A Curse of Ash and Embers

A Curse of Ash and Embers
Tales of the Blackbone Witches Book One
Written by Jo Spurrier
Paranormal, Witches, #LoveOZYA
368 Pages
Published September 24th 2018
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★★★
A dead witch. A bitter curse. A battle of magic. Some people knit socks by the fire at night. Gyssha Blackbone made monsters.

But the old witch is dead now, and somehow it's Elodie's job to clean up the mess.

When she was hired at Black Oak Cottage, Elodie had no idea she'd find herself working for a witch; and her acid tongued new mistress, Aleida, was not expecting a housemaid to turn up on her doorstep.

Gyssha's final curse left Aleida practically dead on her feet, and now, with huge monsters roaming the woods, a demonic tree lurking in the orchard and an angry warlock demanding repayment of a debt, Aleida needs Elodie's help, whether she likes it or not.

And no matter what the old witch throws at her, to Elodie it's still better than going back home.
Elodie Foster is forsaken. Isolated to the family cottage, Elodie maintains the small, ramshackle homestead, illiterate and denied an education. Elodie is verbally and emotionally abused by her stepfather, her mother remains passively apathetic, accusing her daughter of antagonism and initiating conflict. A mysterious correspondence arrives providing salvation, an opportunity for employment in the small pastoral community of Lilsfield, migrating to the infamous Black Oak Cottage, escorted by a local farmer, his daughter and a destitute magician on her journey.

All The Women Who Are Independent... Throw Your Hands Up At Me
Elodie is an intelligent young woman, despite denied an education. As a young lady, her biological father passed away, survived by his daughter and destitute young widow. Elodie is isolated from her community and although is forsaken by her abusive stepfather, reluctantly accepts the position of servitude. An ancient sorceress befelled by her young apprentice, monstrous creations arisen from the land and a small community encompassed in folklore.

Returning to the small ramshackle cottage, Aleida Blackbone tenaciously liberated the Lilsfield community from the subordination of Gyssha, a malevolent crone pleasured by consuming the small town. Fiercely independent, the confrontation has diminished the once apprentice to an ailing woman needing assistance to endure the forthcoming catastrophe. The apparitional cavalrymen.

Elodie and Aleida are contrasting characters. Aleida is assured, confident and perceptive. An apprentice to Gyssha as a young woman, exploiting her humanity to ensure her compliance. Elodie and Aleida have experienced a callous manipulation, remarkably similar as they find solace within their tentative companionship.

I Don't Want No Scrubs
Although Elodie is enchanted by local huntsman Kian, neither Elodie or Aleida are interested in pursuing a romantic relationship. On occasion entrusting neighbour Attwater for assistance. Aleida is independent, inspiring Elodie to discover her own bravery and heroism, becoming Aleida's caregiver during her recovery. A Curse of Ash and Embers reiterates that female characters are individuals and independent, unreliant on male characters or masculinity to further their own narrative.

On her journey, Elodie encounters a young magician. Although charming and eccentric, he abandons his travelling companions rather peculiarly, perplexing why his character was introduced within the narrative.

Legends And Folklore
The Lilsfield folklore is captivating. The monstrous automatons created from the fertile earth, Laurel the dryad and her companion Attwater, the apparitional warlocks and the Blackbone legacy. The atmospheric Black Oak Cottage creates a foreboding whimsicality, enchanting and captivating throughout the narrative of sixteen year old Elodie.
We are the eye of the storm. We are the darkness behind the stars. We are the glare of the sun, and nothing touches us unless we let it.

A Curse of Ash and Embers is a charismatic narrative of enchantment and folklore, of independent women and shared experiences. Wonderfully characterised, beautifully illustrated and emphatically captivating.

22 comments

  1. What an interesting sounding book. The summary alone had me interested but your review makes me think I need to read which makes it all the more frustrating this is an oz release which hasn't made over this way as of yet.

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    1. I know it was available on The Book Depository but seems to be out of stock unfortunately. It's such a wonderful read. Let me know if you're interested in a Kindle copy, I'm pretty sure I'm able to send as a gift from the Amazon store.

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  2. Okay, so THAT COVER THOUGH. SO PRETTY. And it really seems like witches are the new big thing – I've seen lots of books about them recently. This one sounds really good and your review made me want to read it :) Thanks for the lovely post :)

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    1. It's gorgeous isn't it! I really enjoyed it. My only complaint is that I wanted more and could have benefited from a few extra chapters or a second narrative from Aleida's point of view.

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  3. I love stories that are steeped in folklore so this one really appeals to me. Elodie and Aleida sound like great characters too.

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    1. They're wonderful but I loved the local folklore sprinkled throughout the narrative. I hope it's explored further in the next installment. It has such a dark, whimsical feeling.

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  4. Wow this sounds so good! I hadn't heard of it before reading your review, and now of course I want it! (So sad that Book Depository doesn't have it- it may one of these days though, sometimes takes awhile!) Fabulous review, this sounds like something I'd really enjoy!

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    1. Yeah, it looks as though it's out of stock so hopefully they have some more arriving soon! Even at 360 pages, I flew through it pretty quickly. It's such an easy, really entertaining read.

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  5. *throws hands up* Hell yeah to independent women seizing their own opportunities and not needing a man to define their self worth! Elodie and Aleida sounds like a kickass pair, regardless of how different they are to each other, especially based on their own histories. I'm excited to pick up this book and give it a go — so glad to hear you loved it Kel!

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    1. You'll really enjoy this one Joy, such a quick yet entertaining read. I was thrilled when I realised there was no romance, not that I don't enjoy romance but this one was all the more stronger for focusing on female independence.

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  6. Ooh I really need to read more books with witches. This sounds like a really beautifully written book, and I think I'd love the character of Elodie. I love that her and Aleida aren't that interested in or distracted by men; it's nice to hear of a book that focuses MORE on women's independence than a romance.

    Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. Here here Lauren. I felt the same way. I love when a narrative doesn't need to rely on a love interest to further the protagonist.

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  7. Sounds like a pretty interesting read Kelly. Plus I love independent female leads!

    xx
    Vanessa
    Blushing Geek

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    1. You'll really enjoy this one Vanessa, such a brilliant read. I'd love to see what you think of it!

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  8. I was sold on the characters. I love a good romance, but I adore female characters who don't particularly need the love interest. The atmosphere sounds great; I hope this is available internationally!

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    1. From what I've seen, it's on the Book Depository but out of stock at the moment. Such a wonderful read Amber, I just cant get enough of books with witches!

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  9. sounds familiar, like the Witches of New York by Ami McKay... except not against other witches

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    1. I don't think I've heard of that one Ailyn, will have to check it out!

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  10. Okay fave I see you with the song titles! lol. This actually sounds really good and it's a bit refreshing to see that the characters aren't so stuck on pursuing a relationship, which is what normally happens in YA. Yasss to independent queens! I've been in a fantasy mood as of late, and I think I want to pick this one up to hopefully read next month. Amazing review as always my sugar plum!

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    1. Is it really you? Are my eyes deceiving me? I love a passionate romance but all too often it overwhelms the storyline. This was brilliant though There's scope to introduce a relationship within the series but I'm thankful it wasn't part of this narrative and we experience the characters as strong individuals.

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  11. My my my, that cover! And awesome review, Kelly! Anotehr book to add to the TBR that will never end and I don't carrrreeeeee *wheee*

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    1. It's beautiful isn't it! Such a brilliant read, would love to see what you think of it!

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