Obsessed with this series. There are not many Viking romantasy stories out there and if you’re looking for a good one, this is it.

This is book two in the series and I ate it up. I couldn’t put it down. It picks up right after book one. The story is captivating, the world building is spot on and the characters are wonderful. 100% worth the read.

I need more people talking about this series.

Demi Winters’ Kingdom of Claw is an enthralling continuation of The Ashen series, weaving together Viking-inspired fantasy, intricate political intrigue, and a slow-burn romance that kept me completely captivated. From the very first page, I was drawn back into the brutal yet mesmerizing world of Íseldur, where the clash of warriors, the weight of destiny, and the pull of forbidden magic create an immersive and unforgettable reading experience.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its characters. Silla and Saga’s journeys are filled with high stakes, emotional depth, and moments of raw vulnerability that make them feel incredibly real. Their struggles, ambitions, and relationships evolve in ways that feel organic, adding layers of complexity to an already gripping plot. The tension between duty and desire, loyalty and betrayal, is masterfully explored, making every interaction meaningful and every decision impactful.

Beyond the characters, Winters’ prose is stunning. Her writing is both vivid and atmospheric, effortlessly transporting the reader into the heart of this frozen, war-torn kingdom. Every battle, every whispered secret, and every flicker of magic is brought to life with a cinematic quality that lingers long after turning the final page.

As the story hurtles toward its climax, the stakes continue to rise, and by the time I reached the end, I was left desperate for more. Kingdom of Claw is a fantastic sequel that builds on everything that made its predecessor great while setting the stage for something even bigger. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the series—I need to know what happens next!

Absolutely loved this story. After reading the first one, I was over the moon to read this one. One of my all time favorite stories.

LOVE LOVE LOVE! Rarely do I love the second book in a series, but that’s not the case here! The new characters that were introduced in this book are such a great addition, and I loved to see how the MMC and FMC’s relationship grew.

I also met Demi at RomantasyCon in LA and she’s fantastic!

It’s not often I enjoy a sequel more than the original book, yet here we are….

Kingdom of Claw (the sequel to The Road of Bones) is crafted of multiple alternating character point of views that the author meticulously weaves together creating a unique storyline unlike any I have experienced thus far.

Plus there are Vikings!!!

The addition of Saga (Silla’s sister) in book two was everything I never knew I needed. Her interactions with Rurik are *chef’s kiss.* Every single one of them. I became invested in these new characters so quickly and hung on their every word to the other

“You sound of perfect trained pet. They must give you excellent treats.” -Rurik

I need more.

Amazing! Book 1 was great and this one did not disappoint. The world building continued as well as the the romance. I love how the MFC is such a strong character and doesn’t need a man to save her just a partner in crime and the author delivers on this and then some. The only thing I was put off about was the author tended to be over descriptive which felt like they were just using fillers but overall a really great read.

I have been so excited for this book! I loved The Road of Bones so when I saw this was available as an ARC, I knew I had to have it! I was not disappointed. I loved this book and getting to know the characters even more. So good!

The Kingdom of Claw was such a different experience from the first book, and honestly? I loved that.
In The Road of Bones, we were constantly on the move, traveling with the crew through dangerous lands—but this time, we stayed mostly in Kalasgarde and Sunnavik, and that shift gave the story a whole new energy. It felt quieter in some ways, but more layered too—like we were digging deeper into who these characters really are.

The arc with the serpents was interesting—it made for a solid storyline with cool imagery and some tense moments—but it didn’t feel essential to the main story until much later. The moment where Silla and Saga finally connect mind-to-mind? That was when everything clicked and I was like, okay, now we’re getting closer to what this is really about. And honestly, even though the serpents didn’t feel central, I still enjoyed the ride. That’s one of the reasons I’ve fallen in love with this series—it doesn’t just feel like reading a story, it feels like traveling with these characters. Before I even realized it, I was emotionally attached all over again.

And let’s talk about the slow burn romance, because WOW. Rey and Silla’s relationship in this book? Absolute perfection. Their progression was so natural, so respectful of both their emotional states, and it never felt rushed.
Even the spice scenes (which I usually don’t enjoy much, especially when sequels tend to ramp it up unnecessarily) were really well done. There were only a few, and each one felt earned and aligned with their emotional journey—not just there for the sake of being steamy. It was romantic, not overwhelming, and I appreciated that so much.

The found family theme continues to shine in this series. While I missed the Bloodaxe Crew (and Hekla especially—more on that in a second!), I loved the new relationships formed in Kalasgarde. The bonds that developed there were so genuine and slow-building, which made them all the more rewarding.

Okay, side note: I missed Hekla SO MUCH. She was one of my favorites in the first book, and not having her around in this one was definitely noticeable. But the fact that we’re getting a Hekla novella?? I’m already screaming. Give it to me now. I can’t wait to see her story, especially since it feels like there’s so much left unresolved with her and Sigrún.

Silla’s character growth was beautiful in this book. Watching her slowly come to terms with who she is, not just in terms of her powers but as a person, was incredibly satisfying. And Rey’s arc? Ugh. So good. I especially adored that subtle detail with the owl representing his brother’s spirit leading him—it was such a small thing, but it absolutely hit me in the feels. It gave so much quiet emotional weight to Rey’s journey and his connection to his past. I really love how both of them are learning to accept themselves and their histories, not just survive them.

Now, Jonas… oh boy. He made me mad, obviously, but I have to admit I’m really intrigued by the direction he’s going. He’s clearly sinking deeper into darkness, and I genuinely don’t know where he’s headed. Part of me wonders if there’s a redemption arc coming at some point—but the other part is just watching him self-destruct and wondering how far he’ll fall.

That said, Saga’s POV didn’t fully work for me. I didn’t dislike her, but I just wasn’t into her chapters the way I was with Silla and Rey. I plan to reread those chapters before book three releases, so maybe I’ll connect more on a second read, but the first time through, I found myself a little disconnected from her arc.

Despite that, I am so deep in this world now. The characters feel like friends, the setting is rich and immersive, and the emotional undercurrents of each story hit in all the right places. I’m beyond happy that I picked up this series, and I can’t wait to continue the journey.

Demi Winters is quickly becoming one of those authors I trust completely to deliver characters with depth, slow-burning romance, emotional stakes, and just enough magic to keep me enchanted.

Book three can’t come soon enough!

This book has ruined me for other fantasy romance books! What beautiful character development.

I don’t often read a 700+ page book and wish it was longer, but I definitely felt that way about Kingdom of Claw.

There’s so much depth between those characters; I love when authors really build a strong foundation in a romance.

The dual POVs were executed really well in this book. I love how Winters has opened up this world and added intrigue with the new characters.

I’m telling everyone about this book - the main relationship in this book is now my Roman Empire. Can’t wait to see what Demi Winters has in store with the next book in the series!!!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc.

Demi has done it again!! I LOVED this book. The first book was amazing and now with this one, I cannot wait for book 3!!

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book right as I was finishing The Road of Bones, so I could dive right in. This book was so good! I might like it even more than the first one. I loved reading about Silla’s growth journey and her coming into her power. You also get to learn more about Rey’s history and his inner demons. Their romance story is quite fun, but I love that it isn’t the primary focus of the story or her main motivation for becoming stronger.

My favorite storyline in this book is Saga and Rurik. I won’t say much because I do not want to spoil anything, but I could not get enough of these two. Everything from the language barrier to the secrets between them, to their plan is perfection. Saga’s story is deep and traumatic, and I am rooting for her.

Demi Winters keeps weaving more layers into the series and nothing is as it seems upfront. This is going to be a fantastic series. There are secrets, lies, unique magic, Gods, monsters, and surprises. The ending is a cliffhanger that I absolutely did not see coming and I have big feelings about it. I will be impatiently waiting for the next book.

✨Book Review✨

Kingdom of Claw - Demi Winters

🌟 If you are looking for a new Romantasy series to start, then pick up The Road of Bones! That’s book one in The Ashen Series, and you will not be disappointed! It’s a great fantasy that I would liken to… all fantasy books and also none of them. This book should be hyped more.

❗STOP! Don’t read more if you haven’t read Road of Bones! ❗

📖 Silla has had to give up her dreams of a simple life, and now that she’s survived the Road of Bones she’ll need to travel to safety with Axe Eyes as her companion. Rey has secrets of his own that she will need to grapple with as well. Saga Volsik has nothing left to lose. Her family has been killed, her freedom has been stolen, and she’s trapped in a castle with no one she can trust. These women need to find their strength and a way to persevere in a kingdom set to destroy them.

📚I enjoyed the way this storyline continued to develop! Having multiple character POV (Sage, Silla, Rey, Jonas) and the tension that was built because of those perspectives was perfect. I love that the world building done in the first book was well worth the setup for book two. Saga having so much page time was absolutely what I wanted for this book and her character didn’t disappoint. The ending here left me screaming and kicking, but also nodding along and saying this feels right. It was just twisty enough, yet predictable to be *chefs kiss* so good I didn’t want it to end.

🌟 Okay… I loved this. The ending cliffhanger was enough to make me want the next book, but was not too much to where I am agonizing until I can read Book 3. It’s the perfect setup for what’s to come.

#BookReview #KingdomOfClaw #Volsik #DemiWinters #BookRecommendation

This was amazing! These dual timelines were genius and not only kept me on the edge of my seat, but also made the story fly by. Hands down one of the best books of the year!

Silla is on the run again and in hiding. No longer on the Road of Bones, her and Rey, the leader of the Bloodaxe Crew, have fled to a "shield home" for Galdra, magic wielders, in the North. As Silla and Rey grow closer, she must learn how to accept her past in order to save her sister, Saga, who has been kept prisoner by King Ivar and Queen Signe for the last 18 years.

In the second installation of the Ashen Series, there is quite a lot of background and world building. I found this to be the best part of the book. There are multiple point of views from Silla and her sister Saga, to Rey and Jonas. The latter had me questioning his continued role in the story line, but since this is just a part of the story, perhaps he has another role to play.

Most of Kingdom Claw deals with past trauma and how it can affect you long after so make sure you check all your triggers because just about all of them are in here. I loved learning about their past and what brought them all together. Saga started to grow on me as the story progressed and her character grew. Silla, on the other hand, left me wanting more from her. While Saga fought to defeat her demons in the most dire of situations, Silla, had difficulty doing the same with allies and support.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and how it is progressing. There were a lot of surprises and the world grew tremendously for me. There is a greater understanding of the ongoing conflict in Iseldur and an even greater peril the world may be facing. A great second book that left me excited for the next.

The second book in this series did NOT disappoint! Demi is a new fav author for me, and I'm so glad I found her on tiktok! I am really loving this series so far and am ready for the next book, a novella I think! If you're a fan of Romantasy and enjoyed A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L Jensen then definitely check this out. Now I just need some physical copies for my shelf!

TYSM for the e-arc!

I absolutely LOVED the first book. This second book was good, it is hard to top the first though! Demi is such an amazing writer I look forward to following her future works! I was able to meet her in seattle and snag a signed copy of her books. Demi is so kind!! I recommend this series to everyone

BK-R
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POV: 3rd Person, 4 POV’s

What a great extension in the Ashen Series! This did not suffer from book 2 syndrome! So many twists and turns that kept in it! Anxiously awaiting book 3!
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Spicy Scenes: 49, 52, & 57

What a fantastic book! The characters stay with you long after you finish the book. After reading Road of Bones I couldn't wait to see how the story would continue and Kingdom of Claw was even better. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series. Demi Winters is a wonderful writer who keeps you engaged through the entire book. Highly recommend!

Loved this continuation of Silla&s story and journey. I’m loved that we are getting more insight into how everything came to be, through the smaller side characters since our 2 Main characters were not privy to a lot of the happenings in the kingdom for such a long time

I love the way this book came together—from the additional POVs, to the continued growth of characters and their relationships, new characters, to the general atmosphere and setting of this magical Viking world. Every page was captivating.

I felt the pacing to be perfect for the story. It didn't move too fast, but let you linger in a certain feeling while becoming more familiar with the characters. I especially felt this from Silla's pov.

The slow burn and romance was incredible and the progression of each relationship felt natural.

Something that stood out to me were both Rey's and Saga's backstories. Learning more about these two added so much depth and understanding about who and why they are.

As for the plot, it was intriguing and mysterious and many of my questions were answered by the end of the book while still leaving me ready to see where this story will progress next.