Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian

Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land and her name. Theo was crowed Ash Princess - a title of shame to wear in her new life as a prisoner. For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside. Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield. For ten years the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.


Diving back into the young adult genre, this novel captures the imagination and adventurous spirit of the reader with a quickly moving storyline and rushing plot twists. I typically reserve my young adult novel reading to certain authors, because I get bored with the boy meets girl, girl learns he's a vampire, forbidden love ensues... type of story. But this one caught my eye and is a pretty darn good story. The only downside? The sequel doesn't get published until next spring... 2019. Gah! Still, I have enjoyed the character development, the plot twists, the forbidden rebellions, the power, the helplessness, the madness that comes with this novel. I'm definitely planning a reread session when the next installment makes it's way to bookshelves next year. 8 out of 10

The Honorable Imposter by Gilbert Morris

Forced by his family to become a minister in the Church of England, Gilbert Winslow is offered a dangerous and challenging task by one of the most powerful nobles in Britain. Taking the post offers fortune and escape from a life he despises, but Winslow discovers it also means becoming a spy. His mission is to infiltrate a group of religious separatists and to ferret out the whereabouts of their leader, who is accused of dissention against the King. In spite of his initial uneasiness, infiltration proves to be an easy matter. But will the ultimate betrayal be so simple? With the influences of good and evil, faith and doubt, compassion and selfishness pulling him apart, to whom could he turn?


Published in 1986, this is one of those old classic Christian novels but, as a loyal fan of author Gilbert Morris, I am more than willing to pick up his first installment of The House of Winslow series. This was a pretty stereotypical religious novel, I will admit. But it's an easy read, a quick study of character development and the acquirement of faith amidst trials - and the love of a pretty girl, or two! - and the main hero will steal your heart pretty quickly. In the genre of its kind, I'd give this book an easy 8 out of 10. I will admit, my rating is biased because, yep, Gilbert Morris is my go-to author of Christian novels and it's saying something seeing as how my collection of said genre is limited to the best of the best.