Kingdom of Ash and Briars
Ratings3
Average rating2
15
Ratings3
Average rating2
Welcome to Nissera, land of three kingdoms and home to spectacular magic. Bristal, a sixteen-year-old kitchen maid, finds herself in a gritty fairy tale gone wrong when she discovers she has magic in her blood. She's descended from an ancient line of immortal sorcerers called elicromancers—a race that has all but died out in her world, but only two remain in Nissera after a bloody civil war. Bristal joins their ranks without knowing that one of them has a dark secret . . . Tamarice is plotting a quest to overthrow the realm's nobility and take charge herself. Together, Bristal and Brack must guard the three kingdoms of Nissera against Tamarice's black elicromancy. There are princesses to protect, royal alliances to forge, and fierce monsters to battle—all with the hope of preserving peace. With clever homages to Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, Hannah West makes a fast-paced, exciting, and wholly original debut. The Nissera Chronicles begin here and continue with Fields of Fire, a short story set against the events of Kingdom of Ash and Briars, and Realm of Ruins, a gripping companion novel. "One of the best books I've ever read."—C.J. Redwine, New York Times best-selling author of The Shadow Queen "A world both terrifying and wonderful."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Reviews with the most likes.
Aaaaand we jump from a 5 star to a 1 star. I usually dislike rating books as 1 star because I feel like such an “armchair quarterback” (and I'll admit, when other reviewers litter books with low ratings, i.e. 2 and below, I wonder what they have ever done equivalent to writing a book. Probably not much. I'll be honest where I need to be). That said, if I can acknowledge that I have no talent to write a book, I can also acknowledge a book that just doesn't vibe with me. I felt like the characters were underdeveloped and the storyline was very boring and cliche to the point where I could easily predict what would happen next. Sadly I won't be reading #2. I'm sure West is a lovely person, and she has enough talent to publish a book which I greatly admire, but this one in particular (minus the lovely cover) just did not do it for me.
Lots of fairytale influence. Original enough idea but still somehow very cliche. Romance felt very unrealistic. A lot of the book felt rushed and many plot points felt glossed over. Quick read. TW: One nonconsensual kiss (other character is asleep/barely lucid) characters are not in a relationship.
Series
3 primary books4 released booksThe Nissera Chronicles is a 4-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2016 with contributions by Hannah West and Hannah West.
