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Only Ashes Remain
(Market of Monsters #2)
by
After escaping her kidnappers and destroying the black market where she was held captive, all Nita wants is to find a way to live her life without looking over her shoulder. But with a video of her ability to self-heal all over the dark web, Nita knows she’s still a prime target on the black market.
There’s only one way to keep herself safe.
Nita must make herself so feared ...more
There’s only one way to keep herself safe.
Nita must make herself so feared ...more
Hardcover, 432 pages
Published
September 3rd 2019
by HMH Books for Young Readers
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Here it is, the sequel to a book I never thought would sell. It's surreal to see this book on goodreads, with a cover and release date.
I hope you enjoy my terrible children who are not all bad and not all good, and justify their terribleness to themselves with paper thin excuses and pleasant delusions as they embark on the second instalment of their adventure ...more
I hope you enjoy my terrible children who are not all bad and not all good, and justify their terribleness to themselves with paper thin excuses and pleasant delusions as they embark on the second instalment of their adventure ...more

Nita really found out the world would try to kill her for money and decided the best solution was to become so scary no one would try… icon
This series is so interesting and new and revels so hard in being over the top and... occasionally kind of brutal? But it is so engaging. Schaeffer quickly gets you to root for people who are, on an objective level, awful; neither Nita nor any other character are particularly good, but almost all of the characters are strangely likable.
Something I absolutely ...more
This series is so interesting and new and revels so hard in being over the top and... occasionally kind of brutal? But it is so engaging. Schaeffer quickly gets you to root for people who are, on an objective level, awful; neither Nita nor any other character are particularly good, but almost all of the characters are strangely likable.
Something I absolutely ...more


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NOT EVEN BONES was one of the more disturbing YA books I've ever read, but I really enjoyed the tight storyline and strong female heroine. Even though there were parts that made me straight-up cringe, I couldn't help but applaud it for being daring and taking risks in a genre that's basically stagnated, with everyone trying to outrace each other to write the next over-hyped Sarah J. Maas clone. If you like SJM, that's on you, but I can' ...more

#1 Not Even Bones 5 million stars
#2 Only Ashes Remain 5 million stars
#3 When Villains Rise ???
All the bloody limbs… I mean, stars in the universe
If the first book was dark, bloody and gruesome, this one was worse.

Books like this are the ones that make me doubt where is the line between YA and ADULT. There’s really a line?
The age of the characters? Not really, lots of teen characters in adults book and vice-versa.
Sex? I’ve seen teen books with more on-page sex than adult ones.
Blood? ...more
#2 Only Ashes Remain 5 million stars
#3 When Villains Rise ???
All the bloody limbs… I mean, stars in the universe
If the first book was dark, bloody and gruesome, this one was worse.

Books like this are the ones that make me doubt where is the line between YA and ADULT. There’s really a line?
The age of the characters? Not really, lots of teen characters in adults book and vice-versa.
Sex? I’ve seen teen books with more on-page sex than adult ones.
Blood? ...more

4.75 stars.
This was so gooood! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
This was much darker than the first book, especially so since Nita's actions are what made the book darker more than the situations she was thrust in. There was more of Kovit too! I love this cute monster, though as with Nita, his actions do freak me out at times too. I'm really glad with both of their growths and with the improvement of Nita's relationship with her mom.
The book focuses a lot on their personal growth, dealing with their inner demons and the ...more
This was so gooood! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
This was much darker than the first book, especially so since Nita's actions are what made the book darker more than the situations she was thrust in. There was more of Kovit too! I love this cute monster, though as with Nita, his actions do freak me out at times too. I'm really glad with both of their growths and with the improvement of Nita's relationship with her mom.
The book focuses a lot on their personal growth, dealing with their inner demons and the ...more

Stop making me ship murderers, smh. This series is so weird for me because I like it I guess?? But then characters are so dumb sometimes that I just want to throw it.
Only Ashes Remain begins right after the last book, with everyone at the black market that held Nita captive dead. Proof of her abilities leaked on the darknet and now bounty hunters of all sorts are after her, to sell her body for parts. Nita teams up with master torturer Kovit again as she tries to kill enough people to make her r ...more
Only Ashes Remain begins right after the last book, with everyone at the black market that held Nita captive dead. Proof of her abilities leaked on the darknet and now bounty hunters of all sorts are after her, to sell her body for parts. Nita teams up with master torturer Kovit again as she tries to kill enough people to make her r ...more

This book balances an interesting and unique concept with real-world commentary in such a clever and unique way. These characters are so fucked up but they're also incredibly complex and human. This book outdid the first and I'm so excited for more in this series and from this author.
...more

'Sometimes she could see the monster inside him. And sometimes he made her see the monster inside herself.'

I haven't been this emotionally gutted by a book in forever and I love this wonderful devastation. This was everything amazing from the stunning first book . . . only a thousand times better!! My love for this dark story about a messy, beautiful world is DRASTIC, okay?? I am catastrophically in love, to quote one of my first YA crushes. Also, it is most unfair that I have to wait until ...more

I haven't been this emotionally gutted by a book in forever and I love this wonderful devastation. This was everything amazing from the stunning first book . . . only a thousand times better!! My love for this dark story about a messy, beautiful world is DRASTIC, okay?? I am catastrophically in love, to quote one of my first YA crushes. Also, it is most unfair that I have to wait until ...more
![Namera [The Literary Invertebrate]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1587154687p2/31792110.jpg)
ARC received in exchange for an honest review - thank you!
Okay, so if you’ve been following my reviews for any length of time, you know that I basically NEVER give out 5-star ratings. Like, genuinely almost never. Especially to YA books.
But this book and its predecessor, Not Even Bones, are the exception. They are absolutely brilliant.
➳ QUICK PLOT SUMMARY
The series stars Nita, a 17-year-old ‘unnatural’ with the power to manipulate her own body. Having been captured in the previous book to b ...more
Okay, so if you’ve been following my reviews for any length of time, you know that I basically NEVER give out 5-star ratings. Like, genuinely almost never. Especially to YA books.
But this book and its predecessor, Not Even Bones, are the exception. They are absolutely brilliant.
➳ QUICK PLOT SUMMARY
The series stars Nita, a 17-year-old ‘unnatural’ with the power to manipulate her own body. Having been captured in the previous book to b ...more

Only Ashes Remain was a good addition to a unique YA urban fantasy series. My favourite was definitely Not Even Bones by miles, but this was a wothy sequel and brought a lot of new to the table.
If you thought book one was dark, this one got, in my opinion, even darker. While not necessarily in terms of plot, I think it did in terms of the man character. Nita, the MC, sometimes (or often) seemed well set on the 'villain' side of the morally grey. The series is really making me question where her ...more
If you thought book one was dark, this one got, in my opinion, even darker. While not necessarily in terms of plot, I think it did in terms of the man character. Nita, the MC, sometimes (or often) seemed well set on the 'villain' side of the morally grey. The series is really making me question where her ...more

I have divided feelings on this book.
Pros: Schaeffer is a good writer in many aspects. I ripped through the pages of this book, and haven't caught myself staying up so late to read in a while. The plot is original, and this is one of the better urban fantasy series I've ever read. The characters have distinct voices, and they're morally grey, leaning to black which makes for a great change.
Cons: Does this woman preach politically though. The first book had its issues; this one was ten times wo ...more
Pros: Schaeffer is a good writer in many aspects. I ripped through the pages of this book, and haven't caught myself staying up so late to read in a while. The plot is original, and this is one of the better urban fantasy series I've ever read. The characters have distinct voices, and they're morally grey, leaning to black which makes for a great change.
Cons: Does this woman preach politically though. The first book had its issues; this one was ten times wo ...more

Sep 06, 2020
Alaina
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
2020-ng,
fantasy,
audiobook,
paranormal,
books-i-own,
fiction,
young-adult,
horror,
contemporary,
supernatural
Soooooooo freaking good. I am beyond excited for the next book to come out. Thankfully, I don't have to wait long.
Only Ashes Remain was so easy to dive into and devour. I loved all the darkness within this book and all the twists and turns throughout it as well. Nita was just adorable and dark. I loved it. Then there's Kovit and all his monster-ness. These two grew so much throughout the book. Even if they did freak me out sometimes. I still loved them.
Then there's the black market and they are ...more
Only Ashes Remain was so easy to dive into and devour. I loved all the darkness within this book and all the twists and turns throughout it as well. Nita was just adorable and dark. I loved it. Then there's Kovit and all his monster-ness. These two grew so much throughout the book. Even if they did freak me out sometimes. I still loved them.
Then there's the black market and they are ...more

3 stars.
I'm definitely in the minority (at least, thus far), when I say that I didn't like this one as much as the first. The "romance" seemed pretty cringy and forced to me and nothing really happened throughout the entire book, to the point that a series didn't feel warranted.
I may read the third if this is going to only have three books, but I don't feel like getting invested in a longer series. blah. ...more
I'm definitely in the minority (at least, thus far), when I say that I didn't like this one as much as the first. The "romance" seemed pretty cringy and forced to me and nothing really happened throughout the entire book, to the point that a series didn't feel warranted.
I may read the third if this is going to only have three books, but I don't feel like getting invested in a longer series. blah. ...more

"The first time she and Kovit had killed someone, Nita had felt like a monster for laughing over the dead body a few minutes later. How times have changed."
This was gruesome in all the best ways. I can’t get enough of this series!!
After escaping her kidnappers, burning down an entire market, and having her abilities being shown for the dark web to see, she seeks the help of INHUP to get her life back on track. They travel to Toronto and she seeks solace in an old friend.
Nita is back and she is ...more
This was gruesome in all the best ways. I can’t get enough of this series!!
After escaping her kidnappers, burning down an entire market, and having her abilities being shown for the dark web to see, she seeks the help of INHUP to get her life back on track. They travel to Toronto and she seeks solace in an old friend.
Nita is back and she is ...more

“I’m here, Kovit. I’ve already seen your monster.” She met his eyes. “And I’m not leaving.”
1. Not even bones: 3.5🌟
2. Only ashes remain: 3.75🌟
3. When villains rise: ???
I found OAR more mature than it’s predecessor and, if possible, even more unusual compared to the average YA urban fantasy. OAR opens right after the events of the first installment: Nita and Kovit managed to flee Mercado de la Muerte, but the price they had to pay was dire. Now tainted by the stains of murder and betra ...more

There is the one Nita, who has accepted who she has become and what she is going to have to do to survive. She is the Nita that dissects people. Who watched her mother murder people for years without this inner turmoil. Who blows up buildings and makes snap decisions. She’s an idiot, but a cohesive one.
And there is the other Nita, who still describes Kovit as a monster even though she is the exact same. Who is constantly blanching at his need to eat when she is just murdering people for funsies. ...more
And there is the other Nita, who still describes Kovit as a monster even though she is the exact same. Who is constantly blanching at his need to eat when she is just murdering people for funsies. ...more

"Sometimes she could see the monster inside him.
And sometimes he made her see the monster inside herself."
1. Not even bones ★★★★★ ...more
And sometimes he made her see the monster inside herself."
1. Not even bones ★★★★★ ...more

I love Kovit a lot but all I can think about is the fact that his name sounds like Covid

The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
Thank you so much HMH Teen and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review ONLY ASHES REMAIN!
I really enjoyed Not Even Bones so I was super excited when HMH Teen approved me on NetGalley for Only Ashes Remain. After the end of Not Even Bones I was eager to see where Nita's story was going next. She destroyed the black market. She's "safe." But she is now in protective custody with Fabricio, the boy who sold her to the black market. Let ...more
Thank you so much HMH Teen and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review ONLY ASHES REMAIN!
I really enjoyed Not Even Bones so I was super excited when HMH Teen approved me on NetGalley for Only Ashes Remain. After the end of Not Even Bones I was eager to see where Nita's story was going next. She destroyed the black market. She's "safe." But she is now in protective custody with Fabricio, the boy who sold her to the black market. Let ...more

Completely different than the first book, darker in its own twisted way, and I can't even explain how much I adored this book and how much it means to me. I still can't believe it's actually over.
This book mainly focused on Nita building her reputation in order to survive. After the video showing her unnatural abilities was posted online, the whole black market is after her, so she wanted to be someone people are scared of. With Kovit by her side, they end up involved in numerous murders and yet ...more
This book mainly focused on Nita building her reputation in order to survive. After the video showing her unnatural abilities was posted online, the whole black market is after her, so she wanted to be someone people are scared of. With Kovit by her side, they end up involved in numerous murders and yet ...more

Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Laura Erne
Only Ashes Remain by Rebecca Schaeffer was such a great sequel to her debut novel, Not Even Bones. It continued to be gory and gritty, you know the typical aspects to any story involving black markets and body parts. It had a great story, new supporting characters that showcased even more of the unnatural population, and a small dash of romance that was both unrushed and unconventionally sweet. This series is so different from all othe ...more
Only Ashes Remain by Rebecca Schaeffer was such a great sequel to her debut novel, Not Even Bones. It continued to be gory and gritty, you know the typical aspects to any story involving black markets and body parts. It had a great story, new supporting characters that showcased even more of the unnatural population, and a small dash of romance that was both unrushed and unconventionally sweet. This series is so different from all othe ...more

I didn't think book two could be any darker than book one but I'm not at all disappointed to have been proved wrong. Filled with vengeance and betrayal, this was just as gripping, dark and twisted as its predecessor, with a touch more gore and violence.
I find Nita such a interesting character to follow and the way Rebecca Schaeffer manages to make me care for these characters (yes, I'm talking to you Kovit) whilst simultaneously being utterly appalled by them, brilliantly drags you along with N ...more
I find Nita such a interesting character to follow and the way Rebecca Schaeffer manages to make me care for these characters (yes, I'm talking to you Kovit) whilst simultaneously being utterly appalled by them, brilliantly drags you along with N ...more

I love morally grey characters. And black market body dissection!! I wonder what that says about me?

I don't have any words except Wow and holy shit but I think these are the only words you'd really need to write a review for this book.
Wow.
Holy Shit.
...more
Wow.
Holy Shit.
...more
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Rebecca Schaeffer was born and raised in the Canadian prairies. Her itchy feet took her far from home when she turned eighteen, and she hasn't returned for more than a few months here or there since. You can find her sitting in a cafe on the other side of the world, writing about villains, antiheroes and morally ambiguous characters.
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I read a lot of books and have a lot of opinions, so the ...more
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I read a lot of books and have a lot of opinions, so the ...more
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Market of Monsters
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“Sometimes she could see the monster inside him. And sometimes he made her see the monster inside herself.”
—
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“I think, more than anything, people like to feel superior to others. Canadians like to feel that they’re better than Americans. Americans love to feel they’re better than the whole world. And when people feel superior, it makes it harder for them to see the problems just beneath the surface. They don’t want to believe them, to face them, because if they did, can they really claim to be superior anymore?”
—
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