Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Hachette Group)
Released: Sept 1st 2009
Genre: YA, fairytale, GLBTQ
Purchased for Coco by Kobo.
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.
From Little, Brown Books for Young Readers website.
What a beautiful, beautiful story. Lyrical, heartbreaking and warming, Ash was the first fairy tale retelling I’ve read and I fell instantly in love with it.
I was never a huge fan of fairy tales when I was a child. I only ever remember reading Disney-fied versions, so that may be why. Once I finished Ash I wanted to go on a fairy tale binge, especially if the original tales were written in a similar style to Ash. I just really liked the feel and the tone of the book.
Lo’s writing style is both lyrical and plain-talking at the same time. I know that probably doesn’t make a lot of sense, but it’s the best way for me to describe it. Her words were beautifully woven together but I never once felt like I was lost in a description or didn’t know what she was trying to say.
I loved the relationship between Ash and Kaisa. Reading about their new friendship blossoming was one of the sweetest and truest things I’ve read in a long time. I know I’ve already used the word umpteen times, but it was simply beautiful.
Ash is far from the usual books that I read, and I think that is part of the reason that I loved it so much. It was fresh, exciting and yes, beautiful. I can’t see anyone not loving this book.
I haven’t read this one yet but love fairytale retellings. I definitely need to add this one to my list
For sure! As you can tell from my review, I highly recommend it.
Yay! Glad you read this and enjoyed it!!
Well you kept tell me I should so…….
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