There was no dilly-dallying–I’m appreciative. I liked that in part two, years had passed. There were a few things that I unexpectedly liked about the story line and plot: To save the kingdoms, Bristal must find the courage to show her true form.īuilding on homages to Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jane Austen’s Emma and the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, Hannah West makes a spectacular debut.Īdmittedly, I didn’t read too much into Kingdom of Ash and Briars-speaking plainly, I didn’t read the synopsis other than figuring out that there was magic within the story. As an army of dark creatures grows closer, Bristal faces a supernatural war. Should she vow to seek the good of the world, to protect and serve mortals? Or should she follow the strength of her power, even if it leads to unknown terrors? She draws on her ability to disguise herself as a man to infiltrate a prince’s band of soldiers, and masquerades as a fairy godmother to shield a cursed princess, but time is running out. Their gifts are fraught with responsibility, and sixteen-year-old Bristal is torn between two paths. An ancient breed of immortal magic beings, elicromancers have been winnowed down to merely two – now three – after centuries of bloody conflict in the realm. My review of KOAAB has some minor spoilers in it.īristal, an orphaned kitchen maid, lands in a gritty fairy tale gone wrong when she discovers she is an elicromancer with a knack for shape-shifting. Kingdom of Ash and Briars is the first book in The Nissera Chronicles. evil permeate the setting.Hello friends! Today I have my book review of Kingdom of Ash and Briars, by Hannah West. West has created a magical world with robust characters and where the themes of good vs.

It is a balancing act she might not be able to handle. However, under the guidance of Tamarice, Bristal begins to understand the allure of power. Under the tutelage of Brack, Bristal finds herself in many predicaments that readers will recognize from popular fairy tales. Tamarice, however, believes they should use their powers to serve themselves instead. Brack encourages Bristal to use her abilities for their intended purpose: to serve those who rule Nissera. Once she makes the transition from mortal to magical, she is befriended by the only two elicromancers in the kingdom, Brack and Tamarice. The elicromancers, now almost extinct, are an ancient race of magical beings. Her world completely changes when she is kidnapped, thrown into the 'Water,' and transformed into an elicromancer.

Gr 7 Up-In the kingdom of Nissera, Bristal works as a common kitchen maid.

Kingdom of ash and briars