Series: The kerafin Chronicles #2 on April 9, 2025
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A deadly tournament. A horrendous secret. An unjust war–and two girls with the power to end it.
Weeks have passed since their heroic rescue of the Barkurian royal family, but for Katiel Salzbruck and Brenna Malley, the danger is far from over.
Seeking revenge after his betrayal, Katiel tracks down Anton, who shares a shocking revelation that could change everything. He knows the mastermind behind the war and plans to stop him by earning the Drezchy throne in a deadly tournament known as the Conclave—but he needs Katiel to serve as his Court Wielder to win.
On the Continent, Brenna’s frustration grows as the newly minted queen refuses to take steps to end the war. When negotiations finally begin and Dakier is stationed at the castle as a translator, Brenna believes things are looking up. But Dakier holds a horrendous secret, one that threatens their budding romance and the world as Brenna knows it.
Despite an ocean separating them, Katiel and Brenna will ultimately face the same test—the battle between their hearts and minds as they fight to restore peace to their world.
Review:
Dawn and Dust is the sequel to the outstanding tale Ink and Ore by indie author Hayley Whiteley. What stands out most for me in this story is the magic system, the use of ore as a way to create and build things. Katie and Brenna’s friendship spans any distance or situation, making for strong characters. The compelling male characters Anton and Dakier make for some swoony romance but also show how men can support the women in their lives and not take over and fix everything. The world-building by the author makes for an excellent opportunity to explore the world as our characters try to stop the false and ongoing wars. The showdown with the main evil character at the end is nail-biting and sets us up nicely for the third book in this series. Dawn and Dust is everything a reader is looking for when it comes to unique, outstanding fantasy read, friendship, courage, intrigue, heartbreak, and the unique ways that ore is used. Eager for the next book.
About Hayley Whiteley
Hello! I’m Hayley, an indie fantasy author currently in the midst of writing and publishing my debut series, The Kerafin Chronicles.
As a lifelong reader, I always dreamed of creating the type of stories that inspired me as a child – whimsical, hopeful tales like The Chronicles of Narnia, Heidi, and Little House on the Prairie. After receiving my Mechanical Engineering degree from Auburn University (War Eagle!), I worked for a few years in the military defense industry before deciding I wasn’t ready to give up on my writing dreams. I then revamped Brenna and Katiel’s story (one of my many, many scrapped projects) and started from scratch on a new draft, which eventually became Ink and Ore!
Outside of reading and writing, I love baking, photography, spending time with my family, and doing nearly any activity outdoors, especially if it involves a beach. Though I’m from Alabama originally, I now live in Florida with my loving husband, Nick, my adorable baby son, Hollis, and my sweet calico cat, Maui.
Glad to hear t his one lived up to the first book and made you eager for the next one! Great review!