Book review by Corey
Ash
Ash is a lesbian retelling of Cinderella that follows a young woman trapped in a cruel household after the death of her parents. Her life changes when she becomes connected to the mysterious fairy Sidhean, but things shift again when she meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress, and begins to imagine a different kind of future for herself.
The book is quieter and more atmospheric than a typical fairy-tale retelling, with a lot of focus on grief, longing, and the choices Ash makes for herself. The romance develops slowly, but it feels meaningful, and the story does a good job of making the familiar Cinderella setup feel more personal and less predictable.
The Goods
- Beautiful fairy-tale atmosphere
- Strong lesbian romance
- Ash feels believable and sympathetic
- Interesting take on Cinderella
- Quiet, thoughtful writing
The Bads
- Slow in places
- The romance takes time to develop
- Some side characters feel thin
- The fairy elements can feel vague
- Not much action
My Recommendation
This is a strong choice for readers who like lesbian fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and slower romances with a lot of atmosphere. Ash and Kaisa’s relationship is gentle and believable, and the book does a nice job of taking a very familiar story and giving it a completely different emotional centre. There is also a strong theme of Ash learning what she actually wants instead of simply accepting the life other people have chosen for her. If you enjoy LGBTQ+ fantasy that focuses more on character, longing, and self-discovery than action, this one is definitely worth reading.