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Ash
A power-hungry corporation called Titanus blinded Ash with their experiments, but they also opened his ability to access Shade, a darker version of our reality. There, his vision returns and his wounds heal, but all other life crumbles to dust.
While attempting to create a global teleportation system, Titanus accidentally opens several dangerous rifts that threaten to tear our world apart. Nightmarish creatures from another realm soon invade, impervious to all weapons. Believing Ash to be the only one able to close the portals, Titanus exploits those he cares about most to coerce him into cooperating.
But even immortals have limits.
While attempting to create a global teleportation system, Titanus accidentally opens several dangerous rifts that threaten to tear our world apart. Nightmarish creatures from another realm soon invade, impervious to all weapons. Believing Ash to be the only one able to close the portals, Titanus exploits those he cares about most to coerce him into cooperating.
But even immortals have limits.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2020
44 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Luke Romyn
39 books3,335 followersA terrifying storm lashed Sydney’s North Shore on June 21st, 1975. Boats were swamped and jetties smashed in what some claim was the worst storm to hit the coast for four decades.
In the midst of the chaos, Luke Romyn’s parents battled to get to a hospital to birth their baby boy. Normally their idyllic island cottage was a near-paradise; on this night the journey to the mainland in their tiny boat seemed like a passage through Hell. Their son was born near midnight, but part of the storm never left him.
When Luke reached fifteen years of age his father was killed while working in Fiji, leaving Luke and his mother alone. At times, the only things to get Luke through his grief were the stories playing out in his head, endless fantastical tales of lands both distant and near, with characters who would protect him from any tragedy.
At eighteen, Luke began working in nightclubs as a bouncer. Unbeknownst to him, this was simply the first step on a trek which would dictate much of his life from that point on. For over two decades since, Luke has worked in the security industry; from bouncing in some of Australia's roughest pubs and nightclubs to protecting Mickey Mouse and the Disney crew from the overzealous jaws of tenacious toddlers. He's been bodyguard for celebrities internationally and chased feral pigs and snakes from jungle sets on Steven Spielberg productions. Luke has traveled the globe and spent time in some of the most amazing locations the world has to offer.
This experience fuels the Australian writer’s ever-expansive imagination, and he pours it into his novels, combining fact with fiction, history with fantasy, delivering engrossing action-thrillers which leave fans gasping for more. Luke’s quick wit has seen his social media following explode, and he is currently one of the most prolific social media celebrities in Australia, with several hundred thousand followers across the internet.
Publishing his first book, The Dark Path, in 2009 saw it voted in the top 10 horror novels of that year, even though Luke denies ever intending the novel to be classed as horror. Luke Romyn is now one of the most popular indie authors in the ever-growing eBook market and personally completes everything from cover art to final formatting, working tirelessly with editors so as to refine the best stories possible for his readers. The results are international bestsellers you’re certain to love diving into. Hundreds of thousands of readers can’t be wrong.
In the midst of the chaos, Luke Romyn’s parents battled to get to a hospital to birth their baby boy. Normally their idyllic island cottage was a near-paradise; on this night the journey to the mainland in their tiny boat seemed like a passage through Hell. Their son was born near midnight, but part of the storm never left him.
When Luke reached fifteen years of age his father was killed while working in Fiji, leaving Luke and his mother alone. At times, the only things to get Luke through his grief were the stories playing out in his head, endless fantastical tales of lands both distant and near, with characters who would protect him from any tragedy.
At eighteen, Luke began working in nightclubs as a bouncer. Unbeknownst to him, this was simply the first step on a trek which would dictate much of his life from that point on. For over two decades since, Luke has worked in the security industry; from bouncing in some of Australia's roughest pubs and nightclubs to protecting Mickey Mouse and the Disney crew from the overzealous jaws of tenacious toddlers. He's been bodyguard for celebrities internationally and chased feral pigs and snakes from jungle sets on Steven Spielberg productions. Luke has traveled the globe and spent time in some of the most amazing locations the world has to offer.
This experience fuels the Australian writer’s ever-expansive imagination, and he pours it into his novels, combining fact with fiction, history with fantasy, delivering engrossing action-thrillers which leave fans gasping for more. Luke’s quick wit has seen his social media following explode, and he is currently one of the most prolific social media celebrities in Australia, with several hundred thousand followers across the internet.
Publishing his first book, The Dark Path, in 2009 saw it voted in the top 10 horror novels of that year, even though Luke denies ever intending the novel to be classed as horror. Luke Romyn is now one of the most popular indie authors in the ever-growing eBook market and personally completes everything from cover art to final formatting, working tirelessly with editors so as to refine the best stories possible for his readers. The results are international bestsellers you’re certain to love diving into. Hundreds of thousands of readers can’t be wrong.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 18, 2020
Ash is a fantastic novel
December 2, 2019
*audio review*
It's been a while since I have read anything by Luke Romyn so I jumped at the chance to listen this audio book. Ash was a brilliant character, and having read previous books from Romyn I just knew this would be a great story. I loved everything about this story, from the story to the world building of what Ash refers to as Shade. It is an immersive thought provoking story, with an almost Strangers Things feel to it.
The narration:
James Snyder was brilliant at voicing the characters in this story,he gave each and everyone accents and personality and really brought the story to life. He switched seamlessly between each character, and the audio was crisp and clear with no background noise or static.
It's been a while since I have read anything by Luke Romyn so I jumped at the chance to listen this audio book. Ash was a brilliant character, and having read previous books from Romyn I just knew this would be a great story. I loved everything about this story, from the story to the world building of what Ash refers to as Shade. It is an immersive thought provoking story, with an almost Strangers Things feel to it.
The narration:
James Snyder was brilliant at voicing the characters in this story,he gave each and everyone accents and personality and really brought the story to life. He switched seamlessly between each character, and the audio was crisp and clear with no background noise or static.
May 16, 2020
With this author, you never get vanilla. A blind protagonist in an action thriller? You'd think it couldn't be done, but he pulls it off as he takes us through the multiverse to battle monsters human and otherwise. I can't wait for the sequel, Shade.
May 27, 2020
This character is a step above your normal hero. The depth of morality developed in Ash is extraordinary. The mirror world is mind-boggling and fascinating. The narrator’s voice drew me in and kept me completely immersed in the story from beginning to end. Highly recommend.
April 20, 2020
This story sucked me in right away. I do love my urban fantasy but this story had a unique twist that caught my attention right away. Ash is (mostly) blind in our world but can see in this alternate world he calls Shade. He does have a kind of quick flash radar in our world that lets him kind of see non-living objects like buildings and vehicles and weapons. Toss on the global conspiracy baddie, Titanus, and you have an action-packed tale.
Ash is interesting because of his past, which we learn in small bits. He wasn’t always a good guy and his need to do the right thing is a relatively new thing in his life. And now a deadly part of that past has driven him out of hiding. I loved the whole mystery of it – Ash’s past, his special abilities, Titanus, and later, the other beings that see m to be from this alternate world.
I did do a sad little sigh though when the plot decided to fridge one of the very few female characters. Ugh! Honestly, it killed the mood. Ash would have been just as interesting, just as determined had the plot not fridged this one particular coin, essentially turning her into emotional coin. There were few enough ladies in this story to begin with, mostly of romantic interest. So, yep, the ladies were under utilized across the board. Yvette had a small role but she was catching on quickly, especially once her daughter Cass was threatened. Samantha was just a lot of fun to hate.
For most of the book, I enjoyed the pacing. Plenty of action! But I found myself starting to get a little battle fatigue as the tale drew out. I had plenty of questions about Ash and his past, and also Titanus. I would have liked a bit more reflection and I think that would make the action stand out more. Oh, and I just have to point out that the story tells us plenty of times that Ash doesn’t like people to grab his arm or hand to lead him around like a small child, and yet he will allow it this time… and this time… and this time. So it appears that Ash doesn’t mind it all that much since he lets it happen without complaint so many times.
OK, back to the good points. I really did enjoy the bad guys, mostly working for Titanus. They don’t have all the answers either but don’t seem to mind flying by the seat of their pants as long as murder and mayhem are part of it. Harold and his dog Jasper were fun and I like the way Ash handles Harold’s casual racism and sexism and homophobia. Ash did it in such a way as to make Harold feel valued even as Ash makes it clear he doesn’t condone Harold’s racism, etc. I also want to know more about Scruff (a creature that shows up later in the story). In short, I’m interested in continuing the series, especially if the ladies get better roles. 4/5 stars.
The Narration: Jay Snyder has a great voice for Ash – deep, commanding. Snyder also did a variety of regional and international accents. All the character voices were unique and the ladies sounded feminine. The pacing was perfect and there were no technical issues with this recording. 5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Luke Romyn. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Ash is interesting because of his past, which we learn in small bits. He wasn’t always a good guy and his need to do the right thing is a relatively new thing in his life. And now a deadly part of that past has driven him out of hiding. I loved the whole mystery of it – Ash’s past, his special abilities, Titanus, and later, the other beings that see m to be from this alternate world.
I did do a sad little sigh though when the plot decided to fridge one of the very few female characters. Ugh! Honestly, it killed the mood. Ash would have been just as interesting, just as determined had the plot not fridged this one particular coin, essentially turning her into emotional coin. There were few enough ladies in this story to begin with, mostly of romantic interest. So, yep, the ladies were under utilized across the board. Yvette had a small role but she was catching on quickly, especially once her daughter Cass was threatened. Samantha was just a lot of fun to hate.
For most of the book, I enjoyed the pacing. Plenty of action! But I found myself starting to get a little battle fatigue as the tale drew out. I had plenty of questions about Ash and his past, and also Titanus. I would have liked a bit more reflection and I think that would make the action stand out more. Oh, and I just have to point out that the story tells us plenty of times that Ash doesn’t like people to grab his arm or hand to lead him around like a small child, and yet he will allow it this time… and this time… and this time. So it appears that Ash doesn’t mind it all that much since he lets it happen without complaint so many times.
OK, back to the good points. I really did enjoy the bad guys, mostly working for Titanus. They don’t have all the answers either but don’t seem to mind flying by the seat of their pants as long as murder and mayhem are part of it. Harold and his dog Jasper were fun and I like the way Ash handles Harold’s casual racism and sexism and homophobia. Ash did it in such a way as to make Harold feel valued even as Ash makes it clear he doesn’t condone Harold’s racism, etc. I also want to know more about Scruff (a creature that shows up later in the story). In short, I’m interested in continuing the series, especially if the ladies get better roles. 4/5 stars.
The Narration: Jay Snyder has a great voice for Ash – deep, commanding. Snyder also did a variety of regional and international accents. All the character voices were unique and the ladies sounded feminine. The pacing was perfect and there were no technical issues with this recording. 5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Luke Romyn. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
December 4, 2019
Seriously sci-fi
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
Ash was full of action and intensity. This was a world well worth spending several hours being immersed in. The vividtry of the worlds, the descriptions of the surroundings were just very visual. Blind priest in one world and a anomaly in another world where he survives but should not. He was the key. The key that others would kill to have and control.
It took me a bit to fully understand all the things that were being shared. It took me time to fully get immersed within the scope of Titanus and what they were working to accomplish or not. Ash was the key factor for me. I could understand him on both sides of the two worlds presented.
The action and the intensity were the driving factors of this read and they added to the story and took away from it at the same time.
Narrator Jay Snyder was different for me. He had that type of voice that made this Action Fantasy come to life and carry. You know how it is to read a good story. Well add to it a narration that makes things feel more real.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Luke Romyn. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars
Ash was full of action and intensity. This was a world well worth spending several hours being immersed in. The vividtry of the worlds, the descriptions of the surroundings were just very visual. Blind priest in one world and a anomaly in another world where he survives but should not. He was the key. The key that others would kill to have and control.
It took me a bit to fully understand all the things that were being shared. It took me time to fully get immersed within the scope of Titanus and what they were working to accomplish or not. Ash was the key factor for me. I could understand him on both sides of the two worlds presented.
The action and the intensity were the driving factors of this read and they added to the story and took away from it at the same time.
Narrator Jay Snyder was different for me. He had that type of voice that made this Action Fantasy come to life and carry. You know how it is to read a good story. Well add to it a narration that makes things feel more real.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Luke Romyn. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
November 30, 2019
Sugar. Honey. Iced. Tea.
I was not expecting that at all. Luke Romyn's ASH is PHENOMENAL. Not only is the story top-notch, but the narrator, Jay Snyder, could not have been anyone else. Going into this audiobook, I did not know what to expect. Every time I turned a corner and I thought I knew what was coming, I was dead wrong. And I freakin' loved it! Each chapter unlocked a new detail about Ash and getting to know the people around him, hearing their reactions to this mystery, non-priest was just mind-blowing.
The story alone is above average. I do not know what to "compare" this book to, because it seems to be its own version of supernatural/paranormal and mystery/suspense. Luke Romyn has a winner. I would love to see a movie or a TV series based on this book.
Jay Snyder was amazing with his narration. I cannot say that I have heard him narrate before because I cannot recall it at all. The audio itself was the best I've ever heard before.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Luke Romyn. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
I was not expecting that at all. Luke Romyn's ASH is PHENOMENAL. Not only is the story top-notch, but the narrator, Jay Snyder, could not have been anyone else. Going into this audiobook, I did not know what to expect. Every time I turned a corner and I thought I knew what was coming, I was dead wrong. And I freakin' loved it! Each chapter unlocked a new detail about Ash and getting to know the people around him, hearing their reactions to this mystery, non-priest was just mind-blowing.
The story alone is above average. I do not know what to "compare" this book to, because it seems to be its own version of supernatural/paranormal and mystery/suspense. Luke Romyn has a winner. I would love to see a movie or a TV series based on this book.
Jay Snyder was amazing with his narration. I cannot say that I have heard him narrate before because I cannot recall it at all. The audio itself was the best I've ever heard before.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Luke Romyn. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
April 1, 2021
I have professionally reviewed over 100 books in the last ten years and this is the truth: Ash, the main protagonist in this story, is one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever known on the pages of a book. We learn early on in the story that he’s a priest but he’s no ordinary priest, in fact he’s no ordinary human being either. He’s a very large imposing blind man with eyes that will spook you to the core; but the power he has acquired, to slip into another dimension called shade, unnerves him more than his eyes and size might frighten others. In the first twenty pages you’ll come to know Ash and to love him for his generous acts of kindness, his sightless bravery and his protective nature. Ash is addictively intriguing and he propelled me deeper into this fascinating supernatural thriller.
Luke Romyn is no stranger to me. I have read other works of his and I have had the pleasure to interview him on The Writers Lounge Show way back in 2011. His writing was good back then and he has succeeded and evolved into a very successful indie author.
Ash, is the first book of The Shade Trilogy. The character alone will keep you glued to the pages.
Luke Romyn is no stranger to me. I have read other works of his and I have had the pleasure to interview him on The Writers Lounge Show way back in 2011. His writing was good back then and he has succeeded and evolved into a very successful indie author.
Ash, is the first book of The Shade Trilogy. The character alone will keep you glued to the pages.
November 11, 2019
This book is a whirlwind. Sometimes it was hard to keep up with everything that happened because it was so packed full of action. That said, it is a fantastic audiobook. The narrator has a very relaxing voice, and he did a wonderful job. If you’re looking for a good science fiction, this is it!
June 18, 2019
If you like the bizarre and unpredictable, you will enjoy this book.
June 18, 2019
Great action and fantasy. Listening to this on Audible was like like living the story. Ash was awesome and I cannot recommend it enough.
March 12, 2022
amazing
Brilliant author… story will keep you turning pages all the way to morning. Twist and turns and suspense will keep you on edge
Brilliant author… story will keep you turning pages all the way to morning. Twist and turns and suspense will keep you on edge
September 12, 2020
Finally Something Different!
Ash is totally unlike any hero I've so far read about. And I read a lot! This is a great book and I'm looking forward to the next one. Great job! 4 1\2 stars! I'm very greedy with my 5 star ratings!
🌻
Ash is totally unlike any hero I've so far read about. And I read a lot! This is a great book and I'm looking forward to the next one. Great job! 4 1\2 stars! I'm very greedy with my 5 star ratings!
🌻
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews