Lady Smoke: Ash Princess Series, Book 2

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 3,690 ratings

Price: 21.66

Last update: 07-29-2024


Top reviews from the United States

Desiree
5.0 out of 5 stars Expands on the intriguing world introduced in Ash Princess
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2019
People need to stop sleeping on this series. It’s so good! Political intrigue, interesting magic system, flawed characters you want to root for. I think I may prefer this second installment to the first, which isn’t a common thing with second books.

Theo is a great protagonist. She is strong-willed and intelligent, using her wits to navigate the murky political landscape. She is surrounded by a bunch of people (mostly men) who are trying to use her for their own gain and she is not having any of it.
There is a scene I particularly like where a ruler is explaining to her that she is going to have to prove her purity (virginity) before she can be married off to anyone. She states that in her culture there is no importance placed on chastity and that if she is to adhere to such an affront to her privacy then she expects the man she might consent to marry also undergo an exam to test his purity.
There is one WTF moment with Theo that I wish had been handled differently, because her actions felt out of character for her and like they were done simply to move the plot along, but I felt like it could’ve been done in a more believable way.

I love the found family aspect of this book as well, and how people who wouldn’t normally have anything in common are compelled to work together toward a common purpose.

This second book expands on the world introduced in Ash Princess in a big way. I like that we see cultures that are completely different from both the Kalavaxian and Astrean cultures. Some are led by women, some men. Some are inherited while others are elected. There is even a kingdom that is ruled by religious oligarchy. Each of these countries were culturally unique and I really appreciated that.

I also appreciated the fact that this book had several characters who identified as something other than straight, and that it wasn’t treated as a shocking thing.

I would tell anyone who thinks this will just be a copycat of numerous other ‘kingdom fantasy’ series to give the first book a try. I found myself flying through this book and cannot wait for the conclusion.
Isolde
5.0 out of 5 stars A sequel that doesn't disappoint!
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2019
I loved Ash Princess so much I was almost afraid to read this sequel in case it was disappointing or, as happens with so many other series, the author ruins the characters and relationships forged in the first book. But this lived up to my hopes in every way! Theodosia becomes a true queen, with all the powers and burdens that brings. Theo's relationships with Blaise, Artemesia, and Heron grows and deepens, as does her relationship with Prince Soren.

Theodosia and her companions (three Astrean Guardians with the powers of Air, Water and Earth + Soren the Crown Prince of the Kalovaxians who also happens to be Theo's love interest) join with the pirate Dragonsbane (Theo's aunt). Dragonsbane takes them to Sta'Crivero, rich neighboring kingdom whose corrupt elderly king is only interested in how he can use her situation for profit. A sea of suitors compete for Theo's hand in marriage (and 1/2 her kingdom) while Theo fights against accepting a forced marriage for political reasons. Each of them struggle with the demons of their past and what they must now do now to regain Astrea. As the group navigates a sea of viperous suitors and tries to aid the starving Astrean refugees in Sta'Crivero, brilliant writing conveys their internal fears that they will become what they loathed in their ruthless parents. Does the end ever justify the mean? Or is empathy just a weakness that must be set aside for the greater good? There are twists and turns that had me cheering with excitement one minute and then shocked and despairing the next, but it is a ride worth taking. We see Erik and his mother Hoa again, and new surprising details of their identity is revealed. Crescentia is back and her transformation makes her into an intriguing and frightening enemy. Soren's political and military genius is put to use as tries to makes restitution for his past and show his love and loyalty to Theo. I loved watching their relationship blossom in this book. Theo finds new allies and moves closer to retaking Astrea.

I can't wait for the conclusion to this series!

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