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Daughter of Ash and Myth

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They say heroes are forged in fire… Jessa Whitley is about to burn.

Jessa knew finishing junior year would be tough. Dodging her ex and surviving finals was already enough to handle. But finding out she’s Hercules reincarnate? The gods clearly had other plans. Now her ancient soul is back in the mortal realm with one colossal mission: kick demon ass and maintain the fragile balance between gods and mortals intact… all while needing an inhaler to breathe at every jump scare.

The god of Death is hunting her, the gates of Hell are wide open, and chaos is ripping through the mortal world. Forget training, Jessa’s life is a crash course in survival. Balancing her Herculean destiny with a “normal” life? Not a chance. Then there’s Paul, a maddeningly protective god whose presence sets her nerves (and her heart) on edge. Their undeniable attraction only deepens the tension, pulling Jessa into a web of secrets she’s not sure she’s ready to unravel.

As the apocalypse ignites, Jessa must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice. Embrace her mythic legacy? Or risk losing everyone she loves as the world burns to ash?

255 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2025

1 person is currently reading
69 people want to read

About the author

C. C. S. Jones

3 books23 followers
C.C.S. Jones is an award-winning fantasy author who writes bold, emotionally charged stories about fierce women standing at the edge of transformation. Her breakout novel Magicbound launched The Last Mage series with a five-star seal from Readers’ Favorite, and her latest release, Daughter of Ash and Myth, kicks off The Mythic Saga—a YA fantasy steeped in mythology, monsters, and girl-powered grit.

With a background in education and a passion for character-driven storytelling, she blends high-stakes plots with gritty emotion and vivid, cinematic storytelling to portray strong girls in all their complexity and truth.

When she’s not writing or workshopping with fellow writers at DFW Writers’ Workshop, she’s performing on stage, chasing storms with her son, or savoring quiet moments with her soulmate, their three incredible kids, and sweet baby grandson. A devoted coffee drinker, she’s forever inspired by the power of stories to fight, heal, and shine.

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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
224 reviews43 followers
January 15, 2025
Daughter of Ash and Myth C.C.S. Jones

High school is hard enough for Jessa Whitley, but finding out Greek gods are real and they've chosen her as the new Hercules? That's a whole new level of impossible. Let's face it... picking an asthmatic, clumsy, acrophobic teenager to save humanity isn't exactly a stroke of genius by the Fates.

Rating: ****
Feels: Adventurous, Apprehension, Surprise, Elation
Style: Fantasy, Magic, Young Adult, Mythology
First published March 10, 2025 : 255 pages, Kindle

This book would make an amazing movie. The entire read played in my head like the most amazing movie with some truly swoon worthy mythological figures, great action, witty banter and fun times. Jessa was such a relatable FMC who is thrown into some truly crazy situations. I loved seeing how she adapted to her new powers and her the new situations she found herself in. I loved the use of lore, world building, the pace and the incorporation of different factions into the storyline. It was really a unique and wonderful story.


Favorite quote: "I'll do my best to explain," he said, his voice low. The pause that followed stretched unbearable, each second feeling like an eternity. "you're.. sort of like the new Hercules."

This book has:
Strong FMC
Fated Mates
Age Gap
Found Family
Revenge Plot
Angels
Magic
Mythological creatures !!
Profile Image for Kristie Bentley.
18 reviews
January 9, 2025
(ARC received by author)

This is everything I've been wanting in a book for a while. It captured my attention hard around Chapter 3. So hard that I've read the book in about a week and a half. When the story got fast and the excitement went up, it took me only 3 days from then. The moments that seem jumpy honestly can only make sense in a book with a teenager dealing with the politics of Greek Gods.

This has mythology, romance, action, past lives, gods, demi-gods - everything.

As a Lore Olympus fan, you'll know that initial struggle with Paul when you get there. Trust me, push past those initial Lord Olympus feelings! We stan Paul in this!

I need book 2 to know what happens next.
Profile Image for Katie(K-bugsBookNook).
32 reviews10 followers
February 18, 2025
I really like the twist on the whole demigod reincarnated concept especially given the fact it's become so popular to have teenage boys be the demigod or demigod reincarnated. So it was really nice to see it be a teenage girl who's the one trying to juggle high school & everything that comes with her developing powers. The author's writing style did a good job of keeping me engaged & making me literally not put the book down until I was finished with it. Definitely looking forward to the rest of the series
Profile Image for Raven.
82 reviews8 followers
January 5, 2025
The secrets are heavy in this one. Where no one is to be completely be trusted as is usual when it comes to mythology based stories. The deities can be tricky and they certainly were in this one; where sides may be drawn but alliances don’t seem to mean much depending on how things are going. The premise of this story drew me in and while certain areas seemed quick (namely near the end with climax then conclusion), I enjoyed the flux of action against the emotions of a teenager whose life imposed. Emotional turmoil leads the show at times, where gut instincts are overshadowed. It wasn’t until post reading reflection where I struggled with some outcomes (character based) and I can’t go too much into it without spoilers.

I wonder what is next for Jessa.
Profile Image for Marti_readsss .
63 reviews2 followers
February 13, 2025
Okay so this book was a little bit confusing for me at the beginning, but as I continued reading it, it started getting easier.

The plot was good, the characters as well were also great but I can’t lie, Jessa definitely got on my nerves sometimes especially at the beginning 😂. I also love Paul because he was just such a lovable character to me.

Apart from that, if you love Greek mythology and something easy,intriguing and fun to read then definitely pick up this book to read.

Thank you author Christa Carol Jones for giving me this arc in exchange for an honest review, can't wait to read more of your books 💙
Profile Image for Lauren Head.
660 reviews15 followers
February 17, 2025
Such an amazing book! Absolutely caught my attention from the beginning!!! Love love love!
Profile Image for Riddhi.
162 reviews
January 13, 2025
This was emotional and yet packed with action. There are fights, superpowers, and mythical elements. Relatable feeling with the emotional development of the characters, it was a really good read. At first, I found the writing really great because the scenes were so awesome. Then I liked the plot twists, and they were not at all expected, one more reason for getting captivated.
I'm looking forward to reading book 2! Just can't wait!
Profile Image for Crystal.
72 reviews2 followers
January 11, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC!

I’m going to be blunt: Daughter of Ash and Myth was a bit of a letdown for me. The writing is solid, the plot is decent, and the characters have their moments, but I spent the whole book wanting more. It felt the whole time like something was missing, and I finally realized it was the mythology aspect that was lacking for me. The bottom line is some of the choices in this book didn’t work for me, but I do think they would work well for other people—those who don’t over-analyze and obsess over mythology the way I do. Even if you do, you might like the creative choices the author made. It just didn’t work for me personally. I’ll explain more at the end.

Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The plot was pretty straight-forward, fast-paced, and enjoyable. Evil gods are trying to destroy mortals. Girl discovers she’s the chosen demigod who is meant to save the world with her special powers, like the legendary Hercules. Girl learns to fight monsters while her supposed allies constantly withhold information. Entertaining, lots of action, easy to read.

Characters ⭐⭐⭐
Jessa is your classic “I didn’t ask for this but these powers are kind of cool” YA heroine. She didn’t make endlessly frustrating decisions, which sadly has become the bar somehow. Overall, I really liked her as a protagonist and think teens will find her relatable.

The rest of our cast were mostly gods. Paul had a secretive, almost broody vibe going on. If you like protective love interests, you might really like him. Cynthia was a badass with a sharp tongue with an (understandable) dislike for Jessa. I enjoyed both of them as characters, though I think Cynthia could have used a little more depth as a major side character.

The Mythology Aspect ⭐⭐
This is where the book, sadly, fell short of my expectations. I’ve come to expect these contemporary fantasy stories based in Greek myth to be brimming with references to mythology. Beyond a handful of gods being main characters (both good guys and villains) and some references to demigods and the Underworld… I never really got that. It got better toward the end, but by then I was already kind of put out. Plus the book referred to the various monsters Jessa had to fight as “demons,” which felt off to me. She called herself a demon-slayer as often as Demi Guardian (her official title). It felt like it leaned too much into Buffy the Vampire Slayer and not enough into the Greek mythology.

Thanatos and Hypnos as bad guys never fully made sense to me. You can choose whoever you want as your villain, but they still need to have solid motives. Instead these two were painted as evil gods who want to destroy mortals… why? Thanatos is the god of peaceful death. People hoped to meet him when their time to die came. I don’t know, something about him being evil just didn’t sit right with me. Some of the other villains worked a bit better for me, but the motives still didn’t feel quite strong enough.
Profile Image for Katarina Petzold.
96 reviews
March 16, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟 4-Star Review of *Daughter of Ash and Myth* by @christacarol

From the moment I dove into *Daughter of Ash and Myth*, I was hooked! Jessa Whitley's journey from an ordinary high schooler to the reincarnation of Hercules is as thrilling as it sounds. Imagine juggling finals, an ex, and the fact that you’re now a target for demons all while managing asthma! Talk about a relatable heroine!

The story truly gained momentum around the 20% mark, where the stakes really began to rise. Jessa’s clumsiness and insecurities make her so easy to root for, and her chemistry with Paul, the god of the sun (and a total swoon-worthy figure!), adds a delightful layer of romance to the chaos. Their banter is witty, and their connection is palpable, making every interaction a highlight.

I absolutely loved the world-building and the incorporation of Greek mythology. The author does an excellent job of weaving in lore while keeping the pace engaging. Each twist and turn felt fresh and exciting, and I genuinely couldn’t put the book down once the action ramped up.

The book has everything I crave: adventure, romance, and a strong female lead navigating her mythic legacy alongside typical teenage struggles. Plus, the final battle in Hell? Epic!

If you’re a fan of YA fantasy, mythology, and stories about finding your strength in the face of overwhelming odds, *Daughter of Ash and Myth* is a must-read. I can’t wait for the next installment to see how Jessa navigates her new reality and what other surprises await her!

Favorite quote: "And then all hell broke loose in Hell." This sums up the chaotic fun of the story perfectly!

So, grab your inhaler and prepare for a wild ride! 📚🔥✨ #BookReview #DaughterOfAshAndMyth #Bookstagram #YAFantasy #Mythology
Profile Image for The Booktrovert Records.
177 reviews6 followers
March 3, 2025
ARC Book Review
🏹Daughter of Ash & Myth ✨
Book 1 in The Mythic Saga
Written By: @christacarol

Overall: 3.75/5
Overall plot: 3.75/5
Character development: 3.75/5
Pace: 3.75/5
World building: 3.75/5
Spice 🌶️: 0/5

Thank you Christa for letting me read this book ahead of the release date!

Framing my mindset with Buffy x Greek Mythology, it helped my reading expectations and experience.

Jessa Whitley thought she had it figured as hard as it was being a junior in high school and figuring life out, keeping up with friends and not upsetting her mom for missing curfew but throwing in the news that Greek gods are real and she’s a potential new demigod, Hercules, I’d be as frustrated, overwhelmed, and freaked out like Jessa is.

We feel every bit of Jessa’s emotions as she tries to figure it out, not for the lack of trying though! Her guides and protectors, Paul, Cynthia, and Henry, are withholding information because they’re trying not to overwhelm her as they are training her physically to use baby tridents as Jessa refers to her weapons as well as bring out hidden powers that she’s developing. They’re training her so she can help prevent world destruction - now that’s a whole lot of weight on a high schooler’s shoulders. Oh! There’s also this insane pull that she has to Paul and a cliffhanger. What’s a girl to do?

Overall, I’d recommend this book if you like to read about Buffy x Greek Mythology YA fantasy with fast paced action and mythical creatures.

Tropes:
✨Buffy x Greek Mythology
🏹Soulmates
✨Mysterious Past Lives
🏹Hidden Powers
✨Revenge Plot
🏹Mythological Creatures
Profile Image for Breahna Jordan.
30 reviews
February 1, 2026
The writing is weak, the relationships are deeply problematic, and the lore is contrived and difficult to follow. The author frequently repeats themself, causing scenes to drag and lose momentum. The FMC is especially inconsistent—she is written as both overly mature and strikingly immature for her age (17), depending on what the plot requires.

I would not recommend this book to either adults or teenagers. The most egregious issue is the romantic relationship between a 17-year-old girl and the god Apollo, a being more than two millennia old. The author provides no meaningful justification for why the reader should find this relationship acceptable, or even tolerable.

Beyond the inappropriate romance with the MMC, the FMC’s relationship with her mother is also troubling. Her mother treats her like a peer when it’s convenient, but reasserts parental authority the moment the FMC steps out of line. For instance, the FMC has been made to break up with her mother’s boyfriends on her behalf. While this could have been an exploration of a dysfunctional parent–child dynamic, the author instead presents their bond as normal and healthy, which is deeply unsettling.
Profile Image for Amanda | escapetoerilea.
326 reviews26 followers
February 17, 2025
Daughter of Ash and Myth by C.C.S. Jones
Releases 2/25!

Thank you, C.C.S. Jones, for a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and my thoughts are my own.

YA fantasy, Greek Mythology, teen girl Hercules, touch of romance, chosen one, hidden powers, guardians, cliffhanger!

Jessa is just a clumsy teenage girl with normal teenage problems - friend drama, dealing with having to watch an ex with their new boo, and maybe avoiding trying to figure out her future. Until she isn't. Strange things are happening and someone is following her. Then when there is an attack at the diner she meets a strange crew of people with magic, but they give her very few answers and she is left feeling more confused and alone.

As Jessa learns more she has to decide who to trust and what she wants while trying to save the world. And what she feels for Paul, the god who feels so familiar to her. I enjoyed this cute high school age based Greek Gods reimagining. Though the stakes were still high it was a lighter read than my norm and was a fun break :)

Ends on a cliffhanger!
Profile Image for Charli Parvin.
35 reviews
January 18, 2025
First thought: Well this book starts with a bang - took me a hot second to work out what was happening!
Next thought: It’s giving classic ‘creature inheritance’ fanfic vibes at the start of chapter 2, which isn’t a bad thing at all, just an observation.
Third thought: Oooo it’s giving Buffy vibes - when the previous ‘protector’ dies one immediately replaces them.
I have to admit I did struggle a bit in the middle, I felt like it was all a bit rushed (I know the apocalypse waits for no one but it still took me a while to work out the timeline of this all)
All in all it’s a decent book, perhaps not exactly up my alley but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t recommend it.
If you like Greek mythology, female protagonists, references to Green Day and calling sai swords ‘Baby Tridents’ then you’re in luck.
(I am leaving this review after kindly receiving an ARC issue of the book, this review is given of my own free will, voluntarily)
Profile Image for Melissa.
197 reviews22 followers
March 3, 2025
4 stars!

"And then all hell broke loose in Hell."

This quote describes exactly the whole book. Jessa is a high school student and strange things happen from the start of this book. She finds her self in the middle demon attacks and doesn't know what's going on. Until Paul, also known as the Greek god Apollo and his friends save her. They tell her little bit by little bit, but Jessa keeps being attacked. Eventually she learns a bit of her past and that she is a demi god with powers like Hercules. Oh and another fun fact Hades wants her dead.

The whole book feels like a rollercoaster, attack after attack, and it results into an epic final battle in literal Hell.

Will Jessa be able to keep her secret? And figure out her whole past? While trying to pretend to still be a regular high school student? Will she be able to beat Hades? Read it now, in this YA, greek mythology, chosen one, fated mates story!
Profile Image for Jen.
167 reviews4 followers
March 27, 2025
This is an amazing introduction into the fantasy/ romantasy genre. The main characters are high school age so it's appropriate for younger readers. There are lots of battles and violence and there it does have romance (but no intimate moments). Jones characters are vulnerable and so well written. The story is a unique and interesting twist on Greek mythology. I loved that the main character is female, usually in this trope of "hidden hero" it's a guy so being a girl was being a girl was refreshing change! While the story had an "ending", it's obvious that this is a series as the next story begins in the final few pages, but I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger.
91 reviews
February 20, 2025
If you love Percy Jackson this book is definitely for you! This is a wonderful story about Jessa a normal teenager who is chosen to help stop the apocalypse. She struggles with balancing her normal life with her new life among the Greek gods. She battles with loneliness and the feelings she has for Apollo. Learning how to fight and successfully stop the end of the world takes its toll on her. I loved how well it pulls you into the story almost as if you are physically there during it! Grab this book when it releases if you want to know if she is successful!
Profile Image for quillsandpages.
247 reviews11 followers
March 4, 2025
This story thrived on its fast pace, witty dialogue, and engaging character dynamics, especially between Jessa and Paul, whose mysterious nature kept me intrigued. The stakes are high, with the Underworld’s chaos spilling into the mortal realm, making for an intense and gripping adventure. If you love mythology-inspired YA with strong female leads and plenty of action, this is a must-read!

Blog | Linktree | Bookstagram
Profile Image for Hannah Liming.
15 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2025
(Received an ARC from the author)
True Rating: 3.5/5
Daughter of Ash and Myth is the type of book that doesn’t exactly overly excite me, but gets the job done. The plot is good enough to keep it from being a DNF and there’s enough fan favorite tropes to scratch an itch. I didn’t grow super attached to any of the characters, but none of them annoyed me either.
I probably won’t reread this one, but it was a nice read while I waited for some of my holds.
22 reviews1 follower
July 30, 2025
Fun is done right in Daughter of Ash and Myth. A delightful YA romp with a fun protagonist, a lovable cast, and a healthy dose of Greek mythology.
Profile Image for Momma T's Books.
582 reviews33 followers
March 27, 2025
4.5⭐️If you want a read with Percy Jackson vibes and a strong FMC, this is it. A great YA Fantasy. I can't wait to see where this goes.

"you're ... sort of like the new Hercules."

That isn't something you would want to hear when you're trying to navigate high school. But this is what happens to our FMC. She grows into herself throughout, so it's a great way to show how you can overcome the obstacles thrown your way.

The action, as you are thrown right into it from the beginning, keeps you turning the pages. The banter between the characters gives it a comical side that lets the plot flow endlessly. Great beginning.
Profile Image for Alyssa Estep.
89 reviews4 followers
August 12, 2025
Greek Gods have vendettas; some are jealous, and others want all-consuming power. Zeus is the ruler of all gods, never known to interfere in such trivial matters; The underworld decides to attack the mortal realm and kill all demigods. The guardians are put in charge of protecting the demigods and the task has been made impossible thanks to an unknown enemy.

Jessa is a clumsy teenager struggling with a breakup of her lifelong best friend and boyfriend. She avoids him at all costs, unable to bear the pain associated with him. She tried to confide in her mother, but she just told her to get over it and move on. While trying to process the emotional toll of losing her best friend and boyfriend, she is thrown into a world of Greek Gods and Demons. She feels a pull to Paul, one of her guardians, is everything she wants but struggles with the possibility of him not feeling the same. After numerous attacks on her life and Hades visiting her in her dreams, she is moved to Mount Olympus where the secret of the unknown enemy is revealed.

I have a weak spot for Greek Mythology and this book is everything I need/want to read about the lore of Greek Gods and Demigods. I loved the portrayal of "Paul", he is such a sweet guy who cares about everyone. It took me a minute to realize who it truly was and then the rest of the characters became easier to recognize. I thoroughly enjoyed the crazy scene in the underworld, there were moments where I was extremely proud of Jessa and others, I was biting my nails and sitting on the edge of my seat watching the scene unfold. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to see what happens in book 2. I am dying to know!
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