Yes, wife, you are.
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