Reign of Ash

Ascendant Kingdoms, Book 2

By: Gail Z. Martin

Narrated by: Tim Reynolds

Survival is just the beginning.

Blaine McFadden endured six long years in the brutal Velant prison colony, exiled for murder. War devastated his homeland of Donderath and destroyed the magic on which the Ascendant Kingdoms relied. Now Blaine and a small group of fellow exiles have returned to a lawless wasteland, where unrestrained magic storms wreak havoc and monsters roam free.

Yet, amidst the chaos, rumors persist of a new magic that could restore the kingdoms. But the key lies with a dangerous, ancient ritual and a group of vanished survivors. Now McFadden's only hope is a small, desperate, quickly rallied army. Together they must make one last stand knowing that if they fail, the civilization of the Ascendant Kingdoms dies with them.

©2014 Gail Z. Martin (P)2014 Recorded Books

Not as good as the first.

I actually enjoyed the first book, but this book seemed to just drag on. There were a few too many scenes that were just a little too obvious. Some things happen in the book that I was looking forward to, but they were very anti-climatic. Some of the main characters in this book also take a large step backwards. There is a good amount of whining from one and others make some really unbelievably stupid choices.

The Magical Mystery Tour

Another well-author and expertly performed addition to the saga. Blaine and company encounter variations to the humans on their trek to recover the obsidian disks and maps believed needed to restore the magic. These were accompanied with more near-death situations to Blaine, the last living lord with the bloodline needed for the restoration to be successful.

There was more interaction between Blaine and his siblings (his brother had survived the war and magic upheaval) but is not pleased to find his brother, who he blames for the family's disgrace. This dissatisfaction will later lead to difficulties as time passes. We also are introduced to new and frightening fantastical creatures who were spawned when the magic became unbridled.

The story progressed interestingly and, at times, involved a sort of a National Treasure type quest with riddles and puzzled needed to be solved with the treat of death if they failed. Near the end of the journey, Blaine meets up with another person who he had previously believed to have perished which hints at causing some additional complications as the saga continues.

A solid addition. So much so, I immediately purchased the next book in the series.

A good second story

A good continuation of the quest to return magic to the world, worth the read.

Fantastic

I loved this book it was fantastic with a few twists that left me in awe as I listened I would most definitely tell others to read this series.

Great Story as always:)

I loved this story:) Martin always delivers exceptional fantasy with a grand mix of magic, vampires and The supernarural in a medival would!

I want more!

Where does Reign of Ash rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Of all the audio books I've listened to I would put this book as a solid second place.

What other book might you compare Reign of Ash to and why?

This book reminds me of a Shannara-esc world, but also a bit of The Hallows.

What about Tim Reynolds’s performance did you like?

He has a very nice voice to listen to, though every now and hen character voices get mixed up.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Apocalypse, Magic, War, and Romance.

Any additional comments?

This is the sequel to Ice Forged and I loved it. I cannot wait until the next book comes out!

enjoying every minute of the series

I love the characters the books the author the narrator has a little to be desired but I think I could be comfortable with that overall wonderful wonderful series first read them and paperback now on audible as I get older I can't see much to read but audible brings it all back to me

enjoyable listen, lots of false struggle

Tim Gerald Reynolds is fantastic as always and I do enjoy the characters quite a bit. but the overall story and conflicts that the main characters face all seem inconsequential when most of them they are barely affected by in the long run and even when a character dies they are quickly forgotten about.

Good but long

These are good books, but they are so massive that it’s hard to keep interested during the mundane world building

Great New High Fantasy

A great series that has magic & war. A perfect alternative for Game of thrones. mature not soobing MC. just read it.