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fallingwings's review
2.0
For now, I'm DNFing this book.
Don't get the wrong idea, this isn't a horrible book or anything. I will say how our MC dies is really ridiculous I also can't get over how she's so loyal to her still-alive boyfriend but keeps borderline drooling over her hawt guide. However, things get more bearable after the first 5 chapters or so.
Unfortunately, it just doesn't keep me hooked right now, so I'm putting it down. Maybe I'll try again with it at a later point.
Don't get the wrong idea, this isn't a horrible book or anything. I will say how our MC dies is really ridiculous
Spoiler
she freakin is so eager to get to her boyfriends house because she wants to have sex with him sooo badly -- no, I'm not kidding here -- that she speeds up her car, while talking on her phone with said boyfriend and not paying attention, and ends up in a car accident, jfc.Unfortunately, it just doesn't keep me hooked right now, so I'm putting it down. Maybe I'll try again with it at a later point.
sallashelves's review
4.0
Slow at the start, but pays back in the end. Truly a wonderful book with a heart stopping ending, which leaves you either hating or loving the book.
****
Read full review here: http://bookstoldmeso.blogspot.fi/2015/10/review-ashes-to-ashes.html
****
Read full review here: http://bookstoldmeso.blogspot.fi/2015/10/review-ashes-to-ashes.html
aprilbooksandwine's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cathyatratedreads's review
3.0
I'd give it 3.5 stars. The premise is pretty interesting and somewhat different. As with many "romance" lines that are already established at the beginning of a book, this one was mostly blah, and the sorta-romance introduced later on was hard to really cheer for. I wasn't really surprised by the "twist" at the end, since it was reminiscent of a movie that was out some years back (don't want to say anything since it would be a spoiler), but the journey was mostly interesting. I'd actually be fine seeing this just be a stand-alone book, but I'll pick up the sequel to see what the author does with it.
booksandtombs's review
3.0
I'm giving this book 4 stars because I didn't like it about 60% of the time.
I didn't like Callie's character. I thought she was kind of a spoiled and she was also kind of selfish. I understand her wanting to stay on earth and always see her loved-ones by helping them not move on from her, but why would you want that for your loved ones? I know if I had a chance at an afterlife, I'd most definitely give my loved ones everything that they needed to move on from me because I wouldn't want them to suffer. I want them to be happy when they think of me, not depressed. That's why I didn't like Callie's character for most of the book, but nearing the end when she found out that Nick was planning on breaking up with her, through her hurt she still wanted him to move on and let go. I gave her major props for that and it made me like her character a little bit more.
As for Thatcher, I feel in love with him instantly. He did everything he could for Callie, even if it meant losing her in the process, because he was undoubtedly in love with her from the second he met her and realized that she was different. He had a good-hearted character.
The ending though....I most definitely did NOT expect that, but made sense on why Callie was so "different" from all of the other ghosts, much stronger. I give the ending 5 stars.
I'm debating on if I want to read the second book in the series. I'm not sure yet.
I didn't like Callie's character. I thought she was kind of a spoiled and she was also kind of selfish. I understand her wanting to stay on earth and always see her loved-ones by helping them not move on from her, but why would you want that for your loved ones? I know if I had a chance at an afterlife, I'd most definitely give my loved ones everything that they needed to move on from me because I wouldn't want them to suffer. I want them to be happy when they think of me, not depressed. That's why I didn't like Callie's character for most of the book, but nearing the end when she found out that Nick was planning on breaking up with her, through her hurt she still wanted him to move on and let go. I gave her major props for that and it made me like her character a little bit more.
As for Thatcher, I feel in love with him instantly. He did everything he could for Callie, even if it meant losing her in the process, because he was undoubtedly in love with her from the second he met her and realized that she was different. He had a good-hearted character.
The ending though....I most definitely did NOT expect that, but made sense on why Callie was so "different" from all of the other ghosts, much stronger. I give the ending 5 stars.
I'm debating on if I want to read the second book in the series. I'm not sure yet.
_alwaysrealokay's review
4.0
to be honest, it started a little bit slow for me. I wanted to put it down but I had this constant nagging in the back of my mind. Anyway, I enjoyed it very much. ashes to ashes took a turn I didn't exprct toward the end. the book my curiosity about what happen when you someone go in a coma increase. the book felt real to me. the message behind this book is to be grayeful for all the mundanes stuffs that occur to us and to appreciate life for it is a fragile thing.
sc104906's review
3.0
Ever wonder how the dead cope with being dead. Callie is learning how to help her friends and family to move on. In turn, Callie is learning how to move on to Solus. This was an interesting concept, but an okay book that was slow at times.
chrissymcbooknerd's review
5.0
I don't feel like I should really give a young adult novel about ghosts five stars, right? I mean, it's another paranormal book with another love triangle and a protagonist that's a little slow and a lot irritating at times.
But... it was such an enjoyable story!
Basically, the novel focuses on Callie, a teenager who dies one night (in her brand new car... go figure!) on the way to her boyfriend's house. (This isn't a spoiler! I promise!) She wakes up to a strange, glowy existence only to discover that she is a ghost -- and she will not move on to the afterlife until she is able to help her dearest love ones find peace with her death.
Callie has a Guide, Thatcher, who assures her that he will help her through the process of seeking acceptance for herself and her family... but Callie meets a group of rebels who make her wonder if Thatcher might be hiding the true extent of her powers and abilities in Prism. So, when Callie is given an opportunity to reconnect with her boyfriend --- maybe even to join him back on Earth -- she jumps at the possibility. But, is there any truth in Thatcher's warnings that she may be making the biggest mistake of her (after)life?
Maybe it's because I've been in a reading slump, or because this is my first book about ghosts... or maybe it's just a genuinely entertaining piece of fiction, but I really loved ASHES TO ASHES. I mean, yes, there were times when I wondered how Callie could POSSIBLY be so unaware of what was happening all around her, but even these annoying little character quirks really weren't enough to detract from the story for me.
I enjoyed Thatcher's character and liked that the author provided a bit more character development and background than I usually expect in this type of story. Callie's friends and boyfriend before death were fairly multidimensional characters too -- I especially enjoyed her quirky best friend and her obsession with all things paranormal. Sure, she was a bit over the top at points, but who didn't know at least one kid in school who acted like this?
And.. that ending! I just really was NOT expecting that ending! And then I find out that I have to WAIT, because this is part of a series?!
If you like cute paranormal fiction with a little tinge of romance and intrigue, go ahead and give ASHES TO ASHES a read. Just know that you'll be waiting a little while for the story to continue...
(4.5 stars)
But... it was such an enjoyable story!
Basically, the novel focuses on Callie, a teenager who dies one night (in her brand new car... go figure!) on the way to her boyfriend's house. (This isn't a spoiler! I promise!) She wakes up to a strange, glowy existence only to discover that she is a ghost -- and she will not move on to the afterlife until she is able to help her dearest love ones find peace with her death.
Callie has a Guide, Thatcher, who assures her that he will help her through the process of seeking acceptance for herself and her family... but Callie meets a group of rebels who make her wonder if Thatcher might be hiding the true extent of her powers and abilities in Prism. So, when Callie is given an opportunity to reconnect with her boyfriend --- maybe even to join him back on Earth -- she jumps at the possibility. But, is there any truth in Thatcher's warnings that she may be making the biggest mistake of her (after)life?
Maybe it's because I've been in a reading slump, or because this is my first book about ghosts... or maybe it's just a genuinely entertaining piece of fiction, but I really loved ASHES TO ASHES. I mean, yes, there were times when I wondered how Callie could POSSIBLY be so unaware of what was happening all around her, but even these annoying little character quirks really weren't enough to detract from the story for me.
I enjoyed Thatcher's character and liked that the author provided a bit more character development and background than I usually expect in this type of story. Callie's friends and boyfriend before death were fairly multidimensional characters too -- I especially enjoyed her quirky best friend and her obsession with all things paranormal. Sure, she was a bit over the top at points, but who didn't know at least one kid in school who acted like this?
And.. that ending! I just really was NOT expecting that ending! And then I find out that I have to WAIT, because this is part of a series?!
If you like cute paranormal fiction with a little tinge of romance and intrigue, go ahead and give ASHES TO ASHES a read. Just know that you'll be waiting a little while for the story to continue...
(4.5 stars)
labraden's review
3.0
Ashes to Ashes begins with an interesting premise. Callie lost her mother when she was six. Since then, she has had a less than open relationship with her father, but enjoys a loving best friend, Carson, and a boyfriend, Nick, that she is in love with. Her father buys her a new car which she wrecks in an attempt to find a thrill that is missing in her life. In the wreck, she dies and goes to a place called the Prism where the dead go to help their loved ones deal with the death by "haunting" them. Many of the ghosts in the Prism want to use Callie's energy to find a way to take possession of the bodies of the living to come back to life. Thatcher, Callie's spirit guide, tries to protect her from those who would use her for nefarious reasons.
I found this book frustrating. So many topics are raised in this book, but almost none are addressed, even by the end of the book. Apparently there is a sequel, but that isn't clear until the last page of the book, leaving the reader frustrated by the lack of progress the book makes.
I found this book frustrating. So many topics are raised in this book, but almost none are addressed, even by the end of the book. Apparently there is a sequel, but that isn't clear until the last page of the book, leaving the reader frustrated by the lack of progress the book makes.