Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced review copy of this book!
Here are my real-time thoughts/reactions while listening to this book:

First 20 minutes: 😳😳😳 whoooaaa! What did I get myself into?!
9-18%: The Black Getty Boys are introduced….hot damn! This is serious & these men mean business!
24%: 🫢🫢🫢😬😬😬. POV switchs begin between Roman, Neveah, & Donte (siblings).
34%-45%: *rubbing hands together*….. plan drafted & underway! Sheeeessshhhhhh 😮‍💨
65%: Uh-Oh 😬
84%: NO FREAKING WAYYYYY🫨! Cassidy😡
90-100%: 🤯🤯🤯🫢😳💣🫣🫨😮‍💨😮

This is my very first book by S.A Cosby and I was MORE than excited to be approved for the newest title! Overall, I think that the plot was fantastic, action-packed, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I love that this book has multiple points of view, but it’s not overwhelming nor is it difficult to keep up with. There were family secrets and unresolved trauma that led to worsening mental health issues, varying from sibling to sibling: Donte with his substance abuse issues, Neveah’s issues with abandonment and men, and the guilt Roman has carried for so long. I have to say that Roman surprised me the most….riding in on his white horse to save the day and literally becoming what he despised, all in the name of love. The book was well-paced and written well. Can’t wait to read more from this author….definitely sooner rather than later!

The narrator did a brilliant job and SA Cosby does an excellent job with detail so you can clearly visual each scene. Roman is the oldest child and he will do whatever it takes to protect his siblings. Dante is an emotional wreck and has gotten in financial debt with a sociopath and they are making his life a nightmare. Roman steps in to solve the problem but it forces him to do some horrible things. I really liked the sibling relationships and how protective they were of each other and how each of them dealt with their family problems differently. This is dark and violent as it weaves family drama, drugs, alcohol, and murder. How far would you go to protect your family? Roman is one person you don’t want to mess with.

🎧4.5-4.75⭐️

I had the audiobook read by Adam Lazarre-White whose voice can move from smooth and chocolatey to gravelly and then full on raspy. I could listen to him endlessly.

Standalone Southern crime thriller with the authors unique voice which seamlessly blends street and literary fiction. Roman returns home to find his father in a coma following a car crash, his brother Dante in deep trouble with dangerous gangsters, Neveah his sister has been left trying to hold everything together.
It is mostly told in the present, but does look back to when they were young as there is a mystery still surrounding that time.

The plot is well constructed with a good level of complexity, several sub threads which keep the entertainment levels and tension high. The characters conduct themselves in morally grey areas, so theres only shades of right and wrong, it’s all about family love and loyalty.

There’s and sadness and surprises along the way making this another winning combination of author and narrator.

I thought this book was really good! It kept me on the edge of my seat and as always SA Cosby’s pen did its big one! I loved the story line with all the jaw dropping moments and the audio was amazing! It felt like a movie in my head. I’d definitely recommend everyone to check this one out

S.A. Cosby does not miss!!! Thank you to Macmillan Audio for this ALC. This book was crazy but in the best ways ever! I was constantly on the edge of my seat while reading. And as usual, Adam Lazarre-White did an AMAZING job narrating this story. Him and S.A. Cosby are the ultimate duo!

Roman comes to visit his hometown after an urgent call from his sister and from there everything just goes crazy. The dynamics between the siblings were interesting. They grow apart and go in different directions in their life after a mysterious event occurs that essentially changes the trajectory of his family's life. I had mixed feelings about all of three of the siblings, but at the end of the day it's very clear why they ended up the way that they did. With Roman being the eldest sibling, he would do anything to keep them out of harms way, and I do mean anything. This book was violent, a little disturbing, crazy, and mysterious. All of the characters were engaging and compelling, even the villains/antagonist. I liked Roman's character most, even though he desperately needs to see a therapist.

I, personally, was surprised by everything that happened at the end. I love that for me. The build up was great and the reveals were shocking. I was not prepared. I think the story wrapped up in the only ways that it could. Roman was not playing at all with them people at all.

I had a love of fun reading this book and it was highly entertaining!!!

S.A. Cosby has a new book?! Sign. Me. Up. And I eat up his audiobooks because his narrator is perfection.

📖: Roman Carruthers returns to his hometown of Jefferson Run after his father is in a car accident. Roman quickly realizes his brother, Dante, is in trouble with a bad crowd, and he must use his financial savviness to get him out of debt. The Carruthers siblings are also dealing with the lingering questions about what happened to their mother years ago. (It's really hard to describe this story concisely!)

🤝: This could be a good fit if you enjoy:
- gritty, southern noir
- complex family dynamics
- books with titles that makes total sense

💭: I'm not a person that would typically pick up a thriller about organized crime (gang activity in this case), drug deals, greed, and retribution. Those themes don't do much for me. But there's something about S.A. Cosby's books. His writing is violent and gorgeous. His characters are messy, complicated, and human. This isn't an easy read, but I think it's worth trying even if you're not sure. If you already love his books, I think you'll find another hit.

🎧: Adam Lazarre-White narrates all of S.A. Cosby's books, and he's one of the reasons I keep coming back. His voice is like butter.

Rating: I really liked it! (4)

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for access to this audiobook early in exchange for an honest review.

King of Ashes shocked me to the soles of my feet. This is one hell of a dark ride, a fine novel that is as much a powerful family saga as a brutal crime thriller. I thought I was ready for this from reading Razorblade Tears. I was not ready.
I want everyone to read this novel–as long as you aren't too upset by graphic crime fiction.

S. A. Cosby yanked me into another tense, scary, wide-ranging crime thriller that pulses with pressure and desire.
In his masterful weaving of exceptional characters, secrets, tragedies, and the fallout of drug abuse and bad choices, Cosby delivers a novel suffused with aching love.

Roman, a successful financial advisor, goes back home to his crematory-centered family after receiving word that his father is in the hospital. The situation turns complicated and dangerous, with the hard-earned business and all their lives at stake.
S. A. Cosby brings this family and place fully to life. There's a deep thread of love that ties it all together.

This audiobook features excellent narration by Adam Lazarre-White. I was glad to see he reads all of S. A. Cosby's novels from Macmillan Audio. 
Lazarre-White, a highly talented voice actor, captures emotional nuances and performs this large cast of characters with distinctive vocal characteristics for each one. With his resonant, versatile voice, he's a one-man full-cast recording. He became one of my favorite narrators from the beginning of Razorblade Tears. The music and audio quality are flawless.

Roman has surprising dimensions. He’s a wonderfully unusual male MC, imaginative, nerdy, self-aware, and repelled by misogyny. I'd enjoy another book about this appealing vision of manhood: Protective, sexy, sharp, powerful, and with his own flexible moral code. There's so much heart in this novel. Roman and the complex web of hardcore criminals he battles kept me enthralled. The emotional honesty in the book makes it a knockout.

I'm eager for more audiobooks written by S.A. Cosby and performed by Adam Lazarre-White.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley for consideration. These opinions are solely my own. I'll add the TikTok link.

King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby is a gritty, atmospheric novel that blends elements of southern noir with crime fiction, but it ultimately feels like it doesn't fully live up to its potential. While Cosby’s writing style is compelling and the characters are rich in complexity, elements of the plot and pacing leave the story feeling uneven. It’s a solid read but not a standout.

Cosby’s prose is undeniably sharp and evocative. His use of language is raw and poetic, capturing the tension and atmosphere of both the rural setting and the dark world of the characters. His vivid descriptions of landscapes and characters bring the story to life. Cosby has a gift for crafting a mood and immersing the reader in the environment.

The characters in King of Ashes are multifaceted and complex. Cosby excels at portraying the struggles and motivations of his protagonists and antagonists. The internal conflicts are well-developed, and their flaws make them relatable and interesting.

The novel does a great job of setting a tense, haunting atmosphere. Whether it’s the dark rural landscapes, the troubled history of the characters, or the simmering conflicts between different factions, Cosby creates a palpable sense of place and tension that keeps you engaged, even when the action slows down.

One of the major drawbacks of King of Ashes is its pacing. The story takes a long time to build momentum, with much of the first half feeling like it’s spinning its wheels. While Cosby’s focus on character development is appreciated, there are sections where the plot feels like it’s dragging, and it can be hard to stay fully engaged. Some readers may find the slow pacing frustrating.

The plot in King of Ashes is compelling in theory, but it lacks the cohesion and urgency that would make it truly gripping. There are twists and turns, but they don’t always feel earned or fully fleshed out. At times, it feels like the story is moving from one event to another without a clear direction, leaving readers somewhat disconnected from the stakes.

Despite the rich character development, the emotional impact of the story doesn’t fully land. The novel has a lot of potential for emotional depth, but there are moments where the connection to the characters’ stakes feels somewhat muted. It’s difficult to fully invest in their journeys when the plot itself doesn’t create enough tension or resolution.

King of Ashes is an atmospheric crime novel with solid character development and great writing, but it doesn’t quite deliver the full emotional or narrative payoff. The slow pacing and somewhat scattered plot prevent it from being a truly standout work. For readers who appreciate character-driven stories and enjoy a more introspective approach to crime fiction, it’s worth reading, but it may not satisfy those looking for a more tightly crafted, fast-paced thriller.

𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 ~ 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐒 ~ by S.A. Cosby ~ 🔥🔥🔥 This man can write!!!!! Wow! First, thanks to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for an ALC of this book which will release June 10, 2025.
SA Cosby is a must read author for me and has been since, 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐓𝐎𝐏 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃 then 𝐑𝐀𝐙𝐎𝐑𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 ripped through me and I did his backlist and also have read every book since! In the reading community Cosby is lovingly referred to as “The Godfather of Southern Noir Fiction” and once again he gives it his all! I went in blind and was ready to take in the characters, plot, and setting the way Cosby does it. The characters in this are so raw, smart, flawed, loving and wholly human and the development is rich. This book illustrates a dark side of culture that is not for the faint of heart, and includes visceral, explicit delivery of gritty material (I knew that, but want to share). The title connection… ahhhhh… Chef’s Kiss! I don’t want to spoil any part of this story. How far would you go to protect your family? How long is too long to hold onto a secret? What is home and family? What private traumas do we carry with us? What makes a person good or bad? What does each person need when they love? Why is the sibling bond so strong? You have to be ready for violence and material that is unswerving and graphic. Strap in and get ready for an action packed ride that will keep you wanting answers. I heard there is a movie already in the works… if it's anything like the one that will run in your head while reading… it’ll be a boxoffice action smash!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (know the genre stars)
𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥! 📚♥️🔥🔥🔥

Dear S.A. Cosby,
You are an absolute master of writing violent, gripping thrill rides that make your head spin. I am honored to have had a chance to read an ARC of your newest work, and to listen on audiobook to the voice of Adam Lazarre-White once again. He does such a great job at making your characters come to life in a way that completely immerses you in the story. King of Ashes was a quick read because I couldn't stop listening to it. I needed to know the end!

thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book.

ALC 🎧📖 Review: King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars)
Pub Date: June 10, 2025

Anything leoking8473 writes I’m reading. 🙌🏽 This was another amazing read with family, relationships, drugs, and money debts owed to dangerous criminals. I loved every second of this twisty story.

Thank you to @netgalley and @Macmillan.Audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

💊💉💵🥃

When eldest son Roman Carruthers is summoned home after his father’s car accident, he finds his younger brother, Dante, in debt to dangerous criminals and his sister, Neveah, exhausted from holding the family—and the family business—together. Neveah and their father, who run the Carruthers Crematorium in the run-down central Virginia town of Jefferson Run, see death up close every day. But mortality draws even closer when it becomes clear that the crash that landed their father in a coma was no accident and Dante’s recklessness has placed them all in real danger.

#netgalley #audiobookreview #kingofashes #sacosby #books #bookworm #audiobooks #newreleases #advancedlisteningcopy #bookish #read #reading

This was non-stop tension from start to finish.

Roman, a financial whiz, gets a call from his sister- their Dad’s been in an accident and he needs to come back home, now!

When he arrives at his childhood town of Jefferson Run, Virginia, Roman discovers things are worse than what he could’ve imagined. His brother is in deep with one of the local gangs that run the town, and their dad’s injuries? Not exactly accidental. The family has a target on them.

Roman has no choice but to take matters into his own hands and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect what’s left of his family.

Cosby’s writing is so visceral you don’t just read or listen to it; you breathe it. A reader can’t help but jump when the MC is told to jump! It’s gritty as hell. Raw and unapologetically real.

I loved the cameo appearance from Ike and Buddy Lee! Kudos for the perfect fit in the story!

Big shout out for Adam Lazarre-White’s narration, too. That voice adds so much depth to the characters and life to the story. Voices, tone, drawl, feeling-it’s all there.

One thing you can count on in an SA Cosby story-you’ll feel it to the core.

With thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan.Audio for the advance listening copy!

Kudos to Adam Lazarre-White, who brilliantly animates the treachery of gang violence in the audiobook version S.A. Cosby’s modern day horror story, “King of Ashes,” of a young man who thought he escaped the gangs of his Virginia hometown. Lazarre-White allows us to inhabit the frustrations of Roman Carruthers, an Atlanta finance guy, who gets drawn back to clean up the drug dealing mistakes of his younger brother, Dante. Dante’s selfish stupidity has resulted in a car “accident” that has put his father into a coma and forced their sister, Neveah, to take over the family business, a crematorium. Roman thinks he can handle the gangsters with gobs of money, but he’s never encountered evil as awful as two brothers, Torrent & Tranquil (Terrence & Tracy). At every turn, the story seems hopeless, but Cosby carries us forward through gruesome twists and turns through an original tale. It’s a difficult read, but Lazarre-White incredibly acted narration kept me engrossed. 4.5 stars!

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Imagine your father in a horrible accident leaving him in a coma, your sister worked to the bone with no breaks, and your brother making a decision that could cost the family everything. A family that already lost their mother due to a mysterious disappearance. This is what Roman Carruthers comes home to. Roman is self made, very smart, and creative financial businessman. He uses his skills to solve the problems with his brother, Dante, while trying to help his sister Neveah with the family business, a crematorium. Local gang leaders are involved and Roman and Dante find themselves in a very grave and serious predicament. This book was amazing. The story was so grippingly interesting. I loved all of the characters, even the bad ones. Every character had their place of importance in this story. S.A. Crosby is a master story teller. Adam Lazarre-White is an amazing narrator. I could listen to him read all day long! Definitely a well deserved 5 star book!! Thank you to Net Galley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced copy.

THIS BOOK BURNED THROUGH THE RATING SCALE!!

S.A. Cosby has done it again! King of Ashes is a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat, pulse-pounding ride that will have you in a chokehold from the very beginning. You don't just read this book, you feel it!

At its' core, the story is about a family teetering on the edge. The loss of the matriarch lingers in the background like a ghost, shaping the way Dante doubts himself and fueling a growing rage in Nevaeh toward their father. But the true catalyst? Dante's debt to a dangerous gang pulls Roman, the eldest brother, into a deadly spiral of choices and consequences. It's raw and gut-wrenching. You can't help but ache with them, root for them, and hold your breath as the cracks in their world start to widen.

Cosby fans: He hasn't missed! If you loved Blacktop Wasteland or Razorblade Tears, pre-order this
IMMEDIATELY! If you're new to his work: Prepare to be a fan for life!

If you choose the audiobook format, you will not be disappointed, Adam Lazarre-White did an amazing job narrating!

What the actual eff. I cannot.

“To be a KING, you have to think like one. You have to do KING shit.”
First of all I LOVED Razorblade Tears and honestly this is on par which is saying A LOT!

Better than any movie. Wow. Allllll the feels.

Cosby quoted The Wire a few times and I will say I think fans of that show would appreciate and enjoy the journey that is this book. I thought I knew what was happening and then BAM. I did not.

S.A. Cosby no one can write a book like you can. Some might call it a thriller, but I call it a generational drama too with a visceral, violent heart.

This is a must-listen! The voice narration put me inside all the characters pov and I felt all the feels. The easiest five stars, definitely listen to this one!

King of Ashes - S.A. Cosby
Pub Date - 6/10/25
Rating - 4/5
Thoughts - Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for this gifted advanced lister copy in exchange for my honest review. If you're looking to feel all your feelings and become completely immersed into a story, this one's for you. S.A. Cosby is such a talented writer whose stories have so much pain, depth, raw emotion, and realism. Roman, a successful businessman living in Atlanta, rushes to his hometown after getting a phone call from his sister that his dad was involved in a car accident. When Roman arrives, he realizes that his brother Dante is involved with some terrible people and Roman has to jump into action using his skills to save his family.

I enjoyed this book! The plot, the characters, the pacing, and the narration were all so beautifully put together. The narrator gave a phenomenal performance, helping the reader feel like they are part of each conversation. The author adds to many themes to this novel including the importance of family, loyalty, and overall survival. The only reason this isn't a 5 star read for me is because at no point in the story did the author shock me. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the physical copy to come out June 10!

4.5⭐️

I was so excited to read this one. thank you, Netgalley and McMillan Audio, for the opportunity with this ARC

Roman is called home when crime hits close to home and his brother has been pulled into the mix, and his dad has been hospitalized. From the beginning, I loved Roman's character. even though he is walking a line of legal and not legal. You find yourself rooting for him as he spins solutions to his family's problems using his talent for multiplying money.

throughout the story, lots of family drama is revealed, and I was not prepared for the twists and turns Crosby took me on. this one was unpredictable, and the ending super satisfying.

One does not simply read or listen to a book by Cosby... it is an experience that needs to be savored and enjoyed. Very few authors draw me in and grip me as hard as Cosby does. There's just something that comes across so real and authentic and relatable in his writing.

King of Ashes is another raw, beautiful, hard, gritty, suspenseful masterpiece. I love how Cosby's MCs will stop at nothing for their loved ones, and Roman Caruthers is no different. He's a bad ass with a plan and on a mission.

The plot, the pacing and twists were perfection, as usual, and kept me at the edge-of-my-seat the entire time I was listening. And having the ridiculously talented, smooth-talker Adam Lazarre-White narrate this story was the cherry on top.

Look. I don't know who hurt Cosby, and I'm incredibly sorry for whatever happened to him to make him write the absolutely stunning way that he does. But I sure do hope it's healing for him to write because I vow to read every last word he ever writes.

And again, S.A. Cosby will literally never let me down. The rollercoaster this book took me on is insane. The whole time I felt like I was watching a movie and that I knew exactly what was going to happen. WRONGGG! And that is the beauty of his writing that I thoroughly enjoy. I got an ALC from the publisher and the narrator did such a great job! I loved the calmness and soulfullness of his voice and it really drew me in. is voice was very fitting for all of the characters and I think that casting made the book even more enjoyable than it already was. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this experience, and I can't wait to hold this book in my hands!