femme4fleurs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Self harm, Abandonment, and Physical abuse
cannibaldear's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
While the consistent Harry Potter references and Lark toeing the line of the "born sexy yesterday" trope when interacting with Calvin became fairly exhausting, the concept and execution create an interesting story. I'm still not sure how I feel about While it adds to the complexity of the narrative and the characters' motivations, it feels like it is excusing Nova's behavior slightly.
Spoiler
the magic (and potentially the monsters?) being real.maria_elisabeth's review against another edition
4.0
4⭐ - I really liked it
Ok, I needed to sit on this for a day.
Defenitely not as good as his first book, Docile, that I loved and it was my top 2 book of the 2021.
This had a similar vibe and a writing, that I really enjoy, but the story was a little weird and hollow...
The psychological and mental side was great again, it's so dark, I love it!
I think it's safe to say at this point, that Szpara has become one of my favorite authors, and I'm looking forward to his new upcoming book this year!
Ok, I needed to sit on this for a day.
Defenitely not as good as his first book, Docile, that I loved and it was my top 2 book of the 2021.
This had a similar vibe and a writing, that I really enjoy, but the story was a little weird and hollow...
The psychological and mental side was great again, it's so dark, I love it!
I think it's safe to say at this point, that Szpara has become one of my favorite authors, and I'm looking forward to his new upcoming book this year!
vortacist's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
livtheninth's review against another edition
3.0
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Tor, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, let it be known that K M Szpara is an incredibly talented author, and whatever he releases into the world, I will read it first chance I get. I really can't wait to see what he does next.
First, Become Ashes is a story about leaving an abusive upbringing behind and finding who you are beyond the pain. About cult brainwashing through (quite explicit) sexual abuse, and about deprogramming and reclaiming your sexuality after coming out the other side of the hell you've been through. It's also very much about magic - rites, rituals and spells as well as the magic that comes from love and chosen familial bonds.
These are all narratives that Szpara handles well. Particularly when it comes to the themes of sexual abuse and healing, I feel the story is nuanced in a way that I've rarely found anywhere else in fiction. This is something that I loved about his previous novel, Docile, as well. As a survivor of sexual abuse, I appreciate the care that Szpara takes to portray these things in a very real, yet non-exploitative manner.
First, Become Ashes has what I would call unreliable narration pretty much throughout the whole story. I find, after finishing the book, that I'm not sure I trust any of the four POV characters to fully see the truth of things. I like that in a book. Is this magical realism? Is it straight up urban fantasy with real magic coursing through its pages? You'll have to read it to form your own opinion. The only thing I know is that I don't know. And as a reader, I'm pretty comfortable with that.
Having said that, I didn't end up enjoying this as much as I did Szpara's previous novel. This has absolutely nothing to do with how this second novel was written as a whole (wonderfully, exquisitely) or the subject matter (original and thought-provoking). Personally, I just loved the characters and the dystopian premise of Docile far more. However, I will still recommend this book to anyone who wants a fairly unique take on cults, tons of great representation across the board and an engaging adventure from one of the most interesting and talented authors of this generation. Like I said, I honestly can't wait to see what he does next.
First of all, let it be known that K M Szpara is an incredibly talented author, and whatever he releases into the world, I will read it first chance I get. I really can't wait to see what he does next.
First, Become Ashes is a story about leaving an abusive upbringing behind and finding who you are beyond the pain. About cult brainwashing through (quite explicit) sexual abuse, and about deprogramming and reclaiming your sexuality after coming out the other side of the hell you've been through. It's also very much about magic - rites, rituals and spells as well as the magic that comes from love and chosen familial bonds.
These are all narratives that Szpara handles well. Particularly when it comes to the themes of sexual abuse and healing, I feel the story is nuanced in a way that I've rarely found anywhere else in fiction. This is something that I loved about his previous novel, Docile, as well. As a survivor of sexual abuse, I appreciate the care that Szpara takes to portray these things in a very real, yet non-exploitative manner.
First, Become Ashes has what I would call unreliable narration pretty much throughout the whole story. I find, after finishing the book, that I'm not sure I trust any of the four POV characters to fully see the truth of things. I like that in a book. Is this magical realism? Is it straight up urban fantasy with real magic coursing through its pages? You'll have to read it to form your own opinion. The only thing I know is that I don't know. And as a reader, I'm pretty comfortable with that.
Having said that, I didn't end up enjoying this as much as I did Szpara's previous novel. This has absolutely nothing to do with how this second novel was written as a whole (wonderfully, exquisitely) or the subject matter (original and thought-provoking). Personally, I just loved the characters and the dystopian premise of Docile far more. However, I will still recommend this book to anyone who wants a fairly unique take on cults, tons of great representation across the board and an engaging adventure from one of the most interesting and talented authors of this generation. Like I said, I honestly can't wait to see what he does next.
nateyboyo's review against another edition
5.0
I avoided rating and reviewing this book immediately after finishing it as I felt I needed time to process and evaluate what I had read. As other reviews have stated, the warning at the beginning of this book is justified and new readers should definitely consider it before starting; I read half of this book in one sitting and had to take a long break because I felt physically sick having finished a chapter (I’m sure readers who have finished the book will be able to guess which one). For this reason alone I considered rating this book lower than I did. However, the fact that this book made me feel so appalled and disgusted by the behaviour of one character that I had to stop for a break is the exact reason I have rated it 5 stars. Furthermore, there were similar moments in my reading experience, where I felt anxious for the characters’ well-being and safety, joy at the characters’ happy experiences (however few those may be), and once I finished the book I felt truly satisfied. Additionally, I felt myself truly questioning and evaluating each character’s perspective and how trustworthy their accounts of events were; we must assume that there was some truth to what Lark experienced, and yet there were several moments that directly contradicted his experiences; Calvin’s desire and desperation for Lark’s magic to be real makes one question whether his experiences of magic were merely wishful thinking. With this in mind, I must commend Szpara’s writing.
To conclude, although some of the subject matter was difficult to read at times, it did not feel needless. Considering the fact that this book ended well, this reveals that the true nature and purpose of this book was to demonstrate a narrative of overcoming trauma and breaking beliefs that may have been entrenched as children. As a gay man who was raised in a Christian household, perhaps this is why I find so much meaning in this story. Nevertheless, for those readers who believe themselves able to cope with the tough contents of this book, I would highly recommend this book. Perhaps you will find your own meaning to this narrative.
To conclude, although some of the subject matter was difficult to read at times, it did not feel needless. Considering the fact that this book ended well, this reveals that the true nature and purpose of this book was to demonstrate a narrative of overcoming trauma and breaking beliefs that may have been entrenched as children. As a gay man who was raised in a Christian household, perhaps this is why I find so much meaning in this story. Nevertheless, for those readers who believe themselves able to cope with the tough contents of this book, I would highly recommend this book. Perhaps you will find your own meaning to this narrative.
dreadawn1988's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
3.0
Docile was one of my favorite books the year I read it. I really wanted to love First, Become Ashes but I found it lacking what Docile created in me. With that being said I did enjoy the story. I did like Lark, Calvin, and Kane as characters.
greengaybles's review against another edition
I wanted a book that explores the effects of cult-induced trauma, not…this. I read the warnings in the synopsis and at the beginning of the book, but I didn’t realize that the sexual violence would be eroticized. Not for me.
callixton's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Despite the content warning and fairly graphic depiction of what’s on the tin, this book still managed to feel like it lacked teeth because of its confused tone and style (as other reviewers have mentioned, the appearance of Calvin seems to entirely change the book from a reflection on a cult survivor to a LARP-adjacent run through America). Character development was difficult to follow and changed off of seemingly arbitrary events. I don’t take issue with the ‘romanticization’ of some of the harder sexual topics in this book, but I do think the fallout of the abuse and the nuance of wanted vs forced pain is entirely lost (and the way that line is blurred and/or impossible to untangle in situations of abuse and control). The characters directly experiencing things are basically never made to confront the abuse and torture they’re put through, and I as a reader want this not to be taught some grand lesson, but because I picked up a book that promised a cult survivor who has to reevaluate his world view. And that’s not even going into the incoherence of the world and magic, though I could at least suspend my disbelief and push through it.
The trans rep was fine, but every character introducing themselves with their pronouns (characters who, need I remind you, came from a high control cult. But also just some random guy on the street?) was frustratingly forced; I understand the sentiment, but it only served to alienate me from the story more — if this is an America that lives with injustice, this is not a real experience (mine, or that of anyone I know). The characters had real potential and I cared for them, but I felt like I was watching cardboard cut outs more often than real people.
I really, really wanted to like this book — it had everything right on paper for being up my alley — but the delivery was too bland and shallow to make it worthwhile. Still, it deserves some credit for making me finish it in a day and a half.
The trans rep was fine, but every character introducing themselves with their pronouns (characters who, need I remind you, came from a high control cult. But also just some random guy on the street?) was frustratingly forced; I understand the sentiment, but it only served to alienate me from the story more — if this is an America that lives with injustice, this is not a real experience (mine, or that of anyone I know). The characters had real potential and I cared for them, but I felt like I was watching cardboard cut outs more often than real people.
I really, really wanted to like this book — it had everything right on paper for being up my alley — but the delivery was too bland and shallow to make it worthwhile. Still, it deserves some credit for making me finish it in a day and a half.