I enjoyed this book but I suspect my tempered response will need to be revised after books 2 and 3. As always, Abraham’s writing is beautiful in many places. However Kithamar itself is a fairly standard fantasy city that could fit just as easily in Mistborn, Gentleman Bastards, etc…and the antagonist similarly echoes many other series—I have to wonder if I’ll feel differently after seeing these events from other perspectives. I did feel Alys’ emotional arc in particular was a very rewarding story.

An atmospheric and fascinating tapestry, woven with skill and patience.” –Joe Abercrombie, New York Times bestselling author of A Little Hatred This outstanding series debut . . . instantly hooks readers with dual mysteries . . Readers will eagerly anticipate the sequel An outstanding series debut, which instantly hooks readers with Paul mysteries . . . Readers will eagerly anticipate the sequel."– Publishers Weekly(starred review) To be honest, though, I cared way more about what was happening to Alys and Sammish. The book starts off with Alys as the viewpoint protagonist. But she becomes an increasingly unsympathetic character, and Sammish more sympathetic, as the story goes on. This is a brilliant piece of storytelling on Abraham’s part. Alys’s obsession with holding on to the memory of her brother at first threatens to mould her into her brother—yet as Sammish points out later in the book, Alys actually goes much further. The changes are subtle and gradual enough that we can see Alys leaving behind her Longhill roots. We can also see her relationship with Sammish faltering.From Hugo award-winning, and New York Times bestsellingco-author of the Expanse, Daniel Abraham, Age of Ashisthe first book in anepic fantasy trilogy that unfolds within the walls of a single great city where every story matters—and the fate of the city is woven from them all. Kithamar is a centre of trade and wealth, an ancient city with a long, bloody history where countless thousands live and their stories unfold. This is Alys’s. This is a great read if you enjoy a “slow burn” style of writing, and luxuriating in a delightfully written story that is character driven and utterly immersive. I liked it a lot, but I struggle to describe the plot and any events that I think are key action moments happen largely towards the end of the novel. As the first in a trilogy I think this will pay off in instalments two and three, but unfortunately I did find it a little too slow at times. Age of Ash is also not as gritty or dark as I expected it to be. Considering it takes place amongst the slums of a city, surrounded by crime, poverty, and violence, and one of the key plotlines is to uncover the cause of a brutal murder, I thought it would have a much darker feel. The power conspiracies and delicate magic of Kithamar are woven through the narrative but become more obvious in the last third of the novel with more time being spent with the antagonistic characters. However even they did not seem as villainous as I was expecting.

Survival (PvP): It's every dragoneer for themselves! Pit against other players in a ferocious and unforgiving free-for-all clash. Alys is not the smartest cookie in the jar. She has wit, but it’s based on honed survival skills, not on intelligence (and definitely not on the emotional one!). My favourite was Sammish. What a wonderful character in how she was introduced and how she developed throughout the story. A respite from Alys on her way to being devoured by her obsession. (It was very difficult for me to read, and I have had my share of grief in my life). While Alys’ fixation on her loss is suffocating and consuming her, closes her to everything outside, Sammish works through the thing(s) she does not have and never will, and somehow it makes how more, not less. It was fascinating to follow her. It was also humbling.

Spoils of War (PvP): Steal gold from carriers & the enemy while protecting your own nest, and adapt to unexpected situations! I loved Alys's character, her journey is raw and painful, and although many times she sorely needed to realise the downfall she was heading towards, I understood why she couldn’t. Her relationship with her mother is strained, her friendships with others become distant, and instead of building bridges she shatters them and forges new ones, but with the wrong people. An atmospheric and fascinating tapestry, woven with skill and patience.”– Joe Abercrombie, New York Timesbestselling author of A Little Hatred