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King of Ash and Bone
(Shattered Realms #1)
by
When flying monsters break through the veil into her world, Mackenzie Scott has nothing left to lose. Her brother has been taken, her future has vanished, and all that remains is a desperate need for revenge. After discovering the breach the creatures used as a gateway, Mackenzie devises a plan to stop them, whatever the cost.
When she finds an injured stranger in the stree ...more
When she finds an injured stranger in the stree ...more
Paperback, 216 pages
Published
2015
by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
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Start your review of King of Ash and Bone (Shattered Realms #1)

Actual Rating - 4.5/5
The cover of this book is so beautiful, and there is an equally kick-ass synopsis printed at the back, just by glancing at it I got my hopes up. I read it, liked it. It was so good!
I love books with strong female protagonists, monsters, other realms. That's my thing, and this book has it all. I left this bookish world fist bumping the air, with a satisfied grin.
Howbeit, There was no element of gasp-inducing surprise, because of the synopsis. If that wasn't the case, this bo ...more
The cover of this book is so beautiful, and there is an equally kick-ass synopsis printed at the back, just by glancing at it I got my hopes up. I read it, liked it. It was so good!
I love books with strong female protagonists, monsters, other realms. That's my thing, and this book has it all. I left this bookish world fist bumping the air, with a satisfied grin.
Howbeit, There was no element of gasp-inducing surprise, because of the synopsis. If that wasn't the case, this bo ...more

Three and a half
A free read on kindle at the moment in preparation for the next book in this series that's due next month. I was interested in this idea of fae/demon type creatures coming into our world and leaving devastation behind.
I really liked the heroine Kenzie but struggled with Hunter who she rescues. McKenzie is determined to find her missing brother but having spent so much of her life not trusting others it's made her very independent. Hunter is in a difficult situation as unknown to ...more
A free read on kindle at the moment in preparation for the next book in this series that's due next month. I was interested in this idea of fae/demon type creatures coming into our world and leaving devastation behind.
I really liked the heroine Kenzie but struggled with Hunter who she rescues. McKenzie is determined to find her missing brother but having spent so much of her life not trusting others it's made her very independent. Hunter is in a difficult situation as unknown to ...more

Two realms separated by a veil of secrecy and if that veil is breached it will mean the end of both worlds. And. It. Is. Happening. NOW.
Mackenzie’s life has been full of turmoil and loss. All she had was her brother and the monsters flying through the sky have taken him and she wants him back. The city is in chaos, people are being killed or taken as these beasts fly through a hole in the sky and nowhere is safe. Having seen this breach, Mackenzie will stop at nothing to seek revenge.
When she ...more
Mackenzie’s life has been full of turmoil and loss. All she had was her brother and the monsters flying through the sky have taken him and she wants him back. The city is in chaos, people are being killed or taken as these beasts fly through a hole in the sky and nowhere is safe. Having seen this breach, Mackenzie will stop at nothing to seek revenge.
When she ...more

Wasn't for me
King of Ash and Bone had an interesting premise but it just didn't work for me. It felt disjointed and I didn't like the stereotypical way in which one of the secondary characters was described. I wasn't emotionally invested in the main characters nor did I feel the connection between them. This one fell flat for me. ...more
King of Ash and Bone had an interesting premise but it just didn't work for me. It felt disjointed and I didn't like the stereotypical way in which one of the secondary characters was described. I wasn't emotionally invested in the main characters nor did I feel the connection between them. This one fell flat for me. ...more

This grabs you right out of the gate, I really enjoyed it and read it in an afternoon.
After her world around her pretty much blew up and she lost Riley, her only remaining family, Mackenzie has come up with a plan. She is going to return to the place she saw the crack in the world to get photographic proof and tell the army so they can do something…she doesn’t know what, but anything to close it and hopefully rescue her brother. It’s more of a last-ditch desperation act than a plan but it’s be ...more
After her world around her pretty much blew up and she lost Riley, her only remaining family, Mackenzie has come up with a plan. She is going to return to the place she saw the crack in the world to get photographic proof and tell the army so they can do something…she doesn’t know what, but anything to close it and hopefully rescue her brother. It’s more of a last-ditch desperation act than a plan but it’s be ...more

This story just wasn't for me! I found it too confusing!
...more

King of Ash and Bone was an interesting read for me. At first I was a little confused by what was happening, but then once the story started to progress I began to understand the situation and who the invaders were.
I can't go into detail without revealing too much, but I can say it was tough, at least for me, to draw a conclusion as to what the dying realm should do. I mean, yes it was sad that their survival depended on claiming others, but it's not like they can decide to just fade away and n ...more
I can't go into detail without revealing too much, but I can say it was tough, at least for me, to draw a conclusion as to what the dying realm should do. I mean, yes it was sad that their survival depended on claiming others, but it's not like they can decide to just fade away and n ...more

I hate to say it, but I just didn't really like this one. It was confusing and jumped around and I never quite connected to the story. The H/h we're okay and I liked the idea of the story, just not the execution. A lot of inner thought. Just not for me.
Reminded me a lot of The Hollow Kingdom, which I enjoyed a lot more.
Content: Clean, mild romance, mild violence, no language ...more
Reminded me a lot of The Hollow Kingdom, which I enjoyed a lot more.
Content: Clean, mild romance, mild violence, no language ...more

Review of KING OF ASH AND BONE by Melissa Wright
The first of a brand-new series, SHATTERED REALMS, by a prolific YA and Fantasy author, KING OF ASH AND BONE is fast-paced, eminently readable, and starts with an irresistible reader's hook which has overtones of both the traditional Fantasy genre and of Lovecraftian Mythos. When a Portal opens, releasing flying monsters, many are lost, to who knows where. One of these is Mackenzie's almost eighteen-year-old brother Riley, who was taken while tryin ...more
The first of a brand-new series, SHATTERED REALMS, by a prolific YA and Fantasy author, KING OF ASH AND BONE is fast-paced, eminently readable, and starts with an irresistible reader's hook which has overtones of both the traditional Fantasy genre and of Lovecraftian Mythos. When a Portal opens, releasing flying monsters, many are lost, to who knows where. One of these is Mackenzie's almost eighteen-year-old brother Riley, who was taken while tryin ...more

2nd Read-through: When I found out Melissa Wright was planning on releasing a sequel to King of Ash and Bone, I decided to re-read the original. My initial impression remained true. This is a dystopian novel unlike anything you've read before. In place of zombies or nuclear warfare, the real enemy are wicked fae. Or are they wicked? This is the question as Kenzie meets Hunter, a young man who is much more than he appears to be. I really enjoyed Kenzie and Hunter's perspectives as they led us thr
...more


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Flying monsters have broken through a veil in the sky. With people abandoning their homes, Mackenzie Scott and her brother must fend off for their lives. That is until a single scratch from one of the beasts marks Riley. To keep his sister safe, he leaves her in the middle of the night to go join the army. Now all alone, Mackenzie discovers the gateway used to join her world with that of the dying realm. With Hunter the stranger she saved from the raging monsters by ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

I finished this book an hour ago and I used this time to think about the whole story. I really wanted to like this book and I kind of did, but I think I missed the point where you connect with the main characters, because I didn’t. At all. That makes me wonder if it’s caused by the very confusing events or if it’s just me.
What I liked and hated the same time was the style of writing. I loved it, because it had its own way of describing things and emotions but I couldn’t get access to what’s hap ...more
What I liked and hated the same time was the style of writing. I loved it, because it had its own way of describing things and emotions but I couldn’t get access to what’s hap ...more

I've made no secret of the fact that I adored the Descendants series, so when I saw Melissa Wright had just released a new book I didn't hesitate in grabbing it and reading ASAP. I love the way she writes, and especially how she writes action and romance.
I'll start by saying I didn't love this as much as the Descendants series, but that was purely a personal thing. I didn't fall as hard for the characters, and I'm a character driven reader. Now that's said, let's talk about all the things I did ...more
I'll start by saying I didn't love this as much as the Descendants series, but that was purely a personal thing. I didn't fall as hard for the characters, and I'm a character driven reader. Now that's said, let's talk about all the things I did ...more

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.*
1.5/5. This is one of those books that drops the reader right into the action from the very first line, which can be quite compelling if done well. In this case, it was not done well. There is no payoff; there is no moment when everything clicks into place and the reader understands what is happening. Somewhere around the halfway point of this book, I was still so bored and confused that I started skimming. I thought maybe things ...more
1.5/5. This is one of those books that drops the reader right into the action from the very first line, which can be quite compelling if done well. In this case, it was not done well. There is no payoff; there is no moment when everything clicks into place and the reader understands what is happening. Somewhere around the halfway point of this book, I was still so bored and confused that I started skimming. I thought maybe things ...more

Apr 29, 2015
Cassandra (Thebookishcrypt)
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
on-my-shelves,
review-copies
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
This book follows Mackenzie Scott after the world has been invaded by flying monsters. A crack in the sky allowed then passage and I was completely captivated by the other side of the veil. The other realm spoke to my dark side and I wish I could see it play out as a movie. Ah!!!
Mackenzie was a great character. She was hilarious and I loved how she didn't sit around doing nothing.
The plot twists were amazing and I absolutely loved Melissa's writin ...more
This book follows Mackenzie Scott after the world has been invaded by flying monsters. A crack in the sky allowed then passage and I was completely captivated by the other side of the veil. The other realm spoke to my dark side and I wish I could see it play out as a movie. Ah!!!
Mackenzie was a great character. She was hilarious and I loved how she didn't sit around doing nothing.
The plot twists were amazing and I absolutely loved Melissa's writin ...more

This is my first book by Melissa Wright. The cover is amazing and fit the story perfectly. I gobbled this up in one sitting and even ordered pizza so I didn't have to stop and cook. THAT is saying a lot! So not only did I enjoy the book but the kids reaped the benefits too.
It starts with monsters entering our world through the veil when it breaks. Now I usually don't read much of the new adult age because authors usually make characters so wishy washy and whiny. Mackenzie was neither of these. S ...more
It starts with monsters entering our world through the veil when it breaks. Now I usually don't read much of the new adult age because authors usually make characters so wishy washy and whiny. Mackenzie was neither of these. S ...more

Nov 15, 2014
Tressa (Wishful Endings)
added it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
can-t-wait,
2015
There are definitely some questions... Review to come.

King of Ash and Bone starts as it means to continue. A huge storm arrives and destroys everything in it's path. This is no ordinary storm however, as monsters from another realm have broken through the veil to earth intent on bringing the apocalypse.
When Mackenzie's brother, Riley, is "marked" by the monsters, he leaves their home in the dead of night to join the army leaving Mackenzie completely alone. As Mackenzie has no parents and was responsible for raising her younger brother, she becomes ...more
When Mackenzie's brother, Riley, is "marked" by the monsters, he leaves their home in the dead of night to join the army leaving Mackenzie completely alone. As Mackenzie has no parents and was responsible for raising her younger brother, she becomes ...more

I received a complementary copy for an honest review. In a post-apocalyptic world, Mackenzie and her brother Riley find their house the only standing one on their block, protected by mysterious markings on the fence surrounding their house. Venturing into the destroyed world, they find death and destruction at the hands of winged monsters. Mackenzie saves the life of a boy, Hunter, and they find themselves on a quest to save family and possibly the world.
Great potential, but overall a miss on ex ...more
Great potential, but overall a miss on ex ...more

King of Ash and Bone starts with a bang, literally. A massive storm arrives and destroys almost everything, the apocalypse is at hand and its not zombies. Hulking beasts are terrorizing everyone and the whispers say they are fey. Mackenzie stepped up to care for her brother when their mother was killed in a car wreck and their father abandons them. When he's attacked and scared by the monsters, Riley leaves to join the army to fight them. Now Mackenzie spends her days trying to find Riley. When
...more

Is it magic, no, can't be, fairy tales are not true.
I love this book. I am not typically a fan of apocalypse style books but I do love scifi and fantasy.
The author does great with the characters. Mackenzie has been looking after her brother for a long time so when a strange storm comes along she makes sure he is safe. After the storm passes everything they know changes and her brother leaves in the middle of the night.
Mackenzie is trying to get the courage to look for her brother when she comes ...more
I love this book. I am not typically a fan of apocalypse style books but I do love scifi and fantasy.
The author does great with the characters. Mackenzie has been looking after her brother for a long time so when a strange storm comes along she makes sure he is safe. After the storm passes everything they know changes and her brother leaves in the middle of the night.
Mackenzie is trying to get the courage to look for her brother when she comes ...more

This book actually came from "Reign of Queens" which is a book with THREE fantasy book series starters by Melissa Wright.
I wasn't super inspired to read the other two stories (YET) but I really enjoyed this one! Strong female lead trying to save the world? I'm all for it. There were a couple parts that had me kinda feeling like I was missing something and instead of it ever really being explained I just kinda made some assumptions, especially about the budding romance between the MC and the love ...more
I wasn't super inspired to read the other two stories (YET) but I really enjoyed this one! Strong female lead trying to save the world? I'm all for it. There were a couple parts that had me kinda feeling like I was missing something and instead of it ever really being explained I just kinda made some assumptions, especially about the budding romance between the MC and the love ...more

Oct 20, 2019
Darsie
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy-paranormal,
finished-2019
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.

It was like every other day
It started off like any other day but ended with bloodshed and fear. Now the world is falling apart and Mackenzie is all alone. She knows Riley did the right thing by trying to join the fight against the monsters but she fears that she will never see him again. So when she saves Hunter I from being killed by the monsters she is no longer alone. Hunter is hiding who he truly is, he has to stop what is coming but he fears that it too late. He has no choice but to save Ke ...more
It started off like any other day but ended with bloodshed and fear. Now the world is falling apart and Mackenzie is all alone. She knows Riley did the right thing by trying to join the fight against the monsters but she fears that she will never see him again. So when she saves Hunter I from being killed by the monsters she is no longer alone. Hunter is hiding who he truly is, he has to stop what is coming but he fears that it too late. He has no choice but to save Ke ...more

What appeared to be a terrible storm is just the beginning of Mackenzie's troubles. A portal from another world has been opened and demon-like creatures roam around marking people. When her brother gets marked and runs away, Mackenzie decides to go after him and find a way to save him. That is the start of her adventures, which will lead her to this other world and back and there again.
Although the first chapters are a little confusing and there appear to be missing pieces in the story, reading ...more
Although the first chapters are a little confusing and there appear to be missing pieces in the story, reading ...more

The story is original and the world building is good. This is an interesting take on a post apocalyptic world, where a gateway opens to collect souls to keep the second world running and the humans try to fight them off. Then things get complicated when a human befriends a "monster". I would have liked for the characters to have a little... just... more, but I can say that they are realistically driven by their own motivators all throughout the story. The writing and dialogue is well done. I am
...more
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Melissa is the author of a dozen fantasy and YA novels including the Frey Saga and SEVEN WAYS TO KILL A KING. She is currently working on the next book, but when not writing can be found collecting the things she loves at Goodreads and Pinterest. Contact her through the web at www.melissa-wright.com
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Shattered Realms
(2 books)
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