Ash by Malinda Lo
Ash by Malinda Lo
Release Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 264
From: publisher
Interest: debut author
Cinderella retold
In the wake of her father’s death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash’s capacity for love-and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.
Entrancing, empowering, and romantic, Ash is about the connection between life and love, and solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.
What a outstanding debut novel! Malinda Lo absolutely blew me away. The writing was elegant, beautifully lyrical. Malinda has this unbelievable talent for detail and atmospheric setting. She captures the very essence of the world she created. I just felt like I was there.
Characterization was fantastic as well. With such vivid imagery you might think the characterization would suffer, but I think they stood out so intensely because of it.
Ash is a retelling, so some of the story shouldn’t come as a surprise, but Lo was able to weave her own unique take into the fabled fairy-tale seamlessly. I loved the depth to this novel. The faerie world is explored much more in this re-telling, and of course Ash, herself, prefers the King’s Huntress to the Prince. On that note, I’d hate to see this novel labeled as nothing more than “a lesbian retelling of Cinderella” because it is so very much more than that. Ash is a story that anyone can relate to.
Overall an amazing debut, and a beautiful story.
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On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Stephanie
I just bought Ash off Amazon yesterday! I'm so glad to hear that you liked it. I heard so many good things about this book and it sounds so good. I can't wait till it gets here in the mail! Thanks for the review.
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
ReaderGirl
YAY! I've been soooo excited for this one! Can't wait to pick it up! Thanks for you're review Kristi! ^^
xoxoxo
RG
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
ReaderGirl
YAY! I've been soooo excited for this one! Can't wait to pick it up! Thanks for you're review Kristi! ^^
xoxoxo
RG
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Melody
I just finished reading this book today and I loved it! Glad you enjoyed it too!
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Lori(Pure Imagination)
I can't wait to read this one! I love Fairy Tales retold!
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Mandy
I can't even wait to read this one. The cover is beauiful. Thanks for the review.
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Falling Off The Shelf
This one looks so good! I love the cover too, its absolutly gorgeous!
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
pirate penguin
I'll have to go request this at my library then!
And thanks! I love my new header as well xD
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
kay - Infinite Shelf
Great review!
I can't wait to read that one!
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Thao
I hope to get a copy of this book soon. It sounds so perfectly beautiful.
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Thao
I hope to get a copy of this book soon. It sounds so perfectly beautiful.
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Melanie
This book sounds really good. I actually had to read a few of the Cinderella retellings for class a couple months ago. I wish I had this book laying around for that!
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Book Chick City
This sounds like a fab read. Think I will add yet another book to my tbr list. That's all I seem to do every time I come here. Love it tho
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Kelsey
I really want to read this! It looks great! Thanks for the review(:
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Gumbo Writers
You do great reviews! If you have any suggestions as to how to get young adults reading, please let me know at my Reluctant Reader site at http://jeffrivera.typepad.com/jeff_rivera/. Congrats on the shortlist!
-Jeff Rivera
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
April
I also ordered this off amazon and can't wait to read it! Awesome review Kristi. I like that you said, don't say this book is just a lesbian retelling of Cinderella, I'm glad you point out that it's more than just that.
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
...MY NAME IS ELENI AND I AM A BOOKAHOLIC...
Nice review Kristi, I think I'll be picking this one up soon
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Sydney Salter
I'm going to have to jump ASH up a few titles in my to-read stack! Thanks for the review.
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
wdebo
I loved Ash, so glad you enjoyed it!! And it is so amazingly/beautifuly lyrical
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Emilee
Hi Kristi!
I loved Ash as well! I really hope it doesn't get stereotyped before everyone gives it a chance.
I had a blog tip question as I just started my blog.
How do you quote the back of the book in that block of color under the cover art?
Thanks so much for your time! And thanks for all the blogging tip posts.
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Kristen
I really loved it too! And to answer your question – I just really wanted Sea Glass for myself.
I read Storm Glass and loved it. *selfish girl*
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
The Book Resort
I can't wait to read my copy — it is shouting, "READ ME!".
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
HODGEPODGESPV
my body may be old but not my spirit…i so wan to read this book and your interview has only may my desire stronger.
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Casey
I can't wait to read this one. It sounds great. Thanks for the review!
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
ReggieWrites
I've been hearing a lot of good things about this book. I might just check it out!
Reggie
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
The Bookologist
This book looks great! I can't wait to read it, great review!
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Sab H.
Aw, this looks like a great book. I should get to reading it soon! I'm really glad you liked it!
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
S. Krishna
I really want to read this one, I love the idea of a fairy tale retelling. Thanks for the review!
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Chapter Chicks
I really disliked Ash, I just read it this past week. But oh well, can't please everyone!
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Chapter Chicks
I really disliked Ash, I just read it this past week. But oh well, can't please everyone!
On Tuesday, September 8th 2009
Author Interview Malinda Lo - The Story Siren
[...] Yes, I have specific research in mind that I’d like to do, and I’m very concerned about safety. You can see my review of Ash. [...]