Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Violence, Graphic violence, Death, Death of a parent, Attempted sexual assault, Murder, Trauma, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Betrayal, Manipulation, Grief
Alchemy & Ashes
by Amy Yorke
Book 1 in The Shadowbound Duet
Two sisters, one throne, and a god-king who keeps complicating the murder plan. Indie romantasy debut energy with the kind of chemistry that ruins your sleep schedule.
goodreads 4.16/5 563 ratings
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length494 pages
Series statusOngoing series
Spice3/5 · Passionate / intense
PacingMedium
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Enemies to lovers
- Male/female pairing (M/F)
- Slow burn
- Medium
- Passionate / intense
- The swoon
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- King / ruling monarch
- Forbidden love
- Slow burn with late spice
- Tension finally satisfied
- Morally gray
- Morally gray love interest (LI)
- Emotional / vulnerable intimacy
- The angst delivered
- Dark/tortured soul
- Morally gray x morally gray
- Tension / anticipation
- Addictive read
- Secretly soft
- Love/hate tension
- Possessive / claiming
- Book hangover incoming
- God/deity
- Betrayal to trust
- Longing glances
- Tension
- Anticipation
- Wall pinning
- Possessive/protective
- Possessive
- Marking
- Claiming
- Power exchange
Fantasy promise
- Romantasy
- Royal court / palace
- High fantasy
- Gods/deities
- Castle / fortress
- Humans only
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- Forced proximity
- Secret heir/royalty
Reading experience
- Dual POV
- Dark
- Immersive
- Heavy
- High
- Vengeful / revenge-driven
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- MC 20-30
- Intense
- Atmospheric
- Angsty
- Fallen noble / disgraced heir
- Yearning
- Emotional
- Rebel leader / revolutionary
- Epic
- Lush
- Dangerous
- Revenge arc
- Forbidden desire
- War-torn kingdom
- Political intrigue
- Bargain with consequences
- Betrayal and forgiveness
- Page turner
- Addictive pacing
- Cliffhanger warning
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Similar in ways that matter
Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.
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Similar because
Forbidden love · Betrayal to trust · King / ruling monarch
Different because
Spice is higher (5/5 vs 3/5).
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Different because
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Similar because
Betrayal to trust · King / ruling monarch · Fallen noble / disgraced heir
Different because
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Book details
- Length
- 494 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book