and lovers of a tried-and-true fantasy adventure.

Ember is a great ya fantasy book! It’s full of action, interesting conversations, and unexpected events. I really liked the beginning of this book. Caelin is different from other main characters, she is looking for an adventure, and she is brave. I also liked the chemistry between Caelin and Alain.

This was a very enjoyable fantasy book that finally talks about the consequences of war in a fantasy setting!
So many books tend to gloss over the after effects of a war and its incredibly interesting and refreshing to see this story explore that.
The main characters were great and relatable and the secondary characters were just as interesting and added levity to many a situation,

Overall i was a fan of this book and would love to read more from this author.

I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you!
This novel was different from other novels in the sense is was a story about after the war was fought rather than what goes on before and during the war. The story is told in first person point of view of the two main characters. Princess Caelin fought in the war against the Rosalian Empire to free Elyssia. She is expecting to be crowned queen, but her lead adviser does not believe she is ready. Caelin is frustrated, but lets it go. Alain Flynn, a magical prodigy, has plans to kidnap Caelin and have her answer for her crimes. However, when Caelin hears about slave camps, she uses the kidnapping as a way to escape to discover the truth. Both Alain and Caelin misjudge the other, but as they travel to discover the truth, they uncover other dangerous plots and treacheries, and learn more about each other. Alain realizes Caelin will be good for her people, but he has his own secrets. Only together can they save Elyssia from those who wish to have power and revenge.