Thursday 13 December 2012

Review: Falling to Ash by Karen Mahoney

Falling to Ash by Karen Mahoney
Publisher: Random House UK
Publication date: 27th September 2012
My rating: 4 stars


You can’t choose your family... living or dead.

Trapped between two very different worlds, newly made vampire Moth is struggling to find her place in either. Not only does she have to answer to her strict Irish-Catholic Dad, but her over-protective maker, Theo, is intent on making her the star attraction in his powerful Boston vampire clan. Moth will have to pull off the double-act of the century to please both of them...

Adding to her problems is the dangerously attractive Jason Murdoch, a trainee vampire hunter who loves to play cat and mouse in his spare time (Jace = cat; Moth = mouse). But when the teenagers of Boston’s wealthiest families start to disappear, it forces Moth and Jace into an uneasy truce. Will they be able to solve the mystery behind the disappearances—before someone winds up undead?

Falling to Ash restored that little bit faith that I had lost in my paranormal reads. I used to be a paranormal junkie, but in the last year I found them repetitive and tiresome. That explains why in the last year there’s only been one paranormal read which has completely moved me, but I’m happy to say Falling to Ash was another book which took me by surprise.

The typical stories that we seem to be finding in paranormal books; “who is the mysterious character; I know he’s hiding something but I can’t put my finger on it”, irksome love triangles and a heroine who puts her life on the line for the mysterious stranger who surely isn’t human is thankfully not in sight in Falling to Ash hooray! Instead we’re following the life on young snarky vampire Moth. She’d spent the night with Theo finally filling the big gaping hole left by her dead mother and non-existent father. But she didn’t expect after one of the best nights of her life; Theo would bite her and she would have to live through torturous weeks of getting turned into a vampire. She would rather have died for real instead of becoming an undead vampire. But there was nothing that could be done now; she had to live by her maker Theo’s rules.

In Falling to Ash the world isn’t aware of vampires, there’s a select few who do know and they’re vampire hunters; Thomas and his son Jason Murdoch. Thomas has been on a rampage forever in trying to bring Theo and his vampires down. But then unusual circumstances where teenagers that Moth knew from her human life ending up dead as if they were attacked by an animal, force Jason and Moth to work together as a team.

Jason and Moth’s situation was a hilarious one. There’s nothing more I enjoy more when two characters who hate each other’s guts are forced to work together. Despite their brief tense history, Jason and Moth become to realise they made a formidable team, not only were they able to bring more to the table by coming from two different backgrounds, they were able to delve deeper and become closer to discovering the killer than the police ever were. Jason and Moth were a great pair to be around, it was fun watching them to learn to trust one another, and their adventure was fun and full with much appreciated tension along the way.

Falling to Ash made me realise that I need more books with pov’s from female vampires, this is the second book I have read with this situation and I’ve discovered I’m much able to connect with the characters, thus resulting in a much more enjoyable reading experience.

I hugely recommend reading Falling to Ash if you’re in a paranormal funk and are looking for something fresh and funny. Mahoney does a great job in weaving great aspects of humour in to the book that you will find yourself sniggering to yourself when you least expect it.

14 comments:

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Wonderful review. This sounds like something I'd enjoy. I read so many reviews of paranormal novels that seem to have the same old storyline, so I'm glad to hear this one doesn't fall down the "over-done" path. I also really like humor!

-Lauren

Celine said...

Ooo! I would never have thought this book has humour in it by just looking at the cover. I've heard of Karen Mahoney's books before and I've heard of Falling to Ash too and reading your review makes me want to read it so badly! And yay to books about vampires ;)

Awesome review, Jasprit ♥ So glad you enjoyed it!

Keertana said...

Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Jasprit! I love the cover, but after a couple of negative reviews, I knocked this off shelf. It looks like I'll have to throw it back up there though since this one seems too good to miss. I love the take on vampires and am already curious to see what happens. Wonderful review, dear!(:

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

I'm glad this worked for you, Jasprit! As you know, I was a little disappointed with it. I remember you saying that we had swapped favourite genres for a little while. Very true! :) Anyway, this is a great review. I hope book 2 will prove to be just as refreshing for you.

Unknown said...

I love snarky characters and Moth sounds like one. Adding this to my pile, Jasprit. Thanks!

Great review, as always.

Jenny said...

I love when I stumble across a book that completely renews my faith and interest in a genre I'd started to walk away from a bit! I'm glad this was that read for you Jasprit, and I'm even more thrilled that none of the typical paranormal YA elements are in place! WOO HOO! Definitely need to give this one a try!

Aa'Ishah said...

I'm so glad to hear that this is something refreshing. I think I'm gradually losing my faith that that there's anything really new to see in the paranormal books out there, and it sounds like this might be the one to restore that faith. I'm another fan of watching two people who hate each other being forced to work together - and then seeing them become incredible. Beautiful review, Jasprit. :)

Anonymous said...

I've never come across this book before, Jasprit, but I'm so glad I read your review. I completely agree with you on paranormal books these days. They all are the same at the core. I'm happy to hear that this one is refreshing. I love the sound of Moth. I can't wait to finally meet her! Lovely review, Jasprit! :)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I am burned out on vamps, but maybe I will give this a go. I like a hilarious male character and two people who are thrown together and don't get along... hopefully sparks will fly and a romance will develop. I know Sam wasn't a fan of this one but I am glad to hear it worked for you!

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

Moth sounds like a great protagonist! It seems that you had quite a lot of fun reading the book, yay :)

Vegan YA Nerds said...

I so know what you mean, I read too many paranormal books in a row and became annoyed by all the similar situations/aspects but I am keen to read more pnr if they're like this!

I like the sound of Moth (cool name, too!) and I have another of the author's books, so now I'm keen to read that, too!

Michelle Fluttering Butterflies said...

I've been a bit weary of late of paranormals too, but I really liked this one! I'm definitely interested to see where the story will go..

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

Like you, I love when two characters that can't stand each other have to work together. This one actually sounds very refreshing. I defintiely want to read it, and I absolutely adore that cover.
Thank you for the lovely review, Jasprit!
And I agree with Mands, Moth is a VERY cool name.

Livvy said...

I do love my paranormal books and it's nice to hear of a female vampire. They seem to be a little rarer compared to male vampire protagonists. It's rather annoying really.

Glad you could find a book that brought you back out of your paranormal funk because there are lots of books out there that are brilliant and not all sparkly vampires. ;)

Great review!

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