Well it's officially. Emberly Ash you have ruined me with this book.

The Frost Witch is refreshing and unique, and I was captivated from the very first page. It's heavy and bleak and unafraid to rip you to shreds.

Ash does a fantastic job world building. It's dark and cold and gritty with no happiness in sight. I am OBSESSED.

Emberly, your writing is sharp and fresh and intentional, it's incredible. The flashbacks are done superbly and give you the emotional payoff that you crave.

The character development? WOW. It's subtle and grounded and so powerful all at the same time.

That ending was a slap in the face. Betrayal done in the most insane of ways that basically left me wondering "what the h*ll, where's book 2?".

Absolutely an amazing read that will have you starving for more. If you love dark fantasy with emotional depth, self hatred and healing arcs then this is going to go to the top of your favorites list.

The absolute biggest thank you to Emberly Ash and NetGalley for the ARC read. I humbly request book two asap!

From the very first page I was hooked. This was a unique dark fantasy that's both emotional and gritty. The main characters are traveling thru a world that is dying while being subjected to brutal trials in the hopes of completing them and ending this curse. The character development is so good, they both have secrets, but are also slowly trusting each other. And in the end...well, nothing is what is seems, there are several twists that I did not see coming and I loved it!! Can't wait to see where this story goes in book 2.

Are you tired of the same boring old romantasy stories? The ones were a poor human with “no powers” and freshly 20 years of age must embark on a blah blah blah. I’ve heard it one hundred times and have read it many times more. The Frost Witch is a refreshing romantasy in which the romantasy formula gets thrown out the window. And thank god for that because I can’t keep rereading the same book in different fonts. This book features a 400 year old witch as she embarks on a journey to save her dying land as well as get her coven back. Through her journey she finds love and friendship, things she has never had before. It's a beautiful tale that exceeded all expectations.

{Fantasy Romance with Trials; M/F; mostly from FMC POV; Open Door romance}

⁃ Anonymous Assignation
⁃ Dragon Familiar
⁃ Lots of Pining
⁃
One of the earliest Fantasy novels I read was C.J. Cherryh’s “Gate of Ivrel.” It introduced the concept that a favor given required a gift of service in return. It’s an awesome concept that romance writers should have abused to death!

What better use than in a novel about a witch brought back from the dead? Koryn is supposed to only care for the witches who ‘saved’ her. However she tries to hide it, her coven banished her over 300 years ago, and she spent that time drifting around the city and apparently, reconnecting with her previous life. Why was she running away before she died? Why would the coven resuscitate her? We don’t know, but the beginning scene absolutely gripped me.

Koryn may have been tasked with a pilgrimage in order to be reinstated in the coven, but she goes reluctantly. Witches are supposed to only worship one god, the god of darkness. To walk the seven gates to save the world is laughable to someone already dead....but she does it anyway. The pilgrimage has never been completed, especially since the victims, I mean supplicants, sabotage each other.

I admit I love a good set of trials with clever solutions, but I never seem to find a happy medium. 7 trials is too long and I am too impatient. The good news is that Koryn does grow and improve herself during the trials, which is what we readers want.

One of her fellow pilgrims is Garrik the Red, and her act of mercy results in a LifeBind, which means he is obligated to save her at some future point. You would think that would be a reason to celebrate, since her status as witch makes her a target. However, Koryn overreacts every time something happens, and her frost magic goes wild. Sometimes I was really aggravated at her default hatred and anger, but hey, 377 years of habitual reactions are...hard to change.

Did I like the plot? Yes and no. I loved the concept, but the plot started to fail for me as soon as the familiar arrived. The tone changed, and I did not find the dragon all that exciting. However, I am glad I read the story. It’s 400 pages of medium-fast reading.

🌎
The World-building:

It’s a dystopian version of Earth. The lands have parched, crops withered, people starved. The Fae emigrated, the (lesser) gods have not intervened. Bounty Hunters like Garrik the Red roam the land preying on the weakened and starved.

Witches are gifted with powers related to their deaths, which is an interesting
I would say I hate flashbacks between history and present circumstances, but I like the ones in this story. Koryn, hardened and alone, had sisters and a home life that evokes the victorian idea of presenting oneself for society. Her sister was killed by a fae relic, and Koryn still harbors a hatred for the fae.

❤️‍🩹
The Romance:

“Good Girl” is stated at the oddest times. I guess it is because I expect the usual (during sex or some steamy moment where she does what he wants). However, Garrick says “good girl” for non-steamy moments where she reacts the way he wants, and I keep tripping mentally over it. He has an interesting backstory that later results in a plot twist 🤗! Expect a supportive MMC who cooks and carries and concentrates on the female’s satisfaction.

Just wow!

The book did not disappoint. Witches, fae, gods, cursed land, trials and slow burn romance. I can't wait for the next part, especially with the reveal at the end.

I loved the communication and trust between Isanara and Koryn, the darkness of the world, the action and intrigue.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the early review copy.

I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the incredible author, the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book. I truly appreciate it!

So I'm truly heartbroken and beside myself now. What am I suppose to do now that I've finished this fantastic book and have to wait for the second! If I completely could I would be devouring the next right now! This ends on a mighty twisted trifecta of cliffhangers, and that very last line! You have no idea how giddy that made me despite everything that had gone on throughout the book, especially towards the very end. It shouldn't have but oh my did it! I honestly can't wait to see where the rest of this series goes, I'm not ready to leave this world and it's characters yet!

This world despite its gods, the Fae, the witches and the magic, truly invokes despite the fantasy genre intentions, a real dystopian world. Well reading this book the imagery it evokes, made it feel as if it was our own. If you were to replace the magic aspects with reality you really wouldn't be too far off of having a new modern dystopian story. I love dystopian reads, and it has been at least a decade since I've truly found one I love for that aspect. Well this isn't meant to be a dystopian story it's as close as I might get and I really loved that side. The fantasy side though my gosh! Everything is flawless, it works, and it is honestly so creative and unique despite any potential comparisons to other series'. This is one hundred percent its own through and through. Going through each gate really helps pull in each reader. The thought and reflect that occurs through each one pulled me into my own moments in time, and what each gate might hold for me if I was in their places.

Well it might seem like a lot there are a lot of secondary characters, and their places in this world are flawless. Each and everyone of them is needed to tell this story. The main characters though Koryn and Garrick (I really loved the unexpected twist at the beginning!) are everything! Koryn is so real and relatable (despite being a witch) her internal conflicts, and personality are so much like our own, I really relate to her so much! I also loved finally having a heroine who curvy! Garrick my gosh, I need one of my own! Hello new book boyfriend! Watching them both grow together and come into their own unintentionally then intentionally throughout their trials was incredible. Also on the topic of needing my own, I want my own Isanara! She was everything! The perfect voice of reason and occasional comedic relief and her love and loyalty is nothing but utter devotion!

You have no idea how much I want to keep gushing but I'm not a spoiler so I can't say much more other than you need to read this truly you do. The world building, the magic, the story, the romance and relationships are going to steal your heart and soul and leave you yearning for more! This is honestly a book you don't want to miss out on if you're a fantasy lover I promise!

Thank you so very much again from the bottom of for allowing me the privilege of being able to read this book, I really appreciate it! I absolutely loved it!

Towards almost the end of this story, it made me cry and heartbroken. I want more. I need book 2. I really can’t spoil it. I feel like Daenerys Targaryen right now. This book was going to be a 4 star but eventually it turned out to be a 5 star for me. I love the witches, dragons, humans and fae in this story. The plot was interesting and good. The character development was awesome. I love the art on the cover. I want to say a big thank you for the author and Netgalley for having me read this fantastic book as an ARC. IF YOU’RE INTO FANTASY BOOKS THAT INVOLVES BETRAYAL OR HEARTBROKEN, GET THIS BOOK!!!!!!!! I’m really sorry that I had to use that lol because this book is really good.

Thank you NetGalley and Emberly Ash for the advanced reader copy of the Frost Witch, asking only for an honest review of the book. I am pleased to give it high praise for the writing style, ease of reading, and twists and turns I did not see coming.

I was instantly obsessed with this book! This one was definitely a five star for me, and after reading most of the popular romantasy books out there, I feel like if this one gets enough traction it could definitely be the next big thing. I am hoping to be able to buy it in hardcover soon, that's how much I loved it (and I only buy physical copies as "trophies" and my shelf is tiny!). I’m not usually into witch themes or trials (as I’ve read a few by now) but this one is refreshing, I avoided reading some books because of the trials theme but really glad it didn't deter me from this one. Some of the challenges had me going wild and really made me ponder and think, and the theme of all of them is so interesting.

The MMC is so easy to fall for and I’m definitely obsessed, he gives "touch her and die" vibes. The yearning is there and the build up to the spice is worth it! The plot twist at the end had me screaming his name though, I can't wait for the next book! "I think you will find that this changes everything for us." Also some of the artwork on the authors IG is to swoon for, the characters are just as I imagined them in my head!

Koryn relatable in so many ways. The magic system is really interesting, the power the witches gain ties in with the manner in which they died in their mortal lives. The flashbacks were some of my favorite chapters, I was crushed at one relating to her sister and my jaw dropped. The flashbacks really added to the story and helped you understand the FMC and how she has been shaped into the witch she is.

Later in the book you meet an adorable mythical sidekick, who added some comedic relief as well as showing the FMC that there are those who really and truly care for her, when thus far she's lived a life of being in the background and shadows.

I finished this within 24 hours of picking it up and highly recommend for anyone who enjoys romantasy books.

Gripping, character-driven romantasy with real stakes
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is a well-executed dark romantasy set in Velora, a land slowly dying under a divine curse. The setting is bleak but never overdone—gods have turned away, the fae are long gone, and the population is shrinking. The atmosphere serves the plot without overshadowing it.

Koryn, a 400-year-old witch, has been expelled from her coven after a devastating deed. She’s torn and driven by guilt and survival. When at last her two goals, saving her sister‘s descendants and returning to her coven, align—and she possibly can lift Velora’s curse—she enters the Trials: seven deadly gates tied to the gods. No one has made it past the fifth in a hundred years.

The Trials are the core strength of the book. Each one challenges the characters on a personal level—forcing them to face their own past and values rather than just physical obstacles. The stakes feel real, and the progression is well-paced.

Garrick, another contestant, keeps his reasons to himself, but his presence adds tension and complexity. He smells of cinnamon and wine—how could I resist? There’s chemistry between him and Koryn, but it’s a slow build. The dynamic is compelling without being rushed. The hinted “why choose” element burns even slower and sets things up for future books.

Bonus points for a sassy adolescent dragon, who balances out the heavier moments.

This is a smart, tightly written romantasy that balances worldbuilding, character development, and tension.

Can’t wait to see more of Garrick and the dark god….


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest opinion.

I finished this book days ago and haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Ash has created a vivid and engrossing world full of mulit-dimensional characters and unique magic. She's taken the trials trope and made it fresh and exciting. The turns this book takes heat be gasping out loud or cheering at whiplash intervals. I'm all in on this new series and can't wait for the next book.

I loved Emberly Ash's Secrets of the Faerie Crown series, and The Frost Witch is a wonderful beginning to a new series. Koryn is an outcast - expelled from her coven, which amounts to a death sentence as her power fades, she survives by working small spells for the desperate people of Velora. The one way to possibly save her land and herself, is going through the Seven Gates, each presenting challenges that are so difficult, no one has managed them so far.

Koryn has gotten used to being alone, and in this dark, dark adventure, she knows she should trust no one. But Koryn is not one of the cold-hearted and cruel witches of her old coven, she wants to help and heal, and as she makes progress with each brutal challenge, she sees possibility and hope.

I started this book and within the first few pages, I was hooked. I love Emberly's writing, the emotion that permeates every character, the fully realized worlds that she comes up with. I know I will follow Koryn's story to the very end, especially after that ending!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

The Frost Witch swept me into a world that feels like an incantation come to life. The writing is sharp and poetic, every page steeped in cold, creeping magic that clings to you long after you close the book.
The story unfolds like a dark fairytale snow-laden forests, ancient power, and a heroine who has to face the cost of her own magic. There’s danger and longing in equal measure, a flicker of romance, and even a young dragon that made my heart melt amid all the frost.
This book is beautifully atmospheric, with a world that feels vast and cursed, yet full of secrets. If you love witchcraft, morally tangled choices, and fantasy that reads like a spell, The Frost Witch is going to be one of those books that haunts you.
Five stars, and I can’t wait to see what Emberly Ash writes next

My star rating would be 4.5.
The Frost Witch.... This book is really, really good! Not perfect, but so, so, sooooo good!!
I really love that this romantic fantasy is as much my favorite parts of the genre as it is different.
We get the broken world with witches, gods, fae, and trials that test the FMC/MMC while being unique in a way that is so refreshing.

The world building is fantastic. It's clear and perfectly paced. It's not too much at once, and gets that dystopian-fantasy vibe right to your core.
The romance is a beautiful slow-burn with, raw emotions and discovery. The spice was well written and well placed.
The FMC is is the FMC everyone always say they want; sassy, stubborn, smart, emotionally damaged, and not the most athletic, well-built fighter ever.
The MMC is dark, broody, mysterious, kind, and yet brutally heart-breaking.

Of course we cannot leave out the amazing sarcastic and snarky adolescent dragon familiar, who of course quickly became my fave!

The story is amazing, the characters fantastic, and the magic and politics unique and interesting. I only left a half star off due to some repetitive explanations.

I am so excited to see what happens in book two!

Thank you NetGalley, Emberly Ash, and Cara Maxwell Romance for the ARC

An emotionally charged journey to save a dying, bleak land where hope is balanced on the edge of a knife.

Such wonderfully strong world-building! It was refreshing to read about the lore of the witches as well as the seven Gods. Learning about each of them through bits and pieces as the main character Koryn moves through her journey was rewarding (such as witches are made, not born, and each witch's primary magic is based off how they died), like being given bits of sweet, delicious fruit to munch and mull over before receiving the next tidbit. I am very much a staunch supporter for unique world-building with lore.

The romance was a slown burn, a long fuse that has a major payoff once it ignites. I loved the interactions between Koryn and Garrick as the story moves along.

Koryn was a delightfully strong character with her own wants and needs, and she isn't afraid to do what needs to be done to get what she wants, consequences be damned.

And oooof, those twisted reveals towards the very end of the book have latched onto me, dragging me toward anticipation for the next book!

What I Enjoyed:
- strong main female who is not traditional
- the lore and world-building
- the intriguing trial/challenge of the Gods
- the slow burn with payoff
- the stab of the plot twists at the end
- a sassy, teenage dragon pops up
- witches' magic and how it manifests and is used

Witches are not born. They are made.

I died alone in a frostbitten forest. It wasn't heroic. I did not die defending an innocent or hunting to feed my loved ones. I died because I was foolish and cowardly. I died running away. And that would have been the end of my story. Until the witches found me and made me one of their own.

Outcast by her coven more then 300 years after her resurrection, Koryn faces certain doom. Without her covens magic to sustain her, she will wither away to nothing. But earning back their trust means betraying the last living member of her family- the family whose downfall came at Koryns own hands.

"Pass through the seven gates, lift the curse that is killing Velora, and you will be welcomed back to the Midnight Coven."

This is an epic dark romantasy that has:
Enemies to lovers
witches 🧙‍♀️
fae
slow burn 🔥
spice 🌶
found family
blood magic🩸 ✨️
Gods
Shifters and an adolescent dragon.
Koryn isn't like her sister witches. She still has a heart. She is kind and compassionate and bulks at the thought of taking a life.
I've been lucky enough to read some fantastic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star reads recently, and I'm pleased to say, that this is also now one of them.
The writing draws the reader in, and I found myself immersed into the story right from the off.
This is book 1 of The covenants of Velora series and I will definitely be reading book 2!
I highly recommend reading this, but warn you to read this when you don't have any plans, as you won't be able to put this down!
Thanks goes to netgalley for sending me this eARC.
This is the review i have posted onto Goodreads.

Thank you to the Emberly Ash (author), the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me hooked from the very beginning. Koryn, our plus-sized, whip-smart witch, is one of the most refreshing FMCs I’ve read in a long time. She’s fierce, flawed, tied to her coven by duty and power, and written with such clarity and strength that she leaps off the page.
The writing itself is stunning—almost poetic at times. Emberly Ash crafts sentences like spells: sharp, beautiful, and layered with meaning. Add in the clever, adult-level banter, and you've got a fantasy read that doesn’t dumb anything down.

While the plot has a few repetitive moments—especially regarding how the coven’s magic works and the impact of distance on Koryn’s power—I was still pulled through by the depth of the world, the mystery, and the flashback structure. I did wish for a dual POV at times, especially with Garrick. He’s intriguing but emotionally distant, and his development would’ve benefited from a little more insight earlier on.

But oh—the Justice Gate scenes? Absolutely incredible. One of the standout moments in the book, showcasing brilliant world-building and moral complexity. And let’s not forget Isanara—she quickly became a favorite, despite only a few sentences on-page. That dragon radiates presence.

The romantic subplot is soft and slow-burn, with just two scenes of spice around 86% and 90%. While spicy, it felt a bit underdeveloped emotionally—likely due to Garrick’s stoic nature. I missed some understanding how they got there... you know, other than the amazingly good looks, constant tension and forced-proximity.

The ending brought a chaotic punch of reveals: double bonding?! Fae prince?! Dark god?! It reminded me of Throne of Glass in all the best ways. That final Garrick POV was a welcome touch.

All in all, this is a rich, adult fantasy with a sharp-tongued heroine, a haunting magical system, and a twist-filled plot that leaves you craving the next instalment.

Favorite Quotes:
- “They chase their will beyond all bounds, and reap the debt they sow – in loss they find the cost of pride, to sacrifice the soul.”
- “Despite my boasts to Garrick earlier, the only reserves I had when I got hungry were temper and sass. A winning combination.”
- “Strength takes many forms.”

Oh wow! This was an addictive story from the start. I loved the personality of the fmc. She definitely had a rough life, but her maturity was also nice. A broken mature woman who gained growth throughout the story. I thought it was done so clever with the trials forcing her to really dive deeper into her vulnerabilities.

I especially loved the way the flashbacks were handled, no italics - thank God. They were full chapters and entertaining as the rest of the story.

Very much a trials book with Gods, and fated mate trope. The twists at the end were brilliant and has me especially excited for book 2.

The pacing I thought was perfect. I was never bored in the story and loved every chapter. The storytelling was superb.

The only little bit that felt off was a couple odd sentences near the beginning and some issues with grammar that I'm guessing will be fixed by release. My copy was an arc.

There is spice, maybe a pepper worth, but it felt off to me. Maybe the author was trying to not spend a lot of time on that part. But it didn't matter because the actual story was a lot of fun.

This book felt like walking through a snowy fairytale. The setting was magical and just the right amount of eerie, and I was totally into the cold, quiet mood of it all. The main character is a loner and kind of grumpy, which honestly made me love her more. And the romance? Slow-burn with tension that had me kicking my feet. There were a few moments in the middle where things slowed down a little too much and I wanted the plot to pick up, but I was still hooked. If you’re into witchy fantasy with a soft gothic vibe, icy magic, and a love story that simmers, this one’s a cozy win.

✨The Frost Witch✨

Oh my gosh. I loved this. After reading Emberly’s Secrets of the Faerie Crown series, I knew I was in for a delightfully wild ride but this surpassed my expectations and I found myself never wanting to set it down. And that’s what I did, reading it in a day.

In this new series, we follow the singular 1st person POV of our FMC, Koryn, a 400 year old witch who has been outcast from her coven in a dying continent. When her last living relative decides to attempt The Seven Gates (aka the trials of the gods) to save their kingdom, Koryn takes her place. Alongside several other supplicants, Koryn finds herself in a battle for her life from her adversaries and the gods, life bonded to one of the supplicants (a handsome one), and chosen by a dragon familiar.

There are hidden identities, crazy trials, magic, a teenage dragon, slow burn tensions, plot twists, and a deep betrayal and I gobbled it all up.

Koryn is such a beautiful soul, the one witch whose heart doesn’t beat but she still loves so much. The relationship between her and Garrick was also so intentional and natural. It made me swoon and also broke my heart. I am in desperate need for book two. Like. Hurting. Gosh. Oh, and currently this book is MF but I believe it will move towards “why choose” and I can see who is lined up and I’m EXCITED.

Tropes you may find in TFW are unique trials, witches x fae x humans, dying continent, forced proximity, multiple bonds, reluctant allis to lovers, slooow burn, hidden identities, wound tending, meddling gods and bargains, dragon familiar, plot twists, betrayals, medium spice, and a brutal cliffy.

Emberly, it’s such a pleasure to be on your street team. Thank you so much for this gifted arc!

This book absolutely wrecked me. Five stars.

From the very first page, you can tell this is going to be a story you haven’t heard before. I’ve been burned out by reading lately because so many books feel the same, but The Frost Witch is refreshingly different. It’s original, emotionally heavy, and completely unafraid to stay bleak.

The story opens with the main character dying. She’s turned into a witch in a world where witches are known to be cold, cruel, and stripped of their humanity. But not our main character. She still feels everything and she hates herself for it. She’s done awful things and cannot forgive herself. It’s painful and brutal, and so well done.

The world is dark, gritty, and cold, both physically and emotionally. There is no warmth or hope here. Even in books like Mistborn, you get little pockets of happiness. Not here. I loved it.

The writing is refreshingly mature, sharp, and intentional. The author also uses flashbacks in one of the best ways I’ve ever seen. Normally, I find flashbacks a bit annoying because they interrupt the flow, but here they work. Present-day FMC is so emotionally shut down and full of self-hate that by the time a flashback hits, you are starving for the information. The emotional payoff landed every time.

The plot follows her journey after being cast out from her coven. The only way to return is to survive an emotionally brutal set of trials created by the gods. No one has survived them in hundreds of years. Along the way, our FMC begins to heal. It’s slow, and you don’t even realize it’s happening until you look back and see the progress. It’s subtle, grounded, and so powerful. And just when you start to believe she might make it, YOU REMEMBER THE BARGAIN. Let me tell you, I was STRESSED.

Other incredible pieces of this book:
The witch’s familiar gives major Andarna vibes.
The FMC is short, but not tiny. She’s curvy, with several mentions of her big thighs and soft stomach.
There are cheeky, self-aware moments, like the FMC saying, “Let me guess, there’s only one room available?” when staying at a tavern.
The ending is a gut punch. A betrayal trope I did not see coming and it hits from multiple angles. I will be first in line for book two.

I’ll leave you with the quote that had me sobbing hysterically on my lunch break:
“I have failed everyone in my life.”
“Did you ever consider that they were the ones who failed you?”

If you love dark fantasy with emotional depth, slow healing arcs, and an FMC who hates herself so much it hurts to read, this book was made for you.