A review by dragonwriter
Ashes of Gold by J. Elle

adventurous challenging emotional informative tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Now that East Row is safe from the General’s drug ring, Rue has to return to Ghizon to save her other family. When she wakes up in a cell with Jhamal and the memory of a lost battle, her self-confidence is shaken. After an indeterminate time trapped underground, Jhamal, Rue, and Brie are rescued and taken to join the other survivors, and Rue is horrified to discover that their numbers have been halved. What’s worse, Central Ghizon is tearing itself apart, those loyal to the Chancelor setting fire to the homes and buildings of the various neighborhoods. Determined to fix her mistakes, Rue sets out to raise the ancestors to have them restore her people’s magic, but when a seer predicts that someone will betray her--already has betrayed her--Rue begins to doubt more than just herself. She doubts everyone around her. 

Book one was better in my opinion. For one thing, the Ghizoni had minor magic that they could use, but it was very weak. In book two, however, Rue is the only one able to use magic without being bound to an onyx. She is the ancestor’s glowing exception. I have no idea how the other Ghizoni lost their magic, even small as it was, leaving Rue to be the ONLY one to be able to use magic. Then her being in the cell felt very handwaved. She recovers her memories, but I don’t think it was ever explained how she was captured. Jhamal’s whole arc was very predictable, but I did like how people reminded Rue to be patient with Brie, who was actively trying to improve. I don’t like the friendship between Rue and Brie, because Brie literally sacrifices everything (home, family, magic) for Rue, but Rue still accuses Brie of being the traitor, and calls her selfish and a know-it-all to her face. Yet Brie lets it all slide off her back  and keeps trying to be better. Still, the ending was solid. The final battle and resolutions were all good--though I didn’t like how hung up Rue was on the REAL traitor, romanticizing him and keeping Julian at arm’s length. It didn’t feel right, like she kept treating everyone who hurt her better than those who remained loyal to her. It was the only disappointment in the ending.