Thank you to netgalley for providing an ARC of this book to me. All opinions within this review are my own.

I want to start by saying this book was a fun read and the FMC had some good character development throughout her narrative. She was an interesting character and clearly went through a lot that she had to overcome, however I couldn't truly build a relationship in my head with her because she seemed like a pick me girl which took me out of my enjoyment. Her dedication to moving through the challenging moments and facing them down was great though, and I hope we see more of that in the future books.

I will say that the pacing felt incredibly off at points and like the story its self was rushed. This made some of the narrative beats seem predictable, and if we had more time in these moments then it could have improved the narrative even more. The time jumps that happened also confused me, and made me feel like we were rushing to meet certain moments, when if we'd spent more time in these time periods then it would have felt more fleshed out.

Overall, it was a fun read and I managed to fly through it because it was so easy to just pick up even if I was lost and wanting more at times. I am excited for future books and to see where the narrative goes and just to see more of what the author can do.

This was an intriguing start to the Araceli’s Blade series with a lot of exciting ideas and world building. The plot moved quickly, and at times it felt a bit rushed, but the story still held enough suspense and action to keep me engaged. I’m kind of curious to see where the series goes from here so I might pick up the next one.

I wanted to love this but I was quite bored. The pacing was so slow to start, I could also have done without the whole first part and went straight into the assassin portion of the story.

I also would have loved more depth regarding the FMC's magic and how her grandmother was involved, but maybe something we'll hear about in the next book.

Overall a decent read, just not one of my favourites.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the eARC.

Alora is a strong morally grey FMC out for revenge after losing the people she loves. I will always love a character who is on a mission and knows how to fight!
As she becomes an assassin and a symbol of hope she ends up caught in the middle of political drama magic and a surprise betrothal to her fated mate the Sunnevean prince she spent one unforgettable night with.
There is just the right amount of spice woven in with the romance enough to raise the stakes without taking over the story. It hits that perfect balance of tension and heat.
Her assassin found family was one of my favorite parts of the book so wholesome in the middle of all the chaos. The romance is messy and emotional just the way I like it.
A lot happens in this story for how short it is but it never felt rushed. It’s full of action, emotion & twists. The ending left me on edge and I cannot wait for book 2!!!
4.5 ⭐️

Bittersweet and intense - the emotion is just wow. Not a happy, perky tale, but dark and searing - like burning ink under your skin. And did I say intense? Ends on a cliff, but really was a cliff all along ...

⭐ Rating: 3.5/5

Daughter of Shadows and Ash is a dark and engaging start to a fantasy romance series filled with vengeance, hidden royalty, and a heroine caught between duty and unexpected destiny. Alora, shaped by tragedy, turned into an assassin, is a compelling protagonist whose emotional journey stands at the heart of the story.

The book blends action, court intrigue, and romance in a way that feels classic yet fresh. One of the story’s most striking elements is the fated twist that throws Alora into the path of a prince, after an encounter she never expected to mean anything more. This bond complicates her mission in all the right ways, setting the stage for tension, emotional growth, and high stakes.

The writing is smooth and atmospheric, interesting, an immersive read that held my attention. It has all the pieces for a strong fantasy series: a layered world, a morally complex heroine, and a romance that doesn’t shy away from intensity.

I’d recommend this one to fans of dark fantasy with a romantic edge, especially those who enjoy heroines with sharp edges and complicated choices. I’m curious to see where the series goes next.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Your heart can be your greatest weapon or your worst enemy.” An easy five stars for me! Lor is a badass assassin that I can get behind. When her life and her future are literally burned to the ground, she runs head first into a life of vengeance. But when she meets Oryn, she’s stuck between her thirst for revenge and her growing feelings for him. Speaking of the men in this book…someone bring me a fan, they are hot! I absolutely love the banter, the flirtation and the 🌶️! The world building is super immersive too and her writing style is lyrical while still being descriptive. I can’t wait for book 2!

I am grateful for receiving an ARC! It was a great storyline and I enjoyed the main characters involved. However, I did feel like when you got one step forward, you were taking two steps back, but then also at times it felt rushed.

after reading the synopsis, i was so excited to read this book. and it’s a short one too! sadly, this one just wasn’t for me...

the characters was the main issue of why i disliked it. i didn’t care for alora and maël’s little romance going on, her desperation for him was quite annoying to read about and she was way too whiny for my liking. it was hard staying in her head and see her act so juvenile at times.
lydia, as a mean girl, also came across as a bit childish. she didn’t seem like a real true bully and alora was CONSTANTLY feeling down because of her. not only cos lydia said something, but because lydia also liked maël. it was honestly like reading about a middle school romance, i’m sorry. 😭
i did like the fact that alora loved books, but that was pretty much it.

the writing style wasn’t gripping me either as much as i wanted it to. it was simple for a fantasy book.

i also couldn’t call it a dark fantasy book. it just didn’t give me that sort of vibe. if i was 14-15 years old, i probably would’ve liked this book, but now it just didn’t work for me. the characters, the plot, the writing, nothing stood out for me unfortunately. safe to say i won’t be continuing with this series.

Everyone needs to read this book! It is fast paced but nothing gets lost during!! An FMC who has the same love of smutty books like I do!? What a cliff hanger. Can we the next one already??!!

I was drawn to Daughter of Shadows and Ash by Ember Johnson because who doesn't love a stabby FMC seeking revenge for her village, first love, and grandmother? Alora’s transformation from a sweet, shy girl to a silent shadow assassin was compelling and had great potential. However, I struggled to connect with her character as the changes felt too rapid and the story progression a bit rushed. It seemed like Alora accepted her new reality too easily, making it harder for me to fully appreciate the depth of the story.

That said, the book has a lot to offer—fated mates, love, loss, and the nuanced journey in between. While I’m curious to see how the "why choose" dynamic will unfold in the trilogy, I'm left unsure how it will work based on this first installment. Still, it’s a promising start for those who love dark romantasy.

I love that the book is a FMC that's an assassin as it's a trope I enjoy and I am all for vengeance.

I loved the world-building as it was emmersive and a string point of the book. However I think this story took a lot of time to build up, once you hit the key plot points it was a breeze to get through but it took alot to get there. The tense was confused me at times.

I enjoyed reading about Alora and then men in the book. I can't wait for the rest of the story to unfold.

3.5

I did really enjoy this overall - the FMC Lor is fabulous and strong and gives strong Caleana from Throne of Glass vibes. The whole book gives TOG vibes and I am not mad about it.

Overall the characters and a couple of scenes felt very adult however overall vibe was very YA. I think this would be a great read for someone coming out of YA and into adult books.

I did miss some world building until the last portion of the book so I did feel slightly confused up to the that point.

This book follows Alora, who transforms from a grieving daughter into a skilled assassin after her family's murder. Her path of vengeance takes an unexpected turn when a passionate encounter with a stranger leads to a royal betrothal—to the very same man who happens to be her fated mate!

As darkness threatens two kingdoms, Alora faces the ultimate choice: surrender to shadows and vengeance, or embrace love and risk everything for a future she never imagined possible.

The characters and storyline completely won me over, even if I craved more scenes with Alora's family before tragedy struck. Also, while the pacing occasionally alternated between breakneck speed and lingering moments, I still found myself completely immersed in this book from start to finish!

Great characters good storyline. Hooked from the first chapter. Thanks for letting me review. Would continue the series

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! Unfortunately, this was a DNF at 40%. The premise was interesting, but I was forcing myself to read this. The writing felt disjointed and not super captivating. I may try and finish again one day, but for now, just not for me!

I finished Daughter of Shadows and Ash by Ember Johnson a few weeks ago, and what a ride this enchanting story was! Picture a world woven with threads of magic, mystery, and just a sprinkle of mischief—this book is a treasure chest waiting to be opened! It took a while to really get into the meat of it but once it grabbed me, it didn't let go until the very end. That is typical for fantasy books though.

Ember Johnson has a knack for world-building. She does a fantastic job of creating a vivid landscape filled with magic, intrigue, and a touch of darkness. The rich and immersive world-building swept me off my feet and whisked me away to a land where shadows dance and whispers of adventure fill the air. I loved how the author wove in elements of fantasy while still making the characters relatable.

The protagonist, with her struggles and growth, felt like someone I could really root for. She’s a fierce soul with dreams as vast as the night. Watching her grow and tumble through trials was like witnessing a butterfly emerge from its cocoon—truly magical! Johnson has infused her with so much personality that I felt as if we were old friends, sharing secrets over piping-hot cups of tea.

The plot was a winding path of intriguing dynamics. The pacing was hit or miss, but there were enough twists and turns to keep me on my toes. I appreciated the moments of character development sprinkled throughout the action, allowing for some emotional depth that added to my connection with the story.

What really stood out to me was the intricate relationships between the characters. From friendships to rivalries, everything felt fairly genuine and well-crafted. The dialogue was snappy and filled with wit, which made some of the heavier moments hit even harder.

Overall, Daughter of Shadows and Ash is a captivating read that blends fantasy, adventure, and a bit of heart. If you’re a fan of strong female leads and intricate plots, definitely give this one a shot. I can't wait to see what else Ember Johnson creates!

LOVED THIS!!
The plot, pacing, characters, setting and every single page of this book was perfection - I'm in love!!!

The pacing of the book was a little slow for me. It did take awhile to feel the vibes of the book. Once you get to about 50%, the book really takes off. It does give YA vibes, which usually isn't something I go for. But it was enjoyable