Ashes of Man by Christopher Ruocchio

4.41 AVERAGE

danielhart's profile picture

danielhart's review

5.0
This series gets better and better with each book. This one I could not put down. So much happens emotionally and in the war. My heart pumps and I fear I may not sleep for hours
kaykay13's profile picture

kaykay13's review

4.5
adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense 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: Yes
These last few books in the series have been pivotal for me. At first I had little connection or care for Hadrian and his crew, by the 4th book and this 5th, I'm deeply invested and empathetic towards Hadrian. His journey has been so intense, dark and gruesome. The things he has done and gone through has built up his character but also torn him down. It's fascinating to see him deal with his ethics and politics and world view, while still having tons of action and drama play out, all the whole a huge world is being built. This book has a gut punching ending, arguably worse than the previous, and it makes me both worry for Hadrian but also curious to see how he will move forward and how the series will end. Lorian has been a a great side character whose shined through these last couple of books and I'm glad we finally got more time with the emperor and Alexander who were sidelined in the last couple of books. 
matt_cdune's profile picture

matt_cdune's review

4.5
adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
vincent_sinclair's profile picture

vincent_sinclair's review

3.5
High C - 7/10 - Good

mgrau5's review

5.0
If kingdoms of death took everything away from our main character this accomplishes to deepen that wound tenfold. The writing is too good and the fact that this was supposed to be one book combined with kingdoms of death means that some bits here are a bit drawn out. However, I think I loved these moments the most. The writing really shines in those quieter, introspective moments that build before taking everything away later on.

the_almighty_brushwagg's review against another edition

5.0
adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective 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: Yes

jmaxcam's review

5.0
challenging dark tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

daniel_calovi's review against another edition

4.0
adventurous challenging dark emotional sad
gayane96_'s profile picture

gayane96_'s review

4.5
adventurous challenging dark emotional 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: Yes

skycam's review

5.0
adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
Oh my god. Every Suneater book leaves me absolutely speechless. What a book to start the year off with am I right? I purposely waited to read this one after Kingdoms of Death because that book destroyed me and I had guessed what would happen in this one. I never would’ve been able to read them back to back and even imagining this book and that one combined into one makes me shudder. Christopher is such a cruel author 😭😭😭

The first 100 or so pages of this book had me crying on and off the whole time. I haven’t read many books that have done that to me. I thought I’d be crying through the whole book. This series is such a masterpiece. There’s no better word to describe it. It’s epic, gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, earth-shattering, and absolutely beautiful. I am so so glad I gave this series a chance. 

I just realized the ending of this book has me feeling the exact feeling I had at the end of Kingdoms of Death: being afraid for Lorian. Like come on, Christopher we can at least give Lorian a break if we’re not going to give one to Hadrian! 

Also Olorin was such a welcome surprise in this! I had always thought it was weird how we never heard from him again since I had really liked him during the short time we spent with him. I had figured he was still alive but for him to be a Prince?? And to become so relevant in this book?? I was not prepared, but it made me so happy and I needed some happy moments.

Also the way Valka died… no one talk to me. She was never my favorite character, but the reason I so dreaded her dying is because she’s Hadrian’s everything. UGH. I hope Disquiet Gods will be somewhat happier than these last two have been.

🗡️ 👽🌌🪐⚔️💀👨‍🚀🌍🛸👑