Ashes to Ashes (The Burn for Burn Trilogy) Hardcover – September 16, 2014

First, let me say that I liked the trilogy as a whole very much. This book, however, was my least favorite of the three — though not for the reasons I expected. At the end of “Fire with Fire,” I was a bit apprehensive after finding out that Mary was actually a ghost (as opposed to an anorexic with possible psychokinetic powers). However, it was handled very well for such a tricky twist.The problem I had was that the whole story seemed to be... compressed? Skimped? I was surprised when I noticed that the book was significantly shorter than “Fire with Fire” — not the usual pattern with a series — and as I was reading I noticed why. A lot of the issues that had been brought up, even emphasized, earlier in the trilogy had been dropped or ignored. The best example I can think of is that it seems to be a done deal that Lillia’s going to Boston College, whereas earlier in “Fire with Fire,” she and her dad have been arguing because he keeps trying to push her into going to all-women’s Wellesley. And there are many more. I supposed I feel a bit cheated.One thing I really did like — which some readers didn’t — was that there was no trite, tidy, happily-ever-after ending. Lillia and Reeve do not end up together. Kat does not end up at Oberlin. They take alternative (but perfectly good) paths.

4.5 starsOh, Ashes to Ashes. How long I have waited to have you in my hands! Totally worth it though. This trilogy is simply put - amazing. Definitely a must read and one of my favorites of all time.One of the biggest difference for me between Burn for Burn and Fire with Fire was the characters. I hated almost every. single. character. in Burn for Burn, as much as I loved the story. When Fire with Fire came around. All of that changed. Suddenly the only person I really didn’t like was Rennie, and towards the end Mary.I still love the characters in Ashes for Ashes, but Reeve had this one misogynistic line that really stood out to me. I think the entire point was too make me think less of Reeve and that really bothered me. For more on that, check out my book talk <http://youtu.be/2Qz7FXadQX8>, but in the interest of keeping this spoiler-free I’m not going into anymore detail on that.Now speaking of characters I didn’t like, Mary takes things to a whole new level in Ashes to Ashes. Now that she realizes she’s actually dead, she’s out for blood - and it’s kind of terrifying. I’m still sympathetic to Mary for many reasons, but there is no question that she is the big bad villain in this one.Mary’s character really made the drama in Ashes to Ashes magnificent. This was well beyond the revenge schemes in the prior novel because I was actually afraid for people’s lives. The plot was insanely suspenseful and I did not want to put this one down for a second. I did because I had to sleep, but I tossed and turned all night agonizing over how things would turn out - no joke.And of course there is the Lilia and Reeve love story that developed in Fire with Fire. I love those two together, I really do. They’re one of my favorite couples of all time and I never would have seen that coming after finishing Burn for Burn. The only thing I’d like to change about this book is the epilogue. In fact, I may pretend that it never happened.Ashes to Ashes has it all and is just a stunning conclusion to an amazing trilogy. Great plot, awesome characters, epic love story. This trilogy really took me by surprise with how awesome it is and I am so glad to have read it.

Sibohan and Han combine to give such a breezy writing style - it's so easy to fly through the pages. The snarky banter is amusing and the jokes tickled me pink. I enjoyed this book, despite having a vehement dislike for the majority of the cast. The setting was such a beautiful backdrop. The pacing of the story is fantastic, if a little slow at the start. And the concept - that was the biggest drawcard in finishing this trilogy.As for our three protagonists…Lillia maintained her more annoying personality traits. She was clingy and somewhat self-absorbed, not to mention times of indecisiveness and being completely clueless. I don't even think she grew all that much as a person from the events - yes there was a note of wisdom there, but nothing ground breaking or poignant.I actually got a little scared/nervous at some point due to Mary’s vengeance and paranormal-ness, which was a delightful surprise, it’s not something I expected in this genre! However, Mary was disappointing. It was ramping up to an epic climax and then I don't know what happened. I get that she was able to get some resolution, but the way it was delivered felt flaccid.Kat was probably the one who changed the most. She got to try on a number of personalities before the ending. I like to think she chose herself and never looked back.Don't get me started on the boys - they felt as vapid as Lillia.I did not enjoy the amount of alcohol consumption - I felt like checking into re-hab just from reading the book. Additionally, there was no resolution to the rape storyline... and I understand many of these types of cases are never reported, but it was practically brushed under the carpet. Lillia had a few episodes of despair and was over it.I got the feeling from the tone of the novel as though it was targeted to the younger end of the YA market with its protagonists acting like 'look at me I'm a grown up' when they really have no clue and are just stumbling about in the darkness of their lives. I guess in that respect it nails what it was to be a teen - though I was hoping for a more intelligent interpretation. This whole trilogy has been a bit of a ride, the debut felt like a contemporary, and then follow-up blurred the lines between contemporary and paranormal, and the finale – witchy central. There is a lot to love with the concept of this trilogy, but I wish the characters were a little more likeable, relatable. That the topics were handled with a little bit more social responsibility. Even though an entertaining read, it is not my favourite from either of these authors.I feel like there was a part of the last chapter missing, or an epilogue got cut in the editing process because it culminated on such an abrupt tone. I'm a little thrown after finishing the book, it wasn't completely satisfying. Lukewarm.The cover art is very Miss Teen Magazine spread, with a bleached treatment to signify a paranormal, ghosty element I’m guessing. Attractive and representative of the connection of the three main protagonists, it definitely stands out from many others in this genre. It certainly had me flipping through the pages.Fans of both authors will most likely love this trilogy, and I’d recommend it for readers who love YA and don’t mind the tone of the characters dominating the story. I appreciated it’s uniqueness.

I’ll review the series as a whole and not just this book, however I accidentally picked up the 3rd book up before the 2nd one and I didn’t realise until the end. Not that much happens in the second book that it just felt like a month time skip where nothing all that interesting happened apart from at the very end.The 3rd book in the series takes a supernatural twist that’s written quite well, but feels like it’s tried to take a YA novel on a different path so it doesn’t blend in to the rest.The 1st and 3rd books are the better books, where as the 2nd book feels like a placer and is there to set up the 3rd book.I do recommend reading this series as I did enjoy them (albeit in the wrong order). I feel like I might be a little more positive over the 2nd book if I’d read it in the right order (but that’s my own fault!)

I really loved this series and the twist in the final book. It was a story that caught my attention from the first page and made me want to know more about the characters and their stories. I think the characters are well written and well developed across the course of all three books.The ending was unexpected and not what you thought was being built up from the previous two books but was good none the less and no less satisfying.I’ve been a fan of Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian for years and this series was another solid entry

Well, I think the authors should have taken this in a happier direction. Like Lillia and Reeve being all HAE in the end, Kat and Alex having a HEA and Mary being at peace with what she did. It got so dark in the middle and near the end. But I'm glad I stuck it out even if nothing did go how I wanted it to.

This book was such an amazing ending to a journey. I’ve never got into a book as much as I have with this one I read it all in a few days. I loved the twists and things that weren’t predictable that shocked me. I would 100% recommended this book and I would love to see Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian make a movie version on the trilogy.👏Buy👏This👏Book👏

the first book was great then the second was more drama however the third was very dissapointing. the whole concept of Mary was confusing and made the book less enjoyable. I was really expecting a better/happier ending. Mary made the book depressing and slightly strange I stopped reading half way through because of this. Each book seemed to change genre. this seemed like some book about ghosts and gouls however the first was about highschool crushes. overall very dissapointed.