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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really wanted to love Age of Ash, the overall story is so intriguing and something I normally love, but the bland underdeveloped characters ruined the book for me. The book is at times character driven following Alys who is trying to uncover her brother’s murder, but the connection to these characters the book wanted you to have just wasn’t there.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It just moved really slow for me. This was my first exposure to a long fantasy novel and perhaps the genre just isn't for me. I didn't really care for and found it hard to keep up with the politics and many characters and their relationships to each other. It took me several months to finish bc I kept losing interest.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't think I've ever been more emotionally attached to fantasy novel characters like these in a while. It's unfortunate this series is an anthology because I'll never get to read about Sammish ever again.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“For one night, Kithamar is a city between worlds and between ages. It falls out of its own history, at once the end of something and the beginning of something else.”
Daniel Abraham’s new fantasy novel “Age of Ash” is difficult to put into a niche because the story doesn’t fit neatly into expectations for an epic fantasy trilogy. The prose is beautiful, the story heartbreaking, the characters intriguing, and the plot sets up a sweeping, political story, but don’t expect the typical fantasy heroes or settings.
The story is about two young women who live in the slums of Kithamar and their struggle to survive in a dangerous and brutal world. At its heart, the story is about love, grief, heartbreak, misunderstanding, family, and political intrigue.
Alys and Sammish are friends. Alys is the bold, pretty, and aggressive one. Sammish is quiet, and one of those people who no one notices--invisible. Both characters are well developed, complex, and on their own journey. While Alys throws herself into action, Sammish slowly and methodically investigates. She learns of the malevolent underpinnings of Kithamar, and those secrets challenge her to make life changing decisions.
Most of the story takes place in the slums and is a slow burn as both women struggle with life, their loves, and their losses. Step by step, the story reveals political danger and intrigue festering in the city. Both women find themselves caught up in something bigger than themselves.
This is a character driven story with dark magic and secrets at work in the city. Don’t expect non-stop action packed adventure and heroic characters who would sit at King Arthur’s round table. There is enough action, but this is a hauntingly beautiful story that sticks with you long after you’re finished it.
I want to thank Netgalley and Orbit for an ARC copy of "Age of Ash"
Daniel Abraham’s new fantasy novel “Age of Ash” is difficult to put into a niche because the story doesn’t fit neatly into expectations for an epic fantasy trilogy. The prose is beautiful, the story heartbreaking, the characters intriguing, and the plot sets up a sweeping, political story, but don’t expect the typical fantasy heroes or settings.
The story is about two young women who live in the slums of Kithamar and their struggle to survive in a dangerous and brutal world. At its heart, the story is about love, grief, heartbreak, misunderstanding, family, and political intrigue.
Alys and Sammish are friends. Alys is the bold, pretty, and aggressive one. Sammish is quiet, and one of those people who no one notices--invisible. Both characters are well developed, complex, and on their own journey. While Alys throws herself into action, Sammish slowly and methodically investigates. She learns of the malevolent underpinnings of Kithamar, and those secrets challenge her to make life changing decisions.
Most of the story takes place in the slums and is a slow burn as both women struggle with life, their loves, and their losses. Step by step, the story reveals political danger and intrigue festering in the city. Both women find themselves caught up in something bigger than themselves.
This is a character driven story with dark magic and secrets at work in the city. Don’t expect non-stop action packed adventure and heroic characters who would sit at King Arthur’s round table. There is enough action, but this is a hauntingly beautiful story that sticks with you long after you’re finished it.
I want to thank Netgalley and Orbit for an ARC copy of "Age of Ash"