Ashes to Fire: Creatures of Light, Book 2 (Creatures of Light, 2)

At the beginning of the book we find Mona and company enjoying Mae's wedding. Soon, though, they are thrust into a diplomatic stand-off with an Alcoran messenger. The result is Mona and Mae find themselves on a diplomatic mission to Cyprien, a country "annexed" by Alcoro over fifty ago. During an attempted meeting with King Celeno and Queen Gemma to negotiate trade, they are attacked. Mona and Gemma are taken hostage by two brothers - the Roubidouxs, Rou and Lyle - who are on a mission from the Assembly of Six, Cyprien's old governing body the world thought long dead when the Alcorans took over. They want help from Mona to take back their country just as she did hers. During the trip through the waterways of Cyprien, Mona learns how Cyprien has been quietly undermining their occupier at every turn - including holding their elections right under the Alcoran's noses. She also goes toe to toe with Queen Gemma about the Light and Prophecy of the Prism. Everything comes to a head when Mona stands off against King Celeno.

Where to begin... First of all, the prologue introduces you to Rou. *swoon* I saw him first ladies! Rou is a charismatic messenger for the Assembly of Six. He and his twin brother Lyle - a quiet, moody, scientist-type - work for the Assembly passing messages along the waterways and now, apparently, kidnapping monarchs. From the first meeting with Rou and a fish in the face to the final showdown with Celeno, Rou's character has quite a few surprises under his sleeves.

What I love about this book is not just the characters, but how religion is seen by each character. Being Unitarian Universaltist, I rooted for Mona's questioning stance on the Light and the Prophecy but also found comfort in how Rou sees the Light in the individual. Though I like the character of Gemma, and not just because she studies insects - go Entomologists! - I found it hard to get behind her fervent belief in the Prophecy considering how many lives have been lost because of it.

And can we talk about Gemma for a minute - there is so much I want to know. She has a lot she's hiding. Some of her secrets are revealed but it doesn't help me unravel her character. TELL ME YOUR SECRETS!

In the end, Ashes to Fire is just as exciting a read as Woodwalker but for me there is more depth to it. While Mae was on a mission, Mona is thrust into a situation she has little control over. Mona was raised to be a queen, to be a country, and much of what she was taught is tested in this book. But as the saying goes, "Hotter fire, stronger steel."

When I finished Ashes to Fire, I immediately went back and reread the last chapter because IT WAS SOOO GOOD! I loved this book so much! Every part of it, truly. I absolutely love how this and Woodwalker don't end with frustrating, annoying cliff hangers and yet they leave me greatly anticipating the next and final book in this series. Both Woodwalker and Ashes to Fire were excellent books and had very satisfying endings. I am so looking forward to finding out what adventures the author will take me on with the next book. Thank you, Emily, for being an awesome writer and person!

I'm going to be honest, here. Mona was probably my least favorite character, so at first I struggled a bit with Ashes to Fire. I loved Mae SO MUCH in Woodwalker, and I was a little disappointed that she wasn't the viewpoint character for this one. HOWEVER, by the time I finished Ashes to Fire, that had changed. The author did an excellent job of rounding Mona out in this book. I think authors bend over backwards a little TOO much to make every single female character "likeable," and I really respect this author for keeping Mona as prickly and proud as she was in the first one, even as she's falling in love. I loved the Cyprian culture and government (so many fantasy countries are monarchies so it was really nice to have a change of pace and learn about their election system) and I looooove the swamp stuff. Queen Gemma was at time infuriating but it was because I wanted to know what the heck was going on with her, and I was really excited to find out that the final book in the trilogy was from her viewpoint. Overall this book definitely piqued my interest and by the end I absolutely HAD to read the next one. If you weren't a fan of Mona in Woodwalker, I think you will be by the end of this one. I certainly am, now!

I was a little confused at first. I was not prepared for the shift in point of view. I was expecting to have the narration by Mae and not Mona, who was a secondary character in the first book.

I have to admit I enjoyed Woodwalker more than Ashes to Fire, but I believe it was because I could relate to Mae more than Mona. I want to like Mona, but I am not super thrilled with her. To me she is another Queen trying to rule her country. She has some personal issues that make her seem like a "normal" person, but again it was harder for me to relate to her.

Another character that we are introduced to is Rou. I enjoyed his story the most. I think my favorite part of the book is when they go to the first fire and pretty much every time he spins poi. If you have never seen a poi spinner, you are missing out. It is magical. There were other things about Rou that I adore but don't want to ruin the book.

Overall I found the book enjoyable and well written. I am excited to read the third of the trilogy and hope to learn more about Queen Gemma and this prophecy that she is concerned about.

I loved that we got to know Mona better in this book, and I can't wait to find out who narrates the next one!

This series is so special to me, and book 2 really raises the stakes.

The second installment in the Woodwalker series does not disappoint. I loved seeing things through Mona's perspective and her character growth. Things are escalating between King Celeno and the rest of the nations, I am so excited to read the next book!

(By the way, I'm the wife. I'm logged into my husbands account. He did not read this book. LOL!)

Terrific book!

Engaging and good writing.

I look forward to the next book released.

My granddaughter loved it.

This was a great second book in Martin's series. I like how the main characters are in each book, but they "take a turn" telling the story from their perspective. I am looking forward to the third book in the series, Creatures of Light!