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sheepishly_sarah 's review for:
Ash Princess
by Laura Sebastian
Oh my gosh, I'm shocked at how much I loved this! I'll admit I was slow to start this series because it seemed like a lot of YA series out there. A beaten-down princess rises up to reclaim her throne with some elemental magic thrown in. However, this world and these characters just stole my heart. Theodosia has been a prisoner in her own home since she was six years old and the Kaiser invaded her country and had her mother murdered before her eyes. She has endured relentless abuse at the Kaiser's hand, often blamed for any rebel activity that arose across the nation. He was even cruel enough to take her very name from her, having her whipped until she understood that she was no one. She's grown up alongside Cress, the darling daughter of the very man who slit the Fire Queen's throat. Cress has protected Theo as best as she could provided that Theo remembers her place. Their friendship is close and only able to exist because Theo is able to compartmentalize her pain and somehow separate Cress from the Kalovaxian's who destroyed her life. There are two love interests for Theo but there's a conversation at the end that seems to make it clear that one of them will not survive the series long enough to be the endgame, so I’m not as concerned with the love triangle brewing. I also liked where the book ended in terms of romantic relationships. Though they had been a part of the story they didn't feel like they eclipsed the bigger part of the story. This is about Theo saving her people and reclaiming her throne. I do have to talk quickly about one of my favorite characters. The Kaiserin was incredible. Her backstory was so heartbreaking and I can't imagine how that woman survived as long as she has. She was a real surprise for me in this novel.
I really loved the magic in this book. There are stones mined in four different mines across the country that have the ability to grant people power depending on the stones they use. The stones are linked to the elements, fire, earth, water, and air. However, there are powers beyond being able to manipulate the element itself. One element is linked to strength, another to healing and another to illusion. Before the Kaiser's invasion, only Guardian's were allowed to wear a stone. The magic was deeply tied to religion and people would go to a mine and pray and hope to be blessed by one of the Gods. Those who were blessed would receive a stone tied to their type of elemental magic and were able to do great feats of magic. Now under the Kaiser's rule courtiers pay lots of money to deck themselves out in small stones in order to achieve little bits of magic. Some stones help slightly alter appearances so they may look more beautiful. Others grant strength and others provide warmth. As the courtiers are not blessed they're really not able to achieve much with the stones. I think this book will appeal to people who liked The Winner's Curse series. Ash Princess reminded me of the second book in particular. There's a lot of games and political maneuvering between the captive princess and the cruel ruler. I cannot wait to read Lady Smoke!
I really loved the magic in this book. There are stones mined in four different mines across the country that have the ability to grant people power depending on the stones they use. The stones are linked to the elements, fire, earth, water, and air. However, there are powers beyond being able to manipulate the element itself. One element is linked to strength, another to healing and another to illusion. Before the Kaiser's invasion, only Guardian's were allowed to wear a stone. The magic was deeply tied to religion and people would go to a mine and pray and hope to be blessed by one of the Gods. Those who were blessed would receive a stone tied to their type of elemental magic and were able to do great feats of magic. Now under the Kaiser's rule courtiers pay lots of money to deck themselves out in small stones in order to achieve little bits of magic. Some stones help slightly alter appearances so they may look more beautiful. Others grant strength and others provide warmth. As the courtiers are not blessed they're really not able to achieve much with the stones. I think this book will appeal to people who liked The Winner's Curse series. Ash Princess reminded me of the second book in particular. There's a lot of games and political maneuvering between the captive princess and the cruel ruler. I cannot wait to read Lady Smoke!