The Road of Bones: The Ashen Series, Book One

In this epic and immersive Viking-inspired romantic fantasy, a woman fleeing a ruthless assassin accidentally joins forces with a  group of mercenaries and must use all her cunning to escape with her life—and heart—intact.

Silla Nordvig is running for her life.

The Queen of Íseldur has sent warriors to bring Silla to Sunnavík, where death awaits her. When her father is killed, his last words set Silla on a perilous quest: travel the treacherous Road of Bones—a thousand-mile stretch haunted by warbands, creatures of darkness, and a mysterious murderer—and go to Kopa, where a shield-house awaits her.

After barely surviving the first stretch of road, a desperate Silla sneaks into a supply wagon belonging to the notorious Bloodaxe Crew. To make it to Kopa, she must win over Axe Eyes, the brooding leader of the Crew, while avoiding the Wolf, his distractingly handsome right-hand man. All the while, the queen's ruthless assassin hunts Silla obsessively.

Will Silla make it safely to Kopa? Or will she fall prey to the perils of the Road of Bones?

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Published Nov 5, 2024

548 pages

Average rating: 7.81

74 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

ljzsreadsandreviews
Sep 01, 2025
10/10 stars
WOW! If you are a fan of fantasy and/or romantasies and have not read this one yet, you absolutely need to; and if you are at all into audiobooks, I HIGHLY recommend that format. The narration by Islay Jacobs is one of the best things I’ve ever experienced. I felt so immersed in this world among these characters that I actually slowed down my listening speed to avoid rushing the beauty of the audio. Listening experience aside, I have found a new fantasy world to get obsessed with. I loved how not everything was told to us right away so we are being left breadcrumbs and bits of information as we go to allow us to be surprised when we start to put things together. I didn’t love every character or every detail we get but overall I have loved where this story is going and I’m obsessed with this book. So much so, I actually already purchased a physical copy of this...
Momma Ruiz
Jul 12, 2025
Another absolute five star read can’t wait for the third book to come out next March 2026
Finch
Apr 10, 2025
8/10 stars
It started fast, got a bit slow and then ended truly fast paced and exciting. It's clearly the start of a series but it doesn't feel "unfinished". The book could leave off there and it would still feel like a complete story. I liked it. Very excited for the next book! I also liked that the main character didn't suddenly become this super badass, despite getting stronger. That was nice!
brueckta
Nov 14, 2024
9/10 stars
So, so good! Didn’t want this story to end and can’t wait for the next book to be released! This has to be the best Viking Fantasy that I have read so far, a must read.

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