While I was struggling to get through Scythe (which I sadly still am) I loaned Ash Princess on Libby and it turned out to be a quick and entertaining read. I have had Lady Smoke (Ash Princess #2) on hold for a while now but it is mine now for the next two weeks. Due to this I thought it would be in order to give you my review of Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian!
Title: Ash Princess
Author: Laura Sebastian
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance
Published: April 2018
Pages: 432
My Rating: 🖤🖤🖤
When I started reading Ash Princess I didn’t really know what to expect. I had read several reviews of the book beforehand and not all were positive. Because of that my expectations were a bit lower. But Ash Princess actually turned out to be a positive surprise. It is decent fantasy read but nothing amazing.
Honestly, I am becoming a bit tired of YA fantasy. It seems like they are all the same with only a few alterations. So I was happy to see that Ash Princess has a few more alterations than most of them. I liked the fact that the main character and heroin Theo was a prisoner in her own kingdom. She was no hero, no leader she was only trying to survive. This was refreshing. However I can imagine that many readers may have an issue with this, the things she had to do and who she had to betray to survive. I “liked” it nonetheless. It made her more real and less a classic heroin.
Characters are always crucial for a good story. The characters in Ash Princess are unfortunately not that original. We have the best friend and protecter and the new acquaintance who starts as an enemy but turns out to be a love interest. We havn’t seen that before have we?? Only a 1000 times now…. Even though I am sucker for the hate to lovers trope it just felt too unimaginative. This may be the reason why I didn’t feel that invested in the characters either. Hopefully this will improve in Lady Smoke.
One thing I liked about the characters was Theo’s transformation. I really liked how she transformed from a passive in-prisoned toy to an energetic leader who understood the price of sacrifice. Another thing I liked about the book was Søren! (I mean why wouldn’t I? His name is Danish!!) He was my favourite character of them all!
Over all, I really enjoyed reading Ash princess. I was well entertained and pleased. However it doesn’t keep you on your edge of your seat but it is still satisfactory.
Best, Nicoline
Have you read Ash Princess or Lady Smoke? What are your thoughts? Can you recommend me some refreshing YA fantasy? Pls!
Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia’s family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess–a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.
Synopsis from Goodreads
For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She’s endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.
Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn’t always won on the battlefield.
For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.
Glad you liked it better than I did! I was bored several times and I found the world a little vague at the start. I agree, it’s a generic fantasy, not super exciting. Maybe I will listen to Lady Smoke once, but it’s not a top priority.
Listening to Lady Smoke is not a bad idea. Maybe I will do that as well! 😉
i read this last year and i mostly agree too. i did feel like tho that the author did well with it feeling like an authentic voice
Yes I agree with that :))