Ashes (Arson #2) by Estevan Vega Published by StoneHouse Ink Publish Date: September 2011 My Source: review copy from the author |
More than three months have passed since Arson and Emery were taken. Taken and then separated.
And experimented on.
Salvation Asylum is more like a prison than a psychiatric facility. Unknowingly, Arson has become a vital instrument in a campaign set to genetically alter mankind. Enraged, confused, trapped, and unable to fully manifest his abilities, he wonders if he will ever see Emery again. His new existence is one crawling with questions. Is Grandma alive? Where does the fire come from? Can he become more than a monster?
In Ashes, book two of the ARSON series, nightmare and reality collide as Arson must embrace what he is and the haunting realization that there may be others out there, others like him. -(summary from Goodreads.com)
My Thoughts: Before we even get started, you need to know this:
- I ABSOLUTELY LOVED the first book in this series, Arson, (read my thoughts HERE)
- I am an absolute fan of this author, Estevan Vega.
Now all of that is out of the way, I’m going to tell you my thoughts about Ashes, the second book in this series…but I want to warn you that it may end up being a gush-fest because I think this book is brilliant and I could really just leave it at that.
Let’s get started:
- Arson. If you’ll remember, Arson can start fires with his mind, but doesn’t understand how or why he can do this. He always felt like a freak. Because of this rare ability, Arson now finds himself locked up and being studied. He doesn’t really understand why he’s being studied; all he knows is that he has to find Emery. He hasn’t seen her since the events at the end of the first book, and he is not only worried about her but he misses her like crazy…well, as much as he can in his drug-induced stupor. Arson keeps trying to access his fire-starting abilities to break himself out of the Salvation Asylum, which is like a prison for him, but somehow these crazy “doctors” that are studying him have him subdued enough that he can’t get a grip on his fire. If he can just wake up a little and get a handle on himself, he could find Emery…
- Emery. If you’ll remember, Emery moved with her parents into a vacant house near Arson. A bit of a freak herself, Emery always wore a mask to cover some facial burns. Emery’s life was a bit crumbly before – not only because of her own past but because of her parents failing careers and marriage – but when she found Arson, things took an amazing turn for the better. Their friendship turned into a slow sort-of romance, and after the events of the last book, Emery also found herself locked up and being studied. Emery, however, isn’t being kept drugged up (like Arson) and is very aware of her awful surroundings. After escaping the Salvation Asylum, she has an adventure-of-sorts with the boy who helped her escape, Adam…
- Adam. Adam has also been locked up in the Salvation Asylum and studied…for years. He is the one that breaks Emery out – he saves her, he says – and then takes her on a crazy adventure. I mean, C-R-A-Z-Y. Emery is such a good sport, of course, but eventually she begins to wonder if she’s ever going to see Arson again…and then so are we, the readers. Adam starts telling us HIS story, and there are more twists, turns, and corners than in a funhouse, you guys. This kid – can we trust him? I just don’t know. But he makes for one heck of a story. I LOVED THIS CHARACTER.
If you follow my Twitter closely and you remember when I was reading this book fairly recently, you may remember my tweets about it – filled with CAPSLOCK and !!!!! and I think at one point there were just random letters… y’all know THAT’s what we do when we love a book, right? Well I love this book. I love Arson, but I LOVE Ashes. I’m having a fit for you guys to read it so we can talk about it.
I’m absolutely amazed by this plot. It has so many different things going on at one time, but they all converge and make sense and I was never confused. And all of the OMG!!! moments weren’t saved for the ending of the book…they were spread throughout – which was AWESOME. It felt like there were surprises around every corner. I don’t read a ton of thrillers, but when I do, this is how I want them – exactly this way. Also, Ashes is a second book that is even better than the first book – meaning no sophomore slump in this series: read Arson, love it, and it’s still uphill from there, you guys.
Basically, Arson and Ashes are two of my favorite books. That is all. That’s what you need to take away from this blog post. Estevan Vega is an instant-read for me, and it is because of great work like this. These books are crazy-good, and it is because they are nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat, heart-pounding thrilling and creepy and disturbing. They are a good time. THESE are books you read and then sit and think about. Or tweet your friends about. Or push on your friends (I pushed them on one of my friends at Starbucks last week. Forced them. She will love them – I know it.)
***ALSO, people, if you read these books (DO IT!) get on twitter and let Estevan (@EstevanVega) know you loved them. He’ll probably respond to you. He’s really good about that stuff. Tell him his characters are awesome and crazy and WHAT ON EARTH??? and stuff like that.
Nail-Biting, Heart-Pounding, Edge-Of-Your-Seat Stories
Alternating POV
Go get ’em, you guys!
They’re favorites of mine!
Wow- I really need to read these…Ive seen Arson around now for awhile. I read his short stories last year and really like his writing.
Whoa. Probably the best review I've ever gotten. Thanks so much for all the kind and crazy words. You rock. Stoked you liked this one. I hope I live up to your expectations when book three is unloosed.
evega
Yes Tina you need to read both Arson and Ashes. They're SO, SO Good. Absolute favorites of mine. Can't wait for the next book.
EVega, you just keep writing. I'm sure it'll be stellar. Thank you for putting it out there so I can be wildly entertained.
Okay, I cheated and skimmed your review because I haven't read book one yet, I just wanted to get the gist of your reaction and clearly this is a series I need to be reading! The covers of both this one and ARSON are two of my favorites, I absolutely love the creepy beauty of them. I seriously need more hours in the day so I can read all the books I want to!
Jenny, these two books are UH-MAZING. I can't stress it enough. If I were close enough to you, I'd literally put copies in your hands. You HAVE to read them. You HAVE to find the time. You NEED to know Arson Gable's story. DO IT! DO IT!!
I totally have Vega's The Forsaken chillin' on my Kindle just waiting to be read! After seeing all of your praise for this author I CAN'T WAIT!!
Kat, that's awesome. I have The Forsaken coming up on my list. Then I need to work backwards and get to some of his short stories that he did before Arson.
I'm so excited about reading The Forsaken, but I literally have no idea about it because it isn't part of the Arson series. So I'm pretty excited about it too!
How… HOW.. can I NOT go and try these books? Awesome review. You are, shall we say, quite convincing! 🙂
I love them. That is all. I hope you'll give them a try. They're awesome. 😉
Ashley! I do not need to buy any more books! But your reviews are like book crack after you get a taste you want the whole thing…I will have to look into getting these soon. Thanks:)