I love this book! I need book two asap! This brought me back to the glory days of YA thriller/romance/fantasy. I read this book in one sitting, and it went by too fast; Margaret Mantor's writing is superb. The pacing of the characters, the twists, the turns, the slow-burn romance, the found family I NEED MORE! Do yourself a favour and read this book!

Yall !!!! I am giddy after reading this book! I loved it ! I need more!

If you like sci fi fantasy, distopian world feel, magical elements, family secrets, and will they won't they vibes then get this book TOMORROW!

Thank you netgalley and Margaret Mantor for this amazing ARC !

The narrative is rich with true-to-life storytelling that combines practical advice with the experiences of leaders who have faced crises. It provides insights into how these leaders navigated through turbulent waters, reflecting on their struggles and the lessons learned along the way. The book serves as a resource for those moments when everything seems to be falling apart, offering wisdom that can be applied in real-world situations.The narrative follows the protagonist, a young girl named Elara, who discovers her unique ability to manipulate the elements of air and fire. As she navigates her newfound powers, she becomes embroiled in a conflict between two powerful factions: one that seeks to control elemental magic for their own gain and another that aims to protect it from misuse.

Elara’s journey is not just about mastering her abilities; it also involves deep personal growth as she grapples with her identity and the responsibilities that come with her powers. Alongside her best friend, who harbors secrets of his own, Elara embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind her lineage and the ancient prophecy that ties her fate to the elemental forces.

I start reading this without any expectations and the book didn't disappointed, I loved it.. It gave me huge The last airbender vibes withe elements vibes and Elara story was actually an amazing one.
The FMC lost her mom and right away she founds out that everything she thought she knew actually wasn't the truth and that can mess with our minds but still I loved it.. A girl becoming a woman and finding more from her life and who she is. I loved it everything the story the characters the magic the mysteries and secrets

Wow! What a great debut! I loved the world-building and magic system, I can’t wait to get to know more in the next 2 books!

────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────

Air and Ashes is an engaging, well-written, fast-paced fantasy story with a gripping premise that blends suspense, adventure, and a touch of romance.

Emma’s life takes a drastic turn when, while investigating her mother’s death, she accidentally disables a firewall—an action that triggers a cascade of events she never saw coming. Suddenly, she and her aunt are on the run from a shadowy organization called the Clinic, which hunts Elementums—people with elemental abilities. As Emma is thrown into this hidden world, she learns she is a halfbreed, born to a mother with powers and a father without, making her unique among Elementums. I enjoyed uncovering secrets alongside Emma as the story progressed, which added suspense!! I was sooo here for that!!

The magic system was one of my favourite parts of this; divided into fire, water, earth, and air abilities. I also loved the immersive atmosphere. Margaret Mantor’s writing pulls you into each moment, whether it’s a tense chase scene or a quiet, emotionally charged exchange. The world feels lived-in, and the pacing keeps the mystery unfolding alongside Emma’s own discoveries. The idea of Elementums was so unique, especially with Emma’s status as a “halfbreed,” inheriting a blend of abilities from her parents.

I did find myself wanting more depth in some areas, particularly the romance but also this is only book one so I’m sure we’ll get more Emma and Kaden moments! I didn like the dynamic with Kaden—the classic scarred, brooding love interest—is immediate, leaning into insta-attraction but fitting well with the story’s pacing.

The book also introduces many characters, I felt like some of them weren’t as developed as others/they kind of blended into each other in a way.

Overall, this was so refreshing! It was well-written and entertaining. If you enjoy elemental magic, fast-paced adventure, and characters uncovering hidden truths about themselves, this is a series worth diving into. I loved that the ending sets up the sequel well, leaving plenty of room for deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships, which I’m so excited to learn more about in the next one!

────── ✧ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ♡ ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ✧ ──────

⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹

❥Trilogy (book 1 of 3)
❥Fantasy with a splash of Sci-Fi
❥Genetically Engineered Super Soldiers that Control the Elements
❥Slow Burn Romance
❥Will They or Won’t They
❥Fight for Survival
❥Dark Family Secrets
❥Hidden World Within Our Own
❥Found Family & Band of Misfits
❥Strong but Vulnerable Female Lead
❥Secret War
❥Avatar the Last Airbender x Shadow and Bone x Hanna
❥unOrdinary (webtoon) vibes

Thank you for the ARC, Margaret Mantor, and NetGalley!