In The Wake of Ashes :

Rating:
Summary: Fastest 555 pages I've ever read.
Review: I just finished this one last night, and I must say, I am exhausted because I refused to sleep until I had finished the last 40 pages or so. This was a wonderful follow-up to Ms. Russell's first effort "My Brother's Keeper" (which also kept me awake until the wee hours). Characters I had come to know and care about in the first book were kept faithfully true in the second, and the villains were just as vile!


The character of William is inspirational as well as sympathetic. He spends most of the story paralyzed as a result of a traumatic circumstance that befell him in the first book. At first I was worried that Ms. Russell was going to pull one of those "soap opera" miracle cures out her bag, but that's not what happened. William's road back is extraordinarily believable. I found myself cringing with the description of the pains he felt, and couldn't help cheering when the pain became 'productive' for him.


The story itself was gripping, and for once, I was not able to second guess where the plot was taking me. That is the mark of a great story in my book!


The rest of the cast are drawn equally convincing: Mehlyndia, the long suffering loyal wife; Ian, William's friend and caregiver with an interesting story of his own; Bryndah, the most evil villainess since Cruella DeVil (she is positively delicious), and all the rest. None of them are purely good, nor purely evil (though Bryndah comes close), and I was delighted when a returning 'baddie' from the first novel turned out to be something completely unexpected (I won't give it away here).


My only complaint is that the 555 pages went far to quickly. I am looking forward to more.

Rating:
Summary: Better than the first!
Review: I waited a whole year for this book. The Sequel to "My Brother's Keeper". It tells the rest of the story of the life and tribulations of William Fylbrigge, and his struggle to reclaim his life, and dignity. It is an exploration in human determination against seemingly insurmountable odds.
Some old friends from the first novel have made it back, and grown in their roles. Ian, the former monk, now William's confidant and self appointed caregiver, is just one of the unfogettable characters expertly drawn by Ms. Russell. His crisis of faith, and self doubt are palpable and honest and I was as drawn to him as I was the main character.

The villians too, are just as multi dimensional as they were in the first book.

The plot is easily followed, however the twists are many and once again, I found myself caught in Russell's rollercoaster plot turns, enjoying every moment.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: In the Wake of Ashes is a surprisingly complex story following the life of William Fylbrigge, after he is left broken and shattered by torture.


Ms. Russell has created one of the mose endearing characters in William Fylbrigge, that I have experienced in a long time. His pain is tangible as is his hope, and his incredible strength of faith.


Though the story is mainly William's journey back to himself, and his adventures in finally finding a way home, there are several other very interersting sub plots, that keep the story multi-leveled and exciting.


I especially enjoyed the sub-story about Bryndah, William's evil sister-in-law, and her wonderfully wicked antics with the pirates.


I read this book first, before "My Brother's Keeper" only by mistake, not realizing it was a sequel, but I can tell you, this story does stand on it's own very well. However, I highly recommend the first book first, as it does make some things a lot clearer.


Looking forward to more.

Rating:
Summary: I didn't want it to end! Gripping tale.
Review: This continuation of poor William Fylbrigge's plight is as well written as the first book. Ms. Russell's writing eloquently demonstrates the power and strength of each character, (whether they are the heroes or the villians!!)

The horror and pain of each day of William's life can only be imagined. His struggles and growth were inspirational. He was such an easy character to support and love. I wanted to help him!! The weaving of "magic", deep beliefs and faith in the story lent to the overall spell of the book.

I particularly liked the way the ending "entries" tied the story to completion. I look forward to any subsequent novels from Ms. Russell.

Rating:
Summary: Fastest 555 pages I've ever read.
Review: This is one continuation that is actually better than the first book. I read My Brother's Keeper, and met William Fylbrigge and the entire clan of Drumoak and Stonehaven, and they captured my imagination and my heart. Now, in the Second Book of the series, we pick up with William, now called Philbrick, as he struggles to remember his past and make a new life in the new colonies of New France (Nova Scotia). With dreams of a man named Sean and a woman named Laurel, he is trapped in a broken body. His keen mind finds devices to aid his existence (the magic closet, the wheel that turns his lathe), but that's all it is...existence. Then, a chance journey into the forest with two friends turns into the ultimate nightmare--stranded and left for dead. Back at his home, raiders destroy the village and murder all but a few--his wife and son escape to the safety of a boat home. Thus begins William's journey and struggle to reclaim his past, his identity, and find his way home. Aided by his spectral brother, Sean, and new friends who had previously arrived, William makes that hard and often painful journey. This book is, in turns, touching, heartbreaking, exciting, thrilling, and downright spooky. William is a hero for all of us...a man of principal and quiet strength. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Just read it...it's worth far more than the price quoted!

Rating:
Summary: Welcome to his nightmare!!!
Review: This is one continuation that is actually better than the first book. I read My Brother's Keeper, and met William Fylbrigge and the entire clan of Drumoak and Stonehaven, and they captured my imagination and my heart. Now, in the Second Book of the series, we pick up with William, now called Philbrick, as he struggles to remember his past and make a new life in the new colonies of New France (Nova Scotia). With dreams of a man named Sean and a woman named Laurel, he is trapped in a broken body. His keen mind finds devices to aid his existence (the magic closet, the wheel that turns his lathe), but that's all it is...existence. Then, a chance journey into the forest with two friends turns into the ultimate nightmare--stranded and left for dead. Back at his home, raiders destroy the village and murder all but a few--his wife and son escape to the safety of a boat home. Thus begins William's journey and struggle to reclaim his past, his identity, and find his way home. Aided by his spectral brother, Sean, and new friends who had previously arrived, William makes that hard and often painful journey. This book is, in turns, touching, heartbreaking, exciting, thrilling, and downright spooky. William is a hero for all of us...a man of principal and quiet strength. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Just read it...it's worth far more than the price quoted!