The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost

Author: Jeaniene Frost
Publisher: Harlequin
Date of publication: August 2014

Sometimes, falling in love really is the end of the world… 

Ivy has always seen things that she cannot explain. Strange things. Otherworldly things. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse—her hallucinations are real, and her sister is imprisoned in a realm beyond Ivy’s reach. The one person who can help her is the dangerously attractive rebel who’s bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

The fate Adrian has fought to escape is here – but he never expected the burning need he feels for Ivy. With destiny on one side and desire on the other, Adrian must help Ivy search for the powerful relic that can save her sister. Yet he knows what Ivy doesn’t: the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could destroy the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side, Adrian on the other, and nothing but ashes in between…

In preparation for a blog tour I am participating in during the month of August for Jeaniene Frost's upcoming book The Sweetest Burn, I picked up The Beautiful Ashes to read first. Since the The Sweetest Burn involves the same couple I figured it probably wouldn't hold up well as a stand alone. Anyway, I ended up enjoying this book tremendously.

In The Beautiful Ashes, Ivy is searching for her missing sister when she finds her life is about the change in ways she never dreamed possible. She has always seen strange images her whole life, but she thought she was just a little crazy.  She meets and is kidnapped by Adrian who doesn't seem to be completely human.  I am glad I read this one first as there is a lot of world building and mythology that is explained to Ivy along the way...think angels, demons and other realms. But not as cut and dry as just that. 

I enjoyed the characters.  Ivy really steps up to the plate when the need arises.  I liked her determination to get her sister back and to do whatever it takes to get it done. That includes bathing with hell hounds!  Adrian was a perfect partner for her. I also liked that he was flawed as you never knew if he was going to betray Ivy or not. I thought it was fairly light in the romance department.  I suspect that will increase over the next books in the series.  There were some humorous moments in the book that kept it entertaining.  The last 1/4 of the book was pretty intense and was my favorite part.

If you missed this one, I highly recommend it.  It was a fairly quick read.  Make sure to some back on August 10 to read my thoughts on The Sweetest Burn!