The Charismatics

The Charismatics #1

by Ashley R. Carlson

Winner of Self-Publishing Review's Grand Prize and First Prize in Fiction 2015 Awards

Ashley R. Carlson's award-winning fantasy debut will satisfy the appetites of those who enjoyed the romance of Stephenie Meyer's TWILIGHT, the stirrings of rebellion in Suzanne Collins' THE HUNGER GAMES, and the steampunk universe of Philip Pullman's THE GOLDEN COMPASS.

I can't shake this feeling that I've been lied to, nor that I'm partly to blame. I've spent my life following orders, never questioning Legalia's decisions for me, for the world. I had food, shelter, better living conditions than most-why rock the boat?

Because you can choose between doing what is comfortable, or doing what is right, answers the small voice within me.

I was afraid of that.

An arranged marriage. A corrupt government called Legalia. A forbidden spiritual realm.

Duchess Ambrose Killaher was just seventeen years old when exiled to Shinery-a city of snow and darkness-to marry a man who despised her, finding her only solace in an invisible companion named Roan.

Now as the poor starve in the streets below and rebellious acts become a frequent occurrence, Shinery holds its yearly celebration to commemorate Legalia’s rule. But when Ambrose stumbles into a hidden courtroom and witnesses a violent murder, she is thrust into a secret world of the supernatural-one that could endanger everyone she's grown to care for. With the help of a handsome stranger, Ambrose learns of the past Legalia has covered up, and that she alone possesses the power to stop their unspeakable plans for the future.

Genres: Fantasy, Steampunk, Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Romance

382 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 13, 2014

About the author

Ashley is an award-winning author, editor and ghostwriter living in Scottsdale, Arizona (or "the bowels of hell," as she affectionately refers to it during the summer months). She dreams of the greenery of the Pacific Northwest and plans to move there someday.
She provides editing, content creation, and ghostwriting through her company, Utopia Editing & Ghostwriting Services, LLC, and has worked with many novelists and business owners to perfect their words and build their clienteles/online presence exponentially.

Ashley enjoys Yelping for local restaurants, volunteering at the Arizona Animal Welfare League, and watching "The Walking Dead" when she feels like a minor heart attack.

She loves to hear from you, so feel free to contact her here, Twitter (@AshleyRCarlson1), on her website, or through her Facebook page!
(www.facebook.com/ashleyrcarlson1.1)

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Ashley R Carlson for providing me a review copy (this has in no way affected my review)

What a find! I stumbled upon the first chapter of this book on wattpad, and I'm so happy that I did. This book sucked me in and I finished reading it in no time at all. The Charismatics is an extremely well written novel that I would probably classify as steampunk in genre. It is told in first person by the main character, Ambrose, 18 y/o Duchess of Shinery. She is a wonderfully developed character: flawed, impulsive, but certainly dealing with many internal battles and has a heart of gold.

She has an "invisible friend" named Roan who only she can see. He appears to her in multiple animal forms and reminds me a bit of the daemens in Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass. Ambrose is in an arranged marriage to a man named Erik who wants nothing to do with her.

Turmoil is developing in Legalia - A rebel group is making statements, and Ambrose is forced by the Kings Deacon to travel from city to city, making announcements that could get her killed by denizens and nobles alike.

In the midst of it all, she meets a man named Vasser who she begins falling in love with; discovers that her Uncle is contributing to the deaths of children with his scientific experiments to reach the spirit realm; and finds some shocking things about her deceased parents.

Over all I thought this book was amazing. Fast paced. Lots of action. Just enough world building - but not too much. And amazing complex characters. This book sucked me in from the first chapter on Wattpad and straight through until the end which sets up book 2 nicely!

[Kelly Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Charismatics is a story that interested me throughout the book, and I don't typically read fantasy. The elements of the story are less about fantasy and more about relationships. The characters came to life for me, and I cared about them. The story was descriptive and I could imagine a place like this. I think this story moves quickly and kept me reading to the very end with an ending that left me wanting more. Great book!

[Carrie (scary.carrie.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so pleased to have received an ARC (advance reading copy) of The Charismatics. Ashley R. Carlson’s debut novel is the perfect blend of fantasy and romance, adventure and suspense. I was instantly drawn into a world filled with wonder and oddities. A world where a girl’s best friend can be an invisible talking sparrow. A world where a secret spiritual realm blankets everything with unknown implications. A world where danger seems to lurk around every corner.

The main character, Ambrose, is blind to these dangers in the beginning but her compassion for others soon leads her to realize the horrendous things that have been going on all around her. As she discovers the secrets her government has been keeping, her inner strength seems to blossom. I felt truly connected to Ambrose, her hardships becoming my own, her triumphs becoming my triumphs. The supporting characters are wonderful as well, especially Roan who, in my opinion, is the best invisible friend a girl could ask for. (Who wouldn’t want a friend who can turn into a snow leopard?! I mean, come on!)

The stakes are set high in book one, but I expect them to keep rising throughout the series. The ending sets up the potential for an epic sequel, which I look forward to reading. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy and/or romance. And if you enjoy Carlson’s writing check out her short story Cruel which has similar fantasy elements but with a darker twist.

[Liz Meldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, I just finished this book, and let me first express my feels in gif format:



SO EMOTIONAL. MERRY. ROAN. I CAN'T.

Okay, I'm good, albeit emotionally shattered. I really, really enjoyed The Charismatics! Ambrose was a smashing lead--someone you can root for AND relate to on various levels. Vasser was basically perfect man-candy for my brain, and I just... I struggle to put it into words. Go read the book. It's a wonderful fantasy with a lot of unique elements to it.

What I liked most, I think, was that every time I jumped back in to read, I felt like I was coming home. You know that comfortable feeling you get with certain books? As you're reading, you sort of just nod and go, "Well, yup, that's how this world works". You just... get it? Legalia and the Shinery and the Urbs... I just sort of fell into the world and accepted it all, and I think that's what makes for a talented author and a great story.

I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book to come out! I very much recommend, and also insist you bring some tissues for all your feels--you'll need them.

[Lauren Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a professional book editor, author and avid reader, I have worked with an array of books. Some of the content is enjoyable, some of it... not so much. I usually prefer adult fiction or non-fiction, but I have to say -- I couldn't put The Charismatics down.

The book was easy to comprehend (for someone like myself, who has never read steampunk fantasy) and intriguing. Ashley is fantastic at creating a mental visual of this far-away world, with imagery and description that make the reader feel as if they are actually there. I swear; sometimes I felt like I could feel the chill in the cold air, or see the extravagance of the overindulgence of the upper class, or feel the reality of the lead character's "invisible" friend.

This is a fresh read, one that brings together a ton of strong ideas, such as an extreme separation of society's classes (think "Hunger Games") and a whimsical yet frightening spiritual dimension.

Above all, it offers the reminder that there will always be a struggle between good and evil, whether it is political, between humans and spiritual forces, or the demons within yourself.

[Peachy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Charismatics (love the name) is a very addicting read. The characters are dynamic and endearing. I really like the supernatural aspects and only wish there was more of it in the book. I read the entire book in less than a week. Which is a huge accomplishment considering I haven't finished a book in it's entirety in years... I blame motherhood for that! If you are a fan of suspenseful fantasy, this book is for you. Also, it has it's fair share of "laugh out loud" moments. The kind that make you chuckle while reading and anyone around you looks at you funny because you're laughing at your phone. (I read the ebook). I don't want to give any spoilers, but I'm REALLY hoping for a sequel in the near future. JUST SAYING...

kudos to Ashley Carlson for publishing her first book!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Charismatics was an amazing read! I was hooked the whole time and did not want to put the book down! I would recommend this book to any and everyone. Ashley Carlson is a great writer and you feel like you really get to know the characters in the book. I am looking forward to more novels by Ashley!

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

NetGalley. Thanks for the copy.

The Charismatics' narrator is a duchess who is locked away in her castle and unable to hold any power. Well, she does have some power, but the power she possesses isn't very helpful to her. She won't be able to defend herself by speaking a few sharp orders. She is only a puppet for the very nation she lives in, and every move she makes is reinforced by a colorful and beautiful cage. She has a husband, who cares for another and wishes to have nothing to do with her. She has a court, which would rather see her bleed than watch her rule.

Legalia, the deadly nation Ambrose obeys, is complex and evil. It is greedy for power, and in the name of power, the nation has created two classes. The scientists are the leaders while the lab rats (which is the class the scientists use for their gruesome and horrifying experiments) are stuck at the bottom. It is a very, very understandable hierarchy, and Ambrose is stuck somewhere in the middle class. Legalia's strict rule creates a situation just ripe for a big, daring, and deadly revolution led by the main cast.

The supernatural/paranormal plot of the novel is quite surprising. It doesn't come completely out of the blue, but it does throw me off the road for a while. Carlson (the author) does world building well, and she paints a world where dystopia and supernatural are combined. Roan, a sort of spirit animal and guardian of Ambrose, is a constant companion of the Duchess.

Ambrose Killaher (which is an interesting name, I must say) is the duchess. She lives a very comfortable life, even though her husband is distant and her nation wishes to see her silent and obedient. But when she finally gets out of her cage and escapes for just one day to see the real world, she realizes how badly the world needs her. Gaining the backing of the lower and poorer class, Ambrose is forced to become a puppet and mouthpiece of Legalia. Despising Legalia, she plays a dangerous political game to protect the weak. Her character really shows.

The ending of The Charismatics is shocking. There is a lot of potential in the sequel, and I would love to see what the author brings next.

Overall, The Charismatics is an entertaining tale. There is a dashing love interest, who possesses a dark and shocking past. Roan, the spirit animal, is awesome with his lines and words of wisdom. Ambrose is brave, and she is a strong heroine who stands up for what is right. The book itself will captivate readers from beginning to end.

Rating: Three out of Five

-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com

[Edward Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I'm very impressed. Much better than I expected. Not that I had any specific expectations, but I was a little concerned about how much I might enjoy this since I've never read steampunk (which I'm guessing this is light on, but remember, I've never read steampunk before) and there's mention of fantasy, which is a genre I'm only very lightly familiar with.

As it turned out, it was more a story about people, relationships, secrets, conspiracies, government corruption, and brutality of class distinction (super rich vs super poor.)

This novel did for me exactly what I hope a novel will do. It brought me to another time and place and made it real to me. Made me care for the characters.

In the beginning, I didn't know if I was going to be able to read the whole thing since the main character has an invisible shape-shifting friend that kept reminding me of Disney cartoons, like when it turns into a bird and sits on her shoulder, I'm thinking of the song, "Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder..." But the further into the story you go, the shapeshifter character is revealed as an essential part of the plot and not merely something cute and vaguely annoying. It just couldn't be explained earlier because the plot needed to be revealed over time.

Fortunately, the novel develops quickly and it's easy to read and get invested in the main character. I'm honestly looking forward to the sequel, and if it had been published already, I would have bought it as soon as I reached the end, and I'd've continued reading.

Excellent debut novel! I recommend it to people who like a good read that introduces you to a fictional land with its own culture, politics, and wickedness that gets revealed at an increasing pace.

With a debut this impressive, Carslon is definitely going to go places.

[J.A. Moscat · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say about The Charismatics? A Duchess who is forced to marry a man who prefer to have separate sleeping chambers, and who has an invisible shape shifting talking animal companion to keep her company in a corrupt citadel full of self entitled Nobles that treat the lower classes as vermin. I’d say the hook for me was the invisible talking shape shifting animal, mainly because he simply came out of nowhere.

This book is promoted as Steampunk, and even though this was my introduction to Steampunk literatures, after seeing the lifestyle in person I feel it was a good start for beginners who wants to imagine that world. But that’s just my opinion.

However, I didn’t pick this book up because it was Steampunk. I picked it up because it was self-published and I have a big heart for the independent community. That being said, even though it felt like a long read, I was entertained. The world had a healthy combination of both Science and Spirituality. Given the fact that the main plot of the story was that the two were opposing forces but I feel like the world was painted beautifully, I didn’t have a hard time watching the moving in my head.

Now, to explain, the only reason why I found it as a long read is because I low tolerances for weak characters, especially when they are female. I love to read my female characters to have some sort of empowerment in their personality. But I see where Ashley was going with Ambrosia as I continued to read on. But it was so devastating watching this character grow when the whole world was telling you to kill yourself while still having the gun pointed to your head. I felt sorry for the main character. Thankfully she wasn’t one-dimensional though and I think that’s the only reason why I stayed on the Charismatic Train.

[Kelly Sedinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a good debut! Carlson writes a very engaging and quickly-paced steampunk fantasy here, with a likable heroine in Ambrose who starts off with a tough set of difficulties (her husband in an arranged marriage dislikes her, she's living in a new city) that quickly become almost more than she can handle as she learns of some very dark doings indeed on the part of her new city's governing class. Ambrose is well-written as a young woman who wants people to like her and who wants to do the right thing, but as her efforts continue to do little more than make things a little bit worse each time out, Carlson depicts her growing frustration and despair. Throw in Ambrose's strong attraction to a young man who is NOT her husband, her invisible shape-shifting familiar, a highly stratified society where the main mode of transport is the airship, and a couple of truly malevolent villains, and you have a fun adventure (which, somewhat vexingly, turns out to be the first book in a series and leaves off with a sharp cliffhanger).

I would have liked a map of the world to be included (perhaps in future volumes), and there were a couple of places where I found the technology in Carlson's society a bit hard to get a feel for (the existence of television, for one). Those are very small quibbles, though, and shouldn't stop anyone from giving this book a try. Finally, the cover and internal design of the book (so far as I could tell, as I read the Kindle version) are excellent. Carlson has clearly put a lot of thought into the way the book should LOOK, which is a good sign for an independent writer just starting out.

So when's Book II?

(Text of review copied from my Amazon review.)

[Priscila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The Charismatics is the sort of book that sucks you right in, like a vacuum.

Ambrose is the Duchess of Shinery in Legalia, where she was sent to marry Erik in an arranged marriage, Erik hates her, her only friend in her new home is the only friend she ever had, Roan is a peculiar being,he can change into any animal form, but there's only one problem, he is invisible to anyone else. Legalia is ruled by a mad king, things aren't good for the denizens, and they are about to get much worse.

Ambrose always tries to help the peasants with little things, but that little voice inside her keep telling her she can do more, much more...


Will she listen?


I enjoyed this one immensely, the characters were great, the world building was very good, there were twists and we're just getting to the magical stuff! There were moments I was thoroughly confused, but I believe that is exactly how the author intended, you were suppose to figure things out along with the MC, there are so many questions going into this sequel, but I'm really excited to see how this is going to play out!

My fantasy lovers I tell you, you'll enjoy this one!

Happy Reading!

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read a steampunk book before, and wow, what a way to start. THE CHARISMATICS has it all—-great world building, romance, high stakes, villains you’ll hate, and characters you’ll adore.

I connected with Duchess Ambrose right from the start—-her caring innocence makes you want to protect her. But as her eyes open up to what’s really happening in her world, she is able to dig deep and find an incredible inner strength to fight for what’s right.

Roan, her invisible friend, is so damn amazing. His bond with Ambrose is not without challenges, but his selfless, platonic love for her always wins though. I want my own Roan!

And Vasser… *insert swoon here.* I loved the complexity of the romance--it wasn’t just boy meets girl, it was boy meets married girl. It’s controversial, but also written carefully and slow, so well done to Carlson for not just making it easy.

I’m definitely keen to read more about this world and it’s hidden spiritual realm, so I’m hoping there’ll be a book two. And that cover--freaking amazing, I love it!

[Anna Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about The Charismatics impressed me: The story and characters are unique and compelling. The world-building is breathtaking, so well mapped, and incredibly believable. The plot itself is well paced and utterly unpredictable.

Frankly, I loved EVERYTHING about this book. I've recommended it to family and friends (and a few co-workers who spotted the lovely cover!), and now I'm here, to keep recommending it.

Waiting for the sequel is agonizing!

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that THE CHARISMATICS by Ashley R. Carlson is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled upon Ashley R. Carlson on youtube early on in 2015. She only had a few videos posted in regard to her journey of self publishing, but her charm was enough to reel me in. That Christmas, I received The Charismatics as a gift. (Thanks to my sister! <3 ) Out of the handful of books I got for the Holidays, The Charismatics was the book I was most excited about. Unfortunately for me, the timing was all off when it came to wanting to sit down and read. I had a very demanding work schedule and a lot going on in my personal life. Collectively these pitfalls successfully pulled me away from my love for reading. Fast forward to Summer 2018 --- and life has slowed down. I've been given the luxury and freedom of having more time off, and my craving for fantasy led me back in the direction of Ashley R. Carlson. *** I admittedly lost the ability and interested dedicated to reading novels for some time, BUT I never forgot this author. She has published several works, including a standalone companion novella to The Charismatics. This being, 'A Beauty's Bargain' - which is one of my absolute favorite reads. (Especially during the Holidays.)

Ahem, on to my review!

The Charismatics is Ashley R. Carlson's debut novel - and as such you are offered a glimpse of legitimate talent. The world she created is fully immersive, descriptive and beautiful. The names belonging to her repertoire of people, places and things are all believable. In my opinion, she perfectly described everything needed for the reader to embark on the journey of self discovery and self-love with the protagonist Ambrose. I've never been too skilled at the core formula of reviewing any book that I love, but I really want to impress upon potential readers that Ashley R. Carlson's way of story telling brought about a nostalgic feel for me. One of which, I have undoubtedly missed for quite a long time. I am one of those endearing and forever young 90's kids, and coming from that background and era I know and appreciate quality. I value and recognize the little things, which include the sweet simplicity of opening a paperback book and being whisked away into a world composed of nothing but imagination.

The Charismatics did that for me.

I read the novel in two day’s time -- obsessively and hungrily tearing through the pages. The story had a comfortable pace. There was no lagging between important scenes, as it all seemed to blend together very well to the climax. Ashley has a way of compelling her readers to continue turning the page. You'll find yourself eager to discover the answers to the questions posed. You'll want to know more about the Duchess and her delightful side-kick companion Roan. Just as you'll quickly find yourself enamored with the worldly Vasser who possesses character traits that make him even more attractive than the picture painted.

This particular review may not be as detailed as some that are floating around, but the read was incredibly enjoyable. The story has a strong message, and it's one that I can both relate to and appreciate. The fantasy elements were strong, but not over powering. The Charistmatics isn't about 'magic' or even 'the unknown' ... It's about something much greater. Something very important to all of us. Ashley really has a gift with words to which I say, this author perfectly executed the message conveyed as well as its importance. If you enjoy page turning fantasy stories, with old world charm and elegance then you will love The Charistmatics (as well as A Beauty's Bargain.) I can't resist plugging that story because I loved it so much! The cast of Characters are all relatable in some way. Even those that appear to be darker in nature ... When it all comes together, I couldn't help but to sympathize with one of the baddies. The world, customs, traditions and way of Legalia are very real and very enjoyable to read.

I'm soon to begin book two of the series -- and I promise I'll be back to detail how that turns out.

But until then, 'Long live Legalia!' <3

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars:

The Charismatics by Ashley R. Carlson is a debut novel, and the the first book in the Charismatics series. It tells the story of Duchess Ambrose Killaher and her fight to find a place in the land of Legalia. She's recently been married to a Duke who clearly despises her and she has been placed into a puppet's board position in Legalia's government. She longs to do more to help the desperate lower class but isn't sure how, and her only companion and true friend is Roan, her invisible "animal familiar," if you will. Over the course of The Charismatics, Ambrose comes into her own, finding new friends and making a difference in her community.

Since I have some mixed feelings about this one, I'm splitting up my review a bit. There were a lot of elements I really enjoyed, as well as a couple prevailing issues that kept distracting me from the compelling plot.

What I liked: The plot sucked me in within the first chapter. I really was reminded of The Hunger Games and The Golden Compass as the synopsis implies, and I loved the idea of the Charismatics, those born with supernatural abilities. The writing was also very charismatic, which kept me from putting the book down for too long. Along with the plot, the natural aspects were wonderful! I loved the descriptions of Shinery's frozen peaks, the Badenheim forest, and the rainbow oceans of Archipegalos.

"Beautiful, Lady," Roan says quietly now, when I'm finished. I scoop him up and bury my face in his downy fur.

"He doesn't want me," I whisper. "He doesn't love me."

"But I do."

Ambrose was a compelling character, and I LOVED Roan, her invisible, shape-shifting companion. He was an amazing friend, and their relationship was so natural that for a while I was hoping that he was somehow human and would be transformed into her love interest. There were so many good characters in this story; these were definitely highlights of the story.

What distracted me: This read a bit like a debut novel. There were so many ideas! I wish Carlson had separated them out to make three novels instead of one! Here's an example of what I mean. The land of Legalia has all of the following: solstice festivals, "elected" monarchy, ballgowns, elevators, steam-powered dirigibles for air travel, radio, fairy-created technology, televisions, national news broadcasts, nuclear reactions, and people born with magical abilities. The world of The Charismatics had elements from so many sub-genres that I began to get lost in it all.

A related, but different, issue was that Ambrose and Vasser's relationship felt a bit forced to me. There was a lot of declaring and little showing of the depth of their growing relationship. The situation with Giselle seemed especially strange.

All in all: I finished this book knowing that I wanted to read the sequel, mostly because I REALLY want to know what happens with the plot and all of the characters I've come to like. Here's hoping the sequel comes out relatively soon!

(This ARC was provided through Net Galley for an honest review.)

Some Particulars, YA Style

HEA? Not yet; beware a bit of a cliffhanger - must read the sequel when it comes out!
Love Triangle? Not in the traditional sense, but there is a lot of jealousy with perceived lovers...
Cheating? Ummm... Yes and no? Ambrose definitely has an emotional relationship with Vasser, though she's never consummated the relationship (or the one with her husband, for that matter.
Sex? While there's no actual "sexual intercourse" in this book, there are an awful lot of sex-related moments, such as: quick mention of Ambrose's own self exploration, her longing to be touched intimately by her husband, and her and Vasser's we-can't-have-sex-so-let's-fool-around-ambiguously-instead moments. All of that being said, there are no explicit sexy scenes.
Swoon Rating: 2 out of 5 (Ambrose and Vasser's chemistry felt a little forced to me :-/)
Trigger Warning? Nope.

[Jinan H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

23 august 2015 update
Rating down-stared to 3 stars

for more reviews please visit https://allthecrannies.wordpress.com/
**I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much! This doesn’t affect the review in any way. My opinions, as always, are my own.**


Thoughts

Originally, I had rated this book 3.5 stars. While writing this review, however, I down-stared it to 3.

This review has been in the works since Friday. I sat in front of my laptop for hours, trying to decide about what I thought of this book.

Did I like it ?

Did I hate it?

It was certainly interesting to read, never boring with lots of action. But, on the other hand, it had things that made me scoff and roll my eyes.

okay okay review time.

I haven’t read a book where so many characters die since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (this isn’t a compliment btw). At the end of the book, literally half of the character cast is, bam, killed off. That was extremely unnecessary. Like, okay, maybe one, two would be okay but, lady, you killed off some of my fav characters!!!!!

Luckily we’ve only known these characters for one book so we aren’t extremely, extremely attached to them.

Another thing that annoyed me was how Ambrose kept on complaining about how “plain” she looked. Darling, you had an old man lusting after you (seriously ew), Vasser admiring your beauty every five effing seconds, your old nursemaid saying you looked like a daisy, and you still lamented about how ugly you are. I thought authors were over that trope. Seriously, how old school is that????

I just realized I made the book look bad. It’s not. It’s actually good. I was never bored, not even for a second. There was so much action, and Ambrose facing her fears and growing up, and swoony moments and funny moments and, even though there was a storm raging and evil kings were planing to kill their people and crazy uncles conducting experiments on others, there were still happy moments where you laugh and grin because there is just so much love in this world and the sense of comradeship between us people whether we are royalty or servants or beggars or just plain normal citizens is amazing. We might not have anything common, just like Ambrose didn’t have anything in common with her handmaidens and her body guard, but we are all human. And I think that’s enough.

Character Analysis

Ambrose

I am, and always will be, a firm believer that if you want something to change then you have to change it yourself. Ambrose wanted the lives of the denizens (poor people) to change; she just didn’t want to be the one to change it. This annoyed me a lot. Like dude, you are a freaking duchess for the love of God. Stop being so effing scared of your husband and that crap Senator. Then, then, while making a speech, she went down the stage and gave her coat to a mother and her child. HELL. YEAH. AMBROSE. YOU. ARE. FREAKING. AWESOME. I grinned like crazy.

Roan

My fav character in the book! He had such a wonderful sense of humor and I impatiently waited for him to appear whenever he wasn’t there.

Eric

I had zero compassion for this dude. Zero. I didn’t care about his sob story or whatever crap he had passed through. Just because he was forced to marry Ambrose didn’t give him the right to treat her like crap and when Ambrose stood up to him -finally- I wanted to high-five her.

And when she was rid of him – FINALLY- I was so happy. BYE. DON’T COME BACK, KAY?

Vasser

I shipped him with Ambrose since the beginning, and even though they fell in love a bit too fast for my liking (it wasn’t insta-love but it wasn’t slow either) I still cheered for them and found their moments together to be swoony and perfect.

Lakeman

How I cry. Lakeman was my second fav character and what was implied of his story broke my heart. He was like a father to Ambrose, always protecting her, always trying to be there for her, which is something she really appreciated having not known her real father.

Bottom Line

Despite all the things I disliked and complained about, yes, this book was good. I just had some issues with it that seriously reduced my enjoyment. However, I will still be picking up the following book. I need to know what will happen.

Recommended to: People who want to read about a heroine’s rise to power and also those who don’t mind half of the cast dying.

[Hetal · Rating 3 out of 5]

For this review and more, visit my blog here

Received this ebook in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars

This was a good beginning to a enthralling new dystopic series. First, I really need to clarify some things. For those of you that have read the official blurb, this is NOTHING remotely similar to the Twilight romance. Not at all. Zero, zilch, nada. No vampires, no "you're too dangerous for me, no insta-love, nothing. Alright, now that that's out of the way, here's a my own blurb:

Ambrose is the duchess of a harsh winter land that is under the rough strictures of the government of Legalia. It's people are suffering in incredible poverty. Ambrose is alone save for her invisible friend who no one else can see or here. She married to Erik who couldn't give a rat's ass about poor Ambrose who simply tries to be a good wife. Then, during a speech one day, Exodus, a rebel group attacks. Ambrose is caught up in the chaos and is rescued by a new senator named Vasser. As a punishment for being a denizen (the poor people) sympathizer,
Ambrose is sent to cause more destruction and pain to the lands under Legalia's rule in hopes of flushing out Exodus. With Vasser at her tries, she tries to undermine Legalia in the best ways she can.

This book was pretty sad. I feel like the author tried to be funny at times but it just didn't come out right. What I can say was the book's strong point was the relationships between the character. Roan (the invisible friend) had such a strong relationship with Ambrose and I loved him. Vasser was never overbearing and always let Ambrose do what needed to be done, standing as a pillar of support when she needed it. Their romance was sweet but not suffocating (see, not Twilight at all!!)
Ambrose struggles to make friends and come to terms with what she is, and I loved being a part of that journey. The book does have a hunger games feel to it, but she doesn't have the instant strongess (i know that's not a word) and courage that Katniss just seemed to have inherently from the get-go. That is what makes Ambrose endearing.

Overall, a must-read for dystopia lovers who want the feel of something similar to a melding of the Golden Compass and Hunger games yet has its own quirks and voice.

[Stacey Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC kindly provided by Utopia Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Review

The Charismatics was a very well structured, grammatically correct and wonderfully written. To my surprise this book had a lot more fantasy to it then I originally gathered from the blurb. The beginning reminded me a lot of Marie Rutkoski's The Winner's Trilogy, the worlds being alike, but where Marie Rutkoski's had a more developed world which concentrated a lot on the geography of the world, Ashley R. Carlson's was more concentrated on the problems of the characters, though you do see lots of travel going on in the book. I can really understand what made this book an award-winner and have such high ratings. The novel was a pleasure to read, beautiful and flowing...but...the idea behind it seemed too original - too overused, if you get what I mean. There was nothing that I could identify that would make this book different from the rest. There was no, 'I know that book! I know where that's from!' that would grab the audience and make it memorable. But then, that's just me. I really wish the author did it though, I would have given the novel a five star then. As a debut, this book was great. Feel free to pick it up and contradict me on my judgements for I may have been too harsh. Congratulations to Ashley R. Carlson for publishing so epically on an award-winning debut! Keep writing and I hope the next book is even more epic than the current.

Rating Plan
1 star : Strongly did not like the book, writing and plot was bad. Idea of the book was against my liking.
2 star : Didn't like it, didn't find it interesting or gripping. Seemed to drag on to me.
3 star : An average book. Wasn't bad or good. Everything else was well done. Original idea.
4 star : Like a 3 star but has potential to it as a series or the book grew on me as it progressed and certain scenes captured me. I Enjoyed it and read it in one sitting.
5 star : I LOVED IT! I stayed up late until 3 am. Author is a genius, characters, plot, idea, development, EVERYTHING was EXCELLENT. Nothing else can possibly be said except that its 5 STAR!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was pulled in quickly by the narrative voice and the situation of the protagonist in this story. Untouched by the husband she was forced to marry, living in a foreign and unfriendly land, and surrounded by a corrupt ruling system that abuses the lower classes, Ambrose seemed poised to become the shining light in a rebellion. However, things didn't quite go down as I expected. The plot got weighted down by a series of political maneuvers that were focused on using some sort of spiritual powers. I wasn't really clear why the spiritual powers were a threat or an asset, so I couldn't understand why it was a cause. This seemed to be a book that was trying to either pit science against spirituality or that was trying to bring then together. The purpose, again, was really unclear to me. When politics and ghost hunting weren't the focus, "romance" was. Overly dramatic scenes where a blossoming love was thwarted by various jealousies and barriers took up a lot of pages. There was a lot of concern about sexual intimacy and a lot less concern about emotional connection between characters, which is not exactly my idea of romance. In the end, I was more unclear than ever about what exactly was going on in either the spiritual world or the earthly realm, and I wasn't sure I cared. I enjoyed several of the characters, especially the secondary characters, but I just didn't enjoy the actual story after the first half. Language and situations are appropriate for mature high school readers, but the pacing is going to be hard for high school readers to stick this one out until the end.

[David Kimmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What A (Zeppelin) Ride!

The Charismatics, by Ashley R. Carlson, is a fun, exciting adventure, with an ample amount of romance, intrigue and steampunk fantasy thrown in for good measure. (Not to mention great cover art by M.S. Corley!)

The story begins nearly a year after aristocratic 17-year-old Ambrose has been hastily (and unhappily) married off to a man who can't stand the sight of her, in order to become Duchess of Shinery, one of Legalia's most important cities. As the story unfolds, she and her friend Roan - a shape-shifting being who can only be seen and heard by Ambrose - find the plight of the denizens (read: peasants) too much to bear, as the aristocracy punishes them for the rebellious attacks perpetrated by the group known only as Exodus.

As Ambrose stumbles into more truths about the reality of situation, with the help of Roan, and a handsome young man named Vasser, she finds that those she once loved and trusted are not who she thought, nor are all whom she once despised. Young Ambrose will need all of her wits, friends and a whole lotta good fortune if she is to survive this ordeal!!

Ms. Carlson weaves a tremendous story, with wonderfully real and empathetic characters. The world she creates is vast, and though we get only the briefest glances of it in this first book of the series, it's enough to let us know that there is plenty more to explore.

The Charismatics is a top-notch read and I recommend it highly. I would also suggest putting Ms. Carlson on your watch list - a talent like this is hard to ignore. I think we'll be seeing a lot of her in the years to come.

[Joanna Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely novel this was!

THE CHARISMATICS is steam-punky, swoony, thought-provoking, intriguing, and at times a little gut-wrenching!

It follows our heroine Ambrose, Duchess of Shinery, as she discovers that the ruling government Legalia is horribly corrupt and decides she means to do something about it. The GOLDEN COMPASS/HUNGER GAMES mash-up comp is spot on in my opinion.

The most intriguing thing to me about THE CHARISMATICS is the forbidden spiritual realm and Ambrose's mysterious shape-shifting animal companion Roan, who is invisible to everybody but her. He's snarky and fabulous, and I love the different shapes he chooses according to his mood (or hers! he often shifts into a wolf at night and curls up with her to sleep and it sounds SO LOVELY :-)).

THE CHARISMATICS feels at once familiar and fresh. There were a lot of points where it could have easily gotten cliché but the story kept taking turns I wasn't expecting.

My only sliiiiiiight quibbles are the world-building felt strange to me at the beginning—the mix of modern and steampunk technologies were a little jarring at first, but I quickly got used to them; and I wasn't the hugest fan of the amount of innuendo, although I totally understand the reasons for it and I know that's totes just a personal preference. :-)

Overall I was VERY impressed with the lovely Ashley Carlson's debut, and I'm super anxious for the next installment—I MUST know what happens next!!!!!!!

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Netgalley for a Review:

Well, I read this entire book in one sitting, it was a grand romp in intrigue, deception, corruption and lots of secrets. My kinda book!

First off, the characters are really well rounded and the world is more and more fascinating as it unfolds. The corrupt Legalia, well, you really kinda end up hating them, but maybe they are not the only villains? Really I liked almost everything about this book.

Like I said, almost. I really kinda loathed the protagonist, I didn't want to, but I did. She was a total Mary Sue, and while she was a well done pile of cliches, I just find myself really sick of them. (Chances are if I would have discovered this book a decade ago I would have thought the protagonist was perfectly fine, so yeah, I am becoming jaded in my old age, ha!) So the author did a great job of writing a character I am sick of seeing, even though I found myself rolling my eyes at her, I still found myself rooting for her and feeling kinda sorry for the crap deal she has been handed.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this is one of those stories where our protagonist will evolve into something awesome as the series continues, so I plan on dealing with my dislike of her and reading the next book when it comes out.

[Maria Beltrami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in a world ruled by hatred and where wahtever spiritual life is prohibited by law, The Charismatics is a fantasy quite out of the ordinary, with a protagonist, Ambrosia, which evolves in the course of the narrative from a frightened young woman, just over but a puppet in the hands of cruel and powerful men, and whose only friend is an invisible creature that can change shape, to a political woman of great talent. Some of the threads of the plot are suspended, but it's easy to imagine they are resumed later in the story.
Thank Utopia Publishing and Netgalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Ambientato in un mondo governato dall'odio, e dove qualsiasi vita spirituale è vietata per legge, The Charismatics è un fantasy abbastanza fuori dall'ordinario, con una protagonista, Ambrosia, che si evolve nel corso della narrazione da giovane donna spaventata, poco più che un burattino nelle mani di uomini crudeli e potenti e che ha come unico amico una creatura invisibile in grado di cambiare forma, a una politica dalle grandi capacità. Alcuni fili della trama restano sospesi, ma è facile immaginare che saranno ripresi nel seguito della storia.
Ringrazio Utopia Publishing e Netgalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.

[Alys West · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read with a wonderful, warm heroine, a gorgeous hero and plenty of steampunk action. I loved Ambrose who is a fabulous character and very easy to relate to from the very first page. By trying to change the world she lives in and make life a little bit easier for the people less fortunate than herself Ambrose starts to see the underside of the people who run Legalia. When she is 'accidentally' left behind in the dangerous 'urbs' she meets Vasser Witte and then things start to get really interesting. Vasser believes his family were murdered for trying to challenge the government and although Vasser is now part of the government it's clear that he's anything but a yes man. As Ambrose and Vasser get closer the action really hots up and I can't wait to find out what happens next. The only thing I didn't love about this book was the cliffhanger ending because I wanted more! Really looking forward to the next installment of the Charismatics!

[S. Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness!!!! IT is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Gooood! When the action really started happening I really was pulled in. I entered an emotional roller coaster as I went from maybe liking characters to downright hating them. I also went from not really liking some to becoming so attached to them and having my heart strings pulled by a surprise ending. Also I nearly had a heart attack thinking the book was over by the suspense in some spots. My mind is just fumbling around itself trying to make sense of the life I have outside of The Charismatics world now that I have finished the book. I am dying for a book two! I definitely recommend this book! Great work Ashley!

[Angela Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an awesome steam punk book with great characters with a plot that pulled you in quickly and would not let you go. The story is very engaging and quick paced. I loved the heroine and the unusual fix she was in involving having a husband in an arranged marriage who disliked combined with living in a new city that has dark doings. She wants to change things and do the right thing but each effort seems to make things worse. Despite this she grows as a character and shows courage and determination as she tackles the problems that she faces. The villains are truly malevolent and the ending is a cliff hanger that leaves you wanting more. I highly recommend this book.

[Emilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this a five if not for the super unessary sexual details and innuendos.They aren't everywhere, but it starts out with one and then they are annoyingly sprinkled through the rest of the book.

It felt like one those movies that throw in a few curse words so they don't get a PG rating and people think they're too goody two shoes, as if that would ruin their worth or entertainment value to get that label.

It took away from the magic of the plot, which was incredible.

[Steve Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellant start of an amazing new YA series. Self published with a dazzling red cover. Fans of steampunk will enjoy Ambrose's journey. The characters come alive on the pages, especially liked Roan. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. Finally, if you wished to know what to read next after the Hunger Games, this is a good place to start.