Dawn of the North: The Ashen Series, Book 3

GW

Amazing 3rd book

"Another incredible addition to this epic series. One of the things I love is that each book feels distinct. The characters tackle new challenges and the story keeps progressing without losing sight of the original conflict between King Ivar and his oppression of Iseldur. While there is a lot going on, this story focuses mainly on the two sisters. They are separated by an ocean, worried about the other’s well being and each facing unique challenges. Feeling betrayed and trapped, Saga is stuck on a foreign island while desperately wishing to find and help her sister. Eisa is deprived of her galdur, battling the consequences of a bargain that saved her life, while attempting to navigate court politics in order to unite those who stand against Ivar’s oppression. I love the way Demi incorporates a mental health rep and shows growth through the struggles of each sister as they show potential to become actual leaders. Saga grapples with agoraphobia in a manner that is real, raw, sometimes moving forward, sometimes taking two steps back. There is no attempt to fix her, just an acknowledgment of the difficulty in navigating her fears, especially in a place where she feels completely alone. Despite his overbearing protectiveness, Kassandr displays patience and compassion with every limit she sets. His humor, flirtation, his veiled vulnerability, are charmingly supportive even when he sets limits for her safety. The slow burn between these two might possible kill me. Eisa’s battle against the dangers of her own mind while having her magic locked away is chillingly genuine. The struggle between hiding weakness and attempting to be an honest leader is explored in a way that shows how different she would be than the current oppressor in power. That ultimately her vulnerability also gives her strength because she is willing to seek help and acknowledge her struggles. All while being schooled in the appearance leadership while not actually being one. And Rey. Devotion and steadiness personified. Their grumpy sunshine dynamic is still perfection. More characters than I can name without making this long, but still love (aside from an obvious few), continue to be pivotal. Hekla, I’m looking at you. The battles, the drama, the multiple points of view kept me so occupied I rarely tried to predict outcomes. Ultimately we see that it is unity and teamwork, a commitment to being open rather than invincible, is what makes the sisters great as leaders. All I can say is that I love where the series has landed, and I can’t wait to see where it’s going. 5⭐️’s without question ["

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February 3, 2026 Verified Purchase

Casey Severin

Non stop action

"This book was amazing! I can’t believe how much happened and how captured I was! There was non stop action and the romance was also just as amazing. I cannot wait to read book 4! ["

April 22, 2026 Verified Purchase

Alyssa M.

5/5

"I absolutely loved this book. It takes everything I enjoyed from the first two installments and elevates it. The stakes feel higher, the emotions run deeper, and the character development is some of the strongest in the series so far. Saga’s journey especially stood out to me. Watching her refuse to break, even under impossible pressure, and seeing her push through to the end with that mix of grit and vulnerability was incredibly moving. The plot twists in this one hit hard. There were several moments where I had to sit with what just happened because the turns were that intense. The ending is gut-wrenching in a way that only Demi Winters seems to pull off—painful, but meaningful, and it leaves you desperate for more. The romance continues to shine. Silla and Rey’s bond grows with such care and quiet intimacy that it’s impossible not to root for them. I also loved how the found family element expands here. Silla steps into a bigger role, and what builds around her feels earned and deeply emotional. Helka’s storyline, especially after Roots of Darkness, blends in seamlessly and adds even more richness to the world. This installment is everything I want in a fantasy romance: emotional, harsh, magical, and full of heart. It’s a must read for fans of the series and a reminder of why Demi Winters is becoming a standout name in the genre. ["

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May 14, 2026 Verified Purchase

Clarissa Pham

This book is god tier.

"Dawn of the North is a brilliant work of fantasy that is not to be missed. It's an epic addition to Demi Winters' The Ashen series that will leave you breathless. From the first page to the last I was absolutely gripped by this enthralling work. In this thrilling installment, Silla tries to rouse support for the Volsiks while in the clutches of Myrkur, the god of chaos. The Blood Axe crew continues their battle against the mist with Hekla continuing to take the reins of a leadership role. Signe learns to adjust to her new prison in a foreign land. In this novel the real star is the character development. You see truly tremendous and astounding character growth with Saga as she learns to not only cope with her fears but conquer them. Silla also sees a wealth of character development as she struggles to see herself as a leader, while battling her darker urges under Myrkur's influence. The romance offers a nice break from breathtaking action set pieces and intense political intrigue. Sillas relationship with Rey offers spice, while Saga's with Kassandr features that intense, slow burn I always crave. Various relationships grow, develop, and change in a way we don't usually see in romantasy. It was nice to see an established relationship like the one between Rey and Silla, continue past the initial infatuation stage. That's not often seen in romantasy novels that largely focus on the initial stages of a relationship. This book is a pulse-pounding epic that is a true work of art with an ending that will keep you hooked and ready for the next installment. If you like fantasy at all The Ashen is a must-read series, not just one for romantasy lovers. It is truly epic. Every book improves on the last and this is no exception. Dawn of the North is the best book yet in this explosive series. ["

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March 10, 2026 Verified Purchase

Mills

slow but satisfying

"The pacing seemed slow. One of those books that is very long, but doesn’t seem to want to do any of the real story-telling and plot progression until the second half. At first, I was not very invested in Saga’s pov, but it got more interesting in the second half. Rey and Silla were a bit of a let down in this installment. He just seems so tame and less cranky now. I get that he’s kind to her, but it’s hilarious when he’s cranky at other people. What I am really happy about is to finally have read a book that concluded conflicts without dragging them out forever over several books. Book two set up this conflict at the end, and this book dealt with it. The end of this sets up a new conflict and I’m excited to see how the characters work together to handle. I’m not sure where Jonas’ story is going, but I am sure that I hate him. Although, it would be really impressive if there could be a redemption arc for him. Overall, yes, the pacing wasn’t ideal, but I do enjoy these characters and there is lots to celebrate within this book. ["

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March 8, 2026 Verified Purchase