Legacy of Ash: 1 (Legacy Trilogy)

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About the plot: Legacy of Steel takes place about a year after happenings in the first book. The whole novel is mostly a battlefield between Hadari Empire and Tressiea but it is not for a moment boring. There's also another threat for a Republic and it comes in a form of Crowmarket who is as deathly as foreign Empire. This is definitely one of my top 3 this year's reads and I can say that I wasn't so invested in the series since Malazan Book of The Fallen (which I've read about 5 years ago). From Melanna trying to prove herself worthy to be heir and Empress, to Apara’s internal struggles with the changing ways of the Crowmarket, to the Gods chaotic war, every element of this story, of the plot fell together perfectly aiding by the narrative and multiple POV’s creating one brilliantly epic story. Legacy of Ash is an unmissable fantasy debut - an epic tale of intrigue and revolution, soldiers and assassins, ancient magic and the eternal clash of empires.

We’re just a few weeks out from the release of Legacy of Steel and I know some of you are thinking ‘I loved Legacy of Ash, but there was a lot going on. How do I get caught up in time? What is the story so far? Now this review is going to be rambly and brief because this series is far too easy to spoil but hopefully it gets how awesome I think this book was across. So, which characters did I like the best? How long have you got?! There are a lot to mention, so I’ll do my best to keep it short(ish). Josiri, was a character that often wallowed in self pity and bitterness, which made him infuriating to begin with, but as he became stronger, and was able to overcome his narrow mindedness, I began to adore him. His sister, Calenne, in her desperation to step out from behind her mother’s shadow any way she could, did come across as selfish, but you understand her reasons behind it, and I grew to really root for her. Now, Viktor Akadra was one I immediately LOVED. I mean Viktor had heart, he genuinely cared for others, and his only goal was to make amends for his past; but Viktor had a shadow… and I’ll leave it to you find out exactly what that shadow could do! The one about which I am not ambivalent is regarding the editing. The author switches perspective quite often in the narrative and the editor or director (or whatever the relevant job title is) doesn’t provide a sufficient break in between to make it clear that the character providing perspective has changed. Even something as simple as an extra second’s pass would have help.It’s a big world. Lose yourself in it. I’ve learnt that it’s always better to do something than nothing.”

To give a brief outline of the book is something of a challenge, as the narrative slowly builds up to become quite complex, but here I go anyway. The Tressian Republic strive to conquer their neighbouring lands; in the south a Phoenix has arisen to lead the people of the Southshires towards a battle for freedom. However, when the Phoenix is slain, hope dies with her, and all that’s left is a legacy of failure. We then move forward to fifteen years later, and the Prince of Hadari plots to set his army upon the lands of the Tressian Republic to further his rule and secure his seat on the Emperor’s throne. His eye is set upon the land of the Southshires, to the town of Eskavord. Josiri, and Calenne, the children of the infamous Phoenix, imprisoned within the walls of Branghall castle, must find a way to continue their mother’s quest for freedom and liberate the people of Eskavord, not only against the oncoming Hadari, but also breaking free from the Republic. With Josiri riddled with self doubt, and his sister Calenne desperate to rid herself of her mother’s memory, the task is not easy. Can Viktor, a soldier of the Republic, amend for his past deeds and offer salvation to the doomed Southshires? Can old wounds be buried and new alliances formed? This, folks, is our tale. Treasure your family, Malachi. No one is poorer than a man who knows his wealth only when it’s lost.” Do you love me so little that you’d make me beg?” She forced herself to meet his gaze. “Accept this last gift and remember me well. Go.”Reading one of my most anticipated releases of the year while in a reading slump wasn't easy but I thoroughly enjoyed this book anyway. Satisfied, Katya clambered into her saddle and spurred west along the broad cobbles of Highgate. They’d expect her to take refuge in Branghall Manor, or at least strip it of anything valuable ahead of the inevitable looting. But the western gateway might still be clear. The battle cry fed Josiri’s resolve. The widening of the nearest wayfarer’s eyes gave him more. They were as afraid of him as he of them. Maybe more, for was his mother not the Phoenix of prophecy?

Legacy of Ash is an unmissable fantasy debut--an epic tale of intrigue and revolution, soldiers and assassins, ancient magic and the eternal clash of empires. No!” Akadra dived forward. His hands reached for hers, his sudden alarm lending weight to his promises. A key turned. The door opened. Elda Savka stood on the threshold, her face sagging with relief. “My lady. When the rider came from Zanya, I feared the worst.” Thankfully, such wits were absent in Eskavord. That, or else no one recognised Katya as the dowager duchess Trelan. The Phoenix of prophecy.We see this story through several points of view, not just that of Viktor, Josiri, and Calenne, though those seem to be the more important of them. The author did a good job making each of these points of view clear, so I never found it confusing, exactly, though I will admit that with so many characters to recall, it did take me a few hours to really feel comfortable with remembering who everyone was. It doesn’t help that several of the characters are known by different names, or by surname or given name, depending on who they are speaking to, or where they are. Spoiler Warning: This review may contain spoilers for book 1 in the Legacy Trilogy. Book 1 review:Book Review: Legacy Of Ash (Legacy Trilogy #1), by Matthew Ward. The shadow dispersed as Akadra strode closer. The wayfarers had seen none of it, Katya realised – or had at least missed the significance. Otherwise, Akadra would have been as doomed as she. The Council would tolerate much from its loyal sons, but not witchcraft. We all know how it goes; if it’s an epic fantasy debut, the particular book will immediately be advertised as A Song of Ice and Fire or Game of Thrones meets (insert another author/series/book here,) and Legacy of Ash isn’t excluded from that tradition. As much as I often find this kind of advertisement misleading most of the time, Legacy of Ash may have just done justice to this often-misleading claim. Legacy of Ash is an epic fantasy debut with many characters and names to remember, imbued with the hint of huge scope found in A Song of Ice and Fire and action sequences that bear a resemblance to Bernard Cornwell’s. Thunder roared, its fury echoing through the hole where Josiri’s heart should have been. He’d failed. Perhaps he’d never had a chance.

As Viktor Akadra rallied forces against the coup, Malachi realised that there was no hope of victory unless the Crowmarket abandoned Ebigail. Offering a sympathetic ear on the Council, he convinced the shadowy guild to release their prisoners, freeing others from Ebigail’s control and altering the course of the final battle. Meanwhile, Rosa freed herself from the pyre and saved Sevaka’s life.Calenne screamed – not with terror, but in wild joy – and then the danger was past, and the west gate was in sight. So there you have it, Legacy of Ash was a book that was simply right up my street. It felt like an old school fantasy, with characters that appeared real, and world building that revels in the fantastical. If this appeals to you, then what are you waiting for? Go grab a copy. The church spire passed away to his left. Desperate townsfolk crowded its lychpath, seeking sanctuary behind stone walls. People filled the streets beyond. Some wore council blue, most the sea-grey of Eskavord’s guard, and too many the garb of ordinary folk caught in between. Eskavord’s gate guard scattered without challenge. Had they recognised her, or simply fled the naked steel in her hand? Katya didn’t care. The way was open. So, Book 2 focuses on a few things; The Hadari and Melanna’s right to the throne, the Hadari’s war with Tressia, Tressia’s council conflict and the Crowmarket, and finally the God’s and Goddessess meddling – in between these larger issues we also have characters personal issues and obstacles that we see faced.