4.75 stars for me.

Kingdom of Claw is the second book in the Ashen series; The first being the addicting and wonderful The road of bones. Winters starts off this follow up strong with a little refresher and picks right back up with Silla & Rey and immediately the pacing is pure perfection— quick and fun without feeling rushed. The shifting POVs really helped with the immersive quality of Winters writing and I fell completely into the story. I really enjoyed Saga and all of the side characters added beautifully to the story.

The world building and immaculate pacing genuinely made this book a top read of the year. It’s rare for me to enjoy a second book more than the first and let me tell you, this is one of those occasions. I highly suggest diving into this series and I cannot wait to read more.

Thank you to netgalley, the publisher and Demi Winters for the opportunity to read and review Kingdom of Claw.

I cannot rave about this series enough. It is romantasy but it is also just great fantasy. Silla is on her own for the first time in her life and has no idea where to go next. One day she happens upon a wagon and decides to hop inside only to find that the wagon belongs to a fearsome mercenaries called The Bloodaxe Crew lead by the ever-broody Axe Eyes. She soon makes friends with the crew and secrets, her own and others, are revealed on The Road of Bones, heading to Kopa.

This book has everything, murder, betrayal, romance, magic, Vikings, banter, and phenomenal world building. I absolutely adore and cannot recommend it enough. I will be sitting here waiting every so patiently for the next installment.

Thank you so much to Demi Winters, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing for the ARC of Kingdom of Claws! I loved the first book in the series, Road of Bones, so I was very excited to get an early copy of book 2 in the series!!
 
We are introduced to a couple new characters in book 2 and while I was excited to find out more and get new POV’s, I just NEEDED TO KNOW how Rey and Silla are faring after the ending of book 1. I don’t want to spoil anything from book 1 (but you shouldn’t be here unless you’ve finished lol SO THIS IS YOUR WARNING) but that REVEAL at the end? And now we’ve got a purpose for our two main FMC’s and their companions. Book 1 was all about laying the foundation of the world and this book is now about how our characters, both old and new, are discovering hidden secrets. We have Silla trying to figure out how to find her lost sister and Saga trying to help Silla evade capture and figure out how to get to each other. I really enjoyed Saga’s POVs and her and Rurik’s interaction, while on the other side, I LOVE seeing Silla and Rey together. This book was so fun and I can’t wait until book 3!!

I enjoyed this as much as I did the first book. It was great to read from Saga’s POV and learn about her time as a ward. My biggest gripe is I felt Silla’s POVs were slow until about 50% in, and I could have done without Jonas’s POV. But the relationships in this book? Chefs kiss. The yearning. The development. Fantastic.

First off, kudos to Winters for including that recap at the start – it's always helpful when authors recognize we might need a memory refresh between books.
The introduction of Saga proves to be one of the book's smartest moves. This new character brings a welcome dynamic to the story, particularly in the growing tension between the sisters actions and hoping it would work out. It's like adding the right ingredient to a recipe that was already working – it just makes everything better.
The pacing here is solid. The book opens strong and manages to maintain that momentum throughout, which isn't always easy to pull off in fantasy. Winters has a good handle on keeping things moving while still developing the story and world.
Now for some minor speedbumps: if you're not a fan of cutesy nicknames in your fantasy, you might find yourself doing the occasional eye-roll. And while one of the romantic subplots starts with some promising slow-burn tension, it eventually falls into some familiar romantasy territory that feels a bit been-there-done-that.
These small issues aside, "Kingdom of Claw" delivers an imaginative fantasy experience that builds well on its foundation. The world-building remains creative, and the story keeps you invested despite any minor quibbles.

Overall enjoyment:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Prose: easy to read
Pacing (1=slow 5=fast): 4
Scary (1=cozy 5=splatter): not
Gore: mild
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Character Development:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmosphere:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️

Outstanding book! I recently saw where this series has been picked up by Dell Romance for 5 books! I'm so excited to know there's more to come from Demi Winters. This series is seriously addictive and held my attention throughout. In this Book 2 of the Ashen Series, the story picks up with Silla and Rey where The Road of Bones left off. It shifts points of view between all the main characters including Silla's older sister Saga. The pacing remains as fast as it was at the end of Book 1, which I like. If you have read other Norse literature then the vocabulary here will be similar. If you have not, there is a glossary of terms in the back of this ebook. I'd advise bookmarking that before starting. The words are easy to figure out though. Demi Winters has done an admirable job explaining the terms in the narrative smoothly.

It is unreal how obsessed I am with these characters. If you like morally gray men this is the series for you and you absolutely must read this series in order. I didn't think it'd be possible to like Kingdom of Claw better than Road of Bones but here we are. In this continuation of Silla and Saga's journey we see a lot of character development and action. I hung on every word. This duology is infinitely buy-worthy if you like romantasy or norse romances.

“It begins with frost and ends with fire,” said Harpa, taking a deep breath. “Rökkur is coming. The twilight of our world.”

Wow! Absolutely! I am going to need book 3 yesterday. Kingdom of Claw was gripping, action packed, made me cry, swoon, grit my teeth, giggle, and cry some more. I loved the dedication and acceptance of Rey and Silla's relationship and journey. Plus we get another POV from Saga which was gripping as well. This was an emotional roller coaster for sure with twists and turns that I did not expect. Characters that I fell in love with and ones that need to go away. Let's talk about that ending cliffhanger!! What?! Amazing story, fabulous book, infinity stars.

You know a series is going to be good when the sequel is better than the first book and man was this book good. I love when sequels expand on a world to make it even more fleshed out along with when characters continue to grow and change. The addition of Saga's plot line added so much to the story including court politics and a view on the political side of the world Winters has created. Silla's character growth throughout the story was also well done. I love a good slow burn romance-- especially when you don't even realize its happening-- and the relationship between Silla and Rey was believable and beautiful. I can't wait to see how it continues to evolve as well as Saga's relationship with Rurick.

While at times, certain plot elements seemed a bit contrived and the plot shared similar struggles with the first book with pacing, that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of this story. This is a great wintery fantasy filled with magic, action, and romance and I am so excited to see where this story continues to go.

I devoured the first book, The Road of Bones and this one was even better. Such a good series this is.

This book continues with Silla and Rey and their story. You also meet Saga who is Silla's sister.

Saga has been basically held captive since the murder of her parents and supposedly sister. She's afraid of going outside. She does what she is told and does not cause trouble. Until she does. When she does she does it right. Along with her friend Rurik some secrets are uncovered. But there is really not a lot Saga can do. She's so alone.

Silla is learning a lot about her power. Her Galdra it is called. Silla is a fairly powerful woman. She doesn't have many memories of her parents as she was so young when they were murdered. But her sister... She remembers Saga. She must find Saga.

This book is filled with a lot of action. It has a lot of things to keep you cringing and gasping. But together Silla and Rey can withstand almost anything. Almost...

What is to become of Saga. Silla. With so much evil and so many unanswered questions will they ever find their way to each other. And if they do will they yield the strong bond that I expect.

If you like a good action, love story, fantasy, filled with monsters and gore, grab this series. It's great. Both as an audio and reading along. I loved it.

Thank you #NetGalley, #RandomHousepublishing #Ballantine/DelacortePress, for this ARC. This is my true thoughts about this book.

Five big stars.

Book 2 in the Ashen series by Demi Winters. After finishing book 1, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series. I hate when books in a series end on a cliffhanger (especially when the series isn't all published), and Demi Winters did a nice job ending book 1 where you knew there was more to come, but you didn't throw the book across the room. Here comes book 2 with a continuation of Silla's story and now Saga begins narrating chapters as well. At first, I was annoyed to be taken away from Silla, but Saga can hold her own and her story is just as intriguing and her romantic interest is as much a heartthrob as Rey. Silla's lightheartedness is not as apparent in this story compared to book 1 as she faces her real identity and attempts to learn her power. Rey and Jonas also narrate chapters, and yes, you will hate Jonas in this book just as much as you did in book 1.. Once again, Demi Winters navigates an ending that allows you to keep breathing while you wait for the next book to appear.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an early ecopy. My opinion is my own.

This is a fantastic second book. Many times the second book is not as good as the first or next in the series as it has to build the story for what happens next. However, that is not the case with this one. The story continues. We get character development and new characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and adding Saga's story was great.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for putting me out of my misery, aka approving my request for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review! This review was published on Goodreads (linked below) today, 12/16/24.+

I can’t say enough good things about this series by Demi Winters. It is so smart and the world is so full. The Road of Bones was one of my favorite fantasy reads of the year, and I started The Kingdom of Claw the literal minute my ARC came through.

Although my expectations for this sequel were high, let’s be real—all I REALLY wanted was a certain couple to get together. And let’s just say I was not disappointed 🥵 But I also really have to commend Demi Winters on what she did with this second installment. KoC introduces not only a second protagonist, but also a second romance plot that plays out alongside (and often interrupts) Silla and Rey’s plot. It has no business working as well as it does. It could’ve been a disaster. AND YET. Saga’s POV and everything about her storyline had me on the edge of my seat. She quickly became my favorite character in the series. I can’t wait to see where she goes in book 3. (And Zurik is to die for. He is much more of a typical “shadow daddy” style romantasy male lead than Rey is, which just goes to show that this series can do it all 😉)

If I had one complaint, it would be that Silla and Rey’s story began to drag in the latter half of the book, but this is probably a testament to how attached I had grown to Saga by that point. I was kinda over Silla by that point and just wanted to be back in Askaborg Castle with my girl! Just like in RoB, though, at the 90% mark, this book WENT NUTS and I flew through to the end with my jaw on the floor. I didn’t think Demi Winters could top the “wtf” at the end of RoB, but she did… and then some. Because WTF. The wait for book 3 is going to be looooooong.

Overall, I am absolutely in love with this series and would enthusiastically recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy or romantasy. There is so much to love here, and though this genre is super saturated right now, this series stands out.

When the second book in a new series is even better than the first! I love how the story has continued and given me more than I could have imagined. I can’t wait to see what is next for Silla and Saga!

I’m grateful for the ARC and hope to snag the next sequel too.

We pick up with Silla and Rey almost where we left off. At the end of the first book, they share a significant moment—him saving her life—but by the start of this sequel, their relationship feels a bit distant. Don’t worry, though; their bond deepens and evolves. It takes time (and plenty of trauma to work through), but watching them grow to care for each other was so rewarding.

Silla shines in this sequel, growing emotionally, mentally, and physically. Her journey to master her power is slow and sometimes frustrating, but it adds realism. Easy wins would’ve made her story less compelling. The highlight is her grappling with her past and beginning to accept herself, her history, and her destiny. There’s still more for her to learn, and I’m eager to see her continue evolving in the next book.

Rey’s development is more subtle. He changes in that classic way a strong female lead often inspires in a male character. The contrast between Rey and Jonas (from book one) remains clear: Jonas was all red flags, while Rey feels like a safe haven.

I suspect Jonas will reappear in the next book, and I’m betting on some kind of redemption arc. While his actions are inexcusable (even considering his grief), it’s hard not to wonder if he’d have made different choices if his brother were still alive.

Saga’s storyline was another standout for me. Initially, I feared she wouldn’t care about Silla, but it’s clear her love for her sister runs deep. Saga is scared and naive yet undeniably brave, risking her life to protect Silla and her people. Her love interest brings some intrigue: he’s mysterious and has a few red flags, but genuinely seems to want to help her. Will he turn out to be a villain or her ally? I can’t wait to find out.

This book solidified my admiration for both the series and the author. I’m excited for the next book and whatever else she writes in the future.

We thought The Road of Bones was untouchable. Nothing could possibly surpass it.

Enter… Kingdom of Claw.

This book didn’t just raise the bar—it shattered it. A POV shift can be risky business. It’s a leap of faith to connect with a whole new perspective, and if it’s mishandled, it can completely derail the story. But Demi Winters absolutely nailed it. Rey, Silla, Saga, and Kass were truly incredible to follow… we were rooting for every single one of them in so many different ways!

The politics, fantasy, magic, and romance were all seamlessly balanced and perfectly executed—while still leaving us wanting more of everything. Winters has a way of crafting tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat, whether it’s through quiet, personal moments or explosive, game-changing revelations. Every chapter felt like peeling back another layer of an intricately built world, and we couldn’t get enough.

Meeting the new characters was not only perfectly written—it was exhilarating. Winters has this uncanny ability to make you forget these characters haven’t been there all along. Their backstories, their motivations, their relationships—they all felt so real and immediate. By midway through, we found ourselves craving more from the newcomers—even more than the original protagonist sometimes! (Seriously, we couldn’t stop talking about it.)

And that ending. Without giving anything away, it left us absolutely breathless and desperate for what’s next. Winters has proved she’s a master of her craft. Kingdom of Claw isn’t just a sequel—it’s a masterpiece in its own right.

🐓 forced proximity
🐓 ONLY ONE HORSE
🐓 training sequences
🐓 VIKINGS
🐓 SO 👏🏼 MUCH 👏🏼 BANTER
🐓 soft fmc
🐓 CLIFFHANGER

Wow!! I reread The Road of Bones before diving back into this wonderful world Demi Winters created so I could remember all the finite details leading up to book two. Kingdom of Claw exceeded my expectations and had zero bit of the “book two syndrome” that so many series fall under. The world building and plot twists went full steam in the sequel and I absolutely loved getting Eisa’s side of the story in this one. I’m a huge fan of multi POV, and this story really benefited from having so many perspectives. The only complaint I have is that book three isn’t out already!! Cannot wait to read more!

4.5🌟

This was so good. I very rarely enjoy second books in a series, but this one does not fall into that category. The new characters that were introduced in this book are such a great addition, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

I loved this book more than the first and I did not think it was possible. The journey you go on with every single character is a wild but magical ride that I wish I could relive for the first time. While sometimes the overwhelming amount of POVs could be frustrating, I think it added to the story to see and feel from all these characters.

I enjoyed getting to revel in the mystery and the plot while getting to explore and experience both Silla and Saga’s stories. There was so much happening in this book from the unbelievable character development (Silla I’m talking about you) to the multiple relationships and even the development of fantastic villains.

I need book 3!!

Thank you to Ballentine and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book 2 in The Ashen series, and this one was great. I will say I enjoyed book one a bit more. This book has a lot of filler, but also a ton of character development. My hatred for Yennes only increased with this one. And my love for the ever growing relationship between Rey and Silla as well.

One thing I really enjoyed about this story was the POV switch from Silla to her estranged sister Saga and the turmoil she is encountering after she witnessed the murder of her entire family, including her sister Silla who she believes is deceased. This threw me for such a loop and I was so intrigued to see what happened.

I will say I loved the developing relationship between Saga and Kass. I think Saga’s POV made this story so much more impactful, and I loved seeing this story become more complex as you read on.

Thank you to Random House - Ballentine, NetGalley and Demi Winters for the eARC of Kingdom of Claw, available in hardcover February 4th!

Thank you so much for this arc, the Ashen series is quickly becoming one of my new favorite series and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!!

The ending of this book left me reeling!! Omg I love this series and all of these characters. I think the way the author broke up the chapters between Silla and Rey, Jonas, and Saga was really well executed. The storylines were really well thought out and the slow burn romance between Silla and Rey was good!!!! But I have to say I think the tension between Saga and Rurik is my favorite. I’m a sucker for a mysterious man from a far away land. The author also did an excellent job writing Saga’s character especially you could really feel the fear that she has of the world and her character is an excellent representation of mental illness and how it can manifest.

Overall the story pacing was great, I was quite captivated while reading this book. I am very interested to see what is going to happen with Saga and Silla since they both allowed a God into the heart of their magic and if they agreed once does that God now have free access to possess them? Also Saga’s new journey to the land of Zagadka I think will be so much fun to read about, I sense an enemies to lovers plot line coming for her and Rurik.