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natalieyanka's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
bluejaybooks's review
A fast paced book about magical house racing. Curious to see which direction the sequel takes. I have a feeling it will be very different from book one.
almond's review against another edition
4.5
I especially enjoyed the imagery of the creation of the horses.
idsh's review
fast-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
4.0
theshaggyshepherd's review
4.0
Ashlords // by Scott Reintgen
A few months ago, I saw Bloodsworn, book 2 of the Ashlords series, on NetGalley and thought it was the perfect excuse to buy the book 1 if I was approved. If you've seen the covers of either book, you understand why I just couldn't turn this chance down. As a horse lover, I was immediately drawn in. Of course, in my excitement, I didn't pay close enough attention in the rush and accidentally ordered the paperback, which won't ship until the release day of book 2. Thankfully though I was able to read the ebook through my local library.
Ashlords may not be the story Scott Reintgen originally expected to write but I am so glad it turned out the way it did. This is an action-packed story that moves quickly without making it feel rushed. While the world-building isn't as detailed as I enjoyed in my recent read of Legacy of Ash, it still gives us many bits and pieces along the way that help us puzzle together an understanding of the setting. I absolutely adore the phoenixes and the magic that is used with them, especially with its methodical application, but I also enjoyed hearing about other creatures and worlds. While it is sometimes confusing to have both futuristic technological advances as well as a lack of the type of technology we have been so used to in the real world, such as cars and cellphones, it is interesting to see how Reintgen combines those two factors with his magical system and the gods.
The book is told by several people in different forms. While most of them are first person, there is one character that tells her story from the second person point of view. I know that is meant to make the reader feel like they are more immersed in the story, but it has always felt a bit awkward to me personally. It took me several chapters with this character to get more invested in her but eventually it stopped standing out to me as much and I was able to focus more on the story itself, rather than the telling of it. What is great about the multiple POVs though is that we get the see how the events unfold from the inside of the three major groups in this society. There is a clear class system present, which means - as it often happens - there is a clear divide between the oppressor and the oppressed, but the author manages to make us care about all of our available narrators, no matter which class they belong to.
I've recently been struggling with YA books because it felt like some of them were purposely written somewhat "dumbed down" as if they wanted to be as easily understood as possible (don't underestimate your target audience; they might just surprise you!) but didn't have any of those same issues with this book and find this to be an excellent start to the series. I am really excited to have the eARC for Blood Sworn ready to dive into tonight.
A few months ago, I saw Bloodsworn, book 2 of the Ashlords series, on NetGalley and thought it was the perfect excuse to buy the book 1 if I was approved. If you've seen the covers of either book, you understand why I just couldn't turn this chance down. As a horse lover, I was immediately drawn in. Of course, in my excitement, I didn't pay close enough attention in the rush and accidentally ordered the paperback, which won't ship until the release day of book 2. Thankfully though I was able to read the ebook through my local library.
Ashlords may not be the story Scott Reintgen originally expected to write but I am so glad it turned out the way it did. This is an action-packed story that moves quickly without making it feel rushed. While the world-building isn't as detailed as I enjoyed in my recent read of Legacy of Ash, it still gives us many bits and pieces along the way that help us puzzle together an understanding of the setting. I absolutely adore the phoenixes and the magic that is used with them, especially with its methodical application, but I also enjoyed hearing about other creatures and worlds. While it is sometimes confusing to have both futuristic technological advances as well as a lack of the type of technology we have been so used to in the real world, such as cars and cellphones, it is interesting to see how Reintgen combines those two factors with his magical system and the gods.
The book is told by several people in different forms. While most of them are first person, there is one character that tells her story from the second person point of view. I know that is meant to make the reader feel like they are more immersed in the story, but it has always felt a bit awkward to me personally. It took me several chapters with this character to get more invested in her but eventually it stopped standing out to me as much and I was able to focus more on the story itself, rather than the telling of it. What is great about the multiple POVs though is that we get the see how the events unfold from the inside of the three major groups in this society. There is a clear class system present, which means - as it often happens - there is a clear divide between the oppressor and the oppressed, but the author manages to make us care about all of our available narrators, no matter which class they belong to.
I've recently been struggling with YA books because it felt like some of them were purposely written somewhat "dumbed down" as if they wanted to be as easily understood as possible (don't underestimate your target audience; they might just surprise you!) but didn't have any of those same issues with this book and find this to be an excellent start to the series. I am really excited to have the eARC for Blood Sworn ready to dive into tonight.
ameserole's review
4.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ashlords was a pretty interesting book. In it, you are following three riders who have been entered into a racing competition. This one just has phoenix horses, which are created by ashes with certain components by the Riders. Again, it was interesting and I was kind of getting vibes from other books that feature competitions.
The riders - Imelda, Adrian, and Pippa - were from completely different backgrounds. The one in favor with the gods and Ashlords, Pippa. The other two were the underdogs that you couldn't help but root for. Each person had wanted something from this race - whether it was winning it, finally being seen as a person of value, or something complete different. They all made it an interesting ride from start to finish.
Low-key, I loved Imelda. She was my favorite underdog who was completely underestimated by everyone. They had no idea what tricks she had up her sleeve until the very end. Even then, I don't think they realize what she actually has planned. This reason alone is why I'm freaking excited for another book.
With hints of war and so many other things, there's no reason as to why I wouldn't want to dive into the next book ASAP.
Ashlords was a pretty interesting book. In it, you are following three riders who have been entered into a racing competition. This one just has phoenix horses, which are created by ashes with certain components by the Riders. Again, it was interesting and I was kind of getting vibes from other books that feature competitions.
The riders - Imelda, Adrian, and Pippa - were from completely different backgrounds. The one in favor with the gods and Ashlords, Pippa. The other two were the underdogs that you couldn't help but root for. Each person had wanted something from this race - whether it was winning it, finally being seen as a person of value, or something complete different. They all made it an interesting ride from start to finish.
Low-key, I loved Imelda. She was my favorite underdog who was completely underestimated by everyone. They had no idea what tricks she had up her sleeve until the very end. Even then, I don't think they realize what she actually has planned. This reason alone is why I'm freaking excited for another book.
With hints of war and so many other things, there's no reason as to why I wouldn't want to dive into the next book ASAP.
bookcaseofdoom's review
3.0
Just a regular YA sff. The world is poorly thought out (why is there technology that allows people to "watch" the races by almost walking among the riders, but they still fight with swords? That's magnificent devotion to aesthetic.). It was very fast paced, predictable and entertaining. I want to know how the story ends, but not enough to spend my hard earned money on the sequel. Maybe someday.
P.S. i hate writing reviews like this, the author put his heart and soul into this. But I'm trying to be honest with my reviews, at least this year, so here.
actuallyahorsereads's review
3.0
I am completely on the fence about this book. There were moments I absolutely loved—especially all of the alchemy components—but I felt like they sort of took a backseat to the six thousand different plots. And there were too many plots in this—I think it either needed to be longer to give everything a bit more room to develop, or have this series be longer than a duology. There is so much stuff in here that could have been really cool, had it been given the chance to shine.
jecinwv's review
4.0
This is a tough review to write. I started this book with skepticism. A western hunger games dystopian world with magic, gods, horses, and three races at odds over a troubled history. It seemed like too much. But, once the focus shifted to the races I became enamored. The three main characters each get their own voice. Three people, three different species, one war. I thoroughly enjoyed this and read it in only 2 days. The magic could be better, the world building needs work, but it was good. And bonus, no romance. Yay! Truly brilliant. Rarely do men write female characters well but I felt this was authentic and fun. Highly recommend. Very unique piece and anyone who likes a good competition tale will love this.