Name: Ashlords
ISBN: 9780593119174

Scott Reintgen

Follows alchemists Imelda, Adrian, and Pippa as they reach for their dreams of glory riding phoenix horses at The Races, the modern spectacle that has replaced warfare within their empire.

Ashlords

Isabela H 

It's safe to say that I was completely unprepared for most of that ending. I think that from the beginning, I had a lot of expectations from this book just because of the description and the concept, but I was very wrong about a lot of my predictions. However, there were some tropes that just couldn't be avoided, but at least they weren't as central to the plot. 
Another really cool thing - effective second person?? It took a moment to get used to being forced to feel what a character was feeling but by the end, I was in love with it. I absolutely loved the effect that it created.

Elisa Bieg

I liked this book. The premise is interesting, the world building original.

But... it’s a lot. There is a lot of stuff.

I loved the dystopian fantasy setting and the sciencey magic system in connection to the horses. I liked it A LOT. 

But there are SO many elements, and some of them don’t quite feel like they fit in. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I won’t list them here... but let’s just say that sometimes it can be great to add an unexpected element, and other times it can feel strident and throw you off. 
And some of them, I just never felt like they quite fit in, even as the story progressed. Sometimes, less is more. Complex world building with different facets takes a skilled hand and careful unveiling. If it’s unsubtle, it muddles things and slows the narrative rather than enriching it.

Also, one of the MCs is the equivalent of a YouTube star, and right at the get-go, that didn’t feel like it quite fit in with the setting of the book. 
Another one of the MCs is narrated in second person. Multiple POVs, and everyone except her is in first. It never stopped sounding strange. Why are you talking to yourself?? 🤨

There were just so many little things pulling me out of the story on a regular basis. 

That’s probably what prevented me from creating a stronger bond with the characters, which was disappointing because a dystopian fantasy with an unjust caste system, a rebellion forming in the background, and three MCs with completely different backgrounds and challenges competing not just in the race but also for the affection of the reader... that’s my cup of tea, 100%.

I’m rating it  3 1/2 STARS, but I definitely want to see where the story goes. The last few chapters had more tension and were more focused, so hopefully we’ll get more of that in the second book.

Kelsey Lynn

3.5 stars

Scott Reintgen came on my radar by accident with Nyxia. I devoured the trilogy and adored it, so while the concept of this book wasn't my usual fair I was excited to read it. I'm glad I did because it was very enjoyable and I immediately ordered the sequel. 
 Scott does an amazing job of creating worlds, he somehow brings all aspects together and creates believable, full of life worlds with characters you genuinely like, even of they are flawed. I even loved Adrian even if I couldn't stand him unironically calling his father "daddy".

 The world of Ashlords is rich with history and God's, but isn't necessarily of the more traditional fantasy where everything feels old. It's a fantasy world that has made progress and has technology and the net (called chat here) and while I usually don't like my scifi and fantasy mixed I really really liked this. In this world, we have four really spoken about secrs of society, the Ashlords in the city, who are the oldest inhabitants of this area. They are over the top, advanced but have a close connection with their gods, and there gods do exist and meddle in the lives of people. The Dividians live a more simple life, and are subjugated my the Ashlords after they failed to conquer them centuries ago. The Dividians came to this continent, attempted to take over, and failed. Now they live modest/poor lives and are often servants to the Ashlords. The Reach is populated by a sect of Ashlords that no longer worship the gods (though, know they are real) and also failed in rebelling against them. Then there is a lesser spoken of sect out in the mountains that is a mix of all of them and are rebels (would it be a YA otherwise? This was the least fleshed out group and unfortunately my least favorite, and part of why this only got 3 5 stars).

 In this world, along with technology and gods we also have pheonix horses. Something that made my partner laugh out loud when I described it (doesn't help that they really did the author dirty with the cover). But honestly, was really cool. They were well thought out and executed and I ended up loving the concept. Essentially the horses dies every night, and are reborn from their ashes every morning, and you can edit their rebirth via alchemical additions of ingredients. Every year the Ashlords have a huge nationwide race, where riders of pheonix horses face off for multiple days for fame, glory and riches. Murder is illegal, but sabatoging ashes and maiming is not. 

 The book follows three perspectives, Imelda, a dividian who goes my "The Alchemist" online, who is smart, well versed in esoteric rebirth and a good rider. She is a dividian whose only hope at the races is to be picked via lottery for a scholarship entry. We have Pippa, beautiful example of an Ashlord, who is the daughter of two former champions, raised for the race and the show of it. Her sections were randomly in first person which was weird at first but by the end I didn't mind. Then we have Adrian, broody, big, and from the reach. He knows his role as the face of a brewing war from the reach, but points off for how many times he says "daddy" like you can't give me a cool, kind, broody guy and then "well daddy says" kills the vibe instantly. 
Overall, very successfully characters, if it wasn't for some pacing issues and some YA pitfalls that he somehow avoided in Nyxia this was well on its way to a 4-5 star read. 

Spoilers ahoy

 So these three end up in the races, obviously. We go through a Hunger games style opening to the race (TV interviews, parties) and get a nice idea of the world and how it works. I loved this part, but unfortunately this is where the pacing maybe falls apart. I want that side of it, but because of it the actual races felt really rushed. 4 days of racing and everything really goes down in 1 day. Pippa accepts a "gift" from the God Madness in the form of a spirit to help her win which acted as a great way to really get to know the REAL Pippa. The God Dread is really interested in Adrian, but fails to strike a deal with him, I have a feeling we'll see more of them book two. These two characters just kept getting better and more interesting. With ample opportunities to really get to know them as individuals. Pippa is in love with another rider and ready to throw it all away, and Adrian isn't the brute he seems. Imelda unfortunately went from my favorite character to my least favorite throughout the book. She didn't have the same touch of characterization I've come to expect from this author. She unfortunately falls victim to a YA checklist that felt so... done before. Maybe I'm as bad as an Ashlord, but I was legitimately looking forward to her racing and maybe winning with all the odds stacked against her. Instead she was impulsive, her own biggest critic, and gave up immediately to "escape" the races into the mountains to the rebel group (we had not heard of this group prior to her flight). This was a oh no moment for me. Suddenly our main underdog was every YA heroine, something I did not expect from this author. Every scene of hers going forward felt done before Ala The Uglies, Hunger Games, etc. I was just not interested. We already had an interesting "war is brewing" plot with Adrian, and interesting "ashlord but not really" with Pippa all Imelda did was put a bunch of people in danger, after getting what she wanted but realizing how hard it would be. I know the point is that she shouldn't just be happy with getting it, its the principle, but the book didn't do a good enough job vilifying the Ashlords or the Dividians position to make me support her choice. Like the Dividians tried and failed to conquer the Ashlords, I get that doesn't warrant centuries of getting the short end of the stick, but the book established that Dividians are capable of rising economically and living in the city, that for being invaders they aren't enslaved or anything. Her pure rage and foolhardiness is supported only by her being bad that she didn't have to opportunity to train her whole life like the other riders (even though she got to train for free, and there have been Dividian winners in the past, and she was better than most of the other riders who got this privilege). Her choice just wasn't supported and felt like the author felt like he needed to hit YA requirements. The Reach has a much better excuse for wanted war, and I 100% believed it. I schlogged through Imelda's parts to get back to the race, where we had a handful of cool nighttime moments and race moments, and got to see our other characters develop, but I was left wanted more. It wasn't enough. I really wish the author hadn't torn the plot into two directions so we could really get a robust race
 
End of spoilers




Overall it was an entertaining book that I enjoyed. I will read the second for Adrian and Pippa. It wasn't as good as Nyxia though and the YA plot felt too shoehorned in. I wish the author had just left that out and really given us the full scope of what this story could have been!

Laura Kehoe

This was such a fun, unique read! As a lover of fantasy, dystopian books, and high-stakes competitions, I was so impressed with the way all of these were combined together. The world Reintgen created was so fascinating and rich, the characters were well written, and the plot was great! All in all, this is definitely a book worth reading.

I loved the mix of magic and technology. Normally when you have a book that involves magic and deities, you don't also have a world that's also full of more modern advances. When I first started reading, I wasn't sure how all of that would work together, but now I can honestly say it made for a great book! 

The characters were also so well done. This book is primarily told from the perspective of three young adults and it was fascinating to get to know each of them. I grew to like all three in their own way and I appreciated how each had their own unique personality. 

This book definitely had some major Hunger Games feels to it, which was great. But I also appreciated that even though there were similarities to that series, it really did feel like it's own story. You all should give this book a read! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Books for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Juliette

Wow! This book was so good! There was really only one thing that bugged me and how Adrian and Imelda's chapters were both written in first person pov but Pippa's chapter was written in second person pov and I really want to know why...I can't wait for the next book!

"A page-turning inferno of a book." -- Stephanie Garber Red Rising meets The Scorpio Races in this epic fantasy following three phoenix horse riders--skilled at alchemy--who must compete at The Races--the modern spectacle that has replaced warfare within their empire. Every year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they've raced them. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races. Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion. But the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Competitors must be skilled at creating and controlling phoenix horses made of ash and alchemy, which are summoned back to life each sunrise with uniquely crafted powers to cover impossible distances and challenges before bursting into flames at sunset. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That's all legal and encouraged. In this year's Races, eleven riders will compete, but three of them have more to lose than the rest--a champion's daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary's son. Who will attain their own dream of glory? Or will they all flame out in defeat?

Sheila Goicea

I received a copy of this book from Crown Books for Young Readers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review.



All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication.




  It’s the first time I’ve seen it all so clearly. There are two worlds, and I know exactly which one I belong in.

Content Warning: Death, Gore, Brutality, Profanity 

Ashlords has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2020. The first and foremost reason, which I think is obvious if you know me, is that it’s about phoenix horses. The first half of the story was great. There is quite a lot of world building, history given, political dynamics unraveled, and “rules of the game” explained. It was the second-half where this plot-line lost my interest as it became solely focused on the political maneuverings. 

Several details in Ashlords mirror plot points in The Hunger Games: a glitzy competition full of brutality (minus murder even though death happens) publicized over live television, romantic twists, betrayal, the underdog trope, etc. I think a lot of YA dystopias follow similar paths no matter what. Overall, this story contains some very unique details. Phoenix horses, alchemy, unique mythology/deities, definitely add a freshness to a story-line that has been done many times over. 

Ashlords is told by three different characters. Each character is from a very different station, and do well when giving insight into their beliefs, viewpoints, and stances on life. Imelda is a Dividian. Few Dividian ever make it to the races. Through her alchemy skills and social media maneuvering, she lands an unlikely spot in the race. Pippa is from an entirely different world. Born into a wealthy Ashlord family, she is favored to win. Both of her parents were winners of the race, and she isn’t about to let them down. The final viewpoint is told from Adrian. A “Longhand,” he represents the previously failed rebellion against the Ashlords. Their previous failure doesn’t stop his father’s pursuit in overthrowing the Ashlords, and is his reason for running the race.

While I genuinely appreciated several unique points of this plot, there were a few things that I didn’t like so much. One was the changing POV voices. I don’t mind stories told by multiple characters. It’s not my favorite, but I’m fine with it. What is different about Ashlords is that the voice of the POV changes from third to second, but only for Pippa’s voice. I’m not sure, but I’m hoping that singling out Pippa for this POV has a reason and not just a choice of style. If it has a reason, it has the potential to be a clever technique utilized by the author. If not, it’s just a confusing addition to the narrative.

Secondly, where are the phoenix horses? I was really hoping that this special horse would take front and center when it came to this story. Maybe I’m being too critical here, but I’m a horse-lover, and am dying for some solid horse representation in YA! What was offered here was motivational for the plot, but didn’t give anything extra for the reader. What was necessary was told, but those (many, I imagine) embellishments of the phoenix horses didn’t exist. They were more robotic, than anything. Horses have just as much character as humans do, so I was hoping for them to also be more individually characterized than they were. 

The writer is undoubtedly very talented. Certainly, many readers will connect with these characters. For my personal tastes, I didn’t care for how the plot shifted focus. I’m getting the feeling at my medial reaction to this story is a hint that I need to take a long break from dystopia-style plots, because they just aren’t grabbing me much anymore. Perhaps, at a different time in my reading “career,” I would feel differently about how this plot strikes me. I think Ashlords offers a unique world, but I didn’t connect with the characters much at all, and therefore, lost my focus. 

Vulgarity: Minimal.
Sexual content: Minimal.
Violence: Moderate. (See Content Warning.)

My Rating: ★★★1/2

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Candyce Kirk

Emma Andrade

I had really high hopes for this book. I really did. I mean, magic horses? Wow!
But the plot just didn't do it for me. It had no spark.
In my opinion, this book could have had a lot of potencial, but the story just wasn't it for me.

There were some parts I enjoyed, but the book itself really disapointed me.
2/5 stars

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I bought this book. Support your authors!

Book: Ashlords

Author: Scott Reintgen

Book Series: Untitled Duology

Rating: 3/5

Publication Date: January 21, 2020

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 368

Recommended Age: 15+ (violence, gore, horse death)

Synopsis: Every year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they've raced them. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races.

Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion. But the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Competitors must be skilled at creating and controlling phoenix horses made of ash and alchemy, which are summoned back to life each sunrise with uniquely crafted powers to cover impossible distances and challenges before bursting into flames at sunset. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That's all legal and encouraged. 

In this year's Races, eleven riders will compete, but three of them have more to lose than the rest--a champion's daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary's son. Who will attain their own dream of glory? Or will they all flame out in defeat?

Review: For the most part I enjoyed this book. The character development was great and the story was intriguing from start to finish.

However, there are some issues with this book. The book kinda jumps into this world with very little world building. The whole of this world is a mystery and it's hard to comprehend it at times. The book could have been better, more fleshed out. It could have been less jumpy and less chaotic as well. The tense in this book is also an issue. Pippas chapters are mostly in the "you" tense except for a few instances here and there while the other chapters are in "I" tense. It's confusing and I'm not sure why the tense is like that.

Verdict: it's a great book but could have used more refining.