Smoke and Scar, Gretchen Powell Fox
Smoke and Scar, Gretchen Powell Fox
List: $29.99 | Sale: $21.00
Club: $14.99

Smoke and Scar

Author: Gretchen Powell Fox

Series: Shattered Crown

Narrator: Dan Calley, Stephanie Németh-Parker

Unabridged: 16 hr 9 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Simon Maverick

Published: 09/02/2025

Categories: Fiction, Fantasy, Romance


Synopsis

An epic fantasy romance where enemies-to-lovers must brave the deadly trials of the Arcane Crucible, facing dark magic and impossible odds that could shape the fate of their world forever.

For centuries, humans and the magical races of Arcanis have been locked in conflict. The Arcane Crucible, a deadly trial held every twenty-five years, offers a glimmer of hope for peace—but at a steep cost.

Elyria Lightbreaker, once a celebrated fae war hero, has been living in the shadow of her past. After losing the man she loved to the previous Crucible, she has sworn to protect his sister from meeting the same end. To keep her promise, Elyria must find the strength to face the chaos she thought she left behind.

Cedric Thorne, hardened by grief and driven by vengeance, has devoted his life to conquering the Crucible on humanity’s behalf. To win, he’ll have to rely on the one person he despises most: Elyria, the fae warrior he blames for his parents’ deaths.

Thrown together by circumstance, Elyria and Cedric must endure brutal trials that test their strength, spirit, and power. Fragile alliances, shifting loyalties, and growing feelings between them threaten to tip the scales of fate.

Smoke and Scar is the gripping first installment in the Shattered Crown Trilogy, a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romantic fantasy filled with high stakes, dark magic, breathtaking world-building, and unforgettable characters. Perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, Throne of Glass, and Trial of the Sun Queen.

Will Elyria and Cedric survive the trials…or destroy each other along the way?

About Gretchen Powell Fox

Gretchen Powell Fox grew up with her head in the clouds and her nose buried in books. Now she crafts fantastical stories, along with the fiery heroes destined to change them for the better. Her creative process involves sleeping fitfully and consuming copious amounts of Sour Patch Kids. You can usually find her crying when she’s happy, sad, mad, or excited; singing along to Taylor Swift; eating xiao lóng bao; or strumming her ukelele. Gretchen lives with her husband and two wild, wonderful children in northern Virginia. Visit her online at GretchenPowellFox.com and follow her @GretchenWritesBooks.


Reviews

Goodreads review by MillennialMomReading on September 06, 2025

What. A. Ride. Romantasy is one of my favorite genres, and the more I read the pickier I’ve gotten about which series get me excited to read and which feel like a slog to get through-and Smoke and Scar (book 1 of the Shattered Crown series) was absolutely un-put-downable. It has everything that I lo......more

Goodreads review by Briar on October 24, 2025

SMOKE & SCAR MINI REVIEW With epic trials, powerful world-building, a badass older heroine with wings, and an MMC with pure Disney Prince energy, Smoke & Scar crackles with magic and heart. A fast-paced and fun romantasy read! TROPES / VIBES Fae vs. Humans White knight MMC with Disney Prince / Captain A......more

Goodreads review by lilbookgoblin on December 10, 2024

[BETA READ] Wow. This. Book. I had the absolute privilege of getting to read Smoke and Scar in its beta form, and I will truly never be the same. The way this book brought me to laughter, gasps, squeals and tears can not be matched. If you need a book that is going to make you truly FEEL emotions and......more

Goodreads review by Monet on October 02, 2025

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Smoke & Scar Author: Gretchen Powell Fox I’m not sure if it was just my mood, but I was really into this one. September was a stressful month and I needed the escape into a fantasy world, and this book gave me exactly that. The story follows Elyria, a once-celebrated fae war hero who los......more

Goodreads review by amandathebookworm on February 09, 2025

This feels like a sooooolid 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 to me! I had a lot of fun reading this & it had some really solid twists & turns that had me like “ohhh?” — plot, tropes, pros, & cons below 👇🏼 & THANK YOU to the author for sharing an ARC with me for my honest review in return. PLOT & TROPES Elyria — famed wa......more