Its a very intriguing concept for a book but I felt like transition between the different perspectives was poorly done and left me feeling confused. INstead of creating different voices for the characters they just used like first person for one character, third person for a different one, etc. And the characters themselves were very two dimensional. I couldn't get into the book.

This arc is a tough one to review. The first 3/4 of the book was wonderful. I loved the world-building and the characters. I was excited to write a glowing review until I reached the end of the book, which was full of plot holes. The action was also difficult to follow because of inadequate description.

At this point, I can't recommend the book because of the end. I suspect the author has since revised the end and that work just didn't make it into the arc. If this is the case, I can post a review after the revised text comes out.

All the best,
Rebecca

I absolutely loved this book! It was reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Scorpio Races while remaining it's own story. It was a bit of a slow burn but I did not want to put it down. A world with phoenix horse races is so interesting and unique. Fans of both previously mentioned books and rebellion will enjoy this one. Full review to come on the blog closer to release date.

INCREDIBLE!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I had trouble with this book and kept pushing myself to read it, but as I got a little over halfway through, it started getting more exciting. The beginning was a slow burn and i was getting impatient because the races hadn't started till a little ways over half of the book. Once the races started, it got a lot more exciting! I hope the sequel is alot more action packed than the first though. Here's to hoping it is!

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

I requested an e-galley of Ashlords from the publisher without reading the synopsis. It had a fiery horse on the cover and the most important part Scott Reintgen was the author. So it was automatic request due to author.

I was not disappointed one bit.
This book follows three main characters Imelda (a Dividian), Adrian (a Longhand), and Pippa (an Ashlord, the favorite) as they prepare for and compete in a race. The Dividians are basically the lowest caste, they make less money, they are governed by Ashlords, etc. Imelda is chosen as a qualifier for the race because she cannot afford the entry fee herself. The Longhands are basically middle caste and dislike being pushed down by Ashlords. And the Ashlords are the ruling and richest caste. Adrian is in the race in hopes of starting a revolution for his people. Imelda just wants to actually win. And Pippa was born and bred to win the race.

They ride Phoenix horses and the components they use to rebirth the horses each morning help create the horse and their strengths, which is the coolest thing I've ever heard of and my favorite part of the book.

Not only does this story include freaking PHOENIX HORSES! But it also includes betrayal, revolution, deceit, and a TON of action. Like I could barely put the book down the entire second half. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I enjoyed reading this. An interesting story with fun characters. Well written.

Such an amazing ride! I LOVED every single bit of it!

Scott Reintgen has a way with words and, again, has proved that he can create an astonishingly complex and rich world populated by tridimensional, unforgettable characters (I still cannot decide which one is my favourite: I found myself rooting for all three of them, enjoying the suspense created by the POVs alternation).
His narrative style is so gripping and the story so original that you will find impossible to put it down, believe me.

I simply cannot wait for the next instalment and I'll definitely read anything else by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the e-arc!

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH. While I really wished that the characters we got POVs from interacted more, I still loved it and audibly gasped a few times.

Characters: So.... I finished this a week ago or so, and the more removed I am from it, I love them more and more. Imelda, my broody boy (i forget his name), and Pipa are my kids. They all have some issues, but we truly and honestly understand them and their choices.

Plot: While the plot was less interesting than I'd hoped (because they rarely interact), this is a flipping beautiful character driven story.

Writing Style: I love Scott's writing. He gets me interested immediately. Every time.

World Building: Can I get to know more about phoenixes yet?! I know I get a bunch of it in the story but i seriously want more. SO MUCH MORE.

Fantastic fantasy/sci fi, rollicking adventure--think [book:The Scorpio Races] meets [book:The Hunger Games] but its own unique book for sure. Three main characters are all drawn to The Races for different reasons. Over the course of several days they will ride in a cross-country endurance race on "phoenixes"--special magical horses that burn to death every night and are reborn in the morning sun's first rays. But, it's not just a matter of who has the fastest phoenix or is the smartest rider, but also who is physically the strongest--because riders have to guard themselves and their phoenix's ashes against attacks by other riders--and which rider is the best alchemist--blending different chemicals to bestow different characteristics in their phoenix for what they need it to do. And behind it all sound the drumbeats of rebellion against the ruling Ashlords; long ago they subjugated two other sects of people, who are not always going to stay quietly in their place. I couldn't put this book down! Love it! Great action scenes, and interesting set up for the political machinations. Can't wait to share it with our middle and high school students, and also, to read the next book in what I assume will be a series.

Lightening DOES strike twice. Having loved the Nyxia series, I was terrified this next effort by Mr Reintgen would fall short of my expectations. I needn't have worried.

Ashlords sweeps you into its grasp right from the start, with well drawn, intricate characters and world building every bit as good as virtual reality. You feel the heat from fire, your throat is dry from the dust at their feet, your heart pounds wildy as they race to an uncertain fate. Only a few chapters in and you know in your heart you've known Imelda, Adrian and Pippa for ages.

With constant action, intrigue, plot twists and turns, you have a hard time catching your breath as you turn the pages as quickly as you can. The tale is set in an unknown land, with a mysterious history and people divided into three classes: rulers favored by the gods, the subjugated and the enslaved. For decades things have gone on the same, but the youth of this generation have had enough. It is time to rise up, fight, and take back their freedom. Even if the price is steep, and their odds aren't good.

I simply cannot wait for the next installment. Read this, and you won't be able to either.

Solid first entry. A little Hunger Games, a little Scorpio Races. I would have like it to have been a longer book in order to both develop the characters and extend the competition. I didn't get the sense that it was a grueling event; it seemed to last just a few days.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc!

Wow, there was a lot going on in this book! Warring clans. Magic. Revenge. Horses from the underworld. Yep, you heard me.

ASHLORDS follows three POV's, Imedle, a Dividian alchemist, Pippa, an Ashlord who comes from a family of Racing champions, and Adrian, a Longhorn whose only focus is to win. I love multiple POV's so having three was no bother. It helped me get a perspective of each clan. I did not even know who to root for; I loved them all.

This story was incredibly unique. As the synopsis states, it is compared to one of my favorite books of all time, THE SCORPIO RACES, and although ASHLORDS was lacking the heart of TSR, it was not diminished. I mean, horses that are phoenixes (as they are rightly called in the story) and have the ability to rebirth themselves with attributes depending on how the rider pours in the components into their ashes is f43king awesome. As I said, this did lack a bit of the feels, but it was a good story nonetheless. ASHLORDS had a lot to tackle and Scott did it with expertise. I cannot wait to read the second!

Title: Ashlords

Series: Untitled Duology #1

Author: Scott Reintgen

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

:Pages 368

Crown Books For Young Readers

January 21,2020

Rating: 4.5

Red Rising meets The Scorpio Races in this epic fantasy following three phoenix horse riders--skilled at alchemy--who must compete at The Races--the modern spectacle that has replaced warfare within their empire.


Every year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they've raced them. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races.


Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion. But the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Competitors must be skilled at creating and controlling phoenix horses made of ash and alchemy, which are summoned back to life each sunrise with uniquely crafted powers to cover impossible distances and challenges before bursting into flames at sunset. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That's all legal and encouraged.


In this year's Races, eleven riders will compete, but three of them have more to lose than the rest--a champion's daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary's son. Who will attain their own dream of glory? Or will they all flame out in defeat?


My thoughts

Would I recommend it? yes

Will I be going on with the series? yes

Would I read anything else by this author? yes

This isn't the first time I've read this author in in fact this is the third time , the first to times I read and reviewed books one and two of his series Nyxia Triad and I loved those so as soon as I got the litter from the publisher and saw the cover I was like yes please ,and I'm glad I did, the story is told in the views of three different characters that each come from different backgrounds.And the story is in a world where there is alchemical powers that is used to rise a breed of horse called Phoenix Horse , yes you read that right Phoenix horse and just like phoenixes they rise from the ash and are race against each other ,and there is different ones that can be summing , you just have to know which one to call and what the summing is , not only does it centers on the competition, but it also talking about the empire , corrupt gods, and the people who exist in a world of fire and blood and how it came to be the way it is. It also brings to life that some of the riders ride for glory, others ride for not themselves but for the love of their people and family and some ride to bring about a revolution , but to find out who is who you need to pick up the book for yourselves with that said I want to say thank you to Netgalley as well as the publishers for letting me read and review it .

Some things I have come to expect from Scott Reintgen:

A sharp voice
Stunning world building
Stellar action
Kick-ass diverse characters
Things he delivered in his newest book, Ashlords:

ALL OF THAT AND MORE!!!!

This review may sound like an adventure in fangirling, and you know what? It is. And I’m not even sorry about it. The morning I opened my email with the link for Ashlords, no joke, I squealed. The experience did not diminish from there.

First, this cover makes me drool. I want a phoenix horse, like, today, in real life, can I order one on Amazon, k thanks bye. It’s gorgeous! Dark and flaming and seriously it is absolute perfection.

But the world. Oh my dark delights, this world is INSANE!!!

Phoenix horses that rise from the ashes is merely the start. Riders have to be proficient in alchemy, bringing the same horse back, but with alterations. Perhaps a stronger stamina, or fierce armor. There are any number of components to create a myriad of rebirths, each unique to what the rider wants to accomplish during their ride. I mean, WHAT??!?!!?

“She looks plain as sand. But that’s the beauty of alchemy and phoenixes: they’re like an ace hidden up a sleeve, magical if you know how to make the trick work.”

And the creativity Reintgen pours into this book doesn’t stop with the world, or the story. He plays around with narration, giving us one perspective in a captivating second person point of view. Honestly, it may be one of my favorite characters. Being kept at arms length while also racing with them, I’m hooked. So hooked.

The world of the Ashlords explores the concept of corruption and power. Told through three different perspectives, we get an incredible depth to how this world is viewed and experienced depending on what group of people you belong to. This is an enormous world, and yet, somehow I felt fully immersed within the first few chapters. Reintgen does an amazing job bringing this complex society to life.

So we have magic. ✅ Captivating voice. ✅ Intriguing characters. ✅ Exquisite world building. ✅ Did I mention the rebellion??? Oh yes, there’s a rebellion brewing. And it all depends on the outcome of The Races.

Basically this book has all my favorite things. And while I can rave about it, for HOURS, I also don’t want to give any of this wild ride away. Especially since this adventure doesn’t even spring into action until January. JANUARY!!! I can’t even. All I know is, I am dying for all of you to meet my sweet baby Bastien, because he is LIFE!!!

“Bloodshed is knocking at the door, and Bastien looks excited.”

I mean, for real? How is he NOT written for me??!?!

Anyway. Get ready for more from me in the upcoming months. Perhaps there’s an interview. Maybe there’s some character fun. I guess we’ll all have to just wait and see!

In the meantime, order yourself a copy of this divine book so you can obsess over all the things with me. It comes out January 21, 2020 at all your favorite retailers.

Thank you Crown Books for sending me an advance copy via Netgalley!

Da-aang! This book pretty much has it all. There are terrific characters, a unique plot, and a fascinating setting.

First, the main characters, who come from three different groups--Adrian, the Longhand who is entering the Races to incite his people to revolt against the domineering Ashlords, Imelda, the Dividian who wants the chance to win but is a longshot because of how disadvantaged her people are, and Pippa, the Ashlord daughter of two former Race champions who is the easy favorite to win. Adrian is a strong, confident character, and it's easy to want to cheer for him as he fights the oppression of the Ashlords, while Imelda is such an underdog that I really found myself pulling for her. While Pippa's privileged life could make her an easy character to dislike, the way the story plays out and the things she starts to learn along the way make her a really interesting character, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how things play out for her in the rest of the series.

Next, the plot. As other reviewers have mentioned, this is kind of like Hunger Games meets The Scorpio Races--but it totally holds its own. I really liked seeing the different strategies that each rider had and how they faced the challenges of the race and the other competitors. Interweaving that with the unrest and brewing revolution made this an action-packed, fast-moving thrill of a read. There were some pretty awesome twists in the plot, too.

Finally, the setting. It took me a little bit to get a grasp on this fantasy world, but once I did, I found it to be really cool. The idea of phoenixes regenerating each day--and the ability of the riders to give them certain characteristics by their use of alchemy--is awesome. The society with the ruling Ashlords, rebel Longhands, and oppressed Dividians was really compelling.

This was a terrific start to a new series, and I can't wait for the next book!
4.5 stars.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I was so excited for this book, and it did not disappoint! I could hardly put this one down! Scott Reintgen has a fantastic ability to make me care for even the most unlikable of characters. This one was told through the point of view of three wildly different characters - something I've actually not seen before. It worked beautifully, and I'm not even sure who I should be rooting for! The race was enthralling, and with each change in POV I found myself sympathizing with someone else's plight. I highly recommend this book, and I'm very much looking forward to future installments.

In Ashlords we meet three characters from very different cultures, and they are all competing against each other in a horse race of a lifetime. One is an Ashlord golden girl, born into a position of power and fame, one is a revolutionary's son who bears the fate of his people’s freedom on his shoulders, and one is a determined alchemist protégé who hopes to show the Ashlords her people are done bowing to them.

When I got the chance to read and review Ashlords I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve read several books from Scott Reintgen and I’ve truly loved all of them. As I stared reading Ashlords, I had no idea what this book was about. I hadn’t read a single thing about it, nor did I read the blurb, all I did was begin at page one.

The first thing I noticed was how unusual this world was, and I really fell in love with the whole concept of riding horses that had died and burned to ashes every night and had to be revived at sunrise. It was so fascinating to see the alchemy and what could be done with it, and the girl we got to know in the first chapter was so lovable that I couldn’t stop reading. And before I knew it, the book was over, and I had finished all of it. That’s how much I enjoyed it.

What I loved about the book the most was the horses and how the characters used alchemy and different components to give their horses different abilities each time. It was so interesting and unusal, and I think Reintgen did an amazing job at explaining all of it in a way that made it feel so natural and normal. It was as if I was there with the character and I understood what they were doing and why. The world was never confusing despite all the details and all the information the reader had to learn, and confusing is exactly what a complicated system like this could’ve easily been.

I also liked the characters for the most part, even though I had different issues with each one of the three.

Imelda, the poor alchemist protégé who was never meant to stand a chance at winning the race because she’s not an Ashlord, was an instant love for me. I wanted to hear her story, and when her chapters ended, I couldn’t wait to get back to her. That is until the race began. Not only did she get a little lost there and her chapters all of a sudden stopped coming. I didn’t like where the story brought her, and I didn’t like how we didn’t get to follow her anymore. She was the character at the beginning, she was the one I fell in love with and what made me want to read the story, so it makes little sense for me that she should take the back seat after half the story has been told.

Adrian, the revolutionary's son who’s supposed to win so his father can start the revolution that will give their people the freedom and revenge they’ve longed for, was a tough start for me. I didn’t care for him at all in the beginning, and I found his POV to be boring and unnecessary. But as the race began, something happened to Adrian and he was interesting and fun to follow. I have a feeling it was because at that point we saw Adrian and not his father working to put ideas into Adrian’s head. So, as the story progressed, Adrian grew on me to the point I was rooting for him. I wanted him to make it.

Then we have Pippa, the Ashlord “princess” who was born to win the race. Her POV is written in 2nd person, which honestly threw me off so much at first. Every sentence I read just sounded wrong to me, and I had a really hard time getting into. Then, all of a sudden, I realize that I’ve read a whole chapter with Pippa without even noticing all of those “you”. I had become her. Pippa and I were the same person and from that moment on, I enjoyed her POV so much. There are not many books out there with a POV written in 2nd person, and I applaud Scott Reintgen for daring to try it here. It works, even if it took a while to get into it.

To stop a long review from getting any longer, I’m just going to jump straight for the only thing that I really didn’t like with this book. It was like reading Hunger Games all over again. I liked Hunger Games, and I also liked reading Nyxia (also by Reintgen). But now this is the second book I’ve read from Scott Reintgen that’s basically a new take on the Hunger Games. And Ashlords didn’t have to be Hunger Games all over again, it was so unique that it broke the illusion for me when I got the Hunger Games plot all over again. I just…it didn’t have to be that way, and it would have been so much better if there hadn’t been such a clear resemblance to Hunger Games.

Still, I read this book in one day and I really enjoyed it, and I’m still going to give this five stars because you all need to read it. This is the best book I’ve read in a long time and I’m so thankful that I got the opportunity to read it.

Thank you to Crown Books for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a big fan of the Phoenix mythology, so when I saw this book combining that with horses? It's a fascinating concept that I absolutely wanted to dive into. Although the story absolutely gives off those "Hunger Games" vibes as anticipated, the book had a slow start for me and the characters felt flat.

Not the writing for my taste.

For everyone who loves the Hunger Games, Divergent or the Maze Runner, YOU NEED TO READ THE NYXIA TRILOGY. And after you are hooked, just as I am, immediately pick the first book in his new YA duology - «Ashlords»!

Scott Reintgen has done it again! The competitions he sets up in his books are the most exciting, dangerous and exhilarating reading experiences, and I just want to re-read them over and over again, as the adrenaline pumps in my veins, worrying about the fate of the main characters.

There is nothing better than a fantasy story with a lot of political intrigue, scheming and thirst for freedom, power or both! The «Ashlords» has it all:
- The vast, battered with history world;
- Different power groups and their political schemes;
- Bloodthirsty competetors;
- The invaders. The oppressors and the rebellion forces.
- Three different nations forced to live under the same Empire:

My intentions were to read it as slowly as possible, because I wanted to prolong my enjoyment. But I couldn't resist and read it in a day!

Full review will be up on my blog closer to the publication date.