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The Heart of Quinaria #0.5
From the Ashes
The civil war ends now.
Igtheos and his rebels have fought tirelessly against a would-be dictator and his army for almost two years. The city they’ve holed up in has become a prison, soon to be a tomb if they cannot arrange a means of escape.
When the enemy leader offers an armistice that’s too good to be true, Igtheos reluctantly accepts, thinking it will buy him enough time to smuggle those loyal to him out of the city. But he quickly learns the cost of choosing hope over caution as he finds himself caught in his enemy’s sinister plan, fighting a final unexpected battle. Failure means death, or worse, the loss of his loved ones.
And he only has one night to determine everyone’s fate.
From the Ashes is a prequel novelette that takes place over two thousand years prior to the events in Of Thieves and Shadows—volume one in the epic fantasy series, The Heart of Quinaria.
Igtheos and his rebels have fought tirelessly against a would-be dictator and his army for almost two years. The city they’ve holed up in has become a prison, soon to be a tomb if they cannot arrange a means of escape.
When the enemy leader offers an armistice that’s too good to be true, Igtheos reluctantly accepts, thinking it will buy him enough time to smuggle those loyal to him out of the city. But he quickly learns the cost of choosing hope over caution as he finds himself caught in his enemy’s sinister plan, fighting a final unexpected battle. Failure means death, or worse, the loss of his loved ones.
And he only has one night to determine everyone’s fate.
From the Ashes is a prequel novelette that takes place over two thousand years prior to the events in Of Thieves and Shadows—volume one in the epic fantasy series, The Heart of Quinaria.
- GenresFantasy
76 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2023
3 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
B.S.H. Garcia
6 books120 followersB. S. H. Garcia writes dark speculative fiction with epic stakes and morally gray characters. Her work explores the intersection of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, and she’s far more interested in what people do when there are no easy answers than in giving them one.
She grew up with stick swords, library books, and muddy shoes, thinking she could take on the world. She still tries, mostly at night, mostly in other worlds. Sometimes she forgets which one is real. Oh, and she earned an English Writing degree from the University of Colorado, which no one asked for, but she’s still proud of.
Get your free prequel novelette, From the Ashes, at www.bshgarcia.com. All she asks in return is your soul (or maybe just your email).
She grew up with stick swords, library books, and muddy shoes, thinking she could take on the world. She still tries, mostly at night, mostly in other worlds. Sometimes she forgets which one is real. Oh, and she earned an English Writing degree from the University of Colorado, which no one asked for, but she’s still proud of.
Get your free prequel novelette, From the Ashes, at www.bshgarcia.com. All she asks in return is your soul (or maybe just your email).
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October 10, 2025UPDATE: From the Ashes is now a SFINCS semi-finalist! Learn more at https://sfincscompetition.wordpress.com/ .
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New cover alert! The ebook edition is still available to newsletter subscribers.
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Happy release day to this little--but by no means insignificant--novelette. This is a prequel story for my upcoming epic fantasy release, Of Thieves and Shadows. It is a stand alone with different characters and can be read before or after the first series installment. The eBook format is free to my newsletter subscribers, so head over to www.bshgarcia.com to claim your copy, unless you fancy a paperback.
Also, while I like to think this story is relatively tame, it may not be to others, so here are some potential trigger warnings:
*violence
*language
*blood/gore
*death
*alcohol
Welcome to Quinaria. I hope you stay a while.
********
New cover alert! The ebook edition is still available to newsletter subscribers.
********
Happy release day to this little--but by no means insignificant--novelette. This is a prequel story for my upcoming epic fantasy release, Of Thieves and Shadows. It is a stand alone with different characters and can be read before or after the first series installment. The eBook format is free to my newsletter subscribers, so head over to www.bshgarcia.com to claim your copy, unless you fancy a paperback.
Also, while I like to think this story is relatively tame, it may not be to others, so here are some potential trigger warnings:
*violence
*language
*blood/gore
*death
*alcohol
Welcome to Quinaria. I hope you stay a while.
August 14, 2024
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
4.5 stars (rounded up)
Holy smokes, does B.S.H. Garcia know how to deliver a big emotional punch in just a few pages! Set against the backdrop of a deadly escalating civil war, From the Ashes tells a soul-stirring tale of rebellion and parental love that will drag you across the entire spectrum of emotions and leave you breathless by the end.
Taking place 2000 years before the events in book 1, Of Thieves and Shadows, this prequel novellette gives a tantalising glimpse into the complicated history of the wondrous world of Quinaria. Through the eyes of two young parents, Igtheos and Elize, we are drawn headfirst into a dangerous political conflict that could very well alter the fate of their world.
“Their partnership was more than a marriage, more than friendship. It was a blood pact, two halves of a whole.”
Now, having read all of Garcia’s currently published works in The Heart of Quinaria series, I should not have been surprised by the insanely high quality of this novellette… yet here I am, left speechless all over again. From the Ashes delivers an impressive level of rich world building and emotional depth that most authors can only dream of accomplishing in even full-length novels, which is exactly what makes it such an outstanding and impactful read despite its short length.
Not to mention, Garcia’s wonderful imagination combined with her evocative prose is just a match made in heaven. The way that this epic, vibrant world with its diverse cultures, unique races and magnificent (or terrifying) creatures comes to life through all the vivid descriptions never fails to strike me with awe and wonder, which makes for such an exciting and beautifully immersive reading experience; I almost feel like I have visited the world of Quinaria myself instead of just having read about it, and if that isn’t magical writing, then I don’t know what is.
“She is our miracle. I’ll die a thousand deaths so that others like her may yet have the chance to live.”
Both the exhilarating action and the powerful emotion just grabbed me by the throat from the very first page and kept me in a chokehold until the very end. Seeing how both Igtheos and Elize balanced their parental duties with their political duties in their own unique ways was so powerful to see, and to me it truly felt like the unconditional love was just flowing off the pages. So even though From the Ashes goes down some disturbingly dark paths, the subtle yet powerful themes of sacrifice, love, hope, and defiance keep the tone from ever becoming too bleak and ultimately give the story so much heart.
While this is technically the perfect place to start if you want to read in in-world chronological order, you truly can’t go wrong with any of the three equally excellent entry points that Garcia has provided with Of Thieves and Shadows, From the Depths, and From the Ashes; see, the point is not where you start your journey into the world of Quinaria, but when you start it. Equal parts dark, wondrous, profound, and thrilling, this series is truly a must-read for any epic fantasy lover.
Download From the Ashes for free by signing up to B.S.H. Garcia’s newsletter.
4.5 stars (rounded up)
Holy smokes, does B.S.H. Garcia know how to deliver a big emotional punch in just a few pages! Set against the backdrop of a deadly escalating civil war, From the Ashes tells a soul-stirring tale of rebellion and parental love that will drag you across the entire spectrum of emotions and leave you breathless by the end.
Taking place 2000 years before the events in book 1, Of Thieves and Shadows, this prequel novellette gives a tantalising glimpse into the complicated history of the wondrous world of Quinaria. Through the eyes of two young parents, Igtheos and Elize, we are drawn headfirst into a dangerous political conflict that could very well alter the fate of their world.
“Their partnership was more than a marriage, more than friendship. It was a blood pact, two halves of a whole.”
Now, having read all of Garcia’s currently published works in The Heart of Quinaria series, I should not have been surprised by the insanely high quality of this novellette… yet here I am, left speechless all over again. From the Ashes delivers an impressive level of rich world building and emotional depth that most authors can only dream of accomplishing in even full-length novels, which is exactly what makes it such an outstanding and impactful read despite its short length.
Not to mention, Garcia’s wonderful imagination combined with her evocative prose is just a match made in heaven. The way that this epic, vibrant world with its diverse cultures, unique races and magnificent (or terrifying) creatures comes to life through all the vivid descriptions never fails to strike me with awe and wonder, which makes for such an exciting and beautifully immersive reading experience; I almost feel like I have visited the world of Quinaria myself instead of just having read about it, and if that isn’t magical writing, then I don’t know what is.
“She is our miracle. I’ll die a thousand deaths so that others like her may yet have the chance to live.”
Both the exhilarating action and the powerful emotion just grabbed me by the throat from the very first page and kept me in a chokehold until the very end. Seeing how both Igtheos and Elize balanced their parental duties with their political duties in their own unique ways was so powerful to see, and to me it truly felt like the unconditional love was just flowing off the pages. So even though From the Ashes goes down some disturbingly dark paths, the subtle yet powerful themes of sacrifice, love, hope, and defiance keep the tone from ever becoming too bleak and ultimately give the story so much heart.
While this is technically the perfect place to start if you want to read in in-world chronological order, you truly can’t go wrong with any of the three equally excellent entry points that Garcia has provided with Of Thieves and Shadows, From the Depths, and From the Ashes; see, the point is not where you start your journey into the world of Quinaria, but when you start it. Equal parts dark, wondrous, profound, and thrilling, this series is truly a must-read for any epic fantasy lover.
Download From the Ashes for free by signing up to B.S.H. Garcia’s newsletter.
January 3, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
From the Ashes is a novelette set two thousand years before the main storyline of The Heart of Quinaria series, introducing us to a bit of lore from this epic fantasy proposal written by B.S.H. Garcia. Igtheos and the rebels have lost the civil war, resisting under siege in a city that is becoming more and more a tomb, all in the futile attempt to stop the soon-to-be dictator Ashhat from taking the power.
When an armistice is offered, the opportunity is too good to not be accepted by Igtheos; at least, it would allow him to gain some time. However, soon it's revealed as an Ashhat's plan, taking the opportunity to unleash horrors on the city. Igtheos and her wife, the human Elize, will try to save her daughter, even if that means having to fight to escape from what has become an authentic tragedy for the rebels.
Told from both perspectives, Igtheos and Elize's ones, we become spectators of the struggle of both parents to keep their daughter safe; confronting unspeakable horrors just for a chance of protecting those that they love. In the background, there's also a plot that hints at a bigger storyline regarding the power of Quinaria, but which is not developed to focus instead on our characters.
Garcia wrote a story of parental love, while including many elements that hint a bigger worldbuilding that I hope to explore in the future. Personally, I would have liked a bit more of development of characters, but taking in account the length, the words are well used.
With From The Ashes, Garcia has created a story that works well as a standalone and as an appetizer for the main series; certainly an enjoyable read that gives us a jump point to dive inside Quinaria.
Disclaimer: This novella has been read as part of the SFINCS. This review/rating only represents my personal opinion and it might differ with what the team decides.
From the Ashes is a novelette set two thousand years before the main storyline of The Heart of Quinaria series, introducing us to a bit of lore from this epic fantasy proposal written by B.S.H. Garcia. Igtheos and the rebels have lost the civil war, resisting under siege in a city that is becoming more and more a tomb, all in the futile attempt to stop the soon-to-be dictator Ashhat from taking the power.
When an armistice is offered, the opportunity is too good to not be accepted by Igtheos; at least, it would allow him to gain some time. However, soon it's revealed as an Ashhat's plan, taking the opportunity to unleash horrors on the city. Igtheos and her wife, the human Elize, will try to save her daughter, even if that means having to fight to escape from what has become an authentic tragedy for the rebels.
Told from both perspectives, Igtheos and Elize's ones, we become spectators of the struggle of both parents to keep their daughter safe; confronting unspeakable horrors just for a chance of protecting those that they love. In the background, there's also a plot that hints at a bigger storyline regarding the power of Quinaria, but which is not developed to focus instead on our characters.
Garcia wrote a story of parental love, while including many elements that hint a bigger worldbuilding that I hope to explore in the future. Personally, I would have liked a bit more of development of characters, but taking in account the length, the words are well used.
With From The Ashes, Garcia has created a story that works well as a standalone and as an appetizer for the main series; certainly an enjoyable read that gives us a jump point to dive inside Quinaria.
Disclaimer: This novella has been read as part of the SFINCS. This review/rating only represents my personal opinion and it might differ with what the team decides.
January 10, 2024
I received this novella to judge for the SFINCS semi-finals. Opinion is my own, and does not represent that made by the team. I did also happen to purchase this in paperback, as I prefer to read physical, and I liked the cover.
This is the prequel to The Heart of Quinaria series, and in my opinion, it does operate quite well on its own. It’s a little sparse of descriptors, but it is very focused on the story it’s centering on, so it still works.
Igtheos and Elize are an interracial married couple with a mixed child. The differences are not exactly explained, at least not in black and white, but I took the Nyrian people to be kind of elf/god like beings. The would be dictator they rebel against would put a stop to such relationships, and much more. He believes the humans to be outright beneath them. So when he offers terms for their surrender that seem to good to be true, the rebels still have no choice but to accept. That or be starved out. This is the chaos that ensues when he breaks his treaty to the rebels. It’s a good examination of hope over caution, as well as the lengths people will go for those they love (and in some sense the depths).
While being quite short, perhaps even for novella standards, this was still quite impactful. The action is big, the emotion even bigger. I really felt for the rebels cause, mostly through how the author portrays the rebel leaders. And of course, fights over equality are always hard hitting, fantasy world or not. And in my opinion, this kind of representation of evil is one of the darkest there is. Not just outright evil, not just bad and hectic, but the pointed attempt at lowering or even annihilating a people. In that sense, it is quite a heavy read though.
You feel their losses, you feel their plight, and you feel like raising up a sword in their defense.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-from-t...
This is the prequel to The Heart of Quinaria series, and in my opinion, it does operate quite well on its own. It’s a little sparse of descriptors, but it is very focused on the story it’s centering on, so it still works.
Igtheos and Elize are an interracial married couple with a mixed child. The differences are not exactly explained, at least not in black and white, but I took the Nyrian people to be kind of elf/god like beings. The would be dictator they rebel against would put a stop to such relationships, and much more. He believes the humans to be outright beneath them. So when he offers terms for their surrender that seem to good to be true, the rebels still have no choice but to accept. That or be starved out. This is the chaos that ensues when he breaks his treaty to the rebels. It’s a good examination of hope over caution, as well as the lengths people will go for those they love (and in some sense the depths).
While being quite short, perhaps even for novella standards, this was still quite impactful. The action is big, the emotion even bigger. I really felt for the rebels cause, mostly through how the author portrays the rebel leaders. And of course, fights over equality are always hard hitting, fantasy world or not. And in my opinion, this kind of representation of evil is one of the darkest there is. Not just outright evil, not just bad and hectic, but the pointed attempt at lowering or even annihilating a people. In that sense, it is quite a heavy read though.
You feel their losses, you feel their plight, and you feel like raising up a sword in their defense.
https://fanfiaddict.com/review-from-t...
Read
January 19, 2024From the Ashes tells the story of Igtheos and Elize as they try to protect their rebellion and their young daughter from an enemy that wants to destroy them.
The idea is intriguing, and the writing is top notch, but unfortunately, I was not able to connect with the story in a meaningful way. I never quite got a feel for what the rebellion was about, and I did not grow to care about the characters.
It felt a little like I stepped into the end of a much longer story and only got to experience the finale, but without knowing what came before, who’s involved, and what the stakes are. I believe I would have enjoyed that story had I been with it from the start.
The writing, the ideas, and the world building all carry a lot of promise, and I think with a longer story, everything would have been able to shine much brighter.
From what I’m seeing, this is a prequel to a longer series, and while this particular story wasn’t for me, I’m still curious to check out the full novels.
I read this book as part of the SFINCS novella competition, where I’m one of the judges in Team Jamreads. This review reflects my own opinion and it may differ from the team’s.
The idea is intriguing, and the writing is top notch, but unfortunately, I was not able to connect with the story in a meaningful way. I never quite got a feel for what the rebellion was about, and I did not grow to care about the characters.
It felt a little like I stepped into the end of a much longer story and only got to experience the finale, but without knowing what came before, who’s involved, and what the stakes are. I believe I would have enjoyed that story had I been with it from the start.
The writing, the ideas, and the world building all carry a lot of promise, and I think with a longer story, everything would have been able to shine much brighter.
From what I’m seeing, this is a prequel to a longer series, and while this particular story wasn’t for me, I’m still curious to check out the full novels.
I read this book as part of the SFINCS novella competition, where I’m one of the judges in Team Jamreads. This review reflects my own opinion and it may differ from the team’s.
February 12, 2025
*Originally reviewed on SFF Insiders Blog
If you’re looking for a super quick read that also delivers an epic tale, replete with drama, action, and tender moments then look no further. This is it!
This tiny little novellette packs so much into the minimal number of pages that it's quite mind boggling. For its size it feels like it should be just a mere chapter in a much larger novel and yet it manages to tell a whole entire fleshed out story in so few words.
‘Where the body began its slow dance with death, one falling leaf at a time, one sunset after the other, the spirit livened with every moment, with every realization that time was a gift far more precious than wealth.’
I was absolutely gripped by Garcia’s beautiful writing. The way she wove us a tale of rebellion, discrimination, love and power. Her writing was so wonderfully done that you could almost smell the smoke in the air, or feel the gritty sand slipping into your shoes while walking out to meet your enemy.
From the Ashes is just so perfect in every way that I just can't seem to wrap my head around it. The only other novella that has burrowed itself into my mind so completely was The Fall by Ryan Cahill. From the Ashes is just such a complete package of a beginning, middle, and end, where some novellas just often feel more like a cut scene slapped into a nice cover, like they're just a snippet of a fuller, broader story. But From the Ashes really has everything you need in a story all packed into this beautifully wrapped novellette.
“The best things in life demand no shortage of sacrifice.”
I adored the characters of Igtheos and Elize, their strength and determination in the face of defeat, of their devotion to each other and their daughter Zaria. I honestly can't stop thinking about them and it's been over a week since I read this. That is the mark of excellence, when you weave a story this compelling, with characters that just live on afterwards in the reader's minds.
“You leave such a lasting impression that I could go a thousand lifetimes without you and still feel as though we’d shared company only the day prior”
Another point about this that deserves praise is the imaginative way Garcia introduced creatures, plants, and words/terms unique to the cultures of this world she has created. She's done it all in such a way that you don't need a heavy hand in explaining what things are or what words mean. Garcia has deftly dropped just enough bread crumbs of context that you can figure it out easily on your own without bogging down the story with an explanation, and it gives this world so much more depth and life! This world feels fully formed in just seventy-two pages. It's astounding!
‘Elize whispered. “She is our miracle. I’ll die a thousand deaths so that others like her may yet have the chance to live.”’
I desperately needed more of this beautifully powerful tale of love and family, but it is also a completely wrapped up story, so I can't complain. It serves its purpose as an introduction to the world of Quinaria while also giving us some historical context for lost artifacts and the religious beliefs of the kingdom.
This miniscule novelette is the perfect intro to this series, and quite a gem of a read in itself. I will definitely be picking up the rest of Garcia's books! I'm so excited to continue on with this series!
If you’re looking for a super quick read that also delivers an epic tale, replete with drama, action, and tender moments then look no further. This is it!
This tiny little novellette packs so much into the minimal number of pages that it's quite mind boggling. For its size it feels like it should be just a mere chapter in a much larger novel and yet it manages to tell a whole entire fleshed out story in so few words.
‘Where the body began its slow dance with death, one falling leaf at a time, one sunset after the other, the spirit livened with every moment, with every realization that time was a gift far more precious than wealth.’
I was absolutely gripped by Garcia’s beautiful writing. The way she wove us a tale of rebellion, discrimination, love and power. Her writing was so wonderfully done that you could almost smell the smoke in the air, or feel the gritty sand slipping into your shoes while walking out to meet your enemy.
From the Ashes is just so perfect in every way that I just can't seem to wrap my head around it. The only other novella that has burrowed itself into my mind so completely was The Fall by Ryan Cahill. From the Ashes is just such a complete package of a beginning, middle, and end, where some novellas just often feel more like a cut scene slapped into a nice cover, like they're just a snippet of a fuller, broader story. But From the Ashes really has everything you need in a story all packed into this beautifully wrapped novellette.
“The best things in life demand no shortage of sacrifice.”
I adored the characters of Igtheos and Elize, their strength and determination in the face of defeat, of their devotion to each other and their daughter Zaria. I honestly can't stop thinking about them and it's been over a week since I read this. That is the mark of excellence, when you weave a story this compelling, with characters that just live on afterwards in the reader's minds.
“You leave such a lasting impression that I could go a thousand lifetimes without you and still feel as though we’d shared company only the day prior”
Another point about this that deserves praise is the imaginative way Garcia introduced creatures, plants, and words/terms unique to the cultures of this world she has created. She's done it all in such a way that you don't need a heavy hand in explaining what things are or what words mean. Garcia has deftly dropped just enough bread crumbs of context that you can figure it out easily on your own without bogging down the story with an explanation, and it gives this world so much more depth and life! This world feels fully formed in just seventy-two pages. It's astounding!
‘Elize whispered. “She is our miracle. I’ll die a thousand deaths so that others like her may yet have the chance to live.”’
I desperately needed more of this beautifully powerful tale of love and family, but it is also a completely wrapped up story, so I can't complain. It serves its purpose as an introduction to the world of Quinaria while also giving us some historical context for lost artifacts and the religious beliefs of the kingdom.
This miniscule novelette is the perfect intro to this series, and quite a gem of a read in itself. I will definitely be picking up the rest of Garcia's books! I'm so excited to continue on with this series!
January 18, 2024
This novelette is short but packs the emotional complexity of a far longer work and the depth of worldbuilding in a few pages is outstanding. The richness of the characters comes across from the opening words and you feel alongside them, feeling every hunger pain, every look of love, every betrayal and every breath of hope. This was my first visit to Quinaria, but I will be back as soon as I can.
November 11, 2025
Grimdark fantasy novella...
A gripping prequel novella, one I've not read for ages, full of treachery, loss and sacrifice, serving as a timely reminder I need to read more of B.S.H. Garcia's writing.
A gripping prequel novella, one I've not read for ages, full of treachery, loss and sacrifice, serving as a timely reminder I need to read more of B.S.H. Garcia's writing.
August 15, 2023
Despite its short length this was impactful.
Liked the characters and found the prose simple but effective. More importantly though I found the world quite interesting and now I'm looking forward to trying the first novel in the series.
Liked the characters and found the prose simple but effective. More importantly though I found the world quite interesting and now I'm looking forward to trying the first novel in the series.
October 11, 2024
This review was originally posted on SFF Insiders.
Desperation is a dangerous thing, and the lengths to which one can go to escape their fate can may bring worse things than they thought possible. This is the core to B. S. H. Garcia’s novelette, From the Ashes, a prequel story to her epic fantasy series The Heart of Quinaria. And this theme of desperation in the face of insurmountable odds is handled beautifully, as Garcia crafts a quick and heartbreaking tale that has perfectly set up the events of the series to come and has left me eager to dive into the series in full.
After two years of fighting against a would-be dictator in a brutal civil war, Igtheos and his rebels have been brought to the brink of destruction. Holing up in a city that has become a final bastion for the oppressed humans, Igtheos is offered a show of peace to end this conflict. Seeing no option but to accept the terms, he hopes to take this opportunity to sneak his closest companions and loved ones out of the city, but when an offer seems too good to be true, in all likelihood, it is. And before he knows it, Igtheos is faced with a violent battle, with the lives of everyone he loves hanging in the balance.
For such a short story, Garcia excels at evoking emotional responses to this tale of desperation. Not a single word is wasted as we’re introduced to Igtheos, his human companion Elize, and their hybrid daughter Zaria. From the beginning, while we are well aware of the war that is looming overhead, we are given a tender moment between this family, a small moment of a child being unable to fall asleep due to a bad dream. It’s such a simple scene that speaks much louder as the novelette progresses that sets up the characters perfectly for the conflict that is soon to come, from Igtheos’s aloofness owing to his long-lived age, to Elize’s suspicion that Zaria’s nightmare is something more or that the show of armistice is not what it seems.
And in a blink, everything does change. While the surprise battle does feel abrupt—which, narratively does make sense, but in execution felt a tad jarring—the second half of the novelette hits extremely hard, and that is all thanks to the tremendous setup done by Garcia. In just 75 short pages, we experience love and hope and desperation and loss, and even the briefest of character introductions end up with the heaviest emotional responses later. It’s a heartbreaking story through and through, punctuated by Garcia’s wonderful prose and knack for gripping action.
From the Ashes also works extremely well as an introduction to The Heart of Quinaria. Even having not read the first full novel in the series, I still felt engrossed in the world, and Garcia does a fantastic job setting up the events to come in the millennia to follow. If you’re unsure of whether it’s necessary to read Of Thieves and Shadows first, be assured that you can jump straight into this novelette and still get the most out of it.
Without question, From the Ashes is an excellent introduction to the world of The Heart of Quinaria. This quick read is rife with heavy emotion and pulse-pounding action, and if that’s indicative of what’s to come for the rest of the series, then count me in.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m about to go put ink to an offer I can’t refuse. Extended warranty? How could I lose?!
Desperation is a dangerous thing, and the lengths to which one can go to escape their fate can may bring worse things than they thought possible. This is the core to B. S. H. Garcia’s novelette, From the Ashes, a prequel story to her epic fantasy series The Heart of Quinaria. And this theme of desperation in the face of insurmountable odds is handled beautifully, as Garcia crafts a quick and heartbreaking tale that has perfectly set up the events of the series to come and has left me eager to dive into the series in full.
After two years of fighting against a would-be dictator in a brutal civil war, Igtheos and his rebels have been brought to the brink of destruction. Holing up in a city that has become a final bastion for the oppressed humans, Igtheos is offered a show of peace to end this conflict. Seeing no option but to accept the terms, he hopes to take this opportunity to sneak his closest companions and loved ones out of the city, but when an offer seems too good to be true, in all likelihood, it is. And before he knows it, Igtheos is faced with a violent battle, with the lives of everyone he loves hanging in the balance.
For such a short story, Garcia excels at evoking emotional responses to this tale of desperation. Not a single word is wasted as we’re introduced to Igtheos, his human companion Elize, and their hybrid daughter Zaria. From the beginning, while we are well aware of the war that is looming overhead, we are given a tender moment between this family, a small moment of a child being unable to fall asleep due to a bad dream. It’s such a simple scene that speaks much louder as the novelette progresses that sets up the characters perfectly for the conflict that is soon to come, from Igtheos’s aloofness owing to his long-lived age, to Elize’s suspicion that Zaria’s nightmare is something more or that the show of armistice is not what it seems.
And in a blink, everything does change. While the surprise battle does feel abrupt—which, narratively does make sense, but in execution felt a tad jarring—the second half of the novelette hits extremely hard, and that is all thanks to the tremendous setup done by Garcia. In just 75 short pages, we experience love and hope and desperation and loss, and even the briefest of character introductions end up with the heaviest emotional responses later. It’s a heartbreaking story through and through, punctuated by Garcia’s wonderful prose and knack for gripping action.
From the Ashes also works extremely well as an introduction to The Heart of Quinaria. Even having not read the first full novel in the series, I still felt engrossed in the world, and Garcia does a fantastic job setting up the events to come in the millennia to follow. If you’re unsure of whether it’s necessary to read Of Thieves and Shadows first, be assured that you can jump straight into this novelette and still get the most out of it.
Without question, From the Ashes is an excellent introduction to the world of The Heart of Quinaria. This quick read is rife with heavy emotion and pulse-pounding action, and if that’s indicative of what’s to come for the rest of the series, then count me in.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m about to go put ink to an offer I can’t refuse. Extended warranty? How could I lose?!
August 21, 2024
From the Ashes is a prequel novelette in The Heart of Quinaria series. The first book in the series, Of Thieves and Shadows, was one of my favourite reads this year - it might end up being THE best book I’ve read this year - full of intricate worldbuilding, well-developed and complex characters and a gripping plot which kept my eyes glued on the page.
From the Ashes doesn’t disappoint at all. Set many years before Of Thieves and Shadows, it explains in detail the tragic events which eventually lead to a new civilisation being built. If you’ve read Of Thieves and Shadows, then you’ll know the general gist of what happened, but From the Ashes introduces a small but interesting cast of characters to help keep you invested throughout. Even if the plot was fairly predictable, I cared about every character in the book and there were some events that still managed to surprise me.
Again, like Of Thieves and Shadows, B.S.H. Garcia excels in dialogue, managing to tread the thin line of interesting - and sometimes humourous - interactions and information given to the reader to help with lore.
I absolutely adored From the Ashes, and it’s just made me even more excited for Of Love and Loss, book two of The Heart of Quinaria which is due to come out at the end of September 2024.
From the Ashes can be read before or after Of Thieves and Shadows, and you can get it for free if you sign up to Garcia’s mailing list.
From the Ashes doesn’t disappoint at all. Set many years before Of Thieves and Shadows, it explains in detail the tragic events which eventually lead to a new civilisation being built. If you’ve read Of Thieves and Shadows, then you’ll know the general gist of what happened, but From the Ashes introduces a small but interesting cast of characters to help keep you invested throughout. Even if the plot was fairly predictable, I cared about every character in the book and there were some events that still managed to surprise me.
Again, like Of Thieves and Shadows, B.S.H. Garcia excels in dialogue, managing to tread the thin line of interesting - and sometimes humourous - interactions and information given to the reader to help with lore.
I absolutely adored From the Ashes, and it’s just made me even more excited for Of Love and Loss, book two of The Heart of Quinaria which is due to come out at the end of September 2024.
From the Ashes can be read before or after Of Thieves and Shadows, and you can get it for free if you sign up to Garcia’s mailing list.
November 27, 2023
RTC
You may see plenty of surprising novella picks in my TBR in the next few months.
I’m on one of the judging teams for The Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS)
👇
sfincscompetition.Wordpress.com
#indiebooks #fantasybooks #scifibooks
You may see plenty of surprising novella picks in my TBR in the next few months.
I’m on one of the judging teams for The Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS)
👇
sfincscompetition.Wordpress.com
#indiebooks #fantasybooks #scifibooks
March 2, 2024
From the Ashes was a prequel novella by BSH Garcia. I read book one from The Heart of Quinaria last year and really enjoyed it. I was looking to squeeze in a couple of novellas recently so picked this one up to visit this world. To be completely honest, I was a bit rusty as things relate to book one, yet still found myself enjoying this short read. I think even reading this as a standalone would be fine just as a sample of the author's work.
I've lost count now of the number of books I've read the last couple of years that continue to contribute to me not trusting authors and their characters though. Without providing any spoilers for this one I will simply say not once did I trust the deal that was made in the beginning of this tale.
The pacing was very smooth for such a short read. I mentioned this could easily be read as a standalone and I think this is part of it. I've read some short stories and novellas in the past that just seemed rushed. But this seemed very thought out and executed. No issues with names of places or characters to trip me up. There is plenty of action but also solid setup and conclusions.
The world building was solidly done as well. We still get a fairly good amount of detail within our starting city of this story but also quickly find out more about the surrounding regions as well once our surviving characters are forced to venture out. I hate to sound like a broken record here but again this is a great example of providing plenty of details in such a short amount of pages. We have several different factions and cultures represented in this story as well. All of these aspects are things that make reads far more interesting for myself.
The character development follows along with the above as well. We find ourselves hopeful if cautious along side these characters. Once tragedy strikes it's easy at that point to feel sad regarding the loss and anger towards the antagonist. I've read books near a thousand pages that I just couldn't find myself invested in the characters. Yet here we are with this short read giving me the feels in multiple directions toward characters. As far as development goes we don’t' see too many grand arcs to play out but we still see a fair amount of change in our survivors from the beginning to the end of this installment.
All in all this story definitely got me hyped for From the Depths which was scheduled for release in February which I had pre-ordered. Now I just need to do what I can to get that one into my rotation coming up!
I've lost count now of the number of books I've read the last couple of years that continue to contribute to me not trusting authors and their characters though. Without providing any spoilers for this one I will simply say not once did I trust the deal that was made in the beginning of this tale.
The pacing was very smooth for such a short read. I mentioned this could easily be read as a standalone and I think this is part of it. I've read some short stories and novellas in the past that just seemed rushed. But this seemed very thought out and executed. No issues with names of places or characters to trip me up. There is plenty of action but also solid setup and conclusions.
The world building was solidly done as well. We still get a fairly good amount of detail within our starting city of this story but also quickly find out more about the surrounding regions as well once our surviving characters are forced to venture out. I hate to sound like a broken record here but again this is a great example of providing plenty of details in such a short amount of pages. We have several different factions and cultures represented in this story as well. All of these aspects are things that make reads far more interesting for myself.
The character development follows along with the above as well. We find ourselves hopeful if cautious along side these characters. Once tragedy strikes it's easy at that point to feel sad regarding the loss and anger towards the antagonist. I've read books near a thousand pages that I just couldn't find myself invested in the characters. Yet here we are with this short read giving me the feels in multiple directions toward characters. As far as development goes we don’t' see too many grand arcs to play out but we still see a fair amount of change in our survivors from the beginning to the end of this installment.
All in all this story definitely got me hyped for From the Depths which was scheduled for release in February which I had pre-ordered. Now I just need to do what I can to get that one into my rotation coming up!
March 31, 2025
Such a short novella, and it packs a punch! A great way to dip your toe before reading Of Thieves and Shadows I really like how quickly I got attached to the characters and the plot, although light, sparks a lot of questions!
January 30, 2024
I started this short work and raced through it since it was riveting. I loved the intelligence with which it is told and that the author assumes you’re smart enough to follow the story.
I don’t remember how I got a hold of it but it was so good I immediately bought the sequel that is published and the one due out in February 2024.
I don’t remember how I got a hold of it but it was so good I immediately bought the sequel that is published and the one due out in February 2024.
December 8, 2023
I finished From The Ashes quite quickly, since it is such a fun and short read. First of all, I must clarify that this is not YA, not NA, it seems to lead more to dark/grimdark (without the overly descriptive gore), it has politics (although subtly hinted here since they are not the point of this novelette), and not a romantasy. There is a couple, but the fact they are a couple is not the plotline of the story.
What I need to say first is--gosh the prose. It's perfect. Garcia writes in an elaborate, lyrical style that can only be described as flowing perfectly. It does not drag and is easy to follow, giving a lot of immersion and that feeling of fantastical world. It feels very attuned to the type of the story, her metaphors are great (and the author doesn't abuse them either), and it was simply a pleasure to read.
I have not read the Book 1 on the saga, but I really didn't need that to get into this novella--it hints enough that a reader can understand the larger, political world that is being foreshadowed, making the reading experience quite seamless. While I guess that there are some "easter eggs" here or things that will be "aha!" moments had you read this, I had no problems going into it.
Besides the prose, something that struck me was the relationship between the two main characters, Elize and Igtheos--second page, and they are already talking, but it was palpable that there was history between them. Mild spoiler, yes they are married and, although we are told they are a couple, it also shows; it is visible in their dialogues, how they think of each other, how they talk to each other. Managing such depth in only 16.5k words (that's the number disclosed in the Author's Notes) is pure perfection.
Given how short this is, there are only a few characters, and besides our main couple, the others are secondary characters.
The worldbuilding feels very interesting and complex, even for a novel of this size. We have some races that are different from traditional fantasy (no elves/orcs spotted here, although they may exist in the main books), there are some interesting creatures (like the stormbirds and others), and an overall feel of a large world with many other cities and cultures. Different, compelling, and well-presented to convey the complexity in a tight and lyrical prose.
Overall, I thought it was a compelling introduction to Quinaria (that's the series name).
What I need to say first is--gosh the prose. It's perfect. Garcia writes in an elaborate, lyrical style that can only be described as flowing perfectly. It does not drag and is easy to follow, giving a lot of immersion and that feeling of fantastical world. It feels very attuned to the type of the story, her metaphors are great (and the author doesn't abuse them either), and it was simply a pleasure to read.
I have not read the Book 1 on the saga, but I really didn't need that to get into this novella--it hints enough that a reader can understand the larger, political world that is being foreshadowed, making the reading experience quite seamless. While I guess that there are some "easter eggs" here or things that will be "aha!" moments had you read this, I had no problems going into it.
Besides the prose, something that struck me was the relationship between the two main characters, Elize and Igtheos--second page, and they are already talking, but it was palpable that there was history between them. Mild spoiler, yes they are married and, although we are told they are a couple, it also shows; it is visible in their dialogues, how they think of each other, how they talk to each other. Managing such depth in only 16.5k words (that's the number disclosed in the Author's Notes) is pure perfection.
Given how short this is, there are only a few characters, and besides our main couple, the others are secondary characters.
The worldbuilding feels very interesting and complex, even for a novel of this size. We have some races that are different from traditional fantasy (no elves/orcs spotted here, although they may exist in the main books), there are some interesting creatures (like the stormbirds and others), and an overall feel of a large world with many other cities and cultures. Different, compelling, and well-presented to convey the complexity in a tight and lyrical prose.
Overall, I thought it was a compelling introduction to Quinaria (that's the series name).
December 30, 2023
What dat noise?
October 3, 2024
This is my first introduction to the Heart of Quinaria series. A quick read that's to the point and full of emotion with very rich world building. The action sequences are big for a short story. You could easily imagine the fight scenes in your head as you're reading along. Even with being a short novella, I was able to connect and feel for the characters introduced in the story. I would have liked more background as to what's going on with the rebellion taking place, but that's just the lore nerd in me being greedy.
This is a prequel to the first book of the series, Of Thieves And Shadows. After reading this novella, I look forward to jumping into this world and exploring what's to come with it.
This is a prequel to the first book of the series, Of Thieves And Shadows. After reading this novella, I look forward to jumping into this world and exploring what's to come with it.
July 16, 2023
Ah, what a bittersweet tale of heartbreak, in a compact package… this is a lovely introduction to Quinaria, and certainly won’t be my final foray into the world.
I loved Elize and Halmand, with their differing fiery personalities. The horrors unleashed, be they Skulmor, deathstalkers, or Nyrians, all had such clear descriptions they leapt off the page, while still allowing room for imagination to complete the picture.
Need a fast fantasy read? This is perfect.
I loved Elize and Halmand, with their differing fiery personalities. The horrors unleashed, be they Skulmor, deathstalkers, or Nyrians, all had such clear descriptions they leapt off the page, while still allowing room for imagination to complete the picture.
Need a fast fantasy read? This is perfect.
November 30, 2024
This novelette blew me away.
B.S.H. Garcia is an exceptional writer, and it shows from the outset, with elegant prose and sharp characterization. Not a line is wasted here, with a wonderfully paced narrative that hints at the greater world and story of the series without being indulgent or distracting about it.
I got through the whole thing in two sittings and am very much looking forward to reading more! Can't recommend this one enough. The author is a hidden gem for sure.
B.S.H. Garcia is an exceptional writer, and it shows from the outset, with elegant prose and sharp characterization. Not a line is wasted here, with a wonderfully paced narrative that hints at the greater world and story of the series without being indulgent or distracting about it.
I got through the whole thing in two sittings and am very much looking forward to reading more! Can't recommend this one enough. The author is a hidden gem for sure.
May 4, 2025
A beautiful and heartbreaking story. The ending left me wanting more, more and more. This is my first encounter with this world and Garcia's writing. I can only say that I fell in love with her style immediately; beautiful prose that paints a vivid picture, makes us fall in love with the characters, sympathize with them and fear on every page. I can't wait to see what happens next in Quinaria!
June 7, 2023
Beautifully written and tightly plotted, this novelette is a prequel to Of Shadows and Thieves, and is impressive for the power of its characters and narrative drive. An excellent addition to the Heart of Quinaria series.
March 29, 2024
This book was reviewed as part of the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship, or SFINCS, which I am judging as part of Team Jamreads. This review contains my honest thoughts and does not represent the opinion or final rating of the team.
From the Ashes is a prequel to an epic fantasy series and is about a group of rebels under siege in a city that’s slowly starving them out. Their enemy is offering them an armistice, but is it too good to be true?
Characters
This follows the story of two POV characters Igtheos, our hero, and his partner Elize. They’re a married interracial couple with a young daughter, which I gather from the world building is not always looked upon favourably. They’re under siege with no easy way out. While Igtheos is the warrior of the two and is making plans to smuggle his family and his men out of the city and under the enemy’s nose, Elize appears to be a scholar with a divine quest to hide magical scrolls which the big bad guy would like to get his hands on. The two POV’s make for a powerful couple, but naturally their concern is for their child. Igtheos comes across as optimistic and slightly naïve, whereas Elize seems more down to earth and cynical about their chances for survival.
When their enemy offers them a truce, Igtheos is more on board than Elize, if only to give his men a chance of survival. There are a handful of side characters here, mostly men that serve under Igtheos, but they each have a comradery about them, and a reason for being there.
Setting
Set in a besieged city that appears to be Roman or Mediterranean inspired. There are various world building details that capture the atmosphere of this world. There are different fantasy races and fantasy creatures within, some of which are truly terrifying monsters. I would have liked to have learned more about the races, however, as I didn’t grasp much about them.
Plot
Under siege from the enemy and starving, the rebels under Igtheos’s command aren’t doing so well and things are starting to get desperate. They’re faced with either death or surrender, but their enemy throws them a lifeline – supplies of food and drink in exchange for surrender. The rebels take the opportunity, unaware that it’s a trap. Soon the action starts and leads to tragic consequences. From The Ashes is quite a short story for a novella, so naturally the plot moves quick, with much of the story engaged in a deadly battle for survival. It doesn’t shy away from the brutal side of combat and war, nor does it take the easy way out, which is something I can respect. There is some heartbreak, but to say more would be spoilers!
Writing
The writing is smooth and fast-paced, with high-stakes fighting that really gets the heart pumping and makes you fear for our two main characters. Both POV characters are distinct and bring their own unique perspective to the story.
Enjoyment
Unfortunately, From the Ashes didn’t quite work for me as a standalone. There’s not enough of the world explained for me to become invested within it. I didn’t understand the various races or why they face discrimination, nor did I understand why the war was happening, why the city was under siege, or what was so important by the secret scrolls Elize had to hide. A fellow judge described it as coming in at the end of a finale, and that describes my feeling. I don’t have enough of the backstory to really understand what’s going on. I think, then, that From the Ashes probably works better if you’ve read previous books in the series.
That said, I enjoyed the writing style and brutal action enough to be interested in exploring the series!
Cover Art and Formatting
The cover is absolutely gorgeous and hints at the setting and stakes perfectly. Definitely one of my favourite covers in the competition.
From the Ashes is a prequel to an epic fantasy series and is about a group of rebels under siege in a city that’s slowly starving them out. Their enemy is offering them an armistice, but is it too good to be true?
Characters
This follows the story of two POV characters Igtheos, our hero, and his partner Elize. They’re a married interracial couple with a young daughter, which I gather from the world building is not always looked upon favourably. They’re under siege with no easy way out. While Igtheos is the warrior of the two and is making plans to smuggle his family and his men out of the city and under the enemy’s nose, Elize appears to be a scholar with a divine quest to hide magical scrolls which the big bad guy would like to get his hands on. The two POV’s make for a powerful couple, but naturally their concern is for their child. Igtheos comes across as optimistic and slightly naïve, whereas Elize seems more down to earth and cynical about their chances for survival.
When their enemy offers them a truce, Igtheos is more on board than Elize, if only to give his men a chance of survival. There are a handful of side characters here, mostly men that serve under Igtheos, but they each have a comradery about them, and a reason for being there.
Setting
Set in a besieged city that appears to be Roman or Mediterranean inspired. There are various world building details that capture the atmosphere of this world. There are different fantasy races and fantasy creatures within, some of which are truly terrifying monsters. I would have liked to have learned more about the races, however, as I didn’t grasp much about them.
Plot
Under siege from the enemy and starving, the rebels under Igtheos’s command aren’t doing so well and things are starting to get desperate. They’re faced with either death or surrender, but their enemy throws them a lifeline – supplies of food and drink in exchange for surrender. The rebels take the opportunity, unaware that it’s a trap. Soon the action starts and leads to tragic consequences. From The Ashes is quite a short story for a novella, so naturally the plot moves quick, with much of the story engaged in a deadly battle for survival. It doesn’t shy away from the brutal side of combat and war, nor does it take the easy way out, which is something I can respect. There is some heartbreak, but to say more would be spoilers!
Writing
The writing is smooth and fast-paced, with high-stakes fighting that really gets the heart pumping and makes you fear for our two main characters. Both POV characters are distinct and bring their own unique perspective to the story.
Enjoyment
Unfortunately, From the Ashes didn’t quite work for me as a standalone. There’s not enough of the world explained for me to become invested within it. I didn’t understand the various races or why they face discrimination, nor did I understand why the war was happening, why the city was under siege, or what was so important by the secret scrolls Elize had to hide. A fellow judge described it as coming in at the end of a finale, and that describes my feeling. I don’t have enough of the backstory to really understand what’s going on. I think, then, that From the Ashes probably works better if you’ve read previous books in the series.
That said, I enjoyed the writing style and brutal action enough to be interested in exploring the series!
Cover Art and Formatting
The cover is absolutely gorgeous and hints at the setting and stakes perfectly. Definitely one of my favourite covers in the competition.
August 15, 2024
From the Ashes by B.S.H. Garcia
Adventurous, challenging, dark, emotional,
reflective, sad, and tense.
Fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
4.0 Stars
This is a prequel to the main storyline, but I do feel that we will see ONE of the people that was in this story. I don't want to say who that person is, but I believe they will be important to the main story. At least I hope so.
This was a short story, or novella. I wanted more. So that's a good sign.
This was my entry point to the story, so the world feels intricate and sad.
The people we follow have tragic stories to tell (after this one has been told to us), but I feel they and their offspring will take up the mantle and fight for what is right.
I am going to read the next prequel, From the Depths.
Oh, btw, I love the way that she writes. It pulls you in, and makes you care about the characters within the world. They matter...and that's a HUGE plus in my book.
Adventurous, challenging, dark, emotional,
reflective, sad, and tense.
Fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters are a main focus? Yes
4.0 Stars
This is a prequel to the main storyline, but I do feel that we will see ONE of the people that was in this story. I don't want to say who that person is, but I believe they will be important to the main story. At least I hope so.
This was a short story, or novella. I wanted more. So that's a good sign.
This was my entry point to the story, so the world feels intricate and sad.
The people we follow have tragic stories to tell (after this one has been told to us), but I feel they and their offspring will take up the mantle and fight for what is right.
I am going to read the next prequel, From the Depths.
Oh, btw, I love the way that she writes. It pulls you in, and makes you care about the characters within the world. They matter...and that's a HUGE plus in my book.
July 9, 2024
From The Ashes might be a short piece, but Garcia packs a lot in here. There’s brutal action, escalating tension, romance, high stakes, grief, hope, despair and sacrifice.
I previously read Of Thieves and Shadows which might have helped understand the world building better, but you can read this novella if you’d just like to check out the author’s writing style, as it’s a good example of her well portrayed characters, vivid storytelling and beautiful prose.
I previously read Of Thieves and Shadows which might have helped understand the world building better, but you can read this novella if you’d just like to check out the author’s writing style, as it’s a good example of her well portrayed characters, vivid storytelling and beautiful prose.
February 9, 2025
This was so good!
My favourite part was how Ashaat was called Ass-hat, because that's how I've been saying it this entire time in my head 😂
My favourite part was how Ashaat was called Ass-hat, because that's how I've been saying it this entire time in my head 😂
May 14, 2025
This is a very strong novella.
With a short story, you don't have time to build the lore or have excessive worldbuilding, but what you can do is pack in emotional damage if you punch in some brilliant characters . Garcia does that in spades with this novella
With a short story, you don't have time to build the lore or have excessive worldbuilding, but what you can do is pack in emotional damage if you punch in some brilliant characters . Garcia does that in spades with this novella
August 7, 2023
Follow me on Twitter: Twitter.com/wolfmantula
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5
FORMAT: Kindle eBook
From the Ashes prequel novellette is one of the best prequel novellas I’ve read, it’s a nice quick read and great introduction to Garcia’s writing style and story-telling. This is very unique as it has a mix of many things into this high fantasy world, like a species called the Nyrians, who’s aging is a bit different from their human counterparts, a tinge of horror with the wolf-like skulmor creatures and the nightmarish insectoid deathstalkers who cause a lot of mayhem. It has some darkness to it, but on top of that, Garcia delivers a story of a parent’s love and sacrifice to protect their child of their “unholy union” from the evil monster with empty eyes.
This story captivated me from the moment I started it, because it reminded me a bit of Avatar and how the humans tried to take over the Na’vi, but in this story, it was the opposite, the Nyrians are the ones that believe they are the more superior race than the humans. Garcia did a great job with the world-building and character development of being informational and descriptive while still leaving enough meat on the bone to expand upon later. Garcia has a very pretty prose and delivered some beautiful quotes, I love that it is so easy to read which made it for an even better reading experience.
I> “I’ll die a thousand deaths so that others like her may yet have the chance to live.”
The characters were all interesting with fascinating personalities that were fleshed out really well in such a short period of time. Not only did Igtheos, the nyrian father, Elize the human mother, and Zaria their mixed child shine during their moments, but several side characters and even the antagonist, Ashhat came off as someone I despised so quickly. And yes, Garcia definitely didn’t miss on the opportunity to poke some fun at Ashhat’s name, which made me so happy to see!
For this being a debut novelette, Garcia did a great job of sucking me in and forcing me to read each and every page, while leaving me wanting to jump right into Of Thieves and Shadows as soon as I can so that I can continue to read more and more about this crazy world that she’s created. You can get a free ebook copy of this by subscribing to Garcia’s mailing list @bshgarcia.com or you can get a paperback copy on Amazon for $4.99!
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5
FORMAT: Kindle eBook
From the Ashes prequel novellette is one of the best prequel novellas I’ve read, it’s a nice quick read and great introduction to Garcia’s writing style and story-telling. This is very unique as it has a mix of many things into this high fantasy world, like a species called the Nyrians, who’s aging is a bit different from their human counterparts, a tinge of horror with the wolf-like skulmor creatures and the nightmarish insectoid deathstalkers who cause a lot of mayhem. It has some darkness to it, but on top of that, Garcia delivers a story of a parent’s love and sacrifice to protect their child of their “unholy union” from the evil monster with empty eyes.
This story captivated me from the moment I started it, because it reminded me a bit of Avatar and how the humans tried to take over the Na’vi, but in this story, it was the opposite, the Nyrians are the ones that believe they are the more superior race than the humans. Garcia did a great job with the world-building and character development of being informational and descriptive while still leaving enough meat on the bone to expand upon later. Garcia has a very pretty prose and delivered some beautiful quotes, I love that it is so easy to read which made it for an even better reading experience.
I> “I’ll die a thousand deaths so that others like her may yet have the chance to live.”
The characters were all interesting with fascinating personalities that were fleshed out really well in such a short period of time. Not only did Igtheos, the nyrian father, Elize the human mother, and Zaria their mixed child shine during their moments, but several side characters and even the antagonist, Ashhat came off as someone I despised so quickly. And yes, Garcia definitely didn’t miss on the opportunity to poke some fun at Ashhat’s name, which made me so happy to see!
For this being a debut novelette, Garcia did a great job of sucking me in and forcing me to read each and every page, while leaving me wanting to jump right into Of Thieves and Shadows as soon as I can so that I can continue to read more and more about this crazy world that she’s created. You can get a free ebook copy of this by subscribing to Garcia’s mailing list @bshgarcia.com or you can get a paperback copy on Amazon for $4.99!
September 13, 2024
2nd review - I am on an epic reading journey with this series. This is my second time reading her books to prepare for Of Love and Loss. I am taking this so seriously but I’m so excited! But I love this world! I love the characters snd the story she crafted over 2000 years. It’s outstanding and epic!
1st review - Once again, her writing and storytelling are outstanding. If this was a full novel, I would have devoured it. I so enjoy this world, and I can't wait for the next book.
1st review - Once again, her writing and storytelling are outstanding. If this was a full novel, I would have devoured it. I so enjoy this world, and I can't wait for the next book.
May 11, 2024
I *loved* this story. It was evocative, powerful, complex, tragic, and engaging, all in a very short space. I’m 1000% bought in and can’t wait to dive into book one. I especially admired the confidence of the storytelling, which had me on board from page one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews