Ashes Review

Author: Estevan Vega
Release Date:September 11, 2011
Publisher: StoneGate Ink
Most appropriate for ages: 13+
How I got it: From author for review 

More than three months have passed since Arson and Emery were taken. Taken and then separated. 

And experimented on. 

Salvation Asylum is more like a prison than a psychiatric facility. Unknowingly, Arson has become a vital instrument in a campaign set to genetically alter mankind. Enraged, confused, trapped, and unable to fully manifest his abilities, he wonders if he will ever see Emery again. His new existence is one crawling with questions. Is Grandma alive? Where does the fire come from? Can he become more than a monster? 

In Ashes, book two of the ARSON series, nightmare and reality collide as Arson must embrace what he is and the haunting realization that there may be others out there, others like him.

I really enjoyed the prequel to Ashes, Arson, when I read it. I enjoyed Ashes too...for the most part.

That "for the most part" is pretty much because Ashes dragged for me. Vega doesn't talk down to his readers. He's not afraid to put some adult point of views in young adult books. I admire that about him, but probably 75% of Ashes was told from an adult's point of view, and I didn't connect with any of them. Plus, my beloved Emery and Arson were in trouble and I didn't like that and I was anxious to know what happened to them. So maybe it had something to do with me being impatient, too. Not sure.

I love the tone of these books. They're so dark and almost dreary and occasionally disturbing (THAT FIRST CHAPTER). I rarely find books like that in YA and I'm glad I finally have.

I did not love Ashes, but I'm still glad I read it. I am going to be reading the third book because I need to see what happens with this story-line. If you read Arson, read Ashes. It will answer some of your burning questions. If you haven't read Arson, get on with that.

Plot: Interesting enough, but it dragged.

Characters: I would've liked a bit more Emery and Arson and a bit less creepy scientists.

Writing: Good, but sometimes people's accents could get kinda ridiculous.

Ending: Chaotic and FIREY. I liked it.

Kid Friendly? Kinda? There was some mild language, and mentions of death and sex.

Should I read it? Read Arson first. But then, I'd say yes. This series is going places and, personally, I wanna be around to see where those places are.

Overall:

Willing to hold a conversation while reading.
Ashes was not bad, but my lack of connection with some of the new characters spoiled it a bit for me. However, I'll be continuing with the series in the hopes of reading more about Arson and Emery, because those two characters are worth sticking it out for.

Arson Review

Author: Estevan Vega
Release Date: May 4, 2010

Pages: 336 (Paperback)

Publisher: Tate Publishing

Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from author

Arson Gable feels like a freak. He can create fire. He never asked for it. He never wanted it. But he can't shut it off. Before now, three things were true: he both loved and despised his grandmother; his life was going nowhere; and he was alone. But when a strange girl--who feels more normal behind a mask than inside her own skin--moves in next door, Arson hopes to find something he's never had: purpose. Using what he fears most about himself, Arson must face his consuming past and confront the nightmare that is his present as he walks the fine line between boy and monster. Dark, moody, and breathtakingly relevant, Arson, the chilling chronicle of an isolated boy with unimaginable ability, is sure to ignite the hearts and minds of a new generation.

Arson was so unlike anything I've ever read. And it worked.

I'll admit that for the first 100 pages or so, it wasn't grabbing me. Then, out of nowhere, it did. Fully. I guess I had to give myself time to adjust to the uniqueness of the novel and connect with the characters.

And the characters. Geesh they were so...everything. Layered. Different. Easy to relate to. I don't know why, but it's so easy to fall for these characters that have inner and outer wounds that they can't escape from. Even when they make mistakes, you can't be too mad at them. I love it when I connect so well to the main characters, Arson and Emery. The rest were okay, but they were my favorites.

I'm not entirely sure what to call this genre. It had a fire boy, along with a girl unable to cope with the past, two very dysfunctional families, and subtle religious undertones....It wasn't an action-packed paranormal like I'd expected, but more a beautiful story that's easy to get invested in.

I'm pretty sure this is the start to a potentially amazing new series. Basically, read Arson. It's a story that will stay with you.

Book Report:

Plot: Slow moving at first, but ends up being gripping.

Characters: I love Arson and Emery, but the others are pretty crazy.

Writing: So good.

Ending: There's a sequel, right?!?

How kid friendly is it? Slight drinking and drug use and mentions of sex, but it's never graphic at all.

Should I read it? If you need action, then no. But if you can appreciate a great story, definitely.

Overall: 

Teaser Tuesday (10/5/10)

I've been doing very little reading lately. I got no reading done at the beach (hey, you gotta live out of books some too, right?), and have this brit lit class that requires quite some attention, and just plain running around. Summer is over, sadly. Anyways, here's my teaser:

"And then he saw it, a spark in the distance. He didn't dare follow closely. No. He'd run again. That was all he could do. Don't think, don't breathe, just run, as fast as he could."-Page 29 of Arson by Estevan Vega