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Realm of Ash
(The Books of Ambha #2)
by
The fate of an empire rests in the hands of a young woman with magical blood and nothing left to lose, and an outcast prince determined to save his family at any cost, in this "dark, melodious, and memorable" new fantasy (Library Journal, starred review) from the author of the award-winning Empire of Sand.
The Ambhan Empire is crumbling. A terrible war of succession hovers ...more
The Ambhan Empire is crumbling. A terrible war of succession hovers ...more
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4.5 stars
The world, characters, and mythology of this world is so lush. It was a joy to return to this world after Empire of Sand was one of my favorite books from last year. This takes place 10 or so years after the events of the first book and follows Mehr's younger sister, who is now an adult herself and facing the consequences of the events of the first book. Arwa is a very different character than Mehr. While Mehr always embraced her heritage, Arwa was shielded from it and taught to reject ...more
The world, characters, and mythology of this world is so lush. It was a joy to return to this world after Empire of Sand was one of my favorite books from last year. This takes place 10 or so years after the events of the first book and follows Mehr's younger sister, who is now an adult herself and facing the consequences of the events of the first book. Arwa is a very different character than Mehr. While Mehr always embraced her heritage, Arwa was shielded from it and taught to reject ...more
Good grief, this is a good book. I liked Empire of Sand a lot, but Realm of Ash is *outstanding*. A fantastically well developed world based on the Mughal Empire, with terrific politics, scheming, culture, huge complexity lightly sketched in. And it has so much to say--about women and being forced to fit into allotted places, and hurting people out of love, and the clash of what's effective and what's right, and compassion, and massively about colonialism and stolen/denied identity, the effect o
...more
"The lamp of truth reveals the world. But when we lift the lamp we see-knowledge that cannot be unknown or undone."!
So What's It About? (from Goodreads)
The Ambhan Empire is crumbling. A terrible war of succession hovers on the horizon. The only hope for peace lies in the mysterious realm of ash, where mortals can find what they seek in the echoes of their ancestors' dreams. But to walk there requires a steep price.
Arwa is determined to make the journey. Widowed by a brutal massacre, she's pledge ...more
So What's It About? (from Goodreads)
The Ambhan Empire is crumbling. A terrible war of succession hovers on the horizon. The only hope for peace lies in the mysterious realm of ash, where mortals can find what they seek in the echoes of their ancestors' dreams. But to walk there requires a steep price.
Arwa is determined to make the journey. Widowed by a brutal massacre, she's pledge ...more
There’s something about Tasha Suri’s books that is just… wonderful. Both in the sense that they are wonderfully written, and in the sense that they evoke a sense of wonder.
There’s magic in the pages, dangerous but alluring. A sense of flow that keeps you reading long past the time you should have stopped. A world that is striking and enchanting and dangerous. Characters that march through the front door of your heart and tell you to make room, because they’ll be staying a while.
Realm is Ash is s ...more
There’s magic in the pages, dangerous but alluring. A sense of flow that keeps you reading long past the time you should have stopped. A world that is striking and enchanting and dangerous. Characters that march through the front door of your heart and tell you to make room, because they’ll be staying a while.
Realm is Ash is s ...more
I really love “Empire Of Sand” and super excited to read this companion Novel but I must said… I’m disappointed
The writing style is still as beautiful as I remember, the romance is also slow burning and I love it… the problem for me is the pace! It was so freaking slowwww to the point I feel bored through the story, it also not helping I do not like Arwa the main character, she was so dull compares to Mehr (her sister which was the main character on Empire Of Sand), Arwa got better tho through t ...more
The writing style is still as beautiful as I remember, the romance is also slow burning and I love it… the problem for me is the pace! It was so freaking slowwww to the point I feel bored through the story, it also not helping I do not like Arwa the main character, she was so dull compares to Mehr (her sister which was the main character on Empire Of Sand), Arwa got better tho through t ...more
I have been procrastinating on this book for a long while, so I was quite happy for our Indian Lit Readathon 2020 because it finally made me add this to my tbr and get to it. And while I won’t deny the brilliance of it, I also think I was not in the right headspace to appreciate it completely.
I read Empire of Sand too fairly recently, so the world of Ambha is still fresh in mind and it was nice to be back here. While EoS was more about one of the main pillars of this world - the faith in the Mah ...more
I read Empire of Sand too fairly recently, so the world of Ambha is still fresh in mind and it was nice to be back here. While EoS was more about one of the main pillars of this world - the faith in the Mah ...more
I am so happy to have discovered a new favorite author. The writing is beautiful, her women are well written, and I love both the love interests and how the romance is done. I was looking forward to reading this one because I was curious about Arwa after the first book and I wanted to see how events from the first book impacted this one. Interestingly enough, not as much as I would have thought. Still, I loved looking at a very different type of story and character from the first one, with more
...more
Gorgeous, romantic, thoughtful—even better than EMPIRE OF SAND.
Is two books too soon to declare Tasha Suri one of my favorite authors?
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Originally posted to I Should Read That
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free for this book and for Empire of Sand.
Empire of Sand is one of those books that has left a lasting impact on me as a reader — it is a beautiful book with gorgeous magic, a lush world, and one of the best slow burn romances I’ve ever read. So naturally I was absolutely thrilled to hear that the next book, Realm of Ash was coming out this year. I had ...more
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This review is spoiler-free for this book and for Empire of Sand.
Empire of Sand is one of those books that has left a lasting impact on me as a reader — it is a beautiful book with gorgeous magic, a lush world, and one of the best slow burn romances I’ve ever read. So naturally I was absolutely thrilled to hear that the next book, Realm of Ash was coming out this year. I had ...more
4.75 stars
read on my blog + see some hand-lettered quotes
**I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you, Orbit Books!). These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
I only read Empire of Sand earlier this summer, so the wait shouldn’t have been as excruciating as other people’s, bu ...more
read on my blog + see some hand-lettered quotes
**I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you, Orbit Books!). These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
If I were a man, I would give my grief a purpose, and to the sword. I would fight for the sake of my Empire. But I am only a widow, and I have nothing to offer beyond my blood.
I only read Empire of Sand earlier this summer, so the wait shouldn’t have been as excruciating as other people’s, bu ...more
not quite what i was expecting, but still just as heart-achingly beautiful as the first.
"If I were a man, I would give my grief a purpose, and to the sword. I would fight for the sake of my Empire. But I am only a widow, and I have nothing to offer beyond my blood."
1. Empire of sand ★★★★☆
4.5
Realm of ash and Empire of sand are such wonderful (and sadly hidden) gems, I wish more people would give this duology a chance. It has well written characters, slow burn romance, original plots and an enchanting writing style. ...more
1. Empire of sand ★★★★☆
4.5
Realm of ash and Empire of sand are such wonderful (and sadly hidden) gems, I wish more people would give this duology a chance. It has well written characters, slow burn romance, original plots and an enchanting writing style. ...more
May 20, 2020
imyril
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
subjective-chaos-2020
I have no words.
This is spectacular. So much, so deeply felt, so elegant, so measured.
I'll try to find words.
But first, some heartfelt sobbing from all the FEELINGS.
...more
This is spectacular. So much, so deeply felt, so elegant, so measured.
I'll try to find words.
But first, some heartfelt sobbing from all the FEELINGS.
...more
“She wore her heart, fierce and changeable as it was, right on her skin.”
Second book syndrome? Tasha Suri definitely doesn’t know her.
Realm of Ash is a sequel to Empire of Sand (read my review here), picking up about ten or so years after the first book ends. The protagonist of this one is Arwa, the younger sister of the Mehr, the protagonist from the first book. Only she’s no longer the innocent child Mehr was determined to protect. Reeling from the loss of her sister, her husband’s death, and ...more
Second book syndrome? Tasha Suri definitely doesn’t know her.
Realm of Ash is a sequel to Empire of Sand (read my review here), picking up about ten or so years after the first book ends. The protagonist of this one is Arwa, the younger sister of the Mehr, the protagonist from the first book. Only she’s no longer the innocent child Mehr was determined to protect. Reeling from the loss of her sister, her husband’s death, and ...more
One of the best fantasy novels I’ve read this year. Powerful, intelligent and wonder emotional character development - one everyone should read
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl... ...more
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl... ...more
May 27, 2020
Lucie
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
poc-main-characters
Tasha Suri did it again. Realm of Ash was such an amazing yet quite different follow-up to Empire of Sand and I adored it even more than the first book. I loved discovering Arwa's story, the world was fascinating and the magic took a turn I personally love, plus the romance was well-written. Just like with the previous book, I cried a lot during most of the ending because it was everything and I was pretty much drowning in my feelings. I loved this duology so much and I can't wait for Tasha Suri
...more
I’m not even going to try to compare Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash because I love them equally for different reasons. Anyway, much like Arwa, my researcher heart HUNGERS for pretty boy scholars who are soft and curious and kind.
From the brilliant exploration of themes to the empowerment I felt in Arwa’s character growth to the delicious burn of her romance with Zahir, Realm of Ash slaps and IT SLAPS HARD. Full review to follow.
5 stars
From the brilliant exploration of themes to the empowerment I felt in Arwa’s character growth to the delicious burn of her romance with Zahir, Realm of Ash slaps and IT SLAPS HARD. Full review to follow.
5 stars
Jan 25, 2020
Andi
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
recommend-to-anyone,
on-kindle
Ah! What a glorious treat to find an author who writes such gorgeous stories featuring women who shine like a thousand diamonds from the broken husks they once were.
I absolutely was thrilled that we would see what became of Mehr's sister, Arwa. Not only that, see how she grew up under the care of her nasty step-mother.
The first 40% of the book was getting to know Arwa. She had grown up burying the heritage that her birth-mother was and pretending to be a noble girl. Unfortunately, after her ma ...more
I absolutely was thrilled that we would see what became of Mehr's sister, Arwa. Not only that, see how she grew up under the care of her nasty step-mother.
The first 40% of the book was getting to know Arwa. She had grown up burying the heritage that her birth-mother was and pretending to be a noble girl. Unfortunately, after her ma ...more
This was so beautiful, must more beautiful than I can put into words, especially after accidentally deleting my notes for it. It's very rich and magical.
It took me about half a book to get over it not being with Mehr, but I eventually let it go and enjoyed the book. I really loved the protagonist from book 1, and was very upset for a long time, maybe 1/3 of the book, that we follow her sister, years after the events of that book.
There's deep mystery throughout the book, in figuring out court l ...more
It took me about half a book to get over it not being with Mehr, but I eventually let it go and enjoyed the book. I really loved the protagonist from book 1, and was very upset for a long time, maybe 1/3 of the book, that we follow her sister, years after the events of that book.
There's deep mystery throughout the book, in figuring out court l ...more
Actual Rating: 3.5-3.75 stars
Realm of Ash is a companion novel to Empire of Sand, which is one of my favorite books read this year. (Seriously, I'm obsessed!) While I didn't love it in the same way, Realm of Ash is still a solid follow up with beautiful writing, great world-building, and thought-provoking thematic content. Set 10+ years after the events of Empire, this book follows the story of Mehr's younger sister, Arwa.
Mehr and Arwa are both mixed with Amrithi blood, but while Mehr looks lik ...more
Realm of Ash is a companion novel to Empire of Sand, which is one of my favorite books read this year. (Seriously, I'm obsessed!) While I didn't love it in the same way, Realm of Ash is still a solid follow up with beautiful writing, great world-building, and thought-provoking thematic content. Set 10+ years after the events of Empire, this book follows the story of Mehr's younger sister, Arwa.
Mehr and Arwa are both mixed with Amrithi blood, but while Mehr looks lik ...more
I think I’ve found a new favorite author. Rtc
This was a fantastic listen. ❤️
if you read the ebook copy of empire of sand, you might have been lucky enough (like me!) to preview the first three chapters!! I've been aching for realm of ash literally as soon as I finished empire of sand and I'm so, so glad tasha suri gave us those chapters to obsess over for another year! (I'm also intrigued as to what series of events lead up to arwa being at court, despite being sent to live with the widows in the beginning of realm of ash.)
I look forward to see how arwa navigates the wo ...more
I look forward to see how arwa navigates the wo ...more
THEY WERE A MYSTICAL ORDER OF TWO
Rep: Mughal India inspired characters and setting
Rep: Mughal India inspired characters and setting
[7.71/10]
The Books of Ambha really deserves way more hype than it gets. This is such a gorgeously written book, with truly fascinating worldbuilding and magic. But, the thing I love most about it is that the majority of the focus is on the characters and their relationships with each other.
Realm of Ash is set about 10 years after Empire of Sand and follows the sister of the main character from the first book. There are a some spoilers for the first book in this one but they’re kind of minor so ...more
The Books of Ambha really deserves way more hype than it gets. This is such a gorgeously written book, with truly fascinating worldbuilding and magic. But, the thing I love most about it is that the majority of the focus is on the characters and their relationships with each other.
Realm of Ash is set about 10 years after Empire of Sand and follows the sister of the main character from the first book. There are a some spoilers for the first book in this one but they’re kind of minor so ...more
This is the second book in Suri's Books of Ambha series and it follows Arwa, the little sister of Mehr from the first book. EMPIRE OF SAND was one of my favorite books I read last year, but due my reading slump (which has lasted over 6 months now and counting...), I didn't get around to reading this one until now.
A lot of things in the world have changed since the events of the first book (I won't spoil it in this review because honestly GO READ IT). Since Arwa was only a child in the first book ...more
A lot of things in the world have changed since the events of the first book (I won't spoil it in this review because honestly GO READ IT). Since Arwa was only a child in the first book ...more
I think Jocelyn is correct - you can read this book before the first book if you so choose (although I am now reading the first book). Wonderful magic system (tw for blood magic), and beautiful writing.
Masterful and heartbreaking and subversive and hopeful and achingly beautiful.
To read more reviews like this, check out my blog keikii eats books!
98 points, 5 stars!
Quote:
Review:
Wow. Enchanting. Beautiful. I already know this review will feel inadequate compared to the elegance that is the book itself. The way the story flows and draws you in just was so well done. I managed to feel like I was the main c ...more
98 points, 5 stars!
Quote:
Lonely, Jihan had called him. But Arwa could only look at him and think of his vulnerable neck, his wrists, the moonlight on him and think, Starving, he is starving.
Review:
Wow. Enchanting. Beautiful. I already know this review will feel inadequate compared to the elegance that is the book itself. The way the story flows and draws you in just was so well done. I managed to feel like I was the main c ...more
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“I am afraid for you!” His voice was vicious. His pulse burned beneath her hand. “If anything happens to you here and I live, I will read every book, every tome, I will trick death itself to bring you back. I will become something terrible, not for your sake, but mine, because I cannot live in a world without you in it.”
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“She had been molded and erased and silenced for safety. She had been denied the truth for safety. Her history had been cleaved almost in two, for safety. They had almost broken her, for the sake of making her safe, for the sake of their love for her, and she would carry the wound of it all her life.”
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