Besides Miss Marple from the Queen of Mystery herself, I can’t remember if I have read a book featuring a female character of an advanced age who kicks butt. So, Ash & Thorn was a pleasant surprise in that regard. Additionally, there were other female supporting characters too!

What would have made me love this book, though? If we could get a bit of a background about the protagonist and the world it’s set in. I know, broken record, me. But I guess this is something that matters to me.

In any case, I loved the art and how the events unfolded. I’d also love to know what these characters will do next!

I enjoyed this a lot. It grabs tropes and snarks them up, giving us a good, end-of-the-world, apocalypse-is-coming story and a strong heroine, and makes it funny. Eighty-something Lottie Thorn would rather be baking, painting, or enjoying some tea, but no, she's The Chosen One, The Champion, who is expected to defeat evil and stop the coming apocalypse. She does have help- there's the equally elderly Lady Peruvia Ashlington-Voss, a battle trainer from another realm who has no experience with battle, relying on manuals to guide her; Sarah, an art student who accidentally becomes an assistant to The Champion; and a sassy little fey named Pickle who provides snarky one-liners and pessimistic information. The villain, Court, is the tropeyist of all, a totally one-dimensional baddie who looks like a handsome, elite white man in an expensive suit, whose purpose is attaining money and power, but is actually a many eyed, many tentacled dark god/demon/whatever evil thing. This is a straightforward story, there are fights with demons, blood and gore, magical manuals, spells, and rituals, good vs. evil, the whole bit, and takes all that and makes it a little off, not quite right, but great none-the-less. Having the heroine be an octogenarian is so refreshing, and Lotte is so relatable! Her character is over this before it's even started, she's pragmatic, and she's an activist who knows how to find out what's going on behind the scenes. She's training hard, but the battles are getting tougher. Then Sarah finds a crazy and unlikely solution that just might work.....
The dialog has lots of great, funny moments, the art has a nice, kinda creepy vibe going on, there's good character development, and an interesting, fun story. The ending leaves open the possibility of more to come, but isn't so cliffhangery that you wanna smack the author. Very entertaining!

#AshThornVolumeOneRecipeforDisaster #NetGalley

Prose: Putting together issues 1-5 of the popular comic series, this is volume one of a graphic novel where the Apocalypse is at hand, and the world's only chance at a savior comes in the form of ... a crotchety old African-American gal with dreads named Lottie Thorn, who - along with her equally old trainer/mentor, Lady Peruvia Ashligton-Voss - drinks coffee and bakes a lot, in between Lottie honing her skills in kicking bad-ass creatures, preparation for the biggest of Big Bads to come.

Don's: Storywise, there's a lot to like here; I was originally drawn to reading it when I saw it compared to "The Golden Girls" meets "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" - and indeed, Lottie is built like Dorothy and has the same lack of tolerance for stupidity or baddies, while the chubby Lady Peruvia kind of feels like a Rose with more brains. The banter between these two is fun, as is the story, much of about Lottie's efforts to train even as she's already forced to fight monsters already seeping over into our world prior to the big invasion, as the graphic novel both plays up and pokes fun at various tropes of the genre. For me, though, the story just seemed a bit padded in the middle, to where I wasn't rushing to pick it up for some time, before finally getting to the final battle - and subsequent hint at a sequel - all of which, while fun reading it, afterward left me with wanting more. I'd also kind of fallen for the book's cover art, but to me inside the book the illustrations weren't up to the same style; darker, coarser, and with muted tones, the artwork is well-done and fits the mood of the dramatic part of the story, but for this reader didn't also reflect the wonderfully dry sense of humor sprinkled throughout, as well. Definitely worth a read, but will wait and see what volume two has in store before deciding to continue on with the series. 3/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

The chosen one is an old woman! I love that this story plays with so many tropes. The main one, obviously, is the champion to prevent the Apocalypse. But there are some fun twists along the way. The story is simple, but fun. Great characters. Easy to follow.

Overall, this is a fun Apocalyptic story. There's also baking recipes at the end of the volume! I give this book 4.5/5.

It was cute. Not really something I would read regularly but still cute.

I might still pickup the other ones because of curiosity

I loved the concept of this comic and I really like the illustrations, but I didn't really like the storyline.

Loved the concept of an elderly monster fighting champion but the plot kind of fell flat for me. Because this is the first volume it was mostly all set up but I felt like there could have been a bit more substance. A lot of worldbuilding was left out which isn't a big surprise and I anticipate we'll learn much more in the volumes to come. Definitely something I'm going to be keeping my eye out for because I feel like once this series starts to get going I'll enjoy it much more than this first volume.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Ahoy Comics

Loved the concept (what would Buffy be like if the champion was elderly?), love Lottie's charachter, and love Lottie's weaponized baked goods, but the plot is nothing special. Maybe it's partially = a function of fitting into the monthly comics format, where stories don't have much room to breathe. But limited space doesn't neccesarily entail formulaic.

A short but sweet 3 star read! The art style was so fun and colourful and who doesn’t love a good post apocalyptic graphic novel during a global pandemic??? If the next installation comes into my hands I’ll be a happy lady but I probably won’t go way out of my way to find volume 2

[3.5] So this is a Buffy analogue in which the next Champion (i.e. Slayer) turns out to be ... a semi-retired African-American art teacher in her 80s.

There are a few other twists: for example about the background of Peruvia, the Guardian (i.e. Watcher), though more detail on that evidently has to wait until a later volume (like a few other details of the worldbuilding and history I had hoped to hear in this book) - and the presence of a circa two-foot-high blue fae, who is something I can imagine Blake might have drawn if the concept of cuteness had been as big a deal in his time as in ours*. This creature is highly annoying in the most charming possible way - like a wilful and mischievous talking pet who is thankfully somebody else's problem - and a great foil for the more serious aspects of the story.

A certain amount of the action revolves around traditionally "old-lady" activities like local planning issues, and baking - but something that I did feel would have more important, and was missing here, in terms of the perspective of an older person was about how it might feel physically for Lottie to be getting stronger again (probably stronger than in her youth) and, I would guess, certain aches and pains and stiffnesses disappearing to be replaced by a bit of muscle soreness from training and fighting. And - though a very common problem in shorter fiction - Lottie is said to have been very active in community activities, but we don't meet any of her existing friends her own age, only her private pupil Sarah, who seems to be acquiring similarities to another Buffy supporting character. A perfect time for showing Lottie's friends would have been talking to them at the planning meeting. They could also have been useful examples of other locals' attitude to the malevolent development project. But overall I'm very glad to see that, as the SFF and comics audience ages, there are getting to be more older characters like these who aren't necessarily always your Gandalf-type sage or sensei

I'd have also liked to have seen a bit more attention to the main characters' dialogue. As I'm not American, for Lottie I can only go by films and TV, but I wasn't always convinced, and I hope they had one or two African-American women of at least middle age check whether it sounded right to them. Peruvia is apparently supposed to be British, and given her age, I'd have definitely scratched Americanisms like "Can it!" ("Shut it!" works fine instead) and "the hell" with no "What ..." Though I did like that at one point she was wearing an outfit just like one of my grandmothers (who'd now be over 100 if she were still alive).

Personally I wouldn't have put recipes in the back as it can cut through the sense of mystique about the ones in the story.

The cover art is awesome, and the drawings inside have some great moments, though do have that thing which is so common in comics, I'm never entirely sure if I should remark on it, where some characters look a bit too different between panels.

Whilst I've listed quite a few things I'd have changed about this, it is overall a very likeable project that seems to be finding its feet - and which has self-awareness about that, e.g. the author commentary at the back describing the villain as "the least subtle kind of big bad". (You have to start somewhere, right?) And it got me interested enough that I wanted to know more about the characters' and the universe's backstories.

* My only real familiarity with X-Men is from the films, so I only know about the Nightcrawler similarity from other reviews on here.

<i>Thank you to Netgalley, and the publisher Ahoy Comics and Diamond Book Distributors, for a free ebook ARC in return for an honest review</i>.

(Read & reviewed Oct 2020.)

**I received a free electronic copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

Lottie receives a strange knock on her door and discovers she is the chosen one. Perhaps the oldest chosen one ever called. Can she train fast enough to prevent the oncoming apocalypse?

This Lovecraftian tale of sassy cursing elders fighting supernatural monsters was right up my alley. I have read a few reviews of this title already and many say it is Golden Girls meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I love that comparison and the similarities become clear immediately. (Please note that I say this not knowing if the elements were actually based on the two television shows.) However, I do not see this as an entirely good thing. I enjoyed reading something familiar but I didn't feel like their was enough back story injected in the narrative in the five issues collected here to fully distinguish itself from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Meet Lottie Thorn, a reluctant chosen one called to save the world. She is a retired art teacher in her 70s, and not eager to take on a mission that would typically require a spry young girl. I found this twist on the "chosen one" narrative delightful and new. She is very much like Buffy, the occasional reluctant hero with sassy retorts. Lady Peruvia Ashlington-Voss is Lottie's trainer of sorts and even her name reminds me of Buffy's stuffy British "watcher" Rupert Giles. I could not get this out of my head while I was reading.

Their relationship has a push and pull, with Peruvia being the strict and more adult voice, and Lottie as the down-to-earth brassy trainee. They are great foils to play off each other, like Buffy and Giles. I think if we just had more of a glimpse of Lottie's past it could help distinguish this story a little better. Did Lottie's past art foreshadow her fate? Had anything odd happened in her life to make her believe she could be different? If not, does being called come as a larger surprise? One thing I can say is that I've never seen Buffy slice a demon in half with a frying pan! Or used baked goods as a weapon!

Overall, this is a solid read if you are looking for a fun/self-contained story with the possibility of more storylines. It wraps up with a nice bow at the end, and it perfect for the Halloween season.

Despite my critique, I still had a ball reading Ash & Thorn and hope to see more adventures from these tough broads in the future.

For fans of: sassy grandmas, tentacle monsters, and unlikely heroes

Verdict: 4/5
Review will be posted on my site: www.editingfiend.com on release day.

Lottie Thorn is over 80 but that doesn’t mean she isn’t the chosen warrior meant to stop the apocalypse. At least that’s what Lady Peruvia Ashlington-Voss, her guardian/trainer, informs her. Lottie tries to complain that she’s too old for such nonsense, but the monsters don’t care and the creepy land developer has her chosen one senses tingling. With the help of a teen neighbor girl and a begrudgingly helpful fey, can two old ladies save the world?

I really liked the concept of this story. It takes the common chosen one concept and stands it on its head and pokes glorious fun at it. My only complaints were that the story felt a bit rushed (it could’ve used 2x the pages to develop things a bit more) and a bit too much swearing for my taste. If you don’t mind the swearing and are looking for a different spin on the superhero story with two old ladies, then pick this up.

Notes on content: About 20 minor swears and 10 strong swears. No sex scenes, there were a few elements that could be construed to have sexual hints but nothing explicit. Several monsters get vanquished and they talk about having intestines in their hair and such.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Apocalyptic fiction at its finest. The characters are all engaging, both human and not. One of the best things about this book is the fact that it is not your usual "chosen one" character. She is an older African-American woman with grey hair and dreadlocks and one of her greatest weapons is an old, well-seasoned, cast-iron skillet. I love that recipes are included and it made me wish I could bake. I highly recommend this book and am eager for the next in the series.

At first I was hesitant to read this book because of the synopsis. Grannies fighting monsters and saving the world? I was drawn to this graphic novel originally because the cover looked interesting, and I've been in a graphic novel reading mood as of late. What sold me on this book was 1000% the Goodreads reviews. The ones I saw were all positive, talking about how amazing this book is, and after finishing, I agree.

This book takes your typical Chosen One trope and turns it on its head by making the main character an 80 something old retired art teacher and avid baker, with her side kick, her Guardian, also being an old woman. Lottie and Peruvia's other side kick is the only teenager featured in the main cast, 16 year old Sarah.

Lottie is badass, and her relationship with Peruvia is well done. They bicker over their duties and through training, but you can see that they care for each other despite their very new found friendship. Also, the story telling is SPECTACULAR. The author uses flash-forwards and flashbacks extremely well, and the whole plot is well done and unexpected.

The main twist is something I never could have predicted, and it worked so well in the story and with the characters. It really brings to light the idea that no one, no matter their role, is 100% good, and every person and character has their weaknesses, to which we fall victim to occasionally. This is very well done in this graphic novel, and it really pushed me from really liking this book to loving it.

I would definitely recommend reading this book. It's something I've never seen before and comes unexpected, and I loved it.

Rating: 4 stars

Let’s face it, the cover pulled me in because... well, old ladies and a huge monster?!?! Sign me up!!! And I do not regret reading this one bit!! In fact, I loved it! The characters were hilarious, the bad guy was gross, and the storyline was just too entertaining!

Our main character, Lottie, is honestly just the shit. She’s old, but that doesn’t stop her from having the most awesome hair and from being totally badass. Her personality is just the best though. She’s snarky, independent, smart, and funny as hell. Actually, I burst out laughing frequently. The side characters are also fun and include a pain in the butt fae who likes to point out everything that’s going wrong. He just cracks me up!!

I cannot wait for there to be more volumes of Ash and Thorn. There was lots of action and fun in this and I hope we can expect more to come!! This is definitely a graphic novel that I recommend to those who are interested in hilarious stories about saving the world. Or also Golden Girls, cause Lottie is like a Golden Girl who can kick some serious butt. And I totally support that!!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ahoy Comics for allowing me to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Amazing and brilliant. This comic is the one I have been waiting for and did not realize it. Finally an older super hero with immense power. A woman, that differs from the norm. Lottie is an African American woman who finds out that she is a guardian. Descended from a long line of warriors. With her counselor and student she faces an evil that wants to devour the world. The art is great, there are monsters and a faerie creature. The book econtains recipes for delicious, monster fighting treats. I hope this is a series and look forward to reading more. Brava.

This reads exactly as if Buffy and Giles were a couple of old ladies. There's a slayer (though she's called a champion) and a watcher (though she's called a guardian), a hell-mouth (of course named something else), and some scoobies, played here by a teenage girl and a wicked little pixie. In fact I am not at all convinced that Lottie isn't actually related to Buffy - did anyone else catch that her mom's maiden name was Summers?
It's a fun ride with a SPECTACULARLY anticlimactic ending.

"Ash and Thorn Volume One" reads strangely like a volume two: that's how little background we're given on the characters and their lives. I really would have liked a little more. So much is enticing about the story, but it feels a little empty.

YES YES YES!!!! I really want more of this story but Lottie Thorn is such an amazing, badass protagonist. Tea? Baking? Subversion of tropes and hilarious quips? YES!!!!

My enthusiasm and joy at reading this is difficult to contain if that wasn't clear. This is absolutely the apocalypse hero narrative I have been waiting for. Please give this a chance - the art is gorgeous and it's such a fun read!

Have we found the first member of the GJL? The Geriatric Justice League, of course.

This was a very fun read and a great take on an old trope. Lottie is a good main character though I never once thought she was as old as she claimed. Her looks were the only thing that made it obvious she an AARP member. I would have liked even something as easy as some canned old people jokes. Peruvia was a forgetful character as she was really quite pointless.

While I did enjoy this, the story moved way to fast. I would have liked it if we saw more training or if we got to see more development from the main two characters.

But lack of character development aside, this was an interesting idea that made for an enjoyable read but was just shy of being great. I did love the fact that the main hero was an elderly woman of color so this gets massive points for that.

This is worth a read if you're a comic fan.