What do you think?
Rate this book
Ashes
When fifteen-year-old Phoenix loses her caregiver, everyone that she has ever known inexplicably turn their backs on her. Given the impossible burden of repaying an unknown debt, Phoenix sets out on her own with her trusty donkey, Muler, as her only companion.However, the roads are not safe, and Phoenix finds herself navigating the unfamiliar terrain of the Darkened Wood, scrambling to escape the unseen creatures that have designated her as their prey. A chance encounter with Malcourt, a mysterious traveller, not only saves her life, but sets it on a trajectory that she would have never thought possible.Buoyed by the support of her newfound friends, she settles into life at Castle Angor and attempts to carve a place for herself. The unexpected discovery of Rorin, a gargoyle spy, has her agreeing to the incredible task of protecting King Benedict, and keeping the kingdom of Angoria safe. As suspicions grow within the castle walls, so do Phoenix’s mysterious gifts, and so does her resolve. In a race against time, Phoenix must learn to control her Power and stop a deadly threat, or risk losing everything - and everyone - she has come to hold dear.Download the book that readers proclaim "breathes life into a world of magic and lore that will draw the reader in right up to the epic conclusion. Ashes is a heroic tale not to be missed!" -- Amanda Labonté, author of Call of the Sea
- GenresFantasy
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2020
13 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Lauralana Dunne
7 books7 followersLauralana grew up running around the library book stacks of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, and has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. She can often be found at different writing events around the city, typing on her phone with one hand while simultaneously fueling her caffeine addiction with the other. She is a die-hard lover of YA Fantasy, and has been known to describe herself as a “Slayer of Imaginary Monsters”. Her debut novel, “Ashes: Book 1 of the Phoenix Rising Series”, is now available through Engen Books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 21, 2020
Great job Lauralana! I’m very much looking forward to Book 2.
September 6, 2020
A remarkable debut from Lauralana Dunne, “Ashes” is full of magic, wonder and intrigue!
I read this together with my nine-year-old daughter. She says “it was full of surprises, especially when we found out who the villain was – I had no idea! I loved Phoenix. Some parts were sad towards the end but I am really excited to read the next book in the series!”
And I would have to agree. While this book comes in at over 400 pages I will assure you, potential reader, that you will not even notice this number as the pages fly by; you will find yourself immersed in a world of castles and kings, dastardly deeds and delicious secrets, and you WILL be disappointed when it ends … because you want MORE. The effort that Dunne has put into creating this world is nothing short of astounding; she is meticulous with every single minute detail – not a word is wasted and each scene, each chapter, is woven seamlessly into the narrative.
There are a lot of surprises, as my daughter said. There is friendship, family and betrayal, action and adventure, love and loss. I can say, without a doubt, that there is a little bit of everything in this book and it all fits together so perfectly.
I think it is rare to find a debut novel that reads as though it is from a seasoned author but Dunne has managed to achieve just that. I look forward to the next in this series and whatever else we are lucky enough to see published from this author.
I read this together with my nine-year-old daughter. She says “it was full of surprises, especially when we found out who the villain was – I had no idea! I loved Phoenix. Some parts were sad towards the end but I am really excited to read the next book in the series!”
And I would have to agree. While this book comes in at over 400 pages I will assure you, potential reader, that you will not even notice this number as the pages fly by; you will find yourself immersed in a world of castles and kings, dastardly deeds and delicious secrets, and you WILL be disappointed when it ends … because you want MORE. The effort that Dunne has put into creating this world is nothing short of astounding; she is meticulous with every single minute detail – not a word is wasted and each scene, each chapter, is woven seamlessly into the narrative.
There are a lot of surprises, as my daughter said. There is friendship, family and betrayal, action and adventure, love and loss. I can say, without a doubt, that there is a little bit of everything in this book and it all fits together so perfectly.
I think it is rare to find a debut novel that reads as though it is from a seasoned author but Dunne has managed to achieve just that. I look forward to the next in this series and whatever else we are lucky enough to see published from this author.
October 13, 2020
This is a fantastic and fun fantasy, and I plan to pick up a copy for one of my nieces for Christmas. I think she'll enjoy it.
Lauralana Dunne creates a vibrant world of friendship, rivalries, and magic. Following young Phoenix, who is forced to leave her small village and finds herself boarding in a castle where she learns so much more about the world she lives in, and discovers magic within herself. The characters are very real, with strong personality traits that make them leap off of the pages. Phoenix's growth as she learns about her powers and herself is a joy to read, and I look forward to following her adventure in future books; she has a long way to go, and hopefully more characters to be explored.
While it is a great book, I did find it a little difficult to read at the beginning. The characters in the village have a strong dialect that I did find created a slow start to the book as I would sometimes struggle through their voices. I understand the use of it, and how it sets Phoenix apart from the other girls living in the castle, and I very much appreciated how it came back when she was confronted by someone at her village, but it was written so thickly that I was glad to see it mostly gone after the first few chapters.
Other than that, I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Harry Potter and other young reader books of magic and fantasy.
Lauralana Dunne creates a vibrant world of friendship, rivalries, and magic. Following young Phoenix, who is forced to leave her small village and finds herself boarding in a castle where she learns so much more about the world she lives in, and discovers magic within herself. The characters are very real, with strong personality traits that make them leap off of the pages. Phoenix's growth as she learns about her powers and herself is a joy to read, and I look forward to following her adventure in future books; she has a long way to go, and hopefully more characters to be explored.
While it is a great book, I did find it a little difficult to read at the beginning. The characters in the village have a strong dialect that I did find created a slow start to the book as I would sometimes struggle through their voices. I understand the use of it, and how it sets Phoenix apart from the other girls living in the castle, and I very much appreciated how it came back when she was confronted by someone at her village, but it was written so thickly that I was glad to see it mostly gone after the first few chapters.
Other than that, I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Harry Potter and other young reader books of magic and fantasy.
February 1, 2024
For anyone who loves to get lost in other worlds, this is a fun book to pick up! From gargoyles to elemental manipulation and everything in between, Ashes can help make a fantasy nerd of us all.
November 14, 2021
What an amazing book by a local author!
January 18, 2024
Great YA fantasy story. Glad it's a series because I need to learn more about the cast of characters!
March 10, 2023
This story is action from the start. A wonderful story. I couldn't stop reading.
This book was free so I was able to enjoy it. Thank you so much for offering it for free. I enjoyed it so much.
I'm going to check out the reviews for the following books since I am unable to buy books. I can get information about what happens next from reviews.
This book was free so I was able to enjoy it. Thank you so much for offering it for free. I enjoyed it so much.
I'm going to check out the reviews for the following books since I am unable to buy books. I can get information about what happens next from reviews.
June 22, 2020
“Lauralana Dunne astonishes in what is possibly the greatest debut novel of the past decade. An amazingly intricate world blended seamlessly with character, heart, and theme.”
January 19, 2021
A fantastic debut novel. The author showcases the skills of a seasoned veteran in her genre.
November 29, 2022
A great book for YA or adults. I can't wait for the next book!
August 29, 2021
Sophisticated and charming magical medieval Mean Girls
I am quite upset with you for so thoroughly enthralling me in this original yet relateable world, to only leave me on edge at the end of book one. No spoilers, but HOW DARE YOU (you know what you did!)
I found myself frequently in tears due to the close connection I felt from the skillful writing of the characters. At one occasion, while reading the last two-thirds of Ashes in one sitting, I only put down the book because I was sobbing too hard to see through my tears.
When Phoenix's hand was warmly squeezed by Rae or Sylvia, I genuinely felt comfort and reassured.
I fully imagined the world around Phoenix without ever feeling the text delaying the story with environmental description. (I'm looking at you, Tolkein... yawn!)
From the intriguing prologue (wait - what happened in the barn!?) and the charming meeting of Malcourt (wait, stormhounds!?), to the wondrous unfurling of Phoenix in a coming-of-age magical medieval mean girls.
5 stars, would recommend, despite my grievances re: NO SPOILERS.
Conditional, of course, on the swift release of further books in the series.
Can't wait for the Netflix miniseries.
I am quite upset with you for so thoroughly enthralling me in this original yet relateable world, to only leave me on edge at the end of book one. No spoilers, but HOW DARE YOU (you know what you did!)
I found myself frequently in tears due to the close connection I felt from the skillful writing of the characters. At one occasion, while reading the last two-thirds of Ashes in one sitting, I only put down the book because I was sobbing too hard to see through my tears.
When Phoenix's hand was warmly squeezed by Rae or Sylvia, I genuinely felt comfort and reassured.
I fully imagined the world around Phoenix without ever feeling the text delaying the story with environmental description. (I'm looking at you, Tolkein... yawn!)
From the intriguing prologue (wait - what happened in the barn!?) and the charming meeting of Malcourt (wait, stormhounds!?), to the wondrous unfurling of Phoenix in a coming-of-age magical medieval mean girls.
5 stars, would recommend, despite my grievances re: NO SPOILERS.
Conditional, of course, on the swift release of further books in the series.
Can't wait for the Netflix miniseries.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews