Abandoned on the Lonely Mountain Highway, foster sisters Elisa and Stella escape a dire situation only to find themselves on opposing sides of a brutal war. In "Ashes to Embers," their journey through a world ravaged by dark magic and ancient feuds leads them to uncover shocking truths about their lineage. As Elisa allies with a mysterious warrior and Stella fights to protect her loved ones, their paths are fraught with romance and tension. Each sister must navigate a treacherous journey where love and betrayal are intertwined. With strong female protagonists, a gripping plot, and an exploration of sisterhood and self-discovery, this novel delivers a captivating blend of suspense and emotional depth. Prepare for a tale of fierce loyalty, heart-stopping action, and a touch of forbidden romance in this gripping first installment of the Legacy of Blood and Moonlight series.
Ashes To Embers by A.B. Duncan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Just know that not everything is as it appears in these woods” - Roman Two foster sisters running away to escape their lives find themselves discovering a new world full of all kinds of mythical creatures and entangled in the middle of a war between werewolves and vampires. Soon to discover a devastating prophecy stating they would be in fact on opposing sides of this war they must help fight. The girls end up forced to split up and learn their new abilities without each others help and are to find new allies to help them fight and survive this war not just for themselves but also to find a way to save each other.
This book kept my attention the entire time and I loved all the world building and detail for her first book. I loved the strong two female protagonists and how you got to see both sides unfold. I always have a soft spot for forbidden love and I couldn’t help but be very intrigued by the love triangle forming. I cannot wait to get my hands on her second book to find out where the girls end up next in their journey.
A.B. Duncan's debut gives us a story of sisterhood and fated mates. This reads more YA to me without spice (🫑 for some kissing). I loved the world that Duncan has created. This is the first book in her new series, and it does end on a cliffhanger. I'm excited to see where the next book goes but would like to see it less repetitive overall.
Absolutely wonderfully written story of sisterhood and the trials of wanting to belong. It’s captivating, fast paced and action packed! I am impatiently waiting on the second book of this series! The ending of book 1 will have you wanting more! I’m so proud of you A. 💜
This stunning debut novel is a must read for Fantasy lovers! It has a bit of everything, including Vampires, Wolf Shifters and some badass FMCs, plus a fun variety of tropes!
I was completely lost in this world, absorbed in the best way possible. Seriously, with a captivating storyline and interesting characters, how could one not fall in love with this book!!
The dual POV was also something I really enjoyed with this storyline, I really can’t wait to see where each of their stories take them.
This book was absolutely amazing ! You can tell a lot of heart went into this book . So much detail and enthusiasm through the whole thing . Left with a cliffhanger and cannot wait for the next book !
So it did take me a bit to really get engaged, the characters and plot were interesting from the get-go, though! Some things happened just a little quickly to the point that things seemed a bit rushed and on occasion, kind of out of nowhere. Some words were repeated a lot as well, but none of that really bothered me. But those are my reasons for giving it 4 versus 5 stars. Honestly, I really did enjoy this overall! The sisterhood between Elisa and Stella is such a special one and I genuinely look forward to reading the entire series! I haven't read a book with a love triangle (at least not a memorable enough one) in ages and that really made my inner dramatic sap so giddy, and I genuinely don't know which side to choose... Team Edward or Team Jacob, who? And I love having a villain that I loathe entirely, Muse is very much that in the best way! This is a solid debut novel and I can't wait to see what else A.B. Duncan has in store for us.
What an amazing story of sisterhood. Stella & Elisa share a bond that cannot be broken. They’ve faced trials throughout the childhood and into their young adult lives. After escaping a horrible situation, they’re thrown into a new world where everything changes and new taxing adventures await. I can’t wait to see what comes next for these heroines!
Ashes To Embers by A.B. Duncan is an amazing mystical story of sisterhood and fated mates. Stella and Elisa have been through so much in their lives and have overcome all of it together. Even on opposite sides a war, they still believe in each other and the fact that they can do anything as long as they're together. I love the dual POV, and being able to see how both sides were managing during the chaos. My jaw dropped quite a few times throughout this book, because of the twists, turns and surprises. Stella and Elisa don't even realize how strong they truly are, however, it was super fun to get to see them find a bit of that strength in the story. A.B. Duncan's use of figures of speech is incredible and her world building makes you feel like you're right there experiencing it with the characters. The ending had me at a loss for words and I cannot wait for the next book. I am super excited to find out what happens with the MMCs and to see the sister's relationships build with them!
⭐5/5 🌶️1/5
⭐"This is not a war of choice, but a war of survival. To protect our kind, to secure our future."⭐
⭐"The battle was far from over, and I would not be her pawn forever."⭐
First of all, I would actually rate this book 4.5 ⭐️ if we had the option to. I’ve been reading a lot more romantasy lately, so a book about sisters on opposite sides of a war between vampires and wolf shifters sounded right up my alley! I really enjoyed the story, and it kept me engaged all the way through, with the exception of one small part towards the beginning where I got bogged down. I loved the way the dual POV gave you a look into both sides of the conflict, and how the sisters were involved. Stella’s strength and resilience is evident right from the start, and only grows throughout her journey. Elisa however, had a much different path to find out just how much strength she truly possesses. Both women are forces of nature, and I can’t wait to see where their stories take them. I found it interesting while reading trying to work out who were allies for each of them, and the relationships that emerged for each woman were interesting as well. This is the first book of a series and does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared! But if you like strong FMC’s, vampires, and wolf shifters, definitely check this book out!!
I LOVED this book so much! The story of sisterhood and finding who you are and accepting who you are was incredible! And what a cliffhanger at the end! Can’t wait for the second book!
It was such an honour to read this book, written by someone who means so much to me! Reading a book by a best friend is such a profound experience.
The characters and world brought to life by Author A.B Duncan are beautiful. Stella and Elisa’s bond of sisterhood is most definitely carried throughout the entirety of this book, and the cliff hanger ending absolutely leaves me wanting more. I cannot wait to see where the character relationships go as the series progresses, this was a wonderful debut written by a wonderful, resilient and inspiring ray of sunshine in my life.
A.B. Duncan takes us a journey of two foster sisters thrown into another realm. The one they're really from. Unbeknownst to them, they were born into opposing sides of the war.
This book is written from the perspective of each sister. I do think this is critical to the story that's being told, but I think that it would have been better structured if each took turn per chapter.
The repeating of certain words drove me nuts. The first half word "mischief" was overused. The words "labyrinth" and "disdain" were also overused, but DO NOT get me started on how overused the word "palpable" was. It really was to the point where I started rolling my eyes every time I saw it. I almost dnf over that.
On another note, I enjoyed the premise of the book. The storyline kept me in enough for me to at least want to finish it, though. Since being an adult, I haven't read much fantasy, so this was a good change. The book was left at a good spot. I think it could easily be left as a stand-alone, but I would honestly like to know what happens to the sisters.
I really enjoyed the thought and care Aurian put into this first novel! The world building and backstory was intricate but easy to follow. I found myself able to recall things quickly which can be so difficult in the fantasy genre. I am looking forward to book 2! I really liked how encouraging and protective Stella is, can’t wait to see what happens!
This book was incredibly well written which such amazing detail it truly felt like you were watching a movie.
Elisa and Stella are two orphaned sisters that have an un breakable bond. Although they are faced with challenge after challenge they continue to stick together at all cost, that is until they embark into a new world that is nothing like what they are used to.
This book includes vampires, werewolves, fae, giants, war, betrayals mate bonds, magic. Everything you could possibly want in a fantasy book.
It is a fantastic book to read if you are just getting into fantasy but also captivating to those who are fantasy obsessed (like myself).
I highly recommend you pick this book up and add it to your TBR, it’s such a faced paced and quick read I loved every minute of it.
The world-building in the book was top notch. There was so much detail, I could've painted it all in a picture if I had the talent.
The overwhelming theme of sisterhood and inner strength was beautifully written and carried in every single chapter. The unexpected love triangle and the even more unexpected love interest/new ally added another layer to the already complex storyline.
I really hope there will be a second book! That last 3 chaptere left me with so many unanswered questions and so much more plot that needs to happen!
This debut novel was incredible! I am so glad I got the chance to read it. A.B Duncan does a wonderful job making you feel part of the story. He word choice is so easy to read along with and paints such an awesome picture of the characters and their world. I absolutely love dual POV books and getting to experience the story from different views. Both FMC are strong intelligent characters and watching them develop throughout the novel was fantastic! Would definitely recommend for those who love fantasy books!
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN✨ Wow what can I say! This book has exceeded all expectations! I haven’t read a fantasy since my early love for Harry Potter but this book made me fall in love with the genre all over again! With a mix of romance and sisterly love it’s a must read. Left on such a cliffhanger leaving you wanting more! Would recommend for an easy but brilliant read! This book will always have a special place in my heart! ❤️
I thought the concept of this book was really interesting especially having both sisters come from different sides of the war. I thought it was cool how Stella was a werewolf and Elisa was a vampire. This was a very fast paced read with strong elements of sister hood
However I felt the writing/word choice was repetitive and some parts of the books moved to fast with not a lot of build up. I’m wondering if there is a second book planned? If so then the ending was a great cliffhanger! If there’s not a second book planned then I feel like we were left with so many questions.
To sum up I thought this was a great debut novel! I loved the backstory of the characters and the world A.B Duncan created! It takes so much courage to out a book into the world and I think A.B Duncan did a great job!! 🩷
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was really excited to read this based on the TikTok video I watched. It seemed to have everything I normally love in the plot. What it missed was an editor who could have actually made something decent out of this mess. It read really poorly, with repetitious language, chapter structure making a mess of the timeline for the reader, and seriously lacking character development. I struggled to commit to finishing this and won’t be picking up anything else by this author. It’s a shame, because I really wanted to like this.
Ugh!!! The cliff hanger!!!! This book is written in great detail! I enjoyed reading this. I loved the story as a whole and can't wait to see where the next book takes us.
I loved the storyline. I gave 3 stars because the writing style isn’t my favorite and at times was tough to read. There’s a lot of repetition when describing what’s going on and there is not always smooth transitions between scenes. This may not bother other readers. Overall, I like the characters and the story. I can’t wait to see what happens with Jax and Stella!
I'm not going to lie. I went into this not at all knowing what to expect. I started reading books without really reading what they were about because I got into a habit of only reading certain genres. I didn't want to miss out on the possibility of reading something good based on what I have been able to recently get into. This book on the other hand has me completely hooked. My jaw has dropped a couple times, I have been sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens and I've been catching myself jumping to the ends of the page to see if I can get a glimpse of what's next. Stella and Elisa have had it tough but they keep pushing through and it has been a whole other feeling watching their journey. They have come so far and I can't wait to see what else is in store for the girls.
Multiple POV between 2 sisters. I am a sucker for a good enchanted forest. Also, vampire vs werewolf dynamic. A prophecy between the sisters, both on opposite sides of the war. Book ends on a cliffhanger.
Enjoyed this read. Has dual POV, werewolves, vampires and mates. Very character driven. The plot definitely draws you in and you want more of everything it offers. Wonder where the story will go in the next one.
This was such a captivating read. The character development is strong, with protagonists that feel real and relatable. Duncan's writing style is both evocative and immersive, making it easy to lose track of time while reading. Overall, it's a compelling story that explores themes of resilience and transformation. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read Book 2!
I will never deny my love for amazing use of imagery. The words written on the pages seem to feel alive. Every excellent use of descriptives made me fully enjoy the worldbuilding, which by the way is amazing. The way the world was presented to us is as wonderful as the world itself. And each bit and piece of lore that we get only adds to the enrichment.
Plot so far has been very interesting! There’s a lot of conflict and a whole lot of tension from all sides of the story. It ended with a cliffhanger, so of course I’d want to find out more. But so much has happened that even if it weren’t a cliffhanger, you need to know how and what is going to happen. Foreshadowing is a thing in this book and I love it. Just take note of the signs *wink*
Stella is the protector. She’s loyal as she is strong. She’s her sister’s comfort, as much as she takes comfort in her sister’s presence. She’s full of wit and quips, it’s hard not to love her. Her life has made it hard for her to trust, and so she will never tolerate being lied to.
Elisa is the mediator. She can instantly notice tension and will be the first to try to settle things down. Has always been protected by her sister, but not at all weak. She’s mentally strong and only wants to do what’s good, even when life beats her down.
Other characters. There are so many interesting characters, and I often tried to figure out friend from enemy. I’m not sure if I’ve gotten some right yet, but I hope to find out soon! Everyone has their own motives, many of them not yet revealed. So, that’s one more thing to look forward to :>
Romance. Oh, we’re getting some romance alright. There’s a lot of chemistry being thrown about and (sexual) tension that’ll excite you. For both sisters.
To the author, A.B. Duncan. Thank you so much for letting me read this early! I enjoyed every single part of it. I love the prophecy, all the struggles they’re to be faced, and so much more! I felt so immersed by your world and I’m patiently waiting for the next book hehe though please take your time <3
'Born of the same essence yet destined to tread divergent paths'
The first book in AB Duncan's Legacy of Blood and Moonlight series, Ashes to Embers tells the story of two sisters who find themselves on opposing sides of a war between werewolves and vampires on their venture to find the truth about who they really are.
I'm not going to lie, I did struggle at the beginning of this book, but I am so glad I pushed through the earlier chapters and kept reading. The story really comes into its own when Stella and Elisa find themselves in a new world. AB Duncan has a delightful way of bringing this world to life without you feeling like you are getting pulled under by the worldbuilding.
The dual POV really helps you get a feel for what each sister is thinking and feeling and helps forward the narrative. It was also the perfect way to introduce the other characters and build their relationships with Stella and Elisa without overwhelming the reader.
One of my favourite parts of the book is told from Stella's POV and is the Moon's Embrace ritual, a sacred tradition to reaffirm bonds and renew commitment. The details included in the chapter bring the author's imagine to life, and you can't help but get lost a little further into the world they have built.
'Sisters bound by something deeper than blood.' Yes, there is romance, action, foreshadowing, betrayal, and conflict, but Ashes to Embers is also a beautiful story of self-discovery and the strength of the bonds of sisterhood. The story does end on a cliffhanger, but even if it didn't, with the tension, suspense, and developing relationships, I'd still find myself wanting to know what comes next for these sisters.