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The Ascension Rising #2
Of Lavender and Ash
What would you do to live?
The Eternium Ball grows ever closer, and with it, comes old foes that threaten to shatter the already strained bond of the Vivas Crypt. Now, I'm left stumbling with a whole new set of problems, each more complex than the last.
Ascension Rising, the ones responsible for years of torture, is looking for me, and there's no telling what they'll do when they find me or how they'll punish me for escaping them.
My growing attraction to the Vampires who saved me, and the ever present reality that death is only one Rend away, drive us forward. We need to figure out what I am and find a way to survive the Eternium all in one breath. It will be a miracle if we all make it out alive.
And if I've learned anything... it's that miracles don't happen to me.
Authors Note:
Of Lavender and Ash is the second book in the Ascension Rising Series (there will be four books total). It’s a slow-burn paranormal romance with five love interests and no need for our main girl to choose between them. Some readers may find the content in this book upsetting, so please read the complete list of warnings provided on my website. Take care of yourself, and happy reading!!
The Eternium Ball grows ever closer, and with it, comes old foes that threaten to shatter the already strained bond of the Vivas Crypt. Now, I'm left stumbling with a whole new set of problems, each more complex than the last.
Ascension Rising, the ones responsible for years of torture, is looking for me, and there's no telling what they'll do when they find me or how they'll punish me for escaping them.
My growing attraction to the Vampires who saved me, and the ever present reality that death is only one Rend away, drive us forward. We need to figure out what I am and find a way to survive the Eternium all in one breath. It will be a miracle if we all make it out alive.
And if I've learned anything... it's that miracles don't happen to me.
Authors Note:
Of Lavender and Ash is the second book in the Ascension Rising Series (there will be four books total). It’s a slow-burn paranormal romance with five love interests and no need for our main girl to choose between them. Some readers may find the content in this book upsetting, so please read the complete list of warnings provided on my website. Take care of yourself, and happy reading!!
484 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2023
298 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
K.R. Rainbolt
3 books223 followersBorn and raised in the Wyoming Rocky Mountains, K. R. Rainbolt, or Kennady, is a lover of cakes and all things sweet. She also has a minor obsession with suits, but who doesn't love a crisp waistcoat, right? She has been crafting stories and characters for as long as she can remember, and nothing makes her happier than bringing a character to life. Now, as a first time publisher, she's excited to share them with everyone else as well.
Kennady spends a lot of time writing, both for her novels and the occasional video game mod. When she's not immersed in one of her stories, she can be found spending time with the love of her life Dominic, or playing her fur baby Marlie.
Kennady loves to bowl, fish, play video games, and watch movies (the spookier the better). Along with this she is big on the world of science and research, and as a Chemical Engineer she loves to include hints of her studies into her novels.
Lastly, as her grandmother said, always remember to live life. After all, you only have one, so you better spend it doing something you love!
Kennady spends a lot of time writing, both for her novels and the occasional video game mod. When she's not immersed in one of her stories, she can be found spending time with the love of her life Dominic, or playing her fur baby Marlie.
Kennady loves to bowl, fish, play video games, and watch movies (the spookier the better). Along with this she is big on the world of science and research, and as a Chemical Engineer she loves to include hints of her studies into her novels.
Lastly, as her grandmother said, always remember to live life. After all, you only have one, so you better spend it doing something you love!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 9, 2023
This author loves to be vague as fuck. This almost 500 page book was the FMC moping, being weak and crying for 95% and the other 5% was plot.
This series is going nowhere fast. The big reveals were not very big, I guessed who Prince was and who Aaliyah's father was and it wasn't a shock.
We still have little to no background on the love interests except for Eirik being a stereotypical Viking and Adrian is apparently Jack the Ripper. It was actually hilarious the way the author just threw that tidbit in there and said no more about it. The weird thing was that because the author is incredibly vague, I assumed this book was in the present timeline, so if Adrian is 100 years old, how could he have been Jack the Ripper??
Anyway, I don't think I will bother continuing with this series, it's like trying to get blood from a stone when it comes to plot progression.
This series is going nowhere fast. The big reveals were not very big, I guessed who Prince was and who Aaliyah's father was and it wasn't a shock.
We still have little to no background on the love interests except for Eirik being a stereotypical Viking and Adrian is apparently Jack the Ripper. It was actually hilarious the way the author just threw that tidbit in there and said no more about it. The weird thing was that because the author is incredibly vague, I assumed this book was in the present timeline, so if Adrian is 100 years old, how could he have been Jack the Ripper??
Anyway, I don't think I will bother continuing with this series, it's like trying to get blood from a stone when it comes to plot progression.
May 24, 2023
Of Lavender and Ash
I always love when I figure out what has an author chose the title for a book. When you reach a point while reading and you're like that makes so much sense, perfect title choice. My absolute reason for this book was Prince. I need more! Looking forward to book 3.
I always love when I figure out what has an author chose the title for a book. When you reach a point while reading and you're like that makes so much sense, perfect title choice. My absolute reason for this book was Prince. I need more! Looking forward to book 3.
July 9, 2023
dnfed at like 90%. so boring
July 24, 2023
This book has good bones but takes forever to get where it’s going. All the plot twists were glaringly obvious, which wouldn’t have been as annoying if it didn’t take us a whole book to have them revealed. For all that this book was supposed to be about the Eternium, it didn’t actually happen. And I think that’s the main issue I had with book one, there’s a lot of setting the stage and building towards things, but not much driving plot occurs. I like the dynamics between the main characters and I am hoping for more in the next book, but still likely glacier pace.
May 24, 2023
Where do I even start with this book?
Everything I loved about the first book was turned up to eleven. The stakes were higher, the spice was delicious... There was just so much to absolutely love! It was so easy to get sucked back in and immerse myself in the world and the characters.
Oh, and I am a complete and utter simp for all the men in Ali's harem, but especially for Prince. I love him so much, the sassy man! And it's such a testament to KR's writing that I could fall in love with all of the harem and struggle to choose between them (though, I suppose I don't have to since it's a why choose!). Not only that, but she really makes you care about each of the characters, their struggles, and their growth. In fact, their growth, seeing all of them try to make this work even though they're damaged made this so much more magical.
I legitimately cannot wait until the third book. I highly, HIGHLY suggest this if you love RH, darker romance, and vampires.
Everything I loved about the first book was turned up to eleven. The stakes were higher, the spice was delicious... There was just so much to absolutely love! It was so easy to get sucked back in and immerse myself in the world and the characters.
Oh, and I am a complete and utter simp for all the men in Ali's harem, but especially for Prince. I love him so much, the sassy man! And it's such a testament to KR's writing that I could fall in love with all of the harem and struggle to choose between them (though, I suppose I don't have to since it's a why choose!). Not only that, but she really makes you care about each of the characters, their struggles, and their growth. In fact, their growth, seeing all of them try to make this work even though they're damaged made this so much more magical.
I legitimately cannot wait until the third book. I highly, HIGHLY suggest this if you love RH, darker romance, and vampires.
October 1, 2024
I enjoyed this one even more than the first ones. I guessed several of the twists but that didn't make them any less enjoyable.
I still think the pacing is just a tad to slow. The pacing for the plot, not the romance. The romance is a perfect slow burn.
I still think the pacing is just a tad to slow. The pacing for the plot, not the romance. The romance is a perfect slow burn.
June 12, 2023
4,5✨ da mir persönlich am Anfang etwas das Tempo gefehlt hat. Aber wie soll ich nach diesem Ende bitte bis Band 3 warten können, wo dafür noch nicht mal ein Datum steht?😭
May 28, 2023
This was an amazing sequel! I started this book with a ton of thoughts and this book blew them all out of the water, with the things that we learned. Of Lavender and Ash picks up exactly where Of Glass and Lavender left off and I am so happy about that. I love the growth the characters go through by themselves and as a family. I love seeing growth in characters, to me personally, it makes the books that much better. Loved seeing Aaliyah’s relationship with her guys strengthen. Our girl did not start out with the easiest of lives and lived without any support whatsoever for quite a while. Seeing the way the guys are with her and how they support her, makes my heart happy.
This book does have moments that will break your heart and of course we got some spicy moments and loving moments also. I am pretty sure I felt every emotion there is by the end of the book and I am okay with that. What I am not okay with is that cliffhanger. It was brutal and I need the next book now.
This book does have moments that will break your heart and of course we got some spicy moments and loving moments also. I am pretty sure I felt every emotion there is by the end of the book and I am okay with that. What I am not okay with is that cliffhanger. It was brutal and I need the next book now.
May 12, 2023
Absolutely wonderful continuation of Aaliyah’s story! I had tons of thoughts starting this book, but I was still completely blown away by some of the things we learn. This book picks up just about where we left off with Of Glass and Lavender and it is pretty much nonstop. I love how much they are all growing, individually and as a family, and and how their relationships are strengthening as a result. Aaliyah hasn’t had an easy life and for so long didn’t have any support so to have the guys is a major change for her. However, she’s all in and just has to make sure they are too. There’s definitely some heart breaking moments, some spicy moments, and absolutely loving ones too but I went through just about the whole list of emotions. The cliffhanger was brutal and I can’t wait for the next book!
November 16, 2023
Boring
September 10, 2024
had potential to be good but literally nothing happened in this book that we couldn’t already infer. get to the point, damn
November 25, 2025
★★☆☆☆ — Cool Characters Buried Under Mountains of Filler
The Ascension Rising series had real potential, but whatever plot exists is buried so deeply under endless filler that it’s almost impossible to enjoy. Each book is overloaded with side characters, irrelevant subplots, and constant repetition that seems designed only to stretch the page count. Longer books don’t automatically mean better storytelling, and here it genuinely felt like pulling teeth just to reach the point of even the simplest events.
The pacing is all over the place - constant back-and-forth, rehashed scenes, and vague references to past events that never get properly clarified. By book two, it became exhausting. I honestly couldn’t tell whether I was supposed to care about the side characters’ stories or the main storyline anymore. I’m grateful the series came with a glossary, because you definitely need it just to keep up.
The MMCs are genuinely cool - great concepts and intriguing backgrounds - but the execution falls completely flat. These are meant to be ancient vampires, yet their portrayal gets increasingly butchered as the series goes on. It’s such a waste of strong character ideas that deserved a much better story. Getting through this series became so draining that by book three I had to read four other books just to build up the energy to continue. The only reason I stuck it out was because I felt bad for the MMCs being trapped in this endless slog.
And the FMC… wow. Painfully childish, unbelievably naïve, and frustrating to the point where I repeatedly wanted to shake some sense into her. Her dialogue and choices pulled me out of the story every time. Also - does every ghost who looks her way get revived? She’s supposed to be this powerful creature of death, yet she reads more like a glorified virgin with a full-blown damsel complex.
As for the spice… it tried to exist, briefly, then vanished like it got bored and walked out. Three books in, and for a cast of ancient vampires, everything is shockingly vanilla. How slow can a slow burn possibly be?
Overall - This series felt overly wordy without adding much substance, and the pacing left me struggling to stay engaged. There’s simply too much thrown at the reader, and almost none of it actually lands. By book three, I was on the verge of DNFing.
I truly enjoy the MMC characters, which is why I hope future books benefit from tighter editing to keep the story focused and dynamic. As at this point, I’m only here to see how many fellas' she ends up collecting and to learn more about the MMCs - because everything else is just a chaotic mess.
The Ascension Rising series had real potential, but whatever plot exists is buried so deeply under endless filler that it’s almost impossible to enjoy. Each book is overloaded with side characters, irrelevant subplots, and constant repetition that seems designed only to stretch the page count. Longer books don’t automatically mean better storytelling, and here it genuinely felt like pulling teeth just to reach the point of even the simplest events.
The pacing is all over the place - constant back-and-forth, rehashed scenes, and vague references to past events that never get properly clarified. By book two, it became exhausting. I honestly couldn’t tell whether I was supposed to care about the side characters’ stories or the main storyline anymore. I’m grateful the series came with a glossary, because you definitely need it just to keep up.
The MMCs are genuinely cool - great concepts and intriguing backgrounds - but the execution falls completely flat. These are meant to be ancient vampires, yet their portrayal gets increasingly butchered as the series goes on. It’s such a waste of strong character ideas that deserved a much better story. Getting through this series became so draining that by book three I had to read four other books just to build up the energy to continue. The only reason I stuck it out was because I felt bad for the MMCs being trapped in this endless slog.
And the FMC… wow. Painfully childish, unbelievably naïve, and frustrating to the point where I repeatedly wanted to shake some sense into her. Her dialogue and choices pulled me out of the story every time. Also - does every ghost who looks her way get revived? She’s supposed to be this powerful creature of death, yet she reads more like a glorified virgin with a full-blown damsel complex.
As for the spice… it tried to exist, briefly, then vanished like it got bored and walked out. Three books in, and for a cast of ancient vampires, everything is shockingly vanilla. How slow can a slow burn possibly be?
Overall - This series felt overly wordy without adding much substance, and the pacing left me struggling to stay engaged. There’s simply too much thrown at the reader, and almost none of it actually lands. By book three, I was on the verge of DNFing.
I truly enjoy the MMC characters, which is why I hope future books benefit from tighter editing to keep the story focused and dynamic. As at this point, I’m only here to see how many fellas' she ends up collecting and to learn more about the MMCs - because everything else is just a chaotic mess.
October 16, 2023
1.5 Star Book
1 Chili Peppers for Spice
I have no idea what these other reviewers are reading that they consider this a 4-5 star book. This book series has a decent plot premise, which is likely why I bothered to finish both books. However, I will not say they are well written, but the idea behind them was good despite being probably too big for what these books ended up being. There are too many inconsistencies and way too much information being crammed into them. I'm sorry but I read a book about 4 vampires and the author kept going back and forth on whether or not their hearts beat. AND near the end of the book the author is describing Fallon painting with 'neutral colors' then within 200 words we are now looking at 'vivid colors.' If we can't be consistent for 200 words then how are readers supposed to get through 2 more 450+ word books?
I will say that we finally saw SOME action between the characters in book 2 and that did help. But slow-burn should not mean NO burn. If you're going to have your readers sit through 400+ pages you need to reward them with something. 1 kiss at the end of book 1 was not a reward. It was near insulting. At least in book 2 there were 3 steamy scenes, and yet the FMC is still a virgin and we have to wait for book 3/4 for any real spice? No thank you. I'm out. I get wanting it to go slower and get to know characters and actually see them fall in love etc, but I wont read another 400+ page book to see one spicy scene.
All in all, I will not be reading the 3rd book if/when it comes out. I do not feel like wasting any more of my time.
1 Chili Peppers for Spice
I have no idea what these other reviewers are reading that they consider this a 4-5 star book. This book series has a decent plot premise, which is likely why I bothered to finish both books. However, I will not say they are well written, but the idea behind them was good despite being probably too big for what these books ended up being. There are too many inconsistencies and way too much information being crammed into them. I'm sorry but I read a book about 4 vampires and the author kept going back and forth on whether or not their hearts beat. AND near the end of the book the author is describing Fallon painting with 'neutral colors' then within 200 words we are now looking at 'vivid colors.' If we can't be consistent for 200 words then how are readers supposed to get through 2 more 450+ word books?
I will say that we finally saw SOME action between the characters in book 2 and that did help. But slow-burn should not mean NO burn. If you're going to have your readers sit through 400+ pages you need to reward them with something. 1 kiss at the end of book 1 was not a reward. It was near insulting. At least in book 2 there were 3 steamy scenes, and yet the FMC is still a virgin and we have to wait for book 3/4 for any real spice? No thank you. I'm out. I get wanting it to go slower and get to know characters and actually see them fall in love etc, but I wont read another 400+ page book to see one spicy scene.
All in all, I will not be reading the 3rd book if/when it comes out. I do not feel like wasting any more of my time.
September 12, 2024
So, I really enjoyed the first book. The premise is intriguing and I'm an absolute sucker for RHs with protective and growly vampires, so this was right up my alley.
Unfortunately, this one was just so slow and there was no spice whatsoever until halfway through. I don't read purely for spice, but this was just plain edging. There was so much teasing that just never really got resolved.
Then there was talk about the vampires finally feeding on the FMC (which I actually enjoy and wish there was more of in vampire fiction - if you're going to write a story about vampires then for god's sake let them be vampires!!) But this plot point wasn't resolved for a further 100+ pages. I'm actually not entirely sure how long it took for it to actually happen because I ended up rapidly skim reading after that point. I just got so bored and frustrated by all the edging and slow pace. I know that this is supposed to be a slow burn, which is absolutely fine (like I said, I don't read just for spice) but this was just ridiculous.
I will be reading the next book because I'm just so intrigued by the story - it really does have a good premise - but I really hope the author reads some of these reviews and decides not to string their readers along for so long like they did in this book.
Unfortunately, this one was just so slow and there was no spice whatsoever until halfway through. I don't read purely for spice, but this was just plain edging. There was so much teasing that just never really got resolved.
Then there was talk about the vampires finally feeding on the FMC (which I actually enjoy and wish there was more of in vampire fiction - if you're going to write a story about vampires then for god's sake let them be vampires!!) But this plot point wasn't resolved for a further 100+ pages. I'm actually not entirely sure how long it took for it to actually happen because I ended up rapidly skim reading after that point. I just got so bored and frustrated by all the edging and slow pace. I know that this is supposed to be a slow burn, which is absolutely fine (like I said, I don't read just for spice) but this was just ridiculous.
I will be reading the next book because I'm just so intrigued by the story - it really does have a good premise - but I really hope the author reads some of these reviews and decides not to string their readers along for so long like they did in this book.
August 4, 2025
If avoidance and withholding information was a sport, these people would be Olympic champs many times over.
This book is a fat load of nothing happening. All you get is 500 pages of the FMC being a dramatic walking Wilting Flower, crying and wasting oxygen while at night she transforms into a Blushing Virgin and being undeservedly coddled and enabled by her lovesick harem.
Also, can i get a reroll on the harem please? I thought i was gonna get badass powerful and ruthless vampires given their age and introduction in book 1 and how they were strutting around like mafia peacocks but all i got was a bunch of mopey, morose, whimpering, self pitying, emotionally stunted fools in need of therapy. At times it seemed more like the missing member of their quintet was the Great Love of their lives instead of their found brother who held their group together. This was a pretty useless decorative bunch because i can't recall an instant in this book where they came out on top of any situation they were in.
I wanted a good slow burn but this was quite a chore to finish. i would have given it a one star but i recognize the effort and competent writing of the author and maybe a little residual goodwill from the previous book.
This book is a fat load of nothing happening. All you get is 500 pages of the FMC being a dramatic walking Wilting Flower, crying and wasting oxygen while at night she transforms into a Blushing Virgin and being undeservedly coddled and enabled by her lovesick harem.
Also, can i get a reroll on the harem please? I thought i was gonna get badass powerful and ruthless vampires given their age and introduction in book 1 and how they were strutting around like mafia peacocks but all i got was a bunch of mopey, morose, whimpering, self pitying, emotionally stunted fools in need of therapy. At times it seemed more like the missing member of their quintet was the Great Love of their lives instead of their found brother who held their group together. This was a pretty useless decorative bunch because i can't recall an instant in this book where they came out on top of any situation they were in.
I wanted a good slow burn but this was quite a chore to finish. i would have given it a one star but i recognize the effort and competent writing of the author and maybe a little residual goodwill from the previous book.
May 23, 2023
Loss and Betrayal
K.R. Rainbolt’s second book in The Ascension Rising series just keeps the drama ratchet up from the previous one. Have you ever read a book and afterwords sit back and go “WOW”? That’s what this book did to me well, after I screamed, cried and yelled at the author. This author is like an animal hunter. She keeps feeding you little irresistible tidbits reeling and pulling you in until ‘SNAP’ she has you ensnared in her trap and you can’t even seem to breathe until she produces her next work of art. The cruelty of some authors I’m telling you but, I love it! Ok, I may be a glutton for punishment but give me that type of punishment all day long. This author keeps you intrigued from the very first page to the last. There’s plenty of exciting adventure, mystery, suspense and unexpected twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended and definitely a MUST read!
K.R. Rainbolt’s second book in The Ascension Rising series just keeps the drama ratchet up from the previous one. Have you ever read a book and afterwords sit back and go “WOW”? That’s what this book did to me well, after I screamed, cried and yelled at the author. This author is like an animal hunter. She keeps feeding you little irresistible tidbits reeling and pulling you in until ‘SNAP’ she has you ensnared in her trap and you can’t even seem to breathe until she produces her next work of art. The cruelty of some authors I’m telling you but, I love it! Ok, I may be a glutton for punishment but give me that type of punishment all day long. This author keeps you intrigued from the very first page to the last. There’s plenty of exciting adventure, mystery, suspense and unexpected twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended and definitely a MUST read!
October 21, 2023
In book one the author tells us that it will be a slow burn and I’m ok with that. I can appreciate the time being taken to get intimate because of all of the trauma experienced by all the characters. The premise for the story is decent and there were many aspects that kept me curious through book one and halfway through book two. However, there were many inconsistencies with the characters. Do their hearts beat or not? Can they breathe or not? Why is there so much internal dialogue that the time frame of a week and a half feels like a year? Is it the “Makers Call” or not? It read like a car engine trying to start with a dying alternator or something along those lines lol a lot was happening but nothing was happening. So many side quests that the plot got lost. I’m really disappointed because this did have some interesting aspects I wanted to see through but after two books of a whole lot of nothing really happening I think I’m going to just leave this series alone after this one.
May 23, 2023
Of Lavendar And Ash is the second book of the Ascension Rising Series by K.R. Rainbolt. It is a paranormal romance.
💜 FMC with mysterious past
💜 hot and protective vampires
💜 mysteries
💜 forced proximity
💜 🌶🌶 spice
This book pickles right up where book one leaves off with an unexpected arrival of someone dangerous from Osiris’ past. He must deal with this past so that he can move forward. In fact, all of them need to deal with their past so they can move forward individually and as a crypt. Can the guys do this? Can they also agree to court Aaliyah? Can they figure out what she is and why she rends?
This book was so good and had such wonderful world and character building. It is thick, but also felt like it was too short and over too quickly. I was sad it was over. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
💜 FMC with mysterious past
💜 hot and protective vampires
💜 mysteries
💜 forced proximity
💜 🌶🌶 spice
This book pickles right up where book one leaves off with an unexpected arrival of someone dangerous from Osiris’ past. He must deal with this past so that he can move forward. In fact, all of them need to deal with their past so they can move forward individually and as a crypt. Can the guys do this? Can they also agree to court Aaliyah? Can they figure out what she is and why she rends?
This book was so good and had such wonderful world and character building. It is thick, but also felt like it was too short and over too quickly. I was sad it was over. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
June 5, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What would you do to live?
I LOVE this series. K.R. Rainbolt excels at building tension, both in the slow-burning relationships and in the world itself. The stakes are so high, and the spice we finally get in this book is so worth the wait. This series has so many twists and turns that I am obsessed with. I tried to guess a few of them and I got some right, but others I NEVER saw coming. I love the growth we see from Aaliyah in this book. I look forward to seeing the growth she continues to experience in book 3. I also love all the details of the Vivas Crypt. I love how each of them has their distinct personality and lore. It's just wonderful; I love all the characters and the world in this book. I am so pissed about the cliff hanger but good news is that i already have book 3!
🪻Paranormal
👑Vampires
🪻Reverse Harem
👑Slow Burn
🪻Dark
👑Forced Proximity
What would you do to live?
I LOVE this series. K.R. Rainbolt excels at building tension, both in the slow-burning relationships and in the world itself. The stakes are so high, and the spice we finally get in this book is so worth the wait. This series has so many twists and turns that I am obsessed with. I tried to guess a few of them and I got some right, but others I NEVER saw coming. I love the growth we see from Aaliyah in this book. I look forward to seeing the growth she continues to experience in book 3. I also love all the details of the Vivas Crypt. I love how each of them has their distinct personality and lore. It's just wonderful; I love all the characters and the world in this book. I am so pissed about the cliff hanger but good news is that i already have book 3!
🪻Paranormal
👑Vampires
🪻Reverse Harem
👑Slow Burn
🪻Dark
👑Forced Proximity
June 11, 2023
In the second book of the Ascension Rising series, Aaliyah and her four vampires from the Vivas Crypt slowly deepen their relationship while dealing with someone from Osiris’ past, loss, their “health problems,” the truth about Aaliyah’s nature, and preparations for the Eternium.
Unlike the first book, which had been extremely slow paced with almost nothing happening (regarding content AND spice level), “Of Lavender and Ash” gripped me completely with everything that was happening. The amount of spice was just perfect and some scenes even brought tears to my eyes. All things considered, the book easily compensated for everything the first book had lacked. The only thing I disliked was the cliffhanger at the end.
Unlike the first book, which had been extremely slow paced with almost nothing happening (regarding content AND spice level), “Of Lavender and Ash” gripped me completely with everything that was happening. The amount of spice was just perfect and some scenes even brought tears to my eyes. All things considered, the book easily compensated for everything the first book had lacked. The only thing I disliked was the cliffhanger at the end.
May 23, 2023
Wow wow wow!
This is the second book and starts right where we left off on Of glass and lavendar. I’m so happy I read book one beforehand and was able to start this one right after.
Our story continues with Aaliyah in a fast paced can’t let go of the book sort of way. We get to see all of them flourish and evolve in their relationship. This is a RH (why choose story) and we have some steamy scenes (not too much just enough).
I recommend this book, the author has one of the most beautiful writing and the way she builds her world.
I cannot wait for book 3 especially with that brutal cliffhanger.
This is the second book and starts right where we left off on Of glass and lavendar. I’m so happy I read book one beforehand and was able to start this one right after.
Our story continues with Aaliyah in a fast paced can’t let go of the book sort of way. We get to see all of them flourish and evolve in their relationship. This is a RH (why choose story) and we have some steamy scenes (not too much just enough).
I recommend this book, the author has one of the most beautiful writing and the way she builds her world.
I cannot wait for book 3 especially with that brutal cliffhanger.
July 30, 2023
I love the slow sweet spice on this series. I am usually an instalove kind of gal but holy smokes there is so much denied, pent up lust bouncing around on these pages that I am drawn in. I read book one and right away the author uses so much emotion and angst that you are gripped hard by the throat. The vampires are vicious and deadly, but never with the woman that they saved at the auction. Aaliyah was held in a terrible facility that took, damaged and broke her body for the blood that she carried in her veins. She doesn't really understand what she is or how her blood is special but what she does know is she is able to send ghost tethered to this world on their way. Granting them relief. She is devastated when she sends on the wrong ghost. Prince had been with her in her prison, her rock. Now without him her life feels bleak, save the Vampires that will do anything to take care of her.
There are trigger warnings here too. Please check them before starting this series.
There are trigger warnings here too. Please check them before starting this series.
May 2, 2024
4.5 stars for me. The story has me sucked in and the spice FINALLY started in this book. I don't do slow burns for a reason and this burn is like I keep accidentally touching my ear with a flat iron and never quite learn my lesson. It enraged me! I was literally sitting at my kitchen table and screaming at one point. "YOUR BROTHER IS ALIVE!" and "HOW LONG IS THIS GOING TO TAKE!?" So kudus to the author because it takes mad skills to provoke those reactions from a reader.
But then kill me why don't you? Book three doesn't even have a release date yet? I'm as dead as Osiris on the game room floor right now. Who better be alive or I am going to riot.
But then kill me why don't you? Book three doesn't even have a release date yet? I'm as dead as Osiris on the game room floor right now. Who better be alive or I am going to riot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2025
The pacing feels too slow, with too much repeated information. After maybe 60% of the book I had to skip sections and basically only read the dialogue as I was still curious about the main plot points, however we get to the end, after 400+ pages and we still have little development.
I don't think I would be reading the next books, specially because the next one is 700 pages long. It's a shame because the story itself is interesting, but the way that is written it feels like is dragging and to slow to keep you interested.
I don't think I would be reading the next books, specially because the next one is 700 pages long. It's a shame because the story itself is interesting, but the way that is written it feels like is dragging and to slow to keep you interested.
May 26, 2023
Holly cliffhanger what! I received a ARC copy of this book that was not the finished copy. This book was awesome it had me laughing and definitely crying I was angry when it ended wanting and needing more, it started where the first book left off so you don't feel a gap. In this book we see as the FMC comes into her own while learning who she is with the help of her men, as they continue to build their relationships. I want to say so much but don't want to spoil it for everyone. 100% recommend this series!
December 11, 2025
I’m annoyed.
Not just because of the cliffhanger. Not just because most of the plot twists were predictable, but also because the first three quarters of this book dragged.
I still like the main characters.
I still plan to finish the series.
However, I’m also upset that kindle lists this as book 2 of 3, yet even though the next book is more than 700 pages, the author describes this as book 2 of 4 without any release date for book 4.
I sincerely hope that the pace picks back up in the next book, but I may not read that until the series is actually complete.
Not just because of the cliffhanger. Not just because most of the plot twists were predictable, but also because the first three quarters of this book dragged.
I still like the main characters.
I still plan to finish the series.
However, I’m also upset that kindle lists this as book 2 of 3, yet even though the next book is more than 700 pages, the author describes this as book 2 of 4 without any release date for book 4.
I sincerely hope that the pace picks back up in the next book, but I may not read that until the series is actually complete.
May 21, 2023
Of Lavender and Ash is the 2nd book in The Ascension rising series and things pretty much pick up where the first book ended. Aaliyah's (FMC) life is still on a countdown to what we're all hoping is not the end? Whilst they're all coping with that and their own problems & anxieties which stemmed from their backgrounds. All mixed in with some steamy parts and a few teary ones too. As well as one hell of a cliffhanger ending. I'm looking forward to book 3 now.
May 23, 2023
I already loved the guys in book 1, but the more I learn about them and their trauma, the more I love them!!
There’s definitely a lot left to work out, since most of the guys have to deal with their own personal problems and grow before they can fully give themselves to Ali.
I loved that this book is so thick but doesn’t drag - I just wanted to keep reading as fast as I could!!
Cannot wait for book 3 after that cliffhanger 🥰
There’s definitely a lot left to work out, since most of the guys have to deal with their own personal problems and grow before they can fully give themselves to Ali.
I loved that this book is so thick but doesn’t drag - I just wanted to keep reading as fast as I could!!
Cannot wait for book 3 after that cliffhanger 🥰
May 24, 2023
This was amazong!!! Let me start it by saying that this was everything I had been looking forward too!! This book starts us off where we left off in book 1. Ali is struggling with her Rends and trying to stay alive while getting to know the men who have become more than just the men who bought her. This had heartbreak and excitement as well as humor and smexy times. I absolutely loved rhese characters and can't wait for book 3! Does end in cliffy but it is well worth it!
May 26, 2023
Think you enjoyed book 1? Prepare for even more goodness here. The story is great! I was feeling a book hangover for sure and that doesn't happen that often so I applaud the author! The guys are really great and yes I for once do have a favorite here though all are equally yummy. I love to see the growth of characters and how they change in their role. How Aaliyah hasn't had it easy but finally has a backup system in place. It's a must read.
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