Falling Ash

Falling Ash #1

by A.T. Douglas

He has me. He holds me. He’ll never let me go.

I’ve faced my fair share of challenges this year. I’ve endured physical and emotional pain and survived the attacks that led to the self-destruction of society, but I don't know if I can survive this.

I may not want to.

My name before he took me was Ashleigh, but now I'm only Ash.

Falling Ash is a Dark Dystopian Romance novel intended for mature audiences 18+. It contains disturbing situations, graphic violence, strong language, and sexual content.

The story continues in Ash to Dust, the unexpected sequel to Falling Ash.

Genres: Dark, Dystopia, Science Fiction

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 9, 2016

About the author

A.T. Douglas embraced her renewed passion for reading by diving into the self-publishing world in 2013. Fueled by her love of music and her addiction to the romance genre, she strives to turn daydreams and the realities of life into words the world can read. She lives in New Hampshire, USA, with her husband and sons and wishes desperately that there were more hours in the day for family, reading, and writing.

Reviews

[Celestine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's start with what we know. Ashleigh is now called Ash. She is being held against her will. She may wish to end it all. Society has self-destructed. That is pretty bare bones. The unknown and hope are exactly why this book is such a page turner.

Advertised as a "dark dystopian," I wasn't sure what I was getting in to with this novel. Turns out this book is a psychological journey, filled with highs and lows, set amid the crumbling of the U.S. "He" is pretty disturbed. My guess is somewhere on the mood disorder realm, perhaps intermittent explosive disorder with tinges of paranoia. He is strategic, intelligent, handsome and capable; he is also manipulative, intimidating, mercenary and moody. The key tension point as the book evolves is whether He did or did not do this one truly horrible thing. The truth is the hinge of the entire story. And the revelation of that truth is very long in coming. A.T. Douglas totally manipulated me for a good, long, portion of this book.

Ash is a captive, culled to be his companion in this new world. He is terrifying and compelling all at the same time. He exhibits flashes of compassion, followed by inexcusable cruelty. He offers tantalizing independence, followed by crushing isolation. At no point is Ash in control of her future. Eventually she comes to accept and then crave her captor. In turn, he is not as bad as she first thought. Or is he?

This novel was a study in Stockholm Syndrome, with danger inherent in the collapse of society pushing all the right buttons. He could protect Ash. He wanted Ash. There were certainly others out there even more dangerous.

I ended this book believing the happy ending. Or was I just conditioned to feel that way? 4.5 stars.

[B.E.Love]

This was an interesting read and different from what I normally read. I wish this book had more back story, it's a dystopia but I wanted to know more of what happened not just the after effects. The world created was interesting and this story kept my interest but I had some issues with the hero. His reasons for what he does just wasn't enough for me, I can take a lot from a hero but he has to make up for it and this hero does make up for it but not enough for me especially with some of the things he does. I have to say I enjoyed the other parts of this story more than the romance because like I said it was really interesting and engaging. This one wasn't bad but it was missing something. I will also say this book does have triggers that some will not like the hero is a jerk to the heroine(at times) and is aggressive and almost or some will say abusive to her.

[ZARIA (Sheldon Cooper lover) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve faced my fair share of challenges this year. I’ve endured physical and emotional pain and survived the attacks that led to the self-destruction of society, but I don't know if I can survive this.

He has me. He holds me. He’ll never let me go.

My name before he took me was Ashleigh, but now I'm only Ash

Captive in his home i may not want to....



I love dark dystopian...but this one not so much......
Silas is sick....some type of mental disorder. Clearly, there is no reason that justifies the things he has done to Ash: no normative reasons. Ash.... that poor thing believes there is...so we agree to disagree
The story has possibilities, some of the characters could even be developed with some work, but the read was enjoyable.

[Clarice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, good storyline. Has dark elements , but does end with an HEA.

[E.G. Manetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little disappointing. I like dark romance and edgy romance, and I'm good with some kink. The premise is great - post collapse of civilization and Ash ends up a prisoner of Silas who has mad survival skills. Well written, the story flows well, but Ash's response to Silas' abuse reads more like Stockholm syndrome than dark romance.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this was a really interesting story. It was definitely not what I expected, I thought there would be more romance, more crazy twisted Stockholm-y romace. This was much more than a love story. The whole time I was reading it, I could see it as one of the post apocalyptic movies. It was a great read though.

[Stephanie Furlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

First of all I am psyched there were no billionaires, mobsters, motorcycle gangs, floggers and crops or virgins. Even in this genre one of those elements still typically make it in.

The author writes really well and there was certainly no insta-love. I am confused about the conversation where Ashleigh and Silas find out each other’s last names. I read that part over and over and couldn’t figure out the significance of Nolan. Maybe I’ll Google it if I’m still thinking about it in a few days.

Also, Ash’s obsession over Jake was nauseating. We get it. You love your brother. Sheesh. And don’t get me started on all of her crying and vomiting. Good grief.

The book wasn’t all that dark either. Maybe I’m just a little (ok a lot) jaded from other “dark” books, but Silas wasn’t that bad.

[Lily]

I heard of victims in abusive relationships being compared to frogs being placed in cold water then slowly being boiled alive because they don't notice the change inin heat.....Ash in this story is exactly like that. I just can't get over the fact that people capable of abuse like Silias is never really change, and Ash does seem brainwashed enough to stay through it all. I can't tell if this is meant to be a cautionary sad tale about abuse or an actual romance. I don't think this could ever be a romance, even a dark one, so I'm gonna leave it unrated.

The writing was captivating though.

[Jessa]

Sucker for a dark dystopian.

[Summer]

DNF