This book was a little complicated to get through. I did like the story premise and Mael was a good character to start the story off with.

3.5✨

Thank you to NetGalley and Cursebreaker Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The overarching theme I get from this is a YA with adult characters and scenes. If you love YA but just want that little bit extra from it then you will absolutely love this book!

The imagery from the writing is truly immersive, like I really feel like I can see the world, but I'm not sure I need the woods described to me more than maybe twice, like I get it, and I feel like that really slows down this book. I loved the first few chapters as it gave me a minute to get into the world and the story but with limited worldbuilding and info dumps I don’t necessarily feel like I understood the world until much further along in the book.

You can really feel the Throne of Glass influence in this book, but Alora is Celaena's quite distant cousin that just so happens to be on the same vibes, this entire story has its own intricacies and details that are different from Throne of Glass, but the influence is strong. (and I do not hate that)

Once you actually get into the meat of this book at about 50ish% that’s when it starts getting really good, honestly before that is essentially a prelude to get you into the world, but the actual story is super enjoyable. As I said it very much has YA vibes in some of the character decisions and ways they act, and while that’s not my fave and I am not a huge fan of YA with adult characters, I didn’t feel alienated from the story.

I have a lot of questions left unanswered so I am absolutely going to be waiting for book 2 and if this is the base, I can only feel that book 2 will be even better.

Daughter of shadows and ash has twists and turns on every page! This is my first read from this author and it did not disappoint. Lor is a strong FMC who is dealing with alot of heartbreak throughout this book. She becomes an assassin in hopes for vengeance against those who wronged her (without giving too much away). She is then swept away into a world of Royals that are not as they seem. Overall, I could not put this down, the writing was very entrancing but I will admit some spots seemed a little short or rushed. I wish the book was longer, but seeing as it seems it will be a trilogy, it left off on a perfect spot. I have some theories for the next book, but time will tell! If you enjoy shadows, fae, fated mates, and strong FMC, this one is for you!
Thank you to the author, Net Galley and Cursebreaker books/ Victory editing for this ARC :)

Daughter of Shadows and Ash by new to me author Ember Johnson, published by Cursbreaker Books, is the first book in the Araceli's Blade Series.
A dark read with some lengths, mildly pretentious language, example: "her voice wove spells of comfort" and deals with some sensitive subject.
I was pretty quick bored and shlepped through the story because I wanted to be no quitter, hoping the story could peak my interset at some point.

This was a really great dark fantasy romance! A one night stand turns into a major problem when he turns out to be her arranged marriage partner. After becoming an assassin to avenge her family and finding herself here, we've got a really interesting premise!