Wow!!
I loved Road of Bones, and this was just as good! It seriously amazing to jump right back into the world with Silla and Rey, as well as so many new POVs. Having a pulse on Jonas and how he was working along with the soldiers was so good to follow. And lets have a moment for Saga!! What a fantastic addition and hello Kass.....

But honestly I am here for more and more and more Silla and Rey. We added to our found family (but I miss the BloodAxe Crew so much), we had some perfect training scenes, he was such a sucker for her from the beginning, and we get so much growth with them. I almost want to read it again already. And I need to read that ending again. Like, What??

And I LOVED that we were given a catch up from the author at the beginning of the book. I wish that was more common, it seriously helped.

If you're craving a new adult fantasy romance with grumpy x sunshine, forbidden love, enemies-to-lovers, and broody touch-her-and-die warriors, Kingdom of Claw by Demi Winters is here to deliver. The second book in the Ashen series, this novel takes us deeper into its Norse-inspired world, filled with warbands, magic, and deadly rulers who stop at nothing to seize power.

But let’s be real—while Kingdom of Claw follows two main couples, not all romances are created equal. Rey and Silla might be the fan-favorite pairing, but for me? It was all about Saga and Kass. Their forbidden love story had the tension, heartbreak, and chemistry that kept me glued to the pages. Plus, Kass’s broken English and adorable accent? Swoon.

While Kingdom of Claw has something for every fantasy romance lover, for me, Saga and Kass stole the show. Their forbidden romance had the intensity, passion, and emotional stakes that made it impossible to put the book down. Rey and Silla’s relationship, while sweet, just didn’t pack the same punch—but hey, that’s just me.

If you love new adult romance with grumpy x sunshine, forbidden love, slow-burn romance, and alpha males who’d burn the world down for their woman, this book belongs on your shelf.

Kingdom of Claw was a great addition to the series. I will admit that I was not looking forward to reading Saga's point of view at the beginning, but it turned out to be my favorite part of the book! Her relationship with Rurik was intriguing. I loved the footnotes at the end of Saga's chapters that told us what Rurik was speaking to her. So sweet! Kingdom of Claw ended on a total cliffhanger, and I can't wait to read the next one!

Incredible!!!! I loved Road of Bones and Kingdom of Claw is even better! It has everything you are looking for in a 5⭐️ romantasy.
Touch her and 💀
Top tier 🌶️🌶️🌶️
“Who did this to you?” vibes

I think we’ve grown too accustomed to books in series (especially middle books) sagging a little bit. Thankfully there is Demi Winters to show us that we don’t have to settle for mediocre filler books. Kingdom of Claw was just as amazing as Road of Bones. Both easy 5 stars.

I loved having Saga become a true part of the story and seeing her perspective. I loved her finding her quiet strength and then her loud strength. Her navigation as a pretty prisoner just trying to survive mentally and physically as best she can is a really powerful story that we often don’t see in romantasy/fantasy books. She was just a small innocent child when her family and kingdom were conquered and her trauma is very real. Seeing her grow, test boundaries, think for herself just made me root for her more and more and I want to see her become an absolute badass.

Silla’s trauma, while different, is no less real and impactful. Both these young women have dealt with a lot in their short lives but seeing them find support systems that neither expected was wonderful. Silla learning to control her galdra was always entertaining with her grumpy admirer. Accepting herself, forgiving her past and still allowing herself to be vulnerable while learning to be strong - these characters all have so many dimensions.

Getting to expand the world not just to the north but soon to different nations will be a blast. There are so many possibilities there and having learned about the pitfalls of the past and seeing how they will effect the future. Ugh there’s nothing I’m not screaming, kicking, crying for. I want more from the gods, I want more mystical beasts our girls have to defeat. I want more friends and more magic. I loved the tension and the slow burn of our romances but also loved every single time that tension broke!

OBSESSED WITH THIS SERIES! Demi, I have no idea what you have put in these books but I’m addicted. Genuinely, most Nordic/viking themed fantasy books do not keep my attention, but the writing is so good that I could not put it down.

I loved that this book was multi POV, we needed that based on how ROB went. And ended. But it was done so well that you were never confused on the POV you were in.

Bravo! Can’t wait for the others.

DEBUT SERIES
Multi POV
Sanderson/SJM quality
Forbidden magic
Monster hunting mercenaries
Found family
Plot twists that twist
Good banter
Who did this to you?*

My jaw is on the floor. This book was so well written, so well executed. I cannot believe this is a debut series. Seriously, my hat is off to this author.

The first book was phenomenal but the second book is chef’s kiss. I feel like I can’t review without spoilers so…wow wow wow wow wow.

The second installment of The Ashen Series by Demi Winters, Kingdom of Claw was absolutely amazing and even better than the first book. I didn't think that could actually be possible after reading and loving The Road of Bones so much, but it definitely ended up being true. The epic adventure that Silla undertakes in the first book of this series continues in an exciting fashion and the addition of Saga's point of view made it that much more delectable. The romance was on point! Both romances made me giggle and kick my feet, I loved it! I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment of this magical journey for both of these amazing women. Definitely going on my favorite reads of the year list. Kudos to the author for writing such an amazing story. I will definitely be recommending this series to everyone I can.

An amazing sequel!.

I absolutely LOVED A Road of Bones! I went into this book all about SIlla and her journey and thought I would be breezing through the Saga chapters. But I found myself yearning for more of Saga's story with each passing chapter. Her journey and growth was amazing and KASS! omg I was simp for him!

Not to say the Silla's chapters disappointed. Her's was more about finding her magic and growth and they were solid. Loved learning more about Rey's backstory too!

The second installment of The Ashen Series, Kingdom of Claw tells a story about adventure, growth, acceptance, accomplishment, and a delicious slow burn romance. I deeply related to Silla and her struggles to understand who she is and what her purpose is. I loved seeing her grow throughout this and over come a lot. I absolutely loved some of the new characters that were introduced and I can’t wait to see how they affect the next book in the series. Definitely a good one. If you love high fantasy, Norse Mythology, and broody warriors with attitude, this one is for you!

A perfect sequel to A Road of Bones. I actually signed up for book of the month to get physical copies of both of these books. The story that carries over and the character development is chefs kiss. 10/10 recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an advance reader's copy of this book. Unfortunately at this time I will be unable to read it and give it the attention it requires. I will return to the book and provide a review at the earliest possibility.

The sequel was even better than the original! I was thrilled to be mostly rid of Jonas. Rey and Silla eventually travel together again, heading to Rey’s home. Silla learns how to control her galdra once she arrives. They also encounter new creatures trying to kill them. Also, the longing finally ends between Silla and Rey - the tension was crazy and I knew in book 1 he was in love with her.

Meeting Saga was intense and I enjoyed so much of the book being her perspective. One sister was “killed” while the other became the king’s “pet.” Saga is so much stronger than they give her credit for. I cannot wait to find out what happens with her and Kass.

I'm having so much fun with this series. This is actually my second round reading it, I've also read the self published version off KU. I really enjoy the FMC, I dislike when plots are only moved forward by the FMC being impulsive, obtuse, or irrational - not an issue here. *semi spoiler alert* the new romantic pairing is so fun, I love a slow burn, absolutely delicious. Recommend!

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝/𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 5 🌟
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭: 5 🌟
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: 5 🌟

Read if you love: Vikings, Magic and Lore, Enemies to Lovers, Grumpy x Sunshine, Found Family, Multiple POVs

You know the series is going to be insane when the second book is even better than the first. I told y'all book one, The Road of Bones, was a top three fave of last year, and Kingdom of Claw delivered just as well! Although heavy on the plot and court intrigue, the romance does build up more here and I was living for it!

Kingdom of Claw by Demi Winters
- This is book 2 of The Ashen Series, and it is available now!

Rating: 4⭐️ 1.5🌶️
Tropes: political intrigue, oppressive ruler, sacrifices, experiments, Gods, betrayal, reluctant allies, slow burn, intriguing magic system, hidden identities.

Thoughts 💭: Demi Winters is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. I’m not a supporter of filler books, however, the stage has been set for absolute chaos to ensue, and it held my attention throughout. With the twists and turns near the end, I’m fully invested, and the wait for book 3 will be a tough one.

Summary 🗡️: Return to the Kingdom of Íseldur where enemies become lovers and dark secrets hide around each corner. This installment digs deeper into Íseldur’s forbidden magic and the simmering attraction growing between two unlikely couples.

A huge thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the absolute privilege it was to receive and read this arc.

The first book of this series was great, but this book was AMAZING. I loved getting to dive deeper into these characters and learn more about the world and magic. Demi Winters has created a story that is the perfect mix of slow-burn romance with a plot that will keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to Demi Winters, Netgalley, and the publisher for this ARC read! I can't wait for the next book in this series.

Kingdom of Claw is the second installment in author Demi Winters's The Ashen series. The first two books in this series were self-published by the author in 2024, and are being re-released by Delacorte. This book revolves around four key characters: Silla, the former princess, who is supposed to be dead but has chosen not to use her real name, especially since Queen Signe is searching for her to use her as a weapon. Saga, the princess who survived, has been held by the people who murdered her parents and her sister and have forced her into a betrothal with a 13-year-old.

Jonas betrayed Silla and nearly killed her in the process. Now, it seems, he has chosen to join the enemy in an attempt to find Silla and hand her over to the enemy, who is using experiments to enhance her very old soldiers. Lastly, we learn more about Reynir Galtung and his capabilities, which are frightening. In the aftermath of a harrowing journey that has lasted several weeks, Silla Nordvig’s dreams of a simple life have been shattered. She's lost the man she thought of as her father. She's been beaten, betrayed by the man who she thought she loved and found out that she is someone who is supposed to be dead.

She and Reynir Galtung, the ruthless leader of the Bloodaxe Crew, decide to travel to the farthest reaches of Iseldur called Kalasgarde, where they hope to find safety. Silla soon discovers that Rey has been keeping secrets of his own. There are a bunch of people who are not happy to see him, including the woman who raised him, and his brother. Stuck in a shield home with the murderous man she thought she knew, Silla forms a new plan: master the magic flowing through her veins to save her sister. But before she can do that, Silla must face her most formidable opponent yet—her own inner demons.

Saga Volsik has nothing to lose. They’ve murdered her family. Stolen her throne. And now they expect her to marry their son, but not if she can dismantle Queen Signe’s plans first. Even though it appears that she has a severe case of agoraphobia, where she is afraid of going outside for fear of being hurt, again, the handsome Zagadkian dignitary named Rurik knows far too many of her secrets, and it seems he has his own agenda, which may cost Saga everything. Saga also learns that she has a powerful ability where she can talk to Mind-Elsa, who she learns is very much alive.

Silla and Saga must find the strength to step into their destiny and stop chaos from sweeping across the land. Meanwhile, dark threads continue to weave themselves through Íseldur as magic long thought dead begins to wake.

**Here is why I rated my book what I did. Too many chapters filled with nothing but sex scenes. Cut them out; this book would have been less than 400 pages. Jonas has definitely turned into a psychopath, while Saga may very well be my favorite character for all the things that she's suffered at the hands of the enemy, including being called a pet. Will her journey with Rurik end in a reunion with her sister? Even after all the darkness that Reynir apparently has, he's steadfast in protecting Silla. One regret is not knowing what happened to the Bloodaxe Crew, whether they are still alive, or whether they completed the mission. See? Like I said, less chapters with sex and more chapters filling in the back story.

Kingdom of Claw is the sequel to The Road of Bones which I absolutely loved. I really enjoyed a new POV was included in this one. I also loved the politics and court dynamics. However, there was a lot going on and the plot started to get pretty complicated and tricky to follow. In addition to all of the action storylines, there were also two romances to keep track of. I really enjoyed Saga's POV. Her storyline was really interesting and held my attention more than Silla's. There were some pacing issues, specifically in the middle of the book, but things picked up towards the end. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC!

A great sequel to the Ashen series! The beginning was a little slow, but once we were going, it was GOING. This series is developing very smoothly and I am really enjoying them. This series is so unique, with plot twists you don’t see coming, but yet also feels familiar.

The author does a great job of incorporating the Nordic culture while keeping it accessible to readers who are unfamiliar with it.

I loved every minute of Saga’s story and am really looking forward to the next segment of her journey. And the mystery element with the monster was a fun twist. It kept me guessing and was not what I expected.

Overall, 4.25 stars and will be reading the next book!

Reviewed on Storygraph 2/10/25