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Wildefire #3
Afterglow
1. Every flame begins with a spark
2. Every flame casts a shadow
3. Every flame can be extinguished
In this thrilling conclusion to the Wildefire saga, Ashline must preparefor a final cataclysm between the gods and snuff out a malevolenttrickster once and for all--even if it means her own destruction.
But she'll go down in flames before she goes up in smoke.
2. Every flame casts a shadow
3. Every flame can be extinguished
In this thrilling conclusion to the Wildefire saga, Ashline must preparefor a final cataclysm between the gods and snuff out a malevolenttrickster once and for all--even if it means her own destruction.
But she'll go down in flames before she goes up in smoke.
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2013
22 people are currently reading
3839 people want to read
About the author
Karsten Knight
16 books913 followersSome say Karsten Knight’s writing career peaked at the age of six, when he completed a picture book about a sassy, adventurous worm. In the decades since, he’s tried in futility to live up to the high literary bar he set back during the first grade by publishing other novels such as:
• the mythological fantasy THIS ETERNITY OF MASKS AND SHADOWS
• the time-traveling thriller PATCHWORK
• the historical mystery NIGHTINGALE, SING
• the volcano goddess trilogy WILDEFIRE (Simon & Schuster)
• and the spooky BONEGARDEN series for young readers.
His books have been described as “exceptional” (San Diego Union-Tribune), “action-packed” (Publishers Weekly), “riveting” (VOYA), “sizzling” (Booklist), and “compelling” (School Library Journal)—but most critics would probably agree that it’s all been downhill since that worm book in ’91.
Karsten studied creative writing at College of the Holy Cross and earned an MFA in writing for children from Simmons College. A lifelong resident of Massachusetts, he lives for long walks in fall weather. For more information on Karsten and to keep up with his latest releases, please visit www.karstenknightbooks.com.
• the mythological fantasy THIS ETERNITY OF MASKS AND SHADOWS
• the time-traveling thriller PATCHWORK
• the historical mystery NIGHTINGALE, SING
• the volcano goddess trilogy WILDEFIRE (Simon & Schuster)
• and the spooky BONEGARDEN series for young readers.
His books have been described as “exceptional” (San Diego Union-Tribune), “action-packed” (Publishers Weekly), “riveting” (VOYA), “sizzling” (Booklist), and “compelling” (School Library Journal)—but most critics would probably agree that it’s all been downhill since that worm book in ’91.
Karsten studied creative writing at College of the Holy Cross and earned an MFA in writing for children from Simmons College. A lifelong resident of Massachusetts, he lives for long walks in fall weather. For more information on Karsten and to keep up with his latest releases, please visit www.karstenknightbooks.com.
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January 11, 2013oh god! just finished reading the second book and i'm so sooo excited for this. CAN'T WAIT!! PLSSS JUST SET THE EFFING DATE!!
*You rock Ash and I hope you burn Colt to ashes.
*You rock Ash and I hope you burn Colt to ashes.
December 4, 2013
Die colt burn to ashes and have your skin layered onto the volcano
November 9, 2013
4 1/2 stars.
Afterglow is the final book in the Wildefire trilogy about teenage reincarnated Polynesian volcano goddesses Ashline Wilde. In this last installment, Ash is hunting down Colt, her ex-boyfriend as he jumps from state-to-state looking for objects that will help him kill the all-knowing cloak race and to bring the pieces of Pele’s soul back together. With the help of new and old gods, Ashline sets out to make sure Colt doesn’t accomplish his goal, because Pele is one of the most unpredictable and dangerous goddesses around.
Afterglow takes place less than 24 hours after the events of Embers & Echoes and has the same book layout as the first two in the series; the chapters are divided into three parts and again we get flashbacks scenes of Pele and Colt but this time it’s in Maui, 1831. The story start rolling within the first 20 pages, when Ashline learns that Colt needs help from Hephaestus, Greek god of forge and metallurgy who happens to be clueless that he’s a reincarnated god. The story is nonstop action and snarky one-liners from Ashline and Eve from start to finish. I love Ashline, she’s one of the toughest heroines in the YA genre, but the one thing that bothered be this time around is the snarkiness; it was just too much. It was like every other sentence. In the beginning I thought it hilarious, second book it was still funny but now it just feels like overkill…but overall it didn’t deter me from enjoying the book.
Readers reunite with familiar gods/goddesses from the first two books and many more new ones in the flashback scenes and present. My favorite part of the book was probably the way Knight ended his trilogy. There were a LOT of casualties, more so this time around than Ember & Echoes but the good thing is that they’ll be reincarnated in the next life. The ending for Ashline was bittersweet because while she saved some important people in her life she couldn’t save everyone. As for the main-main ending (epilogue); Knight did something that no author has ever done. It was brilliant! The ending fit the series perfectly, and is probably one of the best ending I’ve ever read for a series.
Afterglow was a gratifying end to a great series. It’s been an amazing ride with Ashline and the gang, and I definitely won’t look at gods and goddesses the same way ever again. If you’re looking for a series with a refreshing concept and relatable/likable characters then this series is for you. Make sure to start at the beginning to get the full effect of this series starting with Wildefire.
Afterglow is the final book in the Wildefire trilogy about teenage reincarnated Polynesian volcano goddesses Ashline Wilde. In this last installment, Ash is hunting down Colt, her ex-boyfriend as he jumps from state-to-state looking for objects that will help him kill the all-knowing cloak race and to bring the pieces of Pele’s soul back together. With the help of new and old gods, Ashline sets out to make sure Colt doesn’t accomplish his goal, because Pele is one of the most unpredictable and dangerous goddesses around.
Afterglow takes place less than 24 hours after the events of Embers & Echoes and has the same book layout as the first two in the series; the chapters are divided into three parts and again we get flashbacks scenes of Pele and Colt but this time it’s in Maui, 1831. The story start rolling within the first 20 pages, when Ashline learns that Colt needs help from Hephaestus, Greek god of forge and metallurgy who happens to be clueless that he’s a reincarnated god. The story is nonstop action and snarky one-liners from Ashline and Eve from start to finish. I love Ashline, she’s one of the toughest heroines in the YA genre, but the one thing that bothered be this time around is the snarkiness; it was just too much. It was like every other sentence. In the beginning I thought it hilarious, second book it was still funny but now it just feels like overkill…but overall it didn’t deter me from enjoying the book.
Readers reunite with familiar gods/goddesses from the first two books and many more new ones in the flashback scenes and present. My favorite part of the book was probably the way Knight ended his trilogy. There were a LOT of casualties, more so this time around than Ember & Echoes but the good thing is that they’ll be reincarnated in the next life. The ending for Ashline was bittersweet because while she saved some important people in her life she couldn’t save everyone. As for the main-main ending (epilogue); Knight did something that no author has ever done. It was brilliant! The ending fit the series perfectly, and is probably one of the best ending I’ve ever read for a series.
Afterglow was a gratifying end to a great series. It’s been an amazing ride with Ashline and the gang, and I definitely won’t look at gods and goddesses the same way ever again. If you’re looking for a series with a refreshing concept and relatable/likable characters then this series is for you. Make sure to start at the beginning to get the full effect of this series starting with Wildefire.
August 9, 2014
My favorite series of the year.
Like the second book, this did not disappoint. It’s worth rereading book one and two just for this (pardon my poor memory). The plot, the twists, the action, there were never a dull moment and everything had its own purpose. There were several good surprises, and the ending was just superb. You really couldn’t ask for a better one.
Though Colt was the ever coniving manipulative trickster, you had to give him credits for the length that he went into resurrecting his “love”. I loved how much depths and complexities the characters had. The villain was not just any villain, you could see why he’s acting that way. The bad girl wasn’t just plain bad, she did have a heart and did an almost complete overhaul of the stereotyped image that I had of her earlier. Like with previous books, there were quite a few other side characters and many flashbacks but none prevented me from loving this book. It was interesting to watch the history of Pele and Colt unfold.
It makes one ponder the fine line between love and obsession. You might not see it when you’re thick in the middle of it. If you ask me though, I’d still rather choose having to experience some of that than none at all.
Also posted @ http://slitsread.com/2014/08/09/after...
Like the second book, this did not disappoint. It’s worth rereading book one and two just for this (pardon my poor memory). The plot, the twists, the action, there were never a dull moment and everything had its own purpose. There were several good surprises, and the ending was just superb. You really couldn’t ask for a better one.
Though Colt was the ever coniving manipulative trickster, you had to give him credits for the length that he went into resurrecting his “love”. I loved how much depths and complexities the characters had. The villain was not just any villain, you could see why he’s acting that way. The bad girl wasn’t just plain bad, she did have a heart and did an almost complete overhaul of the stereotyped image that I had of her earlier. Like with previous books, there were quite a few other side characters and many flashbacks but none prevented me from loving this book. It was interesting to watch the history of Pele and Colt unfold.
It makes one ponder the fine line between love and obsession. You might not see it when you’re thick in the middle of it. If you ask me though, I’d still rather choose having to experience some of that than none at all.
Also posted @ http://slitsread.com/2014/08/09/after...
December 29, 2016
ALL THE FEELS. No wait I'm way cooler then that. Afterglow, the final book in the wild ride of Ashline Wilde's (see what I did there?) life hits you like a 3 ton slab of rock (that's way more clever sounding when you read the book). A lot happens in this book--reunions, betrayals, death, life, love, obsession, sacrifice, traveling, BBQ'ing, but at its core the book is about love. Sentimental as that sounds, its about love in all its facets.
Ashline realizes something during the final face off with Colt (its not a spoiler, its the final book so if you didn't expect that you live under a rock). His crazy homicidal quest is not just about romance and sex, he's spent the centuries chasing down the one woman who would understand him and love him despite the fact he's a raving loon. Kind of like Rose, who always felt so alone, he's just a guy who wants a connection.
Unfortunately in order for him to have that connection he needs to meld together the perfect woman, but hey these are small things in the course of true love right? Or some homicidal maniac's idea of true love.
I've never made secret my love of these books, but that doesn't mean they're without flaws. Knight picks up a couple new gods/goddesses in the course of this novel and they wander in to move the plot forward or stymie Ashline and her friends' plans, but aren't fully there. Colt picks up deities and trades them out as it suits him, which great characterization for him, but leaves those poor fools with little detail and easily forgotten.
I think I would have also really liked to see more of the Feral Deity Army that are such a big concern for a good chunk of the book, but are treated like wooden soldiers.
There were tears at the end, when the price of protecting everyone is met, but between the trip to Hawai'i and then the rather awesome epilogue, there's a lot of hope as well. I thought Ashline's plan to make sure Colt could never be a problem again was ingenious. I'm not sure if that's what Jack (ie: the Cloak) meant exactly, but definitely amused me.
As an ending to a series? I think this was perfect. It ties up most of the loose threads, gave us backstory about Colt and Pele Love Round One (though oh oh another question - what was Colt doing that night Pele went RAWR on him?), a satisfying battle and hope for the future happiness for the deities. Death count wise this definitely beat out Wildefire and Embers and Echoes, but like I said the Epilogue is very hopeful if you squint.
Ashline realizes something during the final face off with Colt (its not a spoiler, its the final book so if you didn't expect that you live under a rock). His crazy homicidal quest is not just about romance and sex, he's spent the centuries chasing down the one woman who would understand him and love him despite the fact he's a raving loon. Kind of like Rose, who always felt so alone, he's just a guy who wants a connection.
Unfortunately in order for him to have that connection he needs to meld together the perfect woman, but hey these are small things in the course of true love right? Or some homicidal maniac's idea of true love.
I've never made secret my love of these books, but that doesn't mean they're without flaws. Knight picks up a couple new gods/goddesses in the course of this novel and they wander in to move the plot forward or stymie Ashline and her friends' plans, but aren't fully there. Colt picks up deities and trades them out as it suits him, which great characterization for him, but leaves those poor fools with little detail and easily forgotten.
I think I would have also really liked to see more of the Feral Deity Army that are such a big concern for a good chunk of the book, but are treated like wooden soldiers.
There were tears at the end, when the price of protecting everyone is met, but between the trip to Hawai'i and then the rather awesome epilogue, there's a lot of hope as well. I thought Ashline's plan to make sure Colt could never be a problem again was ingenious. I'm not sure if that's what Jack (ie: the Cloak) meant exactly, but definitely amused me.
As an ending to a series? I think this was perfect. It ties up most of the loose threads, gave us backstory about Colt and Pele Love Round One (though oh oh another question - what was Colt doing that night Pele went RAWR on him?), a satisfying battle and hope for the future happiness for the deities. Death count wise this definitely beat out Wildefire and Embers and Echoes, but like I said the Epilogue is very hopeful if you squint.
December 5, 2017
SNAPSHOT:
Jumping in less than a day after the end of the second installment, Ashline Wilde is a strong, courageous narrator, relating in first person her tale as she navigates the treacherous waters her life has become. With her ex-boyfriend Colt chasing her so he can force her and her sisters to become one person—the goddess Pele—all Ashline really wants is to find someone who can help. But she doesn’t realize: all the help she needs is already there.
Beyond fiery and feisty Ashline, the secondary cast was well-developed, particularly her sisters Eve and Rose, and Colt. Eve is not who anyone thinks that she is in the beginning of the book. Meanwhile, Rose is trapped inside a body that is too old for her. Colt is a curious villain, having apparently once been attached to Ashline. Unlike the other gods and goddesses who are reborn without memory of their past lives, Colt can remember all of his past lives. Including killing gods. But beyond that, Colt is very alone, missing the only person who has ever been able to understand him.
Even without reading the first two novels in the series, readers will enjoy as Ashline and her sisters struggle with the dire situation Colt has them in—and as they chase after him before he can kill the benevolent Cloaks. The girls understand that they were split apart for their own good and the good of the rest of the world. They do not want to be Pele—and why should they? The sisters like having their own brains and lives.
Appropriate for ages 15+. Sexual situations, death and loss, violence and murder.
Deals with family, guilt, and self-identity.
GET IT ON YOUR SHELF:
If you…
- Love kick ass heroines
- Enjoy the Percy Jackson series
- Have ever had someone you love turn into someone you hate
[[Review originally featured at https://youngentertainmentmag.com/aft... ]]
Jumping in less than a day after the end of the second installment, Ashline Wilde is a strong, courageous narrator, relating in first person her tale as she navigates the treacherous waters her life has become. With her ex-boyfriend Colt chasing her so he can force her and her sisters to become one person—the goddess Pele—all Ashline really wants is to find someone who can help. But she doesn’t realize: all the help she needs is already there.
Beyond fiery and feisty Ashline, the secondary cast was well-developed, particularly her sisters Eve and Rose, and Colt. Eve is not who anyone thinks that she is in the beginning of the book. Meanwhile, Rose is trapped inside a body that is too old for her. Colt is a curious villain, having apparently once been attached to Ashline. Unlike the other gods and goddesses who are reborn without memory of their past lives, Colt can remember all of his past lives. Including killing gods. But beyond that, Colt is very alone, missing the only person who has ever been able to understand him.
Even without reading the first two novels in the series, readers will enjoy as Ashline and her sisters struggle with the dire situation Colt has them in—and as they chase after him before he can kill the benevolent Cloaks. The girls understand that they were split apart for their own good and the good of the rest of the world. They do not want to be Pele—and why should they? The sisters like having their own brains and lives.
Appropriate for ages 15+. Sexual situations, death and loss, violence and murder.
Deals with family, guilt, and self-identity.
GET IT ON YOUR SHELF:
If you…
- Love kick ass heroines
- Enjoy the Percy Jackson series
- Have ever had someone you love turn into someone you hate
[[Review originally featured at https://youngentertainmentmag.com/aft... ]]
December 26, 2014
Perfect ending to the series!!! For once, an epilogue that actually made me love the book more. Full review to come.
July 15, 2013
The cover. Looks. AWESOME.
Come on, Ash, be the violent angsty heroine we've come to love and BE AWESOME LIKE ALWAYS.
So rooting for her in this.
Come on, Ash, be the violent angsty heroine we've come to love and BE AWESOME LIKE ALWAYS.
So rooting for her in this.
January 13, 2016
A book I've been meaning to read
December 23, 2014
Oh my god oh my god I loved this last book to the series. Definitely a must read
May 8, 2025
And he sticks the landing!
I am truly impressed with the trilogy that Karsten Knight has crafted here. The world-building, the characters, the relationships… just firing on all cylinders. And as I said in my last review, the man writes a kickass action scene. In the third book, Knight continues expanding his pantheon of reincarnated gods, with a strong emphasis on the Greeks this time around, but keeps the focus on the well-known characters we either love or love to hate.
(Although, I’m almost about to take a star off for the fact that scenes take place in Coney Island, and Knight refers to “Moon Park” and the “Tempest” roller coaster, instead of Luna Park and the Cyclone. Was it a trademark thing? Did he write the draft in another language and this was a Google Translate faux pas? Either way, it really bugged me and took me out of the story.)
If I have a nitpick – and one really has to look for nits to pick! – it’s that in this trilogy, anytime a man and woman so much as look at each other, she gets pregnant. It’s very much a Mean Girls-esque “if you have sex, you will get pregnant, and you will die!” The second or third time this happened, after one or two nights together, I couldn’t resist from a bit of eye-rolling.
I’m so glad I picked up the first book from the sale rack years ago, and managed to hunt down the sequels – it’s criminal that they’re not more widely available and read. Especially as Percy Jackson fans get older and want to take a stab at a YA story riffing on mythology, this is the perfect book for them. It’s a shame I didn’t discover it when it first came out, since there’s a chance this would have been a solid chunk of my personality at eighteen… but as is, I am wholly delighted with this trilogy.
I am truly impressed with the trilogy that Karsten Knight has crafted here. The world-building, the characters, the relationships… just firing on all cylinders. And as I said in my last review, the man writes a kickass action scene. In the third book, Knight continues expanding his pantheon of reincarnated gods, with a strong emphasis on the Greeks this time around, but keeps the focus on the well-known characters we either love or love to hate.
(Although, I’m almost about to take a star off for the fact that scenes take place in Coney Island, and Knight refers to “Moon Park” and the “Tempest” roller coaster, instead of Luna Park and the Cyclone. Was it a trademark thing? Did he write the draft in another language and this was a Google Translate faux pas? Either way, it really bugged me and took me out of the story.)
If I have a nitpick – and one really has to look for nits to pick! – it’s that in this trilogy, anytime a man and woman so much as look at each other, she gets pregnant. It’s very much a Mean Girls-esque “if you have sex, you will get pregnant, and you will die!” The second or third time this happened, after one or two nights together, I couldn’t resist from a bit of eye-rolling.
I’m so glad I picked up the first book from the sale rack years ago, and managed to hunt down the sequels – it’s criminal that they’re not more widely available and read. Especially as Percy Jackson fans get older and want to take a stab at a YA story riffing on mythology, this is the perfect book for them. It’s a shame I didn’t discover it when it first came out, since there’s a chance this would have been a solid chunk of my personality at eighteen… but as is, I am wholly delighted with this trilogy.
August 8, 2017
Rating: 3 stars - This was an okay read for me - not as thrilling as it could have been, but still decent.
This series is about a teenage volcano goddess who basically struggles with the problem of stalkers throughout the entire series. It doesn't help that her stalkers are reincarnated gods as well, so they get into a lot of trouble with the misguided intentions of her stalkers. She also falls in love with like, every other handsome teen god she meets, so there really isn't a lack of romantic scenes throughout the books.
Things I Liked:
1. I loved the concept of the book - many different gods from different cultures reincarnated - and I was really excited with each introduction of a new character with new powers.
2. WES TOWERS YAS
3. I also really liked the emphasis on family throughout the series. Even through the craziness of the events happening, Ashline never forgets to call her parents to reassure that she is still alive and well.
Things I Didn't Like:
1. There was barely any explanation of the different gods and their powers - other than a simple label like "Isis, the Egyptian goddess of the dead". I was really excited to learn about all these gods and goddesses from different cultures, but there was no backstory nor any explanation to their powers. I felt that with such a variety of characters, the author should have put an appendix at the back of the book that goes a little bit more into their powers and history.
2. When someone tells you that you are a reincarnated goddess, wouldn't you try and find out as much as possible about your history and your powers?? This just nagged at me throughout the entire series, when Ashline was operating on so little knowledge of everything - her allies' powers and weaknesses, Colt's plan, her own powers that she should be mastering - that of course things went wrong. I get that there were different crises to deal with, but she had no time to pick up a book that describes her weaknesses?
3. The entire reincarnation process wasn't explained properly either - do they reincarnate immediately after they die? Or do they have to wait for the whole cycle of gods to die before they can all reincarnate again?
4. The epilogue was also pretty unbelievable to me.
5. The Cloak. WHAT DID THEY DO AND WHAT WAS THEIR PURPOSE?
This series is about a teenage volcano goddess who basically struggles with the problem of stalkers throughout the entire series. It doesn't help that her stalkers are reincarnated gods as well, so they get into a lot of trouble with the misguided intentions of her stalkers. She also falls in love with like, every other handsome teen god she meets, so there really isn't a lack of romantic scenes throughout the books.
Things I Liked:
1. I loved the concept of the book - many different gods from different cultures reincarnated - and I was really excited with each introduction of a new character with new powers.
2. WES TOWERS YAS
3. I also really liked the emphasis on family throughout the series. Even through the craziness of the events happening, Ashline never forgets to call her parents to reassure that she is still alive and well.
Things I Didn't Like:
1. There was barely any explanation of the different gods and their powers - other than a simple label like "Isis, the Egyptian goddess of the dead". I was really excited to learn about all these gods and goddesses from different cultures, but there was no backstory nor any explanation to their powers. I felt that with such a variety of characters, the author should have put an appendix at the back of the book that goes a little bit more into their powers and history.
2. When someone tells you that you are a reincarnated goddess, wouldn't you try and find out as much as possible about your history and your powers?? This just nagged at me throughout the entire series, when Ashline was operating on so little knowledge of everything - her allies' powers and weaknesses, Colt's plan, her own powers that she should be mastering - that of course things went wrong. I get that there were different crises to deal with, but she had no time to pick up a book that describes her weaknesses?
3. The entire reincarnation process wasn't explained properly either - do they reincarnate immediately after they die? Or do they have to wait for the whole cycle of gods to die before they can all reincarnate again?
4. The epilogue was also pretty unbelievable to me.
5. The Cloak. WHAT DID THEY DO AND WHAT WAS THEIR PURPOSE?
October 25, 2024
Well, here we are in the last instalment of the series, where we encounter more gods and goddesses from around the globe. This exploration of these deities is what I find most appealing about the story.
However, I wish we could learn more in-depth insights into each one of them. Still, I recognize that the focus is primarily on the Polynesian goddess, Pele, and the ongoing fight against the relentless trickster.
One aspect I was less fond of in the story was the numerous deaths throughout the plot. While I understand that these characters will have the chance to be reborn now that the Cloak is permanently gone, leaving no one to control or punish the unruly deities, it still weighed on me.
Although the conclusion was satisfying, I wished for a more definitive resolution, eliminating the hostile deities for good, especially since, as I mentioned earlier, the Cloak is no longer in play.
Additionally, I would have loved to see a reconnection in the epilogue with those who played some role in the final battle or one that's close to Pele, such as Ade, Rolfe, Raja, and even catch up with baby Saga.
However, I wish we could learn more in-depth insights into each one of them. Still, I recognize that the focus is primarily on the Polynesian goddess, Pele, and the ongoing fight against the relentless trickster.
One aspect I was less fond of in the story was the numerous deaths throughout the plot. While I understand that these characters will have the chance to be reborn now that the Cloak is permanently gone, leaving no one to control or punish the unruly deities, it still weighed on me.
Although the conclusion was satisfying, I wished for a more definitive resolution, eliminating the hostile deities for good, especially since, as I mentioned earlier, the Cloak is no longer in play.
Additionally, I would have loved to see a reconnection in the epilogue with those who played some role in the final battle or one that's close to Pele, such as Ade, Rolfe, Raja, and even catch up with baby Saga.
February 23, 2020
I don't really know how I feel about that ending.
I liked the story over all but that ending was.... Okay? Maybe? I guess?
As for the characters... Eh. I probably liked Pele's baby the best 😂
Oh, no. Wait. I actually really liked Modo. I mean it might have been because he was a Greek god and I reeeeeally love Greek gods but I think I also liked his personality even though he got duped by Aphrodite... I really hope he doesn't go back to her... 😱
I also kind of liked Jack but he wasn't spared was he? I didn't like that part because I felt like the balance was broken. They seemed so important but in the end it doesn't look like it really affected anything, does it 🤔
The only thing that really bothered me is that I feel like the author's main goal was to kill of as many of her characters as she could. That last battle that killed so many was really unnecessary. I mean in the end their end plan was to do as Colt said 🤦 what was the point of getting all those poor gods killed? 🤦 I don't even think all the bad gods were taken out. More then two dropped out of that tree! 🤦
I liked the story over all but that ending was.... Okay? Maybe? I guess?
As for the characters... Eh. I probably liked Pele's baby the best 😂
Oh, no. Wait. I actually really liked Modo. I mean it might have been because he was a Greek god and I reeeeeally love Greek gods but I think I also liked his personality even though he got duped by Aphrodite... I really hope he doesn't go back to her... 😱
I also kind of liked Jack but he wasn't spared was he? I didn't like that part because I felt like the balance was broken. They seemed so important but in the end it doesn't look like it really affected anything, does it 🤔
The only thing that really bothered me is that I feel like the author's main goal was to kill of as many of her characters as she could. That last battle that killed so many was really unnecessary. I mean in the end their end plan was to do as Colt said 🤦 what was the point of getting all those poor gods killed? 🤦 I don't even think all the bad gods were taken out. More then two dropped out of that tree! 🤦
November 27, 2019
I had a very difficult time trying to review the first two books because I didn't feel like I could accurately judge the story until it was complete. I'm glad that I waited, Afterglow finished off of the Wildefire series beautifully. I really was on the edge of my seat through most of the books though there were a few dry points that made the story drag a bit. I enjoyed the flashback chapters but it did get slightly tough to keep track of past and present with the chapters alternating so frequently. All in all I really liked the whole series and I'm sad that it was done so quick.
December 20, 2025
Ich hatte so Angst vor diesem Reread:Das war die Reihe, die ich so sehr geliebt habe, dass ich mir als Teenager die englischen Bücher gekauft habe, als die Folgebände nicht mehr übersetzt wurden. Meine ersten Bücher auf Englisch. Und ich hab sie geliebt.
Umso mehr liebe ich sie, dass ich nun mit der gleichen Spannung, den gleichen Emotionen und der gleichen Liebe für diese Geschichte sie erneut lesen konnte. Das Alter hat nichts an meinem Blick auf diese großartige Trilogie verändert.
Ich wünsche mir von tiefstem Herzen, dass jeder diese Bücher liest. Absolut perfekt, keine Anmerkungen!
Umso mehr liebe ich sie, dass ich nun mit der gleichen Spannung, den gleichen Emotionen und der gleichen Liebe für diese Geschichte sie erneut lesen konnte. Das Alter hat nichts an meinem Blick auf diese großartige Trilogie verändert.
Ich wünsche mir von tiefstem Herzen, dass jeder diese Bücher liest. Absolut perfekt, keine Anmerkungen!
September 12, 2018
This was an excellent conclusion to the trilogy. I was as satisfied as a cat who caught the mouse. Oh goodness the satisfaction. The story and characters' actions sometimes feel a bit shallow, but I was already addicted to the story so it was easy to keep going.
I lived for Ash's sass and practicality. She was not fake the whole time. She acted how a normal person would act (relatively normal). I definitely recommend finishing the series. 10 out of 10, would do again.
I lived for Ash's sass and practicality. She was not fake the whole time. She acted how a normal person would act (relatively normal). I definitely recommend finishing the series. 10 out of 10, would do again.
September 1, 2024
I hope you see this Mr. Knight but I loved the ending and I really enjoy when authors put this much research into a book especially one with this much mythology. Thank you 😊 also very good job making Colt so villain like. I hope he dies 300000000000 deaths and each time he thinks she hasn’t read the book but she always knows.
June 8, 2019
It says a lot that I didn’t realize I skipped reading Embers & Echoes & had read it out of order until the last few pages of the book... I will not be going back to book 2 it obviously wasn’t that important & these books just weren’t for me.
October 9, 2020
Means you found something but it's to late for it now
Be happy you found something
Be happy you found something
January 8, 2021
Normally, I'm a slow reader. I finished this book in 3 days. I couldn't put it down.
January 28, 2022
Better than the first two.
September 6, 2023
Fairly solid conclusion to the series. A bit predictable at moments and a little bloated with red shirt characters, but entertaining (which is the point).
January 12, 2014
This and other reviews can be found on Reading Between Classes
Title: Afterglow
Author: Karsten Knight
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: Nov 12, 2013
Rating: 3/5
Cover Impressions: I did a little searching and found out that Laurent Linn is the cover artist for all three books. Man, does he ever do good work. All three of these covers are stunning and, as I said before, I loved that extra step of making the covers velvety soft. They make me want to cuddle them.
Review:
Afterglow is an enjoyable read with enough action to keep most readers interested. Unfortunately, it does suffer from some of the same issues that the previous books did. Ash has grown into her powers and is, at the same time, more and less reluctant to use them to hurt other gods. Eve is back, and electric as ever (heh - see what I did there?). I almost wish the series were written from dual (or tri) points of view. I would have loved seeing different scenes from inside the heads of each of the three sisters. I am a fan of the flashbacks though, they showed an interesting view of the Goddess Pele and gave some insight into the way in which the past has been influencing the present.
As I mentioned in a previous review, I really liked how we got to see a number of gods from different cultures but I wish that there was more time spent developing those characters rather than just dropping them in to hit some sort of multi-cultural quota. I am a little bitter about the arrival (and quick dismissal) or one my favorite characters from the first book. I really wanted these characters to be more than just plot movers. Every time we met an awesome and amazing god - They Die!
As with the last book, this one has definite peaks and valleys. There are lots of exciting moments and action scenes. There are, however, very few wins in the good guy category. It got a little old to see Ash and crew constantly having their asses handed to them or, when expecting a win, having it snatched out of their hands at the last moment. This does have the positive side effect of making me really hate Colt. By the end, I was itching for his death just as much as Ash was.
And then there was the ending. I was left a little unsatisfied. There were some awesome characters that were lost and then we had this strange afterword that was more than a little unbelievable*
Overall, the series was an enjoyable read, and I liked seeing all the different incarnations of the gods. And the plot was fast paced enough to keep most readers interested. Definitely buying this one to add to my classroom collection.
Teaching/Parental Notes:
Age: 15 and up
Gender: Both
Sex: Kissing, Possible sex - very vague
Violence: Death by supernatural means, hand to hand combat
Inappropriate Language: Fuck, Bastard, Asshole, Whore
Substance Use/Abuse: None
* Seriously? You expect me to believe that after 80 years, the new incarnation just happened to pick out Ashline's book from the millions that would have been printed in all that time? Assuming that the book was actually still in print?!
November 22, 2013
Review Posted on Reading Lark 11/22/13: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2013/...
Ash's story is finally coming to a close and it certainly goes out with a bang. Afterglow channels all the things I loved about the first novel while upping the stakes. Ash is still on Colt's trail, but now he has has Eve and Rose under his spell. Can Ash liberate her sisters, complete the task given to her by The Cloak, and find a way to a lead a normal life?
I have loved Ash since the first moment I met her. It's impossible not to be sucked in by her sarcasm, fierce loyalty, and moments of self doubt. She is a multi-layered character that kept me on my toes. I also loved that in spite of doubts, Ash never backs down from her convictions. She is an excellent role model for teen girls. I wish more YA heroines had some of her character traits. You won't find a damsel in distress lurking within this story.
I don't want to say too much more about the plot of this one, but I will mention that it is explosive. The character body count continues to creep higher and higher while the action and conflict intensifies. The fight scenes toward the end had me on the edge of my seat.
One of the strengths of this installment are the complex relationships. I was particularly drawn to the relationship between Ash and Eve. These two have a volatile history and it was interesting to see how things ended up for the sisters. I was slightly shocked, but I do feel that this series ended in a way I could accept. The last chapter was masterful and allowed me to leave this world with a sense of peace.
All in all, I have truly enjoyed every moment I have spent reading about Ash's adventures. This series has provided me with moments of laughter, tears, and heart palpitations. Knight's writing is also some of the best in YA. I love his use of symbolism and description. I highly recommend diving into these novels if you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Miss Wilde.
One Last Gripe: I wanted some resolution concerning Saga's fate.
My Favorite Things About This Book: I loved learning about a vast array of gods and goddesses while reading not only this novel, but the entire series. In addition, I adore these characters. Lastly, I loved all the different settings and the past merging with the present.
First Sentence: Colt's snowmobile picked up speed as her revved the engine, racing north across the vast glacier.
Favorite Character: Ash
Least Favorite Character: Epona
Ash's story is finally coming to a close and it certainly goes out with a bang. Afterglow channels all the things I loved about the first novel while upping the stakes. Ash is still on Colt's trail, but now he has has Eve and Rose under his spell. Can Ash liberate her sisters, complete the task given to her by The Cloak, and find a way to a lead a normal life?
I have loved Ash since the first moment I met her. It's impossible not to be sucked in by her sarcasm, fierce loyalty, and moments of self doubt. She is a multi-layered character that kept me on my toes. I also loved that in spite of doubts, Ash never backs down from her convictions. She is an excellent role model for teen girls. I wish more YA heroines had some of her character traits. You won't find a damsel in distress lurking within this story.
I don't want to say too much more about the plot of this one, but I will mention that it is explosive. The character body count continues to creep higher and higher while the action and conflict intensifies. The fight scenes toward the end had me on the edge of my seat.
One of the strengths of this installment are the complex relationships. I was particularly drawn to the relationship between Ash and Eve. These two have a volatile history and it was interesting to see how things ended up for the sisters. I was slightly shocked, but I do feel that this series ended in a way I could accept. The last chapter was masterful and allowed me to leave this world with a sense of peace.
All in all, I have truly enjoyed every moment I have spent reading about Ash's adventures. This series has provided me with moments of laughter, tears, and heart palpitations. Knight's writing is also some of the best in YA. I love his use of symbolism and description. I highly recommend diving into these novels if you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Miss Wilde.
One Last Gripe: I wanted some resolution concerning Saga's fate.
My Favorite Things About This Book: I loved learning about a vast array of gods and goddesses while reading not only this novel, but the entire series. In addition, I adore these characters. Lastly, I loved all the different settings and the past merging with the present.
First Sentence: Colt's snowmobile picked up speed as her revved the engine, racing north across the vast glacier.
Favorite Character: Ash
Least Favorite Character: Epona
February 10, 2014
I thought I wouldn't finish this trilogy, but I had a lot of time to kill at the library. I picked up this book in the new book section and read the entire book, cover to cover. This time I do not regret it, because the trilogy did improve.
I no longer like Colt Halliday. He's an idiot along with a bunch of other nicknames. Scumbag. Loser. Selfish dunce. Cheater. There's plenty more. Just simply mentally add in names after cheater. Colt Halliday is going down (in my mind) ever since the first chapter of Afterglow. Colt is a good villain, but a horrible dad (or babysitter, whatever you call it).
That's the only change I have. No longer supports Colt Halliday and that's it. Oh, I definitely agree that Afterglow is on the plus side of the trilogy.
Afterglow follows the last part of Ashline Wilde's journey. Boy! There's a lot of things on fire, not only the earth. More characters pop out like Colt Halliday's true "girlfriend." It turns out Pele (Ashline Wilde is one third of Pele) is the mistress and Colt was cheated on his girlfriend with Pele all along. Isn't that lovely? I agree. Along with the goddess of nightmares (Colt's girlfriend), there was Artemis (goddess of the moon), a goddess of memory, Aphrodite (goddess of beauty and love) and some more gods. Too bad there wasn't any other gods. I wanted to see Athena (goddess of wisdom).
What's a plus in Afterglow is the issue of sisters. Eve and Rose (Ashline's sisters and the other parts of Pele) explodes in this book. I don't really like how Karsten Knight tied up the Rose plot, because it seemed a bit messy. A very messy cleanup. Nice try is what I thought after I watched Knight clean that plot up. Eve, on the other hand, had a nicer cleanup, but it was a shame she ended that way. On the plus side, Eve had a nice ending and was very touchy/heartfelt. That was a nice change of the rudge girl she is.
Ashline Wide totally changed. From a violent, I-don't-take-crap, smart, and cold girl, Ashline turns into question-before-fighting and warmer girl. She was very sweet with her sisters in the end. It looks like she forgives them for their sins.
It's a nice ending. I'm serious. It's a really nice ending. Well, Afterglow has a really nice ending. It ties everything up. Although some facts are sort of shaky, Afterglow is nicely put together. I really enjoy the last book and the first book. The middle book was a bit...eh...like a middle child. Whiny, and looking for attention.
Rating: Four out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
I no longer like Colt Halliday. He's an idiot along with a bunch of other nicknames. Scumbag. Loser. Selfish dunce. Cheater. There's plenty more. Just simply mentally add in names after cheater. Colt Halliday is going down (in my mind) ever since the first chapter of Afterglow. Colt is a good villain, but a horrible dad (or babysitter, whatever you call it).
That's the only change I have. No longer supports Colt Halliday and that's it. Oh, I definitely agree that Afterglow is on the plus side of the trilogy.
Afterglow follows the last part of Ashline Wilde's journey. Boy! There's a lot of things on fire, not only the earth. More characters pop out like Colt Halliday's true "girlfriend." It turns out Pele (Ashline Wilde is one third of Pele) is the mistress and Colt was cheated on his girlfriend with Pele all along. Isn't that lovely? I agree. Along with the goddess of nightmares (Colt's girlfriend), there was Artemis (goddess of the moon), a goddess of memory, Aphrodite (goddess of beauty and love) and some more gods. Too bad there wasn't any other gods. I wanted to see Athena (goddess of wisdom).
What's a plus in Afterglow is the issue of sisters. Eve and Rose (Ashline's sisters and the other parts of Pele) explodes in this book. I don't really like how Karsten Knight tied up the Rose plot, because it seemed a bit messy. A very messy cleanup. Nice try is what I thought after I watched Knight clean that plot up. Eve, on the other hand, had a nicer cleanup, but it was a shame she ended that way. On the plus side, Eve had a nice ending and was very touchy/heartfelt. That was a nice change of the rudge girl she is.
Ashline Wide totally changed. From a violent, I-don't-take-crap, smart, and cold girl, Ashline turns into question-before-fighting and warmer girl. She was very sweet with her sisters in the end. It looks like she forgives them for their sins.
It's a nice ending. I'm serious. It's a really nice ending. Well, Afterglow has a really nice ending. It ties everything up. Although some facts are sort of shaky, Afterglow is nicely put together. I really enjoy the last book and the first book. The middle book was a bit...eh...like a middle child. Whiny, and looking for attention.
Rating: Four out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
November 24, 2013
This is the first time I get Book Hangover... and this was worse, because Afterglow was the end of Wildefire trilogy.
I don't how to say the lots of things that are boiling right now in my head and heart, there's one that I can say for sure: THIS TRILOGY HAS BECOME MY FAVORITE. So this isn't a review, just my personal opinion.
The first time I came across Wildefire was because of mynagging obsession with mythlogy, and when I realized it was about a Polynesian (yep, I've fantasied about having Polynesian heritage, maybe I stand a chance for being born and adopted "near" Chilean Polynesia) volcano goddess I practically scream at my Amazon account: "Shut up and take my money!". And of course I devoured it, and so with Embers and Echoes and Afterglow.
This totally a world I'd give anything to live in, befriend one of this (good) gods and...okay, be one a goddess (not in that "high school" kind of way, of course...and even if I wanted to, now I'm a proud college student). And Karsten, I must say that you've feed my mythology-hunger mixing all kind of cultures (Japanese, Native American, Greek, Latin american, Celtic(yaaaay! Sorry, my inner fiddler just came out), Polynesian, etc). And I'm totally in love with your narrative skills.
I think that as an adopted child, I really could identify with the feeling of gratitude toward my parents, the same Ashline has always shown and that Eve showed at the end of Afterglow. So each time my head goes to what happened to Eve at the end, my heart is being squeezed 'cause I know that my little sister would have done the same if this kind of situation ever presents (almost the same personal family issues here, but with sisters' rolls inverted, that you somehow managed to mix with this fictional world)
I really wish this book would be translated to Spanish so my friends would read it. It's really sad being the only girl who has read this amazing story. Or become a movie, why not?
AH! I almost forget it: Karsten Knight, I'm still waiting for the Embers and Echoes playlist!
I don't how to say the lots of things that are boiling right now in my head and heart, there's one that I can say for sure: THIS TRILOGY HAS BECOME MY FAVORITE. So this isn't a review, just my personal opinion.
The first time I came across Wildefire was because of my
This totally a world I'd give anything to live in, befriend one of this (good) gods and...okay, be one a goddess (not in that "high school" kind of way, of course...and even if I wanted to, now I'm a proud college student). And Karsten, I must say that you've feed my mythology-hunger mixing all kind of cultures (Japanese, Native American, Greek, Latin american, Celtic
I think that as an adopted child, I really could identify with the feeling of gratitude toward my parents, the same Ashline has always shown and that Eve showed at the end of Afterglow. So each time my head goes to what happened to Eve at the end, my heart is being squeezed 'cause I know that my little sister would have done the same if this kind of situation ever presents (almost the same personal family issues here, but with sisters' rolls inverted, that you somehow managed to mix with this fictional world)
I really wish this book would be translated to Spanish so my friends would read it. It's really sad being the only girl who has read this amazing story. Or become a movie, why not?
AH! I almost forget it: Karsten Knight, I'm still waiting for the Embers and Echoes playlist!
January 23, 2016
Originally posted on http://fortheloverofbooks.wordpress.com
Total number of pages: 1177
Number of times read (including the time before this review): 2
Rating (out of five stars): 4
There are two portions of history that I find especially fascinating: Tudor era England and mythology of any kind (although I have mostly researched Egyptian and Greek mythology). The Wildefire Trilogy focuses on mythology (because let’s be honest, the combination of Tudor era England and Mythology would most likely be frightening). Unlike most series involving mythology, The Wildefire Trilogy doesn’t only focus on the gods of one mythology, but on gods from multiple mythologies. I kid you not; this trilogy includes gods from the following mythologies: Polynesian, Norse, Hopi, Incan, Mayan, Aztec, Roman, Greek, Zulu, Egyptian, Inuit, Celtic, and Shinto.
The trilogy stars Ashline Wilde, a 16 year old Polynesian volcano goddess (I’m not going to tell you her goddess name because it’s complicated). I loved her. She was human and real. The villain also wasn’t evil for the sake of being evil; his warped mind told him that he was doing the right thing (as with all good villains).
I read this trilogy for the first time back in May/ June of 2015, so this was my second time reading it. Re-reading it didn’t take away from the emotion of the story, but rather made it emotional in a different way. The first time I read it, it was learning the truths and wrong decisions that made the reading emotional, but with reading it for the second time, knowing what the wrong decisions were made me hope (sometimes audibly) that the character wouldn’t make the mistake (even though I knew they would) and made me not want to continue reading when I knew something bad was about to happen.
That being said there were a few mistakes in the information (there may have been more than a few but I don’t know a lot about some of the mythologies mentioned). As someone who reads about mythology, the biggest mistake took away from the reading (it was an issue with the powers of the Egyptian goddess mentioned if you happen to have read these books). Thankfully/ sadly this was only an issue for the first book and a portion of the second.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Wildefire Trilogy, finding it intriguing and gripping.
(Side note: I am in love with the covers!)
Total number of pages: 1177
Number of times read (including the time before this review): 2
Rating (out of five stars): 4
There are two portions of history that I find especially fascinating: Tudor era England and mythology of any kind (although I have mostly researched Egyptian and Greek mythology). The Wildefire Trilogy focuses on mythology (because let’s be honest, the combination of Tudor era England and Mythology would most likely be frightening). Unlike most series involving mythology, The Wildefire Trilogy doesn’t only focus on the gods of one mythology, but on gods from multiple mythologies. I kid you not; this trilogy includes gods from the following mythologies: Polynesian, Norse, Hopi, Incan, Mayan, Aztec, Roman, Greek, Zulu, Egyptian, Inuit, Celtic, and Shinto.
The trilogy stars Ashline Wilde, a 16 year old Polynesian volcano goddess (I’m not going to tell you her goddess name because it’s complicated). I loved her. She was human and real. The villain also wasn’t evil for the sake of being evil; his warped mind told him that he was doing the right thing (as with all good villains).
I read this trilogy for the first time back in May/ June of 2015, so this was my second time reading it. Re-reading it didn’t take away from the emotion of the story, but rather made it emotional in a different way. The first time I read it, it was learning the truths and wrong decisions that made the reading emotional, but with reading it for the second time, knowing what the wrong decisions were made me hope (sometimes audibly) that the character wouldn’t make the mistake (even though I knew they would) and made me not want to continue reading when I knew something bad was about to happen.
That being said there were a few mistakes in the information (there may have been more than a few but I don’t know a lot about some of the mythologies mentioned). As someone who reads about mythology, the biggest mistake took away from the reading (it was an issue with the powers of the Egyptian goddess mentioned if you happen to have read these books). Thankfully/ sadly this was only an issue for the first book and a portion of the second.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Wildefire Trilogy, finding it intriguing and gripping.
(Side note: I am in love with the covers!)
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