Smoke and Scar

An epic fantasy romance where enemies-to-lovers must brave the deadly trials of the Arcane Crucible, facing dark magic and impossible odds that could shape the fate of their world forever.

For centuries, humans and the magical races of Arcanis have been locked in conflict. The Arcane Crucible, a deadly trial held every twenty-five years, offers a glimmer of hope for peace—but at a steep cost.

Elyria Lightbreaker, once a celebrated fae war hero, has been living in the shadow of her past. After losing the man she loved to the previous Crucible, she has sworn to protect his sister from meeting the same end. To keep her promise, Elyria must find the strength to face the chaos she thought she left behind.

Cedric Thorne, hardened by grief and driven by vengeance, has devoted his life to conquering the Crucible on humanity’s behalf. To win, he’ll have to rely on the one person he despises most: Elyria, the fae warrior he blames for his parents’ deaths.

Thrown together by circumstance, Elyria and Cedric must endure brutal trials that test their strength, spirit, and power. Fragile alliances, shifting loyalties, and growing feelings between them threaten to tip the scales of fate.

Smoke and Scar is the gripping first installment in the Shattered Crown Trilogy, a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romantic fantasy filled with high stakes, dark magic, breathtaking world-building, and unforgettable characters. Perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, Throne of Glass, and Trial of the Sun Queen.

Will Elyria and Cedric survive the trials…or destroy each other along the way?

The male voice actor sounds like an animal plant narrator.

I cannot stand how the male voice actor narrates the story. He’s sound like he should be narrating an episode of Bear Grylls. It’s very high pitched, and the cadence that he speaks almost gives a creepy old dark story teller vibe. The female voice actor is very good tho.

The story is great, think ACOTAR meets Hunger Games. Super interesting political dynamic. Romance is alright, like I said the male voice actor really throws me off. Other than that’s I enjoyed it and I’m looking forward to the next book.

A favorite 2025 read!

Smoke & Scar is a great fantasy with romance subplot for anyone who is looking for a story with an older, strong FMC that flips the script on a lot of common romantasy tropes. Both narrators are fantastic and they do a good job bringing the characters to life to keep you engaged. Happy listening!

LOVE!!

I loved this book! The author did an amazing job and I can’t wait to read the second book!

Didn't hit for me

*2.5 rounded to 3* Had all the formula pieces of an interesting high fantasy. Execution for me felt like I was being told not shown the story and characters. It was an extremely underbaked story that had SO MUCH potential. Elyria was very surface level and flitted between what was said to be “deeply felt emotions”. I didn’t feel any of the burn of the slow burn or the tension. Hoping it hits more for readers or book2. I don’t think I will be continuing the series. The audiobook was good, I didn’t love the MMC’s voice for Sedrick but glad it was duet narration.

Slow burn fantasy. Done very well!

The betrayal at the end SHOOK ME.

I can’t wait for book 2. These narrator’s are amazing!