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Summer of Dust and Ash
Not yet published
Expected 22 Apr 26Welcome to Teir—a shining beacon of hope amidst the ravages of war…or the trappings of a gilded cage?
Following an unforeseen treason and an unexpected attack on the New Orleans Council House, Wilder and his friends escape to the safety of Teir. But secrets, greater still than the ones kept by the people they trusted, arise just in time for Summer Solstice.
As the Red War builds between worlds, another—more ancient and more deadly—brews in the heavens. And its whispers are creeping into the heart of the Eadar.
The dragons, once believed by most to have never truly existed, begin to return—and they’re not playing by the rules. The mysterious Jeselle, born of both dark and dragon magic, takes her place as the first rider. And the hunt for the stones, all that stands in the way of Markus claiming control of everything he touches, finally begins.
But can Wilder and his friends stay alive long enough to find them? Can they truly trust the Magistrie to protect the Eadar, and the humans, from the Dahrk and the havoc it’s wrought? And most of all, can Wilder trust himself?
Following an unforeseen treason and an unexpected attack on the New Orleans Council House, Wilder and his friends escape to the safety of Teir. But secrets, greater still than the ones kept by the people they trusted, arise just in time for Summer Solstice.
As the Red War builds between worlds, another—more ancient and more deadly—brews in the heavens. And its whispers are creeping into the heart of the Eadar.
The dragons, once believed by most to have never truly existed, begin to return—and they’re not playing by the rules. The mysterious Jeselle, born of both dark and dragon magic, takes her place as the first rider. And the hunt for the stones, all that stands in the way of Markus claiming control of everything he touches, finally begins.
But can Wilder and his friends stay alive long enough to find them? Can they truly trust the Magistrie to protect the Eadar, and the humans, from the Dahrk and the havoc it’s wrought? And most of all, can Wilder trust himself?
514 pages, ebook
Expected publication April 22, 2026
2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Ana Lee
2 books20 followersAna Lee is the author of Red Summer and Summer of Dust and Ash—the first two novels in the dark, gritty, and fast-paced contemporary epic fantasy series, Stone and Scale, and three-time recipient of Readers' Favorite 5-star rating.
Ana lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she spends her time reading, writing, or dreaming about reading and writing.
Her influences include (but are definitely not limited to) Rebecca Yarros, Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, Cassandra Clare, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien.
Praise for Red Summer:
"Reminiscent of author Cassandra Clare, Red Summer is engaging and highly readable with a strong emotional core. The pacing rises and falls in rhythm with the characters' emotional journeys, and thoughtful use of vocabulary helps each character feel fully realized. The novel tackles weighty themes, grounding fantasy elements in emotional reality. Power struggles between light and dark, good and evil, and the hunger for vengeance are central, and the world-building is creative and immersive. The writing is fluid and believable, and while it begins with a familiar "boy who feels different" trope, this story quickly proves itself to be far more nuanced. Red Summer is a thoughtful, well-crafted novel that stands confidently on its own within the genre." - Readers' Favorite Editorial Review
"Ana Lee delivers a brilliant urban fantasy in Red Summer, an amazing world any reader can happily get lost in. Characters are described with a depth that surpasses the norm. Descriptions are vivid, filled with sensory stimulation that will have you reeling from one page to the next. Red Summer ticks all the boxes for plot, action, and adventure. I now have another favorite author and eagerly look forward to the next book." - Readers' Favorite Editorial Review
"An enthralling novel. In this epic tale of hope, pride, self-discovery, friendship, and vengeance, the author brings together fascinating world-building, magic, and action, along with well-developed and intriguing characters, all combined with fantasy elements and emotional depth. This young adult urban fantasy, with a Southern Gothic and New Orleans flair, should be at the top of the must-read list for those interested in ancient dark magic, forbidden love, high stakes, and whispers of lost dragons. Red Summer is a brilliant and immersive story." - Readers' Favorite Editorial Review
Ana lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she spends her time reading, writing, or dreaming about reading and writing.
Her influences include (but are definitely not limited to) Rebecca Yarros, Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, Cassandra Clare, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien.
Praise for Red Summer:
"Reminiscent of author Cassandra Clare, Red Summer is engaging and highly readable with a strong emotional core. The pacing rises and falls in rhythm with the characters' emotional journeys, and thoughtful use of vocabulary helps each character feel fully realized. The novel tackles weighty themes, grounding fantasy elements in emotional reality. Power struggles between light and dark, good and evil, and the hunger for vengeance are central, and the world-building is creative and immersive. The writing is fluid and believable, and while it begins with a familiar "boy who feels different" trope, this story quickly proves itself to be far more nuanced. Red Summer is a thoughtful, well-crafted novel that stands confidently on its own within the genre." - Readers' Favorite Editorial Review
"Ana Lee delivers a brilliant urban fantasy in Red Summer, an amazing world any reader can happily get lost in. Characters are described with a depth that surpasses the norm. Descriptions are vivid, filled with sensory stimulation that will have you reeling from one page to the next. Red Summer ticks all the boxes for plot, action, and adventure. I now have another favorite author and eagerly look forward to the next book." - Readers' Favorite Editorial Review
"An enthralling novel. In this epic tale of hope, pride, self-discovery, friendship, and vengeance, the author brings together fascinating world-building, magic, and action, along with well-developed and intriguing characters, all combined with fantasy elements and emotional depth. This young adult urban fantasy, with a Southern Gothic and New Orleans flair, should be at the top of the must-read list for those interested in ancient dark magic, forbidden love, high stakes, and whispers of lost dragons. Red Summer is a brilliant and immersive story." - Readers' Favorite Editorial Review
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 14, 2025
I received a copy of Summer of Dust and Ash as an ARC reader. It is the second book in the Stone and Scale Series by Ana Lee. The book picks right up where Red Summer (first book in series) ends off. Summer of Dust and Ash is really where the story picks up! I was immediately drawn in by the prologue that took place from a completely different POV than I would’ve ever guessed.
While Ana continues to write in Wilder’s perspective from the first book, we really get to know and love some of the other characters that are in his circle. There’s new friendships, deepened friendships, new romance, character growth and so much more happening in this book.
Ana Lee also does an AMAZING job with creating so many Easter egg and foreshadowing moments that just had my jaw on the floor as I started to piece together some scenes from book 1 and earlier in book 2 to what was happening toward the end.
This book is a MUST READ and truly highlights how amazing of an author Ana Lee is. Summer of Dust and Ash is a book that will leave you begging for more and have you still thinking about it well after you finish as you try to see if you missed any puzzle pieces to this larger story at play. I will definitely be following the rest of this series and cannot wait to see how the war in Eadar continues to unfold!
While Ana continues to write in Wilder’s perspective from the first book, we really get to know and love some of the other characters that are in his circle. There’s new friendships, deepened friendships, new romance, character growth and so much more happening in this book.
Ana Lee also does an AMAZING job with creating so many Easter egg and foreshadowing moments that just had my jaw on the floor as I started to piece together some scenes from book 1 and earlier in book 2 to what was happening toward the end.
This book is a MUST READ and truly highlights how amazing of an author Ana Lee is. Summer of Dust and Ash is a book that will leave you begging for more and have you still thinking about it well after you finish as you try to see if you missed any puzzle pieces to this larger story at play. I will definitely be following the rest of this series and cannot wait to see how the war in Eadar continues to unfold!
January 23, 2026
"At the end of the day, the only person you can trust to have your back is yourself."
Ana picks up right where she left off! Her writing is unbelievable! You will feel the all the feels in her story. She makes you question some things in your own life, as well as how you respond to them. " We all have our own (reason) for everything we do. Rarely can we see perspectives outside of our own, reasoning outside of our own, especially when met with impossible situations. Change for the better is difficult when the world feels set against you, and no one cares enough to help you see differently."
You can see the character growth in each person in their actions and words and I am here for it! I love following the relationships between all the characters and seeing how they evolve after getting to know each other better. They are some of the best relationships that have been written. You feel as if you could have some of these conversations in real life. More characters have been added to the story, which make it even more intriguing.
Magic, power and dragons. The book is full of everything fantasy. You are immersed into their world and don't want to miss anything!
Life is all about self discovery and relationships. Ana writes what most people can't vocalize. It's beyond amazing what she does. She brings everything to life and it plays out in our minds. We see it and feel it. "Yeah, you were born different. But you get to choose what to do with that."
It ends on a cliffhanger that will leave you yearning for more right away! You won't want to put this book down! This series is AMAZING! I would give it 6 stars if I could! Bring on book 3!
Thank you Ana for the eArc! I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Ana picks up right where she left off! Her writing is unbelievable! You will feel the all the feels in her story. She makes you question some things in your own life, as well as how you respond to them. " We all have our own (reason) for everything we do. Rarely can we see perspectives outside of our own, reasoning outside of our own, especially when met with impossible situations. Change for the better is difficult when the world feels set against you, and no one cares enough to help you see differently."
You can see the character growth in each person in their actions and words and I am here for it! I love following the relationships between all the characters and seeing how they evolve after getting to know each other better. They are some of the best relationships that have been written. You feel as if you could have some of these conversations in real life. More characters have been added to the story, which make it even more intriguing.
Magic, power and dragons. The book is full of everything fantasy. You are immersed into their world and don't want to miss anything!
Life is all about self discovery and relationships. Ana writes what most people can't vocalize. It's beyond amazing what she does. She brings everything to life and it plays out in our minds. We see it and feel it. "Yeah, you were born different. But you get to choose what to do with that."
It ends on a cliffhanger that will leave you yearning for more right away! You won't want to put this book down! This series is AMAZING! I would give it 6 stars if I could! Bring on book 3!
Thank you Ana for the eArc! I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Autor
Hi! I finally got the chance to read this amazing book, and I couldn't wait to share with you some details I loved and enjoyed throughout my reading. Thank you, Ana Lee. It's been a privilege to be part of both Red Summer and Summer of Dust and Ash. So, let's start with the review.
--
Since the first book, Wilder's narrative has been enjoyable. I grew up reading Percy Jackson, so the sass and irony between the lines of his way of describing the situation made the perception of danger a bit distorted, so I honestly laughed at some comments of Wilder within some dangerous situations. Like, he's used to danger and crisis, which also shows the character development and balance between his personality in the first book against everything he's been through and the responsibility he now carries.
Also, the queen is an interesting character; she's very well written because in fantasy we always get the stone-cold and cruel queen, but giving her a narrative within the book allows us, the readers, to empathize with her grief and everything that made her tough. Besides, I have a theory about her character and why she's important, but I don't want to spoil myself, so I won't think that hard about it.
Jeselle's narrative is very mature; it's written like a historian or even a strategist describing a battlefront, which surprised me, because, I mean, she was just a baby. But it's a smart move for the narrative flow, since we have different POVs, some descriptive of the context, others more focused on personal detail of the character, and Jeselle's style of chapter adds seriousness or a heavier sense to the main plot, balancing Wilder's intuitive or introspective style of narrative.
--
I loved that this second part of the series introduces new (and important) aspects, new locations, new characters, and new details that give context to the main plot.
Sometimes this process, or part of the narrative, makes reading heavy or harder, but this awesome author makes the world-building easier to read and learn, since we don't get all the information at the same time but at a smoother pace within subplots, like the Queen's character or even the small political crisis in the main storyline.
So, yes, this is a great second book, since it gives context to the plotline exposed by the first book while allowing the main characters, like Wilder, to keep getting their character development.
--
I loved the change of dynamic between Wilder and Tristan; since the first book, I believed they could be amazing partners, and without the romantic plot complicating their friendship, I liked how Tristan started to respect Wilder and his battles; it made Tristan's character much more mature and respectable.
--
Now, writing different new characters isn’t easy, since you have to take account of their dynamic, personality, importance to the plot, their role to play, their influence on the book, and a lot more details, so kudos to the author. The variety of new characters and their dialogues are well written and actually likable. I normally have problems with reading about new characters when I already have my favorites, but I didn’t have that problem while reading this book.
--
One thing I would like is maybe to add more fighting or even a bit more of the development of different smaller plotlines within the main story, but that's just because I enjoy fighting scenes and imagining or seeing the training trope of the MMC have an effect or impact on other characters.
Also, I was stressed out with the dynamic between Terra and Wilder and every other "couple". I was holding my breath with every interaction, which, by the way, was lovely writing from Wilder to Terra, like, the quotes are beautiful.
--
That will be all for this review (it's already an essay), and the only thing left to say is, I can't wait for the next book!
--
Since the first book, Wilder's narrative has been enjoyable. I grew up reading Percy Jackson, so the sass and irony between the lines of his way of describing the situation made the perception of danger a bit distorted, so I honestly laughed at some comments of Wilder within some dangerous situations. Like, he's used to danger and crisis, which also shows the character development and balance between his personality in the first book against everything he's been through and the responsibility he now carries.
Also, the queen is an interesting character; she's very well written because in fantasy we always get the stone-cold and cruel queen, but giving her a narrative within the book allows us, the readers, to empathize with her grief and everything that made her tough. Besides, I have a theory about her character and why she's important, but I don't want to spoil myself, so I won't think that hard about it.
Jeselle's narrative is very mature; it's written like a historian or even a strategist describing a battlefront, which surprised me, because, I mean, she was just a baby. But it's a smart move for the narrative flow, since we have different POVs, some descriptive of the context, others more focused on personal detail of the character, and Jeselle's style of chapter adds seriousness or a heavier sense to the main plot, balancing Wilder's intuitive or introspective style of narrative.
--
I loved that this second part of the series introduces new (and important) aspects, new locations, new characters, and new details that give context to the main plot.
Sometimes this process, or part of the narrative, makes reading heavy or harder, but this awesome author makes the world-building easier to read and learn, since we don't get all the information at the same time but at a smoother pace within subplots, like the Queen's character or even the small political crisis in the main storyline.
So, yes, this is a great second book, since it gives context to the plotline exposed by the first book while allowing the main characters, like Wilder, to keep getting their character development.
--
I loved the change of dynamic between Wilder and Tristan; since the first book, I believed they could be amazing partners, and without the romantic plot complicating their friendship, I liked how Tristan started to respect Wilder and his battles; it made Tristan's character much more mature and respectable.
--
Now, writing different new characters isn’t easy, since you have to take account of their dynamic, personality, importance to the plot, their role to play, their influence on the book, and a lot more details, so kudos to the author. The variety of new characters and their dialogues are well written and actually likable. I normally have problems with reading about new characters when I already have my favorites, but I didn’t have that problem while reading this book.
--
One thing I would like is maybe to add more fighting or even a bit more of the development of different smaller plotlines within the main story, but that's just because I enjoy fighting scenes and imagining or seeing the training trope of the MMC have an effect or impact on other characters.
Also, I was stressed out with the dynamic between Terra and Wilder and every other "couple". I was holding my breath with every interaction, which, by the way, was lovely writing from Wilder to Terra, like, the quotes are beautiful.
--
That will be all for this review (it's already an essay), and the only thing left to say is, I can't wait for the next book!
November 16, 2025
This book was such a treat to read, and I was honored to be a beta reader for Ana Lee in this next installment of her fantastic series.
I will be doing a lot of comparing between the first installment in the series and Summer of Dust and Ash. First off, I had to do a lot more digging to find 'flaws' this time around, and said flaws were much more subjective than anything else. One thing that was a substantial improvement, in my opinion, was the switching of POVs. In this book, they were much more fluid in their transitions, and we get to see many more characters than in the first book, which was incredibly fun (especially when it was my favorite character's time to shine). In my review of the first book, I said that some of the adult characters were a bit annoying. In this entry, they are much more understandable, and I could see their point of view more easily. Another thing Lee really cut down on in this book was the exposition. I was able to puzzle out a lot of things on my own this time around, and it was a lot of fun to do so. Lee dropped just enough knowledge to keep me engaged but not enough to drown me, which was a huge improvement in my book.
I still enjoy the supporting cast, including some new faces in this entry. The relationships between characters were even better in this book than in the first! I loved getting to see everyone interact and problem-solve together. Of course, I did a lot of theory crafting in this book, which I won't share as of yet, but trust me, this book keeps you engaged.
There were really only two reasons that I dropped a star from the book, and it has to do with those more subjective opinions. I've mentioned it in other reviews before, but I do not read books for the relationships in them. They are the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae, but I usually like action and lore more. There was some teenager-in-love-induced drama that I wasn't necessarily a huge fan of, but it never took me out of the story. I also felt like the book was a bit long, but Lee also had to cover a lot of material in that book. She also had to build more relationships between characters. It really goes back to the first point about me not being big on certain relationship dynamics. If you are a big fan of that, though, then neither of the issues I listed above is going to be an issue for you.
Once again, I was honored to be a part of the beta readers for this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it early!
I will be doing a lot of comparing between the first installment in the series and Summer of Dust and Ash. First off, I had to do a lot more digging to find 'flaws' this time around, and said flaws were much more subjective than anything else. One thing that was a substantial improvement, in my opinion, was the switching of POVs. In this book, they were much more fluid in their transitions, and we get to see many more characters than in the first book, which was incredibly fun (especially when it was my favorite character's time to shine). In my review of the first book, I said that some of the adult characters were a bit annoying. In this entry, they are much more understandable, and I could see their point of view more easily. Another thing Lee really cut down on in this book was the exposition. I was able to puzzle out a lot of things on my own this time around, and it was a lot of fun to do so. Lee dropped just enough knowledge to keep me engaged but not enough to drown me, which was a huge improvement in my book.
I still enjoy the supporting cast, including some new faces in this entry. The relationships between characters were even better in this book than in the first! I loved getting to see everyone interact and problem-solve together. Of course, I did a lot of theory crafting in this book, which I won't share as of yet, but trust me, this book keeps you engaged.
There were really only two reasons that I dropped a star from the book, and it has to do with those more subjective opinions. I've mentioned it in other reviews before, but I do not read books for the relationships in them. They are the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae, but I usually like action and lore more. There was some teenager-in-love-induced drama that I wasn't necessarily a huge fan of, but it never took me out of the story. I also felt like the book was a bit long, but Lee also had to cover a lot of material in that book. She also had to build more relationships between characters. It really goes back to the first point about me not being big on certain relationship dynamics. If you are a big fan of that, though, then neither of the issues I listed above is going to be an issue for you.
Once again, I was honored to be a part of the beta readers for this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it early!
January 5, 2026
I like how the complexity of the story in this world evolves steadily in balance with the characters. Wilder was the starting point in the mundane struggle of an orphan boy just wanting to be loved. His longing for a family and a place of his own suddenly comes true in a revelation of magic and its hidden world - and the violence of war.
I like how everything expands from this point like the waves made of a stone thrown in a pond, slowly encompassing new characters and old grudges. Despite the will of the Creator, gods and magik beings become divided (like humans) for their arrogance and selfish goals. Everybody can justify themseves with words, but ultimately it is not their thoughts or their feelings, but their actions which define them. And when evil becomes prevalent and the world goes dark with pain, cruelty and betrayal, it is the light of hope in duty, compassion and honor which guides towards balance.
Very consistently good writing, with a good dose of mystery, poignant and raw feelings, a believable plot, surprising twists and turns and fascinating characters which made me unable to put this book down. Also on the plus side, it is substantial in length as well as in content - I can get frustrated when the books are too short to justify the story in becoming a series. I really look forward to the next book in the series. Well done!
I like how everything expands from this point like the waves made of a stone thrown in a pond, slowly encompassing new characters and old grudges. Despite the will of the Creator, gods and magik beings become divided (like humans) for their arrogance and selfish goals. Everybody can justify themseves with words, but ultimately it is not their thoughts or their feelings, but their actions which define them. And when evil becomes prevalent and the world goes dark with pain, cruelty and betrayal, it is the light of hope in duty, compassion and honor which guides towards balance.
Very consistently good writing, with a good dose of mystery, poignant and raw feelings, a believable plot, surprising twists and turns and fascinating characters which made me unable to put this book down. Also on the plus side, it is substantial in length as well as in content - I can get frustrated when the books are too short to justify the story in becoming a series. I really look forward to the next book in the series. Well done!
November 24, 2025
Picking up right where book 1 left off, here is where the journey truly begins.
This installment shows us more of other characters' POVs and in turn helps us to get to know the other characters and their relationships as they evolve and develop.
There are a few moments in this book that make you stop and question certain things, but without giving too much away so that it keeps you unsure of what will come next.
There is plenty of action and plot twists in the book to keep you entertained and intrigued, but Ana also leaves a lot unresolved, so that by the time you come to the cliffhanger at the end you are on the edge of your seat screaming for it not to be over.
I feel like this book has truly blossomed from the first book (and i loved the first!) so I am excited to see what magic Ana creates for book 3!
This installment shows us more of other characters' POVs and in turn helps us to get to know the other characters and their relationships as they evolve and develop.
There are a few moments in this book that make you stop and question certain things, but without giving too much away so that it keeps you unsure of what will come next.
There is plenty of action and plot twists in the book to keep you entertained and intrigued, but Ana also leaves a lot unresolved, so that by the time you come to the cliffhanger at the end you are on the edge of your seat screaming for it not to be over.
I feel like this book has truly blossomed from the first book (and i loved the first!) so I am excited to see what magic Ana creates for book 3!
December 31, 2025
I was honored to receive an ARC of this book, just as I was for the first, and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it.
The story picks up exactly where book one left off, which I loved. My affection for Wilder continues to grow as his character develops, though I did feel we didn’t get as much visible growth from him in this installment as I was hoping for. That said, what we do get is fantastic development for the rest of the group, along with some intriguing new characters. Jes, in particular, completely stole my heart, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
The plot deepens significantly, and I am absolutely here for it. Just when you think you’re settled, Ana goes and gives us a sneaky peek at book three at the end, only to leave us waiting (impatiently) for the next installment of this brilliant story.
Needless to say, the countdown has officially begun.
The story picks up exactly where book one left off, which I loved. My affection for Wilder continues to grow as his character develops, though I did feel we didn’t get as much visible growth from him in this installment as I was hoping for. That said, what we do get is fantastic development for the rest of the group, along with some intriguing new characters. Jes, in particular, completely stole my heart, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
The plot deepens significantly, and I am absolutely here for it. Just when you think you’re settled, Ana goes and gives us a sneaky peek at book three at the end, only to leave us waiting (impatiently) for the next installment of this brilliant story.
Needless to say, the countdown has officially begun.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"No matter where I go, or who I am, or what either of us chooses, I’m yours. With every broken, cursed inch of me, I am yours.”
I am quickly becoming obsessed with this series. I love the world Ana Lee had created and more people need to join me in the adventure.
Fantasy, dragons, battles of life and love.
Highly anticipating Book 3!
I am quickly becoming obsessed with this series. I love the world Ana Lee had created and more people need to join me in the adventure.
Fantasy, dragons, battles of life and love.
Highly anticipating Book 3!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a copy as an ARC and I cannot contain my excitement! I loved the first one so much, but the second was even better! You start to understand certain character dynamics more so in this one. I felt more connected to the characters in this one since there is some backstory for some of them. If you loved the first, the second does not disappoint. An absolute must read!
December 12, 2025
As the second installment in Ana Lee’s Stone and Scale series, this book did not disappoint. Summer of Dust and Ash picks up right where we left off in Red Summer, except this time, with more perspectives - some new, some familiar. I particularly enjoyed seeing the Eadar through the eyes of Jeselle and Tristian, the latter of which quickly became one of my new favourite characters. He’s won me over now that I know more about him than I did in Red Summer.
The introductions of Tal and Alleyne were great, and they seamlessly joined our beloved ensemble and became key players in the plot. Along with the arrival of Daverick, these newcomers allowed for fresh friendships, romances, and tensions to arise, all of which were incredibly enjoyable to watch unfold. Ana Lee kept me on my toes, not knowing whose feelings were genuine or who could be trusted. There were twists I didn’t see coming, and breadcrumbs from Book One (Red Summer) that suddenly started to make sense, which was fun to try and piece together where they might lead. I particularly loved learning more about the stones, in particular the Sol Stone (can an inanimate object be a favourite character?!)
This book takes us to the wondrous homeland of Teír, and as the magic takes a step up, as does Ana Lee’s writing. Don’t get me wrong, her descriptions in Red Summer were beautifully curated, but the mystical setting of Teír for the majority of this book really allowed her prose to flourish. I loved the way she captured all the senses and the world became richer and more established. It was so immersive.
Now that our characters know more about the ongoing war, the politics in this book play a larger role - which is something I will never complain about. My favourite fantasies are always the ones that comment on society’s treatment of others, and I enjoyed learning more about our villain, Markus, who, despite having minimal ‘page time’, haunted the plot like a puppeteer. As for dialogue, Ana crushed it, as per usual, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times whilst reading this; the characters really do feel like young people who tease one another relentlessly, but ultimately have the strongest bond.
Our favourite will-they-won’t-they couple delivered more angst and yearning, and, messy as I am, I thoroughly reveled in watching them get jealous. Without spoiling who, there was also a relationship shift I really didn’t expect, but found myself being pleasantly surprised by, and am now eagerly awaiting the future scenes between this pair.
This will be tough to match, but I have no doubts I will enjoy Book Three just as much.
Thank you to Ana Lee for having me as a BETA reader, all opinions are honest and my own.
The introductions of Tal and Alleyne were great, and they seamlessly joined our beloved ensemble and became key players in the plot. Along with the arrival of Daverick, these newcomers allowed for fresh friendships, romances, and tensions to arise, all of which were incredibly enjoyable to watch unfold. Ana Lee kept me on my toes, not knowing whose feelings were genuine or who could be trusted. There were twists I didn’t see coming, and breadcrumbs from Book One (Red Summer) that suddenly started to make sense, which was fun to try and piece together where they might lead. I particularly loved learning more about the stones, in particular the Sol Stone (can an inanimate object be a favourite character?!)
This book takes us to the wondrous homeland of Teír, and as the magic takes a step up, as does Ana Lee’s writing. Don’t get me wrong, her descriptions in Red Summer were beautifully curated, but the mystical setting of Teír for the majority of this book really allowed her prose to flourish. I loved the way she captured all the senses and the world became richer and more established. It was so immersive.
Now that our characters know more about the ongoing war, the politics in this book play a larger role - which is something I will never complain about. My favourite fantasies are always the ones that comment on society’s treatment of others, and I enjoyed learning more about our villain, Markus, who, despite having minimal ‘page time’, haunted the plot like a puppeteer. As for dialogue, Ana crushed it, as per usual, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times whilst reading this; the characters really do feel like young people who tease one another relentlessly, but ultimately have the strongest bond.
Our favourite will-they-won’t-they couple delivered more angst and yearning, and, messy as I am, I thoroughly reveled in watching them get jealous. Without spoiling who, there was also a relationship shift I really didn’t expect, but found myself being pleasantly surprised by, and am now eagerly awaiting the future scenes between this pair.
This will be tough to match, but I have no doubts I will enjoy Book Three just as much.
Thank you to Ana Lee for having me as a BETA reader, all opinions are honest and my own.
December 14, 2025
I was given a copy of this book as a beta reader for Ana Lee.
First off...Summer of Dust and Ash is a GREAT continuation of the story we fell in love with in Red Summer!
I love the multiple POVs in this book and was so happy to get to dive into and learn more about my favorite characters and see things from their perspective, especially Tristian because he is my beating heart and I just love that boy so much. Jeselle become one of my new favs in this book, along with some of the newly introduced characters. Each perspective is unique, each character has a clear identity, and I loved growing more familiar with them throughout the book.
Dust and Ash felt slower to me in the beginning, but it's understandable because there was a lot of necessary plot building and character/relationship development that needed to happen to keep the story moving along. The slower pace isn't a bad thing, just something to be aware of as you go into the book. Once you get start in Part 2 things pick up and in Part 3 things get very real!!
This book really started to make me think more about where this story is going to go and I am SO excited. The plot is so strong and there were some amazing developments in Dust and Ash. One moment in particular literally made my jaw drop. Couldn't believe it and I was so hype!
Lee did an amazing job continuing the series and when I finished this book I told her I need book 3 immediately. I highly recommend reading this book for anyone who is thinking about getting into the Stone and Scale series or has already read Red summer!
First off...Summer of Dust and Ash is a GREAT continuation of the story we fell in love with in Red Summer!
I love the multiple POVs in this book and was so happy to get to dive into and learn more about my favorite characters and see things from their perspective, especially Tristian because he is my beating heart and I just love that boy so much. Jeselle become one of my new favs in this book, along with some of the newly introduced characters. Each perspective is unique, each character has a clear identity, and I loved growing more familiar with them throughout the book.
Dust and Ash felt slower to me in the beginning, but it's understandable because there was a lot of necessary plot building and character/relationship development that needed to happen to keep the story moving along. The slower pace isn't a bad thing, just something to be aware of as you go into the book. Once you get start in Part 2 things pick up and in Part 3 things get very real!!
This book really started to make me think more about where this story is going to go and I am SO excited. The plot is so strong and there were some amazing developments in Dust and Ash. One moment in particular literally made my jaw drop. Couldn't believe it and I was so hype!
Lee did an amazing job continuing the series and when I finished this book I told her I need book 3 immediately. I highly recommend reading this book for anyone who is thinking about getting into the Stone and Scale series or has already read Red summer!
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