Ember Lady Smoke

Second volume in the younger adult fantasy trilogy 'The Ash Princess'. First book of which was called Ash Princess. This picks up from where that left off, and isn't really a jumping on point. So new readers start with that. Regular ones read on.This is probably best for those aged fourteen and up. A large amount of peril. A fair bit of violence. And some pretty dark stuff with it. Some mild adult moments too.It runs for four hundred and eighty six pages. There's a couple of maps of the setting at the start. There's a prologue, a fair few chapters, and an epilogue. The chapters all have titles rather than numbers. But all are pretty short in length.After the end of the last book, Theo is on the run. She needs an army. The only way to get that is to visit another land where she can meet potential suitors. This is a strange new place. The Kaiser is still after her. She can't be sure who to trust. And dreams of her former friend won't go away. Much more jeopardy and many more though decisions await.An excellent second volume. There's some great world building in the setting for where most of the book takes place. And in lands we only hear about but don't get to see. As before the level of jeopardy is great, and you can feel for Theo. Not least because of this and the huge amount of trust issues she has. You can never be entirely sure of certain people's motivations, and that really does add an edge to this.Just not quite a five star read, but tantalisingly close. Because it does threaten to drift a little in the middle. Good second books in trilogies should escalate the situation from book one, rather than just move it along and set up stuff for a finale. This pretty much manages the former, but nearly slips into the latter at a couple of points.However the ending is superb. This really does grab you, and leaves you desperate to see what will happen next.I did like this a lot. I just think with a few less chapters it would have been five stars. But even so, it was a very good read indeed, and I look forward to the finale.

This is the second book of the Ash Princess and every bit as enthralling as the first. Once you start reading, you can't put it down. Great characters and full of suspense, danger, happiness and sadness. Can't wait until I read the third book to see how it all turns out. Highly recommend. Brilliant author. Hope Laura Sebastian writes lots more books in this genre.

I am enjoying the book! However getting hold of it was a hassel. The fost one arrived and the first page was badly damaged. I exchanged it for a different copy. When that arrived it was also damaged. I wasn’t able to exchange it so i got a refund and re ordered it. The third book came and it was damaged. Not as badly but the clear film on the cover was starting to peel and the corners folded over. I am honestly fed up of the hassle of returning that i have kept it. All it all the story is great but the seller not so much

I couldn't put the book down and would much prefer to read it rather than go to sleep... And I love my sleep. This is by far favourite trilogy, this will not disappoint!

Xmas present