Queen B’s Decree: Forgotten Ashes has this nostalgic feel for me. Shifters, magical mystery, and a cliffhanger that leaves me wanting more. It’s like the author can read my mind and know all my favorite things (spoiler alert: she can).
Briar is such a strong FMC. She’s harboring a secret, one that could be the death of her (and her friends) so she’s understandably uptight. For those of you new to shifter romance, there’s usually a hierarchy of power. Briar is pretty close to the top (you go girl!) but discovers a usurper in her place when she enters the Iolite Academy. Basically what ensues is a power struggle, including one between her and her crush, the alpha, Grayson.
Full of witty banter, will they/won’t they angst, and moments you want to punch a certain wolf in the face, you can’t help but turn the pages for more. The variable cast of characters will hook you with the found family trope and the mystery will keep you up reading—just one more chapter.
I was an alpha reader on this story and even I was shocked by the twist at the end (do I actually know anything???). It really made me rethink the whole book and want to start all over again. A great debut from this new author and I’m all set and ready for book two.
Book: Forgotten Ashes by Kathryn Covens
Series: The Iolite Academy #1
Genre: Paranormal/Shifters
Hotness: no salsa
Plot Devices/Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, no spice