Ash Princess

Written by Laura Sebastian

Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld

The first book in the New York Times bestselling series "made for fans of Victoria Aveyard and Sabaa Tahir" (Bustle), Ash Princess is an epic new fantasy about a throne cruelly stolen and a girl who must fight to take it back for her people.

Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess--a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.

For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.

Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.

For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.

"Sure to be one of the summer's most talked about YAs. . . . A darkly enchanting page-turner you won't be able to put down."-Bustle

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Apr 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9780525525882

Laura Sebastian

Laura Sebastian was born and raised in South Florida and has always loved telling stories-many apologies to her little brother who often got in trouble because of them. She currently lives in London with her two dogs, Neville and Circe. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series, Half Sick of Shadows, and Castles in their Bones.

Reviews for Ash Princess

[May145 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A quite interesting second part. The first third moves a bit slowly, the Dragon Venom, Søren, and the I want to be queen but I don't have a kingdom, plus the suitors, uff tiresome.

In the second part, we speed up a bit, we see consequences, plots, deceit, and influence peddling. How Theo empowers himself as a leader.

And the ending, that twist it has... impressive. (Translated from Spanish)

[kiaya40 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I couldn’t finish or even read much of it. It was too much darkness and violence for me to be able to read it.

I tried to push through the first bit but I couldn’t do it and I thought why spend my time on something that clearly isn’t going to work for me when there are other books that will be great for me.

[jthierer_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This came pretty highly recommended to me, so I was disappointed to find it was a pretty formulaic YA fantasy, love-triangle included. Ash Princess follows Theodosia, a young woman who was a princess until her country was conquered and now lives as a captive. She, of course, is contacted by a rebellion that needs her to save the country, which (of course) requires seducing the prince and betraying a friend. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to reading a formulaic plot (I read romance novels for heaven's sake!) but the characters and setting need to propel me forward. Unfortunately, none of the main characters in Ash Princess feel particularly real and no one really acts in a way that would be surprising. I'm not sure if I'll pick up the next one or not and I wouldn't recommend the series to anyone looking for something to start.

[Danna · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved it, especially the development of the main character. (Translated from Spanish)

[Sren · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I totally love it, I couldn't stop reading it, I will only say #teamsøren (Translated from Spanish)

[completely_melanie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I give this 4.5. I really liked it. Theodosia was only 6 years old when she witnessed her mother being murdered by the people that invaded her kingdom. After that she became their trophy and used her to make a statement to any rebel forces. If they rebelled, she paid for it. Her people are enslaved and she is tortured. Those holding her hostage call her the ash princess, but she can no longer live like this. Her people need her to rise from the ashes and become the queen she was meant to be. I absolutely intend to continue this series!

[readingbeader · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Love triangle
Trilogy
Smart heroine
brains not brawn

[Caliope ?? · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Some time ago, I kissed the lips of death at the door of hell; I was on fire, and I didn’t care. Dressed in the abyss, I walked in the darkness, in the labyrinth of my instability, surrounded by voices guiding me towards an exit, only that sometimes, those voices do not exist; they only seek their own well-being at the cost of a life, and that life is mine. I am on fire, I want to burn and I do not burn; fear is real and the scars still bleed. I walk slowly through these pages, letting myself be guided by voices that know the way, yet they still decide for me, and I know it’s a mistake; I want to trust, I need to trust to feel the impact of reality, I felt the shake, I felt the blood in my feet, I felt that I am alive in this darkness, in this lie.
The impact arrives, I am brave at last, or just a faint flame waiting to burn. I continue to walk slowly through these chapters; I know that in the end I will burn.
What does it matter my wooden heart! They have carved it to their likeness, but the fire burns, and I have started to burn. Do you burn with me?... (Translated from Spanish)

[Noepolitana · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For once, I'm not quite sure how to start a review, haha. Let's begin with the basics and try not to include spoilers.

A fantasy novel about kingdoms and elemental powers is, I believe, the best way to contextualize the story, although they explain it well from the beginning. It doesn't resemble other stories I've read before, and I have several books in this genre; the pacing of the narration is just right, and I didn't get bored at any moment. Furthermore, I empathized with the characters closest to Theo and often shared their opinions about them or their actions.

I obviously want more, but I'm sure there will be in the next installments of the trilogy. I would like to delve deeper into the plans for the reconquest, as well as learn more about the kalovaxians and the astreano people, about Art and Heron, and see how the love triangle progresses, although I think it will shift based on the steps taken before the final battle. (Translated from Spanish)

[Violet2300 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book, but at the beginning, it felt a bit slow and bland. However, once the protagonist starts gaining courage and strength, the book starts to get good. If it hadn't felt like the beginning lasted forever, I would give it 5 stars. (Translated from Spanish)

[TatianaHerondale · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's better than the first one. I really liked most of the journey, except for the part with the suitors; it felt super long, and I took a long time to read it.
Something that improved a lot was the characters; I feel they are more real now, with their own stories and more prominence.
The ending may have had some predictable moments, but that doesn't take away from the fact that I liked it, especially when the allies arrive. I want to know what will happen with everyone, especially Soren, and I still say that love triangle—no!
Finally, I really liked Theo's personality because we got to see that he is capable of killing, leading, planning, and continuing to fight; he's not Thora, he’s not fragile or someone who needs to be protected. (Translated from Spanish)

[Mariela Bloom · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First of all, the chapter titles could sometimes be a spoiler, like for example: "the murder."

The books have been slow, but I liked this one more than the previous one. Throughout the book, I didn't feel anything about what was happening until the ending because I didn't see it coming, but I still believe that Blaise is going to die. (Translated from Spanish)

[m_mozeleski · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really like this story. It is brutal, yes, but also particularly interesting in how it presents a conqueror, their family, and their captives.
And, of course, what happens when you push a so-called captive too far.
9/10.

[Covita09 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The first book in Laura Sebastián's saga. A very good story of adult fantasy, original, where the heroine also has to fight against her own demons, make tough and important decisions, face the consequences of her actions, and with significant social undertones. I really liked it; it has brought a new twist to this genre. Very good. (Translated from Spanish)

[kathleen5heady · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't read much fantasy, but occasionally I will pick something just to dip into another genre. I don't know who recommended Ash Princess, but I want to thank whoever it was. Author Laura Sebastian's storytelling kept me tensely turning pages. The story is original and full of details about the world she created. I found the characters multi-dimensional and the plot full of intriguing twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[CamSuarez · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I simply couldn't with the protagonist ??‍♀️ The most absurd Instalove, and as if that weren't enough, there's a love triangle. The characters are super flat. The only one worth it is Cress. I doubt I'll continue with the trilogy. (Translated from Spanish)

[Carol4991 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It has got me out of a reading block that I had for months, I love it, from the very first minute things keep happening. (Translated from Spanish)

[pascale1812 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I actually really liked this book. Why the surprise? From a critical viewpoint, several elements of the story rubbed me the wrong way (ex. present tense is not my thing), but Ash Princess was a timely reminder that Good Books aren't flawless.

Let me just say: The Ships.
- Romantically speaking, there are some classic love-triangle-y / falling-in-love-with-enemy moments, which can be either endearing or exasperating. It was up and down for me, although the latter chapters held promising maturity.
- Actual sailing ships! These were Super Cool. While mainly off-page, naval warfare plays an important role in Theo's story, and I loved the unexpected ship moments. Because ships are cool. :)

[Palomeitor · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think I liked it more than the first one, the protagonist has become a little less messed up although she still is. She tells her friends and lovers not to do things but then she leaves them and even tries to kill them. Get it together, girl! Well, I'm really looking forward to reading the third one haha. (Translated from Spanish)

[Helena Garlop · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book as much as the first one; I always know that books with the cliché of the lost queen who must reclaim her kingdom and save her people from a tyrant will appeal to me, but this one hit the mark perfectly. As for the characters, I love the protagonist, Queen Theodosia, because even though she has suffered a lot, she is not a weak character; the Kaiser has not been able to break her, and she remains a strong and determined woman ready to reclaim her crown. I really like her advisors, especially Art; I think he is a very necessary character, a completely honest friend who will tell her both good and bad things, even knowing that it will hurt Theo. I also enjoyed the romance a lot; it reminded me of when I read The Selection and couldn't decide between Maxon and Aspen, as I now feel the same about Blaise and Prince Soren. Whenever I was sure one was my favorite, the other did something so romantic that made me fall in love. Both the characters and the plot were great; you feel all the suffering of the Astreans and all the towns that have been devastated by the Kalovaxians, and you just want to keep reading until you see that justice has been served and that Theodosia becomes the rightful queen again. Totally recommended. (Translated from Spanish)

[Ada Robuma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's an interesting survival story for our protagonist (Theodosia) in the face of the conquest of her village at the hands of the Kalovaxians, where the Kaiser (leader of the Kalovaxians) takes everything from her, even her name, making her believe there is no hope for her. Thus, we see how a subdued, submissive, and loyal girl (forced through beatings) finds a way to reclaim what was hers and embarks on a quest to form the resistance that will restore freedom not only to her but also to her people. You will be caught up in intrigues, conspiracies, and traditions. (Translated from Spanish)

[linyarai · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this to be a bit of a common story, but it was enjoyable all the way through and there were some twists at the end that I'm looking forward to hearing more about in the next book.

[LucianaS · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For me, one of the best secrets of literature. Although the author is not very well known, and this is her first publication, what she achieves with this book is truly surprising. From the tragic and gripping story to the excellent narration, which makes us feel like we are part of the tale.
A story of overcoming and growth by the protagonist, who after years of submission, has to find within herself the strength to fight for something much more valuable than her life: her country, her responsibility, her people, the legacy of her mother, for whom she decides to become.
A story full of drama, secrets, conspiracies, and a romance that constantly struggles with duty. I recommend it. (Translated from Spanish)

[M. Belén Márquez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First person. Present.
Why?
The story is good: a kingdom conquered by a ruthless leader who rules with terror, a prisoner and tortured heiress reduced to her bare essence, a rebellion that is slowly brewing...
It has all the necessary ingredients for us to like it. It's a shame about that first-person narrator that prevents us from really seeing the development of this story... the result is an entertaining story that could have offered much more. Am I eager to continue? Well, honestly, I don't know. On one hand, I feel frustrated not to continue to see how it ends (which won't happen because there are three books), but on the other hand, it feels very challenging to pick up a story that hasn't left me with that frenzied desire to know more. (Translated from Spanish)

[zeborah · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The blurb left me ambivalent (intimations of a "classic tale" combined with the title made me think it was some kind of Cinderella variant) but I picked it up on the strength of remainder prices, and was pleasantly surprised not to regret it. It's the first book in what, yes, is certainly a classically plotted YA dystopia trilogy, complete with the subplot in which our heroine is torn between her love for two very different men. I could quite easily do without this part but at least neither of them are actively unhealthy choices and would otherwise be perfectly decent friends.

But what I particularly liked is that our heroine, while young and kind-hearted given the circumstances, also has (by necessity) a boundless capacity for deception; and is willing to do a very good proportion of what it takes - even against her personal inclinations - to scrabble for some scrap of advantage for her survival and the survival of her country. There are things she doesn't know, but she's far from naive, and she's got a fantastic strategic grasp of how to manipulate individuals and the court at large.

So when a few days after finishing it, I found the sequel on the shelves at full price, I didn't hesitate very long indeed in snapping it up.

[Aphates · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked the story, how the characters appear and how each feeling is conveyed. My only problem was her love triangle. *minispoiler* It stressed me out that she "loved" both of them and kept questioning that. She meets both of them in one day and falls in love. Other than that, excellent story. (Translated from Spanish)

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the compelling start to a series, with plenty of fantasy elements. Theodosia is a princess, the heir to a throne, but after her mother was brutally murdered in front of her, she lived in captivity in her own palace for 10 years. When she is approached by those plotting rebellion, Theodosia struggles to make a choice - especially a choice that may include killing those she considers friends. This is a well-paced story with just the right dose of character development and I was happy to learn it was the start of a series.

[titania86_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Theodosia's whole life changed when she was only 6. Her kingdom was invaded and taken over by conquerors who destroyed her people, her family, and her culture. The new regime keeps her around to abuse her when her people rebel and to publicly remind anyone what happens when they are opposed.

The premise to Ash Princess is intriguing, but the reality fell flat for me. I didn't finish this book. I only read about 50 pages and realized I had no emotional investment in anything. The writing and language left me feeling detached. Her name is ridiculoous and her thought process is defining her every emotion and motivation, which makes for repetitive, dry reading. The magic system of her people is very typical and the word "spiritgems" just makes me cringe. All of the background information is dumped in the narrative without integrating it into the story and it takes a while.

The point that I put down the novel was when the evil king forces Theo to kill a rebel who turns out to be her own father. This passage held no emotional impact for me. It's too early and not enough is known about the main character for this to occur so soon. Also, the plot in general feels too close to Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, which is already one of my favorite books of the year. Ash Princess simply pales in comparison in terms of prose and world building. They share many of the same themes and it's unfortunate that they are coming out so close together. Ash Princess wasn't for me.

[kamoorephoto · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was admittedly a little slow for me to get into but it had quite a bit to do with me starting it while away on a sunny beach at Amelia Island in Florida (it was in stark contrast to the dark world in the novel, so I had competing worlds in my head).

Nevertheless, once I got into 'Ash Princess' further, I became captivated by the darkness, and contrary to some interpretations of it being a story that is there to shock its readers with the relentless abuse, and of murders of whole populations, I read this book and absorbed this in a very different way. I'll get back to all of that in a moment...
The novel is centered around a young girl, the 'Ash Princess', Theodosia, who is now known as Lady Thora, who is being held captive in the palace that her mother, the Fire Queen was murdered. The cruel and murderous Kaiser, has subsequently enslaved the Astrean people, and now the Kalovaxians rule the land, although there's a rebellion brewing.

Theo's position is complicated to say the least. She has suffered a decade of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her mother's murderer, but she knows that if she is to survive, she needs to bide by the Kaiser's wishes. Theo's closest friendship is also complex, since she is friends with the daughter of the enemy Theyn, the Kaiser's right-hand man; Crescentia is close with Theo, but looks the other way when things are hard for her friend (namely, her beatings), quite happily will give her the less flattering dress to wear, and doesn't see many things that are right under her nose (luckily).
Another complication: where would a good YA novel be without a little bit of confusion over what boy you like? It's even more complicated when one is supposed to be the enemy, the Prinz (and your best friend hopes to marry them some day), and the other is a long time friend, and orchestrating the plot to escape, amongst other things (*no further spoiling!).

Beyond the walls of the palace, there are also battles fought for more land, in the name of the Kaiser, and in terms of how this comes across to me, is that I liken this to how I see much of European history. I'm not talking about the Kaiser specifically but when I think back to what I know of centuries of history across Europe and all the battles fought, particularly for land, the pillaging of villages, the murdering of its people, these sorts of things happened. I liken what I'm reading to that sort of knowledge I have of history of the way that lands are conquered; even royalty has been imprisoned within their own castle walls. History really has been that cruel, so when I read something like this (or like many other fantasy novels), it really has been played out. What's wonderful in a book like this though, is that the people are waiting for this young woman, Theodosia, to take back the throne again.

So, ultimately I felt like this was a tale of survival in a very harsh world, where Theo has to make hard choices to not only survive, but to try and fulfil what she believes is a destiny expected of her by the Astrean people. It leads her to do some things she doesn't want to do sometimes, and through that, she actually becomes stronger as the novel progresses, but at a cost.

This is not a novel for someone who wants their books about fallen kingdoms to be light and with frequent uplifting turns; this book is pretty heavy, and high on dark content, but if you're willing to fall into a novel where kingdoms don't get taken back easily, and in which many lives are lost in the process, you will be ready for this. There are strong characters in this and I hope they're developed even further in the next book. I'm looking forward to seeing the rebellion of the Astrean people continue!