I'm back with a review of The Beautiful Ashes, by Jeaniene Frost, one of my favorite authors. Read on to see what I think of her take on a new adult novel!
Publisher: Harlequin | Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Format: MP3 Audio
Pages: 384 (Hardcover) / Audio Length: Approx 8.5 hours
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Source: Audible
Genre: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Review Date: April 20, 2016
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Synopsis: In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.
Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.
Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…
Release Date: August 26, 2014
Format: MP3 Audio
Pages: 384 (Hardcover) / Audio Length: Approx 8.5 hours
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Source: Audible
Genre: New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Review Date: April 20, 2016
Rating: 4 bookmarks
Synopsis: In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate.
Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.
Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate…no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between…
First off let me say I just seriously adore The Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. Cat and Bones are one of those couples that you really never forget after you read about them. Knowing how much I adored that series, I was excited to pick up this new adult series and check out the differences. I knew going in that it would have a younger feel then The Night Huntress Series so I really tried to put aside any assumptions and expectations and try to go into this ready for anything. It helped that it had been quite a while since I last listened to any book in the Night Huntress World.
Let's start with Ivy. At first I wasn't sure I liked Ivy's character. She felt like a baby Cat. As the story went on, I liked her more and more. One of the great things about this book, is that I did feel that her character was pretty dynamic. Yes she has some issues, and yes she's a little bit naive, but you know what? She's in her early twenties. She's got a long way to go in experience and she's got a steep learning curve.
Adrian on the other hand, also has a lot to learn as well He has no excuse except his misplaced guilt. He's a serious martyr and quite bull-headed. He wants to take responsibility for the sins of his father and his father's father, and the father of the father of that father, etc. He things that what happened way back in time when the whole thing between their bloodlines started will effect his destiny and keep him from what he wants most, Ivy.
Together they are really cute. I really like them as a couple and I feel that as the series goes on they will become just as strong of a power couple as we're accustomed to reading about from previous books written by Jeaniene Frost. Not only do they fight well together their banter is really adorable. I think that this is going to be a series worth keeping up with. I suspect as each book comes out it will just get better and better.
Adrian on the other hand, also has a lot to learn as well He has no excuse except his misplaced guilt. He's a serious martyr and quite bull-headed. He wants to take responsibility for the sins of his father and his father's father, and the father of the father of that father, etc. He things that what happened way back in time when the whole thing between their bloodlines started will effect his destiny and keep him from what he wants most, Ivy.
Together they are really cute. I really like them as a couple and I feel that as the series goes on they will become just as strong of a power couple as we're accustomed to reading about from previous books written by Jeaniene Frost. Not only do they fight well together their banter is really adorable. I think that this is going to be a series worth keeping up with. I suspect as each book comes out it will just get better and better.
I also like the secondary characters. All of Adrian's friend and people that help them on their missions, all added value to the story. The two arch nemesis in the story Zac and Demetrius, also added their own flair. Demetrius is a very twisted and bad black Archangel and Zac is the opposite, all bright white and glowing (when he wants to be). Sadly the war going on between them has put Ivy and Adrian smack dab in the middle of it all. Throw in some some minions and we had a party.
Regarding the urban fantasy, paranormal, aspects of this story. It was interesting and unique that this story focuses on Angels and Demons versus the vampire stories that we're all so familiar with from Frost. I like that she decided to take a chance on a different type of a paranormal story and I think that it worked.
The major thing missing was the extra hot (level 10) sex scenes that we are so accustom to from Frost. While the heat level was PG-13 at best, I suspect that as we get deeper into the series and Ivy and Adrian get closer, we won't have to worry about that.
I listen to the song audiobook same as I did for every single Jeaniene Frost book that I've picked up. Tavia Gilbert is just amazing. When I first heard her voice I was instantly and momentarily thrown back into the Night Huntress World. I felt like I was home. I don't mean to be cheesy, but I really love her narrating style and I only feel this way about a handful of narrators. I sincerely hope that when Frost finally gets around to publishing book two of the series, that Tavia Gilbert will be around to narrate it.
While the story wasn't perfect, I enjoyed it, and I look forward to the next one. One thing that I find extremely frustrating, is waiting for the second book. I purposely waited to pick up this title because I knew I'd have to wait at least one full year for the next book to come out. With that said, The Sweetest Burn was supposed to come out this year, but it's been pushed back to 2017. I see that the third book is already titled and showing up on Goodreads and it's also slotted for 2017. Which makes me wonder how two books in the same series could come out in the same year. I assume that the third book will be delayed into 2018. Regardless, that's neither here or there because I'll be downloading it on audiobook no matter how long I have to wait.
What about you? Have you had a chance to read The Beautiful Ashes yet? What did you think?
Happy Reading & Listening,
~Tamara
Regarding the urban fantasy, paranormal, aspects of this story. It was interesting and unique that this story focuses on Angels and Demons versus the vampire stories that we're all so familiar with from Frost. I like that she decided to take a chance on a different type of a paranormal story and I think that it worked.
The major thing missing was the extra hot (level 10) sex scenes that we are so accustom to from Frost. While the heat level was PG-13 at best, I suspect that as we get deeper into the series and Ivy and Adrian get closer, we won't have to worry about that.
I listen to the song audiobook same as I did for every single Jeaniene Frost book that I've picked up. Tavia Gilbert is just amazing. When I first heard her voice I was instantly and momentarily thrown back into the Night Huntress World. I felt like I was home. I don't mean to be cheesy, but I really love her narrating style and I only feel this way about a handful of narrators. I sincerely hope that when Frost finally gets around to publishing book two of the series, that Tavia Gilbert will be around to narrate it.
While the story wasn't perfect, I enjoyed it, and I look forward to the next one. One thing that I find extremely frustrating, is waiting for the second book. I purposely waited to pick up this title because I knew I'd have to wait at least one full year for the next book to come out. With that said, The Sweetest Burn was supposed to come out this year, but it's been pushed back to 2017. I see that the third book is already titled and showing up on Goodreads and it's also slotted for 2017. Which makes me wonder how two books in the same series could come out in the same year. I assume that the third book will be delayed into 2018. Regardless, that's neither here or there because I'll be downloading it on audiobook no matter how long I have to wait.
What about you? Have you had a chance to read The Beautiful Ashes yet? What did you think?
Happy Reading & Listening,
~Tamara
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