Wow - just wow

I've finished reading 'Ashen Embrace' written by Daria Malaunt. This is a dark fantasy and the third book in the interconnected standalone series called 'Devine Destinies'.

"'Beware the enemies you create."

I've said this before and I will say it again... I don't easily feel the big feelings reading a book, but Dari seems to get me there every single time. I loved it, but I need time to process this ending and how sad it makes me feel. And I know it sounds strange, but that's a good thing. I love books that leave you like that. They are worth it!

"Peace was never so simple. It was never just about magic."

This story is about Vivianora and Draelius. Vivianora is a fae princess that gets exiled and Draelius is a dragon shifter who's chained in more than one way. Both doomed to find each other in darkness or is it fate that brings them together in their downfall?

"I was a stranger among my own and my own among strangers."

What I like about Dari's stories and what I like and love about Ashen Embrace as well, is the combination of lust and passion, a developing story with evolving characters, plottwist that leave you gasping in combination with dark, deep and very important themes and subjects. This makes the story not only entertaining, but it gives it an extra layer that makes the story more tangible, vivid and recognizable.

"It felt like I finally understood what it meant to burn together -- without turning to ash."

Dari's stories are usually longer as planned, but this is something you don't notice while reading. When you start, you will be sucked in and you will just go with the flow and you won't be able to stop reading. This again was an amazing story and it deserves five stars.