Bride of Ash & Dust is a great pick if you’re looking to get out of a romantasy slump, as I’ve recently been. The story is intricate enough to keep you engaged without becoming overwhelming, and the characters are all genuinely likable.

If you enjoy arranged marriage romantasies, you’ll likely enjoy this one. I was especially reminded of The Bridge Kingdom, as both share similar elements: a malicious king seeking control, a politically motivated marriage, and a slow-burning, reluctant romance. The dual POV between Lilias and Zarek works particularly well; you really get to understand both characters, which is essential for stories like this. Even the side characters are strong enough to stand on their own. The clandestine relationship between Lilias’s lady’s maid, Anura, and her brother, Prince Elrick, was especially compelling and left me wanting more of their story.

If you’re looking for a deeply developed magic system, this may not fully satisfy you. Magic exists more in the background rather than being heavily explained. You do get an introduction to the seven kingdoms within the world, though only two are explored in depth, leaving room for expansion in future installments.

My main issue with the story was the pacing. The middle section drags, while most of the major action is concentrated toward the end, making the conclusion feel somewhat rushed in comparison to the buildup.

That being said, I do think this book has strong series potential, and I’m optimistic that the next installment will be even better. I’m especially interested in the upcoming prequel focused on Anura and Elrick, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series.

Thank you to Meredith Hart, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the ARC.