A review by thebookwormsfeast
Bridge of Ash by Jacquelyn Benson
5.0
Ah, Jacquelyn Benson has done it again!
The third instalment in The Charismatics series, this book is still absolutely chock-full of mystery and intrigue - taking place in December and feeling a little more cosy-ish than the previous two, it is certainly perfect for the time of year I've read it in. The book does start off rather slower - setting the scene for life after the events of book two - but this does change, ramping up rather quickly, and just doesn't let you go.
I love the development that characters have taken on - primarily Lily, who we follow through the thoughts and eyes of over the series. She really has come into her own, and I love how her life outside of the world of charismatics is also coming together. I also really liked that the world of charismatics, people with more unusual abilities such as talking with the dead, seeing the future, communicating with animals, is delved into in a bit wider - I would love to see more abilities introduced, as I am totally intrigued! Regarding Lily's ability, although she is gaining mastery over it - I love that nothing about it is clear-cut; it's not necessarily easier due to being able to utilise it more, and it feels like it's also pretty indiscriminate and isn't moulded to her wants to protect what she cares about.
The ending feels like it has paved the way for an amazing stage for the next entry in Lily's life - the stakes have certainly gone up, and I cannot wait!
I try to avoid spoilers, but this next bit could be seen as a bit spoilerish for the series as I chat a bit about characters - I don't say anything explicitly, but I know if I was reading this before reading the series, I'd then start forming all these theories about the whys
After the events of book two, I must admit I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one - World War I is breaking out, and the dynamic between the characters is totally different now. I usually lament this kind of change in a book all the way through, but Jacquelyn kept me enthralled in the story and it was only the first chapter or so really where it was playing on my mind. From then on, the missing characters are still brought up and feel very much present, even though they're not actually there, and this just really worked for me.
Thank you Jacquelyn for sending me a copy to review
The third instalment in The Charismatics series, this book is still absolutely chock-full of mystery and intrigue - taking place in December and feeling a little more cosy-ish than the previous two, it is certainly perfect for the time of year I've read it in. The book does start off rather slower - setting the scene for life after the events of book two - but this does change, ramping up rather quickly, and just doesn't let you go.
I love the development that characters have taken on - primarily Lily, who we follow through the thoughts and eyes of over the series. She really has come into her own, and I love how her life outside of the world of charismatics is also coming together. I also really liked that the world of charismatics, people with more unusual abilities such as talking with the dead, seeing the future, communicating with animals, is delved into in a bit wider - I would love to see more abilities introduced, as I am totally intrigued! Regarding Lily's ability, although she is gaining mastery over it - I love that nothing about it is clear-cut; it's not necessarily easier due to being able to utilise it more, and it feels like it's also pretty indiscriminate and isn't moulded to her wants to protect what she cares about.
The ending feels like it has paved the way for an amazing stage for the next entry in Lily's life - the stakes have certainly gone up, and I cannot wait!
I try to avoid spoilers, but this next bit could be seen as a bit spoilerish for the series as I chat a bit about characters - I don't say anything explicitly, but I know if I was reading this before reading the series, I'd then start forming all these theories about the whys
After the events of book two, I must admit I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one - World War I is breaking out, and the dynamic between the characters is totally different now. I usually lament this kind of change in a book all the way through, but Jacquelyn kept me enthralled in the story and it was only the first chapter or so really where it was playing on my mind. From then on, the missing characters are still brought up and feel very much present, even though they're not actually there, and this just really worked for me.
Thank you Jacquelyn for sending me a copy to review