From the Ashes

by Jessica K. McKendry

Jaina Indera has been preparing her entire life for the chance to prove herself a superior and loyal citizen of the Imperial Alliance. In order to do so, she believes she must win the galaxy-wide competition known as the Trials. With training at her Gifted School progressing swiftly, everything looks like it is on pace for her to achieve her dream…until a boy named Dragon enrolls in her class.

Suddenly doubting herself and everything she’s been taught to believe, Jaina and Dragon are teamed with six of their classmates for the chance to compete and achieve their dream: winning the Trials. Consisting of four different tests, the Trials are about to challenge these eight young adults to the limits of their abilities. But learning to work as a team is more difficult than they ever imagined and dark secrets from Dragon’s past emerge that put them in mortal danger. Now Jaina must discover what she’s really fighting for if she and her team have any hope of finishing the Trials…alive.

Exploring the nature of self-reliance and self-confidence, McKendry delivers a perceptive, nuanced portrait of the importance of teamwork and the strain it puts on individual desires and motivations. Playing with the concepts of dark and light, her novel is a complex coming of age story that encapsulates the complicated hero’s journey from student to leader. A dark tale of love and revenge, From the Ashes is a powerful reminder to think for yourself instead of blindly following what you’ve been taught to believe.

466 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2013

About the author

Jessica McKendry was born in Michigan. She has lived all over the Northeast United States, and traveled all over the U.S. She began writing her first novel, From the Ashes, at the age of fourteen and was first published at sixteen. She continues to write new stories every day. McKendry loves dogs, traveling and sushi. She currently lives in Ohio.

Reviews

[Ryan Mckendry · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister wrote this book! I think that even if i wasn't her little brother i would still love this book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing this book was written by a teen author made it more impressive, with storyline and character development being what it was. I rate it 3.5. The author successfully appeals to her target teen audience. I started reading this book knowing it was book 1 of 2, so with this story ending with no resolutions to the many questions I have, book 2 is a must-read! I am looking forward to reading book 2, as well as subsequent books by this author to see how her writing develops as she matures. As a debut novel for a teen writer, she did a beautiful job. My favorite lines were: "Distant rolling thunder like the laughter of giants. As I come to the surface from the ocean of sleep, the sounds I thought were part of distant dreams do not cease, but grow louder."

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jaina has been training her whole life for a chance to prove herself a superior and earn entrance into the Crystal City. All she has to do is complete the Trials, but it's not as easy as it seems. Jaina is top of her class until a young man named Dragon enrolls in her school and she's thrown for a loop. There's something familiar about him. When his past is revealed, Jaina tries to deal with the knowledge as the Trials begin and she is forced to rely on him. The Trials are more difficult than the group of young adults could imagine and a terrible price will be paid if they cannot work together, but even then they face a life of exile if they fail. Just as Jaina falls for Dragon, a secret is revealed and she must decide if she can trust him and live.

The relationship between Jaina and Dragon is deep and heart-stopping. I did suspect who he truly was, but I was glad to read it. Dragon is a complex young man; the one Jaina remembers and the new one a part of her fears. He is surrounded in mystery and secrets - which I love about him! Dragon is definitely my new fictional crush, despite his flaws and the lies he produces. He's attractive and knows his way around a weapon. I love the way the relationship between the two is written. It isn't too fast or with petty arguments, but has a steady progression a reader can believe.

"From the Ashes" is an action packed debut novel and thrilling coming of age story, complete with a dash of romance and deceit! At first, I admit I judged the author because she is so young, but I was wrong. McKendry's debut novel will have you not wanting to put down the book and loving each page! The ending did need a little more resolution for me, but I understand why it ends there. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for some forbidden romance, action, and an ending which will have you begging to know the secret!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

First my disclaimer: Jessica is my Granddaughter, so you should expect that I will rate her book at least a 5. Having said that, I can also say that she has really earned it. The storyline was interesting enough to make me want to keep reading anytime I had a few spare moments. What I was most impressed with, though, was her ability to say ordinary things in an extraordinarily descriptive way; almost like poetry. And the way she ended this book virtually guarantees that you will have to get the next one in her trilogy, which is already written and currently in editing.

[Chanel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! Loved every page!

[Nick Wilford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic read from a very promising young talent. McKendry keeps the tension building throughout in this tale of challenging and often brutal trials undertaken by teens of the future, in which they must succeed to ascend to the higher echelons of society. But it's about more than that: it's about friendship, betrayal and deceit, with a sweet touch of romance to leaven out the darker aspects. Jaina is a highly engaging heroine, often doubting herself but ultimately finding out she is much stronger than she thinks. I look forward to reading the next part of this series.

[Kait Bricker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine you live in a world where you have to (literally) fight for your place in society. If you fail, you’re outcast to a life of slavery. This novel had the perfect blend of action, sci-fyi, with a dabble of romance. An amazing novel and an amazing author. I’m excited to start the second book!

[Sarah Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good i loved it