Ashen

By: H.L. Burke

Narrated by: Rebekah Nemethy

Stealer of warmth, bringer of death. What if Cinderella had a secret that kept her locked away?

Unable to make her own body heat, foundling Lizbete survives in the tavern kitchen, drawing warmth from the fires, the sun - and sometimes, other living beings. Her days are spent cooking alongside the tavern owner and avoiding the suspicious gazes of the villagers in her small northern town. While she quietly longs for the handsome Brynar, she knows she has no chance with the mayor’s son, even if he invites her to the First Frost festival.

When sudden earthquakes strike Brumehome, blame falls upon Lizbete, and not even her friendship with Brynar can protect her. She finds shelter in the dangerous caverns of nearby Ash Mountain. There, she discovers mysterious people with her same ability to draw heat - and a fiery doom in the mountain that slowly awakens with every quake.

Now, the festival Lizbete thought to avoid is her only chance to warn the villagers. Yet, even with Brynar at her side, can the strange girl dubbed the Ash Lizard hope to save the town that fears her?

A rugged YA Cinderella retelling set in a fantasy world with light steampunk elements.

©2020 H. L. Burke (P)2021 H. L. Burke

"It’s warm among the ashes"

Ashen takes the story of Cinderella and tells it with unique twists, relatable characters with realistic problems and motivations, and occasional homage to the original tale while creating an entirely new tale. Burke creates a rich setting with vivid details, using just the right combination of description, dialogue, and action. A heart-warming story as comforting as a cup of hot cocoa on a chilly winter night, but as exciting as a pair of new shoes. it will give you all the warm fuzzies of falling in love for the first time. I received a free copy of the audiobook through Fellowship of Fantasy Indie Book Club, and this is my honest opinion.

FLAMING AND FUNNY CINDERELLA TWIST !!!!!

A VERY WELL WRITTEN DRAMATIC ROMANTIC TWIST ON CINDERELLA.
STORY IS WELL WRITTEN AND EASY TO FOLLOW. ACCEPTABLE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.
NARRATOR IS GREAT AND EASY TO FOLLOW

original world building with fairytale vibes

Ashen by H.L. Burke is a very loose take on the Cinderella story. So when you're reading, and you think you know what's coming, you're only one sixteenth right.

Ashen goes far beyond it's fairy-tale roots. You could strip out all of the Cinderella elements and still be left with an original and highly engaging fantasy.

Ashen tells the story of Lizbete, an Orphan outcast who no one wants, or trusts, or loves. Except Auntie Katrine, who raised her as her own. Lizbete is constantly blamed for everything that goes wrong by the members of her superstitious community. Her character is sure to be relatable to anyone who has never felt like part of a community. But no matter how far down she is pushed Lizbete rises like a Phoenix.

This Audiobook edition is not to be missed. Narrator, Rebekah Nemethy, does an amazing job reading with emotion and depth. She even does different voices for the characters.

Heartwarming Story

A genuinely unique Cinderella retelling.
Predictable, but not in a way that wasn't also enjoyable. Narration was excellent.