This is my first book by author Emberly Ash and I will definitely be checking out her other books now!

I thought their writing style was good, I was able to immerse myself in the plot and the characters and I thought it flowed really nicely. The plot was gripping and engaging, with twists and turns that kept me wanting more.
The beginning grabbed my attention straight away, which I always like in a book as I’m not a fan of a slow start, and I liked that we were thrown into the fmcs life straight away.

There are trials, witches, fae, forced proximity, betrayals and many more tropes done well that I love inna good book.

I will definitely be picking up book 2 and I would recommend this book for all the dark romantasy lovers!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, loved it from beginning to end and I was hooked cover to cover. It felt like I went through the journey through the 7 gates with them.
That ending ??? WDYM OUR bonded, I mean I know, they both have a bond, but like, is there a possible why choose in the future with the dark lord??? Or will the best suitor win??

I can’t wait for the next book where hopefully some very irritating evil characters die some very deserving deaths.

Also that cliffhanger had me staring at the ceiling, bravo.

Lovedddd this book so much. (Would be AMAZING as a dramatised audio/ full cast)

Oooh this is delicious!!! What to say without giving it all away? Suffice it to say, you know it’s masterfully written when you’re thinking about the story and characters in the wee hours of night and throughout the day. Clever storyline that’s absolutely wicked and filled with secrets and so much longing. I devoured this book and can’t wait for the next one!

I stumbled across The Frost Witch on NetGalley and was instantly intrigued, the title caught my attention right away, and once I read the synopsis, I knew I had to dive in. I’m so glad I did because from the very first page, I was hooked.

Koryn, our frost witch FMC, was instantly likeable, strong, sarcastic, and surprisingly tender despite what she claims about being heartless. The world Emberly Ash has created is dark, magical, and full of mystery. I loved the concept of the Seven Gates and how conquering them could potentially lift the curse from Velora. It felt fresh and exciting, with high stakes and constant tension.

That said, Koryn’s internal monologues did get a little repetitive at times. She reminded us a lot that she doesn’t have a heart, that she’s 377 years old, and that Garrick’s hair is silver, not blond (seriously, I got it the first three times, girl 😅). It didn’t ruin the experience, but trimming those reminders would’ve made her inner voice sharper.

Speaking of Garrick—the infamous bounty hunter, he gave me total Geralt of Rivia vibes. Broody, dangerous, silver hair, but with hidden depths that make him more than just a rival or protector. The slow-burn between him and Koryn was done really well; the tension was delicious, and the payoff is absolutely worth the wait.

I also adored the dragon familiar, sassy, sarcastic, unexpectedly cute, and so possessive and protective of Koryn. But I do wish we’d gotten a bit more explanation about her. How exactly did she find Koryn? Where was she before? I’m hoping Book 2 will expand on this bond because the potential is huge.

On the worldbuilding side, I wanted more details about the curse on Velora, the fae’s involvement, the gods and their temples, and especially the coven’s history with Koryn. Everything was intriguing but left me hungry for more context, hopefully the sequel digs deeper.

Side characters like Tomin and the Priestess were really interesting too, and I’d love to see them return in the next book. And while most of the story focuses on Koryn’s present struggles, the flashback chapters into her past were blended in beautifully, always connecting back to current events without breaking the flow. I do hope we get to explore more of her past in future installments, though, because those glimpses were fascinating.

The writing overall was strong, the pacing was perfect, and the twists toward the end totally caught me off guard. Between the high-stakes trials, meddling gods, found family vibes, and a dragon who refuses to stop sass-bombing her witch, this book was such a fun ride.

I’m giving it 4 stars and can’t wait for Book 2. If you love dark romantasy with witches, deadly trials, slow-burn romance, and just the right amount of snark, definitely pick this one up.

I received the Netgalley ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley & Emberly Ash for the chance to read & review this ARC. It took me about 100 or so pages to really get into this book, but after the FMC Koryn got through the first trial/gate, I was hooked! If you like a trial based storyline, a slow burn romance (with steamy pay off!) and an FMC learning to love herself again, this is a good easy read :)

What I loved
🫶Slow burn romance with a natural feeling building of tension
🫶Koryn (FMC) was a strong, complex & well developed character
🫶 The witch magic system (why they have different powers) was really intriguing and clever
🫶Pacing felt consistent overall
🫶 Garrick. 😍 (his big hands *chefs kiss*)
🫶 Clearly well edited and written in a clear and consistent first person perspective (which I really loved!)
🫶 Banter between Koryn & Garrick + Koryn & Isanara

What didn’t work for me:
🙅‍♀️I felt Koryn’s motivations for entering the first gate was weak. I would have appreciated more detail about her devotion to her family earlier on so this part packed more of a punch, and I could really emphasize with her motivation.
🙅‍♀️It took much too long to be introduced to Koryn’s familiar (more than half the book), but it felt as though the familiarity between her and the other characters was too instantaneous after her introduction
🙅‍♀️A touch too much inner dialogue, especially at the beginning of the book. I would have liked if we had a bit more to show for Koryn’s true nature before she entered the trials - not just hear her insecurities and motivations through her own thoughts (although I understand why this was useful overall).
🙅‍♀️ Did not feel anything for any of the side characters, which made the stakes feel low. A little more backstory on the other supplicants, relatives or Temple folk would have gone a long way.

The last few chapters were definitely devastating, but set everything up nicely for a sequel! I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one. 🤗

Wow, I just finished The Frost Witch and I'm still reeling! 🤩 If you love dark romantasy like Carissa Broadbent, you NEED this. Koryn's story is wild – she dies, gets resurrected by witches, then has to save her family AND a dying continent by passing these insane tests. And the romance? 🔥 She's bound to a legendary bounty hunter who's her enemy, but the tension is just chef's kiss. Plus, an adolescent dragon familiar?! And multiple bonded love interests?! Sign me UP. This book has everything: enemies-to-lovers, found family, slow-burn spice, and a truly epic world. Get ready for a wild ride! ❤️

“Witches are not born. They are made. I died alone in a frostbitten forest…”

Profoundly atmospheric and haunting, this opening line sets the tone for Koryn’s dark and fiery journey ahead.

This book pulled me in from the very first page with its icy atmosphere and rich, magical world. Emberly Ash weaves a story filled with danger, secrets, and a heroine you can’t help but root for. I loved how the blend of romance, magic, and high stakes kept me turning the pages late into the night. The character development was beautifully done, and the tension between the leads had me completely hooked.

If you’re looking for a fantasy that’s equal parts enchanting and thrilling, this one definitely deserves a spot on your TBR!

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Emberly Ash for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Wow...I did not see that ending coming at all!!!

The Frost Witch was a beautiful story of healing, love, and trust. It made me laugh, cry, and sometimes both at the same time.

The FMC and MMC's character development throughout the story had me glued to every page. You could feel the slow burn building as each chapter progressed. One of my favorite characters was the FMC's familiar. The banter between the two had me laughing out loud.

The gut retching, cliff hanger ending wrecked me! That being said...I can't wait for book 2!
Please read this book! You won't be disappointed.

Favorite lines of The Frost Witch:
"I have failed everyone in my life."
"Did you ever consider that they were the ones that failed you?"

Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my review!

I really wanted to love this book, I loved the cover art and I found the premise to be intriguing. I was intrigued by a brooding MMC and the unique set up of completing the gates and what adventure that would entail.

I thought the book was okay overall but it did not really deliver on what I was looking for, but hey, maybe that is just me. It was not really dark in my opinion despite being marketed that way it seemed more like typical fantasy or YA fantasy. I really wish I could have heard more about the witch coven I wanted to know why Koryn was so attached to them and more about her time with them. As it was I did not understand her loyalty to them. I also wanted more about the MMC, I am sure that more will be revealed in the following books but he seemed boring to me and I wished we got more of the enemies to lovers aspect.

I would have loved to know more about the lore of the gates and at first I was confused how they worked and how they were just placed around randomly, yet you had to begin at a particular temple? Also [ I wanted to know more about how Koryn died, we know that she froze in the winter but I wanted much more behind that story. (hide spoiler)]

That ending was intriguing and lead to me wanting more, however, it felt unexpected and rushed when [ there was no inkling of special deals going on throughout the rest of the book. And suddenly she's the bride of a God that was barely talked about? Maybe I missed some signs (hide spoiler)] Overall it was a decent read but I am not sure if I will be continuing the series.

The idea of the setting intrigued me. A fantasy world with witches and fae that has slowly sunk into an almost dystopian hellscape with magic dying and the human population failing. The only chance to save the world is to go through seven gates and … win? Honestly, the gates weren’t explained well, even when the characters were going through them. They felt like ideas that never actually made it out of the author’s head, with little description or purpose to them other than to have an action set piece of people running, killing, fighting, and doing things so that they didn’t have to think, or talk, or have any growth.

And then the dragon shows up.

Nothing in this book feels connected. Nothing feels like a continuous story as much as short story ideas that are shoved together with the idea that somehow a plot will show up. Likewise the romance. One minute Garrick and Koryn don’t know each other, then they talk to one another, and then they’re in love. It’s a good thing the author told me, because I didn’t see it happen anywhere in the book.

I didn’t find Koryn to be a charming character, nor a bad one. She’s very flawed, selfish and small minded, judgemental and unkind. But I kind of like that. In a world like the one she lives in, kindness and compassion to strangers can cause her death, so she’s learned to care only for herself. She’s also both unfit and overweight, which is well represented, especially in physical moments when she doesn’t have the ability to run, or climb, or the stamina to last as long as someone who is more fit.

I struggled to stay interested, and struggled to not pick up another book or two while making myself read this one. There are — looking at the reviews — a lot of people who enjoy this book; I’m just not one of them. I think there are ideas here, but the execution didn’t work for me. Too many staccato moments with not enough to meld them together, too little character growth, and the romance felt like something the author wanted to add rather than something that occurred between the characters.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.

I didn’t realize this is a dark romance and dark romance is absolutely not my thing. I had to DNF 20% in due to my triggers. I wish I could leave a better review, but I can’t finish this book

I started this out with more hopes for the lore and my goodness it did not disappoint, and I am pleasantly surprised by the relationships Koryn develops along the way. I was invested from start to finish.

📚 ARC review - I don’t know what it was about this book but I really struggled to get in to it. The further in I got the more intriguing it was for me though, and there’s a great plot twist ! I think I just struggled to fall in love with the characters. The slow burn was super slow which may have been another reason it wasn’t quite my cup of tea. I love the witchy elements and the world building though. Overall a good read 📚

I am livid and I need book two yesterday!

This book started strong and it didn't disappoint, keeping everything up to the quite high bar set in the first 20%. First of, the characters. Koryn is officially part of my favourite FMCs because she is sassy and strong, but also flawed and conflicted between duty to her coven and her drive to challenge the beliefs forced upon her but which she doesn't share. Moreover, the flashbacks to her previous life are well woven into the story and give the exact amount of information you need to understand what's going on in those moments. Then we have Garrick, who I would have fallen for even if he were actually blond and not silver-haired, because, let's say it, he is the MMC we like in our romanstasy. The rest of the ensemble is well-thought and fit rightly into the plot.

Regarding the plot and the setting, what can I say? We have ruthless witches created by the Dark God, thus putting the gothic and dark vibe that these fantasy creatures have always been giving (and given) while also explaining their alleged cruelty. Also, their unique magic system is really intriguing and I absolutely loved it. Cruel are also the Fae, again winking at the more dark side of general European folklore. These two groups also have to deal with humans and try to break a godridden curse by going through seven trails, each linked to one of the gods. The events lead to backstabbing, incomprehensible power, an unthinkable familiar, great banter, a slow burn that actually burns slowly, enough spice and a couple of final plot-twists that made me gasp and throw my kindle to the other side of the couch — also, the end of the epilogue made actually look at the inexistent audience in my living room with my mouth open, and then I giggled. Oh, these twists also made this book go from 4.5 to 5 starts - yes, I liked it this much because even if there are hints, some things I absolutely did not see coming and they left me wanting for more.

A final note: Ash ties together well-developed characters and a solid and entertaining plot with a smooth prose, which I never found heavy with words and that skilfully describes events, surroundings, the characters and Koryn's thoughts and emotions (which are an important part since the book is from her POV).

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for allowing me to receive the arc through NetGalley!

You know when a book is a fun read but you know it’s not going to echo in your bones once you finish reading it? This is NOT one of those books! The Frost Witch had me captured within the first two chapters and intensified the more I read, I couldn’t put it down! I swear if it hadn’t been for the kids and work, I would have binged this in a day.

Emberly Ash writes her characters with a self awareness and maturity that just resonated with me from the beginning.
I love the FMC - the way she speaks in her own mind reminiscent of my own inner voice. I connected with how she struggles with overwhelm and I loved an FMC portrayed with womanly curves!
Our MMC had all my favourite attributes: tall, mysterious, dangerous and banter rolling off him in waves. And he can cook?! Immediately adds to book boyfriends.

We had some of my favourite tropes in here: trials, found family, enemies to lovers, touch her and die to name a few; and the twist at the end broke my heart (even though I saw it juuust before it happened) and left me with so many questions that I’m left with a delicious book hangover tinged with that anticipatory anxiety for book two to be released.

I had raced to Amazon and purchased a copy before I’d even finished reading the ARC copy, I’m so excited to have found another author whose writing transports me!

Thank you so much to Emberly Ash and Cara Maxwell Romance for the advance copy via NetGalley, I can’t tell you how much I’ve appreciated the read!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 by Emberly Ash
Release date August 5, 2025

This book has a little bit of everything a romantasy reader could ask for
✦ deadly trials
✦ witches, familiars, fae, humans, & gods
✦ unique magic system
✦ slow burn with banter
✦ god “gifted” bonds
✦ hidden identities
✦ dystopian fantasy vibes
✦ curvy fmc
✦ touch her & ☠️

That being said, it may have been a bit too much. I felt like, with everything going on, details were lost. We got a short explanation about the way a witches personal type of magic is acquired, but how they draw power was pretty vague. This is only book 1 in the series though. I’m hoping we get some more answers about how Koryn sustains her powers in book 2.

I loved the set up of the seven gates as trials. Every time the characters entered a new gate my blood pressure spiked. I was so anxious to see what awaited them. The trials were thrilling without consuming the plot entirely.

The slow burn was filled with some great banter. However, I felt it to be a bit repetitive. Koryn made an overwhelming amount of comments about Garrick’s smirks and grins. Their physical attraction was very apparent, however, something was a bit lacking on a personal/deeper level.

Repetitiveness was my biggest struggle with this book. Koryn stated soo many times that she was ousted from her coven and that it should affect her power. It was exhausting to keep rehashing the same thing, especially without getting any answers.
Koryn also seemed fixated on her size. Every reference she made to her body had an undertone of distaste. I love that she’s a curvy fmc. I’m just hoping to see more positivity from her. I hope she’s able to fall in love with herself in the upcoming books.

The ending to this book sucked me right back in. I was expecting a twist, but I did not anticipate the twist going off with such a big bang. I loved it!

I’m excited to see how the ending of book 1 plays out in book 2. I’d really love to see book 2 contain multi POVs. I think it’d give us a deeper understanding of our characters and their bonds, plus releave some of the repetitiveness of Koryn’s inner monologue.

Overall, I’d recommend this book. I think this has the potential to be a really special series.

A huge thank you to Cara Maxwell Romance and NetGalley for providing me with this arc. These are my own honest opinions.

Thank you so much to Emberly Ash and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC!

This book is for all the lovers of Asterin from Throne of Glass.

The Plot:
- We meet Koryn, our FMC, in the middle of her story. She has just been cast out of her coven, and it is clear from the get go that that event had something to do with the fact that she is not heartless nor cruel, as witches are "supposed" to be.
- She is not a fighter (physically), and has to learn and train to survive. I'm not talking training as we see in so many other Romantasy books nowadays - it's not a physically fit young woman who throws some daggers around and miraculously hits every target after like a day and becomes the best dagger wielder ever (you know the type of FMC I'm talking about). Koryn has to TRAIN, she has to build up her endurance by walking and hiking and running. She has to learn how to use what strengths she has in a more concise and effective manner. She is aware of her limitations and works on them without complaint (okay, she complains about it sometimes, but who doesn't complain when they are out of breath from running???? I know I do!!!).
- The magic system is incredible. I don't think(?) I've read anything that makes it so a witch's power comes from the manner of death. The fae's powers seem to be pretty in line with how other books approach it, but honestly I like this because it makes things a bit easier to keep track of/understand in terms of who can do what.
- The familiar is giving teenage dragon, exactly as it should, but I feel like as of now she reminds me too much of another teenage female dragon (iykyk). I want her to stand out, to separate from the veryyy close similarities.
- The dying (human) continent is beyond saving, or so we think. This is not a place where there are like surviving towns that somehow are persisting. This is a desolate, desperate place. It gives the atmosphere a very spooky vibe, and we see the toll that the environment has taken on Koryn as she easily is overwhelmed and is anxious quite often. She is relatable, and human, despite her present state as a witch.
- The trials are very entertaining, and we have well done side characters too. Everyone is given their own personality and it is clear that they all have an impact on how Koryn chooses to proceed through the gates.

The Writing:
- The book is written in a very engaging way, as it shifts from flashback chapters to present day, keeping you guessing and wanting to know more about how Koryn got to where she is. At no point was I dreading the next few chapters, or thinking that it would be slow. Something HAPPENS each chapter, some piece of the puzzle comes together, and the plot is pushed forward.
- There are little twists throughout the book, some can be spotted from a mile away, but most are a complete surprise that again, leave you wanting to read more. There is one huge twist at the end that makes it SO UNFORTUNATE that we have to wait so long for the next book. I want, no I need, to learn what happens to our power couple.

Qualms:
- I honestly did not have many qualms with this book. It was enjoyable, and easy to read. The only big thing that I am hoping will be reduced in the next book is the repetition of explanations. I made a note that we were STILL getting sentences/paragraphs explaining how Koryn's active powers work/were given to her at 60% in to the book and onward. Even before then, it seemed like every other time she used her power, there was an explanation of how she got it (death), or what it manifests as. The power is just one major thing I saw being repeated. There were many other times when things that had previously been explained were explained again.
Just have her use the powers and don't explain it away. It took me out of the story a bit every time that happened, because we know that Koryn is not explaining it over and over again to herself, it's for the reader, and trust me, we know.
Personally, after 2, MAYBE 3, mentions or explanations, we've gotten it.
- Another (very minor thing) is the overuse of "intensity" to describe our MMC eyes. This fits in with the repetition thing, because after the initial locked eyes scene, it loses it's impact and meaning to always overly describe his eyes and gaze every time they look at each other. I want their glances, their stares to MEAN something, to hold and carry weight, and they just ceased to do that.

Overall, this was a refreshing read, and I need updates on the next book pronto.
I've already recommended this for all my ToG witch lovers and too all my Romantasy friends as a whole. I also will be discussing this in-depth on Reddit, but to avoid doxing myself as it is my personal account, I will refrain from listing my profile.

A witch is nothing without her coven

I will be the first to admit that this isn’t my usual type of book to read. Earlier in the year, I read the three entries into the Empyrean Series and the Throne of Glass series. Reading the description of this one? I knew I had to give it a go. My thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing/Cara Maxwell Romance for this ARC.

Plot:
The Gods have condemned the lands of Velora. All of the magic is being drained from the very land itself. The Fae have fled. Most of the witches have fled. The wealthy humans have fled. The land is dying.
But the Gods have left Seven Gates. Anyone who can conquer them will lift the curse that is plaguing Velora.
Enter the FMC Koryn. The Frost Witch.

What did I like?
I’ve been doing my best to expand my horizons in terms of reading. Right now? Fantasy is being dominated by female authors, in my opinion. And I am here for it! Being able to live in Koryn’s head for the length of this book is something I was down for.
I love how straightforward the premise is. Conquer these Seven Gates, lift the curse. Simple. To the point. I knew what to expect from reading the description, and within minutes of cracking the book open. Add in all the extra drama? Chef’s kiss.

In terms of tropes, this book leans into them (another thing it was upfront about). While I don’t know them all the tropes yet, the ones I did know paid off.

What didn’t I like?
This might be controversial, but I didn’t like Isanara. I wish she had been introduced earlier, so we could have seen her and Koryn bond more. I also didn’t like how out of nowhere it came. Nothing had been said about dragons or dragonlore. We just have to accept that there are dragons now. It’s possible that I missed some dragonlore leading up to her arrival, and I hope that’s the case! But that also leads me into the next thing I didn’t like.
The whole premise is so simple and easy. My smooth brain likes that. But what I didn’t like was how the lore wasn’t fleshed out more. I want to know more about the witches, the Fae, and the Gates. All of it. I’m sure that I could’ve missed essential lore. I’m not discounting that. And this is only book one in the series.

Final thoughts?
What little hang-ups I had with the book, I’m still going to read the sequel when it comes out. While I might have wanted answers here, I understand that I will probably get them in a sequel. Besides that, I need to know what the heck is going to happen next!

Will be posting my review on Goodreads immediately, as I didn't see that I missed the publishing date!

The book was interesting and entertaining! I've never read a book describing witches in this author's point of view, I think that's part of the reason it's so entertaining.. There is a very slowburn romance playing in the background to the drama and fantasy. There are a lot of questions the reader is left with by the end of the book, so be prepared to continue the series for answers. The female and male protagonist characters are very interesting making this book a great way to spend a rainy day reading and fantasizing.

Koryn has no choice but to go through the gate this is her only chance to save everyone. But it isn’t going to be easy as she will need to make it to the end to break the curse. Will she be strong enough to make it. Garrick the Red has his own reasons for going through the gates so when they become bonded it changes everything. Can Koryn be able to control her powers as she will need them?
Koryn meets her familiar who happens to be a dragon Isanara. The three of them need to continue on their journey neither of them realised how much they needed each other. But now the truth is out and Garrick needs to find her and even if that means losing her to the Dark God he needs his help. What a ending hopefully the next book isn’t too far away.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for the copy. A stunning read full of adventure. Good characters and a solid interesting storyline. This is my voluntary review.