Ember and Ash Review

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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Ember and Ash (Thorne Saga, #1) by Lisa Renee Jones
Published by Independently Published Genres: Angels, Demons, Fantasy & Magic
Format: eARC
Source: Provided by author for honest review
Goodreads

In the dark of the night, there is passion and destruction…
Criminal defense attorney Ember Thorne thought the biggest challenge of her life would be her quest to navigate the justice system on behalf of the wrongly accused. That is, until she finds herself in the sights of an otherworldly evil, desperately hunting what she cannot kill, not yet, at least. Nothing in her life, or in this world, is what it seems, and when a blue-eyed stranger named Micah saves her life, their attraction is the fire that could become the death of all that exists or the salvation that blooms with new hope for all. Micah, royalty in his own right, will challenge her to stand against evil, but when you have never known true evil, can you really recognize it where it hides?
In a world where angels and demons are the truth humans call fiction, could it be a lie between lovers that equals salvation? Or is that lie the blade that delivers devastation?
Ember and Ash, the first book in the Thorne Saga, introduces you to a world filled with the magic of angels and the darkness of the monsters they hunt, where secrets and lies, and a passionate forbidden romance hold world-altering consequences.

Julie’s Review:

Thanks to the author for providing me with this ARC.

 

Ember & Ash is an intense fantasy about Nephilim! Ember is a criminal defense attorney, always wanting to protect the innocent. Until she turns 27, and “comes of age” to find out she’s something else entirely. First, let’s say how much I appreciate an older FMC! Yes, the chosen one is finally not barely out of teenhood! She’s passionate and strong-willed, and when the rug is pulled completely out from under her, she is so lost and confused. Suddenly she starts seeing demons, and the client she defended with certain belief that he was innocent, is suddenly giving her visions.

That’s when we meet Micah, and to be honest I still don’t know how I feel about him. He’s rude and abrupt and apparently delicious but swoony he is not. At least not yet. So he takes it upon himself to train Ember so she can activate all her assets and fight the demons back. You see, there’s a prophesy, but Micah won’t tell her anything. No, instead he pushes her away, sticks her in a chair, and tells her to read the lore. Ok but she’s not Sam Winchester (had to throw that in there). Just give her something! So that part was getting repetitive and annoying, when he kept getting close and pushing her away and refusing to answer her questions.

But then he shows her some amazing places in their realm. Absolutely love the butterfly scene, and now I understand the cover. Ok let’s talk about the cover, since that’s something we do here at the blog. It’s such a great pairing of pure and beautiful (glowing butterflies, blue roses) and the scary evil (red flames) and I can’t tell if that’s a serpent or just thorns. The dagger, well you already know I have feelings about sword/dagger covers but this one is done well. And yes, she has some she fights with.

There are so many secrets and that is annoying to Ember and also to the reader. He is trying to protect her but also the rest of the world from her, but she flip flops between running off to fight something or being in utter fear of what she may become. She wants to be good, but she’s afraid she might not be. But as she trains and expands her abilities, their connection grows. Eventually it heats up, though personally I prefer my slow burn to sizzle with yearning and desire but this was more hot and cold whiplash.

The ending, oh wow the ending was quite the shocker. It left me super excited to see what happens next. Who is the Nephilim with the red tipped wings? And what will her Judgement be?

3.5 rolled up to 4 stars for that ending.

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