Ash Princess

By: Laura Sebastian

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

The first book in the New York Times best-selling 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 10 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 10 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)

©2018 Laura Sebastian (P)2018 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Tense and imaginative, this story of a diminished yet vengeful princess inciting a rebellion to recapture her rightful place of power strikes a timely chord. Ash Princess is a smart, feminist twist on a traditional tale of a fallen heroine, with plenty of court intrigue, love, and lies to sweeten the deal. Good luck putting this one down." (Virginia Boecker, author of The Witch Hunter series)

"The story leaps and twists like a swordswoman, and its blade carves the characters anew and divides them against themselves. This searing page-turner is a compelling examination of the complexities of both evil and resistance." (Sarah Porter, author of Vassa in the Night)

"An emotionally complex, breathtakingly suspenseful series starter." (Booklist)

Ash Princess Review

I purchased this book during the crazy and frightening Black Friday sale at Barnes and Nobel. What drew me to it was the interesting cover. I saw it and something about it caught my eye. I saw a troubled throne, a fallen one. And after reading the synopsis, I realized that is exactly what this story is. I did not hesitate in purchasing this novel.

This novel reminded me of a series I recently read, the Snow Like Ashes series by Sarah Raasch. As I was reading it, I saw that the struggle this character goes through is similar to Raasch's character. I absolutely loved the Snow Like Ashes series, so as I read more, I fell more and more in love with this story. This story was full of tough decisions, and I just grew anxious to know what the Ash Princess, Theodosia, would do. How would she redeem her family, her thrown, and her people?

To me, Ash Princess was a hit! It kept me wanting more and more. The fallen kingdom Sebastian creates and the Ash Princess' fight for her people is riveting and drew me in. I wanted to know what would happen to Theo and to those around her. I wanted to know what she would do. Who does she truly love? That is, if she even has time to think of love with everything that is going on in her life. After years of torture and pain, the Ash Princess grows courage, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for her and her people. I will anxiously await Sebastian's sequel to Ash Princess, Lady Smoke, which is set to release in February 5, 2019.

Audible Review:

Maarleveld does an magnificent job! Her narration drew me in from the start, and I felt she captivated Sebastian's Ash Princess and her attitude and emotions effectively. I did have to read at more than a 1.5 speed. 1.0 was too slow for me, and was quite dreadful. At 1.25 speed, Maarleveld's narration is about the speed I read, so I enjoyed it at that speed the most. However, I did want to get through it quicker so I read it a faster listening speed. For those of us who like to multitask and listen on the go, I recommend listening at a 1.75 speed, so one does not miss anything. For those who are listening while reading the book, I found 2.0 and 2.5 speed to be the best speeds. 3.0 was too fast for me, and I was missing a lot of what the narrator was saying and had to eventually slow down the narrator's reading speed. 

Holy cliffhangers batman!

Wow. My book club and I listened to this is october and while we tend to only stick with "first in series" we knew halfway through that as soon as book two came out we would be listening to that for February's month. I simply loved the world building and the complex characters and that ending.... THAT ENDING! I can't wait to see where this story goes.

A great YA book! I’d recommend!

This is a story of a conquered land once ruled by queens. After the land is conquered the young princess is taken prisoner. She is made to live as a mockery and bare brutal punishments for the sake of her people and lost kingdom.

I really enjoyed this book!! It is the first in a trilogy that has pretty much everything I ask for in a YA book. I have very few complaints— little enough that there is no need to detail any.

The main characters are likable and react believably throughout. There is a small love triangle, but it doesn’t overpower the book. I appalled the author for balancing that theme with the overall plot.

It’s a great YA read and I’d recommend it! :)

good

Some of the characters sounded the same, but the story line was new and I had a hard time "putting the book down"! cant wait for book 2!

a good listen

I was hooked and saddened that it didn't last longer than it did. after trying to listen to 2 other stories recently (that I couldn't finish), this was a very welcome story. The performance was well orchestrated and the story left me in a position where I couldn't stop listening.

I love this book

This book is good you can feel all the feelings and image everything that is happened

a pleasant surprise

I was skeptical before starting this book, but the narrator in the story quickly drew me in. A princess held in her castle with torn loyalties. she must choose between her people or the friends she has made, those seen as the enemy of her people. Fantastic narrator. I'm excited to get the next installment!

I loved it how it was such a sad and emotion felt

the narrator was amazing overall I loved it can't wait for another one love it

Beautifully done

This was a very captivating read. I am excited to continue the series. Beautifully written with metaphor and prose that gives me chills!

Good start for a promising series

The narrator was great and I enjoyed the story. Love this author and the battle of love over duty.