⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Ashes and Rubble is a new adult romantasy that blends action, magic, and adventure in a really engaging way. I enjoyed the mix of monster-ridden forests, elemental magic, and a runaway prince trying to clear his name. The dynamic between Karessa and Clyde added charm too—with plenty of sarcasm, banter, and that playful tension that kept the story fun.

While I sometimes wished for deeper world-building and a bit more emotional pull, it was still an entertaining read with likable characters and steady adventure. If you enjoy light romantasy with fantasy creatures, witty dialogue, and a touch of mystery, it’s worth picking up!

Ate this book with no crumbs. Words couldn't describe how fast i gobbled up this story. It is the first book in a trilogy (no info on book 2/3 yet).

"No one knows why the second most powerful man in the kingdom murdered his own father, but the reward for his capture is enough for Karessa Auruchie to move out of the slums. Determined to change her fortune, she teams up with a tracker named Clyde—a handsome, charismatic elf with a disarming smile—and together, they venture across monster-ridden forests in search of their quarry.

Aeveus is accused of a crime he didn’t commit. The only problem: everyone saw him do it. Now he’s a man on the run, hoping that his one clue—the sigil of a long-forgotten territory—leads him to the true culprit. With the royal guards hot on his trail, and a sizeable bounty looming over him, time is not on his side. If he’s apprehended before he can clear his name, he’ll face trial and be swiftly executed.

Ashes & Rubble is an action-packed fantasy, a gripping tale of secrets, heartache, friendship, and love, that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning the pages to uncover the mystery."

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this book in exchange for a review!

This book was a really good mix of fantasy and adventure. I'm such a sucker for a group of people adventuring together and following along with everyone was fun. I wanted more of a backstory to the characters, and I think this would have helped me feel a deeper connection to them. I didn't care for the romance between the two MCs, the attraction kind of felt like it developed out of nowhere - he was literally in disguise as an old man, why was she feeling feelings for him?! Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

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.

From the Prince became a wanted man. Prince Aeveus Fehlik is accused of murdering the King, his own father. The Prince with his trusted Knights now undercover to find the truth.
The problem is, many people saw he killed his father. Then he met Karessa, the one who wanted to find him so she could give him to the authorities to get the reward for escaping poverty. Together, they’re on a mission; one of them finding the truth and the other finding the gold. Now, how do their fates interwind?

A pretty classic romantasy. This story is fun to read and has a map, so it is easier to navigate what is going on in the story and where the event is happening. The story is okay, but it is presented with a super-speed story pace and I feel that I don’t have time to breathe and devour the story process.

Some events and the character's true identity are better as a plot twist in the end. This story really needs an element of surprise. As for character, I think Karissa the FMC need more spotlight when in action, especially in combat fighting.

The magic system in this story has such a big potential to be developed more, maybe also adding some of cultural environment so that there is an iconic magic system that can make people instantly remember because of its uniqueness.

I really enjoyed this book. I read it late as I am really behind on arcs.

This felt more YA to me as there was no spice and very little cursing. It was also written in the 3rd person POV. I prefer 1st person POV but that's just my opinion.

This follows the aftermath of someone killing the high killing and prince Avenus, suspected of the crime, on the run. Karessa fueled by the death of her brother goes after the price, with a magic stone, for the bounty on his head. She finds Clyde and his two friends who says they are trackers and they proceed to try and find the prince. There is action, adventure, humor, and you begin to see the attraction forming. By the end you think everything is wrapped up nicely but then there is more uncovered.

I finished the book and was left with some questions that I hope get answered in Book 2 or 3. Which are Does Karessa have magic? How as Human will she be with him, if he is an elf and they live long lives? Will there be more spice? Literally anything? More on the council and how to rid them.

I appreciated the author's note of what he changed from original draft as I think he made the right call. It's always interesting to hear why an author chose a particular road in the story and this I appreciated and really felt the right choices were made. I would love to see more character development for Matthias and Esteriella.

Overall I enjoyed the book. I appreciate Netgalley for the earc. I look forward to book 2!

I received this ARC through NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

The plot and overall idea of this book were really interesting, but unfortunately the way it was executed was not for me. I was not able to connect or care for any of the characters; the way the story was writting, everything was really superficial and parts of the plot felt forced, just being there because the author wanted (the tournament), but it didn't really make sense.

The main plot has a lot of potential and the magic system, if more time was spend developing the world, and the relationships of the book, this could be really good.

ೃ⁀➷ 4/5 - 𝙄'𝙢 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨, 𝘾𝙡𝙮𝙙𝙚. 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚. 𝙄'𝙙 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩. 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧? 𝙄'𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚.

𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚. 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮, 𝙄'𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚.

Was quite a nice quick read, full of adventure, action and a touch of romance. The plot was good and the twist closer to the end was very interesting, made me feel for the villain cause poor guy.

"𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐝," 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐧, "𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞. 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐲. 𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞."

It was a hard debate on what to rate this but considering that I liked the story I decided to give this novel 4/5 stars. Originally, I was going to go 3 or 3.5 due to some things in the story didn’t feel perfectly executed and that it kinda felt like it waffled. If the story was extended a touch more then perhaps it could’ve been great for the parts where it felt long, but after reading the authors notes then it made sense for certain scenes, especially surrounding the romance. On the romance side, it was low spice but it felt rushed for the two main characters. It would’ve been a bit better if there was more tension between them to build up that romance a bit more but the prince was a very golden retriever personality throughout, a good contrast to the FL’s personality. They both grew as characters too.

What I really enjoyed was that twist closer to the end of the book as well as the epilogue! I need the next book and I can’t wait to read it!

Prince Aeveus is accused of killing his father and flees the palace in search of the true killer. Karessa’s brother was one of the guards killed that night and she is determined to collect the bounty on Aeveus and save her family from ruin. When their paths cross, will they be enemies or allies in search of the truth?

This fantasy quest tale moved at a good pace, a balance of fun action sequences and friendly banter. Matthias and Esteriella were loyal friends and fierce fighters. The world-building was developed evenly and the lands and creatures were interesting. I would have liked more character development, especially for the romance, but there was enough here to feel satisfied by the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and D.CATZ Publishing for the ARC.

I really wanted to love this one — especially after stumbling across the author’s TikTok and getting hyped — but sadly, I just couldn’t get into it. The world-building was solid and the plot moved quickly, but I never felt connected to the characters, which made it hard to stay invested. They felt a bit flat, and I struggled to get invested in their journeys or relationships. The romance subplot, in particular, seemed underdeveloped and lacked the spark to make it compelling.

That said, the action scenes are well-executed, and the plot has some interesting twists that kept me reading. If you’re into fast-paced fantasy adventures and don’t mind a story that’s more plot-driven than character-focused, this might be up your alley.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC opportunity!

I found the dual perspectives refreshing considering so many authors opt for the usual "we all know a secret reveal/betrayal is coming but are left in the dark from the solo perspective of the FMC" trope that's become rather stale for me.

The author's choice to show Aeveus' (MMC) thought process and perspective from the very beginning was a nice twist on the routine.

Also, Karessa (FMC) is not your super strong/skilled headstrong trope type and is quite naive to the ways of the world outside the slums of the city she lives in. But it makes sense, because she's just a poor potato picker who loves her family, doing her best to bring them back from the brink of starvation and you know what? That's it's own kind of strength.

You might enjoy this story if you appreciate:

❤️ Innocent FMC/protective MMC
🪄 More traditional fantasy/adventure type story
❤️ Slow relationship build up
🥷 Hidden identity
❤️ Romance is a minimum, very slow burn

Looking forward to the next book to see how the shift in their relationship dynamic impacts the story going forward as well as where the final, unexpected reveal in the epilogue leads!

Thank you Net Galley and Dartanyan Johnson for the eARC, all opinions are my own. I was not paid for my review.

I really enjoyed this story. Karessa is an awesome character. She is determined, stubborn, full of attitude, and my favorite character. I loved her will of determination to see her journey through no matter the danger. Her journey was important for herself and her family and I know how powerful a motivator your loved ones can be. Aeveus was another favorite character. He is charismatic and maybe a little too confident, but he clearly cares deeply about those he loves.
The storyline flows smoothly, the characters are well written, and the chemistry between the characters comes across on the page.
I was left with a few questions, but I am sure I will get my answers at some point.

I apologize for sending this day of release! I have 2 year old toddler brain at the moment
Happy release day I really this book is wonderful!

3.75/5 Thank you NetGalley and Dartanyan Johnson for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

I don’t usually (ever) read romantasy written by men, but I’m very glad I took a chance!
I genuinely enjoyed this book. The pacing was great and it was a wonderful quick read.
The world build was very good! It was interesting and had my usual beloved fantasy creatures (big bonus)

The only reason I did not rate this higher, is the character development felt shallow. There wasn’t much depth into what drove the characters and why they were who they were. The characters were interesting in the current timeline, but lacked depth.
I wouldn’t necessarily say this is enemies to lovers either, but it’s hard to describe without spoilers so you have to check it out for yourself!

All of this to say, I did really enjoy this book. It hooked me instantly and I will 100% be continuing this series.

Thank you NetGalley for an eARC.
4/5 stars.
***CONTAINS SPOILERS***
This was a great fast-paced, action-packed romantasy book. This is book 1 of a planned duology and I love how the author finished part of the story, but then left a side door open for the next book (I'm trying not to give too much away). I definitely plan to read the second book once it's released. My only qualm with this book is (and here is where the spoilers come, so if you don't want any spoilers, please stop reading now) how the FMC falls for the MMC when he's wearing an old man disguise. The author describes the disguise as only affecting his face/head because the book states several times that his physique (young) didn't match his face (old and with a long beard). I don't know, it just felt weird and a bit icky to me. I realize that the author needed the MMC to be in a disguise for the premise of the book to work, but maybe it could've been done differently where a young woman isn't falling for a grandpa?

Karessa joins a traveling group of Elves and will work with them to track down the murderous Prince...or does she?

Chapters are a good length, with fun titles for each.

The plot twist at around 18% of the story was FUN and unexpected. There are multiple twists and turns along the way.

This world has magical restraints on a person's magic, magical potions, and multiple races. Ranging from elves and goblins to trolls, chimeras, and humans.

The story features a mix of cozy fantasy, a murder mystery, trials/a tournament, and some spice sprinkled on top.

The story ends with the style it kept throughout - with a plot twist!

Solidly paced, easy to follow, and enjoyable banter!

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of Ashes & Rubble (A Kingdom Cast in Shadows, Book 1) by Dartanyan Johnson.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC.

Where to begin?
To be honest, I had high hopes for this book. It sounded very promising but oh boy, what a disappointment.

I just did not feel connected to any characters. The story was not what I was expecting. The writing is not great. And the romance could be better.

Unfortunately, this book was not my cup of tea.

ARC Review-
“Ashes & Rubble”, is a uniquely fresh mash-up of action-adventure and romantic fantasy. The story is set within the Fehlik Kingdom and follows two main characters, one being poverty-stricken Karessa, who sets out seeking justice and to cash in on a bounty that would improve her small family’s financial situation. The second main character is elven Prince Aeveus, who is wanted for the suspected murder of his father the King, and is currently on the run with his two best friends Matthias and Esteriella. In my opinion, author Dartanyan Johnson, really crafted a special narrative within this book. He weaved together components of multiple genres and the product was a story that I absolutely didn’t want to put down. The characters were likable and had an interesting rapport filled with witty banter, sarcasm, and playful razzing which showcased the fullness of their friendships. Along with the fun characters, there are a slew of fantasy creatures that add a stimulating element to the story. The addition of elemental magic is also another enjoyable fantasy nod, and when combined with the action-adventure that is steadily happening throughout the tale, you can’t help but be 100% engaged. I will definitely be sticking around to see where this story goes. Would recommend to any action, adventure, and fantasy readers.

Thank you to NetGalley & D.Catz Publishing for allowing me to read this book pre-publication. This book was received for free as an ARC, all opinions expressed are solely my own.

DNF 25%
Storia poco interessante, ingenuità stilistiche e narrative.
Tempistiche che non tornano.
Lo stile è personalmente troppo descrittivo e in generale poco scorrevole.
Non sono riuscita a empatizzare con nessun personaggio nè ad interessarmi alla storia.

This was a book full of adventure and world building that I thoroughly enjoyed. I wish the characters could form more of a relationship though but would definitely like to see what happens next

Ashes & Rubble is a fun, fast-paced fantasy adventure that gave me serious quest vibes—think bounty hunters, elves, magic, and a ragtag crew with great banter. The story follows Karessa, a tough human girl chasing down Prince Aeveus for a bounty that could change her life, and Aeveus, a runaway elven prince caught up in some major kingdom-level drama.

The plot moves quickly and has a good balance of action and quieter moments. The team dynamic is a highlight—there’s some funny back-and-forth and a nice sense of camaraderie. The romance between Karessa and Aeveus is sweet and subtle, though I was expecting a bit more edge from him. He’s supposed to be morally gray, but honestly, he felt more like a misunderstood softie (not that I minded too much).

That said, I did wish for a bit more depth. The world has potential, but it could’ve used more detail, and I never felt like I got a super clear picture of what the main characters looked like. As someone who loves strong character development, I found myself wanting to know Karessa and Aeveus better. A few more memories or emotional moments—especially around Karessa’s motivation—would have helped.

Still, I had a good time reading it. If you’re more into plot and adventure than deep character dives, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. It’s a solid start to the series, and I’m curious to see where it goes next.

A big thank you to NetGalley and D.CATZ Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.