Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Dragons. Shape shifters. Magic. Enemies to friends to lovers? Long lost family. Everything I could’ve ever wanted in a fantasy and didn’t know I needed. Honestly if you’re a fan of GOT and Khalessi was your girl THIS is the storyline we all deserved. 100 times cooler and way better ending I promise. Cannot wait to read book 2 and 3 when it eventually comes out.
Took me a minute to get into a groove with the writing style but I like the world building and the clever relationships. Already 64 pgs into the next book and it’s great!
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love dragons! You tell me your book has dragons and you are already halfway there. So when I saw this book was about dragons, and that there were people who could transform between dragons and humans, I had to read it. It did not disappoint. My favorite thing about this book was the world building. I really enjoyed being in this world and having so many dragons in this book. I also felt this was a very intriguing story.
I will be completely honest about something. Due to my kindle unlimited subscription being renewed soon, and for the time being canceling it, I was trying to find something that would be a quick read, to get in before the renewal came and it was too late to cancel for the next month. I saw that this was YA, which I was completely fine with. However, I missed that this was a romance novel. I don’t feel the romance was bad, it was just targeted for a much younger audience and was not for me. Because of that, there were times I was thinking of putting it down. However, I fell in love with the world and was intrigued by the plot. Because of that, I kept going and was not let down. So my rating does overlook my feelings about the romance (as if I did, I would have rated it a little lower) as I feel that the other elements in the book helped me to overlook the romance aspect and enjoy the rest of the story as is.
My only point of criticism is that I didn’t feel there was too much of a difference between the humans, the dragons, and the human/dragon mix. Like as I read, it felt more like all the characters were humans and the dragons really felt human. The dragons were more feral, and I do think the dragon/human mix should feel more human. But those who were dragons, still felt very human.. I think I would have liked to see those characters feel a little more different than the human characters. This is the author’s first published book and I do think she has a lot of potential. I am excited to see how she grows and develops as she continues to write.
I will be completely honest about something. Due to my kindle unlimited subscription being renewed soon, and for the time being canceling it, I was trying to find something that would be a quick read, to get in before the renewal came and it was too late to cancel for the next month. I saw that this was YA, which I was completely fine with. However, I missed that this was a romance novel. I don’t feel the romance was bad, it was just targeted for a much younger audience and was not for me. Because of that, there were times I was thinking of putting it down. However, I fell in love with the world and was intrigued by the plot. Because of that, I kept going and was not let down. So my rating does overlook my feelings about the romance (as if I did, I would have rated it a little lower) as I feel that the other elements in the book helped me to overlook the romance aspect and enjoy the rest of the story as is.
My only point of criticism is that I didn’t feel there was too much of a difference between the humans, the dragons, and the human/dragon mix. Like as I read, it felt more like all the characters were humans and the dragons really felt human. The dragons were more feral, and I do think the dragon/human mix should feel more human. But those who were dragons, still felt very human.. I think I would have liked to see those characters feel a little more different than the human characters. This is the author’s first published book and I do think she has a lot of potential. I am excited to see how she grows and develops as she continues to write.
Review
“Scales of Ash and Smoke” is my new favorite fantasy YA!
This book was medium length for me (360 pages), and I loved every minute of it. The hardcover dust jacket has beautiful artwork (It looks like it’s lighting up!), and inside the map and pages are beautifully designed. This novel transported me to a new world right away. The descriptions of people, dragons, magic, and places were perfectly detailed. I love when a book has a map at the beginning as well as a pronunciation guide. It allows me to go back to the beginning for reference, instead of finding it at the end. The MC was very likeable, and you saw the growth of both Kaida and Prince Tarrin. The bad guy was very hateable indeed! There were twist and turns that I did not see coming, and it kept me engaged till the end. This story had almost everything for me and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Kaida in the next book!
“Scales of Ash and Smoke” is my new favorite fantasy YA!
This book was medium length for me (360 pages), and I loved every minute of it. The hardcover dust jacket has beautiful artwork (It looks like it’s lighting up!), and inside the map and pages are beautifully designed. This novel transported me to a new world right away. The descriptions of people, dragons, magic, and places were perfectly detailed. I love when a book has a map at the beginning as well as a pronunciation guide. It allows me to go back to the beginning for reference, instead of finding it at the end. The MC was very likeable, and you saw the growth of both Kaida and Prince Tarrin. The bad guy was very hateable indeed! There were twist and turns that I did not see coming, and it kept me engaged till the end. This story had almost everything for me and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Kaida in the next book!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Scales of Ash & Smoke by Emily Schneider
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis: Seventeen year old human, Kaida, has worked as a slave for Master Eklos, an evil dragon that wants to end the human race. Prince Tarrin rescues her at his mothers insistence, claiming that one day he will understand why. Once rescued, Kaida finds out she is actually a mutator formarum. When a conspiracy is uncovered to remove the royal family for power, Kaida fears for her life. As Kaida and Prince Tarrin begin to fall in love, she must decide whether or not to save the very dragon she hates or destroy him.
My Thoughts: This was my first fantasy type novel and I have to say I really enjoyed it! I was afraid that I may not be able to get into the whole dragon vs human aspect but this novel read so well and really kept my attention wonderfully. You’re never too old to let your mind wander and be adventurous. I already have the next two novels and can’t wait to read them both!
A story unlike one I’ve yet to read
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up Scales of Ash & Smoke but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Schneider created a rich world (that I’m very glad I don’t live in) where dragons reign over the human slaves. I’ve never read a book where dragons take on human traits so I found this very intriguing and a lot of fun to read (listen to?)! I absolutely loved the magic system Schneider created, and Prince Tarrin, of course. If you’re looking for a fun, magic-filled dragon read with a cruel villain, give SOAAS a read!
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up Scales of Ash & Smoke but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Schneider created a rich world (that I’m very glad I don’t live in) where dragons reign over the human slaves. I’ve never read a book where dragons take on human traits so I found this very intriguing and a lot of fun to read (listen to?)! I absolutely loved the magic system Schneider created, and Prince Tarrin, of course. If you’re looking for a fun, magic-filled dragon read with a cruel villain, give SOAAS a read!