This book wasn’t the type I typically read, but I was pleasantly surprised by the story. In Rachelle Nelson’s novel, Embergold, whimsical beats dance in harmony with the fairytale ambiance. The chapters are filled with a hint of mystery that lingers, enticing readers to keep flipping the pages. The world of dragons unfolds, shrouded in intrigue, leading to a sweet resolution that warms the heart.
Walking alongside Gilde, the main character, in this coming-of-age tale envelops you in a world tinged with tension and bittersweet moments. The bond between her and the dragon is a tapestry of character growth that immerses the reader in an odyssey of building trust and granting forgiveness. The story builds with a mix of excitement and apprehension highlighting the emotions swirling around them. In the midst of the captivating narrative, the reader is drawn into a world where seeking resolution is just as crucial for them as for the characters.
Nelson’s writing style, with its simplicity tailored for young adults, effortlessly engages readers of all ages, making the story a timeless treasure that resonates with a wide audience. The scenes come alive with vibrant descriptions, allowing readers to see the characters’ dilemmas, hear their whispered hopes, smell the fragrant anticipation, and wrestle emotions deep within their own spirit. A worthwhile read for those still young in heart.
I received a complimentary copy from the author but was not required to leave a review. All opinions expressed are my own. Click on the book cover for the synopsis and purchase link.
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 in 2023 through Enclave Publishing, and was a recent Carol Award winner and Christy Award winner. Embergold, her newest standalone, releases in March 2025. 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.
To receive a story set in the world of Sky of Seven Colors, you can sign up for Rachelle’s newsletter at her website.
About the Book
Book: Embergold
Author: Rachelle Nelson
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release date: March 18, 2025
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.
Final thoughts 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.
Devoted Steps 