Air and Ash by Alex Lidell Pages: 284
Published by Danger Bearing Press on May 2, 2017
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy & Magic, Action & Adventure
Source: eARC from Author
Master and Commander meets Tamora Pierce in a seafaring adventure of duty, love, magic, and a princess’s quest to protect her kingdom on her own terms.
After a lifetime of training, seventeen-year-old Princess Nile Greysik, a lieutenant on the prestigious Ashing navy flagship, sails into battle with one vital mission—and fails.
Barred from the sea and facing a political marriage, Nile masquerades as a common sailor on the first ship she can find. With a cowardly captain, incompetent crew, and a cruel, too-handsome first officer intent on making her life a living hell, Nile must hide her identity while trying to turn the sorry frigate battleworthy. Worse, a terrifying and forbidden magic now tingles in Nile’s blood. If anyone catches wind of who Nile is or what she can do, her life is over.
But when disaster threatens the ship, Nile may have no choice but to unleash the truth that will curse her future.
AIR AND ASH is the thrilling first installment of the TIDES series. Recommended for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Tamora Pierce, and Naomi Novik.
Air and Ash is the first book in the Tides series by author Alex Lidell. The Tides series is an epic high fantasy adventure that takes place on the high seas! Umm, yes please!! I was already kicking myself for passing an early review of Daughter of the Pirate King and I have been kicking myself ever since. I was not going to miss out on all the swashbuckling fun in another highly anticipated pirate adventure. And Air and Ash did not disappoint. I absolutely loved this adventure. I loved everything about it! I loved the characters and I really really loved the world building that Alex Lidell created. Trust me, Air and Ash is a book you do not want to miss.
I absolutely loved our heroine, Nile. Yes, she is a princess, but she is kick ass! Seriously, She does not turn away from hard work or unfavorable odds. I loved her determination. Nile does not have it easy, but she always faces what is thrown at her head on. It is hardnot to admire the heck out of her. And even harder not to root for her. She is one of my new favorite characters. I can’t wait to see more of her adventures. 
And that isn’t even talking about the magic in the world. Holy cow, the magic was something else entirely! I totally was not expecting it all. But everything worked so seamlessly together. The world building in Air and Ash was truly something magnificent. Alex Lidell is crazy relented. I am totally loving this series. I need to get my hands on the second book ASAP. And I didn’t even scratch the surface on the number of things I loved about this book. I don’t give five stars out lightly, but Air and Ash earned every bit of five stars. Don’t even get me started on Domenic or the romance. Both are excellent. I want Domenic all to myself. but I am going to let you discover all of that for yourself.
Bottom line: If you can’t get enough epic fantasy, like me, this is a series you need to read. Plain and simple. Air and Ash is a fantastic first novel to what is going to be a favorite YA fantasy of mine. I can already tell. I love the characters, I love where the romance is going, I love the world and the magic. All of it works for me. Alex Lidell has a winner on her hands here. I can’t wait for more. I need to grab the prequel and book 2 ASAP! Air and Ash is one of my favorite reads of 2017….hands down!
You can grab this AMAZING book right now for only 99 cents!!
Click on the picture to buy and for more info!
To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below to win
1 winner will receive a finished copy of AIR AND ASH & a hardcover of A COURT OF WINGS AND RUIN by Sarah J. Maas, INTERNATIONAL.
Note: Book Briefs Contest Policy applies. All of the prizes, terms and conditions of the giveaway should be contained in the rafflecopter below. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
5/1/2017- Wandering Bark Books– Excerpt
5/1/2017- Twinning for Books– Review
5/2/2017- Don’t Judge, Read– Interview
5/2/2017- History from a Woman’s Perspective– Review
5/3/2017- Fiction Fare– Review
5/3/2017- Book Princess Reviews– Review
5/4/2017- Two Chicks on Books– Interview
5/4/2017- Reading for the Stars and Moon– Review
5/5/2017- Margie’s Must Reads– Review
5/5/2017- Angelic Book Reviews– Review
Week Two:
5/8/2017- BookHounds YA– Guest Post
5/8/2017- Book Briefs– Review
5/9/2017- A Backwards Story– Interview
5/9/2017- Mundie Moms– Review
5/10/2017- Book Sniffers Anonymous– Excerpt
5/10/2017- J.R.’s Book Reviews– Review
5/11/2017- Bibliobibuli YA– Review
5/11/2017- Booklove– Review
5/12/2017- Reese’s Reviews– Review
5/12/2017-A Dream Within A Dream– Review
About Alex Lidell
Alex Lidell is an avid horseback rider, paramedic and ice cream addict. Born in Russia, Alex learned English in elementary school, where a thoughtful librarian placed a copy of Tamora Pierce’s ALANNA in Alex’s hands. In addition to becoming the first English book Alex read for fun, ALANNA started Alex’s lifelong love for YA fantasy books. Alex’s debut novel, THE CADET OF TILDOR, was an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards finalist. Her second book AIR AND ASH releases in May 2017.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Katiria Rodriguez
Ohh amazing review! You had me in epic high fantasy adventure, I just love high fantasy and this one looks and sounds absolutely fantastic. After reading your review now I really want too check this book out asap. Thank you so much for the great post.
Judy Cox
What a good review, it definitely makes me want to read this even more. I will put this on my TBR list and I also love the cover!!!!!
Linda Townsend
I’m in!!!!!Great review! I really want to check this book out! Thanks for the giveaway!
Fay Tannerr
Nice review! Sounds like a really great read and something I should check out!