Embers in the Snow

Empire of Forbidden Magic, Book 1

By: Anna Carven

Narrated by: Shane East, Lucy Rivers

They're marrying me off to a monster.

I knew the day would come. I just didn't think it would be so soon.

I'm betrothed.

I'd always imagined my future husband would be some minor lord who'd value me only because I would bear him heirs.

I never thought Father would go to the capital and seek an audience with Emperor Valdon Duthriss himself. What unholy deal did he make that I, a mere baron's daughter, ended up betrothed to that man?

The son.

Corvan Duthriss.

War hero. Commander. Fallen.

They say the war in the Northlands changed him. Alongside his armies, he fought dark magic in the mountains. It transformed him. They say he's changed beyond recognition. That he refuses to show his face in the capital because he can no longer walk under the sun.

He's also the emperor's firstborn.

The once-heir to the Rahavan Empire.

And it's unheard of for a baron's daughter like me to marry into the powerful Duthriss family.

They're shipping me off before winter's end. To the cold, forbidding North. To the Cursed Archduke of Tyron.

I'll go. I have no choice. There's too much at stake.

I can only pray that Corvan Duthriss isn't as terrible as the rumors make him out to be.

©2023 Anna Carven (P)2024 Anna Carven

I honestly loved this

Idk why everyone is shitting on the narrators. I think they were amazing? Maybe I’m just biased bc I’ve heard so much worse. Anyway I absolutely loved the story. It’s way better than the synopsis even made it out to be.

A Gorgeously Written Romantasy

4.5 stars ⭐️ Embers in the Snow is a gorgeously written romantasy. Finley and Corvan were drawn to each other at their first meeting on the road when she was going to meet him unbeknownst to him. They are soulmates, perfectly balancing each other’s light and dark. Both are equally strong characters who need each other, but also can fight on their own. The romance is well paced with the plot. The characters are well developed, fallible but also powerful. Corvan is a possessive/protective vampire hero who isn’t an asshole. Finley is a strong character, but she didn’t start out that way. As the plot developed, so did Finley from a mortal girl to a powerful and empathetic woman. The story caught my attention quickly and kept it!

3 star read (meh)

Setup: Carven... uh... I mean Corvan Duthriss (H) archduke of Tyron, exiled son of the emperor, and recently made vampire, is checking lycan traps in the woods outside his castle when a woman roars up on a horse all frantic. Finley Salazar (h) tells him that she needs help. Her party was set upon by beasts and villains on their journey north. A journey to meet her betrothed. She doesn't realize she is speaking to her husband-to-be (or that he's a vamp). She is also a shock to him. Turns out Finley (a lowly Baron’s daughter) is a surprise/gift from the H’s meddling, power-mad father. Corvan immediately finds he cannot resist Finley’s scent or the taste of her blood, and takes a big bite outta her before even exchanging a “how do you do.” Magic, necromancy, abusive father drama, line of succession issues, undead armies, and evil half-brother drama ensues.

Honestly, I almost DNF’d this after the first sex scene, because it was a letdown. And regardless of plot, love and sex will always be the most important component of a romance book for me. Finley is the initiator, and after her itch was scratched she proceeded to police Corvan’s vampiric thirst. I REALLY wanted to read a raw, dangerous, lusty, story, not one about a middle management Karen trying to put her undead mate on a drinking schedule, a quantity limit, and restricted bite zones (on her body). Even worse, the vampire totally complied! 🙄 That’s rather beta behaviour. Note, despite her demands, the h isn’t strong either, just perpetually afraid. Oh goodie, a 15 plus hr book about TWO lame betas ☹️.

All 3 stars are for the world. It didn’t make me want to die. It was clearly described. Power dynamics were straightforward. The colour palettes, and natural/architectural details were sharp (and obviously of great importance to the author). Unfortunately, inner monologues and sappy declarations often stalled the action. Also, some of the modern phrases/details were a little jarring since the story feels medieval. It was also strange that the h never came into her own. Don’t expect Finley to wield her power, or fight, or show any kind of badassery. The damsel trope is in full effect from start to finish.

Great story line

Anna Carvan never disappoints, but I like the kordolian novels more than these fantasy novels.

Narrators ruined a good story

It would have been great with different narrators. The male narrator was awful, he sounded like he was trying to be a polite monster, and the female sounded like she was reading a book. If this is a series, please choose better narrators in the future.