Hey, everyone! Thanks for stopping by. This week I am participating in a blog tour by God’s Grace Blog Tours for Sara Baysinger’s new release Ashen City.
About Ashen City
Make your choice, Ember Carter. And make it count.
Ember Carter has escaped the flames of death. But will she ever be free from Chief Titus? When the orchard goes up in smoke and her family turns up missing, Ember returns to Frankfort hoping to find her brother and father, and to get Titus to drop the death wish he has against her.
But Titus is always one step ahead. When Ember faces him head-on, she’s captured, only to receive another death sentence. But on her way to her execution, plans go a little askew, and Ember finds herself traveling to the one place no one dares travel: Louisville. If the outskirts of Ky were a ghost town, the ashen city is the borderline of hell itself, but it’s the one place Ember
can find refuge from the people who want her dead.
In the ashen city, Ember must learn that being a hero is more than doing what is right because she can, but doing it for the good of the people. And when plans take a turn for the worst, she must decide if it’s worth risking her life to save her country.
My Review
It is so hard to review stories like this, because there is so much I want to say, but I don’t want to give spoilers away! I’ll start with a confession. I originally picked up Book 1, Black Tiger, because the cover art is incredible. Yea, yea…don’t judge a book by it’s cover. I can’t help it. In this case the book was as wonderful as the cover art. Great writing, awesome characters, and I flew through those pages. I was entertained and swept into another world. I had to know what happened next in Ember’s story.
Cue Ashen City. Again, gorgeous cover art that reflects the heart of the story. It started with a spark, and now Ember is smoldering. I love Ember’s authentic character development in this story. She further discovers who she is, and begins to think beyond self-preservation and recognizes that she truly can be a part of something bigger than herself. She is awakening spiritually and emotionally. The religious aspects of this novel are beautiful and unique. An unfolding of awareness that is natural and not “preachy.”
I loved learning more about her family. Also, can I just take a minute to say how much I love the Rain’s character complexity? Ashen City digs a little deeper into who Rain is, and why he is the way he is. As a character driven reader, this is the way to my heart. Don’t let my character development gushing lead you to believe this story is slow and full of reflection. It’s action-packed and full of twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat wondering who Ember should trust.
Did I mention a cliff hanger ending…yikes! I can’t get book 3 fast enough!
I’m thankful for authors like Sara Baysinger who give Indie publishing a good name by giving her readers quality stories from cover to cover.
*I was provided an ARC copy by the author. All opinions are my own*
About the Author
Sara Baysinger grew up in the heart of the Andes Mountains in Ecuador where she spent her childhood exploring uncharted lands and reading all things magical. She now lives among the endless cornfields of Indiana with her husband and two young children. Sara enjoys writing and reading anything out of the ordinary, and has a bad habit of zoning out at the most inopportune moments. She is currently considering seeking medical attention for her potentially life-threatening coffee addiction.
Giveaway
Sara has generously offered to give away a paperback of either BLACK TIGER or ASHEN CITY with a Louisville skyline bookmark (two winners) as well as a grand prize of a paperback of either BLACK TIGER or ASHEN CITY, Louisville skyline bookmark, adjustable ring that says “inhale/exhale,” and journal (one winner). Open to US only.
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