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An Inheritance of Ashes by Leah Bobet is a dystopian novel with a twist! It’s got a unique fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi concept, a dramatic pair of sisters, and an inherited farm. This book takes from basically every genre to create one whirlwind of a book.
Author: Leah Bobet
Publisher: Clarion
Genres: Dystopian, Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: October 6, 2015
Rating:
Six months ago, the men of the lakelands marched south to fight a dark god.
Weeks after the final battle was won, sixteen-year-old Hallie and her sister, Marthe, are still struggling to maintain their family farm—and are waiting for Marthe’s missing husband to return. After a summer of bitter arguments, Hallie is determined to get Roadstead Farm through the winter—and keep what’s left of her family together, despite an inheritance destined to drive them apart.
But when Hallie hires a wandering veteran in a bid to save the farm, every phantom the men marched south to fight arrives at her front gate. Spider-eyed birds circle the fields, ghostly messages write themselves on the riverbank, and soon Hallie finds herself keeping her new hired hand’s desperate secrets—and taking dangerous risks. But as she fights to keep both the farm and her new friend safe, ugly truths about her own family are emerging—truths that, amid gods, monsters, and armies, might tear Roadstead Farm apart.
Leah Bobet’s stark, beautiful fantasy explores the aftermath of the battles we fight and the slow, careful ways love can mend broken hearts—and a broken world.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: An Inheritance of Ashes by Leah Bobet
❀ About the Aftermath of war
I really enjoyed the “end of a war” concept in An Inheritance of Ashes. Typically, when I read a dystopian, the book is about a current war, not the aftermath of one. This book is filled with Twisted Things, a Wicked God, and various other elements that make a phenomenal sci-fi/fantasy. An Inheritance of Ashes is very interesting and so different from other dystopian novels.
❀ Sisters Theme
One of my favourite things about this fantasy book is the theme of sisters. However, the sisters in this book aren’t necessarily on the best of terms. Hallie believes that she is only capable of disappointing Marthe and Marthe is extremely bossy and pretty demanding of Hallie. Most people may say that they dislike this idea, but I think it mixes things up and adds a bit more drama to the book. It also sets the stage for some real theatrics towards the end of the story.
❀ Mysterious and Creepy Setting
In An Inheritance of Ashes, the Hallie and Marthe have inherited a farm from their father. The farm is the perfect setting for a bit of paranormality and some monsters from the dark side. Bobet certainly uses this eery setting to create a mood in this book that is so mysterious and creepy.
❀ Unique Dystopian
An Inheritance of Ashes by Leah Bobet has a unique dystopian concept, two sisters who aren’t the best of friends, and an interesting farm setting. I recommend An Inheritance of Ashes to anyone who enjoys books like The Hunger Games. This is really the perfect fall read because of its spooky and dark concept.
About Leah Bobet
My first novel, Above, was shortlisted for both the Andre Norton Award and the Prix Aurora Award, and my second, An Inheritance of Ashes, was the winner of the Prix Aurora Award, the Copper Cylinder Award, and the Sunburst Award; an OLA Best Bets Selection; and shortlisted for the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Award and the Cybils.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.