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Beauty from Ashes #1
Beauty from Ashes
There’s only one rule in survive—or die trying.
No one has ever left alive.
Acadia’s life has hit rock bottom. Once the darling of Beulah’s social elite, betrayal landed her in Gehenna—the notorious debtors' prison. Now every day is a battle just to stay breathing.
To live, she must become as ruthless as the monsters around her. So Acadia hardens her heart, sealing off the emotions that could get her killed.
She won’t care. She won’t trust. She won’t break.
Then he arrives.
A stranger—scarred, smiling, and maddeningly kind. He insists he’s not a prisoner, just a visitor in rags.
Worse, the stranger vows to rescue her, when everyone knows the only way out of Gehenna is in a body bag.
So why does her heart ache to believe him?
The more she’s around him, the harder it becomes to ignore the fire he awakens in her soul.
In a place built to crush every trace of goodness, he might just be her undoing—or her salvation.
Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Ted Dekker’s Circle Trilogy, Beauty from Ashes is a fast-paced, dystopian fantasy packed with high-stakes romance, brutal choices, and a spark of light in the deepest darkness.
Start reading now and discover what rises when everything else burns away.
No one has ever left alive.
Acadia’s life has hit rock bottom. Once the darling of Beulah’s social elite, betrayal landed her in Gehenna—the notorious debtors' prison. Now every day is a battle just to stay breathing.
To live, she must become as ruthless as the monsters around her. So Acadia hardens her heart, sealing off the emotions that could get her killed.
She won’t care. She won’t trust. She won’t break.
Then he arrives.
A stranger—scarred, smiling, and maddeningly kind. He insists he’s not a prisoner, just a visitor in rags.
Worse, the stranger vows to rescue her, when everyone knows the only way out of Gehenna is in a body bag.
So why does her heart ache to believe him?
The more she’s around him, the harder it becomes to ignore the fire he awakens in her soul.
In a place built to crush every trace of goodness, he might just be her undoing—or her salvation.
Perfect for fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Ted Dekker’s Circle Trilogy, Beauty from Ashes is a fast-paced, dystopian fantasy packed with high-stakes romance, brutal choices, and a spark of light in the deepest darkness.
Start reading now and discover what rises when everything else burns away.
- GenresFantasy
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 29, 2024
20 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Hart
5 books279 followersPamela Hart is the author of Beauty from Ashes and City of a Thousand Tears. Raised on a steady diet of fantasy, science fiction and anime, she spent most of her childhood failing to acquire a Boston accent. Since then, she has slurped ramen in Ikebukuro, stampeded through flamenco lessons in Granada, and splashed her way across a fishpond for the Milkman Triathlon in Dexter. During her travels, she tends to overpack horrendously, but never regrets cramming her backpack full of books to devour along the way. She wanders the planet with Joe, the love of her life, and her adorably maniacal Boston terriers, Willy and Marvin.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 16, 2023
If there is one thing I am an absolute sucker for, it is a good allegory, and this book came through for me! There were so many parallels that were super clear and easy to draw, making it a well-done allegory. At the same time, the author was very original in her telling of one of the oldest and most precious stories of the Christian faith. The setting definitely had solid nods to biblical passages, as did the characters’ names and whatnot. But I never felt that this was just a retelling. This was a unique and creative allegory meant to show readers the love and sacrifice of Jesus in a new and compelling way.
“The water in Gehenna always left her feeling thirsty, no matter how much she drank, but after a few mouthfuls of this water, she felt inexplicably full and rejuvenated.”
While the story did have darker themes (it’s good vs. evil, so somewhat unavoidable), it wasn’t gratuitous at all. Characters were tortured and there was a heavy amount of sadism on the part of the Satan character and his lackeys. But again, that fits with the story and makes sense, especially because that is how we know the real Satan to be. And throughout the story, the light of the Jesus character was so very pervasive, outshining any of the darkness and filling every desperate moment with hope. My only concern here is that I’m not quite sure which age group this book was written for, as the allegory was simple and easy enough for a child/preteen to understand, but the torture and whatnot might be a bit much for that age group. I think maybe parental judgment would be the best thing to consult on this one, as I suppose each young person has different tolerance levels.
“Their king had always been compassionate. Even the death of [spoiler] on behalf of these people wouldn’t change that.”
I especially loved the end of the story. I really was not sure how the author would pull that off and wrap things up, but the way she did it really worked. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves allegory, biblical stories, and stories that point to the hope we have in Jesus.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5, rounded up
“The water in Gehenna always left her feeling thirsty, no matter how much she drank, but after a few mouthfuls of this water, she felt inexplicably full and rejuvenated.”
While the story did have darker themes (it’s good vs. evil, so somewhat unavoidable), it wasn’t gratuitous at all. Characters were tortured and there was a heavy amount of sadism on the part of the Satan character and his lackeys. But again, that fits with the story and makes sense, especially because that is how we know the real Satan to be. And throughout the story, the light of the Jesus character was so very pervasive, outshining any of the darkness and filling every desperate moment with hope. My only concern here is that I’m not quite sure which age group this book was written for, as the allegory was simple and easy enough for a child/preteen to understand, but the torture and whatnot might be a bit much for that age group. I think maybe parental judgment would be the best thing to consult on this one, as I suppose each young person has different tolerance levels.
“Their king had always been compassionate. Even the death of [spoiler] on behalf of these people wouldn’t change that.”
I especially loved the end of the story. I really was not sure how the author would pull that off and wrap things up, but the way she did it really worked. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves allegory, biblical stories, and stories that point to the hope we have in Jesus.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5, rounded up
January 18, 2023
Author Pamela Hart has written a beautiful and unique biblical fiction story, set in the world of dystopian, scifi and fantasy. This story is such an intriguing allegory, not completely the same, but similar enough, of Christ and his love for all of us. This is a fast paced, fascinating story with excellent characters and world building, and a villain who could almost be the devil himself. With a focus of lost and found again hope, and love, this is a story that will stand out to readers, causing them to remember it long after the turn of the last page.
Genre: young adult, fantasy, scifi, dystopian, romance
Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc
Publication date: July 25, 2022
Number of pages: 204
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
Genre: young adult, fantasy, scifi, dystopian, romance
Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc
Publication date: July 25, 2022
Number of pages: 204
Disclosure statement: A complimentary review copy of this book was provided from tour groups, publishers, publicists, authors, and others, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, Or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR borrowed from Deseret Bookshelf, OR pre-ordered/purchased for review, including Audible. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
January 24, 2023
Beauty From Ashes is a YA Fantasy, mixed with a Sci-Fi and Dystopian feel. The story is based on an allegory of Christ's life and his love for people. If you are Christian, you will recognize things in Beauty From Ashes that will remind you of stories from the Bible. If you are not religious, you will enjoy a story of a brave prince from a futuristic world that battles evil beings while trying to save the world.
Prince Arnion is going undercover into King Lucien's kingdom of Gehenna to help free the people being held in bondage as slaves there. The people have been brainwashed and have lost all hope. Arnion starts making friends and opening the eyes of the people about what is really happening. I loved when he met the downtrodden woman named Arcadia. Slowly he wins her over, opens her eyes to the spirit within her, and a romance starts to blossom. There is some violence as people are beaten and killed by Lucien's guards. It is not overly graphic. It just signifies how harsh the conditions are in Gehenna along with the people starving. It's nice to see the longer that Arnion is there the more the people are changing. You can feel your own spirits rising as they begin to have hope again. Of course, there is a happy surprise at the end and things are left open for another book.
This book can be read by teens and adults. There are many aspects that will appeal to readers with action, romance, and of course angst.
3.5-4 Stars from me for Beauty From Ashes.
Prince Arnion is going undercover into King Lucien's kingdom of Gehenna to help free the people being held in bondage as slaves there. The people have been brainwashed and have lost all hope. Arnion starts making friends and opening the eyes of the people about what is really happening. I loved when he met the downtrodden woman named Arcadia. Slowly he wins her over, opens her eyes to the spirit within her, and a romance starts to blossom. There is some violence as people are beaten and killed by Lucien's guards. It is not overly graphic. It just signifies how harsh the conditions are in Gehenna along with the people starving. It's nice to see the longer that Arnion is there the more the people are changing. You can feel your own spirits rising as they begin to have hope again. Of course, there is a happy surprise at the end and things are left open for another book.
This book can be read by teens and adults. There are many aspects that will appeal to readers with action, romance, and of course angst.
3.5-4 Stars from me for Beauty From Ashes.
January 2, 2023
An allegory of Christ's love told in a Sci-Fi setting.
An intriguing allegory, set in sci-fi dystopian world. Prince Arnion comes to the prison colony of Gehenna, with a tender heart for those hurting there.
Well written, I caught on quickly to what was going on and where it would eventually end. I liked the setting and in some ways thought that it also drew parallels to the parable of the landowner's son. Over the course of the story there were things that could feel very odd if taking this book as a direct allegory, though I think that the correlations were not meant to be exact.
Overall, an engaging read, that does a great of telling the story in a futuristic space setting. A moving story, great for fans of speculative fiction!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 31, 2023
As I’m sure you are aware by now, I love a good fantasy book. I am somewhat obsessed with them in fact. However, there is always a bit of apprehension when I pick up a new (to me) author in the fantasy genre; I have had several interesting experiences to say the least.
But after reading the synopsis I was vastly intrigued by the way the plot was set up. It seemed like Pamela Hart was going with an allegorical sci-fi/fantasy bent and I was not wrong or disappointed in this!
The characters were lovely! They were well thought out and truly conveyed their thoughts and feelings without telling me everything. It is not an exact allegorical tale but one that hints at it, but definitely gives no doubt as to whom our hope is found.
It is a YA novel but I think anyone would enjoy it. It is clean, has a good plot and is mostly a quickly paced storyline. Pamela Hart also hinted at more books coming to follow this one up and I would be very curious to read what other adventures she comes up with.
Overall, I totally enjoyed this story and its enchanting characters, easy to follow world building, and allegorical style.
4 stars.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback.
But after reading the synopsis I was vastly intrigued by the way the plot was set up. It seemed like Pamela Hart was going with an allegorical sci-fi/fantasy bent and I was not wrong or disappointed in this!
The characters were lovely! They were well thought out and truly conveyed their thoughts and feelings without telling me everything. It is not an exact allegorical tale but one that hints at it, but definitely gives no doubt as to whom our hope is found.
It is a YA novel but I think anyone would enjoy it. It is clean, has a good plot and is mostly a quickly paced storyline. Pamela Hart also hinted at more books coming to follow this one up and I would be very curious to read what other adventures she comes up with.
Overall, I totally enjoyed this story and its enchanting characters, easy to follow world building, and allegorical style.
4 stars.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback.
January 27, 2023
Tech gadgets and allegory? Yep!
If allegory is your thing then Beauty From Ashes will be right up your alley. But allegory in a sci-fi setting? Yes, it can be done and it can work. Pamela Hart's book is quite different from anything that I have read recently, more like a long time, really.
I will say that allegory runs through every aspect of this story. It's a parallel that is easy to follow if you know even a little of your Bible. There were places in the story where I felt vaguely unsettled, however, they did make me think and try to analyze why I was uncomfortable.
Where Beauty From Ashes shines is in Pamela Hart's vividly painted settings. One could almost smell the smoke, taste the grit, hear the crying, and feel the despair. But things are not left there. No, it is only when things are at their darkest that the light can come. But first,sacrifices must be made and trust built before hope can come and chains broken.
I would like to note here that this story is better for older teens and adults as it gets a bit dark and gritty in places.
There is a lot in Beauty From Ashes. It is an easy read, not overly long, but I think it may be one of those stories that will mean different things to different people. It may be a concept, a simple thought, or a reminder, but each reader will have to seek for it themselves...
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
If allegory is your thing then Beauty From Ashes will be right up your alley. But allegory in a sci-fi setting? Yes, it can be done and it can work. Pamela Hart's book is quite different from anything that I have read recently, more like a long time, really.
I will say that allegory runs through every aspect of this story. It's a parallel that is easy to follow if you know even a little of your Bible. There were places in the story where I felt vaguely unsettled, however, they did make me think and try to analyze why I was uncomfortable.
Where Beauty From Ashes shines is in Pamela Hart's vividly painted settings. One could almost smell the smoke, taste the grit, hear the crying, and feel the despair. But things are not left there. No, it is only when things are at their darkest that the light can come. But first,sacrifices must be made and trust built before hope can come and chains broken.
I would like to note here that this story is better for older teens and adults as it gets a bit dark and gritty in places.
There is a lot in Beauty From Ashes. It is an easy read, not overly long, but I think it may be one of those stories that will mean different things to different people. It may be a concept, a simple thought, or a reminder, but each reader will have to seek for it themselves...
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
November 20, 2022
Pamela's creative world building and quick plot sequence captivated me. I felt drawn in to this familiar-but-foreign world and could understand who/where we were, even though it's a fantasy book in another civilization with slightly alien gizmos and beliefs. And a remarkable story line. Please read this book, whoever you are.
January 7, 2023
This book is well-written, a mix of sci fi and fantasy. A futuristic society and remnant that needs rescuing, reminiscent of scenes out of Fahrenheit 451 by Bradbury. An edge-of-your seat suspense that builds with unexpected turns. An unlikely hero, added romance, a real-world villain, and hope for our world as well!
January 21, 2023
I enjoy fantasy. I also enjoy Biblical allegories. Beauty from Ashes is both. As I started the book I immediately noticed Biblical similarities. I wasn’t sure at that point if author Pamela Hart was using the Parable of the Tenants or the story of Jesus coming to earth as the inspiration for her story. The more I read the more I became convinced Beauty from Ashes is an allegory of Jesus coming to earth like a man and dying so that we might live.
Arnion symbolizes Christ in this story, but he is not exactly like Christ as he develops a relationship with a young lady, Acadia. At first thought I was concerned about this but since this is fantasy I think it is okay. The author’s purpose isn’t to say Arnion is Christ, but rather to point readers to the only one who lived a perfect life and paid the debt for the sins of all.
The author’s note at the end of the book hints at future books about Arnion and Acadia. If that is the case, I look forward to reading them.
Beauty from Ashes could easily find a place in the fantasy section of a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for middle school and up.
I received a complimentary copy of Beauty from Ashes. This is my honest review.
Arnion symbolizes Christ in this story, but he is not exactly like Christ as he develops a relationship with a young lady, Acadia. At first thought I was concerned about this but since this is fantasy I think it is okay. The author’s purpose isn’t to say Arnion is Christ, but rather to point readers to the only one who lived a perfect life and paid the debt for the sins of all.
The author’s note at the end of the book hints at future books about Arnion and Acadia. If that is the case, I look forward to reading them.
Beauty from Ashes could easily find a place in the fantasy section of a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for middle school and up.
I received a complimentary copy of Beauty from Ashes. This is my honest review.
January 17, 2023
A well-done allegory that shows Christ's love in a sci-fi dystopian setting. Arnion wants to help save the people of Gehenna, and doing so brings him face to face with Acadia, a young woman who's lost all hope. Through his gentle spirit, Arnion reaches through the walls of the despondent men and women in the work camp and offers them a chance to hope. Acadia learns to seek forgiveness, even though she believes that she is not worth it. Her desire to have love parallels our lives and the way we search for truth and hope even when we are at our lowest point. I received a copy of this book through JustRead. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
April 26, 2023
This was a creative story, and very unique. I did think the world-building could have used some work. The magic didn't seem to have parameters, which always makes it feel a bit too undefined. And the romance was not developed well, especially on Arnion's side. But if it was a longer book, I think both the world-building and the romance could have been written better. The story did hit the ground running and keep up a nice, fast pace. And the redemption themes were beautiful.
Content: clean
I received this book free from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Content: clean
I received this book free from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
August 8, 2023
An allagorical story that points to the life of Christ. Love found in the midst of hardships and sacrifice. This books is based in a dystopian society where most people only know hardship. It points alot to the compassionate nature of Christ in regards to people.
This is a YA novel, however, I would say that anyone would enjoy it.
This is a YA novel, however, I would say that anyone would enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews