Ash Princess

Author: Laura Sebastian

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s

Details: 448p, £7.99, paperback

ISBN: 9781509855209

I was incredibly excited when we were offered the chance to read and review Laura Sebastian’s debut novel Ash Princess. The blurb promised a gritty read and I felt the students in my Year 9 reading group would benefit from a fearless, female protagonist. The book did not disappoint. Ash Princess is an action-packed novel laced with difficult and complex themes.

The story itself revolves around Princess Theodosia of Astrea, whose land and people have been taken over by the Kalovaxians. After suffering years of cruelty at the hands of the Kalovaxian ruler, who usurped her mother’s throne, Theodosia finally finds her voice and the will to fight for her people - and for herself. The message that a young girl can have enormous power feels poignant and important in our society.

I was especially impressed by Sebastian’s bravery in addressing some more complex issues in a young adult novel. Although it has all the typical, and possibly overdone, tropes of teen fiction (a love triangle, a tyrant), it also subtly explores the dangers of power and the effects of invasion, and does not hide from brutal truths such as violence, degradation and rape. She has created a wonderful, magical world with believable and compelling characters. This book might not be traditionally “challenging” for a high-achieving key stage 3 group but the themes and story left all of us with lots to think about.

Annie Karatzenis is an English teacher at Ponteland High School, Northumberland

Pupil reviews

‘Every page holds jaw-dropping revelations’

This gripping book is set in the magical land of Astrea and I think that the imagination needed to create such a well-thought-through land that can be so relatable and realistic while maintaining its magic is one that is to be applauded. There was a sense of knowing the setting, and the characters’ strong feelings for it, that had me feeling as if I, too, were a resident of the amazing city of Astrea.

The book starts off with broken and crushed citizens but, as the people unite, stand strong for their city and emotions grow high, it is possible to feel a strong sense of hope and motivation that could inspire anybody to fight for what they believe in. Every page in the book holds jaw-dropping revelations about the inspiring city that helps you understand the long, twisted history of a conquered empire.

I would recommend this book as a challenging read to key stage 3 pupils although it could be enjoyed immensely by anyone who loves to lose themselves in reading.

Jemma, age 14

‘Interesting characters with deep backgrounds’

Ash Princess contains many intricately woven characters who grow and develop throughout the story. Sebastian manages to create interesting personalities with complex backgrounds. With the main character Princess Theodosia growing into the queen that she needs to be, she never stops revealing little bits of her past, which provide answers and also give us glimpses of who she used to be and how far she has come.

Not only are the background stories well thought out but so is the way that the characters evolve throughout the book, with many critical decisions and complex relationships moulding them into the people they become at the end of the book. The relationships that start to flourish become just as page-turning as the main plot itself.

Although relatively simple at first, they quickly become complex and develop into deep relationships that massively impact the plot and the way you perceive the story.

The characters that we meet at the end of the book unlock a new realm of undiscovered facts, leaving us with some shocking revelations - and a desire to read the sequel!

Grace, age 14

‘This captivating book ensnares you in the plot’

A good book is one that makes you feel a strong emotion about an idea, the plot or a specific character, whether it be fear and suspense, sadness, excitement, joy, inspiration or realisation. Laura Sebastian captured every one of these in this rollercoaster of a novel. Some pages left you with your mouth hanging open at unexpected plot twists, while others spread a wide smile across your face. All of them forced you forwards to the next page, the next turn and the next emotion.

The responses are all emotions we have felt before but Sebastian makes them feel exciting, new and undiscovered as they are taken from the everyday situations we are used to and placed in the fantastical world of Astrea. This means that people can make them personal to themselves and discover the plot in their own way, which makes the book more realistic and effective.

In conclusion, this captivating book ensnares you in the plot making you connect and feel emotions with every character and every plot twist, leaving it impossible to put down.

As a young, female reader I felt empowered because of the mutual emotions shared with Theo as she fought to save her people.

Lizzie, age 14

If you or your class would like to write a review, please contact sarah.cunnane@tes.com