Body of Ashes

Elizy Kingdom #3

by Nicolette Beebe

The war between Ripley’s royal magic and the nasty, unpredictable split is worsening. And if she loses, she could die. With one treacherous sacrifice, the reason for her split magic comes to light.

All who Fletcher loves shall be cursed.

The cure may be irreversible. And the road to discover one is deadly. Ripley must brave the evil unknown and find the cure before the madness of the search claims everyone she loves.

Genres: Romantasy

525 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2024

About the author

Nicolette is a Bay Area author of alluring romances that span from dark contemporary to the depths of the apocalypse. Outside of the all-consuming obsession to write, she is in love with being a full-service editor. She taught the fourth grade for five years, and is now a part-time substitute. During downtime, she enjoys knitting and crocheting while watching video game playthroughs with her hubby and fur baby.

Reviews

[Clair Learmonth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book.
I loved the concept and the characters.
But I felt this book needed better editing. There would be a great crisis which was resolved in 2 pages. Then we would rehash old insecurities which the story had moved passed. And the ending didn’t resolve the major plot line of book 3.
Felt it like quite a let down for a story that started well.

[Tara Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Already giving this 5 stars because I know Nicolette will deliver! I cannot wait to see how the epic story ends. Crossing fingers I find out this year. 😍

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I.. There are no words for how much I loved this series!
I can’t confidently say I was able to predict what happens next in this series, and what a way to enjoy the story! I was constantly on the edge of my seat with fear and anticipation, and the moment I finished one I was straight into reading the next one. As much as I’m loving how it all came together in the end.. I just want to know how the rest of their lives continued.
The story from book 1 (Body of Chaos) was written in a way that you knew exactly where you were, what you were seeing and who was who. The story start to finish (although based on Rapunzel) was constantly encouraging you to keep reading to find out what happens next, and next after that! Without giving spoilers, the emotions and twists and turns you get taken on will leave you needing to take some time to regather yourself, as if you have just gotten off the best type of adrenaline rush rollercoaster.
I will definitely be re-reading these but I will be holding off until we get the MMC’s POV book, which again.. I’m already strapping myself in for the wild ride that will bring me on.

[Danelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant brilliant brilliant... I love this series, and it is always my nr1 recommendation.

So much happening in this book left me going...what??? Then, Okay, all good now...again...what???? Such a good read, the world building is fantastic, and the characters are amazing. The whole story flows really well and keeps you hooked. Definitely not a predictable read and keeps you on your toes to see what happens next.

Not the ending I expected, but it does have a HEA. You need to read the books in order. All three books follow each other.

[Tori Cosmick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, the final in the Elizy trilogy, was truly beautiful. It brings a glorious closure to the main characters story and it's truly a great read! I loved all three of these books and will likely reread them many times going forward! I love rapunzel and this story truly captured the magic!

[Tori Cosmick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, the final in the Elizy trilogy, was truly beautiful. It brings a glorious closure to the main characters story and it's truly a great read! I loved all three of these books and will likely reread them many times going forward! I love rapunzel and this story truly captured the magic!

[Amelia-Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story with unexpected (and some heartbreaking ) twists . HOWEVER it was the conclusion that this series needed imo 🥰💖

[chasingreadingdays Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fletcher and Ripley do get a HEA. This book made me smile, cry, panic, dread. When I tell you I went on a journey. This book was the bottom of the Onyx River and captivated me.

[Krystal Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great finish to the story! Super cute!

[Katelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to begin this story after devouring books 1 and 2, and while the scene building, descriptions and character explanations were amazing, I did find that this edition felt rushed.

My main callouts may matter to some, may not matter all to others but it comes down to proof reading and editing. I found various character names spelt differently through the story (to be fair Shakespeare changed how he spelled his own name) and some sentences repeated themselves or missed key words. For me this threw me out of the imaginative and beautiful world at times as I've have to return to the sentence to re-read or make sense.

I also took a little longer to read through this one - there were definitely exciting parts, unexpected twists and some intelligent storylines and situations which I thoroughly enjoyed, but it was more of a struggle to push through at times. Especially towards the end I found some key issues went unresolved and unexplained, forgotten to the classic "two months later" way of story telling.

Overall I do like the story and would recommend reading it with the first 2 books so you can get fully involved in a unique world. Nicolette is amazingly talented with world building and it's a truly beautiful experience (the forest, fields, cities, Onyx River...)

Hopefully we get a Novella to address the open-ended questions, as I sure want to understand how we got the ending we did without addressing the core conflict.

[baylie chestnut · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the first two books and sadly didn’t find closure in the last book. I really wished to see more character building between Ripley and her bio mom, especially after the kings death. And to go through everything for there to be no solution because fletchers mother is dead was a huge letdown. In the end fletcher said he couldn’t love the child Ripley practically adopted but was reading a bedtime story to her and I could already sense that no matter what a love bond would’ve been formed. Stating that he would live through Ripleys love made no sense to me in the end. All through out the books the jealousy never ended and I would’ve loved to see that wrapped up as well. I mean they were married!!! Overall not bad for an authors first few books and I am looking forward to reading more of her books as she grows.

[Rhi F · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this series and o think of the ending hadn’t felt like such a let down to me, I probably could have given more stars. ☹️ old insecurities we’re CONSTANTLY being re-hashed, relationships had basically no development to a relationship it was just stated that all the sudden they were together or best friends but no actual development to that point or a reason to a lot of the characters that pop up. Conflict resolution basically doesn’t happen, I felt like they’re mad, they don’t talk about, they have sex, and then we never talk about it?

Also, I really, really, want this book to go through a really good editing process. The characters felt half developed and so did the story line. There were plot holes and the writing often didn’t flow well, but there so much potential

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best Rapunzel retelling I’ve read to date!

All I have to say is that this series will not disappoint you!!

Beebe balanced every aspect of these books perfectly! Action, romance, character development, yada yada. Each book in this series will leave you asking questions, and eagerly wanting to read what’s next! I say this assuming there’s someone out there worried about the series falling apart (because yes, that trauma is too real 🥲), we’ll just know that I had the same concerns, but was happily surprised by the opposite!!

Again, this series didn’t disappoint. And I am throughly excited to read what’s next to come 💖

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I was just rating the characters and how fun the story was it would be a 5 hands down. I really enjoyed these characters!

I had to give it 3 stars because I didn't understand 2 main parts of the ending.
1. I thought the Elizy kingdom needed royal blood for protection? But if they are choosing not to have children, did they doom the kingdom?
2. How did they adopt at the end without spreading the curse? It's obvious Fletcher loves Gothlette so did they just disregard the curse? If that's the case, why not try for their own kid like Ripley wanted?

Maybe I missed the explanations on these, but I'd love any clarification!

[Denasia Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I completely enjoyed this series in its entirety! It kept me on my toes and kept me guessing. I laughed, a teared up, and I got so frustrated but I loved the ride. I gave it four stars only because it wasn’t the happily ever after Ripley wanted for half the book, but it was still heartwarming. 10/10 would read this series again and can’t wait to be able to read it from Fletcher’s POV!

[Steph Kashmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much! Quite a few turns I didn’t see coming. I really enjoyed the weaving of plot lines that I hadn’t guessed were connected. The ending was also so fulfilling. Can’t wait for Fletcher’s perspective!!!

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hoped for better from this book. But what we got was a lot of repetition, Riley wanting sex and needing rescue, and in general being a brat. She was on occasion a strong female, but on the whole she was all over the map and just not that likeable.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐ Such a beautiful ending for Ripley and Fletcher. 😍😍😍

[Jessica Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

This whole series was incredible, fast paced and just so good. The last book in the series was a wild ride but ended in the perfect little way!

[Hannah Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

but but, but, how can it be over 😭 I'm not ok. I need more answers!

[Hilary Woodard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, this was the best closure to this series I could have hoped for! I really dove into the characters and everything about this series. I absolutely loved this dark retelling Rapunzel!

[Myria Candies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Body of Ashes was a finale I couldn't wait for! An epic journey and steamy romance bent on saving everyone Fletcher loves from a curse established long ago! The world building always leaves me breathless. Nicolette has a way with words and prose like no other! I really enjoyed the new creatures and what the curse was! Every character got a resolution in one way or another. Every plot line established was resolved in some manner! Nicolette not only delivered a stunning and well written end to the trilogy, she wrapped a bow on the classic retell of Rapunzel! The ending was well thought out and unique. The last words of the novel play over and over in my head. 😭