#Review: A KISS OF EMBERS by Sydney Winward

4 of 5 stars

Seraphina Nova, the Ember Fae Queen, has one thing on her mind, and she'll do anything to accomplish her goal, including killing. Her younger sister Pri has been captured by the rival Forest Fae clan when she sought the healing waters of the Glades, and Seraphine will do anything to rescue her, even if she has to burn the forest down. Unfortunately, the Forest Fae are a formidable enemy with the skill to protect their surrounding forest and clan, and it's hard to penetrate even for Seraphina. She's out of options until an opportunity allows her to capture the Forest Fae heir. She'll exchange him for her sister. Simple, right?

I haven't read any of the previous books in the series, so I was a little lost at the beginning. However, the world-building in the story is fantastic, as the author's imagination seemingly has no bounds to keep the reader engaged. I really enjoyed the different aspects of magic each of the clans wielded. 

When Seraphina captures Bastian, the first thing she does is stab him. Yikes! That certainly got my attention and demonstrated to Bastian's fellow guardsman, Ashryn, that she was serious in her threats to kill him. "Bring my sister to the cliffs, or he dies," was the last thing Ashryn heard as darkness overtook her from a sleeping dart. Ashryn and Bastian have a long and complicated history--certainly best friends now, but a hint of romance in the past. Ashryn is the only one in Attleglade who befriends Bastian, and she'll do anything to save him. Seraphina is counting on that.

The pages fly by as one obstacle after another is thrown into the path of Seraphina and Bastian. Along the way, they became more than enemies. Their blossoming feelings seemed a bit rushed, although they're willing to throw caution to the wind to be together. Of course, their growing romance is doomed, as each respective clan would never accept a relationship between an Ember Fae and a Forest Fae. 

The climax was phenomenal, and I should have seen it coming, but I was so engrossed in the story that it caught me by surprise. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen. There was only one small aspect involving Bastian's father's health that was left unresolved when there seemed to be a solution nearby that I found lacking in this otherwise very enjoyable fantasy romance.

I voluntarily read this book provided by N.N. Light Book Heaven and all opinions are my own.