Of Fire and Ash

by Gillian Bronte Adams

Overview

She rides a fireborn, a steed of fire and ash, trained for destruction.

Ceridwen tal Desmond dreams of ruling like her father over the nation of Soldonia, where warriors ride to battle on magical steeds—soaring on storm winds, vanishing in shadow, quaking the earth, and summoning the sea. After a tragic accident claims her twin brother, she is exiled and sworn to atonement by spending her life—or death—for her people.

But when invaders spill onto Soldonia’s shores and traitors seize upon the chaos to murder her father, Ceridwen claims the crown to keep the nation from splintering. Combatting overwhelming odds and looming civil war, she begins to wonder if the greatest threat to the kingdom may, in fact, be her.

With fire before her and ash in her wake, how can she hope to unite instead of destroy?

Flames rage and oceans rise in this explosive first installment of The Fireborn Epic as the exiled heir, a novice priest, and a reluctant rebel wage war against a hidden power that threatens to shake the world.

*** WINNER, Realm Award: 2022 Book of the Year ***
*** WINNER, Realm Award: Epic Fantasy ***
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621842033
Publisher:	Enclave Publishing
Publication date:	12/07/2021
Series:	The Fireborn Epic , #1
Pages:	496
Sales rank:	846,321
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Gillian Bronte Adams is a sword-wielding, horse-riding, wander-loving fantasy author, rarely found without a coffee in hand and rumored to pack books before clothes when she hits the road. Working in youth ministry left her with a passion for journeying alongside children and teens. (It also enhanced her love of coffee.) Now, she writes novels that follow outcast characters down broken roads, through epic battles, and onward to adventure. And at the end of a long day of typing, she can be found saddling her wild thing and riding off into the sunset, seeking adventures of her own (and more coffee). She loved to connect with readers online at www.gillianbronteadams.com.

Editorial Reviews

Wow. If you’re looking for the epic fantasy of your dreams, this. is. it. Simply put, Of Fire and Ash is a masterpiece, and Gillian wields the skill of both fearless Outrider and writing queen in her delivery of it.” — Nadine Brandes, award-winning author of Romanov, Fawkes, and the Out of Time Series

Nadine Brandes

Full of hope, magical horses, courageous outcasts, and traitorous enemies, Of Fire and Ash grabs your attention from the first page, and leaves you eager for the sequel! Highly recommended.” — Matt Mikalatos, author of The Crescent Stone

Matt Mikalatos

Gillian Bronte Adams continues to amaze! In this first book of The Fireborn Epic, her storytelling burns smoking hot. Rich worldbuilding, beautiful language, awe-inspiring creatures, a cast of imperfect and utterly compelling characters, Of Fire and Ash has everything I want in a fantasy. It is a triumph in every way, and I can't wait for book two.” — Shannon Dittemore, author of Winter, White and Wicked

Shannon Dittemore

"Of Fire and Ash is a tale of learning to value one’s self and bravery. It is a story of invasion, rebellion, and empires that all center on the marvelous solborn: horses with elemental magic. The magic is unique, something to value greatly in any fantasy novel." — City Book Review

City Book Review

2021-10-26
Welcome to the kingdom of Soldonia, where three intertwined stories unfold.

After Bair’s accidental death following a challenge she issued, his sister, Ceridwen, is branded with the mark of the kasar and banished from their fortress by their father, the king. She becomes an Outrider, patrolling the wildlands. When she learns that a neighboring state is being invaded by the empire of Nadaar, she decides she must return home to warn them of the impending threat. Meanwhile, royal-born Rafi is haunted by the ghost of his dead brother. He is trying to leave behind his old life and start over as Nahiki, the humble guest of a fisherman—but the past will not let him go so easily. Multilingual Jakim, who was formerly enslaved, has recently become a Scroll and is eager for an adventure; little does he know that one little lie might bring the end of everything he holds dear. The novel pays much attention to worldbuilding, with the action picking up in the final quarter of the story. The introspective protagonists are realistically flawed: hot-headed Ceridwen puts the people she cares about in danger; Rafi lies about his true identity not only to his friends, but to himself; and Jakim must critically engage with the religion he has chosen to devote himself to. Ceridwen has red hair and bronze skin; Rafi has beaded black hair; and slender, boyish Jakim has brown skin.

A promising series opener for patient readers. (Fantasy. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews