Customer Reviews

Ashling (Obernewtyn Chronicles, Book 3)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Australian author Isobelle Carmody continues to impress with "Ashling", the third volume of her Obernewtyn fantasy series. In "Obernewtyn" and "The Farseekers", we first met Elspeth and her group of Misfits, humans with strange mental powers, and learnt of their struggles to survive in a post-Holocaust world. Now, summoned by a strange dream- the mysterious "ashling" of the title- and aided by the half-mad but wise cat Maruman, Elspeth must undertake another journey to save Obernewtyn and all who dwell there.

In this novel, the characters and the world sketched out in the first two volumes truly begin to blossom. Elspeth becomes an ever more complex character, with a strong and unique voice, while the ancillary characters acquire far more depth, meshing seamlessly into the story. The story unfolds with a measured pace as Carmody evokes the wonder and mystery of this eerie world.

Those who have read the other books in the series will welcome this addition to the growing story. What began as a decent fantasy series somewhat lacking in depth and definition has flowered into a more developed world peopled with realistic characters. I recommend reading the books in order, as several elements are assumed knowledge and remain unexplained in this book. Frustratingly, the story is not fully resolved in "Ashling", which kept me hanging for a few years until the next book was released. Look out for "The Keeping Place", which adds a fourth volume to this excellent series.

8.5 stars out of 10

Ashling lets the reader delve into the Land and all of Obernewtyn, to previously unexpolred depths mentally and physically that can be seen in both style and story. Carmody's portrayal of the misfit's world has matured as her characters have over time and a great difference can be seen between the marvelous Farseekers and Ashling, the third book in the Obernewtyn Chronicles. This installment is set maybe two years after Ashling, when the hope of alliance with the rebellion against the Land's usurpers The Council, and the Herder Faction is becoming a reality, with request for Obernewtyn representatives to stand audience with the Rebel leaders. Elspeth, the powerful Farseeker Guildmistress, rescues a halfbreed gypsy woman put to the Herder flame and is again caught up in Beastlegend and prophecy, relying on a Futureteller's foreboding vision that she must complete a number of tasks that, through interpretation, mean little to her in a mere sevenday, for all of Obernewtyn rests on it. The novel also takes us to Sador for the first time; a wonderful, exotic land of diverse culture and higher understanding, where the deformed children of the Earthtemple see many things in Elspeth's future of her ultimate task to rid the world of Weaponmachines. And we experience the Dreamtrails; Ashlings, in beastspeech. A world that seems like a dream, but with the H'rayka pursuing Elspeth and her protectors, Maruman and Gahltha, Elspeth finds the threats of the Dreamtrails are very real. This novel makes you love the characters all the more, extends the Land as we knew it to vaster regions and will renew your love in the misfits and their plea. If you have read Obernewtyn and Farseekers, or any of Carmody's other work; get this book. It is, in my opinion, one of her best.

Considering that I'm 12 years old this may sound funny but this book came across a little immature. I mean the main character Elspeth was so emotionally immature that it made me feel old. Also the story just dragged on and on going no where. The writing style itself is not bad at all, it is the plot and story lines that really lack depth and the moral angles are so cliched and politically correct...it's all too much. I enjoy some of the themes like the psychic stuff but these skills seem to be only glanced over really and they the characters are just so weak when using them. What's the point?

"Ashling" is the book where all the real adventure starts in the "Obernewtyn Chronicles". Elspeth has been hardened by the loss of so many around her, and the awkward formality between her and Rushton is ever there. The Land around Elspeth is a cold and dangerous place, especially for misfits, and she finds even the rebels may not be on their side. Don't be threatened by the size of this book; it's addictive. You'll be ready for book four before you know it.

Ashling is the best book in the Obernewtyn series. It explores the gypsy group, the 'Twenty families' and Sadoria, the desert land rarely spoke of during the first two books. Elspeth also starts dreaming about Ariel and is told of her quest to destroy the weapon machines before the destroyer (Ariel) does. Elspeth also meets with the rebels and undertakes a competition to see if they are fit to become allys with them. It is a great book, well written and Elspeth's and Rushton's relationship is explored. Obernewtyn is a fantastic series and I am hoping that a fifth book will be released soon.

When Elspeth's friend Brydda and his fellow rebels seem to be pushing for war against the council, many of the misfits feel that they should be joining in the fighting. After all the council has been hunting people with misfit talents and burning them at the stakes for years. So when Maryon, a member of the futureteller guild, sees Elspeth traveling to Sutrium, where the rebels are stationed, Elspeth and Rushton realize that this is the time to strike. Elspeth has another task on her hand, returning a gypsy woman to her people. Elspeth soon realizes that neither of these tasks will be solved easily. The gypsy woman is dying, and Elspeth doesn't know where to find her people. Worse yet is the rebels. Very few of them are willing to accept misfits with powers as their allies. It looks like the only way that they can be convinced is if the misfits prove themselves, a very dangerous task indeed.

I absolutely loved this book. After The Farseekers, I didn't think that the series could get much better. I was wrong. Not only is Ashling the longest book in the series so far but it's defiantly the best. Characters that were introduced in the last two books have really grown and developed into different people completely. The most obvious is Domick, the coercer who's job at the council has turned him cold and heartless to everyone, even his own bondmate. The plot is fast paced and exciting. There is rarely a dull moment in this 450+ page wonder. Another perk is the new places that your introduced to. Not only Sutrium but in another country entirely (read the book if you want to find out). Amazing revelations are made about the beforetimers that are strikingly prophetic to our own world. Isobelle Carmody ends up telling an amazing fantasy story while weaving in serious question about the lives we live ourselves.

Fantastic books, Amazing Story, Gripping Narrative!
However it's becoming almost tiresome that it takes SOOOOOOOO long for the next installment in the story to be released!
I read book 1 over 8 years ago!
And as much as i LOVE the story and think the series and all of Isobelle Carmody's other writings are world class, the more drawn out the wait becomes the more the taste of the story sours in my mouth.
DESPITE all this though, I am waiting on the edge of my seat for the chance to read the next installment which i've heard will be realesed in the next 18 months or so........

This is the first book I read in the Obertenwyn series, on a dare, as the book resembles a house brick, and 'you couldn't possibly read that!' so, i read it to prove i could read long books in a short amount of time...i didn't know i'd be hooked on Carmody's writing afterwards! This would have to be my personal favourite book in this series, I've got some of my other friends (...)to read them also and they too think they're great. This proves that Carmody's writing appeals to a large range of readers, as all of my friends have different tastes in books. The characters are really good in this book, and the Keeping place, the 4th book, is also really really good. only one more to come after the Keeping Place...;( i hope she continues anyway! Good reading!

Isobelle Carmody is now one of my favorite writers. I already read Ashling before realizing it was number 3 in a series, so now I've read The Farseekers and Ashling twice and plan on buying The Keeping Place and Obernewtyn soon. Isobelle Carmody is truly a creative writer and keeps you wanting more after each page. She builds a fantasy world with intriguing characters and a realistic young heroine. I sincerely recommend it to young adults and even older adults and promise you will love it.

What frustrates me about Carmody is that she seems to be unable to keep on track when it comes to this series - the readers are promised a book by a certain date, which is constantly pushed back, and during which we see printing of other books and series. It's all a bit in the strains of Robin Hobb, and immensely irritating. Particularly when a series is as good as this one.

Whilst Obernewtyn began as a highly readable but formulaic post-apocalyptic fantasy, and The FarSeekers only began to push the envelope, in Ashling Carmody finally begins to spread her own creative wings, and move beyond the tried and true recipes, that until now she has slavishly conformed to. The secondary characters really blossom in this book, allowing us even greater understanding of them and Elspeth, through her interactions with them. Not to mention how it paves the way for the protagonist's relationship with Rushton, pushing off from the sexually charged end scene in The Farseekers.
This series just keeps getting better.