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Ashwalker
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26Long ago, dragons were unleashed as weapons of mass destruction, igniting a war that shattered the Empire of Kaldra. Now, the survivors of that once-great realm cower behind fortified walls, while the beasts terrorize the wilds between the broken kingdoms.
Arowyn Vale survives as an ashwalker—one of the few reckless enough to brave the burned-out roads between the walled cities, smuggling everything from supplies to secrets. But when she reluctantly saves a dying dragon hatchling on a routine run, she draws the eye of the ruler of Mouren, a brutal realm directly in the heart of dragon territory.
Once upon a time, King Reave Callahan’s people wielded powerful magic, bonding with dragons in order to crush their enemies with wing and flame. But now, that magic is fading, and law decrees that anyone who manages to bond with a dragon must serve the Mouren crown—even a gutter-born, half-feral ashwalker from the slums of an enemy kingdom.
Dragged into Reave’s glittering but cutthroat court, Arowyn must navigate a treacherous new life built upon secrets, ancient magic, and shifting alliances. As her connection to the hatchling deepens—and with the Mouren king watching her with a gaze full of both danger and desire—she will have to make a
To become a weapon of the kingdom that broke her world…
Or to burn it all down from within.
Arowyn Vale survives as an ashwalker—one of the few reckless enough to brave the burned-out roads between the walled cities, smuggling everything from supplies to secrets. But when she reluctantly saves a dying dragon hatchling on a routine run, she draws the eye of the ruler of Mouren, a brutal realm directly in the heart of dragon territory.
Once upon a time, King Reave Callahan’s people wielded powerful magic, bonding with dragons in order to crush their enemies with wing and flame. But now, that magic is fading, and law decrees that anyone who manages to bond with a dragon must serve the Mouren crown—even a gutter-born, half-feral ashwalker from the slums of an enemy kingdom.
Dragged into Reave’s glittering but cutthroat court, Arowyn must navigate a treacherous new life built upon secrets, ancient magic, and shifting alliances. As her connection to the hatchling deepens—and with the Mouren king watching her with a gaze full of both danger and desire—she will have to make a
To become a weapon of the kingdom that broke her world…
Or to burn it all down from within.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 16, 2026
449 people want to read
About the author
S.M. Gaither
30 books2,148 followersI don't check Goodreads regularly, but you're welcome to send me an email (smgaitherbooks@gmail.com) or reach out to my PA, Rachel (rachel@smgaitherbooks.com) anytime!
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As a kid, S.M. Gaither spent way too much time playing video games like Final Fantasy and reading every book she could get her hands on instead of doing silly things like her assigned homework. As an adult…Well, not much has changed. Her goal is to write books that distract others from their life’s obligations, too, thus creating an army of fellow procrastinators over which she can reign supreme. These days, her personal favorite places to procrastinate are in the mountains near her North Carolina home, in the company of her husband, their daughter, and their very spoiled dog.
--
As a kid, S.M. Gaither spent way too much time playing video games like Final Fantasy and reading every book she could get her hands on instead of doing silly things like her assigned homework. As an adult…Well, not much has changed. Her goal is to write books that distract others from their life’s obligations, too, thus creating an army of fellow procrastinators over which she can reign supreme. These days, her personal favorite places to procrastinate are in the mountains near her North Carolina home, in the company of her husband, their daughter, and their very spoiled dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 4, 2026
“and no matter how many marks are carved into your skin, you belong to no one except yourself.”
—
this is a PERFECT first installment in a romantasy trilogy. it has everything— dragons, magical bonds, banter, found family, slow burn, etc.
arowyn, our fmc struggles with trauma / ptsd which causes her to lash out and refuse to get close to anyone. her character development was done so well, as i loved seeing her realize her worth. her bond with “blight” is so special.
reave. mf. callahan. you already know i added him to my book bf list SO fast. grumpy king who wears slutty little glasses, bakes, AND falls first? did i mention he also graduated with his masters in yearning? i’m obsessed with him.
the slow burn, tension, angst, yearning. oh my god. i was actually foaming at the mouth and i had butterflies from all of their interactions. i’m so obsessed and the ending makes me want to sob for them.
i could not put this book down if i tried. the multiple plot twists i didn’t see coming had me on the floor! i’m desperately awaiting book two!!
thank you SO much s.m. gaither and her team for this advanced copy! ♥︎
“𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕—𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆.”
—
this is a PERFECT first installment in a romantasy trilogy. it has everything— dragons, magical bonds, banter, found family, slow burn, etc.
arowyn, our fmc struggles with trauma / ptsd which causes her to lash out and refuse to get close to anyone. her character development was done so well, as i loved seeing her realize her worth. her bond with “blight” is so special.
reave. mf. callahan. you already know i added him to my book bf list SO fast. grumpy king who wears slutty little glasses, bakes, AND falls first? did i mention he also graduated with his masters in yearning? i’m obsessed with him.
the slow burn, tension, angst, yearning. oh my god. i was actually foaming at the mouth and i had butterflies from all of their interactions. i’m so obsessed and the ending makes me want to sob for them.
i could not put this book down if i tried. the multiple plot twists i didn’t see coming had me on the floor! i’m desperately awaiting book two!!
thank you SO much s.m. gaither and her team for this advanced copy! ♥︎
“𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒕—𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, 𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆.”
May 2, 2026
✨ "Still here." ✨
✨ "And those that don't bow? They burn." ✨
✨ "What he doesn't understand is that I've already been broken for years. All my jagged pieces are just armour, now. So if he wants to try and crush me, I hope he's prepared to get cut." ✨
Thank you so much @ for providing me with an earc for Ashwalker! Ashwalker is MY MOST anticipated read this year and to receive a copy in advance had me jumping for joy!
Full disclosure this book surpassed every expectation I had! This book absolutely destroyed me in the best way possible. THIS BOOK is by far my favourite read of 2026!
Ashwalker from start to finish had me flipping through the pages; I did not want to do anything else but continue on. I haven't read a book like this in so long that completely enthralled me.
Owyn our FMC has suffered so much loss. Owyn an ashwalker by trade takes on contracts with her best friend Briar to support themselves, but also the very few survivors from Emberfall. Owyn lost both her parents as well as the love of her life to that fateful night. Owyn's character was written so deeply; it was evident the grief she carried and you couldn't help but feel for her. Through her suffering she still carried on and found purpose for those who still remained. While on a contract job with Briar they discover Mouren soldiers but they also have a broken and battered dragon hatchling in there clutches. What transpires from this encounter enfolds so much...
Reave Callahan the current king of Mouren is so much more then what is spoken of him. Without spoilers you will be shocked!
Sesca Sesca Sesca I absolutely adore her character! 🥺
Ashwalker is jammed pack with incredible world building, reluctant relationship that burn brighter the further you dive in and so much emotional and psychological devastation (in the best way).
I'll be raving about this book forever and I cannot wait to see what happens throughout this trilogy 🥺
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
April 24, 2026
Beta read
RTC once arcs are out in the world.
I’m obsessed!!
RTC once arcs are out in the world.
I’m obsessed!!
May 6, 2026
5⭐️ 1🌶️
Gaither has done it AGAIN!! This was SUCH an incredible start to this trilogy!
The lore and world building was well-paced, the characters felt deep and REAL, and the action scenes had me on the edge of my seat! The plot was interesting and twisty, and while some of it was predictable, enough of it wasn’t to feel unique and fresh. I so wasn’t expecting the story to end how it did, so I’m especially looking forward to seeing what happens in book two!
TROPES
Reluctant Allies to Lovers
Dragon Bonds
One Horse and One Bed
The Chosen One
Betrayals
Found Family
Medium Burn
THE WORLD
The magic system is clearly defined slowly throughout the book so the reader can acclimate easily. It wasn’t done in a way that was awkward or random though - every bit of information came perfectly timed and was relevant to the surrounding plot or the lore for what is to come.
The political intrigue was fun and relevant to today’s society (made fun by the fantasy and dragons, of course) and I found the lore and history of Kaldra to be deep and interesting. I think the one thing I wanted a tiny bit more of was the types of jobs that Ashwalkers often took on. They were described as travelers uniting people originally but over time became more of a revenue source than anything else. So I’d love to see more of that timeline and what it looks like in the present time of this story in the next books!
The setting itself was detailed enough, but exceptional at times. When Arowyn was using her bond at some point, the visual of the energies of the elements as strings to be pulled and drawn in was SO vivid I could see it like a movie. I loved the level of detail in it!
THE CHARACTERS
Owyn had a lot of big feelings throughout the book, but every different thing she did managed to feel accurate for her character. I loved learning her backstory and seeing hints as to what happened during Emberfall that caused so much trauma for her. It kept me interested and wanting to learn more. Her growth was also really fun to see as she let down her barriers and found her inner strength. She felt raw and REAL and I loved how the author was able to convey that in this book.
Reave also had a lot of development through his backstory and his relationships with his family and his kingdom. He also got to let his guard down and open up a bit and I loved seeing that. I hope he gets even more growth (and maybe some chapters from his pov) as the trilogy continues!
The side characters were GREAT here! They all had their own backstories and pasts that gave them depth, and their personalities were unique and distinguishable from one another. I liked Kestrel and Briar and Arlo and loved the little found family that grew over time.
THE ROMANCE
I’m a sucker for banter and a man with slutty little glasses! Gaither never misses when it comes to banter, and this book is no different. I LOVED it!
It is hard to execute a true slow burn, especially when people are hoping for declarations of love in book one of a series. I do think this one has a decent burn though, with a good build up of little flirts here and there, some soft moments, and some spicy banter to keep the tension growing. I would ultimately call this a medium burn given that there’s two more books in the trilogy, but it was still fun and steamy and had me hooked!
A HUGE thank you to S M Gaither for the arc!! I’m forever grateful to have read this masterpiece early 🫶🏼
QUOTES:
*quotes are from an Advanced Readers Copy. Please refer to the final publication for official quotes!*
“Irritation burns through me. I'm sure it's a frequent lie told within the walls of this palace-how lazy the ones outside of their kingdom supposedly are. Because vilifying us makes it easier for them to pretend they played no role in our misfortunes, of course.”
“And surviving traumatic things doesn't mean they end; it just means learning to live with them over and over again, in different ways, as they change shape.”
“light can only reach so far on its own. That the spreading of it is not a grand act, but a daily choice, made quietly, again and again, to keep going when it would be easier to put the lantern down and let the flame go out.”
“there is a certain kind of beauty that grows from pain you thought would destroy you. A strength that only comes from falling and being forced to catch yourself on the way down.”
Gaither has done it AGAIN!! This was SUCH an incredible start to this trilogy!
The lore and world building was well-paced, the characters felt deep and REAL, and the action scenes had me on the edge of my seat! The plot was interesting and twisty, and while some of it was predictable, enough of it wasn’t to feel unique and fresh. I so wasn’t expecting the story to end how it did, so I’m especially looking forward to seeing what happens in book two!
TROPES
Reluctant Allies to Lovers
Dragon Bonds
One Horse and One Bed
The Chosen One
Betrayals
Found Family
Medium Burn
THE WORLD
The magic system is clearly defined slowly throughout the book so the reader can acclimate easily. It wasn’t done in a way that was awkward or random though - every bit of information came perfectly timed and was relevant to the surrounding plot or the lore for what is to come.
The political intrigue was fun and relevant to today’s society (made fun by the fantasy and dragons, of course) and I found the lore and history of Kaldra to be deep and interesting. I think the one thing I wanted a tiny bit more of was the types of jobs that Ashwalkers often took on. They were described as travelers uniting people originally but over time became more of a revenue source than anything else. So I’d love to see more of that timeline and what it looks like in the present time of this story in the next books!
The setting itself was detailed enough, but exceptional at times. When Arowyn was using her bond at some point, the visual of the energies of the elements as strings to be pulled and drawn in was SO vivid I could see it like a movie. I loved the level of detail in it!
THE CHARACTERS
Owyn had a lot of big feelings throughout the book, but every different thing she did managed to feel accurate for her character. I loved learning her backstory and seeing hints as to what happened during Emberfall that caused so much trauma for her. It kept me interested and wanting to learn more. Her growth was also really fun to see as she let down her barriers and found her inner strength. She felt raw and REAL and I loved how the author was able to convey that in this book.
Reave also had a lot of development through his backstory and his relationships with his family and his kingdom. He also got to let his guard down and open up a bit and I loved seeing that. I hope he gets even more growth (and maybe some chapters from his pov) as the trilogy continues!
The side characters were GREAT here! They all had their own backstories and pasts that gave them depth, and their personalities were unique and distinguishable from one another. I liked Kestrel and Briar and Arlo and loved the little found family that grew over time.
THE ROMANCE
I’m a sucker for banter and a man with slutty little glasses! Gaither never misses when it comes to banter, and this book is no different. I LOVED it!
It is hard to execute a true slow burn, especially when people are hoping for declarations of love in book one of a series. I do think this one has a decent burn though, with a good build up of little flirts here and there, some soft moments, and some spicy banter to keep the tension growing. I would ultimately call this a medium burn given that there’s two more books in the trilogy, but it was still fun and steamy and had me hooked!
A HUGE thank you to S M Gaither for the arc!! I’m forever grateful to have read this masterpiece early 🫶🏼
QUOTES:
*quotes are from an Advanced Readers Copy. Please refer to the final publication for official quotes!*
“Irritation burns through me. I'm sure it's a frequent lie told within the walls of this palace-how lazy the ones outside of their kingdom supposedly are. Because vilifying us makes it easier for them to pretend they played no role in our misfortunes, of course.”
“And surviving traumatic things doesn't mean they end; it just means learning to live with them over and over again, in different ways, as they change shape.”
“light can only reach so far on its own. That the spreading of it is not a grand act, but a daily choice, made quietly, again and again, to keep going when it would be easier to put the lantern down and let the flame go out.”
“there is a certain kind of beauty that grows from pain you thought would destroy you. A strength that only comes from falling and being forced to catch yourself on the way down.”
May 8, 2026
I am currently in my dragon era and this book did not disappoint.
The FMC, Arowyn, has gone through so much, while remaining a complete badass. The chemistry between her and the MMC, Reave, is ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥.
This book has everything. Action, slow burn enemies to lovers, healing and dragons. I will definitely be getting the physical copy when it's released!
Thank you to S.M. Gaither for letting me read this eArc!
The FMC, Arowyn, has gone through so much, while remaining a complete badass. The chemistry between her and the MMC, Reave, is ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥.
This book has everything. Action, slow burn enemies to lovers, healing and dragons. I will definitely be getting the physical copy when it's released!
Thank you to S.M. Gaither for letting me read this eArc!
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Jealous, even now, when you clearly have me in your hold?"
"But do I?" A pause, then: "Do I have you?"
..."Yes."
Ashwalker is the first instalment in the adult romantasy series by the same name. Written in first person POV, the story follows Arowyn, one of the few brave enough to travel outside of the walled cities into the desolate landscape in search of supplies. See the Empire of Kaldra years ago was brought low by a war where dragons were used a weapons of mass destructions. Now the kingdoms are broken and barely surviving the toxic fumes and wild dragons that have taken everything from Arowyn. So when a routine run leaves her bonded too a dragon hatching Arowyn is at a loss...especially when Mouren crown forces her into his service with her dragon. As she finds herself navigating court intrigue, a reluctant bond, and a growing attraction to a king she is meant to hate it becomes clear there are secrets that will change everything. Arowyn must decide will she tear down this world with fire...or fight to save it?
I LOVE dragon bonds in romantasy and this one was perfection.
Arowyn is our reluctant hero in many ways. She has a lot of guilt and pain she is still dealing with after the loss of her family and fiancee years ago at the hands of dragons. She has a tough exterior and can be incredibly stubborn but she loves fierce. I loved seeing her melt towards the people she felt she had to put up a facade with because by the end she will do everything for them.
Reave is the king of Mouren and, boy, does he have some layers. I liked how we got to see the different sides to him as well as watch him fall because he falls hard. Also his love and duty to his family really made you love him so much more. He truly loves Kestrel and Arlo and the lengths he goes to protect them warmed me. He also has so many secrets that really make you look at him different by the end.
"Your hand is impressively stead...This isn't the first time you've hed a knife to the man's throat, I take it."
"And it likely won't be the last."
In terms of spice I would place this book at 1.5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. There are approximately 2 spicy scenes in this book with the first appearing around the 77% mark. This is definition a hate to love situation with a lot of trust that needs to grow. The spice is explicit and detailed and I loved seeing the walls come down for each of them. Both have a lot of baggage and trauma they need to confront and so the spice really highlights that moment where things just fall into place.
The story itself started so strong and set you right into the world. There is a lot of political intrigue as Arowyn in put into the center of a kingdom's fight to retain power but there's also secrets to unravel about why. I loved the training sessions with Arowyn and her dragon because of the banter and teasing - her and her dragon do not start of the best of notes but it gave me sibling vibes that had me cackling. The lore we get over the course of the story really built up the world for me and there are some twist I saw coming while another I was no expecting and it sucker punched me. Side characters like Kestrel and Briar and Arlo help build a bit of found family trope that motivated our FMC to fight. Kestrel initially had me a bit worried but she won me over quickly. Arlo is adorable and tugged on my heart strings while Briar is that firm connection to the past that Arowyn needed to stay grounded against the turmoil. Reave adds enough tension and steam to challenge our FMC in seeing him and the world in a new light which gave way to more action and intrigue around the world of this story. We do get some true action in this story and the climax builds things up beautifully with a cliffhanger that squeezed me heart. I love where this story is taking us but oh the pain!
Overall, this is how you write dragon romantasy: A raw main character struggling under the wait of a responsibility she did not want finding herself motivated to do something because of the bonds she creates. Add in humour, action, and feels and you have Ashwalker !
Thank you so much to the author for this arc!
"Jealous, even now, when you clearly have me in your hold?"
"But do I?" A pause, then: "Do I have you?"
..."Yes."
Ashwalker is the first instalment in the adult romantasy series by the same name. Written in first person POV, the story follows Arowyn, one of the few brave enough to travel outside of the walled cities into the desolate landscape in search of supplies. See the Empire of Kaldra years ago was brought low by a war where dragons were used a weapons of mass destructions. Now the kingdoms are broken and barely surviving the toxic fumes and wild dragons that have taken everything from Arowyn. So when a routine run leaves her bonded too a dragon hatching Arowyn is at a loss...especially when Mouren crown forces her into his service with her dragon. As she finds herself navigating court intrigue, a reluctant bond, and a growing attraction to a king she is meant to hate it becomes clear there are secrets that will change everything. Arowyn must decide will she tear down this world with fire...or fight to save it?
I LOVE dragon bonds in romantasy and this one was perfection.
Arowyn is our reluctant hero in many ways. She has a lot of guilt and pain she is still dealing with after the loss of her family and fiancee years ago at the hands of dragons. She has a tough exterior and can be incredibly stubborn but she loves fierce. I loved seeing her melt towards the people she felt she had to put up a facade with because by the end she will do everything for them.
Reave is the king of Mouren and, boy, does he have some layers. I liked how we got to see the different sides to him as well as watch him fall because he falls hard. Also his love and duty to his family really made you love him so much more. He truly loves Kestrel and Arlo and the lengths he goes to protect them warmed me. He also has so many secrets that really make you look at him different by the end.
"Your hand is impressively stead...This isn't the first time you've hed a knife to the man's throat, I take it."
"And it likely won't be the last."
In terms of spice I would place this book at 1.5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. There are approximately 2 spicy scenes in this book with the first appearing around the 77% mark. This is definition a hate to love situation with a lot of trust that needs to grow. The spice is explicit and detailed and I loved seeing the walls come down for each of them. Both have a lot of baggage and trauma they need to confront and so the spice really highlights that moment where things just fall into place.
The story itself started so strong and set you right into the world. There is a lot of political intrigue as Arowyn in put into the center of a kingdom's fight to retain power but there's also secrets to unravel about why. I loved the training sessions with Arowyn and her dragon because of the banter and teasing - her and her dragon do not start of the best of notes but it gave me sibling vibes that had me cackling. The lore we get over the course of the story really built up the world for me and there are some twist I saw coming while another I was no expecting and it sucker punched me. Side characters like Kestrel and Briar and Arlo help build a bit of found family trope that motivated our FMC to fight. Kestrel initially had me a bit worried but she won me over quickly. Arlo is adorable and tugged on my heart strings while Briar is that firm connection to the past that Arowyn needed to stay grounded against the turmoil. Reave adds enough tension and steam to challenge our FMC in seeing him and the world in a new light which gave way to more action and intrigue around the world of this story. We do get some true action in this story and the climax builds things up beautifully with a cliffhanger that squeezed me heart. I love where this story is taking us but oh the pain!
Overall, this is how you write dragon romantasy: A raw main character struggling under the wait of a responsibility she did not want finding herself motivated to do something because of the bonds she creates. Add in humour, action, and feels and you have Ashwalker !
Thank you so much to the author for this arc!
Review of advance copy received from Author
6 ⭐️ IF I COULD!!!
This book CONSUMED me in a way very few stories have. I am so invested in this series and it’s killing me to have to wait for the next part considering Ashwalker hasn’t been released yet.
This story has literally everything you would want in a fantasy romance. There are well flushed out characters, expansive world building that doesn’t feel overwhelming and the writing had me emotionally invested from the first sentence. It has plot, it has surprise twist, it has dragons and it has a MMC who has made me swoon harder than I have over any book in about a year! The yearning, the banter, the things I would do for this man in his glasses 🥵
The two MC , Arowyn and Reave both have their own battles they are trying to overcome. Their trauma, their desire to shield those they love from harm, their tension and oof the banter. Of course their chemistry is off the charts. I need to see them get their HEA!
The bond between Arowyn and Sesca can also not be overstated. Arowyn’s hatred towards dragons but her inability to truly outrun her destiny sets her on this collision course. Watching Arowyn’s character development slowly be mirrored in how her bond with Sesca progressed was beautiful.
The aide character also gave more depth to the story and are not just thrown in for filler. I am excited to see more of them as well as we move forward.
I cannot thank the author enough for this eARC, I will be immediately running to order a physical copy of it as soon as I hit post on this review. Also I would do unspeakable things to make sure i’m part of the arc journey for the next book, it is truly that amazing!
Tropes:
- Magic bonds with sassy dragons
- Enemies to pretend lovers to…
- Banter
- Slowish burn
- He falls first
- Found family
Favorite Quotes:
- How I would endure it a thousand times over, in a thousand different lifetimes, if it meant even a chance of finding you again in any of them. And if it ultimately drives me to madness, then I don't think I would even care, so long as you are the last thing I see before the darkness takes me."
- "You are the only thing I wanted to see that night of the feast. And now you're the last thing I want to see before I go to sleep. The first thing I want to see when I wake up. I don't deserve you. I don't know what happens from here, and I'm not sure I can protect you the way I want to-that I can even protect you from myself and that madness that threatens my bloodline. And it's fucking killing me to live with that. But the thought of not having you, whatever the cost to keep you, is somehow worse."
- "I'm claiming you right now. You're mine, Arowyn. Every fucking part of you is mine."
- "There is no length of time I wouldn't endure," he says against my lips, his hands cradling my face. "No choice you could make, and no distance that could possibly matter, so long as you come home to me whenever you're ready
********** SPOILERS
Reave "I want to savor you" Callahan
Reave "For the sake of equality" Callahan
Reave "Every f*king part of you is mine" Callahan
- I’ve not fallen for a MMC like Reave in a long time
- I HATE Malachi and I knew I would
- I think a fated mate bond will be stronger than the flame bound mark
This book CONSUMED me in a way very few stories have. I am so invested in this series and it’s killing me to have to wait for the next part considering Ashwalker hasn’t been released yet.
This story has literally everything you would want in a fantasy romance. There are well flushed out characters, expansive world building that doesn’t feel overwhelming and the writing had me emotionally invested from the first sentence. It has plot, it has surprise twist, it has dragons and it has a MMC who has made me swoon harder than I have over any book in about a year! The yearning, the banter, the things I would do for this man in his glasses 🥵
The two MC , Arowyn and Reave both have their own battles they are trying to overcome. Their trauma, their desire to shield those they love from harm, their tension and oof the banter. Of course their chemistry is off the charts. I need to see them get their HEA!
The bond between Arowyn and Sesca can also not be overstated. Arowyn’s hatred towards dragons but her inability to truly outrun her destiny sets her on this collision course. Watching Arowyn’s character development slowly be mirrored in how her bond with Sesca progressed was beautiful.
The aide character also gave more depth to the story and are not just thrown in for filler. I am excited to see more of them as well as we move forward.
I cannot thank the author enough for this eARC, I will be immediately running to order a physical copy of it as soon as I hit post on this review. Also I would do unspeakable things to make sure i’m part of the arc journey for the next book, it is truly that amazing!
Tropes:
- Magic bonds with sassy dragons
- Enemies to pretend lovers to…
- Banter
- Slowish burn
- He falls first
- Found family
Favorite Quotes:
- How I would endure it a thousand times over, in a thousand different lifetimes, if it meant even a chance of finding you again in any of them. And if it ultimately drives me to madness, then I don't think I would even care, so long as you are the last thing I see before the darkness takes me."
- "You are the only thing I wanted to see that night of the feast. And now you're the last thing I want to see before I go to sleep. The first thing I want to see when I wake up. I don't deserve you. I don't know what happens from here, and I'm not sure I can protect you the way I want to-that I can even protect you from myself and that madness that threatens my bloodline. And it's fucking killing me to live with that. But the thought of not having you, whatever the cost to keep you, is somehow worse."
- "I'm claiming you right now. You're mine, Arowyn. Every fucking part of you is mine."
- "There is no length of time I wouldn't endure," he says against my lips, his hands cradling my face. "No choice you could make, and no distance that could possibly matter, so long as you come home to me whenever you're ready
********** SPOILERS
Reave "I want to savor you" Callahan
Reave "For the sake of equality" Callahan
Reave "Every f*king part of you is mine" Callahan
- I’ve not fallen for a MMC like Reave in a long time
- I HATE Malachi and I knew I would
- I think a fated mate bond will be stronger than the flame bound mark
Review of advance copy received from Author
First off, a huge thank you to S.M. Gaither and her team for providing the ARC! I was absolutely tickled pink when it landed in my inbox, and immediately started reading it.
Wow. Ok. I have loved every S.M. Gaither book I read, but I also have a love for dragons in fantasy – and.. DAYUM. Yes. This was a solid 5 star read for me. She has a talent for balancing fantasy and romance in a way that just... works. Neither overshadows the other, they work harmoniously.
Plot? Heck yes.
Twists? Oh yeah.
Dragons? HECK. YES.
Yearning? oh my yes.
Let’s start with the world. There was, as always with Gaither, amazing world building. It is done in a way that is not tedious, or hard to follow, but still thourough enough to satisfy. Exactly as I have come to expect with her works.
The plot is engaging, pacing is spot-on, the characters felt fleshed out, and I'm not just talking the MCs - the side characters were also amazing. They added to the story and plot, they are not there for decoration.
The characters - specifically the two MCs – were done SO. WELL. Truly standout characters. They have trauma, they grow in a believable arc, and they have banter, tension and most importantly, chemistry. And while this was an absolutely fabulous pairing of slow-burning build up, and I absolutely cannot wait to see their journery and ultimate HEA, the star of this book for me? Sesca and Arowyn's bond, and its progression was my absolute favourite part of this. Watching it start, grow and that *moment* (IYKYK, and if you dont, you probably still have an idea of what I'm refering to) was ... so damn good. SO. GOOD.
But back to Arowyn – her progression throughout the book, her trauma, some healing, emotional weight, everything – it feels EARNED. There is no quick "Oh, im destined to be bonded so I am on board", she struggles to accept it, to see that what she knew was wrong, the quiet shifts, when her moments with Sesca and Reave happen, you know they worked to get there, it was earned and deserved.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. I seriously need a physical copy, because this was by far my favorite read so far in 2026. I cannot wait for the next two books!
Wow. Ok. I have loved every S.M. Gaither book I read, but I also have a love for dragons in fantasy – and.. DAYUM. Yes. This was a solid 5 star read for me. She has a talent for balancing fantasy and romance in a way that just... works. Neither overshadows the other, they work harmoniously.
Plot? Heck yes.
Twists? Oh yeah.
Dragons? HECK. YES.
Yearning? oh my yes.
Let’s start with the world. There was, as always with Gaither, amazing world building. It is done in a way that is not tedious, or hard to follow, but still thourough enough to satisfy. Exactly as I have come to expect with her works.
The plot is engaging, pacing is spot-on, the characters felt fleshed out, and I'm not just talking the MCs - the side characters were also amazing. They added to the story and plot, they are not there for decoration.
The characters - specifically the two MCs – were done SO. WELL. Truly standout characters. They have trauma, they grow in a believable arc, and they have banter, tension and most importantly, chemistry. And while this was an absolutely fabulous pairing of slow-burning build up, and I absolutely cannot wait to see their journery and ultimate HEA, the star of this book for me? Sesca and Arowyn's bond, and its progression was my absolute favourite part of this. Watching it start, grow and that *moment* (IYKYK, and if you dont, you probably still have an idea of what I'm refering to) was ... so damn good. SO. GOOD.
But back to Arowyn – her progression throughout the book, her trauma, some healing, emotional weight, everything – it feels EARNED. There is no quick "Oh, im destined to be bonded so I am on board", she struggles to accept it, to see that what she knew was wrong, the quiet shifts, when her moments with Sesca and Reave happen, you know they worked to get there, it was earned and deserved.
I cannot say enough good things about this book. I seriously need a physical copy, because this was by far my favorite read so far in 2026. I cannot wait for the next two books!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book completely blew past every expectation I had. It wrecked me, made me laugh, made me yell at the pages, just absolutely took me out. I was hooked from page one and it did not let go. There’s so much emotion and meaning woven into the story that the second I finished, I totally wanted to flip back to the beginning and start again.
The plot is engaging, the characters feel real, and even the side characters matter, they’re not just background noise. The banter between Arowyn and Reave was so good I was kicking my feet and giggling. I was unwell. I loved that the dragons and the magic system felt so fresh and different too.
Arowyn has been through so much trauma and loss that survival is basically her default setting. She keeps throwing herself into danger to help her village, and when she’s forced to go to Mouren to save her friend, her entire worldview is shattered. Watching her slowly accept her bond with Sesca was honestly one of my favorite parts. Their relationship goes from “I cannot stand you” to “I would burn the world for you,” and I ate up every second.
And Reave. What can I say about Reave? Broody, sarcastic, emotionally constipated until Arowyn storms into his life and flips his entire existence upside down. He’s lugging around enough secrets and responsibility to crush a weaker man, and he still has the nerve to be distractingly, mind‑meltingly irresistible. His slow-burn connection with Arowyn is everything, once it ignites, it’s a wildfire. Their banter, their tension, their flirting, I was feral.
The worldbuilding is epic, the pacing is spot-on, and the twists kept me guessing the whole way through. I was fully invested in every part of this story, and now I’m counting down the days until the next book.
The plot is engaging, the characters feel real, and even the side characters matter, they’re not just background noise. The banter between Arowyn and Reave was so good I was kicking my feet and giggling. I was unwell. I loved that the dragons and the magic system felt so fresh and different too.
Arowyn has been through so much trauma and loss that survival is basically her default setting. She keeps throwing herself into danger to help her village, and when she’s forced to go to Mouren to save her friend, her entire worldview is shattered. Watching her slowly accept her bond with Sesca was honestly one of my favorite parts. Their relationship goes from “I cannot stand you” to “I would burn the world for you,” and I ate up every second.
And Reave. What can I say about Reave? Broody, sarcastic, emotionally constipated until Arowyn storms into his life and flips his entire existence upside down. He’s lugging around enough secrets and responsibility to crush a weaker man, and he still has the nerve to be distractingly, mind‑meltingly irresistible. His slow-burn connection with Arowyn is everything, once it ignites, it’s a wildfire. Their banter, their tension, their flirting, I was feral.
The worldbuilding is epic, the pacing is spot-on, and the twists kept me guessing the whole way through. I was fully invested in every part of this story, and now I’m counting down the days until the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Arwoyn has dealt with loss her entire life, and she’s always placed the blame on dragons. So when she ends up rescuing one and it leads to her capture by King Reave, she’s thrown straight into enemy territory then forced to train with the very thing she’s always hated while trying to survive in his court.
This was a 6⭐️ read for me.
From the start, I was completely pulled into the story. Arwoyn is such a strong but guarded FMC, and it made so much sense why she struggled to let people in. Watching her slowly open up and begin to see her own worth was honestly one of my favourite parts of the book. Her growth felt real and earned, and I found myself really rooting for her the entire time.
And then there’s Reave… yeah, he’s absolutely made it into my top 5 book boyfriends. I love a grumpy, guarded king, but the added layers to his character just made him even better. The softer moments, especially when you start to see more of who he really is, were so well done.
The romance in this book is exactly my kind of slow burn. The tension, the build-up, the yearning, it was all done so well and kept me fully invested. It never felt rushed, and every moment between them actually mattered.
I also really loved the world and the whole dragon aspect—it added so much to the story and made everything feel more immersive without being overwhelming.
Overall, I genuinely could not put this book down. It had the perfect mix of character growth, romance, and plot to keep me hooked the whole time.
I truly think this is going to be one of the biggest books of 2026.
Huge thank you to S. M. Gaither for the ARC—it was such an honour to read and review. I’m so excited to see where this series goes next!
This was a 6⭐️ read for me.
From the start, I was completely pulled into the story. Arwoyn is such a strong but guarded FMC, and it made so much sense why she struggled to let people in. Watching her slowly open up and begin to see her own worth was honestly one of my favourite parts of the book. Her growth felt real and earned, and I found myself really rooting for her the entire time.
And then there’s Reave… yeah, he’s absolutely made it into my top 5 book boyfriends. I love a grumpy, guarded king, but the added layers to his character just made him even better. The softer moments, especially when you start to see more of who he really is, were so well done.
The romance in this book is exactly my kind of slow burn. The tension, the build-up, the yearning, it was all done so well and kept me fully invested. It never felt rushed, and every moment between them actually mattered.
I also really loved the world and the whole dragon aspect—it added so much to the story and made everything feel more immersive without being overwhelming.
Overall, I genuinely could not put this book down. It had the perfect mix of character growth, romance, and plot to keep me hooked the whole time.
I truly think this is going to be one of the biggest books of 2026.
Huge thank you to S. M. Gaither for the ARC—it was such an honour to read and review. I’m so excited to see where this series goes next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Tropes: Dystopian World | Warring Kingdoms | Reluctant bonds | Enemies-to-lovers | Chosen One | Found Family
Ashwalker is a breath of fresh air in the romantasy genre because, for Arowyn Vhale, dragons are enemies, not allies.
Set in the dystopian empire of Kaldra, Ashwalker is packed with action: warring kingdoms, unwanted dragon bonds, and an enemies-to-lovers storyline filled with hilarious banter and tension that crackles off the page.
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗲. 𝗛𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴. 𝗜 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻, 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆. 🔥🔥🔥
Arowyn Vhale is the very definition of a phoenix rising from the ashes. Drowning in grief and fury over the state of the empire, Arowyn is equal parts anger and tender hearted, and her fierce spirit drew me in immediately. Her friendship with Briar was one of my favorite parts of the story, but Sesca, the sassy dragon, completely stole my heart the moment she appeared. Mouren and it's royal family are impossible not to love and root for, especially Arlo!
This story is loaded with tension, plot twists, secrets, and enough betrayal to make you want to square up with fictional characters. (I was fully prepared to throw hands 😂). The world building is unique and highly intriguing, and the story itself grips you almost immediately.
The ending left me completely disoriented and with so many questions! I need book 2 ASAP!!!
Thank you to the author for the ARC copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tropes: Dystopian World | Warring Kingdoms | Reluctant bonds | Enemies-to-lovers | Chosen One | Found Family
Ashwalker is a breath of fresh air in the romantasy genre because, for Arowyn Vhale, dragons are enemies, not allies.
Set in the dystopian empire of Kaldra, Ashwalker is packed with action: warring kingdoms, unwanted dragon bonds, and an enemies-to-lovers storyline filled with hilarious banter and tension that crackles off the page.
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗲. 𝗛𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴. 𝗜 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻, 𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆. 🔥🔥🔥
Arowyn Vhale is the very definition of a phoenix rising from the ashes. Drowning in grief and fury over the state of the empire, Arowyn is equal parts anger and tender hearted, and her fierce spirit drew me in immediately. Her friendship with Briar was one of my favorite parts of the story, but Sesca, the sassy dragon, completely stole my heart the moment she appeared. Mouren and it's royal family are impossible not to love and root for, especially Arlo!
This story is loaded with tension, plot twists, secrets, and enough betrayal to make you want to square up with fictional characters. (I was fully prepared to throw hands 😂). The world building is unique and highly intriguing, and the story itself grips you almost immediately.
The ending left me completely disoriented and with so many questions! I need book 2 ASAP!!!
Thank you to the author for the ARC copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️ 5/5 | 🌶️ 2.5/5
First, thank you to Steph and Rachel for the opportunity to Beta Read this. You honour me.
Let's get into my thoughts on this book.
Gaither just gets how to balance romantasy and epic fantasy without either one suffocating the other. The world feels large and with hints of something much bigger simmering beyond the main map, but it never pulls focus from the characters. The pacing is sharp with no wasted space and the lore is woven in so naturally that you don't even realise how much you're absorbing until you've finished.
Owyn is an absolute standout FMC. There's this constant, simmering rage under everything she does and it builds in a way that feels real rather than performative. Her dynamic with Briar brings the perfect levity when things get heavy, and BOY DOES IT GET HEAVY. The emotional weight in this is matched by moments that are brutal, gory and honestly a little (a lot) heartbreaking. The relationships across the board feel earned. The tension, the push and pull, the quiet shifts. It all lands.
The magic system, the dragons, the gods, it all feels fresh, but what really stuck with me was the character work. Owyn doesn't just accept her fate, she fights it, questions it, feels it. And the romance? Subtle, organic and built on tension that actually respects where the characters start.
This book feels like being thrown into something beautiful and brutal and not being given a moment to breathe in the best way. I was completely locked in from the beginning and it never let me go. It has been weeks, and, well, "and now, we fly."
First, thank you to Steph and Rachel for the opportunity to Beta Read this. You honour me.
Let's get into my thoughts on this book.
Gaither just gets how to balance romantasy and epic fantasy without either one suffocating the other. The world feels large and with hints of something much bigger simmering beyond the main map, but it never pulls focus from the characters. The pacing is sharp with no wasted space and the lore is woven in so naturally that you don't even realise how much you're absorbing until you've finished.
Owyn is an absolute standout FMC. There's this constant, simmering rage under everything she does and it builds in a way that feels real rather than performative. Her dynamic with Briar brings the perfect levity when things get heavy, and BOY DOES IT GET HEAVY. The emotional weight in this is matched by moments that are brutal, gory and honestly a little (a lot) heartbreaking. The relationships across the board feel earned. The tension, the push and pull, the quiet shifts. It all lands.
The magic system, the dragons, the gods, it all feels fresh, but what really stuck with me was the character work. Owyn doesn't just accept her fate, she fights it, questions it, feels it. And the romance? Subtle, organic and built on tension that actually respects where the characters start.
This book feels like being thrown into something beautiful and brutal and not being given a moment to breathe in the best way. I was completely locked in from the beginning and it never let me go. It has been weeks, and, well, "and now, we fly."
May 8, 2026
3.5
Thank you for the advanced eARC! Anytime I hear SM Gaither will release something new, I have to line up to read this. She has always been good at world building these fantasy worlds, that it’s such a joy to learn about each of them. And this one is definitely a good one from her. Full with dragons, a tragic backstory and a villain king, Ashwalker is an action- packed book.
We meet Arowyn as an ashwalker just trying to survive and help her destroyed city and its habitants. In a job, she and her friend discover the enemy army and they seem to be carrying a young dragon. The helpless urge to help the dragon takes over Arowyn, and she ends up bounded to much more than just a regular dragon. With a full backstory to how these dragons came to be, this world consider them heaven sent. So Arowyn suddenly finds a lot of power ahead does not want.
It was very interesting to see her inner conflict since dragons destroyed her life. Something I appreciated in this book, was seeing Arowyn’s progress. She was on one side then she finds herself in the opposite side. She really grows here, but most importantly, she finds a new self within her. One who has survived, endured and soon will be thriving. Her bond with her dragon becomes something precious to read and I predict it will get better in the sequel.
As for the king and Arowyn, I was very surprised how that relationship evolved. And I was very happy to read those parts with them. Towards the end it got better and better. It was a different dynamic than the usual but I liked it. But definitely stay to read about the dragons
Thank you for the advanced eARC! Anytime I hear SM Gaither will release something new, I have to line up to read this. She has always been good at world building these fantasy worlds, that it’s such a joy to learn about each of them. And this one is definitely a good one from her. Full with dragons, a tragic backstory and a villain king, Ashwalker is an action- packed book.
We meet Arowyn as an ashwalker just trying to survive and help her destroyed city and its habitants. In a job, she and her friend discover the enemy army and they seem to be carrying a young dragon. The helpless urge to help the dragon takes over Arowyn, and she ends up bounded to much more than just a regular dragon. With a full backstory to how these dragons came to be, this world consider them heaven sent. So Arowyn suddenly finds a lot of power ahead does not want.
It was very interesting to see her inner conflict since dragons destroyed her life. Something I appreciated in this book, was seeing Arowyn’s progress. She was on one side then she finds herself in the opposite side. She really grows here, but most importantly, she finds a new self within her. One who has survived, endured and soon will be thriving. Her bond with her dragon becomes something precious to read and I predict it will get better in the sequel.
As for the king and Arowyn, I was very surprised how that relationship evolved. And I was very happy to read those parts with them. Towards the end it got better and better. It was a different dynamic than the usual but I liked it. But definitely stay to read about the dragons
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I should’ve known this one was going to hurt… and I kept reading anyway.
Ashwalker is one of those stories that pulls you in slowly and then doesn’t let go—
The writing is so smooth you fall into it without realizing, and once you start, it’s hard to put down… and even harder to stop thinking about when you do.
It’s full of twists, betrayal, and relationships that shift when you least expect it.
You get:
— loyal found family and complicated blood ties
— enemies to lovers that actually feels earned
— a constant sense that something isn’t quite right beneath the surface
And the bond… not just emotional, but something deeper—almost divine.
The kind of connection that feels instinctive, reverent—
similar to Priory of the Orange Tree.
Depth ✔️Connection ✔️Momentum ✔️ were all strong in this book.
Final verdict: this earned shelf space.
(And yes… I really want a copy for my shelf.)
I will absolutely be reading the next one.
For readers who want emotionally immersive fantasy with layered relationships and a deeper, almost reverent sense of connection.
Not for those looking for something light or fast-paced—this one leans into intensity and complexity.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to be part of the ARC team—it was an incredible read.
Ashwalker is one of those stories that pulls you in slowly and then doesn’t let go—
The writing is so smooth you fall into it without realizing, and once you start, it’s hard to put down… and even harder to stop thinking about when you do.
It’s full of twists, betrayal, and relationships that shift when you least expect it.
You get:
— loyal found family and complicated blood ties
— enemies to lovers that actually feels earned
— a constant sense that something isn’t quite right beneath the surface
And the bond… not just emotional, but something deeper—almost divine.
The kind of connection that feels instinctive, reverent—
similar to Priory of the Orange Tree.
Depth ✔️Connection ✔️Momentum ✔️ were all strong in this book.
Final verdict: this earned shelf space.
(And yes… I really want a copy for my shelf.)
I will absolutely be reading the next one.
For readers who want emotionally immersive fantasy with layered relationships and a deeper, almost reverent sense of connection.
Not for those looking for something light or fast-paced—this one leans into intensity and complexity.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to be part of the ARC team—it was an incredible read.
May 6, 2026
"I could reach you from the other side of the stars, if only you call."
4☆
OKAY WOW. AshWalker by S.M Gaither is a book that has been on my tbr for quite a while now and as soon as I saw that ARC applications were open, I jumped at the opportunity 😌
What an incredible book. This gave me every single think I would want in a Romantasy. DRAGONS? Blight, I adored her. She's such a sassy dragon and that's literally my favorite thing ever. Her bond with Arowyn was so special. It was so rewarding to see them form it and then reading about it blossom was adoring.
The plot was so gripping. During the latter 50%, the plot twists gave me no room to breathe. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor so many times 😭. The romance is definitely a sub plot and is veryyyyy slow burn but it was done so well. The tension between Arowyn and Reave kept me FED.
Reave was such a CUTE MMC. Yeah he wore slutty glasses and he bakes🤭. I can already see him becoming so many book girlies favorite book boyfriend. And the way he yearned for her? Don't even get me started. Arowyn was such a well written FMC. Her rage was so well depicted and you wanted to be angry with her. She was so fierce and she felt so realistic.
Thank you so much to the author for this eARC🤍
4☆
OKAY WOW. AshWalker by S.M Gaither is a book that has been on my tbr for quite a while now and as soon as I saw that ARC applications were open, I jumped at the opportunity 😌
What an incredible book. This gave me every single think I would want in a Romantasy. DRAGONS? Blight, I adored her. She's such a sassy dragon and that's literally my favorite thing ever. Her bond with Arowyn was so special. It was so rewarding to see them form it and then reading about it blossom was adoring.
The plot was so gripping. During the latter 50%, the plot twists gave me no room to breathe. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor so many times 😭. The romance is definitely a sub plot and is veryyyyy slow burn but it was done so well. The tension between Arowyn and Reave kept me FED.
Reave was such a CUTE MMC. Yeah he wore slutty glasses and he bakes🤭. I can already see him becoming so many book girlies favorite book boyfriend. And the way he yearned for her? Don't even get me started. Arowyn was such a well written FMC. Her rage was so well depicted and you wanted to be angry with her. She was so fierce and she felt so realistic.
Thank you so much to the author for this eARC🤍
Review of advance copy received from Author
I. Am. OBSESSED! I kid you not!
I have read everything S.M. Gaither has ever written, and I can say, with complete honesty that this book, THIS BOOK is her Roman Empire! It's one of those that the minute I finished, I immediately wanted to turn around and reread it (which I will absolutely be doing).
We have all the things we normally love and expect from S.M.: banter, found family, animal sidekick, steam, etc. But this, there's just something special about it. We have a unique twist on dragons. Twists that I absolutely DID NOT see coming, which Bravo to S.M.! It is not often I don't see twists coming, but outside of one, which I only got partially right, I didn't catch these.
The relationship between Owyn and Reave is just something special. And Owyn's bff, Briar, they have such an incredibly special relationship too. And did I mention dragons? Because...DRAGONS!
This book had me laughing, kicking my feet, cheering, feeling heartbroken yet hopeful, and so much more.
I can't say enough good things about this book! All I know is I can't wait for everyone and their brother to read this and fall in love!
Thank you to S.M. Gaither for the ARC!
I have read everything S.M. Gaither has ever written, and I can say, with complete honesty that this book, THIS BOOK is her Roman Empire! It's one of those that the minute I finished, I immediately wanted to turn around and reread it (which I will absolutely be doing).
We have all the things we normally love and expect from S.M.: banter, found family, animal sidekick, steam, etc. But this, there's just something special about it. We have a unique twist on dragons. Twists that I absolutely DID NOT see coming, which Bravo to S.M.! It is not often I don't see twists coming, but outside of one, which I only got partially right, I didn't catch these.
The relationship between Owyn and Reave is just something special. And Owyn's bff, Briar, they have such an incredibly special relationship too. And did I mention dragons? Because...DRAGONS!
This book had me laughing, kicking my feet, cheering, feeling heartbroken yet hopeful, and so much more.
I can't say enough good things about this book! All I know is I can't wait for everyone and their brother to read this and fall in love!
Thank you to S.M. Gaither for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
THIS is how you write dragons!!
Thank you to S. M. Gaither and team for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVED this. I’m a huge fan of Gaither’s work, so when I saw that she was writing a new series about 🐲dragons🐲 I knew it was going to be a banger.
In Ashwalker, we meet our badass FMC, Arowyn. Our leading lady has a heaping of PTSD and the physical and emotional scarring to prove it. Our woman is a FIGHTER and I loved every second of her character arc and watching her own her worth.
Reave, our MMC, is a flirty red head, who wears glasses, bakes, and does a whole lot of yearning in his free time. He had me kicking my feet and giggling throughout the book.
One thing I love about Gaither’s work is her talent for writing politically - driven plot and romance, and Ashwalker did not disappoint. It’s rich with warring kingdoms, secrets, lies, and feminine rage …. And, of course, DRAGONS 🎶these are a few of my favorite things🎶
As for that romance, the banter is bantering, the yearning yearns, and the smut be smutting.
Oh, and I should mention, he falls first 😏 need I say more?
Thank you to S. M. Gaither and team for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVED this. I’m a huge fan of Gaither’s work, so when I saw that she was writing a new series about 🐲dragons🐲 I knew it was going to be a banger.
In Ashwalker, we meet our badass FMC, Arowyn. Our leading lady has a heaping of PTSD and the physical and emotional scarring to prove it. Our woman is a FIGHTER and I loved every second of her character arc and watching her own her worth.
Reave, our MMC, is a flirty red head, who wears glasses, bakes, and does a whole lot of yearning in his free time. He had me kicking my feet and giggling throughout the book.
One thing I love about Gaither’s work is her talent for writing politically - driven plot and romance, and Ashwalker did not disappoint. It’s rich with warring kingdoms, secrets, lies, and feminine rage …. And, of course, DRAGONS 🎶these are a few of my favorite things🎶
As for that romance, the banter is bantering, the yearning yearns, and the smut be smutting.
Oh, and I should mention, he falls first 😏 need I say more?
Review of advance copy received from Author
this book completely exceeded every expectation i had. i loved it so much and i’m already ready to beg for the next book because THAT ending and cliffhanger should honestly be illegal. i need the next book immediately. i haven’t felt this desperate for the next book in a series in such a long time.
the world building was incredible and easily one of my favorite parts of the story. i loved the connection between the dragons, the gods, and the magic system, it all felt so immersive and unique. honestly, the plot had everything i love in a fantasy book and more.
and the plot twists?? absolutely insane. every time i thought i understood where the story was going, it managed to surprise me again.
i also loved sesca so much, she gave me major andarna vibes from Fourth Wing, which instantly made me attached to her. and owyn and reave’s relationship had me completely invested. i love when characters try to fight their feelings and attraction for each other for as long as possible before finally giving in, and this book delivered that tension perfectly.
the world building was incredible and easily one of my favorite parts of the story. i loved the connection between the dragons, the gods, and the magic system, it all felt so immersive and unique. honestly, the plot had everything i love in a fantasy book and more.
and the plot twists?? absolutely insane. every time i thought i understood where the story was going, it managed to surprise me again.
i also loved sesca so much, she gave me major andarna vibes from Fourth Wing, which instantly made me attached to her. and owyn and reave’s relationship had me completely invested. i love when characters try to fight their feelings and attraction for each other for as long as possible before finally giving in, and this book delivered that tension perfectly.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Y'all. Ashwalker was SO FANTASTIC. I already want to reread it. S.M. Gaither has outdone herself, which is *saying something* because I already massively loved her other books. I stayed up late and woke up early just to read (which is *uncommon* for me, I really like my sleep) because I was enraptured.
S.M. Gaither provides rich world building, top tier banter, and the best found family characters. Another Gaither staple is the sassy animal sidekick (but let's be real, this one is running the show.) There were brushing fingers that had me kicking my feet. Twists that had my jaw on the floor. Every page had me needing more.
After the ending, I'm not dangling off a cliff, but I'm chilling one-third way up the mountain and really REALLY want to get to the top 😂 All delivered in an exhilarating balance of tension, action, and romance.
Arowyn Vhale has lost everything to the fires and destruction of dragons. Living in an ashen wasteland, she works as a smuggler traveling the dangerous roads that connect survivors. After an encounter with his soldiers, Arowyn finds herself bound to the service of King Reave Callahan. Even worse, he expects her to bond with a hatchling dragon — the very type of beast that ruined her life five years ago.
S.M. Gaither provides rich world building, top tier banter, and the best found family characters. Another Gaither staple is the sassy animal sidekick (but let's be real, this one is running the show.) There were brushing fingers that had me kicking my feet. Twists that had my jaw on the floor. Every page had me needing more.
After the ending, I'm not dangling off a cliff, but I'm chilling one-third way up the mountain and really REALLY want to get to the top 😂 All delivered in an exhilarating balance of tension, action, and romance.
Arowyn Vhale has lost everything to the fires and destruction of dragons. Living in an ashen wasteland, she works as a smuggler traveling the dangerous roads that connect survivors. After an encounter with his soldiers, Arowyn finds herself bound to the service of King Reave Callahan. Even worse, he expects her to bond with a hatchling dragon — the very type of beast that ruined her life five years ago.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Holy. Tomoley. That was probably my top read of 2026 so far. Best SM Gaither book yet.
This book from start to finish was absolute gold.
This world of magic and dragons has so many different tropes that I absolutely ADORE with such an exciting and refreshing plot!!!
Our girl Arowyn is a fighter, but also relatable in her fears, internal conflicts, and resolve. Her development as a main character through even this first book is well done, and still leaves room for growth in the series, along with her growing relationship with Reave.
And I gotta say - S. M. Gaither has done it again, the queen of banter and slow burn!! Reave is the drool worthy, protective, flirty king I didn’t know I needed on my book boyfriend list. He and Arowyn’s bonding was well paced and each moment gleaned a little more about each of them, which I loved. Once the show burn finally burns… ooooh baby 🥵❤️🔥
The ending is a wonderful transition to prep the trilogy storyline and setting up book 2. This story was a great intrusion and plot development into this trilogy, and it has left my heart yearning for more of Arowyn and Reave!
Thank you to S.M. Gaither for allowing me to read an advanced copy!!
This book from start to finish was absolute gold.
This world of magic and dragons has so many different tropes that I absolutely ADORE with such an exciting and refreshing plot!!!
Our girl Arowyn is a fighter, but also relatable in her fears, internal conflicts, and resolve. Her development as a main character through even this first book is well done, and still leaves room for growth in the series, along with her growing relationship with Reave.
And I gotta say - S. M. Gaither has done it again, the queen of banter and slow burn!! Reave is the drool worthy, protective, flirty king I didn’t know I needed on my book boyfriend list. He and Arowyn’s bonding was well paced and each moment gleaned a little more about each of them, which I loved. Once the show burn finally burns… ooooh baby 🥵❤️🔥
The ending is a wonderful transition to prep the trilogy storyline and setting up book 2. This story was a great intrusion and plot development into this trilogy, and it has left my heart yearning for more of Arowyn and Reave!
Thank you to S.M. Gaither for allowing me to read an advanced copy!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2026
This is my new favorite read! It was so good and I was HOOKED since the first page. There’s dragons, magic bonds, wonderful group of found family, so much banter, plot twists and SLOW BURN!!
Arowyn is our FMC who goes through so much, she’s an Ashwalker with her best friend Briar. She struggles with trauma and PTSD. But she finds purpose to keep moving. She ends up saving a dragon hatchling and is forced into King Reave court.
Reave is our grumpy king but easily falls for her. The way he YEARNS for Arowyn!! I love him. He also has his own tragic story.
I’m obsessed with Sesca the dragon!! I love the moments of Arowyn and Sesca slowly opening up to each other and learning more about the bond between them. The plot twists had me gasping and I love the storyline. I desperately NEED book two!
I’m itching to read the author’s other books as I absolutely love her writing and the way she pulls me into her stories!
Thank you so much for the advanced copy!
Arowyn is our FMC who goes through so much, she’s an Ashwalker with her best friend Briar. She struggles with trauma and PTSD. But she finds purpose to keep moving. She ends up saving a dragon hatchling and is forced into King Reave court.
Reave is our grumpy king but easily falls for her. The way he YEARNS for Arowyn!! I love him. He also has his own tragic story.
I’m obsessed with Sesca the dragon!! I love the moments of Arowyn and Sesca slowly opening up to each other and learning more about the bond between them. The plot twists had me gasping and I love the storyline. I desperately NEED book two!
I’m itching to read the author’s other books as I absolutely love her writing and the way she pulls me into her stories!
Thank you so much for the advanced copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Um. WOW. I was fortunate to get the ARC of this book. I was super excited for this since I've read some of this author's other books.
I. Was. Not. Disappointed. WHAT A WILD RIDE!!! There was definitely a twist in there i wasn't aware of and had my predictions all wrong 😂 WHAT DO YOU MEAN MALACHI IS NOW IN CHARGE OF DRALSK?! AND TELLING AROWYN SHE'S RUINED BECAUSE OF HER EYE?!? Ugh. Bastard. I hate him! 😭 I dont think he ever really loved her.....
Raeve.... he is just perfect. I loved seeing the budding relationship between him and Arowyn... because while his intents were no better than Mal's, he at least accepts Arowyn for who she is.... broken pieces and all....🥹
I couldn't put this book down! Life kept getting in my way of reading, BUT STILL. The plot with the dragons, the curse, everything was well strung together. And I cant wait to see where this goes in the future!
I. Was. Not. Disappointed. WHAT A WILD RIDE!!! There was definitely a twist in there i wasn't aware of and had my predictions all wrong 😂 WHAT DO YOU MEAN MALACHI IS NOW IN CHARGE OF DRALSK?! AND TELLING AROWYN SHE'S RUINED BECAUSE OF HER EYE?!? Ugh. Bastard. I hate him! 😭 I dont think he ever really loved her.....
Raeve.... he is just perfect. I loved seeing the budding relationship between him and Arowyn... because while his intents were no better than Mal's, he at least accepts Arowyn for who she is.... broken pieces and all....🥹
I couldn't put this book down! Life kept getting in my way of reading, BUT STILL. The plot with the dragons, the curse, everything was well strung together. And I cant wait to see where this goes in the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just want to say wow. Such a good read!!
Our FMC and MMC and such good characters. The banter between Reave and Arowyn is exactly what you want. The tension between the two of them throughout most of the book is well done. I like watching Arowyn as she learns and grows in the story.
I love the complexity of the royal family and how they look out for each other. I like the animals. Like the giant dog. And Arowyn’s dragon could give some other Romantasy dragons a run for their money.
Then there is everything going on in the kingdom and the twist and that ending… I really don’t want to wait for book two 🤣
Our FMC and MMC and such good characters. The banter between Reave and Arowyn is exactly what you want. The tension between the two of them throughout most of the book is well done. I like watching Arowyn as she learns and grows in the story.
I love the complexity of the royal family and how they look out for each other. I like the animals. Like the giant dog. And Arowyn’s dragon could give some other Romantasy dragons a run for their money.
Then there is everything going on in the kingdom and the twist and that ending… I really don’t want to wait for book two 🤣
Review of advance copy received from Author
Once again, Gaither has written a book that gripped me completely, and I was hooked at dragons! I loved every moment of this book. From the intriguing storyline to the tension-filled enemies to lovers romance to the cliffhanger ending, I was ensnared and taken along on the journey with the characters. Wonderful representation of physical disabilities being turned into strengths and so many other encouraging words throughout. Loved the world building and plot development. Can hardly wait for the next book.
"Most anything can be a gift, if you're strong and smart enough to harness it properly."
"Most anything can be a gift, if you're strong and smart enough to harness it properly."
Review of advance copy received from Author
Still here!
This book is so good! I throughly enjoyed reading this book and learning about this world. I absolutely can’t wait for the sequel!
This book was well paced and has sooo much lore. Such a deep world to dig into throughout this trilogy. Learning about the magic and what dragon bonds can do was so fascinating! It was a never ending thrill the entire book. There was always something new being thrown at our main character Arowyn and I couldn’t get enough!
Also the yearning, the bickering, the absolute heat between Arowyn and Reave? So good! I need more!!
* Enemies to lovers
* Dragons
* Dystopian
* Magic
* Curse
* Betrayal!
This book is so good! I throughly enjoyed reading this book and learning about this world. I absolutely can’t wait for the sequel!
This book was well paced and has sooo much lore. Such a deep world to dig into throughout this trilogy. Learning about the magic and what dragon bonds can do was so fascinating! It was a never ending thrill the entire book. There was always something new being thrown at our main character Arowyn and I couldn’t get enough!
Also the yearning, the bickering, the absolute heat between Arowyn and Reave? So good! I need more!!
* Enemies to lovers
* Dragons
* Dystopian
* Magic
* Curse
* Betrayal!
Review of advance copy received from Author
FOR ARLO!
seriously though this was a great read for my very first S.M. Gaither and I was not disappointed!
We entered a world on the brink of destruction caused by war and dragon magic. People just trying to survive. My kind of gig, as dystopian is a favourite of mine!
Arowyn is a strong, sassy character with a few flaws. She's stubborn to boot with a penchant to hate dragons but it was a delight to see her grow from that hate. Seeing her move forward and open up is brave, especially when our girl gets a shocker of a lifetime.
If you're looking for a book where Adarna grows up with some sassy main dragon energy, this might be the one for you, by the way!
seriously though this was a great read for my very first S.M. Gaither and I was not disappointed!
We entered a world on the brink of destruction caused by war and dragon magic. People just trying to survive. My kind of gig, as dystopian is a favourite of mine!
Arowyn is a strong, sassy character with a few flaws. She's stubborn to boot with a penchant to hate dragons but it was a delight to see her grow from that hate. Seeing her move forward and open up is brave, especially when our girl gets a shocker of a lifetime.
If you're looking for a book where Adarna grows up with some sassy main dragon energy, this might be the one for you, by the way!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This MAGNIFICENT book destroyeddddd me! I hate that I need to wait for the next one, so impatient!
The banter was on point! I was dying at how it was so sassy and sarcastic, just perfect! Reave holds a special place in my soul for how selfless he can be especially with family. Owyn is one STRONG FMC, love her! The obstacles she overcame and truly found herself, superb! The magic system was unique and refreshing!
I was blown away and the ending!!! I’m hanging off a cliff waiting for the next book!
MUST read folks!! Plus who can say no to dragons!? Not me!
The banter was on point! I was dying at how it was so sassy and sarcastic, just perfect! Reave holds a special place in my soul for how selfless he can be especially with family. Owyn is one STRONG FMC, love her! The obstacles she overcame and truly found herself, superb! The magic system was unique and refreshing!
I was blown away and the ending!!! I’m hanging off a cliff waiting for the next book!
MUST read folks!! Plus who can say no to dragons!? Not me!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an emotional rollercoaster. It’s one of those books that completely immerses you into the story. Saying I was attached to this book is an understatement, it was very hard to put down. My new go to sayings for foreseeable future is “Still here” and “Now we fly”
The story between our FMC and MMC had every trope I love, but I would be remiss if I didn’t say how my favorite connection was Arowyn and Sesca.
The ending has me yearning for what comes next. I finished this hours ago and I’m still feeling the sensation.
The story between our FMC and MMC had every trope I love, but I would be remiss if I didn’t say how my favorite connection was Arowyn and Sesca.
The ending has me yearning for what comes next. I finished this hours ago and I’m still feeling the sensation.
May 9, 2026
I want the second book now please!!
Because OMG!
The magic system? Amazing!
The slow burn? Smoldering
The plot twist? Devastating!
My love for this book? Unyielding!!
I don’t want to spoil anything but if you love adventure, dragons, love, a character that is wayward and finding themselves amongst the wreckage, you need this book in your collection!
Thank you SM Gaither for such beautiful writing and sharing this extraordinary world with me and allowing me the honor of being an ARC reader.
Because OMG!
The magic system? Amazing!
The slow burn? Smoldering
The plot twist? Devastating!
My love for this book? Unyielding!!
I don’t want to spoil anything but if you love adventure, dragons, love, a character that is wayward and finding themselves amongst the wreckage, you need this book in your collection!
Thank you SM Gaither for such beautiful writing and sharing this extraordinary world with me and allowing me the honor of being an ARC reader.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I will never not gobble up an SM Gaither book-BUT THIS IS THE ONE!!! Reave the man that you AREEEE!!! I absolutely love the dynamic between Owyn & Reave. He is so unlike the atypical romantasy MMC in the best way.
No one does world building quite like SM Gaither! Absolutely captivated by the first page, and the kind of fantasy story you can’t put down. Waiting for book 2 feels like cruel and unusual punishment.
No one does world building quite like SM Gaither! Absolutely captivated by the first page, and the kind of fantasy story you can’t put down. Waiting for book 2 feels like cruel and unusual punishment.
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