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dkgreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
So, apparently INTENSE is the name of the game with this author and I’m totally here for it be a she does it SO well! This is the second book in a “Bully Romance” series, so again there is bullying, intimidation, and some dubious consent situations, but there is also deep, DEEP grief. I was 100% invested in the characters and loved that we got a dual POV this time. I even teared up a few times. And read this in one sitting. Again. Lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Bullying, and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Addiction, and Death
em_thebookish_girl's review against another edition
5.0
This is my second read by Julia Wolf, Through the Ashes is a bully romance and book #2 in The Savage Crew series. Although it's a standalone, I recommend reading book #1 Start a Fire. Hence the heroine Bex was featured in it. It's also a diverse read, and I really enjoyed seeing the characters from the previous book. And Gabe!! He's such a trouble maker! Gabe and Bex have this love and hate friend/relationship. Bex tolerates Gabe's behavior to a certain point, once it reaches tipping point, they start bickering like a brother and sister. Reading their dialogues was definitely one of my highlights.
In the first few chapters, I thought had an idea where this plot was heading. But, oh boy! I was so wrong! At first, Bex and Asher (hero) really hit it off, which completely surprised me. But as the plot started to unravel, Asher did a 180 degree change. Asher is not what he seems like, he might be the innocent golden boy star football player, but that's just his facade. He's far more sinister; Asher has a darker side to him. Bex and Asher's interactions with each other was heated and explosive. A never ending standoff. Both of them may seem to despise each other, yet they are desperately craving for one anothers' attention and touch. A tragedy and unfortunate incident bounds them. And more then anything, Bex and Asher need each other. Overall, I really liked this book! And it's my favorite so far out of this series. Can't wait for Gabe's book!
While attending Savage River High, Bex wasn't really in the same circle/group of friends as Asher. Very rarely their paths crossed with each other; Bex avoided engaging with the popular crowd. Asher is on the high school football team, and Bex can be seen as a nerd while having a Gothic/artsy dressing style. Bex has a complicated home living environment. Bex's family expected nothing but the best from her, but at the same time, they weren't really present in her life; her parents were oblivious to their daughter's needs or feelings. Bex and Asher are both hurting, grieving in their own ways. And ultimately, they are two people who can understand each other the most.
**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest
In the first few chapters, I thought had an idea where this plot was heading. But, oh boy! I was so wrong! At first, Bex and Asher (hero) really hit it off, which completely surprised me. But as the plot started to unravel, Asher did a 180 degree change. Asher is not what he seems like, he might be the innocent golden boy star football player, but that's just his facade. He's far more sinister; Asher has a darker side to him. Bex and Asher's interactions with each other was heated and explosive. A never ending standoff. Both of them may seem to despise each other, yet they are desperately craving for one anothers' attention and touch. A tragedy and unfortunate incident bounds them. And more then anything, Bex and Asher need each other. Overall, I really liked this book! And it's my favorite so far out of this series. Can't wait for Gabe's book!
While attending Savage River High, Bex wasn't really in the same circle/group of friends as Asher. Very rarely their paths crossed with each other; Bex avoided engaging with the popular crowd. Asher is on the high school football team, and Bex can be seen as a nerd while having a Gothic/artsy dressing style. Bex has a complicated home living environment. Bex's family expected nothing but the best from her, but at the same time, they weren't really present in her life; her parents were oblivious to their daughter's needs or feelings. Bex and Asher are both hurting, grieving in their own ways. And ultimately, they are two people who can understand each other the most.
**I received an ARC in exchange for my honest
the_librarians_daughter's review against another edition
5.0
Triggers noted at the end of review.
Julia Wolf writes the absolute BEST broken people.
This is the second book in The Savage Crew.
This is Bex's story.
Bex is the good girl. The good daughter. The good student. The good artist. But inside? Inside is a swirling storm of emotion, heartache, broken pieces, and dark.
Asher is the golden boy. Good student. Star football star. Handsome, but not arrogant. Asher is playing a part. Asher is a tormented, twisted, complex layering of abandonment, loss, desperation and grief.
Bex and Asher don't make sense from the outside. What is the star football god doing with the angsty emo art chic? Bex and Asher shouldn't make sense on the inside either. Both have lost someone close to them. The person that knew them best and loved them as they are. Their people are gone with Bex and Asher standing on opposite sides of the same story.
Yet, Bex's broken pieces seem to match Asher's broken pieces. Both of them find peace in being with the other. Neither will allow the other to lie to them. If it's going to hurt, they still force the truth out each other. In doing so they begin to heal from their trauma.
Bex is an amazingly complex, strong, fierce little woman. She's spent her life either passively ignored by her parents or over smothered by them. Her older brother, once her only light in the home has been an addict for years, but this time he has pushed limits too far. Bex is now living in a confusing home of being both ignored AND smothered, while grieving different things. Within the span of weeks her life is turned on its head never to be the way it was before. Out of this turmoil she loses a boyfriend, but gains an Asher. Her childhood best friend flits in and out of Bex's life while Grace (her newest friend) further settles into the role of sister protector.
We also see more of the "Savage Crew". We'd met Bash and Gabe in the first book in the series (Grace and Bash's story). In Bex's story we begin to see more of Gabe. Honestly - I really can't wait to read his book. That's a story for another time.
Bex proves fiercely loyal to those who love her. As Asher calls it - she's a Bex-bear.
Asher has a similar past. A father that comes and goes from his life even though they come home to the same house. His father pays attention to Asher when he deems it necessary to keep his current wife happy. For her part, Asher's step mom Laura does try to reach out to Asher. He also has a wonderful bond with his younger half siblings. Seeing Asher's interaction with the toddlers gives the reader hope that Asher hasn't completely derailed. He's just lost and trying to find his way out.
Asher has perfected what some would label "Imposter Syndrome" he wears an almost uncrackable mask in public. He's the even keeled, easy going, star athlete with top grades. Inside though, he yearns for someone to love him the way Bex loves her brother Parker. Asher has heard Parker talk about Bex. Asher admits he has tried to talk to Bex and ask her out for years. Unfortunately for them both, Bex wasn't able to see it for what it was. Now that they are tied together by trauma caused by one brother and impacting the other brother, the truth comes out in painful gushes.
This book, much like Ms. Wolf's first book in her Savage Crew series is labeled a bully romance. In parts it is. However, this isn't a book about a broken soul who is lashing out at the world and at one person in particular.
Both Bex and Asher play the role of the bully in this story in different scenes. This book is less about bullying to me and more about new adults who are grappling with complex emotions that mature adults struggle with. There is grief, some depression, abandonment all mixed in with the normal teenage years struggles of finishing high school and moving on to college. As much as the adults in this book reach out to the kids asking them where they are in headspace, their lack of parenting shines through in the fact that neither are offered any sort of real or practical therapy. They find this instead in each other and their friends.
Honestly this is one of the better books I've read this year, and one of the most beautifully written about broken souls. I thought Grace and Bash's story was dark, complex, and utterly devastating. Ms. Wolf has taken us to a different but equally as dark place with Bex and Asher's story.
This isn't an easy read book, however it is a gripping read book. The further we get into the Savage Crew the more I crave the next book, the next story, the next thing that these teens are dealing with that the average high school senior isn't.
Triggers: drug use, parental abandonment, bullying, questionable sexual decisions (consensual)
Julia Wolf writes the absolute BEST broken people.
This is the second book in The Savage Crew.
This is Bex's story.
Bex is the good girl. The good daughter. The good student. The good artist. But inside? Inside is a swirling storm of emotion, heartache, broken pieces, and dark.
Asher is the golden boy. Good student. Star football star. Handsome, but not arrogant. Asher is playing a part. Asher is a tormented, twisted, complex layering of abandonment, loss, desperation and grief.
Bex and Asher don't make sense from the outside. What is the star football god doing with the angsty emo art chic? Bex and Asher shouldn't make sense on the inside either. Both have lost someone close to them. The person that knew them best and loved them as they are. Their people are gone with Bex and Asher standing on opposite sides of the same story.
Yet, Bex's broken pieces seem to match Asher's broken pieces. Both of them find peace in being with the other. Neither will allow the other to lie to them. If it's going to hurt, they still force the truth out each other. In doing so they begin to heal from their trauma.
Bex is an amazingly complex, strong, fierce little woman. She's spent her life either passively ignored by her parents or over smothered by them. Her older brother, once her only light in the home has been an addict for years, but this time he has pushed limits too far. Bex is now living in a confusing home of being both ignored AND smothered, while grieving different things. Within the span of weeks her life is turned on its head never to be the way it was before. Out of this turmoil she loses a boyfriend, but gains an Asher. Her childhood best friend flits in and out of Bex's life while Grace (her newest friend) further settles into the role of sister protector.
We also see more of the "Savage Crew". We'd met Bash and Gabe in the first book in the series (Grace and Bash's story). In Bex's story we begin to see more of Gabe. Honestly - I really can't wait to read his book. That's a story for another time.
Bex proves fiercely loyal to those who love her. As Asher calls it - she's a Bex-bear.
Asher has a similar past. A father that comes and goes from his life even though they come home to the same house. His father pays attention to Asher when he deems it necessary to keep his current wife happy. For her part, Asher's step mom Laura does try to reach out to Asher. He also has a wonderful bond with his younger half siblings. Seeing Asher's interaction with the toddlers gives the reader hope that Asher hasn't completely derailed. He's just lost and trying to find his way out.
Asher has perfected what some would label "Imposter Syndrome" he wears an almost uncrackable mask in public. He's the even keeled, easy going, star athlete with top grades. Inside though, he yearns for someone to love him the way Bex loves her brother Parker. Asher has heard Parker talk about Bex. Asher admits he has tried to talk to Bex and ask her out for years. Unfortunately for them both, Bex wasn't able to see it for what it was. Now that they are tied together by trauma caused by one brother and impacting the other brother, the truth comes out in painful gushes.
This book, much like Ms. Wolf's first book in her Savage Crew series is labeled a bully romance. In parts it is. However, this isn't a book about a broken soul who is lashing out at the world and at one person in particular.
Both Bex and Asher play the role of the bully in this story in different scenes. This book is less about bullying to me and more about new adults who are grappling with complex emotions that mature adults struggle with. There is grief, some depression, abandonment all mixed in with the normal teenage years struggles of finishing high school and moving on to college. As much as the adults in this book reach out to the kids asking them where they are in headspace, their lack of parenting shines through in the fact that neither are offered any sort of real or practical therapy. They find this instead in each other and their friends.
Honestly this is one of the better books I've read this year, and one of the most beautifully written about broken souls. I thought Grace and Bash's story was dark, complex, and utterly devastating. Ms. Wolf has taken us to a different but equally as dark place with Bex and Asher's story.
This isn't an easy read book, however it is a gripping read book. The further we get into the Savage Crew the more I crave the next book, the next story, the next thing that these teens are dealing with that the average high school senior isn't.
Triggers: drug use, parental abandonment, bullying, questionable sexual decisions (consensual)
alwaysbereadin's review against another edition
5.0
6 stars This has taken over my brain. And I have a feeling it'll be there for a while to come. I fell in love with this from page one and I fell so hard for both of the broken characters in this. Bex and Asher should never work. But it's through their shared experience that the do and by golly do they work! The angst was on point. The tension was on point. Emotional, passionate..I could go on and on but I really need you all who vibe with dark bully romances to check this out. It slaps. Hard. I volunteered to read and review an early copy of this. All opinions are my own.
booksara's review against another edition
3.0
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾☆ 3.25 stars ☆☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙
This one really is a high school bully romance. I wouldn’t consider it dark, though. It’s more emotional and depressing than the first. It had tough scenes that made me really sad.
I didn’t like this one as much as the first and here’s why:
♡ I didn’t love Asher, I liked him, but I didn’t fall for him.
♡ It felt unfinished idky. I think we didn’t get closure on Bex’s parents. And both, Asher and Bex just had A LOT of emotional baggage. It wasn’t realistic how they worked through it (they kinda didn’t).
♡ What Bex took in the party at the end passed unnoticed. Wtf?
♡ The ending felt a bit rushed.
But I did enjoy the story. I’m a sucker for bully romances and even though this wasn’t the best, I couldn’t stop reading.
Once again, my babe Gabe took the spotlight. Grace and Bash were adorable and when Bash said stuff to Bex like “we care about you” I just wanted to bawl. I adore him. I can’t wait for Gabe’s book. I hope it’s good. I LOVE HIM
“Thank you, by the way. For Saturday, and checking on me, and just now. And I’m sorry for being an asshole.”
His light brown eyes crinkled from how wide he grinned. “Aw, Rebecca. We’re having a moment and I’m here for it. Don’t be going soft on me, though, girl. I kind of like it when you’re an asshole.”
Laughing, I kicked him in the shin and shoved out the door into the bright afternoon sun. Gabe chased after me, howling and yelling, “That’s my little asshole!”
p.s. the playlist was reaaaally good.
【SONGS:】
Feeling Whitney — Post Malone
broken — lovelytheband
Him & I (feat. Halsey) — G-Easy
“Our connection was forged in the fire of our brothers’ burning lives, and through the ashes they left behind, Asher and I emerged.”
This one really is a high school bully romance. I wouldn’t consider it dark, though. It’s more emotional and depressing than the first. It had tough scenes that made me really sad.
I didn’t like this one as much as the first and here’s why:
♡ I didn’t love Asher, I liked him, but I didn’t fall for him.
♡ It felt unfinished idky. I think we didn’t get closure on Bex’s parents. And both, Asher and Bex just had A LOT of emotional baggage. It wasn’t realistic how they worked through it (they kinda didn’t).
♡ What Bex took in the party at the end passed unnoticed. Wtf?
♡ The ending felt a bit rushed.
But I did enjoy the story. I’m a sucker for bully romances and even though this wasn’t the best, I couldn’t stop reading.
Once again, my babe Gabe took the spotlight. Grace and Bash were adorable and when Bash said stuff to Bex like “we care about you” I just wanted to bawl. I adore him. I can’t wait for Gabe’s book. I hope it’s good. I LOVE HIM
“Thank you, by the way. For Saturday, and checking on me, and just now. And I’m sorry for being an asshole.”
His light brown eyes crinkled from how wide he grinned. “Aw, Rebecca. We’re having a moment and I’m here for it. Don’t be going soft on me, though, girl. I kind of like it when you’re an asshole.”
Laughing, I kicked him in the shin and shoved out the door into the bright afternoon sun. Gabe chased after me, howling and yelling, “That’s my little asshole!”
p.s. the playlist was reaaaally good.
【SONGS:】
Feeling Whitney — Post Malone
broken — lovelytheband
Him & I (feat. Halsey) — G-Easy
╭─━━━━━━━━━━━━─╮
• The Savage Crew Series •
Start a Fire #1 ─ 4 stars
Through the Ashes #2 ─ 3.25
Burn it Down #3 ─ 3.75 stars
╰─━━━━━━━━━━━━─╯
justtoni's review against another edition
5.0
This is the 2nd book in the Savage Crew Series. Although it is set in High School, it is meant for 18+ readers.
One of the things that this author is not afraid to do is make up uncomfortable in a provoking manner. I found myself honestly questioning if Asher (or Sebastian in the previous book) was redeemable.
The female leads in all of Ms. Wolf’s books are unique and diverse. Bex does not disappoint. The guilt she shoulders is overwhelming, and the way her and Asher’s journey manifests in done in a manner that is relatable.
I am very much looking forward to the 3rd installment of this series, especially since we have seen glimpses into Gabe’s depth. I have read several of Ms. Wolf’s rockstar books, all of which are excellent. I highly recommend Built to Fail.
One of the things that this author is not afraid to do is make up uncomfortable in a provoking manner. I found myself honestly questioning if Asher (or Sebastian in the previous book) was redeemable.
The female leads in all of Ms. Wolf’s books are unique and diverse. Bex does not disappoint. The guilt she shoulders is overwhelming, and the way her and Asher’s journey manifests in done in a manner that is relatable.
I am very much looking forward to the 3rd installment of this series, especially since we have seen glimpses into Gabe’s depth. I have read several of Ms. Wolf’s rockstar books, all of which are excellent. I highly recommend Built to Fail.
karja26's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️
I’m on the fence with this one…. Characters love them you can feel the pain from Asher & Bex from what they’re enduring from their family to the circumstance that brought them together. Asher held Bex accountable without getting all the facts. Bex bless her stayed strong throughout but falters when it gets too much.
What had me on the fence was Asher asking Bex to give up a lot because he was unforgiving to the circumstance. When he has to understand her point as well.
Sub characters: love seeing Grace & Bash again, Gabe has been my fav since book one and can’t WAIT for book 3. Love his wacky personality and his protectiveness of Grace & Bex (Wasn’t to happy when he sided with Asher though)
I’m on the fence with this one…. Characters love them you can feel the pain from Asher & Bex from what they’re enduring from their family to the circumstance that brought them together. Asher held Bex accountable without getting all the facts. Bex bless her stayed strong throughout but falters when it gets too much.
What had me on the fence was Asher asking Bex to give up a lot because he was unforgiving to the circumstance. When he has to understand her point as well.
Sub characters: love seeing Grace & Bash again, Gabe has been my fav since book one and can’t WAIT for book 3. Love his wacky personality and his protectiveness of Grace & Bex (Wasn’t to happy when he sided with Asher though)
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