Cinders & Ashes Book Two (Cinders & Ashes #2) (2024)

Audio: 5 stars Edward Fox did a great job and the fact they added in Hannah Hart for all the women parts was a great decision!

Book: 4-4.5 stars

Damn these cliffhangers, I am so glad the whole series is done because I don’t think I could wait for the next book!

This one had way more action and the bromance for Leonid and Serxio is coming in strong haha!

I do love how even when there was some omissions both Rohan and Finn didn’t make a big deal of it!

While I can’t go in to detail of what happened in these books because of the cliffhangers and it would spoil the book, just know they are addictive and worth the read!

The first part was a little bit boring but i enjoyed it

Non-stop action! Rohan and Finn were so sweet and protective of each other! 🥰 I can’t wait for book 3 to come out! 👏🏻

3.5
With the 2nd book we're now on the other side of the wall and we know who's the main villain. With his power evolving and the visit of the Death Mage in his dreams Finn's character is getting more complex while it's still his goodness and innocence which defines him and doesn't let him succumb to his darker side. Rohan is also having a revelation about his ancestry and that he's not without magic but in his case that doesn't mean becoming a more complex character.

The story line is much more adventurous with a lot of action that's meant to strengthen the fellowship and also the relationship between Finn and Rohan. While the story is not simple it has certain fairytale simplicity which contrast with the fantasy action, so it reads more like an all-age book and the one single sex scene doesn't change that impression.

This was even better than book #1. very interesting story even outside the romance. the world of the Fae just got more and more thickness and I just couldn't put the book down. The Cinderella motive was abandoned and I would have been disappointed if not since it was no longer needed to get on with the story.
Hopefully I will be this happy by the end of this series.

Chapter 2, read!!

This book, especially the last 1/3 , was a bit tedious ... but well see how it continues!

Am having a bit of a giggle about this book.

While listening to book one, I thought to myself "Edward Fox is a great narrator. . . except when he does female voices." And clearly I was not alone, because in all subsequent books, the female parts are now read by women.

(This is not really a Cinderella retelling: yes, hidden nobility and evil step family, but that is about it. I mention this because the book can easily stand on its own as a Fat romance without making reference to the fairy tale)

I love how this series is a solid mix of plot, romance, and action. It reminds me of all of the various MF epic romantasy series that follow one couple. There isn't enough of that in the MM space, in my opinion, so this feels like it is filling a bit of a gap.

Finn and Rohan's adventure beyond the wall and the discovery of their powers were both exciting and interesting, and I liked the cliffhanger we were left on. I'm curious to see where things will go from here!

הספר השני בסדרה היה מהנה מאד גם הוא. אהבתי במיוחד את העובדה שהספר נפתח ב״תקציר הפרקים הקודמים״, כשהוא מתאר בתמציתיות את עלילת הספר הראשון, אך עם מספיק פרטים, כדי שגם אם קראתן אותו מזמן, מיד תיכנסו לעניינים. מעולה לאנשים כמוני, עם בעיית זיכרון קשה ;)

מניחה שהספר הבא יעשה את אותו הדבר ולכן מרשה לעצמי הפעם לוותר על ה״תיעוד״ הסטנדרטי שאני תמיד עושה לכל ספר שאני קוראת.

I truly surprised how much I'm enjoying this 'fairy-tale'. Fast paced plot, engaging characters and a cliff-hanger ending that has compelled me to go straight on with the next book!

We continue the adventure of Fin and Rohan in the fairy realm. Things are dangerous, new enemies appear, and destinies are revealed. We are given this really interesting mystery of Death Mages. Not too much time for romance, but I'm loving the plot too much to care. Lots of magical battles and monster spiders. The absolute best part was Finn's meeting with his unknown father. I love secret baby/child drama like that. I read those chapters like three times over just drinking it all in. I might have also cried a little.
The future of Elvin and human kingdoms continues in book 3 I guess. This series better have a conclusion already or I will be inconsolable!

I liked this one a lot. A lot of action, discoveries and a lot of characters' development.

I wonder what had happened to Finn's half-brothers, and if there will be repercussions by the family's behaviour toward Finn, now that king Rohan is aware of it...

Seriously, I can't wait for the next book.

DNF @ 27%

I don't know if it's just the writing style, but I struggled with the first one and just can't get into this one. I'm in a little bit of a book slump so maybe I'll give it another go later.

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/5/2021)! 🎁

This is not well written and while some will like it, I guess, I did not. I didn’t like the first one but still found it propulsive enough to get me here. The ending of this one is so unearned that I no longer care what happens and I will not continue on.

Taking a break before book 3!

I'm still enjoying this alot.

Brilliant continuing story can't wait for the next book

This second book takes off far beyond the Cinderella tale with only the most basic resemblance: an oppressed child and a royal. Nonetheless, this was an unexpectedly strong second entry into a magical world (literally!). This second book takes a turn into more of a high fantasy story line. The pacing & adventure are well done. The characters are bonding at a natural rate. Some of the secondary characters are being developed.

The ending of the second book is a little bit abrupt, but the continuation is at least scheduled to release a couple of months after this one did. So there won't be a many months or years long wait. Glad I started reading these first 2 books in this series because now I have another book to look forward to. 2020 can't be over soon enough. Here's hoping 2021 lives up to our high expectations of a more normal life.

Okay, I know I’m really bad at leaving reviews because I am either too busy, too tired, or I really just want to move forward to my next read. However, X. Aratare is so creative and their world building skills really draws you in. This isn’t your typical Cinderella retelling. Aside from being M/M (and yes there are steamy explicit scenes...not for adolescent minds), I enjoy the unique Fae twist that’s spun on this tale.
Some of the plot points were a little predictable, but that did not take away from the enjoyment of this read. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for for Finn and Rohan in part 3!.... No seriously, when is it coming out in paperback?

I enjoyed the first book but honestly I found myself losing interest in this second book whilst I was reading it. I did finish it and I can see why others would like it but honestly I just found it became a little bit to predictable for me. I wasn't so keen on some of the other characters that were involved which whilst I understood their purpose just felt annoying when the main 4 characters are very interesting and engaging. I also found that this strayed more away from the romantic interactions which was a shame because I didn't feel like I enjoyed the pot enough to make up for this lacking throughout. I might read the next book to see where it goes but I can't say it will be at the top of my list.

Just another walk in a dark, dangerous forest

WOW, who would have expected this story to be an action packed love story full of monsters, out of control life forms, and fae and humans with secrets. With every turn is more adventure and potential death to our band of warriors.
The Cinderella aspect is minimal in this. Most of it revolves around ancient secrets such as who is Finn's father and what is the King doing claiming two Royal houses? Why are there so many humans that are being sacrificed to protect the fae. And what is this huge white wolf all about?? Why did he try to save Finn? Great story so far even without any glass slippers or huge ball.

Book two of this great saga is no let down, it is like finding a good wine, it never ceases to disappoint you. it gets better and better. the relationship between Rohan and Finn continues to grow, though ap[art for a good part of it. Finns powers continue to grow and there is a surprise for Rohan along the way. not going to give it away but this is so well written and developed and as with book 1 I advise people to read and experience the amazing story teller that X Aratare is. looking forward to the next installment.

Excellent second installment.

So, I only gave the first book 4 stars because it was pretty unclear that this was more of a single book in 4 parts. By now, though, you should know that, and so I can review this as an episode in a larger book.

I'm not here strictly for the spice, but if I were I might have taken a half star away- there was only one sex scene, and while it was sweet, it was mostly okay.

However, the plot and worldbuilding in this episode were very well done and I am well pleased.

sooo good!

This is part two of the series. X. Aratare is an amazing storyteller. She weaves beautiful love stories into worlds that pull you in and keep you wanting more. In this story, like in Cinderella, the attraction is instant. However, the path to a hea is not...and therein lies the story which is riveting. As of this post there are four books and the final one is out in March. I’m binging through and I know I’ll be champing at the bit waiting for the next one!

I loved the first entry but I don’t know if I can continue.

It just seems like the story has veered so far from being the Cinderella story as advertised.

Finn and Rohan are separated the majority of the book, and they each go on their own “lame quests”

Finn is in a dreamlike state for a portion of it. And it just feels frustratingly drawn out. Everyone is part something after a while. Everyone gets powers. I really loved the dynamic of the first book, and Finn having to keep his secret.

So books are supposed to have a beginning, a middle and an end (according to 3rd grade literature class). The first book in the series was the beginning and this one was the middle. Reviewing something incomplete is always tricky and this felt much like the middle book it is, not bad, not particularly good. I guess I need to read the third book to make up my mind. For now, two stars.

Omg

This series just gets better and better I literally could not put this book down and had to read it all in one day. I love Rohan and Finn. I literally was in tears towards the end seeing how Finn reacted to the truth of his powers and the reunion I just couldn’t believe it. I felt like I was also there witnessing the whole thing. I need more Finn and Rohan.

I loved book two! The adventures behind "The Wall" were astounding and serious problems are happening on both sides not just in Rirea. Now that Finn has met his father and said father threw Finn's lover and friends back into Rirea, plus condemned the King from returning, I anxious to see what book 3 has in store for me.

Rating: 4 stars

I actually liked this book more than I did the first one. It has pretty much deviated from the Cinderella fairytale at this point and has moved into its own territory. I love both of the MCs along with their companions and can't wait to see where the series goes from here.

Time to give up. I waited so long for them to stop keeping secrets, speak up… lol, nah, that’s enough. I want my protagonists to be adventurous together, work together and overcome magical hurdles together. 🙄 this was fun but too frustrating for me. And it moves soooo slowly because of all the inner monologue (about the secrets duh). Btw, kudos to the narrators, their performance was a treat.