Ember and Ash by Pamela Freeman

Ember and Ash (Castings Trilogy)

by Pamela Freeman

The old ones will have their revenge.

Two peoples have been fighting over the same land for a thousand years. Invaders crushed the original inhabitants, and ancient powers have reluctantly given way to newer magics. But Ember was to change all this with a wedding to bind these warring people together -- until her future goes up in flames.

Ember's husband-to-be is murdered by a vengeful elemental god, who sees peace as a breach of faith. Set on retribution, she enlists the help of Ash, son of a seer. Together they will pit themselves against elementals of fire and ice in a last attempt to end the conflicts that have scarred their past. They must look to the present, as old furies are waking to violence and are eager to reclaim their people.

Reviewed by wyvernfriend on

4 of 5 stars

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I really did enjoy this read, and while I didn't quite *like* the ending, it was the right end for the society.

Ember has a path laid out for her life. She's going to marry Osfrid and unite two kingdoms. It's what is planned. Until the part of the marriage cermony where they leap the fire together, and Osfrid is consumed by fire. Fire speaks directly to Ember and sends her on a quest, when she resits he takes fire away from almost everyone, it's never really explained why certain fires remain, but there are a few. Add to it that the weather looks set to get colder and Ember has to endure a quest with some of the guards. As they continue on the quest many of the people with them are killed or leave. Almost everyone on this quest has something that will change them in the story.

I liked it, when I finished I was satisfied with the ending, not entirely happy with it, but it was consistent with the characters as established.

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  • Started reading
  • 1 April, 2012: Finished reading
  • 1 April, 2012: Reviewed