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Ashes: A World's Fair Saga
Winner of the 16th Annual National Indie Excellence® Awards.
Well’s Peake, 1810. Aleksandar Scott, a promising young inventor, hopes to build his future at the first-ever World’s Fair — until his invention falls into the hands of a mysterious masked man. After the disturbing murders of fellow innovators come to light, he fears for his life as the city turns dangerous and more suspicious of him.
Aleksandar must discover a way to stop his creation before a madman unleashes a night of ashes and death upon the town of Well’s Peake.
Clouded by anger, doubt, and revenge, will the young inventor learn that his only chance of redemption is to uncover the dark secrets that linger within this London-inspired thriller?
In this addictive tale of mystery and suspense, Ashes, A World’s Fair Saga, is the beginning of a historical serial killer series that follows Aleksandar’s journey of dreams and terror.
Well’s Peake, 1810. Aleksandar Scott, a promising young inventor, hopes to build his future at the first-ever World’s Fair — until his invention falls into the hands of a mysterious masked man. After the disturbing murders of fellow innovators come to light, he fears for his life as the city turns dangerous and more suspicious of him.
Aleksandar must discover a way to stop his creation before a madman unleashes a night of ashes and death upon the town of Well’s Peake.
Clouded by anger, doubt, and revenge, will the young inventor learn that his only chance of redemption is to uncover the dark secrets that linger within this London-inspired thriller?
In this addictive tale of mystery and suspense, Ashes, A World’s Fair Saga, is the beginning of a historical serial killer series that follows Aleksandar’s journey of dreams and terror.
644 pages, Hardcover
Published November 16, 2021
8 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Lyon Jr.
6 books14 followers- Beginner Bookbinder
- Tea Lover
- Amateur Woodworker
Timothy Lyon was an inspired author releasing his first novel, Ashes A Contrivance Novel, back in 2016.
After writing 30 novels as a ghostwriter, he decided it was time to remaster his own, and give the people the story they deserved.
Timothy Lyon Jr. grew up in Northwestern Pennsylvania, where he dedicated many hours to his craft of storytelling. He specializes in creating period pieces full of vivid imagery and rich characters that will remain with readers long after the last page turns.
When Timothy is not writing, he enjoys drinking tea, listening to ska music, and testing his hibachi skills.
Want a FREE ebook? Go to timothylyonjr.com/the-underhill-murde...
You can also connect with Timothy on
Instagram www.instagram.com/timothyrlyonjr
Facebook: Facebook.com/timothylyonjr
Twitter @timothylyonjr
Website www.timothylyonjr.com
- Tea Lover
- Amateur Woodworker
Timothy Lyon was an inspired author releasing his first novel, Ashes A Contrivance Novel, back in 2016.
After writing 30 novels as a ghostwriter, he decided it was time to remaster his own, and give the people the story they deserved.
Timothy Lyon Jr. grew up in Northwestern Pennsylvania, where he dedicated many hours to his craft of storytelling. He specializes in creating period pieces full of vivid imagery and rich characters that will remain with readers long after the last page turns.
When Timothy is not writing, he enjoys drinking tea, listening to ska music, and testing his hibachi skills.
Want a FREE ebook? Go to timothylyonjr.com/the-underhill-murde...
You can also connect with Timothy on
Instagram www.instagram.com/timothyrlyonjr
Facebook: Facebook.com/timothylyonjr
Twitter @timothylyonjr
Website www.timothylyonjr.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 15, 2023
First off this book is under the steampunk genre but I believe it’s more mystery/suspense. I had to know what happened next and every time I thought I had things figured out something else would happen causing me to question everything I thought I had figured out. I also got a newer version of the book that photos in it that linked into the book that helped me visualize things better. This book is extremely detailed and as I read it I felt like a movie was playing in my head or I was there as a fly on the wall observing everything. That only happens for me when the book really grabs me. I will be recommending this book to others who enjoy being sucked into a new world though pages and words. I can not wait to see what this Author does next and I’m anticipating the next book in this saga.
November 16, 2021
A young, ambitious and impatient budding inventor.
An attention seeking, cunning and overzealous aristocrat.
And a man without a face and a plan you'll never see coming.
In the city of Wells Peake, everyone is trying to get back to normal. Adjusting to a new life from the crippling leftovers of a plague titled the "Black Harvest". It's no wonder this is the site for the first ever Worlds Fair aiming to bring hope with inventions that could make everything better than it once was.
Aleksandar Scott aspires to be that difference, and while his invention is meant to spark change, it's stolen. So the arrogant Kenneth Forbes convinces him to remake it into a spectacle, and that's when our mysterious masked man finally shows his hand and begins set fire to all our expectations.
In this thrilling story, you'll follow each character in an attempt to find their purpose -- whether that's as an inventor, an entrepreneur or a murderer.
Author Timothy Lyon slowly eases you into his flaming tale, but chapter by chapter you'll be stunned by smoke and death wondering who is the mastermind behind this destruction. And just when you think you've solved it, another twist rises from the ashes and you're left burning through the last chapter.
While the dialogue felt awkward or forced on occasion, I swung between enjoying the conversation and being annoyed at being told facts I could have inferred. The author pushes the reader to learn what feels like too much about each character which, both good and bad, caused me to become overly attached and left jaw dropped when they burned me or burned up.
The first half is enjoyable, but mostly world building. A lot of characters are introduced quickly, and I found myself intrigued at some of their storylines and bored by others. The good news is they all flow into a cohesive and suspenseful ending. Facts or storylines that at first felt unimportant became crucial near the end when I was gripping the pages and screaming "How? Why? What the -" Pro tip: Don't make any plans after you hit chapter thirty, I could barely put it down for the last 300 pages.
All in all, Timothy's first book in this World's Fair Saga made for an exciting introduction into a world of inventors trying to make a change by what their moral compass believes best. I anxiously await for the sequel to discover how deadly the next set of inventions will become and what the masked man will do next.
I willing reviewed an advance copy of this book.
An attention seeking, cunning and overzealous aristocrat.
And a man without a face and a plan you'll never see coming.
In the city of Wells Peake, everyone is trying to get back to normal. Adjusting to a new life from the crippling leftovers of a plague titled the "Black Harvest". It's no wonder this is the site for the first ever Worlds Fair aiming to bring hope with inventions that could make everything better than it once was.
Aleksandar Scott aspires to be that difference, and while his invention is meant to spark change, it's stolen. So the arrogant Kenneth Forbes convinces him to remake it into a spectacle, and that's when our mysterious masked man finally shows his hand and begins set fire to all our expectations.
In this thrilling story, you'll follow each character in an attempt to find their purpose -- whether that's as an inventor, an entrepreneur or a murderer.
Author Timothy Lyon slowly eases you into his flaming tale, but chapter by chapter you'll be stunned by smoke and death wondering who is the mastermind behind this destruction. And just when you think you've solved it, another twist rises from the ashes and you're left burning through the last chapter.
While the dialogue felt awkward or forced on occasion, I swung between enjoying the conversation and being annoyed at being told facts I could have inferred. The author pushes the reader to learn what feels like too much about each character which, both good and bad, caused me to become overly attached and left jaw dropped when they burned me or burned up.
The first half is enjoyable, but mostly world building. A lot of characters are introduced quickly, and I found myself intrigued at some of their storylines and bored by others. The good news is they all flow into a cohesive and suspenseful ending. Facts or storylines that at first felt unimportant became crucial near the end when I was gripping the pages and screaming "How? Why? What the -" Pro tip: Don't make any plans after you hit chapter thirty, I could barely put it down for the last 300 pages.
All in all, Timothy's first book in this World's Fair Saga made for an exciting introduction into a world of inventors trying to make a change by what their moral compass believes best. I anxiously await for the sequel to discover how deadly the next set of inventions will become and what the masked man will do next.
I willing reviewed an advance copy of this book.
October 6, 2021
I have one word for this book - Spectacular.
I loved reading this book. I fell in love with this world and the characters immediately. I loved the pace the story is set in and it was an intriguing read!
The time and the setting of the plot were beautiful. 1810, with the industrial revolution kicking off, people have started to recover from the Black Harvest that had taken so many lives. Inventors everywhere come up with new machines and inventions all the time. And the World Fair is the place to show off their inventions to the major contributors. As the World Fair kicks off, there is a killer murdering inventors using elemental science. Nicoli, a private investigator, is assigned to this case to catch the serial killer.
Aleksandar Scott is an inventor hoping to make his future from this World Fair. But it is interrupted when someone steals all of his work in the middle of the night after attacking him. His invention, the Red Breath, appears to be used by the killer during the course of the murder investigation and he must find a way to stop it.
Alek was a heartwarming and wonderful character. His struggles to pursue his dream were admirable and made him feel relatable. I loved reading his relationship with the characters he is introduced to.
The mystery and the murders were intriguing. I loved every moment of this book. The prose was compelling and it was a page-turner. I couldn’t put this book down.
I loved reading this book. I fell in love with this world and the characters immediately. I loved the pace the story is set in and it was an intriguing read!
“I want to invent,” she said. “To fix the lands from the Black Harvest, to make a machine that will change the world, in every way possible.”
The time and the setting of the plot were beautiful. 1810, with the industrial revolution kicking off, people have started to recover from the Black Harvest that had taken so many lives. Inventors everywhere come up with new machines and inventions all the time. And the World Fair is the place to show off their inventions to the major contributors. As the World Fair kicks off, there is a killer murdering inventors using elemental science. Nicoli, a private investigator, is assigned to this case to catch the serial killer.
Aleksandar Scott is an inventor hoping to make his future from this World Fair. But it is interrupted when someone steals all of his work in the middle of the night after attacking him. His invention, the Red Breath, appears to be used by the killer during the course of the murder investigation and he must find a way to stop it.
“I calculate the risks. I know what inventions are harmful, not ones that could be.”
“You can’t know that. That’s like getting all the thread and needle for a jacket, then not stitching it because you think it won’t be good enough.”
“When you know the jacket won’t fit, there’s no sense in making it.”
Alek was a heartwarming and wonderful character. His struggles to pursue his dream were admirable and made him feel relatable. I loved reading his relationship with the characters he is introduced to.
The flames, the applauding crowd, and the starry night, but the only thing he could focus on was Ellie’s hand on his and her brown eyes looking into his.
The mystery and the murders were intriguing. I loved every moment of this book. The prose was compelling and it was a page-turner. I couldn’t put this book down.
November 17, 2021
Until now, I’ve never read a book that the world-building is so phenomenal, that even the plot takes a back seat! I became engrossed in the setting of Ashes, following the story of Aleksandar in this thriller of page-turning events. Truly a story for fans of mystery, historical fiction, fantasy, and everything in between!
October 27, 2021
really great start to a series, the characters were great and I loved the idea of the World's Fair and assassins. It was a fun read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 17, 2021
This book is a must-read for any literary fans, easily fitting the bill of a must-read. Each character gets their own moment in the spotlight, and every story ties together wonderfully. Do not miss out on this saga!
September 26, 2021
‘Someday, you’ll follow your own dreams’
Pennsylvania author Timothy Lyon Jr. earned a degree in Visual Effects and Motion Graphics at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and studied film, photography, motion graphics and visual effects. Soon the writing bug hit and he decided to step away from the VFX industry and turn his undivided attention to writing. Realizing the potential and low-cost of self-publishing a novel, he began what he believed to be his grand epic, The Contrivance series with ASHES in 2016. Now, five years later, he presents ASHES: A WORLD’S FAIR SAGA and all the promise of the initial publication comes to fruition He lives in Pittsburgh.
Since the original version of this saga Timothy’s prose has grown more polished as is evident as he opens the Prologue in 1797: ‘A girl ran through the forest snow, as high as her knees, yet it did not slow her pace A plop came from behind, and with a pearly smile and red cheeks, she turned to a boy who raised his head form under the snowstorm, shaking his face clear with a smudged grin. She chuckled and skipped to hi as the moonlight danced through branches of pine needles She brushed his hat off and peered into his hazel eyes, looking like a kid who got caught in the pantry. “Are you sure we should be out this late?” she asked. “Yes! We are almost ten,” he said. “Believe me, your best friend. You’ll want to see this.” And story bristles to life as the tow children advance to a magician’s tent where they observe the ‘machine’ – “it’s your dream. Mum says it only takes one moment to make a difference. This is yours.”
Committing to the book, we gain only a brief synopsis: ‘In 1810, Aleksandar Scott is an inventor looking to make his future in Well's Peake at the first-ever World's Fair - until his invention falls into the hands of a mysterious masked man. When the disturbing murders of other innovators come to light, he soon fears for his life as the city grows more dangerous by the day. Aleksandar must discover a way to stop his creation before the madman uses his work to begin a night of ashes and death...Will the young inventor uncover the dark secrets that linger within this London-inspired thriller before he meets his end, like so many before him?’ Timothy adds an Epilogue that raises an eyebrow in expectation of a follow-up novel…..
ASHES is a historical thriller about the World’s Fair, and that is only one aspect of this delicious mystery thriller. Timothy has greatly enhanced his original idea and the saga that pours forth is a treasure. Recommended
Pennsylvania author Timothy Lyon Jr. earned a degree in Visual Effects and Motion Graphics at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and studied film, photography, motion graphics and visual effects. Soon the writing bug hit and he decided to step away from the VFX industry and turn his undivided attention to writing. Realizing the potential and low-cost of self-publishing a novel, he began what he believed to be his grand epic, The Contrivance series with ASHES in 2016. Now, five years later, he presents ASHES: A WORLD’S FAIR SAGA and all the promise of the initial publication comes to fruition He lives in Pittsburgh.
Since the original version of this saga Timothy’s prose has grown more polished as is evident as he opens the Prologue in 1797: ‘A girl ran through the forest snow, as high as her knees, yet it did not slow her pace A plop came from behind, and with a pearly smile and red cheeks, she turned to a boy who raised his head form under the snowstorm, shaking his face clear with a smudged grin. She chuckled and skipped to hi as the moonlight danced through branches of pine needles She brushed his hat off and peered into his hazel eyes, looking like a kid who got caught in the pantry. “Are you sure we should be out this late?” she asked. “Yes! We are almost ten,” he said. “Believe me, your best friend. You’ll want to see this.” And story bristles to life as the tow children advance to a magician’s tent where they observe the ‘machine’ – “it’s your dream. Mum says it only takes one moment to make a difference. This is yours.”
Committing to the book, we gain only a brief synopsis: ‘In 1810, Aleksandar Scott is an inventor looking to make his future in Well's Peake at the first-ever World's Fair - until his invention falls into the hands of a mysterious masked man. When the disturbing murders of other innovators come to light, he soon fears for his life as the city grows more dangerous by the day. Aleksandar must discover a way to stop his creation before the madman uses his work to begin a night of ashes and death...Will the young inventor uncover the dark secrets that linger within this London-inspired thriller before he meets his end, like so many before him?’ Timothy adds an Epilogue that raises an eyebrow in expectation of a follow-up novel…..
ASHES is a historical thriller about the World’s Fair, and that is only one aspect of this delicious mystery thriller. Timothy has greatly enhanced his original idea and the saga that pours forth is a treasure. Recommended
April 24, 2023
It's taken me 3 days to figure out how to review this book, so here goes...
In the interest of fairness, I will say I know the author in a 6 degrees of separation deal, and I read this book as a favor to a couple of HIS high school friends who are MY friends. I've never met him, and after reading this, I've vowed to punch his face if I ever do. Not because it was bad. Because it was good and it reminded me I have a soul, then he crushed it. Barely a spoiler: he killed off two of my favorite character, who were barely footnotes of characters, but still.
Okay. I love historical fiction and I like fantasy, but I realized after about 20% of this book that I don't like them together, which is why it took me so long to read this. Also, the first half of the book spends a lot of time setting up characters and their interweaving, and I recommend a notebook or taking notes on who's who and how they connect. I pushed through the first half, and I struggled with it because A) it wasn't my cup of tea, and B) because halfway through I could tell you what had happened, but not what the plot was or purpose, etc. The second half blew that out of the water! If you can muddle through the first 300 pgs, it's totally worth it.
I love the moral/lesson of this story, and I have some thoughts on who I suspect the "villain" is, but since it's a series, I would have to read the next books to find out. Not sure I'm going to do that, but I might. Tim Lyon spins a good yarn, and he's an excellent writer! I'm a brutally honest critic, and I've lost writer friends over it, so I wouldn't cushion this. I was so upset by the tearing out of my heart by the end of this first book that, had the book been mine and not borrowed, I would have thrown it across the room.
The only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 was the first half struggle. It went slow and meandering in the first half and bullet train fast in the second, and I think there could have been some structural differences to alleviate some of that. I highly recommend this novel if you like fantasy and are ambivalent about historical context/fiction. Not the other way around. My brain kept trying to reconcile the fantasy aspects into the turn-of-the-century historical context.
But the two friends I was reading this on behalf of will love it!
P.S. I also took away one star because I think the book trailer (which is beautifully done, Tim, no shade) actually detracted from the book instead of adding to it. My opinion only.
In the interest of fairness, I will say I know the author in a 6 degrees of separation deal, and I read this book as a favor to a couple of HIS high school friends who are MY friends. I've never met him, and after reading this, I've vowed to punch his face if I ever do. Not because it was bad. Because it was good and it reminded me I have a soul, then he crushed it. Barely a spoiler: he killed off two of my favorite character, who were barely footnotes of characters, but still.
Okay. I love historical fiction and I like fantasy, but I realized after about 20% of this book that I don't like them together, which is why it took me so long to read this. Also, the first half of the book spends a lot of time setting up characters and their interweaving, and I recommend a notebook or taking notes on who's who and how they connect. I pushed through the first half, and I struggled with it because A) it wasn't my cup of tea, and B) because halfway through I could tell you what had happened, but not what the plot was or purpose, etc. The second half blew that out of the water! If you can muddle through the first 300 pgs, it's totally worth it.
I love the moral/lesson of this story, and I have some thoughts on who I suspect the "villain" is, but since it's a series, I would have to read the next books to find out. Not sure I'm going to do that, but I might. Tim Lyon spins a good yarn, and he's an excellent writer! I'm a brutally honest critic, and I've lost writer friends over it, so I wouldn't cushion this. I was so upset by the tearing out of my heart by the end of this first book that, had the book been mine and not borrowed, I would have thrown it across the room.
The only reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 was the first half struggle. It went slow and meandering in the first half and bullet train fast in the second, and I think there could have been some structural differences to alleviate some of that. I highly recommend this novel if you like fantasy and are ambivalent about historical context/fiction. Not the other way around. My brain kept trying to reconcile the fantasy aspects into the turn-of-the-century historical context.
But the two friends I was reading this on behalf of will love it!
P.S. I also took away one star because I think the book trailer (which is beautifully done, Tim, no shade) actually detracted from the book instead of adding to it. My opinion only.
November 16, 2021
I have read quite a few books in my day so I have come to like what I like and understand when I don't like something. This first book from Timothy is not exactly a book that I would normally love. Historic books leaning into "old America" is not normally my forte. But something about the simplicity and the progression of this book continued my aggression of reading it.
What makes this book really stand out from a lot of books today is that it honestly keeps the idea simple and therefore lets the intricate nature of the few characters build within one another and that is a great sign for an intriguing book.
Note: I am one of the Arc readers so take this as you will.
What makes this book really stand out from a lot of books today is that it honestly keeps the idea simple and therefore lets the intricate nature of the few characters build within one another and that is a great sign for an intriguing book.
Note: I am one of the Arc readers so take this as you will.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews