ARC Review--Spark of Ash by Molly E. Lee

 

The Seven―the Divine beings meant to protect the world―just declared war. On me. They took Ray, my baby sister, and now they’re using my boyfriend to do their dirty work.

Well, screw that.

I may not be able to wipe them off the face of the earth now, but I know what can.

Thanks to an Ather connection, I know about the Seven Scrolls. An ancient incantation made by the Creator to counteract the Seven’s great power, scattered into pieces across the world.

With the help of my new crew, we’re on the hunt. And with each located scroll, I face new battles, bloodier and harder than I’ve ever known before. But now the stakes are even higher, because Ray has always been my bright light in the darkness, and Draven is my hope when all seems lost, and if I don’t get them back?

Well, then I might just become the scariest legend the world has ever known.

 

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

 

Molly E. Lee brings us an exciting conclusion to the Ember in the Night trilogy with Spark of Ash. In this epic quest, Harley will have to work without Draven on her side as his mind has been taken by Aphian and the rest of the Seven, making them public enemy #1 as Harley will do anything to save the people she loves.

When word gets to Harley that her sister has been kidnapped and Draven was the one to do it, she learns that Aphian has taken control of Draven’s mind and wiped his memories, making him the perfect killing machine. He tells Harley that if she retrieves all seven scrolls than he’ll free them. She has a handful of days to transverse her world and the Ather to find these scrolls and it’s not going to be easy, luckily she’s got friends on her side who are willing do anything to save their friends and the world at large.

What came as a surprise in this book was to get more than one chapter’s worth of Draven’s point of view. While the story is still largely told from Harley’s point of view, we get a little more into Draven’s perspective this time around. Of course, for most of this, he’s under Aphian’s control, so it’s almost like being in the head of the enemy. Except Ray is there with him, trying to bring about the real Draven once more.

Meanwhile, Harley, Cassian, Wallace, Ryder, and Harley’s biological father, Rainier are trying to find all seven of the scrolls, but not to hand over to Aphian as demanded, instead, Harley plans to use them herself to become powerful. She’s definitely growing into her powers in this book folks. The Harley of the first book is gone and in its place is a more confident young woman, who is willing to do anything and everything to rescue the ones she loves. She still has a lot to learn and mistakes will be made, and there will be more trials to overcome before the day is through.

Every now and then in the story, we caught whispers of a traitor being among Harley and her group, that someone close to her is giving all their secrets to Aphian who remains one step ahead of them. I began trying to figure out who it could be. Needless to say, my first instincts were right about the whodunit in this one. My final guess was way off course, but I was actually insanely glad for it, because my guess would’ve led to heartbreak!

Speaking of which, this book was not without that too! I won’t get into the details, but yes, tears were had in the finale of this one! Sad tears, and happy tears too. There was also still a bit of romance as Harley and Draven don’t stay separated for long. It’s for a good amount of time, I will say that, but when these two finally share page time once more, it’s explosive and that’s all I’ll say on that matter!

The ending itself was pretty epic! I mean you always expect something like that from a series finale and Lee does not disappoint with this one! I will say, one aspect of the epilogue had me rolling my eyes a little bit. It just seemed a little over the top, but yet as I write this and reflect back on, it was very practical too. I guess it was just a little too much at the time, because I could definitely see myself wondering how things would’ve happened in that area had the epilogue not included it. Again, I’m being vague for spoiler reasons, even if it may not be 100% spoilery. Better vague than over the top, am I right? Lol.

The Ember in the Night trilogy was an absolute delight! I feel like the demon side of paranormal is not often explored enough! Lee took this topic and blew it clear out of the water! She has a unique take on demon lore and I quite enjoyed her story arc overall in this series! It’s not one to be missed by fans of the paranormal, as there’s a great deal of action, intensity, romance, humor, and overcoming the odds! Harley is a heroine worth rooting for; she started as the underdog, overcame incredible odds and still came fighting back for more! I loved this girl! I cannot wait to see what other paranormal stories Lee will write next as I will continue to keep coming back for more if she does!

 

Overall Rating 5/5 stars

 

Spark of Ash releases May 24, 2022