A Curse Of Ash And Iron by Christine Norris

Release Date: 21, May, 2015

ISBN-13: 9781620078853

Genre: Sci-fi, Fantasy

Publisher: Curiosity Quills

Source: Publisher 

Rate: 4.3/5

SYNOPSIS

Benjamin Grimm knows the theater is much like real life. In 1876 Philadelphia, people play their parts, hiding behind the illusion of their lives, and never revealing their secrets. 

When he reunites with his childhood friend Eleanor Banneker, he is delighted. His delight turns to dismay when he discovers she has been under a spell for the past 7 years, being forced to live as a servant in her own home, and he realizes how sinister some secrets can be. She asks for his help, and he can’t refuse. Even if he doesn’t believe in ‘real’ magic, he can’t abandon her. 

Ellie has spent the long years since her mother’s death under the watchful eye and unforgiving eye of her stepmother. Bewitched and hidden in plain sight, it seems no one can help Ellie escape. Not even her own father, who is under a spell of his own. When she sees Ben one evening, it seems he is immune to the magic that binds her, and her hope is rekindled along with her friendship.

But time is running short. If they do not find a way to break the spell before midnight on New Year’s Eve, then both Ellie and her father will be bound forever

REVIEW

A Curse Of Ash And Iron is a stand-alone by Christine Norris. Christine Norris has written many fiction novels including The Library Of Athena series. This is the first time I am reading a book by this author, and I've never read anything like this ever before. This book has just been released and thanks to Curiosity Quills (amazing publisher) that they sent me this amazing book. Wow, this book was insane! A Curse Of Ash And Iron was an amazing read! 

One complaint that I have from this book is that it was slow in the beginning, but I later realized the reason. The book didn't started with a sudden suspense untill after 50 pages. Even being a slow book at the beginning we still get to know loads about Ellie and Ben. The biggest suspense and the villian was *drum rolls* Ellie's stepmother, who has placed such an insane curse on Ellie that you would want to kill her stepmother. The Curse had simply made this book unputdownable!
My favorite character was Ben. Ben is a poor boy, who was separated from his childhood best friend, Ellie, when they were very little. When they grow old, he meets Ellie again and finds her changed! (Obviously!) Ellie later on explodes to Ben about the curse that her stepmother has placed on Ellie and her father. Ben and Ellie's relationship was very depressing, as Ellie couldn't choose between two guys. The love triangle was very engrossing and I was team Ben until the end. You will find the story a little bit related to Cinderella, with unputdownable super duper suspense.
Overall, this book was very engulfing and I was half sad half happy at the end. I wish the author writes a sequel to this novel in which Rebecca and Hamilton die. (LOL!) But I don't think that this book requires a sequel! This book has gotten amazing reviews, but I recommend it to historical fiction and mystery readers! I rate it 4.3. Share some of your favorite scenes from book below!!

Happy Reading! <3