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Cover of We Were Meant to Burn by Nicolette Elzie
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We Were Meant to Burn

by Nicolette Elzie

Book 1 in Ashes and Ruin Saga

if you want assassin FMC + fae warrior MMC, slow burn that earns every spark, and Aztec-influenced worldbuilding with real political stakes

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goodreads 4.25/5 283 ratings

storykind_community 5/5 1 rating

Quick fit

Is this story right for you?

A decision-first view of the reading experience.

Think twice if…

  • Content warnings: Violence, Graphic violence, War, Torture, Captivity, Imprisonment, Abuse, Child abuse (referenced), Emotional abuse, Parental abuse, Manipulation, Death, Murder, Blood, Gore, Grief, PTSD, Trauma, Slavery, Classism, Forced marriage, Abandonment, Fire, Starvation, Animal abuse
Length663 pages
Series statusOngoing series
Spice2/5 · Slow burn with late spice
PacingMedium

Story profile

What the story promises

The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.

Romance promise

  • Enemies to lovers
  • Male/female pairing (M/F)
  • Slow burn
  • Medium
  • Slow burn with late spice
  • Addictive read
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  • Fae prince
  • Captor/captive
  • Passionate / intense
  • Tension finally satisfied
  • Warrior/fighter
  • Tension / anticipation focus
  • Found family feels
  • Morally gray
  • Morally gray love interest (LI)
  • Emotional / vulnerable intimacy
  • Expanded empathy
  • Protective love interest
  • Morally gray x morally gray
  • Tension
  • The angst delivered
  • Dark/tortured soul
  • Anticipation
  • Found family
  • Longing glances
  • Touch starvation
  • Forehead touching
  • Neck kisses / neck touching

Fantasy promise

  • Romantasy
  • Royal court / palace
  • High fantasy
  • Fae
  • Fae romance
  • Prison / captivity
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  • Fae realm / faerie courts
  • Other
  • Captive romance
  • War front / rebellion
  • Mythological
  • Forbidden love
  • Grimdark / dark fantasy
  • Fated mates

Reading experience

  • Dual POV
  • Dark
  • Intense
  • Heavy
  • High
  • Assassin
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  • BIPOC MC
  • Atmospheric
  • General badass
  • Latinx MC
  • Epic
  • Lush
  • MC 20-30
  • Emotional
  • Damaged survivor
  • Mental health rep
  • Yearning
  • Dramatic
  • Dangerous
  • Immersive
  • Gritty
  • Enemies forced to ally
  • Bonds forged in war
  • Morally complex
  • Betrayal and forgiveness
  • War-torn kingdom
  • Crumbling empire
  • Slow descent into darkness
  • Court of shadows

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Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.

Book details
Length
663 pages
Language
English
Format
Book