Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian

The book The Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian is an adventurous dystopian novel about a 16 year old girl that has more experience with danger than most other girls her age would. Theodosia was once an Astrean princess. That however, was before the kalovaxians captured the astreans and started used them as slaves. At the start of the siege, Theodosia’s mother, the queen was murdered when Theo was only 6. The war continued harshly after that. Thousands of astreans had died every day fighting against the Kaiser/King’s army but they didn’t give up. They continued to fight harder and harder but it wasn’t enough in the end. The Kaiser captured hundreds of astreans and killed thousands more. The siege ended. Captured astreans were forced to work in mines. Most astreans can control natural forces with powers they are given at birth by different gods. These powers are mainly the ability to be able to control the magic from different types of stones like fire or water. These stones are extremely desired by the kalovaxians so they make thousands of astreans overwork in these caves, making them mine for gems. While all these men are in the mines, women are used as slaves and are forced into doing things they shouldn’t have to. As this goes on, Theo is held captive by the Kaiser for 10 years. He keeps her in the castle for year after year punishing her every time an astrean rebels. She is abused and humiliated daily, no one even talks to her genuinely other than a kind and sweet kalovaxian girl named Crescentia. The only problem with her is that she is the daughter of the Theyn, also known as the man who killed the Queen of Flame who is Theo’s mother. Theo is numb after years of dealing with so much pain all on her own. Crescentia wouldn’t understand her sorrow and there is no astrean who she knows so she keeps in the burden that fills her soul. But what happens when the Kaiser finally pushes her past the limit and makes her do the unthinkable? Her last hope dies and her only chance depends on herself. What happens when the Kaiser’s son returns from years of boot camp and starts connecting with Theo? What happens when her long lost best friend shows up as a servant at a dinner? What will Theo do? Read more to find out.

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Review by Pravigna U.