“The great tales never discussed the true cost of heroism, the innocents sacrificed to make a point.”
Holy smokes, does B.S.H. Garcia know how to deliver a big emotional punch in just a few pages! Set against the backdrop of a deadly escalating civil war, From the Ashes tells a soul-stirring tale of rebellion and parental love that will drag you across the entire spectrum of emotions and leave you breathless by the end.
Taking place 2000 years before the events in book 1, Of Thieves and Shadows, this prequel novellette gives a tantalising glimpse into the complicated history of the wondrous world of Quinaria. Through the eyes of two young parents, Igtheos and Elize, we are drawn headfirst into a dangerous political conflict that could very well alter the fate of their world.
“Their partnership was more than a marriage, more than friendship. It was a blood pact, two halves of a whole.”
Now, having read all of Garcia’s currently published works in the Heart of Quinaria series, I should not have been surprised by the insanely high quality of this novellette… yet here I am, left speechless all over again. From the Ashes delivers an impressive level of rich world building and emotional depth that most authors can only dream of accomplishing in even full-length novels, which is exactly what makes it such an outstanding and impactful read despite its short length.
Not to mention, Garcia’s wonderful imagination combined with her evocative prose is just a match made in heaven. The way that this epic, vibrant world with its diverse cultures, unique races and magnificent (or terrifying) creatures comes to life through all the vivid descriptions never fails to strike me with awe and wonder, which makes for such an exciting and beautifully immersive reading experience; I almost feel like I have visited the world of Quinaria myself instead of just having read about it, and if that isn’t magical writing, then I don’t know what is.
“She is our miracle. I’ll die a thousand deaths so that others like her may yet have the chance to live.”
Both the exhilarating action and the powerful emotion just grabbed me by the throat from the very first page and kept me in a chokehold until the very end. Seeing how both Igtheos and Elize balanced their parental duties with their political duties in their own unique ways was so powerful to see, and to me it truly felt like the unconditional love was just flowing off the pages. So even though From the Ashes goes down some disturbingly dark paths, the subtle yet powerful themes of sacrifice, love, hope, and defiance keep the tone from ever becoming too bleak and ultimately give the story so much heart.
While this is technically the perfect place to start if you want to read in in-world chronological order, you truly can’t go wrong with any of the three equally excellent entry points that Garcia has provided with Of Thieves and Shadows, From the Depths, and From the Ashes; see, the point is not where you start your journey into the world of Quinaria, but when you start it. Equal parts dark, wondrous, profound, and thrilling, this series is truly a must-read for any epic fantasy lover.
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