Through the Ashes

Ashen Realm, Book 1

By: S.D. McKittrick

Narrated by: Nicholas Gilomen

Betrayed... Trapped... Left for dead.

All Ole wanted to do was become an adventurer like his brother. He wanted to romance his childhood sweetheart and bring her with on his adventures. Together they would rise in the world and take the fight to the Ashen that threaten humanity. Monsters that create portals and break into his world to feast on humans.

It all comes crashing down after his birthday. He'd finally aged out. He unlocked his attributes. But when his unique skill is revealed, darkness descends.

Betrayed by the man that helped raise him, Ole is left for dead in the Ashen's Realm. With only a broken knife and a few scraps of food he has to survive. He'll fight, bleed, and survive while unlocking skills that shouldn't be possible. He'll discover that the Ashen Realm is far more than what humanity believes it to be.

Deepening mysteries and a hidden world unfold around Ole. Can he learn from humanities greatest mistakes? He doesn't know, but he can focus on what matters most. Returning to his world and killing the man that betrayed him.

©2023 Sean D McKittrick (P)2024 Sean D McKittrick

It's a Maybe

This is a maybe. It moves along for most of book slowly, some action, then slower (how many ways can you describe a modern appliance in a post apocalyptic world?) and when the action comes across sometimes it is as a person describing it as opposed to living it--but it is good. But the main bad guy is so completely one dimensional that it is nonsensical. And there are plot/reason holes in the beginning and end. With all that being said--the first book is enjoyable mostly. I considered getting the second book, but based on the reviews (regarding the relationships etc.) likely won't. So...maybe try?

the connection between the Ashen and magic.

not going to lie I was loving it alot until the angel came in, I thought you were going to make her into one of those characters that are just annoying all around but she isn't all annoying.
the Revaluation of connections to The Ashen Relm was really well represented wished he experimented with "you know" But seeing as he is under educated I understand. Hope u can read between the lines I don't like leaving spoilers.

Very Slow

The writing is great, but very little happens. I can skip multiple chapters and still know what is going on. As background noise it works great.

Narration bothers me

I don't really know how to rate this. There seems to be a good story here but I'm personally not a fan of the first person perspective - especially when all characters are written that way. I'm also not a fan of the MC finding true love (tm) before the book even start. But mostly I'm bothered by the narration. It's not bad but the narrator infuse way too much (for my personal taste) emotion into everything he say. it's a stylistic choice... I really don't like it, but perhaps you do.

narator

What can mess up a good story? A really bad narrator. This is a book to read because the narrator over does it. He's that guy that goes all out to tell his big fish story.

Awesome

This was really good, i honestly couldn't stop listening, the characters and pacing of the story were great and the narration was really good too and i already pre ordered the second book but i feeo that the progression is going to stall or stop completely because of the guild building but im still looking forward to book 2

why is there so much emphasis on the teens being horny?

seriously, the start of this book is HIGHLY focused on the underage characters being horny. in detail, repeatedly, for several chapters.

Im not sure why authors forget who and what they're talking about, but it's gross and I think the author needs to consider professional help.

Has great potential.

First off, I think this book had great potential but the some of the characters were so annoying at times I almost returned this book. I don’t appreciate it when males don’t listen and dismiss women concerns. The level of sexual harassment exhibited by some of the male characters is loathsome. But I digress.. I loved the concept and the overall story. I loved the fighting and progression. I find Ollie to be naive. Especially after his harrowing ordeal with his sibling and ultimately his fight to survive and return home, I think it’s interesting how he very nonchalantly trust a person like Marie without a second thought because his woman told him to do so. I guess we will find out in book two if Marie is truly an ally or just a villainous woman.

author acknowledged PTSD of main characters in a believable way

I really enjoyed this story. I was expecting ya fluff and got a good story instead.

Great progression centered Book

This book is centered around the growth of the MC thru trial and tribulations. There is a lot of potential in the world building the MC has skill and abilities that make him unique and worth following.

book two looks like it will include base building. as long as the story doesn't get away from the MCs growth it will be a great series.