Ash Princess Review

Title: Ash Princess
Author: Laura Sebastian
Series: Ash Princess Trilogy #1
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Publication Date: 14 June 2018
Source: Pan Macmillan South Africa
Format: Paperback (ARC)
Pages: 372
Rating: 4.75 Stars
Reading Timeline: 15 May 2018 - 16 May 2018

Goodreads Synopsis:

The queen you were meant to be

The land you were meant to save

The throne you were meant to claim

Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. Ten years later, Theo has learned to survive under the relentless abuse of the Kaiser and his court as the ridiculed Ash Princess. 

When the Kaiser forces her to execute her last hope of rescue, Theo can't ignore her feelings and memories any longer. She vows revenge, throwing herself into a plot to seduce and murder the Kaiser's warrior son with the help of a group of magically gifted and volatile rebels. But Theo doesn't expect to develop feelings for the Prinz. 

Forced to make impossible choices and unable to trust even those who are on her side, Theo will have to decide how far she's willing to go to save her people and how much of herself she's willing to sacrifice to become Queen.

Book Review:

Pre-reading Thoughts:

 haven't heard much about this book other than it is really pretty. It has been one of those that are currently flying just under the radar until the UK release I think. I am nonetheless still really excited to read this book. It is one of the books at the top of my list for most anticipated for the year and honestly I am so grateful that Pan Macmillan South Africa sent me a copy!

Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan South Africa for providing me with a copy of this book. Just a small disclaimer for those reading this review. I have received this book for free. Please note that this does not affect my opinion in any way. All thoughts are my own.

Writing Thoughts:

The writing in this book was rich. Rich with detail and emotions. I felt everything that the main character felt and the words felt like they clung to my skin. The dialogue was strong and impactful. It was if the words were echoing in the space around me and I loved it. It felt as if I was there with the main character. I saw everything so vividly and I both adored it and flinched at it. The world building was incredible.

Plot Thoughts:

This plot was really well thought out. It highlighted not only the struggle of the main character but of everyone. It showed the injustices of the society in what I believe to be one the best ways. I also enjoyed how everything didn't just happen. It took time to develop. I really liked that we got to experience the culture of both worlds. The little hints of the Astreans culture and the overbearingly dominant Kalovaxians culture. I loved how the two contrasted. I think that this book doesn't have a new concept in terms of the bare bones but I do think that it took an overly done concept and made it new and different. Please do note that there is graphic abuse in this book.

Character Thoughts:

I liked the characters but I wanted a bit more. I felt like they all sounded the same in terms of they are all unhappy with everything but they lacked the individuality with how they dealt with it on a personal note. I loved the inner conflict that came from the main character. I loved how she constantly had to choose between these two sides of her. 

Final Thoughts:

Overall, I loved this book. I found myself fully immersed in the story, unable to let it go. The writing was rich and pulled me in until I became part of the words on the page. The author took a tired plot and made it into something else. She created a world where there is a struggle and we can see and feel it. The characters were where the story suffered a bit. They needed a little bit more individuality. Overall, I love this story and I cannot wait to read more about these characters and this world. Thank you so much to Pan Macmillan South Africa for providing me with a copy of this book.

Yours in Reading,

Melleny