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Ashes to Flame #1
An Ashen Sky
I see your future, and I see my own. My future is terrifying.
Ten years ago, on my twenty-first birthday, I discovered the bloodied body of my uncle who’d raised me. Rumor said a secret society known as The Whispers had tortured and killed him when he wouldn’t turn over a magical pendant. Rumor said his niece—me—who’d disappeared right after, had the stone and chain.
A series of small towns sheltered me before I landed in the beach city I’ve called home for years, eking out an anonymous living as a Tarot card reader. The cards help focus my far-sight. If you sit at my table, I will see your true future. I see my own, too.
But my far-sight didn’t warn me my apartment would be set on fire or that a tiny blue dragon would save me from the flames. I certainly wasn’t expecting Aiden Maddox–a too-good-looking bodyguard whom the dragon insists on hiring–or what his touch does to me.
Now The Whispers are closing in. Again.
An Ashen Sky features magic, romance, and a grumpy dragon with a deep and abiding love of bacon.
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Note from the The day I uploaded this book to Amazon, my husband had emergency brain surgery. Being a wee bit distracted at the time, I uploaded the wrong file. The uncorrected, typo-filled one. Those errors have now, I hope, been corrected. For those of you who were so kind as to get this book when it first came out--my deepest apologies. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do on my end to get the corrected version into your hands. I want every reader to have the best reading experience possible with my books. If you've bought the book recently and found typos, please email me and let me know. I will fix them.
Ten years ago, on my twenty-first birthday, I discovered the bloodied body of my uncle who’d raised me. Rumor said a secret society known as The Whispers had tortured and killed him when he wouldn’t turn over a magical pendant. Rumor said his niece—me—who’d disappeared right after, had the stone and chain.
A series of small towns sheltered me before I landed in the beach city I’ve called home for years, eking out an anonymous living as a Tarot card reader. The cards help focus my far-sight. If you sit at my table, I will see your true future. I see my own, too.
But my far-sight didn’t warn me my apartment would be set on fire or that a tiny blue dragon would save me from the flames. I certainly wasn’t expecting Aiden Maddox–a too-good-looking bodyguard whom the dragon insists on hiring–or what his touch does to me.
Now The Whispers are closing in. Again.
An Ashen Sky features magic, romance, and a grumpy dragon with a deep and abiding love of bacon.
-------------------------
Note from the The day I uploaded this book to Amazon, my husband had emergency brain surgery. Being a wee bit distracted at the time, I uploaded the wrong file. The uncorrected, typo-filled one. Those errors have now, I hope, been corrected. For those of you who were so kind as to get this book when it first came out--my deepest apologies. Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do on my end to get the corrected version into your hands. I want every reader to have the best reading experience possible with my books. If you've bought the book recently and found typos, please email me and let me know. I will fix them.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2022
510 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Alexes Razevich
35 books57 followersAlexes Razevich grew up in Orange County, California and San Francisco. She attended California State University San Francisco, earning a degree in creative writing. She is a former editor for Electronic Engineering Times and freelance writer. Her work has appeared in The Easy Reader, (winner, fiction contest) Ceramics Monthly, Rolling Stone, and several electronics industry specific publications.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 1, 2022
“An Ashen Sky” is a unique tale about Nicola or Nic who is a seer suddenly awakened in the middle of the night by a miniature blue dragon who saves her life from a fire to her apartment and work space. Nic reads Tarot cards for the patrons of the cafe on the first floor cafe that is before the fire. Now, she needs to find a temporary place to stay and a new job.
As Nic maneuvers through her challenges she also has to get acquainted with the pesky and constantly hungry miniature dragon she names Blue. He has been sent by the Council of Dragons to protect her but from whom?About ten years ago Nicola went on the run from a group of fanatics known as the Whispers. They killed her uncle but not before he entrusted her with a necklace she knows nothing about. Now, she is tasked with keeping the necklace safe and staying alive.
As Nic maneuvers her way through her recent tragedies it is clear that she need more than just the protection of Blue. That’s when we are introduced to Maddox, a sex on a stick physical trainer and bodyguard. As they attempt to keep danger at bay they will encounter trouble from a man who has the ability to enthrall people into his minions, the Whispers and a betrayal from deep within her scope of friends. My, my, my what what a tangled web we weave!
I enjoyed this read because it was a lot of fun. The characters were colorful, the plot intriguing and it was definitely not run of the mill. I liked Nic but felt she was immature for her age at times. Maddox was also interesting at times. I cannot wait to discover more about him and his magical abilities. Unfortunately for me it will be a while before the next installment. Oh well, patience is a virtue!
As Nic maneuvers through her challenges she also has to get acquainted with the pesky and constantly hungry miniature dragon she names Blue. He has been sent by the Council of Dragons to protect her but from whom?About ten years ago Nicola went on the run from a group of fanatics known as the Whispers. They killed her uncle but not before he entrusted her with a necklace she knows nothing about. Now, she is tasked with keeping the necklace safe and staying alive.
As Nic maneuvers her way through her recent tragedies it is clear that she need more than just the protection of Blue. That’s when we are introduced to Maddox, a sex on a stick physical trainer and bodyguard. As they attempt to keep danger at bay they will encounter trouble from a man who has the ability to enthrall people into his minions, the Whispers and a betrayal from deep within her scope of friends. My, my, my what what a tangled web we weave!
I enjoyed this read because it was a lot of fun. The characters were colorful, the plot intriguing and it was definitely not run of the mill. I liked Nic but felt she was immature for her age at times. Maddox was also interesting at times. I cannot wait to discover more about him and his magical abilities. Unfortunately for me it will be a while before the next installment. Oh well, patience is a virtue!
February 10, 2023
Only made it to 22% ★SPOILERS★
I really have problems with this book. It starts with a fire. She's woken up by a little dragon (I liked him!) because her apartment is on fire. She didn't seem phased by him, yet it turned out she had no idea who/what he was! They have to jump from a 2nd floor window to the sidewalk. Turns out the fire dept is right across the street! Building is engulfed before they get there, she's laying on the sidewalk with a hurt ankle, now I ask if your fire dept would handle it the same way: Fireman walks up to her and basically says "You'd better move, the walls are going to come down."! (Really? It was paraphrased, but yeah.) He does give her a hand up (no paramedics), doesn't check her leg, tells her to go across the street with the people watching. After a while she decides she needs a place to stay and drives off! No questions asked of her. The next day she finds out it was arson, and still nobody questions her! I'm sorry that is so long, but it is terrible and I needed to explain why.
The book goes on with absolutely nothing much going on until I stopped at 22%. She does receive some money along with the dragon, yet at 30 yrs old (I think) it doesn't click how that might appear to fire investigators! BUT, I haven't read farther, and since they haven't questioned her yet, maybe they don't ever!
There's just not enough going on and what is happening is just silly, which is why I'm done here. I'm trying to figure out where the rating of 4½★ came from! Would knows?
🫤🦋✋🏽🐺
I really have problems with this book. It starts with a fire. She's woken up by a little dragon (I liked him!) because her apartment is on fire. She didn't seem phased by him, yet it turned out she had no idea who/what he was! They have to jump from a 2nd floor window to the sidewalk. Turns out the fire dept is right across the street! Building is engulfed before they get there, she's laying on the sidewalk with a hurt ankle, now I ask if your fire dept would handle it the same way: Fireman walks up to her and basically says "You'd better move, the walls are going to come down."! (Really? It was paraphrased, but yeah.) He does give her a hand up (no paramedics), doesn't check her leg, tells her to go across the street with the people watching. After a while she decides she needs a place to stay and drives off! No questions asked of her. The next day she finds out it was arson, and still nobody questions her! I'm sorry that is so long, but it is terrible and I needed to explain why.
The book goes on with absolutely nothing much going on until I stopped at 22%. She does receive some money along with the dragon, yet at 30 yrs old (I think) it doesn't click how that might appear to fire investigators! BUT, I haven't read farther, and since they haven't questioned her yet, maybe they don't ever!
There's just not enough going on and what is happening is just silly, which is why I'm done here. I'm trying to figure out where the rating of 4½★ came from! Would knows?
🫤🦋✋🏽🐺
January 27, 2024
Cliffhanger alert! In more ways than one.
FMC has a mysterious artifact in her possession for which her uncle was murdered and she has been on the run for ten years. She also was given a letter by her uncle which she never opened even though she always wondered what the artifact does, and then when she finally opens it, it explains EVERYTHING which is a very annoying plot device.
Speaking of annoying plot devices, MMC has a secret which he almost discloses, but the FMC says “later” so that they can make out more, only to immediately be interrupted by a third party. Sooooo irritating.
The side characters seem to have way too much stuff going on to be explained in a couple paragraphs (presumably they have their own books). I really dislike it when it feels like the author can’t let go of their MCs from previous installments, so they kind of get in the way of the current narrative.
There’s a lot going on in this book, but most of the questions this book raises are left unanswered.
FMC has a mysterious artifact in her possession for which her uncle was murdered and she has been on the run for ten years. She also was given a letter by her uncle which she never opened even though she always wondered what the artifact does, and then when she finally opens it, it explains EVERYTHING which is a very annoying plot device.
Speaking of annoying plot devices, MMC has a secret which he almost discloses, but the FMC says “later” so that they can make out more, only to immediately be interrupted by a third party. Sooooo irritating.
The side characters seem to have way too much stuff going on to be explained in a couple paragraphs (presumably they have their own books). I really dislike it when it feels like the author can’t let go of their MCs from previous installments, so they kind of get in the way of the current narrative.
There’s a lot going on in this book, but most of the questions this book raises are left unanswered.
October 23, 2022
This was ok. I don’t know if I can put my finger on what was missing. I think the love interest comes in a bit late? And I live Maddox but it takes a long time to warm up to him and even feel the chemistry between the two characters. I think it lacks some connection and depth of feeling. The storyline is ok. I loved how Sharp and Blue were written. They truly stole the show as characters.
September 7, 2023
Spinoff series
It isn't listed, but this is a spinoff from the Oona Goodlight series, so there isn't much world building at all. There was almost no character development and the story didn't flow very well.
It isn't listed, but this is a spinoff from the Oona Goodlight series, so there isn't much world building at all. There was almost no character development and the story didn't flow very well.
June 24, 2023
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring down a lot. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
2.75*
First time read the author's work?: No
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
2.75*
First time read the author's work?: No
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
September 7, 2024
Tarot reader Nic Forester is fast asleep when a fire breaks out in the cafe she works in and lives above. Her rescuer is, weirdly, a tiny blue dragon who says he was sent to be her guardian, as she's in danger. Nic is in possession of a magic amulet, and it seems that a sinister group of magicals are seeking it for their plans of world domination, as they often do.
This was a fun and fast read. There's lots of action and peril, in between Nic's plans for setting up a temporary advice cafe,. The characters, her psychic and wizardy friends, the adorable bacon-addicted dragon, and the incredibly attractive bodyguard, Maddox, are interesting and well-developed.
The magic is easy to grasp, and the setting (California) is well-described. I will definitely be getting the next one.
This was a fun and fast read. There's lots of action and peril, in between Nic's plans for setting up a temporary advice cafe,. The characters, her psychic and wizardy friends, the adorable bacon-addicted dragon, and the incredibly attractive bodyguard, Maddox, are interesting and well-developed.
The magic is easy to grasp, and the setting (California) is well-described. I will definitely be getting the next one.
February 18, 2025
So...honestly I wanted to give this less, but I reserve 2 and I suppose 1 star reviews for the really bad stuff. But I just never really got into this book and it ends on a cliff-hanger, so in my mind it isn't a complete story.
Some of it is my own taste - using Tarot cards as the mc magic isn't something I enjoyed reading. Just never jelled for me.
Late in the book, a decision is well, not made where I feel like they could have just used resources they'd touched on before who basically said "I need something to go on" So they had something, why not use the resource? So, ya, I won't be picking up the next book.
Some of it is my own taste - using Tarot cards as the mc magic isn't something I enjoyed reading. Just never jelled for me.
Late in the book, a decision is well, not made where I feel like they could have just used resources they'd touched on before who basically said "I need something to go on" So they had something, why not use the resource? So, ya, I won't be picking up the next book.
December 31, 2023
Rather underwhelming. Despite, in theory, being raised around magic, the main character has shockingly little information about the major players in the magical world. In general she was clueless yet ready to go run after her friends when they got kidnapped. That seems rather irresponsible and made her hard to like. The end was rather anticlimactic as she was able to rescue her friends by doing a tarot reading for a sketchy dude. Also, I was promised dragons for this book, but the only notable dragon got kidnapped and was missing for most of the time. I was let down by this book :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2024
DNF 63%. The plot had potential (I mean talking pocket dragon!) but I struggled with liking the main character. She seemed like a melodramatic bumbling idiot who thinks very highly of herself. I stopped reading after she mentioned numerous times she had no idea what the stone was for or who The Whispers were and why they were after her… but then oh look at this letter my uncle wrote and gave me along with the stone which I never bothered to read and ultimately explains everything in great detail. Idiot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2023
DNF lost interest after author defines what PCH means when story setting is on the coast of California…but does not tell us who/what are The Gate, The Whispers, The watchers..we have to guess what those are…but let’s tell everyone PCH means as if we have been living under a rock…and I am not from CA but know that…felt like I step into a story midway through like there was a previous book with the world building in it. Story felt little flat, and overused mini dragon sidekick
December 3, 2023
Dnf 73%
This book is so dry, I couldn't take it anymore. The characters are so boring and flat. The only thing that I can tell you about the MMC is that he's a "protector" because that what they say (he really isn't something). About the FMC I can tell you literally nothing. This gets a 2 in entertainment just because I read things that I hated with a passion and this is a
dessert not a hell.
Characters 1
Writing 1
Plot 1
Entertainment 2
1.3★
This book is so dry, I couldn't take it anymore. The characters are so boring and flat. The only thing that I can tell you about the MMC is that he's a "protector" because that what they say (he really isn't something). About the FMC I can tell you literally nothing. This gets a 2 in entertainment just because I read things that I hated with a passion and this is a
dessert not a hell.
Characters 1
Writing 1
Plot 1
Entertainment 2
1.3★
February 2, 2024
What a waste of time. Nothing happens in this book and the characters aren’t interesting enough to keep reading. Why give the main character two body guards if they do nothing? One is supposed to be a legendary bodyguard with mysterious powers but he just gets enthralled, rescued, then stopped by human police?
Why give the FMC and MMC a connection if nothing happens? No thank you to the rest of this series.
Why give the FMC and MMC a connection if nothing happens? No thank you to the rest of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2023
An Ashen Sky, the first book of the Ashes to Flame series, is an ebook I borrowed through Kindle Unlimited (KU). The overall story line is really good, but the story contains numerous edit errors and redundant phrases. I got through the book, but I wasn't caught up enough in the plot to continue with more of the series.
May 3, 2023
Good book, but...
Good plot, great characters and nicely descriptive. So why only 3 stars?
PROOFREAD, PEOPLE!
Extra words, missing words...there was one sentence that made so little sense that I simply couldn't figure out what the writer was trying to say. This is extremely frustrating.
Good plot, great characters and nicely descriptive. So why only 3 stars?
PROOFREAD, PEOPLE!
Extra words, missing words...there was one sentence that made so little sense that I simply couldn't figure out what the writer was trying to say. This is extremely frustrating.
June 7, 2023
good
I liked the story and I knew that there were more books but I hate cliffhangers. That said, the story moved and kept things interesting. It left several questions. Actually, a lot of questions. Who, what, who, and will. I didn’t finish the questions because you need to read the story to find out for yourself. Good job!
I liked the story and I knew that there were more books but I hate cliffhangers. That said, the story moved and kept things interesting. It left several questions. Actually, a lot of questions. Who, what, who, and will. I didn’t finish the questions because you need to read the story to find out for yourself. Good job!
January 20, 2024
Action packed
Meet Nic, she’s had to rely on herself ever since her uncle died. She’s been on the run for a long time. She’s finally made friends but now she’s been found. Blue is hilarious. Maddox is intense. There is some foul language and some sexy situations. It ends on a cliffhanger!
Meet Nic, she’s had to rely on herself ever since her uncle died. She’s been on the run for a long time. She’s finally made friends but now she’s been found. Blue is hilarious. Maddox is intense. There is some foul language and some sexy situations. It ends on a cliffhanger!
April 8, 2024
Easy on the eyes but dangerous?
Nic reads tarot cards for a living and can tell you what's in your future but the weird thing she can see her future too except there are a few she never saw. A tiny dragon saved her and will continue to keep her safe till she finds out the purpose of the gem her uncle gave her.
Nic reads tarot cards for a living and can tell you what's in your future but the weird thing she can see her future too except there are a few she never saw. A tiny dragon saved her and will continue to keep her safe till she finds out the purpose of the gem her uncle gave her.
November 11, 2024
An Ashen Sky (Ashes to Flame Book 1) by Alexes Razevich is a 3.5 ⭐️ book.
This book was quite slow to start with it took me a while to get into the book and when I did I’m not entirely sure that I liked it, yes I know that sounds weird but I just don’t know, I will try book 2 to see if I like it any better. I will say there is a tiny pocket sized dragon who was pretty funny.
This book was quite slow to start with it took me a while to get into the book and when I did I’m not entirely sure that I liked it, yes I know that sounds weird but I just don’t know, I will try book 2 to see if I like it any better. I will say there is a tiny pocket sized dragon who was pretty funny.
October 26, 2022
I really liked this book until I reached the very end. I do not like cliffhangers. If I had been told at the beginning that it was a cliffhanger I would not have started it. I did enjoy Blue the dragon and Nic’s friends. There were also som editing issues.
November 30, 2022
good. book, bad ending
This was a good read but all of a sudden at a crucial moment it just stopped and I hate books that have so little faith in their storytelling ability that they feel a cliffhanger is the only way to keep readers. I won’t continue with this series.
This was a good read but all of a sudden at a crucial moment it just stopped and I hate books that have so little faith in their storytelling ability that they feel a cliffhanger is the only way to keep readers. I won’t continue with this series.
January 25, 2023
A bad secret society
I like the book I really did. I was kind of disappointed at the end but I guess that’s why you have a second book following. Not sure I’m gonna read the second book yet but I’m sure I will eventually just to see what happens.
I like the book I really did. I was kind of disappointed at the end but I guess that’s why you have a second book following. Not sure I’m gonna read the second book yet but I’m sure I will eventually just to see what happens.
January 31, 2023
This is the first in an interesting urban fantasy. I liked Nic and Maddox. Blue the pocket dragon was a sweet surprise. This story moved well and kept me reading. I am looking forward to the next installment.
September 10, 2023
Magic mayhem
Magic returns this time it's nic story oona and the rest of the gang lend moral support this time ruther than the main players add in a blue dragon and hot protective male with unknown magic to be discovered ❤️📚❤️
Magic returns this time it's nic story oona and the rest of the gang lend moral support this time ruther than the main players add in a blue dragon and hot protective male with unknown magic to be discovered ❤️📚❤️
February 11, 2024
I liked this book. I probably won't read anymore in the series though. I felt that the MC had too many "don't look there" moments to patchwork together a workable plot. Probably I should have read the Oona series first.
April 5, 2024
A Blue Pocket Dragon and a Magic Rock What Fun
A blue pocket dragon and a magic rock, what fun! It does end on a cliff hangar. I'll have to wait on book two until I finish writing a book I'm revising. But it's going on my wish list.
A blue pocket dragon and a magic rock, what fun! It does end on a cliff hangar. I'll have to wait on book two until I finish writing a book I'm revising. But it's going on my wish list.
September 9, 2024
bought on spec and now hooked
The inclusion of a bacon eating dragon drew me to the book. The dragon is great, but so are the other characters. Fast paced storyline and good characters
The inclusion of a bacon eating dragon drew me to the book. The dragon is great, but so are the other characters. Fast paced storyline and good characters
October 8, 2022
Very Interesting
Not quite like other stories I have read but was very interesting. Great set of characters, can’t wait to see their growth in upcoming books in this series.
Not quite like other stories I have read but was very interesting. Great set of characters, can’t wait to see their growth in upcoming books in this series.
October 10, 2022
I just love how Ms Razevich write. Her imagination. In this book she introduces you to her characters ad this world. There is this mystery and intrigue where you don’t really know who to believe. Cant wait to see what happens. The end of the book is quite the cliffhanger.
October 12, 2022
loved it
Loved reading this fantastic book. I can’t wait for more of this story! Left me hanging for more! So exciting!
Loved reading this fantastic book. I can’t wait for more of this story! Left me hanging for more! So exciting!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews