A review by doughtah
Only Ashes Remain by Rebecca Schaeffer

dark funny 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
This picks up from the end of Not Even Bones with Nita at the International Organization that might offer her refuge. The adventure comes in quickly as we see the return of Nita’s enemy, Fabricio, to the story. And Schaeffer keeps up the energy throughout the rest of the book. 

Most of the book takes place in Canada as Nita struggles with what she wants to do now that her identity is online and on sale and everyone wants a piece of her. She teams up with Kovit once more and their relationship does a really good job of humanizing everyone but Nita. 

For me, I had fun seeing Nita try to distance herself from all of these ‘monsters’ that she keeps interacting with, yet Nita’s actions paint her as the monster more than any of the other people she meets. Nita constantly rationalizes her actions and is fearful of other people’s darker, violent actions and this is one of the biggest conflicts in the story. 

Thankfully, Schaeffer does end up resolving this issue in a way that suits Nita as she grows. 

If you’re interested in a dark, action-packed story with a slightly dislikable protagonist and lovable secondary characters, I’d highly recommend Only Ashes Remain (as long as you’ve read the first one). 

I’m gonna be on the lookout for the 3rd book in my library once I get a couple other books finished!
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