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Ashes
Fendin, a spy for the dark tyrant Esgor, wants nothing more than freedom. Working undercover in the closely knit Resistance, he makes his own escape--with little care for how many lives his liberty costs. Rid of his bondage, he sets off in search of a better life...
But he finds there is no escape from the ghosts of his past.
But he finds there is no escape from the ghosts of his past.
- GenresShort Stories
49 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2015
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Grace Crandall
6 books55 followersAuthor of science fiction and fantasy. I love exploring new perspectives through writing and reading; there is something awe-inspiring about seeing the odd quirks and corners of humanity and finding something of yourself there.
I live amidst the hills and forests of northern Wisconsin, drawing, painting and learning new things about the craft of writing while being kept in touch with reality by the best support network of friends and family any author could ask for. (no offense, other support groups, but I'm afraid you've met your match.)
'Ashes' is my first publication, and it will hopefully be followed by many more.
I live amidst the hills and forests of northern Wisconsin, drawing, painting and learning new things about the craft of writing while being kept in touch with reality by the best support network of friends and family any author could ask for. (no offense, other support groups, but I'm afraid you've met your match.)
'Ashes' is my first publication, and it will hopefully be followed by many more.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 22, 2017
I am just blown away! Everything was just written so beautifully!
The story surrounds a killer who is trying to break his former friend out of prison, and take care of his friends kids while he's at it.
In just 50 short pages Crandall provided character development, backstory, and made me seemingly attached to the characters.
And while the ending did leave me sad, I wouldn't have wanted it to end any other way.
The story surrounds a killer who is trying to break his former friend out of prison, and take care of his friends kids while he's at it.
In just 50 short pages Crandall provided character development, backstory, and made me seemingly attached to the characters.
And while the ending did leave me sad, I wouldn't have wanted it to end any other way.
July 4, 2016
This little novella gave a taste of a world that begs for further exploration. It's the story of a man with crumbling allegiances, forced to face the fact that what he thought was right for so long was in fact, mostly wrong.
For being so short this story did an excellent job of building a world and a cast of characters. Fendin's internal struggles were realistic and emotionally charged.
I would definitely read more set in this world. Highly recommended for a fast, fun read.
For being so short this story did an excellent job of building a world and a cast of characters. Fendin's internal struggles were realistic and emotionally charged.
I would definitely read more set in this world. Highly recommended for a fast, fun read.
July 18, 2016
This was a quick read that had all the hallmarks of an epic fantasy journey novel. The only thing is it is just so short! It had so much potential for more, and could easily be fleshed out and made even grander than it is, given how much work Crandall has put into it. The world building aspect of the book is extremely good; it just needs more for the world to deal with. I suspect a longer version of this might be on the cards in the not too distant future.
August 28, 2021
Despite being divided into chapters, this was definitely a short story.
Because of that, I can honestly say I loved it. There was little in worldbuilding but there was a lot in backstory and characterization. I was impressed with how she wrote a redemption arc in such a short time. Of course, there were a few issues...such as how she'd switch perspectives without warning (so some formatting stuff might have helped, though I was mostly okay with the abrupt perspective switches). And maybe the dialogue and the line breaks could have been structured better to make it easier to follow.
That said, the story gave its intended impact and definitely punched. Very nice, author who I found out through her beautiful art blog! :D
Content: some wartime violence, but clean in language and other content. Also, biiiig spoiler warning here (but I know some people prefer to avoid this), but there is a major character death
Because of that, I can honestly say I loved it. There was little in worldbuilding but there was a lot in backstory and characterization. I was impressed with how she wrote a redemption arc in such a short time. Of course, there were a few issues...such as how she'd switch perspectives without warning (so some formatting stuff might have helped, though I was mostly okay with the abrupt perspective switches). And maybe the dialogue and the line breaks could have been structured better to make it easier to follow.
That said, the story gave its intended impact and definitely punched. Very nice, author who I found out through her beautiful art blog! :D
Content: some wartime violence, but clean in language and other content. Also, biiiig spoiler warning here (but I know some people prefer to avoid this), but there is a major character death
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The protagonist is a dark character with pangs of conscience. I found his character refreshingly different from the typical "hardened killer" persona. He is quiet and thoughtful, but clearly mercenary--able to separate his emotions from what he has to do. Crandall communicates the story well, introducing persons and backstories as needed along the way. Her prose pairs perfectly with the setting to paint an intriguing Medieval-esque world. I wanted to spend more time there and explore! And although part of me hoped it would turn out differently, I thought the ending was fitting. I would love to read more from this author!
July 5, 2016
Wow. What a beautifully written short story! I don't know that I've ever read a modern author who is capable of writing such majestic sounding prose. Several times I came across single sentences that made me have to sit back and think, "Wow. What a beautiful way to phrase that."
I'm blown away by how great the characters were. Fendin, a traitor, quickly became my favorite character. All I wanted was for him to be able to redeem himself and make it out of the story alive. Crandall clearly has a good grasp on how to write deep, interesting characters. This is a very hard thing to do, and yet she was able to pull it off in about 45 pages. That takes an immense amount of skill.
The dialogue really fit the medieval time period, which is something many stories fail to do. Also, I feel that I need to mention how intriguing and powerful the cover looks. Major points for both of those details.
I really enjoyed this story. Everything flowed very well: the beautiful writing style, the realistic dialogue, the awesome characters. I look forward to reading more from this author!
I'm blown away by how great the characters were. Fendin, a traitor, quickly became my favorite character. All I wanted was for him to be able to redeem himself and make it out of the story alive. Crandall clearly has a good grasp on how to write deep, interesting characters. This is a very hard thing to do, and yet she was able to pull it off in about 45 pages. That takes an immense amount of skill.
The dialogue really fit the medieval time period, which is something many stories fail to do. Also, I feel that I need to mention how intriguing and powerful the cover looks. Major points for both of those details.
I really enjoyed this story. Everything flowed very well: the beautiful writing style, the realistic dialogue, the awesome characters. I look forward to reading more from this author!
August 6, 2016
Hmm... This one's kinda tricky. Okay, I'll try.
I'll begin by saying that my real rating is more accurately a 3.7, but I think this story deserved more than a three star rating (still no half stars on goodreads.) Because I cannot seem to properly get my thoughts out on this book without giving certain things away, I've gone ahead and hidden this review. Now then...
Ashes tells the story of a man who wishes for nothing more than to be free; free from the life of servitude that he has sworn himself into. Fendin is a sort of secret soldier for the tyrannical Lord Esgor. At his lord's bidding, Fendin's mission in the story is to aid in the destruction of the Rebels, the folk who oppose Esgor's rule. This he does to terrible affect, actually betraying a large band of people who trusted him completely to their deaths. Because of this success, Fendin actually manages to gain his freedom, and so sets out to find his place in the world.
As we follow this cad (who somehow manages to make you care for him) we are introduced to the way his mind works by various actions and moving thought-dialogue. This, I found, was done rather well. You get a feel for the sort of person Fendin is, and he is interesting to learn about. He is terse, his interactions with others are very to-the-point, and really, the deeds in which he has taken part in give one no reason to like him at all. Yet, you find that you sort of do, and I found that something.
There's little in the way of 'adventure' in this book. Don't misunderstand me. There is action, suspense, sorrow, danger, and all that stuff; there's just not much adventuring. I note it because it's something I really enjoy, and am always looking for. And this leads into a main thing I wanted to say: I really wish that this had been a full-length novel. I mean, it's a short-story really, but there's SO much that I would have liked to learn more about. How did Esgor rise to power? What is Fendin's backstory? What type of kingdom do these people inhabit? How do things work? Just to name a few. The writing style (which I enjoyed) would have done the answers to these questions justice, and more firmly rooted the world in my mind. To learn more about everything would have made everything more tangible, would have made me feel more. Times when Fendin had to travel, or when he was taking care of Egan and the Sparrows, were great places to get into some adventure or deeper meat of the world and such.
That aside, the tale was still well-told and interesting. Even though it is a short-story and sometimes moves rather quickly, there is still a depth to it, possibly heavily due to the style. The ending was a surprise, because folks don't usually kill off their main character like that! (Hey, I TOLD you there were spoilers!) Usually, he or she hatches a desperate escape plan at just the last minute, which usually only just succeeds because of a prior friendship he or she had formed earlier on in the book. No such luck for poor old Fendin. That surprised me.
All in all, this was a good read, but just know that it's short. The story will keep you engaged till its end, and the writing style is well presented. Personally, I'd like to read a prequel or a follow-up done as a full-length novel, so I could learn more about the world and the peoples thereof. But who can tell whether this shall come to pass? ;)
I'll begin by saying that my real rating is more accurately a 3.7, but I think this story deserved more than a three star rating (still no half stars on goodreads.) Because I cannot seem to properly get my thoughts out on this book without giving certain things away, I've gone ahead and hidden this review. Now then...
Ashes tells the story of a man who wishes for nothing more than to be free; free from the life of servitude that he has sworn himself into. Fendin is a sort of secret soldier for the tyrannical Lord Esgor. At his lord's bidding, Fendin's mission in the story is to aid in the destruction of the Rebels, the folk who oppose Esgor's rule. This he does to terrible affect, actually betraying a large band of people who trusted him completely to their deaths. Because of this success, Fendin actually manages to gain his freedom, and so sets out to find his place in the world.
As we follow this cad (who somehow manages to make you care for him) we are introduced to the way his mind works by various actions and moving thought-dialogue. This, I found, was done rather well. You get a feel for the sort of person Fendin is, and he is interesting to learn about. He is terse, his interactions with others are very to-the-point, and really, the deeds in which he has taken part in give one no reason to like him at all. Yet, you find that you sort of do, and I found that something.
There's little in the way of 'adventure' in this book. Don't misunderstand me. There is action, suspense, sorrow, danger, and all that stuff; there's just not much adventuring. I note it because it's something I really enjoy, and am always looking for. And this leads into a main thing I wanted to say: I really wish that this had been a full-length novel. I mean, it's a short-story really, but there's SO much that I would have liked to learn more about. How did Esgor rise to power? What is Fendin's backstory? What type of kingdom do these people inhabit? How do things work? Just to name a few. The writing style (which I enjoyed) would have done the answers to these questions justice, and more firmly rooted the world in my mind. To learn more about everything would have made everything more tangible, would have made me feel more. Times when Fendin had to travel, or when he was taking care of Egan and the Sparrows, were great places to get into some adventure or deeper meat of the world and such.
That aside, the tale was still well-told and interesting. Even though it is a short-story and sometimes moves rather quickly, there is still a depth to it, possibly heavily due to the style. The ending was a surprise, because folks don't usually kill off their main character like that! (Hey, I TOLD you there were spoilers!) Usually, he or she hatches a desperate escape plan at just the last minute, which usually only just succeeds because of a prior friendship he or she had formed earlier on in the book. No such luck for poor old Fendin. That surprised me.
All in all, this was a good read, but just know that it's short. The story will keep you engaged till its end, and the writing style is well presented. Personally, I'd like to read a prequel or a follow-up done as a full-length novel, so I could learn more about the world and the peoples thereof. But who can tell whether this shall come to pass? ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2016
Ashes is a beautifully written story, and receives a 5 star from me. The story’s setting reminded me much of Lord of the Rings, and Fendin’s personality reminded me of Aragorn. Perhaps this is what made me picture Esgor as Denethor. The writing style is beautiful and captures a lot in one moment. The whole story was only 49 pages long, and yet so much was told without feeling too hurried. The pacing was perfect; in other words, it was a page turner. Or, well, a screen swiper. The phrasing was very well done too, and I feel that I’ve always noticed this in other stories by Crandall. Very often, I found myself thinking, “That’s a great way of saying it,” or “I wish I could write like that!” These certain sentences made me appreciate the perspective and unique metaphors used.
The characters, also, were amazing. Fendin is the main character, and is my favorite. His desires, trust and distrust, fears, and indecision makes him real. Risil, who’s probably the secondary character, is very cool too, as he yearns to see his kids again and struggles with his relationship with Fendin, trying to understand his friend’s motives. The ending was amazing, and wrapped up the story very well. It was the last scene where I decided that Fendin was absolutely, without a doubt, my new favorite character. I wish I could say more about that ending, but it’s a huge spoiler. You’ll have to read it to find out; the ending is worth reading the whole thing for.
The whole story was a very enjoyable read. The message and theme, the characters, particularly the character arc in Fendin, the prose, the choice of words, and feudal language. The time setting and dialog seemed slightly medieval in a Lord of the Rings-ish sort of way; I loved the absence of the 21st century slang! Overall, I highly recommend this book, or, should I say, this work of art. You will not regret reading Ashes, and don’t forget to read other stories by the talented Grace Crandall while you’re at it!
The characters, also, were amazing. Fendin is the main character, and is my favorite. His desires, trust and distrust, fears, and indecision makes him real. Risil, who’s probably the secondary character, is very cool too, as he yearns to see his kids again and struggles with his relationship with Fendin, trying to understand his friend’s motives. The ending was amazing, and wrapped up the story very well. It was the last scene where I decided that Fendin was absolutely, without a doubt, my new favorite character. I wish I could say more about that ending, but it’s a huge spoiler. You’ll have to read it to find out; the ending is worth reading the whole thing for.
The whole story was a very enjoyable read. The message and theme, the characters, particularly the character arc in Fendin, the prose, the choice of words, and feudal language. The time setting and dialog seemed slightly medieval in a Lord of the Rings-ish sort of way; I loved the absence of the 21st century slang! Overall, I highly recommend this book, or, should I say, this work of art. You will not regret reading Ashes, and don’t forget to read other stories by the talented Grace Crandall while you’re at it!
February 6, 2017
My first thoughts after I finished this: “Dang, that was a good story!”
It most certainly was.
Although only 49 pages in length, the skillful writing, well-developed characters, and suspenseful plot made it seem like a full-length novel! Some short stories I feel suffer from being short. Usually I find some aspects that could have been fleshed out more. Not so with Ashes. Crandall provided the complete package!
Fendin is a very intriguing character. A retired spy, he can’t quite escape the ghosts of his past. When he realizes that Risil’s children are orphaned because of his actions, Fendin sets out to rescue Risil from prison. Fendin is often wrestling between where his loyalties are, and what he knows is right. Crandall keeps the reader on edge, wondering just how far Fendin is willing to go to rescue Risil…and whether Fendin or Risil will make it out alive.
A very well written short story. Looking forward to more from Crandall!
It most certainly was.
Although only 49 pages in length, the skillful writing, well-developed characters, and suspenseful plot made it seem like a full-length novel! Some short stories I feel suffer from being short. Usually I find some aspects that could have been fleshed out more. Not so with Ashes. Crandall provided the complete package!
Fendin is a very intriguing character. A retired spy, he can’t quite escape the ghosts of his past. When he realizes that Risil’s children are orphaned because of his actions, Fendin sets out to rescue Risil from prison. Fendin is often wrestling between where his loyalties are, and what he knows is right. Crandall keeps the reader on edge, wondering just how far Fendin is willing to go to rescue Risil…and whether Fendin or Risil will make it out alive.
A very well written short story. Looking forward to more from Crandall!
May 5, 2017
Okay hold up: 3.5. Very close to 4. Gah I hate not giving it 4 because the writing style, the editing, and the character insights were fantastic. The redemption arch is something I can absolutely get behind (and something that needs to be highlighted a lot more in fiction!) Fendin's story reminds me very much of Rulalin from the Binding of the Blade series (Graham). Well done.
Pretty much the only reason I'm not going all the way to 4 stars is because I truly wish it had been longer, that I'd had more time to connect and understand the characters so that the endings to their different storylines could have maximized their full emotional potential. A longer story could have also answered some world-building questions that kept bugging me (not flaws or inconsistencies, just things I wanted to know the ins and outs of).
That being said (and I want to emphasize this part), it takes talent to pull off a satisfying fantasy story of these proportions in 50-ish pages. I'd recommend it already just for the fact that it features a conflicted protagonist with a redemption arch.
I'm definitely keeping a spot on my shelf open for a few more Crandall books.
Pretty much the only reason I'm not going all the way to 4 stars is because I truly wish it had been longer, that I'd had more time to connect and understand the characters so that the endings to their different storylines could have maximized their full emotional potential. A longer story could have also answered some world-building questions that kept bugging me (not flaws or inconsistencies, just things I wanted to know the ins and outs of).
That being said (and I want to emphasize this part), it takes talent to pull off a satisfying fantasy story of these proportions in 50-ish pages. I'd recommend it already just for the fact that it features a conflicted protagonist with a redemption arch.
I'm definitely keeping a spot on my shelf open for a few more Crandall books.
April 21, 2023
I really enjoyed this story! It’s short, but that makes all the more impressive the complex character Crandall builds and the intriguing twists that kept me turning pages along the way. Fendin’s war within himself between freedom for himself and the lives of others, between what is convenient and accepted and what is right is powerfully and believably depicted. I have a soft spot in my heart for characters who are very convinced that they don’t care but deep down they care deeply, if they let themselves. Throw in some kids to look out for and I love it even more so. There’s so much potential for growth that Crandall brings to the full.
I loved the descriptive power of the prose and the psychological exploration of the main character. I would love to see more of this world — it feels very large for the short number of pages we see of it, and left me wanting to know more. There was a bit of perspective changes that took some time to adjust to, but I am thinking that might be the formatting on my device that made them less obvious.
A great story, and makes me want to read more of Crandall’s work in the future!
I loved the descriptive power of the prose and the psychological exploration of the main character. I would love to see more of this world — it feels very large for the short number of pages we see of it, and left me wanting to know more. There was a bit of perspective changes that took some time to adjust to, but I am thinking that might be the formatting on my device that made them less obvious.
A great story, and makes me want to read more of Crandall’s work in the future!
May 13, 2017
The book description reads “short story”, but I’m going to call it a novelette because of its length (49 pages; I didn’t count the words, so it could easily be a novella). As an author of a couple novelettes myself, I can appreciate the work and dedication that goes into a shorter work of fiction. Writing a novel is one thing—writing a fourth of one with the same amount of impact is another entirely.
Although the book is classified as fantasy, there is no magic. I would simply refer to it as medieval fiction.
Fenden “Hob” is a well-rounded protagonist who is torn between his loyalty to his sworn lord and to the friends he made in the Resistance. He reminds me a bit of Lieutenant A. K. Waters from Tears of the Sun.
I also really like the worldbuilding in the story. It’s very subtle and not overwhelming. Readers get the sense that there is more to the world than the city of Esson where it takes place. The language is brilliant too. There is clearly a difference between the soldiers in Esgor’s palace and the common folk in the Resistance. I particularly liked how Egan and his sister’s, “the sparrows” referred to Risil as “Da”. Reminded me of the film adaptation of The Hobbit.
My main concern is that there didn’t seem to be much development for the antagonist, the “dark tyrant Esgor” as the blurb describes him. For all I know, he’s just another twisted, intelligent, power-hungry ruler.
I gave this story 4/5 stars for an interesting world, some interesting characters, and a powerful theme. I would recommend this story to anybody who likes medieval fiction and those looking for a story with a great theme and willing to take a chance on an indie book. I look forward to reading more from Crandall.
Although the book is classified as fantasy, there is no magic. I would simply refer to it as medieval fiction.
Fenden “Hob” is a well-rounded protagonist who is torn between his loyalty to his sworn lord and to the friends he made in the Resistance. He reminds me a bit of Lieutenant A. K. Waters from Tears of the Sun.
“A persistent finger was tapping at Fendin’s arm. He looked down, meeting a dark-browed frown on a small upturned face.
“‘What’ he asked. He should have gotten out of this sooner, he realized. The longer he stayed, the less chance there was of ever getting away.
“‘Thank you’, the girl said seriously…”
I also really like the worldbuilding in the story. It’s very subtle and not overwhelming. Readers get the sense that there is more to the world than the city of Esson where it takes place. The language is brilliant too. There is clearly a difference between the soldiers in Esgor’s palace and the common folk in the Resistance. I particularly liked how Egan and his sister’s, “the sparrows” referred to Risil as “Da”. Reminded me of the film adaptation of The Hobbit.
My main concern is that there didn’t seem to be much development for the antagonist, the “dark tyrant Esgor” as the blurb describes him. For all I know, he’s just another twisted, intelligent, power-hungry ruler.
I gave this story 4/5 stars for an interesting world, some interesting characters, and a powerful theme. I would recommend this story to anybody who likes medieval fiction and those looking for a story with a great theme and willing to take a chance on an indie book. I look forward to reading more from Crandall.
July 2, 2018
A rebellion's attempt to overthrow their ruler fails. Fendin only wishes to leave the massacre behind. But when he runs into the family of a man he betrayed, Fendin's chance for freedom is put at risk.
This free short story explores a dystopian-esque Medieval setting and the moral complexities of an ex-spy. While slow to start, the story quickly gathers intrigue as Fendin's personality is revealed and his situation becomes more perilous.
While darker elements and wartime themes such as violence, death, and despair are present, they are handled well and not excessively gruesome. If you enjoy a slightly more emo/tragic story (which I do!), this is worth a look, especially since it's FREE.
This free short story explores a dystopian-esque Medieval setting and the moral complexities of an ex-spy. While slow to start, the story quickly gathers intrigue as Fendin's personality is revealed and his situation becomes more perilous.
While darker elements and wartime themes such as violence, death, and despair are present, they are handled well and not excessively gruesome. If you enjoy a slightly more emo/tragic story (which I do!), this is worth a look, especially since it's FREE.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews