What do you think?
Rate this book
Fallen Isles #2
As She Ascends
Mira, the Hopebearer
Mira Minkoba is on the run with her friends after a fiery escape from the Pit, where she’d been imprisoned for defending the dragons she loves. And she wants answers. Where have all the dragons been taken? Why are powerful noorestones being shipped to the mainland? And did the treaty she’s been defending her whole life truly sell out the Fallen Isles to their enemies?
Mira, the Dragonhearted
As her connection to the dragons—and their power—grows stronger, so does Mira’s fear that she might lose control and hurt someone she loves. But the only way to find the truth is to go home again, to Damina, to face the people who betrayed her and the parents she’s not sure she can trust.
Home, where she must rise above her fears. Or be consumed.
Mira Minkoba is on the run with her friends after a fiery escape from the Pit, where she’d been imprisoned for defending the dragons she loves. And she wants answers. Where have all the dragons been taken? Why are powerful noorestones being shipped to the mainland? And did the treaty she’s been defending her whole life truly sell out the Fallen Isles to their enemies?
Mira, the Dragonhearted
As her connection to the dragons—and their power—grows stronger, so does Mira’s fear that she might lose control and hurt someone she loves. But the only way to find the truth is to go home again, to Damina, to face the people who betrayed her and the parents she’s not sure she can trust.
Home, where she must rise above her fears. Or be consumed.
550 pages, Hardcover
First published September 11, 2018
97 people are currently reading
5699 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Meadows
38 books4,714 followersI write books. I snuggle cats. I drink coffee.
--
Feel free to send a friend request. I don't reply to Goodreads messages; email is preferred.
--
Feel free to send a friend request. I don't reply to Goodreads messages; email is preferred.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
Read
August 1, 2018There is a cover. :)
5-9-18: Done with pass pages! Soon it will be a finished book!
8-1-18: Pre-order info for As She Ascends is up! More info here.
5-9-18: Done with pass pages! Soon it will be a finished book!
8-1-18: Pre-order info for As She Ascends is up! More info here.
November 28, 2019
RTC!
- - -
I didn't even see this cover reveal! Look at how BEAUTIFUL it is! I am so ready for this book OMG!
- - -
I didn't even see this cover reveal! Look at how BEAUTIFUL it is! I am so ready for this book OMG!
Want to read
November 16, 2017STOP GIVING A STAR RATING TO A BOOK WITHOUT A FREAKING TITLE LET ALONE AN ARC OR FINISHED COPY!
December 17, 2018
4.5 stars! It’s admittedly a little jarring to go from the simpler pace of Before She Ignites into As She Ascends, and it took me a while to get used to the back-to-back-to-back events happening to Mira and the crew. But otherwise, it was really great to get to see them working towards doing what they needed to in order to right the wrongs uncovered in the first book. Mira’s own growth really starts to show in this one, and as someone I already connected to in the previous book, I liked seeing how she’s been changed by all she’s been through. There’s still so much that needs to happen, and I’m really eager to see it all play out in book three.
July 30, 2018
Aaaaand Jodi has done it again. An incredible, sweeping fantasy with dragons and romance (far-off places! daring sword fights! a prince in disguise [ok, maybe not that]!)-- but also with talk of faith, empathy, listening across differences of experience, and taking seriously the consequences of our actions toward the world we live in. Mira is my home girl, Aaru is my fave, THEIR HANDHOLDING IS STILL FIRE. READ READ READ.
September 29, 2018
3.5 stars
"No one gets stronger all at once. It happens in pieces, and the hurts with the deepest roots take the longest to heal."
As She Ascends is the second book in the Fallen Isles trilogy. A trilogy that is slowly beginning to get my interest in. I liked Before She Ignites and I liked As She Ascends. These two books offer us a world of politics, dragons, deceit, and strength. Inner strength, to be more specific.
The story picks up when Mira and her friends have escaped the Pit and are on the run from people enemies and people Mira thought she could trust. On top of that, they also have to uncover the lies that were in the Mira Treaty. Dragons are still disappearing across the seven isles and there is the threat of the Great Abandonment, a cataclysmic event that could kill lives.
For the second book in a series, I'd say it does a pretty good job at presenting more of a problem-solving story. The way I see a trilogy is how each individual book presents something for the reader. For example, the first book sets up the world, presents a problem. The second can add more world building and an answer to the problem. The third book then takes that answer and solves the main issue surrounding said trilogy. And the Fallen Isles does follow that concept.
As She Ascends is a good book and a good follow up to Before She Ignites. It's not perfect, mind you, but it adds more to the story as well as the world.
One of my favorite things about this series so far is Mira and her inner strength. She goes through a lot of bad stuff just because she believes in doing the right thing. She wants to help the dragons and maintain peace within the seven isles and even the mainland. Her love of dragons is shown when she takes care of her own dragon as well as other ones. Even after she gets thrown to the ground, she still gets up to fight for what she believes in. She also has to deal with her anxiety and panic attacks. No matter what happens to her, she still continues to fight and shows a lot of inner strength.
We also have more plot and worldbuilding. A lot of complaints in the first book was how a good chunk of the story took place in one area while the rest was only mentioned or were shown for a short amount of time. Here, in As She Ascends, we are shown more of the world (not a lot but still enough) and how some of the isles operate. I'm glad we get to know more about the world because, with such an interesting story and world, there is a lot an author could explore.
For the negatives, I have 2 gripes.
The first being the length of the story. I don't mind long books. Hell, the longest book I've read was over 800 pages. What I have an issue with this series is that it could be shorter. The pacing is not to slow if you have lots of free time to read, but I could go without the pages that didn't really add much to the story.
Second would be the romance. The love interest, Aaru is actually an interesting character who only speaks through a form of tapping. He can speak, but its part of his culture to remain silent and we do get his POV in here, just in snippets. But when he and Mira are together, I feel nothing. Their romance isn't bad but I feel a disconnect between them.
Verdict
Though I wouldn't call this an all time favorite series, I am enjoying my time getting to know more about the characters, the world, and the dragons. This book has freaking dragons!!! How could I not enjoy it? Overall, I do like this series and I'm looking forward to seeing how it ends.
Thanks for reading my review!
-Cesar
"No one gets stronger all at once. It happens in pieces, and the hurts with the deepest roots take the longest to heal."
As She Ascends is the second book in the Fallen Isles trilogy. A trilogy that is slowly beginning to get my interest in. I liked Before She Ignites and I liked As She Ascends. These two books offer us a world of politics, dragons, deceit, and strength. Inner strength, to be more specific.
The story picks up when Mira and her friends have escaped the Pit and are on the run from people enemies and people Mira thought she could trust. On top of that, they also have to uncover the lies that were in the Mira Treaty. Dragons are still disappearing across the seven isles and there is the threat of the Great Abandonment, a cataclysmic event that could kill lives.
For the second book in a series, I'd say it does a pretty good job at presenting more of a problem-solving story. The way I see a trilogy is how each individual book presents something for the reader. For example, the first book sets up the world, presents a problem. The second can add more world building and an answer to the problem. The third book then takes that answer and solves the main issue surrounding said trilogy. And the Fallen Isles does follow that concept.
As She Ascends is a good book and a good follow up to Before She Ignites. It's not perfect, mind you, but it adds more to the story as well as the world.
One of my favorite things about this series so far is Mira and her inner strength. She goes through a lot of bad stuff just because she believes in doing the right thing. She wants to help the dragons and maintain peace within the seven isles and even the mainland. Her love of dragons is shown when she takes care of her own dragon as well as other ones. Even after she gets thrown to the ground, she still gets up to fight for what she believes in. She also has to deal with her anxiety and panic attacks. No matter what happens to her, she still continues to fight and shows a lot of inner strength.
We also have more plot and worldbuilding. A lot of complaints in the first book was how a good chunk of the story took place in one area while the rest was only mentioned or were shown for a short amount of time. Here, in As She Ascends, we are shown more of the world (not a lot but still enough) and how some of the isles operate. I'm glad we get to know more about the world because, with such an interesting story and world, there is a lot an author could explore.
For the negatives, I have 2 gripes.
The first being the length of the story. I don't mind long books. Hell, the longest book I've read was over 800 pages. What I have an issue with this series is that it could be shorter. The pacing is not to slow if you have lots of free time to read, but I could go without the pages that didn't really add much to the story.
Second would be the romance. The love interest, Aaru is actually an interesting character who only speaks through a form of tapping. He can speak, but its part of his culture to remain silent and we do get his POV in here, just in snippets. But when he and Mira are together, I feel nothing. Their romance isn't bad but I feel a disconnect between them.
Verdict
Though I wouldn't call this an all time favorite series, I am enjoying my time getting to know more about the characters, the world, and the dragons. This book has freaking dragons!!! How could I not enjoy it? Overall, I do like this series and I'm looking forward to seeing how it ends.
Thanks for reading my review!
-Cesar
August 13, 2019
PREORDER WHEN SHE REIGNS NOW
1. Preorder from your indie bookstore or retail site
- BONUS: Preorder a personalized & stamped copy from One More Page & receive an exclusive When She Reigns sticker from Hey Atlas Creative
2. Forward your receipt to Jodi
----
So you read Before She Ignites and immediately thought - MORE DRAGONS - right? Right. Well, Jodi Meadows DELIVERED in As She Ascends. There are dragons, dragons, and even more dragons.
And, dang it, now I really want a pocket dragon!
In all seriousness, As She Ascends is a second book in the series that takes an incredible first book and turns it up 10 notches.
What I love about The Fallen Isles triology is how clearly defined the titles are in light of the story development. Before She Ignites is a look at Mira as she’s slowly learning more about her world and the people she trusted most. As She Ascends is Mira taking matters into her own hands and saving the freaking dragons.
Mira has an excellent grasp on her perception of the established order, ethics, and morals in her close world. As She Ascends takes the world she thought she knew and turns the stone over on corruption and oppression. If you can’t draw the parallels with Mira’s world and our own, get yourself a book club and have a discussion.
Alongside Mira’s journey, we also get Aaru backstory chapters. SAY IT A LITTLE LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. I think all the Before She Ignites fans were dying to get their hands on how Aaru landed in the cell next to Mira; this gentle silent man can’t possibly have a horrific past right?
I am not sure how Jodi manages to give each character their own narrative but the entire crew gets their own piece of the puzzle here, including the dragons. Just enough so that when she does something horrifying to them, you feel it deep in your soul.
As She Ascends takes us deeper into the world of the islands, including social rules, spirituality, and their history. We also get to see more about the divide between the islands and the mainland.
Mira is back, ready to take on her oppressors, even if they are her own parents. Her motives are clear - save the dragons, keep the people she lives safe, and learn who she is along the way.
1. Preorder from your indie bookstore or retail site
- BONUS: Preorder a personalized & stamped copy from One More Page & receive an exclusive When She Reigns sticker from Hey Atlas Creative
2. Forward your receipt to Jodi
----
So you read Before She Ignites and immediately thought - MORE DRAGONS - right? Right. Well, Jodi Meadows DELIVERED in As She Ascends. There are dragons, dragons, and even more dragons.
And, dang it, now I really want a pocket dragon!
In all seriousness, As She Ascends is a second book in the series that takes an incredible first book and turns it up 10 notches.
What I love about The Fallen Isles triology is how clearly defined the titles are in light of the story development. Before She Ignites is a look at Mira as she’s slowly learning more about her world and the people she trusted most. As She Ascends is Mira taking matters into her own hands and saving the freaking dragons.
Mira has an excellent grasp on her perception of the established order, ethics, and morals in her close world. As She Ascends takes the world she thought she knew and turns the stone over on corruption and oppression. If you can’t draw the parallels with Mira’s world and our own, get yourself a book club and have a discussion.
Alongside Mira’s journey, we also get Aaru backstory chapters. SAY IT A LITTLE LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. I think all the Before She Ignites fans were dying to get their hands on how Aaru landed in the cell next to Mira; this gentle silent man can’t possibly have a horrific past right?
I am not sure how Jodi manages to give each character their own narrative but the entire crew gets their own piece of the puzzle here, including the dragons. Just enough so that when she does something horrifying to them, you feel it deep in your soul.
As She Ascends takes us deeper into the world of the islands, including social rules, spirituality, and their history. We also get to see more about the divide between the islands and the mainland.
Mira is back, ready to take on her oppressors, even if they are her own parents. Her motives are clear - save the dragons, keep the people she lives safe, and learn who she is along the way.
Want to read
July 16, 2018Do you want free bookish mail? Get your As She Ascends postcard right here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
September 9, 2018
4.5 stars
(I managed to make this review spoiler free for book 1, so you can still read this and learn about how amazing this series is without having to read Before She Ignites!)
OH. MY. GOSH.
Y'all are not ready for As She Ascends this Tuesday. I kid you not, this series has managed to get even better with book 2, and the entire concept of second book syndrome has been tossed out the window.
All of the problems I had with book 1 were completely fixed in As She Ascends, and it's like Meadows is a mind reader or something with how she was able to basically tailor this book to suit my tastes.
My biggest critique of book 1 was the pacing being somewhat slow, but in As She Ascends, there was so much gripping action and I literally could not scroll through the manuscript fast enough. I need to get a more powerful mouse or something, because I totally devoured those pages.
100 pages would go by and I wouldn't even realize it. That's how gripping this book was.
Before She Ignites is very much Mira being imprisoned, while As She Ascends was much more Mira on the run and Mira doing action and Mira doing things instead of being a sitting duck, which I had a lot more fun reading.
It's not that the slow pace of book 1 is bad, but it's not as riveting as this book was. As She Ascends takes on a very different tone and outlook on the characters' situation, which I greatly enjoyed and found really entertaining!
Part of this is probably because book 1 was in "Before" and "After" format, while book 2 only had short chapters from Aaru's point of view in the past!
I admit that I was honestly kind of apathetic to the romance in book one, but in As She Ascends I SHED REAL TEARS. Meadows is wicked good at building the angst and the tension between Aaru and Mira was so strong.
It wasn't unnecessary angst or anything--just a sort of angst that makes you ship the characters even harder and want to smoosh them together and yell at them to talk. I was tearing up (It was also late at night, but still) during some of their interactions and was definitely wayyy more involved with their relationship in this book than in book 1.
(In comparison to other books, though, this is like the most extreme slow burn of all slow burns.)
Plus, we get to see far more dragons in this book then the last, which I absolutely adore! Not only do we get to see more of LaLa and the cute companion dragons, there's more large and somewhat scary dragons too! It was all very exciting and I loved this aspect.
The political machinations still stand, and it's quite twisty as you definitely are being misled in some areas and should follow your gut instinct in others...
And Mira just really grew as a character in this book. I mean, I've pointed out how much I love seeing anxiety rep in a fantasy setting, and it's so nice to see a character in a fantasy novel taking medication etc.
She learns a lot about herself and her decisions and I really like how Meadows framed Mira against Chenda and highlighted some of her decisions and reactions in that way. Her growth was really one of my favorite parts of this novel, and Mira has been through such a huge personal journey in this series (and she still has places left to go).
Overall, As She Ascends totally blew Before She Ignites out of the water, and I'm so excited to read book three when it comes! I NEED more and I definitely recommend this series, especially on how the sequel did not disappoint!
Thank you so much to the author for providing me with a manuscript in exchange for an honest review!
(Plus, don't forget to check out the awesome preorder swag giveaway here--you've only got two days left!)
Blog | Instagram | Twitter
(I managed to make this review spoiler free for book 1, so you can still read this and learn about how amazing this series is without having to read Before She Ignites!)
OH. MY. GOSH.
Y'all are not ready for As She Ascends this Tuesday. I kid you not, this series has managed to get even better with book 2, and the entire concept of second book syndrome has been tossed out the window.
All of the problems I had with book 1 were completely fixed in As She Ascends, and it's like Meadows is a mind reader or something with how she was able to basically tailor this book to suit my tastes.
My biggest critique of book 1 was the pacing being somewhat slow, but in As She Ascends, there was so much gripping action and I literally could not scroll through the manuscript fast enough. I need to get a more powerful mouse or something, because I totally devoured those pages.
100 pages would go by and I wouldn't even realize it. That's how gripping this book was.
Before She Ignites is very much Mira being imprisoned, while As She Ascends was much more Mira on the run and Mira doing action and Mira doing things instead of being a sitting duck, which I had a lot more fun reading.
It's not that the slow pace of book 1 is bad, but it's not as riveting as this book was. As She Ascends takes on a very different tone and outlook on the characters' situation, which I greatly enjoyed and found really entertaining!
Part of this is probably because book 1 was in "Before" and "After" format, while book 2 only had short chapters from Aaru's point of view in the past!
I admit that I was honestly kind of apathetic to the romance in book one, but in As She Ascends I SHED REAL TEARS. Meadows is wicked good at building the angst and the tension between Aaru and Mira was so strong.
It wasn't unnecessary angst or anything--just a sort of angst that makes you ship the characters even harder and want to smoosh them together and yell at them to talk. I was tearing up (It was also late at night, but still) during some of their interactions and was definitely wayyy more involved with their relationship in this book than in book 1.
(In comparison to other books, though, this is like the most extreme slow burn of all slow burns.)
Plus, we get to see far more dragons in this book then the last, which I absolutely adore! Not only do we get to see more of LaLa and the cute companion dragons, there's more large and somewhat scary dragons too! It was all very exciting and I loved this aspect.
The political machinations still stand, and it's quite twisty as you definitely are being misled in some areas and should follow your gut instinct in others...
And Mira just really grew as a character in this book. I mean, I've pointed out how much I love seeing anxiety rep in a fantasy setting, and it's so nice to see a character in a fantasy novel taking medication etc.
She learns a lot about herself and her decisions and I really like how Meadows framed Mira against Chenda and highlighted some of her decisions and reactions in that way. Her growth was really one of my favorite parts of this novel, and Mira has been through such a huge personal journey in this series (and she still has places left to go).
Overall, As She Ascends totally blew Before She Ignites out of the water, and I'm so excited to read book three when it comes! I NEED more and I definitely recommend this series, especially on how the sequel did not disappoint!
Thank you so much to the author for providing me with a manuscript in exchange for an honest review!
(Plus, don't forget to check out the awesome preorder swag giveaway here--you've only got two days left!)
Blog | Instagram | Twitter
September 26, 2018
SUCH an amazing sequel! Not suffering from SBS at all!
January 20, 2019
As always a truly wonderful book!
August 31, 2020
On the one hand, this was far from amazing, but on the other hand I binged it in a day, so it must've had something going for it. Also the dragons were adorable.
RTC.
RTC.
September 23, 2018
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
REVIEW MAY ALSO BE VIEWED ON LAIR OF BOOKS
PLOT
The sequel I’ve been anxiously awaiting is FINALLY here & it was everything I was hoping it would be! If Before She Ignites was the breaking down of Mira’s reality, then As She Ascends lives up to it’s name with Mira rising like the Dragon Queen she really is! In the previous book we meet our Protagonist as she come across the cold hard truth about the government in Fallen Isles. A world entrusted by the Gods to take care of their children the dragons, has turned their backs on these creatures. Mira believes whole heartedly in The Great Abandonment, the belief that if the dragons aren’t fiercely protected, the Gods would truly abandon their people and devastation would spread across the islands. The problem is, not everyone believes in The Great Abandonment. Dragons are mysteriously dissapearing from their sanctuaries due to unexplained illnesses and acts of violence. Mira and friends are being hunted by Altan & his group of Drakon Warriors (Once were in a position of honor for being protectors of the Isles) all the while they search for truths & a way to save all Dragons.
CHARACTERS
Mira’s character is one that I hold near & dear to my heart for so many reasons. Mira struggles with anxiety and OCD, we see her thrown in a jail cell without access to her medications in the last book and the effects that had on her. Here Mira is learning how to cope with her anxiety and find peace within the chaos her life has been turned into. I’m glad to see her mental health challenges weren’t written away, instead Meadows gives us a very realistic MC who isn’t made of Teflon. Mira’s strength comes from deep within, she’s caring and loving to her friends and has a maternal love for dragons that even they can sense. To see that even those saving the day in our books, can struggle with mental health issues is appreciated & frankly something we need to see more of. Seeing Mira experience many of the episodes I myself deal with felt relatable. Seeing her have a support system of friends who understand & help her through them send such a positive message.
There are so many great characters to love in this book besides Mira but I have such a soft spot for Aaru. Silent in movement & speech, this Idrisi has stolen my heart. Strong in his beliefs & unwilling to bend or break his faith, Aaru finds himself unable to stay away from Mira. This character intrigued me so much in Before She Ignites, so much so that when I realized Meadows had given him his platform to tell his story through a series of flashbacks I was elated. I figured Aaru had to have had a difficult past but I just didn’t imagine how hard its been. On Aaru’s Island, women aren’t allowed to work and are though of as the lesser sex. This is something he can’t wrap his head around & seeing him fight for what he believes in made me respect and appreciate him all the more. Aaru is the calm Mira seeks, when they’re together the whole world is a much quieter place where Mira feels at peace.
Last but not least, for those who wanted to see more dragons in Before She Ignites Meadows delivers & honestly has me obsessing! 😍 Not only are Lala & Crystal back 🐉💓🐉 but we get introduced to more amazing majestic dragons along the way. Lala & Crystal are given personalities and we get to see Mira & her BFF/Wing Sister train & take care of them.
WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS
There’s so much positive to say when it comes to this trilogy, mental health rep being at the forefront. Having a strong support system & practicing self-care even when you think it’s not possible. I love these characters with all of my heart & every time I step into this world is a real treat. Hella diverse, our MC is a POC as is her love interest and this time around we also have a Lesbian relationship between two of the supporting characters. The character growth is A+ if you’re looking at Before She Ignites as Mira hitting rock bottom. As She Ascends sees Mira finding real confidence, growing, and breaking away from those who’ve lied to her. Surrounding herself with genuine people & discovering inner strength. Aaru also had deep character growth while some of the others found new meaning & purpose in life.
The World Building was EPICCCC!!!! between the dragons & the culture/history we got from each of the Islands and the Gods that represent them/their people, I don’t know what I enjoyed most. This time around we see how these Gods affect the people & the power/strengths they draw from their Gods. I can picture the Fallen Isles so vividly & the ending left me with chills!!! to say that I miss this world having just been in it would be the understatement of the year for this bookworm. I am so curious to see where Mira goes next & the dragons she discovers along the way…
REVIEW MAY ALSO BE VIEWED ON LAIR OF BOOKS
PLOT
The sequel I’ve been anxiously awaiting is FINALLY here & it was everything I was hoping it would be! If Before She Ignites was the breaking down of Mira’s reality, then As She Ascends lives up to it’s name with Mira rising like the Dragon Queen she really is! In the previous book we meet our Protagonist as she come across the cold hard truth about the government in Fallen Isles. A world entrusted by the Gods to take care of their children the dragons, has turned their backs on these creatures. Mira believes whole heartedly in The Great Abandonment, the belief that if the dragons aren’t fiercely protected, the Gods would truly abandon their people and devastation would spread across the islands. The problem is, not everyone believes in The Great Abandonment. Dragons are mysteriously dissapearing from their sanctuaries due to unexplained illnesses and acts of violence. Mira and friends are being hunted by Altan & his group of Drakon Warriors (Once were in a position of honor for being protectors of the Isles) all the while they search for truths & a way to save all Dragons.
CHARACTERS
Mira’s character is one that I hold near & dear to my heart for so many reasons. Mira struggles with anxiety and OCD, we see her thrown in a jail cell without access to her medications in the last book and the effects that had on her. Here Mira is learning how to cope with her anxiety and find peace within the chaos her life has been turned into. I’m glad to see her mental health challenges weren’t written away, instead Meadows gives us a very realistic MC who isn’t made of Teflon. Mira’s strength comes from deep within, she’s caring and loving to her friends and has a maternal love for dragons that even they can sense. To see that even those saving the day in our books, can struggle with mental health issues is appreciated & frankly something we need to see more of. Seeing Mira experience many of the episodes I myself deal with felt relatable. Seeing her have a support system of friends who understand & help her through them send such a positive message.
There are so many great characters to love in this book besides Mira but I have such a soft spot for Aaru. Silent in movement & speech, this Idrisi has stolen my heart. Strong in his beliefs & unwilling to bend or break his faith, Aaru finds himself unable to stay away from Mira. This character intrigued me so much in Before She Ignites, so much so that when I realized Meadows had given him his platform to tell his story through a series of flashbacks I was elated. I figured Aaru had to have had a difficult past but I just didn’t imagine how hard its been. On Aaru’s Island, women aren’t allowed to work and are though of as the lesser sex. This is something he can’t wrap his head around & seeing him fight for what he believes in made me respect and appreciate him all the more. Aaru is the calm Mira seeks, when they’re together the whole world is a much quieter place where Mira feels at peace.
Last but not least, for those who wanted to see more dragons in Before She Ignites Meadows delivers & honestly has me obsessing! 😍 Not only are Lala & Crystal back 🐉💓🐉 but we get introduced to more amazing majestic dragons along the way. Lala & Crystal are given personalities and we get to see Mira & her BFF/Wing Sister train & take care of them.
WRITING & FINAL THOUGHTS
There’s so much positive to say when it comes to this trilogy, mental health rep being at the forefront. Having a strong support system & practicing self-care even when you think it’s not possible. I love these characters with all of my heart & every time I step into this world is a real treat. Hella diverse, our MC is a POC as is her love interest and this time around we also have a Lesbian relationship between two of the supporting characters. The character growth is A+ if you’re looking at Before She Ignites as Mira hitting rock bottom. As She Ascends sees Mira finding real confidence, growing, and breaking away from those who’ve lied to her. Surrounding herself with genuine people & discovering inner strength. Aaru also had deep character growth while some of the others found new meaning & purpose in life.
The World Building was EPICCCC!!!! between the dragons & the culture/history we got from each of the Islands and the Gods that represent them/their people, I don’t know what I enjoyed most. This time around we see how these Gods affect the people & the power/strengths they draw from their Gods. I can picture the Fallen Isles so vividly & the ending left me with chills!!! to say that I miss this world having just been in it would be the understatement of the year for this bookworm. I am so curious to see where Mira goes next & the dragons she discovers along the way…
September 30, 2018
Mira the Dragonhearted is on the run with her friends following a fiery escape from the prison where she’d been condemned for speaking out against dragon trafficking.
And she wants answers. Has the treaty she’s been defending her whole life truly sold out the Fallen Isles to their enemies? Did her own parents lie to her? Will she lose control of her power and hurt the ones she loves?
The only way to find the truth is to go home again, to face the people who betrayed her and the parents she’s not sure she can trust. Home, where she must learn to rise above her fears. Or be consumed.
Serioisly, if you enjoyed the first book in the Fallen Isles trilogy, you will LOVE the second installment.
The plot speeds up as our friends try to escape the Khulani warriors, and they rarely get to catch their breath.
We learn SO much more about Aaru‘s past (all crucial information as it turns out, so read CAREFULLY).
And our Main Character, Mira, grows so much - without ever once losing her integrity (don‘t worry, she‘s still a Hufflepuff 😊), which makes her even more likable.
And then, the ending. I was not prepared for the ending. Really not.
In other news, I may or may not need a hug.
And she wants answers. Has the treaty she’s been defending her whole life truly sold out the Fallen Isles to their enemies? Did her own parents lie to her? Will she lose control of her power and hurt the ones she loves?
The only way to find the truth is to go home again, to face the people who betrayed her and the parents she’s not sure she can trust. Home, where she must learn to rise above her fears. Or be consumed.
Serioisly, if you enjoyed the first book in the Fallen Isles trilogy, you will LOVE the second installment.
The plot speeds up as our friends try to escape the Khulani warriors, and they rarely get to catch their breath.
We learn SO much more about Aaru‘s past (all crucial information as it turns out, so read CAREFULLY).
And our Main Character, Mira, grows so much - without ever once losing her integrity (don‘t worry, she‘s still a Hufflepuff 😊), which makes her even more likable.
And then, the ending. I was not prepared for the ending. Really not.
In other news, I may or may not need a hug.
September 1, 2018
Review to come.
Highlights:
Lots more dragons
Lots more travel and exploration. We get to know Mira’s island nations, while outrunning danger of course
Mira’s squad
Mira fights through her anxiety, stands up for herself and her dragons and starts to get things done
More about Mira’s magic
More about Aaru’s past
Lots of questions answered and even more questions asked
The sweetest, most gentlest romance with no love triangle
Highlights:
Lots more dragons
Lots more travel and exploration. We get to know Mira’s island nations, while outrunning danger of course
Mira’s squad
Mira fights through her anxiety, stands up for herself and her dragons and starts to get things done
More about Mira’s magic
More about Aaru’s past
Lots of questions answered and even more questions asked
The sweetest, most gentlest romance with no love triangle
October 8, 2018
4.5 - 5 stars
Wow, I have to hand it to Jodi Meadows (and her beta- and sensitivity readers!) for crafting the wonderful cultural setting that is the Fallen Isles. As She Ascends is an impressive installment in the Fallen Isles trilogy, with a striking self-awareness with how it addresses the way these characters realize how their own cultures and governments have been influencing their lives for better or worse.
Characters - I have little to no complaints about them! Mira continues to grow in a world where her values are constantly being put to the test. I enjoyed her arc here as much as I enjoyed her arc in Before She Ignites. She finally gets to confront her parents wrt the Mira treaty and her issues with her mother and I was so proud of her.
My only teeny-tiny complaint is that Aaru was great in his flash-back chapters and as Mira's unwavering support, but I wanted him to be more than just a support-character in the present-time chapters. Otherwise, Aaru really shines in his chapters and he gives us a glimpse into Idrisi culture.
We get more layers to Hristo and Ilina as well, though Ilina gets more set-up than actual development. I imagine Ilina's story will come to the forefront in the next book. I love that even the best/childhood friend characters get charcter development and aren't in relationships with each other due to convention (it's not my fave trope-that's a personal taste thing). The plus side to having all of the main cast be from mostly different islands among the Fallen Isles, is that their different upbringings really factor into how they bounce of each other.
Gerel and Chenda = love. I'm so happy that even though Aaru and Mira are the main romance, they didn't overshadow Gerel and Chenda's relationship. The contrast between Mira and Chenda's approach to saving the Fallen Isles is done really well - Chenda makes very valid points about approaching problems from a political standpoint while Mira has equally valid concerns about the dragons, who are essentially seen as the children of the gods in their world. What is really awesome about the exchanges these two have is that they both come from positions of privilege and yet they approach the same problem in a complete different way. They also acknowledge each other's strenghts despite being very different personality-wise and they need to work together to meet a common goal.
Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Youtube
Wow, I have to hand it to Jodi Meadows (and her beta- and sensitivity readers!) for crafting the wonderful cultural setting that is the Fallen Isles. As She Ascends is an impressive installment in the Fallen Isles trilogy, with a striking self-awareness with how it addresses the way these characters realize how their own cultures and governments have been influencing their lives for better or worse.
Characters - I have little to no complaints about them! Mira continues to grow in a world where her values are constantly being put to the test. I enjoyed her arc here as much as I enjoyed her arc in Before She Ignites. She finally gets to confront her parents wrt the Mira treaty and her issues with her mother and I was so proud of her.
My only teeny-tiny complaint is that Aaru was great in his flash-back chapters and as Mira's unwavering support, but I wanted him to be more than just a support-character in the present-time chapters. Otherwise, Aaru really shines in his chapters and he gives us a glimpse into Idrisi culture.
We get more layers to Hristo and Ilina as well, though Ilina gets more set-up than actual development. I imagine Ilina's story will come to the forefront in the next book. I love that even the best/childhood friend characters get charcter development and aren't in relationships with each other due to convention (it's not my fave trope-that's a personal taste thing). The plus side to having all of the main cast be from mostly different islands among the Fallen Isles, is that their different upbringings really factor into how they bounce of each other.
Gerel and Chenda = love. I'm so happy that even though Aaru and Mira are the main romance, they didn't overshadow Gerel and Chenda's relationship. The contrast between Mira and Chenda's approach to saving the Fallen Isles is done really well - Chenda makes very valid points about approaching problems from a political standpoint while Mira has equally valid concerns about the dragons, who are essentially seen as the children of the gods in their world. What is really awesome about the exchanges these two have is that they both come from positions of privilege and yet they approach the same problem in a complete different way. They also acknowledge each other's strenghts despite being very different personality-wise and they need to work together to meet a common goal.
Blog | Goodreads | Twitter | Youtube
September 8, 2018
Review:
We start off immediately after the end of Before She Ignites. The gang has escaped from the Pit, Altan on their heals. Mira has discovered her new and explosive power, and the dragons are being taken away.
Can I just say that I love how Jodi handles cliffhangers? If you don't know what I mean, I urge you to read her Orphan Queen duology. But this one was entirely different. While I absolutely needed to know what would happen next, I wasn't cursing the author for leaving me hanging for a year. So at least there was that.
And then we have the world. While we learn a lot about the different Fallen Isles in Before She Ignites, we get to see even more. There's more of Khulan to be discovered, and there are other islands explored that we didn't see in the first book. Not to mention Idris and Aaru's POV. I mean, hello! We get Aaru's POV! Which I was completely stoked for, and it definitely lived up to the hype.
Mira and her friends have an awesome squad going, and it's clear to see that even though they fight, they all need each other. And things are likely to get very sticky for them in the final book.
One of my favorite things about As She Ascends was just how much character growth Mira had. At the beginning of Before She Ignites, she's easily manipulated. Complicit in whatever the Luminary Counsel asks of her. By the end she's fighting. But it's during As She Ascends that she truly learns exactly what she's fighting for and how to go about it. Instead of going on first instinct, she needs to learn more about each and every situation.
Plus the dragons. There's lots more dragons. LaLa and Crystal are still around. Plus let's not forget Lex and Kelsine from Before She Ignites. There are new dragons we haven't met, and old dragons we have. So many dragons!
We end with another intense cliffhanger as things have taken a turn for the worst. It will leave you needing the sequel immediately.
Overall
I honestly think I liked this better than the first book, which is always tough since second books tend to fall flat. But it was everything I could have hoped for. I loved it, and I cannot wait for more!
-
-
Pre-order info for As She Ascends is up! More info here.
We start off immediately after the end of Before She Ignites. The gang has escaped from the Pit, Altan on their heals. Mira has discovered her new and explosive power, and the dragons are being taken away.
Can I just say that I love how Jodi handles cliffhangers? If you don't know what I mean, I urge you to read her Orphan Queen duology. But this one was entirely different. While I absolutely needed to know what would happen next, I wasn't cursing the author for leaving me hanging for a year. So at least there was that.
And then we have the world. While we learn a lot about the different Fallen Isles in Before She Ignites, we get to see even more. There's more of Khulan to be discovered, and there are other islands explored that we didn't see in the first book. Not to mention Idris and Aaru's POV. I mean, hello! We get Aaru's POV! Which I was completely stoked for, and it definitely lived up to the hype.
Mira and her friends have an awesome squad going, and it's clear to see that even though they fight, they all need each other. And things are likely to get very sticky for them in the final book.
One of my favorite things about As She Ascends was just how much character growth Mira had. At the beginning of Before She Ignites, she's easily manipulated. Complicit in whatever the Luminary Counsel asks of her. By the end she's fighting. But it's during As She Ascends that she truly learns exactly what she's fighting for and how to go about it. Instead of going on first instinct, she needs to learn more about each and every situation.
Plus the dragons. There's lots more dragons. LaLa and Crystal are still around. Plus let's not forget Lex and Kelsine from Before She Ignites. There are new dragons we haven't met, and old dragons we have. So many dragons!
We end with another intense cliffhanger as things have taken a turn for the worst. It will leave you needing the sequel immediately.
Overall
I honestly think I liked this better than the first book, which is always tough since second books tend to fall flat. But it was everything I could have hoped for. I loved it, and I cannot wait for more!
-
-
Pre-order info for As She Ascends is up! More info here.
December 13, 2018
As She Ascends is definitely a huge improvement upon Before She Ignites when it comes to the action and the pacing of the plot. I was thrilled to see that dragons were featured very prominently in this book, after not being featured all that much in Before She Ignites. I loved the chapters that were written from Aaru's point of view, but I felt like most of them were too short, and that they should have been expanded upon. It bothered me that there were times throughout the book were Mira seemed to contradict herself when it came to conveying what information she knew, and what information she didn't know; such as first saying something that implied that she didn't know where her doctor lived, but a few sentences later she said that she knew where her doctor's house was. I also caught a few editing errors throughout the book that were clearly not caught when this book was in being proofread, so I would definitely say that the book could have been edited a little bit better than it was. That being said, there really are a lot of things that I loved about this book, and I'm very excited for the last book in the Fallen Isles trilogy. :)
My Rating / Score: 4 out of 5 Stars on Goodreads. 8 out of 10 on my own scoring system. (Full review to come)
My Rating / Score: 4 out of 5 Stars on Goodreads. 8 out of 10 on my own scoring system. (Full review to come)
October 13, 2018
An equally amazing book as the first. Mira has escaped the Pit with her friends and begins to form a plan to free the dragons, the children of the gods, from those who would risk the foretold wrath of the gods. Mira grows in her unusual power over the noorestones as they search for the enemy’s dragon hold, but the enemy is not as they expected. And neither is Mira. An awesome & HOPE-FULL book! I can’t wait for the next, but final (😣) book!
July 5, 2020
You know how sometimes you love a first installment and then the sequel just falls flat? This was quite the opposite! Where Before She Ignites introduced a detailed world and amazing characters, the plot really took off in As She Ascends. It was such a suspenseful read, with a lovely cast of characters, and lots of dragons! It's going to be a long wait until the final book in this trilogy...
September 8, 2019
Pre-order info is up! Check out all the cool goodies you can get! More info here.


November 22, 2018
This was a great sequel! So action packed! I love the dragons and this world, and Mira's really growing on me! Of course, still love Aaru <3
Want to read
September 5, 2018Pre-order info for As She Ascends is up! More info here.
September 7, 2018
Brimming with action, romance, and dragons, AS SHE ASCENDS is one of those rare book twos that are even better than the first book in their series!
This book is so fast paced. Meadows throws readers right into the action from the very first chapter and keeps them on the edge of their seats up until the jaw dropping conclusion.
The romance in this book sizzles, and readers will love getting to read through Aaru’s POV.
Meadow’s tackles some big issues in this series including mental health, animal cruelty, and the importance of understanding other cultures. Because of that, this book is a perfect read not only for fantasy readers, but those who enjoy heavy-hitting contemporary books as well.
This series is beautifully written, full of adventure, and a real game changer for its genre. I can’t wait for book three!
This book is so fast paced. Meadows throws readers right into the action from the very first chapter and keeps them on the edge of their seats up until the jaw dropping conclusion.
The romance in this book sizzles, and readers will love getting to read through Aaru’s POV.
Meadow’s tackles some big issues in this series including mental health, animal cruelty, and the importance of understanding other cultures. Because of that, this book is a perfect read not only for fantasy readers, but those who enjoy heavy-hitting contemporary books as well.
This series is beautifully written, full of adventure, and a real game changer for its genre. I can’t wait for book three!
October 9, 2018
*4.5*
ENGLISH (español más abajo):
Utterly fantastical and a great follow-up to it’s impressive first book, As She Ascends is the second book in the Fallen Isles trilogy, a series that took me by surprise when I started it at the beginning of the year.
Jodi Meadows has a way with words, and her writing fits with the story so well. Vivid descriptions of the great-constructed fantasy world, amazing development of the main characters and a prose like no other, this book made Jodi Meadows one of my favorite authors, and one I consider extremely underrated.
Mira, our heroine, makes this story unique, in a way were even though everything is happening in a fictional world, she feels like a person you could meet in the streets. Her along with her sidekicks and fellow friends, take you on a rollercoaster of a ride, with amazing dialogue and impressive points of view.
The story itself isn’t left behind. Impressive plot twist that are everything but predictable and multiple subplots that feel just as important as the main one, Jodi Meadows creates a story you can’t stop reading until it is done.
Definitely one my favorites of the year and a hidden jewel in the YA genre. Can’t wait for the finale next year!
ESPAÑOL:
Que puedo decir, soy FAN de estos libros, y me enoja demasiado que no tengan el reconocimiento que se merecen.
De verdad, creanme cuando les digo que esta es una de las series de fantasía más atrapantes y originales que he leido. Solamente con decirles que hay DRAGONES por todos lados, y que forman parte importante de la trama deberian estar convencidos para leerlos. Realmente considero esta serie como una joya infravalorada, y mucha más gente deberia leerla!
Los personajes, Mira, Chenda, Gerel, Aaru, hasta incluso Altan, me encantan, y siempre es un deleite leer su historia. Son personajes extremadamente diversos y cada uno tiene algo especial. La historia no seria la misma si uno de ellos no participara, ya que cada uno agrega algo ecencial a la mesa.
La trama de este segundo me gustó mucho ya que, ha comparación del pimero, el mundo se expande por mucho y somos capaces de explorar lugares a los cuales nunca habiamos ido. El mundo de las Fallen Isles es único, e ir descubriendo poco a poco que onda con el es algo sumamente satisfactorio.
Estoy muy emocionado por When She Reigns, y estoy seguro que cerrará ésta trilogía de la mejor manera.
Mayo 2018:
Es físicamente imposible para mí esperar a que salga este libro.
ENGLISH (español más abajo):
Utterly fantastical and a great follow-up to it’s impressive first book, As She Ascends is the second book in the Fallen Isles trilogy, a series that took me by surprise when I started it at the beginning of the year.
Jodi Meadows has a way with words, and her writing fits with the story so well. Vivid descriptions of the great-constructed fantasy world, amazing development of the main characters and a prose like no other, this book made Jodi Meadows one of my favorite authors, and one I consider extremely underrated.
Mira, our heroine, makes this story unique, in a way were even though everything is happening in a fictional world, she feels like a person you could meet in the streets. Her along with her sidekicks and fellow friends, take you on a rollercoaster of a ride, with amazing dialogue and impressive points of view.
The story itself isn’t left behind. Impressive plot twist that are everything but predictable and multiple subplots that feel just as important as the main one, Jodi Meadows creates a story you can’t stop reading until it is done.
Definitely one my favorites of the year and a hidden jewel in the YA genre. Can’t wait for the finale next year!
ESPAÑOL:
Que puedo decir, soy FAN de estos libros, y me enoja demasiado que no tengan el reconocimiento que se merecen.
De verdad, creanme cuando les digo que esta es una de las series de fantasía más atrapantes y originales que he leido. Solamente con decirles que hay DRAGONES por todos lados, y que forman parte importante de la trama deberian estar convencidos para leerlos. Realmente considero esta serie como una joya infravalorada, y mucha más gente deberia leerla!
Los personajes, Mira, Chenda, Gerel, Aaru, hasta incluso Altan, me encantan, y siempre es un deleite leer su historia. Son personajes extremadamente diversos y cada uno tiene algo especial. La historia no seria la misma si uno de ellos no participara, ya que cada uno agrega algo ecencial a la mesa.
La trama de este segundo me gustó mucho ya que, ha comparación del pimero, el mundo se expande por mucho y somos capaces de explorar lugares a los cuales nunca habiamos ido. El mundo de las Fallen Isles es único, e ir descubriendo poco a poco que onda con el es algo sumamente satisfactorio.
Estoy muy emocionado por When She Reigns, y estoy seguro que cerrará ésta trilogía de la mejor manera.
Mayo 2018:
Es físicamente imposible para mí esperar a que salga este libro.
August 12, 2018
3.5 stars
I'm just so proud of Mira!
I'm just so proud of Mira!
September 8, 2019
This book is a sequel to Before She Ignites which I read last month and it became one of my all time favourites.
As She Ascends was slow in the beginning but as it went on holy shit did it get good. Im obsessed with Mira and Aaru and I really really hope we see more of Chenda and Gerel and like is that the last we’ll see of the dragons? What happened to Kelsine, is Idris really gone? I NEED the next book, I NEED answers
As She Ascends was slow in the beginning but as it went on holy shit did it get good. Im obsessed with Mira and Aaru and I really really hope we see more of Chenda and Gerel and like is that the last we’ll see of the dragons? What happened to Kelsine, is Idris really gone? I NEED the next book, I NEED answers
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
August 23, 2018Pre-order info is up! Check out all the cool goodies you can get!
More info here.
More info here.
Read
April 8, 2019Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Fancy Dress
BFF Charm: Big Sister
Swoonworthy Scale: 7
Talky Talk: Familar Fantasy
Bonus Factors: LGBTQ+
Factor: Bridge Book Blues-ish
Anti-Bonus Factor: Patty Chase Award for Awful Parenting
Relationship Status: Leaning Toward Friendship
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Fancy Dress
BFF Charm: Big Sister
Swoonworthy Scale: 7
Talky Talk: Familar Fantasy
Bonus Factors: LGBTQ+
Factor: Bridge Book Blues-ish
Anti-Bonus Factor: Patty Chase Award for Awful Parenting
Relationship Status: Leaning Toward Friendship
Read the full book report here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews