The weather is finally starting to turn and I crave the beach. But to happily sit on a beach, I need no less than three fantastically fast, delicious fantasy novels. Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian fits that tall glass of iced tea (with just a touch of honey). If you love Red Queen or The Selection, then you’ll want to add Ash Princess to your Beach Read Pile.
Ash Princess is about poor princess, Theodosia (I know, it’s a mouthful. Thankfully they call her Theo), but this isn’t a Cinderella story. Raised in captivity after watching her mother murdered, Theo grows up under the brutal tyranny of a conquering King. Used as a court jest and a symbol of the King’s power, Theo does what she must to stay alive and avoid the whip. But when the last of her mother’s guards is killed, revenge burns inside of her. To reclaim her throne and kingdom, she’ll have to seduce the tyrant King’s son, murder her best friend and lead a rebellion.
Ash Princess is similar to Red Queen because Theo’s people can manipulate the elements, but not everyone has powers. Most in the story who do have powers are just learning to control them, so it isn’t as supernatural abilities charged as Red Queen. Although I’m sure the next book, Lady Smoke, will play it up more.
Watch the Ash Princess Book Trailer:
Why I Enjoyed Ash Princess
A Guard/Prince love triangle always goes down smooth. And I know this sounds nothing like The Selection but the love triangle comes pretty close. Theo must seduce the recently returned prince in hopes to pit him against his ruthless father. And her childhood friend, tasked with saving her, has escaped the mines and has infiltrated the castle, posing as her guard. Yup, are you feeling it.
Intrigue and brutality kept my page turning. Paced well, Ash Princess weaves an entertaining how’s-she-gonna-get-out-of-this adventure. Not the most original plot—in full disclosure, I almost put it down after chapter one. Mostly because I wasn’t completely committed to another super-powered princess fantasy. But I powered through to chapter three and then I was totally hooked. What kept me turning the page: the king’s brutality (there is no limit to his ruthlessness), the plot to overthrow him and the bit with the prince. I devoured this book in two days, and it might’ve been faster if I didn’t need to sleep. Weekdays, man.
A likable heroine, Theo is smart, compassionate and a determined princess. Fully steeped in her perspective, it isn’t a bad place to be. You feel her girl power growing as she pushes out of her comfort zone or, in this case, her golden cage.
Ash Princess literally just came out and it is the first book in a new series. You can buy it on Amazon. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a princess-saves-herself story. Definitely beach worthy. Or if want something to read before Victoria Aveyard’s War Storm comes out, this may scratch that itch. Check out Laura Sebastian’s blog to read some interesting writing and Ash Princess extras.
Maybe I’m just in Red Queen withdrawal but I’m starting to think I seriously have a problem. Pull me away from the princesses, what should I read next?
