Of Fire and Ash

Fairy Queens 3

By: Amber Argyle

Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans

Length: 2 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

A gifted girl. Her missing father. A forbidden sight . . . .

The fae are watching. 

They already suspect Nelay can see them. But as the drought worsens, nine-year-old Nelay must rely more and more on her forbidden sight to keep her family alive. And then the worst happens. 

Only Nelay's sight will allow her to save her family. 

With the fae already watching - waiting for Nelay to slip up - she has to be more careful than ever not to reveal herself. Because if the fae realize she can see them, nothing will stop them from claiming her for their dark purpose. 

Can Nelay keep her forbidden sight hidden long enough to save her family? Or will the fae catch her in their wicked web? Get Of Fire and Ash to find out! 

©2014 Amber Argyle (P)2016 Amber Argyle Smith

Fantastic.

This is the prequel of Summer Queen and tells the story of Nelay and how she came to be a priestess.

Nelay has the sight, but her mother has drilled it into her to make sure and never let it be found out because a deal with the fairies always turns out bad. But when she, her brother and father are out tending the sheep, her father gets bit by a black mamba and being days from home, Nelay has no choice but to make a bargain with the fairies. Finding the price of this bargain is too much for her and her life takes a different path than what she wanted.

Nelay was such a plucky little 9 year old and I really liked her. My heart broke for her on finding the price the balance will take from her bargain! I have to say that I really didn't like Panar and his jealous and nasty behaviour, but you just know he will play a part in Summer queen!!

Anyway, I really enjoyed this installment of the Fairy Queen series and am excited to see how Nelay is now. It was a fast paced and entertaining read and definitely makes me excited for Summer Queen.

*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affected my thoughts.*

Another heartbreaking story

I loved this book. It's the story of a nine-year-old girl trying to save her father's life after he's bitten by a snake while herding sheep in the desert with her and her brother who is twelve. This is a lot of responsibility for a girl that young. She's able to see faeries that help her to locate food and water but her father and brother don't know she has this ability since it's dangerous for the faeries to know that you can see them and to make deals with them.

There are a lot of twists to the story that I didn't see coming. At only 2 hours and 20 minutes, it's a fairly quick listen but the time just flew by. I was so engrossed in the story, I never even considered stopping. Just like the second book in the series, I ended up crying but not until the last few chapters, although they were difficult ones to hear. That poor child had so much on her tiny shoulders it just broke my heart for her and her family.

I can't wait for the next book to find out what happens next! Also, the author decided to change narrators after book one and I'm so glad she did! Elizabeth Evans does a fabulous job bringing the characters to life and making you feel what they feel. I just didn't get that connection with the first narrator. Ms. Evans is going on my list of favorite narrators!

Excellent imagery!

What a gorgeous book! The imagery in it was perfect. I could see every rich detail in my head. Having read the next book a year or so ago, I really enjoyed learning Nelay's history.

Each member of her family was written incredibly well. Each had their own complicated personalities, with strengths and flaws. My heart aches for them all, in the desperate, desolate times they lived in.

Anxiously moving onto the next book now.

This audio book was gifted to me in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.