Reviewed by Anna Lynn
TITLE: Embers
SERIES: Scales ‘N’ Spells #5
AUTHOR: Jocelynn Drake, AJ Sherwood
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 414 Pages
RELEASE DATE: September 10, 2021
BLURB:
Once upon a time, there was a stunningly gorgeous mage named Nikki.
They were trapped by evil, horrible Jaeggi mages for ten long years until they were rescued by the brave dragon named Gunter.
The grumpy red knight swept in, carrying them off to a fair castle, where they lived happily ever after.
That’s how the story’s supposed to go, anyway. Nikki would really like to have that fairytale ending, please and thank you.
It’s too bad Gunter is oblivious and the Jaeggi are interfering. Nikki may just have to cook up some explosions to help both situations along, because they’re determined to get their happily ever after.
Is there a magic how-to guide on things that go boom?
REVIEW:
A book that I have been waiting for! Gunter’s own HEA! But as any tale of a TRUE LOVE STORY, it didn’t come easy! Let’s begin!
I enthused upon reading Ravi and Sora’s love story in book 4, Blood! It was a great back story for Ravi and how Sora came into his life was the sort of coincidence that could only happen to Ravi. But in the back of my mind, I have always wondered how Gunter’s own love story will unfold. He has this mysteriousness in his personality that would draw you to him even if he is grumpy. Even Ravi could not help himself when it comes to luring Gunter out of his dungeon, oops, sorry, library!
This is a direct/immediate continuation of book 4 in which we found ourselves shocked and recovering, thanking the Dragon Gods for keeping Ravi safe while he was being held by the Jaeggi, And just any like anything that Ravi does, he befriended a young Mage by the name of Nikki. In fact Nikki had a big hand in the event that unfolded during the supposed rescue operation that the Burkhard Clan, together with the Ice Dragon Clan and their respective Mages. Nikki was swept away by Gunter after Ravi gave them to Gunter to keep safe. Gunter immediately brought Nikki to a safe part of the compound where chaos erupted. When it was time for them to go back to the castle, Nikki wouldn’t leave his side. Upon arriving at the castle and even though they were given their own apartment for accommodation, Gunter would find them sneaking into his bed at night and quietly leave in the early morning. Nikki would then stay with him in his library the whole day, slowly converting one part of the library as his own nook.
Nikki’s life for the past ten years (or so) has been pure torture, what with being held captive by the Jaeggi clan. Many Mages were kidnapped by the clan so that their core can be used for their magic spells. As repercussions of the Dragon War continue to exist, the Jaeggi clan simply would not give up disrupting what has now become a “kind-of” peaceful existence of the remaining Dragon clans with their few Mages. As Nikki slowly let their guard down seeing that the Burkhard Clan really meant them no harm, they also start imagining a life where they can be free and truly have an option of what he wants it to become. If only Gunter wasn’t so oblivious, that is!
As they continue their fight against the Jaeggi, the Dragon Kings now in Burkhard Castle can’t help but be pressed for time to make any headway into finding where they are and finally ending their existence. Trackers have been brought in and with Nikki’s information about how the clan generally operates, they might finally be able to end this once and for all!
I love, love, the fact that Gunter has finally found his mate! I love that Nikki finally found the freedom that has been denied him for too long. I love that he found this amazing, huge family who accepts him for who he is and doesn’t expect anything from him in return. Gunter and Nikki deserve their happily ever after!
Ms. Jocelynn Drake, Ms. AJ Sherwood, what can I truly say? This book is amazingly beautiful! I love all the characters you have both created. I love their diversity and I love the utmost care put into every tale. Congratulations!
RATING: 
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