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trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
"We are living amidst gods and monsters."
What a strange and wonderful story. I love that the main drama was NOT the Bogeys and rot or the horrible monster gods. It was a story of a young girl, trying to keep farm, mend the bridge between her and her sister and keep the mayor from their land.
It's a great story, the dialogue was easy to read and the characters were flawed but honest and true. I loved Tyler, Nat and Heron.
I'm also very glad that the romance part was exactly who is should be between and not drama. I'm sad this isn't a series. I would love to visit this world again
What a strange and wonderful story. I love that the main drama was NOT the Bogeys and rot or the horrible monster gods. It was a story of a young girl, trying to keep farm, mend the bridge between her and her sister and keep the mayor from their land.
It's a great story, the dialogue was easy to read and the characters were flawed but honest and true. I loved Tyler, Nat and Heron.
I'm also very glad that the romance part was exactly who is should be between and not drama. I'm sad this isn't a series. I would love to visit this world again
beetree's review against another edition
5.0
The raw brokenness in the relationships pulled me right in and made my heart bleed. This was just beautiful and aching in so many rare ways.
angelreads's review against another edition
4.0
For more reviews check out Angel Reads
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I received a copy of An Inheritance of Ashes by Leah Bobet in exchange for a review from Clarion Books via NetGalley. This has no way influenced what I think of the book.
An Inheritance of Ashes is one of those slow burning books. It takes a while to get to the main action, however I think it worked in its favour. It is such a beautiful book, the writing is captivating and the storyline is quite interesting.
I love my fantasy books, if you didn’t know that by now and An Inheritance of Ashes is a fantasy book that is quite enjoyable.
It’s really hard to explain what An Inheritance of Ashes is about without giving too much away and confusing you. The storyline isn’t that confusing, but trying to explain it might be.
An Inheritance of Ashes follows sixteen-year-old protagonist, Hallie and her sister Marthe who are trying to maintain their family farm while a strange war is ending. Marthe is pregnant and awaiting the return of her husband and as time goes on she is losing hope. Hallie hires a veteran as an extra pair of hands to help with the farm, on the other hand everything isn’t what it seems.
In reality I quite enjoyed Hallie as a character as she was fun to read about, nevertheless I felt like there was this disconnection between her and the story. I don’t know why, I felt that she was somewhat bland in a way. I enjoyed reading her, but I felt that she had no real character arc. She rather stayed the same the entire book.
Marthe, I have a love/hate relationship with her. I understand that she is pregnant and she doesn’t know if the father of her baby will ever be back, but gosh she was mean. I truly hated the way that she treated Hallie, like she was nothing. That she could boss her around and nothing came from it. It was all too much for me. I wanted to give her a slap across the head. And towards the end when she finds out what Hallie is keeping from her – holy moly – like seriously. I couldn’t stand it. But then I realised what she was going through, what she had gone through and it made me sympathise with her a little bit.
I felt that the world building lacked… a lot. I was so confused at times to what was going on. Then there are these ‘Twisted things’ that just pop up and aren’t given any explanation of what they are and what they do. Also the war with the gods was confusing. I was asking all these questions and the answers didn’t come clear. Who are these gods? What are these gods? Why are they fighting these gods? Some answers at the end of the book, but I was still confused about the world.
I really enjoyed the romance. It was the slow burning kind and that is nice to see in a young adult book. Normally everything is all rushed and it’s so unrealistic. But it was really well done.
I overall enjoyed the book, I didn’t love it and I didn’t ate it. I thought that it could have been done better and that would have made it a truly wonderful fantasy read. The characters weren’t very likable but you didn’t hate them all. If you are looking for a quick fantasy read; then you might want to try An Inheritance of Ashes.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
I received a copy of An Inheritance of Ashes by Leah Bobet in exchange for a review from Clarion Books via NetGalley. This has no way influenced what I think of the book.
An Inheritance of Ashes is one of those slow burning books. It takes a while to get to the main action, however I think it worked in its favour. It is such a beautiful book, the writing is captivating and the storyline is quite interesting.
I love my fantasy books, if you didn’t know that by now and An Inheritance of Ashes is a fantasy book that is quite enjoyable.
It’s really hard to explain what An Inheritance of Ashes is about without giving too much away and confusing you. The storyline isn’t that confusing, but trying to explain it might be.
An Inheritance of Ashes follows sixteen-year-old protagonist, Hallie and her sister Marthe who are trying to maintain their family farm while a strange war is ending. Marthe is pregnant and awaiting the return of her husband and as time goes on she is losing hope. Hallie hires a veteran as an extra pair of hands to help with the farm, on the other hand everything isn’t what it seems.
In reality I quite enjoyed Hallie as a character as she was fun to read about, nevertheless I felt like there was this disconnection between her and the story. I don’t know why, I felt that she was somewhat bland in a way. I enjoyed reading her, but I felt that she had no real character arc. She rather stayed the same the entire book.
Marthe, I have a love/hate relationship with her. I understand that she is pregnant and she doesn’t know if the father of her baby will ever be back, but gosh she was mean. I truly hated the way that she treated Hallie, like she was nothing. That she could boss her around and nothing came from it. It was all too much for me. I wanted to give her a slap across the head. And towards the end when she finds out what Hallie is keeping from her – holy moly – like seriously. I couldn’t stand it. But then I realised what she was going through, what she had gone through and it made me sympathise with her a little bit.
I felt that the world building lacked… a lot. I was so confused at times to what was going on. Then there are these ‘Twisted things’ that just pop up and aren’t given any explanation of what they are and what they do. Also the war with the gods was confusing. I was asking all these questions and the answers didn’t come clear. Who are these gods? What are these gods? Why are they fighting these gods? Some answers at the end of the book, but I was still confused about the world.
I really enjoyed the romance. It was the slow burning kind and that is nice to see in a young adult book. Normally everything is all rushed and it’s so unrealistic. But it was really well done.
I overall enjoyed the book, I didn’t love it and I didn’t ate it. I thought that it could have been done better and that would have made it a truly wonderful fantasy read. The characters weren’t very likable but you didn’t hate them all. If you are looking for a quick fantasy read; then you might want to try An Inheritance of Ashes.
setnets's review against another edition
5.0
This book is one of my favourite things: a story about aftermaths. About the price people pay for saving the world. A story where there are no eagles, and you have to walk back from Mordor, one bloody step at a time.
But for all that, it's an almost intimate tale, just a family and a farm. A coming of age story.
Highly recommended.
But for all that, it's an almost intimate tale, just a family and a farm. A coming of age story.
Highly recommended.
kimreadsthings's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
A lone figure ambles its way up the twisted ruins of road to find itself unbidden on the steps of a solitary farmhouse. Is the stranger friend or foe? God or man? For 16 year old Hallie, the questions, and the threat, are all too real. In the desolate ruins of civilization, Hallie and her much older sister Marthe have been clinging to their farm, their world, and trying to hold on to each other, but are failing at both.
I really enjoyed this book; more, actually, than I have any book in almost two months (I’ve been in a really terrible slump). It has the isolated, post-apocalyptic farm vibe of The Hallowed Ones, with a touch of The Stand, and more than a touch of The Subtle Knife. Leah Bobet crafts this book out of simply gorgeous prose that is never overwrought. This is a sparse, ruined world and Bobet’s words fit the eerie, desperate tone of it perfectly. A strange and unknown war happened in the south between the Wicked God and mortal men. At last the Wicked God fell, but his Twisted Things, creatures so close to animals from our world but not, have been tearing across the land burning in their path. And now they’re on Hallie’s and Marthe’s farm.
Find the full review atThe Midnight Garden
A lone figure ambles its way up the twisted ruins of road to find itself unbidden on the steps of a solitary farmhouse. Is the stranger friend or foe? God or man? For 16 year old Hallie, the questions, and the threat, are all too real. In the desolate ruins of civilization, Hallie and her much older sister Marthe have been clinging to their farm, their world, and trying to hold on to each other, but are failing at both.
I really enjoyed this book; more, actually, than I have any book in almost two months (I’ve been in a really terrible slump). It has the isolated, post-apocalyptic farm vibe of The Hallowed Ones, with a touch of The Stand, and more than a touch of The Subtle Knife. Leah Bobet crafts this book out of simply gorgeous prose that is never overwrought. This is a sparse, ruined world and Bobet’s words fit the eerie, desperate tone of it perfectly. A strange and unknown war happened in the south between the Wicked God and mortal men. At last the Wicked God fell, but his Twisted Things, creatures so close to animals from our world but not, have been tearing across the land burning in their path. And now they’re on Hallie’s and Marthe’s farm.
Find the full review atThe Midnight Garden
rosiethespy's review against another edition
4.0
If you like the idea of reading a science fictiony/fantasy-y novel that feels a little like Daughter of Smoke and Bone written by the band The Decemberists, this is the book for you.
lyrrael's review against another edition
4.0
Post-apocalyptic, with creepy monsters, and told the story of a pair of sisters who were just trying to make the farm that their late father left them work in his absence. The eldest sister's husband went off to war a few months back, and they were waiting anxiously for his return. But when they hire a veteran to help with the harvest, strange monsters begin to appear and circle the farm. . It was quiet and verged on YA, but riveting; I found it extra interesting because there were a series of place names that sounded... juuuust... familiar..... enough.... to the point where I looked up what place this was actually set in, and was gratified to find I was right.
amarylissw's review
4.0
I was quite pleased to have received this book from the Goodreads Giveaways! Normally, this wouldn't be the type of book I would pick up -- I mean, farming and fantasy? That's . . . different. But I'm glad that I got this book, because I was pleasantly surprised.
Some people have said that they think the pacing was slow. I admit, that to some it may have been -- but I thought it was fine. I didn't mind the lack of action; I always thought there was plenty of conflict and drama to keep the story afloat. Of course, it might've served the story better to have higher stakes in the beginning as well, not just the ending. But I didn't think it was too bad.
Other than the pacing, I really enjoyed the plot. It kept me invested the whole time -- from the first chapter to the last. I didn't want to stop to sleep, actually . . . And the small revelations at the end, though not completely shocking, were still surprising. Overall, I thought the plot was pretty good.
That aside, I'll focus on the characters next. Hallie, our protagonist, I have mixed feelings about. On one hand, I found certain facets of her personality annoying -- her wanting to handle things herself, but then I found other parts of her admirable, like not turning Heron away and stuff. But, in the end, I suppose she's a pretty good protagonist. She has faults, but if you can get me to admire her, that's pretty good.
And I have to admit, Bobet did a pretty fantastic job with the rest of the characters. Each of them had a unique personality and I could understand most of their motivations -- from Heron and his sweet, platonic relationship with our protagonist and own internal conflict and struggle; to Marthe, Hallie's sister, who seems gruff but just doesn't really know how to handle things (do we ever); to Tyler, with his war-torn mind (and eyes) and hope for the future; and Nat, his sister who's trying to keep everything together; and even Asphodel Jones, a character we aren't even really introduced to until later is quite memorable. There are plenty of other memorable minor characters as well! Although I never quite understood Pitts . . . what was with him and the farm?
I'd like to mention two relationships while we're on the characters topic. First, Hallie and Marthe's: I didn't really like or dislike it. I thought it was understandable, realistic. I thought both could do better, but both were under pressure, and humans often make mistakes. It was perfectly reasonable for them to act the ways they did, so I didn't really have any problems with it.
Second, the romance between Hallie and Tyler. GAHH. SO CUTE. I love best-friend-turned-crush-turned-love relationships, and Bobet totally rocked this one. Tyler was adorable and unsure and sweet, and Hallie's dynamic with him was perfect. Loved it.
I loved the setting. Like I said above, it wouldn't normally be my type, but I found it really unique and interesting. The descriptions were beautiful and vivid. And the idea of the world Bobet created was fresh, original. Her writing's so good.
So what did I think of this story overall? Well, I think it really surpassed my expectations. And I'm super glad I won the giveaway, because I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. The characters, the romance, and vivid world -- all pieces that fit together to create a unique story.
Some people have said that they think the pacing was slow. I admit, that to some it may have been -- but I thought it was fine. I didn't mind the lack of action; I always thought there was plenty of conflict and drama to keep the story afloat. Of course, it might've served the story better to have higher stakes in the beginning as well, not just the ending. But I didn't think it was too bad.
Other than the pacing, I really enjoyed the plot. It kept me invested the whole time -- from the first chapter to the last. I didn't want to stop to sleep, actually . . . And the small revelations at the end, though not completely shocking, were still surprising. Overall, I thought the plot was pretty good.
That aside, I'll focus on the characters next. Hallie, our protagonist, I have mixed feelings about. On one hand, I found certain facets of her personality annoying -- her wanting to handle things herself, but then I found other parts of her admirable, like not turning Heron away and stuff. But, in the end, I suppose she's a pretty good protagonist. She has faults, but if you can get me to admire her, that's pretty good.
And I have to admit, Bobet did a pretty fantastic job with the rest of the characters. Each of them had a unique personality and I could understand most of their motivations -- from Heron and his sweet, platonic relationship with our protagonist and own internal conflict and struggle; to Marthe, Hallie's sister, who seems gruff but just doesn't really know how to handle things (do we ever); to Tyler, with his war-torn mind (and eyes) and hope for the future; and Nat, his sister who's trying to keep everything together; and even Asphodel Jones, a character we aren't even really introduced to until later is quite memorable. There are plenty of other memorable minor characters as well! Although I never quite understood Pitts . . . what was with him and the farm?
I'd like to mention two relationships while we're on the characters topic. First, Hallie and Marthe's: I didn't really like or dislike it. I thought it was understandable, realistic. I thought both could do better, but both were under pressure, and humans often make mistakes. It was perfectly reasonable for them to act the ways they did, so I didn't really have any problems with it.
Second, the romance between Hallie and Tyler. GAHH. SO CUTE. I love best-friend-turned-crush-turned-love relationships, and Bobet totally rocked this one. Tyler was adorable and unsure and sweet, and Hallie's dynamic with him was perfect. Loved it.
I loved the setting. Like I said above, it wouldn't normally be my type, but I found it really unique and interesting. The descriptions were beautiful and vivid. And the idea of the world Bobet created was fresh, original. Her writing's so good.
So what did I think of this story overall? Well, I think it really surpassed my expectations. And I'm super glad I won the giveaway, because I probably wouldn't have picked it up otherwise. The characters, the romance, and vivid world -- all pieces that fit together to create a unique story.
ginnikin's review against another edition
5.0
Holy hell. This'll run your heart through a dull cheese grater and then shove it back together with your tears for glue.
aamccartan's review
3.0
I enjoyed the story and character building throughout. The sister relationship, romantic developments, and overall treatment of abuse and psychological development were thoughtful, mature, and realistic and I liked all of it. There were a lot of pieces, however, that I felt like could have been tweaked or better developed-- the language was heavy-handed and sometimes her use of metaphor and idiom didn't make sense. I also felt like the resolution was a little too easy, and when I realized it was set in post-apocalyltic America, I was startled--it came up pretty late, and I'd already formed an idea of the world as something completely independent. Overall, though, an enjoyable read.