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Forged by Fire #1
Rising from Ash
Phoenix Murray has had enough. Enough of her incompetent boss. Enough of her addict father always asking for money. Enough of the struggle to survive. So when her aunt offers her a job as a cook at the South Pole, she jumps at it. Even when she’s asked to avoid casual sex to keep the peace in the tiny community.
Astrophysicist Ashley Bennett can’t wait for her year at the South Pole. Not only will it allow her to focus on her PhD research, it’s a key step in her plan to become a Mars colonist. Avoiding the complications of dating in a society that doesn't understand asexuality is a bonus.
When Phoenix and Ash meet, they can’t help but push each other’s buttons. Phoenix doesn’t understand that her confident sexuality puts Ash on edge while Ash’s curt formality triggers Phoenix’s insecurities about her upbringing. But living at the bottom of the world means there’s nowhere to run, and as they find common ground, their differences aren’t nearly the hindrance they thought.
Rising From Ash is the first book in the Forged by Fire series, a slow burn contemporary lesbian romance that shows the power of intimacy to form a new life.
Note: While Rising from Ash features a character on the asexual spectrum, the story does include physically intimate scenes. However, none are gratuitous.
96,000 words
Astrophysicist Ashley Bennett can’t wait for her year at the South Pole. Not only will it allow her to focus on her PhD research, it’s a key step in her plan to become a Mars colonist. Avoiding the complications of dating in a society that doesn't understand asexuality is a bonus.
When Phoenix and Ash meet, they can’t help but push each other’s buttons. Phoenix doesn’t understand that her confident sexuality puts Ash on edge while Ash’s curt formality triggers Phoenix’s insecurities about her upbringing. But living at the bottom of the world means there’s nowhere to run, and as they find common ground, their differences aren’t nearly the hindrance they thought.
Rising From Ash is the first book in the Forged by Fire series, a slow burn contemporary lesbian romance that shows the power of intimacy to form a new life.
Note: While Rising from Ash features a character on the asexual spectrum, the story does include physically intimate scenes. However, none are gratuitous.
96,000 words
296 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2019
72 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 24, 2019
Fascinating read. Makes me wish there was more ace rep in lesfic. Definitely an under represented spectrum. While some of this reads as an ace PSA, it's completely understandable given the circumstances. Ash and Pheonix are really great characters and I look forward to seeing them in the next book.
October 5, 2019
Rising from Ash is a story of possibilities. It is also very much a relationship book. If you go in with expectations of this being a romp, you’ll be disappointed. But watching a couple learn each other as people first before they journey into sex was very hot. I didn’t anticipate my reaction because I didn’t know anything about the asexual spectrum and I thought it might be a non-sexy book. But every brief exploratory touch was heightened, their kisses tantalizing because it all had meaning. Maybe it was the anticipatory element? And guess what? They talked, they built trust, they worked through like two grown adults.
Ash is an astrophysicist newly stationed in the South Pole camp and Phoenix is the incoming cook. Both women bring tall orders of backstory but gradually create something special between them. Smooth, easy read, likable characters, interesting inside look at life in the South Pole. Some info dump in the beginning when Ash describes the ace spectrum to Phoenix. It’s fine when she’s applying it to herself but felt encyclopedic if she was speaking in generalities. Just in the beginning. Overall, I enjoyed it and got me thinking.
Ash is an astrophysicist newly stationed in the South Pole camp and Phoenix is the incoming cook. Both women bring tall orders of backstory but gradually create something special between them. Smooth, easy read, likable characters, interesting inside look at life in the South Pole. Some info dump in the beginning when Ash describes the ace spectrum to Phoenix. It’s fine when she’s applying it to herself but felt encyclopedic if she was speaking in generalities. Just in the beginning. Overall, I enjoyed it and got me thinking.
August 6, 2019
I enjoyed this book so much. There was so much caring and love between Phoenix and Ash. Phoenix had a difficult youth which still effects way of life and the way she sees herself. Ash is asexual, demi sexual to be precise. So she has her own problems, one of which is that she hopes but doesn’t expect to find the unicorn person that loves her as she is and wants to build a relationship with her. Ash and Phoenix clash when they meet and after that it’s a lovely and slow build up of their romance. I also liked the setting of this story on the South Pole and the important lack of showers. Well written romance, recommend, 5 stars.
February 7, 2024
4 stars
I liked this. I also appreciated that this managed to impart a very comprehensive asexuality 101 lesson without sounding preachy or, worse, judgemental. That's a rarity. Usually it's handled way worse.
So yeah. I was happy with the story, happy with the characters and I liked the writing.
I liked this. I also appreciated that this managed to impart a very comprehensive asexuality 101 lesson without sounding preachy or, worse, judgemental. That's a rarity. Usually it's handled way worse.
So yeah. I was happy with the story, happy with the characters and I liked the writing.
March 29, 2020
Sweet and geeky slow burn :)
September 20, 2019
An okay read
This was an okay read for me. The beginning actually started off pretty good and even once both characters met at the Pole ot was still bery promising. But soon, it became a bit long with nothing really happening. A lot of running in fear and then quick make ups. A lot of in decissiveness and then quick make ups. Potential for really great drama or angst but...you guessed it quick make ups. I didnt love it but I didnt hate and if Im being honest will even read the next installment as long as ots a kU book.
This was an okay read for me. The beginning actually started off pretty good and even once both characters met at the Pole ot was still bery promising. But soon, it became a bit long with nothing really happening. A lot of running in fear and then quick make ups. A lot of in decissiveness and then quick make ups. Potential for really great drama or angst but...you guessed it quick make ups. I didnt love it but I didnt hate and if Im being honest will even read the next installment as long as ots a kU book.
July 29, 2019
Really enjoyed this book - Jae did one on asexuality that was also stunning - our heroine here, Ash, who is on the spectrum - is a star, as is Phoenix, both with real issues that are dealt with with sensitivity and, importantly, make the book a stellar read. Thanks.
October 13, 2019
I've had this book in my "to read" pile for some time and am so glad I was finally able to enjoy it. This is only the second time I've read about a character on the asexuality spectrum in a lesfic book so really appreciate the insight it provides. I realize there's certainly more to it than this book - or the other I've read, Perfect Rhythm by Jae - can convey, but I am coming to learn the key role intimacy plays in these relationships. In this story, Ash who identifies as demisexual (someone only sexually attracted to someone they have a strong emotional connection to) meets Phoenix, a woman who is overtly sexual, when they both take a year-long job in the South Pole. Phoenix is a cook and Ash is an astrophysicist and it's a fascinating look at what working in an environment like that might be like. We learn not only what they do for a living, but how and why they secured those jobs, what their family situations and backgrounds are like and what brought them to this point. The two have such different professional prospects, yet they are both excellent and respected at what they do. At the core is a beautiful story about how they fall in love while navigating their way through a new relationship in such a secluded, confined environment, and at the same time learning how to meet each other's very different sexual needs. I love the understanding and care both of of them show to one another. It's a very loving, romantic and heartwarming story. I look forward to learning more about their future when Meyer writes the follow up. Rating 4.5 stars.
August 23, 2019
Two women end up at the South Pole. One is a scientist, and the other is a cook ('I'm not a chef!). One is a player, someone who always has sex on her mind (though she promises her aunt to forgo one-night stands (and since she doesn't do relationships, then that means no sex for a year); other does think of sex, but as this odd foreign thing (she's asexual/demisexual (the kind of asexual who can desire sex but only after developing a deep emotional connection)).
The two meet bad. Lots of conflict. But they both almost immediately apologized to each other (after about a night) and begin a quite tentative friendship that leads to more.
I rather liked both characters and their relationship. By roughly the 50% mark I was thinking I might end up rating this 5.5. But certain things lead me to not being sure if I'm rating this 4.75 or 5 stars.
The 'teaching' parts of the book were mostly well done but a little too ... hmm, I'll go with a little too many lessons.
I'll end with: as a sign of how much I enjoyed this first book in a series, I went to buy the next book even before I finished book 1. Book 2 not out yet :(
heh
Rating: 4.88
August 22 2019
The two meet bad. Lots of conflict. But they both almost immediately apologized to each other (after about a night) and begin a quite tentative friendship that leads to more.
I rather liked both characters and their relationship. By roughly the 50% mark I was thinking I might end up rating this 5.5. But certain things lead me to not being sure if I'm rating this 4.75 or 5 stars.
The 'teaching' parts of the book were mostly well done but a little too ... hmm, I'll go with a little too many lessons.
I'll end with: as a sign of how much I enjoyed this first book in a series, I went to buy the next book even before I finished book 1. Book 2 not out yet :(
heh
Rating: 4.88
August 22 2019
August 30, 2019
This was a particularly interesting book because of the uniqueness of the differences between the two main characters. I learned so much about a topic I knew almost nothing about. In addition to that, the setting was also unique. The emotion and intimacy of the moments between the two characters was moving and beautiful. I look forward to book two. Highly recommended.
April 22, 2020
A very different take on romance
Phoenix heads off on the adventure of a lifetime when she has had enough of her day to day life, and troublesome family. When she arrives in the South Pole and meets Ashley Bennett they don’t easily see eyes to eye, but Phoenix can’t deny that something about Ashley intrigues her. When she learns of Ashley’s asexuality, it is an experience for both of them to help one another in understanding how their differences could be put aside so that their creative selves could potentially be friends. As their friendship flourishes, both Ashley and Phoenix slowly become more comfortable with one another and agree that they are more compatible than they first thought.
There was something nice about the way this story sought to represent differences in sexual preferences, and explored different reactions of different people towards different behaviours. Most importantly it took time to provide information through the characters to help educate the reader and this for me was quite refreshing. I found myself learning a lot from Ashley, but also from Phoenix.
It was very unique, not only in the slow burn storytelling, but also in the importance of ensuring different values and beliefs were respected, and anything detailed was done so with tentative care to try and raise awareness of how we all have different views and preferences. I loved how these characters could connect, in a friendly way, but also be open and honest with each other without judgement. In a way, it actually highlighted how we often judge ourselves and hold back on opening up our true selves to others for fear of judgement.
This was a great adventure story, with a lot of friendly attraction and interaction between two very different characters, and provided great insight into morals and choices we make based on how we think others will perceive us. I really enjoyed the story and recommend it to anyone who wants to read romance with broader representations.
Phoenix heads off on the adventure of a lifetime when she has had enough of her day to day life, and troublesome family. When she arrives in the South Pole and meets Ashley Bennett they don’t easily see eyes to eye, but Phoenix can’t deny that something about Ashley intrigues her. When she learns of Ashley’s asexuality, it is an experience for both of them to help one another in understanding how their differences could be put aside so that their creative selves could potentially be friends. As their friendship flourishes, both Ashley and Phoenix slowly become more comfortable with one another and agree that they are more compatible than they first thought.
There was something nice about the way this story sought to represent differences in sexual preferences, and explored different reactions of different people towards different behaviours. Most importantly it took time to provide information through the characters to help educate the reader and this for me was quite refreshing. I found myself learning a lot from Ashley, but also from Phoenix.
It was very unique, not only in the slow burn storytelling, but also in the importance of ensuring different values and beliefs were respected, and anything detailed was done so with tentative care to try and raise awareness of how we all have different views and preferences. I loved how these characters could connect, in a friendly way, but also be open and honest with each other without judgement. In a way, it actually highlighted how we often judge ourselves and hold back on opening up our true selves to others for fear of judgement.
This was a great adventure story, with a lot of friendly attraction and interaction between two very different characters, and provided great insight into morals and choices we make based on how we think others will perceive us. I really enjoyed the story and recommend it to anyone who wants to read romance with broader representations.
January 23, 2022
I want to start by saying that I really wanted to really like Rising from Ash. This novel features a demisexual main character, and I was happy to read about that experience and learn more about asexuality (and you will definitely learn about asexuality here). And it's definitely a perspective I'd like to read more about and see featured in fiction. It also takes place in Antarctica, which is f*cking awesome! And I also want to say that Jax Meyer has a ton of potential as writer, but this needed an editor in a really big way--definitely for some grammatical issues that irritated me, but mostly to reign the story in a bit.
Okay, so the story is about Phoenix, a Hooters cook who enjoys casual no-strings attached sex on a frequent basis. She's a consummate flirt. But she's also a hard worker and a good person who's been dealt a super rough hand in life. When her aunt offers the chance to get away from her dysfunctional parents to spend a year cooking in the South Pole, she quickly accepts. It's there that she meets Ashley Bennet, a PhD candidate who's in the Antarctica to complete her dissertation and to maybe give her a leg up to be one of the first people to eventually colonize Mars. Ash is immediately put off by Phoenix's flirtatious charm. But considering that they're both there for an entire year, they decide to try for some sort of truce. This truce turns into friendship and then to attraction. But that attraction is different for Ash, since hers is romantic attraction vs sexual attraction.
I really liked the dialogue between the two characters in the first half of the novel, and I think that's really where Meyer excels. But the second half of the novel, things really slow down. Nothing is really happening and the narrative starts to get bogged down with details that I just didn't need (e.g. an entire explanation about rock climbing shoes). I also found Phoenix's trauma a little tiring after a while. And that's not a knock on Meyer's portrayal of this, but it was hard to to read about and to continue to watch Phoenix mess things up because of this. And how does no one suggest therapy as something she should explore? I'm not sure how possible it is in their tiny, sequestered-for-months community, and I'm not sure if Meyer takes it there in the next novel in the series, but love isn't going to solve Phoenix's issues. She needs actual therapy and I was disappointed this was never explicitly addressed.
I usually fly through books in this genre and this one was a bit of a slog for me to get through. For example, I had two chapters left to read of the book last night and I decided to sleep instead of finishing it right then. That literally never happens. That, to me, makes me think this isn't quite a 3-star novel. And normally I would give this 2 stars. But I'm going to give it 3 stars because there are things to like about this book and I'm so glad to have Meyer's voice in the genre mix--we need this voice. And I do plan to read more of their work. And, like I wrote at the beginning of this--there's a lot potential here.
Okay, so the story is about Phoenix, a Hooters cook who enjoys casual no-strings attached sex on a frequent basis. She's a consummate flirt. But she's also a hard worker and a good person who's been dealt a super rough hand in life. When her aunt offers the chance to get away from her dysfunctional parents to spend a year cooking in the South Pole, she quickly accepts. It's there that she meets Ashley Bennet, a PhD candidate who's in the Antarctica to complete her dissertation and to maybe give her a leg up to be one of the first people to eventually colonize Mars. Ash is immediately put off by Phoenix's flirtatious charm. But considering that they're both there for an entire year, they decide to try for some sort of truce. This truce turns into friendship and then to attraction. But that attraction is different for Ash, since hers is romantic attraction vs sexual attraction.
I really liked the dialogue between the two characters in the first half of the novel, and I think that's really where Meyer excels. But the second half of the novel, things really slow down. Nothing is really happening and the narrative starts to get bogged down with details that I just didn't need (e.g. an entire explanation about rock climbing shoes). I also found Phoenix's trauma a little tiring after a while. And that's not a knock on Meyer's portrayal of this, but it was hard to to read about and to continue to watch Phoenix mess things up because of this. And how does no one suggest therapy as something she should explore? I'm not sure how possible it is in their tiny, sequestered-for-months community, and I'm not sure if Meyer takes it there in the next novel in the series, but love isn't going to solve Phoenix's issues. She needs actual therapy and I was disappointed this was never explicitly addressed.
I usually fly through books in this genre and this one was a bit of a slog for me to get through. For example, I had two chapters left to read of the book last night and I decided to sleep instead of finishing it right then. That literally never happens. That, to me, makes me think this isn't quite a 3-star novel. And normally I would give this 2 stars. But I'm going to give it 3 stars because there are things to like about this book and I'm so glad to have Meyer's voice in the genre mix--we need this voice. And I do plan to read more of their work. And, like I wrote at the beginning of this--there's a lot potential here.
Read
February 2, 2021Rising From Ash - Jax Meyer
Review by KJ
If you’re running away from your past, your present, yourself, then a particularly awesome place to do that is Antarctica, right? No, actually. What Jax Meyer does by setting ‘Rising From Ash’ at the bottom of the world is create a controlled, intense environment for the main characters (Astrophysicist Ashley Bennett, and cook Phoenix Murray) to explore their true selves, and perhaps see in each other the possibility of a completely transparent relationship, just like the ice which surrounds them.
Metaphors abound in this novel. Both characters are looking to wipe clean episodes in their past, and the pristine white of the South Pole is a wonderful representation of this. Another metaphor is the idea of layers. Both Ash and Phoenix have multiple layers that they hide behind, and as they get to know each other, those layers are removed, then returned as relationship challenges occur. It’s the putting on/taking off of clothes that is necessary when working in and out of the research station.
Ash is an asexual character, which sets the scene for one of the more beautiful romance developments in a lesfic novel. As someone who is not ace, I delighted in the sudden awareness that, actually, ace romance is the purest form of intimacy. Intimacy comes from the steps that two people take to truly romance each other, to trust. Romance is finding the layers we have ourselves and those of our chosen person, then giving permission for each other to remove those layers. Jax shows through Ash and Phoenix that intimacy is also the respect and understanding that we’re never throwing the layers away, because to throw them away means that the layers were wrong in the first place, when they are there for protection if we ever need them again. Ace is about seeing all that a person is.
Quite a few authors now have written novels with asexual characters, but I’ve found that there are only two of them who have done it well; Jae and Jax Meyer. Imagine a Venn diagram (the two circles overlapping in the middle thingy). The circle on the left has abstract thought about the sexuality spectrum, the circle on the right has eloquent, poignant descriptions of love and romance and life and forever. So the bit in the middle? The overlap bit? That’s where Jax is. It’s lovely.
“It takes great courage to advocate for your own needs.” - Ash.
I loved this book. It shows two people with their own securities and fears, learning to trust each other, so that they can really see themselves for who they are and who they can be.
Read this novel. It’s really quite awesome and lovely.
Rising from Ash
Review by KJ
If you’re running away from your past, your present, yourself, then a particularly awesome place to do that is Antarctica, right? No, actually. What Jax Meyer does by setting ‘Rising From Ash’ at the bottom of the world is create a controlled, intense environment for the main characters (Astrophysicist Ashley Bennett, and cook Phoenix Murray) to explore their true selves, and perhaps see in each other the possibility of a completely transparent relationship, just like the ice which surrounds them.
Metaphors abound in this novel. Both characters are looking to wipe clean episodes in their past, and the pristine white of the South Pole is a wonderful representation of this. Another metaphor is the idea of layers. Both Ash and Phoenix have multiple layers that they hide behind, and as they get to know each other, those layers are removed, then returned as relationship challenges occur. It’s the putting on/taking off of clothes that is necessary when working in and out of the research station.
Ash is an asexual character, which sets the scene for one of the more beautiful romance developments in a lesfic novel. As someone who is not ace, I delighted in the sudden awareness that, actually, ace romance is the purest form of intimacy. Intimacy comes from the steps that two people take to truly romance each other, to trust. Romance is finding the layers we have ourselves and those of our chosen person, then giving permission for each other to remove those layers. Jax shows through Ash and Phoenix that intimacy is also the respect and understanding that we’re never throwing the layers away, because to throw them away means that the layers were wrong in the first place, when they are there for protection if we ever need them again. Ace is about seeing all that a person is.
Quite a few authors now have written novels with asexual characters, but I’ve found that there are only two of them who have done it well; Jae and Jax Meyer. Imagine a Venn diagram (the two circles overlapping in the middle thingy). The circle on the left has abstract thought about the sexuality spectrum, the circle on the right has eloquent, poignant descriptions of love and romance and life and forever. So the bit in the middle? The overlap bit? That’s where Jax is. It’s lovely.
“It takes great courage to advocate for your own needs.” - Ash.
I loved this book. It shows two people with their own securities and fears, learning to trust each other, so that they can really see themselves for who they are and who they can be.
Read this novel. It’s really quite awesome and lovely.
Rising from Ash
September 27, 2019
Disclaimer: This is a review of an ARC I requested
You know what? The romance part of this story was fine. I was glad for the demi rep. Like, so much of it felt true to me and I love having a romance novel do that. The pair have great banter in the beginning and it’s just fun to watch a slow-burn relationship and see them build everything from the ground up. That was well done, as was the pacing.
All the instructional “this is what asexuality is” of the second half of the book was NOT for me, though, and it killed the momentum. I felt, at that point, like I would have rather just been handed the comic they were working on, or read the buffy fanfic wherein i assume there were no lengthy meta “how-to” discussions. Like, such extensive preaching made the book feel like it was made specifically for an allo audience. So...not for me.
Ultimately, what really annoyed me, is how everyone dealt with Phoenix’s class insecurities. Where Phoenix grew up, she didn’t have much opportunity, and she was dealing with her daily frustrations by having a lot of casual sex(which would be fine if she was happy about it but she wasn’t). It is acknowledged within the book that it was due to her aunt handing her the opportunity that she even wound up with this job. However, when she expresses that she feels inferior due to where she comes from, Diane tells her that she is nothing like the people she grew up around who are content to work, drink and waste their lives away. And she, unlike those people, is deserving of happy endings.
Um, excuse me? It is very clear IN THE BOOK ITSELF that there is a scarcity of opportunities where she comes from. She herself was just like everybody around her before her aunt came through: working and coping poorly with the hardships of her life. I am puzzled that the book seeks to make a distinction between her and those other people that isn’t “you got lucky, and they didn’t”.
They should be telling her that she deserves a happy ending just because. That she is worthy just because. The point here should be that class does not equal worth. Not that she is some weird exception to the rule (unspoken yet reinforced in the book) that all the people from where she grew up are somehow trash because they’re poor and frustrated about it.
Dolly Parton did not write 9 to 5 for this.
You know what? The romance part of this story was fine. I was glad for the demi rep. Like, so much of it felt true to me and I love having a romance novel do that. The pair have great banter in the beginning and it’s just fun to watch a slow-burn relationship and see them build everything from the ground up. That was well done, as was the pacing.
All the instructional “this is what asexuality is” of the second half of the book was NOT for me, though, and it killed the momentum. I felt, at that point, like I would have rather just been handed the comic they were working on, or read the buffy fanfic wherein i assume there were no lengthy meta “how-to” discussions. Like, such extensive preaching made the book feel like it was made specifically for an allo audience. So...not for me.
Ultimately, what really annoyed me, is how everyone dealt with Phoenix’s class insecurities. Where Phoenix grew up, she didn’t have much opportunity, and she was dealing with her daily frustrations by having a lot of casual sex(which would be fine if she was happy about it but she wasn’t). It is acknowledged within the book that it was due to her aunt handing her the opportunity that she even wound up with this job. However, when she expresses that she feels inferior due to where she comes from, Diane tells her that she is nothing like the people she grew up around who are content to work, drink and waste their lives away. And she, unlike those people, is deserving of happy endings.
Um, excuse me? It is very clear IN THE BOOK ITSELF that there is a scarcity of opportunities where she comes from. She herself was just like everybody around her before her aunt came through: working and coping poorly with the hardships of her life. I am puzzled that the book seeks to make a distinction between her and those other people that isn’t “you got lucky, and they didn’t”.
They should be telling her that she deserves a happy ending just because. That she is worthy just because. The point here should be that class does not equal worth. Not that she is some weird exception to the rule (unspoken yet reinforced in the book) that all the people from where she grew up are somehow trash because they’re poor and frustrated about it.
Dolly Parton did not write 9 to 5 for this.
October 22, 2019
This is an educational book for understanding asexuals and the asexuality spectrum. The focus is on the lengths the MCs go to to understand the nuances in each other's character. No unnecessary drama was added, albeit this meant there weren't many external factors that occurred to drive the story forward. I guess these outside influences are to be expected in the next book. Though sad to say, for right now, this made the story a bit monotonous. As a result, I'm not inclined to read the sequel.
And just to add... I'm also not a fan of the cover. Not just the cartoonish drawing, but also the title alignment. I know how the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover" is often brandished around, but realistically speaking, covers are meant to say something about the book anyway.
And just to add... I'm also not a fan of the cover. Not just the cartoonish drawing, but also the title alignment. I know how the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover" is often brandished around, but realistically speaking, covers are meant to say something about the book anyway.
June 13, 2020
Just couldn't get into it, I just found the character of Ash highly unattractive, judgemental and brash. She's that clueless. It wasn't sweet or endearing to me. Just shitty and 'her way or the high way' attitude, with lots of sex shaming and nerdy internet friendships and fanfic that read like someone who's never had real friends, or life experiences, yet thinks they're so smart and have it all figured out.
At least Phoneix story was relatable,up until her interest in Ash , which was so forced, it wasn't funny. What the heck would someone like that actually see in her? Couldn't finish it. Utterly stupid.
At least Phoneix story was relatable,up until her interest in Ash , which was so forced, it wasn't funny. What the heck would someone like that actually see in her? Couldn't finish it. Utterly stupid.
July 30, 2019
This story is a lovely, slow burn.
I don't recall ever having read a book set in Antarctica and I thank the author for her insight of what it must be like to live there for any length of time.
.
I don't recall ever having read a book set in Antarctica and I thank the author for her insight of what it must be like to live there for any length of time.
.
July 28, 2019
First of all, I was instantly intrigued by the setting which is in a research base at the South Pole. Meyer’s prose is so realistic I felt like I was there.
The two MCs are really great and I liked both of them. Ash is a fanfic-writing geek and Phoenix is a chef who dabbles in sketching. After a rocky start, they become friends with the hint of something more, but Ash is hesitant to take the next step. She has a secret that, if she reveals it to Phoenix, just might end the relationship. They have a lot of chemistry and I was really cheering for both of them. I liked their dynamic when they are together. Phoenix could very easily be domineering, but we see a vulnerable side to her, and Ash proves she’s made of strong stuff when she has to take charge.
The story is sweet and slow-burn, the characters interact with a lot of humor and snappy dialogue, the secondary characters are funny and sweet in equal measures, and i felt Meyer handled Ace/Demi/Allo issues with respect. The novel is written in third-person POV with alternating chapters between Phoenix and Ash, so we spend an equal time with both of them and really get to know them.
This is a sweet, thoughtful romance in a very unusual setting with themes that aren’t often dealt with in lesfic. Bonus for a non binary character who uses they/them pronouns.
Highly recommended! Five stars.
I was given an ARC by the author.
The two MCs are really great and I liked both of them. Ash is a fanfic-writing geek and Phoenix is a chef who dabbles in sketching. After a rocky start, they become friends with the hint of something more, but Ash is hesitant to take the next step. She has a secret that, if she reveals it to Phoenix, just might end the relationship. They have a lot of chemistry and I was really cheering for both of them. I liked their dynamic when they are together. Phoenix could very easily be domineering, but we see a vulnerable side to her, and Ash proves she’s made of strong stuff when she has to take charge.
The story is sweet and slow-burn, the characters interact with a lot of humor and snappy dialogue, the secondary characters are funny and sweet in equal measures, and i felt Meyer handled Ace/Demi/Allo issues with respect. The novel is written in third-person POV with alternating chapters between Phoenix and Ash, so we spend an equal time with both of them and really get to know them.
This is a sweet, thoughtful romance in a very unusual setting with themes that aren’t often dealt with in lesfic. Bonus for a non binary character who uses they/them pronouns.
Highly recommended! Five stars.
I was given an ARC by the author.
November 4, 2019
Excellent lesbian ace representation! And that's not all - the setting was fresh and interesting. The characters had good chemistry. I look forward to reading more about them.
June 26, 2025
This is one of the best books featuring a demisexual character that I’ve read. Representation is so important and Jax does a great job of giving space to the asexual spectrum in a way that is both informative and entertaining.
Phoenix is a cook with terrible parents who constantly harass her for money. She struggles to cut them off completely, but when offered a chance to be a cook for a year at the South Pole research station, she takes it. Her aunt, who is responsible for staffing the South Pole station, recommends that she stop womanizing down there since she will be in a closed community for a year - this is the only downside Phoenix can see to the job.
Ash is an astrophysicist who is working on her PhD and doing her second stint “on the ice”. She is a demisexual (on the ace spectrum - only feels physical attraction after having emotional intimacy) and has had problems with past partners due to this. She is not looking for any kind of relationship - she is content to do her work and write some Buffy ace fanfic (which I would love to read!).
The pairing of a very sexual woman with a demisexual person was a great set up for this book. It was not immediately obvious how it would work out, especially initially, but it offered so much opportunity to show the vast gray area between those two identities. I loved being on the journey with Ash and Phoenix as they got to know each other and moved from kind of a disastrous first meeting to friendship, to figuring out what more looked like between them. Both women worked to overcome their past relationships, both familial and romantic, and were able to learn how to be together and be there for eachother. The book ended while they were still on the ice, so I would categorize it as a “happy for now” which feels totally appropriate.
The narrator was fine, but there were times it was hard to tell who was speaking and there was a lack of subtly to the performance.
Phoenix is a cook with terrible parents who constantly harass her for money. She struggles to cut them off completely, but when offered a chance to be a cook for a year at the South Pole research station, she takes it. Her aunt, who is responsible for staffing the South Pole station, recommends that she stop womanizing down there since she will be in a closed community for a year - this is the only downside Phoenix can see to the job.
Ash is an astrophysicist who is working on her PhD and doing her second stint “on the ice”. She is a demisexual (on the ace spectrum - only feels physical attraction after having emotional intimacy) and has had problems with past partners due to this. She is not looking for any kind of relationship - she is content to do her work and write some Buffy ace fanfic (which I would love to read!).
The pairing of a very sexual woman with a demisexual person was a great set up for this book. It was not immediately obvious how it would work out, especially initially, but it offered so much opportunity to show the vast gray area between those two identities. I loved being on the journey with Ash and Phoenix as they got to know each other and moved from kind of a disastrous first meeting to friendship, to figuring out what more looked like between them. Both women worked to overcome their past relationships, both familial and romantic, and were able to learn how to be together and be there for eachother. The book ended while they were still on the ice, so I would categorize it as a “happy for now” which feels totally appropriate.
The narrator was fine, but there were times it was hard to tell who was speaking and there was a lack of subtly to the performance.
March 13, 2022
There’s some cool stuff here (I love the details about living and working in Antarctica), but this is probably better enjoyed by non-ace readers and/or those who haven’t passed asexuality101. There is a lot of info dumping about what it means to be ace which really ruined the flow of the romance, and the author tried to balance that by acting though the non-ace character was equally educating the ace one on what it feels like to want sex all the time… which didn’t sit right with me.
Also, beware that author is allergic to commas. Which is probably a reason to round down except that Ash was a very relatable protagonist, awful prickly defensive bits and all, so 3 stars for her.
Also, beware that author is allergic to commas. Which is probably a reason to round down except that Ash was a very relatable protagonist, awful prickly defensive bits and all, so 3 stars for her.
June 20, 2025
Rising from Ash is set against the backdrop of Antarctica's amazing scenery. Ashley Bennett, a scientist, and Phoenix Murray, a last-minute stand-in cook, both work at the station and appear to be polar opposites.
I see this book as focusing on journeys of self-discovery and communication, with a particularly skilful depiction of asexuality as a central theme. I thought Susan Knight's narration perfectly captured the story's tone.
I see this book as focusing on journeys of self-discovery and communication, with a particularly skilful depiction of asexuality as a central theme. I thought Susan Knight's narration perfectly captured the story's tone.
August 8, 2019
As a reader who identifies as Ace it was great to read a story representing the demisexual orientation. The characters also smoothly give the reader a primer on the struggles and misconceptions about asexuality.
I ended up highlighting a sentence or passage every time Ash’s point of view showed up. Many of her observations reflected a lot of my wishes and fears as an asexual and some of the angst I feel as well as someone who’s possibly aromantic.
One would think with such a focus on demisexuality Phoenix would be less… ‘interesting’? But instead she’s the more ‘classical’ character and by the end I found myself interested in where her character was headed. Though I call her ‘Classical’ she is by no means simple. Her core conflict is heartbreaking and the themes she represents are relatable ace or not.
It’s always heartening to find a story that deals with building healthy relationships but even moreso between asexuals and allosexuals (people who do experience sexual attraction)
While there’s just a little angst, I enjoyed reading Rising From Ash :)
Pick it up if you’re interested in learning about asexuality. Actually no, just pick it up. It’s worth learning about asexuality and its many different colours. :)
**Many thanks to Jax Meyer for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my views as an Ace reader**
I ended up highlighting a sentence or passage every time Ash’s point of view showed up. Many of her observations reflected a lot of my wishes and fears as an asexual and some of the angst I feel as well as someone who’s possibly aromantic.
One would think with such a focus on demisexuality Phoenix would be less… ‘interesting’? But instead she’s the more ‘classical’ character and by the end I found myself interested in where her character was headed. Though I call her ‘Classical’ she is by no means simple. Her core conflict is heartbreaking and the themes she represents are relatable ace or not.
It’s always heartening to find a story that deals with building healthy relationships but even moreso between asexuals and allosexuals (people who do experience sexual attraction)
While there’s just a little angst, I enjoyed reading Rising From Ash :)
Pick it up if you’re interested in learning about asexuality. Actually no, just pick it up. It’s worth learning about asexuality and its many different colours. :)
**Many thanks to Jax Meyer for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my views as an Ace reader**
October 6, 2020
I learned so much from this book. I thought it was great love story. Even though you know what will happen in the end it was awesome taking the journey and seeing how it panned out.
August 29, 2021
I had been wanting to read this book for a couple months and got so excited when I was finally able to. It’s a sapphic romance with an ace-spectrum (demisexual, specifically) character.
Phoenix is done with her life right now. Her father is a beggar, and her boss is incompetent. When her aunt offers her a job at the South Pole, she accepts. While she’s there she meets Ash. Ash is focusing on her PhD research while also hoping to pad her resume in case she ever gets the chance to become a Mars colonist. The two clash at first with Ash’s formality triggering Phoenix’s insecurities. But neither of them really has anywhere else to go, especially because they’re both staying over winter, so they try to make amends.
I thought this book was absolutely brilliant. The descriptions were beautiful and allowed for me to visualize the areas that they were in. I usually struggle with being able to visualize things, but I didn’t have too big of an issue with this book. I think it’s because the book didn’t take place in a lot of different areas. I doubt my visualization was perfect or in-depth, but I was able to get enough from it. Plus, Meyer’s descriptions of the weather and environment was amazing.
The absolute best thing with this book was the relationship between Phoenix and Ash. The relationship was slow and well-built. The two actively discussed areas that were touchy subjects with them and had actual conversations with each other. Things aren’t always perfect, but there’s not a lot of drawn-out drama. It was amazing, especially when they had to deal with Ash being asexual and Phoenix being allosexual.
I really enjoyed Ash being asexual and Phoenix being allosexual. That sounds weird but let me explain. Because of this difference between the two characters, they had to discuss these topics. At time it felt like a bit much, but not really. It made sense within the context that Ash would have to give “lessons” on being asexual. I also just really enjoy the conversations because Ash also explained the difference between being asexual and demisexual, at least for her.
I also really enjoyed the pacing of this book. Nothing felt too slow, but nothing felt rushed either. The characters and their relationship were given time to grow together. It’s a slow-burn so there’s not going to be a lot going on at all times, but there doesn’t need to be. There’s always something going on that keeps it from feeling slow.
I really wanted to like this book when I first read the summary and I’m so excited that I did. I thought it was absolutely amazing and I grew really attached to these characters. I can’t wait to see them in the next book.
~ Check out my other reviews on my Blog, Instagram, or Twitter. ~
Phoenix is done with her life right now. Her father is a beggar, and her boss is incompetent. When her aunt offers her a job at the South Pole, she accepts. While she’s there she meets Ash. Ash is focusing on her PhD research while also hoping to pad her resume in case she ever gets the chance to become a Mars colonist. The two clash at first with Ash’s formality triggering Phoenix’s insecurities. But neither of them really has anywhere else to go, especially because they’re both staying over winter, so they try to make amends.
I thought this book was absolutely brilliant. The descriptions were beautiful and allowed for me to visualize the areas that they were in. I usually struggle with being able to visualize things, but I didn’t have too big of an issue with this book. I think it’s because the book didn’t take place in a lot of different areas. I doubt my visualization was perfect or in-depth, but I was able to get enough from it. Plus, Meyer’s descriptions of the weather and environment was amazing.
The absolute best thing with this book was the relationship between Phoenix and Ash. The relationship was slow and well-built. The two actively discussed areas that were touchy subjects with them and had actual conversations with each other. Things aren’t always perfect, but there’s not a lot of drawn-out drama. It was amazing, especially when they had to deal with Ash being asexual and Phoenix being allosexual.
I really enjoyed Ash being asexual and Phoenix being allosexual. That sounds weird but let me explain. Because of this difference between the two characters, they had to discuss these topics. At time it felt like a bit much, but not really. It made sense within the context that Ash would have to give “lessons” on being asexual. I also just really enjoy the conversations because Ash also explained the difference between being asexual and demisexual, at least for her.
I also really enjoyed the pacing of this book. Nothing felt too slow, but nothing felt rushed either. The characters and their relationship were given time to grow together. It’s a slow-burn so there’s not going to be a lot going on at all times, but there doesn’t need to be. There’s always something going on that keeps it from feeling slow.
I really wanted to like this book when I first read the summary and I’m so excited that I did. I thought it was absolutely amazing and I grew really attached to these characters. I can’t wait to see them in the next book.
~ Check out my other reviews on my Blog, Instagram, or Twitter. ~
October 6, 2024
First, I loved the demisexual and asexual representation in this book. I felt like, unlike a lot of books that just use it as a hook or something, Ash's character stayed demi and ace throughout the book and wasn't magically different now that Phoenix arrived. She struggled with untangling her attraction and desires for Phoenix. She was great about communicating how she was navigating things in the relationship. And I felt like this openness was what really drew Phoenix in and allowed her to open up in return.
Phoenix and Ash were great together. Neither one magically "cured" the other. They did manage to help each other grow and become better people. Phoenix was able to start seeing herself in a more positive way, and Ash was able to adjust her expectations of others. I felt like, despite Phoenix's initial coping strategies and how she saw herself, she really was the perfect girlfriend. This is definitely an example of two people making each other better.
There is thankfully, no third act breakup. There are plenty of stumbling blocks and landmines that get stepped on. (I loved that analogy and it being used throughout the book as a kind of shorthand for the two of them.) There was unfortunately no epilogue or sequel. I really need to know what happened to them after they left the South Pole and how they integrated their lived together. That is the only complaint I have about the book honestly.
Phoenix and Ash were great together. Neither one magically "cured" the other. They did manage to help each other grow and become better people. Phoenix was able to start seeing herself in a more positive way, and Ash was able to adjust her expectations of others. I felt like, despite Phoenix's initial coping strategies and how she saw herself, she really was the perfect girlfriend. This is definitely an example of two people making each other better.
There is thankfully, no third act breakup. There are plenty of stumbling blocks and landmines that get stepped on. (I loved that analogy and it being used throughout the book as a kind of shorthand for the two of them.) There was unfortunately no epilogue or sequel. I really need to know what happened to them after they left the South Pole and how they integrated their lived together. That is the only complaint I have about the book honestly.
December 22, 2020
Antarctica! And also asexuality, which was nice to see in fiction—it’s a very niche part of an already niche part of the romance genre.
Interesting enough read that ultimately wasn’t really for me. I read it for the Antarctica end of things, but the story ends up being completely dominated by questions about asexuality. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing—there’s so little fiction about there about asexuality, and I’d guess probably even less about demisexuality, that it doesn’t hurt to have some books that are basically primers for…allosexuals… (let’s come back to terminology in a moment). It’s more that Ash and Phoenix are basically incapable of going more than a few pages without needing a Big Discussion or sometimes a Teaching Moment, and it gets tiring. I wanted a bit more of a breather, ideally via Antarctica-specific moments: I wanted them both to make friends on the ice (they do, in theory, but that’s all off-page, and we never really see them connecting with people who aren’t each other); I wanted to know little things like how people handle the combination of working out in the gym + only being allowed a couple of two-minute showers a week (I could get used to the quick/rare showers, but not if I was going to the gym all the time—as Phoenix does!); and, since these are characters who are wintering over in Antarctica, I’d have loved to see some of that winter, when the sun never rises and the crew is whittled down only to a few. (Jerri Nielsen, anyone?)
But terminology: I learnt some things (like the existence of the word ‘allosexual’), and I may need to forget some of what I learnt, because I ended up with a lot of questions. Ash uses ‘asexual’ and ‘demisexual’ pretty interchangeably, and while I can get on board with demisexual being on the asexual spectrum (not how I think of it, but also, I’m neither of those things, so it’s not up to me to make the determination), they’re…not interchangeable. Her attitude towards kissing is also surprising to me, because I think of the desire to kiss someone as part and parcel of sexual attraction, but Ash seems to think of them as two separate things—would have loved some more discussion there, if this was going to be a mini manual on asexuality anyway.
The word ‘allosexual’ is new to me. It makes some sense (if you have a noun for asexual, you might as well have a noun for the converse, and nobody says ‘I am a sexual’—and even if they did, it would sound confusingly similar to ‘I am asexual’!). I instinctively loathe the word, though, I think partly because I’ll never be able to read it and not think of dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are great! Sexuality in all its consensual shapes and forms is great! I don’t want to associate them together in my head! (Fear not, dear reader: I’m not conflating my feelings towards a word that the author didn’t dream up with my feelings towards the book. This is neither here nor there, really.)
Erm. Anyway. There’s not really all that much grey area here, is there? There’s Ash, who experiences very little sexual attraction, and there’s Phoenix, who prior to meeting Ash would be perfectly happy to hop into bed with just about any attractive woman she meets. Phoenix finds it surprising, when she’s just getting to know Ash and doesn’t know about Ash’s sexuality, that Ash would write a romance fanfic that doesn’t end with the characters in question in bed—and I am surprised that Phoenix would assume that every written piece of romance needs to end thusly. Yes, it’s very common in romance these days, but there are many many many books out there—romance books—and for that matter sappy movies—that for whatever reason (religion, author’s discomfort with writing sex scenes, audience, just not what the author felt like writing) don’t take it beyond kissing, if that. It sort of…ends up feeling like we’re getting to understand that asexuality is a spectrum while ignoring the many other ways in which sexuality more generally is on various spectrums too. And feeling like it’s simplifying to ‘there is meaningless sex, and there is deep non-sexual connection, and there’s no spectrum in between that, and also people who like meaningless sex are inherently shallow’. Take this description of another woman:
Grumble grumble. I’m much less annoyed by the book than I might sound; it’s perfectly fine. I wanted a winter romance, and I got a winter romance. (I also wanted a more liberal use of commas, but we can’t always get what we want…)
Interesting enough read that ultimately wasn’t really for me. I read it for the Antarctica end of things, but the story ends up being completely dominated by questions about asexuality. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing—there’s so little fiction about there about asexuality, and I’d guess probably even less about demisexuality, that it doesn’t hurt to have some books that are basically primers for…allosexuals… (let’s come back to terminology in a moment). It’s more that Ash and Phoenix are basically incapable of going more than a few pages without needing a Big Discussion or sometimes a Teaching Moment, and it gets tiring. I wanted a bit more of a breather, ideally via Antarctica-specific moments: I wanted them both to make friends on the ice (they do, in theory, but that’s all off-page, and we never really see them connecting with people who aren’t each other); I wanted to know little things like how people handle the combination of working out in the gym + only being allowed a couple of two-minute showers a week (I could get used to the quick/rare showers, but not if I was going to the gym all the time—as Phoenix does!); and, since these are characters who are wintering over in Antarctica, I’d have loved to see some of that winter, when the sun never rises and the crew is whittled down only to a few. (Jerri Nielsen, anyone?)
But terminology: I learnt some things (like the existence of the word ‘allosexual’), and I may need to forget some of what I learnt, because I ended up with a lot of questions. Ash uses ‘asexual’ and ‘demisexual’ pretty interchangeably, and while I can get on board with demisexual being on the asexual spectrum (not how I think of it, but also, I’m neither of those things, so it’s not up to me to make the determination), they’re…not interchangeable. Her attitude towards kissing is also surprising to me, because I think of the desire to kiss someone as part and parcel of sexual attraction, but Ash seems to think of them as two separate things—would have loved some more discussion there, if this was going to be a mini manual on asexuality anyway.
The word ‘allosexual’ is new to me. It makes some sense (if you have a noun for asexual, you might as well have a noun for the converse, and nobody says ‘I am a sexual’—and even if they did, it would sound confusingly similar to ‘I am asexual’!). I instinctively loathe the word, though, I think partly because I’ll never be able to read it and not think of dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are great! Sexuality in all its consensual shapes and forms is great! I don’t want to associate them together in my head! (Fear not, dear reader: I’m not conflating my feelings towards a word that the author didn’t dream up with my feelings towards the book. This is neither here nor there, really.)
Erm. Anyway. There’s not really all that much grey area here, is there? There’s Ash, who experiences very little sexual attraction, and there’s Phoenix, who prior to meeting Ash would be perfectly happy to hop into bed with just about any attractive woman she meets. Phoenix finds it surprising, when she’s just getting to know Ash and doesn’t know about Ash’s sexuality, that Ash would write a romance fanfic that doesn’t end with the characters in question in bed—and I am surprised that Phoenix would assume that every written piece of romance needs to end thusly. Yes, it’s very common in romance these days, but there are many many many books out there—romance books—and for that matter sappy movies—that for whatever reason (religion, author’s discomfort with writing sex scenes, audience, just not what the author felt like writing) don’t take it beyond kissing, if that. It sort of…ends up feeling like we’re getting to understand that asexuality is a spectrum while ignoring the many other ways in which sexuality more generally is on various spectrums too. And feeling like it’s simplifying to ‘there is meaningless sex, and there is deep non-sexual connection, and there’s no spectrum in between that, and also people who like meaningless sex are inherently shallow’. Take this description of another woman:
When Phoenix finally spoke, her voice was even. “I don’t think Skye is a standard you should aspire to.”
Ash blinked. “What?”
“You are so much more than Skye. Sure, she’s fun, and without the request from my aunt to minimize sex I probably would have enjoyed her company frequently without a second thought, but there’s no connection. No intimacy, that’s the word you used, right?”
“Yes,” Ash said, her throat suddenly dry. “But she has no problem with physical intimacy, which is what most people want.”
“She has no problem with physical touch, but intimacy? She and I are a lot alike. There is no intimacy, just temporary release,” Phoenix said, a mix of sadness and disappointment coloring her words. (loc. 1810)Y’all, if that isn’t classic ‘there are girls you have fun with and girls you marry’, I don’t know what is. Phoenix knows jack shit about Skye because she never makes an attempt to know anything about Skye. For all she knows, Skye is off having the exact same conversation with some other woman: ‘Sure, Phoenix is nice and all, but she only cared about one thing…’
Grumble grumble. I’m much less annoyed by the book than I might sound; it’s perfectly fine. I wanted a winter romance, and I got a winter romance. (I also wanted a more liberal use of commas, but we can’t always get what we want…)
August 11, 2022
Good start and I didn’t mind the long exposition, I liked Phoenix and her adventure at the South Pole. Just at the point when I was very pleased that no info dumps on Antarctica were forthcoming, info dumps on fanfic and asexuality appeared. I‘m never a fan of lectury novels.
The book managed to hit other of my pet peeves with internal monologue and just being too long for what it was trying to do.
However, what made it really unappealing were Ash‘s judgy attitude on most everything and a weird undertone of sex shaming.
So, not my cup of tea, unfortunately. The initial idea sounded very intriguing.
The book managed to hit other of my pet peeves with internal monologue and just being too long for what it was trying to do.
However, what made it really unappealing were Ash‘s judgy attitude on most everything and a weird undertone of sex shaming.
So, not my cup of tea, unfortunately. The initial idea sounded very intriguing.
February 10, 2021
I totally loved this book. Once you start you don't want to stop.
Phoenix and Ash are great chatacters and I loved the storyline. I think I have another book girlfriend in Ash. She is great and I wouldn't mind getting to know her more.
This is only the second book I have read that has a character that is Asexual (the first being Jae) and they are well written.
Looking forward to reading more of these characters in the future.
Phoenix and Ash are great chatacters and I loved the storyline. I think I have another book girlfriend in Ash. She is great and I wouldn't mind getting to know her more.
This is only the second book I have read that has a character that is Asexual (the first being Jae) and they are well written.
Looking forward to reading more of these characters in the future.
August 15, 2020
A cook goes to the South Pole to get a break from her family and restart her life.
Pro:
Extremely well written asexual character - This book should be mandatory reading to help combat a lot of the preconceptions about asexuality.
Brilliant plot and character evolution - This book is perfectly balanced angst-wise. I like how the characters use their own discussions and how their relationship and themself grow. Their connection and relationship feels real.
Witty and quirky dialog
Con:
-
Pro:
Extremely well written asexual character - This book should be mandatory reading to help combat a lot of the preconceptions about asexuality.
Brilliant plot and character evolution - This book is perfectly balanced angst-wise. I like how the characters use their own discussions and how their relationship and themself grow. Their connection and relationship feels real.
Witty and quirky dialog
Con:
-
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