The Training Grounds

From the Ashes

By: Jason Clark

Narrated by: Jamie Treselyan

Length: 15 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

After suffering devastating losses in the pursuit to destroy the reaper, Millicent, Adelaide, and Oakes try to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. As they prepare for another year at the Training Grounds, events unfold that provide hope—and the promise of more bloodshed.

The discovery of an ancient map presents a world of possibilities, along with whisperings of a device that holds the potential to bring Darius back. Millicent and her friends will embark on an epic journey and attempt the impossible—to cheat death. While increasing her control over the elements, a strange voice from beyond reaches out, offering a deadly proposal.

As the three students search for a way to bring Darius back—or decide to finally let him go, Dean Anders joins forces with Bao and Bixia to prepare the Training Grounds for an imminent attack. Not only must Anders juggle the external threats of Belladonna and the Unified Republic, but a new foe emerges, threatening to destroy the school from within.

The stakes are higher as cataclysmic battles bring Merchant Valley to the precipice of annihilation. Will the new weapons Anders creates for his prize students be enough? Can they possibly withstand the inevitable onslaught destined for the school? This time everyone must fight to stay alive—or die trying.

©2023 Jason Clark (P)2023 Jason Clark

Great follow up to the first book

This is a great second book and really answers a lot of those lingering questions I had from the first the plot moves a long fast which adds excitement to every chapter the narrator does another amazing job here

All the action I was hoping for

This second book in the series picks up right where the last one left off. Because all the world building and character building was already established, things get going quick and the action carries all the way to the end of the book. I cannot wait to see how this story concludes and am looking forward to book three.

Rising from the Ashes

"The Training Grounds: From the Ashes," the eagerly awaited sequel to "The Training Grounds Mystery of the Immortals," is a mesmerizing literary journey that left me torn between which installment I enjoyed more. While the first book excelled in its intricate mystery, this sequel elevates the stakes with an exhilarating dose of action and an unrelenting, fast-paced narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The grand finale's action sequence stands out as one of the most pulse-pounding and vividly crafted scenes I've encountered in recent memory. What sets Jason Clark apart is his masterful ability to draw inspiration from a myriad of sources, including comics, movies, other books, anime, and video games, and seamlessly weave them into a captivating and harmonious tapestry. Throughout the entire book, I found myself constantly guessing and speculating about what twists and turns awaited me, a testament to Jason's exceptional storytelling. To my delight, there wasn't a single dull moment in this thrilling installment.

In "The Training Grounds: From the Ashes," Jason Clark skillfully builds upon the foundation laid in the previous book, immersing readers back into the lives of Millicent, Adelaide, and Oakes, who are still reeling from the devastating losses they endured while pursuing the elusive reaper. The story picks up with these resilient characters attempting to mend the fragments of their shattered lives and prepare for another year at the Training Grounds. As they strive to regain their footing, events unfold that offer glimmers of hope while ominously hinting at the possibility of further bloodshed. It's this delicate balance between hope and impending danger that sets the stage for an epic adventure.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this sequel is the discovery of an ancient map, a seemingly innocuous artifact that opens up a world of possibilities and mysteries. The tantalizing whispers of a device capable of resurrecting Darius, a character deeply missed by fans of the series, add an extra layer of complexity to the narrative. Millicent, alongside her steadfast friends, embarks on a daring and audacious journey that seeks to challenge the very concept of mortality itself. The stakes are incredibly high as they grapple with the choice of either holding onto the past or moving forward into an uncertain future.

What truly captivated me throughout "The Training Grounds: From the Ashes" was the character development and their growing mastery over elemental forces. Millicent's evolution and her burgeoning control over these elemental powers is a testament to Clark's ability to breathe life into his characters, making their growth feel authentic and relatable. Moreover, the addition of a mysterious and enigmatic voice from beyond, offering a deadly proposition, adds an intriguing layer of suspense and moral complexity to the narrative.

While the core narrative unfolds, Dean Anders, a character we've come to admire and respect, takes on the daunting task of fortifying the Training Grounds against a series of external threats. Anders' collaboration with Bao and Bixia underscores the importance of unity in the face of impending peril. However, the threats aren't limited to external forces alone, as a new adversary emerges, one that threatens to dismantle the very foundations of the school from within. The intricate web of internal and external threats serves to intensify the suspense and elevate the stakes to unprecedented levels.

One of the defining features of Jason Clark's storytelling is his ability to craft cataclysmic battles that leave readers breathless. In "The Training Grounds: From the Ashes," Merchant Valley finds itself teetering on the precipice of annihilation as the characters engage in life-and-death struggles against relentless foes. Dean Anders, in his relentless pursuit of protecting his students, engineers a new arsenal of weapons that promises to be the ultimate defense against the impending onslaught. The question that looms large is whether these newfound defenses will be sufficient to withstand the catastrophic forces converging upon the Training Grounds. It's a high-stakes battle where every character must summon their inner strength and courage to not just survive but thrive, even if it means confronting the specter of death head-on.

Now, let's not forget the exceptional narration by Jamie Treselyan, which adds another layer of brilliance to this already outstanding work. Treselyan's skillful narration breathes life into the characters, making each one distinct and easily identifiable. His ability to convey emotions, from the intensity of battle to the depths of despair, is nothing short of remarkable. Treselyan's pacing and tone are perfectly attuned to the story's ebbs and flows, enhancing the overall experience for listeners. His dedication to delivering a top-tier performance elevates "The Training Grounds: From the Ashes" to audiobook excellence. Treselyan's narration ensures that every moment of suspense, every character's growth, and every climactic battle are vividly brought to life, making this audiobook an absolute joy to listen to. In the hands of Jamie Treselyan, the Training Grounds series takes on a new dimension of immersive storytelling, and his contribution to the audiobook is deserving of the highest praise.

With both Jason Clark's exceptional storytelling and Jamie Treselyan's outstanding narration, "The Training Grounds: From the Ashes" is not just an audiobook; it's an auditory masterpiece. It's a testament to the synergy between an accomplished author and a talented narrator, creating an experience that will leave listeners eagerly awaiting the next installment. Whether you're a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer, this audiobook is an absolute must-listen, offering hours of entertainment, excitement, and immersion in a richly crafted world where every word and every moment matter.

"The Training Grounds: From the Ashes" is an exceptional and exhilarating addition to Jason Clark's series, demonstrating his remarkable prowess in crafting immersive and heart-pounding narratives. This sequel expertly balances the allure of mystery with the thrill of action, ensuring that readers are consistently engaged and invested in the fate of the characters they've come to love. With its rich character development, intricate plot twists, and unforgettable action sequences, this audiobook is an unmissable adventure that keeps you guessing from start to finish.

Woah.

I did not expect that! This series gets serious fast—serious in a good way—as these kids start to deal with some intense trials. As is the case in any series, the first book has a lot of character introductions and world building to accomplish. Now that we’re into the second book, Clark wastes no time turning up the dial on the action and this story really moves. Great pacing throughout—had me engaged the entire listen. Can’t wait for this series to continue.

great book from Jason Clark

yet another great book from Jason Clark with great narration which is always key in a book if you're into this type of story you should most defiantly pick this book up I personally loved it I need too follow this author since it's the second title I have listened too and loved right off

This series is must read

I loved the first book but I might actually like this one more. It doesn’t have the same level of intrigue as book one, but the character development and emotion was incredible. All that and this book has one of the most epic climatic battles I’ve ever heard. Maybe a bit bloody for my taste, but still well written and acted. From the Ashes compliments Mystery of the Immortals perfectly and tied everything together.

The narrator once again delivers an incredible performance. There were some spots that were a little too dramatic but his character work is some of the best I’ve heard. Jamie and Jason make a great team.

I wish I could say more but that would require spoilers. I’ll simply state I loved the ending and can’t wait for book 3.

Holy shit that was brutal

Absolutely awesome. I really liked the first book and this one just smashed it again. The character development and story is opening up so much more and there were a bunch of moments which made me audibly (pardon the pun) say 'holy shit'. The battles and fight scenes throughout were cool but the final battle was just so badass. It's a really cool balance of Fantasy and scifi, I'm normally a big fantasy reader but this has a unique blend. Kinda like the first Red rising book in terms of genre but more fantasy. Anders is such a badass and I really like the voice the narrator gave to him, but then again he makes sure everyone has their own unique voices which is once again impressive as there has to be over 100. Can't wait for more to come, awesome writing, narration is top tier. My one minor thing to say would be "stop killing off characters I like" lol but that's the way of it and it makes the story more impactful :)