FORGED BY FIRE, the second instalment in the Ashen Crown trilogy by Elli J. Morrigan, will publish as an Audible Original on August 12th, 2026, across the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and Germany. The release arrives amid growing interest in exploring a television adaptation of the trilogy.
About the Ashen Crown trilogy
Book One, BOUND BY FIRE, established Ashen Crown as one of Audible's standout romantasy successes and was named one of Audible's Best Romantasy of 2025, became one of the platform's biggest breakout titles, reaching #1 on Audible Germany's Fantasy chart and #2 in Most Popular overall.
FORGED BY FIRE raises the stakes further with darker shadows and a flame that refuses to be extinguished. Fire doesn't burn in water. But Izzy has never played by the rules. Izzy has fled Skarvindar and the wreckage left behind her at the Dawn of Kings with a broken heart, a fading flame and the memory of the man who shattered everything she thought she knew. Her fire is gone, and her only escape leads straight into Nymara - a breathtaking water realm built on balance and secrets, ruled by a queen, whose kindness is her most dangerous weapon. Meanwhile, Queen Kalia's shadows creep closer on the hunt for Izzy, darkening every horizon. But something inside Izzy is waking up as she learns balance, how to control her fire magic and the realisation that only she can forge what Kalia desires most. Caleb has crossed half a world to find her. When he finally does, he is prepared to fight for her, only to find nothing between them is resolved. The woman he finds is no longer the one he lost. The connection that has always burned too bright threatens to ultimately unravel them both. Some powers demand sacrifice. Some desires survive betrayal. Some hearts refuse to let go. And some promises are forged by fire.
Book Three is already confirmed for 2027.
About the authors
Ashen Crown is co-written by Alison Norrington and Jenny E. Kleine under the shared pen name Elli J. Morrigan. The series is written simultaneously in English and German, twin originals rather than translations, one story told natively in two languages at once.
“Book One was one of Audible's Best Romantasy titles of 2025. Book Two arrives with even higher stakes, launching across five territories on the same day," says Norrington.
"Izzy had to earn her power all over again in Book Two," says Kleine. "So did we - every scene had to work twice as hard, in both languages, at once."
"The pressure with a sequel isn't finding the story - it's making sure it still burns as bright as the first book did," says Norrington. "And with Book Three already underway, we're not done yet."
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Pre-order available now.
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