The First Scar (Heirs of the Shattered Veil #1)

I don't fear the end of the world...
I fear the end of you.

Available from the Author

The First Scar
Celeanne Dorrington
Heirs of the Shattered Veil, book one
ebook, 411 pages
Published April 28, 2026
ISBN 9798995161622
ARC


The day the Veil shattered, the world broke—and every soul was marked. Every fae now bears a soulmark. Luminar or Shadowmarked. Revered or enslaved.

But our fae heroine was born with both.

And he was forged to destroy her.

Some say their bond is prophecy.

Others call it a curse.

Either way—if it completes, it could end the war…

or end the realm.

Real enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, fated mates, morally gray, shadow daddy, the chosen one, found family, unhinged banter, stabby fmc, Creature companion, kid Touch starved, and level 3 spice but with deep themes and epic fantasy world.

Note: The First Scar contains no spice. It lays the foundation, emphasizing the slow in Slow Burn. Then snuffs out the candle.

I matched my steps to hers, falling into her rhythm like a shadow stitching itself to her heels. Every splash she made, I made. Every pause, I paused. She was listening for me—that animal awareness prickling across the dark between us—but all she heard was herself.

The echo of a girl who believed she was alone.

A world shaped by tyranny and a dual-marked fae at the core of an everchanging prophecy. Magic abundant and rage throughout.

Although most of that rage was admittedly my own.

Because what do you mean Kaelen goes unchecked for Ch17?

How is Maxx still breathing without the aid of machinery after the stunt he pulled in Ch23?

And Brannik? That man was everywhere I wanted someone else to be. Just seeing his name on the page was sending me into a spiral.

Give me more Dreadscale.

Give me more Crownforged.

Yes, more of Eryndor, an MMC that will hunt, taunt, and confidantly adore his target. Their trajectories intersect and in a matter of heartbeats, Amaria had slipped beneath his armour, between and beyond the layers of buried truths, and saw not the man, but the boy that they had broken. Chapter six was where the spark of anticipation was lit for me and I lived through each page awaiting his glorious return.

Give me less of Kaelen.

And far, far less of Brannik.

This book was running havoc on my feelings up until the very end but the justification to be had after struggling with seemingly undue aggression for so long made it so very worth it.

4 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook directly from the author.

Also in the series:

2026/##

The Dragon Tower Gambit (A Dragonflame Heir Story)

What if we make it better?

Available at Amazon.com

The Dragon Tower Gambit
Laura Greenwood
Dragonflame Heir prequel
ebook, 115 pages
Published January 27, 2026
ASIN B0GJF56SYB
Free Read from Amazon.com


Rescuing someone from a dragon-guarded tower is a lot easier when the dragon is on your side...

Raised to help rescue those in need, Ingrid is thrilled to lead her first mission alongside her charming, handsome, and oh-so-irresistible friend Fen. But she knows she's going to have to ignore her growing feelings for him if the two of them are going to succeed.

As they get deeper into their mission, the tension between Ingrid and Fen grows, and they can't deny their attraction to one another longer, or that they want more than just one night.

Now all they have to do is work out what's between them, all while saving the damsel in distress.

The Dragon Tower Gambit is a dragon romantasy with a strong heroine, a determined group of damsels who are causing distress, and a steamy friends to lovers m/f romance (with two bi leads). It is part of the Dragonflame Heir series.

FaRoSociety brought this little treasure to my attention via their newsletter. Maybe I'm just lost in the weeds but it seems a good friends to lovers story is a hard to find trope in the fantasy genre.

I need more of them.

Ingrid is a Damsel with a weakness for misjuding her opponents and letting her emotions too often overwhelm her.

And now she has to add her growing attraction to her friend, Fen, to that list of obstacles to overcome.

Fen is a dragon shifter and son of a master-at-arms. He's also cousin to Lijun, the son of one of the king's concubines and the MMC of the main books of the series. Lijun is not introduced beyond that; however, readers do meet Vasia, his FMC.

I was downright tickled by the innocence of these two. To pause at every word that he might hear another meaning. To question every glance in case he could see the thoughts behind her eyes, or sense the attraction she distracts herself in order to ignore.

Ingrid sets the pace and eventually Fen conjures up the confidence to act on the subtle green lights she can't keep herself from flashing.

As far as the rescue mission was concerned...

Not a fan.

Basically, there's a young woman that's been betrothed to a man three times her age and whom she's never met. She calls upon the Damsels to save her and they, in turn, infiltrate the castle and convince her abusive father to employ a dragon to guard his rebellious spawn until the wedding plans are set in stone. Meanwhile, Fen *is* the dragon and Ingrid goes undercover as a maid to get the message to their client that help is on the way. It's not so much a noble cause as it is a contractual employment paid for by the spoils of the attack when Fen burns down the tower and their fellows spies raid the estate for any valuables they deem worthy of their taking.

4 stars to the love story.
3 out of 5 stars overall.

Available in ebook

Next in the series:

2026/12

Lies that Blemish (The Ember War #3)

Yes, wife, you are.

Available at Amazon.com

Lies that Blemish
Leia Stone
The Ember War, book three
ebook, 338 pages
Published March 2, 2025
ISBN 9781951578510


To save her people, Aisling must question everything—even herself.

Blinded by betrayal, Aisling's heart burns for revenge against Kohen, the man she once trusted. But war looms on two fronts—Luska and Imbria—and her people are caught in the crossfire. As battle lines are drawn and alliances tested, Aisling faces an impossible to side with the lesser evil or risk everything for her people’s survival.

Amid the chaos, truths begin to unravel. With every step closer to victory, Aisling is haunted by one: Could Kohen have been right all along?

Kohen Badshah is a character you either love or hate. The end will justify his means but at least he seems to take the path of the least amount of damage. It is what it is, but let's face facts: Kohen is the only one that can see the chess board in this entire ridiculous crusade.

And Aisling has inherited a position she has long been groomed for. That of a villain.

Despite its many missed opportunities and gag worthy side steps, this has been a story I've been anxious to see through to the end. Where was it going? Where has it been? What were the many lies that shaped its foundation and how would these dazed and simple minded characters set it right?

It's been two months since Kohen's betrayal was brought to light and war was declared on Imbria.

The privilege of the reigning family continues its abuse as Valor, Aisling's sister and heir, is allowed to venture into the Wilds alone at a mere fourteen years of age to bond a magical creature.

Kohen intervenes by sending his brothers to protect and guide her and eventually all three come away bonded to a trio of dragons. Dragons that are daughters to Maxim's twin sister's bonded creature. Although that detail isn't an issue for very long. Oof.

Meanwhile, Kohen's visions are no longer focused on a singular timeline but instead have branched to include multiple outcomes and in more and more he sees himself losing Aisling. To Alec. To Maxim. To death.

He's wearing down. And Aisling's mantra of threats against his life was wearing me out.

Meanwhile, Aisling has practically ordered a draft by way of an emergency lottery to include all citizens aged eighteen to twenty-five. They tear down the wall near Luskia to lure more Talanagi to their lands. And in what spare time comes in the evening, she finally, finally, has begun looking into the veracity of Kohen's claims that her father had been an active threat to her life.

Thankfully the former emperor was a looney toon that kept evidence of his terroristic plots in a safe for over a decade.

Aisling's reaction? Immediate and intense. The woman gave me whiplash.

Then Kohen... Stars above, I was in bizarro land. The man invented a gun.

And Maxim's army wields a nuclear bomb.

I can't with this.

What. Is. Happening?!

3 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook | hardcover | paperback | audiobook

Previously in the series:

2026/11

Lies that Bind (The Ember War #2)

My love, it will always just be you and me, not us and them.

Available at Amazon.com

Lies that Bind
Leia Stone
The Ember War, book two
ebook, 340 pages
Published December 28, 2024
ISBN 9781951578473


When empires fall, love is the ultimate sacrifice.

When Aisling ascends the throne as empress, the weight of the crown is heavier than she ever imagined. Her father’s brutal murder leaves her with two burning purposes: find the killer and make them pay.

But her quest for vengeance leads to an act of retaliation that shifts the tides of war—and awakens a formidable new enemy.

Through the chaos, Kohen is her anchor. His unwavering love and loyalty are the only constants in her life. Yet when a shocking revelation emerges, Aisling is forced to question everything she believed to be true—even the bond she thought unbreakable.

In a world where trust is a fragile weapon, can Aisling hold her empire together, or will her pursuit of justice cost her everything?

At the close of book one, the emperor had been assassinated. And why Aisling wasn't side eyeing Meera I have no clue. I suppose her bias and prejudice against the Luskins is just that strong.

Aisling is now empress, tasked with avenging her father and leading her people forward. Bear in mind, the Amerseans are very much the problem at the heart of this story. Imbria has been conquered and is now controlled with miniscule rations from their overseer and Luska—

Luska fights for a fair share of the ember that fuels the land's energy sources. It's a noble fight and I haven't managed the slightest urge to condemn them for it.

As I said in my book one post, if Kohen is here playing the long game, I'm here for it.

This sequel is the typical bridge. It's the stepping stone that furthers the story to its inevitable conclusion. Aisling is adjusting to her new role, giving orders, training, and taking cover. It was in this installment that it cemented for me that I was experiencing the story through a side character's POV. Kohen is the main character. He's the one making moves. He has the plot. Aisling is purely reactive.

And now we know why Kohen was so deeply disturbed by Alec.

I appreciate Aisling. She's a young woman virtuous enough to save herself for marriage while also being a combatant that's not above war crimes. And although war and death bears heavy weight, this is a strong Young Adult themed tale that can't help but sink into shallow and downright juvenile scenarios. A new threat rises to power, demanding bloodshed or submission by way of marriage, and the answer her loyal governess and most trusted adviser proposes as a response: Steal his underwear.

Gods smite me now.

Stop it.

The assassin is revealed. Nothing unanticipated there.

Amersea presently faces war on two fronts. Luska is now led by Maxim, an unknown with two bonded creatures and a twin sister aware of Aisling's hidden power.

And with Imbria. Kohen, Anika, and the others have retreated home, declared sovereignty, and proclaimed Kohen their rightful king.

Kohen orders Aisling's death. And as she dies, expected to be reborn in three days' time, his message is resounding. Everything he has done is to protect her. Seek the truth. He'll be waiting.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Available in ebook | hardcover | paperback | audiobook

Previously in the series:

2026/10