That’s my one complaint, except for the fact that “Ash” ended much too soon. We only meet him a few times, and I never sensed a major spark between the two. My only complaint is that we didn’t get to see enough of Ash’s relationship with Sidhean. Ash’s story was an encouraging tale about never giving up in the search for what you want, even when all of the odds are against you. The characters in this book were believable and were easy to feel emotion for, whether it was pity or hatred. The story itself was unlike any I have read before, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pacing was just right, and there were never any rough parts. The fairy tales told throughout “Ash” really added to the story, and I enjoyed reading each one. The prose was eloquent and flowed smoothly. “Ash” by Malinda Lo was a fairy tale, literally and figuratively. Ash soon finds herself questioning what type of a relationship the two really have: Friends or something more? But always lurking in the background is Sidhean, and he doesn’t plan on leaving any time soon. She forgets about Sidhean, and she begins learning about the hunt with Kaisa as her teacher.

All at once, things begin to change, including Ash’s heart.

And she just might get her wish.Īsh, however, meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress. Ash wishes that one day Sidhean might take her away, just so she can be rid of her cruel life. The only thing she looks forward to now is her secret walks in the Wood with a mysterious faerie named Sidhean, whose intentions are hard to decipher. All she wants is her old life with her mother and father in their home on Rook Hill. Ash’s life quickly goes from joyous to terrible, with no family left to console her. Reviewed by McKenzie Tritt (age 15) for Reader Views (9/09)Īfter her father’s recent death, Aisling, known as Ash, is pushed into servitude by her wicked stepmother in order to pay off her father’s debts.

Ash malinda