Thank you so much to the publisher for the ARC copy of this book.

Honestly, I am obsessed with this book and this universe (I highly recommend Riftborne and Duskbound also). For a large book, I ate this up. The characters, the world building, the trials, the slow burn, the dialogue, the magic system... This was everything I hoped it would be and more.
I also CANNOT stop thinking about that ending (after reading the other 2 books). I've never experienced goosebumps like it and I had a difficult time picking my jaw up off the floor. I think I probably re-read the last 5 or so pages over and over again multiple times in shock.
This was executed fantastically and I cannot wait to read more from this world. Currently my favourite reads of 2026 so far.

Is this perhaps one of my favourite books of all time? Absolutely yes. A million times yes.

I adored this book, it was fast paced, the characters were equal parts funny but also fierce and definitely explosive...

The way this is part of an interconnecting series really just is the cherry in all this, the reveal at the end had my jaw on the floor and I can't lie, I shed a few tears. Just when I thought I had an idea as to what was happening another bombshell was dropped.

The writing is fantastic, easy to follow and just such an enjoyable read. It's a God Tier book for me and I've not had a day go past I haven't thought about it.

If you take anything from this review is that, this is definitely your sign to pick The Ascended up.

“𝙞’𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙚. 𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙞’𝙢 𝙖𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚’𝙨 𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙, 𝙖 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙬 - 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙬. 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨, 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥. 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪”

in a world where divine power seeps into the mortal realm, thais morvaren hides her true self as a simple fisherman’s daughter while secretly forging weapons from starlight - a skill that would throw her into the deadly trials of ascension

when a priest’s ritual exposes her heritage, she’s forced into a competition she never wanted, with the ultimate goal of taking down olinathar, king of the gods - the very man whose touch killed her mother. alongside her twin brother, whose powers suddenly manifest, and xül, a darkly charming necromancer prince assigned as her mentor, thais must survive trials, navigate forbidden sparks, and face a darkness that could unravel the heavens. some stars aren’t meant to be weapons… some stars are meant to fall

-

wow. wow. wow. what a book. i was already a fan of the riftborne series, so i knew this arc would be good, but it exceeded every expectation.

the worldbuilding is incredible, blending divine intrigue, mortal stakes, and a tension-filled atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat. every trial is detailed, intense, and satisfying - unlike other books where trials feel rushed, here they’re fully immersive and high-stakes

thais is such a compelling fmc, strong and determined but also vulnerable in all the right ways. her bond with her twin is heartwarming and authentic, and the friendships she forms throughout the trials feel genuine and beautifully written. and xül… oh, xül. the mmc is irresistible. the slow burn, the yearning, the banter, the dark charm - it’s all perfect. i was completely captivated

and the ending… the last sentence alone left me speechless. i went in completely blind, and i did not see that coming. now i desperately need book two

“𝙞’𝙙 𝙬𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙞 𝙬𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚. 𝙞’𝙢 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚. 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚. 𝙞’𝙢 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙬. 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞’𝙢 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙤𝙤 - 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚”