For the beautiful young woman Ash, life has always been arquebuses and artillery, swords and armour and the true horrors of hand-to-hand combat. War is her job. She has fought her way to the command of a mercenary company, and on her unlikely shoulders lies the destiny of a Europe threatened by the depredations of an Infidel army more terrible than any nightmare.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
SALES POINTS ASH marks the full-flowering of the talent of one of the world's most acclaimed writers of fantasy "The writing is as intricate as filigree but as tough as wrought-iron" The Times The largest single fantasy work ever - longer than The Lord of the Rings The authentic details of Bernard Cornwell, the magical storytelling of Terry Goodkind Lead title marketing campaign The hardback and trade paperback were bestsellers
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Anastasia
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was great! I read the entire 1000 (or so) page volume in several days. It is reminiscent of the popular The Deed of Paksenarrion by Elizabeth Moon, but, dare I say it, better.
It's a very realistic, gritty military fantasy set in medieval France. Ash, a girl, grows up as an orphan in a mercenary camp. At one point, she discovers a voice in her head that gives her tactical advice during battles. With the help of the voice, she grows into a brilliant mercenary leader .
The story is like alternate history/fantasy/hint of scifi. Historical fantasy shows a hint to alternate history when Carthage invades Europe. And the brilliant general leader of the Carthagian forces happens to look exactly like Ash and also respond to a voice in her head. What is the voice? Is it hallucination, a demon, or a computer?
Great adventure, thrilling battles, mysteries, and discoveries. The main character is a vibrant strong woman, very realistically portrayed. I wish there had been more romance. Ash is in an arranged marriage with a man she's really attracted to, on a base physical level, who has nothing but distaste for her. But, since this is not a trashy romance novel, she dismisses her lust for him for what it is, has no trouble beating him up or sticking to her grand plans of conquest and adventure. I loved it. I do wish that there was more sex though. After all, once the battle is won, the warrior herione must get her reward in the arms of a handsome boy, right?
It's a very realistic, gritty military fantasy set in medieval France. Ash, a girl, grows up as an orphan in a mercenary camp. At one point, she discovers a voice in her head that gives her tactical advice during battles. With the help of the voice, she grows into a brilliant mercenary leader .
The story is like alternate history/fantasy/hint of scifi. Historical fantasy shows a hint to alternate history when Carthage invades Europe. And the brilliant general leader of the Carthagian forces happens to look exactly like Ash and also respond to a voice in her head. What is the voice? Is it hallucination, a demon, or a computer?
Great adventure, thrilling battles, mysteries, and discoveries. The main character is a vibrant strong woman, very realistically portrayed. I wish there had been more romance. Ash is in an arranged marriage with a man she's really attracted to, on a base physical level, who has nothing but distaste for her. But, since this is not a trashy romance novel, she dismisses her lust for him for what it is, has no trouble beating him up or sticking to her grand plans of conquest and adventure. I loved it. I do wish that there was more sex though. After all, once the battle is won, the warrior herione must get her reward in the arms of a handsome boy, right?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an alternate history tale full of attractive ideas, images, violence and well defined characters.
It was originally published as one mammoth book in the UK; the present book is that version. In USA (and the rest of Europe) divided into four tomes. A wise option IMHO.
A very well documented background reveals Ms. Gentle's researches both in medieval history and warfare.
The entire late middle age world is reconstructed accurately; its reality is overwhelming. The mercenary way of life, camping, battles, cities and courts are vividly described.
The tale starts firmly gripped in actual medieval facts and rapidly evolves into a great alternate history scenario.
The story is presented as a contemporary new translation of medieval manuscripts, with the addendum of new revolutionary documents recently discovered by a historian.
This is shown as a series of emails exchanged by the translator and his editor.
Ash is a very young & capable mercenary leader with eight hundred warriors under her command. At the beginning she is at German Emperor Frederick's service against Burgundy's Duke.
Soon the emergence a mysterious visigothic invasion changes the whole background and launches the story into an alternate universe.
Golems and strange unnatural occurrences spice the tale, nevertheless highly realistic description of day to day life mingle seamlessly.
As the story develops the fantastic and sci-fi elements catch wind and grow up.
Characters are well fleshed, each with its own vital problems to solve and interact: fortune-soldiers, nobles, surgeons, priests and serfs. Interesting issues about ethic, gender, love, politics & warfare are presented to the reader in a shocking cavalcade.
This book is strictly for adult readers due to its violent scenes and language; it will be fully enjoyed by alt-his lovers, fantasy fans & sci-fi buffs.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.
It was originally published as one mammoth book in the UK; the present book is that version. In USA (and the rest of Europe) divided into four tomes. A wise option IMHO.
A very well documented background reveals Ms. Gentle's researches both in medieval history and warfare.
The entire late middle age world is reconstructed accurately; its reality is overwhelming. The mercenary way of life, camping, battles, cities and courts are vividly described.
The tale starts firmly gripped in actual medieval facts and rapidly evolves into a great alternate history scenario.
The story is presented as a contemporary new translation of medieval manuscripts, with the addendum of new revolutionary documents recently discovered by a historian.
This is shown as a series of emails exchanged by the translator and his editor.
Ash is a very young & capable mercenary leader with eight hundred warriors under her command. At the beginning she is at German Emperor Frederick's service against Burgundy's Duke.
Soon the emergence a mysterious visigothic invasion changes the whole background and launches the story into an alternate universe.
Golems and strange unnatural occurrences spice the tale, nevertheless highly realistic description of day to day life mingle seamlessly.
As the story develops the fantastic and sci-fi elements catch wind and grow up.
Characters are well fleshed, each with its own vital problems to solve and interact: fortune-soldiers, nobles, surgeons, priests and serfs. Interesting issues about ethic, gender, love, politics & warfare are presented to the reader in a shocking cavalcade.
This book is strictly for adult readers due to its violent scenes and language; it will be fully enjoyed by alt-his lovers, fantasy fans & sci-fi buffs.
Reviewed by Max Yofre.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By EAH
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you're looking for a gripping story with a ferociously strong heroine...
If you get a little tingly and wistful during History Channel programs on weapons and warfare of the middle ages;
If you love fantasy and sci-fi and would love to read an epic adventure on a par with Tolkien, but admittedly a tad darker in the narrative;
read this book.
This is an award-winning book (won the Sidewise award in 2000) that has consistently earned critical acclaim over the years. The use of "swashbuckling" above in the review makes you think of Disney and pirates. This is far, far from Disney. It is at times grim and dark, and in its 1000+ pages has on two occasions visited images of the atrocities of war so unspeakable that I sort of wish I didn't have the images in my head now. But the book is worth it. The story and the characters and the writing are worth it. This isn't like Bernard Cornwell - the violence is part of the story, not simply gratuitous. Ms. Gentle is a master swordsman herself and has a master's degree in War Studies. It shows in the writing. I'm already getting a little panicky wondering what I'll read next that won't be like cheap table wine after a fine claret, or Lone Star after Guinness.
If you get a little tingly and wistful during History Channel programs on weapons and warfare of the middle ages;
If you love fantasy and sci-fi and would love to read an epic adventure on a par with Tolkien, but admittedly a tad darker in the narrative;
read this book.
This is an award-winning book (won the Sidewise award in 2000) that has consistently earned critical acclaim over the years. The use of "swashbuckling" above in the review makes you think of Disney and pirates. This is far, far from Disney. It is at times grim and dark, and in its 1000+ pages has on two occasions visited images of the atrocities of war so unspeakable that I sort of wish I didn't have the images in my head now. But the book is worth it. The story and the characters and the writing are worth it. This isn't like Bernard Cornwell - the violence is part of the story, not simply gratuitous. Ms. Gentle is a master swordsman herself and has a master's degree in War Studies. It shows in the writing. I'm already getting a little panicky wondering what I'll read next that won't be like cheap table wine after a fine claret, or Lone Star after Guinness.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book!
When my husband suggested I read the Ash Chronicles, I was reluctant. I'm not usually a fan of historical fiction and I whined and moaned that I wouldn't enjoy this one. Read more
Published 1 month ago by VWBugGeek
5.0 out of 5 stars
A mad ride of a book!
Review for "Ash" (in toto) as printed in UK, while in US, separate four novels.
So, if you are an admirer of Mary Gentle's work and have read the 'Golden Witchbreed'... Read more
So, if you are an admirer of Mary Gentle's work and have read the 'Golden Witchbreed'... Read more
Published on February 25, 2011 by Duchess
5.0 out of 5 stars
History As It Should Be
I have always believed that there is not only one history. Every country produces
books to be used in the educational system from their own national perspective. Read more
books to be used in the educational system from their own national perspective. Read more
Published on September 10, 2010 by Ahmet Celebiler
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great story, pointless framework, perplexing ending
I had been waiting to read this book for a long time. Now, after about 1000 pages, I'm partly disappointed. Read more
Published on August 22, 2009 by Luca Ozzano
2.0 out of 5 stars
I will never finish this
and you have no idea how much it irks me not to finish a book.
I disagree with the reviewer who thought that "Ash" compared favorably with the "Deed of Paksenarrion" ---... Read more
I disagree with the reviewer who thought that "Ash" compared favorably with the "Deed of Paksenarrion" ---... Read more
Published on April 17, 2008 by Torah Cottrill
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exquisite alternate history fantasy
Middle ages novels with fantasy content you've already seen, but this is different. You'd think you're reading about oru world and history, but...what's this "Green Jesus"? Read more
Published on October 8, 2007 by Ventura Angelo
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