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Ashes, Ashes
Teenage magi Adrienne Young kills monsters, protects the innocent, and sometimes passes chemistry. But when she kills a hellhound that’s been haunting college campuses she draws the attention of Hecate, a banished goddess seeking to restore her power and return to the mortal world. As Adrienne digs deeper, she uncovers Hecate’s murderous plot and vows to kill her once and for all. When Hecate sets her sights on Liza, Adrienne’s sister, the fight turns personal.
With a band of unlikely allies and time running out, Adrienne may have to choose between saving the world or saving her sister.
With a band of unlikely allies and time running out, Adrienne may have to choose between saving the world or saving her sister.
- GenresFantasy
372 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 2022
2 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Goeken
4 books10 followersI was always that kid who would kick her feet up on the desk and read a book during class. I would read on the school bus and at the lunch table and curled up in bed at night. I'm still a voracious reader, but I want more. I want to write the books that kids like me are reading.
I like to read books about magic and adventures and creatures and heroes, so it's no wonder those are the books I like to write, too.
In my real life, I'm married and have the two most precious sons in existence and a loveable chocolate lab.
I like to read books about magic and adventures and creatures and heroes, so it's no wonder those are the books I like to write, too.
In my real life, I'm married and have the two most precious sons in existence and a loveable chocolate lab.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 24, 2022
**I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
Overall, I would probably score this book somewhere between 2 – 3 stars. I struggle to pin it down as a 2 or 3 star exactly…And will get into why as the review progresses. I want to start by admitting that it took me an extraordinarily long time to read this book, and I believe that part of that is because of my main issues with it. It wasn’t because it was an agonizing read – it didn’t offend me greatly or insult my intelligence or infuriate me in any way – it simply wasn’t plotted tightly enough. I know the author is intending this to be the beginning of a series (trilogy?), but there is quite a lot she is trying to cram into the story as the “opening act” to her series, and I think it made the overall story a bit clunky. A more streamlined plot, with fewer side plots, would have helped keep my attention a lot more.
I will expand later without major spoilers. However, I want to start with the positives.
Firstly, the book blurb is fantastic. It really did sell me on trying the story out. It sounds exciting, gives you a bit of a look at the gruesome undertones, and adds an emotional core for the MC as she is motivated not simply by duty but also love. Overall, once the story really gets going, it’s a fun enough read. The adults do generally treat the children like children, with obvious exception for the sake of the plot and Adrienne’s general job.
Adrienne is a decent narrator, though a little cliché/predictable given the genre. I have always liked “monster-hunter” style stories and concepts (although I never did get into Supernatural), and there definitely is an appetite for this type of story now that something like Supernatural has ended. I would recommend if you enjoy that type of content, you may enjoy reading this as a breezy summer read. It is a fun story, and it is nice to see Adrienne is competent at her “job” without always getting away without a scratch.
I also did like the idea of having a supporting cast and her “foster family” style of situation. I do have a few issues with how the supporting cast was characterized, however, they were suitable for their roles, and they kept to their characterizations in a realistic way.
The dialogue is not anything amazing and occasionally gets a little repetitive, however, it is a quipping-teasing style of chatter that was popularized by movies/TV shows in the early to late 2010s and I know plenty of people like that type of dialogue. It does help to lighten the mood of dark subjects in general, which the book definitely covered, so that was a good writing choice. Using a foster family as the main cast (for the most part) does also help keep the story grounded and to give the characters motivation and automatic characterization without needing to depend on a Spiderman-esque usage of “responsibility”.
The basic story is intriguing, and the summary really did hook me in as a good idea. I imagined the tone being similar to the “Anna Dressed in Blood” duology, which also struck a good tone between quippy humor and incredible dark subjects – touching a toe into the world of horror without it being too cheesy or grotesque. The story doesn’t demand too much from the reader and clearly is just intended to be a good time. For the most part, it was; again, I didn’t at all hate the book, and did not hate reading it. I just did not get as connected to the story as I had hoped I would.
To summarize all the things that I did like in the story: the ideas were all great. I really do think that the author had great ideas going into her story, and that where the story really fell through was the organization of the plot. I obviously don’t know how the author wrote the book, but I am curious if she ever put together a plot map or an outline for events. I wonder if perhaps all this book needed was one last round of content editing to make it pop, because it has great bones, it’s just making a strange skeleton of an animal.
Allow me to explain as best I can, as I believe my whole issue with the book does boil down to a single problem that unfortunately affects the entire product. Here, I have a list here of all the main plot points and subplots (no spoilers):
Plot A: Ritualistic killings/A supposed serial killer/And dark worship of a supernatural being (This includes the disappearance of her foster sister as noted in the book blurb)
Plot B: Said serial killer, called The Immortal’s, own agenda, deviating as more of a dark anti-hero (This includes the kidnapping of Adrienne’s foster parents, more or less removing them from the plot).
Plots C – D (subplot): Adrienne’s relationship with a high-school sweetheart in a teen drama style situation (this plotline does sort of mesh into the rest of the story with a reveal about Adrienne’s love interest, however the whole high school situation was still an attempt to add depth to Adrienne’s life and general stress levels). Her high school struggles include how much school she has been missing, failing classes, trying to do make-up work, a smattering of high school bullies and “social classes” situations where she (an outcast) is dating quite literally the most popular guy in the school.
Plot E (subplot): On top of Adrienne’s main quest (branching from the “hellhound” situation), she also goes out frequently to take care of other monsters, including the Jersey Devil. I will also include in this category when Adrienne goes out on a side quest and gets a familiar that she learns to use.
Plot F (subplot): One of Adrienne’s foster siblings, Dixon, is searching for their parents and real history.
Plot G (subplot): The council making changes that Heather and Andrew don’t like.
Now, I feel the need to add, here, that I do think there is a good way to balance these things out properly. Again, I think the issue is balancing out these plot points somehow and maybe rearranging the story structure a little. In fact, the main plot point of Hecate targeting Liza does not even really get going until I was 33% (approx.) into the book! I needed to go back and CHECK to see if I had misread the book blurb because I wasn’t sure. The kidnapping of Adrienne’s foster parents, Heather and Andrew, occurs BEFORE then (by a different character, the Immortal).
This is unfortunately mainly because the blurb is what sold me on the book, and it is fantastic and concise, but it doesn’t exactly match the final product. We do have Hecate mentioned relatively early on into the story, which is fine, but there is so much happening in the first ACT of the story (ALL of those plot points are mentioned or used all within the FIRST ACT ALONE) that the story, while not particularly long, already feels bloated and a little unfocused.
If I was helping to edit the story with the author, without deconstructing her work, I would make the following suggestions.
Firstly, it probably would make more sense to have the foster kids homeschooled in their situation. That allows them to still be seen as “weird” or “outcasts” without forcing them to constantly make excuses, use magic, or dodge around missing classes and classwork. For Adrienne, especially, this would make more sense. In fact, perhaps she went to school normally in grade school but then “dropped out” to be homeschooled through her high school years so she could help track down monsters. This could also create a point of contention between herself, Andrew, and Heather: Adrienne is tired of being an outcast and wants to be more social.
This is a small change, relatively, but it allows us to keep that “teen drama” storyline without having to be bogged down by too many details and scenes in the school or with the “school” characters. Alex is already important to the plot in other ways, and can stay as the love interest if that’s really a desire, but we don’t need the whole school’s reactions to him going out with Adrienne, really. Actually, another option would be that, as a homeschooled “outcast” who is seen as part of the “weird homeschooled foster kid family”, Adrienne could worry about Alex’s reputation, as she can’t see if their relationship is affecting his school life, and he can reassure her everything’s fine. It could be a sweet moment for them and, again, add a little something to them other than just…generalized teen drama.
I think the plot line of “origins” and “missing parents” or the idea that the foster parents have lied to the kids, perhaps/allegedly, about where they have come from isn’t necessarily something to be thrown out – it’s interesting as a side plot – but the presenting of it could have been done a little better. We, as the audience, and Adrienne, both are just… told about all this. It’s just exposition through dialogue, which a lot of the story already is. This isn’t terrible, and exposition is necessary. However, it leaves little for Adrienne to find out about on her own. It is also done at an odd time…We are told about this almost directly after Andrew and Heather are kidnapped. It just comes across as…odd timing.
The kids, in general, aren’t even particularly worried about Andrew and Heather. I mean, it takes until Liza goes MIA for Adrienne to decide to just ditch school, which is also an odd choice. The Immortal has taken Andrew and Heather, but Adrienne trusts his word on not killing magi…? I know she has a lot to focus on and her direction is split, but that is, after all, part of the problem. She and the audience are expected to care about a LOT of different things right out of the gate without a lot of time to get to know our characters. There is less rising action in terms of plot and more of a slowly rising zig-zag line, like a heartbeat getting slowly, progressively faster over time.
Really, we don’t need ALL of this within the first third of the book. Spreading things out a little neater and arranging the story into a more streamlined narrative would help with a lot of the problems and give us better characterization. If we wanted to keep Adrienne’s fight against the Jersey Devil creature, maybe open with that instead of the hellhound hunt. That establishes a base line of normal for the characters instead of delving into something that is ABNORMAL for them immediately. We can see how their team usually works together before things start to fall apart.
As it is, once Andrew and Heather are gone, it sort of reads more like they were removed from the plot to get rid of parental figures to hold Adrienne back from the more dangerous stuff in the story (which I don’t believe is the author’s intent at all). That cuts tension. Also, since the characters themselves don’t act that worried about Andrew and Heather, it’s hard for me to be worried about what might have happened to them or what is happening to them. Adrienne just “knows” they are alive, believes the Immortal, and tries to refocus them all on the Hecate ritual-sacrifice problem.
Again, I know: there is a LOT going on to focus on, and Adrienne is the center of all of it, making it difficult to delegate things. When Liza did finally disappear for a little, it was almost a relief, as a reader, because it reassured me that the main plot was finally kicking off. Now, it’s perfectly normal for the first act of a book to be basically just the kick off of the plot. But the kick off happened at the end of the first act, beginning of the second, filling a lot of the first 33% of the story with supplementary issues that should be balanced more evenly through the act structure. As the story also begins en media res, it is a bit odd that we get going with the hellhound / sacrifice plotline, but then it gets held back over and over during the ensuing pages.
Overall, if you are at all interested in this type of story, or the premise piques your interest, the story will probably deliver enough for you. It does eventually get to what it promised, and it is a decent story. It is certainly better than most novels these days. I may check in again in a few years to see where the story goes in further installments. I would only say it is very obviously an indie work, with a few typos still, some repetitive dialogue that could be cut down, and a streamlined plot that probably did not go through an editor’s content/plot edits. I believe this is the author’s first novel, so many of these problems sound like “growing pains” that will hopefully improve over time.
Overall, I would probably score this book somewhere between 2 – 3 stars. I struggle to pin it down as a 2 or 3 star exactly…And will get into why as the review progresses. I want to start by admitting that it took me an extraordinarily long time to read this book, and I believe that part of that is because of my main issues with it. It wasn’t because it was an agonizing read – it didn’t offend me greatly or insult my intelligence or infuriate me in any way – it simply wasn’t plotted tightly enough. I know the author is intending this to be the beginning of a series (trilogy?), but there is quite a lot she is trying to cram into the story as the “opening act” to her series, and I think it made the overall story a bit clunky. A more streamlined plot, with fewer side plots, would have helped keep my attention a lot more.
I will expand later without major spoilers. However, I want to start with the positives.
Firstly, the book blurb is fantastic. It really did sell me on trying the story out. It sounds exciting, gives you a bit of a look at the gruesome undertones, and adds an emotional core for the MC as she is motivated not simply by duty but also love. Overall, once the story really gets going, it’s a fun enough read. The adults do generally treat the children like children, with obvious exception for the sake of the plot and Adrienne’s general job.
Adrienne is a decent narrator, though a little cliché/predictable given the genre. I have always liked “monster-hunter” style stories and concepts (although I never did get into Supernatural), and there definitely is an appetite for this type of story now that something like Supernatural has ended. I would recommend if you enjoy that type of content, you may enjoy reading this as a breezy summer read. It is a fun story, and it is nice to see Adrienne is competent at her “job” without always getting away without a scratch.
I also did like the idea of having a supporting cast and her “foster family” style of situation. I do have a few issues with how the supporting cast was characterized, however, they were suitable for their roles, and they kept to their characterizations in a realistic way.
The dialogue is not anything amazing and occasionally gets a little repetitive, however, it is a quipping-teasing style of chatter that was popularized by movies/TV shows in the early to late 2010s and I know plenty of people like that type of dialogue. It does help to lighten the mood of dark subjects in general, which the book definitely covered, so that was a good writing choice. Using a foster family as the main cast (for the most part) does also help keep the story grounded and to give the characters motivation and automatic characterization without needing to depend on a Spiderman-esque usage of “responsibility”.
The basic story is intriguing, and the summary really did hook me in as a good idea. I imagined the tone being similar to the “Anna Dressed in Blood” duology, which also struck a good tone between quippy humor and incredible dark subjects – touching a toe into the world of horror without it being too cheesy or grotesque. The story doesn’t demand too much from the reader and clearly is just intended to be a good time. For the most part, it was; again, I didn’t at all hate the book, and did not hate reading it. I just did not get as connected to the story as I had hoped I would.
To summarize all the things that I did like in the story: the ideas were all great. I really do think that the author had great ideas going into her story, and that where the story really fell through was the organization of the plot. I obviously don’t know how the author wrote the book, but I am curious if she ever put together a plot map or an outline for events. I wonder if perhaps all this book needed was one last round of content editing to make it pop, because it has great bones, it’s just making a strange skeleton of an animal.
Allow me to explain as best I can, as I believe my whole issue with the book does boil down to a single problem that unfortunately affects the entire product. Here, I have a list here of all the main plot points and subplots (no spoilers):
Plot A: Ritualistic killings/A supposed serial killer/And dark worship of a supernatural being (This includes the disappearance of her foster sister as noted in the book blurb)
Plot B: Said serial killer, called The Immortal’s, own agenda, deviating as more of a dark anti-hero (This includes the kidnapping of Adrienne’s foster parents, more or less removing them from the plot).
Plots C – D (subplot): Adrienne’s relationship with a high-school sweetheart in a teen drama style situation (this plotline does sort of mesh into the rest of the story with a reveal about Adrienne’s love interest, however the whole high school situation was still an attempt to add depth to Adrienne’s life and general stress levels). Her high school struggles include how much school she has been missing, failing classes, trying to do make-up work, a smattering of high school bullies and “social classes” situations where she (an outcast) is dating quite literally the most popular guy in the school.
Plot E (subplot): On top of Adrienne’s main quest (branching from the “hellhound” situation), she also goes out frequently to take care of other monsters, including the Jersey Devil. I will also include in this category when Adrienne goes out on a side quest and gets a familiar that she learns to use.
Plot F (subplot): One of Adrienne’s foster siblings, Dixon, is searching for their parents and real history.
Plot G (subplot): The council making changes that Heather and Andrew don’t like.
Now, I feel the need to add, here, that I do think there is a good way to balance these things out properly. Again, I think the issue is balancing out these plot points somehow and maybe rearranging the story structure a little. In fact, the main plot point of Hecate targeting Liza does not even really get going until I was 33% (approx.) into the book! I needed to go back and CHECK to see if I had misread the book blurb because I wasn’t sure. The kidnapping of Adrienne’s foster parents, Heather and Andrew, occurs BEFORE then (by a different character, the Immortal).
This is unfortunately mainly because the blurb is what sold me on the book, and it is fantastic and concise, but it doesn’t exactly match the final product. We do have Hecate mentioned relatively early on into the story, which is fine, but there is so much happening in the first ACT of the story (ALL of those plot points are mentioned or used all within the FIRST ACT ALONE) that the story, while not particularly long, already feels bloated and a little unfocused.
If I was helping to edit the story with the author, without deconstructing her work, I would make the following suggestions.
Firstly, it probably would make more sense to have the foster kids homeschooled in their situation. That allows them to still be seen as “weird” or “outcasts” without forcing them to constantly make excuses, use magic, or dodge around missing classes and classwork. For Adrienne, especially, this would make more sense. In fact, perhaps she went to school normally in grade school but then “dropped out” to be homeschooled through her high school years so she could help track down monsters. This could also create a point of contention between herself, Andrew, and Heather: Adrienne is tired of being an outcast and wants to be more social.
This is a small change, relatively, but it allows us to keep that “teen drama” storyline without having to be bogged down by too many details and scenes in the school or with the “school” characters. Alex is already important to the plot in other ways, and can stay as the love interest if that’s really a desire, but we don’t need the whole school’s reactions to him going out with Adrienne, really. Actually, another option would be that, as a homeschooled “outcast” who is seen as part of the “weird homeschooled foster kid family”, Adrienne could worry about Alex’s reputation, as she can’t see if their relationship is affecting his school life, and he can reassure her everything’s fine. It could be a sweet moment for them and, again, add a little something to them other than just…generalized teen drama.
I think the plot line of “origins” and “missing parents” or the idea that the foster parents have lied to the kids, perhaps/allegedly, about where they have come from isn’t necessarily something to be thrown out – it’s interesting as a side plot – but the presenting of it could have been done a little better. We, as the audience, and Adrienne, both are just… told about all this. It’s just exposition through dialogue, which a lot of the story already is. This isn’t terrible, and exposition is necessary. However, it leaves little for Adrienne to find out about on her own. It is also done at an odd time…We are told about this almost directly after Andrew and Heather are kidnapped. It just comes across as…odd timing.
The kids, in general, aren’t even particularly worried about Andrew and Heather. I mean, it takes until Liza goes MIA for Adrienne to decide to just ditch school, which is also an odd choice. The Immortal has taken Andrew and Heather, but Adrienne trusts his word on not killing magi…? I know she has a lot to focus on and her direction is split, but that is, after all, part of the problem. She and the audience are expected to care about a LOT of different things right out of the gate without a lot of time to get to know our characters. There is less rising action in terms of plot and more of a slowly rising zig-zag line, like a heartbeat getting slowly, progressively faster over time.
Really, we don’t need ALL of this within the first third of the book. Spreading things out a little neater and arranging the story into a more streamlined narrative would help with a lot of the problems and give us better characterization. If we wanted to keep Adrienne’s fight against the Jersey Devil creature, maybe open with that instead of the hellhound hunt. That establishes a base line of normal for the characters instead of delving into something that is ABNORMAL for them immediately. We can see how their team usually works together before things start to fall apart.
As it is, once Andrew and Heather are gone, it sort of reads more like they were removed from the plot to get rid of parental figures to hold Adrienne back from the more dangerous stuff in the story (which I don’t believe is the author’s intent at all). That cuts tension. Also, since the characters themselves don’t act that worried about Andrew and Heather, it’s hard for me to be worried about what might have happened to them or what is happening to them. Adrienne just “knows” they are alive, believes the Immortal, and tries to refocus them all on the Hecate ritual-sacrifice problem.
Again, I know: there is a LOT going on to focus on, and Adrienne is the center of all of it, making it difficult to delegate things. When Liza did finally disappear for a little, it was almost a relief, as a reader, because it reassured me that the main plot was finally kicking off. Now, it’s perfectly normal for the first act of a book to be basically just the kick off of the plot. But the kick off happened at the end of the first act, beginning of the second, filling a lot of the first 33% of the story with supplementary issues that should be balanced more evenly through the act structure. As the story also begins en media res, it is a bit odd that we get going with the hellhound / sacrifice plotline, but then it gets held back over and over during the ensuing pages.
Overall, if you are at all interested in this type of story, or the premise piques your interest, the story will probably deliver enough for you. It does eventually get to what it promised, and it is a decent story. It is certainly better than most novels these days. I may check in again in a few years to see where the story goes in further installments. I would only say it is very obviously an indie work, with a few typos still, some repetitive dialogue that could be cut down, and a streamlined plot that probably did not go through an editor’s content/plot edits. I believe this is the author’s first novel, so many of these problems sound like “growing pains” that will hopefully improve over time.
June 6, 2022
This was a fun read! It has a quick start that immerses you right into the action, and the story itself kicks off pretty swiftly. It also reads at a good pace. There wasn't a time when I felt the story dragged. The characters are fun, there's this whole foster family dynamic and it's really sweet. The romance is pretty cute too and rather wholesome which is refreshing. The magic system was interesting and I enjoyed seeing the various magic and spells being used both in and out of combat. If you enjoy action-packed stories involving the paranormal and teens doing the heavy lifting to save the day, this is the book for you.
February 4, 2023
Harry Potter meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer!
I really loved the teenager angst of trying to act like a grown-up, of attempting to take responsibility for her siblings ... but failing miserably again and again! The stakes kept going up and she kept plugging away--and through every trial and error (with the help of her wise brother, although he was two years younger!) she developed CONFIDENCE in her own decisions and the willingness to receive help. Such a great takeaway from a book with lots of cool magic and sword-splaying action scenes, humor and hormones!
Oh, and I loved the bit of romance :)
And plenty of monsters, including hellhounds. (Well, obviously! The fantastic cover tells all!!)
Disclaimer: I typically read contemporary Christian (clean) romance, so take my review with a grain of salt :) There is language and two "almost" sex scenes, if that's an issue for you.
I really loved the teenager angst of trying to act like a grown-up, of attempting to take responsibility for her siblings ... but failing miserably again and again! The stakes kept going up and she kept plugging away--and through every trial and error (with the help of her wise brother, although he was two years younger!) she developed CONFIDENCE in her own decisions and the willingness to receive help. Such a great takeaway from a book with lots of cool magic and sword-splaying action scenes, humor and hormones!
Oh, and I loved the bit of romance :)
And plenty of monsters, including hellhounds. (Well, obviously! The fantastic cover tells all!!)
Disclaimer: I typically read contemporary Christian (clean) romance, so take my review with a grain of salt :) There is language and two "almost" sex scenes, if that's an issue for you.
July 24, 2022
good series beginning
June 29, 2022
**I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the author and Reedsy Discovery, but I also purchased a copy of my own. My review is in no way affected by receiving a free copy; this is an honest, spoiler-free review.**
Adrienne is a Magi Warrior. It's her duty, as a nearly-grown woman, to help protect the innocents of the mortal plane from monsters. For someone as skilled as her, taking down one werewolf should be easy.
While the hellhound she finds is not as easy to take down as the werewolf she initially believed herself to be tracking, it is not the monster that brings Adrienne's world crashing down around her.
It's the summoner who sent it.
Loved ones are kidnapped. Friends are killed. Immortal gods are coming for Adrienne's world, and it's up to her and the skeleton crew remaining of her Magi circle to set things right.
Ashes, Ashes breathes new life into classic monster-hunter and mythological, paranormal YA fantasy in a way that I have not seen in years.
The close-knit family of in-the-know warriors known as Magi who protect the world from monsters give the Shadowhunters in The Mortal Instruments series a run for their money by adding different powers for each person, growth and weakness of power, and the uncanny need to remain perfectly visible and human like everyone else at the same time.
I was brought back to classics like Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this piece as well, as Adrienne not only kicks butt and takes names, but wants to be a girl who can go on dates, have friends, and go to college. She tries to balance those desires with her reality, often to disastrous effect, but there is also some positivity that comes from it in the end.
Do not let the school-aged young woman fool you into thinking this is another 'magic academy' tale. It is most definitely not. What this is, though, is a story about young people growing into adults, making adult decisions, dealing with the consequences of responsibilities placed on them (questioningly too young), and doing it all in a world of monsters, magic, and multiple dimensions.
The way that Goekin weaves mythology into our real-life world is quite honestly brilliant. Simple things we take for granted take on a whole new light in her story. And these characters... well, let's just say (since this is a spoiler-free review) that they will both rip your heart out and also send it soaring.
Overall, this is a beautiful introduction to what is implied to be a longer series. I would recommend this story for readers wanting a YA protagonist who deals with 'real life' issues, but where the story mostly takes place off the school campus. If you like urban fantasies mixed with magic and myth, this is the book for you!
**Trigger Warnings: Death/injury of a minor child under age 18, battle, blood/gore, death of a loved one, possession, kidnapping**
Adrienne is a Magi Warrior. It's her duty, as a nearly-grown woman, to help protect the innocents of the mortal plane from monsters. For someone as skilled as her, taking down one werewolf should be easy.
While the hellhound she finds is not as easy to take down as the werewolf she initially believed herself to be tracking, it is not the monster that brings Adrienne's world crashing down around her.
It's the summoner who sent it.
Loved ones are kidnapped. Friends are killed. Immortal gods are coming for Adrienne's world, and it's up to her and the skeleton crew remaining of her Magi circle to set things right.
Ashes, Ashes breathes new life into classic monster-hunter and mythological, paranormal YA fantasy in a way that I have not seen in years.
The close-knit family of in-the-know warriors known as Magi who protect the world from monsters give the Shadowhunters in The Mortal Instruments series a run for their money by adding different powers for each person, growth and weakness of power, and the uncanny need to remain perfectly visible and human like everyone else at the same time.
I was brought back to classics like Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this piece as well, as Adrienne not only kicks butt and takes names, but wants to be a girl who can go on dates, have friends, and go to college. She tries to balance those desires with her reality, often to disastrous effect, but there is also some positivity that comes from it in the end.
Do not let the school-aged young woman fool you into thinking this is another 'magic academy' tale. It is most definitely not. What this is, though, is a story about young people growing into adults, making adult decisions, dealing with the consequences of responsibilities placed on them (questioningly too young), and doing it all in a world of monsters, magic, and multiple dimensions.
The way that Goekin weaves mythology into our real-life world is quite honestly brilliant. Simple things we take for granted take on a whole new light in her story. And these characters... well, let's just say (since this is a spoiler-free review) that they will both rip your heart out and also send it soaring.
Overall, this is a beautiful introduction to what is implied to be a longer series. I would recommend this story for readers wanting a YA protagonist who deals with 'real life' issues, but where the story mostly takes place off the school campus. If you like urban fantasies mixed with magic and myth, this is the book for you!
**Trigger Warnings: Death/injury of a minor child under age 18, battle, blood/gore, death of a loved one, possession, kidnapping**
May 31, 2023
Review of Ashes, Ashes
By: Jessica Goeken
Seventeen-year-old Adrienne Young is a combat magi making her one of the rare magi that can kill monsters. For her new mission she finds college girls are worshipping and allowing the Witch Goddess Hecate to enter our plane of existence. She wants a new vessel for her spirit, Liza, Adrienne’s foster sister, who is powerful enough despite being only 12. Adrienne must stop Hecate all the while juggling school and her new boyfriend Alex who turns out to be a Hedge Witch.
This is a fun fast paced read that gives off Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes complete with snarky teen humor. Adrienne is a badass struggling with trying to lead and teach her foster siblings how to fight monsters and harness their magi skills. I liked seeing a love interest that could keep up with Adrienne and wasn’t some damsel in distress. He had magic of his own and wasn’t overprotective, though he did worry about Adrienne a lot. They had a good balance and an equal relationship for the early stages of it. I’m predicting we will get a love triangle with Mason maybe revealing he loves Adrienne, but I could be wrong. Goeken does include the disappearing parents’ trope (though they were technically kidnapped), but I appreciated that it was explained that the council allowed the teens to take charge, because the council wasn’t as strong do to get older, making it less bothersome that she took the parents out of the equation. I will admit it helped Adrienne’s arc of learning to be a leader. It was fast paced as I said, but there were a lot of plot threads going that made the story complicated. I could have done without the school stuff because it felt like she threw it in there to make Adrienne’s life more complicated and get her to cross paths with Alex. I liked the addition of her being in a foster home and a found family scenario, instead of clueless parents and having to make the main character have to choose between her biological family and her destiny. It’s a different approach to this kind of story and it took out the cliché drama, though we still had family drama with her foster siblings. I wished she had saved the Dixon storyline for book two, because it came off as if I was being thrown into the middle of a conflict. I loved Hecate as an antagonist, but I wish we had got more of her and maybe we will in book two. I hope Goeken explores some of the other planes of existence she hints at in this book. I thought the Immortal was okay but not interesting enough for me. I like how she includes the spy on the inside, but I wish Goeken had done more with that character. I definitely plan on continuing as I had a great time with this story and as I said it gave me Buffy feels.
By: Jessica Goeken
Seventeen-year-old Adrienne Young is a combat magi making her one of the rare magi that can kill monsters. For her new mission she finds college girls are worshipping and allowing the Witch Goddess Hecate to enter our plane of existence. She wants a new vessel for her spirit, Liza, Adrienne’s foster sister, who is powerful enough despite being only 12. Adrienne must stop Hecate all the while juggling school and her new boyfriend Alex who turns out to be a Hedge Witch.
This is a fun fast paced read that gives off Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes complete with snarky teen humor. Adrienne is a badass struggling with trying to lead and teach her foster siblings how to fight monsters and harness their magi skills. I liked seeing a love interest that could keep up with Adrienne and wasn’t some damsel in distress. He had magic of his own and wasn’t overprotective, though he did worry about Adrienne a lot. They had a good balance and an equal relationship for the early stages of it. I’m predicting we will get a love triangle with Mason maybe revealing he loves Adrienne, but I could be wrong. Goeken does include the disappearing parents’ trope (though they were technically kidnapped), but I appreciated that it was explained that the council allowed the teens to take charge, because the council wasn’t as strong do to get older, making it less bothersome that she took the parents out of the equation. I will admit it helped Adrienne’s arc of learning to be a leader. It was fast paced as I said, but there were a lot of plot threads going that made the story complicated. I could have done without the school stuff because it felt like she threw it in there to make Adrienne’s life more complicated and get her to cross paths with Alex. I liked the addition of her being in a foster home and a found family scenario, instead of clueless parents and having to make the main character have to choose between her biological family and her destiny. It’s a different approach to this kind of story and it took out the cliché drama, though we still had family drama with her foster siblings. I wished she had saved the Dixon storyline for book two, because it came off as if I was being thrown into the middle of a conflict. I loved Hecate as an antagonist, but I wish we had got more of her and maybe we will in book two. I hope Goeken explores some of the other planes of existence she hints at in this book. I thought the Immortal was okay but not interesting enough for me. I like how she includes the spy on the inside, but I wish Goeken had done more with that character. I definitely plan on continuing as I had a great time with this story and as I said it gave me Buffy feels.
June 10, 2022
Jessica Goeken’s Ashes, Ashes centers around teenage monster slayer, Adrienne Young, as she navigates family drama, high school crushes, and magical responsibilities. Adrienne has more on her plate than your average seventeen-year-old — trying to strike a balance between attending classes and battling creatures from the Shadow Plane isn’t easy. But when her guardians come under attack by an unknown entity, Adrienne must put her life on the line to save them. With the help of her adoptive siblings, Adrienne is duty-bound to solve the mystery surrounding her guardians’ disappearance, alongside the death of several schoolgirls — and it’s going to take all her strength to do it.
Reminiscent of young adult adventure stories like the Percy Jackson series, Ashes, Ashes is an action-packed rollercoaster filled with fights, tears, and humor. While some may find the high school romance plot less compelling than the magical battle Adrienne becomes embroiled in, overall this novel strikes a balance between high-stakes conflict and more lighthearted concerns.
This story does make use of some well-worn tropes, such as the popular boy falling for the outcast girl (who, we are led to understand as readers, is beautiful but unaware of it). However, the world-building is immersive and exciting — the author has clearly put a lot of thought into the existence of her magi, with their uniquely turbulent lifestyle and varying skills and abilities.
The concept of creatures existing within different planes, and the relationship between our world and these planes, is also intriguing and employed to good effect. It is both thrilling and amusing to watch Adrienne leap between fighting malevolent creatures and returning to the Mortal Plane in time for school. I would recommend this book, particularly to any young adult who enjoys a mixture of supernatural horror and teen drama, as life-threatening events coincide with the typical trials and tribulations of growing up.
Reminiscent of young adult adventure stories like the Percy Jackson series, Ashes, Ashes is an action-packed rollercoaster filled with fights, tears, and humor. While some may find the high school romance plot less compelling than the magical battle Adrienne becomes embroiled in, overall this novel strikes a balance between high-stakes conflict and more lighthearted concerns.
This story does make use of some well-worn tropes, such as the popular boy falling for the outcast girl (who, we are led to understand as readers, is beautiful but unaware of it). However, the world-building is immersive and exciting — the author has clearly put a lot of thought into the existence of her magi, with their uniquely turbulent lifestyle and varying skills and abilities.
The concept of creatures existing within different planes, and the relationship between our world and these planes, is also intriguing and employed to good effect. It is both thrilling and amusing to watch Adrienne leap between fighting malevolent creatures and returning to the Mortal Plane in time for school. I would recommend this book, particularly to any young adult who enjoys a mixture of supernatural horror and teen drama, as life-threatening events coincide with the typical trials and tribulations of growing up.
January 22, 2023
BOOK:-ASHES ,ASHES- A MORTALS AND SHADOWS NOVEL BY JESSICA GOEKEN.
BOOK REVIEWER-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE.
SYNOPSIS
A poetic style , high school fiction set during Halloween about beast attacks ; Adrienne and Alex fight with the immortals and Hecate's Target on Adrienne.In the story we see Adrienne and Alex trip through the Shadow plane and a struggle between the mortal and Ashen plane as there's a Hecate with great aspirations, growing power and influence who becomes more than mortal,surviving the Ashen plane of immortal and familiar magic.Ashes,Ashes is about the ashes in Liza's dream;Ash from the Ashen plane;the clogging of the air with Ash and sulphur from campfires;the trouble Hecate claims to protect Adrienne from;Ash as the damage of mortals and hellhounds after battles;Ash infection of battle wounds in the story;;Ash of the ceder wood after Liza's spell is cast ;the killings occuring in the fullmoon and exorneration of the werewolf; Insecurity,the decision to curb same in the story; amongst others.We see in the story Hecate trying to use Liza to cross back into the Ashen plane and the people seeking Mr Henderson's help and believing Tamara is stopping him from helping.The story looks at some elements of crime such as murder and conspiracy to commit murder;structured leadership and mitigation of deficiencies;mental health; and mediation procedures such as notices and affidavits.It also looks at fire, immortal and familiar magic and the need for an experienced person to practice soul searching as opposed to a novice.It is also a love story looking at the relationship between Alex and Adrienne.It raises questions whether dismissing problems or getting nervous about it keeps us safe on the one hand or prone to danger on the other and if yes, whether an indifferent and unconcerned attitude to situations was the best; whether magic can bring back the dead; and whether there is a proper time for mourning.
BOOK REVIEWER-OKOKO AYEZU TAMARAPREYE.
SYNOPSIS
A poetic style , high school fiction set during Halloween about beast attacks ; Adrienne and Alex fight with the immortals and Hecate's Target on Adrienne.In the story we see Adrienne and Alex trip through the Shadow plane and a struggle between the mortal and Ashen plane as there's a Hecate with great aspirations, growing power and influence who becomes more than mortal,surviving the Ashen plane of immortal and familiar magic.Ashes,Ashes is about the ashes in Liza's dream;Ash from the Ashen plane;the clogging of the air with Ash and sulphur from campfires;the trouble Hecate claims to protect Adrienne from;Ash as the damage of mortals and hellhounds after battles;Ash infection of battle wounds in the story;;Ash of the ceder wood after Liza's spell is cast ;the killings occuring in the fullmoon and exorneration of the werewolf; Insecurity,the decision to curb same in the story; amongst others.We see in the story Hecate trying to use Liza to cross back into the Ashen plane and the people seeking Mr Henderson's help and believing Tamara is stopping him from helping.The story looks at some elements of crime such as murder and conspiracy to commit murder;structured leadership and mitigation of deficiencies;mental health; and mediation procedures such as notices and affidavits.It also looks at fire, immortal and familiar magic and the need for an experienced person to practice soul searching as opposed to a novice.It is also a love story looking at the relationship between Alex and Adrienne.It raises questions whether dismissing problems or getting nervous about it keeps us safe on the one hand or prone to danger on the other and if yes, whether an indifferent and unconcerned attitude to situations was the best; whether magic can bring back the dead; and whether there is a proper time for mourning.
May 10, 2023
I have recently joined a new book club on Facebook. I haven’t joined a new one in two years. My one book club, with four selections per month, has kept me pretty busy with reading, so I hadn’t sought out any new clubs, but recently my original book club has scaled WAY back (I’m still really bummed) so I have a few open spots on my month reading list. This new club is the Indiana Book Lover’s Book Club, and our selection for April of 2023 happened to be this book. Jessica Goeken is actually one of the members of this book club! That was pretty exciting. However, I was skeptical because it is a self-published title, and those haven’t typically been the greatest books.
This book should have a major publishing house behind it. I was completely blown away with the quality of writing found within the pages. I’m also not a big fan of any kind of fantasy, though I have recently discovered some urban fantasy I enjoy, so I didn’t have high expectations; but this one is fantastic. The storyline is compelling, and the characters pull the reader into their lives with ease. There is mention of people and events that seem to have been in the past, but they weren’t elaborated enough to make their purpose in the story clear. I double-checked to see if there was a prequel to this book, and didn’t find one, so I was baffled by a few of the references.
This book is absolutely worth reading, especially if you’re an urban fantasy fan (think of the Bloodmarked series). I highly recommend giving this one a good read.
This book should have a major publishing house behind it. I was completely blown away with the quality of writing found within the pages. I’m also not a big fan of any kind of fantasy, though I have recently discovered some urban fantasy I enjoy, so I didn’t have high expectations; but this one is fantastic. The storyline is compelling, and the characters pull the reader into their lives with ease. There is mention of people and events that seem to have been in the past, but they weren’t elaborated enough to make their purpose in the story clear. I double-checked to see if there was a prequel to this book, and didn’t find one, so I was baffled by a few of the references.
This book is absolutely worth reading, especially if you’re an urban fantasy fan (think of the Bloodmarked series). I highly recommend giving this one a good read.
January 3, 2025
Ashes, Ashes by Jessica Goeken is an enthralling blend of urban fantasy, mythology, and action-packed suspense, featuring a young heroine grappling with monsters, magic, and personal stakes that feel as high as the world itself.
Adrienne is no stranger to battling supernatural creatures; she's made a name for herself by taking down dangerous beasts like the hellhound that sparks the novel's conflict. But when she kills this particular creature, she unwittingly attracts the attention of Hecate, the ancient and vengeful goddess of witchcraft who’s been banished from the mortal world. Hecate's return to power, it seems, is not only a threat to Adrienne’s life but to everything she holds dear.
One of the novel's strengths is its group of young allies who join Adrienne’s fight against Hecate. These characters are each given their own quirks and motivations, and they provide not only tactical support but emotional depth to the story. Their interactions with Adrienne, especially in moments of crisis, feel earned and help to keep the narrative grounded in human emotion, even when the stakes are literally world-ending.
That said, Ashes, Ashes does occasionally feel as though some of the depth of emotion is missing. Adrienne and her foster siblings experience a history of trauma that would leave most of us a broken mess. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the sequel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Adrienne is no stranger to battling supernatural creatures; she's made a name for herself by taking down dangerous beasts like the hellhound that sparks the novel's conflict. But when she kills this particular creature, she unwittingly attracts the attention of Hecate, the ancient and vengeful goddess of witchcraft who’s been banished from the mortal world. Hecate's return to power, it seems, is not only a threat to Adrienne’s life but to everything she holds dear.
One of the novel's strengths is its group of young allies who join Adrienne’s fight against Hecate. These characters are each given their own quirks and motivations, and they provide not only tactical support but emotional depth to the story. Their interactions with Adrienne, especially in moments of crisis, feel earned and help to keep the narrative grounded in human emotion, even when the stakes are literally world-ending.
That said, Ashes, Ashes does occasionally feel as though some of the depth of emotion is missing. Adrienne and her foster siblings experience a history of trauma that would leave most of us a broken mess. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am looking forward to the sequel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 15, 2024
Ashes Ashes by Jessica Goeken is a Mortals and Shadows novel that gripped me from the very first sentence. The protagonist, Adrienne, is a seventeen-year-old magical girl who hunts and destroys monsters for a living whilst trying to maintain a “normal” life at the same time. The beginning of the story is a strong juxtaposition between a girl having school troubles, crushes, and navigating being a teenager on the cusp of adulthood and a girl dealing with mature, traumatising and emotional scenarios that most adults will never experience in their lives. The books antagonist, the goddess Hecate, is a formidable, otherworldly villain.
I loved the flow of the book, there was always something happening and whatever it was, it was engaging, exciting and kept me gripped throughout. So much happens but it didn’t take me long to read as I was enjoying it so much. The editing is flawless and professional and makes for an easy read. Despite the fantastical elements of the book, Jessica makes every aspect of it believable. The way Adrienne speaks to her friends and family flows wonderfully and you can believe the emotions that come from them. When she is speaking to new characters, it is easy to tell she isn’t familiar with them. There are no continuity errors, the book is well fleshed out. The stakes are high and the fights and battle scenes are intricate and well thought out. I would recommend Ashes Ashes, it was a fantastic read.
I award 5 stars.
I loved the flow of the book, there was always something happening and whatever it was, it was engaging, exciting and kept me gripped throughout. So much happens but it didn’t take me long to read as I was enjoying it so much. The editing is flawless and professional and makes for an easy read. Despite the fantastical elements of the book, Jessica makes every aspect of it believable. The way Adrienne speaks to her friends and family flows wonderfully and you can believe the emotions that come from them. When she is speaking to new characters, it is easy to tell she isn’t familiar with them. There are no continuity errors, the book is well fleshed out. The stakes are high and the fights and battle scenes are intricate and well thought out. I would recommend Ashes Ashes, it was a fantastic read.
I award 5 stars.
January 23, 2024
This is a story of action, suspense, found family, intrigue, power plays, and teenage hijinks.
The choice of first person present tense is bold, but it's right for this story. It took me a few pages to adjust, but once I did I was immersed in the flow of events from Adrienne's point of view.
One of my favorite YA threads is sibling relationships forged in found family, and this author hits that nail on the head. You can feel Adrienne's love for her younger adopted siblings, which turns out to be her primary motivation in this quest.
The speculative elements are also very satisfying and fresh. One of my favorite characters manages to integrate magic and technology, resulting in a computer program that monitors and reacts to spells. Also, The Immortal may be 2000 years old, but here in the 21st century, why wouldn't he sit in front of a football game with a plate of pancakes?
However, these are moments of relief in a story that's overall very tense and action packed. Adrienne barely gets a rest between monster battles, and spends far more time drenched in blood and sweat than dressed for school.
The stakes are high, and everyone has a slightly different vision for saving the world. Adrienne has to unite her allies and outmaneuver her opponents if she is going to put an end to menace without sacrificing her family in the process.
The choice of first person present tense is bold, but it's right for this story. It took me a few pages to adjust, but once I did I was immersed in the flow of events from Adrienne's point of view.
One of my favorite YA threads is sibling relationships forged in found family, and this author hits that nail on the head. You can feel Adrienne's love for her younger adopted siblings, which turns out to be her primary motivation in this quest.
The speculative elements are also very satisfying and fresh. One of my favorite characters manages to integrate magic and technology, resulting in a computer program that monitors and reacts to spells. Also, The Immortal may be 2000 years old, but here in the 21st century, why wouldn't he sit in front of a football game with a plate of pancakes?
However, these are moments of relief in a story that's overall very tense and action packed. Adrienne barely gets a rest between monster battles, and spends far more time drenched in blood and sweat than dressed for school.
The stakes are high, and everyone has a slightly different vision for saving the world. Adrienne has to unite her allies and outmaneuver her opponents if she is going to put an end to menace without sacrificing her family in the process.
June 27, 2022
Sharp Dialogue, Clean Writing
If Harry Dresden were a high school girl and a bit less sarcastic, you'd have someone like Adrienne, the heroine of Ashes, Ashes. This book feels like part detective procedural, part supernatural action, part romance. The author's writing is clean, easy to follow, and consistently well-crafted. She handles romance scenes and interpersonal relationships well, which is good because there are quite a lot of those in this story. Much more than I prefer, I might add, but it's well done and never feels overwritten.
Some one-liners I enjoyed:
-"The sun shouldn't rise on a world without Liza in it."
-"It's a good thing I don't have a body to dispose of"
-"I'm.. a 'late-bloomer': on the cusp of turning eighteen, and still resembling a willow tree more than a woman."
Next to Adrienne, Liza holds such a prominent role in the story, especially during the climax, that she almost feels like a co-protagonist at times. The book even ends on an epilogue from her perspective, where an intriguing final paragraph makes me interested in the next book.
If Harry Dresden were a high school girl and a bit less sarcastic, you'd have someone like Adrienne, the heroine of Ashes, Ashes. This book feels like part detective procedural, part supernatural action, part romance. The author's writing is clean, easy to follow, and consistently well-crafted. She handles romance scenes and interpersonal relationships well, which is good because there are quite a lot of those in this story. Much more than I prefer, I might add, but it's well done and never feels overwritten.
Some one-liners I enjoyed:
-"The sun shouldn't rise on a world without Liza in it."
-"It's a good thing I don't have a body to dispose of"
-"I'm.. a 'late-bloomer': on the cusp of turning eighteen, and still resembling a willow tree more than a woman."
Next to Adrienne, Liza holds such a prominent role in the story, especially during the climax, that she almost feels like a co-protagonist at times. The book even ends on an epilogue from her perspective, where an intriguing final paragraph makes me interested in the next book.
June 25, 2022
Wow. That was absolutely fantastic. The ending was spectacular. I like how all of the events unfolded. It takes off strong and the pacing throughout was excellent. I love reading a strong female lead and I like how she takes charge when things go awry. The touch of romance is nice and sweet. The relationships between the characters are done well and build the story. I like the ideas of different planes in the world and the ability to travel between them and the monsters that are in them. I would recommend this to anyone who likes something action-packed and magic-filled. Be prepared to laugh and to cry. I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
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.
July 12, 2022
This book had a great combination of action, adventure, romance, and suspense. Even though it was a bit Percy Jackson-esque (which is a compliment!!), it was still a story completely it’s own. I absolutely loved how, although Adrienne wasn’t a master of her magic, there was no focus on training as many books do these days. She knew her strengths and weaknesses and didn’t need to be a prodigy to do a great job. The only reason why I didn’t give it 5 stars is that some of Adrienne’s choices that put her in danger didn’t feel necessary.
February 14, 2023
3.25/5⭐
Very much giving Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I loved the whole demon hunter vibe of the book, but the characters didn't feel developed to me. I didn't feel compelled to feel much of anything if someone got hurt or died. Adrienne was a bit frustrating as a main character, as well. A lot of disappearing when things got tough...
I found myself not particularly excited about the last 10%, which is supposed to be the best part. Overall, not a bad book but not as good as I hoped it would be.
Very much giving Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
I loved the whole demon hunter vibe of the book, but the characters didn't feel developed to me. I didn't feel compelled to feel much of anything if someone got hurt or died. Adrienne was a bit frustrating as a main character, as well. A lot of disappearing when things got tough...
I found myself not particularly excited about the last 10%, which is supposed to be the best part. Overall, not a bad book but not as good as I hoped it would be.
June 17, 2023
It’s hard enough for a teenager to have crushes and pass chemistry, but when you add magic and monsters into the mix, it gets even more complicated. This book drops the reader right into the action from the start, following teenaged magi Adrienne as she navigates incredibly difficult situations that continue to grow more complex as the story unfolds. There are murders to be solved, magics to be wielded, and monsters to be slayed. Since this is the first book of the series, readers will surely have plenty more action, adventure, and magic to dive into.
August 24, 2022
Ashes, Ashes by Jessica Goeken is one of those books that pulls you into the story at the very beginning. It’s full of action and keeps you turning pages to see what happens next. Monsters & magic! Teens will absolutely enjoy it, and it will also appeal to adults. Goeken has a gift for developing characters with depth to their personalities. The end of Ashes, Ashes left me wanting more. I’m excited to see what more this new author has for us in the future.
June 30, 2022
I saw this recommended and wanted to check it out! The premise is super interesting, and I loved the combination of epic fantasy tropes, mythology, and contemporary YA. The writing style didn't quite work for me (although I'm a YA writer myself, I tend not to get as absorbed when books sound super adolescent in the narration), but it's a neat story!
May 15, 2022
really enjoyed reading this, I loved the use of Hecate and the paranormal elements. It was a really well done story and I enjoyed getting to know Adrienne. Hope there is more in this universe.
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.
July 5, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I Loved this book the characters and storyline were well written. I enjoyed the book so much. I would totally suggest to people who love monster hunter books
September 4, 2022
I love to read fast paced fantasy and thrillers. Specifically, I’ve been on a Kendare Blake & Simone St James kick lately.
This book fit in! The action was compelling, and I loved the characters. Not going to lie, I finished it in one day, and can’t wait for the sequel!
This book fit in! The action was compelling, and I loved the characters. Not going to lie, I finished it in one day, and can’t wait for the sequel!
January 13, 2023
This book is one of my new favorites. I love how the twists and weave into the ending. Along with the story evolution the characters do a great job moving forward as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2023
A definite winner here. Loved it all. The story, the magic, the dynamic characters. A must-read.
February 22, 2023
Exciting and easy to follow
Kept my attention. Anxious to read the next book in the series . Interesting characters. Excited to follow their adventures
Kept my attention. Anxious to read the next book in the series . Interesting characters. Excited to follow their adventures
October 7, 2025
her debut book and a killer read.
July 7, 2022
WHAT A RIDE!
The first part of this that really made me pause and read it again was the first two paragraphs of chapter 2. Once you read it, you'll know why. But for now, suffice it to say that I may, MAY have gone back to bed the other night after checking about a strange noise (anxiety is sooo fun 🙃), and suddenly sat up panicking about what I had just done. And that right there was my first indication that I was hooked on Jessica Goeken's debut novel
Ashes, Ashes is an amazing book! The foreshadowing was very well done. I loved reading back through the beginning to see all the clues leading up to the ending. Ooh, and that epilogue was fantastic! I'm already looking forward to book 2. 🤩
This book put me through an emotional roller coaster. There's now a gaping hole in my chest known as (redacted), along with a deep sense of relief over (redacted too! 😈).
So, if you like magical adventures, strong heroines, and end-of-the-world stakes, you will LOVE Adrienne and her family of friends!
The first part of this that really made me pause and read it again was the first two paragraphs of chapter 2. Once you read it, you'll know why. But for now, suffice it to say that I may, MAY have gone back to bed the other night after checking about a strange noise (anxiety is sooo fun 🙃), and suddenly sat up panicking about what I had just done. And that right there was my first indication that I was hooked on Jessica Goeken's debut novel
Ashes, Ashes is an amazing book! The foreshadowing was very well done. I loved reading back through the beginning to see all the clues leading up to the ending. Ooh, and that epilogue was fantastic! I'm already looking forward to book 2. 🤩
This book put me through an emotional roller coaster. There's now a gaping hole in my chest known as (redacted), along with a deep sense of relief over (redacted too! 😈).
So, if you like magical adventures, strong heroines, and end-of-the-world stakes, you will LOVE Adrienne and her family of friends!
July 6, 2022
Can’t Wait for the Next One!
I was extremely excited to get to read this book and it absolutely did not disappoint. It was a pleasure to read from the first page to the last.
I’d describe the genre/theme as young adult, magic, monster, and Greek mythology all wrapped into one. The character development was spot on and the story progression keeps you transfixed and turning page after page. The main character, Adrienne is fierce yet socially awkward which makes her incredibly relatable. All of the supporting characters play vibrant roles in the plot-line as well and each is given their chance to shine.
This book is a must read. My only regret is that I now have to wait until the next book is written and published to find out what’s in store for Liza.
I was extremely excited to get to read this book and it absolutely did not disappoint. It was a pleasure to read from the first page to the last.
I’d describe the genre/theme as young adult, magic, monster, and Greek mythology all wrapped into one. The character development was spot on and the story progression keeps you transfixed and turning page after page. The main character, Adrienne is fierce yet socially awkward which makes her incredibly relatable. All of the supporting characters play vibrant roles in the plot-line as well and each is given their chance to shine.
This book is a must read. My only regret is that I now have to wait until the next book is written and published to find out what’s in store for Liza.
July 8, 2022
A most excellent ride!
This book has interesting characters, a promising premise, enjoyable flow throughout, and definitely leaves you wanting more. Grab a copy and help support a worthy author!
This book has interesting characters, a promising premise, enjoyable flow throughout, and definitely leaves you wanting more. Grab a copy and help support a worthy author!
July 9, 2025
A young adult supernatural fiction that gives off Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes.
Jessica Goeken’s “Ashes, Ashes” follows teenage Magi Warrior Adrienne, who protects humans from monsters. After she kills a hellhound that has been haunting college campuses, she draws the attention of Hecate, the banished goddess seeking to restore her power and return to the mortal world. When Hecate sets her sights on Liza, Adrienne’s sister, the fight turns personal for the hunter.
The author blends magic, monsters from various realms, and Greek mythology for a thrilling read. This tale explores the coming of age of young individuals, their experiences with first loves, and dealing with family issues.
Adrienne is a badass struggling with her responsibilities as a monster slayer, making decisions like adults, and having to face the consequences of her choices. Her ‘foster family’ serve as the perfect backdrop to explain her motivation, their interactions keep the story grounded and add depth to the story.
Although Hecate was a credible antagonist, a more detailed portrayal of her and her henchmen would have been great. For the most time, Goeken balances quirky humor with dark subjects rather well. The writing was clear, and the storyline is compelling, but I would have appreciated fewer side stories and a more streamlined narrative.
This supernatural young adult romance is an engrossing and fun read, with plenty of fights, tears, and humor.
Jessica Goeken’s “Ashes, Ashes” follows teenage Magi Warrior Adrienne, who protects humans from monsters. After she kills a hellhound that has been haunting college campuses, she draws the attention of Hecate, the banished goddess seeking to restore her power and return to the mortal world. When Hecate sets her sights on Liza, Adrienne’s sister, the fight turns personal for the hunter.
The author blends magic, monsters from various realms, and Greek mythology for a thrilling read. This tale explores the coming of age of young individuals, their experiences with first loves, and dealing with family issues.
Adrienne is a badass struggling with her responsibilities as a monster slayer, making decisions like adults, and having to face the consequences of her choices. Her ‘foster family’ serve as the perfect backdrop to explain her motivation, their interactions keep the story grounded and add depth to the story.
Although Hecate was a credible antagonist, a more detailed portrayal of her and her henchmen would have been great. For the most time, Goeken balances quirky humor with dark subjects rather well. The writing was clear, and the storyline is compelling, but I would have appreciated fewer side stories and a more streamlined narrative.
This supernatural young adult romance is an engrossing and fun read, with plenty of fights, tears, and humor.
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