A review by theskyboi
Cold Like Ash, by Max Deacon
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The titular Ash is a new college student with a penchant for the expeditions of Xena, the warrior princess. As Ash acclimates to life in university, he finds himself torn between a fast-paced, exhausting friendship with the eccentric Ezra and the mysterious, closeted romance bubbling behind Jonah's closed doors. Within its first few pages, the book paints a rather clear picture of Ash's insecurities and doubts, but Max Deacon's clever writing wastes no time engaging readers with themes of self-discovery and the difficulty of navigating interpersonal relationships.
What drew me in the most was how raw and intense it felt to read about Ash's confrontations with his friends and with himself. As a former college student whose relationships suffered greatly at the hands of self-doubt and inexperience, I could relate so effortlessly to Ash's struggle to find his place among peers whose experience seemed far more vast than his own. Though not universal, Ash's love for Xena can strike a chord with anyone who has found themselves faced against the anxiety—or embarrassment—of showing others your deepest interests. We've all had a time or another where we felt like the odd one out.
As queer people, we seldom have any idea of how to balance relationships, both friendly and romantic, as we forge our own identities. Cold Like Ash adeptly and succinctly encapsulates the fears and stressors that come with young adulthood in the twenty-first century; I found myself crying and cheering for a past version of myself when I looked into Ash's life story. The mark of brilliance in an author is written all over this book, and I couldn't recommend it more highly.
What drew me in the most was how raw and intense it felt to read about Ash's confrontations with his friends and with himself. As a former college student whose relationships suffered greatly at the hands of self-doubt and inexperience, I could relate so effortlessly to Ash's struggle to find his place among peers whose experience seemed far more vast than his own. Though not universal, Ash's love for Xena can strike a chord with anyone who has found themselves faced against the anxiety—or embarrassment—of showing others your deepest interests. We've all had a time or another where we felt like the odd one out.
As queer people, we seldom have any idea of how to balance relationships, both friendly and romantic, as we forge our own identities. Cold Like Ash adeptly and succinctly encapsulates the fears and stressors that come with young adulthood in the twenty-first century; I found myself crying and cheering for a past version of myself when I looked into Ash's life story. The mark of brilliance in an author is written all over this book, and I couldn't recommend it more highly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Hate crime, and Injury/injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Medical content, and Gaslighting