*Embergold by Rachelle Nelson

Embergold is a thought-provoking fantasy for teens that includes true love, sacrifice, and dragons.

*Embergold by Rachelle Nelson. Enclave Escape, 2025. 325 pages.

• Reading Level: Teens, ages 12 and up
• Recommended For: ages 14 and up

Embergold: The Story

Gilde’s childhood was a secluded one. Only her father and the strange Guntor lived at their cabin in the marsh. After Guntor married Isa, life continued much the same, except that occasionally Gilde had an ally. Friend? Isa wasn’t a friend. Not really. But Gilde still looked up to her, wondering if she should defend Isa from Guntor’s rough treatment.

Gilde knew that the dragon meant death for her father, and she learned the telltale smell that indicated his coming presence. But it had been a long time since they’d seen him—years. When her father announced they were going to finally seek the dragon and lay to rest the enmity between the two of them, Gilde, Isa, and Guntor all joined the party. Gilde didn’t know why she was suddenly included, but at age 16, she was ready to leave the marsh.

When the party finally arrives at the mountain, and the dragon comes forth, Gilde is utterly unprepared for what follows. Perceptive readers will have suspected by now, but Gilde herself is the conciliatory gift to the dragon. In return for giving up Gilde, the dragon is supposed to honor a bargain and refrain from, um, eating (or burning) Gilde’s father.

Embergold: The Themes and Truth

I expected a Beauty and the Beast twist in this story, and I wasn’t wrong: Gilde and the dragon come to terms and do fall in love. What I didn’t expect was the added depth. By the end of the book, my brain swirled with thoughts of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Perilous Gard, among others.

What Rachelle Nelson does in this story is remarkable. The dragon is indeed a villain, but readers will discover what “the dragon” really is (spoiler alert: manifestation of sin), how to get rid of it (pain, self-denial, and sacrifice), and what really happened prior to Gilde’s meeting the dragon. Gilde’s father is proved to be utterly nefarious, Isa faithful in her way, and Wil a man of honor.

This story tackles some heavy issues, including spousal abuse/domestic violence, narcissistic love, and betrayal. Gilde and Wil kiss and also spend the night together several times on their journey, but nothing untoward happens. In fact, Wil is a perfect gentleman and grants Gilde necessary privacy and respect. It’s a story best reserved for high school, when readers can read between the lines and thoughtfully interact with the text.

All in all, this is a terrific addition to the YA fantasy/romance/fairy tale retelling lineup. Discussion could center around the nature of sacrifice, the nature of real love, what sin masquerades as and how easily we succumb to its lure, or any one of several other “deep thoughts.” Nelson weaves in Christian symbolism and truth effortlessly, and Christian readers will appreciate the awakenings several characters have as they reckon with a Creator. And we can all look forward to the day when another dragon is defeated.

Considerations:

• Sexuality: Minor, but the main characters do kiss and discuss their feelings.
• Abuse: Clear domestic violence occurs, and the manner in which the father treats Gilde is nothing short of narcissistic/psychological abuse. Worth discussing, depending on the reader.
• Magic: A significant part of the plot revolves around the father’s identity as a wizard. He is shunned by many, and it’s clear that his magic takes a terrible toll on those around him, as well as himself. The price to gain longer life requires someone else’s death. Thus, the magical elements are clearly linked to evil.

Bottom Line: Embergold is highly recommended for fantasy lovers, especially those who enjoy works by authors such as R. J. Anderson.

*indicates a starred review, the best of the best in its field

Related Reading From Redeemed Reader

• A Review: Ultraviolet by R. J. Anderson
• A Resource: Here Be Dragons: Mega Fantasy and Sci-Fi Booklist! (All ages)
• A Review: The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope

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