A Spoiler-Free Guide Ahead of Dawn of the North (Book 3)
Just when you think Viking-inspired romantasy has had its moment, The Ashen Series pulls you right back in. This series stands apart with its brutal worldbuilding, emotionally layered characters, and slow-burn romances forged under pressure.
With the third installment, Dawn of the North, releasing February 3, now is the perfect time to start or catch up on Demi Winters’ sweeping fantasy series set in the harsh kingdom of Íseldur.
I’ve read the entire series, including an early copy of Dawn of the North. This spoiler-free guide is written with first-time readers in mind, breaking down the series in reading order, what each book delivers, and why Dawn of the North cements The Ashen Series as a standout in adult romantasy.
Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance / Romantasy
Setting: Viking-inspired epic fantasy
Formats Read: Book, Audiobook, and Digital ARC
⭐ Quick Take
If you love Viking-inspired fantasy, slow-burn romance, found family, and morally complicated magic, The Ashen Series deserves a spot at the top of your TBR. With each installment, Demi Winters deepens the world, sharpens the emotional stakes, and raises the bar for romantasy and Dawn of the North is the strongest book yet.
This is a series that doesn’t just escalate.
It evolves.
What The Ashen Series Is About (Spoiler-Free)
At its heart, The Ashen Series is about power, identity, sisterhood, and survival in a brutal, myth-soaked world where magic is feared, queens are ruthless, and loyalty is hard-won.
The story follows sisters Silla and Saga Volsik, whose lives are torn apart by political betrayal, ancient magic, and forces that want to control—or destroy—them. As war brews across the Kingdom of Íseldur, both women are forced to step into destinies they never asked for.
Expect:
- Harsh landscapes and harsher choices
- Slow-burn romances forged under pressure
- Found family that actually earns the name
- Magic that comes with a cost
Book 1: The Road of Bones
A woman on the run. A crew of Viking mercenaries. A forbidden romance.
Silla Nordvig is running for her life after her father’s death sets her on a perilous journey along the infamous Road of Bones—a thousand-mile stretch haunted by monsters, warbands, and a relentless assassin sent by the Queen of Íseldur.
Desperate to survive, Silla hides among the notorious Bloodaxe Crew, led by the brooding Axe Eyes and his dangerously charming second-in-command, the Wolf. As danger closes in, alliances form, trust is tested, and secrets begin to surface.
Why readers love it:
- Nonstop action and tension
- A gripping enemies-to-lovers slow burn
- Found family vibes that hit hard
- A world that feels brutal, lived-in, and real
- Incredible audiobook narration
This book grabs you immediately and does not let go.
Book 2: Kingdom of Claw
Survival was only the beginning.
In the aftermath of the Road of Bones, Silla’s hopes for a quiet life are shattered. Forced into hiding with Reynir Galtung the ruthless leader of the Bloodaxe Crew she must confront not only external threats, but the dangerous magic awakening inside her.
At the same time, Saga Volsik steps fully into her own arc. Betrayed, imprisoned, and facing an unwanted political marriage, she begins dismantling Queen Signe’s plans from within while navigating a connection that is anything but simple.
What Book 2 does best:
- Deepens the magic system and political intrigue
- Explores trauma, guilt, and inner conflict
- Raises emotional stakes across multiple POVs
- Sets the stage for true, irreversible change
This is where the series really starts to flex its muscles.
Standalone: Roots of Darkness
A standalone story with major series impact.
Following the events of Kingdom of Claw, this novella centers on Hekla “Rib Smasher” and the remnants of the Bloodaxe Crew as they battle a sentient, poisonous mist threatening an entire village.
It’s action-packed, emotionally grounded, and adds crucial context before Book 3 especially for readers invested in the Bloodaxe Crew as more than just supporting characters.
You don't have to read it but I highly recommend that you do before continuing the series.
Book 3: Dawn of the North (Out February 3)
A new age begins in Íseldur.
With the lost Volsik heir returned, Silla faces her greatest challenge yet: uniting the northern jarls and overthrowing Ivar Ironheart all while guarding a terrifying secret.
A shard of a god lives in her mind.
Meanwhile, Saga is imprisoned on the Isle of Zagadka, forced to make impossible choices that could doom or save the entire kingdom.
Why Dawn of the North stands out:
- Six expertly woven POVs
- Jaw-dropping battle scenes
- Massive emotional payoffs
- Rich lore and mythological depth
- Romance arcs that feel earned and devastating
This book doesn’t just raise the stakes it delivers on everything the series has been building toward.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Start the Series
- Book 3 releases February 3
- The series rewards binge-reading
- Early mysteries pay off in satisfying ways
- Each installment improves on the last
If you’ve been waiting for a romantasy series that balances plot, character, romance, and world-building, this is it.
Who Should Read The Ashen Series
Perfect for readers who love:
- Viking-inspired fantasy
- Romantasy with depth
- Found family dynamics
- Sisters at the center of epic stories
- Magic with consequences
- Slow-burn, high-tension romance
Final Thoughts
Demi Winters has done something rare with The Ashen Series: she’s built a world that gets richer, darker, and more emotionally complex with every book. Dawn of the North cements the series as a standout in adult romantasy. One that rewards patience, emotional investment, and readers who love seeing long arcs pay off.
If you haven’t started yet, now is the time.
If you’re already reading it… you know.
Where to Start
- The Road of Bones — Book 1
- Kingdom of Claw — Book 2
- Roots of Darkness — Novella
- Dawn of the North — Book 3 (Feb 3)
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