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

One of the most finest and fast paced fantasy Ive ever read so far!
Alora's character growth is extremely beautiful and it takes us along with her journey and helps to connect us with her more!
Maël is the inner conscious best friend we all need!
The tragedies, the betrayals, the revelations were dropped exactly when I wasn't expecting it to come in!!
I love her assassin found family....it's really sweet esp vanya and Augustus!!!
Super excited for book two
Highly highly recommend!!!!

I wish I could keep pressing the rating stars coz it was that great!!! Kuddos to the author with such a fantastic job!!

This was an interesting book, overall, I enjoyed but I think it was trying to do too many things so it felt a little disjointed and slow in the beginning then very fast paced at the end. Alora begins pining after her best friend and eventually finds out he loves her too, but before their life can begin their village is attacked and everyone but her ends up dead. She then transforms into a badass assassin, we just don't see that... which felt a bit odd. It skips time and then the real story begins when she has a one night stand with Ryn which leads into an unexpected betrothal. I really enjoyed the second half of the book which is why I will totally wanna continue with the series and why it gets 4 stars. I think if the beginning had been structured a bit different it could've been a 5 star read cause I really liked Alora.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

First I want to thank the author, publisher, and netgalley for making it possible for me to read this book. It wasn't bad but wasn't really what I was expecting either. Sadly it fell a little flat for me

This book kinda gets lost in the world building but it was still a great story. You have a great mfc who is ready to kick butt and you have plenty of spice to see you through the story. Thank you NetGalley

Book 1 of a new series with fantasy, spice, and dark romance - what more could you want? Only the sequels!!

Thank you to NetGalley for this eARC gifted in exchange for my honest review.

A fantasy book with a strong FMC this book has some of your favorite franchise vibes to this. With Dark Romance & Fated Mates & Arranged marriage.

Alora is strong & determined. It was a bit of all over the place so this could be a hit or miss. With a lot of common themes and plots of some of your favorites but I enjoyed it enough.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

🌶️🌶️
The title is very fitting for this book. I imagine the FMC Alora just repeatedly tastes ash as the hits just keep coming. It's hard not to relate to Lor as a fellow bookworm and I love that she never loses that side of her. I really enjoyed this book, but there were some small things that struck me as odd. The pacing was very rushed at times and some events felt like they came out of nowhere and needed a little more explanation than what was given. The worldbuilding was strong and immersive. The side characters were hit-and-miss but mostly lovable hits.

The ending had me cursing Ember Johnson mostly how dare she break me like this and when can I read book two?!?! The book just had so many twists and turns and I need to know what happens to Lor next and who is on the receiving end of her fury now. I really appreciate the full color art included in this book. Can this be standard even in ebooks please! This is definitely for people who like their fantasy dark and MCs raw, real and with high murder counts. I am hopeful this is another ACoTaR situation where book two is a 6-star read and I will be waiting for that ARC signup!

🔥Found Family
🗡️Assassin FMC
🔥Fated Mates
🗡️Peasant to princess
🔥Feminine rage
🗡️Hidden powers
🔥Prophecy
🗡️Vengeance

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, Cursbreaker Books and author Ember Johnson for this eARC

Daughter of Shadows and Ash was a fun read.
I loved the way Alora grows through her journey of revenge. The pacing was a little slow in the beginning and I would have liked the worldbuilding to be a bit more fleshed out, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and am excited to see where the story takes us in book 2.

Okay wow! I loved this book.
The world building dragged me in and I felt fully submerged before I even had a chance to realise it! I truly felt as though I could see it around me.
I loved the fact we had a strong fmc and how the spicy moments didn’t over shadow the story!

A strong FMC dealing with heartbreak? What more could you want from a fantasy aside from the twists you get from this quick read! Great world building where I didn't feel like it was too much but gave me just enough. Really enjoyed this, just wish it wasn't so rushed at some parts.

The story was very interesting and had me on the edge of my seat. The storyline is captivating and exciting and I didn't want to stop reading the book. Alora is a strong FMC and I really came to love her as she is very relatable. After this ending, the book definitely has me eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Daughter of Shadows and Ash by Ember Johnson is a captivating young adult fantasy that blends dark magic with heart-pounding romance. The writing is sharp and immersive, with vivid world-building that pulls you right into its mystical universe. Alora, the fierce and determined main character, is a standout—her quest for vengeance after the loss of her loved ones makes her journey both emotional and empowering. The dialogue between characters is engaging, and there are some well-written spicy moments that add depth to the romance. If you're a fan of dark fantasy and romance, this book is a must-read!