Well HELLO there Laura Sebastian, you’ve got me on this one~ haha
This book was a PAGE TURNER. I mean we are thrown in right from the start and it was hard to put down.
I received an ARC via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Ash Princess is a new book by debut author Laura Sebastian that releases April 24th, 2018. I’d say mark this for the TBR.
It looks as thought this will be a trilogy and I must say based on book one, it’s going to be HEAVY. This is in the young adult genre but I’d say if you have issues with abuse, implied rape, etc… maybe pass on this one.
“You’re a lamb in the lion’s den, child. You’re surviving. Isn’t that enough?” – Ash Princess, Laura Sebastian
This book follows the story of rightful Queen Theodosia and how her world was ripped from her and the Astrean people. Now, after her mother was murdered, she is stripped of her lineage, renamed Thora, & has become a mere puppet for the Kalovaxians. Paraded as a doll before the new regime. The world painted for us, the reader, is cruel and unforgiving…. which is a bummer.
Let’s talk writing. FAN-freaking-TASTIC! I was hooked from chapter one. It is a ROUGH start to a book but Laura Sebastian gripped me so fast my head spun and couldn’t put it down. I will warn you now, as I mentioned above, there is some graphic violence in this book. There is also abuse. The main character is a prisoner of war that is repeatedly made an example of to others. It’s hard to read sometimes and you do hope she gets any sort of break. Anything. However, the writing for this was very well done to make us connect with Theo from the onset.
Characters – so here I’m a little torn haha. I do like the development but like most YA, I wanted to shake Theo at parts…and her friends…all her friends. Also, I’m not sure when it became standard practice for love triangles but yes, we have one here as well. It irks me a bit as it’s a pet peeve, but it’s to be expected in a YA at this point……… and this one doesn’t overwhelm the story. (thankfully)
However, I do also really like Theo, she’s a bit cut throat for a YA hero. I also like the political intrigue of the book. The Kaiser’s (King) son is also a bit naive but I have to remind myself that the characters again, are younger.
“Can you imagine what it was like to wake up in a world where you’re safe and loved and happy and go to sleep in one where everyone you love is dead and you’re surrounded by strangers who only let you live because it’s convenient?” – Ash Princess, Laura Sebastian
Laura Sebastian did a solid plot. The beginning of the book is fast paced but there is a slight lull about half way through where you are kind of motioning the book to make progress. The ending was also well written. It wrapped it up and I would say it’s a cliff hanger but not a HUGE one that makes you angry. More of an ending that makes you want the next set of details and story haha. I will be reading book two for sure.
Overall, an excellent first YA book. It does fit right in to most of YA right now except for the fact that it deals with heavier themes. Also, in my opinion, Theo is a very strong lead character compared to most. I appreciate that in my books. haha
- Overall Rating: 3.75 Stars
- Plot: 3.5 stars
- Character Development: 3.5 Stars
- Dialogue: 4 Stars
- Writing: 4 Stars
Who would I recommend this to? Any fan of YA. Any fans of Game of Thrones but on a younger scale. haha It’s a quick read and enjoyable. So go, go enjoy it!
~Ash
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