Midnight of Ashes

Dragons of Ember Hollow #2

by Tessa Hale

One moment changed everything. A split-second decision to try to save one of my five dragon mates nearly cost my life. And now nothing is the same.

Knox, Cáel, and Cillian treat me like I’ll break at any moment, while Maddox keeps a careful distance. And Easton won’t look at me at all.

We’re supposed to be fated by the stars, but we’re falling apart. Enemies still lurk around every corner, but the guys vow we’ll be ready when they come.

But evil has a way of striking when you least expect it. And none of us are ready for who might be pulling the strings…

Genres: Fantasy, Why Choose, Dragons, Paranormal, Romance, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2024

About the author

Author of love stories with magic, usually with more than one love interest. Constant daydreamer.

What a FREE novella from me? You can download one via BookFunnel: https://BookHip.com/NWRWMZA

Reviews

[Darcey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in a day, so A+ for entertaining and addictive vibes!!! Maybe not quite as captivating as book #1, but still really enjoyable, and such an easy read.

All the men are obsessed (even if some are a little slow to show it...), and I really adore the bond that they're each forming with our precious heroine. The plot is always filled with shocks and twists and people determined to kidnap the fmc - but honestly, I'll always eat that trope up, so I'm not mad! She is a special snowflake for sure, but that's fun sometimes.

Tessa Hale's books are just so easy to get dragged into, I'm always finishing them at some ungodly time of the morning, within a day of having started the book! I need more!

[Jessica]

I don't know what Tessa Hale puts in her books because they are SO ADDICTING!!! Seriously, I started this book and could not put it down. The beginning picks up from the cliffhanger at the end of book one and the action, mystery of this world, and angst of the relationships does not stop. I loved learning more about the dragon world and how the heroine was in danger as she also learned about this world she never knew about. I fell more in love with some heroes and started falling for others. They all have such different personalities and relationships with the heroine, which I need and love in my why choose romances. And the dragons!?!?! Ahhhh I am dying to see how this story concludes in the third book! Is it July yet!?

For an addicting, fast-paced romance with swoony heroes who will unalive for their fated mate, you have to pick up this series!!!

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midnight of Ashes is the second book in the Dragons of Ember Hollow series by Tessa Hale. After absolutely loving the first book in the series earlier this year I could not wait to continue on! This is a paranormal, why choose, dragon shifters, fated mates romance series and it’s so good.

The first book left off on a cliffhanger so this book continues on from there! We follow more with Hayden and her five heroes. I am equally obsessed with each of the guys and all they bring to the story. Each one is so well developed and add a different layer to the relationship with Hayden. In this installment we get more mating bonds, other hordes, more “Little Flame”, the Dragon Council, group activities 👀, and more layers and trauma to character’s backstories! Hayden struggles somewhat with the mating bonds and wondering if the guys are really there for her and aren’t just connected/feeling it’s out of duty instead because of said mating bond.

And tell me why I was legit jaw-dropped shocked with the cliffhanger ending of this book, even though I knew it was going to end on a cliffhanger again. 😂 I cannot wait for the third book in the series! The audios for this series are fantastic and such a ride, highly recommend!

Thanks so much to the author for an audio ALC, all thoughts in this review are my own!

[Jussie Wuzzie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Second book syndrome….

I really enjoyed the first book but Midnight of Ashes was a filler book nothing else.

The plot progressed micro millimeters (in my opinion)
It could have been tacked onto the first book and it would have fit perfectly. To have this as a second installment was disappointing.

If you like reading about the main characters eating breakfast then this is the book for you!
(7 chapters of eating, mentioning or serving the first meal of the day🤦‍♀️)

3 times a charm, maybe? We‘ll have to wait and see.

[Hannah Dreger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Five dragon shifters find their fated mate they would do literally anything to protect, can’t seem to protect her for more than 5 seconds

[Jana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cringe (derogatory)

[Ailís · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.🌟

I was hoping things would improve with book 2 but it has only gotten worse.

The relationships are too instantaneous with little to no development. I really think having two mates be in their 30s isn’t the best idea when the FMC is so young - it felt like Cillian and Maddox were like older brothers to her more so than love interests.

The FMC has no agency and is fine with being totally oblivious to what’s going on around her. Her mates don’t tell her much unless they have to, and seem to be happy to keep her ignorant or maybe they just don’t think of these things. Either could be true from the amount of near misses the FMC has been in.

She doesn’t show much interest in how the supernatural world works or her own origins. We get one scene where she wonders if she could ever shift, but that’s as far as it goes.

The FMC only concerns herself with getting laid and going to Uni for classes she’s never gonna finish because someone is after her. She is so ignorant of the dangers to her (which is wild since she’s almost died twice now) but still thinks she can study to become a doctor.

I just don’t understand how you can screw up a college aged supernatural RH where the FMC doesn’t know she’s gifted. It’s been done to death and almost all of them have been successful to some degree, so why was this book so bad?

I had my problems with The Bonds That Tie Series, but my god it was leaps and bounds ahead of this book.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dragon shifters, spice & a bit of mystery, what’s not to like? 😅

📖 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐞

🎧 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝘽𝙮 𝙑𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖 𝙈𝙤𝙮𝙚𝙣 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙅𝙤𝙚 𝘼𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙣, 𝙅𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚, 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙨, 𝙏𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙮 𝙃𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙩𝙤𝙣, & 𝙅𝙖𝙘𝙤𝙗 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙣

I loved this book! It picks up right where the cliffhanger left us in book 1 so we are immediately thrown into the action. I did the audiobook and it was outstanding! There were so many different narrators for all the characters and I LOVED that! It really brought everything to life.

In book 1 I fell in love with all of the guys except for Easton who was the hold off of the group. Now after reading this story I can safely say I love him as well! He’s trying even with his past trauma effecting him decisions.

This book brings the dreaded corrupt dragon council to light. They want the power that wielding Hayden as a broodmare would give them. Now Hayden and her mates have to tread carefully while also dealing with their ever evolving bond.

The spice in this book was definitely kicked up a couple notches! 😮‍💨🔥

I highly recommend this story to all fans of shifter romances with fated mates! This book ONCE AGAIN ends on one hell of a cliffhanger. You have been warned! I am beyond ready and excited for the third book to come out!

Until then I’m just going to go back and reread 𝙏𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙀𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨 to cope! 🤣

Tropes:
🐲 Dragons Shifters
💞 Fated Mates
🌻 Why Choose
☠️ Touch Her & Die
🍷 Age Gap (13yrs)
🫶🏼 Multiple POV
🔥 Spicy Romance (3🌶️)

𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 are available on kindle unlimited right now! 💃🏻

[Bentley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly I saw someone saying how this was basically bonds that tie knock off and it’s all I could see

It was still fun don’t get me wrong, but it just didn’t really hit for me.

Was this good? Ehh. Will I read the third? Most likely.

[Lilly 🖤 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve never hated a book more than this one. There were SO many things going wrong like the plot was there, but I feel like it was written by a first time Wattpad writer. She got way too focused on trying to have the characters get together rather than focusing on the actual story line.

[emma privitera · Rating 4 out of 5]

they’re so dramatic and entertaining and fun and cutesy and possessive and spicy. if you are looking for that.. then pls read this 🐉 🎉

[♡Naz♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did Tessa Hale add addiction drugs to this book cause I can't stop reading 😳 😅 🙃

[Victoria Werngreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️again, it was entertaining :) they are still moving VERY quickly and saying 'I love you' and stuff like that which I’m not really liking, but it was still a fun read ✨

[Bookish Equestrian {hiatus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first but still a banger!

Review to come!

[pen · Rating 2 out of 5]

this made me realize that i miss the hades series sm😭

[Rayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still fun but nothing too exciting happened here.

[Eduarda Tavares · Rating 1 out of 5]

My God what an awful read.
I should've closed the book as soon as they started to repeat the pattern again, using the same adjectives and the exact same sentences at different pov's.
It's just really annoying.

[kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

this series is SO fucking good i need the third book yesterday #maddoxismybabydaddy

[Lynnzie (lynnziebooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’re getting progress 🥰 we see more of the guys and progress within the bond. I’m loving the progression we’re seeing and I think I may have a fave but that could change.

Hayden goes through a lot in this book but she’s doing it all like a champ. I’m so curious as to how her story is going to play out especially with one book left. The cliffhanger was rude, but Tessa Hale loves a good cliffhanger so I’m not surprised. I just expect them at this point.

I can’t wait for the next book, there’s so much I’m excited and more than ready to see. Thank you Tessa for the arc!

[Tessa Hale]

✨MIDNIGHT OF ASHES IS LIVE✨

See how Hayden and her mates get out of the scuffle they found themselves in at the end of book one and what the future has in store for them!

Read Midnight of Ashes NOW!
Amazon & Kindle Unlimited: https://geni.us/MdngtofAshsAmzn

Audio: https://geni.us/MdngtofAshsAudio

[Rebecca J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to give this 3 stars because I loved the first one so much. However, so much and nothing happened in this book. Nothing that truly advanced the plot. There were also a couple things that really bothered me.

I’ve spent most of my adult life on college campuses (as a student and employee). Unless this is a *super* small university, there’s no way anyone would give a shit about someone sleeping with two guys at the same time. Even with the notoriety of her boyfriends, it still feels like a stretch. The rumors and name calling that Hayden experiences just wouldn’t be a thing in the general university population. If she were in a sorority or other organization where she saw the same people constantly then it would be more realistic. But a first year student that isn’t involved in anything wouldn’t see the same people enough for any of them to truly care. I just wasn’t buying it.

I thought it was so dumb that instead of cremating Brent’s remains, you know because they’re dragons, they chose to dump his body somewhere. I’m sorry, what?? Why?? There’s literally no reason for them to think dumping a body that could be found makes more sense than getting rid of it completely. I also found it unrealistic that there were already detectives on the case the very next day. To my knowledge, it’s a universal rule (in the US where this takes place) that the police won’t let you file a missing person’s report until they’ve been missing for 24 hours. The detective said his wife filed that very night. Ok, sure Jan. I’m sure they’re in someone’s pocket to make it possible but as of right now, it makes no sense.

It’s also crazy how we meet the dragon council, Hayden officially mates with 3 of her 5 mates, and they kill her professor/advisor but it still feels like lateral movement in the plot. These events give no insight into her parents’ deaths, her lineage, and it barely does anything for the dragon within her. I don’t know. It just felt like a whole lot of nothing to me.

[Carly · Rating 1 out of 5]

It feels like nothing really happened in this book to move the plot forward as there were no big reveals that gave more insight from the first book. I also became irritated with the nicknames they have for her. I feel like no significant other should call them ‘little one or little flame’ it comes across very infantilizing. I am also not a fan of insta-love which is very much a plot point in this book.

This book was literally a tragedy happens where the FMC is perilously hurt and then everything is ok, she goes to school and the cycle repeats. I get that it is a book and they can be unrealistic but why is this girl staying in a place where she almost dies every other Tuesday?? This book ends with another cliffhanger just like the first which in theory should make you want to read the next one but I can say I will not be picking it up.

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midnight of Ashes picks up where Twilight of Embers left off. Everything is going crazy as Hayden continues to bond with her mates. Easton and Maddox have their moments where they know can’t fight the mate bond anymore. There are enemies inside and outside of their compound, trying to take Hayden away. This book is such a ride! I loved all of the messiness and the character growth and the plotting that is happening. I just need the ending already!

[KayTheBookLover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hayden's story continues with her guys! I loved seeing the progression and getting to know the guys better!

Also, dragon time! That scene was a fun one!

I love this series and can't wait for the next book!

Overall ☆☆☆☆/5
Spice ★★★★/5

[Read.w.Bri · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 65% - she’s been desperate for Easton to want her back… he finally does and she’s mean to him. Stop whining. I’m done!

[LM · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriously tho, why am I reading these?

[Maddie Vaters · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️
What’s better than one dragon shifter boyfriend? FIVE dragon shifter boyfriends😎 Seriously though, I love all of Hayden’s dragon boys. I was so excited to continue this series after falling in love with the first book! I also was very excited to see some more payoff after the slow burn that was the first book. This was a good followup that had more of the stuff I loved about the first book plus some good grovelling from Grumpy Cat Easton. There is also a “who did this to you?” scene which always makes me swoon😉 I’m not going to pick favourites…but if I had to it would probably be Cael- there’s just something about the whole “I was a loner until I met you” vibe that makes me melt. I feel like we also dove a little more into the world and politics of the dragon shifter society which is definitely setting up the rest of the series. Overall this was a quick easy followup and my only complaint is that I wish these books were longer so I could get more of these characters!

Thank you to Tessa Hale for providing an ARC for review!

[Margaret Samora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was of course a 5/5 stars, and another Tessa Hale masterpiece. We got more from our dragon mates, Knox, Easton, Caèl, Cillian, and Maddox and it was yummy and so delicious.

This was so fast paced and I never once felt like I could just put the book down and carry on with my life.

First off, poor Hayden? Our girl has been put through THE WRINGER. I did feel bad for her at so many points, but it’s just a testament to how strong our heroine is!

I love how possessive the guys are, and without spoilers, I just love how we get to know each and every one. It gives the reader more of an idea of why they are the way they are. ALLLLL of our guys have a traumatic past to match their mate.

Found family to the max and I’m here for it 😭

Thank you, Tessa, for always giving us the very best ✨

Plot, world building, && character complexity are all *chefs kiss* 💋

I can’t wait for book 3 and to see how that cliffhanger plays out 😭🤣🖤

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between 4-4.5✨ I ADORE this series. They are so action packed with all the alpha male hotness. These books fly by and are just addictive. Perfect to get out of a slump. Can’t wait for the final book and if Tessa writes it, I’ll read it 💜🐉



**** thank you Tessa for the ARC copy

[Kay ⋆˙⟡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5
Rtc