Reviews

Ash by Malinda Lo

martinaferro's review against another edition

3.0

This book really surprised me. I went into this book not knowing anything about it, I didn't know it was going to be a fantasy/lesbian love story kinda thing.
While I was reading it, I didn't enjoy it. It was more towards the end (around 40 pages towards the end) that I started to get into it and wanted to know what would happen.
The fantasy side of the story was quite interesting. I like the whole fairy thing, and the woods intrigued me a lot.

The only things that bugged me (and I might have got this wrong, so don't take my word on this!) is that I don't know what century/era this is set in. Maybe I missed it out, but I just wish I could know. I'm pretty sure it was set in the past, though. Something else that annoyed me was that I didn't find out her age until 2/3 chapters into the book (I think, if not, then I remember reading it and wanting to know her age so desperately and it took long to get there).

This book was probably 90% writing and describing, and just 10% dialogue. I do wish there could have been more dialogue because then maybe the characters could have had a bit more development to them.

legobitar's review against another edition

2.0

Yeah...calling this "Cinderella retold" feels veeeery generous. The only thing the stories have in common is that Ash loses her parents and becomes a server in her stepmother's household. That's it? And yeah there are balls and stuff but it's not like Cinderella has copyright on balls (lol). I'm glad I decided to buy the audiobook because I don't think I ever would've managed to get through this book by reading it, there's too much...frills? Maybe I'm too used to 'get shit done' books bc this was not my thing.

gothamcat's review against another edition

5.0

I have seen many negative reviews about this story but I absolutely fell in love with it. It definitely was a quick read but it had a good moral too it. Just like fairytales. At first the plot process was slow and I knew how the ending was going to be, but what kept me reading was the events that lead to the ending and that's what makes this book special. On to the second book!

rachxkat's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

sunpixie_'s review

adventurous dark slow-paced

2.75

antmacro's review against another edition

adventurous relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

solid cinderella retelling, however, the prequel was much better. i didn’t expect a retelling when i started this book and i probably wouldn’t have read it as i read another ya lesbian cinderella retelling a couple months ago. this one was much much better than that one though! once again beautiful prose, yet emotions feel lacking sometimes. not much plot and yet not much characterization either. the best word i can describe this book as is wispy, floating along with the wind and seeing where it takes you.

m_hubnerovaa's review

3.0

3.5*

abijmieds's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

jaydehomer's review

2.0

I really really wanted to love this. Always a fan of retold classics, especially a

fricka's review

2.0

Really wanted to love this, but just didn't. The writing was gorgeous but dull and the only character I was interested in learning more about (Sidhean) it didn't happen. I scan read the last part.