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hammy91's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
voidflowers's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
iam's review
2.0
A book that suffers from not quite knowing what it wants to be, to the point of feeling almost like two separate plots that are mashed together, negating the successful completion of either storyline. Also, terrible marketing.
Read the full review and more on the blog!
Content warnings include: physical/sexual/emotional/child abuse, gaslighting and manipulation, unsafe sadomasochism, rape, non-consensual BDSM, cult mentality and brainwashing, self harm, unconsensual chastity devices, denial of bodily autonomy, sex on-page, FBI raid, violence, character gets shot.
When I read the author’s debut book, Docile, I had some mixed feelings but overall a good time. It made me excited to see what else he would write, and First, Become Ashes sounded intriguing enough on its own to catch my interest already.
Many of the issues I had with Docile also apply to First, Become Ashes, with the caveat that Docile was still enjoyable and at least somewhat successful. I was confused about what Docile was trying to be, but it ultimately told a rounded story with a satisfying conclusion that subverted the initial expectations it set up. First, Become Ashes meanwhile felt like two different concepts mashed together, neither succeeding because both end up not quite committing.
First, Become Ashes is a victim of its marketing in more than one way. Firstly it’s presented as the story of Lark, who grew up in a cult believing monsters and magic are real, just to be confronted with our pragmatic and contemporary world that doesn’t subscribe to the concept of magic. Secondly, the graphics created by the publisher (now deleted, but I saw it and it thus influenced my approach to the book) make it sound like a fun, cutesy romp with some BDSM erotica.
It’s neither of those two things.
For most of the book, I had no idea where it was heading. Every time I thought I got a clue it was thrown off course again. This lasted until the very end. There were buildups that seemingly amounted to nothing or were keeled over and forgotten as a new turn developed.
This was reflected not just in the plot, but also the characters. There’s four POV characters, which I liked due to their different perspectives, but to be honest it could have easily been broken down to two or three. Generally, several of the side characters ended up irrelevant to the plot – the little that they do contribute could have easily been implemented another way. That said, I liked several of those characters.
In regards to representation, there was on-page queer, mlm, nonbinary, polyamorous and East Asian(-American) representation through the four protagonists.
Ultimately the main issue was that the book didn’t know what it wanted to be, or it tried to be two contrasting things at the same time. There was this constant back and forth between magic-is-real and magic’s-not-real, to the point it got frustrating and distracted from the plot.
In that context, several plot elements were confusing and seemed really misplaced to me.
One of those misplaced things was the romantic subplot. It wasn’t entirely bad, but personally I didn’t really like its development and how it tied in with the rest of what was happening.
Ultimately I just don’t think this book was successful in any way. It was well written and not a chore to read, and definitely intriguing with its view on cult mentality if you can stomach the content warnings. However, for me it didn’t deliver with its plot or conversations about trauma and years of abuse and manipulation.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarly.
Read the full review and more on the blog!
Content warnings include: physical/sexual/emotional/child abuse, gaslighting and manipulation, unsafe sadomasochism, rape, non-consensual BDSM, cult mentality and brainwashing, self harm, unconsensual chastity devices, denial of bodily autonomy, sex on-page, FBI raid, violence, character gets shot.
When I read the author’s debut book, Docile, I had some mixed feelings but overall a good time. It made me excited to see what else he would write, and First, Become Ashes sounded intriguing enough on its own to catch my interest already.
Many of the issues I had with Docile also apply to First, Become Ashes, with the caveat that Docile was still enjoyable and at least somewhat successful. I was confused about what Docile was trying to be, but it ultimately told a rounded story with a satisfying conclusion that subverted the initial expectations it set up. First, Become Ashes meanwhile felt like two different concepts mashed together, neither succeeding because both end up not quite committing.
First, Become Ashes is a victim of its marketing in more than one way. Firstly it’s presented as the story of Lark, who grew up in a cult believing monsters and magic are real, just to be confronted with our pragmatic and contemporary world that doesn’t subscribe to the concept of magic. Secondly, the graphics created by the publisher (now deleted, but I saw it and it thus influenced my approach to the book) make it sound like a fun, cutesy romp with some BDSM erotica.
It’s neither of those two things.
For most of the book, I had no idea where it was heading. Every time I thought I got a clue it was thrown off course again. This lasted until the very end. There were buildups that seemingly amounted to nothing or were keeled over and forgotten as a new turn developed.
This was reflected not just in the plot, but also the characters. There’s four POV characters, which I liked due to their different perspectives, but to be honest it could have easily been broken down to two or three. Generally, several of the side characters ended up irrelevant to the plot – the little that they do contribute could have easily been implemented another way. That said, I liked several of those characters.
In regards to representation, there was on-page queer, mlm, nonbinary, polyamorous and East Asian(-American) representation through the four protagonists.
Ultimately the main issue was that the book didn’t know what it wanted to be, or it tried to be two contrasting things at the same time. There was this constant back and forth between magic-is-real and magic’s-not-real, to the point it got frustrating and distracted from the plot.
In that context, several plot elements were confusing and seemed really misplaced to me.
One of those misplaced things was the romantic subplot. It wasn’t entirely bad, but personally I didn’t really like its development and how it tied in with the rest of what was happening.
Ultimately I just don’t think this book was successful in any way. It was well written and not a chore to read, and definitely intriguing with its view on cult mentality if you can stomach the content warnings. However, for me it didn’t deliver with its plot or conversations about trauma and years of abuse and manipulation.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarly.
blacksphinx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Self harm, Blood, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Confinement, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Medical content and Police brutality
badbud's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.0
minty's review against another edition
2.0
Look, I know it's reductionist and terrible to just say "well, that was weird," but it's all I can really think about for this book. Graphic upsetting sex, sado-masochism, controlling cult leaders, and... magic? I think the dichotomy between the real life and the world of the cult was very interestingly handled--the book felt like horror/fantasy and then like lighthearted YA--but I didn't particularly like any of the characters. I was impressed it actually wrapped up, though; I thought it was going to be a cliffhanger ending.
six9's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Pedophilia
quartofgoats's review against another edition
5.0
A lot of people wonder who this book is for -- it's me.
Same as with Docile, I read it in one day but I didn't have to stop to cry and think so that was more fun?
Same as with Docile, I read it in one day but I didn't have to stop to cry and think so that was more fun?
grap3juic3's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
biographybookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for my “f-ed up” Bookclub so I knew going into it that it would be interesting. I feel like every page was like, “omg is this really happening?” It was suspenseful but not a thriller and really makes me wonder what other books this author has written.