Smoke and Scar by Gretchen Powell Fox

Birthed in shadow. Forged in fire.

A Splintered Kingdom
An ancient grudge has kept humans and the magical races of Arcanis at odds for centuries. The Arcane Crucible, a legendary series of trials that occurs every 25 years, offers a chance for peace.

A Haunted Warrior
Elyria Lightbreaker, once a celebrated fae war hero, is a shadow of her former self. Drowning in grief after losing the man she loved to the previous Crucible, now she must rise to stop his sister from falling to the same fate.

A Vengeful Knight
Hardened by loss and fueled by hate, Cedric Thorne’s lifelong goal to conquer the Crucible on humanity’s behalf is finally within reach. The only problem? Getting through the trials alive means working with Elyria-the very fae he blames for his parents’ deaths.

An Unwinnable Challenge
With alliances fragile as spun glass and betrayal lurking at every turn, Elyria and Cedric must navigate deadly trials that test their strength, spirit, and magic… as well as their increasingly complex feelings for each other.

This is the Arcane Crucible.
SMOKE AND SCAR is the first book in the Shattered Crown trilogy, an epic romantic fantasy series that follows Elyria and Cedric through deadly trials, dark magic, and shocking betrayals as they attempt to undo the wrongs of the past and heal their broken land.

This super slow burn, enemies-to-lovers story is perfect for fans of high stakes, character-driven plots, rich world-building, a diverse cast of characters, elemental magic, and tension-filled romance—and books like The Serpent & the Wings of Night, Quicksilver, Blood & Steel, Spark of the Everflame, Trial of the Sun Queen, and Throne of Glass.