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A review by khaleesimod93
Ashes on the Earth by Sarah Ashwood
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
I found this book through the authors tik tok. The overall concept about mafia mixed with mythology and shifters was so intriguing. I had to pick this book up. There were things, unfortunately, that caused me not to enjoy the book, which is super disappointing.
Let me start off with the good because it was perfection. The mythology and lore behind the whole story was "chefs kiss" perfection. Literally nothing wrong. It was complex, intriguing, and well done. There is nothing I can say that would have made it better. It's the reason I even finished this book.
Now, unfortunately, there is a lot that didn't work for me. Ellie and Carter were my issues. Ellie was a character I absolutely loved at first. She reacted exactly how I expected her to, but she got worse as time went on. She was so brave in the heat of the moment! I loved that for her. Her reactions to what she did and then what happened to her, understandable. What wasn't understandable is that she changed through the book into an extremely judgmental, whiny brat. The way she constantly called the Shifters "freaks" and "monsters" even after Carter explained why they stayed hidden just pissed me off. She's literally proving Carter's point!!! Then, getting offended at EVERYTHING Carter said or did. He is her what she needs, and she gets annoyed and embarrassed. Come on, girl. Get a grip. Tell the man what you need so he can go get it and stop arguing!!!! She did not get better.
Carter, I could really love him, but again, I had my issues with him. He constantly apologized to Ellie when I felt he didn't need to. He was doing a job. He was protecting her and taking care of her. He tried to be kind and understanding about her situation. She just flipped out on him and he apologized all the time! Then the calling her "kid" thing bothered me too. She's not a child. She's an adult even though she wasn't acting like it. Just ugh!
By the end of it, I was so over the antics of Ellie and Carter. The story could not overshadow how horrible the characters were to each other. And how horrible it was to read. Love the mythology and lore behind the story and the concept. I will definitely read more of this authors works, just not this particular series.
Let me start off with the good because it was perfection. The mythology and lore behind the whole story was "chefs kiss" perfection. Literally nothing wrong. It was complex, intriguing, and well done. There is nothing I can say that would have made it better. It's the reason I even finished this book.
Now, unfortunately, there is a lot that didn't work for me. Ellie and Carter were my issues. Ellie was a character I absolutely loved at first. She reacted exactly how I expected her to, but she got worse as time went on. She was so brave in the heat of the moment! I loved that for her. Her reactions to what she did and then what happened to her, understandable. What wasn't understandable is that she changed through the book into an extremely judgmental, whiny brat. The way she constantly called the Shifters "freaks" and "monsters" even after Carter explained why they stayed hidden just pissed me off. She's literally proving Carter's point!!! Then, getting offended at EVERYTHING Carter said or did. He is her what she needs, and she gets annoyed and embarrassed. Come on, girl. Get a grip. Tell the man what you need so he can go get it and stop arguing!!!! She did not get better.
Carter, I could really love him, but again, I had my issues with him. He constantly apologized to Ellie when I felt he didn't need to. He was doing a job. He was protecting her and taking care of her. He tried to be kind and understanding about her situation. She just flipped out on him and he apologized all the time! Then the calling her "kid" thing bothered me too. She's not a child. She's an adult even though she wasn't acting like it. Just ugh!
By the end of it, I was so over the antics of Ellie and Carter. The story could not overshadow how horrible the characters were to each other. And how horrible it was to read. Love the mythology and lore behind the story and the concept. I will definitely read more of this authors works, just not this particular series.