The Beautiful Ashes (The Broken Destiny Novels Book 1)

Loved the characters. The main character has a sense of humor that is a hoot. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series.

The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene FrostBroken Destiny book 1. Paranormal NA romance.Ivy is determined to rescue her sister. Even if that means going into the demon world.In this demon world there is no sun. A dark premise, with humans as slaves. Or worse, as meat. Ivy and Adrian work well together as they try to find her sister and flirt a bit when they can. But it’s a dangerous world and not as simple to understand. I admired Ivy’s protective instincts to try to help anyone she could from harm.I can’t wait as to find out what happens next.

I teetered back and forth with this one on giving it 3 or 4 stars. Basically I decided on 4 based on the fact that I have high hopes with what Jeaniene Frost has started here.I know that people are expecting a lot just based on the fact the Jeaniene Frost is the author of the beloved Night Huntress series (see: Halfway to the Grave) and all it's spin-offs. I think that fact might hurt this story more than help it. I, too, found myself thinking I could anticipate things based on how the Night Huntress series went (i.e. "she left him at this one point so the same thing must happen in The Beautiful Ashes as well"). I know this is silly of me, but I couldn't help it. I will say I was pretty much wrong in guessing that Jeaniene Frost would follow the same pattern in one series that she did in another. Again silly of me to think this would happen, but I tell you I couldn't help it.Once I got over these terrible preconceived notions, I really appreciated the story a lot more. Jeaniene Frost pretty much starts us out running and doesn't let up. We begin the story as Ivy is looking for her sister who's been missing for a few days. Ivy's world is quickly turned upside down as she learns the visions she's been seeing since she was a child (and subsequently told were just halluinations) are all real. She's then trust into a fight of, what else, good vs. evil and she finds out she may play a bigger part than anyone knows. But all Ivy is concerned with is getting her sister back.Along the way she meets Adrian, handsome and with secrets of his own. Secrets that he's not yet willing to share with Ivy, of course. But he helps her on her quest and despite their obvious attraction to one another, he always tries to keep her at arms length (again because of secrets!). Eventually we find out what Adrian is keeping from Ivy, but really I'm tired of the whole "it's for your own good that you don't know everything".Ivy handles things pretty well on her end. She tries really hard and absorbes as much info as she can. She is dedicated to finding her sister and nothing will stand in her way. A downside to Ivy is that she's clearly new to fighting evil yet she jumps right in with her thoughts I think without knowing the score. She faults the good guys for not fixing every problem right away just because they may have the power to do so. She doesn't know what the bigger picture is yet, but she comes across as knowing what should be done in certain situations. Although to be fair I do think this is something she will get over as the series continues.Overall, I think that this is a promising start to a new series. I think that Jeaniene Frost does really well with developing the world. There's a lot of wonderful imagery. I think The Beautiful Ashes suffer from what a lot of first books suffer from. It has to develop the overall tone of the entire series which can make it feel a bit daunting and make the plot specific to this story seem a bit rushed. Since things have been established and we see our characters placed with an overarching goal I'm very interested to continue on with the series.

I bought this first book not reading what it was about. I like the night huntress books so much that I just clicked on it. It was fast moving, which I like. I wasn't sure about the story or where it was going at first, but it kept my attention. I read the trilogy and really liked it. Ms. Frost writes in a way I can picture things in my mind.If you like Angles and Demon subjects, watch or listen to Pastor Greg Laurie's YouTube video on Angels and Demons. Some of what he says is in the book.

***spoilers***To those of you who like to know this up front - be warned, this is the start of a series. Yes it has an ending, but it also doesn't, so just be warned and don't rage about it later.The story starts with the main character Ivy searching for her sister. We learn that her sister went missing a few weeks ago and when her parents went to the town she was last in, they are both killed while trying to find their daughter. Here in this town, Ivy learns a whole lot more about herself and the world around her. When a kindly old woman in a Bed and Breakfast and a police officer tries to kill her and she is saved by a man with supernatural abilities, Ivy learns an important part of her heritage.Enter Adrian. Human descendent of "he who I will not name and sellout part of the story", and raised as a Prince in a demon realm. He fights his "destiny" to help Ivy find her sister and a weapon that will help them fight the demons. With an Archon (angel) as their guide, and who appears to have has his own agenda, they face off with demons and minions in alternate realms and plains.Long story short. Hot mysterious emo warrior guy with fate and destiny issues helps girl who now discovers that she is also descended from "another dude I will not name and sellout the story" She tries to come to terms with what she is and develope her abilities and he tries to teach her while staying far away from her due to aforementioned fate issues.First - I totally didn't expect this book from Jeaniene. I've read her other books and I guess I was expecting her usual erotic, heated steamy writing and well... yea, this book had no sex at all. That surprised me, but it was a good surprise because it was not what I expected and refreshingly different. Not that it doesn't have any sexual tension because... ahem... yea it did!Overall, I enjoyed it, and I will definitely read the next book. I gave it 4 stars because while I really enjoyed it and the writing was great and the concept was great, I didn't love it the way I love my favourite books. It didn't have that WOW when I was done reading it that made me want to read it again right away. (that's how I know a book deserves 5 stars). Maybe I have Cat and Bones prejudice, but regardless, there's room for improvement and I look forward to reading the next book and seeing where the story goes from here.

I added this to my TBR quite a while back and finally decided to give it a go. It's not like anything else that I have read by this author, but I found myself enjoying it.Adrian's hatred for the demons is the only thing that drives him. This hatred is quite justified, but he believes that he cannot be trusted.Ivy has had supernatural visions ever since she can remember, but as usual she is branded as being unbalanced. Enough to be referred to specialists.When her sister goes missing, she is determined to find her. Adrian is aware of what's happening to her, but is not very generous in giving her information. During her search, she encounters all sorts of supernatural events, convincing her that she hasn't been hallucinating after all. They have to work together if they are to achieve what they have set out to do. Given what she has found out about Adrian, can Ivy trust him?Adrian is secretive and Ivy makes some illogical decisions. Her musings are sometimes frustrating.I had mix feelings about this book, but found myself engrossed enough to find out what happens next. I will be getting the next book to see what follows.

Let be just start off by saying that Jeaniene Frost is one of my top ten authors (I don't want lessen my rating on any by individually ranking any one). Now onto this book. I was really put of by the fact that there was little to no information on what kind of world this book was set in. That rather annoying lack of information was prominent throughout the book as well. Although we find out relatively early that we are dealing with demons then angels the rest of the information is trickled through at a maddeningly slow pace. To some extent that lack of information is sort of like a tease but it is also incredibly frustrating. I really don't understand Ivy's attraction to Adrian as he is constantly endangering her life by withholding important facts.Despite all that, the same incredible skill that has be enjoying Jeaniene's other series' had me completely hooked from beginning to end. Finding the will power to put my Kindle down, even for basic necessities, was a chore. I would have much preferred a less religious premise however I will continue to look forward to any writing from this amazing author. Could also request something along the lines of shape-shifters or the like be considered in the future. After all Cat and Bones have left some rather large shoes to fill.

Interesting spin on urban fantasy. Our hero and heroine are star crossed lovers, so the will they/ won't they has the added elements of Will they /won't they be able to deny fate. The author also uses a religious mythology as opposed to the usual vampire werewolf fey background which is also refreshing. I loved the way our heroine questions why God doesn't step in if He knows bad stuff is going to happen and by the end has started to see why. But if you aren't interested in the big questions don't worry this is still great rip roaring stuff. And did I mention the hero is hot and the chemistry sizzles?

I usually love ms frosts work but this one didn't work for me. The story line was weak but worse than that the heroine was so immature conflicted & just plain wussy she was an irritant & Adrian the male lead was like shadow man totally unconvincing. I'm not convinced by the plot etc I suspect this is aimed at the prepubescent teen market so should have a disclaimer for older readers

I have put off reading this book because I was not sure if it could live up to the Cat and Bones series. But it does, it's very differentness is what sets it apart and makes it so good. Get yourself a copy and find out about Ivy and Adrian and their fight against Demons whilst discovering their love for each other.