Dawn of the North review

 

Book: Dawn of the North

Author: Demi Winters

Pages: 578

Date(s) Read: February 1^st, 2026 to March 10^th, 2026

Date Published: February 3^rd, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy, Viking

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 3/5

Format: Hard Cover

Date Bought: January 13^th, 2026

Book Cost: $30.27

Dawn of the North is a brilliant work of fantasy that is not to be missed. It's an epic addition to Demi Winters' The Ashen series that will leave you breathless. From the first page to the last I was absolutely gripped by this enthralling work.

 

In this thrilling installment, Silla tries to rouse support for the Volsiks while in the clutches of Myrkur, the god of chaos. The Blood Axe crew continues their battle against the mist with Hekla continuing to take the reins of a leadership role. Signe learns to adjust to her new prison in a foreign land.

 

In this novel the real star is the character development. You see truly tremendous and astounding character growth with Saga as she learns to not only cope with her fears but conquer them. Silla also sees a wealth of character development as she struggles to see herself as a leader, while battling her darker urges under Myrkur's influence.

 

The romance offers a nice break from breathtaking action set pieces and intense political intrigue. Sillas relationship with Rey offers spice, while Saga's with Kassandr features that intense, slow burn I always crave. Various relationships grow, develop, and change in a way we don't usually see in romantasy. It was nice to see an established relationship like the one between Rey and Silla, continue past the initial infatuation stage. That's not often seen in romantasy novels that largely focus on the initial stages of a relationship.

 

This book is a pulse-pounding epic that is a true work of art with an ending that will keep you hooked and ready for the next installment. If you like fantasy at all The Ashen is a must-read series, not just one for romantasy lovers. It is truly epic. Every book improves on the last and this is no exception. Dawn of the North is the best book yet in this explosive series.

Slaying the Shadow Prince review

 

Book: Slaying the Shadow Prince

Author: Helen Scheuerer

Pages: 364

Date(s) Read: January 30^th, 2026 to February 14^th, 2026

Date Published: July 20^th, 2023

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy

Characters: 4/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 3/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Soft Cover

Date Bought: February 4^th, 2025

Book Cost: $15.99

Review:

Slaying the Shadow Prince is a fun story that connects with the Thezmarr universe. It's not an earth-shattering or groundbreaking work, but it is a solid romantasy that fans of Scheuerers will enjoy

Shadow & Storms

 

Book: Shadow & Storms

Author: Helen Scheuerer

Pages: 442

Date(s) Read: February 3^rd, 2026 to February 15, 2026

Date Published: June 20^th, 2024

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 2/5

Format: Soft Cover

Date Bought: November 3^rd, 2025

Book Cost: $15.99

Review:

Shadow & Storms is an exciting and satisfying ending to the Legends of Thezmarr quartet.

 

In Shadows & Storms we see the epic conclusion to Arto's evil plans with a fantastic final battle that spans chapters. All of your favorite characters return for this final stand against the forces of evil. You'll find plenty of action, twists, romance, and found family moments in this fabulous finale.

 

The Characters really shine in this stellar story. The interactions and relationship between the sisters really gives you a true sense of a family dynamic. The romance shows complex dynamics that can only happen from a seasoned couple which is a rare thing in a romantasy, usually you just get the beginning of a relationship, not the hard earned middle.

 

This novel stars off with a bang and goes from there. It is incredibly fast paced but each moment carries the appropriate emotional weight and depth it should have. Emotional character interactions are poignant, losses are felt, and the battles are tense.

 

There isn't anything I can say that's bad about this book. If you enjoyed the first 3 books you will absolutely looooove the conclusion to Thea and Wilders tale.

Behind Five Willows review

 

Book: Behind Five Willows

Author: June Hur

Pages: 336

Date(s) Read: January 5^th, 2026 to February 18^th, 2026

Date Published: May 26^th, 2026

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Romance, Asian

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 4/5

Format: Kindle

Date Bought: N/A

Book Cost: 0.00

Behind Five Willows is a moving and poignant love story, not just about romantic love but familial love.

 

In the late 1700's Shin Haewon is a criminal. She transcribes illicit and illegal novels that are deemed by the king to be damaging to society. When Haewon crosses paths with Yu Seojun her life will never be the same, and neither will his, as they both become embroiled in scandal.

 

The writing is beautiful and moving. I initially struggled to get into the story as I am unused to June Hur writing such a low-stakes, cozy romance, but by the end, I was enamored. Character interactions are handled with a delicacy and passion that make the characters leap off the page. The characters are all so three-dimensional and multifaceted, not just the hero and heroine. This might be one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.

 

Behind Five Willows is a passionate love story that is both simple and clean in its approach but is nonetheless impactful. You'll love the characters, feel gripped by their circumstances, and feel a deep satisfaction at the end.

 

Behind Five Willows is a romance that everyone should read. It handles the intricacies of difficult family dynamics with care, has a passionate romance or two, and many powerful and empowering messages about love, self, and family.  

Brave review

 

Book: Brave

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pages: 433

Date(s) Read: January 28^th, 2026 to February 12^th, 2026

Date Published: December 11^th, 2017

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Fae

Characters: 4/5

Writing style: 4/5

Story: 3/5

Ending:  4/5

Cover: 5/5

Format: Hard Cover (Arcane Society)

Date Bought: November 2025

Book Cost: $50.00

Review:

Not much to say. The ending to the Wicked trilogy. It was okay. It wasn't bad by any means but felt a little unfinished. I would have liked to have seen what happened to the other characters.

Fates & Furies review

 

Book: Fates & Furies

Author: Helen Scheuerer

Pages: 466

Date(s) Read: January 7^th, 2026 to February 2^nd, 2026

Date Published: February 20^th, 2024

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Fantasy, Romantasy

Characters: 5/5

Writing style: 5/5

Story: 5/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 2/5

Format: Soft Cover

Date Bought: November 19^th, 2025

Book Cost: $15.99

Review:

Fates & Furies is a satisfying sequel in the third novel of the Legends of Thezmarr series.

 

In Fates & Furies our heroine, embittered Althea, chases her former lover, the fallen warsword Wilder Hawthorne, across the kingdom for his crimes in the previous book. While journeying with her friends she finds out there's more to Wilders betrayal, thrusting very difficult choices Altheas way.

 

This book does the found family trope quite well, the other characters are interesting and unique with fully fleshed out personalities and backgrounds. Thea herself also goes through tremendous character growth that I rarely see in novels these days.

 

This was an excellent novel that keeps up the momentum and pacing of the story quite well. With this book the Legends of Thezmarr series remains a strong romantasy series with lots of romance, action, and a motley crew of characters.

Torn review

 

Book: Torn

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pages: 420

Date(s) Read: January 9^th, 2026 to January 28^th, 2026

Date Published: July 19^th, 2016

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Fae, Urban Fantasy

Characters: 3/5

Writing style: 4/5

Story: 4/5

Ending:  5/5

Cover: 4/5

Format: Hard Cover (Arcane Society)

Date Bought: October 2025

Book Cost: $50.00

Review:

Torn is a solid urban fantasy follow-up to wicked. Not sure what else to say. Definitely worth checking out if you like fae and or urban fantasy.