The Road of Bones Review
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️
What is The Ashen Series?
The Ashen Series is author Demi Winters’ debut series. Originally indie published, this author debut was picked up by a traditional publisher and is in the process of being rereleased. This is a planned 5 book series with the first two books already available. Books that are currently available for the series are The Road of Bones and Kingdom of Claw. Plus there is a bonus chapter from the POV our favorite grumpy male main character available through the author’s news letter.
It is important to remember this is a dark, romantic fantasy intended for adults. As such, it touches on topics that may be sensitive or too graphic for some readers. The author has provided a list of trigger warnings that can be reviewed before reading.
The Road of Bones Summary
The Road of Bones is a dark-romantic fantasy based highly on Nors mythology and culture. Set in the country of Iseldur where a usurper has taken the throne, outlawed magic and the old religions, we follow the story of Silla Nordvig. Silla has been forced to live a life on the run with her father. For reasons, not yet known to the readers, Silla and her father have been forced to live a life constantly fleeing the king’s warband, the Klaernar. When word reaches her father of a safe house available to them in the far north city of Kopa, they leave immediately. But they are attacked by men sent to retrieve Silla for the queen. Silla’s father is killed and Silla must face the long journey alone. After a perilous journey to the next city, Silla jumps into the wagon of the notorious Blood Axe Crew. She must now convince them of her worth, so that they will deliver her safely to Kopa as they travel the infamous Road of Bones.
What did I like about the book?
As the first book in a five part series, The Road of Bones is a little slow. There is a lot of world-building and character development in this story. There are not yet a lot of fantasy elements to be found, but they are definitely being set up to be explored in further books. There is a lot of mystery about the kingdom, Silla’s past, and the Blood Axe Crew leader, Rey.
I particularly like Silla’s character. Usually in this genre there is a sassy, very confident and capable female main character. However, Silla’s character starts out as more of a damsel in distress that is learning to take care of herself. She knows she needs help and is becomes stronger and more confident throughout the story. Which I found refreshing.
What did I not like?
**** spoilers about the romance
The romance in this story seems like it is set up to be a love triangle (which is not my favorite trope) between Silla, Jonas, and Rey. There wasn’t much of a love triangle to be seen other than Silla rushing into a relationship with Jonas and Jonas being jealous of her interactions with Rey (and everyone else). Personally I would have liked to see a lot more of Rey’s and Silla’s interactions than Silla’s and Jonas’ interactions as I thought they had a lot more chemistry. But there’s always book 2!
Tropes you’ll love?
Grumpy – sunshine
Forced proximity
Reluctant allies
Found family
Mysterious past
Reluctant hero
One Horse
