She rides a fireborn, a steed of fire and ash, trained for destruction.

Ceridwen tal Desmond dreams of ruling like her father over the nation of Soldonia, where warriors ride to battle on magical steeds—soaring on storm winds, vanishing in shadow, quaking the earth, and summoning the sea. After a tragic accident claims her twin brother, she is exiled and sworn to atonement by spending her life—or death—for her people.

But when invaders spill onto Soldonia’s shores and traitors seize upon the chaos to murder her father, Ceridwen claims the crown to keep the nation from splintering. Combatting overwhelming odds and looming civil war, she begins to wonder if the greatest threat to the kingdom may, in fact, be her.

With fire before her and ash in her wake, how can she hope to unite instead of destroy?

Book 1 of The Fireborn Epic series.

In Gillian Bronte Adams’s sprawling nation of Soldonia, banished king’s daughter Ceridwen patrols the land on a horse with special talent. This beast can blast Of Fire and Ash’s titular elements. Other horses can harness powers such as shadow, water, and storm. But then, blazes, smoldering tensions ignite when hostile armies assault her land. Ceridwen’s repeated volatile actions and battle crescendos may threaten to overrun this kingdom. Yet the Fireborn Epic’s first book also benefits from two side trails, following young runaway Rafi as well as enslaved scholar Jakim, who serves the one God, Aodh. His faith, plus glimpses of Soldonian culture beyond the battlefields, can help readers ride far into this world of elemental equestrians.

Best for: Fans of horses and epic fantasy scenes, who don’t mind tracking wide impressions from large casts of characters.

Discern: Frequent battle damage of moderate description, including lost blood and limbs as well as one significant and tragic beheading; male and female riders share war powers; a few fantasy-vulgarities, usually relating to combustion.