Willow of Ashes: YA Dark Fantasy Adventure

I've never experienced epic fantasy based on the idea of the Grim Reaper before. Until this series I honestly wasn't interested in the concept. Ellie Raine has changed that for me.I think by now I've read this first novel about three times. This official 2nd Edition improved on an already intriguing and entertaining story.I found the world building to be brilliant and full of imagination and creativity. I'd personally not read anything like this before. Ms. Raine's concepts regarding the different kingdoms, their purposes and beliefs and cultures is astounding. And the Reapers are the good guys instead of evil or demonized! Go figure!!Now that all five novels and the novella are available I can read them straight through for two reasons. The first reason is that there are a lot of characters. This is my main issue with the series. I found it difficult to keep up with all of them through the entire series especially with months in between readings. The second reason is that I will enjoy them as much as the first time.

I readily admit that this is a very good story but I am stunned that so many readers gave it 5 stars! Ms Raine makes many painful grammatical errors but the really grating thing is her misuse of words. For instance, her constant use of the word "heckle" to mean something ike "chuckle." I have seen other very good books condemned for far less mistakes than this. Woman makes I suppose that is a tribute to the strength of the story, but I feel the author should be held accountable. With a good proofreader, this book could have gone from good to gteat.

If this writer hasn't seen/read Bleach I will eat the book. The whole thing is a host of anime tropes loosely tied together, from humans with animal characteristics to the necessary scene with an op bad guy casually saving the heroes from lesser minions while talking about how easily he could wreck them if he didn't have more important things to be doing. Probably a fun read for younger anime enthusiasts who enjoy those tropes, though definitely not recommended for those such tropes have grown stale towards.

This book introduces us to a completely new world. Raine has an amazing imagination and it comes through in her work. It's clear that these lands and their people are real to her so she can make them real for us.Willow of Ashes is a clever and suspenseful adventure full of characters motivated by love, duty, and pain. Both sides of her conflict are fully flushed which is amazing for me because I love a good villain (anything less is just doing your hero a disservice). I'm loving the fantastic world of reapers, dragons, warriors, and regular people just trying to live their lives. I especially love the way she tells you that she's going to surprise you and still catches you off guard with the reveal. Can't wait for the next book in the series!

As someone who's found great difficulty in finding stories that grab my attention span, I am happy to have found this gem.Willow of Ashes gives readers a fresh universe of dark tales, guiding spirits, hauntingly yellow eyes, battling corpses, and witty Reapers. You cannot help but enjoy the intricacy of the world that Ms. Raine provides us as it gives levels and realms to its environment. Immersing yourself in the adventures of our young Reapers keeps you guessing and asking for more. Try and predict the story, go ahead. With the swing of a scythe, you find yourself digging further into plots twists and turns. At the turn of each page, you read the challenges the twins face while under the great and terrifying Death King's rule!A fabulous read. An adventure awaiting to unfold!