I did enjoy the story, however it was very fast paced and chaotic. Left me with whiplash, the big moments didn’t get enough discussion. For example I don’t feel there was time between severing the bond and Valeria’s understanding of implications of this.

A Realm of Ash and Shadow was a good start to this debut series by Lara Buckheit.

The FMC, Valeria, kind of got on my nerves throughout the story though. There were times I felt she was unnecessarily mean, and even selfish and uncaring/empathetic. She has some good character development as the story progresses and near the end, but I will need more in the next book before I can even fully like her character.

Gideon is one character in this book that I loved. Although, I do wish he wasn't as quick to forgive in regard to Valeria considering how she treated him at times. I want him to stand up more for himself and be more assertive in the next book. Because right now, Valeria really doesn't deserve him.

Vemdour is a villian that will have your heart thawing towards him in one moment and then have it turn to ice when you realize the depth of his deceit and manipulations. He is a character that you will like, love, and hate all in one because of the many layers he has. I am even a bit sympathetic towards him, but he definitely needs to be taken care of after all he has done.

As for other characters within the story, I love Sabel, Mistress Marjorie, and Malachi. Mason was okay and so was Lirabeth. Ward got exactly what he deserved at the end.

First of all thank you so much Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange of a honest opinion.
I had really high hopes for this books because I truly think that the firsts few chapters were extremely well written and the introductions to this different realms were well done and most importantly make sense. BUT as the pages when on I received a slap on my face because I felt that this book needed a little more development and probably one more round of work. The action scenes were to quickly and I felt that the protagonist, Val, was stupid and selfish and didn’t take anything serious (but i would admit that I enjoy her quick responses).
It was sad to see such a brilliant world idea to be underworked. I actually think that this book had all the potencial to equal some of our favorite authors but it fail in presenting a group of characters that we could actually like and cared about. Everyone was blank and lacked a life of it’s own. I didn’t feel much for anyone in particular.
The sex scenes were well writing I guess but it comes to a point where the author needed to stop because there is a difference between empowering woman, make them own there own sexuality and make her want to sleep with every single male character that appears on the book.
The writing was okay and the plot twist were predictable but i think this could be a enjoyable read to someone that is experiencing fantasy books for the first time or want to try it out but doesn’t know where to started but for long time fantasy reader (like me!) this book didn’t filled the expectations for it and I honestly though it would be better.

I was initially drawn to this book due to having similar vibes to acotar series and saw if you’re a fan of SJM you may like this. I did enjoy it but nothing that would have me obsessed like these other books. The pacing was off some parts but I did like how the romance developed! Not sure if I pick up more in the series though.

A Realm of Shadow and Ash delivers so much epic fantasy that I want to dance on the rooftop! If you're a fan of Maas, Armentrout or K.A. Tucker, this book needs to go on your list.

The author delivers understandable world building as our heroine, Val, must go through the realms to really find out who and what she is. Is she a queen? Is she mortal? Is she a goddess? Is she just a young lady turning into a woman and learning to accept the grief and permance of adulthood?

Either way, you're in for a hell of a ride with Valeria and her group of characters!

I have not flown through a book so quick in a really long time. This book was a breath of fresh air for me. Something completely different, but something that felt familiar and like home to me. I only stopped reading for some much needed sleep and as soon as my peepers opened this morning, I was back at it again.

In this story, we follow the lovely Valeria who is just trying to belong. She has the knowledge that she is much more than what she portrays, but isn’t fully sure what is in store for her life. Living in the mortal realm since she was a baby, she is excited to venture into her true home Empyrean. However, she does not fully expect what the transition has in store for her. Through this book, she battles the waging war inside her, trying to find not only herself but also information on what has caused the changes in the realm of Empyrean she had only heard stories of.

I won’t go into much detail because this book is SO good. The plot, the characters, the twists and turns, the writing, the pacing… all just so good. I would say this is the best book I’ve read all year. I cannot wait to see what else Lara Buckheit has is store for us with this story.

Big thanks to Netgalley, and Lara Buckheit for giving me an ARC for this book. I enjoyed the story so much!

3.5 Stars Rounded to 4 Stars

This was such a fun and fast paced read. I felt that the plot had a good and steady pace at points but there was a couple of points where I felt it lost it a little. The world building was great and enjoy how descriptive the author was when describing.
The story follows Valeria who was exiled to the Mortal realm until she has to return to her world to reclaim her throne. Valeria has to battle demons and enemies who will try to stop and harm her at any cost. I felt the characters were well developed and had a good amount of depth to them.
I’m really Looking forward to the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

#ARealmofAshandShadow #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-Arc copy of this novel.

I picked this book up because the concept on the back cover just sounded so cool and it did not disappoint! This book was very well written and handled the elements that I was excited about in a way that was unpredictable and intriguing. The world building was subtly worked in from the start, and continued throughout in a way that enhanced the story. I loved the idea of the four worlds and the inhabitants of each world. This made it even more satisfying when the explanation of how everything fit together was revealed. It was a bit complicated at first, but ultimately, it really added to the story and made sense.

I also really liked the characters and how they developed. I loved Gideon from the second he was introduced. It was refreshing to see a heroine who was headstrong and capable and recognized her flaws but was still unapologetic about them. I also loved to see her development throughout the book, as she found her own power and independence from toxic, manipulating men.

The romance was handled very well in this book as well. The love triangle gave both characters time to develop their relationship with her independently in a way that felt real and had me genuinely curious who she would pick. I agreed with who she ended up with and appreciated the twist that kept her away from the other man.

The book took a dark twist in the middle that initially I wasn't sure about. Some of the gore may have been a bit over-described for me personally, but I also understood the motivation behind including it. I liked how the complex topics of emotionally abuse relationships and overcoming manipulators were handled. Overall a satisfying read.

I DNF’d this book.

I enjoyed the writing style and the story that was slowly being built. However, I struggled to get through 10% of it. I think that while I struggled to fully enjoy this book, it does not mean that no one will like it. I look forward to when this book is published and might even try and pick it up again. The plot and idea of the story intrigued me and still does. I look forward to other books this other will put out and the finalized edition of this book!

Valeria, the Princess of Empyrean, is sent away as a baby to the Realm of Mortals to be raised by her protector after her mother is murdered by her brother. After 18 years, her father the king, summons her back to Empyrean, a land which is supposed to be a paradise. Upon her return, she finds it went from a paradise where everyone was equal to a place where people were dying in the streets from starvation. Valeria spent her whole life waiting to see her father again and feel love, only to come back to her home to find a man who hates her and a broken system.
The book takes us through the journey of her find friends, love, and the power to right the wrongs of her kingdom. I really enjoyed the flow of the books. Valeria is strong and witty. The banter flowed nicely and her relationship with her keeper was nice. I love how their was kind of a Beauty and the Beast retelling thrown in there as well.
Sometimes Valeria's decisions seemed so rash that I got whiplash or it wasn't really thought out or the choices made the character seem less likeable, but that could be because she was being influenced or just because she IS a very rash person. She reminded me of Aelin, from Throne of Glass series in that sense. Sometimes you just wanna shake some sense into her.
This is a great series if you like:

*Strong FMC
*Lost Princess
*Amazing world building
*Gods/Demigoddesses
*Soulmates
*Political Intrigue

A Realm of Ash & Shadow Review

Couple: Valeria Breault with Gideon and/or Vemdour

Author: Lara Buckheit

Tropes: fantasy romance, hidden heir, demon/god romance, YA romance

Review: This book was my first read by this author and I found myself wanting more of Valeria’s story. At first glance she comes across as a naive and shallow young woman who rebels against her destiny but we soon see a new side to her.

I personally enjoyed her spunk. I felt like Valeria took pleasure in rebelling the mould of a princess and especially a soulmate bond. I found that this twist was what I really like about the book and am rooting for her to break the curse (hint hint).

I did not care too much for Gideon. I felt like he was too nice and perfect which made a lot more sense when we realize more about his past. I also feel like the secrets Valeria is keeping from him will cause the downfall of the two of them. To me, I loved Vemdour and really want to see his character grow and overcome the curse on him.

While Valeria grew up in this book, I really want to know more about Margie’s past and what led her to having the cloak. I would also love to see Mason return in some form, I was sad to see him go.

Rating: 8/10, that ending…need the next book!

This book really had me in the beginning with touches of dark magic, ACOTAR, fated lovers etc. loved how sassy the main character was and there were several unique twists I really enjoyed. I wish there was more romance than just a kiss or two…but I’m sure the next book will delve deeper into that 😏

BUT about the last 150-100 pages it really lost me. The plot was thoroughly entertaining throughout the book but the last 1/3 just had too many time jumps, 180 degree shifts with the main character and too much back and forth that it was a bit hard to keep track and keep the story straight.

Overall I did enjoy this book and I would recommend it!

This read was an ARC, thank you to the author!

DNF
I could not finish this book as I lost interest in it quickly. It all seemed so juvenile, the lead female was annoying and I don't think it should be compared to any of the books it has been compared to.

The only thing i dislike about this book is that we have a love triangle, other than that i loved it tbh!!! The world building is amazing, the characters (at times irritating at the point i want to slap them) were endiring and intriguig, especially the fmc. Defenitly 4 stars.

A Realm of Ash and Shadow is an enthralling enemies-to-lovers romantasy that will keep you hooked from start to finish. The story follows Valeria Breault, an exiled princess forced to fight for her life against demons and navigate a treacherous world where her claim to the throne is at risk. With elements of drama and spice this book delivers on the promise of an addictive read. The world-building is magnetic, drawing readers into a vividly imagined realm. If you enjoy a good romantasy you won't be able to put down A Realm of Ash and Shadow!

Thank you to Lara Buckheit and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

This was such an interesting and fresh idea full of world building and an amazing female lead. I loved reading this book.
My only criticism would be that some parts were too fast paced for me so it sometimes felt rushed and I wish we could have explored different characters more and different friendships in particular. Some characters I felt like I would have really loved more had I had more time with them. But the themes and tropes of this book were perfection. I always love a hades and persephone like retelling and I would love the world and the characters to be explored in further books.

Alright, I’m not sure where to begin with this one! I have a lot of thoughts.

First and foremost, I did enjoy ARoAaS. As a Romantasy lover, this one checked a lot of the boxes that mark a great read for me. The pacing was quick, the almighty “who did this to you” moment hit as hard as ever, there were a few twists that completely bulldozed me, tbh… and a wee bit of spice. This book is New Adult, so if that matters to you, keep that in mind!

I also want to note, considering this is NA and there might be upper teen readers, to check triggers before starting! Just to cover all your bases. 🖤

Our girl Valeria is eighteen… and she definitely exhibits typical eighteen year old behaviors and thought processes at times which had me WILDY frustrated. Of course, I knew that going into the book and considering I am practically a dinosaur (31, to be exact) its definitely not a drawback for the book, just a me thing, if that makes sense.

However, there were a few instances that were a little… too convenient. I did notice a switch up of verbiage as well that kinda kicked me out of how immersive this book is otherwise! Val is balancing on the edge of violence and anger so often, it sometimes didn’t feel completely justified or make sense.

Overall I did really enjoy this story and plan to continue when book two is released!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sword and Silk Books and the author for the ARC!

A Realm of Ash and Shadow
By Lara Buckheit
••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •••
So this book was weird, in terms of how I felt about it! I’m not sure if I like it or not. I loved some of the plot lines and moments in the book. But I also felt that the plot and characters were flat, that the plot kinda jumped around a lot, I disliked the MC, the first half of the book was really slow and not really important to the storyline. The middle section happened really fast…you don’t get much character development or dept in this book. It just felt flat and boring. I did enjoy the authors writing a lot, it was smooth and easy to read. I liked the idea behind the story for this novel, I just wish it was executed a little better.

I’m in love with the cover art and the art at the start of each chapter! I thought it was so beautiful and it enhanced the reading experience.

Valeria is sure of a few things, she’s a Princess to a land (Empyrean) in which she has been exiled from by her father. Her realm would be better off without her. But that all changes when demons crash her prom and she’s forced back to her realm early. Empyrean is not the fairytale that she has been told it is, it’s a hellish nightmare. She must fight to get her throne back and along the way secrets are revealed.

If you love…
✨Love Triangles
✨Soulmates
✨Morally grey villains
✨Multiple realms
✨Strong female lead

My copy was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Romance: ❤️
Spice level: 🌶
Plot points: 💥💥💥
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a quick lovely read. It felt very standard as far as fantasy books go of this particular genre. The plot was slightly all over the place and really felt like it had a few holes in it throughout. The MFC was a little grating to deal with her constant self-hate and just monumental stubbornness which only lightened up a little at the end before thrusting her right back into it.

I would be interested in reading more of this story just to see if it gets better after what happens in the last act. But only if the MFC actually starts to believe in herself more.