Ash Princess

By: Laura Sebastian

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

The first book in the New York Times best-selling series

"Made for fans of Victoria Aveyard and Sabaa Tahir" (Bustle), Ash Princess is an epic new fantasy about a throne cruelly stolen and a girl who must fight to take it back for her people.

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.

For 10 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 10 years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.

"Sure to be one of the summer's most talked about YAs.... A darkly enchanting page-turner you won't be able to put down." (Bustle)

©2018 Laura Sebastian (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Tense and imaginative, this story of a diminished yet vengeful princess inciting a rebellion to recapture her rightful place of power strikes a timely chord. Ash Princess is a smart, feminist twist on a traditional tale of a fallen heroine, with plenty of court intrigue, love, and lies to sweeten the deal. Good luck putting this one down." (Virginia Boecker, author of The Witch Hunter series)

"The story leaps and twists like a swordswoman, and its blade carves the characters anew and divides them against themselves. This searing page-turner is a compelling examination of the complexities of both evil and resistance." (Sarah Porter, author of Vassa in the Night)

"An emotionally complex, breathtakingly suspenseful series starter." (Booklist)

Not what I expected, but still very good.

I have to start by saying that the idea behind the plot of this book is nothing new... I've read a lot of fantasy/dystopian books similar to this one. There are some fun things that made this one stand out though, and I liked the overall story and it ended in the ways that I predicted all along. The ash crown plays a very interesting part in this book, and the stones/gems that brought magic to the table. Those were some super interesting elements to this story.

When I started this book, it was slow moving, the world building was good, but the plot and character development was slow. There was a lot of back story, some necessary and some I could of done without. Our main character is being raised in a semi-prison, watched 100% of the time by these guardians called shadows - even when she sleeps, which I found super odd. I have a mental picture of what her room looked like, and it was a lot like a solitary confinement space in a prison. I immediately was drawn to her mental state and how that was holding up to what she had been through thus far. The book didn't really pick up until about 75% in when our heroine could finally see how her plans might work out - but they were still flimsy ones at that point. By the end, I was hooked, even though I felt that the last few chapters were rushed, they were still full of action. I just wanted more of that earlier on in the book, even in small doses. I feel like it would of developed a lot smoother overall.

I found it interesting that we didn't get any definite answers on some questions from the start of the book - but they let you assume the answers. I would of rather of known for sure, mostly about her father. I was also slightly annoyed by the love square we were put through - a second chance romance and a fake romance... I didn't see it necessary to get to the end, but I guess to each their own. The secondary characters stole the show - her shadows and some of the staff were my favorites.

I give this book a solid three stars. I liked it enough, I finished it, but I don't think I could get through it again. I'm not sure if I will pick up a sequel. This is also what happened to me after Red Queen. Predictable storyline, and it fell short.

I really enjoyed the narrator over all - she did a great job bringing these characters to life.

a surprising seriously good book

at first I didn't know if I was going to like this book because of how it started out but the more I read it the more I loved it and I actually got emotionally attached to the prince as well as the main character because it was like I was her friend and I wanted her to become Queen and I can't wait for the next book I am so excited

I can’t wait for book2!

Excellent story with mediocre narration. The only thing that bothered me was the reputation of certain phrases and the author writing everything that the main character is thinking about in the middle of events. We are already viewing from the main character’s perspective. Other than that, I’m hooked and I can’t wait to listen to the next book in this series!

Worth a credit

The story is interesting, keeping you guessing where it's headed. But it's on the slow side. But definitely worth the read.

fun and magical

an exciting story with a great romance. has a slow start but picks up once the princess gains back some of her courage. this story is believable and sets up many interesting threads for the next novel.

eargasmic!

cant say enough good things complex heroine and supporting cast mixed in with creative world building and plot development read by fresh narrator. i felt like this book was wonderful and im looking forward to the next book.

love it!

great book! it really takes you to the place in the book and make you feel like your really there!

Swift & entertaining

Great book one in this three part series. Entertaining start to end. Vivid performance. So glad all books in series are available for immediate consumption.

Stick with it

It starts of slow I mean really slow. The just doesn’t seem like she wants to fight to live. I get it she been through a lot. I almost gave up on the book but I’m really glad I stuck with it. I want to find out what happens to her and her firend and country

my first audible book that i have finished

This was the 1st audible book that I've actually finished all the way through. It was entertaining and it kept me wanting more and I actually got used to her voice.