Author: Daniel Abraham Title: Age Of Ash Rating 5 This was one of the best books I’ve ever read. Categories Fantasy, Young-Adult
The book takes place in the large city of Kithamar. Kithamar is more of a city-state than a city. There were wars once long ago in the tormented lands surrounding kithamar. The two races came together to build the massive city. Though the races came together, there is still a lot of prejudice against the two races in the book and tensions are always high. The two separate races believe in different histories of the city but somehow live together. The main characters in this book are Alyss and Sammish whose relationship is rocky throughout the book and changes multiple times, shifting between friends, more than friends, strangers, and enemies willing to slit each other necks. The main characters live in a section of kithamar called the slums of Longhill. It is the poorest part of the city and no one is to be trusted. Alyss is a thief out of necessity to bring food to the table. She works with a few other people from the slums, pickpocketing the richer citizens of the city. She notes that the city feels alive. Daniel Abraham hints that there is a dark evil underneath the hustle and bustle of the city. Something bigger than any of them could possibly comprehend.
The book slowly unravels the complex and dark layers of the city, showing how the wealthy were vying for power over one another leaving the poor to fend for themselves on the street. I like that there are some parts of the book that are very fast-paced but also that there are times that the book slows down to allow you to understand the complex feelings of guilt, pride, hope, and hopelessness they all carry at the same time. The book also shows that even the lowliest people in the city have an effect on the future of the city and that they are not insignificant as the rich try to portray. I know that this is a stretch, but I think that the two races can relate to the two political parties in power in this country. I also believe that the monster of the city that you see toward the end of the book represents greed. In conclusion, this is a great book that addresses the one-sided story most fantasies tell from the view of the rich. This book goes and shows us the city from the view of those who know it best. The poor people that live and sleep in it every day and have to run all over the city just to make a meager living; Just enough not to starve. For those who like a little bit of mystery, suspense, and fighting not just for themselves but for the freedom of others. I highly recommend this book.
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