Alright, my one complaint about this book is that I can’t immediately jump into the next one…

After how much I loved book one, the Road of Bones, I was nervous that the sequel wouldn’t live up to it for me, but boy was I wrong! Book two in this series is just as incredible, if not even BETTER than book one.

We love a series with well written out plot twists and a slow burn romance. This is also just a very intricate, incredibly detailed fantasy world that you just get sucked into and every character is just so well written. I’m so excited for book two and to see where this series goes, but it’s definitely an instant favourite for me.

Everyone who has read this series says that the second book is somehow even better than the first and THEY ARE CORRECT. This is the most epic romantasy series I’ve ever read. The plot in these books is truly incomparable. I already loved Silla and Rey from the first book, but the introduction of Saga and Rurik on top of characters we already know made this book an absolute masterpiece. The second I realized how much I relate to Saga I started tearing up. Seeing a character have agoraphobia on page made me feel so seen and I wish I had better words to describe what it means to me. Silla’s continuous struggle with addiction also made me cry. The way Rey guides her through when she doesn’t have the strength to do it herself is always so heartwarming. Now onto the romance because, my god THE ROMANCE. I don’t think anything I say will do the romance justice but I loved both of these pairings so much. I literally had to stop reading and process the first kiss between one of the couples. I just sat in silence, smiling at the wall for five minutes. They are now one of my favorite couples ever. We find out the ways the other couple has been connected throughout their entire lives and it really made the build up from book one so worth it. This is absolutely one of my favorite books of the year and I am going to be waiting (not so) patiently for the next one.

Book 2 is still a great story.

Mental Health Representation ✅
Multiple POV ✅
Magic ✅
Forced Proximity ✅
Cinnamon Roll MMC ✅

This book was a great addition to the series. Was it a little long in some areas yes. It was still enjoyable and was well-written. I loved the added characters but missed some of the old ones that didn't show up in this book. Hopefully, we get to see them in the next book. In this book, we get to see Silla learn here magic, fight, deal with her PTSD from her past, and be more confident in her abilities. We also get to know her sister Saga who is a hostage in the castle, and deals with her own mental health, while trying to help her sister once she realizes that she is alive. This book ends on a cliffhanger so I'm excited to read the next book.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

4⭐

I instantly jumped to this second book after reading The Road of Bones. Similar to this first book, I loved the characters and the world that Demi Winters has built. Its beautiful and rich. The characters are struggling mentally with real things and in this book we follow them as they begin to heal. This book focuses on grief and how debilitating it can be. How does someone get out of the perpetual cycle and start to move forward.

This book does feel bit like a filler book. The majority of the book is a training session for Silla, as she learns her magic and tries to tap into it. Reyner is close by her entire journey. One of my biggest complaints is probably with Reyner, he seemed to lose some of his autonomy and his character seemed to change some from the first book. I still really loved him, but he didn't really feel like he was the same character,

What really worked was the introduction of a new POV. This POV was great and we got to see what was happening behind the scenes with the Queen. I really loved this character, I thought she had a great character arc. Demi did an amazing job illustrating how something someone else considers safe for us can be a prison of its own. How difficult it can be to see if in a different light and decide to step away from something we have been told is for our own safety. The last chapter of this book though was difficult for me, it made me feeling a bit icky and I am not quite sure where this going to go in the next.

I can't wait for the next book to come out in this series. Demi Winters could really take this series really far and she has done such a great job setting up the characters and the world. I can't wait to see what else she creates in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

This book had me from the beginning. We now get Saga, Silla/Eisa’s sister’s story and it is fascinating. She has been in Askaborg the whole time under the new regime as their ward. Silla struggles to find her powers and Saga uses hers to do some digging into secrets in the castle. Introduce a new hotty foreigner and the story takes off from there. I cannot recommend this series enough. Best fantasy I have read in quite a while!

Wow! Excellent writing. Fantastic world and magic building. Great characters that you can't help but love(even the baddies). I thought this one was a smidge longer than it needed to be with A LOT happening in the last few chapters but to be fair that happens in most fantasies and the book was incredibly fun to read. The cliffhanger at the end is torture! I'm so ready for the next one.

My review is published on my Instagram account (@bookishbyrenee), on Amazon and Goodreads.

The original review was published in March of 2024 on all sites above. I plan to reshare on my social media page.

Kingdom of Claw by Demi Winters
-The Ashen Book 2-

5/5⭐️

This book DID NOT disappoint - we add some POVs and another concurrently happening story line. The story MOVED and I was just a long for the ride. This series feels epic - this is going to be a journey and I am here for it! The reveals and yet still more plot twists were phenomenal. The range of emotions this book dragged out of me boggled my mind - I went from swooning to terrified to SO ANGRY (especially at a certain character 😡). I ran the whole spectrum of feels and back again. The plot is gripping both on the macro and micro levels (are these words something we can apply to books? I’m declaring it so). The over all story line for the series is sweeping and big with meddling gods and a kingdom in need of saving but the little stories are also so gripping. The character growth, the relationships, the way they deal with death, anxiety, falling in love, coming to terms with their past traumas and losses, were all handled with such care and were absolutely beautiful to read. I’m absolutely sucked into this brutally beautiful world and can not wait for the next part of the story…ESPECIALLY after that cliffhanger!

The perfect second book! As soon as I was approved for this one I immediately jumped in to read it. Was absolutely amazing. I can not wait to see what comes next.

I am officially obsessed with this series! I was lucky enough to be able to jump right from The Road of Bones into Kingdom of Claw, and this sequel did not disappoint!

I’m always a bit wary when a new POV is added after the start of a series, but the addition of Saga’s perspective to this story was perfection. I loved following both her and Silla’s individualized journeys. The world building in this series is extraordinarily complex and I loved learning more about all the politics at play. The romances too were everything I look for in a romantasy.

My only complaint is that I don’t have the next book at my fingertips. I loved everything about this book and series. It’s immersive and empowering. A must read!

Thank you to Netgalley, Dell Romance, and Random House for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the Road of Bones and really looked forward to the second book in the series but was unsure if it would live up to expectations. While I felt that Silla's storyline was a little slow at times this book and I missed the other members of the bloodaxe crew, I was enthralled by the new characters. I think Saga may actually be my new favorite in the series and Kassandr is so much fun to read. I cannot wait for the next book!

**Book Review: *Kingdom of Claw***
**4 Stars**
Thank you to: NetGalley, Delacorte press and Demi Winters, for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.

*Kingdom of Claw* continues the journey of Silla and Rey as they navigate protecting their identities, hiding their secrets, and forging crucial alliances. While the book introduces several likable new characters and an intriguing second storyline (I won’t spoil too much, but there’s a mysterious force snatching people that Rey is determined to uncover), the pacing is noticeably slower than its predecessor, *Road of Bones*.

One of the main shifts in this installment is the very slow-burn romance between Silla and Rey. Additionally, a new perspective is introduced through Saga, whose storyline and romance were a strong point. However, this book does feel like a transitional "middle book"—laying a lot of groundwork with new characters and expanding the potential directions the story can take.

Unfortunately, fans of the Blood Axe crew may be disappointed, as they are largely absent in this book. I also missed the humorous banter and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic from the first book, with Silla feeling more subdued here.

That said, while *Kingdom of Claw* didn’t quite reach the heights of *Road of Bones*, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and am definitely invested in continuing the series. With the promise of a 5-book arc, I’m eager to see how everything unfolds.

Spice: 3/5
Romance: 5/5
Multiple POV
Enemies to lovers

I was nervous coming into this book because I did not want to read from Saga’s POV as I felt like I only had enough room in my heart for Silla but after reading one chapter from her point of view I immediately fell in love with her and wanted more.
Silla had so much growth in this book. I am so proud of who she is and how strong she has become. Rey also opened up so much more and I can’t wait to see even more from him.
The spice was done PERFECTLY! It was not pushed into every single chapter like some authors do, it was very steamy and mouthy and I loved every second of it. And the story was still so powerful, so strong and scary. I am genuinely very nervous for the next book because of how this one ended.
I need the next book ASAP!!

Are you kidding me? This is my favorite fantasy series of the year. The plot is fantastic. The plot twists are so good. The main characters are so complex and compelling and lovely. Seeing so much more of Saga in Kingdom of Claw was amazing. Watching her battle her inner and outer demons was a delight. Watching her experience joy for the first time in so many years was cathartic. Women are strong AF. The love interests. These men were created especially for me. The slow burn. It’s so worth it.

“If you never want to be E, it won’t change how I feel. If you wish to rest, I will shield you from harm. If you want to fight, I will draw my sword beside you. If you want a hundred chickens, I will build you a hen-fortress.”

“I was so enchanted, I set fire to my own boat to stay longer by her side.”

I cannot recommend this series enough if you like high stakes, high fantasy, with a nice side of swoon-worthy slow burn romance.

4.5⭐️

I enjoyed this book better than book 1 by a lot! The plot continued and adding Saga's storyline only thickened the adventure and development of the story. I am *obsessed* with Rey and just as excited for book 3 as I was for this book at the end of book 1😂
Silla is still a favorite of mine and I loved seeing her story unravel! The multiple POVs were also AMAZING. They all coincided together so well and really built the overall story. I love the viking vibes, I love the magical system, I love the romance and I love where the story is going. I already can't wait for book 3!

This sequel to The Road of Bones is a masterclass in blending rich storytelling with intense romance and suspense. The writing effortlessly draws you into a world where every twist and turn feels both exhilarating and deeply personal. The romance is beautifully nuanced, with emotional depth that makes every interaction charged and compelling. The plot is intricately woven, balancing high-stakes drama with richly developed characters and their personal journeys. The way the narrative explores themes of betrayal, self-discovery, and magical awakening keeps you hooked and invested in every page. This book is a triumph of fantasy storytelling, delivering a perfect mix of heart-pounding action and heartfelt romance and cliffhanger. I can’t wait enough to know what happens next.

This book takes place almost immediately after The Road of Bones. Silla goes into hiding with Rey. Rey takes Silla to the village where he grew up. She trains with Rey's grandmother and learns how to use her magic. The book also features chapters showing Saga's journey living with the King and Queen. Saga is a political hostage who is betrothed to the prince. When Saga meets Rurik, a diplomat from Zagadka, she feels like she can finally be herself. Rurik helps Saga as she rebels against the Queen to protect Silla. Saga and Silla learn secrets about their past. Saga discovers the dangerous experiments that the Queen is conducting on other people with galdar (magic). Silla has to learn to live with the dangers of revealing her identity in order to help her sister, Saga.

I would give 4 stars for the Rurik/Saga scenes. Rurik and Saga need their own book. I basically skimmed the Silla scenes to get to Saga’s chapters faster. The Silla and Rey relationship that I enjoyed so much in The Road of Bones felt so lackluster in this book. Something was missing. I thought that Silla's whole arc in this book was boring. I am fascinated by Rurik's character, and I am looking forward to reading more about his relationship with Saga in the third book. Apparently Demi Winters signed a deal to make this a five book series. The magic system in this book was confusing and some aspects of the plot were really predictable, but I enjoyed Saga's character. Fans who appreciated the Viking romance in A Fate Inked in Blood will like this book, but Kingdom of Claw doesn't have as much angst and character building.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. (via Netgalley)

3.5 stars

I didn't really enjoy this one as much as the first. It started off good for me but it kind of started to drag with the addition of other sub plots and POVs. Felt like there were a number of those introduced and it took away from the story for me.

I often wish there was a way to plug my brain into something that could instantly deliver exactly what I need—whether it's a movie, music, or book. Kingdom of Claw felt like that wish come true, as if it was made just for me.

This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster, and I loved every second of it. The writing is phenomenal, seamlessly transitioning from intense action scenes to heart-wrenching moments, romance, and even well-timed comedic relief. Everything felt so well-balanced and perfectly executed.

Reynir has officially become my favorite book boyfriend of all time. His emotional growth throughout the book is remarkable. His relationship with Silla feels so genuine and organic, and every small moment between them beautifully portrayed. (And those intimate moments are *chefs kiss*)

At first, I was a bit apprehensive about the introduction of so many new characters, but I ended up loving them all. Vig and his family give off strong Weasley vibes, and I couldn't get enough of their dynamic. Gyda is such a sweet and warm presence. Harpa with her grouchy smoke spirit had me smiling.

My heart ached for Saga throughout the book, and I was cheering on all of her small wins. I can't wait to see more of her and Rurik in the next installment!



I painstakingly edited this this review to try and make it spoiler free but I have to add in some of my favorite notes, quotes & highlights----

"You truly are filled with sunshine, aren't you?"

"Perhaps Silla the strong. Or Silla the Slayer."
"Silla the Stone Whisperer," muttered Rey.

Sweetrolls & Sunshine <3

The Spoons and the Honeypots

& my favorite
I know this is a big action scene but I need to know, ARE THE CHICKS OKAY?!


6 stars! This may be my favorite read of the year!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this eARC.

I had to sit on this a moment before writing my thoughts out.

First, I was mistaken in thinking this was a duology. I found out with around 80 pages left that this was a series with a novella being released before book 3. Make no mistake, they will both now without a doubt be my most anticipated releases for the foreseeable future.

I absolutely love this series so far. I am in love with all of the characters. Book two added new POVs, which threw me off at first. However, throughout the book it changed from me being upset every time I got to a chapter with Saga’s POV to being excited to read them.

The plot kept me on my toes. Each of the women’s stories are so intriguing. The male main characters are both so complementary to their partner’s challenges. Also, Kassandr’s story expanding at the very end was unnecessary and I need to know what happens next right now.

I’m also so excited that the Novella is from Helkla’s POV because I loved her in book one and was sad she wasn’t part of the main story in book two!

I had the greatest pleasure in first reading Kingdom of Claw in its original run in February of this year. I knew this was a book I'd be returning to, and thanks to its approaching debut in traditional publishing, that time has already arrived. With such fantastic excitement.

Reading through this story again has cemented my original opinion. It has fortified it and even elevated where I place this title on my list of favorites.

Kingdom of Claw is an absolute masterpiece.

And it's the greatest sequel I have ever read.

This book is *it.*

Kingdom of Claw follows the immediate aftermath of The Road of Bones, as truths become revealed between Silla and Rey, as a new heroine emerges in Saga, and as the sisters, the heart of this story, begin their journey to finding one another.

One of the greatest features of this book is allowing multiple perspectives to lead it at different points of the story. My attention was thoroughly engaged within entry into these POVs.

And I was surprised! The biggest surprise being Saga. Silla and Rey’s POVs were definitely my favorites, but I thought I would be longing for them upon each dive into Saga’s storyline. This was not the case whatsoever. As it turns out? Every time a Saga POV arrived, I gladly immersed myself in her storyline, I didn’t want to leave it! And the exact same feelings occurred when Silla and Rey POVs arrived. I wanted to marinate in that delicious beauty and simply bask myself in them. I didn’t have the chance to miss either because I felt back at home as the each POV took its turn.

Now Jonas POVs? Definitely didn’t miss them as they came and went, yet my attention was consistently fixated on him within each interlude into his arc. I found myself feeling genuinely sorry for the path he set himself on. I think what makes me feel sorry is knowing he has decency somewhere deep in him. He was a good brother, a good friend, a loyal comrade, and he had honor. Until he didn't. Until he betrayed Silla and forsake the man he portrayed himself to be.
Hate devoured him, twisted his perception and severely poisoned his mind. And it was his own fault, but knowing his tragic past made me just feel pity to see how he subsequently unraveled. As I read along, I was quite curious to see if his arc would lead to redemption. You'll have to discover that answer, but what I can say is I found his interludes to be very insightful to his character, and a necessary facet to complete this incredible book.

Every POV matters.

Now on to the romance...

Oh my beloveds, Silla and Rey.

In the words of Mr. Darcy, they have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love--I love--I love them.
Gods, seriously. I love them.

This was a slow burn of the most spiciest degree. Wheww! Silla and Rey burned so brightly, so exquisitely.

I loved the entire development of their relationship. While romance is brewing there are still several stops along the way. Opening communication, learning to trust, allowing vulnerability, and ensuring friendship to be the base of anything else. And it was beautiful to see it blossom with such vibrancy.

The fact Rey’s entire person held a Silla-sized pocket was the darn cutest thing in the whole world. A gorgeous physical representation of how well Silla fits Rey— in every regard. And vice versa. There’s so much affection between them growing and I was kicking my feet in glee upon watching them. Dreamy sighs all around!

Their relationship is truly beautifully paced. While Silla did not harbor romantic feelings for Jonas, what he did to her in previous book haunts her greatly at the start of this one. His actions wounded her so deeply to the point she’s afraid of taking steps into anything involving a relationship with someone else. Then there’s Rey, misguidedly believing he’s not good enough for Silla. There is definite distance to cross between them, and I’m so glad it didn’t happen in one go; rather it was step by step. Healing had to take place, courage had to take grip, and hearts had to invite one another in first.

It was a phenomenally developed romance. Even once the growth into romance develops, the interest never ever wanes in following along this couple’s path. They are a thrill to see unfold.

As for our newest heroine's romance, Saga...well, I think it's best to remain tight-lipped on that one! I will say I immediately loved the chemistry between her and her potential beau-to-be. Beauty and the Beast vibes in the future, mayhaps? I can’t wait to find out! And I will 100% be seated for it!

I sincerely could go and on. This book captured my heart and I don’t want it back.
Keep it, Demi Winters! You own me now. This series owns me!

The interweaving storylines are magnetic, at times my skin was prickling in fear, other times my breath catching in anticipation, and times my heart was soaring so high and mighty. It was a rollercoaster ride that had me buzzing from start to finish. I don't want that feeling to ever leave me!

If you love fantasy, you will love this book. If you love romance, you will love this book.
If you desire an adventure filled to the brim with action, mystery, intrigue, angst, triumph, frights and flights of the heart.

You. Will. LOVE. This. Book.

Introduce yourself to your new favorite series in The Ashen!

I am so incredibly thankful to NetGalley and Random House | Delacorte Press for this complimentary copy. I leave this honest review voluntarily.