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Gerard Holovar, Captain of the Temple Police, was only trying to do the right thing when he spared the life of a pirate. He gambled. And he lost.
Now, mired in grief and choking on despair, he stumbles through days of slave labor, mourning his loved ones and trying to understand where he went wrong. His life as a prince and Captain of Police becomes a hazy memory. When Gerard’s luck finally changes, he emerges from the slave deck of a ship--free, but numb and scarred. He plans to leave Wefrivain, believing that everything he knew and loved is dead.
Gerard may have let go of his past, but his past hasn’t quite let go of him. While struggling to survive as an escaped slave in the wilderness of the Lawless Lands, Gerard finds a friend in even more desperate straits--a friend who betrayed him, a friend he thought was dead. Gerard realizes that, while he could not rescue everyone, he may be able to rescue one person. And perhaps here, in the ashes of their lives, there may still be time for second chances.
Ashes is the third book in the Guild of the Cowry Catchers series.
This 60,000-word book is DRM-free and carefully formatted. It includes 5 character portraits, 17 full-page illustrations, and 2 versions of the map (one optimized for color and one for black and white). Cowry Catchers looks beautiful on a black-and-white viewer, but you can also open this eBook on a color screen and view the illustrations in their full glory. Learn more about the series on the author's website at www.cowrycatchers.com.
Now, mired in grief and choking on despair, he stumbles through days of slave labor, mourning his loved ones and trying to understand where he went wrong. His life as a prince and Captain of Police becomes a hazy memory. When Gerard’s luck finally changes, he emerges from the slave deck of a ship--free, but numb and scarred. He plans to leave Wefrivain, believing that everything he knew and loved is dead.
Gerard may have let go of his past, but his past hasn’t quite let go of him. While struggling to survive as an escaped slave in the wilderness of the Lawless Lands, Gerard finds a friend in even more desperate straits--a friend who betrayed him, a friend he thought was dead. Gerard realizes that, while he could not rescue everyone, he may be able to rescue one person. And perhaps here, in the ashes of their lives, there may still be time for second chances.
Ashes is the third book in the Guild of the Cowry Catchers series.
This 60,000-word book is DRM-free and carefully formatted. It includes 5 character portraits, 17 full-page illustrations, and 2 versions of the map (one optimized for color and one for black and white). Cowry Catchers looks beautiful on a black-and-white viewer, but you can also open this eBook on a color screen and view the illustrations in their full glory. Learn more about the series on the author's website at www.cowrycatchers.com.
245 pages, Nook
First published January 1, 2011
5 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Hilton
66 books172 followersAbigail Hilton writes fantasy books, including Hunters Universe, Pirates of Wefrivain, The Prophet of Panamindorah, and the Eve and Malachi Series.
She also publishes under A. H. Lee, including The Incubus Series and The Knight and the Necromancer.
She also publishes under A. H. Lee, including The Incubus Series and The Knight and the Necromancer.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 9, 2011
I was up at 4:30am listening to the podcast version. Absolutely brilliant! Best part is the growing relationship between Gerard and Silveo. Unlike many authors, Abigail doesn't rush into the relationship blindly;instead, she takes her time and delves into issues that the characters have to discuss and overcome in order to be together.
Disappointed does not even begin to describe how I felt when I saw the next book won't be out for a while.
Disappointed does not even begin to describe how I felt when I saw the next book won't be out for a while.
August 14, 2018
I may write a more thorough review later but for now:
I love this story. It did so many things to my heart - from "ow, my heart" painful moments to ones that felt like glowing hugs. My favorite book in the series so far.
I love this story. It did so many things to my heart - from "ow, my heart" painful moments to ones that felt like glowing hugs. My favorite book in the series so far.
December 31, 2015
Nooooo.....I can't wait all summer for the next book! I need to know what happened next. They landed and then....what!?!
My rating is actually a 4.5
Besides the ever frustrating (but yes, in a good way) cliff-hanger, this was a very interesting 3rd book from The Guild of the Cowry Catchers. I have no idea where she's going with the story, but Ms. Hilton says there are 2 books left.
Warning:
My rating is actually a 4.5
Besides the ever frustrating (but yes, in a good way) cliff-hanger, this was a very interesting 3rd book from The Guild of the Cowry Catchers. I have no idea where she's going with the story, but Ms. Hilton says there are 2 books left.
Warning:
April 17, 2013
Such a good story! I wait eagerly for EVERYTHING written by Ms Hilton. The characters are so well defined. Even though the subject matter is decidedly adult (child prostitution, mass murder, homosexuality, death of a spouse); she takes the uncomfortable/disturbing and handles it so delicately that tender sensibilities aren't offended.
More power to you, Ms A!!!!
More power to you, Ms A!!!!
January 17, 2013
I loved books 1 and 2 so I was disappointed with this 3rd book in the series which seems to be one big aside designed to explore the relationship between Gerard and Silvio in boring detail.
February 23, 2020
Worth six stars. Most absorbing read.
November 11, 2015
Ashes (The Guild of the Cowry Catchers #3)
by Abigail Hilton
Book 3 of this epic series is the classic midpoint in the five arc story structure (which probably not coincidently is a five book series!). This is the part after the major reversal of fortune the hero or (heroes) reach the lowest point possible. The point where they must recover and reflect and finally reach the decision that they are ready to confront the main obstacle of the story.
Like the point where Sarah Connor and Reese spend the night in a motel preparing for the upcoming battle with the Terminator - only an entire 60,000 page book. And yes that means things get sexy! The sex gets more explicit and any reader who hasn’t figured out that this story may offend them hasn’t been paying attention.
I know some reviewers noted that the story dragged here but I never thought so. There was too much ground to cover for the author to gloss over it. I wasn’t bored for even one second and the emotional reflection and character exploration felt needed and welcome.
Also of note, the story was a real tear jerker, for me at least.
by Abigail Hilton
Book 3 of this epic series is the classic midpoint in the five arc story structure (which probably not coincidently is a five book series!). This is the part after the major reversal of fortune the hero or (heroes) reach the lowest point possible. The point where they must recover and reflect and finally reach the decision that they are ready to confront the main obstacle of the story.
Like the point where Sarah Connor and Reese spend the night in a motel preparing for the upcoming battle with the Terminator - only an entire 60,000 page book. And yes that means things get sexy! The sex gets more explicit and any reader who hasn’t figured out that this story may offend them hasn’t been paying attention.
I know some reviewers noted that the story dragged here but I never thought so. There was too much ground to cover for the author to gloss over it. I wasn’t bored for even one second and the emotional reflection and character exploration felt needed and welcome.
Also of note, the story was a real tear jerker, for me at least.
August 3, 2015
Some of what I'll say here will make it sound like I didn't care for this book. That is not the case at all. I enjoyed it immensely, however there was a definite change in tone from the previous two books some of which detracted from me being able to enjoy it as much as the earlier editions.
WARNING - THERE BE SPOILERS
The story picks up soon after the events of the second book. Our hero is in a funk of despair and finds himself in terrible conditions ranging from torture to good ol' fashioned slavery. There is more fun and adventure along the way and this first third of the book was my favorite. More info about the resistance is learned and the plot moves along nicely.
Then we get to the reunion between Gerard and Silveo. That's when things come to a screeching halt and we have many, many, many pages of angst and soul searching. I understand that this was needed - to some extent. Silveo did some pretty awful things and this is his time to truly rue his behavior and pay for his past. It's also pretty yawn inducing after about fifty pages.
This is also where the relationship between Gerard and Silveo develops to the next level. This may turn some folks off, but Ms. Hilton was pretty up front about how the story would progress, so it shouldn't take anyone by surprise. If it does, they weren't paying attention. For the most part I thought it was developed well. Gerard is the nurturing type and he responds to Silveo's wounded state. Again, it was drawn out too long for me, but I can understand the careful development to a certain extent since it pushed Gerard into a relationship he would never have considered in the past.
Finally, we get past all of the emotional navel gazing and get back to the story. Traveling ensues, new friends set out on adventure and we're left at an excellent spot for the next leg of the story. I picked it up, of course, and will report back on my findings. I'm hoping we get back to more rollicking adventure and less psychoanalysis is Book 4.
WARNING - THERE BE SPOILERS
The story picks up soon after the events of the second book. Our hero is in a funk of despair and finds himself in terrible conditions ranging from torture to good ol' fashioned slavery. There is more fun and adventure along the way and this first third of the book was my favorite. More info about the resistance is learned and the plot moves along nicely.
Then we get to the reunion between Gerard and Silveo. That's when things come to a screeching halt and we have many, many, many pages of angst and soul searching. I understand that this was needed - to some extent. Silveo did some pretty awful things and this is his time to truly rue his behavior and pay for his past. It's also pretty yawn inducing after about fifty pages.
This is also where the relationship between Gerard and Silveo develops to the next level. This may turn some folks off, but Ms. Hilton was pretty up front about how the story would progress, so it shouldn't take anyone by surprise. If it does, they weren't paying attention. For the most part I thought it was developed well. Gerard is the nurturing type and he responds to Silveo's wounded state. Again, it was drawn out too long for me, but I can understand the careful development to a certain extent since it pushed Gerard into a relationship he would never have considered in the past.
Finally, we get past all of the emotional navel gazing and get back to the story. Traveling ensues, new friends set out on adventure and we're left at an excellent spot for the next leg of the story. I picked it up, of course, and will report back on my findings. I'm hoping we get back to more rollicking adventure and less psychoanalysis is Book 4.
December 18, 2014
I read this book in a single sitting. Once I started it, I refused to put it down. Maybe because of this, it felt like it was way too short. At least Ashes didn't end on the same sort of cliffhanger that Flames did. I'm still not over that ending. That was SO unfair. This book worked hard to make up for that cliffhanger, though.
There were no chapter opening quotes from Gwain, which felt a bit strange after getting used to them from the first two books. But this isn't Gwain's story. He makes an appearance, yes, but this book was much more focused on building the characters of Gerard, Silveo, and Dakar. I was so happy that despite how things looked, the Gerard/Silveo relationship wasn't over.
Where the first two books were filled to the brim with action, Ashes sort of took a more relaxed approach to storytelling. While a lot still happens in this book, it's not all constant action. In fact, most of the story is just people talking to each other. You learn a *lot* about the various characters in this book. New characters are introduced, old characters are better explained. This was a very character-heavy story.
Silveo and Gerard...there were points where I was on the verge of crying because of those two. I'm incredibly happy that they got everything sorted out. Well, up to a certain point, at any rate.
I'd say that I'm moving on to the next book, but I put off writing this review so that I could sit and read the fourth book. Eventually though, duty calls, and I really need to write these things before I forget half of what I meant to say about them.
There were no chapter opening quotes from Gwain, which felt a bit strange after getting used to them from the first two books. But this isn't Gwain's story. He makes an appearance, yes, but this book was much more focused on building the characters of Gerard, Silveo, and Dakar. I was so happy that despite how things looked, the Gerard/Silveo relationship wasn't over.
Where the first two books were filled to the brim with action, Ashes sort of took a more relaxed approach to storytelling. While a lot still happens in this book, it's not all constant action. In fact, most of the story is just people talking to each other. You learn a *lot* about the various characters in this book. New characters are introduced, old characters are better explained. This was a very character-heavy story.
Silveo and Gerard...there were points where I was on the verge of crying because of those two. I'm incredibly happy that they got everything sorted out. Well, up to a certain point, at any rate.
I'd say that I'm moving on to the next book, but I put off writing this review so that I could sit and read the fourth book. Eventually though, duty calls, and I really need to write these things before I forget half of what I meant to say about them.
April 17, 2013
Much like with book 1, this felt more like part of a book than a whole book itself. I think on many occasions it's missing out on chances where something could happen. Though I know that the relationship changes in that book will do something for the overall storyline, it doesn't seem enough for me for a whole book. It told us more about the character's backgrounds, but also nothing that we couldn't have guessed from previous books. This book being more explicit than the others didn't distract me from nothing much happening.
First I hoped it was the kind of Nathan Lowell-esque nothing happening, and even though it was a quick listen, in the end I felt like: that was it?
For the finale I was hoping that there would be some big twist or cliffhanger. Like Marcella standing on deck of the Defiance or someone falling off the griffin into the sea... anything really.
I still enjoy the series as a whole and will surely finish it, but as a book in itself, this one left me wanting. Maybe that was the plan all along, that you need to read/listen on because you want to know more and the last book didn't give you enough? That might just have worked. :)
First I hoped it was the kind of Nathan Lowell-esque nothing happening, and even though it was a quick listen, in the end I felt like: that was it?
For the finale I was hoping that there would be some big twist or cliffhanger. Like Marcella standing on deck of the Defiance or someone falling off the griffin into the sea... anything really.
I still enjoy the series as a whole and will surely finish it, but as a book in itself, this one left me wanting. Maybe that was the plan all along, that you need to read/listen on because you want to know more and the last book didn't give you enough? That might just have worked. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2013
5.5 STARS
Once I got to this book i was surprised because I thought the author truly had peaked and at best could expect 5 star action, romance, moments that had me choked up and certainly moments so perfectly written I had to laugh out loud. By the time I finished thi book (3) I just couldn't wait I had to know the whole story to as quickly as I could read it. So I bought books 4 and 5 got some food in me and after reading 3 straight thru I did 4 and 5 the same with only a dinner break and a few dashes to the bathroom. Just have to stay when I finished it was one of the very best book series I have ever read.. the build to the end is awesome, I need at least 6 stars because I the last 2 books were even better than 1 & 2 at 5 stars. so I am just gonna add a bit and say that book 3 gets a 5.5, book 4 gets a 6 and book 5 gets a 6.5, Thank you so very much for one of the best reads of my life. Can't wait to listen to the audio versions of this an enjoy it all over again...
Once I got to this book i was surprised because I thought the author truly had peaked and at best could expect 5 star action, romance, moments that had me choked up and certainly moments so perfectly written I had to laugh out loud. By the time I finished thi book (3) I just couldn't wait I had to know the whole story to as quickly as I could read it. So I bought books 4 and 5 got some food in me and after reading 3 straight thru I did 4 and 5 the same with only a dinner break and a few dashes to the bathroom. Just have to stay when I finished it was one of the very best book series I have ever read.. the build to the end is awesome, I need at least 6 stars because I the last 2 books were even better than 1 & 2 at 5 stars. so I am just gonna add a bit and say that book 3 gets a 5.5, book 4 gets a 6 and book 5 gets a 6.5, Thank you so very much for one of the best reads of my life. Can't wait to listen to the audio versions of this an enjoy it all over again...
December 6, 2024
I loved the development of Gerard and Silvios relationship! It wasn't quick and automatically accepting. I liked how she went into Gerards struggle with trying to figure out what he was feeling for Silvio. Silvios vulnerability was sad though. The pain and abuse he survived showed a lot in his personality in this book and it was heartbreaking.
February 9, 2014
Ugh what a slog- after an exciting 2nd book this one almost did me in. As an audiobook I heard the "sad" music I just wanted it to be done. I did like dark heart and will stick with it.... But time to get out of the cabin boys
August 29, 2016
This was probably the best CC so far. Very different, unusual story twists, but thoroughly enjoyable. I have to say that CC is a gem that more people certainly should listen (or read).
October 26, 2016
Although it was quite sad, I still enjoyed it immensely...
December 15, 2016
Unlike the previous two action-packed books in this series, Ashes is more of a romance, and probably not between the characters you'd expect.
April 6, 2017
Two sentences, that's all it took for me to be completely absorbed in the world of Ms. Hilton. This 3rd book in the Cowry Catchers series showcases all the qualities of the first two, but unfortunately the story itself is lacking. Nothing really happens beside the development of the relation between the two main characters. But the writing style, the pacing and the brilliant storytelling skills of the author were still able to keep me interested/invested and reading the book faster then most. This, my friends, is how one earns a 4 star rating with a story I did not really care for. So, this is basically a side story (a filler episode) in a wonderful series.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews