Book: Ashwalker by S. M. Gaither
Reviewed by Karina's Magical Reads
Rating: 5/5
The powerhouse that is this epic Fantasy Romance that tells a story of Love, Bonds and making choices of family of your choosing! I fell into this story immediately following Arowyn and her best friend, Briar who are from a region that has harsh poverty. Arowyn has suffered so much loss and heartbreak from the beginning of the story. During an attack of dragons she lost her family and her fiancé, who was the love of her life. She almost lost her own life, but suffered injuries including the loss of sight in one of her eyes. Arowyn and Briar begin to try to rebuild a life and take on dangerous jobs to help keep their community of people and themselves with food and necessities. On the way back from one of their jobs they run across a command of soldiers from a neighboring Kingdom of Mouren. Arowyn is drawn to a cage that the soldiers are holding, and learns that it's a very injured young dragon. She has a anger towards dragons because of the losses she's endured. This encounter sparks a journey to the Kingdom (not by her full choice) she feels is at fault for everything that has happened. What she finds seems to change everything she understands about dragons, the King of Mouren, and the magic of the world she knows. Will she be the key to unlocking great power and the ability to change the world?
The author does a phenomenal job of world building, magic systems and pulling you in to every story these characters tell. You will experience hard truths, betrayals, magical dragon bonds, loyalty boundaries, ancient gods mysteries. I was so invested in Arowyn's story, but also watching her grow and uncover things she wasn't really prepared for. You get enamored by the interactions between Arowyn and Reave (The King of Mouren). You will go through a gambit of emotions as you read along and when you think you have things figured out, then the plot twists and shatters everything you knew. This is expected to be a trilogy and I cannot wait to see where the story goes because that ending leaves you wanting so much more.
Thank you, SM Gaither, for this amazing e-ARC copy. This review is of my own honest opinions and thoughts.