Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Head of Zeus -- an AdAstra Book (2020), 593 pages
Description
"Long ago, a magical war destroyed an empire, and a new one was built in its ashes. But still the old grudges simmer, and two siblings will fight on opposite sides to save their world in the start of Django Wexler's new epic fantasy trilogy. Gyre hasn't seen his beloved sister since their parents sold her to the mysterious Twilight Order. Now, twelve years after her disappearance, Gyre's sole focus is revenge, and he's willing to risk anything and anyone to claim enough power to destroy the Order. Chasing rumors of a fabled city protecting a powerful artifact, Gyre comes face-to-face with his lost sister. But she isn't who she once was. Trained to be a warrior by the Twilight Order, Mara wields magic for their cause. Standing on opposite sides of a looming civil war, the two siblings will learn that not even the ties of blood will keep them from splitting the world in two"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Veronica.Sparrow
I have never read anything by this author before so I really didn't know what to expect. However, I did make the assumption that it would just be an "okay" fantasy novel because I tend to compare them to classic fantasy novels/series. It is definitely not fair but there you go. Needless to say, I
The story revolves around Maya and Gyre who are two siblings growing up on a farm. Life would be fine aside from the fact that Maya suffers from a recurring illness that no one seems to be able to cure. Her older brother, Gyre, is very caring and protective of her. One day, a Centarch of the Twilight Order (don't worry, there is a glossary to straighten things out) arrives offering to cure Maya but there is a catch. She must leave her family and go away with him. Gyre is understandably upset and unsuccessfully attempts to stop the Centarch from taking Maya but at the cost of losing an eye and gaining a scar across half of his face. Fast forward a few years later, Gyre has vowed revenge on the order and Maya is in training to become a Centarch herself. In the course of their separate lives, Maya and Gyre finally meet again and realize that they are now on opposite sides.
This book literally blew me away. It is fantasy but it also has elements of science fiction as well with regards to the type of weapons, magic, and unbelievable creatures. I loved how the chapters alternated between Maya and Gyre and I have to admit that I absolutely loved Maya's character who is a member of the LGBTQ community. I am not a member myself but I do support the community and the way he developed her character with her crushes and feelings was so sweet and touching.
The World he created is so very complex and developed which I love in a fantasy novel and the glossary helped me navigate through the book. The writing is fast paced and there is a bit of gore but not overly so. I really did enjoy reading this and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
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was dead wrong.The story revolves around Maya and Gyre who are two siblings growing up on a farm. Life would be fine aside from the fact that Maya suffers from a recurring illness that no one seems to be able to cure. Her older brother, Gyre, is very caring and protective of her. One day, a Centarch of the Twilight Order (don't worry, there is a glossary to straighten things out) arrives offering to cure Maya but there is a catch. She must leave her family and go away with him. Gyre is understandably upset and unsuccessfully attempts to stop the Centarch from taking Maya but at the cost of losing an eye and gaining a scar across half of his face. Fast forward a few years later, Gyre has vowed revenge on the order and Maya is in training to become a Centarch herself. In the course of their separate lives, Maya and Gyre finally meet again and realize that they are now on opposite sides.
This book literally blew me away. It is fantasy but it also has elements of science fiction as well with regards to the type of weapons, magic, and unbelievable creatures. I loved how the chapters alternated between Maya and Gyre and I have to admit that I absolutely loved Maya's character who is a member of the LGBTQ community. I am not a member myself but I do support the community and the way he developed her character with her crushes and feelings was so sweet and touching.
The World he created is so very complex and developed which I love in a fantasy novel and the glossary helped me navigate through the book. The writing is fast paced and there is a bit of gore but not overly so. I really did enjoy reading this and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
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LibraryThing member tottman
Ashes of the Sun by Django Wexler is the first book in the Burning Blade and Silver Eye series and it is one of the best fantasy books of the year! Gyre and Maya are siblings who were separated at a young age when one of the powerful magic wielders for the empire, known as a centarch, took Maya
Two storylines, one following each of the siblings, paint a picture of the empire and its history from opposing viewpoints. Maya and her mentor seek to use their gifts to better the lives of the empire’s citizens and protect them from the dangerous creatures leftover from the war between the now-departed Chosen and the Ghouls. Maya has largely avoided the politics of the empire but when that no longer becomes possible she is desperate to prove that the beliefs of her mentor's faction are the only way forward. Meanwhile, Gyre knows that the Ghoul nearly defeated the Chosen once before. He is desperate to find clues and potential weapons in the ruins of an ancient Ghoul stronghold. With their secrets, he hopes to bring the empire he hates to its knees. Swirling plotlines bring them ever closer to one another with stakes that ratchet up page by page.
Wexler has created brilliant characters in his main protagonists of Maya and Gyre and surrounded them with a treasure trove of other compelling characters. His world-building is fascinating, creating a thriving civilization built from the destruction of an old one. This creates the feeling of a very lived-in world as well as one with a tangible history. Alternating chapters between Maya and Guyer paint a complex picture both of the current empire and the one that came before it. Each character's story is so compelling that you hate to leave it at the end of the chapter and then you are immediately drawn into the other's story.
Wexler storytelling is filled with vivid characters and action and intrigue leaping off of every page. It is almost like two books in one. Everything works in this story and Wexler doesn't strike a single false note. Ashes of the Sun is destined to be one of the best books of the year and the start of a powerful new series. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is simply fantastic!
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.
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away from her family. This event stoked a lifelong hatred for the empire in Gyre. Now Maya herself wields magic for the same empire her brother seeks to bring down.Two storylines, one following each of the siblings, paint a picture of the empire and its history from opposing viewpoints. Maya and her mentor seek to use their gifts to better the lives of the empire’s citizens and protect them from the dangerous creatures leftover from the war between the now-departed Chosen and the Ghouls. Maya has largely avoided the politics of the empire but when that no longer becomes possible she is desperate to prove that the beliefs of her mentor's faction are the only way forward. Meanwhile, Gyre knows that the Ghoul nearly defeated the Chosen once before. He is desperate to find clues and potential weapons in the ruins of an ancient Ghoul stronghold. With their secrets, he hopes to bring the empire he hates to its knees. Swirling plotlines bring them ever closer to one another with stakes that ratchet up page by page.
Wexler has created brilliant characters in his main protagonists of Maya and Gyre and surrounded them with a treasure trove of other compelling characters. His world-building is fascinating, creating a thriving civilization built from the destruction of an old one. This creates the feeling of a very lived-in world as well as one with a tangible history. Alternating chapters between Maya and Guyer paint a complex picture both of the current empire and the one that came before it. Each character's story is so compelling that you hate to leave it at the end of the chapter and then you are immediately drawn into the other's story.
Wexler storytelling is filled with vivid characters and action and intrigue leaping off of every page. It is almost like two books in one. Everything works in this story and Wexler doesn't strike a single false note. Ashes of the Sun is destined to be one of the best books of the year and the start of a powerful new series. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is simply fantastic!
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.
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LibraryThing member Andorion
An excellent first book to a series, this book deftly sets up a fascinating world. I love the way character relationships and conflicts were set up and I absolutely look forward to following their adventures across subsequent books.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
I'm still thinking about this which is no bad thing. It's a complex story of a society that has undergone an apocalypse and where things are quite grim now. There are creatures that will try to kill you and magic that is mostly forbidden and a military order who are determined to keep their power
Into this there are a brother and sister, he is caught up with some of the powers who want change, but have agendas and she is part of the order. She has power she hasn't fully explored and there are agendas that need to be answered.
It's an interesting read and I hope there is hope somewhere and a positive end for a few of the characters and I really want Beq's glasses.
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and to control what is done.Into this there are a brother and sister, he is caught up with some of the powers who want change, but have agendas and she is part of the order. She has power she hasn't fully explored and there are agendas that need to be answered.
It's an interesting read and I hope there is hope somewhere and a positive end for a few of the characters and I really want Beq's glasses.
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LibraryThing member decaturmamaof2
Loved this - going to read book 2 soon.
Awards
Chesley Award (Nominee — 2021)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2020-07-23
ISBN
1788543149 / 9781788543149
Local notes
Long ago, a magical war destroyed the Chosen Empire, and a new republic rose from its ashes. But old grudges still simmer. Twelve years after his parents sold his sister to the mysterious Twilight Order, Gyre's sole focus is revenge. Chasing rumors of a fabled city protecting a powerful artifact, Gyre comes face-to-face with his lost sister. But she isn't who she once was. Trained to be a warrior, Maya wields magic for the Twilight Order's cause. Standing on opposite sides of a looming civil war, the two siblings will learn that not even the ties of blood will keep them from splitting the world in two.
GSFF Book Club, October 2020. Goldsboro edition with exclusive sprayed edges, foiling under the dust jacket, endpapers, comes with a bookmark, and signed and numbered by the author.
GSFF Book Club, October 2020. Goldsboro edition with exclusive sprayed edges, foiling under the dust jacket, endpapers, comes with a bookmark, and signed and numbered by the author.