I have loved EVERYTHING I have ever read by Emberly Ash, and this book has moved to the top of that list. I had so many emotions reading this book, and because of that I couldn't put it down. It was so well written, and our FMC Koryn was fantastic. Plus, there's a dragon! So absolutely go read this book ASAP!

This is book one of the Covenants of Velora. This is an epic, enemies-to-lovers, must save the world, dark fantasy romance with a fun adolescent dragon familiar. This book has a strong, well-developed and an interesting story line with twists and unexpected turns that keep you reading and turning the pages. It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. Amazing world building that is detailed and imaginative and so well done that you're drawn into a fantastic world unlike any other. Strong, interesting, and fascinating characters that are well developed and diverse. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.

3.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing/Cara Maxwell Romance for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.
Overall, this book had a great premise and some of my favorite tropes. Our FMC Koryn is torn between her duty to her witch coven and her duty to her family. The land is cursed and dying, and she must complete 7 trials to bring life and magic back to her world. By doing so, she would save her family and be welcomed back into her coven.
I loved that Koryn was a realistically built FMC with curves, and she appreciates her body. There was forced proximity, reluctant allies to lovers, a slow burn romance, trials, and twists that I didn't see coming. Plus, I loved the teenage dragon and their bond! I was definitely interested in the mystery surrounding why she was ousted from her coven. The writing style and world building was good and easy to follow.
Overall, this book is the recipe for a favorite read. Unfortunately, I struggled with it. For me, it was a slow build where it was hard to stay engaged with a gripping last 100 pages. Besides the pacing, I felt Koryn was only devoted to her coven and family due to the call of duty. I needed deeper, personal connections/true friendships to really feel the conflict Koryn was facing. The connections later in the book with the MMC, Garrick, and her familiar definitely helped, but it just took a long time for me to feel invested. However, the twists at the end of the book shocked me, and I definitely plan on reading the next book to see what happens next!

"It was real, Koryn. I promise that it was."

I enjoyed this story enough to read it in one night. Witches, fae, gods, dragons. What more could you ask for in a romantasy? The world building was enough that I was easily able to imagine the scenes without overwhelming me with information. Our FMC, Koryn, was multi-dimensional. Occasionally her weakness was frustrating although I think more will play out with that in the next book(s). I enjoyed the MMC as well, although how well do we really know him yet? ;)
The overarching twist at the end was predictable, which is what prompts 4 stars vs 5 stars for me. There was a smaller twist mixed in that I didn't see coming though. All in all, this was an enjoyable read, with some unique aspects and some traditional romatasy aspects. I will most certainly be reading the next book in the series!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Thank you to NetGalley, Cara Maxwell Romance, and Emberly Ash for letting me read this e-ARC of The Frost Witch!

Honestly, I don't even know where to start.

I guess we can start here: this book was SO. FREAKING. GOOD. This is a slow-burn (and I mean slooowwww burn) romantasy novel with trials, found family, and a bad-ass FMC who just happens to be a witch.

Koryn died in a frostbitten forest and was resurrected by a coven of witches. Each witch gains her powers when resurrected and their powers are determined by the manner in which they died. However, Koryn was recently cast out by her coven for maintaining familial connections to the human world and is struggling to survive in a dying land, Velora, where things have become increasingly desperate. Koryn meets the MMC, Garrick, in a tavern and then runs into him again when she is talked into participating in a series of trials to remove the curse from Velora and be reinstated to her coven if she succeeds.

The magic system in this novel is so unique and there is so much magic to savor here--witches, fae, dragons, middling gods--this book has it all. The trials that she and Garrick are subjected to are also an interesting take on trials, requiring them to face the darkest parts of themselves. This, along with Garrick's initially begrudging support and encouragement of Koryn, lead to major character development in Koryn that allows her to become the most powerful version of herself.

The development of the relationship between Koryn and Garrick was fantastic--I really loved that this didn't happen over a series of days or even weeks. This happened over a series of months and it just really made it seem more realistic (even if the setting is a magical world). And Garrick's subtle training of Koryn disguised as disregard for discomfort? Yeah, that's definitely one way you could get my cardio up without me realizing it and it works here too. His increasing support of her and grounding her in her magic, allowing her to discover the most powerful version of herself and showing her that she is stronger and more capable than she ever imagined is just, ugh, beautiful. Respect to Tomin for giving her those grounding exercises too; those sure came in handy for her.

The twists at the end--OMG. I am floored. Speechless. I am so sad I cannot immediately on to Book 2 right now because I am on the edge of my seat needing to figure out what comes next for these characters. Emberly Ash really knocked this one out of the park and I CANNOT wait to see where the rest of the trilogy takes us. Five stars from me :)

Can't wait for the next book in the series! The writing and development is great. I do think there was a little too much emphasis on her figure. It DOES have some tropes but is refreshing and I love how deep the lore and plot are explored.

First off, I had high hopes for this book... & second...It freaking delivered!!

"We cannot alter the past, but we can determine how our memories impact the future."

📖ARC Reader
⭐️ Stars: 5/5
🌶️ Spice: 2/5

✨Tropes You’ll Find✨:
Slow Burn
Enemies-to-Allies-to-Lovers
Found Family
Trauma & Healing
Elemental Magic
Protective Love Interest
Grief & Revenge as Motivation

Oh, Emberly, Emberly, Emberly.... I'm not okay....I don't know what to do with myself now that I finished this book in under 48 hours... and it was only published yesterday (Aug 5th 2025). I'm so deeply invested in Koryn and Garrick's journey, I don't want to wait months(please don't let it be years) to find out what happens next. (crying a little inside)

The Frost Witch follows our FMC, Koryn. "I'd seen myself in a mirror plenty of times. I knew I was fucking delicious."
A 400yo frost wielding witch living in a dying land attempting to survive one day at a time. She is feared because of what she has been forced to become by a coven that turned her at death. She's misunderstood, even by herself, shaped by others' expectations of what she should be, cold, calculating, and deadly.
But underneath all that? Koryn hasn’t lost her humanity. She battles not just external threats but the internal weight of trauma, isolation, and anxiety from a life she never chose. I loved how Emberly wrote her with depth and real emotional. she’s morally gray, yes, but grounded by her truth. She gives major Manon Blackbeak vibes and I was absolutely here for it.

And then there's our MMC, Garrick. "On the contrary, Koryn. I think you will find that this changes everything for us."
So much anticipation and temptation. The slow-burn betrayal-trope hooked me right from the start. I usually require a little more spice in my books but I really didn't mind the wait. He was the perfect counterpart to Koryn. He was steady, patient, and of course, intense.

The worldbuilding is spot on. I never felt lost trying to piece together where we were or who was who. everything unfolds naturally and clearly, without any clunky info-dumping. The pacing, emotional beats, and action are perfectly balanced.

If you're in need of a break from the usual "Woe is me, I'm from a small village and have to take care of my family until I become a beautiful queen" FMC vibes, then i would highly suggest starting this book asap!

Will I be jumping right into the second book once its available? OF COURSE!

Thank you so much, Emberly Ash for sending me an ARC of The Frost Witch for an honest review, I couldn't have asked for a better read!

The author dropped us into a cursed frozen world, to witness the death and remaking of Koryn the FMC, with no knowledge of the history of her world or her life before her death and exile. This pacing in this book was slow but it held me captive as I chased the few breadcrumbs dropped by our secretive self-loathing FMC throughout the story. The writing was descriptive enough that I felt the cold along with the characters, but not so much that I was skipping paragraphs. I really loved how the author began to familiarize us to the gods by way of the gates and the challenges our cast of characters must conquer, rather than just dumping the info.

Most of characters were likable but somewhat one dimensional, at least in this book, but without spoilers I believe that may change in the next one. The banter was funny but for me there was no chemistry between the FMC and MMC, However the romance was written well enough though that I think many people will probably disagree with me. The book was also described as a why choose, and it probably will be in the next one, again no spoilers, just don’t go into this book expecting a why choose.

Due to the lack chemistry, in my opinion, I am giving this book only 4 stars, but I highly recommend it and will definitely be stalking the release of the next one.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I LOVED this book. Didn't really know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. Witches aren't usually written in an interesting way but I adored how they were portrayed in this.

5 stars

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


This books draws you in from the first sentence. I could not put this down! There’s deadly trials, witches, fae, and dragons. The Frost Witch will keep you on the edge of your seat!

I absolutely love Emberly’s writing style. It’s beautiful and almost poetic. There is so much depth in Koryn’s character. You can feel her struggle, her heartache, and her love.

I hope future books have more than one POV because there are so many times I wanted to know what was going on in Garrick’s head. That ending with his POV was such a tease. Plus Garrick is so perfect even with all his flaws. Who doesn’t love a hot broody MMC with silver hair?

Book 2 can’t come soon enough! I NEED to know what happens next. The twists and betrayals had my mouth hanging open.

If you’re a fan of deadly trials, a badass FMC, a broody MMC, and forced proximity you should read this book.

I loved this one! Great world building and flow, I couldn't stop. I cannot believe that ending though, more please!

Koryn has been surviving and trying to return to her coven after saving her blood from them. As she enters the trials of the Gates, she realizes more and more the truth of things that have happened.

Her power should be waning, but she's not only thrived in the gates, but gained a Lifebond and a familiar. Garrick is the infamous witch and fae killer, but the secrets Koryn learns about him will completely change her. Forced together to complete the gates, working together by choice, and destined to love one another? The secrets that have yet to be revealed will lead us to the answers.

Full review:
I loved this book! And that ending!! EEEEE I need book two!

The Frost Witch is a book about Koryn, a centuries old witch, who has been cast out of her coven and forced to fend for herself in a country slowly dying from a curse. In an effort to break the curse and return to her coven, she embarks on a quest through the seven gates, each dedicated to a god (Mercy, Justice, Sacrifice, Devotion, Memory, Peace, and Darkness/Unknown). I really felt for Koryn throughout the book, especially as you learn more of her back story. She really struggles with who she wants to be and who she’s told she should be throughout the story, and the struggle feels real and authentic.

Our MMC is Garrick, a bounty hunter with quite a gnarly reputation. I liked his character throughout the story but especially toward the end. His characters really ability to shine will happen much more in book two I’m sure now that things are…more out in the open if you will. I can’t wait to see how things continue to develop.

Overall, this story is gonna be hit for the romantasy girls who love a slow burn and are looking mainly for a story with good fantasy and plot elements.

This is a unique dark romantasy book featuring the FMC, Koryn, who is forced out of her coven and expected to die off without its magic. She is then bound to the MMC, Garrick, a bounty hunter.

This is refreshingly unique - dark and emotional. Koryn is curvy, which is nice to see, and her dragon familiar is adorable. The relationship was strong and fun to read about (although there's definitely a slow burn here), and the cliffhanger left me desperate for book 2 to come out already.

Thanks to the ARC team for an advance copy!

If you’re looking for an unfinished series to follow and obsess over look no further!

I was gripped by this book from the beginning. The way in which it’s written as though you do not know any details about the FMC. Slowly learning about who she is as a person before finding out about her tortured past. The hidden secrets of what has happened to bring her to her current position was so well done.

The writing style of this book I thoroughly enjoyed! It was cleverly put together. Keeping you guessing from one chapter to the next.

I loved the plus size representation in our FMC. Not to mention I feel there were neurodivergent topics handled in the book, such as over stimulation. As someone who has experienced this I felt truly seen in this book with the way that this topic was handled. I found myself truly relating to the FMC on many aspects. I also loved the non-binary representation this book has very diverse representation which is so important!

The storyline was fantastic, truly unique. I have read lots of trials books but nothing quite so unique as the seven gates. I loved this concept and the back story of velora.

The relationships between the characters are very believable, well written and had my giggling at times. I could really sense the personalities and who they were as people.

I will definitely be reading more of Emberly Ash’s work and keeping an eye out for book 2 in this series!

The Frost Witch by Emberly Ash chilled me to the bone and cracked my heart wide open.

Koryn, over 300-year-old frost witch exiled to a dying land, is one of the most emotionally raw heroines I’ve read in a long time. She’s deeply flawed, full of guilt and regret, and yet still pushes herself to try — to protect what’s left of her sister’s bloodline and to lift a curse no one else has managed to break.

The world is cold, cruel, and dangerous. But what makes this story sing is how real it feels. The pain. The love. The lies and heartbreak. The slow unraveling of purpose and power. And then there’s Garrick — mysterious, deadly, and absolutely not what Koryn expected, but exactly what she wanted.

This book was everything I hoped for and so much more. Witches, gods, curses, betrayal, reluctant allies, a curvy FMC who wears her heart (dead or not) on her sleeve, and a slow-burn pull that has me desperate for book two.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC. I’ll be (impatiently) waiting for what comes next.

The Frost Witch by Emberly Ash

4.5 Star Review

Thank you @NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC copy in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.

The first book in this new series by Ash follows a 400-year-old witch, Koryn, as she tries to save her world from a curse from the gods. She enters the trials of The Seven Gates to save another and soon finds herself life bound to a notorious bounty hunter, gaining a familiar, and learning to defend herself when magic is no longer available to help her. Each gate presents a new trial by a different god, increasing in danger.

If you love…

Ø Enemies to Love

Ø Slow Burn

Ø Forced Proximity

Ø Gods

Ø Dragons

Ø Betrayal

Ø Fae

Ø Witches

…this is for you!

This story will pull you in like it did for me. Koryn is intent on being a witch – they have no heart and kill without remorse – but her true nature betrays every choice she makes. When she saves Garrick, the bounty hunter who should want to kill her instead of protect her, she forms a life bound between them. As they go through the trials together, he not only protects her but teaches her to protect herself. It is a slow burn that has you turning pages to see if – or when 😊 – they will finally make their move.

The writing is phenomenal, the pacing perfect, and the entire premises refreshing and EXACTLY my cup of tea. The only reason I gave 4.5 stars instead of 5 was personal preference. There was too much description and prose over dialogue (for me) to start, and I didn’t really get into it until about 50% of the way through when the ‘baby’ dragon was introduced and the dialogue picked up. If you get past that, though, it’s worthwhile. By the end, all the character development that took time to start makes you connect with Garrick and Koryn, and the ending… It broke me!

If you haven’t picked this one up, I 1000% recommend adding it to your TBR! I can’t wait to read the next book! I’ve already started Crown of Earth and Sky!

What can I say!!?? I went into this book thinking l'd enjoy it but didn't think l'd be in for the ride I was. Let me clear, if it's a book about witches I'm here for it - but this was so much more than I expected.

Korlyn, is our FMC, on a journey to help restore magic and power to her land after being put under a curse by the gods. On the way she goes on a journey of self discovery, friendship & love.

Iloved the insights into Koryn's past we got, mixed with the current plot line. The 'challenge' of each gate gave deeper meaning to these flashbacks as well as the ongoing plot.

Despite the blurb telling us there would be a dragon - I still was not expecting Isanara to appear. LOVED her. She gives Andarna level attitude along with insight and humour. "A man who acknowledges what he does not know. I approve. He may stay." - I need an Isanara in my life and she may have taken top spot in my list of favourite dragons.

The romance in this book is slow burn - I'm talking 80% through until we get any romance action - and even then it's ripped from us.

I think I must need some brain training as the endings in these books are shaking me. The Frost Witch is no exception. Excuse me Miss Emerbley Ash but what the hell!!?? How can you layer that much betrayal on us!!??

Sign me up for book 2 now please!!

Thank you to Emberly Ash and Netgalley for the opportunity to receive this ARC🫶🏻
4.8 ⭐️
This book was such a good read! I enjoyed following Koryn on her journey through the trials, battling between choosing what she truly wants and what she believes is her duty. This girl clearly loves her bargaining because she has dug herself quite a few holes with a few deities, and I am anxious to see how that unfolds.
I always love a sassy dragon companion, and this book delivered. Isanara is still in her adolescence, and it shows with her sassy remarks and moody moments.
On to Garrick, he’s got some explaining to do. I desperately wish we knew more about him and with the ending we got in this book, I’m excited to see how the next book dives deeper into who he is and his past.

Honorable mention for Tomin, I love his gentle and kindness towards the supplicants, especially Koryn, as witches do not have a good reputation.

What did I just read??? It doesn't matter because I enjoyed it so much.

The Frost Witch is a book like no other. From the very first page, you know this book is going to give you everything you never thought you needed.
Koryn, our FMC, has been cast from her coven. She has done some bad things, but she also has a lot of empathy left. She is cold, she is alone and she needs money. Velora, the place where our story takes place has been cursed. People are starving, it is dark and cold, and life is tough. Koryn is given a chance to return to the coven, but she must pass the Seven Gates, which is the trial of the God which no one has ever passed, like ever, in order to save Velora.

Great story, perfect plot. The journey is incredible, and there is a dragon familiar!!! Eagerly awaiting the next book.

Thank you, Netgalley and Cara Maxwell Romance, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

Koryn is a witch, one whose heart no longer beats and who belongs to the dark god. She takes on the seven gates of the seven gods in her great grand niece's place, a challenge that no one else has survived before...

I really enjoyed this story. We follow Koryn as she tries to survive all the gates. She ends up saving Garrick at the gate of mercy, who she slowly falls for. I liked the idea of the gates, it is sort of trials but not what we normally get. You have to show mercy, give justice for a crime that you committed, be willing to sacrifice, or show devotion. Can you forgive yourself for a crime or what you are willing to sacrifice so the world can prosper again.

The story keeps a good pace, and we have some interesting characters, though I would have liked to know more about their original motivation for taking on the gates. Koryn is such a likable character, and we get a cute companion later. We don't get to know a lot about Garrick until the very end, but perhaps we'll get his viewpoint in the next book. There is a lot happening in the last few chapters, which leaves us withvso many questions... Hopefully, book two will be out quickvand I look forward to reading it!