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Ashen Torment #2
Stormtide
Book Two in stunning Scandinavia-inspired fantasy trilogy The Ashen Torment.
Den Patrick’s thrilling and wildly creative new series continues in the sequel to WITCHSIGN.
465 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2019
28 people are currently reading
699 people want to read
About the author
Den Patrick
26 books188 followersDen Patrick is originally from Dorset and lives in London. His first three books for Gollancz, the War Fighting Manuals, were released in the autumn of 2013.
The Boy with the Porcelain Blade was nominated for the British Fantasy Newcomer award and forms the first book in the The Erebus Sequence. The Boy Who Wept Blood and The Girl on the Liar's Throne complete this trilogy of Gothic Fantasy books, described by Jen Williams as "Gormenghast meets the X-men".
2018 sees the start of a new series, The Ashen Torment, which kicks off with Witchsign on May 24th, a crossover Fantasy set in a Nordic and Russian inspired world of forbidden magic and imperial tyranny.
The Boy with the Porcelain Blade was nominated for the British Fantasy Newcomer award and forms the first book in the The Erebus Sequence. The Boy Who Wept Blood and The Girl on the Liar's Throne complete this trilogy of Gothic Fantasy books, described by Jen Williams as "Gormenghast meets the X-men".
2018 sees the start of a new series, The Ashen Torment, which kicks off with Witchsign on May 24th, a crossover Fantasy set in a Nordic and Russian inspired world of forbidden magic and imperial tyranny.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 14, 2019
Book two of the Ashen series, and we catch up with Steiner, Kimi, and Kjellrunn as they flee from the island of Vladibogdan on-board a pirate ship bound for the Solmindre Empire, to stoke the flames of rebellion and bring down the Emperor. But the Vigilants and soldiers are not far behind them. As with book one it's full of folklore, magic and Dragons. My favourite character is still Silverdust a renegade Vigilant with a mission of his own.
August 2, 2024
Maybe even a 4.25, absolutely love this world and the story, particularly the dragon-y bits. It took me a while to read and because of this, it could be difficult to keep track of whose story we were following - the names Steiner and Streig are too similar for my brain to separate when not concentrating and I had to backtrack a couple of times. Perhaps a me problem rather than a book problem, though!
That said, I'm off to buy the next installment because the end left me desperate for more!
That said, I'm off to buy the next installment because the end left me desperate for more!
February 8, 2024
This took ages to read, I pushed it back over and over again - it was published nearly 5 years ago. Mea culpa!
I just couldn't get into the story, which might be partly because it is the second book in a series, and partly because I was bored by the extremely slowly progressing story.
I just couldn't get into the story, which might be partly because it is the second book in a series, and partly because I was bored by the extremely slowly progressing story.
April 19, 2022
3.5
Kristofine is so annoying 😂
Kristofine is so annoying 😂
May 20, 2021
Sometimes, with series, if I struggle with the first book, the more entries I read, the more I get into the world and story. It happened with THE BONE SEASON and JADE CITY, and hoped it would happen with this series. I struggled a fair bit with WITCHSIGN, the first book, but ploughed on into STORMTIDE.
Unfortunately, I just could not get into this book at all. After 10 chapters, I picked up a different book instead, and then grudgingly came back to this one. I also struggled to read even 5 chapters in one go (I tend to read in blocks of 5.) I persisted for longer than I probably ought to, because I hate DNF'ing, but here we go. I just don't want to read it.
My problem is I am just bored and don't care about the characters. I'd struggled to connect to Steiner and Kjellrunn in the first book, and they're not recommending themselves this time. Steiner is being moody and petulant, and not wanting to share the limelight with his girlfriend - who has given literally everything up to help him. Kjellrunn is floating around and there's no real story progression in her chapters.
Yes, we need to see more stories about healing, but for a second book in a trilogy, there needs to be a sense of forwards momentum in the overall story, and there's none here because she's not involved with the others. If there had been some appreciable movement in the other POVs, I probably would have been less bored by hers, as there'd be an overall sense that things are happening, but at past the halfway mark, it feels like they've made no appreciable progress towards any goal.
There are also three new POVs (though, if I'd stopped before halfway, I'd have only thought there were two more). Silverdust is the most interesting of the new POVs, but he's not around enough. All the POVs are very disparate and not well linked. Plus the new POVs are ancient or early 20s, which makes this book feel even more like it's straddling YA and adult without fitting in either.
Unfortunately, I just could not get into this book at all. After 10 chapters, I picked up a different book instead, and then grudgingly came back to this one. I also struggled to read even 5 chapters in one go (I tend to read in blocks of 5.) I persisted for longer than I probably ought to, because I hate DNF'ing, but here we go. I just don't want to read it.
My problem is I am just bored and don't care about the characters. I'd struggled to connect to Steiner and Kjellrunn in the first book, and they're not recommending themselves this time. Steiner is being moody and petulant, and not wanting to share the limelight with his girlfriend - who has given literally everything up to help him. Kjellrunn is floating around and there's no real story progression in her chapters.
Yes, we need to see more stories about healing, but for a second book in a trilogy, there needs to be a sense of forwards momentum in the overall story, and there's none here because she's not involved with the others. If there had been some appreciable movement in the other POVs, I probably would have been less bored by hers, as there'd be an overall sense that things are happening, but at past the halfway mark, it feels like they've made no appreciable progress towards any goal.
There are also three new POVs (though, if I'd stopped before halfway, I'd have only thought there were two more). Silverdust is the most interesting of the new POVs, but he's not around enough. All the POVs are very disparate and not well linked. Plus the new POVs are ancient or early 20s, which makes this book feel even more like it's straddling YA and adult without fitting in either.
June 28, 2019
Copy received from Netgalley, all opinions are my own
Stormtide picks up right from the end of Witchsign and the characters are quickly split into three groups: Steiner, his father and Kristofine, Kjellrun and lastly Kimi. Each thread of the story helps to expand the world created by Patrick and push the story on further.
Yes, there were times when Stormtide dragged a little and it did suffer a bit from middle book syndrome but on the whole it was very good. The last third of the book was excellent and I was so excited to read it that I didn’t want to put the book down. It has gods, it has dragons and it has an evil empire so what more could you want?
I still enjoy the characters even though they could be a bit whiny at times but, thankfully, they get over that by the end and come across as actual heroes and not petulant teenagers (Yes, Steiner, I’m looking at you). I get that Kjellrun is affected by what happened in book one and I sympathise with her about that but I was so relieved when she actually got over it and started acting like the adult she almost is.
Stormtide is a well written book and the pacing is mostly ok and despite there being a couple of instances where it dragged a little, it was exciting. I liked getting to know the characters better and I enjoyed Kimi having an expanded role in this story. Silverdust has his own chapters as well which were very interesting to read. We get to learn more of the Emperor, the past and the world is expanded greatly which all serve to make this a very interesting book.
I enjoyed Stormtide. It was a fun and quick read which builds on Witchsign. I like the characters, I like the world and I enjoy the story. Now I just have to wait for book three
Stormtide picks up right from the end of Witchsign and the characters are quickly split into three groups: Steiner, his father and Kristofine, Kjellrun and lastly Kimi. Each thread of the story helps to expand the world created by Patrick and push the story on further.
Yes, there were times when Stormtide dragged a little and it did suffer a bit from middle book syndrome but on the whole it was very good. The last third of the book was excellent and I was so excited to read it that I didn’t want to put the book down. It has gods, it has dragons and it has an evil empire so what more could you want?
I still enjoy the characters even though they could be a bit whiny at times but, thankfully, they get over that by the end and come across as actual heroes and not petulant teenagers (Yes, Steiner, I’m looking at you). I get that Kjellrun is affected by what happened in book one and I sympathise with her about that but I was so relieved when she actually got over it and started acting like the adult she almost is.
Stormtide is a well written book and the pacing is mostly ok and despite there being a couple of instances where it dragged a little, it was exciting. I liked getting to know the characters better and I enjoyed Kimi having an expanded role in this story. Silverdust has his own chapters as well which were very interesting to read. We get to learn more of the Emperor, the past and the world is expanded greatly which all serve to make this a very interesting book.
I enjoyed Stormtide. It was a fun and quick read which builds on Witchsign. I like the characters, I like the world and I enjoy the story. Now I just have to wait for book three
July 19, 2019
My thanks to HarperCollins UK/Harper Voyager for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Stormtide’, the second in Den Patrick’s Ashen Torment series, in exchange for an honest review. It was published in the U.K. on 30 May 2019.
I am a little late with my review as I needed to read the first in the series before starting this one. I enjoyed ‘Witchsign’ on audio and so opted to purchase this also on audio. Both books are narrated by Thomas Judd.
‘Stormtide’ continues the story of reluctant hero Steiner and his family, companions and adversaries that began in ‘Witchsign’. I especially enjoyed that the mysterious Silverdust had his own chapters.
The pace slowed a bit here though I appreciated this as it allowed for more character development and world-building. I felt that it sustained its energy while setting up for the finale. There was still plenty of action.
I love the Scandinavian inspired mythology of this series. Dragons and gods feature in interesting ways (...no spoilers).
Special mention for the exquisite cover art for both books. I had wondered about how whales would feature (again no spoilers but it was amazing).
I will certainly be eagerly looking out for news from Harper Voyager about the final book in the trilogy.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
I am a little late with my review as I needed to read the first in the series before starting this one. I enjoyed ‘Witchsign’ on audio and so opted to purchase this also on audio. Both books are narrated by Thomas Judd.
‘Stormtide’ continues the story of reluctant hero Steiner and his family, companions and adversaries that began in ‘Witchsign’. I especially enjoyed that the mysterious Silverdust had his own chapters.
The pace slowed a bit here though I appreciated this as it allowed for more character development and world-building. I felt that it sustained its energy while setting up for the finale. There was still plenty of action.
I love the Scandinavian inspired mythology of this series. Dragons and gods feature in interesting ways (...no spoilers).
Special mention for the exquisite cover art for both books. I had wondered about how whales would feature (again no spoilers but it was amazing).
I will certainly be eagerly looking out for news from Harper Voyager about the final book in the trilogy.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
January 7, 2020
Absolutely loved this second installment in the delightful Ashen Torment Series. Den Patrick is a brilliant storyteller and the way he weaves his tale between different characters keeps the reader hooked! It's hard to say which character is my favorite, but at this point I'm going with Silverdust. What a character! I truly enjoyed his parts to the point that I had to stay up late into the night just to find out what happened next. There are some twists that I didn't see coming and a lot of the mystery surrounding the hated Emperor is answered. This review is fairly spoiler free and I intend to keep it that way, so i won't go into further details. If you're into fantasy, do give this series a try. It will definitely not disappoint.
February 10, 2022
Where to begin. I have a love hate relationship with these books. On one hand I really like Silverdust, he's an interesting and original character. I like Kimi and her mission to get back home.
I hate Steiner. I think he's an annoying, immature child. And his quest to "tell his tale" is laughable. Maybe I just don't like the writing style either.
I want to like these books so much, but I find myself disliking them a lot more because of Steiner. It also seems to suffer a bit from inconsistency. For example, in one Silverdust chapter, Envoy De Vries gets annoyed when Silverdust tells her about dragons. She claims dragons are stories. Yet when it's mentioned later, she seems to know about them and accepts it?
The ending was interesting. Not really what I was expecting but as a whole...meh
I hate Steiner. I think he's an annoying, immature child. And his quest to "tell his tale" is laughable. Maybe I just don't like the writing style either.
I want to like these books so much, but I find myself disliking them a lot more because of Steiner. It also seems to suffer a bit from inconsistency. For example, in one Silverdust chapter, Envoy De Vries gets annoyed when Silverdust tells her about dragons. She claims dragons are stories. Yet when it's mentioned later, she seems to know about them and accepts it?
The ending was interesting. Not really what I was expecting but as a whole...meh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2021
Another amazing saga of this spellbinding fantasy trilogy. If anything, this is a better read than the first book as there's more scope & ambition and the characters have developed to a level where you care for them and hope for their ongoing survival. Perfectly structured and left finely poised for the final instalment and conclusion.
All that's left for me is to pick up the final book and start reading as soon as possible.
All that's left for me is to pick up the final book and start reading as soon as possible.
September 23, 2020
This was a fabulous second instalment to the ashen torment series. I absolutley love the carachter development we see in this book and the povs of each carachter group was done so well. The action scenes had me gripping the book with every page. I cant wiat to read Nightfall now and see how this story ends !!
December 30, 2021
Very enjoyable second part to this series and I was able to pick up the story again quickly. One thing I particularly liked is the diverse nature of the characters, particularly the split between some of the older and younger characters. Their experience and views were conveyed really well. The expanded world building really worked for me too.
January 13, 2023
Honestly slow starting as expected but the end had me so happy as you get to see steiner's sisters powers more and I dont understand the extra character POV but it's okay.
I hope that the next book shows more of the sister as she is a strong female character that shows she can be the future but very much enjoyed the end
I hope that the next book shows more of the sister as she is a strong female character that shows she can be the future but very much enjoyed the end
January 30, 2020
The second book in Den Patrick's Ashen Torment series was Witchsign on steroids. We dive deep into this creative world following our beloved charters from the first book. The wait for book 3 will be impossible.
May 20, 2020
Powerful, and written so well, you can’t read fast enough to go between the lands and those within them. Although it’s achingly obvious that there is another book as yet not released, and I’m pretty gutted that I have to wait for the last book. Superb read.
August 29, 2019
Nice easy listen looking forward to next installment
March 18, 2020
Wow, what an adventure. I need book three now, please!
December 14, 2020
Loved it! Brilliant continuation. I loved the way the threads split and followed the various points of view. Onto book 3!
September 30, 2024
A really fun and immersive story - can't wait to see how it ends. Only let down by some editing errors that were quite jarring at times.
October 8, 2025
3.75 stars
December 26, 2025
A very good continuation to Witchsign, develops both the story and the depth of the magic in the universe and handles different viewpoints exceptionally.
June 15, 2019
I must have book 3!
It was good to get back into this world and follow Steiner and Kjellrunn.
Kjellrunn in this was a bit on the whiny side and I wanted to slap her a view times, but by the end she finally came into herself. Steiner was also a bit whiny and sulky but he is shaping up to be a true hero.
I would have liked more Dragons.
It was good to get back into this world and follow Steiner and Kjellrunn.
Kjellrunn in this was a bit on the whiny side and I wanted to slap her a view times, but by the end she finally came into herself. Steiner was also a bit whiny and sulky but he is shaping up to be a true hero.
I would have liked more Dragons.
November 7, 2021
I had a hard time getting through the beginning/middle of the book and was ready to give 4 stars but at the end I couldn’t put it down. IT WAS SO GOOD! That’s why i gave it a 5 star review at the end!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews