Embers of Miska

Where the Flame dims, the Shadow rises.

In the vibrant city of Miska, the Summer Solstice is a day of celebration—a time of music, trade, and the long-awaited selection ceremony for the Order of the Flame, an ancient priesthood bound to the city's protective fire spirit.

When Yma, a potter's daughter from the city's lowest terrace, finds herself unexpectedly drawn into the order's secret world, her life changes forever. What begins as the fulfillment of her oldest dream, becomes a dangerous tangle of half-truths, forbidden questions, and powers she was never meant to touch.

For lovers of complex characters, defiant female protaganists, magic that comes at a cost, secret orders, mystery, and 'stare-at-the-wall' endings.

This book is Jonas Dael's debut novel—a YA fantasy which covers mature and emotional themes (no spice, low romance), blending dark academia with classic quest fantasy. If you enjoy Robin Hobb, but with a faster plot, or are looking for a standalone novel instead of long series, this is a book to pick up. Advised reading age is 13+