Crimson Ash Review + GIVEAWAY!

(Picture retrieved from
book's Goodreads page.)

Today I'm going to be reviewing Crimson Ash by Haley Sulich. This is a New Adult Sci-Fi/Dystopian set in the future. It features sisters Solanine and Ember and the fight to save their relationship.

Amazon review can be found here.

*Note #1: Due to the age and genre of this book, there is content not suitable for younger audiences. There is also trigger (listed on the copyright page of the book) and content warnings (on my Goodreads review). A quick list can be found here.

*Note #2: If you're not Christian/only here for the giveaway, it's clearly marked so feel free to scroll down. 

I was approached by Ms. Sulich to review her book before the release on May 10. After she sent a summary of the story (this was before there was a Goodreads page and my review requirements), I accepted.

I was not disappointed.

This was a very different Dystopian in the fact that it held nothing back. It was dark. It was gripping. It was real.

Most Dystopians don't touch on the mental repercussions of living through what they have been put through in the story. The repercussions of going through multiple traumatic experiences is one of the main plot points. This not only makes the story refreshing but gives it a different story structure than what we normally see in Dystopians (more later).

This style of writing/plot/characters is one that I wish would have caught on the in mainstream Sci-Fi/Dystopian/Apocalyptic instead of the stereotypes that we have now. However, one thing that it did share with these mainstream genres is the short chapters. This kept the plot going, and also kept any slow parts in the story from going on too long.

One of the main differences is that there are actually two options of choice in this new world, unlike most where they are fighting for a new 'better' world. There is death, or there is a new world that the antagonist has created. This gives the characters a choice and allows the reader to go through a different experience while reading.

Another difference is the technology. It is futuristic, because this is also a Sci-Fi novel, yet practical. They have their future versions of entertainment, but there is also a new mode of transporation that resembles a portal (I can't remember what they call it #fail). I never felt as though it was too much of a reach to have these things.

The writing itself was unique. For Solanine, it is in third person, while Ember is written in first person. I've begun to dislike first person (again, it's become a stereotype for mainstream books of this nature to have first person. All the time.), but because it is mixed in with Solanine's third person it's much more tolerable.

In the book, soldiers are connected to each other telepathically. Sometimes, Ember will think something to herself during a telepathic conversation. There was different styles of presenting the different conversations, which I greatly appreciated. This allowed me to keep reading and not being distracted by who was saying what.

While I was halfway through the book, I happened to skim through the Goodreads reviews (0/10 would not recommend as it ruins the rest of the book's reading experience). One objection is that the familial relationships, especially Solanine and Ember's, tended to fall flat. I feel that it's because they were never on the same page on proceeding with their relationship for most of the book. When one was ready to put the past behind them, the other was certain that their past would hurt and destroy the other. It did get frustrating at times, but it is a realistic situation.

Finally, a major point of the story is getting help. One of the characters struggles with alcoholism and multiple characters are experiencing depression, anxiety, and/or PTSD. The sisters, even when they're not on the same page relationally, encourage each other to talk to the other and lean on someone for help, whether it be the sibling or a friend.

This does not, however, mean that it was completely flawless. Later in the book when Solanine and Ember are at the City of Graven (the city one goes to if they chose life), it does read like a typical dystopian book. It does have slow points; slow for about 40 pages, but it does pick back up in the end. This book is on the sadder side; the characters go through the one-step forward, two-steps back motions quite often, and can be frustrating at times.

Finally, the ending. It's a Mockingjay situation where when you first read it, the ending doesn't seem to fit. There is a buildup in the story that doesn't seem to pay off in the way that you would expect. Then you think about how the story has gone so far, and you see that it does fit. (More in the spoiler section.)

The characters were heartbreakingly real and I do wish that there had been a little more backstory for all of them, as it would help to explain some of the hard topics that they go through.

One last thing I would like to say before we do the giveaway and the small spoiler section: there is a slight gay romance in this book. Even though it would seem as though it would break my reviewing rules, it doesn't. One, even though this person is one of the main characters, due to the structuring of the book it doesn't feel like it. Two, there's only like two kisses and one scene that isn't really descriptive (but on pages 298-299 if you want to skip. I originally did, but skimmed back and it was the two talking about their future and how they would like to be together.)

On straight romance, there is a scene starting at p. 280, but this is how all writers should handle this topic. It's obvious what's happening, but there are no details and it's over quickly.

All in all, a great story that I recommend if you love Sci-Fi and Dystopian.

And now for what you've all been waiting for...the giveaway!!

Here is the link: GIVEAWAY!. Let me know if there is a problem with it.

Next month, I'll be doing the second part of my So Much More review (which will actually be on time as I have it completely typed up already #ThanksChristmasBreak)

**Disclaimer** I received a pdf file of this book for free to review, but it in no way affects my thoughts/feelings. (In fact, when I pre-order the book for the giveaway winner, I'm pre-ordering a copy for myself also.)

We're about to go into the spoiler section. This is your last warning besides the heading.


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Spoiler time!

Ok, so remember when I said that this story didn't have the traditional structure that most Sci-Fi/Dystopians had? What I mean is, about 75% of the way through there has to be something that remotivates the main character to continue on with the plot. If the author is unusually sadistic mean, it will be person closest to the MC, sometimes even the love interest.

Well, Solanine's fiancee, Quill, is killed off very early in the story. Like, at the end of chapter 5 early. (I'm not saying who the murder is because I'm only mean to fictional characters.) This really piqued my interest, as I saw that this book was not going to go on the traditional route.

The ending: So Solanine doesn't kill the antagonist (naming them is more spoilers than I want to go into). She doesn't even get to see it happen. Solanine walks away and leaves it behind.

Again, I understand why this happened and somewhat agree, but it still was sad to see it completely dropped when there was so much leading up to it.

So these are my spoiler thoughts. Go enter the giveaway if you haven't already!