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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
Not unlike Docile, I have complicated feelings about this book mainly from the fact that it wasn't what I expected. I think I would have felt very differently had I not already read Docile and been familiar with Szpara's style and certain character traits that seem to be a staple in his fiction.
The book begins with an already established relationship/love interest, which isn't something I've encountered very often, and part of me wishes that relationship wasn't used as a plot device to kick off the entire story, but I know it would have been a very different story had Lark and Kane not had the dynamic they did--a large part of the book and a large part of Lark's motivation is getting Kane back, to convince him to re-join the Fellowship.
I was initially interested in this book because of the ambiguity proposed by the summary. Is the Fellowship a cult, or is magic real? Both? Neither? I did feel Szpara for the most part managed the balance between the two very well; it's not a question that gets answered right away.
Then bring in the character of Calvin. I loved his personality and he was the character I attached to most; Lark felt a little whiny to me and his persistence in holding onto the idea of magic and the Fellowship being real felt a little bland and blind at times. But Calvin is a self-declared geek, and I've always had problems being able to take non-fanfiction stories seriously when they have characters that are so into fan-culture. Calvin's entire character reads like an amalgamation of a bunch of fantasy universes, and after being introduced to him in the novel and all the references he makes, his presence seemed to bleed into everything else in the book too, giving the entire thing a very fan-fiction feel that kind of wrecked the novelty of the story for me.
But I think what wrecked it the most for me was the perspectives. Lark, Deryn, and Calvin take turns as first person narrators, with a couple backstory inserts from Kane. Deryn's I didn't mind, but I found myself oddly distanced from both Calvin and Lark. During the moments I wanted to be in one of their heads, the scene was being narrated by the other. When I wanted to know what was going on in Lark's head, the scene was being narrated by Calvin, and vice versa. I didn't feel as distanced from Calvin as I did from Lark though; Lark's personality felt all over the place and inconsistent because I was never able to understand his motives in the moments where he changed from what you would expect from him, when he deviated from his loyalty to the Fellowship. Which gave me the sense that maybe even Szpara didn't know and required that distance to make the changes seem more believable through Calvin's speculation (I don't think this is actually true, but it felt like it).
There are definitely some dark and twisted elements, sexual and otherwise, in the novel. If you're reading this book hoping for some steamy bdsm kink (like I had been with Docile) you're looking in the wrong place. While definitely graphic, the sex scenes have never felt put there just for entertainment. They make you uncomfortable, maybe even to the point of putting the book down, but consent and brainwashing and power dynamics seem to be strong themes in both of Szpara's books. As someone who seeks out books that include content that is questionable, borderline, or otherwise skeeve-out inducing, I knew to expect it to some degree but even I was uncomfortable. Lines and triggers are certainly crossed. Here again, I think all the scenes included did serve the story and it wouldn't have been the same story had those things not been included, but that doesn't make it an easy read.
The book begins with an already established relationship/love interest, which isn't something I've encountered very often, and part of me wishes that relationship wasn't used as a plot device to kick off the entire story, but I know it would have been a very different story had Lark and Kane not had the dynamic they did--a large part of the book and a large part of Lark's motivation is getting Kane back, to convince him to re-join the Fellowship.
I was initially interested in this book because of the ambiguity proposed by the summary. Is the Fellowship a cult, or is magic real? Both? Neither? I did feel Szpara for the most part managed the balance between the two very well; it's not a question that gets answered right away.
Spoiler
That said, it remains so ambiguous until the very end that even though magic seems to be real, I still wasn't totally convinced, leaving me wondering about the monster Lark ends up fighting--was it real? Why did no one else see it if it was? If it wasn't, what was he fighting and how did he get injured?Then bring in the character of Calvin. I loved his personality and he was the character I attached to most; Lark felt a little whiny to me and his persistence in holding onto the idea of magic and the Fellowship being real felt a little bland and blind at times. But Calvin is a self-declared geek, and I've always had problems being able to take non-fanfiction stories seriously when they have characters that are so into fan-culture. Calvin's entire character reads like an amalgamation of a bunch of fantasy universes, and after being introduced to him in the novel and all the references he makes, his presence seemed to bleed into everything else in the book too, giving the entire thing a very fan-fiction feel that kind of wrecked the novelty of the story for me.
But I think what wrecked it the most for me was the perspectives. Lark, Deryn, and Calvin take turns as first person narrators, with a couple backstory inserts from Kane. Deryn's I didn't mind, but I found myself oddly distanced from both Calvin and Lark. During the moments I wanted to be in one of their heads, the scene was being narrated by the other. When I wanted to know what was going on in Lark's head, the scene was being narrated by Calvin, and vice versa. I didn't feel as distanced from Calvin as I did from Lark though; Lark's personality felt all over the place and inconsistent because I was never able to understand his motives in the moments where he changed from what you would expect from him, when he deviated from his loyalty to the Fellowship. Which gave me the sense that maybe even Szpara didn't know and required that distance to make the changes seem more believable through Calvin's speculation (I don't think this is actually true, but it felt like it).
There are definitely some dark and twisted elements, sexual and otherwise, in the novel. If you're reading this book hoping for some steamy bdsm kink (like I had been with Docile) you're looking in the wrong place. While definitely graphic, the sex scenes have never felt put there just for entertainment. They make you uncomfortable, maybe even to the point of putting the book down, but consent and brainwashing and power dynamics seem to be strong themes in both of Szpara's books. As someone who seeks out books that include content that is questionable, borderline, or otherwise skeeve-out inducing, I knew to expect it to some degree but even I was uncomfortable. Lines and triggers are certainly crossed. Here again, I think all the scenes included did serve the story and it wouldn't have been the same story had those things not been included, but that doesn't make it an easy read.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay so I liked it. Not as much as Docile, but I think this was still solid.
Here’s what I liked:
- the cult aspect
- the different POVs
- the nonlinear timeline
I think this book could have EASILY been longer and more flushed out. I think with as many POVs there were, it NEEDED to be longer. I would have loved more chapters from Kane that slowly revealed more of the horrors the Fellowship committed, more chapters structured as interviews between Miller and Deryn, just MORE. This one made you think and second-guess yourself regularly, and I found I kind of liked feeling off kilter while reading.
This book has some pretty dark topics included, and the following content warning should be considered before reading: sexual assault, child abuse, self-inflicted pain, violence/blood
Here’s what I liked:
- the cult aspect
- the different POVs
- the nonlinear timeline
I think this book could have EASILY been longer and more flushed out. I think with as many POVs there were, it NEEDED to be longer. I would have loved more chapters from Kane that slowly revealed more of the horrors the Fellowship committed, more chapters structured as interviews between Miller and Deryn, just MORE. This one made you think and second-guess yourself regularly, and I found I kind of liked feeling off kilter while reading.
This book has some pretty dark topics included, and the following content warning should be considered before reading: sexual assault, child abuse, self-inflicted pain, violence/blood
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape
All Lark knows is the Fellowship. The leader, Nova, has trained him and the other Anointed to use their magic to fight monsters that control the outside world. First, Become Ashes, by K.M. Szpara, opens on that day that the FBI raids the Fellowship’s compound, arrests Nova, and asks Lark to testify against his entire way of life. What surprised me most about this book was that, despite all of this psychological heaviness, the ending comes too easily and is far too happy. I know it’s strange to complain about a happy ending, but I believe that happy endings must be earned...
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you so much to the lovely publicist at Tor Publishing for your kindness and generosity for sending a copy for me read and review!
.
CW: Explicit Sadomasochism, Graphic sexual content, Abuse (sexual and psychological), Rape, Manipulation, Mentions of Harry Potter
.
First and foremost, “First, Become Ashes” may not be an easy book to read for some. Considering the content warnings mentioned, I do not think it is sufficient enough to know what to expect going into it. In relation, this book was a different experience and quite difficult to review. But I can say that for a reader like me who is very much open to contents with sensitive topics, it was nonetheless a worthwhile read.
.
I loved the simplistic writing style. It is a multi-POV dark, magical, and adventurous story where fantasy meets reality; a story self-discovery and realizations, a journey to healing from trauma and to escaping from what no longer serves one’s personal beliefs, with topics of manipulation disguised as magic and teachings.
.
It also has intriguing character relationships, dynamics, and progressions, as well as good world building. The development of each of the characters’ understanding and empathy towards one another is definitely also one of the most memorable things I can compliment which could possibly be hard to miss when reading the book.
.
The reading experience through an unreliable narration makes it quite a ride and thought provoking; like a mind battle of what is real and what is not, truths and untruths.
.
It was overall a good story but is not one that I can easily recommend to anyone considering the sensitive topics it contains.
.
I would recommend “First, Become Ashes” if you want a story about healing and found family, and only if you are not sensitive to the content warnings mentioned. I think it is still worth the read if you want to venture into something that is out of your reading comfort zone to get the full insights of the book.
.
CW: Explicit Sadomasochism, Graphic sexual content, Abuse (sexual and psychological), Rape, Manipulation, Mentions of Harry Potter
.
First and foremost, “First, Become Ashes” may not be an easy book to read for some. Considering the content warnings mentioned, I do not think it is sufficient enough to know what to expect going into it. In relation, this book was a different experience and quite difficult to review. But I can say that for a reader like me who is very much open to contents with sensitive topics, it was nonetheless a worthwhile read.
.
I loved the simplistic writing style. It is a multi-POV dark, magical, and adventurous story where fantasy meets reality; a story self-discovery and realizations, a journey to healing from trauma and to escaping from what no longer serves one’s personal beliefs, with topics of manipulation disguised as magic and teachings.
.
It also has intriguing character relationships, dynamics, and progressions, as well as good world building. The development of each of the characters’ understanding and empathy towards one another is definitely also one of the most memorable things I can compliment which could possibly be hard to miss when reading the book.
.
The reading experience through an unreliable narration makes it quite a ride and thought provoking; like a mind battle of what is real and what is not, truths and untruths.
.
It was overall a good story but is not one that I can easily recommend to anyone considering the sensitive topics it contains.
.
I would recommend “First, Become Ashes” if you want a story about healing and found family, and only if you are not sensitive to the content warnings mentioned. I think it is still worth the read if you want to venture into something that is out of your reading comfort zone to get the full insights of the book.