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Reave Series #3
Ascend
Sometimes, the most beautiful dreams can cause the most torment.
Jarsil is a magnificent city, filled with happy, smiling people. To most, it would seem like a dream. The stone walls offer safety and comfort to citizen and Reaper alike.
For Aster, it’s a nightmare she cannot wake from. After settling in to what life is and must be, something happens that changes everything. When truth reveals itself, some doors close while others open.
Though facing reality can be one of the most difficult things to do, it can—at times—offer more comfort than we believe ourselves able to find.
Jarsil is a magnificent city, filled with happy, smiling people. To most, it would seem like a dream. The stone walls offer safety and comfort to citizen and Reaper alike.
For Aster, it’s a nightmare she cannot wake from. After settling in to what life is and must be, something happens that changes everything. When truth reveals itself, some doors close while others open.
Though facing reality can be one of the most difficult things to do, it can—at times—offer more comfort than we believe ourselves able to find.
605 pages, ebook
First published March 18, 2023
4 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
C. Miller
28 books47 followersC. Miller lives in Kentucky and has been writing books for more than a decade. She believes books are magical things, transporting readers to other worlds and allowing them to live, laugh, love, and learn with the characters. She loves dogs, beautiful days, and working hard. When not working, you can usually find her playing video games, crocheting, or enjoying those beautiful days that come.
Discover more by visiting her website!
www.cmillerauthor.com
For reviewers interested in ARCs/review copies, head to: www.cmillerauthor.com/for-reviewers
For exclusive discounts and to never miss out on a new release, sign up for her newsletter!
www.cmillerauthor.com/newsletter
Discover more by visiting her website!
www.cmillerauthor.com
For reviewers interested in ARCs/review copies, head to: www.cmillerauthor.com/for-reviewers
For exclusive discounts and to never miss out on a new release, sign up for her newsletter!
www.cmillerauthor.com/newsletter
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
my-books
March 19, 2023When trying to work through what to leave here to potentially ‘prepare’ anyone for Ascend, something came to mind.
Now, I myself am not a chess player. But if working through the basics from a starting point, there would be steps.
Step 1: A question would have to exist in some sense. An urge, an offer. Do you want to play?
The first introduction to the game would occur. Here is the board.
Step 2: A more in-depth introduction to the game would occur—its concepts, the point(s) of it. There would be a more detailing into why it’s being played.
And Step 3?
Step 3 would be...
Do you understand the pieces? The weight of them, their ability of movement, their purpose(s).
As I said, I myself don’t play. I also don’t like looking at life in such a way, most especially from an ‘adversarial’ standpoint.
But I do like seeing people overcome things. Perhaps most of all simply trying to get through life and in the process stepping into a situation of having little or no control over the way others view life and the world.
I consider Reave an introduction, Elude getting things in order, and Ascend?
I consider it an exploration. Into people. Possibility.
Aster spent most her life with people viewing her as something without value. ‘Chess’ was the best way I could think of to describe delving into the depths of the weight of value and movement, especially in so predatory a world. Sometimes, what’s found in the depths of exploration is horrifying. Sometimes?
What you find is beautiful.
I hope so much that you enjoy it. <3
Now, I myself am not a chess player. But if working through the basics from a starting point, there would be steps.
Step 1: A question would have to exist in some sense. An urge, an offer. Do you want to play?
The first introduction to the game would occur. Here is the board.
Step 2: A more in-depth introduction to the game would occur—its concepts, the point(s) of it. There would be a more detailing into why it’s being played.
And Step 3?
Step 3 would be...
Do you understand the pieces? The weight of them, their ability of movement, their purpose(s).
As I said, I myself don’t play. I also don’t like looking at life in such a way, most especially from an ‘adversarial’ standpoint.
But I do like seeing people overcome things. Perhaps most of all simply trying to get through life and in the process stepping into a situation of having little or no control over the way others view life and the world.
I consider Reave an introduction, Elude getting things in order, and Ascend?
I consider it an exploration. Into people. Possibility.
Aster spent most her life with people viewing her as something without value. ‘Chess’ was the best way I could think of to describe delving into the depths of the weight of value and movement, especially in so predatory a world. Sometimes, what’s found in the depths of exploration is horrifying. Sometimes?
What you find is beautiful.
I hope so much that you enjoy it. <3
March 23, 2023
To say that this book is captivating wouldn't give you a clear enough picture of just how enrapturing Ascend truly is. I was surprised over and over and over again by the characters, never feeling like I was able to adequately gauge anyone's level of honesty, or their true intentions.. which is, I suppose, the point. The reader is left questioning everything, much the same as Aster and all of our characters are.
Ascend is immersive. A beautiful glimpse of what it could be like to live in a society where the *people* actually matter and where leaders lead with their whole heart and mind. It feels picturesque, idyllic, both despite and in spite of the monsters lurking around every corner and keeping watch over us. But we should all know by now that things and people aren't always as they seem, or what we think they are, and nothing truly good can last, can it?
Ascend is immersive. A beautiful glimpse of what it could be like to live in a society where the *people* actually matter and where leaders lead with their whole heart and mind. It feels picturesque, idyllic, both despite and in spite of the monsters lurking around every corner and keeping watch over us. But we should all know by now that things and people aren't always as they seem, or what we think they are, and nothing truly good can last, can it?
March 20, 2023
Spoilers:
3rd installment and this series has lost none of its spark. Aster has learned and grown so much since leaving New Bethel. She is brilliant and is determined to change the world. She is learning what love really is and what a wedding is all about, even though she truly doesn’t understand either. She is in new territory when it came to her feelings. Forgiving her father and trying to work on a relationship with her brother. Truly letting Jastin see her for the first time after their wedding. Showing him the love he has always shown her. And they lived happily ever after, only for 2 days. The ending had my heart pounding out of my chest. You will have to read it yourselves to find out why. I need the 4th book. I need to know what happens to Aster and to know where the hell Jastin is. This book is more than just a fantastic story but it is a hidden self help book. The more Aster grows and leans about the world and people, you too learn those same lessons. It makes you think more openly about mankind and what the world could be with more love, compassion, and we can’t forget dancing.
This book was graciously given to me by the author to read and review.
3rd installment and this series has lost none of its spark. Aster has learned and grown so much since leaving New Bethel. She is brilliant and is determined to change the world. She is learning what love really is and what a wedding is all about, even though she truly doesn’t understand either. She is in new territory when it came to her feelings. Forgiving her father and trying to work on a relationship with her brother. Truly letting Jastin see her for the first time after their wedding. Showing him the love he has always shown her. And they lived happily ever after, only for 2 days. The ending had my heart pounding out of my chest. You will have to read it yourselves to find out why. I need the 4th book. I need to know what happens to Aster and to know where the hell Jastin is. This book is more than just a fantastic story but it is a hidden self help book. The more Aster grows and leans about the world and people, you too learn those same lessons. It makes you think more openly about mankind and what the world could be with more love, compassion, and we can’t forget dancing.
This book was graciously given to me by the author to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2024
Beautiful
The first book set a foundation for most of the characters, the second one developed all the thoughts and ideas. This book is the emotion and why behind it all. I laughed and cried soooooo much. Mostly happy tears because so many of these characters feel so hopeless. Aster shows everyone how they can *properly (but simply) have hope. I was waiting the entire book for the ball to drop. Most books don’t allow hope to develop long enough for it to fully wrench your heart out. I’m terrified for #4.
The first book set a foundation for most of the characters, the second one developed all the thoughts and ideas. This book is the emotion and why behind it all. I laughed and cried soooooo much. Mostly happy tears because so many of these characters feel so hopeless. Aster shows everyone how they can *properly (but simply) have hope. I was waiting the entire book for the ball to drop. Most books don’t allow hope to develop long enough for it to fully wrench your heart out. I’m terrified for #4.
May 3, 2023
I loved this book. I love this entire series. I first started reading this series when I was in high school and I couldn't wait for these to come out!!! 7 years later and it was definitely worth the wait.
Ascend is set in the city of Jarsil, where Aster has found herself brought to and is constantly watched by both the Reapers and the people of the city. She comes from being an invisible servant to being seen by everyone. Life is violently different than Aster had planned when she first fell in love with a Reaper, but that's life. Now she has to alter who she is to fit in with a society that was walled off from her for years. Things like matching clothes and music that normal people take for granted are things she suddenly has the freedom to enjoy. Ascend is the story of Aster finding more things out about herself, without losing that fundamental hope about her that wants things to be better.
I love the way that C. Miller writes her characters. Each character in this novel is like anyone you would meet out in the world. The interactions between Aster and a previously unnamed character manage to reflect that, just because it's a minor character, it's still a fully developed person with eyes and thoughts. There are minor characters, but there are no flat characters in her books.
I also enjoyed the perspective of the meanings and intentions behind actions. The book is set in first person, and it's like viewing the world through the lens of her thoughts. Normally with first person narration, it's limited because you can't see what everyone else sees. But with Aster, she sees and analyzes everything. She doesn't always understand everything that's going on around her, but the reader has that third person view and can put it together. These books make me feel like I'm figuring things out right along with Aster and I love it.
So far, the Reave series has been a rollercoaster. Every time things seem like they're progressing, there's another pivot in there that throws you sideways and on a new track. Everyone is a liar, but the trick is figuring out the truth for yourself.
Ascend is set in the city of Jarsil, where Aster has found herself brought to and is constantly watched by both the Reapers and the people of the city. She comes from being an invisible servant to being seen by everyone. Life is violently different than Aster had planned when she first fell in love with a Reaper, but that's life. Now she has to alter who she is to fit in with a society that was walled off from her for years. Things like matching clothes and music that normal people take for granted are things she suddenly has the freedom to enjoy. Ascend is the story of Aster finding more things out about herself, without losing that fundamental hope about her that wants things to be better.
I love the way that C. Miller writes her characters. Each character in this novel is like anyone you would meet out in the world. The interactions between Aster and a previously unnamed character manage to reflect that, just because it's a minor character, it's still a fully developed person with eyes and thoughts. There are minor characters, but there are no flat characters in her books.
I also enjoyed the perspective of the meanings and intentions behind actions. The book is set in first person, and it's like viewing the world through the lens of her thoughts. Normally with first person narration, it's limited because you can't see what everyone else sees. But with Aster, she sees and analyzes everything. She doesn't always understand everything that's going on around her, but the reader has that third person view and can put it together. These books make me feel like I'm figuring things out right along with Aster and I love it.
So far, the Reave series has been a rollercoaster. Every time things seem like they're progressing, there's another pivot in there that throws you sideways and on a new track. Everyone is a liar, but the trick is figuring out the truth for yourself.
October 2, 2024
I need you guys to understand that I have done a book a day for the last three days. This is a rollercoaster. In the best of ways. I cannot spoil this book, I was not prepared. Let's leave it at that. You MUST read this, the characters are fantastic and just keep getting better. Aster continues to learn and grow in such good ways, truly coming into herself. You are able to see the clear progression of her journey and I cannot wait to read the fourth one. I'm going to take the night to compose myself, and really reflect on what I have read so far. Thank you, C, you have done it again! <3
PS. Team Chandler. This will only make sense to one person, but I am good with that! ^_^
PS. Team Chandler. This will only make sense to one person, but I am good with that! ^_^
May 7, 2025
i really enjoyed this as a third entry in the reave series, it had that elmeent that I was wanting and enjoyed the overall feel of this. The characters continued to feel like they were in this universe. C. Miller has a strong writing style and am excited for more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 20, 2024
Fabulous continuation to this series, the plot twists were so, so good! I went straight into reading book 4!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews