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Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
In Angel of Ashes by Erika Kathryn, Audie has dreamed about discovering what else is out there. At thirteen, all she’s ever known is what she’s learned in homeschool and what her father, August, has taught her. She never asked for wings and certainly never wanted to be thrown into a celestial war where everyone seems to be looking at her for answers. As she uncovers her surprising origins and learns where she came from, she makes friends and learns how to fight battles. This is a clean fantasy read written for a variety of ages, from middle grade to young adult. The primary focus is on telling Audie’s story; however, she is not the narrator, which creates an oral storytelling structure. Cave is the narrator, so the events are from his perspective. This creates interjections and humorous moments, such as when he introduces his appearance in the story as his favorite part. Even though the story focuses primarily on Audie, you get to know Cave as a character, and it provides a few moments where the reader can laugh.
The narrator often talks directly to readers, which creates a conversational tone. This is a clever way of expanding the age range, as the writing incorporates elements commonly found in middle-grade fantasy while also appealing to older readers. Black and white illustrations are featured throughout, before each chapter, and each one is a look at different characters or magical elements in the story. The style of these visuals is reminiscent of magical realism and matches the tone and magic of the story. Angels are the primary otherworldly element featured, although the characters encounter everything from fairies to demons to sand sharks. There is plenty of action and adventure, but the writing is clean and non-graphic, so even younger readers can enjoy the story. Angel of Ashes by Erika Kathryn brings magic and angels to life in a way that all readers can appreciate.
