| Fire dreamed of water, but the first sip would be its last. Gilde has spent her life isolated in the wild marshlands, a place too wet for the dragon to go. She’s safe there, according to her father. So why is he asking her to leave with him now that she has come of age? There is more to Gilde’s family than she knows, and debts need to be paid. Betrayed and shattered, she wakes in a crumbling mountain castle with the beast of her nightmares. Except this dragon speaks like a man and reads books. His kindness confuses her and opens a forgotten longing in her heart, all while Gilde plans her escape from a mountain full of secrets. This place can unveil her past and why she was sacrificed to the beast —truths that may put both their lives in danger if they can’t learn to trust each other. But how can Gilde ever trust again? Especially after she discovers what dragons truly are. Genre: YA Fantasy Release date: March 18, 2025 Click here to get your copy! |  |
My Review
What will she be willing to risk....
I fell in love with Rachelle Nelson's writing style when I read her debut novel. When I saw her name on the cover of Embergold I didn't even really read the blurb because I already knew I wanted to read it.
And it did not disappoint. Though, how could a story with dragons ever be a disappointment. With some Beauty And The Beast vibes Embergold kept me reading all afternoon and even while I was eating dinner.
Rachelle Nelson is one of those with the rare talent of being able to describe an entire location or even an event with just a few words. The simplicity of description is the beauty of it and you can completely visualize every aspect of what is going on on the page in front of you. I absolutely love it when an author can help your imagination soar rather than leading you in a single narrow vision.
Anyway, Embergold was a wonderful read. It has everything you want to see in a clean fantasy and even a few surprises along the way. It completely captivated me from the moments of humor to the darker ones of pain and heartbreak. The splash of romance is also nicely done and it is a part of the story rather than taking it over.
Whether you are an adult reader like me who just enjoys a good clean fantasy read or if you know a teen reader I would definitely recommend Embergold. Honestly, I'd recommend anything by Rachelle Nelson and as for myself I will be anxiously anticipating reading more from her...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Embergold by Rachelle Nelson a 5 Bark rating.
I fell in love with Rachelle Nelson's writing style when I read her debut novel. When I saw her name on the cover of Embergold I didn't even really read the blurb because I already knew I wanted to read it.
And it did not disappoint. Though, how could a story with dragons ever be a disappointment. With some Beauty And The Beast vibes Embergold kept me reading all afternoon and even while I was eating dinner.
Rachelle Nelson is one of those with the rare talent of being able to describe an entire location or even an event with just a few words. The simplicity of description is the beauty of it and you can completely visualize every aspect of what is going on on the page in front of you. I absolutely love it when an author can help your imagination soar rather than leading you in a single narrow vision.
Anyway, Embergold was a wonderful read. It has everything you want to see in a clean fantasy and even a few surprises along the way. It completely captivated me from the moments of humor to the darker ones of pain and heartbreak. The splash of romance is also nicely done and it is a part of the story rather than taking it over.
Whether you are an adult reader like me who just enjoys a good clean fantasy read or if you know a teen reader I would definitely recommend Embergold. Honestly, I'd recommend anything by Rachelle Nelson and as for myself I will be anxiously anticipating reading more from her...
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Embergold by Rachelle Nelson a 5 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
More from Rachelle
For the past decade or so, I have been a volunteer youth leader for teen groups. Some of my favorite memories have come from that position. Camp pranks, hilarious games involving edible mealworms, scavenger hunts, singing together at the top of our lungs, and speaking life into the lives of young women. When a girl sees herself through the eyes of Jesus, everything changes.
Some of my hardest moments have come from being a youth leader, too. There’s a kind of hurt that happens when we watch someone suffer, and we cannot take the suffering away. I have cried tears with teens who have been wounded by betrayal, carelessness, and abandonment. Those wounds go deeper when they come from a parent.
The truth is, God is the only perfect father, and we’re meant to be parented by Him. Learning to trust Him is a process, even if we had a pretty great (if imperfect) example of an earthly dad. But we live in a fatherless generation, when so many have experienced separation and pain in their family from divorce, or addiction, or generational cycles of pain. I’ve seen what that kind of pain can do to a heart, and how trusting others becomes almost impossible.
Almost.
Embergold is a story about betrayal and abandonment. It’s about two young people who never expected to find kindness in a harsh world. It’s about the healing of hearts.
I wrote it for myself, to remember what is possible. I wrote it for the young people I have loved. And for the parents who are still recovering from their childhoods.
Sin and brokenness happen in community. But, the amazing thing is, God designed the healing to happen in community too, among people. We need each other.
Some of my hardest moments have come from being a youth leader, too. There’s a kind of hurt that happens when we watch someone suffer, and we cannot take the suffering away. I have cried tears with teens who have been wounded by betrayal, carelessness, and abandonment. Those wounds go deeper when they come from a parent.
The truth is, God is the only perfect father, and we’re meant to be parented by Him. Learning to trust Him is a process, even if we had a pretty great (if imperfect) example of an earthly dad. But we live in a fatherless generation, when so many have experienced separation and pain in their family from divorce, or addiction, or generational cycles of pain. I’ve seen what that kind of pain can do to a heart, and how trusting others becomes almost impossible.
Almost.
Embergold is a story about betrayal and abandonment. It’s about two young people who never expected to find kindness in a harsh world. It’s about the healing of hearts.
I wrote it for myself, to remember what is possible. I wrote it for the young people I have loved. And for the parents who are still recovering from their childhoods.
Sin and brokenness happen in community. But, the amazing thing is, God designed the healing to happen in community too, among people. We need each other.
 Rachelle Nelson | Rachelle Nelson grew up reading fantasy novels and getting her clothes muddy in the pine forests of Idaho. These days, she still loves hiking through forests and libraries, though she’s a bit less fond of mud. Her debut novel, Sky of Seven Colors, released through Enclave Publishing, and won both the Carol Award and Christy Award. Rachelle doesn’t write true stories, but she does write about truth. When she’s not doing that, she sings in a band with her husband who makes her happier than should be legal. If you like good food and honest conversations, you’re her favorite kind of person. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Rachelle is giving away the grand prize of
a $50 Amazon gift card, a hardcover copy of the book,and an envelope of
fun goodies, including a signed bookplate and a pewter dragon bookmark!!
a $50 Amazon gift card, a hardcover copy of the book,and an envelope of
fun goodies, including a signed bookplate and a pewter dragon bookmark!!
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!
Blog Stops
Fiction Book Lover, April 8 (Author Interview)
CeCe Reads and Sings, April 8
Texas Book-aholic, April 9
MinReads and Reviews, April 9
Wishful Endings, April 10
The Lofty Pages, April 11
Blossoms and Blessings, April 12
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 13
Blogging With Carol, April 14
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 15
Devoted Steps, April 16
Madi’s Musings, April 17
Labor Not in Vain, April 18
Guild Master, April 19
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 20
Simple Harvest Reads, April 21 (Guest Review from Mindy)
CeCe Reads and Sings, April 8
Texas Book-aholic, April 9
MinReads and Reviews, April 9
Wishful Endings, April 10
The Lofty Pages, April 11
Blossoms and Blessings, April 12
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 13
Blogging With Carol, April 14
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 15
Devoted Steps, April 16
Madi’s Musings, April 17
Labor Not in Vain, April 18
Guild Master, April 19
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 20
Simple Harvest Reads, April 21 (Guest Review from Mindy)
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