An Inheritance of Ashes

An Inheritance of Ashes is a 2015 young adult fantasy novel by Leah Bobet. It was published by Clarion Books.

An Inheritance of Ashes
First edition cover
AuthorLeah Bobet
Cover artistNaomi Chen
LanguageEnglish
GenreYoung adult fiction
PublishedOctober 6, 2015
PublisherClarion Books
Publication placeUnited States
ISBN9780544281110 Hardcover

Synopsis

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In the aftermath of the victorious war against the Wicked God Southward, sisters Hallie and Marthe wait for Marthe's husband Thom to return to their farm. As the weeks go by and Thom does not return, Things start to roam the countryside, and Hallie realizes that the Wicked God's defeat may not have been as conclusive as everyone thought.

Reception

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Publishers Weekly felt it was "superb," commending Bobet as "an accomplished stylist."[1] Quill & Quire considered it to be an "odd but remarkable story" and "touching yet eerie," describing the setting as "beautiful and barely comprehensible" and Hallie's narration as "reflective (and) poetic."[2] Kirkus Reviews likewise noted that Hallie's narration had "an overabundance of poetic but lofty metaphors and similes," but conceded that the story had a "deep and sobering core."[3]

Black Gate considered it to have "the darkness and intensity of an adult novel," with "masterfully subtle ... writing" and characters who are "full of surprises."[4] Tor.com called it "remarkably good," praising Bobet for balancing "the coming-of-age narrative and the broader story of the world," and lauding her portrayal of complex characters and the relationships between them.[5]

Awards for An Inheritance of Ashes
Year Award Result Ref.
2015 Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award Nominee [6]
2015 Cybils Award for Young Adult Speculative fiction Finalist [7]
2016 Aurora Award for Young Adult Fiction Winner [8]
2016 Copper Cylinder Award for Young Adult Winner [9]
2016 Sunburst Award for Young Adult Fiction Winner [10][11]

References

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  1. ^ An Inheritance of Ashes, reviewed at Publishers Weekly; published August 24, 2015; retrieved September 4, 2017
  2. ^ An Inheritance of Ashes, by Leah Bobet, reviewed by Stephanie Dror, in Quill & Quire; published October 2015; retrieved September 4, 2017
  3. ^ AN INHERITANCE OF ASHES, reviewed at Kirkus Reviews; published July 27, 2015; retrieved September 4, 2017
  4. ^ In 500 Words or Less: An Inheritance of Ashes is Absolutely Friggin’ Awesome, by Brandon Crilley, at Black Gate; published November 18, 2016; retrieved September 4, 2017
  5. ^ Rebuilding After War: An Inheritance of Ashes by Leah Bobet, reviewed by Lee Mandelo; at Tor.com; published October 7, 2015; retrieved September 4, 2017
  6. ^ "An Inheritance of Ashes". Goodreads. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  7. ^ "2015 Cybils Finalists". Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  8. ^ 2016 Aurora Awards Winners, by Clifford Samuels, at PrixAuroraAwards.ca; published August 14, 2016; retrieved September 4, 2017
  9. ^ "Sunburst Award Society Announces Its Winners of the Fifth Annual Copper Cylinder Award". The Copper Cylinder Award. Retrieved 2023-03-25.
  10. ^ Gemma Files wins 2016 Sunburst Award for "uniquely Canadian" novel, by Erin Balser, at CBC.ca; published July 13, 2016; retrieved September 4, 2017
  11. ^ 2016 Sunburst Winners at SunburstAward.org; published September 14, 2016; retrieved September 4, 2017