Ashes

Anya Kalinczyk #2.5

by Laura Bickle

With “Ashes,” Laura Bickle revisits Detroit arson investigator and powerful spirit medium Anya Kalinczyk as she, her five-foot-long salamander familiar Sparky, and Hades’ Charon pursue a destructive fire elemental named the Nain Rouge through the city’s festival in his dubious honor.

Genres: Urban Fantasy

36 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 30, 2017

About the author

Laura Bickle grew up in rural Ohio, reading entirely too many comic books out loud to her favorite Wonder Woman doll. After graduating with an MA in Sociology – Criminology from Ohio State University and an MLIS in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she patrolled the stacks at the public library and worked with data systems in criminal justice. She now dreams up stories about the monsters under the stairs, also writing contemporary fantasy novels under the name Alayna Williams.

Her work has been included in the ALA’s Amelia Bloomer Project 2013 reading list and the State Library of Ohio’s Choose to Read Ohio reading list for 2015-2016.

Reviews

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still quite miffed that Anya Kalinczyk series, which I enjoyed 7 years ago, didn't continue after book two. It is an enjoyable series and I totally love Sparky, the fire salamander. Reading this short story, apparently first appeared in A Fantasy Medley 3 back in 2015 before released individually last year, made feel a bit sad.

First, it's easy to get back to the rhythm of Anya and Sparky -- chasing the Nain Rouge a.k.a. the Red Dwarf of Detroit, as the dwarf makes havoc around the city. The world built is great, the writing good. Then Hades' Charon makes an appearance too and I loved every minute of reading it. Then we get to the end, which makes me think it'll be a FANTASTIC new arc for Anya, plus a new love interest.

But of course there are NO MORE books :(. So yes, I'm sad about it. I wish the author will return to this world and add more adventures of Anya...

[keikii Eats Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

58 points/100 (3 stars/5).

Anya and Charon chase a fire elemental, Nain Rouge, through a festival

This was actually the best addition in the entire series. Since stepping away from the series seven years prior to the writing of this short story, Bickle has really grown into an author. I actually enjoyed this one.

Mostly, the action of the story was just a boring chase scene throughout a festival (and I strongly suspect that the author doesn't have a clue what arson investigators actually do). However, Bickle used this to clear up some questions about the series as well as take the chance to change directions with it. Though I don't believe she is planning on resurrecting the series, she laid the groundwork to do so with this short story. If she would tighten up the threads in this series, I wouldn't be opposed to reading more. I just think the ship has sailed on this one.

Overall, I actually enjoyed this one. It was much better than the rest of the series.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved revisiting with Anya and Sparky! This is one of my favorite series. This was a quick visit but a fab one.
Detroit celebrates with an effigy burning to have good luck each year, but they don't realize that the effigy is real. The chase is on with Anya and Sparky in hot pursuit.
I love this premise of Anya being a medium that deals with fire elementals and spirits. She has mysteries in her own life to solve but puts others first.
I can definitely recommend this novella, series and author.

[Sapphyria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anya and Sparky are back in Ashes, a short story centered around a festival in downtown Detroit, MI. They are tracking the Nain Rouge, the Red Dwarf of Detroit. The story is short and sweet (well, maybe more chaotic than sweet) and it fueled my need for more books starring my favorite arson investigator/spirit medium and her awesome salamander familiar, Sparky. Oh, how I've missed Sparky and Anya! I hope we get more of this duo in the near future.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there were more stories like this!

I really enjoy the characters. I like the character building and introductions. The main character companion interaction. I just wish there were more of this characters stories.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved returning to this world. I just wish it was longer! I hope to see more from this series.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Ending

#3 of the Anya books.
Smart. Intelligent writing, world building and character construction.
A pleasure to read.
Thank you, Laura Bickle

[Roxanne Rhoads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparky and Anya are back!!!! I missed them so much.

This short story is a tease making me want more of these characters.

I hope this means there are more Anya and Sparky stories coming.