Book Review - A Realm of Shadow and Ash by Lara Buckheit

A Realm of Shadow and Ash by Lara Buckheit

This is my first time reading and reviewing an unreleased book. This book's release date is just a few weeks away on April 11, 2023, and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy romance novels. Valeria, the main character, is a badass Empyrean princess who was exiled to the mortal realm at a young age and is set to return after her 18th birthday. When she returns to the Empyrean realm she finds that her father has allowed it to become corrupted. Throughout the novel, Valeria’s commentary is relatable and witty. Lara Buckheit’s world-building was really nice. Often when starting a fantasy book, it’s easy for readers to get confused since we’re being introduced to another world, but this wasn’t the case for this book at all. From the beginning, I was easily able to understand the world Valeria lives in and her situation. Although this is classified as a YA or NA novel the beginning felt very teen-oriented because it started off with Valeria in high school. As the story progressed the book did start to feel a little more adult as there were some spicy scenes that aren't necessarily as appropriate for a younger audience. I loved this book and the love triangle. For a debut novel, this is an incredible work and I’m excited to see what Lara Buckheit will have to write in the future.