Kingdom of Claw is a phenomenal follow-up to Road of Bones. We follow Silla and Rey as they flee and hide from the Klaernar. While Silla now understands who she is, much of this book focuses on her internal struggle to accept what that means and how it shapes her future. At the same time, Silla’s primary purpose becomes clear: to help Saga, What makes Silla such a standout character is her sunny, optimistic outlook (most of the time!). She longs for autonomy and she isn’t afraid to demand it. In contrast, Rey is the classic grump to Silla's sunshine, which makes their dynamic even more enjoyable. Their slow-burn romance is deliciously satisfying. The story also gives us Saga’s POV, as she discovers her sister is alive and resolves to protect her at all costs. I’m eagerly awaiting the moment these sisters come back together and look forward to seeing their relationship evolve in future books. That said, I couldn’t help but miss the Bloodaxe Crew from the Road of Bones! Hopefully, they’ll return in future installments (just not Jonas!). Some readers might find the book's length and deliberate pacing a challenge, but for me, it was a strength. The slower pace allows for deep character exploration, immersing you in their experiences and emotions. I can’t wait for Book 3!

Kingdom of Claw by Demi Winters is an enthralling continuation of The Road of Bones, delivering an intense blend of high-stakes action, forbidden magic, and complex relationships. Silla and Saga's parallel journeys are richly developed, with each woman grappling with inner demons and external threats that keep the tension high. The story excels in its exploration of power, betrayal, and unlikely alliances, weaving a dark yet captivating tapestry of secrets and simmering romance. While the intricate plot and dual perspectives occasionally make it challenging to follow every thread, the richly imagined world and emotional depth more than compensate. Fans of epic fantasy will find this sequel a satisfying and immersive experience.

Start this off by saying I’m not a fan of books with MPV and I understand why it was needed in this book but would prefer to just read two separate books. This was a long book where I felt like I just wanted to get to the end that I never really got too. I loved Sagas story in this but for our other main character I just felt like she was at the same spot at the end of the book that she was at the beginning.

With that being said I will most likely pick up the next book because I will want to know what happens to Saga.

This book absolutely left me needing the next one. I will be anxiously waiting for it to come out but until then, I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who loves betrayals, mysteries, a FMC learning to take control, and a story full of unique magic and creatures. I felt like at every turn there was a surprise. I love the different point of views to give a more depth to the story. Many times, I wanted to throw my kindle, but did not want to put it down either. The novel is well written, enticing, and has a twisty plot that will capture many types of readers.

This series has a new place in my heart. The first book was full of mystery, twists, and epic battles, while this second book gave us some interesting answers and some amazing stories of perseverance, plus fantastic romance.

If you are looking for a new epic fantasy series, I highly recommend picking this one up. It reminds me a bit of Throne of Glass, but definitely has its own identity. There is found family, magic and weapons training, grumpy/sunshine romance, some pretty evil villains, and great character development, all weaving into a series that is difficult to put down.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

4.5 🌟
2 🌶️

No second book slump here! I enjoyed everything about this portion of the series. The author did an outstanding job of handling the trauma that Silla experienced in TROB and how her childhood (which is not what she thought it was at all) was affecting her. The fear, her recovering addiction, all of it (and it is a lot), Silla has to handle all of it to come into her power. It was emotional; it was heartrending at times, and it was a readworthy experience. Parallel to Silla's journey, we get to know her sister, Saga, a prized prisoner in a gilded cage. Saga has a harrowing journey, too, that is not nearly complete. TROB was just dipping our toes into the epic journey these two sisters must make to reclaim what was brutally stolen from their family and their people. The violence perpetrated on their people in the name of the god of the conquerors is hard to read, but it is effective in communicating the battles they face.

And let's just say the longing between these sisters and their heroes is beautifully written. Silla and Rey are adorable, and it has been worth the wait for these two to come through what they have to be together. Saga is headed in that direction, but she's got some significant hurdles to get by, along with her trauma and fears. Without a doubt, I am eagerly anticipating the next book because when these sisters finally get their reunion, it will be epic. IMHO, KOC is not Romantasy but Fantasy Romance, the distinction being that the focus is on the story and fantasy elements, not the romance, but there is/are definite romance going on.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine, Delacorte Press, for the eArc. These opinions are mine.

*A Masterclass in Storytelling: A 6-Star Review*

I'm blown away by this book, which somehow managed to surpass the excellence of the first installment. The addition of Saga's storyline was a stroke of genius, expertly woven into the narrative to create a perfect balance of tension and suspense.

The dual POV structure is cleverly crafted, with each revelation in one perspective creating a nerve-wracking realization in the other. This masterful construction had me on the edge of my seat, eager to see how the story would unfold.

The author's skillful storytelling is on full display here, making this a truly unmissable read. And, of course, the hulking Viking warrior love interests are the perfect icing on the cake, earning this book a well-deserved 6 star rating.

3.5 Stars | I was looking forward to this second book in The Ashen series and unfortunately it just fell flat. To caveat this, I do not feel as though I was in the right headspace to read this, so some of it could be just timing.
I did enjoy Rey and Silla’s relationship and how well they communicate with eachother.
Other than that, this book felt as though it dragged. The first half of the book felt as though nothing happened and the second half picked up the pace but was still slow.
I really only cared for Silla/Rey’s POV and personally could have done without the rest as I never felt connected to them. Once again this could just be because I wasn’t really in the mood to read this.
I also felt like the ending felt rushed to get through all the different POV’s and felt weaker.
This book seems to have suffered a bit from second book syndrome, but I am still interested to see how this series will conclude.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the opportunity to read this arc.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
Full review pending write up but wanted to get ny star rating added to NetGalley!

How is this book even better than the first?! Gods its addictive! We meet Silla's sister, Saga, in this book, and she may be my new favorite character. Stuck in their homeland, in the castle her parents were killed in, with the people who killed them, Saga is fragile and yet a force to be reckoned with.

Silla is learning her Galdur and training with Rey so that she can rescue Saga from the false king and queen.

I loved both of their storylines so much! I can't wait to see where their story goes from here!

Multiple POV
Slow burn
He falls first
Unique magic
Mental health rep
Amazing side characters

Kingdom of Claw is being published traditionally! This amazing second installment to The Ashen series picks up right where The Road of Bones left off, after a prologue that takes us back in time to see the motivation and starting point of King Ivar's hunt of the Galdur.

We of course mostly follow the sweet FMC Silla after a mountain of betrayals and trauma on the road with Rey toward a safe house in the northern part of the kingdom where Galdur are relatively more safe than the rest of the Kingdom. Silla has had a large amount of information dropped on her about who she really is and the reality of her life up till this moment. She spends most of the book trying to come to terms with all her changes and trying to embrace who she is. As Silla tries to embrace her magic, we get to follow multiple other POV's such as our love interest Rey, the betrayer Jonas and Saga, Silla's sister who is still stuck with those who have killed her family. The trauma and devastation that both Silla and Saga have gone through is both so different and heartbreaking and as more reveals come in, the action and the stakes seem to be getting even more intense. There is absolutely so much that happens in this book and I cannot wait to see where Demi brings us next she the story continues

Demi Winters has created a detailed magic system and world that has layered characters you can easily fall into. Being fed the levels of character development and the introduction to how vast this world actually is has been a wild ride. With all the tropes you know and love for the romantasy genre you will not be disappointed. I miss our found family though and hope we get to reunite with the Blood Axe Crew soon!

Thank you so much to Demi for having me on her street team, NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book as much as I loved the first in the Ashen series. I love that we got to learn about Saga and the connection between sisters was truly a great addition to this series. I am looking forward to the next book in the Ashen series!!!!

This story is fast paced and full of twists and turns and just enough romance. I'm slowly getting into fantasy and this and book one were a great choice for me.

*Biggest thank you to NetGalley, Demi Winters and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me to read this for an early review*

Kingdom of Claw (The Ashen 2) by Demi Winters

5⭐️

**some spoilers for book 1**

“”You like it when I tell you what to do, Sunshine?””

This series has become one of my all time favorites. This book was even better than the first - full of new characters which you grow to adore, the continuation of loving main characters from the first installment, and others that you grow to really loathe!

The magic in this series is so interesting.
It needs to be grown into and training with it makes it stronger. There’s also so many variations of the different magic types that change person to person and situations.

This second book has multiple POV’s and some new main characters, a certain sister, a seafarer from another kingdom, an educator, royalty and chieftains, more bad guys and more allies.

One of our FMC’s, Silla, is uncovering the truth about who she really is and what she stands for. She is trying to hone in on her “galdur”, her magic, and discovering new romantic feelings for a certain someone.

“Him, she thought. He’s my hearthfire thought.”

Our newest favorite book boyfriend, Reynir, has been trying to elude enemies that are coming after our main characters and uncovering new dangers within the kingdom, new chaos and darkness that has been following them. He also battles his unwavering new feelings that are arising within him with his honor.

“”It’s the most maddenly certain I’ve ever felt. I want you all the time. I want you everywhere. It’s become a real problem.””

A certain someone’s sister has also been uncovering sinister truths about the kingdom she has been trapped in her whole life, discovering who she is and her purpose. She works with an unlikely ally from another kingdom to try and escape and reconnect with her long lost sister.

Chapters 49-52 in this had me squealing, kicking my feet and saying AHH FINALLY!! and I was not disappointed in the slightest! This book has the perfect amount romance, sexiness, spice, and yearning and it could not be more perfect.

The ending was crazy, so many revelations revealing themselves. We are traveling to new places for book 3! I seriously cannot wait!

I want to start by saying thank you to NetGalley and the publisher random house publishing group for allowing me to read this e arc.

I thoroughly enjoy this second book in this series, I am engrossed in Viking culture and the fantasy of it. After a cliff hanger at the end of the road of bones, i couldn’t wait to dive more into Sillas and Sagas story. Sillas journey with Rey after she was betrayed by Jonas and seeing her slowly open her heart to him had me smiling. The romance also kept me on edge and wanting more. Silla is one badass woman!

I love that there were many new characters in this book and learning more about the different powers they possess. I will say I was drawn to sagas chapters more as the book progressed and I’m hoping the third book has more of her.

Overall it was a great read, and I look forward to the next book!

I absolutely loved the second installment for the Ashen series! After the ending of the first I was so worried what would happen to our main characters.
The magic system and world building in this series is outstanding! Demi does such a great job of making you want to know more about not just the characters, but the world, political system etc.
I loved getting to know more about Rey, his past, his home, and his family. He is a complicated character and even though some things were predictable, it was still great to see come to light on the page.
I’m dying for the next one!

I enjoyed this book significantly more than the first book. The plot was complex, the characters were interesting, and the magic system was unique.

This book gave me some Throne of Glass series vibes (like the fourth book I wanna say?), but in the best way. I enjoyed the main slow burn love arc taking center stage as well as the side character love arc, which was so beautiful.

I feel like the world building and story became more complex with the multiple third person PoVs and the expanded magic system exploration. I really was blown away with this one.

And we need to talk about that ending. WHAT?! Just phenomenal. I need the next book, and I need it now. I'm really looking forward to reading what happens next!

Content: language, violent and gritty, arranged marriage with a 13 yr old, blo*d letting for extreme religious purposes, attempted (thwarted) su*cide

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntarily written and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.

4.5 but rounding up ❤️
✅ Major character growth
✅ Bad ass training montages
✅ Touch her and die
Firstly thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read this book. It was spectacular!
After book 1 I wasn’t really sure what direction these characters were going to go but I was pleasantly surprised. Sills has one hell of a character arc and thank goodness for that. I was worried that she was never going to step into the empowerment that she so desperately needed.
Not to mention the soft side of Rey that we finally got to see. Rey is such a superior MMC especially when he says things like “I need you mindless, Silla,” “I need you trembling. I need to hear you begging.” 🥵
And the absolute ringer that Saga was put through. I feel so bad for all the things that happened to her but I have faith that she’ll get the next big character development she deserves in book 3. And maybe also her own development in a love interest? 👀
Speaking of book 3. I need to get my grubby hands on that ASAP. I need to know what’s going to happen with the Volsik sisters and the rest of Íseldur.
P.S. I need a Blood Axe crew reunion. I missed them!

I like the flow of this better than book 1. Love the new characters we meet and having multiple POV keeps the story going more. Very intrigued by Kass. The slow burn, the self healing, the mystic and intrigue. I want book 3 now.

It does end rather abruptly. Not even in a cliffhanger way.

Rey you little cinnamon roll I love a good Viking man, you just keep getting better and better. I have so many questions about the sisters now and I’m so excited to see what’s next. I need the next book like now