megsotto's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
blushling's review
2.0
In a nutshell, one of the weirdest books ever. But that's probably just my opinion.
sol_lxve's review against another edition
4.0
Malinda Lo's Ash is an intricately crafted retelling of the commonly known Cinderella story--fairies (though not godmothers), princesses (though no princes), and even an evil stepmother (well, she's the same)--with an LGBTQ+ twist on it. The Young Adult Novel follows the increasingly distressing life of a young girl name Aisling--Ash for short--through the death of her mother, the subsequent death of her father, her new life with her evil stepmother, and the magic that her mother believed so strongly in surrounding her every move. The one thing that gives her any consolation are the stories of wonder and magic that her mother used to tell her of. Though Ash's father never really believed, she came to find it true as she began to have dreams of fairies that wold steals her away as they are said to. She eventually meets Sidhean--one of these fairies--and hopes that he will grant her a specific wish. Though this magic is the only thing that gives Ash hope amidst a rather depressing life, her encounter with Kaisa--the King's Huntress--grows her capacity to love once again. However, Sidhean claims to have claimed her, and the story follows her journey between these two conflicting "love interests," if you could call it that, as Ash continues to explore what love means to her and how to do it well.
Though the narrative storytelling of third-person limited novels are growing on me, I've never been a huge fan of fantasy because of the complexities and my often lack of an ability to keep up. However, Ash kept the magic interesting yet consistent and simple enough for me to follow along throughout the book. I also enjoyed, from a writer's perspective, the amount of detail and description that was present in Lo's writing style. I was able to create what I found to be an extremely accurate picture of all scenes, which is something that I personally find important in fantasy novels. Beyond the writing, though, I don't know if I really saw this as anything different than the typical Cinderella story outside of nuances specific to Lo's magical world, of course (beautifully created might I add) and the added factor of Ash and Kaisa being a part of the LGBTQ+ community. I also expected to see a bit more character development from Ash. I had no qualms with her seeminlgy dry outlook on life--she didn't really have the best life throughout the book--but I just expected a bit more growth from her as a main character (as we see in most Young Adult novels). The closest book that I could relate this to was Harry Potter, more so for the writing style and the complex world of magic. However, in terms of plot, I found it most similar to Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. Though this story is about two young lover separated by a mother's falsification of her daughter's health conditions, I feel as though the main character has some of the same thoughts as a result of her surrounding environment (even though Yoon's main character has a more loving mother) feeling suffocated, trapped, and enstranged from the love that you desire so badly.
Overall, I enjoyed this story very much. Despite my critique, I think that using a story that most are familiar with to include a character that identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community is very important in that it is seen as natural with no questions asked. There aren't people necessarily comdemning them for the love that they share and it actually enhances the story in a unique fashion. Again, I'm not a huge fantasy guy, and I initially wasn't too keen on another retelling of a Cinderella story, but the captivating plot, superb writing and inclusion of a LGBTQ+ identified main character in a society where it is normalized makes this a book that I must say I enjoyed and would recommend to any fantasy-heads or suckers for a good fairy tale-esque read. :)
Though the narrative storytelling of third-person limited novels are growing on me, I've never been a huge fan of fantasy because of the complexities and my often lack of an ability to keep up. However, Ash kept the magic interesting yet consistent and simple enough for me to follow along throughout the book. I also enjoyed, from a writer's perspective, the amount of detail and description that was present in Lo's writing style. I was able to create what I found to be an extremely accurate picture of all scenes, which is something that I personally find important in fantasy novels. Beyond the writing, though, I don't know if I really saw this as anything different than the typical Cinderella story outside of nuances specific to Lo's magical world, of course (beautifully created might I add) and the added factor of Ash and Kaisa being a part of the LGBTQ+ community. I also expected to see a bit more character development from Ash. I had no qualms with her seeminlgy dry outlook on life--she didn't really have the best life throughout the book--but I just expected a bit more growth from her as a main character (as we see in most Young Adult novels). The closest book that I could relate this to was Harry Potter, more so for the writing style and the complex world of magic. However, in terms of plot, I found it most similar to Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. Though this story is about two young lover separated by a mother's falsification of her daughter's health conditions, I feel as though the main character has some of the same thoughts as a result of her surrounding environment (even though Yoon's main character has a more loving mother) feeling suffocated, trapped, and enstranged from the love that you desire so badly.
Overall, I enjoyed this story very much. Despite my critique, I think that using a story that most are familiar with to include a character that identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community is very important in that it is seen as natural with no questions asked. There aren't people necessarily comdemning them for the love that they share and it actually enhances the story in a unique fashion. Again, I'm not a huge fantasy guy, and I initially wasn't too keen on another retelling of a Cinderella story, but the captivating plot, superb writing and inclusion of a LGBTQ+ identified main character in a society where it is normalized makes this a book that I must say I enjoyed and would recommend to any fantasy-heads or suckers for a good fairy tale-esque read. :)
ricefun's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic retelling of the Cinderella Story for modern readers, filled with fairies and wicked (and kind) stepsisters. It allows for the possibility of many varieties of love, and that this love is good or evil based on its own merit and not some superimposed cultural expectation.
baisimursu's review against another edition
4.0
An enchanting story, a fairy tale much more compelling than the ones I remember from my childhood. I'm especially glad for the love interest - no hunky princes for Ash, instead she goes for the mighty huntress. Gay characters are too rare in this genre (and to be honest, in literature of all kinds - at least as leads and major characters) and any break from the traditional heteronormative bullshit is awesome in my eyes. As a bisexual woman, I approve.
foggy_rosamund's review
3.0
Malinda Lo's prose is lovely: gorgeous imagery with lots of grounding details. I really enjoyed this as a love story between Ash and Kaisa, but I felt like some aspects of the story were not fully realised. I would have liked more descriptions of the world Ash inhabited, and her relationship to Kaisa and to the fairy. I also found the ending rather rushed. That said, though, it's lovely to encounter a bisexual retelling of the Cinderella story, and this is a very sweet book that I would happily recommend.
bookclubbitches's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately I just did not click with this one and I didn't love it