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Shattered Realms #1
King of Ash and Bone
Older cover edition of ASIN B00Q7M4OMK
When flying monsters break through the veil into her world, Mackenzie Scott has nothing left to lose. Her brother has been taken, her future has vanished, and all that remains is a desperate need for revenge. After discovering the breach the creatures used as a gateway, Mackenzie devises a plan to stop them, whatever the cost.
When she finds an injured stranger in the street, he just might be the key she needs to succeed. What Mackenzie doesn't know is that this stranger isn't the helpless boy he appears to be. He's one of the monsters. And he's got plans of his own.
Thrown into a dying city in another realm, Mackenzie is powerless to get back. With the gateway closing, time is not on her side. But the stranger is, and if they can escape execution, this girl and her monster might be able to save both their worlds.
When flying monsters break through the veil into her world, Mackenzie Scott has nothing left to lose. Her brother has been taken, her future has vanished, and all that remains is a desperate need for revenge. After discovering the breach the creatures used as a gateway, Mackenzie devises a plan to stop them, whatever the cost.
When she finds an injured stranger in the street, he just might be the key she needs to succeed. What Mackenzie doesn't know is that this stranger isn't the helpless boy he appears to be. He's one of the monsters. And he's got plans of his own.
Thrown into a dying city in another realm, Mackenzie is powerless to get back. With the gateway closing, time is not on her side. But the stranger is, and if they can escape execution, this girl and her monster might be able to save both their worlds.
218 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2015
514 people are currently reading
1775 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Wright
57 books1,527 followersMelissa is the author of more than a dozen YA and fantasy novels including The Frey Saga and Between Ink and Shadows. When not writing she can generally be found talking with an author friend about a book, painting something from a book, or tucked between headphones listening to a book. It’s kind of a theme. She loves reasonable heroines in unreasonable situations, noble--if brooding--heroes, slow burn and sweet kisses, a lot of havoc, and a little magic. Stay updated on works in progress at Instagram. Contact her through the web at www.melissa-wright.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 11, 2016
Actual Rating - 4.5/5
The cover of this book is so beautiful, and there is an equally kick-ass synopsis printed at the back, just by glancing at it I got my hopes up. I read it, liked it. It was so good!
I love books with strong female protagonists, monsters, other realms. That's my thing, and this book has it all. I left this bookish world fist bumping the air, with a satisfied grin.
Howbeit, There was no element of gasp-inducing surprise, because of the synopsis. If that wasn't the case, this book could've been more kickass. I am not complaining - just a mere suggestion.
Hunter, given he is our male protagonist, I expected him to be stalwart, but a few times - he showed more pusillanimous traits. On the other hand, Mackenzie just slayed the game. I loved her so much.
I recommend this book to people who love fast paced novels about annihilated worlds, creatures with super powers, and just some kick- assery in general.
**I received a review copy from the author**
The cover of this book is so beautiful, and there is an equally kick-ass synopsis printed at the back, just by glancing at it I got my hopes up. I read it, liked it. It was so good!
I love books with strong female protagonists, monsters, other realms. That's my thing, and this book has it all. I left this bookish world fist bumping the air, with a satisfied grin.
Howbeit, There was no element of gasp-inducing surprise, because of the synopsis. If that wasn't the case, this book could've been more kickass. I am not complaining - just a mere suggestion.
Hunter, given he is our male protagonist, I expected him to be stalwart, but a few times - he showed more pusillanimous traits. On the other hand, Mackenzie just slayed the game. I loved her so much.
I recommend this book to people who love fast paced novels about annihilated worlds, creatures with super powers, and just some kick- assery in general.
**I received a review copy from the author**
July 27, 2018
Three and a half
A free read on kindle at the moment in preparation for the next book in this series that's due next month. I was interested in this idea of fae/demon type creatures coming into our world and leaving devastation behind.
I really liked the heroine Kenzie but struggled with Hunter who she rescues. McKenzie is determined to find her missing brother but having spent so much of her life not trusting others it's made her very independent. Hunter is in a difficult situation as unknown to Kenzie he is more than just one of the monsters he is in fact the one who has opened the door between their realms.
Hmm at times this was confusing and I actually wanted much better explanations. It does make a lot more sense as it ends but I'm still left feeling that too many concepts were abstract. The other characters introduced to my mind are caricatures of quintessential villains but even then I struggled with their behaviour and motivation. Clearly nefarious plans are afoot to somehow conquer the world that Kenzie knows but I'd have preferred a little more from this story although I do accept its hard setting up and world building
A free read on kindle at the moment in preparation for the next book in this series that's due next month. I was interested in this idea of fae/demon type creatures coming into our world and leaving devastation behind.
I really liked the heroine Kenzie but struggled with Hunter who she rescues. McKenzie is determined to find her missing brother but having spent so much of her life not trusting others it's made her very independent. Hunter is in a difficult situation as unknown to Kenzie he is more than just one of the monsters he is in fact the one who has opened the door between their realms.
Hmm at times this was confusing and I actually wanted much better explanations. It does make a lot more sense as it ends but I'm still left feeling that too many concepts were abstract. The other characters introduced to my mind are caricatures of quintessential villains but even then I struggled with their behaviour and motivation. Clearly nefarious plans are afoot to somehow conquer the world that Kenzie knows but I'd have preferred a little more from this story although I do accept its hard setting up and world building
January 23, 2017
Two realms separated by a veil of secrecy and if that veil is breached it will mean the end of both worlds. And. It. Is. Happening. NOW.
Mackenzie’s life has been full of turmoil and loss. All she had was her brother and the monsters flying through the sky have taken him and she wants him back. The city is in chaos, people are being killed or taken as these beasts fly through a hole in the sky and nowhere is safe. Having seen this breach, Mackenzie will stop at nothing to seek revenge.
When she finds an injured young man on the streets, little does she know he is so much more than she thinks, little did she know he was one of “them.” Together they will seek a way to stop the slaughter, close the breach and save both worlds. Will they succeed or will they each find themselves trapped in another realm fighting for their lives, once again?
Melissa Wright slam-dunks us directly into her tale of death and destruction. KING OF ASH AND BONE is non-stop chaos and one will be hard-pressed not to get caught up in the action from page one. For those tired of heroines who are either wishy-washy or angst-filled or even over-the-top action figures, Mackenzie is a breath of fresh air. She has no super powers, but she has determination, grit and the will to succeed against the odds. Hunter is a little mysterious, he is slow to reveal exactly who he is and at no time did he outshine Mackenzie!
Completely entertaining, this one will have you cheering from your reading chair! Melissa Wright has penned a tale to fall into and characters to remember.
Series: Shattered Realms - Book 1
Publication Date: February 2, 2015
Publisher: Melissa Wright
Genre: Fantasy
Print Length: 218 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Mackenzie’s life has been full of turmoil and loss. All she had was her brother and the monsters flying through the sky have taken him and she wants him back. The city is in chaos, people are being killed or taken as these beasts fly through a hole in the sky and nowhere is safe. Having seen this breach, Mackenzie will stop at nothing to seek revenge.
When she finds an injured young man on the streets, little does she know he is so much more than she thinks, little did she know he was one of “them.” Together they will seek a way to stop the slaughter, close the breach and save both worlds. Will they succeed or will they each find themselves trapped in another realm fighting for their lives, once again?
Melissa Wright slam-dunks us directly into her tale of death and destruction. KING OF ASH AND BONE is non-stop chaos and one will be hard-pressed not to get caught up in the action from page one. For those tired of heroines who are either wishy-washy or angst-filled or even over-the-top action figures, Mackenzie is a breath of fresh air. She has no super powers, but she has determination, grit and the will to succeed against the odds. Hunter is a little mysterious, he is slow to reveal exactly who he is and at no time did he outshine Mackenzie!
Completely entertaining, this one will have you cheering from your reading chair! Melissa Wright has penned a tale to fall into and characters to remember.
Series: Shattered Realms - Book 1
Publication Date: February 2, 2015
Publisher: Melissa Wright
Genre: Fantasy
Print Length: 218 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
December 26, 2019
Wasn't for me
King of Ash and Bone had an interesting premise but it just didn't work for me. It felt disjointed and I didn't like the stereotypical way in which one of the secondary characters was described. I wasn't emotionally invested in the main characters nor did I feel the connection between them. This one fell flat for me.
King of Ash and Bone had an interesting premise but it just didn't work for me. It felt disjointed and I didn't like the stereotypical way in which one of the secondary characters was described. I wasn't emotionally invested in the main characters nor did I feel the connection between them. This one fell flat for me.
September 6, 2019
This story just wasn't for me! I found it too confusing!
October 17, 2019
This grabs you right out of the gate, I really enjoyed it and read it in an afternoon.
After her world around her pretty much blew up and she lost Riley, her only remaining family, Mackenzie has come up with a plan. She is going to return to the place she saw the crack in the world to get photographic proof and tell the army so they can do something…she doesn’t know what, but anything to close it and hopefully rescue her brother. It’s more of a last-ditch desperation act than a plan but it’s better than sitting around waiting to die.
***
I love all things Fae which was probably helpful knowing the lore because this is a drop-in figure it out as you go post-apocalyptic world. I thought the style worked well for showing us how out of depth Mackenzie was feeling, as she didn’t know what was going on and was shell-shocked by the events.
But there were moments where I found it was confusing even with my knowledge of the Fae. Some of the concepts take a bit to get your head around as they’re spoon-fed to us, which helped to minimize the info-dumping and kept the pace up to a decent clip, but a little patience is definitely needed for this style. This is also where my love of Fae stuff kicked in because I recognized the influences during some of the lighter on the explanation scenes taking place. And I really loved that there was enough of a spin on that lore to keep my attention while feeling very different and didn’t feel ‘been there done that’. Especially in a genre that’s inundated with similar scenarios.
The scene setting was beautiful in places and I found the story to be immersive- though the world feels very closed and I was not sure how big an effect the events had outside of the areas that are covered here. There’s a military presence but whether it was to go around and fight, or to just keep everyone in the safe zones, or both I was unclear about.
The story has that feel of a romance book with a bit of an attraction between the H/h but with a heavy dosing of the world building, of a fantasy. There is no sex or ditching everything for love. The hard choices stay that way even when you kind of want them to ditch everything for love.
I liked Mackenzie. She wasn’t a sobbing fool or a kick-ass snarker. She’s terrified but not the type to sit around and wait to be rescued. The plan to set things in motion to get the story on the road might have been a little flimsy but the rest was so fun! She’s so focused on saving her brother, herself, and then her world, that the bigger picture of the outcome for the other world wasn’t something she could see or care about- until she realized how much of it involved her brother. I liked this because that selfishness was very real feeling. Why should she care about a bunch of monsters who wrecking havoc on her world just because she met a man? Once it gets more personal, then she starts to see beyond her little corner of the world.
Hunter was different. He wasn’t really alpha but he wasn’t a weakling either. He’s torn between the two worlds, family, politics and what’s right for the people- and it shows. I kind of like that he was so tied by his choices that he is almost paralyzed because of them- giving him no options at all for a good outcome. I almost felt like he was in the role that is typically the heroines.
There was some foretelling about who Hunter was- if you didn’t read the summary (which I didn’t until after) I appreciated that we could figure it out on our own, if we were paying attention.
On the whole I thought this was a really fun story. It hit a lot of my buttons for romance and fantasy. I can see though that it could be polarizing with people with it’s quick-paced style, that barely lets you keep up or digest what you’ve learned but I found it was worth the effort. I guess that part would be where I had to deduct some points- it just needed a little more clarity in some areas. Also, this book does end on a slight cliffie. It’s not a horrible one but it’s certainly not finished here.
Other notes-
There’s a pov switch late in the book- those don’t always work for me. This one didn’t bother me so much, maybe because the we get to know him through her, I’m not too sure.
I absolutely will be looking to squeeze the next book in to my schedule. Can’t wait.
Spfbo score 6.8/10
also posted here-
https://starlitbook.com/2019/10/15/sp...
After her world around her pretty much blew up and she lost Riley, her only remaining family, Mackenzie has come up with a plan. She is going to return to the place she saw the crack in the world to get photographic proof and tell the army so they can do something…she doesn’t know what, but anything to close it and hopefully rescue her brother. It’s more of a last-ditch desperation act than a plan but it’s better than sitting around waiting to die.
***
I love all things Fae which was probably helpful knowing the lore because this is a drop-in figure it out as you go post-apocalyptic world. I thought the style worked well for showing us how out of depth Mackenzie was feeling, as she didn’t know what was going on and was shell-shocked by the events.
But there were moments where I found it was confusing even with my knowledge of the Fae. Some of the concepts take a bit to get your head around as they’re spoon-fed to us, which helped to minimize the info-dumping and kept the pace up to a decent clip, but a little patience is definitely needed for this style. This is also where my love of Fae stuff kicked in because I recognized the influences during some of the lighter on the explanation scenes taking place. And I really loved that there was enough of a spin on that lore to keep my attention while feeling very different and didn’t feel ‘been there done that’. Especially in a genre that’s inundated with similar scenarios.
The scene setting was beautiful in places and I found the story to be immersive- though the world feels very closed and I was not sure how big an effect the events had outside of the areas that are covered here. There’s a military presence but whether it was to go around and fight, or to just keep everyone in the safe zones, or both I was unclear about.
The story has that feel of a romance book with a bit of an attraction between the H/h but with a heavy dosing of the world building, of a fantasy. There is no sex or ditching everything for love. The hard choices stay that way even when you kind of want them to ditch everything for love.
I liked Mackenzie. She wasn’t a sobbing fool or a kick-ass snarker. She’s terrified but not the type to sit around and wait to be rescued. The plan to set things in motion to get the story on the road might have been a little flimsy but the rest was so fun! She’s so focused on saving her brother, herself, and then her world, that the bigger picture of the outcome for the other world wasn’t something she could see or care about- until she realized how much of it involved her brother. I liked this because that selfishness was very real feeling. Why should she care about a bunch of monsters who wrecking havoc on her world just because she met a man? Once it gets more personal, then she starts to see beyond her little corner of the world.
Hunter was different. He wasn’t really alpha but he wasn’t a weakling either. He’s torn between the two worlds, family, politics and what’s right for the people- and it shows. I kind of like that he was so tied by his choices that he is almost paralyzed because of them- giving him no options at all for a good outcome. I almost felt like he was in the role that is typically the heroines.
There was some foretelling about who Hunter was- if you didn’t read the summary (which I didn’t until after) I appreciated that we could figure it out on our own, if we were paying attention.
On the whole I thought this was a really fun story. It hit a lot of my buttons for romance and fantasy. I can see though that it could be polarizing with people with it’s quick-paced style, that barely lets you keep up or digest what you’ve learned but I found it was worth the effort. I guess that part would be where I had to deduct some points- it just needed a little more clarity in some areas. Also, this book does end on a slight cliffie. It’s not a horrible one but it’s certainly not finished here.
Other notes-
There’s a pov switch late in the book- those don’t always work for me. This one didn’t bother me so much, maybe because the we get to know him through her, I’m not too sure.
I absolutely will be looking to squeeze the next book in to my schedule. Can’t wait.
Spfbo score 6.8/10
also posted here-
https://starlitbook.com/2019/10/15/sp...
February 20, 2015
King of Ash and Bone was an interesting read for me. At first I was a little confused by what was happening, but then once the story started to progress I began to understand the situation and who the invaders were.
I can't go into detail without revealing too much, but I can say it was tough, at least for me, to draw a conclusion as to what the dying realm should do. I mean, yes it was sad that their survival depended on claiming others, but it's not like they can decide to just fade away and not try to save themselves. Sure they were villains among them and I can't wait to see how things work out as the series develops, but otherwise, the creatures of the dying realm made sense.
Now let's discuss characters. Mackenzie came off as a very strong and determined young girl. She had lost so much but still risked her life to save Hunter, who was a complete stranger, and I applaud her for that, especially with what was going on around her. She's the kind of heroine that we don't see often in books and that alone is a plus for this story. As for Hunter, he was a mystery at start. His character was laced with intrigue and I wanted so desperately to find out his story. I'd suspected he was one of the creatures before that came to light and without even reading the synopsis, but there was still something about him that drew me in. I liked the revelations about himself and his realm when he came clean to Mackenzie. It was evident that he was one of them but I had no idea his position ran deeper.
The biggest twist for me was towards the end with Mackenzie. For a second there I was about to curse up a storm because I honestly thought this was it for her. Thankfully it worked out better and she was reunited with Hunter. It still gave me quite the panic though.
As for the overall story and setting, I could definitely envision everything that was taking place. The writing was clear and quick. Every scene painted a picture and I felt like I was a part of this frightening, urban fantasy world. It's a fascinating story that readers with an open-mind can enjoy. The only issue I had was the bit of confusion at the start and I think that the ending could have been stronger, even if the story will continue. Still, it was enjoyable for the most part.
I've worked with Melissa before and been wanting to read her books but never got the chance to set something aside. This is my first taste into how good of a storyteller she is and it certainly won't be the last.
I can't go into detail without revealing too much, but I can say it was tough, at least for me, to draw a conclusion as to what the dying realm should do. I mean, yes it was sad that their survival depended on claiming others, but it's not like they can decide to just fade away and not try to save themselves. Sure they were villains among them and I can't wait to see how things work out as the series develops, but otherwise, the creatures of the dying realm made sense.
Now let's discuss characters. Mackenzie came off as a very strong and determined young girl. She had lost so much but still risked her life to save Hunter, who was a complete stranger, and I applaud her for that, especially with what was going on around her. She's the kind of heroine that we don't see often in books and that alone is a plus for this story. As for Hunter, he was a mystery at start. His character was laced with intrigue and I wanted so desperately to find out his story. I'd suspected he was one of the creatures before that came to light and without even reading the synopsis, but there was still something about him that drew me in. I liked the revelations about himself and his realm when he came clean to Mackenzie. It was evident that he was one of them but I had no idea his position ran deeper.
The biggest twist for me was towards the end with Mackenzie. For a second there I was about to curse up a storm because I honestly thought this was it for her. Thankfully it worked out better and she was reunited with Hunter. It still gave me quite the panic though.
As for the overall story and setting, I could definitely envision everything that was taking place. The writing was clear and quick. Every scene painted a picture and I felt like I was a part of this frightening, urban fantasy world. It's a fascinating story that readers with an open-mind can enjoy. The only issue I had was the bit of confusion at the start and I think that the ending could have been stronger, even if the story will continue. Still, it was enjoyable for the most part.
I've worked with Melissa before and been wanting to read her books but never got the chance to set something aside. This is my first taste into how good of a storyteller she is and it certainly won't be the last.
August 25, 2018
I hate to say it, but I just didn't really like this one. It was confusing and jumped around and I never quite connected to the story. The H/h we're okay and I liked the idea of the story, just not the execution. A lot of inner thought. Just not for me.
Reminded me a lot of The Hollow Kingdom, which I enjoyed a lot more.
Content: Clean, mild romance, mild violence, no language
Reminded me a lot of The Hollow Kingdom, which I enjoyed a lot more.
Content: Clean, mild romance, mild violence, no language
October 14, 2018
Review of KING OF ASH AND BONE by Melissa Wright
The first of a brand-new series, SHATTERED REALMS, by a prolific YA and Fantasy author, KING OF ASH AND BONE is fast-paced, eminently readable, and starts with an irresistible reader's hook which has overtones of both the traditional Fantasy genre and of Lovecraftian Mythos. When a Portal opens, releasing flying monsters, many are lost, to who knows where. One of these is Mackenzie's almost eighteen-year-old brother Riley, who was taken while trying to protect his sister. So Mackenzie follows after, tracking Riley, and finds an entirely new realm, a realm from which she may not be able to return. Thankfully, this is the first of a series, because the cliffhanger ending will leave readers hungry for more.
The first of a brand-new series, SHATTERED REALMS, by a prolific YA and Fantasy author, KING OF ASH AND BONE is fast-paced, eminently readable, and starts with an irresistible reader's hook which has overtones of both the traditional Fantasy genre and of Lovecraftian Mythos. When a Portal opens, releasing flying monsters, many are lost, to who knows where. One of these is Mackenzie's almost eighteen-year-old brother Riley, who was taken while trying to protect his sister. So Mackenzie follows after, tracking Riley, and finds an entirely new realm, a realm from which she may not be able to return. Thankfully, this is the first of a series, because the cliffhanger ending will leave readers hungry for more.
November 29, 2017
2nd Read-through: When I found out Melissa Wright was planning on releasing a sequel to King of Ash and Bone, I decided to re-read the original. My initial impression remained true. This is a dystopian novel unlike anything you've read before. In place of zombies or nuclear warfare, the real enemy are wicked fae. Or are they wicked? This is the question as Kenzie meets Hunter, a young man who is much more than he appears to be. I really enjoyed Kenzie and Hunter's perspectives as they led us through the magical apocalypse. Kenzie is naturally street smart and resourceful, everything you want in a dystopian heroine, but with real vulnerability hidden beneath it all. Hunter both protects and puts Kenzie in harm's way, though that's not his intention. The fae in this story are refreshingly darker and willing to do whatever necessary to steal energy from our world. Everything is set up for a truly unique epic series.
A few things I noticed this read-through that were missing last time. Wright has clearly revised her original edition because the prose was richer, the characters breathed real life and previously confusing events were made clear. Plus we get extra content, always my favorite thing about revised editions! Melissa Wright has put surprising depth and heart into an otherwise harsh genre. Much like The Walking Dead, Shattered Realms makes you care about its characters to a level you're willing to follow them, no matter where the journey takes them. Anxiously awaiting the sequel!
1st Read-through: Almost a year after I first began reading this epic dystopian novel, I finally finished it! The best part was once I started it up again, I couldn't put it down until I read the last word. I have been a long time fan of Melissa Wright's works, ever since I stumbled upon Frey in the "free" category on Amazon. I fell in love with the Frey Saga and hounded the poor author until she had finished her fantastical series. The Descendants was equally exciting for me, albeit a different genre. I enjoyed seeing this author grow and show off her talent for characters with a lot of snark and personality. King of Ash and Bone is her latest series, this time a dystopian fairy tale set not to far from the present. Wright did a wonderful job drawing you into her characters lives, and especially detailing the sudden fall of civilization. King of Ash and Bone is very different from her previous two series and promises even more surprises and wondrous discoveries for the future. Impatiently waiting for the next installment!
A few things I noticed this read-through that were missing last time. Wright has clearly revised her original edition because the prose was richer, the characters breathed real life and previously confusing events were made clear. Plus we get extra content, always my favorite thing about revised editions! Melissa Wright has put surprising depth and heart into an otherwise harsh genre. Much like The Walking Dead, Shattered Realms makes you care about its characters to a level you're willing to follow them, no matter where the journey takes them. Anxiously awaiting the sequel!
1st Read-through: Almost a year after I first began reading this epic dystopian novel, I finally finished it! The best part was once I started it up again, I couldn't put it down until I read the last word. I have been a long time fan of Melissa Wright's works, ever since I stumbled upon Frey in the "free" category on Amazon. I fell in love with the Frey Saga and hounded the poor author until she had finished her fantastical series. The Descendants was equally exciting for me, albeit a different genre. I enjoyed seeing this author grow and show off her talent for characters with a lot of snark and personality. King of Ash and Bone is her latest series, this time a dystopian fairy tale set not to far from the present. Wright did a wonderful job drawing you into her characters lives, and especially detailing the sudden fall of civilization. King of Ash and Bone is very different from her previous two series and promises even more surprises and wondrous discoveries for the future. Impatiently waiting for the next installment!
July 17, 2019
This book is tough to review because on the one hand I found the idea to be worth my time but the execution just didn't hold up. It felt like it needed some major editing.
Here is the part where I start to break down the book but I'm not sure I fully understood it. Mackenzie is stranded. Her brother was Marked and left to protect her. At the start of her story, she is leaving her home to find comfort at an old tree she used to frequent with her mother. But it's not that simple because the world is at the start of an apocalypse and there are monsters flying around.
Anyway, she makes it to the tree but there's a man (who ends up being one of the monsters but doesn't look like one) being beaten by some of the monsters. She tries to fight them off but he ends up saving her and they go back to her house.
Now, this is where it starts to get confusing. There's a gateway and all the people the monsters marked will get pulled in to feed their dying world and then become monsters of their own. Mackenzie gets marked and pulled through before her time so...something happens to her that I didn't fully understand. She will change...I think.
Most of the book is spent with her in the other world and trying to get back to hers so she can save her brother. It doesn't end up working and that's about all I grasped of the book.
I really didn't understand the main man's (don't remember his name) story. I understood he was a monster and that he controlled the gateway somehow but I didn't understand the bit where he challenged the king with the right to rule.
Like I said earlier, this book just really needed some cleaning up.
I won't finish this series but I did buy a box set with three starter novels by Melissa Wright so I will be reading two more books by her.
Here is the part where I start to break down the book but I'm not sure I fully understood it. Mackenzie is stranded. Her brother was Marked and left to protect her. At the start of her story, she is leaving her home to find comfort at an old tree she used to frequent with her mother. But it's not that simple because the world is at the start of an apocalypse and there are monsters flying around.
Anyway, she makes it to the tree but there's a man (who ends up being one of the monsters but doesn't look like one) being beaten by some of the monsters. She tries to fight them off but he ends up saving her and they go back to her house.
Now, this is where it starts to get confusing. There's a gateway and all the people the monsters marked will get pulled in to feed their dying world and then become monsters of their own. Mackenzie gets marked and pulled through before her time so...something happens to her that I didn't fully understand. She will change...I think.
Most of the book is spent with her in the other world and trying to get back to hers so she can save her brother. It doesn't end up working and that's about all I grasped of the book.
I really didn't understand the main man's (don't remember his name) story. I understood he was a monster and that he controlled the gateway somehow but I didn't understand the bit where he challenged the king with the right to rule.
Like I said earlier, this book just really needed some cleaning up.
I won't finish this series but I did buy a box set with three starter novels by Melissa Wright so I will be reading two more books by her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2019
Fabulous story
Melissa Wright is one helluva story teller. Her characters are strong, resourceful and memorable. Her world-building captivates. I’m going to read the next book because there’s no way I can leave that world until I know what’s in store for MacKenzie and Hunter, and Riley. Good job!
Melissa Wright is one helluva story teller. Her characters are strong, resourceful and memorable. Her world-building captivates. I’m going to read the next book because there’s no way I can leave that world until I know what’s in store for MacKenzie and Hunter, and Riley. Good job!
November 1, 2023
This book was nothing that I expected it to be. I wasn't sure at first, but the characters carry you along through the changing worlds Melissa Wright created. The author did a good job of suspense and action without needing to rely on gore. Maybe a little too Insta-love for me, but still enjoyed the story thoroughly.
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August 20, 2018This was my second time through and I felt like the edits made things a little clearer. Still really, really enjoyed it. Quite a page-turner.
September 2, 2019
Not for me
It was a good idea with a couple of good pages but overall i was extremely bored. Not for me
It was a good idea with a couple of good pages but overall i was extremely bored. Not for me
March 7, 2015
I've made no secret of the fact that I adored the Descendants series, so when I saw Melissa Wright had just released a new book I didn't hesitate in grabbing it and reading ASAP. I love the way she writes, and especially how she writes action and romance.
I'll start by saying I didn't love this as much as the Descendants series, but that was purely a personal thing. I didn't fall as hard for the characters, and I'm a character driven reader. Now that's said, let's talk about all the things I did love:
Mackenzie, the MC of this series, is another determined, take-no-crap female and she's awesome. She'll go to any length for her brother and I really liked that about her. I also liked how when she found herself in another (mirror?) world, she freaked out. A lot. She went quiet and withdrawn, and eventually she pulled herself out of it and got shit done. I love my badass ladies who aren't afraid to show emotions or break down. Hunter, too, I loved, but I never loved him. I admired him, sure, and liked a lot about him, but he didn't have a spark for me. Still, I enjoyed reading about him, and especially learning about his world and his place in the realm of monsters.
I liked a bunch of other things about this - how we're thrown into the action from the start, the wreckage Earth has become, the introduction to a creepy ruling force in the other world, the perfect mix of post-apocalyptic and fantasy, and the prospect of a human girl becoming queen of a dying world of inhumans. I did miss a lot of world-building, though, and didn't quite understand or visualise the dying lands as well as I'd have liked, and crossing through the gateway confused me at times; I couldn't understand what was happening. But I overlooked these things for the great plot and writing.
King of Ash and Bone is a unique blend of portal fantasy and post-apocalyptic Earth. Instantly compelling. I have a hunch I'll like book two much more than this, and I can't wait to read it!
I'll start by saying I didn't love this as much as the Descendants series, but that was purely a personal thing. I didn't fall as hard for the characters, and I'm a character driven reader. Now that's said, let's talk about all the things I did love:
Mackenzie, the MC of this series, is another determined, take-no-crap female and she's awesome. She'll go to any length for her brother and I really liked that about her. I also liked how when she found herself in another (mirror?) world, she freaked out. A lot. She went quiet and withdrawn, and eventually she pulled herself out of it and got shit done. I love my badass ladies who aren't afraid to show emotions or break down. Hunter, too, I loved, but I never loved him. I admired him, sure, and liked a lot about him, but he didn't have a spark for me. Still, I enjoyed reading about him, and especially learning about his world and his place in the realm of monsters.
I liked a bunch of other things about this - how we're thrown into the action from the start, the wreckage Earth has become, the introduction to a creepy ruling force in the other world, the perfect mix of post-apocalyptic and fantasy, and the prospect of a human girl becoming queen of a dying world of inhumans. I did miss a lot of world-building, though, and didn't quite understand or visualise the dying lands as well as I'd have liked, and crossing through the gateway confused me at times; I couldn't understand what was happening. But I overlooked these things for the great plot and writing.
King of Ash and Bone is a unique blend of portal fantasy and post-apocalyptic Earth. Instantly compelling. I have a hunch I'll like book two much more than this, and I can't wait to read it!
July 14, 2015
http://abooktopia.weebly.com
Flying monsters have broken through a veil in the sky. With people abandoning their homes, Mackenzie Scott and her brother must fend off for their lives. That is until a single scratch from one of the beasts marks Riley. To keep his sister safe, he leaves her in the middle of the night to go join the army. Now all alone, Mackenzie discovers the gateway used to join her world with that of the dying realm. With Hunter the stranger she saved from the raging monsters by her side, she begins her journey. But this stranger is no boy. He is the Sons of the sons. He is one of the monsters…
Mackenzie is a strong willed girl who has lost so much already, yet she is still willing to risk her life to save the life of an unknown stranger, from the very monsters she fears. That alone took great courage. I loved her strong will to stop at nothing to get her brother back safe and sound.
Hunter’s character was mysterious. He’s a monster, but there’s a different quality to him that I can’t quite put my finger on. It made we want to know him, to understand him. I wanted to learn about his world, and how it works. I enjoyed how his position in the realm ran much deeper than I had anticipated, which made his character all the more interesting.
My only problem with this novel was the slight confusion at the start as I tried to understand about the dying realms, but I soon got over that as I slowly began to understand as the novel went on. I quite enjoyed Melissa Wright’s work and cannot wait to start her other series the Descendant straightway.
***I received a signed copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review***
October 15, 2018
*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.*
1.5/5. This is one of those books that drops the reader right into the action from the very first line, which can be quite compelling if done well. In this case, it was not done well. There is no payoff; there is no moment when everything clicks into place and the reader understands what is happening. Somewhere around the halfway point of this book, I was still so bored and confused that I started skimming. I thought maybe things would start making sense once it was revealed that Hunter is one of the monsters, but that piece of information changed basically nothing. Speaking of which, our two main characters, Hunter and Mackenzie, are so dull and lifeless that I could not bring myself to give one single crap about either of their fates. Neither one of them has any defining characteristics or anything resembling a personality. Mackenzie is, umm...a girl? And Hunter is...strong? That's about all I've got.
There were a few moments where I felt intrigued by the setting or a concept, but those moments were quickly overshadowed by more meaningless nonsense. At the conclusion of this book, I still feel like I don't know what happened. And maybe this is just petty of me, but it's really hard to take a book seriously when it contains this actual line: "[...]they appeared to have been pushed there by a black shingled roof. As in, the top of a house." Oh, thank you for enlightening me, I wasn't totally clear on what a roof was.
1.5/5. This is one of those books that drops the reader right into the action from the very first line, which can be quite compelling if done well. In this case, it was not done well. There is no payoff; there is no moment when everything clicks into place and the reader understands what is happening. Somewhere around the halfway point of this book, I was still so bored and confused that I started skimming. I thought maybe things would start making sense once it was revealed that Hunter is one of the monsters, but that piece of information changed basically nothing. Speaking of which, our two main characters, Hunter and Mackenzie, are so dull and lifeless that I could not bring myself to give one single crap about either of their fates. Neither one of them has any defining characteristics or anything resembling a personality. Mackenzie is, umm...a girl? And Hunter is...strong? That's about all I've got.
There were a few moments where I felt intrigued by the setting or a concept, but those moments were quickly overshadowed by more meaningless nonsense. At the conclusion of this book, I still feel like I don't know what happened. And maybe this is just petty of me, but it's really hard to take a book seriously when it contains this actual line: "[...]they appeared to have been pushed there by a black shingled roof. As in, the top of a house." Oh, thank you for enlightening me, I wasn't totally clear on what a roof was.
January 22, 2016
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
This book follows Mackenzie Scott after the world has been invaded by flying monsters. A crack in the sky allowed then passage and I was completely captivated by the other side of the veil. The other realm spoke to my dark side and I wish I could see it play out as a movie. Ah!!!
Mackenzie was a great character. She was hilarious and I loved how she didn't sit around doing nothing.
The plot twists were amazing and I absolutely loved Melissa's writing structure in this book. I was so invested in the plot line that when she threw other POV's at me, I got really excited. I didn't know I wanted them so much until they were right in front of me.
My world almost shattered in the last part of the book. Holy, jeez. My heart almost stopped because of how intense it was. But, eventhough the book mended the pieces, I think it's just putting off the inevitable. I am so scared to continue with this series but I have to! This book was intense and I need more!!!
Only slight negative comment I have is that I made a completely horrible mistake by reading the synopsis on the back. It contained a huge spoiler that would have otherwise made the plot line more intense. But since I knew about it, it wasn't as thrilling when it was revealed.
Other than that, I am anxiously waiting to revisit these characters!! That cliffhanger is killing me!
This book follows Mackenzie Scott after the world has been invaded by flying monsters. A crack in the sky allowed then passage and I was completely captivated by the other side of the veil. The other realm spoke to my dark side and I wish I could see it play out as a movie. Ah!!!
Mackenzie was a great character. She was hilarious and I loved how she didn't sit around doing nothing.
The plot twists were amazing and I absolutely loved Melissa's writing structure in this book. I was so invested in the plot line that when she threw other POV's at me, I got really excited. I didn't know I wanted them so much until they were right in front of me.
My world almost shattered in the last part of the book. Holy, jeez. My heart almost stopped because of how intense it was. But, eventhough the book mended the pieces, I think it's just putting off the inevitable. I am so scared to continue with this series but I have to! This book was intense and I need more!!!
Only slight negative comment I have is that I made a completely horrible mistake by reading the synopsis on the back. It contained a huge spoiler that would have otherwise made the plot line more intense. But since I knew about it, it wasn't as thrilling when it was revealed.
Other than that, I am anxiously waiting to revisit these characters!! That cliffhanger is killing me!
March 6, 2015
This is my first book by Melissa Wright. The cover is amazing and fit the story perfectly. I gobbled this up in one sitting and even ordered pizza so I didn't have to stop and cook. THAT is saying a lot! So not only did I enjoy the book but the kids reaped the benefits too.
It starts with monsters entering our world through the veil when it breaks. Now I usually don't read much of the new adult age because authors usually make characters so wishy washy and whiny. Mackenzie was neither of these. She was strong and self sacrificing and even tried to help a stranger from the monsters. That is where the ever mysterious Hunter came in.I can't tell you much about him without spoiling anything but I will tell you that I had sympathy for everyone in the story.
This was well worth the read and I'm desperate for the next in the series. Until then I will check out the authors' other series The Frey Saga and The Descendants.
It starts with monsters entering our world through the veil when it breaks. Now I usually don't read much of the new adult age because authors usually make characters so wishy washy and whiny. Mackenzie was neither of these. She was strong and self sacrificing and even tried to help a stranger from the monsters. That is where the ever mysterious Hunter came in.I can't tell you much about him without spoiling anything but I will tell you that I had sympathy for everyone in the story.
This was well worth the read and I'm desperate for the next in the series. Until then I will check out the authors' other series The Frey Saga and The Descendants.
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January 9, 2016There are definitely some questions... Review to come.
August 27, 2019
King of Ash and Bone starts as it means to continue. A huge storm arrives and destroys everything in it's path. This is no ordinary storm however, as monsters from another realm have broken through the veil to earth intent on bringing the apocalypse.
When Mackenzie's brother, Riley, is "marked" by the monsters, he leaves their home in the dead of night to join the army leaving Mackenzie completely alone. As Mackenzie has no parents and was responsible for raising her younger brother, she becomes hell bent on getting revenge against these monsters and finding her brother. Whilst patrolling the area, she comes upon monsters attacking a young man in the street. She fights off the monsters and rescues the young man, Hunter. She takes Hunter home to care for his wounds but Hunter is more than he appears and Mackenzie soon becomes drawn in a battle between realms for survival.
King of Ash and Bone is a YA sci-fi / romance / dystopian novel which is great for some light reading (I read this during down times over a weekend). Whilst the story draws the reader in, I did feel that it lacked some depth. Whilst I appreciate how difficult it is to create different realms, I would have loved a to have a stronger picture of the alternative realm and stronger descriptions of the monsters themselves.
Character wise, Mackenzie is a strong female lead, with a bad ass attitude who shows vulnerability throughout the story but always gets back up and dusts herself off. I felt she is a fantastic heroine for a YA novel. However, I did not feel a connection with many of the other characters but I am looking forward to the sequel to see if this improves.
When Mackenzie's brother, Riley, is "marked" by the monsters, he leaves their home in the dead of night to join the army leaving Mackenzie completely alone. As Mackenzie has no parents and was responsible for raising her younger brother, she becomes hell bent on getting revenge against these monsters and finding her brother. Whilst patrolling the area, she comes upon monsters attacking a young man in the street. She fights off the monsters and rescues the young man, Hunter. She takes Hunter home to care for his wounds but Hunter is more than he appears and Mackenzie soon becomes drawn in a battle between realms for survival.
King of Ash and Bone is a YA sci-fi / romance / dystopian novel which is great for some light reading (I read this during down times over a weekend). Whilst the story draws the reader in, I did feel that it lacked some depth. Whilst I appreciate how difficult it is to create different realms, I would have loved a to have a stronger picture of the alternative realm and stronger descriptions of the monsters themselves.
Character wise, Mackenzie is a strong female lead, with a bad ass attitude who shows vulnerability throughout the story but always gets back up and dusts herself off. I felt she is a fantastic heroine for a YA novel. However, I did not feel a connection with many of the other characters but I am looking forward to the sequel to see if this improves.
October 12, 2018
I received a complementary copy for an honest review. In a post-apocalyptic world, Mackenzie and her brother Riley find their house the only standing one on their block, protected by mysterious markings on the fence surrounding their house. Venturing into the destroyed world, they find death and destruction at the hands of winged monsters. Mackenzie saves the life of a boy, Hunter, and they find themselves on a quest to save family and possibly the world.
Great potential, but overall a miss on execution. The concept of the post-apocalyptic world and two worlds really worked, it was just overall confusing. The story and writing jumped from ideas so it was difficult to follow the action and character development. Details were there, but they seemed to be disjointed from the plot, causing much of the confusion. The story did come together more towards the end of the book, so I look forward to reading the sequel and hope the story continues because the ideas are truly creative and exciting.
Great potential, but overall a miss on execution. The concept of the post-apocalyptic world and two worlds really worked, it was just overall confusing. The story and writing jumped from ideas so it was difficult to follow the action and character development. Details were there, but they seemed to be disjointed from the plot, causing much of the confusion. The story did come together more towards the end of the book, so I look forward to reading the sequel and hope the story continues because the ideas are truly creative and exciting.
October 12, 2018
King of Ash and Bone starts with a bang, literally. A massive storm arrives and destroys almost everything, the apocalypse is at hand and its not zombies. Hulking beasts are terrorizing everyone and the whispers say they are fey. Mackenzie stepped up to care for her brother when their mother was killed in a car wreck and their father abandons them. When he's attacked and scared by the monsters, Riley leaves to join the army to fight them. Now Mackenzie spends her days trying to find Riley. When she comes upon monsters attacking a young man in the street, Mackenzie pulls a Babe Ruth with a metal pipe and saves Hunter from the monsters. But Hunter is more than he appears and Mackenzie becomes drawn in a battle between realms for survival. Creative with hints of romance, the story draws the reader in and moves quickly leaving the reader hanging for the continuing story. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy.
January 23, 2019
Is it magic, no, can't be, fairy tales are not true.
I love this book. I am not typically a fan of apocalypse style books but I do love scifi and fantasy.
The author does great with the characters. Mackenzie has been looking after her brother for a long time so when a strange storm comes along she makes sure he is safe. After the storm passes everything they know changes and her brother leaves in the middle of the night.
Mackenzie is trying to get the courage to look for her brother when she comes across monsters beating up a boy and she rushes to his rescue. She learns his name is Hunter and she denies that anything may seem off about him, but who is he really, he seems to fight the monsters that have invaded her world.
This is a must read if you like Indepence Day. I can't wait to read the next one.
I love this book. I am not typically a fan of apocalypse style books but I do love scifi and fantasy.
The author does great with the characters. Mackenzie has been looking after her brother for a long time so when a strange storm comes along she makes sure he is safe. After the storm passes everything they know changes and her brother leaves in the middle of the night.
Mackenzie is trying to get the courage to look for her brother when she comes across monsters beating up a boy and she rushes to his rescue. She learns his name is Hunter and she denies that anything may seem off about him, but who is he really, he seems to fight the monsters that have invaded her world.
This is a must read if you like Indepence Day. I can't wait to read the next one.
July 25, 2019
This book actually came from "Reign of Queens" which is a book with THREE fantasy book series starters by Melissa Wright.
I wasn't super inspired to read the other two stories (YET) but I really enjoyed this one! Strong female lead trying to save the world? I'm all for it. There were a couple parts that had me kinda feeling like I was missing something and instead of it ever really being explained I just kinda made some assumptions, especially about the budding romance between the MC and the love interest. It just kinda... happens. I still liked the romance of course, it just seemed shoved in like an afterthought rather than a clean buildup. There's some hints that they're like, oh he's cute, oh she's brave but then near the end they smooch and I'm like... okay? Yay! Lol. Overall, good quick read, I'll def be looking for the next one!
I wasn't super inspired to read the other two stories (YET) but I really enjoyed this one! Strong female lead trying to save the world? I'm all for it. There were a couple parts that had me kinda feeling like I was missing something and instead of it ever really being explained I just kinda made some assumptions, especially about the budding romance between the MC and the love interest. It just kinda... happens. I still liked the romance of course, it just seemed shoved in like an afterthought rather than a clean buildup. There's some hints that they're like, oh he's cute, oh she's brave but then near the end they smooch and I'm like... okay? Yay! Lol. Overall, good quick read, I'll def be looking for the next one!
October 20, 2019
Interesting idea, but told in such a convoluted way, I am not sure even now, if I understand the concept fully.
Mackenzie was consistently believable throughout. Strong, honorable, determined ... all excellent qualities in a lead character. We care about Riley because she does so strongly, (not because of any real rapport we have built up with his character).
Hunter/Nightsbane is more human than monster, but she still has no reason to trust him. Especially since he hides so much of the truth about himself and his world from her.
The other characters are cardboard cutouts at best.
I'm slightly curious as to how Mackenzie fares in her new home but not enough to purchase the next book. YMMV.
Mackenzie was consistently believable throughout. Strong, honorable, determined ... all excellent qualities in a lead character. We care about Riley because she does so strongly, (not because of any real rapport we have built up with his character).
Hunter/Nightsbane is more human than monster, but she still has no reason to trust him. Especially since he hides so much of the truth about himself and his world from her.
The other characters are cardboard cutouts at best.
I'm slightly curious as to how Mackenzie fares in her new home but not enough to purchase the next book. YMMV.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2020
It was like every other day
It started off like any other day but ended with bloodshed and fear. Now the world is falling apart and Mackenzie is all alone. She knows Riley did the right thing by trying to join the fight against the monsters but she fears that she will never see him again. So when she saves Hunter I from being killed by the monsters she is no longer alone. Hunter is hiding who he truly is, he has to stop what is coming but he fears that it too late. He has no choice but to save Kenzie and now he needs to explain what he is and how he will save her. She can't believe what is happening she has no choice to trust Hunter and hope that Riley will be safe. But can they survive the coming days?A good read.
It started off like any other day but ended with bloodshed and fear. Now the world is falling apart and Mackenzie is all alone. She knows Riley did the right thing by trying to join the fight against the monsters but she fears that she will never see him again. So when she saves Hunter I from being killed by the monsters she is no longer alone. Hunter is hiding who he truly is, he has to stop what is coming but he fears that it too late. He has no choice but to save Kenzie and now he needs to explain what he is and how he will save her. She can't believe what is happening she has no choice to trust Hunter and hope that Riley will be safe. But can they survive the coming days?A good read.
October 16, 2018
What appeared to be a terrible storm is just the beginning of Mackenzie's troubles. A portal from another world has been opened and demon-like creatures roam around marking people. When her brother gets marked and runs away, Mackenzie decides to go after him and find a way to save him. That is the start of her adventures, which will lead her to this other world and back and there again.
Although the first chapters are a little confusing and there appear to be missing pieces in the story, reading on everything becomes clearer. Mackenzie is a strong female heroine, and throughout the book we get an indepth to her character and emotions. The world building is mind-blowing. I can't wait for the next installment!
I received an ARC from Hidden Gems and this is my voluntary review.
Although the first chapters are a little confusing and there appear to be missing pieces in the story, reading on everything becomes clearer. Mackenzie is a strong female heroine, and throughout the book we get an indepth to her character and emotions. The world building is mind-blowing. I can't wait for the next installment!
I received an ARC from Hidden Gems and this is my voluntary review.
October 27, 2023
Dangerous things in dying lands
‘The world’s not going to save itself.’
Both Mackenzie and Riley have a “can-do” attitude, unfortunately, gained from tragic circumstances. But once one has learned how to “pull up the bootstraps”, this survival tactic comes in handy for just about anything (not only an apocalypse). I like how the author uses folklore to enlighten readers with some sage advice:
It’s better to ‘bear our troubles bravely than try to escape them.’
Fave line:
‘If anything can help save the world, it’s duct tape.’
May we all have the tools we need to weather the various storms in our lives.
Next in series is ‘Queen of Iron and Blood’.
‘The world’s not going to save itself.’
Both Mackenzie and Riley have a “can-do” attitude, unfortunately, gained from tragic circumstances. But once one has learned how to “pull up the bootstraps”, this survival tactic comes in handy for just about anything (not only an apocalypse). I like how the author uses folklore to enlighten readers with some sage advice:
It’s better to ‘bear our troubles bravely than try to escape them.’
Fave line:
‘If anything can help save the world, it’s duct tape.’
May we all have the tools we need to weather the various storms in our lives.
Next in series is ‘Queen of Iron and Blood’.
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