Oooh, I loved this book. I loved this series.
BUT the ending just left me feeling a little.. empty. I'm grateful that the epilogue reinforced Dravyn and Karys' love and the lengths they'd go to in order to be together but it left my heart a little achey.

Thank you S.M. Gaither for the gifted ARC! I was SO EXCITED to receive this after how much I loved Flame & Sparrow.
MISS GAITHER HAS DONE IT AGAIN!! This was such a beautiful story of love, healing, and growth. I really loved seeing Karys grow into her own power and confidence throughout this book. I hope we see her as a side character in future books, because I’d love to see how she is and what she accomplishes in her new role.
I love Dravyn so much. He’s the sweetest, most supportive cinnamon role fire god to ever exist. The way he loves Karys is just so wholesome. And their spicy scenes were GIVINGGGGGGG.
I’m also so glad that Karys and Savna were able to fix things between them. I was definitely nervous at the end of the last book for how that reunion would go, but seeing their sisterly love conquer all made my heart so happy.
Valas and Mairu continued to be the greatest side characters ever. The found family in this duology is truly top notch.
And I can’t forget about my baby Moth

MY KINGDOM FOR ONE (1) GLASSBLOWING FIRE GOD TELLING ME TO GET ON MY HANDS AND KNEES.

this is book two of a duology! check out my review for book one here.

y’all, this man!!!! this book!!!!! this duology!!!!! is SO GOOD! SM gaither is the queen of god tier fantasy romance that doesn’t skimp on either fantasy or romance. there’s something here for everybody — meddling gods, kingdoms at war, elves, magic, complex political history, complicated family dynamics that add depth and emotional punch to the story — and then some cute, whimsical pets that bring back some levity.

the story in this installment picks up exactly where we left off in flame and sparrow — karys in a new, confusing position, dravyn (WE GET HIS POVs!!!!) trying to be the Supportive Boyfriend (at which he slays, by the way. no complaints. men, take notes), and a world on the cusp of out-and-out war that threatens the destruction of all that our characters hold most dear. it’s complicated, it’s stressful, and it’s unputdownable, feeding us from start to finish with fast-paced plot, twists and turns, heartachingly sweet romance, and a hefty dash of spice to make things really burn.

i unequivocally loved this, and the epilogue is truly the emotional cherry on top. if you’re a fan of fantasy romance, and love fully developed and complicated worldbuilding, run to kindle unlimited. this will feed you mind, body, and soul.

thank you to SM gaither and her assistant for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this one!

Such an interesting conclusion!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

Beginning was a little boring. I feel like the momentum from the end of the previous book abruptly stopped, and it took a good portion of the first half to find its stride. It was honestly a bit of a struggle to even continue reading because the first chunk was just kinda lackluster.
The romance between Karys and Draven was very sweet, and the chemistry between them was smoldering.
Overall, I just don't think this book lives up to how good the first book was...I kinda feel like this duology could have been smushed into one very long book.

An amazing conclusion to the duology. Ash and Feather is packed full of action. The book picks up where Flame and Sparrow left off.

The war between humans and elves continue as the elves start to get the upper hand even against the gods. They are intelligent and calculating and have been able to wreck havoc in human towns and cities. Andrel is lost in his revenge and will do anything to win, even sacrificing his own kind as a means to an end.

What I really enjoyed is expanded world building, it's absolutely incredible. We lean more about Dravyn and his family. Karys is forever changed. She fights for peace in the moral realm as she learns how to control her new powers. I loved everything from the steamy passion and engaging plot with multidimensional characters.

I received an eARC. My opinions are my own.