Scan barcode
chrystalo's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 out of 5 (rounding up). This book was not what I was expecting, and there were some interesting literary choices that I really appreciated. The one main issue I had with this book was how it flowed from beginning to end - it felt a bit choppy in some places and far too long and drawn out in others. But it's nice to see that a book like this exists and is available for young adults to read.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
For some reason this book had never really crossed my path and I have no idea where it has been hiding all the time. It's a book containing each and every element that I love: the backbone of the Cinderella tale, a magical influence from the faerie world, an enchanting writing style and some very unexpected twists and turns.
The more I read, the better I'm starting to understand what kind of books I like. I'm therefore not surprised that I love this book, but I'm surprised that the element that really stood out, wasn't the plot or the original take on the Cinderella tale. The element that stood out the most was the atmosphere. I always call Maggie Stiefvater the queen of creating said atmosphere, but this book really mastered the art of it too.
From the very beginning the story seems to have an extra layer, always present and lingering in the background, once in a while showing itself in plain sight and then going back into hiding again, but never truly disappearing. The constant push and pull between our world and the faerie world, the search from Ash for where she actually belongs and wants to be. It's magical and it's what truly makes this story.
Because where a lot of stories are about the character growth and where they eventually end up. Or where a lot of stories build towards an epic conclusion and showdown, this book never truly is about the ending. It's about the road towards that ending, it's about stories and the power they have and the truths they entail. It's about the climb to eventually watch the view, even if we fall down a few times along the way. It's about all those scenes eventually bringing the character to that end.
And although Ash never gets that much depth, she still feels unique and it's easy to love her and give her a place in your heart. She captures the traits of Cinderella perfectly, but she also adds a few of her own and a few flaws too. And even though I don't feel like I truly know her, I doubt Ash feels like she truly knows her, I was constantly rooting for her, only wanting the best for her.
Reading this book has been a unique and lovely experience.
The more I read, the better I'm starting to understand what kind of books I like. I'm therefore not surprised that I love this book, but I'm surprised that the element that really stood out, wasn't the plot or the original take on the Cinderella tale. The element that stood out the most was the atmosphere. I always call Maggie Stiefvater the queen of creating said atmosphere, but this book really mastered the art of it too.
From the very beginning the story seems to have an extra layer, always present and lingering in the background, once in a while showing itself in plain sight and then going back into hiding again, but never truly disappearing. The constant push and pull between our world and the faerie world, the search from Ash for where she actually belongs and wants to be. It's magical and it's what truly makes this story.
Because where a lot of stories are about the character growth and where they eventually end up. Or where a lot of stories build towards an epic conclusion and showdown, this book never truly is about the ending. It's about the road towards that ending, it's about stories and the power they have and the truths they entail. It's about the climb to eventually watch the view, even if we fall down a few times along the way. It's about all those scenes eventually bringing the character to that end.
And although Ash never gets that much depth, she still feels unique and it's easy to love her and give her a place in your heart. She captures the traits of Cinderella perfectly, but she also adds a few of her own and a few flaws too. And even though I don't feel like I truly know her, I doubt Ash feels like she truly knows her, I was constantly rooting for her, only wanting the best for her.
Reading this book has been a unique and lovely experience.
crimsoncor's review against another edition
3.0
Liked it, didn't love it. Interesting reading it right after Spear. Ash is the book that historically really paved the way for the acceptance of queer novels like Spear, but when reflecting back on it, I don't think it holds up as well.
nyxonyxdust's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent and Physical abuse
abaugher's review against another edition
5.0
A retelling of Cinderella like you've never heard it before. Lo's words roll across the page like they were laid down by the fairies themselves, they are so beautiful. Aisling (or Ash) is not the stereotypical Cinderella; she's the other girl that mainstream society has yet to properly acknowledge the reality of. Lo has made her real, and a character with a great depth of emotion and longing and perseverance in the most difficult of times. Read this, and have your hidden soul awakened.
There is a sequel to this book due out April 2011, and that's only fitting. You just can't leave Ash and Kaisa the huntress where the book does...not for long.
Also, name pronunciations can be found on Lo's website: http://www.malindalo.com/ash/ash-faq/#faq3
and see the playlist for the book.
There is a sequel to this book due out April 2011, and that's only fitting. You just can't leave Ash and Kaisa the huntress where the book does...not for long.
Also, name pronunciations can be found on Lo's website: http://www.malindalo.com/ash/ash-faq/#faq3
and see the playlist for the book.
applerose301's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
frostlywild17's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed it. The writing was gorgeous, but as a person who's read this subgenre of fantasy a lot when I was younger, I found Ash to be pretty standard. It also played into well-worn fairytale tropes without really doing anything new with them.
Extra 0.5 ⭐ for the nostalgia value.
Extra 0.5 ⭐ for the nostalgia value.
gemmapz's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
iceangel32's review against another edition
2.0
When i took this book out from the library I did not know it was to be about a lesbian cinderella. However I did not feel that that was the main focus in the book. I am not sure the book had a main focus. There was the story of a girl trying to figure out where she belonged and find a way to respect her life, but it seems to be going in one direction and then goes in a completely different, new direction. The book was alright but nothing to call home about.