Falling to Ash

Nov 16, 2012 Sam rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-or-galley, best-covers, fantasy-or-paranormal, romance, paranormal

2.5 stars

“Being a vampire is about living in a constant grey area: the blurred space between human and monster. Between civilised and wild.”

Karen Mahoney’s Falling to Ash is, on paper, not a bad book. Despite the typicality of its storyline and the been-there-done-that nature of its premise, it appeals to that inner vampire-lit lover and warms with its familiarity. It’s comfortable, even if not particularly outstanding or ground-breaking. Unfortunately for me (or for the book, rather), I did no...more 2.5 stars

“Being a vampire is about living in a constant grey area: the blurred space between human and monster. Between civilised and wild.”

Karen Mahoney’s Falling to Ash is, on paper, not a bad book. Despite the typicality of its storyline and the been-there-done-that nature of its premise, it appeals to that inner vampire-lit lover and warms with its familiarity. It’s comfortable, even if not particularly outstanding or ground-breaking. Unfortunately for me (or for the book, rather), I did not pick this up with the longing for a simple story that tickled at my overflowing memories of various vampire books. I picked this up with the flimsy hope that it might be something a little more original – something memorable. (And okay, I may or may not have been overcome with cover lust.)

Falling to Ash is the story of newly-made vampire, Moth, and the unrest her presence causes among the high-ranking vampires. When her Maker, Theo, agrees to personally kill the vampire hunter Thomas Murdoch in payment for his actions, Moth is faced with another problem: Jason Murdoch, the notorious vampire hunter’s son. Jace is Moth’s latest and most reluctant ally. She needs his help with getting to the bottom of a series of unexplained Boston murders – which she fears may be linked to her Maker – and putting an end to the zombie-like revenants left in the wake of the murders. Despite sharing a history of mutual dislike, Jace and Moth’s new truce brings to surface unexpected feelings for Moth. With the knowledge that Jace’s father is being hunted, right at the centre of it all is a burning guilt.

Moth is a difficult character for me to describe. Alyxandra Harvey’s ‘fiercely funny’ (as quoted on the back cover) is, to a certain extent, true. Moth has a humorous feistiness, albeit an inconsistent one, and entertains very occasionally with her quick wit. The frosty banter between Jace and herself adds to that and it is easy to like her when she is triggering a chuckle or two. These moments are few and far between, however, and filling the space is the other Moth. The Moth that is little more than a cardboard cut-out, the Moth that incites very few reactions, if any. For the vast majority of the novel, the main character is… just the main character. She is not a person I have any feelings for, whether they be positive or negative. She is simply there, and I couldn’t care less if she wasn’t.

Jace, on the other hand, was a fraction more engaging. Admittedly, the romance was lost on me – I assume I had exhausted all interest by that point – but I somewhat enjoyed the scenes in which he was present. Most of these were action scenes, and I was noticeably more eager to read on when the book was flowing at a faster pace. If anything, the plot picked up ever so slightly mid-way through, and while it was difficult to muster up much enthusiasm after 150 odd pages of yawning, it did improve significantly enough to make it through to the end. That, unfortunately, became by goal after a while – just making it through to the end. When a book makes reading feel like a chore, it is never a good thing.

Despite its few and faint redeeming qualities, this book failed to captivate. I am in the minority with this opinion, however, so do check out other reviews. Perhaps if you are actively seeking a short read with a familiar plot and premise, this will do it for you. In the meantime, I will get back to working on that cover addiction I have. I clearly haven’t learnt a thing…

(This review also appears on my blog)(less)

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Dec 13, 2012 Jasprit rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-galley, read-in-2012, ya, paranormal

Falling to Ash restored that little bit faith that I had lost in my paranormal reads. I used to be a paranormal junkie, but in the last year I found them repetitive and tiresome. That explains why in the last year there’s only been one paranormal read which has completely moved me, but I’m happy to say Falling to Ash was another book which took me by surprise.

The typical stories that we seem to be finding in paranormal books; “who is the mysterious character; I know he’s hiding something but I c...more Falling to Ash restored that little bit faith that I had lost in my paranormal reads. I used to be a paranormal junkie, but in the last year I found them repetitive and tiresome. That explains why in the last year there’s only been one paranormal read which has completely moved me, but I’m happy to say Falling to Ash was another book which took me by surprise.

The typical stories that we seem to be finding in paranormal books; “who is the mysterious character; I know he’s hiding something but I can’t put my finger on it”, irksome love triangles and a heroine who puts her life on the line for the mysterious stranger who surely isn’t human is thankfully not in sight in Falling to Ash hooray! Instead we’re following the life on young snarky vampire Moth. She’d spent the night with Theo finally filling the big gaping hole left by her dead mother and non-existent father. But she didn’t expect after one of the best nights of her life; Theo would bite her and she would have to live through torturous weeks of getting turned into a vampire. She would rather have died for real instead of becoming an undead vampire. But there was nothing that could be done now; she had to live by her maker Theo’s rules.

In Falling to Ash the world isn’t aware of vampires, there’s a select few who do know and they’re vampire hunters; Thomas and his son Jason Murdoch. Thomas has been on a rampage forever in trying to bring Theo and his vampires down. But then unusual circumstances where teenagers that Moth knew from her human life ending up dead as if they were attacked by an animal, force Jason and Moth to work together as a team.

Jason and Moth’s situation was a hilarious one. There’s nothing more I enjoy more when two characters who hate each other’s guts are forced to work together. Despite their brief tense history, Jason and Moth become to realise they made a formidable team, not only were they able to bring more to the table by coming from two different backgrounds, they were able to delve deeper and become closer to discovering the killer than the police ever were. Jason and Moth were a great pair to be around, it was fun watching them to learn to trust one another, and their adventure was fun and full with much appreciated tension along the way.

Falling to Ash made me realise that I need more books with pov’s from female vampires, this is the second book I have read with this situation and I’ve discovered I’m much able to connect with the characters, thus resulting in a much more enjoyable reading experience.

I hugely recommend reading Falling to Ash if you’re in a paranormal funk and are looking for something fresh and funny. Mahoney does a great job in weaving great aspects of humour in to the book that you will find yourself sniggering to yourself when you least expect it.

This review can be found on The Readers Den (less)

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Nov 01, 2012 Suzanne (Paranormal Pages) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourites-2012, vampires

Falling to Ash was a book that I hadn't even heard of until I was offered a chance to request it. Of course, my love of vampires just wouldn't let me refuse and I just couldn't wait get started on it.

Marie, or Moth, as she now calls her vampire self was turned about a year ago when she was 18, but her maker, Theo, kept her hidden from the Family, for fear of repercussions to himself and Moth if they knew he had turned her without permission from them. The Family, are a vampire council who rule...more Falling to Ash was a book that I hadn't even heard of until I was offered a chance to request it. Of course, my love of vampires just wouldn't let me refuse and I just couldn't wait get started on it.

Marie, or Moth, as she now calls her vampire self was turned about a year ago when she was 18, but her maker, Theo, kept her hidden from the Family, for fear of repercussions to himself and Moth if they knew he had turned her without permission from them. The Family, are a vampire council who rule and police the vampires.

Theo, is the head vampire of Boston, a hot young looking vampire, who wooed and dated Marie before losing control one night and then turning her, rather than letting her die. He claims it was a lapse in judgement, but now, must face the consequences from the Family. Marie will be allowed to live if Theo can kill Thomas Murdoch, a notorious vampire hunter, and produce his head for the Family. Otherwise, Moth will be ended, taking a little bit of Theo's soul with her. He has one week.

Someone is killing teenagers who are connected to Moth in some way. The first guy, Rick, is a guy she went to college with. When Moth gets a visit from the police because the dead guy has her name and address on him, she senses something fishy and knows she needs to look into this herself. It appears to be a vampire attack so if she can get to the body, she may be able to pick up the scent of the vampire. If Theo gets wind of this she'll be in trouble.

She heads to the hospital, only to run into Jason Murdoch, son of Thomas, the vampire hunter. After a brief tussle, he decides to check things out with her. He can't let a vampire stroll freely around a hospital. They arrive at the morgue just in time to see Rick, sitting on a slab, chewing on an arm, the nurse dead at this feet. All of a sudden, Moth and Jace are on the same side.

I truly loved this book. Moth is a spectacular heroine, brave with a smart mouth but extremely caring when it comes to people she cares about. She's not happy about what she is but accepts that she has to get on with it. Despite Jace being a hunter, she can't help but find him attractive. He is definitely swoonworthy. While a romance doesn't actually take off between the two, the tension is there and when the two of them are together were probably my favourite times in the book.

Theo is Moth's maker, and therefore, she has to do what he says. While she complains about him a lot, I could feel a caring, compassionate relationship between them.

This is my first book to read by Karen Mahoney but I will definitely be looking into others. Falling to Ash is fast paced with sufficient action to keep you on the edge of your seat. I didn't want to put this book down. As yet there is no information on the second book but I really hope we're not going to be kept too long waiting.(less)

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Oct 18, 2012 Nobonita rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of vampire books or paranormal romance

Shelves: hardback-review-copy, random-house-uk

*10/10/12*
This one came with these two other books in the mail.Thanks so much Random House U.K!!! XD

*18.10.12*
My Review:

Also posted at my blog: http://perrytheplatypus1102-3daydream...

Thank you Random House U.K for the review copy.

While Falling To Ash did not have that one-of-the-best-books-I-have-ever-read effect on me,it wasn't half bad.The story had a relatively good character buildup,and the narration was pretty good as well.The book also has a drop-dead-gorgeous cover which everyone can alr...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Julia Fitri rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really liked it!

Eventhough the writer creats its own twist in the original 'vampire lore' it keeps the important points, e.g they're dead, they are violent and they do drink human blood. Yes, no vegetarians or sparkling here people. Move along.

Anyway, the story tells us of Marie who in the start of the novel has already been turned into a vampire by way of her Maker, Theo who is also a Master of his own House. The prologue of the book tells us how he changed her and it is violent and dark and...more

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Dec 20, 2012 Lyndaa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I first came across Moth (Marie O'Neill) when I read her short story in The Eternal Kiss anthology of vampire tales and I loved her character then. I was pleased to hear there would be more of Moth in Falling to Ash. I wasn't disappointed! I loved the story, Moth's character developed nicely and although she's a fledgling vampire she's finding her own way. It was interesting to see her struggles with integrating into her new life as well as dealing with her sisters and her father who don't know...more

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Dec 23, 2012 Judy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: to-review, clairvoyant-protagonists, rude-language

If you were to sum up this book it’d be average. This book was not amazing; it was typical of the genre - vampires, zombies and death...*unenthusiastic cheer*. Although, it wasn't all bad. Actually, I can’t think of anything that really stood out or was good about this book *lowers rating to 2/5 stars*.

Now, to sum up the plot in a non-spoilery way: The book is narrated by female protagonist named Marie a.k.a ‘Moth’. She was turned into a vampire by Theo, a guy she was supposably dating (it tells...more If you were to sum up this book it’d be average. This book was not amazing; it was typical of the genre - vampires, zombies and death...*unenthusiastic cheer*. Although, it wasn't all bad. Actually, I can’t think of anything that really stood out or was good about this book *lowers rating to 2/5 stars*.

Now, to sum up the plot in a non-spoilery way: The book is narrated by female protagonist named Marie a.k.a ‘Moth’. She was turned into a vampire by Theo, a guy she was supposably dating (it tells you this at the start so don’t go physio ass on me for ‘spoiling’ the plot. Also, it wasn’t very clear on what their relationship status was. Were they boyfriend/girlfriend? Dating?) Mortals are dying and they have to save the day *I should probably insert a gif of rainbows and happy unicorns flying around but I’m too lazy*. Yep, that description was right on the spot.

Okay, so first off, I was not enjoying reading this book. It was like doing homework (which I dread). I didn’t like the characters either, not even Jace who was supposed to be hot. At the end some character named ‘Kyle’ came in and I was just like ‘Who the eff is Kyle?’ The characters were very underdeveloped and forgettable (I still don’t know who Kyle is, even though he played a major part in the plot). Moth and Jace’s demeanor both came off to me as weak, unable to stand up for themselves and just stupid really. The romance between Jace and Moth was downright cheesy and laughable at. I was just sitting there in my room laughing my head off because it was so bad (my mum came in and asked me what I was doing. Let’s not go there).

Speaking of Jace, it reminds me of Jace from ‘The Mortal Instruments’ series. Wait-let’s just talk about the similarities between this book and The City of Bones. So first of all there’s Jace. It’s not just the name too. Their personalities are similar – arrogant, rude, snarky. Secondly, there was a scene at a club, where there was a blue haired boy. Moth, the main character thought this was important and pointed it out. There is also a blue haired boy at a club in The City of Bones (which was way better because he actually had some purpose). Then there’s Jace’s father who is also evil, like in the Mortal Instruments. Hmmm...I wonder, where did you get your inspiration from Mahoney?

I heard it’s bad to be negative about everything, so let’s think of some positive things to say. Oh, wait there is none! Think Judy, think. Okay, I guess I liked the way there were flashbacks and...I don’t even know. Can I just say that the amount of words on each page is fairly small compared to other books? If this book were set out and printed like them it would be about 150 pages long instead of 341. Sheesh, wasting paper much.

Is this book a series? It sure doesn’t seem like one. I think it’d be spoiled if it were. It ended on a nice note, let’s keep it that way, please. Spare the world of poor literature. The trees! Think of all the trees that would have to die!

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Nov 11, 2012 Ferdy rated it 3 of 5 stars

2.5 stars — spoilers

-The plot was unimaginative and very average — newly turned vampire, Moth, investigates a bunch of deaths at her old college and yea, stuff happens.

-Moth was a decent heroine although she was quite dull for the most part — the only times I found her entertaining was when she was with Jace/Theo and when she was angsting over her family. She needed to get some life in her, she was just so blah - I'd rather read about an annoying, alpha bitch/Mary Sue heroine than a heroine who...more

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Jan 14, 2013 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, vampires

From the cover and title, nothing about the first impression screams ‘Vampire Story’, and yet, ‘Falling to Ash’ is, in fact, a fun vampire story. Not so different from others I’ve read in the past – aversions to light, silver and wooden stakes, with turnings being a tricky experience; but I’ve always been a fan of vampires books and I really enjoyed this one.

I really liked our leading lady, Moth. I liked her life – a fledgling vampire living in Boston trying to find her place in her new Vampire...more From the cover and title, nothing about the first impression screams ‘Vampire Story’, and yet, ‘Falling to Ash’ is, in fact, a fun vampire story. Not so different from others I’ve read in the past – aversions to light, silver and wooden stakes, with turnings being a tricky experience; but I’ve always been a fan of vampires books and I really enjoyed this one.

I really liked our leading lady, Moth. I liked her life – a fledgling vampire living in Boston trying to find her place in her new Vampire family while avoiding the local vampire hunters and keeping her distance from her human family. Moth was an interesting character; curious and strong, and is aware that she probably isn’t the most knowledgeable vampire in the city, but she pushes through her problems when she has to.

Vampires and hunters form a big part of the story, but not the only focus. When dead bodies start turning up in random spots around Boston, all having strange connections to Moth, a mystery needing to solved becomes the big plot in the book. To make matters worse, these bodies seem to be coming back from the dead; and not as vampires. What I loved most about this was not the extra supernatural aspect of the story, but the action that came with fighting them. Lots of punches thrown and weapons used.

I loved the pop culture reference in the novel. Sometimes I fear that pop culture can really date a book – it sits in that time frame for life – but it’s fun to see lines thrown in that make you giggle because Indiana Jones or Veronica Mars was just mentioned. Karen Mahoney did a really good job in ‘Falling to Ash’ – the pop culture doesn’t seem out of place or awkward. It worked really well.

Unsurprisingly, there is slight romance plot to the story, but I found it a bit confusing. It was almost a love triangle between Moth, her vampire Maker, Theo, and the vampire hunter’s son – Jace. But Moth never really admits to having strong feelings for either guy. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. Because Moth doesn’t commit to either option straight away, you’re sort of detached from the romance. It exists, but not strong enough to react passionately to one, or both, guys.

I really enjoyed this book, looking forward to seeing what might happen next.

4/5 stars
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Oct 12, 2012 Vivienne Serendipity Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have ever read by Karen Mahoney and I now want to kick myself that I haven't read any of her books sooner. I warmed straight away to her writing style and fell in love with her humour. I was a bit wary about it being another vampire story, but I really think the author makes it her own and offers a whole new twist to the genre.
Moth is a brilliant lead character - as she struggles to come to terms with being a vampire, you discover she hasn't lost any of her humanity. She...more

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Nov 04, 2012 SJH (A Dream of Books) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, vampire, young-adult

I enjoyed Karen Mahoney's two previous books (The Iron Witch and The Wood Queen) so I jumped at the chance to read and review her newest offering, the first title in a brand new series about vampires. The cover is gorgeous and the story sounded brilliant, just the kind of thing that appeals to my reading tastes, but unfortunately it didn't turn out to be quite as good as I was expecting. I normally love vampire stories but 'Falling to Ash' didn't tick all the boxes for me.

The story is about Moth...more I enjoyed Karen Mahoney's two previous books (The Iron Witch and The Wood Queen) so I jumped at the chance to read and review her newest offering, the first title in a brand new series about vampires. The cover is gorgeous and the story sounded brilliant, just the kind of thing that appeals to my reading tastes, but unfortunately it didn't turn out to be quite as good as I was expecting. I normally love vampire stories but 'Falling to Ash' didn't tick all the boxes for me.

The story is about Moth, or Marie as she was previously known. A teenage girl turned vampire who is still coming to terms with her new existence and struggling to adapt to her relationship with her Maker, Theo. I didn't particularly like Moth and felt little connection to her as a character. I immediately wanted to know more about her back story so that I could understand why she is how she is. This was gradually revealed through flashbacks to how she was turned into a vampire but I would have liked to have seen this dealt with much earlier on in the book. There is a prequel to this title called 'Moth', so maybe it would have helped me if I'd read that first.

I felt uneasy in the scenes between her and Theo and I wasn't feeling the growing romance between her and Jace a.k.a vampire hunter in training, either. For me to really love a book, I have to feel that I care about the characters and what happens to them but sadly this wasn't the case with any of the main protagonists in the story.

One aspect of the book I did like was the family bond between Moth and her sisters which I would have liked to have seen developed even more than it was. Although she's now a vampire, she still feels enormous love for her family members, particularly her little sister and she's willing to protect her whatever the cost.

I know there are a lot of Karen Mahoney fans out there and I've already read a number of positive reviews of this book, so although it didn't necessarily appeal to me, I'm sure many others will enjoy it. All that aside, it is refreshing to read something by a British author for a change who has definitely brought something different to the vampire genre.
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Jan 21, 2013 Maliha Khan rated it 4 of 5 stars

firstly, this book was amazing.

it was confusing to me at rare occasions, but probably because i didn't read the prequel novella. even so, the recaps clued me in enough.

i rarely give vamp books a chance nowadays, but the synopsis got me. plus, my friend had a copy lying around. it was exactly what i expected, and more.

the heroine is so kick ass, i instantly liked her. no college drama, either. it seemes a bit too fast paced for me, but maybe that's why it kept me turning pages. its like the autho...more

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Mar 22, 2013 Zoë Marriott rated it 5 of 5 stars

OMG! So many feels. Why is it so hard to write a coherant review when there are so many FEELS? This book reminds me of The Silver Kiss and Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause, and I really can't say fairer than that.

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Mar 18, 2013 Becki rated it 4 of 5 stars

I first came across the character of Moth in a short story titled ‘Falling to Ash’ in a short story collection/anthology called The Eternal Kiss and I absolutely fell in love with the world and character Karen Mahoney created. So, of course, when I heard that Mahoney was going to write a novel based on that short story I had to get my hands on a copy.

The novel Falling to Ash is narrated by Moth – Marie O’Neal – a recently turned vampire. In the story Moth is still struggling to come to terms wit...more I first came across the character of Moth in a short story titled ‘Falling to Ash’ in a short story collection/anthology called The Eternal Kiss and I absolutely fell in love with the world and character Karen Mahoney created. So, of course, when I heard that Mahoney was going to write a novel based on that short story I had to get my hands on a copy.

The novel Falling to Ash is narrated by Moth – Marie O’Neal – a recently turned vampire. In the story Moth is still struggling to come to terms with the fact that she is a vampire. I really liked this aspect of Mahoney’s main character. That she is not all “isn’t being a vampire soooooo cool”, but at the same time despite how uncomfortable she finds it she can still acknowledge the good parts about being a vampire. I really liked Moth’s narrative voice, seeing the events of Falling to Ash through her eyes really worked for me. It made me really empathise with her as a character, and I enjoyed hanging out in her head.

Mahoney splits the plot of Falling to Ash into two distinct parts that overlap throughout the narrative. I really enjoyed reading about Moth learning to fit into her new world in one main plot, and I also liked the mystery and suspense of the second main plot. Mahoney does a brilliant job with the conclusion of the book. She ties up enough loose ends so that the book feels complete, but she also leaves enough threads that I am looking forward to getting my hands on the second book in the series – which according to Goodreads isn’t out until 2014 unfortunately.

The secondary characters in the book were really interesting, most of them will be familiar to those who have read the short story and I really liked that. I liked getting to see Theo and Jace again, and watching Moth interact with both of them. I think her relationships with these two characters are really interesting. I also enjoyed getting to see Moth’s human family – I’m hoping that there will be more of them in later books.

If you are a fan of vampires and urban fantasy novels then you should definitely check out Falling to Ash. Mahoney creates an interesting world with a brilliant protagonist who seems very real.

Originally posted on TheFlutterbyRoom.com(less)

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May 02, 2013 Caisee added it

Shelves: on-hold, given-up-on-because-its-a-crap-book

The cover was what attracted me to this book. I personally think its gorgeous. But now that I look closely the neck of the girl is really thick... But because of the mass volume of the hair, the neck doesn't look so funny. The book I own has a different cover than the one shown to the left, by the way... :P
I like the size of the words, it makes it easier to remember where you are if you lose your line. The author seems to have written the book like a teenaged person is telling the story. Mahoney...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Keiley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: liked-this, paranormal-romance, vampires, young-adult, meh, reviewed

A very long time ago, someone gave me one of those anthology books for Christmas. You know the ones, The Eternal Kiss and stuff like that? Well I read it, of course, and while yeah, some of the stories were good, for the most part I found them to be pretty dull. But of course there was one story in it that I positively fell in love with. Everything about it was amazing. It was also called "Falling To Ash". But alas, it was a short story and I found myself incredibly annoyed that I couldn't simpl...more A very long time ago, someone gave me one of those anthology books for Christmas. You know the ones, The Eternal Kiss and stuff like that? Well I read it, of course, and while yeah, some of the stories were good, for the most part I found them to be pretty dull. But of course there was one story in it that I positively fell in love with. Everything about it was amazing. It was also called "Falling To Ash". But alas, it was a short story and I found myself incredibly annoyed that I couldn't simply pick up the next novel. But a few months later I found myself at the shops, browsing through books and seeing something that looked...familiar. So I read the blurb and was entirely convinced--there was no way this was a coincidence, there was a real book!

Alas, the novel "Falling To Ash" did not bring me the joy that the short story prequel did. While yes, I did still enjoy the book, it just didn't have that amazing power over me that the short story did. Because I was in love with that story, I craved knowledge about Moth and Theo and Jace and their lives, everything, I just wanted to know. And it really wasn't that the story itself was bad, but the way it was written drove me bonkers. I want to tell you how stunning this book is, that it's every bit as good as the short story about Moth was, but the fact of the matter is that this book just...isn't.

The story follows a newly made (I use the term loosely. About a year of being undead) vampire who goes by the name Moth, who gets caught up with the son of the most vicious vampire hunter in the city, Jace, because of a mission given to her by her creator/sire Theo. Scandals and zombies ensue.

Look, honestly? I wouldn't say this is a bad book. Because it isn't. Not really, at least in my opinion. But the fact of the matter is that it isn't a wonderful book either. It won't leave you breathless or eager for more, but it isn't a terrible book. If you have the time, read it. But don't expect anything life changing, or for it to live up to the short story, because it simply doesn't.(less)

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Nov 17, 2012 Hannah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, vampires

I have to admit, I'm a bit fed up with vampire stories. But Falling to Ash didn't bore me at all. For starters, Moth is a little rough around the edges as a vampire. She wears a leather jacket, steel toe capped biker boots and is extraordinarily witty. It kind of made me feel good though that even as a vampire, Moth wasn't unnaturally perfect all the time. The fact that Moth could still feel pain and had to overcome that to get things done made her character tougher and somehow more humane. Havi...more I have to admit, I'm a bit fed up with vampire stories. But Falling to Ash didn't bore me at all. For starters, Moth is a little rough around the edges as a vampire. She wears a leather jacket, steel toe capped biker boots and is extraordinarily witty. It kind of made me feel good though that even as a vampire, Moth wasn't unnaturally perfect all the time. The fact that Moth could still feel pain and had to overcome that to get things done made her character tougher and somehow more humane. Having been turned against her will, Moth is undergoing the emotional turmoil of trying to reconcile her new vampire life with with old life and family. Her protectiveness of her younger sister was really sweet. Moth may be a kickass heroine, but she will capture your heart.

Although the murder mystery was easy to predict, there was plenty of action and twists to the story. Surprising things happened after the murders, which I won't tell you about but were a little gruesome and made some interesting links.

I loved the relationship between Moth and Jace and the fact that they already had a backstory that affected how they interacted at the start of the book. Jace, following in the footsteps of his fathers, was a monster-hunter. And Moth was considered the monster. Despite the fact that Jace had been brought up to kill vampires, Moth and Jace were perfectly balanced. Both in strength and charisma. When they both start investigating the murders of local teenagers they form a tentative alliance. And as Moth is so down to earth, Jace slowly started coming around to seeing her as a person and not just a human blood-sucking killing machine. The fact that he could overcome all the believes his father had instilled in him was impressive and endearing.

This may sound patronising, but it isn't meant to be in the slightest. As Karen is a British author, I was really impressed by how authentic the writing was to the American setting. OK so I haven't ever been to Boston, where the book is set, but the locations described felt so real. And the language and style really did make me believe Moth was a born and bred American. With Irish roots ;)

Dark, witty and with a dash of romance, Falling to Ash is a refreshing addition to the vampire genre.(less)

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Jan 22, 2013 Myra (Pieces of Whimsy) rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: own, won, reviewed

Review first published on my blog: Pieces of Whimsy

I read a couple of the Moth novellas quite a while ago and always wanted to read more of Moth's story. I hoped the author would decide to write a novel based on Moth and imagine my surprise when I won this book, having had no idea what it was about!

I was excited to read this book and was even more excited to learn that Jason was going to be in it. Moth and Jason's first encounter in this book was very action-filled and exciting but after that my...more

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$Faye {Daydreaming_Star}$

Feb 02, 2013 Faye {Daydreaming_Star} rated it 4 of 5 stars

Something Stirs
There has been an influx in vampire stories lately, audiences craving to read about more of them and it is due to this that there is a danger that most vampire stories become stereotypical, following the pattern of so many before them. It is also the reason that I now tread lightly when it comes to vampire stories. I love them, but I’ve been fixated on them for a long time and I am now starting to branch out and find other stories, creatures, to enjoy. But then every now and again...more Something Stirs
There has been an influx in vampire stories lately, audiences craving to read about more of them and it is due to this that there is a danger that most vampire stories become stereotypical, following the pattern of so many before them. It is also the reason that I now tread lightly when it comes to vampire stories. I love them, but I’ve been fixated on them for a long time and I am now starting to branch out and find other stories, creatures, to enjoy. But then every now and again a new vampire book may capture my attention, just as Falling to Ash did. I have not read Karen’s other series, The Iron Witch, and so I had no idea what to expect of her writing but I am pleased to admit that I truly enjoyed reading this book and was glad that I took a chance on it. This book is one that I would highly recommend as it was a read that I found extremely entertaining and quickly became a book I’d happily read over and over again.

It’s Different
One of the things that makes Falling to Ash a book that I favour, is the way that Karen hasn’t made being a vampire a sexually alluring concept. There are moments in the book where we see Moth’s maker as someone who enticed her and uses his powers and charms to get people to allow him to willingly take their blood, along with some other moments of humans handing themselves over to vampires, but through the protagonist, Karen makes it known that being a vampire isn’t all it seems. The depiction of vampires in this novel is gruesome and vivid, it leaves nothing out about how dangerous it is to create a vampire, or how terrifying the concept of forever can become. It truly encapsulates the real, rawness of being a vampire, and in the case of Moth, of being a new vampire.

It is as she is dealing with being such a new vampire, of not just adjusting to being a new adult but also now a vampire, that Moth becomes entangled in the middle of something bigger than she could have ever realised. Trying to uncover the truth behind the death of an old classmate, Moth runs into the hunter Jace, and it soon becomes apparent that being a vampire is the least of Moth’s worries. I was truly entranced by the plot of this book. I wanted to know what was going to happen next, I needed to know how things were eventually going to end, and while some bits were predictable, they never made the book any less enjoyable. It had a fast pace, was full of action, and continuously had me turning the page.

Changes People
It probably goes without saying that the characters in this book were all really well written. No one was weak, stereotypical, or just annoying. Karen has managed to grasp her characters and truly allow the reader to feel and understand everything that they deal with and go through. Moth was probably my favourite character in the story. She had so much to deal with, and yet she was still rebellious and defiant. She was strong but she knew her limitations but she was also fierce and loyal and had an extremely large heart. I loved feeling how torn she was between her two families, she needed to be loyal to both but she didn’t know how to do it because one way or another, she would ended up betraying someone. I loved reading her story and witnessing how she dealt with everything.

I also adored Jace. He was fun to read about but he also had a lot going on in that little head of his. A father that trusted him but just left when he felt necessary, a strong forbidden attraction to Moth and an even stronger desire to do what was right. He was the perfect guy to have in this story, the kind of hunter that I always imagine when writing my own stories or read other ones like it. He was just as conflicted at Moth, and that helped to make him a more lovable character. It would be hard if Moth had been conflicted but Jace just strolled through the story without a care. I also adored the two of them together. I’m always very picky when it comes to romance but these two felt so right together, it wasn’t ever going to be an easy journey and I am really interested in finding out what will happen with them.

Until It Goes
Despite all of the dark, dreary feel this review is painting Falling to Ash to be, it is also a book full of humour and comedy and one that will have you laughing quite often. With Moth’s narrative at the forefront, Karen has brought comedy into this dark world and this really brought the story alive for me. Already on the first page I was giggling softly to myself, enjoying the world view that Moth was presenting to me. If anything, I feel that it is this that sets this book apart from the rest. This isn’t a sexy vampire novel, but it isn’t a truly dark vampire novel either, nor a fully comedic vampire novel, it’s a combination of the three altogether; a unique and compelling style that made this book truly captivating and fascinating.

Ending It All
All in all, this novel was one that I found myself really enjoying. It had all the elements of a decent novel that keeps you entertained, from dark and gruesome creatures, a forbidden romance, a complicated twisty plot, and a bit of light humour to bring it all back down again. It was interesting and held a depth that a lot of books struggle to reach. This book is a YA story that would probably be enjoyed by a lot of adults and is probably better for those on the older end of the YA as I feel that younger audiences wouldn’t be able to fully enjoy the full extent of this story as a lot of the issues and themes that creep up would not be applicable to them. I would easily recommend this book to anyone who likes vampire stories, or anyone who just wants something different, but really, I would just urge everyone I knew to go out and try this book because it’s a really great one that deserves to be read. (less)

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Oct 29, 2012 Chelsea [Vampire Book Club] rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: uf-pnr, vampires, zombies, suggested-series-firsts

This review was originally published at Vampire Book Club.

Funny and engaging with a dusting of darkness, Falling to Ash is a fresh vampire tale—and that pleases me so very much. It’s my favorite Karen Mahoney book thus far. (Read reviews of The Iron Witch and The Wood Queen.)

Moth (neé Marie O’Neal) has spent the last several months in a kind of vampire lock-down situation. She’s not your typical newly turned vamp. Her maker broke the rules in creating Moth (not in an Ethan/Merit way, but in a lo...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Salima Korri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own-this-physical, signed-copies, favorites

A huge thank you to Karen Mahoney for sending me the book!

I had my doubts at the start of the book because all I really wanted to find out was how Marie turned in to vampire Moth. Then Marie kept going on about Theo, her Maker, but he only came along after one hundred pages after her blabbing about him. Before we get to meet Theo, however, we meet Jace who she hates and says that he's not attractive but they eventually fall in love as they both try to solve the mystery of the murdered teens. All...more A huge thank you to Karen Mahoney for sending me the book!

I had my doubts at the start of the book because all I really wanted to find out was how Marie turned in to vampire Moth. Then Marie kept going on about Theo, her Maker, but he only came along after one hundred pages after her blabbing about him. Before we get to meet Theo, however, we meet Jace who she hates and says that he's not attractive but they eventually fall in love as they both try to solve the mystery of the murdered teens. All this drama for nothing! Marie also kept going on about Holly and she only appeared for a page so I was quite disappointed because she seemed like an awesome character. Even Kyle who we only met near the end was introduced for a short time then it was back to Marie and Jace and then we had the epic action packed, kicking ass end.

After completing the book I realised that I still loved it. To be honest, I thought that some scenes needed to be rearranged such as the readers getting to know Theo right at the start and not when the action had just finished because while I enjoyed the action scenes all I wanted to know about was Theo, because Marie/Moth kept talking about him!

There weren't that many characters either and it seemed it all about Marie and Jace trying to solve a mystery where kids were getting killed. But I did enjoy when we finally get to know Theo and why he turned Marie. But I still needed to know more about him! Why did Marie remind him of a girl he knew and why was he attracted to Marie to begin with? Was it really love at first sight? I hope we find out in book 2 especially about the Elders. I want to find more about the vampire system that Moth will now live in.

Other characters such as Cait and Sinead, Marie's sisters also came along for a short time but Cait in particular added a little charm to the book with her innocence and played a part in the awesome ending so I was happy enough.

It was a pretty predictable story because again at the start they both encounter a Zombie which was pretty surprising considering I was expecting an only vampire book but then the readers can kind of guess that Zombies are the culprits. But there are other twists that come along such as Jace being a Hunter cannot exactly be friends with vampire Moth, especially if he's going to fall in love with her and especially if the person Theo is meant to kill is his Hunter father. It was interesting and it kept creating possibilities for the surprising endng.

Overall, the story was great. The twists were great. The characters were great. Just some scenes needed to come later on in the book. It should have been all about Theo and Marie in the very beginning then Jace and the mystery. But hopefully we will see more of Holly too in the sequel.

I would have preferred if book one was all about Moth learning how to become a Vampire with Theo and book two is where the mystery of book one is created. It would have seemed more organized. But to top it off, the humour of the book was amazing. I laughed through out because Marie is simply down to earth, just like the author I guess.(less)

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Oct 02, 2012 Katherine rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires, fantasy, mystery-crime

RATING: 3 Out Of 5

Looking at the cover of this novel, you would not think that the theme of this novel centred around vampires that’s for sure. Moth is a recently turned vampire who is trying to live a somewhat normal life. Though that becomes hard when she must cut contract with her family and drop out of high school due to her recent transition and the problems that arise from it – being around lots of people who are pumping yummy blood.

Jace is the son of a notorious vampire hunter and basica...more

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Nov 09, 2012 Kai (Amaterasu Reads) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teens, 2012-tbr-pile, for-review

Review posted at Amaterasu Reads

Marie lost her humanity a year ago, and now she's Moth, a fledgling vampire trying to get used to not having a pulse but still continue on living. She was supposed to be starting life as a college student but she was hurting after her mother's death and it led her to the arms of Theo, a man she loved, who also happens to be the Vampire Master of Boston, and now he's her maker. Moth just wants to figure out how she was to live her immortal life and that turning he...more Review posted at Amaterasu Reads

Marie lost her humanity a year ago, and now she's Moth, a fledgling vampire trying to get used to not having a pulse but still continue on living. She was supposed to be starting life as a college student but she was hurting after her mother's death and it led her to the arms of Theo, a man she loved, who also happens to be the Vampire Master of Boston, and now he's her maker. Moth just wants to figure out how she was to live her immortal life and that turning her into a vampire wasn't the biggest mistake Theo had made, when people connected to her starts dying one by one. Knowing the reason why she was connected in all of it lands her into the hands of a gorgeous vampire hunter and suddenly she's fighting zombies who love to chomp off arms of unsuspecting victims. Why is it happening and how is it connected to Moth and her Maker?

I have to say this first, the way Karen Mahoney wrote this book cracks me up. Moth had a very entertaining, sarcastically funny voice that made me like her instantly. Getting the hang of being a vampire is not easy, and she constantly has to resist the longing and complications of her human life while trying to come into terms that her heart doesn't beat anymore. Moth was facing an identity crisis. Where does she belong? Can she give up the sun? The feel of being human? Being an O'Neal and seeing her sisters? Moth isn't overly dramatic and I like how she thinks. For a vampire she wasn't pretending to be all fearless and might, but she's not clueless. She knew she still had a lot to learn if she was to accept life as part of a vampire family. I like that she fights to retain her humanity, the feelings and the memories that saves her from being a monster. Moth's a good example of how it is to live as a vampire. It's not all glamorous and sparkly, not at all.

Moth had two very interesting and different potential love interest. When it comes to being mysterious and dark, Theo fits the bill. He's a powerful vampire, the master of Boston, and yet he hides a sad past that Moth reminds him of. It was still unclear what his real reason and motivations are for turning Moth, and why he wants to keep her beside him. If there was one that will make being a vampire such an alluring possibility, it was the mere fact that someone like Theo exist. He's that dark enigmatic, sexy stranger you wouldn't be able to resist. Jace, on the other hand, had monsters of his own to battle with. Growing up with a vampire hunter as a father wasn't easy and the vampires had taken away a lot from his life. He's sarcastic, funny and a little childish sometimes and I love how he can push Moth's buttons all the time. He's also a great fighter, and even though it seemed so cliche to know that the hunter falls in love with his prey, I'd love to see how his story intertwines with Moth, especially when Theo looms in a corner.

If you want a story offering a great amount of mystery and action, then Falling to Ash is for you. It's a guessing game, and you'll find your hunches and guesses oftentimes wrong, but it's what makes it so entertaining. You'll find that the fun in the novel lies in figuring out how the clues and pieces fall into place through Moth's persistence and her encounters with zombies and fellow vampires, even those with a pulse. The characters are lively, and you'll find yourself laughing more than you can count. The funny factor in this book doesn't distract the readers from the dangerous situations Moth finds herself into, and more often than not, you'll wonder if she'll live through the next day with her brazen and impulsive attitude. Kaz Mahoney wrote about Moth and the contrast between the life she lives and the one she had before, plunging the readers head on in her own dilemma: how does she live her life as a vampire when her human life is still tied so closely to her?

It's a pleasant surprise to know that this book is a little on the amusing, mirthful side with a title like Falling to Ash, but I like how the dark, sad parts blend well with the light, comic moments. I for one can't want for the next book! I'm sure the readers won't be able to resist Theo's allure and Jace's boyish charm.(less)

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Sep 30, 2012 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Prior to reading Falling to AshIhad only ever read Karen's other books, The Iron Witch and The Wood Queen. When I first began reading Falling To Ash and Jace made anappearance I had to know the back story behind them, so purchased The Eternal Kiss and quickly skipped to Moth's story. Back history learnt I continued on with Falling To Ash.
My first thoughts when reading were Moth freakin rocks!!!!! I love her spunkiness and her attitude and I love her interaction with Jace and how they banter with...more

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Jun 04, 2013 Lothfleur rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: vampires

Marie, ou Moth de son nom de vampire, est un personnage engageant, j’ai commencé le roman avec un grand sourire car on nous prend plutôt au dépourvu avec la jeune vampire qui se retrouve à enquêter sur un mort et à devoir se battre contre un zombie à l’aide d’un (aussi jeune) chasseur de vampires. Moth, au style qui tend vers le gothique, est vraiment attachante, on a mal au cœur pour elle. Je l’aurais bien enlacée pour lui dire « ça va aller », sans rire. Elle doit faire face à beaucoup de cho...more Marie, ou Moth de son nom de vampire, est un personnage engageant, j’ai commencé le roman avec un grand sourire car on nous prend plutôt au dépourvu avec la jeune vampire qui se retrouve à enquêter sur un mort et à devoir se battre contre un zombie à l’aide d’un (aussi jeune) chasseur de vampires. Moth, au style qui tend vers le gothique, est vraiment attachante, on a mal au cœur pour elle. Je l’aurais bien enlacée pour lui dire « ça va aller », sans rire. Elle doit faire face à beaucoup de choses dans ce roman, la famille avec laquelle elle a grandi et sa famille de sang, pour ne citer que cela. Mais il faudrait qu’elle apprenne sérieusement à se demander pourquoi certaines personnes agissent d’une telle ou telle façon envers elle… Ses références aux comics sont mignonnes, on retrouve l’auteure derrière et c’est aussi un clin d’oeil au webcomic Moth Tales.
Le chasseur de vampires, Jace, n’est pas le personnage le plus complexe du roman (pour ça il faut voir Theo…), mais son histoire n’est pas simple pour autant. J’aurais aimé en savoir plus sur lui – il faut dire que Moth le connaît déjà et cette rencontre, nous l’avons dans une nouvelle préquelle. Cette dernière n’est pas indispensable mais j’ai été frustrée de ne pas savoir. J’ai aussi été un peu déçue que Moth ne s’interroge pas plus à son sujet. Elle se pose des questions sur son passé, mais aucune sur son présent, alors on se retrouve avec des scènes parfois peu crédibles et toujours aucun questionnement de la part de Moth… (bon, à sa décharge, après ça s’enchaîne).
Donc, le personnage le plus complexe, ce sera le maker de Moth, Theo. C’est un vampire ancien qui n’aurait jamais dû la transformer, ils ont une relation compliquée, on ne sait pas trop quels sentiments ils ont l’un pour l’autre, même si on peut dire qu’ils sont très liés à cause de leur histoire commune. On peut à peine essayer de les deviner au comportement de Theo, on ne sait pas ce qu’il veut faire, on ne sait pas ce qu’il pense et son statut parmi les vampires de Boston en fait vraiment quelqu’un de particulier…
La famille est aussi importante dans le roman (et pas que pour Moth, voir la relation de Jace avec son père…), il faut dire que notre héroïne sait qu’elle va devoir s’éloigner des siens, et que sa transformation est arrivée peu de temps après la mort de sa mère, ce qui la place dans une position particulière par rapport à deux sœurs, l’une désapprouve, l’autre voudrait simplement retrouver sa sœur. J’ai été touchée par cette dernière, Caitlín (nom de famille O’Neal, leur sœur aînée est une Sinéad), c’est la plus jeune, celle qui est coincée avec leur père qui a tendance à noyer son chagrin dans l’alcool. Elle souffre et Marie souffre de ne pas pouvoir prendre soin d’elle comme elle le voudrait.
Le truc qui m’a vraiment déçue dans le roman, c’est en fait le recyclage. J’ai traduit The Lost Boy alors je connais le texte un peu par cœur, je ne pouvais pas louper les deux phrases qui sont identiques dans la nouvelle et le roman. Au début, quand j’ai vu qu’il y avait une scène similaire, j’ai trouvé ça génial. Imaginez, à la fois dans The Iron Witch et l’histoire de Moth, il existe une boîte de nuit où se rassemblent les personnages surnaturels des séries. Selon la variante du Boston choisie, ce sont des fées ou des vampires… des mondes parallèles…. sauf que ces deux phrases, ce sont les mêmes mot pour mot, alors j’ai trouvé que ça faisait tache, ça ne faisait plus parallèle génial mais simple recyclage.
Mais le roman est du genre qu’on dévore, les scènes d’action et les scènes plus lentes s’enchaînent bien, les personnages sont attachants, intéressants et assez complexes, je suis curieuse de connaître la suite… euh et la préquelle aussi !(less)

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Nov 02, 2012 Will rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2012

I -surprisingly- really enjoyed this.

The only vampire book I've read is THAT one so, I think that may be why I enjoyed this one.

I liked the direction the author decided to take this in. There was a slight love triangle, but not really. Marie/Moth as a newborn vamp wasnt all ZOMG LOOK AT ALL THE POWERZ I HAS!! so that was really good.

Very interested to see where she takes the second book. Even though, it probably wasnt necessary and this could've taken well as a stand alone.

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Oct 05, 2012 Bonny Bon Bon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, loved, romance

I finished this book in 1 day i was tossing up between givin it a 3 or a 4 star and had to bump it up to 4 stars beacause (view spoiler)

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Oct 23, 2012 Jessica rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 15-vampires, 24-ebooks

Same old same old...

Well, what did I expect? After all, Karen Mahoney is the author of The Iron Witch and that didn't work for me all that well so I shouldn't be surprised...at least this managed to keep my attention more or less...

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Nov 24, 2012 Johanness rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: karen-mahoney

It was really good! I had no idea that this was connected to a short story that I had read previously, but when Jace was brought it, I was ecstatic! The book is SO good! I really like the point-of-view, plot and characters! I really, really do! I can't wait for more from this series (I'm assuming it is), totally enjoyed it!

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Jun 09, 2012 Surangi added it

Shelves: work-manuscript

Absolutely adored the Moth stories in anthologies The Eternal Kiss and Kiss Me Deadly. Loved reading the manuscript "Beautiful Ghosts", can't wait for this to be published so I can at last read the final version.

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