Realm of Ash

Realm of Ash is a standalone sequel to Tasha Suri's debut novel, Empire of Sand, and it is also a gorgeous novel with rich character relationships and storytelling, beautiful writing, and a fascinating world. This book is a story about Mehr's younger sister, Arwa, who is newly widowed after being the sole survivor of a massacre???saved by the same blood she has always feared.

Arwa's journey is poignant: it's largely about someone who had part of herself stolen from her discovering that piece of herself she never quite realized was missing and taking it back. It's also about truth and the cost of knowledge, how love can be cruel at times, and forging new paths. But love isn't always unkind, and there's a lovely slow burn romance between Arwa and a scholarly illegitimate prince that develops as they are made to work together to solve the curse upon their land.

I found it a little slow toward the beginning and I did prefer reading about the main characters in the previously published book, but I also thought this one was more mature and complex than the first. Everything comes together wonderfully, and I loved it.

Full Review on My Website