"Ember Eternal" by Chloe Neill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I read a lot of romantasy, and Ember Eternal by Chloe Neill might just be one of the best. I couldn’t stop reading and fell in love with the protagonists from the very first page. A thief, a prince, and a bodyguard meet in the market—sounds like the start of a joke, right?? But it’s anything but. This is a beautifully crafted story, full of magic, humor, and adventure.

Fox is a 20-year-old thief with morals. Like Robin Hood, she only steals from those who can afford it. She can see ghosts and tries to stay under the radar, as being unnoticed helps her stay alive. She lives in the stronghold of Westergate in Carethia (the country is divided into four sections), and she and her best friend Wren are indentured servants to an unscrupulous wealthy woman who forces them to do odd jobs—even steal—to pay off their debts.

An assassination attempt in the market on the newly arriving prince forces her hand and violates her rule to stay under the radar. She is thrust into a world of palace intrigue, magic, and romance. Together with her friends Wren and Luna—a spirit guardian—and allies Nik and Galen, they have to prevent assassination attempts and betrayal and stop the evildoer who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

I enjoyed this book very much. It’s a highly entertaining fantasy filled with rich world-building, vivid and original characters, and a unique magical setting. The history of the world is fascinating: there are three realms—Terra, the world of mortals; Aetheric, the world of spirits/anima; and Oblivion, the place of final death. And there are Gods. With themes of loss, loyalty, friendship, hope, trust, love, found family, bravery, and following one's beliefs, the author has scripted a tale that I loved to read.

I loved the courage, determination, and morals of Fox, the way she cared for others and wanted to improve their lot. She is caught between her dreams of freedom and love and has to make the right choice for herself. I adored the loyalty of Wren and Galen, the prince's values and his willingness to improve the lives of his people and be a better ruler than his predecessors or his father, the relationships and interactions of the characters, the writing, and the twists. In fact, I loved everything about this book!

There are a few F words. As the story is set in a sort of Middle Ages–style world, the curses felt a bit out of place. Also, the identity of the prince was kept secret at the beginning, but in a couple of places he was called "the prince" instead of his assumed name, even though his identity hadn’t yet been revealed. But those are just small wrinkles that can easily be ironed out.

While the romance takes a backseat to the plot, the charm and wit of this story make every moment a delight. Oh, and there are a couple of steamy scenes. This is the first book in what promises to be a very exciting series. The author tied up most loose ends but left a few threads to continue in the next book. I can't wait to read it! Highly recommended for fans of fantasy, magic, slow-burn romance, scruples, and thieves with honor—and a heart of gold.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "Ember Eternal" by Chloe Neill