Ashes to Ashes: The Scribing of Ishitar

The Scribing of Ishitar #2

by Carrie F. Shepherd

Exiled from the Sixty Realms at the end of the Second Revolution, Iykva, one of the demons sent to propagate a new mortal race, longs for equality between his people and those of the exiled angels. Believing the key to this equality lies within the blood of his enemy, he strikes war on the first born of the race of the elves. Caught up in his parents' game to claim the ultimate power, Ishitar dismisses this mortal war as unimportant to his strategy of placing his own pawn upon his father's throne. Will the cost that he eventually pays for his ignorance be worth what little advantage he has gained on the kings' board?

400 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Christina Belcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashes to Ashes, The Scribing of Ishitar, Volume II by Carrie F. Shepherd is a colorful twist and consequence of a rebellion by angels and demons, an act that caused them to be banished from heaven in Book One of this series.

The story includes a wide variety of fantasy characters in addition to angels and demons along with typical mortal humans. Without reading the first book in this series it will take a little bit of focus and patience to decipher good from evil or maybe a pinch of both!

Kingdoms are fought over by the Gods in the heavens and as usual, lesser creatures are always in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A story of greed, deceit, and revenge amongst the supernatural ranks, all with the desire for more everything, more power, and forbidden love will birth a war. Species will attempt to outdo other species and the battles will become a matter of survival.

Friendships between races weaken to the breaking point as love affairs are ripped into pieces. Death and destruction plague all as a young man leads his people to battle and just at the onslaught of defeat, surprising aid comes from unexpected origins.

Betrayal and trust, melt and mix to the point where the only thing reliable is one’s own survival. Forget prayers to a higher power, the Gods are the deliverers and the worst of all evil.

This author keeps you hooked with all the twists and turns and shocking events. However, I do recommend that you read the first book in the series as this is not a stand alone. I believe I would have enjoyed the first part of the story much more if I had read book One first instead of attempting to develop and decipher the characters on my own.

I do recommend this book for the paranormal and fantasy lovers out there! This story will have a little taste of everything that you crave, therefore giving this tale a BIG 4 Stars!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Fall from Grace, Ashes to Ashes did not disappoint! It will capture your attention for the very beginning. While book 1 focused on the Realm of the Gods and their inside squabbles, Ashes to Ashes sees a move to the mortal realm. This installment did a great job depicting what it might be like when gods use mortals as pawns for their own agenda.
Fall From Grace seemed to introduce most of the characters and paint the big picture of how everyone was connected, Ashes to Ashes extends the story and goes deeper. We learn more about many of the characters allowing them to feel more real, while introducing some new, interesting characters.
The end of Ashes to Ashes leaves you begging for the next installment while giving you some hints for some of the unanswered questions.

I highly recommend this book and Fall From Grace to anyone who enjoys books about gods, angels, demons, vampires, elves, fairies, humans, war, love and the relationship between it all!
Ashes to Ashes: The Scribing of IshitarCarrie F. Shepherd

[Elizabeth Ehlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second book of the Scribing of Ishitar series, author Carrie Shepherd continues the dialogue between Azrael and Charlie, a blind human of the modern age. Azrael gives him some more scrolls, which are coveted by unknown benefactor Joshua, and tells him the story of the next war, this time between mortals, specifically the elves and the vampires. Particular attention is paid to the first elf ever created, as it falls to him to lead his kind.

This book is an epic fantasy, and as such there are a lot of details to keep track of. It is an interesting story, made more so by the inclusions of gods and stories that we are generally familiar with from human mythology, such as Loki. She describes the battles and the lovers well, but I still found myself getting a little lost in all the intrigue among the characters. FYI, if you have not read the first book I highly recommend you do, as it will help keep everyone straight and give a back story. However, if you don’t this story does stand on its own as a tale of a mortal war with obnoxious divine meddling. If I was to make a suggestion, I would have really appreciated a glossary or cast of characters for reference. However it is still a good read, especially if you are into epic journeys with a twist of mystery.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series I was gifted by this amazing author. The first received a four star review and this one is getting a five because I am now totally immersed in this amazing story. I don't think you have to read book one to love and understand book two, but I still think you will love both and after reading book one you will see a few familiar characters, who the author did an amazing job bringing to life. This novel is a look at heaven and hell and the epic battles that go along with it. I love the feel of these books and won't go into detail of the characters because there are so many. I will say readers should bee able to 'solve the riddle' that Charles Hamilton finds in the puzzle box and have a wonderful time with the journey as they do.

[Suzanne Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this and the ideas it puts forth. Although it is strictly speaking fantasy it does what all good fantasy should do and introduces themes which make you think. There is an awful lot in this which brings to mind Greek history and the Roman ideas of fluid sexuality. It's a good read, give it a try.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the characters in this series. Not only are they familiar, but you really start to love, or hate, or love/hate, them. While I am reading I am in the story, and I always rate books this way. If I am inside, with the characters, I know I am reading a good book.

[Sunshyne]

This is awesome! I mean outrageously unmistakable. The characters were profoundly extraordinary. The story enamors you. Its terrible perusing the trials and hardships the characters understanding. The assorted qualities in the books implies there are such a variety of conclusions and perspectives rationale stops to exist and everybody is both good and bad. Its difficult to pinpoint who is good and bad and difficult to completely pick a side. You will chuckle and cry and be drawn into the activity scenes. It will be practically similar to being there. I really began it toward the beginning of today after breakfast and read directly through lunch until the book was finished. So cautioning this is an exceptionally addictive arrangement! That implies ensure you have an entire day before you take a seat to peruse else you won't rest. Since it is highly unlikely you can rest pondering what next.One proposalI would make, I would have truly valued a glossary or cast of characters for reference. Notwithstanding it is as yet a decent perused, particularly on the off chance that you are into epic excursions with a bit of riddle.