Dawn of the North - Demi Winters (The Ashen Series #3)

     Title: Dawn of The North    Series: The Ashen Series #3    Author: Demi Winters

   Genre: Fantasy/Romance    Page Count: 608    Audiobook: No

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SPOILER FREE - ARC REVIEW & RECOMMENDATION! Expected to Publish: 02/03/26

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    Brief Synopsis: This 6-perspective sequel to Kingdom of Claw and Roots of Darkness follows Silla, Rey, Saga, Kass, the Bloodaxe Crew, and a bombshell external individual as they navigate the origin of the mist and earning the allegiance of northern nobles to defy Ivar Ironheart. 

    My Impression: The Dawn of the North is the most action packed of the books-- I was enthralled by each event that took place, no matter whose perspective. We were granted multiple perspectives for events, without being confusing, which consumed me as a reader. I only came up for air when forced; I was in love with the direction the plot has organically taken over the last 2.5 books. This being the longest book gave the author many opportunities for problems and solutions to take place without being overtly rushed-- I felt the pacing was excellent. Plotlines that have been ongoing did not feel stagnant; in fact, it felt like a more realistic timeline for fantastical endeavors. There are certain tropes I personally steer clear of and I deflated a little seeing them begin; but Demi Winters did a beautiful job of inserting those scenarios and wrapping them up so neatly that I was enjoying them... I mean, whose book characters *actually* & *effectively*communicate with each other? Demi Winter's do and that is what we love that about them.

The bonus plot that us readers were gifted had me sitting at attention with every chapter that focused on it... I was even rereading those chapters, enjoying the depth of the main character. I enjoyed that our favorite attack squirrel loves to give relationship advice (all of it was worth notating). The creatures get more eerie, the battles are savage, characters become stronger, and the romance is feral. 

    Conclusion: 10/10 recommend Dawn of the North to anyone who even remotely liked The Road of Bones or likes Nordic style fantasies. The series' momentum has become so powerful, I was grateful to be given the opportunity to read this ARC and the book exceeded all expectations. After reading the uncorrected copy, I have hopes there are minimal to no changes at all to the plotline. The book was everything The Ashen series needed; I thank the publisher for the chance to read it early!

                All The Best,

                                 Hannah