Age of Ash (Kithamar #1) by Daniel Abraham -- November 25th 2023

[Jenn]

Kithamar is a center of trade and wealth, an ancient city with a long, bloody history where countless thousands live and their stories unfold. This is Alys’s.

When her brother is murdered, a petty thief from the slums of Longhill sets out to discover who killed him and why. But the more she discovers about him, the more she learns about herself, and the truths she finds are more dangerous than knives.

Swept up in an intrigue as deep as the roots of Kithamar, where the secrets of the lowest born can sometimes topple thrones, the story Alys chooses will have the power to change everything.

From critically acclaimed, New York Times–bestselling author Daniel Abraham, co-author of The Expanse, comes a monumental epic fantasy trilogy that unfolds within the walls of a single great city, over the course of one tumultuous year, where every story matters, and the fate of the city is woven from them all.

[Tawallah]

As the date approaches, I will start with a preview of this series. I only know about this series because of Allen from Booktube. He raved about this book, but he did say he was biased because he loves this author prior work.

I have only read 6 books in the Expanse series and none of his other works.

I have lowered my expectations as this is said to be a slow book that is mainly set up.

[Tawallah]

First impressions :

The writing in here is taking a bit of getting used to. The long rambling sentences require a bit of concentration. But I think I have the gist of this story which seems to be quite involved :
(view spoiler)[- a king who seemed was going to die because he ignored certain facts, royalty part of the conquering Hanse faction that is obviously not loved and suppressed the indigenous religion. Gods that are still orchestrating events and a double or even triple betrayal? (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Sorry I'm so late. I'm going to be starting this one later today :) Expectation have been adjusted too after reading your comments :)

[Dannii]

Tawallah wrote: "First impressions :

The writing in here is taking a bit of getting used to. The long rambling sentences require a bit of concentration. But I think I have the gist of this story which seems to be..."

Okay I managed to read the first few pages on my dinner break and was immediately so impressed with the quality of writing and early world building. This is going to take me some time to get through, as it seems very dense, but I have really good feelings about it, so far.

[Dannii]

First quarter - (view spoiler)[I immediately fell in love with Alys' character. She is a thief with a heart and doesnt want to prey upon her own. I thought the author did such a good job of making the reader share her tension when they approached the young guard to steal from him and I knew it was all going to go wrong from there! Orwell wasnt as immediately likeable and I thought him too greedy and prideful.

Darro, however, I loved! Whatever he was doing communing over the black, lit candle was so intriguing but the book changed perspective right as my intrigue was heightened. This author is really good at keeping me reading and doing that. I wasn't anticipating his death and though we'd only had a few scenes with him it made me really sad.

More fantastical elements and few concrete answers for who or what they were and why they were occurring came after. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[I don't trust the people Alys are working for at all! There must be a reason by Darro didn't hand the knife over to them and with the amount of wealth and power they hold, those like the two siblings must be expendable to them. I don't think they were respnsible for Darro's death though, which means now Alys has also gained a new enemy.

The guard Alys stole from at the beginning of the book was provided with his own perspective, very briefly, as she was attacked by Alys following Darro's death and I wonder if he will coming back into the book later? Maybe on the same side as Alys?

Sammith is an absolute angel and her unrequited love for Alys is breaking my heart. I not only don't think it is reciprocated, but I think Alys is entirely unaware. She doesn't mean to take advantage of her friend, but I also don't think Alys knows just how much Sammith does for her either. She sacrificed her future and her current work by aiding Alys and neglecting her own duties. I'm hoping this doesn't continue as I can see a falling out happening between them, if so. I didn't anticipate for Sammith to find Orrell and for him to return to the book! I still don't think he is a good person but he also didn't deserve the fate that befell it. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[I can't stop thinking about this book! That Kithamar is sentient and that the workings of all the human lives inside of it make a difference to the future of it is enthralling to read about. I also love how the author writes of the setting throughout, as something alive. Like this:

"The walls, by contrast, were stone and old and dark. They remembered war and violence. Light, they seemed to say, passes quickly. Soot and scorch endure. At times like this, the palace reminded Andomaka of an old soldier forced to wear a frilly dress. The decorations were beautiful and bright. They promised lightness and gaiety. The frame beneath them suffered the illusion but didn’t share in it. The palace was hope, as worn by history." (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[Sammith and Alys on opposing sides is killing me!

Andomaka's untethering was a little scary to to read about. She became Kithamar and Alys' new objective was to hunt her once friend. I had no idea what the outcome would be, especially after Alys learned about Sammith's meeting with Orrell. I was screaming at the page that Sammith wouldn't betray her and to just think about WHY she might keep anything from her. Her rage and grief have blinded her though and made her Andomaka's perfect tool. (hide spoiler)]

[Tawallah]

Danni, I am going to focus on this over the next few days so this buddy read counts.
I am going to restart and respond to your comments.

[Tawallah]

Part 1
(view spoiler)[ I agree that the author has a way of writing that pulls the reader into the story. Having re-started I can see that this will be a great book to read multiple times. At this junction, there are so many questions. Th poverty here is in your face in a way that most fantasy books don't seem to highlight. But there is a level of pride for characters like Alys, Grey Linnet and Sammish.

I am intrigued by the setup. There are tidbits being given with the clash between two tribes. But is this a play on reader's expectations?
And I was right about the notion of Inslic gods being important here. Curious as to the foreign woman, the old man and how Alys and Sammish play out. (hide spoiler)]

[Tawallah]

Part 2
(view spoiler)[ I agree that Sammish is the heart string of the book. The sacrifice she does because of her love/lust for Alys. I was reminded of Sam the hobbit and wondered if the author was giving a better role to the sidekick character.

I agree that Andomaka and Tregarro seem to be the villains here. But then that would mean the city, Kithamar, is also a villain. I agree that Darro didn't trust them and was planning to betray them. So I suspect he would have died anyway. But then these characters also seem to have been betrayed somehow. And I look at Halver Karsen, the prince's friend. There is something ominous when he was introduced.

Alys is wrapped up in grief and oblivious to what is happening. But I still don't like how she is changing either. Right now I am all here for Sammish and Elaine. (hide spoiler)]

[Tawallah]

I should be able to wrap this up by weekend. This book has been so engaging. I may go straight into book 2 after Christmas. This is looking like a 4-5 star read.
And naturally I am looking to buy his backlist series.

[Tawallah]

Part 3
(view spoiler)[ This book got so crazy after the ritual that Andomaka performs. I felt like I should not have been surprised that the city is so ruthless considering its citizens. But I am also shocked that I was right about Havlev. The game is truly afoot.

I agree it was intense if Alys and Sammish remained on opposing teams. But now I have no idea where this is heading. (hide spoiler)]