Anything with dragons and I'm in already, but the way this was done, it has filled that void from Fourth Wing which is no easy thing to do. I loved the slow burn tension between the main characters, I loved the lore behind it all and I adored how I would get so lost in this book that hours had passed and I had absolutely no idea. This is a sign of an incredible book and this did just that. I highly recommend reading this when it is released and you will fall in love with the world, the characters and honestly, it's a lot of fun.

Dragons, hidden identity, and mysterious creatures around every turn! This book was definitely a world building set up to the next book. I wish there was a bit more details on somethings and a little less repetitive phrases. The storyline has such potential and I’m hoping book two has some unseen twists that really suck a person in. I needed more of something. This felt mostly like a stereotypical fantasy with romance but it didn’t have anything to make it stand out in a sea of romantasy.

Review: Prince of Blaze and Embers by Zander Wolfe

This book had me hooked from the very first page! As someone who reads for pure escape after long days in the classroom, Prince of Blaze and Embers delivered everything I wanted: dragons, tension-filled romance, and a heroine I couldn’t help but root for.

Ash is fierce and full of heart, and I loved watching her grow from a girl in chains to someone with the power to change the world. Cade? Dangerous, complicated, and so hard not to fall for. The slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers tension between them had me turning pages way too late into the night.

The dragon lore, the political intrigue, the glowing rune mystery—there’s so much packed into this first book, but it all flows beautifully. I loved how the story balanced high fantasy stakes with deeply personal moments. Can’t wait to see where their journey goes next in this series!

This has an amazing storyline with awesome characters. A lot happens in this book and some of it I wished had more details. There is a lot left to happen and I really want to know what questions they asked. It ends on a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the next book.

- distracting writing with “…” in so many sentences
- Too much sexual descriptions of what the FMC wants to happen at super random times
- Spelling error “…lined old wooden shelves” not shelved - loc 1136

Themes
* Dragons
* Magical animals
* Coming into power
* Female friendship
* Instalove
* Brooding MMC
*

Thank you Zander Wolfe, NetGalley and Crimson Cro Publishing for the eARC!

The cover of this book drew me in and the plot sounded interesting. I’m so sad that the writing was really hard to read and honestly seemed like it was written by AI or had a lot of help from AI. The writing style had a lot of ellipses in random places in sentences, paragraphs and dialogue. The descriptions of the main male character were repetitive and didn’t draw me into the character at all. There was no real connection between the FMC and MMC but somehow they were attracted to each other. The love scene was very repetitive in terms of what the characters were saying and I skipped through it.

I got about 60% of the way through and felt like the plot wasn’t going enough places for me to keep reading and I was struggling with the writing a lot. This was a 2 star read for me for the reasons outlined above.

If you're looking for a fantasy read that truly delivers on every front, stop right here. This book had it all wrapped up in one thrilling package, and I devoured it. From the moment I started, I knew this was the beginning of something truly special, a series that's going to captivate readers for years to come.

Let's talk about the good stuff first. The romance is palpable, the spice is just right (enough to make you blush but not overshadow the plot), and the magic system is intriguing and potent. And did I mention dragons? Because yes, we have majestic dragons, and they are everything you could possibly wish for.

But the absolute standout for me was our fierce FMC. Her journey is nothing short of breathtaking. We meet a woman who has been chained as a slave her entire life, broken but never truly defeated. Watching her shed those chains, discover her inner strength, and transform into the powerful, formidable woman she was always meant to be is incredibly inspiring.

The pacing is excellent, keeping you on the edge of your seat with suspense woven throughout. There's an ever-present sense of a looming evil force, a powerful antagonist working against our heroes, which drives the plot forward and promises an epic struggle for the series to come. This is definitely the start of a great series where the stakes are high and the future of their world hangs in the balance.

However, just when I thought I had it all figured out, just when I was basking in the triumph of our heroine and her prince... MAN, that issue between them! I absolutely did not see that coming. It hits like a freight train, leaving you reeling and genuinely unsure how they will possibly overcome it. It adds a layer of raw, unexpected conflict that deepens the story and makes you incredibly invested in their future. My heart is aching for them, and I have to hope they find a way through this insurmountable obstacle.

Looking ahead, I can already tell there's so much more character building to come for our FMC. Her powers are still burgeoning, her bonds are continuing to develop, and I'm desperate to see her grow even more formidable. This book is a powerful introduction, setting the stage for an epic saga of magic, love, betrayal, and redemption.