Book Review: Of Fire and Ash by Gillian Bronte Adams

**First read in February 2022

About this book

She rides a fireborn, a steed of fire and ash, trained for destruction.

Ceridwen tal Desmond dreams of ruling like her father over the nation of Soldonia, where warriors ride to battle on magical steeds—soaring on storm winds, vanishing in shadow, quaking the earth, and summoning the sea. After a tragic accident claims her twin brother, she is exiled and sworn to atonement by spending her life—or death—for her people.

But when invaders spill onto Soldonia’s shores and traitors seize upon the chaos to murder her father, Ceridwen claims the crown to keep the nation from splintering. Combatting overwhelming odds and looming civil war, she begins to wonder if the greatest threat to the kingdom may, in fact, be her.

With fire before her and ash in her wake, how can she hope to unite instead of destroy?

Flames rage and oceans rise in this explosive first installment of The Fireborn Epic as the exiled heir, a novice priest, and a reluctant rebel wage war against a hidden power that threatens to shake the world.

*Book 1 of the Fireborn Epic

*Genre: Young Adult Epic Fantasy (recommended for ages 14+ for mild battle violence and a few "death" scenes.)

My thoughts

Ever since Gillian began sneaking in announcements of her secret project featuring magical steeds (through her newsetter), I have been on pins and needles for her dream to come to fruition! Now it has!!!

This book is... truly EPIC! The cover alone is just magnificent! Then there were the characters! I adored Ceridwen, the flaming fireborn rider who's struggling to rise above her shame as an exiled princess while defending her people. There's Finnian, coolest shadow-rider who's almost as stubborn as Ceridwen, but slowly grows to a loyal freind (or maybe more?). But we're also swept beyond Soldonia as we follow two other main characters who seem to share similar struggles as Ceridwen: Rafi, a young prince wrestling by demons of his past, and Jakim, a young novice priest enslaved by enemies while struggling to follow the mysterious yet powerful hand of Aodh.

Buut... as much as I loved the characters-- both main and supporting--- I was in it for the steeds. I admired Solodinia's "Rohan-like" culture centered on their solborn steeds with elemental powers, from breathing fire, unleashing storms, and shaking the earth. (Side note: my personal favorite is the Shadower!)

This book is a fantastic introduction to an epic fantasy series worth having on your shelf... especially if you're into fantasy that feature horses!!!

Bonus: To get a sneak peek of this world, you can access a free short story by signing up on her newsletter!

About the Author

Gillian Bronte Adams writes epic fantasy novels, including the award-winning Of Fire and Ash and "The Songkeeper Chronicles", and loves strong coffee, desert hikes, and trying out new soup recipes on crisp fall nights. Her favorite books are the ones that make your heart ache and soar in turn. When she’s not creating vibrant new worlds or dreaming up stories that ring with the echoes of eternity, she can be found off chasing sunsets with her horse, or her dog, Took.

Website: gillianbronteadams.com

Instagram: @gillianbronteadms

Facebook: Gillian Bronte Adams Author Page

Facebook Reader's Group: Readers of Gillian Bronte Adams