Monday 17 November 2014

Review: Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

Ashes to Ashes by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivan
Publisher: Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing
Publication Date: September 16th 2014
My rating: 4 stars

 

What have I just read? Seriously Burn for Burn was a brilliant start to this wonderful series and Fire for Fire just made me so happy, but also ripped me to shreds. With Ashes to Ashes I just wanted to hug the book but also throw it across the other room. Basically the same feelings I had a year ago were dredged up once more.

It was great being back with my favourite characters once more, yes their lives had been thoroughly shook up since the last book and I wanted to know how everyone had been coping with it. Of course things had gone downhill way than I’d expected, I don’t want to discuss spoilers, but if you’re a fan of this series you’ll know what I’m referring to within the first four chapters. Honestly it broke my heart, I knew that the only way a lot of the characters would get through this would be in the comfort of each other, and that’s what I wanted, I wanted them to go back to the way things were before. But I knew that would never happen, especially with one character stirring everything up, I disliked this character in previous books, I didn’t really want to spend time with her chapters either and it was the same again this time around, but this time she either just had me in full on vex mode or with my heart in my throat.  Honestly I think this person would be scariest person to be around Halloween, I would never like to cross paths with her, I know that she had been through her fair share, but if everyone else was moving on why did she have to come and wreck everything? I think she would need to listen to the frozen song Let it Go a few times. Along with this character I only had one other irk (highlight to view spoiler) the ending, seriously Han and Vivian, I had never wanted a happy ending in my life that I had for these characters, I wanted Kat to go to Oberlin, Alex to find his special one, maybe Kat? And Reeve and Lil to be together, did you see how much build up you gave me in this book, but only to crush my heart in the process, I thought with things being sorted with Mary, everyone would be fine, but that ending just about destroyed me. Okay let’s just pretend that didn’t happen, I’ve actually already suppressed it. Moving on there were some delightful moments that brightened up the crushing heart moments, scenes which left me with a dopey grin on my face and left me re-reading some scenes over and over again.

Han and Vivian did a wonderful job with this book, in fact this entire series never has one of these books let me down, they were the sole destroying, punch in the heart,  butterfly creating books that I have come to love and hold close to my heart. You’re probably asking Jasprit are you feeling alright?  But honestly books which evoke this many strong emotions are my go to books as they’re the ones that end up leaving a great mark on me amongst the 100 or so books I read a year, they’re the ones which have characters which you wished existed in real life and whom you’re actually tearing up about having saying goodbye to, the ones that anyone touches a hair on their head, you would like to go into a hulk smash mode for. This series was one that tore and sewn my heart back together multiple times, but it’s a series that I have no regrets over reading. Any books that Han and Vivian write in the future (can we have more collaborations please?) I know I will be pre-ordering immediately!



12 comments:

Leanna Elle said...

I haven't read this one yet, so I didn't look at your spoiler. Glad you enjoyed it overall - I can't wait to see how things end because while I struggled at times with the last book (it was just so long!) I loved that crazy ending. Need to dive into this one soon!

Joy said...

I have this series on my pile (publisher sent them), but I honestly don't know if I can handle it. Something about it makes me think of the ultimate high school book, and it's a worrisome world for me. Sigh.

It's so frustrating when a book leaves you on different spectrum of feels. But I'm glad you found it refreshing. :D

Anonymous said...

Siiri was really upset about the ending and she told me what happened and it's safe to say that I probably will not be reading this series. I just can't deal with endings that destroy me. I am happy that this was such a provoking reading for you, Jasprit. I can totally tell that you loved it and had some pretty intense feelings towards it. :)
Lovely review!

Lisa @ Lost in Literature said...

I read Burn For Burn, which was just "okay" to me. I never read Fire for Fire, though I've thought about reading it. I'm happy to see you enjoyed this one, despite the frustration.

Jenny said...

Okay, I of course cheated and read the spoiler because I can NEVER not highlight spoilers, and I have to admit to being really nervous about this series Jasprit! I need pretty, happy HEAs (for the most part), and I'm getting the feeling that just might not be the case here. *sobs just thinking about it* Lovely review though!

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

Just read Jenny's comment and, yeah, I can't pass up a spoiler highlight...usually (unless it's a book I'm for sure going to read and don't want to know anything about it). So, I think I'll pass on the rest of this series because I want a good ending for everyone involved (I read the first book but not the second) and I'm afraid any other kind of ending would upset me!

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I would be reading the spoiler right now if I could but my ipad won't let me. GRR> I still haven't taken the plunge into this series, it seems so twisty and dark. Still I like that it evoked emotion in you so I might have to try it.

Aneeqah said...

I had an ARC of Burn for Burn, so it's been quite a while since I read it, but I really did like it! It seems as if I'll have to pick up Fire for Fire though, especially because this series is so close to your heart, Jasprit. It's amazing to see how well you've connected with these characters and how much you felt for them! That can be a heart breaker, but it makes books SO much better too. I'm sorry you didn't like some parts, but I am really glad to hear there were a lot of funny moments to balance out the more intense ones.

I'm so glad to see you really enjoyed this one, I guess it's time for me to finish up the series now! Lovely review as always. <3

Jess said...

Totally agree with you about the ending! There was so much build up just for them to take it somewhere I wasn't expecting at all! I'd love another Han and Vivian collaboration in the future especially for another thriller series!

Carina Olsen said...

Eeeek! Bad ending? I do NOT approve. Not for me at all, lol :D I need amazing endings when reading books. Sigh. This series is not for me, then ;p But I do love your review Jasprit. <3 and I'm glad you still enjoyed this book :D Thank you for sharing about it. <3

Glass said...

I haven't read these books yet - Tanja didn't like Burn for Burn that much, so I didn't even try to find the book, let alone read it. But lately a lot of my bloggy friends are talking about it and they love it even more than Summer trilogy. I will have to gather my courage and read it.
Great review, Jasprit!

The Readdicts said...

Okay, I just read that spoiler. I couldn't help it. I've been interested in this series the minute I saw the cover of the first book in the series. Even though this book had some negatives, I'm glad there were positives to balance it all out. Nice review, Jasprit! *hides* I spelled your name wrong on Instagram when I wished you for your birthday. Sorry, I put two es instead of an i. Anyway, that aside, I'll make sure I check out this series at some point.

Sarika @ The Readdicts

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