"AN AFTERGLOW OF ASHES© by Axel Laigo"
Release date: August 5, 2021
Website: www.axongfairauthor.com
Grab your copy in Lazada or Shopee.
What's Christmas without any magic, eh? 😉
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DISCLAIMER1: This book was given to me for free in exchange for an honest book review.
🔥 ALL ABREWED and THANK AMIANAE 🍂
‖ COME ONE AND COME ALL TO THE LAND OF TIDALUS! WHERE ITS PINK AFTERGLOWS AND NATURESQUE LAYOUT GIVE YOU A PEEK THROUGH THE LAND OF WIND. ‖
I have finally finished reading this wonderfully MAGICAL, tear-jerking book! I would like to sincerely thank Kuya Axel for giving me this opportunity even though this was long overdue, for that I apologize to you Kuya, Amianae, and Bagathion. I feel these two Gods were face-palming at me when I was feeling unmotivated to continue the book. BUT finally, I finished it. Hurrah!
WARNING: This review is intended for educational purposes and helps the author with his book. The review contains slight spoilers of the book. Read if you dare *Sheldon's laugh* mwoahahaha
TWO WORDS:
COFFEE 👏🏻 BARS 👏🏻
You guys have no idea when I first set my eyes on these two words, I've been craving for them like crazy. HOHOHO, let's not forget Calor's ICED MINT COFFEE. 😫 Ugh, what I'd give for me to have those on a humid day and chilling with my friends. Laughter, the clinking of mugs, the sweet pastries. Kyaaahh! Stop me I'm drooling! >_< Enough about my cravings, onto the review~~~ *wind effect lol*
DISCLAIMER2: In my review, this is based on what I interpreted from the book and what was going on inside my mind, so like yeah a peep in my subconsciousness, CHAR ahahaha. Please expect that it might not be in a formal or professional tone because my mind does not talk like that but 'twill not be in a rude sense or manner in case some of you readers might think it's offensive or whatnot. I assure you it's not. 🤣
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🍃 CHARACTERS and NAMES:
⁕ The Chief's Daughter and the Twelve Pyrians - I'm going to say that I already love the names of the protagonists. When I first encountered this name I felt confused like "Huh? How did he come up with that name?" Want me to say the name? GRAB A COPY TO SEE IT YOURSELF~ hihi.
A million applause for Kuya with his name construction and wit. In all honesty, I thought the names were PUNS and I was dreading the punchlines. Alas 'twas not what I thought it was. Also, one thing I observed is that their names FIT IN with their personalities. The two siblings' names had a medieval ring to them and had completely opposite personalities. The eldest having had the heaviest expectation brought upon the Chief for him to be polished as heir. The second child, having her Mother's beliefs and has the same viewpoint which is frowned upon in Tidalus. Not going to lie, I felt frustrated and was the reason I stopped reading the book for a while. I couldn't bear the feelings she was feeling and made me think about my own. It gave me sad and annoyed feelings, but as I progressed from the story, all was clear as water. No more heightened feelings just peace. Well done kuya, well done *slow clap* 😄
The Pyrian names were adorable and just like what I said it really fitted with their personalities. I'd love to give you some of the names (which I already had if you paid close attention) but GRAB A COPY to discover these dudes and fall in love with each and every one of them. 😉 Let's just say, they are what every girl's fantasy, mostly mine tho, but why not share with the rest of the pack. huehue
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🍃 PUNS:
⁕ The writer did👏🏻not👏🏻disappoint with his promise of puns. As you start the story you get a dose of it already (BEETRICE!) I'm sorry I already love that name 🤣. What I like about it is that it's CONSISTENT. Constant and consistent. I tried formulating some puns of my own but failed, you really can't beat the writer's wit and silliness. BUT, as I progressed to the story I kinda went Calor mode wherein I have had enough of Alain's puns. It was funny but I facepalmed to some of them. Does that mean I'm old and can't have fun anymore? ಥ_ಥ Time. Cruel thing. But my old bones should not hinder you guys to GRAB YOUR OWN COPY. 😉
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🍃 THE STORY ITSELF:
⁕ Here are some highlights of the book that really left an impression on me.
- Redraven and Smokeraven - My heart just can't with mythical creatures, they're my Achilles heel. Although somehow I felt like it needed an illustrative understanding, a drawing something like that. But even if there was no picture the characteristics were clear. Kinda scary if you ask me because of the red beady eyes haha. However, you'll change perspective when you meet the little guy Blackjack, again another punful name, GRAB A COPY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HIM 😉
- "That's just how it is." - This 👏🏻 line 👏🏻. This was said by Gustoff when he was squabbling with Janaia. I also felt bad for Gustoff with the experiences he had to face alone bearing the expectations his father threw at him and with the unfortunate event that happened earlier in the story. I mean I understand, he's the eldest but c'mon, Give the man some space to breathe. But, thank god for Janaia getting him on the right path again before he became like their Father. Woohoo! The development on this part left me in tears and relieved. No more tension, just hope.
- "Spicy food is where the world is at" - I AGREE, WHOLEHEARTEDLY! *plays Spicy by CL* I salute the author for acknowledging spicy ehehe. It's hard to find books that would portray their characters as both Spicy food lovers. As a spicy-food lover myself, I drooled at all their delish food. Curse you kuya, cravings will be the death of me haha.
- Springtime Sunshine vs. Late Night Lights (Themes) - I was so shocked when I realized it even if the author did not intend it. Janaia is a Ventite user, she controls the wind. Calor is a Pyrite user, he controls fire. Mush their ideas, Spring because of the cool breeze that often happens during that time. Late Night because of the fire Calor controls. My gosh, sometimes I shock myself with these discoveries (even if they were plainly obvious, to begin with).
- Sebastian and Serena - Hmmmm, Romeo and Juliet is that you? 🤔 Theater play, Alain as the lead role, it all fits. Haha. But I am not entirely sure, since what I have emphasized with disclaimer2, it's what my mind interpreted when I was reading the book. Not a lot was said about them but I would love to watch a 'Sebastian and Serena' play. 😉
- FLINTLOCK - I really racked my brain on where I heard that similar name before and it was a big sigh of relief when I realized who it was. The ever silly Flin Lockwood from 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' guy. However, the inventor of the famed Spray-on Shoes or the FLDSMDFR would turn out to be... *dun tun tun* eevil, want to know what he did? GRAB A COPY TO KNOW 😉 ( and no, I will not stop advertising about the book 🤣)
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OVERALL, this book is worth the read and is full of surprises ❤️ If you're a fantasy lover like me this one is a fresh one for you to add to your collection. I would like to congratulate Kuya Axel, again, on the release of his debut book "An Afterglow of Ashes". Magic, mystery, friendship with romance budding in the air. This will not disappoint.
That's all for my review and I hope to see you guys in the land of Tidalus! May Amianae guide you~
ALL ABREWED! 🔥🍂
