Echoes to Ashes

The Immortal Trials #1

by Ainsley Shay

Everly swore she was just a normal girl. But, she was wrong, and it could cost her everything...including her life.

She thought finishing her last semester of high school in the peculiar town of Veil Rock would be punishment enough. But when mythical creatures seek her out, there’s no escaping the clutches of this new hell.

To make matters worse, Everly begins to experience magical abilities. Unable to gain control her newfound powers, she's forced to rely on the very ones who plan to sacrifice her to keep their immortality.

As Everly's world breaks apart into a thousand pieces, she must decide who she can trust as she tries unearth ancient secrets that no one wants uncovered.

...because dying is not an option.

Expect romance, magic, and twisting plots that will have you captivated to the very last page. Scroll up and one click to enter the mysterious world of Veil Rock.

*This omnibus contains the complete collection of The Immortal Trials.  Echoes to Ashes, Ashes and Shadows, Shadows in Blood, Blood and Curse, and Curse to Ruin

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 23, 2018

About the author

Ainsley Shay avoids insanity by living mostly in the fiction world. She believes surrounding herself with positive people, and strives for balance in everything. She owns more jeans with rips and holes than without; and has recently found the magic of patches. For her, reading or writing the perfect sentence is better than the smoothest piece of dark chocolate melting in her mouth. She is a deltiologist for pure enjoyment, not for the study of. She longs to move north one day, even though she hates the cold. (Go figure!) So, for now, she continues to live in warm south Florida with her incredible husband, three beautiful daughters, and two lazy cats. (We won’t mention the dog.)

Reviews

[Raea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish. I really wanted to like this book but Everly annoyed me. She really wants to know what’s happening to her but runs anytime anyone starts to talk about what’s happening. She has people who could probably give her information but when they ask her if she’s okay, she answers “fine.” 😒
I just couldn’t take it. I’m obviously in the minority here so, you should definitely try it!
It just wasn’t for me. 😔

[Nerdy Housewifey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disconnected

This was so jumbled and nothing really made sense. It tried so hard to be ‘mysterious’ and instead was just a jumbled mess. It was a whole book of people basically saying ‘we’re not telling you anything and hey you might die’

[Lorie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repetitive with no development

I say repetitive because nothing happened on this book in terms of the h growing into her power. The whole book focused were the growing power the h was gaining and how every supernatural being wants her power. This was a very long winded with no character development. Totally disappointed.

The storyline was pretty much about a teenager who the parents dumped to be with the aunt at this small town then she started gaining some elemental powers then the bad guys shows up to threaten and hurt her. Washed and repeat. Then she gains more power then she gets threaten again. She had nobody to help her or guide her.

The book just ends after a vampire tried to kill her. This book was a waste. Totally a waste of my time. I kept hoping things to get better and developed but it didn't. There is no romance and the h being bullied was added as an additional sub plot.

Cliffhanger ending as usual. One star for no romance, slow build in showing the h powers, and for making the h to be weak who doesn't even know how to use her power. Didn't care for the abrupt ending.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

Everly Shade moves in with her aunt while her parents are away. It’s a very small town, with very interesting people. Shortly after arriving Everly finds herself with a job in a very mysterious shop with a very mysterious owner. If you think things move fast for Everly, you’re right. Everly doesn’t know anyone except her aunt, but she begins to meet a lot of very mysterious people.

Some folks appear sinister. Some proclaim danger, while others are down-right frightening. Some and friendly, but Everly is suspicious and not sure who to trust. Is there danger? And from whom, from where, and why?

Everything moves fast in this tale. I was drawn into this story immediately and stuck in it until it was over. I am still stuck in it. I want to know everything that happens next.

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old legends, new twists

When her parents go off on a trip, she is left behind. Behind to go and stay with her aunt in a strange little town full of strange legends as to its origins. Getting a job by accident in the local magic store she tries to come to terms with what life will be like for her senior year. The locals, some of whom are very hostile, all seem to agree that strange things have started occurring since her arrival. Like the strange way she seems to have of being able to control the four elements. These draw the original element users, their vampire brethren and the attention of their other brethren the While Ones. Who are the "baddies" as they all seem to have their own agenda and most seem to favour her as the one to die in the sacrifice that is coming. A well written book with great characters.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the story sounded interesting and as I read it I was not disappointed. It was a mix of a mystery, magic, and a weird small town all mixed together to keep me reading to the end. There was a lot of mystery introduced in this first book that yo just think is small town life that is not explained at the end which will keep me reading the series to see what happens next. I really want to know why Everly is so important. I really liked that everything was not explained to the reader but we get to learn as Everly goes. Just a great story that kept me reading to the end. Plus Everly was a great character and the others in the book so compelling I really want to see who becomes important.

[Chantall Bronkhorst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an intriguing story. I was hooked from the very first sentence. A page turner for sure. I just did not want to stop reading. It had all the elements of a book I like. Most part the mystery and wondering what will happen next. Some parts I was laughing our loud and holding my breath. Never a dull moment.

I am usually not a big fantasy reader, but Ainsley's books are written in such a great style, you just want more. I seriously enjoyed this one and can't wait for number 2 to come. I have to know what will happen next. Will be counting the days till no 2 is here.

Definitely a one click series for all to have. Great work.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one for me feels like a bit of a difficult one to review. I'm not so sure how to pop into words my feelings on this book.
It kind of starts of as a little boring. There are supernatural goings, lots of questions but no answers. However after a little i slowly got into it, And am now halfway through book 2. I can honestly say stick to it as book two picks up the pace... Im happy to say i carried on reading and am now enjoying the story.
Well worth reading i will certainly be going onto book 3 & 4 as well.

EDIT:
I just wanted to add that i have completed book 3 and am patiently waiting for book 4 which releases this month! Feb 2019.
I have very much enjoyed book 2&3 and fully recommend reading the series.

[Doit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everly acts like she's 7 (maybe even younger), not the highly intelligent 17 the author says she is with all the running away and choices to do nothing to figure herself out.

There are also continuity errors, tense errors, and typos, I counted over 20 which is easy to do on a Kindle. And a couple of times a new scene was introduced without any context of how long it was from the last scene, how she got there, or why. Better editors are definitely needed.

I won't be reading more of this series, the author has some promise but tried to drag out the plot in an excruciating way without enough hints to keep me interested enough to keep going.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

You’d almost think that if it weren’t for bad luck, Everly Shade would have no luck at all. A brilliant high school student, Everly is sent to live with her aunt while her parents are ‘away’. New kid in town. New school. And now all hell is breaking loose. Having read the Statues trilogy, I know this author is truly gifted at telling a first-person story filled with angst, drama, and suspense. This book is no exception. I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for Everly.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was mysterious

I would give this about a 3-3.5 star rating.
This was a pretty quick paced read with mystery at every turn. The author did a good job at keeping the characters mysterious and not revealing who's friend or foe. I found it a bit hard to follow in some chapters. I'm not sure about Ev yet as there wasn't much about her.
I'm not quite sure if my thoughts on this novel is truly because I didn't have that dying urge to see what happens next or if I'm just having an off day. We'll see how the installment fares.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard enough to be teenager, with all the angst that comes with a changing body and relationships. Then, to move to a new town, with an Aunt and not your parents, this is extremely difficult for most.
Then there is this magic thing..
and all these strange people, who seem to have an agenda for you.
Have I quirked your attention, because the above is just some of what Ms Shay has molded into a suspense laden story.
I cannot wait to read the next book.

[Joline Koosman · Rating 1 out of 5]

What is going on???

I really wanted to like this book, but dear lord, I finished it and am more confused than ever. The main character goes to live with her aunt.Why? Who knows... She has powers but what does that mean? Not really explained. She apparently is in danger, not that we know why or what from. Maybe that was the point to get the reader to get the next book in the series. I am going to have to pass.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many questions not enough answers

I'm going to read the second book only to see if we can find anything out. It has potential to be good, but if there aren't answers in book 2 I'm not reading 3. I found myself just as frustrated as Everly, I don't know if that was by design or if it was just happenstance either way I need answers.

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story with mean girls, but a level-headed teen protagonist who doesn't take crap from anyone--well, most of the time, there were a couple scenes where I thought Everly became weakened unnecessarily, but for the most part, I really liked her strength of character. Story line was good, and I'm glad I got the second book so I can see what happens next.

[Stephanie Willett-marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice storyline

I gave it a 3 because it wasnt really a cliffhanger more like the story wasnt finished. It took me about 7 chapters to get in to it. I will try next book. Edit: I ran the second book in hope of some answer but just wasnt there. I will not be reading this series anymore. Disappointed becausr the base of story could have been good.

[Lori Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating : 3.5 Stars

This was my first book by Ainsley Shay, recommended by her for the Penned Con Reading List for 2019. I can say that I enjoyed this book and the storyline, but it took me a minute to get into it and it moved too slowly for me. I will continue with the series to abate the curiosity from the end of the book. I want to know more about Dragan and Spiro.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of supernatural persons within the pages of Echoes to Ashes. Each one seems to know something the others don't and no one is really willing to share.

I can't wait to see where this series goes.

[Dawn Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting find...

This popped up as a fb suggestion. I'm glad I clicked, was better then I expected! Onto book 2 to see where the story goes, will definitely be sharing this book with others!

[Sandy Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This is great so far. A lot of characters to keep up with that I found to be a little difficult. It's hard to believe that her parents set her to her aunts with no idea of what she is. Still makes for interesting reading once you get all of the people straight.

[Janie Winsell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Storyline

I really wanted to love this story, but it felt long winded as in the author had a word count to reach before the plot could move forward. This story has potential, but it needs some tweaking for pace.

[Janel Mueller]

This was not the greatest book. Good story line and I was really interested in finding out what happened with the lead and all the pretty boys. After getting through the second book and still nothing developing and the plot line still not being explained, I had to stop. Gave up on the series.

[Kennedy Morris · Rating 1 out of 5]

Confusing

Didn’t really like it, the characters, or anything else. I only made it like 20% before I just gave up. The main character was a wimp and jumped around a lot. Thought the parents were dead but then way later realized they were just on vacation.
Just didn’t like it

[J.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/-4 Stars

Everly Has been given a pretty crappy hand. Have cool powers that come out of nowhere and her only option is to be sacrificed for them. It was an interesting start.

[Krystal gaston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story, kept my attention for the most part. Moving on to book two to see where the story goes.

[Sarah]

Dnf- I’ll have to pick back up one day when I have more time for reading

[Louise H's Book Thoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young adult paranormal urban fantasy blend, with well written characters and a captivating story line.

Having read and enjoyed The Statues Trilogy I knew I enjoyed this author's work. I was also very intrigued by the blurb for the book.

I love stories where the fae/immortals/gods are walking around on Earth, with most humans totally unaware of the truth. I really enjoyed how the author steadily world builds in this book, introducing new characters and information in a way that neither overwhelms nor gives you too little to work with. This book was very much scene setting for the rest of the story, we spent a lot of time discovering some unexpected truths, both about Everly but also about Veil Rock.

Written in first person and completely from Everly's point of view we, as the reader, quickly get to know this not quite girl but not yet woman really well. There are quite a few other characters to also keep track of, some of these are clearly friends, some very much enemies, whilst others could be either. The people she can trust don't know enough to really help her, whilst those who know everything are the very ones who might want to cause her harm.

I'm was intrigued by the whole story and determined then and there that I would be continuing with it.

[Sabrina Wannet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow that is the first thing to come to mind. This book is about a girl named Everly Shade that has been send to life with her Aunt in a small town, in the middle of nowhere. When Everly goes into town to explore she finds a magic shop. This is where all the freaky stuff starts. People are coming from everywhere and say different things. Who can she believe and who is Macias and what can he do for her? From beginning till end the story is pulling on you and it has been written so good that you almost feel the excitement, love and above all the magic.

I've read this book as an ARC and this was my honest review

[Jai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say I absolutely loved Everly! She is incredibly smart, did not act like a fool, adaptable, rational and resourceful. This story leaves you with so many unanswered questions. It was incredibly good! I so want the next book to come out like yesterday so I can find out what is going to happen. I read this book in one night and I really wish I could've finished all of the books in the series… It was just that good. I prefer not to give away any of the storyline, but this is definitely a book that should be added to your collection. Enjoy!
Thank you for your review.

[Janeandjerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I'd like to thank Ainsley Shay for a great book and say I must read the next book in this series I must find out what happens next this is one of the best fantasy books I've read in a while and from start to finish it grabs hold of you and slams you up against the next obstacle in the way just to get that satisfaction you are going to hang on and have been from the start.