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Favors within Ashes
Favors within Ashes submerges you under the pain of squinting eyes and clenching teeth.
Blood and obedience rules over the holy lands of Canoria, where the kiss of whips unleash orders and sharpened steel cuts the flesh of those who pretend not to have heard the snap!
Man created sin.
The completion of the largest temple ever to be raised in the continent of Dautrinias approaches. King Kristoff Lodort promises songs of celebration, gathering the purest of maidens, the mightiest kings, and the most beloved queens in Radiant Star for a festivity deemed to please the gods.
While the final brick is laid, Marco Doran is confined in between the Crown’s merciless rebirth knights and his struggle to prove his worth.
Unrest and tragedy surround the capital while the cold talons of heretics spread their poison over all that is holy.
Highborn and lowborn, none are truly safe, as the seed of deception and doubt sprouts from within the Lodort kingship.
There is only one way, through the pain!
Blood and obedience rules over the holy lands of Canoria, where the kiss of whips unleash orders and sharpened steel cuts the flesh of those who pretend not to have heard the snap!
Man created sin.
The completion of the largest temple ever to be raised in the continent of Dautrinias approaches. King Kristoff Lodort promises songs of celebration, gathering the purest of maidens, the mightiest kings, and the most beloved queens in Radiant Star for a festivity deemed to please the gods.
While the final brick is laid, Marco Doran is confined in between the Crown’s merciless rebirth knights and his struggle to prove his worth.
Unrest and tragedy surround the capital while the cold talons of heretics spread their poison over all that is holy.
Highborn and lowborn, none are truly safe, as the seed of deception and doubt sprouts from within the Lodort kingship.
There is only one way, through the pain!
755 pages, ebook
Published November 15, 2024
20 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
John D. Escu
2 books22 followersJohn D. Escu is a Romanian-born tattoo artist and musician living in Germany.
Raised in a military family, John was fascinated as a child with his parents’ stories regarding events occurring throughout Medieval Europe, WW1, WW2 and the Romanian Revolution of 1989.
Where his father would focus on warfare and military conquests, his mother would terrify him and his sister with tales and legends of Romanian folklore.
Vampires and "Strigois" rising from their graves, roaming the streets under the full moon, gave them both sleepless nights, as they both feared what could be lurking outside their windows.
Fascinated with comic books, Saturday morning cartoons, and early ’90s anime, John began drawing and developing his own stories at an early age, creating characters, places, and events that later on could only be presented through the form of novels.
When he is not writing, tattooing, recording music or drawing, John can be found mountain biking in the wilderness of Franconia in Germany.
Raised in a military family, John was fascinated as a child with his parents’ stories regarding events occurring throughout Medieval Europe, WW1, WW2 and the Romanian Revolution of 1989.
Where his father would focus on warfare and military conquests, his mother would terrify him and his sister with tales and legends of Romanian folklore.
Vampires and "Strigois" rising from their graves, roaming the streets under the full moon, gave them both sleepless nights, as they both feared what could be lurking outside their windows.
Fascinated with comic books, Saturday morning cartoons, and early ’90s anime, John began drawing and developing his own stories at an early age, creating characters, places, and events that later on could only be presented through the form of novels.
When he is not writing, tattooing, recording music or drawing, John can be found mountain biking in the wilderness of Franconia in Germany.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
December 27, 2025
Am citit volumul 1 din Favors within Ashes cu un amestec de fascinație și revoltă. Mi s-a părut că întreaga construcție a lumii e o oglindă a tensiunii dintre tradiție și ruptura ei. Canoria, cu baronii și supraveghetorii ei, e un regat care trăiește din umilirea șobolanilor(epitet pentru sclavi), iar dezbaterea despre „oase pietrificate” sau mâncare adevărată mi-a rămas ca un simbol al felului în care puterea decide cine merită să trăiască.
Familia Doran m-a impresionat cel mai mult: moartea lui Molnar înaintea mamei sale, Cathela, arată cât de crud e sistemul și cum tragedia nu cruță nici copiii. În Vorandan, Seran Steol mi-a apărut ca un personaj care vrea să spargă lanțul înghețat, chiar dacă asta îl pune împotriva tatălui său. Iar finalul cu Manela, prinsă între intruși și profeția „Canoria va arde”, mi-a lăsat un gust amar și o curiozitate intensă pentru ce urmează.
Pentru mine, volumul nu e doar o poveste fantastică, ci o cronică despre opresiune, fragilitate și despre cum fiecare moarte sau revoltă mică devine parte dintr-un lanț ce așteaptă să fie rupt.
Familia Doran m-a impresionat cel mai mult: moartea lui Molnar înaintea mamei sale, Cathela, arată cât de crud e sistemul și cum tragedia nu cruță nici copiii. În Vorandan, Seran Steol mi-a apărut ca un personaj care vrea să spargă lanțul înghețat, chiar dacă asta îl pune împotriva tatălui său. Iar finalul cu Manela, prinsă între intruși și profeția „Canoria va arde”, mi-a lăsat un gust amar și o curiozitate intensă pentru ce urmează.
Pentru mine, volumul nu e doar o poveste fantastică, ci o cronică despre opresiune, fragilitate și despre cum fiecare moarte sau revoltă mică devine parte dintr-un lanț ce așteaptă să fie rupt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2025
First of all, I want to thank the author for writing to me and proposing this collaboration — I couldn’t be more thrilled that it happened! Also, a big thanks for sending me a physical copy (you probably saw my excitement in the video I posted the day I received the book!).
I totally bombarded him with private messages and he patiently explained things whenever I needed clarity or when I managed to confuse myself. I mean, it is fantasy, of course I wasn’t going to understand everything perfectly right away!
At first glance, the story might seem straightforward, since the main “conflict” revolves around the temple being built at King Kristoff’s request (a madman, if you ask me), but the story is so much more than that.
The characters, their emotions, their actions, their thoughts, and how they are seen by those around them — everything is so well captured. And even though it might seem overwhelming or dense at times, each chapter, each new perspective hides little “gems” that only feed your curiosity further. At least, that’s how it was for me…
It might feel overwhelming because of the large number of characters, but the glossary really helps with that, as do the multiple perspectives through which the story is told. Once you get the hang of it, it flows smoothly. The perspectives begin to intertwine, the characters start to “collide” and everything becomes more intriguing and captivating with each page.
It portrays characters from various social classes, from the “rats” (the downtrodden, seen as disposable), to the middle class who don’t exactly have it easy but can’t complain too much either, all the way to royalty, who obviously live in luxury and have nothing to complain about — except maybe King Kristoff, who terrifies the entire nation.
Personally, I can say this character drove me absolutely mad and irritated me to no end — but at the same time, I was fascinated by how his mind works. Just when I thought he might be capable of humanity, he’d turn around and trick me however he pleased. He toyed with me the same way he did with those he ruled and it actually started to scare me.
Another character that truly fascinated me — and deeply moved me — was Marco Doran, a beaten-down “rat” who seemed to attract every misfortune in the world, but who had the biggest heart. His perspective and that of his daughter Mara, touched me in ways I didn’t think possible. Every time I finished one of their chapters, my heart hurt.
I can’t even find the right words to describe this book properly. The universe is rich and complex, the characters are carefully developed and hold more than they show and the story carries you not just through different points of view but through a wide range of emotions. I became attached to the characters, suffered alongside them, feared for their fate and also felt anger and frustration at the injustices they faced. I was surprised by certain appearances and encounters and now that I’ve reached the end, I’m eagerly awaiting the second volume — the ending left me with so many questions I need answered ASAP.
I wholeheartedly recommend it. It requires patience, especially at the beginning, but I promise you — it’s so worth it!
Especially considering the author also created the illustrations, including the maps and the character art. How cool is that?
He’s also romanian 🇷🇴… so, I’m even prouder! ❤️
I totally bombarded him with private messages and he patiently explained things whenever I needed clarity or when I managed to confuse myself. I mean, it is fantasy, of course I wasn’t going to understand everything perfectly right away!
At first glance, the story might seem straightforward, since the main “conflict” revolves around the temple being built at King Kristoff’s request (a madman, if you ask me), but the story is so much more than that.
The characters, their emotions, their actions, their thoughts, and how they are seen by those around them — everything is so well captured. And even though it might seem overwhelming or dense at times, each chapter, each new perspective hides little “gems” that only feed your curiosity further. At least, that’s how it was for me…
It might feel overwhelming because of the large number of characters, but the glossary really helps with that, as do the multiple perspectives through which the story is told. Once you get the hang of it, it flows smoothly. The perspectives begin to intertwine, the characters start to “collide” and everything becomes more intriguing and captivating with each page.
It portrays characters from various social classes, from the “rats” (the downtrodden, seen as disposable), to the middle class who don’t exactly have it easy but can’t complain too much either, all the way to royalty, who obviously live in luxury and have nothing to complain about — except maybe King Kristoff, who terrifies the entire nation.
Personally, I can say this character drove me absolutely mad and irritated me to no end — but at the same time, I was fascinated by how his mind works. Just when I thought he might be capable of humanity, he’d turn around and trick me however he pleased. He toyed with me the same way he did with those he ruled and it actually started to scare me.
Another character that truly fascinated me — and deeply moved me — was Marco Doran, a beaten-down “rat” who seemed to attract every misfortune in the world, but who had the biggest heart. His perspective and that of his daughter Mara, touched me in ways I didn’t think possible. Every time I finished one of their chapters, my heart hurt.
I can’t even find the right words to describe this book properly. The universe is rich and complex, the characters are carefully developed and hold more than they show and the story carries you not just through different points of view but through a wide range of emotions. I became attached to the characters, suffered alongside them, feared for their fate and also felt anger and frustration at the injustices they faced. I was surprised by certain appearances and encounters and now that I’ve reached the end, I’m eagerly awaiting the second volume — the ending left me with so many questions I need answered ASAP.
I wholeheartedly recommend it. It requires patience, especially at the beginning, but I promise you — it’s so worth it!
Especially considering the author also created the illustrations, including the maps and the character art. How cool is that?
He’s also romanian 🇷🇴… so, I’m even prouder! ❤️
July 19, 2025
I firmly believe this book, Favors Within Ashes, has found its way to me at the moment it was meant to. The moment when oppression is as real as ever, and social injustice blooms like the most fertile weed. The moment when the Earth itself cries for everything that's being done.
There is no oppression that can be characterised as small. No suffering that doesn't deserve mentioning and remembering. Just like one small boy who cheated death only to be robbed of his last remnants of life moments after. Like one broken man who decided there was no more kneeling after years of suffering, no matter how small the chances of victory were. Like one girl who never lost her spark and fight, even after years of suffering at the hands of men. Everyone has a point with no return, and everyone deserves to rise and fight for what is right.
This is what Favors Within Ashes is. A fantasy story, yes. A fantasy, but also so much more. A tractate of suffering at the whims of those who deemed themselves more worthy. A tale of those seen as mere rats. But in whose eyes?
Why is someone given the chance to thrive while others are not? Why is someone seen as nobility and others as rats? And when will it stop?
Revolutions often start small. All it takes is one spark to ignite the fire. And I’d say the spark has already been lit.
Don’t miss the moment the flame catches. The fires will be roaring.
There is no oppression that can be characterised as small. No suffering that doesn't deserve mentioning and remembering. Just like one small boy who cheated death only to be robbed of his last remnants of life moments after. Like one broken man who decided there was no more kneeling after years of suffering, no matter how small the chances of victory were. Like one girl who never lost her spark and fight, even after years of suffering at the hands of men. Everyone has a point with no return, and everyone deserves to rise and fight for what is right.
This is what Favors Within Ashes is. A fantasy story, yes. A fantasy, but also so much more. A tractate of suffering at the whims of those who deemed themselves more worthy. A tale of those seen as mere rats. But in whose eyes?
Why is someone given the chance to thrive while others are not? Why is someone seen as nobility and others as rats? And when will it stop?
Revolutions often start small. All it takes is one spark to ignite the fire. And I’d say the spark has already been lit.
Don’t miss the moment the flame catches. The fires will be roaring.
November 18, 2024
Format: E-book
Very good book with lots of character and world building. I must admit that I struggled with the first few chapters as there are A LOT of characters introduced and multiple POVS to keep up with. However, if you stick with it, it becomes easier and so much more enjoyable to read! I am a massive fan of anything dark and twisted and this didn’t disappoint 😂
Favors Within Ashes is a very complex dark fantasy book which focuses on hierarchy and power within the world of Dautrinias. The twists and turns build up suspense and leave you on edge as you continue to read and almost … bond… with different characters. The book also focuses on strong beliefs such as the Pillar , the Fountain and the Gods. This specific focus on strong beliefs really helps the reader to understand the way that these characters think and live day to day.
I also love how the book includes illustrations of certain characters which have been drawn by the author himself. It’s one thing being able to picture the way a character looks as a reader (through words only) , but seeing how the author intended for the characters to look through illustrations is a really nice touch.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the next book to come out.
I received an advanced review copy for free and leaving this review of my own free will. Thank you!
Very good book with lots of character and world building. I must admit that I struggled with the first few chapters as there are A LOT of characters introduced and multiple POVS to keep up with. However, if you stick with it, it becomes easier and so much more enjoyable to read! I am a massive fan of anything dark and twisted and this didn’t disappoint 😂
Favors Within Ashes is a very complex dark fantasy book which focuses on hierarchy and power within the world of Dautrinias. The twists and turns build up suspense and leave you on edge as you continue to read and almost … bond… with different characters. The book also focuses on strong beliefs such as the Pillar , the Fountain and the Gods. This specific focus on strong beliefs really helps the reader to understand the way that these characters think and live day to day.
I also love how the book includes illustrations of certain characters which have been drawn by the author himself. It’s one thing being able to picture the way a character looks as a reader (through words only) , but seeing how the author intended for the characters to look through illustrations is a really nice touch.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable read and I can’t wait for the next book to come out.
I received an advanced review copy for free and leaving this review of my own free will. Thank you!
January 15, 2026
Sunt foarte incantata ca am dat peste aceasta bijuterie, nu am citit-o, am savurat-o. Acest tanar autor, roman, scrie extraordinar de bine in engleza. Povestea foarte bine creionata, cursiva. Nu am putut sa o las din mana. Foarte bine executate si ilustratiile, ajuta mult. Abia astept volumul urmator, este un tanar autor care promite foarte mult.
I am delighted to have stumbled upon this gem; I didn't just read it, I savored it. This young Romanian author writes exceptionally well in English. The story is very well crafted and flows smoothly. I couldn't put it down. The illustrations are also very well done and add a lot to the book. I can't wait for the next volume; this is a young author who shows great promise.
August 28, 2024
A Kafkaesque version of Game of Thrones - but in a good way! 🐀
✨NO SPOILERS✨
If you love fantasy books about politics, social problems and intrigues placed in a harsh, unforgiving world similar to Middle Ages (with different fauna and different scientific achievements), where the main motivators are power, fear and hunger, then this one is a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you want something light that you can read before bed and enjoy the lives of the characters in it, you should really skip Favors Within Ashes: Sins of Starlight Collapse. To read this book, you will need focus and patience and that is the main reason why I believe this book won't be a new "tiktok miracle".
The first chapters might seem boring and there are many characters introduced in each of them, but the writer manages to untangles it all without any plot holes. The description of everything is detailed, sometimes very detailed, and you need just a little bit of imagination to picture the world the author had in mind. After the world building, the story becomes more interesting and I was very invested to find out what will happen, but the ending is a cliffhanger and the destinies of many characters will be known only in the following book(s). I grew very fond of some of the protagonists and I would really like to read the stories of the characters that were just introduced with a promise to become more relevant in the future.
I can say honestly that I enjoyed reading this. You can see the author has a lot more to say, and it would be interesting to find out what he envisioned for his characters who survived the ordeals of their world in Book 1.
I give 4/5 stars because I just needed a bit stronger climax, that moment of peak tension and conflict when I can't stop reading even if the house was on fire, but I believe something like that is left for the second book.
✨NO SPOILERS✨
If you love fantasy books about politics, social problems and intrigues placed in a harsh, unforgiving world similar to Middle Ages (with different fauna and different scientific achievements), where the main motivators are power, fear and hunger, then this one is a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you want something light that you can read before bed and enjoy the lives of the characters in it, you should really skip Favors Within Ashes: Sins of Starlight Collapse. To read this book, you will need focus and patience and that is the main reason why I believe this book won't be a new "tiktok miracle".
The first chapters might seem boring and there are many characters introduced in each of them, but the writer manages to untangles it all without any plot holes. The description of everything is detailed, sometimes very detailed, and you need just a little bit of imagination to picture the world the author had in mind. After the world building, the story becomes more interesting and I was very invested to find out what will happen, but the ending is a cliffhanger and the destinies of many characters will be known only in the following book(s). I grew very fond of some of the protagonists and I would really like to read the stories of the characters that were just introduced with a promise to become more relevant in the future.
I can say honestly that I enjoyed reading this. You can see the author has a lot more to say, and it would be interesting to find out what he envisioned for his characters who survived the ordeals of their world in Book 1.
I give 4/5 stars because I just needed a bit stronger climax, that moment of peak tension and conflict when I can't stop reading even if the house was on fire, but I believe something like that is left for the second book.
November 15, 2024
3.5-3.75 ⭐️ | Overall a decent debut and I’m definitely interested to continue exploring the world of Dautrinias in book 2!
A grim dark fantasy with plenty of politics, complex world-building and characters with multiple storylines and POVs
I enjoyed the medieval setting, the characters and their stories. They are very well developed and it was great to see multiple POVs with some cases being the complete opposite perspectives. It really helped to bring the politics of Dautrinias to life. I did frequently find myself saying ‘please just give them a break’ quite a few times 😅.
This was advertised as a character-driven story, so I knew what to expect. It definitely delivered on providing multiple storylines, but also felt it didn’t really delve too much into an overarching storyline. From what was ‘revealed’/‘hinted’ at throughout, I imagine we’ll see more of this in the later books. {this is a personal preference where I do prefer a mix}
There is a lot of complex world building with multiple POVs and storylines being introduced at once, which did make it a little difficult to get into or understand where the story was going. It did grip me a little more further into the book by slowly seeing how the characters fit into the story.
I did feel the ending kinda just stopped at a random place, with so much left unresolved but not necessarily cliffhanger-ish. Come back for book 2 😂.
I really loved the amount of effort and thought John’s put into this book. He’s taken on feedback from a lot of ARC readers as seen in his Insta updates, and the additional information provided was super helpful given the amount of information in this book! The hand-drawn illustrations of people, creatures, and chapter illustrations for each POV was a really cool touch as well!
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A grim dark fantasy with plenty of politics, complex world-building and characters with multiple storylines and POVs
I enjoyed the medieval setting, the characters and their stories. They are very well developed and it was great to see multiple POVs with some cases being the complete opposite perspectives. It really helped to bring the politics of Dautrinias to life. I did frequently find myself saying ‘please just give them a break’ quite a few times 😅.
This was advertised as a character-driven story, so I knew what to expect. It definitely delivered on providing multiple storylines, but also felt it didn’t really delve too much into an overarching storyline. From what was ‘revealed’/‘hinted’ at throughout, I imagine we’ll see more of this in the later books. {this is a personal preference where I do prefer a mix}
There is a lot of complex world building with multiple POVs and storylines being introduced at once, which did make it a little difficult to get into or understand where the story was going. It did grip me a little more further into the book by slowly seeing how the characters fit into the story.
I did feel the ending kinda just stopped at a random place, with so much left unresolved but not necessarily cliffhanger-ish. Come back for book 2 😂.
I really loved the amount of effort and thought John’s put into this book. He’s taken on feedback from a lot of ARC readers as seen in his Insta updates, and the additional information provided was super helpful given the amount of information in this book! The hand-drawn illustrations of people, creatures, and chapter illustrations for each POV was a really cool touch as well!
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2025
First of all, a thank you to the author for providing me with a free digital copy of his book. I embrace his bravery in deciding to let me do a review.
Disclaimer: I did let the author know what he was getting into, and he agreed with the premise. So without further adieu... BUCKLE IN! Author gave me a free copy and deserves a proper review and he's getting the full Peter experience, along with the rest of you!
The premise? Unique.
The intrigue? Definitely there.
The characters? Interesting.
The world? Strange, mysterious.
Overall tone and atmosphere? Grimdark fantasy.
So far so good, right?
..right?
yeah... but 3 stars? Why 3 stars? What's the BUT here?
The writing?
The writing.
Yeah, the writing...
is BAD.
I was pulled in by the characters, by the world, by the mystique of so many unknowns.
But then I encountered the writing.
What's wrong with it?
It's ONE DIMENSIONAL. It's... it's weird. It's curt. It's awkward. Stilted.
"Patiently waiting his turn, Marco stood up, slowly moving"
That's just an odd sentence; one that repeats itself numerous times through out the book.
Why not just write "Marco slowly stood up"?
"He continued his pacing as his unshaven chin slowly moved"
Why is everything slowly moving here? Things keep slowly moving as you progress through the book. Maybe this planet is several times Earth's gravity? Who knows...
There is also a distinct lack of vocabulary, variety or synonyms.
"Noolan roared from atop his small rulek..."
Roar.
There it is... that word.
ROAR.
I swear, there was a section in this book where I read the word "roar" used 8 times within 2 pages... even a fucking DOOR roared open at one point.
Roar... or yell. Or loudly proclaim. Or thunder. Or shout. Exclaim. Sing. Bellow. "Shook the walls with his shriek". Banged open. Something. Anything! Let's use our words and maintain variety and non-monotony.
On the other hand, the writing some times just needlessly over-complicates very common concepts and things by dragging out the description.
"Half-bald, with a thick, dirty white beard and burned, wrinkled skin from the sun..."
SUN-BURNED! There's a word for that, and it's sun-burned. Weathered. Dry.
"He ground his teeth. Blood pumped rhythmically within."
HIS HEART WAS POUNDING! Just say that. Blood already pumps pretty rhythmically on its own. If it doesn't, please visit a doctor.
"Marco then took his bottle of water and used its contents to clean the wound"
It's just insulting at that point. You already said it was water, I'm sure most people can deduce that he's cleaning it with said water...
"With every breath he took, particles of sand invaded his mouth, making him cough"
Just say 'sand'... just 'sand' works here. No need to sound clever.
"A massive pile of broken wall debris formed a water-fall of iron and stone flowing."
WATER-FALL. You already implied it was flowing. A water fall FLOWS. Physics, fluid dynamics, etc etc. We can infer from the given info that the debris was flowing in a water-fall-like dynamic without having it repeated or spelled out for us.
I also found the somewhat annoying character dialects inconsistent.
Some times they can't say 't'. Some times they can't say 'o'. Some times it's 'y', some times it's 'e'.
""Wha' is this?" The men ignored him. "When will I get my rewar'? Who ar' you""
But then, a page later that same character suddenly can't say 'u'...
"It means he is nervous, yo' fool"
But... but, he said YOU before! Why can't he suddenly say YOU anymore!
I know the author is trying to establish dialect here, but I'd just drop it at that point. Inconsistent and honestly makes it harder to immerse yourself in the story. It does get kinda funny though at points, since people randomly lose the ability to pronounce 's' or 'r', like wtf am I even reading?
There's a lot more I want to nitpick, but I won't. Don't want to be too pedantic, do I?
And, regardless of the writing, I was interested in the story and the characters and the world. The tower was super interesting as a whole. Not to mention, the author included quite a few drawings in the book, and they are really well done! So, while I might have a problem with the author's writing, I'd definitely get a tattoo by him.
Anyhoo, I'm tired of writing now.
To the author; again, thanks for the book!
I hope you got something out of this.
Disclaimer: I did let the author know what he was getting into, and he agreed with the premise. So without further adieu... BUCKLE IN! Author gave me a free copy and deserves a proper review and he's getting the full Peter experience, along with the rest of you!
The premise? Unique.
The intrigue? Definitely there.
The characters? Interesting.
The world? Strange, mysterious.
Overall tone and atmosphere? Grimdark fantasy.
So far so good, right?
..right?
yeah... but 3 stars? Why 3 stars? What's the BUT here?
The writing?
The writing.
Yeah, the writing...
is BAD.
I was pulled in by the characters, by the world, by the mystique of so many unknowns.
But then I encountered the writing.
What's wrong with it?
It's ONE DIMENSIONAL. It's... it's weird. It's curt. It's awkward. Stilted.
"Patiently waiting his turn, Marco stood up, slowly moving"
That's just an odd sentence; one that repeats itself numerous times through out the book.
Why not just write "Marco slowly stood up"?
"He continued his pacing as his unshaven chin slowly moved"
Why is everything slowly moving here? Things keep slowly moving as you progress through the book. Maybe this planet is several times Earth's gravity? Who knows...
There is also a distinct lack of vocabulary, variety or synonyms.
"Noolan roared from atop his small rulek..."
Roar.
There it is... that word.
ROAR.
I swear, there was a section in this book where I read the word "roar" used 8 times within 2 pages... even a fucking DOOR roared open at one point.
Roar... or yell. Or loudly proclaim. Or thunder. Or shout. Exclaim. Sing. Bellow. "Shook the walls with his shriek". Banged open. Something. Anything! Let's use our words and maintain variety and non-monotony.
On the other hand, the writing some times just needlessly over-complicates very common concepts and things by dragging out the description.
"Half-bald, with a thick, dirty white beard and burned, wrinkled skin from the sun..."
SUN-BURNED! There's a word for that, and it's sun-burned. Weathered. Dry.
"He ground his teeth. Blood pumped rhythmically within."
HIS HEART WAS POUNDING! Just say that. Blood already pumps pretty rhythmically on its own. If it doesn't, please visit a doctor.
"Marco then took his bottle of water and used its contents to clean the wound"
It's just insulting at that point. You already said it was water, I'm sure most people can deduce that he's cleaning it with said water...
"With every breath he took, particles of sand invaded his mouth, making him cough"
Just say 'sand'... just 'sand' works here. No need to sound clever.
"A massive pile of broken wall debris formed a water-fall of iron and stone flowing."
WATER-FALL. You already implied it was flowing. A water fall FLOWS. Physics, fluid dynamics, etc etc. We can infer from the given info that the debris was flowing in a water-fall-like dynamic without having it repeated or spelled out for us.
I also found the somewhat annoying character dialects inconsistent.
Some times they can't say 't'. Some times they can't say 'o'. Some times it's 'y', some times it's 'e'.
""Wha' is this?" The men ignored him. "When will I get my rewar'? Who ar' you""
But then, a page later that same character suddenly can't say 'u'...
"It means he is nervous, yo' fool"
But... but, he said YOU before! Why can't he suddenly say YOU anymore!
I know the author is trying to establish dialect here, but I'd just drop it at that point. Inconsistent and honestly makes it harder to immerse yourself in the story. It does get kinda funny though at points, since people randomly lose the ability to pronounce 's' or 'r', like wtf am I even reading?
There's a lot more I want to nitpick, but I won't. Don't want to be too pedantic, do I?
And, regardless of the writing, I was interested in the story and the characters and the world. The tower was super interesting as a whole. Not to mention, the author included quite a few drawings in the book, and they are really well done! So, while I might have a problem with the author's writing, I'd definitely get a tattoo by him.
Anyhoo, I'm tired of writing now.
To the author; again, thanks for the book!
I hope you got something out of this.
October 19, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book. It has multiple POVs and focuses and lots of different events.
Im honestly struggling with what to write about this book. I loved some of the characters (Seran and Kilean ur doing great!), and absolutely HATED others (Kristoff and carol i would gut you if i had the chance), and i LOVE how well developed these characters are. They are so well detailed and i really found myself invested in them and found myself developing very set emotions for some of these characters.
I like the feel of this world and the detail in it, i like the sense of “not everything in life goes your way/is nice”. I do wish certain aspects of the continent were developed slightly further, however im sure we will definitely get that opportunity in future instalments which i eagerly anticipate!
Parts of this book are incredibly developed and detailed! The level of thought and detail that has gone into them is honestly astounding. I appreciate and applaud that greatly. We focus on multiple characters and storylines that they find themselves on concurrently. However… as great as i find this, i do feel like there was a lack of a clear cut “main storyline” with so much going on I wasnt exactly sure of what the actual “goal” of the story of the book was, everything kind of just felt like a side quest? The one storyline that i felt might have been the main storyline had almost no progression in it, particularly when you factor in how long this book is. I understand this series will have future instalments so all will be revealed at a later time but i do just find myself wishing for just a bit more progression along some of the story points.
But even with that final note, i do feel like this is a good book and i definitely would recommend this to people who are into this genre! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I really am excited for Vol.2 in the Sins Of Starlight Collapse series!
Disclosure: i read this book as an ARC reader but am writing this review of my own desire, i received no payment or compensation for this review.
Im honestly struggling with what to write about this book. I loved some of the characters (Seran and Kilean ur doing great!), and absolutely HATED others (Kristoff and carol i would gut you if i had the chance), and i LOVE how well developed these characters are. They are so well detailed and i really found myself invested in them and found myself developing very set emotions for some of these characters.
I like the feel of this world and the detail in it, i like the sense of “not everything in life goes your way/is nice”. I do wish certain aspects of the continent were developed slightly further, however im sure we will definitely get that opportunity in future instalments which i eagerly anticipate!
Parts of this book are incredibly developed and detailed! The level of thought and detail that has gone into them is honestly astounding. I appreciate and applaud that greatly. We focus on multiple characters and storylines that they find themselves on concurrently. However… as great as i find this, i do feel like there was a lack of a clear cut “main storyline” with so much going on I wasnt exactly sure of what the actual “goal” of the story of the book was, everything kind of just felt like a side quest? The one storyline that i felt might have been the main storyline had almost no progression in it, particularly when you factor in how long this book is. I understand this series will have future instalments so all will be revealed at a later time but i do just find myself wishing for just a bit more progression along some of the story points.
But even with that final note, i do feel like this is a good book and i definitely would recommend this to people who are into this genre! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I really am excited for Vol.2 in the Sins Of Starlight Collapse series!
Disclosure: i read this book as an ARC reader but am writing this review of my own desire, i received no payment or compensation for this review.
February 5, 2025
Firstly, thank you so much to John D. Escu for sending me a copy of Favors Within Ashes.
When John approached me about reviewing his book, I was instantly interested by the premise he sent me. It sent…lets say…grimdark tingles down my spine. I needed something dark and something gritty.
Well I can safely say that Favors Within Ashes delivered a much needed hit of dark and gritty with a nice healthy sprinkling of violence. Favors Within Ashes is set in the world of Dautrinias and follows a variety of characters, from the lowest rats (this will make sense once you read it!) to kings and generals. I thought, that the variety of morally grey characters was superb and felt a special connection with Marco and Dolur, who I’m super excited to see what is in store for in the next book.
The world building in this book is superb, detailed and gritty in the likes of Game of Thrones. There was a strong focus on politics and religion which I thought were excellently done. Alongside this, it featured a rather unique form of magic…or rather rebirth.
One struggle I did have with Favors Within Ashes was its size and complex world. It did take me a little while to get acquainted and picture the world. Once I did, the story really flowed, and I especially enjoyed the second half of the book, alongside some very unique and edge of the seat action scenes.
Once again, thank you to John for sending me a copy of this book, alongside some beautiful artwork, created by himself. If you are on the looking for a new grimdark world, with a variety of POV characters, politics, religion and a satisfying addition of underclass empowerment, then this is the ideal book to satisfy your needs!
October 21, 2024
Overall, an intriguing book with a new world and wide range of characters. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
The world in this book has been thought of in great detail, the new creatures and transport alone make this world instantly different. Multiple character point of views build the world and happenings steadily. You can see that it’s a world with ~20 years of ideas and illustrations behind it!
That said, there’s perhaps too much in the one book. It probably takes until about 40-50% of the way in for things to start to click. The initial parts of the book are intense with new characters, places and creatures introduced regularly. It was, at times, confusing and a bit of a slog.
There a few good twists throughout that kept it interesting, and some I didn’t see coming, however it felt like the book didn’t go anywhere, a main plot line never emerged. However, it is planned to be part of a series so that may come along in book 2. If this was simply an introductory book to a world and a series then there is the opportunity for a really impressive series to come!
The ending felt disappointing. There was no tense moment or even big cliffhanger, the story just sort of stopped. There were some big events towards the end, but no plot line came to an end leaving it all hanging. Take nothing away from the detailed world that’s been begun though, book 2 will be on my list and I can only imagine it will be onwards and upwards 👏
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world in this book has been thought of in great detail, the new creatures and transport alone make this world instantly different. Multiple character point of views build the world and happenings steadily. You can see that it’s a world with ~20 years of ideas and illustrations behind it!
That said, there’s perhaps too much in the one book. It probably takes until about 40-50% of the way in for things to start to click. The initial parts of the book are intense with new characters, places and creatures introduced regularly. It was, at times, confusing and a bit of a slog.
There a few good twists throughout that kept it interesting, and some I didn’t see coming, however it felt like the book didn’t go anywhere, a main plot line never emerged. However, it is planned to be part of a series so that may come along in book 2. If this was simply an introductory book to a world and a series then there is the opportunity for a really impressive series to come!
The ending felt disappointing. There was no tense moment or even big cliffhanger, the story just sort of stopped. There were some big events towards the end, but no plot line came to an end leaving it all hanging. Take nothing away from the detailed world that’s been begun though, book 2 will be on my list and I can only imagine it will be onwards and upwards 👏
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Read
December 17, 2024Dnf at 32%
Thank you kindly to the author for sending me a digital copy. All opinions remain 100% genuine.
First off the illustrations dotted throughout were a great touch to really get a sense of how the author envisioned his world. I did appreciate that.
I also appreciated the sheer level of detail that was thoughtfully woven to create a unique setting, lore and world.
Unfortunately, I found myself lacking any connection with our characters and despite the effort and care taken to consider detail and description of it all, I was still very lost as to the lay of the land and their religion and magic.
After trying to really sink my teeth into it on many occasions, I decided I shouldn't force it any longer and admit defeat by dnfing at 32%, and accept that it probably wasn't a book for me.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
Thank you kindly to the author for sending me a digital copy. All opinions remain 100% genuine.
First off the illustrations dotted throughout were a great touch to really get a sense of how the author envisioned his world. I did appreciate that.
I also appreciated the sheer level of detail that was thoughtfully woven to create a unique setting, lore and world.
Unfortunately, I found myself lacking any connection with our characters and despite the effort and care taken to consider detail and description of it all, I was still very lost as to the lay of the land and their religion and magic.
After trying to really sink my teeth into it on many occasions, I decided I shouldn't force it any longer and admit defeat by dnfing at 32%, and accept that it probably wasn't a book for me.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
October 6, 2024
I truly loved every second of this book! Think game of thrones epic fantasy, world building with characters to truly love, truly loathe and much much more!
The world building and character development throughout truly leaves the reader on the edge of their seat unable to put the book down. The suspense was epic in itself.
The book contains illustrations completed by the author of the characters which were joyous to behold as it really helped to bring the characters to life as the author intended. It really drew the story together in a lovely way.
I received an arc copy of the book courtesy of the author. Thank you so much. I cannot wait to read the next one. Congratulations on writing such a captivating and wonderful novel! Two words - truly breathtaking!
The world building and character development throughout truly leaves the reader on the edge of their seat unable to put the book down. The suspense was epic in itself.
The book contains illustrations completed by the author of the characters which were joyous to behold as it really helped to bring the characters to life as the author intended. It really drew the story together in a lovely way.
I received an arc copy of the book courtesy of the author. Thank you so much. I cannot wait to read the next one. Congratulations on writing such a captivating and wonderful novel! Two words - truly breathtaking!
September 11, 2024
John Escu's Favours within ashes is captivating story, filled with complex characters, emotion, suspense and fantastic world building.
It's violent and gritty world, which the author doesn't shy away from and instead leans into it, making it all the more graphic and paints a picture that really stays with you.
Fantastic book that should be on anyone who's into dark fantasy, I look forward to reading more from them!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It's violent and gritty world, which the author doesn't shy away from and instead leans into it, making it all the more graphic and paints a picture that really stays with you.
Fantastic book that should be on anyone who's into dark fantasy, I look forward to reading more from them!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 14, 2024
this was everything that I was looking for in the start of the Sins of Starlight Collapse series. It had that feel that I wanted and enjoyed getting into this world. It had that element that I was looking for and wanted to continue reading this after it ended. John D. Escu has a strong writing style and left me wanting to read more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 27, 2025
Grim dark fantasy with a touch of medevil. A heavy start leads the reader into a fully fleshed out world . Alot of POVs but in a good way.
I liked it, and am already thirsting for more of this story.
I got a free copy by the author to read and review. Just a disclaimer.
I liked it, and am already thirsting for more of this story.
I got a free copy by the author to read and review. Just a disclaimer.
November 18, 2024
Favors Within Ashes is a breathtaking start to the Sins of Starlight Collapse series, delivering a masterful blend of intense storytelling, complex characters, and vivid worldbuilding that will leave you absolutely amazed.
The book plunges readers into a dark yet mesmerizing world where sin, power, and rebellion collide. The narrative paints a stark picture of humanity’s struggles—both external and internal— as the characters avigate the treacherous waters of loyalty, faith, and survival amidst the chaos surrounding them.
The worldbuilding is extraordinary, with many details that bring the harsh realities to life. Every scene in this book is steeped in atmosphere and tension. The characters, both highborn and lowborn, are layered and compelling, with their motives and flaws adding depth to this dark tale.
The twists are skillfully woven, keeping you guessing as the story builds toward its climax. Add to this the book’s stunning illustrations and a captivating cover, and Favors Within Ashes becomes not just a story, but an immersive experience that lingers long after you turn the last page.
For fans of grimdark fantasy, this is an absolute must-read. Prepare yourself for a gripping journey, because in this world, “there is only one way—through the pain.”
Favors Within Ashes ist ein unglaublich mitreißender Start in die Sins of Starlight Collapse-Reihe. Mit packender Erzählkunst, komplexen Figuren und einem beeindruckenden Worldbuilding zieht dieses Buch einen von der ersten Seite an in seinen Bann.
Die Geschichte wirft uns in eine düstere, aber faszinierende Welt, in der Sünde, Macht und Rebellion miteinander kollidieren. Sie zeigt auf, wie schwer Menschen mit ihren äußeren und inneren Konflikten zu kämpfen haben, während sie versuchen, inmitten des Chaos um sie herum zu bestehen.
Das Worldbuilding ist einfach genial. Die vielen kleinen Details lassen die harte, oft gnadenlose Realität dieser Welt lebendig werden. Jede Szene ist atmosphärisch und voller Spannung. Die Charaktere– egal ob aus hohen oder niederen Schichten – sind vielschichtig, zeigen Schwächen und ihre Beweggründen, die die Story noch tiefgründiger und düsterer machen.
Die Wendungen sind clever und sorgen immer wieder für Überraschungen, während die Handlung Stück für Stück an Tempo aufnimmt. Die großartigen Illustrationen und ein wirklich cooles Cover, machen das das Buch zu einem echten Erlebnis.
Für alle Fans von Grimdark-Fantasy: Macht euch bereit für eine Reise, die euch nicht so schnell loslassen wird, denn in dieser Welt gilt nur eins: Der einzige Weg führt durch den Schmerz.
The book plunges readers into a dark yet mesmerizing world where sin, power, and rebellion collide. The narrative paints a stark picture of humanity’s struggles—both external and internal— as the characters avigate the treacherous waters of loyalty, faith, and survival amidst the chaos surrounding them.
The worldbuilding is extraordinary, with many details that bring the harsh realities to life. Every scene in this book is steeped in atmosphere and tension. The characters, both highborn and lowborn, are layered and compelling, with their motives and flaws adding depth to this dark tale.
The twists are skillfully woven, keeping you guessing as the story builds toward its climax. Add to this the book’s stunning illustrations and a captivating cover, and Favors Within Ashes becomes not just a story, but an immersive experience that lingers long after you turn the last page.
For fans of grimdark fantasy, this is an absolute must-read. Prepare yourself for a gripping journey, because in this world, “there is only one way—through the pain.”
Favors Within Ashes ist ein unglaublich mitreißender Start in die Sins of Starlight Collapse-Reihe. Mit packender Erzählkunst, komplexen Figuren und einem beeindruckenden Worldbuilding zieht dieses Buch einen von der ersten Seite an in seinen Bann.
Die Geschichte wirft uns in eine düstere, aber faszinierende Welt, in der Sünde, Macht und Rebellion miteinander kollidieren. Sie zeigt auf, wie schwer Menschen mit ihren äußeren und inneren Konflikten zu kämpfen haben, während sie versuchen, inmitten des Chaos um sie herum zu bestehen.
Das Worldbuilding ist einfach genial. Die vielen kleinen Details lassen die harte, oft gnadenlose Realität dieser Welt lebendig werden. Jede Szene ist atmosphärisch und voller Spannung. Die Charaktere– egal ob aus hohen oder niederen Schichten – sind vielschichtig, zeigen Schwächen und ihre Beweggründen, die die Story noch tiefgründiger und düsterer machen.
Die Wendungen sind clever und sorgen immer wieder für Überraschungen, während die Handlung Stück für Stück an Tempo aufnimmt. Die großartigen Illustrationen und ein wirklich cooles Cover, machen das das Buch zu einem echten Erlebnis.
Für alle Fans von Grimdark-Fantasy: Macht euch bereit für eine Reise, die euch nicht so schnell loslassen wird, denn in dieser Welt gilt nur eins: Der einzige Weg führt durch den Schmerz.
August 29, 2024
If you love fantasy books about politics, social problems and intrigues placed in a harsh, unforgiving world that is similar to Middle Ages (with different fauna and different scientific achievements), where the main motivators are power, fear and hunger, then this one is a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you want something light that you can read before bed and enjoy the lives of the characters in it, you should really skip Favors Within Ashes: Sins of Starlight Collapse. To read this book, you will need focus and patience and that is the main reason why I believe this book won't be a new "tiktok miracle".
The first chapters might seem boring and there are many characters introduced in each of them, but the writer manages to untangles it all without any plot holes. The description of everything is detailed, sometimes very detailed, and you need just a little bit of imagination to picture the world the author had in mind. After the world building, the story becomes more interesting and I was very invested to find out what will happen, but the ending is a cliffhanger and the destinies of many characters will be known only in the following book(s). I grew very fond of some of the protagonists and I would really like to read the stories of the characters that were just introduced with a promise to become more relevant in the future.
I can say honestly that I enjoyed reading this. You can see the author has a lot more to say, and it would be interesting to find out what he envisioned for his characters who survived the ordeals of their world in Book 1.
I give 4/5 stars because I just needed a bit stronger climax, that moment of peak tension and conflict when I can't stop reading even if the house was on fire, but I believe something like that is left for the second book.
The first chapters might seem boring and there are many characters introduced in each of them, but the writer manages to untangles it all without any plot holes. The description of everything is detailed, sometimes very detailed, and you need just a little bit of imagination to picture the world the author had in mind. After the world building, the story becomes more interesting and I was very invested to find out what will happen, but the ending is a cliffhanger and the destinies of many characters will be known only in the following book(s). I grew very fond of some of the protagonists and I would really like to read the stories of the characters that were just introduced with a promise to become more relevant in the future.
I can say honestly that I enjoyed reading this. You can see the author has a lot more to say, and it would be interesting to find out what he envisioned for his characters who survived the ordeals of their world in Book 1.
I give 4/5 stars because I just needed a bit stronger climax, that moment of peak tension and conflict when I can't stop reading even if the house was on fire, but I believe something like that is left for the second book.
September 16, 2024
I have started Favors within ashes being a little relunctant but mostly curious to see if I am able to follow such a complex fantasy book, only to get to the point where I could not put it down!
This book has left me feeling grateful for the life I am living and It was such an experience for me! I am definitely waiting to read the next books in the series!
It has everything! From drama and a little humour, to romance and true love, friendship and incredible character development. Furthermore, the descriptions are to die for! Every single detail is so well thought and related that most of the scenes make you physically feel what the character is feeling, you can see the images forming in front of your eyes!
The world building is well paced, enough to keep you interested but not too fast as to be able to keep up with all the characters and information. Different character and relationship dynamics and settings keep the storyline flowing and easy to follow. Characters’ POV also add a lot of depth to the story as it sets the scene, giving little glimpses into their history and upbringing, explaining and justifying the current state of each character and the choices they’re making.
Although it’s a fantasy world and nothing is as we know our life to be, John made the characters so realistic that I am sure every single one of his readers will be able to find similarities with their own life and relate to some parts of the story.
For me reading this book was truly an adventure in itself and I have had so many feelings throughout every single chapter. It made me empathyse with the characters, I have laughed and I have cried.
It is definitelly one of those books that I wish I could read again for the first time!
This book has left me feeling grateful for the life I am living and It was such an experience for me! I am definitely waiting to read the next books in the series!
It has everything! From drama and a little humour, to romance and true love, friendship and incredible character development. Furthermore, the descriptions are to die for! Every single detail is so well thought and related that most of the scenes make you physically feel what the character is feeling, you can see the images forming in front of your eyes!
The world building is well paced, enough to keep you interested but not too fast as to be able to keep up with all the characters and information. Different character and relationship dynamics and settings keep the storyline flowing and easy to follow. Characters’ POV also add a lot of depth to the story as it sets the scene, giving little glimpses into their history and upbringing, explaining and justifying the current state of each character and the choices they’re making.
Although it’s a fantasy world and nothing is as we know our life to be, John made the characters so realistic that I am sure every single one of his readers will be able to find similarities with their own life and relate to some parts of the story.
For me reading this book was truly an adventure in itself and I have had so many feelings throughout every single chapter. It made me empathyse with the characters, I have laughed and I have cried.
It is definitelly one of those books that I wish I could read again for the first time!
November 16, 2024
Grim dark isn’t a genre I’d normally go for, but the advert for this book sounded really interesting so I thought I’d give it a try and I’m glad I did! The story is a medieval setting with knights, kingdoms, peasants ‘rats’ living in Dautrinias and fighting for survival.
The author does a great job of building up the world and characters, giving you enough information to understand what’s going on, whilst also holding enough back it keeps you wanting to read more to get the full picture. There are also lots of highly populated maps showing the various areas described in the story which can be helpful to understand where the characters are and where their journey takes them.
The story contains multiple POVs with characters from a range of backgrounds and it’s interesting to see how the characters and stories start to intermingle with one another throughout the book. I also liked the illustrations throughout and the guide of animals, terminology and bloodlines described at the end of the book.
There was plenty left unexplained and a cliffhanger to set up for the next book, which I both like and dislike - the cliffhanger is good but I personally would have liked some additional explanations for events in this book without the need to read the rest of the series.
Violence, tyranny and death feature heavily and therefore I think fans of the Game of Thrones series will really enjoy this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
The author does a great job of building up the world and characters, giving you enough information to understand what’s going on, whilst also holding enough back it keeps you wanting to read more to get the full picture. There are also lots of highly populated maps showing the various areas described in the story which can be helpful to understand where the characters are and where their journey takes them.
The story contains multiple POVs with characters from a range of backgrounds and it’s interesting to see how the characters and stories start to intermingle with one another throughout the book. I also liked the illustrations throughout and the guide of animals, terminology and bloodlines described at the end of the book.
There was plenty left unexplained and a cliffhanger to set up for the next book, which I both like and dislike - the cliffhanger is good but I personally would have liked some additional explanations for events in this book without the need to read the rest of the series.
Violence, tyranny and death feature heavily and therefore I think fans of the Game of Thrones series will really enjoy this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
September 22, 2024
- ARC review -
"There is only one way, through the pain!"
This is a glorius story. It has everything you want and wish from a good fantasy book: world building, maps, epic characteres, conflicts, good writing style, drawings, starts with a shock and ends with a shock.
The attention to details the author has is out of this world. Each chapter finishes with a mini cliffhanger, making you want to know what happens next. The tension keeps growing and growing with each word, leaving you breatless and at the edge of your seat.
Beeing the first book from the series, it took it's time with the world building and slowly introducing new characters. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but after I passed 50 pages I was hooked and I never looked back.
My favorite character, for some reason is Mara. I'm rooting for you, girl! But the others are equally awsome... John really knows how to wake inside you emotions for his characters. Some made me feel sad, some made me feel hopeful and happy, some made me feel disgust and hate, some left me conflicted (I'm talking about you Kristoff... if it weren't for that special emotional scene I wouldn't have a problem).
The finale ends with a bang and I can't wait for the second book.
Thank you John D. Escu for allowing me into this beautiful world of yours.
"There is only one way, through the pain!"
This is a glorius story. It has everything you want and wish from a good fantasy book: world building, maps, epic characteres, conflicts, good writing style, drawings, starts with a shock and ends with a shock.
The attention to details the author has is out of this world. Each chapter finishes with a mini cliffhanger, making you want to know what happens next. The tension keeps growing and growing with each word, leaving you breatless and at the edge of your seat.
Beeing the first book from the series, it took it's time with the world building and slowly introducing new characters. It was a bit overwhelming at first, but after I passed 50 pages I was hooked and I never looked back.
My favorite character, for some reason is Mara. I'm rooting for you, girl! But the others are equally awsome... John really knows how to wake inside you emotions for his characters. Some made me feel sad, some made me feel hopeful and happy, some made me feel disgust and hate, some left me conflicted (I'm talking about you Kristoff... if it weren't for that special emotional scene I wouldn't have a problem).
The finale ends with a bang and I can't wait for the second book.
Thank you John D. Escu for allowing me into this beautiful world of yours.
April 11, 2025
ARC Review: Thank you again for the trust in an honest review in exchange for a copy of your Debut novel.
This book is dark (as in proper dark!), political, speaks of religion and is very intricate.
The world is really well thought, deeply intriguing and full of amazing creatures and singular living beings.
Triggers: Please be warned there is violence against creatures and really detailed description of injuries.
Unfortunately, it had to let this book go halfway through. I tried hard to keep reading it but decided that, ultimately, I would not be able to enjoy it with the same fervour it deserves and I attribute it entirely to my taste and not the author’s fault.
The book is dense, full of information and creative entities, which is usually my cup of tea, but in this case felt like too much.
I also could not create a connection with the characters which was unfortunate and had to reread a few parts as the cause for certain actions was only explained after the fact.
Bonus: The author did his own illustrations!! Don’t think I’ve ever read a book with art from the author within the chapters, so this is definitely worth mentioning.
This book is dark (as in proper dark!), political, speaks of religion and is very intricate.
The world is really well thought, deeply intriguing and full of amazing creatures and singular living beings.
Triggers: Please be warned there is violence against creatures and really detailed description of injuries.
Unfortunately, it had to let this book go halfway through. I tried hard to keep reading it but decided that, ultimately, I would not be able to enjoy it with the same fervour it deserves and I attribute it entirely to my taste and not the author’s fault.
The book is dense, full of information and creative entities, which is usually my cup of tea, but in this case felt like too much.
I also could not create a connection with the characters which was unfortunate and had to reread a few parts as the cause for certain actions was only explained after the fact.
Bonus: The author did his own illustrations!! Don’t think I’ve ever read a book with art from the author within the chapters, so this is definitely worth mentioning.
September 10, 2024
Dark fantasy isn’t a genre I usually go for but I saw the ARC for this advertised and I knew I had to go for it!
John D. Escu does a fantastic job of world building and painting vivid stories for the characters. The art of writing phonetically to show the accents of the characters is something I personally really like, as it feels personal and like you’re hearing the characters.
The maps, drawing of characters and other “Key” features of the book is a beautiful touch, especially knowing they’ve been drawn by the author himself.
It’s a long book (700+ pages) so it’s a big commitment and ends on a cliffhanger, so you’ll obviously need to pick up the next book, too!
I’ve rated this 4/5 mainly because it isn’t my usual genre and it was very heavy on the violence and death, but that’s my own personal feelings. Favors within Ashes is incredibly well written and an enjoyable read.
I received an Advanced Review Copy for free and I’m happily leaving this review of my own free will. Thank you!
John D. Escu does a fantastic job of world building and painting vivid stories for the characters. The art of writing phonetically to show the accents of the characters is something I personally really like, as it feels personal and like you’re hearing the characters.
The maps, drawing of characters and other “Key” features of the book is a beautiful touch, especially knowing they’ve been drawn by the author himself.
It’s a long book (700+ pages) so it’s a big commitment and ends on a cliffhanger, so you’ll obviously need to pick up the next book, too!
I’ve rated this 4/5 mainly because it isn’t my usual genre and it was very heavy on the violence and death, but that’s my own personal feelings. Favors within Ashes is incredibly well written and an enjoyable read.
I received an Advanced Review Copy for free and I’m happily leaving this review of my own free will. Thank you!
October 25, 2025
There were some really cool ideas in this book, such as the rulek nests and rebirth. The world building was quite good, and I liked the story.
The art on the cover and between chapters was great. I enjoyed that.
The book was impeccably copy-edited, giving it a professional feel. However, that was mitigated by many odd turns of phrase and word usages throughout the book that did not quite make sense or feel natural. I made annotations, but the list is much too long to include here. There might be a couple hundred.
Finally, although this is a staple of epic fantasy, there were just a few too many characters to keep track of. It wasn't until very late that characters like the general, the king, or Marco got some real depth. I just didn't care who lived or died.
There was a cool bit of mystery at the end that I found effective. Overall, I liked the book, but there were some quirks and depth issues. It was still better than a lot of real trash that gets published by big name outlets.
Decent book, could be really good.
The art on the cover and between chapters was great. I enjoyed that.
The book was impeccably copy-edited, giving it a professional feel. However, that was mitigated by many odd turns of phrase and word usages throughout the book that did not quite make sense or feel natural. I made annotations, but the list is much too long to include here. There might be a couple hundred.
Finally, although this is a staple of epic fantasy, there were just a few too many characters to keep track of. It wasn't until very late that characters like the general, the king, or Marco got some real depth. I just didn't care who lived or died.
There was a cool bit of mystery at the end that I found effective. Overall, I liked the book, but there were some quirks and depth issues. It was still better than a lot of real trash that gets published by big name outlets.
Decent book, could be really good.
November 18, 2024
I usually don’t read books like this but honestly I genuinely thought this was an AMAZING book! It is very detailed within the side of world and character building, which i did struggle a little with at first but as i got into it, it was absolutely awesome!
I absolutely LOVED the medieval environment with the social standing element which we even still see today! It was VERY well written!😊
I also loved how all of the stories tied into one another throughout as you could see the story unfolding but also leaving you just enough to know whats happening but making you want to read even MORE, a very amazing start to what i’m sure will be an amazing series! Very excited to read more and i will certainly will be re-reading it again on release to relive the world again!🙌🏻
I also LOVED the maps and illustrations within the book, it made the imagination even stronger within the story, it was wonderful!
I Received an advanced review copy for free, and i am leaving this review voluntarily.
I absolutely LOVED the medieval environment with the social standing element which we even still see today! It was VERY well written!😊
I also loved how all of the stories tied into one another throughout as you could see the story unfolding but also leaving you just enough to know whats happening but making you want to read even MORE, a very amazing start to what i’m sure will be an amazing series! Very excited to read more and i will certainly will be re-reading it again on release to relive the world again!🙌🏻
I also LOVED the maps and illustrations within the book, it made the imagination even stronger within the story, it was wonderful!
I Received an advanced review copy for free, and i am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 1, 2025
The rats are the most dangerous it seems. They may be starved within inches of their lives; they may not have much to give in a fight when it comes to energy and they do not have fantastical beasts. They have something fiercer. They have HOPE. And they are not what you think.
We do get different Point of Views with this one. And slowly their fates intertwine. We get to learn who they are and what they are made of. Marco seems to be the future hero here in the beginning. Will he be so in the end?
The world building here is great. I spent days in the mountain, not so much the temple though, just a little, hiding from the kings’ soldiers. Is he the true king, or is he a usurper? And I found it really fascinating how some “beasts” come to be.
I really took my time with this one, immersed myself in the pages. I will read this book again, there might be things I missed the first time, and I want to ‘get’ it all!
We do get different Point of Views with this one. And slowly their fates intertwine. We get to learn who they are and what they are made of. Marco seems to be the future hero here in the beginning. Will he be so in the end?
The world building here is great. I spent days in the mountain, not so much the temple though, just a little, hiding from the kings’ soldiers. Is he the true king, or is he a usurper? And I found it really fascinating how some “beasts” come to be.
I really took my time with this one, immersed myself in the pages. I will read this book again, there might be things I missed the first time, and I want to ‘get’ it all!
November 15, 2024
First of all, I have to say buckle up! You’re in for a ride! While reading it, I cried, and laughed and got mad at certain characters, I experienced a whole spectrum of feelings.
Second of all, as a fantasy lover, this book provides it all. I loved how thoroughly the world building is, and you can tell how much passion was poured into it, it takes a while to get used to the different povs, but it’s all worth it. I already have my favourite character and can’t wait for the next book.
I read this book on my kindle, but I had to have a physical copy as well, especially for the hand drawings.
I do recommend it to everyone and yes, it’s a bit dark, but I believe a bit of it can be found in contemporary society.
Don’t want to give any spoilers, so don’t hesitate to get it in any format, cause it’s well worth it!!!
5/5 stars !!!
Can’t wait for the second book! ❤️
Second of all, as a fantasy lover, this book provides it all. I loved how thoroughly the world building is, and you can tell how much passion was poured into it, it takes a while to get used to the different povs, but it’s all worth it. I already have my favourite character and can’t wait for the next book.
I read this book on my kindle, but I had to have a physical copy as well, especially for the hand drawings.
I do recommend it to everyone and yes, it’s a bit dark, but I believe a bit of it can be found in contemporary society.
Don’t want to give any spoilers, so don’t hesitate to get it in any format, cause it’s well worth it!!!
5/5 stars !!!
Can’t wait for the second book! ❤️
September 27, 2024
I saw videos about this book on instagram and was interested. I only recently came out of a reading slump and have been reading fantasy.
This was very very different from my usual reads. I loved how John Escu builds a world that is different. I got sucked into a violent and gritty world that has a captivating beauty in its darkness.
It is a bit confusing at first, but give it time and it will be a worthwhile read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was very very different from my usual reads. I loved how John Escu builds a world that is different. I got sucked into a violent and gritty world that has a captivating beauty in its darkness.
It is a bit confusing at first, but give it time and it will be a worthwhile read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 15, 2024
Favors Within Ashes by John D. Escu
Be prepared to be thrown in to this world with no warning or map. It immediately starts with brutality, keeps the gas pedal to the floor and expects you to keep up. Reminiscent, in a way, of Joe Abercrombie's First Law series.
The world building was done nicely. The reader comes to an understanding of various concepts as the story progresses, rather than having things explained as seen in more traditional writing.
Or you can cheat and look at the glossary, but what is the fun in that?
Spice: 00000/5
Be prepared to be thrown in to this world with no warning or map. It immediately starts with brutality, keeps the gas pedal to the floor and expects you to keep up. Reminiscent, in a way, of Joe Abercrombie's First Law series.
The world building was done nicely. The reader comes to an understanding of various concepts as the story progresses, rather than having things explained as seen in more traditional writing.
Or you can cheat and look at the glossary, but what is the fun in that?
Spice: 00000/5
May 12, 2025
B- first, a big thank you to the author for a chance to read and review!
Escu has created an immensely complex, dark and harrowing world. The characters are guided by emotion and choices have consequences that are both immediate and cast long shadows.
The illustrations are a beautiful touch that make this a more immersive and personal read.
I did struggle a bit with just how dark it was at times and I did feel that things dragged a bit early on. Yet, I still enjoyed my experience. Escu is one heck of a world builder.
Escu has created an immensely complex, dark and harrowing world. The characters are guided by emotion and choices have consequences that are both immediate and cast long shadows.
The illustrations are a beautiful touch that make this a more immersive and personal read.
I did struggle a bit with just how dark it was at times and I did feel that things dragged a bit early on. Yet, I still enjoyed my experience. Escu is one heck of a world builder.
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