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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
In terms of Abraham's series this has more in common with The Long Price than The Dagger and the Coin, though it's not that similar. As stated by the author, this trilogy is about the city it takes place in, Kithamar, over the course of a single year. He calls it a standalone trilogy because although the stories take place in the same city at the same time, they supposedly won't have much overlap or need to remember details from the prior books. The current schedule is for one book to release per year.
This isn't a story about chosen ones, heroics, adventure, or even about doing the right thing. It's slow-paced, low action, and character focused. There's magic, though none of it is explained in any way. That's fine for this story because it existed more for plot reasons than for having magic in of itself. Nothing takes place outside of the city, and I wouldn't expect that to be the case for the following books in the trilogy either.
More than anything else, I felt the narrative was about being blinded. Whether that was because of grief, revenge, love, greed, power, or whatever else, it left them unable to see anything else. Several of the characters had some level of dissociation from themselves. Often it's easier to choose not to see, but it may cost dearly later. However, having your eyes wide open taking in everything doesn't mean that there will be better outcome. It may just mean that the suffering is understood, but nothing can be done about it.
There are two primary viewpoint characters and a few other secondary viewpoints. Alys, the one the most time is spent with, isn't meant to be a likeable character. Relatable, maybe, but not likeable, which is intentional and serves a purpose. Whether that's acceptable is something that each reader will have to decide. The other, Sammish, seems to be a counterbalance and foil to Alys. She has her own issues as well, but who doesn't? The other viewpoints allow for a wider view of events.
For Alys, the plot, both literally and figuratively, is something that she charges into blindly. Right and wrong are of minimal consideration, until they aren't. If anything it's the story of someone trying to fake it until they make it and not really understanding what they're involved with, or even necessarily doing any of it of their own volition. Most of what Sammish is and does is the opposite, which provides for a nice contrast. I especially liked the stories of what she has to do to get through her day to day life, even while involved in the events of the narrative. That may be a downer for some as it does intrude on the escapism, but I didn't mind.
What I enjoyed most was the imagery, descriptions, and the sense of time, place, and being. Apart from anything else it brought the story to life. I liked the details and mundane events more than the overall plot. I'm conflicted about the rating, but I'll leave it as is for now.
This isn't a story about chosen ones, heroics, adventure, or even about doing the right thing. It's slow-paced, low action, and character focused. There's magic, though none of it is explained in any way. That's fine for this story because it existed more for plot reasons than for having magic in of itself. Nothing takes place outside of the city, and I wouldn't expect that to be the case for the following books in the trilogy either.
More than anything else, I felt the narrative was about being blinded. Whether that was because of grief, revenge, love, greed, power, or whatever else, it left them unable to see anything else. Several of the characters had some level of dissociation from themselves. Often it's easier to choose not to see, but it may cost dearly later. However, having your eyes wide open taking in everything doesn't mean that there will be better outcome. It may just mean that the suffering is understood, but nothing can be done about it.
There are two primary viewpoint characters and a few other secondary viewpoints. Alys, the one the most time is spent with, isn't meant to be a likeable character. Relatable, maybe, but not likeable, which is intentional and serves a purpose. Whether that's acceptable is something that each reader will have to decide. The other, Sammish, seems to be a counterbalance and foil to Alys. She has her own issues as well, but who doesn't? The other viewpoints allow for a wider view of events.
For Alys, the plot, both literally and figuratively, is something that she charges into blindly. Right and wrong are of minimal consideration, until they aren't. If anything it's the story of someone trying to fake it until they make it and not really understanding what they're involved with, or even necessarily doing any of it of their own volition. Most of what Sammish is and does is the opposite, which provides for a nice contrast. I especially liked the stories of what she has to do to get through her day to day life, even while involved in the events of the narrative. That may be a downer for some as it does intrude on the escapism, but I didn't mind.
What I enjoyed most was the imagery, descriptions, and the sense of time, place, and being. Apart from anything else it brought the story to life. I liked the details and mundane events more than the overall plot. I'm conflicted about the rating, but I'll leave it as is for now.
dark
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn't too crazy about this first book in the series. I personally didn't like the characters very much and didn't always care very much about what was happening to them as a result.
The writing itself was excellent though, and I did enjoy the setting, even though the city seems rather drab.
I enjoyed the sequel a lot more, which goes through the same timeline as this one but through the perspective of different characters. The first book feels like a good buildup towards the second book and it's interesting to see how some of the events played out from the other characters' perspective. I felt like the stakes were a bit higher in the second book and you get much closer to the core of what is going on in the city.
I'd say it's worth reading through the first book to get to the second.
The writing itself was excellent though, and I did enjoy the setting, even though the city seems rather drab.
I enjoyed the sequel a lot more, which goes through the same timeline as this one but through the perspective of different characters. The first book feels like a good buildup towards the second book and it's interesting to see how some of the events played out from the other characters' perspective. I felt like the stakes were a bit higher in the second book and you get much closer to the core of what is going on in the city.
I'd say it's worth reading through the first book to get to the second.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I always appreciate Daniel’s takes on epic fantasy, not least because the worlds feel so lived-in. I think that’s in part because he pays attention to economics and class in ways the genre often obscures. Epic fantasy is a genre mostly about upheaval and war, and that’s being set up here. But the focus is explicitly away from the politics and heroes, and instead is on the underclass, people who often have only the vaguest sense of what’s happening in the halls of power. It’s not the first fantasy series to do this but I think Daniel does it particularly well. Really interested to see where this series goes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief
Moderate: Murder, Classism
Minor: Slavery, Trafficking
First, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, we follow a cast of characters living in Kithamar, a city with an ancient, bloody history. To get by, our characters have become proficient thieves. However, after the death of her brother, Alys is set on revenge. She follows in his footsteps, trying to complete his work while looking for his murderer.
Ultimately, this book was fine. I just felt like everything was a little lackluster. None of the characters gripped me and made me feel invested. The plot wasn't interesting enough to lift up the characters. It ultimately felt like a fantasy story I've read countless times, but without characters that I loved to engage with.
I think this book would definitely work for some people, just not me.
TW: death/death of a child/death of a sibling, gore, violence, suicidal thoughts, self harm, body horror
In this book, we follow a cast of characters living in Kithamar, a city with an ancient, bloody history. To get by, our characters have become proficient thieves. However, after the death of her brother, Alys is set on revenge. She follows in his footsteps, trying to complete his work while looking for his murderer.
Ultimately, this book was fine. I just felt like everything was a little lackluster. None of the characters gripped me and made me feel invested. The plot wasn't interesting enough to lift up the characters. It ultimately felt like a fantasy story I've read countless times, but without characters that I loved to engage with.
I think this book would definitely work for some people, just not me.
TW: death/death of a child/death of a sibling, gore, violence, suicidal thoughts, self harm, body horror
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
2.5 stars: sorry, but this gets the dreaded #DNF tag for me.
The city of Kithamar is the single best character in this book, if that makes any sense. Much like the cities in China Miéville's Bas-Lag universe, this urban setting is richly earthy and omnipresent, and very much a critical aspect of this book. Very well done.
Alas, I can't say the same for the characters, plot, and pacing.
Things are happening that are much bigger than the two main characters as they interact with two (or more?) factions. What are these factions competing for? What are the stakes? Where is the gravitas? Why should I root for one, or the other? Or neither?
I greatly enjoyed Daniel Abraham's other two multi-volume fantasy series, even if the pacing of those books was perhaps a bit slow at first. This follows the same "slow burn" pacing...., but this time, I'm not seeing a big payoff anywhere on the horizon.
45% in... and I'm out: too many other books in a huge stack besides my bed to spend any more time on this one, sorry.
The city of Kithamar is the single best character in this book, if that makes any sense. Much like the cities in China Miéville's Bas-Lag universe, this urban setting is richly earthy and omnipresent, and very much a critical aspect of this book. Very well done.
Alas, I can't say the same for the characters, plot, and pacing.
Things are happening that are much bigger than the two main characters as they interact with two (or more?) factions. What are these factions competing for? What are the stakes? Where is the gravitas? Why should I root for one, or the other? Or neither?
I greatly enjoyed Daniel Abraham's other two multi-volume fantasy series, even if the pacing of those books was perhaps a bit slow at first. This follows the same "slow burn" pacing...., but this time, I'm not seeing a big payoff anywhere on the horizon.
45% in... and I'm out: too many other books in a huge stack besides my bed to spend any more time on this one, sorry.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
7 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/04/11/age-of-ash-by-daniel-abraham-review/
—
I am Kithamar. I was born a city.
—
Kithamar is an ancient city in the breadbasket of the world, a hub for travel and trade, a center of wealth and power. It is also more than a city, embodied and ruled by a living god, not that the commonfolk realize it. Only now, for the first time in hundreds of years, this god that calls itself Kithamar does not rule the city—something it is desperate to rectify.
Alys is just another nobody. A poor thief, born to Longhill, she runs her pulls on the borders of Green Hill and the Stonemarket, preying on the rich folk before bringing the goods back home. But when her brother, Darro, is killed, she will find herself embroiled in a conspiracy to replace the current Prince, and to save the city—and the world—from itself.
Not that she cares about any of that. No, Alys is out for revenge. And to make a name for herself; a thief and thug, a killer for hire, a mercenary, someone that can escape Longhill, make it in the outside world.
All Sammish wants is Alys. To make enough coin to see her through the winter, to sleep in the room above the brewery, and to hold the other woman in her arms and heart. A thief that occasionally works with Alys, Sammish’s talent is in her anonymity. A face that no one would glance twice at, if they weren’t already looking for it.
But when Alys becomes caught up in the plot to save Kithamar, Sammish is willing to do anything to save her. Even if it means stepping out of the shadows and into the light of day. As the plot draws closer to fruition, both women will be tested, tempted, and tried. But which will make it through in one piece, and which will fall victim to the river, and be washed away once and for all?
—
So, I told him ‘Here’s a counter-offer. I throw it in the river, everyone starts killing everyone else, and nobody gets paid for any of it.’
—
Second time was the charm for this one.
Yeah, it took me two goes to get through this book, and for one very good reason. A political fantasy, Age of Ash is rather dry. There’s a lot going on—just not a lot of action. For a sub-500 page novel, this is especially surprising. Normally if I call something political fantasy, I’d expect it to be 800+ pages, giving time for a lot of tension and intrigue and atmosphere. Not so here. The instances of action that do occur are few and far between. Worse still, the inconsistency in pacing is rather taxing, as any action will let off and routinely promise more coming, only to take its sweet time ever actually getting there.
The exact point where I burned out the first time is just past the hundred-page mark, where Alys is just coming into her own, but Sammish really hasn’t entered the tale. Alys’ story is an interesting one—and hers’ is the featured tale here—but where Alys is the mainstay, Sammish is the breath of fresh air I needed to make it through. Hers’ is an interesting tale as well: a girl following her heart but eventually deciding that she wants more than to just play second fiddle to Alys, just to be a trophy to the other woman, to be won and held.
And where Sammish is a breath of fresh air, the added stories of Tregarro, Andomaka, and Saffa tie it all together quite nicely. I mean, there’s still little enough action, but the intrigue and the conspiracies are enough to see it through to the end—all while promising something further on, something at the culmination of all the threads.
TL;DR
Age of Ash is a little dry, and takes some getting used to. But while there’s little enough action, there is actually quite a lot going on. Thing is, there’s a legitimately good story here, it just takes some time to find. Which is problematic in a new series, especially one written like Kithamar is. Three books all taking place at the same time, each one telling a different part of the same tale, with all three needed to fill out the picture. Despite the slow start, this is the kind of series I’d expect to get better the farther along it goes. Where I found Alys’ tale a bit dull, Book #2 finds us following the POV of Garreth, a palace guardsman and lover to the Heir Apparent of Kithamar, the only daughter of the new Prince.
Book #2—Blade of Dream—is due out July 18th. I’ll probably be interested in continuing the series, but we’ll see. Therefore I would tentatively recommend Age of Ash, just don’t expect it to be something it’s not.
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/04/11/age-of-ash-by-daniel-abraham-review/
—
I am Kithamar. I was born a city.
—
Kithamar is an ancient city in the breadbasket of the world, a hub for travel and trade, a center of wealth and power. It is also more than a city, embodied and ruled by a living god, not that the commonfolk realize it. Only now, for the first time in hundreds of years, this god that calls itself Kithamar does not rule the city—something it is desperate to rectify.
Alys is just another nobody. A poor thief, born to Longhill, she runs her pulls on the borders of Green Hill and the Stonemarket, preying on the rich folk before bringing the goods back home. But when her brother, Darro, is killed, she will find herself embroiled in a conspiracy to replace the current Prince, and to save the city—and the world—from itself.
Not that she cares about any of that. No, Alys is out for revenge. And to make a name for herself; a thief and thug, a killer for hire, a mercenary, someone that can escape Longhill, make it in the outside world.
All Sammish wants is Alys. To make enough coin to see her through the winter, to sleep in the room above the brewery, and to hold the other woman in her arms and heart. A thief that occasionally works with Alys, Sammish’s talent is in her anonymity. A face that no one would glance twice at, if they weren’t already looking for it.
But when Alys becomes caught up in the plot to save Kithamar, Sammish is willing to do anything to save her. Even if it means stepping out of the shadows and into the light of day. As the plot draws closer to fruition, both women will be tested, tempted, and tried. But which will make it through in one piece, and which will fall victim to the river, and be washed away once and for all?
—
So, I told him ‘Here’s a counter-offer. I throw it in the river, everyone starts killing everyone else, and nobody gets paid for any of it.’
—
Second time was the charm for this one.
Yeah, it took me two goes to get through this book, and for one very good reason. A political fantasy, Age of Ash is rather dry. There’s a lot going on—just not a lot of action. For a sub-500 page novel, this is especially surprising. Normally if I call something political fantasy, I’d expect it to be 800+ pages, giving time for a lot of tension and intrigue and atmosphere. Not so here. The instances of action that do occur are few and far between. Worse still, the inconsistency in pacing is rather taxing, as any action will let off and routinely promise more coming, only to take its sweet time ever actually getting there.
The exact point where I burned out the first time is just past the hundred-page mark, where Alys is just coming into her own, but Sammish really hasn’t entered the tale. Alys’ story is an interesting one—and hers’ is the featured tale here—but where Alys is the mainstay, Sammish is the breath of fresh air I needed to make it through. Hers’ is an interesting tale as well: a girl following her heart but eventually deciding that she wants more than to just play second fiddle to Alys, just to be a trophy to the other woman, to be won and held.
And where Sammish is a breath of fresh air, the added stories of Tregarro, Andomaka, and Saffa tie it all together quite nicely. I mean, there’s still little enough action, but the intrigue and the conspiracies are enough to see it through to the end—all while promising something further on, something at the culmination of all the threads.
TL;DR
Age of Ash is a little dry, and takes some getting used to. But while there’s little enough action, there is actually quite a lot going on. Thing is, there’s a legitimately good story here, it just takes some time to find. Which is problematic in a new series, especially one written like Kithamar is. Three books all taking place at the same time, each one telling a different part of the same tale, with all three needed to fill out the picture. Despite the slow start, this is the kind of series I’d expect to get better the farther along it goes. Where I found Alys’ tale a bit dull, Book #2 finds us following the POV of Garreth, a palace guardsman and lover to the Heir Apparent of Kithamar, the only daughter of the new Prince.
Book #2—Blade of Dream—is due out July 18th. I’ll probably be interested in continuing the series, but we’ll see. Therefore I would tentatively recommend Age of Ash, just don’t expect it to be something it’s not.