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A review by fromjuliereads
The Ashfire King by Chelsea Abdullah
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
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
4.5
**Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for an advanced ebook**
This sequel was one of my most highly anticipated books for this year, and I am so grateful that I was given an advanced copy!
I was so excited to be back in this world and with these characters. There is SO MUCH that happens in this book. And honestly, the characters and their arcs through this sequel definitely surprised me for where things went.
I was surprised that somehow Aisha became my favourite in the book! I still adore Mazen, Loulie, and of course, Qadir, but Aisha surprised me with her arc and plotline. I was fully swept up in it and loved her character throughout.
The only reasons that this is not 5 stars: I struggled a bit with the pacing for the first half of the book, but I think that was mostly because this has one of my least favourite things - split the party. And not only is the party split, but they are split multiple times!!! And when everyone is finally back together? Nothing but bad things and not a moment to lose. I'm really hoping that the group stays together for the final book, because I'd love to see them all together again through some plotlines and how things play out now that the characters have all grown.
I know we probably have a bit of a wait until the next book but WITH THAT ENDING I need the next book like tomorrow please.
Anyways, as the first book was an amazing debut, this was a fantastic sequel! It suffers a little from middle book syndrome I think - said from someone who generally loves sequels and middle books actually - but it was a really solid follow up.
This sequel was one of my most highly anticipated books for this year, and I am so grateful that I was given an advanced copy!
I was so excited to be back in this world and with these characters. There is SO MUCH that happens in this book. And honestly, the characters and their arcs through this sequel definitely surprised me for where things went.
I was surprised that somehow Aisha became my favourite in the book! I still adore Mazen, Loulie, and of course, Qadir, but Aisha surprised me with her arc and plotline. I was fully swept up in it and loved her character throughout.
The only reasons that this is not 5 stars: I struggled a bit with the pacing for the first half of the book, but I think that was mostly because this has one of my least favourite things - split the party. And not only is the party split, but they are split multiple times!!! And when everyone is finally back together? Nothing but bad things and not a moment to lose. I'm really hoping that the group stays together for the final book, because I'd love to see them all together again through some plotlines and how things play out now that the characters have all grown.
I know we probably have a bit of a wait until the next book but WITH THAT ENDING I need the next book like tomorrow please.
Anyways, as the first book was an amazing debut, this was a fantastic sequel! It suffers a little from middle book syndrome I think - said from someone who generally loves sequels and middle books actually - but it was a really solid follow up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail