What do you think?
Rate this book
The Ashen War
It's 1910 and England is on the brink of collapse. After a mysterious plague ravaged the world during the American Civil War, the Crown imposed decades of isolation. The King now turns once again to colonization, and to save what little family he has left, James Barlow, an imprisoned resistance leader, is forced to join an expedition across the Atlantic to America. Waiting for them, however, is a scorched land ruled by a brutal cult. Hunted relentlessly, the expedition is split up, and James is captured. But the cult will soon learn that James is more than a mere prisoner. He is a born rebel.
THE ASHEN WAR is a raucous action-packed journey through a re-imagined America changed by an apocalyptic event during the country's most fragile period that speculates what cultures, religions, languages, and societies might have emerged. Follow the adventure of smart-mouthed rebel James Barlow and the well-read but untested Liz Stillman, whose journeys will take them through ruined cities, crumbling mining towns, and the fiery, smoke-filled lands of a vicious cult as they try to come to terms with their past while saving what they can of the future. The Ashen War is the cinematic debut novel by Dan Le Fever and the first of a planned trilogy.
THE ASHEN WAR is a raucous action-packed journey through a re-imagined America changed by an apocalyptic event during the country's most fragile period that speculates what cultures, religions, languages, and societies might have emerged. Follow the adventure of smart-mouthed rebel James Barlow and the well-read but untested Liz Stillman, whose journeys will take them through ruined cities, crumbling mining towns, and the fiery, smoke-filled lands of a vicious cult as they try to come to terms with their past while saving what they can of the future. The Ashen War is the cinematic debut novel by Dan Le Fever and the first of a planned trilogy.
- GenresAlternate History
392 pages, Paperback
Published September 27, 2022
4 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Dan Le Fever
7 books6 followersHi, I’m just a guy from Lynn, MA named Dan Le Fever with a degree in history from Salem State College that focused on Byzantine and Ottoman history. I’m fascinated by linguistics, etymology, and orthography. When I’m not writing, I spend my time playing video games, reading and watching scifi/fantasy/horror books, movies, and tv. The greatest of which is Dune by Frank Herbert. This isn’t even a discussion. Don’t @me. I also enjoy extreme metal. A lot of my work is influenced by the music I’m listening to when I write it. The stories are a bit eclectic. Some horror, some comedy, tragedy, action, and some introspective. I hope you enjoy my journey as I write it.
Associate member of the SFWA.
Associate member of the SFWA.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 1, 2022
The Ashen War is a excellent read, I hope there will be a sequel.
Dan gives us a cast of strong characters to build a gripping tale of survival after a devastating pandemic. I look forward to more works from this budding author.
Dan gives us a cast of strong characters to build a gripping tale of survival after a devastating pandemic. I look forward to more works from this budding author.
December 7, 2022
When my friend Dan Le Fever told me that he had written a book and that I was getting published I was very excited for him and his venture of becoming an author. That excitement was brief since I realized that not only was I going to read it, but I would also have to write a review.
I have read a lot of books spanning across the genres, but I am always open to trying something new. That is what “The Ashen War” is, something new. It isn’t just a book written by a novice author with a simple story that the reader can follow. It’s a display of creativity and imagination applied on its pages. Dan put a lot of thought into the story, the creation of each character, and what happens to them. Instead of following a protagonist as usual, you find yourself fascinated by the group of characters and what happens to them all.
“The Ashen War” brings you to a place that you are not familiar with; Dan’s imagination, and introduces you to fantasies that can only be found in books like those of Tolkien and Herbert. You’ll find it’s a pleasant place even with the gruesome battles and a dark shadow cast since the very first chapter. I was impressed by this publication, my dismay only comes from at the end of reading it I was left wanting more. I am hopeful as many readers will be that there will be a sequel.
Congratulations Dan, I am proud to call you a friend and I am happy to have your book on my bookshelf amongst other great authors where it belongs.
I have read a lot of books spanning across the genres, but I am always open to trying something new. That is what “The Ashen War” is, something new. It isn’t just a book written by a novice author with a simple story that the reader can follow. It’s a display of creativity and imagination applied on its pages. Dan put a lot of thought into the story, the creation of each character, and what happens to them. Instead of following a protagonist as usual, you find yourself fascinated by the group of characters and what happens to them all.
“The Ashen War” brings you to a place that you are not familiar with; Dan’s imagination, and introduces you to fantasies that can only be found in books like those of Tolkien and Herbert. You’ll find it’s a pleasant place even with the gruesome battles and a dark shadow cast since the very first chapter. I was impressed by this publication, my dismay only comes from at the end of reading it I was left wanting more. I am hopeful as many readers will be that there will be a sequel.
Congratulations Dan, I am proud to call you a friend and I am happy to have your book on my bookshelf amongst other great authors where it belongs.
December 27, 2022
A wonderfully fresh take on historical fiction, blended with a healthy dose of fantasy.
The Ashen War explores concepts like colonialism, racism, loyalty, family and how plagues can reshape the course of human history.
Le Fever presents the reader with familiar locations but in a completely new way. The Ashen War is a satisfying read which will leave you wanting more.
The Ashen War explores concepts like colonialism, racism, loyalty, family and how plagues can reshape the course of human history.
Le Fever presents the reader with familiar locations but in a completely new way. The Ashen War is a satisfying read which will leave you wanting more.
November 15, 2022
I love that the author creates his characters and settings with such detail that the book comes to life with every page you read and turning the pages comes easily with this book! I can't wait to read other books by this up and coming new author!
November 2, 2022
Great read. I could not put down until I finished it. waiting for next book.
October 28, 2022
Great first novel by a new author. It hits a nice sweet spot of being a satisfying story in its own right while also setting up some interesting sequel hooks. I'm excited to see where the rest of the series goes. And I think it would be a cool setting to return to for more stories.
April 23, 2023
This is exciting, apocalyptic alternate history. The premise is fascinating–America was ravaged by a plague during the Civil War, changing it forever. The British isolated themselves for decades, trying to avoid the plague, and their strict control measures resulted in a civil war of their own. When they decide to finally venture out, they send their most expendable to see what happened to America. The new America that the author Dan Le Fever has built is fascinating in its fanaticism and brutality. The belief that dragons destroyed America has gripped a large community of people. The idea that a myth can be used to control others is explored, as well as mankind’s ability to both inflict torture and to withstand it. The effects of extreme isolation on a civilization are shown in haunting detail. In the same way, determination and a fighting spirit are also an agent of change, and they are embodied in our main character and others.
The chance to visit a reimagined America is fascinating. Familiar names are attached to vastly different circumstances, and the states in America have changed completely. The effects of a plague on a people are explored, as well as the brutality of slavery. An interesting question arose: Which is worse, a plague or a war? I was not as connected with the book for about the first ten percent until they arrived in America, and then the action did not stop. This is a compelling look at an alternate America and Britain that will keep you enthralled. Fans of alternate history with a bit of fantasy and lots of adventure will enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
The chance to visit a reimagined America is fascinating. Familiar names are attached to vastly different circumstances, and the states in America have changed completely. The effects of a plague on a people are explored, as well as the brutality of slavery. An interesting question arose: Which is worse, a plague or a war? I was not as connected with the book for about the first ten percent until they arrived in America, and then the action did not stop. This is a compelling look at an alternate America and Britain that will keep you enthralled. Fans of alternate history with a bit of fantasy and lots of adventure will enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this book. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
December 18, 2023
Rounding up, more of at 2.75. There was something about this book that just didn't do it for me. Maybe too many graphic fights/battles? Maybe because it, at times, reminded me of the tv show The 100; and once that popped in my head that's all I could picture when I was reading it? idk, but it wasn't for me.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews