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The Ashes and the Sparks
Welcome to the age of airships. It is a world powered by steam and innovation, ruled by an elusive empress at its heart.
Seventeen year-old Jorun is not part of this world. Hers is one of hidden tunnel networks and lights that dance across night skies, on that has remained separate from the rest of society for over a thousand years. This all changes when a boy appears from nowhere, raving about invaders from a faraway land. Purely by chance, Jorun soon finds herself in the middle of a struggle unlike anything she could have ever dreamed of, and must come to the realization that only she can stop an impending war.
Seventeen year-old Jorun is not part of this world. Hers is one of hidden tunnel networks and lights that dance across night skies, on that has remained separate from the rest of society for over a thousand years. This all changes when a boy appears from nowhere, raving about invaders from a faraway land. Purely by chance, Jorun soon finds herself in the middle of a struggle unlike anything she could have ever dreamed of, and must come to the realization that only she can stop an impending war.
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Published October 16, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 10, 2017
I have a pretty long TBR list, and this book rose to the top because it's stunning cover. The blurb doesn't give much away about this complicated book. It really is more of an alternative history novel with steampunk in it - but none of that happens until about halfway through the novel. The first half is about a group of scrappy teens in a pre-industrial village on an island who roam volcanic tunnels during the night when everyone is asleep and play pranks on people. I liked this opening, and it gave the book a strong YA feel. Soon, a stranger shows up in their tunnels claiming that his village was overrun by invaders from the sky who have weapons he's never seen before (guns). No one believes him until the airships show up ready to take over their village, too. Jorun, our heroine, and a few of her friends wind up being taken by these invaders back to their homeland: Scotland. This is where the alternative history part begins. It has a lot of exciting and clever moments. Jorun grows from a miscreant at the beginning of the book to a strong young woman with a conscience by the end. The climax of the book was quite intense. This book does require you to focus in, because there is a lot going on. If you like gadgets, intrigue, and action, you'll like this new YA novel. Appropriate for 12 and up.
April 12, 2017
“You can hide things as well as you want, but they’ll never go away. Not entirely.” (Kindle Locations 1209-1210).
Jorun spends her nights prowling around underground with a group of other teenagers. They run through a series of tunnels under their isolated island village, pretending to be monsters to scare their family and friends. One day, a boy from a neighboring island makes his way into their secret tunnels with stories of real monsters – invaders in airships. At first nobody believes him, but after the sky is darkened by flying ships, they will have to believe him and do something about the invasion.
I have never before read a book where part one and part two worked so well together even though they were very different from each other. The first part of the novel was about a new civilization that had its own customs and traditions. The main character, Jorun, felt different and didn’t quite fit into her society’s customs. This story was interesting, especially with the secret tunnels and the mythology the people told their children. I was intrigued. It was hard to like Jorun at first though, since she spent her nights scaring little kids. She wanted to impress the other tunnelers and didn’t really try to change anything about her role in the village or rebel against the tunnelers when she didn’t agree with what they were doing.
Part two really brought the story and Jorun to life. She became a stronger person and didn’t just follow the traditions of her village or the footsteps of the other teenagers. She became alive and defiant and a true strong main character.
The dynamics of the parallel universe of Europe were fascinating without feeling politically cumbersome. The plot twists totally threw me and completely made sense! Part one dragged a bit, but part two was excellently paced and the climax was very exciting.
It was nice to read a standalone fantasy/steampunk with a good and satisfying ending. I look forward to seeing what Johnson comes up with next.
Jorun spends her nights prowling around underground with a group of other teenagers. They run through a series of tunnels under their isolated island village, pretending to be monsters to scare their family and friends. One day, a boy from a neighboring island makes his way into their secret tunnels with stories of real monsters – invaders in airships. At first nobody believes him, but after the sky is darkened by flying ships, they will have to believe him and do something about the invasion.
I have never before read a book where part one and part two worked so well together even though they were very different from each other. The first part of the novel was about a new civilization that had its own customs and traditions. The main character, Jorun, felt different and didn’t quite fit into her society’s customs. This story was interesting, especially with the secret tunnels and the mythology the people told their children. I was intrigued. It was hard to like Jorun at first though, since she spent her nights scaring little kids. She wanted to impress the other tunnelers and didn’t really try to change anything about her role in the village or rebel against the tunnelers when she didn’t agree with what they were doing.
Part two really brought the story and Jorun to life. She became a stronger person and didn’t just follow the traditions of her village or the footsteps of the other teenagers. She became alive and defiant and a true strong main character.
The dynamics of the parallel universe of Europe were fascinating without feeling politically cumbersome. The plot twists totally threw me and completely made sense! Part one dragged a bit, but part two was excellently paced and the climax was very exciting.
It was nice to read a standalone fantasy/steampunk with a good and satisfying ending. I look forward to seeing what Johnson comes up with next.
February 15, 2017
(
I received this book free from the author in exchange for my honest review
)
This was a rich book full of magic, wonder and luscious detail that had me captivated from the first chapter until the last.
The opening had me, when that little girl looked under her bed and scream, I actually jumped. Weird, but amazing. I've never had a jump scare while reading, that and, I'm still creeped out that there might be something under my bed.
The complexity of this story was truly something else. It has a bit of everything, I even like the villain. I know I shouldn't, but this chick has a anit-hero-ish sort of thing going on, and in truth I like her as a person. We could be friends...
I love the witty interaction between the characters, the steampunk elements; but most of all I loved how unpredictable and original the plot was. It was a fresh take on old tropes that made me fall more and more in love with this marvelous story.
I highly recommend this book, it's a perfect piece to steampunk fandom, as well a perfect intro for those that what to get into then genre.
I hope to see more of this world and characters.
Happy Reading.
E.A. Walsh
This was a rich book full of magic, wonder and luscious detail that had me captivated from the first chapter until the last.
The opening had me, when that little girl looked under her bed and scream, I actually jumped. Weird, but amazing. I've never had a jump scare while reading, that and, I'm still creeped out that there might be something under my bed.
The complexity of this story was truly something else. It has a bit of everything, I even like the villain. I know I shouldn't, but this chick has a anit-hero-ish sort of thing going on, and in truth I like her as a person. We could be friends...
I love the witty interaction between the characters, the steampunk elements; but most of all I loved how unpredictable and original the plot was. It was a fresh take on old tropes that made me fall more and more in love with this marvelous story.
I highly recommend this book, it's a perfect piece to steampunk fandom, as well a perfect intro for those that what to get into then genre.
I hope to see more of this world and characters.
Happy Reading.
E.A. Walsh
October 18, 2016
From the first page of THE ASHES AND THE SPARKS Mary Victoria Johnson uses amazing detail to pluck up readers and deposit them in the midst of a harsh Scandinavian island on the brink of devastating change. Jorun, is a teenager seeking acceptance from her peers with relatable fears and anxieties. The different settings depicted in THE ASHES AND THE SPARKS, which are incredibly alive and unique, parallel Jorun's inward journey of turmoil and self discovery. Through her characters Johnson poses the question: when it really matters, are you the type of person who stands up for what you believe in?
--Emily S. Deibel, author of CECILLY IN CINDERLAND
--Emily S. Deibel, author of CECILLY IN CINDERLAND
January 31, 2021
I did not love this book. The characters were not well developed and because of this none of their motivations made sense. The idea was interesting but not well executed. Maybe a middle schooler would like this book, but there is just better stuff out there. It just seems like a first pancake book. The author has a lot of potential for growth.
February 12, 2017
Book Review for Blog Tour that I am Involved in.
The Ashes and the Sparksby Mary Victoria JohnsonGenre: YA Alt-History FantasyRelease date: October 18th 2016Fire and Ice Young Adult Books
Summary from Goodreads:
Welcome to the age of airships. It is a world powered by steam and innovation, ruled by an elusive empress at its heart.Seventeen year-old Jorun is not part of this world. Hers is one of hidden tunnel networks and lights that dance across night skies, on that has remained separate from the rest of society for over a thousand years. This all changes when a boy appears from nowhere, raving about invaders from a faraway land. Purely by chance, Jorun soon finds herself in the middle of a struggle unlike anything she could have ever dreamed of, and must come to the realization that only she can stop an impending war.
My Review
This book started out very slow to me, it took until around page 80 before I really started to get involved in the story. But once I was able to get involved the book never lost my attention. At first I didn't like Jorun because of something she did at the beginning of the story, but I started to really like her a lot during the second half of the story. I liked her friend Danne I thought he was a pretty interesting character, and I figured he had a thing for Jorun. Of course she never caught on because she had a crush on Torgny, who seemed to have a thing going with another character. Nils was also a pretty interesting character as well. When these cast of characters went to a different land that's when things really got interesting. Which made me very happy because until that happened, I thought this book was going to be either a two or 1 star review. The second half of the book is where Jorun and her friends started to really come into their own, especially Jorun. One part of the story something happens and it makes it seem like Jorun is on her own. Carrie is the villain in the story and I really didn't care for her at all. Another character is Fridric and you'll have to read the book to see if his friend or foe. I will say he does play a very big part in the storyline, that's for sure. The book had a ending but there will be another book that takes place 20yrs after the end of this book. So readers can see what happens since the end of this book. I am really interested in reading it when it comes out that's for darn sure. I give this book 4/5 stars.
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BUY LINKS: Amazon US Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Ashes-Sparks-M...
Amazon US Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Ashes-Sparks-M...-
ebook/dp/B01LX4BW9Q/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-a...
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-...
Lulu.com Paperback: https://www.lulu.com/shop/view-cart.ep
Book Trailer: About the Author
Hi! I'm Mary Victoria Johnson, author of fantastical Young Adult fiction. I wrote my first novel when I was fourteen, and I haven't stopped since! Now eighteen, my bibliography includes BOUNDARY, the first part of the Other Horizons Trilogy (Lodestone Books, 2015) and THE ASHES AND THE SPARKS (Fire and Ice YA, 2016). I was born in Cambridgeshire in the UK, and I now live on Vancouver Island where I study Creative Writing at the University of Victoria.
Author Links: Website│Goodreads│Facebook
GIVEAWAY: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blog Tour Organized by:
YA Bound Book Tours
The Ashes and the Sparksby Mary Victoria JohnsonGenre: YA Alt-History FantasyRelease date: October 18th 2016Fire and Ice Young Adult Books
Summary from Goodreads:
Welcome to the age of airships. It is a world powered by steam and innovation, ruled by an elusive empress at its heart.Seventeen year-old Jorun is not part of this world. Hers is one of hidden tunnel networks and lights that dance across night skies, on that has remained separate from the rest of society for over a thousand years. This all changes when a boy appears from nowhere, raving about invaders from a faraway land. Purely by chance, Jorun soon finds herself in the middle of a struggle unlike anything she could have ever dreamed of, and must come to the realization that only she can stop an impending war.
My Review
This book started out very slow to me, it took until around page 80 before I really started to get involved in the story. But once I was able to get involved the book never lost my attention. At first I didn't like Jorun because of something she did at the beginning of the story, but I started to really like her a lot during the second half of the story. I liked her friend Danne I thought he was a pretty interesting character, and I figured he had a thing for Jorun. Of course she never caught on because she had a crush on Torgny, who seemed to have a thing going with another character. Nils was also a pretty interesting character as well. When these cast of characters went to a different land that's when things really got interesting. Which made me very happy because until that happened, I thought this book was going to be either a two or 1 star review. The second half of the book is where Jorun and her friends started to really come into their own, especially Jorun. One part of the story something happens and it makes it seem like Jorun is on her own. Carrie is the villain in the story and I really didn't care for her at all. Another character is Fridric and you'll have to read the book to see if his friend or foe. I will say he does play a very big part in the storyline, that's for sure. The book had a ending but there will be another book that takes place 20yrs after the end of this book. So readers can see what happens since the end of this book. I am really interested in reading it when it comes out that's for darn sure. I give this book 4/5 stars.
Add to Goodreads
BUY LINKS: Amazon US Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Ashes-Sparks-M...
Amazon US Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Ashes-Sparks-M...-
ebook/dp/B01LX4BW9Q/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-a...
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-...
Lulu.com Paperback: https://www.lulu.com/shop/view-cart.ep
Book Trailer: About the Author
Hi! I'm Mary Victoria Johnson, author of fantastical Young Adult fiction. I wrote my first novel when I was fourteen, and I haven't stopped since! Now eighteen, my bibliography includes BOUNDARY, the first part of the Other Horizons Trilogy (Lodestone Books, 2015) and THE ASHES AND THE SPARKS (Fire and Ice YA, 2016). I was born in Cambridgeshire in the UK, and I now live on Vancouver Island where I study Creative Writing at the University of Victoria.
Author Links: Website│Goodreads│Facebook
GIVEAWAY: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blog Tour Organized by:
YA Bound Book Tours
February 11, 2017
The Ashes and the Sparks by Mary Victoria Johnson
First I have to say that being a pragmatist I shouldn't probably be reviewing such a fantastical book, but having first been attracted to it by the wonderful cover, and having enjoyed it enormously, I am going to.
The story is told, with a couple of exceptions, in the first person by, Jorun a primitive seventeen-year-old Nordic girl. The book is in two parts; the first situated on a remote volcanic island called Sidasta, one of five islands in an archipelago somewhere in the northern hemisphere The island is riddled with tunnels formed by lava flow, and it is in these tunnels that the tomboyish, Jorun and her friends hang out and plot mischief.
Jorun is mechanically minded (her prized possession being a lighter) and full of daring. It is only through her relationship with her disabled younger brother, Ari that we see a softer, more caring side to her, something that isn't apparent in her mischief making or when she tells scary mythological stories to children (the islanders version of school). Johnson's evocative descriptions of the wild island, the Northern lights and of the islander's life style - no money, no glass in the windows of the grass-roofed houses, hunting with bows and arrows and dressing in animal skins, draw the reader into Jorun's way of life - the only discordant note, to me, being the teenagers doing high fives!
And so the story begins in what feels like a primitive, Norse time frame, although it soon becomes apparent that this is an alternative reality.
The story then shifts into another, more fantastical gear when a young man called, Fridrik, from a neighbouring island arrives with tales of invasion, chaos and destruction, and a warning that the invaders are heading for Sidasta.
The fantasy then really kicks off as a group of teenagers, including Jorun are taken away in flying boats, to Holyrood Palace in the city of Edinburgh, as 'guests' of the appealing if somewhat villainous, Princess Carrie This is a place the like of which these young people could never possibly have conceived. The time frame is undisclosed, decidedly different, and difficult to pinpoint.
The city is built in different hierarchical layers, the poor slum quarters, and sewers at the bottom rising up in degrees to mansions at the top. There are towering walls of glass and steel, escalators, flying boat docks above the buildings, tunnels below, and the clothing appearing to be 'laced' rather than zipped or buttoned. Then there are machines, vehicles, trains, pistols and grenades - in all an abundance of vivid imagery to tantalise even the sluggish of imaginations into action.
The only clue I could find as to possible time frame being a mention of it being fifty years after the young Princess Victoria was due to take over the crown.
In Edinburgh, the teenagers are confronted by restrictions, rules, an incomprehensible social structure and political intrigue and it's not long before they rebel.
It is at this point that Jorun really comes into her own, stands up for herself, instead of quietly seething, and becomes a force to be reckoned with. She and her friends run amok, behave like terrorists blowing up government buildings leaving death and mayhem in their wake.
Johnson's plot is fast paced and races on with so many twists and turns that you will find that you just have to keep turning those pages. Highly recommended.
First I have to say that being a pragmatist I shouldn't probably be reviewing such a fantastical book, but having first been attracted to it by the wonderful cover, and having enjoyed it enormously, I am going to.
The story is told, with a couple of exceptions, in the first person by, Jorun a primitive seventeen-year-old Nordic girl. The book is in two parts; the first situated on a remote volcanic island called Sidasta, one of five islands in an archipelago somewhere in the northern hemisphere The island is riddled with tunnels formed by lava flow, and it is in these tunnels that the tomboyish, Jorun and her friends hang out and plot mischief.
Jorun is mechanically minded (her prized possession being a lighter) and full of daring. It is only through her relationship with her disabled younger brother, Ari that we see a softer, more caring side to her, something that isn't apparent in her mischief making or when she tells scary mythological stories to children (the islanders version of school). Johnson's evocative descriptions of the wild island, the Northern lights and of the islander's life style - no money, no glass in the windows of the grass-roofed houses, hunting with bows and arrows and dressing in animal skins, draw the reader into Jorun's way of life - the only discordant note, to me, being the teenagers doing high fives!
And so the story begins in what feels like a primitive, Norse time frame, although it soon becomes apparent that this is an alternative reality.
The story then shifts into another, more fantastical gear when a young man called, Fridrik, from a neighbouring island arrives with tales of invasion, chaos and destruction, and a warning that the invaders are heading for Sidasta.
The fantasy then really kicks off as a group of teenagers, including Jorun are taken away in flying boats, to Holyrood Palace in the city of Edinburgh, as 'guests' of the appealing if somewhat villainous, Princess Carrie This is a place the like of which these young people could never possibly have conceived. The time frame is undisclosed, decidedly different, and difficult to pinpoint.
The city is built in different hierarchical layers, the poor slum quarters, and sewers at the bottom rising up in degrees to mansions at the top. There are towering walls of glass and steel, escalators, flying boat docks above the buildings, tunnels below, and the clothing appearing to be 'laced' rather than zipped or buttoned. Then there are machines, vehicles, trains, pistols and grenades - in all an abundance of vivid imagery to tantalise even the sluggish of imaginations into action.
The only clue I could find as to possible time frame being a mention of it being fifty years after the young Princess Victoria was due to take over the crown.
In Edinburgh, the teenagers are confronted by restrictions, rules, an incomprehensible social structure and political intrigue and it's not long before they rebel.
It is at this point that Jorun really comes into her own, stands up for herself, instead of quietly seething, and becomes a force to be reckoned with. She and her friends run amok, behave like terrorists blowing up government buildings leaving death and mayhem in their wake.
Johnson's plot is fast paced and races on with so many twists and turns that you will find that you just have to keep turning those pages. Highly recommended.
February 13, 2017
I hadn't read a Steampunk themed novel before this so I wasn't sure what to expect going into The Ashes and the Sparks. The details put into the world building are perfect. For a lot of the novel, I felt like I was in the places Jorun found herself in, from the black sands of Sidasta to the mechanical majesty of Edinburgh. There were small details scattered throughout the novel that added to this feeling of being immersed in the world. I especially loved seeing it all given through Jorun's perspective because she was just learning what many of the things she was seeing were. I think Mary Victoria Johnson definitely used this to her advantage in the presentation of environments and unknown items.
With the characters, I feel like the story fell a little flat. Until around 50% I had trouble caring what happened to anyone who wasn't Ari or Jorun. At about 50% though, the depth of character building grew a great deal and I became quite attached to some of the other characters. I will say I really like Jorun as a person and wish I had more time with her.
Which brings me to the part of the story I actually managed to dislike: the end. I don't feel like the story was fully wrapped up. In fact, I had new questions pop up within 1% of the ending. I think I'm more frustrated by this because of the knowledge that the upcoming sequel, The Inventress, not only doesn't feature Jorun but is set 20 years in the future. I feel like the ending to this story was satisfying but also quite annoying as I now have questions I know will never be addressed.
However, the overall story of The Ashes and the Sparks is fun, adventurous, and full of surprises. There were a couple twists I saw coming, but there were others I did not. You all know how much I love a good plot twist. I also love how Mary Victoria Johnson touched on the idea of romance but didn't feature it at all. It was quite realistic in that the feelings existed and were acknowledged but it was also acknowledged that the events taking place were more important and, thus, more worthy of the spotlight. As someone who doesn't read romance novels, this was absolutely perfect for me.
I received a digital copy of this book to participate in the blog tour, which you can find my post for at vicariousbookworm.wordpress.com
With the characters, I feel like the story fell a little flat. Until around 50% I had trouble caring what happened to anyone who wasn't Ari or Jorun. At about 50% though, the depth of character building grew a great deal and I became quite attached to some of the other characters. I will say I really like Jorun as a person and wish I had more time with her.
Which brings me to the part of the story I actually managed to dislike: the end. I don't feel like the story was fully wrapped up. In fact, I had new questions pop up within 1% of the ending. I think I'm more frustrated by this because of the knowledge that the upcoming sequel, The Inventress, not only doesn't feature Jorun but is set 20 years in the future. I feel like the ending to this story was satisfying but also quite annoying as I now have questions I know will never be addressed.
However, the overall story of The Ashes and the Sparks is fun, adventurous, and full of surprises. There were a couple twists I saw coming, but there were others I did not. You all know how much I love a good plot twist. I also love how Mary Victoria Johnson touched on the idea of romance but didn't feature it at all. It was quite realistic in that the feelings existed and were acknowledged but it was also acknowledged that the events taking place were more important and, thus, more worthy of the spotlight. As someone who doesn't read romance novels, this was absolutely perfect for me.
I received a digital copy of this book to participate in the blog tour, which you can find my post for at vicariousbookworm.wordpress.com
October 18, 2016
The Ashes and the Spark is an evocative, parallel reality YA with Steampunk elements. Well written and strong in tone, the author drives us down a road marked with tension. The world is unusual, in that it feels native American, Alaskan, Norse and like a fantasy all at once.
Although many hard things were happening in the story, I was often gripped and intrigued by the twists of plot and narrative. My favorite part was when the author describes the world of the tunnels, and even when the characters are uprooted from their home and moved to the vast-feeling city of Edinburgh, they manage to find a new network of underground roads to explore. These tunnels are a gateway to the characters, as if the double life they provide to them is enough substance to live on.
My one criticism is that, although the prologue was tense and immediate to draw you in, the effect was that I didn't like the main character for at least the first third of the book. Since I didn't care about her, there was a distance for me. But being YA the feeling is that the main character will learn and will hopefully choose by the end to grow into someone deeper. Nevertheless, the very fact that the story begins this way shows us the author's willingness to be complex.
The story radiated between complexity and simplicity for its entire length. This is part of why the writing is so good. As a reader I couldn't predict, or define until the end of the story. The characters fought but lost humanity. They traveled but came back home only home is different now. There was love mixed with loss all clearly told with vibrant mental pictures. The Ashes and the Spark depict the flare of life and the gray flimsiness of rising mistakes. Read this book and the author will take you away.
Although many hard things were happening in the story, I was often gripped and intrigued by the twists of plot and narrative. My favorite part was when the author describes the world of the tunnels, and even when the characters are uprooted from their home and moved to the vast-feeling city of Edinburgh, they manage to find a new network of underground roads to explore. These tunnels are a gateway to the characters, as if the double life they provide to them is enough substance to live on.
My one criticism is that, although the prologue was tense and immediate to draw you in, the effect was that I didn't like the main character for at least the first third of the book. Since I didn't care about her, there was a distance for me. But being YA the feeling is that the main character will learn and will hopefully choose by the end to grow into someone deeper. Nevertheless, the very fact that the story begins this way shows us the author's willingness to be complex.
The story radiated between complexity and simplicity for its entire length. This is part of why the writing is so good. As a reader I couldn't predict, or define until the end of the story. The characters fought but lost humanity. They traveled but came back home only home is different now. There was love mixed with loss all clearly told with vibrant mental pictures. The Ashes and the Spark depict the flare of life and the gray flimsiness of rising mistakes. Read this book and the author will take you away.
October 18, 2016
"The Ashes and the Sparks" follows teenager Jorun who is catapulted into a completely foreign and dangerous world of politics, intrigue, and warfare. I found it really adorable, especially the steampunk aspects of the novel. I love steampunk and was so excited when the book took that turn and dived headfirst into that world. Jorun is lovable and easy to relate to, as well as the rest of the cast of characters.
What I appreciated most about the story is that it's completely unpredictable. Nothing seemed cliched or overdone, everything was fresh and new. I found myself just falling in love with the world and the interesting circumstances and relationships between characters.
Overall, this was definitely a worth while read.
What I appreciated most about the story is that it's completely unpredictable. Nothing seemed cliched or overdone, everything was fresh and new. I found myself just falling in love with the world and the interesting circumstances and relationships between characters.
Overall, this was definitely a worth while read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews