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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Review: Ash by Malinda Lo

Ash by Malinda Lo
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pub. Date: September 2009
Age Range: Young Adult
272pp
Malinda Lo delivers a compelling and unforgettable story in the retelling of Cinderella where magical elements and sacrifices for newfound love flourish…

Ash’s grief from losing loved ones takes hold of her and sends her on a downward spiral where she soon finds herself willing to be swept away by the magic of old tales told during her childhood in hopes of changing the past. Forced to serve her Stepmother and stepsisters to pay off her father’s debts, Ash longs to be taken away from her dreadful surroundings. After braving a trip in the Woods where rumors of fairies reside, Ash meets Sidhean, a mysteriously frightening fairy that she immediately connects to. Ash believes that Sidhean is the key to changing her life and through their friendship Ash finds hope. When Ash meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress everything that Ash thought she wanted changes.

Ash is forced to make a decision that will change her life forever…

I enjoyed the new twist that Malinda Lo put in the retelling of Cinderella. While Ash has plenty of remnants from the original story of Cinderella, the differences gave the story so much more depth. The choices that Ash has to make concerning Sidhean and Kaisa were intriguing and kept me turning the pages. These characters were likeable and it was nice to see their relationships grow. I felt so bad for Ash and everything she lost, and it was nice to see how she got her own fairytale ending.

Ash is a refreshing retake on Cinderella and I look forward to reading more of Malinda Lo’s novels.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
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32 comments:

  1. prophecygirlSeptember 2, 2009 at 6:13 AM

    This sounds good, thanks for the review! I think I'm going to wait for the UK edition of this, as I prefer the cover. :)

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  2. EllzSeptember 2, 2009 at 7:33 AM

    Great Review. I am excited to read this, I loved Cinderella in its original form and this sounds like fun.

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  3. Zombie GirrrlSeptember 2, 2009 at 7:56 AM

    Nice review! I love fairytale rettelings, and the darkness in this one intrigues me. I'm looking forward to reading this. :)

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  4. haleyknitzSeptember 3, 2009 at 7:41 AM

    oh boy, this sounds better than the origional cinderella!

    ~haleyknitz

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  5. AnonymousSeptember 3, 2009 at 9:06 AM

    Great review.i look forward to reading Ash.

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  6. LeslieSeptember 3, 2009 at 9:14 AM

    Awesome review!!! it's already on my tbr list! :D

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  7. TyngaSeptember 3, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    I'm definatly reading this book, I loved Cinderella as a kid, and I loved EverAfter as a teen.
    Good review!

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  8. Lindsay FrostSeptember 3, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    I want to read this book. thankyou for telling us about it!

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  9. Diana DangSeptember 3, 2009 at 11:13 AM

    I look forward to this one :)

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  10. Dani.September 3, 2009 at 11:36 AM

    I really want to read this book! It looks sooo good! Retellings are awesome- and Cinderella? Heck yes! Count me in! :)

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  11. AnonymousSeptember 3, 2009 at 11:52 AM

    this looks so good! OMFG I honestly hate that my small town doesnt have this yet

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  12. AnonymousSeptember 3, 2009 at 11:55 AM

    Your interview certainly has increased my desire to read this book.
    wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

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  13. Alyssa KirkSeptember 3, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    I love it when authors take old stuff and make it new with a fun and interesting twist! This looks awesome!

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  14. BeccaSeptember 3, 2009 at 12:39 PM

    Sounds intriguing. I like that it doesn’t sound like the book is all sweet and nice but that there is still a fairytale ending.

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  15. LizSeptember 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM

    Love the review! Just makes me want to read it ALOT more!

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  16. RylieSeptember 3, 2009 at 1:56 PM

    This sounds like a great book -- I'm looking forward to reading this one.

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  17. BrianaSeptember 3, 2009 at 2:45 PM

    Great review! I can't wait to read her book!

    -Marisa

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  18. Jenn (Books At Midnight)September 3, 2009 at 3:15 PM

    Thank you for the review! I love fairytale retellings, and Ash sounds very original and unique from Cinderella.

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  19. kay - Infinite ShelfSeptember 3, 2009 at 3:40 PM

    I too enjoy fairytales retellings! This one sounds interesting, especially since the author gave it a few new twists!

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  20. The Library LurkerSeptember 3, 2009 at 7:12 PM

    Ooh, I love retellings. and Cinderella...I guess that this is my kind of book them! Great review!

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  21. Jenny N.September 3, 2009 at 8:05 PM

    Nice Review, I excited to read this book as Ash is a retelling of Cinderella, one of my favourite fairy tales.

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  22. KaraSeptember 3, 2009 at 8:38 PM

    This books looks good and...interesting

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  23. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2009 at 4:10 AM

    I love Cinderealla remakes! Especially ones as unconventional as I hear this one is!

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  24. throuthehazeSeptember 4, 2009 at 12:15 PM

    I love fairy tale re-tellings!

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  25. JessySeptember 4, 2009 at 3:20 PM

    I have the arc, but I have not had a chance to read it yet with all the other releases. It sounds great though!

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  26. CeceliaSeptember 4, 2009 at 8:07 PM

    Fairy tale retellings, and especially retellings with a twist, are a favorite genre of mine (if they are their own separate genre...?), so this sounds really awesome. Good review!

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  27. ValorieSeptember 6, 2009 at 2:13 PM

    I just love retellings of old fairy tales.

    Valorie
    morbidromantic@gmail.com

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  28. heatherzillaSeptember 7, 2009 at 12:55 AM

    Great review. I have always loved fairy tales. I look forward to reading Ash.

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  29. MavieSeptember 9, 2009 at 8:30 PM

    I've been hearing a lot about this book, I like fairy tales :) I can't wait to read this book.

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  30. EmmaSeptember 15, 2009 at 6:20 PM

    Awesome review. This book sounds so good.

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  31. BrittSeptember 16, 2009 at 9:36 PM

    From your review, and the bio of the author, I'm curious if this is going to be among the brave few YA books that brings up gay/lesbian themes.

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  32. NancyeSeptember 17, 2009 at 11:42 PM

    I like the way you compared this story to Cinderella. I think you did a great job!

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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